Investigation and verification of the clinical significance and perspective of natural killer group 2 member D ligands in colon adenocarcinoma

This study investigated and verified the diagnostic and prognostic values of natural killer group 2 member D ligand (NKG2DL) genes in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). We downloaded NKG2DLs expression data and corresponding clinical parameters from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and used bioinformatics techniques to investigate the values of NKG2DLs in COAD. Then, we used the GSE40967 cohort to verify the prognostic value of NKG2DLs. Finally, we verified the ULBP2 expression level in tissues, and also investigated the diagnostic and prognostic values of ULBP2 in COAD. The diagnostic receiver operating characteristic curves showed that ULBP1, ULBP2, ULBP3, and RAET1L had high diagnostic values in COAD [Area Under Curve (AUC) > 0.9]. In TCGA cohort, the univariate and multivariate survival analyses suggested that ULBP2 was correlated with the prognosis of COAD recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In GSE40967 cohort, ULBP2 was associated with CC RFS and OS. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry results showed that ULBP2 was highly expressed in COAD tumor tissues (P < 0.05) and both had diagnostic values (AUC > 0.7). Validated survival analysis showed that the high expression of ULBP2 had a worse prognosis in COAD OS and RFS. Thus, ULBP2 might be an independent diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of COAD.

Validation Is Not Verification: Precise Terminology and Scientific Methods in Bioprocess Modeling

Advanced statistical approaches and new modeling procedures for biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing have received increasing attention. With this forum article, we would like to highlight the need for a consistent terminology and the necessity for appropriate model validation strategies.

A Re-Evaluation of the Effect of Trauma Center Verification Level on the Early Risk of Death in Hemodynamically Unstable Patients

Background Studies show increased early and overall mortality at level II compared to level I trauma centers in hemodynamically unstable patients. We hypothesize there is no mortality difference between level I and level II centers applying more contemporary data. Study design Utilizing the 2017 Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File (TQP-PUF), we identified adult patients (age >14 years) who presented to an American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified level I or II center with hypotension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] < 90 mmHg). Logistic regression was performed to identify adjusted associations with mortality. Results A total of 7,264 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom most were males (4,924 [67.8%]) with blunt trauma (5,924 [81.6%]) being predominated. Mean admission SBP was 73.2 (±13.0) mmHg. There were 1,097 (15.1%) deaths. Level I admissions (4,931 (67.9%]) were more likely male (3,389 [68.7%] vs. 1,535 [65.8]; p=0.012), non-white (3,119 [63.3%] vs. 1,664 [71.3%]; p<0.001), a victim of penetrating trauma (933 [18.9%] vs. 385 [16.5%]; p=0.015), and more severely injured (mean Injury Severity Score: 19.3 [±15] vs. 16.7 [±13.7]; p<0.001). Level II admissions (2,333 [32.1%]) were older (46.8 [±18.5] vs. 50.3 [±20.1] years; p<0.001) with more co-morbidities (mean Charlson Comorbidity Index: 1.43 [±2] vs. 1.77 [±2.2]; p<0.001). Adjusted mortality between level I and II admissions was similar (766 [15.5%] vs. 331 [14.2%]; p=0.918). Early hourly mortality also did not differ. Conclusion There is no overall or hourly mortality discrepancy between ACS-verified level I and II centers for patients presenting with hypotension. This potentially relates to the use of more contemporary data gathered after implementation of updated verification requirements.

Assessment of a Novel Position Verification Sensor to Identify and Isolate Robot Workcell Health Degradation

Manufacturing processes have become increasingly sophisticated leading to greater usage of robotics. Sustaining successful manufacturing robotic operations requires a strategic maintenance program. Without careful planning, maintenance can be very costly. To reduce maintenance costs, manufacturers are exploring how they can assess the health of their robot workcell operations to enhance their maintenance strategies. Effective health assessment relies upon capturing appropriate data and generating intelligence from the workcell. Multiple data streams relevant to a robot workcell may be available including robot controller data, a supervisory programmable logic controller data, maintenance logs, process and part quality data, and equipment and process fault and failure data. These data streams can be extremely informative, yet the massive volume and complexity of this data can be overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes paralyzing. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a test method and companion sensor to assess the health of robot workcells which will yield an additional and unique data stream. The intent is that this data stream can either serve as a surrogate for larger data volumes to reduce the data collection and analysis burden on the manufacturer, or add more intelligence to assessing robot workcell health. This article presents the most recent effort focused on verifying the companion sensor. Results of the verification test process are discussed along with preliminary results of the sensor's performance during verification testing. Lessons learned indicate that the test process can be an effective means of quantifying the sensor's measurement capability particularly after test process anomalies are addressed in future efforts.

Wearable Motion Capture System Evaluation for Biomechanical Studies for Hip Joints

Human motion capture (MOCAP) systems are vital while determining the loads occurring at the joints. Most of the clinical MOCAP systems are very costly, requiring investment and infrastructure. Therefore, alternative technologies are in demand. In this study, a novel markerless wearable MOCAP system was assessed for its compatibility with a biomechanical modeling software. To collect evidence, experiments were designed in two stages for quantifying the range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint, in vitro and in vivo. Three constrained single-plane motions-abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, and internal/external rotation movements of the active leg-were analyzed. The data were collected from 14 healthy volunteers, using the wearable system and a medical grade optoelectronic MOCAP system simultaneously and compared against. For the in vitro study, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) for the abduction/adduction motion of the hip joint was calculated as 0.11 deg/0.30 deg and 0.11 deg/0.09 deg, respectively, for the wearable and the opto-electronic system. The in vivo Bland-Altman plots showed that the two system data are comparable. The simulation software is found compatible to run the simulations in offline mode. The wearable system could be utilized in the field of biomechanics software for running the kinetic simulations. The results demonstrated that the wearable system could be an alternative in the field of biomechanics based on the evidence collected.

Universal Verification Platform and Star Simulator for Fast Star Tracker Design

Developing star trackers quickly is non-trivial. Achieving reproducible results and comparing different algorithms are also open problems. In this sense, this work proposes the use of synthetic star images (a simulated sky), allied with the standardized structure of the Universal Verification Methodology as the base of a design approach. The aim is to organize the project, speed up the development time by providing a standard verification methodology. Future rework is reduced through two methods: a verification platform that us shared under a free software licence; and the layout of Universal Verification Methodology enforces reusability of code through an object-oriented approach. We propose a black-box structure for the verification platform with standard interfaces, and provide examples showing how this approach can be applied to the development of a star tracker for small satellites, targeting a system-on-a-chip design. The same test benches were applied to both early conceptual software-only implementations, and later optimized software-hardware hybrid systems, in a hardware-in-the-loop configuration. This test bench reuse strategy was interesting also to show the regression test capability of the developed platform. Furthermore, the simulator was used to inject specific noise, in order to evaluate the system under some real-world conditions.

Verification and Validation of Digital Pathology (Whole Slide Imaging) for Primary Histopathological Diagnosis: All Wales Experience

Aims:

The study is aimed to verify Aperio AT2 scanner for reporting on the digital pathology platform (DP) and to validate the cohort of pathologists in the interpretation of DP for routine diagnostic histopathological services in Wales, United Kingdom.

Materials, Methods and Results:

This was a large multicenter study involving seven hospitals across Wales and unique with 22 (largest number) pathologists participating. 7491 slides from 3001 cases were scanned on Leica Aperio AT2 scanner and reported on digital workstations with Leica software of e-slide manager. A senior pathology fellow compared DP reports with authorized reports on glass slide (GS). A panel of expert pathologists reviewed the discrepant cases under multiheader microscope to establish ground truth. 2745 out of 3001 (91%) cases showed complete concordance between DP and GS reports. Two hundred and fifty-six cases showed discrepancies in diagnosis, of which 170 (5.6%) were deemed of no clinical significance by the review panel. There were 86 (2.9%) clinically significant discrepancies in the diagnosis between DP and GS. The concordance was raised to 97.1% after discounting clinically insignificant discrepancies. Ground truth lay with DP in 28 out of 86 clinically significant discrepancies and with GS in 58 cases. Sensitivity of DP was 98.07% (confidence interval [CI] 97.57–98.56%); for GS was 99.07% (CI 98.72–99.41%).

Conclusions:

We concluded that Leica Aperio AT2 scanner produces adequate quality of images for routine histopathologic diagnosis. Pathologists were able to diagnose in DP with good concordance as with GS.

Strengths and Limitations of this Study:

Strengths of this study – This was a prospective blind study. Different pathologists reported digital and glass arms at different times giving an ambience of real-time reporting. There was standardized use of software and hardware across Wales. A strong managerial support from efficiency through the technology group was a key factor for the implementation of the study.

Limitations:

This study did not include Cytopathology and in situ hybridization slides. Difficulty in achieving surgical pathology practise standardization across the whole country contributed to intra-observer variations.

The Development of a Standardized Quality Assessment Material to Support Xpert® HIV-1 Viral Load Testing for ART Monitoring in South Africa

The tiered laboratory framework for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load monitoring accommodates a range of HIV viral load testing platforms, with quality assessment critical to ensure quality patient testing. HIV plasma viral load testing is challenged by the instability of viral RNA. An approach using an RNA stabilizing buffer is described for the Xpert^® HIV-1 Viral Load (Cepheid) assay and was tested in remote laboratories in South Africa. Plasma panels with known HIV viral titres were prepared in PrimeStore molecular transport medium for per-module verification and per-instrument external quality assessment. The panels were transported at ambient temperatures to 13 testing laboratories during 2017 and 2018, tested according to standard procedures and uploaded to a web portal for analysis. A total of 275 quality assessment specimens (57 verification panels and two EQA cycles) were tested. All participating laboratories met study verification criteria (n = 171 specimens) with an overall concordance correlation coefficient (ρ_c) of 0.997 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.996 to 0.998) and a mean bias of −0.019 log copies per milliliter (cp/mL) (95% CI: −0.044 to 0.063). The overall EQA ρ_c (n = 104 specimens) was 0.999 (95% CI: 0.998 to 0.999), with a mean bias of 0.03 log cp/mL (95% CI: 0.02 to 0.05). These panels are suitable for use in quality monitoring of Xpert^® HIV-1 VL and are applicable to laboratories in remote settings.

Toward real-time verification for MLC tracking treatments using time-resolved EPID imaging

PURPOSE

In multileaf collimator (MLC) tracking, the MLC positions from the original treatment plan are continuously modified to account for intrafraction tumor motion. As the treatment is adapted in real time, there is additional risk of delivery errors which cannot be detected using traditional pretreatment dose verification. The purpose of this work is to develop a system for real-time geometric verification of MLC tracking treatments using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID).

METHODS

MLC tracking was utilized during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). During these deliveries, treatment beam images were taken at 9.57 frames per second using an EPID and frame grabber computer. MLC positions were extracted from each image frame and used to assess delivery accuracy using three geometric measures: the location, size, and shape of the radiation field. The EPID-measured field location was compared to the tumor motion measured by implanted electromagnetic markers. The size and shape of the beam were compared to the size and shape from the original treatment plan, respectively. This technique was validated by simulating errors in phantom test deliveries and by comparison between EPID measurements and treatment log files. The method was applied offline to images acquired during the LIGHT Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) clinical trial, where MLC tracking was performed for 17 lung cancer patients. The EPID-based verification results were subsequently compared to post-treatment dose reconstruction.

RESULTS

Simulated field location errors were detected during phantom validation tests with an uncertainty of 0.28 mm (parallel to MLC motion) and 0.38 mm (perpendicular), expressed as a root-mean-square error (RMS_Error ). For simulated field size errors, the RMS_Error was 0.47 cm² and field shape changes were detected for random errors with standard deviation ≥ 2.5 mm. For clinical lung SABR deliveries, field location errors of 1.6 mm (parallel MLC motion) and 4.9 mm (perpendicular) were measured (expressed as a full-width-half-maximum). The mean and standard deviation of the errors in field size and shape were 0.0 ± 0.3 cm² and 0.3 ± 0.1 (expressed as a translation-invariant normalized RMS). No correlation was observed between geometric errors during each treatment fraction and dosimetric errors in the reconstructed dose to the target volume for this cohort of patients.

CONCLUSION

A system for real-time delivery verification has been developed for MLC tracking using time-resolved EPID imaging. The technique has been tested offline in phantom-based deliveries and clinical patient deliveries and was used to independently verify the geometric accuracy of the MLC during MLC tracking radiotherapy.

Verification of a cocktail approach for quantitative drug-drug interaction assessment: a comparative analysis between the results of a single drug and a cocktail drug

A cocktail approach is a method to comprehensively evaluate the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) by co-administering multiple CYP substrates. This is the first report that compares the results from a cocktail study to a single substrate separate administration study (single study) with concomitant administration of CYP inducers/inhibitors. The validity of a cocktail study for use as a quantitative drug-drug interactions (DDIs) assessment was evaluated.We administered a cocktail drug (caffeine, losartan, omeprazole, dextromethorphan, midazolam) with rifampicin, cimetidine or fluvoxamine. A comparative analysis was performed between the results of a cocktail study and single studies. The results of single studies were obtained from a literature review and the trials of single substrate separate administration.A strong positive correlation of the AUC ratio of all drugs between single studies and the cocktail study was obtained. The ratio of AUC change of 12 combinations converged to 0.82-1.09, and 2 combinations ranged between 0.74-1.32.The differences in the degree of interaction between the single studies and cocktail study are acceptable to evaluate DDIs for almost all combinations. Our results indicate that a cocktail study is an adequate and quantitative evaluation method for DDIs.

MR-guided focused ultrasound application for moving target tumor ablation in abdominal area: coil selection

BACKGROUND

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive thermal ablation method utilizing high-intensity focused ultrasound (HI-FU) energy for tissue ablation under MRI with real-time thermal mapping. Ablating to a dynamic target as in the liver is very challenging, requiring approval. A novel quality-assured liver tumor ablation system has been proposed for clinics. The paper reports the evaluation of conventional and new MR-receiving coils.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the suitability of MR coils as part of the MRgFUS treatment system for liver, while simulating breathing motion in pre-clinical settings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The novel software communicates with the MR scanner and the transducer. To monitor the temperature via proton resonance frequency (PRF) methodology echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence was used while the algorithms of static, static and dynamic tracking were tested with sonications of 100 W for 30 s on tissue-mimicking phantoms. Different coil sets were used to assess the performance of the system for fitness for dynamic thermometry. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed over a porcine model.

RESULTS

Single-loop four-channel Duoflex and Gem coils provided adequate signal-to-noise ratio and contrast with consistent thermal readings. Body array coils showed severe loss of signal in dynamic cases since the integration of tracking algorithm causes low efficiency.

CONCLUSION

Body array coils are unsuitable for MRgFUS of the liver due to signal loss. The dedicated coil set with a single loop around the FUS transducer combined with four-channel arrays might be the best option for liver treatment using dynamic MRgFUS applications.

Cleaning and disinfection programmes in food establishments: a literature review on verification procedures

In food establishments, cleaning and disinfection programmes contribute to provide the environmental conditions that are necessary for the production of safe and healthy food. Compliance with validated programmes is evaluated through verification activities, in order to establish, through objective evidence, if they are implemented as they were written and if they are effective, achieving continuous improvement of the sanitation programmes. In accordance with the specific guidelines of each country, food companies set up their technical specifications and develop their own cleaning and disinfection programmes. Depending on the analytical method used, one of the main challenges was to establish a reasonable limit of acceptability according to the impact that each surface has on the safety and hygiene of the food that is prepared. This review was focused on the procedures implemented to verify the cleaning and disinfection programmes in food establishments. In particular, this study examines the methodologies used (audits and analytical methods), sites for the collection of samples, acceptance criteria and main findings. The results of the analysed studies constitute a scientific basis for designing or improving sanitation procedures and their verification in food companies, and also provide relevant information for food safety authorities.

Application, Verification, and Implementation of SARS-CoV-2 Serologic Assays with Emergency Use Authorization

Interest continues to grow regarding the role of serologic assays for the detection of prior infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) status to many SARS-CoV-2 serologic assays. In this document, expert recommendations from clinical microbiologist members of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) concerning detailed verification strategies for SARS-CoV-2 serologic assays with FDA EUA are provided, as are insights into assay limitations and reporting considerations for laboratories. Assessments concerning single-antibody and multiantibody isotype detection assays, which may provide either differentiated or nondifferentiated (i.e., total antibody) antibody class results, are addressed. Additional considerations prior to assay implementation are also discussed, including biosafety, quality control, and proficiency testing strategies. As the landscape of SARS-CoV-2 serologic testing is rapidly changing, this document provides updated guidance for laboratorians on application of these assays.

Clinical Study of Using Biometrics to Identify Patient and Procedure

PURPOSE

To reduce patient and procedure identification errors by human interactions in radiotherapy delivery and surgery, a Biometric Automated Patient and Procedure Identification System (BAPPIS) was developed. BAPPIS is a patient identification and treatment procedure verification system using fingerprints.

METHODS

The system was developed using C++, the Microsoft Foundation Class Library, the Oracle database system, and a fingerprint scanner. To register a patient, the BAPPIS system requires three steps: capturing a photograph using a web camera for photo identification, taking at least two fingerprints, and recording other specific patient information including name, date of birth, allergies, etc. To identify a patient, the BAPPIS reads a fingerprint, identifies the patient, verifies with a second fingerprint to confirm when multiple patients have same fingerprint features, and connects to the patient's record in electronic medical record (EMR) systems. To validate the system, 143 and 21 patients ranging from 36 to 98 years of ages were recruited from radiotherapy and breast surgery, respectively. The registration process for surgery patients includes an additional module, which has a 3D patient model. A surgeon could mark 'O' on the model and save a snap shot of patient in the preparation room. In the surgery room, a webcam displayed the patient's real-time image next to the 3D model. This may prevent a possible surgical mistake.

RESULTS

1,271 (96.9%) of 1,311 fingerprints were verified by BAPPIS using patients' 2nd fingerprints from 143 patients as the system designed. A false positive recognition was not reported. The 96.9% completion ratio is because the operator did not verify with another fingerprint after identifying the first fingerprint. The reason may be due to lack of training at the beginning of the study.

CONCLUSION

We successfully demonstrated the use of BAPPIS to correctly identify and recall patient's record in EMR. BAPPIS may significantly reduce errors by limiting the number of non-automated steps.

Dynamic Testing of Lime-Tree (Tilia Europoea) and Pine (Pinaceae) for Wood Model Identification

The paper presents the results of dynamic testing of two wood species: lime-tree (Tilia europoea) and pine (Pinaceae). The dynamic compressive tests were carried out using the traditional Kolsky method in compression tests. The Kolsky method was modified for testing the specimen in a rigid limiting holder. In the first case, stress–strain diagrams for uniaxial stress state were obtained, while in the second, for uniaxial deformation. To create the load a gas gun was used. According to the results of the experiments, dynamic stress–strain diagrams were obtained. The limiting strength and deformation characteristics were determined. The fracture energy of lime and pine depending on the type of test was also obtained. The strain rates and stress growth rates were determined. The influence of the cutting angle of the specimens relative to the grain was noted. Based on the results obtained, the necessary parameters of the wood model were determined and their adequacy was assessed by using a special verification experiment.

Suggested guidelines for validation of real-time PCR assays in veterinary diagnostic laboratories

This consensus document presents the suggested guidelines developed by the Laboratory Technology Committee (LTC) of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) for development, validation, and modification (methods comparability) of real-time PCR (rtPCR) assays. These suggested guidelines are presented with reference to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines for validation of nucleic acid detection assays used in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Additionally, our proposed practices are compared to the guidelines from the Foods Program Regulatory Subdivision of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and from the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP). The LTC suggestions are closely aligned with those from the OIE and comply with version 2021-01 of the AAVLD Requirements for an Accredited Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, although some LTC recommendations are more stringent and extend beyond the AAVLD requirements. LTC suggested guidelines are substantially different than the guidelines recently published by the U.S. FDA for validation and modification of regulated tests used for detection of pathogens in pet food and animal-derived products, such as dairy. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories that perform assays from the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Method (BAM) manual must be aware of the different standard.

Laboratory verification of an RT-PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is an extremely common clinical method for detecting pathogens, particularly for emerging infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Currently, detection of the RNA from the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the gold standard for establishing a COVID-19 diagnosis. This study evaluates the characteristic performance of the analytical system in a clinical laboratory.

METHODS

A commercial SARS-CoV-2 RNA RT-PCR Kit used in a clinical laboratory is assessed based on ISO 15189 verification requirements. A multiple real-time RT-PCR assay for the RdRP, N, and E genes in SARS-CoV-2 is verified.

RESULTS

The analytical system exhibits good analytical sensitivity (1000 copies/mL) and specificity (100%); however, the values of 86.7% and 100% for analytical accuracy deserved attention, compared with two other types of methods. Overall, the kit is potentially useful for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing and meets the verification requirements.

CONCLUSION

Compliance with international standards, such as ISO 15189, is valuable for clinical laboratories and for improving laboratory medicine quality and safety. Normalization is essential for obtaining reliable results from the SARS-CoV-2 RNA RT-PCR assay. This study aims to develop an improved SARS-CoV-2 verification framework compared with traditional molecular diagnostic methods, given the urgency of implementing new assays in clinical laboratories.

An Investigation of Situational and Dispositional Antecedents of Faking Intentions in Selection Interviews

Applicants use faking in selection interviews to create a favorable impression and to increase their chances for a job offer. Theoretical models assume that such a behavior is influenced by situational and dispositional variables. However, previous research has mainly focused on dispositional variables whereas research about situational variables is sparse. To address this gap, we conducted three studies in which we examined how competition for a job and warning interviewees that information from their answers will be verified can influence faking intentions. Furthermore, we wanted to know whether these situational variables are able to explain additional variance in faking intentions beyond dispositional variables and whether there are interactions between situational and dispositional variables. In Study 1, we only found that high competition led to slightly higher faking intentions than low competition in a student sample. In Study 2, only a warning about the verification of applicants’ answers led to slightly lower faking intentions compared to no warning concerning verification in a working sample. Furthermore, faking intentions were lower in Study 2 than in the student sample in Study 1. In Study 3, we found no impact of our situational variables in a combined sample of students and non-students. We only found slightly higher honest impression management intentions in the high competition and the verification warning condition. We also found hardly any support for interaction effects between the situational and dispositional variables. Furthermore, the situational variables did not explain additional variance beyond the dispositional variables in any of the three studies. Possible reasons for the non-significant or small effect sizes for the situational variables can be found in a qualitative analysis of answers to an open-ended question in Study 3. However, we found that Honesty-humility und all facets of the Dark Triad were related to faking intentions. These results indicate that dispositional variables in particular have an impact on faking intentions.

Zapałowicz's Conspectus florae Galiciae criticus: Clarification of publication dates for nomenclatural purposes and bibliographic notes

Work on the catalogue of type specimens of vascular plants deposited in the KRAM herbarium has highlighted uncertainties and errors in references to place of valid publication of numerous taxa described by Hugo Zapałowicz in his Conspectus florae Galiciae criticus - Krytyczny przegląd roślinności Galicyi (1904-1914). Zapałowicz published his work in an excerpt series, a serial publication and a multi-volume book, with much duplication amongst these three different forms. Despite the importance of this work, no studies have clarified the dates of publication of its various parts, as relevant to the nomenclature of numerous new taxa of Central European vascular plants described therein: 94 species and hybrids, 10 subspecies and more than 2000 other infraspecific taxa. Here, the publication dates of the component parts of Zapałowicz's work are clarified and discussed. Archival sources that made it possible to determine publication dates of these works are described in detail.

Understanding, Verifying, and Implementing Emergency Use Authorization Molecular Diagnostics for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought a new wave of challenges to health care, particularly in the area of rapid diagnostic test development and implementation. The diagnosis of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is critically dependent on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from clinical specimens (e.g., nasopharyngeal swabs). While laboratory-developed testing for SARS-CoV-2 is an essential component of diagnostic testing for this virus, the majority of clinical microbiology laboratories are dependent on commercially available SARS-CoV-2 molecular assays.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought a new wave of challenges to health care, particularly in the area of rapid diagnostic test development and implementation. The diagnosis of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is critically dependent on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from clinical specimens (e.g., nasopharyngeal swabs). While laboratory-developed testing for SARS-CoV-2 is an essential component of diagnostic testing for this virus, the majority of clinical microbiology laboratories are dependent on commercially available SARS-CoV-2 molecular assays. In contrast to assays approved or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for in vitro diagnostic use, assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids have emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA. Outside of highly specialized academic and commercial laboratory settings, clinical microbiology laboratories are likely unfamiliar with the EUA classification, and thus, assay verification can be daunting. Further compounding anxiety for laboratories are major issues with the supply chain that are dramatically affecting the availability of test reagents and requiring laboratories to implement multiple commercial EUA tests. Here, we describe guidance for the verification of assays with EUA for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid from clinical specimens.

Zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030: perspectives from quantitative and mathematical modelling

Dog-mediated rabies continues to kill tens of thousands of people every year in low- and middle-income countries despite being an entirely vaccine-preventable disease. WHO and partners have launched a global campaign to reach zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. The primary tools for reaching this target are mass dog vaccination to interrupt transmission in domestic dog populations that maintain infection, appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies-exposed persons to prevent the fatal onset of disease, together with education to support their effective uptake. Models have been developed to assess the feasibility, impact and cost-effectiveness of these measures. From these models, we argue that the 2030 target of zero human rabies deaths is achievable, but will require concerted effort, engagement and investment. A proposed Gavi investment in human rabies vaccines has potential to drive progress towards the 2030 target; however, concomitant investment is needed to scale up mass dog vaccination or this target will be missed. Predicted economic benefits of mass dog vaccination vary according to national PEP provisioning and healthcare access. Integrated Bite Case Management can enhance surveillance and rationalize PEP use, but needs adapting to and integrating within local health systems and international reporting systems to improve PEP accountability, monitor impacts and support verification of disease freedom. Modelling approaches need refining to project realistic and geographically specific timelines for achieving targets. Model iterations informed by data on the implementation of interventions can be used to evaluate progress and guide future strategies. Critically such models are needed to advocate for investment, since the greatest risk to the ‘Zero by 30’ strategy is the limited long-term cross-sectoral or targeted financing to support countries to deliver and sustain mass dog vaccination.

A Deep Learning-Based Model for the Automated Assessment of the Activity of a Single Worker

Nowadays, it is necessary to verify the accuracy of servicing work, undertaken by new employees, within a manufacturing company. A gap in the research has been observed in effective methods to automatically evaluate the work of a newly employed worker. The main purpose of the study is to build a new, deep learning model, in order to automatically assess the activity of the single worker. The proposed approach integrates the methods known as CNN, CNN + SVM, CNN + R-CNN, four new algorithms and a piece of work from a selected company, using this as an own-created dataset, in order to create a solution enabling assessment of the activity of single workers. Data were collected from an operational manufacturing cell without any guided or scripted work. The results reveal that the model developed is able to accurately detect the correctness of the work process. The model’s accuracy mostly exceeds current state-of-the-art methods for detecting work activities in manufacturing. The proposed two-stage approach, firstly, assigning the appropriate graphic instruction to a given employee’s activity using CNN and then using R-CNN to isolate the object from the reference frames, yields 94.01% and 73.15% accuracy of identification, respectively.

Technical Note: Taking EGSnrc to new lows: Development of egs++ lattice geometry and testing with microscopic geometries

PURPOSE

This work introduces a new lattice geometry library, egs_lattice, into the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code, which can be used for both modeling very large (previously unfeasible) quantities of geometries (e.g., cells or gold nanoparticles (GNPs)) and establishing recursive boundary conditions. The reliability of egs_lattice, as well as EGSnrc in general, is cross-validated and tested at short length scales and low energies.

METHODS

New Bravais, cubic, and hexagonal lattice geometries are defined in egs_lattice and their transport algorithms are described. Simulations of cells and GNP-containing cavities are implemented to compare to independent, published Geant4-DNA and PENELOPE results. Recursive boundary conditions, implemented through a cubic lattice, are used to perform electron Fano cavity tests. The Fano test is performed on three different-sized cells containing GNPs in the region around the nucleus for three source energies.

RESULTS

Lattices are successfully implemented in EGSnrc, and are used for validation. EGSnrc calculated the dose to cell cytoplasm and nucleus when irradiated by an internal electron source with a median difference of 0.6% compared to published Geant4-DNA results. EGSnrc calculated the ratio of dose to a microscopic cavity containing GNPs over dose to a cavity containing a homogeneous mixture of gold, and results generally agree (within 1%) with published PENELOPE results. The electron Fano cavity test is passed for all energies and cells considered, with sub-0.1% discrepancies between EGSnrc-calculated and expected values. Additionally, the recursive boundary conditions used for the Fano test provided a factor of over a million increase in efficiency in some cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The egs_lattice geometry library, currently available as a pull request on the EGSnrc GitHub "develop" branch, is now freely accessible as open-source code. Lattice geometry implementations cross-validated with independent simulations in other MC codes and verified with the electron Fano cavity test demonstrate not only the reliability of egs_lattice, but also, by extension, EGSnrc's ability to simulate transport in nanometer geometries and score in microscopic cavities.

Verification of HIV Self-Testing Use and Results: A Global Systematic Review

HIV self-testing (HIVST) allows individuals to interpret and report their own test results, thus decentralizing testing. Yet, this decentralization can make it difficult to verify self-testing results, which is important for linkage to care and surveillance. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize methods for verifying HIVST use and results. We followed guidance from the Cochrane Handbook 5.1 on systematic reviews. We searched four journal databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library), one clinical trials database (ClinicalTrials.gov), two conference abstract databases (International AIDS Society and Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections) and one gray literature database (OpenGrey). We included studies that verified opening of kits or test results. Two researchers independently screened articles and extracted data regarding HIVST location, method of verification, who performed verification, proportion of results verified, and primary or secondary kit distribution. The search yielded 3853 unique citations, of which 40 contained information on HIVST verification and were included. Among these 40 studies, 13 were in high-income countries, 16 were in middle-income countries, and 11 were in low-income countries. Seventeen studies included key populations and two focused on youth. Three methods verified results: supervision by a health provider, returning used test kits, and electronic transmission of photographs. One method verified opening of kits using Bluetooth sensors. Although HIVST has increased worldwide, strategies to verify self-testing results remain limited. These findings suggest a need for additional innovative strategies for verifying HIVST use and results and linkage of self-testing results to surveillance and care systems.