scholarly journals Results of WICOVIR Gargle Pool PCR Testing in German Schools Based on the First 100,000 Tests

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parastoo Kheiroddin ◽  
Patricia Schöberl ◽  
Michael Althammer ◽  
Ezgi Cibali ◽  
Thea Würfel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detection Rate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Test System ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Pilot Phase ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
Antigen Testing ◽  
Standard Hygiene

Background: Opening schools and keeping children safe from SARS-CoV-2 infections at the same time is urgently needed to protect children from direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this goal, a safe, efficient, and cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 testing system for schools in addition to standard hygiene measures is necessary.Methods: We implemented the screening WICOVIR concept for schools in the southeast of Germany, which is based on gargling at home, pooling of samples in schools, and assessment of SARS-CoV-2 by pool rRT-PCR, performed decentralized in numerous participating laboratories. Depooling was performed if pools were positive, and results were transmitted with software specifically developed for the project within a day. Here, we report the results after the first 13 weeks in the project.Findings: We developed and implemented the proof-of-concept test system within a pilot phase of 7 weeks based on almost 17,000 participants. After 6 weeks in the main phase of the project, we performed >100,000 tests in total, analyzed in 7,896 pools, identifying 19 cases in >100 participating schools. On average, positive children showed an individual CT value of 31 when identified in the pools. Up to 30 samples were pooled (mean 13) in general, based on school classes and attached school staff. All three participating laboratories detected positive samples reliably with their previously established rRT-PCR standard protocols. When self-administered antigen tests were performed concomitantly in positive cases, only one of these eight tests was positive, and when antigen tests performed after positive pool rRT-PCR results were already known were included, 3 out of 11 truly positive tests were also identified by antigen testing. After 3 weeks of repetitive WICOVIR testing twice weekly, the detection rate of positive children in that cohort decreased significantly from 0.042 to 0.012 (p = 0.008).Interpretation: Repeated gargle pool rRT-PCR testing can be implemented quickly in schools. It is an effective, valid, and well-received test system for schools, superior to antigen tests in sensitivity, acceptance, and costs.

Infrared Emission Spectroscopy as a Reliability Tool

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Kim ◽  
S. Kayali
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Emission Spectroscopy ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Infrared Emission ◽  
Test System ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Yield Enhancement ◽  
Infrared Emission Spectroscopy ◽  
Channel Temperature

Abstract In this paper, we report on a non-destructive technique, based on IR emission spectroscopy, for measuring the temperature of a hot spot in the gate channel of a GaAs metal/semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET). A submicron-size He-Ne laser provides the local excitation of the gate channel and the emitted photons are collected by a spectrophotometer. Given the state of our experimental test system, we estimate a spectral resolution of approximately 0.1 Angstroms and a spatial resolution of approximately 0.9 μm, which is up to 100 times finer spatial resolution than can be obtained using the best available passive IR systems. The temperature resolution (<0.02 K/μm in our case) is dependent upon the spectrometer used and can be further improved. This novel technique can be used to estimate device lifetimes for critical applications and measure the channel temperature of devices under actual operating conditions. Another potential use is cost-effective prescreening for determining the 'hot spot' channel temperature of devices under normal operating conditions, which can further improve device design, yield enhancement, and reliable operation. Results are shown for both a powered and unpowered MESFET, demonstrating the strength of our infrared emission spectroscopy technique as a reliability tool.

Framework and performance analysis of college English testing system based on data mining technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Liu Narengerile ◽  
Li Di ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Test System ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Test Results ◽  
System Software ◽  
Examination System ◽  
Mining Technology ◽  
College English ◽  
And Performance

At present, the college English testing system has become an indispensable system in many universities. However, the English test system is not highly humanized due to problems such as unreasonable framework structure. This paper combines data mining technology to build a college English test framework. The college English test system software based on data mining mainly realizes the computer program to automatically generate test papers, set the test time to automatically judge the test takers’ test results, and give out results on the spot. The test takers log in to complete the test through the test system software. The examination system software solves the functions of printing test papers, arranging invigilation classrooms, invigilating teachers, invigilating process, collecting test papers, scoring and analyzing test papers in traditional examinations. Finally, this paper analyzes the performance of this paper through experimental research. The research results show that the system constructed in this paper has certain practical effects.

A New Hardware-in-the-Loop Test System for Electronic Control Unit of Dual-Clutch Transmission Vehicle

2012 ◽  
Vol 490-495 ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Chen ◽  
Lin Mi ◽  
Wei Tan
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Electronic Control Unit ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Test System ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Hardware In The Loop ◽  
Electronic Control ◽  
Simulation Environment ◽  
Dual Clutch Transmission

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) is a scheme that incorporates some hardware components of primary concern in the numerical simulation environment. This paper discusses the implementation and benefits of using the HIL testing system for electronic control unit of dual-clutch transmission (DCT) vehicle.

scholarly journals Importance of Inoculum Size and Sampling Effect in Rapid Antigen Detection for Diagnosis of Streptococcus pyogenes Pharyngitis

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Kurtz ◽  
Michael Kurtz ◽  
Martha Roe ◽  
James Todd
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Inoculum Size ◽  
Antigen Detection ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Sample Distribution ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
The One ◽  
Antigen Testing

ABSTRACT Current recommendations suggest that negative rapid Streptococcus pyogenes antigen tests be backed up with a culture, reflecting evidence that culture may have a higher sensitivity and also that testing of a second swab may yield a different (i.e., a positive) result because of variation in sample size or distribution. If the latter is common, the sensitivities of current antigen detection tests might be improved by simply increasing the amount of sample tested. The present study assessed the effect of antigen testing of two swabs extracted together compared to independent testing of each swab extracted separately for children with clinical pharyngitis. S. pyogenes grew from one or both swabs for 198 (37%) of 537 children. The combined culture was significantly ( P < 0.05) more sensitive than culture of either swab alone. Compared to combined culture, antigen testing of two swabs extracted and tested together was significantly more sensitive than two single swab extractions (94.1 versus 80%; P = 0.03); however, the specificity was decreased (81.5 versus 89.8 to 92.7%; P < 0.05). This study suggests that sample size and/or uneven sample distribution may have influenced the apparent sensitivities of prior studies that compared antigen tests to a single plate culture. A strategy, such as the one used in the present study, that increases the sample size available for antigen testing (i.e., extraction of samples from both swabs) may improve detection rates to a level that will better approximate true disease status and obviate the need for backup cultures if specificity can be improved.

scholarly journals How to Implement Safe, Efficient and Cost-Effective SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Urban and Rural Schools within One Month

COVID ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 717-727
Author(s):  
Parastoo Kheiroddin ◽  
Magdalena Gründl ◽  
Michael Althammer ◽  
Patricia Schöberl ◽  
Linda Plail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Transfer ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Local Involvement ◽  
Working Day ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Time Required

(1) Background: With vaccination and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 on the horizon, efficient testing in schools may enable prevention of mass infection outbreaks, keeping schools safe places and buying time until decisions on feasibility and the necessity of vaccination in children and youth are made. We established, in the course of the WICOVIR (Where Is the COrona VIRus) study, that gargle-based pool-PCR testing offers a feasible, efficient, and safe testing system for schools in Germany when applied by central university laboratories. (2) Objectives: We evaluated whether this approach can be implemented in different rural and urban settings. (3) Methods: We assessed the arrangements required for successful implementation of the WICOVIR approach in a variety of settings in terms of transport logistics, data transfer and pre-existing laboratory set-up, as well as the time required to establish the set-up. (4) Results: We found that once regulatory issues have been overcome, all challenges pertaining to logistics, data transfer, and laboratory testing on different platforms can be solved within one month. Pooling and depooling of samples down to the individual test result were achievable within one working day in all settings. Local involvement of the community and decentralized set-ups were keys for success. (5) Conclusion: The WICOVIR gargle-based pool-PCR system is so robust and simple that it can be implemented within one month in all settings now or in future pandemics.

scholarly journals The Russian part of the human proteome project:first results and prospects

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Ponomarenko ◽  
V.G. Zgoda ◽  
A.T. Kopylov ◽  
E.V. Poverennaya ◽  
E.V. Ilgisonis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Material ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Test System ◽  
Human Proteome ◽  
Main Phase ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Pilot Phase ◽  
Chromosome 18 ◽  
Russian Part ◽  
Multiple Reactions

The article summarizes the achievements of the pilot phase (2010-2014) of the Russian part of the international project “Human Proteome” and identifies the directions for further work on the study of the human chromosome 18 proteome in the framework of the project main phase (2015-2022). The pilot phase of the project was focused on the detection of at least one protein for each chromosome 18 protein-coding gene in three types of the biological material. The application of mass spectrometric detection of proteins by the methods of multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) and gene-centric approach made it possible to detect 95% of master forms of proteins, for 60% of which the quantitative assessment of the protein content was obtained in at least one type of the biological material. The task of the main phase of the project is to measure the proteome size of healthy individuals, taking into account the modified protein forms, providing for both the bioinformatics prediction of the quantity of proteins types and the selective experimental measurement of single proteoforms. Since the ranges of protein concentrations corresponding to the normal physiological state have not been identified, the work of the main phase of the project is focused on the study of clinically healthy individuals. The absence of these data complicates significantly the interpretation of the patients’ blood proteomic profiles and prevents creating diagnostic tests. In the long term prospect, implementation of the project envisages development of a diagnostic test system based on multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) for quantitative measurement of the protein forms associated with some diseases. Development of such test systems will allow predicting the extent of risk of different diseases, diagnosing a disease at its early stage and monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the performance of the COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in a tertiary level hospital in Bangladesh.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Jahidur Rahman Khan ◽  
Md. Shahadat Hossain ◽  
Samshad Jahan Shumu ◽  
Md. Selim Reza ◽  
Farzana Mim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Detection Rate ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Antigen Tests

Abstract Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide crisis, tests with high sensitivity and specificity are essential for identifying and managing COVID-19 patients. Globally, several rapid antigen tests RATs for COVID-19 have been developed, but their clinical efficacy has not been well established. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of several rapid antigen tests (RATs) to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College hospital from February 2021 to April 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This study included the patients admitted in this hospital at the COVID-19 isolation unit or referred from the triage facility of the outdoor department of this hospital suspected as COVID-19 case. Two nasopharyngeal samples were collected simultaneously. one sample was used on the spot for the RAT. The other was sent to the adjacent Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College COVID-19 RT-PCR laboratory for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The performance of the RAT was evaluated using the results of qRT-PCR as a reference.Results: A total of 223 patients were included in this study, and the real-time RT-PCR detected SARS-CoV-2 in 84 (37.7%) patients. Of these 84 patients, 9 (10.7%) were asymptomatic. The overall sensitivity and specificity of RATs were 78.6% and 99.3%, respectively. The sensitivity was 81.3% in symptomatic cases and 55.6% in asymptomatic cases. False-negatives were observed in 18 patients, 3 of whom were asymptomatic and had a low viral load (cycle threshold (Ct) > 30). The detection rate of RATs was 100% when the Ct value was up to 24. The detection rate was 42.3% when the Ct was >29. The detection rate of RATs was 92.3% when the onset of symptoms was within three days. The detection rate was 33.3% when the onset of symptoms was >7 days.Conclusions: RATs for COVID-19 used in this study delivered an acceptable performance in patients with high viral load and within the first week of the onset of symptoms. They can be used as a supplementary method to RT-PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Repurposing Butenafine as An Oral Nanomedicine for Visceral Leishmaniasis

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Bezerra-Souza ◽  
Raquel Fernandez-Garcia ◽  
Gabriela F. Rodrigues ◽  
Francisco Bolas-Fernandez ◽  
Marcia Dalastra Laurenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Stability ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Angle Of Repose ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Flow Properties ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Effective Drugs ◽  
Spray Dried

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting more than 12 million people worldwide, which in its visceral clinical form (VL) is characterised by the accumulation of parasites in the liver and spleen, and can lead to death if not treated. Available treatments are not well tolerated due to severe adverse effects, need for parenteral administration and patient hospitalisation, and long duration of expensive treatments. These treatment realities justify the search for new effective drugs, repurposing existing licensed drugs towards safer and non-invasive cost-effective medicines for VL. In this work, we provide proof of concept studies of butenafine and butenafine self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (B-SNEDDS) against Leishmania infantum. Liquid B-SNEDDS were optimised using design of experiments, and then were spray-dried onto porous colloidal silica carriers to produce solid-B-SNEDDS with enhanced flow properties and drug stability. Optimal liquid B-SNEDDS consisted of Butenafine:Capryol 90:Peceol:Labrasol (3:49.5:24.2:23.3 w/w), which were then sprayed-dried with Aerosil 200 with a final 1:2 (Aerosil:liquid B-SNEDDS w/w) ratio. Spray-dried particles exhibited near-maximal drug loading, while maintaining excellent powder flow properties (angle of repose <10°) and sustained release in acidic gastrointestinal media. Solid-B-SNEDDS demonstrated greater selectivity index against promastigotes and L. infantum-infected amastigotes than butenafine alone. Developed oral solid nanomedicines enable the non-invasive and safe administration of butenafine as a cost-effective and readily scalable repurposed medicine for VL.

Dipstick Assay for Rapid Detection of Beer Spoilage Organisms

2018 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 1913-1919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish K Janagama ◽  
Tam Mai ◽  
Sukkhyun Han ◽  
Lourdes M Nadala ◽  
Cesar Nadala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Rapid Detection ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lactobacillus Brevis ◽  
Test System ◽  
Wild Yeast ◽  
Brewing Process ◽  
Beer Spoilage ◽  
Enrichment Methods

Abstract Background: Beer spoilage caused by wild yeast and bacteria is a major concern to both commercial and home brewers. Objective: To address this problem, Molecular Epidemiology Inc. (MEI, Seattle, WA) has developed a beer spoilage organism detection kit consisting of an enrichment media (BSE) and a multiplex PCR DNA dipstick that simultaneously detects these organisms within 2 h following enrichment. Methods: The kit was tested by using samples obtained from breweries located in the Greater Seattle area. Samples were spiked with the target microbes, when necessary, and used for assessing the performance characteristics of the DNA dipstick assay. Microbial enumerations were performed as per the standard microbiological plating methods. The suitability of the BSE medium to support the growth of beer spoilage microbes was compared with the industry-approved NBB-C medium (Dohler, Darmstadt, Germany). Results: Inclusivity (a panel of 50 isolates) and Exclusivity (a panel of 92 isolates) testing indicated that the dipstick assay can exclusively detect the indicated target beer spoilage microbes. When compared with the NBB-C medium (Dohler, Darmstadt, Germany) approved by the European Brewers Convention for beer spoilage organisms, the BSE medium supported faster growth of critical spoilage lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus brevis, L. lindneri, and Pediococcus damnosus. Conclusions: The beer spoilage organism detection kit has a detection limit of 10 cells/mL. Highlights: The kit can be used at different stages of the brewing process, thus offering a convenient, cost effective, and faster test system for brewers interested in monitoring the quality of their product.

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