Search results for "Laboratory Testing"
showing 10 items of 12 documents
Laboratory testing in the emergency department: an Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology (SIBioC) and Academy of Em…
2018
Abstract Background: The mainstay of patient-oriented laboratory testing in emergency settings entails selecting a number and the type of tests according to valid criteria of appropriateness. Since the pattern of urgent tests requesting is variable across different institutions, we designed a joined survey between the Academy of Emergency Medicine and Care (AcEMC) and the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology (SIBioC) for reaching tentative consensus about the most informative diagnostic tests in emergency settings. Methods: A survey, containing the most commonly ordered urgent laboratory tests and the relative clinical indications, was disseminated to eigh…
1D Compression Behaviour of Opalinus Clay
2017
One of the main concerns related to tunnel excavations, drilling operations and wellbore stability in shales is the generation of excess pore water pressure due to changes in mechanical stress; therefore the consolidation of shales is a fundamental process that must be considered. This paper presents a compre- hensive methodology for analysing the compression and consolidation behaviour of shales. An apparatus to perform high-pressure oedometric tests is presented and an analytical method is introduced to analyse the shale consolidation behaviour, which allows information to be gathered on the coeffi cient of consolidation, stiffness, poroelastic properties, and permeability of the tested m…
Inappropriateness in laboratory medicine: an elephant in the room?
2017
Appropriateness of diagnostic testing can be conventionally described as prescription of the right test, using the right method, at the right time, to the right patient, with the right costs and for producing the right outcome. There is ongoing debate about the real burden of inappropriateness in laboratory diagnostics. The media coverage of this issue has also recently led to either over- or under-emphasizing the clinical, organizational and economic consequences. This is quite problematic, inasmuch as some reliable data are available in the current scientific literature, showing that inappropriateness of laboratory testing can be as high as 70%. This is especially evident for, though not …
The Role of Anisotropy on the Volumetric Behaviour of Opalinus Clay upon Suction Change
2017
An experimental investigation to analyse the anisotropic volumetric response of shaly and sandy facies of Opalinus Clay upon suction variations is presented. Obtained results demonstrate the different behaviour of the tested facies to a wetting-drying cycle. The shaly facies exhibits higher water retention capacity and stronger volumetric response than the sandy facies. Anisotropic response is experienced by both facies with the strain perpendicular to bedding higher than in the parallel direction. The sandy facies exhibits a more pronounced anisotropic behaviour in particular during the drying phase. A detailed analysis of the response in the two directions with respect to the bedding orie…
One dimensional consolidation of Opalinus Clay from shallow depth
2017
First experimental results on Opalinus Clay from shallow depth (< 30 m depth) are presented and compared to results on cores from Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (~ 300 m depth). Samples were tested in one dimensional condition using an advanced experimental technique. The samples from the two sites show similar properties in terms of geotechnical characterization and one dimensional compressibility/swelling indexes, despite the different source depths.
Ether-lipid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in erythrocytes of patients with glaucoma
2008
International audience; Purpose: : Neuronal tissues such as the brain and the retina are known to contain elevated amounts of phospholipids with a vinyl-ether double bond (ether-lipids or plasmalogens) as well as high concentrations of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid or DHA). Abnormal blood levels of ether-lipids and DHA have been associated with several neurological disorders such as Alzheimer Disease. Since many observations bring up the idea of pathogenetic similarities between Alzheimer Disease and glaucoma, the aim of our work was to check whether ether-lipid and DHA levels were modified in glaucoma patients. Methods: : Blood samples were collected …
Hemoglobin point-of-care testing: the HemoCue system.
2013
Besides the use of traditional laboratory resources, the diagnosis of anemia can also be accomplished by assessing hemoglobin (Hb) concentration with point-of-care testing (POCT) devices such as the HemoCue test systems. In several situations, these devices might suitably replace traditional laboratory testing, including several areas of health care where a very rapid Hb measurement might be required to make immediate therapeutic decisions. The use of these devices, however, should fulfill some basic criteria, including economic, clinical, and regulatory issues; appropriate training of the users and knowledge of test requirements, performance, limitations, and potential interferences; the u…
Experimental investigations of the soil–concrete interface: physical mechanisms, cyclic mobilization, and behaviour at different temperatures
2016
Behaviour of the pile–soil interface is important to correctly predict the response of floating piles in terms of displacement and lateral friction. Regarding energy piles, which couple the structural roles of deep foundations with the principle of shallow geothermal energy, the response of pile–soil interfaces is influenced by seasonal and daily cyclic thermal variations. Accordingly, the goal of this paper is to experimentally investigate the response of the pile–soil interface at different temperatures. This experimental campaign aims to analyse (i) the cyclic mobilization of the shear strength of the soil–pile interface that is induced by thermal deformation of the pile and (ii) the di…
Circulating markers of retinal and optic nerve lipids
2013
Purpose Blood lipids are frequently used as a surrogate of lipid composition of peripheral tissues. Even if it is well accepted, such a relationship has never been clearly demonstrated for the eye. The aim of this study was to determine in human samples whether a lipidomic approach based on red blood cells could reveal associations between circulating and ocular lipid profiles. Methods Red blood cells, retinas and optic nerves were collected from 9 human donors. The lipidomic analyses on these tissues were done by both, gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled to an electrospray ionization source-mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Results Gas chromatographic approach did not show…
Design Procedures for Soil-Lime Stabilization for Road and Railway Embankments. Part 2-Experimental Validation
2012
AbstractAs detailed in Part 1, the most common Italian Technical Specifications refer to different design methodologies for design of lime-soil mixtures, some being quite different from those internationally adopted. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to the Authors to compare these methodologies, via a wide experimental program.It is shown that the Italian methodology of the National Road Agency is different not only from those used in Italy, but also from the main international standards. The experimental results highlight that a revision of that methodology is needed in order to bring it into line with what is prescribed by the European standard.