Use of the immunoglobulin G avidity assay to differentiate between recent Zika and past dengue virus infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (7) ◽  
pp. 859-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea K.M. Furuya ◽  
Danielle Hunt ◽  
Kirsten St. George ◽  
Alan P. Dupuis ◽  
Laura D. Kramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
New York State ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Avidity Index ◽  
York State ◽  
Avidity Assay ◽  
Igg Avidity

Abstract Zika (ZIKV) and dengue (DENV) virus infections elicit a robust but cross-reactive antibody response against the viral envelope protein, while antibody responses against non-structural proteins (NS) are more virus specific. Building on this premise, we have previously developed a flavivirus multiplex microsphere immunoassay (MIA) for the serologic diagnosis of ZIKV and DENV infections. This assay significantly improved diagnostic accuracy; however, MIA could not differentiate more recent from past infections, which still represents a major diagnostic challenge. Therefore, an immunoglobulin G (IgG) based avidity assay was developed and its diagnostic performance evaluated. Specimens from New York State residents were submitted to the Wadsworth Center New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) for routine clinical testing by Zika IgM ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Using our previously developed flavivirus MIA as a platform, we developed an IgG avidity assay to discriminate recent ZIKV from past DENV infections. Zika IgM positive specimens had an average Zika IgG avidity index of 14.8% (95% CI: 11.0–18.4%), while Zika IgM negative but flavivirus MIA and PRNT positive samples had an average Zika IgG avidity index of 34.9% (95% CI: 31.1–38.7%). Specimens positive for dengue antibodies by flavivirus MIA and PRNT had an average dengue IgG avidity index of 68.7% (95% CI: 62.7–75.0%). The IgG avidity assay accurately distinguished recent ZIKV from past DENV infections in patients who traveled to dengue endemic regions. This assay could be very useful in patients with high risk of Zika complications such as pregnant women and monitoring immune responses in vaccine trials.

Simple Model of Forward Visibility for Snowplow Operators Through Snow and Fog at Night

1997 ◽  
Vol 1585 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Bullough ◽  
Mark S. Rea
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Narrow Beam ◽  
York State ◽  
Beam Type

Backscattered light reflected from falling snow, rain, and fog impairs visibility and can hinder performance of snowplow operators. New York State Department of Transportation snowplow operators cite backscattered glare as an important problem, and many drivers use their own “solutions” to counteract it. A literature review yielded two important conclusions: backscattered light from a lamp in fog and falling snow is reduced, and visibility is improved ( a) as the lamp is moved away from the operator’s line of sight and ( b) with a narrow-beam lamp. Field tests of lighting configurations during inclement weather were conducted to determine the effects of beam type and displacement from the operator’s line of sight on visibility, glare, and satisfaction. On the basis of these data and the literature, a simple mathematical model was developed that predicts the forward-visibility ratings of snowplow operators. This model can be used to guide specifiers in selecting light sources and mounting locations for snowplow operations.

scholarly journals New York City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program: Economic Catalyst or Taxpayer Giveaway?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Tatyiana Gordon
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
New York State ◽  
Property Values ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
York State Department ◽  
York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York City Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) manage and coordinate brownfield cleanup programs. These are intended to promote environmental restoration and redevelopment of underutilized or abandoned properties that have been affected by the presence or discharges of oil or hazardous substances. This paper seeks to determine whether these programs have achieved the goals and objectives sought by decision makers and if the cost of those achievements in terms of public money subsidies and forgone tax revenue have been commensurate with the realized benefits.The DEC brownfield program offers financial incentives, such as tax credits, as well as regulatory benefits (limited liability protections) to promote alternatives to greenfield development. OER efforts are New York City centric with incentives divided into three sectors: procedural, legal, and financial with a major goal of reducing remedial (cleanup) timeframes. To evaluate the effectiveness of the New York City Brownfield program changes in property values over time were evaluated. The five New York City counties experiencing the two highest percent increases in property values also claimed the highest brownfield credits. Queens and Brooklyn received most brownfield credits during this period but also experienced the most redevelopment. These and other data illustrate a return on the brownfield investment (ROBI) credit of about one to six; or one dollar in brownfield credit stimulating six dollars in project spending. New York City counties’ ROBI is consistent with all other New York State County ROBI’s: roughly six dollars in redevelopment activity being stimulated by one dollar in brownfield credit. The roughly $6 ROBI presented here is similar to ROI’s for other public services such as disease prevention and incarceration intervention.

An interlaboratory comparison of control materials for use with hematofluorometers.

1989 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 2059-2065 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Parsons ◽  
N V Stanton ◽  
E W Gunter ◽  
D Huff ◽  
J R Meola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
New York State ◽  
Extraction Procedure ◽  
York State Department ◽  
York State ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Target Values ◽  
Wide Scatter ◽  
The Stability

Abstract This interlaboratory study was conducted to examine four erythrocyte protoporphyrin control materials from Aviv Biomedical, Helena Laboratories, Kaulson Laboratories, and the New York State Department of Health for use with hematofluorometers. Our principal aims were to monitor the stability of these materials at three different storage temperatures (room, refrigerator, freezer) and, where appropriate, to validate the manufacturer's target values. Measurements for the study were generated in three reference laboratories that used a total of five hematofluorometers, three from Environmental Science Associates and two from Aviv Biomedical. Each instrument was calibrated against a consensus acetic acid-ethyl acetate extraction procedure. We found the materials from Aviv to be the most stable, followed by the New York State material. However, the target values assigned by Aviv were not within the acceptable range determined by consensus. The target values assigned by Kaulson Laboratories for their materials did fall within the acceptable consensus range, but they were the least stable of the materials evaluated. The materials from Helena Laboratories were originally designed for use as calibrators with Helena's "ProtoFluor Z" hematofluorometer, which reports in different units. They were deemed unsuitable for use as control materials with the Aviv or Environmental Science Associates hematofluorometers because of the narrow range of values and the wide scatter of results.

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