PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Calibration”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Cross-calibration, precision and patient dose measurements in preparation for clinical trials using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine.

Large, multicentre clinical trials using DXA to monitor bone density following intervention are now common. At the same time, several different bone densitometers and calibration phantoms are currently in use. The aim of this study was to document the technical information required on cross-calibration of equipment, reproducibility and patient dose before commencing a multicentre clinical trial. To this end, we obtained an in vitro and in vivo cross-calibration of two machines (a Hologic QDR 2000 and a Lunar DPX-L) that were not significantly different. Interobserver and intraobserver precision, and radiation dose were also measured and three commonly used phantoms assessed for their usefulness in cross-calibration and quality assurance. Measured in vitro precision on the two machines (0.3-0.7%) was better than that specified by the manufacturers. In vivo precision was worse (1.4-2.1%), as might be expected in patients with reduced bone mass. Mean entrance skin radiation doses on each machine were 280 microSv for the QDR 2000 and 38 microSv for the DPX-L. No one phantom is ideal, but the European Spine Phantom or Lunar Aluminium Spine Phantom will provide an adequate cross-calibration for a clinical trial. This study demonstrates that an adequate cross-calibration can be obtained for use in groups of patients and that the equipment used is reproducible with a low radiation output.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Calibration frequency of dose--area product meters.

Calibration of patient dose monitoring devices in diagnostic radiology has become increasingly important in the light of new legislation that requires monitoring of patient dose against local and national diagnostic reference levels. An investigation was conducted into the long-term stability of 41 dose-area product (DAP) meters over a period of approximately 5 years, to assess the suitability of an annual calibration regimen. For DAP meters fitted to overcouch X-ray tubes, 77% of calibrations were within 10%, whilst for undercouch tubes only 50% of calibrations were within 10%. These findings suggest that annual calibration may be too infrequent. Suitable calibration frequencies for different clinical workloads are discussed.

Calibration↗

Determination of glucose in human aqueous humor using Raman spectroscopy and designed-solution calibration.

Glucose concentrations of in vitro human aqueous humor (HAH) samples from cataract patients were determined using 785 nm Raman spectra and partial least squares (PLS) calibration. PLS models were created from spectra of prepared calibration solutions rather than aqueous humor samples. Spectra were obtained with an excitation energy (100 mW for 150 s), which was higher than can be applied in vivo, to decrease the models' contribution to prediction uncertainty. The solutions contained experimentally designed levels of glucose, bicarbonate, lactate, urea, and ascorbate. Multiplicative signal correction of spectra helped compensate for the +/-20% drift in laser power observed at the sample over six noncontiguous days of data collection. Seventeen HAH samples containing 38-775 mg/dL of glucose exhibited a root-mean-square error (RMSEP) of 22 mg/dL, coefficient of determination (r(2)) of 0.989, and bias of 6 mg/dL when predicted from lower energy (30 s) spectra collected contemporaneously with fifty calibration spectra. Similar results were obtained even when spectral data were gathered separately for human aqueous humor samples and calibration samples: 10 HAH samples, calibrated on 25 solutions measured 3.6 weeks earlier, exhibited an RMSEP of 23 mg/dL, r(2) of 0.992, and bias of 9 mg/dL. The results demonstrate progress toward the determination of glucose levels in patient-derived aqueous humor using laboratory-derived "artificial aqueous humor" calibration solutions.

Aqueous Humor↗

PCR-based calibration curves for studies of quantitative gene expression in human monocytes: development and evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) used to detect small changes in specific mRNA concentrations is often associated with poor reproducibility. Thus, there is a need for stringent quality control in each step of the protocol. METHODS: Real-time PCR-based calibration curves for a target gene, tissue factor (TF), and a reference gene, beta-actin, generated from PCR amplicons were evaluated by running cDNA controls. In addition, the reverse transcription step was evaluated by running mRNA controls. Amplification efficiencies of calibrators and targets were determined. Variances within and between runs were estimated, and power statistics were applied to determine the concentration differences that could reliably be detected. RESULTS: Within- and between-run variations (CVs) of cDNA controls (TF and beta-actin), extrapolated from reproducible calibration curves (CVs of slopes, 4.3% and 2.7%, respectively) were 4-10% (within) and 15-38% (between) using both daily and "grand mean" calibration curves. CVs for the beta-actin mRNA controls were 12% (within) and 19-28% (between). Estimates of each step's contribution to the total variation were as follows: CV(RT-PCR), 28%; CV(PCR), 15%; CV(RT), 23% (difference between CV(RT-PCR) and CV(PCR)). PCR efficiencies were as follows: beta-actin calibrator/target, 1.96/1.95; TF calibrator/target, 1.95/1.93. Duplicate measurements could detect a twofold concentration difference (power, 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Daily PCR calibration curves generated from PCR amplicons were reproducible, allowing the use of a grand mean calibration curve. The reverse transcription step contributes the most to the total variation. By determining a system's total variance, power analysis may be used to disclose differences that can be reliably detected at a specified power.

Actins↗

Importance of breath size in calibrating the respiratory inductive plethysmograph.

The usual method of calibrating the respiratory inductive plethysmograph (RIP) is to have the subject breathe over a rather narrow volume range, either resting tidal volume or into a bag containing a fixed larger volume, in both the standing and supine positions. During a previous study in our laboratory using the RIP to quantify ventilation during sleep in young and elderly adults, we began to observe that the accuracy of the RIP measurements could be improved if we calibrated using a wider range of tidal volumes which encompassed the smaller breath sizes we were measuring during sleep. We therefore decided to investigate whether the size of the breaths used for calibrating the RIP was indeed important in improving the accuracy of the device. Eight healthy, nonsmoking young adult men participated in the study. Three sets of calibration factors for the RIP were determined based on low (300 to 500 ml), normal (500 to 800 ml) and high tidal volume (over 800 ml) breaths. Each of these sets of calibration factors were then used to validate three different sets of supine tidal volumes (low, normal, high). For all volumes tested, the RIP values most closely approximated the spirometric volumes when the calibration breaths and validation breaths were of the same size.

Adult↗

Calibration of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight peptide mass fingerprinting spectra.

This chapter describes a number of aspects important for calibration of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight spectra prior to peptide mass fingerprinting searches. Both multipoint internal calibration and mass defect-based calibration is illustrated. The chapter describes how potential internal calibrants, like tryptic autodigest peptides and keratin-related peptides, can be identified and used for high-precision calibration. Furthermore, the construction of project/user-specific lists of potential calibrants is illustrated.

Calibration↗

Metrological traceability of values for catalytic concentration of enzymes assigned to a calibration material.

BACKGROUND: The metrological traceability of values for the catalytic concentration of several enzymes assigned to a calibration material has been assured by following the recently published International Standard ISO 18153. METHODS: A traceable value with a measurement uncertainty was assigned for the catalytic concentration of alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase in two materials from different sources. These are all measurable quantities, with the primary reference measurement procedure described by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and a primary calibrator giving metrological traceability to the SI unit of measurement. The metrologically traceable calibration was validated by measuring human serum samples using the primary reference measurement procedure and a routine commercial measurement procedure calibrated with the traceable materials. RESULTS: Results showed that the primary reference procedure, selected manufacturers' procedures and the end-user's routine procedure for each enzyme have the same analytical specificity. Four of eight commercial calibrators tested were commutable, whereas the others had a very small difference in absolute terms, indicating that these materials would be useful for calibration. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a reference system for enzyme measurements was demonstrated that assures the traceability of patient results to SI units.

Alanine Transaminase↗

ASM1 dynamic calibration and long-term validation for an intermittently aerated WWTP.

Activated sludge models, and ASM1 in particular, are well recognised and useful mathematical representations of the macroscopic processes involved in the biological degradation of the pollution carried by wastewater. Nevertheless, the use of these models through simulation software requires a careful methodology for their calibration (determination of the model parameters' values) and the validation step (verification with an independent data set). This paper presents the methodology and the results of dynamic calibration and validation tasks as a prior work to a modelling project for defining a reference guideline destined to French designers and operators. To reach these goals, a biological nutrient removal (BNR) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with intermittent aeration was selected and monitored for 2 years. Two sets of calibrated parameters are given and discussed. The results of the long-term validation task are presented through a 2-month simulation with lots of operation changes. Finally, it is concluded that, even if calibrating ASM1 with a high degree of confidence with a single set of parameters was not possible, the results of the calibration are sufficient to obtain satisfactory results over long-term dynamic simulation. However, simulating long periods reveals specific calibration issues such as the variation of the nitrification capacity due to external events.

Aerobiosis↗

Development of a camera model and calibration procedure for oblique-viewing endoscopes.

Oblique-viewing endoscopes (oblique scopes) are widely used in medical practice. They are essential for certain procedures such as laparoscopy, arthroscopy and sinus endoscopy. In an oblique scope the viewing directions are changeable by rotating the scope cylinder. Although a camera calibration method is necessary to apply augmented reality technologies to oblique endoscopic procedures, no method for oblique scope calibration has yet been developed. In the present paper, we formulate a camera model and a calibration procedure for oblique scopes. In the calibration procedure, Tsai's calibration is performed at zero rotation of the scope cylinder, then the variation of the external camera parameters corresponding to the rotation of the scope cylinder is modeled and estimated as a function of the rotation angle. Accurate estimation of the rotational axis is included in the procedure. The accuracy of this estimation was demonstrated to have a significant effect on overall calibration accuracy in the experimental evaluation, especially with large rotation angles. The projection error in the image plane was approximately two pixels. The proposed method was shown to be clinically applicable.

Algorithms↗

Calibration and quality control of spirometer systems.

Spirometry is widely performed by a variety of health professionals in settings outside the traditional pulmonary function laboratory. It is important to very that test results are accurate, because they are used to establish diagnoses and guide therapy. A quality-control program will help verify the accuracy of testing procedures and must be developed based on equipment, personnel, and test application. Calibration is part of quality control and its meaning has evolved to include limited performance-testing. Large syringes and recently available flow calibrators allow determination of spirometer accuracy and make calibration rapid and convenient. They have the additional advantage of being portable and thus can accompany the spirometer on field trips. Calibration techniques may help in other aspects of quality control, such as test methodology and monitoring technician proficiency. Technicians are often evaluated on the ability to prepare, calibrate, and troubleshoot equipment, gain patient cooperation, determine the adequacy of effort, and calculate spirometry results. Calibration techniques may help in many aspects of this evaluation. Finally, advanced techniques may be used to study the methods used in performing clinical spirometry.

Calibration↗

[Enzyme calibrators: principle and practical use].

Results of catalytic activities of enzymes are highly dependent on the measurement procedures and on local conditions. Thus, only poorly marked improvement of interlaboratory comparability of results have been observed in clinical enzymology. To solve this problem, SFBC and IFCC have proposed to use "validated enzyme calibrators". Standardised operating procedures adapted to 37 C have been developed by IFCC for the most commonly used enzymes in clinical chemistry, and will be soon published. Reference materials which have been certified with these SOPs can be used as calibrators for a set of measurement methods which exhibit the same analytical specificity. Calibrators must be commutable, a property that must be checked experimentally. It is possible to produce stable and commutable materials for the calibration of a set of methods. Interest of this approach has been demonstrated for several enzymes. Results of two studies presented here show that the comparison of results to the upper limit of reference ranges does not improve the interlaboratory comparability of results in contrast to the calibration of different methods by a common calibrator which allowed to reach an interlaboratory CV close to 4% for ALT and gammaGT.

Calibration↗

European Concerted Action on Anticoagulation. Evaluation of a method for International Sensitivity Index calibration of two point-of-care prothrombin time (PT) monitoring systems (CoaguChek Mini and TAS PT-NC) with fresh plasmas based on whole-blood equivalent PT.

BACKGROUND: The International Sensitivity Index (ISI) calibration of whole-blood prothrombin time (PT) monitors for point-of-care testing (POCT) described by Tripodi et al. (Thromb Haemost 1993;70:921-4) has been shown to be dependable but is too complex and demanding. The use of plasma would simplify calibration of whole-blood POCT PT monitors, but important differences may exist between the ISI for whole blood and plasma calibrations. METHODS: In a 10-center calibration study of two POCT whole-blood monitoring systems (CoaguChek Mini and TAS PT-NC), we characterized the relationship between the log PT for whole blood and fresh plasma with use of single lots of test strips/cards. This relationship (linear) was used to correct the difference between the whole-blood and plasma ISI. The reliability of the correction with different lots of test strips/cards was assessed at three centers. The linear relationship was used to correct the difference in the whole-blood and plasma ISI with four other lots of TAS PT-NC cards and with two additional lots of CoaguChek Mini test strips. RESULTS: The correction decreased the ISI difference from 13.3% to 0.9% for the TAS PT-NC and from 5.7% to 0.6% for the CoaguChek Mini. In assessments at three centers, which included different lots of test strips/cards, the mean ISI difference was markedly decreased with the TAS PT-NC but not with the CoaguChek Mini, for which the mean ISI difference increased slightly. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed correction resolves the discrepancy between whole-blood and fresh plasma ISI calibrations with TAS PT-NC test cards. The CoaguChek Mini systems could be calibrated without this correction.

Animals↗

A distributed non-point source pollution model: calibration and validation in the Yellow River Basin.

The applicability of a non-point source pollution model--SWAT(soil and water assessment tools) in a large river basin with high sediment runoff modulus(770 t/km2 in the Yellow River) was examined. The basic database, which includes DEM, soil and landuse map, weather data, and land management data, was established for the study area using GIS. A two-stage "Brute Force" optimization method was used to calibrate the parameters with the observed monthly flow and sediment data from 1992 to 1997. In the process of calibration automated digital filter technique was used to separate direct runoff and base flow. The direct runoff was firstly calibrated, and the base flow, then the total runoff was matched. The sediment yield was calibrated to match well. Keeping input parameters set during the calibration process unchanged, the model was validated with 1998--1999's observed monthly flow and sediment. The evaluation coefficients for simulated and observed flow and sediment showed that SWAT was successfully applied in the study area: relative error was within 20%, coefficient of determination and Nash-Suttcliffe simulation efficiency were all equal to or above 0.70 during calibration and validation period.

Calibration↗

Multivariate spectral calibration technique based on regression analysis for the quantitative multiresolution of a ternary mixture containing paracetamol, ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid in effervescent tablets.

Multivariate spectral calibration techniques based on regression analysis were established for the quantitative multiresolution of a ternary mixture containing parecetamol (PAR) ascorbic acid (AA) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASP) having closely overlapping spectra. The mathematical algorithms of multivariate spectral calibrations as namely tri-linear regression calibration (TLRC) and multi-linear regression calibration (MLRC) are based on the use of the linear regression equations at a three-wavelength set and a ten-wavelength set in the range of 215-305 nm. These calibration techniques do not require any chemical pre-treatment and a graphical procedure of the overlapping spectra. The mathematical content of TLRC and MLRC approaches were briefly formulated for the quantitative analysis of three- or multi-component mixtures. The applicability of the formulated calibration models were tested by analysing the various synthetic ternary mixtures consisting of these active compounds and then these models were applied to real pharmaceutical formulations. It was observed that TLRC and MLRC models give a successful quantitative multiresolution. The experimental results of these techniques were compared with each other as well as with those obtained by literature methods.

Acetaminophen↗

[Developing robust near infrared calibration models].

There are three approaches to developing robust near infrared calibration models, including spectral pretreatment such as differentiation, Piecewise Multiplicative Scatter Correction (PMSC), Finite Impulse Response (FIR), and Orthogonal Signal Correction (OSC), to remove external variations, selecting wavelengths which are insensitive to external variations, and constructing temperature-hybrid calibration models. In this paper, these three strategies were investigated based on reforming gasoline NIR spectra collected at different temperatures in order to develop robust RON and benzene calibration models against temperature. It has been found that with only spectral pretreatment even OSC method fails to obtain satisfactory results, which could not remove the effects caused by temperature fluctuation. Selecting wavelengths by genetic algorithms and constructing temperature-hybrid calibration models, in which spectra measured at different temperature are combined into one calibration set, are both good approaches to developing robust NIR calibration models against temperature. The latter seems better because it needs no special knowledge and extra software, but thenon-linear effects should be considered in practical applications.

Calibration↗

Stormwater quality models: sensitivity to calibration data.

Stormwater quality modelling is a useful tool in sewer systems management. Available models range from simple to detailed complex ones. The models need local data to be calibrated. In practice, calibration data are rather lacking. Only few measured events are commonly used. In this paper, the effect of the number and the variability of calibration data on models of various levels of complexity are investigated. The study is carried out on "Le Marais" catchment for suspended solids where 40 reliable measured events and good knowledge of the sewer system are available. The method used is based on resampling subsets of measured events among the 40 available ones. Three types of models were calibrated using subsets of events of different sizes and characteristics resampled among the 40 available ones. For each calibration, the model was validated against the remaining events to stand upon the quality of the model. It was found that the models are quite sensitive to calibration data, a problem neglected in practical studies. The use of more complex models does not necessarily improve modelling results since more problems and error sources are to be expected. The findings are specific to "Le Marais" catchment and the models used.

Calibration↗

[Study on developing calibration models of fatty acid composition in intact rapeseed by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy].

Four hundred ninety seven rapeseed samples, which feature multi-year, multi-loci and highly variant characteristics, were collected as a raw set. The NIR spectra were pretreated by scatter correction and mathematics treatments, and calibration models of fat acid composition of intact rapeseed were developed by using the algorithm method of modified partial least square (MPLS). Meanwhile, three types of sample cups with different capacity were used to screen the suitable calibration model for rapeseed quality breeding. The results showed that the calibration model of 8-gram-sample was the best, and the calibration determination coefficient was in the range of 0.74-0.98. The calibration effects of 3-gram-sample, which were similar to those of 0.6-gram-sample, were good with high determination coefficient (RSQ1, 1-VR) and low error (SEC, SECV). Therefore, the calibration set with multi-year and multi-loci samples can improve the accuracy and repeatability of NIRS models. The fat acids NIRS models of intact rapeseed developed could be introduced into breeding lines' selection, mutant screening and germplasm evaluation.

Brassica rapa↗

Lyophilized standards for the calibration of real time PCR assay for hepatitis C virus RNA.

BACKGROUND: Since October 1997, an international standard for hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acid amplification technology assay, 96/790, has been available. We compared a series of lyophilized standards with known HCV RNA concentrations against the international standard in fluorescence quantitative PCR detection. METHODS: A series of lyophilized sera were calibrated by ROCHE COBAS AMPLICOR HCV Monitor test against the international standard and sent to various manufacturers to analyse the samples using their own kits. Then calibration curves from the series were compared with that obtained from the external standard calibration curve with the manufacture's series. RESULTS: The standard calibration curve with the series of lyophilized serum showed an excellent correlation (R(2) > 0.98), slope and intercept that were similar to those from the manufacture's series. When the standard calibration curve from the series of lyophilized standards were used to define the values of the given sample, lower coefficients of variation between kits from different manufactures were obtained. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the lyophilized standards could be used to setup the standard calibration curve for clinical HCV RNA quantitative PCR detection.

Calibration↗