Extensive epistasis for olfactory behaviour, sleep and waking activity in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Swarup, Shilpa; Harbison, Susan T; Hahn, Lauren E; Morozova, Tatiana V; Yamamoto, Akihiko; Mackay, Trudy F C; Anholt, Robert R H

2012-02-01

Epistasis is an important feature of the genetic architecture of quantitative traits, but the dynamics of epistatic interactions in natural populations and the relationship between epistasis and pleiotropy remain poorly understood. Here, we studied the effects of epistatic modifiers that segregate in a wild-derived Drosophila melanogaster population on the mutational effects of P-element insertions in Semaphorin-5C (Sema-5c) and Calreticulin (Crc), pleiotropic genes that affect olfactory behaviour and startle behaviour and, in the case of Crc, sleep phenotypes. We introduced Canton-S B (CSB) third chromosomes with or without a P-element insertion at the Crc or Sema-5c locus in multiple wild-derived inbred lines of the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) and assessed the effects of epistasis on the olfactory response to benzaldehyde and, for Crc, also on sleep. In each case, we found substantial epistasis and significant variation in the magnitude of epistasis. The predominant direction of epistatic effects was to suppress the mutant phenotype. These observations support a previous study on startle behaviour using the same D. melanogaster chromosome substitution lines, which concluded that suppressing epistasis may buffer the effects of new mutations. However, epistatic effects are not correlated among the different phenotypes. Thus, suppressing epistasis appears to be a pervasive general feature of natural populations to protect against the effects of new mutations, but different epistatic interactions modulate different phenotypes affected by mutations at the same pleiotropic gene.

The Genetic Basis of Natural Variation in Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Virgin Egg Retention.

PubMed

Akhund-Zade, Jamilla; Bergland, Alan O; Crowe, Sarah O; Unckless, Robert L

2017-01-01

Drosophila melanogaster is able to thrive in harsh northern climates through adaptations in life-history traits and physiological mechanisms that allow for survival through the winter. We examined the genetic basis of natural variation in one such trait, female virgin egg retention, which was previously shown to vary clinally and seasonally. To further our understanding of the genetic basis and evolution of virgin egg retention, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the previously sequenced Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) mapping population. We found 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with virgin egg retention and assayed 6 available mutant lines, each harboring a mutation in a candidate gene, for effects on egg retention time. We found that four out of the six mutant lines had defects in egg retention time as compared with the respective controls: mun, T48, Mes-4, and Klp67A Surprisingly, none of these genes has a recognized role in ovulation control, but three of the four genes have known effects on fertility or have high expression in the ovaries. We also found that the SNP set associated with egg retention time was enriched for clinal SNPs. The majority of clinal SNPs had alleles associated with longer egg retention present at higher frequencies in higher latitudes. Our results support previous studies that show higher frequency of long retention times at higher latitude, providing evidence for the adaptive value of virgin egg-retention. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Entomological Society of America.

The Effect of Common Inversion Polymorphisms In(2L)t and In(3R)Mo on Patterns of Transcriptional Variation in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Lavington, Erik; Kern, Andrew D

2017-11-06

Chromosomal inversions are a ubiquitous feature of genetic variation. Theoretical models describe several mechanisms by which inversions can drive adaptation and be maintained as polymorphisms. While inversions have been shown previously to be under selection, or contain genetic variation under selection, the specific phenotypic consequences of inversions leading to their maintenance remain unclear. Here we use genomic sequence and expression data from the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to explore the effects of two cosmopolitan inversions, In ( 2L ) t and In ( 3R ) Mo , on patterns of transcriptional variation. We demonstrate that each inversion has a significant effect on transcript abundance for hundreds of genes across the genome. Inversion-affected loci (IAL) appear both within inversions as well as on unlinked chromosomes. Importantly, IAL do not appear to be influenced by the previously reported genome-wide expression correlation structure. We found that five genes involved with sterol uptake, four of which are Niemann-Pick Type 2 orthologs, are upregulated in flies with In ( 3R ) Mo but do not have SNPs in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the inversion. We speculate that this upregulation is driven by genetic variation in mod ( mdg4 ) that is in LD with In ( 3R ) Mo We find that there is little evidence for a regional or position effect of inversions on gene expression at the chromosomal level, but do find evidence for the distal breakpoint of In ( 3R ) Mo interrupting one gene and possibly disassociating the two flanking genes from regulatory elements. Copyright © 2017 Lavington and Kern.

The Effect of Common Inversion Polymorphisms In(2L)t and In(3R)Mo on Patterns of Transcriptional Variation in Drosophila melanogaster

PubMed Central

Lavington, Erik; Kern, Andrew D.

2017-01-01

Chromosomal inversions are a ubiquitous feature of genetic variation. Theoretical models describe several mechanisms by which inversions can drive adaptation and be maintained as polymorphisms. While inversions have been shown previously to be under selection, or contain genetic variation under selection, the specific phenotypic consequences of inversions leading to their maintenance remain unclear. Here we use genomic sequence and expression data from the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to explore the effects of two cosmopolitan inversions, In(2L)t and In(3R)Mo, on patterns of transcriptional variation. We demonstrate that each inversion has a significant effect on transcript abundance for hundreds of genes across the genome. Inversion-affected loci (IAL) appear both within inversions as well as on unlinked chromosomes. Importantly, IAL do not appear to be influenced by the previously reported genome-wide expression correlation structure. We found that five genes involved with sterol uptake, four of which are Niemann-Pick Type 2 orthologs, are upregulated in flies with In(3R)Mo but do not have SNPs in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the inversion. We speculate that this upregulation is driven by genetic variation in mod(mdg4) that is in LD with In(3R)Mo. We find that there is little evidence for a regional or position effect of inversions on gene expression at the chromosomal level, but do find evidence for the distal breakpoint of In(3R)Mo interrupting one gene and possibly disassociating the two flanking genes from regulatory elements. PMID:28916647

The Genetic Basis for Variation in Sensitivity to Lead Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Zhou, Shanshan; Morozova, Tatiana V; Hussain, Yasmeen N; Luoma, Sarah E; McCoy, Lenovia; Yamamoto, Akihiko; Mackay, Trudy F C; Anholt, Robert R H

2016-07-01

Lead toxicity presents a worldwide health problem, especially due to its adverse effects on cognitive development in children. However, identifying genes that give rise to individual variation in susceptibility to lead toxicity is challenging in human populations. Our goal was to use Drosophila melanogaster to identify evolutionarily conserved candidate genes associated with individual variation in susceptibility to lead exposure. To identify candidate genes associated with variation in susceptibility to lead toxicity, we measured effects of lead exposure on development time, viability and adult activity in the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) and performed genome-wide association analyses to identify candidate genes. We used mutants to assess functional causality of candidate genes and constructed a genetic network associated with variation in sensitivity to lead exposure, on which we could superimpose human orthologs. We found substantial heritabilities for all three traits and identified candidate genes associated with variation in susceptibility to lead exposure for each phenotype. The genetic architectures that determine variation in sensitivity to lead exposure are highly polygenic. Gene ontology and network analyses showed enrichment of genes associated with early development and function of the nervous system. Drosophila melanogaster presents an advantageous model to study the genetic underpinnings of variation in susceptibility to lead toxicity. Evolutionary conservation of cellular pathways that respond to toxic exposure allows predictions regarding orthologous genes and pathways across phyla. Thus, studies in the D. melanogaster model system can identify candidate susceptibility genes to guide subsequent studies in human populations. Zhou S, Morozova TV, Hussain YN, Luoma SE, McCoy L, Yamamoto A, Mackay TF, Anholt RR. 2016. The genetic basis for variation in sensitivity to lead toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Environ Health Perspect 124:1062-1070; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510513.

Recent selective sweeps in North American Drosophila melanogaster show signatures of soft sweeps.

PubMed

Garud, Nandita R; Messer, Philipp W; Buzbas, Erkan O; Petrov, Dmitri A

2015-02-01

Adaptation from standing genetic variation or recurrent de novo mutation in large populations should commonly generate soft rather than hard selective sweeps. In contrast to a hard selective sweep, in which a single adaptive haplotype rises to high population frequency, in a soft selective sweep multiple adaptive haplotypes sweep through the population simultaneously, producing distinct patterns of genetic variation in the vicinity of the adaptive site. Current statistical methods were expressly designed to detect hard sweeps and most lack power to detect soft sweeps. This is particularly unfortunate for the study of adaptation in species such as Drosophila melanogaster, where all three confirmed cases of recent adaptation resulted in soft selective sweeps and where there is evidence that the effective population size relevant for recent and strong adaptation is large enough to generate soft sweeps even when adaptation requires mutation at a specific single site at a locus. Here, we develop a statistical test based on a measure of haplotype homozygosity (H12) that is capable of detecting both hard and soft sweeps with similar power. We use H12 to identify multiple genomic regions that have undergone recent and strong adaptation in a large population sample of fully sequenced Drosophila melanogaster strains from the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP). Visual inspection of the top 50 candidates reveals that in all cases multiple haplotypes are present at high frequencies, consistent with signatures of soft sweeps. We further develop a second haplotype homozygosity statistic (H2/H1) that, in combination with H12, is capable of differentiating hard from soft sweeps. Surprisingly, we find that the H12 and H2/H1 values for all top 50 peaks are much more easily generated by soft rather than hard sweeps. We discuss the implications of these results for the study of adaptation in Drosophila and in species with large census population sizes.

The Genetic Basis for Variation in Sensitivity to Lead Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

PubMed Central

Zhou, Shanshan; Morozova, Tatiana V.; Hussain, Yasmeen N.; Luoma, Sarah E.; McCoy, Lenovia; Yamamoto, Akihiko; Mackay, Trudy F.C.; Anholt, Robert R.H.

2016-01-01

Background: Lead toxicity presents a worldwide health problem, especially due to its adverse effects on cognitive development in children. However, identifying genes that give rise to individual variation in susceptibility to lead toxicity is challenging in human populations. Objectives: Our goal was to use Drosophila melanogaster to identify evolutionarily conserved candidate genes associated with individual variation in susceptibility to lead exposure. Methods: To identify candidate genes associated with variation in susceptibility to lead toxicity, we measured effects of lead exposure on development time, viability and adult activity in the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) and performed genome-wide association analyses to identify candidate genes. We used mutants to assess functional causality of candidate genes and constructed a genetic network associated with variation in sensitivity to lead exposure, on which we could superimpose human orthologs. Results: We found substantial heritabilities for all three traits and identified candidate genes associated with variation in susceptibility to lead exposure for each phenotype. The genetic architectures that determine variation in sensitivity to lead exposure are highly polygenic. Gene ontology and network analyses showed enrichment of genes associated with early development and function of the nervous system. Conclusions: Drosophila melanogaster presents an advantageous model to study the genetic underpinnings of variation in susceptibility to lead toxicity. Evolutionary conservation of cellular pathways that respond to toxic exposure allows predictions regarding orthologous genes and pathways across phyla. Thus, studies in the D. melanogaster model system can identify candidate susceptibility genes to guide subsequent studies in human populations. Citation: Zhou S, Morozova TV, Hussain YN, Luoma SE, McCoy L, Yamamoto A, Mackay TF, Anholt RR. 2016. The genetic basis for variation in sensitivity to lead toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Environ Health Perspect 124:1062–1070; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510513 PMID:26859824

VizieR Online Data Catalog: The central black hole in NGC 4414 (Thater+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thater, S.; Krajnovic, D.; Bourne, M. A.; Cappellari, M.; de Zeeuw, T.; Emsellem, E.; Magorrian, J.; McDermid, R. M.; Sarzi, M.; van de Ven, G.

2016-10-01

The FITS files contain the reduced co-added Gemini North NIFS and GMOS flux data cubes for NGC 4414. The observations and data reduction are described in Section 2 of the paper. The data cubes were used to extract the central kinematics of NGC 4414. Both data cubes have 3 extensions: the primary, an E3DDATA table and an E3DGRP table. (2 data files).

A combined reference panel from the 1000 Genomes and UK10K projects improved rare variant imputation in European and Chinese samples

PubMed Central

Chou, Wen-Chi; Zheng, Hou-Feng; Cheng, Chia-Ho; Yan, Han; Wang, Li; Han, Fang; Richards, J. Brent; Karasik, David; Kiel, Douglas P.; Hsu, Yi-Hsiang

2016-01-01

Imputation using the 1000 Genomes haplotype reference panel has been widely adapted to estimate genotypes in genome wide association studies. To evaluate imputation quality with a relatively larger reference panel and a reference panel composed of different ethnic populations, we conducted imputations in the Framingham Heart Study and the North Chinese Study using a combined reference panel from the 1000 Genomes (N = 1,092) and UK10K (N = 3,781) projects. For rare variants with 0.01% < MAF ≤ 0.5%, imputation in the Framingham Heart Study with the combined reference panel increased well-imputed genotypes (with imputation quality score ≥0.4) from 62.9% to 76.1% when compared to imputation with the 1000 Genomes. For the North Chinese samples, imputation of rare variants with 0.01% < MAF ≤ 0.5% with the combined reference panel increased well-imputed genotypes by from 49.8% to 61.8%. The predominant European ancestry of the UK10K and the combined reference panels may explain why there was less of an increase in imputation success in the North Chinese samples. Our results underscore the importance and potential of larger reference panels to impute rare variants, while recognizing that increasing ethnic specific variants in reference panels may result in better imputation for genotypes in some ethnic groups. PMID:28004816

Genotype imputation in the domestic dog

PubMed Central

Meurs, K. M.

2016-01-01

Application of imputation methods to accurately predict a dense array of SNP genotypes in the dog could provide an important supplement to current analyses of array-based genotyping data. Here, we developed a reference panel of 4,885,283 SNPs in 83 dogs across 15 breeds using whole genome sequencing. We used this panel to predict the genotypes of 268 dogs across three breeds with 84,193 SNP array-derived genotypes as inputs. We then (1) performed breed clustering of the actual and imputed data; (2) evaluated several reference panel breed combinations to determine an optimal reference panel composition; and (3) compared the accuracy of two commonly used software algorithms (Beagle and IMPUTE2). Breed clustering was well preserved in the imputation process across eigenvalues representing 75 % of the variation in the imputed data. Using Beagle with a target panel from a single breed, genotype concordance was highest using a multi-breed reference panel (92.4 %) compared to a breed-specific reference panel (87.0 %) or a reference panel containing no breeds overlapping with the target panel (74.9 %). This finding was confirmed using target panels derived from two other breeds. Additionally, using the multi-breed reference panel, genotype concordance was slightly higher with IMPUTE2 (94.1 %) compared to Beagle; Pearson correlation coefficients were slightly higher for both software packages (0.946 for Beagle, 0.961 for IMPUTE2). Our findings demonstrate that genotype imputation from SNP array-derived data to whole genome-level genotypes is both feasible and accurate in the dog with appropriate breed overlap between the target and reference panels. PMID:27129452

Improved imputation accuracy of rare and low-frequency variants using population-specific high-coverage WGS-based imputation reference panel.

PubMed

Mitt, Mario; Kals, Mart; Pärn, Kalle; Gabriel, Stacey B; Lander, Eric S; Palotie, Aarno; Ripatti, Samuli; Morris, Andrew P; Metspalu, Andres; Esko, Tõnu; Mägi, Reedik; Palta, Priit

2017-06-01

Genetic imputation is a cost-efficient way to improve the power and resolution of genome-wide association (GWA) studies. Current publicly accessible imputation reference panels accurately predict genotypes for common variants with minor allele frequency (MAF)≥5% and low-frequency variants (0.5≤MAF<5%) across diverse populations, but the imputation of rare variation (MAF<0.5%) is still rather limited. In the current study, we evaluate imputation accuracy achieved with reference panels from diverse populations with a population-specific high-coverage (30 ×) whole-genome sequencing (WGS) based reference panel, comprising of 2244 Estonian individuals (0.25% of adult Estonians). Although the Estonian-specific panel contains fewer haplotypes and variants, the imputation confidence and accuracy of imputed low-frequency and rare variants was significantly higher. The results indicate the utility of population-specific reference panels for human genetic studies.

Improved imputation accuracy of rare and low-frequency variants using population-specific high-coverage WGS-based imputation reference panel

PubMed Central

Mitt, Mario; Kals, Mart; Pärn, Kalle; Gabriel, Stacey B; Lander, Eric S; Palotie, Aarno; Ripatti, Samuli; Morris, Andrew P; Metspalu, Andres; Esko, Tõnu; Mägi, Reedik; Palta, Priit

2017-01-01

Genetic imputation is a cost-efficient way to improve the power and resolution of genome-wide association (GWA) studies. Current publicly accessible imputation reference panels accurately predict genotypes for common variants with minor allele frequency (MAF)≥5% and low-frequency variants (0.5≤MAF<5%) across diverse populations, but the imputation of rare variation (MAF<0.5%) is still rather limited. In the current study, we evaluate imputation accuracy achieved with reference panels from diverse populations with a population-specific high-coverage (30 ×) whole-genome sequencing (WGS) based reference panel, comprising of 2244 Estonian individuals (0.25% of adult Estonians). Although the Estonian-specific panel contains fewer haplotypes and variants, the imputation confidence and accuracy of imputed low-frequency and rare variants was significantly higher. The results indicate the utility of population-specific reference panels for human genetic studies. PMID:28401899

21 CFR 660.3 - Reference panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.3 Reference panel. A Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel shall be obtained from the Center... shall be used for determining the potency and specificity of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen...

21 CFR 660.3 - Reference panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.3 Reference panel. A Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel shall be obtained from the Center... shall be used for determining the potency and specificity of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen...

21 CFR 660.3 - Reference panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.3 Reference panel. A Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel shall be obtained from the Center for... used for determining the potency and specificity of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen. [40 FR...

21 CFR 660.3 - Reference panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.3 Reference panel. A Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel shall be obtained from the Center... shall be used for determining the potency and specificity of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen...

21 CFR 660.3 - Reference panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.3 Reference panel. A Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel shall be obtained from the Center... shall be used for determining the potency and specificity of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen...

Inclusion of Population-specific Reference Panel from India to the 1000 Genomes Phase 3 Panel Improves Imputation Accuracy.

PubMed

Ahmad, Meraj; Sinha, Anubhav; Ghosh, Sreya; Kumar, Vikrant; Davila, Sonia; Yajnik, Chittaranjan S; Chandak, Giriraj R

2017-07-27

Imputation is a computational method based on the principle of haplotype sharing allowing enrichment of genome-wide association study datasets. It depends on the haplotype structure of the population and density of the genotype data. The 1000 Genomes Project led to the generation of imputation reference panels which have been used globally. However, recent studies have shown that population-specific panels provide better enrichment of genome-wide variants. We compared the imputation accuracy using 1000 Genomes phase 3 reference panel and a panel generated from genome-wide data on 407 individuals from Western India (WIP). The concordance of imputed variants was cross-checked with next-generation re-sequencing data on a subset of genomic regions. Further, using the genome-wide data from 1880 individuals, we demonstrate that WIP works better than the 1000 Genomes phase 3 panel and when merged with it, significantly improves the imputation accuracy throughout the minor allele frequency range. We also show that imputation using only South Asian component of the 1000 Genomes phase 3 panel works as good as the merged panel, making it computationally less intensive job. Thus, our study stresses that imputation accuracy using 1000 Genomes phase 3 panel can be further improved by including population-specific reference panels from South Asia.

Genotype Imputation for Latinos Using the HapMap and 1000 Genomes Project Reference Panels.

PubMed

Gao, Xiaoyi; Haritunians, Talin; Marjoram, Paul; McKean-Cowdin, Roberta; Torres, Mina; Taylor, Kent D; Rotter, Jerome I; Gauderman, William J; Varma, Rohit

2012-01-01

Genotype imputation is a vital tool in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and meta-analyses of multiple GWAS results. Imputation enables researchers to increase genomic coverage and to pool data generated using different genotyping platforms. HapMap samples are often employed as the reference panel. More recently, the 1000 Genomes Project resource is becoming the primary source for reference panels. Multiple GWAS and meta-analyses are targeting Latinos, the most populous, and fastest growing minority group in the US. However, genotype imputation resources for Latinos are rather limited compared to individuals of European ancestry at present, largely because of the lack of good reference data. One choice of reference panel for Latinos is one derived from the population of Mexican individuals in Los Angeles contained in the HapMap Phase 3 project and the 1000 Genomes Project. However, a detailed evaluation of the quality of the imputed genotypes derived from the public reference panels has not yet been reported. Using simulation studies, the Illumina OmniExpress GWAS data from the Los Angles Latino Eye Study and the MACH software package, we evaluated the accuracy of genotype imputation in Latinos. Our results show that the 1000 Genomes Project AMR + CEU + YRI reference panel provides the highest imputation accuracy for Latinos, and that also including Asian samples in the panel can reduce imputation accuracy. We also provide the imputation accuracy for each autosomal chromosome using the 1000 Genomes Project panel for Latinos. Our results serve as a guide to future imputation based analysis in Latinos.

Improved imputation accuracy in Hispanic/Latino populations with larger and more diverse reference panels: applications in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

PubMed Central

Nelson, Sarah C.; Stilp, Adrienne M.; Papanicolaou, George J.; Taylor, Kent D.; Rotter, Jerome I.; Thornton, Timothy A.; Laurie, Cathy C.

2016-01-01

Imputation is commonly used in genome-wide association studies to expand the set of genetic variants available for analysis. Larger and more diverse reference panels, such as the final Phase 3 of the 1000 Genomes Project, hold promise for improving imputation accuracy in genetically diverse populations such as Hispanics/Latinos in the USA. Here, we sought to empirically evaluate imputation accuracy when imputing to a 1000 Genomes Phase 3 versus a Phase 1 reference, using participants from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Our assessments included calculating the correlation between imputed and observed allelic dosage in a subset of samples genotyped on a supplemental array. We observed that the Phase 3 reference yielded higher accuracy at rare variants, but that the two reference panels were comparable at common variants. At a sample level, the Phase 3 reference improved imputation accuracy in Hispanic/Latino samples from the Caribbean more than for Mainland samples, which we attribute primarily to the additional reference panel samples available in Phase 3. We conclude that a 1000 Genomes Project Phase 3 reference panel can yield improved imputation accuracy compared with Phase 1, particularly for rare variants and for samples of certain genetic ancestry compositions. Our findings can inform imputation design for other genome-wide association studies of participants with diverse ancestries, especially as larger and more diverse reference panels continue to become available. PMID:27346520

References for Haplotype Imputation in the Big Data Era

PubMed Central

Li, Wenzhi; Xu, Wei; Li, Qiling; Ma, Li; Song, Qing

2016-01-01

Imputation is a powerful in silico approach to fill in those missing values in the big datasets. This process requires a reference panel, which is a collection of big data from which the missing information can be extracted and imputed. Haplotype imputation requires ethnicity-matched references; a mismatched reference panel will significantly reduce the quality of imputation. However, currently existing big datasets cover only a small number of ethnicities, there is a lack of ethnicity-matched references for many ethnic populations in the world, which has hampered the data imputation of haplotypes and its downstream applications. To solve this issue, several approaches have been proposed and explored, including the mixed reference panel, the internal reference panel and genotype-converted reference panel. This review article provides the information and comparison between these approaches. Increasing evidence showed that not just one or two genetic elements dictate the gene activity and functions; instead, cis-interactions of multiple elements dictate gene activity. Cis-interactions require the interacting elements to be on the same chromosome molecule, therefore, haplotype analysis is essential for the investigation of cis-interactions among multiple genetic variants at different loci, and appears to be especially important for studying the common diseases. It will be valuable in a wide spectrum of applications from academic research, to clinical diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and pharmaceutical industry. PMID:27274952

A Flexible and Accurate Genotype Imputation Method for the Next Generation of Genome-Wide Association Studies

PubMed Central

Howie, Bryan N.; Donnelly, Peter; Marchini, Jonathan

2009-01-01

Genotype imputation methods are now being widely used in the analysis of genome-wide association studies. Most imputation analyses to date have used the HapMap as a reference dataset, but new reference panels (such as controls genotyped on multiple SNP chips and densely typed samples from the 1,000 Genomes Project) will soon allow a broader range of SNPs to be imputed with higher accuracy, thereby increasing power. We describe a genotype imputation method (IMPUTE version 2) that is designed to address the challenges presented by these new datasets. The main innovation of our approach is a flexible modelling framework that increases accuracy and combines information across multiple reference panels while remaining computationally feasible. We find that IMPUTE v2 attains higher accuracy than other methods when the HapMap provides the sole reference panel, but that the size of the panel constrains the improvements that can be made. We also find that imputation accuracy can be greatly enhanced by expanding the reference panel to contain thousands of chromosomes and that IMPUTE v2 outperforms other methods in this setting at both rare and common SNPs, with overall error rates that are 15%–20% lower than those of the closest competing method. One particularly challenging aspect of next-generation association studies is to integrate information across multiple reference panels genotyped on different sets of SNPs; we show that our approach to this problem has practical advantages over other suggested solutions. PMID:19543373

Performance of genotype imputation for low frequency and rare variants from the 1000 genomes.

PubMed

Zheng, Hou-Feng; Rong, Jing-Jing; Liu, Ming; Han, Fang; Zhang, Xing-Wei; Richards, J Brent; Wang, Li

2015-01-01

Genotype imputation is now routinely applied in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and meta-analyses. However, most of the imputations have been run using HapMap samples as reference, imputation of low frequency and rare variants (minor allele frequency (MAF) < 5%) are not systemically assessed. With the emergence of next-generation sequencing, large reference panels (such as the 1000 Genomes panel) are available to facilitate imputation of these variants. Therefore, in order to estimate the performance of low frequency and rare variants imputation, we imputed 153 individuals, each of whom had 3 different genotype array data including 317k, 610k and 1 million SNPs, to three different reference panels: the 1000 Genomes pilot March 2010 release (1KGpilot), the 1000 Genomes interim August 2010 release (1KGinterim), and the 1000 Genomes phase1 November 2010 and May 2011 release (1KGphase1) by using IMPUTE version 2. The differences between these three releases of the 1000 Genomes data are the sample size, ancestry diversity, number of variants and their frequency spectrum. We found that both reference panel and GWAS chip density affect the imputation of low frequency and rare variants. 1KGphase1 outperformed the other 2 panels, at higher concordance rate, higher proportion of well-imputed variants (info>0.4) and higher mean info score in each MAF bin. Similarly, 1M chip array outperformed 610K and 317K. However for very rare variants (MAF ≤ 0.3%), only 0-1% of the variants were well imputed. We conclude that the imputation of low frequency and rare variants improves with larger reference panels and higher density of genome-wide genotyping arrays. Yet, despite a large reference panel size and dense genotyping density, very rare variants remain difficult to impute.

MaCH-Admix: Genotype Imputation for Admixed Populations

PubMed Central

Liu, Eric Yi; Li, Mingyao; Wang, Wei; Li, Yun

2012-01-01

Imputation in admixed populations is an important problem but challenging due to the complex linkage disequilibrium (LD) pattern. The emergence of large reference panels such as that from the 1,000 Genomes Project enables more accurate imputation in general, and in particular for admixed populations and for uncommon variants. To efficiently benefit from these large reference panels, one key issue to consider in modern genotype imputation framework is the selection of effective reference panels. In this work, we consider a number of methods for effective reference panel construction inside a hidden Markov model and specific to each target individual. These methods fall into two categories: identity-by-state (IBS) based and ancestry-weighted approach. We evaluated the performance on individuals from recently admixed populations. Our target samples include 8,421 African Americans and 3,587 Hispanic Americans from the Women’s Health Initiative, which allow assessment of imputation quality for uncommon variants. Our experiments include both large and small reference panels; large, medium, and small target samples; and in genome regions of varying levels of LD. We also include BEAGLE and IMPUTE2 for comparison. Experiment results with large reference panel suggest that our novel piecewise IBS method yields consistently higher imputation quality than other methods/software. The advantage is particularly noteworthy among uncommon variants where we observe up to 5.1% information gain with the difference being highly significant (Wilcoxon signed rank test P-value < 0.0001). Our work is the first that considers various sensible approaches for imputation in admixed populations and presents a comprehensive comparison. PMID:23074066

Genotype Imputation with Thousands of Genomes

PubMed Central

Howie, Bryan; Marchini, Jonathan; Stephens, Matthew

2011-01-01

Genotype imputation is a statistical technique that is often used to increase the power and resolution of genetic association studies. Imputation methods work by using haplotype patterns in a reference panel to predict unobserved genotypes in a study dataset, and a number of approaches have been proposed for choosing subsets of reference haplotypes that will maximize accuracy in a given study population. These panel selection strategies become harder to apply and interpret as sequencing efforts like the 1000 Genomes Project produce larger and more diverse reference sets, which led us to develop an alternative framework. Our approach is built around a new approximation that uses local sequence similarity to choose a custom reference panel for each study haplotype in each region of the genome. This approximation makes it computationally efficient to use all available reference haplotypes, which allows us to bypass the panel selection step and to improve accuracy at low-frequency variants by capturing unexpected allele sharing among populations. Using data from HapMap 3, we show that our framework produces accurate results in a wide range of human populations. We also use data from the Malaria Genetic Epidemiology Network (MalariaGEN) to provide recommendations for imputation-based studies in Africa. We demonstrate that our approximation improves efficiency in large, sequence-based reference panels, and we discuss general computational strategies for modern reference datasets. Genome-wide association studies will soon be able to harness the power of thousands of reference genomes, and our work provides a practical way for investigators to use this rich information. New methodology from this study is implemented in the IMPUTE2 software package. PMID:22384356

75 FR 22558 - Federal Advisory Committee; Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel; Charter Renewal

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-29

... authorities in the fields of science, engineering, business, and political-military. Panel Members appointed... Panel (hereafter referred to as the Panel). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Freeman, Deputy... INFORMATION: The Panel is a discretionary Federal advisory committee that shall provide independent advice and...

Genotype imputation from various low-density SNP panels and its impact on accuracy of genomic breeding values in pigs.

PubMed

Grossi, D A; Brito, L F; Jafarikia, M; Schenkel, F S; Feng, Z

2018-04-30

The uptake of genomic selection (GS) by the swine industry is still limited by the costs of genotyping. A feasible alternative to overcome this challenge is to genotype animals using an affordable low-density (LD) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip panel followed by accurate imputation to a high-density panel. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to screen incremental densities of LD panels in order to systematically identify one that balances the tradeoffs among imputation accuracy, prediction accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs), and genotype density (directly associated with genotyping costs). Genotypes using the Illumina Porcine60K BeadChip were available for 1378 Duroc (DU), 2361 Landrace (LA) and 3192 Yorkshire (YO) pigs. In addition, pseudo-phenotypes (de-regressed estimated breeding values) for five economically important traits were provided for the analysis. The reference population for genotyping imputation consisted of 931 DU, 1631 LA and 2103 YO animals and the remainder individuals were included in the validation population of each breed. A LD panel of 3000 evenly spaced SNPs (LD3K) yielded high imputation accuracy rates: 93.78% (DU), 97.07% (LA) and 97.00% (YO) and high correlations (>0.97) between the predicted GEBVs using the actual 60 K SNP genotypes and the imputed 60 K SNP genotypes for all traits and breeds. The imputation accuracy was influenced by the reference population size as well as the amount of parental genotype information available in the reference population. However, parental genotype information became less important when the LD panel had at least 3000 SNPs. The correlation of the GEBVs directly increased with an increase in imputation accuracy. When genotype information for both parents was available, a panel of 300 SNPs (imputed to 60 K) yielded GEBV predictions highly correlated (⩾0.90) with genomic predictions obtained based on the true 60 K panel, for all traits and breeds. For a small reference population size with no parents on reference population, it is recommended the use of a panel at least as dense as the LD3K and, when there are two parents in the reference population, a panel as small as the LD300 might be a feasible option. These findings are of great importance for the development of LD panels for swine in order to reduce genotyping costs, increase the uptake of GS and, therefore, optimize the profitability of the swine industry.

Fast and accurate genotype imputation in genome-wide association studies through pre-phasing

PubMed Central

Howie, Bryan; Fuchsberger, Christian; Stephens, Matthew; Marchini, Jonathan; Abecasis, Gonçalo R.

2013-01-01

Sequencing efforts, including the 1000 Genomes Project and disease-specific efforts, are producing large collections of haplotypes that can be used for genotype imputation in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Imputing from these reference panels can help identify new risk alleles, but the use of large panels with existing methods imposes a high computational burden. To keep imputation broadly accessible, we introduce a strategy called “pre-phasing” that maintains the accuracy of leading methods while cutting computational costs by orders of magnitude. In brief, we first statistically estimate the haplotypes for each GWAS individual (“pre-phasing”) and then impute missing genotypes into these estimated haplotypes. This reduces the computational cost because: (i) the GWAS samples must be phased only once, whereas standard methods would implicitly re-phase with each reference panel update; (ii) it is much faster to match a phased GWAS haplotype to one reference haplotype than to match unphased GWAS genotypes to a pair of reference haplotypes. This strategy will be particularly valuable for repeated imputation as reference panels evolve. PMID:22820512

A Unified Approach to Genotype Imputation and Haplotype-Phase Inference for Large Data Sets of Trios and Unrelated Individuals

PubMed Central

Browning, Brian L.; Browning, Sharon R.

2009-01-01

We present methods for imputing data for ungenotyped markers and for inferring haplotype phase in large data sets of unrelated individuals and parent-offspring trios. Our methods make use of known haplotype phase when it is available, and our methods are computationally efficient so that the full information in large reference panels with thousands of individuals is utilized. We demonstrate that substantial gains in imputation accuracy accrue with increasingly large reference panel sizes, particularly when imputing low-frequency variants, and that unphased reference panels can provide highly accurate genotype imputation. We place our methodology in a unified framework that enables the simultaneous use of unphased and phased data from trios and unrelated individuals in a single analysis. For unrelated individuals, our imputation methods produce well-calibrated posterior genotype probabilities and highly accurate allele-frequency estimates. For trios, our haplotype-inference method is four orders of magnitude faster than the gold-standard PHASE program and has excellent accuracy. Our methods enable genotype imputation to be performed with unphased trio or unrelated reference panels, thus accounting for haplotype-phase uncertainty in the reference panel. We present a useful measure of imputation accuracy, allelic R2, and show that this measure can be estimated accurately from posterior genotype probabilities. Our methods are implemented in version 3.0 of the BEAGLE software package. PMID:19200528

Reference-based phasing using the Haplotype Reference Consortium panel.

PubMed

Loh, Po-Ru; Danecek, Petr; Palamara, Pier Francesco; Fuchsberger, Christian; A Reshef, Yakir; K Finucane, Hilary; Schoenherr, Sebastian; Forer, Lukas; McCarthy, Shane; Abecasis, Goncalo R; Durbin, Richard; L Price, Alkes

2016-11-01

Haplotype phasing is a fundamental problem in medical and population genetics. Phasing is generally performed via statistical phasing in a genotyped cohort, an approach that can yield high accuracy in very large cohorts but attains lower accuracy in smaller cohorts. Here we instead explore the paradigm of reference-based phasing. We introduce a new phasing algorithm, Eagle2, that attains high accuracy across a broad range of cohort sizes by efficiently leveraging information from large external reference panels (such as the Haplotype Reference Consortium; HRC) using a new data structure based on the positional Burrows-Wheeler transform. We demonstrate that Eagle2 attains a ∼20× speedup and ∼10% increase in accuracy compared to reference-based phasing using SHAPEIT2. On European-ancestry samples, Eagle2 with the HRC panel achieves >2× the accuracy of 1000 Genomes-based phasing. Eagle2 is open source and freely available for HRC-based phasing via the Sanger Imputation Service and the Michigan Imputation Server.

The impact of case mix on timely access to appointments in a primary care group practice.

PubMed

Ozen, Asli; Balasubramanian, Hari

2013-06-01

At the heart of the practice of primary care is the concept of a physician panel. A panel refers to the set of patients for whose long term, holistic care the physician is responsible. A physician's appointment burden is determined by the size and composition of the panel. Size refers to the number of patients in the panel while composition refers to the case-mix, or the type of patients (older versus younger, healthy versus chronic patients), in the panel. In this paper, we quantify the impact of the size and case-mix on the ability of a multi-provider practice to provide adequate access to its empanelled patients. We use overflow frequency, or the probability that the demand exceeds the capacity, as a measure of access. We formulate problem of minimizing the maximum overflow for a multi-physician practice as a non-linear integer programming problem and establish structural insights that enable us to create simple yet near optimal heuristic strategies to change panels. This optimization framework helps a practice: (1) quantify the imbalances across physicians due to the variation in case mix and panel size, and the resulting effect on access; and (2) determine how panels can be altered in the least disruptive way to improve access. We illustrate our methodology using four test practices created using patient level data from the primary care practice at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. An important advantage of our approach is that it can be implemented in an Excel Spreadsheet and used for aggregate level planning and panel management decisions.

Imputation of single nucleotide polymorhpism genotypes of Hereford cattle: reference panel size, family relationship and population structure

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The objective of this study is to investigate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes imputation of Hereford cattle. Purebred Herefords were from two sources, Line 1 Hereford (N=240) and representatives of Industry Herefords (N=311). Using different reference panels of 62 and 494 males with 1...

21 CFR 610.44 - Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... kits. 610.44 Section 610.44 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... Disease Agents § 610.44 Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits. (a) When available and appropriate to verify acceptable sensitivity and specificity, you, a manufacturer of test kits, must use a...

21 CFR 610.44 - Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... kits. 610.44 Section 610.44 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... Disease Agents § 610.44 Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits. (a) When available and appropriate to verify acceptable sensitivity and specificity, you, a manufacturer of test kits, must use a...

21 CFR 610.44 - Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... kits. 610.44 Section 610.44 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... Disease Agents § 610.44 Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits. (a) When available and appropriate to verify acceptable sensitivity and specificity, you, a manufacturer of test kits, must use a...

21 CFR 610.44 - Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... kits. 610.44 Section 610.44 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... Disease Agents § 610.44 Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits. (a) When available and appropriate to verify acceptable sensitivity and specificity, you, a manufacturer of test kits, must use a...

21 CFR 610.44 - Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... kits. 610.44 Section 610.44 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... Disease Agents § 610.44 Use of reference panels by manufacturers of test kits. (a) When available and appropriate to verify acceptable sensitivity and specificity, you, a manufacturer of test kits, must use a...

75 FR 38861 - Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-06

... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2010-0037] Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). ACTION: Notice of Eighth Panel Meeting. DATES... referred to as ``the FACA'') shall report to and provide the Commissioner of Social Security independent...

76 FR 4146 - Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-24

... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2011-0010] Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). ACTION: Notice of Tenth Panel Meeting. DATES... referred to as ``the FACA'') shall report to and provide the Commissioner of Social Security independent...

76 FR 27143 - Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-10

... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2010-0038] Future Systems Technology Advisory Panel Meeting AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA). ACTION: Notice of Eleventh Panel Meeting. DATES: May... amended, (hereinafter referred to as ``the FACA'') shall report to and provide the Commissioner of Social...

A spectral measurement method for determining white OLED average junction temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yiting; Narendran, Nadarajah

2016-09-01

The objective of this study was to investigate an indirect method of measuring the average junction temperature of a white organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based on temperature sensitivity differences in the radiant power emitted by individual emitter materials (i.e., "blue," "green," and "red"). The measured spectral power distributions (SPDs) of the white OLED as a function of temperature showed amplitude decrease as a function of temperature in the different spectral bands, red, green, and blue. Analyzed data showed a good linear correlation between the integrated radiance for each spectral band and the OLED panel temperature, measured at a reference point on the back surface of the panel. The integrated radiance ratio of the spectral band green compared to red, (G/R), correlates linearly with panel temperature. Assuming that the panel reference point temperature is proportional to the average junction temperature of the OLED panel, the G/R ratio can be used for estimating the average junction temperature of an OLED panel.

Commercial broth microdilution panel validation and reproducibility trials for NVP PDF-713 (LBM 415), a novel inhibitor of bacterial peptide deformylase.

PubMed

Fritsche, T R; Moet, G J; Jones, R N

2004-09-01

NVP PDF-713 (LBM 415) is a peptide deformylase inhibitor being progressed into clinical trials. Dry-form broth microdilution panels of NVP PDF-713 were compared to reference MIC panels of 552 recent clinical isolates. Most (99.2%) dry-form MIC results were within +/- 1 log(2) dilution of the reference panel MICs. Of the bacteria tested, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae showed a bias towards higher and lower MICs, respectively. Same-day and between-day reproducibility tests showed that 98.9% and 96.7% of MIC values, respectively, were within +/- 1 log(2) dilution step, thereby demonstrating a high degree of reliability of the dry-form MIC product for clinical studies.

Irradiance measurement errors due to the assumption of a Lambertian reference panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimes, D. S.; Kirchner, J. A.

1982-01-01

A technique is presented for determining the error in diurnal irradiance measurements that results from the non-Lambertian behavior of a reference panel under various irradiance conditions. Spectral biconical reflectance factors of a spray-painted barium sulfate panel, along with simulated sky radiance data for clear and hazy skies at six solar zenith angles, were used to calculate the estimated panel irradiances and true irradiances for a nadir-looking sensor in two wavelength bands. The inherent errors in total spectral irradiance (0.68 microns) for a clear sky were 0.60, 6.0, 13.0, and 27.0% for solar zenith angles of 0, 45, 60, and 75 deg, respectively. The technique can be used to characterize the error of a specific panel used in field measurements, and thus eliminate any ambiguity of the effects of the type, preparation, and aging of the paint.

Comprehensive metabolic panel

MedlinePlus

A comprehensive metabolic panel is a group of blood tests. They provide an overall picture of your body's chemical balance and metabolism. Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes ...

75 FR 9588 - Advisory Panel on Department of Defense Capabilities for Support of Civil Authorities After...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-03

... Defense Capabilities for Support of Civil Authorities after Certain Incidents (hereinafter referred to as... Advisory Panel on Department of Defense Capabilities for Support of Civil Authorities After Certain... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Advisory Panel on Department of Defense Capabilities...

Sensory analysis of characterising flavours: evaluating tobacco product odours using an expert panel.

PubMed

Krüsemann, Erna J Z; Lasschuijt, Marlou P; de Graaf, C; de Wijk, René A; Punter, Pieter H; van Tiel, Loes; Cremers, Johannes W J M; van de Nobelen, Suzanne; Boesveldt, Sanne; Talhout, Reinskje

2018-05-23

Tobacco flavours are an important regulatory concept in several jurisdictions, for example in the USA, Canada and Europe. The European Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU prohibits cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco having a characterising flavour. This directive defines characterising flavour as 'a clearly noticeable smell or taste other than one of tobacco […]'. To distinguish between products with and without a characterising flavour, we trained an expert panel to identify characterising flavours by smelling. An expert panel (n=18) evaluated the smell of 20 tobacco products using self-defined odour attributes, following Quantitative Descriptive Analysis. The panel was trained during 14 attribute training, consensus training and performance monitoring sessions. Products were assessed during six test sessions. Principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering (four and six clusters) and Hotelling's T-tests (95% and 99% CIs) were used to determine differences and similarities between tobacco products based on odour attributes. The final attribute list contained 13 odour descriptors. Panel performance was sufficient after 14 training sessions. Products marketed as unflavoured that formed a cluster were considered reference products. A four-cluster method distinguished cherry-flavoured, vanilla-flavoured and menthol-flavoured products from reference products. Six clusters subdivided reference products into tobacco leaves, roll-your-own and commercial products. An expert panel was successfully trained to assess characterising odours in cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco. This method could be applied to other product types such as e-cigarettes. Regulatory decisions on the choice of reference products and significance level are needed which directly influences the products being assessed as having a characterising odour. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Uncertainties in predicting solar panel power output

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anspaugh, B.

1974-01-01

The problem of calculating solar panel power output at launch and during a space mission is considered. The major sources of uncertainty and error in predicting the post launch electrical performance of the panel are considered. A general discussion of error analysis is given. Examples of uncertainty calculations are included. A general method of calculating the effect on the panel of various degrading environments is presented, with references supplied for specific methods. A technique for sizing a solar panel for a required mission power profile is developed.

Global Panel of HIV-1 Env Reference Strains for Standardized Assessments of Vaccine-Elicited Neutralizing Antibodies

PubMed Central

deCamp, Allan; Hraber, Peter; Bailer, Robert T.; Seaman, Michael S.; Ochsenbauer, Christina; Kappes, John; Gottardo, Raphael; Edlefsen, Paul; Self, Steve; Tang, Haili; Greene, Kelli; Gao, Hongmei; Daniell, Xiaoju; Sarzotti-Kelsoe, Marcella; Gorny, Miroslaw K.; Zolla-Pazner, Susan; LaBranche, Celia C.; Mascola, John R.; Korber, Bette T.

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Standardized assessments of HIV-1 vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibody responses are complicated by the genetic and antigenic variability of the viral envelope glycoproteins (Envs). To address these issues, suitable reference strains are needed that are representative of the global epidemic. Several panels have been recommended previously, but no clear answers have been available on how many and which strains are best suited for this purpose. We used a statistical model selection method to identify a global panel of reference Env clones from among 219 Env-pseudotyped viruses assayed in TZM-bl cells with sera from 205 HIV-1-infected individuals. The Envs and sera were sampled globally from diverse geographic locations and represented all major genetic subtypes and circulating recombinant forms of the virus. Assays with a panel size of only nine viruses adequately represented the spectrum of HIV-1 serum neutralizing activity seen with the larger panel of 219 viruses. An optimal panel of nine viruses was selected and augmented with three additional viruses for greater genetic and antigenic coverage. The spectrum of HIV-1 serum neutralizing activity seen with the final 12-virus panel closely approximated the activity seen with subtype-matched viruses. Moreover, the final panel was highly sensitive for detection of many of the known broadly neutralizing antibodies. For broader assay applications, all 12 Env clones were converted to infectious molecular clones using a proviral backbone carrying a Renilla luciferase reporter gene (Env.IMC.LucR viruses). This global panel should facilitate highly standardized assessments of vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies across multiple HIV-1 vaccine platforms in different parts of the world. IMPORTANCE An effective HIV-1 vaccine will need to overcome the extraordinary genetic variability of the virus, where most variation occurs in the viral envelope glycoproteins that are the sole targets for neutralizing antibodies. Efforts to elicit broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies that will protect against infection by most circulating strains of the virus are guided in part by in vitro assays that determine the ability of vaccine-elicited antibodies to neutralize genetically diverse HIV-1 variants. Until now, little information was available on how many and which strains of the virus are best suited for this purpose. We applied robust statistical methods to evaluate a large neutralization data set and identified a small panel of viruses that are a good representation of the global epidemic. The neutralization properties of this new panel of reference strains should facilitate the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine. PMID:24352443

Global panel of HIV-1 Env reference strains for standardized assessments of vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies.

PubMed

deCamp, Allan; Hraber, Peter; Bailer, Robert T; Seaman, Michael S; Ochsenbauer, Christina; Kappes, John; Gottardo, Raphael; Edlefsen, Paul; Self, Steve; Tang, Haili; Greene, Kelli; Gao, Hongmei; Daniell, Xiaoju; Sarzotti-Kelsoe, Marcella; Gorny, Miroslaw K; Zolla-Pazner, Susan; LaBranche, Celia C; Mascola, John R; Korber, Bette T; Montefiori, David C

2014-03-01

Standardized assessments of HIV-1 vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibody responses are complicated by the genetic and antigenic variability of the viral envelope glycoproteins (Envs). To address these issues, suitable reference strains are needed that are representative of the global epidemic. Several panels have been recommended previously, but no clear answers have been available on how many and which strains are best suited for this purpose. We used a statistical model selection method to identify a global panel of reference Env clones from among 219 Env-pseudotyped viruses assayed in TZM-bl cells with sera from 205 HIV-1-infected individuals. The Envs and sera were sampled globally from diverse geographic locations and represented all major genetic subtypes and circulating recombinant forms of the virus. Assays with a panel size of only nine viruses adequately represented the spectrum of HIV-1 serum neutralizing activity seen with the larger panel of 219 viruses. An optimal panel of nine viruses was selected and augmented with three additional viruses for greater genetic and antigenic coverage. The spectrum of HIV-1 serum neutralizing activity seen with the final 12-virus panel closely approximated the activity seen with subtype-matched viruses. Moreover, the final panel was highly sensitive for detection of many of the known broadly neutralizing antibodies. For broader assay applications, all 12 Env clones were converted to infectious molecular clones using a proviral backbone carrying a Renilla luciferase reporter gene (Env.IMC.LucR viruses). This global panel should facilitate highly standardized assessments of vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies across multiple HIV-1 vaccine platforms in different parts of the world. An effective HIV-1 vaccine will need to overcome the extraordinary genetic variability of the virus, where most variation occurs in the viral envelope glycoproteins that are the sole targets for neutralizing antibodies. Efforts to elicit broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies that will protect against infection by most circulating strains of the virus are guided in part by in vitro assays that determine the ability of vaccine-elicited antibodies to neutralize genetically diverse HIV-1 variants. Until now, little information was available on how many and which strains of the virus are best suited for this purpose. We applied robust statistical methods to evaluate a large neutralization data set and identified a small panel of viruses that are a good representation of the global epidemic. The neutralization properties of this new panel of reference strains should facilitate the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

Gold standards and expert panels: a pulmonary nodule case study with challenges and solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Dave P.; O'Shaughnessy, Kathryn F.; Wood, Susan A.; Castellino, Ronald A.

2004-05-01

Comparative evaluations of reader performance using different modalities, e.g. CT with computer-aided detection (CAD) vs. CT without CAD, generally require a "truth" definition based on a gold standard. There are many situations in which a true invariant gold standard is impractical or impossible to obtain. For instance, small pulmonary nodules are generally not assessed by biopsy or resection. In such cases, it is common to use a unanimous consensus or majority agreement from an expert panel as a reference standard for actionability in lieu of the unknown gold standard for disease. Nonetheless, there are three major concerns about expert panel reference standards: (1) actionability is not synonymous with disease (2) it may be possible to obtain different conclusions about which modality is better using different rules (e.g. majority vs. unanimous consensus), and (3) the variability associated with the panelists is not formally captured in the p-values or confidence intervals that are generally produced for estimating the extent to which one modality is superior to the other. A multi-reader-multi-case (MRMC) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study was performed using 90 cases, 15 readers, and a reference truth based on 3 experienced panelists. The primary analyses were conducted using a reference truth of unanimous consensus regarding actionability (3 out of 3 panelists). To assess the three concerns noted above: (1) additional data from the original radiology reports were compared to the panel (2) the complete analysis was repeated using different definitions of truth, and (3) bootstrap analyses were conducted in which new truth panels were constructed by picking 1, 2, or 3 panelists at random. The definition of the reference truth affected the results for each modality (CT with CAD and CT without CAD) considered by itself, but the effects were similar, so the primary analysis comparing the modalities was robust to the choice of the reference truth.

Improved imputation of low-frequency and rare variants using the UK10K haplotype reference panel.

PubMed

Huang, Jie; Howie, Bryan; McCarthy, Shane; Memari, Yasin; Walter, Klaudia; Min, Josine L; Danecek, Petr; Malerba, Giovanni; Trabetti, Elisabetta; Zheng, Hou-Feng; Gambaro, Giovanni; Richards, J Brent; Durbin, Richard; Timpson, Nicholas J; Marchini, Jonathan; Soranzo, Nicole

2015-09-14

Imputing genotypes from reference panels created by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides a cost-effective strategy for augmenting the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) content of genome-wide arrays. The UK10K Cohorts project has generated a data set of 3,781 whole genomes sequenced at low depth (average 7x), aiming to exhaustively characterize genetic variation down to 0.1% minor allele frequency in the British population. Here we demonstrate the value of this resource for improving imputation accuracy at rare and low-frequency variants in both a UK and an Italian population. We show that large increases in imputation accuracy can be achieved by re-phasing WGS reference panels after initial genotype calling. We also present a method for combining WGS panels to improve variant coverage and downstream imputation accuracy, which we illustrate by integrating 7,562 WGS haplotypes from the UK10K project with 2,184 haplotypes from the 1000 Genomes Project. Finally, we introduce a novel approximation that maintains speed without sacrificing imputation accuracy for rare variants.

Method for high-accuracy reflectance measurements in the 2.5-microm region.

PubMed

Richter, Rudolf; Müller, Andreas

2003-02-20

Reflectance measurement with spectroradiometers in the solar wavelength region (0.4-2.5 microm) are frequently conducted in the laboratory or in the field to characterize surface materials of artificial and natural targets. The spectral surface reflectance is calculated as the ratio of the signals obtained over the target surface and a reference panel, yielding a relative reflectance value. If the reflectance of the reference panel is known, the absolute target reflectance can be computed. This standard measurement technique assumes that the signal at the radiometer is due completely to reflected target and reference radiation. However, for field measurements in the 2.4-2.5-microm region with the Sun as the illumination source, the emitted thermal radiation is not a negligible part of the signal even at ambient temperatures, because the atmospheric transmittance, and thus the solar illumination level, is small in the atmospheric absorption regions. A new method is proposed that calculates reflectance values in the 2.4-2.5-microm region while it accounts for the reference panel reflectance and the emitted radiation. This technique needs instruments with noise-equivalent radiances of 2 orders of magnitude below currently commercially available instruments and requires measurement of the surface temperatures of target and reference. If the reference panel reflectance and temperature effects are neglected, the standard method yields reflectance errors up to 0.08 and 0.15 units for 7- and 2-nm bandwidth instruments, respectively. For the new method the corresponding errors can be reduced to approximately 0.01 units for the surface temperature range of 20-35 degrees C.

Liver Rapid Reference Set Application: Hemken - Abbott (2015) — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

The aim for this testing is to find a small panel of biomarkers (n=2-5) that can be tested on the Abbott ARCHITECT automated immunoassay platform for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This panel of biomarkers should perform significantly better than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) alone based on multivariate statistical analysis. This testing of the EDRN reference set will help expedite the selection of a small panel of ARCHITECT biomarkers for the early detection of HCC. The panel of ARCHITECT biomarkers Abbott plans to test include: AFP, protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II), golgi protein 73 (GP73), hepatocellular growth factor (HGF), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) and DPP4/seprase (surface expressed protease) heterodimer hybrid. PIVKA-II is abnormal des-carboxylated prothrombin (DCP) present in vitamin K deficiency.

Solid earth science in the 1990s. Volume 2: Panel reports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

This is the second volume of a three-volume report. Volume 2, Panel Reports, outlines a plan for solid Earth science research for the next decade. The science panels addressed the following fields: plate motion and deformation, lithospheric structure and evolution, volcanology, Earth structure and dynamics, Earth rotation and reference frames, and geopotential fields.

Extent of linkage disequilibrium, consistency of gametic phase, and imputation accuracy within and across Canadian dairy breeds.

PubMed

Larmer, S G; Sargolzaei, M; Schenkel, F S

2014-05-01

Genomic selection requires a large reference population to accurately estimate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects. In some Canadian dairy breeds, the available reference populations are not large enough for accurate estimation of SNP effects for traits of interest. If marker phase is highly consistent across multiple breeds, it is theoretically possible to increase the accuracy of genomic prediction for one or all breeds by pooling several breeds into a common reference population. This study investigated the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in 5 major dairy breeds using a 50,000 (50K) SNP panel and 3 of the same breeds using the 777,000 (777K) SNP panel. Correlation of pair-wise SNP phase was also investigated on both panels. The level of LD was measured using the squared correlation of alleles at 2 loci (r(2)), and the consistency of SNP gametic phases was correlated using the signed square root of these values. Because of the high cost of the 777K panel, the accuracy of imputation from lower density marker panels [6,000 (6K) or 50K] was examined both within breed and using a multi-breed reference population in Holstein, Ayrshire, and Guernsey. Imputation was carried out using FImpute V2.2 and Beagle 3.3.2 software. Imputation accuracies were then calculated as both the proportion of correct SNP filled in (concordance rate) and allelic R(2). Computation time was also explored to determine the efficiency of the different algorithms for imputation. Analysis showed that LD values >0.2 were found in all breeds at distances at or shorter than the average adjacent pair-wise distance between SNP on the 50K panel. Correlations of r-values, however, did not reach high levels (<0.9) at these distances. High correlation values of SNP phase between breeds were observed (>0.94) when the average pair-wise distances using the 777K SNP panel were examined. High concordance rate (0.968-0.995) and allelic R(2) (0.946-0.991) were found for all breeds when imputation was carried out with FImpute from 50K to 777K. Imputation accuracy for Guernsey and Ayrshire was slightly lower when using the imputation method in Beagle. Computing time was significantly greater when using Beagle software, with all comparable procedures being 9 to 13 times less efficient, in terms of time, compared with FImpute. These findings suggest that use of a multi-breed reference population might increase prediction accuracy using the 777K SNP panel and that 777K genotypes can be efficiently and effectively imputed using the lower density 50K SNP panel. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Photovoltaic Prospection in South Tamaulipas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleme Vila, S.; Rivas, D.; Ortega Izaguirre, R.

2015-12-01

Commercial monocrystalline silicon (c-Si), polycrystalline silicon (p-Si) and amorphous silicon (a-Si) photovoltaic (PV) panels are tested on real conditions in order to identify which of the aforementioned PV panels present the best performance in the city of Altamira, Tamaulipas (northeastern Mexico) and to evaluate the impact of the city's climatic conditions over the electrical characteristics and power generation of the aforementioned PV panels. In situ direct solar irradiance and current-voltage characteristics (I-V) of each PV panel were taken from Monday to Friday at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 hours (GMT-6) with 3 repeats from 08/04/2014 to 07/31/2015. Also, daylong in situ direct solar irradiance, panel temperature, and I-V characteristics were taken from 8:00 to 20:30 hours with a 30-minute interval in synchrony with National Polytechnic Institute-owned CICATA-I meteorological station in order to cross-reference the experimental data with the station's air temperature, specific humidity and global solar irradiance data. Up to June 2015, c-Si panel presented the best performance on real conditions with mean max power loss of 49% compared to the reference max power value followed by the p-Si with 54% mean max power loss and the a-Si panel with a 73% mean max power loss. The number of cloudy days, electrical resistance due to panel materials nature and meteorological impact are further discussed.

Review of the Reference Dose and Reference Concentration Processes Document

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Summarizes the review and deliberations of the Risk Assessment Forum’s RfD/RfC Technical Panel and its recommendations for improvements in oral referencedose/inhalation reference concentration (RfD/RfC) process.

ASIST 2003: Part II: Panels.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Proceedings of the ASIST Annual Meeting, 2003

2003-01-01

Forty-six panels address topics including women in information science; users and usability; information studies; reference services; information policies; standards; interface design; information retrieval; information networks; metadata; shared access; e-commerce in libraries; knowledge organization; information science theories; digitization;…

Establishment and validation of analytical reference panels for the standardization of quantitative BCR-ABL1 measurements on the international scale.

PubMed

White, Helen E; Hedges, John; Bendit, Israel; Branford, Susan; Colomer, Dolors; Hochhaus, Andreas; Hughes, Timothy; Kamel-Reid, Suzanne; Kim, Dong-Wook; Modur, Vijay; Müller, Martin C; Pagnano, Katia B; Pane, Fabrizio; Radich, Jerry; Cross, Nicholas C P; Labourier, Emmanuel

2013-06-01

Current guidelines for managing Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia include monitoring the expression of the BCR-ABL1 (breakpoint cluster region/c-abl oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase) fusion gene by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Our goal was to establish and validate reference panels to mitigate the interlaboratory imprecision of quantitative BCR-ABL1 measurements and to facilitate global standardization on the international scale (IS). Four-level secondary reference panels were manufactured under controlled and validated processes with synthetic Armored RNA Quant molecules (Asuragen) calibrated to reference standards from the WHO and the NIST. Performance was evaluated in IS reference laboratories and with non-IS-standardized RT-qPCR methods. For most methods, percent ratios for BCR-ABL1 e13a2 and e14a2 relative to ABL1 or BCR were robust at 4 different levels and linear over 3 logarithms, from 10% to 0.01% on the IS. The intraassay and interassay imprecision was <2-fold overall. Performance was stable across 3 consecutive lots, in multiple laboratories, and over a period of 18 months to date. International field trials demonstrated the commutability of the reagents and their accurate alignment to the IS within the intra- and interlaboratory imprecision of IS-standardized methods. The synthetic calibrator panels are robust, reproducibly manufactured, analytically calibrated to the WHO primary standards, and compatible with most BCR-ABL1 RT-qPCR assay designs. The broad availability of secondary reference reagents will further facilitate interlaboratory comparative studies and independent quality assessment programs, which are of paramount importance for worldwide standardization of BCR-ABL1 monitoring results and the optimization of current and new therapeutic approaches for chronic myeloid leukemia. © 2013 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

Spectroscopic characterization of sixteenth century panel painting references using Raman, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and helium-Raman system for in situ analysis of Ibero-American Colonial paintings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Bucio, María Angélica; Casanova-González, Edgar; Ruvalcaba-Sil, José Luis; Arroyo-Lemus, Elsa; Mitrani-Viggiano, Alejandro

2016-12-01

Colonial panel paintings constitute an essential part of Latin-American cultural heritage. Their study is vital for understanding the manufacturing process, including its evolution in history, as well as its authorship, dating and other information significant to art history and conservation purposes. Raman spectroscopy supplies a non-destructive characterization tool, which can be implemented for in situ analysis, via portable equipment. Specific methodologies must be developed, comprising the elaboration of reference panel paintings using techniques and materials similar to those of the analysed period, as well as the determination of the best analysis conditions for different pigments and ground preparations. In order to do so, Raman spectroscopy at 532, 785 and 1064 nm, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and a helium-Raman system were applied to a panel painting reference, in combination with X-ray fluorescence analysis. We were able to establish the analysis conditions for a number of sixteenth century pigments and dyes, and other relevant components of panel paintings from this period, 1064 nm Raman and SERS being the most successful. The acquired spectra contain valuable specific information for their identification and they conform a very useful database that can be applied to the analysis of Ibero-American Colonial paintings. This article is part of the themed issue "Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology".

Adapt-Mix: learning local genetic correlation structure improves summary statistics-based analyses

PubMed Central

Park, Danny S.; Brown, Brielin; Eng, Celeste; Huntsman, Scott; Hu, Donglei; Torgerson, Dara G.; Burchard, Esteban G.; Zaitlen, Noah

2015-01-01

Motivation: Approaches to identifying new risk loci, training risk prediction models, imputing untyped variants and fine-mapping causal variants from summary statistics of genome-wide association studies are playing an increasingly important role in the human genetics community. Current summary statistics-based methods rely on global ‘best guess’ reference panels to model the genetic correlation structure of the dataset being studied. This approach, especially in admixed populations, has the potential to produce misleading results, ignores variation in local structure and is not feasible when appropriate reference panels are missing or small. Here, we develop a method, Adapt-Mix, that combines information across all available reference panels to produce estimates of local genetic correlation structure for summary statistics-based methods in arbitrary populations. Results: We applied Adapt-Mix to estimate the genetic correlation structure of both admixed and non-admixed individuals using simulated and real data. We evaluated our method by measuring the performance of two summary statistics-based methods: imputation and joint-testing. When using our method as opposed to the current standard of ‘best guess’ reference panels, we observed a 28% decrease in mean-squared error for imputation and a 73.7% decrease in mean-squared error for joint-testing. Availability and implementation: Our method is publicly available in a software package called ADAPT-Mix available at https://github.com/dpark27/adapt_mix. Contact: noah.zaitlen@ucsf.edu PMID:26072481

Japanese Reference Panel of Blood Specimens for Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus RNA and Core Antigen Quantitative Assays

PubMed Central

Murayama, Asako; Sugiyama, Nao; Watashi, Koichi; Masaki, Takahiro; Suzuki, Ryosuke; Aizaki, Hideki; Mizuochi, Toshiaki; Wakita, Takaji

2012-01-01

An accurate and reliable quantitative assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is essential for measuring viral propagation and the efficacy of antiviral therapy. There is a growing need for domestic reference panels for evaluation of clinical assay kits because the performance of these kits may vary with region-specific genotypes or polymorphisms. In this study, we established a reference panel by selecting 80 donated blood specimens in Japan that tested positive for HCV. Using this panel, we quantified HCV viral loads using two HCV RNA kits and five core antigen (Ag) kits currently available in Japan. The data from the two HCV RNA assay kits showed excellent correlation. All RNA titers were distributed evenly across a range from 3 to 7 log IU/ml. Although the data from the five core Ag kits also correlated with RNA titers, the sensitivities of individual kits were not sufficient to quantify viral load in all samples. As calculated by the correlation with RNA titers, the theoretical lower limits of detection by these core Ag assays were higher than those for the detection of RNA. Moreover, in several samples in our panel, core Ag levels were underestimated compared to RNA titers. Sequence analysis in the HCV core region suggested that polymorphisms at amino acids 47 to 49 of the core Ag were responsible for this underestimation. The panel established in this study will be useful for estimating the quality of currently available and upcoming HCV assay kits; such quality control is essential for clinical usage of these kits. PMID:22495557

Panels of HIV-1 Subtype C Env Reference Strains for Standardized Neutralization Assessments

DOE PAGES

Hraber, Peter; Rademeyer, Cecilia; Williamson, Carolyn; ...

2017-07-26

In the search for effective immunologic interventions to prevent and treat HIV-1 infection, standardized reference reagents are a cost-effective way to maintain robustness and reproducibility among immunological assays. To support planned and ongoing studies where clade C predominates, here we describe three virus panels, chosen from 200 well-characterized clade C envelope (Env)-pseudotyped viruses from early infection. All 200 Envs were expressed as a single round of replication pseudoviruses and were tested to quantify neutralization titers by 16 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and sera from 30 subjects with chronic clade C infections. We selected large panels of 50 and 100 Envsmore » either to characterize cross-reactive breadth for sera identified as having potent neutralization activity based on initial screening or to evaluate neutralization magnitude-breadth distributions of newly isolated antibodies. We identified these panels by downselection after hierarchical clustering of bnAb neutralization titers. The resulting panels represent the diversity of neutralization profiles throughout the range of virus sensitivities identified in the original panel of 200 viruses. A small 12-Env panel was chosen to screen sera from vaccine trials or natural-infection studies for neutralization responses. We considered panels selected by previously described methods but favored a computationally informed method that enabled selection of viruses representing diverse neutralization sensitivity patterns, given that we do nota prioriknow what the neutralization-response profile of vaccine sera will be relative to that of sera from infected individuals. The resulting 12-Env panel complements existing panels. Use of standardized panels enables direct comparisons of data from different trials and study sites testing HIV-1 clade C-specific products. HIV-1 group M includes nine clades and many recombinants. Clade C is the most common lineage, responsible for roughly half of current HIV-1 infections, and is a focus for vaccine design and testing. Standard reference reagents, particularly virus panels to study neutralization by antibodies, are crucial for developing cost-effective and yet rigorous and reproducible assays against diverse examples of this variable virus. We developed clade C-specific panels for use as standardized reagents to monitor complex polyclonal sera for neutralization activity and to characterize the potency and breadth of cross-reactive neutralization by monoclonal antibodies, whether engineered or isolated from infected individuals. We chose from 200 southern African, clade C envelope-pseudotyped viruses with neutralization titers against 16 broadly neutralizing antibodies and 30 sera from chronic clade C infections. We selected panels to represent the diversity of bnAb neutralization profiles and Env neutralization sensitivities. Finally, use of standard virus panels can facilitate comparison of results across studies and sites.« less

Panels of HIV-1 Subtype C Env Reference Strains for Standardized Neutralization Assessments

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

Hraber, Peter; Rademeyer, Cecilia; Williamson, Carolyn

In the search for effective immunologic interventions to prevent and treat HIV-1 infection, standardized reference reagents are a cost-effective way to maintain robustness and reproducibility among immunological assays. To support planned and ongoing studies where clade C predominates, here we describe three virus panels, chosen from 200 well-characterized clade C envelope (Env)-pseudotyped viruses from early infection. All 200 Envs were expressed as a single round of replication pseudoviruses and were tested to quantify neutralization titers by 16 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and sera from 30 subjects with chronic clade C infections. We selected large panels of 50 and 100 Envsmore » either to characterize cross-reactive breadth for sera identified as having potent neutralization activity based on initial screening or to evaluate neutralization magnitude-breadth distributions of newly isolated antibodies. We identified these panels by downselection after hierarchical clustering of bnAb neutralization titers. The resulting panels represent the diversity of neutralization profiles throughout the range of virus sensitivities identified in the original panel of 200 viruses. A small 12-Env panel was chosen to screen sera from vaccine trials or natural-infection studies for neutralization responses. We considered panels selected by previously described methods but favored a computationally informed method that enabled selection of viruses representing diverse neutralization sensitivity patterns, given that we do nota prioriknow what the neutralization-response profile of vaccine sera will be relative to that of sera from infected individuals. The resulting 12-Env panel complements existing panels. Use of standardized panels enables direct comparisons of data from different trials and study sites testing HIV-1 clade C-specific products. HIV-1 group M includes nine clades and many recombinants. Clade C is the most common lineage, responsible for roughly half of current HIV-1 infections, and is a focus for vaccine design and testing. Standard reference reagents, particularly virus panels to study neutralization by antibodies, are crucial for developing cost-effective and yet rigorous and reproducible assays against diverse examples of this variable virus. We developed clade C-specific panels for use as standardized reagents to monitor complex polyclonal sera for neutralization activity and to characterize the potency and breadth of cross-reactive neutralization by monoclonal antibodies, whether engineered or isolated from infected individuals. We chose from 200 southern African, clade C envelope-pseudotyped viruses with neutralization titers against 16 broadly neutralizing antibodies and 30 sera from chronic clade C infections. We selected panels to represent the diversity of bnAb neutralization profiles and Env neutralization sensitivities. Finally, use of standard virus panels can facilitate comparison of results across studies and sites.« less

Accuracy of estimation of genomic breeding values in pigs using low-density genotypes and imputation.

PubMed

Badke, Yvonne M; Bates, Ronald O; Ernst, Catherine W; Fix, Justin; Steibel, Juan P

2014-04-16

Genomic selection has the potential to increase genetic progress. Genotype imputation of high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes can improve the cost efficiency of genomic breeding value (GEBV) prediction for pig breeding. Consequently, the objectives of this work were to: (1) estimate accuracy of genomic evaluation and GEBV for three traits in a Yorkshire population and (2) quantify the loss of accuracy of genomic evaluation and GEBV when genotypes were imputed under two scenarios: a high-cost, high-accuracy scenario in which only selection candidates were imputed from a low-density platform and a low-cost, low-accuracy scenario in which all animals were imputed using a small reference panel of haplotypes. Phenotypes and genotypes obtained with the PorcineSNP60 BeadChip were available for 983 Yorkshire boars. Genotypes of selection candidates were masked and imputed using tagSNP in the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (10K). Imputation was performed with BEAGLE using 128 or 1800 haplotypes as reference panels. GEBV were obtained through an animal-centric ridge regression model using de-regressed breeding values as response variables. Accuracy of genomic evaluation was estimated as the correlation between estimated breeding values and GEBV in a 10-fold cross validation design. Accuracy of genomic evaluation using observed genotypes was high for all traits (0.65-0.68). Using genotypes imputed from a large reference panel (accuracy: R(2) = 0.95) for genomic evaluation did not significantly decrease accuracy, whereas a scenario with genotypes imputed from a small reference panel (R(2) = 0.88) did show a significant decrease in accuracy. Genomic evaluation based on imputed genotypes in selection candidates can be implemented at a fraction of the cost of a genomic evaluation using observed genotypes and still yield virtually the same accuracy. On the other side, using a very small reference panel of haplotypes to impute training animals and candidates for selection results in lower accuracy of genomic evaluation.

Lung Reference Set A Application: LaszloTakacs - Biosystems (2010) — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

We would like to access the NCI lung cancer Combined Pre-Validation Reference Set A in order to further validate a lung cancer diagnostic test candidate. Our test is based on a panel of antibodies which have been tested on 4 different cohorts (see below, paragraph “Preliminary Data and Methods”). This Reference Set A, whose clinical setting is “Diagnosis of lung cancer”, will be used to validate the panel of monoclonal antibodies which have been demonstrated by extensive data analysis to provide the best discrimination between controls and Lung Cancer patient plasma samples, sensitivity and specificity values from ROC analyses are superior than 85 %.

Performance of three reflectance calibration methods for airborne hyperspectral spectrometer data.

PubMed

Miura, Tomoaki; Huete, Alfredo R

2009-01-01

In this study, the performances and accuracies of three methods for converting airborne hyperspectral spectrometer data to reflectance factors were characterized and compared. The "reflectance mode (RM)" method, which calibrates a spectrometer against a white reference panel prior to mounting on an aircraft, resulted in spectral reflectance retrievals that were biased and distorted. The magnitudes of these bias errors and distortions varied significantly, depending on time of day and length of the flight campaign. The "linear-interpolation (LI)" method, which converts airborne spectrometer data by taking a ratio of linearly-interpolated reference values from the preflight and post-flight reference panel readings, resulted in precise, but inaccurate reflectance retrievals. These reflectance spectra were not distorted, but were subject to bias errors of varying magnitudes dependent on the flight duration length. The "continuous panel (CP)" method uses a multi-band radiometer to obtain continuous measurements over a reference panel throughout the flight campaign, in order to adjust the magnitudes of the linear-interpolated reference values from the preflight and post-flight reference panel readings. Airborne hyperspectral reflectance retrievals obtained using this method were found to be the most accurate and reliable reflectance calibration method. The performances of the CP method in retrieving accurate reflectance factors were consistent throughout time of day and for various flight durations. Based on the dataset analyzed in this study, the uncertainty of the CP method has been estimated to be 0.0025 ± 0.0005 reflectance units for the wavelength regions not affected by atmospheric absorptions. The RM method can produce reasonable results only for a very short-term flight (e.g., < 15 minutes) conducted around a local solar noon. The flight duration should be kept shorter than 30 minutes for the LI method to produce results with reasonable accuracies. An important advantage of the CP method is that the method can be used for long-duration flight campaigns (e.g., 1-2 hours). Although this study focused on reflectance calibration of airborne spectrometer data, the methods evaluated in this study and the results obtained are directly applicable to ground spectrometer measurements.

Statistical considerations for harmonization of the global multicenter study on reference values.

PubMed

Ichihara, Kiyoshi

2014-05-15

The global multicenter study on reference values coordinated by the Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL) of the IFCC was launched in December 2011, targeting 45 commonly tested analytes with the following objectives: 1) to derive reference intervals (RIs) country by country using a common protocol, and 2) to explore regionality/ethnicity of reference values by aligning test results among the countries. To achieve these objectives, it is crucial to harmonize 1) the protocol for recruitment and sampling, 2) statistical procedures for deriving the RI, and 3) test results through measurement of a panel of sera in common. For harmonized recruitment, very lenient inclusion/exclusion criteria were adopted in view of differences in interpretation of what constitutes healthiness by different cultures and investigators. This policy may require secondary exclusion of individuals according to the standard of each country at the time of deriving RIs. An iterative optimization procedure, called the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method, can be applied to automate the process of refining the choice of reference individuals. For global comparison of reference values, test results must be harmonized, based on the among-country, pair-wise linear relationships of test values for the panel. Traceability of reference values can be ensured based on values assigned indirectly to the panel through collaborative measurement of certified reference materials. The validity of the adopted strategies is discussed in this article, based on interim results obtained to date from five countries. Special considerations are made for dissociation of RIs by parametric and nonparametric methods and between-country difference in the effect of body mass index on reference values. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Versatile Panel of Reference Gene Assays for the Measurement of Chicken mRNA by Quantitative PCR

PubMed Central

Maier, Helena J.; Van Borm, Steven; Young, John R.; Fife, Mark

2016-01-01

Quantitative real-time PCR assays are widely used for the quantification of mRNA within avian experimental samples. Multiple stably-expressed reference genes, selected for the lowest variation in representative samples, can be used to control random technical variation. Reference gene assays must be reliable, have high amplification specificity and efficiency, and not produce signals from contaminating DNA. Whilst recent research papers identify specific genes that are stable in particular tissues and experimental treatments, here we describe a panel of ten avian gene primer and probe sets that can be used to identify suitable reference genes in many experimental contexts. The panel was tested with TaqMan and SYBR Green systems in two experimental scenarios: a tissue collection and virus infection of cultured fibroblasts. GeNorm and NormFinder algorithms were able to select appropriate reference gene sets in each case. We show the effects of using the selected genes on the detection of statistically significant differences in expression. The results are compared with those obtained using 28s ribosomal RNA, the present most widely accepted reference gene in chicken work, identifying circumstances where its use might provide misleading results. Methods for eliminating DNA contamination of RNA reduced, but did not completely remove, detectable DNA. We therefore attached special importance to testing each qPCR assay for absence of signal using DNA template. The assays and analyses developed here provide a useful resource for selecting reference genes for investigations of avian biology. PMID:27537060

Spectroscopic characterization of sixteenth century panel painting references using Raman, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and helium-Raman system for in situ analysis of Ibero-American Colonial paintings

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Colonial panel paintings constitute an essential part of Latin-American cultural heritage. Their study is vital for understanding the manufacturing process, including its evolution in history, as well as its authorship, dating and other information significant to art history and conservation purposes. Raman spectroscopy supplies a non-destructive characterization tool, which can be implemented for in situ analysis, via portable equipment. Specific methodologies must be developed, comprising the elaboration of reference panel paintings using techniques and materials similar to those of the analysed period, as well as the determination of the best analysis conditions for different pigments and ground preparations. In order to do so, Raman spectroscopy at 532, 785 and 1064 nm, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and a helium-Raman system were applied to a panel painting reference, in combination with X-ray fluorescence analysis. We were able to establish the analysis conditions for a number of sixteenth century pigments and dyes, and other relevant components of panel paintings from this period, 1064 nm Raman and SERS being the most successful. The acquired spectra contain valuable specific information for their identification and they conform a very useful database that can be applied to the analysis of Ibero-American Colonial paintings. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology’. PMID:27799434

Imperfection and Thickness Measurement of Panels Using a Coordinate Measurement Machine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thornburgh, Robert P.

2006-01-01

This paper summarizes the methodology used to measure imperfection and thickness variation for flat and curved panels using a Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM) and the software program MeasPanel. The objective is to provide a reference document so that someone with a basic understanding of CMM operation can measure a panel with minimal training. Detailed information about both the measurement system setup and computer software is provided. Information is also provided about the format of the raw data, as well as how it is post-processed for use in finite-element analysis.

Army Science Board Ad Hoc Subgroup Report, Manning Army Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

systems that are being intro- duced, there was a worry that the full scope of the problem was not yet understood and that some sort of disaster might...be impending. The letter requesting the formation of an ASB panel and the Terms of Reference for the panel are at Appen- dix A . The membership of...the panel is shown at Appendix B. The panel met for a total of 10 days between 31 August 1981 and 7 May 1982. As a first step, in order to form our

Clinical Validation of Targeted Next Generation Sequencing for Colon and Lung Cancers

PubMed Central

D’Haene, Nicky; Le Mercier, Marie; De Nève, Nancy; Blanchard, Oriane; Delaunoy, Mélanie; El Housni, Hakim; Dessars, Barbara; Heimann, Pierre; Remmelink, Myriam; Demetter, Pieter; Tejpar, Sabine; Salmon, Isabelle

2015-01-01

Objective Recently, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has begun to supplant other technologies for gene mutation testing that is now required for targeted therapies. However, transfer of NGS technology to clinical daily practice requires validation. Methods We validated the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq Colon and Lung cancer panel interrogating 1850 hotspots in 22 genes using the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine. First, we used commercial reference standards that carry mutations at defined allelic frequency (AF). Then, 51 colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC) and 39 non small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) were retrospectively analyzed. Results Sensitivity and accuracy for detecting variants at an AF >4% was 100% for commercial reference standards. Among the 90 cases, 89 (98.9%) were successfully sequenced. Among the 86 samples for which NGS and the reference test were both informative, 83 showed concordant results between NGS and the reference test; i.e. KRAS and BRAF for CRC and EGFR for NSCLC, with the 3 discordant cases each characterized by an AF <10%. Conclusions Overall, the AmpliSeq colon/lung cancer panel was specific and sensitive for mutation analysis of gene panels and can be incorporated into clinical daily practice. PMID:26366557

Ascertainment bias from imputation methods evaluation in wheat.

PubMed

Brandariz, Sofía P; González Reymúndez, Agustín; Lado, Bettina; Malosetti, Marcos; Garcia, Antonio Augusto Franco; Quincke, Martín; von Zitzewitz, Jarislav; Castro, Marina; Matus, Iván; Del Pozo, Alejandro; Castro, Ariel J; Gutiérrez, Lucía

2016-10-04

Whole-genome genotyping techniques like Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) are being used for genetic studies such as Genome-Wide Association (GWAS) and Genomewide Selection (GS), where different strategies for imputation have been developed. Nevertheless, imputation error may lead to poor performance (i.e. smaller power or higher false positive rate) when complete data is not required as it is for GWAS, and each marker is taken at a time. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of GWAS analysis for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) of major and minor effect using different imputation methods when no reference panel is available in a wheat GBS panel. In this study, we compared the power and false positive rate of dissecting quantitative traits for imputed and not-imputed marker score matrices in: (1) a complete molecular marker barley panel array, and (2) a GBS wheat panel with missing data. We found that there is an ascertainment bias in imputation method comparisons. Simulating over a complete matrix and creating missing data at random proved that imputation methods have a poorer performance. Furthermore, we found that when QTL were simulated with imputed data, the imputation methods performed better than the not-imputed ones. On the other hand, when QTL were simulated with not-imputed data, the not-imputed method and one of the imputation methods performed better for dissecting quantitative traits. Moreover, larger differences between imputation methods were detected for QTL of major effect than QTL of minor effect. We also compared the different marker score matrices for GWAS analysis in a real wheat phenotype dataset, and we found minimal differences indicating that imputation did not improve the GWAS performance when a reference panel was not available. Poorer performance was found in GWAS analysis when an imputed marker score matrix was used, no reference panel is available, in a wheat GBS panel.

75 FR 63514 - Meetings of Humanities Panel

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-15

.... Program: This meeting will review applications for Art History in Humanities Collections and Reference... NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES Meetings of Humanities Panel AGENCY: The... assistance under the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, including...

Lipid Panel Reference Intervals for Amazon Parrots (Amazona species).

PubMed

Ravich, Michelle; Cray, Carolyn; Hess, Laurie; Arheart, Kristopher L

2014-09-01

The lipoprotein panel is a useful diagnostic tool that allows clinicians to evaluate blood lipoprotein fractions. It is a standard diagnostic test in human medicine but is poorly understood in avian medicine. Amazon parrots (Amazona species) are popular pets that frequently lead a sedentary lifestyle and are customarily fed high-fat diets. Similar to people with comparable diets and lifestyles, Amazon parrots are prone to obesity and atherosclerosis. In human medicine, these conditions are typically correlated with abnormalities in the lipoprotein panel. To establish reference intervals for the lipoprotein panel in Amazon parrots, plasma samples from 31 captive Amazon parrots were analyzed for concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The data were also grouped according to sex, diet, body condition score, and age. Aside from HDL levels, which were significantly different between male and female parrots, no intergroup differences were found for any of the lipoprotein fractions.

Prospects of Fine-Mapping Trait-Associated Genomic Regions by Using Summary Statistics from Genome-wide Association Studies.

PubMed

Benner, Christian; Havulinna, Aki S; Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta; Salomaa, Veikko; Ripatti, Samuli; Pirinen, Matti

2017-10-05

During the past few years, various novel statistical methods have been developed for fine-mapping with the use of summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Although these approaches require information about the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between variants, there has not been a comprehensive evaluation of how estimation of the LD structure from reference genotype panels performs in comparison with that from the original individual-level GWAS data. Using population genotype data from Finland and the UK Biobank, we show here that a reference panel of 1,000 individuals from the target population is adequate for a GWAS cohort of up to 10,000 individuals, whereas smaller panels, such as those from the 1000 Genomes Project, should be avoided. We also show, both theoretically and empirically, that the size of the reference panel needs to scale with the GWAS sample size; this has important consequences for the application of these methods in ongoing GWAS meta-analyses and large biobank studies. We conclude by providing software tools and by recommending practices for sharing LD information to more efficiently exploit summary statistics in genetics research. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

To direct the Librarian of Congress to obtain a stained glass panel depicting the seal of the District of Columbia and install the panel among the stained glass panels depicting the seals of States which overlook the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

THOMAS, 113th Congress

Rep. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large

2014-02-27

House - 02/28/2014 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Ethical evaluation of research proposals by ethics panels advising the European Commission.

PubMed

Kolar, Roman

2004-06-01

Ethical principles with regard to animal experimentation are referred to in European Union (EU) legislation and other official documents. Therefore, applications for funding of research under the EU's research programme may undergo an ethical review that is carried out by so-called ethics panels, consisting of experts chosen by the European Commission. The work of these panels differs substantially from that of other ethical committees, as they exist on the institutional, local, regional or national level. Their main purpose is not to decide whether a proposed research can be regarded legal, and therefore should be endorsed or licensed; instead, it is to help the Commission in prioritising its funding. The panels may examine other ethical aspects than those of animal experimentation or animal welfare alone, such as the use of human volunteers. This is reflected by the composition of the panels. Their decisions are normally based on consensus. Even though these decisions may refer to EU legislation, the criteria applied are not restricted to those provided by this legislation. Nevertheless, the various aspects of the Commission's ethical evaluation system (e.g. formal and practical basic conditions, information content of applications, type of decisions taken, lacking of any quality control) offers opportunities for improvement.

GeneImp: Fast Imputation to Large Reference Panels Using Genotype Likelihoods from Ultralow Coverage Sequencing

PubMed Central

Spiliopoulou, Athina; Colombo, Marco; Orchard, Peter; Agakov, Felix; McKeigue, Paul

2017-01-01

We address the task of genotype imputation to a dense reference panel given genotype likelihoods computed from ultralow coverage sequencing as inputs. In this setting, the data have a high-level of missingness or uncertainty, and are thus more amenable to a probabilistic representation. Most existing imputation algorithms are not well suited for this situation, as they rely on prephasing for computational efficiency, and, without definite genotype calls, the prephasing task becomes computationally expensive. We describe GeneImp, a program for genotype imputation that does not require prephasing and is computationally tractable for whole-genome imputation. GeneImp does not explicitly model recombination, instead it capitalizes on the existence of large reference panels—comprising thousands of reference haplotypes—and assumes that the reference haplotypes can adequately represent the target haplotypes over short regions unaltered. We validate GeneImp based on data from ultralow coverage sequencing (0.5×), and compare its performance to the most recent version of BEAGLE that can perform this task. We show that GeneImp achieves imputation quality very close to that of BEAGLE, using one to two orders of magnitude less time, without an increase in memory complexity. Therefore, GeneImp is the first practical choice for whole-genome imputation to a dense reference panel when prephasing cannot be applied, for instance, in datasets produced via ultralow coverage sequencing. A related future application for GeneImp is whole-genome imputation based on the off-target reads from deep whole-exome sequencing. PMID:28348060

The Wright stuff: reimagining path analysis reveals novel components of the sex determination hierarchy in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Fear, Justin M; Arbeitman, Michelle N; Salomon, Matthew P; Dalton, Justin E; Tower, John; Nuzhdin, Sergey V; McIntyre, Lauren M

2015-09-04

The Drosophila sex determination hierarchy is a classic example of a transcriptional regulatory hierarchy, with sex-specific isoforms regulating morphology and behavior. We use a structural equation modeling approach, leveraging natural genetic variation from two studies on Drosophila female head tissues--DSPR collection (596 F1-hybrids from crosses between DSPR sub-populations) and CEGS population (75 F1-hybrids from crosses between DGRP/Winters lines to a reference strain w1118)--to expand understanding of the sex hierarchy gene regulatory network (GRN). This approach is completely generalizable to any natural population, including humans. We expanded the sex hierarchy GRN adding novel links among genes, including a link from fruitless (fru) to Sex-lethal (Sxl) identified in both populations. This link is further supported by the presence of fru binding sites in the Sxl locus. 754 candidate genes were added to the pathway, including the splicing factors male-specific lethal 2 and Rm62 as downstream targets of Sxl which are well-supported links in males. Independent studies of doublesex and transformer mutants support many additions, including evidence for a link between the sex hierarchy and metabolism, via Insulin-like receptor. The genes added in the CEGS population were enriched for genes with sex-biased splicing and components of the spliceosome. A common goal of molecular biologists is to expand understanding about regulatory interactions among genes. Using natural alleles we can not only identify novel relationships, but using supervised approaches can order genes into a regulatory hierarchy. Combining these results with independent large effect mutation studies, allows clear candidates for detailed molecular follow-up to emerge.

78 FR 63501 - Meetings of Humanities Panel

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

... NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES Meetings of Humanities Panel AGENCY: National... National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 951-960, as amended). DATES: See... subjects of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine for the Humanities Collections and Reference...

77 FR 68153 - Meetings of Humanities Panel

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-15

... NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES Meetings of Humanities Panel AGENCY: National... Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 951-960, as amended). DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY... Reference Resources grant program on the subject of Music and Performing Arts, submitted to the Division of...

DISTMIX: direct imputation of summary statistics for unmeasured SNPs from mixed ethnicity cohorts.

PubMed

Lee, Donghyung; Bigdeli, T Bernard; Williamson, Vernell S; Vladimirov, Vladimir I; Riley, Brien P; Fanous, Ayman H; Bacanu, Silviu-Alin

2015-10-01

To increase the signal resolution for large-scale meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies, genotypes at unmeasured single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are commonly imputed using large multi-ethnic reference panels. However, the ever increasing size and ethnic diversity of both reference panels and cohorts makes genotype imputation computationally challenging for moderately sized computer clusters. Moreover, genotype imputation requires subject-level genetic data, which unlike summary statistics provided by virtually all studies, is not publicly available. While there are much less demanding methods which avoid the genotype imputation step by directly imputing SNP statistics, e.g. Directly Imputing summary STatistics (DIST) proposed by our group, their implicit assumptions make them applicable only to ethnically homogeneous cohorts. To decrease computational and access requirements for the analysis of cosmopolitan cohorts, we propose DISTMIX, which extends DIST capabilities to the analysis of mixed ethnicity cohorts. The method uses a relevant reference panel to directly impute unmeasured SNP statistics based only on statistics at measured SNPs and estimated/user-specified ethnic proportions. Simulations show that the proposed method adequately controls the Type I error rates. The 1000 Genomes panel imputation of summary statistics from the ethnically diverse Psychiatric Genetic Consortium Schizophrenia Phase 2 suggests that, when compared to genotype imputation methods, DISTMIX offers comparable imputation accuracy for only a fraction of computational resources. DISTMIX software, its reference population data, and usage examples are publicly available at http://code.google.com/p/distmix. dlee4@vcu.edu Supplementary Data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press.

75 FR 5287 - Federal Advisory Committee; Advisory Panel on Department of Defense Capabilities for Support of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-02

...Pursuant to section 1082 of Public Law 110-181 (122 Stat. 337), the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C., Appendix), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and 41 CFR 102-3.65, the Department of Defense established the Advisory Panel on Department of Defense Capabilities for Support of Civil Authorities After Certain Incidents (hereafter referred to as the Panel) on November 14, 2008. The Panel was established to carry out an assessment of the Department's capabilities to provide support to U.S. civil authorities in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive incident. While the Panel's mission remains unchanged, section 1034 of Public Law 111-84 added additional tasks to be performed by the Panel: The Department intends to modify the Panel's existing charter to reflect this change directed by Congress.

Investigation of Chinese text entry performance for mobile display interfaces.

PubMed

Lin, Po-Hung

2015-01-01

This study examined the effects of panel type, frequency of use and arrangement of phonetic symbols on operation time, usability, visual fatigue and workload in text entry performance. Three types of panel (solid, touch and mixed), three types of frequency of use (low, medium and high) and two types of the arrangement of phonetic symbols (vertical and horizontal) were investigated through 30 college students in the experiment. The results indicated that panel type, frequency of use, arrangement of phonetic symbols and the interaction between panel type and frequency of use were significant factors on operation time. Panel type was also a significant factor on usability, and a touch panel and a solid panel showed better usability than a mixed panel. Furthermore, a touch panel showed good usability and the lowest workload and therefore it is recommended to use a touch panel with vertical phonetic arrangement in sending Chinese text messages. Practitioner Summary: This study found, from ergonomics considerations, that a touch panel showed good usability and it is recommended to use a touch panel with vertical phonetic arrangement in sending Chinese text messages. Mobile display manufacturers can use the results of this study as a reference for future keyboard design.

Global analysis of population stratification using a smart panel of 27 continental ancestry-informative SNPs.

PubMed

Jiang, Li; Wei, Yi-Liang; Zhao, Lei; Li, Na; Liu, Tao; Liu, Hai-Bo; Ren, Li-Jie; Li, Jiu-Ling; Hao, Hui-Fang; Li, Qing; Li, Cai-Xia

2018-07-01

Over the last decade, several panels of ancestry-informative markers have been proposed for the analysis of population genetic structure. The differentiation efficiency depends on the discriminatory ability of the included markers and the reference population coverage. We previously developed a small set of 27 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for analyzing African, European, and East Asian ancestries. In the current study, we gathered a high-coverage reference database of 110 populations (10,350 individuals) from across the globe. The discrimination power of the panel was re-evaluated using four continental ancestry groups (as well as Indigenous Americans). We observed that all the 27 SNPs demonstrated stratified population specificity leading to a striking ancestral discrimination. Five markers (rs728404, rs7170869, rs2470102, rs1448485, and rs4789193) showed differences (δ > 0.3) in the frequency profiles between East Asian and Indigenous American populations. Ancestry components of all involved populations were accurately accessed compared with those from previous genome-wide analyses, thereafter achieved broadly population separation. Thus, our ancestral inference panel of a small number of highly informative SNPs in combination with a large-scale reference database provides a high-resolution in estimating ancestry compositions and distinguishing individual origins. We propose extensive usage in biomedical studies and forensics. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simplified Calculation Model and Experimental Study of Latticed Concrete-Gypsum Composite Panels

PubMed Central

Jiang, Nan; Ma, Shaochun

2015-01-01

In order to address the performance complexity of the various constituent materials of (dense-column) latticed concrete-gypsum composite panels and the difficulty in the determination of the various elastic constants, this paper presented a detailed structural analysis of the (dense-column) latticed concrete-gypsum composite panel and proposed a feasible technical solution to simplified calculation. In conformity with mechanical rules, a typical panel element was selected and divided into two homogenous composite sub-elements and a secondary homogenous element, respectively for solution, thus establishing an equivalence of the composite panel to a simple homogenous panel and obtaining the effective formulas for calculating the various elastic constants. Finally, the calculation results and the experimental results were compared, which revealed that the calculation method was correct and reliable and could meet the calculation needs of practical engineering and provide a theoretical basis for simplified calculation for studies on composite panel elements and structures as well as a reference for calculations of other panels. PMID:28793631

Simplified Calculation Model and Experimental Study of Latticed Concrete-Gypsum Composite Panels.

PubMed

Jiang, Nan; Ma, Shaochun

2015-10-27

In order to address the performance complexity of the various constituent materials of (dense-column) latticed concrete-gypsum composite panels and the difficulty in the determination of the various elastic constants, this paper presented a detailed structural analysis of the (dense-column) latticed concrete-gypsum composite panel and proposed a feasible technical solution to simplified calculation. In conformity with mechanical rules, a typical panel element was selected and divided into two homogenous composite sub-elements and a secondary homogenous element, respectively for solution, thus establishing an equivalence of the composite panel to a simple homogenous panel and obtaining the effective formulas for calculating the various elastic constants. Finally, the calculation results and the experimental results were compared, which revealed that the calculation method was correct and reliable and could meet the calculation needs of practical engineering and provide a theoretical basis for simplified calculation for studies on composite panel elements and structures as well as a reference for calculations of other panels.

2013 Immune Risk Standing Review Panel Evidence Review for: The Risk of Crew Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan

2014-01-01

The 2013 Immune Risk Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on February 3-4, 2014. The SRP reviewed the new Evidence Report for the Risk of Crew Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response (from here on referred to as the 2013 Immune Evidence Report), as well as the Research Plan for this Risk that is in the current version of the Human Research Program’s (HRP) Integrated Research Plan (IRP).

Next-generation genotype imputation service and methods.

PubMed

Das, Sayantan; Forer, Lukas; Schönherr, Sebastian; Sidore, Carlo; Locke, Adam E; Kwong, Alan; Vrieze, Scott I; Chew, Emily Y; Levy, Shawn; McGue, Matt; Schlessinger, David; Stambolian, Dwight; Loh, Po-Ru; Iacono, William G; Swaroop, Anand; Scott, Laura J; Cucca, Francesco; Kronenberg, Florian; Boehnke, Michael; Abecasis, Gonçalo R; Fuchsberger, Christian

2016-10-01

Genotype imputation is a key component of genetic association studies, where it increases power, facilitates meta-analysis, and aids interpretation of signals. Genotype imputation is computationally demanding and, with current tools, typically requires access to a high-performance computing cluster and to a reference panel of sequenced genomes. Here we describe improvements to imputation machinery that reduce computational requirements by more than an order of magnitude with no loss of accuracy in comparison to standard imputation tools. We also describe a new web-based service for imputation that facilitates access to new reference panels and greatly improves user experience and productivity.

Effects of reduced panel, reference origin, and genetic relationship on imputation of genotypes in Hereford cattle

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The objective of this study was to investigate alternative methods for designing and utilizing reduced single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels for imputing SNP genotypes. Two purebred Hereford populations, an experimental population known as Line 1 Hereford (L1, N=240) and registered Hereford wi...

With Reference to Reference Genes: A Systematic Review of Endogenous Controls in Gene Expression Studies.

PubMed

Chapman, Joanne R; Waldenström, Jonas

2015-01-01

The choice of reference genes that are stably expressed amongst treatment groups is a crucial step in real-time quantitative PCR gene expression studies. Recent guidelines have specified that a minimum of two validated reference genes should be used for normalisation. However, a quantitative review of the literature showed that the average number of reference genes used across all studies was 1.2. Thus, the vast majority of studies continue to use a single gene, with β-actin (ACTB) and/or glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) being commonly selected in studies of vertebrate gene expression. Few studies (15%) tested a panel of potential reference genes for stability of expression before using them to normalise data. Amongst studies specifically testing reference gene stability, few found ACTB or GAPDH to be optimal, whereby these genes were significantly less likely to be chosen when larger panels of potential reference genes were screened. Fewer reference genes were tested for stability in non-model organisms, presumably owing to a dearth of available primers in less well characterised species. Furthermore, the experimental conditions under which real-time quantitative PCR analyses were conducted had a large influence on the choice of reference genes, whereby different studies of rat brain tissue showed different reference genes to be the most stable. These results highlight the importance of validating the choice of normalising reference genes before conducting gene expression studies.

Validation of Sensititre Dry-Form Broth Microdilution Panels for Susceptibility Testing of Ceftazidime-Avibactam, a Broad-Spectrum-β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combination.

PubMed

Jones, Ronald N; Holliday, Nicole M; Krause, Kevin M

2015-08-01

Ceftazidime-avibactam is a broad-spectrum-β-lactamase inhibitor combination in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of serious infections. In preparation for clinical microbiology laboratory use, a validation experiment was initiated to evaluate a commercial broth microdilution product (Sensititre dried MIC susceptibility system) compared to reference panels using 525 recent clinical isolates. Among 11 pathogen groups, all had Sensititre MIC/reference MIC ratios predominantly at 1 (47.5% to 97.5%), and automated and manual endpoint results did not differ. Enterobacteriaceae MIC comparisons showed a modest skewing of Sensititre MIC results toward an elevated MIC (33.9%), but the essential agreement was 98.9% with 100.0% reproducibility. In conclusion, Sensititre panels produced accurate ceftazidime-avibactam MIC results, allowing quality MIC guidance for therapy following regulatory approvals. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Validation of Sensititre Dry-Form Broth Microdilution Panels for Susceptibility Testing of Ceftazidime-Avibactam, a Broad-Spectrum-β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combination

PubMed Central

Holliday, Nicole M.; Krause, Kevin M.

2015-01-01

Ceftazidime-avibactam is a broad-spectrum-β-lactamase inhibitor combination in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of serious infections. In preparation for clinical microbiology laboratory use, a validation experiment was initiated to evaluate a commercial broth microdilution product (Sensititre dried MIC susceptibility system) compared to reference panels using 525 recent clinical isolates. Among 11 pathogen groups, all had Sensititre MIC/reference MIC ratios predominantly at 1 (47.5% to 97.5%), and automated and manual endpoint results did not differ. Enterobacteriaceae MIC comparisons showed a modest skewing of Sensititre MIC results toward an elevated MIC (33.9%), but the essential agreement was 98.9% with 100.0% reproducibility. In conclusion, Sensititre panels produced accurate ceftazidime-avibactam MIC results, allowing quality MIC guidance for therapy following regulatory approvals. PMID:26014937

Preliminary design of the Carrisa Plains solar central receiver power plant. Volume III, Book 3. Appendices, Part 1

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

Mouradian, E. M.

1983-12-31

Thermal analyses for the preliminary design phase of the Receiver of the Carrizo Plains Solar Power Plant are presented. The sodium reference operating conditions (T/sub in/ = 610/sup 0/F, T/sub out/ = 1050/sup 0/F) have been considered. Included are: Nominal flux distribution on receiver panal, Energy input to tubes, Axial temperature distribution; sodium and tubes, Sodium flow distribution, Sodium pressure drop, orifice calculations, Temperature distribution in tube cut (R-0), Backface structure, and Nonuniform sodium outlet temperature. Transient conditions and panel front face heat losses are not considered. These are to be addressed in a subsequent design phase. Also to bemore » considered later are the design conditions as variations from the nominal reference (operating) condition. An addendum, designated Appendix C, has been included describing panel heat losses, panel temperature distribution, and tube-manifold joint thermal model.« less

A high-quality human reference panel reveals the complexity and distribution of genomic structural variants.

PubMed

Hehir-Kwa, Jayne Y; Marschall, Tobias; Kloosterman, Wigard P; Francioli, Laurent C; Baaijens, Jasmijn A; Dijkstra, Louis J; Abdellaoui, Abdel; Koval, Vyacheslav; Thung, Djie Tjwan; Wardenaar, René; Renkens, Ivo; Coe, Bradley P; Deelen, Patrick; de Ligt, Joep; Lameijer, Eric-Wubbo; van Dijk, Freerk; Hormozdiari, Fereydoun; Uitterlinden, André G; van Duijn, Cornelia M; Eichler, Evan E; de Bakker, Paul I W; Swertz, Morris A; Wijmenga, Cisca; van Ommen, Gert-Jan B; Slagboom, P Eline; Boomsma, Dorret I; Schönhuth, Alexander; Ye, Kai; Guryev, Victor

2016-10-06

Structural variation (SV) represents a major source of differences between individual human genomes and has been linked to disease phenotypes. However, the majority of studies provide neither a global view of the full spectrum of these variants nor integrate them into reference panels of genetic variation. Here, we analyse whole genome sequencing data of 769 individuals from 250 Dutch families, and provide a haplotype-resolved map of 1.9 million genome variants across 9 different variant classes, including novel forms of complex indels, and retrotransposition-mediated insertions of mobile elements and processed RNAs. A large proportion are previously under reported variants sized between 21 and 100 bp. We detect 4 megabases of novel sequence, encoding 11 new transcripts. Finally, we show 191 known, trait-associated SNPs to be in strong linkage disequilibrium with SVs and demonstrate that our panel facilitates accurate imputation of SVs in unrelated individuals.

Minutes of the third annual meeting of the Panel on Reference Nuclear Data. [BNL, October 5, 1978

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

Burrows, T.W.; Stewart, L.; Coyne, J.J.

1979-05-01

The major activities of the meeting were as follows: welcome; organization, approval of minutes of the second meeting, and approval of agenda; review of nuclear data compilation and evaluation efforts (national and international efforts, master data files, publications); summary of 1977 panel meeting; definition of reference nuclear data; discussion of specific data needs and possible data center contributions (reactor physics, medicine and biology, controlled thermonuclear reactors and astrophysics); establishment of current interest and future direction of the panel; adjournment. Recommendations and action items are listed. Tables on nuclear data needs in applied physics, medicine and biology, and controlled thermonuclear reactorsmore » and astrophysics are presented. Appendixes include membership lists of various committees, summaries of publication activities, survey results, correspondence, and portions of the documents Proceedings of the Magnetic Fusion Energy Blanket and Shield Workshop and National Needs for Critically Evaluated Physical and Chemical Data. (RWR)« less

Comparison of HapMap and 1000 Genomes Reference Panels in a Large-Scale Genome-Wide Association Study.

PubMed

de Vries, Paul S; Sabater-Lleal, Maria; Chasman, Daniel I; Trompet, Stella; Ahluwalia, Tarunveer S; Teumer, Alexander; Kleber, Marcus E; Chen, Ming-Huei; Wang, Jie Jin; Attia, John R; Marioni, Riccardo E; Steri, Maristella; Weng, Lu-Chen; Pool, Rene; Grossmann, Vera; Brody, Jennifer A; Venturini, Cristina; Tanaka, Toshiko; Rose, Lynda M; Oldmeadow, Christopher; Mazur, Johanna; Basu, Saonli; Frånberg, Mattias; Yang, Qiong; Ligthart, Symen; Hottenga, Jouke J; Rumley, Ann; Mulas, Antonella; de Craen, Anton J M; Grotevendt, Anne; Taylor, Kent D; Delgado, Graciela E; Kifley, Annette; Lopez, Lorna M; Berentzen, Tina L; Mangino, Massimo; Bandinelli, Stefania; Morrison, Alanna C; Hamsten, Anders; Tofler, Geoffrey; de Maat, Moniek P M; Draisma, Harmen H M; Lowe, Gordon D; Zoledziewska, Magdalena; Sattar, Naveed; Lackner, Karl J; Völker, Uwe; McKnight, Barbara; Huang, Jie; Holliday, Elizabeth G; McEvoy, Mark A; Starr, John M; Hysi, Pirro G; Hernandez, Dena G; Guan, Weihua; Rivadeneira, Fernando; McArdle, Wendy L; Slagboom, P Eline; Zeller, Tanja; Psaty, Bruce M; Uitterlinden, André G; de Geus, Eco J C; Stott, David J; Binder, Harald; Hofman, Albert; Franco, Oscar H; Rotter, Jerome I; Ferrucci, Luigi; Spector, Tim D; Deary, Ian J; März, Winfried; Greinacher, Andreas; Wild, Philipp S; Cucca, Francesco; Boomsma, Dorret I; Watkins, Hugh; Tang, Weihong; Ridker, Paul M; Jukema, Jan W; Scott, Rodney J; Mitchell, Paul; Hansen, Torben; O'Donnell, Christopher J; Smith, Nicholas L; Strachan, David P; Dehghan, Abbas

2017-01-01

An increasing number of genome-wide association (GWA) studies are now using the higher resolution 1000 Genomes Project reference panel (1000G) for imputation, with the expectation that 1000G imputation will lead to the discovery of additional associated loci when compared to HapMap imputation. In order to assess the improvement of 1000G over HapMap imputation in identifying associated loci, we compared the results of GWA studies of circulating fibrinogen based on the two reference panels. Using both HapMap and 1000G imputation we performed a meta-analysis of 22 studies comprising the same 91,953 individuals. We identified six additional signals using 1000G imputation, while 29 loci were associated using both HapMap and 1000G imputation. One locus identified using HapMap imputation was not significant using 1000G imputation. The genome-wide significance threshold of 5×10-8 is based on the number of independent statistical tests using HapMap imputation, and 1000G imputation may lead to further independent tests that should be corrected for. When using a stricter Bonferroni correction for the 1000G GWA study (P-value < 2.5×10-8), the number of loci significant only using HapMap imputation increased to 4 while the number of loci significant only using 1000G decreased to 5. In conclusion, 1000G imputation enabled the identification of 20% more loci than HapMap imputation, although the advantage of 1000G imputation became less clear when a stricter Bonferroni correction was used. More generally, our results provide insights that are applicable to the implementation of other dense reference panels that are under development.

Comparison of HapMap and 1000 Genomes Reference Panels in a Large-Scale Genome-Wide Association Study

PubMed Central

de Vries, Paul S.; Sabater-Lleal, Maria; Chasman, Daniel I.; Trompet, Stella; Kleber, Marcus E.; Chen, Ming-Huei; Wang, Jie Jin; Attia, John R.; Marioni, Riccardo E.; Weng, Lu-Chen; Grossmann, Vera; Brody, Jennifer A.; Venturini, Cristina; Tanaka, Toshiko; Rose, Lynda M.; Oldmeadow, Christopher; Mazur, Johanna; Basu, Saonli; Yang, Qiong; Ligthart, Symen; Hottenga, Jouke J.; Rumley, Ann; Mulas, Antonella; de Craen, Anton J. M.; Grotevendt, Anne; Taylor, Kent D.; Delgado, Graciela E.; Kifley, Annette; Lopez, Lorna M.; Berentzen, Tina L.; Mangino, Massimo; Bandinelli, Stefania; Morrison, Alanna C.; Hamsten, Anders; Tofler, Geoffrey; de Maat, Moniek P. M.; Draisma, Harmen H. M.; Lowe, Gordon D.; Zoledziewska, Magdalena; Sattar, Naveed; Lackner, Karl J.; Völker, Uwe; McKnight, Barbara; Huang, Jie; Holliday, Elizabeth G.; McEvoy, Mark A.; Starr, John M.; Hysi, Pirro G.; Hernandez, Dena G.; Guan, Weihua; Rivadeneira, Fernando; McArdle, Wendy L.; Slagboom, P. Eline; Zeller, Tanja; Psaty, Bruce M.; Uitterlinden, André G.; de Geus, Eco J. C.; Stott, David J.; Binder, Harald; Hofman, Albert; Franco, Oscar H.; Rotter, Jerome I.; Ferrucci, Luigi; Spector, Tim D.; Deary, Ian J.; März, Winfried; Greinacher, Andreas; Wild, Philipp S.; Cucca, Francesco; Boomsma, Dorret I.; Watkins, Hugh; Tang, Weihong; Ridker, Paul M.; Jukema, Jan W.; Scott, Rodney J.; Mitchell, Paul; Hansen, Torben; O'Donnell, Christopher J.; Smith, Nicholas L.; Strachan, David P.

2017-01-01

An increasing number of genome-wide association (GWA) studies are now using the higher resolution 1000 Genomes Project reference panel (1000G) for imputation, with the expectation that 1000G imputation will lead to the discovery of additional associated loci when compared to HapMap imputation. In order to assess the improvement of 1000G over HapMap imputation in identifying associated loci, we compared the results of GWA studies of circulating fibrinogen based on the two reference panels. Using both HapMap and 1000G imputation we performed a meta-analysis of 22 studies comprising the same 91,953 individuals. We identified six additional signals using 1000G imputation, while 29 loci were associated using both HapMap and 1000G imputation. One locus identified using HapMap imputation was not significant using 1000G imputation. The genome-wide significance threshold of 5×10−8 is based on the number of independent statistical tests using HapMap imputation, and 1000G imputation may lead to further independent tests that should be corrected for. When using a stricter Bonferroni correction for the 1000G GWA study (P-value < 2.5×10−8), the number of loci significant only using HapMap imputation increased to 4 while the number of loci significant only using 1000G decreased to 5. In conclusion, 1000G imputation enabled the identification of 20% more loci than HapMap imputation, although the advantage of 1000G imputation became less clear when a stricter Bonferroni correction was used. More generally, our results provide insights that are applicable to the implementation of other dense reference panels that are under development. PMID:28107422

Identification of Motile Aeromonas Strains with the MicroScan WalkAway System in Conjunction with the Combo Negative Type 1S Panels

PubMed Central

Vivas, J.; Sáa, A. I.; Tinajas, A.; Barbeyto, L.; Rodríguez, L. A.

2000-01-01

This study was performed to compare the MicroScan WalkAway automated identification system in conjunction with the new MicroScan Combo Negative type 1S panels with conventional biochemical methods for identifying 85 environmental, clinical, and reference strains of eight Aeromonas species. PMID:10742279

Improved Use of Small Reference Panels for Conditional and Joint Analysis with GWAS Summary Statistics.

PubMed

Deng, Yangqing; Pan, Wei

2018-06-01

Due to issues of practicality and confidentiality of genomic data sharing on a large scale, typically only meta- or mega-analyzed genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data, not individual-level data, are publicly available. Reanalyses of such GWAS summary data for a wide range of applications have become more and more common and useful, which often require the use of an external reference panel with individual-level genotypic data to infer linkage disequilibrium (LD) among genetic variants. However, with a small sample size in only hundreds, as for the most popular 1000 Genomes Project European sample, estimation errors for LD are not negligible, leading to often dramatically increased numbers of false positives in subsequent analyses of GWAS summary data. To alleviate the problem in the context of association testing for a group of SNPs, we propose an alternative estimator of the covariance matrix with an idea similar to multiple imputation. We use numerical examples based on both simulated and real data to demonstrate the severe problem with the use of the 1000 Genomes Project reference panels, and the improved performance of our new approach. Copyright © 2018 by the Genetics Society of America.

Multivariate approaches for stability control of the olive oil reference materials for sensory analysis - part II: applications.

PubMed

Valverde-Som, Lucia; Ruiz-Samblás, Cristina; Rodríguez-García, Francisco P; Cuadros-Rodríguez, Luis

2018-02-09

The organoleptic quality of virgin olive oil depends on positive and negative sensory attributes. These attributes are related to volatile organic compounds and phenolic compounds that represent the aroma and taste (flavour) of the virgin olive oil. The flavour is the characteristic that can be measured by a taster panel. However, as for any analytical measuring device, the tasters, individually, and the panel, as a whole, should be harmonized and validated and proper olive oil standards are needed. In the present study, multivariate approaches are put into practice in addition to the rules to build a multivariate control chart from chromatographic volatile fingerprinting and chemometrics. Fingerprinting techniques provide analytical information without identify and quantify the analytes. This methodology is used to monitor the stability of sensory reference materials. The similarity indices have been calculated to build multivariate control chart with two olive oils certified reference materials that have been used as examples to monitor their stabilities. This methodology with chromatographic data could be applied in parallel with the 'panel test' sensory method to reduce the work of sensory analysis. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pancreatic Reference Set Application: Ivan Blasutig-University of Toronto (2014) — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

The primary objective of this study is to independently validate a panel of serum biomarkers for the early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The biomarkers were identified in various discovery studies performed in our laboratory1-6. We hypothesize that our candidate biomarkers can be used as a panel that will perform better than CA19.9 alone for the early detection of PDAC. Such a panel has the potential to lead to improved patient outcomes by enabling patients to receive treatment as early as possible.

The Effect of Minimum Wages on Youth Employment in Canada: A Panel Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yuen, Terence

2003-01-01

Canadian panel data 1988-90 were used to compare estimates of minimum-wage effects based on a low-wage/high-worker sample and a low-wage-only sample. Minimum-wage effect for the latter is nearly zero. Different results for low-wage subgroups suggest a significant effect for those with longer low-wage histories. (Contains 26 references.) (SK)

Recommendations for Conduct, Methodological Practices, and Reporting of Cost-effectiveness Analyses: Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine.

PubMed

Sanders, Gillian D; Neumann, Peter J; Basu, Anirban; Brock, Dan W; Feeny, David; Krahn, Murray; Kuntz, Karen M; Meltzer, David O; Owens, Douglas K; Prosser, Lisa A; Salomon, Joshua A; Sculpher, Mark J; Trikalinos, Thomas A; Russell, Louise B; Siegel, Joanna E; Ganiats, Theodore G

2016-09-13

Since publication of the report by the Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine in 1996, researchers have advanced the methods of cost-effectiveness analysis, and policy makers have experimented with its application. The need to deliver health care efficiently and the importance of using analytic techniques to understand the clinical and economic consequences of strategies to improve health have increased in recent years. To review the state of the field and provide recommendations to improve the quality of cost-effectiveness analyses. The intended audiences include researchers, government policy makers, public health officials, health care administrators, payers, businesses, clinicians, patients, and consumers. In 2012, the Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine was formed and included 2 co-chairs, 13 members, and 3 additional members of a leadership group. These members were selected on the basis of their experience in the field to provide broad expertise in the design, conduct, and use of cost-effectiveness analyses. Over the next 3.5 years, the panel developed recommendations by consensus. These recommendations were then reviewed by invited external reviewers and through a public posting process. The concept of a "reference case" and a set of standard methodological practices that all cost-effectiveness analyses should follow to improve quality and comparability are recommended. All cost-effectiveness analyses should report 2 reference case analyses: one based on a health care sector perspective and another based on a societal perspective. The use of an "impact inventory," which is a structured table that contains consequences (both inside and outside the formal health care sector), intended to clarify the scope and boundaries of the 2 reference case analyses is also recommended. This special communication reviews these recommendations and others concerning the estimation of the consequences of interventions, the valuation of health outcomes, and the reporting of cost-effectiveness analyses. The Second Panel reviewed the current status of the field of cost-effectiveness analysis and developed a new set of recommendations. Major changes include the recommendation to perform analyses from 2 reference case perspectives and to provide an impact inventory to clarify included consequences.

Maximizing the reliability of genomic selection by optimizing the calibration set of reference individuals: comparison of methods in two diverse groups of maize inbreds (Zea mays L.).

PubMed

Rincent, R; Laloë, D; Nicolas, S; Altmann, T; Brunel, D; Revilla, P; Rodríguez, V M; Moreno-Gonzalez, J; Melchinger, A; Bauer, E; Schoen, C-C; Meyer, N; Giauffret, C; Bauland, C; Jamin, P; Laborde, J; Monod, H; Flament, P; Charcosset, A; Moreau, L

2012-10-01

Genomic selection refers to the use of genotypic information for predicting breeding values of selection candidates. A prediction formula is calibrated with the genotypes and phenotypes of reference individuals constituting the calibration set. The size and the composition of this set are essential parameters affecting the prediction reliabilities. The objective of this study was to maximize reliabilities by optimizing the calibration set. Different criteria based on the diversity or on the prediction error variance (PEV) derived from the realized additive relationship matrix-best linear unbiased predictions model (RA-BLUP) were used to select the reference individuals. For the latter, we considered the mean of the PEV of the contrasts between each selection candidate and the mean of the population (PEVmean) and the mean of the expected reliabilities of the same contrasts (CDmean). These criteria were tested with phenotypic data collected on two diversity panels of maize (Zea mays L.) genotyped with a 50k SNPs array. In the two panels, samples chosen based on CDmean gave higher reliabilities than random samples for various calibration set sizes. CDmean also appeared superior to PEVmean, which can be explained by the fact that it takes into account the reduction of variance due to the relatedness between individuals. Selected samples were close to optimality for a wide range of trait heritabilities, which suggests that the strategy presented here can efficiently sample subsets in panels of inbred lines. A script to optimize reference samples based on CDmean is available on request.

Germ-line and somatic EPHA2 coding variants in lens aging and cataract.

PubMed

Bennett, Thomas M; M'Hamdi, Oussama; Hejtmancik, J Fielding; Shiels, Alan

2017-01-01

Rare germ-line mutations in the coding regions of the human EPHA2 gene (EPHA2) have been associated with inherited forms of pediatric cataract, whereas, frequent, non-coding, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been associated with age-related cataract. Here we sought to determine if germ-line EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with age-related cataract in a case-control DNA panel (> 50 years) and if somatic EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with lens aging and/or cataract in a post-mortem lens DNA panel (> 48 years). Micro-fluidic PCR amplification followed by targeted amplicon (exon) next-generation (deep) sequencing of EPHA2 (17-exons) afforded high read-depth coverage (1000x) for > 82% of reads in the cataract case-control panel (161 cases, 64 controls) and > 70% of reads in the post-mortem lens panel (35 clear lens pairs, 22 cataract lens pairs). Novel and reference (known) missense SNVs in EPHA2 that were predicted in silico to be functionally damaging were found in both cases and controls from the age-related cataract panel at variant allele frequencies (VAFs) consistent with germ-line transmission (VAF > 20%). Similarly, both novel and reference missense SNVs in EPHA2 were found in the post-mortem lens panel at VAFs consistent with a somatic origin (VAF > 3%). The majority of SNVs found in the cataract case-control panel and post-mortem lens panel were transitions and many occurred at di-pyrimidine sites that are susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induced mutation. These data suggest that novel germ-line (blood) and somatic (lens) coding SNVs in EPHA2 that are predicted to be functionally deleterious occur in adults over 50 years of age. However, both types of EPHA2 coding variants were present at comparable levels in individuals with or without age-related cataract making simple genotype-phenotype correlations inconclusive.

Germ-line and somatic EPHA2 coding variants in lens aging and cataract

PubMed Central

Bennett, Thomas M.; M’Hamdi, Oussama; Hejtmancik, J. Fielding

2017-01-01

Rare germ-line mutations in the coding regions of the human EPHA2 gene (EPHA2) have been associated with inherited forms of pediatric cataract, whereas, frequent, non-coding, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been associated with age-related cataract. Here we sought to determine if germ-line EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with age-related cataract in a case-control DNA panel (> 50 years) and if somatic EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with lens aging and/or cataract in a post-mortem lens DNA panel (> 48 years). Micro-fluidic PCR amplification followed by targeted amplicon (exon) next-generation (deep) sequencing of EPHA2 (17-exons) afforded high read-depth coverage (1000x) for > 82% of reads in the cataract case-control panel (161 cases, 64 controls) and > 70% of reads in the post-mortem lens panel (35 clear lens pairs, 22 cataract lens pairs). Novel and reference (known) missense SNVs in EPHA2 that were predicted in silico to be functionally damaging were found in both cases and controls from the age-related cataract panel at variant allele frequencies (VAFs) consistent with germ-line transmission (VAF > 20%). Similarly, both novel and reference missense SNVs in EPHA2 were found in the post-mortem lens panel at VAFs consistent with a somatic origin (VAF > 3%). The majority of SNVs found in the cataract case-control panel and post-mortem lens panel were transitions and many occurred at di-pyrimidine sites that are susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induced mutation. These data suggest that novel germ-line (blood) and somatic (lens) coding SNVs in EPHA2 that are predicted to be functionally deleterious occur in adults over 50 years of age. However, both types of EPHA2 coding variants were present at comparable levels in individuals with or without age-related cataract making simple genotype-phenotype correlations inconclusive. PMID:29267365

Multicenter Evaluation of a Commercial Cytomegalovirus Quantitative Standard: Effects of Commutability on Interlaboratory Concordance

PubMed Central

Shahbazian, M. D.; Valsamakis, A.; Boonyaratanakornkit, J.; Cook, L.; Pang, X. L.; Preiksaitis, J. K.; Schönbrunner, E. R.; Caliendo, A. M.

2013-01-01

Commutability of quantitative reference materials has proven important for reliable and accurate results in clinical chemistry. As international reference standards and commercially produced calibration material have become available to address the variability of viral load assays, the degree to which such materials are commutable and the effect of commutability on assay concordance have been questioned. To investigate this, 60 archived clinical plasma samples, which previously tested positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV), were retested by five different laboratories, each using a different quantitative CMV PCR assay. Results from each laboratory were calibrated both with lab-specific quantitative CMV standards (“lab standards”) and with common, commercially available standards (“CMV panel”). Pairwise analyses among laboratories were performed using mean results from each clinical sample, calibrated first with lab standards and then with the CMV panel. Commutability of the CMV panel was determined based on difference plots for each laboratory pair showing plotted values of standards that were within the 95% prediction intervals for the clinical specimens. Commutability was demonstrated for 6 of 10 laboratory pairs using the CMV panel. In half of these pairs, use of the CMV panel improved quantitative agreement compared to use of lab standards. Two of four laboratory pairs for which the CMV panel was noncommutable showed reduced quantitative agreement when that panel was used as a common calibrator. Commutability of calibration material varies across different quantitative PCR methods. Use of a common, commutable quantitative standard can improve agreement across different assays; use of a noncommutable calibrator can reduce agreement among laboratories. PMID:24025907

Improving accuracy of genomic predictions within and between dairy cattle breeds with imputed high-density single nucleotide polymorphism panels.

PubMed

Erbe, M; Hayes, B J; Matukumalli, L K; Goswami, S; Bowman, P J; Reich, C M; Mason, B A; Goddard, M E

2012-07-01

Achieving accurate genomic estimated breeding values for dairy cattle requires a very large reference population of genotyped and phenotyped individuals. Assembling such reference populations has been achieved for breeds such as Holstein, but is challenging for breeds with fewer individuals. An alternative is to use a multi-breed reference population, such that smaller breeds gain some advantage in accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) from information from larger breeds. However, this requires that marker-quantitative trait loci associations persist across breeds. Here, we assessed the gain in accuracy of GEBV in Jersey cattle as a result of using a combined Holstein and Jersey reference population, with either 39,745 or 624,213 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The surrogate used for accuracy was the correlation of GEBV with daughter trait deviations in a validation population. Two methods were used to predict breeding values, either a genomic BLUP (GBLUP_mod), or a new method, BayesR, which used a mixture of normal distributions as the prior for SNP effects, including one distribution that set SNP effects to zero. The GBLUP_mod method scaled both the genomic relationship matrix and the additive relationship matrix to a base at the time the breeds diverged, and regressed the genomic relationship matrix to account for sampling errors in estimating relationship coefficients due to a finite number of markers, before combining the 2 matrices. Although these modifications did result in less biased breeding values for Jerseys compared with an unmodified genomic relationship matrix, BayesR gave the highest accuracies of GEBV for the 3 traits investigated (milk yield, fat yield, and protein yield), with an average increase in accuracy compared with GBLUP_mod across the 3 traits of 0.05 for both Jerseys and Holsteins. The advantage was limited for either Jerseys or Holsteins in using 624,213 SNP rather than 39,745 SNP (0.01 for Holsteins and 0.03 for Jerseys, averaged across traits). Even this limited and nonsignificant advantage was only observed when BayesR was used. An alternative panel, which extracted the SNP in the transcribed part of the bovine genome from the 624,213 SNP panel (to give 58,532 SNP), performed better, with an increase in accuracy of 0.03 for Jerseys across traits. This panel captures much of the increased genomic content of the 624,213 SNP panel, with the advantage of a greatly reduced number of SNP effects to estimate. Taken together, using this panel, a combined breed reference and using BayesR rather than GBLUP_mod increased the accuracy of GEBV in Jerseys from 0.43 to 0.52, averaged across the 3 traits. Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Surface properties of thermally treated composite wood panels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croitoru, Catalin; Spirchez, Cosmin; Lunguleasa, Aurel; Cristea, Daniel; Roata, Ionut Claudiu; Pop, Mihai Alin; Bedo, Tibor; Stanciu, Elena Manuela; Pascu, Alexandru

2018-04-01

Composite finger-jointed spruce and oak wood panels have been thermally treated under standard pressure and oxygen content conditions at two different temperatures, 180 °C and respectively 200 °C for short time periods (3 and 5 h). Due to the thermally-aided chemical restructuration of the wood components, a decrease in water uptake and volumetric swelling values with up to 45% for spruce and 35% for oak have been registered, comparing to the reference samples. In relation to water resistance, a 15% increase of the dispersive component of the surface energy has been registered for the thermal-treated spruce panels, which impedes water spreading on the surface. The thermal-treated wood presents superior resistance to accelerated UV exposure and subsequently, with up to 10% higher Brinell hardness values than reference wood. The proposed thermal treatment improves the durability of the finger-jointed wood through a more economically and environmental friendly method than traditional impregnation, with minimal degradative impact on the structural components of wood.

Out-coupling membrane for large-size organic light-emitting panels with high efficiency and improved uniformity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Lei; Wang, Lu-Wei; Zhou, Lei; Zhang, Fang-hui

2016-12-01

An out-coupling membrane embedded with a scattering film of SiO2 spheres and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic was successfully developed for 150 × 150 mm2 green OLEDs. Comparing with a reference OLED panel, an approximately 1-fold enhancement in the forward emission was obtained with an out-coupling membrane adhered to the surface of the external glass substrate of the panel. Moreover, it was verified that the emission color at different viewing angles can be stabilized without apparent spectral distortion. Particularly, the uniformity of the large-area OLEDs was greatly improved. Theoretical calculation clarified that the improved performance of the lighting panels is primarily attributed to the effect of particle scattering.

Standard Specimen Reference Set: Pancreatic — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

The primary objective of the EDRN Pancreatic Cancer Working Group Proposal is to create a reference set consisting of well-characterized serum/plasma specimens to use as a resource for the development of biomarkers for the early detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The testing of biomarkers on the same sample set permits direct comparison among them; thereby, allowing the development of a biomarker panel that can be evaluated in a future validation study. Additionally, the establishment of an infrastructure with core data elements and standardized operating procedures for specimen collection, processing and storage, will provide the necessary preparatory platform for larger validation studies when the appropriate marker/panel for pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been identified.

A Panel Analysis of Student Mathematics Achievement in the US in the 1990s: Does Increasing the Amount of Time in Learning Activities Affect Math Achievement?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aksoy, Tevfik; Link, Charles R.

2000-01-01

Uses panel estimation techniques to estimate econometric models of mathematics achievement determinants for a nationally representative sample of high-school students. Extra time spent on math homework increases test scores; an extra hour of TV viewing negatively affects scores. Longer math periods also help. (Contains 56 references.) (MLH)

Change in Peer Ability as a Mediator and Moderator of the Effect of the Algebra-For-All Policy on Ninth Graders' Math Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong, Guanglei; Nomi, Takako

2011-01-01

A recent report by the Mathematics Advisory Panel referred to algebra as a "gateway" to later achievement (National Mathematics Advisory Panel, 2008). To address the problem of low academic performance in algebra, an increasing number of states and districts have started to implement a policy of requiring algebra for all students in…

Text-mined phenotype annotation and vector-based similarity to improve identification of similar phenotypes and causative genes in monogenic disease patients.

PubMed

Saklatvala, Jake R; Dand, Nick; Simpson, Michael A

2018-05-01

The genetic diagnosis of rare monogenic diseases using exome/genome sequencing requires the true causal variant(s) to be identified from tens of thousands of observed variants. Typically a virtual gene panel approach is taken whereby only variants in genes known to cause phenotypes resembling the patient under investigation are considered. With the number of known monogenic gene-disease pairs exceeding 5,000, manual curation of personalized virtual panels using exhaustive knowledge of the genetic basis of the human monogenic phenotypic spectrum is challenging. We present improved probabilistic methods for estimating phenotypic similarity based on Human Phenotype Ontology annotation. A limitation of existing methods for evaluating a disease's similarity to a reference set is that reference diseases are typically represented as a series of binary (present/absent) observations of phenotypic terms. We evaluate a quantified disease reference set, using term frequency in phenotypic text descriptions to approximate term relevance. We demonstrate an improved ability to identify related diseases through the use of a quantified reference set, and that vector space similarity measures perform better than established information content-based measures. These improvements enable the generation of bespoke virtual gene panels, facilitating more accurate and efficient interpretation of genomic variant profiles from individuals with rare Mendelian disorders. These methods are available online at https://atlas.genetics.kcl.ac.uk/~jake/cgi-bin/patient_sim.py. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Heat pipe radiators for space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sellers, J. P.

1976-01-01

Analysis of the data heat pipe radiator systems tested in both vacuum and ambient environments was continued. The systems included (1) a feasibility VCHP header heat-pipe panel, (2) the same panel reworked to eliminate the VCHP feature and referred to as the feasibility fluid header panel, and (3) an optimized flight-weight fluid header panel termed the 'prototype.' A description of freeze-thaw thermal vacuum tests conducted on the feasibility VCHP was included. In addition, the results of ambient tests made on the feasibility fluid header are presented, including a comparison with analytical results. A thermal model of a fluid header heat pipe radiator was constructed and a computer program written. The program was used to make a comparison of the VCHP and fluid-header concepts for both single and multiple panel applications. The computer program was also employed for a parametric study, including optimum feeder heat pipe spacing, of the prototype fluid header.

Cystic fibrosis carrier screening in a North American population.

PubMed

Zvereff, Val V; Faruki, Hawazin; Edwards, Marcia; Friedman, Kenneth J

2014-07-01

The aim of this study was to compare the mutation frequency distribution for a 32-mutation panel and a 69-mutation panel used for cystic fibrosis carrier screening. Further aims of the study were to examine the race-specific detection rates provided by both panels and to assess the performance of extended panels in large-scale, population-based cystic fibrosis carrier screening. Although genetic screening for the most common CFTR mutations allows detection of nearly 90% of cystic fibrosis carriers, the large number of other mutations, and their distribution within different ethnic groups, limits the utility of general population screening. Patients referred for cystic fibrosis screening from January 2005 through December 2010 were tested using either a 32-mutation panel (n = 1,601,308 individuals) or a 69-mutation panel (n = 109,830). The carrier frequencies observed for the 69-mutation panel study population (1/36) and Caucasian (1/27) and African-American individuals (1/79) agree well with published cystic fibrosis carrier frequencies; however, a higher carrier frequency was observed for Hispanic-American individuals (1/48) using the 69-mutation panel as compared with the 32-mutation panel (1/69). The 69-mutation panel detected ~20% more mutations than the 32-mutation panel for both African-American and Hispanic-American individuals. Expanded panels using race-specific variants can improve cystic fibrosis carrier detection rates within specific populations. However, it is important that the pathogenicity and the relative frequency of these variants are confirmed.

High-Resolution Maps of Mouse Reference Populations

PubMed Central

Simecek, Petr; Forejt, Jiri; Williams, Robert W.; Shiroishi, Toshihiko; Takada, Toyoyuki; Lu, Lu; Johnson, Thomas E.; Bennett, Beth; Deschepper, Christian F.; Scott-Boyer, Marie-Pier; Pardo-Manuel de Villena, Fernando; Churchill, Gary A.

2017-01-01

Genetic reference panels are widely used to map complex, quantitative traits in model organisms. We have generated new high-resolution genetic maps of 259 mouse inbred strains from recombinant inbred strain panels (C57BL/6J × DBA/2J, ILS/IbgTejJ × ISS/IbgTejJ, and C57BL/6J × A/J) and chromosome substitution strain panels (C57BL/6J-Chr#, C57BL/6J-Chr#, and C57BL/6J-Chr#). We genotyped all samples using the Affymetrix Mouse Diversity Array with an average intermarker spacing of 4.3 kb. The new genetic maps provide increased precision in the localization of recombination breakpoints compared to the previous maps. Although the strains were presumed to be fully inbred, we found residual heterozygosity in 40% of individual mice from five of the six panels. We also identified de novo deletions and duplications, in homozygous or heterozygous state, ranging in size from 21 kb to 8.4 Mb. Almost two-thirds (46 out of 76) of these deletions overlap exons of protein coding genes and may have phenotypic consequences. Twenty-nine putative gene conversions were identified in the chromosome substitution strains. We find that gene conversions are more likely to occur in regions where the homologous chromosomes are more similar. The raw genotyping data and genetic maps of these strain panels are available at http://churchill-lab.jax.org/website/MDA. PMID:28839117

High-Resolution Maps of Mouse Reference Populations.

PubMed

Simecek, Petr; Forejt, Jiri; Williams, Robert W; Shiroishi, Toshihiko; Takada, Toyoyuki; Lu, Lu; Johnson, Thomas E; Bennett, Beth; Deschepper, Christian F; Scott-Boyer, Marie-Pier; Pardo-Manuel de Villena, Fernando; Churchill, Gary A

2017-10-05

Genetic reference panels are widely used to map complex, quantitative traits in model organisms. We have generated new high-resolution genetic maps of 259 mouse inbred strains from recombinant inbred strain panels (C57BL/6J × DBA/2J, ILS/IbgTejJ × ISS/IbgTejJ, and C57BL/6J × A/J) and chromosome substitution strain panels (C57BL/6J-Chr#, C57BL/6J-Chr#, and C57BL/6J-Chr#). We genotyped all samples using the Affymetrix Mouse Diversity Array with an average intermarker spacing of 4.3 kb. The new genetic maps provide increased precision in the localization of recombination breakpoints compared to the previous maps. Although the strains were presumed to be fully inbred, we found residual heterozygosity in 40% of individual mice from five of the six panels. We also identified de novo deletions and duplications, in homozygous or heterozygous state, ranging in size from 21 kb to 8.4 Mb. Almost two-thirds (46 out of 76) of these deletions overlap exons of protein coding genes and may have phenotypic consequences. Twenty-nine putative gene conversions were identified in the chromosome substitution strains. We find that gene conversions are more likely to occur in regions where the homologous chromosomes are more similar. The raw genotyping data and genetic maps of these strain panels are available at http://churchill-lab.jax.org/website/MDA. Copyright © 2017 Simecek et al.

Developing leaflets to give dental health advice to Aboriginal families with young children.

PubMed

Blinkhorn, Fiona; Wallace, Janet; Smith, Leanne; Blinkhorn, Anthony S

2014-08-01

Dental caries (decay) is a serious problem for young Aboriginal children, causing pain and stress. Treatment often involves extraction of teeth under a general anaesthetic. However, dental caries can be prevented by reducing the frequency of sugar consumption and brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Such straightforward advice could be given to families by Aboriginal Health Workers who are trusted by their communities and have an existing advisory role. This paper reports on the development of dental health advice leaflets for use in Aboriginal communities. An Aboriginal reference panel was recruited to comment on dental health advice leaflets prepared by an Aboriginal graphic designer. The panel was asked to consider the design, cultural appropriateness and practicality of the leaflets. Comments were collected through email and face-to-face discussions, which were collated and the leaflets altered accordingly. The advice from the panel resulted in greater use of pictures. For example large green ticks and red crosses highlighted healthy and unhealthy behaviours, respectively. The tooth brushing leaflet was amended to emphasise the safe storage of toothpaste in order to keep it out of reach of young children. The panel stated that all leaflets should incorporate the Aboriginal flag, and proposed that fridge magnets might be beneficial as all family members would benefit from seeing the messages every day. The consultation process refined dental advice leaflets to reflect the views of an Aboriginal Reference Panel, in terms of design, cultural competence and practicality. © 2014 FDI World Dental Federation.

Impact of pre-imputation SNP-filtering on genotype imputation results

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Imputation of partially missing or unobserved genotypes is an indispensable tool for SNP data analyses. However, research and understanding of the impact of initial SNP-data quality control on imputation results is still limited. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the effect of different strategies of pre-imputation quality filtering on the performance of the widely used imputation algorithms MaCH and IMPUTE. Results We considered three scenarios: imputation of partially missing genotypes with usage of an external reference panel, without usage of an external reference panel, as well as imputation of completely un-typed SNPs using an external reference panel. We first created various datasets applying different SNP quality filters and masking certain percentages of randomly selected high-quality SNPs. We imputed these SNPs and compared the results between the different filtering scenarios by using established and newly proposed measures of imputation quality. While the established measures assess certainty of imputation results, our newly proposed measures focus on the agreement with true genotypes. These measures showed that pre-imputation SNP-filtering might be detrimental regarding imputation quality. Moreover, the strongest drivers of imputation quality were in general the burden of missingness and the number of SNPs used for imputation. We also found that using a reference panel always improves imputation quality of partially missing genotypes. MaCH performed slightly better than IMPUTE2 in most of our scenarios. Again, these results were more pronounced when using our newly defined measures of imputation quality. Conclusion Even a moderate filtering has a detrimental effect on the imputation quality. Therefore little or no SNP filtering prior to imputation appears to be the best strategy for imputing small to moderately sized datasets. Our results also showed that for these datasets, MaCH performs slightly better than IMPUTE2 in most scenarios at the cost of increased computing time. PMID:25112433

2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on practice guidelines

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This guideline is based on the Full Panel Report which is provided as a data supplement to the guideline. The Full Panel Report contains background and additional material related to content, methodology, evidence synthesis, rationale and references and is supported by the NHLBI Systematic Evidence ...

Genotype Imputation with Millions of Reference Samples

PubMed Central

Browning, Brian L.; Browning, Sharon R.

2016-01-01

We present a genotype imputation method that scales to millions of reference samples. The imputation method, based on the Li and Stephens model and implemented in Beagle v.4.1, is parallelized and memory efficient, making it well suited to multi-core computer processors. It achieves fast, accurate, and memory-efficient genotype imputation by restricting the probability model to markers that are genotyped in the target samples and by performing linear interpolation to impute ungenotyped variants. We compare Beagle v.4.1 with Impute2 and Minimac3 by using 1000 Genomes Project data, UK10K Project data, and simulated data. All three methods have similar accuracy but different memory requirements and different computation times. When imputing 10 Mb of sequence data from 50,000 reference samples, Beagle’s throughput was more than 100× greater than Impute2’s throughput on our computer servers. When imputing 10 Mb of sequence data from 200,000 reference samples in VCF format, Minimac3 consumed 26× more memory per computational thread and 15× more CPU time than Beagle. We demonstrate that Beagle v.4.1 scales to much larger reference panels by performing imputation from a simulated reference panel having 5 million samples and a mean marker density of one marker per four base pairs. PMID:26748515

Evaluation of the Luminex xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel FAST v2 assay for detection of multiple respiratory viral pathogens in nasal and throat swabs in Vietnam

PubMed Central

Thi Ty Hang, Vu; Thi Han Ny, Nguyen; My Phuc, Tran; Thi Thanh Tam, Pham; Thao Huong, Dang; Dang Trung Nghia, Ho; Tran Anh Vu, Nguyen; Thi Hong Phuong, Pham; Van Xang, Nguyen; Dong, Nguyen; Nhu Hiep, Pham; Van Hung, Nguyen; Tinh Hien, Tran; Rabaa, Maia; Thwaites, Guy E.; Baker, Stephen; Van Tan, Le; van Doorn, H.Rogier

2018-01-01

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are among the leading causes of hospitalization in children ≤5 years old. Rapid diagnostics of viral pathogens is essential to avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatment, thereby slowing down antibiotic-resistance. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of the Luminex xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel FAST v2 against viral specific PCR as reference assays for ARI in Vietnam. Methods: Four hundred and forty two nose and throat swabs were collected in viral transport medium, and were tested with Luminex xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel FAST v2. Multiplex RT-PCR and single RT-PCR were used as references.    Results: Overall, sensitivity of the Luminex against reference assays was 91.8%, 95% CI 88.1-94.7 (270/294), whilst 112/6336 (1.8%, 95% CI, 1.4-2.1) of pathogens were detected by the Luminex, but not by reference assays. Frequency of pathogens detected by Luminex and reference assays was 379 and 292, respectively. The diagnostic yield was 66.7% (295/442, 95%CI 62.1-71.1%) for the Luminex assay and 54.1% (239/442, 95% CI, 49.3-58.8%) for reference assays. The Luminex kit had higher yields for all viruses except influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and human bocavirus. High agreements between both methods [mean (range): 0.91 (0.83-1.00)] were found for 10/15 viral agents. Conclusions: The Luminex assay is a high throughput multiplex platform for rapid detection of common viral pathogens causing ARI. Although the current high cost may prevent Luminex assays from being widely used, especially in limited resource settings where ARI are felt most, its introduction in clinical diagnostics may help reduce unnecessary use of antibiotic prescription. PMID:29503874

A nationwide multicentre study in Turkey for establishing reference intervals of haematological parameters with novel use of a panel of whole blood

PubMed Central

Ozarda, Yesim; Ichihara, Kiyoshi; Bakan, Ebubekir; Polat, Harun; Ozturk, Nurinnisa; Baygutalp, Nurcan K.; Taneli, Fatma; Guvenc, Yesim; Ormen, Murat; Erbayraktar, Zubeyde; Aksoy, Nurten; Sezen, Hatice; Demir, Meltem; Eskandari, Gulcin; Polat, Gurbuz; Mete, Nuriye; Yuksel, Hatice; Vatansev, Husamettin; Gun, Fatma; Akin, Okhan; Ceylan, Ozlem; Noyan, Tevfik; Gozlukaya, Ozgul; Aliyazicioglu, Yuksel; Kahraman, Sevim; Dirican, Melahat; Tuncer, Gul Ozlem; Kimura, Shogo; Eker, Pinar

2017-01-01

Introduction A nationwide multicentre study was conducted to establish well-defined reference intervals (RIs) of haematological parameters for the Turkish population in consideration of sources of variation in reference values (RVs). Materials and methods K2-EDTA whole blood samples (total of 3363) were collected from 12 laboratories. Sera were also collected for measurements of iron, UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin for use in the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method. The blood samples were analysed within 2 hours in each laboratory using Cell Dyn and Ruby (Abbott), LH780 (Beckman Coulter), or XT-2000i (Sysmex). A panel of freshly prepared blood from 40 healthy volunteers was measured in common to assess any analyser-dependent bias in the measurements. The SD ratio (SDR) based on ANOVA was used to judge the need for partitioning RVs. RIs were computed by the parametric method with/without applying the LAVE method. Results Analyser-dependent bias was found for basophils (Bas), MCHC, RDW and MPV from the panel test results and thus those RIs were derived for each manufacturer. RIs were determined from all volunteers’ results for WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, MCV, MCH and platelets. Gender-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, iron, UIBC and ferritin. Region-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, UIBC, and TIBC. Conclusions With the novel use of a freshly prepared blood panel, manufacturer-specific RIs’ were derived for Bas, Bas%, MCHC, RDW and MPV. Regional differences in RIs were observed among the 7 regions of Turkey, which may be attributed to nutritional or environmental factors, including altitude. PMID:28694726

Assessing operating characteristics of CAD algorithms in the absence of a gold standard

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

Roy Choudhury, Kingshuk; Paik, David S.; Yi, Chin A.

2010-04-15

Purpose: The authors examine potential bias when using a reference reader panel as ''gold standard'' for estimating operating characteristics of CAD algorithms for detecting lesions. As an alternative, the authors propose latent class analysis (LCA), which does not require an external gold standard to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. Methods: A binomial model for multiple reader detections using different diagnostic protocols was constructed, assuming conditional independence of readings given true lesion status. Operating characteristics of all protocols were estimated by maximum likelihood LCA. Reader panel and LCA based estimates were compared using data simulated from the binomial model for a range ofmore » operating characteristics. LCA was applied to 36 thin section thoracic computed tomography data sets from the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC): Free search markings of four radiologists were compared to markings from four different CAD assisted radiologists. For real data, bootstrap-based resampling methods, which accommodate dependence in reader detections, are proposed to test of hypotheses of differences between detection protocols. Results: In simulation studies, reader panel based sensitivity estimates had an average relative bias (ARB) of -23% to -27%, significantly higher (p-value <0.0001) than LCA (ARB -2% to -6%). Specificity was well estimated by both reader panel (ARB -0.6% to -0.5%) and LCA (ARB 1.4%-0.5%). Among 1145 lesion candidates LIDC considered, LCA estimated sensitivity of reference readers (55%) was significantly lower (p-value 0.006) than CAD assisted readers' (68%). Average false positives per patient for reference readers (0.95) was not significantly lower (p-value 0.28) than CAD assisted readers' (1.27). Conclusions: Whereas a gold standard based on a consensus of readers may substantially bias sensitivity estimates, LCA may be a significantly more accurate and consistent means for evaluating diagnostic accuracy.« less

Analysis of Latino populations from GALA and MEC studies reveals genomic loci with biased local ancestry estimation

PubMed Central

Pasaniuc, Bogdan; Sankararaman, Sriram; Torgerson, Dara G.; Gignoux, Christopher; Zaitlen, Noah; Eng, Celeste; Rodriguez-Cintron, William; Chapela, Rocio; Ford, Jean G.; Avila, Pedro C.; Rodriguez-Santana, Jose; Chen, Gary K.; Le Marchand, Loic; Henderson, Brian; Reich, David; Haiman, Christopher A.; Gonzàlez Burchard, Esteban; Halperin, Eran

2013-01-01

Motivation: Local ancestry analysis of genotype data from recently admixed populations (e.g. Latinos, African Americans) provides key insights into population history and disease genetics. Although methods for local ancestry inference have been extensively validated in simulations (under many unrealistic assumptions), no empirical study of local ancestry accuracy in Latinos exists to date. Hence, interpreting findings that rely on local ancestry in Latinos is challenging. Results: Here, we use 489 nuclear families from the mainland USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico in conjunction with 3204 unrelated Latinos from the Multiethnic Cohort study to provide the first empirical characterization of local ancestry inference accuracy in Latinos. Our approach for identifying errors does not rely on simulations but on the observation that local ancestry in families follows Mendelian inheritance. We measure the rate of local ancestry assignments that lead to Mendelian inconsistencies in local ancestry in trios (MILANC), which provides a lower bound on errors in the local ancestry estimates. We show that MILANC rates observed in simulations underestimate the rate observed in real data, and that MILANC varies substantially across the genome. Second, across a wide range of methods, we observe that loci with large deviations in local ancestry also show enrichment in MILANC rates. Therefore, local ancestry estimates at such loci should be interpreted with caution. Finally, we reconstruct ancestral haplotype panels to be used as reference panels in local ancestry inference and show that ancestry inference is significantly improved by incoroprating these reference panels. Availability and implementation: We provide the reconstructed reference panels together with the maps of MILANC rates as a public resource for researchers analyzing local ancestry in Latinos at http://bogdanlab.pathology.ucla.edu. Contact: bpasaniuc@mednet.ucla.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:23572411

Liver Rapid Reference Set Application: Kevin Qu-Quest (2011) — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

We propose to evaluate the performance of a novel serum biomarker panel for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This panel is based on markers from the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in combination with the existing known HCC biomarkers, namely, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), AFP-L3%, and des-y-carboxy prothrombin (DCP). To this end, we applied multivariate logistic regression analysis to optimize this biomarker algorithm tool.

Breast Reference Set Application: Richard Zangar-PNNL (2012) — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

Our immediate goal is to define a set of biomarkers (composed of circulating plasma proteins) that can be used to distinguish between true and false screens, primarily mammograms. Our preliminary data suggest that different breast cancer subtypes need to be considered when developing this panel. Our long-term goal is to develop a panel of biomarkers that can accurately detect the presence of breast cancer regardless of subtype.

10 CFR 431.304 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy consumption of walk-in coolers and walk-in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...-value of panels until January 1, 2015. (1) The R value shall be the 1/K factor multiplied by the thickness of the panel. (2) The K factor shall be based on ASTM C518 (incorporated by reference, see § 431.303). (3) For calculating the R value for freezers, the K factor of the foam at 20 degrees Fahrenheit...

10 CFR 431.304 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy consumption of walk-in coolers and walk-in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...-value of panels until January 1, 2015. (1) The R value shall be the 1/K factor multiplied by the thickness of the panel. (2) The K factor shall be based on ASTM C518 (incorporated by reference, see § 431.303). (3) For calculating the R value for freezers, the K factor of the foam at 20 degrees Fahrenheit...

10 CFR 431.304 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy consumption of walk-in coolers and walk-in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...-value of panels until January 1, 2015. (1) The R value shall be the 1/K factor multiplied by the thickness of the panel. (2) The K factor shall be based on ASTM C518 (incorporated by reference, see § 431.303). (3) For calculating the R value for freezers, the K factor of the foam at 20 degrees Fahrenheit...

Procedure for contact electrical resistance measurements as developed for use at Sandia National Laboratories

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

Finch, J.L.

1994-06-01

Military Specifications call out general procedures and guidelines for conducting contact resistance measurements on chemical conversion coated panels. This paper deals with a test procedure developed at Sandia National Laboratories used to conduct contact electrical resistance on non-chromated conversion coated test panels. MIL-C-81706 {open_quotes}Chemical Conversion Materials For Coating Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys{close_quotes} was the reference specification used for guidance.

Initial Results of Multigene Panel Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Lynch Syndrome.

PubMed

Howarth, Dt R; Lum, Sharon S; Esquivel, Pamela; Garberoglio, Carlos A; Senthil, Maheswari; Solomon, Naveenraj L

2015-10-01

Multigene panel testing for hereditary cancer risk has recently become commercially available; however, the impact of its use on patient care is undefined. We sought to evaluate results from implementation of panel testing in a multidisciplinary cancer center. We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing genetic testing after initiating use of multigene panel testing at Loma Linda University Medical Center. From February 13 to August 25, 2014, 92 patients were referred for genetic testing based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Testing was completed in 90 patients. Overall, nine (10%) pathogenic mutations were identified: five BRCA1/2, and four in non-BRCA loci. Single-site testing identified one BRCA1 and one BRCA2 mutation. The remaining mutations were identified by use of panel testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. There were 40 variants of uncertain significance identified in 34 patients. The use of panel testing more than doubled the identification rate of clinically significant pathogenic mutations that would have been missed with BRCA testing alone. The large number of variants of uncertain significance identified will require long-term follow-up for potential reclassification. Multigene panel testing provides additional information that may improve patient outcomes.

Construction of two whole genome radiation hybrid panels for dromedary (Camelus dromedarius): 5000RAD and 15000RAD.

PubMed

Perelman, Polina L; Pichler, Rudolf; Gaggl, Anna; Larkin, Denis M; Raudsepp, Terje; Alshanbari, Fahad; Holl, Heather M; Brooks, Samantha A; Burger, Pamela A; Periasamy, Kathiravan

2018-01-31

The availability of genomic resources including linkage information for camelids has been very limited. Here, we describe the construction of a set of two radiation hybrid (RH) panels (5000 RAD and 15000 RAD ) for the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) as a permanent genetic resource for camel genome researchers worldwide. For the 5000 RAD panel, a total of 245 female camel-hamster radiation hybrid clones were collected, of which 186 were screened with 44 custom designed marker loci distributed throughout camel genome. The overall mean retention frequency (RF) of the final set of 93 hybrids was 47.7%. For the 15000 RAD panel, 238 male dromedary-hamster radiation hybrid clones were collected, of which 93 were tested using 44 PCR markers. The final set of 90 clones had a mean RF of 39.9%. This 15000 RAD panel is an important high-resolution complement to the main 5000 RAD panel and an indispensable tool for resolving complex genomic regions. This valuable genetic resource of dromedary RH panels is expected to be instrumental for constructing a high resolution camel genome map. Construction of the set of RH panels is essential step toward chromosome level reference quality genome assembly that is critical for advancing camelid genomics and the development of custom genomic tools.

Genome-wide screening for highly discriminative SNPs for personal identification and their assessment in world populations.

PubMed

Li, Liming; Wang, Yi; Yang, Shuping; Xia, Mingying; Yang, Yajun; Wang, Jiucun; Lu, Daru; Pan, Xingwei; Ma, Teng; Jiang, Pei; Yu, Ge; Zhao, Ziqin; Ping, Yuan; Zhou, Huaigu; Zhao, Xueying; Sun, Hui; Liu, Bing; Jia, Dongtao; Li, Chengtao; Hu, Rile; Lu, Hongzhou; Liu, Xiaoyang; Chen, Wenqing; Mi, Qin; Xue, Fuzhong; Su, Yongdong; Jin, Li; Li, Shilin

2017-05-01

The applications of DNA profiling aim to identify perpetrators, missing family members and disaster victims in forensic investigations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based forensic applications are emerging rapidly with a potential to replace short tandem repeats (STRs) based panels which are now being used widely, and there is a need for a well-designed SNP panel to meet such challenge for this transition. Here we present a panel of 175 SNP markers (referred to as Fudan ID Panel or FID), selected from ∼3.6 million SNPs, for the application of personal identification. We optimized and validated FID panel using 729 Chinese individuals using a next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. We showed that the SNPs in the panel possess very high heterozygosity as well as low within- and among-continent differentiations, enabling FID panel exhibit discrimination power in both regional and worldwide populations, with the average match probabilities ranging from 4.77×10 -71 to 1.06×10 -64 across 54 world populations. With the advent of biomedical research, the SNPs connecting physical anthropological, physiological, behavioral and phenotypic traits will be eventually added to the forensic panels that will revolutionize criminal investigation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variant prevalence among the first 10,000 patients referred for next-generation cancer panel testing

PubMed Central

Susswein, Lisa R.; Marshall, Megan L.; Nusbaum, Rachel; Vogel Postula, Kristen J.; Weissman, Scott M.; Yackowski, Lauren; Vaccari, Erica M.; Bissonnette, Jeffrey; Booker, Jessica K.; Cremona, M. Laura; Gibellini, Federica; Murphy, Patricia D.; Pineda-Alvarez, Daniel E.; Pollevick, Guido D.; Xu, Zhixiong; Richard, Gabi; Bale, Sherri; Klein, Rachel T.; Hruska, Kathleen S.; Chung, Wendy K.

2016-01-01

Purpose: Germ-line testing for panels of cancer genes using next-generation sequencing is becoming more common in clinical care. We report our experience as a clinical laboratory testing both well-established, high-risk cancer genes (e.g., BRCA1/2, MLH1, MSH2) as well as more recently identified cancer genes (e.g., PALB2, BRIP1), many of which have increased but less well-defined penetrance. Genet Med 18 8, 823–832. Methods: Clinical genetic testing was performed on over 10,000 consecutive cases referred for evaluation of germ-line cancer genes, and results were analyzed for frequency of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, and were stratified by testing panel, gene, and clinical history. Genet Med 18 8, 823–832. Results: Overall, a molecular diagnosis was made in 9.0% of patients tested, with the highest yield in the Lynch syndrome/colorectal cancer panel. In patients with breast, ovarian, or colon/stomach cancer, positive yields were 9.7, 13.4, and 14.8%, respectively. Approximately half of the pathogenic variants identified in patients with breast or ovarian cancer were in genes other than BRCA1/2. Genet Med 18 8, 823–832. Conclusion: The high frequency of positive results in a wide range of cancer genes, including those of high penetrance and with clinical care guidelines, underscores both the genetic heterogeneity of hereditary cancer and the usefulness of multigene panels over genetic tests of one or two genes. Genet Med 18 8, 823–832. PMID:26681312

Robust Power Management Control for Stand-Alone Hybrid Power Generation System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamal, Elkhatib; Adouane, Lounis; Aitouche, Abdel; Mohammed, Walaa

2017-01-01

This paper presents a new robust fuzzy control of energy management strategy for the stand-alone hybrid power systems. It consists of two levels named centralized fuzzy supervisory control which generates the power references for each decentralized robust fuzzy control. Hybrid power systems comprises: a photovoltaic panel and wind turbine as renewable sources, a micro turbine generator and a battery storage system. The proposed control strategy is able to satisfy the load requirements based on a fuzzy supervisor controller and manage power flows between the different energy sources and the storage unit by respecting the state of charge and the variation of wind speed and irradiance. Centralized controller is designed based on If-Then fuzzy rules to manage and optimize the hybrid power system production by generating the reference power for photovoltaic panel and wind turbine. Decentralized controller is based on the Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model and permits us to stabilize each photovoltaic panel and wind turbine in presence of disturbances and parametric uncertainties and to optimize the tracking reference which is given by the centralized controller level. The sufficient conditions stability are formulated in the format of linear matrix inequalities using the Lyapunov stability theory. The effectiveness of the proposed Strategy is finally demonstrated through a SAHPS (stand-alone hybrid power systems) to illustrate the effectiveness of the overall proposed method.

Atmospheric plasma generation for LCD panel cleaning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Gyu-Sik; Won, Chung-Yuen; Choi, Ju-Yeop; Yim, C. H.

2007-12-01

UV lamp systems have been used for cleaning of display panels of TFT LCD or Plasma Display Panel (PDP). However, the needs for high efficient cleaning and low cost made high voltage plasma cleaning techniques to be developed and to be improved. Dielectric-barrier discharges (DBDs), also referred to as barrier discharges or silent discharges have for a long time been exclusively related to ozone generation. In this paper, a 6kW high voltage plasma power supply system was developed for LCD cleaning. The -phase input voltage is rectified and then inverter system is used to make a high frequency pulse train, which is rectified after passing through a high-power transformer. Finally, bi-directional high voltage pulse switching circuits are used to generate the high voltage plasma. Some experimental results showed the usefulness of atmospheric plasma for LCD panel cleaning.

Report on the technical review workshop on the reference dose for Aroclor 1016. Held in Washington, DC on May 24-25, 1994

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

NONE

1994-11-01

The report includes information and material from a technical review workshop organized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency`s (EPA`s) Risk Assessment Forum for EPA`s Reference Dose/Reference Concentration (RfD/RfC) Work Group. The meeting was held in Washington, DC, at the Barcelo Washington Hotel on May 24-25, 1994. The subject of the technical review was the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) RfD entry for Aroclor 1016, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). The expert technical review panel was convened to independently evaluate whether the RfD for Aroclor 1016 is based on a scientifically responsible analysis that represents full consideration of the available data andmore » clean articulation of that analysis in the IRIS RfD entry. EPA also requested panel members to consider four broad options for the Aroclor 1016 RfD as potential recommendations to the RfD/RfC Work Group.« less

Simulation study of air and water cooled photovoltaic panel using ANSYS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syafiqah, Z.; Amin, N. A. M.; Irwan, Y. M.; Majid, M. S. A.; Aziz, N. A.

2017-10-01

Demand for alternative energy is growing due to decrease of fossil fuels sources. One of the promising and popular renewable energy technology is a photovoltaic (PV) technology. During the actual operation of PV cells, only around 15% of solar irradiance is converted to electricity, while the rest is converted into heat. The electrical efficiency decreases with the increment in PV panel’s temperature. This electrical energy is referring to the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Isc) and output power generate. This paper examines and discusses the PV panel with water and air cooling system. The air cooling system was installed at the back of PV panel while water cooling system at front surface. The analyses of both cooling systems were done by using ANSYS CFX and PSPICE software. The highest temperature of PV panel without cooling system is 66.3 °C. There is a decrement of 19.2% and 53.2% in temperature with the air and water cooling system applied to PV panel.

77 FR 67634 - Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-13

... coastal observation systems for coastal protection and restoration programs and surge and inundation models to protect coastal populations; and (3) use of geospatial services and spatial reference systems...

2013 Nutrition Risk Evidence Review Panel. Evidence Review for: The Risk Factor of Inadequate Nutrition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2014-01-01

The 2013 Nutrition Risk Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on November 20 - 21, 2013. The SRP reviewed the new Evidence Report for the Risk Factor of Inadequate Nutrition (from here on referred to as the 2013 Nutrition Evidence Report), as well as the Research Plan for this Risk. Overall, the SRP thinks the well-qualified research team has compiled an excellent summary of background information in the 2013 Nutrition Evidence Report. The SRP would like to commend the authors in general and particularly note that while the 2013 Nutrition Evidence Report has been written using a single nutrient approach, the research plan takes a much more integrated and physiologically based approach.

Genotype Imputation with Millions of Reference Samples.

PubMed

Browning, Brian L; Browning, Sharon R

2016-01-07

We present a genotype imputation method that scales to millions of reference samples. The imputation method, based on the Li and Stephens model and implemented in Beagle v.4.1, is parallelized and memory efficient, making it well suited to multi-core computer processors. It achieves fast, accurate, and memory-efficient genotype imputation by restricting the probability model to markers that are genotyped in the target samples and by performing linear interpolation to impute ungenotyped variants. We compare Beagle v.4.1 with Impute2 and Minimac3 by using 1000 Genomes Project data, UK10K Project data, and simulated data. All three methods have similar accuracy but different memory requirements and different computation times. When imputing 10 Mb of sequence data from 50,000 reference samples, Beagle's throughput was more than 100× greater than Impute2's throughput on our computer servers. When imputing 10 Mb of sequence data from 200,000 reference samples in VCF format, Minimac3 consumed 26× more memory per computational thread and 15× more CPU time than Beagle. We demonstrate that Beagle v.4.1 scales to much larger reference panels by performing imputation from a simulated reference panel having 5 million samples and a mean marker density of one marker per four base pairs. Copyright © 2016 The American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Estudio de la influencia de la refrigeracion con aire de forma natural e inducida en el comportamiento de instalaciones fotovoltaicas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazon Hernandez, Rocio

The aim is to analyse the negative influence of high panel temperatures on electrical production when they are placed on steel roofs of industrial buildings and greenhouse roofs. Different configurations have been tested in order to allow cooling of photovoltaic panels to decrease panel temperature and improve electrical performance. To research this problem two experimental facilities have been built. The first facility includes two panels fixed on a structure. A panel is integrated on a parallel steel plate which does not allow sufficient cooling. Between both surfaces, there is an open air channel in which an air flow is created by the chimney effect thus cooling the panel by natural convection or inducing air, using a fan, by forced convection. The other panel has not any plate underneath it and is used as a referent. The electrical behaviour of the integrated panel has been studied for different air gaps and induced velocities, being also compared with the reference panel. An experimental model was developed to establish correlations which allow determine the panel temperature depending on the influential variables on the cooling ability. This research also analyses the data of a working solar plant, with the same panel model, obtaining the correlations between electrical variables and panel temperature. A comparison with the electrical behaviour in the experimental facility and the solar plant is also presented. The second experimental facility is a replica of a photovoltaic greenhouse. It consists of four photovoltaic panels placed on the plastic roof, providing an open and divergent channel between both surfaces thus creating an air flow by natural convection. This research studies the effect of high temperatures within the greenhouse which is transferred by the roof and thus affects the electrical production. In addition, two air gaps were used and the effect of adding insulating material to the plastic roof was studied. The electrical variables of the panels are analysed to compare and select the best configuration. The presented research provides a deep knowledge of how they work as well as information and results for an improvement in future designs of building integrated photovoltaic systems. Este estudio se centra en analizar la influencia negativa de la temperatura en la produccion electrica de paneles fotovoltaicos al estar emplazados sobre cubierta de acero, como sucede en naves industriales y sobre un invernadero. Se estudian diferentes configuraciones que permitan refrigerar los paneles, reduciendo su temperatura y mejorar su rendimiento. Para abordar este problema, se han construido dos instalaciones experimentales, fieles a plantas solares en funcionamiento. Una instalacion engloba dos paneles fotovoltaicos sobre estructura fija al suelo. Uno de los paneles esta integrado sobre una superficie paralela y metalica. Entre ambas superficies existe un espacio que posibilita circular aire, permitiendo refrigerar el panel por conveccion natural, o conveccion forzada impulsando el aire con un ventilador. El otro panel, libre por su cara posterior y se ha considerado de referencia. Se ha estudiado el comportamiento del panel integrado sobre cubierta para diferentes secciones de aire y velocidades inducidas, comparandolo con el panel de referencia. Se ha desarrollado un modelo experimental que nos permite determinar la temperatura del panel en funcion de las variables que influyen en su refrigeracion. Adicionalmente, se han analizado los datos de una planta solar en funcionamiento, con paneles de igual caracteristicas, obteniendo correlaciones entre la temperatura del panel y las variables electricas y comparandolos con las obtenidas en la instalacion experimental. La segunda instalacion experimental reproduce parte de una instalacion solar sobre un invernadero, formada por cuatro paneles fotovoltaicos colocados sobre el plastico del invernadero, existiendo un canal divergente entre ambas superficies. Se estudia la influencia de las altas temperaturas en el interior del invernadero sobre la produccion electrica de los paneles, decido a la transferencia de calor del interior del invernadero. Ademas, se han ensayado dos separaciones diferentes y para cada una se ha comparado con la misma, utilizando un aislante sobre la cubierta. El estudio realizado sobre ambas instalaciones ha proporcionado un conocimiento profundo del funcionamiento de cada una de ellas, asi como informacion valida para una mejora de futuros disenos de instalaciones fotovoltaicas sobre cubiertas.

A bioinformatic pipeline for identifying informative SNP panels for parentage assignment from RADseq data.

PubMed

Andrews, Kimberly R; Adams, Jennifer R; Cassirer, E Frances; Plowright, Raina K; Gardner, Colby; Dwire, Maggie; Hohenlohe, Paul A; Waits, Lisette P

2018-06-05

The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies is dramatically increasing the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the field of genetics, but most parentage studies of wild populations still rely on microsatellites. We developed a bioinformatic pipeline for identifying SNP panels that are informative for parentage analysis from restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) data. This pipeline includes options for analysis with or without a reference genome, and provides methods to maximize genotyping accuracy and select sets of unlinked loci that have high statistical power. We test this pipeline on small populations of Mexican gray wolf and bighorn sheep, for which parentage analyses are expected to be challenging due to low genetic diversity and the presence of many closely related individuals. We compare the results of parentage analysis across SNP panels generated with or without the use of a reference genome, and between SNPs and microsatellites. For Mexican gray wolf, we conducted parentage analyses for 30 pups from a single cohort where samples were available from 64% of possible mothers and 53% of possible fathers, and the accuracy of parentage assignments could be estimated because true identities of parents were known a priori based on field data. For bighorn sheep, we conducted maternity analyses for 39 lambs from five cohorts where 77% of possible mothers were sampled, but true identities of parents were unknown. Analyses with and without a reference genome produced SNP panels with >95% parentage assignment accuracy for Mexican gray wolf, outperforming microsatellites at 78% accuracy. Maternity assignments were completely consistent across all SNP panels for the bighorn sheep, and were 74.4% consistent with assignments from microsatellites. Accuracy and consistency of parentage analysis were not reduced when using as few as 284 SNPs for Mexican gray wolf and 142 SNPs for bighorn sheep, indicating our pipeline can be used to develop SNP genotyping assays for parentage analysis with relatively small numbers of loci. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

EuroFlow antibody panels for standardized n-dimensional flow cytometric immunophenotyping of normal, reactive and malignant leukocytes

PubMed Central

van Dongen, J J M; Lhermitte, L; Böttcher, S; Almeida, J; van der Velden, V H J; Flores-Montero, J; Rawstron, A; Asnafi, V; Lécrevisse, Q; Lucio, P; Mejstrikova, E; Szczepański, T; Kalina, T; de Tute, R; Brüggemann, M; Sedek, L; Cullen, M; Langerak, A W; Mendonça, A; Macintyre, E; Martin-Ayuso, M; Hrusak, O; Vidriales, M B; Orfao, A

2012-01-01

Most consensus leukemia & lymphoma antibody panels consist of lists of markers based on expert opinions, but they have not been validated. Here we present the validated EuroFlow 8-color antibody panels for immunophenotyping of hematological malignancies. The single-tube screening panels and multi-tube classification panels fit into the EuroFlow diagnostic algorithm with entries defined by clinical and laboratory parameters. The panels were constructed in 2–7 sequential design–evaluation–redesign rounds, using novel Infinicyt software tools for multivariate data analysis. Two groups of markers are combined in each 8-color tube: (i) backbone markers to identify distinct cell populations in a sample, and (ii) markers for characterization of specific cell populations. In multi-tube panels, the backbone markers were optimally placed at the same fluorochrome position in every tube, to provide identical multidimensional localization of the target cell population(s). The characterization markers were positioned according to the diagnostic utility of the combined markers. Each proposed antibody combination was tested against reference databases of normal and malignant cells from healthy subjects and WHO-based disease entities, respectively. The EuroFlow studies resulted in validated and flexible 8-color antibody panels for multidimensional identification and characterization of normal and aberrant cells, optimally suited for immunophenotypic screening and classification of hematological malignancies. PMID:22552007

Buckling Testing and Analysis of Honeycomb Sandwich Panel Arc Segments of a Full-Scale Fairing Barrel. Part 3; 8-ply Out-of-Autoclave Facesheets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pineda, Evan J.; Myers, David E.; Kosareo, Daniel N.; Kellas, Sotiris

2014-01-01

Four honeycomb sandwich panels, representing 1/16th arc segments of a 10 m diameter barrel section of the heavy lift launch vehicle, were manufactured under the NASA Composites for Exploration program and the NASA Constellation Ares V program. Two configurations were chosen for the panels: 6-ply facesheets with 1.125 in. honeycomb core and 8-ply facesheets with 1.000 in. honeycomb core. Additionally, two separate carbon fiber/epoxy material systems were chosen for the facesheets: inautoclave IM7/977-3 and out-of-autoclave T40-800B/5320-1. Smaller 3- by 5-ft panels were cut from the 1/16th barrel sections. These panels were tested under compressive loading at the NASA Langley Research Center. Furthermore, linear eigenvalue and geometrically nonlinear finite element analyses were performed to predict the compressive response of the 3- by 5-ft panels. This manuscript summarizes the experimental and analytical modeling efforts pertaining to the panel composed of 8-ply, T40-800B/5320-1 facesheets (referred to as Panel C). To improve the robustness of the geometrically nonlinear finite element model, measured surface imperfections were included in the geometry of the model. Both the linear and nonlinear, two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D), models yield good qualitative and quantitative predictions. Additionally, it was predicted correctly that the panel would fail in buckling prior to failing in strength.

Effect of panel shape on hydrodynamic performances of vertical v-shaped double- slotted cambered otter-board

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lei; Zhang, Xun; Wang, Lu Min; Huang, Hong Liang; Zhang, Yu; Liu, Yong Li; Feng, Wei Dong; Zhang, Rong Jun

2018-06-01

The effect of panel shape on hydrodynamic performances of a vertical v-shaped double-slotted cambered otter-board was investigated using engineering models in a wind tunnel. Three different shape panels (rhomboid, left trapezoid and isosceles trapezoid) were evaluated at a wind speed of 28 m/s. Parameters measured included: drag coefficient Cx, lift coefficient Cy, pitch moment coefficient Cm, center of pressure coefficient Cp , over a range of angle of attack (0° to 70°). These coefficients were used in analyzing the differences in the performance among the three otter-board models. Results showed that the maximum lift coefficient Cy of the otter-board model with the isosceles trapezoid shape panels was highest (2.103 at α=45°). The maximum Cy/Cx of the otter-board with the rhomboid shape panels was highest (3.976 at α=15°). A comparative analysis of Cm and Cp showed that the stability of otter-board model with the isosceles trapezoid shape panels is better in pitch, and the stability of otter-board model with the left trapezoid shape panels is better in roll. The findings of this study can offer useful reference data for the structural optimization of otter-boards for trawling.

ADST Software Design Document for the BDS-D VIDS-equipped M1

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-09-10

system responds to perceived threats in the following ways:I a. by displaying visual icons on the Commander’s Controls Display Panel (CCDP). b. by...also referred to as the Soldier Machine Interface (SMI) and the Commander’s Controls Display Panel (CCDP). 3.2.1. VIDS-GT CSC The VIDS-GT CSC handles...countermeasure will be activated first in Individual_CM_Simul. 4.1.3.4.3. IndividualCMSimul CSU IndividualCM-Simul controls the activation and deactivation of

Early Detection of Amyloid Plaque in Alzheimer’s Disease via X-Ray Phase CT

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

normal, pathologic and Alzheimer’s brains, in which the amyloid precursor protein (APP) will be included as a reference. Toward this goal, we have made...in x-ray flat panel imagers and the artifact removal using a wavelet -analysis-based algorithm” Med. Phys., 28(3): 812-25, 2001. 4. X Wu and H Liu...panel imagers and the artifact removal using a wavelet -analysis-based algorithm” Med. Phys., 28(3): 812-25, 2001 12. Tang X, Hsieh J, Nilsen RA

F-16 Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared System for Night (LANTIRN) and the Night Close Air Support (CAS) Mission

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-02

physical reference can be a natural feature, river bend, distinctly shaped wooded area, or lake. Artificial references such as colored smoke or...fluorescent ground panels can also be placed instead of, or as an aid to recognition of the natural feature.ដ> But, artificial references that are effective...Government Printin-gOffice, 1959. Central Intelligence Agenc7. National Intellignece Survey, East Germany, Section 23, Weather and Climate. Washington

Calibration of BCR-ABL1 mRNA quantification methods using genetic reference materials is a valid strategy to report results on the international scale.

PubMed

Mauté, Carole; Nibourel, Olivier; Réa, Delphine; Coiteux, Valérie; Grardel, Nathalie; Preudhomme, Claude; Cayuela, Jean-Michel

2014-09-01

Until recently, diagnostic laboratories that wanted to report on the international scale had limited options: they had to align their BCR-ABL1 quantification methods through a sample exchange with a reference laboratory to derive a conversion factor. However, commercial methods calibrated on the World Health Organization genetic reference panel are now available. We report results from a study designed to assess the comparability of the two alignment strategies. Sixty follow-up samples from chronic myeloid leukemia patients were included. Two commercial methods calibrated on the genetic reference panel were compared to two conversion factor methods routinely used at Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, and at Lille University Hospital. Results were matched against concordance criteria (i.e., obtaining at least two of the three following landmarks: 50, 75 and 90% of the patient samples within a 2-fold, 3-fold and 5-fold range, respectively). Out of the 60 samples, more than 32 were available for comparison. Compared to the conversion factor method, the two commercial methods were within a 2-fold, 3-fold and 5-fold range for 53 and 59%, 89 and 88%, 100 and 97%, respectively of the samples analyzed at Saint-Louis. At Lille, results were 45 and 85%, 76 and 97%, 100 and 100%, respectively. Agreements between methods were observed in the four comparisons performed. Our data show that the two commercial methods selected are concordant with the conversion factor methods. This study brings the proof of principle that alignment on the international scale using the genetic reference panel is compatible with the patient sample exchange procedure. We believe that these results are particularly important for diagnostic laboratories wishing to adopt commercial methods. Copyright © 2014 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rethinking clinical governance: healthcare professionals' views: a Delphi study.

PubMed

Veenstra, Gepke L; Ahaus, Kees; Welker, Gera A; Heineman, Erik; van der Laan, Maarten J; Muntinghe, Friso L H

2017-01-12

Although the guiding principle of clinical governance states that healthcare professionals are the leading contributors to quality and safety in healthcare, little is known about what healthcare professionals perceive as important for clinical governance. The aim of this study is to clarify this by exploring healthcare professionals' views on clinical governance. Based on a literature search, a list of 99 elements related to clinical governance was constructed. This list was refined, extended and restricted during a three-round Delphi study. The panel of experts was formed of 24 healthcare professionals from an academic hospital that is seen as a leader in terms of its clinical governance expertise in the Netherlands. Rated importance of each element on a four-point scale. The 50 elements that the panel perceived as most important related to adopting a bottom-up approach to clinical governance, ownership, teamwork, learning from mistakes and feedback. The panel did not reach a consensus concerning elements that referred to patient involvement. Elements that referred to a managerial approach to clinical governance and standardisation of work were rejected by the panel. In the views of the panel of experts, clinical governance is a practice-based, value-driven approach that has the goal of delivering the highest possible quality care and ensuring the safety of patients. Bottom-up approaches and effective teamwork are seen as crucial for high quality and safe healthcare. Striving for high quality and safe healthcare is underpinned by continuous learning, shared responsibility and good relationships and collaboration between healthcare professionals, managers and patients. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

A swept wing panel in a low speed flexible walled test section

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodyer, M. J.

1987-01-01

The testing of two-dimensional airfoil sections in adaptive wall tunnels is relatively widespread and has become routine at all speeds up to transonic. In contrast, the experience with the three-dimensional testing of swept panels in adaptive wall test sections is very limited, except for some activity in the 1940's at NPL, London. The current interest in testing swept wing panels led to the work covered by this report, which describes the design of an adaptive-wall swept-wing test section for a low speed wind tunnel and gives test results for a wing panel swept at 40 deg. The test section has rigid flat sidewalls supporting the panel, and features flexible top and bottom wall with ribs swept at the same angle as the wing. When streamlined, the walls form waves swept at the same angle as the wing. The C sub L (-) curve for the swept wing, determined from its pressure distributions taken with the walls streamlined, compare well with reference data which was taken on the same model, unswept, in a test section deep enough to avoid wall interference.

Next generation sequencing of SNPs using the HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Identity Panel on the Ion Torrent PGM™ platform.

PubMed

Guo, Fei; Zhou, Yishu; Song, He; Zhao, Jinling; Shen, Hongying; Zhao, Bin; Liu, Feng; Jiang, Xianhua

2016-11-01

The HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Identity Panel (the HID Identity Panel) is designed to detect 124-plex single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with next generation sequencing (NGS) technology on the Ion Torrent PGM™ platform, including 90 individual identification SNPs (IISNPs) on autosomal chromosomes and 34 lineage informative SNPs (LISNPs) on Y chromosome. In this study, we evaluated performance for the HID Identity Panel to provide a reference for NGS-SNP application, focusing on locus strand balance, locus coverage balance, heterozygote balance, and background signals. Besides, several experiments were carried out to find out improvements and limitations of this panel, including studies of species specificity, repeatability and concordance, sensitivity, mixtures, case-type samples and degraded samples, population genetics and pedigrees following the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) guidelines. In addition, Southern and Northern Chinese Han were investigated to assess applicability of this panel. Results showed this panel led to cross-reactivity with primates to some extent but rarely with non-primate animals. Repeatable and concordant genotypes could be obtained in triplicate with one exception at rs7520386. Full profiles could be obtained from 100pg input DNA, but the optimal input DNA would be 1ng-200pg with 21 initial PCR cycles. A sample with ≥20% minor contributor could be considered as a mixture by the number of homozygotes, and full profiles belonging to minor contributors could be detected between 9:1 and 1:9 mixtures with known reference profiles. Also, this assay could be used for case-type samples and degraded samples. For autosomal SNPs (A-SNPs), F ST across all 90loci was not significantly different between Southern and Northern Chinese Han or between male and female samples. All A-SNP loci were independent in Chinese Han population. Except for 18loci with H e <0.4, most of the A-SNPs in the HID Identity Panel presented high polymorphisms. Forensic parameters were calculated as >99.999% for combined discrimination power (CDP), 0.999999724 for combined power of exclusion (CPE), 1.390×10 11 for combined likelihood ratio (CLR) of trios, and 2.361×10 6 for CLR of motherless duos. For Y-SNPs, a total of 8 haplotypes were observed with the value of 0.684 for haplotype diversity. As a whole, the HID Identity Panel is a well-performed, robust, reliable and high informative NGS-SNP assay and it can fully meet requirements for individual identification and paternity testing in forensic science. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Workshop on standards in biomass for energy and chemicals: proceedings

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

Milne, T.A.

1984-11-01

In the course of reviewing standards literature, visiting prominent laboratories and research groups, attending biomass meetings and corresponding widely, a whole set of standards needs was identified, the most prominent of which were: biomass standard reference materials, research materials and sample banks; special collections of microorganisms, clonal material, algae, etc.; standard methods of characterization of substrates and biomass fuels; standard tests and methods for the conversion and end-use of biomass; standard protocols for the description, harvesting, preparation, storage, and measurement of productivity of biomass materials in the energy context; glossaries of terms; development of special tests for assay of enzymaticmore » activity and related processes. There was also a recognition of the need for government, professional and industry support of concensus standards development and the dissemination of information on standards. Some 45 biomass researchers and managers met with key NBS staff to identify and prioritize standards needs. This was done through three working panels: the Panel on Standard Reference Materials (SRM's), Research Materials (RM's), and Sample Banks; the Panel on Production and Characterization; and the Panel on Tests and Methods for Conversion and End Use. This report gives a summary of the action items in standards development recommended unanimously by the workshop attendees. The proceedings of the workshop, and an appendix, contain an extensive written record of the findings of the workshop panelists and others regarding presently existing standards and standards issues and needs. Separate abstracts have been prepared for selected papers for inclusion in the Energy Database.« less

Update of the Dutch manual for costing studies in health care

PubMed Central

Kanters, Tim A.; Bouwmans, Clazien A. M.; van der Linden, Naomi; Tan, Siok Swan; Hakkaart-van Roijen, Leona

2017-01-01

Objectives Dutch health economic guidelines include a costing manual, which describes preferred research methodology for costing studies and reference prices to ensure high quality studies and comparability between study outcomes. This paper describes the most important revisions of the costing manual compared to the previous version. Methods An online survey was sent out to potential users of the costing manual to identify topics for improvement. The costing manual was aligned with contemporary health economic guidelines. All methodology sections and parameter values needed for costing studies, particularly reference prices, were updated. An expert panel of health economists was consulted several times during the review process. The revised manual was reviewed by two members of the expert panel and by reviewers of the Dutch Health Care Institute. Results The majority of survey respondents was satisfied with content and usability of the existing costing manual. Respondents recommended updating reference prices and adding some particular commonly needed reference prices. Costs categories were adjusted to the international standard: 1) costs within the health care sector; 2) patient and family costs; and 3) costs in other sectors. Reference prices were updated to reflect 2014 values. The methodology chapter was rewritten to match the requirements of the costing manual and preferences of the users. Reference prices for nursing days of specific wards, for diagnostic procedures and nurse practitioners were added. Conclusions The usability of the costing manual was increased and parameter values were updated. The costing manual became integrated in the new health economic guidelines. PMID:29121647

Update of the Dutch manual for costing studies in health care.

PubMed

Kanters, Tim A; Bouwmans, Clazien A M; van der Linden, Naomi; Tan, Siok Swan; Hakkaart-van Roijen, Leona

2017-01-01

Dutch health economic guidelines include a costing manual, which describes preferred research methodology for costing studies and reference prices to ensure high quality studies and comparability between study outcomes. This paper describes the most important revisions of the costing manual compared to the previous version. An online survey was sent out to potential users of the costing manual to identify topics for improvement. The costing manual was aligned with contemporary health economic guidelines. All methodology sections and parameter values needed for costing studies, particularly reference prices, were updated. An expert panel of health economists was consulted several times during the review process. The revised manual was reviewed by two members of the expert panel and by reviewers of the Dutch Health Care Institute. The majority of survey respondents was satisfied with content and usability of the existing costing manual. Respondents recommended updating reference prices and adding some particular commonly needed reference prices. Costs categories were adjusted to the international standard: 1) costs within the health care sector; 2) patient and family costs; and 3) costs in other sectors. Reference prices were updated to reflect 2014 values. The methodology chapter was rewritten to match the requirements of the costing manual and preferences of the users. Reference prices for nursing days of specific wards, for diagnostic procedures and nurse practitioners were added. The usability of the costing manual was increased and parameter values were updated. The costing manual became integrated in the new health economic guidelines.

Development of a Genomic DNA Reference Material Panel for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) Genetic Testing

PubMed Central

Kalman, Lisa; Tarleton, Jack; Hitch, Monica; Hegde, Madhuri; Hjelm, Nick; Berry-Kravis, Elizabeth; Zhou, Lili; Hilbert, James E.; Luebbe, Elizabeth A.; Moxley, Richard T.; Toji, Lorraine

2014-01-01

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by expansion of a CTG triplet repeat in the 3′ untranslated region of the DMPK gene that encodes a serine-threonine kinase. Patients with larger repeats tend to have a more severe phenotype. Clinical laboratories require reference and quality control materials for DM1 diagnostic and carrier genetic testing. Well-characterized reference materials are not available. To address this need, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-based Genetic Testing Reference Material Coordination Program, in collaboration with members of the genetic testing community, the National Registry of Myotonic Dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Patients and Family Members, and the Coriell Cell Repositories, has established and characterized cell lines from patients with DM1 to create a reference material panel. The CTG repeats in genomic DNA samples from 10 DM1 cell lines were characterized in three clinical genetic testing laboratories using PCR and Southern blot analysis. DMPK alleles in the samples cover four of five DM1 clinical categories: normal (5 to 34 repeats), mild (50 to 100 repeats), classical (101 to 1000 repeats), and congenital (>1000 repeats). We did not identify or establish Coriell cell lines in the premutation range (35 to 49 repeats). These samples are publicly available for quality control, proficiency testing, test development, and research and should help improve the accuracy of DM1 testing. PMID:23680132

2014 Decompression Sickness/Extravehicular Activity Risks Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan

2015-01-01

The 2014 Decompression Sickness (DCS)/Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Risks Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on November 4 - 5, 2014. The SRP reviewed the updated Evidence Reports for The Risk of Decompression Sickness (from here on referred to as the 2014 DCS Evidence Report) and the Risk of Injury and Compromised Performance due to EVA Operations (from here on referred to as the 2014 EVA Evidence Report), as well as the Research Plans for these Risks. The SRP appreciated the time and effort that the DCS and EVA disciplines put into their review documents and presentations. The SRP felt that the 2014 DCS Evidence Report and the 2014 EVA Evidence Reports were very thorough and addressed the majority of the known DCS and EVA issues. The researchers at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) have the knowledge base to deal with the DCS and EVA issues. Overall, the SRP thinks the DCS and EVA research teams have compiled excellent reports which address the majority of the literature and background information.

GRC-2005-C-01372

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-10-06

WebCore Technologies, Fiber-reinforced Foam Core Composite Sandwich Panel during preparation for testing in the Ballistic Impact Lab. Pictured: Dale Hopkins, GRC and Mike Sheppard, Web Core Technologies Cross reference to camera file number: G6QJ0101

GRC-2005-C-01368

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-10-06

WebCore Technologies, Fiber-reinforced Foam Core Composite Sandwich Panel during preparation for testing in the Ballistic Impact Lab. Pictured: Dale Hopkins, GRC and Mike Sheppard, Web Core Technologies Cross reference to camera file number: G6QJ0086

Prototypical Recombinant Multi-Protease-Inhibitor-Resistant Infectious Molecular Clones of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

PubMed Central

Varghese, Vici; Mitsuya, Yumi; Fessel, W. Jeffrey; Liu, Tommy F.; Melikian, George L.; Katzenstein, David A.; Schiffer, Celia A.; Holmes, Susan P.

2013-01-01

The many genetic manifestations of HIV-1 protease inhibitor (PI) resistance present challenges to research into the mechanisms of PI resistance and the assessment of new PIs. To address these challenges, we created a panel of recombinant multi-PI-resistant infectious molecular clones designed to represent the spectrum of clinically relevant multi-PI-resistant viruses. To assess the representativeness of this panel, we examined the sequences of the panel's viruses in the context of a correlation network of PI resistance amino acid substitutions in sequences from more than 10,000 patients. The panel of recombinant infectious molecular clones comprised 29 of 41 study-defined PI resistance amino acid substitutions and 23 of the 27 tightest amino acid substitution clusters. Based on their phenotypic properties, the clones were classified into four groups with increasing cross-resistance to the PIs most commonly used for salvage therapy: lopinavir (LPV), tipranavir (TPV), and darunavir (DRV). The panel of recombinant infectious molecular clones has been made available without restriction through the NIH AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program. The public availability of the panel makes it possible to compare the inhibitory activities of different PIs with one another. The diversity of the panel and the high-level PI resistance of its clones suggest that investigational PIs active against the clones in this panel will retain antiviral activity against most if not all clinically relevant PI-resistant viruses. PMID:23796938

Buckling Testing and Analysis of Honeycomb Sandwich Panel Arc Segments of a Full-Scale Fairing Barrel. Part 2; 6-Ply In-Autoclave Facesheets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pineda, Evan J.; Meyers, David E.; Kosareo, Daniel N.; Zalewski, Bart F.; Dixon, Genevieve D.

2013-01-01

Four honeycomb sandwich panel types, representing 1/16th arc segments of a 10-m diameter barrel section of the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLLV), were manufactured and tested under the NASA Composites for Exploration program and the NASA Constellation Ares V program. Two configurations were chosen for the panels: 6-ply facesheets with 1.125 in. honeycomb core and 8-ply facesheets with 1.000 in. honeycomb core. Additionally, two separate carbon fiber/epoxy material systems were chosen for the facesheets: in-autoclave IM7/977-3 and out-of-autoclave T40-800b/5320-1. Smaller 3- by 5-ft panels were cut from the 1/16th barrel sections. These panels were tested under compressive loading at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). Furthermore, linear eigenvalue and geometrically nonlinear finite element analyses were performed to predict the compressive response of each 3- by 5-ft panel. This manuscript summarizes the experimental and analytical modeling efforts pertaining to the panels composed of 6-ply, IM7/977-3 facesheets (referred to as Panels B-1 and B-2). To improve the robustness of the geometrically nonlinear finite element model, measured surface imperfections were included in the geometry of the model. Both the linear and nonlinear models yield good qualitative and quantitative predictions. Additionally, it was correctly predicted that the panel would fail in buckling prior to failing in strength. Furthermore, several imperfection studies were performed to investigate the influence of geometric imperfections, fiber angle misalignments, and three-dimensional (3-D) effects on the compressive response of the panel.

Buckling Testing and Analysis of Honeycomb Sandwich Panel Arc Segments of a Full-Scale Fairing Barrel Part 1: 8-Ply In-Autoclave Facesheets. Part 1; 8-Ply In-Autoclave Facesheets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, David E.; Pineda, Evan J.; Zalewski, Bart F.; Kosareo, Daniel N.; Kellas, Sotiris

2013-01-01

Four honeycomb sandwich panels, representing 1/16th arc segments of a 10-m diameter barrel section of the heavy lift launch vehicle, were manufactured under the NASA Composites for Exploration program and the NASA Space Launch Systems program. Two configurations were chosen for the panels: 6-ply facesheets with 1.125 in. honeycomb core and 8-ply facesheets with 1.000 in. honeycomb core. Additionally, two separate carbon fiber/epoxy material systems were chosen for the facesheets: inautoclave IM7/977-3 and out-of-autoclave T40-800b/5320-1. Smaller 3.00- by 5.00-ft panels were cut from the 1/16th barrel sections. These panels were tested under compressive loading at the NASA Langley Research Center. Furthermore, linear eigenvalue and geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to predict the compressive response of the 3.00- by 5.00-ft panels. This manuscript summarizes the experimental and analytical modeling efforts pertaining to the panel composed of 8-ply, IM7/977-3 facesheets (referred to Panel A). To improve the robustness of the geometrically nonlinear finite element model, measured surface imperfections were included in the geometry of the model. Both the linear and nonlinear models yield good qualitative and quantitative predictions. Additionally, it was predicted correctly that the panel would fail in buckling prior to failing in strength. Furthermore, several imperfection studies were performed to investigate the influence of geometric imperfections, fiber misalignments, and three-dimensional (3 D) effects on the compressive response of the panel.

Real-time edge-enhanced optical correlator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Tsuen-Hsi (Inventor); Cheng, Li-Jen (Inventor)

1992-01-01

Edge enhancement of an input image by four-wave mixing a first write beam with a second write beam in a photorefractive crystal, GaAs, was achieved for VanderLugt optical correlation with an edge enhanced reference image by optimizing the power ratio of a second write beam to the first write beam (70:1) and optimizing the power ratio of a read beam, which carries the reference image to the first write beam (100:701). Liquid crystal TV panels are employed as spatial light modulators to change the input and reference images in real time.

Panel C report: Standards needed for the use of ISO Open Systems Interconnection - basic reference model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

The use of an International Standards Organization (ISO) Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model and its relevance to interconnecting an Applications Data Service (ADS) pilot program for data sharing is discussed. A top level mapping between the conjectured ADS requirements and identified layers within the OSI Reference Model was performed. It was concluded that the OSI model represents an orderly architecture for the ADS networking planning and that the protocols being developed by the National Bureau of Standards offer the best available implementation approach.

Genome of the Netherlands population-specific imputations identify an ABCA6 variant associated with cholesterol levels

PubMed Central

van Leeuwen, Elisabeth M.; Karssen, Lennart C.; Deelen, Joris; Isaacs, Aaron; Medina-Gomez, Carolina; Mbarek, Hamdi; Kanterakis, Alexandros; Trompet, Stella; Postmus, Iris; Verweij, Niek; van Enckevort, David J.; Huffman, Jennifer E.; White, Charles C.; Feitosa, Mary F.; Bartz, Traci M.; Manichaikul, Ani; Joshi, Peter K.; Peloso, Gina M.; Deelen, Patrick; van Dijk, Freerk; Willemsen, Gonneke; de Geus, Eco J.; Milaneschi, Yuri; Penninx, Brenda W.J.H.; Francioli, Laurent C.; Menelaou, Androniki; Pulit, Sara L.; Rivadeneira, Fernando; Hofman, Albert; Oostra, Ben A.; Franco, Oscar H.; Leach, Irene Mateo; Beekman, Marian; de Craen, Anton J.M.; Uh, Hae-Won; Trochet, Holly; Hocking, Lynne J.; Porteous, David J.; Sattar, Naveed; Packard, Chris J.; Buckley, Brendan M.; Brody, Jennifer A.; Bis, Joshua C.; Rotter, Jerome I.; Mychaleckyj, Josyf C.; Campbell, Harry; Duan, Qing; Lange, Leslie A.; Wilson, James F.; Hayward, Caroline; Polasek, Ozren; Vitart, Veronique; Rudan, Igor; Wright, Alan F.; Rich, Stephen S.; Psaty, Bruce M.; Borecki, Ingrid B.; Kearney, Patricia M.; Stott, David J.; Adrienne Cupples, L.; Neerincx, Pieter B.T.; Elbers, Clara C.; Francesco Palamara, Pier; Pe'er, Itsik; Abdellaoui, Abdel; Kloosterman, Wigard P.; van Oven, Mannis; Vermaat, Martijn; Li, Mingkun; Laros, Jeroen F.J.; Stoneking, Mark; de Knijff, Peter; Kayser, Manfred; Veldink, Jan H.; van den Berg, Leonard H.; Byelas, Heorhiy; den Dunnen, Johan T.; Dijkstra, Martijn; Amin, Najaf; Joeri van der Velde, K.; van Setten, Jessica; Kattenberg, Mathijs; van Schaik, Barbera D.C.; Bot, Jan; Nijman, Isaäc J.; Mei, Hailiang; Koval, Vyacheslav; Ye, Kai; Lameijer, Eric-Wubbo; Moed, Matthijs H.; Hehir-Kwa, Jayne Y.; Handsaker, Robert E.; Sunyaev, Shamil R.; Sohail, Mashaal; Hormozdiari, Fereydoun; Marschall, Tobias; Schönhuth, Alexander; Guryev, Victor; Suchiman, H. Eka D.; Wolffenbuttel, Bruce H.; Platteel, Mathieu; Pitts, Steven J.; Potluri, Shobha; Cox, David R.; Li, Qibin; Li, Yingrui; Du, Yuanping; Chen, Ruoyan; Cao, Hongzhi; Li, Ning; Cao, Sujie; Wang, Jun; Bovenberg, Jasper A.; Jukema, J. Wouter; van der Harst, Pim; Sijbrands, Eric J.; Hottenga, Jouke-Jan; Uitterlinden, Andre G.; Swertz, Morris A.; van Ommen, Gert-Jan B.; de Bakker, Paul I.W.; Eline Slagboom, P.; Boomsma, Dorret I.; Wijmenga, Cisca; van Duijn, Cornelia M.

2015-01-01

Variants associated with blood lipid levels may be population-specific. To identify low-frequency variants associated with this phenotype, population-specific reference panels may be used. Here we impute nine large Dutch biobanks (~35,000 samples) with the population-specific reference panel created by the Genome of the Netherlands Project and perform association testing with blood lipid levels. We report the discovery of five novel associations at four loci (P value <6.61 × 10−4), including a rare missense variant in ABCA6 (rs77542162, p.Cys1359Arg, frequency 0.034), which is predicted to be deleterious. The frequency of this ABCA6 variant is 3.65-fold increased in the Dutch and its effect (βLDL-C=0.135, βTC=0.140) is estimated to be very similar to those observed for single variants in well-known lipid genes, such as LDLR. PMID:25751400

Harmonising Adult and Paediatric Reference Intervals in Australia and New Zealand: An Evidence-Based Approach for Establishing a First Panel of Chemistry Analytes

PubMed Central

Tate, Jillian R; Sikaris, Ken A; Jones, Graham RD; Yen, Tina; Koerbin, Gus; Ryan, Julie; Reed, Maxine; Gill, Janice; Koumantakis, George; Hickman, Peter; Graham, Peter

2014-01-01

Scientific evidence supports the use of common reference intervals (RIs) for many general chemistry analytes, in particular those with sound calibration and traceability in place. Already the Nordic countries and United Kingdom have largely achieved harmonised RIs. Following a series of workshops organised by the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB) between 2012 and 2014 at which an evidence-based approach for determination of common intervals was developed, pathology organisations in Australia and New Zealand have reached a scientific consensus on what adult and paediatric intervals we should use across Australasia. The aim of this report is to describe the processes that the AACB and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia have taken towards recommending the implementation of a first panel of common RIs for use in Australasia. PMID:25678727

W-Band Transmission MeasurementS and X-Band Dielectric Properties Measurements for a Radome Material Sample

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cravey, Robin L.; Tiemsin, Pacita I.

1997-01-01

This paper describes measurements which were performed on a sample of radome material in the Electromagnetic Properties Measurements Laboratory (EPML). The purpose of the measurements described in this paper was to determine the one-way transmission loss through the flat panel of radome material for a frequency range of 84 to 94 GHz, for varying incidence angles. The panel, which was manufactured by Norton Performance Plastics Corporation, was provided to the EPML by TRW. The size of the panel is 40 in x 36 in x 0.422 in and consists of a foam material with one side coated with a smooth white coating (this side will be referred to as the front side). The dielectric properties of the foam material from the inside of the panel were also determined at X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz). The W-band free space measurements are presented first, followed by the X-band dielectric properties measurements.

Nutritional advice for community patients: insights from a panel discussion.

PubMed

Thomas, Linda V; Jenkins, Gill; Belton, Julie; Clements, Suzie; Jacob, Ciara; Johnson, Naomi; Joy, Deirdre; Low, Jennifer; Munson, Eileen; Sheppard, Jessica

2016-03-01

This article describes the conclusions of an expert panel that discussed four case studies; these were examples of patients typically encountered by nurses working in the community. The panel considered the nutritional and lifestyle advice that could be given by nurses relating to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, vulnerability to common infections, elderly care, recurrent urinary tract infection, antibiotic use, and risk of type 2 diabetes. A general conclusion was the importance of motivational interviewing techniques in achieving full understanding of patients' concerns and to determine the best health strategy. As well as specific guidance appropriate for each disorder, a range of information sources for both health professionals and patients are listed in the paper. The panel noted that, although general nutritional advice can be given by nurses working at GP surgeries and in the community, patients should always be referred to registered dietitians or nutritionists if significant dietary changes are considered.

Evaluation of the rapid diagnostic test CareStart pLDH Malaria (Pf-pLDH/pan-pLDH) for the diagnosis of malaria in a reference setting.

PubMed

Heutmekers, Marloes; Gillet, Philippe; Maltha, Jessica; Scheirlinck, Annelies; Cnops, Lieselotte; Bottieau, Emmanuel; Van Esbroeck, Marjan; Jacobs, Jan

2012-06-18

The present study evaluated CareStart pLDH Malaria, a three-band rapid diagnostic test detecting Plasmodium falciparum-specific parasite lactate dehydrogenase (Pf-pLDH) and pan Plasmodium-specific pLDH (pan-pLDH) in a reference setting. CareStart pLDH was retrospectively and prospectively assessed with a panel of stored (n=498) and fresh (n=77) blood samples obtained in international travelers suspected of malaria. Both panels comprised all four Plasmodium species; the retrospective panel comprised also Plasmodium negative samples. The reference method was microscopy corrected by PCR. The prospective panel was run side-to-side with OptiMAL (Pf-pLDH/pan-pLDH) and SDFK60 (histidine-rich protein-2 (HRP-2)/pan-pLDH). In the retrospective evaluation, overall sensitivity for P. falciparum samples (n=247) was 94.7%, reaching 98.7% for parasite densities>1,000/μl. Most false negative results occurred among samples with pure gametocytaemia (2/12, 16.7%) and at parasite densities ≤ 100/μl (7/12, 58.3%). None of the Plasmodium negative samples (n=96) showed visible test lines. Sensitivities for Plasmodium vivax (n=70), Plasmodium ovale (n=69) and Plasmodium malariae (n=16) were 74.3%, 31.9% and 25.0% respectively. Wrong species identification occurred in 10 (2.5%) samples and was mainly due to P. vivax samples reacting with the Pf-pLDH test line. Overall, Pf-pLDH test lines showed higher line intensities compared to the pan-pLDH lines (67.9% and 23.0% medium and strong line intensities for P. falciparum). In the prospective panel (77 Plasmodium-positive samples), CareStart pLDH showed higher sensitivities for P. falciparum compared to OptiMAL (p=0.008), lower sensitivities for P. falciparum as compare to SDFK60 (although not reaching statistical significance, p=0.08) and higher sensitivities for P. ovale compared to both OptiMAL (p=0.03) and SDFK60 (p=0.01). Inter-observer and test reproducibility were good to excellent. CareStart pLDH performed excellent for the detection of P. falciparum, well for P. vivax, but poor for P. ovale and P. malariae.

Comparison of fifteen commercial assays for detecting Varicella Zoster virus IgG with reference to a time resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) and the performance of two commercial assays for screening sera from immunocompromised individuals.

PubMed

Chris Maple, P A; Gunn, Annabel; Sellwood, Jane; Brown, David W G; Gray, Jim J

2009-02-01

The performance of fifteen, commercially available, VZV IgG assays and an "in house" indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay has been compared to a reference VZV IgG time resolved immunofluorescence assay (VZV TRFIA). A panel of 273 VZV TRFIA IgG positive serum samples and 136 VZV TRFIA IgG susceptible sera, collected from a number of UK hospitals was used. Irrespective of the interpretation of equivocal results the most sensitive assays were Dade Behring EIA (97.4%), "in house" IF (95.2%), Human EIA (92.3%) and Becton Dickinson latex agglutination (94.1%). The least sensitive assays were Virion EIA (69.6%), Diesse EIA (68.9%) and Diasys EIA (68.5%). The least sensitive (<70%) assays all had >99.0% specificity whereas the most sensitive assays had lower specificities; for example, Dade Behring EIA had a specificity of 69.9% when equivocals were treated as VZV IgG negative. For some assays e.g. Dade Behring EIA there were major discrepancies between our findings and those reported by the manufacturer which may reflect the constitution of the panel(s) of sera used for evaluation or the reference method adopted or the choice of cut-off criteria (particularly relevant to our findings for the Behring EIA). Care must be taken to choose an assay with high specificity in order to accurately assess the need for vaccination or immunoprophylaxis; however, high sensitivity is preferable to prevent inappropriate and expensive treatment.

Multinational evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of gout: integrating systematic literature review and expert opinion of a broad panel of rheumatologists in the 3e initiative

PubMed Central

Sivera, Francisca; Andrés, Mariano; Carmona, Loreto; Kydd, Alison S R; Moi, John; Seth, Rakhi; Sriranganathan, Melonie; van Durme, Caroline; van Echteld, Irene; Vinik, Ophir; Wechalekar, Mihir D; Aletaha, Daniel; Bombardier, Claire; Buchbinder, Rachelle; Edwards, Christopher J; Landewé, Robert B; Bijlsma, Johannes W; Branco, Jaime C; Burgos-Vargas, Rubén; Catrina, Anca I; Elewaut, Dirk; Ferrari, Antonio J L; Kiely, Patrick; Leeb, Burkhard F; Montecucco, Carlomaurizio; Müller-Ladner, Ulf; Østergaard, Mikkel; Zochling, Jane; Falzon, Louise; van der Heijde, Désirée M

2014-01-01

We aimed to develop evidence-based multinational recommendations for the diagnosis and management of gout. Using a formal voting process, a panel of 78 international rheumatologists developed 10 key clinical questions pertinent to the diagnosis and management of gout. Each question was investigated with a systematic literature review. Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and abstracts from 2010–2011 European League Against Rheumatism and American College of Rheumatology meetings were searched in each review. Relevant studies were independently reviewed by two individuals for data extraction and synthesis and risk of bias assessment. Using this evidence, rheumatologists from 14 countries (Europe, South America and Australasia) developed national recommendations. After rounds of discussion and voting, multinational recommendations were formulated. Each recommendation was graded according to the level of evidence. Agreement and potential impact on clinical practice were assessed. Combining evidence and clinical expertise, 10 recommendations were produced. One recommendation referred to the diagnosis of gout, two referred to cardiovascular and renal comorbidities, six focused on different aspects of the management of gout (including drug treatment and monitoring), and the last recommendation referred to the management of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. The level of agreement with the recommendations ranged from 8.1 to 9.2 (mean 8.7) on a 1–10 scale, with 10 representing full agreement. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis and management of gout were established. They are evidence-based and supported by a large panel of rheumatologists from 14 countries, enhancing their utility in clinical practice. PMID:23868909

What is a health benefit? An evaluation of EFSA opinions on health benefits with reference to probiotics.

PubMed

Binnendijk, K H; Rijkers, G T

2013-09-01

Probiotics are microorganisms that have a beneficial effect on the health of the host. However, before these effects can be referred to as beneficial to human health, such claims need to be evaluated by regulatory institutes such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and allergies (NDA) has published their opinions regarding health claims including probiotics, most of which were rejected in the past years. Using the EFSA database, the NDA dossiers published between 2005 and 2013 were analysed to provide an overview on what grounds certain health effects were accepted as beneficial and others not. The NDA Panel distinguishes between claims that are definitely beneficial, possibly beneficial or non-beneficial to human health. Overall, 78% of all analysed health claims are considered by the NDA Panel as (possibly) beneficial to human health, in particular the gut health effects. Since, in many cases, the scientific substantiation of a particular health claim was deemed insufficient, most applications were turned down. For future health claim applications concerning probiotics to be successful, they should include specific statements on what exactly the microorganism affects, and the scientific substantiation of the particular health claim should be based on the targeted (general) population.

Effect of Zinc Supplements on Preventing Upper Respiratory Infections in Air Force Academy Cadets in Basic Training

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

and Nutrition Board (2001). Dietary Reference Intakes: A Report of the Panel on Micronutrients , Subcommittees on Upper Reference Levels of Nutrients...Respiratory Infections in Air Force Academy Cadets in Basic Training Summary Background: As a dietary essential, zinc plays a number of important roles...Introduction Zinc is considered one of the essential micronutrients used by the human body. Although zinc fulfills a number of metabolic and

Panel Flutter Emulation Using a Few Concentrated Forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhital, Kailash; Han, Jae-Hung

2018-04-01

The objective of this paper is to study the feasibility of panel flutter emulation using a few concentrated forces. The concentrated forces are considered to be equivalent to aerodynamic forces. The equivalence is carried out using surface spline method and principle of virtual work. The structural modeling of the plate is based on the classical plate theory and the aerodynamic modeling is based on the piston theory. The present approach differs from the linear panel flutter analysis in scheming the modal aerodynamics forces with unchanged structural properties. The solutions for the flutter problem are obtained numerically using the standard eigenvalue procedure. A few concentrated forces were considered with an optimization effort to decide their optimal locations. The optimization process is based on minimizing the error between the flutter bounds from emulated and linear flutter analysis method. The emulated flutter results for the square plate of four different boundary conditions using six concentrated forces are obtained with minimal error to the reference value. The results demonstrated the workability and viability of using concentrated forces in emulating real panel flutter. In addition, the paper includes the parametric studies of linear panel flutter whose proper literatures are not available.

Development of a genomic DNA reference material panel for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) genetic testing.

PubMed

Kalman, Lisa; Tarleton, Jack; Hitch, Monica; Hegde, Madhuri; Hjelm, Nick; Berry-Kravis, Elizabeth; Zhou, Lili; Hilbert, James E; Luebbe, Elizabeth A; Moxley, Richard T; Toji, Lorraine

2013-07-01

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by expansion of a CTG triplet repeat in the 3' untranslated region of the DMPK gene that encodes a serine-threonine kinase. Patients with larger repeats tend to have a more severe phenotype. Clinical laboratories require reference and quality control materials for DM1 diagnostic and carrier genetic testing. Well-characterized reference materials are not available. To address this need, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-based Genetic Testing Reference Material Coordination Program, in collaboration with members of the genetic testing community, the National Registry of Myotonic Dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Patients and Family Members, and the Coriell Cell Repositories, has established and characterized cell lines from patients with DM1 to create a reference material panel. The CTG repeats in genomic DNA samples from 10 DM1 cell lines were characterized in three clinical genetic testing laboratories using PCR and Southern blot analysis. DMPK alleles in the samples cover four of five DM1 clinical categories: normal (5 to 34 repeats), mild (50 to 100 repeats), classical (101 to 1000 repeats), and congenital (>1000 repeats). We did not identify or establish Coriell cell lines in the premutation range (35 to 49 repeats). These samples are publicly available for quality control, proficiency testing, test development, and research and should help improve the accuracy of DM1 testing. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Supporting public involvement in interview and other panels: a systematic review.

PubMed

Baxter, Susan; Clowes, Mark; Muir, Delia; Baird, Wendy; Broadway-Parkinson, Andrea; Bennett, Carole

2017-10-01

Members of the public are increasingly being invited to become members of a variety of different panels and boards. This study aimed to systematically search the literature to identify studies relating to support or training provided to members of the public who are asked to be members of an interview panel. A systematic search for published and unpublished studies was carried out from June to September 2015. The search methods included electronic database searching, reference list screening, citation searching and scrutinizing online sources. We included studies of any design including published and unpublished documents which outlined preparation or guidance relating to public participants who were members of interview panels or representatives on other types of panels or committees. Results were synthesised via narrative methods. Thirty-six documents were included in the review. Scrutiny of this literature highlighted ten areas which require consideration when including members of the public on interview panels: financial resources; clarity of role; role in the interview process; role in evaluation; training; orientation/induction; information needs; terminology; support; and other public representative needs such as timing, accessibility and support with information technology. The results of the review emphasize a range of elements that need to be fully considered when planning the involvement of public participants on interview panels. It highlights potential issues relating to the degree of involvement of public representatives in evaluating/grading decisions and the need for preparation and on-going support. © 2016 The Authors. Health Expectations Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Assessment of tri-dyne precast concrete panels.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-01

Tri-Dyne Industries has developed precast concrete paving slabs (PCPS) that connect using tongue and groove joints and overlap joints, as shown in Figure 1 (1). This proprietary system is referred to as the Pro-Active Paving SystemTM and consis...

29 CFR 1404.9 - Procedures for requesting arbitration lists and panels.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... mediator to help in the design of an alternative solution. The OAS may also decline to service any requests... impracticable. The OAS, in such circumstances, may refer the parties to an FMCS mediator to help in the design...

77 FR 68784 - Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: Multiple-Valent Opsonophagocytic Assay Selection Panel...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-16

... in the patent referred to below to Flow Applications, Inc., having a place of business in Okawville, Illinois. The patent rights in these inventions have been assigned to the government of the United States...

Multivariate approaches for stability control of the olive oil reference materials for sensory analysis - part I: framework and fundamentals.

PubMed

Valverde-Som, Lucia; Ruiz-Samblás, Cristina; Rodríguez-García, Francisco P; Cuadros-Rodríguez, Luis

2018-02-09

Virgin olive oil is the only food product for which sensory analysis is regulated to classify it in different quality categories. To harmonize the results of the sensorial method, the use of standards or reference materials is crucial. The stability of sensory reference materials is required to enable their suitable control, aiming to confirm that their specific target values are maintained on an ongoing basis. Currently, such stability is monitored by means of sensory analysis and the sensory panels are in the paradoxical situation of controlling the standards that are devoted to controlling the panels. In the present study, several approaches based on similarity analysis are exploited. For each approach, the specific methodology to build a proper multivariate control chart to monitor the stability of the sensory properties is explained and discussed. The normalized Euclidean and Mahalanobis distances, the so-called nearness and hardiness indices respectively, have been defined as new similarity indices to range the values from 0 to 1. Also, the squared mean from Hotelling's T 2 -statistic and Q 2 -statistic has been proposed as another similarity index. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

A semi active telescope for the French PRONAOS submillimetric mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duran, M.; Luquet, P.; Buisson, F.; Cousin, B.

1991-09-01

The basic design of the different units constituting the full CFRP telescope for the PRONAOS submillimetric mission is described. The alignment technique is discussed, and results of optical performance measurements are presented. The instrumentation comprising the telescope consists of a reference CFRP box made of two floor sandwich panels distanced by a frame of flat sandwich panels. It provides all the mechanical interfaces internal to the telescope as well as all those needed with the gondola. The secondary structure is also made from CFRP beams organized in a framework which provides the fixations for the thermal protection panels and which ends in an electroactuated aperture door. The PRONAOS telescope's deployed configuration is illustrated. The adequacy of the semiactive mirror concept to meet very low areal mass while obtaining ultimate surface accuracy in the submillimeter wavelength domain is demonstrated.

2014 Behavioral Health and Performance Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan; Leon, Gloria; Dimsdale, Joel; Balkin, Thomas; Bono, Joyce; Caldwell, John; Joiner, Thomas; Paulus, Martin; Zaccaro, Stephen

2015-01-01

The 2014 Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on December 17 - 18, 2014. The SRP reviewed the updated research plan for the Risk of Performance Errors Due to Fatigue Resulting from Sleep Loss, Circadian Desynchronization, Extended Wakefulness, and Work Overload (Sleep Risk) and also received a status update on the Risk of Adverse Behavioral Conditions and Psychiatric Disorders (BMed Risk) and the Risk of Performance Decrements Due to Inadequate Cooperation, Coordination, Communication, and Psychosocial Adaptation within a Team (Team Risk).

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Panel (RPASP) Working Paper: Autonomy and Automation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shively, Jay

2017-01-01

A significant level of debate and confusion has surrounded the meaning of the terms "autonomy" and "automation". Automation is a multi-dimensional concept, and we propose that RPAS automation should be described with reference to the specific system and task that has been automated, the context in which the automation functions, and other relevant dimensions. In this paper, we present a definition of "automation". We recommend that autonomy and autonomous operations are out of the scope of the RPAS panel. WG7 proposes to develop, in consultation with other workgroups, a taxonomy of "Levels of Automation" for RPAS.

AIDS plays major role in Internet censorship ruling.

PubMed

1996-06-28

A Federal court in Philadelphia struck down the Communications Decency Act on June 11, 1996. The court panel referred to AIDS information in its decision that open access to online information outweighs the chance that children may encounter offensive information on their computer. Parents are expected to regulate what their children view. The panel focused on the Critical Path AIDS Project's website, which provides online information about HIV prevention, safer sex, and treatment. Although information about AIDS and birth control is sexually explicit, it was determined that none of the plaintiffs are commercial purveyors of pornography.

Minimum prick test panel for adult patients with asthma and rhinitis in Ankara, Turkey.

PubMed

Comert, Sule; Demir, A Ugur; Karakaya, Gul; Kalyoncu, A Fuat

2014-05-01

Determination of the number and type of allergens needed to be tested in epidemiological studies is important in order to identify most of the sensitized subjects with a cost-effective approach. This study aimed to investigate the minimum skin prick test panel for the identification of at least 95% of the sensitized subjects with symptoms of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (AR) in Ankara, Turkey. Skin prick test results of 7492 patients who were referred to our outpatient clinic with clinical symptoms of asthma and/or AR between 1991 and 2005 were evaluated retrospectively. Seven allergens were tested in all and 13 allergens in 4202 patients. The allergen group needed for detection of 95% of the sensitized subjects was determined for both the 7 and 13 allergen panels. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of Hacettepe University. The atopy prevalences in the whole study population and in 4202 patients tested with the 13 allergen panel were calculated as 32.2% and 42.6%, respectively. Three allergens (Phleum pratense, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Artemisia vulgaris) within the 7 allergen panel were adequate for the identification of at least 95% of the sensitized subjects. Olea europae was added to the previous three allergens when the 13 allergen panel was applied. Three to four allergens are sufficient for identification at least 95% of sensitized subjects with asthma and/or AR in Ankara, Turkey.

22 CFR 1421.4 - Department.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Relations FOREIGN SERVICE LABOR RELATIONS BOARD; FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY; GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY; AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE IMPASSE DISPUTES PANEL FOREIGN SERVICE LABOR... reference to the exercise of functions under this Act with respect to another agency authorized by law to...

Evaluating the construct of triage acuity against a set of reference vignettes developed via modified Delphi method.

PubMed

Twomey, Michèle; Wallis, Lee A; Myers, Jonathan E

2014-07-01

To evaluate the construct of triage acuity as measured by the South African Triage Scale (SATS) against a set of reference vignettes. A modified Delphi method was used to develop a set of reference vignettes. Delphi participants completed a 2-round consensus-building process, and independently assigned triage acuity ratings to 100 written vignettes unaware of the ratings given by others. Triage acuity ratings were summarised for all vignettes, and only those that reached 80% consensus during round 2 were included in the reference set. Triage ratings for the reference vignettes given by two independent experts using the SATS were compared with the ratings given by the international Delphi panel. Measures of sensitivity, specificity, associated percentages for over-triage/under-triage were used to evaluate the construct of triage acuity (as measured by the SATS) by examining the association between the ratings by the two experts and the international panel. On completion of the Delphi process, 42 of the 100 vignettes reached 80% consensus on their acuity rating and made up the reference set. On average, over all acuity levels, sensitivity was 74% (CI 64% to 82%), specificity 92% (CI 87% to 94%), under-triage occurred 14% (CI 8% to 23%) and over-triage 12% (CI 8% to 23%) of the time. The results of this study provide an alternative to evaluating triage scales against the construct of acuity as measured with the SATS. This method of using 80% consensus vignettes may, however, systematically bias the validity estimate towards better performance. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

A global multicenter study on reference values: 1. Assessment of methods for derivation and comparison of reference intervals.

PubMed

Ichihara, Kiyoshi; Ozarda, Yesim; Barth, Julian H; Klee, George; Qiu, Ling; Erasmus, Rajiv; Borai, Anwar; Evgina, Svetlana; Ashavaid, Tester; Khan, Dilshad; Schreier, Laura; Rolle, Reynan; Shimizu, Yoshihisa; Kimura, Shogo; Kawano, Reo; Armbruster, David; Mori, Kazuo; Yadav, Binod K

2017-04-01

The IFCC Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits coordinated a global multicenter study on reference values (RVs) to explore rational and harmonizable procedures for derivation of reference intervals (RIs) and investigate the feasibility of sharing RIs through evaluation of sources of variation of RVs on a global scale. For the common protocol, rather lenient criteria for reference individuals were adopted to facilitate harmonized recruitment with planned use of the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method. As of July 2015, 12 countries had completed their study with total recruitment of 13,386 healthy adults. 25 analytes were measured chemically and 25 immunologically. A serum panel with assigned values was measured by all laboratories. RIs were derived by parametric and nonparametric methods. The effect of LAVE methods is prominent in analytes which reflect nutritional status, inflammation and muscular exertion, indicating that inappropriate results are frequent in any country. The validity of the parametric method was confirmed by the presence of analyte-specific distribution patterns and successful Gaussian transformation using the modified Box-Cox formula in all countries. After successful alignment of RVs based on the panel test results, nearly half the analytes showed variable degrees of between-country differences. This finding, however, requires confirmation after adjusting for BMI and other sources of variation. The results are reported in the second part of this paper. The collaborative study enabled us to evaluate rational methods for deriving RIs and comparing the RVs based on real-world datasets obtained in a harmonized manner. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Report of the panel on earth rotation and reference frames, section 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dickey, Jean O.; Dickman, Steven R.; Eubanks, Marshall T.; Feissel, Martine; Herring, Thomas A.; Mueller, Ivan I.; Rosen, Richard D.; Schutz, Robert E.; Wahr, John M.; Wilson, Charles R.

1991-01-01

Objectives and requirements for Earth rotation and reference frame studies in the 1990s are discussed. The objectives are to observe and understand interactions of air and water with the rotational dynamics of the Earth, the effects of the Earth's crust and mantle on the dynamics and excitation of Earth rotation variations over time scales of hours to centuries, and the effects of the Earth's core on the rotational dynamics and the excitation of Earth rotation variations over time scales of a year or longer. Another objective is to establish, refine and maintain terrestrial and celestrial reference frames. Requirements include improvements in observations and analysis, improvements in celestial and terrestrial reference frames and reference frame connections, and improved observations of crustal motion and mass redistribution on the Earth.

International global network of fiducial stations: Scientific and implementation issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1991-11-01

In this report, an ad hoc panel of the National Research Council's Committee on Geodesy, Board of Earth Sciences and Resources (1) evaluates the scientific importance of a global network of fiducial sites, monitored very precisely, using a combination of surface- and space-geodetic techniques; (2) examines strategies for implementing and operating such a network; and (3) assesses whether such a network would provide a suitable global infrastructure for geodetic and other geophysical systems of the next century. The panel concludes that a global network of fiducial sites would be a valuable tool for addressing global change issues and play a critical role in providing a reference frame for scientific Earth missions. The panel suggests that existing global networks be integrated and anticipates that such a network would grow from about 30 to the ultimate size of about 200 fiducial sites. It is noted that such a global network will provide a long-term infrastructure for geodetic and geophysical studies. The panel expects that these fiducial sites would evolve into terrestrial observatories or laboratories that would permit more comprehensive studies of the Earth than those now possible.

An evaluation of random analysis methods for the determination of panel damping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhat, W. V.; Wilby, J. F.

1972-01-01

An analysis is made of steady-state and non-steady-state methods for the measurement of panel damping. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of random process techniques in conjunction with digital data reduction methods. The steady-state methods considered use the response power spectral density, response autocorrelation, excitation-response crosspower spectral density, or single-sided Fourier transform (SSFT) of the response autocorrelation function. Non-steady-state methods are associated mainly with the use of rapid frequency sweep excitation. Problems associated with the practical application of each method are evaluated with specific reference to the case of a panel exposed to a turbulent airflow, and two methods, the power spectral density and the single-sided Fourier transform methods, are selected as being the most suitable. These two methods are demonstrated experimentally, and it is shown that the power spectral density method is satisfactory under most conditions, provided that appropriate corrections are applied to account for filter bandwidth and background noise errors. Thus, the response power spectral density method is recommended for the measurement of the damping of panels exposed to a moving airflow.

International global network of fiducial stations: Scientific and implementation issues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

In this report, an ad hoc panel of the National Research Council's Committee on Geodesy, Board of Earth Sciences and Resources (1) evaluates the scientific importance of a global network of fiducial sites, monitored very precisely, using a combination of surface- and space-geodetic techniques; (2) examines strategies for implementing and operating such a network; and (3) assesses whether such a network would provide a suitable global infrastructure for geodetic and other geophysical systems of the next century. The panel concludes that a global network of fiducial sites would be a valuable tool for addressing global change issues and play a critical role in providing a reference frame for scientific Earth missions. The panel suggests that existing global networks be integrated and anticipates that such a network would grow from about 30 to the ultimate size of about 200 fiducial sites. It is noted that such a global network will provide a long-term infrastructure for geodetic and geophysical studies. The panel expects that these fiducial sites would evolve into terrestrial observatories or laboratories that would permit more comprehensive studies of the Earth than those now possible.

Expert Consensus Contouring Guidelines for Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy in Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer.

PubMed

Wu, Abraham J; Bosch, Walter R; Chang, Daniel T; Hong, Theodore S; Jabbour, Salma K; Kleinberg, Lawrence R; Mamon, Harvey J; Thomas, Charles R; Goodman, Karyn A

2015-07-15

Current guidelines for esophageal cancer contouring are derived from traditional 2-dimensional fields based on bony landmarks, and they do not provide sufficient anatomic detail to ensure consistent contouring for more conformal radiation therapy techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Therefore, we convened an expert panel with the specific aim to derive contouring guidelines and generate an atlas for the clinical target volume (CTV) in esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Eight expert academically based gastrointestinal radiation oncologists participated. Three sample cases were chosen: a GEJ cancer, a distal esophageal cancer, and a mid-upper esophageal cancer. Uniform computed tomographic (CT) simulation datasets and accompanying diagnostic positron emission tomographic/CT images were distributed to each expert, and the expert was instructed to generate gross tumor volume (GTV) and CTV contours for each case. All contours were aggregated and subjected to quantitative analysis to assess the degree of concordance between experts and to generate draft consensus contours. The panel then refined these contours to generate the contouring atlas. The κ statistics indicated substantial agreement between panelists for each of the 3 test cases. A consensus CTV atlas was generated for the 3 test cases, each representing common anatomic presentations of esophageal cancer. The panel agreed on guidelines and principles to facilitate the generalizability of the atlas to individual cases. This expert panel successfully reached agreement on contouring guidelines for esophageal and GEJ IMRT and generated a reference CTV atlas. This atlas will serve as a reference for IMRT contours for clinical practice and prospective trial design. Subsequent patterns of failure analyses of clinical datasets using these guidelines may require modification in the future. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Expert consensus contouring guidelines for IMRT in esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer

PubMed Central

Wu, Abraham J.; Bosch, Walter R.; Chang, Daniel T.; Hong, Theodore S.; Jabbour, Salma K.; Kleinberg, Lawrence R.; Mamon, Harvey J.; Thomas, Charles R.; Goodman, Karyn A.

2015-01-01

Purpose/Objective(s) Current guidelines for esophageal cancer contouring are derived from traditional two-dimensional fields based on bony landmarks, and do not provide sufficient anatomical detail to ensure consistent contouring for more conformal radiotherapy techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Therefore, we convened an expert panel with the specific aim to derive contouring guidelines and generate an atlas for the clinical target volume (CTV) in esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Methods and Materials Eight expert academically-based gastrointestinal radiation oncologists participated. Three sample cases were chosen: a GEJ cancer, a distal esophageal cancer, and a mid-upper esophageal cancer. Uniform CT simulation datasets and an accompanying diagnostic PET-CT were distributed to each expert, and he/she was instructed to generate gross tumor volume (GTV) and CTV contours for each case. All contours were aggregated and subjected to quantitative analysis to assess the degree of concordance between experts and generate draft consensus contours. The panel then refined these contours to generate the contouring atlas. Results Kappa statistics indicated substantial agreement between panelists for each of the three test cases. A consensus CTV atlas was generated for the three test cases, each representing common anatomic presentations of esophageal cancer. The panel agreed on guidelines and principles to facilitate the generalizability of the atlas to individual cases. Conclusions This expert panel successfully reached agreement on contouring guidelines for esophageal and GEJ IMRT and generated a reference CTV atlas. This atlas will serve as a reference for IMRT contours for clinical practice and prospective trial design. Subsequent patterns of failure analyses of clinical datasets utilizing these guidelines may require modification in the future. PMID:26104943

Expert Consensus Contouring Guidelines for Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy in Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

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

Wu, Abraham J., E-mail: wua@mskcc.org; Bosch, Walter R.; Chang, Daniel T.

Purpose/Objective(s): Current guidelines for esophageal cancer contouring are derived from traditional 2-dimensional fields based on bony landmarks, and they do not provide sufficient anatomic detail to ensure consistent contouring for more conformal radiation therapy techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Therefore, we convened an expert panel with the specific aim to derive contouring guidelines and generate an atlas for the clinical target volume (CTV) in esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Methods and Materials: Eight expert academically based gastrointestinal radiation oncologists participated. Three sample cases were chosen: a GEJ cancer, a distal esophageal cancer, and a mid-upper esophagealmore » cancer. Uniform computed tomographic (CT) simulation datasets and accompanying diagnostic positron emission tomographic/CT images were distributed to each expert, and the expert was instructed to generate gross tumor volume (GTV) and CTV contours for each case. All contours were aggregated and subjected to quantitative analysis to assess the degree of concordance between experts and to generate draft consensus contours. The panel then refined these contours to generate the contouring atlas. Results: The κ statistics indicated substantial agreement between panelists for each of the 3 test cases. A consensus CTV atlas was generated for the 3 test cases, each representing common anatomic presentations of esophageal cancer. The panel agreed on guidelines and principles to facilitate the generalizability of the atlas to individual cases. Conclusions: This expert panel successfully reached agreement on contouring guidelines for esophageal and GEJ IMRT and generated a reference CTV atlas. This atlas will serve as a reference for IMRT contours for clinical practice and prospective trial design. Subsequent patterns of failure analyses of clinical datasets using these guidelines may require modification in the future.« less

78 FR 56941 - Meetings of Humanities Panel

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-16

... subjects of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine for the Humanities Collections and Reference... discuss applications on the subjects of U.S. History and Culture for the Humanities Collections and... applications on the subject of U.S. History for America's Historical & Cultural Organizations: Implementation...

Are New Image Quality Figures of Merit Needed for Flat Panel Displays?

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-06-01

American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display Terminal Workstations in 1988 have adopted the MTFA as the standard...References American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display Terminal Workstations (ANSI/HFS 100-1988). 1988. Santa Monica

Solar satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poher, C.

A reference system design, projected costs, and the functional concepts of a satellite solar power system (SSPS) for converting sunlight falling on solar panels of a satellite in GEO to a multi-GW beam which could be received by a rectenna on earth are outlined. Electricity transmission by microwaves has been demonstrated, and a reference design system for supplying 5 GW dc to earth was devised. The system will use either monocrystalline Si or concentrator GaAs solar cells for energy collection in GEO. Development is still needed to improve the lifespan of the cells. Currently, the cell performance degrades 50 percent in efficiency after 7-8 yr in space. Each SSPS satellite would weigh either 34,000 tons (Si) or 51,000 tons (GaAs), thereby requiring the fabrication of a heavy lift launch vehicle or a single-stage-to-orbit transport in order to minimize launch costs. Costs for the solar panels have been estimated at $500/kW using the GaAs technology, with transport costs for materials to GEO being $40/kg.

Recommendations of the Panel on Cost-effectiveness in Health and Medicine.

PubMed

Weinstein, M C; Siegel, J E; Gold, M R; Kamlet, M S; Russell, L B

1996-10-16

To develop consensus-based recommendations for the conduct of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). This article, the second in a 3-part series, describes the basis for recommendations constituting the reference case analysis, the set of practices developed to guide CEAs that inform societal resource allocation decisions, and the content of these recommendations. The Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine, a nonfederal panel with expertise in CEA, clinical medicine, ethics, and health outcomes measurement, was convened by the US Public Health Service (PHS). The panel reviewed the theoretical foundations of CEA, current practices, and alternative methods used in analyses. Recommendations were developed on the basis of theory where possible, but tempered by ethical and pragmatic considerations, as well as the needs of users. The panel developed recommendations through 2 1/2 years of discussions. Comments on preliminary drafts prepared by panel working groups were solicited from federal government methodologists, health agency officials, and academic methodologists. The panel's methodological recommendations address (1) components belonging in the numerator and denominator of a cost-effectiveness (C/E) ratio; (2) measuring resource use in the numerator of a C/E ratio; (3) valuing health consequences in the denominator of a C/E ratio; (4) estimating effectiveness of interventions; (5) incorporating time preference and discounting; and (6) handling uncertainty. Recommendations are subject to the ¿rule of reason,¿ balancing the burden engendered by a practice with its importance to a study. If researchers follow a standard set of methods in CEA, the quality and comparability of studies, and their ultimate utility, can be much improved.

Development of a panel of genome-wide ancestry informative markers to study admixture throughout the Americas.

PubMed

Galanter, Joshua Mark; Fernandez-Lopez, Juan Carlos; Gignoux, Christopher R; Barnholtz-Sloan, Jill; Fernandez-Rozadilla, Ceres; Via, Marc; Hidalgo-Miranda, Alfredo; Contreras, Alejandra V; Figueroa, Laura Uribe; Raska, Paola; Jimenez-Sanchez, Gerardo; Zolezzi, Irma Silva; Torres, Maria; Ponte, Clara Ruiz; Ruiz, Yarimar; Salas, Antonio; Nguyen, Elizabeth; Eng, Celeste; Borjas, Lisbeth; Zabala, William; Barreto, Guillermo; González, Fernando Rondón; Ibarra, Adriana; Taboada, Patricia; Porras, Liliana; Moreno, Fabián; Bigham, Abigail; Gutierrez, Gerardo; Brutsaert, Tom; León-Velarde, Fabiola; Moore, Lorna G; Vargas, Enrique; Cruz, Miguel; Escobedo, Jorge; Rodriguez-Santana, José; Rodriguez-Cintrón, William; Chapela, Rocio; Ford, Jean G; Bustamante, Carlos; Seminara, Daniela; Shriver, Mark; Ziv, Elad; Burchard, Esteban Gonzalez; Haile, Robert; Parra, Esteban; Carracedo, Angel

2012-01-01

Most individuals throughout the Americas are admixed descendants of Native American, European, and African ancestors. Complex historical factors have resulted in varying proportions of ancestral contributions between individuals within and among ethnic groups. We developed a panel of 446 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) optimized to estimate ancestral proportions in individuals and populations throughout Latin America. We used genome-wide data from 953 individuals from diverse African, European, and Native American populations to select AIMs optimized for each of the three main continental populations that form the basis of modern Latin American populations. We selected markers on the basis of locus-specific branch length to be informative, well distributed throughout the genome, capable of being genotyped on widely available commercial platforms, and applicable throughout the Americas by minimizing within-continent heterogeneity. We then validated the panel in samples from four admixed populations by comparing ancestry estimates based on the AIMs panel to estimates based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. The panel provided balanced discriminatory power among the three ancestral populations and accurate estimates of individual ancestry proportions (R² > 0.9 for ancestral components with significant between-subject variance). Finally, we genotyped samples from 18 populations from Latin America using the AIMs panel and estimated variability in ancestry within and between these populations. This panel and its reference genotype information will be useful resources to explore population history of admixture in Latin America and to correct for the potential effects of population stratification in admixed samples in the region.

Development of a Panel of Genome-Wide Ancestry Informative Markers to Study Admixture Throughout the Americas

PubMed Central

Galanter, Joshua Mark; Fernandez-Lopez, Juan Carlos; Gignoux, Christopher R.; Barnholtz-Sloan, Jill; Fernandez-Rozadilla, Ceres; Via, Marc; Hidalgo-Miranda, Alfredo; Contreras, Alejandra V.; Figueroa, Laura Uribe; Raska, Paola; Jimenez-Sanchez, Gerardo; Silva Zolezzi, Irma; Torres, Maria; Ponte, Clara Ruiz; Ruiz, Yarimar; Salas, Antonio; Nguyen, Elizabeth; Eng, Celeste; Borjas, Lisbeth; Zabala, William; Barreto, Guillermo; Rondón González, Fernando; Ibarra, Adriana; Taboada, Patricia; Porras, Liliana; Moreno, Fabián; Bigham, Abigail; Gutierrez, Gerardo; Brutsaert, Tom; León-Velarde, Fabiola; Moore, Lorna G.; Vargas, Enrique; Cruz, Miguel; Escobedo, Jorge; Rodriguez-Santana, José; Rodriguez-Cintrón, William; Chapela, Rocio; Ford, Jean G.; Bustamante, Carlos; Seminara, Daniela; Shriver, Mark; Ziv, Elad; Gonzalez Burchard, Esteban; Haile, Robert

2012-01-01

Most individuals throughout the Americas are admixed descendants of Native American, European, and African ancestors. Complex historical factors have resulted in varying proportions of ancestral contributions between individuals within and among ethnic groups. We developed a panel of 446 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) optimized to estimate ancestral proportions in individuals and populations throughout Latin America. We used genome-wide data from 953 individuals from diverse African, European, and Native American populations to select AIMs optimized for each of the three main continental populations that form the basis of modern Latin American populations. We selected markers on the basis of locus-specific branch length to be informative, well distributed throughout the genome, capable of being genotyped on widely available commercial platforms, and applicable throughout the Americas by minimizing within-continent heterogeneity. We then validated the panel in samples from four admixed populations by comparing ancestry estimates based on the AIMs panel to estimates based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. The panel provided balanced discriminatory power among the three ancestral populations and accurate estimates of individual ancestry proportions (R2>0.9 for ancestral components with significant between-subject variance). Finally, we genotyped samples from 18 populations from Latin America using the AIMs panel and estimated variability in ancestry within and between these populations. This panel and its reference genotype information will be useful resources to explore population history of admixture in Latin America and to correct for the potential effects of population stratification in admixed samples in the region. PMID:22412386

The Lateral Compressive Buckling Performance of Aluminum Honeycomb Panels for Long-Span Hollow Core Roofs

PubMed Central

Zhao, Caiqi; Zheng, Weidong; Ma, Jun; Zhao, Yangjian

2016-01-01

To solve the problem of critical buckling in the structural analysis and design of the new long-span hollow core roof architecture proposed in this paper (referred to as a “honeycomb panel structural system” (HSSS)), lateral compression tests and finite element analyses were employed in this study to examine the lateral compressive buckling performance of this new type of honeycomb panel with different length-to-thickness ratios. The results led to two main conclusions: (1) Under the experimental conditions that were used, honeycomb panels with the same planar dimensions but different thicknesses had the same compressive stiffness immediately before buckling, while the lateral compressive buckling load-bearing capacity initially increased rapidly with an increasing honeycomb core thickness and then approached the same limiting value; (2) The compressive stiffnesses of test pieces with the same thickness but different lengths were different, while the maximum lateral compressive buckling loads were very similar. Overall instability failure is prone to occur in long and flexible honeycomb panels. In addition, the errors between the lateral compressive buckling loads from the experiment and the finite element simulations are within 6%, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the nonlinear finite element analysis and provides a theoretical basis for future analysis and design for this new type of spatial structure. PMID:28773567

Humid free efficient solar panel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panjwani, Manoj Kumar; Panjwani, Suresh Kumar; Mangi, Fareed Hussain; Khan, Danish; Meicheng, Li

2017-09-01

The paper examines the impact of the humidity on the Solar panels which makes a space for the drastic variation in the power generated and makes the device less efficient. Humidity readily affects the efficiency of the solar cells and creates a minimal layer of water on its surface. It also decreases the efficiency by 10-20% of the total power output produced. Moreover, to handle this issue, all around characterized measures are required to be taken to guarantee the smooth working of the solar panels utilized in humid areas. In connection with this issue, Karachi, the biggest city of Pakistan which is located near the costal line touching Arabian Sea, was taken as a reference city to measure the humidity range. In Karachi, the average humidity lies between 25-70% (as per Pakistan Meteorological Department PMD), that indirectly leads in decreasing power acquired from a Solar Panel and develops various complexities for the solar system. The system on average experiences stability issues, such as those of power fluctuations etc., due to which, the whole solar system installed observes abnormal variations in acquired power. Silica Gel was used as a desiccant material in order to assure dryness over the solar panel. More than four experiments were conducted with the usage of water absorbent to improve the efficiency and to make system more power efficient.

Control system design for the large space systems technology reference platform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edmunds, R. S.

1982-01-01

Structural models and classical frequency domain control system designs were developed for the large space systems technology (LSST) reference platform which consists of a central bus structure, solar panels, and platform arms on which a variety of experiments may be mounted. It is shown that operation of multiple independently articulated payloads on a single platform presents major problems when subarc second pointing stability is required. Experiment compatibility will be an important operational consideration for systems of this type.

Bioelectrical impedance methods in clinical research: a follow-up to the NIH Technology Assessment Conference.

PubMed

Ellis, K J; Bell, S J; Chertow, G M; Chumlea, W C; Knox, T A; Kotler, D P; Lukaski, H C; Schoeller, D A

1999-01-01

In 1994, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a Technology Assessment Conference "to provide physicians with a responsible assessment of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) technology for body composition measurement." In 1997, Serono Symposia USA, Inc., organized an invited panel of scientists and clinicians, with extensive research and clinical experience with BIA, to provide an update. Panel members presented reviews based on their own work and published studies for the intervening years. Updates were provided on the single and multifrequency BIA methods and models; continued clinical research experiences; efforts toward establishing population reference norms; and the feasibility of establishing guidelines for potential diagnostic use of BIA in a clinical setting. This report provides a summary of the panel's findings including a consensus on several technical and clinical issues related to the research use of BIA, and those areas that are still in need of additional study.

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

PubMed

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

2017-11-01

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

Diagnostic Concordance Among Pathologists Interpreting Breast Biopsy Specimens

PubMed Central

Elmore, Joann G.; Longton, Gary M.; Carney, Patricia A.; Geller, Berta M.; Onega, Tracy; Tosteson, Anna N. A.; Nelson, Heidi D.; Pepe, Margaret S.; Allison, Kimberly H.; Schnitt, Stuart J.; O’Malley, Frances P.; Weaver, Donald L.

2015-01-01

IMPORTANCE A breast pathology diagnosis provides the basis for clinical treatment and management decisions; however, its accuracy is inadequately understood. OBJECTIVES To quantify the magnitude of diagnostic disagreement among pathologists compared with a consensus panel reference diagnosis and to evaluate associated patient and pathologist characteristics. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Study of pathologists who interpret breast biopsies in clinical practices in 8 US states. EXPOSURES Participants independently interpreted slides between November 2011 and May 2014 from test sets of 60 breast biopsies (240 total cases, 1 slide per case), including 23 cases of invasive breast cancer, 73 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 72 with atypical hyperplasia (atypia), and 72 benign cases without atypia. Participants were blinded to the interpretations of other study pathologists and consensus panel members. Among the 3 consensus panel members, unanimous agreement of their independent diagnoses was 75%, and concordance with the consensus-derived reference diagnoses was 90.3%. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The proportions of diagnoses overinterpreted and underinterpreted relative to the consensus-derived reference diagnoses were assessed. RESULTS Sixty-five percent of invited, responding pathologists were eligible and consented to participate. Of these, 91% (N = 115) completed the study, providing 6900 individual case diagnoses. Compared with the consensus-derived reference diagnosis, the overall concordance rate of diagnostic interpretations of participating pathologists was 75.3% (95% CI, 73.4%–77.0%; 5194 of 6900 interpretations). Consensus ReferenceDiagnosis Pathologist Interpretation vs Consensus-Derived Reference Diagnosis, % (95% CI) No. ofInterpretations Overall ConcordanceRate OverinterpretationRate UnderinterpretationRate Benign without atypia 2070 87 (85–89) 13 (11–15) Atypia 2070 48 (44–52) 17 (15–21) 35 (31–39) DCIS 2097 84 (82–86) 3 (2–4) 13 (12–15) Invasive carcinoma 663 96 (94–97) 4 (3–6) Disagreement with the reference diagnosis was statistically significantly higher among biopsies from women with higher (n = 122) vs lower (n = 118) breast density on prior mammograms (overall concordance rate, 73% [95% CI, 71%–75%] for higher vs 77% [95% CI, 75%–80%] for lower, P < .001), and among pathologists who interpreted lower weekly case volumes (P < .001) or worked in smaller practices (P = .034) or nonacademic settings (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study of pathologists, in which diagnostic interpretation was based on a single breast biopsy slide, overall agreement between the individual pathologists’ interpretations and the expert consensus–derived reference diagnoses was 75.3%, with the highest level of concordance for invasive carcinoma and lower levels of concordance for DCIS and atypia. Further research is needed to understand the relationship of these findings with patient management. PMID:25781441

Man and His Environment: Interaction and Interdependence. Proceedings of Conference I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, J. Y., Ed.

This report of a 1969 Environmental Sciences Institute includes presentations from authorities on environmental problems, the discussion following some presentations, references, and the results of a panel discussion which involved all conference speakers. Papers presented were: "Is There an Ecological Crisis?""The Challenge of…

A bill to provide enhanced authority to the Congressional Oversight Panel established pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME

2009-04-20

Senate - 04/20/2009 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

WholeGenome Sequencing of High-Risk Families to Identify New Mutational Mechanisms of Breast Cancer Predisposition

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

4 APPENDICES 4 INTRODUCTION: Despite tremendous advances in mutation detection with gene panels...population frequency and overlap with ENCODE regions. 2a. Align reads to the reference sequence (months 4-10) 2b. Identify SNPs, indels, CNVs and

21 CFR 660.4 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.4 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel and shall be sufficiently potent...

21 CFR 660.4 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.4 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel and shall be sufficiently potent...

21 CFR 660.43 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.43 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Antiserum Panel and shall be sufficiently potent to be able to detect the...

21 CFR 660.43 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.43 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Antiserum Panel and shall be sufficiently potent to be able to detect the...

21 CFR 660.4 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.4 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel and shall be sufficiently potent...

21 CFR 660.43 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.43 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Antiserum Panel and shall be sufficiently potent to be able to detect the...

21 CFR 660.4 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.4 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Panel and shall be sufficiently potent...

21 CFR 660.43 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.43 Potency test. To be satisfactory for release, each filling of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen shall be tested against the Reference Hepatitis B Antiserum Panel and shall be sufficiently potent to be able to detect the...

2014 Bone and Muscle Risks Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan; Glowacki, Julie; Gregor, Robert; Cullen, Diane; Drake, Almond; Enoka, Roger; Hanley, Edward Jr.; Kraemer, William; Raven, Peter; Sumner, Rick, D.

2014-01-01

The 2014 Bone and Muscle Risks Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on December 17 - 18, 2014. The SRP reviewed the updated research plans for the Risk of Impaired Performance Due to Reduced Muscle Mass, Strength and Endurance (Muscle Risk) and the Risk of Reduced Physical Performance Capabilities Due to Reduced Aerobic Capacity (Aerobic Risk). The SRP also received a status update on the Risk of Bone Fracture (Bone Risk), the Risk of Early Onset Osteoporosis Due To Spaceflight (Osteo Risk), the Risk of Intervertebral Disc Damage (IVD Risk), and the Risk of Renal Stone Formation (Renal Risk).

Color flat panel display for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prince, J. Colin; Martin, A. J.

1996-05-01

The modernization program for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M2 A3, represents the first deployment of an active matrix liquid crystal display, AMLCD, in a military ground vehicle. In many respects the selection of AMLCD was determined according to the familiar metrics which have resulted in AMLCD being broadly selected for modern air vehicle installations. In fact, there is considerable similarities between the Bradley AMLCD and its recent forbearers in the avionic industry. In the Bradley, the AMLCD unit is referred to as a color flat panel display, CFPD and the features of this unit, as well as its environment and utilization are described in this paper.

Report of the panel on international programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Allen Joel; Fuchs, Karl W.; Ganeka, Yasuhiro; Gaur, Vinod; Green, Andrew A.; Siegfried, W.; Lambert, Anthony; Rais, Jacub; Reighber, Christopher; Seeger, Herman

1991-01-01

The panel recommends that NASA participate and take an active role in the continuous monitoring of existing regional networks, the realization of high resolution geopotential and topographic missions, the establishment of interconnection of the reference frames as defined by different space techniques, the development and implementation of automation for all ground-to-space observing systems, calibration and validation experiments for measuring techniques and data, the establishment of international space-based networks for real-time transmission of high density space data in standardized formats, tracking and support for non-NASA missions, and the extension of state-of-the art observing and analysis techniques to developing nations.

JTEC panel report on space and transatmospheric propulsion technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelton, Duane

1990-01-01

An assessment of Japan's current capabilities in the areas of space and transatmospheric propulsion is presented. The report focuses primarily upon Japan's programs in liquid rocket propulsion and in propulsion for spaceplanes and related transatmospheric areas. It also includes brief reference to Japan's solid rocket programs, as well as to supersonic air-breathing propulsion efforts that are just getting underway. The results are based upon the findings of a panel of U.S. engineers made up of individuals from academia, government, and industry, and are derived from a review of a broad array of the open literature, combined with visits to the primary propulsion laboratories and development agencies in Japan.

Hematology and biochemistry reference intervals for Ontario commercial nursing pigs close to the time of weaning

PubMed Central

Perri, Amanda M.; O’Sullivan, Terri L.; Harding, John C.S.; Wood, R. Darren; Friendship, Robert M.

2017-01-01

The evaluation of pig hematology and biochemistry parameters is rarely done largely due to the costs associated with laboratory testing and labor, and the limited availability of reference intervals needed for interpretation. Within-herd and between-herd biological variation of these values also make it difficult to establish reference intervals. Regardless, baseline reference intervals are important to aid veterinarians in the interpretation of blood parameters for the diagnosis and treatment of diseased swine. The objective of this research was to provide reference intervals for hematology and biochemistry parameters of 3-week-old commercial nursing piglets in Ontario. A total of 1032 pigs lacking clinical signs of disease from 20 swine farms were sampled for hematology and iron panel evaluation, with biochemistry analysis performed on a subset of 189 randomly selected pigs. The 95% reference interval, mean, median, range, and 90% confidence intervals were calculated for each parameter. PMID:28373729

Characterization of 107 Genomic DNA Reference Materials for CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, VKORC1, and UGT1A1

PubMed Central

Pratt, Victoria M.; Zehnbauer, Barbara; Wilson, Jean Amos; Baak, Ruth; Babic, Nikolina; Bettinotti, Maria; Buller, Arlene; Butz, Ken; Campbell, Matthew; Civalier, Chris; El-Badry, Abdalla; Farkas, Daniel H.; Lyon, Elaine; Mandal, Saptarshi; McKinney, Jason; Muralidharan, Kasinathan; Noll, LeAnne; Sander, Tara; Shabbeer, Junaid; Smith, Chingying; Telatar, Milhan; Toji, Lorraine; Vairavan, Anand; Vance, Carlos; Weck, Karen E.; Wu, Alan H.B.; Yeo, Kiang-Teck J.; Zeller, Markus; Kalman, Lisa

2010-01-01

Pharmacogenetic testing is becoming more common; however, very few quality control and other reference materials that cover alleles commonly included in such assays are currently available. To address these needs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Genetic Testing Reference Material Coordination Program, in collaboration with members of the pharmacogenetic testing community and the Coriell Cell Repositories, have characterized a panel of 107 genomic DNA reference materials for five loci (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, VKORC1, and UGT1A1) that are commonly included in pharmacogenetic testing panels and proficiency testing surveys. Genomic DNA from publicly available cell lines was sent to volunteer laboratories for genotyping. Each sample was tested in three to six laboratories using a variety of commercially available or laboratory-developed platforms. The results were consistent among laboratories, with differences in allele assignments largely related to the manufacturer's assay design and variable nomenclature, especially for CYP2D6. The alleles included in the assay platforms varied, but most were identified in the set of 107 DNA samples. Nine additional pharmacogenetic loci (CYP4F2, EPHX1, ABCB1, HLAB, KIF6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, TPMT, and DPD) were also tested. These samples are publicly available from Coriell and will be useful for quality assurance, proficiency testing, test development, and research. PMID:20889555

Fla. Panel's Evolution Vote Hailed

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cavanagh, Sean

2008-01-01

This article reports on how the compromise hammered out in Florida recently over the treatment of evolution in the state's science classrooms is winning praise from scientists and educators. The new science standards will refer to evolution as the "scientific theory of evolution." These changes will replace more-general language in the…

32 CFR 1901.44 - Action by appeals authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... request, the document(s) (sanitized and full text) at issue, and the findings of the concerned Deputy... appearances shall be permitted without the express permission of the Panel. (c) Decision by the Historical... refer the request to the CIA Historical Records Policy Board which acts as the senior corporate board...

The Command and Control Reference Model for Modeling, Simulations, and Technology Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-20

NUMBER Basic Research Group (BRG), Technical Panel for C3 (TPC3) Joint Directors of Laboratories (JDL) JDL TPC3 BRG NRaD, San Diego , CA 92152; RADC...wind, ionization, pressure, pollution, ... mesofeature (weather, man-made) cloud, storm, fog, smog, dust, fire, jet stream, smoke, aurora borealis

Social Implications of Biological Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grobman, Arnold B.

Political and social implications of biological research, with particular reference to consequences for education, are discussed in this collection of papers presented at the 1969 convention of the National Association of Biology Teachers. Commentary papers by a panel of three, including at least one high school biology teacher and one expert in…

29 CFR 1425.5 - Referral to FSIP.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Relating to Labor (Continued) FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE MEDIATION ASSISTANCE IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE § 1425.5 Referral to FSIP. If the mediation process has been completed and the parties are... Federal Services Impasses Panel. The Service shall not refer a case to FSIP until the mediation process...

Script Concordance Testing in Continuing Professional Development: Local or International Reference Panels?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pleguezuelos, E. M.; Hornos, E.; Dory, V.; Gagnon, R.; Malagrino, P.; Brailovsky, C. A.; Charlin, B.

2013-01-01

Context: The PRACTICUM Institute has developed large-scale international programs of on-line continuing professional development (CPD) based on self-testing and feedback using the Practicum Script Concordance Test© (PSCT). Aims: To examine the psychometric consequences of pooling the responses of panelists from different countries (composite…

Identifying Competencies for Volunteer Administrators for the Coming Decade: A National Delphi Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boyd, Barry L.

2003-01-01

A Delphi panel of 13 experts categorized 33 competencies for volunteer administration into 5 constructs: organizational leadership, systems leadership, organizational culture, personal skills, and management skills. Twelve barriers to acquiring competencies and 21 methods to address them were identified. (Contains 24 references.) (SK)

78 FR 60824 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-02

... coaching. This system assists in coding interviews for measuring question and interviewer performance and... the 2014 SIPP interview. The start of the 2014 SIPP Panel was scheduled at the earliest possible start... wave 1 will interview respondents using the previous calendar year 2013 as the reference period and...

Evaluation of an anal sac adenocarcinoma tumor in a Spitz dog.

PubMed

Javanbakht, Javad; Tavassoli, Abbas; Sabbagh, Atefeh; Hassan, Mehdy Aghamohammmad; Samakkhah, Shohreh Alian; Shafiee, Radmehr; Lakzian, Ali; Ghalee, Vahideh Rahmani; Gharebagh, Sonia Shoja

2013-01-01

A 9-year-old emasculated male Spitz with tenesmus and constipation had a subcutaneous mass at the left ventral aspect of the anus with history of polyuria and polydipsia. A complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry panel, and urinalysis (cystocentesis sample) were evaluated. Abnormalities in the serum biochemistry panel included a mildly elevated serum cholesterol concentration (7.28 mmol/L; reference interval, 2.70-5.94 mmol/L), increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity (184 U/L; reference interval, 9-90 U/L), alanine transaminase (122 U/L; reference interval, 5-60 U/L) activity and aspartate aminotransferase (80 U/L; reference interval, 5-55 U/L) activity, severe increased total calcium concentration (16.3 mg/dL; reference interval, 8.2-12.4 mg/dL or 9.3-11.4 mg/dL), and decreased total calcium concentration (3.4 mg/dL, reference interval, 2.5-5.6mg/dL). Furthermore, testing revealed an increased intact parathyroid hormone concentration (38.6 pmol/L; reference interval, 3-17 pmol/L). On cytologic and histopathologic examinations, various types of cells were observed. Most of the cells were oval to polygonal and had elliptical or elongate nuclei and a moderate amount of pale to basophilic cytoplasm. The remaining cells had round to oval nuclei and pale to basophilic cytoplasm. Cells of both types were loosely adhered to each other and were arranged in rosette-like structures. Both neoplastic cell types had fine homogenous chromatin and either a small indistinct nucleolus or no visible nucleolus. Mild anisokaryosis and anisocytosis were observed. Histologically, the mass consists of glandular structures formed by cuboidal cells admixed with bundles of spindle cells. Based on location and histologic features, the final diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the apocrine gland of the anal sac, which should be included as a cytologic differential diagnosis when spindle cells and typical epithelial cells are observed in masses in the region of the anal sac of dogs.

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Effects of Multiple-dose Administration of Omarigliptin, a Once-weekly Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor, in Obese Participants With and Without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Addy, Carol; Tatosian, Daniel; Glasgow, Xiaoli S; Gendrano, Isaias N; Kauh, Eunkyung; Martucci, Ashley; Johnson-Levonas, Amy O; Selverian, Diana; Matthews, Catherine Z; Gutierrez, Marie; Wagner, John A; Aubrey Stoch, S

2016-03-01

Omarigliptin (MK-3102) is a potent, oral, long-acting dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor approved in Japan and in global development as a once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of omarigliptin in obese participants with and without T2DM. This was a Phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose study of 50-mg omarigliptin administered once weekly for 4 weeks. Participants included 24 obese but otherwise healthy subjects (panel A; omarigliptin, n = 18; placebo, n = 6) and 8 obese patients with T2DM (treatment naive, hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5% and ≤ 10.0% [panel B]; omarigliptin, n = 6; placebo, n = 2). Participants were 45 to 65 years of age with a body mass index of ≥ 30 and ≤ 40 kg/m(2). Blood sampling occurred at select time points, depending on the study panel, to evaluate the PK properties of omarigliptin, DPP-4 activity, active glucagon-like peptide 1 levels, and plasma glucose concentrations. Body weight was an exploratory end point. Due to sparse sampling in panel A, a thorough PK analysis was performed in obese patients with T2DM (panel B) only. PD analyses were performed in the overall study population (pooled panels A and B). PK profiles in obese participants with and without T2DM were similar to those observed in nonobese reference subjects (historical data). Steady state was achieved after 1 or 2 weekly doses in obese participants with and without T2DM. In obese patients with T2DM, omarigliptin was rapidly absorbed, with a median Tmax of 1 to 2.5 hours (days 1 and 22). Compared with those in reference subjects, the geometric mean ratios (95% CI) (Obese T2DM/reference) for steady-state plasma AUC0-168h, Cmax, and C168h were 0.80 (0.65-0.98), 0.86 (0.53-1.41), and 1.08 (0.88-1.33), respectively. Trough DPP-4 activity was inhibited by ~90%; postprandial (PP) 4-hour weighted mean active GLP-1 concentrations were increased ~2-fold; and PP glucose was significantly reduced with omarigliptin versus placebo in the pooled population. Omarigliptin was generally well-tolerated in the pooled population, and there were no hypoglycemic events. Consistent with other DPP-4 inhibitors, omarigliptin had no effect on body weight in this short-duration study. The administration of omarigliptin was generally well-tolerated in obese participants with and without T2DM, and the favorable PK and PD profiles support once-weekly dosing. Omarigliptin may provide an important once-weekly treatment option for patients with T2DM. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01088711. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of a commercial Varicella Zoster glycoprotein IgG enzyme immunoassay with a reference time resolved fluorescence immunoassay (VZV TRFIA) for measuring VZV IgG in sera from pregnant women, sera sent for confirmatory testing and pre and post vOka vaccination sera from healthcare workers.

PubMed

Maple, P A C; Breuer, J; Quinlivan, M; Kafatos, G; Brown, K E

2012-03-01

Recently, a commercial, standardised VZV IgG glycoprotein EIA, Binding Site VaccZyme™VZV glycoprotein IgG low level EIA (VaccZyme™EIA) has become available. The VaccZyme™EIA is more robust and user friendly than the reference VZV time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (VZV TRFIA). To assess the usefulness of the VaccZyme™EIA in the diagnostic laboratory by comparing VZV IgG levels generated by both assays on serum panels representing, non-vaccinated, and vOka vaccinated populations. Sera from non-vaccinated individuals were tested; 248 from pregnant women, 117 from various patient groups referred to the Virus Reference Department for confirmatory VZV IgG testing and 102 from healthcare workers enrolled in a study (ROVE) of antibody/IgG response to vOka. From the ROVE study, 282 post vaccination sera were tested; 108 and 101 collected at six weeks post first and second doses of vOka, respectively, and 73 collected at 18 month follow-up. Sensitivities and specificities (equivocals treated as negatives) of the VaccZyme™EIA for sera from pregnant women were 97.8% (95% CI: [94.6%, 99.4%]) and 96.8% (95% CI: [89.0%, 99.6%]), respectively, and for sera referred for confirmatory testing were 81.2% (95% CI: [71.2%, 88.8%]) and 96.9% (95% CI: [83.8%, 99.9%]), respectively, and for ROVE baseline sera were 54.2% (95% CI: [32.8%, 74.4%]) and 100% (95% CI: [95.4%, 100.0%]), respectively. For the post vOka serum panels sensitivities of the VaccZyme™EIA ranged from 65.3% (95% CI: [50.4%, 78.3%]) to 80.4% (95% CI: [71.1%, 87.8%]). Specificities were all 100%. Correlation with VZV TRFIA was high and agreement varied between the serum panels tested. VaccZyme™EIA is recommended for detecting VZV IgG in sera from non-vaccinated populations; however, caution is advised when measuring post vOka VZV IgG levels. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Retrospective Evaluation of Infants Aged 1-60 Days With Residual CSF Tested Using the FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel.

PubMed

Blaschke, Anne J; Holmberg, Kristen M; Daly, Judy A; Leber, Amy L; Dien Bard, Jennifer; Korgenski, Ernest K; Bourzac, Kevin M; Kanack, Kristen J

2018-04-18

In pediatric practice it is common for infants under 2 months of age to undergo evaluation for sepsis when they are ill, often including lumbar puncture (LP) to assess for central nervous system (CNS) infection. The FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel is a newly approved test for rapid identification of CNS pathogens. Our objective was to study the epidemiology of CNS infection in young infants and the potential impact of rapid multiplex PCR on their care.A performance evaluation of the FilmArray ME Panel was conducted from 2/2014-9/2014 at 11 sites. FilmArray ME Panel results were compared to reference standards but not shared with providers. In our study, medical records for infants (aged 1-60 days) enrolled at 3 sites were reviewed for clinical, laboratory and outcome data.145 infants were reviewed. Median age was 25 days. Most were hospitalized [134/145 (92%)], received antibiotics [123/145 (85%)] and almost half [71/145 (49%)] received acyclovir. One infant had a bacterial pathogen, likely false-positive, identified by the FilmArray ME Panel. Thirty-six infants (25%) had a viral pathogen detected, including 21 enteroviruses. All infants with enteroviral meningitis detected by the FilmArray ME Panel and conventional PCR were hospitalized, but 20% were discharged in less than 24 hours when conventional PCR results became available.The FilmArray ME Panel may play a role in the evaluation of young infants for CNS infection. Results may be used to guide management, possibly resulting in decreased length of stay and antimicrobial exposure for infants with low-risk viral infection detected. Copyright © 2018 Blaschke et al.

Radiation dose reduction in chest radiography using a flat-panel amorphous silicon detector.

PubMed

Hosch, W P; Fink, C; Radeleff, B; kampschulte a, A; Kauffmann, G W; Hansmann, J

2002-10-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the image quality and the potential for radiation dose reduction with a digital flat-panel amorphous silicon detector radiography system. Using flat-panel technology, radiographs of an anthropomorphic thorax phantom were taken with a range of technical parameters (125kV, 200mA and 5, 4, 3.2, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.25mAs) which were equivalent to a radiation dose of 332, 263, 209, 127, 58.7, 29, and 14 microGy, respectively. These images were compared to radiographs obtained by a conventional film-screen radiography system at 125kV, 200mA and 5mAs (equivalent to 252 microGy) which served as reference. Three observers evaluated independently the visibility of simulated rounded lesions and anatomical structures, comparing printed films from the flat-panel amorphous silicon detector and conventional x-ray system films. With flat-panel technology, the visibility of rounded lesions and normal anatomical structures at 5, 4, and 3.2mAs was superior compared to the conventional film-screen radiography system. (P< or =0.0001). At 2mAs, improvement was only marginal (P=0.19). At 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25mAs, the visibility of simulated rounded lesions was worse (P< or =0.004). Comparing fine lung parenchymal structures, the flat-panel amorphous silicon detector showed improvement for all exposure levels down to 2mAs and equality at 1mAs. Compared to a conventional x-ray film system, the flat-panel amorphous silicon detector demonstrated improved image quality and the possibility for a reduction of the radiation dose by 50% without loss in image quality.

Surface Profiling and Core Evaluation of Aluminum Honeycomb Sandwich Aircraft Panels Using Multi-Frequency Eddy Current Testing

PubMed Central

Reyno, Tyler; Underhill, P. Ross; Krause, Thomas W.; Marsden, Catharine; Wowk, Diane

2017-01-01

Surface damage on honeycomb aircraft panels is often measured manually, and is therefore subject to variation based on inspection personnel. Eddy current testing (ECT) is sensitive to variations in probe-to-specimen spacing, or lift-off, and is thus promising for high-resolution profiling of surface damage on aluminum panels. Lower frequency testing also allows inspection through the face sheet, an advantage over optical 3D scanning methods. This paper presents results from the ECT inspection of surface damage on an approximately flat aluminum honeycomb aircraft panel, and compares the measurements to those taken using optical 3D scanning technology. An ECT C-Scan of the dented panel surface was obtained by attaching the probe to a robotic scanning apparatus. Data was taken simultaneously at four frequencies of 25, 100, 400 and 1600 kHz. A reference surface was then defined that approximated the original, undamaged panel surface, which also compensated for the effects of specimen tilt and thermal drift within the ECT instrument. Data was converted to lift-off using height calibration curves developed for each probe frequency. A damage region of 22,550 mm2 area with dents ranging in depth from 0.13–1.01 mm was analyzed. The method was accurate at 1600 kHz to within 0.05 mm (2σ) when compared with 231 measurements taken via optical 3D scanning. Testing at 25 kHz revealed a 3.2 mm cell size within the honeycomb core, which was confirmed via destructive evaluation. As a result, ECT demonstrates potential for implementation as a method for rapid in-field aircraft panel surface damage assessment. PMID:28906434

Surface Profiling and Core Evaluation of Aluminum Honeycomb Sandwich Aircraft Panels Using Multi-Frequency Eddy Current Testing.

PubMed

Reyno, Tyler; Underhill, P Ross; Krause, Thomas W; Marsden, Catharine; Wowk, Diane

2017-09-14

Surface damage on honeycomb aircraft panels is often measured manually, and is therefore subject to variation based on inspection personnel. Eddy current testing (ECT) is sensitive to variations in probe-to-specimen spacing, or lift-off, and is thus promising for high-resolution profiling of surface damage on aluminum panels. Lower frequency testing also allows inspection through the face sheet, an advantage over optical 3D scanning methods. This paper presents results from the ECT inspection of surface damage on an approximately flat aluminum honeycomb aircraft panel, and compares the measurements to those taken using optical 3D scanning technology. An ECT C-Scan of the dented panel surface was obtained by attaching the probe to a robotic scanning apparatus. Data was taken simultaneously at four frequencies of 25, 100, 400 and 1600 kHz. A reference surface was then defined that approximated the original, undamaged panel surface, which also compensated for the effects of specimen tilt and thermal drift within the ECT instrument. Data was converted to lift-off using height calibration curves developed for each probe frequency. A damage region of 22,550 mm² area with dents ranging in depth from 0.13-1.01 mm was analyzed. The method was accurate at 1600 kHz to within 0.05 mm (2σ) when compared with 231 measurements taken via optical 3D scanning. Testing at 25 kHz revealed a 3.2 mm cell size within the honeycomb core, which was confirmed via destructive evaluation. As a result, ECT demonstrates potential for implementation as a method for rapid in-field aircraft panel surface damage assessment.

Strategies for genotype imputation in composite beef cattle.

PubMed

Chud, Tatiane C S; Ventura, Ricardo V; Schenkel, Flavio S; Carvalheiro, Roberto; Buzanskas, Marcos E; Rosa, Jaqueline O; Mudadu, Maurício de Alvarenga; da Silva, Marcos Vinicius G B; Mokry, Fabiana B; Marcondes, Cintia R; Regitano, Luciana C A; Munari, Danísio P

2015-08-07

Genotype imputation has been used to increase genomic information, allow more animals in genome-wide analyses, and reduce genotyping costs. In Brazilian beef cattle production, many animals are resulting from crossbreeding and such an event may alter linkage disequilibrium patterns. Thus, the challenge is to obtain accurately imputed genotypes in crossbred animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the best fitting and most accurate imputation strategy on the MA genetic group (the progeny of a Charolais sire mated with crossbred Canchim X Zebu cows) and Canchim cattle. The data set contained 400 animals (born between 1999 and 2005) genotyped with the Illumina BovineHD panel. Imputation accuracy of genotypes from the Illumina-Bovine3K (3K), Illumina-BovineLD (6K), GeneSeek-Genomic-Profiler (GGP) BeefLD (GGP9K), GGP-IndicusLD (GGP20Ki), Illumina-BovineSNP50 (50K), GGP-IndicusHD (GGP75Ki), and GGP-BeefHD (GGP80K) to Illumina-BovineHD (HD) SNP panels were investigated. Seven scenarios for reference and target populations were tested; the animals were grouped according with birth year (S1), genetic groups (S2 and S3), genetic groups and birth year (S4 and S5), gender (S6), and gender and birth year (S7). Analyses were performed using FImpute and BEAGLE software and computation run-time was recorded. Genotype imputation accuracy was measured by concordance rate (CR) and allelic R square (R(2)). The highest imputation accuracy scenario consisted of a reference population with males and females and a target population with young females. Among the SNP panels in the tested scenarios, from the 50K, GGP75Ki and GGP80K were the most adequate to impute to HD in Canchim cattle. FImpute reduced computation run-time to impute genotypes from 20 to 100 times when compared to BEAGLE. The genotyping panels possessing at least 50 thousands markers are suitable for genotype imputation to HD with acceptable accuracy. The FImpute algorithm demonstrated a higher efficiency of imputed markers, especially in lower density panels. These considerations may assist to increase genotypic information, reduce genotyping costs, and aid in genomic selection evaluations in crossbred animals.

Genotype imputation for African Americans using data from HapMap phase II versus 1000 genomes projects.

PubMed

Sung, Yun J; Gu, C Charles; Tiwari, Hemant K; Arnett, Donna K; Broeckel, Ulrich; Rao, Dabeeru C

2012-07-01

Genotype imputation provides imputation of untyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are present on a reference panel such as those from the HapMap Project. It is popular for increasing statistical power and comparing results across studies using different platforms. Imputation for African American populations is challenging because their linkage disequilibrium blocks are shorter and also because no ideal reference panel is available due to admixture. In this paper, we evaluated three imputation strategies for African Americans. The intersection strategy used a combined panel consisting of SNPs polymorphic in both CEU and YRI. The union strategy used a panel consisting of SNPs polymorphic in either CEU or YRI. The merge strategy merged results from two separate imputations, one using CEU and the other using YRI. Because recent investigators are increasingly using the data from the 1000 Genomes (1KG) Project for genotype imputation, we evaluated both 1KG-based imputations and HapMap-based imputations. We used 23,707 SNPs from chromosomes 21 and 22 on Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 genotyped for 1,075 HyperGEN African Americans. We found that 1KG-based imputations provided a substantially larger number of variants than HapMap-based imputations, about three times as many common variants and eight times as many rare and low-frequency variants. This higher yield is expected because the 1KG panel includes more SNPs. Accuracy rates using 1KG data were slightly lower than those using HapMap data before filtering, but slightly higher after filtering. The union strategy provided the highest imputation yield with next highest accuracy. The intersection strategy provided the lowest imputation yield but the highest accuracy. The merge strategy provided the lowest imputation accuracy. We observed that SNPs polymorphic only in CEU had much lower accuracy, reducing the accuracy of the union strategy. Our findings suggest that 1KG-based imputations can facilitate discovery of significant associations for SNPs across the whole MAF spectrum. Because the 1KG Project is still under way, we expect that later versions will provide better imputation performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Engineering education using a remote laboratory through the Internet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Axaopoulos, Petros J.; Moutsopoulos, Konstantinos N.; Theodoridis, Michael P.

2012-03-01

An experiment using real hardware and under real test conditions can be remotely conducted by engineering students and other interested individuals in the world via the Internet and with the capability of live video streaming from the test site. The presentation of this innovative experiment refers to the determination of the current voltage characteristic curve of a photovoltaic panel installed on the roof of a laboratory, facing south and with the ability to alter its tilt angle, using a closed loop servo motor mounted on the horizontal axis of the panel. The user has the sense of a direct contact with the system since they can intervene and alter the tilt of the panel and get a live visual feedback besides the remote instrumentation panel. The whole procedure takes a few seconds to complete and the characteristic curve is displayed in a chart giving the student and anyone else interested the chance to analyse the results and understand the respective theory; meanwhile, the test data are stored in a file for future use. This type of remote experiment could be used for distance education, training, part-time study and to help students with disabilities to participate in a laboratory environment.

Hybrid deployable support truss designs for LDR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hedgepeth, J.

1988-01-01

Concepts for a 20-meter diameter Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) deployable truss backup structure, and analytical predictions of its structural characteristics are discussed. The concept shown is referred to as the SIXPAC; It is a combination of the PACTRUSS concept and a single-fold beam, which would make up the desired backup structure. One advantage of retaining the PACTRUSS concept is its packaging density and its capability for synchronous deployment. Various 2-meter hexagonal panel arrangements are possible for this Hybrid PACTRUSS structure depending on the panel-to-structure attachment strategies used. Static analyses of the SIXPAC using various assumptions for truss designs and panel masses of 10 kg sq meters were performed to predict the tip displacement of the structure when supported at the center. The tip displacement ranged from 0.20 to 0.44 mm without the panel mass, and from 0.9 to 3.9 mm with the panel mass (in a 1-g field). The data indicate that the structure can be adequately ground tested to validate its required performance in space, assuming the required performance in space is approximately 100 microns. The static displacement at the tip of the structure when subjected to an angular acceleration of 0.001 rad/sec squared were estimated to range from 0.8 to 7.5 microns, depending on the type of truss elements.

A New Method with General Diagnostic Utility for the Calculation of Immunoglobulin G Avidity

PubMed Central

Korhonen, Maria H.; Brunstein, John; Haario, Heikki; Katnikov, Alexei; Rescaldani, Roberto; Hedman, Klaus

1999-01-01

The reference method for immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity determination includes reagent-consuming serum titration. Aiming at better IgG avidity diagnostics, we applied a logistic model for the reproduction of antibody titration curves. This method was tested with well-characterized serum panels for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, rubella virus, parvovirus B19, and Toxoplasma gondii. This approach for IgG avidity calculation is generally applicable and attains the diagnostic performance of the reference method while being less laborious and twice as cost-effective. PMID:10473525

Expert panels as a reference standard in orthodontic research: An assessment of published methods and reporting.

PubMed

Lempesi, Evangelia; Toulia, Electra; Pandis, Nikolaos

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the expert panel methodology applied in orthodontics and its reporting quality. Additionally, the relationship between the reporting quality and a range of variables was explored. PubMed was searched for orthodontic studies in which the final diagnosis or assessment was made by 2 or more experts published up to March 16, 2015. Reporting quality assessment was conducted using an established modified checklist. The relationship between potential predictors and the total score was assessed using univariable linear regression. We identified 237 studies with a mean score of 9.97 (SD, 1.12) out of a maximum of 15. Critical information about panel methodology was missing in all studies. The panel composition differed substantially across studies, ranging from 2 to 646 panel members, with large variations in the expertise represented. Only 17 studies (7.2%) reported sample size calculations to justify the panel size. Panel members were partly blinded in 65 (27.4%) studies. Most studies failed to report which statistic was used to compute intrarater (65.8%) and interrater (66.2%) agreements. Journal type (nonorthodontic: β, 0.23; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.54 compared with orthodontic), publication year (β, 0; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.02 for each additional year), number of authors (1-3: β, 0.30; 95% CI, -0.13 to 0.74 compared with at least 6; 4-5: β, 0.18; 95% CI, -0.29 to 0.33 compared with at least 6), and number of centers involved (single: β, 0.20; 95% CI, -0.14 to 0.54 compared with multicenter) were not significant predictors of improved reporting. Studies published in Asia and Australia had significantly lower scores compared with those published in Europe (β, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.92 to -0.17). Formal guidelines on methodology and reporting of studies involving expert panels are required. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hematologic, Plasma Biochemical, and Lipid Panel Reference Intervals in Orange-winged Amazon Parrots ( Amazona amazonica ).

PubMed

Vergneau-Grosset, Claire; Polley, Tamsen; Holt, Danielle Carrade; Vernau, William; Paul-Murphy, Joanne

2016-12-01

To establish reference intervals in orange-winged Amazon parrots ( Amazona amazonica ) for the complete blood count, plasma biochemical values, and lipid panel and to evaluate age- and sex-related variations, blood samples were obtained from 29 healthy juvenile and adult parrots. Concentrations of total protein, bile acids, phosphorus, total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in adult compared with juvenile birds, while uric acid concentration was significantly higher in juveniles. The white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and phosphorus and potassium concentrations were significantly higher in females, while chloride concentration was significantly higher in males. In this species, direct measurement of LDL-C resulted in lower concentrations than LDL-C calculated with the Friedewald formula. Assessment of the agreement between the calculated and measured LDL-C concentrations indicated a systematic bias of 19.1 mg/dL and a proportional bias of 1.07. A correction factor of -19 mg/L could be applied to the Friedewald formula, to obtain a result closer to the measured LDL-C, providing clinically acceptable (<20% difference) agreement in 66% of the samples. Triglyceride concentrations within the range measured in healthy birds of the present study did not significantly affect the bias between calculated and directly measured LDL-C. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of nutritional factors, genetics, and exercise on biochemistry and lipoprotein panel analytes in orange-winged Amazon parrots.

Multicenter evaluation of the Elecsys Toxo IgG and IgM tests for the diagnosis of infection with Toxoplasma gondii

PubMed Central

Meylan, Pascal; Paris, Luc; Liesenfeld, Oliver

2015-01-01

Detection of IgG and IgM antibodies is commonly performed for the diagnosis of infection with Toxoplasma gondii. We determined the accuracy of the Elecsys Toxo IgG and IgM test at four European laboratories compared to local reference methods. Coefficients of variation for reproducibility ranged from 1.0 to 6.5% for IgG and from 0.8 to 3.2% for IgM. Seroconversion panels revealed high overall concordance with the reference tests. The Elecsys test detected IgG antibodies earlier than the Cobas Core IgG test in 19 of 47 panels; persisting IgM antibodies were observed in the VIDAS but not the Elecsys test in five of 47 panels. In 31.4% of latent stage sera with persistent IgM antibodies (positive LIASON IgM), the Elecsys IgM test gave negative results indicating increased “clinical” specificity. Sensitivity and specificity of the Elecsys IgG assay ranged from 99.45 to 100% and 87.50–99.80%, respectively, and 91.11–95.74 and 98.45–99.79% for the Elecsys IgM assay, respectively. In conclusion, excellent reproducibility and accuracy make the Elecsys Toxo G and M tests highly suitable for the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. The lower detection rates for persistent IgM in the Elecsys IgM test increase “clinical” specificity and decrease the need for follow-up testing. PMID:26185683

Characteristics of Populations of the Russian Federation over the Panel of Fifteen Loci Used for DNA Identification and in Forensic Medical Examination

PubMed Central

A Stepanov, V.; Balanovsky, O.P.; Melnikov, A.V.; Lash-Zavada, A.Yu.; Khar’kov, V.N.; Tyazhelova, T.V.; Akhmetova, V.L.; Zhukova, O.V.; Shneider, Yu.V.; Shil’nikova, I.N.; Borinskaya, S.A.; Marusin, A.V.; Spiridonova, M.G.; Simonova, K.V.; Khitrinskaya, I.Yu.; Radzhabov, M.O.; Romanov, A.G.; Shtygasheva, O.V.; Koshel’, S.M.; Balanovskaya, E.V.; Rybakova, A.V.; Khusnutdinova, E.K.; Puzyrev, V.P.; Yankovsky, N.K.

2011-01-01

Seventeen population groups within the Russian Federation were characterized for the first time using a panel of 15 genetic markers that are used for DNA identification and in forensic medical examinations. The degree of polymorphism and population diversity of microsatellite loci within the Power Plex system (Promega) in Russian populations; the distribution of alleles and genotypes within the populations of six cities and 11 ethnic groups of the Russian Federation; the levels of intra- and interpopulation genetic differentiation of population; genetic relations between populations; and the identification and forensic medical characteristics of the system of markers under study were determined. Significant differences were revealed between the Russian populations and the U.S. reference base that was used recently in the forensic medical examination of the RF. A database of the allelic frequencies of 15 microsatellite loci that are used for DNA identification and forensic medical examination was created; the database has the potential of becoming the reference for performing forensic medical examinations in Russia. The spatial organization of genetic diversity over the panel of the STR markers that are used for DNA identification was revealed. It represents the general regularities of geographical clusterization of human populations over various types of genetic markers. The necessity to take into account a population’s genetic structure during forensic medical examinations and DNA identification of criminal suspects was substantiated. PMID:22649684

Microbiological sampling of spacecraft cabling, antennas, solar panels and thermal blankets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koukol, R. C.

1973-01-01

Sampling procedures and techniques described resulted from various flight project microbiological monitoring programs of unmanned planetary spacecraft. Concurrent with development of these procedures, compatibility evaluations were effected with the cognizant spacecraft subsystem engineers to assure that degradation factors would not be induced during the monitoring program. Of significance were those areas of the spacecraft configuration for which special handling precautions and/or nonstandard sample gathering techniques were evolved. These spacecraft component areas were: cabling, high gain antenna, solar panels, and thermal blankets. The compilation of these techniques provides a historical reference for both the qualification and quantification of sampling parameters as applied to the Mariner Spacecraft of the late 1960's and early 1970's.

Uniform GTD solution for the diffraction by metallic tapes on panelled compact-range reflectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Somers, G. A.; Pathak, P. H.

1992-01-01

Metallic tape is commonly used to cover the interpanel gaps which occur in paneled compact-range reflectors. It is therefore of interest to study the effect of the scattering by the tape on the field in the target zone of the range. An analytical solution is presented for the target zone fields scattered by 2D metallic tapes. It is formulated by the generalized scattering matrix technique in conjunction with the Wiener-Hopf procedure. An extension to treat 3D tapes can be accomplished using the 2D solution via the equivalent current concept. The analytical solution is compared with a reference moment method solution to confirm the accuracy of the former.

Detailed analysis and test correlation of a stiffened composite wing panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, D. Dale, Jr.

1991-01-01

Nonlinear finite element analysis techniques are evaluated by applying them to a realistic aircraft structural component. A wing panel from the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft is chosen because it is a typical modern aircraft structural component for which there is experimental data for comparison of results. From blueprints and drawings supplied by the Bell Helicopter Textron Corporation, a very detailed finite element model containing 2284 9-node Assumed Natural-Coordinate Strain (ANS) elements was generated. A novel solution strategy which accounts for geometric nonlinearity through the use of corotating element reference frames and nonlinear strain displacements relations is used to analyze this detailed model. Results from linear analyses using the same finite element model are presented in order to illustrate the advantages and costs of the nonlinear analysis as compared with the more traditional linear analysis. Strain predictions from both the linear and nonlinear stress analyses are shown to compare well with experimental data up through the Design Ultimate Load (DUL) of the panel. However, due to the extreme nonlinear response of the panel, the linear analysis was not accurate at loads above the DUL. The nonlinear analysis more accurately predicted the strain at high values of applied load, and even predicted complicated nonlinear response characteristics, such as load reversals, at the observed failure load of the test panel. In order to understand the failure mechanism of the panel, buckling and first ply failure analyses were performed. The buckling load was 17 percent above the observed failure load while first ply failure analyses indicated significant material damage at and below the observed failure load.

Lifelong Learning Research Conference Proceedings (9th, College Park, Maryland, February 25-26, 1988).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rivera, William M., Comp.; Davis, Cynthia, Comp.

The following 26 papers, with abstracts and references, are included in these proceedings: "Panel: Continuing Professional Education in Cooperative Extension" (Robert L. Bruce, G. L. Carter, Jr., Ronald Jimmerson, Joan S. Thomson); "New Farm Families: Implications for Extension Educators" (Jane W. McGonigal, Robert L. Bruce); "The Experience of…

14 CFR 91.189 - Category II and III operations: General operating rules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... references for the intended runway is distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot: (i) The approach... execute an appropriate missed approach whenever, prior to touchdown, the requirements of paragraph (d) of... familiarity with, the aircraft and the procedures to be used; and (3) The instrument panel in front of the...

14 CFR 91.189 - Category II and III operations: General operating rules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... references for the intended runway is distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot: (i) The approach... execute an appropriate missed approach whenever, prior to touchdown, the requirements of paragraph (d) of... familiarity with, the aircraft and the procedures to be used; and (3) The instrument panel in front of the...

32 CFR 1900.44 - Action by appeals authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... complete record of the request consisting of the request, the document(s) (sanitized and full text) at... Panel. (c) Decision by the Historical Records Policy Board. In any cases of divided vote by the ARP, any member of that body is authorized to refer the request to the CIA Historical Records Policy Board which...

32 CFR 1908.35 - Action by appeals authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... consisting of the request, the document(s) (sanitized and full text) at issue, and the findings of the... of the Panel. (b) Action by Historical Records Policy Board. In any cases of divided vote by the ARP, any member of that body is authorized to refer the request to the CIA Historical Records Policy Board...

Interactions between Federal Academic Earmarks and State Funding for Higher Education: An Instrumental Variables Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delaney, Jennifer A.

2016-01-01

This study considers the relationship between federal academic earmarks and three types of state spending for higher education--general appropriations, capital outlays, and student financial aid. Often referred to as "pork," federal academic earmarks are both controversial and understudied. Using a unique panel dataset from 1990-2003,…

76 FR 24034 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-29

... discussed at workgroup meetings. In turn, CMS' HCPCS workgroup reaches a decision as to whether a change... Level II Codes. As a result, the National Panel was delineated and CMS continued with the decision-making process under its current structure, the CMS HCPCS Workgroup (herein referred to as ``the...

21 CFR 660.43 - Potency test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 7 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Potency test. 660.43 Section 660.43 Food and Drugs... STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS Hepatitis B Surface Antigen § 660.43 Potency test... antibody in the appropriate sera of the reference panel by all test methods recommended by the manufacturer...

8 CFR 103.37 - Precedent decisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., selected decisions of the Board rendered by a three-member panel or by the Board en banc may be designated... proceedings involving the same issue or issues. (h) Referral of cases to the Attorney General. (1) The Board shall refer to the Attorney General for review of its decision all cases which: (i) The Attorney General...

8 CFR 103.37 - Precedent decisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., selected decisions of the Board rendered by a three-member panel or by the Board en banc may be designated... proceedings involving the same issue or issues. (h) Referral of cases to the Attorney General. (1) The Board shall refer to the Attorney General for review of its decision all cases which: (i) The Attorney General...

Whole Genome Sequencing of High-Risk Families to Identify New Mutational Mechanisms of Breast Cancer Predisposition

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

INTRODUCTION: Despite tremendous advances in mutation detection with gene panels and exome sequencing the majority of high risk breast...2a. Align reads to the reference sequence (months 4-10) 2b. Identify SNPs, indels, CNVs and rearrangements by bioinformatic tools (months 4-10) 2c

Systemic Sustainability in RtI Using Intervention-Based Scheduling Methodologies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dallas, William P.

2017-01-01

This study evaluated a scheduling methodology referred to as intervention-based scheduling to address the problem of practice regarding the fidelity of implementing Response to Intervention (RtI) in an existing school schedule design. Employing panel data, this study used fixed-effects regressions and first differences ordinary least squares (OLS)…

Environmental Knowledge and Beliefs among Grade 10 Students in Australia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eyers, Vivian George

To develop environmental education in Australia, a survey of tenth-grade students was undertaken. Thirty knowledge items and ten belief items were constructed. A panel of environmentalists and educators identified best responses for the knowledge items, and a common reference point, preservation of homo sapiens, for the belief items, so a…

The role of appearance schematicity in the internalization of media appearance ideals: A panel study of preadolescents.

PubMed

Rousseau, Ann; Gamble, Hilary; Eggermont, Steven

2017-10-01

Individuals who are more strongly invested in their appearance, appearance schematics, have a tendency to engage in appearance-related comparison. Appearance schematicity consists of two components. The self-evaluative component concerns the degree to which appearance is central to self-worth, referred to as dysfunctional appearance beliefs. Motivational salience refers to the engagement in behaviors designed to enhance appearance, such as body surveillance. Based on a three-wave panel survey of 973 Flemish preadolescents (M age  = 11.15, SD = 1.13) we found that the motivational and self-evaluative components had a different impact on media internalization. For preadolescents who engaged in more body surveillance, watching television resulted in more media internalization. For preadolescents who had fewer dysfunctional appearance beliefs, watching television resulted in more media internalization. These findings suggest that appearance schematicity is an important susceptibility variable in the relationship between TV-exposure and media internalization, and emphasize the importance of investigating individual dispositions beyond gender differences. Copyright © 2017 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aerodynamic influence coefficient method using singularity splines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mercer, J. E.; Weber, J. A.; Lesferd, E. P.

1974-01-01

A numerical lifting surface formulation, including computed results for planar wing cases is presented. This formulation, referred to as the vortex spline scheme, combines the adaptability to complex shapes offered by paneling schemes with the smoothness and accuracy of loading function methods. The formulation employes a continuous distribution of singularity strength over a set of panels on a paneled wing. The basic distributions are independent, and each satisfied all the continuity conditions required of the final solution. These distributions are overlapped both spanwise and chordwise. Boundary conditions are satisfied in a least square error sense over the surface using a finite summing technique to approximate the integral. The current formulation uses the elementary horseshoe vortex as the basic singularity and is therefore restricted to linearized potential flow. As part of the study, a non planar development was considered, but the numerical evaluation of the lifting surface concept was restricted to planar configurations. Also, a second order sideslip analysis based on an asymptotic expansion was investigated using the singularity spline formulation.

Acoustic Analysis of a Sandwich Non Metallic Panel for Roofs by FEM and Experimental Validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nieto, P. J. García; del Coz Díaz, J. J.; Vilán, J. A. Vilán; Rabanal, F. P. Alvarez

2007-12-01

In this paper we have studied the acoustic behavior of a sandwich non metallic panel for roofs by the finite element method (FEM). This new field of analysis is the fully coupled solution of fluid flows with structural interactions, commonly referred to as fluid-structure interaction (FSI). It is the natural next step to take in the simulation of mechanical systems. The finite element analysis of acoustic-fluid/structure interactions using potential-based or displacement-based Lagrangian formulations is now well established. The non-linearity is due to the `fluid-structure interaction' (FSI) that governs the problem. In a very considerable range of problems the fluid displacement remains small while interaction is substantial. In this category falls our problem, in which the structural motion influence and react with the generation of pressures in two reverberation rooms. The characteristic of acoustic insulation of the panel is calculated basing on the pressures for different frequencies and points in the transmission rooms. Finally the conclusions reached are shown.

Avoiding pitfalls of internal controls: validation of reference genes for analysis by qRT-PCR and Western blot throughout rat retinal development.

PubMed

Rocha-Martins, Maurício; Njaine, Brian; Silveira, Mariana S

2012-01-01

Housekeeping genes have been commonly used as reference to normalize gene expression and protein content data because of its presumed constitutive expression. In this paper, we challenge the consensual idea that housekeeping genes are reliable controls for expression studies in the retina through the investigation of a panel of reference genes potentially suitable for analysis of different stages of retinal development. We applied statistical tools on combinations of retinal developmental stages to assess the most stable internal controls for quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). The stability of expression of seven putative reference genes (Actb, B2m, Gapdh, Hprt1, Mapk1, Ppia and Rn18s) was analyzed using geNorm, BestKeeper and Normfinder software. In addition, several housekeeping genes were tested as loading controls for Western blot in the same sample panel, using Image J. Overall, for qRT-PCR the combination of Gapdh and Mapk1 showed the highest stability for most experimental sets. Actb was downregulated in more mature stages, while Rn18s and Hprt1 showed the highest variability. We normalized the expression of cyclin D1 using various reference genes and demonstrated that spurious results may result from blind selection of internal controls. For Western blot significant variation could be seen among four putative internal controls (β-actin, cyclophilin b, α-tubulin and lamin A/C), while MAPK1 was stably expressed. Putative housekeeping genes exhibit significant variation in both mRNA and protein content during retinal development. Our results showed that distinct combinations of internal controls fit for each experimental set in the case of qRT-PCR and that MAPK1 is a reliable loading control for Western blot. The results indicate that biased study outcomes may follow the use of reference genes without prior validation for qRT-PCR and Western blot.

1000 Genomes-based meta-analysis identifies 10 novel loci for kidney function

PubMed Central

Gorski, Mathias; van der Most, Peter J.; Teumer, Alexander; Chu, Audrey Y.; Li, Man; Mijatovic, Vladan; Nolte, Ilja M.; Cocca, Massimiliano; Taliun, Daniel; Gomez, Felicia; Li, Yong; Tayo, Bamidele; Tin, Adrienne; Feitosa, Mary F.; Aspelund, Thor; Attia, John; Biffar, Reiner; Bochud, Murielle; Boerwinkle, Eric; Borecki, Ingrid; Bottinger, Erwin P.; Chen, Ming-Huei; Chouraki, Vincent; Ciullo, Marina; Coresh, Josef; Cornelis, Marilyn C.; Curhan, Gary C.; d’Adamo, Adamo Pio; Dehghan, Abbas; Dengler, Laura; Ding, Jingzhong; Eiriksdottir, Gudny; Endlich, Karlhans; Enroth, Stefan; Esko, Tõnu; Franco, Oscar H.; Gasparini, Paolo; Gieger, Christian; Girotto, Giorgia; Gottesman, Omri; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Gyllensten, Ulf; Hancock, Stephen J.; Harris, Tamara B.; Helmer, Catherine; Höllerer, Simon; Hofer, Edith; Hofman, Albert; Holliday, Elizabeth G.; Homuth, Georg; Hu, Frank B.; Huth, Cornelia; Hutri-Kähönen, Nina; Hwang, Shih-Jen; Imboden, Medea; Johansson, Åsa; Kähönen, Mika; König, Wolfgang; Kramer, Holly; Krämer, Bernhard K.; Kumar, Ashish; Kutalik, Zoltan; Lambert, Jean-Charles; Launer, Lenore J.; Lehtimäki, Terho; de Borst, Martin; Navis, Gerjan; Swertz, Morris; Liu, Yongmei; Lohman, Kurt; Loos, Ruth J. F.; Lu, Yingchang; Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka; McEvoy, Mark A.; Meisinger, Christa; Meitinger, Thomas; Metspalu, Andres; Metzger, Marie; Mihailov, Evelin; Mitchell, Paul; Nauck, Matthias; Oldehinkel, Albertine J.; Olden, Matthias; WJH Penninx, Brenda; Pistis, Giorgio; Pramstaller, Peter P.; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Raitakari, Olli T.; Rettig, Rainer; Ridker, Paul M.; Rivadeneira, Fernando; Robino, Antonietta; Rosas, Sylvia E.; Ruderfer, Douglas; Ruggiero, Daniela; Saba, Yasaman; Sala, Cinzia; Schmidt, Helena; Schmidt, Reinhold; Scott, Rodney J.; Sedaghat, Sanaz; Smith, Albert V.; Sorice, Rossella; Stengel, Benedicte; Stracke, Sylvia; Strauch, Konstantin; Toniolo, Daniela; Uitterlinden, Andre G.; Ulivi, Sheila; Viikari, Jorma S.; Völker, Uwe; Vollenweider, Peter; Völzke, Henry; Vuckovic, Dragana; Waldenberger, Melanie; Jin Wang, Jie; Yang, Qiong; Chasman, Daniel I.; Tromp, Gerard; Snieder, Harold; Heid, Iris M.; Fox, Caroline S.; Köttgen, Anna; Pattaro, Cristian; Böger, Carsten A.; Fuchsberger, Christian

2017-01-01

HapMap imputed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed >50 loci at which common variants with minor allele frequency >5% are associated with kidney function. GWAS using more complete reference sets for imputation, such as those from The 1000 Genomes project, promise to identify novel loci that have been missed by previous efforts. To investigate the value of such a more complete variant catalog, we conducted a GWAS meta-analysis of kidney function based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 110,517 European ancestry participants using 1000 Genomes imputed data. We identified 10 novel loci with p-value < 5 × 10−8 previously missed by HapMap-based GWAS. Six of these loci (HOXD8, ARL15, PIK3R1, EYA4, ASTN2, and EPB41L3) are tagged by common SNPs unique to the 1000 Genomes reference panel. Using pathway analysis, we identified 39 significant (FDR < 0.05) genes and 127 significantly (FDR < 0.05) enriched gene sets, which were missed by our previous analyses. Among those, the 10 identified novel genes are part of pathways of kidney development, carbohydrate metabolism, cardiac septum development and glucose metabolism. These results highlight the utility of re-imputing from denser reference panels, until whole-genome sequencing becomes feasible in large samples. PMID:28452372

1000 Genomes-based meta-analysis identifies 10 novel loci for kidney function.

PubMed

Gorski, Mathias; van der Most, Peter J; Teumer, Alexander; Chu, Audrey Y; Li, Man; Mijatovic, Vladan; Nolte, Ilja M; Cocca, Massimiliano; Taliun, Daniel; Gomez, Felicia; Li, Yong; Tayo, Bamidele; Tin, Adrienne; Feitosa, Mary F; Aspelund, Thor; Attia, John; Biffar, Reiner; Bochud, Murielle; Boerwinkle, Eric; Borecki, Ingrid; Bottinger, Erwin P; Chen, Ming-Huei; Chouraki, Vincent; Ciullo, Marina; Coresh, Josef; Cornelis, Marilyn C; Curhan, Gary C; d'Adamo, Adamo Pio; Dehghan, Abbas; Dengler, Laura; Ding, Jingzhong; Eiriksdottir, Gudny; Endlich, Karlhans; Enroth, Stefan; Esko, Tõnu; Franco, Oscar H; Gasparini, Paolo; Gieger, Christian; Girotto, Giorgia; Gottesman, Omri; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Gyllensten, Ulf; Hancock, Stephen J; Harris, Tamara B; Helmer, Catherine; Höllerer, Simon; Hofer, Edith; Hofman, Albert; Holliday, Elizabeth G; Homuth, Georg; Hu, Frank B; Huth, Cornelia; Hutri-Kähönen, Nina; Hwang, Shih-Jen; Imboden, Medea; Johansson, Åsa; Kähönen, Mika; König, Wolfgang; Kramer, Holly; Krämer, Bernhard K; Kumar, Ashish; Kutalik, Zoltan; Lambert, Jean-Charles; Launer, Lenore J; Lehtimäki, Terho; de Borst, Martin; Navis, Gerjan; Swertz, Morris; Liu, Yongmei; Lohman, Kurt; Loos, Ruth J F; Lu, Yingchang; Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka; McEvoy, Mark A; Meisinger, Christa; Meitinger, Thomas; Metspalu, Andres; Metzger, Marie; Mihailov, Evelin; Mitchell, Paul; Nauck, Matthias; Oldehinkel, Albertine J; Olden, Matthias; Wjh Penninx, Brenda; Pistis, Giorgio; Pramstaller, Peter P; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Raitakari, Olli T; Rettig, Rainer; Ridker, Paul M; Rivadeneira, Fernando; Robino, Antonietta; Rosas, Sylvia E; Ruderfer, Douglas; Ruggiero, Daniela; Saba, Yasaman; Sala, Cinzia; Schmidt, Helena; Schmidt, Reinhold; Scott, Rodney J; Sedaghat, Sanaz; Smith, Albert V; Sorice, Rossella; Stengel, Benedicte; Stracke, Sylvia; Strauch, Konstantin; Toniolo, Daniela; Uitterlinden, Andre G; Ulivi, Sheila; Viikari, Jorma S; Völker, Uwe; Vollenweider, Peter; Völzke, Henry; Vuckovic, Dragana; Waldenberger, Melanie; Jin Wang, Jie; Yang, Qiong; Chasman, Daniel I; Tromp, Gerard; Snieder, Harold; Heid, Iris M; Fox, Caroline S; Köttgen, Anna; Pattaro, Cristian; Böger, Carsten A; Fuchsberger, Christian

2017-04-28

HapMap imputed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed >50 loci at which common variants with minor allele frequency >5% are associated with kidney function. GWAS using more complete reference sets for imputation, such as those from The 1000 Genomes project, promise to identify novel loci that have been missed by previous efforts. To investigate the value of such a more complete variant catalog, we conducted a GWAS meta-analysis of kidney function based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 110,517 European ancestry participants using 1000 Genomes imputed data. We identified 10 novel loci with p-value < 5 × 10 -8 previously missed by HapMap-based GWAS. Six of these loci (HOXD8, ARL15, PIK3R1, EYA4, ASTN2, and EPB41L3) are tagged by common SNPs unique to the 1000 Genomes reference panel. Using pathway analysis, we identified 39 significant (FDR < 0.05) genes and 127 significantly (FDR < 0.05) enriched gene sets, which were missed by our previous analyses. Among those, the 10 identified novel genes are part of pathways of kidney development, carbohydrate metabolism, cardiac septum development and glucose metabolism. These results highlight the utility of re-imputing from denser reference panels, until whole-genome sequencing becomes feasible in large samples.

Recommendations for reference method for haemoglobinometry in human blood (ICSH standard 1986) and specifications for international haemiglobincyanide reference preparation (3rd edition). International Committee for Standardization in Haematology; Expert Panel on Haemoglobinometry.

PubMed

1987-01-01

Scientific symposia on haemoglobinometry were held at the 9th Congress of the European Society of Haematology, Lisbon, 1963 (ESH 1964) and the 10th Congress of the International Society of Haematology (ISH), Stockholm, 1964 (ISH 1965). The International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) made recommendations endorsed by the General Assembly of ICSH in Sydney on 23 August 1966 (ICSH 1967), for a reference method for haemoglobinometry and for the manufacture and distribution of an international reference preparation. Further symposia were held at the 12th Congress of the ISH, New York, 1968 (Astaldi, Sirtori & Vanzetti 1979) and at the 13th Congress of ISH, Munich, 1970 (Izak & Lewis 1972). The recommendations were reissued in 1978 (ISH 1978). On the basis of continuing experimental studies, the reference method and the specifications for the international reference preparation have been modified. The revised recommendations are described in this document.

Recommendation for the review of biological reference intervals in medical laboratories.

PubMed

Henny, Joseph; Vassault, Anne; Boursier, Guilaine; Vukasovic, Ines; Mesko Brguljan, Pika; Lohmander, Maria; Ghita, Irina; Andreu, Francisco A Bernabeu; Kroupis, Christos; Sprongl, Ludek; Thelen, Marc H M; Vanstapel, Florent J L A; Vodnik, Tatjana; Huisman, Willem; Vaubourdolle, Michel

2016-12-01

This document is based on the original recommendation of the Expert Panel on the Theory of Reference Values of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC), updated guidelines were recently published under the auspices of the IFCC and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). This document summarizes proposals for recommendations on: (i) The terminology, which is often confusing, noticeably concerning the terms of reference limits and decision limits. (ii) The method for the determination of reference limits according to the original procedure and the conditions, which should be used. (iii) A simple procedure allowing the medical laboratories to fulfill the requirements of the regulation and standards. The updated document proposes to verify that published reference limits are applicable to the laboratory involved. Finally, the strengths and limits of the revised recommendations (especially the selection of the reference population, the maintenance of the analytical quality, the choice of the statistical method used…) will be briefly discussed.

75 FR 64389 - Proposed Recommendation to the Social Security Administration for Occupational Information System...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-19

... research methods along with programmatic specialists and be reviewed by the Panel prior to data collection... one of three methods-- Internet, fax or mail. Do not submit the same comments multiple times or by more than one method. Regardless of which method you choose, please state that your comments refer to...

34 CFR 350.50 - What is the peer review process for this Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What is the peer review process for this Program? 350... peer review process for this Program? (a) The Secretary refers each application for a grant governed by those regulations in this part to a peer review panel established by the Secretary. (b) Peer review...

Whole genome sequences of the USMARC sheep diversity panel v 2.4 aligned to the ovine reference genome assembly

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A searchable and publicly viewable set of mapped genomes from 96 rams from 9 US sheep breeds was created. The nine pure breeds were selected to represent genetic diversity for traits such as fertility, prolificacy, maternal ability, growth rate, carcass leanness, wool quality, mature weight, and lo...

HUMAN HEALTH DAMAGES FROM MOBILE SOURCE AIR POLLUTION: ADDITIONAL DELPHI DATA ANALYSIS. VOLUME II

EPA Science Inventory

The report contains the results of additional analyses of the data generated by a panel of medical experts for a study of Human Health Damages from Mobile Source Air Pollution (hereafter referred to as HHD) conducted by the California Air Resources Board in 1973-75 for the U.S. E...

Text of the U.S. Court of Appeals Opinion in the Spirt Equal-Pension Case.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newman, Jon O.; And Others

1984-01-01

The opinion of a three-judge panel in a court case involving the validity of gender-based mortality tables and the right of women to receive equal pensions from the Teachers Insurance Annuities Association and the College Retirement Equities Fund is presented, including references to the earlier, related Norris case. (MSE)

Trends in Cost-Sharing in the US and Potential International Implications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Barrett J.; Morphew, Christopher C.

2015-01-01

"Cost­-sharing" refers to the principle that a variety of sources contribute to the cost of higher education. This study utilizes university-­level data from the United States to explore the increasing shift of cost burdens from governments to students. Panel regression results suggest that the share of expenditures drawn from tuition…

Where Have All the Skeptics Gone? Patterns of New Age Beliefs and Anti-scientific Attitudes in Preservice Primary Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yates, Gregory C. R.; Chandler, Margaret

2001-01-01

Questions whether belief in the paranormal is alive and well in preservice teachers. Studies undergraduate preservice teachers' (n=232) reactions to a series of eight statements reflecting paranormal New Age beliefs rated earlier by a faculty panel as "totally unbelievable." (Contains 29 references.) (Author/YDS)

Fort Gordon Woodworth Library: Historic Building Survey

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-01

9 4. Wall and Ceiling Finish ...reference room are covered with replacement carpet. 4. Wall and Ceiling Finish : The inside of the exterior walls are covered with plaster. The...individual rooms are divided by 0’-4” partition walls clad WOODWORTH LIBRARY (page 10) with a mixture of drywall and wood paneling. A 3’-0” plaster

A bill to require the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to conduct a small business review panel on the qualified mortgage rule before the Bureau can go forward with a final rule.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID

2012-09-19

Senate - 09/19/2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Performance of active feedforward control systems in non-ideal, synthesized diffuse sound fields.

PubMed

Misol, Malte; Bloch, Christian; Monner, Hans Peter; Sinapius, Michael

2014-04-01

The acoustic performance of passive or active panel structures is usually tested in sound transmission loss facilities. A reverberant sending room, equipped with one or a number of independent sound sources, is used to generate a diffuse sound field excitation which acts as a disturbance source on the structure under investigation. The spatial correlation and coherence of such a synthesized non-ideal diffuse-sound-field excitation, however, might deviate significantly from the ideal case. This has consequences for the operation of an active feedforward control system which heavily relies on the acquisition of coherent disturbance source information. This work, therefore, evaluates the spatial correlation and coherence of ideal and non-ideal diffuse sound fields and considers the implications on the performance of a feedforward control system. The system under consideration is an aircraft-typical double panel system, equipped with an active sidewall panel (lining), which is realized in a transmission loss facility. Experimental results for different numbers of sound sources in the reverberation room are compared to simulation results of a comparable generic double panel system excited by an ideal diffuse sound field. It is shown that the number of statistically independent noise sources acting on the primary structure of the double panel system depends not only on the type of diffuse sound field but also on the sample lengths of the processed signals. The experimental results show that the number of reference sensors required for a defined control performance exhibits an inverse relationship to control filter length.

Damage detection in sandwich composite materials using laser vibrometry in conjunction with nonlinear system identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Underwood, Sara; Koester, David; Adams, Douglas E.

2009-03-01

Fiberglass sandwich panels are tested to study a vibration-based method for locating damage in composite materials. This method does not rely on a direct comparison of the natural frequencies, mode shapes, or residues in the forced vibration response data. Specifically, a nonlinear system identification based method for damage detection is sought that reduces the sensitivity of damage detection results to changes in vibration measurements due to variations in boundary conditions, environmental conditions, and material properties of the panel. Damage mechanisms considered include a disbond between the core and face sheet and a crack within the core. A panel is excited by a skewed piezoelectric actuator over a broad frequency range while a three-dimensional scanning laser vibrometer measures the surface velocity of the panel along three orthogonal axes. The forced frequency response data measured using the scanning laser vibrometer at multiple excitation amplitudes is processed to identify areas of the panel that exhibit significant nonlinear response characteristics. It is demonstrated that these localized nonlinearities in the panel coincide with the damaged areas of the composite material. Because changes in the measured frequency response functions due to nonlinear distortions associated with the damage can be identified without comparing the vibration data to a reference (baseline) signature of the undamaged material, this vibration technique for damage detection in composite materials exhibits less sensitivity to variations in the underlying linear characteristics than traditional methods. It is also demonstrated that the damage at a given location can be classified as either due to a disbond or core crack because these two types of damage produce difference signatures when comparing the multi-amplitude frequency response functions.

Prevent: what is pre-criminal space?

PubMed Central

Goldberg, David; Jadhav, Sushrut; Younis, Tarek

2017-01-01

Prevent is a UK-wide programme within the government's anti-terrorism strategy aimed at stopping individuals from supporting or taking part in terrorist activities. NHS England's Prevent Training and Competencies Framework requires health professionals to understand the concept of pre-criminal space. This article examines pre-criminal space, a new term which refers to a period of time during which a person is referred to a specific Prevent-related safeguarding panel, Channel. It is unclear what the concept of pre-criminal space adds to the Prevent programme. The term should be either clarified or removed from the Framework. PMID:28811915

Diagnostic concordance among pathologists interpreting breast biopsy specimens.

PubMed

Elmore, Joann G; Longton, Gary M; Carney, Patricia A; Geller, Berta M; Onega, Tracy; Tosteson, Anna N A; Nelson, Heidi D; Pepe, Margaret S; Allison, Kimberly H; Schnitt, Stuart J; O'Malley, Frances P; Weaver, Donald L

2015-03-17

A breast pathology diagnosis provides the basis for clinical treatment and management decisions; however, its accuracy is inadequately understood. To quantify the magnitude of diagnostic disagreement among pathologists compared with a consensus panel reference diagnosis and to evaluate associated patient and pathologist characteristics. Study of pathologists who interpret breast biopsies in clinical practices in 8 US states. Participants independently interpreted slides between November 2011 and May 2014 from test sets of 60 breast biopsies (240 total cases, 1 slide per case), including 23 cases of invasive breast cancer, 73 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 72 with atypical hyperplasia (atypia), and 72 benign cases without atypia. Participants were blinded to the interpretations of other study pathologists and consensus panel members. Among the 3 consensus panel members, unanimous agreement of their independent diagnoses was 75%, and concordance with the consensus-derived reference diagnoses was 90.3%. The proportions of diagnoses overinterpreted and underinterpreted relative to the consensus-derived reference diagnoses were assessed. Sixty-five percent of invited, responding pathologists were eligible and consented to participate. Of these, 91% (N = 115) completed the study, providing 6900 individual case diagnoses. Compared with the consensus-derived reference diagnosis, the overall concordance rate of diagnostic interpretations of participating pathologists was 75.3% (95% CI, 73.4%-77.0%; 5194 of 6900 interpretations). Among invasive carcinoma cases (663 interpretations), 96% (95% CI, 94%-97%) were concordant, and 4% (95% CI, 3%-6%) were underinterpreted; among DCIS cases (2097 interpretations), 84% (95% CI, 82%-86%) were concordant, 3% (95% CI, 2%-4%) were overinterpreted, and 13% (95% CI, 12%-15%) were underinterpreted; among atypia cases (2070 interpretations), 48% (95% CI, 44%-52%) were concordant, 17% (95% CI, 15%-21%) were overinterpreted, and 35% (95% CI, 31%-39%) were underinterpreted; and among benign cases without atypia (2070 interpretations), 87% (95% CI, 85%-89%) were concordant and 13% (95% CI, 11%-15%) were overinterpreted. Disagreement with the reference diagnosis was statistically significantly higher among biopsies from women with higher (n = 122) vs lower (n = 118) breast density on prior mammograms (overall concordance rate, 73% [95% CI, 71%-75%] for higher vs 77% [95% CI, 75%-80%] for lower, P < .001), and among pathologists who interpreted lower weekly case volumes (P < .001) or worked in smaller practices (P = .034) or nonacademic settings (P = .007). In this study of pathologists, in which diagnostic interpretation was based on a single breast biopsy slide, overall agreement between the individual pathologists' interpretations and the expert consensus-derived reference diagnoses was 75.3%, with the highest level of concordance for invasive carcinoma and lower levels of concordance for DCIS and atypia. Further research is needed to understand the relationship of these findings with patient management.

Colon Reference Set Application: Mary Disis - University of Washington (2008) — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

The proposed study aims to validate the diagnostic value of a panel of serum antibodies for the early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC). We have developed a serum antibody based assay that shows promise in discriminating sera from CRC patients from healthy donors. We have evaluated two separate sample sets of sera that were available either commercially or were comprised of left over samples from previous studies by our group. Both sample sets showed concordance in discriminatory power. We have not been able to identify investigators with a larger, well defined sample set of early stage colon cancer sera and request assistance from the EDRN in obtaining such samples to help assess the potential diagnostic value of our autoantibody panel

The power of a musical instrument: Franklin, the Mozarts, Mesmer, and the glass armonica.

PubMed

Gallo, D A; Finger, S

2000-11-01

In 1761 Benjamin Franklin invented the armonica (often referred to as the glass harmonica), an instrument designed to simplify the playing of the musical glasses. The instrument immediately became popular and inspired compositions by Wolfgang Mozart, who had the opportunity to hear and play one at the house of Franz Anton Mesmer. Armonica music was used by Mesmer in his séances, because he felt it could promote healing by propagating a mystical fluid that he called animal magnetism through the body. After Mesmer's theories were debunked by a highly respected panel of scientists, the armonica fell out of vogue. Because Franklin was on the panel that examined the discredited mesmerism, he indirectly contributed to his own invention's demise.

Evaluation of an anal sac adenocarcinoma tumor in a Spitz dog

PubMed Central

Javanbakht, Javad; Tavassoli, Abbas; Sabbagh, Atefeh; Hassan, Mehdy Aghamohammmad; Samakkhah, Shohreh Alian; Shafiee, Radmehr; Lakzian, Ali; Ghalee, Vahideh Rahmani; Gharebagh, Sonia Shoja

2013-01-01

A 9-year-old emasculated male Spitz with tenesmus and constipation had a subcutaneous mass at the left ventral aspect of the anus with history of polyuria and polydipsia. A complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry panel, and urinalysis (cystocentesis sample) were evaluated. Abnormalities in the serum biochemistry panel included a mildly elevated serum cholesterol concentration (7.28 mmol/L; reference interval, 2.70–5.94 mmol/L), increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity (184 U/L; reference interval, 9–90 U/L), alanine transaminase (122 U/L; reference interval, 5–60 U/L) activity and aspartate aminotransferase (80 U/L; reference interval, 5–55 U/L) activity, severe increased total calcium concentration (16.3 mg/dL; reference interval, 8.2–12.4 mg/dL or 9.3–11.4 mg/dL), and decreased total calcium concentration (3.4 mg/dL, reference interval, 2.5–5.6mg/dL). Furthermore, testing revealed an increased intact parathyroid hormone concentration (38.6 pmol/L; reference interval, 3–17 pmol/L). On cytologic and histopathologic examinations, various types of cells were observed. Most of the cells were oval to polygonal and had elliptical or elongate nuclei and a moderate amount of pale to basophilic cytoplasm. The remaining cells had round to oval nuclei and pale to basophilic cytoplasm. Cells of both types were loosely adhered to each other and were arranged in rosette-like structures. Both neoplastic cell types had fine homogenous chromatin and either a small indistinct nucleolus or no visible nucleolus. Mild anisokaryosis and anisocytosis were observed. Histologically, the mass consists of glandular structures formed by cuboidal cells admixed with bundles of spindle cells. Based on location and histologic features, the final diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the apocrine gland of the anal sac, which should be included as a cytologic differential diagnosis when spindle cells and typical epithelial cells are observed in masses in the region of the anal sac of dogs. PMID:23570021

Consensus-recommended diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for drug-resistant epilepsy in Spain (Consenso RATE-España).

PubMed

Sánchez-Álvarez, J C; Mauri-Llerda, J A; Gil-Nagel, A; Casas-Fernández, C; Salas-Puig, J; Lahuerta, J; Sancho-Rieger, J

2012-10-01

To ascertain the opinions of an Epilepsy Expert Group and prepare a consensus document on the definition of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the different healthcare levels for the patient with epilepsy in Spain. The study was conducted using the Delphi method, by means of successive rounds of questionnaires. A scientific committee prepared a preliminary document and fourteen associated questions, which were sent by e-mail to the panel of experts. They included items related to the concept of DRE, health care levels and the route between these levels for patients with DRE. A total of 41 experts answered the questionnaire. They agreed regarding the necessity and applicability of the DRE definition according to the ILAE, the need for an expert panel on epilepsy, specialist epilepsy clinics, and clinical epilepsy units stratified depending on the level of activities they carried out. There was moderate consensus on the resources and activity of the clinical units of reference and there was no consensus on the referral of patients who have suffered an epileptic seizure to an epilepsy clinic. The expert panel agreed with the definition of DRE according to the ILAE and on referring patients with DRE for a detailed study in an epilepsy clinic or epilepsy clinical unit. They highlighted the need for video-EEG monitoring in the study of patients with DRE and the need to propose other forms of treatment in selected patients. Copyright © 2011 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Investigations of a flat-panel detector for quality assurance measurements in ion beam therapy.

PubMed

Hartmann, Bernadette; Telsemeyer, Julia; Huber, Lucas; Ackermann, Benjamin; Jäkel, Oliver; Martišíková, Mária

2012-01-07

Increased accuracy in radiation delivery to a patient provided by scanning particle beams leads to high demands on quality assurance (QA). To meet the requirements, an extensive quality assurance programme has been implemented at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center. Currently, high-resolution radiographic films are used for beam spot position measurements and homogeneity measurements for scanned fields. However, given that using this film type is time and equipment demanding, considerations have been made to replace the radiographic films in QA by another appropriate device. In this study, the suitability of the flat-panel detector RID 256 L based on amorphous silicon was investigated as an alternative method. The currently used radiographic films were taken as a reference. Investigations were carried out for proton and carbon ion beams. The detectors were irradiated simultaneously to allow for a direct comparison. The beam parameters (e.g. energy, focus, position) currently used in the daily QA procedures were applied. Evaluation of the measurements was performed using newly implemented automatic routines. The results for the flat-panel detector were compared to the standard radiographic films. Additionally, a field with intentionally decreased homogeneity was applied to test the detector's sensitivities toward possible incorrect scan parameters. For the beam position analyses, the flat-panel detector results showed good agreement with radiographic films. For both detector types, deviations between measured and planned spot distances were found to be below 1% (1 mm). In homogeneously irradiated fields, the flat-panel detector showed a better dose response homogeneity than the currently used radiographic film. Furthermore, the flat-panel detector is sensitive to field irregularities. The flat-panel detector was found to be an adequate replacement for the radiographic film in QA measurements. In addition, it saves time and equipment because no post-exposure treatment and no developer and darkroom facilities are needed.

Structural Benchmark Testing of Superalloy Lattice Block Subelements Completed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Superalloy lattice block panels, which are produced directly by investment casting, are composed of thin ligaments arranged in three-dimensional triangulated trusslike structures (see the preceding figure). Optionally, solid panel face sheets can be formed integrally during casting. In either form, lattice block panels can easily be produced with weights less than 25 percent of the mass of a solid panel. Inconel 718 (IN 718) and MarM-247 superalloy lattice block panels have been developed under NASA's Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Project and Higher Operating Temperature Propulsion Components Project to take advantage of the superalloys' high strength and elevated temperature capability with the inherent light weight and high stiffness of the lattice architecture (ref. 1). These characteristics are important in the future development of turbine engine components. Casting quality and structural efficiency were evaluated experimentally using small beam specimens machined from the cast and heat treated 140- by 300- by 11-mm panels. The matrix of specimens included samples of each superalloy in both open-celled and single-face-sheet configurations, machined from longitudinal, transverse, and diagonal panel orientations. Thirty-five beam subelements were tested in Glenn's Life Prediction Branch's material test machine at room temperature and 650 C under both static (see the following photograph) and cyclic load conditions. Surprisingly, test results exceeded initial linear elastic analytical predictions. This was likely a result of the formation of plastic hinges and redundancies inherent in lattice block geometry, which was not considered in the finite element models. The value of a single face sheet was demonstrated by increased bending moment capacity, where the face sheet simultaneously increased the gross section modulus and braced the compression ligaments against early buckling as seen in open-cell specimens. Preexisting flaws in specimens were not a discriminator in flexural, shear, or stiffness measurements, again because of redundant load paths available in the lattice block structure. Early test results are available in references 2 and 3; more complete analyses are scheduled for publication in 2004.

Evaluation of Hybrid Power Plants using Biomass, Photovoltaics and Steam Electrolysis for Hydrogen and Power Generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrakopoulou, F.; Sanz, J.

2014-12-01

Steam electrolysis is a promising process of large-scale centralized hydrogen production, while it is also considered an excellent option for the efficient use of renewable solar and geothermal energy resources. This work studies the operation of an intermediate temperature steam electrolyzer (ITSE) and its incorporation into hybrid power plants that include biomass combustion and photovoltaic panels (PV). The plants generate both electricity and hydrogen. The reference -biomass- power plant and four variations of a hybrid biomass-PV incorporating the reference biomass plant and the ITSE are simulated and evaluated using exergetic analysis. The variations of the hybrid power plants are associated with (1) the air recirculation from the electrolyzer to the biomass power plant, (2) the elimination of the sweep gas of the electrolyzer, (3) the replacement of two electric heaters with gas/gas heat exchangers, and (4) the replacement two heat exchangers of the reference electrolyzer unit with one heat exchanger that uses steam from the biomass power plant. In all cases, 60% of the electricity required in the electrolyzer is covered by the biomass plant and 40% by the photovoltaic panels. When comparing the hybrid plants with the reference biomass power plant that has identical operation and structure as that incorporated in the hybrid plants, we observe an efficiency decrease that varies depending on the scenario. The efficiency decrease stems mainly from the low effectiveness of the photovoltaic panels (14.4%). When comparing the hybrid scenarios, we see that the elimination of the sweep gas decreases the power consumption due to the elimination of the compressor used to cover the pressure losses of the filter, the heat exchangers and the electrolyzer. Nevertheless, if the sweep gas is used to preheat the air entering the boiler of the biomass power plant, the efficiency of the plant increases. When replacing the electric heaters with gas-gas heat exchangers, the efficiency of the plant increases, although the higher pressure losses of the flue-gas path increase the requirements of the air compressor. Finally, replacing the two heat exchangers of the electrolyzer unit with one that uses extracted steam from the biomass power plant can lead to an overall decrease in the operating and investment costs of the plant.

Final Test Report: Hexavalent Chrome Free Coatings for Electronics Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding Effectiveness (SE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kessel, Kurt R.

2016-01-01

The test results for Salt Spray Resistance, Static Heat and Humidity and Marine Environment can be found in Sections 3.1.3.3, 3.1.4.3 and 3.1.5.3 respectively. In summary, both the Metalast TCP and SurTec 650 Type 2 conversion coatings perform very similar to the incumbent Type 1 conversion coating against both 6061 and 5052 aluminum under all three test conditions. Significant prior work was performed to select the aluminum and conversion coating included within this test cycle; Reference - NASA GSDO Program Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives Final Pretreatments Test Report Task Order: NNH12AA45D September 01, 2013. As illustrated in the data, the 6061 aluminum panels SLIGHTLY out-performed the 5052 aluminum panels. Individual shielding effectiveness graphs for each panel are included within Appendix C and D. One other notable effect found during review of the data is that the Test Panels exposed to B117 Salt Fog reduced in shielding effectiveness significantly more than the Marine Environment Test Panels. The shielding effectiveness of the Marine Test Panels was approximately 20dB higher than the Test Panels that underwent B117 Salt Fog Exposure. The intent of this evaluation was not to maximize shielding effectiveness values. The same Parker Chomerics Cho-Seal 6503 gasket material was used for all panels with aluminum and conversion coating variants. A typical EMI gasket design for corrosive environments would be done quite differently. The intent was to execute a test that would provide the best possible evaluation of different aluminum materials and conversion coatings in corrosive environments. The test program achieved this intent. The fact that the two aluminums and two Type II conversion coatings performed similar to the incumbent Type 1 conversion coating is a positive outcome. It was desired to have an outcome that further differentiation the performance of two aluminum types and two conversion coating types but this could not be extracted by the test results. Further analysis of the test plates may be done by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) or Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Feasibility of this is under review.

Evolution of an Implementation-Ready Interprofessional Pain Assessment Reference Model

PubMed Central

Collins, Sarah A; Bavuso, Karen; Swenson, Mary; Suchecki, Christine; Mar, Perry; Rocha, Roberto A.

2017-01-01

Standards to increase consistency of comprehensive pain assessments are important for safety, quality, and analytics activities, including meeting Joint Commission requirements and learning the best management strategies and interventions for the current prescription Opioid epidemic. In this study we describe the development and validation of a Pain Assessment Reference Model ready for implementation on EHR forms and flowsheets. Our process resulted in 5 successive revisions of the reference model, which more than doubled the number of data elements to 47. The organization of the model evolved during validation sessions with panels totaling 48 subject matter experts (SMEs) to include 9 sets of data elements, with one set recommended as a minimal data set. The reference model also evolved when implemented into EHR forms and flowsheets, indicating specifications such as cascading logic that are important to inform secondary use of data. PMID:29854125

Understanding the Global Distribution of Monsoon Depressions

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-30

1.0 PVU interval) is shown for reference. Top left panel shows the Eulerian rate of change of PV, top right shows the diabatic PV tendency, bottom...left shows the horizontal advective tendency, and bottom right shows the sum of the diabatic and total advective tendencies. The vertical advective tendency is not plotted, but is of similar amplitude to the diabatic tendency.

Open Systems Architecture for Command, Control and Communications

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-01

CONTENTS SECTION TITLE PAGE I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 II. TERMS OF REFERENCE 7 III. PANEL MEMBERSHIP 9 IV. INTRODUCTION 11 V. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 19 VI...INTRODUCTION 18 19 V. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 20 21 Initial manifestations of computer and communications standards emerged in the early seventies, largely...SYSTEMS INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Application Presentation Session Transport Internet Data Link Physical Application Presentation Session Transport

76 FR 78601 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Western...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-19

... climate change and provides several references about the effects of climate change in general to support this claim. The petition explains that human-induced climate change is causing global increases of...; Fagre 2005, p. 1; Hall and Fagre 2003, p. 139; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007a, p...

Report of the Ad Hoc Subgroup on the Impact of Competition in Contracting on Research and Development

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-06-01

Comments on Terms of Reference and Panel Questions 11. Paper dated 20 Jun 88 submitted by Mr. John R. Moore, Subject: Considerations and Issues...Defense ’’,-..* . ? .’, & Logestics ) 6 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 0 FICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY WASHINGTON, DC 20310-0103 3 SEP 1987 Mr. Gilbert F. Decker

77 FR 69596 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panel for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Southeast...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-20

....noaa.gov/sedar/ . The terms of reference for the SEDAR Pool, along with a list of current members, can...(g)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S... 18 states, both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and each of the interstate commissions: the...

21 CFR 814.44 - Procedures for review of a PMA.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES PREMARKET APPROVAL OF MEDICAL DEVICES FDA Action on a PMA § 814.44 Procedures for review of a PMA. (a) FDA will begin substantive review of a PMA after the PMA is accepted for filing under § 814.42. FDA may refer the PMA to a panel on its own initiative, and will do so upon request of an...

Comparative evaluation of the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay and COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 v2.0 assay using the Roche High Pure System for the quantification of HIV-1 RNA in plasma.

PubMed

Schalasta, Gunnar; Börner, Anna; Speicher, Andrea; Enders, Martin

2016-03-01

Quantification of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in plasma has become the standard of care in the management of HIV-infected patients. There are several commercially available assays that have been implemented for the detection of HIV-1 RNA in plasma. Here, the new Hologic Aptima® HIV-1 Quant Dx assay (Aptima HIV) was compared to the Roche COBAS® TaqMan® HIV-1 Test v2.0 for use with the High Pure System (HPS/CTM). The performance characteristics of the assays were assessed using commercially available HIV reference panels, dilution of the WHO 3rd International HIV-1 RNA International Standard (WHO-IS) and plasma from clinical specimens. Assay performance was determined by linear regression, Deming correlation analysis and Bland-Altman analysis. Testing of HIV-1 reference panels revealed excellent agreement. The 61 clinical specimens quantified in both assays were linearly associated and strongly correlated. The Aptima HIV assay offers performance comparable to that of the HPS/CTM assay and, as it is run on a fully automated platform, a significantly improved workflow.

Landsat-7 ETM+ On-Orbit Reflective-Band Radiometric Stability and Absolute Calibration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Markham, Brian L.; Thome, Kurtis J.; Barsi, Julia A.; Kaita, Ed; Helder, Dennis L.; Barker, John L.

2003-01-01

The Landsat-7 spacecraft carries the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) instrument. This instrument images the Earth land surface in eight parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, termed spectral bands. These spectral images are used to monitor changes in the land surface, so a consistent relationship, i.e., calibration, between the image data and the Earth surface brightness, is required. The ETM+ has several on- board calibration devices that are used to monitor this calibration. The best on-board calibration source employs a flat white painted reference panel and has indicated changes of between 0.5% to 2% per year in the ETM+ response, depending on the spectral band. However, most of these changes are believed to be caused by changes in the reference panel, as opposed to changes in the instrument's sensitivity. This belief is based partially on on-orbit calibrations using instrumented ground sites and observations of "invariant sites", hyper-arid sites of the Sahara and Arabia. Changes determined from these data sets indicate are 0.1% - 0.6% per year. Tests and comparisons to other sensors also indicate that the uncertainty of the calibration is at the 5% level.

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

Colbert, C.; Moles, D.R.

This paper reports that the authors developed for the Air Force the Mark VI Personal Identity Verifier (PIV) for controlling access to a fixed or mobile ICBM site, a computer terminal, or mainframe. The Mark VI records the digitized silhouettes of four fingers of each hand on an AT and T smart card. Like fingerprints, finger shapes, lengths, and widths constitute an unguessable biometric password. A Security Officer enrolls an authorized person who places each hand, in turn, on a backlighted panel. An overhead scanning camera records the right and left hand reference templates on the smart card. The Securitymore » Officer adds to the card: name, personal identification number (PIN), and access restrictions such as permitted days of the week, times of day, and doors. To gain access, cardowner inserts card into a reader slot and places either hand on the panel. Resulting access template is matched to the reference template by three sameness algorithms. The final match score is an average of 12 scores (each of the four fingers, matched for shape, length, and width), expressing the degree of sameness. (A perfect match would score 100.00.) The final match score is compared to a predetermined score (threshold), generating an accept or reject decision.« less

Genetic testing for cystic fibrosis. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement on genetic testing for cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

1999-07-26

To provide health care providers, patients, and the general public with a responsible assessment of the optimal practices for genetic testing for cystic fibrosis (CF). A nonfederal, nonadvocate, 14-member panel representing the fields of genetics, obstetrics, internal medicine, nursing, social work, epidemiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, genetic counseling, bioethics, health economics, health services research, law, and the public. In addition, 21 experts from these same fields presented data to the panel and a conference audience of 500. The literature was searched through MEDLINE, and an extensive bibliography of references was provided to the panel and the conference audience. Experts prepared abstracts with relevant citations from the literature. Scientific evidence was given precedence over clinical anecdotal experience. The panel, answering predefined questions, developed its conclusions based on the scientific evidence presented in open forum and the scientific literature. The panel composed a draft statement that was read in its entirety and circulated to the experts and the audience for comment. Thereafter, the panel resolved conflicting recommendations and released a revised statement at the end of the conference. The panel finalized the revisions within a few weeks after the conference. Genetic testing for CF should be offered to adults with a positive family history of CF, to partners of people with CF, to couples currently planning a pregnancy, and to couples seeking prenatal care. The panel does not recommend offering CF genetic testing to the general population or newborns. The panel advocates active research to develop improved treatments for people with CF and continued investigation into the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Comprehensive educational programs targeted to health care professionals and the public should be developed using input from people living with CF and their families and from people from diverse racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, genetic counseling services must be accurate and provide balanced information to afford individuals the opportunity to make autonomous decisions. Every attempt should be made to protect individual rights, genetic and medical privacy rights, and to prevent discrimination and stigmatization. It is essential that the offering of CF carrier testing be phased in over a period to ensure that adequate education and appropriate genetic testing and counseling services are available to all persons being tested.

Wind tunnel study of natural ventilation of building integrated photovoltaics double skin façade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudişteanu, Sebastian Valeriu; Popovici, Cătălin George; Cherecheş, Nelu-Cristian

2018-02-01

The paper presents a wind tunnel experimental analysis of a small-scale building model (1:30). The objective of the study is to determine the wind influence on the ventilation of a double skin façade channel (DSF) and the cooling effect over integrated photovoltaic panels. The tests were achieved by conceiving and implementation of an experimental program using a wind tunnel with atmospheric boundary layer. The effect of the wind over the ventilation of the horizontal channels of double skin façades is evaluated for different incident velocities. The results are generalized for the average steady state values of the velocities analysed. The experimental results put in evidence the correlation between the reference wind velocity and the dynamics of the air movement inside the double skin façade. These values are used to determine the convective heat transfer and the cooling effect of the air streams inside the channel upon the integrated photovoltaic panels. The decrease of the photovoltaic panels temperature determines a raise of 11% in efficiency and power generated.

Testing of felt-ceramic materials for combustor applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venkat, R. S.; Roffe, G.

1983-01-01

The feasibility of using composite felt ceramic materials as combustor liners was experimentally studied. The material consists of a porous felt pad sandwiched between a layer of ceramic and one of solid metal. Flat, rectangular test panels, which encompassed several design variations of the basic composite material, were tested, two at a time, in a premixed gas turbine combustor as sections of the combustor wall. Tests were conducted at combustor inlet conditions of 0.5 MPa and 533 K with a reference velocity of 25 m/s. The panels were subjected to a hot gas temperature of 2170 K with 1% of the total airflow used to film cool the ceramic surface of the test panel. In general, thin ceramic layers yield low ceramic stress levels with high felt ceramic interface temperatures. On the other hand, thick ceramic layers result in low felt ceramic interface temperatures but high ceramic stress levels. Extensive thermal cycling appears to cause material degradation, but for a limited number of cycles, the survivability of felt ceramic materials, even under extremely severe combustor operating conditions, was conclusively demonstrated.

Clustered mixed nonhomogeneous Poisson process spline models for the analysis of recurrent event panel data.

PubMed

Nielsen, J D; Dean, C B

2008-09-01

A flexible semiparametric model for analyzing longitudinal panel count data arising from mixtures is presented. Panel count data refers here to count data on recurrent events collected as the number of events that have occurred within specific follow-up periods. The model assumes that the counts for each subject are generated by mixtures of nonhomogeneous Poisson processes with smooth intensity functions modeled with penalized splines. Time-dependent covariate effects are also incorporated into the process intensity using splines. Discrete mixtures of these nonhomogeneous Poisson process spline models extract functional information from underlying clusters representing hidden subpopulations. The motivating application is an experiment to test the effectiveness of pheromones in disrupting the mating pattern of the cherry bark tortrix moth. Mature moths arise from hidden, but distinct, subpopulations and monitoring the subpopulation responses was of interest. Within-cluster random effects are used to account for correlation structures and heterogeneity common to this type of data. An estimating equation approach to inference requiring only low moment assumptions is developed and the finite sample properties of the proposed estimating functions are investigated empirically by simulation.

Sequencing an Ashkenazi reference panel supports population-targeted personal genomics and illuminates Jewish and European origins

PubMed Central

Carmi, Shai; Hui, Ken Y.; Kochav, Ethan; Liu, Xinmin; Xue, James; Grady, Fillan; Guha, Saurav; Upadhyay, Kinnari; Ben-Avraham, Dan; Mukherjee, Semanti; Bowen, B. Monica; Thomas, Tinu; Vijai, Joseph; Cruts, Marc; Froyen, Guy; Lambrechts, Diether; Plaisance, Stéphane; Van Broeckhoven, Christine; Van Damme, Philip; Van Marck, Herwig; Barzilai, Nir; Darvasi, Ariel; Offit, Kenneth; Bressman, Susan; Ozelius, Laurie J.; Peter, Inga; Cho, Judy H.; Ostrer, Harry; Atzmon, Gil; Clark, Lorraine N.; Lencz, Todd; Pe’er, Itsik

2014-01-01

The Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) population is a genetic isolate close to European and Middle Eastern groups, with genetic diversity patterns conducive to disease mapping. Here we report high-depth sequencing of 128 complete genomes of AJ controls. Compared with European samples, our AJ panel has 47% more novel variants per genome and is eightfold more effective at filtering benign variants out of AJ clinical genomes. Our panel improves imputation accuracy for AJ SNP arrays by 28%, and covers at least one haplotype in ≈67% of any AJ genome with long, identical-by-descent segments. Reconstruction of recent AJ history from such segments confirms a recent bottleneck of merely ≈350 individuals. Modelling of ancient histories for AJ and European populations using their joint allele frequency spectrum determines AJ to be an even admixture of European and likely Middle Eastern origins. We date the split between the two ancestral populations to ≈12–25 Kyr, suggesting a predominantly Near Eastern source for the repopulation of Europe after the Last Glacial Maximum. PMID:25203624

Virtual Design Method for Controlled Failure in Foldcore Sandwich Panels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sturm, Ralf; Fischer, S.

2015-12-01

For certification, novel fuselage concepts have to prove equivalent crashworthiness standards compared to the existing metal reference design. Due to the brittle failure behaviour of CFRP this requirement can only be fulfilled by a controlled progressive crash kinematics. Experiments showed that the failure of a twin-walled fuselage panel can be controlled by a local modification of the core through-thickness compression strength. For folded cores the required change in core properties can be integrated by a modification of the fold pattern. However, the complexity of folded cores requires a virtual design methodology for tailoring the fold pattern according to all static and crash relevant requirements. In this context a foldcore micromodel simulation method is presented to identify the structural response of a twin-walled fuselage panels with folded core under crash relevant loading condition. The simulations showed that a high degree of correlation is required before simulation can replace expensive testing. In the presented studies, the necessary correlation quality could only be obtained by including imperfections of the core material in the micromodel simulation approach.

Community Decadal Panel for Terrestrial Analogs to Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barlow, N. G.; Farr, T.; Baker, V. R.; Bridges, N.; Carsey, F.; Duxbury, N.; Gilmore, M. S.; Green, J. R.; Grin, E.; Hansen, V.; Keszthelyi, L.; Lanagan, P.; Lentz, R.; Marinangeli, L.; Morris, P. A.; Ori, G. G.; Paillou, P.; Robinson, C.; Thomson, B.

2001-11-01

It is well recognized that interpretations of Mars must begin with the Earth as a reference. The most successful comparisons have focused on understanding geologic processes on the Earth well enough to extrapolate to Mars' environment. Several facets of terrestrial analog studies have been pursued and are continuing. These studies include field workshops, characterization of terrestrial analog sites for Mars, instrument tests, laboratory measurements (including analysis of martian meteorites), and computer and laboratory modeling. The combination of all these activities allows scientists to constrain the processes operating in specific terrestrial environments and extrapolate how similar processes could affect Mars. The Terrestrial Analogs for Mars Community Panel is considering the following two key questions: (1) How do terrestrial analog studies tie in to the MEPAG science questions about life, past climate, and geologic evolution of Mars, and (2) How can future instrumentation be used to address these questions. The panel is considering the issues of data collection, value of field workshops, data archiving, laboratory measurements and modeling, human exploration issues, association with other areas of solar system exploration, and education and public outreach activities.

Pixel electronic noise as a function of position in an active matrix flat panel imaging array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yazdandoost, Mohammad Y.; Wu, Dali; Karim, Karim S.

2010-04-01

We present an analysis of output referred pixel electronic noise as a function of position in the active matrix array for both active and passive pixel architectures. Three different noise sources for Active Pixel Sensor (APS) arrays are considered: readout period noise, reset period noise and leakage current noise of the reset TFT during readout. For the state-of-the-art Passive Pixel Sensor (PPS) array, the readout noise of the TFT switch is considered. Measured noise results are obtained by modeling the array connections with RC ladders on a small in-house fabricated prototype. The results indicate that the pixels in the rows located in the middle part of the array have less random electronic noise at the output of the off-panel charge amplifier compared to the ones in rows at the two edges of the array. These results can help optimize for clearer images as well as help define the region-of-interest with the best signal-to-noise ratio in an active matrix digital flat panel imaging array.

Tracking Energy Flow Using a Volumetric Acoustic Intensity Imager (VAIM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klos, Jacob; Williams, Earl G.; Valdivia, Nicolas P.

2006-01-01

A new measurement device has been invented at the Naval Research Laboratory which images instantaneously the intensity vector throughout a three-dimensional volume nearly a meter on a side. The measurement device consists of a nearly transparent spherical array of 50 inexpensive microphones optimally positioned on an imaginary spherical surface of radius 0.2m. Front-end signal processing uses coherence analysis to produce multiple, phase-coherent holograms in the frequency domain each related to references located on suspect sound sources in an aircraft cabin. The analysis uses either SVD or Cholesky decomposition methods using ensemble averages of the cross-spectral density with the fixed references. The holograms are mathematically processed using spherical NAH (nearfield acoustical holography) to convert the measured pressure field into a vector intensity field in the volume of maximum radius 0.4 m centered on the sphere origin. The utility of this probe is evaluated in a detailed analysis of a recent in-flight experiment in cooperation with Boeing and NASA on NASA s Aries 757 aircraft. In this experiment the trim panels and insulation were removed over a section of the aircraft and the bare panels and windows were instrumented with accelerometers to use as references for the VAIM. Results show excellent success at locating and identifying the sources of interior noise in-flight in the frequency range of 0 to 1400 Hz. This work was supported by NASA and the Office of Naval Research.

LinkImpute: Fast and Accurate Genotype Imputation for Nonmodel Organisms

PubMed Central

Money, Daniel; Gardner, Kyle; Migicovsky, Zoë; Schwaninger, Heidi; Zhong, Gan-Yuan; Myles, Sean

2015-01-01

Obtaining genome-wide genotype data from a set of individuals is the first step in many genomic studies, including genome-wide association and genomic selection. All genotyping methods suffer from some level of missing data, and genotype imputation can be used to fill in the missing data and improve the power of downstream analyses. Model organisms like human and cattle benefit from high-quality reference genomes and panels of reference genotypes that aid in imputation accuracy. In nonmodel organisms, however, genetic and physical maps often are either of poor quality or are completely absent, and there are no panels of reference genotypes available. There is therefore a need for imputation methods designed specifically for nonmodel organisms in which genomic resources are poorly developed and marker order is unreliable or unknown. Here we introduce LinkImpute, a software package based on a k-nearest neighbor genotype imputation method, LD-kNNi, which is designed for unordered markers. No physical or genetic maps are required, and it is designed to work on unphased genotype data from heterozygous species. It exploits the fact that markers useful for imputation often are not physically close to the missing genotype but rather distributed throughout the genome. Using genotyping-by-sequencing data from diverse and heterozygous accessions of apples, grapes, and maize, we compare LD-kNNi with several genotype imputation methods and show that LD-kNNi is fast, comparable in accuracy to the best-existing methods, and exhibits the least bias in allele frequency estimates. PMID:26377960

Terrestrial Analogs to Mars: NRC Community Panel Decadal Report

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farr, T. G.

2002-12-01

A report was completed recently by a Community Panel for the NRC Decadal Study of Solar System Exploration. The desire was for a review of the current state of knowledge and for recommendations for action over the next decade. The topic of this panel, Terrestrial Analogs to Mars, was chosen to bring attention to the need for an increase in analog studies in support of the increased pace of Mars exploration. It is well recognized that interpretations of Mars must begin with the Earth as a reference. The most successful comparisons have focused on understanding geologic processes on the Earth well enough to extrapolate to Mars' environment. Several facets of terrestrial analog studies have been pursued and are continuing. These studies include field workshops, characterization of terrestrial analog sites, instrument tests, laboratory measurements (including analysis of martian meteorites), and computer and laboratory modeling. The combination of all of these activities allows scientists to constrain the processes operating in specific terrestrial environments and extrapolate how similar processes could affect Mars. The Terrestrial Analogs for Mars Community Panel has considered the following two key questions: (1) How do terrestrial analog studies tie in to the overarching science questions about life, past climate, and geologic evolution of Mars, and (2) How can future instrumentation be used to address these questions. The panel considered the issues of data collection and archiving, value of field workshops, laboratory measurements and modeling, human exploration issues, association with other areas of solar system exploration, and education and public outreach activities. Parts of this work were performed under contract to NASA.

2014 Space Human Factors Engineering Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan

2014-01-01

The 2014 Space Human Factors Engineering (SHFE) Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) participated in a WebEx/teleconference with members of the Space Human Factors and Habitability (SHFH) Element, representatives from the Human Research Program (HRP), the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), and NASA Headquarters on November 17, 2014 (list of participants is in Section XI of this report). The SRP reviewed the updated research plans for the Risk of Incompatible Vehicle/Habitat Design (HAB Risk) and the Risk of Performance Errors Due to Training Deficiencies (Train Risk). The SRP also received a status update on the Risk of Inadequate Critical Task Design (Task Risk), the Risk of Inadequate Design of Human and Automation/Robotic Integration (HARI Risk), and the Risk of Inadequate Human-Computer Interaction (HCI Risk).

Toward a framework linkage map of the canine genome.

PubMed

Langston, A A; Mellersh, C S; Wiegand, N A; Acland, G M; Ray, K; Aguirre, G D; Ostrander, E A

1999-01-01

Selective breeding to maintain specific physical and behavioral traits has made the modern dog one of the most physically diverse species on earth. One unfortunate consequence of the common breeding practices used to develop lines of dogs with the desired traits is amplification and propagation of genetic diseases within distinct breeds. To map disease loci we have constructed a first-generation framework map of the canine genome. We developed large numbers of highly polymorphic markers, constructed a panel of canine-rodent hybrid cell lines, and assigned those markers to chromosome groups using the hybrid cell lines. Finally, we determined the order and spacing of markers on individual canine chromosomes by linkage analysis using a reference panel of 17 outbred pedigrees. This article describes approaches and strategies to accomplish these goals.

CLIVAR Asian-Australian Monsoon Panel Report to Scientific Steering Group-18

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

Sperber, Ken R.; Hendon, Harry H.

2011-05-04

These are a set of slides on CLIVAR Asian-Australian Monsoon Panel Report to Scientific Steering Group-18. These are the major topics covered within: major activities over the past year, AAMP Monsoon Diagnostics/Metrics Task Team, Boreal Summer Asian Monsoon, Workshop on Modelling Monsoon Intraseasonal Variability, Workshop on Interdecadal Variability and Predictability of the Asian-Australian Monsoon, Evidence of Interdecadal Variability of the Asian-Australian Monsoon, Development of MJO metrics/process-oriented diagnostics/model evaluation/prediction with MJOTF and GCSS, YOTC MJOTF, GEWEX GCSS, AAMP MJO Diabatic Heating Experiment, Hindcast Experiment for Intraseasonal Prediction, Support and Coordination for CINDY2011/DYNAMO, Outreach to CORDEX, Interaction with FOCRAII, WWRP/WCRP Multi-Week Predictionmore » Project, Major Future Plans/Activities, Revised AAMP Terms of Reference, Issues and Challenges.« less

Selective Immunophenotyping for Diagnosis of B-cell Neoplasms: Immunohistochemistry and Flow Cytometry Strategies and Results

PubMed Central

Boyd, Scott D.; Natkunam, Yasodha; Allen, John R.; Warnke, Roger A.

2012-01-01

Determining the immunophenotype of hematologic malignancies is now an indispensible part of diagnostic classification, and can help to guide therapy, or to predict clinical outcome. Diagnostic workup should be guided by morphologic findings and evaluate clinically important markers, but ideally should avoid the use of overly-broad panels of immunostains that can reveal incidental findings of uncertain significance and give rise to increased costs. Here, we outline our approach to diagnosis of B cell neoplasms, combining histologic and clinical data with tailored panels of immunophenotyping reagents, in the context of the 2008 World Health Organization classification. We present data from cases seen at our institution from 2004-8 using this approach, to provide a practical reference for findings seen in daily diagnostic practice. PMID:22820658

Nurse practitioner caseload in primary health care: Scoping review.

PubMed

Martin-Misener, Ruth; Kilpatrick, Kelley; Donald, Faith; Bryant-Lukosius, Denise; Rayner, Jennifer; Valaitis, Ruta; Carter, Nancy; Miller, Patricia A; Landry, Véronique; Harbman, Patricia; Charbonneau-Smith, Renee; McKinlay, R James; Ziegler, Erin; Boesveld, Sarah; Lamb, Alyson

2016-10-01

To identify recommendations for determining patient panel/caseload size for nurse practitioners in community-based primary health care settings. Scoping review of the international published and grey literature. The search included electronic databases, international professional and governmental websites, contact with experts, and hand searches of reference lists. Eligible papers had to (a) address caseload or patient panels for nurse practitioners in community-based primary health care settings serving an all-ages population; and (b) be published in English or French between January 2000 and July 2014. Level one testing included title and abstract screening by two team members. Relevant papers were retained for full text review in level two testing, and reviewed by two team members. A third reviewer acted as a tiebreaker. Data were extracted using a structured extraction form by one team member and verified by a second member. Descriptive statistics were estimated. Content analysis was used for qualitative data. We identified 111 peer-reviewed articles and grey literature documents. Most of the papers were published in Canada and the United States after 2010. Current methods to determine panel/caseload size use large administrative databases, provider work hours and the average number of patient visits. Most of the papers addressing the topic of patient panel/caseload size in community-based primary health care were descriptive. The average number of patients seen by nurse practitioners per day varied considerably within and between countries; an average of 9-15 patients per day was common. Patient characteristics (e.g., age, gender) and health conditions (e.g., multiple chronic conditions) appear to influence patient panel/caseload size. Very few studies used validated tools to classify patient acuity levels or disease burden scores. The measurement of productivity and the determination of panel/caseload size is complex. Current metrics may not capture activities relevant to community-based primary health care nurse practitioners. Tools to measure all the components of these role are needed when determining panel/caseload size. Outcomes research is absent in the determination of panel/caseload size. There are few systems in place to track and measure community-based primary health care nurse practitioner activities. The development of such mechanisms is an important next step to assess community-based primary health care nurse practitioner productivity and determine patient panel/caseload size. Decisions about panel/caseload size must take into account the effects of nurse practitioner activities on outcomes of care. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The added value of percentage of free to total prostate-specific antigen, PCA3, and a kallikrein panel to the ERSPC risk calculator for prostate cancer in prescreened men.

PubMed

Vedder, Moniek M; de Bekker-Grob, Esther W; Lilja, Hans G; Vickers, Andrew J; van Leenders, Geert J L H; Steyerberg, Ewout W; Roobol, Monique J

2014-12-01

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has limited accuracy for the early detection of prostate cancer (PCa). To assess the value added by percentage of free to total PSA (%fPSA), prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3), and a kallikrein panel (4k-panel) to the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) multivariable prediction models: risk calculator (RC) 4, including transrectal ultrasound, and RC 4 plus digital rectal examination (4+DRE) for prescreened men. Participants were invited for rescreening between October 2007 and February 2009 within the Dutch part of the ERSPC study. Biopsies were taken in men with a PSA level ≥3.0 ng/ml or a PCA3 score ≥10. Additional analyses of the 4k-panel were done on serum samples. Outcome was defined as PCa detectable by sextant biopsy. Receiver operating characteristic curve and decision curve analyses were performed to compare the predictive capabilities of %fPSA, PCA3, 4k-panel, the ERSPC RCs, and their combinations in logistic regression models. PCa was detected in 119 of 708 men. The %fPSA did not perform better univariately or added to the RCs compared with the RCs alone. In 202 men with an elevated PSA, the 4k-panel discriminated better than PCA3 when modelled univariately (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.78 vs. 0.62; p=0.01). The multivariable models with PCA3 or the 4k-panel were equivalent (AUC: 0.80 for RC 4+DRE). In the total population, PCA3 discriminated better than the 4k-panel (univariate AUC: 0.63 vs. 0.56; p=0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the multivariable model with PCA3 (AUC: 0.73) versus the model with the 4k-panel (AUC: 0.71; p=0.18). The multivariable model with PCA3 performed better than the reference model (0.73 vs. 0.70; p=0.02). Decision curves confirmed these patterns, although numbers were small. Both PCA3 and, to a lesser extent, a 4k-panel have added value to the DRE-based ERSPC RC in detecting PCa in prescreened men. We studied the added value of novel biomarkers to previously developed risk prediction models for prostate cancer. We found that inclusion of these biomarkers resulted in an increase in predictive ability. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

ANOS1: a unified nomenclature for Kallmann syndrome 1 gene (KAL1) and anosmin-1

PubMed Central

de Castro, Fernando; Seal, Ruth

2017-01-01

Abstract It is accepted that confusion regarding the description of genetic variants occurs when researchers do not use standard nomenclature. The Human Genome Organization Gene Nomenclature Committee contacted a panel of consultants, all working on the KAL1 gene, to propose an update of the nomenclature of the gene, as there was a convention in the literature of using the ‘KAL1’ symbol, when referring to the gene, but using the name ‘anosmin-1’ when referring to the protein. The new name, ANOS1, reflects protein name and is more transferrable across species. PMID:27899353

Automated database-guided expert-supervised orientation for immunophenotypic diagnosis and classification of acute leukemia

PubMed Central

Lhermitte, L; Mejstrikova, E; van der Sluijs-Gelling, A J; Grigore, G E; Sedek, L; Bras, A E; Gaipa, G; Sobral da Costa, E; Novakova, M; Sonneveld, E; Buracchi, C; de Sá Bacelar, T; te Marvelde, J G; Trinquand, A; Asnafi, V; Szczepanski, T; Matarraz, S; Lopez, A; Vidriales, B; Bulsa, J; Hrusak, O; Kalina, T; Lecrevisse, Q; Martin Ayuso, M; Brüggemann, M; Verde, J; Fernandez, P; Burgos, L; Paiva, B; Pedreira, C E; van Dongen, J J M; Orfao, A; van der Velden, V H J

2018-01-01

Precise classification of acute leukemia (AL) is crucial for adequate treatment. EuroFlow has previously designed an AL orientation tube (ALOT) to guide towards the relevant classification panel (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), B-cell precursor (BCP)-ALL and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML)) and final diagnosis. Now we built a reference database with 656 typical AL samples (145 T-ALL, 377 BCP-ALL, 134 AML), processed and analyzed via standardized protocols. Using principal component analysis (PCA)-based plots and automated classification algorithms for direct comparison of single-cells from individual patients against the database, another 783 cases were subsequently evaluated. Depending on the database-guided results, patients were categorized as: (i) typical T, B or Myeloid without or; (ii) with a transitional component to another lineage; (iii) atypical; or (iv) mixed-lineage. Using this automated algorithm, in 781/783 cases (99.7%) the right panel was selected, and data comparable to the final WHO-diagnosis was already provided in >93% of cases (85% T-ALL, 97% BCP-ALL, 95% AML and 87% mixed-phenotype AL patients), even without data on the full-characterization panels. Our results show that database-guided analysis facilitates standardized interpretation of ALOT results and allows accurate selection of the relevant classification panels, hence providing a solid basis for designing future WHO AL classifications. PMID:29089646

Evaluation of Multiplexed Foot-and-Mouth Disease Nonstructural Protein Antibody Assay Against Standardized Bovine Serum Panel

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

Perkins, J; Parida, S; Clavijo, A

2007-05-14

Liquid array technology has previously been used to show proof-of-principle of a multiplexed non structural protein serological assay to differentiate foot-and-mouth infected and vaccinated animals. The current multiplexed assay consists of synthetically produced peptide signatures 3A, 3B and 3D and recombinant protein signature 3ABC in combination with four controls. To determine diagnostic specificity of each signature in the multiplex, the assay was evaluated against a naive population (n = 104) and a vaccinated population (n = 94). Subsequently, the multiplexed assay was assessed using a panel of bovine sera generated by the World Reference Laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease in Pirbright,more » UK. This sera panel has been used to assess the performance of other singleplex ELISA-based non-structural protein antibody assays. The 3ABC signature in the multiplexed assay showed comparative performance to a commercially available non-structural protein 3ABC ELISA (Cedi test{reg_sign}) and additional information pertaining to the relative diagnostic sensitivity of each signature in the multiplex is acquired in one experiment. The encouraging results of the evaluation of the multiplexed assay against a panel of diagnostically relevant samples promotes further assay development and optimization to generate an assay for routine use in foot-and-mouth disease surveillance.« less

Proficiency program for real-time PCR diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis infections in French hospital laboratories and at the French National Reference Center for Whooping Cough and other Bordetelloses.

PubMed

Caro, Valérie; Guiso, Nicole; Alberti, Corinne; Liguori, Sandrine; Burucoa, Christophe; Couetdic, Gérard; Doucet-Populaire, Florence; Ferroni, Agnès; Papin-Gibaud, Sophie; Grattard, Florence; Réglier-Poupet, Hélène; Raymond, Josette; Soler, Catherine; Bouchet, Sylvie; Charreau, Sandrine; Couzon, Brigitte; Leymarie, Isabelle; Tavares, Nicole; Choux, Mathilde; Bingen, Edouard; Bonacorsi, Stéphane

2009-10-01

With the support of a ministerial program for innovative and expensive technologies, dedicated to the economic evaluation of laboratory diagnosis of pertussis by real-time PCR, external quality assessment for real-time IS481 PCR was carried out. Coordinated by the National Centre of Reference of Pertussis and other Bordetelloses (NCR), this study aimed to harmonize and to assess the performances of eight participating microbiology hospital laboratories throughout the French territory. Between January 2006 and February 2007, 10 proficiency panels were sent by the NCR (ascending proficiency program), representing a total of 49 samples and including eight panels to analyze and evaluate the global sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR, one to assess the limit of detection, and one to evaluate nucleic acid extraction methods. As part of the descending proficiency program, extracted DNA from clinical samples was sent by the eight participating laboratories in different panels and analyzed by the NCR. In the ascending proficiency analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of the real-time PCR methods were 92.2% and 94.3%, respectively. The limit of detection of the different methods ranged between 0.1 and 1 fg/microl (0.2 to 2 CFU/microl). The nucleic acid extraction methods showed similar performances. During the descending proficiency analysis, performed with 126 samples, the result of the NCR for 15 samples (11.9%) was discordant with the result obtained by the source laboratory. Despite several initial differences, harmonization was easy and performances were homogeneous. However, the risk of false-positive results remains quite high, and we strongly recommend establishment of uniform quality control procedures performed regularly.

Construction and utilization of a script concordance test as an assessment tool for DCEM3 (5th year) medical students in rheumatology.

PubMed

Mathieu, Sylvain; Couderc, Marion; Glace, Baptiste; Tournadre, Anne; Malochet-Guinamand, Sandrine; Pereira, Bruno; Dubost, Jean-Jacques; Soubrier, Martin

2013-12-13

The script concordance test (SCT) is a method for assessing clinical reasoning of medical students by placing them in a context of uncertainty such as they will encounter in their future daily practice. Script concordance testing is going to be included as part of the computer-based national ranking examination (iNRE).This study was designed to create a script concordance test in rheumatology and use it for DCEM3 (fifth year) medical students administered via the online platform of the Clermont-Ferrand medical school. Our SCT for rheumatology teaching was constructed by a panel of 19 experts in rheumatology (6 hospital-based and 13 community-based). One hundred seventy-nine DCEM3 (fifth year) medical students were invited to take the test. Scores were computed using the scoring key available on the University of Montreal website. Reliability of the test was estimated by the Cronbach alpha coefficient for internal consistency. The test comprised 60 questions. Among the 26 students who took the test (26/179: 14.5%), 15 completed it in its entirety. The reference panel of rheumatologists obtained a mean score of 76.6 and the 15 students had a mean score of 61.5 (p = 0.001). The Cronbach alpha value was 0.82. An online SCT can be used as an assessment tool for medical students in rheumatology. This study also highlights the active participation of community-based rheumatologists, who accounted for the majority of the 19 experts in the reference panel.A script concordance test in rheumatology for 5th year medical students.

Discus: investigating subjective judgment of optic disc damage.

PubMed

Denniss, Jonathan; Echendu, Damian; Henson, David B; Artes, Paul H

2011-01-01

To describe a software package (Discus) for investigating clinicians' subjective assessment of optic disc damage [diagnostic accuracy in detecting visual field (VF) damage, decision criteria, and agreement with a panel of experts] and to provide reference data from a group of expert observers. Optic disc images were selected from patients with manifest or suspected glaucoma or ocular hypertension who attended the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Eighty images came from eyes without evidence of VF loss in at least four consecutive tests (VF negatives), and 20 images from eyes with repeatable VF loss (VF positives). Software was written to display these images in randomized order, for up to 60 s. Expert observers (n = 12) rated optic disc damage on a 5-point scale (definitely healthy, probably healthy, not sure, probably damaged, and definitely damaged). Optic disc damage as determined by the expert observers predicted VF loss with less than perfect accuracy (mean area under receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.78; range, 0.72 to 0.85). When the responses were combined across the panel of experts, the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve reached 0.87, corresponding to a sensitivity of ∼60% at 90% specificity. Although the observers' performances were similar, there were large differences between the criteria they adopted (p < 0.001), even though all observers had been given identical instructions. Discus provides a simple and rapid means for assessing important aspects of optic disc interpretation. The data from the panel of expert observers provide a reference against which students, trainees, and clinicians may compare themselves. The program and the analyses described in this article are freely accessible from http://www.discusproject.blogspot.com/.

Whole genome sequences of the USMARC beef cattle diversity panel v2.9 aligned to the bovine reference genome assembly

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A searchable and publicly viewable set of mapped genomes from 96 beef sires from 19 popular breeds of U.S. cattle was created. These sires with minimal pedigree relationships, represent >99% of the germplasm used in the US beef industry circa 2000. The group is estimated to contain more than 187 u...

Assessing the Effectiveness of Education Interventions: Issues and Recommendations for the Title I Evaluation. MPR Reference No. 8911-700

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glazerman, Steven; Myers, David

2004-01-01

In October 2002, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) contracted with Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MRP) to help identify issues pertinent to the evaluation of Title I and to propose feasible evaluation design strategies. This design effort took its lead from two sources: (1) the Title I Independent Review Panel (IRP); and (2) a more…

21 CFR 814.44 - Procedures for review of a PMA.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES PREMARKET APPROVAL OF MEDICAL DEVICES FDA Action on a PMA § 814.44 Procedures for review of a PMA. Link to an amendment published at 75 FR 16351, Apr. 1, 2010. (a) FDA will begin substantive review of a PMA after the PMA is accepted for filing under § 814.42. FDA may refer the PMA to a panel on...

21 CFR 814.44 - Procedures for review of a PMA.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES PREMARKET APPROVAL OF MEDICAL DEVICES FDA Action on a PMA § 814.44 Procedures for review of a PMA. Link to an amendment published at 79 FR 1740, Jan. 10, 2014. (a) FDA will begin substantive review of a PMA after the PMA is accepted for filing under § 814.42. FDA may refer the PMA to a panel on...

Identification of reference genes and validation for gene expression studies in diverse axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) tissues.

PubMed

Guelke, Eileen; Bucan, Vesna; Liebsch, Christina; Lazaridis, Andrea; Radtke, Christine; Vogt, Peter M; Reimers, Kerstin

2015-04-10

For the precise quantitative RT-PCR normalization a set of valid reference genes is obligatory. Moreover have to be taken into concern the experimental conditions as they bias the regulation of reference genes. Up till now, no reference targets have been described for the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). In a search in the public database SalSite for genetic information of the axolotl we identified fourteen presumptive reference genes, eleven of which were further tested for their gene expression stability. This study characterizes the expressional patterns of 11 putative endogenous control genes during axolotl limb regeneration and in an axolotl tissue panel. All 11 reference genes showed variable expression. Strikingly, ACTB was to be found most stable expressed in all comparative tissue groups, so we reason it to be suitable for all different kinds of axolotl tissue-type investigations. Moreover do we suggest GAPDH and RPLP0 as suitable for certain axolotl tissue analysis. When it comes to axolotl limb regeneration, a validated pair of reference genes is ODC and RPLP0. With these findings, new insights into axolotl gene expression profiling might be gained. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hybrid Active/Passive Control of Sound Radiation from Panels with Constrained Layer Damping and Model Predictive Feedback Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cabell, Randolph H.; Gibbs, Gary P.

2000-01-01

There has been considerable interest over the past several years in applying feedback control methods to problems of structural acoustics. One problem of particular interest is the control of sound radiation from aircraft panels excited on one side by a turbulent boundary layer (TBL). TBL excitation appears as many uncorrelated sources acting on the panel, which makes it difficult to find a single reference signal that is coherent with the excitation. Feedback methods have no need for a reference signal, and are thus suited to this problem. Some important considerations for the structural acoustics problem include the fact that the required controller bandwidth can easily extend to several hundred Hertz, so a digital controller would have to operate at a few kilohertz. In addition, aircraft panel structures have a reasonably high modal density over this frequency range. A model based controller must therefore handle the modally dense system, or have some way to reduce the bandwidth of the problem. Further complicating the problem is the fact that the stiffness and dynamic properties of an aircraft panel can vary considerably during flight due to altitude changes resulting in significant resonant frequency shifts. These considerations make the tradeoff between robustness to changes in the system being controlled and controller performance especially important. Recent papers concerning the design and implementation of robust controllers for structural acoustic problems highlight the need to consider both performance and robustness when designing the controller. While robust control methods such as H1 can be used to balance performance and robustness, their implementation is not easy and requires assumptions about the types of uncertainties in the plant being controlled. Achieving a useful controller design may require many tradeoff studies of different types of parametric uncertainties in the system. Another approach to achieving robustness to plant changes is to make the controller adaptive. For example, a mathematical model of the plant could be periodically updated as the plant changes, and the feedback gains recomputed from the updated model. To be practical, this approach requires a simple plant model that can be updated quickly with reasonable computational requirements. A recent paper by the authors discussed one way to simplify a feedback controller, by reducing the number of actuators and sensors needed for good performance. The work was done on a tensioned aircraft-style panel excited on one side by TBL flow in a low speed wind tunnel. Actuation was provided by a piezoelectric (PZT) actuator mounted on the center of the panel. For sensing, the responses of four accelerometers, positioned to approximate the response of the first radiation mode of the panel, were summed and fed back through the controller. This single input-single output topology was found to have nearly the same noise reduction performance as a controller with fifteen accelerometers and three PZT patches. This paper extends the previous results by looking at how constrained layer damping (CLD) on a panel can be used to enhance the performance of the feedback controller thus providing a more robust and efficient hybrid active/passive system. The eventual goal is to use the CLD to reduce sound radiation at high frequencies, then implement a very simple, reduced order, low sample rate adaptive controller to attenuate sound radiation at low frequencies. Additionally this added damping smoothes phase transitions over the bandwidth which promotes robustness to natural frequency shifts. Experiments were conducted in a transmission loss facility on a clamped-clamped aluminum panel driven on one side by a loudspeaker. A generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm, which is suited to online adaptation of its parameters, was used in single input-single output and multiple input-single output configurations. Because this was a preliminary look at the potential constrained layer damping for adaptive control, static feedback control with no online adaptation was used. Two configurations of CLD in addition to a bare panel configuration were studied. For each CLD configuration, two sensor arrangements for the feedback controller were compared. The first arrangement used fifteen accelerometers on the panel to estimate the responses of the first six radiation modes of the panel. The second sensor arrangement was simpler, using the summed responses of only four accelerometers to approximate the response of the first radiation mode of the panel. In all cases a PZT patch was mounted at the center of the panel for control input. The performance of the controller was quantified using the responses of the fifteen accelerometers on the panel to estimate radiated sound power. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the GPC algorithm and the experimental setup. The experimental results are discussed next, comparing the CLD and sensor configurations, followed by discussion and conclusions.

Questions and answers about the effects of the depletion of the ozone layer on humans and the environment.

PubMed

Aucamp, Pieter J

2007-03-01

The ozone molecule contains three atoms of oxygen and is mainly formed by the action of the ultraviolet rays of the sun on the diatomic oxygen molecules in the upper part of the Earth's atmosphere (called the stratosphere). Atmospheric pollution near the Earth's surface can form localized areas of ozone. The stratospheric ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In the mid 1970s it was discovered that some manmade products destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere. This destruction can result in damage to ecosystems and to materials such as plastics. It may cause an increase in human diseases such as skin cancers and cataracts. The discovery of the role of the synthetic ozone-depleting chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) stimulated increased research and monitoring in this field. Computer models predicted a disaster if no action was taken to protect the ozone layer. Based on this research and monitoring, the nations of the world took action in 1985 with the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer followed by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. The Convention and Protocol were amended and adjusted several times as new knowledge was obtained. The Meetings of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol appointed three Assessment Panels to review the progress in scientific knowledge on their behalf. These panels are the Scientific Assessment Panel, the Technological and Economic Assessment Panel and the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel. Each panel covers a designated area and there is a natural level of overlap. The main reports of the Panels are published every four years as required by the Meeting of the Parties. All the reports have an executive summary that is distributed more widely than the main report itself. It became customary to add a set of questions and answers--mainly for non-expert readers--to the executive summaries. This document contains the questions and answers prepared by experts who comprise the Environmental Assessment Panel. It is based mainly on the 2006 report of the Panel but also contains information from previous assessments. Readers who need detailed information on any question should consult the full reports for a more complete scientific discussion. This set of questions refers mainly to the environmental effects of ozone depletion and climate change. The report of the Scientific Assessment Panel contains questions and answers related to the other scientific issues addressed by that Panel. All these reports can be found on the UNEP website (http://ozone.unep.org).

Inference of human continental origin and admixture proportions using a highly discriminative ancestry informative 41-SNP panel

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Accurate determination of genetic ancestry is of high interest for many areas such as biomedical research, personal genomics and forensics. It remains an important topic in genetic association studies, as it has been shown that population stratification, if not appropriately considered, can lead to false-positive and -negative results. While large association studies typically extract ancestry information from available genome-wide SNP genotypes, many important clinical data sets on rare phenotypes and historical collections assembled before the GWAS area are in need of a feasible method (i.e., ease of genotyping, small number of markers) to infer the geographic origin and potential admixture of the study subjects. Here we report on the development, application and limitations of a small, multiplexable ancestry informative marker (AIM) panel of SNPs (or AISNP) developed specifically for this purpose. Results Based on worldwide populations from the HGDP, a 41-AIM AISNP panel for multiplex application with the ABI SNPlex and a subset with 31 AIMs for the Sequenome iPLEX system were selected and found to be highly informative for inferring ancestry among the seven continental regions Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Central/South Asia, East Asia, the Americas and Oceania. The panel was found to be least informative for Eurasian populations, and additional AIMs for a higher resolution are suggested. A large reference set including over 4,000 subjects collected from 120 global populations was assembled to facilitate accurate ancestry determination. We show practical applications of this AIM panel, discuss its limitations for admixed individuals and suggest ways to incorporate ancestry information into genetic association studies. Conclusion We demonstrated the utility of a small AISNP panel specifically developed to discern global ancestry. We believe that it will find wide application because of its feasibility and potential for a wide range of applications. PMID:23815888

Challenges imposed by minor reference alleles on the identification and reporting of clinical variants from exome data.

PubMed

Koko, Mahmoud; Abdallah, Mohammed O E; Amin, Mutaz; Ibrahim, Muntaser

2018-01-15

The conventional variant calling of pathogenic alleles in exome and genome sequencing requires the presence of the non-pathogenic alleles as genome references. This hinders the correct identification of variants with minor and/or pathogenic reference alleles warranting additional approaches for variant calling. More than 26,000 Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) variants have a minor reference allele including variants with known ClinVar disease alleles. For instance, in a number of variants related to clotting disorders, the phenotype-associated allele is a human genome reference allele (rs6025, rs6003, rs1799983, and rs2227564 using the assembly hg19). We highlighted how the current variant calling standards miss homozygous reference disease variants in these sites and provided a bioinformatic panel that can be used to screen these variants using commonly available variant callers. We present exome sequencing results from an individual with venous thrombosis to emphasize how pathogenic alleles in clinically relevant variants escape variant calling while non-pathogenic alleles are detected. This article highlights the importance of specialized variant calling strategies in clinical variants with minor reference alleles especially in the context of personal genomes and exomes. We provide here a simple strategy to screen potential disease-causing variants when present in homozygous reference state.

Space station dynamic modeling, disturbance accommodation, and adaptive control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, S. J.; Ih, C. H.; Lin, Y. H.; Metter, E.

1985-01-01

Dynamic models for two space station configurations were derived. Space shuttle docking disturbances and their effects on the station and solar panels are quantified. It is shown that hard shuttle docking can cause solar panel buckling. Soft docking and berthing can substantially reduce structural loads at the expense of large shuttle and station attitude excursions. It is found predocking shuttle momentum reduction is necessary to achieve safe and routine operations. A direct model reference adaptive control is synthesized and evaluated for the station model parameter errors and plant dynamics truncations. The rigid body and the flexible modes are treated. It is shown that convergence of the adaptive algorithm can be achieved in 100 seconds with reasonable performance even during shuttle hard docking operations in which station mass and inertia are instantaneously changed by more than 100%.

[Forum: health and indigenous peoples in Brazil. Introduction].

PubMed

Welch, James R

2014-04-01

This Forum on Health and Indigenous Peoples in Brazil explores contemporary challenges to indigenous health and health politics in Brazil. The short collection of articles that follow are based on presentations, originally given at the Indigenous Health Working Group panel at the 10th Brazilian Public Health Conference in Rio Grande do Sul State, by professors Carlos E. A. Coimbra Jr. (Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz), Marina Denise Cardoso (Universidade Federal de São Carlos) and Eliana E. Diehl (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina) with Marcos A. Pellegrini (Universidade Federal de Roraima). In this short Introduction, I introduce these contributions, taking as a point of reference a local example of healthcare inequity derived from a presentation at the same panel by Paulo F. Supretaprã, indigenous community leader from Etênhiritipá village, Mato Grosso State.

Multi-criteria decision analysis for health technology assessment in Canada: insights from an expert panel discussion.

PubMed

Diaby, Vakaramoko; Goeree, Ron; Hoch, Jeffrey; Siebert, Uwe

2015-02-01

Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), a decision-making tool, has received increasing attention in recent years, notably in the healthcare field. For Canada, it is unclear whether and how MCDA should be incorporated into the existing health technology assessment (HTA) decision-making process. To facilitate debate on improving HTA decision-making in Canada, a workshop was held in conjunction with the 8th World Congress on Health Economics of the International Health Economics Association in Toronto, Canada in July 2011. The objective of the workshop was to discuss the potential benefits and challenges related to the use of MCDA for HTA decision-making in Canada. This paper summarizes and discusses the recommendations of an expert panel convened at the workshop to discuss opportunities and concerns with reference to the implementation of MCDA in Canada.

Transport systems research vehicle color display system operations manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Easley, Wesley C.; Johnson, Larry E.

1989-01-01

A recent upgrade of the Transport Systems Research Vehicle operated by the Advanced Transport Operating Systems Program Office at the NASA Langley Research Center has resulted in an all-glass panel in the research flight deck. Eight ARINC-D size CRT color displays make up the panel. A major goal of the display upgrade effort was ease of operation and maintenance of the hardware while maintaining versatility needed for flight research. Software is the key to this required versatility and will be the area demanding the most detailed technical design expertise. This document is is intended to serve as a single source of quick reference information needed for routine operation and system level maintenance. Detailed maintenance and modification of the display system will require specific design documentation and must be accomplished by individuals with specialized knowledge and experience.

An accurate nonlinear finite element analysis and test correlation of a stiffened composite wing panel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, D. D., Jr.; Krishnamurthy, T.; Stroud, W. J.; McCleary, S. L.

1991-05-01

State-of-the-art nonlinear finite element analysis techniques are evaluated by applying them to a realistic aircraft structural component. A wing panel from the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft is chosen because it is a typical modern aircraft structural component for which there is experimental data for comparison of results. From blueprints and drawings, a very detailed finite element model containing 2284 9-node Assumed Natural-Coordinate Strain elements was generated. A novel solution strategy which accounts for geometric nonlinearity through the use of corotating element reference frames and nonlinear strain-displacement relations is used to analyze this detailed model. Results from linear analyses using the same finite element model are presented in order to illustrate the advantages and costs of the nonlinear analysis as compared with the more traditional linear analysis.

An accurate nonlinear finite element analysis and test correlation of a stiffened composite wing panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, D. D., Jr.; Krishnamurthy, T.; Stroud, W. J.; Mccleary, S. L.

1991-01-01

State-of-the-art nonlinear finite element analysis techniques are evaluated by applying them to a realistic aircraft structural component. A wing panel from the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft is chosen because it is a typical modern aircraft structural component for which there is experimental data for comparison of results. From blueprints and drawings, a very detailed finite element model containing 2284 9-node Assumed Natural-Coordinate Strain elements was generated. A novel solution strategy which accounts for geometric nonlinearity through the use of corotating element reference frames and nonlinear strain-displacement relations is used to analyze this detailed model. Results from linear analyses using the same finite element model are presented in order to illustrate the advantages and costs of the nonlinear analysis as compared with the more traditional linear analysis.

2014 Sensorimotor Risk Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan

2014-01-01

The Sensorimotor Risk Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met on December 17 - 18, 2014 in Houston, TX to review the current status of the Risk of Impaired Control of Spacecraft, Associated Systems and Immediate Vehicle Egress due to Vestibular/Sensorimotor Alteration Associated with Space Flight (Sensorimotor Risk) in the Integrated Research Plan (IRP). During the meeting, the SRP received an in-depth briefing of the current status of the Sensorimotor Risk from Dr. Jacob Bloomberg, the Human Research Program (HRP) Sensorimotor Discipline Lead Scientist and Dr. Millard Reschke, the Chief Scientist of the Neuroscience Laboratories at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). The SRP was impressed with the information that Dr. Bloomberg and Dr. Reschke presented and think that the in-person meeting (instead of WebEx/teleconference) allowed for more interactive and thoughtful conversations.

Applications of cost-effectiveness methodologies in behavioral medicine.

PubMed

Kaplan, Robert M; Groessl, Erik J

2002-06-01

In 1996, the Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine developed standards for cost-effectiveness analysis. The standards include the use of a societal perspective, that treatments be evaluated in comparison with the best available alternative (rather than with no care at all), and that health benefits be expressed in standardized units. Guidelines for cost accounting were also offered. Among 24,562 references on cost-effectiveness in Medline between 1995 and 2000, only a handful were relevant to behavioral medicine. Only 19 studies published between 1983 and 2000 met criteria for further evaluation. Among analyses that were reported, only 2 studies were found consistent with the Panel's criteria for high-quality analyses, although more recent studies were more likely to meet methodological standards. There are substantial opportunities to advance behavioral medicine by performing standardized cost-effectiveness analyses.

Modeling of Sensor Placement Strategy for Shape Sensing and Structural Health Monitoring of a Wing-Shaped Sandwich Panel Using Inverse Finite Element Method.

PubMed

Kefal, Adnan; Yildiz, Mehmet

2017-11-30

This paper investigated the effect of sensor density and alignment for three-dimensional shape sensing of an airplane-wing-shaped thick panel subjected to three different loading conditions, i.e., bending, torsion, and membrane loads. For shape sensing analysis of the panel, the Inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM) was used together with the Refined Zigzag Theory (RZT), in order to enable accurate predictions for transverse deflection and through-the-thickness variation of interfacial displacements. In this study, the iFEM-RZT algorithm is implemented by utilizing a novel three-node C°-continuous inverse-shell element, known as i3-RZT. The discrete strain data is generated numerically through performing a high-fidelity finite element analysis on the wing-shaped panel. This numerical strain data represents experimental strain readings obtained from surface patched strain gauges or embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. Three different sensor placement configurations with varying density and alignment of strain data were examined and their corresponding displacement contours were compared with those of reference solutions. The results indicate that a sparse distribution of FBG sensors (uniaxial strain measurements), aligned in only the longitudinal direction, is sufficient for predicting accurate full-field membrane and bending responses (deformed shapes) of the panel, including a true zigzag representation of interfacial displacements. On the other hand, a sparse deployment of strain rosettes (triaxial strain measurements) is essentially enough to produce torsion shapes that are as accurate as those of predicted by a dense sensor placement configuration. Hence, the potential applicability and practical aspects of i3-RZT/iFEM methodology is proven for three-dimensional shape-sensing of future aerospace structures.

Performance of the architect EBV antibody panel for determination of Epstein-Barr virus infection stage in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults with clinical suspicion of infectious mononucleosis.

PubMed

Guerrero-Ramos, Alvaro; Patel, Mauli; Kadakia, Kinjal; Haque, Tanzina

2014-06-01

The Architect EBV antibody panel is a new chemiluminescence immunoassay system used to determine the stage of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection based on the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and IgG antibodies against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1). We evaluated its diagnostic accuracy in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults with clinical suspicion of infectious mononucleosis (IM) using the RecomLine EBV IgM and IgG immunoblots as the reference standard. In addition, the use of the antibody panel in a sequential testing algorithm based on initial EBNA-1 IgG analysis was assessed for cost-effectiveness. Finally, we investigated the degree of cross-reactivity of the VCA IgM marker during other primary viral infections that may present with an EBV IM-like picture. High sensitivity (98.3% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 90.7 to 99.7%]) and specificity (94.2% [95% CI, 87.9 to 97.8%]) were found after testing 162 precharacterized archived serum samples. There was perfect agreement between the use of the antibody panel in sequential and parallel testing algorithms, but substantial cost savings (23%) were obtained with the sequential strategy. A high rate of reactive VCA IgM results was found in primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections (60.7%). In summary, the Architect EBV antibody panel performs satisfactorily in the investigation of EBV IM in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults, and the application of an EBNA-1 IgG-based sequential testing algorithm is cost-effective in this diagnostic setting. Concomitant testing for CMV is strongly recommended to aid in the interpretation of EBV serological patterns. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Dual-band infrared (DBIR) imaging inspections of Boeing 737 and KC-135 aircraft panels

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

Del Grande, N.K.; Dolan, K.W.; Durbin, P.F.

1993-08-27

We apply dual-band infrared (DBIR) imaging as a dynamic thermal tomography tool for wide area inspection of a Boeing 737 aircraft, and several Boeing KC-135 aircraft panels. Our analyses are discussed in this report. After flash-heating the aircraft skin, we record synchronized DBIR images every 40 ms, from onset to 8 seconds after the heat flash. We analyze selective DBIR image ratios which enhance surface temperature contrast and remove surface-emissivity clutter (from dirt, dents, tape, markings, ink, sealants, uneven paint, paint stripper, exposed metal and roughness variations). The Boeing 737 and KC-135 aircraft fuselage panels have varying percent thickness lossesmore » from corrosion. We established the correlation of percent thickness loss with surface temperature rise (above ambient) for a partially corroded F-18 wing box structure and several aluminum reference panels. Based on this correlation, lap splice temperatures rise 1{degrees}C per 24 {plus_minus} 5 % material loss at 0.4 s after the heat flash. We show tables, charts and temperature maps of typical lap splice material losses for the riveted (and bonded) Boeing 737, and the riveted (but unbonded) Boeing KC-135. We map the fuselage composite thermal inertia, based on the (inverse) slope of the surface temperature versus inverse square root of time. Composite thermal inertia maps characterize shallow skin defects within the lap splice at early times (<0.3 s) and deeper skin defects within the lap splice at late times (>0.4 s). Late time composite thermal inertia maps depict where corrosion-related thickness losses occur. Lap splice sites on a typical Boeing KC-135 panel with low composite thermal inertia values had high skin-thickness losses from corrosion.« less

Performance of the Architect EBV Antibody Panel for Determination of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Stage in Immunocompetent Adolescents and Young Adults with Clinical Suspicion of Infectious Mononucleosis

PubMed Central

Patel, Mauli; Kadakia, Kinjal; Haque, Tanzina

2014-01-01

The Architect EBV antibody panel is a new chemiluminescence immunoassay system used to determine the stage of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection based on the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and IgG antibodies against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1). We evaluated its diagnostic accuracy in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults with clinical suspicion of infectious mononucleosis (IM) using the RecomLine EBV IgM and IgG immunoblots as the reference standard. In addition, the use of the antibody panel in a sequential testing algorithm based on initial EBNA-1 IgG analysis was assessed for cost-effectiveness. Finally, we investigated the degree of cross-reactivity of the VCA IgM marker during other primary viral infections that may present with an EBV IM-like picture. High sensitivity (98.3% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 90.7 to 99.7%]) and specificity (94.2% [95% CI, 87.9 to 97.8%]) were found after testing 162 precharacterized archived serum samples. There was perfect agreement between the use of the antibody panel in sequential and parallel testing algorithms, but substantial cost savings (23%) were obtained with the sequential strategy. A high rate of reactive VCA IgM results was found in primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections (60.7%). In summary, the Architect EBV antibody panel performs satisfactorily in the investigation of EBV IM in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults, and the application of an EBNA-1 IgG-based sequential testing algorithm is cost-effective in this diagnostic setting. Concomitant testing for CMV is strongly recommended to aid in the interpretation of EBV serological patterns. PMID:24695777

LGALS4, CEACAM6, TSPAN8, and COL1A2: Blood Markers for Colorectal Cancer-Validation in a Cohort of Subjects With Positive Fecal Immunochemical Test Result.

PubMed

Rodia, Maria Teresa; Solmi, Rossella; Pasini, Francesco; Nardi, Elena; Mattei, Gabriella; Ugolini, Giampaolo; Ricciardiello, Luigi; Strippoli, Pierluigi; Miglio, Rossella; Lauriola, Mattia

2018-06-01

A noninvasive blood test for the early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly required. We evaluated a panel of 4 mRNAs as putative markers of CRC. We tested LGALS4, CEACAM6, TSPAN8, and COL1A2, referred to as the CELTiC panel, using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, on subjects with positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results and undergoing colonoscopy. Using a nonparametric test and multinomial logistic model, FIT-positive subjects were compared with CRC patients and healthy individuals. All the genes of the CELTiC panel displayed statistically significant differences between the healthy subjects (n = 67), both low-risk (n = 36) and high-risk/CRC (n = 92) subjects, and those in the negative-colonoscopy, FIT-positive group (n = 36). The multinomial logistic model revealed LGALS4 was the most powerful marker discriminating the 4 groups. When assessing the diagnostic values by analysis of the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs), the CELTiC panel reached an AUC of 0.91 (sensitivity, 79%; specificity, 94%) comparing normal subjects to low-risk subjects, and 0.88 (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 87%) comparing normal and high-risk/CRC subjects. The comparison between the normal subjects and the negative-colonoscopy, FIT-positive group revealed an AUC of 0.93 (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 97%). The CELTiC panel could represent a useful tool for discriminating subjects with positive FIT findings and for the early detection of precancerous adenomatous lesions and CRC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utility of NIST Whole-Genome Reference Materials for the Technical Validation of a Multigene Next-Generation Sequencing Test.

PubMed

Shum, Bennett O V; Henner, Ilya; Belluoccio, Daniele; Hinchcliffe, Marcus J

2017-07-01

The sensitivity and specificity of next-generation sequencing laboratory developed tests (LDTs) are typically determined by an analyte-specific approach. Analyte-specific validations use disease-specific controls to assess an LDT's ability to detect known pathogenic variants. Alternatively, a methods-based approach can be used for LDT technical validations. Methods-focused validations do not use disease-specific controls but use benchmark reference DNA that contains known variants (benign, variants of unknown significance, and pathogenic) to assess variant calling accuracy of a next-generation sequencing workflow. Recently, four whole-genome reference materials (RMs) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were released to standardize methods-based validations of next-generation sequencing panels across laboratories. We provide a practical method for using NIST RMs to validate multigene panels. We analyzed the utility of RMs in validating a novel newborn screening test that targets 70 genes, called NEO1. Despite the NIST RM variant truth set originating from multiple sequencing platforms, replicates, and library types, we discovered a 5.2% false-negative variant detection rate in the RM truth set genes that were assessed in our validation. We developed a strategy using complementary non-RM controls to demonstrate 99.6% sensitivity of the NEO1 test in detecting variants. Our findings have implications for laboratories or proficiency testing organizations using whole-genome NIST RMs for testing. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

LinkImpute: Fast and Accurate Genotype Imputation for Nonmodel Organisms.

PubMed

Money, Daniel; Gardner, Kyle; Migicovsky, Zoë; Schwaninger, Heidi; Zhong, Gan-Yuan; Myles, Sean

2015-09-15

Obtaining genome-wide genotype data from a set of individuals is the first step in many genomic studies, including genome-wide association and genomic selection. All genotyping methods suffer from some level of missing data, and genotype imputation can be used to fill in the missing data and improve the power of downstream analyses. Model organisms like human and cattle benefit from high-quality reference genomes and panels of reference genotypes that aid in imputation accuracy. In nonmodel organisms, however, genetic and physical maps often are either of poor quality or are completely absent, and there are no panels of reference genotypes available. There is therefore a need for imputation methods designed specifically for nonmodel organisms in which genomic resources are poorly developed and marker order is unreliable or unknown. Here we introduce LinkImpute, a software package based on a k-nearest neighbor genotype imputation method, LD-kNNi, which is designed for unordered markers. No physical or genetic maps are required, and it is designed to work on unphased genotype data from heterozygous species. It exploits the fact that markers useful for imputation often are not physically close to the missing genotype but rather distributed throughout the genome. Using genotyping-by-sequencing data from diverse and heterozygous accessions of apples, grapes, and maize, we compare LD-kNNi with several genotype imputation methods and show that LD-kNNi is fast, comparable in accuracy to the best-existing methods, and exhibits the least bias in allele frequency estimates. Copyright © 2015 Money et al.

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography in recalls from the Dutch breast cancer screening program: validation of results in a large multireader, multicase study.

PubMed

Lalji, U C; Houben, I P L; Prevos, R; Gommers, S; van Goethem, M; Vanwetswinkel, S; Pijnappel, R; Steeman, R; Frotscher, C; Mok, W; Nelemans, P; Smidt, M L; Beets-Tan, R G; Wildberger, J E; Lobbes, M B I

2016-12-01

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is a promising problem-solving tool in women referred from a breast cancer screening program. We aimed to study the validity of preliminary results of CESM using a larger panel of radiologists with different levels of CESM experience. All women referred from the Dutch breast cancer screening program were eligible for CESM. 199 consecutive cases were viewed by ten radiologists. Four had extensive CESM experience, three had no CESM experience but were experienced breast radiologists, and three were residents. All readers provided a BI-RADS score for the low-energy CESM images first, after which the score could be adjusted when viewing the entire CESM exam. BI-RADS 1-3 were considered benign and BI-RADS 4-5 malignant. With this cutoff, we calculated sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve. CESM increased diagnostic accuracy in all readers. The performance for all readers using CESM was: sensitivity 96.9 % (+3.9 %), specificity 69.7 % (+33.8 %) and area under the ROC curve 0.833 (+0.188). CESM is superior to conventional mammography, with excellent problem-solving capabilities in women referred from the breast cancer screening program. Previous results were confirmed even in a larger panel of readers with varying CESM experience. • CESM is consistently superior to conventional mammography • CESM increases diagnostic accuracy regardless of a reader's experience • CESM is an excellent problem-solving tool in recalls from screening programs.

Cognitive Rehabilitation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-08

Members: Dr. Sonja Batten, Lt Col Sarah Beal, Dr. Joseph Bleiberg, CPT Paul Boccio, Ms. Theresa Boyd, Dr. Keith Cicerone, Dr. Paul Comper , Dr...dizziness, etc.) that can interfere with optimal recovery ( Comper et al., 2005; DVBIC/BIAA educational references). However, clinicians currently face...al., 2005 Comper et al., 2005 Gordon et al., 2006 Griesbach et al., 2009 Hoge et. al., 2008 Kim et. al., 2009 NIH Consensus Panel, 1999

Vegetation management in sensitive areas of the Lake Tahoe Basin: A workshop to evaluate risks and advance existing strategies and practices [Independent review panel report

Treesearch

William Elliot; Wally Miller; Bruce Hartsough; Scott Stephens

2009-01-01

Elected officials, agency representatives and stakeholders representing many segments of the Lake Tahoe Basin community have all raised concerns over the limited progress in reducing excess vegetation biomass in Stream Environment Zones (SEZ) and on steep slopes (collectively referred to as sensitive areas) in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Limited access, the potential for...

Panel Discussion: Application of Living Mulch for Spring-Sown Loblolly Pine

Treesearch

Paul Ensminger

2005-01-01

Those who grow hardwood seedlings are familiar with fall sowing seeds and using rye, wheat, or oats to over-winter the crop. Throughout this paper, reference to rye is GRAIN, NOT GRASS (do not use rye grass). The rye stabilizes and insulates the beds while retarding predation and weeds. Normally sown at 2 bushels/ac (5 bushels/ha), the rye is killed with Roundup™...

Task Force on Energy Systems for Forward/Remote Operating Bases

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-01

military use While potentially beneficial, concerns with small wind turbines include reliability, visibility, and interference with...Power density is also sometimes used to refer to power per unit area (e.g., W/m2) of an antenna, solar panel, or cross-section of a wind turbine . A...GE Power & Water plans to implement additive manufacturing to create parts used in gas and wind turbines . Additive manufacturing techniques have

Strategies to compensate for the effects of nonresponse on forest carbon baseline estimates from the national forest inventory of the United States

Treesearch

Grant M. Domke; Christopher W. Woodall; Brian F. Walters; Ronald E. McRoberts; Mark A. Hatfield

2014-01-01

Forest ecosystem carbon (C) stocks and stock change in the United States (US) have been documented using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) procedures and guidance with 1990 as a baseline reference for all United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reports. In the US, estimates of forest C stocks and stock change are obtained from data...

10 CFR 431.304 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy consumption of walk-in coolers and walk-in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... machines. (b) Testing and Calculations. (1) [Reserved] (2) The R value shall be the 1/K factor multiplied by the thickness of the panel. (3) The K factor shall be based on ASTM C518 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.303). (4) For calculating the R value for freezers, the K factor of the foam at 20...

10 CFR 431.304 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy consumption of walk-in coolers and walk-in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... machines. (b) Testing and Calculations. (1) [Reserved] (2) The R value shall be the 1/K factor multiplied by the thickness of the panel. (3) The K factor shall be based on ASTM C518 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.303). (4) For calculating the R value for freezers, the K factor of the foam at 20...

A Robust Protocol for Using Multiplexed Droplet Digital PCR to Quantify Somatic Copy Number Alterations in Clinical Tissue Specimens.

PubMed

Hughesman, Curtis B; Lu, X J David; Liu, Kelly Y P; Zhu, Yuqi; Poh, Catherine F; Haynes, Charles

2016-01-01

The ability of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to accurately determine the concentrations of amplifiable targets makes it a promising platform for measuring copy number alterations (CNAs) in genomic biomarkers. However, its application to clinical samples, particularly formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens, will require strategies to reliably determine CNAs in DNA of limited quantity and quality. When applied to cancerous tissue, those methods must also account for global genetic instability and the associated probability that the abundance(s) of one or more chosen reference loci do not represent the average ploidy of cells comprising the specimen. Here we present an experimental design strategy and associated data analysis tool that enables accurate determination of CNAs in a panel of biomarkers using multiplexed ddPCR. The method includes strategies to optimize primer and probes design to cleanly segregate droplets in the data output from reaction wells amplifying multiple independent templates, and to correct for bias from artifacts such as DNA fragmentation. We demonstrate how a panel of reference loci can be used to determine a stable CNA-neutral benchmark. These innovations, when taken together, provide a comprehensive strategy that can be used to reliably detect biomarker CNAs in DNA extracted from either frozen or FFPE tissue biopsies.

A systematic review on the microscopic agglutination test seroepidemiology of bovine leptospirosis in Latin America.

PubMed

Pinto, Priscila da Silva; Libonati, Hugo; Penna, Bruno; Lilenbaum, Walter

2016-02-01

The diagnosis of leptospirosis commonly relies on serology, which has three issues that are referred: the sampling, the antigen panel, and the cutoff point. We propose a systematic review of the bovine leptospirosis in Latin America, in order to provide a better understanding of the evolution of the research and of the seroepidemiology of bovine leptospirosis in that region. Internet databases were consulted over the year of 2014. Inclusion criteria for analysis included serosurvey using microscopic agglutination test (MAT), a relevant number of animals, the presence in the antigen panel of at least one representant of serogroup Sejroe, and a cutoff point of ≥100. A total of 242 articles that referred to cattle, leptospir*, and one region of Latin America was found. Only 105 articles regarding to serosurveys using MAT were found in several countries, and 61 (58.1 %) met all the inclusion criteria. In conclusion, this systematic review demonstrated a high prevalence of the infection (75.0 % at herd level and 44.2 % at animal level), with predominance of strains of serogroup Sejroe (80.3 %). It was evident that there is the necessity of more studies in several countries, as well as the need for greater standardization in studies, especially with regard to the adopted cutoff point at serological tests.

Transmittance Measurement of a Heliostat Facility used in the Preflight Radiometric Calibration of Earth-Observing Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Czapla-Myers, J.; Thome, K.; Anderson, N.; McCorkel, J.; Leisso, N.; Good, W.; Collins, S.

2009-01-01

Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation in Boulder, Colorado, has developed a heliostat facility that will be used to determine the preflight radiometric calibration of Earth-observing sensors that operate in the solar-reflective regime. While automatically tracking the Sun, the heliostat directs the solar beam inside a thermal vacuum chamber, where the sensor under test resides. The main advantage to using the Sun as the illumination source for preflight radiometric calibration is because it will also be the source of illumination when the sensor is in flight. This minimizes errors in the pre- and post-launch calibration due to spectral mismatches. It also allows the instrument under test to operate at irradiance values similar to those on orbit. The Remote Sensing Group at the University of Arizona measured the transmittance of the heliostat facility using three methods, the first of which is a relative measurement made using a hyperspectral portable spectroradiometer and well-calibrated reference panel. The second method is also a relative measurement, and uses a 12-channel automated solar radiometer. The final method is an absolute measurement using a hyperspectral spectroradiometer and reference panel combination, where the spectroradiometer is calibrated on site using a solar-radiation-based calibration.

Summative assessment of 5th year medical students’ clinical reasoning by script concordance test: requirements and challenges

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The Script Concordance Test (SCT) has not been reported in summative assessment of students across the multiple domains of a medical curriculum. We report the steps used to build a test for summative assessment in a medical curriculum. Methods A 51 case, 158-question, multidisciplinary paper was constructed to assess clinical reasoning in 5th-year. 10–16 experts in each of 7 discipline-based reference panels answered questions on-line. A multidisciplinary group considered reference panel data and data from a volunteer group of 6th Years, who sat the same test, to determine the passing score for the 5th Years. Results The mean (SD) scores were 63.6 (7.6) and 68.6 (4.8) for the 6th Year (n = 23, alpha = 0.78) and and 5th Year (n = 132, alpha =0.62) groups (p < 0.05), respectively. The passing score was set at 4 SD from the expert mean. Four students failed. Conclusions The SCT may be a useful method to assess clinical reasoning in medical students in multidisciplinary summative assessments. Substantial investment in training of faculty and students and in the development of questions is required. PMID:22571351

[Comparison of serological procedures used for the diagnosis of viral exanthema in laboratories participating in the measles elimination plan].

PubMed

de Ory, Fernando; Sanz, Juan Carlos; Echevarría, Juan Emilio; Mosquera, María del Mar; Guisasola, María Eulalia

2004-01-01

The comparison of serological methods used by the laboratories participating in the Network for the Elimination of Measles to diagnose measles virus infection as well as differential diagnosis with other exanthematic diseases are compared. One panel of 20 serum samples including measles (12), rubella (4), parvovirus B19 (2) and dengue (2) infections was established. All cases were diagnosed by detection of specific IgM. The panel was sent to the laboratories of the Network. The results were compared with those obtained at the reference laboratory. Regarding measles, IgM response from 20 laboratories (19 by ELISA and 1 by indirect immunofluorescence) was obtained, with an agreement of 91.5%. Related to rubella IgM, replay from 6 laboratories, using ELISA, was received, with an agreement of 98.7%. With respect to parvovirus B19 IgM, response from 10 laboratories (8 by ELISA and 2 by indirect immunofluorescence) was obtained, with an agreement of 94.6%. Results about dengue virus were not reported by any laboratory. Some laboratories from the network should review the methods used for the diagnosis of measles and other exanthematic diseases. The results reassert the need for a reference laboratory to support confirmation of the results.

Photocatalytic degradation of NOx in a pilot street canyon configuration using TiO2-mortar panels.

PubMed

Maggos, Th; Plassais, A; Bartzis, J G; Vasilakos, Ch; Moussiopoulos, N; Bonafous, L

2008-01-01

Titanium dioxide is the most important photocatalysts used for purifying applications. If a TiO2- containing material is left outdoors as a form of flat panels, it is activated by sunlight to remove harmful NOx gases during the day. The photocatalytic efficiency of a TiO2-treated mortar for removal of NOx was investigated in the frame of this work. For this purpose a fully equipped monitoring system was designed at a pilot site. This system allows the in situ evaluation of the de-polluting properties of a photocatalytic material by taking into account the climatologic phenomena in street canyons, accurate measurements of pollution level and full registration of meteorological data The pilot site involved three artificial canyon streets, a pollution source, continuous NOx measurements inside the canyons and the source as well as background and meteorological measurements. Significant differences on the NOx concentration level were observed between the TiO2 treated and the reference canyon. NOx values in TiO2 canyon were 36.7 to 82.0% lower than the ones observed in the reference one. Data arising from this study could be used to assess the impact of the photocatalytic material on the purification of the urban environment.

Effect of harmane, an endogenous β-carboline, on learning and memory in rats.

PubMed

Celikyurt, Ipek Komsuoglu; Utkan, Tijen; Gocmez, Semil Selcen; Hudson, Alan; Aricioglu, Feyza

2013-01-01

Our aim was to investigate the effects of acute harmane administration upon learning and memory performance of rats using the three-panel runway paradigm and passive avoidance test. Male rats received harmane (2.5, 5, and 7.5mg/kg, i.p.) or saline 30 min. before each session of experiments. In the three panel runway paradigm, harmane did not affect the number of errors and latency in reference memory. The effect of harmane on the errors of working memory was significantly higher following the doses of 5mg/kg and 7.5mg/kg. The latency was changed significantly at only 7.5mg/kg in comparison to control group. Animals were given pre-training injection of harmane in the passive avoidance test in order to determine the learning function. Harmane treatment decreased the retention latency significantly and dose dependently, which indicates an impairment in learning. In this study, harmane impaired working memory in three panel runway test and learning in passive avoidance test. As an endogenous bioactive molecule, harmane might have a critical role in the modulation of learning and memory functions. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spatiotemporal Characteristics, Determinants and Scenario Analysis of CO2 Emissions in China Using Provincial Panel Data.

PubMed

Wang, Shaojian; Fang, Chuanglin; Li, Guangdong

2015-01-01

This paper empirically investigated the spatiotemporal variations, influencing factors and future emission trends of China's CO2 emissions based on a provincial panel data set. A series of panel econometric models were used taking the period 1995-2011 into consideration. The results indicated that CO2 emissions in China increased over time, and were characterized by noticeable regional discrepancies; in addition, CO2 emissions also exhibited properties of spatial dependence and convergence. Factors such as population scale, economic level and urbanization level exerted a positive influence on CO2 emissions. Conversely, energy intensity was identified as having a negative influence on CO2 emissions. In addition, the significance of the relationship between CO2 emissions and the four variables varied across the provinces based on their scale of economic development. Scenario simulations further showed that the scenario of middle economic growth, middle population increase, low urbanization growth, and high technology improvement (here referred to as Scenario BTU), constitutes the best development model for China to realize the future sustainable development. Based on these empirical findings, we also provide a number of policy recommendations with respect to the future mitigation of CO2 emissions.

Bayesian latent class estimation of the incidence of chest radiograph-confirmed pneumonia in rural Thailand.

PubMed

Lu, Y; Baggett, H C; Rhodes, J; Thamthitiwat, S; Joseph, L; Gregory, C J

2016-10-01

Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide with radiographically confirmed pneumonia a key disease burden indicator. This is usually determined by a radiology panel which is assumed to be the best available standard; however, this assumption may introduce bias into pneumonia incidence estimates. To improve estimates of radiographic pneumonia incidence, we applied Bayesian latent class modelling (BLCM) to a large database of hospitalized patients with acute lower respiratory tract illness in Sa Kaeo and Nakhon Phanom provinces, Thailand from 2005 to 2010 with chest radiographs read by both a radiology panel and a clinician. We compared these estimates to those from conventional analysis. For children aged <5 years, estimated radiographically confirmed pneumonia incidence by BLCM was 2394/100 000 person-years (95% credible interval 2185-2574) vs. 1736/100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval 1706-1766) from conventional analysis. For persons aged ⩾5 years, estimated radiographically confirmed pneumonia incidence was similar between BLCM and conventional analysis (235 vs. 215/100 000 person-years). BLCM suggests the incidence of radiographically confirmed pneumonia in young children is substantially larger than estimated from the conventional approach using radiology panels as the reference standard.

Moire interferometry patterns for rotational alignment of structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heidari, Esmaeil; Harding, Kevin

2016-08-01

In some manufacturing applications the alignment of fine structures formed on the surface of a part such as micro-scribed patterns on solar panels can be critical to the panel performance. Variations in pattern uniformity may degrade the efficiency of the solar panel if the pattern deviates significantly from designed parameters. This paper will explore the use of moire patterns to interpret the angular alignment of such structures on 3 dimensional non-planar shapes. The moire interferometry pattern creates a beat between the scribed pattern and a reference pattern that is a function of both the shape of the part as well as the shape of the scribed pattern. Both the part shape variations and the patterns of interest are typically much smaller than can be seen visually. Similar challenges exist when inspecting specular models or testing low quality optics. The moire effect allows small displacements to be measured from patterns that are well below the resolution of the camera systems that are used to view the patterns. Issues such as the separation of the shape of the part from the alignment of the fine structure as well as resolution and robustness of the technique will be explored in this paper.

Spatiotemporal Characteristics, Determinants and Scenario Analysis of CO2 Emissions in China Using Provincial Panel Data

PubMed Central

Wang, Shaojian

2015-01-01

This paper empirically investigated the spatiotemporal variations, influencing factors and future emission trends of China’s CO2 emissions based on a provincial panel data set. A series of panel econometric models were used taking the period 1995–2011 into consideration. The results indicated that CO2 emissions in China increased over time, and were characterized by noticeable regional discrepancies; in addition, CO2 emissions also exhibited properties of spatial dependence and convergence. Factors such as population scale, economic level and urbanization level exerted a positive influence on CO2 emissions. Conversely, energy intensity was identified as having a negative influence on CO2 emissions. In addition, the significance of the relationship between CO2 emissions and the four variables varied across the provinces based on their scale of economic development. Scenario simulations further showed that the scenario of middle economic growth, middle population increase, low urbanization growth, and high technology improvement (here referred to as Scenario BTU), constitutes the best development model for China to realize the future sustainable development. Based on these empirical findings, we also provide a number of policy recommendations with respect to the future mitigation of CO2 emissions. PMID:26397373

Effective medical treatment of opiate addiction. National Consensus Development Panel on Effective Medical Treatment of Opiate Addiction.

PubMed

1998-12-09

To provide clinicians, patients, and the general public with a responsible assessment of the effective approaches to treat opiate dependence. A nonfederal, nonadvocate, 12-member panel representing the fields of psychology, psychiatry, behavioral medicine, family medicine, drug abuse, epidemiology, and the public. In addition, 25 experts from these same fields presented data to the panel and a conference audience of 600. Presentations and discussions were divided into 3 phases over 2 1/2 days: (1) presentations by investigators working in the areas relevant to the consensus questions during a 2-day public session; (2) questions and statements from conference attendees during open discussion periods that are part of the public session; and (3) closed deliberations by the panel during the remainder of the second day and morning of a third day. The conference was organized and supported by the Office of Medical Applications of Research, National Institutes of Health. The literature was searched through MEDLINE and other National Library of Medicine and online databases from January 1994 through September 1997 and an extensive bibliography of 941 references was provided to the panel and the conference audience. Experts prepared abstracts for their presentations as speakers at the conference with relevant citations from the literature. Scientific evidence was given precedence over clinical anecdotal experience. The panel, answering predefined questions, developed its conclusions based on the scientific evidence presented in open forum and the scientific literature. The panel composed a draft statement that was read in its entirety and circulated to the experts and the audience for comment. Thereafter, the panel resolved conflicting recommendations and released a revised statement at the end of the conference. The panel finalized the revisions within a few weeks after the conference. The draft statement was made available on the World Wide Web immediately following its release at the conference and was updated with the panel's final revisions. Opiate dependence is a brain-related medical disorder that can be effectively treated with significant benefits for the patient and society, and society must make a commitment to offer effective treatment for opiate dependence to all who need it. All persons dependent on opiates should have access to methadone hydrochloride maintenance therapy under legal supervision, and the US Office of National Drug Control Policy and the US Department of Justice should take the necessary steps to implement this recommendation. There is a need for improved training for physicians and other health care professionals. Training to determine diagnosis and treatment of opiate dependence should also be improved in medical schools. The unnecessary regulations of methadone maintenance therapy and other long-acting opiate agonist treatment programs should be reduced, and coverage for these programs should be a required benefit in public and private insurance programs.

The false security of blind dates: chrononymization's lack of impact on data privacy of laboratory data.

PubMed

Cimino, J J

2012-01-01

The reuse of clinical data for research purposes requires methods for the protection of personal privacy. One general approach is the removal of personal identifiers from the data. A frequent part of this anonymization process is the removal of times and dates, which we refer to as "chrononymization." While this step can make the association with identified data (such as public information or a small sample of patient information) more difficult, it comes at a cost to the usefulness of the data for research. We sought to determine whether removal of dates from common laboratory test panels offers any advantage in protecting such data from re-identification. We obtained a set of results for 5.9 million laboratory panels from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Biomedical Translational Research Information System (BTRIS), selected a random set of 20,000 panels from the larger source sets, and then identified all matches between the sets. We found that while removal of dates could hinder the re-identification of a single test result, such removal had almost no effect when entire panels were used. Our results suggest that reliance on chrononymization provides a false sense of security for the protection of laboratory test results. As a result of this study, the NIH has chosen to rely on policy solutions, such as strong data use agreements, rather than removal of dates when reusing clinical data for research purposes.

An evaluation of primary care led dementia diagnostic services in Bristol.

PubMed

Dodd, Emily; Cheston, Richard; Fear, Tina; Brown, Ellie; Fox, Chris; Morley, Clare; Jefferies, Rosalyn; Gray, Richard

2014-11-29

Typically people who go to see their GP with a memory problem will be initially assessed and those patients who seem to be at risk will be referred onto a memory clinic. The demographic forces mean that memory services will need to expand to meet demand. An alternative may be to expand the role of primary care in dementia diagnosis and care. The aim of this study was to contrast patient, family member and professional experience of primary and secondary (usual) care led memory services. A qualitative, participatory study. A topic guide was developed by the peer and professional panels. Data were collected through peer led interviews of people with dementia, their family members and health professionals. Eleven (21%) of the 53 GP practices in Bristol offered primary care led dementia services. Three professional panels were held and were attended by 9 professionals; nine carers but no patients were involved in the three peer panels. These panels identified four main themes: GPs rarely make independent dementia diagnosis; GPs and memory nurses work together; patients and carers generally experience a high quality diagnostic service; an absence of post diagnostic support. Evidence relating to these themes was collected through a total of 46 participants took part; 23 (50%) in primary care and 23 (50%) in the memory service. Patients and carers were generally satisfied with either primary or secondary care led approaches to dementia diagnosis. Their major concern, shared with many health care professionals, was a lack of post diagnostic support.

Assembly And Initial Characterization Of A Panel Of 85 Genomically Validated Cell Lines From Diverse Head And Neck Tumor Sites

PubMed Central

Zhao, Mei; Sano, Daisuke; Pickering, Curtis R.; Jasser, Samar A.; Henderson, Ying C.; Clayman, Gary L.; Sturgis, Erich M.; Ow, Thomas J.; Lotan, Reuben; Carey, Thomas E.; Sacks, Peter G.; Grandis, Jennifer R.; Sidransky, David; Heldin, Nils Erik; Myers, Jeffrey N.

2011-01-01

Purpose Human cell lines are useful for studying cancer biology and pre-clinically modeling cancer therapy, but can be misidentified and cross contamination is unfortunately common. The purpose of this study was to develop a panel of validated head and neck cell lines representing the spectrum of tissue sites and histologies that could be used for studying the molecular, genetic, and phenotypic diversity of head and neck cancer. Methods A panel of 122 clinically and phenotypically diverse head and neck cell lines from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), thyroid cancer, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, oral leukoplakia, immortalized primary keratinocytes, and normal epithelium, was assembled from the collections of several individuals and institutions. Authenticity was verified by performing short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) status and cell morphology were also determined. Results Eighty-five of the 122 cell lines had unique genetic profiles. HPV-16 DNA was detected in 2 cell lines. These 85 cell lines included cell lines from the major head and neck primary tumor sites, and close examination demonstrates a wide range of in vitro phenotypes. Conclusion This panel of 85 genomically validated head and neck cell lines represents a valuable resource for the head and neck cancer research community that can help advance understanding of the disease by providing a standard reference for cell lines that can be utilized for biological as well as preclinical studies. PMID:21868764

The False Security of Blind Dates

PubMed Central

Cimino, J.J.

2012-01-01

Background The reuse of clinical data for research purposes requires methods for the protection of personal privacy. One general approach is the removal of personal identifiers from the data. A frequent part of this anonymization process is the removal of times and dates, which we refer to as “chrononymization.” While this step can make the association with identified data (such as public information or a small sample of patient information) more difficult, it comes at a cost to the usefulness of the data for research. Objectives We sought to determine whether removal of dates from common laboratory test panels offers any advantage in protecting such data from re-identification. Methods We obtained a set of results for 5.9 million laboratory panels from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Biomedical Translational Research Information System (BTRIS), selected a random set of 20,000 panels from the larger source sets, and then identified all matches between the sets. Results We found that while removal of dates could hinder the re-identification of a single test result, such removal had almost no effect when entire panels were used. Conclusions Our results suggest that reliance on chrononymization provides a false sense of security for the protection of laboratory test results. As a result of this study, the NIH has chosen to rely on policy solutions, such as strong data use agreements, rather than removal of dates when reusing clinical data for research purposes. PMID:23646086

[Risk management of soybean-related asthma: monitoring and surveillance].

PubMed

Villalbí, Joan R; Carrascal, Dolors; Caylà, Joan A; Rodríguez, Pau; Cruz, M A Jesús; Pintó, Josep M

2011-01-01

Allergen emissions during soybean unloading operations in the Barcelona harbor have caused asthma epidemics. The present article aimed to describe the surveillance and control measures carried out by the public health services. Data were extracted from control systems from 1999 to 2009, with description of the surveillance schemes for allergen emissions, environmental concentrations (with defined reference levels) and for health. Of 95 studies of plant emission, four were above the reference levels, and filters were found to be the most likely cause. Mean environmental concentrations were low but were above the reference levels on 13 days; these levels were related to adverse meteorological conditions and incidents in the plants. No health effects were detected in the panel of patients nor epidemic asthma days. The system detects incidents and has shown its usefulness in protecting public health. Copyright © 2011 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Constraints on transportation of reagents, reference materials and samples, difficulties and possible solutions: a user's perspective.

PubMed

Blanchard, P C

2006-01-01

The air transportation of infectious materials is regulated by international air transport associations and based on United Nations Model regulations which have become more practical in addressing animal disease agents. However, individual countries' import and interstate requirements determine what materials can be imported and transported, and this approval process can be long, resulting in delays in organism confirmation, use of international OIE and other reference laboratories, and acquisition of reference materials, proficiency test panels, and reagents for performing necessary testing. Delays can be prevented for permits that are required for the routine work performed by a laboratory through the use of comprehensive and annually renewed permits. This process, however, does not address new and exotic agents where time is critical to an effective emergency response. This paper suggests actions by both the OIE and regulatory authorities which can assist in streamlining and expediting the permit process.

3D-CAM: Derivation and Validation of a 3-Minute Diagnostic Interview for CAM-defined Delirium

PubMed Central

Marcantonio, Edward R.; Ngo, Long H.; O’Connor, Margaret; Jones, Richard N.; Crane, Paul K.; Metzger, Eran D.; Inouye, Sharon K.

2015-01-01

Background Delirium is common, morbid, and costly, yet remains often unrecognized in most clinical settings. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is the most widely used diagnostic algorithm, and operationalizing its features would represent a substantial advance for clinical care. Objective To derive the 3D-CAM, a new 3-minute diagnostic assessment for CAM-defined delirium, and to validate it against a clinical reference standard. Design Diagnostic test study Setting 4 general medicine units in an academic medical center Participants 201 inpatients aged ≥ 75 years old Measurements We identified 20 items that best operationalized the 4 CAM diagnostic features to create the 3D-CAM. For prospective validation, 3D-CAM assessments were administered by trained research assistants. Independently, clinicians performed an extensive assessment that included patient interviews, family interviews, and review of the medical record. These data were considered by an expert panel to determine the presence or absence of delirium and dementia (reference standard). We compared the 3D-CAM delirium determination to the reference standard in all patients and in subgroups with and without dementia. Results The 201 participants in the prospective validation study had mean age (SD) of 84 (5.5) years, and 27% had dementia. The expert panel identified delirium in 21%. Median administration time for 3D-CAM was 3 minutes (inter-quartile range: 2–5 minutes). The sensitivity [95% CI] of 3D-CAM was 95% [84%, 99%] and the specificity was 94% [90%, 97%]. The 3D-CAM performed well in patients both with dementia (sensitivity=96% [82%, 100%], specificity=86% [67%, 96%]) and without dementia (sensitivity=93% [66%, 100%], specificity=96% [91%,99%]). Limitations Limited to single center, cross-sectional, and medicine patients only Conclusion The 3D-CAM operationalizes the CAM algorithm using a 3-minute structured assessment with high sensitivity and specificity relative to a reference standard and could be an important tool for improving recognition of delirium. PMID:25329203

GENE-07. MOLECULAR NEUROPATHOLOGY 2.0 - INCREASING DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY IN PEDIATRIC NEUROONCOLOGY

PubMed Central

Sturm, Dominik; Jones, David T.W.; Capper, David; Sahm, Felix; von Deimling, Andreas; Rutkoswki, Stefan; Warmuth-Metz, Monika; Bison, Brigitte; Gessi, Marco; Pietsch, Torsten; Pfister, Stefan M.

2017-01-01

Abstract The classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors into clinically and biologically distinct entities and subgroups is challenging. Children and adolescents can be affected by >100 histological variants with very variable outcomes, some of which are exceedingly rare. The current WHO classification has introduced a number of novel molecular markers to aid routine neuropathological diagnostics, and DNA methylation profiling is emerging as a powerful tool to distinguish CNS tumor classes. The Molecular Neuropathology 2.0 study aims to integrate genome wide (epi-)genetic diagnostics with reference neuropathological assessment for all newly-diagnosed pediatric brain tumors in Germany. To date, >350 patients have been enrolled. A molecular diagnosis is established by epigenetic tumor classification through DNA methylation profiling and targeted panel sequencing of >130 genes to detect diagnostically and/or therapeutically useful DNA mutations, structural alterations, and fusion events. Results are aligned with the reference neuropathological diagnosis, and discrepant findings are discussed in a multi-disciplinary tumor board including reference neuroradiological evaluation. Ten FFPE sections as input material are sufficient to establish a molecular diagnosis in >95% of tumors. Alignment with reference pathology results in four broad categories: a) concordant classification (~77%), b) discrepant classification resolvable by tumor board discussion and/or additional data (~5%), c) discrepant classification without currently available options to resolve (~8%), and d) cases currently unclassifiable by molecular diagnostics (~10%). Discrepancies are enriched in certain histopathological entities, such as histological high grade gliomas with a molecularly low grade profile. Gene panel sequencing reveals predisposing germline events in ~10% of patients. Genome wide (epi-)genetic analyses add a valuable layer of information to routine neuropathological diagnostics. Our study provides insight into CNS tumors with divergent histopathological and molecular classification, opening new avenues for research discoveries and facilitating optimization of clinical management for affected patients in the future.

Bayesian Inference of Nonstationary Precipitation Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curves for Infrastructure Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

design . ERDC/CHL CHETN-X-2. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. http://chl.erdc.usace.army. mil/chetn REFERENCES...Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, edited by S. Solomon , D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M...Duration- Frequency Curves for Infrastructure Design by Brian E. Skahill, Amir AghaKouchak, Linyin Cheng, Aaron Byrd, and Joseph Kanney

Visual Confirmation of Voice Takeoff Clearance (VICON) Operational Evaluation. Volume I.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-02-01

probable language ferred the Mimic panel over the others problem in a second, a crew member’s and stated that it was easiest to use misirterpretation of a...of references were made to the language difficulties which occurred at Tenerife, but do not occur here. 103 0 Safety is negatively affected because...recommendation, and two included language . One controller mentioned better overall controller training. 0 Improve pilot training. Better training and

Information Operations Versus Civilian Marketing and Advertising: A Comparative Analysis to Improve IO Planning and Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

best suited for which portion of IO. 78 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 79 LIST OF REFERENCES Armstrong, Gary and Kotler , Philip . Marketing...online surveys, to collect detailed information on customer needs, interests, and desires.” (Armstrong and Kotler . 2006) Conducting panel surveys...interviews, focus groups, or online surveys, to collect detailed information on customer needs, interests, and desires.” (Armstrong, Gary and Kotler

Design and implementation of an external quality assessment program for HIV viral load measurements using dried blood spots.

PubMed

Prach, Lisa M; Puren, Adrian; Lippman, Sheri A; Carmona, Sergio; Stephenson, Sophie; Cutler, Ewalde; Barnhart, Scott; Liegler, Teri

2015-03-01

An external quality assurance program was developed for HIV-1 RNA viral load measurements taken from dried blood spots using a reference panel and field-collected specimens. The program demonstrated that accurate and reproducible quantitation can be obtained from field-collected specimens. Residual proviral DNA may confound interpretation in virologically suppressed subjects. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Quantifying nonhomogeneous colors in agricultural materials. Part II: comparison of machine vision and sensory panel evaluations.

PubMed

Balaban, M O; Aparicio, J; Zotarelli, M; Sims, C

2008-11-01

The average colors of mangos and apples were measured using machine vision. A method to quantify the perception of nonhomogeneous colors by sensory panelists was developed. Three colors out of several reference colors and their perceived percentage of the total sample area were selected by untrained panelists. Differences between the average colors perceived by panelists and those from the machine vision were reported as DeltaE values (color difference error). Effects of nonhomogeneity of color, and using real samples or their images in the sensory panels on DeltaE were evaluated. In general, samples with more nonuniform colors had higher DeltaE values, suggesting that panelists had more difficulty in evaluating more nonhomogeneous colors. There was no significant difference in DeltaE values between the real fruits and their screen image, therefore images can be used to evaluate color instead of the real samples.

Coal liquefaction: A research and development needs assessment: Final report, Volume II

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

Schindler, H.D.; Burke, F.P.; Chao, K.C.

1989-03-01

Volume II of this report on an assessment of research needs for coal liquefaction contains reviews of the five liquefaction technologies---direct, indirect, pyrolysis, coprocessing, and bioconversion. These reviews are not meant to be encyclopedic; several outstanding reviews of liquefaction have appeared in recent years and the reader is referred to these whenever applicable. Instead, these chapters contain reviews of selected topics that serve to support the panel's recommendations or to illustrate recent accomplishments, work in progress, or areas of major research interest. At the beginning of each of these chapters is a brief introduction and a summary of the mostmore » important research recommendations brought out during the panel discussions and supported by the material presented in the review. A review of liquefaction developments outside the US is included. 594 refs., 100 figs., 60 tabs.« less

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

PubMed

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

2012-03-01

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

Emergency Medicine

PubMed Central

Binder, Louis S.; Chappell, James A.

1991-01-01

The Scientific Board of the California Medical Association presents the following inventory of items of progress in emergency medicine. Each item, in the judgment of a panel of knowledgeable physicians, has recently become reasonably firmly established, both as to scientific fact and important clinical significance. The items are presented in simple epitome, and an authoritative reference, both to the item itself and to the subject as a whole, is generally given for those who may be unfamiliar with a particular item. The purpose is to assist busy practitioners, students, researchers, or scholars to stay abreast of these items of progress in emergency medicine that have recently achieved a substantial degree of authoritative acceptance, whether in their own field of special interest or another. The items of progress listed below were selected by the Advisory Panel to the Section on Emergency Medicine of the California Medical Association, and the summaries were prepared under its direction. PMID:1949777

Assessment of Transition Element Speciation in Glasses Using a Portable Transmission Ultraviolet-Visible-Near-Infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) Spectrometer.

PubMed

Hunault, Myrtille; Lelong, Gérald; Gauthier, Michel; Gélébart, Frédéric; Ismael, Saindou; Galoisy, Laurence; Bauchau, Fanny; Loisel, Claudine; Calas, Georges

2016-05-01

A new low-cost experimental setup based on two compact dispersive optical spectrometers has been developed to measure optical absorption transmission spectra over the 350-2500 nm energy range. We demonstrate how near-infrared (NIR) data are essential to identify the coloring species in addition to ultraviolet visible data. After calibration with reference glasses, the use of an original sample stage that maintains the window panel in the vertical position enables the comparison of ancient and modern glasses embedded in a panel from the Sainte-Chapelle of Paris, without any sampling. The spectral resolution enables to observe fine resonances arising in the absorption bands of Cr(3+), and the complementary information obtained in the NIR enables to determine the contribution of Fe(2+), a key indicator of glassmaking conditions. © The Author(s) 2016.

Illuminations that improve color discrimination ability of people with red-green color vision deficiency.

PubMed

Flinkman, Mika; Nakauchi, Shigeki

2017-10-01

In this research, three illuminants that improve color discrimination ability of people with red-green color vision deficiency were developed. The illuminants are close to daylight-colored and were produced by using spectral optimization. Deutans were the focus of this research, but a few protans were also tested for reference. The illuminants were produced by combining different types of LEDs, and their effects were tested with several test subjects with and without color vision deficiency using the Ishihara color vision test and the Farnsworth Panel D-15 test. The illuminant with the most powerful effect provided near perfect results with the Ishihara test for deutans, while the other two illuminants produced smaller improvements. The Farnsworth Panel D-15 test produced results that were similar to the Ishihara test though generally the color discrimination of blue hues was weaker under the most powerful illuminant.

The Effect of Emulsion Intensity on Selected Sensory and Instrumental Texture Properties of Full-Fat Mayonnaise

PubMed Central

Olsson, Viktoria; Håkansson, Andreas

2018-01-01

Varying processing conditions can strongly affect the microstructure of mayonnaise, opening up new applications for the creation of products tailored to meet different consumer preferences. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of emulsification intensity on sensory and instrumental characteristics of full-fat mayonnaise. Mayonnaise, based on a standard recipe, was processed at low and high emulsification intensities, with selected sensory and instrumental properties then evaluated using an analytical panel and a back extrusion method. The evaluation also included a commercial reference mayonnaise. The overall effects of a higher emulsification intensity on the sensory and instrumental characteristics of full-fat mayonnaise were limited. However, texture was affected, with a more intense emulsification resulting in a firmer mayonnaise according to both back extrusion data and the analytical sensory panel. Appearance, taste and flavor attributes were not affected by processing. PMID:29342128

Vibroacoustic Characterization of Corrugated-Core and Honeycomb-Core Sandwich Panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Albert; Schiller, Noah

2016-01-01

The vibroacoustic characteristics of two candidate launch vehicle fairing structures, corrugated- core and honeycomb-core sandwich designs, were studied. The study of these structures has been motivated by recent risk reduction efforts focused on mitigating high noise levels within the payload bays of large launch vehicles during launch. The corrugated-core sandwich concept is of particular interest as a dual purpose structure due to its ability to harbor resonant noise control systems without appreciably adding mass or taking up additional volume. Specifically, modal information, wavelength dispersion, and damping were determined from a series of vibrometer measurements and subsequent analysis procedures carried out on two test panels. Numerical and analytical modeling techniques were also used to assess assumed material properties and to further illuminate underlying structural dynamic aspects. Results from the tests and analyses described herein may serve as a reference for additional vibroacoustic studies involving these or similar structures.

Deconvoluting physical and chemical heat: Temperature and spiciness influence flavor differently.

PubMed

Kapaun, Camille L; Dando, Robin

2017-03-01

Flavor is an essential, rich and rewarding part of human life. We refer to both physical and chemical heat in similar terms; elevated temperature and capsaicin are both termed hot. Both influence our perception of flavor, however little research exists into the possibly divergent effect of chemical and physical heat on flavor. A human sensory panel was recruited to determine the equivalent level of capsaicin to match the heat of several physical temperatures. In a subsequent session, the intensities of multiple concentrations of tastant solutions were scaled by the same panel. Finally, panelists evaluated tastants plus equivalent chemical or physical "heat". All basic tastes aside from umami were influenced by heat, capsaicin, or both. Interestingly, capsaicin blocked bitter taste input much more powerfully than elevated temperature. This suggests that despite converging percepts, chemical and physical heat have a fundamentally different effect on the perception of flavor. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Glutathione determination by the Tietze enzymatic recycling assay and its relationship to cellular radiation response.

PubMed Central

Eady, J. J.; Orta, T.; Dennis, M. F.; Stratford, M. R.; Peacock, J. H.

1995-01-01

Large fluctuations in glutathione content were observed on a daily basis using the Tietze enzyme recycling assay in a panel of six human cell lines of varying radiosensitivity. Glutathione content tended to increase to a maximum during exponential cell proliferation, and then decreased at different rates as the cells approached plateau phase. By reference to high-performance liquid chromatography and flow cytometry of the fluorescent bimane derivative we were able to verify that these changes were real. However, the Tietze assay was occasionally unable to detect glutathione in two of our cell lines (MGH-U1 and AT5BIVA), although the other methods indicated its presence. The existence of an inhibitory activity responsible for these anomalies was confirmed through spiking our samples with known amounts of glutathione. We were unable to detect a direct relationship between cellular glutathione concentration and aerobic radiosensitivity in our panel of cell lines. PMID:7577452

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A SUSTAINABLE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT RE-ROOFING TECHNOLOGY USING FIELD-TEST DATA

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

Biswas, Kaushik; Miller, William A; Childs, Phillip W

2011-01-01

Three test attics were constructed to evaluate a new sustainable method of re-roofing utilizing photo-voltaic (PV) laminates, metal roofing panels, and PCM heat sink in the Envelope Systems Research Apparatus (ESRA) facility in the ORNL campus. Figure 1 is a picture of the three attic roofs located adjacent to each other. The leftmost roof is the conventional shingle roof, followed by the metal panel roof incorporating the cool-roof coating, and third from left is the roof with the PCM. On the PCM roof, the PV panels are seen as well; they're labelled from left-to-right as panels 5, 6 and 7.more » The metal panel roof consists of three metal panels with the cool-roof coating; in further discussion this is referred to as the infrared reflective (IRR) metal roof. The IRR metal panels reflect the incoming solar radiation and then quickly re-emit the remaining absorbed portion, thereby reducing the solar heat gain of the attic. Surface reflectance of the panels were measured using a Solar Spectrum Reflectometer. In the 0.35-2.0 {mu}m wavelength interval, which accounts for more than 94% of the solar energy, the IRR panels have an average reflectance of 0.303. In the infrared portion of the spectrum, the IRR panel reflectance is 0.633. The PCM roof consists of a layer of macro-encapsulated bio-based PCM at the bottom, followed by a 2-cm thick layer of dense fiberglass insulation with a reflective surface on top, and metal panels with pre-installed PV laminates on top. The PCM has a melting point of 29 C (84.2 F) and total enthalpy between 180 and 190 J/g. The PCM was macro-packaged in between two layers of heavy-duty plastic foil forming arrays of PCM cells. Two air cavities, between PCM cells and above the fiberglass insulation, helped the over-the-deck natural air ventilation. It is anticipated that during summer, this extra ventilation will help in reducing the attic-generated cooling loads. The extra ventilation, in conjunction with the PCM heat sink, are used to minimize thermal stresses due to the PV laminates on sunny days. In PV laminates sunlight is converted into electricity and heat simultaneous. In case of building integrated applications, a relatively high solar absorption of amorphous silicon laminates can be utilized during the winter for solar heating purposes with PCM providing necessary heat storage capacity. However, PV laminates may also generate increased building cooling loads during the summer months. Therefore, in this project, the PCM heat sink was to minimize summer heat gains as well. The PCM-fibreglass-PV assembly and the IRR metal panels are capable of being installed directly on top of existing shingle roofs during re-roofing, precluding the need for recycling or disposal of waste materials. The PV laminates installed on the PCM attic are PVL-144 models from Uni-Solar. Each laminate contains 22 triple junction amorphous silicon solar cells connected in series. The silicon cells are of dimensions 356 mm x 239 mm (14-in. x 9.4-in.). The PVL-144 laminate is encapsulated in durable ETFE (poly-ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) high light-transmissive polymer. Table 1 lists the power, voltage and current ratings of the PVL-144 panel.« less

Nationwide Multicenter Reference Interval Study for 28 Common Biochemical Analytes in China.

PubMed

Xia, Liangyu; Chen, Ming; Liu, Min; Tao, Zhihua; Li, Shijun; Wang, Liang; Cheng, Xinqi; Qin, Xuzhen; Han, Jianhua; Li, Pengchang; Hou, Li'an; Yu, Songlin; Ichihara, Kiyoshi; Qiu, Ling

2016-03-01

A nationwide multicenter study was conducted in the China to explore sources of variation of reference values and establish reference intervals for 28 common biochemical analytes, as a part of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (IFCC/C-RIDL) global study on reference values. A total of 3148 apparently healthy volunteers were recruited in 6 cities covering a wide area in China. Blood samples were tested in 2 central laboratories using Beckman Coulter AU5800 chemistry analyzers. Certified reference materials and value-assigned serum panel were used for standardization of test results. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore sources of variation. Need for partition of reference intervals was evaluated based on 3-level nested ANOVA. After secondary exclusion using the latent abnormal values exclusion method, reference intervals were derived by a parametric method using the modified Box-Cox formula. Test results of 20 analytes were made traceable to reference measurement procedures. By the ANOVA, significant sex-related and age-related differences were observed in 12 and 12 analytes, respectively. A small regional difference was observed in the results for albumin, glucose, and sodium. Multiple regression analysis revealed BMI-related changes in results of 9 analytes for man and 6 for woman. Reference intervals of 28 analytes were computed with 17 analytes partitioned by sex and/or age. In conclusion, reference intervals of 28 common chemistry analytes applicable to Chinese Han population were established by use of the latest methodology. Reference intervals of 20 analytes traceable to reference measurement procedures can be used as common reference intervals, whereas others can be used as the assay system-specific reference intervals in China.

Nationwide Multicenter Reference Interval Study for 28 Common Biochemical Analytes in China

PubMed Central

Xia, Liangyu; Chen, Ming; Liu, Min; Tao, Zhihua; Li, Shijun; Wang, Liang; Cheng, Xinqi; Qin, Xuzhen; Han, Jianhua; Li, Pengchang; Hou, Li’an; Yu, Songlin; Ichihara, Kiyoshi; Qiu, Ling

2016-01-01

Abstract A nationwide multicenter study was conducted in the China to explore sources of variation of reference values and establish reference intervals for 28 common biochemical analytes, as a part of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (IFCC/C-RIDL) global study on reference values. A total of 3148 apparently healthy volunteers were recruited in 6 cities covering a wide area in China. Blood samples were tested in 2 central laboratories using Beckman Coulter AU5800 chemistry analyzers. Certified reference materials and value-assigned serum panel were used for standardization of test results. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore sources of variation. Need for partition of reference intervals was evaluated based on 3-level nested ANOVA. After secondary exclusion using the latent abnormal values exclusion method, reference intervals were derived by a parametric method using the modified Box–Cox formula. Test results of 20 analytes were made traceable to reference measurement procedures. By the ANOVA, significant sex-related and age-related differences were observed in 12 and 12 analytes, respectively. A small regional difference was observed in the results for albumin, glucose, and sodium. Multiple regression analysis revealed BMI-related changes in results of 9 analytes for man and 6 for woman. Reference intervals of 28 analytes were computed with 17 analytes partitioned by sex and/or age. In conclusion, reference intervals of 28 common chemistry analytes applicable to Chinese Han population were established by use of the latest methodology. Reference intervals of 20 analytes traceable to reference measurement procedures can be used as common reference intervals, whereas others can be used as the assay system-specific reference intervals in China. PMID:26945390

Agreement between gastrointestinal panel testing and standard microbiology methods for detecting pathogens in suspected infectious gastroenteritis: Test evaluation and meta-analysis in the absence of a reference standard.

PubMed

Freeman, Karoline; Tsertsvadze, Alexander; Taylor-Phillips, Sian; McCarthy, Noel; Mistry, Hema; Manuel, Rohini; Mason, James

2017-01-01

Multiplex gastrointestinal pathogen panel (GPP) tests simultaneously identify bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens from the stool samples of patients with suspected infectious gastroenteritis presenting in hospital or the community. We undertook a systematic review to compare the accuracy of GPP tests with standard microbiology techniques. Searches in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane library were undertaken from inception to January 2016. Eligible studies compared GPP tests with standard microbiology techniques in patients with suspected gastroenteritis. Quality assessment of included studies used tailored QUADAS-2. In the absence of a reference standard we analysed test performance taking GPP tests and standard microbiology techniques in turn as the benchmark test, using random effects meta-analysis of proportions. No study provided an adequate reference standard with which to compare the test accuracy of GPP and conventional tests. Ten studies informed a meta-analysis of positive and negative agreement. Positive agreement across all pathogens was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.96) when conventional methods were the benchmark and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.77) when GPP provided the benchmark. Negative agreement was high in both instances due to the high proportion of negative cases. GPP testing produced a greater number of pathogen-positive findings than conventional testing. It is unclear whether these additional 'positives' are clinically important. GPP testing has the potential to simplify testing and accelerate reporting when compared to conventional microbiology methods. However the impact of GPP testing upon the management, treatment and outcome of patients is poorly understood and further studies are needed to evaluate the health economic impact of GPP testing compared with standard methods. The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO as CRD42016033320.

2014 Bone and Muscle Risks Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan; Glowacki, Julie; Gregor, Robert; Cullen, Diane; Drake, Almond; Enoka, Roger; Hanley, Edward, Jr.; Kraemer, William; Raven, Peter; Sumner, D. Rick

2015-01-01

The 2014 Bone and Muscle Risks Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on December 17 - 18, 2014. The SRP reviewed the updated Evidence Reports for the Risk of Impaired Performance Due to Reduced Muscle Mass, Strength and Endurance and (from here on referred to as the 2014 Muscle Evidence Report) and the Risk of Reduced Physical Performance Capabilities Due to Reduced Aerobic Capacity (from here on referred to as the 2014 Aerobic Evidence Report), as well as the Research Plans for these Risks. The SRP agreed the Evidence Reports were comprehensive and described a logical sequence of steps taken by NASA and the scientific community to address the risk of impaired performance as a result of muscle atrophy, i.e., reduced muscle mass, loss of strength and loss of endurance in a microgravity environment. The interdependence of the three physiological systems represented by this SRP (i.e., skeletal, muscular and cardiovascular) supports a level of discussion on system integration that is now appreciated by the Chief Scientist of the Human Research Program (HRP). The Evidence Reports cover the effects of microgravity on muscle, ranging from the cellular and molecular levels to whole muscle function. The reports also addressed other factors related to muscle (e.g., neural influences, insulin resistance, heat stress, and nutrition) that will serve as a basis for future discussions on the integration of physiological systems and the response to microgravity. The SRP agreed the Evidence Reports were balanced, provided insight to muscle function, and laid the foundation for the integrated approach now taken by the SRP.

Paradigm Diagnostics Salmonella Indicator Broth (PDX-SIB) for detection of Salmonella on selected environmental surfaces.

PubMed

Olstein, Alan; Griffith, Leena; Feirtag, Joellen; Pearson, Nicole

2013-01-01

The Paradigm Diagnostics Salmonella Indicator Broth (PDX-SIB) is intended as a single-step selective enrichment indicator broth to be used as a simple screening test for the presence of Salmonella spp. in environmental samples. This method permits the end user to avoid multistep sample processing to identify presumptively positive samples, as exemplified by standard U.S. reference methods. PDX-SIB permits the outgrowth of Salmonella while inhibiting the growth of competitive Gram-negative and -positive microflora. Growth of Salmonella-positive cultures results in a visual color change of the medium from purple to yellow when the sample is grown at 37 +/- 1 degree C. Performance of PDX-SIB has been evaluated in five different categories: inclusivity-exclusivity, methods comparison, ruggedness, lot-to-lot variability, and shelf stability. The inclusivity panel included 100 different Salmonella serovars, 98 of which were SIB-positive during the 30 to 48 h incubation period. The exclusivity panel included 33 different non-Salmonella microorganisms, 31 of which were SIB-negative during the incubation period. Methods comparison studies included four different surfaces: S. Newport on plastic, S. Anatum on sealed concrete, S. Abaetetuba on ceramic tile, and S. Typhimurium in the presence of 1 log excess of Citrobacter freundii. Results of the methods comparison studies demonstrated no statistical difference between the SIB method and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Bacteriological Analytical Manual reference method, as measured by the Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square test. Ruggedness studies demonstrated little variation in test results when SIB incubation temperatures were varied over a 34-40 degrees C range. Lot-to-lot consistency results suggest no detectable differences in manufactured goods using two reference Salmonella serovars and one non-Salmonella microorganism.

Autonomy and Automation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shively, Jay

2017-01-01

A significant level of debate and confusion has surrounded the meaning of the terms autonomy and automation. Automation is a multi-dimensional concept, and we propose that Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) automation should be described with reference to the specific system and task that has been automated, the context in which the automation functions, and other relevant dimensions. In this paper, we present definitions of automation, pilot in the loop, pilot on the loop and pilot out of the loop. We further propose that in future, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) RPAS Panel avoids the use of the terms autonomy and autonomous when referring to automated systems on board RPA. Work Group 7 proposes to develop, in consultation with other workgroups, a taxonomy of Levels of Automation for RPAS.

RNA-seq reveals more consistent reference genes for gene expression studies in human non-melanoma skin cancers

PubMed Central

Tan, Jean-Marie; Payne, Elizabeth J.; Lin, Lynlee L.; Sinnya, Sudipta; Raphael, Anthony P.; Lambie, Duncan; Frazer, Ian H.; Dinger, Marcel E.; Soyer, H. Peter

2017-01-01

Identification of appropriate reference genes (RGs) is critical to accurate data interpretation in quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) experiments. In this study, we have utilised next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyse the transcriptome of a panel of non-melanoma skin cancer lesions, identifying genes that are consistently expressed across all samples. Genes encoding ribosomal proteins were amongst the most stable in this dataset. Validation of this RNA-seq data was examined using qPCR to confirm the suitability of a set of highly stable genes for use as qPCR RGs. These genes will provide a valuable resource for the normalisation of qPCR data for the analysis of non-melanoma skin cancer. PMID:28852586

Genotype imputation in a tropical crossbred dairy cattle population.

PubMed

Oliveira Júnior, Gerson A; Chud, Tatiane C S; Ventura, Ricardo V; Garrick, Dorian J; Cole, John B; Munari, Danísio P; Ferraz, José B S; Mullart, Erik; DeNise, Sue; Smith, Shannon; da Silva, Marcos Vinícius G B

2017-12-01

The objective of this study was to investigate different strategies for genotype imputation in a population of crossbred Girolando (Gyr × Holstein) dairy cattle. The data set consisted of 478 Girolando, 583 Gyr, and 1,198 Holstein sires genotyped at high density with the Illumina BovineHD (Illumina, San Diego, CA) panel, which includes ∼777K markers. The accuracy of imputation from low (20K) and medium densities (50K and 70K) to the HD panel density and from low to 50K density were investigated. Seven scenarios using different reference populations (RPop) considering Girolando, Gyr, and Holstein breeds separately or combinations of animals of these breeds were tested for imputing genotypes of 166 randomly chosen Girolando animals. The population genotype imputation were performed using FImpute. Imputation accuracy was measured as the correlation between observed and imputed genotypes (CORR) and also as the proportion of genotypes that were imputed correctly (CR). This is the first paper on imputation accuracy in a Girolando population. The sample-specific imputation accuracies ranged from 0.38 to 0.97 (CORR) and from 0.49 to 0.96 (CR) imputing from low and medium densities to HD, and 0.41 to 0.95 (CORR) and from 0.50 to 0.94 (CR) for imputation from 20K to 50K. The CORR anim exceeded 0.96 (for 50K and 70K panels) when only Girolando animals were included in RPop (S1). We found smaller CORR anim when Gyr (S2) was used instead of Holstein (S3) as RPop. The same behavior was observed between S4 (Gyr + Girolando) and S5 (Holstein + Girolando) because the target animals were more related to the Holstein population than to the Gyr population. The highest imputation accuracies were observed for scenarios including Girolando animals in the reference population, whereas using only Gyr animals resulted in low imputation accuracies, suggesting that the haplotypes segregating in the Girolando population had a greater effect on accuracy than the purebred haplotypes. All chromosomes had similar imputation accuracies (CORR snp ) within each scenario. Crossbred animals (Girolando) must be included in the reference population to provide the best imputation accuracies. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Genomic relationships based on X chromosome markers and accuracy of genomic predictions with and without X chromosome markers

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Although the X chromosome is the second largest bovine chromosome, markers on the X chromosome are not used for genomic prediction in some countries and populations. In this study, we presented a method for computing genomic relationships using X chromosome markers, investigated the accuracy of imputation from a low density (7K) to the 54K SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) panel, and compared the accuracy of genomic prediction with and without using X chromosome markers. Methods The impact of considering X chromosome markers on prediction accuracy was assessed using data from Nordic Holstein bulls and different sets of SNPs: (a) the 54K SNPs for reference and test animals, (b) SNPs imputed from the 7K to the 54K SNP panel for test animals, (c) SNPs imputed from the 7K to the 54K panel for half of the reference animals, and (d) the 7K SNP panel for all animals. Beagle and Findhap were used for imputation. GBLUP (genomic best linear unbiased prediction) models with or without X chromosome markers and with or without a residual polygenic effect were used to predict genomic breeding values for 15 traits. Results Averaged over the two imputation datasets, correlation coefficients between imputed and true genotypes for autosomal markers, pseudo-autosomal markers, and X-specific markers were 0.971, 0.831 and 0.935 when using Findhap, and 0.983, 0.856 and 0.937 when using Beagle. Estimated reliabilities of genomic predictions based on the imputed datasets using Findhap or Beagle were very close to those using the real 54K data. Genomic prediction using all markers gave slightly higher reliabilities than predictions without X chromosome markers. Based on our data which included only bulls, using a G matrix that accounted for sex-linked relationships did not improve prediction, compared with a G matrix that did not account for sex-linked relationships. A model that included a polygenic effect did not recover the loss of prediction accuracy from exclusion of X chromosome markers. Conclusions The results from this study suggest that markers on the X chromosome contribute to accuracy of genomic predictions and should be used for routine genomic evaluation. PMID:25080199

Acupuncture.

PubMed

The objective of this NIH Consensus Statement is to inform the biomedical research and clinical practice communities of the results of the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture. The statement provides state-of-the-art information regarding the appropriate use of acupuncture, and presents the conclusions and recommendations of the consensus panel regarding these issues. In addition, the statement identifies those areas of study that deserve further investigation. Upon completion, the reader should possess a clear working clinical knowledge of the state-of-the-art regarding this topic. The target audience of physicians for this statement includes, but is not limited to, family practitioners, medical acupuncturists, psychiatrists, and specialists in pain medicine. A non-Federal, nonadvocate, 12-member panel representing the fields of acupuncture, pain, psychology, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, drug abuse, family practice, internal medicine, health policy, epidemiology, statistics, physiology, biophysics, and the public. In addition, 25 experts from these same fields presented data to the panel and a conference audience of 1,200. The literature was searched through Medline, and an extensive bibliography of references was provided to the panel and the conference audience. Experts prepared abstracts with relevant citations from the literature. Scientific evidence was given precedence over clinical anecdotal experience. The panel, answering predefined questions, developed their conclusions based on the scientific evidence presented in open forum and the scientific literature. The panel composed a draft statement, which was read in its entirety and circulated to the experts and the audience for comment. Thereafter, the panel resolved conflicting recommendations and released a revised statement at the end of the conference. The panel finalized the revisions within a few weeks after the conference. The draft statement was made available on the World Wide Web immediately following its release at the conference and was updated with the panel's final revisions. Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. While there have been many studies of its potential usefulness, many of these studies provide equivocal results because of design, sample size, and other factors. The issue is further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of appropriate controls, such as placebos and sham acupuncture groups. However, promising results have emerged, for example, showing efficacy of acupuncture in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma, in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful.

Field Test of a Peer Review System for Digital Geoscience Education Resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mayhew, M. A.; Hall, M. K.

2007-12-01

We report the results of an experiment aimed at developing a rigorous peer review system for evaluating digital geoscience education resources under consideration for acceptance into a digital library. The objective is the basis for developing a digital library of the highest quality that will become a trusted resource for Earth science instructors. Our model is NSF-style review panels. Panels were convened in locations having colleges, universities, and labs: Philadelphia, Boston, Austin, St. Petersburg, Seattle, Tucson, and Portland (Maine). The conveners traveled to the sites for the panel meetings. Panelists were reputable geoscience and geoscience education experts. The panelists proved to be uniformly supportive of the process and valued both the experience of serving on the panels and the introduction to resources they could take back to their classroom; thus, the process proved to have a valuable community-building component. The resources reviewed in the experiment, grouped by theme, were provided by the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College; they are also catalogued in DLESE and NSDL. Panelists wrote reviews that addressed the criteria: 1) scientific accuracy and currency, 2) usability, and 3) pedagogical effectiveness. Additionally, the reviews addressed the questions: 1) Does this resource make an important contribution to Earth system education? 2) Would you recommend this resource to a colleague? and If you recommend major revisions for this resource, would you be willing to review it again? Each review concluded with a recommended action: 1) Accept, 2) Accept with minor revisions, 3) Accept with major revisions, or 4) Reject. Accept with major revisions requires a review by a subset of the panel conducting the original review. Once accepted, a resource enters a reviewed collection, with a specific indicator that it has been through the peer review process. Each panel was invited to single out those resources they considered particularly exemplary, which we refer to as a gold star rating; such resources will be indicated as such in the reviewed collection. Following the panel meetings, the conveners wrote summaries of the panel discussion for each resource; these are transmitted to the creator, along with anonymous versions of the reviews. The panel process proved to be a critical filter for the reviewed resources. Relatively few resources were accepted as is. In most cases, the majority of the resources were either designated as 1) Reject or 2) Accept with major revisions. Resources were most often rejected for their lack of completeness to be used in a classroom or they contained scientific accuracies. The review process modeled provides a basis for building a trusted geoscience education digital library of the highest quality on a less-is-more foundation, as opposed to the prevailing more-is-better philosophy. project.org/isovera/peerreview

A Diverse Panel of Hepatitis C Virus Glycoproteins for Use in Vaccine Research Reveals Extremes of Monoclonal Antibody Neutralization Resistance.

PubMed

Urbanowicz, Richard A; McClure, C Patrick; Brown, Richard J P; Tsoleridis, Theocharis; Persson, Mats A A; Krey, Thomas; Irving, William L; Ball, Jonathan K; Tarr, Alexander W

2015-12-23

Despite significant advances in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the need to develop preventative vaccines remains. Identification of the best vaccine candidates and evaluation of their performance in preclinical and clinical development will require appropriate neutralization assays utilizing diverse HCV isolates. We aimed to generate and characterize a panel of HCV E1E2 glycoproteins suitable for subsequent use in vaccine and therapeutic antibody testing. Full-length E1E2 clones were PCR amplified from patient-derived serum samples, cloned into an expression vector, and used to generate viral pseudoparticles (HCVpp). In addition, some of these clones were used to generate cell culture infectious (HCVcc) clones. The infectivity and neutralization sensitivity of these viruses were then determined. Bioinformatic and HCVpp infectivity screening of approximately 900 E1E2 clones resulted in the assembly of a panel of 78 functional E1E2 proteins representing distinct HCV genotypes and different stages of infection. These HCV glycoproteins differed markedly in their sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. We used this panel to predict antibody efficacy against circulating HCV strains, highlighting the likely reason why some monoclonal antibodies failed in previous clinical trials. This study provides the first objective categorization of cross-genotype patient-derived HCV E1E2 clones according to their sensitivity to antibody neutralization. It has shown that HCV isolates have clearly distinguishable neutralization-sensitive, -resistant, or -intermediate phenotypes, which are independent of genotype. The panel provides a systematic means for characterization of the neutralizing response elicited by candidate vaccines and for defining the therapeutic potential of monoclonal antibodies. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a global burden of more than 170 million people, many of whom cannot attain the new, expensive, direct-acting antiviral therapies. A safe and effective vaccine that generates both T cell responses and neutralizing antibodies is required to eradicate the disease. Regions within the HCV surface glycoproteins E1 and E2 are essential for virus entry and are targets for neutralizing antibodies. Screening of vaccine candidates requires suitable panels of glycoproteins that represent the breadth of neutralization resistance. Use of a standard reference panel for vaccine studies will ensure comparability of data sets, as has become routine for HIV-1. Here, we describe a large panel of patient-derived HCV glycoproteins with an assessment of their neutralization sensitivity to defined monoclonal antibodies, which has enabled us to predict their likely efficacy in the wider HCV-infected population. The panel could also be important for future selection of additional therapeutic antibodies and for vaccine design. Copyright © 2016 Urbanowicz et al.

Numerical approach to reference identification of Staphylococcus, Stomatococcus, and Micrococcus spp.

PubMed

Rhoden, D L; Hancock, G A; Miller, J M

1993-03-01

A numerical-code system for the reference identification of Staphylococcus species, Stomatococcus mucilaginosus, and Micrococcus species was established by using a selected panel of conventional biochemicals. Results from 824 cultures (289 eye isolate cultures, 147 reference strains, and 388 known control strains) were used to generate a list of 354 identification code numbers. Each six-digit code number was based on results from 18 conventional biochemical reactions. Seven milliliters of purple agar base with 1% sterile carbohydrate solution added was poured into 60-mm-diameter agar plates. All biochemical tests were inoculated with 1 drop of a heavy broth suspension, incubated at 35 degrees C, and read daily for 3 days. All reactions were read and interpreted by the method of Kloos et al. (G. A. Hebert, C. G. Crowder, G. A. Hancock, W. R. Jarvis, and C. Thornsberry, J. Clin. Microbiol. 26:1939-1949, 1988; W. E. Kloos and D. W. Lambe, Jr., P. 222-237, in A. Balows, W. J. Hansler, Jr., K. L. Herrmann, H. D. Isenberg, and H. J. Shadomy, ed., Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 5th ed., 1991). This modified reference identification method was 96 to 98% accurate and could have value in reference and public health laboratory settings.

Toward a Global 1/25deg HYCOM Ocean Prediction System with Tides

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

global, regional, and coastal applications. Figure 1 shows the cross-vertical section of the zonal baroclinic velocity after 5 days for two of the...Lorenzo et al., 2003). Figure 1: Snapshots (~4.7 days) of cross-vertical section of zonal baroclinic velocity for HYCOM (left panels) and ROMS...MITgcm, we used two idealized configurations: 1) the well known lock exchange problem (Haidvogel and Beckman, 1999) as a reference and 2) the pure

Final Report for Dynamic Models for Causal Analysis of Panel Data. Approaches to the Censoring Problem in Analysis of Event Histories. Part III, Chapter 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tuma, Nancy Brandon; Hannan, Michael T.

The document, part of a series of chapters described in SO 011 759, considers the problem of censoring in the analysis of event-histories (data on dated events, including dates of change from one qualitative state to another). Censoring refers to the lack of information on events that occur before or after the period for which data are available.…

Aircraft Dynamic Loads due to Flow Separation (Les Contraintes Aerodynamiques Imposees aux Aeronefs par le Decollement de l’Ecoulement)

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

the 70th meeting of the AGARD Structures and Materials Panel. Some conclusions are drawn and recommendations made for future research. 1. INTRODUCTION ...angle of incidence INTRODUCTION Modern combat aircraft must be capable of flying under conditions of separated flows in order to achieve high...symbol means PSD. Background an Introduction One of the earliest buffet investigations, by Frazer and Duncan, Reference 1, concerned an accident that

Pictorial Formats. Volume 3. Literature Review

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

centrally on the main instrument panel, portrays aircraft attitude in relation to the horizon. It’s importance to the pilot is shown by the fact that a...patented invention that may in any way be related thereto. KZ M This report has been reviewed by the Office of Public Affairs (ASD/PA) and is Rreleasable to...presented with familiar references which undergo realistic and expected changes when the aircraft’s attitude is changed. Basic parameters suited to display

Methods Development for the Isolation and Culture of Primary Corneal Endothelial Cells

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-01

are collectively referred to as mustard gas keratopathy (MGK). Prevailing evidence suggests that late onset MGK may result from a deficit in corneal...and PBK is similar to that seen in mustard gas keratopathy (MGK).3,6,7 MGK can occur years after ocular sulfur mustard (SM) exposure. Treatment...component into the stage component such that the O-ring creates a liquid -tight seal. The final assembled device is shown in panel D. A primary

Reference Models for Structural Technology Assessment and Weight Estimation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cerro, Jeff; Martinovic, Zoran; Eldred, Lloyd

2005-01-01

Previously the Exploration Concepts Branch of NASA Langley Research Center has developed techniques for automating the preliminary design level of launch vehicle airframe structural analysis for purposes of enhancing historical regression based mass estimating relationships. This past work was useful and greatly reduced design time, however its application area was very narrow in terms of being able to handle a large variety in structural and vehicle general arrangement alternatives. Implementation of the analysis approach presented herein also incorporates some newly developed computer programs. Loft is a program developed to create analysis meshes and simultaneously define structural element design regions. A simple component defining ASCII file is read by Loft to begin the design process. HSLoad is a Visual Basic implementation of the HyperSizer Application Programming Interface, which automates the structural element design process. Details of these two programs and their use are explained in this paper. A feature which falls naturally out of the above analysis paradigm is the concept of "reference models". The flexibility of the FEA based JAVA processing procedures and associated process control classes coupled with the general utility of Loft and HSLoad make it possible to create generic program template files for analysis of components ranging from something as simple as a stiffened flat panel, to curved panels, fuselage and cryogenic tank components, flight control surfaces, wings, through full air and space vehicle general arrangements.

A massively parallel strategy for STR marker development, capture, and genotyping.

PubMed

Kistler, Logan; Johnson, Stephen M; Irwin, Mitchell T; Louis, Edward E; Ratan, Aakrosh; Perry, George H

2017-09-06

Short tandem repeat (STR) variants are highly polymorphic markers that facilitate powerful population genetic analyses. STRs are especially valuable in conservation and ecological genetic research, yielding detailed information on population structure and short-term demographic fluctuations. Massively parallel sequencing has not previously been leveraged for scalable, efficient STR recovery. Here, we present a pipeline for developing STR markers directly from high-throughput shotgun sequencing data without a reference genome, and an approach for highly parallel target STR recovery. We employed our approach to capture a panel of 5000 STRs from a test group of diademed sifakas (Propithecus diadema, n = 3), endangered Malagasy rainforest lemurs, and we report extremely efficient recovery of targeted loci-97.3-99.6% of STRs characterized with ≥10x non-redundant sequence coverage. We then tested our STR capture strategy on P. diadema fecal DNA, and report robust initial results and suggestions for future implementations. In addition to STR targets, this approach also generates large, genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels from flanking regions. Our method provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for rapid recovery of large STR and SNP datasets in any species without needing a reference genome, and can be used even with suboptimal DNA more easily acquired in conservation and ecological studies. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research 2017.

A comparison of tuberculosis diagnostic systems in a retrospective cohort of HIV-infected children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PubMed

David, Solange Gonçalves; Lovero, Kathryn L; Pombo March, Maria de Fátima B; Abreu, Thalita G; Ruffino Netto, Antonio; Kritski, Afranio L; Sant'Anna, Clemax C

2017-06-01

The diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) presents many challenges, and is further complicated in HIV-infected patients. While many diagnostic systems have been proposed, there is no pediatric TB diagnosis gold standard. The outcomes of four TB diagnostic systems in HIV-infected children were compared in this study. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a TB/HIV reference hospital in Rio de Janeiro. HIV-infected pediatric patients evaluated for TB from 1998 to 2010 were reassessed using four diagnostic systems: Kenneth Jones, 1969; Tidjani, 1986; Ben Marais, 2006; Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2010. Results were compared to standardized diagnoses made by an expert panel of physicians. Of the 121 patients in the study cohort, the expert panel diagnosed 64 as TB and 57 as not TB cases. The Tidjani system showed the highest diagnostic accuracy, with and without the inclusion of microbiological data. The Tidjani and Kenneth Jones systems produced fewer false-positives, and the Ben Marais and Ministry of Health fewer false-negatives. Across systems, there was little agreement between TB diagnoses. In HIV-infected pediatric patients, the Ben Marais and Ministry of Health systems are useful for TB diagnostic screening, whereas the Tidjani and Kenneth Jones systems are best used in a reference center setting. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Associations Identify a New Insecticide Resistance Phenotype for the Selective Sweep at the Cyp6g1 Locus of Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Battlay, Paul; Schmidt, Joshua M; Fournier-Level, Alexandre; Robin, Charles

2016-08-09

Scans of the Drosophila melanogaster genome have identified organophosphate resistance loci among those with the most pronounced signature of positive selection. In this study, the molecular basis of resistance to the organophosphate insecticide azinphos-methyl was investigated using the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, and genome-wide association. Recently released full transcriptome data were used to extend the utility of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel resource beyond traditional genome-wide association studies to allow systems genetics analyses of phenotypes. We found that both genomic and transcriptomic associations independently identified Cyp6g1, a gene involved in resistance to DDT and neonicotinoid insecticides, as the top candidate for azinphos-methyl resistance. This was verified by transgenically overexpressing Cyp6g1 using natural regulatory elements from a resistant allele, resulting in a 6.5-fold increase in resistance. We also identified four novel candidate genes associated with azinphos-methyl resistance, all of which are involved in either regulation of fat storage, or nervous system development. In Cyp6g1, we find a demonstrable resistance locus, a verification that transcriptome data can be used to identify variants associated with insecticide resistance, and an overlap between peaks of a genome-wide association study, and a genome-wide selective sweep analysis. Copyright © 2016 Battlay et al.

Twenty-year Risk of Prostate Cancer Death by Midlife Prostate-specific Antigen and a Panel of Four Kallikrein Markers in a Large Population-based Cohort of Healthy Men.

PubMed

Sjoberg, Daniel D; Vickers, Andrew J; Assel, Melissa; Dahlin, Anders; Poon, Bing Ying; Ulmert, David; Lilja, Hans

2018-06-01

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening reduces prostate cancer deaths but leads to harm from overdiagnosis and overtreatment. To determine the long-term risk of prostate cancer mortality using kallikrein blood markers measured at baseline in a large population of healthy men to identify men with low risk for prostate cancer death. Study based on the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort enrolling 11 506 unscreened men aged 45-73 yr during 1991-1996, providing cryopreserved blood at enrollment and followed without PSA screening to December 31, 2014. We measured four kallikrein markers in the blood of 1223 prostate cancer cases and 3028 controls. Prostate cancer death (n=317) by PSA and a prespecified statistical model based on the levels of four kallikrein markers. Baseline PSA predicted prostate cancer death with a concordance index of 0.86. In men with elevated PSA (≥2.0ng/ml), predictive accuracy was enhanced by the four-kallikrein panel compared with PSA (0.80 vs 0.73; improvement 0.07; 95% confidence interval 0.04, 0.10). Nearly half of men aged 60+ yr with elevated PSA had a four-kallikrein panel score of <7.5%, translating into 1.7% risk of prostate cancer death at 15 yr-a similar estimate to that of a man with a PSA of 1.6ng/ml. Men with a four-kallikrein panel score of ≥7.5% had a 13% risk of prostate cancer death at 15 yr. A prespecified statistical model based on four kallikrein markers (commercially available as the 4Kscore) reclassified many men with modestly elevated PSA, to have a low long-term risk of prostate cancer death. Men with elevated PSA but low scores from the four-kallikrein panel can be monitored rather than being subject to biopsy. Men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are often referred for prostate biopsy. However, men with elevated PSA but low scores from the four-kallikrein panel can be monitored rather than being subject to biopsy. Copyright © 2018 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simple force feedback for small virtual environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schiefele, Jens; Albert, Oliver; van Lier, Volker; Huschka, Carsten

1998-08-01

In today's civil flight training simulators only the cockpit and all its interaction devices exist as physical mockups. All other elements such as flight behavior, motion, sound, and the visual system are virtual. As an extension to this approach `Virtual Flight Simulation' tries to subsidize the cockpit mockup by a 3D computer generated image. The complete cockpit including the exterior view is displayed on a Head Mounted Display (HMD), a BOOM, or a Cave Animated Virtual Environment. In most applications a dataglove or virtual pointers are used as input devices. A basic problem of such a Virtual Cockpit simulation is missing force feedback. A pilot cannot touch and feel buttons, knobs, dials, etc. he tries to manipulate. As a result, it is very difficult to generate realistic inputs into VC systems. `Seating Bucks' are used in automotive industry to overcome the problem of missing force feedback. Only a seat, steering wheel, pedal, stick shift, and radio panel are physically available. All other geometry is virtual and therefore untouchable but visible in the output device. In extension to this concept a `Seating Buck' for commercial transport aircraft cockpits was developed. Pilot seat, side stick, pedals, thrust-levers, and flaps lever are physically available. All other panels are simulated by simple flat plastic panels. They are located at the same location as their real counterparts only lacking the real input devices. A pilot sees the entire photorealistic cockpit in a HMD as 3D geometry but can only touch the physical parts and plastic panels. In order to determine task performance with the developed Seating Buck, a test series was conducted. Users press buttons, adapt dials, and turn knobs. In a first test, a complete virtual environment was used. The second setting had a plastic panel replacing all input devices. Finally, as cross reference the participants had to repeat the test with a complete physical mockup of the input devices. All panels and physical devices can be easily relocated to simulate a different type of cockpit. Maximal 30 minutes are needed for a complete adaptation. So far, an Airbus A340 and a generic cockpit are supported.

Introducing the Forensic Research/Reference on Genetics knowledge base, FROG-kb.

PubMed

Rajeevan, Haseena; Soundararajan, Usha; Pakstis, Andrew J; Kidd, Kenneth K

2012-09-01

Online tools and databases based on multi-allelic short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) are actively used in forensic teaching, research, and investigations. The Fst value of each CODIS marker tends to be low across the populations of the world and most populations typically have all the common STRP alleles present diminishing the ability of these systems to discriminate ethnicity. Recently, considerable research is being conducted on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be considered for human identification and description. However, online tools and databases that can be used for forensic research and investigation are limited. The back end DBMS (Database Management System) for FROG-kb is Oracle version 10. The front end is implemented with specific code using technologies such as Java, Java Servlet, JSP, JQuery, and GoogleCharts. We present an open access web application, FROG-kb (Forensic Research/Reference on Genetics-knowledge base, http://frog.med.yale.edu), that is useful for teaching and research relevant to forensics and can serve as a tool facilitating forensic practice. The underlying data for FROG-kb are provided by the already extensively used and referenced ALlele FREquency Database, ALFRED (http://alfred.med.yale.edu). In addition to displaying data in an organized manner, computational tools that use the underlying allele frequencies with user-provided data are implemented in FROG-kb. These tools are organized by the different published SNP/marker panels available. This web tool currently has implemented general functions possible for two types of SNP panels, individual identification and ancestry inference, and a prediction function specific to a phenotype informative panel for eye color. The current online version of FROG-kb already provides new and useful functionality. We expect FROG-kb to grow and expand in capabilities and welcome input from the forensic community in identifying datasets and functionalities that will be most helpful and useful. Thus, the structure and functionality of FROG-kb will be revised in an ongoing process of improvement. This paper describes the state as of early June 2012.

Effects of Cancer Genetic Panel Testing on at-Risk Individuals.

PubMed

Frost, Anja S; Toaff, Miriam; Biagi, Tara; Stark, Elizabeth; McHenry, Allison; Kaltman, Rebecca

2018-06-01

To evaluate the role of screening patients at increased risk for hereditary cancer syndromes with an extended panel of cancer predisposition genes to identify actionable genetic mutations. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients presenting to a multidisciplinary cancer program for genetic counseling and testing from January 2015 to December 2016. Individuals presenting to the program were identified as at-risk by a personal or family history of cancer, by their health care provider, or by self-referral. All participants met current National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria for genetic risk evaluation for hereditary cancer. The results of testing and its implications for management, based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, were recorded. Of 670 at-risk patients who underwent genetic testing, 66 (9.9%) had BRCA-limited testing; of these, 26 of 670 (3.9%) had a deleterious or likely pathogenic mutation. Expanded panel testing was done for 560 of the 670 patients (83.4%), and abnormal results were found in 65 of 670 (9.7%); non-BRCA mutations (predominantly CHEK2) were found in 49 of the 65 (75%). Abnormal genetic testing was associated with increased surveillance in 96% of those with deleterious mutations, whereas negative testing for a known familial mutation in 45 patients was associated with a downgrade of their risk and reduction of subsequent surveillance and management. Guideline-based management is frequently altered by genetic testing, including panel testing, in patients at risk for cancer. We recommend that obstetrics and gynecology providers routinely refer at-risk patients for genetic counseling and testing when clinically appropriate.

Inferring Geographic Coordinates of Origin for Europeans Using Small Panels of Ancestry Informative Markers

PubMed Central

Paschou, Peristera

2010-01-01

Recent large-scale studies of European populations have demonstrated the existence of population genetic structure within Europe and the potential to accurately infer individual ancestry when information from hundreds of thousands of genetic markers is used. In fact, when genomewide genetic variation of European populations is projected down to a two-dimensional Principal Components Analysis plot, a surprising correlation with actual geographic coordinates of self-reported ancestry has been reported. This substructure can hamper the search of susceptibility genes for common complex disorders leading to spurious correlations. The identification of genetic markers that can correct for population stratification becomes therefore of paramount importance. Analyzing 1,200 individuals from 11 populations genotyped for more than 500,000 SNPs (Population Reference Sample), we present a systematic exploration of the extent to which geographic coordinates of origin within Europe can be predicted, with small panels of SNPs. Markers are selected to correlate with the top principal components of the dataset, as we have previously demonstrated. Performing thorough cross-validation experiments we show that it is indeed possible to predict individual ancestry within Europe down to a few hundred kilometers from actual individual origin, using information from carefully selected panels of 500 or 1,000 SNPs. Furthermore, we show that these panels can be used to correctly assign the HapMap Phase 3 European populations to their geographic origin. The SNPs that we propose can prove extremely useful in a variety of different settings, such as stratification correction or genetic ancestry testing, and the study of the history of European populations. PMID:20805874

The power of play: Innovations in Getting Active Summit 2011: a science panel proceedings report from the American Heart Association.

PubMed

Lieberman, Debra A; Chamberlin, Barbara; Medina, Ernie; Franklin, Barry A; Sanner, Brigid McHugh; Vafiadis, Dorothea K

2011-05-31

To examine the influence active-play video gaming (also referred to as exergaming, exertainment, and active gaming) might have on improving health-related skills, enhancing self-esteem and self-efficacy, promoting social support, and ultimately motivating positive changes in health behaviors, the American Heart Association convened The Power of Play: Innovations in Getting Active Summit. The summit, as well as a follow-up science panel, was hosted by the American Heart Association and Nintendo of America. The science panel discussed the current state of research on active-play video gaming and its potential to serve as a gateway experience that might motivate players to increase the amount and intensity of physical activity in their daily lives. The panel identified the need for continued research on the gateway concept and on other behavioral health outcomes that could result from active-play video games and considered how these games could potentially affect disparate populations. The summit represented an exciting first step in convening healthcare providers, behavioral researchers, and professionals from the active-play video game industry to discuss the potential health benefits of active-play video games. Research is needed to improve understanding of processes of behavior change with active games. Future games and technologies may be designed with the goal to optimize physical activity participation, increase energy expenditure, and effectively address the abilities and interests of diverse and targeted populations. The summit helped the participants gain an understanding of what is known, identified gaps in current research, and supported a dialogue for continued collaboration.

Comparison of computer- and human-derived coronary angiographic end-point measures for controlled therapy trials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mack, W. J.; Selzer, R. H.; Pogoda, J. M.; Lee, P. L.; Shircore, A. M.; Azen, S. P.; Blankenhorn, D. H.

1992-01-01

The Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study, a randomized angiographic clinical trial, demonstrated the beneficial effect of niacin/colestipol plus diet therapy on coronary atherosclerosis. Outcome was determined by panel-based estimates (viewed in both still and cine modes) of percent stenosis severity and change in native artery and bypass graft lesions. Computer-based quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) was also used to measure lesion and bypass graft stenosis severity and change in individual frames closely matched in orientation, opacification, and cardiac phase. Both methods jointly evaluated 350 nonoccluded lesions. The correlation between QCA and panel estimates of lesion size was 0.70 (p less than 0.0001) and for change in lesion size was 0.28 (p = 0.002). Agreement between the two methods in classifying lesion changes (i.e., regression, unchanged, or progression) occurred for 60% (210 of 350) of the lesions kappa +/- SEM = 0.20 +/- 0.05, p less than 0.001). The panel identified 442 nonoccluded lesions for which QCA stenosis measurements could not be obtained. Lesions not measurable by QCA included those with stenosis greater than 85% that could not be reliably edge tracked, segments with diffuse or ecstatic disease that had no reliable reference diameter, and segments for which matched frames could not be located. Seventy-nine lesions, the majority between 21% and 40% stenosis, were identified and measured by QCA but were not identified by the panel. This comparison study demonstrates the need to consider available angiographic measurement methods in relation to the goals of their use.

Facilities removal working group

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

NONE

This working group`s first objective is to identify major economic, technical, and regulatory constraints on operator practices and decisions relevant to offshore facilities removal. Then, the group will try to make recommendations as to regulatory and policy adjustments, additional research, or process improvements and/or technological advances, that may be needed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the removal process. The working group will focus primarily on issues dealing with Gulf of Mexico platform abandonments. In order to make the working group sessions as productive as possible, the Facilities Removal Working Group will focus on three topics that address amore » majority of the concerns and/or constraints relevant to facilities removal. The three areas are: (1) Explosive Severing and its Impact on Marine Life, (2) Pile and Conductor Severing, and (3) Deep Water Abandonments This paper will outline the current state of practice in the offshore industry, identifying current regulations and specific issues encountered when addressing each of the three main topics above. The intent of the paper is to highlight potential issues for panel discussion, not to provide a detailed review of all data relevant to the topic. Before each panel discussion, key speakers will review data and information to facilitate development and discussion of the main issues of each topic. Please refer to the attached agenda for the workshop format, key speakers, presentation topics, and panel participants. The goal of the panel discussions is to identify key issues for each of the three topics above. The working group will also make recommendations on how to proceed on these key issues.« less

A risk-based classification scheme for genetically modified foods. III: Evaluation using a panel of reference foods.

PubMed

Chao, Eunice; Krewski, Daniel

2008-12-01

This paper presents an exploratory evaluation of four functional components of a proposed risk-based classification scheme (RBCS) for crop-derived genetically modified (GM) foods in a concordance study. Two independent raters assigned concern levels to 20 reference GM foods using a rating form based on the proposed RBCS. The four components of evaluation were: (1) degree of concordance, (2) distribution across concern levels, (3) discriminating ability of the scheme, and (4) ease of use. At least one of the 20 reference foods was assigned to each of the possible concern levels, demonstrating the ability of the scheme to identify GM foods of different concern with respect to potential health risk. There was reasonably good concordance between the two raters for the three separate parts of the RBCS. The raters agreed that the criteria in the scheme were sufficiently clear in discriminating reference foods into different concern levels, and that with some experience, the scheme was reasonably easy to use. Specific issues and suggestions for improvements identified in the concordance study are discussed.

High resolution measurements of solar induced chlorophyll fluorescence in the Fraunhofer oxigen bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzoni, M.; Agati, G.; Cecchi, G.; Toci, G.; Mazzinghi, P.

2017-11-01

Spectra of solar radiance reflected by leaves close to the Fraunhofer bands show the net contribution of chlorophyll fluorescence emission which adds to the reflected solar spectra. In a laboratory experiment, a low stray light, high resolution, 0.85 m double monochromator was used to filter radiation living leaves still attached to the plant in correspondence of the 687 nm and 760 nm O2 absorption bands. Reference spectra from a non fluorescent white reference were also acquired. Acquisition was performed by a Microchannel plate (MCP) intensified diode array with 512 elements. A fit of the spectral data outside the absorption lines allowed to retrieve the spectral base-line as a function of wavelength for the reference panel and the leaf. Reflectance functions were determined extending the Plascyck equation system to all the resolved lines of the oxygen absorption bands and using the base-lines for the continuum values. Fluorescence was deduced from the same equation system, using both the measured leaf and reference radiance spectra and the leaf reflectance fitting function.

Passive field reflectance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Christian; Schinca, Daniel C.; Tocho, Jorge O.; Videla, Fabian

2008-10-01

The results of reflectance measurements performed with a three-band passive radiometer with independent channels for solar irradiance reference are presented. Comparative operation between the traditional method that uses downward-looking field and reference white panel measurements and the new approach involving duplicated downward- and upward-looking spectral channels (each latter one with its own diffuser) is analyzed. The results indicate that the latter method performs in very good agreement with the standard method and is more suitable for passive sensors under rapidly changing atmospheric conditions (such as clouds, dust, mist, smog and other scatterers), since a more reliable synchronous recording of reference and incident light is achieved. Besides, having separate channels for the reference and the signal allows a better balancing of gains in the amplifiers for each spectral channel. We show the results obtained in the determination of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) corresponding to the period 2004-2007 field experiments concerning weed detection in soybean stubbles and fertilizer level assessment in wheat. The method may be used to refine sensor-based nitrogen fertilizer rate recommendations and to determine suitable zones for herbicide applications.

Automated processing of shoeprint images based on the Fourier transform for use in forensic science.

PubMed

de Chazal, Philip; Flynn, John; Reilly, Richard B

2005-03-01

The development of a system for automatically sorting a database of shoeprint images based on the outsole pattern in response to a reference shoeprint image is presented. The database images are sorted so that those from the same pattern group as the reference shoeprint are likely to be at the start of the list. A database of 476 complete shoeprint images belonging to 140 pattern groups was established with each group containing two or more examples. A panel of human observers performed the grouping of the images into pattern categories. Tests of the system using the database showed that the first-ranked database image belongs to the same pattern category as the reference image 65 percent of the time and that a correct match appears within the first 5 percent of the sorted images 87 percent of the time. The system has translational and rotational invariance so that the spatial positioning of the reference shoeprint images does not have to correspond with the spatial positioning of the shoeprint images of the database. The performance of the system for matching partial-prints was also determined.

Research on Shock Responses of Three Types of Honeycomb Cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Fei; Yang, Zhiguang; Jiang, Liangliang; Ren, Yanting

2018-03-01

The shock responses of three kinds of honeycomb cores have been investigated and analyzed based on explicit dynamics analysis. According to the real geometric configuration and the current main manufacturing methods of aluminum alloy honeycomb cores, the finite element models of honeycomb cores with three different cellular configurations (conventional hexagon honeycomb core, rectangle honeycomb core and auxetic honeycomb core with negative Poisson’s ratio) have been established through FEM parametric modeling method based on Python and Abaqus. In order to highlight the impact response characteristics of the above three honeycomb cores, a 5 mm thick panel with the same mass and material was taken as contrast. The analysis results showed that the peak values of longitudinal acceleration history curves of the three honeycomb cores were lower than those of the aluminum alloy panel in all three reference points under the loading of a longitudinal pulse pressure load with the peak value of 1 MPa and the pulse width of 1 μs. It could be concluded that due to the complex reflection and diffraction of stress wave induced by shock in honeycomb structures, the impact energy was redistributed which led to a decrease in the peak values of the longitudinal acceleration at the measuring points of honeycomb cores relative to the panel.

Review of Issues Associated with Safe Operation and Management of the Space Shuttle Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnstone, Paul M.; Blomberg, Richard D.; Gleghorn, George J.; Krone, Norris J.; Voltz, Richard A.; Dunn, Robert F.; Donlan, Charles J.; Kauderer, Bernard M.; Brill, Yvonne C.; Englar, Kenneth G.;

Assessment of a subset of Slowly Mutating Y-STRs for forensic and evolutionary studies.

PubMed

Baeta, Miriam; Núñez, Carolina; Villaescusa, Patricia; Ortueta, Urko; Ibarbia, Nerea; Herrera, Rene J; Blazquez-Caeiro, José Luis; Builes, Juan José; Jiménez-Moreno, Susana; Martínez-Jarreta, Begoña; de Pancorbo, Marian M

2018-05-01

Y-specific short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci display different mutation rates and consequently are suitable for forensic, genealogical, and evolutionary studies that require different levels of timelines and resolution. Recent efforts have focused on implementing Rapidly Mutating (RM) Y-STRs to assess male specific profiles. However, due to their high mutation rate their use in kinship testing or in phylogenetic studies may be less reliable. In the present study, a novel Slowly Mutating Y-STR (SM) panel, including DYS388, DYS426, DYS461 (Y-GATA-A7.2), DYS485, DYS525, and DYS561, has been developed and evaluated in a sample set of 628 unrelated males from different worldwide populations. This panel is reproducible, sensitive, and robust for forensic applications and may be useful in conjunction with the common multiplexes, particularly in exclusion of kinship cases where minimal discrimination is reported employing the rapidly mutating Y-STR systems. Furthermore, SM Y-STR data may be of value in evolutionary studies to optimize the resolution of phylogenetic relationships generated with current Y-STR panel sets. In this study, we provide an extensive Y-STR allele and haplotype reference dataset for future applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Standard skin prick testing and sensitization to inhalant allergens across Europe--a survey from the GALEN network.

PubMed

Heinzerling, L; Frew, A J; Bindslev-Jensen, C; Bonini, S; Bousquet, J; Bresciani, M; Carlsen, K-H; van Cauwenberge, P; Darsow, U; Fokkens, W J; Haahtela, T; van Hoecke, H; Jessberger, B; Kowalski, M L; Kopp, T; Lahoz, C N; Lodrup Carlsen, K C; Papadopoulos, N G; Ring, J; Schmid-Grendelmeier, P; Vignola, A M; Wöhrl, S; Zuberbier, T

2005-10-01

Skin prick testing (SPT) is the standard method for diagnosing allergic sensitization but is to some extent performed differently in clinical centres across Europe. There would be advantages in harmonizing the standard panels of allergens used in different European countries, both for clinical purposes and for research, especially with increasing mobility within Europe and current trends in botany and agriculture. As well as improving diagnostic accuracy, this would allow better comparison of research findings in European allergy centres. We have compared the different SPT procedures operating in 29 allergy centres within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN). Standard SPT is performed similarly in all centres, e.g. using commercial extracts, evaluation after 15-20 min exposure with positive results defined as a wheal >3 mm diameter. The perennial allergens included in the standard SPT panel of inhalant allergens are largely similar (e.g. cat: pricked in all centres; dog: 26 of 29 centres and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: 28 of 29 centres) but the choice of pollen allergens vary considerably, reflecting different exposure and sensitization rates for regional inhalant allergens. This overview may serve as reference for the practising doctor and suggests a GA(2)LEN Pan-European core SPT panel.

Phase 2 of CATALISE: a multinational and multidisciplinary Delphi consensus study of problems with language development: Terminology.

PubMed

Bishop, Dorothy V M; Snowling, Margaret J; Thompson, Paul A; Greenhalgh, Trisha

2017-10-01

Lack of agreement about criteria and terminology for children's language problems affects access to services as well as hindering research and practice. We report the second phase of a study using an online Delphi method to address these issues. In the first phase, we focused on criteria for language disorder. Here we consider terminology. The Delphi method is an iterative process in which an initial set of statements is rated by a panel of experts, who then have the opportunity to view anonymised ratings from other panel members. On this basis they can either revise their views or make a case for their position. The statements are then revised based on panel feedback, and again rated by and commented on by the panel. In this study, feedback from a second round was used to prepare a final set of statements in narrative form. The panel included 57 individuals representing a range of professions and nationalities. We achieved at least 78% agreement for 19 of 21 statements within two rounds of ratings. These were collapsed into 12 statements for the final consensus reported here. The term 'Language Disorder' is recommended to refer to a profile of difficulties that causes functional impairment in everyday life and is associated with poor prognosis. The term, 'Developmental Language Disorder' (DLD) was endorsed for use when the language disorder was not associated with a known biomedical aetiology. It was also agreed that (a) presence of risk factors (neurobiological or environmental) does not preclude a diagnosis of DLD, (b) DLD can co-occur with other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. ADHD) and (c) DLD does not require a mismatch between verbal and nonverbal ability. This Delphi exercise highlights reasons for disagreements about terminology for language disorders and proposes standard definitions and nomenclature. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Evaluation of external RNA controls for the standardisation of gene expression biomarker measurements.

PubMed

Devonshire, Alison S; Elaswarapu, Ramnath; Foy, Carole A

2010-11-24

Gene expression profiling is an important approach for detecting diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and predicting drug safety. The development of a wide range of technologies and platforms for measuring mRNA expression makes the evaluation and standardization of transcriptomic data problematic due to differences in protocols, data processing and analysis methods. Thus, universal RNA standards, such as those developed by the External RNA Controls Consortium (ERCC), are proposed to aid validation of research findings from diverse platforms such as microarrays and RT-qPCR, and play a role in quality control (QC) processes as transcriptomic profiling becomes more commonplace in the clinical setting. Panels of ERCC RNA standards were constructed in order to test the utility of these reference materials (RMs) for performance characterization of two selected gene expression platforms, and for discrimination of biomarker profiles between groups. The linear range, limits of detection and reproducibility of microarray and RT-qPCR measurements were evaluated using panels of RNA standards. Transcripts of low abundance (≤ 10 copies/ng total RNA) showed more than double the technical variability compared to higher copy number transcripts on both platforms. Microarray profiling of two simulated 'normal' and 'disease' panels, each consisting of eight different RNA standards, yielded robust discrimination between the panels and between standards with varying fold change ratios, showing no systematic effects due to different labelling and hybridization runs. Also, comparison of microarray and RT-qPCR data for fold changes showed agreement for the two platforms. ERCC RNA standards provide a generic means of evaluating different aspects of platform performance, and can provide information on the technical variation associated with quantification of biomarkers expressed at different levels of physiological abundance. Distinct panels of standards serve as an ideal quality control tool kit for determining the accuracy of fold change cut-off threshold and the impact of experimentally-derived noise on the discrimination of normal and disease profiles.

A compact high resolution flat panel PET detector based on the new 4-side buttable MPPC for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Wang, Qiang; Wen, Jie; Ravindranath, Bosky; O'Sullivan, Andrew W; Catherall, David; Li, Ke; Wei, Shouyi; Komarov, Sergey; Tai, Yuan-Chuan

2015-09-11

Compact high-resolution panel detectors using virtual pinhole (VP) PET geometry can be inserted into existing clinical or pre-clinical PET systems to improve regional spatial resolution and sensitivity. Here we describe a compact panel PET detector built using the new Though Silicon Via (TSV) multi-pixel photon counters (MPPC) detector. This insert provides high spatial resolution and good timing performance for multiple bio-medical applications. Because the TSV MPPC design eliminates wire bonding and has a package dimension which is very close to the MPPC's active area, it is 4-side buttable. The custom designed MPPC array (based on Hamamatsu S12641-PA-50(x)) used in the prototype is composed of 4 × 4 TSV-MPPC cells with a 4.46 mm pitch in both directions. The detector module has 16 × 16 lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) crystal array, with each crystal measuring 0.92 × 0.92 × 3 mm 3 with 1.0 mm pitch. The outer diameter of the detector block is 16.8 × 16.8 mm 2 . Thirty-two such blocks will be arranged in a 4 × 8 array with 1 mm gaps to form a panel detector with detection area around 7 cm × 14 cm in the full-size detector. The flood histogram acquired with Ge-68 source showed excellent crystal separation capability with all 256 crystals clearly resolved. The detector module's mean, standard deviation, minimum (best) and maximum (worst) energy resolution were 10.19%, +/-0.68%, 8.36% and 13.45% FWHM, respectively. The measured coincidence time resolution between the block detector and a fast reference detector (around 200 ps single photon timing resolution) was 0.95 ns. When tested with Siemens Cardinal electronics the performance of the detector blocks remain consistent. These results demonstrate that the TSV-MPPC is a promising photon sensor for use in a flat panel PET insert composed of many high resolution compact detector modules.

Optimized Varian aSi portal dosimetry: development of datasets for collective use.

PubMed

Van Esch, Ann; Huyskens, Dominique P; Hirschi, Lukas; Baltes, Christof

2013-11-04

Although much literature has been devoted to portal dosimetry with the Varian amorphous silicon (aSi) portal imager, the majority of the described methods are not routinely adopted because implementation procedures are cumbersome and not within easy reach of most radiotherapy centers. To make improved portal dosimetry solutions more generally available, we have investigated the possibility of converting optimized configurations into ready-to-use standardized datasets. Firstly, for all commonly used photon energies (6, 10, 15, 18, and 20 MV), basic beam data acquired on 20 aSi panels were used to assess the interpanel reproducibility. Secondly, a standardized portal dose image prediction (PDIP) algorithm configuration was created for every energy, using a three-step process to optimize the aSi dose response function and profile correction files for the dosimetric calibration of the imager panel. An approximate correction of the backscatter of the Exact arm was also incorporated. Thirdly, a set of validation fields was assembled to assess the accuracy of the standardized configuration. Variations in the basic beam data measured on different aSi panels very rarely exceeded 2% (2 mm) and are of the same order of magnitude as variations between different Clinacs when measuring in reference conditions in water. All studied aSi panels can hence be regarded as nearly identical. Standardized datasets were successfully created and implemented. The test package proved useful in highlighting possible problems and illustrating remaining limitations, but also in demonstrating the good overall results (95% pass rate for 3%,3 mm) that can be obtained. The dosimetric behavior of all tested aSi panels was found to be nearly identical for all tested energies. The approach of using standardized datasets was then successfully tested through the creation and evaluation of PDIP preconfigured datasets that can be used within the Varian portal dosimetry solution.

Salaries and Wages for Professional and Support Personnel in Public Schools, 2000-2001: A Reference Tool for Education Leaders. National Survey of Salaries and Wages in Public Schools. 28th Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Alicia D.; Protheroe, Nancy; Parks, Michael C.

This is the 28th edition of salary and wage studies conducted annually by the Educational Research Service. It collects salary data from a national panel sample of school systems for 22 professional and 10 support positions. Consistency in study design and procedures through the years has also made this the definitive study of salary changes in…

Annual Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics (4th), Held in Monterey, California on March 22-24, 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-24

1430-1445 BREAK 1445-1645 EM CODE USERS PANEL DISCUSSION. Chaired by Wkn Breakal of LLNL. User community sugqestlons on needed enhancemento for EM Codes...I -"FINITE DIFFERENCE & FINITE ELEMENT METHC"S" Moderator: David E . Stein The LTV Aerospace and Defense Company "A Firite Element Analysis of...conduction (resulting from charge movement) or displacement ( e ,0 E /Wt) terms. The sum of these current densities are referred to as the Maxwell current

Methods and formulas for calculating the strength of plate and shell constructions as used in airplane design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heck, O S; Ebner, H

1936-01-01

This report is a compilation of previously published articles on formulas and methods of calculation for the determination of the strength and stability of plate and shell construction as employed in airplane design. In particular, it treats the problem of isotropic, orthotopic, and stiffened rectangular plates, thin curved panels, and circular cylinders under various loading conditions. The purpose of appending the pertinent literature references following the subjects discussed was to facilitate a comprehensive study of the treated problems.

[Funding for Division of Microbiology in 2014 by National Natural Science Foundation of China].

PubMed

Qiao, Jianjun; Huang, Chenyang; Liu, Lin; Wen, Mingzhang

2015-02-04

In this paper, we provided an overview of proposals submitted and projects funded in 2014 at the Division of Microbiology, Department of Life Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China. The traits and problems in different sub-disciplines were analyzed, the background, results and analysis of internet voting before panel meetings in Microbiology discipline were also introduced. The information will provide references for Chinese researchers to apply funding in microbiology discipline in the future.

The Design, Development and Testing of Complex Avionics Systems: Conference Proceedings Held at the Avionics Panel Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada on 27 April-1 May 1987

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

Normally, the system is decomposed into manageable parts with accurately defined interfaces. By rigidly controlling this process, aerospace companies have...Reference A CHANGE IN SYSTEM DESIGN EMPHASIS: FROM MACHINE TO MAN by M.L.Metersky and J.L.Ryder 16 SESSION I1 - MANAGING THE FUl URE SYSTEM DESIGN...PROCESS MANAGING ADVANCED AVIONIC SYSTEM DESIGN by P.Simons 17 ERGONOMIE PSYCHOSENSORIELLE DES COCKPITS, INTERET DES SYSTEMES INFORMATIQUES INTELLIGENTS

SURVEY OF BIBLIOGRAPHIES AND REFERENCE WORKS ON ASIA, AFRICA, LATIN AMERICA, RUSSIA, AND EAST EUROPE--AND COMPILATION OF BIBLIOGRAPHIES ON EAST ASIA, SOUTH ASIA AND AFRICA SOUTH OF THE SAHARA FOR UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARIES. INTERIM REPORT, PHASE ONE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MOREHOUSE, WARD

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO ASSIST UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARIES IN STRENGTHENING THEIR RESOURCES ON AREAS OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION USUALLY GIVEN LITTLE ATTENTION BY AMERICAN COLLEGES, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON EAST AND SOUTH ASIA AND AFRICA SOUTH OF THE SAHARA. UNDER THE PROJECT'S FIRST PHASE, A PANEL OF LIBRARY ADVISERS WAS…

Refugee claimant's identity as cross-dresser must be considered in assessing adequacy of state protection.

PubMed

2008-07-01

On 11 December 2007, the Federal Court allowed Jose Hernandez's application for judicial review of a November 2006 decision by the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board, which found that the applicant was neither a Convention refugee nor a person in need of protection. Hernandez had requested that the Board's decision be set aside and the matter referred back to a newly constituted panel of the Board for re-determination.

Design and development of electric vehicle charging station equipped with RFID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panatarani, C.; Murtaddo, D.; Maulana, D. W.; Irawan, S.; Joni, I. M.

2016-02-01

This paper reports the development of electric charging station from distributed renewable for electric vehicle (EV). This designed refer to the input voltage standard of IEC 61851, plugs features of IEC 62196 and standard communication of ISO 15118. The developed electric charging station used microcontroller ATMEGA8535 and RFID as controller and identifier of the EV users, respectively. The charging station successfully developed as desired features for electric vehicle from renewable energy resources grid with solar panel, wind power and batteries storage.

The Experimental Research on Seismic Capacity of the Envelope Systems with Steel Frame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiuyang; Wang, Bingbing; Li, Hengxu

2017-09-01

In this paper, according to the present application situation of the external envelope systems steel frame in the severe cold region, the stuffed composite wall panels are improved, the flexible connection with the steel frame is designed, the reduced scale specimens are made, the seismic capacity test is made and some indexes of the envelope systems such as bearing capacity, energy consumption and ductility, etc. are compared, which provide reference for the development and application of the steel frame envelope systems.

Old boys' network in general practitioners' referral behavior?

PubMed

Hackl, Franz; Hummer, Michael; Pruckner, Gerald J

2015-09-01

We analyzed the impact of social networks on general practitioners' (GPs) referral behavior based on administrative panel data from 2,684,273 referrals to specialists made between 1998 and 2007. For the definition of social networks, we used information on the doctors' place and time of study and their hospital work history. We found that GPs referred more patients to specialists within their personal networks and that patients referred within a social network had fewer follow-up consultations and less inpatient days thereafter. The effects on patient outcomes (e.g. waiting periods, days in hospital) of referrals within personal networks and affinity-based networks differed. Specifically, whereas empirical evidence showed a concentration on high-quality specialists for referrals within the personal network, suggesting that referrals within personal networks overcome information asymmetry with respect to specialists' abilities, the empirical evidence for affinity-based networks was different and less clear. Same-gender networks tended to refer patients to low-quality specialists. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Field assessment of dried Plasmodium falciparum samples for malaria rapid diagnostic test quality control and proficiency testing in Ethiopia.

PubMed

Tamiru, Afework; Boulanger, Lucy; Chang, Michelle A; Malone, Joseph L; Aidoo, Michael

2015-01-21

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are now widely used for laboratory confirmation of suspected malaria cases to comply with the World Health Organization recommendation for universal testing before treatment. However, many malaria programmes lack quality control (QC) processes to assess RDT use under field conditions. Prior research showed the feasibility of using the dried tube specimen (DTS) method for preserving Plasmodium falciparum parasites for use as QC samples for RDTs. This study focused on the use of DTS for RDT QC and proficiency testing under field conditions. DTS were prepared using cultured P. falciparum at densities of 500 and 1,000 parasites/μL; 50 μL aliquots of these along with parasite negative human blood controls (0 parasites/μL) were air-dried in specimen tubes and reactivity verified after rehydration. The DTS were used in a field study in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Replicate DTS samples containing 0, 500 and 1,000 parasites/μL were stored at 4°C at a reference laboratory and at ambient temperatures at two nearby health facilities. At weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24, the DTS were rehydrated and tested on RDTs stored under manufacturer-recommended temperatures at the RL and on RDTs stored under site-specific conditions at the two health facilities. Reactivity of DTS stored at 4°C at the reference laboratory on RDTs stored at the reference laboratory was considered the gold standard for assessing DTS stability. A proficiency-testing panel consisting of one negative and three positive samples, monitored with a checklist was administered at weeks 12 and 24. At all the seven time points, DTS stored at both the reference laboratory and health facility were reactive on RDTs stored under the recommended temperature and under field conditions, and the DTS without malaria parasites were negative. At the reference laboratory and one health facility, a 500 parasites/μL DTS from the proficiency panel was falsely reported as negative at week 24 due to errors in interpreting faint test lines. The DTS method can be used under field conditions to supplement other RDT QC methods and health worker proficiency in Ethiopia and possibly other malaria-endemic countries.

NGS testing for cardiomyopathy: Utility of adding RASopathy-associated genes.

PubMed

Ceyhan-Birsoy, Ozge; Miatkowski, Maya M; Hynes, Elizabeth; Funke, Birgit H; Mason-Suares, Heather

2018-04-25

RASopathies include a group of syndromes caused by pathogenic germline variants in RAS-MAPK pathway genes and typically present with facial dysmorphology, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal anomalies. Recently, variants in RASopathy-associated genes have been reported in individuals with apparently nonsyndromic cardiomyopathy, suggesting that subtle features may be overlooked. To determine the utility and burden of adding RASopathy-associated genes to cardiomyopathy panels, we tested 11 RASopathy-associated genes by next-generation sequencing (NGS), including NGS-based copy number variant assessment, in 1,111 individuals referred for genetic testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Disease-causing variants were identified in 0.6% (four of 692) of individuals with HCM, including three missense variants in the PTPN11, SOS1, and BRAF genes. Overall, 36 variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) were identified, averaging ∼3VUSs/100 cases. This study demonstrates that adding a subset of the RASopathy-associated genes to cardiomyopathy panels will increase clinical diagnoses without significantly increasing the number of VUSs/case. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Automated flow cytometric analysis across large numbers of samples and cell types.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoyi; Hasan, Milena; Libri, Valentina; Urrutia, Alejandra; Beitz, Benoît; Rouilly, Vincent; Duffy, Darragh; Patin, Étienne; Chalmond, Bernard; Rogge, Lars; Quintana-Murci, Lluis; Albert, Matthew L; Schwikowski, Benno

2015-04-01

Multi-parametric flow cytometry is a key technology for characterization of immune cell phenotypes. However, robust high-dimensional post-analytic strategies for automated data analysis in large numbers of donors are still lacking. Here, we report a computational pipeline, called FlowGM, which minimizes operator input, is insensitive to compensation settings, and can be adapted to different analytic panels. A Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM)-based approach was utilized for initial clustering, with the number of clusters determined using Bayesian Information Criterion. Meta-clustering in a reference donor permitted automated identification of 24 cell types across four panels. Cluster labels were integrated into FCS files, thus permitting comparisons to manual gating. Cell numbers and coefficient of variation (CV) were similar between FlowGM and conventional gating for lymphocyte populations, but notably FlowGM provided improved discrimination of "hard-to-gate" monocyte and dendritic cell (DC) subsets. FlowGM thus provides rapid high-dimensional analysis of cell phenotypes and is amenable to cohort studies. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

2015 Space Human Factors Engineering Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan

2015-01-01

The 2015 Space Human Factors Engineering (SHFE) Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on December 2 - 3, 2015. The SRP reviewed the updated research plans for the Risk of Inadequate Design of Human and Automation/Robotic Integration (HARI Risk), the Risk of Inadequate Human-Computer Interaction (HCI Risk), and the Risk of Inadequate Mission, Process and Task Design (MPTask Risk). The SRP also received a status update on the Risk of Incompatible Vehicle/Habitat Design (Hab Risk) and the Risk of Performance Errors Due to Training Deficiencies (Train Risk). The SRP is pleased with the progress and responsiveness of the SHFE team. The presentations were much improved this year. The SRP is also pleased with the human-centered design approach. Below are some of the more extensive comments from the SRP. We have also made comments in each section concerning gaps/tasks in each. The comments below reflect more significant changes that impact more than just one particular section.

Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

PubMed Central

Trachy, R. E.; Cummings, C. W.

1984-01-01

The Scientific Board of the California Medical Association presents the following inventory of items of progress in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery. Each item, in the judgment of a panel of knowledgeable physicians, has recently become reasonably firmly established, both as to scientific fact and important clinical significance. The items are presented in simple epitome and an authoritative reference, both to the item itself and to the subject as a whole, is generally given for those who may be unfamiliar with a particular item. The purpose is to assist busy practitioners, students, research workers or scholars to stay abreast of these items of progress in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery that have recently achieved a substantial degree of authoritative acceptance, whether in their own field of special interest or another. The items of progress listed below were selected by the Advisory Panel to the Section on Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery of the California Medical Association and the summaries were prepared under its direction. PMID:18749653

Effect of exercise on cognitive performance in community-dwelling older adults: review of intervention trials and recommendations for public health practice and research.

PubMed

Snowden, Mark; Steinman, Lesley; Mochan, Kara; Grodstein, Francine; Prohaska, Thomas R; Thurman, David J; Brown, David R; Laditka, James N; Soares, Jesus; Zweiback, Damita J; Little, Deborah; Anderson, Lynda A

2011-04-01

There is evidence from observational studies that increasing physical activity may reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. Exercise intervention trials have found conflicting results. A systematic review of physical activity and exercise intervention trials on cognition in older adults was conducted. Six scientific databases and reference lists of previous reviews were searched. Thirty studies were eligible for inclusion. Articles were grouped into intervention-outcome pairings. Interventions were grouped as cardiorespiratory, strength, and multicomponent exercises. Cognitive outcomes were general cognition, executive function, memory, reaction time, attention, cognitive processing, visuospatial, and language. An eight-member multidisciplinary panel rated the quality and effectiveness of each pairing. Although there were some positive studies, the panel did not find sufficient evidence that physical activity or exercise improved cognition in older adults. Future research should report exercise adherence, use longer study durations, and determine the clinical relevance of measures used. © 2011, Copyright the Authors. Journal compilation © 2011, The American Geriatrics Society.

Case report: on the use of the HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Ancestry Panel in a real forensic case.

PubMed

Hollard, C; Keyser, C; Delabarde, T; Gonzalez, A; Vilela Lamego, C; Zvénigorosky, V; Ludes, B

2017-03-01

In the absence of any other conclusive forensic evidence, DNA profiling is the method of choice for body identification. This study focuses on the case of a carbonized corpse whose complete autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) profile could not lead to direct identification by the investigators. To assist in the progress of investigation, we endeavoured to determine the biogeographical origin and eye colour of the deceased individual. Along with Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA analyses, we applied a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach to the study of ancestry informative markers (AIMs) using the HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Ancestry Panel launched by Thermo Fisher Scientific. This work gave us the opportunity to test this new technology in a real forensic case. Although this study highlights the benefits of such a combined approach, as it markedly improves the specificity of the biogeographical profile, it also underlines the need for the accurate characterization of a larger collection of reference populations and the necessity of caution in data interpretation.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: diagnostic performance of the combination of pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies serum assays for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis.

PubMed

Zagari, R M; Rabitti, S; Greenwood, D C; Eusebi, L H; Vestito, A; Bazzoli, F

2017-10-01

The combination of pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and anti-H. pylori antibodies serological assays (panel test) is a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. However, the diagnostic reliability of this test is still uncertain. To assess the diagnostic performance of the serum panel test for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. Medline via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library databases and abstracts of international conferences proceedings were searched from January 1995 to December 2016 using the primary keywords "pepsinogens," "gastrin," "atrophic gastritis," "gastric precancerous lesions." Studies were included if they assessed the accuracy of the serum panel test for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis using histology according to the updated Sydney System as reference standard. Twenty studies with a total of 4241 subjects assessed the performance of serum panel test for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis regardless of the site in the stomach. The summary sensitivity was 74.7% (95% confidence interval (CI), 62.0-84.3) and the specificity was 95.6% (95%CI, 92.6-97.4). With a prevalence of atrophic gastritis of 27% (median prevalence across the studies), the negative predictive value was 91%. Few studies with small sample size assessed the performance of the test in detecting the site of atrophic gastritis. The combination of pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and anti-H. pylori antibodies serological assays appears to be a reliable tool for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. This test may be used for screening subjects or populations at high risk of gastric cancer for atrophic gastritis; however, a cost-effectiveness analysis is needed. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Comparison of the clinical performance of the ECLusys HIV combi assay with the Lumipulse f and HISCL 2000-i HIV-1/2 ab screening assays].

PubMed

Sugiura, Aya; Iwahara, Kunihiro; Suga, Yasuyuki; Uchiyama, Sachinori; Maekawa, Masato

2012-04-01

We compared the ECLusys HIV combi assay (ECL HIV Ag/Ab) to the Lumipulse Forte (LPf HIV 1/2 Ab) and HISCL (HIS HIV 1/2 Ab) assays. In a dilution sensitivity test using dilution panels of WHO HIV antibody international reference panel (HIV-1 Subtype A, B, C, E, HIV-1 Group O, HIV-2) and HIV-1/2 Ab CE marked material(HIV-1, HIV-2) parent specimens, the ECL assay enabled detection at a higher level of sensitivity than either the LPf assay or the HIS assay for all dilution panels. In an early detection test in the early phase of infection in which a BBI HIV seroconversion panel was used, the ECL assay enabled detection 7 days after initial blood sample collection, whereas the LPf and HIS assays enabled detection after 27 days. In a specificity test using high RF positive specimens (n=33), pregnancy specimens (n=35), cytomegalovirus antibody positive specimens (n=36), and high M protein positive specimens (n=21) that were confirmed negative for HIV-1/2 antibodies by the LPf assay, negative results were obtained for all specimens on both the ECL assay and the HIS assay. In a correlation test using routinely collected clinical specimens (n=121), including positive stock specimens, the ECL and HIS assays demonstrated the highest agreement rate 98.3%. The above results confirmed that the fourth-generation reagent ECL assay, which simultaneously detects both HIV-1/2 antibodies and p24 antigens, is both highly sensitive and specific, and is a suitable assay for use in routine testing.

Development of the first standardised panel of two new microsatellite multiplex PCRs for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.).

PubMed

Lee-Montero, I; Navarro, A; Borrell, Y; García-Celdrán, M; Martín, N; Negrín-Báez, D; Blanco, G; Armero, E; Berbel, C; Zamorano, M J; Sánchez, J J; Estévez, A; Ramis, G; Manchado, M; Afonso, J M

2013-08-01

The high number of multiplex PCRs developed for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) from many different microsatellite markers does not allow comparison among populations. This highlights the need for developing a reproducible panel of markers, which can be used with safety and reliability by all users. In this study, the first standardised panel of two new microsatellite multiplex PCRs was developed for this species. Primers of 138 specific microsatellites from the genetic linkage map were redesigned and evaluated according to their genetic variability, allele size range and genotyping reliability. A protocol to identify and classify genotyping errors or potential errors was proposed to assess the reliability of each marker. Two new multiplex PCRs from the best assessed markers were designed with 11 markers in each, named SMsa1 and SMsa2 (SuperMultiplex Sparus aurata). Three broodstocks (59, 47 and 98 breeders) from different Spanish companies, and a sample of 80 offspring from each one, were analysed to validate the usefulness of these multiplexes in the parental assignation. It was possible to assign each offspring to a single parent pair (100% success) using the exclusion method with SMsa1 and/or SMsa2. In each genotyped a reference sample (Ref-sa) was used, and its DNA is available on request similar to the kits of bin set to genotype by genemapper (v.3.7) software (kit-SMsa1 and kit-SMsa2). This will be a robust and effective tool for pedigree analysis or characterisation of populations and will be proposed as an international panel for this species. © 2013 The Authors, Animal Genetics © 2013 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.

Multifunctional Inflatable Structure Being Developed for the PowerSphere Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peterson, Todd T.

2004-01-01

NASA has funded a collaborative team of The Aerospace Corporation, ILC Dover, Lockheed Martin, and NASA Glenn Research Center to develop the Multifunctional Inflatable Structure (MIS) for a "PowerSphere" concept through a NASA Research Announcement. This power system concept has several advantages, including a high collection area, low weight and stowage volume, and the elimination of all solar array pointing mechanisms. The current 3-year effort will culminate with the fabrication and testing of a fully functional engineering development unit. The baseline design of the Power-Sphere consists of two opposing semispherical domes connected to a central spacecraft. Each semispherical dome consists of hexagonal and pentagonal solar cell panels that together form a geodetic sphere. Inflatable ultraviolet (UV) rigidizable tubular hinges between the solar cell panels and UV rigidizable isogrid center columns with imbedded flex circuitry form the MIS. The reference configuration for the PowerSphere is a 0.6-m-diameter (fully deployed) spacecraft with a total mass budget of 4 kg (1 kg for PowerSphere, 3 kg for spacecraft) capable of producing 29 W of electricity with 10-percent-efficient thin-film solar cells. In a stowed configuration, the solar cell panels will be folded sequentially to the outside of the instrument decks. The center column will be z-folded between the instrument decks and the spacecraft housing for packaging. The instrument panel will secure the z-folded stack with launch ties. After launch, once the release tie is triggered, the center column and hinge tubes will inflate and be rigidized in their final configurations by ultraviolet radiation. The overall PowerSphere deployment sequence is shown pictorially in the following illustration.

2014 update of the Consensus Statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the use of biological therapies in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Sanmartí, Raimon; García-Rodríguez, Susana; Álvaro-Gracia, José María; Andreu, José Luis; Balsa, Alejandro; Cáliz, Rafael; Fernández-Nebro, Antonio; Ferraz-Amaro, Iván; Gómez-Reino, Juan Jesús; González-Álvaro, Isidoro; Martín-Mola, Emilio; Martínez-Taboada, Víctor Manuel; Ortiz, Ana M; Tornero, Jesús; Marsal, Sara; Moreno-Muelas, José Vicente

2015-01-01

To establish recommendations for the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to serve as a reference for all health professionals involved in the care of these patients, and focusing on the role of available synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Consensual recommendations were agreed on by a panel of 14 experts selected by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER). The available scientific evidence was collected by updating three systematic reviews (SR) used for the EULAR 2013 recommendations. A new SR was added to answer an additional question. The literature review of the scientific evidence was made by the SER reviewer's group. The level of evidence and the degree of recommendation was classified according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine system. A Delphi panel was used to evaluate the level of agreement between panellists (strength of recommendation). Thirteen recommendations for the management of adult RA were emitted. The therapeutic objective should be to treat patients in the early phases of the disease with the aim of achieving clinical remission, with methotrexate playing a central role in the therapeutic strategy of RA as the reference synthetic DMARD. Indications for biologic DMARDs were updated and the concept of the optimization of biologicals was introduced. We present the fifth update of the SER recommendations for the management of RA with synthetic and biologic DMARDs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Criteria for Referring Patients With Outpatient Gastroenterological Disease for Specialist Consultation: A Review of the Literature

PubMed Central

De Coster, Carolyn; Cepoiu-Martin, Monica; Nash, Carla; Noseworthy, Tom W

2011-01-01

Background Demands on gastroenterology are growing, as a result of the high prevalence of digestive diseases, the impact of colon cancer screening programs and an aging population. Prioritizing referrals to gastroenterology would assist in managing wait times. Our objectives were (1) to assess whether there were consistent criteria to guide referrals from family physicians for gastroenterological outpatient consultation and (2) to determine if there were different levels of urgency or priority in referral criteria. Methods We conducted a scoping review, searching Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases from 1997 to 2009, using the terms referral, triage, consultation and at least one from a list of gastroenterology-specific search terms. Of 2978 initial results, 51 papers were retrieved, and 20 were retained after review by two reviewers. Additional publications were identified through hand searches of retained papers, website searches and nomination by a panel of specialists. Results Thirty-four papers, reports or websites were retained. No referral criteria covered the spectrum of disorders that might be referred by family physicians to gastroenterologists. Criteria for referral were most commonly listed for suspected colorectal cancer, followed by suspected upper GI cancer, hepatitis, and functional disorders. Conclusions A clinical panel comprised of gastroenterologists and primary care providers, informed by this literature review, are completing the work of formulating a Gastroenterology Priority Referral Score, and plan to test the reliability and validity of the tool for determining the relative urgency for referral from primary care to gastroenterology. PMID:27957014

Criteria for Referring Patients With Outpatient Gastroenterological Disease for Specialist Consultation: A Review of the Literature.

PubMed

De Coster, Carolyn; Cepoiu-Martin, Monica; Nash, Carla; Noseworthy, Tom W

2011-10-01

Demands on gastroenterology are growing, as a result of the high prevalence of digestive diseases, the impact of colon cancer screening programs and an aging population. Prioritizing referrals to gastroenterology would assist in managing wait times. Our objectives were (1) to assess whether there were consistent criteria to guide referrals from family physicians for gastroenterological outpatient consultation and (2) to determine if there were different levels of urgency or priority in referral criteria. We conducted a scoping review, searching Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases from 1997 to 2009, using the terms referral, triage, consultation and at least one from a list of gastroenterology-specific search terms. Of 2978 initial results, 51 papers were retrieved, and 20 were retained after review by two reviewers. Additional publications were identified through hand searches of retained papers, website searches and nomination by a panel of specialists. Thirty-four papers, reports or websites were retained. No referral criteria covered the spectrum of disorders that might be referred by family physicians to gastroenterologists. Criteria for referral were most commonly listed for suspected colorectal cancer, followed by suspected upper GI cancer, hepatitis, and functional disorders. A clinical panel comprised of gastroenterologists and primary care providers, informed by this literature review, are completing the work of formulating a Gastroenterology Priority Referral Score, and plan to test the reliability and validity of the tool for determining the relative urgency for referral from primary care to gastroenterology.

An expanded genome-wide association study of type 2 diabetes in Europeans

PubMed Central

Scott, Robert A; Scott, Laura J; Mägi, Reedik; Marullo, Letizia; Gaulton, Kyle J; Kaakinen, Marika; Pervjakova, Natalia; Pers, Tune H; Johnson, Andrew D; Eicher, John D; Jackson, Anne U; Ferreira, Teresa; Lee, Yeji; Ma, Clement; Steinthorsdottir, Valgerdur; Thorleifsson, Gudmar; Qi, Lu; Van Zuydam, Natalie R; Mahajan, Anubha; Chen, Han; Almgren, Peter; Voight, Ben F; Grallert, Harald; Müller-Nurasyid, Martina; Ried, Janina S; Rayner, William N; Robertson, Neil; Karssen, Lennart C; van Leeuwen, Elisabeth M; Willems, Sara M; Fuchsberger, Christian; Kwan, Phoenix; Teslovich, Tanya M; Chanda, Pritam; Li, Man; Lu, Yingchang; Dina, Christian; Thuillier, Dorothee; Yengo, Loic; Jiang, Longda; Sparso, Thomas; Kestler, Hans A; Chheda, Himanshu; Eisele, Lewin; Gustafsson, Stefan; Frånberg, Mattias; Strawbridge, Rona J; Benediktsson, Rafn; Hreidarsson, Astradur B; Kong, Augustine; Sigurðsson, Gunnar; Kerrison, Nicola D; Luan, Jian'an; Liang, Liming; Meitinger, Thomas; Roden, Michael; Thorand, Barbara; Esko, Tõnu; Mihailov, Evelin; Fox, Caroline; Liu, Ching-Ti; Rybin, Denis; Isomaa, Bo; Lyssenko, Valeriya; Tuomi, Tiinamaija; Couper, David J; Pankow, James S; Grarup, Niels; Have, Christian T; Jørgensen, Marit E; Jørgensen, Torben; Linneberg, Allan; Cornelis, Marilyn C; van Dam, Rob M; Hunter, David J; Kraft, Peter; Sun, Qi; Edkins, Sarah; Owen, Katharine R; Perry, John RB; Wood, Andrew R; Zeggini, Eleftheria; Tajes-Fernandes, Juan; Abecasis, Goncalo R; Bonnycastle, Lori L; Chines, Peter S; Stringham, Heather M; Koistinen, Heikki A; Kinnunen, Leena; Sennblad, Bengt; Mühleisen, Thomas W; Nöthen, Markus M; Pechlivanis, Sonali; Baldassarre, Damiano; Gertow, Karl; Humphries, Steve E; Tremoli, Elena; Klopp, Norman; Meyer, Julia; Steinbach, Gerald; Wennauer, Roman; Eriksson, Johan G; Männistö, Satu; Peltonen, Leena; Tikkanen, Emmi; Charpentier, Guillaume; Eury, Elodie; Lobbens, Stéphane; Gigante, Bruna; Leander, Karin; McLeod, Olga; Bottinger, Erwin P; Gottesman, Omri; Ruderfer, Douglas; Blüher, Matthias; Kovacs, Peter; Tonjes, Anke; Maruthur, Nisa M; Scapoli, Chiara; Erbel, Raimund; Jöckel, Karl-Heinz; Moebus, Susanne; de Faire, Ulf; Hamsten, Anders; Stumvoll, Michael; Deloukas, Panagiotis; Donnelly, Peter J; Frayling, Timothy M; Hattersley, Andrew T; Ripatti, Samuli; Salomaa, Veikko; Pedersen, Nancy L; Boehm, Bernhard O; Bergman, Richard N; Collins, Francis S; Mohlke, Karen L; Tuomilehto, Jaakko; Hansen, Torben; Pedersen, Oluf; Barroso, Inês; Lannfelt, Lars; Ingelsson, Erik; Lind, Lars; Lindgren, Cecilia M; Cauchi, Stephane; Froguel, Philippe; Loos, Ruth JF; Balkau, Beverley; Boeing, Heiner; Franks, Paul W; Barricarte Gurrea, Aurelio; Palli, Domenico; van der Schouw, Yvonne T; Altshuler, David; Groop, Leif C; Langenberg, Claudia; Wareham, Nicholas J; Sijbrands, Eric; van Duijn, Cornelia M; Florez, Jose C; Meigs, James B; Boerwinkle, Eric; Gieger, Christian; Strauch, Konstantin; Metspalu, Andres; Morris, Andrew D; Palmer, Colin NA; Hu, Frank B; Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur; Stefansson, Kari; Dupuis, Josée; Morris, Andrew P; Boehnke, Michael; McCarthy, Mark I; Prokopenko, Inga

2017-01-01

To characterise type 2 diabetes (T2D) associated variation across the allele frequency spectrum, we conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data from 26,676 T2D cases and 132,532 controls of European ancestry after imputation using the 1000 Genomes multi-ethnic reference panel. Promising association signals were followed-up in additional data sets (of 14,545 or 7,397 T2D cases and 38,994 or 71,604 controls). We identified 13 novel T2D-associated loci (p<5×10-8), including variants near the GLP2R, GIP, and HLA-DQA1 genes. Our analysis brought the total number of independent T2D associations to 128 distinct signals at 113 loci. Despite substantially increased sample size and more complete coverage of low-frequency variation, all novel associations were driven by common SNVs. Credible sets of potentially causal variants were generally larger than those based on imputation with earlier reference panels, consistent with resolution of causal signals to common risk haplotypes. Stratification of T2D-associated loci based on T2D-related quantitative trait associations revealed tissue-specific enrichment of regulatory annotations in pancreatic islet enhancers for loci influencing insulin secretion, and in adipocytes, monocytes and hepatocytes for insulin action-associated loci. These findings highlight the predominant role played by common variants of modest effect and the diversity of biological mechanisms influencing T2D pathophysiology. PMID:28566273

Proficiency testing to detect Trichinella larvae in meat in the European Union.

PubMed

Marucci, G; Tonanzi, D; Cherchi, S; Galati, F; Bella, A; Interisano, M; Ludovisi, A; Amati, A; Pozio, E

2016-11-15

According to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1375 (replacing the Commission Regulation (EC) No 2075/2005), all animals, which are potential carriers of Trichinella spp. larvae, should be tested at the slaughterhouse or game-handling establishments according to one of the approved tests. One of the core duties of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites is to organize proficiency testing (PT), as stated in the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The aim of this work was to evaluate the results of PTs of the digestion method carried out by the National Reference Laboratories for Parasites (NRLPs) over a nine year period (2007-2015). Participating laboratories received a panel of samples consisting in 35g or 100g of minced pork or horse meat spiked with Trichinella spiralis live larvae. The number of spiked samples varied from 2 to 9 over the years. A negative control was also included in the panel, except during the 2015 PT, when only positive samples were used. The percentage of NRLPs, which passed the PT, increased from 83.3% in 2007 to 100% in 2014. Considering the number of recovered larvae, the heterogeneity in participant's results reduced overtime. The values of the overall mean difference between spiked and recovered larvae decreased during the study period, witnessing a general improvement of NRLPs performance and confirming the effectiveness of PT for a good performance of this test. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of IgG antibodies specific to Сhlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein (HSP-60)

PubMed

Galkin, O Yu; Besarab, A B; Lutsenko, T N

2017-01-01

The goal of this work was to study sensitivity and specificity of the developed ELISA set for the identification of IgG antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis HSP-60 (using biotinylated tyramine-based signal amplification system). The study was conducted using a panel of characterized sera, as well as two reference ELISA sets of similar purpose. According to the results of ELISA informative value parameters, the ELISA we have developed showed the highest specificity and sensitivity parameters (no false negative or false positive results were registered). In 4 out of 15 intralaboratory panel serum samples initially identified as negative, anti-HSP-60 IgG-antibodies test result in reference ELISA sets upon dilution changed from negative to positive. The nature of titration curves of false negative sera and commercial monoclonal antibodies А57-В9 against C. trachomatis HSP-60 after incubation for 24 h was indicative of the presence of anti-idiotypic antibodies in these samples. Upon sera dilution, idiotypic-anti-idiotypic complexes dissociated, which caused the change of test result. High informative value of the developed ELISA set for identification of IgG antibodies against C. trachomatis HSP-60 has been proven. Anti-idiotypic antibodies possessing C. trachomatis anti-HSP-60 activity and being one of the causes of false negative results of the relevant ELISA-based tests have been identified in blood sera of individuals infected with chlamydial genitourinary infection agents.

ARTS: a web-based tool for the set-up of high-throughput genome-wide mapping panels for the SNP genotyping of mouse mutants.

PubMed

Klaften, Matthias; Hrabé de Angelis, Martin

2005-07-01

Genome-wide mapping in the identification of novel candidate genes has always been the standard method in genetics and genomics to correlate a clinically interesting phenotypic trait with a genotype. However, the performance of a mapping experiment using classical microsatellite approaches can be very time consuming. The high-throughput analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has the potential of being the successor of microsatellite analysis routinely used for these mapping approaches, where one of the major obstacles is the design of the appropriate SNP marker set itself. Here we report on ARTS, an advanced retrieval tool for SNPs, which allows researchers to comb freely the public mouse dbSNP database for multiple reference and test strains. Several filters can be applied in order to improve the sensitivity and the specificity of the search results. By employing the panel generator function of this program, it is possible to abbreviate the extraction of reliable sequence data for a large marker panel including several different mouse strains from days to minutes. The concept of ARTS is easily adaptable to other species for which SNP databases are available, making it a versatile tool for the use of SNPs as markers for genotyping. The web interface is accessible at http://andromeda.gsf.de/arts.

Detecting delaminations and disbondings on full-scale wing composite panel by guided waves based SHM system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monaco, E.; Boffa, N. D.; Memmolo, V.; Ricci, F.; Maio, L.

2016-04-01

A full-scale lower wing panel made of composite material has been designed, manufactured and sensorised within the European Funded research project named SARISTU. The authors contributed to the whole development of the system, from design to implementation as well as to the impacts campaign phase where Barely Visible and Visible Damages (BVID and VID) are to be artificially induced on the panel by a pneumatic impact machine. This work summarise part of the experimental results related to damages production, their assessment by C-SCAN as reference NDT method as well as damage detection of delimitations by a guided waves based SHM. The SHM system is made by customized piezoelectric patches secondary bonded on the wing plate acting both as guided waves sources and receivers. The paper will deal mostly with the experimental impact campaign and the signal analyses carried out to extract the metrics more sensitive to damages induced. Image reconstruction of the damages dimensions and shapes will be also described based mostly on the combination of metrics maps over the plate partial surfaces. Finally a comparison of damages maps obtained by the SHM approach and those obtained by "classic" C-SCAN will be presented analyzing briefly pros and cons of the two different approached as a combination to the most effective structural maintenance scenario of a commercial aircraft.

EAU guidelines on surgical treatment of urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Lucas, M G; Bosch, R J L; Burkhard, F C; Cruz, F; Madden, T B; Nambiar, A K; Neisius, A; de Ridder, D J M K; Tubaro, A; Turner, W H; Pickard, R S

2013-09-01

The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on urinary incontinence published in March 2012 have been rewritten based on an independent systematic review carried out by the EAU guidelines panel using a sustainable methodology. We present a short version here of the full guidelines on the surgical treatment of patients with urinary incontinence, with the aim of dissemination to a wider audience. Evidence appraisal included a pragmatic review of existing systematic reviews and independent new literature searches based on Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome (PICO) questions. The appraisal of papers was carried out by an international panel of experts, who also collaborated in a series of consensus discussions, to develop concise structured evidence summaries and action-based recommendations using a modified Oxford system. The full version of the guidance is available online (www.uroweb.org/guidelines/online-guidelines/). The guidance includes algorithms that refer the reader back to the supporting evidence and have greater accessibility in daily clinical practice. Two original meta-analyses were carried out specifically for these guidelines and are included in this report. These new guidelines present an up-to-date summary of the available evidence, together with clear clinical algorithms and action-based recommendations based on the best available evidence. Where high-level evidence is lacking, they present a consensus of expert panel opinion. Copyright © 2012 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the World Health Organization global measles and rubella quality assurance program, 2001-2008.

PubMed

Stambos, Vicki; Leydon, Jennie; Riddell, Michaela; Clothier, Hazel; Catton, Mike; Featherstone, David; Kelly, Heath

2011-07-01

During 2001-2008, the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) prepared and provided a measles and rubella proficiency test panel for distribution to the World Health Organization (WHO) measles and rubella network laboratories as part of their annual laboratory accreditation assessment. Panel test results were forwarded to VIDRL, and results from 8 consecutive years were analyzed. We assessed the type of assays used and results achieved on the basis of the positive and negative interpretation of submitted results, by year and WHO region, for measles and rubella. Over time, there has been a noticeable increase in laboratory and WHO regional participation. For all panels, the proportion of laboratories in all WHO regions using the WHO-validated Dade Behring assay for measles and rubella-specific IgM antibodies ranged from 35% to 100% and 59% to 100%, respectively. For all regions and years, the proportion of laboratories obtaining a pass score ranged from 87% to 100% for measles and 93% to 100% for rubella. During 2001-2008, a large proportion of laboratories worldwide achieved and maintained a pass score for both measles and rubella. Measles and rubella proficiency testing is regarded as a major achievement for the WHO measles and rubella laboratory program. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.

Crop Field Reflectance Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Christian; Schinca, Daniel C.; Tocho, Jorge O.; Videla, Fabian

2008-04-01

We present in this paper the results of reflectance measurements performed with a three-band passive radiometer with independent channels for solar irradiance reference. The comparative operation of the traditional method that alternatively uses measurements of the field (downward-looking) and a white panel for reference (downard-looking) and the new approach that involves duplicated spectral channels, each one with its own difuser that point upwards to the zenith direction (upward-looking) is analyzed. The results indicated that the latter method is more suitable for use with passive sensors under rapid changing atmospheric conditions (such as clouds, dust, mist, smog and other scatterers), since a more reliable synchronic record of reference and incident light is achieved. Besides, having separate channels for the reference and the signal allow a better balancing of gains in the amplifiers for each spectral channel. We show the results obtained in the determination of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) corresponding to 2006 and 2007 field experiments concerning weeds detection and fertilizer levels assessing in wheat, to refine sensor-based fertilizer nitrogen rate recommendations. It is also shown the variation of the radiometric normalization measurements taken at noon (nadir solar position) for the whole culture cycle corresponding to two seasons (winter and spring).

Correcting Thermal Deformations in an Active Composite Reflector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradford, Samuel C.; Agnes, Gregory S.; Wilkie, William K.

2011-01-01

Large, high-precision composite reflectors for future space missions are costly to manufacture, and heavy. An active composite reflector capable of adjusting shape in situ to maintain required tolerances can be lighter and cheaper to manufacture. An active composite reflector testbed was developed that uses an array of piezoelectric composite actuators embedded in the back face sheet of a 0.8-m reflector panel. Each individually addressable actuator can be commanded from 500 to +1,500 V, and the flatness of the panel can be controlled to tolerances of 100 nm. Measuring the surface flatness at this resolution required the use of a speckle holography interferometer system in the Precision Environmental Test Enclosure (PETE) at JPL. The existing testbed combines the PETE for test environment stability, the speckle holography system for measuring out-of-plane deformations, the active panel including an array of individually addressable actuators, a FLIR thermal camera to measure thermal profiles across the reflector, and a heat source. Use of an array of flat piezoelectric actuators to correct thermal deformations is a promising new application for these actuators, as is the use of this actuator technology for surface flatness and wavefront control. An isogrid of these actuators is moving one step closer to a fully active face sheet, with the significant advantage of ease in manufacturing. No extensive rib structure or other actuation backing structure is required, as these actuators can be applied directly to an easy-to-manufacture flat surface. Any mission with a surface flatness requirement for a panel or reflector structure could adopt this actuator array concept to create lighter structures and enable improved performance on orbit. The thermal environment on orbit tends to include variations in temperature during shadowing or changes in angle. Because of this, a purely passive system is not an effective way to maintain flatness at the scale of microns over several meters. This technology is specifically referring to correcting thermal deformations of a large, flat structure to a specified tolerance. However, the underlying concept (an array of actuators on the back face of a panel for correcting the flatness of the front face) could be extended to many applications, including energy harvesting, changing the wavefront of an optical system, and correcting the flatness of an array of segmented deployable panels.

Using RNA-seq data to select reference genes for normalizing gene expression in apple roots.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhe; Cong, Peihua; Tian, Yi; Zhu, Yanmin

2017-01-01

Gene expression in apple roots in response to various stress conditions is a less-explored research subject. Reliable reference genes for normalizing quantitative gene expression data have not been carefully investigated. In this study, the suitability of a set of 15 apple genes were evaluated for their potential use as reliable reference genes. These genes were selected based on their low variance of gene expression in apple root tissues from a recent RNA-seq data set, and a few previously reported apple reference genes for other tissue types. Four methods, Delta Ct, geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper, were used to evaluate their stability in apple root tissues of various genotypes and under different experimental conditions. A small panel of stably expressed genes, MDP0000095375, MDP0000147424, MDP0000233640, MDP0000326399 and MDP0000173025 were recommended for normalizing quantitative gene expression data in apple roots under various abiotic or biotic stresses. When the most stable and least stable reference genes were used for data normalization, significant differences were observed on the expression patterns of two target genes, MdLecRLK5 (MDP0000228426, a gene encoding a lectin receptor like kinase) and MdMAPK3 (MDP0000187103, a gene encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase). Our data also indicated that for those carefully validated reference genes, a single reference gene is sufficient for reliable normalization of the quantitative gene expression. Depending on the experimental conditions, the most suitable reference genes can be specific to the sample of interest for more reliable RT-qPCR data normalization.

Using RNA-seq data to select reference genes for normalizing gene expression in apple roots

PubMed Central

Zhou, Zhe; Cong, Peihua; Tian, Yi

2017-01-01

Gene expression in apple roots in response to various stress conditions is a less-explored research subject. Reliable reference genes for normalizing quantitative gene expression data have not been carefully investigated. In this study, the suitability of a set of 15 apple genes were evaluated for their potential use as reliable reference genes. These genes were selected based on their low variance of gene expression in apple root tissues from a recent RNA-seq data set, and a few previously reported apple reference genes for other tissue types. Four methods, Delta Ct, geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper, were used to evaluate their stability in apple root tissues of various genotypes and under different experimental conditions. A small panel of stably expressed genes, MDP0000095375, MDP0000147424, MDP0000233640, MDP0000326399 and MDP0000173025 were recommended for normalizing quantitative gene expression data in apple roots under various abiotic or biotic stresses. When the most stable and least stable reference genes were used for data normalization, significant differences were observed on the expression patterns of two target genes, MdLecRLK5 (MDP0000228426, a gene encoding a lectin receptor like kinase) and MdMAPK3 (MDP0000187103, a gene encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase). Our data also indicated that for those carefully validated reference genes, a single reference gene is sufficient for reliable normalization of the quantitative gene expression. Depending on the experimental conditions, the most suitable reference genes can be specific to the sample of interest for more reliable RT-qPCR data normalization. PMID:28934340

Identification of Reliable Reference Genes for Quantification of MicroRNAs in Serum Samples of Sulfur Mustard-Exposed Veterans.

PubMed

Gharbi, Sedigheh; Shamsara, Mehdi; Khateri, Shahriar; Soroush, Mohammad Reza; Ghorbanmehr, Nassim; Tavallaei, Mahmood; Nourani, Mohammad Reza; Mowla, Seyed Javad

2015-01-01

In spite of accumulating information about pathological aspects of sulfur mustard (SM), the precise mechanism responsible for its effects is not well understood. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Accurate normalization using appropriate reference genes, is a critical step in miRNA expression studies. In this study, we aimed to identify appropriate reference gene for microRNA quantification in serum samples of SM victims. In this case and control experimental study, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we evaluated the suitability of a panel of small RNAs including SNORD38B, SNORD49A, U6, 5S rRNA, miR-423-3p, miR-191, miR-16 and miR-103 in sera of 28 SM-exposed veterans of Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) and 15 matched control volunteers. Different statistical algorithms including geNorm, Normfinder, best-keeper and comparative delta-quantification cycle (Cq) method were employed to find the least variable reference gene. miR-423-3p was identified as the most stably expressed reference gene, and miR- 103 and miR-16 ranked after that. We demonstrate that non-miRNA reference genes have the least stabil- ity in serum samples and that some house-keeping miRNAs may be used as more reliable reference genes for miRNAs in serum. In addition, using the geometric mean of two reference genes could increase the reliability of the normalizers.

Development of a Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Specific Identification of Burkholderia mallei and Differentiation from Burkholderia pseudomallei and Other Closely Related Burkholderiaceae

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-11-29

used in this work were grown in LB broth. C . violaceum and Y. pestis were propagated at 25 8C, whereas the remaining bacterial isolates were cultured...reference panel, which includ- ed B. cepacia, B. cenocepacia, B. stabilis, B. multivorans, B. vietnamiensis, E. coli, C . violaceum , Y. pestis, and P...19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT unclassified b. ABSTRACT unclassified c . THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98

Calculation of load distribution in stiffened cylindrical shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ebner, H; Koller, H

1938-01-01

Thin-walled shells with strong longitudinal and transverse stiffening (for example, stressed-skin fuselages and wings) may, under certain simplifying assumptions, be treated as static systems with finite redundancies. In this report the underlying basis for this method of treatment of the problem is presented and a computation procedure for stiffened cylindrical shells with curved sheet panels indicated. A detailed discussion of the force distribution due to applied concentrated forces is given, and the discussion illustrated by numerical examples which refer to an experimentally determined circular cylindrical shell.

A Randomized Study Comparing Digital Imaging to Traditional Glass Slide Microscopy for Breast Biopsy and Cancer Diagnosis.

PubMed

Elmore, Joann G; Longton, Gary M; Pepe, Margaret S; Carney, Patricia A; Nelson, Heidi D; Allison, Kimberly H; Geller, Berta M; Onega, Tracy; Tosteson, Anna N A; Mercan, Ezgi; Shapiro, Linda G; Brunyé, Tad T; Morgan, Thomas R; Weaver, Donald L

2017-01-01

Digital whole slide imaging may be useful for obtaining second opinions and is used in many countries. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires verification studies. Pathologists were randomized to interpret one of four sets of breast biopsy cases during two phases, separated by ≥9 months, using glass slides or digital format (sixty cases per set, one slide per case, n = 240 cases). Accuracy was assessed by comparing interpretations to a consensus reference standard. Intraobserver reproducibility was assessed by comparing the agreement of interpretations on the same cases between two phases. Estimated probabilities of confirmation by a reference panel (i.e., predictive values) were obtained by incorporating data on the population prevalence of diagnoses. Sixty-five percent of responding pathologists were eligible, and 252 consented to randomization; 208 completed Phase I (115 glass, 93 digital); and 172 completed Phase II (86 glass, 86 digital). Accuracy was slightly higher using glass compared to digital format and varied by category: invasive carcinoma, 96% versus 93% ( P = 0.04); ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 84% versus 79% ( P < 0.01); atypia, 48% versus 43% ( P = 0.08); and benign without atypia, 87% versus 82% ( P < 0.01). There was a small decrease in intraobserver agreement when the format changed compared to when glass slides were used in both phases ( P = 0.08). Predictive values for confirmation by a reference panel using glass versus digital were: invasive carcinoma, 98% and 97% (not significant [NS]); DCIS, 70% and 57% ( P = 0.007); atypia, 38% and 28% ( P = 0.002); and benign without atypia, 97% and 96% (NS). In this large randomized study, digital format interpretations were similar to glass slide interpretations of benign and invasive cancer cases. However, cases in the middle of the spectrum, where more inherent variability exists, may be more problematic in digital format. Future studies evaluating the effect these findings exert on clinical practice and patient outcomes are required.