Search

Context.--Laboratories must demonstrate analytic validity before any test can be used clinically, but studies have shown inconsistent practices in immunohistochemical assay validation. Objective.--To assess changes in immunohistochemistry analytic validation practices after publication of an evidence-based laboratory practice guideline. Design.--A survey on current immunohistochemistry assay validation practices and on the awareness and adoption of a recently published guideline was sent to subscribers enrolled in one of 3 relevant College of American Pathologists proficiency testing programs and to additional nonsubscribing laboratories that perform immunohistochemical testing. The results were compared with an earlier survey of validation practices. Results.--Analysis was based on responses from 1085 laboratories that perform immunohistochemical staining. Of 1057 responses, 65.4% (691) were aware of the guideline recommendations before this survey was sent and 79.9% (550 of 688) of those have already adopted some or all of the recommendations. Compared with the 2010 survey, a significant number of laboratories now have written validation procedures for both predictive and nonpredictive marker assays and specifications for the minimum numbers of cases needed for validation. There was also significant improvement in compliance with validation requirements, with 99% (100 of 102) having validated their most recently introduced predictive marker assay, compared with 74.9% (326 of 435) in 2010. The difficulty in finding validation cases for rare antigens and resource limitations were cited as the biggest challenges in implementing the guideline. Conclusions.--Dissemination of the 2014 evidencebased guideline validation practices had a positive impact on laboratory performance; some or all of the recommendations have been adopted by nearly 80% of respondents. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2017;141:1247-1254; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2016-0558-CP), The College of American Pathologists (CAP) Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center (the CAP Center) develops and maintains evidence-based laboratory practice guidelines (LPGs) that follow the US Institute of Medicine's Clinical [...]

This paper studies how groups resolve disagreement in lottery choices. In an experiment, subjects submit individual proposals, exchange chat messages, and must reach unanimity. Overall, group choices are more coherent and closer to risk neutrality than individuals'. The proposal of the minority prevails in about one instance out of five. About one third of the groups do not reach immediate agreement after communication. In these groups, extrovert subjects are more likely to lead the group outcome than confused or conscientious subjects. The amount, equality, and timing of chat messages help us m predict which choice prevails in the group. (JEL C92, D81), I. INTRODUCTION Although economists model decision makers as isolated individuals, within firms and organizations decisions are often taken through deliberations in groups and committees. Many of those decisions involve options [...]

A new undergraduate laboratory experiment demonstrates radiation laws and their applications to climatology and environmental science. The experiment emphasizes the planetary energy budget and effective-temperature concepts. A close look at 'planets on the table' brings some unanticipated results that challenge students to think critically, to interpret the results of measurements, and to come to valid scientific conclusions. [DOI: 10.1119/1.2894524]

Laboratory-based courses play a critical role in scientific education. Automation is changing the nature of these laboratories, and there is a long-running debate about the value of hands-on versus simulated laboratories. In addition, the introduction of remote laboratories adds a third category to the debate. Through a review of the literature related to these labs in education, the authors draw several conclusions about the state of current research. The debate over different technologies is confounded by the use of different educational objectives as criteria for judging the laboratories: Hands-on advocates emphasize design skills, while remote lab advocates focus on conceptual understanding. We observe that the boundaries among the three labs are blurred in the sense that most laboratories are mediated by computers, and that the psychology of presence may be as important as technology. We also discuss areas for future research. Categories and Subject Descriptors: K.3 [Computing Milieux]: Computers and Education; H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]: User Interfaces--User-centered design; interaction styles (e.g., commands, menus, forms, direct manipulation); theory and methods; J.4 [Computer Applications]: Social and Behavioral Sciences General Terms: Experimentation, Design, Performance Additional Key Words and Phrases: Remote laboratories, experimentation, simulation, presence, thought experiments, human-computer interaction, teleoperation

Optimal operation and control of heat recovery in an integrated Laboratory. Air Handling Unit (LAHU) system differs substantially from that in conventional dedicated AHUs for laboratory buildings with a 100% outside air AHU .for laboratory spaces, since the LAHU allows economizer operation for both offices and laboratories. Optimal operation and control schedules of the heat recovery systems in the LAHU have been developed to minimize the total thermal energy cost. This paper presents the procedure, methodology, and results of generic optimal heat recovery control schedules for the LAHU and investigates its impact on the LAHU potential thermal and pump energy savings. The optimal control schedule can potentially save 14% to 27% thermal energy and 17% to 100% pump energy during the winter under weather conditions that prevail in Omaha, Nebraska. The findings discussed in this paper also apply to any heat recovery system, where AHU has an economizer function. [DOI: 10.1115/1.2188960]

The federal government's research laboratories are facing numerous pressures. They must support important regulatory, policy and risk-management objectives, which are critical to ensuring public confidence in the government's ability to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the environment. Government laboratories are also cast as catalytic agents in national and local systems of innovation and are expected to contribute to industrial development. At the same time, government laboratories are under pressure to adopt new institutional arrangements and service delivery practices, and face challenges with respect to renewing their research capacities to deal with emerging science-based issues. These and other pressures create the context in which government laboratories operate. In this changing context, the roles and institutional designs of government laboratories are evolving and merit further examination. The authors introduce an analytical framework that focusses on government laboratories as complex institutions and reflects their diversity as a changing mix of hierarchies, networks and markets. They explore the links between this institutional approach and the literatures on New Public Management (NPM) and national systems of innovation. The authors then review a variety of government science policy studies from the past 40 years to determine how they have viewed the roles and institutional design of federal laboratories. Finally, the authors offer their conclusions as to the implications of the changing institutional context for Canadian science and technology policy.