scholarly journals Quality of the Measurement of the Infrarenal Aortic Diameter by Ultrasound

1997 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
ABM Wilmink ◽  
C S F F Hubbard ◽  
C R G Quick ◽  
A B M Wilmink
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
Ultrasound Image ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Aortic Diameter ◽  
Intraobserver Variability ◽  
Ultrasound Measurements

Objectives— To assess quality and variability in measurements of the infrarenal aortic diameter by ultrasound, and to recommend quality control measures to improve consistency in measurements of the infrarenal aortic diameter (IAD) in a long running screening programme. Setting— An aneurysm screening programme in Huntingdon. Methods— Quality of the ultrasound image was subjectively assessed by each ultrasonographer. Quality of the measurements was assessed by analysing the frequency of measurements that were outside the normal variability of the estimated true diameter. The interobserver variability was measured by analysing repeated measurements of the IAD in the same patient by two ultrasonographers, using the same scanner. The variability between different scanners was measured by analysing repeat measurements of the IAD in the same patient by the same ultrasonographer, using two scanners. The intraobserver variability was estimated by analysing all patients with three consecutive measurements of the IAD, carried out by the same ultrasonographer. Results— Although the subjective assessment of the quality of the ultrasound image of the aorta varied, there were no statistically significant differences in the likelihood of obtaining measurements outside the limits of agreement between the ultrasonographers. The interobserver, intraobserver, and between scanner variability of ultrasound measurements of the IAD were all around 6 mm. Conclusion— The variability in ultrasound measurements of aortic diameters is acceptable for clinical decision making, and the interobserver variability is very similar to the long term intraobserver variability. Quality control measures are suggested to maintain long term consistency of ultrasound measurements of the IAD.

Differences in observer variability of ultrasound measurements of the proximal and distal abdominal aorta

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
H J C M Pleumeekers ◽  
A W Hoes ◽  
P G H Mulder ◽  
E van der Does ◽  
A Hofman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Abdominal Aorta ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Aortic Diameter ◽  
Observer Variability ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Ultrasound Measurements

Objective To assess the observer variability of ultrasound measurements of the abdominal aorta and to study whether observer variability is influenced by the site of measurement or cardiovascular risk factors. Setting Population based screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods For 135 subjects taking part in a screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysms, two of the three ultrasonographers measured the distal and proximal ultrasound diameter of the abdominal aorta, using B-mode ultrasound, according to the Rotterdam study scanning protocol. Results The mean difference between two different observers was 0.06 mm (95% CI –0.15 to 0.27) for measurements of the distal aorta and 0.32 mm (95% CI 0.09 to 0.55) for the proximal aorta. Maximal differences between observers for measurements of both the distal and proximal aortic diameter were 4.0 mm. Interobserver variability in the proximal and distal measurements of the abdominal aorta was not related to the level of the major cardiovascular risk indicators. However, interobserver variability in ultrasound measurements of the proximal aorta increased with increasing waist circumference and increasing diameter of the proximal aorta. Conclusion Ultrasonographic readings of the distal and proximal aortic measurements can be interpreted within a range of plus or minus 3 mm. Ultrasound measurements are more accurate for the distal than for the proximal measurement. Definition of the aortic diameter based on a combination of both distal and proximal measurement may be more accurate.

scholarly journals Studies on the Occurrence of Viruses in Planting Material of Grapevines in Southwestern Germany

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Noemi Messmer ◽  
Patricia Bohnert ◽  
Stefan Schumacher ◽  
René Fuchs
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Grapevine Fanleaf Virus ◽  
Arabis Mosaic Virus ◽  
Planting Material ◽  
General Decline ◽  
Grapevine Pinot Gris Virus ◽  
Propagation Material

Viral diseases in viticulture lead to annual losses in the quantity and quality of grape production. Since no direct control measures are available in practice, preventive measures are taken to keep the vines healthy. These include, for example, the testing of propagation material for viruses such as Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) or Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1) and 3 (GLRaV-3). As long-term investigations have shown, GLRaV-1 (2.1%) occurs most frequently in southwestern German wine-growing regions, whereas GLRaV-3 (<0.1%) is almost never found. However, tests conducted over 12 years indicate that there is no general decline in virus-infected planting material. Thus, it can be assumed that a spread of the viruses via corresponding vectors still takes place unhindered. Beyond the examinations regulated within the German Wine Growing Ordinance, one-time tests were carried out on Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV). This analysis showed that GPGV was found in 17.2% of the samples.

scholarly journals Understanding contributors to quality of care in long-term care and changes under COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 960-960
Author(s):  
Sara Luck ◽  
Katie Aubrecht
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Nursing home facilities are responsible for providing care for some of the most vulnerable groups in society, including the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. In times of crisis, such as COVID-19 or other pandemics, the delivery of ‘regular’ care can be significantly impacted. In relation to COVID-19, there is an insufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to care for residents, as PPE not only protects care staff but also residents. Nursing homes across the United States and Canada have also taken protective measures to maximize the safety of residents by banning visitors, stopping all group activities, and increasing infection control measures. This presentation shares a research protocol and early findings from a study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on quality of care in residential long-term care (LTC) in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. This study used a qualitative description design to explore what contributes to quality of care for residents living in long-term care, and how this could change in times of crisis from the perspective of long-term care staff. Interviews were conducted with a broad range of staff at one LTC home. A semi-structured interview guide and approach to thematic analysis was framed by a social ecological perspective, making it possible to include the individual and proximal social influences as well as community, organizations, and policy influencers. Insights gained will improve the understanding of quality of care, as well as potential barriers and facilitators to care during times of crisis.

Abstract 308: Cardiac Cycle Affects Ultrasound Measurements of Ascending Aortic Diameter in a Marfan Mouse Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheying Chen ◽  
Hisashi Sawada ◽  
Debra Rateri ◽  
Alan Daugherty ◽  
Mary Sheppard
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Cycle ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
Innominate Artery ◽  
Aortic Diameter ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Anatomical Landmarks ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ultrasound Measurements ◽  
Fibrillin 1 ◽  
Ascending Aortic Diameter

Objective: Ultrasound measurements of aortic diameter are a common endpoint in preclinical studies. However, there is a lack of standardization in both image capture and analysis. For our study, we developed a standardized protocol for measuring ascending aortic diameter and examined effects of cardiac cycle in wild type and fibrillin-1 hypomorphic (FBN mgR/mgR ) mice. Methods and Results: Twelve week old male and female FBN mgR/mgR mice were anesthetized and maintained at a heart rate of 450-550 beats per minute. Ultrasound images were captured using a Vevo 2100 system with a 40MHz tranducer. Images captured were standardized according to two anatomical landmarks: the innominate artery branchpoint and aortic valves. The largest luminal ascending aortic diameter between the sinotubular junction and the innominate artery were measured in mid-systole and end-diastole by two blinded, independent observers. Aortic diameters were significantly different (p<0.05) when comparing systole and diastole within gender and genotype. Interestingly, wild-type male (n=4) and female (n=3) mice exhibited a 19% and 15% expansion of the ascending aorta respectively during systole compared to diastole. This difference was not recapitulated in either male (n=6) or female (n=5) FBN mgR/mgR mice (4% expansion in both; p<0.05 vs wild-type). Agreement between observers was excellent (R^2 = 0.99) but interobserver variability was a mean of .09 mm (%CV = 5%) Conclusion: As expected, there is a difference in aortic diameters between wild-type and FBN mgR/mgR mice. Luminal aortic diameters in FBN mgR/mgR vs wild-type mice of both genders are affected by cardiac cycle. Mid-systolic aortic expansion in wild-type vs FBN mgR/mgR mice were different. Error introduced by interobserver variability impacts ascending aortic measurements. Altogether, these phenomena may confound analyses of aortic dilation in FBN mgR/mgR mice, especially when studying interventions with modest effect sizes.

FORMATION OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: INTERNATIONAL AND RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE

10.12737/573 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-117
Author(s):  
Анастасия Арасланова ◽  
Anastasiya Araslanova
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Iso 9000 ◽  
Iso 9001 ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Quality Management Systems ◽  
Important Means

This article examines international and Russian experience of quality control, in particular ISO 9001:2000 (GOST R ISO 9000–2001), TQM/TQE, EFQM, CHEPS, to ensure the quality as the most important means of achieving the competitiveness of national educational institutions. Quality control is needed in the long term, in order to unify the processes of control, security and guarantee the quality of educational services.

Pervading Cold Testing of Engines in the Automobile Zone

2011 ◽  
Vol 110-116 ◽  
pp. 4544-4548
Author(s):  
Ankit Khurana
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Fault Detection ◽  
Production Line ◽  
Assembly Line ◽  
Process Quality ◽  
Cold State

Although the quality of a completed engine ready for shipping is traditionally assured by adopting the firing run at the final process of the engine assembly line, we have still not readily accepted the testing of engines in cold state i.e. without actual combustion & continue to neglect all its long term benefits in view of the immediate shortcomings which not only enhances the inspection speed, fault detection but also poses zilch threat to the environment around us. It increases the effectiveness of the “In-Process Quality Control” of an Engine production line.

Quality control of rain data used for urban runoff systems

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. K. Jørgensen ◽  
S. Rosenørn ◽  
H. Madsen ◽  
P. S. Mikkelsen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Essential Input ◽  
Danish Meteorological Institute ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Rain Data ◽  
Meteorological Institute

When improving software packages such as MOUSE and SAMBA for designing sewers and storage basins, and simulating overflows and flooding the quality of the input becomes important. The essential input to these modelling tools are the historical rain series. This paper presents the procedures for collection and quality control of rain data from a network of tipping bucket rain gauges in Denmark carried out by the Danish Meteorological Institute. During rain, the RIMCO gauge counts the number of tips (each of 0.2 mm of precipitation) every minute. The quality control of the rain data includes an automatic and a manual bit marking, where the automatic control basically is pointing out minutes with extreme intensities. In the manual control, the maximum intensities as well as the daily totals of precipitation are inspected, using weather charts, intensity plots and precipitation sums of nearby Hellmann gauges. Shortcomings and improvements of the quality control are discussed. Although, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the quality control, long term corrections will always be necessary.

The Role of Composite Repair Technology in Rehabilitating Piping and Pipelines

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
High Pressure ◽  
Composite Materials ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Composite Repair ◽  
Repair Technology

Composite materials have been used to repair high pressure pipelines and piping for the better part of 20 years. The initial aim of composite repair technology was focused on reinforcing corrosion. However, composite materials are now used to reinforce a wide array of anomalies and features including dents, mechanical damage, vintage girth and seam welds, wrinkle bends, elbows, tees, branch connections, and even cracks. In this paper the author provides an industry overview including results and insights from multiple research programs sponsored by composite repair manufacturers, pipeline operators, and the Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. Discussions will also be included regarding the important role that the ASME PCC-2 and ISO 24817 composite repair standards have in ensuring that quality control measures are in place. The ongoing focus of these efforts has been to demonstrate to industry the capabilities that composite repair systems have to provide long-term solutions for reinforcing damaged equipment.

scholarly journals Accuracy of Ultrasound in a Screening Programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
P R S Thomas ◽  
J C Shaw ◽  
H A Ashton ◽  
D N Kay ◽  
R A P Scott
Keyword(s):  
Screening Programme ◽  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Aortic Diameter ◽  
Ultrasound Measurement ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Interobserver Error ◽  
Ultrasound Measurements ◽  
Method Of Measurement ◽  
Ct Measurement

To assess the accuracy of ultrasound in the measurement of aortic diameter. A general practice based screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysm. (a) comparison of ultrasound with computed tomography (CT) measurement; (b) two period crossover study to assess interobserver error; (c) comparison of ultrasound measurements by technicians and radiologists. In 36 patients where CT showed clear maxima in anteroposterior diameter, the measurement by ultrasound was consistently less than by CT scan (mean ultrasound — CT difference — 4·4 mm, range —12·3 to 2·4 mm). There was no difference in the measurements made by different ultrasonographers, but their method of measurement produced a reading for aortic diameter less than that obtained by a vascular radiologist. These' results show that ultrasound measurement is less accurate for smaller aneurysms, consistently gives a smaller reading for aortic diameter when compared with CT measurement, but was reproducible between ultrasonographers. Monitoring and audit of aneurysm screening programmes to assess accuracy and reproducibility of ultrasound measurement is recommended.

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