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A metrological technical specification for the purity assessment of organic pure substance certified reference materials (CRMs) in China was formulated based on the practical experience from CRM developers, comments from experts, the “IUPAC Organic Purity Technical Report—Methods for the SI Value Assignment of the Purity of Organic Compounds”, and other references. After review by the national metrological technical committee for reference material and other experts in China, the specification was issued as JJF 1855–2020 in 2020. The specification describes the principles, requirements and practical guidelines for the purity assessment of organic pure substance CRMs, such as mass balance, quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, coulometry, titrimetry and external standard calibration. It also describes the combination for results and uncertainties for different methods. In which, the classification of mass balance method into three types and the combination approach of value and uncertainty, especially suitable for the purity assessment are firstly introduced. The introduction of the consideration during formulation for each important section in the specification is inspirational and instructive to developers of organic pure substance CRMs around the world.

Certified reference materials are an essential tool for calibration of testing equipment, validation of analytical methods and ensuring quality of test results. Due to lack of national low temperature reference materials, Decahydronaphthalene reference material for flash point measurements according to ISO 13736has been developed by the National Metrology Institute of Egypt (NIS). This article describes production steps of the reference material. Certification of the material was carried out by interlaboratory comparisons, where between bottles homogeneity and stability studies were conducted in explosion protection department at PTB, Germany. The interlaboratory results were statistically analyzed, and robust mean was calculated as assigned value. The certified value and expanded measurement uncertainty (k = 2) was found 55.7 °C ± 1.2 °C, respectively.

Since 1 January 2019 a maximum content of 0.6 mg kg−1 cadmium (Cd) in cocoa powder sold to the final consumer or as an ingredient in sweetened cocoa powder sold to the final consumer (drinking chocolate) is set by the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 488/2014. Monitoring compliance with the specified limit value requires analytical measuring methods and reference materials for quality control. However, suitable certified reference materials intended for quality assurance and quality control purposes are still lacking. Therefore, three cocoa reference materials (ERM®-BD513, ERM®-514 and ERM®-515) were developed according to the requirements of ISO 17034 and the recommendations of ISO Guide 35. The whole process of reference material development, including material preparation, assessment of homogeneity and stability, characterisation and value assignment is presented. The assignment of the certified mass fractions was based upon an interlaboratory comparison study involving 19 expert laboratories for Cd and 12 laboratories for acrylamide. The certified mass fractions and expanded uncertainties (k = 2) of the reference materials were (0.181 ± 0.009) mg kg−1 Cd (ERM®-BD513), (0.541 ± 0.024) mg kg−1 Cd (ERM®-BD514) and (0.690 ± 0.029) mg kg−1 Cd (ERM®-BD515). Acrylamide contents are given for information.

In this study, the proposed Optimum Gamma Value Assignment (OGVA) method is intended to dynamically optimize the image intensity level in non-desired images due to undesired light levels. For this purpose, it is aimed to make the dark images which cannot be seen due to lack of light, while bright images are dynamically dimmed by using the optimum gamma correction value applied on the image momentarily. It has been shown that this novel method, which will only be implemented as software, without requiring any additional hardware, yields satisfying results even at different light levels.

Background: Matrix-matched reference materials (RMs) are critical for adequate quality assurance of extraction, digestion, separation, and/or detection processes for analytes of interest in foods and dietary supplements. The accurate determination of mycotoxins in foods is an international concern. While RMs for mycotoxins are available from a variety of RM producers, these mainly address a single mycotoxin or group of mycotoxins and therefore require the use of multiple RMs for multitarget methods. Objective: To address the increasing needs of laboratories moving toward LC-MS-based multimycotoxin analysis, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) collaborated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to produce a naturally incurred RM for multiple mycotoxins in corn. Methods: Homogeneity of the RM has been assessed using a stratified random sampling of the final product based on mycotoxin mass fractions measured by the FDA and NIST. Multiple sample sizes were evaluated to maximize homogeneity in the obtained results. The mycotoxin levels in the final materials have been evaluated via interlaboratory comparison and isotope dilution LC–tandem MS measurements made at the FDA and NIST. The final value assignment combined results from these data sets. Conclusions: The study successfully developed a certified RM, SRM 1565 Mycotoxins in Corn, and a workflow for the future development of multimycotoxin RMs in different matrices.

Microgrids interfaced with distributed generators facilitate decentralization of electric power. Bi-directional power flow due to multiple sources and dynamic behaviour of microgrids possess challenges to protection engineers. In this paper, an adaptive protection scheme for a central protection centre (CPC) in a microgrid is proposed. The key functions of the CPC are monitoring the microgrid, identification of fault if any, shortest path identification from a fault to the nearest operating source using Boruvka–Dijkstra graph theory algorithm. It also assigns adaptively the optimized values of time multiplier setting of relays in that path using genetic algorithm, which in turn aids in quick fault clearance. A hardware prototype is developed, tested and validated for a 7-bus microgrid network using Arduino ATmega 1280 for shortest path identification and optimized TMS value assignment for relays in that path using Raspberry Pi Model B+.

Purpose To investigate the potential of an atlas‐based approach in generation of synthetic CT for pelvis anatomy. Methods Twenty‐three matched pairs of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were selected from a pool of prostate cancer patients. All MR scans were preprocessed to reduce scanner‐ and patient‐induced intensity inhomogeneities and to standardize their intensity histograms. Ten (training dataset) of 23 pairs were then utilized to construct the coregistered CT‐MR atlas. The synthetic CT for a new patient is generated by appropriately weighting the deformed atlas of CT‐MR onto the new patient MRI. The training dataset was used as an atlas to generate the synthetic CT for the rest of the patients (test dataset). The mean absolute error (MAE) between the deformed planning CT and synthetic CT was computed over the entire CT image, bone, fat, and muscle tissues. The original treatment plans were also recomputed on the new synthetic CTs and dose–volume histogram metrics were compared. The results were compared with a commercially available synthetic CT Software (MRCAT) that is routinely used in our clinic. Results MAE errors (±SD) between the deformed planning CT and our proposed synthetic CTs in the test dataset were 47 ± 5, 116 ± 12, 36 ± 6, and 47 ± 5 HU for the entire image, bone, fat, and muscle tissues respectively. The MAEs were 65 ± 5, 172 ± 9, 43 ± 7, and 42 ± 4 HU for the corresponding tissues in MRCAT CT. The dosimetric comparison showed consistent results for all plans using our synthetic CT, deformed planning CT and MRCAT CT. Conclusion We investigated the potential of a multiatlas approach to generate synthetic CT images for the pelvis. Our results demonstrate excellent results in terms of HU value assignment compared to the original CT and dosimetric consistency.

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for many areas of human health and well-being, including improved bone strength, muscle movement, cognitive function, and immune health. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, has developed SRM 3532 Calcium-Containing Solid Oral Dosage Form to help address the analytical challenges seen by the dietary supplement communities for the determination of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and elements. Described here is the process to assess the homogeneity and stability of the material, as well as the value assignment of the vitamin D3 levels.

Background To study the effects of different CT value assignment methods on the dose calculations in radiotherapy plans for brain metastases, this study will provide a reference for radiotherapy planning design based on MR images. Methods All fifty recruited patients underwent CT and MR simulated localization the same day as, but prior to, three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for brain metastases. After rigid registration of both the CT and MR images, the main tissues and organs were delineated on the CT and MR images. The average CT value of each tissue or organ was calculated. Three groups of pseudo-CT were generated by three CT value assignment methods: (I) the whole tissue was assigned 140 HU; (II) cavity, bone and other tissues were assigned −700, 700 and 20 HU, respectively; (III) tissue- and organ-specific CT values were given. The dose distribution was recalculated based on the three groups of pseudo-CT to obtain Plan2, Plan3 and Plan4, accordingly. The resultant radiotherapy plans were considered the original plan (Plan1). Then, the dosimetric differences between these three plans and Plan1 were compared. Results The average pseudo-CT values of bone and cavity were 731.7±69.3 and −725.5±26.1 HU, respectively. The range of average soft-tissue CT values was from −70 to 70 HU. The dose distribution between Plan1 and Plan2, Plan3 or Plan4 showed some differences, and the differences decreased in turn. The differences in the maximum dose of the lenses can reach 5.0%, 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively, while the differences in other dose parameters (maximum dose, mean dose and D98% to the PTV, D5% of the brainstem, and maximum dose of the brainstem, corpus callosum, left eye, right eye) were basically less than 2.0%, 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively. This shows that in the CT value assignment method, the dose calculation error can be greatly reduced by assigning the value to the bone and cavity separately, and if the different soft tissues are distinguished, the error of the dose calculation can be further reduced by more than 30%. In the pixel-by-pixel dosimetric comparison, the areas of more than 1% dose difference between Plan1 and Plan3 as well as Plan4 were mainly distributed near skin while those between Plan1 and Plan2 were mainly distributed at the bone, cavity, bone and soft tissues junction, and the skin near the field. Conclusions In summary, a scheme for assigning specific CT values to MRI-based radiotherapy is established. The scheme will provide patients with a dose-free radiotherapy plan. Through the calculation of the differences between the new plans and the old plan, it is found that our scheme can basically control the dose error below 0.8% to meet the clinical requirements.

In the era of “Big Data,” with the advent of the artificial intelligence algorithms, a different type of real estate valuation has found its own market niche: the AVM (automated valuation method), evolution of the simplest statistical evaluation. The Spider-based approach starts from the consideration that the value of a property is certainly influenced by innumerable variables, possibly coming from different databases, but these variables can be grouped into homogeneous categories, which we will call vectors.

Chrysin, a naturally occurring flavone, extracted from traditional Chinese herbs and abundantly found in propolis has been known to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and anti-tumour activities. Among this, its anticancer effects make chrysin promising to be a candidate drug. The objective of this study was to develop a new certified reference material (CRM) for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine, chrysin, and the related pharmaceuticals. The studies of sample preparation, homogeneity, stability, value assignment, and uncertainty evaluation were accomplished in this paper. Two different methods, namely differential scanning calorimetry and coulometric titration, were utilized for the first time to determine the purity of chrysin. The purity of the high-purity chrysin CRM, after validation and evaluation, was certified to be (0.996 ± 0.015) g/g (k = 2).

This paper proposes a novel method for 2D-to-3D video conversion, based on boundary information to automatically generate the depth map. First, we use the Gaussian model to detect foreground objects and then separate the foreground and background. Second, we employ the superpixel algorithm to find the edge information. According to the superpixels, we will assign corresponding hierarchical depth value to initial depth map. From the result of depth value assignment, we detect the edges by Sobel edge detection with two thresholds to strengthen edge information. To identify the boundary pixels, we use a thinning algorithm to modify edge detection. Following these results, we assign the depth value of foreground to refine it. We use four kinds of scanning path for the entire image to create a more accurate depth map. After that, we have the final depth map. Finally, we utilize depth image-based rendering (DIBR) to synthesize left and right view images. After combining the depth map and the original 2D video, a vivid 3D video is produced.

Testbed facilities play a major role in the study and evolution of emerging technologies, such as those related to the Internet of Things. In this work we introduce the concept of modelled testbeds, which are 3D interactive representations of physical testbeds where the addition of virtual resources mimicking the physical ones is made possible thanks to back-end infrastructure. We present the architecture of the Syndesi testbed, deployed at the premises of University of Geneva, which was used for the prototype modelled testbed. We investigate several extrap- olation techniques towards realistic value assignment for virtual sensor measurements. K-fold cross validation is performed in a dataset compris- ing of nearly 300'000 measurements of temperature, illuminance and hu- midity sensors collected from the physical sensors of the Syndesi testbed, in order to evaluate the accuracy of the methods. We obtain strong re- sults including Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) levels below 7%.

Background: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-β (Aβ42) peptide is an important biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Variability in measured Aβ42 concentrations at different laboratories may be overcome by standardization and establishing traceability to a reference system. Candidate certified reference materials (CRMs) are validated herein for this purpose. Methods: Commutability of 16 candidate CRM formats was assessed across five CSF Aβ42 immunoassays and one mass spectrometry (MS) method in a set of 48 individual clinical CSF samples. Promising candidate CRM formats (neat CSF and CSF spiked with Aβ42) were identified and subjected to validation across eight (Elecsys, EUROIMMUN, IBL, INNO-BIA AlzBio3, INNOTEST, MSD, Simoa, and Saladax) immunoassays and the MS method in 32 individual CSF samples. Commutability was evaluated by Passing-Bablok regression and the candidate CRM termed commutable when found within the prediction interval (PI). The relative distance to the regression line was assessed. Results: The neat CSF candidate CRM format was commutable for almost all method comparisons, except for the Simoa/MSD, Simoa/MS and MS/IBL where it was found just outside the 95% PI. However, the neat CSF was found within 5% relative distance to the regression line for MS/IBL, between 5% and 10% for Simoa/MS and between 10% and 15% for Simoa/MSD comparisons. Conclusions: The neat CSF candidate CRM format was commutable for 33 of 36 method comparisons, only one comparison more than expected given the 95% PI acceptance limit. We conclude that the neat CSF candidate CRM can be used for value assignment of the kit calibrators for the different Aβ42 methods.

Since 2005, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) to improve the quality of measurements related to human nutritional markers of vitamin Dstatus. In support of the NIH-ODS Vitamin D Initiative, including the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP), NIST efforts have focused on (1) development of validated analytical methods, including reference measurement procedures (RMPs); (2) development of Standard ReferenceMaterials (SRMs); (3) value assignment of critical study samples using NIST RMPs; and (4) development and coordination of laboratory measurement QA programs. As a result of this collaboration, NIST has developed RMPs for 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 [25(OH)D2], 25(OH)D3, and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH)2D3]; disseminated serum-based SRMs with values assigned for 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and 24R,25(OH)2D3; assigned values for critical samples for VDSP studies, including an extensive interlaboratory comparison and reference material commutability study; provided an accuracy basis for the Vitamin D External Quality Assurance Scheme; coordinated the first accuracy-based measurement QA program for the determination of 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in human serum/plasma; anddeveloped methods and SRMs for the determination of vitamin D and 25(OH)D in food and supplement matrix SRMs. The details of these activities and their benefit and impact to the NIH-ODS Vitamin D Initiative are described.

Environmental impacts and risks related to carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS) projects may have direct effects on the decision-making process during CCS site selection. This paper proposes a novel method of environmental optimization for CCS site selection using China’s ecological red line approach. Moreover, this paper established a GIS based spatial analysis model of environmental optimization during CCS site selection by a large database. The comprehensive data coverage of environmental elements and fine 1 km spatial resolution were used in the database. The quartile method was used for value assignment for specific indicators including the prohibited index and restricted index. The screening results show that areas classified as having high environmental suitability (classes III and IV) in China account for 620,800 km2 and 156,600 km2, respectively, and are mainly distributed in Inner Mongolia, Qinghai and Xinjiang. The environmental suitability class IV areas of Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Hotan Prefecture, Aksu Prefecture, Hulunbuir, Xilingol League and other prefecture-level regions not only cover large land areas, but also form a continuous area in the three provincial-level administrative units. This study may benefit the national macro-strategic deployment and implementation of CCS spatial layout and environmental management in China.

In order to improve the accuracy of earthquake damage assessment of reinforced concrete structure, the earthquake damage assessment mutation model and four-dimensional model of seismic damage analysis are established using catastrophe theory. Firstly, internal damage index, number of inelastic cycles, maximum inter-storey drift and energy-concentrated quotient were taken as evaluation factors. Value assignment and standardization of each evaluation index is conducted. The appropriate mutation model is selected to calculate the total mutation value of seismic damage and comparison with the evaluation criteria of seismic damage of reinforced concrete structure, the extent of structural damage is differentiated. Secondly, comprehensive consideration of people's initiative and non-linear characteristics of the system, a four-dimensional seismic damage analysis model is build based on the mutation assessment of earthquake damage. Finally, four different structures are calculated and the results are compared with the ones of variable fuzzy set theory, set-pair theory to verify the reasonableness and effectiveness of the method.

Oil field exploitations have a considerable impact on environmental security. The method of oil field environmental security evaluation method should be introduced into oil field exploitations for protection of environmental security. The frame model of pressure-state-response (P-S-R) was selected for oil field environmental security evaluation. Assessment levels were classified into five levels according to the value of synthetical index (SI), which was determined by the calculation of information entropies and value assignment of analytic hierarchy process. Finally, quantitative assessments of oil field environmental security situation were presented.

The energy efficiency reformation of existing buildings is a very complicated system which is controlled by lots of factors. It is very important content of the energy efficiency reformation work. The evaluation system for energy efficiency reformation of existing buildings is established. The value assignment method is proposed and the rating standard is established. Based on matter-element theory and dependent function, the extension theory is applied to evaluate the effect of energy efficiency reformation of existing buildings, and the extension method for the effect evaluation is proposed. Taking a real project of energy efficiency reformation for example, based on the reasonable selection of evaluation factor, an extension model for evaluation is built. As a result, it is practical and feasible to apply the extension method to solve this kind of problems.

A relatively perfect coalmine fire risk-evaluating and order-arranging model that includes sixteen influential factors was established according to the statistical information of the fully mechanized coalface ground on the uncertainty measure theory. Then the single-index measure function of sixteen influential factors and the calculation method of computing the index weight ground on entropy theory were respectively established. The value assignment of sixteen influential factors was carried out by the qualitative analysis and observational data, respectively, in succession. The sequence of fire danger class of four experimental coalfaces could be obtained by the computational aids of Matlab according to the confidence level criterion. Some conclusions that the fire danger class of the No.1, No.2 and No.3 coalface belongs to high criticality can be obtained. But the fire danger class of the No.4 coalface belongs to higher criticality. The fire danger class of the No.4 coalface is more than that of the No.2 coalface. The fire danger class of the No.2 coalface is more than that of the No.1 coalface. Finally, the fire danger class of the No.1 coalface is more than that of the No.3 coalface.

Trichothecene mycotoxins, with T-2 and HT-2 toxins being the main representatives of the type A subgroup, are naturally and worldwide occurring contaminants frequently found in grain-based food and feed. Due to the high consumption of these products and the potential health risk associated herewith, concerns about the safety and quality of food and feed have increased over the last decades at both governmental and consumer levels. Since it is not possible to avoid their occurrence, tremendous efforts have been performed to identify and monitor mycotoxins in food and feed to make their consumption safe. However, suitable certified reference materials (CRMs) intended for quality assurance and quality control purposes are still lacking for many mycotoxin-matrix combinations. Therefore, in the framework of a European Reference Material (ERM®) project, the first CRM for T-2 and HT-2 toxin in ground oat flakes (ERM®-BC720) was developed according to the requirements of ISO Guide 35. The whole process of ERM®-BC720 development, including sample preparation, homogeneity and stability studies and value assignment, is presented. The assignment of the certified mass fractions was based upon an in-house study using high-performance liquid chromatography isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Simultaneously, an interlaboratory comparison study involving 24 expert laboratories was conducted in order to support the in-house certification study. The certified values and their corresponding expanded uncertainties (k = 2) for both T-2 and HT-2 toxin in ERM®-BC720, traceable to the international system of units, are (82 ± 4) μg kg(-1) and (81 ± 4) μg kg(-1), respectively.

BACKGROUND The need for equivalent results of routine measurement procedures for the alcohol biomarker carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has been recognized by the IFCC. This article describes a project to harmonize CDT as conducted by an IFCC working group initiated for this purpose. METHODS We used procedures for achieving harmonization as developed by the Consortium for Harmonization of Clinical Laboratory Results to assess the suitability of a candidate reference measurement procedure (cRMP), candidate reference materials (cRMs), and the success of efforts to achieve harmonization. RESULTS CDT measurement procedures in routine use showed good reproducibility (CV 1.1%–2.8%) and linearity (r > 0.990) with variable slopes (0.766–1.065) and intercepts (−0.34 to 0.92) compared to the cRMP. Heterogeneity after simulated harmonization was 4.7%. cRMs of frozen human native sera demonstrated commutability and 3-year stability for routine measurement procedures. The cRMP provided reproducible value assignment to cRMs with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 0.03% at the 1.2% CDT level and 0.06% at the 4.4% CDT level. Harmonization efforts reduced the intermeasurement CV from 8.8% to 3.4%, allowed 99% recovery of the values assigned with the cRMP, and demonstrated 99% of results within the desirable allowable total error. Harmonization was less successful in samples with low CDT and high trisialotransferrin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Harmonization of CDT is possible with frozen human native sera as cRMs with values assigned by use of the cRMP. We propose the cRMP as a candidate international conventional reference measurement procedure and cRMs as candidate international calibrators.

A cikk kiindulopontja az a teny, hogy a szamvitel, azon belul is a penzugyi beszamolas alapvető feladata dontesekhez hasznosithato informaciok nyujtasa a vallalkozasokkal kapcsolatba kerulő erintettek szamara. A gazdasagi jelensegek lekepezese, szamviteli transzformacioja soran letrejovő adatok informaciokent valo hasznositasanak feltetele, hogy a penzugyi kimutatasok felhasznaloi tisztaban legyenek a lekepezes mogottes feltetelezeseivel. A cikk első resze a meres altalanos definiciojabol kiindulva mutatja be a szamviteli meres es ertekeles fogalmat, ezek osszefuggeset, alapvető jellemzőit. Ezt kovetően a penzugyi beszamolasban jelenleg ervenyesulő ertekelesi keretrendszert vazolja fel a nemzetkozi (IFRS), illetve a magyar szabalyozasbol kiindulva. A cikk harmadik resze a szabalyozas mogott meghuzodo elmeleti osszefuggeseket vizsgalja, kiterve a szamviteli meres es a penzugyi teljesitmeny (jovedelem) kapcsolatara, valamint bemutatja es ertekeli a szamviteli meressel kapcsolatos főbb kritikakat. ____ One of the central problems of accounting theory and accounting regulation is accounting valuation, accounting as a value assignment aspect of the representation of economic phenomena. The first part of the article, setting out from the general concept of measurement, introduces the concepts of measurement and valuation as applied in accounting, describing their interconnections and basic characteristics. Following this, based on the international (IFRS) and Hungarian regulations, the paper sketches the current valuation framework used in financial reporting. The third part of the article analyses the theoretical background of the effective regulation, while also covering the connection of accounting measurement and financial performance (income), and finally it presents and evaluates the main elements of criticism concerning measurement in accounting.

The production of reference materials (RMs) is a key activity for the improvement and maintenance of a worldwide coherent measurement system. As detailed in ISO Guide 33, RMs with different characteristics are used in measurements, such as calibration, quality control and method validation, as well as for the assignment of values to other materials. Currently, ISO Guide 35 is in its third edition after it was revised in 2006. The Guide was developed to support best practices in the value assignment to specified properties of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). This Guide gives general guidance and explains concepts to assist the understanding and development of valid methods to assign values to the properties of a reference material, including the evaluation of their associated measurement uncertainties, and the establishment of their metrological traceability. From the outcome of a systematic review of ISO Guide 35 among the members of ISO/REMCO, the ISO Committee on Reference Materials, it followed that there is a need for revising the current edition of ISO Guide 35. The mandate for the revision is focused on editorial updates to explain the concepts in more detail. It is not envisaged that major technical changes will be introduced. This paper explains the approach and rationale for the revision of ISO Guide 35 and invites comments from the users of the current edition of ISO Guide 35., JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Development

The Duncan-Chang model is a nonlinear elastic constitutive model that is most widely used in geotechnical engineering. In this paper, we used examples to demonstrate that the value assignment and match of relevant parameters in a constitutive model greatly influence the applications and engineering calculation of the model.

A comprehensive feasibility study for the production of a biodiesel reference material for relevant specification parameters as provided in EN 142141 was launched because of insufficient knowledge available for most of the steps needed for the production of new biodiesel certified reference materials (CRMs). This paper summarizes the findings of this study for the characterization and final value assignment of a biodiesel reference material. Assigned values were calculated as the unweighted mean of the laboratory means of the accepted sets of results for each parameter. Uncertainties were estimated in compliance with the “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement” (GUM, ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008),2 including contributions from characterization, homogeneity, and stability studies. Of the 22 parameters considered overall, it could be shown that it would be feasible to prepare and certify reference material for 7 of them (ester, linolenic acid methyl ester, triacylglycerol, total glycerol, iodine value, oxidation stability, and acid value) with the approach taken thus far. For the remaining parameters, different problems were encountered. Although raising a considerable number of challenges, the development of a future biodiesel CRM for many parameters seems feasible. The provision of such a material would favor the building of a harmonized measurement system and, consequently, comparable analytical results., JRC.D.2-Reference materials

In this study, the first steps in the development of a secondary reference measurement procedure (RMP) ‘higher metrological order measurement procedure’ to support the cardiac troponin I (cTnI) standardization initiative is described. The RMP should be used to assign values to serum-based secondary reference materials (RMs) without analytical artifacts causing bias. A multiplexed bead-based assay and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were used to identify the optimum monoclonal antibody pair (clones 560 and 19C7) for the RMP. Using these antibodies, an ELISA-based procedure was developed to accurately measure the main cTnI forms present in blood. The proposed RMP appears to show no bias when tested on samples containing various troponin complexes, phosphorylated and dephosphorylated forms, and heparin. The candidate assay displayed suitable linearity and sensitivity (limit of detection, 0.052 μg/L) for the measurement of the proposed cTnI secondary RMs. Preliminary comparison data on patient samples with a commercial cTnI assay are also provided to support the suitability of RMP for value assignment to RMs. Full validation and final assessment of the RMP will be performed through transferability and inter-comparison studies. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1603–10.

SUMMARY The International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) in conjunction with Eurotrol, B.V. has released a new lot of the haemiglobincyanide or haemoglobin standard. This technical report describes the purpose, methodology in manufacturing, summary of value assignment data and availability of this standard material used for the standardization and calibration of whole blood haemoglobin measurements on most haemoglobinometers and automated blood cell counters throughout the world.

Objective To describe a standardized method to assign glycemic index (GI) values to food items, obtained from 3 × 24-h recalls among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australian children, which can be adapted for use with simple food composition databases. Methods Four published GI databases were used as the source of GI values. Changes were made to a previously published methodology for GI value assignment to accommodate the needs of the Many Rivers Diabetes Prevention Project. Results There were 1132 food items in the recall database. Two hundred nineteen (19.3%) food items were directly linked to the FoodWorks GI database and 545 (48.1%) items were assigned the GI value of a “closely related” food item in the four GI databases used. Among the top carbohydrate contributors, 113 (35.3%) items have a direct linkage with the FoodWorks GI database. The mean ± SEM dietary GI and glycemic load (GL) of the study population resulting from this methodology are 57.5 ± 0.3 and 143.4 ± 2.6, respectively. Conclusion This simple method provides opportunities for countries without food composition database that are comprehensive for GI/GL but which contain accurate information on carbohydrates in foods to assign high-quality GI values to food items in epidemiological studies based on 24-h recalls.

We present a practical protocol for the assignment of values to serum proteins in a Target Material using a Reference Material. This protocol is based on the model of Direct Value Transfer between serum matrices and is intended to improve the value assignment of commercial calibrators using the Reference Material CRM 470 (now labeled ERM-DA 470) or similar reference materials. The procedure describes the general as well as the practical principles involved in the value assignment (with examples). The practical transfer protocol is based on multiple assays of 6 dilutions of the Reference Material and 6 dilutions of the Target Material. The transfer protocol requires several measurements a day repeated on several days, an important prerequisite being that all reconstitutions and dilutions are controlled by weighing thus reducing uncertainty in the transfer. In open systems that allow the use of the Reference Material as calibrator and the Target Material as samples, the proportionality of the two materials (the presence or absence of matrix effects) can now be directly assessed by evaluating a single regression plot. If no matrix effects are found, the regression line will pass through zero with a slope equal to the ratio of the concentrations of the two materials. In closed systems, the dedicated commercial calibrator has to be used as such; the Reference Material and the Target Material are now assayed as samples against this calibrator. Two regression plots are therefore obtained; if no matrix effects are present among the two materials and the calibrator, both the Reference and Target Materials will show zero intercepts, and the ratio of the two slopes will equal the ratio of the concentrations.

Background The detection and quantification of anti-myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO) IgG antibodies is important for the diagnosis and monitoring of several autoimmune diseases including microscopic polyangiitis and Churg-Strauss syndrome [1]. There is currently significant diversity in the measurement results from different methods and the materials used for calibration. A calibrant has to come with an assigned value that is metrologically traceable, and which is accompanied by an uncertainty statement. Its stability and homogeneity with respect to the certified property must be verified, and the calibrant must be commutable [2]. These attributes are challenging for serum protein calibrants, as they are composed of a mixture of interacting proteins with different isoforms etc. Objectives This work aimed at producing a new serum protein reference material intended for the standardisation of measurements of anti-MPO IgG antibodies. Methods For the value assignment of the reference material9s concentration, a purified anti-MPO IgG solution was prepared and characterised. Anti-MPO IgG was purified from plasmapheresis material by affinity and size exclusion chromatography. A value for the IgG concentration in this in-house calibrant was assigned using turbidimetry and/or nephelometry selective for total IgG. The property value for the Certified Reference Material (CRM) was obtained by using this anti-MPO IgG calibrant spiked into human serum and routine anti-MPO IgG procedures (ELISA, chemiluminescent and fluoroenzyme immunoassays). In the characterisation procedure 6 dilutions of the target material were measured in parallel to 6 dilutions of the calibrant [3]. Results Every vial of CRM contains 84 mg/L of anti-MPO IgG (combined expanded uncertainty 9 mg/L, k =2). The estimated uncertainty includes components relating to homogeneity, stability and characterisation. Conclusions A new serum protein reference material, ERM-DA476/IFCC, was produced. It is homogeneous between and within units and stable under the conditions chosen. The material was characterised by an interlaboratory comparison exercise performed with adherence to ISO/IEC 17025 [4]. The certified value has been established using a purified anti-MPO IgG preparation as calibrant. References Savige, J et al., Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and associated diseases: a review of the clinical and laboratory features. Kidney international 57: 846–62, 2000 Approved Guideline, CLSI document C53-A, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, Wayne, PA, USA, 2010 Certification report, Certification of proteins in the human serum. Certified Reference Material ERM® - DA470k/IFCC, European Commission. Joint research Centre, Institute of Reference Materials and Measurements, EUR 23431 EN - 2008 ISO/IEC 17025:2005, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2005 Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Hakan Emteborg and Jean Charoud-Got from IRMM for their support related to the processing of this CRM. In addition the support of Emma Tuddenham as well as of IFCC working group (WG-HAT) are warmly acknowledged. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background: Cardiac tropoin I (cTnI) measurements show an ∼20- to 40-fold difference between assays, and better standardization and harmonization are needed. Toward this goal, the AACC cTnI Standardization Committee collaborated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in an earlier study to select 2 candidate reference materials (cRMs). Methods: Two troponin cRMs, a troponin C-troponin I-troponin T (CIT) complex from human heart tissue and a CIT complex from recombinant technology, were supplied to NIST for assessment of composition and purity, and cTnI value assignment. These cRMs and 6 cTnI-positive human serum pools were shipped to manufacturers of 15 cTnI assays. Commutability of the materials was examined by determining the numerical relationship for the cRM preparations between each manufacturer-specified field method and each of the other 14 field methods. These relationships were then compared with the corresponding numerical relationships for the human serum pools. Harmonization of methods was accomplished by determining regression parameters relative to the analytical system yielding values closest to the median for each serum pool. These regression parameters were used to recalculate pool values to harmonize the assays. Interassay CVs before and after harmonization were determined. Results: Characterization of the CIT and CI cRMs showed that these materials were of specified composition. The proportion of cTnI methods that demonstrated commutability for the CIT cRM was 45%; for the CI cRM, 39% of methods demonstrated commutability. Interassay cTnI variability for the field methods ranged from 82% to 97%, median 88%. After harmonization, variability of the serum pools for the cTnI methods was decreased to between 9.0% and 23%, median 15.5%. Conclusions: The proportion of methods demonstrating commutability was too low for use as a common calibrator for the cTnI field methods. However a simple strategy using serum pools can improve harmonization of field cTnI methods by more than 5-fold. The CIT cRM was selected by the AACC cTnI standardization committee, and a new lot has been classified as the cTnI certified reference material Standard Reference Material 2921 by NIST.

Multiparty collaborative applications in which groups of people act in concert to achieve some real-world goal abound. In these situations, it is useful for a central planning agent to receive online audio-visual isual information from all participants. However, as the size of the group grows, it becomes difficult to process all the sensory streams; cognitive overload prevents direct analysis of sensory streams for situational awareness. To avoid this situation, an automatic method is needed to assign value to each stream and direct the attention of the planning agent to those streams which are most valuable. We present an audio-based blind value assignment (BVA) method to address this problem, and experiments demonstrating the method'se efficacy. We demonstrate that use of audio BVA techniques results in automatic value judgments which are broadly similar to human value judgments and superior to automatic judgments based on video information.

Background: Assuring/demonstrating metrologic traceability of in vitro diagnostics necessitates the availability of measurand-specific reference measurement systems (RMSs) and the possibility for industry to work with competent reference measurement laboratories (RMLs). Here we report the results of a European project to investigate the feasibility of developing a RMS for serum total thyroxine. Methods: Four candidate RMLs (cRMLs) developed/implemented variants of a candidate reference measurement procedure (cRMP) based on isotope dilution–liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The sole constraint implemented was calibration with a common thyroxine primary calibrator. The RMPs were externally validated and assessed for comparability in round-robin trials using common samples, i.e., 5 lyophilized and 33 frozen native sera. At the same time, the performance of the cRMLs organized in a network was assessed. For uniform external quality assessment, common performance specifications were agreed on. Results: All cRMLs performed the cRMPs with fulfillment of the predefined specifications: total and between-laboratory CVs ≤2.0% and 2.5%, respectively, and a systematic deviation ≤0.9%, estimated with a target assigned from the mean of means obtained by the cRMLs. The mean expanded uncertainty for value assignment to the native sera was 2.1%. Conclusions: A network of cRMLs, with externally conformed competence to properly perform RMPs, has been established. Performance specifications were defined and will form the basis for admittance of new network members. A serum panel, successfully targeted during the validation process, is available for split-sample measurements with commercial routine measurement procedures. The model can now be used for other measurands for which traceability to the Système International d’Unités is needed.

Various techniques for noncontrast spiral computerized tomography (NCCT) were utilized for the determination of the Hounsefield unit (HU) values of various types of urinary calculi with the aim of determining the best technique for distinguishing various stones compositions. A total of 130 urinary stones, obtained from patients who underwent open surgery, were scanned with a multidetector row scanner using 1.25 mm collimation at two energy levels of 100 and 120 kV at 240 mA. Two post-scanning protocols were used for the HU value assignment, tissue and bone windows, for both kV values. In both protocols, three transverse planes were defined in each stone, one near the top, one in the middle, and one near the bottom. Three regions of interest (ROI) were obtained in each plane. The absolute HU value was determined by three methods: the mean of the nine ROI, the mean of the central three ROI, and the central ROI in the middle plane. Determination of the stones’ composition was performed using the absolute HU value measured at 120 kV, the dual CT values (HU values at 100 kV−HU values at 120 kV), and HU values/stone volume ratio (HU density). All stones were analyzed by x-ray diffraction to determine their chemical composition. After the exclusion of groups with few calculi, 47 pure stones [25 uric acid (UA), 15 calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), seven struvite], and 60 mixed stones [15 COM 60–90%+hydroxyl apatite (HA), 14 COM 40–90%+UA, 21 UA+COM

Accuracy and long-term quality of laboratory diagnostic assays depend critically on the standardization process. In this note we review statistically typical procedures and designs used in standardization. Issues of practical relevance such as the number of systems, runs, and replicates to be involved in the standardization design, and quality control aspects, are addressed.

The recent advances in semiconductor integration technology have resulted in an increasing number of the test lengths of full scan designed LSI. This paper presents a test point insertion method for reducing test patterns of full scan designed LSI. In our method, test points are inserted based on improved fault detection probability and value assignment probability such that test patterns are efficiently compacted. Experimental results for some practical designs show that the rate of test pattern compaction ranges from 31% to 65%. Those results also prove that our method is very effective for reducing the number of test patterns.

Background: Measurement of human kallikrein 2 (hK2) has improved early detection and staging of prostate cancer. However, reported concentrations of hK2 among currently used assays have not been standardized in any way. We compared two hK2 assays and five different recombinant hK2 variants (rhK2) and suggest a common calibrator as an important step and putative reference substance in hK2 assay standardization. Methods: We measured 146 sera by two hK2 assays, using assay-specific calibrators to assess the difference between the two assays. Serial dilutions of five rhK2 preparations were measured repeatedly, with one preparation assigned as calibrator and the others as unknowns to define which variant provided the closest match between the two assays. This rhK2 variant was used to recalibrate both assays. We measured hK2 concentrations in the same 146 patients to evaluate the change in the difference. Results: Use of assay-specific calibrators for comparison of the two assays yielded a Deming regression equation of: y = 0.789 (95% confidence interval, 0.674–0.922)x + 0.014 (0.004–0.025) μg/L; R2 = 0.667. Analysis of five rhK2 variants revealed that the enterokinase (ek)-rhK2 form provided the best match between both assays. Using the ek-rhK2 as a common calibrator, we observed a change in the slope of the regression curve to: y = 1.106 (0.872–1.340)x + 0.006 (−0.002 to 0.016) μg/L; R2 = 0.648, suggesting an increase in the mean estimate of agreement between the two assays. Conclusion: Calibration with a common calibrator substantially increased agreement between the assays. The ek-rhK2 variant provided the best performance of all tested rhK2 variants and should undergo mass spectrometry and amino acid analysis for exact mass determination and value assignment to evaluate its potential as a reference material for immunoassays for hK2.

A multilayer, depth planes approach to image segmentation is proposed, where pixels may have arisen from a single smooth surface in the scene are represented in a common layer. Two types of output are produced at each pixel, i.e., a layer number and a vector of depth values, one value for each layer. The layer assignment performs image partitioning based on surface properties. The depth value assignment for each layer either represents the input data with the noise removed or interpolates between data values to fill-in nonvisible parts of the scene. The disjoint surfaces due to occlusion or transparency are also grouped together if they form a smooth surface. >

Presents a framework to generate digest video clips from contents managed by meta-data based on MPEG-7, which are personalized by profiles of an individual user. Mobile users request to receive condensed information instantly, so that it is important to generate short video clips from a long image sequence. Unstructured video contents should be therefore managed by standard meta-data. First, we propose a method to assign values that are changed in a time interval of indexes that present the content of the scene. Next, content profiles are estimated so as to generate typical digest video clips to meet similar demands from many users. In conclusion, our approach does not generate completely personalized video for all users, but provides some typical digest video clips for users without well-learned user profiles to enable them to choose their favourite ones, which can be combined in individual requests from users.

The standardization of measurements is a high-priority in Laboratory Medicine; its purpose being to achieve closer comparability of results for the same analyte obtained using different commercial systems (1). The promotion of result traceability to available higher-order reference measurement procedures and reference materials is the recommended approach (2). A major prerequisite for guaranteeing comparability of results among different methods is the availability of suitable reference materials, appropriately and thoroughly defined by a set of characteristics (3, 4). Reference materials can be used for calibration of routine methods. However, when reference materials are intended for direct value assignment to manufacturer’s calibrators, they should be extensively investigated for commutability (5). The main serum proteins are among the best standardized analytes in clinical laboratories. In 1993, the Bureau Communautaire de Reference of European Commission released the certified reference material (CRM) 470 (later renamed to ERM-DA470), developed in collaboration with the IFCC, resulting in a highly significant reduction of the among-laboratory variance for most proteins (6, 7). The ERM-DA470k/IFCC is a new serum protein reference material prepared to replace ERM-DA470, and to ensure continuity of the standardization of serum protein measurements (8, 9). With regard to serum albumin, the availability of these serum protein reference materials, both including albumin in the list of certified proteins, together with immunochemical methods based on turbidimetry-nephelometry principles, recognized as reference measurement procedures by the Joint Committee on Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM)

Reference preparation for proteins in human serum (RPPHS), also called Certified Reference Material 470 (CRM 470), was prepared by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) and is intended to serve as a new international plasma protein reference material. It is now being introduced into Japan. RPPHS possesses many excellent properties, including safety, stability, and accuracy in value assignment. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of its proteins are identical to those of fresh serum, giving it immunochemical behavior that is commutable with that of existing reference materials and calibrators in given immunoassays. Reference intervals of 13 serum proteins were determined for the first time using nephelometry and a new working calibrator assigned from RPPHS, which seems certain to play a critical role in the global standardization of specific protein immunoassays. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 11:39–44. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The key comparison CCQM-K65 was intended to compare the capabilities for the preparation and value assignment of gas standards for methyl and ethyl mercaptans in methane, maintained at the participating national metrological institutes: VNIIM (Russia), KRISS (Korea), VSL (Netherlands) and NPL (United Kingdom). The range of the nominal amount of substance fractions of the comparison gas mixtures was 20 µmol/mol to 30 µmol/mol, which is close to regulatory level (in several countries including Russia) for mercaptans in odorated natural gas. This comparison was proposed at the 12th GAWG meeting in October 2004 and was conducted in 2008. Conclusions are as follows: The results of all laboratories are consistent with the reference values. The observed differences between the reference and reported values are within ±0.9% for methyl mercaptan and ±0.75% for ethyl mercaptan relative to the gravimetric values, and do not exceed the appropriate assigned expanded uncertainties. The prepared mixtures were found to be stable during about a year within the uncertainty of the measurements. The gravimetric values were successfully validated with a dynamic method. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

This paper compares some existing evaluation metrics for factoid question answering (QA) from the viewpoint of stability and sensitivity, using the NTCIR-4 QAC2 Japanese factoid QA tasks and the Buckley/Voorhees stability method and Voorhees/Buckley swap method. Our main findings are: (1) For QA evaluation with ranked lists containing up to five answers, the fraction of questions with a correct answer within top 5 (NQcorrect5) and that with a correct answer at rank 1 (NQcorrect1) are not as stable and sensitive as reciprocal rank. (2) Q-measure, which can handle multiple correct answers and answer correctness levels, is at least as stable and sensitive as reciprocal rank, provided that a mild gain value assignment is used. Emphasizing answer correctness levels tends to hurt stability and sensitivity, while handling multiple correct answers improves them. As our experimental methods are language-independent, we believe that these findings apply to QA in languages other than Japanese as well.

Eight analytes (Ca, Cl, cholesterol, glucose, Mg, K, Na and urate) have been determined in one horse serum masterlot by up to six different procedures: (i) by so-called definitive methods; (ii) by a group of reference laboratories using a variety of analytical methods; (iii) using the results of two independent external quality assessment schemes; (iv) by transferring values from a human serum standard reference material analysed by definitive methods; (v) by similar transfer of values from several batches of horse reference serum previously analysed by definitive methods; and (vi) as in (v) but using a group of reference laboratories. The results have confirmed the validity and usefulness of the transfer process in value assignment and in identifying outliers due to inaccurate methods. Definitive methods are shown to be subject to error, and although they appear to be the most accurate single techniques currently available, they are not definitive in the sense of being without bias and having no known source of inaccuracy.