Seroprevalence occurrence of viral hepatitis and HIV among hemodialysis patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamal, Inass Mahmood; Mutar Mahdi, Batool

2018-05-01

Background: Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) were on maintenance invasive haemodialysis (HD) procedure. This procedure by itself affects immunity of the patients and became more susceptible to viral infections. Aim of the study: to investigate the occurrence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in patients with hemodialysis. Patients and methods: A retrospective study of 430 end-stage renal failure patients, referred to hemodialysis department at Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital, Baghdad-Iraq from Junuary-2015 to Junuary-2017. Patients were investigated for HBs-Ag using enzyme-labeled antigen test (Foresight-EIA-USA ), HCV- Abs (IgG) specific immunoglobulin using a HCV enzyme-labeled antigen test (Foresight-EIA-USA) and anti HIV Abs (IgG) using enzyme-labeled antigen test (Foresight-EIA-USA). Results: The frequency of HBV infection in the first year was not significant between males (1.11%) and females (0.00%)(P = 0.295). About HCV also there are no significant differences between males (12.63%) and females (9.31%)(P = 0.347). After one year of follow up the frequencies of HBV and HCV were not significant between two sexes. Additionally, no any one of the patients had HIV infection. Conclusions: This study brings a light on that HBV and HCV were having the same frequencies in both genders and lower occurrence with time. Furthermore, HIV was not detected in those patients.

Evaluation of a malarial antibody assay for use in the screening of blood and tissue products for clinical use.

PubMed

Kitchen, A D; Lowe, P H J; Lalloo, K; Chiodini, P L

2004-10-01

A new recombinant Plasmodium antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of malarial antibodies was evaluated for the screening of 'malaria-risk' blood and tissue donations. A total of 13,269 donor and patient samples were tested by both the EIA and the standard diagnostic antibody immunofluorescence test (IFAT). A total of 114/138 (82.6%) samples from patients with P. falciparum and 11/13 (84.6%) samples from patients with P. vivax tested positive. A total of 714/13,053 (5.47%) samples from donors identified as 'malaria risk', owing to residency or travel, were reactive in the EIA. The assay is more sensitive than a previously implemented malarial antibody EIA (73% in acute P. falciparum and 56% in acute P. vivax infections). The sensitivity of this new EIA is comparable to that of the IFAT, and the specificity is sufficient to screen 'malaria-risk' donors.

Development and validation of a sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for blood plasma cortisol in female cattle, buffaloes, and goats.

PubMed

Yadav, R; Mohan, K; Kumar, V; Sarkar, M; Nitu, K; Meyer, H H D; Prakash, B S

2013-08-01

A highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that used the second antibody coating technique and the cortisol-horseradish peroxidase conjugate as a label for determination of free and total cortisol in blood plasma of dairy animals (cows, buffaloes, and goats) was developed. For biological validation of the EIA, blood samples were collected from the animals at 48 and 24 h before and 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, and 132 h after dexamethasone administration. The EIA was performed directly with 20 μL of fresh plasma (for free cortisol) and also with 20 μL of heat-treated plasma (for total cortisol) after 1:5 dilutions with PBS. Cortisol standards ranging from 0.39 to 200 pg/well/20 μL were used, and the sensitivity of the EIA procedure was found to be 0.39 pg/well/20 μL, which corresponded to 0.02 ng/mL. In comparison with RIA the EIA was at least 4 times more sensitive and required 5 times less cortisol antiserum. In female cattle, buffaloes, and goats, the total, free, and bound plasma cortisol before dexamethasone administration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the total, free, and bound cortisol after dexamethasone administration. It can be concluded from these studies that the direct, sensitive EIA validated for estimating the free and total cortisol concentrations was sufficiently reliable and quick for studying the dynamics of cortisol distribution in blood plasma of dairy animals. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison between the two-step and the three-step algorithms for the detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile.

PubMed

Qutub, M O; AlBaz, N; Hawken, P; Anoos, A

2011-01-01

To evaluate usefulness of applying either the two-step algorithm (Ag-EIAs and CCNA) or the three-step algorithm (all three assays) for better confirmation of toxigenic Clostridium difficile. The antigen enzyme immunoassays (Ag-EIAs) can accurately identify the glutamate dehydrogenase antigen of toxigenic and nontoxigenic Clostridium difficile. Therefore, it is used in combination with a toxin-detecting assay [cell line culture neutralization assay (CCNA), or the enzyme immunoassays for toxins A and B (TOX-A/BII EIA)] to provide specific evidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. A total of 151 nonformed stool specimens were tested by Ag-EIAs, TOX-A/BII EIA, and CCNA. All tests were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions and the results of Ag-EIAs and TOX-A/BII EIA were read using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 450 nm. A total of 61 (40.7%), 38 (25.3%), and 52 (34.7%) specimens tested positive with Ag-EIA, TOX-A/BII EIA, and CCNA, respectively. Overall, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value for Ag-EIA were 94%, 87%, 96.6%, and 80.3%, respectively. Whereas for TOX-A/BII EIA, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 73.1%, 100%, 87.5%, and 100%, respectively. With the two-step algorithm, all 61 Ag-EIAs-positive cases required 2 days for confirmation. With the three-step algorithm, 37 (60.7%) cases were reported immediately, and the remaining 24 (39.3%) required further testing by CCNA. By applying the two-step algorithm, the workload and cost could be reduced by 28.2% compared with the three-step algorithm. The two-step algorithm is the most practical for accurately detecting toxigenic Clostridium difficile, but it is time-consuming.

Two-step glutamate dehydrogenase antigen real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile.

PubMed

Goldenberg, S D; Cliff, P R; Smith, S; Milner, M; French, G L

2010-01-01

Current diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) relies upon detection of toxins A/B in stool by enzyme immunoassay [EIA(A/B)]. This strategy is unsatisfactory because it has a low sensitivity resulting in significant false negatives. We investigated the performance of a two-step algorithm for diagnosis of CDI using detection of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). GDH-positive samples were tested for C. difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The performance of the two-step protocol was compared with toxin detection by the Meridian Premier EIA kit in 500 consecutive stool samples from patients with suspected CDI. The reference standard among samples that were positive by either EIA(A/B) or GDH testing was culture cytotoxin neutralisation (culture/CTN). Thirty-six (7%) of 500 samples were identified as true positives by culture/CTN. EIA(A/B) identified 14 of the positive specimens with 22 false negatives and two false positives. The two-step protocol identified 34 of the positive samples with two false positives and two false negatives. EIA(A/B) had a sensitivity of 39%, specificity of 99%, positive predictive value of 88% and negative predictive value of 95%. The two-step algorithm performed better, with corresponding values of 94%, 99%, 94% and 99% respectively. Screening for GDH before confirmation of positives by PCR is cheaper than screening all specimens by PCR and is an effective method for routine use. Current EIA(A/B) tests for CDI are of inadequate sensitivity and should be replaced; however, this may result in apparent changes in CDI rates that would need to be explained in national surveillance statistics. Copyright 2009 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pooled nucleic acid testing increases the diagnostic yield of acute HIV infections in a high-risk population compared to 3rd and 4th generation HIV enzyme immunoassays.

PubMed

Krajden, Mel; Cook, Darrel; Mak, Annie; Chu, Ken; Chahil, Navdeep; Steinberg, Malcolm; Rekart, Michael; Gilbert, Mark

2014-09-01

We compared a 3rd generation (gen) and two 4th gen HIV enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to pooled nucleic acid testing (PNAT) for the identification of pre- and early seroconversion acute HIV infection (AHI). 9550 specimens from males >18 year from clinics attended by men who have sex with men were tested by Siemens ADVIA Centaur(®) HIV 1/O/2 (3rd gen) and HIV Combo (4th gen), as well as by Abbott ARCHITECT(®) HIV Ag/Ab Combo (4th gen). Third gen non-reactive specimens were also tested by Roche COBAS(®) Ampliprep/COBAS® TaqMan HIV-1 Test v.2 in pools of 24 samples. Sensitivity and specificity of the three EIAs for AHI detection were compared. 7348 persons contributed 9435 specimens and had no evidence of HIV infection, 79 (94 specimens) had established HIV infection, 6 (9 specimens) had pre-seroconversion AHI and 9 (12 specimens) had early seroconversion AHI. Pre-seroconversion AHI cases were not detected by 3rd gen EIA, whereas 2/6 (33.3%) were detected by Siemens 4th gen, 4/6 (66.7%) by Abbott 4th gen and 6/6 (100%) by PNAT. All three EIAs and PNAT detected all individuals with early seroconversion AHI. Overall sensitivity/specificity for the EIAs relative to WB or NAT resolved infection status was 93.6%/99.9% for Siemens 3rd gen, 95.7%/99.7% for Siemens 4th gen and 97.9%/99.2% for Abbott 4th gen. While both 4th gen EIAs demonstrated improved sensitivity for AHI compared to 3rd gen EIA, PNAT identified more AHI cases than either 4th gen assay. PNAT is likely to remain a useful strategy to identify AHI in high-risk populations. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A rapid magnetic particle-based enzyme immunoassay for human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B quantification.

PubMed

Pires, F; Arcos-Martinez, M Julia; Dias-Cabral, A Cristina; Vidal, Juan C; Castillo, Juan R

2018-04-17

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpes virus that can cause severe infections. Still, the available methods for its diagnostic have the main disadvantage of requiring long time to be performed. In this work, a simple magnetic particle-based enzyme immunoassay (mpEIA) for the quantification of glycoprotein B of Human cytomegalovirus (gB-HCMV) in urine samples is proposed. The immunosensor scheme is based on the analyte protein gB-HCMV sandwiched between a primary monoclonal antibody, (MBs-PrG-mAb1), and a secondary anti-gB-HCMV antibody labelled with Horseradish peroxidase (Ab2-HRP) to allow spectrophotometric detection. The mpEIA analytical performance was tested in urine samples, showing a linear dependence between gB-HCMV concentration and the absorbance signal at 450 nm in a range of concentrations from 90 to 700 pg mL -1 . The calculated detection limits for gB-HCMV were 90 ± 2 pg mL -1 and the RSD was about 6.7% in urine samples. The immunosensor showed good selectivity against other viruses from Herpesviridae family, namely varicella zoster and Epstein Barr viruses. The recoveries of spiked human urine samples at 0.30-0.50 ng mL -1 concentration levels of gB-HCMV ranged between 91 to 105%. The proposed mpEIA method was validated following the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA-2014), and allows rapid, successful and easy quantification of gB-HCMV in urine samples. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Natural Gas Storage Estimates from the EIA and AGA

EIA Publications

1997-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has been publishing monthly storage information for years. In order to address the need for more timely information, in 1994 the American Gas Association (AGA) began publishing weekly storage levels. Both the EIA and the AGA series provide estimates of the total working gas in storage, but use significantly different methodologies.

A two-stage algorithm for Clostridium difficile including PCR: can we replace the toxin EIA?

PubMed

Orendi, J M; Monnery, D J; Manzoor, S; Hawkey, P M

2012-01-01

A two step, three-test algorithm for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was reviewed. Stool samples were tested by enzyme immunoassays for C. difficile common antigen glutamate dehydrogenase (G) and toxin A/B (T). Samples with discordant results were tested by polymerase chain reaction detecting the toxin B gene (P). The algorithm quickly identified patients with detectable toxin A/B, whereas a large group of patients excreting toxigenic C. difficile but with toxin A/B production below detection level (G(+)T(-)P(+)) was identified separately. The average white blood cell count in patients with a G(+)T(+) result was higher than in those with a G(+)T(-)P(+) result. Copyright © 2011 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laboratory and Clinical features of EIA Toxin-positive and EIA Toxin-negative Community-acquired Clostridium difficile Infection.

PubMed

Patel, Hiren; Randhawa, Jeewanjot; Nanavati, Sushant; Marton, L Randy; Baddoura, Walid J; DeBari, Vincent A

2015-01-01

Studies have described the clinical course of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for toxins A and B. Limited information is available for the patients with negative EIA but positive for the toxin B gene (TcdB) by the PCR. The aim of our study is to determine if there are any differences that exist among the clinical and laboratory parameters in the patients tested to be positive by EIA for toxin and those who were negative. This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in a 700-bed teaching hospital. We reviewed charts of the patients with presumptive CDI between January 2006 and July 2013. We divided these patients into two groups, EIA-positive and EIA-negative, based on result of EIA for toxins A and B and the requirement for a positive PCR analysis of the TcdB gene. The EIA-positive group had significantly higher white blood cell counts (p<0.001), with a significantly greater percentage of bands (p<0.0001). Albumin and total protein both exhibit significantly (p<0.0001, both comparisons) lower values in the EIA-positive group. Among clinical findings, the EIA-positive group had significantly longer length of hospital stay (p=0.010). These data suggest that an infection with an EIA-negative strain of C. difficile presents laboratory markers closer to those of healthy subjects and clinical features suggesting considerably less severe than infection with EIA-positive C. difficile. © 2015 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.

Use of the Abbott Architect HIV antigen/antibody assay in a low incidence population.

PubMed

Dubravac, Terry; Gahan, Thomas F; Pentella, Michael A

2013-12-01

With the availability of 4th generation HIV diagnostic tests which are capable of detecting acute infection, Iowa evaluated the 3rd and 4th generation HIV test and compared the performance of these products in a low incidence population. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of an HIV antigen/antibody combination (4th generation) assay compared to an EIA 3rd generation assay. Over a 4 month period, 2037 specimens submitted for HIV screening were tested by Bio-Rad GS HIV-1/HIV-2 Plus O EIA and the Abbott Architect i1000SR HIV Ag/Ab Combo. The performance characteristics of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were determined. Of the 2037 specimens tested, there were 13 (0.64%) true positives detected. None of the positive specimens were from patients in the acute phase of infection. The Abbott antigen/antibody combo assay had a sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value and negative predictive value of 100%, 99.85%, 81.25%, and 100% respectively. The Bio-Rad EIA assay had a sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value and negative predictive value of 100%, 99.80%, 76.47% and 100%, respectively. The EIA had four false positive results which tested negative by the antigen/antibody assay and western blot. In a low-incidence state where early infections are less commonly encountered, the EIA assay and the antigen/antibody assay performed with near equivalency. The antigen/antibody assay had one less false positive result. While no patients were detected in the acute stage of infection, the use of the antigen/antibody assay presents the opportunity to detect an infected patient sooner and prevent transmission to others. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of toxigenic Clostridium difficile polymerase chain reaction testing on the clinical microbiology laboratory and inpatient epidemiology.

PubMed

Napierala, Maureen; Munson, Erik; Skonieczny, Patrice; Rodriguez, Sonia; Riederer, Nancy; Land, Gayle; Luzinski, Mary; Block, Denise; Hryciuk, Jeanne E

2013-08-01

Conversion from Clostridium difficile toxin A/B EIA to tcdB polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of C. difficile infection (CDI) resulted in significant decreases in laboratory testing volume and largely unchanged C. difficile toxin detection rates. Decreases in healthcare-associated CDI rates (P ≤ 0.05) reflected a clinical practice benefit of this conversion. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of clinical performance of antigen based-enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and major outer membrane protein (MOMP)-PCR for detection of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

PubMed

Nateghi Rostami, Mahmoud; Hossein Rashidi, Batool; Aghsaghloo, Fatemeh; Nazari, Razieh

2016-06-01

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. Early detection and treatment of C.trachomatis genital infection prevent serious reproductive complications. Performances of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and major outer membrane protein (MOMP)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of genital C.trachomatis infection in women were compared. In this cross sectional study a total of 518 women volunteers were included (33.67±8.3 yrs) who had been referred to Gynecology clinics of Qom province, Iran, were included. Endocervical swab specimens were collected to detect lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigen in EIA and to amplify MOMP gene of C.trachomatis in PCR. Results were confirmed using ompI nested-PCR. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated for performance of the tests. Odds ratios were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. In total, 37 (7.14%) cases were positive by EIA and/or MOMP-PCR. All discrepant results were confirmed by nested-PCR. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV values of EIA were 59.46%, 100%, 100% and 96.98%, and those of MOMP-PCR were 97.30%, 100%, 100%, 99.79%, respectively. Reproductive complications including 2.7% ectopic pregnancy, 5.4% stillbirth, 5.4% infertility, and 10.8% PROM were recorded. The risk of developing chlamydiosis was increased 4.8-fold in volunteers with cervicitis (p<0.05; OR 4.80; 95% CI 1.25-18.48). C.trachomatis infection should be regarded in women of reproductive ages especially those with cervicitis. Primary screening of women by using the low cost antigen-EIA is recommended; however, due to the low sensitivity of Ag-EIA, verification of the negative results by a DNA amplification method is needed.

Relevance of cutoff on a 4th generation ELISA performance in the false positive rate during HIV diagnostic in a low HIV prevalence setting.

PubMed

Chacón, Lucía; Mateos, María Luisa; Holguín, África

2017-07-01

Despite the high specificity of fourth-generation enzyme immunoassays (4th-gen-EIA) for screening during HIV diagnosis, their positive predictive value is low in populations with low HIV prevalence. Thus, screening should be optimized to reduce false positive results. The influence of sample cutoff (S/CO) values by a 4th-gen-EIA with the false positive rate during the routine HIV diagnosis in a low HIV prevalence population was evaluated. A total of 30,201 sera were tested for HIV diagnosis using Abbott Architect ® HIV-Ag/Ab-Combo 4th-gen-EIA at a hospital in Spain during 17 months. Architect S/CO values were recorded, comparing the HIV-1 positive results following Architect interpretation (S/CO≥1) with the final HIV-1 diagnosis by confirmatory tests (line immunoassay, LIA and/or nucleic acid test, NAT). ROC curve was also performed. Among the 30,201 HIV performed tests, 256 (0.85%) were positive according to Architect interpretation (S/CO≥1) but only 229 (0.76%) were definitively HIV-1 positive after LIA and/or NAT. Thus, 27 (10.5%) of 256 samples with S/CO≥1 by Architect were false positive diagnose. The false positive rate decreased when the S/CO ratio increased. All 19 samples with S/CO ≤10 were false positives and all 220 with S/CO>50 true HIV-positives. The optimal S/CO cutoff value provided by ROC curves was 32.7. No false negative results were found. We show that very low S/CO values during HIV-1 screening using Architect can result HIV negative after confirmation by LIA and NAT. The false positive rate is reduced when S/CO increases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinical application of polymerase chain reaction to diagnose Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients with diarrhea.

PubMed

Morelli, Michael S; Rouster, Susan D; Giannella, Ralph A; Sherman, Kenneth E

2004-08-01

Clostridium difficile is a common cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients and is associated with significant morbidity and cost. The current diagnostic standard, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), has low sensitivity, leading to duplicate testing and empiric treatment. We sought to show the usefulness and potential cost effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of toxin B gene for diagnosis of C. difficile-induced diarrhea. A total of 148 stool samples from academic and community-based hospitals were sent for EIA testing and were evaluated prospectively for the presence of toxin B gene by PCR. Results were compared with EIA regarding sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Medical charts were reviewed to determine the following: (1) number of EIAs sent per admission, (2) number sent within a 24-hour time period, and (3) how caregivers practiced based on EIA results. The mean age of 130 patients was 55 years. EIA and PCR were positive in 6.8% and 13.6% of patients, respectively. EIA sensitivity was 40%, specificity was 98%, and positive and negative predictive values were 80% and 91%, respectively. The cost of the PCR was $22/sample. Empiric treatment for C. difficile was given unnecessarily in 42% of EIA-negative results. Thirty percent of patients had 3 or more EIAs sent during their hospital admission. Of patients with multiple samples sent, 57% had more than 1 sample sent in a 24-hour period. Many physicians do not conform to practice guidelines regarding recommended diagnosis and empiric treatment of C. difficile. Toxin B gene PCR represents a more sensitive and potentially cost-effective method to diagnose C. difficile-induced diarrhea than EIA and should be considered for use as an alternative diagnostic standard.

Temporal change of EIA asymmetry revealed by a beacon receiver network in Southeast Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watthanasangmechai, Kornyanat; Yamamoto, Mamoru; Saito, Akinori; Maruyama, Takashi; Yokoyama, Tatsuhiro; Nishioka, Michi; Ishii, Mamoru

2015-05-01

To reveal the temporal change of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) asymmetry, a multipoint satellite-ground beacon experiment was conducted along the meridional plane of the Thailand-Indonesia sector. The observation includes one station near the magnetic equator and four stations at off-equator latitudes. This is the first EIA asymmetry study with high spatial resolution using GNU Radio Beacon Receiver (GRBR) observations in Southeast Asia. GRBR-total electron contents (TECs) from 97 polar-orbit satellite passes in March 2012 were analyzed in this study. Successive passes captured rapid evolution of EIA asymmetry, especially during geomagnetic disturbances. The penetrating electric fields that occur during geomagnetic disturbed days are not the cause of the asymmetry. Instead, high background TEC associated with an intense electric field empowers the neutral wind to produce severe asymmetry of the EIA. Such rapid evolution of EIA asymmetry was not seen during nighttime, when meridional wind mainly controlled the asymmetric structures. Additional data are necessary to identify the source of the variations, i.e., atmospheric waves. Precisely capturing the locations of the crests and the evolution of the asymmetry enhances understanding of the temporal change of EIA asymmetry at the local scale and leads to a future local modeling for TEC prediction in Southeast Asia.

A study on ionospheric scintillation near the EIA crest in relation to equatorial electrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, S.; Chakraborty, S. K.; Veenadhari, B.; Banola, S.

2014-02-01

Equatorial electrojet (EEJ) data, which are considered as a proxy index of equatorial electric field, are analyzed in conjunction with equatorial ionosonde, total electron content (TEC) and scintillation data near the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest for the equinoctial months of high solar activity years (2011-2012) to identify any precursor index of postsunset evolution of equatorial electron density irregularities and subsequent occurrence of scintillation near the northern EIA crest. Only geomagnetically quiet and normal electrojet days are considered. The diurnal profiles of EEJ on the scintillation days exhibit a secondary enhancement in the afternoon to presunset hours following diurnal peaks. A series of electrodynamical processes conducive for generation of irregularities emerge following secondary enhancement of EEJ. Latitudinal profile of TEC exhibits resurgence in EIA structure around the postsunset period. Diurnal TEC profile near the EIA crest resembles postsunset secondary enhancement on the days with afternoon enhancement in EEJ. Occurrence of equatorial spread F and postsunset scintillation near the EIA crest seems to follow the secondary enhancement events in EEJ. Both the magnitude and duration of enhanced EEJ are found to be important for postsunset intensification of EIA structure and subsequent occurrence of equatorial irregularities. A critical value combining the two may be considered an important precursor for postsunset occurrence of scintillation near the EIA crest. The results are validated using archived data for the years 1989-1990 and explained in terms of modulation effects of enhanced equatorial fountain.

Observations of equatorial ionization anomaly over Africa and Middle East during a year of deep minimum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolaji, Olawale; Owolabi, Oluwafisayo; Falayi, Elijah; Jimoh, Emmanuel; Kotoye, Afolabi; Odeyemi, Olumide; Rabiu, Babatunde; Doherty, Patricia; Yizengaw, Endawoke; Yamazaki, Yosuke; Adeniyi, Jacob; Kaka, Rafiat; Onanuga, Kehinde

2017-01-01

In this work, we investigated the veracity of an ion continuity equation in controlling equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) morphology using total electron content (TEC) of 22 GPS receivers and three ground-based magnetometers (Magnetic Data Acquisition System, MAGDAS) over Africa and the Middle East (Africa-Middle East) during the quietest periods. Apart from further confirmation of the roles of equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and integrated equatorial electrojet (IEEJ) in determining hemispheric extent of EIA crest over higher latitudes, we found some additional roles played by thermospheric meridional neutral wind. Interestingly, the simultaneous observations of EIA crests in both hemispheres of Africa-Middle East showed different morphology compared to that reported over Asia. We also observed interesting latitudinal twin EIA crests domiciled at the low latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Our results further showed that weak EEJ strength associated with counter electrojet (CEJ) during sunrise hours could also trigger twin EIA crests over higher latitudes.

Comparison of clinical performance of antigen based-enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and major outer membrane protein (MOMP)-PCR for detection of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection

PubMed Central

Nateghi Rostami, Mahmoud; Hossein Rashidi, Batool; Aghsaghloo, Fatemeh; Nazari, Razieh

2016-01-01

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. Early detection and treatment of C.trachomatis genital infection prevent serious reproductive complications. Objective: Performances of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and major outer membrane protein (MOMP)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of genital C.trachomatis infection in women were compared. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study a total of 518 women volunteers were included (33.67±8.3 yrs) who had been referred to Gynecology clinics of Qom province, Iran, were included. Endocervical swab specimens were collected to detect lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigen in EIA and to amplify MOMP gene of C.trachomatis in PCR. Results were confirmed using ompI nested-PCR. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated for performance of the tests. Odds ratios were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: In total, 37 (7.14%) cases were positive by EIA and/or MOMP-PCR. All discrepant results were confirmed by nested-PCR. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV values of EIA were 59.46%, 100%, 100% and 96.98%, and those of MOMP-PCR were 97.30%, 100%, 100%, 99.79%, respectively. Reproductive complications including 2.7% ectopic pregnancy, 5.4% stillbirth, 5.4% infertility, and 10.8% PROM were recorded. The risk of developing chlamydiosis was increased 4.8-fold in volunteers with cervicitis (p<0.05; OR 4.80; 95% CI 1.25-18.48). Conclusion: C.trachomatis infection should be regarded in women of reproductive ages especially those with cervicitis. Primary screening of women by using the low cost antigen-EIA is recommended; however, due to the low sensitivity of Ag-EIA, verification of the negative results by a DNA amplification method is needed. PMID:27525325

Increased pain sensitivity but normal function of exercise induced analgesia in hip and knee osteoarthritis--treatment effects of neuromuscular exercise and total joint replacement.

PubMed

Kosek, E; Roos, E M; Ageberg, E; Nilsdotter, A

2013-09-01

To assess exercise induced analgesia (EIA) and pain sensitivity in hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to study the effects of neuromuscular exercise and surgery on these parameters. The dataset consisted of knee (n = 66) and hip (n = 47) OA patients assigned for total joint replacement at Lund University Hospital undergoing pre-operative neuromuscular exercise and 43 matched controls. Sensitivity to pressure pain was assessed by pressure algometry at 10 sites. Subjects were then instructed to perform a standardized static knee extension. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at the contracting quadriceps muscle (Q) and at the resting deltoid muscle (D) before and during contraction. The relative increase in PPTs during contraction was taken as a measure of localized (Q) or generalized (D) EIA. Patients were assessed at baseline, following on average 12 weeks of neuromuscular exercise and 3 months following surgery. We found a normal function of EIA in OA patients at baseline. Previous studies have reported beneficial effects of physical exercise on pain modulation in healthy subjects. However, no treatment effects on EIA were seen in OA patients despite the increase in muscle strength following neuromuscular exercise and reduced pain following surgery. Compared to controls, OA patients had increased pain sensitivity and no beneficial effects on pain sensitivity were seen following treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study of EIA in OA patients. Despite increased pain sensitivity, OA patients had a normal function of EIA. Copyright © 2013 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunogenetic Mechanisms Driving Norovirus GII.4 Antigenic Variation

PubMed Central

Donaldson, Eric F.; Corti, Davide; Swanstrom, Jesica; Debbink, Kari; Lanzavecchia, Antonio; Baric, Ralph S.

2012-01-01

Noroviruses are the principal cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide with GII.4 strains accounting for 80% of infections. The major capsid protein of GII.4 strains is evolving rapidly, resulting in new epidemic strains with altered antigenic potentials. To test if antigenic drift may contribute to GII.4 persistence, human memory B cells were immortalized and the resulting human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) characterized for reactivity to a panel of time-ordered GII.4 virus-like particles (VLPs). Reflecting the complex exposure history of the volunteer, human anti-GII.4 mAbs grouped into three VLP reactivity patterns; ancestral (1987–1997), contemporary (2004–2009), and broad (1987–2009). NVB 114 reacted exclusively to the earliest GII.4 VLPs by EIA and blockade. NVB 97 specifically bound and blocked only contemporary GII.4 VLPs, while NBV 111 and 43.9 exclusively reacted with and blocked variants of the GII.4.2006 Minerva strain. Three mAbs had broad GII.4 reactivity. Two, NVB 37.10 and 61.3, also detected other genogroup II VLPs by EIA but did not block any VLP interactions with carbohydrate ligands. NVB 71.4 cross-neutralized the panel of time-ordered GII.4 VLPs, as measured by VLP-carbohydrate blockade assays. Using mutant VLPs designed to alter predicted antigenic epitopes, two evolving, GII.4-specific, blockade epitopes were mapped. Amino acids 294–298 and 368–372 were required for binding NVB 114, 111 and 43.9 mAbs. Amino acids 393–395 were essential for binding NVB 97, supporting earlier correlations between antibody blockade escape and carbohydrate binding variation. These data inform VLP vaccine design, provide a strategy for expanding the cross-blockade potential of chimeric VLP vaccines, and identify an antibody with broadly neutralizing therapeutic potential for the treatment of human disease. Moreover, these data support the hypothesis that GII.4 norovirus evolution is heavily influenced by antigenic variation of neutralizing epitopes and consequently, antibody-driven receptor switching; thus, protective herd immunity is a driving force in norovirus molecular evolution. PMID:22615565

Performance of the BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay for identifying acute HIV infection.

PubMed

Eshleman, Susan H; Piwowar-Manning, Estelle; Sivay, Mariya V; Debevec, Barbara; Veater, Stephanie; McKinstry, Laura; Bekker, Linda-Gail; Mannheimer, Sharon; Grant, Robert M; Chesney, Margaret A; Coates, Thomas J; Koblin, Beryl A; Fogel, Jessica M

Assays that detect HIV antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) can be used to screen for HIV infection. To compare the performance of the BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay and two other Ag/Ab combination assays for detection of acute HIV infection. Samples were obtained from 24 individuals (18 from the US, 6 from South Africa); these individuals were classified as having acute infection based on the following criteria: positive qualitative RNA assay; two negative rapid tests; negative discriminatory test. The samples were tested with the BioPlex assay, the ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo test, the Bio-Rad GS HIV Combo Ag-Ab EIA test, and a viral load assay. Twelve (50.0%) of 24 samples had RNA detected only ( > 40 to 13,476 copies/mL). Ten (43.5%) samples had reactive results with all three Ag/Ab assays, one sample was reactive with the ARCHITECT and Bio-Rad assays, and one sample was reactive with the Bio-Rad and BioPlex assays. The 11 samples that were reactive with the BioPlex assay had viral loads from 83,010 to >750,000 copies/mL; 9/11 samples were classified as Ag positive/Ab negative by the BioPlex assay. Detection of acute HIV infection was similar for the BioPlex assay and two other Ag/Ab assays. All three tests were less sensitive than a qualitative RNA assay and only detected HIV Ag when the viral load was high. The BioPlex assay detected acute infection in about half of the cases, and identified most of those infections as Ag positive/Ab negative. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Seasonal dependence of the "forecast parameter" based on the EIA characteristics for the prediction of Equatorial Spread F (ESF)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thampi, S. V.; Ravindran, S.; Pant, T. K.; Devasia, C. V.; Sridharan, R.

2008-06-01

In an earlier study, Thampi et al. (2006) have shown that the strength and asymmetry of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA), obtained well ahead of the onset time of Equatorial Spread F (ESF) have a definite role on the subsequent ESF activity, and a new "forecast parameter" has been identified for the prediction of ESF. This paper presents the observations of EIA strength and asymmetry from the Indian longitudes during the period from August 2005 March 2007. These observations are made using the line of sight Total Electron Content (TEC) measured by a ground-based beacon receiver located at Trivandrum (8.5° N, 77° E, 0.5° N dip lat) in India. It is seen that the seasonal variability of EIA strength and asymmetry are manifested in the latitudinal gradients obtained using the relative TEC measurements. As a consequence, the "forecast parameter" also displays a definite seasonal pattern. The seasonal variability of the EIA strength and asymmetry, and the "forecast parameter" are discussed in the present paper and a critical value for has been identified for each month/season. The likely "skill factor" of the new parameter is assessed using the data for a total of 122 days, and it is seen that when the estimated value of the "forecast parameter" exceeds the critical value, the ESF is seen to occur on more than 95% of cases.

A prospective field evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay: Detection of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus antigen in pools of Culiseta melanura

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scott, T.W.; Olson, J.G.; Lewis, T.E.; Carpenter, J.W.; Lorenz, L.H.; Lembeck, L.A.; Joseph, S.R.; Pagac, B.B.

1987-01-01

A prospective field study was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) compared to virus isolation in cell culture for the detection of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus in naturally infected mosquitoes. A total of 10,811 adult female Culiseta melanura were collected in light traps during 1985 from four locations in Maryland. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus was isolated from 5 of 495 mosquito pools in African green monkey kidney and baby hamster kidney cell cultures. All five virus-infected pools were detected by the EIA, and all 490 uninfected pools were correctly scored as not containing virus. The EIA did not produce false positive or false negative results. Results support the assertion of previous researchers that the antigen detection EIA is a rapid, sensitive, specific, and simple alternative to traditional bioassays for the detection of EEE virus in mosquitoes.

Teaching English through Open Non-Formal Education (ONFE) in Bangladesh with an Effective Integration of ICT to Support Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rahman, Md. Mizanoor; Panda, Santosh

2012-01-01

The program entitled "English in Action (EIA)", 9 year period DFID funded project in Bangladesh, was launched in 2008, for the desire to bring a change in the learning of English language. EIA works to reach a total of 25 million primary and secondary students and adult learners through communicative language learning techniques and the…

Multi-centre field evaluation of the performance of the Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold HIV 1/2 rapid test as a first-line screening assay for gay and bisexual men compared with 4th generation laboratory immunoassays.

PubMed

Keen, P; Conway, D P; Cunningham, P; McNulty, A; Couldwell, D L; Davies, S C; Smith, D E; Gray, J; Holt, M; O'Connor, C C; Read, P; Callander, D; Prestage, G; Guy, R

2017-01-01

The Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold HIV test (Uni-Gold) is often used as a supplementary rapid test in testing algorithms. To evaluate the operational performance of the Uni-Gold as a first-line screening test among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in a setting where 4th generation HIV laboratory assays are routinely used. We compared the performance of Uni-Gold with conventional HIV serology conducted in parallel among GBM attending 22 testing sites. Sensitivity was calculated separately for acute and established infection, defined using 4th generation screening Ag/Ab immunoassay (EIA) and Western blot results. Previous HIV testing history and results of supplementary 3rd generation HIV Ab EIA, and p24 antigen EIA were used to further characterise cases of acute infection. Of 10,793 specimens tested with Uni-Gold and conventional serology, 94 (0.90%, 95%CI:0.70-1.07) were confirmed as HIV-positive by conventional serology, and 37 (39.4%) were classified as acute infection. Uni-Gold sensitivity was 81.9% overall (77/94, 95%CI:72.6-89.1); 56.8% for acute infection (21/37, 95%CI:39.5-72.9) and 98.2% for established infection (56/57, 95%CI:90.6-100.0). Of 17 false non-reactive Uni-Gold results, 16 were acute infections, and of these seven were p24 antigen reactive but antibody negative. Uni-Gold specificity was 99.9% (10,692/10,699, 95%CI:99.9-100.0), PPV was 91.7% (95%CI:83.6-96.6) and NPV was 99.8% (95%CI:99.7-99.9), respectively. In this population, Uni-Gold had good specificity and sensitivity was high for established infections when compared to 4th generation laboratory assays, however sensitivity was lower in acute infections. Where rapid tests are used in populations with a high proportion of acute infections, additional testing strategies are needed to detect acute infections. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Regression Techniques for Determining the Effective Impervious Area in Southern California Watersheds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sultana, R.; Mroczek, M.; Dallman, S.; Sengupta, A.; Stein, E. D.

2016-12-01

The portion of the Total Impervious Area (TIA) that is hydraulically connected to the storm drainage network is called the Effective Impervious Area (EIA). The remaining fraction of impervious area, called the non-effective impervious area, drains onto pervious surfaces which do not contribute to runoff for smaller events. Using the TIA instead of EIA in models and calculations can lead to overestimates of runoff volumes peak discharges and oversizing of drainage system since it is assumed all impervious areas produce urban runoff that is directly connected to storm drains. This makes EIA a better predictor of actual runoff from urban catchments for hydraulic design of storm drain systems and modeling non-point source pollution. Compared to TIA, determining the EIA is considerably more difficult to calculate since it cannot be found by using remote sensing techniques, readily available EIA datasets, or aerial imagery interpretation alone. For this study, EIA percentages were calculated by two successive regression methods for five watersheds (with areas of 8.38 - 158mi2) located in Southern California using rainfall-runoff event data for the years 2004 - 2007. Runoff generated from the smaller storm events are considered to be emanating only from the effective impervious areas. Therefore, larger events that were considered to have runoff from both impervious and pervious surfaces were successively removed in the regression methods using a criterion of (1) 1mm and (2) a max (2 , 1mm) above the regression line. MSE is calculated from actual runoff and runoff predicted by the regression. Analysis of standard deviations showed that criterion of max (2 , 1mm) better fit the regression line and is the preferred method in predicting the EIA percentage. The estimated EIAs have shown to be approximately 78% to 43% of the TIA which shows use of EIA instead of TIA can have significant impact on the cost building urban hydraulic systems and stormwater capture devices.

Modeling Linkages Between Effective Impervious Surface and Urban Vegetation Productivity in Semi-arid Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shields, C. A.; Tague, C.

2010-12-01

With a majority of the world's population now living in urban areas, the role of vegetation in urban ecosystems warrants increased attention. We address the question of how the fine scale (<5m) spatial arrangement of impervious surfaces affects water available to vegetation, which in turn can significantly impact the productivity of vegetation and uptake of C and N. To gain insight into how landscape features influence vegetation productivity, we use a coupled ecohydrogic model to estimate impacts of the amount and arrangement of impervious surfaces on vegetation water use. We use the model to explore how concepts from research in natural semi-arid ecosystems can be applied in the urban context. Ecological research in semi-arid ecosystems has shown that the arrangement of vegetated and bare surfaces plays a key role in regulating both runoff and ecosystem water use and productivity. Systems that include a mixture of bare and vegetated surfaces, for example, tend to show less runoff and more productivity than those with more homogeneous cover. In some instances, patchiness of bare and vegetated surfaces is more important than total vegetated area in determining rates of runoff and vegetation use of rainfall. In an urban context, impervious surfaces can be viewed as analogous to the bare surfaces present in undeveloped ecosystems. We consider not only the total impervious area (TIA), but also the effect of impervious area with a direct hydrologic connection to the stream network, effective impervious area (EIA). While increases in total impervious area (TIA) have been widely shown to impact catchment hydrology, the role of effective impervious area (EIA) has been less extensively studied. A consensus is emerging from the literature that EIA is as important or even more important than TIA as an indicator of catchment response to urbanization. Ecohydrologic models offer a tool to quantify the role of EIA on water availability and plant productivity and demonstrate the potential of urban areas to act as C or N sinks (and minimize the impacts such as increased storm runoff and degraded downstream water quality). We explore the relative roles of TIA and EIA on water availability and plant productivity in a semi-arid urban environment through a series of modeling exercises. The Regional HydroEcological Simulation System (RHESSys) is used to model a range of impervious surface and vegetation scenarios on a test hillslope in the Mission Creek catchment in Santa Barbara CA. Results indicate that reduced EIA can indeed act to mitigate the impact of TIA on water available to plants. We then implement a modification to the RHESSys model that incorporates patch scale estimates of EIA into simulations of the entire Mission Creek catchment, allowing us to quantify likely catchment-scale impacts of altering EIA.

Serologic test systems development. Progress report, October 1, 1978-September 30, 1979

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

Seawright, G.L.; Sanders, W.M.; Hollstein, U.

1980-12-01

Work has continued on the development and automation of enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for detecting diseases and toxic agents in food animals. Further evaluations were made of the Technicon Autoanalyzer II(AAII) for conducting totally automated EIAs. The problems investigated were machine carryover and assay variation. Modifications greatly reduced or eliminated carryover and produced acceptable levels of test variation. The EIA for swine trichinosis was significantly improved by the use of a new, partially purified antigen preparation. The result was improved detection of early seroconversions and reduced probability for false negatives and false positives. The amplified EIA was adapted as a diagnosticmore » test for bovine brucellosis and studies were initiated for differentiating vaccinated and infected animals. Preliminary data indicate that the IgG/sub 1/ response may be diagnostic but further studies are necessary. Development of the EIA for detecting low molecular weight contaminants and residues in food products was also initiated. Compounds studied were the antibiotics chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and gentamicin; the mycotoxin, aflatoxin, and the shale oil toxin, 2-aminofluorene. Results indicate that chloramphenicol nonspecifically binds to antibody and interferes with antibody activity. Thus, the test is not yet satisfactory. Initial attempts to automate the gentamicin test were unsuccessful because of machine carryover but modifications of the AAII have produced encouraging preliminary data. Work is continuing on the development of EIAs for all of the compounds mentioned above. (ERB)« less

Large-Scale Evaluation of the Immuno-Mycologics Lateral Flow and Enzyme-Linked Immunoassays for Detection of Cryptococcal Antigen in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid

PubMed Central

Hansen, Jessica; Slechta, E. Susan; Gates-Hollingsworth, Marcellene A.; Neary, Brandon; Barker, Adam P.; Bauman, Sean; Kozel, Thomas R.

2013-01-01

Cryptococcosis is a systemic infection caused by the pathogenic yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. Detection of cryptococcal capsular antigen (CrAg) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an important diagnostic role. We prospectively compared the new Immuno-Mycologics Inc. (IMMY) lateral flow assay (LFA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to our current CrAg test (Premier EIA; Meridian Bioscience Inc.). Discordant samples were retested with the latex-Cryptococcus antigen test (IMMY) and using serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). A total of 589 serum and 411 CSF specimens were tested in parallel. Qualitative agreement across assays was 97.7%. In all, 56 (41 serum and 15 CSF) samples were positive and 921 (527 serum and 394 CSF) samples were negative by all three assays. The 23 discrepant specimens were all Meridian EIA negative. Of 23 discordant specimens, 20 (87.0%) were positive by both the IMMY LFA and EIA, 2 were LFA positive only, and 1 was EIA positive only. Eleven discrepant specimens had adequate volume for latex agglutination (LA) testing; 8 were LA positive, and 3 were LA negative. LA-negative samples (2 CSF samples and 1 serum) had low IMMY LFA/EIA titers (≤1:10). Serotype-specific MAb analysis of the LA-positive samples suggested that these specimens contained CrAg epitopes similar to those of serotype C strains. In conclusion, the IMMY assays showed excellent overall concordance with the Meridian EIA. Assay performance differences were related to issues of analytic sensitivity and possible serotype bias. Incomplete access to patient-level data combined with low specimen volumes limited our ability to fully resolve discrepant results. PMID:23114703

Large-scale evaluation of the immuno-mycologics lateral flow and enzyme-linked immunoassays for detection of cryptococcal antigen in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

PubMed

Hansen, Jessica; Slechta, E Susan; Gates-Hollingsworth, Marcellene A; Neary, Brandon; Barker, Adam P; Bauman, Sean; Kozel, Thomas R; Hanson, Kimberly E

2013-01-01

Cryptococcosis is a systemic infection caused by the pathogenic yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. Detection of cryptococcal capsular antigen (CrAg) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an important diagnostic role. We prospectively compared the new Immuno-Mycologics Inc. (IMMY) lateral flow assay (LFA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to our current CrAg test (Premier EIA; Meridian Bioscience Inc.). Discordant samples were retested with the latex-Cryptococcus antigen test (IMMY) and using serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). A total of 589 serum and 411 CSF specimens were tested in parallel. Qualitative agreement across assays was 97.7%. In all, 56 (41 serum and 15 CSF) samples were positive and 921 (527 serum and 394 CSF) samples were negative by all three assays. The 23 discrepant specimens were all Meridian EIA negative. Of 23 discordant specimens, 20 (87.0%) were positive by both the IMMY LFA and EIA, 2 were LFA positive only, and 1 was EIA positive only. Eleven discrepant specimens had adequate volume for latex agglutination (LA) testing; 8 were LA positive, and 3 were LA negative. LA-negative samples (2 CSF samples and 1 serum) had low IMMY LFA/EIA titers (≤1:10). Serotype-specific MAb analysis of the LA-positive samples suggested that these specimens contained CrAg epitopes similar to those of serotype C strains. In conclusion, the IMMY assays showed excellent overall concordance with the Meridian EIA. Assay performance differences were related to issues of analytic sensitivity and possible serotype bias. Incomplete access to patient-level data combined with low specimen volumes limited our ability to fully resolve discrepant results.

Assessment of IRI-2012, NeQuick-2 and IRI-Plas 2015 models with observed equatorial ionization anomaly in Africa during 2009 sudden stratospheric warming event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolaji, O. S.; Oyeyemi, E. O.; Adewale, A. O.; Wu, Q.; Okoh, D.; Doherty, P. H.; Kaka, R. O.; Abbas, M.; Owolabi, C.; Jidele, P. A.

2017-11-01

In Africa, we assessed the performance of all the three options of International Reference Ionosphere 2012, IRI-2012 (i.e. IRI-2001, IRI-2001COR and IRI-NeQuick), NeQuick-2 and IRI-Plas 2015 models prior to and during 2009 sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event to predict equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest locations and their magnitudes using total electron content (TEC) from experimental records of Global Positioning System (GPS). We confirmed that the IRI-Plas 2015 that appeared as the best compared to all of the models as regard prediction of the EIA crest locations in the northern hemisphere of Africa is due to discontinuities in the GPS data between ∼8° N and 22° N. As regard the predictions of EIA crest magnitudes and the location of EIA crests in the southern hemisphere of Africa, they are not present in all the models. The NeQuick-2 model does not have the capability to predict either the EIA crest location in the northern or southern hemisphere. The SSW effect on the low latitude was able to modify a single EIA crest to pre-noon and post noon EIA crests in the northern hemisphere during the SSW peak phase and significantly reduced the GPS TEC magnitudes over the hemispheres as well. These SSW effects and delays of plasma transportation to higher latitudes in GPS TEC were absent in all the models. For future improvements of IRI-2012, NeQuick-2 and IRI-Plas 2015 models, SSW conditions should be included in order to characterize the effect of lower atmosphere on the ionosphere. The EIA trough modeling is only present in IRI-2001COR and IRI-2001NeQuick options. In the middle latitude, all the model could not predict the location of highest TEC magnitudes found at RBAY (Richardsbay, South Africa).

Ovine echinococcosis I. Immunological diagnosis by enzyme immunoassay.

PubMed

Gatti, Antonio; Alvarez, Angela Rosa; Araya, Daniel; Mancini, Sergio; Herrero, Eduardo; Santillan, Graciela; Larrieu, Edmundo

2007-01-31

Immunodiagnosis in sheep presents problems of sensitivity and specificity, limiting its applicability in surveillance systems. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive, specific and accessible technique for diagnosing cystic echinococcosis in naturally infected sheep and to evaluate the validity of necropsy as a reference test. A total of 247 sheep were studied at slaughterhouses, confirming the parasitological diagnosis with histology. Serum was processed with enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using three antigen preparations: total hydatid liquid (LHT), purified fraction of LHT (S2B) and purified lipoprotein (B). Western Blot (WB) was used as a control. EIA proved effective for differentiating Echinococcus granulosus from larval stage of Taenia hydatigena and intestinal cestodes in all three antigen preparations. Serums from macroscopically negative sheep were reactive to EIA and positive with WB. In the whole flock, sensitivity was 89.2% for LHT, 80.0% for S2B and 86.4% for B. Sensitivity in lambs was 78.6% for LHT, 75.0% for S2B and 64.3% for B. Macroscopic diagnosis at the time of slaughter was found to have limitations as a reference test for immunodiagnosis of cystic equinococcosis in sheep, so it was necessary to include histology and WB as reference tests. LHT was the antigen preparation of greatest value and EIA proved to be a sensitive and specific technique, adequate for surveillance systems and for evaluating control programmes.

Effect of Submaximal Warm-up Exercise on Exercise-induced Asthma in African School Children.

PubMed

Mtshali, B F; Mokwena, K; Oguntibeju, O O

2015-03-01

Regular physical activity has long been regarded as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is one of the major problems interfering with the performance of exercise. A warm-up exercise programme has been cited as a non-pharmacologic means of reducing EIA, but its effect has not been fully elucidated. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of unrecognized EIA in Pretoria primary school children, determine the effect of a warm-up exercise programme on EIA and to establish the relationship between history of allergy, family history of asthma and EIA. A random sample of 640 school children was selected. The study was divided into three phases. In phase one, a descriptive cross-sectional study was done using the standardized European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire. In phase two, non-asthmatic participants that returned a completed questionnaire were included in the field study. Pre-test and post-test experimental designs were used, where peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured at baseline and within ten minutes after exercise. A total of 340 subjects completed the Free Running Asthma Screening Test (FRAST); EIA was defined as a decrease in baseline PEFR ≥ 10% after exercise and 75 children (22%) had EIA. In phase three, 29 of the 75 subjects participated in the warm-up programme which was performed in the laboratory and subjects acted as their own controls. Predefined protocols for the study were followed. Seventy-five (22%) of the 340 participants had EIA. The mean age, height and weight were 10.51 years, 139.26 cm and 33.45 kg, respectively. Exercise-induced asthma symptoms were cough (25%), chest pain (16%), wheeze (12%) and chest tightness (12%). The history of allergy was 75%, family history of allergy 40% and positive history of allergy when near animals, feathers or in dusty areas 38%. Wheezing during or after exercise, wheezing when near animals, feathers or in dusty areas and chest pain was significant (p < 0.05). The mean PEFR after exercise without warm-up was 4.43 L/min. The mean PEFR after exercise (warm-up) was 4.98. The mean percentage change in PEFR between exercise without warm-up and exercise with warm-up was 14.83%. The paired t-test showed a significant difference between PEFR with warm-up and PEFR without warm-up (p < 0.05). There was a high prevalence of EIA among study participants. Exercise-induced asthma symptoms were significant for wheezing and chest pain. Exercise after warm-up was significant in reducing EIA. This study reports the effect of warm-up exercise on EIA and highlights the need to screen school children for EIA.

Comparison of China's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) law with the European Union (EU) EIA Directive.

PubMed

Chen, Qiaoling; Zhang, Yuanzhi; Ekroos, Ari

2007-09-01

In this paper, we first review the development of China's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system in the past 30 years. Then we compare the framework and operational procedures of China's new EIA law with those of the EU EIA Directive. We also compare public participation, as well as sanctions and control in the two EIA systems. In addition, we identify where the processes in both EIA systems are similar or different from one another. By comparison, we noted that there are at least three obvious weaknesses in China's EIA system: (1) the application of new models for EIA legislation; (2) the improvement of EIA guidance and education; and (3) the enhancement of public participation in EIA process. Our study indicates that these three major shortcomings should be overcome and improved in China's EIA system, when compared with the EU EIA system.

Drivers of U.S. Household Energy Consumption, 1980-2009

EIA Publications

2015-01-01

In 2012, the residential sector accounted for 21% of total primary energy consumption and about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States (computed from EIA 2013). Because of the impacts of residential sector energy use on the environment and the economy, this study was undertaken to help provide a better understanding of the factors affecting energy consumption in this sector. The analysis is based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) residential energy consumption surveys (RECS) 1980-2009.

Multicentre phase II studies evaluating imatinib plus hydroxyurea in patients with progressive glioblastoma.

PubMed

Reardon, D A; Dresemann, G; Taillibert, S; Campone, M; van den Bent, M; Clement, P; Blomquist, E; Gordower, L; Schultz, H; Raizer, J; Hau, P; Easaw, J; Gil, M; Tonn, J; Gijtenbeek, A; Schlegel, U; Bergstrom, P; Green, S; Weir, A; Nikolova, Z

2009-12-15

We evaluated the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in addition to hydroxyurea in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who were either on or not on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs). A total of 231 patients with GBM at first recurrence from 21 institutions in 10 countries were enrolled. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 600 mg per day for patients not on EIAEDs and at 500 mg twice a day if on EIAEDs. The primary end point was radiographic response rate and secondary end points were safety, progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6), and overall survival (OS). The radiographic response rate after centralised review was 3.4%. Progression-free survival at 6 months and median OS were 10.6% and 26.0 weeks, respectively. Outcome did not appear to differ based on EIAED status. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were fatigue (7%), neutropaenia (7%), and thrombocytopaenia (7%). Imatinib in addition to hydroxyurea was well tolerated among patients with recurrent GBM but did not show clinically meaningful anti-tumour activity.

Comparison of the Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Chlamydia Microplate EIA shortened assay with the original standard assay and cell culture.

PubMed

Chan, E L; Brandt, K; Stoneham, H; Horsman, G

1997-08-01

The new Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Chlamydia Microplate EIA shortened assay was evaluated by comparison with the original standard assay and cell culture. A total of 853 paired male and female genital tract specimens was tested with both Sanofi Chlamydia Microplate EIA shortened and standard assays and the results were compared with those of cell culture. For confirmation, a blocking assay run in the shortened format was used. Discrepancies between the three methods were resolved by a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test on the EIA samples or the culture retentate, or both. After resolution of discrepant results, the standard assay had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 98.5%, 100%, 100% and 99.9%, respectively. The shortened assay results were 100%, 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The shortened assay takes approximately 1.5 h less time than the standard assay and this study demonstrated that they have equivalent sensitivity and specificity. The improvement in turnaround time enables results to be reported on the same day.

Analysis of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive and the EIA decision in Turkey

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

Bilgin, Ayla

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive first entered into force in the United States in 1969, and began to be implemented in many other countries by 1990. The first Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive in Turkey was published on February 7, 1993, under the Environmental Law No. 2872. The EIA Directive was revised seven times on June 23, 1997, June 6, 2002, December 16, 2003, July 17, 2008, October 3, 2013, and November 25, 2014. Several amendments were made during this process. The first EIA Directive dated 1993 was narrow in scope and its procedure was long, while the amendmentsmore » in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2014 widened the scope of the EIA, and shortened the EIA assessment procedures. In this study, the amendments to the Turkish EIA Directive were analysed, and their effect on the number of EIA decisions made was addressed. It was concluded that the uncertainties in EIA procedures were removed, procedures were shortened, and as a result, the number of EIA decisions increased thanks to the revisions made in line with harmonisation with European Union (EU) acquis. - Highlights: • Demonstrates the Environmental Impact Assessment practices in Turkey. • Demonstrates the application of the EIA in Turkey by sector. • Demonstrates the amendments of the EIA by-laws in Turkey. • Demonstrates the changes in EIA practices and EIA decisions.« less

White Matter Hyperintensities on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in People with Epilepsy: A Hospital-Based Study.

PubMed

Mao, Yi-Ting; Goh, Enid; Churilov, Leonid; McIntosh, Anne; Ren, Yi-Fan; O'Brien, Terence J; Davis, Stephen; Dong, Qiang; Yan, Bernard; Kwan, Patrick

2016-09-01

We aim to explore whether people with epilepsy have increased white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). Eligible patients were categorized into newly diagnosed epilepsy (NE) and chronic epilepsy (CE); the latter were subdivided to those treated with enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) with or without non-enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (NEIAEDs) and those with NEIAEDs only. WMHs were measured using age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale and compared between patients and healthy control group. Higher scores indicate greater WMH changes. The strengths of associations were estimated as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 217 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 67 had NE, 45 had CE treated with NEIAEDs, and 105 had CE treated with EIAEDs. Age was positively associated with ARWMC score (IRR per year, 1.03; 95%CI, 1.03-1.04, P < 0.001). Compared with the healthy control group (n = 23), all patient groups had higher ARWMC score (P < 0.05). The difference was greatest in patients receiving EIAEDs (IRR, 2.13; 95%CI, 1.22-3.70, P = 0.007). WMHs tended to be observed in people with epilepsy, especially in those treated with EIAEDs. People with epilepsy with white matter changes should be evaluated for stroke risk, particularly if they are receiving EIAEDs. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Is EIA part of the wind power planning problem?

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

Smart, Duncan Ewan; Stojanovic, Timothy A., E-mail: tas21@st-andrews.ac.uk; Warren, Charles R.

2014-11-15

This research evaluates the importance and effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) within wind farm planning debates, drawing on insights from case studies in Scotland. Despite general public support for renewable energy on the grounds that it is needed to tackle climate change and implement sustainable development, many proposed wind farms encounter significant resistance. The importance of planning issues and (EIA) processes has arguably been overlooked within recent wind farm social acceptability discourse. Through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and textual analysis of EIA documents, the characteristics of EIA are assessed in terms of its perceived purpose and performance. Themore » data show that whilst respondents perceive EIA to be important, they express concerns about bias and about the inability of EIA to address climate change and wind farm decommissioning issues adequately. Furthermore, the research identifies key issues which impede the effectiveness of EIA, and reveals differences between theoretical and practical framings of EIA. The paper questions the assumption that EIA is a universally applicable tool, and argues that its effectiveness should be analysed in the context of specific development sectors. The article concludes by reviewing whether the recently amended EIA Directive (2014/52/EU) could resolve identified problems within national EIA practice. - Highlights: • Evaluation of EIA for onshore wind farm planning in Scotland. • EIA is important for multiple aspects of onshore wind farm planning. • Multiple substantive deficiencies of relevance to wind farm planning exist in EIA. • Further research into EIA effectiveness for specific development types is required. • Directive 2014/52/EU may improve EIA effectiveness within wind farm planning.« less

Clostridium difficile Testing in the Clinical Laboratory by Use of Multiple Testing Algorithms ▿

PubMed Central

Novak-Weekley, Susan M.; Marlowe, Elizabeth M.; Miller, John M.; Cumpio, Joven; Nomura, Jim H.; Vance, Paula H.; Weissfeld, Alice

2010-01-01

The incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has risen almost 3-fold in the United States over the past decade, emphasizing the need for rapid and accurate tests for CDI. The Cepheid Xpert C. difficile assay is an integrated, closed, nucleic acid amplification system that automates sample preparation and real-time PCR detection of the toxin B gene (tcdB). A total of 432 stool specimens from symptomatic patients were tested by a glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) assay, a toxin A and B enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the Xpert C. difficile assay, and a cell culture cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CCCN). The results of these methods, used individually and in combination, were compared to those of toxigenic culture. Results for the Xpert C. difficile assay alone showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.4, 96.3, 84.0, and 98.8%, while the EIA alone gave corresponding values of 58.3, 94.7, 68.9, and 91.9%, respectively. An algorithm using the GDH assay and the EIA (plus the CCCN if the EIA was negative) showed corresponding values of 83.1, 96.7, 83.1, and 96.1%. The Xpert C. difficile assay was statistically superior to the EIA (P, <0.001 by Fisher's exact test) and to the GDH-EIA-CCCN algorithm (P, 0.0363). Combining the GDH and Xpert C. difficile assays lowered both the sensitivity and the NPV of the Xpert assay. The GDH-EIA-CCCN procedure required, on average, 2 days to complete testing on GDH-positive results, while testing by the Xpert C. difficile assay was completed, on average, in less than 1 h. Xpert C. difficile testing yielded the highest sensitivity and NPV, in the least amount of time, of the individual- and multiple-test algorithms evaluated in this study. PMID:20071552

Temporal evolution of the EIA along 95°E as obtained from GNSS TEC measurements and SAMI3 model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakoti, Geetashree; Kalita, Bitap Raj; Hazarika, Rumajyoti; Bhuyan, Pradip Kumar; Sharma, Sanjay; Tiwari, Ramesh Chandra

2018-06-01

The total electron content (TEC) derived from GNSS measurements at a trans-hemispheric meridional chain of ground stations around 95°E longitude are used to study the quiet time inter-hemispheric structure and dynamics of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) during the period March 2015 to February 2016. The stations are Dibrugarh (27.5°N, 95°E, 43° dip), Kohima (25.6°N, 94.1°E, 39° dip), Aizawl (23.7°N, 92.8°E, 36° dip), Port Blair (11.63°N, 92.71°E, 9° dip) and Cocos Islands (12.2°S, 96.8°E, 43° dip). The observation shows that the northern crest of the EIA lies in the south of 23°N (Aizawl) in all seasons but recedes further south towards the equator during December solstice. The largest poleward expansion of the northern (southern) EIA is observed in the March equinox (December solstice). The equinoctial and hemispherical asymmetry of TEC is noted. The winter anomaly is observed in the northern hemisphere but not in the southern hemisphere. The highest midday TEC over any station is observed in the March equinox. The TEC in southern summer (December solstice) is significantly higher than that in the northern summer (June solstice). The observed northern EIA contracts equatorward in the postsunset period of solstice but the southern EIA persists late into the midnight in the December solstice. The asymmetry may be attributed to the different geographic location of the magnetically conjugate stations. The SAMI3 simulations broadly capture the EIA structure and the inter-hemispheric asymmetry during solstices. The difference between observations and the SAMI3 is higher in March equinox and December solstice. The higher E × B vertical drift in the 90-100°E sector and the large geographic-geomagnetic offset in observing stations may have contributed to the observed differences.

Environmental impact assessment system in Thailand and its comparison with those in China and Japan

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

Suwanteep, Kultip, E-mail: suwanteep.k.aa@m.titech.ac.jp; Murayama, Takehiko; Nishikizawa, Shigeo

This paper aims to find ways to streamline the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system in Thailand to increase its effectiveness by comparative analysis with China and Japan. This study is mainly focused on review, update and comparison of EIA systems between these three countries. It is intended to clarify fundamental information of the EIA systems and characteristics of the key elements of EIA processes (screening, consideration of alternatives, prediction or evaluation of impact, and public participation). Moreover, the number of the EIA projects that have been implemented in all the provinces in Thailand are presented. The results identified the similaritiesmore » and differences of the EIA processes among the three aforementioned countries. The type of EIA report used in Thailand, unlike those in China and Japan, is an Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), which is concerned with the health and environmental impacts that could occur from the project. In addition, EIA reports in Thailand are made available to the public online and the shortcomings of the process have details of barriers resulting from the projects to help future projects with reconsideration and improvements. In this study, it is pointed out that Thai's EIA system still lacks local EIA authority which needs to be empowered by implementing a set of laws or ordinance. - Highlights: • Reviewed current EIA procedures in Thailand, Japan and China • The EIA database is getting improved so as to generate profile of EIAs in the past. • Thailand needs to empower the local EIA authority within the EIA system. • The potential impacts should be more concerned than their scale in Japanese EIA. • Time limits and transparency should be reconsidered in China's EIA system.« less

Detection of anti-nuclear antibody by immunofluorescence assay and enzyme immunoassay in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus: experience from Bangladesh.

PubMed

Dipti, Tanjeem Rabika; Azam, Mohammad Shaiful; Sattar, Mohammad Humayun; Rahman, Shahana Akhter

2012-02-01

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem, chronic but often episodic, autoimmune disease that is characterized by the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). The criteria set by American College of Rheumatology are widely used for diagnosis of SLE. Elevation of ANA titer is the most sensitive of the ACR criteria. There are different methods for detection of ANA. Indirect immunofluorescence (ANA-IFA) and enzyme immunoassay (ANA-EIA) are commonly used methods. The sensitivity of ANA-IFA using HEp-2 cell substrate is 90-100% in systemic rheumatic diseases. In Bangladesh most of the laboratories use ANA-EIA for detection of ANA. As the sensitivity of ANA-EIA is lower than ANA-IFA it might be that we are missing many cases of ANA positivity in childhood SLE cases. To detect ANA by immunofluorescence assay using HEp-2 cell substrate and enzyme immunoassay in childhood SLE and to compare the diagnostic performance of these methods. This is a cross-sectional analytical study. A total of 40 patients were enrolled. Among them 20 were childhood SLE cases. Another 20 patients of childhood rheumatic diseases other than SLE were taken as the disease control group. In childhood SLE cases, 100% were ANA-positive by IFA and 55% were ANA positive by EIA. The sensitivity of ANA-IFA was 100%. In contrast, sensitivity of ANA-EIA was 55%.   ANA-IFA is superior to ANA-EIA for detection of ANA in childhood SLE patients. ANA-IFA should be the primary screening test for children with clinical features suggestive of SLE. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases © 2011 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Statistical analysis of the correlation between the equatorial electrojet and the occurrence of the equatorial ionisation anomaly over the East African sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mungufeni, Patrick; Bosco Habarulema, John; Migoya-Orué, Yenca; Jurua, Edward

2018-06-01

This study presents statistical quantification of the correlation between the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and the occurrence of the equatorial ionisation anomaly (EIA) over the East African sector. The data used were for quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp ≤ 3) during the period 2011-2013. The horizontal components, H, of geomagnetic fields measured by magnetometers located at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (dip lat. ˜ 1° N), and Adigrat, Ethiopia (dip lat. ˜ 6° N), were used to determine the EEJ using differential techniques. The total electron content (TEC) derived from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals using 19 receivers located along the 30-40° longitude sector was used to determine the EIA strengths over the region. This was done by determining the ratio of TEC over the crest to that over the trough, denoted as the CT : TEC ratio. This technique necessitated characterisation of the morphology of the EIA over the region. We found that the trough lies slightly south of the magnetic equator (0-4° S). This slight southward shift of the EIA trough might be due to the fact that over the East African region, the general centre of the EEJ is also shifted slightly south of the magnetic equator. For the first time over the East African sector, we determined a threshold daytime EEJ strength of ˜ 40 nT that is mostly associated with prominent EIA occurrence during a high solar activity period. The study also revealed that there is a positive correlation between daytime EEJ and EIA strengths, with a strong positive correlation occurring during the period 13:00-15:00 LT.

Exercise-induced albuminuria is related to metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Greenberg, Sharon; Shenhar-Tsarfaty, Shani; Rogowski, Ori; Shapira, Itzhak; Zeltser, David; Weinstein, Talia; Lahav, Dror; Vered, Jaffa; Tovia-Brodie, Oholi; Arbel, Yaron; Berliner, Shlomo; Milwidsky, Assi

2016-06-01

Microalbuminuria (MA) is a known marker for endothelial dysfunction and future cardiovascular events. Exercise-induced albuminuria (EiA) may precede the appearance of MA. Associations between EiA and metabolic syndrome (MS) have not been assessed so far. Our aim was to investigate this association in a large sample of apparently healthy individuals with no baseline albuminuria. This was a cross-sectional study of 2,027 adults with no overt cardiovascular diseases who took part in a health survey program and had no baseline MA. Diagnosis of MS was based on harmonized criteria. All patients underwent an exercise test (Bruce protocol), and urinary albumin was measured before and after the examination. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) values before and after exercise were 0.40 (0.21-0.89) and 1.06 (0.43-2.69) mg/g for median (interquartile range) respectively. A total of 394 (20%) subjects had EiA; ACR rose from normal rest values (0.79 mg/g) to 52.28 mg/g after exercise (P < 0.001); this effect was not shown for the rest of the study population. EiA was related to higher prevalence of MS (13.8% vs. 27.1%, P < 0.001), higher metabolic equivalents (P < 0.001), higher baseline blood pressure (P < 0.001), and higher levels of fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and body mass index (P < 0.001). Multivariate binary logistic regression model showed that subjects with MS were 98% more likely to have EiA (95% confidence interval: 1.13-3.46, P = 0.016). In conclusion, EiA in the absence of baseline MA is independently related to MS. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Evaluation of environmental impact assessment system in Pakistan

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

Nadeem, Obaidullah; Hameed, Rizwan

2008-11-15

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was first introduced in Pakistan based on the Environmental Protection Ordinance 1983. The EIA process was further strengthened under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, which became operational under EIA Regulations 2000. Despite a sound legal basis and comprehensive guidelines, evidence suggests that EIA has not yet evolved satisfactorily in Pakistan. An evaluation of the EIA system against systematic evaluation criteria, based on interviews with EIA approval authorities, consulting firms and experts, reveals various shortcomings of the EIA system. These mainly include; inadequate capacity of EIA approval authorities, deficiencies in screening and scoping, poor EIA quality,more » inadequate public participation and weak monitoring. Overall, EIA is used presently as a project justification tool rather than as a project planning tool to contribute to achieving sustainable development. Whilst shortcomings are challenging, central government has recently shown a high degree of commitment to the environmental protection by making EIA compulsory for all the public sector projects likely to have adverse environmental impacts. The paper identifies opportunities for taking advantage of the current environment for strengthening the EIA process.« less

An assessment of EIA system in India

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

Panigrahi, Jitendra K., E-mail: Jitu@scientist.com; Amirapu, Susruta, E-mail: susrutaa@gmail.com

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was first introduced in India based on the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), 1986. But formally it came in to effect, when Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has passed a major legislative measure under EPA in January 1994 for Environmental Clearance (EC) known as EIA Notification, 1994. Subsequently, EIA processes have been strengthened by MoEF by a series of amendments. The current practice is adhering to EIA Notification, 2006 and its amendments. The pieces of evidence collected and analysis in the present assessment suggest that, despite a sound legislative, administrative and procedural set-up EIA has notmore » yet evolved satisfactorily in India. An appraisal of the EIA system against systematic evaluation criteria, based on discussions with various stakeholders, EIA expert committee members, approval authorities, project proponents, NGOs and consulting professionals, reveals various drawbacks of the EIA system. These mainly include; inadequate capacity of EIA approval authorities, deficiencies in screening and scoping, poor quality EIA reports, inadequate public participation and weak monitoring. Overall, EIA is used presently as a project justification tool rather than as a project planning tool to contribute to achieving sustainable development. While shortcomings are challenging, Government of India is showing a high degree of commitment. The EIA system in the country is undergoing progressive refinements by steadily removing the constraints. The paper identifies opportunities for taking advantage of the current circumstances for strengthening the EIA process. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An assessment has been carried out on Environmental Clearance under EIA Notification, 2006, MoEF, Government of India. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer EIA system is appraised against systematic evaluation criteria proposed by Ahmad and Wood (2002), Wood (2003), Fuller (1999). Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The analysis reveals reveals various drawbacks of the EIA system. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The paper identifies opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of the EIA system in India.« less

EIA application in China's expressway infrastructure: clarifying the decision-making hierarchy.

PubMed

Zhou, Kai-Yi; Sheate, William R

2011-06-01

China's EIA Law came into effect in 2003 and formally requires road transport infrastructure development actions to be subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIAs (including project EIA and plan EIA, or strategic environmental impact assessment, SEA) have been being widely applied in the expressway infrastructure planning field. Among those applications, SEA is applied to provincial level expressway network (PLEI) plans, and project EIA is applied to expressway infrastructure development 'projects' under PLEI plans. Three case studies (one expressway project EIA and two PLEI plan SEAs) were examined to understand currently how EIAs are applied to expressway infrastructure development planning. Through the studies, a number of problems that significantly influence the quality of EIA application in the field were identified. The reasons causing those problems are analyzed and possible solutions are suggested aimed at enhancing EIA practice, helping deliver better decision-making and ultimately improving the environmental performance of expressway infrastructure. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electric Power Quarterly, January-March 1983

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

Not Available

1983-07-01

The Electric Power Quarterly (EPQ), a new series in the EIA statistical publications, provides electric utilities' plant-level information about the cost, quantity, and quality of fossil fuel receipts, net generation, fuel consumption and fuel stocks. The EPQ contains monthly data and quarterly totals for the reporting quarter. The data presented in this report were collected and published by the EIA to fulfill its responsibilities as specified in the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-275). This edition of the EPQ contains monthly data for the first quarter of 1983. In this report, data collected on Form EIA-759 regarding electricmore » utilities' net generation, fuel consumption, and fuel stocks are presented for the first time on a plant-by-plant basis. In addition, quantity, cost, and quality of fossil fuel receipts collected on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Form 423 are presented on a plant-by-plant basis.« less

Equatorial ionospheric disturbances over the East African sector during the 2015 St. Patrick's day storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olwendo, O. J.; Cesaroni, C.; Yamazaki, Y.; Cilliers, P.

2017-10-01

During solar cycle 24, the St. Patrick's Day storm on 17 March, 2015 was one of the most severe geomagnetic storms. Several research investigations have been done and are still ongoing about this storm since the dynamics of this storm differs on a global scale from one sector to another. This study examines the response of the equatorial ionosphere to the storm in the East African sector. Total electron content (TEC) data from ground stations are used to investigate the evolution of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) during the storm. The TEC observations show a reduced EIA during 18-20 March 2015, consistent with previous studies at other longitudes. Analyses of ground magnetometer data and the thermospheric composition data from the NASA/TIMED satellite reveal that the reduced EIA during the storm can arise from the combined effect of the disturbance dynamo and composition change.

Multicentre phase II studies evaluating imatinib plus hydroxyurea in patients with progressive glioblastoma

PubMed Central

Reardon, D A; Dresemann, G; Taillibert, S; Campone, M; van den Bent, M; Clement, P; Blomquist, E; Gordower, L; Schultz, H; Raizer, J; Hau, P; Easaw, J; Gil, M; Tonn, J; Gijtenbeek, A; Schlegel, U; Bergstrom, P; Green, S; Weir, A; Nikolova, Z

2009-01-01

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in addition to hydroxyurea in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who were either on or not on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs). Methods: A total of 231 patients with GBM at first recurrence from 21 institutions in 10 countries were enrolled. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 600 mg per day for patients not on EIAEDs and at 500 mg twice a day if on EIAEDs. The primary end point was radiographic response rate and secondary end points were safety, progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6), and overall survival (OS). Results: The radiographic response rate after centralised review was 3.4%. Progression-free survival at 6 months and median OS were 10.6% and 26.0 weeks, respectively. Outcome did not appear to differ based on EIAED status. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were fatigue (7%), neutropaenia (7%), and thrombocytopaenia (7%). Conclusions: Imatinib in addition to hydroxyurea was well tolerated among patients with recurrent GBM but did not show clinically meaningful anti-tumour activity. PMID:19904263

International energy outlook 1996

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

NONE

1996-05-01

This International Energy Outlook presents historical data from 1970 to 1993 and EIA`s projections of energy consumption and carbon emissions through 2015 for 6 country groups. Prospects for individual fuels are discussed. Summary tables of the IEO96 world energy consumption, oil production, and carbon emissions projections are provided in Appendix A. The reference case projections of total foreign energy consumption and of natural gas, coal, and renewable energy were prepared using EIA`s World Energy Projection System (WEPS) model. Reference case projections of foreign oil production and consumption were prepared using the International Energy Module of the National Energy Modeling Systemmore » (NEMS). Nuclear consumption projections were derived from the International Nuclear Model, PC Version (PC-INM). Alternatively, nuclear capacity projections were developed using two methods: the lower reference case projections were based on analysts` knowledge of the nuclear programs in different countries; the upper reference case was generated by the World Integrated Nuclear Evaluation System (WINES)--a demand-driven model. In addition, the NEMS Coal Export Submodule (CES) was used to derive flows in international coal trade. As noted above, foreign projections of electricity demand are now projected as part of the WEPS. 64 figs., 62 tabs.« less

Understanding the long-term influence of EIA on organisational learning and transformation

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

Jones, Megan, E-mail: 31836179@student.murdoch.edu.au; Morrison-Saunders, Angus, E-mail: a.morrison-saunders@murdoch.edu.au

This research is an attempt to verify the notion postulated by Robert Bartlett and Lynton Caldwell that the full benefits of environmental impact assessment (EIA) would take decades to be realized. While EIA is intended to directly influence decision-making regarding new development proposals, the process is also expected to lead to organisational learning and transformation over time. Our aim was to examine the influence of EIA on a single Western Australian proponent with sustained experience in the process to understand how EIA is used within the organisation and to seek evidence of transformation of the organisation's purpose and mission. Themore » research reviewed literature in order to identify key influences of EIA on organisations, along with semi-structured staff interviews and document analysis for the case study organisation. Ascertaining causality that involvement in EIA processes influences or effects organisational learning and transformation is a challenge in the face of other societal events. Document analysis and interviewee data indicates that the action-forcing nature of EIA did influence proponent behavior through the creation of internal processes seeking to ensure robust design of new projects that would satisfy environmental protection expectations, without the need to trigger formal EIA. Evidence of EIA values and thinking were apparent within internal documentation, including the evolving mission statement. Our research indicates that participation in the EIA process can positively influence organisational learning and transformation by guiding internal change for decision-making. - Highlights: • The long-term influence of EIA on a proponent organisation is investigated. • EIA promotes internal organisational learning and transformation. • Analysis of mission statements can indicate the influence of EIA on organisations. • Organisations aligned with EIA values can reduce the need to engage in formal EIA.« less

A review of EIAs on trade policy in China: Exploring the way for economic policy EIAs

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

Mao, Xianqiang, E-mail: maoxq@bnu.edu.cn; Song, Peng, E-mail: songpeng_ee@163.com; Kørnøv, Lone, E-mail: lonek@plan.aau.dk

During the discussion on the “Environmental Protection Law Amendment (draft)” in 2011, it was decided to drop the proposed clauses related to environmental impact assessments (EIAs) on policy, which means that there remained no provisions for policy EIAs, and China's strategic environmental assessment system stayed limited to the planning level. However, considering that economic policy making is causing significant direct and indirect environmental problems and that almost every aspect of governmental policy has an economic aspect, EIAs on economic policies are of the utmost urgency. The purpose of this study is to review the EIA work that has been carriedmore » out on trade policy in China through four case studies, and illustrate how trade policy EIAs can be helpful in achieving better environmental outcomes in the area of trade. Through the trade policy EIA case studies we try to argue for the feasibility of conducting EIAs on economic policies in China. We also discuss the implications of the case studies from the point of view of how to proceed with EIAs on economic policy and how to promote their practice. - Highlights: • SEA system is incomplete and stays limited to the plan EIA level in China. • EIA on economic policy is of utmost importance for all the developing countries. • Four case studies of trade policy EIA in China are reviewed for policy implications. • Departmental competition for political power impedes economic policy EIAs in China. • Legislative regulation on policy EIA is the first thing needed to overcome barrier.« less

MRSA-infected external iliac artery pseudoaneurysm treated with endovascular stenting.

PubMed

Clarke, M G; Thomas, H G; Chester, J F

2005-01-01

A 48-year-old woman with severe juvenile-onset rheumatoid arthritis presented with a bleeding cutaneous sinus distal to her right total hip replacement scar. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated on culture. She had previously undergone bilateral total hip and knee replacements at aged 23 and six years later had the right knee prosthesis removed for infection, with subsequent osteomyelitis of the femoral shaft and right total hip prosthesis disruption. Peripheral arteriography was performed in view of persistent bleeding from the sinus, which revealed a 6 cm false aneurysm filling from and compressing the right external iliac artery (EIA). A PTFE-covered, balloon expandable JOSTENT was deployed in the right EIA, successfully excluding the false aneurysm and preventing further bleeding from the sinus. No graft infection was reported at 12 months. This case illustrates the potential use of endovascular stent-grafting in the treatment of an infected pseudoaneurysm.

MRSA-Infected External Iliac Artery Pseudoaneurysm Treated with Endovascular Stenting

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

Clarke, M.G.; Thomas, H.G.; Chester, J.F.

2005-04-15

A 48-year-old woman with severe juvenile-onset rheumatoid arthritis presented with a bleeding cutaneous sinus distal to her right total hip replacement scar. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated on culture. She had previously undergone bilateral total hip and knee replacements at aged 23 and six years later had the right knee prosthesis removed for infection, with subsequent osteomyelitis of the femoral shaft and right total hip prosthesis disruption. Peripheral arteriography was performed in view of persistent bleeding from the sinus, which revealed a 6 cm false aneurysm filling from and compressing the right external iliac artery (EIA). A PTFE-covered,more » balloon expandable JOSTENT was deployed in the right EIA, successfully excluding the false aneurysm and preventing further bleeding from the sinus. No graft infection was reported at 12 months. This case illustrates the potential use of endovascular stent-grafting in the treatment of an infected pseudoaneurysm.« less

Spatio-temporal characteristics of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) in the East African region via ionospheric tomography during the year 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kassa, T.; Damtie, B.; Bires, A.; Yizengaw, E.; Cilliers, P.

2015-01-01

We present the characteristics of the EIA in the East African sector inferred from ground-based GPS receivers via ionospheric tomography during the year 2012. For the analysis, we developed and used a 2D ionospheric tomography imaging software based on Bayesian inversion approach. To reconstruct ionospheric electron density form slant Total Electron Content (sTEC) measurements, we selected a chain of ten ground-based GPS receivers with stations' codes and geomagnetic coordinates: ARMI (3.03 °S, 109.29 °E), DEBK (4.32 °N, 109.48 °E), ASOS (1.14 °N, 106.16 °E), NEGE (3.60 °S, 111.35 °E), SHIS (3.26 °N, 110.62 °E), ASAB (4.91 °N, 114.34 °E), SHEB (7.36 °N, 110.60 °E), EBBE (9.54 °S, 104.10 °E), DODM (16.03 °S, 109.04 °E) & NAMA (11.49 °N, 113.60 °E). The temporal, spatial and storm-time characteristics of the EIA and the hourly, day-to-day and seasonal variations of the maximum electron density of F2 region (NmF2) at 15.29°S geomagnetic latitude are presented. We found that the magnitude of the peak and the width/thickness of the EIA pronounced during the equinox and weakened during the solstice seasons at 2100 LT. It is also observed that the EIA persisted for longer time in equinox season than the solstice season. The spatial appearance of the northern and southern anomalies are observed starting from 6.12 ° N and 10 ° S respectively along geomagnetic latitude during equinox season. The EIA is localized between 180 km and 450 km along the altitude during December solstice. The analysis on the NmF2 demonstrated a significant dependence on local time, day and season of the year. We also investigated the storm response of the EIA for the magnetic storm of Day Of the Year (DOY) 274-276. It is observed that the disturbance dynamo related composition change (O/N2 ratio) resulted in a well-developed EIA with an increase in the peak and the width of the EIA at 2100 LT on DOY 275 (main phase of the storm) compared to 274 (initial phase of the storm) and 276 (recovery phase of the storm).

Theorising EIA effectiveness: A contribution based on the Danish system

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

Lyhne, Ivar, E-mail: lyhne@plan.aau.dk; Laerhoven, Frank van; Cashmore, Matthew

Considerable attention has been given to the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) since the 1970s. Relatively few research studies, however, have approached EIA as an instrument of environmental governance, and have explored the mechanisms through which EIA influences the behaviour of actors involved in planning processes. Consequently, theory in this area is underspecified. In this paper we contribute to theory-building by analysing the effectiveness of a unique EIA system: the Danish system. In this system the competent authority, instead of the project proponent, undertakes EIA reporting. Additionally, the public, rather than experts, play a central role in quality controlmore » and the Danish EIA community is relatively small which influences community dynamics in particular ways. A nation-wide survey and expert interviews were undertaken in order to examine the views of actors involved in EIA on the effectiveness of this anomalous system. The empirical data are compared with similar studies on governance mechanisms in other countries, especially the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, as well as with earlier evaluations of EIA effectiveness in Denmark. The results indicate that the more extensive role attributed to the competent authority may lead to higher EIA effectiveness when this aligns with their interests; the influence of the public is amplified by a powerful complaints system; and, the size of the EIA community appears to have no substantial influence on EIA effectiveness. We discuss how the research findings might enhance our theoretical understanding of the operation and effectiveness of governance mechanisms in EIA. - Highlights: • The effectiveness of the unique Danish EIA system is explored. • Results are compared with similar studies in the Netherlands and the UK. • Findings lead to hypotheses that contribute to theorising EIA effectiveness.« less

Environmental impact assessment in urban transport planning: Exploring process-related barriers in Spanish practice

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

Soria-Lara, Julio A., E-mail: j.a.sorialara@uva.nl; Bertolini, Luca, E-mail: l.bertolini@uva.nl; Brömmelstroet, Marco te, E-mail: M.C.G.teBrommelstroet@uva.nl

The effectiveness of EIA for evaluating transport planning projects is increasingly being questioned by practitioners, institutions and scholars. The academic literature has traditionally focused more on solving content-related problems with EIA (i.e. the measurement of environmental effects) than on process-related issues (i.e. the role of EIA in the planning process and the interaction between key actors). Focusing only on technical improvements is not sufficient for rectifying the effectiveness problems of EIA. In order to address this knowledge gap, the paper explores how EIA is experienced in the Spanish planning context and offers in-depth insight into EIA process-related issues in themore » field of urban transport planning. From the multitude of involved actors, the research focuses on exploring the perceptions of the two main professional groups: EIA developers and transport planners. Through a web-based survey we assess the importance of process-related barriers to the effective use of EIA in urban transport planning. The analyses revealed process issues based fundamentally on unstructured stakeholders involvement and an inefficient public participation - Highlights: • Qualitative research on perceptions of EIA participants on EIA processes. • Web-based survey with different participants (EIA-developers; transport planners). • It was seen an inefficient participation of stakeholders during the EIA processes.« less

75 FR 41838 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-19

... Institutional Coal Users;'' EIA-4, ``Weekly Coal Monitoring Report--Coke Plants'' (Standby); EIA-5, ``Quarterly Coal Consumption and Quality Report--Coke Plants;'' EIA-6Q (Schedule Q), ``Quarterly Coal Report... Coal Consumption and Quality Report--Coke Plants) EIA proposes to make changes to the Form EIA-5 survey...

Measuring Dependence on Imported Oil

EIA Publications

1995-01-01

U.S. dependence on imported oil can be measured in at least two ways. The differences hinge largely on whether oil imports are defined as net imports (total imports minus exports) or as total imports. EIA introduces a revised table that expresses dependence on imports in terms of both measures.

An analysis framework for characterizing and explaining development of EIA legislation in developing countries-Illustrated for Georgia, Ghana and Yemen

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

Kolhoff, Arend J., E-mail: akolhoff@eia.nl; Driessen, Peter P.J., E-mail: p.driessen@uu.nl; Runhaar, Hens A.C., E-mail: h.a.c.runhaar@uu.nl

2013-01-15

Actors in the field of international development co-operation supporting the development of EIA legislation in developing countries often do not achieve the results envisaged. The performance of EIA in these countries often remains weak. One reason, we assume, is that often those actors support the establishment of overly ambitious EIA legislation that cannot achieve its objectives in the light of constraining contexts. To provide more effective support we need to better understand the enabling and constraining contextual factors that influence the development of EIA legislation and to which support actors should align itself. In this article a new analysis frameworkmore » for classifying, characterizing and explaining the development of EIA legislation is described, measured in terms of ambition levels. Ambitions are defined as intentions the EIA authorities aim to fulfill, expressed in formal EIA legislation. Three country cases, Yemen, Georgia and Ghana are used to illustrate the usefulness of our framework and as a first test to refine the framework. We have formulated the following five hypotheses that complement and refine our analysis framework. One, EIA legislation may develop multilinearly in terms of ambition levels. Two, ambitions in EIA legislation seem to be influenced to a great extent by the power and capacity of, on the one hand, the environmental authorities supporting EIA and, on the other hand, the sector authorities hindering the development of EIA. Three, the political system is the most important context factor influencing the rules of policy-making and the power of the different actors involved. Four, the importance of context factors on the development of ambitions is dependent on the phase of EIA system development. Five, some ambitions seem to be influenced by particular factors; for instance the ambitions for the object of study seem to be influenced by the level of environmental awareness of the sector ministries and parliament. The analysis framework may also assist actors involved in the development of EIA legislation in setting ambitions for EIA legislation that are feasible within the context in which it will be developed and implemented. Application of a country-specific EIA model would seem to be the preferred model to develop EIA legislation because by taking capacities of actors and context factors as a starting point, it offers more potential to well-performing EIA systems. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer EIA systems develop from less to high ambitious and sometimes vice versa. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Ambitions in EIA legislation are determined by the capacity of environment- and sector authority. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The political system is the most important context factor explaining the ambitions of an EIA system. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An analysis framework developed to measure EIA system ambitions might help to setambitions.« less

Equatorial Ionospheric Anomaly (EIA) and comparison with IRI model during descending phase of solar activity (2005-2009)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Sanjay; Singh, A. K.; Lee, Jiyun

2014-03-01

The ionospheric variability at equatorial and low latitude region is known to be extreme as compared to mid latitude region. In this study the ionospheric total electron content (TEC), is derived by analyzing dual frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) data recorded at two stations separated by 325 km near the Indian equatorial anomaly region, Varanasi (Geog latitude 25°, 16/ N, longitude 82°, 59/ E, Geomagnetic latitude 16°, 08/ N) and Kanpur (Geog latitude 26°, 18/ N, longitude 80°, 12/ E, Geomagnetic latitude 17°, 18/ N). Specifically, we studied monthly, seasonal and annual variations as well as solar and geomagnetic effects on the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) during the descending phase of solar activity from 2005 to 2009. It is found that the maximum TEC (EIA) near equatorial anomaly crest yield their maximum values during the equinox months and their minimum values during the summer. Using monthly averaged peak magnitude of TEC, a clear semi-annual variation is seen with two maxima occurring in both spring and autumn. Results also showed the presence of winter anomaly or seasonal anomaly in the EIA crest throughout the period 2005-2009 only except during the deep solar minimum year 2007-2008. The correlation analysis indicate that the variation of EIA crest is more affected by solar activity compared to geomagnetic activity with maximum dependence on the solar EUV flux, which is attributed to direct link of EUV flux on the formation of ionosphere and main agent of the ionization. The statistical mean occurrence of EIA crest in TEC during the year from 2005 to 2009 is found to around 12:54 LT hour and at 21.12° N geographic latitude. The crest of EIA shifts towards lower latitudes and the rate of shift of the crest latitude during this period is found to be 0.87° N/per year. The comparison between IRI models with observation during this period has been made and comparison is poor with increasing solar activity with maximum difference during the year 2005.

Molecular identification and first report of mitochondrial COI gene haplotypes in the hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (Testudines: Cheloniidae) in the Colombian Caribbean nesting colonies.

PubMed

Daza-Criado, L; Hernández-Fernández, J

2014-02-21

Hawksbill sea turtles Eretmochelys imbricata are found extensively around the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans; the Persian Gulf, and the Red and Mediterranean Seas. Populations of this species are affected by international trafficking of their shields, meat, and eggs, making it a critically endangered animal. We determined the haplotypes of 17 hawksbill foraging turtles of Islas del Rosario (Bolivar) and of the nesting beach Don Diego (Magdalena) in the Colombian Caribbean based on amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI). We identified 5 haplotypes, including EI-A1 previously reported in Puerto Rico, which was similar to 10 of the study samples. To our knowledge, the remaining 4 haplotypes have not been described. Samples EICOI11 and EICOI3 showed 0.2% divergence from EI-A1, by a single nucleotide change, and were classified as the EI-A2 haplotype. EICOI6, EICOI14, and EICOI12 samples showed 0.2% divergence from EI-A1 and 0.3% divergence from EI-A2 and were classified as EI-A3 haplotype. Samples EICOI16 and EICOI15 presented 5 nucleotide changes each and were classified as 2 different haplotypes, EI-A4 and EI-A5, respectively. The last 2 haplotypes had higher nucleotide diversity (K2P=1.7%) than that by the first 3 haplotypes. EI-A1 and EI-A2 occurred in nesting individuals, and EI-A2, EI-A3, EI-A4, and EI-A5 occurred in foraging individuals. The description of the haplotypes may be associated with reproductive migrations or foraging and could support the hypothesis of natal homing. Furthermore, they can be used in phylogeographic studies.

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

Clausen, Alison, E-mail: aliclausen@protocol.com.a; Vu, Hoang Hoa, E-mail: hoanghoavu@yahoo.co; Pedrono, Miguel, E-mail: pedrono@cirad.f

Vietnam has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has achieved significant socio-economic development in recent years. However this growth is placing increased pressure on an already depleted natural environment. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is recognised by the Government and international organizations as an important tool in the management of the impacts of future development on the country's natural resource base. The Government's commitment to EIA has been demonstrated through the development and adoption of the Law on Environment Protection (Revised) in 2005 which sets out the requirements for EIA and which represents a major step inmore » the development of a robust legislative framework for EIA in Vietnam. The Law on Environment Protection (Revised) 2005 has now been operational for several years and we have undertaken an evaluation of the resulting EIA system in Vietnam. We argue that while significant improvements have been achieved in the EIA policy framework, an important gap remains between EIA theory and practice. We contend that the basis of the current EIA legislation is strong and that future developments of the EIA system in Vietnam should focus on improving capacity of EIA practitioners rather than further substantial legislative change. Such improvements would allow the Vietnamese EIA system to emerge as an effective and efficient tool for environmental management in Vietnam and as a model EIA framework for other developing countries.« less

22 July 2009 total solar eclipse induced gravity waves in ionosphere as inferred from GPS observations over EIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, K. Vijay; Maurya, Ajeet K.; Kumar, Sanjay; Singh, Rajesh

2016-11-01

In the present contribution we investigate the variation in the Global Positioning System (GPS) derived ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) over Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region on the rare occasional astronomical phenomenon of total solar eclipse of 22 July 2009. The aim is to study and identify the wave like structure enumerated due to solar eclipse induced gravity waves in the F-region ionosphere altitude. The work is aimed to understand features of horizontal and vertical variation of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) properties over the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region in Indian low latitude region. The ionospheric observations is from the site of Allahabad (lat 25.4° N; lon. 81.9° E; dip 38.6° N) located at the fringe of eclipse totality path. The estimated vertical electron density profile from FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC GPS-RO satellite, considering all the satellite line of sight around the time of eclipse totality shows maximum depletion of 43%. The fast fourier transform and wavelet transform of GPS DTEC data from Allahabad station (Allahabad: lat 25.4 N; lon. 81.9 E) shows the presence of periodic waves of ∼20 to 45 min and ∼70 to 90 min period at F-region altitude. The shorter period correspond to the sunrise time morning terminator and longer period can be associated with solar eclipse generated AGWs. The most important result obtained is that our results along with previous result for wave like signatures in D-region ionosphere from Allahabad station show that AGWs generated by sunrise time terminator have similarity in the D and F region of the ionosphere but solar eclipse induced AGWs show higher period in the F-region compared to D-region ionosphere.

Five Years Later: A Look at the EIA Investment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

South Carolina State Dept. of Education, Columbia. Div. of Public Accountability.

A 5-year review of the impact of South Carolina's comprehensive reform legislation, the Education Improvement Act of 1984 (EIA), is presented. Throughout the report, comparisons of EIA program productivity in 1989 with pre-EIA performance are displayed in short program summaries, 33 graphs, and 14 tables. The EIA targeted seven major areas for…

75 FR 56527 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-16

... manufactured, shipped, and/or imported solar thermal collectors and/or photovoltaic modules and cells. The EIA... request. SUMMARY: The EIA has submitted the forms EIA-63A, ``Annual Solar Thermal Collector Manufacturers Survey,'' EIA-63B, ``Annual Photovoltaic Module/Cell Manufacturers Survey,'' and the EIA-902, ``Annual...

Comparing ImmunoCard with two EIA assays for Clostridium difficile toxins.

PubMed

Chan, Edward L; Seales, Diane; Drum, Hong

2009-01-01

To compare three Clostridium difficile EIA kits for the detection of C. difficile toxins from clinical specimens. A total of 287 fresh and stored stool specimens were tested using all three assays. Stools with discrepant results were sent to a reference laboratory for tissue cytotoxin assay. Trinity Medical Center, a community hospital with network hospitals. Patients with diarrhea submitted stools for detection of C. difficile toxins. Of the 287 stool specimens, 116 were positive and 171 negative for C. difficile toxins. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of Meridian EIA assay were 99.1, 97.7, 96.6, and 99.4%; ImmunoCard were 100, 98.2, 97.5, and 100%; BioStar OIA assay were 94, 98.8, 98.2, and 96% respectively. ImmunoCardprovides the best sensitivity (100%) for C. difficile toxins A and B detection. The BioStar OIA rapid test missed seven positive stool specimens possibly due to failure to detect toxin B. ImmunoCard has slightly higher predictive values, shorter turnaround time and greater convenience compared to the Meridian EIA Assay. ImmunoCard may be cost effective not only in smaller laboratories, but also in high volume laboratories, when used on a STAT basis or single request.

Integrating human health into environmental impact assessment: an unrealized opportunity for environmental health and justice.

PubMed

Bhatia, Rajiv; Wernham, Aaron

2008-08-01

The National Environmental Policy Act and related state laws require many public agencies to analyze and disclose potentially significant environmental effects of agency actions, including effects on human health. In this paper we review the purpose and procedures of environmental impact assessment (EIA), existing regulatory requirements for health effects analysis, and potential barriers to and opportunities for improving integration of human health concerns within the EIA process. We use statutes, regulations, guidelines, court opinions, and empirical research on EIA along with recent case examples of integrated health impact assessment (HIA)/EIA at both the state and federal level. We extract lessons and recommendations for integrated HIA/EIA practice from both existing practices as well as case studies. The case studies demonstrate the adequacy, scope, and power of existing statutory requirements for health analysis within EIA. The following support the success of integrated HIA/EIA: a proponent recognizing EIA as an available regulatory strategy for public health; the openness of the agency conducting the EIA; involvement of public health institutions; and complementary objectives among community stakeholders and health practitioners. We recommend greater collaboration among institutions responsible for EIA, public health institutions, and affected stakeholders along with guidance, resources, and training for integrated HIA/EIA practice.

Integrating Human Health into Environmental Impact Assessment: An Unrealized Opportunity for Environmental Health and Justice

PubMed Central

Bhatia, Rajiv; Wernham, Aaron

2008-01-01

Objectives The National Environmental Policy Act and related state laws require many public agencies to analyze and disclose potentially significant environmental effects of agency actions, including effects on human health. In this paper we review the purpose and procedures of environmental impact assessment (EIA), existing regulatory requirements for health effects analysis, and potential barriers to and opportunities for improving integration of human health concerns within the EIA process. Data sources We use statutes, regulations, guidelines, court opinions, and empirical research on EIA along with recent case examples of integrated health impact assessment (HIA)/EIA at both the state and federal level. Data synthesis We extract lessons and recommendations for integrated HIA/EIA practice from both existing practices as well as case studies. Conclusions The case studies demonstrate the adequacy, scope, and power of existing statutory requirements for health analysis within EIA. The following support the success of integrated HIA/EIA: a proponent recognizing EIA as an available regulatory strategy for public health; the openness of the agency conducting the EIA; involvement of public health institutions; and complementary objectives among community stakeholders and health practitioners. We recommend greater collaboration among institutions responsible for EIA, public health institutions, and affected stakeholders along with guidance, resources, and training for integrated HIA/EIA practice. PMID:18709140

Frequency of false positive rapid HIV serologic tests in African men and women receiving PrEP for HIV prevention: implications for programmatic roll-out of biomedical interventions.

PubMed

Ndase, Patrick; Celum, Connie; Kidoguchi, Lara; Ronald, Allan; Fife, Kenneth H; Bukusi, Elizabeth; Donnell, Deborah; Baeten, Jared M

2015-01-01

Rapid HIV assays are the mainstay of HIV testing globally. Delivery of effective biomedical HIV prevention strategies such as antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires periodic HIV testing. Because rapid tests have high (>95%) but imperfect specificity, they are expected to generate some false positive results. We assessed the frequency of true and false positive rapid results in the Partners PrEP Study, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of PrEP. HIV testing was performed monthly using 2 rapid tests done in parallel with HIV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) confirmation following all positive rapid tests. A total of 99,009 monthly HIV tests were performed; 98,743 (99.7%) were dual-rapid HIV negative. Of the 266 visits with ≥1 positive rapid result, 99 (37.2%) had confirmatory positive EIA results (true positives), 155 (58.3%) had negative EIA results (false positives), and 12 (4.5%) had discordant EIA results. In the active PrEP arms, over two-thirds of visits with positive rapid test results were false positive results (69.2%, 110 of 159), although false positive results occurred at <1% (110/65,945) of total visits. When HIV prevalence or incidence is low due to effective HIV prevention interventions, rapid HIV tests result in a high number of false relative to true positive results, although the absolute number of false results will be low. Program roll-out for effective interventions should plan for quality assurance of HIV testing, mechanisms for confirmatory HIV testing, and counseling strategies for persons with positive rapid test results.

The influence of actor capacities on EIA system performance in low and middle income countries —Cases from Georgia and Ghana

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

Kolhoff, Arend J., E-mail: akolhoff@eia.nl; Runhaar, Hens A.C., E-mail: H.A.C.Runhaar@uu.nl; Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen

In this paper, we aim to better understand the factors that contribute to the substantive performance of EIA systems in low and middle income countries. Substantive performance is defined as the extent to which the EIA process contributes to the EIA objectives for the long term, namely environmental protection or, even more ambitious, sustainable development. We have therefore developed a conceptual model in which we focus on the key actors in the EIA system, the proponent and the EIA authority and their level of ownership as a key capacity to measure their performance, and we distinguish procedural performance and somemore » contextual factors. This conceptual model is then verified and refined for the EIA phase and the EIA follow-up phase (permitting, monitoring and enforcement) by means of 12 case studies from Ghana (four cases) and Georgia (eight cases), both lower–middle income countries. We observe that in most cases the level of substantive performance increases during the EIA phase but drops during the EIA follow-up phase, and as a result only five out of 12 operational cases are in compliance with permit conditions or national environmental standards. We conclude, firstly that ownership of the proponent is the most important factor explaining the level of substantive performance; the higher the proponent's level of ownership the higher the level of substantive performance. The influence of the EIA authority on substantive performance is limited. Secondly, the influence of procedural performance on substantive performance seems less important than expected in the EIA phase but more important during the EIA follow-up phase. In order to improve substantive performance we learned two lessons. Firstly, increasing the proponent's level of ownership seems obvious, but direct change is probably difficult. However, where international finance institutes are involved they can increase ownership. Despite the limited influence of the EIA authority, a proactive strategy of, for example, working together with international finance institutes has a slightly larger influence than a reactive strategy. - Highlights: • Ownership of the proponent is the most important factor explaining the level of substantive performance. • The influence of the EIA authority on substantive performance is limited. • The influence of procedural performance on substantive performance seems less important than expected in the EIA phase but more important during the EIA follow-up phase.« less

Global proteome profiling of dental cementum under experimentally-induced apposition.

PubMed

Salmon, Cristiane R; Giorgetti, Ana Paula O; Paes Leme, Adriana Franco; Domingues, Romênia R; Sallum, Enilson Antonio; Alves, Marcelo C; Kolli, Tamara N; Foster, Brian L; Nociti, Francisco H

2016-06-01

Dental cementum (DC) covers the tooth root and has important functions in tooth attachment and position. DC can be lost to disease, and regeneration is currently unpredictable due to limited understanding of DC formation. This study used a model of experimentally-induced apposition (EIA) in mice to identify proteins associated with new DC formation. Mandibular first molars were induced to super-erupt for 6 and 21days after extracting opposing maxillary molars. Decalcified and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mandible sections were prepared for laser capture microdissection. Microdissected protein extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and the data submitted to repeated measure ANOVA test (RM-ANOVA, alpha=5%). A total of 519 proteins were identified, with 97 (18.6%) proteins found exclusively in EIA sites and 50 (9.6%) proteins exclusively expressed in control sites. Fifty six (10.7%) proteins were differentially regulated by RM-ANOVA (p<0.05), with 24 regulated by the exclusive effect of EIA (12 proteins) or the interaction between EIA and time (12 proteins), including serpin 1a, procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer, tenascin X (TNX), and asporin (ASPN). In conclusion, proteomic analysis demonstrated significantly altered protein profile in DC under EIA, providing new insights on DC biology and potential candidates for tissue engineering applications. Dental cementum (DC) is a mineralized tissue that covers the tooth root surface and has important functions in tooth attachment and position. DC and other periodontal tissues can be lost to disease, and regeneration is currently unpredictable due to lack of understanding of DC formation. This study used a model of experimentally-induced apposition (EIA) in mice to promote new cementum formation, followed by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomic analysis. This approach identified proteins associated with new cementum formation that may be targets for promoting cementum regeneration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Equatorial temperature anomaly during solar minimum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suhasini, R.; Raghavarao, R.; Mayr, H. G.; Hoegy, W. R.; Wharton, L. E.

2001-11-01

We show evidence for the occurrence of the equatorial temperature anomaly (ETA) during solar minimum by analyzing the temperature and total ion density data from the Neutral Atmosphere Temperature Experiment (NATE) and the Cylindrical Electrostatic Probe (CEP), respectively, on board the Atmospheric Explorer-E satellite. The chosen data refer to a height of ~254 km in the African and Asian longitude sector (340.1°E-200°E) during a summer season in the Southern Hemisphere. As during the solar maximum period, the spatial characteristics of the ETA are similar to those of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). A minimum in the gas temperature is collocated with the minimum in the ion density at the dip equator, and a temperature maximum on the south side of the equator is collocated with the density maximum of the EIA. The daytime behavior of ETA formation is about the same as that of EIA as both of them are clearly present at around 1300 and 1400 local solar time (LST) only. At 1400 LST the difference between the temperatures at the crest and the trough (ETA strength) reaches a maximum value of about 100°K which is ~14% of the temperature at the trough. Like the EIA, the ETA also suddenly disappears after 1400 LST. Thus the EIA appears to be a prerequisite for the ETA formation. During the premidnight time (2200 LST), however, while the EIA is nonexistent, the temperature distribution forms a pattern opposite to that at 1400 LST in the daytime. It shows a maximum around the dip equator and a broad minimum at the daytime crest region where the postsunset cooling also is faster and occurs earlier than at the dip equator. This nighttime maximum appears to be related to the signature of the midnight temperature maximum (MTM). Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter (MSIS) model temperatures, in general, are higher than the observed average temperatures for the summer season and in particular for the region around the dip equator around noon hours.

Evaluation of the EIA system on the Island of Mauritius and development of an environmental monitoring plan framework

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

Ramjeawon, T.; Beedassy, R

The Environment Protection Act (EPA) in Mauritius provides for the application of an EIA license in respect of undertakings listed in its first schedule. Following the promulgation of the Act in June 1993, the Department of Environment (DOE) is issuing an average of 125 EIA licenses yearly. In general, the review exercise of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is terminated once the license has been granted. The aim of this project was to evaluate the EIA system in Mauritius and to identify its weaknesses and strengths. One of the main weaknesses, besides the lack of EIA audits, is the absencemore » of EIA follow-up monitoring. It is necessary to distinguish between monitoring done for regulatory purposes (compliance monitoring) and environmental monitoring related to the EIA. With the growth of the tourism industry on the island, coastal development projects have the potential to cause significant environmental impacts . A sample of EIA reports pertaining to this sector was assessed for its quality and follow-up mechanisms. Proposals for the contents of EIA Prediction Audits, Environmental Monitoring Plans (EMP) and the format for an EMP report are made.« less

[EIA-IgG antibody measles prevention level estimated from measles neutralizing, particle agglutination and hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titer].

PubMed

Takayama, Naohide; Saika, Shizuko; Ichinohe, Sadato

2009-09-01

Measles hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titer, widely used in clinical practice to simply and easily determine the measles immunity level has, in recent years, been increasingly replaced by measles IgG-antibody titer determined by enzyme-immunoassay (EIA). HI antibody titer appears to reflect this protective level, because HI measures the antibody against H protein required for the measles virus to adhere to host cells. EIA-IgG antibody titer does not correlate with the protective level, similar to particle agglutination (PA) titer, because EIA measures different antibodies, including those unrelated to measles protection. After determining HI, PA, neutralizing test (NT) results, and EIA-IgG antibody titer for individual specimens, we compared EIA-IgG antibody titer obtained using an EIA-Kit (Denka Seiken) to HI, PA, and NT titer with the following results: (1) Subjects with EIA-IgG titer of > or = 12.0 may be protected against measles: (2) Subjects with EIA-IgG titer of 4.0 to 8.0 appear to be protected insufficiently requiring a booster dose against measles: (3) Subjects with EIA-IgG titer of 8.0 to 12.0 may benefit from booster vaccination.

Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment system in Syria

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

Haydar, F., E-mail: firashaydar@yahoo.co; Pediaditi, K., E-mail: kalliapediaditi@hotmail.co

2010-11-15

Syria is a country experiencing rapid change, undergoing a process of political and governance decentralisation, opening its markets to the private sector, and experiencing a rise in infrastructure development. In light of these economic growth targeted changes, knowledge of the status and capacity of the Syrian EIA system to ensure environmental protection becomes of paramount importance. Syria first introduced EIA as a Draft Decree in 1995, which was not formally adopted until 2008. To date, no structured evaluation of Syria's EIA system has been conducted, a knowledge gap addressed through this paper. The research presented herein comprises a review andmore » comparative evaluation of Syrian legislation and procedures, to the EU EIA Directive and World Bank Operational Directive, as well as a series of interviews with Syrian stakeholders involved in EIA implementation. The investigation concluded that the new EIA provisions provide a sound legal basis. From interviews however, it was ascertained that EIA implementation faces a number of barriers such as, a lack of EIA integration into existing decision making and licensing processes and persistent exclusion of public projects from EIA. A number of recommendations are proposed, perceived necessary for the enhancement of EIA implementation in Syria.« less

Evaluation of dried blood spot protocols with the Bio-Rad GS HIV Combo Ag/Ab EIA and Geenius™ HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay.

PubMed

Luo, Wei; Davis, Geoff; Li, LiXia; Shriver, M Kathleen; Mei, Joanne; Styer, Linda M; Parker, Monica M; Smith, Amanda; Paz-Bailey, Gabriela; Ethridge, Steve; Wesolowski, Laura; Owen, S Michele; Masciotra, Silvina

2017-06-01

FDA-approved antigen/antibody combo and HIV-1/2 differentiation supplemental tests do not have claims for dried blood spot (DBS) use. We compared two DBS-modified protocols, the Bio-Rad GS HIV Combo Ag/Ab (BRC) EIA and Geenius™ HIV-1/2 (Geenius) Supplemental Assay, to plasma protocols and evaluated them in the CDC/APHL HIV diagnostic algorithm. BRC-DBS p24 analytical sensitivity was calculated from serial dilutions of p24. DBS specimens included 11 HIV-1 seroconverters, 151 HIV-1-positive individuals, including 20 on antiretroviral therapy, 31 HIV-2-positive and one HIV-1/HIV-2-positive individuals. BRC-reactive specimens were tested with Geenius using the same DBS eluate. Matched plasma specimens were tested with BRC, an IgG/IgM immunoassay and Geenius. DBS and plasma results were compared using the McNemar's test. A DBS-algorithm applied to 348 DBS from high-risk individuals who participated in surveillance was compared to HIV status based on local testing algorithms. BRC-DBS detects p24 at a concentration 18 times higher than in plasma. In seroconverters, BRC-DBS detected more infections than the IgG/IgM immunoassay in plasma (p=0.0133), but fewer infections than BRC-plasma (p=0.0133). In addition, the BRC/Geenius-plasma algorithm identified more HIV-1 infections than the BRC/Geenius-DBS algorithm (p=0.0455). The DBS protocols correctly identified HIV status for established HIV-1 infections, including those on therapy, HIV-2 infections, and surveillance specimens. The DBS protocols exhibited promising performance and allowed rapid supplemental testing. Although the DBS algorithm missed some early infections, it showed similar results when applied to specimens from a high-risk population. Implementation of a DBS algorithm would benefit testing programs without capacity for venipuncture. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Performance characteristics of an automated latex immunoturbidimetric assay [HemosIL® HIT-Ab(PF4-H)] for the diagnosis of immune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

PubMed

Warkentin, Theodore E; Sheppard, Jo-Ann I; Linkins, Lori-Ann; Arnold, Donald M; Nazy, Ishac

2017-05-01

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic drug reaction caused by platelet-activating anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. Given time-sensitive treatment considerations, a rapid and accurate laboratory test for HIT antibodies is needed. To determine operating characteristics for the HemosIL ® HIT-Ab (PF4/H) , a rapid, on-demand, fully-automated, latex immunoturbidimetric assay (LIA), for diagnosis of HIT. We evaluated LIA sensitivity, specificity, negative (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV), negative (LR-) and positive likelihood ratio (LR+), using citrated-plasma from 429 patients (prospective cohort study of 4Ts scoring; HIT, n=31), and from consecutive HIT patients (n=125), using reference standard serotonin-release assay (SRA). Comparators included two PF4-dependent enzyme-immunoassays (EIAs). We used stratum-specific likelihood ratios (SSLRs) to determine how differing magnitudes of LIA-positivity influenced post-test probability of HIT. LIA operating characteristics were: sensitivity=97.4% (152/156); specificity=94.0% (374/398); PPV=55.6% (30/54); and NPV=99.7% (374/375). At manufacturers' cutoffs, LIA specificity and PPV were superior to the EIAs. Although a negative LIA pointed strongly against HIT (LR-, 0.034), the post-test probability was ~2% with high 4Ts score. The LIA's LR+ was high (16.0), with SSLRs rising substantially with greater LIA-positivity: 5.7 (1.0-4.9U/mL), 31 (5.0-15.9U/mL), and 128 (≥16U/mL). A LIA-positive result (at 1.0 cutoff) indicated at least 24% HIT probability (low 4Ts score), rising to 90% with high 4Ts score. Although approximately 1 in 40 SRA-positive patients tested LIA-negative, the LIA's high NPV and PPV indicate that this rapid assay is useful for the diagnostic evaluation of HIT, including in low pre-test situations. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Tyr phosphatase-mediated P-ERK inhibition suppresses senescence in EIA + v-raf transformed cells, which, paradoxically, are apoptosis-protected in a MEK-dependent manner.

PubMed

De Vitis, Stefania; Sonia Treglia, Antonella; Ulianich, Luca; Turco, Stefano; Terrazzano, Giuseppe; Lombardi, Angela; Miele, Claudia; Garbi, Corrado; Beguinot, Francesco; Di Jeso, Bruno

2011-02-01

Activation of the Ras-Raf-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway causes not only proliferation and suppression of apoptosis but also the antioncogenic response of senescence. How these contrasting effects are reconciled to achieve cell transformation and cancer formation is poorly understood. In a system of two-step carcinogenesis (dedifferentiated PC EIA, transformed PC EIA-polyoma-middle T [PC EIA + Py] and PC EIA-v-raf [PC EIA + raf] cells], v-raf cooperated with EIA by virtue of a strong prosurvival effect, not elicited by Py-middle T, evident toward serum-deprivation-and H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was detected by DNA fragmentation and annexin V staining. The prosurvival function of v-raf was, in part, mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)-dependent, as shown by pharmacological MEK inhibition. The MEK-dependent antiapoptotic effect of v-raf was exerted despite a lower level of P-ERK1/2 in EIA + raf cells with respect to EIA + Py/EIA cells, which was dependent on a high tyrosine phosphatase activity, as shown by orthovanadate blockade. An ERK1/2 tyrosine phosphatase was likely involved. The high tyrosine phosphatase activity was instrumental to the complete suppression of senescence, detected by β-galactosidase activity, because tyrosine phosphatase blockade induced senescence in EIA + raf but not in EIA + Py cells. High tyrosine phosphatase activity and evasion from senescence were confirmed in an anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line. Therefore, besides EIA, EIA + raf cells suppress senescence through a new mechanism, namely, phosphatase-mediated P-ERK1/2 inhibition, but, paradoxically, retain the oncogenic effects of the Raf-ERK pathway. We propose that the survival effect of Raf is not a function of absolute P-ERK1/2 levels at a given time but is rather dynamically dependent on greater variations after an apoptotic stimulus.

An evaluation framework for effective public participation in EIA in Pakistan

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

Nadeem, Obaidullah, E-mail: obaidnadeem@yahoo.co; Fischer, Thomas B., E-mail: fischer@liverpool.ac.u

2011-01-15

Evaluating the effectiveness of public participation in EIA related decisions is of crucial importance for developing a better understanding of overall EIA effectiveness. This paper aims to contribute to the professional debate by establishing a country specific evaluation framework for Pakistan, which, it is suggested, could also potentially be used in other developing countries. The framework is used to evaluate performance of public participation in EIA in terms of 40 attributes for four selected projects from the province of Punjab. The evaluation is based on interviews with stakeholders, review of EIA reports as well as public hearing proceedings and environmentalmore » approval conditions. The evaluation of the selected projects revealed an overall weak influence of public participation on substantive quality of EIA and on the final decision. Overall, EIA public participation has succeeded in providing a more egalitarian environment. Furthermore, it appears fair to say that sufficient time for submitting written comments on EIA reports as well as for raising concerns during public hearings had been given. Also, public consultation was significantly contributing to educating participants. Despite some impediments, it is argued that public participation in EIA is gradually gaining ground in Pakistan. Recommendations to enhance EIA public participation effectiveness in Pakistan include applying a more proactive approach which should take place before EIA is conducted and before site selection for development projects is happening.« less

Environmental impact assessment in Sri Lanka: A progress report

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

Butler, J.W.

1995-12-01

The paper reports on progress by the Government of Sri Lanka in the implementation of a formal environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirement. The authors have recently conducted several activities in Sri Lanka intended to improve the analytical quality of EIA documents and the utility of the EIA process in government decisionmaking, with particular attention to the use of programmatic or sectoral EIAs. The U.S. Agency for International Development established a 5-year project, the Natural Resources and Environmental Policy Project (NAREPP), to provide training and technical assistance in EIA and related disiplines for the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), several other Srimore » Lanka government agencies, and the private sector. This activity has involved efforts to expand the technical expertise within Sri Lanka for conducting EIA, which include developing EIA courses and materials in cooperation with several universities and conducting intensive training programs for both government and private-sector environmental professionals. This EIA will focus on the selection of government-approved industrial estates throughout the country, on which most new industrial development projects are to be located. Further training programs in the use of current analytical methodologies for EIA were also developed and conducted. The effectiveness of these activities can be assessed by evaluating changes in the content and quality of subsequent EIA documents and in the extent to which such documents affect environmental decisionmaking in Sri Lanka. The authors discuss the role of the programmatic EIA in the industrial development program of Sri Lanka, remaining constraints on the EIA process, and recommendations for further improvement.« less

Drilling Productivity Report

EIA Publications

2017-01-01

Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) new Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) takes a fresh look at oil and natural gas production, starting with an assessment of how and where drilling for hydrocarbons is taking place. The DPR uses recent data on the total number of drilling rigs in operation along with estimates of drilling productivity and estimated changes in production from existing oil and natural gas wells to provide estimated changes in oil and natural gas production for six key fields. EIA's approach does not distinguish between oil-directed rigs and gas-directed rigs because once a well is completed it may produce both oil and gas; more than half of the wells produce both.

2012 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Energy Usage Summary

EIA Publications

2016-01-01

EIA has released summary tables providing energy consumption estimates from the 2012 CBECS. The data show that despite a 14% increase in total buildings and a 22% increase in total floorspace since 2003, energy use in the estimated 5.6 million U.S. commercial buildings was up just 7% during the same period.

Analysis of environmental impact assessment (EIA) system in Turkey.

PubMed

Coşkun, Aynur Aydın; Turker, Ozhan

2011-04-01

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System, which embodies the "prevention principle" of the environmental law, is an important tool for environmental protection. This tool has a private importance for Turkey since it is a developing country, and it entered the Turkish law in 1983 with the Environmental Law. Besides, the EIA Regulation, which shows the application principles, became effective in 1993. Because Turkey is a candidate for European Union (EU), the EIA Regulation has been changed due to the EU compliance procedure, and its latest version became valid in 2008. This study aims to emphasize The EIA system in Turkey to supervise the efficiency of this procedure and point the success level. In the introduction part, general EIA concept, its importance, and some notations are mentioned. Following that, the legislation, which builds the EIA system, has been analyzed starting from the 1982 Turkish Constitution. Then, the legislation rules are explained due to the basic steps of the EIA procedure. In order to shed light upon the application, the EIA final decisions given until today, the results, and their distributions to the industries are assessed. In the final part of the study, a SWOT analysis is made to mention the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and threats of the EIA system in Turkey.

Evaluation of a Newly Developed Lateral Flow Immunoassay for the Diagnosis of Cryptococcosis

PubMed Central

Lindsley, Mark D.; Mekha, Nanthawan; Baggett, Henry C.; Surinthong, Yupha; Autthateinchai, Rinrapas; Sawatwong, Pongpun; Harris, Julie R.; Park, Benjamin J.; Chiller, Tom; Poonwan, Natteewan

2011-01-01

Background. Cryptococcosis is a common opportunistic infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected individuals mostly occurring in resource-limited countries. This study compares the performance of a recently developed lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) to blood culture and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis. Methods. Archived sera from 704 HIV-infected patients hospitalized for acute respiratory illness in Thailand were tested for cryptococcal antigenemia using EIA. All EIA-positive and a subset of EIA-negative sera were tested by LFA, with results recorded after 5 and 15 minutes incubation. Urine from patients with LFA- and EIA-positive sera was tested by LFA. Antigen results from patients with positive cryptococcal blood cultures were compared. Results. Of 704 sera, 92 (13%) were positive by EIA; among the 91 EIA-positive sera tested by LFA, 82 (90%) and 87 (96%) were LFA positive when read after 5 and 15 minutes, respectively. Kappa agreement of EIA and LFA for sera was 0.923 after 5 minutes and 0.959 after 15 minutes, respectively. Two of 373 EIA-negative sera were LFA positive at both time points. Of 74 urine specimens from EIA-positive patients, 52 (70.3%) were LFA positive. EIA was positive in 16 of 17 sera from blood culture–positive patients (94% sensitivity), and all sera were positive by LFA (100% sensitivity). Conclusions. A high level of agreement was shown between LFA and EIA testing of serum. The LFA is a rapid, easy-to-perform assay that does not require refrigeration, demonstrating its potential usefulness as a point-of-care assay for diagnosis of cryptococcosis in resource-limited countries. PMID:21810743

Progressing quality control in environmental impact assessment beyond legislative compliance: An evaluation of the IEMA EIA Quality Mark certification scheme

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

Bond, Alan, E-mail: alan.bond@uea.ac.uk; Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University; Fischer, Thomas B, E-mail: fischer@liverpool.ac.uk

The effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems is contingent on a number of control mechanisms: procedural; judicial; evaluative; public and government agency; professional; and development aid agency. If we assume that procedural and judicial controls are guaranteed in developed EIA systems, then progressing effectiveness towards an acceptable level depends on improving the performance of other control mechanisms over time. These other control mechanisms are either absent, or are typically centrally controlled, requiring public finances; this we argue is an unpopular model in times of greater Government austerity. Here we evaluate a market-based mechanism for improving the performance of evaluativemore » and professional control mechanisms, the UK Institute of Environmental Management and Assessments' EIA Quality Mark. We do this by defining dimensions of effectiveness for the purposes of our evaluation, and by identifying international examples of the approaches taken to delivering the other control measures to validate the approach taken in the EIA Quality Mark. We then evaluate the EIA Quality Mark, when used in combination with legal procedures and an active judiciary, against the effectiveness dimensions and use time-series analysis of registrant data to examine its ability to progress practice. We conclude that the EIA Quality Mark has merit as a model for a market-based mechanism, and may prove a more financially palatable approach for delivering effective EIA in mature systems in countries that lack centralised agency oversight. It may, therefore, be of particular interest to some Member States of the European Union for ensuring forthcoming certification requirements stemming from recent amendments to the EIA Directive. - Highlights: • Quality control mechanisms in EIA are identified. • Effectiveness of EIA is conceptualised for evaluation purposes. • The UK IEMA EIA Quality Mark is introduced as a market-based mechanism. • The EIA Quality Mark is found to progress quality in many, but not all, areas.« less

Environmental Impact Assessment in the Visegrad Group countries

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

Gałaś, Slávka, E-mail: sgalas@geol.agh.edu.pl; Gałaś, Andrzej, E-mail: pollux@geol.agh.edu.pl; Zeleňáková, Martina, E-mail: martina.zelenakova@tuke.sk

Highlights: • Comparison and evaluation of EIA systems in the V4 countries are presented. • Strengths and weaknesses of EIA systems based on a questionnaire survey are stated. • The function and efficiency of the EIA application in the V4 countries are analysed. • Irregularities and shortcomings of EIA systems in the V4 should be eliminated. The Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (EIA Directive) has created a reference framework for the implementation of the system of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) into the legal systems of the Member States of the European Union, including the countries belonging to the Visegrad Group (V4):more » Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The Directive was the basis for the introduction of compulsory stages of the EIA process in the V4. The stages were then adapted to national requirements, including thresholds of the qualifying criteria of projects at the screening and scoping stages. The EIA system in the analysed countries has been growing, changing and being modified together with the political and economic changes of the last 30 years. Although all Visegrad Group countries are members of the EU and should harmonize the provisions of the EIA Directive and its amendments, there still exist singularities in each country's national EIA legislation, in terms of complementarities among the V4 countries, access to information resources, protection of natural resources, mitigation of socio-environmental impacts, or transboundary impact assessment. The article compares and evaluates the EIA systems in the four countries, specifies similarities and differences in the implementation of administrative proceedings and points out opportunities to strengthen the system. It presents selected results of a study conducted in 2013 within the framework of the international project “Assessment of the quality of the environment in the V4 Countries” (AQE V4). This paper indicates examples of good practice in the EIA systems and the obtained results are compared regarding the amendments to the current European Union EIA Directive.« less

Improved methods to estimate the effective impervious area in urban catchments using rainfall-runoff data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebrahimian, Ali; Wilson, Bruce N.; Gulliver, John S.

2016-05-01

Impervious surfaces are useful indicators of the urbanization impacts on water resources. Effective impervious area (EIA), which is the portion of total impervious area (TIA) that is hydraulically connected to the drainage system, is a better catchment parameter in the determination of actual urban runoff. Development of reliable methods for quantifying EIA rather than TIA is currently one of the knowledge gaps in the rainfall-runoff modeling context. The objective of this study is to improve the rainfall-runoff data analysis method for estimating EIA fraction in urban catchments by eliminating the subjective part of the existing method and by reducing the uncertainty of EIA estimates. First, the theoretical framework is generalized using a general linear least square model and using a general criterion for categorizing runoff events. Issues with the existing method that reduce the precision of the EIA fraction estimates are then identified and discussed. Two improved methods, based on ordinary least square (OLS) and weighted least square (WLS) estimates, are proposed to address these issues. The proposed weighted least squares method is then applied to eleven urban catchments in Europe, Canada, and Australia. The results are compared to map measured directly connected impervious area (DCIA) and are shown to be consistent with DCIA values. In addition, both of the improved methods are applied to nine urban catchments in Minnesota, USA. Both methods were successful in removing the subjective component inherent in the analysis of rainfall-runoff data of the current method. The WLS method is more robust than the OLS method and generates results that are different and more precise than the OLS method in the presence of heteroscedastic residuals in our rainfall-runoff data.

Evaluation of the Roche LightMix Gastro parasites multiplex PCR assay detecting Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, cryptosporidia, Dientamoeba fragilis, and Blastocystis hominis.

PubMed

Friesen, J; Fuhrmann, J; Kietzmann, H; Tannich, E; Müller, M; Ignatius, R

2018-03-23

Multiplex PCR assays offer highly sensitive and specific tools for the detection of enteric pathogens. This prospective study aimed at comparing the novel Roche LightMix Modular Assay Gastro Parasites (LMAGP) detecting Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystishominis, and Dientamoebafragilis with routine laboratory procedures. Stool specimens (n = 1062 from 1009 patients) were consecutively examined by LMAGP, R-Biopharm Ridascreen enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) detecting G. duodenalis or E. histolytica/dispar, and microscopy of wet mounts. Discrepant results were analysed by in-house PCR. D. fragilis or B. hominis were detected by LMAGP in 131 (14.4%) and 179 (19.9%; 16 samples positive by microscopy; p < 0.0001) of 909 samples, respectively. Of 918 samples analysed for Cryptosporidium spp., six were positive by LMAGP (three could be confirmed by Kinyoun staining and one by in-house PCR). G. duodenalis was detected by LMAGP, EIA, or microscopy in 20, 16, or 9 of 1039 stool samples, respectively; all four samples missed by EIA were confirmed by in-house PCR. In total, 938 stool samples were analysed for E. histolytica/dispar. Nine of ten EIA-positive samples were negative by LMAGP but positive by in-house PCR for E. dispar. One E. histolytica infection (positive by both LMAGP and in-house PCR) was missed by EIA and microscopy. Parasites only detected by microscopy included Enterobius vermicularis eggs (n = 3) and apathogenic amoebae (n = 27). The data call for routine use of multiplex PCR assays for the detection of enteric protozoan parasites in laboratory diagnostics. Copyright © 2018 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

78 FR 14521 - Agency Information Collection Extension With Changes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-06

...-411, ``Coordinated Bulk Power Supply Program Report,'' Form EIA-826, ``Monthly Electric Utility Sales and Revenue Report with State Distributions,'' Form EIA-860, ``Annual Electric Generator Report,'' Form EIA-860M, ``Monthly Update to the Annual Electric Generator Report,'' Form EIA-861, ``Annual...

77 FR 13313 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-06

...;'' EIA-782A, ``Refiners'/Gas Plant Operators' Monthly Petroleum Product Sales Report;'' EIA-782C, ``Monthly Report of Prime Supplier Sales of Petroleum Products Sold For Local Consumption;'' EIA-821, ``Annual Fuel Oil and Kerosene Sales Report;'' EIA-856, ``Monthly Foreign Crude Oil Acquisition Report...

Comparison of enzyme immunoassays for antibodies to Haemophilus ducreyi in a community outbreak of chancroid in the United States.

PubMed

Chen, C Y; Mertz, K J; Spinola, S M; Morse, S A

1997-06-01

The performance of two EIAs (adsorption EIA and lipooligosaccharide [LOS] EIA) that detect antibodies to Haemophilus ducreyi was evaluated with serum specimens obtained from 163 patients (96 with genital ulcer disease [GUD]). Paired serum specimens (initial and follow-up) were obtained from 52 of the GUD patients. By use of initial serum specimens from 82 GUD patients whose etiologic agents for their ulcers had been identified, the adsorption EIA had a sensitivity and specificity for chancroid of 53% and 71%, while the LOS EIA had a sensitivity and specificity of 48% and 89%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the adsorption EIA increased to 78% and 84%, respectively, when the results of follow-up serum specimens were used to calculate optimal performance. The proportion of patients testing positive for H. ducreyi who had anti-H. ducreyi IgG antibodies, as determined by adsorption EIA, increased with the duration of infection, thus limiting the role of EIAs in the diagnosis of chancroid.

Controls on project proponents and environmental impact assessment effectiveness

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

Ortolano, L.

The degree of effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) for particular projects is associated with the existence of mechanisms of organizational control. Five dimensions of EIA effectiveness are considered: procedural compliance, completeness of EIA documents, methods to assess impacts, influence on project decisions, and weight given to environmental factors. Six mechanisms of control are introduced and illustrated by programs and projects in several countries. Experience in the Philippines under President Marcos demonstrates that procedural control in the form of EIA regulations, when used without other control mechanisms, will lead at most to token compliance. Judicial control, as practiced in themore » US, yields high procedural compliance. Evaluative control can yield effective EIA, but some systems based on this form of control treat only a small fraction of the major projects proposed. Both control exerted by development assistance organizations and control by professionals have great potential for yielding effective EIA, but that potential has not been fully realized. Control exerted directly by citizens or agencies not otherwise involved in EIA is uncommon, but cases from Taiwan demonstrate that those controls can be significant. An understanding of relationships between control mechanisms and EIA effectiveness is useful in designing EIA policies and programs.« less

78 FR 53135 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-28

... Synfuel data Minor revisions to instructions and definitions Form EIA-7A: Coal Production and Preparation... Production and Preparation Report;'' EIA-8A ``Coal Stocks Report;'' EIA-20 ``Weekly Coal Monitoring Report... environment. EIA surveys are conducted to collect coal market data. The data elements include production...

Consideration of climate change impacts and adaptation in EIA practice — Perspectives of actors in Austria and Germany

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

Jiricka, Alexandra, E-mail: alexandra.jiricka@boku.ac.at; Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences, Institute for Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna; Formayer, Herbert

Current political discussions and developments indicate the importance and urgency of incorporating climate change considerations into EIA processes. The recent revision of the EU Directive 2014/52/EU on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requires changes in the EIA practice of the EU member states. This paper investigates the extent to which the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) can contribute to an early consideration of climate change consequences in planning processes. In particular the roles of different actors in order to incorporate climate change impacts and adaptation into project planning subject to EIA at the appropriate levels are a core topic. Semi-structured expert interviewsmore » were carried out with representatives of the main infrastructure companies and institutions responsible in these sectors in Austria, which have to carry out EIA regularly. In a second step expert interviews were conducted with EIA assessors and EIA authorities in Austria and Germany, in order to examine the extent to which climate-based changes are already considered in EIA processes. This paper aims to discuss the different perspectives in the current EIA practice with regard to integrating climate change impacts as well as barriers and solutions identified by the groups of actors involved, namely project developers, environmental competent authorities and consultants (EIA assessors/practitioners). The interviews show that different groups of actors consider the topic to different degrees. Downscaling of climate change scenarios is in this context both, a critical issue with regards to availability of data and costs. Furthermore, assistance for the interpretation of relevant impacts, to be deducted from climate change scenarios, on the specific environmental issues in the area is needed. The main barriers identified by the EIA experts therefore include a lack of data as well as general uncertainty as to how far climate change should be considered in the process without reliable data but in the presence of knowledge about possible consequences at an abstract level. A joint strategy on how to cope with uncertain prognoses about main impacts on environmental issues for areas without reliable data requires a discussion and cooperation between EIA consultants and environmental authorities. - Highlights: • The consideration of climate change impacts in EIA practice in Austria and Germany was analysed through expert interviews. • Barriers as well as possible solutions were indentified by the different groups of actors involved in EIA. • The main challenges regard the investigation of specific entry points. • Limits of feasibility need to be discussed amongst the different groups of actors.« less

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

Zining, Jin, E-mail: jinzn@pkusz.edu.cn

The article explores the practices of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law in China's courts by examining 107 judicial decisions. Each of the 107 judicial decisions has been analyzed to determine the time/location of the decision, what type of EIA document was referred to, what specific claim was made by the plaintiffs, and what the court's ruling was on the case. The results indicate that: unlike in Germany or Japan, all kinds of EIA decisions made by environment protect bureaus (EPBs) in China were widely taken as justiciable, and China's courts generally allowed local residents to have standing and thus challengemore » the EPBs' decisions made during the EIA process. On the other hand, the research also shows the EPBs overwhelmingly prevailed in those EIA lawsuits. It is also found that China's reviewing judges were highly self-restrained, giving obvious deference to the technocrat with the substantial contents of EIA documents. Also, the concept of “flaw” was created when it came to procedural issues. These two factors, among others, were both helping the EPBs' prevailing successes. - Highlights: • 107 judicial decisions referring to China's EIA law are examined. • The justiciability of EPB's EIA decisions were taken for granted. • The defenders overwhelmingly prevailed in those EIA lawsuits. • The reviewing judges were highly self-restrained, defering to the technocrat with the EIA documents. • A functional concept, “flaw”, was created by reviewing judges when it came to procedural issues.« less

EIA's Role in Energy Data Collection, With Some Notes on Water Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leckey, T. J.

2017-12-01

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. EIA conducts a comprehensive data collection program that covers the full spectrum of energy sources, end uses, and energy flows. This presentation will describe EIA's authority to collect energy data, report on the range of energy areas currently collected by EIA, discuss some areas where energy information and water issues intersect, and describe the relatively few areas where EIA does collect a small amount of water data. The presentation will conclude with some thoughts about necessary components for effective collection of water data at the federal level.

Evaluation of a Commercial Glycoprotein Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Measuring Vaccine Immunity to Varicella

PubMed Central

Kim, Yun Hwa; Hwang, Ji Young; Shim, Hye Min; Lee, Eunsil; Park, Songyong

2014-01-01

Purpose To evaluate a recently marketed commercial glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpEIA) kit, the VaccZyme™ VZV gpEIA, for measuring the immunity of varicella-vaccinated children. Materials and Methods We investigated the accuracy and reproducibility of the VaccZyme™ VZV gpEIA kit for the detection of antibodies to VZV. We also examined the sensitivity, specificity, and correlation between antibody titers calculated with gpEIA versus fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) by using sera of 349 children, ranging from 1 to 6 years old. Results VaccZyme™ VZV gpEIA gave precise and reproducible intra- and inter-assay results. FAMA and gpEIA titers showed a linear correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.987). The sensitivity and specificity of the VaccZyme™ gpEIA was 31.4% and 100%, respectively, when the guidelines of the gpEIA (<100 mIU/mL) and FAMA 1:4 were adopted as cutoff values. However, the maximum sensitivity and specificity were 88.9% and 95.1%, respectively, with the highest correlation (κ=0.840), if the cutoff values were set with gpEIA at 49.7 mIU/mL and FAMA 1:16. Conclusion These results demonstrate that the VaccZyme™ VZV gpEIA kit gave precise and reproducible data for measuring antibody titer after varicella vaccination. The results also showed that the antibody titer calculated with the VaccZyme™ gpEIA kit strongly correlated with the FAMA titer. However, cutoff values should be re-optimized for the evaluation of vaccine immunity. PMID:24532518

Geography, Planning and EIA.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morgan, R . K.

1987-01-01

Defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a major tool for environmental management throughout the world. Provides background to the EIA concept and describes how it might be used within secondary school geography as an integrative teaching device. Special emphasis is given to the new EIA/Seventh-Form syllabus currently being used in New…

75 FR 17702 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-07

... Forms: EIA-63A, ``Annual Solar Thermal Collector/Reflector Shipments Report.'' EIA-63B, ``Annual...://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/fed_register/renewable_2011.html . SUPPLEMENTARY...) under Section 3507(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Form EIA-63A, ``Annual Solar Thermal...

75 FR 25221 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-07

..., ``Monthly Natural Gas Liquids Report,'' EIA-817, ``Monthly Tanker and Barge Movement Report,'' EIA-819... inventories for natural gas plant liquids and liquefied refinery gases, propane (including propylene... hours; EIA-816, ``Monthly Natural Gas Liquids Report,''--0.95 hours; EIA-817, ``Monthly Tanker and Barge...

Comparison of two U.S. power-plant carbon dioxide emissions data sets

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ackerman, K.V.; Sundquist, E.T.

2008-01-01

Estimates of fossil-fuel CO2 emissions are needed to address a variety of climate-change mitigation concerns over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. We compared two data sets that report power-plant CO 2 emissions in the conterminous U.S. for 2004, the most recent year reported in both data sets. The data sets were obtained from the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Environmental Protection Agency's eGRID database. Conterminous U.S. total emissions computed from the data sets differed by 3.5% for total plant emissions (electricity plus useful thermal output) and 2.3% for electricity generation only. These differences are well within previous estimates of uncertainty in annual U.S. fossil-fuel emissions. However, the corresponding average absolute differences between estimates of emissions from individual power plants were much larger, 16.9% and 25.3%, respectively. By statistical analysis, we identified several potential sources of differences between EIA and eGRID estimates for individual plants. Estimates that are based partly or entirely on monitoring of stack gases (reported by eGRID only) differed significantly from estimates based on fuel consumption (as reported by EIA). Differences in accounting methods appear to explain differences in estimates for emissions from electricity generation from combined heat and power plants, and for total and electricity generation emissions from plants that burn nonconventional fuels (e.g., biomass). Our analysis suggests the need for care in utilizing emissions data from individual power plants, and the need for transparency in documenting the accounting and monitoring methods used to estimate emissions.

Environmental impact assessment: Retrospect and prospect

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

Jay, Stephen; Jones, Carys; Slinn, Paul

2007-05-15

The widespread experience of environmental impact assessment (EIA) as an anticipatory environmental management tool has generated a considerable debate over the extent to which it is achieving its purposes. This has been measured in terms of EIA 'effectiveness', especially as discussion has moved away from issues of procedural implementation, to the more substantive goals of EIA and its place within broader decision-making contexts. Empirical studies have revealed the relatively weak degree of influence on planning decisions that is being exerted by EIA, which is increasingly being attributed to its rationalist beginnings. This article seeks to direct this debate towards themore » founding political purposes of EIA which, it is argued, provide a neglected, yet strong, basis for EIA reform. A number of illustrative suggestions are made as a result of this redirection, to enable EIA to adopt a more determinative role in decision making and to contribute to more sustainable patterns of development planning.« less

Organizational change and environmental impact assessment at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand: 1972--1988

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

Shepherd, A.; Ortolano, L.

This study examines the influence of leadership, political entrepreneurship, and organizational change on the institutionalization of environmental impact assessment (EIA). The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) initiated EIA activities earlier and more comprehensively than most developing countries. How and why were EIA activities pursued? Part of the explanation for EGAT`s EIA activities involves external controls exerted by the World Bank, the Thai government, and concerned citizens. However, an explanation based on external factors alone overlooks the significant influence of internal forces and entrepreneurial activities within EGAT. Their analysis of EIA Adoption at EGAT reveals three factors that can contributemore » to the successful implementation of EIA: (1) mutually reinforcing support for EIA from both inside and outside a development agency, (2) political entrepreneurship by agency staff that are concerned about the environment and (3) the transformation of power relationships within the agency by environmental professionals.« less

77 FR 52708 - Request to Revise a Currently-Approved Data Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-30

... Management and Budget (OMB). EIA proposes changes to the data collection requirements for the Forms EIA-861... creation of the Form EIA-861S, ``Annual Electric Power Industry Report (Short).'' All collection instruments are under OMB Control Number 1905-0129. The Form EIA-861 proposal is to modify the survey frame...

30 CFR 250.227 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP? The following EIA information must... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP? 250.227 Section 250.227 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT...

78 FR 13656 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-28

... of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids Production EIA proposes to suspend the Form EIA-23S and collect..., and natural gas liquids reserves. EIA presents annual reserves data in EIA Web reports to meet this... concerning U.S. crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids reserves, and are incorporated into other...

Environmental Impact Assessment in the marine environment: A comparison of legal frameworks

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

Guerra, Flávia, E-mail: f.c.diasguerra@vu.nl; Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, 1500-124 Lisboa; Grilo, Catarina

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a well-established practice in most developed countries, even though its application to projects in the marine environment is at a much earlier stage of development. We use the Portuguese example to address marine EIA legislation since its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is currently the third largest in the European Union and its EIA legislation does not require various offshore activities with potentially negative environmental impacts to undergo EIA before being licensed. This paper aims to determine whether three types of projects implemented within Portuguese maritime zones – artificial reefs using sunken ships, hydrocarbon prospecting andmore » wave-energy generation – would benefit from application of an appropriately designed EIA. We have conducted a structured review of EIA legal provisions from seven other countries, and considered whether a full EIA was required for each project type. Consequently, 12 Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) have been compared to identify patterns of (dis)similarity across countries and project types. Additionally, we identified key descriptors and predicted impacts for each project type referred to in their EIS. The main conclusion is that ultimately all three projects would benefit from mandatory EIA in Portugal. This paper is relevant for countries with large maritime areas and underdeveloped marine EIA legislation, helping improve international policy-making relating to these three types of marine projects. - Highlights: • EIA is not mandatory for some project types developed in Portuguese maritime zones. • Artificial reefs, oil&gas prospecting and wave-energy licensing differ in 8 countries. • EIA should be mandatory in Portugal for artificial reefs and oil&gas prospecting. • However, an AEInc approach is enough for wave-energy projects in Portugal. • Findings could be extended to other EU countries with extensive maritime zones.« less

Diagnostic discordance for hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar; Miller, Loren G; Daar, Eric S

2005-08-01

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increase in proinflammatory cytokine levels. Similar changes are seen in maintenance hemodialysis patients with malnutrition-inflammation-cachexia syndrome (MICS), which is associated with poor clinical outcomes in this population. We hypothesized that HCV transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), a sensitive qualitative molecular test for HCV RNA, may identify maintenance hemodialysis patients with HCV infection not detected by means of antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA), particularly in those with MICS. We evaluated HCV status in 314 maintenance hemodialysis patients by using HCV antibody EIA (version 2.0; Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) and HCV TMA (Bayer Diagnostics Laboratories, Berkeley, CA). Twenty-five patients (8%) were EIA positive (EIA+)/TMA+; 4 patients (1%), EIA+/TMA negative (TMA-), and 22 patients (7%), EIA-/TMA+. In the 47 TMA+ patients, the sensitivity of EIA for HCV infection was only 53%. TMA+ patients had lower albumin levels and higher tumor necrosis factor alpha and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels than TMA- patients. EIA+/TMA+ patients were more likely than EIA-/TMA+ or EIA-/TMA- patients to have hypoalbuminemia and higher iron and transaminase levels. Of all TMA+ patients, EIA- patients were more likely to have diabetes, be on dialysis therapy longer, and have lower liver enzyme levels and higher proinflammatory cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6. Maintenance hemodialysis patients infected with HCV according to TMA have clinical features suggestive of MICS. In this population, HCV EIA appears to have a low sensitivity for the identification of HCV infection, which may be caused by the confounding effect of MICS or other demographic or clinical factors. These apparently false-negative HCV antibody test results are seen in persons with a longer time on hemodialysis therapy, mirroring observations in other populations with serious progressive conditions, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Evaluation of Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Chlamydia Microplate EIA shortened assay and comparison with cell culture and Syva Chlamydia MicroTrak II EIA in high- and low-risk populations.

PubMed

Chan, E L; Brandt, K; Horsman, G

1995-11-01

Seven hundred thirty-two female urogenital samples were collected for Chlamydia trachomatis testing by both the Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur (Chaska, Minn.) Chlamydia Microplate EIA by the shortened protocol and the Syva (San Jose, Calif.) MicroTrak II EIA, and the results were compared with those obtained by cell culture. For the analysis of samples from female patients, the patients were divided into high- and low-risk categories. An additional 121 male urethral samples were collected and tested by the Sanofi Microplate EIA and cell culture; for the analysis of samples from male patients, the patients were divided into asymptomatic and symptomatic categories. All specimens positive by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were confirmed by a blocking assay following the respective manufacturer's instructions. Specimens negative by EIA that fell within a gray zone 30% below the cutoff and negative cultures with one or more corresponding positive EIA results were tested further by cytocentrifugation and direct immunofluorescent assay. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for Syva versus culture were 94, 98.8, 85.5 and 99.6%, respectively. After resolution, the results were 94.5, 99.6, 94.5, and 99.6%, respectively. The parallel results for the Sanofi Microplate EIA versus culture were 94.0, 98.7, and 83.9, and 99.6%, respectively, and after being resolved, the results were 94.9, 100, 100, and 99.6%, respectively. In the small male population tested, the resolved results of the Sanofi Microplate EIA versus culture demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100, 100, 100, and 100%, respectively. The present study demonstrated that the Sanofi Microplate EIA shortened protocol is highly sensitive and specific in comparison with cell culture and the Syva MicroTrak II EIA.

Prediction of post-sunset ESF based on the strength and asymmetry of EIA from ground based TEC measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thampi, S. V.; Ravindran, S.; Devasia, C. V.; Pant, T. K.; Sreelatha, P.; Sridharan, R.

The Coherent Radio Beacon Experiment (CRABEX) is aimed at investigating the equatorial ionospheric processes like the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) and Equatorial Spread F (ESF) and their inter relationships. As a part of CRABEX program, a network of six stations covering the region from Trivandrum (8.5°N) to Nainital (29.3°N) is set up along the 77-78° E meridian. These ground receivers basically measure the slant Total Electron Content (TEC) along the line of sight from the Low Earth Orbiting satellites (NIMS). These simultaneous TEC measurements are inverted to obtain the tomographic image of the latitudinal distribution of electron densities in the meridional plane. In this paper, the tomographic images of the equatorial ionosphere along the 77-78°E meridian are presented. The crest intensities in the southern and northern hemispheres also show significant differences with seasons, showing the variability in the EIA asymmetry. The evening images give an indication of the prevailing electrodynamical conditions on different days, preceding the occurrence/non-occurrence of ESF. Apart from this, the single station TEC measurements from the Trivandrum station itself is used to estimate the EIA strength and asymmetry. Since this station is situated at the trough of the EIA, right over the dip equator, the latitudinal gradients on both northern (N) and southern (S) sides can be used to compute the EIA strength and asymmetry. These two parameters, obtained well ahead of the onset time of ESF, are shown to have a definite role on the subsequent ESF activity. Hence, both these factors are combined to define a new `forecast parameter' for the generation of ESF. It has been shown that this parameter can uniquely define the state of the `background ionosphere' conducive for the generation of ESF irregularities as early as 1600 IST. A critical value for the `forecast parameter' has been identified such that when the estimated value for `forecast parameter' exceeds it, the ESF is seen to occur. It is also observed that this critical value varies with season. All these aspects are studied in detail and the results are presented.

Estimating False-Recent Classification for the Limiting-Antigen Avidity EIA and BED-Capture Enzyme Immunoassay in Vietnam: Implications for HIV-1 Incidence Estimates.

PubMed

Shah, Neha S; Duong, Yen T; Le, Linh-Vi; Tuan, Nguyen Anh; Parekh, Bharat S; Ha, Hoang Thi Thanh; Pham, Quang Duy; Cuc, Cao Thi Thu; Dobbs, Trudy; Tram, Tran Hong; Lien, Truong Thi Xuan; Wagar, Nick; Yang, Chunfu; Martin, Amy; Wolfe, Mitchell; Hien, Nguyen Tran; Kim, Andrea A

2017-06-01

Laboratory tests that can distinguish recent from long-term HIV infection are used to estimate HIV incidence in a population, but can potentially misclassify a proportion of long-term HIV infections as recent. Correct application of an assay requires determination of the proportion false recents (PFRs) as part of the assay characterization and for calculating HIV incidence in a local population using a HIV incidence assay. From April 2009 to December 2010, blood specimens were collected from HIV-infected individuals attending nine outpatient clinics (OPCs) in Vietnam (four from northern and five from southern Vietnam). Participants were living with HIV for ≥1 year and reported no antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment. Basic demographic data and clinical information were collected. Specimens were tested with the BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) and the Limiting-antigen (LAg)-Avidity EIA. PFR was estimated by dividing the number of specimens classified as recent by the total number of specimens; 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Specimens that tested recent had viral load testing performed. Among 1,813 specimens (north, n = 942 and south, n = 871), the LAg-Avidity EIA PFR was 1.7% (CI: 1.2-2.4) and differed by region [north 2.7% (CI: 1.8-3.9) versus south 0.7% (CI: 0.3-1.5); p = .002]. The BED-CEIA PFR was 2.3% (CI: 1.7-3.0) and varied by region [north 3.4% (CI: 2.4-4.7) versus south 1.0% (CI: 0.5-1.2), p < .001]. Excluding specimens with an undetectable VL, the LAg-Avidity EIA PFR was 1.2% (CI: 0.8-1.9) and the BED-CEIA PFR was 1.7% (CI: 1.2-2.4). The LAg-Avidity EIA PFR was lower than the BED-CEIA PFR. After excluding specimens with an undetectable VL, the PFR for both assays was similar. A low PFR should facilitate the implementation of the LAg-Avidity EIA for cross-sectional incidence estimates in Vietnam.

Estimating False-Recent Classification for the Limiting-Antigen Avidity EIA and BED-Capture Enzyme Immunoassay in Vietnam: Implications for HIV-1 Incidence Estimates

PubMed Central

Shah, Neha S.; Duong, Yen T.; Le, Linh-Vi; Tuan, Nguyen Anh; Parekh, Bharat S.; Thanh Ha, Hoang Thi; Pham, Quang Duy; Thu Cuc, Cao Thi; Dobbs, Trudy; Tram, Tran Hong; Xuan Lien, Truong Thi; Wagar, Nick; Yang, Chunfu; Martin, Amy; Wolfe, Mitchell; Hien, Nguyen Tran; Kim, Andrea A.

2017-01-01

Laboratory tests that can distinguish recent from long-term HIV infection are used to estimate HIV incidence in a population, but can potentially misclassify a proportion of long-term HIV infections as recent. Correct application of an assay requires determination of the proportion false recents (PFRs) as part of the assay characterization and for calculating HIV incidence in a local population using a HIV incidence assay. From April 2009 to December 2010, blood specimens were collected from HIV-infected individuals attending nine outpatient clinics (OPCs) in Vietnam (four from northern and five from southern Vietnam). Participants were living with HIV for ≥1 year and reported no antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment. Basic demographic data and clinical information were collected. Specimens were tested with the BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) and the Limiting-antigen (LAg)-Avidity EIA. PFR was estimated by dividing the number of specimens classified as recent by the total number of specimens; 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Specimens that tested recent had viral load testing performed. Among 1,813 specimens (north, n = 942 and south, n = 871), the LAg-Avidity EIA PFR was 1.7% (CI: 1.2–2.4) and differed by region [north 2.7% (CI: 1.8–3.9) versus south 0.7% (CI: 0.3–1.5); p = .002]. The BED-CEIA PFR was 2.3% (CI: 1.7–3.0) and varied by region [north 3.4% (CI: 2.4–4.7) versus south 1.0% (CI: 0.5–1.2), p < .001]. Excluding specimens with an undetectable VL, the LAg-Avidity EIA PFR was 1.2% (CI: 0.8–1.9) and the BED-CEIA PFR was 1.7% (CI: 1.2–2.4). The LAg-Avidity EIA PFR was lower than the BED-CEIA PFR. After excluding specimens with an undetectable VL, the PFR for both assays was similar. A low PFR should facilitate the implementation of the LAg-Avidity EIA for cross-sectional incidence estimates in Vietnam. PMID:28193090

30 CFR 250.261 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD? The following EIA information must accompany... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD? 250.261 Section 250.261 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY...

Wind and Solar Data Projections from the U.S. Energy Information Administration: Past Performance and Planned Enhancements

EIA Publications

2016-01-01

In an effort to improve EIA's approach to providing accurate, comprehensive data, and useful projections for policy analysis, EIA has conducted a review of its historical data and projections of capacity, generation, and cost projections for wind and solar technologies. While EIA's internal processes and engagement with stakeholders are both continuing, this paper shares some early findings of EIA's current review of our wind and solar data and projections, focusing in part on some of the issues that have been publicly raised by EIA's critics.

Implications of recent EIA changes in Thailand

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

Tongcumpou, C.; Harvey, N.

The practice of environmental impact assessment (EIA) was implemented in Thailand after the revision of the National Environmental Quality Act in 1978. This led to more than 3,000 EIA documents being prepared and officially submitted up to 1992. More recently, a new act, the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, was introduced in 1992. As a consequence, some aspects of environmental legislation have been improved including the EIA process, which is expected to be more effective under the new act. This article examines the development and implementation of the EIA process in Thailand and its effectiveness in themore » context of its performance as an environmental management tool. The strengths and weaknesses of the EIA process under the original act are analyzed and compared to the new act, using two case studies in order to gain an insight into the EIA system. The first is the Second Stage Expressway in Bangkok, and the second is the Pak Mun Hydroelectric Dam project in Ubon Rachathani, a northeastern province of Thailand. EIAs for these projects were originally submitted according to the requirements of the old act. Both are public projects that have aroused controversy for different environmental reasons, although final decisions have been made facilitating the implementation of these projects. Finally, the article presents some suggestions for improving the content and procedures for the EIA system in Thailand.« less

31 CFR 26.3 - Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). 26.3 Section 26.3 Money and...) 466-8191, not a toll-free call). (ii) If a copy of an EIA Summary is not available from the BIC...

31 CFR 26.3 - Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). 26.3 Section 26.3 Money and...) 466-8191, not a toll-free call). (ii) If a copy of an EIA Summary is not available from the BIC...

31 CFR 26.3 - Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). 26.3 Section 26.3 Money and...) 466-8191, not a toll-free call). (ii) If a copy of an EIA Summary is not available from the BIC...

31 CFR 26.3 - Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). 26.3 Section 26.3 Money and...) 466-8191, not a toll-free call). (ii) If a copy of an EIA Summary is not available from the BIC...

31 CFR 26.3 - Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Availability of Environmental Impact Assessment Summaries (EIA Summaries) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). 26.3 Section 26.3 Money and...) 466-8191, not a toll-free call). (ii) If a copy of an EIA Summary is not available from the BIC...

Ecological compensation and Environmental Impact Assessment in Spain

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

Villarroya, Ana, E-mail: avillarroya@alumni.unav.e; Puig, Jordi, E-mail: jpbaguer@unav.e

2010-11-15

To achieve meaningful sustainable development, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should avoid the net losses in the environment resource base. But EIA practice does not always avoid the losses caused by the implementation of the projects under EIA regulation. Some environmental impacts are, simply, admitted, even without enforcing any form of compensation. When applied, compensation is sometimes just a monetary payment to offset the environmental loss. This paper looks for evidence on the role that compensation is given at present in EIA practice in Spain, and for some of its conceptual and regulatory roots. Specifically, it explores how compensation is addressedmore » in 1302 records of decision (RODs) on those projects subject to the Spanish EIA regulation published during the years 2006 and 2007, to know how far Spain is from preserving the environmental resource base managed through this particular aspect of EIA practice. As a result, it is concluded that the practice of ecological compensation in EIA in Spain is much lower than it could be expected in a theoretical sustainability context committed to avoid net losses in the environment resource base, mainly due to an EIA practice focused on on-site mitigation that allows these net losses.« less

False-positive buprenorphine EIA urine toxicology results due to high dose morphine: a case report.

PubMed

Tenore, Peter L

2012-01-01

In monitoring a patient with chronic pain who was taking high-dose morphine and oxycodone with weekly urine enzymatic immunoassay (EIA) toxicology testing, the authors noted consistent positives for buprenorphine. The patient was not taking buprenorphine, and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GCMS) testing on multiple samples revealed no buprenorphine, indicating a case of false-positive buprenorphine EIAs in a high-dose opiate case. The authors discontinued oxycodone for a period of time and then discontinued morphine. Urine monitoring with EIAs and GCMS revealed false-positive buprenorphine EIAs, which remained only when the patient was taking morphine. When taking only oxycodone and no morphine, urine samples became buprenorphine negative. When morphine was reintroduced, false-positive buprenorphine results resumed. Medical practitioners should be aware that high-dose morphine (with morphine urine levels turning positive within the 15,000 to 28,000 mg/mL range) may produce false-positive buprenorphine EIAs with standard urine EIA toxicology testing.

The impact of the 17 March 2015- St. Patrick's Day storm on the evolutionary pattern of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly over the Indian longitudes using high resolution spatio-temporal TEC maps - New insights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, S.; Sunda, S.; Sridharan, R.

2016-12-01

The impact of the St. Patrick's Day storm (17 March 2015) on the major equatorial electro-dynamical process viz., the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) has been assessed using 2D (lat. x long.) total electron content (TEC) maps generated from the ground based SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) enabled receiver data. The various aspects of EIA viz., i) evolution/devolution, ii) longitudinal structure, and iii) its variability during different phases of a geomagnetic storm have been brought out. These 2D TEC maps, which have a large latitudinal (5̊ S-45° N) and longitudinal (55-110° E) coverage, show the complete reversal in the longitudinal structure of EIA during the recovery phase of the storm as compared to the quiet day. These results have been explained in the light of the combined effects of the storm associated processes viz., i) the penetration electric fields of magnetosphere origin, ii) storm induced thermospheric winds, and iii) activation of the consequent disturbance dynamo, effectively distorting the longitudinal wave number 4 (WN4) structure of the EIA. It has been shown unambiguously that even a separation of few degrees in longitude ( 30̊) could experience significantly different forcings. The relevance and the far reaching consequences of the study in the light of the current trends and requirements for reliable satellite based navigation are highlighted.

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

Ngunjiri, P.G.

The aim for this research is to review environmental impact assessment (EIA) practices in sub-Saharan Africa, drawing upon appropriate theoretical and methodological work on EIA. This study uses a comparative evaluation method to examine the extent of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in project analysis. It uses site and services low cost housing projects from Kenya. The research has three major components: (1) review of environmental practice in Sub-Saharan Africa through literature review and case studies; (2) review of general literature on EIA as practiced by international agencies and developed countries; and (3) formulation of more suitable guidelines for EIA proceduresmore » in Sub-Saharan Africa.« less

How EIA Estimates Natural Gas Production

EIA Publications

2004-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes estimates monthly and annually of the production of natural gas in the United States. The estimates are based on data EIA collects from gas producing states and data collected by the U. S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) in the Department of Interior. The states and MMS collect this information from producers of natural gas for various reasons, most often for revenue purposes. Because the information is not sufficiently complete or timely for inclusion in EIA's Natural Gas Monthly (NGM), EIA has developed estimation methodologies to generate monthly production estimates that are described in this document.

A quantitative method to analyze the quality of EIA information in wind energy development and avian/bat assessments

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

Chang, Tony, E-mail: tc282@nau.edu; Nielsen, Erik, E-mail: erik.nielsen@nau.edu; Auberle, William, E-mail: william.auberle@nau.edu

2013-01-15

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been a tool for decision makers since the enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Since that time, few analyses have been performed to verify the quality of information and content within EIAs. High quality information within assessments is vital in order for decision makers, stake holders, and the public to understand the potential impact of proposed actions on the ecosystem and wildlife species. Low quality information has been a major cause for litigation and economic loss. Since 1999, wind energy development has seen an exponential growth with unknown levels of impact onmore » wildlife species, in particular bird and bat species. The purpose of this article is to: (1) develop, validate, and apply a quantitative index to review avian/bat assessment quality for wind energy EIAs; and (2) assess the trends and status of avian/bat assessment quality in a sample of wind energy EIAs. This research presents the development and testing of the Avian and Bat Assessment Quality Index (ABAQI), a new approach to quantify information quality of ecological assessments within wind energy development EIAs in relation to avian and bat species based on review areas and factors derived from 23 state wind/wildlife siting guidance documents. The ABAQI was tested through a review of 49 publicly available EIA documents and validated by identifying high variation in avian and bat assessments quality for wind energy developments. Of all the reviewed EIAs, 66% failed to provide high levels of preconstruction avian and bat survey information, compared to recommended factors from state guidelines. This suggests the need for greater consistency from recommended guidelines by state, and mandatory compliance by EIA preparers to avoid possible habitat and species loss, wind energy development shut down, and future lawsuits. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We developed, validated, and applied a quantitative index to review avian/bat assessment quality for wind energy EIAs. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We assessed the trends and status of avian/bat assessment quality in a sample of wind energy EIAs. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Applied index to 49 EIA documents and identified high variation in assessment quality for wind energy developments. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer For the reviewed EIAs, 66% provided inadequate preconstruction avian and bat survey information.« less

Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay system for measuring herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1-specific and HSV type 2-specific IgG antibodies.

PubMed

Prince, H E; Ernst, C E; Hogrefe, W R

2000-01-01

MRL Diagnostics has developed a dual enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system that employs the recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type-specific glycoproteins G1 (HSV1) and G2 (HSV2) to detect HSV type-specific IgG antibodies. This system was evaluated using 155 consecutive sera previously tested in a conventional dual EIA system (Zeus) that employs multiple HSV1 and HSV2 proteins to detect type-common as well as type-specific antibodies. Sera were also analyzed by Western blot to determine the true HSV type-specific IgG reactivity pattern. Of 110 sera giving concordant reactivity patterns in the MRL and Zeus EIA systems, 108 (98%) also displayed concordant Western blot patterns; two sera gave false positive HSV2 reactivity in both EIA systems. Of 45 sera giving discordant MRL and Zeus EIA reactivity patterns, 41 (91%) displayed a Western blot reactivity pattern that matched the MRL reactivity pattern. Both the HSV1 IgG component and the HSV2 IgG component of the MRL EIA system were 100% sensitive and > 95% specific. In contrast, the Zeus HSV1 IgG EIA was 98% sensitive and 79% specific, and the Zeus HSV2 IgG EIA was 85% sensitive and 79% specific. An analysis of the distribution of index values in the MRL EIA system showed that low-positive values (1.0-3.0) were rare, but, when detected, often represented false positive results; only 11 MRL low-positive results were observed, but all 6 MRL false positive results were found within this low-positive subgroup. These findings show that the MRL dual EIA system effectively detects HSV type-specific IgG antibodies. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Evaluation of bioMérieux's Dissociated Vidas Lyme IgM II and IgG II as a First-Tier Diagnostic Assay for Lyme Disease

PubMed Central

Delorey, Mark J.; Replogle, Adam; Sexton, Christopher; Schriefer, Martin E.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The recommended laboratory diagnostic approach for Lyme disease is a standard two-tiered testing (STTT) algorithm where the first tier is typically an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that if positive or equivocal is reflexed to Western immunoblotting as the second tier. bioMérieux manufactures one of the most commonly used first-tier EIAs in the United States, the combined IgM/IgG Vidas test (LYT). Recently, bioMérieux launched its dissociated first-tier tests, the Vidas Lyme IgM II (LYM) and IgG II (LYG) EIAs, which use purified recombinant test antigens and a different algorithm than STTT. The dissociated LYM/LYG EIAs were evaluated against the combined LYT EIA using samples from 471 well-characterized Lyme patients and controls. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the performance of these EIAs as first-tier tests and when used in two-tiered algorithms, including a modified two-tiered testing (MTTT) approach where the second-tier test was a C6 EIA. Similar sensitivities and specificities were obtained for the two testing strategies (LYT versus LYM/LYG) when used as first-tier tests (sensitivity, 83 to 85%; specificity, 85 to 88%) with an observed agreement of 80%. Sensitivities of 68 to 69% and 76 to 77% and specificities of 97% and 98 to 99% resulted when the two EIA strategies were followed by Western immunoblotting and when used in an MTTT, respectively. The MTTT approach resulted in significantly higher sensitivities than did STTT. Overall, the LYM/LYG EIAs performed equivalently to the LYT EIA in test-to-test comparisons or as first-tier assays in STTT or MTTT with few exceptions. PMID:28330884

[GM1-dot-EIA for the detection of toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae strains].

PubMed

Markina, O V; Alekseeva, L P; Telesmanich, N R; Chemisova, O S; Akulova, M V; Markin, N V

2011-05-01

A new variant of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been developed on the basis of GM1 gangliosides to detect the toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae strains--GM1-dot-EIA. Experiments were run using a nitrocellulose membrane to bind GM1 gangliosides and polyclonal antitoxic serum to detect cholerogen. GM1-dot-EIA testing identified cholera toxin in 11 of 13 supernatants of V. cholerae eltor ctx(+) strains isolated from man and in 3 of 7 supernatants of V. cholerae eltor ctx(+) strains isolated from water. These data agree with those obtained in CM1-EIA. There was no reaction with the supernatants of other microorganisms. The sensitivity of the technique was 10 ng/ml. Thus, the simple and specific GM1-dot-EIA may be recommended to detect toxin-producing V cholerae strains isolated from man and water.

Practitioner perspectives on the role of science in environmental impact assessment.

PubMed

Morrison-Saunders, Angus; Bailey, John

2003-06-01

A large body of literature addresses the role of science in environmental impact assessment (EIA) but less attention has been given to the views of practitioners themselves. In this research a survey of 31 EIA practitioners in Western Australia was undertaken to determine their perceptions of the quality and importance of science in EIA. The survey results are compared with previous theoretical, empirical, and survey studies of the role of science in EIA. Interview questions addressed the role of science in impact prediction, monitoring activities, mitigation and management, and EIA decision-making. It was clear from the interviews that many practitioners are satisfied with the quality of science currently used in EIA, but do not believe that it is given sufficient importance in the process. The quality and importance of science in the predecision stages of EIA was rated higher than in the postdecision stages. While science was perceived to provide the basis for baseline data collection, impact prediction, and mitigation design, it was seen to be less important during decision-making and ongoing project management. Science was seen to be just one input to decision-makers along with other factors such as sociopolitical and economic considerations. While time and budget constraints were seen to limit the scientific integrity of EIA activities, pressure from the public and regulatory authorities increased it. Improving the scientific component of EIA will require consideration of all these factors, not just the technical issues.

Use of Animal Species Data in Environmental Impact Assessments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knegtering, Edo; Drees, J. Marijke; Geertsema, Paul; Huitema, Hans J.; Uiterkamp, Anton J. M. Schoot

2005-12-01

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) should ideally help minimize adverse effects on biological diversity by considering impacts of projects on wide ranges of species. This paper investigates how recent Dutch EIAs included the species comprising animal diversity. We present results of two studies on fauna data used in the EIAs. Objectives were to determine for different taxa (a) the relative representation of species in Environmental Impact Statements (EISs); (b) the extent to which EISs referred to specific species and the accuracy of survey data referred to; and (c) apparent roles of different EIA actors in species inclusion. EIAs were found to use data on various taxa but on limited numbers of species. The frequency with which taxa were included varied significantly. Birds were most frequently included, followed by mammals, amphibians, and other species groups. The quality of data on birds exceeded that regarding other vertebrates. Our results indicate that (a) EIA working groups of independent experts were the most influential in determining the data to be used; (b) on average, proponents included data more often than required by guidelines; and (c) in 30 to 40% of the EIAs, the participation of nongovernmental organizations prompted use of data. Despite the key role of experts in data inclusion, the taxon rankings found in the EIAs showed little deviation from those observed in studies on people’s preferences for species. Given the limited ranges of species considered, it is doubtful that the EIAs examined effectively contributed to conserving animal species diversity.

The strength and hemispheric asymmetry of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly during two geomagnetic storms in 2013 from Global Ionosphere Map and SAMI2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Weihua; Zhu, Zhengping; Lan, Jiaping

2016-08-01

The variations of the strength and the hemispheric asymmetry of EIA were studied by Global Ionosphere Map (GIM) and SAMI2 during two geomagnetic storm periods in March and June 2013. Compared with the 30-days median TEC, the TEC at the two crests of EIA had small variations while the TEC at the trough had a more remarkable variation for the two storms after the SSC. The TEC difference between the two EIA peaks had an increase or decrease several hours after the SSC, the asymmetry between the two crests of EIA represented by the defined asymmetry index has no obvious variations except several hours after the SSC, and EIA strength represented by the Crest-to-Trough Ratio (CTR) had a remarkable increase one day after the SSC day for March storm and decrease several hours after the SSC for June storm. The variations last several hours, with more than 40% variations compared with the value during the quiet period. The EIA peaks were also found to move toward the equator after the SSC during the two storms. The simulation from SAMI2 and HWM07 also shows that EIA crests would move toward the equator during storm time and EIA strength would decrease, which suggests that the disturbed neutral wind and disturbed electric field may be important factors affecting the EIA during the storm periods.

Public participation in environmental impact assessment: why, who and how?

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

Glucker, Anne N., E-mail: anne.glucker@gmx.de; Driessen, Peter P.J., E-mail: p.driessen@uu.nl; Kolhoff, Arend, E-mail: akolhoff@eia.nl

2013-11-15

Even a cursory glance at the literature on environmental impact assessment (EIA) reveals that public participation is being considered as an integral part of the assessment procedure. Public participation in EIA is commonly deemed to foster democratic policy-making and to render EIA more effective. Yet a closer look at the literature unveils that, beyond this general assertion, opinions of the precise meaning, objectives and adequate representation of public participation in EIA considerably diverge. Against this background, in this article we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the academic debate on public participation in EIA concerning its meaning, objectives andmore » adequate level of inclusiveness. In so doing, we hope to stimulate a more focused debate on the subject, which is key to advancing the research agenda. Furthermore, this paper may serve as a starting point for practitioners involved in defining the role of public participation in EIA practice. -- Highlights: • There is little reflection on the meaning, objectives and adequate level of inclusiveness of public participation in EIA. • We provide a comprehensive overview of the academic debate on public participation in EIA concerning the meaning, objectives and adequate level of inclusiveness. • Theoretical claims put forth by scholars are contrasted with empirical evidence. • Overview shall stimulate a more focused debate on the subject. • This paper may serve as a starting point for practitioners involved in defining the role of public participation in EIA.« less

Total electron content disturbances during minor sudden stratospheric warming, over the Brazilian region: A case study during January 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vieira, F.; Fagundes, P. R.; Venkatesh, K.; Goncharenko, L. P.; Pillat, V. G.

2017-02-01

The effects of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) on ionosphere have been investigated by several scientists, using different observational techniques and model simulations. However, the minor SSW event during January 2012 is one of those that are less studied. Influences of several types of possible drivers—minor SSW event, changing solar flux, moderate geomagnetic storm on 22-25 January, and one of the largest solar proton events on 23-30 January—make it a challenging period to interpret. In the present study, the GPS-total electron content (TEC) measurements from a network of 72 receivers over the Brazilian region are considered. This network of 72 GPS-TEC locations lies between 5°N and 30°S (35°) latitudes and 35°W and 65°W (30°) longitudes. Further, two chains of GPS receivers are used to study the response of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in the Brazilian eastern and western sectors, as well as its day-to-day variability before and during the SSW-2012. It was noted that the TEC is depleted to the order of 30% all over the Brazilian region, from equator to beyond the EIA regions and from east to west sectors. It is also noticed that the EIA strengths at the east and west sectors were weakened during the SSW-2012. However, the Brazilian eastern sector was found to be more disturbed compared to the western sector during this SSW-2012 event.

Passive Multistatic Detection of Maritime Targets using Opportunistic Radars

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-01

coordinate position for aa =1:1:length(Err_time1) Err_Total1( aa ) = max(abs(Err_time1( aa )),abs(Err_L1( aa ))+abs(Err_thetaR1( aa ))); end for aa =1...1:length(Err_time1) Err_Total1( aa ) = max(abs(Err_Total1( aa )),abs(Err_thetaR1( aa ))); end 93 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Tx 2...Err_Total2=zeros(size(Err_time2)); % Find th emax of the three source of error and use that for that % coordinate position for aa =1:1:length

Tailoring of EIA-649-1: Definition of Major (Class I) Engineering Change Proposal

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-15

MISSILE SYSTEMS CENTER TAILORING TAILORING OF EIA -649-1: DEFINITION OF MAJOR (CLASS I) ENGINEERING CHANGE PROPOSAL APPROVED FOR...PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED 1 Tailoring of EIA -649-1: Definition of Major (Class I) ECP. 1. Intent of this Tailoring Document...This tailoring document remedies a requirements gap in the industry consensus standard, EIA -649-1: 2015. Specifically, this tailoring provides a

Environmental impact assessment (EIA): an overlooked instrument for sustainable development in Pakistan.

PubMed

Saeed, Rashid; Sattar, Ayesha; Iqbal, Zafar; Imran, Muhammad; Nadeem, Raziya

2012-04-01

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a policy tool used for evaluating a project proposal from physical and socioeconomic environmental perspectives. Its aim is to reduce the impact of development on environment, hence, ensuring environmental sustainability. It is mandatory to submit an Environmental Impact Statement before starting a mega project as required by Environmental Protection Act of 1997 and Environmental Policy of Pakistan. Public consultation plays a key role in an EIA system, identifying the likely aspects and impacts of a development activity. This aspect has been ignored in effective enactment of environmental legislation in Pakistan. Sufficient legislative instruments are there to support EIA system in the country but the agencies responsible for the enforcement of environmental regulations have failed to do so. The current research gives an insight into the actual status of EIA system in Pakistan along with the feedback of EIA specialists and university teachers of the concerned departments. A new index has been devised on the basis of questionnaire response to work out the overall performance of EIA system in Pakistan or any other country. The weaknesses and deficiencies of each EIA stage have been worked out for Pakistan and elaborated with the help of the controversial Zero point Interchange Project in the capital city of Pakistan.

Manufacturing Energy Consumption Data Show Large Reductions in Both Manufacturing Energy Use and the Energy Intensity of Manufacturing Activity between 2002 and 2010

EIA Publications

2013-01-01

Total energy consumption in the manufacturing sector decreased by 17% from 2002 to 2010, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS).

Transient behaviour of EIT and EIA in an optical-radio two-photon coupling configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaoli; Yang, Zicai; Shang, Yaxuan

2012-11-01

Both electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) and transparency (EIT) can be obtained in a modified quasi-lambda four level system consisting of an optical-radio two-photon coupling field and a probing field. A physical account of EIA and EIT is given in terms of a transient state picture in this paper. It can be seen that the optical coupling field in this quasi-lambda four level system has a crucial effect on the forming of EIA and EIT. An EIA is observed under a resonant optical coupling and it evolves into an EIT when there is a detuning.

Detection of RSV Antibodies in Human Plasma by Enzyme Immunoassays.

PubMed

Jadhao, Samadhan J; Anderson, Larry J

2016-01-01

Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) to detect and quantify antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and RSV proteins in human plasma or sera are described. The first EIA uses RSV lysate antigens produced in HEp-2 cell line. The second EIA uses RSV F or G gene-expressed antigen in HEp-2 cells. The third EIA uses 30-amino acid synthetic peptides from central conserved region of G protein of RSV A2 or RSV B1 virus and a peptide from the SARS CoV nucleoprotein as a negative control peptide. All three EIAs have been evaluated for detecting and quantifying the respective antibodies in human sera or plasma.

Comparison of 2 Assays for Diagnosing Rotavirus and Evaluating Vaccine Effectiveness in Children with Gastroenteritis

PubMed Central

Mijatovic-Rustempasic, Slavica; Tam, Ka Ian; Lyde, Freda C.; Payne, Daniel C.; Szilagyi, Peter; Edwards, Kathryn; Staat, Mary Allen; Weinberg, Geoffrey A.; Hall, Caroline B.; Chappell, James; McNeal, Monica; Gentsch, Jon R.; Bowen, Michael D.; Parashar, Umesh D.

2013-01-01

We compared rotavirus detection rates in children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and in healthy controls using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and semiquantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). We calculated rotavirus vaccine effectiveness using different laboratory-based case definitions to determine which best identified the proportion of disease that was vaccine preventable. Of 648 AGE patients, 158 (24%) were EIA positive, and 157 were also qRT-PCR positive. An additional 65 (10%) were qRT-PCR positive but EIA negative. Of 500 healthy controls, 1 was EIA positive and 24 (5%) were qRT-PCR positive. Rotavirus vaccine was highly effective (84% [95% CI 71%–91%]) in EIA-positive children but offered no significant protection (14% [95% CI −105% to 64%]) in EIA-negative children for whom virus was detected by qRT-PCR alone. Children with rotavirus detected by qRT-PCR but not by EIA were not protected by vaccination, suggesting that rotavirus detected by qRT-PCR alone might not be causally associated with AGE in all patients. PMID:23876518

EIA Household Energy Use Data Now Includes Detail on 16 States

EIA Publications

2011-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is releasing new benchmark estimates for home energy use for the year 2009 that include detailed data for 16 states, 12 more than in past EIA residential energy surveys.

Overestimation of the 25(OH)D serum concentration with the automated IDS EIA kit.

PubMed

Cavalier, Etienne; Huberty, Véronique; Cormier, Catherine; Souberbielle, Jean-Claude

2011-02-01

We have recently observed an increasing number of patients presenting very high serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (> 150 ng/mL), which, in all cases, had been measured with the IDS EIA kit adapted on different "open" automated platforms. We performed a comparison between the IDS EIA kit adapted on two different "open"automated platforms and the DiaSorin RIA. We found a systematic bias (higher levels with the IDS EIA kit) for concentrations more than 50-60 ng/mL that was less obvious when the IDS EIA was used in its manual procedure. We thus suggest to use the IDS EIA kit in its manual procedure rather than to adapt it on an automated platform, and to interpret cautiously a 25(OH)D greater than 100 ng/mL with this kit. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Total Triiodothyronine by Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA),

DTIC Science & Technology

Graves ’ disease . Traditionally, radioimmunoassays (RIA) have been employed for the determination of total T3. Enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and fluorescence immunoassays (FIA) have been developed for many of the analytes that formerly were measured using RIA. One variation of this new generation of immunoassays is fluorescence polarization. A fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) method for total T3 has been automated by adaptation to the TDx (Abbott, Chicago, IL) clinical analyzer. The TDx total T3 assay has been evaluated as a replacement for an RIA total T3

Can a toxin gene NAAT be used to predict toxin EIA and the severity of Clostridium difficile infection?

PubMed

Garvey, Mark I; Bradley, Craig W; Wilkinson, Martyn A C; Holden, Elisabeth

2017-01-01

Diagnosis of C. difficile infection (CDI) is controversial because of the many laboratory methods available and their lack of ability to distinguish between carriage, mild or severe disease. Here we describe whether a low C. difficile toxin B nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) cycle threshold (CT) can predict toxin EIA, CDI severity and mortality. A three-stage algorithm was employed for CDI testing, comprising a screening test for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), followed by a NAAT, then a toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA). All diarrhoeal samples positive for GDH and NAAT between 2012 and 2016 were analysed. The performance of the NAAT CT value as a classifier of toxin EIA outcome was analysed using a ROC curve; patient mortality was compared to CTs and toxin EIA via linear regression models. A CT value ≤26 was associated with ≥72% toxin EIA positivity; applying a logistic regression model we demonstrated an association between low CT values and toxin EIA positivity. A CT value of ≤26 was significantly associated ( p  = 0.0262) with increased one month mortality, severe cases of CDI or failure of first line treatment. The ROC curve probabilities demonstrated a CT cut off value of 26.6. Here we demonstrate that a CT ≤26 indicates more severe CDI and is associated with higher mortality. Samples with a low CT value are often toxin EIA positive, questioning the need for this additional EIA test. A CT ≤26 could be used to assess the potential for severity of CDI and guide patient treatment.

Directory of Energy Information Administration model abstracts 1988

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

Not Available

1988-01-01

This directory contains descriptions about each basic and auxiliary model, including the title, acronym, purpose, and type, followed by more detailed information on characteristics, uses, and requirements. For developing models, limited information is provided. Sources for additional information are identified. Included in this directory are 44 EIA models active as of February 1, 1988; 16 of which operate on personal computers. Models that run on personal computers are identified by ''PC'' as part of the acronyms. The main body of this directory is an alphabetical listing of all basic and auxiliary EIA models. Appendix A identifies major EIA modeling systemsmore » and the models within these systems, and Appendix B identifies EIA models by type (basic or auxiliary). Appendix C lists developing models and contact persons for those models. A basic model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being sufficiently important to require sustained support and public scrutiny. An auxiliary model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being used only occasionally in analyses, and therefore requires minimal levels of documentation. A developing model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being under development and yet of sufficient interest to require a basic level of documentation at a future date. EIA also leases models developed by proprietary software vendors. Documentation for these ''proprietary'' models is the responsibility of the companies from which they are leased. EIA has recently leased models from Chase Econometrics, Inc., Data Resources, Inc. (DRI), the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (WEFA). Leased models are not abstracted here.« less

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

Cardenas, Ibsen C., E-mail: c.cardenas@utwente.nl; Halman, Johannes I.M., E-mail: J.I.M.Halman@utwente.nl

Uncertainty is virtually unavoidable in environmental impact assessments (EIAs). From the literature related to treating and managing uncertainty, we have identified specific techniques for coping with uncertainty in EIAs. Here, we have focused on basic steps in the decision-making process that take place within an EIA setting. More specifically, we have identified uncertainties involved in each decision-making step and discussed the extent to which these can be treated and managed in the context of an activity or project that may have environmental impacts. To further demonstrate the relevance of the techniques identified, we have examined the extent to which themore » EIA guidelines currently used in Colombia consider and provide guidance on managing the uncertainty involved in these assessments. Some points that should be considered in order to provide greater robustness in impact assessments in Colombia have been identified. These include the management of stakeholder values, the systematic generation of project options, and their associated impacts as well as the associated management actions, and the evaluation of uncertainties and assumptions. We believe that the relevant and specific techniques reported here can be a reference for future evaluations of other EIA guidelines in different countries. - Highlights: • uncertainty is unavoidable in environmental impact assessments, EIAs; • we have identified some open techniques to EIAs for treating and managing uncertainty in these assessments; • points for improvement that should be considered in order to provide greater robustness in EIAs in Colombia have been identified; • the paper provides substantiated a reference for possible examinations of EIAs guidelines in other countries.« less

Factors affecting urine EIA sensitivity in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in men.

PubMed Central

Talbot, H; Romanowski, B

1994-01-01

OBJECTIVE--This study examined the effects of four variables on the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urine from men by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). These variables were: symptoms and signs of urethritis, urine polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN), inclusion counts from urethral chlamydia cell cultures and the time between testing and last voiding. METHODS--Included were patients with and without symptoms and/or signs of urethritis attending the Edmonton Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic. Men were asked to submit a 20 ml volume urine sample. Urethral swabs were collected for gram stain, chlamydia and gonorrhea culture. RESULTS--A total of 318 men were evaluated of whom 47 had chlamydia. Excluding six men who were coinfected with gonorrhoea, sensitivities and specificities of the Microtrak, Chlamydiazyme and IDEIA systems were 78.1% and 99.6%, 75.6% and 100%, and 80.5% and 97.8% respectively. Last void time did not affect the sensitivity. However, sensitivity was best when applied to men with severe evidence of urethritis. CONCLUSION--There is evidence that urine EIA could be used to detect chlamydia in men with acute urethritis but not in those without signs of urethritis. PMID:8206466

Study of the behaviour of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) during solar flares

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, Malini; Astafyeva, Elvira

2014-05-01

A solar flare occurring in the sun's chromosphere is observed in various wavebands (radio to x-rays). The response of the solar flare which causes sudden changes in the earth's ionosphere is not yet well understood though investigations suggested that its impact depends on the size and location of occurrence of solar flare on sun. Considering this, we have carried an investigation to study the response of two strong and gradual solar flares: 2 Apr 2001 (X20, limb) and 7 Feb 2010 (M6.4, disk) on the earth's equatorial-low latitude regions using multi-technique observations of satellite and ground-based instruments. We found a weakening of strength of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in total electron content during both the flares as observed by TOPEX, JASON-1 and JASON-2 altimeter measurements. The H component of the geomagnetic field also shows a sudden change at equatorial and low latitude stations in the sunlit hemisphere during the flare. The observations of ionosonde at low-latitudes indicate a strong absorption of higher-frequency radio signals. The detail response of these flare on EIA of the earth's ionosphere will be presented and discussed.

A model of objective weighting for EIA.

PubMed

Ying, L G; Liu, Y C

1995-06-01

In spite of progress achieved in the research of environmental impact assessment (EIA), the problem of weight distribution for a set of parameters has not as yet, been properly solved. This paper presents an approach of objective weighting by using a procedure of P ij principal component-factor analysis (P ij PCFA), which suits specifically those parameters measured directly by physical scales. The P ij PCFA weighting procedure reforms the conventional weighting practice in two aspects: first, the expert subjective judgment is replaced by the standardized measure P ij as the original input of weight processing and, secondly, the principal component-factor analysis is introduced to approach the environmental parameters for their respective contributions to the totality of the regional ecosystem. Not only is the P ij PCFA weighting logical in theoretical reasoning, it also suits practically all levels of professional routines in natural environmental assessment and impact analysis. Having been assured of objectivity and accuracy in the EIA case study of the Chuansha County in Shanghai, China, the P ij PCFA weighting procedure has the potential to be applied in other geographical fields that need assigning weights to parameters that are measured by physical scales.

Directory of Energy Information Administration model abstracts

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

Not Available

1987-08-11

This report contains brief statements from the model managers about each model's title, acronym, purpose, and status, followed by more detailed information on characteristics, uses, and requirements. Sources for additional information are identified. All models ''active'' through March 1987 are included. The main body of this directory is an alphabetical list of all active EIA models. Appendix A identifies major EIA modeling systems and the models within these systems, and Appendix B identifies active EIA models by type (basic, auxiliary, and developing). A basic model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being sufficiently important to require sustained supportmore » and public scrutiny. An auxiliary model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being used only occasionally in analyses, and therefore requires minimal levels of documentation. A developing model is one designated by the EIA Administrator as being under development and yet of sufficient interest to require a basic level of documentation at a future date. EIA also leases models developed by proprietary software vendors. Documentation for these ''proprietary'' models is the responsibility of the companies from which they are leased. EIA has recently leased models from Chase Econometrics, Inc., Data Resources, Inc. (DRI), the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (WEFA). Leased models are not abstracted here. The directory is intended for the use of energy and energy-policy analysts in the public and private sectors.« less

Effects of impervious area and BMP implementation and design on storm runoff and water quality in eight small watersheds

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aulenbach, Brent T.; Landers, Mark N.; Musser, Jonathan W.; Painter, Jaime A.

2017-01-01

The effects of increases in effective impervious area (EIA) and the implementation of water quality protection designed detention pond best management practices (BMPs) on storm runoff and stormwater quality were assessed in Gwinnett County, Georgia, for the period 2001-2008. Trends among eight small watersheds were compared, using a time trend study design. Significant trends were detected in three storm hydrologic metrics and in five water quality constituents that were adjusted for variability in storm characteristics and climate. Trends in EIA ranged from 0.10 to 1.35, and changes in EIA treated by BMPs ranged from 0.19 to 1.32; both expressed in units of percentage of drainage area per year. Trend relations indicated that for every 1% increase in watershed EIA, about 2.6, 1.1, and 1.5% increases in EIA treated by BMPs would be required to counteract the effects of EIA added to the watersheds on peak streamflow, stormwater yield, and storm streamflow runoff, respectively. Relations between trends in EIA, BMP implementation, and water quality were counterintuitive. This may be the result of (1) changes in constituent inputs in the watersheds, especially downstream of areas treated by BMPs; (2) BMPs may have increased the duration of stormflow that results in downstream channel erosion; and/or (3) spurious relationships between increases in EIA, BMP implementation, and constituent inputs with development rates.

Training for Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vougias, S.

1988-01-01

Deals with the methodology and practices for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Describes the EIA process, prediction process, alternative assessment methods, training needs, major activities, training provision and material, main deficiencies and the precautions, and real world training examples. (Author/YP)

Evaluation of the C6 Lyme Enzyme Immunoassay for the Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Children and Adolescents.

PubMed

Lipsett, Susan C; Branda, John A; McAdam, Alexander J; Vernacchio, Louis; Gordon, Caroline D; Gordon, Catherine R; Nigrovic, Lise E

2016-10-01

The commercially-available C6 Lyme enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been approved to replace the standard whole-cell sonicate EIA as a first-tier test for the diagnosis of Lyme disease and has been suggested as a stand-alone diagnostic. However, the C6 EIA has not been extensively studied in pediatric patients undergoing evaluation for Lyme disease. We collected discarded serum samples from children and adolescents (aged ≤21 years) undergoing conventional 2-tiered testing for Lyme disease at a single hospital-based clinical laboratory located in an area endemic for Lyme disease. We performed a C6 EIA on all collected specimens, followed by a supplemental immunoblot if the C6 EIA result was positive but the whole-cell sonicate EIA result was negative. We defined a case of Lyme disease as either a clinician-diagnosed erythema migrans lesion or a positive standard 2-tiered serologic result in a patient with symptoms compatible with Lyme disease. We then compared the performance of the C6 EIA alone and as a first-tier test followed by immunoblot, with that of standard 2-tiered serology for the diagnosis of Lyme disease. Of the 944 specimens collected, 114 (12%) were from patients with Lyme disease. The C6 EIA alone had sensitivity similar to that of standard 2-tiered testing (79.8% vs 81.6% for standard 2-tiered testing; P = .71) with slightly lower specificity (94.2% vs 98.8% 2; P < .002). Addition of a supplemental immunoblot improved the specificity of the C6 EIA to 98.6%. For children and adolescents undergoing evaluation for Lyme disease, the C6 EIA could guide initial clinical decision making, although a supplemental immunoblot should still be performed. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Antibodies against mumps virus component proteins.

PubMed

Matsubara, Keita; Iwata, Satoshi; Nakayama, Tetsuo

2012-08-01

The neutralization (NT) test is regarded as the most reliable method for detection of protective antibodies, but is labor-intensive and time consuming. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) is frequently used in sero-epidemiological studies because of its simplicity and ease of use. In this study, immunofluorescent (IF) antibodies against nucleocapsid (N), fusion (F), and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) proteins were investigated in comparison with NT and EIA antibodies. The antibody against N protein was dominant in serum samples obtained from patients with a previous history of mumps infection. Titers of antibodies against F and HN proteins were very low. Many serum samples were positive for EIA but negative for NT, and no significant correlation was noted between NT and EIA antibodies. Among the three component proteins, correlation of EIA and IF antibodies with N protein was relatively good. After vaccination with mumps vaccine, EIA positivity was closely related to the IF antibodies against N protein, and after vaccination NT-positive sera became positive for IF antibodies against F and HN proteins. IF antibodies against F and HN proteins were considered to have a strong association with NT antibodies, and those against N protein were considered to have a strong association with EIA antibodies.

47 CFR 90.548 - Interoperability Technical Standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Standards, approved March 3, 2000, Telecommunications Industry Association, ANSI/TIA/EIA-102.BAEA-2000..., approved March 3, 2000, Telecommunications Industry Association, ANSI/TIA/EIA-102.BAEB-2000; Project 25..., approved March 3, 2000, Telecommunications Industry Association, ANSI/TIA/EIA-102.BAEE-2000; Project 25...

Coal Transportation Rates to the Electric Power Sector

EIA Publications

2015-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases new data on coal transportation rates to the electric power sector to incorporate new EIA survey data from the EIA-923. This expanded coverage enables EIA to publish data over numerous routes that were previously withheld due to confidentiality concerns. It allowed for more in-depth analysis especially for state to state rates. Another feature of this release is the incorporation – for the first time – of coal transport rates by barge and truck.

Evaluation of the Specificity of Two Enzyme Immunoassays for Coccidioidomycosis by Using Sera from a Region of Endemicity and a Region of Nonendemicity

PubMed Central

Ahn, YoonJi; McCotter, Orion; Gade, Lalitha; Hurst, Steven F.; Brandt, Mary E.; Park, Benjamin J.; Litvintseva, Anastasia P.

2015-01-01

Coccidioidomycosis (CM), a serious life-threatening fungal infection endemic to arid regions of the western United States and Mexico, can be challenging to diagnose in a timely manner. Commercially developed enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) (from Meridian Biosciences and Immuno-Mycologics [IMMY]) have provided faster, simpler means for serodiagnosis; however, independent evaluations have questioned EIA specificity, particularly IgM-positive/IgG-negative results. This study was conducted to evaluate EIA specificity among persons residing in Puerto Rico (n = 534), where CM is not endemic (who were not likely to have been exposed to Coccidioides spp.), compared to blood bank donors residing in Arizona (n = 1,218), where CM is endemic. Upon comparing serum reactivity between Puerto Rico and Arizona, the Meridian EIA showed a significant difference in IgG reactivity (0.37% versus 3.6%; P < 0.001) but not IgM reactivity (3.4% versus 2.4%; P = 0.31). No IgM-/IgG-reactive sera were detected among sera from Puerto Rico, compared to 7 (0.57%) sera from Arizona. Similar results were observed using the IMMY EIA, although significantly (P = 0.03) fewer IgM-reactive sera from Arizona were observed, compared to the Meridian EIA. EIA-reactive sera were also evaluated by immunodiffusion before and after 3- to 4-fold concentration of the sera. These results demonstrate that elevated IgG EIA reactivity is present in sera from healthy individuals in regions of endemicity and that IgM EIA reactivity observed in sera from individuals residing outside regions of endemicity is most likely nonspecific. Other criteria, including clinical and microbiological evaluations, should be taken into account when interpreting results from surveillance studies and other reporting measures. PMID:26245352

Bottom-up responses to environmental and social impact assessments: A case study from Guatemala

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

Aguilar-Støen, Mariel, E-mail: mariel.stoen@sum.uio.no; Hirsch, Cecilie; Department of International Environment and Development, Norwegian University of Life Sciences

In this article we take a closer look at resistance to the practice of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in mining and energy projects in Guatemala. Collectivities resisting mining and hydropower projects in Guatemala are increasingly using the evaluations of EIAs conducted by international independent professionals. Reaching out to international experts is facilitated by local communities' engagements in transnational networks bringing together activists, NGOs, scientists, journalists and others. We argue that resistance movements resort to international professionals to challenge the limits imposed on them by the national legislation and institutional arrangements as well as by the way in which EIAs aremore » performed in the country. Further, the engagements in networks that facilitate access to knowledge contribute to strengthen the legitimacy of communities' claims. Challenges to and complaints about EIAs are ways in which affected communities try to reclaim their right to participate in decision-making related to their local environment and the development of their communities. Both complaints about EIAs and the use of transnational networks to attain better participation in decision making processes at local levels, illustrated in this study for Guatemala, are common responses to the advancement of extractive industries and hydropower development across Latin America. The widespread of initiatives to challenge EIAs involving international experts in the region show that EIAs have become a sort of a transnational battleground. - Highlights: • Communities’ opposition to extractive projects is rooted in lack of participation in decision-making, including EIAs • Experts’ evaluations of approved EIAs confirm communities’ claims of poor practices in the public sector • Research presented here shows that local communities linked to transnational networks are able to scale up their demands.« less

Detection of phase I IgG antibodies to Coxiella burnetii with EIA as a screening test for blood donations.

PubMed

van der Hoek, W; Wielders, C C H; Schimmer, B; Wegdam-Blans, M C A; Meekelenkamp, J; Zaaijer, H L; Schneeberger, P M

2012-11-01

The presence of a high phase I IgG antibody titre may indicate chronic infection and a risk for the transmission of Coxiella burnetii through blood transfusion. The outbreak of Q fever in the Netherlands allowed for the comparison of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with the reference immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in a large group of individuals one year after acute Q fever. EIA is 100 % sensitive in detecting high (≥1:1,024) phase I IgG antibody titres. The cost of screening with EIA and confirming all EIA-positive results with IFA is much lower than screening all donations with IFA. This should be taken into account in cost-effectiveness analyses of screening programmes.

Diagnosis and Management of Exercise-Induced Asthma.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rupp, Ned T.

1996-01-01

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) affects 12-15% of the population. This comprehensive guide suggests that nearly all individuals with EIA can be active, highlighting both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management of asthma and stressing the importance of rigorous patient education in controlling underlying asthma and EIA. (SM)

Performance of a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay for measuring varicella-zoster virus immunoglobulin G levels in adults and comparison with commercial enzyme immunoassays and Merck glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay.

PubMed

Maple, P A C; Gray, J; Breuer, J; Kafatos, G; Parker, S; Brown, D

2006-02-01

Highly sensitive and specific, quantitative assays are needed to detect varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin G in human sera, particularly for determining immune status and response following vaccination. A time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) has been developed, and its performance was compared to that of two commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and Merck glycoprotein EIA (gpEIA). The TRFIA had equivalent sensitivity (97.8%) and high specificity (93.5%) in relation to gpEIA. A commercial (Behring) EIA compared favorably with TRFIA in terms of sensitivity (98.4%) but had lower specificity (80.7%). Another commercial EIA (Diamedix) had high specificity (97.1%) but low sensitivity (76.4%) compared to TRFIA if equivocal test results were treated as negative for VZV antibody. A novel feature of the TRFIA was that the cutoff was generated using population mixture modeling and was expressed in mIU/ml, as the assay was calibrated using the British standard VZV antibody.

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

PubMed

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

2017-12-01

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

EIA models and capacity building in Viet Nam: an analysis of development aid programs

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

Doberstein, Brent

2004-04-01

There has been a decided lack of empirical research examining development aid agencies as 'agents of change' in environmental impact assessment (EIA) systems in developing countries, particularly research examining the model of environmental planning practice promoted by aid agencies as part of capacity building. This paper briefly traces a conceptual framework of EIA, then introduces the concept of 'EIA capacity building'. Using Viet Nam as a case study, the paper then outlines the empirical results of the research, focusing on the extent to which aid agency capacity-building programs promoted a Technical vs. Planning Model of EIA and on the coherencemore » of capacity-building efforts across all aid programs. A discussion follows, where research results are interpreted within the Vietnamese context, and implications of research results are identified for three main groups of actors. The paper concludes by calling for development aid agencies to reconceptualise EIA capacity building as an opportunity to transform developing countries' development planning processes.« less

An innovative implementation of LCA within the EIA procedure: Lessons learned from two Wastewater Treatment Plant case studies

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

Larrey-Lassalle, Pyrène, E-mail: pyrene.larrey-lassalle@irstea.fr; LGEI, Ecole des mines d'Alès, 6 avenue de Clavières, 30319 Alès Cedex; Catel, Laureline

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been identified in the literature as a promising tool to increase the performance of environmental assessments at different steps in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure. However, few publications have proposed a methodology for an extensive integration, and none have compared the results with existing EIA conclusions without LCA. This paper proposes a comprehensive operational methodology for implementing an LCA within an EIA. Based on a literature review, we identified four EIA steps that could theoretically benefit from LCA implementation, i.e., (a) the environmental comparison of alternatives, (b) the identification of key impacts, (c) themore » impact assessment, and (d) the impact of mitigation measures. For each of these steps, an LCA was implemented with specific goal and scope definitions that resulted in a specific set of indicators. This approach has been implemented in two contrasting Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) projects and compared to existing EIA studies. The results showed that the two procedures, i.e., EIAs with or without inputs from LCA, led to different conclusions. The environmental assessments of alternatives and mitigation measures were not carried out in the original studies and showed that other less polluting technologies could have been chosen. Regarding the scoping step, the selected environmental concerns were essentially different. Global impacts such as climate change or natural resource depletion were not taken into account in the original EIA studies. Impacts other than those occurring on the project site (off-site impacts) were not assessed, either. All these impacts can be significant compared to those initially considered. On the other hand, unlike current LCA applications, EIAs usually address natural and technological risks and neighbourhood disturbances such as noises or odours, which are very important for the public acceptability of projects. Regarding the impact assessment, even if the conclusions of the EIAs with or without LCA were partially common for local on-site impacts, LCA gives crucial additional information on global and off-site impacts and highlights the processes responsible for them. Finally, for all EIA steps investigated, interest in LCA was demonstrated for both WWTP case studies. The feasibility in terms of skills, time and cost of such implementation has also been assessed. - Highlights: • An innovative methodology for a first-stage implementation of LCA in EIA is proposed. • Its applicability is demonstrated on two Wastewater Treatment Plant case studies. • The conclusions for the four EIA steps investigated differ with or without LCA. • LCA provides valuable additional information on 1) global and 2) off-site impacts. • LCA identifies pollution transfers towards a life cycle perspective.« less

Critical factors for EIA implementation: literature review and research options.

PubMed

Zhang, Jie; Kørnøv, Lone; Christensen, Per

2013-01-15

After decades of development, the gap between expectations of Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) and their practical performance remains significant. Research has been done to identify the critical factors for an effective implementation of EIA. However, this research, to a large extent, has not been cumulated and analysed comprehensively according to the stages of the EIA process. This paper contributes to the critical review of the literature on EIA implementation and effectiveness by cumulating mainly empirical findings in an implementation theoretical perspective. It focuses on the links between different critical factors and how they relate to different stages in the EIA and thus influence the decision making process. After reviewing 33 refereed journal articles published between 1999 and 2011, we identified 203 notions of critical factors. Of these, 102 related to different stages defined in our comprehensive EIA implementation model, and 101 were identified as general factors related to the whole EIA system. The number of notions of stage factors and general factors is thus about equal. An overlap between stage factors and general factors was found, which demonstrates that critical factors function differently in different cases. The function of the critical factors is complex and it is difficult to determine contingencies and causations. In the sources we examined, there is evidently an imbalance between in-depth empirical research and general knowledge, and the paper offers some suggestions for future research. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Magnetospheric disturbance effects on the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) - An overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdu, M. A.; Sobral, J. H. A.; de Paula, E. R.; Batista, I. S.

1991-08-01

The EIA response to magnetospheric disturbance processes is reviewed. It is concluded that the direct penetration to equatorial latitudes of magnetospheric electric fields and the thermospheric disturbances involving winds, electric fields, and composition changes produce significant alteration in the EIA morphology and dynamics.

77 FR 47048 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-07

... collection requests a three-year extension of its Petroleum Marketing Program, OMB Control Number 1905-0174... as the needs of EIA's public and private customers. Data collected include costs, sales, prices, and... petroleum marketing survey forms listed below: EIA-14, ``Refiners' Monthly Cost Report'' EIA-182, ``Domestic...

78 FR 27370 - Proposed Change to Data Protection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-10

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY U.S. Energy Information Administration Proposed Change to Data Protection... Production and Preparation Report--Coal Mines and Preparation Plants; and EIA-8A, the Coal Stocks Report-Traders and Brokers. EIA proposes to change and strengthen the data protection provisions on Forms EIA-3...

Performance evaluation of four dominant anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) kits in Japan for preventing de novo hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Eiji; Deguchi, Matsuo; Kagita, Masanori; Yoshioka, Nori; Kita, Mifumi; Asari, Seishi; Suehisa, Etsuji; Hidaka, Yoh; Iwatani, Yoshinori

2015-01-01

The determination of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) has become an important means of evaluating the risk factors of de novo hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before starting intensive immunosuppressive drug therapies. Four dominant HBcAb determination reagents used in Japan were evaluated with HBcIgM, HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAb, and HBV DNA reagents in order to study their clinical utility. Four kinds of HBcAb reagent kits (HBcAb Total and HBcAb-IgG reagent) were evaluated with 526 clinical specimens, including 344 negative specimens, at Osaka University Hospital. The dynamic range of each kit was evaluated by testing serially diluted serum from pooled sera with high HBcAb concentration. The reagent that showed the largest dynamic range was the Lumipulse HBcAb-N (HBcAb-IgG reagent). Regarding clinical sensitivity and specificity, Centaur HBcAb (HBcAb Total reagent) gave several "doubtful negative" results and ARCHITECT HBcII (HBcAb Total reagent) had the most discrepant positive results. By comparing the cut-off-index distribution of negative specimens using a parameter of "distance from the mean to the cut-off divided by the SD", Centaur was determined to be the best (distance/SD = 12.65), with Lumipulse and Elecsys Anti-HBc (HBcAb Total reagent) in the second group (8.13 and 7.00, respectively), and ARCHITECT rated as the worst (3.25). In this evaluation, Elecsys and Lumipulse HBcAb kits showed good clinical sensitivity and specificity and were considered to be suitable for evaluating the risk factors of de novo HBV infection.

77 FR 15362 - Proposed Agency Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-15

....'' Schedule 2 of the Form EIA-923, ``Power Plant Operations Report,'' collects the cost and quality of fossil... primarily fueled by fossil fuels. The selection of respondents for Schedule 2 and its predecessors, the Form... EIA is soliciting comments on two proposed actions (1) revisions to the Form EIA-923, ``Power Plant...

[Evaluation of hepatitis B virus genotyping EIA kit].

PubMed

Tanaka, Yasuhito; Sugauchi, Fuminaka; Matsuuraa, Kentaro; Naganuma, Hatsue; Tatematsu, Kanako; Takagi, Kazumi; Hiramatsu, Kumiko; Kani, Satomi; Gotoh, Takaaki; Wakimoto, Yukio; Mizokami, Masashi

2009-01-01

Clinical significance of Hepatitis B virus(HBV) genotyping is increasingly recognized. The aim of this study was to evaluate reproducibility, accuracy, and sensitivity of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) based HBV genotyping kit, which designed to discriminate between genotypes to A, B, C, or D by detecting genotype-specific epitopes in PreS2 region. Using the four genotypes panels, the EIA demonstrated complete inter and intra-assay genotyping reproducibility. Serum specimens had stable results after 8 days at 4 degrees C, or 10 cycles of freezing-thawing. In 91 samples that have been genotyped by DNA sequencing, 87(95.6%) were in complete accordance with EIA genotyping. Of examined 344 HBsAg-positive serum specimens, genotypes A, B, C and D were determined in 26 (7.6%), 62 (18.0%), 228 (66.3%), and 9 (2.6%) cases, respectively. Of 19 (5.5%) specimens unclassified by the EIA, 13 were found to have low titer of HBsAg concentration (< 3 IU/ml), and the other 5 had amino acid mutations or deletions within targeted PreS2 epitopes. The EIA allowed genotyping even in HBV DNA negative samples (96.2%). In conclusion, HBV genotype EIA is reliable, sensitive and easy assay for HBV genotyping. The assay would be useful for clinical use.

Vitamin B12 absorption judged by measurement of holotranscobalamin, active vitamin B12: evaluation of a commercially available EIA kit.

PubMed

Greibe, Eva; Nexo, Ebba

2011-11-01

Active vitamin B12 absorption is followed by an increase in holotranscobalamin (holoTC) upon loading with a high physiological dose of the vitamin (the CobaSorb test). This study evaluates the use of a newly launched EIA kit for measurement of holoTC (active B12) in relation to the CobaSorb test. Intra-assay imprecision and linearity of the EIA kit was examined, employing serum pools of increasing holoTC concentrations. For the CobaSorb test, holoTC was measured before and after loading with 3-times 9 μg of vitamin B12 employing both the in-house ELISA and the EIA kit (n=25). The EIA kit showed an intra-assay CV between 2.2% and 5.8% for holoTC values ranging from 21 to 80 pmol/L. Employing diluted serum samples resulted in spurious high values of holoTC. The EIA kit performed well in relation to the CobaSorb test and classified the patients studied as capable of absorbing vitamin B12 (n=10) or not (n=15), as did the in-house ELISA. The Active B12 (holoTC) EIA kit proved suitable for use with the CobaSorb test, but not for analysis of diluted serum samples.

Verification of the harmonization of human epididymis protein 4 assays.

PubMed

Ferraro, Simona; Borille, Simona; Carnevale, Assunta; Frusciante, Erika; Bassani, Niccolò; Panteghini, Mauro

2016-10-01

Serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) has gained relevance as an ovarian cancer (OC) biomarker and new automated methods have replaced the first released manual EIA by tracing results to it. We verified agreement and bias of automated methods vs. EIA as well as possible effects on patients' management. One hundred and fifteen serum samples were measured by Abbott Architect i2000, Fujirebio Lumipulse G1200, Roche Modular E170, and Fujirebio EIA. Passing-Bablok regression was used to compare automated assays to EIA and agreement between methods was estimated by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). The bias vs. EIA was estimated and compared to specifications derived from HE4 biological variation. Median (25th-75th percentiles) HE4 concentrations (pmol/L) were 84.5 (60.1-148.8) for EIA, 82.7 (50.3-153.9) for Abbott, 89.1 (55.2-154.9) for Roche, and 112.2 (67.8-194.2) for Fujirebio. Estimated regressions and agreements (95% confidence interval) were: Abbott=1.01(0.98-1.03) EIA-4.8(-7.5/-2.6), CCC=0.99(0.99-1.00); Roche=0.91(0.89-0.93) EIA+5.7(4.2/8.0), CCC=0.98(0.98-0.99); Fujirebio=1.20(1.17-1.24) EIA+ 2.4(-0.6/4.9), CCC=0.97(0.96-0.98). The average bias vs. EIA resulted within the desirable goal for Abbott [-3.3% (-6.1/-0.5)] and Roche [-0.2% (-3.0/2.5)]. However, while for Abbott the bias was constant and acceptable along the measurement concentration range, Roche bias increased up to -28% for HE4 values >250 pmol/L. Lumipulse showed a markedly positive bias [25.3% (21.8/28.8)]. Abbott and Roche assays exhibited a good comparability in the range of HE4 values around the previously recommended 140 pmol/L cut-off. For patient monitoring, however, the assay used for determining serial HE4 must not be changed as results from different systems in lower and higher concentration ranges can markedly differ.

The Effect of a Single Bout of Surfing on Exercise-Induced Affect.

PubMed

Pittsinger, Ryan; Kress, Jeff; Crussemeyer, Jill

2017-01-01

Exercise-induced affect (EIA) has been well documented and is often composed of positive affect, negative affect, tranquility, and fatigue. Research on EIA has focused on mainstream sports such as running, walking, or cycling; however, no research has evaluated the influence of action sports participation in activities such surfing on EIA. The current study examined the effect of a single 30-min surfing bout on EIA in 107 adult volunteers. An additional purpose was if change in affect was similar based on surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level. To assess EIA, each participant completed the Physical Activity Affect Scale (PAAS) prior to and immediately following the 30-min surf session. Dependent t -tests were used to examine differences between pre- and post-test EIA. For the secondary purpose, a change score (PAAS posttest-PAAS pretest) was computed for each subscale. One-way ANOVAs were performed to determine differences among comparisons of surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level, and the change score for each of the 4 subscales. EIA was significantly altered by surfing, with significant improvements in positive affect and tranquility, and significant reductions in negative affect and fatigue. There were no significant differences among surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level, and positive affect, negative affect or tranquility. However, there were significant differences between fatigue and surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level. The results indicate that a single 30-min surfing bout may provide positive benefits for the participant. Implications for future surfing research and EIA are discussed.

The Effect of a Single Bout of Surfing on Exercise-Induced Affect

PubMed Central

PITTSINGER, RYAN; KRESS, JEFF; CRUSSEMEYER, JILL

2017-01-01

Exercise-induced affect (EIA) has been well documented and is often composed of positive affect, negative affect, tranquility, and fatigue. Research on EIA has focused on mainstream sports such as running, walking, or cycling; however, no research has evaluated the influence of action sports participation in activities such surfing on EIA. The current study examined the effect of a single 30-min surfing bout on EIA in 107 adult volunteers. An additional purpose was if change in affect was similar based on surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level. To assess EIA, each participant completed the Physical Activity Affect Scale (PAAS) prior to and immediately following the 30-min surf session. Dependent t-tests were used to examine differences between pre- and post-test EIA. For the secondary purpose, a change score (PAAS posttest-PAAS pretest) was computed for each subscale. One-way ANOVAs were performed to determine differences among comparisons of surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level, and the change score for each of the 4 subscales. EIA was significantly altered by surfing, with significant improvements in positive affect and tranquility, and significant reductions in negative affect and fatigue. There were no significant differences among surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level, and positive affect, negative affect or tranquility. However, there were significant differences between fatigue and surfing history, surfing frequency, and surfing skill level. The results indicate that a single 30-min surfing bout may provide positive benefits for the participant. Implications for future surfing research and EIA are discussed. PMID:29170700

Oil and gas field code master list 1994

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

Not Available

This is the thirteenth annual edition of the Energy Information Administration`s (EIA) Oil and Gas Field Code Master List. It reflects data collected through October 1994 and provides standardized field name spellings and codes for all identified oil and/or gas fields in the United States. The master field name spellings and codes are to be used by respondents when filing the following Department of Energy (DOE) forms: Form EIA-23, {open_quotes}Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves,{close_quotes} filed by oil and gas well operators (field codes are required from larger operators only); Forms FERC 8 and EIA-191, {open_quotes}Underground Gas Storagemore » Report,{close_quotes} filed by natural gas producers and distributors who operate underground natural gas storage facilities. Other Federal and State government agencies, as well as industry, use the EIA Oil and Gas Field Code Master List as the standard for field identification. A machine-readable version of the Oil and Gas Field Code Master List is available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, (703) 487-4650. In order for the Master List to be useful, it must be accurate and remain current. To accomplish this, EIA constantly reviews and revises this list. The EIA welcomes all comments, corrections, and additions to the Master List. All such information should be given to the EIA Field Code Coordinator at (214) 953-1858. EIA gratefully acknowledges the assistance provides by numerous State organizations and trade associations in verifying the existence of fields and their official nomenclature.« less

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.

Evaluation of automated serum des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) assays for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma.

PubMed

Choi, Jonghyeon; Park, Yongjung; Kim, Jeong-Ho; Kim, Hyon-Suk

2011-12-01

We evaluated two new autoanalyzers, μTAS and Lumipulse for des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) assay. Analytical performance was evaluated, and the upper reference limit of the 97.5th percentile for DCP was re-established using sera from 140 healthy individuals. DCP levels were determined by the two autoanalyzers and EIA in a total of 239 sera from HCC patients (n=120) and those without HCC (n=119). Total imprecision of the two automated assays was <5% CV. Analytical measurement ranges (AMRs) were verified to be linear. The new reference limits were 29.5 mAU/mL for μTAS and 35.0 mAU/mL for Lumipulse. There were proportional and constant biases between the results from the autoanalyzers and those from EIA. The two newly developed DCP assays showed high analytical performance, but re-establishment of reference limits would be necessary. The new analyzers could be useful for clinical laboratories because of convenience of operation and wide AMRs. Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

30 CFR 550.227 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... and Information Contents of Exploration Plans (ep) § 550.227 What environmental impact analysis (EIA... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP? 550.227 Section 550.227 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT...

30 CFR 550.227 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... and Information Contents of Exploration Plans (ep) § 550.227 What environmental impact analysis (EIA... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP? 550.227 Section 550.227 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT...

30 CFR 250.227 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... and Information Contents of Exploration Plans (ep) § 250.227 What environmental impact analysis (EIA... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP? 250.227 Section 250.227 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE...

30 CFR 550.227 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... and Information Contents of Exploration Plans (ep) § 550.227 What environmental impact analysis (EIA... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the EP? 550.227 Section 550.227 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT...

30 CFR 250.261 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Operations Coordination Documents (docd) § 250.261 What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD? 250.261 Section 250.261 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT...

78 FR 15712 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-12

... Request. SUMMARY: The EIA has submitted the Financial Reporting EIA-28 Survey package to the Office of... Financial Reporting System, Form EIA-28 collects data used to analyze the energy industry's competitive.... This is a request to conduct a comprehensive voluntary evaluation of an existing data collection to...

A comparison of an immunological faecal occult blood test Fecatwin sensitive/FECA EIA with Haemoccult in population screening for colorectal cancer.

PubMed Central

Armitage, N.; Hardcastle, J. D.; Amar, S. S.; Balfour, T. W.; Haynes, J.; James, P. D.

1985-01-01

Two faecal occult blood tests, a simple chemical test Haemoccult and an immunological test, Fecatwin Sensitive/Feca EIA, were offered to 3,225 asymptomatic individuals as screening for colorectal cancer. One thousand three hundred and four (44%) completed and returned the tests and of these 126 (9.7%) were found to be positive - Haemoccult 40 (3%) and Feca EIA 106 (8.1%). Five cancers (4 Dukes' Stage A, 1 Dukes' Stage C) and 23 adenomas greater than 1 cm were detected - rates of 3.8 per 1000 persons screened and 17.7 per 1000 persons screened respectively. Of the five cancers identified 5 were Feca EIA positive and 3 were Haemoccult positive. Of the 23 adenomas greater than 1 cm diameter identified, J1 were Feca EIA positive and 20 were Haemoccult positive. Seventy-eight Feca EIA positive subjects were investigated and no neoplastic disease was identified. Whilst this sensitive immunological test increases the yield of carcinomas, the high false positive rate makes it unsuitable for population screening for colorectal cancer in its present form. PMID:4005139

Multi-jurisdictional environmental impact assessment: Canadian experiences

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

Fitzpatrick, Patricia, E-mail: p.fitzpatrick@uwinnipeg.c; Sinclair, A. John, E-mail: Jsincla@ms.umanitoba.c

This research examines complexities surrounding environmental impact assessment (EIA) in a multi-jurisdictional environment, with a specific focus on opportunities for public participation. With almost universal adoption of EIA, projects are increasingly subject to more than one assessment process. Thus there is demand to facilitate inter-jurisdictional coordination of EIAs. Canada has growing expertise with multijuristictional EIA that serves to illustrate the costs and opportunities associated with three different approaches to coordination: standardization, harmonization and substitution. Findings suggest that, although fraught with issues, harmonization is the most realistic approach for coordinating efforts. Harmonization has the potential to minimize duplication, avoid process uncertaintymore » and increase efficiency and effectiveness in EIA. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that a bilateral agreement between jurisdictions is the best approach to harmonization, so long as negotiation of the agreement includes opportunities for meaningful participation, and implementation includes activities designed to communicate the assessment responsibilities of each jurisdiction, activities and schedules to the public. The experience of participants of different coordinated EIAs in Canada serves as counsel for on-going and future efforts to facilitate inter-jurisdictional coordination.« less

Current legal regime for environmental impact assessment in areas beyond national jurisdiction and its future approaches

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

Ma, Deqiang; Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, Xiamen University, 361102; Fang, Qinhua, E-mail: qhfang@xmu.edu.cn

In 2004, the United Nations launched an Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Since then, the topic of governing marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) has been widely discussed by politicians, policy makers and scholars. As one of management tools to protect marine biodiversity in ABNJ, environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been widely recognized and accepted by the international community, however, the biggest challenge is how to effectively implement the EIA regime in ABNJ. This paper explores the impacts of anthropogenicmore » activities in ABNJ on marine ecosystems, reviews the existing legal regime for EIA in ABNJ and discusses possible measures to strengthen the implementation of EIA in ABNJ. - Highlights: • We identify human activities in ABNJ and their impacts on marine ecosystems. • We analyze the characters and gaps of the existing legal regime for EIA in ABNJ. • We analyze the pros and cons of alternative approaches of EIA in ABNJ.« less

A case study of ionospheric storm effects during long-lasting southward IMF Bz-driven geomagnetic storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jing; Liu, Libo; Nakamura, Takuji; Zhao, Biqiang; Ning, Baiqi; Yoshikawa, A.

2014-09-01

Multiple instrumental observations including GPS total electron content (TEC), foF2 and hmF2 from ionosondes, vertical ion drift measurements from Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System, magnetometer data, and far ultraviolet airglow measured by Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics/Global Ultraviolet Imager (TIMED/GUVI) are used to investigate the profound ionospheric disturbances at midlatitude and low latitude during the 14-17 July 2012 geomagnetic storm event, which was featured by prolonged southward interplanetary geomagnetic field component for about 30 h below -10 nT. In the East Asian/Australian sector, latitudinal profile of TEC variations in the main phase were characterized by three bands of increments and separated by weak depressions in the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) crest regions, which were caused by the combined effects of disturbance dynamo electric fields (DDEF) and equatorward neutral winds. In the recovery phase, strong inhibition of EIA occurred and the summer crest of EIA disappeared on 16 July due to the combined effects of intrusion of neutral composition disturbance zone as shown by the TIMED/GUVI O/N2 measurements and long-lasting daytime westward DDEF inferred from the equatorial electrojet observations. The transit time of DDEF over the dip equator from westward to eastward is around 2200 LT. In the American longitude, the salient ionospheric disturbances in the summer hemisphere were characterized by daytime periodical intrusion of negative phase for three consecutive days in the recovery phase, preceded by storm-enhanced density plume in the initial phase. In addition, multiple short-lived prompt penetration electric fields appeared during stable southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz in the recovery phase and were responsible for enhanced the EIA and equatorial ionospheric uplift around sunset.

Observation of EIA in closed and open caesium atomic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jian-Ming; Zhao, Yan-Ting; Huang, Tao; Xiao, Lian-Tuan; Jia, Suo-Tang

2005-04-01

We present an experimental study on electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in the closed transition of a degenerate two-level Cs atomic system. The coupling and probe lasers coupled with the transition 6S1/2F=4 → 6P3/2F'=5 of caesium atom. The signal of EIA was obtained and the frequency detuning and intensity effect of the pumping laser were experimentally investigated. The EIA signal in 6S1/2 F=4 → 6P3/2 F'=4 and 6S1/2 F=4 → 6P3/2 F'=3 open transitions was also obtained. As the repumping laser couples with the transition of 6S1/2 F=3 → 6P3/2 F'=4, the EIA signal is increased due to the hyperfine optical pumping.

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

Toro, Javier, E-mail: jjtoroca@unal.edu.c; Requena, Ignacio, E-mail: requena@decsai.ugr.e; Zamorano, Montserrat, E-mail: zamorano@ugr.e

The evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems is a highly recommended strategy for enhancing their effectiveness and quality. This paper describes an evaluation of EIA in Colombia, using the model and the control mechanisms proposed and applied in other countries by Christopher Wood and Ortolano. The evaluation criteria used are based on Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment Best Practice, such as effectiveness and control features, and they were contrasted with the opinions of a panel of Colombian EIA experts as a means of validating the results of the study. The results found that EIA regulations in Colombia were ineffectivemore » because of limited scope, inadequate administrative support and the inexistence of effective control mechanisms and public participation. This analysis resulted in a series of recommendations regarding the further development of the EIA system in Colombia with a view to improving its quality and effectiveness.« less

Androgen and androgen metabolite levels in serum and urine of East African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): comparison of EIA and LC-MS analyses.

PubMed

Preis, Anna; Mugisha, Lawrence; Hauser, Barbara; Weltring, Anja; Deschner, Tobias

2011-12-01

The primary male androgen testosterone (T) is often used as an endocrinological marker to investigate androgen-behaviour interactions in males. In chimpanzees and bonobos, studies investigating the relationship between T levels and dominance rank or aggressive behaviour have revealed contradictory results. The immunoassays used in these studies were originally developed for the measurement of steroids in serum. Their application to non-invasively collected samples, however, can lead to methodological problems due to cross-reacting metabolites, which might occur in urine or faeces but not in blood. The overall aim of this study, therefore, is to clarify whether a T enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is an applicable method to monitor testicular function in adult male chimpanzees. To estimate the impact of cross-reacting androgens on the used T EIA, we compared the results of an EIA measurement with a set of androgen metabolite levels measured by LC-MS. In urine from male chimpanzees, cross-reactivities appear to exist mainly with T and its exclusive metabolites, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) and 5α-androstanediol (androstanediol). Both urinary and serum T levels of male chimpanzees were significantly higher than female T levels when measured with the T EIA, indicating a reliable measurement of testicular androgens and their exclusive metabolites with the used EIA. In urine from female chimpanzees, the comparison between LC-MS and T EIA results indicated a higher impact of cross-reactions with adrenal androgen metabolites. Therefore, the investigation of urinary T levels in female chimpanzees with a T EIA seems to be problematic. Overall our results show that a T EIA can be a reliable method to monitor testicular function in male chimpanzee urine and that LC-MS is a valuable tool for the validation of immunoassays. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reforming EIA systems: A critical review of proposals in Brazil

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

Fonseca, Alberto, E-mail: albertof@em.ufop.br; Sánchez, Luis Enrique; Ribeiro, José Claudio Junqueira

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems are under pressure in many countries, driven by a call for efficiency and streamlining. Such a phenomenon is particularly clear in Brazil, where, in the past few years, a number of influential associations put forward documents proposing significant changes to environmental licensing and impact assessment regulations. So far, there is no publicly available information about any initiative towards scrutinizing those proposals. The objective of this study was to critically review the merits and drawbacks of the changes proposed in those documents. The analysis triangulated content analysis, focus group and online survey data. The focus groupmore » included ten seasoned Brazilian EIA specialists; the survey, based on Likert-scale and open-ended questions, resulted in 322 valid responses from EIA professionals. Results show that the proposals generally agree that the current EIA system, while playing a key role in mitigating impacts and enhancing project design, needs many changes. Nonetheless, the proposals neither offered solutions to overcome political, technical and budget barriers, nor established a sense of priority of the most urgent issues. Findings from the focus group and the survey signaled that a number of proposed actions might face public outcry, and that those changes that do not depend on legislative action are more likely to be implementable. Previous studies about EIA reform focused mostly on the context of developed countries after changes had taken place. This study, while addressing the perspective of a large developing country in a “before-reform” stage, shows that capacity-building is a key requirement in EIA reform. - Highlights: • Brazil's EIA system is under strong pressure for change. • Findings corroborate ineffectiveness in current system. • There are tensions as to the best approaches to overcome problems. • Exact effects of proposals are uncertain. • Low institutional capacity can play strong role in driving EIA reform.« less

Comparison between two commercially available serological tests and polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium in animals and diarrhoeic children.

PubMed

Helmy, Yosra A; Krücken, Jürgen; Nöckler, Karsten; von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Georg; Zessin, Karl-H

2014-01-01

For the detection of Cryptosporidium species in 804 animals and 165 diarrhoeic children (<10 years) in Egypt, two copro-antigen tests, the RIDASCREEN® Cryptosporidium test [enzyme immunoassay (EIA)] and the RIDA®QUICK Cryptosporidium/Giardia Combi [immuno-chromatographic test (ICT)] as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 15.0, 19.5 and 32.3% in animals and 2.4, 6.7 and 49.1% in children using EIA, ICT and PCR, respectively.Using PCR as reference method, animal samples sensitivity (Se) of the EIA was 46.5% when questionable samples were considered positive, whereas specificity (Sp) was 100%. Se of the ICT was 60.4% while Sp was 100%. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for both EIA and ICT test were 100%, and negative predictive values (NPVs) for EIA were 79.7 and 84.1% for ICT. For the children samples, the Se of EIA was 5%, Sp was 100%, PPV was 100% and NPV was 52.2%, while the Se of ICT was 13.6%, Sp was 100%, PPV was 100% and NPV was 54.6%.The Kappa score of agreement between PCR and ICT was 67.4%, 54.1% between PCR and EIA and 84.4% between ICT and EIA. Until the second serial dilution of the EIA and ICT test, 9 × 10(3) oocysts/μl of Cryptosporidia was detected, whereas in PCR, they were detected until the sixth serial dilution. Copro-antigen tests were easy to perform and less time-consuming but less sensitive compared to PCR. They obviously are best applicable for screening and epidemiological studies of large numbers of subjects, for batch specimen processing and in isolated or rural areas where reliable tests like PCR are unfeasible. When in children, a single stool sample is used for the diagnosis of clinical cases; better results can be obtained when non-standardized PCR due low specificity is coupled with copro-antigen tests.

A Case of Alport Syndrome with Posttransplant Antiglomerular Basement Membrane Disease despite Negative Antiglomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies by EIA Treated with Plasmapheresis and Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

PubMed

Armstead, Sumiko I; Hellmark, Thomas; Wieslander, Jorgen; Zhou, Xin J; Saxena, Ramesh; Rajora, Nilum

2013-01-01

Posttransplant antiglomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease occurs in approximately 5% of Alport patients and usually ends in irreversible graft failure. Recent research has focused on characterizing the structure of the anti-GBM alloepitope. Here we present a case of a 22-year-old male with end-stage renal disease secondary to Alport syndrome, with a previously failed renal allograft, who received a second deceased-donor kidney transplant. Six days after transplantation, he developed acute kidney injury. The serum anti-GBM IgG was negative by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). On biopsy, he had crescentic glomerulonephritis with linear GBM fixation of IgG. With further analysis by western blotting, we were able to detect antibodies to an unidentified protein from the basement membrane. This patient was treated with plasmapheresis twice per week and monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for a total of five months. At the end of treatment, these unknown antibodies were no longer detected. His renal function improved, and he has not required dialysis. We conclude that anti-GBM disease in patients with Alport Syndrome may be caused by circulating antibodies to other components of the basement membrane that are undetectable by routine anti-GBM EIA and may respond to treatment with plasmapheresis and IVIG.

EIA publications directory 1994

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1995-07-01

Enacted in 1977, the Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act established the Energy Information Administration (EIA) as the Department's independent statistical and analytical agency, with a mandate to collect and publish data and prepare analyses on energy production, consumption, prices, resources, and projections of energy supply and demand. This edition of the EIA Publications Directory contains titles and abstracts of periodicals and one-time reports produced by EIA from January through December 1994. The body of the Directory contains citations and abstracts arranged by broad subject categories: metadata, coal, oil and gas, nuclear, electricity, renewable energy/alternative fuels, multifuel, end-use consumption, models, and forecasts.

EIA responds to Nature article on shale gas projections

EIA Publications

2014-01-01

EIA has responded to a December 4, 2014 Nature article on projections of shale gas production made by EIA and by the Bureau of Economic Geology of the University of Texas at Austin (BEG/UT) with a letter to the editors of Nature. BEG/UT has also responded to the article in their own letter to the editor.

30 CFR 550.261 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Operations Coordination Documents (docd) § 550.261 What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD? 550.261 Section 550.261 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY...

30 CFR 550.261 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Operations Coordination Documents (docd) § 550.261 What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD? 550.261 Section 550.261 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY...

30 CFR 550.261 - What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Operations Coordination Documents (docd) § 550.261 What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false What environmental impact analysis (EIA) information must accompany the DPP or DOCD? 550.261 Section 550.261 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY...

[What EIA assay levels correspond to rubella antibody HI assay titer?].

PubMed

Terada, Kihei; Inoue, Mika; Wakabayashi, Tokio; Ogita, Satoko; Ouchi, Kazunobu

2009-01-01

In 2004, a Japanese-government-supported research group recommended that women without rubella antibody or with low titers < or = 1:16 of HI antibody should be vaccinated to decrease the risk of congenital rubella syndrome. We compared HI antibody titer with EIA-IgG levels in 520 college students with < or = 1:64, HI antibody measuring rubella antibodies in the same specimen using HI and EIA assay kits from Denka Seiken Co. (Japan) and Dade Behring Co. (Germany). The positive predictive value of the EIA assay using the kit from Denka Seiken Co. was 99.8% and the negative predictive value 91.3%, respectively, compared to 97.9% (positive > or = 15 IU/mL), 98.1% (positive > or = 10 IU/mL), and 93.4%, using the kit from Dade Behring Co. Between HI titers and EIA-IgG measured with the Denka kit, the coefficient index was 0.715 (p < 0.0001). Between those measured with the Dade kit, the coefficient index was 0.610 (p < 0.0001). Between EIA-IgG levels measured using the two kits, the coefficient index was 0.753 (p < 0.0001). The HI value of 1:16 corresponds approximately to 9.0 with the kit (positive > or = 4.0) from Denka, and to 30 IU/mL with the kit from Dade. EIA-IgG levels > or = 10 IU/mL are considered globally as protective antibody titers, meaning that the Japanese recommendation of < or = 1:16 for vaccination is too loose. Japanese EIA kit values for the rubella antibody should also be expressed in IU/mL using the global standard.

The assessment of aesthetic and perceptual aspects within environmental impact assessment of renewable energy projects in Italy

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

Tolli, Michela, E-mail: michela.tolli@uniroma1.it; Recanatesi, Fabio, E-mail: fabio.rec@unitus.it; Piccinno, Matteo

The main aim of this paper is to explore how perceptual and aesthetic impact analyses are considered in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with specific reference to Italian renewable energy projects. To investigate this topic, the paper starts by establishing which factors are linked with perceptual and aesthetic impacts and why it is important to analyze these aspects, which are also related to legislative provisions and procedures in Europe and in Italy. In particular the paper refers to renewable energy projects because environmental policies are encouraging more and more investment in this kind of primary resource. The growing interest in thismore » type of energy is leading to the realization of projects which change the governance of territories, with inevitable effects on the landscape from the aesthetic and perceptual points of view. Legislative references to EIA, including the latest directive regarding this topic show the importance of integrating the assessment of environmental and perceptual impacts, thus there is a need to improve EIA methodological approaches to this purpose. This paper proposes a profile of aesthetic and perceptual impact analysis in EIA for renewable energy projects in Italy, and concludes with recommendations as to how this kind of analysis could be improved. - Highlights: • We analyze 29 EIA Reports of Italian renewable energy projects. • We examine esthetic and perceptual aspects present in Italian EIA reports. • We identified inconsistency in use of methods for esthetic and perceptual aspects. • Local populations are rarely included as stakeholders in EIAs. • A shared understanding of perceptual and esthetic issues in EIA proceedings is required.« less

Phase 1 trial of irinotecan plus BCNU in patients with progressive or recurrent malignant glioma1

PubMed Central

Quinn, Jennifer A.; Reardon, David A.; Friedman, Allan H.; Rich, Jeremy N.; Sampson, John H.; Vredenburgh, James; Gururangan, Sridharan; Provenzale, James M.; Walker, Amy; Schweitzer, Holly; Bigner, Darell D.; Tourt-Uhlig, Sandra; Herndon, James E.; Affronti, Mary Lou; Jackson, Susanne; Allen, Deborah; Ziegler, Karen; Bohlin, Cindy; Lentz, Christy; Friedman, Henry S.

2004-01-01

Irinotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor previously shown to be active in the treatment of malignant glioma. We now report the results of a phase 1 trial of irinotecan plus BCNU, or 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, for patients with recurrent or progressive MG. Irinotecan dose escalation occurred independently within 2 strata: patients receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) and patients not receiving EIAEDs. BCNU was administered at a dose of 100 mg/m2 over 1 h every 6 weeks on the same day as the first irinotecan dose was administered. Irinotecan was administered intravenously over 90 min once weekly. Treatment cycles consisted of 4 weekly administrations of irinotecan followed by a 2-week rest with dose escalation in cohorts of 3 to 6 patients. Seventy-three patients were treated, including 49 patients who were on EIAEDs and 24 who were not on EIAEDs. The maximum tolerated dose for patients not on EIAEDs was 125 mg/m2. The maximum tolerated dose for patients on EIAEDs was 225 mg/m2. Dose-limiting toxicity was evenly distributed among the following organ systems: pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurologic, infectious, and hematologic, without a clear predominance of toxicity involving any one organ system. There was no evidence of increasing incidence of toxicity involving one organ system as irinotecan dose was escalated. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the recommended doses of irinotecan for a phase 2 clinical trial when given in combination with BCNU (100 mg/m2) are 225 mg/m2 for patients on EIAEDs and 125 mg/m2 for patients not on EIAEDs. PMID:15134629

Measurement of Antinuclear Antibodies: Assessment of Different Test Systems

PubMed Central

Kern, P.; Kron, M.; Hiesche, K.

2000-01-01

The performance of rat liver and HEp-2 in the detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) was studied by two independent sites and compared against an ANA enzyme immunoassay (EIA) screen and EIA systems for the measurement of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and ENA. Sixty-two sera from patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) and 398 from controls suffering from other disorders were included. The level of agreement was, for HEp-2 and rat liver (within one site), 82.0% (ANA positive/ANA negative) and 51.0% (ANA pattern); and for HEp2- and HEp-2 (between sites), 71.8 and 86.5%. On sera with the ANA homogeneous pattern, the measurement of anti-ENA EIA added little to the detection rate with anti-dsDNA EIA alone. On ANA speckled sera, the EIA reactivity depended on the reaction of the mitotic cells: while sera with positive mitoses reacted similarly to ANA homogeneous sera, in those with negative mitoses the measurement of anti-ENA added about 10% to the detection rate achieved with anti-dsDNA alone. The measurement of anti-Scl-70 and anti-Jo-1 did not markedly improve the positive rate with classical ENA (anti-SSA, -SSB, -Sm, and -RNP) alone, raising doubts about the cost efficiency of including these measurements in unselected sera. The ANA EIA identified patients with CTD at a rate similar to that for rat liver and HEp-2. However, up to 98% of the sera found to be negative by ANA EIA but positive by use of rat liver and HEp-2 were from controls. Thus, the ANA EIA may possible be used as an alternative screen, particularly in laboratories with a high frequency of sera from patients not suffering from CTD. PMID:10618281

Salient features of the dayside low latitude ionospheric response to the main phase step-I of the 17 March 2015 geomagnetic storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagiya, Mala S.; Sunil, A. S.; Chakrabarty, D.; Sunda, Surendra

2017-10-01

Based on TEC observations by India's GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) GPS network, we report the dayside low latitude ionospheric variations over the Indian region during the moderate main phase step-I of the 17 March 2015 geomagnetic storm. In addition, we assess the efficacy of GPS inferred TEC maps by International GNSS service (IGS) in capturing large scale diurnal features of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) over the Indian region during this period. Following the prompt penetration electric field (PPE) at ∼0605 UT, equatorial electrojet (EEJ) enhances by ∼55 nT over 75 ± 3oE longitudes where main phase step-I is coincided with local noon. Initial moderate EIA gradually strengthens with the storm commencement. Although GAGAN TEC exhibits more intense EIA evolution compare to IGS TEC maps, latitudinal extent of EIA are comparable in both. The enhanced EEJ reverses by ∼0918 UT under the effect of overshielding electric field, the later is accompanied by northward turning of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz. The weakening of well evolved EIA reflects in IGS TEC maps after ∼45 min of the overshielding occurrence. In contrary, GAGAN TEC shows the corresponding feature after ∼0115 h. Resurgence of EIA, following the PPE ∼1115 UT, shows up in GAGAN TEC but IGS TEC maps fails in capturing this feature. The observed low latitude TEC variations and EIA modulations are explained in terms of the varying storm time disturbance electric fields. The anomalies between the GAGAN TEC and IGS TEC maps are discussed in terms of the possible limitations of the IGS TEC maps in capturing storm time EIA variability over the Indian region.

A novel acute HIV infection staging system based on 4th generation immunoassay.

PubMed

Ananworanich, Jintanat; Fletcher, James L K; Pinyakorn, Suteeraporn; van Griensven, Frits; Vandergeeten, Claire; Schuetz, Alexandra; Pankam, Tippawan; Trichavaroj, Rapee; Akapirat, Siriwat; Chomchey, Nitiya; Phanuphak, Praphan; Chomont, Nicolas; Michael, Nelson L; Kim, Jerome H; de Souza, Mark

2013-05-29

Fourth generation (4thG) immunoassay (IA) is becoming the standard HIV screening method but was not available when the Fiebig acute HIV infection (AHI) staging system was proposed. Here we evaluated AHI staging based on a 4thG IA (4thG staging). Screening for AHI was performed in real-time by pooled nucleic acid testing (NAT, n=48,828 samples) and sequential enzyme immunoassay (EIA, n=3,939 samples) identifying 63 subjects with non-reactive 2nd generation EIA (Fiebig stages I (n=25), II (n=7), III (n=29), IV (n=2)). The majority of samples tested (n=53) were subtype CRF_01AE (77%). NAT+ subjects were re-staged into three 4thG stages: stage 1 (n=20; 4th gen EIA-, 3rd gen EIA-), stage 2 (n=12; 4th gen EIA+, 3rd gen EIA-), stage 3 (n=31; 4th gen EIA+, 3rd gen EIA+, Western blot-/indeterminate). 4thG staging distinguishes groups of AHI subjects by time since presumed HIV exposure, pattern of CD8+ T, B and natural killer cell absolute numbers, and HIV RNA and DNA levels. This staging system further stratified Fiebig I subjects: 18 subjects in 4thG stage 1 had lower HIV RNA and DNA levels than 7 subjects in 4thG stage 2. Using 4th generation IA as part of AHI staging distinguishes groups of patients by time since exposure to HIV, lymphocyte numbers and HIV viral burden. It identifies two groups of Fiebig stage I subjects who display different levels of HIV RNA and DNA, which may have implication for HIV cure. 4th generation IA should be incorporated into AHI staging systems.

Benchmarking performance: Environmental impact statements in Egypt

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

Badr, El-Sayed A., E-mail: ebadr@mans.edu.e; Zahran, Ashraf A., E-mail: ashraf_zahran@yahoo.co; Cashmore, Matthew, E-mail: m.cashmore@uea.ac.u

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was formally introduced in Egypt in 1994. This short paper evaluates 'how well' the EIA process is working in practice in Egypt, by reviewing the quality of 45 environmental impact statements (EISs) produced between 2000 and 2007 for a variety of project types. The Lee and Colley review package was used to assess the quality of the selected EISs. About 69% of the EISs sampled were found to be of a satisfactory quality. An assessment of the performance of different elements of the EIA process indicates that descriptive tasks tend to be performed better than scientificmore » tasks. The quality of core elements of EIA (e.g., impact prediction, significance evaluation, scoping and consideration of alternatives) appears to be particularly problematic. Variables that influence the quality of EISs are identified and a number of broad recommendations are made for improving the effectiveness of the EIA system.« less

Ultra-narrow EIA spectra of 85Rb atom in a degenerate Zeeman multiplet system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rehman, Hafeez Ur; Qureshi, Muhammad Mohsin; Noh, Heung-Ryoul; Kim, Jin-Tae

2015-05-01

Ultra-narrow EIA spectral features of thermal 85Rb atom with respect to coupling Rabi frequencies in a degenerate Zeeman multiplet system have been unraveled in the cases of same (σ+ -σ+ , π ∥ π) and orthogonal (σ+ -σ- , π ⊥ π)polarization configurations. The EIA signals with subnatural linewidth of ~ 100 kHz even in the cases of same circular and linear polarizations of coupling and probe laser have been obtained for the first time theoretically and experimentally. In weak coupling power limit of orthogonal polarization configurations, time-dependent transfer of coherence plays major role in the splitting of the EIA spectra while in strong coupling power, Mollow triplet-like mechanism due to strong power bring into broad split feature. The experimental ultra-narrow EIA features using one laser combined with an AOM match well with simulated spectra obtained by using generalized time-dependent optical Bloch equations.

Global scale equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) response to magnetospheric disturbances based on the May-June 1987 SUNDIAL-coordinated observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdu, M. A.; Walker, G. O.; Reddy, B. M.; de Paula, E. R.; Sobral, J. H. A.; Fejer, B. G.

1993-07-01

Equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) responses to magnetospheric disturbances have been investigated using ionosonde and geomagnetic data sets obtained for different longitude sectors during the 9-day (28 May-7 June) globally-coordinated SUNDIAL 87 campaign. Attention is focused on the EIA response features of the two magnetically most-disturbed days of the campaign window, 29 May and 6 June. Anomalous EIA inhibition and development were simultaneously observed at widely separated (American and Asian) longitude sectors, accompanied respectively by events of morning electrojet reversal and evening partial ring current development. A numerical model of the low-latitude ionosphere has been used to quantify the role that a disturbance electric field could play in the observed EIA response features. The implications of the results on the global low-latitude disturbance electric field pattern is discussed.

Explaining EIA Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Price Data and Comparing with Other U.S. Government Data Sources, 2001 to 2010

EIA Publications

2012-01-01

This article describes the sampling frames and basic data collection methods for petroleum price data reported by Energy Information Administration (EIA) and other Government agencies. In addition, it compares and contrasts annual average prices reported by EIA with comparable prices from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) CPI (Consumer Price Indexes) for the retail prices of residential No. 2 distillate, on-highway diesel fuel and motor gasoline (all grades.) Further, it compares refiner wholesale/resale prices for No. 2 fuel oil, No. 2 diesel fuel, motor gasoline (all grades,) kerosene-type jet fuel and residual fuel oil reported by EIA with comparable prices from the BLS PPI (Producer Price Index.) A discussion of the various crude oil prices and spot/futures prices published by EIA and other Government agencies is also included in the article.

Human respiratory syncytial virus genomic and antigenic variants isolated in two hospitals during one epidemic, in Santiago, Chile.

PubMed

Luchsinger, Vivian; Noy, Andrea Elgueta; Avendaño, Luis F

2008-07-01

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) in children. Distinct variants of the viruses have been described. The objective was to compare the antigenic and genetic variability of HRSV strains recovered from infants admitted to two hospitals during one epidemic in a big city. We analyzed nasopharyngeal aspirates from 201 infants admitted for LRI to two hospitals during 2002 in Santiago, Chile. The analyses were carried out using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against G glycoprotein epitopes (EIA) and RFLP for N and G genes. No differences in HRSV groups A/B and in N patterns distribution were observed among both hospitals. On the contrary, antigenic and genetic G patterns displayed a wide diversity of strains circulating during one epidemic, in one big city. RSV variability assessment depended rather on the tool used for analysis than on the geographical location.

75 FR 43823 - Safety Zone; He'eia Kea Small Boat Harbor, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, HI

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-27

... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket No. USCG-2010-0458] RIN 1625-AA00 Safety Zone; He'eia Kea Small Boat Harbor, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, HI AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary Final Rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in He'eia Kea Small...

EIA--A Teacher Education Project in Bangladesh: An Analysis from Diversified Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karim, Abdul; Mohamed, Abdul Rashid; Rahman, Mohammad Mosiur

2017-01-01

English in Action (EIA) is an ongoing teacher education project which places mobile technology at the centre of its action. Most of the studies carried out focused on the changes EIA brought in teachers' classroom actions. Along with this, they also explored the classroom to observe whether the input given during training program is implemented in…

The Free-Running Asthma Screening Test: An Approach to Screening for Exercise-Induced Asthma in Rural Alabama.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heaman, Doris J.; Estes, Jenny

1997-01-01

This study documented the prevalence of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in rural elementary schools, examining the use of a free-running asthma screening test and peak expiratory flow-rate measurement for school screening. Results indicated that 5.7% of the students had EIA. Absenteeism and poverty were related to EIA. (SM)

[Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)].

PubMed

Kaiser, A; Meier, H P; Straub, R; Gerber, V

2009-04-01

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a reportable, eradicable epizootic disease caused by the equine lentivirus of the retrovirus family which affects equids only and occurs worldwide. The virus is transmitted by blood, mainly by sanguivorous insects. The main symptoms of the disease are pyrexia, apathy, loss of body condition and weight, anemia, edema and petechia. However, infected horses can also be inapparent carriers without any overt signs. The disease is diagnosed by serological tests like the Coggins test and ELISA tests. Presently, Switzerland is offi cially free from EIA. However, Switzerland is permanently at risk of introducing the virus as cases of EIA have recently been reported in different European countries.

Performances of Four Helicobacter pylori Serological Detection Kits Using Stool Antigen Test as Gold Standard.

PubMed

Biranjia-Hurdoyal, Susheela D; Seetulsingh-Goorah, Sharmila P

2016-01-01

The aim was to determine the performances of four Helicobacter pylori serological detection kits in different target groups, using Amplified IDEIA™ Hp StAR™ as gold standard. Kits studied were Rapid Immunochromatoghraphic Hexagon, Helicoblot 2.1, an EIA IgG kit and EIA IgA kit. Stool and blood samples were collected from 162 apparently healthy participants (control) and 60 Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. The performances of the four serological detection kits were found to be affected by gender, age, health status and ethnicity of the participants. In the control group, the Helicoblot 2.1 kit had the best performance (AUC = 0.85; p<0.05, accuracy = 86.4%), followed by EIA IgG (AUC = 0.75; p<0.05, accuracy = 75.2%). The Rapid Hexagon and EIA IgA kits had relatively poor performances. In the T2DM subgroup, the kits H2.1 and EIA IgG had best performances, with accuracies of 96.5% and 93.1% respectively. The performance of EIA IgG improved with adjustment of its cut-off value. The performances of the detection kits were affected by various factors which should be taken into consideration.

Directory of Energy Information Administration Model Abstracts

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

Not Available

1986-07-16

This directory partially fulfills the requirements of Section 8c, of the documentation order, which states in part that: The Office of Statistical Standards will annually publish an EIA document based on the collected abstracts and the appendices. This report contains brief statements about each model's title, acronym, purpose, and status, followed by more detailed information on characteristics, uses, and requirements. Sources for additional information are identified. All models active through March 1985 are included. The main body of this directory is an alphabetical list of all active EIA models. Appendix A identifies major EIA modeling systems and the models withinmore » these systems, and Appendix B identifies active EIA models by type (basic, auxiliary, and developing). EIA also leases models developed by proprietary software vendors. Documentation for these proprietary models is the responsibility of the companies from which they are leased. EIA has recently leased models from Chase Econometrics, Inc., Data Resources, Inc. (DRI), the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (WEFA). Leased models are not abstracted here. The directory is intended for the use of energy and energy-policy analysts in the public and private sectors.« less

Laboratory and epidemiologic evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to HTLV-III

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

Ward, J.W.; Grindon, A.J.; Feorino, P.M.

1986-07-18

The enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for antibody to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) were rapidly adopted for screening donated blood and plasma. To evaluate the significance of a positive EIA reaction, test performance was examined in a blood bank screening program. Specimens were tested by EIA, Western blot assay, and HTLV-III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV) culture. The EIA was positive in 0.25% of 67 190 blood donations. Specimens were categorized and 57.3% had low (weak) reactivity, 12.7% had moderate reactivity, and 30.0% had high reactivity. Highly reactive specimens were strongly associated with a positive Western blot or culture (86.7%) in contrastmore » to moderately and weekly reactive specimens (1.9%). Twenty-five of 29 donors interviewed with a highly reactive EIA had risk factors for HTLV-III/LAV infection. Risk factors were not identified for 74 of 75 interviewed donors with specimens of lower reactivity. The minimum calculated specificity was 99.82%. The use of the HTLV-III EIA has virtually eliminated the use of blood and plasma for HTLV-III/LAV infected donors.« less

Intensity dependence narrowing of electromagnetically induced absorption in a Doppler-broadened medium

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

Dimitrijevic, J.; Arsenovic, D.; Jelenkovic, B. M.

In this paper, we present a theoretical model for studying the interaction between linearly polarized laser light and near-degenerated Zeeman sublevels for a multiple V-type atomic system of {sup 2}S{sub 1/2}F{sub g}=2{yields}{sup 2}P{sub 3/2}F{sub e}=3 transition in {sup 87}Rb. We have calculated the laser absorption in a Hanle configuration, as well as the amplitudes and the widths of electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in the range of laser intensities from 0.01 to 40 mW/cm{sup 2}. Our results, showing nonvanishing EIA amplitude, a nonmonotonic increase of the EIA width for the increase of laser intensity, and pronounced shape differences of the Hanlemore » EIA curves at different laser intensities, are in good agreement with recent experimental results. We have found that the EIA behaves differently than the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) as a function of the laser intensity. Both the amplitude and width of the EIA have narrow maximums at 1 to 2 mW/cm{sup 2}. We have shown the strong influence of Doppler broadening of atomic transition on Hanle resonances and have suggested the explanation of it.« less

Hepatitis C Testing

PubMed Central

Rochlani, Maya; Lewis, Jessica H.; Ramsey, Glenn E.; Bontempo, Franklin A.; Shah, Gunjan; Bowman, Rebecca A.; van Thiel, David H.; Starzl, Thomas E.

2010-01-01

Plasma samples from 1,182 patients undergoing primary liver transplantation were tested for anti-hepatitis C (HCV) virus by two methods: Ortho HCV ELISA Test System (EIA) and Chiron RIBA HCV Test System (RIBA II). The EIA results, 0 or +, were recorded first, followed by RIBA results, N = negative, P = positive, or I = indeterminate. Concordant results—0N, + P, + I—were found in 1,076 (91%), and discordant results were found in 106 (9%). The EIA optical density did not relate to concordant or discordant results. Band patterns were described by stating the band position (1, 2, 3, or 4) and insetting a dash (−) if no band was visualized. Most + P samples fell into two patterns: 47% showed all four bands, pattern 1234, and 15% showed the two-band pattern, 34. When the EIA was negative, 0P, the opposite was seen: 8% showed the 1234 pattern and 81% showed the 34 pattern. There were 226 samples that formed bands (+ P, 149; 0P, 31; + I, 15; 0I, 31). The frequency of bands was as follows: 4, 32%; 3, 31%; 2, 19%; and 1, 18%. Band 2 and the EIA test detected antibodies to the same c100-3 fragment and showed 74% concordance. No explanation is apparent for the lower concordance rate here than that between the EIA test and bands 3 = 96% or 4 = 88%. The EIA and RIBA II tests, together with positive liver function tests and abnormal tissue pathologic findings, provide a basis for the diagnosis of HCV. PMID:1377442

Public participation and environmental impact assessment: Purposes, implications, and lessons for public policy making

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

O'Faircheallaigh, Ciaran, E-mail: Ciaran.Ofaircheallaigh@griffith.edu.a

In recent years the need to enhance public participation in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and the efficacy of alternative mechanisms in achieving this goal, have been central themes in the EIA literature. The benefits of public participation are often taken for granted, and partly for this reason the underlying rationale for greater public participation is sometimes poorly articulated, making it more difficult to determine how to pursue it effectively. The reasons for seeking public participation are also highly diverse and not always mutually consistent. There has been limited analysis of the implications of different forms and degrees of public participationmore » for public decision making based on EIA, and little discussion of how experience with public participation in EIA relates to debates about participation in policy making generally. This paper distinguishes various purposes for public participation in EIA, and discusses their implications for decision making. It then draws on some general models of public participation in policy making to consider how approaches to participation in EIA can be interpreted and valued, and asks what EIA experience reveals about the utility of these models. It argues that the models pay insufficient attention to the interaction that can occur between different forms of public participation; and to the fact that public participation raises issues regarding control over decision making that are not subject to resolution, but must be managed through ongoing processes of negotiation.« less

Seroepidemiologic Survey of Varicella-Zoster Virus in Korean Adults Using Glycoprotein Enzyme Immuno Assay and Fluorescent Antibody to Membrane Antigen Test

PubMed Central

Kim, Yun Hwa; Hwang, Ji Young; Lee, Kyung Min; Choi, Jin Hee; Lee, Tae Yoon; Choi, Jong Soo

2011-01-01

Background Herpes zoster (HZ) occurs mainly in the elderly and Korea is rapidly becoming an aging society. Therefore, it is important to know the immune status against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in Korean adults to prevent the disease. Objective The aim of this study was to survey the immune status of Korean adults over 40 years of age against VZV. Methods Antibody titer was measured using a VaccZyme™ VZV glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay (gpEIA) (Binding Site, UK). Fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test was performed to measure the seropositive rate. Results HZ incidence in the 214 adults enrolled in this study was 10.3%. The gpEIA geometric mean titer (GMT) was 490 mIU/ml and 90.2% of the subjects had a protective level of gpEIA antibody titer against varicella. The average gpEIA GMT of adults who previously had HZ was 1,122 mIU/ml, which was higher than the average gpEIA GMT of 457 mIU/ml in adults who had not had HZ. The FAMA positive rate was 98.6%. Conclusion Most (90.2%) Korean adults ≥40-years-of-age have a protective level of gpEIA antibody against varicella and 98.6% were FAMA seropositive. The GMT of gpEIA antibody was significantly increased with age, and was higher in adults with a history of HZ. PMID:21738361

Characteristics of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in relation to transionospheric satellite links around the northern crest in the Indian longitude sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, A.; Paul, K. S.; Halder, S.; Basu, K.; Paul, A.

2014-02-01

The poleward gradient of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) introduces more intense propagation effects on transionospheric satellite links in comparison to the equatorward gradient. Characterization of the poleward gradient was performed during March-April, August-October 2011 and March-April 2012 using GPS total electron content (TEC) recorded from a chain of stations located more or less along the same meridian (88.5° E) at Calcutta, Baharampore, Farakka and Siliguri. The poleward gradients calculated on magnetically quiet days at elevation in excess of 50° at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00 LT were found to have a strong correlation with GPS S4 observed from Calcutta during post-sunset-to-midnight hours. A threshold value of poleward TEC gradient is calculated above which there is a probability of scintillation at Calcutta with S4 ≥ 0.4.

Water use for electricity in the United States: an analysis of reported and calculated water use information for 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Averyt, K.; Macknick, J.; Rogers, J.; Madden, N.; Fisher, J.; Meldrum, J.; Newmark, R.

2013-03-01

Water use by the electricity sector represents a significant portion of the United States water budget (41% of total freshwater withdrawals; 3% consumed). Sustainable management of water resources necessitates an accurate accounting of all water demands, including water use for generation of electricity. Since 1985, the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) has collected self-reported data on water consumption and withdrawals from individual power generators. These data represent the only annual collection of water consumption and withdrawals by the electricity sector. Here, we compile publically available information into a comprehensive database and then calculate water withdrawals and consumptive use for power plants in the US. In effect, we evaluate the quality of water use data reported by EIA for the year 2008. Significant differences between reported and calculated water data are evident, yet no consistent reason for the discrepancies emerges.

Consideration of climate change on environmental impact assessment in Spain

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

Enríquez-de-Salamanca, Álvaro, E-mail: aenriquez@draba.org; Martín-Aranda, Rosa M., E-mail: rmartin@ccia.uned.es; Díaz-Sierra, Rubén, E-mail: sierra@dfmf.uned.es

Most of the projects subject to environmental impact assessment (EIA) are closely related to climate change, as they contribute to or are affected by it. The growing certainty about climate change and its impacts makes its consideration an essential part of the EIA process, as well as in strategic environmental assessment (SEA). This paper examines how climate change (CC) has been taken into account in EIA in Spain through the analysis of 1713 environmental records of decision (RODs) of projects submitted for EIA. In 2013 Spain approved one of the most advanced laws in terms of CC consideration in environmentalmore » assessment, although it had not yet accumulated extensive practice on the issue. This contrasts with the situation of countries like Canada or the USA, which have a significant body of experience without specific legal requirements. Only 14% of the RODs analysed included references to CC, and in more than half of the cases it was a mere citation. Thermal power plants, which are subject to specific GHG regulations, show the highest consideration, while transport infrastructures, which are important contributors to CC, show a very low consideration. Almost all the references are related to their contribution to CC, while consideration of the effects of CC is minimal. The increasingly common incorporation of CC into SEA, should not imply its exclusion from EIA, because both processes have different aims and uses. Including the obligation to consider CC in the EIA regulations is highly desirable, but probably not enough without other measures, such as practical guidance, training and motivational programmes for practitioners and evaluators. But even these actions cannot ensure effective and adequate assessments of CC. Probably more resources should be spent on creating greater awareness in all the agents involved in EIA. - Highlights: • We analyse how the climate change is considered in EIA in Spain. • Few projects seriously assess climate change. • Transport infrastructure projects barely consider climate change. • Assessing climate change in SEA should not imply that it is excluded from EIA.« less

Quality of Cultural Heritage in EIA; twenty years of experience in Norway

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

Lindblom, Inge, E-mail: inge.lindblom@niku.no

2012-04-15

The aim of this paper is to clarify and discuss how quality, relevance, attitudes, beliefs and transfer value act as underlying driving forces in the development of the Cultural Heritage theme in EIAs. One purpose is to identify and discuss some conditions that can better environmental assessment in order to increase the significance of EIA in decision-making with regard to Cultural Heritage. The main tools used are different research methods designed for analyses of quality and quality changes, primarily based on the relevant opinions of 160 people occupied with Cultural Heritage in EIA in Norway. The study is based onmore » a review of 40 types of EIAs from 1991 to 2000, an online questionnaire to 319 (160 responded) individuals from 14 different backgrounds, and interviews with three institutions in Sweden and Denmark. The study confirms a steadily increasing quality on EIRs over time, parallel with an improvement of the way in which Cultural Heritage is treated in EIA. This is supported by both the interviews and the qualitative comments regarding the survey. Potential for improvements is shown to be a need for more detailed background material as well as more use of adequate methods. The survey shows the existence of a wide variety of negative views, attitudes and beliefs, but the consequences of this are difficult to evaluate. However, most certainly, negative attitudes and beliefs have not been powerful enough to be detrimental to the quality of Cultural Heritage component, as nothing in the study indicates that negative attitudes and myths are undermining the system of EIA. The study shows the importance of having on-going discussions on quality and quality change over time by people involved in EIA, and how this is a necessary condition for successful implementation and acceptance. Beliefs and negative attitudes can also be a catalyst for developing better practice and advancing new methodology. In addition, new EIA countries must be prepared for several years of development and improvements after implementation. This is important in order to gain acceptance from the bureaucracy, especially from the Cultural Heritage authorities and local population.« less

Appraising the value of independent EIA follow-up verifiers

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

Wessels, Jan-Albert, E-mail: janalbert.wessels@nwu.ac.za; Retief, Francois, E-mail: francois.retief@nwu.ac.za; Morrison-Saunders, Angus, E-mail: A.Morrison-Saunders@murdoch.edu.au

Independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) follow-up verifiers such as monitoring agencies, checkers, supervisors and control officers are active on various construction sites across the world. There are, however, differing views on the value that these verifiers add and very limited learning in EIA has been drawn from independent verifiers. This paper aims to appraise how and to what extent independent EIA follow-up verifiers add value in major construction projects in the developing country context of South Africa. A framework for appraising the role of independent verifiers was established and four South African case studies were examined through a mixture ofmore » site visits, project document analysis, and interviews. Appraisal results were documented in the performance areas of: planning, doing, checking, acting, public participating and integration with other programs. The results indicate that independent verifiers add most value to major construction projects when involved with screening EIA requirements of new projects, allocation of financial and human resources, checking legal compliance, influencing implementation, reporting conformance results, community and stakeholder engagement, integration with self-responsibility programs such as environmental management systems (EMS), and controlling records. It was apparent that verifiers could be more creatively utilized in pre-construction preparation, providing feedback of knowledge into assessment of new projects, giving input to the planning and design phase of projects, and performance evaluation. The study confirms the benefits of proponent and regulator follow-up, specifically in having independent verifiers that disclose information, facilitate discussion among stakeholders, are adaptable and proactive, aid in the integration of EIA with other programs, and instill trust in EIA enforcement by conformance evaluation. Overall, the study provides insight on how to harness the learning opportunities arising from EIA follow-up through the appointment of independent verifiers. - Highlights: • A framework for appraising the role of independent verifiers is established. • The value added to EIA follow-up by independent verifiers in South Africa is documented. • Verifiers add most value when involved with screening, checking compliance, influencing decisions and community engagement. • Verifiers could be more creatively utilized in pre-construction preparation, giving feedback, and performance evaluation.« less

Interim Data Changes in the Short-term Energy Outlook Data Systems Related to Electric Power Sector and Natural Gas Demand Data Revisions (Short-Term Energy Outlook Supplement December 2002)

EIA Publications

2002-01-01

Beginning with the December 2002 issue of the Energy Information Administration's Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), electricity generation and related fuel consumption totals will be presented on a basis that is consistent with the definitions and aggregates used in the 2001 edition of EIA's Annual Energy Review (AER). Particularly affected by these changes are the demand and balancing item totals for natural

Natural Gas Industry Restructuring and EIA Data Collection

EIA Publications

1996-01-01

The Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Reserves and Natural Gas Division has undertaken an in-depth reevaluation of its programs in an effort to improve the focus and quality of the natural gas data that it gathers and reports. This article is to inform natural gas data users of proposed changes and of the opportunity to provide comments and input on the direction that EIA is taking to improve its data.

Power and polarization dependences of ultra-narrow electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) spectra of 85 Rb atoms in degenerate two-level system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qureshi, Muhammad Mohsin; Rehman, Hafeez Ur; Noh, Heung-Ryoul; Kim, Jin-Tae

2016-05-01

We have investigated ultra-narrow EIA spectral features with respect to variations of polarizations and powers of pump laser beam in a degenerate two-level system of the transition of 85 Rb D2 transition line. Polarizations of the probe laser beam in two separate experiments were fixed at right circular and horizontal linear polarizations, respectively while the polarizations of the pump lasers were varied from initial polarizations same as the probe laser beams to orthogonal to probe polarizations. One homemade laser combined with AOMs was used to the pump and probe laser beams instead of two different lasers to overcome broad linewidths of the homemade lasers. Theoretically, probe absorption coefficients have been calculated from optical Bloch equations of the degenerate two level system prepared by a pump laser beam. In the case of the circular polarization, EIA signal was obtained as expected theoretically although both pump and probe beams have same polarization. The EIA signal become smaller as power increases and polarizations of the pump and probe beams were same. When the polarization of the pump beam was linear polarization, maximum EIA signal was obtained theoretically and experimentally. Experimental EIA spectral shapes with respect to variations of the pump beam polarization shows similar trends as the theoretical results.

GIS as a vital tool for Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gharehbaghi, Koorosh; Scott-Young, Christina

2018-03-01

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a course of action which provides information to various stakeholders such as planners and relevant authorities about the planned development and its subsequent effects of the environment and the immediate ambiances. Furthermore, the EIA and mitigation are the inclusive process of collecting, analyzing information and the determination of the application for development or construction approval, which could be accessible by the concerned communities and organizations. Although the set regulations of EIA and mitigation vary from jurisdictions, they are, however, very precise and need to be integrated with the specific geographical data. In addition, the Geographical Information System (GIS) is a software intended to encapsulate and present all types of physical, biological, environmental, ecological and geological information. Conversely, GIS is the integration of statistical analysis and information technology, and can also be further broken down into two different categories of; Topological Modelling and Map overlay. To ensure that the EIA and mitigation are receptive the GIS will provide the decisive apparatus. Using GIS not only improves the overall EIA and mitigation process, but also provides valuable mapping strategies, including holistic environmental system approach. Accordingly, the main objective of this paper is to discuss the importance of the GIS and Environmental Data integration progression, to further enhance the overall EIA and Mitigation processes.

Health Impact Assessment practice and potential for integration within Environmental Impact and Strategic Environmental Assessments in Italy.

PubMed

Linzalone, Nunzia; Assennato, Giorgio; Ballarini, Adele; Cadum, Ennio; Cirillo, Mario; Cori, Liliana; De Maio, Francesca; Musmeci, Loredana; Natali, Marinella; Rieti, Sabrina; Soggiu, Maria Eleonora; Bianchi, Fabrizio

2014-12-01

Avoiding or minimizing potential environmental impact is the driving idea behind protecting a population's health via Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs). However, both are often carried out without any systematic approach. This paper describes the findings of a review of HIA, EIA andSEA experiences carried out by the authors, who act as institutional competent subjects at the national and regional levels in Italy. The analysis of how health is tackled in EIA and SEA procedures could support the definition of a protocol for the integration of HIA with EIA and SEA. Although EIA and SEA approaches include the aim of protecting health,significant technical and methodological gaps are present when assessing health systematically, and their basic principles regarding assessment are unsatisfactory for promoting and addressing healthcare concepts stated by the WHO. HIA is still poorly integrated into the decision-making process, screening and monitoring phases are only occasionally implemented, and operational details are not well-defined. The collaborative approach of institutions involved in environment and health is a core element in a systematic advancement toward supporting effective decisions and effective protection ofthe environment and health. At the Italian national level, the definition of guidelines and tools for HIA, also in relation with EIA and SEA, is of great interest.

Reform of the EIA process in Indonesia: improving the role of public involvement

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

Purnama, Dadang

2003-07-01

The implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a planning tool has been utilised for a relatively long time in Indonesia. It was introduced formally through the Act No. 4/1982. Supporting regulation was established in 1986 when Government Regulation No. 29 was enacted. After developing the EIA system for 14 years, Indonesia finally recognized the importance of emphasizing public involvement in the EIA guidelines of 2000. EIA in the previous Indonesian regulations, i.e. Regulation No. 29/1986 and No. 51/1993, did not have provisions for direct public involvement. The Indonesian Government Regulation No. 27/1999 is currently accommodating the above issue. Guidelinesmore » for public announcement and public involvement have been introduced in a decree issued by the Head of Indonesia's Environmental Impact Management Agency No. KepDal 08/2000. This was officially enacted on 7 November 2000 in response to the demand for more public involvement, an issue that was ambiguous in the previous legislation. This paper discusses: the implementation of the new guidelines; what has been achieved; and the challenges during implementation. While the paper focuses its review on the Indonesian EIA system, Indonesia's experience is relevant to many other developing countries that are starting to adopt public involvement in their decision-making processes.« less

Fast and Simple Detection of Yersinia pestis Applicable to Field Investigation of Plague Foci

PubMed Central

Simon, Stéphanie; Demeure, Christian; Lamourette, Patricia; Filali, Sofia; Plaisance, Marc; Créminon, Christophe; Volland, Hervé; Carniel, Elisabeth

2013-01-01

Yersinia pestis, the plague bacillus, has a rodent-flea-rodent life cycle but can also persist in the environment for various periods of time. There is now a convenient and effective test (F1-dipstick) for the rapid identification of Y. pestis from human patient or rodent samples, but this test cannot be applied to environmental or flea materials because the F1 capsule is mostly produced at 37°C. The plasminogen activator (PLA), a key virulence factor encoded by a Y. pestis-specific plasmid, is synthesized both at 20°C and 37°C, making it a good candidate antigen for environmental detection of Y. pestis by immunological methods. A recombinant PLA protein from Y. pestis synthesized by an Escherichia coli strain was used to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). PLA-specific mAbs devoid of cross-reactions with other homologous proteins were further cloned. A pair of mAbs was selected based on its specificity, sensitivity, comprehensiveness, and ability to react with Y. pestis strains grown at different temperatures. These antibodies were used to develop a highly sensitive one-step PLA-enzyme immunoassay (PLA-EIA) and an immunostrip (PLA-dipstick), usable as a rapid test under field conditions. These two PLA-immunometric tests could be valuable, in addition to the F1-disptick, to confirm human plague diagnosis in non-endemic areas (WHO standard case definition). They have the supplementary advantage of allowing a rapid and easy detection of Y. pestis in environmental and flea samples, and would therefore be of great value for surveillance and epidemiological investigations of plague foci. Finally, they will be able to detect natural or genetically engineered F1-negative Y. pestis strains in human patients and environmental samples. PMID:23383008

Evaluating public participation in Chinese EIA. An integrated Public Participation Index and its application to the case of the New Beijing Airport

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

Brombal, Daniele; Moriggi, Angela; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice

In recent years, China's government authorities have devoted increasing attention to the role of public participation processes in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The capacity of these processes to influence decision-making remains widely debated. This paper aims at appraising the institutional rationale informing the implementation of public participation in China's EIA, benchmarking it against three conceptualisations: (1) Normative, based on objectives of empowerment and democratisation; (2) Substantive, where participation is pursued mainly to improve quality of decisions; (3) Instrumental, seeking participation as an instrument to legitimise decision-making processes. The appraisal is carried out by means of a new integrated index (Publicmore » Participation Index, PPI), which is applied to a case study representative of latest advancements in EIA public participation practices in China, namely the “New Beijing Airport Project”. Located 46 km south of downtown Beijing, the project was approved in 2014 and it is currently under construction. Results of the PPI application to this case study indicate that, despite progress made in recent years, the implementation of public participation in Chinese EIA still largely responds to an instrumental rationale, with limited capacity for the public to affect decisions. - Highlights: • In recent years China has strengthened EIA public participation (PP) legislation. • Despite progress, implementation of PP remains informed by an instrumental rationale. • A large gap exists between principles enunciated in regulations and implementation. • The Public Participation Index can be used to monitor China's EIA PP development.« less

Adenovirus EIIA early promoter: transcriptional control elements and induction by the viral pre-early EIA gene, which appears to be sequence independent.

PubMed Central

Murthy, S C; Bhat, G P; Thimmappaya, B

1985-01-01

A molecular dissection of the adenovirus EIIA early (E) promoter was undertaken to study the sequence elements required for transcription and to examine the nucleotide sequences, if any, specific for its trans-activation by the viral pre-early EIA gene product. A chimeric gene in which the EIIA-E promoter region fused to the coding sequences of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene was used in transient assays to identify the transcriptional control regions. Deletion mapping studies revealed that the upstream DNA sequences up to -86 were sufficient for the optimal basal level transcription in HeLa cells and also for the EIA-induced transcription. A series of linker-scanning (LS) mutants were constructed to precisely identify the nucleotide sequences that control transcription. Analysis of these LS mutants allowed us to identify two regions of the promoter that are critical for the EIIA-E transcription. These regions are located between -29 and -21 (region I) and between -82 and -66 (region II). Mutations in region I affected initiation and appeared functionally similar to the "TATA" sequence of the commonly studied promoters. To examine whether or not the EIIA-E promoter contained DNA sequences specific for the trans-activation by the EIA, the LS mutants were analyzed in a cotransfection assay containing a plasmid carrying the EIA gene. CAT activity of all of the LS mutants was induced by the EIA gene in this assay, suggesting that the induction of transcription of the EIIA-E promoter by the EIA gene is not sequence-specific. Images PMID:3857577

An analysis of false positive reactions occurring with the Captia Syph G EIA.

PubMed Central

Ross, J; Moyes, A; Young, H; McMillan, A

1991-01-01

AIM--The Captia Syph G enzyme immuno assay (EAI) offers the potential for the rapid automated detection of syphilis antibodies. This study was designed to assess the role of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in producing false positive reactions in the Captia Syph G EIA. The role of rheumatoid factor (RF) as a potential source of false positives was also analysed. METHODS--Patients who attended a genitourinary medicine (GUM) department and gave a false positive reaction with the EIA between 1988 and 1990 were compared with women undergoing antenatal testing and with the control clinic population (EIA negative) over the same time period. The incidence of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the clinic population and the false positive reactors was measured in relation to gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital warts, candidiasis, "other conditions not requiring treatment" and "other conditions requiring treatment." Male: female sex ratios were also compared. Ninety two RF positive sera were analysed with the EIA. RESULTS--The rate of false positive reactions did not differ with respect to the diagnosis within the GUM clinic population. The antenatal group of women, however, had a lower incidence of false positive reactions than the GUM clinic group. No RF positive sera were positive on Captia Syph G EIA testing. CONCLUSIONS--There is no cross reaction between Captia Syph G EIA and any specific STD or with RF positive sera. The lower incidence of false positive reactions in antenatal women is unexplained but may be related to physiological changes associated with pregnancy. PMID:1743715

Comparative performance of electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and EIA for HIV screening in a multiethnic region of China.

PubMed

Bi, Xiaohui; Ning, Hongxia; Wang, Tingting; Li, Dongdong; Liu, Yongming; Yang, Tingfu; Yu, Jiansheng; Tao, Chuanmin

2012-01-01

The recent approval of 4th generation HIV tests has forced many laboratories to decide whether to shift from 3rd to these tests. There are limited published studies on the comparative evaluation of these two different assays. We compare the performance of fourth-generation electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ChIA) and third-generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening and gauge whether the shift from EIA to ChIA could be better in a multiethnic region of China. We identified a large number of routine specimens (345,492) using two different assays from Jan 2008 to Aug 2011 in a teaching hospital with high sample throughput. Of the 344,596 specimens with interpretable HIV test results, 526(0.23%) of 228,761 using EIA and 303(0.26%) of 115,835 using ChIA were HIV-1 positive. The false-positive rate of EIA was lower than that of ChIA [0.03% vs. 0.08%, odds ratio 0.33 (95% confidence interval 0.24, 0.45)]. The positive predictive value (PPV) of EIA (89.6%) was significantly higher than that of ChIA (76.1%) (<0.001), reflecting the difference between the two assays. The clinical sensitivities of two assays in this study were 99.64% for EIA and 99.88% for ChIA. Caution is needed before shifting from 3rd to 4th generation HIV tests. Since none of these tests are perfect, different geographic and ethnic area probably require different considerations with regard to HIV testing methods, taking into account the local conditions.

Usefulness of FC-TRIPLEX Chagas/Leish IgG1 as confirmatory assay for non-negative results in blood bank screening of Chagas disease.

PubMed

Campos, Fernanda Magalhães Freire; Repoles, Laura Cotta; de Araújo, Fernanda Fortes; Peruhype-Magalhães, Vanessa; Xavier, Marcelo Antônio Pascoal; Sabino, Ester Cerdeira; de Freitas Carneiro Proietti, Anna Bárbara; Andrade, Mariléia Chaves; Teixeira-Carvalho, Andréa; Martins-Filho, Olindo Assis; Gontijo, Célia Maria Ferreira

2018-04-01

A relevant issue in Chagas disease serological diagnosis regards the requirement of using several confirmatory methods to elucidate the status of non-negative results from blood bank screening. The development of a single reliable method may potentially contribute to distinguish true and false positive results. Our aim was to evaluate the performance of the multiplexed flow-cytometry anti-T. cruzi/Leishmania IgG1 serology/(FC-TRIPLEX Chagas/Leish IgG1) with three conventional confirmatory criteria (ELISA-EIA, Immunofluorescence assay-IIF and EIA/IIF consensus criterion) to define the final status of samples with actual/previous non-negative results during anti-T. cruzi ELISA-screening in blood banks. Apart from inconclusive results, the FC-TRIPLEX presented a weak agreement index with EIA, while a strong agreement was observed when either IIF or EIA/IIF consensus criteria were applied. Discriminant analysis and Spearman's correlation further corroborates the agreement scores. ROC curve analysis showed that FC-TRIPLEX performance indexes were higher when IIF and EIA/IIF consensus were used as a confirmatory criterion. Logistic regression analysis further demonstrated that the probability of FC-TRIPLEX to yield positive results was higher for inconclusive results from IIF and EIA/IIF consensus. Machine learning tools illustrated the high level of categorical agreement between FC-TRIPLEX versus IIF or EIA/IIF consensus. Together, these findings demonstrated the usefulness of FC-TRIPLEX as a tool to elucidate the status of non-negative results in blood bank screening of Chagas disease. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

An observational study on the Strength and Movement of EIA in the Indian zone - Results from the Indian Tomography Experiment (CRABEX)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thampi, S. V.; Devasia, C. V.; Ravindran, S.; Pant, T. K.; Sridharan, R.

To investigate the equatorial ionospheric processes like the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) and Equatorial Spread F and their inter relationships, a network of five stations receiving the 150 and 400 MHz transmissions from the Low Earth Orbiting Satellites (LEOs) covering the region from Trivandrum (8.5°N, Dip ˜0.3N°) to New Delhi (28°N, Dip ˜20°N) is set up along the 77-78°E longitude. The receivers measure the relative phase of 150 MHz with respect to 400 MHz, which is proportional to the slant relative Total Electron Content (TEC) along the line of sight. These simultaneous TEC measurements are inverted to obtain the tomographic image of the latitudinal distribution of electron densities in the meridional plane. The inversion is done using the Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART). In this paper, the tomographic images of the equatorial ionosphere along the 77-78° E meridians are presented. The images indicate the movement of the anomaly crest, as well as the strength of EIA at various local times, which in turn control the over all electrodynamics of the evening time ionosphere, favoring the occurrence of Equatorial Spread F (ESF) irregularities. These features are discussed in detail under varying geophysical conditions. The results of the sensitivity analysis of the inversion algorithm using model ionospheres are also presented.

Development and Application of a Sensitive, Second Antibody Format Enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) for Estimation of Plasma FSH in Mithun (Bos frontalis).

PubMed

Mondal, Mohan; Baruah, Kishore Kumar; Prakash, B S

2016-01-01

Mithun (Bos frontalis) is a semi-wild rare ruminant species. A simple sensitive enzymeimmunoassay suitable for assaying FSH in the blood plasma of mithun is not available which thereby limits our ability to understand this species reproductive processes. Therefore, the aim of this article was to develop a simple and sensitive enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) for estimation of FSH in mithun plasma and apply the assay to understand the estrous cycle and superovulatory process in this species. To accomplish this goal, biotinylated FSH was bridged between streptavidin-peroxidase and immobilized antiserum in a competitive assay. Forty microlitre mithun plasma was used directly in the EIA. The FSH standards were prepared in hormone free plasma and ranged from 5-1280 pg/well/40 μL. The sensitivity of EIA was 5 pg/well FSH, which corresponds to 0.125 ng/mL plasma and the 50% relative binding sensitivity was 90 pg/well/40 μL. Although the shape of the standard curve was not influenced by different plasma volumes viz. 40 and 80 μL, a slight drop in the OD450 was observed with the increasing volume of plasma. Parallelism tests conducted between the endogenous mithun FSH and bovine FSH standards showed good homology between them. Plasma FSH estimated using the developed EIA and commercially available FSH EIA kit in the same samples were correlated (r = 0.98) and showed linearity. Both the Intra- and inter-assay CV were below 6%. Recovery of known concentrations of added FSH showed linearity (r = 0.99). The developed EIA was further validated biologically by estimating FSH in cyclic cows for the entire estrous cycle, in mithun heifers administered with GnRH analogues and in mithun cows during superovulatory treatment with FSH. In conclusion, the EIA developed for FSH determination in mithun blood plasma is simple and highly sensitive for estimation of mithun FSH in all physiological conditions.

Comparison of premier CAMPY enzyme immunoassay (EIA), ProSpecT Campylobacter EIA, and ImmunoCard STAT! CAMPY tests with culture for laboratory diagnosis of Campylobacter enteric infections.

PubMed

Granato, Paul A; Chen, Li; Holiday, Iris; Rawling, Russell A; Novak-Weekley, Susan M; Quinlan, Tammy; Musser, Kimberlee A

2010-11-01

Campylobacter enteritis is a food-borne or waterborne illness caused almost exclusively by Campylobacter jejuni and, to a lesser extent, by Campylobacter coli. These organisms produce indistinguishable clinical diseases and together represent the second most common cause of bacterial diarrhea in the United States and the leading cause of enteric infection throughout the world. The conventional approach to the laboratory diagnosis of Campylobacter enteritis is based on the recovery of the organism from a stool specimen, which requires the use of a specialized medium incubated at 42°C for several days in an artificially created microaerophilic environment. Recently, several commercially available enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) have been developed for the direct detection of C. jejuni and C. coli in stool specimens. This study compared conventional culture with three EIA methods, the Premier CAMPY EIA (Meridian Bioscience, Cincinnati, OH), the ProSpecT Campylobacter EIA (Remel, Lenexa, KS), and the ImmunoCard STAT! CAMPY test (Meridian Bioscience, Cincinnati, OH), for the detection of C. jejuni and C. coli in 485 patient stool samples. Discordant results were arbitrated by using an in-house, real-time PCR assay that was developed and validated by a public health reference laboratory. Following analyses of the discrepant specimens by PCR, the sensitivity and specificity of both the Premier CAMPY and ProSpecT Campylobacter EIAs were 99.3% and 98%, respectively, while the ImmunoCard STAT! CAMPY test had a sensitivity of 98.5% and a specificity of 98.2%. By use of the PCR test as the reference standard, culture detected 127 of 135 Campylobacter-positive stool specimens, yielding a sensitivity of 94.1%. These results showed that the three EIAs evaluated in this study provide a rapid and reliable alternative for the laboratory diagnosis of enteric infections with C. jejuni and C. coli and that conventional culture may no longer be recognized as the "gold standard" for diagnosis.

Clinical and economic impact of the introduction of a nucleic acid amplification assay for Clostridium difficile.

PubMed

Guinta, Margaret M; Bunnell, Kristen; Harrington, Amanda; Bleasdale, Susan; Danziger, Larry; Wenzler, Eric

2017-12-04

The clinical outcomes and cost implications of a diagnostic shift from an EIA- to PCR-based assay for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) have not been completely described in the literature. The impact of the PCR-based assay on the incidence and duration of CDI therapy was compared to the EIA assay for patients with a negative CDI diagnostic result. Secondary clinical and economic outcomes were also evaluated. Independent predictors of receipt of antibiotic therapy were assessed via logistic regression. 141 EIA and 140 PCR patients were included. Significantly more patients were started or continued on anti-CDI antibiotic therapy after a known negative assay result in the EIA group (26 patients vs. 8 patients, P = 0.002). Duration of antibiotic therapy after a known negative result was significantly shorter in the PCR group (1 vs. 4 days, P = 0.029) and a 23% reduction in the number of tests obtained per patient was observed (1.41 ± 0.86 vs. 1.82 ± 1.35, P = 0.007). The over fourfold difference in per-test cost of the EIA assay ($8.33 vs. $42.86, P < 0.0001) was offset by the overall medication costs required for the increased treatment in the EIA group ($546.60 vs. $188.96, P = 0.191). Utilization of the EIA-based CDI assay was associated with increased odds of CDI treatment after a negative test (aOR 4.71, 95% CI 1.93-11.46, P = 0.001). The transition from an EIA to PCR-based assay for diagnosing CDI resulted in a significant decrease in the number of patients treated and the duration of treatment in response to a negative test result. This significant decrease in treatment resulted in decreased costs offsetting the utilization of a more expensive molecular test for patients with a negative CDI diagnostic result.

Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report - EIA

Science.gov Websites

. Stocks were 804 Bcf less than last year at this time and 499 Bcf below the five-year average of 2,128 Bcf . At 1,629 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range. For information on sampling Underground Storage Compared with Five-Year Range Note: The shaded area indicates the range between the

Development, evaluation, and laboratory validation of immunoassays for the diagnosis of equine infectious anemia (EIA) using recombinant protein produced from a synthetic p26 gene of EIA virus.

PubMed

Singha, Harisankar; Goyal, Sachin K; Malik, Praveen; Khurana, Sandip K; Singh, Raj K

2013-12-01

Equine infectious anemia (EIA)-a retroviral disease caused by equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV)-is a chronic, debilitating disease of horses, mules, and donkeys. EIAV infection has been reported worldwide and is recognized as pathogen of significant economic importance to the horse industry. This disease falls under regulatory control program in many countries including India. Control of EIA is based on identification of inapparent carriers by detection of antibodies to EIAV in serologic tests and "Stamping Out" policy. The current internationally accepted test for diagnosis of EIA is the agar gel immune-diffusion test (AGID), which detects antibodies to the major gag gene (p26) product. The objective of this study was to develop recombinant p26 based in-house immunoassays [enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and AGID] for EIA diagnosis. The synthetic p26 gene of EIAV was expressed in Escherichia coli and diagnostic potential of recombinant p26 protein were evaluated in ELISA and AGID on 7,150 and 1,200 equine serum samples, respectively, and compared with commercial standard AGID kit. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed ELISA were 100 and 98.6 %, respectively. Whereas, relative sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed AGID were in complete agreement in respect to commercial AGID kit. Here, we have reported the validation of an ELISA and AGID on large number of equine serum samples using recombinant p26 protein produced from synthetic gene which does not require handling of pathogenic EIAV. Since the indigenously developed reagents would be economical than commercial diagnostic kit, the rp26 based-immunoassays could be adopted for the sero-diagnosis and control of EIA in India.

Comparative evaluation of the Ridascreen Verotoxin enzyme immunoassay for detection of Shiga-toxin producing strains of Escherichia coli (STEC) from food and other sources.

PubMed

Beutin, L; Steinrück, H; Krause, G; Steege, K; Haby, S; Hultsch, G; Appel, B

2007-03-01

To evaluate the suitability of the commercially distributed Ridascreen Verotoxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detection of known genetic types of the Vero (Shiga) toxins 1 (Stx1) and 2 (Stx2) families and to determine its relative sensitivity and specificity. The Ridascreen-EIA was compared with the Vero cell assay, a P(1)-glycoprotein receptor EIA and with stx gene-specific PCs for detection of Stx with 43 Shiga toxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli (STEC) reference strains and with 241 test strains. The Ridascreen-EIA detects strains producing Stx1 and variants Stx1c and Stx1d, as well as Stx2 and variants Stx2d1, Stx2d2, Stx2e, Stx2d, Stx2-O118 (Stx2d-ount), Stx2-NV206, Stx2f and Stx2g. The assay showed a relative sensitivity of 95.7% and a relative specificity of 98.7%. Some of the Stx2-O118-, Stx2e- and Stx2g-producing STEC were not detected with the Ridascreen-EIA probably because of low amount of toxin produced by these strains. The Ridascreen-EIA is able to detect all known types of Stx and is applicable for routine screening of bacterial isolates owing to its high specificity. It is less applicable for testing samples where low amounts of Stx are expected, such as mixed cultures and certain Stx2 variants. This study presents a first comprehensive evaluation of the Ridascreen-EIA, a rapid standardized STEC screening test for routine diagnostic laboratories. Data are presented on the type of the spectrum of Stx that are detected with this immunoassay and its advantages and limits for practical use.

Correlation between oestrogen receptor protein expression in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast by immunohistochemistry and cytosol measurements.

PubMed

Looi, L M; Yap, S F; Cheah, P L

1997-11-01

Fresh frozen neoplastic tissues from 70 infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas were analysed for cytosolic oestrogen receptor (ER) protein content using a solid phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method based on a "sandwich" principle (Abbott ER-EIA monoclonal). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from the same carcinomas were examined for nuclear immunoreactivity against a monoclonal antibody for ER protein (Dako) using the standard avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase (IP) method after microwave antigen retrieval. The degree of ER positivity by IP was also scored according to a visual estimation of the percentage of cells expressing immunopositivity and the intensity of staining. Twenty-eight (40%) of the carcinomas were ER-positive by EIA and 34 (48.6%) were positive by IP. Twenty-five (35.7%) were ER-positive and 33 (47.1%) were ER-negative by both methods. Nine (12.9%) were ER-negative by EIA but were positive by IP, this discrepancy being ascribed to sampling inadequacy for EIA. However, 3 (4.3%) tumours were ER-positive by EIA and negative by IP. This discrepancy may be variously due to inadequate antigen retrieval, faulty technique and the possibility that the two methods do not measure identical ER proteins. IP appears to have an advantage over EIA in that it has a higher pick-up rate, does not require fresh tissue and can be applied to archival material. However, to reduce false negative estimations, it may be necessary to run IP staining using more than one ER antibody. Standardisation of the IP method for ER is desirable before this method is to be widely adopted in Malaysian laboratories. Quantitation of ER positivity by IP scoring correlated poorly with actual cytosolic levels. Caution should be exercised in attaching patient management value to visual IP scoring.

Development and evaluation of a new lateral flow assay for simultaneous detection of antibodies against African Horse Sickness and Equine Infectious Anemia viruses.

PubMed

Costa, Sofia; Sastre, Patricia; Pérez, Teresa; Tapia, Istar; Barrandeguy, María; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José M; Sánchez-Matamoros, Almudena; Wigdorovitz, Andrés; Sanz, Antonio; Rueda, Paloma

2016-11-01

African horse sickness (AHS) and equine infectious anemia (EIA) are both notifiable equid specific diseases that may present similar clinical signs. Considering the increased global movement of horses and equine products over the past decades, together with the socio-economic impact of previous AHS and EIA outbreaks, there is a clear demand for an early discrimination and a strict control of their transmission between enzootic and AHS/EIA-free regions. Currently, the individual control and prevention of AHS or EIA relies on a series of measures, including the restriction of animal movements, vector control, and the use of several laboratory techniques for viral identification, amongst others. Despite being widely employed in surveillance programmes and in the control of animal movements, the available serological assays can only detect AHS- or EIA-specific antibodies individually. In this work, a duplex lateral flow assay (LFA) for simultaneous detection and differentiation of specific antibodies against AHS virus (AHSV) and EIA virus (EIAV) was developed and evaluated with experimental and field serum samples. The duplex LFA was based on the AHSV-VP7 outer core protein and the EIAV-P26 major core protein. The results indicated that the duplex LFA presented a good analytical performance, detecting simultaneously and specifically antibodies against AHSV and EIAV. The initial diagnostic evaluation revealed a good agreement with results from the AHS and EIA tests prescribed by the OIE, and it highlighted the usefulness of the new AHSV/EIAV duplex LFA for an on-field and point-of-care first diagnosis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quality of Antiepileptic Treatment Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries With Epilepsy: A Retrospective Claims Data Analysis.

PubMed

Pisu, Maria; Richman, Joshua; Piper, Kendra; Martin, Roy; Funkhouser, Ellen; Dai, Chen; Juarez, Lucia; Szaflarski, Jerzy P; Faught, Edward

2017-07-01

Enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EI-AEDs) are not recommended for older adults with epilepsy. Quality Indicator for Epilepsy Treatment 9 (QUIET-9) states that new patients should not receive EI-AEDs as first line of treatment. In light of reported racial/ethnic disparities in epilepsy care, we investigated EI-AED use and QUIET-9 concordance across major racial/ethnic groups of Medicare beneficiaries. Retrospective analyses of 2008-2010 Medicare claims for a 5% random sample of beneficiaries 67 years old and above in 2009 augmented for minority representation. Logistic regressions examined QUIET-9 concordance differences by race/ethnicity adjusting for individual, socioeconomic, and geography factors. Epilepsy prevalent (≥1 International Classification of Disease-version 9 code 345.x or ≥2 International Classification of Disease-version 9 code 780.3x, ≥1 AED), and new (same as prevalent+no seizure/epilepsy events nor AEDs in 365 d before index event) cases. Use of EI-AEDs and QUIET-9 concordance (no EI-AEDs for the first 2 AEDs). Cases were 21% white, 58% African American, 12% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 2% American Indian/Alaskan Native. About 65% of prevalent, 43.6% of new cases, used EI-AEDs. QUIET-9 concordance was found for 71% Asian, 65% white, 61% Hispanic, 57% African American, 55% American Indian/Alaskan new cases: racial/ethnic differences were not significant in adjusted model. Beneficiaries without neurology care, in deductible drug benefit phase, or in high poverty areas were less likely to have QUIET-9 concordant care. EI-AED use is high, and concordance with recommendations low, among all racial/ethnic groups of older adults with epilepsy. Potential socioeconomic disparities and drug coverage plans may affect treatment quality and opportunities to live well with epilepsy.

Evolution of environmental impact assessment as applied to watershed modification projects in Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dirschl, Herman J.; Novakowski, Nicholas S.; Sadar, M. Husain

1993-07-01

This article reviews the application of environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures and practices to three watershed modification projects situaled in western Canada. These ventures were justified for accelerating regional economic development, and cover the period during which public concerns for protecting the environment rapidly made their way into the national political agenda. An historical account and analysis of the situation, therefore, seems desirable in order to understand the development of EIA processes, practices, and methodologies since the start of construction of the first project in 1961. This study concludes that there has been good progress in predicting and evaluating environmental and related social impacts of watershed modification proposals. However, a number of obstacles need to be overcome before EIA can firmly establish itself as an effective planning tool. These difficulties include jurisdictional confusions and conflicts, division of authority and responsibility in designing and implementing appropriate mitigative and monitoring measures, lack of tested EIA methodologies, and limited availability of qualified human resources. A number of conclusions and suggestions are offered so that future watershed modification proposals may be planned and implemented in a more environmentally sustainable fashion. These include: (1) EIA processes must be completed before irrevocable decisions are made. (2) Any major intrusion into a watershed is likely to impact on some major components of the ecosystem(s). (3) Mitigation costs must form part of the benefit-cost analysis of any project proposal. (4) Interjurisdictional cooperation is imperative where watersheds cross political boundaries. (5) The EIA process is a public process, hence public concerns must be dealt with fairly. (6) The role of science in the EIA process must be at arms length from project proponents and regulators, and allowed to function in the interest of the protection of the environment and public health and safety.

Investigating Perturbation Electric Fields and Their Effects on the Coupled Low-, Mid- and High-latitude Ionosphere

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-14

stream (SAPS) E field had been strong. During these E field events, the repeated development of equatorial ionization anomaly ( EIA ), storm-enhanced...density (SED) bulge and SED plume occurred in those longitude sectors that covered the local dusk-midnight hours. Thus, a well-formed EIA - SED...Observational results and CTIPe simulated wind vector maps suggest that 1) the enhanced growth of the EIA transported solar produced plasma to the

The validation and utility of a quantitative one-step multiplex RT real-time PCR targeting Rotavirus A and Norovirus

PubMed Central

Dung, Tran Thi Ngoc; Phat, Voong Vinh; Nga, Tran Vu Thieu; My, Phan Vu Tra; Duy, Pham Thanh; Campbell, James I.; Thuy, Cao Thu; Hoang, Nguyen Van Minh; Van Minh, Pham; Le Phuc, Hoang; Tuyet, Pham Thi Ngoc; Vinh, Ha; Kien, Duong Thi Hue; Huy, Huynh Le Anh; Vinh, Nguyen Thanh; Nga, Tran Thi Thu; Hau, Nguyen Thi Thu; Chinh, Nguyen Tran; Thuong, Tang Chi; Tuan, Ha Manh; Simmons, Cameron; Farrar, Jeremy J.; Baker, Stephen

2013-01-01

Rotavirus (RoV) and Norovirus (NoV) are the main causes of viral gastroenteritis. Currently, there is no validated multiplex real-time PCR that can detect and quantify RoV and NoV simultaneously. The aim of the study was to develop, validate, and internally control a multiplex one-step RT real-time PCR to detect and quantify RoV and NoV in stool samples. PCR sensitivity was assessed by comparing amplification against the current gold standard, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), on stool samples from 94 individuals with diarrhea and 94 individuals without diarrhea. PCR detected 10% more RoV positive samples than EIA in stools samples from patients with diarrhea. PCR detected 23% more NoV genogroup II positive samples from individuals with diarrhea and 9% more from individuals without diarrhea than EIA, respectively. Genotyping of the PCR positive/EIA negative samples suggested the higher rate of PCR positivity, in comparison to EIA, was due to increased sensitivity, rather than nonspecific hybridization. Quantitation demonstrated that the viral loads of RoV and NoV in the stools of diarrheal patients were an order of magnitude greater than in individuals without diarrhea. This internally controlled real-time PCR method is robust, exhibits a high degree of reproducibility, and may have a greater utility and sensitivity than commercial EIA kits. PMID:23046990

Health Impact Assessment Practice and Potential for Integration within Environmental Impact and Strategic Environmental Assessments in Italy

PubMed Central

Linzalone, Nunzia; Assennato, Giorgio; Ballarini, Adele; Cadum, Ennio; Cirillo, Mario; Cori, Liliana; De Maio, Francesca; Musmeci, Loredana; Natali, Marinella; Rieti, Sabrina; Soggiu, Maria Eleonora; Bianchi, Fabrizio

2014-01-01

Avoiding or minimizing potential environmental impact is the driving idea behind protecting a population’s health via Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs). However, both are often carried out without any systematic approach. This paper describes the findings of a review of HIA, EIA and SEA experiences carried out by the authors, who act as institutional competent subjects at the national and regional levels in Italy. The analysis of how health is tackled in EIA and SEA procedures could support the definition of a protocol for the integration of HIA with EIA and SEA. Although EIA and SEA approaches include the aim of protecting health, significant technical and methodological gaps are present when assessing health systematically, and their basic principles regarding assessment are unsatisfactory for promoting and addressing healthcare concepts stated by the WHO. HIA is still poorly integrated into the decision-making process, screening and monitoring phases are only occasionally implemented, and operational details are not well-defined. The collaborative approach of institutions involved in environment and health is a core element in a systematic advancement toward supporting effective decisions and effective protection of the environment and health. At the Italian national level, the definition of guidelines and tools for HIA, also in relation with EIA and SEA, is of great interest. PMID:25493391

Quality control and the substantive influence of environmental impact assessment in Finland

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

Poeloenen, Ismo

2006-07-15

This paper focuses on the challenges concerning the quality assurance of environmental impact statements (EIS) in Finland and the European Union. Moreover, the linkage between environmental impact assessment and decision-making is examined from a legal point of view. In addition, the paper includes some comparative remarks concerning the content requirements of examination of alternatives. The study reveals that a significant problem of the Finnish EIA system is the lack of efficient access to a judicial procedure to challenge the quality and completeness of an EIS. Another pitfall is the fact that in certain permit procedures, environmental consideration is so limitedmore » that only a minor part of the EIA can be taken into account. In its current state, EIA legislation in the EU and in Finland does not guarantee that the assessment results filter into decision-making. From the national point of view, the shortcomings can be addressed by amending current legislation concerning licensing procedures so that authorities have the competence and the duty to take environmental matters widely into account in the permit consideration. At the European level, a legislative alternative could be to strengthen the substantive element of the EIA Directive (85/337/EEC). This would increase the weight of EIA related arguments in the national appellate procedures and contribute, in some cases significantly, to the substantive influence of EIA in decision-making.« less

Equatorial ionization anomaly development as studied by GPS TEC and foF2 over Brazil: A comparison of observations with model results from SUPIM and IRI-2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nogueira, P. A. B.; Abdu, M. A.; Souza, J. R.; Batista, I. S.; Bailey, G. J.; Santos, A. M.; Takahashi, H.

2013-11-01

The equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) development is studied using the total electron content (TEC) observed by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, the F2-layer critical frequency (foF2) as measured by digisondes operated in the Brazilian sector, and by model simulation using the SUPIM (Sheffield University Plasmasphere Ionosphere Model). We have used two indices based on foF2 and TEC to represent the strength of the EIA Southern Anomaly Crest (SAC), which are denoted, respectively, by SAC(foF2) and SAC(TEC). Significant differences in the local time variations of the EIA intensity, as represented by these two indices, are investigated. The observed SAC indices are compared with their values modeled by the SUPIM and also by the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI)-2012. The SUPIM simulations that use the standard E×B plasma drift and neutral air wind models are found to provide acceptable representations of the observed foF2 and TEC, and hence the indices SAC(foF2) and SAC(TEC) during daytime, whereas the IRI-2012 model is not, except during the post-midnight/sunrise hours. It is found that the differences in the local time variations between the SAC(foF2) and SAC(TEC) can be reduced by limiting the TEC integrations in height up to an altitude of 630 km in the SUPIM calculations. It is also found that when the EIA intensity is calculated for an intermediate dip latitude (12°S) the difference between the local time variation patterns of the two corresponding indices in the experimental data and in the SUPIM results is reduced. For the IRI-2012 values, the subequatorial station modification does not appear to have any effect.

Recalibration of the limiting antigen avidity EIA to determine mean duration of recent infection in divergent HIV-1 subtypes.

PubMed

Duong, Yen T; Kassanjee, Reshma; Welte, Alex; Morgan, Meade; De, Anindya; Dobbs, Trudy; Rottinghaus, Erin; Nkengasong, John; Curlin, Marcel E; Kittinunvorakoon, Chonticha; Raengsakulrach, Boonyos; Martin, Michael; Choopanya, Kachit; Vanichseni, Suphak; Jiang, Yan; Qiu, Maofeng; Yu, Haiying; Hao, Yan; Shah, Neha; Le, Linh-Vi; Kim, Andrea A; Nguyen, Tuan Anh; Ampofo, William; Parekh, Bharat S

2015-01-01

Mean duration of recent infection (MDRI) and misclassification of long-term HIV-1 infections, as proportion false recent (PFR), are critical parameters for laboratory-based assays for estimating HIV-1 incidence. Recent review of the data by us and others indicated that MDRI of LAg-Avidity EIA estimated previously required recalibration. We present here results of recalibration efforts using >250 seroconversion panels and multiple statistical methods to ensure accuracy and consensus. A total of 2737 longitudinal specimens collected from 259 seroconverting individuals infected with diverse HIV-1 subtypes were tested with the LAg-Avidity EIA as previously described. Data were analyzed for determination of MDRI at ODn cutoffs of 1.0 to 2.0 using 7 statistical approaches and sub-analyzed by HIV-1 subtypes. In addition, 3740 specimens from individuals with infection >1 year, including 488 from patients with AIDS, were tested for PFR at varying cutoffs. Using different statistical methods, MDRI values ranged from 88-94 days at cutoff ODn = 1.0 to 177-183 days at ODn = 2.0. The MDRI values were similar by different methods suggesting coherence of different approaches. Testing for misclassification among long-term infections indicated that overall PFRs were 0.6% to 2.5% at increasing cutoffs of 1.0 to 2.0, respectively. Balancing the need for a longer MDRI and smaller PFR (<2.0%) suggests that a cutoff ODn = 1.5, corresponding to an MDRI of 130 days should be used for cross-sectional application. The MDRI varied among subtypes from 109 days (subtype A&D) to 152 days (subtype C). Based on the new data and revised analysis, we recommend an ODn cutoff = 1.5 to classify recent and long-term infections, corresponding to an MDRI of 130 days (118-142). Determination of revised parameters for estimation of HIV-1 incidence should facilitate application of the LAg-Avidity EIA for worldwide use.

A pilot study on screening blood donors with individual-donation nucleic acid testing in China

PubMed Central

Dong, Jie; Wu, Yaling; Zhu, Hong; Li, Gan; Lv, Mengen; Wu, Daxiao; Li, Xiaotao; Zhu, Faming; Lv, Hangjun

2014-01-01

Background Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) is not yet obligatory in China for blood donor screening and the risk of enzyme immunoassay (EIA)-negative, NAT-reactive donations in Chinese blood donors has rarely been reported. The aim of this study was to screen a population of Chinese blood donors using a triplex individual-donation (ID)-NAT assay and assess the safety benefits of implementing NAT. Materials and methods Between 1st August, 2010 and 31st December, 2011 all donations at a Chinese blood centre were screened individually using the Procleix® Ultrio® assay, a multiplex NAT assay for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) RNA. All donations were also screened for HBsAg, anti-HIV and anti-HCV using two different EIA for each marker. Samples with discordant results between NAT and EIA were further tested with an alternative NAT assay (Cobas® TaqMan®). Potential yield cases (serologically negative/NAT-reactive donors) were further evaluated when possible. Results During the study period a total of 178,447 donations were screened by NAT and EIA, among which 169 HBV NAT yield cases (0.095%) were detected. No N AT yield cases were found for HIV-1 or HCV. For the HBV NAT yield cases, follow-up results showed that 11 (6.51%) were probable or confirmed HBV window period infections, 5 (2.96%) were chronic HBV carriers and 153 (90.53%) were probable or confirmed occult HBV infections. There was a statistically significant difference between the NAT-positive rates for first-time vs repeat donations (0.472% vs 0.146%, respectively; P<0.001). Discussion Our data demonstrate that the potential HBV yield rate was 1:1,056 for blood donations in the Zhejiang province of China. Implementation of NAT will provide a significant increment in safety relative to serological screening alone. PMID:24333061

Implementation of a Clinical Decision Support Tool for Stool Cultures and Parasitological Studies in Hospitalized Patients

PubMed Central

Nikolic, D.; Richter, S. S.; Asamoto, K.; Wyllie, R.; Tuttle, R.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT There is substantial evidence that stool culture and parasitological examinations are of minimal to no value after 3 days of hospitalization. We implemented and studied the impact of a clinical decision support tool (CDST) to decrease the number of unnecessary stool cultures (STCUL), ova/parasite (O&P) examinations, and Giardia/Cryptosporidium enzyme immunoassay screens (GC-EIA) performed for patients hospitalized >3 days. We studied the frequency of stool studies ordered before or on day 3 and after day 3 of hospitalization (i.e., categorical orders/total number of orders) before and after this intervention and denoted the numbers and types of microorganisms detected within those time frames. This intervention, which corresponded to a custom-programmed hard-stop alert tool in the Epic hospital information system, allowed providers to override the intervention by calling the laboratory, if testing was deemed medically necessary. Comparative statistics were employed to determine significance, and cost savings were estimated based on our internal costs. Before the intervention, 129/670 (19.25%) O&P examinations, 47/204 (23.04%) GC-EIA, and 249/1,229 (20.26%) STCUL were ordered after 3 days of hospitalization. After the intervention, 46/521 (8.83%) O&P examinations, 27/157 (17.20%) GC-EIA, and 106/1,028 (10.31%) STCUL were ordered after 3 days of hospitalization. The proportions of reductions in the number of tests performed after 3 days and the associated P values were 54.1% for O&P examinations (P < 0.0001), 22.58% for GC-EIA (P = 0.2807), and 49.1% for STCUL (P < 0.0001). This was estimated to have resulted in $8,108.84 of cost savings. The electronic CDST resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of evaluations of stool cultures and the number of parasitological examinations for patients hospitalized for more than 3 days and in a cost savings while retaining the ability of the clinician to obtain these tests if clinically indicated. PMID:28954902

Assessing Health Impacts within Environmental Impact Assessments: An Opportunity for Public Health Globally Which Must Not Remain Missed

PubMed Central

Harris, Patrick; Viliani, Francesca; Spickett, Jeff

2015-01-01

Within the member states of the United Nations 190 of 193 have regulated Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) which is a systematic process to prevent and mitigate the potential environmental impacts of industry development projects before these occur. However, the routine and comprehensive assessment of health impacts within EIAs remains underdeveloped. Focusing, as an example, on the risks to global health from the global shift in the mining industry towards Low and Middle Income Countries LMIC), this viewpoint details why connecting with EIA is an essential task for the health system. Although existing knowledge is out of date in relation to global practice we identify how health has been included, to some extent, in High Income Country EIAs and the institutional requirements for doing so. Using arguments identified by industry themselves about requiring a ‘social license to operate’, we conclude that EIA regulations provide the best current mechanism to ensure health protection is a core aspect in the decision making process to approve projects. PMID:25608592

Transboundary EIA: Iberian experiences

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

Albergaria, Rita; Fidelis, Teresa

2006-10-15

The 1314 km border shared by Portugal and Spain is simultaneously a conflict generator, due to joint access to common resources such as water, and a motive for transboundary cooperation in terms of development projects based on common concerns. Transboundary cooperation associated with Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) has been encouraged through the enactment of the Espoo Convention (1997). The European Union has adopted a Directive (97/11/CE Directive) under which taking transboundary impacts into consideration during EIA processes has become mandatory for member states. As a consequence, Portugal and Spain have approved related provisions. This paper aims to critically analyse themore » legal and procedural features of bilateral cooperation through the comparison of two case studies related to water management projects (the Sela and Alqueva dams). The paper highlights procedural weaknesses and puts forward a 'Good Practice Model' for cooperation under transboundary EIA processes. The model focuses on the ways in which EIA-based bilateral cooperation should proceed through the specification of phases and procedures for collaboration between Portugal and Spain in the identification and evaluation of transboundary impacts, as well in the public participation procedures.« less

Immunochemical Analysis of Paxilline and Ergot Alkaloid Mycotoxins in Grass Seeds and Plants.

PubMed

Bauer, Julia I; Gross, Madeleine; Cramer, Benedikt; Humpf, Hans-Ulrich; Hamscher, Gerd; Usleber, Ewald

2018-01-10

Limited availability of toxin standards for lolitrem B and ergovaline impedes routine control of grasses for endophyte toxins. This study aimed at assessing the applicability of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the indole-diterpene mycotoxin paxilline, in combination with a generic EIA for ergot alkaloids, as alternative parameters for screening purposes. Analysis of grass seeds and model pastures of four different grass species showed that both EIAs yielded highly positive results for paxilline and ergot alkaloids in perennial ryegrass seeds. Furthermore, evidence for natural occurrence of paxilline in grass in Germany was obtained. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis qualitatively confirmed the paxilline EIA results but showed that paxilline analogues 1'-O-acetylpaxilline and 13-desoxypaxilline were the predominant compounds in seeds and grass. In the absence of easily accessible reference standards for specific analysis of some major endophyte toxins, analysis of paxilline and ergot alkaloids by EIA may be suitable substitute parameters. The major advantage of this approach is its ease of use and speed, providing an analytical tool which could enhance routine screening for endophyte toxins in pasture.

A proposal to improve ecological compensation practice in road and railway projects in Spain

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

Villarroya, Ana, E-mail: avillarroya@alumni.unav.es; Puig, Jordi, E-mail: jpbaguer@unav.es

2013-09-15

To reduce ecological impacts caused by development projects, avoidance, minimization and compensation techniques have to be taken together into consideration along Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures. This paper explores the particular role that ecological compensation has had in recent road and railway EIA procedures in Spain, as seen through the review of a set of recent EIA Records of Decision (RODs) that confirms precedent findings. Noticing that residual impacts are not paid much attention, and that there is no evidence of a solid public participation in ecological impact evaluation, it proposes to increase the awareness on residual impacts, as amore » way to make easier public access to the allegedly most sensitive moment of EIA implementation: (residual) impact evaluation. -- Highlights: ► Ecological compensation practice in Spain is much lower than avoidance or mitigation. ► Residual impacts are overlooked in EIA processes and public participation is low. ► An increased awareness of residual impacts may also promote public participation. ► Current context needs these small steps to move towards better compensation practice.« less

Issues in midterm analysis and forecasting 1998

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

NONE

1998-07-01

Issues in Midterm Analysis and Forecasting 1998 (Issues) presents a series of nine papers covering topics in analysis and modeling that underlie the Annual Energy Outlook 1998 (AEO98), as well as other significant issues in midterm energy markets. AEO98, DOE/EIA-0383(98), published in December 1997, presents national forecasts of energy production, demand, imports, and prices through the year 2020 for five cases -- a reference case and four additional cases that assume higher and lower economic growth and higher and lower world oil prices than in the reference case. The forecasts were prepared by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), using EIA`smore » National Energy Modeling System (NEMS). The papers included in Issues describe underlying analyses for the projections in AEO98 and the forthcoming Annual Energy Outlook 1999 and for other products of EIA`s Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting. Their purpose is to provide public access to analytical work done in preparation for the midterm projections and other unpublished analyses. Specific topics were chosen for their relevance to current energy issues or to highlight modeling activities in NEMS. 59 figs., 44 tabs.« less

Monthly Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production Report

EIA Publications

2017-01-01

Crude oil production (including lease condensate) and natural gas production (gross withdrawals) from data collected on Form EIA-914 (Monthly Crude Oil, Lease Condensate, and Natural Gas Production Report) for Federal Offshore Gulf of Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, other states and lower 48 states. Alaska data are from the Alaska state government and included to obtain a U.S. total.

Wheezing or Breezing through Exercise-Induced Asthma.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarthy, Paul

1989-01-01

Several physicians discuss the tests they use to diagnose exercise-induced asthma (EIA), the medications they typically prescribe and why, and the importance of properly educating athletes about EIA. (JD)

Evaluation of Non-Lethal Effects of N2 Bubbles on Marine Mammal Health and the Potential Role of Immune Activity in Facilitating the Development of Dive Related Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

control for confounding effects of changing physiological status. Cortisol will be measured using a commercial enzyme immunoassay ( EIA ) and plasma...complement activity in plasma and serum has been tested using zymosan (Sigma Aldrich) which is a known activator of complement. Validation of the EIA ...expected to be underway by November 2015. Data collection for objective 3 will occur during project year 2. RESULTS EIA kits for seal

Identical genomic footprints of the adenovirus EIIa promoter are detected before and after EIa induction.

PubMed Central

Devaux, B; Albrecht, G; Kedinger, C

1987-01-01

Genomic DNase I footprinting was used to compare specific protein binding to the adenovirus type 5 early, EIa-inducible, EIIa promoter. Identical protection patterns of the promoter region were observed whether EIIa transcription was undetectable or fully induced. These results suggest that EIa-mediated transcriptional induction does not increase binding of limiting transcription factors to the promoter but rather that transactivation results from the proper interactions between factors already bound to their cognate sequences. Images PMID:2963956

An Assessment of EIA's Building Consumption Data

EIA Publications

2012-01-01

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) routinely uses feedback from customers and outside experts to help improve its programs and products. As part of an assessment of its consumption surveys, EIA reached out to the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) asking them to assess the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) and the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) and recommend improvements in data quality, geographic coverage, timeliness of data releases, and relevance of data for users.

Comparison of Premier CAMPY Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA), ProSpecT Campylobacter EIA, and ImmunoCard STAT! CAMPY Tests with Culture for Laboratory Diagnosis of Campylobacter Enteric Infections ▿ †

PubMed Central

Granato, Paul A.; Chen, Li; Holiday, Iris; Rawling, Russell A.; Novak-Weekley, Susan M.; Quinlan, Tammy; Musser, Kimberlee A.

2010-01-01

Campylobacter enteritis is a food-borne or waterborne illness caused almost exclusively by Campylobacter jejuni and, to a lesser extent, by Campylobacter coli. These organisms produce indistinguishable clinical diseases and together represent the second most common cause of bacterial diarrhea in the United States and the leading cause of enteric infection throughout the world. The conventional approach to the laboratory diagnosis of Campylobacter enteritis is based on the recovery of the organism from a stool specimen, which requires the use of a specialized medium incubated at 42°C for several days in an artificially created microaerophilic environment. Recently, several commercially available enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) have been developed for the direct detection of C. jejuni and C. coli in stool specimens. This study compared conventional culture with three EIA methods, the Premier CAMPY EIA (Meridian Bioscience, Cincinnati, OH), the ProSpecT Campylobacter EIA (Remel, Lenexa, KS), and the ImmunoCard STAT! CAMPY test (Meridian Bioscience, Cincinnati, OH), for the detection of C. jejuni and C. coli in 485 patient stool samples. Discordant results were arbitrated by using an in-house, real-time PCR assay that was developed and validated by a public health reference laboratory. Following analyses of the discrepant specimens by PCR, the sensitivity and specificity of both the Premier CAMPY and ProSpecT Campylobacter EIAs were 99.3% and 98%, respectively, while the ImmunoCard STAT! CAMPY test had a sensitivity of 98.5% and a specificity of 98.2%. By use of the PCR test as the reference standard, culture detected 127 of 135 Campylobacter-positive stool specimens, yielding a sensitivity of 94.1%. These results showed that the three EIAs evaluated in this study provide a rapid and reliable alternative for the laboratory diagnosis of enteric infections with C. jejuni and C. coli and that conventional culture may no longer be recognized as the “gold standard” for diagnosis. PMID:20810765

Identification of Past and Recent Parvovirus B19 Infection in Immunocompetent Individuals by Quantitative PCR and Enzyme Immunoassays: a Dual-Laboratory Study

PubMed Central

Hedman, Lea; Dhanilall, Pravesh; Kantola, Kalle; Nurmi, Visa; Söderlund-Venermo, Maria; Brown, Kevin E.; Hedman, Klaus

2014-01-01

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a member of the family Parvoviridae, genus Erythrovirus. B19V-specific IgG and IgM react differently against conformational and linear epitopes of VP1 and VP2 antigens, leading to the development of IgG avidity and epitope type specificity (ETS) enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for distinguishing past from recent infection. Additionally, B19V viral load determination (by quantitative PCR [qPCR]) is increasingly used in the staging of B19V infection. In this study, the utility of these methods is compared. A panel of 78 sera was jointly tested by the Virus Reference Department (VRD), London, United Kingdom, and the Haartman Institute (HI), Helsinki, Finland, using a number of EIAs, e.g., B19V-specific IgG and IgM, IgG avidity, and ETS EIAs. At VRD, the sera were also tested by a B19V viral load PCR (qPCR). By consensus analysis, 43 (55.1%) sera represented past infection, 28 (35.9%) sera represented recent infection, and 7 (9.0%) sera were indeterminate. Both VRD B19V qPCR and HI B19V VP2 IgM EIA gave the highest agreement with consensus interpretation for past or recent infection, with an overall agreement of 99% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92 to 100) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% (95% CI, 87 to 100). Nine sera designated as representing past infection by consensus analysis were B19V IgM positive by a commercial VRD B19V IgM EIA and B19V IgM negative by a new HI in-house B19V VP2 IgM EIA. A new VRD B19V IgG avidity EIA showed good (>95%) agreement (excluding equivocal results) with consensus interpretations for past or recent infection. Correct discrimination of past from recent B19V infection was achieved through application of qPCR or by appropriate selection of EIAs. PMID:24403307

Local time, seasonal, and solar cycle dependency of longitudinal variations of TEC along the crest of EIA over India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sunda, Surendra; Vyas, B. M.

2013-10-01

global wave number 4 structure in the Indian longitudinal region spanning from ~70 to 95°E forming the upward slope of the peak in the total electron content (TEC) are reported along the crest of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). The continuous and simultaneous measurements from five GPS stations of GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) network are used in this study. The long-term database (2004-2012) is utilized for examining the local time, seasonal, and solar cycle dependency on the longitudinal variations of TEC. Our results confirm the existence of longitudinal variations of TEC in accordance with wave number 4 longitudinal structure including its strength. The results suggest that these variations, in general, start to develop at ~09 LT, achieve maximum strength at 12-15 LT, and decay thereafter, the decay rate depending on the season. They are more pronounced in equinoctial season followed by summer and winter. The longitudinal variations persist beyond midnight in equinox seasons, whereas in winter, they are conspicuously absent. Interestingly, they also exhibit significant solar cycle dependence in the solstices, whereas in the equinoxes, they are independent of solar activity. The comparison of crest-to-trough ratio (CTR) in the eastern (92°E) and western (72°E) extreme longitudes reveals higher CTR on the eastern side than over the western extreme, suggesting the role of nonmigrating tides in modulating the ExB vertical drift and the consequential EIA crest formation.

International energy outlook, 2000

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-03-01

The International Energy Outlook 2000 (IEO2000) presents : an assessment by the Energy Information Administration : (EIA) of the outlook for international energy : markets through 2020. The report is an extension of the : EIAs Annual Energy Outloo...

Magnetospheric disturbance effects on the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) : an overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdu, M. A.; Sobral, J. H. A.; de Paula, E. R.; Batista, I. S.

1992-12-01

The Equatorial lonization Anomaly (EIA) development can undergo drastic modification in the form of an anomalous occurrence at local times outside that of its quiet time development and/or inhibition/enhancement at local times of its normal occurrences. This happens for disturbed electrodynamic conditions of the global ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere system, consequent upon the triggering of a magnetospheric storm event. Direct penetration to equatorial latitudes of the magnetospheric electric fields and the thermospheric disturbances involving winds, electric fields and composition changes produce significant alteration in the EIA morphology and dynamics. Results on statistical behaviour based on accumulated ground-based data sets, and those from recent theoretical modelling efforts and from satellite and ground-based observations, are reviewed. Some outstanding problems of the EIA response to magnetospheric disturbances that deserve attention in the coming years are pointed out.

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

Marara, Madeleine; Okello, Nick; Kuhanwa, Zainab

This paper reviews and compares the condition of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) system in three countries in the East Africa region: Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. The criteria used for the evaluation and the comparison of each system are based on the elements of the legal, administrative and procedural frameworks, as well as the context in which they operate. These criteria are adapted from the evaluation and quality control criteria derived from a number of literature sources. The study reveals that the EIA systems of Kenya and Tanzania are at a similar stage in their development. The two countries, themore » first to introduce the EIA concept into their jurisdiction in this part of Africa, therefore have more experience than Rwanda in the practice of environmental impact assessment, where the legislation and process requires more time to mature both from the governmental and societal perspective. The analysis of the administrative and procedural frameworks highlights the weakness in the autonomy of the competent authority, in all three countries. Finally a major finding of this study is that the contextual set up i.e. the socio-economic and political situation plays an important role in the performance of an EIA system. The context in developing countries is very different from developed countries where the EIA concept originates. Interpreting EIA conditions in countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania requires that the analysis for determining the effectiveness of their systems should be undertaken within a relevant framework, taking into account the specific requirements of those countries.« less

Assessment of transboundary environmental effects in the Pearl River Delta Region: Is there a role for strategic environmental assessment?

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

Marsden, Simon, E-mail: simon.marsden@flinders.edu.au

2011-11-15

China's EIA Law does not require transboundary proposals to be assessed, despite recognition of this globally, for example in the Espoo Convention and Kiev Protocol, and in the European EIA and SEA Directives. In a transboundary context assessment within a state is unusual, as regulating these effects is primarily about the relationship between states. However where a state has more than one legal system such as in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region of southern China, transboundary effects should also be addressed. Yet despite the geographical connections between Guangdong Province in mainland China (where the EIA Law applies) and themore » Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions (which have their own provisions, neither of which requires transboundary assessments), EIA and SEA are carried out separately. Coordinated or joint approaches to transboundary assessment are generally absent, with the legal autonomy of Hong Kong and Macau a major constraint. As a result institutional responses at the policy level have developed. The article considers global experiences with regulating transboundary EIA and SEA, and analyses potential application to land use, transport and air and water planning in the PRD Region. If applied, benefits may include prevention or mitigation of cumulative effects, broader public participation, and improvements to environmental governance. The PRD Region experience may encourage China to conduct and coordinate EIA and SEA processes with neighbouring states, which has been non-existent or extremely limited to date.« less

A highly specific competitive direct enzyme immunoassay for sterigmatocystin as a tool for rapid immunochemotaxonomic differentiation of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species.

PubMed

Wegner, S; Bauer, J I; Dietrich, R; Märtlbauer, E; Usleber, E; Gottschalk, C; Gross, M

2017-02-01

A simplified method to produce specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies against sterigmatocystin (STC) was established, using a STC-glycolic acid-ether derivative (STC-GE) conjugated to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (immunogen). The competitive direct enzyme immunoassay (EIA) established for STC had a detection limit (20% binding inhibition) of 130 pg ml -1 . The test was highly specific for STC, with minor cross-reactivity with O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMSTC, 0·87%) and negligible reactivity with aflatoxins (<0·02%). STC-EIA was used in combination with a previously developed specific EIA for aflatoxins (<0·1% cross-reactivity with STC and OMSTC), to study the STC/aflatoxin production profiles of reference strains of Aspergillus species. This immunochemotaxonomic procedure was found to be a convenient tool to identify STC- or aflatoxin-producing strains. The carcinogenic mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (STC) is produced by several Aspergillus species, either alone or together with aflatoxins. Here, we report a very simple and straightforward procedure to obtain highly sensitive and specific anti-STC antibodies, and their use in the first ever real STC-specific competitive direct enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In combination with a previous EIA for aflatoxins, this study for the first time demonstrates the potential of a STC/aflatoxin EIA pair for what is branded as 'immunochemotaxonomic' identification of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species. This new analytical tool enhances analytical possibilities for differential analysis of STC and aflatoxins. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Response of the EIA ionosphere to the 7-8 May 2005 geomagnetic storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, Malini; Joshi, H. P.; Iyer, K. N.; Kwak, Y. S.

2013-08-01

In this paper, response of low latitude ionosphere to a moderate geomagnetic storm of 7-8 May 2005 (SSC: 1920 UT on 7 May with Sym-H minimum, ∼-112 nT around 1600 UT on 8 May) has been investigated using the GPS measurements from a near EIA crest region, Rajkot (Geog. 22.29°N, 70.74°E, Geomag.14°), India. We found a decrease in total electron content (TEC) in 12 h after the onset of the storm, an increase during and after 6 h of Sym-H deep minimum with a decrease below its usual-day level on the second day during the recovery phase of the storm. On 8 May, an increase of TEC is observed after sunset and during post-midnight hours (maximum up to 170%) with the formation of ionospheric plasma bubbles followed by a nearly simultaneous onset of scintillations at L-band frequencies following the time of rapid decrease in Sym-H index (-30 nT/h around 1300 UT).

An empirical model of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) near the crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hajra, Rajkumar; Chakraborty, Shyamal Kumar; Tsurutani, Bruce T.; DasGupta, Ashish; Echer, Ezequiel; Brum, Christiano G. M.; Gonzalez, Walter D.; Sobral, José Humberto Andrade

2016-07-01

We present a geomagnetic quiet time (Dst > -50 nT) empirical model of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) for the northern equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest over Calcutta, India. The model is based on the 1980-1990 TEC measurements from the geostationary Engineering Test Satellite-2 (ETS-2) at the Haringhata (University of Calcutta, India: 22.58° N, 88.38° E geographic; 12.09° N, 160.46° E geomagnetic) ionospheric field station using the technique of Faraday rotation of plane polarized VHF (136.11 MHz) signals. The ground station is situated virtually underneath the northern EIA crest. The monthly mean TEC increases linearly with F10.7 solar ionizing flux, with a significantly high correlation coefficient (r = 0.89-0.99) between the two. For the same solar flux level, the TEC values are found to be significantly different between the descending and ascending phases of the solar cycle. This ionospheric hysteresis effect depends on the local time as well as on the solar flux level. On an annual scale, TEC exhibits semiannual variations with maximum TEC values occurring during the two equinoxes and minimum at summer solstice. The semiannual variation is strongest during local noon with a summer-to-equinox variability of ~50-100 TEC units. The diurnal pattern of TEC is characterized by a pre-sunrise (0400-0500 LT) minimum and near-noon (1300-1400 LT) maximum. Equatorial electrodynamics is dominated by the equatorial electrojet which in turn controls the daytime TEC variation and its maximum. We combine these long-term analyses to develop an empirical model of monthly mean TEC. The model is validated using both ETS-2 measurements and recent GNSS measurements. It is found that the present model efficiently estimates the TEC values within a 1-σ range from the observed mean values.

Assessing the influence of Environmental Impact Assessments on science and policy: an analysis of the Three Gorges Project.

PubMed

Tullos, Desiree

2009-07-01

The need to understand and minimize negative environmental outcomes associated with large dams has both contributed to and benefited from the introduction and subsequent improvements in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. However, several limitations in the EIA process remain, including those associated with the uncertainty and significance of impact projections. These limitations are directly related to the feedback between science and policy, with information gaps in scientific understanding discovered through the EIA process contributing valuable recommendations on critical focus areas for prioritizing and funding research within the fields of ecological conservation and river engineering. This paper presents an analysis of the EIA process for the Three Gorges Project (TGP) in China as a case study for evaluating this feedback between the EIA and science and policy. For one of the best-studied public development projects in the world, this paper presents an investigation into whether patterns exist between the scientific interest (via number of publications) in environmental impacts and (a) the identification of impacts as uncertain or priority by the EIA, (b) decisions or political events associated with the dam, and (c) impact type. This analysis includes the compilation of literature on TGP, characterization of ecosystem interactions and responses to TGP through a hierarchy of impacts, coding of EIA impacts as "uncertain" impacts that require additional study and "priority" impacts that have particularly high significance, mapping of an event chronology to relate policies, institutional changes, and decisions about TGP as "events" that could influence the focus and intensity of scientific investigation, and analysis of the number of publications by impact type and order within the impact hierarchy. From these analyses, it appears that the availability and consistency of scientific information limit the accuracy of environmental impact projections. These analyses also suggest a lack of direct feedback between the EIA process and emerging science, as indicated by the failure of literature to focus on issues related to the design and management of TGP, ultimately challenging the environmental sustainability of the project. While the EIA process has enormous potential for improving both the basic sciences and the planning and sustainability of hydrodevelopment, important institutional changes need to occur for this potential to be realized. This paper concludes with recommendations about those institutional changes needed to improve the feedback between the science and policy, and ultimately the environmental sustainability, of large dams.

Comparison between DOT EIA IgM and Widal Test as early diagnosis of typhoid fever.

PubMed

Begum, Z; Hossain, M A; Musa, A K; Shamsuzzaman, A K; Mahmud, M C; Ahsan, M M; Sumona, A A; Ahmed, S; Jahan, N A; Alam, M; Begum, A

2009-01-01

A recently developed DOT enzyme immunoassay known as "Typhidot" for detecting IgM antibody against 50 KDa OMP antigen of Salmonella typhi, was evaluated on 100 clinically suspected typhoid fever cases and 40 age-sex matched controls, in the Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College during, the period from June 2006 to July 2007. Blood culture, Widal test, and DOT EIA for IgM test were performed in all patients. Among 100 clinically suspected typhoid fever cases, 35 were subsequently confirmed on the basis of positive blood culture for S. typhi and/or significant rising titre of Widal test. The DOT EIA IgM test could produce results within 1 hour. The result of the DOT EIA IgM test showed a good diagnostic value for typhoid fever. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the test was found as 91.42%, 90.00%, 88.88% and 92.30% respectively. On the other hand corresponding values for Widal test were of 42.85%, 85.00%, 71.42% and 62.96% respectively. Thus, The DOT EIA IgM seems to be a practical alternative to Widal test for early diagnosis of typhoid fever.

EIA screening and nature protection in Denmark.

PubMed

Christensen, Per; Kørnøv, Lone

2011-04-01

The number of environmental impact assessment (EIA) screenings in Denmark has increased dramatically since 2000. This is a consequence of increased pig production as well as the concentration of production on larger farms. In the same period, EIA rules have developed primarily due to an increased focus on the protection of groundwater and Natura 2000 sites. In particular, the implementation of Natura 2000 in Danish legislation has increased the demands on many farms. In its rulings on appealed cases, the Nature Protection Board of Appeal has strengthened its demands, and this is mirrored in screening practices. In this paper, the demands formulated in the guidelines of local authorities were analysed in order to investigate how the protection of groundwater, coastal waters, lakes and Natura 2000 sites develops through EIA screening. It is concluded that the level of protection has improved, and that the main cause for this is not EIA regulations as such, but the positive role which the implementation of the Natura 2000 objectives has played in this development. However, it was also found that the formulation of demands varies greatly between the counties, thus often resulting in ambiguity and leaving room for quite different practices in different counties. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification of a factor in HeLa cells specific for an upstream transcriptional control sequence of an EIA-inducible adenovirus promoter and its relative abundance in infected and uninfected cells.

PubMed Central

SivaRaman, L; Subramanian, S; Thimmappaya, B

1986-01-01

Utilizing the gel electrophoresis/DNA binding assay, a factor specific for the upstream transcriptional control sequence of the EIA-inducible adenovirus EIIA-early promoter has been detected in HeLa cell nuclear extract. Analysis of linker-scanning mutants of the promoter by DNA binding assays and methylation-interference experiments show that the factor binds to the 17-nucleotide sequence 5' TGGAGATGACGTAGTTT 3' located between positions -66 and -82 upstream from the cap site. This sequence has been shown to be essential for transcription of this promoter. The EIIA-early-promoter specific factor was found to be present at comparable levels in uninfected HeLa cells and in cells infected with either wild-type adenovirus or the EIA-deletion mutant dl312 under conditions in which the EIA proteins are induced to high levels [7 or 20 hr after infection in the presence of arabinonucleoside (cytosine arabinoside)]. Based on the quantitation in DNA binding assays, it appears that the mechanism of EIA-activated transcription of the EIIA-early promoter does not involve a net change in the amounts of this factor. Images PMID:2942943

Lunar Tidal Modulation of Periodic Meridional Movement of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly Crest During Sudden Stratospheric Warming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mo, X. H.; Zhang, D. H.

2018-02-01

Using the location of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest derived from GPS observations in China and Brazilian sector, we investigated the longitudinal dependence of periodic meridional movement of EIA crest during sudden stratospheric warming events in 2003, 2006, and 2009. The solar activity was from high to low for the three events. Results show that the locations of EIA crests in both China and Brazilian sectors exhibit obvious and constant 14- to 15-day periodic oscillation being in-phase in two sectors, which coincide with the half of the lunar revolution period (29.53 days) and the lunar phase. The temporal extent of wave power at 14-15 days is consistent with the temporal extent of stratospheric zonal wind, indicating that 14- to 15-day periodic meridional movement of EIA crest is due to enhanced lunar tide modulated by zonal wind. In addition, it is also found that the amplitude of 14- to 15-day periodic oscillation of EIA crest in China sector is larger than that in Brazilian sector, which may be caused by the longitudinal variation of tides and neutral wind pattern.

Ecological impact assessments fail to reduce risk of bat casualties at wind farms.

PubMed

Lintott, Paul R; Richardson, Suzanne M; Hosken, David J; Fensome, Sophie A; Mathews, Fiona

2016-11-07

Demand for renewable energy is rising exponentially. While this has benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there may be costs to biodiversity [1]. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are the main tool used across the world to predict the overall positive and negative effects of renewable energy developments before planning consent is given, and the Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) within them assess their species-specific effects. Given that EIAs are undertaken globally, are extremely expensive, and are enshrined in legislation, their place in evidence-based decision making deserves evaluation. Here we assess how well EIAs of wind-farm developments protect bats. We found they do not predict the risks to bats accurately, and even in those cases where high risk was correctly identified, the mitigation deployed did not avert the risk. Given that the primary purpose of an EIA is to make planning decisions evidence-based, our results indicate that EIA mitigation strategies used to date have been ineffective in protecting bats. In the future, greater emphasis should be placed on assessing the actual impacts post-construction and on developing effective mitigation strategies. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Nonmigrating tidal modulation of the equatorial thermosphere and ionosphere anomaly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Jiuhou; Thayer, Jeffrey P.; Wang, Wenbin; Yue, Jia; Dou, Xiankang

2014-04-01

The modulation of nonmigrating tides on both the ionospheric equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and the equatorial thermosphere anomaly (ETA) is investigated on the basis of simulations from the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIME-GCM). Our simulations demonstrate the distinct features of the EIA and ETA seen in observations after the inclusion of field-aligned ion drag in the model. Both the EIA and the ETA in the constant local time frame display an obvious zonal wave-4 structure associated with the modulation of nonmigrating tides. However, the modeled EIA and ETA show a primary zonal wave-1 structure when only the migrating tides are specified at the model lower boundary. Our simulations reveal that the zonal wave-4 structure of the ETA under both low and high solar activity conditions is mainly caused by the direct response of the upper thermosphere to the diurnal eastward wave number 3 and semidiurnal eastward wave number 2 nonmigrating tides from the lower atmosphere. There is a minor contribution from the ion-neutral coupling. The zonal wave-4 structure of the EIA is also caused by these nonmigrating tides but through the modulation of the neutral wind dynamo.

A Rapid Dot Immunoassay for the Detection of Serum Antibodies to Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and Saint Louis Encephalitis Viruses in Sentinel Chickens

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

tion inhibition (HI) tests .6 uses a novel membrane, polyvinylydine difluor- EEE and SLE viruses are significant public ide (PVDF), and yields a...only 3 aged values between the two tests (Fig. 3). Vari- of 6 SLE virus-inoculated birds developed an- ability in EIA titer was observed with samples... SLE samples negative by EIA were location. Four serum samples from each of 3 also negative by DotIA. EEE-positive chickens were tested by EIA and A

Two distinct cellular proteins interact with the EIa-responsive element of an adenovirus early promoter.

PubMed Central

Jansen-Durr, P; Wintzerith, M; Reimund, B; Hauss, C; Kédinger, C

1990-01-01

EIa-dependent transactivation of the adenovirus EIIa early (EIIaE) promoter is correlated with the activation of the cellular transcription factor E2F. In this study we identified a cellular protein, C alpha, that is distinct from E2F and that binds two sites in the EIIaE promoter, one of which overlaps with the proximal E2F binding site of the EIIaE promoter. The possible involvement of C alpha in the EIa responsiveness of this promoter is discussed. Images PMID:2139142

Plasma cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit validation for three fish species: the orange clownfish Amphiprion percula, the orangefin anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and the blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus.

PubMed

Mills, S C; Mourier, J; Galzin, R

2010-08-01

Commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits were validated for measuring steroid hormone concentrations in blood plasma from three fish species: the orange clownfish Amphiprion percula, the orangefin anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and the blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus. A minimum of 5 microl plasma was required to estimate hormone concentrations with both kits. These EIA kits are a simple method requiring minimal equipment, for measuring hormone profiles under field conditions.

Potential Oil Production from Coastal Plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Updated Assessment

EIA Publications

2000-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) received a letter (dated March 10, 2000) from Senator Frank H. Murkowski as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requesting an EIA Service Report with plausible scenarios for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) supply development consistent with the most recent U.S. Geological Survey resource assessments. This service report is prepared in response to the request of Senator Murkowski. It focuses on the ANWR coastal plain, a region currently restricted from exploration and development, and updates EIA's 1987 ANWR assessment.

Notice of Changes to the Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report

EIA Publications

2015-01-01

On November 19, 2015, EIA will release the Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) with new data breakouts for five regions of the Lower 48 states, converting from the current three-region structure. On Monday, November 16, 2015, EIA will re-release the data that will be published on Friday, November 13 (for the week ending Friday, November 6) in the new five-region format. The release will be conducted through the same timed countdown procedures used for normal releases on the same WNGSR web page: http://ir.eia.gov/ngs/ngs.html.

The Non-Impact of Scientific Reviews of Oil Sands Environmental Impact Assessments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kienzle, S. W.; Byrne, J.

2008-12-01

Schindler (Science, Vol. 192: 509; 1976) stated that Environmental Impact Assessments authors "conduct the studies regardless of how quickly results are demanded, write large, diffuse reports containing reams of uninterpreted and incomplete descriptive data, and in some cases, construct "predictive" models, irrespective of the quality of the data base." Schindler offered a solution: "If we are to protect both our resources and scientific integrity, environmental scientists must seek to put their studies on a scientifically credible basis-to see that problems, terms of reference, funding, time constraints, reports, and conclusions are all within a bona fide scientific framework." When the first scientific panel was formed in 2003 by the Mikisew Cree First Nations (MCFN), Alberta, to objectively review EIAs of proposed oil sands mining projects, the scientific panel uncovered many severe omissions, errors, and a significant lack of substance that could not withstand scientific scrutiny. Neither the Terms of Reference for two major oilsands projects, estimated to be worth approximately CND 15 billion, nor the EIAs (one single EIA was over 11,000 pages long) contained the terms "climate change", "trend analysis", or "risk analysis", and nearly all environmental impacts were described by the proponents as "negligible". The Hydrology Section (over 950 pages in length) of one EIA did not contain a single peer-reviewed scientific publication. In summary, nothing had changed since Schindler's observations 27 years earlier. Since 2003, the authors have reviewed more than a dozen EIAs of proposed oilsands projects in northern Alberta. The "non-impact" of scientific reviews on the quality of EIAs and the insincerity of the stewards of the land are very sobering: apart from cosmetic improvements in the requirements of the Terms of Reference and the writing of the EIAs, no meaningful improvement of scientific content has been made. Key environmental concerns around water resource utilization and contamination, massive boreal forest ecosystem disruption and destruction, insignificant reclamation, and dramatic increases in emission of acidic pollutants and GHGs have never been adequately addressed. Spills of contaminated tailings fluids into the Athabasca River have occurred in the past, and Mikisew Cree Elders have both anecdotal and physical evidence of contamination of downstream areas through to Lake Athabasca. As the Alberta government has declared a sell-out of very large areas of boreal forest for fast profit, the scientific reviews have been ignored. With the exception of a few cosmetic improvements to the EIAs (e.g. climate change is now discussed, however, with incomplete data and incorrect interpretations), the scientific quality of EIAs has not improved. In fact, the Terms of Reference differ in content requirements with each oilsands project, which means that there is inconsistency between EIAs, prohibiting the evaluation of the evolution of the Terms of Reference. The consequences of the disregard of scientific standards are enormous environmental impacts in terms of carbon dioxide output, acid rain, severe health risks of the local population, water quality, and negligible reclamation efforts.

Participatory environmental governance of infrastructure projects affecting reindeer husbandry in the Arctic.

PubMed

Landauer, Mia; Komendantova, Nadejda

2018-06-22

Several infrastructure projects are under development or already operational across the Arctic region. Often the deployment of such projects creates benefits at the national, regional, or global scales. However, local communities can experience negative impacts due to the requirements for extensive land areas, which cause pressure on traditional land use. Public participation in environmental planning such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) enables local communities to provide feedback on the environmental, social, and economic challenges of infrastructure projects. Ideally, participation can improve the means of social learning for all involved parties and help to co-develop sustainable solutions. The subject of our research is reindeer herders' participation in EIA procedures of mines and wind farms in Finland because these types of projects affect reindeer husbandry. We study empirically how stakeholders involved in the EIAs perceive the participation of reindeer herders in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects, and how these differ from the perceptions of the reindeer herders who are affected by the infrastructure projects. Our qualitative data is based on in-depth semi-structured interviews (N = 31) with members of the industry sector, consultants, governmental authorities, and representatives of local communities; in this study, the reindeer herders. The results show that herders' level of participation in the EIAs and the benefits and challenges of participation are perceived differently. Furthermore, the regulatory framework does not adequately ensure that the developer carries social and environmental responsibilities throughout the infrastructure project's lifetime, and that regular communication with herders will also be maintained after the EIAs. Herders' expertise should be used throughout the project lifetime. For example, more attention should be paid to both negotiating possible options for compensation and monitoring mechanisms when the infrastructure projects are pre-screened for the EIAs, as well as to co-designing the different project alternatives with herders for the EIAs. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Virologic outcomes of HAART with concurrent use of cytochrome P450 enzyme-inducing antiepileptics: a retrospective case control study

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background To evaluate the efficacy of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in individuals taking cytochrome P450 enzyme-inducing antiepileptics (EI-EADs), we evaluated the virologic response to HAART with or without concurrent antiepileptic use. Methods Participants in the US Military HIV Natural History Study were included if taking HAART for ≥6 months with concurrent use of EI-AEDs phenytoin, carbamazepine, or phenobarbital for ≥28 days. Virologic outcomes were compared to HAART-treated participants taking AEDs that are not CYP450 enzyme-inducing (NEI-AED group) as well as to a matched group of individuals not taking AEDs (non-AED group). For participants with multiple HAART regimens with AED overlap, the first 3 overlaps were studied. Results EI-AED participants (n = 19) had greater virologic failure (62.5%) compared to NEI-AED participants (n = 85; 26.7%) for the first HAART/AED overlap period (OR 4.58 [1.47-14.25]; P = 0.009). Analysis of multiple overlap periods yielded consistent results (OR 4.29 [1.51-12.21]; P = 0.006). Virologic failure was also greater in the EI-AED versus NEI-AED group with multiple HAART/AED overlaps when adjusted for both year of and viral load at HAART initiation (OR 4.19 [1.54-11.44]; P = 0.005). Compared to the non-AED group (n = 190), EI-AED participants had greater virologic failure (62.5% vs. 42.5%; P = 0.134), however this result was only significant when adjusted for viral load at HAART initiation (OR 4.30 [1.02-18.07]; P = 0.046). Conclusions Consistent with data from pharmacokinetic studies demonstrating that EI-AED use may result in subtherapeutic levels of HAART, EI-AED use is associated with greater risk of virologic failure compared to NEI-AEDs when co-administered with HAART. Concurrent use of EI-AEDs and HAART should be avoided when possible. PMID:21575228

β-(1,3)-Glucan Exposure Assessment by Passive Airborne Dust Sampling and New Sensitive Immunoassays▿

PubMed Central

Noss, Ilka; Wouters, Inge M.; Bezemer, Gillina; Metwali, Nervana; Sander, Ingrid; Raulf-Heimsoth, Monika; Heederik, Dick J. J.; Thorne, Peter S.; Doekes, Gert

2010-01-01

Associations between house dust-associated β-(1,3)-glucan exposure and airway inflammatory reactions have been reported, while such exposures in early childhood have been suggested to protect against asthma and wheezing. Most epidemiological studies have used reservoir dust samples and an inhibition enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for β-(1,3)-glucan exposure assessment. The objective of this study was to develop inexpensive but highly sensitive enzyme immunoassays to measure airborne β-(1,3)-glucans in low-exposure environments, like homes. Specificities of available anti-β-(1,3)-glucan antibodies were defined by direct and inhibition experiments. Three suitable antibody combinations were selected for sandwich EIAs. β-(1,3)-Glucans in passive airborne dust collected with an electrostatic dust fall collector (EDC) and floor dust from seven homes were measured with the three EIAs. Floor dust samples were additionally analyzed in the inhibition EIA. The sandwich EIAs were sensitive enough for airborne glucan measurement and showed different specificities for commercial glucans, while the β-(1,3)-glucan levels in house dust samples correlated strongly. The feasibility of measuring glucans in airborne dust with the recently introduced EDC method was further investigated by selecting the most suitable of the three EIAs to measure and compare β-(1,3)-glucan levels in the EDC and in floor and actively collected airborne dust samples of the previously performed EDC validation study. The EDC β-(1,3)-glucan levels correlated moderately with β-(1,3)-glucans in actively collected airborne dust and floor dust samples, while the glucan levels in the airborne dust and floor dust samples did not correlate. The combination of the newly developed β-(1,3)-glucan sandwich EIA with EDC sampling now allows assessment in large-scale population studies of exposure to airborne β-(1,3)-glucans in homes or other low-exposure environments. PMID:20038709

77 FR 57080 - Proposed Agency Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-17

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Information Administration Proposed Agency Information Collection AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. Department of Energy. ACTION: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Notice and Request for Comments. SUMMARY: The EIA...

[Possibility of the species identification using blood stains located on the material evidences and bone fragments with the method of solid phase enzyme immunoassay with "IgG general-EIA-BEST" kit and human immunoglobulin G].

PubMed

Sidorov, V L; Shvetsova, I V; Isakova, I V

2007-01-01

The authors give the comparative analysis of Russian and foreign forensic medical methods of species character identification of the blood from the stains on the material evidences and bone fragments. It is shown that for this purpose it is feasible to apply human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and solid phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with the kit "IgG general-EIA-BEST". In comparison with the methods used in Russia this method is more sensitive, convenient for objective registration and computer processing. The results of experiments shown that it is possible to use the kit "IgG general-EIA-BEST" in forensic medicine for the species character identification of the blood from the stains on the material evidences and bone fragments.

Environmental impact assessment as a complement of life cycle assessment. Case study: Upgrading of biogas.

PubMed

Morero, Betzabet; Rodriguez, María B; Campanella, Enrique A

2015-08-01

This work presents a comparison between an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and a life cycle assessment (LCA) using a case study: upgrading of biogas. The upgrading of biogas is studied using three solvents: water, physical solvent and amine. The EIA follows the requirements of the legislation of Santa Fe Province (Argentina), and the LCA follows ISO 14040. The LCA results showed that water produces a minor impact in most of the considered categories whereas the high impact in the process with amines is the result of its high energy consumptions. The positive results obtained in the EIA (mainly associated with the cultural and socioeconomic components) make the project feasible and all the negative impacts can be mitigated by preventive and remedial measures. From the strengths and weaknesses of each tool, it is inferred that the EIA is a procedure that can complement the LCA. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

UK and Italian EIA systems: A comparative study on management practice and performance in the construction industry

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

Bassi, Andrea, E-mail: ab395@bath.co.uk; Howard, Robert, E-mail: robhoward@constcom.demon.co.uk; Geneletti, Davide, E-mail: davide.geneletti@ing.unitn.it

This study evaluates and contrasts the management practice and the performance that characterise Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in Italy and in the UK. The methodology relies on the investigation of six carefully selected case studies, critically reviewed by referring to EIA and project design information, as well as collecting the opinion of key project participants. The study focuses on the construction industry and on specific key sectors like infrastructure for transport and renewable energy and commercial and tourism development. A main term of reference for the analyses has been established by critically reviewing international literature so as to outline commonmore » good practice, requirements for the enhancement of sustainability principles and typically incurred drawbacks. The proposed approach enhances transfer of knowledge and of experiences between the analyzed contexts and allows the provision of guidelines for practitioners. Distinctive differences between the UK and the Italian EIA systems have been detected for pivotal phases and elements of EIA, like screening, scoping, analysis of alternatives and of potential impacts, definition of mitigation strategies, review, decision making, public participation and follow up. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Italian and the UK Environmental Impact Assessment systems are compared. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The research is centred on the construction industry. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Issues and shortcomings are analysed by investigating six case studies. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Integration of EIA with sustainability principles is appraised. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer General guidelines are provided to assist practitioners in the two national contexts.« less

Evaluation of flow cytometric HIT assays in relation to an IgG-Specific immunoassay and clinical outcome.

PubMed

Kerényi, Adrienne; Beke Debreceni, Ildikó; Oláh, Zsolt; Ilonczai, Péter; Bereczky, Zsuzsanna; Nagy, Béla; Muszbek, László; Kappelmayer, János

2017-09-01

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe side effect of heparin treatment caused by platelet activating IgG antibodies generated against the platelet factor 4 (PF4)-heparin complex. Thrombocytopenia and thrombosis are the leading clinical symptoms of HIT. The clinical pretest probability of HIT was evaluated by the 4T score system. Laboratory testing of HIT was performed by immunological detection of antibodies against PF4-heparin complex (EIA) and two functional assays. Heparin-dependent activation of donor platelets by patient plasma was detected by flow cytometry. Increased binding of Annexin-V to platelets and elevated number of platelet-derived microparticles (PMP) were the indicators of platelet activation. EIA for IgG isotype HIT antibodies was performed in 405 suspected HIT patients. Based on negative EIA results, HIT was excluded in 365 (90%) of cases. In 40 patients with positive EIA test result functional tests were performed. Platelet activating antibodies were detected in 17 cases by Annexin V binding. PMP count analysis provided nearly identical results. The probability of a positive flow cytometric assay result was higher in patients with elevated antibody titer. 71% of patients with positive EIA and functional assay had thrombosis. EIA is an important first line laboratory test in the diagnosis of HIT; however, HIT must be confirmed by a functional test. Annexin V binding and PMP assays using flow cytometry are functional HIT tests convenient in a clinical diagnostic laboratory. The positive results of functional assays may predict the onset of thrombosis. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

Seismo-Ionospheric Coupling as Intensified EIA Observed by Satellite Electron Density and GPS-TEC Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryu, K.; Jangsoo, C.; Kim, S. G.; Jeong, K. S.; Parrot, M.; Pulinets, S. A.; Oyama, K. I.

2014-12-01

Examples of intensified EIA features temporally and spatially related to large earthquakes observed by satellites and GPS-TEC are introduced. The precursory, concurrent, and ex-post enhancements of EIA represented by the equatorial electron density, which are thought to be related to the M8.7 Northern Sumatra earthquake of March 2005, the M8.0 Pisco earthquake of August 2007, and the M7.9 Wenchuan Earthquake of 12 May 2008, are shown with space weather condition. Based on the case studies, statistical analysis on the ionospheric electron density data measured by the Detection of Electro-Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions satellite (DEMETER) over a period of 2005-2010 was executed in order to investigate the correlation between seismic activity and equatorial plasma density variations. To simplify the analysis, three equatorial regions with frequent earthquakes were selected and then one-dimensional time series analysis between the daily seismic activity indices and the EIA intensity indices were performed for each region with excluding the possible effects from the geomagnetic and solar activity. The statistically significant values of the lagged cross-correlation function, particularly in the region with minimal effects of longitudinal asymmetry, indicate that some of the very large earthquakes with M > 7.0 in the low latitude region can accompany observable seismo-ionospheric coupling phenomena in the form of EIA enhancements, even though the seismic activity is not the most significant driver of the equatorial ionospheric evolution. The physical mechanisms of the seismo-ionospheric coupling to explain the observation and the possibility of earthquake prediction using the EIA intensity variation are discussed.

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.

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

Macintosh, Andrew, E-mail: andrew.macintosh@anu.edu.au; Waugh, Lauren

Concerns about the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) have prompted proposals to improve its performance by limiting the discretion of decision-makers in screening. To investigate whether such proposals are likely to generate the desired results, we conducted an evaluation of the screening process under the Australian government's EIA regime from its introduction on 16 July 2000 to 30 June 2013 (study period). Almost 1 in 5 ‘particular manner’ decisions—a type of screening decision under the regime—were found to be unlawful. The extent of non-compliance is explained on the basis of convenience. The department was required to assess a largemore » number of projects under tight timeframes and with limited resources, while being pressured by proponents to allow their projects to bypass EIA. These pressures resulted in the development of an informal custom whereby the formal compensatory mitigation restrictions were frequently ignored. The results highlight the relative significance of formal and informal institutions in EIA. Formal EIA rules typically provide a mere outline of the process. The informal institutions adopted by administrators often have a greater influence on how the process operates and what it achieves. - Highlights: • Concerns about the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) have prompted proposals to improve its performance by limiting the discretion of decision-makers in screening. • To investigate whether such proposals are likely to generate the desired results, we conducted an evaluation of the Australian government's screening process, looking at the extent of compliance with a formal prohibition on the consideration of compensatory mitigation. • Almost 1 in 5 ‘particular manner’ decisions – a type of screening decision under the regime – were found to be unlawful (with a 95% confidence interval of between 1:4 and 1:7) because of a failure to abide by the compensatory mitigation restrictions. For urban development actions, the ratio between lawful and unlawful particular manner decisions was worse than 1:1. • The extent of non-compliance is explained on the basis of convenience. Budget and interest group pressures resulted in the development of an informal custom whereby the formal compensatory mitigation restrictions were ignored. • The results highlight the relative significance of formal and informal institutions in EIA. Formal EIA rules typically provide a mere outline of the process. The informal institutions adopted by administrators often have a greater influence on how the process operates and what it achieves.« less

77 FR 51791 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-27

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY U.S. Energy Information Administration Agency Information Collection Extension AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice and request for OMB review and comment. SUMMARY: The EIA has submitted an information collection request to...

The significance for epidemiological studies anti-measles antibody detection examined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT).

PubMed

Siennicka, Joanna; Częścik, Agnieszka; Trzcińska, Agnieszka

2014-01-01

The paper discusses the role of anti-measles antibodies for protection and significance for epidemiological studies determination of antibodies by different serological methods. The comparison of anti-measles virus antibodies levels measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) was described. It was found that the 200 mIU/ml of anti-measles activity measured by PRNT (level protection against symp- tomatic disease) is equivalent of 636 mIU/ml measured by EIA (Enzygnost®Anti-Measles Virus/IgG, Simens).

Fuel oil and kerosene sales 1995

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

NONE

1996-09-01

This publication contains the 1995 survey results of the ``Annual Fuel Oil and Kerosene Sales Report`` (Form EIA-821). This is the seventh year that the survey data have appeared in a separate publication. Except for the kerosene and on-highway diesel information, data presented in Tables 1 through 12 (Sales of Fuel Oil and Kerosene) present results of the EIA-821 survey. Tables 13 through 24 (Adjusted Sales of Fuel Oil and Kerosene) include volumes that are based on the EIA-821 survey but have been adjusted to equal the product supplied volumes published in the Petroleum Supply Annual (PSA). 24 tabs.

Comparison of Selected EIA-782 Data With Other Data Sources

EIA Publications

2012-01-01

This article compares annual average prices reported from the EIA-782 survey series for residential No. 2 distillate, on-highway diesel fuel, retail regular motor gasoline, refiner No. 2 fuel oil for resale, refiner No. 2 diesel fuel for resale, refiner regular motor gasoline for resale, and refiner kerosene-type jet fuel for resale with annual average prices reported by other sources. In terms of volume, it compares EIA-782C Prime Supplier annual volumes for motor gasoline (all grades), distillate fuel oil, kerosene-type jet fuel and residual fuel oil with annual volumes from other sources.

Exogenous insulin antibody syndrome (EIAS): a clinical syndrome associated with insulin antibodies induced by exogenous insulin in diabetic patients.

PubMed

Hu, Xiaolei; Chen, Fengling

2018-01-01

Insulin has been used for diabetes therapy and has achieved significant therapeutic effect. In recent years, the use of purified and recombinant human insulin preparations has markedly reduced, but not completely suppressed, the incidence of insulin antibodies (IAs). IAs induced by exogenous insulin in diabetic patients is associated with clinical events, which is named exogenous insulin antibody syndrome (EIAS). The present review is based on our research and summarizes the characterization of IAs, the factors affecting IA development, the clinical significance of IAs and the treatments for EIAS. © 2018 The authors.

Exogenous insulin antibody syndrome (EIAS): a clinical syndrome associated with insulin antibodies induced by exogenous insulin in diabetic patients

PubMed Central

Hu, Xiaolei

2018-01-01

Insulin has been used for diabetes therapy and has achieved significant therapeutic effect. In recent years, the use of purified and recombinant human insulin preparations has markedly reduced, but not completely suppressed, the incidence of insulin antibodies (IAs). IAs induced by exogenous insulin in diabetic patients is associated with clinical events, which is named exogenous insulin antibody syndrome (EIAS). The present review is based on our research and summarizes the characterization of IAs, the factors affecting IA development, the clinical significance of IAs and the treatments for EIAS. PMID:29233817

Screening for EIA in India: enhancing effectiveness through ecological carrying capacity approach.

PubMed

Rajaram, T; Das, Ashutosh

2011-01-01

Developing countries across the world have embraced the policy of high economic growth as a means to reduce poverty. This economic growth largely based on industrial output is fast degrading the ecosystems, jeopardizing their long term sustainability. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has long been recognized as a tool which can help in protecting the ecosystems and aid sustainable development. The Screening guidelines for EIA reflect the level of commitment the nation displays towards tightening its environmental protection system. The paper analyses the screening process for EIA in India and dissects the rationale behind the exclusions and thresholds set in the screening process. The screening process in India is compared with that of the European Union with the aim of understanding the extent of deviations from a screening approach in the context of better economic development. It is found that the Indian system excludes many activities from the purview of screening itself when compared to the EU. The constraints responsible for these exclusions are discussed and the shortcomings of the current command and control system of environmental management in India are also explained. It is suggested that an ecosystem carrying capacity based management system can provide significant inputs to enhance the effectiveness of EIA process from screening to monitoring. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electromagnetically Induced Absorption (EIA) and a ``Twist'' on Nonlinear Magneto-optical Rotation (NMOR) with Cold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunz, Paul; Meyer, David; Quraishi, Qudsia

2015-05-01

Within the class of nonlinear optical effects that exhibit sub-natural linewidth features, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR) stand out as having made dramatic impacts on various applications including atomic clocks, magnetometry, and single photon storage. A related effect, known as electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA), has received less attention in the literature. Here, we report on the first observation of EIA in cold atoms using the Hanle configuration, where a single laser beam is used to both pump and probe the atoms while sweeping a magnetic field through zero along the beam direction. We find that, associated with the EIA peak, a ``twist'' appears in the corresponding NMOR signal. A similar twist has been previously noted by Budker et al., in the context of warm vapor optical magnetometry, and was ascribed to optical pumping through nearby hyperfine levels. By studying this feature through numerical simulations and cold atom experiments, thus rendering the hyperfine levels well resolved, we enhance the understanding of the optical pumping mechanism behind it, and elucidate its relation to EIA. Finally, we demonstrate a useful application of these studies through a simple and rapid method for nulling background magnetic fields within our atom chip apparatus.

Mandated monitoring of post-project impacts in the Czech EIA

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

Branis, Martin; Christopoulos, Stamatios

2005-04-15

Altogether, 801 documents of consent (50% of all) issued under the EIA Act No. 244/1992 by the competent authorities in the Czech Republic between 1993 and 2001 were studied. The aim of the analysis was to find and characterize conditions prescribing to the developer to perform ex-ante and ex-post monitoring of potential impacts of projects submitted for approval. It was found that each of the studied documents (standpoints) contained on average three to four conditions prescribing to collect data on various environmental factors during the preparation, implementation and/or operation phase of the development in question. The number of monitoring conditionsmore » contained in the standpoints issued by the Ministry of Environment as well as by the District Offices increased during the period studied from about two to five per project indicating a growing interest in and/or need to obtaining such data. Even though there is a good legal background for collecting monitoring data from implementation and operation phase of new developments, the Czech EIA Act (similarly as EIA acts in other countries) does not provide any practical background for this activity. Without relevant institutional, personal and financial support the possibility to impose post-project monitoring to the developer remains rather a challenge to, not advantage of the Czech EIA Act.« less

Suppression of synthesis of an IgG subclass in a persistent viral infection.

PubMed Central

McGuire, T C

1976-01-01

Comparison of immunoglobulin levels of nine horses before and after infection with equine infectious anaemia (EIA) virus demonstrated a significant depression of serum IgG(T) at 2 months (P less than 0-001) and at 1 year (P less than 0-01) after infection. In contrast, the levels of IgGa were significantly increased at both times after infection. Another sixteen horses with EIA for 1-4 months were examined and there was also significant depression (P less than 0-001) of IgG(T) when compared to pre-infection levels. No significant changes in IgG(T), IgGa and IgM were noted in fourteen normal horses housed for 2-7 months in the same manner as infected horses. Following DNP immunization there was a significant (P less than 0-02) decrease in the amount of IgG(T) antibody produced in five horses with EIA when compared to five normal horses. Metabolism studies with iodinated IgG(T) showed a significant (P less than 0-001) decrease in synthesis of this immunoglobulin in EIA-infected horses when compared to normal horses. Amounts of IgGa synthesized were similar in the two groups. Thus, persistent EIA viral infection suppresses the synthesis of IgG(T), an IgG subclass, without suppressing IgGa. PMID:814077

Excretion of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) in Adults: Comparison of Immunologic and Molecular Detection Methods and Relationship between HAV Positivity and Infectivity in Tamarins

PubMed Central

Polish, Louis B.; Robertson, Betty H.; Khanna, Bhawna; Krawczynski, Krzysztof; Spelbring, John; Olson, Fred; Shapiro, Craig N.

1999-01-01

Fecal excretion of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in 18 patients with HAV infection was evaluated by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect viral antigen and by reverse transcription-PCR amplification followed by ethidium bromide staining (PCR-ETBr) or nucleic acid hybridization (PCR-NA) to detect viral genetic material. A gradation of sensitivity was observed in the detection of virus by the three methods. In persons who had detectable virus, serial stool samples were found to be positive by EIA for up to 24 days after the peak elevation of liver enzymes. Viral genetic material could be detected by PCR-ETBr for up to 34 days and by PCR-NA for up to 54 days after the peak elevation of liver enzymes. After intravenous inoculation of tamarins with stool suspensions categorized as highly reactive for HAV (positive by EIA, PCR-ETBr, and PCR-NA), moderately reactive (positive by PCR-ETBr and PCR-NA), or weakly reactive (positive by PCR-NA), only tamarins infected with highly reactive stool suspensions (EIA positive) developed HAV infection. We conclude that positivity of stool specimens for HAV by PCR-ETBr or PCR-NA indicates a lower potential for infectivity, compared to that of EIA-positive stools. PMID:10523563

RETHINKING HUMAN HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT. (R825758)

EPA Science Inventory

Most EIA programs around the world require the consideration of human health impacts. Yet relatively few EIA documents adequately address those impacts. This article examines how, why, and to what extent health impacts are analyzed in environmental impact assessments in the U.S. ...

EIA's Natural Gas Production Data

EIA Publications

2009-01-01

This special report examines the stages of natural gas processing from the wellhead to the pipeline network through which the raw product becomes ready for transportation and eventual consumption, and how this sequence is reflected in the data published by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Protection of the Mountain Ridgelines Utilizing GIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S.; Lee, M.

2013-12-01

Korean peninsula is characterized by numerous hills and mountains. The longest mountain ridgeline starting from Mt. Baekdusan to Mt. Jirisan is called Baekdudaegan which is similar to the continental divide or topographical watershed. In this study, GIS data, such as remotesensing images, national digital map, and watershed map, are used to analyze Korean mountain ridgelines structure and one Baekdudaegan data and nine Ridgelines are extracted. When extracted Baekdudaegan and other Ridgelines are overlaid on geologic maps, granite and gneiss are main components on the mountain ridgelines. The main mountain ridgelines are considered as the spiritual heritage overlapped in the land in Korea. As the environmental state is relatively better than those of other region in Korea, so many mountain ridgelines are legally protected by national legislation. The mountain ridgelines has hierarchical system; Baekdudaegan, Jeongmaek, Gimaek and Jimaek etc. according to their scale and total lengths of ridgelines. As only part of mountain ridgelines are currently protected by law or managed in environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure, we think that most part of them should be under protection. Considering the environmental state of the ridgelines, we think that some protective measures should be set up nearby 1 km on both sides of them. If there goes a development plan or project near the main mountain ridgelines, topographical change index (TCI) and topographical scale index (TSI) etc. are to be applied in EIA. This study intends: firstly, to analyze the topological characteristics of the Korean mountain ridgelines using GIS, secondly, to analyze the geological characteristics of nearby mountain ridgelines, and lastly, to find a way to utilize the results on EIA.

Improved detection of acute parvovirus B19 infection by immunoglobulin M EIA in combination with a novel antigen EIA.

PubMed

Corcoran, A; Kerr, S; Elliott, G; Koppelman, M; Doyle, S

2007-10-01

Although parvovirus B19 is a significant blood product contaminant, few methods other than polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been developed to detect the presence of the virus. A B19 antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been developed and the sensitivity of detection is ascertained using dilutions of the B19 capsid protein VP2 and 10-fold dilutions of B19 viraemic serum. Once the assay cut-off was established, a panel of viraemic donations (n = 70) was screened by the antigen EIA. The B19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG status of these specimens was also determined. During screening of blood donor units by quantitative PCR, 70 individuals were identified with levels of B19 DNA greater than 10(6) IU/ml at the time of blood donation. The sensitivity of the B19 antigen EIA was estimated to be equivalent to between 10(8) and 10(9) IU/ml B19 DNA or 1-10 pg/ml of recombinant capsid protein. B19 detection was significantly enhanced when viraemic specimens were pretreated with a low pH proprietary reagent. Unlike other virus-detection assays, detection of the B19 antigen was not affected by the presence of B19 IgM or IgG antibodies. In addition, the assay was capable of detecting all three genotypes of human erythrovirus. Combined specimen analysis by the B19 antigen assay and a B19 IgM assay facilitated the detection of 91% of acute B19 infections in the test population. In combination with B19 IgM detection, application of the B19 antigen EIA is a flexible and efficient method of detecting recent B19 infection and can be used as an alternative to PCR.

Use of a nested PCR-enzyme immunoassay with an internal control to detect Chlamydophila psittaci in turkeys

PubMed Central

Van Loock, Marnix; Verminnen, Kristel; Messmer, Trudy O; Volckaert, Guido; Goddeeris, Bruno M; Vanrompay, Daisy

2005-01-01

Background Laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydophila psittaci, an important turkey respiratory pathogen, is difficult. To facilitate the diagnosis, a nested PCR-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) was developed to detect the Cp. psittaci outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene in pharyngeal swabs. Methods The fluorescein-biotin labelled PCR products were immobilized on streptavidin-coated microtiter plates and detected with anti-fluorescein peroxidase conjugate and a colorimetric substrate. An internal inhibition control was included to rule out the presence of inhibitors of DNA amplification. The diagnostic value of the ompA nested PCR-EIA in comparison to cell culture and a 16S-rRNA based nested PCR was assessed in pharyngeal turkey swabs from 10 different farms experiencing respiratory disease. Results The sensitivity of the nested PCR-EIA was established at 0.1 infection forming units (IFU). Specificity was 100%. The ompA nested PCR-EIA was more sensitive than the 16S-rRNA based nested PCR and isolation, revealing 105 out of 200 (52.5%) positives against 13 and 74 for the latter two tests, respectively. Twenty-nine (23.8%) out of 122 ompA PCR-EIA negatives showed the presence of inhibitors of DNA amplification, although 27 of them became positive after diluting (1/10) the specimens in PCR buffer or after phenol-chloroform extraction and subsequent ethanol precipitation. Conclusion The present study stresses the need for an internal control to confirm PCR true-negatives and demonstrates the high prevalence of chlamydiosis in Belgian turkeys and its potential zoonotic risk. The ompA nested PCR-EIA described here is a rapid, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic assay and will help to facilitate the diagnosis of Cp. psittaci infections in both poultry and man. PMID:16185353

Variation in the limit-of-detection of the ProSpecT Campylobacter microplate enzyme immunoassay in stools spiked with emerging Campylobacter species.

PubMed

Bojanić, Krunoslav; Midwinter, Anne Camilla; Marshall, Jonathan Craig; Rogers, Lynn Elizabeth; Biggs, Patrick Jon; Acke, Els

2016-08-01

Campylobacter enteritis in humans is primarily associated with C. jejuni/coli infection. The impact of other Campylobacter spp. is likely to be underestimated due to the bias of culture methods towards Campylobacter jejuni/coli diagnosis. Stool antigen tests are becoming increasingly popular and appear generally less species-specific. A review of independent studies of the ProSpecT® Campylobacter Microplate enzyme immunoassay (EIA) developed for C. jejuni/coli showed comparable diagnostic results to culture methods but the examination of non-jejuni/coli Campylobacter spp. was limited and the limit-of-detection (LOD), where reported, varied between studies. This study investigated LOD of EIA for Campylobacter upsaliensis, Campylobacter hyointestinalis and Campylobacter helveticus spiked in human stools. Multiple stools and Campylobacter isolates were used in three different concentrations (10(4)-10(9)CFU/ml) to reflect sample heterogeneity. All Campylobacter species evaluated were detectable by EIA. Multivariate analysis showed LOD varied between Campylobacter spp. and faecal consistency as fixed effects and individual faecal samples as random effects. EIA showed excellent performance in replicate testing for both within and between batches of reagents, in agreement between visual and spectrophotometric reading of results, and returned no discordance between the bacterial concentrations within independent dilution test runs (positive results with lower but not higher concentrations). This study shows how limitations in experimental procedures lead to an overestimation of consistency and uniformity of LOD for EIA that may not hold under routine use in diagnostic laboratories. Benefits and limitations for clinical practice and the influence on estimates of performance characteristics from detection of multiple Campylobacter spp. by EIA are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterisation and validation of an enzyme-immunoassay for the non-invasive assessment of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

PubMed

Ludwig, C; Wachter, B; Silinski-Mehr, S; Ganswindt, A; Bertschinger, H; Hofer, H; Dehnhard, M

2013-01-01

The non-invasive measurement of adrenocortical function in cheetahs is an important tool to assess stress in captive and free-ranging individuals, because stress has been suggested to be one of the causes of poor reproductive performance of captive cheetahs. We tested four enzyme immunoassays (EIA) in two captive cheetahs in Germany using adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges and identified the corticosterone-3-CMO EIA to be most sensitive to the increase in faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations after the ACTH challenge. This EIA performed also well in five captive cheetahs in South Africa. The fGCM concentrations across all seven cheetahs increased within 24h by 681% compared to the baseline levels prior to ACTH. Storage of faecal samples at 0-4°C did not strongly affect fGCM concentrations within 24h, simplifying sample collection when immediate storage at -20°C is not feasible. The two cheetahs in Germany also received an injection of [(3)H]cortisol to characterise fGCMs in faecal extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) immunograms. HPLC fractions were measured for their radioactivity and immunoreactive fGCM concentrations with the corticosterone-3-CMO EIA, respectively. The results revealed a polar peak of radiolabelled cortisol metabolites co-eluting with the major peak of immunoreactive fGCMs. Thus, our EIA measured substantial amounts of fGCMs corresponding to the radioactive peaks. The peaks were of higher polarity than native cortisol and corticosterone, suggesting that the metabolites were conjugated, which was confirmed by solvolysis of the HPLC fractions. Our results show that the corticosterone-3-CMO EIA is a reliable tool to assess fGCMs in cheetahs. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Harnessing opportunities for good governance of health impacts of mining projects in Mongolia: results of a global partnership.

PubMed

Pfeiffer, Michaela; Vanya, Delgermaa; Davison, Colleen; Lkhagvasuren, Oyunaa; Johnston, Lesley; Janes, Craig R

2017-06-27

The Sustainable Development Goals call for the effective governance of shared natural resources in ways that support inclusive growth, safeguard the integrity of the natural and physical environment, and promote health and well-being for all. For large-scale resource extraction projects -- e.g. in the mining sector -- environmental regulations and in particular environmental impact assessments (EIA) provide an important but insufficiently developed avenue to ensure that wider sustainable development issues, such as health, have been considered prior to the permitting of projects. In recognition of the opportunity provided in EIA to influence the extent to which health issues would be addressed in the design and delivery of mining projects, an international and intersectoral partnership, with the support of WHO and public funds from Canadian sources, engaged over a period of six years in a series of capacity development activities and knowledge translation/dissemination events aimed at influencing policy change in the extractives sector so as to include consideration of human health impacts. Early efforts significantly increased awareness of the need to include health considerations in EIAs. Coupling effective knowledge translation about health in EIA with the development of networks that fostered good intersectoral partnerships, this awareness supported the development and implementation of key pieces of legislation. These results show that intersectoral collaboration is essential, and must be supported by an effective conceptual understanding about which methods and models of impact assessment, particularly for health, lend themselves to integration within EIA. The results of our partnership demonstrate that when specific conditions are met, integrating health into the EIA system represents a promising avenue to ensure that mining activities contribute to wider sustainable development goals and objectives.

Aspergillus Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay and Quantitative PCR for Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis with Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

PubMed Central

Musher, Benjamin; Fredricks, David; Leisenring, Wendy; Balajee, S. Arunmozhi; Smith, Caitlin; Marr, Kieren A.

2004-01-01

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is frequent and often fatal in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Diagnosis requires microbiological or histopathologic demonstration of the organism in tissues; however, cultivation of Aspergillus species from respiratory secretions has low diagnostic sensitivity. Assays to detect Aspergillus antigen or DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid could facilitate earlier diagnosis, thereby guiding optimal therapy and obviating the need for additional costly and potentially morbid diagnostic evaluation. We evaluated the performance of a galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM EIA; Bio-Rad) by using a range of index cutoffs to define positivity and a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the detection of Aspergillus species from BAL samples of patients with proven and probable IPA (case patients; n = 49) and without IPA (control patients; n = 50). The sensitivity of the GM EIA was 61% with an index cutoff of 1.0 and 76% with an index cutoff of 0.5; the corresponding specificities were 98 and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of qPCR assay were 67 and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity with 22 culture-negative BAL specimens from patients with IPA was 41% for GM EIA with an index cutoff of 1.0, 59% for GM EIA with an index cutoff of 0.5, and 36% for qPCR assay. GM EIA indices and DNA quantities corresponded to BAL fungal burdens, with culture-positive samples having larger amounts of antigen and DNA compared to culture-negative samples. GM EIA and qPCR assay add to the sensitivity of BAL for diagnosing IPA in high-risk patients, with excellent specificity. Adjunctive use of these tests may reduce dependence on invasive diagnostic procedures. PMID:15583275

Evaluation and reporting of enzyme immunoassay determinations of antibody to herpes simplex virus in sera and cerebrospinal fluid.

PubMed Central

Cremer, N E; Cossen, C K; Hanson, C V; Shell, G R

1982-01-01

Several methods for evaluating and reporting enzyme immunoassay (EIA) determinations of antibody to herpes simplex virus derived from one dilution of single serum samples were studied. An EIA ratio method for serological evidence of current infection from paired serum samples was also evaluated. Optical density (OD) of the reaction at a 1:100 serum dilution and estimated titers obtained by reference of the OD of the serum dilution to a standard curve were compared to the corresponding plotted EIA titer obtained by titration to endpoint. Neither the OD per se nor the estimated titer was completely predictive of the plotted titer (correlation coefficient [r] of 0.824 and 0.817, respectively), and they provided only a semiquantitative measurement of antibody concentration. For an antibody status report, however, OD would be sufficient if related to the cutoff value as an EIA index (OD of sample divided by cutoff OD for positive specimens). The OD of the EIA reaction at a single dilution (1:5) of cerebrospinal fluid, on the other hand, correlated quite well with the titer obtained by titration (r = 0.950). For serological diagnosis of current infection, the OD ratio of convalescence-phase/acute-phase sera was determined at several dilutions. A ratio of greater than or equal to 1.54 was calculated as a reliable index for a significant rise in antibody concentration and compatible with current infection. By determining the convalescent-phase/acute-phase serum ratio at two dilutions, 1:100 and 1:1,000, the EIA ratio method appeared to be a sensitive as or more sensitive than, complement fixation in diagnosing current infection. PMID:6284791

Implementation of a Clinical Decision Support Tool for Stool Cultures and Parasitological Studies in Hospitalized Patients.

PubMed

Nikolic, D; Richter, S S; Asamoto, K; Wyllie, R; Tuttle, R; Procop, G W

2017-12-01

There is substantial evidence that stool culture and parasitological examinations are of minimal to no value after 3 days of hospitalization. We implemented and studied the impact of a clinical decision support tool (CDST) to decrease the number of unnecessary stool cultures (STCUL), ova/parasite (O&P) examinations, and Giardia / Cryptosporidium enzyme immunoassay screens (GC-EIA) performed for patients hospitalized >3 days. We studied the frequency of stool studies ordered before or on day 3 and after day 3 of hospitalization (i.e., categorical orders/total number of orders) before and after this intervention and denoted the numbers and types of microorganisms detected within those time frames. This intervention, which corresponded to a custom-programmed hard-stop alert tool in the Epic hospital information system, allowed providers to override the intervention by calling the laboratory, if testing was deemed medically necessary. Comparative statistics were employed to determine significance, and cost savings were estimated based on our internal costs. Before the intervention, 129/670 (19.25%) O&P examinations, 47/204 (23.04%) GC-EIA, and 249/1,229 (20.26%) STCUL were ordered after 3 days of hospitalization. After the intervention, 46/521 (8.83%) O&P examinations, 27/157 (17.20%) GC-EIA, and 106/1,028 (10.31%) STCUL were ordered after 3 days of hospitalization. The proportions of reductions in the number of tests performed after 3 days and the associated P values were 54.1% for O&P examinations ( P < 0.0001), 22.58% for GC-EIA ( P = 0.2807), and 49.1% for STCUL ( P < 0.0001). This was estimated to have resulted in $8,108.84 of cost savings. The electronic CDST resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of evaluations of stool cultures and the number of parasitological examinations for patients hospitalized for more than 3 days and in a cost savings while retaining the ability of the clinician to obtain these tests if clinically indicated. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Coping with Exercise-Induced Asthma in Sports.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katz, Roger M.

1987-01-01

This article reviews the history of research on exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and the pathophysiology of the condition, including its development and influencing factors. Four groups of drugs that are effective against EIA--theopyhlline, beta-adrenergic agents, cromolyn sodium, and anticholinergics--are discussed. (Author/CB)

EIA Completes Corrections to Drilling Activity Estimates Series

EIA Publications

1999-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has published monthly and annual estimates of oil and gas drilling activity since 1978. These data are key information for many industry analysts, serving as a leading indicator of trends in the industry and a barometer of general industry status.

New fluorimetric assay of horseradish peroxidase using sesamol as substrate and its application to EIA.

PubMed

Arakawa, Hidetoshi; Nakabayashi, Shigeo; Ohno, Ken-Ichi; Maeda, Masako

2012-04-01

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is generally used as a label enzyme in enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The procedure used for HRP detection in EIA is critical for sensitivity and precision. This paper describes a novel fluorimetric assay for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) using sesamol as substrate. The principle of the assay is as follow: sesamol (3,4-methylenedioxy phenol) is reacted enzymatically in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to produce dimeric sesamol. The dimer is fluorescent and can be detected sensitively at ex. 347 nm, em. 427 nm. The measurable range of HRP was 1.0×10 -18 to 1.0×10 -15  mol/assay, with a detection limit of 1.0×10 -18  mol/assay. The coefficient of variation (CV, n =8) was examined at each point on the standard curve, with a mean CV percentage of 3.8%. This assay system was applied to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) EIA using HRP as the label enzyme.

Precursory enhancement of EIA in the morning sector: Contribution from mid-latitude large earthquakes in the north-east Asian region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryu, Kwangsun; Oyama, Koh-Ichiro; Bankov, Ludmil; Chen, Chia-Hung; Devi, Minakshi; Liu, Huixin; Liu, Jann-Yenq

2016-01-01

To investigate whether the link between seismic activity and EIA (equatorial ionization anomaly) enhancement is valid for mid-latitude seismic activity, DEMETER observations around seven large earthquakes in the north-east Asian region were fully analyzed (M ⩾ 6.8). In addition, statistical analysis was performed for 35 large earthquakes (M ⩾ 6.0) that occurred during the DEMETER observation period. The results suggest that mid-latitude earthquakes do contribute to EIA enhancement, represented as normalized equatorial Ne , and that ionospheric change precedes seismic events, as has been reported in previous studies. According to statistical studies, the normalized equatorial density enhancement is sensitive and proportional to both the magnitude and the hypocenter depth of an earthquake. The mechanisms that can explain the contribution of mid-latitude seismic activity to EIA variation are briefly discussed based on current explanations of the geochemical and ionospheric processes involved in lithosphere-ionosphere interaction.

[Serological and clinical proof of freedom from Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in imported and domestic horses in Switzerland].

PubMed

Kaiser, A; Meier, H P; Doherr, M G; Perler, L; Zanoni, R; Gerber, V

2009-04-01

Since 1991, no cases of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) have been reported in Switzerland. Risk factors for introduction of the virus into Switzerland are still present or have even increased as frequent inapparent infections, large numbers of imported horses, (since 2003) absence of compulsory testing prior to importation, EIA cases in surrounding Europe, possible illegal importation of horses, frequent short-term stays, poor knowledge of the disease among horse owners and even veterinarians. The aim of this study was to provide evidence of freedom from EIA in imported and domestic horses in Switzerland. The serum samples from 434 horses imported since 2003 as well as from 232 domestic horses fifteen years of age or older (since older horses have naturally had a longer time of being exposed to the risk of infection) were analysed using a commercially available ELISA test. All samples were seronegative, indicating that the maximum possible prevalence that could have been missed with this sample was 0.5% (95% confidence).

Public participation in environmental impact assessment-implementing the Aarhus Convention

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

Hartley, Nicola; Wood, Christopher

This article explores the nature of public participation in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process in the context of the potential integration of the Aarhus Convention principles into the UK EIA system. Although the Convention advocates 'early' and 'effective' participation, these terms remain undefined and questions persist about exactly how to implement the Aarhus principles. Ten practice evaluation criteria derived from the Aarhus Convention are used to analyse the public participation procedures used in four UK waste disposal EIA case studies. The paper reports the extent to which the practice evaluation criteria were fulfilled, explores the types and effectiveness ofmore » the participation methods used in the EIAs, and highlights some of the key barriers that appear to impede the execution of 'early' and 'effective' participation programmes. It concludes that the Aarhus Convention will undoubtedly lead to a strengthening of participation procedures but that the level of improvement secured will depend upon how its ideals are interpreted and incorporated into legislation and practice.« less

Environmental agreements, EIA follow-up and aboriginal participation in environmental management: The Canadian experience

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

O'Faircheallaigh, Ciaran

2007-05-15

During the last decade a number of environmental agreements (EAs) have been negotiated in Canada involving industry, government and Aboriginal peoples. This article draws on the Canadian experience to consider the potential of such negotiated agreements to address two issues widely recognised in academic and policy debates on environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental management. The first relates to the need to secure indigenous participation in environmental management of major projects that affect indigenous peoples. The second and broader issue involves the necessity for specific initiatives to ensure effective follow-up of EIA. The Canadian experience indicates that negotiated environmental agreementsmore » have considerable potential to address both issues. However, if this potential is to be realized, greater effort must be made to develop structures and processes specifically designed to encourage Aboriginal participation; and EAs must themselves provide the financial and other resource required to support EIA follow-up and Aboriginal participation.« less

Is quantitative oestrogen receptor expression useful in the evaluation of the clinical prognosis? Analysis of a homogeneous series of 797 patients with prospective determination of the ER status using simultaneous EIA and IHC.

PubMed

Mazouni, Chafika; Bonnier, Pascal; Goubar, Aïcha; Romain, Sylvie; Martin, Pierre-Marie

2010-10-01

Oestrogen receptor (ER) determination in breast cancer (BC) is a major yardstick for the prognosis and for response to hormonal therapy (HT). As several techniques have been proposed for ER quantification, the purpose of our study was to assess whether the qualitative or quantitative analysis of ER expression might influence the prognosis and response to treatment. We analysed overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in 797 primary BC cases with ER determination by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The clinical impact according to qualitative or quantitative analysis of ER expression was assessed. Response to HT was evaluated according to quantitative EIA-determined ER expression levels. According to the qualitative analysis of ER expression, patients with EIA-determined and IHC-determined ER-positive tumours had significantly longer OS and DFS (p<0.001). The analysis stratified on quartiles of ER levels showed significantly different outcomes according to EIA- and IHC-determined subgroups. In the group of patients who received adjuvant treatment, 5-year OS was significantly different between the groups, with a clear benefit for the highest EIA-determined ER quartiles (p<0.001). Comparatively, in terms of 5-year DFS, a clear separation was noted between groups for adjuvant treatment (p<0.001). The group with moderate ER+ values was clearly distinct from the ER-negative population. Quantitative ER expression helped to better distinguish the beneficial or detrimental effect of HT within quartiles of ER-expressing tumours. Based on the STEPP analysis which showed a trend towards an ER effect on DFS as a function of HT assignment, we confirm the benefit of HT in patients with a very high EIA-determined ER level and a detrimental impact on negative and weakly positive groups. Quantitative ER expression in BC helps to better discriminate heterogeneity in clinical outcome and response to HT. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The inclusion of biodiversity in environmental impact assessment: Policy-related progress limited by gaps and semantic confusion.

PubMed

Bigard, Charlotte; Pioch, Sylvain; Thompson, John D

2017-09-15

Natural habitat loss and fragmentation, as a result of development projects, are major causes of biodiversity erosion. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the most commonly used site-specific planning tool that takes into account the effects of development projects on biodiversity by integrating potential impacts into the mitigation hierarchy of avoidance, reduction, and offset measures. However, the extent to which EIA fully address the identification of impacts and conservation stakes associated with biodiversity loss has been criticized in recent work. In this paper we examine the extent to which biodiversity criteria have been integrated into 42 EIA from 2006 to 2016 for small development projects in the Montpellier Metropolitan territory in southern France. This study system allowed us to question how EIA integrates biodiversity impacts on a scale relevant to land-use planning. We examine how biodiversity inclusion has changed over time in relation to new policy for EIA and how the mitigation hierarchy is implemented in practice and in comparison with national guidelines. We demonstrate that the inclusion of biodiversity features into EIA has increased significantly in relation to policy change. Several weaknesses nevertheless persist, including the continued absence of substitution solution assessment, a correct analysis of cumulative impacts, the evaluation of impacts on common species, the inclusion of an ecological network scale, and the lack of monitoring and evaluation measures. We also show that measures for mitigation hierarchy are primarily associated with the reduction of impacts rather than their avoidance, and avoidance and offset measures are often misleadingly proposed in EIA. There is in fact marked semantic confusion between avoidance, reduction and offset measures that may impair stakeholders' understanding. All in all, reconsideration of stakeholders routine practices associated with a more strategic approach towards impact anticipation and avoidance at a land-use planning scale is now necessary for the mitigation hierarchy to become a clear and practical hierarchy for "no net loss" objectives based on conservation priorities. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Malaria prevalence defined by microscopy, antigen detection, DNA amplification and total nucleic acid amplification in a malaria-endemic region during the peak malaria transmission season.

PubMed

Waitumbi, John N; Gerlach, Jay; Afonina, Irina; Anyona, Samuel B; Koros, Joseph N; Siangla, Joram; Ankoudinova, Irina; Singhal, Mitra; Watts, Kate; Polhemus, Mark E; Vermeulen, Nicolaas M; Mahoney, Walt; Steele, Matt; Domingo, Gonzalo J

2011-07-01

To determine the malaria prevalence by microscopy, antigen detection and nucleic acid detection in a defined subpopulation in a Plasmodium falciparum-endemic region during the peak transmission season. Blood specimens were collected in a cross-sectional study involving children aged 5-10 years (n = 195) presenting with acute fever to two clinics in Western Kenya. All specimens underwent microscopy, HRP2 and aldolase antigen detection by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), parasite-specific DNA and total nucleic acid (RNA and DNA) by real-time PCR (qPCR) and reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Microscopy detected 65/195 cases of malaria infection [95% confidence interval (CI) 52-78]. HRP2 and aldolase EIA had similar sensitivity levels detecting antigen in 65/195 (95% CI, 52-78) and 57/195 (95% CI, 45-70) cases. Discordants in antigen detection vs. microscopy occurred at <470 parasites/μl and <4900 parasites/μl for HRP2 and aldolase, respectively. Detection of total nucleic acid allowed a 3 log lower limit of detection than just DNA detection by real-time PCR in vitro. In clinical specimens, 114/195 (95% CI, 100-127) were qPCR positive (DNA), and 187/195 (95% CI, 179-191) were qRT-PCR positive (DNA plus RNA). The prevalence of submicroscopic malaria infection was significantly higher when detecting total nucleic acid than just DNA in this outpatient population during the high transmission season. Defining standards for submicroscopic infection will be important for control programmes, diagnostics development efforts and molecular epidemiology studies. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Annual Energy Outlook 2016 With Projections to 2040

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

None, None

The Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016), prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), presents long-term projections of energy supply, demand, and prices through 2040. The projections, focused on U.S. energy markets, are based on results from EIA’s National Energy Modeling System (NEMS). NEMS enables EIA to make projections under alternative, internallyconsistent sets of assumptions. The analysis in AEO2016 focuses on the Reference case and 17 alternative cases. EIA published an Early Release version of the AEO2016 Reference case (including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan (CPP)) and a No CPP case (excluding the CPP) in May 2016.

Diagnosing vocal cord dysfunction in young athletes.

PubMed

Rhodes, Rea Kae

2008-12-01

To provide an overview of the pathophysiology, steps in making a diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment methods for vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) in young athletes. Review of published literature about VCD and exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and a case study. The clinical presentation of VCD is often confusing. A young athlete who is having difficulty "catching his breath" may have more than EIA. Young athletes who have been previously diagnosed with EIA may actually have VCD. The ability to correctly differentiate VCD from other causes of respiratory distress can lead to accurate interventions, save precious time in an acute situation, and promote long-term control of this condition.

Bilateral External Iliac Artery Dissection in a Middle-Aged Male Athlete

PubMed Central

Yamanaka, Yasushi; Yoshida, Tetsuya; Nagaoka, Eiki

2017-01-01

We present the case of a bilateral external iliac artery (EIA) dissection in a 44-year-old male athlete. The patient was referred to our department for right lower abdominal pain without claudication during single squatting. His athletic history included participation in approximately five athletic events per year. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral EIA dissection and right renal infarction. Following medical treatment for his hypertension and considering his medical history, a bilateral EIA replacement with 8-mm Dacron straight grafts was performed on the 24th day after hospital admission. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT revealed good bilateral graft patency and perfusion following surgery. PMID:29515713

Bilateral External Iliac Artery Dissection in a Middle-Aged Male Athlete.

PubMed

Yamanaka, Yasushi; Yoshida, Tetsuya; Nagaoka, Eiki

2017-12-25

We present the case of a bilateral external iliac artery (EIA) dissection in a 44-year-old male athlete. The patient was referred to our department for right lower abdominal pain without claudication during single squatting. His athletic history included participation in approximately five athletic events per year. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral EIA dissection and right renal infarction. Following medical treatment for his hypertension and considering his medical history, a bilateral EIA replacement with 8-mm Dacron straight grafts was performed on the 24th day after hospital admission. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT revealed good bilateral graft patency and perfusion following surgery.

Development of a Serological Test for Haemophilus ducreyi for Seroprevalence Studies

PubMed Central

Elkins, Christopher; Yi, Kyungcheol; Olsen, Bonnie; Thomas, Christopher; Thomas, Kevin; Morse, Stephen

2000-01-01

We developed a new enzyme immunoassay (rpEIA) for use in determining the seroprevalence of chancroid. Three highly conserved outer membrane proteins from Haemophilus ducreyi strain 35000 were cloned, overexpressed, and purified from Escherichia coli for use as antigens in the rpEIA. Serum specimens from patients with and without chancroid were assayed to determine optimum sensitivity and specificity and to establish cutoff values. On the basis of these data, rpEIA was found to be both sensitive and specific when used to test a variety of serum specimens from patients with genital ulcers and urethritis and from healthy blood donors. PMID:10747137

EVMS Self-Surveillance of Remote Handled Low Level Waste (RHLLW) Project

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

Nelson, Michael L.; Case, Kimberly; Hergesheimer, Linda

2013-07-01

DOE G 413.3-10A, Section 3.a states: “The Contractor has primary responsibility for implementing and maintaining a surveillance program to ensure continued compliance of the system with ANSI/EIA-748B. DOE O 413.3B requires the FPD to ensure the contractor conducts a Self-Surveillance annually. This annual Self-Surveillance,…should cover all 32 guidelines of the ANSI/EIA748B. Documentation of the Self-Surveillance is sent to the CO and the PMSO (copy to OECM) confirming the continued compliance of their EVMS ANSI/EIA748B...” This review, and the associated report, is deemed to satisfy this requirement.

76 FR 70125 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-10

... Request. SUMMARY: The EIA has submitted the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Monthly Biodiesel... thousands of dollars). 1. EIA-22M, ``Monthly Biodiesel Production Survey.'' 2. U.S. Energy Information... to collect information from biodiesel producers regarding the following: Plant location, capacity...

EIA Corrects Errors in Its Drilling Activity Estimates Series

EIA Publications

1998-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has published monthly and annual estimates of oil and gas drilling activity since 1978. These data are key information for many industry analysts, serving as a leading indicator of trends in the industry and a barometer of general industry status.

Comparison of Multispot EIA with Western blot for confirmatory serodiagnosis of HIV.

PubMed

Torian, Lucia V; Forgione, Lisa A; Punsalang, Amado E; Pirillo, Robert E; Oleszko, William R

2011-12-01

Recent improvements in the sensitivity of immunoassays (IA) used for HIV screening, coupled with increasing recognition of the importance of rapid point-of-care testing, have led to proposals to adjust the algorithm for serodiagnosis of HIV so that screening and confirmation can be performed using a dual or triple IA sequence that does not require Western blotting for confirmation. One IA that has been proposed as a second or confirmatory test is the Bio-Rad Multispot(®) Rapid HIV-1/HIV-2 Test. This test would have the added advantage of differentiating between HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. To compare the sensitivity and type-specificity of an algorithm combining a 3rd generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) followed by a confirmatory Multispot with the conventional algorithm that combines a 3rd generation EIA (Bio-Rad GS HIV-1/HIV-2 Plus O EIA) followed by confirmatory Western blot (Bio-Rad GS HIV-1 WB). 8760 serum specimens submitted for HIV testing to the New York City Public Health Laboratory between May 22, 2007, and April 30, 2010, tested repeatedly positive on 3rd generation HIV-1-2+O EIA screening and received parallel confirmatory testing by WB and Multispot (MS). 8678/8760 (99.1%) specimens tested WB-positive; 82 (0.9%) tested WB-negative or indeterminate (IND). 8690/8760 specimens (99.2%) tested MS-positive, of which 14 (17.1%) had been classified as negative or IND by WB. Among the HIV-1 WB-positive specimens, MS classified 26 (0.29%) as HIV-2. Among the HIV-1 WB negative and IND, MS detected 12 HIV-2. MS detected an additional 14 HIV-1 infections among WB negative or IND specimens, differentiated 26 HIV-1 WB positives as HIV-2, and detected 12 additional HIV-2 infections among WB negative/IND. A dual 3rd generation EIA algorithm incorporating MS had equivalent HIV-1 sensitivity to the 3rd generation EIA-WB algorithm and had the added advantage of detecting 12 HIV-2 specimens that were not HIV-1 WB cross-reactors. In this series an algorithm using EIA followed by MS would have resulted in the expedited referral of 38 specimens for HIV-2 testing and 40 specimens for nucleic acid confirmation. Further testing using a combined gold standard of nucleic acid detection and WB is needed to calculate specificity and validate the substitution of MS for WB in the diagnostic algorithm used by a large public health laboratory. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

EIA and GC/MS analysis of 8-isoprostane in EBC of children with problematic asthma.

PubMed

Carraro, S; Cogo, P E; Isak, I; Simonato, M; Corradi, M; Carnielli, V P; Baraldi, E

2010-06-01

Asthmatic airways are characterised by enhanced oxidative stress, which can be studied by measuring biomarkers, such as 8-isoprostane. The aims of the present study were: 1) to measure the concentrations of 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine of children with problematic and well-controlled asthma; 2) to compare the concentrations of 8-isoprostane measured by gas chromatographic/negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (GC/NICI-MS) and by an enzymatic immunoassay (EIA). We recruited 20 asthmatic allergic children, 13 with well-controlled asthma and seven with problematic asthma. They underwent exhaled nitric oxide measurements and spirometry, and both EBC and urine samples were collected. 8-isoprostane was measured in EBC by GC/NICI-MS and EIA. 8-isoprostane concentrations in EBC were significantly higher in children with problematic asthma than in children with well-controlled asthma (p = 0.01). An acceptable reproducibility emerged between GC/NICI-MS and EIA (coefficient of reproducibility 11.5 pg x mL(-1)). 8-isoprostane levels measured in urine did not correlate with those measured in EBC. We showed that 8-isoprostane in EBC was significantly increased in children with problematic asthma, suggesting a role for oxidative stress in this asthma phenotype. In addition we found an acceptable reproducibility of EIA compared to GC/NICI-MS, even if the latter method had higher accuracy.

Implementing the Espoo Convention in transboundary EIA between Germany and Poland

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

Albrecht, Eike

Poland and Germany have a long common border which leads to the necessity to cooperate and consult each other in the case of large-scale projects or infrastructure measures likely to cause negative transboundary effects on the environment. There are already binding provisions for transboundary EIA. In the area of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), transboundary EIA is intended to be legally binding for the Member States by the Espoo Convention which was ratified by Germany 8.8.2002 and by Poland 12.6.1997. Due to corresponding directives, the same is applicable in the context of the European Union. In German legislation,more » this issue is regulated by Art. 8 of the Federal EIA Act in regard to transboundary participation of administration and by Art. 9a in respect of transboundary public participation. However, these EIA regulations on transboundary participation do not surpass a certain detail level, as they have to be applied between Germany and all neighbouring states. Therefore both countries decided to agree on more detailed provisions in particular regarding procedural questions. During the 12th German-Polish Environmental Council, Germany and Poland reached an agreement on 11.4.2006 in Neuhardenberg/Brandenburg an agreement upon the implementation of the Espoo Convention, the so called Neuhardenberg Agreement. This article assesses the agreement under consideration of already existing law and discusses major improvements and problems.« less

Human health and wellbeing in environmental impact assessment in New South Wales, Australia: Auditing health impacts within environmental assessments of major projects

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

Harris, Patrick J., E-mail: patrick.harris@unsw.edu.a; Harris, Elizabeth, E-mail: e.harris@unsw.edu.a; Thompson, Susan, E-mail: s.thompson@unsw.edu.a

Internationally the inclusion of health within environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been shown to be limited. While Australian EIA documentation has not been studied empirically to date, deficiencies in practice have been documented. This research developed an audit tool to undertake a qualitative descriptive analysis of 22 Major Project EAs in New South Wales, Australia. Results showed that health and wellbeing impacts were not considered explicitly. They were, however, included indirectly in the identification of traditional public health exposures associated with the physical environment and to a lesser extent the inclusion of social and economic impacts. However, no health datamore » was used to inform any of the assessments, there was no reference to causal pathways between exposures or determinants and physical or mental health effects, and there was no inclusion of the differential distribution of exposures or health impacts on different populations. The results add conceptually and practically to the long standing integration debate, showing that health is in a position to add value to the EIA process as an explicit part of standard environmental, social and economic considerations. However, to overcome the consistently documented barriers to integrating health in EIA, capacity must be developed amongst EIA professionals, led by the health sector, to progress health related knowledge and tools.« less

Application of generalized singular value decomposition to ionospheric tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhuyan, K.; Singh, S.; Bhuyan, P.

2004-10-01

The electron density distribution of the low- and mid-latitude ionosphere has been investigated by the computerized tomography technique using a Generalized Singular Value Decomposition (GSVD) based algorithm. Model ionospheric total electron content (TEC) data obtained from the International Reference Ionosphere 2001 and slant relative TEC data measured at a chain of three stations receiving transit satellite transmissions in Alaska, USA are used in this analysis. The issue of optimum efficiency of the GSVD algorithm in the reconstruction of ionospheric structures is being addressed through simulation of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), in addition to its application to investigate complicated ionospheric density irregularities. Results show that the Generalized Cross Validation approach to find the regularization parameter and the corresponding solution gives a very good reconstructed image of the low-latitude ionosphere and the EIA within it. Provided that some minimum norm is fulfilled, the GSVD solution is found to be least affected by considerations, such as pixel size and number of ray paths. The method has also been used to investigate the behaviour of the mid-latitude ionosphere under magnetically quiet and disturbed conditions.

Making the Most of Your Tutorial Session.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barboza, Vicki Carter

This document reports on a materials development project created for volunteer tutors in the English-In-Action (EIA) program of the Bechtel International Center at Stanford University. EIA provides foreign students, visiting scholars, and their spouses with the opportunity to improve their English language skills in an informal, conversational…

A Model of Objective Weighting for EIA.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ying, Long Gen; Liu, You Ci

1995-01-01

In the research of environmental impact assessment (EIA), the problem of weight distribution for a set of parameters has not yet been properly solved. Presents an approach of objective weighting by using a procedure of Pij principal component-factor analysis (Pij PCFA), which suits specifically those parameters measured directly by physical…

South Carolina's Education Improvement Act: Is It Working?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richardson, Mike; And Others

South Carolina's response to the excellence literature of the early 1980s is called the Education Improvement Act (EIA). This act increased high school graduation requirements, required basic skills testing and standardized observation of teacher candidates, and mandated extensive competency testing and remediation of students. The EIA, like most…

Imbibing Wisdom of Environmental Impact Assessment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Ian

1992-01-01

Describes a learning module for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the relationship between EIA objectives and those of the module. Discusses constraints influencing the form of the subject and the range of possible training techniques. Presents details of the module's structure and comments on its approach. (Contains 16 references.) (MDH)

Update on Exercise-Induced Asthma. A Report of the Olympic Exercise Asthma Summit Conference.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Storms, William W.; Joyner, David M.

1997-01-01

Summarizes results from the Olympic Exercise Asthma Summit Conference, offering the latest on identifying and managing exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Concludes that effective pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment is available, but EIA is underrecognized and underdiagnosed. Physicians should look for it in all patients, including school…

Changes in Natural Gas Monthly Consumption Data Collection and the Short-Term Energy Outlook

EIA Publications

2010-01-01

Beginning with the December 2010 issue of the Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the Energy Information Administration (EIA) will present natural gas consumption forecasts for the residential and commercial sectors that are consistent with recent changes to the Form EIA-857 monthly natural gas survey.

76 FR 49757 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-11

.... SUMMARY: The EIA is soliciting comments on the proposed new Form EIA- 111, ``Quarterly Electricity Imports and Exports Report.'' This new form would supersede the existing Form OE-781R, ``Monthly Electricity... Power Monthly, and Monthly Energy Review. The existing survey of electricity imports and exports (OE...

77 FR 4026 - Proposed Agency Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-26

... supersede the existing Form OE-781R, ``Monthly Electricity Imports and Exports Report''. The Form OE-781R is...) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden. 1. New. 2. Form EIA-111, Quarterly Electricity Imports and Exports Report. 3. Three-year approval. 4. Form EIA-111 collects U.S. electricity import and...

77 FR 34368 - Agency Information Collection Extension

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-11

... Gasoline Blending Components, All Other --Kerosene-Type Jet Fuel --Distillate Fuel Oil by Sulfur Category (15 ppm sulfur and under, Greater than 15 ppm to 500 ppm sulfur (inclusive), and Greater than 500 ppm sulfur) Eliminating Form EIA-801 and the proposed changes to Form EIA-805 will make weekly bulk terminal...

76 FR 70123 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-10

... Natural Gas Production Report. DATES: Comments must be filed by January 9, 2012. If you anticipate... the United States and the requirement for accurate and timely natural gas production information... disseminated through the EIA Natural Gas Monthly, Monthly Natural Gas Gross Production Report, and EIA Natural...

Analysis of Senate Amendment 2028, the Climate Stewardship Act of 2003

EIA Publications

2004-01-01

On May 11, 2004, Senator Landrieu asked the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to evaluate SA 2028. This paper responds to that request, relying on the modeling methodology, data sources, and assumptions used to analyze the original bill, as extensively documented in EIA's June 2003 report.

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF 1991 STEAM-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT OPERATION AND AIR EMISSIONS DATA

EPA Science Inventory

The report provides graphical representations of data derived from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Energy Information Administration, s Form EIA-767 (Steam Electric Plant Operation and Design Report). or more than 10 years, EIA has collected monthly boiler level data from...

Towards SEA for the developing nations of Asia

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

Briffett, Clive; Obbard, Jeffrey Philip; Mackee, Jamie

2003-03-01

In the developing and transitional countries of Asia, environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been widely practiced as a planning tool that identifies the potential impacts associated with developments and determines their level of significance and the need for mitigating measures. Not withstanding its extensive use in many Asian countries, certain limitations are now being increasingly recognised with regard to achieving sustainable development within the planning process. It is also noted that the natural environment in Asia has continued to be severely degraded despite the adoption of EIA. This research project was undertaken at the National University of Singapore to reviewmore » the status on the implementation of EIA procedures and to investigate the status and potential of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in Asia. The research project generally investigated the existing physical attributes of six countries including Hong Kong and Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam and discussed their prevailing environmental conditions. It more specifically reviewed policymaking and environmental planning, environmental legislation and the practice and procedures of environmental impact assessment. It also evaluated environmental assessment education and training activities. In some cases such as Hong Kong, an opportunity to analyse actual SEA practice was included. In other cases, the potential for possible take up of formal SEA was assessed. A comparative review assesses the degree to which EIA and SEA procedures have been utilized, considers how the use of SEA could overcome the deficiencies of the EIA project-based system and includes aspects of meeting sustainability criteria. Results show that the use and application of EIA is relatively strong across all countries with the possible exception of Singapore which relies more heavily on its planning and control system to address potential environmental impacts arising from development projects. Despite this, EIAs have been undertaken in every country due to aid and bank lending agencies requiring them and multinational companies and many local NGOs completing voluntary EIAs. Even though the mandatory introduction of EIA into some countries is fairly recent such as Hong Kong (1999) and Vietnam (1994), efforts to conduct such investigations may have started many years before. The country reviews highlight many common problems and adverse influences that give rise to inadequate EIA practice, and in some cases, recommendations for improvement are proposed. The potential for SEA is assessed on the basis of its present usage which is generally small except for Hong Kong and the environmental strategic decision-making that is being conducted in policy, plan and programme formulations. While the more comprehensive and well-refined westernized model of SEA is generally weakly implemented at present, there is evidence to suggest that Agenda 21, along with other international treaties such as the Biodiversity Charter and the Ramsar Convention, has motivated certain sustainability initiatives that are resulting in increased environmental considerations at a strategic level. In some cases, these may be reflected in National Plan policymaking or in the sector and area-based activities of various ministries and departments. It is concluded that SEA potential is generally strong in those countries with smaller centralized bureaucracies but that its successful implementation will be highly dependent on changing the mind-sets and motivations of top personnel at ministerial level.« less

Effects of adjunctive eslicarbazepine acetate on serum lipids in patients with partial-onset seizures: Impact of concomitant statins and enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs.

PubMed

Mintzer, Scott; Wechsler, Robert T; Rogin, Joanne B; Gidal, Barry E; Schwab, Matthias; Ben-Menachem, Elinor; Carreño, Mar; da Silva, Patrício Soares; Moreira, Joana; Li, Yan; Blum, David; Grinnell, Todd

2018-03-01

To evaluate the effects of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) on lipid metabolism and to determine whether reduced statin exposure during ESL therapy has clinical consequences. We conducted a post-hoc analysis of pooled data for serum lipids (laboratory values) from three phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of adjunctive ESL therapy (400, 800, or 1200 mg once daily) in patients with treatment-refractory partial-onset seizures. Changes from baseline in serum lipid levels were analyzed according to use of statins and/or enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) during the baseline period. In total, 426 and 1021 placebo- and ESL-treated patients, respectively, were included in the analysis. With regard to the changes from baseline in serum concentrations, there were statistically significant differences between the placebo and ESL 1200 mg QD groups, for both total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), but the effect sizes were small (+4.1 mg/dL and +1.8 mg/dL, respectively). A small but significant difference in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; -5.0 mg/dL) was observed between the ESL 400 mg QD group and the placebo group. In patients not taking a concomitant EIAED, there were no changes with ESL 400 mg QD, but modest and statistically significant increases in cholesterol fractions (TC, LDL-C and HDL-C) with ESL 800 mg QD (<6 mg/dL) and ESL 1200 mg QD (<10 mg/dL). ESL had no consistent effect on lipids in patients taking a concomitant EIAED. In patients taking statins during baseline, there were no clinically relevant changes in serum lipids during use of ESL, although the subgroups were small. These results suggest that ESL does not appear to have clinically significant effects on serum lipids, nor does the pharmacokinetic interaction between ESL and statins have an impact on serum lipid concentrations. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Diagnostic advantages of the test system "DS-EIA-HBsAg-0.01" for detection of HBV surface antigen].

PubMed

Egorova, N I; Pyrenkova, I Iu; Igolkina, S N; Sharipova, I N; Puzyrev, V F; Obriadina, A P; Burkov, A N; Kornienko, N V; Fields, H A; Korovkin, A S; Shalunova, N V; Bektemirov, T A; Kuznetsov, K V; Koshcheeva, N A; Ulanova, T I

2009-01-01

The new highly sensitive test system "DS-EIA-HBsAg-0.01" (Priority Certificate No. 2006129019 of August 10, 2006) in detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was assessed. The sensitivity of the test was estimated using the federal standards sample HBsAg 42-28-311-06, panels' samples Boston Biomedica Inc. (West Bridgewater, Mass, USA) and ZeptoMetrix Corp. (Buffalo, NY, USA). The findings have indicated that "DS-EIA-HBsAg-0.01" is equally effective in detecting different subtypes of HBsAg during a seroconversion period earlier than alternative assays. Along with its high analytical and diagnostic sensitivity, the system shows a high diagnostic specificity.

Antigen based detection of cystic echinococcosis in buffaloes using ELISA and Dot-EIA.

PubMed

Sangaran, A; Bino Sundar, S T; Latha, Bhaskaran Ravi

2017-03-01

Cystic echinococcosis is caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus . The disease is recognized as one of the world's major zoonoses affecting human beings and domestic animals apart from its economic and public health importance. Development of the cysts in the intermediate host such as buffaloes occurs in the lungs, liver and other organs. In this study, detection of circulating antigen in the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in buffaloes was done using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Dot-Enzyme immunoassay (Dot-EIA). The sensitivity and specificity were determined as 89 and 92 % respectively, whereas those of Dot-EIA were determined as 94 and 96 %.

Improving the Quality and Scope of EIA Data

EIA Publications

2011-01-01

Section 805(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Public Law 110-1401 requires the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to establish a five-year plan to enhance the quality and scope of its data collection necessary to ensure that the scope, accuracy, and timeliness of the information needed for efficient functioning of energy markets and related financial operations. This report is in response to section 805(b) of EISA which calls on EIA to submit to Congress the plan established under subsection (a), including a description of any improvements needed to enhance the ability of the Administrator to collect and process energy information in a manner consistent with the needs of energy markets.

Tunable electromagnetically induced absorption based on graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Maoyong; Wang, Tongling; Zhang, Huiyun; Zhang, Yuping

2018-04-01

In this paper, an electronically induced absorption (EIA) structure based on graphene at the infrared frequency is proposed. A pair of nanorods is coupled to a ring resonator, resulting in electronically induced transparency (EIT), and then, Babinet's principle is applied to transform the EIT structure into an EIA structure. Based on the bright and dark modes of the coupling schemes, the adjustment of the coupling strength between the dark and bright modes can be achieved by changing the asymmetry degree. In addition, the transparency window and the absorption peak can be tuned by changing the Fermi energy of graphene. This graphene-based EIA structure can develop the path in narrow-band filtering and, absorptive switching in the future.

Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Experiments for the Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory: Suppression of Polarization Impurity and Stray Magnetic Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Kaleb; Jackson, Richard; van Vleet, Matthew; Kuhnash, Kodi; Worth, Bradley; Day, Amanda; Bali, Samir

2014-05-01

We investigate electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in rubidium vapor using a single laser beam and a scanning magnetic field co-aligned with the laser propagation direction. We show that polarization impurity, stray magnetic fields and imperfect optical alignments cause broadening of the EIT/EIA signal and other spurious effects. We describe a systematic approach to minimizing these undesired effects, which produces EIT/EIA signals nearly two orders of magnitude narrower than the natural linewidth. We gratefully acknowledge funding from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund and Miami University. We also acknowledge the Miami University Instrumentation Laboratory for their invaluable contributions.

75 FR 19379 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-14

..., ``Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles.'' DATES: Comments must be filed by June 14, 2010. If you.... Form EIA-886, ``Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles'' is an annual survey that collects... users of AFVs. The objective of the EIA-886 survey are to: (1) Comply with section 503 of the Energy...

77 FR 45593 - Proposed Agency Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-01

... Report of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids, and Form EIA-816, Monthly Natural Gas Liquids Report, as....: NEW; (2) Information Collection Request Title: Monthly Gas Processing and Liquids Report; (3) Type of... collection form that is a combination of the Form EIA-64A, Annual Report of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids...

76 FR 11444 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-02

... Natural Gas Data Collection Program Package. The surveys covered by this request include: Form EIA-176... burden for the surveys included in the Natural Gas Data Collection Program Package is shown below as an... help the EIA prepare data requests that maximize the utility of the information collected and assess...

76 FR 55059 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-06

... the Natural Gas Data Collection Program Package is to collect basic and detailed data to meet the EIA... Natural Gas Data Collection Program Package surveys are among those that are required to address the... Request. SUMMARY: The EIA has submitted the Energy Information Administration's Natural Gas Data...

Public Participation Planning of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Regulations: Analysis of Inconsistency for Some Cases in Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hindrayani, Aniek; Purwanto

2018-02-01

The failure in community involvement during the environmental documents planning may result in the failure of the planned project implementation. This study aims to determine the gap between practices and regulations that apply to the process of community involvement in the environmental documents planning, and find out inconsistency of implementation on each stakeholder in the planning of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the environmental permit. The method used was qualitative through interview and literature study which is analyzed using triangulation model and presented in the form of concept map. The results of the study indicate that 1) the determination of community representatives based on the criteria of the impacted communities is not clearly described, 3) suggestions, opinions, and responses to the environmental impact management are not well implemented by the project proponent, 3) implementation of the environmental management of other licensed activities affecting the behavior (4) stakeholders (project proponent, EIA consultants, and EIA appraisal committee) do not play their role as mandated in applicable legislation.

Cultural influences on implementing environmental impact assessment: Insights from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia

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

Boyle, J.

In Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, political and business support for environmental impact assessment (EIA) is low, and environmental agencies are virtually powerless compared with economic development agencies. Whereas technical factors contribute to the consequent ineffectiveness of EIA, cultural factors provide complementary explanations. A reliance on paternalistic authority, hierarchy, and status as principles of social organization; a dependence on patron-client relationships for ensuring loyalty and advancement among political, bureaucratic, and private-sector actors; and a strong desire to avoid conflict and maintain face; all of these factors reinforce the power of political and business elites and circumscribe that of individuals and communities.more » They also result in government bureaucracies where low-status environmental agencies have little power or authority and the interagency cooperation needed for effective EIA is lacking. The article demonstrates that it is vital to consider cultural as well as technical factors when examining the difficulties of implementing policies or programs like EIA, which are invented in the West and transferred to another culture with very different social and political heritages and practices.« less

Refocusing-range and image-quality enhanced optical reconstruction of 3-D objects from integral images using a principal periodic δ-function array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ai, Lingyu; Kim, Eun-Soo

2018-03-01

We propose a method for refocusing-range and image-quality enhanced optical reconstruction of three-dimensional (3-D) objects from integral images only by using a 3 × 3 periodic δ-function array (PDFA), which is called a principal PDFA (P-PDFA). By directly convolving the elemental image array (EIA) captured from 3-D objects with the P-PDFAs whose spatial periods correspond to each object's depth, a set of spatially-filtered EIAs (SF-EIAs) are extracted, and from which 3-D objects can be reconstructed to be refocused on their real depth. convolutional operations are performed directly on each of the minimum 3 × 3 EIs of the picked-up EIA, the capturing and refocused-depth ranges of 3-D objects can be greatly enhanced, as well as 3-D objects much improved in image quality can be reconstructed without any preprocessing operations. Through ray-optical analysis and optical experiments with actual 3-D objects, the feasibility of the proposed method has been confirmed.

Legal and institutional framework of environmental impact assessment in Nigeria: An initial assessment

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

Olokesusi, F.

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has high rates of urbanization and industrialization. Until recently, decisions on most large-scale projects such as expressways, harbors, industries, dams, and irrigation were considered with an emphasis on traditional technical and cost-benefit analysis. Spurred by massive environmental degradation and persistent community agitation in oil producing areas, environmental impact assessment (EIA) legislation was passed in late 1992. The main purpose of this article is to review and assess the content of this legislation and the guidelines produced by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), the institution responsible for EIA administration. Some EIA reports havemore » been prepared and reviewed by FEPA since 1994. There are some positive outcomes and expectations, but some problems have been identified as well, including: deliberate restriction of public involvement and participation by proponents and/or their consultants, interagency conflict leading to high cost and project delays especially in the oil industry, and restriction of public access to final EIA reports. These are discussed, and recommendations for improving the process are made.« less

GNSS Derived Ionospheric TEC Observed Through Different TEC Calibration Techniques in the Brazilian Sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker-Guedes, F.; Carmo, C. S.; Camargo, P. O.; Monico, J. F. G.; Nicoli Candido, C. M.

2017-12-01

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is becoming a reliable tool for use in air navigation systems. Its use as the main technology for determination of airplanes positioning has various economic and logistic benefits but it depends strongly on the ionospheric layer influences. The Brazilian sector ionosphere, mainly over the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), presents remarkable errors in the GNSS signal as compared to North America and Europe. In order to study the total electron content latitudinal variation of the Brazilian ionosphere we used a pair of GNSS receivers on the ground, one located in the equatorial region (Sao Luis) and other in the southern crest of the EIA (Cachoeira Paulista), to collect the GNSS observables and calculate the vertical TEC using different methods that has proven to work well to describe the ionospheric behavior in the North America and in Europe. We compared this results with a modified Nagoya TEC calculation method used by the EMBRACE (Estudo e Monitoramento BRAsileiro do Clima Espacial - Brazilian Study and Monitoring of Space Weather) program. This work intends to follow the performance of different TEC tuning methods to evaluate the spurious effects of the ionospheric EIA gradients in the TEC determination under typical conditions of the low-latitudes ionosphere in the Brazilian sector. The calculated TEC under different solar cycle conditions, geomagnetic activity, and seasonal variations show deviations in the performance of each method and stress the importance of well adjust the GNSS observations to local conditions in order to optimize the TEC evaluation. This study contributes to a better understanding of local GNSS signal errors in the global intent of offering conditions to improve the accuracy, integrity, availability, and continuity requirements for the use of GNSS for air navigation in South America.

Analyzing actual risk in malaria-deferred donors through selective serologic testing.

PubMed

Nguyen, Megan L; Goff, Tami; Gibble, Joan; Steele, Whitney R; Leiby, David A

2013-08-01

Approximately 150,000 US blood donors are deferred annually for travel to malaria-endemic areas. However, the majority do not travel to the high-risk areas of Africa associated with transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) but visit low-risk areas such as Mexico. This study tests for Plasmodium infection among malaria-deferred donors, particularly those visiting Mexico. Blood donors deferred for malaria risk (travel, residence, or previous infection) provided blood samples and completed a questionnaire. Plasma was tested for Plasmodium antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (EIA); repeat-reactive (RR) samples were considered positive and tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Accepted donors provided background testing data. During 2005 to 2011, a total of 5610 malaria-deferred donors were tested by EIA, including 5412 travel deferrals. Overall, 88 (1.6%) were EIA RR; none were PCR positive. Forty-nine (55.7%) RR donors previously had malaria irrespective of deferral category, including 34 deferred for travel. Among 1121 travelers to Mexico, 90% visited Quintana Roo (no or very low risk), but just 2.2% visited Oaxaca/Chiapas (moderate or high risk). Only two Mexican travelers tested RR; both previously had malaria not acquired in Mexico. Travel to Mexico represents a large percentage of US donors deferred for malaria risk; however, these donors primarily visit no- or very-low-risk areas. No malaria cases acquired in Mexico were identified thereby supporting previous risk estimates. Consideration should be given to allowing blood donations from U.S. donors who travel to Quintana Roo and other low-risk areas in Mexico. A more effective approach to preventing TTM would be to defer all donors with a history of malaria, even if remote. © 2012 American Association of Blood Banks.

An audit of Cryptosporidium and Giardia detection in Scottish National Health Service Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratories.

PubMed

Alexander, C L; Currie, S; Pollock, K; Smith-Palmer, A; Jones, B L

2017-06-01

Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium species are protozoan parasites capable of causing gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals through the ingestion of infective faeces. Whereas Cryptosporidium species can be acquired locally or through foreign travel, there is the mis-conception that giardiasis is considered to be largely travel-associated, which results in differences in laboratory testing algorithms. In order to determine the level of variation in testing criteria and detection methods between diagnostic laboratories for both pathogens across Scotland, an audit was performed. Twenty Scottish diagnostic microbiology laboratories were invited to participate with questions on sample acceptance criteria, testing methods, testing rates and future plans for pathogen detection. Reponses were received from 19 of the 20 laboratories representing each of the 14 territorial Health Boards. Detection methods varied between laboratories with the majority performing microscopy, one using a lateral flow immunochromatographic antigen assay, another using a manually washed plate-based enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and one laboratory trialling a plate-based EIA automated with an EIA plate washer. Whereas all laboratories except one screened every stool for Cryptosporidium species, an important finding was that significant variation in the testing algorithm for detecting Giardia was noted with only four laboratories testing all diagnostic stools. The most common criteria were 'travel history' (11 laboratories) and/or 'when requested' (14 laboratories). Despite only a small proportion of stools being examined in 15 laboratories for Giardia (2%-18% of the total number of stools submitted), of interest is the finding that a higher positivity rate was observed for Giardia than Cryptosporidium in 10 of these 15 laboratories. These findings highlight that the underreporting of Giardia in Scotland is likely based on current selection and testing algorithms.

Social impact assessment in mining projects in Northern Finland: Comparing practice to theory

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

Suopajärvi, Leena, E-mail: leena.suopajarvi@ulapland.fi

The paper discusses social impact assessments (SIA) for mining projects in light of the international principles and guidelines for such assessments and the academic literature in the field. The data consist of environmental impact assessment (EIA) programmes and reports for six mining projects that have started up in northern Finland in the 2000s. A first observation is that the role of the SIAs in the EIA programmes and reports studied was quite minor: measured in number of pages, the assessments account for three or four percent of the total. This study analyses the data collection, research methodology and conceptual premisesmore » used in the SIAs. It concludes that the assessments do not fully meet the high standards of the international principles and guidelines set out for them: for example, elderly men are over-represented in the data and no efforts were made to identify and bring to the fore vulnerable groups. Moreover, the reliability of the assessments is difficult to gauge, because the qualitative methods are not described and where quantitative methods were used, details such as non-response rates to questionnaires are not discussed. At the end of the paper, the SIAs are discussed in terms of Jürgen Habermas' theory of knowledge interests, with the conclusion that the assessments continue the empirical analytical tradition of the social sciences and exhibit a technical knowledge interest. -- Highlights: • Paper investigates social impact assessments in Finnish mining projects. • Role of social impact assessment is minor in whole EIA-process. • Mining SIAs give the voice for elderly men, vulnerable groups are not identified. • Assessment of SIAs is difficult because of lacking transparency in reporting. • SIAs belong to empirical analytical tradition with technical knowledge interest.« less

OPEC Revenues Fact Sheet

EIA Publications

2016-01-01

For 2015, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) earned about $404 billion in net oil export revenues (unadjusted for inflation). This represents a 46% decline from the $753 billion earned in 2014, mainly as a result of a precipitous fall in average annual crude oil prices during the year, and to a lesser extent to decreases in the level of OPEC net oil exports. The 2015 revenue total was the lowest earnings for OPEC since 2004.

Environmental impact assessment and environmental audit in large-scale public infrastructure construction: the case of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

PubMed

He, Guizhen; Zhang, Lei; Lu, Yonglong

2009-09-01

Large-scale public infrastructure projects have featured in China's modernization course since the early 1980s. During the early stages of China's rapid economic development, public attention focused on the economic and social impact of high-profile construction projects. In recent years, however, we have seen a shift in public concern toward the environmental and ecological effects of such projects, and today governments are required to provide valid environmental impact assessments prior to allowing large-scale construction. The official requirement for the monitoring of environmental conditions has led to an increased number of debates in recent years regarding the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Governmental Environmental Audits (GEAs) as environmental safeguards in instances of large-scale construction. Although EIA and GEA are conducted by different institutions and have different goals and enforcement potential, these two practices can be closely related in terms of methodology. This article cites the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway as an instance in which EIA and GEA offer complementary approaches to environmental impact management. This study concludes that the GEA approach can serve as an effective follow-up to the EIA and establishes that the EIA lays a base for conducting future GEAs. The relationship that emerges through a study of the Railway's construction calls for more deliberate institutional arrangements and cooperation if the two practices are to be used in concert to optimal effect.

Evaluation of a fully automated treponemal test and comparison with conventional VDRL and FTA-ABS tests.

PubMed

Park, Yongjung; Park, Younhee; Joo, Shin Young; Park, Myoung Hee; Kim, Hyon-Suk

2011-11-01

We evaluated analytic performances of an automated treponemal test and compared this test with the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS). Precision performance of the Architect Syphilis TP assay (TP; Abbott Japan, Tokyo, Japan) was assessed, and 150 serum samples were assayed with the TP before and after heat inactivation to estimate the effect of heat inactivation. A total of 616 specimens were tested with the FTA-ABS and TP, and 400 were examined with the VDRL. The TP showed good precision performance with total imprecision of less than a 10% coefficient of variation. An excellent linear relationship between results before and after heat inactivation was observed (R(2) = 0.9961). The FTA-ABS and TP agreed well with a κ coefficient of 0.981. The concordance rate between the FTA-ABS and TP was the highest (99.0%), followed by the rates between FTA-ABS and VDRL (85.0%) and between TP and VDRL (83.8%). The automated TP assay may be adequate for screening for syphilis in a large volume of samples and can be an alternative to FTA-ABS.

Evaluation of an antigen-capture EIA for the diagnosis of hepatitis E virus infection.

PubMed

Zhao, C; Geng, Y; Harrison, T J; Huang, W; Song, A; Wang, Y

2015-11-01

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been developed for hepatitis E virus (HEV) antigen (HEV-Ag) detection and marketed in China. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the assay and assess the value of HEV-Ag detection in the diagnosis of HEV infection in comparison with HEV RNA detection. Using serial dilutions of a genotype 4 HEV strain, significant correlation was found between the EIA (S/CO) and HEV RNA (IU/mL) concentration in the range 10(3.5) to 10(0.5) IU/mL HEV RNA, the Pearson correlation coefficient r approached 0.97. The EIA detection limit was 54.6 IU/mL, compared to 24 IU/mL for HEV RNA using real-time RT-PCR. In clinical samples from hepatitis E patients, the HEV-Ag and HEV RNA positivity rates were 55.6% (65/117) and 60.7% (71/117) in sera and 76.7% (56/73) and 84.9% (62/73) in stools, and the concordance of these two markers was 77.8% in sera and 80.8% in stools. In serum samples, the HEV-Ag positivity rate and the concordance between HEV-Ag and HEV RNA were inversely proportional to the presence of anti-HEV antibody. The presence of anti-HEV IgG could reduce the S/CO of the HEV-Ag EIA. These results reveal a significant correlation between the detection of HEV-Ag and HEV RNA. The sensitivity of the HEV-Ag EIA was lower than real-time RT-PCR but could be higher than conventional nested RT-PCR. Therefore, the detection of HEV-Ag in serum and faeces is valuable for the diagnosis and prognosis of HEV infection in developing regions where real-time RT-PCR is not available. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Is HIA the most effective tool to assess the impact on health of climate change mitigation policies at the local level? A case study in Geneva, Switzerland.

PubMed

Diallo, Thierno; Cantoreggi, Nicola; Simos, Jean; Christie, Derek P T H

2017-06-01

This study aims to understand how the health dimension is integrated into four impact assessment tools used in Geneva, Switzerland: environmental impact assessment (EIA), strategic environmental assessment (SEA), sustainability assessment (SA) and health impact assessment (HIA). We have chosen as a case study greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction policies chosen by the city of Geneva. The methodological approach consists in analysing EIA, SEA, SA and HIA conducted on three projects in three topic areas: urban planning, heating and transportation. These projects are: a complex urbanisation plan in an urban neighbourhood in Geneva (the Gare des Eaux-Vives project), a sustainable transportation plan for a central district in Geneva (the St-Gervais transportation project) and a strategy to encourage the City's employees to use sustainable transport for local business travel. The results show some shortcomings in the consideration of health in SEA, EIA and SA. This work highlights a narrow vision of health in SEA and EIA, limiting itself to a review of the effects of projects on the determinants of the physical environment as required by the legislation relating to these tools. EIA does not require the integration of the health dimension. As for SA, our research found that health is treated much more superficially than in HIA and primarily through the analysis of 'health and safety' criteria. It appears from this work that HIA is the tool which provides the most elaborate assessment, compared to SA, SEA or EIA, of the consequences for health of the GHG reduction policies chosen by the local decision-makers of a city. However, our study suggests that the HIA community should identify the situations in which HIA should be carried out and in which cases it is better to include health issues within an integrated analysis.

Framing effectiveness in impact assessment: Discourse accommodation in controversial infrastructure development

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

Rozema, Jaap G., E-mail: j.rozema@uea.ac.uk; Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 København SV; Bond, Alan J.

There is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of impact assessment tools, which matters both because of the threat to future practice of the tools which are frequently perceived to be ineffective, and because of the disillusionment that can ensue, and controversy generated, amongst stakeholders in a decision context where opportunities for meaningful debate have not been provided. In this article we regard debate about the meaning of effectiveness in impact assessment as an inevitable consequence of increased participation in environmental decision-making, and therefore frame effectiveness based on an inclusive democracy role to mean the extent to which impact assessment canmore » accommodate civil society discourse. Our aim is to investigate effectiveness based on this framing by looking at one type of impact assessment – environmental impact assessment (EIA) – in two controversial project proposals: the HS2 rail network in England; and the A4DS motorway in the Netherlands. Documentary analysis and interviews held with key civil society stakeholders have been deployed to identify discourses that were mobilised in the cases. EIA was found to be able to accommodate only one out of four discourses that were identified; for the other three it did not provide the space for the arguments that characterised opposition. The conclusion in relation to debate on framings of effectiveness is that EIA will not be considered effective by the majority of stakeholders. EIA was established to support decision-making through a better understanding of impacts, so its ineffectiveness is unsurprising when its role is perceived to be broader. However, there remains a need to map discourses in different decision contexts and to analyse the extent to which the range of discourses are accommodated throughout the decision process, and the role of impact assessment in those processes, before recommendations can be made to either improve impact assessment effectiveness, or whether it is simply perceptions of effectiveness that need to be improved. - Highlights: • Effectiveness of EIA is defined in terms of its ability to accommodate discourses. • Four separate discourses were identified across two controversial cases. • EIA is considered to mobilize one out of four discourses only. • Discourse mapping is recommended to improve EIA effectiveness.« less

A Force Balanced Fragmentation Method for ab Initio Molecular Dynamic Simulation of Protein.

PubMed

Xu, Mingyuan; Zhu, Tong; Zhang, John Z H

2018-01-01

A force balanced generalized molecular fractionation with conjugate caps (FB-GMFCC) method is proposed for ab initio molecular dynamic simulation of proteins. In this approach, the energy of the protein is computed by a linear combination of the QM energies of individual residues and molecular fragments that account for the two-body interaction of hydrogen bond between backbone peptides. The atomic forces on the caped H atoms were corrected to conserve the total force of the protein. Using this approach, ab initio molecular dynamic simulation of an Ace-(ALA) 9 -NME linear peptide showed the conservation of the total energy of the system throughout the simulation. Further a more robust 110 ps ab initio molecular dynamic simulation was performed for a protein with 56 residues and 862 atoms in explicit water. Compared with the classical force field, the ab initio molecular dynamic simulations gave better description of the geometry of peptide bonds. Although further development is still needed, the current approach is highly efficient, trivially parallel, and can be applied to ab initio molecular dynamic simulation study of large proteins.

Evaluation of the 1987-1988 EIA Remedial and Compensatory Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

South Carolina State Dept. of Education, Columbia. Office of Research.

Evaluation of South Carolina's 1987-88 Remedial and Compensatory Program, funded by the state's Education Improvement Act of 1984 (EIA), shows that the program was successful in raising the participants' achievement. The programs include basic skills learning in reading and mathematics in all grades, and writing in grades 6-12, but not all grades…

Fuzzy Clustering Analysis in Environmental Impact Assessment--A Complement Tool to Environmental Quality Index.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kung, Hsiang-Te; And Others

1993-01-01

In spite of rapid progress achieved in the methodological research underlying environmental impact assessment (EIA), the problem of weighting various parameters has not yet been solved. This paper presents a new approach, fuzzy clustering analysis, which is illustrated with an EIA case study on Baoshan-Wusong District in Shanghai, China. (Author)

U.S. Movements of Crude Oil By Rail

EIA Publications

2017-01-01

U.S. Movements of Crude Oil By Rail includes new data on crude oil transported by railroad. This product will fully integrate EIA's petroleum supply and disposition data along with pipeline, tanker, and barge data. Fully incorporating crude-by-rail movements improves EIA's regional petroleum balances by reducing regional crude oil adjustments (unaccounted for crude oil).

Designing a Spatially Intelligent Public Participative System for the Environmental Impact Assessment Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lei, Lei

2013-01-01

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a decision-making process that often involves public participation in the scoping and reviewing stage. Although the importance of engaging the public in the EIA process has long been recognized, it is often considered ineffective due to factors such as time, budget, resource, technical and procedural…

Short-Term Energy Outlook Supplement: U.S. LNG Imports - The Next Wave

EIA Publications

2007-01-01

This report was prepared by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), in response to a September 27, 2006, request from Senators Bingaman, Landrieu, Murkowski, Specter, Salazar, and Lugar. The Senators requested that EIA assess the impacts of a proposal that would regulate emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through an allowance cap-and-trade system.

Satanic Portals and Sex-Saturated Books: Parent Complaints about English Texts in NSW Protestant Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hastie, David

2014-01-01

Exploring Australian school text censorship has a long pedigree in "English in Australia." This article aims to contribute by observing attempts by parents to censor English texts in religious schools. A brief summary of "EIA"'s previous approaches is followed by an explanation of the method of my research with NSW Protestant…

Department of Energy fiscal year 1984 authorization (Energy Information Administration). Hearing before the Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Supply of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Ninety-Eighth Congress, First Session, to review the Department of Energy's fiscal year 1984 budget request, June 24, 1983

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

Not Available

1983-01-01

Erich J. Evered, Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA), testified at a budget hearing in response to committee questions on how research and development transfers to the private sector can function with a 50% cut in the budget and how the agency will provide consumers with energy information and analyses for decision making. The hearing record includes a performance evaluation of the EIA prepared for the President and Congress. Evered describes EIA's mission and defends the budget cuts on the economic grounds. (DCK)

EIA model documentation: Petroleum Market Model of the National Energy Modeling System

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

NONE

1994-12-30

The purpose of this report is to define the objectives of the Petroleum Market Model (PMM), describe its basic approach, and provide detail on how it works. This report is intended as a reference document for model analysts, users, and the public. Documentation of the model is in accordance with EIA`s legal obligation to provide adequate documentation in support of its models (Public Law 94-385, section 57.b.2). The PMM models petroleum refining activities, the marketing of products, the production of natural gas liquids and domestic methanol, projects petroleum provides and sources of supplies for meeting demand. In addition, the PMMmore » estimates domestic refinery capacity expansion and fuel consumption.« less

[Analysis of drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii in wound of children with traffic injury and its relationship with antibiotic use].

PubMed

Liu, S; Wang, C; Fu, Y X

2017-07-20

Objective: To know the drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) in wound of children with traffic injury and its relationship with antibiotic use. Methods: Wound exudate of 226 children with traffic injury admitted to our unit from January 2010 to December 2015 were collected. API bacteria identification panels and fully automatic microbiological identification system were used to identify pathogens. Kirby-Bauer paper disk diffusion method was used to detect the drug resistance of pathogens to 18 antibiotics including amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam, and imipenem. The detection situation of pathogen of children's wounds and drug resistance of detected AB to 18 antibiotics in each year were collected. Forty-six AB positive children (2 children excluded) were divided into imipenem-resistant group (IR, n =19) and non imipenem-resistant group (NIR, n =25) according to whether AB was 100% resistant to imipenem. Drug resistance of AB in wounds of children to 18 antibiotics in two groups was compared. The antibiotic use of AB positive children was collected, and the antibiotic use intensity of children in two groups was compared. Data were processed with Fisher's exact test, independent sample t test, and corrected t test. Results: (1) The detection rates of pathogen in wounds of children in 2010-2015 were 95.6% (43/45), 89.8% (53/59), 81.3% (148/182), 81.1% (107/132), 81.6% (120/147), and 77.5% (62/80), respectively, showing a trend of decreasing year by year. A total of 665 strains and 75 pathogens were detected, and the top 5 pathogens with detection rate from high to low were AB, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli, respectively. (2) Drug resistance rates of AB to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, cefazolin, aztreonam, and piperacillin were all 100%, while AB was 100% sensitive to polymyxin, and the total drug resistance rates of AB to the other 13 antibiotics were all above 50%. The drug resistance rate of AB in wounds of children to piperacillin was higher than that to piperacillin/tazobactam in 2010-2015. (3) Except for imipenem, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, cefazolin, aztreonam, piperacillin, and polymyxin, the drug resistance rates of AB in wounds of children in group IR to the other 12 antibiotics were higher than those in group NIR (with P values below 0.01). Besides, AB strains in wounds of children in group IR were completely resistant to at least 3 kinds of antibiotics including carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and quinolones, so that they were multidrug-resistant AB. (4) A total of 32 antibiotics were used in 46 AB positive children, and the 10-top-used antibiotics with use intensity from high to low were cefoperazone/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefazolin, imipenem, ceftizoxime, amoxycillin/clavulanate, ceftazidime, cefepime, amoxycillin/sulbactam, and cefmetazole, respectively. (5) Twenty-one antibiotics were not included in the comparison because of their small amount of usage. For the other 11 antibiotics, only the use intensity of metronidazole of children in two groups was statistically different ( t =-3.104, P <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in total antibiotic use of children in two groups ( t =0.368, P >0.05). Conclusions: AB is one of the main pathogens in wounds of children with traffic injury, with high drug resistant rate. The high intensity of antibiotic use may lead to its drug resistance. In this study, the top-used antibiotics were in accord with AB resistant drugs, indicating a lack of normative use of antibiotics.

Thyroglobulin autoantibodies switch to immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgG3 subclasses and preserve their restricted epitope pattern after 131I treatment for Graves' hyperthyroidism: the activity of autoimmune disease influences subclass distribution but not epitope pattern of autoantibodies

PubMed Central

Latrofa, F; Ricci, D; Montanelli, L; Piaggi, P; Mazzi, B; Bianchi, F; Brozzi, F; Santini, P; Fiore, E; Marinò, M; Tonacchera, M; Vitti, P

2014-01-01

The subclass distribution of thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAb) is debated, whereas their epitope pattern is restricted. Radioidine (131I) treatment for Graves' disease (GD) induces a rise in TgAb levels, but it is unknown whether it modifies subclass distribution and epitope pattern of TgAb as well. We collected sera from GD patients before 131I treatment and 3 and 6 months thereafter. We measured total TgAb, TgAb light chains and TgAb subclasses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 25 patients. We characterized the TgAb epitope pattern in 30 patients by inhibiting their binding to 125-ITg by a pool of four TgAb-Fab (recognizing Tg epitope regions A, B, C and D) and to Tg in ELISA by each TgAb-Fab. Total TgAb immunoglobulin (Ig)G rose significantly (P = 0·024). TgAb κ chains did not change (P = 0·052), whereas TgAb λ chains increased significantly (P = 0·001) and persistently. We observed a significant rise in IgG1 and IgG3 levels after 131I (P = 0·008 and P = 0·006, respectively), while IgG2 and IgG4 levels did not change. The rise of IgG1 was persistent, that of IgG3 transient. The levels of inhibition of TgAb binding to Tg by the TgAb-Fab pool were comparable. A slight, non-significant reduction of the inhibition by the immune-dominant TgAb-Fab A was observed 3 and 6 months after 131I. We conclude that 131I treatment for GD increases the levels of the complement-activating IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses and does not influence significantly the epitope pattern of TgAb. In autoimmune thyroid disease subclass distribution of autoantibodies is dynamic in spite of a stable epitope pattern. PMID:25134846

Validation of measured poleward TEC gradient using multi-station GPS with Artificial Neural Network based TEC model in low latitude region for developing predictive capability of ionospheric scintillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sur, D.; Paul, A.

2017-12-01

The equatorial ionosphere shows sharp diurnal and latitudinal Total Electron Content (TEC) variations over a major part of the day. Equatorial ionosphere also exhibits intense post-sunset ionospheric irregularities. Accurate prediction of TEC in these low latitudes is not possible from standard ionospheric models. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based Vertical TEC (VTEC) model has been designed using TEC data in low latitude Indian longitude sector for accurate prediction of VTEC. GPS TEC data from the stations Calcutta (22.58°N, 88.38°E geographic, magnetic dip 32°), Baharampore (24.09°N, 88.25°E geographic, magnetic dip 35°) and Siliguri (26.72°N, 88.39°E geographic; magnetic dip 40°) are used as training dataset for the duration of January 2007-September 2011. Poleward VTEC gradients from northern EIA crest to region beyond EIA crest have been calculated from measured VTEC and compared with that obtained from ANN based VTEC model. TEC data from Calcutta and Siliguri are used to compute VTEC gradients during April 2013 and August-September 2013. It has been observed that poleward VTEC gradient computed from ANN based TEC model has shown good correlation with measured values during vernal and autumnal equinoxes of high solar activity periods of 2013. Possible correlation between measured poleward TEC gradients and post-sunset scintillations (S4 ≥ 0.4) from northern crest of EIA has been observed in this paper. From the observation, a suitable threshold poleward VTEC gradient has been proposed for possible occurrence of post-sunset scintillations at northern crest of EIA along 88°E longitude. Poleward VTEC gradients obtained from ANN based VTEC model are used to forecast possible ionospheric scintillation after post-sunset period using the threshold value. It has been observed that these predicted VTEC gradients obtained from ANN based VTEC model can forecast post-sunset L-band scintillation with an accuracy of 67% to 82% in this dynamic low latitude region. The use of VTEC gradients from ANN based VTEC model removes the necessity of continuous operation of multi-station ground based TEC receivers in this low latitude region.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection by using pyloriset EIA-G and EIA-A for detection of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibodies.

PubMed Central

Granberg, C; Mansikka, A; Lehtonen, O P; Kujari, H; Grönfors, R; Nurmi, H; Räihä, I; Ståhlberg, M R; Leino, R

1993-01-01

We evaluated the performance of new enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits (Pyloriset; Orion Corporation, Orion Diagnostica, Espoo, Finland) for the detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in serum. Serum samples from 195 patients with upper abdominal complaints were collected. Biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosae were taken for histological analysis and bacterial culture. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values, and efficacy of the Pyloriset EIA-G in detecting IgG antibodies to H. pylori were 92, 84, 88, 90, and 89%, respectively, when compared with those of the reference methods used. The corresponding data for detection of IgA antibodies were 80, 89, 89, 79, and 84%, respectively. The overall prevalence of defined H. pylori positivity was 54%. Moreover, the antibody tests showed a very good correlation with the biopsy findings. IgG antibodies were found in 93% of sera from patients with documented gastritis and H. pylori positivity, whereas only 4% of the sera from patients with documented gastritis and H. pylori-negative patients was positive. The results obtained for IgA antibodies were 81 and 6%, respectively. We conclude that the Pyloriset EIA-G, the test for IgG antibodies, is a good and reliable test for the detection of antibodies to H. pylori and as an indication of H. pylori infection. The determination of IgA antibodies may be used as a test that complements the IgG antibody assay. PMID:8314985

TPA can overcome the requirement for EIa and together act synergistically in stimulating expression of the adenovirus EIII promoter.

PubMed Central

Buckbinder, L; Miralles, V J; Reinberg, D

1989-01-01

We have examined the control of gene expression from the adenovirus early region III (Ad-EIII) promoter, which contains two previously defined elements, the AP1 and ATF sites. We found that the AP1 element is capable of mediating activation by the adenovirus immediate early (EIa) gene products. Consistent with studies demonstrating that the AP1 site mediates signal transduction in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) we have shown that TPA can activate Ad-EIII expression and overcome the requirement for EIa. Together TPA and EIa elicited a synergistic response in expression from the Ad-EIII promoter during both transient expression assays and viral infections. This synergistic effect required the AP1 element. An EIII promoter construct, in which sequences upstream of the TATA box had been replaced with four AP1 sites, was responsive to TPA and EIa and in combination promoted the synergistic effect. The analysis of specific factors involved in transcription from the Ad-EIII indicated that proteins recognizing the ATF and AP1 sites were important in expression from this promoter in vitro. Purification of protein factors that specifically stimulated EIII expression resulted in the isolation of a set of factors of the AP1 family. Affinity purified AP1 recognized and activated transcription through both the AP1 and ATF elements. In addition, a protein fraction was identified with DNA binding activity specific for the ATF element. This fraction was dependent on the ATF site for transcriptional activity. Images PMID:2531661

Integrating community perceptions and cultural diversity in social impact assessment in Nigeria

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

Nzeadibe, Thaddeus Chidi, E-mail: chidi.nzeadibe@unn.edu.ng; Ajaero, Chukwuedozie Kelechukwu; Okonkwo, Emeka Emmanuel

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act of 1992 aimed to make the environment a central theme in development in Nigeria. Nevertheless, the extent of engagement with local cultures in the Nigerian EIA process is not statutorily guaranteed. While most EIAs in Nigeria have been for oil and gas projects in the Niger Delta, and have focused strongly on the biophysical environment, socio-economic and cultural aspects have remained marginal. The palpable neglect of community perceptions and cultural diversity in social impact assessment (SIA) in this region prone to conflict has tended to alienate the people in the decision-making process. Thus, despitemore » claims to compliance with regulatory requirements for EIAs, and numerous purported sustainable development initiatives by international oil companies (IOCs), the region continues to face multiple sustainability challenges. This paper situates local perceptions and cultural diversity in participatory development and canvasses the integration of community perceptions and cultural diversity into SIA in the Niger Delta region. It is argued that doing this would be critical to ensuring acceptance and success of development actions within the context of local culture while also contributing to sustainable development policy in the region. - Highlights: • Nigeria EIA Act aimed to make the environment central to development in Nigeria. • Engagement with local communities in the process is not statutorily guaranteed. • SIAs in Nigeria neglect community perceptions and cultural diversity. • Article canvasses integrating community perceptions and cultural diversity in SIA. • Local acceptance in context of culture would yield sustainable development outcomes.« less

Recent developments in the understanding of equatorial ionization anomaly: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balan, N.; Souza, J.; Bailey, G. J.

2018-06-01

A brief review of the recent developments in the understanding of the equatorial plasma fountain (EPF) and equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) under quiet and active conditions is presented. It is clarified that (1) the EPF is not upward ExB plasma drift at the equator followed by downward plasma diffusion, but it is field perpendicular ExB plasma drift and field-aligned plasma diffusion acting together all along the field lines at all altitudes and plasma flowing in the direction of the resultant. (2) The EIA is formed not from the accumulation of plasma at the crests but mainly from the removal of plasma from around the equator by the upward ExB drift with small accumulations when the crests are within approximately ±20° magnetic latitude. The accumulations reduce with increasing latitude and become zero by approximately ±25°. (3) An asymmetric neutral wind makes EPF and EIA asymmetric with stronger fountain and stronger crest usually occurring in opposite hemispheres especially at equinoxes when winter anomaly is absent. (4) During the early stages of daytime main phase of major geomagnetic storms, the plasma fountain becomes a super fountain and the EIA becomes strong not due to the eastward prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) alone but due to the combined effect of eastward PPEF and storm-time equatorward winds (SEW). (5) During the later stages of the storms when EIA gets inhibited a peak sometimes occurs around the equator not due to westward electric fields but mainly due to the convergence of plasma from both hemispheres due to SEW.

Evaluation of Correlation between Pretest Probability for Clostridium difficile Infection and Clostridium difficile Enzyme Immunoassay Results

PubMed Central

Reske, Kimberly A.; Hink, Tiffany; Dubberke, Erik R.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients tested for Clostridium difficile and determine the correlation between pretest probability for C. difficile infection (CDI) and assay results. Patients with testing ordered for C. difficile were enrolled and assigned a high, medium, or low pretest probability of CDI based on clinical evaluation, laboratory, and imaging results. Stool was tested for C. difficile by toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and toxigenic culture (TC). Chi-square analyses and the log rank test were utilized. Among the 111 patients enrolled, stool samples from nine were TC positive and four were EIA positive. Sixty-one (55%) patients had clinically significant diarrhea, 19 (17%) patients did not, and clinically significant diarrhea could not be determined for 31 (28%) patients. Seventy-two (65%) patients were assessed as having a low pretest probability of having CDI, 34 (31%) as having a medium probability, and 5 (5%) as having a high probability. None of the patients with low pretest probabilities had a positive EIA, but four were TC positive. None of the seven patients with a positive TC but a negative index EIA developed CDI within 30 days after the index test or died within 90 days after the index toxin EIA date. Pretest probability for CDI should be considered prior to ordering C. difficile testing and must be taken into account when interpreting test results. CDI is a clinical diagnosis supported by laboratory data, and the detection of toxigenic C. difficile in stool does not necessarily confirm the diagnosis of CDI. PMID:27927930

Simultaneous Rapid Detection and Serotyping of Cronobacter sakazakii Serotypes O1, O2, and O3 by Using Specific Monoclonal Antibodies

PubMed Central

Scharinger, Eva J.; Dietrich, Richard; Kleinsteuber, Ina; Märtlbauer, Erwin

2016-01-01

Cronobacter sakazakii is a foodborne pathogen associated with rare but often lethal infections in neonates. Powdered infant formula (PIF) represents the most frequent source of infection. Out of the identified serotypes (O1 to O7), O1, O2, and O3 are often isolated from clinical and PIF samples. Serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) suitable for application in enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for the rapid detection of C. sakazakii have not yet been developed. In this study, we created specific MAbs with the ability to bind to C. sakazakii of serotypes O1, O2, and O3. Characterization by indirect EIAs, immunofluorescence, motility assays, and immunoblotting identified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) as the antigenic determinants of the MAbs. The established sandwich EIAs were highly sensitive and were able to detect between 2 × 103 and 9 × 106 CFU/ml. Inclusivity tests confirmed that 93% of serotype O1 strains, 100% of O2 strains, and 87% of O3 strains were detected at low cell counts. No cross-reactivity with >100 strains of Cronobacter spp. and other Enterobacteriaceae was observed, except for that with C. sakazakii serotype O3 and Cronobacter muytjensii serotype O1. Moreover, the sandwich EIAs detected C. sakazakii in PIF samples artificially contaminated with 1 to 10 bacterial cells per 10 g of sample after 15 h of preenrichment. The use of these serotype-specific MAbs not only allows the reliable detection of C. sakazakii strains but also enables simultaneous serotyping in a simple sandwich EIA method. PMID:26850303

Oil and Gas field code master list 1995

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

NONE

This is the fourteenth annual edition of the Energy Information Administration`s (EIA) Oil and Gas Field Code Master List. It reflects data collected through October 1995 and provides standardized field name spellings and codes for all identified oil and/or gas fields in the US. The Field Code Index, a listing of all field names and the States in which they occur, ordered by field code, has been removed from this year`s publications to reduce printing and postage costs. Complete copies (including the Field Code Index) will be available on the EIA CD-ROM and the EIA World-Wide Web Site. Future editionsmore » of the complete Master List will be available on CD-ROM and other electronic media. There are 57,400 field records in this year`s Oil and Gas Field Code Master List. As it is maintained by EIA, the Master List includes the following: field records for each State and county in which a field resides; field records for each offshore area block in the Gulf of Mexico in which a field resides; field records for each alias field name (see definition of alias below); and fields crossing State boundaries that may be assigned different names by the respective State naming authorities. Taking into consideration the double-counting of fields under such circumstances, EIA identifies 46,312 distinct fields in the US as of October 1995. This count includes fields that no longer produce oil or gas, and 383 fields used in whole or in part for oil or gas Storage. 11 figs., 6 tabs.« less

A Framework for Evaluating Qualitative Changes in Learners' Experience and Engagement: Developing Communicative English Teaching and Learning in Bangladesh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirkwood, Adrian Terence; Rae, Jan

2011-01-01

This article presents the context and framework for evaluation studies of educational transformations associated with the English in Action Project, Bangladesh (EIA) as it progresses over a nine-year period. EIA was launched in May 2008 with the intention of developing communicative English language learning and teaching in Bangladesh. Through a…

What Is the Penny Buying for South Carolina? Assessment of the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

South Carolina State Dept. of Education, Columbia. Div. of Public Accountability.

South Carolina's Education Improvement Act (EIA) of 1984 was a comprehensive piece of reform legislation providing for 60 new educational policies and programs. These new activities were funded by a one-cent increase in the state sales tax. The Act requires annual reports that present information concerning the benefits of EIA, provide additional…

Comparative Evaluation of Two Methods to Estimate Natural Gas Production in Texas

EIA Publications

2003-01-01

This report describes an evaluation conducted by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in August 2003 of two methods that estimate natural gas production in Texas. The first method (parametric method) was used by EIA from February through August 2003 and the second method (multinomial method) replaced it starting in September 2003, based on the results of this evaluation.

Southern California Daily Energy Report

EIA Publications

2016-01-01

EIA has updated its Southern California Daily Energy Report to provide additional information on key energy market indicators for the winter season. The dashboard includes information that EIA regularly compiles about energy operations and the management of natural gas and electricity systems in Southern California in the aftermath of a leak at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility outside of Los Angeles

Gasoline Price Pass-through

EIA Publications

2003-01-01

Over the past several years, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has extensively studied the relationships between wholesale and retail markets for transportation fuels. This article represents a return to gasoline markets, where EIA first performed this type of analysis and modeling in 1997. The current effort takes advantage of improvements and enhancements to our approach over the intervening years, resulting in more detailed and accurate results.

The Equity Indexed Annuity: A Monte Carlo Forensic Investigation into a Controversial Financial Product

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carver, Andrew B.

2013-01-01

Equity Indexed Annuities (EIAs) are controversial financial products because the payoffs to investors are based on formulas that are supposedly too complex for average investors to understand. This brief describes how Monte Carlo simulation can provide insight into the true risk and return of an EIA. This approach can be used as a project…

A Systematic Review of the Literature on Screening for Exercise-Induced Asthma: Considerations for School Nurses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Worrell, Kelly; Shaw, Michele R.; Postma, Julie; Katz, Janet R.

2015-01-01

Asthma is a major cause of illness, missed school days, and hospitalization in children. One type of asthma common in children is exercise-induced asthma (EIA). EIA causes airway narrowing with symptoms of cough and shortness of breath during exercise. The purpose of this article is to review the literature relevant to screening children and…

A multiscale method for assessing vegetation baseline of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in protected areas of Chile

Treesearch

Anibal Pauchard; Eduardo Ugarte; Jaime Millan

2000-01-01

The exponential growth of recreation and tourism or ecotourism activities is affecting ecological processes in protected areas of Chile. In order to protect protected areas integrity, all projects inside their boundaries must pass through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The purpose of this research was to design a multiscale method to assess vegetation for...

EIA: A splintering, exploding discipline with a massive new constituency

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

Johnson, Eric P., E-mail: ejohnson@ecosite.co.uk

2015-02-15

After serving 18 years as Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Impact Assessment Review, the author observes that the period 1997–2014, the discipline of EIA: splintered, exploded and saw the rise of the developing-world authors. Publishing has also changed, with shifts from quantity to quality, the rise of open access, and an ever-increasing shortage of reviewers.

The high speed buffer board: A SAIL EIA-485 communications accelerator card for the vector measuring current meter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singer, Robin; Butler, Douglas M.

1990-07-01

A High Speed Buffer Board (HSBB) was developed for the Vector Measuring Current Meter (VMCM) to implement the transmission of data at 9600 baud over an EIA-485 link. The HSBB significantly extends the VMCM communication functionality, which was previously limited to 300 baud transmission via 20mA current loop or FSK telemetry. The increased speed allows rapid sampling of a large number of current meters on a common cable and the EIA-485 circuitry, which was designed for low power operation, provides a useful multipoint communication method for data transmission over long cable lengths. SAIL protocol (IEEE 997) was utilized to coordinate data transfer by the instruments on a common link. An MC68HC11 microcontroller resides in the VMCM, buffering data it receives at 300 baud from the VMCM UART. In response to a jumper selectable SAIL address, the MC68HC11 offloads the data 9600 baud via EIA-485 to the SAIL controller. Synchronous data collection from many instruments is ensured by the SAIL synoptic set command and an embedded resynchronization/reset command. The low power consumption allows deployments of six months or more with a standard VMCM battery stack.

A short history, principles, and types of ELISA, and our laboratory experience with peptide/protein analyses using ELISA.

PubMed

Aydin, Suleyman

2015-10-01

Playing a critical role in the metabolic homeostasis of living systems, the circulating concentrations of peptides/proteins are influenced by a variety of patho-physiological events. These peptide/protein concentrations in biological fluids are measured using various methods, the most common of which is enzymatic immunoassay EIA/ELISA and which guide the clinicians in diagnosing and monitoring diseases that inflict biological systems. All the techniques where enzymes are employed to show antigen-antibody reactions are generally referred to as enzymatic immunoassay EIA/ELISA method. Since the basic principles of EIA and ELISA are the same. The main objective of this review is to present an overview of the historical journey that had led to the invention of EIA/ELISA, an indispensible method for medical and research laboratories, types of ELISA developed after its invention [direct (the first ELISA method invented), indirect, sandwich and competitive methods], problems encountered during peptide/protein analyses (pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical), rules to be followed to prevent these problems, and our laboratory experience of more than 15 years. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Impact Assessment: The lesser sibling in the South African EIA process?

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

Hildebrandt, L., E-mail: Leandri.hildebrandt@nwu.ac.za; Sandham, L.A., E-mail: luke.sandham@nwu.ac.za

2014-09-15

Social Impact Assessment has developed as an integral but neglected component of EIA in South Africa since it became mandatory in 1997, and has therefore been referred to as the “orphan” or “lesser sibling” of EIA, as has SIA in the UK and the US. The aim of this paper is to test this claim by reviewing the quality of a sample of SIA reports, and also to establish whether there has been any improvement in quality following the introduction of revised EIA regulations in 2006. The results confirm that SIA can be called “the lesser sibling” due to themore » weak grades achieved in the quality review, but also reveal that there has been a slight and consistent improvement in quality, most likely driven by best practice considerations in the absence of prescriptive regulations for SIA. Suggestions and recommendations for addressing observed weakness in SIA performance are advanced. - Highlights: • The quality of a sample of SIA reports was evaluated using a review package. • SIA reports received mostly weak grades. • Limited improvement observed from first to second regulatory regime. • Improvements most likely due to best practice considerations.« less

High-quality electromagnetically-induced absorption resonances in a buffer-gas-filled vapour cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brazhnikov, D. V.; Ignatovich, S. M.; Vishnyakov, V. I.; Skvortsov, M. N.; Andreeva, Ch; Entin, V. M.; Ryabtsev, I. I.

2018-02-01

Magneto-optical subnatural-linewidth resonances of electromagnetically-induced absorption (EIA) in an alkali vapour cell have been experimentally studied. The observation configuration includes using two counter-propagating pumps and probe light waves with mutually orthogonal linear polarizations, exciting an open optical transition in the 87Rb D 1 line in the presence of argon buffer gas. The EIA signals registered in a probe-wave transmission reach an unprecedented contrast of about 135% with respect to the wide ‘Doppler’ absorption pedestal and 29% with respect to the level of background transmission signal. These contrast values correspond to a relatively small resonance full width at half maximum of about 7.2 mG (5.2 kHz). The width of the narrowest EIA resonance observed is about 2.1 mG (1.5 kHz). To our knowledge, such a large relative contrast at the kHz-width is the record result for EIA resonances. In general, the work has experimentally proved that the magneto-optical scheme used has very good prospects for various quantum technologies (quantum sensors of weak magnetic fields, optical switches and other photonic elements).

Sensitivity and Specificity of Histoplasma Antigen Detection by Enzyme Immunoassay.

PubMed

Cunningham, Lauren; Cook, Audrey; Hanzlicek, Andrew; Harkin, Kenneth; Wheat, Joseph; Goad, Carla; Kirsch, Emily

2015-01-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of an antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA) on urine samples for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis in dogs. This retrospective medical records review included canine cases with urine samples submitted for Histoplasma EIA antigen assay between 2007 and 2011 from three veterinary institutions. Cases for which urine samples were submitted for Histoplasma antigen testing were reviewed and compared to the gold standard of finding Histoplasma organisms or an alternative diagnosis on cytology or histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and the kappa coefficient and associated confidence interval were calculated for the EIA-based Histoplasma antigen assay. Sixty cases met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen cases were considered true positives based on identification of the organism, and 41 cases were considered true negatives with an alternative definitive diagnosis. Two cases were considered false negatives, and there were no false positives. Sensitivity was 89.47% and the negative predictive value was 95.35%. Specificity and the positive predictive value were both 100%. The kappa coefficient was 0.9207 (95% confidence interval, 0.8131-1). The Histoplasma antigen EIA test demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis in dogs.

Phase II study of Gleevec® plus hydroxyurea in adults with progressive or recurrent low-grade glioma1

PubMed Central

Reardon, David A.; Desjardins, Annick; Vredenburgh, James J.; Herndon, James E.; Coan, April; Gururangan, Sridharan; Peters, Katherine B.; McLendon, Roger; Sathornsumetee, Sith; Rich, Jeremy N.; Lipp, Eric S.; Janney, Dorothea; Friedman, Henry S.

2013-01-01

Background We evaluated the efficacy of imatinib plus hydroxyurea in patients with progressive/recurrent low-grade glioma. Methods A total of 64 patients with recurrent/progressive low-grade glioma were enrolled in this single-center study that stratified patients into astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma cohorts. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 400 mg per day for patients not on EIAEDs and at 500 mg twice a day if on EIAEDs. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 12 months (PFS-12) and secondary endpoints were safety, median progression-free survival and radiographic response rate. Results Thirty-two patients were enrolled into each cohort. Eleven patients (17%) had prior radiotherapy and 24 (38%) had received prior chemotherapy. The median PFS and PFS-12 were 11 months and 39%, respectively. Outcome did not differ between the histologic cohorts. No patient achieved a radiographic response. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were neutropenia (11%), thrombocytopenia (3%) and diarrhea (3%). Conclusions Imatinib plus hydroxyurea was well tolerated among recurrent/progressive LGG patients but this regimen demonstrated negligible anti-tumor activity. PMID:22371319

Clinical Impact of Detectable Antithyroglobulin Antibodies Below the Reference Limit (Borderline) in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Undetectable Serum Thyroglobulin and Normal Neck Ultrasonography After Ablation: A Prospective Study.

PubMed

Côrtes, Marina Carvalho Souza; Rosario, Pedro Weslley; Oliveira, Luís Fernando Faria; Calsolari, Maria Regina

2018-02-01

Interference of antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) with serum thyroglobulin (Tg) can occur even at detectable TgAb concentrations below the reference limit (borderline TgAb). Thus, borderline TgAb is considered as TgAb positivity in patients with thyroid cancer. This prospective study evaluated patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma with undetectable Tg and normal neck ultrasonography (US) after total thyroidectomy and ablation with 131 I, and compared tumor persistence/recurrence and long-term Tg and TgAb behavior in those with borderline versus undetectable TgAb. A total of 576 patients were evaluated, divided into two groups: group A with undetectable TgAb (n = 420), and group B with borderline TgAb (n = 156). Groups A and B were similar in terms of patient and tumor characteristics. The time of follow-up ranged from 24 to 120 months. During follow-up, 11 (2.6%) patients in group A and 5 (3.2%) in group B developed a recurrence (p = 0.77). In group A, recurrences occurred in 9/390 patients who continued to have undetectable TgAb and in 1/9 patients who progressed to borderline TgAb. In group B, recurrences were detected in 1/84 patients who progressed to have undetectable TgAb, in 1/45 who still had borderline TgAb, and in 3/12 who developed elevated TgAb. In the presence of Tg levels <0.2 ng/mL, recurrences were detected in 2/486 patients with undetectable TgAb, in 0/67 with borderline TgAb, and in 3/12 with elevated TgAb. The results of post-therapy whole-body scanning (RxWBS) of 216 patients with Tg ≤0.2 ng/mL and normal US at the time of ablation were also analyzed. In low-risk patients, none of the 40 patients with borderline TgAb and none of the 94 with undetectable TgAb exhibited ectopic uptake on RxWBS. In intermediate-risk patients, lymph node metastases were detected by RxWBS in 1/25 (4%) with borderline TgAb and in 2/57 (3.5%) with undetectable TgAb. The results suggest that among low- or intermediate-risk patients with undetectable Tg and normal US after thyroidectomy, those with borderline TgAb are at no greater risk of tumor persistence or recurrence than those with undetectable TgAb. When undetectable Tg levels persist, recurrence should be suspected in the case of a TgAb elevation above the reference limit.

Transformation of EIA to EIT by incoherent pumping of the 85Rb D1 line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Hoon; Kim, Jung Dong; Jung, Tae Young; Kim, Jung Bog

2012-10-01

We have observed a transformation from electromagnetically-induced absorption (EIA) to electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in open systems of the 85Rb D1 line by adding an incoherent optical pumping laser. This result raises a new question about recent theoretical work which does not address the degree of open. The pump beam only plays a role in transferring atoms by a spontaneous transition into the interacting system for EIT observation, which is an incoherent process. The dependence of the absorption spectra on the intensity and the polarization of each laser beam were observed. We have found the same tendencies in all transitions except the F = 2 ↔ F' = 3 transition of the 85Rb D1 line, which is the system that almost satisfies conventional EIA conditions.

Arsenic speciation in edible mushrooms.

PubMed

Nearing, Michelle M; Koch, Iris; Reimer, Kenneth J

2014-12-16

The fruiting bodies, or mushrooms, of terrestrial fungi have been found to contain a high proportion of the nontoxic arsenic compound arsenobetaine (AB), but data gaps include a limited phylogenetic diversity of the fungi for which arsenic speciation is available, a focus on mushrooms with higher total arsenic concentrations, and the unknown formation and role of AB in mushrooms. To address these, the mushrooms of 46 different fungus species (73 samples) over a diverse range of phylogenetic groups were collected from Canadian grocery stores and background and arsenic-contaminated areas. Total arsenic was determined using ICP-MS, and arsenic speciation was determined using HPLC-ICP-MS and complementary X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The major arsenic compounds in mushrooms were found to be similar among phylogenetic groups, and AB was found to be the major compound in the Lycoperdaceae and Agaricaceae families but generally absent in log-growing mushrooms, suggesting the microbial community may influence arsenic speciation in mushrooms. The high proportion of AB in mushrooms with puffball or gilled morphologies may suggest that AB acts as an osmolyte in certain mushrooms to help maintain fruiting body structure. The presence of an As(III)-sulfur compound, for the first time in mushrooms, was identified in the XAS analysis. Except for Agaricus sp. (with predominantly AB), inorganic arsenic predominated in most of the store-bought mushrooms (albeit with low total arsenic concentrations). Should inorganic arsenic predominate in these mushrooms from contaminated areas, the risk to consumers under these circumstances should be considered.

Effect of the anti-receptor ligand-blocking 225 monoclonal antibody on EGF receptor endocytosis and sorting

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

Jaramillo, Maria L.; Leon, Zully; Grothe, Suzanne

The anti-receptor antibody, 225 mAb, is known to block binding of ligand to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the effect of this neutralizing antibody on EGFR endocytosis, trafficking and degradation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that endocytosis of {sup 125}I-225 mAb occurs, albeit with a slower rate than that of EGF. Using pulse chase assays, we show that internalized {sup 125}I-225 mAb is recycled to the surface much more efficiently than internalized {sup 125}I-EGF. Also, we found that internalization of {sup 125}I-225 mAb, in contrast to that of EGF, is independent of receptor tyrosine kinase activity, as evidencedmore » by its insensitivity to AG1478, a specific EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Analysis of the levels of cell surface and total EGFR showed that treatment with 225 mAb results in a 30-40% decrease in surface EGFR and a relatively slow downregulation of total EGFR. Taken together, these data indicate that 225 mAb induces internalization and downregulation of EGFR via a mechanism distinct from that underlying EGF-induced EGFR internalization and downregulation.« less

Quantitative analysis of glycation and its impact on antigen binding

PubMed Central

Mo, Jingjie; Yan, Qingrong; Sokolowska, Izabela; Lewis, Michael J.; Hu, Ping

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Glycation has been observed in antibody therapeutics manufactured by the fed-batch fermentation process. It not only increases the heterogeneity of antibodies, but also potentially affects product safety and efficacy. In this study, non-glycated and glycated fractions enriched from a monoclonal antibody (mAb1) as well as glucose-stressed mAb1 were characterized using a variety of biochemical, biophysical and biological assays to determine the effects of glycation on the structure and function of mAb1. Glycation was detected at multiple lysine residues and reduced the antigen binding activity of mAb1. Heavy chain Lys100, which is located in the complementary-determining region of mAb1, had the highest levels of glycation in both stressed and unstressed samples, and glycation of this residue was likely responsible for the loss of antigen binding based on hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry analysis. Peptide mapping and intact liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) can both be used to monitor the glycation levels. Peptide mapping provides site specific glycation results, while intact LC-MS is a quicker and simpler method to quantitate the total glycation levels and is more useful for routine testing. Capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) can also be used to monitor glycation because glycation induces an acidic shift in the cIEF profile. As expected, total glycation measured by intact LC-MS correlated very well with the percentage of total acidic peaks or main peak measured by cIEF. In summary, we demonstrated that glycation can affect the function of a representative IgG1 mAb. The analytical characterization, as described here, should be generally applicable for other therapeutic mAbs. PMID:29436927

What Is the Penny Buying for South Carolina? Assessment of the Fifth Year of the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

South Carolina State Dept. of Education, Columbia. Div. of Public Accountability.

The Education Improvement Act (EIA), legislated in 1984, was one of the steps South Carolina has undertaken to reform and improve its system of public education. The EIA contained provisions addressing seven major educational goals: (1) raising student performance; (2) teaching and testing basic skills; (3) elevating the teaching profession; (4)…

Updated Buildings Sector Appliance and Equipment Costs and Efficiency

EIA Publications

2016-01-01

EIA works with technology experts to project the cost and efficiency of future HVAC, lighting, and other major end-use equipment rather than developing residential and commercial technology projections in-house. These reports have always been available by request. By providing the reports online, EIA is increasing transparency for some of the most important assumptions used for our AEO projections of buildings energy demand.

Challenges, pitfalls and surprises: development and validation of a monoclonal antibody for enzyme immunoassay of the steroid 1α-hydroxycorticosterone in elasmobranch species.

PubMed

Wheaton, Catharine J; Mylniczenko, Natalie D; Rimoldi, John M; Gadepalli, Rama S V S; Hart, R; O'Hara, Bobbi R; Evans, Andrew N

2018-01-31

Sharks and rays are popular species used in wildlife ecotourism and aquariums to educate the public on the behavior, ecology and conservation challenges of elasmobranchs. To understand long-term physiological health and welfare under varying social and husbandry conditions, we developed and validated an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to measure stress/ionoregulatory hormones in managed and semi-free range southern rays (Hypanus americanus). Banked serum and interrenal samples from 27 female rays managed at Disney's The Seas with Nemo and Friends® and Castaway Cay were used to evaluate measurement of 1α-hydroxycorticosterone (1αOHB) relative to corticosterone (B). Although commercial EIAs are available for B, those tested exhibit only low relative cross-reactivity to 1αOHB (3-5%). To improve measurement of 1αOHB, we developed a monoclonal antibody using a synthesized 1αOHB-derivative for evaluation using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and EIA. Relative displacements of cross-reactant compounds showed that the antibody had good sensitivity for the target antigen 1αOHB, and low sensitivity to related steroids (desoxycorticosterone and B), but greater sensitivity to 11-dehydrocorticosterone. Tests of competitive vs. noncompetitive EIA formats, reagent titration, and incubation times of the antibody and conjugate were used to optimize sensitivity, repeatability and precision of measured 1αOHB in standards and samples (4 ng/ml, 90% binding). Tests of sample pre-treatment (pH adjustment) and extraction with varying solvent polarity were used to optimize measurement of 1αOHB in <1 ml (serum) or 1 g (interrenal) samples. HPLC analysis revealed the 1αOHB EIA to be superior for measurement of 1αOHB compared to use of a B EIA with or without HPLC fractioning. Results may prove useful for extrapolation to guide best practices for 1αOHB measurement in other elasmobranch species. Improved measurement of stress/ionoregulatory hormones in sharks and rays will be important for many aspects of collection, transport, medical treatment in aquaria and conservation management of these charismatic and ecologically important species. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Value of Renewable Energy as a Hedge Against Fuel Price Risk: Analytic Contributions from Economic and Finance Theory

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

Bolinger, Mark A; Wiser, Ryan

2008-09-15

For better or worse, natural gas has become the fuel of choice for new power plants being built across the United States. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), natural gas-fired units account for nearly 90% of the total generating capacity added in the U.S. between 1999 and 2005 (EIA 2006b), bringing the nationwide market share of gas-fired generation to 19%. Looking ahead over the next decade, the EIA expects this trend to continue, increasing the market share of gas-fired generation to 22% by 2015 (EIA 2007a). Though these numbers are specific to the US, natural gas-fired generation is makingmore » similar advances in many other countries as well. A large percentage of the total cost of gas-fired generation is attributable to fuel costs--i.e., natural gas prices. For example, at current spot prices of around $7/MMBtu, fuel costs account for more than 75% of the levelized cost of energy from a new combined cycle gas turbine, and more than 90% of its operating costs (EIA 2007a). Furthermore, given that gas-fired plants are often the marginal supply units that set the market-clearing price for all generators in a competitive wholesale market, there is a direct link between natural gas prices and wholesale electricity prices. In this light, the dramatic increase in natural gas prices since the 1990s should be a cause for ratepayer concern. Figure 1 shows the daily price history of the 'first-nearby' (i.e., closest to expiration) NYMEX natural gas futures contract (black line) at Henry Hub, along with the futures strip (i.e., the full series of futures contracts) from August 22, 2007 (red line). First, nearby prices, which closely track spot prices, have recently been trading within a $7-9/MMBtu range in the United States and, as shown by the futures strip, are expected to remain there through 2012. These price levels are $6/MMBtu higher than the $1-3/MMBtu range seen throughout most of the 1990s, demonstrating significant price escalation for natural gas in the United States over a relatively brief period. Perhaps of most concern is that this dramatic price increase was largely unforeseen. Figure 2 compares the EIA's natural gas wellhead price forecast from each year's Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) going back to 1985 against the average US wellhead price that actually transpired. As shown, our forecasting abilities have proven rather dismal over time, as over-forecasts made in the late 1980's eventually yielded to under-forecasts that have persisted to this day. This historical experience demonstrates that little weight should be placed on any one forecast of future natural gas prices, and that a broad range of future price conditions ought to be considered in planning and investment decisions. Against this backdrop of high, volatile, and unpredictable natural gas prices, increasing the market penetration of renewable generation such as wind, solar, and geothermal power may provide economic benefits to ratepayers by displacing gas-fired generation. These benefits may manifest themselves in several ways. First, the displacement of natural gas-fired generation by increased renewable generation reduces ratepayer exposure to natural gas price risk--i.e., the risk that future gas prices (and by extension future electricity prices) may end up markedly different than expected. Second, this displacement reduces demand for natural gas among gas-fired generators, which, all else equal, will put downward pressure on natural gas prices. Lower natural gas prices in turn benefit both electric ratepayers and other end-users of natural gas. Using analytic approaches that build upon, yet differ from, the past work of others, including Awerbuch (1993, 1994, 2003), Kahn and Stoft (1993), and Humphreys and McClain (1998), this chapter explores each of these two potential 'hedging' benefits of renewable electricity. Though we do not seek to judge whether these two specific benefits outweigh any incremental cost of renewable energy (relative to conventional fuels), we do seek to quantify the magnitude of these two individual benefits. We also note that these benefits are not unique to renewable electricity: other generation (or demand-side) resources whose costs are not tied to natural gas would provide similar benefits.« less

Electric Power Quarterly, July-September 1984

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

Not Available

1985-01-01

The Electric Power Quarterly (EPQ) provides electric utilities' plant-level information about the cost, quantity, and quality of fossil fuel receipts, net generation, fuel consumption, and fuel stocks. The EPQ contains monthly data and quarterly totals for the reporting quarter. In this report, data collected on Form EIA-759 regarding electric utilities' net generation, fuel consumption, and fuel stocks are presented on a plant-by-plant basis. In addition, quantity, cost, and quality of fossil fuel receipts collected on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Form 423 are presented on a plant-by-plant basis.

Electric Power Quarterly, July-September 1985

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

Not Available

1986-01-29

The Electric Power Quarterly (EPQ) provides electric utilities' plant-level information about the cost, quantity, and quality of fossil fuel receipts, net generation, fuel consumption, and fuel stocks. The EPQ contains monthly data and quarterly totals for the reporting quarter. The data presented in this report were collected and published by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), to fulfill its responsibilities as specified in the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-275) as amended. This edition of the EPQ contains monthly data for the third quarter of 1985.

Electric Power Quarterly, October-December 1984

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

Not Available

1985-04-01

The Electric Power Quarterly (EPQ) provides electric utilities' plant-level information about the cost, quantity, and quality of fossil fuel receipts, net generation, fuel consumption, and fuel stocks. The EPQ contains monthly data and quarterly totals for the reporting quarter. In this report, data collected on Form EIA-759 regarding electric utilities' net generation, fuel consumption, and fuel stocks are presented on a plant-by-plant basis. In addition, quantity, cost, and quality of fossil fuel receipts collected on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Form 423 are presented on a plant-by-plant basis.

Comparison and validation of methods to quantify Cry1Ab toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis for standardization of insect bioassays.

PubMed

Crespo, André L B; Spencer, Terence A; Nekl, Emily; Pusztai-Carey, Marianne; Moar, William J; Siegfried, Blair D

2008-01-01

Standardization of toxin preparations derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) used in laboratory bioassays is critical for accurately assessing possible changes in the susceptibility of field populations of target pests. Different methods were evaluated to quantify Cry1Ab, the toxin expressed by 80% of the commercially available transgenic maize that targets the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). We compared three methods of quantification on three different toxin preparations from independent sources: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and densitometry (SDS-PAGE/densitometry), and the Bradford assay for total protein. The results were compared to those obtained by immunoblot analysis and with the results of toxin bioassays against susceptible laboratory colonies of O. nubilalis. The Bradford method resulted in statistically higher estimates than either ELISA or SDS-PAGE/densitometry but also provided the lowest coefficients of variation (CVs) for estimates of the Cry1Ab concentration (from 2.4 to 5.4%). The CV of estimates obtained by ELISA ranged from 12.8 to 26.5%, whereas the CV of estimates obtained by SDS-PAGE/densitometry ranged from 0.2 to 15.4%. We standardized toxin concentration by using SDS-PAGE/densitometry, which is the only method specific for the 65-kDa Cry1Ab protein and is not confounded by impurities detected by ELISA and Bradford assay for total protein. Bioassays with standardized Cry1Ab preparations based on SDS-PAGE/densitometry showed no significant differences in LC(50) values, although there were significant differences in growth inhibition for two of the three Cry1Ab preparations. However, the variation in larval weight caused by toxin source was only 4% of the total variation, and we conclude that standardization of Cry1Ab production and quantification by SDS-PAGE/densitometry may improve data consistency in monitoring efforts to identify changes in insect susceptibility to Cry1Ab.

The purification step is not crucial in EIA measurements of thromboxane B2 and 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 in human plasma.

PubMed

Sadilkova, Lenka; Paluch, Zoltan; Mottlova, Jirina; Bednar, Frantisek; Alusik, Stefan

2012-01-01

Thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and particularly 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 (11-dTxB2) are widely used as prognostic risk markers of platelet activation in cardiovascular diseases. The main errors in TxB2 and 11-dTxB2 determination include either low concentrations of circulating TxB2 (1 - 2 pg/mL) and 11-dTxB2 (0.9 - 4.3 pg/mL) or rather high transiency (mean TxB2 half-life is approximately 5 minutes) as well as an incorrect pre-analytical phase set up. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a widely used purification step on the results of enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA)--based measurement of the two selected thromboxanes. For the purpose of this study, 20 plasma samples (10 healthy donors, 10 patients under treatment with acetylsalicylic acid) were screened for TxB2 and 11-dTxB2 concentrations using commercial competitive EIA kits (Cayman Chemicals, Tallinn, Estonia; Neogen, Lexington, KY, USA) with or without the introduction of the purification procedure. The purification step does not significantly affect the results of EIA measurements of the two of TxA2 metabolites (TxB2, 11-dTxB2) in human plasma. The levels of TxB2 and 11-dTxB2 determined in the plasma samples were not significantly changed (p < 0.05) when the purification step was omitted compared to the purified samples. This study establishes a protocol allowing for reliable and reproducible plasma TxB2 and 11-dTxB2 EIA measurement for routine basic screening of platelet function.

Simultaneous observations of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system of 87Rb and theoretical simulation of the observed spectra using a multi-mode approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Bankim Chandra; Bhattacharyya, Dipankar; Das, Arpita; Chakrabarti, Shrabana; De, Sankar

2016-12-01

We report here simultaneous experimental observation of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Electromagnetically Induced Absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system in D2 transition of 87Rb, i.e., F =2 →F' with a strong pump and a weak probe beam. We studied the probe spectrum by locking the probe beam to the transition F =2 →F'=2 while the pump is scanned from F =2 →F' . EIA is observed for the open transition (F =2 →F'=2 ) whereas EIT is observed in the closed transition (F =2 →F'=3 ). Sub natural line-width is observed for the EIA. To simulate the observed spectra theoretically, Liouville equation for the three-level V-type system is solved analytically with a multi-mode approach for the density matrix elements. We assumed both the pump and the probe beams can couple the excited states. A multi-mode approach for the coherence terms facilitates the study of all the frequency contributions due to the pump and the probe fields. Since the terms contain higher harmonics of the pump and the probe frequencies, we expressed them in Fourier transformed forms. To simulate the probe spectrum, we have solved inhomogeneous difference equations for the coherence terms using the Green's function technique and continued fraction theory. The experimental line-widths of the EIT and the EIA are compared with our theoretical model. Our system can be useful in optical switching applications as it can be precisely tuned to render the medium opaque and transparent simultaneously.

Simultaneous observations of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system of 87Rb and theoretical simulation of the observed spectra using a multi-mode approach.

PubMed

Das, Bankim Chandra; Bhattacharyya, Dipankar; Das, Arpita; Chakrabarti, Shrabana; De, Sankar

2016-12-14

We report here simultaneous experimental observation of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Electromagnetically Induced Absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system in D 2 transition of Rb87, i.e., F=2→F ' with a strong pump and a weak probe beam. We studied the probe spectrum by locking the probe beam to the transition F=2→F ' =2 while the pump is scanned from F=2→F ' . EIA is observed for the open transition (F=2→F ' =2) whereas EIT is observed in the closed transition (F=2→F ' =3). Sub natural line-width is observed for the EIA. To simulate the observed spectra theoretically, Liouville equation for the three-level V-type system is solved analytically with a multi-mode approach for the density matrix elements. We assumed both the pump and the probe beams can couple the excited states. A multi-mode approach for the coherence terms facilitates the study of all the frequency contributions due to the pump and the probe fields. Since the terms contain higher harmonics of the pump and the probe frequencies, we expressed them in Fourier transformed forms. To simulate the probe spectrum, we have solved inhomogeneous difference equations for the coherence terms using the Green's function technique and continued fraction theory. The experimental line-widths of the EIT and the EIA are compared with our theoretical model. Our system can be useful in optical switching applications as it can be precisely tuned to render the medium opaque and transparent simultaneously.

Prolonged survival with valproic acid use in the EORTC/NCIC temozolomide trial for glioblastoma

PubMed Central

Gorlia, T.; Cairncross, J.G.; van den Bent, M.J.; Mason, W.; Belanger, K.; Brandes, A.A.; Bogdahn, U.; Macdonald, D.R.; Forsyth, P.; Rossetti, A.O.; Lacombe, D.; Mirimanoff, R.-O.; Vecht, C.J.; Stupp, R.

2011-01-01

Objective: This analysis was performed to assess whether antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) modulate the effectiveness of temozolomide radiochemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Methods: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) 26981–22981/National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) CE.3 clinical trial database of radiotherapy (RT) with or without temozolomide (TMZ) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma was examined to assess the impact of the interaction between AED use and chemoradiotherapy on survival. Data were adjusted for known prognostic factors. Results: When treatment began, 175 patients (30.5%) were AED-free, 277 (48.3%) were taking any enzyme-inducing AED (EIAED) and 135 (23.4%) were taking any non-EIAED. Patients receiving valproic acid (VPA) only had more grade 3/4 thrombopenia and leukopenia than patients without an AED or patients taking an EIAED only. The overall survival (OS) of patients who were receiving an AED at baseline vs not receiving any AED was similar. Patients receiving VPA alone (97 [16.9%]) appeared to derive more survival benefit from TMZ/RT (hazard ratio [HR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24–0.63) than patients receiving an EIAED only (252 [44%]) (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53–0.90) or patients not receiving any AED (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.93). Conclusions: VPA may be preferred over an EIAED in patients with glioblastoma who require an AED during TMZ-based chemoradiotherapy. Future studies are needed to determine whether VPA increases TMZ bioavailability or acts as an inhibitor of histone deacetylases and thereby sensitizes for radiochemotherapy in vivo. PMID:21880994

Development of an enzyme immunoassay for the antibiotic cefquinome and its application for residue determination in cow's milk after therapeutical mastitis treatment.

PubMed

Thal, Johannes; Steffen, Monika; Meier, Bianca; Schneider, Elisabeth; Adriany, Ansgar; Usleber, Ewald

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the cephalosporin antibiotic in milk, in combination with a new microbiological test system (brilliant black reduction test, BRT-P). Polyclonal antibodies against cefquinome were produced in rabbits, using cefquinome-keyhole limpet hemocyanine as the immunogen. These antibodies and a cefquinome-glucose oxidase conjugate were used in a competitive indirect EIA. The detection limit for cefquinome in milk was 1.5 ng ml(-1), recoveries were 80-128% at 4-40 ng ml(-1). Cross-reactivities with other cephalosporins/penicillins were all <1%. The EIA was used to determine cefquinome in incurred raw milk, the BRT-P (detection limit ≈ 20 ng ml(-1)) and a receptor assay (ßeta-s.t.a.r., detection limit ≈ 15 ng ml(-1)) were used in parallel. Five lactating cows, suffering from clinical mastitis, were treated with cefquinome by simultaneous intramammary and intramuscular injection. Cefquinome residues (maximum 10-27 μg ml(-1)) were most exclusively found in the udder quarter which was treated intramammary, residue levels in the other three quarters were low (<20 ng ml(-1)). Even in milk from intramammary-dosed quarters, residue levels fell below European Union maximum residue level (MRL, 20 μg kg(-1)) 2 days before the end of the withdrawal period. EIA, BRT-P, and ßeta-s.t.a.r. results showed acceptable agreement for milk samples, but the newly developed EIA is superior in aspects of sensitivity. In conclusion, this is the first one description of immunoassay and microbiological tests capable to determine cefquinome in milk at the MRL in incurred sample material.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: a single-center, 11-year pediatric experience.

PubMed

Schindler, Emily I; Sellenriek, Patricia; Storch, Gregory A; Tarr, Phillip I; Burnham, Carey-Ann D

2014-10-01

The aim of this study was to identify the best practices for the detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in children with diarrheal illness treated at a tertiary care center, i.e., sorbitol-MacConkey (SMAC) agar culture, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for Shiga toxin, or the simultaneous use of both methods. STEC was detected in 100 of 14,997 stool specimens submitted for enteric culture (0.7%), with 65 cases of E. coli O157. Among E. coli O157 isolates, 57 (88%) were identified by both SMAC agar culture and EIA, 6 (9%) by SMAC agar culture alone, and 2 (3%) by EIA alone. Of the 62 individuals with diarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) seen at our institution during the study period, 16 (26%) had STEC isolated from cultures at our institution and 15 (24%) had STEC isolated at other institutions. No STEC was recovered in 31 cases (50%). Of the HUS cases in which STEC was isolated, 28 (90%) were attributable to E. coli O157 and 3 (10%) were attributable to non-O157 STEC. Consistent with previous studies, we have determined that a subset of E. coli O157 infections will not be detected if an agar-based method is excluded from the enteric culture workup; this has both clinical and public health implications. The best practice would be concomitant use of an agar-based method and a Shiga toxin EIA, but a Shiga toxin EIA should not be considered to be an adequate stand-alone test for detection of E. coli O157 in clinical samples. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Characterization and Comparison of Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay and Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Aspergillus fumigatus in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Experimental Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

PubMed Central

Francesconi, Andrea; Kasai, Miki; Petraitiene, Ruta; Petraitis, Vidmantas; Kelaher, Amy M.; Schaufele, Robert; Hope, William W.; Shea, Yvonne R.; Bacher, John; Walsh, Thomas J.

2006-01-01

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is widely used for evaluation of patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). However, the diagnostic yield of BAL for detection of IPA by culture and direct examination is limited. Earlier diagnosis may be facilitated by assays that can detect Aspergillus galactomannan antigen or DNA in BAL fluid. We therefore characterized and compared the diagnostic yields of a galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM EIA), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and quantitative cultures in experiments using BAL fluid from neutropenic rabbits with experimentally induced IPA defined as microbiologically and histologically evident invasion. The qPCR assay targeted the rRNA gene complex of Aspergillus fumigatus. The GM EIA and qPCR assay were characterized by receiver operator curve analysis. With an optimal cutoff of 0.75, the GM EIA had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% in untreated controls. A decline in sensitivity (92%) was observed when antifungal therapy (AFT) was administered. The optimal cutoff for qPCR was a crossover of 36 cycles, with sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of qPCR also decreased with AFT to 50%. Quantitative culture of BAL had a sensitivity of 46% and a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity of quantitative culture decreased with AFT to 16%. The GM EIA and qPCR assay had greater sensitivity than culture in detection of A. fumigatus in BAL fluid in experimentally induced IPA (P ± 0.04). Use of the GM EIA and qPCR assay in conjunction with culture-based diagnostic methods applied to BAL fluid could facilitate accurate diagnosis and more-timely initiation of specific therapy. PMID:16825367

Evaluation of Modified 2-Tiered Serodiagnostic Testing Algorithms for Early Lyme Disease

PubMed Central

Strle, Klemen; Nigrovic, Lise E.; Lantos, Paul M.; Lepore, Timothy J.; Damle, Nitin S.; Ferraro, Mary Jane; Steere, Allen C.

2017-01-01

Abstract Background. The conventional 2-tiered serologic testing protocol for Lyme disease (LD), an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) followed by immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G Western blots, performs well in late-stage LD but is insensitive in patients with erythema migrans (EM), the most common manifestation of the illness. Western blots are also complex, difficult to interpret, and relatively expensive. In an effort to improve test performance and simplify testing in early LD, we evaluated several modified 2-tiered testing (MTTT) protocols, which use 2 assays designed as first-tier tests sequentially, without the need of Western blots. Methods. The MTTT protocols included (1) a whole-cell sonicate (WCS) EIA followed by a C6 EIA; (2) a WCS EIA followed by a VlsE chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA); and (3) a variable major protein-like sequence, expressed (VlsE) CLIA followed by a C6 EIA. Sensitivity was determined using serum from 55 patients with erythema migrans; specificity was determined using serum from 50 patients with other illnesses and 1227 healthy subjects. Results. Sensitivity of the various MTTT protocols in patients with acute erythema migrans ranged from 36% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25%–50%) to 54% (95% CI, 42%–67%), compared with 25% (95% CI, 16%–38%) using the conventional protocol (P = .003–0.3). Among control subjects, the 3 MTTT protocols were similarly specific (99.3%–99.5%) compared with conventional 2-tiered testing (99.5% specificity; P = .6–1.0). Conclusions. Although there were minor differences in sensitivity and specificity among MTTT protocols, each provides comparable or greater sensitivity in acute EM, and similar specificity compared with conventional 2-tiered testing, obviating the need for Western blots. PMID:28329259

Evaluation of Correlation between Pretest Probability for Clostridium difficile Infection and Clostridium difficile Enzyme Immunoassay Results.

PubMed

Kwon, Jennie H; Reske, Kimberly A; Hink, Tiffany; Burnham, C A; Dubberke, Erik R

2017-02-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients tested for Clostridium difficile and determine the correlation between pretest probability for C. difficile infection (CDI) and assay results. Patients with testing ordered for C. difficile were enrolled and assigned a high, medium, or low pretest probability of CDI based on clinical evaluation, laboratory, and imaging results. Stool was tested for C. difficile by toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and toxigenic culture (TC). Chi-square analyses and the log rank test were utilized. Among the 111 patients enrolled, stool samples from nine were TC positive and four were EIA positive. Sixty-one (55%) patients had clinically significant diarrhea, 19 (17%) patients did not, and clinically significant diarrhea could not be determined for 31 (28%) patients. Seventy-two (65%) patients were assessed as having a low pretest probability of having CDI, 34 (31%) as having a medium probability, and 5 (5%) as having a high probability. None of the patients with low pretest probabilities had a positive EIA, but four were TC positive. None of the seven patients with a positive TC but a negative index EIA developed CDI within 30 days after the index test or died within 90 days after the index toxin EIA date. Pretest probability for CDI should be considered prior to ordering C. difficile testing and must be taken into account when interpreting test results. CDI is a clinical diagnosis supported by laboratory data, and the detection of toxigenic C. difficile in stool does not necessarily confirm the diagnosis of CDI. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Simultaneous Rapid Detection and Serotyping of Cronobacter sakazakii Serotypes O1, O2, and O3 by Using Specific Monoclonal Antibodies.

PubMed

Scharinger, Eva J; Dietrich, Richard; Kleinsteuber, Ina; Märtlbauer, Erwin; Schauer, Kristina

2016-04-01

Cronobacter sakazakii is a foodborne pathogen associated with rare but often lethal infections in neonates. Powdered infant formula (PIF) represents the most frequent source of infection. Out of the identified serotypes (O1 to O7), O1, O2, and O3 are often isolated from clinical and PIF samples. Serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) suitable for application in enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for the rapid detection of C. sakazakii have not yet been developed. In this study, we created specific MAbs with the ability to bind toC. sakazakii of serotypes O1, O2, and O3. Characterization by indirect EIAs, immunofluorescence, motility assays, and immunoblotting identified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) as the antigenic determinants of the MAbs. The established sandwich EIAs were highly sensitive and were able to detect between 2 × 10(3)and 9 × 10(6)CFU/ml. Inclusivity tests confirmed that 93% of serotype O1 strains, 100% of O2 strains, and 87% of O3 strains were detected at low cell counts. No cross-reactivity with >100 strains of Cronobacter spp. and other Enterobacter iaceae was observed, except for that with C. sakazakii serotype O3 and Cronobacter muytjensii serotype O1. Moreover, the sandwich EIAs detected C. sakazakii in PIF samples artificially contaminated with 1 to 10 bacterial cells per 10 g of sample after 15 h of preenrichment. The use of these serotype-specific MAbs not only allows the reliable detection of C. sakazakii strains but also enables simultaneous serotyping in a simple sandwich EIA method. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effect of geomagnetic storm conditions on the equatorial ionization anomaly and equatorial temperature anomaly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bharti, Gaurav; Bag, T.; Sunil Krishna, M. V.

2018-03-01

The effect of the geomagnetic storm on the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and equatorial temperature anomaly (ETA) has been studied using the atomic oxygen dayglow emissions at 577.7 nm (OI 557.7 nm) and 732.0 nm (OII 732.0 nm). For the purpose of this study, four intense geomagnetic storms during the ascending phase of solar cycle 24 have been considered. This study is primarily based on the results obtained using photochemical models with necessary inputs from theoretical studies and experimental observations. The latest reaction rate coefficients, quantum yields and the corresponding cross-sections have also been incorporated in these models. The volume emission rate of airglow emissions has been calculated using the neutral densities from NRLMSISE-00 and charged densities from IRI-2012 model. The modeled volume emission rate (VER) for OI 557.7 nm shows a positive correlation with the Dst index at 150 km and negative correlation with Dst at 250 and 280 km altitudes. Latitudinal profile of the greenline emission rate at different altitudes show a distinct behaviour similar to what has been observed in EIA with crests on either sides of the equator. The EIA crests are found to show poleward movement in the higher altitude regions. The volume emission rate of 732.0 nm emission shows a strong enhancement during the main phase of the storm. The changes observed in the airglow emission rates are explained with the help of variations induced in neutral densities and parameters related to EIA and ETA. The latitudinal variation of 732.0 nm emission rate is correlated to the variability in EIA during the storm period.

Evaluation of the performance of C. DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE and its usefulness in a hospital setting with a high prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection.

PubMed

Chung, Hae-Sun; Lee, Miae

2017-01-01

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is crucial for patient care, infection control, and efficient surveillance. We evaluated C. DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE (QCC; TechLab), which detects glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen (QCC-Ag) and toxin A/B (QCC-Tox) simultaneously, and compared it to the laboratory diagnostics for CDI currently in use in a tertiary hospital setting with a high prevalence of CDI. QCC, RIDASCREEN C. difficile toxin A/B assay (Toxin EIA; R-Biopharm AG), chromID C. difficile agar (bioMérieux) culture (ChromID culture), and Xpert C. difficile PCR assay (Xpert PCR; Cepheid) were performed according to the manufacturers' instructions. Performances of the assays were compared against that of Xpert PCR as a reference. Of the 231 loose stool specimens, 83 (35.9%) were positive by Xpert PCR. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 97.6%, 93.9%, 90.0%, and 98.6%, respectively, for QCC-Ag and 55.4%, 100%, 100%, and 80.0%, respectively, for QCC-Tox. The median threshold cycle values of the QCC-Tox(+) specimens were lower than those of the QCC-Tox(-) specimens. Results of QCC as an initial screening test were confirmed in 81.0% (187/231) of samples; these specimens did not require further testing. QCC is a rapid, easy, and cost-effective method that would be a useful first-line screening assay for laboratory diagnosis of CDI in a tertiary hospital with a high prevalence of CDI. A two-step algorithm using QCC as an initial screening tool, followed by Xpert PCR as a confirmatory test, is a practical and cost-effective approach. Copyright © 2016 American Federation for Medical Research.

Deterministic prediction of post-sunset ESF based on the strength and asymmetry of EIA from ground based TEC measurements: Preliminary results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thampi, Smitha V.; Ravindran, Sudha; Pant, Tarun Kumar; Devasia, C. V.; Sreelatha, P.; Sridharan, R.

2006-07-01

This paper provides the first observations of EIA asymmetry by receiving beacon transmissions onboard low earth orbiting satellites from a single station ground-based receiver. The EIA strength and asymmetry are derived from the latitudinal profiles of TEC obtained from a radio beacon receiver at Trivandrum (8.5°N, 77°E, diplat ~0.5°N). These two parameters, obtained well ahead of the onset time of ESF, are shown to have a definite role on the subsequent ESF activity. In the present paper, both these factors are combined to define a new `threshold parameter' for the generation of ESF. It has been shown that this parameter can define the state of the `background ionosphere' conducive for the generation of ESF irregularities much prior to its onset.

Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions in U.S. Manufacturing

EIA Publications

2006-01-01

Based on the Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS) conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (EIA), this paper presents historical energy-related carbon dioxide emission estimates for energy-intensive sub-sectors and 23 industries. Estimates are based on surveys of more than 15,000 manufacturing plants in 1991, 1994, 1998, and 2002. EIA is currently developing its collection of manufacturing data for 2006.

Air Force Systems Engineering Assessment Model (AF SEAM) Management Guide, Version 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-21

gleaned from experienced professionals who assisted with the model’s development. Examples of the references used include the following: • ISO /IEC...Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Chapter 4 • AFI 63-1201, Life Cycle Systems Engineering • IEEE/EIA 12207 , Software Life Cycle Processes • Air...Selection criteria Reference Material: IEEE/EIA 12207 , MIL-HDBK-514 Other Considerations: Modeling, simulation and analysis techniques can be

U.S. Electric System Operating Data

EIA Publications

EIA provides hourly electricity operating data, including actual and forecast demand, net generation, and the power flowing between electric systems. EIA's new U.S. Electric System Operating Data tool provides nearly real-time demand data, plus analysis and visualizations of hourly, daily, and weekly electricity supply and demand on a national and regional level for all of the 66 electric system balancing authorities that make up the U.S. electric grid.

United States Producing and Nonproducing Crude Oil and Natural Gas Reserves From 1985 Through 2004

EIA Publications

2006-01-01

This report discusses the regional and temporal trends in producing and nonproducing crude oil and natural gas reserves using the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) categorization of reserves. The report first focuses on EIA's collection and reporting of crude oil and natural gas reserves data, followed by a discussion of the natural gas reserve trends, and then the crude oil reserve trends.

New immuno-PCR assay for detection of low concentrations of shiga toxin 2 and its variants.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenlan; Bielaszewska, Martina; Pulz, Matthias; Becker, Karsten; Friedrich, Alexander W; Karch, Helge; Kuczius, Thorsten

2008-04-01

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains secrete toxins that are major virulence factors and diagnostic targets, but some STEC strains secrete Stx in amounts that cannot be detected using conventional cell cytotoxicity or immunological assays. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more-sensitive Stx detection methods. We describe the development of an assay that can detect low concentrations of Stx2 and its variants. An immuno-PCR Stx2 assay was developed based on an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) combining antibody capture and DNA amplification to increase the signal. The immuno-PCR assay detected 10 pg/ml of purified Stx2, compared to 1 ng/ml Stx2 detected by commercial EIA. Consequently, immuno-PCR detected Stx2 and its variants in STEC strains that produce the toxins at levels that are nondetectable by using the EIA, as well as the Stx2 in EIA-negative enriched stool cultures from patients. Our data demonstrate that the immuno-PCR developed here is a highly sensitive and specific method for the detection of trace amounts of Stx2 and Stx2 variants. It is therefore suitable for use by clinical microbiological laboratories to improve the toxin detection in clinical samples.

New Immuno-PCR Assay for Detection of Low Concentrations of Shiga Toxin 2 and Its Variants▿

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wenlan; Bielaszewska, Martina; Pulz, Matthias; Becker, Karsten; Friedrich, Alexander W.; Karch, Helge; Kuczius, Thorsten

2008-01-01

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains secrete toxins that are major virulence factors and diagnostic targets, but some STEC strains secrete Stx in amounts that cannot be detected using conventional cell cytotoxicity or immunological assays. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more-sensitive Stx detection methods. We describe the development of an assay that can detect low concentrations of Stx2 and its variants. An immuno-PCR Stx2 assay was developed based on an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) combining antibody capture and DNA amplification to increase the signal. The immuno-PCR assay detected 10 pg/ml of purified Stx2, compared to 1 ng/ml Stx2 detected by commercial EIA. Consequently, immuno-PCR detected Stx2 and its variants in STEC strains that produce the toxins at levels that are nondetectable by using the EIA, as well as the Stx2 in EIA-negative enriched stool cultures from patients. Our data demonstrate that the immuno-PCR developed here is a highly sensitive and specific method for the detection of trace amounts of Stx2 and Stx2 variants. It is therefore suitable for use by clinical microbiological laboratories to improve the toxin detection in clinical samples. PMID:18272709

Rapid enzyme immunoassay for determination of toxigenicity among clinical isolates of corynebacteria.

PubMed

Engler, K H; Efstratiou, A

2000-04-01

A rapid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for the phenotypic detection of diphtheria toxin among clinical isolates of corynebacteria. The assay uses equine polyclonal antitoxin as the capture antibody and an alkaline phosphatase-labeled monoclonal antibody, specific for fragment A of the toxin molecule, as the detecting antibody. The assay is rapid, sensitive, and specific: a final result is available within 3 h of colony selection, and the limits of detection are 0.1 ng of pure diphtheria toxin/ml. Toxigenicity could be detected with isolates grown on a diverse range of culture media, including selective agars. Toxin detection using the EIA was compared to that with the Elek test and PCR detection of fragment A of the diphtheria toxin (tox) gene, using 245 isolates of corynebacteria. The results for the EIA were in complete concordance with those of the Elek test: 87 toxigenic and 158 nontoxigenic isolates. Ten of the phenotypically nontoxigenic strains were found to contain fragment A of the tox gene but did not express the toxin protein. These isolates were found to be nontoxigenic in the Vero cell tissue culture cytotoxicity assay and were therefore nontoxigenic for diagnostic purposes. The EIA is a simple rapid phenotypic test which provides a definitive result on toxigenicity within one working day.

Rapid Enzyme Immunoassay for Determination of Toxigenicity among Clinical Isolates of Corynebacteria

PubMed Central

Engler, Kathryn H.; Efstratiou, Androulla

2000-01-01

A rapid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for the phenotypic detection of diphtheria toxin among clinical isolates of corynebacteria. The assay uses equine polyclonal antitoxin as the capture antibody and an alkaline phosphatase-labeled monoclonal antibody, specific for fragment A of the toxin molecule, as the detecting antibody. The assay is rapid, sensitive, and specific: a final result is available within 3 h of colony selection, and the limits of detection are 0.1 ng of pure diphtheria toxin/ml. Toxigenicity could be detected with isolates grown on a diverse range of culture media, including selective agars. Toxin detection using the EIA was compared to that with the Elek test and PCR detection of fragment A of the diphtheria toxin (tox) gene, using 245 isolates of corynebacteria. The results for the EIA were in complete concordance with those of the Elek test: 87 toxigenic and 158 nontoxigenic isolates. Ten of the phenotypically nontoxigenic strains were found to contain fragment A of the tox gene but did not express the toxin protein. These isolates were found to be nontoxigenic in the Vero cell tissue culture cytotoxicity assay and were therefore nontoxigenic for diagnostic purposes. The EIA is a simple rapid phenotypic test which provides a definitive result on toxigenicity within one working day. PMID:10747112

Appearance of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Stable Amyloid β-Protein (Aβ) Dimer in the Cortex During Aging

PubMed Central

Enya, Miho; Morishima-Kawashima, Maho; Yoshimura, Masahiro; Shinkai, Yasuhisa; Kusui, Kaoru; Khan, Karen; Games, Dora; Schenk, Dale; Sugihara, Shiro; Yamaguchi, Haruyasu; Ihara, Yasuo

1999-01-01

We previously noted that some aged human cortical specimens containing very low or negligible levels of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) provided prominent signals at 6∼8 kd on the Western blot, probably representing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-stable Aβ dimer. Re-examination of the specificity of the EIA revealed that BAN50- and BNT77-based EIA, most commonly used for the quantitation of Aβ, capture SDS-dissociable Aβ but not SDS-stable Aβ dimer. Thus, all cortical specimens in which the levels of Aβ were below the detection limits of EIA were subjected to Western blot analysis. A fraction of such specimens contained SDS-stable dimer at 6∼8 kd, but not SDS-dissociable Aβ monomer at ∼4 kd, as judged from the blot. This Aβ dimer is unlikely to be generated after death, because (i) specimens with very short postmortem delay contained the Aβ dimer, and (ii) until 12 hours postmortem, such SDS-stable Aβ dimer is detected only faintly in PDAPP transgenic mice. The presence of Aβ dimer in the cortex may characterize the accumulation of Aβ in the human brain, which takes much longer than that in PDAPP transgenic mice. PMID:9916941

Bioinformatic analysis of phage AB3, a phiKMV-like virus infecting Acinetobacter baumannii.

PubMed

Zhang, J; Liu, X; Li, X-J

2015-01-16

The phages of Acinetobacter baumannii has drawn increasing attention because of the multi-drug resistance of A. baumanni. The aim of this study was to sequence Acinetobacter baumannii phage AB3 and conduct bioinformatic analysis to lay a foundation for genome remodeling and phage therapy. We isolated and sequenced A. baumannii phage AB3 and attempted to annotate and analyze its genome. The results showed that the genome is a double-stranded DNA with a total length of 31,185 base pairs (bp) and 97 open reading frames greater than 100 bp. The genome includes 28 predicted genes, of which 24 are homologous to phage AB1. The entire coding sequence is located on the negative strand, representing 90.8% of the total length. The G+C mol% was 39.18%, without areas of high G+C content over 200 bp in length. No GC island, tRNA gene, or repeated sequence was identified. Gene lengths were 120-3099 bp, with an average of 1011 bp. Six genes were found to be greater than 2000 bp in length. Genomic alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the RNA polymerase gene showed that similar to phage AB1, phage AB3 is a phiKMV-like virus in the T7 phage family.

Editing of EIA coded, numerically controlled, machine tool tapes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiner, J. M.

1975-01-01

Editing of numerically controlled (N/C) machine tool tapes (8-level paper tape) using an interactive graphic display processor is described. A rapid technique required for correcting production errors in N/C tapes was developed using the interactive text editor on the IMLAC PDS-ID graphic display system and two special programs resident on disk. The correction technique and special programs for processing N/C tapes coded to EIA specifications are discussed.

Analysis of a 10% Renewable Portfolio Standard, Supplement to

EIA Publications

2003-01-01

On June 10, 2003, Senator Pete Domenici, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, requested additional analysis of a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), expected to be proposed as an amendment to energy legislation currently pending before the U.S. Senate. This request asked the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to provide additional results from two previously released EIA analyses of the proposed legislation, and to conduct further analyses with modified assumptions.

Short-Term Energy Outlook Supplement: Key drivers for EIA's short-term U.S. crude oil production outlook

EIA Publications

2013-01-01

Crude oil production increased by 790,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) between 2011 and 2012, the largest increase in annual output since the beginning of U.S. commercial crude oil production in 1859. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects U.S. crude oil production to continue rising over the next two years represented in the Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).

Fuel oil and kerosene sales 1993

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

Not Available

1994-10-03

This publication contains the 1993 survey results of the ``Annual Fuel Oil and Kerosene, Sales Report`` (Form EIA-821). This is the fifth year that the survey data have appeared in a separate publication. Prior to the 1989 report, the statistics appeared in the Petroleum Marketing Annual (PMA) for reference year 1988 and the Petroleum Marketing Monthly (PMM) for reference years 1984 through 1987. The 1993 edition marks the 10th annual presentation of the results of the ongoing ``Annual Fuel Oil and Kerosene Sales Report`` survey. Except for the kerosene and on-highway diesel information, data presented in Tables 1 through 12more » (Sales of Fuel Oil and Kerosene) present results of the EIA-821 survey. Tables 13 through 24 (Adjusted Sales of Fuel Oil and Kerosene) include volumes that are based on the EIA-821 survey but have been adjusted to equal the products supplied volumes published in the Petroleum Supply Annual (PSA).« less

Fuel oil and kerosene sales 1992

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

Not Available

1993-10-29

This publication contains the 1992 survey results of the ``Annual Fuel Oil and Kerosene Sales Report`` (Form EIA-821). This is the fourth year that the survey data have appeared in a separate publication. Prior to the 1989 report, the statistics appeared in the Petroleum Marketing Annual (PMA) for reference year 1988 and the Petroleum Marketing Monthly (PMM for reference years 1984 through 1987. The 1992 edition marks the ninth annual presentation of the results of the ongoing ``Annual Fuel Oil and Kerosene Sales Report`` survey. Except for the kerosene and on-highway diesel information, data presented in Tables 1 through 12more » (Sales of Fuel Oil and Kerosene) present results of the EIA-821 survey. Tables 13 through 24 (Adjusted Sales of Fuel Oil and Kerosene) include volumes that are based on the EIA-821 survey but have been adjusted to equal the products supplied volumes published in the Petroleum Supply Annual (PSA).« less

Thresholds and criteria for evaluating and communicating impact significance in environmental statements: 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil'?

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

Wood, Graham

2008-01-15

The evaluation and communication of the significance of environmental effects remains a critical yet poorly understood component of EIA theory and practice. Following a conceptual overview of the generic dimensions of impact significance in EIA, this paper reports upon the findings of an empirical study of recent environmental impact statements that considers the treatment of significance for impacts concerning landscape ('see no evil') and noise ('hear no evil'), focussing specifically upon the evaluation and communication of impact significance ('speak no evil') in UK practice. Particular attention is given to the use of significance criteria and thresholds, including the development ofmore » a typology of approaches applied within the context of noise and landscape/visual impacts. Following a broader discussion of issues surrounding the formulation, application and interpretation of significance criteria, conclusions and recommendations relevant to wider EIA practice are suggested.« less

[Bronchial hyperreactivity in athletes].

PubMed

Carlsen, K H

1994-01-01

Elite athletics, particularly endurance sports, are characterised by a high prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Findings in several studies suggest short-term high intensity physical activity to cause a transient increase in BHR. Recent studies in Oslo have shown that regular physical endurance training over several years, particularly when combined with such climatic factors as low air temperatures, may result in an increased risk of BHR and EIA among elite athletes--e.g., cross-country skiers. Inhalation beta 2-agonists and steroids have been used by many athletes in endurance sports, particularly skiers. Athletes with symptoms of BHR or EIA should be examined with lung function tests and exercise testing, and the effect of antiasthmatic drugs should be ascertained. Inhaled beta 2-agonists have no beneficial effect upon physical performance in nonasthmatic athletes, and may have a slight limiting effect upon physical endurance.

Nads FSK Modem, LEA 74-2248

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

Johnson, K.R.

1976-01-12

The Nads FSK Modem is a compact unit designed to operate in conjunction with EIA standard interfacing and the data terminal equipment of the 1200 Baud digital communications network of the Nevada Automated Diagnostics System (NADS). The modem is constructed in a Nuclear Instrumentation Module System (NIMS) module for compatability with the NADS system. The modulator section of the modem accepts serial, digital signals at 1200 Baud which may be either standard TTL levels or bipolar signals meeting either the EIA RS-232C or RS-232B standards. The output of the modulator is a Frequency-Shift Keyed (FSK) signal having frequencies of 2.2more » kHz for Mark and 1.2 kHz for Space. The demodulator section accepts the above FSK signal as input, and outputs serial, digital signals at 1200 Baud at either TTL or EIA RS-232C levels. Specifications and operation and calibration instructions are given. (WHK)« less

Tunable electromagnetically induced transparency and absorption with dressed superconducting qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ian, Hou; Liu, Yu-Xi; Nori, Franco

2010-06-01

Electromagnetically induced transparency and absorption (EIT and EIA) are usually demonstrated using three-level atomic systems. In contrast to the usual case, we theoretically study the EIT and EIA in an equivalent three-level system: a superconducting two-level system (qubit) dressed by a single-mode cavity field. In this equivalent system, we find that both the EIT and the EIA can be tuned by controlling the level-spacing of the superconducting qubit and hence controlling the dressed system. This tunability is due to the dressed relaxation and dephasing rates which vary parametrically with the level-spacing of the original qubit and thus affect the transition properties of the dressed qubit and the susceptibility. These dressed relaxation and dephasing rates characterize the reaction of the dressed qubit to an incident probe field. Using recent experimental data on superconducting qubits (charge, phase, and flux qubits) to demonstrate our approach, we show the possibility of experimentally realizing this proposal.

Equatorial and Low-Latitude Ionospheric Response to the Extreme Space Weather Event of March 2015, in the Brazilian Sector.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fagundes, P. R.; Cardoso, F. A.; Fejer, B. G.; Kavutarapu, V.; Ribeiro, B. A.; Pillat, V. G.

2015-12-01

Fagundes PR, Cardoso FA and Venkatesh KPhysics and Astronomy Laboratory, Universidade do Vale do Paraiba (UNIVAP), Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil In the present investigation we discuss the results on the response of the ionosphere (F-region) in the Brazilian sector, during extreme space weather event of March 2015. This geomagnetic storm has been considered as one of strongest storms in the solar cycle 24 where, the Dst index reached a minimum of -227 nT at 23:00 UT (17/03/2015) with KP reaching to 8-, and the monthly mean F10.7 solar flux was 125 sfu. This space weather event was studied using a large network of 110 GPS stations. It has been noticed that the Total Electron Content (TEC) was severely disturbed during the geomagnetic storm main and recovery phases. A wavelike oscillation with three peaks is observed from equator to low latitudes during the storm main phase on 17th and 18th March, 2015. Using a latitudinal chain of 8 GPS stations from equatorial region to low latitudes the storm time behavior of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) is investigated. It was noticed that the wavelike oscillation peak latitudinal extent decreases from the beginning of main phase to the recovery phase. The first maximum extends beyond from 2oS to 20oS, the second one from 8oS to 18oS and the third one from 13oS to 17oS. In addition, a strong negative phase in TEC variations is observed during the recovery phase on March 18, 2015. This negative phase is found to be stronger at low-latitude compared to the equatorial region. An anomalous behavior of EIA caused by the wavelike oscillations is observed during the main phase on March 17, 2015. Also, due to the strong negative phase in TEC resulted in strong EIA suppression on March 18, 2015.

[Analysis of the dilution deviation in CA19-9 measurement].

PubMed

Hanada, Hiroyuki; Takeoka, Keiko; Nomura, Tomoko; Moriyama, Takanori; Kanakura, Yuzuru

2005-04-01

CA19-9 widely used as a tumor marker of the pancreas and a bile duct. There are a number of reports which describes the measured value discrepancies between RIA and non-RIA kits. RIA results also have shown lack of the linearity over 70 U/ml when the samples are diluted. The pH condition at assay reaction for RIA had been suggested as the major reason, it has been denied by the results from the same pH condition at assay reaction used by COBAS CORE CA19-9 EIA II. On the other hand, the lack of RIA antibody titer is indicated for the discordant results by changing the sample volume to reagent volume ratio in the reaction. Our further investigation also indicates that the specific Lewis blood type, i.e. Le (a-b+), shows the linearity issues by RIA. The discrepancies are not caused by the reaction pH, but the amount of the antibody used in the RIA kit is closely associated. Considering the CA19-9 antibody nature used in RIA kit, which covers broad molecular range, users need to pay more attention to setting up each laboratory's measuring range.

Evaluating Frequency, Diagnostic Quality, and Cost of Lyme Borreliosis Testing in Germany: A Retrospective Model Analysis

PubMed Central

Müller, I.; Freitag, M. H.; Poggensee, G.; Scharnetzky, E.; Straube, E.; Schoerner, Ch.; Hlobil, H.; Hagedorn, H.-J.; Stanek, G.; Schubert-Unkmeir, A.; Norris, D. E.; Gensichen, J.; Hunfeld, K.-P.

2012-01-01

Background. Data on the economic impact of Lyme borreliosis (LB) on European health care systems is scarce. This project focused on the epidemiology and costs for laboratory testing in LB patients in Germany. Materials and Methods. We performed a sentinel analysis of epidemiological and medicoeconomic data for 2007 and 2008. Data was provided by a German statutory health insurance (DAK) company covering approx. 6.04 million members. In addition, the quality of diagnostic testing for LB in Germany was studied. Results. In 2007 and 2008, the incident diagnosis LB was coded on average for 15,742 out of 6.04 million insured members (0.26%). 20,986 EIAs and 12,558 immunoblots were ordered annually for these patients. For all insured members in the outpatient sector, a total of 174,820 EIAs and 52,280 immunoblots were reimbursed annually to health care providers (cost: 2,600,850€). For Germany, the overall expected cost is estimated at 51,215,105€. However, proficiency testing data questioned test quality and standardization of diagnostic assays used. Conclusion. Findings from this study suggest ongoing issues related to care for LB and may help to improve future LB disease management. PMID:22242037

Phase II study of Gleevec® plus hydroxyurea (HU) in adults with progressive or recurrent meningioma.

PubMed

Reardon, David A; Norden, Andrew D; Desjardins, Annick; Vredenburgh, James J; Herndon, James E; Coan, April; Sampson, John H; Gururangan, Sridharan; Peters, Katherine B; McLendon, Roger E; Norfleet, Julie A; Lipp, Eric S; Drappatz, Jan; Wen, Patrick Y; Friedman, Henry S

2012-01-01

We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of imatinib plus hydroxyurea in patients with progressive/recurrent meningioma. A total of 21 patients with progressive/recurrent meningioma were enrolled in this dual center, single-arm, phase II trial. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 400 mg/day for patients not on CYP3A enzyme inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs) and at 500 mg twice a day for patients on EIAEDs. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6) and secondary endpoints were safety, radiographic response rate, and overall survival (OS). Best radiographic response was stable disease and was observed in 14 patients (67%). PFS-6 for all patients, those with grade I tumors (n = 8) and those with grade II or III tumors (n = 13) was 61.9, 87.5 and 46.2%, respectively. Patients with grade II or III tumors had poorer PFS and OS than those with grade I tumors, (P = 0.025 and P = 0.018) respectively. The only grade 3 or greater adverse event occurring in ≥ 10% of patients was anemia (10%). Imatinib plus hydroxyurea is well tolerated among patients with meningioma but has modest anti-tumor activity for this indication.

Phase II study of Gleevec® plus hydroxyurea (HU) in adults with progressive or recurrent meningioma

PubMed Central

Norden, Andrew D.; Desjardins, Annick; Vredenburgh, James J.; Herndon, James E.; Coan, April; Sampson, John H.; Gururangan, Sridharan; Peters, Katherine B.; McLendon, Roger E.; Norfleet, Julie A.; Lipp, Eric S.; Drappatz, Jan; Wen, Patrick Y.; Friedman, Henry S.

2011-01-01

We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of imatinib plus hydroxyurea in patients with progressive/recurrent meningioma. A total of 21 patients with progressive/recurrent meningioma were enrolled in this dual center, single-arm, phase II trial. All patients received 500 mg of hydroxyurea twice a day. Imatinib was administered at 400 mg/day for patients not on CYP3A enzyme inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs) and at 500 mg twice a day for patients on EIAEDs. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6) and secondary endpoints were safety, radiographic response rate, and overall survival (OS). Best radiographic response was stable disease and was observed in 14 patients (67%). PFS-6 for all patients, those with grade I tumors (n = 8) and those with grade II or III tumors (n = 13) was 61.9, 87.5 and 46.2%, respectively. Patients with grade II or III tumors had poorer PFS and OS than those with grade I tumors, (P = 0.025 and P = 0.018) respectively. The only grade 3 or greater adverse event occurring in ≥10% of patients was anemia (10%). Imatinib plus hydroxyurea is well tolerated among patients with meningioma but has modest anti-tumor activity for this indication. PMID:21938530

Periodic Variations in Low-Latitudinal Ionosphere during Stratospheric Sudden Warming Event in 2016/2017 Winter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, J.; Zhang, D.

2017-12-01

With datasets of electron density, neutral wind, ionosonde, neutral temperature, and geomagnetism, we studied the low-latitudinal ionosphere in East-Asia sector during Stratospheric Sudden Warming (SSW) Event in 2016/2017 winter, and some periodic variations in several parameters were revealed. A notable quasi-14.5-day (Q14.5D) period was detected in the strength and location of the northern equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) crest shown with total electron content (TEC). As comparison, northern EIA crest in the American sector had similar characters. With data from Wuhan meteor radar and Yunnan MF radar, we found that, within altitude ranging from 80-100 km, wind field also showed above-mentioned periodic variation, which varied in different heights and stations. The Q14.5D period was also revealed in critical frequency (foF2) and peak altitude (hmF2) of F2 layer from two ionosonde stations in southern China. From electron density of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and TEC of Metop-A, it was shown that this period component is also noticeable in the topside ionosphere above 800 km. However, this character is different in EEJ, of which the Morlet wavelet showed higher strength in quasi-7.5-day period compared to its Q14.5D component.

Role overload, pain and physical dysfunction in early rheumatoid or undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis in Canada.

PubMed

Mustafa, Sally Sabry; Looper, Karl Julian; Zelkowitz, Phyllis; Purden, Margaret; Baron, Murray

2012-05-03

Inflammatory arthritis impairs participation in societal roles. Role overload arises when the demands by a given role set exceed the resources; time and energy, to carry out the required tasks. The present study examines the association between role overload and disease outcomes in early inflammatory arthritis (EIA). Patients (n = 104) of 7.61 months mean duration of inflammatory arthritis completed self-report questionnaires on sociodemographics, disease characteristics and role overload. Pain was assessed using the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and physical functioning was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) physical functioning score. Role overload was measured by the Role Overload Scale. Patients indicated the number of social roles they occupied from a total of the three typical roles; marital, parental and paid work. Participants' mean age was 56 years and 70.2% were female. Role overload was not correlated to the number of social roles, however, it was positively associated with pain (p = 0.004) and negatively associated with physical functioning (p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, role overload was negatively associated with physical functioning after controlling for the relevant sociodemographic variables. This study identifies a possible reciprocal relationship between role overload and physical functioning in patients with EIA.

Correlation Between Iron and alpha and pi Glutathione-S-Transferase Levels in Humans

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

assays were performed as described in the Biotrin High Sensitivity Alpha GST EIA kit protocol. First, serum samples were diluted 1:10 with wash solution...immunosorbent assays were performed as described in the Biotrin Pi GST EIA kit protocol. First, plasma samples were diluted 1:5 with sample diluent...immunosorbent assays were performed as described in the AssayMax Human Transferrin ELISA kit protocol. First, serum samples were diluted 1:2000 with MIX

Calling the Cavalry: Disaster Relief and the American Military

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-03

Governor Lawton Chiles did not request federal support before or immediately after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida. He instead chose to rely on the...http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/special/eia1_katrina.html, (Accessed 17 Mar 2011). 5 Richard D. Knabb, Rhome, Jamie R., Brown, Daniel P., "Tropical...dailyfed/0210/020910nj1.htm. Knabb, Richard D., Rhome, Jamie R., Brown, Daniel P. "Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Katrina." National Hurricane Center

Status of the Body of Knowledge and Curriculum to Advance Systems Engineering (BKCASE (trademark)) Project

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-01

Systems engineer- ing knowledge has also been documented through the standards bodies, most notably : • ISO /IEC/IEEE 15288, Systems Engineer- ing...System Life Cycle Processes, 2008 (see [10]). • ANSI/EIA 632, Processes for Engineering a System, (1998) • IEEE 1220, ISO /IEC 26702 Application...tion • United States Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Chapter 4, June 27, 2011 • IEEE/EIA 12207 , Software Life Cycle Processes, 2008 • United

Direct Federal Financial Interventions and Subsidies in Energy in Fiscal Year 2013

EIA Publications

2015-01-01

This report responds to a September 2014 request to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) from U.S. Representative Fred Upton, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield, Chairman of its Subcommittee on Energy and Power, for an update reflecting Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 data of two earlier EIA reports on direct federal financial interventions and subsidies in energy markets covering FY 2007 and FY 2010.

How Does EIA Estimate Energy Consumption and End Uses in U.S. Homes?

EIA Publications

2011-01-01

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) administers the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) to a nationally representative sample of housing units. Specially trained interviewers collect energy characteristics on the housing unit, usage patterns, and household demographics. This information is combined with data from energy suppliers to these homes to estimate energy costs and usage for heating, cooling, appliances and other end uses information critical to meeting future energy demand and improving efficiency and building design.