No description available.

No description available.

Zhang, Yilei. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-174). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Thesis. 1979. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Economics. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND DEWEY. / Bibliography: leaves 176-179. / This thesis examines the effect that federal regulation of the product quality of new drugs (through safety and efficacy requirements) has had on the flow of new drugs onto the market place. The approach is to econometrically estimate these effects using disaggregated therapeutic class data from the 1970's. There are two primary estimations. First, the current effects of regulation on the production function relation between introductions and research expenditures are estimated. Second, the indirect effects of regulation on research effort are estimated in a research expenditures equation. These estimates are then combined to estimate the overall effect of regulation on introductions in the current era. In addition to the basic estimations described above, several important subsidiary issues are treated in the thesis. One is a discussion of the decline in new drug introductions of the 1962 era in terms of its individual therapeutic class components. This discussion gives strong support to the position that nonregulatory factors precipitated that decline in the rate of product introductions. Also, the project selection process of major pharmaceutical companies is examined in great detail. That discussion, and some econometric tests of hypotheses generated, clearly demonstrates that in order to predict how firms will respond to changes in environmental factors affecting profitability, one must first understand how firms collect, evaluate, and apply information concerning those factors. / Ph.D.

Norovirus (NoV) is a major cause of infectious human viral gastroenteritis. Detection is important to understanding the epidemiology of NoV and the viral dynamics of NoV infection which is poorly understood. In 2006, a marked increase in gastroenteritis outbreaks occurred worldwide. During this period, a total of 231 stool samples were obtained from patients with acute gastroenteritis from Australia and New Zealand. A total of 186 isolates of NoV were detected and sequenced to determine the genotype and relatedness to known epidemic NoV GII.4 variants. Two GII.4 variants, 2006a and 2006b, were identified in 61.8% and 11.3%, in these cases, respectively. Thus, the increase in NoV gastroenteritis in 2006 was linked to the emergence of two novel co-circulating GII.4 variants, 2006a and 2006b. During an outbreak in an aged-care facility, stool samples were collected from the onset of illness to cessation of viral excretion. Here, viral shedding peaked in the acute stage of illness and continued for an average of 28.7 days. The viral decay rate was 0.76 per day. Prolonged asymptomatic shedding of NoV was detected in the elderly. A quality control for the assessment of molecular based viral assays for NoV and other RNA viruses is necessary to meet current testing requirements. Available controls only monitor the RNA and DNA amplification steps. An MS2 bacteriophage BioBallTM with 100 pfu was evaluated and applied as a multi-purpose phage control. It was assessed as a quality control, in comparison to MS2 phage stock, to validate MS2 phage assays. Furthermore, MS2 BioBallTM was used as a process control for the molecular detection of RNA viruses. It validated every performed step, determined if the assay worked and its sensitivity. Thus, MS2 BioBallTM offered uniformity, stability and reproducibility across molecular based viral detection systems. Overall, this thesis provided valuable insight into the molecular epidemiology of NoV in the southern hemisphere and nature of NoV infections in the elderly. The MS2 BioBallTM provides standardisation and quality control of viral RNA assays. Understanding the genetic diversity and viral dynamics of NoV will be crucial to developing effective intervention and treatment strategies, and ultimately lead to reduced viral gastroenteritis worldwide.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The quality of analytical data produced by geochemical laboratories has become progressively more important as complex decisions concerning the impact of development on the environment Public concern regarding the impact of resource, industrial, and agricultural development is placing greater pressure on the government to protect the environment (Zhou, 2013). The quality of such data is squarely dependent on adherence to quality control programs, which provide guidelines from which high quality, trustworthy data can be generated. A unique quality control program was developed and implemented at the NSERC-IRC Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory. This program: 1) accommodate samples from unique environments; 2) documents and maintains the high level of confidence in the data produced; 3) provides standard quality control protocols; and 4) ensures the continued training of staff. The evaluation of data produced during 2013 revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the laboratory methods through comparison with data quality objectives. The data produced by the laboratory during 2013 was evaluated and quality confirmed. It was determined that the results produced met the high standards required by the data quality objectives, with a few minor exceptions. The quality objectives were based on the end use of the data and consideration regarding the complex nature of the water samples collected from diverse geologic media. There was increased variability of results near the method detection limit of selenium, cadmium, and arsenic, although they still meet to standards required for water quality investigations. Investigations into variabilities will include re-evaluation of detection limits, identification of the source of discrepancy between the methods, and possible matrix interference. Protocols will continue to be monitored and changes to methods made when objectives are not achieved or there are changes in laboratory staff, equipment, or the specific requirements of the studies the laboratory supports.