Quality Control of Soil-Cement Construction for Water Resources

Recent US practice guidelines and laboratory regulations for quality control (QC) emphasize the development of QC plans and the application of risk management principles. The US Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) now includes an option to comply with QC regulations by developing an individualized QC plan (IQCP) based on a risk assessment of the total testing process. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has provided new practice guidelines for application of risk management to QC plans and statistical QC (SQC). We describe an alternative approach for developing a total QC plan (TQCP) that includes a risk-based SQC procedure. CLIA compliance is maintained by analyzing at least 2 levels of controls per day. A Sigma-Metric SQC Run Size nomogram provides a graphical tool to simplify the selection of risk-based SQC procedures. Current HbA1c method performance, as demonstrated by published method validation studies, is estimated to be 4-Sigma quality at best. Optimal SQC strategies require more QC than the CLIA minimum requirement of 2 levels per day. More complex control algorithms, more control measurements, and a bracketed mode of operation are needed to assure the intended quality of results. A total QC plan with a risk-based SQC procedure provides a simpler alternative to an individualized QC plan. A Sigma-Metric SQC Run Size nomogram provides a practical tool for selecting appropriate control rules, numbers of control measurements, and run size (or frequency of SQC). Applications demonstrate the need for continued improvement of analytical performance of HbA1c laboratory methods.

A Net Zero Energy Modular (NZEM) home provides an opportunity to achieve the quality and cost savings benefits of modular construction of zero energy homes. Compared to traditional code-built homes, the NZEM home has a better insulation system, leakage-proof envelope system, energy efficient lights and appliances, high-performance windows, and solar plus storage (SPS) system. The onsite construction industry is scrutinized for its poor productivity and quality standards compared to other sectors. In NZEM construction, the factory environment removes issues that can arise during onsite construction, including weather delays and material damage, leading to higher production costs. Most factories currently use a quality control (QC) checklist called the traveler document, in which detailed inspection checkpoints and testing requirements are assigned to each module. However, NZEM home production involves additional design elements not typically addressed by current quality practices. Additionally, the feasibility of conducting SPS installation in the factory for NZEM demands an updated QC protocol of its own, which, at present, seems lacking. This thesis aims to identify the QC challenges faced by the NZEM home manufacturers, provide recommendations for its improvement, and document the QC practices for in-factory SPS installation on NZEM homes. The objective of this thesis is achieved with the help of two papers. Paper 1 evaluates the QC protocol gap and challenges for NZEM home manufacturers and provides potential improvements in QC practices. This study was conducted via surveys and interviews with experts from modular construction companies. The survey contains four sets of questions on product and operational information of the factory and the offsite and onsite QC practices and problems. The findings provided valuable insights on prominent QC issues, identified the areas in the construction process where those issues occur, and provided potential improvements in QC practices for modular builders of NZEM homes. Paper 2 explores the QC measures NZEM home manufacturers could follow to ensure the highest level of SPS installation in their factories. This study was conducted via a case study of a manufacturer based in the northeast of the United States of America (USA). The findings from this study helped to draft a new QC traveler document that is focused on the in-factory SPS installation of NZEM homes.

Clinical laboratories face limitations in implementing advanced quality control (QC) methods with existing systems. This study aimed to develop a web-based application to addresses this gap, and improve QC practices. QC Constellation, a web application built using Python 3.11, integrates various statistical QC modules. These include Levey-Jennings charts with Westgard rules, sigma-metric calculations, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts, and method decision charts. Additionally, it offers a risk-based QC section and a patient-based QC module aligning with modern QC practices. The codes and the web application links for QC Constellation were shared at https://github.com/hikmetc/QC_Constellation, and http://qcconstellation.com, respectively. Using synthetic data, QC Constellation demonstrated effective implementation of Levey-Jennings charts with user-friendly features like checkboxes for Westgard rules and customizable moving averages graphs. Sigma-metric calculations for hypothetical performance values of serum total cholesterol were successfully performed using allowable total error and maximum allowable measurement uncertainty goals, and displayed on method decision charts. The utility of the risk-based QC module was exemplified by assessing QC plans for serum total cholesterol, showcasing the application's capability in calculating risk-based QC parameters including maximum unreliable final patient results, risk management index, and maximum run size andoffering risk-based QC recommendations. Similarly, the patient-based QC and optimization modules were demonstrated using simulated sodium results. In conclusion, QC Constellation emerges as a pivotal tool for laboratory professionals, streamlining the management of quality control and analytical performance monitoring, while enhancing patient safety through optimized QC processes.

Developing a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) plan is an important element of any surveillance logging program. A QA/QC plan is used to document how quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) activities will be implemented during a program, project, or task1. A QA/QC Plan for a surveillance logging program can provide adequate and accurate information in assessing the level of pipe defects reported from casing inspection logs and can be used to record possible trends regarding the individual casing inspection tools. It may also analyze data to characterize errors in measuring tubular thickness as well as monitor tool accuracy and data interpretation.

Perspectives on Quality Control, Risk Management, and Analytical Quality Management

Purpose: To perform efficient quality control (QC) of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans of gynecological (GYN) cancer in clinical trials. Methods: Plan QC is a necessary component in clinical trials that requires much time and effort. IMRT plans from the INTERTECC clinical trial for the treatment of intact cervix cancer patients have been used to evaluate a plan QC tool. The CT image, organ and target contours, and the clinical IMRT plan were imported into a GPU‐based treatment re‐planning system that was originally designed to perform online adaptive radiotherapy. The clinical plan was considered as the reference plan and the re‐planning system automatically created a new plan. The objective for re‐planning was to reduce dose of organs‐at‐risk (OARs) and to get a more uniform dose in the PTV with respect to the reference plan. After performing automatic re‐planning on each plan, we compared the new and the reference DVH curves in terms of the treatment planning goals specified in the clinical trial protocol. Results: Data from 12 patients was retrospectively analyzed. Results showed that DVH curves of the automatic plan satisfy the specified clinical constraints more frequently than the actual clinical plans. DVH for the PTV of the new plan was in most cases similar to the clinical plans, indicating good quality PTV coverage. In 2 out of the 12 cases the QC tool could achieve a PTV hotspots reduction of 11% and 10% respectively. For most patients, lower doses in OARs were achieved after re‐planning, except in those plans where there was overlap between OARs and PTV. Re‐planning takes less than 1 min for each case. Conclusion: We have proved the feasibility of efficient IMRT plan QC in clinical trials for patients with GYN cancer. Varian Medical Systems through a Master Research Agreement

In the study, 10 prostate IMRT plans were prepared to be treated lineer accelerator. These plans were transfered to the water equivalent solid phantom for quality control (QC) plans of each patient. QC plans, gantry, collimator and table angles of original and 0 degrees were created in two different ways. The measurements were performed using film and ion chambers with different volumes at 5 cm depth. Doses obtained with measurement methods, were compared by calculated doses in TPS.

Quality Control Management and Communication Between Radiologists and Technologists

In order to comprehensively control the construction quality of road engineering, this paper studies the quality control method of road engineering construction. In this study area, the four objectives of construction period, cost, quality and environment are analyzed and studied quantitatively. Based on this, the multi-objective optimization model of road engineering construction quality control is constructed. Combined with genetic algorithm, the optimal solution of the comprehensive optimization model is found. Finally, a typical project is taken as an example, The validity and rationality of the model are verified. The results show that the construction period is reduced by 12% and the cost is reduced by 0.2%. The quality and environmental objectives also meet the requirements of the contract. The goal of Balanced Optimization of construction period, cost, quality, and environment is achieved, which further shows the feasibility of the optimization control model and the effectiveness of the intelligent algorithm, At the same time, it provides reference and basis for the construction quality control of the actual road engineering project.

When it was time for a major fertilizer distribution facility in the Midwest to have its conveyor structure repainted, the owner started contemplating full-time independent third-party inspection. After reviewing the contractor's schedule and the size of the crew, it became apparent that this approach would interfere with the contractor's operations and be cost prohibitive for the owner. What to do? Since the contract required the contractor to perform quality control (QC) inspections, the owner decided to retain a quality assurance (QA) firm to monitor the contractor's QC activities and reports, and make periodic visits to confirm the quality of the work and the efficacy of the contractor's QC plan. In this paper, the owner, contractor's project manager, and the QA consultant review how this was accomplished from QC inspector training, pre-construction meeting, data-sharing, coordination to final inspection. As always safety was the first concern on this project, but in addition to access and working at heights, other challenges included chloride contamination, steel replacement, conveyor operation, working over water and railroad tracks, and of course rain. With good communication, owners, contractors, QA consultants, and paint manufacturers can achieve a successful quality repainting project even at a distance.

The study of construction technology and quality control for rock embankment is important, because big size and unevenness of filler material, the compaction construction technology and quality control for expressway rock embankment in mountainous terrain are the prominent difficulties encountered during Construction. This paper analyzes the key problems of constructing rock embankment, through the research for the relation between vibration frequency, amplitude of vibration, compaction times, compaction speed ...etc. with compaction degree, we put forward to right construction technology and quality control method of rock embankment.

Next-generation sequencing of large numbers of individuals presents challenges in data preparation, quality control, and statistical analysis because of the rarity of the variants. The Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 (GAW17) data provide an opportunity to survey existing methods and compare these methods with novel ones. Specifically, the GAW17 Group 2 contributors investigate existing and newly proposed methods and study design strategies to identify rare variants, predict functional variants, and/or examine quality control. We introduce the eight Group 2 papers, summarize their approaches, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. For these investigations, some groups used only the genotype data, whereas others also used the simulated phenotype data. Although the eight Group 2 contributions covered a wide variety of topics under the general idea of identifying rare variants, they can be grouped into three broad categories according to their common research interests: functionality of variants and quality control issues, family-based analyses, and association analyses of unrelated individuals. The aims of the first subgroup were quite different. These were population structure analyses that used rare variants to predict functionality and examine the accuracy of genotype calls. The aims of the family-based analyses were to select which families should be sequenced and to identify high-risk pedigrees; the aim of the association analyses was to identify variants or genes with regression-based methods. However, power to detect associations was low in all three association studies. Thus this work shows opportunities for incorporating rare variants into the genetic and statistical analyses of common diseases.

Tanzania is scaling up prevention, treatment, care and support of individuals affected with HIV. There is therefore a need for high quality and reliable HIV infection testing and AIDS staging. The objective of this study was to assess laboratories capacities of services in terms of HIV testing and quality control. A baseline survey was conducted from December 2004 to February 2005 in 12 laboratories which were conveniently selected to represent all the zones of Tanzania. The questionnaires comprised of questions on laboratory particulars, internal and external quality control for HIV testing and quality control of reagents. Source and level of customer satisfaction of HIV test kits supply was established. Of 12 laboratories, nine used rapid tests for screening and two used rapid tests for diagnosis. In the 12 laboratories, four used double ELISA and five used single ELISA and three did not use ELISA. Confirmatory tests observed were Western Blot in three laboratories, DNA PCR in two laboratories, CD4 counting in seven laboratories, and viral load in two laboratories. Although all laboratories conducted quality control (QC) of the HIV kits, only two laboratories had Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Internal and external quality control (EQC) was done at varied proportions with the highest frequency of 55.6% (5/9) for internal quality control (IQC) for rapid tests and EQC for ELISA, and the lowest frequency of 14.3% (1/ 7) for IQC for CD4 counting. None of the nine laboratories which conducted QC for reagents used for rapid tests and none of the five which performed IQC and EQC had SOPs. HIV kits were mainly procured by the Medical Store Department and most of laboratories were not satisfied with the delay in procurement procedures. Most of the laboratories used rapid tests only, while some used both rapid tests and ELISA method for HIV testing. In conclusion, the survey revealed inadequacy in Good Laboratory Practice and poor laboratory quality control process for HIV testing reagents, internal and external quality control.

A dynamic programming model for designing a quality control plan in a manufacturing process

Introduction: In recent years, the care of patients has become increasingly dependent on the results of lab investigations. Lab investigations have always been and will continue to be an integral part of clinical practice. Clinicians focus their attention on the broader issue of protocols as a form of information management in medicine. While studies are available in western literature, in India studies regarding the utilization of lab services among clinicians are scant. Hence this study was done to assess the utilization of lab investigations by clinicians and also to take their perspective of lab practices so that it would help as a feedback and aids in improvement of lab services. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 15 questions was distributed to 30 clinicians and their response to different questions was converted to percentage scale. Results: Majority of clinicians (86.6%) used lab services often. 33.3% felt that lab services were overutilised and the reason given was to aid in early diagnosis and for medico legal purposes. 33.3% of them had heard the term quality control but did not know its importance and 10 % had not heard of quality control. 76.6% of clinicians felt there is a need to include quality control and basic lab practices in MBBS curriculum. Conclusion: Laboratory services are utilized very often by clinicians. Majority of them felt the lab services are properly utilized. There is a need to include quality control and basic lab practices in MBBS curriculum. Keywords: Laboratory services, Quality control, Clinicians, Early diagnosis and treatment.