Detecting fraud, corruption, and collusion in international development contracts: The design of a proof-of-concept automated system

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been widely used to analyze hundreds of organic acids in urine to provide a diagnostic basis for organic acidemia. However, it is difficult to operate in clinical laboratories on a daily basis due to sample pretreatment processing. Therefore, we aimed to develop a fully automated system for quantifying serum organic acids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The pretreatment CLAM-2030 device was connected to an LC-MS/MS system for processing serum under optimized conditions, which included derivatizing serum organic acids using 3-Nitrophenylhydrazine. The derivatized organic acids were separated on a reverse-phase Sceptor HD-C column and detected using negative-ion electrospray ionization multiple reaction monitoring MS. The automated pretreatment-LC-MS/MS system processed serum in less than 1 h and analyzed 19 serum organic acids, which are used to detect organic acidemias. The system exhibited high quantitative sensitivity ranging from approximately 2 to 100 µM with a measurement reproducibility of 10.4% CV. Moreover, a proof-of-concept validation of the system was performed using sera from patients with propionic acidemia (n = 5), methylmalonic acidemia (n = 2), and 3-methylcrotonylglycinuria (n = 1). The levels of marker organic acids specific to each disease were significantly elevated in the sera of the patients compared to those in control samples. The automated pretreatment-LC-MS/MS system can be used as a rapid in-hospital system to measure organic acid levels in serum for the diagnosis of organic acidemias.

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Investigation of a tellurium-packed column for isolation of astatine-211 from irradiated bismuth targets and demonstration of a semi-automated system

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-53385-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yawen Li ◽

Donald K. Hamlin ◽

Ming-Kuan Chyan ◽

Taylor M. Morscheck ◽

Maryline G. Ferrier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiochemical Purity ◽

Packed Column ◽

Automated System ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

High Isolation ◽

Column Material ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Isolation Methods ◽

Isolation Systems ◽

Alpha Therapy

AbstractAstatine-211 is an attractive radionuclide for use in targeted alpha therapy of blood-borne diseases and micrometastatic diseases. Efficient isolation methods that can be adapted to robust automated 211At isolation systems are of high interest for improving the availability of 211At. Based on the early studies of Bochvarova and co-workers involving isolation of 211At from irradiated thorium targets, we developed a method for 211At isolation from bismuth targets using tellurium-packed columns. Dissolution of irradiated bismuth targets is accomplished using HNO3; however, 211At is not captured on the Te column material in this matrix. Our method involves slow addition of aqueous NH2OH·HCl to the Bi target dissolved in HNO3 to convert to a HCl matrix. The amount of NH2OH·HCl was optimized because (1) the quantity of NH2OH·HCl used appears to affect the radiolabeling yield of phenethyl-closo-decaborate(2-) (B10)-conjugated antibodies and (2) reducing the volume of NH2OH·HCl solution can effectively shorten the overall isolation time. A proof-of-concept semi-automated process has been demonstrated using targets containing ~0.96 GBq (~26 mCi) of 211At. High isolation yields (88–95%) were obtained. Radiochemical purity of the isolated 211At was assessed by radio-HPLC. Concentrations of Bi and Te contaminants in the 211At and the astatinated antibodies were evaluated using ICP-MS.

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The Measuring Engagement (ME™) Tool

International Journal of Computers ◽

10.46300/9108.2021.15.15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 99-104

Author(s):

Normahdiah S. Said ◽

Nadiah Suboh

Keyword(s):

Design Model ◽

Automated System ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Experimental Setting ◽

Multimedia Design ◽

Digital Platforms ◽

Virtual Spaces ◽

Physical Form ◽

Multimedia Environment ◽

Engagement Behavior

Studies on human engagement behavior whilst interacting with multimedia environment has now become very important due to the era of convergences of immersive technology in various digital platforms. This paper will describe a system to measure human engagement behavior in NORMA (Natural Observation and Reflection of Multimedia Application) experimental setting. The tool was developed as a Proof of Concept of The NEMD MODEL (Norma™ Engagement Multimedia Design Model) a renamed of An Engaging Multimedia Design Model that could explain the engagement phenomenon that has enticed the use of virtual spaces to complement its physical form. This paper is a description of The Measuring Engagement (ME™) Tool automated system in comparison to a system done manually. The system has proven to be a useful tool to enable us knows more about engagement and the phenomenon surrounding it. Findings could help us know more about engagement that may lead to excessive, immersive and addictive use of innovative technologies.

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Flexible Printed Switch Integrated with Wireless Module for IoT applications

10.35543/osf.io/7merw ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jeet Kumar Brahma ◽

Brijesh Meena ◽

Rajat Srivastava ◽

Charu Monga ◽

Harsh Chaturvedi

Keyword(s):

Smart Home ◽

Integrated System ◽

Remote Access ◽

Automated System ◽

Home Automation ◽

Conductive Ink ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Wireless Control ◽

Wireless Module ◽

And Control

This paper demonstrates a designed and fabricated flexible, printed electronic touch switch, integrated with a wireless module for both manual and remote access control of the electronic appliances. Flexible switch was screen printed using silver nanoparticle and functional polymer-based conductive ink. The foldable flexible switch was then integrated with the designed and assembled wireless module. Remote wireless control of the assembled integrated system demonstrates the proof of concept of integration of flexible printed capacitive touch switches with IoT based home automation modules. The integrated module described here provides a smart alternative to mechanically controlled conventional switches with flexible printed switches which can be wirelessly controlled and are IoT enabled for smart home automation providing an integrated automated system to remotely access and control electronic appliances. This integrated system provides proof of the concept for minimizing space and optimization of power consumption through wireless appliance control using the flexible electronic switch.

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AMRAD: Pioneer of Australian biotechnology

Journal of Commercial Biotechnology ◽

10.5912/jcb390 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Caples ◽

John Grace

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

International Development ◽

Service Provision ◽

Healthcare Sector ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Publicly Funded ◽

Biotechnology Company ◽

Research Activities ◽

Research Institutes ◽

Human Healthcare

AMRAD is a biotechnology company in the human healthcare sector. Its drug discovery projects are focused on novel cytokine therapies and small molecule anti-viral treatments. The company has a portfolio of early- and late-stage projects and its strategy is to enter into collaborative arrangements with international development partners upon generating proof-of-concept data in clinical trials. AMRAD differs from the typical 'biotech model' insofar as it was initially established as a private technology transfer organisation to serve the commercialisation needs of the publicly funded founding medical research institutes. In return for shares in the company the Member Institutes gave AMRAD a first right of invitation to their research activities. Although the Member Institute arrangement remains an important asset in feeding AMRAD's R&D pipeline, AMRAD's business model has evolved from essentially a service provision role to being actively involved in the progress of new medicines through human clinical trials.

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Contaminant Analysis Automation Demonstration Proposal

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129303701511 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 37 (15) ◽

pp. 1039-1039

Author(s):

Mike G. Dodson ◽

Anne Schur ◽

Janet G. Heubach

Keyword(s):

Cost Effective ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Automated System ◽

Chemistry Laboratory ◽

Laboratory Automation ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Waste Remediation ◽

Hazardous Chemical ◽

Analysis Process ◽

Automated Process

The nation-wide and global need for environmental restoration and waste remediation (ER & WR) presents significant challenges to the analytical chemistry laboratory. The expansion of ER & WR programs forces an increase in the volume of samples processed and the demand for analysis data. To handle this expanding volume, productivity must be increased. However, the need for significantly increased productivity faces a contaminant analysis process which is costly in time, labor, equipment, and safety protection. Laboratory automation offers a cost effective approach to meeting current and future contaminant analytical laboratory needs. The proposed demonstration will present a proof-of-concept automated laboratory conducting varied sample preparations. This automated process also highlights a graphical user interface that provides supervisory control and monitoring of the automated process. The demonstration provides affirming answers to the following questions about laboratory automation: • Can preparation of contaminants be successfully automated? • Can a full-scale working proof-of-concept automated laboratory be developed that is capable of preparing contaminant and hazardous chemical samples? • Can the automated processes be seamlessly integrated and controlled? • Can the automated laboratory be customized through really convertible design? • Can automated sample preparation concepts be extended to the other phases of the sample analysis process? To fully reap the benefits of automation, four human factors areas should be studied and the outputs used to increase the efficiency of laboratory automation. These areas include: 1) laboratory configuration, 2) procedures, 3) receptacles and fixtures, and 4) human-computer interface for the full automated system and complex laboratory information management systems.

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Direct measurement of electron-diffraction-pattern intensities using an energy loss spectrometer

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100155311 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 668-669

Author(s):

A. G. Jackson ◽

M. Rowe

Keyword(s):

Thermal Effects ◽

Dynamic Range ◽

Scattering Amplitude ◽

Dynamical Theory ◽

Site Symmetry ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Parallel Acquisition ◽

Kinematic Approximation ◽

Speed Up ◽

Structure Calculations

Diffraction intensities from intermetallic compounds are, in the kinematic approximation, proportional to the scattering amplitude from the element doing the scattering. More detailed calculations have shown that site symmetry and occupation by various atom species also affects the intensity in a diffracted beam. [1] Hence, by measuring the intensities of beams, or their ratios, the occupancy can be estimated. Measurement of the intensity values also allows structure calculations to be made to determine the spatial distribution of the potentials doing the scattering. Thermal effects are also present as a background contribution. Inelastic effects such as loss or absorption/excitation complicate the intensity behavior, and dynamical theory is required to estimate the intensity value.The dynamic range of currents in diffracted beams can be 104or 105:1. Hence, detection of such information requires a means for collecting the intensity over a signal-to-noise range beyond that obtainable with a single film plate, which has a S/N of about 103:1. Although such a collection system is not available currently, a simple system consisting of instrumentation on an existing STEM can be used as a proof of concept which has a S/N of about 255:1, limited by the 8 bit pixel attributes used in the electronics. Use of 24 bit pixel attributes would easily allowthe desired noise range to be attained in the processing instrumentation. The S/N of the scintillator used by the photoelectron sensor is about 106 to 1, well beyond the S/N goal. The trade-off that must be made is the time for acquiring the signal, since the pattern can be obtained in seconds using film plates, compared to 10 to 20 minutes for a pattern to be acquired using the digital scan. Parallel acquisition would, of course, speed up this process immensely.

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