ISSUES Quality-management systems (QMS) are uncommon in clinical laboratories in Nigeria, and until recently, none of the nation's 5 349 clinical laboratories have been able to attain the certifications necessary to begin the process of attaining international accreditation. Nigeria's Human Virology Laboratory (HVL), however, began implementation of a QMS in 2006, and in 2008 it was determined ...

An increase in the incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) has been detected in recent years on Margarita Island, located off the NE coast of Venezuela. Recent studies have revealed reactivity to rK39 antigen (Leishmania chagasi) in 20% of 541 sera from domestic dogs in endemic communities; PCR reactions were positive using primers for the L. donovani complex. Here we report that isolat...

Determination of the half-value layer (HVL) and quarter-value layer (QVL) values is not an easy task in x-ray computed tomography (CT), because a nonrotating x-ray tube must be used, which requires the assistance of service engineers. Therefore, in this study, we determined the accuracy of the lead-covered case method, which uses x-rays from a rotating x-ray tube, for measuring the HVL and QVL ...

Currently no effective vaccine is available for human visceral leishmaniasis(VL) caused by Leishmania donovani. Previously, we showed that centrin1 and p27gene deleted live attenuated Leishmania parasites (LdCen1(-/-) and Ldp27(-/-)) are safe, immunogenic and protective in animal models. Here, to assess the correlates of protection, we evaluated immune responses induced by LdCen1(-/-) and Ldp27...

PURPOSE This paper presents new spectral measurements of a tungsten-target digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) system, including spectra of 43-49 kVp. METHODS Raw x-ray spectra of 20-49 kVp were directly measured from the tube port of a Selenia Dimensions DBT system using a CdTe based spectrometer. Two configurations of collimation were employed: one with two tungsten pinholes of 25 μm and 200...

BACKGROUND Different computational methods have been used for the prediction of X-ray spectra and beam quality in diagnostic radiology. The purpose of this study was to compare X-ray beam qualities based on half-value layers (HVLs) determined through measurements and computational model estimations. METHODS The HVL estimations calculated by IPEM78 (Spectrum Processor of the Institute of Physi...

The dose delivered to patients during computed tomography (CT) exams has increased in the past decade. With the increasing complexity of CT examinations, measurement of the dose becomes more difficult and more important. In some cases, the standard methods, such as measurement of the computed tomography dose index (CTDI), are currently under question. One approach to determine the dose from CT ...

Functional verification of complex designs largely relies on the use of simulation in conjunction high-level verification languages (HVL) and test-bench automation (TBA) tools. In a constraints-based verification methodology, constraints are used to model the environmental restrictions of the Design Under Verification (DUV), and are specified using HVL constructs. The job of a constraints solve...

Half-value layer (HVL) is energy dependent on the photon, much as attenuation coefficient. Increasing penetrating of a photon stream causes an increase in substance's HVL. Before calculating HVL value, linear coefficient (μ) must be established. A review literature indicated that there presently no Monte Carlo-based sufficient tool for direct calculation value and computation suitable material ...