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BACKGROUND: The IFCC Reference Measurement System for hemoglobin (Hb)A(1)c (IFCC-RM) has been developed within the framework of metrologic traceability and is embedded in a network of 14 reference laboratories. This paper describes the outcome of 12 intercomparison studies (periodic evaluations to control essential elements of the IFCC-RM). METHODS: Each study included: unknown samples (to test in
OBJECTIVES: Measurement of transglutaminase autoantibodies (TGAA) is considered to be the most efficient single serologic test for celiac disease (CD) by the American Gastroenterological Association Institute. We hypothesized that a large international collaborative effort toward improving and standardizing TGAA measurement is both feasible and necessary. The primary aim of this workshop is to com
Evolutionary change results from selection acting on genetic variation. For migration to be successful, many different aspects of an animal's physiology and behaviour need to function in a co-coordinated way. Changes in one migratory trait are therefore likely to be accompanied by changes in other migratory and life-history traits. At present, we have some knowledge of the pressures that operate a
In this paper, a fully automatic method for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) from V/Q-scans is presented. Image analysis is applied to the ventilation and the perfusion images obtained in the V/Q-scan. The difference of the ventilation and the perfusion is calculated after transformation and hot-spot reduction of the images. From this difference image the integral of the underperfused area
An academic 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) core laboratory aims to provide the highest possible quality ECG recording, measurement, and storage to aid clinicians in research into important cardiovascular outcomes and to maximize the credibility of scientific results based solely, or in part, on ECG data. This position paper presents a guide for the structure and function of an academic ECG core l
The illegal use of pharmacologically active compounds for growth promotion in food-producing species poses risks for consumer health and animal welfare. Surveillance relies on the quantification of drug residues in animal fluids or tissues, but the efficacy can be negatively affected due to undetectable residual concentrations in biological matrices. Consequently, techniques focusing on the indire
One hundred and thirty-four cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome were studied to evaluate the relative usefulness of electrocardiography (ECG), electrophysiological studies (EPS), body surface mapping (BSM), gated blood-pool phase analysis (nuclear studies), and vectorcardiography (VCG) in the localization of the accessory pathway (ACP). In comparison with the final localization verified by int
A major obstacle in ex vivo gene transfer has been the loss of transgene expression soon after implantation of the grafted transduced cells. Recently, a lentiviral vector system has been developed which has proven to express high levels of transgenes in vivo after direct injection into the tissue. In this study, we have investigated the use of such a vector for ex vivo gene transfer to the brain.
According to the European Commission (EC)(2009), the ageing society is one of the grand challenges of our time, and European researchers are encouraged to cooperate to contribute to the knowledge development required to turn the challenges into sustainable solutions. All countries in Europe face similar problems, but there are also marked differences based on cultural and socio-economic diversity
This paper critically scrutinizes the key success factors and tools described in the partnering literature by exploring how they are implemented in a public–private partnering collaboration. In addition to this the paper investigates to what extent these tools facilitate the relationship between the parties in a partnering process. The empirical data consist of two longitudinal case studies. Both
The problem of synthesizing network-decentralized observers arises when several agents, corresponding to the nodes of a network, exchange information about local measurements to asymptotically estimate their own state. The network topology is unknown to the nodes, which can rely on information about their neighboring nodes only. For homogeneous systems, composed of identical agents, we show that a
A novel detection algorithm with an efficient VLSI architecture featuring efficient operation over infinite complex lattices is proposed. The proposed design results in the highest throughput, the lowest latency, and the lowest energy compared to the complex-domain VLSI implementations to date. The main innovations are a novel complex-domain means of expanding/visiting the intermediate nodes of th
In this paper, a novel hard-output detection algorithm for the complex multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) detectors is proposed, which results in a significant throughput enhancement, a near-ML performance, and an SNR-independent fixed-throughput. Moreover, a high-throughput VLSI implementation is proposed, which is based on a novel method of the node generation and sorting scheme. The proposed
This report outlines the potential for a more structured and strategic relationship between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Iran following the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). To both address areas of disagreement and complaints, as well as pursue common interests and matters of mutual benefit, the EU needs to put in place an institutional framework that can withstand the
In most studies on technology change, the analysis of cost reductions of new energy technologies has been narrow and has often neglected essential processes related to the deployment of new technologies, such as photovoltaics (PV). However, in the case of distributed PV systems, other costs than for the PV modules – aka the deployment or balance-of-system costs – are significant. This review study
Background: This is an update of the Cochrane review published in 2002. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialised countries. Experimental evidence has supported the hypothesis that dietary fibre may protect against the development of CRC, although epidemiologic data have been inconclusive. Objectives: To assess the effect of dietary fibre on the recurren
