• Title/Summary/Keyword: Proficiency testing

Search Result 76, Processing Time 0.034 seconds

Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme of Hepatitis Viral Markers in Korea, (2016-2017) (간염바이러스 항원항체검사 신빙도조사 결과보고 (2016-2017))

  • Cho, Eun-Jung;Choi, Ae Ran;Ryu, Ji Hyeong;Yun, So Jeong;Lee, Woochang;Chun, Sail;Min, Won-Ki;Oh, Eun-Jee
    • Laboratory Medicine and Quality Assurance
    • /
    • v.40 no.2
    • /
    • pp.51-69
    • /
    • 2018
  • As part of the immunoserology program of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service, we organized two trials on the external quality assessment of hepatitis viral markers in 2016 and 2017. The hepatitis viral antigens and antibodies program consisted of 10 test items. We delivered two and three types of pooled sera specimens to 965 and 965 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2016, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 915 (94.8%) and 913 (95.0%) in the first and second trials in 2016, respectively. We also delivered three kinds of pooled sera specimens to 936 and 1,015 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2017, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 920 (98.3%) and 996 (98.1%) in the first and second trials in 2017, respectively. The most commonly tested items were hepatitis B surface antigen, followed by the antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B envelope antigen, antibodies to hepatitis B envelope antigen, anti-hepatitis A virus and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. The most frequently used methods for detecting viral markers were the chemiluminescence immunoassay and the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, but they yielded a few-false positive results due to the matrix effect. The immunochromatographic assay yielded false-negative results for anti-hepatitis A virus due to low sensitivity. Continuous improvement in the quality of viral hepatitis testing through participation in the survey seems necessary.

Conversion Factors for Calibration of Personnel Dosimeters (개인선량계 교정을 위한 환산인자 계산)

  • Lee, Won-Koo;Lee, Tae-Young;Ha, Chung-Woo
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
    • /
    • v.16 no.1
    • /
    • pp.25-32
    • /
    • 1991
  • MCNP code was used to calculate conversion factor H(d)ma at the depths of 0.07 and 10mm within a water phantom recommended by IAEA and within a PMMA phantom required by the US dosimeter proficiency testing programmes. The calculations were performed for an expanded parrallel beam of monoenergetic photons of perpendicular incidence on one faces of the phantom. The results can be used as conversion factor in calibrating individual dosemeters in terms of the dose equivalent quantities defined directly in the phantom.

  • PDF

Development of Automatic Data Acquisition & Remote Diagnostic System for Improving Efficiency of High-Voltage Motors Off-Line Insulation Diagnostic Test (고압전동기 Off-Line 절연진단시험 효율개선을 위한 데이터자동취득 및 원격진단시스템 구축)

  • Kang, Sang-Mu;Kang, Dae-Jeong;Han, Hyun-Seok;Kim, Won-Kyung
    • Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
    • /
    • 2015.07a
    • /
    • pp.707-708
    • /
    • 2015
  • This paper proposes a method for improving efficiency of high-voltage motors off-line insulation diagnostic test. The conventional manual test method has measurement errors and excessive processing time. We developed the KITAS system and solved these problems by using the instrument remote control and communication technology. The result of proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons using Power Factor Tip-Up test was '${\mid}E_n{\mid}$ < 1'. It was possible to confirm the validity of acquired data from the KITAS and establish a remote diagnostic system for easy access without physical limitations.

  • PDF

대한산업보건협회 산업보건연구소의 미국 정도관리 참여결과

  • Lee, Seon-Ju;Choe, Ho-Chun;Park, Chan-U;O, Mi-Sun;Lee, Jun-Seung;Jeon, Su-Gyeong;Park, Hwa-Mi;Jeong, Gyu-Cheol
    • 월간산업보건
    • /
    • s.88
    • /
    • pp.57-60
    • /
    • 1995
  • PAT program(The Proficiency Analytical Testing Program)은 미국산업위생협회(American Industrial Hygiene Association AIHA)와 미국산업안전보건연구원(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH)에서 공동주관하는 정도관리로서 일년에 4회 실시하고 있다. 실시항목은 금속(납, 카드뮴, 크롬, 아연), 유리규산, 석면, 유기,용제(Benzen, O-Xylene, Toluene, Carbon Tetrachloride, 1, 1, 1-Trichloroethane, Chloroform, Tetrachloroethylene, 1, 2-Dichloroethane, methanol, p-Dioxane)이다. 대한산업보건협회 산업보건연구소에서는 위의 4가지 항목을 모두 신청하여 1995년 1월에 실시된 120회 부터 참여하였는데 다음은 본 연구소의 120화에 대한 분석방법과 NIOSH로 부터 받은 결과이다.

  • PDF

Europass and the CEFR: Implications for Language Teaching in Korea

  • Finch, Andrew Edward
    • English Language & Literature Teaching
    • /
    • v.15 no.2
    • /
    • pp.71-92
    • /
    • 2009
  • Europass was established in 2005 by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe as a single framework for language qualifications and competences, helping citizens to gain accreditation throughout the European Community. In addition, the 1996 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) provides a common basis for language syllabi, curriculum guidelines, examination, and textbooks in Europe. This framework describes the required knowledge and skills, the cultural context, and the levels of proficiency that learners should achieve. In combination, Europass and the CEFR provide employers and educational institutes with internationally recognized standards. This paper proposes that current trends such as globalization and international mobility require a similar approach to accreditation in Asia. As jobs and workers become independent of national boundaries and restrictions, it becomes necessary to educate students as multilingual world citizens, using standards that are accepted around the world. It is suggested, therefore, that assessment models such as Europass and the CEFR, along with successful language teaching models in Europe and Canada, present opportunities of adaptation for the Korean education system. Finally, rigorous teacher training to internationally recognized levels is recommended, if Korea is to produce a workforce of highly-skilled, plurilingual world citizens.

  • PDF

APEC SEN Maritime English Communication Packages

  • 황선애;설진기;서영정;정희수;최승희
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
    • /
    • 2022.06a
    • /
    • pp.361-362
    • /
    • 2022
  • As the importance of maritime communication in a cross-cultural onboard working environment grows, the importance of developing systematic supporting aids both for learning and teaching maritime English has been emphasized. Given that English communication proficiency is one of the most critical factors in determining a seafarer's competency, a systemic supporting system for enhancing maritime English communication capabilities is essential not only for them to professionally carry out and conduct assigned duties onboard, but also for them to navigate success in their lives through increased labour mobility both at sea and onshore. The APEC Seafarers Excellence Network initiates the production of Maritime English Communication Packages for seafarers in APEC regions, under the leadership of the Republic of Korea. This paper introduces the design of APEC SEN Maritime English Communication Packages, which include textbooks, audio-lingual materials, online/mobile life-long learning platform and testing aids, ultimately for upand re-skilling of seafarers to increase their employability, mobility and preparedness for the future shipping industry where globalisation is expected to further accelerate.

  • PDF

Estimation of liquid limit of cohesive soil using video-based vibration measurement

  • Matthew Sands;Evan Hayes;Soonkie Nam;Jinki Kim
    • Geomechanics and Engineering
    • /
    • v.33 no.2
    • /
    • pp.175-182
    • /
    • 2023
  • In general, the design of structures and its construction processes are fundamentally dependent on their foundation and supporting ground. Thus, it is imperative to understand the behavior of the soil under certain stress and drainage conditions. As it is well known that certain characteristics and behaviors of soils with fines are highly dependent on water content, it is critical to accurately measure and identify the status of the soils in terms of water contents. Liquid limit is one of the important soil index properties to define such characteristics. However, liquid limit measurement can be affected by the proficiency of the operator. On the other hand, dynamic properties of soils are also necessary in many different applications and current testing methods often require special equipment in the laboratory, which is often expensive and sensitive to test conditions. In order to address these concerns and advance the state of the art, this study explores a novel method to determine the liquid limit of cohesive soil by employing video-based vibration analysis. In this research, the modal characteristics of cohesive soil columns are extracted from videos by utilizing phase-based motion estimation. By utilizing the proposed method that analyzes the optical flow in every pixel of the series of frames that effectively represents the motion of corresponding points of the soil specimen, the vibration characteristics of the entire soil specimen could be assessed in a non-contact and non-destructive manner. The experimental investigation results compared with the liquid limit determined by the standard method verify that the proposed method reliably and straightforwardly identifies the liquid limit of clay. It is envisioned that the proposed approach could be applied to measuring liquid limit of soil in practical field, entertaining its simple implementation that only requires a digital camera or even a smartphone without the need for special equipment that may be subject to the proficiency of the operator.

A Study on the Development of Soil-based PTMs for Analysis of Benzo[a]pyrene - Focusing on the Evaluation of Homogeneity and Stability for the Certification of Benzo[a]pyrenecandidate Reference Materials - (Benzo[a]pyrene 분석용 토양 숙련도 표준시료 개발에 관한 연구 - 후보 표준물질의 인증을 위한 균질성, 안정성 평가를 중심으로 -)

  • Lee, Minhyo;Lee, Guntaek;Joo, Changkyu;Kim, Yonghun;Lee, Bupyoel;Choe, Sunghun;Kim, Myeongock;Hong, Sukyoung;Kim, Gumhee;Lee, Wonseok
    • Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
    • /
    • v.19 no.6
    • /
    • pp.49-58
    • /
    • 2014
  • This study was implemented as a part of the experiment to develop two kinds of soil-based Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) proficiency testing materials (PTMs) for soil analysis. A test was carried out for the check of solubility of the reference material (high purity reagent) using several solvents. Another test was also conducted for the evaluation of homogeneity and stability of two kinds of candidate soil reference materials. The test analysis of BaP in terms of the candidate materials was conducted according to the Standard Soil Analytical Methods by Ministry of Environment. Dissolution of the reference material was shown to vary depending on solvent type and was higher in the order of Dichloromethane > Acetone > Acetone/MeOH (9 : 1) > N-hexane. In addition, the slope on calibration curve for BaP standard solutions was largest on BaP standard solutions prepared with dichloromethane of the tested solvents. Such tendency appeared egually in the commercial BaP standard solution. Therefore, it is thought to be reasonable to use dichloromethane as the solvent in case of the standard stock solution that is used for the measurement of BaP concentration in soil. ISO 13528 and IUPAC protocol were used for verification of homogeneity on the two kinds of soil candidate materials, Both candidate materials were sufficiently homogeneous. Stability assessment of the two candidate materials was made according to ISO Guide 35 and the result showed that both batches did not have any long-term and short term stability issues that might occur during shipping. However, monitoring results of BaP concentration in soil showed that BaP concentration of the two batches measured at 15 days after the sample preparation was reduced by about 24~37% compared with that of the samples measured on 0 day of the sample preparation. Identification was done with several treatments such as irradiation and sterilization etc. The major cause was shown to be irradiation to the samples.

The History and Development of the Marine Environment QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) Management System (해양환경 정도관리제도 운영에 대한 고찰)

  • PARK, MI-OK;PARK, JUN-KUN;KIM, SEONG-GIL;KIM, SEONG-SOO
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
    • /
    • v.26 no.3
    • /
    • pp.185-200
    • /
    • 2021
  • The Marine Environment QA/QC management system has been operated since 2010 to secure the reliability of data and improve the analysis capabilities of measurement and analysis institutions. From 2010 to 2020, the cumulative number of measurement and analysis institutions participated in the QA/QC management system was 266. And the number of certificates issued by the ministry of oceans and fisheries is 182. A total of 32 reference materials for proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons have been developed. They were first developed focusing on items (Nutrients, COD) commonly analyzed in marine environmental measuring network, marine pollution impact surveys, sea area utilization impact assessment, deepsea water surveys, and information network on fishing ground environments. In addition, it is time to expand the filed of the QA/QC management system, such as seawater temperature, salinity, PCBs and PAHs in sediments, which are mainly analyzed in most monitoring programs. On-site assessment has been conducted for 162 laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025 to evaluate their conformity of the quality management system and deficiency. In terms of management and technology requirements, about 4.2% of organizations showed insufficient division of duties among employees 8.7% of them revealed the lack of employee training. By test item, about 6.3% of organizations showed the lack of standard substance management and the state of the cleaning glassware was pointed out in about 5.4% of them. The QA/QC management system should be continuously supplemented by identifying the causes of nonconformities and area for improvement.