scholarly journals Look before diving into pooling of SARS-CoV-2 samples on high throughput analyzers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason J LeBlanc ◽  
Glenn Patriquin ◽  
Janice Pettipas ◽  
Michelle Warhuus ◽  
Darren Sarty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Archived Specimens ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pandemic Wave ◽  
Roche Cobas

Given the unprecedented demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the benefits of specimen pooling have recently been explored. As previous studies were limited to mathematical modeling or testing on low throughput PCR instruments, this study aimed to assess pooling on high throughput analyzers. To assess the impact of pooling, SARS-CoV-2 dilutions were performed at varying pool depths (i.e. 1:2, 1:4, and 1:8) into test-negative nasopharyngeal or oropharynx/anterior nares swabs matrix. Testing was evaluated on the automated Roche Cobas 6800 system, or the Roche MagNApure LC 2.0 or MagNAPure 96 instruments paired with a laboratory-developed test using a 96-well PCR format. The frequency of detection in specimens with low viral loads was evaluated using archived specimens collected throughout the first pandemic wave. The proportion of detectable results per pool depths was used to estimate the potential impact. In addition, workflow at the analytical stage, and pre-and post-stages of testing were also considered. The current study estimated that pool depths of 1:2, 1:4, and 1:8 would have allowed the detection of 98.3%, 96.0%, and 92.6% of positive SARS-CoV-2 results identified in the first wave of the pandemic in Nova Scotia. Overall, this study demonstrated that pooling on high throughput instrumentation can dramatically increase the overall testing capacity to meet increased demands, with little compromising to sensitivity at low pool depths. However, the human resources required at the pre-analytical stage of testing is a particular challenging to achieve.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF PREDICTIVE BIOSIMULATION ON DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT

2003 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
SETH MICHELSON
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Drug Discovery And Development ◽  
Proteomic Data ◽  
Technical Advances ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Major Data

Systems biology is creating a context for interpreting the vast amounts of genomic and proteomic data being produced by pharmaceutical companies in support of drug development. While major data collection efforts capitalize on technical advances in miniaturization and automation and represent an industrialization of existing laboratory research, the transition from mental models to predictive computer simulations is setting the pace for advances in this field. This article addresses current approaches to the mathematical modeling of biological systems and assesses the potential impact of predictive biosimulation on drug discovery and development.

scholarly journals Assessment of the business potential impact on the controllability of an investment-construction project

2018 ◽  
Vol 196 ◽  
pp. 04041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Sheina ◽  
Natalya Tsopa ◽  
Lubov Kovalskaya
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Applied Problem ◽  
Project Development ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Target Regulation ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

The article discusses the important applied problem dedicated to the theoretical and methodological justification for assessing the impact of business potential on the controllability of an investment-construction project. It is proved that the business potential of the investment-construction project characterizes its potential managing opportunities. In the article the terms of the theory of controlled development of investment-construction projects are formalized. Business potential of the project is considered as a set of four components: organizationally-technological, economic, financial and human resources. In order to determine the level of controllability of the investment-construction project business potential, an algorithm was developed for assessing the project. This algorithm involves four basic stages: preparation, application development, analytical and operational stages. The algorithm developed in the article was approved by an example of the project for the construction of a car showroom. The level of investment-construction project business potential sustainability is defined by a special scale. The results of the project business potential assessment allow to make target regulation solutions for the project development.

scholarly journals Safe and effective pool testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Wunsch ◽  
Dominik Aschemeier ◽  
Eva Heger ◽  
Denise Ehrentraut ◽  
Jan Krueger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Pool Size ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Pooling Strategies ◽  
Pooling Strategy ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
The Impact

Background / Objectives: The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 is a serious public health issue. Large-scale surveillance screenings are crucial but can exceed diagnostic test capacities. We set out to optimize test conditions and implemented high throughput pool testing of respiratory swabs into SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. Study design: In preparation for pool testing, we determined the optimal pooling strategy and pool size. In addition, we measured the impact of vortexing prior to sample processing, compared pipette- and swab-pooling method as well as the sensitivity of three different PCR assays. Results: Using optimized strategies for pooling, we systematically pooled 55,690 samples in a period of 44 weeks resulting in a reduction of 47,369 PCR reactions. In a low prevalence setting, we defined a preferable pool size of ten in a two-stage hierarchical pool testing strategy. Vortexing of the swabs increased cellular yield by a factor of 2.34, and sampling at or shortly after symptom onset was associated with higher viral loads. By comparing different pooling strategies, pipette-pooling was more efficient compared to swab-pooling. Conclusions: For implementing pooling strategies into high throughput diagnostics, we recommend to apply a pipette-pooling method, using pool sizes of ten samples, performing sensitivity validation of the PCR assays used, and vortexing swabs prior to analyses. Our data shows, that pool testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection is feasible and highly effective in a low prevalence setting.

From strategic human resources to organization performance

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Rita Damas Oliveira ◽  
Paulo Alexandre Guedes Lopes Henriques ◽  
Teresa Cristina Clímaco Monteiro de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Organization Performance ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Strategic Human Resources ◽  
The People ◽  
Sustainable Advantage ◽  
Strategy Alignment ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Much has been written about the link between HR and performance, however consensus has yet not been found concerning the understanding on how that relationship comes together. Empirically, no direct impact has been found and research has only suggested an indirect impact. Consequently, the Strategic HRM field is particularly interested on the understanding of the mediating variables that impact the organization performance. Besides the integrated and business strategy alignment of the HR function, it should be considered that it is the people (HR) of the organization and not their practices that determine the company´s competitive advantage. (Messersmith & Guthrie, 2010) argue that it is the impact of those practices that represent “the true resource and enable a sustainable advantage over industry rivals”. The objetive of this research proposal is to study the impact of strategic human resources practices on the organization performance through a case study methodology, supported by longitudinal data. Namely, the project aims to achieve a deeper understanding of the variables that affect the process stream during strategy implementation. How the HR practices impact on people? And why human resources are the most valuable asset? These core premises are in line with the most recent economic concerns about people productivity, employment policies and labor flexibility.

Artificial Intelligence and Inequality in the Middle East

2020 ◽  
pp. 624-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nagla Rizk
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Young Population ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Current State ◽  
Resource Poor ◽  
Youth Entrepreneurship ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
The Impact

This chapter looks at the challenges, opportunities, and tensions facing the equitable development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the MENA region in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. While diverse in their natural and human resource endowments, countries of the region share a commonality in the predominance of a youthful population amid complex political and economic contexts. Rampant unemployment—especially among a growing young population—together with informality, gender, and digital inequalities, will likely shape the impact of AI technologies, especially in the region’s labor-abundant resource-poor countries. The chapter then analyzes issues related to data, legislative environment, infrastructure, and human resources as key inputs to AI technologies which in their current state may exacerbate existing inequalities. Ultimately, the promise for AI technologies for inclusion and helping mitigate inequalities lies in harnessing grounds-up youth entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives driven by data and AI, with a few hopeful signs coming from national policies.

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