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Assessment Scheme (assessment + scheme)
Kinds of Assessment Scheme Selected AbstractsToo small for concern?AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2007Public health, nanotechnology Abstract While advances in nanotechnology promise to deliver significant benefits to many aspects of health care, there is increasing concern that regulatory regimes do not adequately capture the potential risks associated with this new technology. Concerns have arisen due to preliminary evidence suggesting that some engineered nanoparticles may display undesirable toxicological properties, presenting potential risks to human and environmental health and safety. Within this context, the role of Australia's National Industrial Chemicals and Assessment Scheme and the Therapeutic Goods Administration in regulating nano-based substances is explored. Drawing on earlier regulatory failures, combined with the scientific uncertainty surrounding nanotechnology, this article recommends that Australia adopt a proactive regulatory approach to nanotechnology through amendments to present legislative regimes. The approach articulated in this article strikes a balance between the current approach and that of the European Union's comprehensive new chemicals regime. Immediate regulatory change is called for in order to ensure that the health of the Australian public is adequately protected over the coming years. [source] Quality control of CD4+ T-lymphocyte enumeration: Results from the last 9 years of the United Kingdom national external quality assessment scheme for immune monitoring (1993,2001)CYTOMETRY, Issue 2 2002Liam Whitby Abstract The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) global epidemic has necessitated the routine enumeration of T-lymphocyte subsets, which has created a need for external quality assurance (EQA). The United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme (UK NEQAS) for Immune Monitoring provides EQA for 296 laboratories in 40 countries. In 1993, UK NEQAS developed and incorporated into its program stabilized whole blood that enables the accurate monitoring of laboratory performance. Overall, the mean interlaboratory coefficient of variation (CV) for percentage CD4+ T-lymphocyte subset enumeration has fallen from 15% to less than 5%, as a direct result of the increased use of CD45/ side scatter (SSC) gating. Laboratories using alternative gating strategies (i.e., CD45/CD14 or forward scatter [FSC]/SSC) were about 7.4 times more likely to fail an EQA exercise. Furthermore, the adoption of single-platform technology resulted in a reduction of the overall mean interlaboratory CV for absolute CD4+ T lymphocytes from 56% (prior to the widespread use of single-platform technology) to 9.7%. Individual laboratory deficiencies were also identified using a performance monitoring system and, through re-education by collaboration with the coordinating center, satisfactorily resolved. In conclusion, during the last 9 years, the UK NEQAS for Immune Monitoring program has highlighted the significant technological advances made by laboratories worldwide that undertake lymphocyte subset enumeration. Cytometry (Clin. Cytometry) 50:102,110, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Environmental risk assessment scheme for plant protection productsEPPO BULLETIN, Issue 2 2003Article first published online: 29 OCT 200 First page of article [source] Environmental risk assessment scheme for plant protection productsEPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2003Article first published online: 11 APR 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Environmental risk assessment scheme for plant protection productsEPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2003Article first published online: 11 APR 200 First page of article [source] Evaluation and use of a synthetic quality control material, included in the European external quality assessment scheme for cystic fibrosis,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 8 2008Sarah Berwouts Abstract Assuring high quality within the field of genetic testing is fundamental, as the results can have considerable impact on the patient and his or her family. The use of appropriate quality control (QC) samples is therefore essential. Diagnostic laboratories mainly use patient samples as QC material, which of course include a maximum of two mutations per sample. Bearing in mind that some assays (such as for cystic fibrosis [CF] testing) can test for more than 100 mutations, multiplex QC materials including more than two mutations could save valuable time and reagents. Based on this need, synthetic multiplex controls have been developed by Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Inc. (MMQCI) for CF. A synthetic control, containing six homozygous mutations and one polymorphism for CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), was evaluated by distributing it through the CF external quality assessment (EQA) scheme, along with the EQA samples in 2005. A total of 197 participants returned results of the yearly EQA scheme and 133 laboratories participated in the evaluation of the synthetic sample. Respectively, 76% and 73% of the participants were assigned as successful. This evaluation study revealed that the multiplex QC material performed well in the majority of assays and could be useful in method validation, as a tool to challenge interpretation skills, and as potential proficiency testing (PT) material. Hum Mutat 0, 1,8, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of criteria used to assess the quality of aquatic toxicity dataINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2005Dustin A. Hobbs Abstract Good quality toxicity data underpins robust hazard and risk assessments in aquatic systems and the derivation of water quality guidelines for ecosystems. Hence, an objective scheme to assess the quality of toxicity data forms an important part of this process. The variation of scores from 2 research papers using the Australasian ecotoxicity database (AED) quality assessment scheme was evaluated by 23 ecotoxicologists. The results showed that the quality class that the assessors gave each paper varied by less than 10% when compared with a quality score agreed a priori between the authors of this study. It was determined that the majority of the variation in each assessment was due to ambiguous or poorly written assessment criteria, information that was difficult to find, or information in the paper that was overlooked by the assessor. This led to refinements of the assessment criteria in the AED, which resulted in a 16% improvement (i.e., reduction) in the mean variation of scores for the 2 papers when compared with the a priori scores. The improvement in consensus among different assessors evaluating the same research papers suggests that the data quality assessment scheme proposed in this article provides a more robust scheme for assessing the quality of aquatic toxicity data than methods currently available. [source] A sample distribution programme for erythropoietinINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2006J. T. MARSDEN Summary A survey was sent to laboratories participating in the United Kingdom External Quality Assessment Service (UKNEQAS) Haematinics Scheme about the measurement of serum erythropoietin (EPO). Six laboratories, from a total of 120 that returned the survey, were measuring serum EPO concentrations by commercially available immunoassays on site in the United Kingdom. The workload of the laboratories varied from up to 100 specimens per month to more than 100 specimens analysed per week. All laboratories included control material in the assays and none of the laboratories was participating in an external quality assessment scheme for serum EPO. Four laboratories agreed to take part in the first sample distribution programme, with five and six laboratories participating in distributions 2 and 3 respectively. The results from eight kits were compared from the three distributions over a 2-year period. The serum EPO concentrations for the methods showed some variation across the range of 2.9,200 U/l when the serum EPO concentrations for each method were compared with the whole method mean. The results from this scheme have identified a role for an external quality assessment scheme for serum EPO measurements. [source] Immuno-ultrafiltration as a new strategy in sample clean-up of aflatoxinsJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 10 2009Elisabeth Viktoria Reiter Abstract The present paper describes the development of a new clean-up strategy for the analysis of aflatoxins (AFs) in food. The sample preparation method is based on immuno-ultrafiltration (IUF) which, in contrast to immunoaffinity chromatography, makes use of antibodies in free form. After selecting an appropriate ultrafiltration (UF) device and optimizing different operation conditions the IUF method was applied to the clean-up of maize and rice. Quantification of AFs was carried out by HPLC and fluorescence detection, after postcolumn derivatization in a Kobracell. The IUF method was shown to be as selective as sample clean-up using commercial immunoaffinity columns. Recovery rates and RSD for the AFs G2, G1, B2 and B1 in spiked rice were found to be 76 ± 3, 76 ± 2, 83 ± 5 and 99 ± 14%, respectively. The analysis of a FAPAS (food analysis performance assessment scheme) maize material resulted in AFs concentrations which were in the range assigned by the producer of the reference material. [source] Reversing spontaneous succession to protect high-value vegetation: Assessment of two Scottish mires using rapid survey techniquesAPPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 1 2001Andrew R.G. Large Abstract. Despite existing management agreements, significant change has occurred on Carnwath Moss and Coladoir Bog, two mire complexes in central and western Scotland. Spontaneous succession has accelerated, resulting in extensive degradation of the mire vegetation on both sites and, in particular, widespread expansion of Calluna vulgaris - and Molinia caerulea -dominated vegetation types. Vegetation surveys across strong gradients of change were conducted with the aim of quantifying the extent of early (desirable) and late (undesirable) successional vegetation on both sites. For each site multivariate analyses of the vegetation data were carried out using TWINSPAN, which clearly differentiated higher quality and degraded surfaces. In management terms percentage Sphagnum cover can act as a useful proxy measure of water level and shrub layer height can also serve as a useful indicator of the degree of degradation. A broad-based, five class condition continuum was developed for the Carnwath Moss site. While such an assessment scheme is a somewhat arbitrary means of allocating mesotope areas to specific condition classes, it is rapid to apply and simple enough to be applied by a range of users. A drawback is that the methodology is data-light in temporal terms and is not a long-term substitute for properly-funded monitoring programmes for important sites. For both mires, recommendations are made for management with the main emphasis being on maintaining water tables at appropriate levels to maximise the floristic diversity of active mires. [source] Quality counts: new parameters in blood cell countingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009C. BRIGGS Summary Recently several parameters have been introduced to the complete blood count such as nucleated red blood cells, immature granulocytes; immature reticulocyte fraction, immature platelet fraction and red cell fragments as well as new parameters for detection of functional iron deficiency. Leucocyte positional parameters, which may diagnose specific diseases (e.g. differentiate between abnormal lymphocytes in leukaemia and viral conditions and may also detect malarial infection) are now available. At this time they are only used for research; however, generally such parameters later become reportable. One manufacturer's routine analyser allows measurement of cells by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. Currently, there are no accredited external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) for these parameters. For a number of parameters, on some instruments, there is no internal quality control, which brings into question whether these parameters should be used for clinical decision making. Other more established parameters, such as mean platelet volume, red cell distribution width and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate do not have EQAS available. The UK National EQAS for General Haematology held a workshop earlier this year in 2008 to discuss these parameters. Participants were asked to provide a consensus opinion on which parameters are the most important for inclusion in future haematology EQAS. [source] The consistency of baseline assessment schemes as measures of early literacyJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN READING, Issue 2 2004Geoff Lindsay Ninety-one baseline assessment schemes were approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority for use by schools for the assessment of all children in England in their first seven weeks in school (age 4 to 5 years). Analysis of the content of a sample of 42 of the schemes (comprising all the schemes supplied in full to the researchers) showed considerable variation both in the level of ability demanded and of the content. This paper examines the range and balance of content across baseline assessment schemes with particular reference to literacy, and particularly writing ability. The implications of the variability demonstrated are considered with reference to the purposes of baseline assessment and to political decisions regarding changes from a system of accreditation of 91 schemes at school entry to a single national scheme at the end of the foundation stage scheme implemented in England from 2003. [source] Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START): the case for a new structured professional judgment schemeBEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW, Issue 6 2006Christopher D. Webster Ph.D. The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) is a new structured professional judgment scheme intended to inform multiple risk domains relevant to everyday psychiatric clinical practice (e.g. risk to others, suicide, self-harm, self-neglect, substance abuse, unauthorized leave, and victimization). The article describes the processes involved in establishing an interdisciplinary approach to risk assessment and management. The authors present a review of the rationale for START, including the value of dynamic variables, the importance of strengths, and the extent to which clinicians must be attentive to multiple risk domains, reflecting theoretical and scientific evidence of the overlap among risks. Using the development, validation, and implementation of START as an example, the authors describe the processes by which other researchers, clinicians, and administrators could adapt existing assessment schemes or create new ones to bridge some remaining gaps in the risk assessment and management continuum. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||