Importance of Proficiency Testing in Water Quality Monitoring

The monitoring data is undoubtedly important to the water quality monitor- ing department. The proficiency testing is an important way to improve the monitor- ing capacity and enhance the quality management of laboratories. It plays an impor- tant role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity and comparability of monitoring data. In this paper, the positive role of proficiency testing in the water quality monitoring was analyzed. In addition, how to improve the water quality monitoring capacity and the quality management level of laboratories through the proficiency testing was also discussed.

Proficiency Testing in Analysis of Wine Products

The quality variety wines which are produced in specified regions of Slovakia are mostly watched category of wine in European Union. Quality of the measurement for appropriate parameter in wine sample is given by uncertainty. Therefore, protocol of analysis has to have an uncertainty of measurement and should be made in accredited laboratory. In Slovakia, there are six wine growing regions （Tokaj, east Slovakia region, south Slovakia region, middle Slovakia region, Nitriansky region and Little-Carpathian region） where the quality wines with protected designation of origin are produced. Central Controlling and Testing Institute in Agriculture in Bratislava is a state organization, which has an accredited laboratory for testing wine products before introduction into the market. This article presents the results of the authors＇ measurements in proficiency testing FAPAS （food analysis performance assessment scheme） which were organized by Central Science Laboratory in York （England） in 2011. The authors add also interlaboratory comparison in 2012 between Slovak accredited laboratories. The results show very good agreement. Quality control in the wine sector presents very important feature in the market, therefore, using certified reference materials and checking the accredited laboratories with interlaboratory comparisons is very helpful. Testing of wine in the authors＇ laboratory is performed by EN ISO/IEC： 17025. The results show that z-score lies not outside the range ±2 and this is a chance that the authors＇ results are actually acceptable.

Preparation of Reference Material for Proficiency Test for Enumeration of Coliforms in Cheese Matrix

It is widely accepted that quantitative reference materials (RM), are indispensable tools for verification of the precision and accuracy of analytical measurements. The RM can be used by food microbiology laboratories, as part of their quality assurance programmes, to achieve their quality control. In Brazil, Anvisa RDC No. 12/01 specifies the enumeration of coliforms as one of the parameters for evaluating cheese quality. The aim of this study was to produce a quantitative RM for proficiency testing (PT) for use in the testing of enumeration of coliforms in cheese matrixes. A sample of an ultra-filtered cheese with a coliforms count of <3.0 MPN/g and a total n? of viable aerobes of 1.2 × 103 CFU/g was used as the matrix to produce the RM. The ultra-filtered cheese matrix was distributed in flasks, contaminated with a specific concentration of an Escherichia coli strain and submitted to freeze-drying. Sucrose was used as the cryo-protector. The RM produced was considered sufficiently homogeneous and stable at ≤ ?70?C during the entire study period (348 days). The material was also considered sufficiently stable at 4?C for six days, but instable at 30?C and 35?C for the same period. At ?20?C the RM was sufficiently stable for 161 days. It was concluded that the material showed all the necessary requirements for a quality RM to be used as PT items and could be transported to the laboratories taking part in a PT at up to 4?C for up to 6 days, since the results indicated maintenance of the cell concentrations during this period. This is the first study to describe a methodology for producing RM containing coliforms in a cheese matrix.

Results and Analysis on Proficiency Testing and Measurement Audit for Molds and Yeast in Cosmetics

In order to improve and evaluate the proficiency testing of cosmetic microorganism detection laboratory,strengthen the control of cosmetic microbial detection quality.In 2019 and 2020,the laboratory of the author’s unit participated in the proficiency testing(NIFDC-PT-242)and measurement audit(NIFDC-MA-2020-148)for molds and yeasts in cosmetics organized by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control,respectively.According to the operation instruction for counting molds and yeasts in cosmetics and the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics,the results of the sample for proficiency testing numbered NIFDC-PT-242 were unsatisfactory,and the results of the sample for measurement audit numbered NIFDC-MA-2020-148 were satisfactory.In view of the unsatisfactory results,the laboratory analyzed and summarized from the aspects of“human,machine,material,method and environment”,providing reference for the laboratories participating in proficiency testing and measurement audit..

Evaluation of factors contributing to variability of qualitative and quantitative proficiency testing for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has led to unprecedented social and economic disruption.Many nucleic acid testing(NAT)laboratories in China have been established to control the epidemic better.This proficiency testing(PT)aims to evaluate the participants’performance in qualitative and quantitative SARS-CoV-2 NAT and to explore the factors that contribute to differences in detection capabilities.Two different concentrations of RNA samples(A,B)were used for quantitative PT.Pseudovirus samples D,E(different concentrations)and negative sample(F)were used for qualitative PT.50 data sets were reported for qualitative PT,of which 74.00%were entirely correct for all samples.Fortytwo laboratories participated in the quantitative PT.37 submitted all gene results,of which only 56.76%were satisfactory.For qualitative detection,it is suggested that laboratories should strengthen personnel training,select qualified detection kits,and reduce cross-contamination to improve detection accuracy.For quantitative detection,the results of the reverse transcription digital PCR(RT-dPCR)method were more comparable and reliable than those of reverse transcription quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR).The copy number concentration of ORF1ab and N in samples A and B scattered in 85,223,50,and 106 folds,respectively.The differences in the quantitative result of RT-qPCR was mainly caused by the non-standard use of reference materials and the lack of personnel operating skills.Comparing the satisfaction of participants participating in both quantitative and qualitative proficiency testing,95.65%of the laboratories with satisfactory quantitative results also judged the qualitative results correctly,while 85.71%of the laboratories with unsatisfactory quantitative results were also unsatisfied with their qualitative judgments.Therefore,the quantitative ability is the basis of qualitative judgment.Overall,participants from hospitals reported more satisfactory results than those from enterprises and universities.Therefore,surveillance,daily qualitiy control and standardized operating procedures should be strengthened to improve the capability of SARS-CoV-2 NAT.

Introduction of creep-rupture testing capability and proficiency at Baosteel

To characterize the long-term service performance and predict the lifetime of heat-resistant steel applications,more than 300 test pieces can be loaded simultaneously at Baosteel to determine the relationship between stress and rupture duration at specific temperatures. In addition, versatile testing methods have been established that evaluate creep-rupture, stress-relaxation, and creep-fatigue, as well as state-of-the-art tensile testing at hyper-high temperatures exceeding 2 100 ~2. Based on the Larson-Miller method, according to API 530, the accumulation of large volumes of data with respect to stress, temperature, and rupture time of actually tested steels ensures the reliability of predicting the allowable working stress over 100 000 h at any given temperature. For examples ,the stress tendencies against rupture time of T/P91 and T/P92 steel tubes, as obtained by Baosteel, are consistent with those from NIMS and ECCC. As an accredited provider of the Proficiency Testing schemes in ISO/ IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17043, Baosteel has periodically organized national proficiency testing with respect to creep and rupture, thereby providing an efficient way for all parties to assess their technical competence when performing uniaxial creep testing by the methods in ISO 204 and ASTM E139.

The Use of an Elicited Imitation Test to Measure Global Oral Proficiency of L2 Chinese at the Postsecondary Classroom Level

With a growing number of foreign language studies on proficiency outcomes,it is imperative to address the challenge of measuring students’proficiency development in a language program where standardized proficiency testing is not readily available.This article reports administering a Chinese elicited imitation test(EIT)by an instructor to track students’global oral proficiency development in a small language program in a mid-size U.S.public university.The test results from the EIT of second language(L2)Chinese suggest that this tool can provide the instructor with valuable insights into students’oral proficiency.This study also discusses the potential practical value of using this EIT in a language program with limited resources for standardized proficiency assessment.The hope is that this study will encourage language educators who are not already doing so to start using empirical evidence from a valid and reliable proficiency measurement tool to reflect on,improve,and guide their instructional practices.

A Full Mission Simulator of the Ship＇s Automated Electric Power System for Training and Competence Testing of Marine Engineers

This article describes practical preparation of marine engineers on the full mission simulator complex of the ship＇s automated electrical power plant. A full mission simulator complex of the ship＇s automated power management system meets International Convention STCW （Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping） 78 （with Manila amendments 2010） requirements in part of adequate reproduction of its operational modes corresponding to the actual configuration and layout of the ship＇s automated power management system with real consumers and typical loads. The simulator is fully consistent with the goals and objectives of the practical training, as well as the goals and objectives of proficiency testing engine department officers on issues of technical maintenance of real ship＇s equipment （high voltage installations included） and means of automation. The simulator＇s complex is designed for training and proficiency testing of cadets and students of maritime educational institutions, as well as training and proficiency testing of marine specialists （mechanics and electricians） by watch-keeping and maintenance of modem integrated automated control systems of ship＇s electric power plant and the individual ship electromechanical systems, including high-voltage systems. A simulator＇s complex provides adequate reproduction of operational situations on technical side of real ship electric and automation equipment provides training on monitoring, control and management diesel-generator sets in hand, semi-automatic and automatic modes of power station, control and management of electromechanical systems, as well as the set of tasks upon parameterization, visualization and etc. Besides number of combinations of monitoring, control and management tasks, the simulator＇s complex provides an opportunity to simulate various practical fault conditions. It allows students to focus on the work of automatic control system in emergency situations and to work out correct actions for a watch-keeper on searching, localizing of faults and troubleshooting of equipment.

The Role of the American Oil Chemists’Society in World Trade——Quality Assurance Testing,Certified Reference Materials,and International Liaison Activities

The American Oil Chemists’ Society(AOCS) is a volunteer-led association. AOCS develops and publishes methods of analysis for fats, oils, proteins, surfactants, and related materials according to accepted international standards to ensure equitable trade practices on a global scale. AOCS Official Method development has been going on for over a hundred years. The founding vision of AOCS in 1909 was "an organization designed for the development and advancement of analytical methods for cottonseed products." AOCS Official Methods are essential to world trade and are used to confirm the value of billions of pounds of oilseed-based commodities and finished products each year. In addition, AOCS conducts proficiency testing, provides certified reference materials, and collaborates with other standards developers including the International Organization for Standardization(ISO) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. AOCS serves as a professional scientific membership organization providing current and emerging information as well as disseminating research results in oils, fats, lipids, proteins, surfactants, and related materials. Several avenues are used, especially meetings, publications, interest groups, networking opportunities, and web presence. Many scientists, experts, and others engaged in working in these fields find their professional "home" in AOCS. The AOCS Technical Leadership Committee comprises some of the most experienced AOCS members and scientists. The AOCS Technical Services department staff relies on this committee for guidance on scientific matters and for advice in prioritizing the opportunities facing AOCS.

On College English Final Exams Within a University

This paper discusses the importance of a well-written college English final exam within a university at the end of each semester, the directive function of such an exam, the valuable informative feedback of the detailed scores, the necessity and importance of informing students of the general format of the exam and types of items as early as possible. It also deals with the importance of formative evaluation, the functions of regular scores, problems in retests that test-makers should pay attention to and the different organizations of test-makers.

Orientation and Function of Examination Evaluation in the Reform of College Entrance Examination

With the aim of deepening the college entrance examination reform,this paper analyzes the orientation and role of examination evaluation in the reform of college entrance examination.Firstly,the paper expounds the implementation of the college entrance examination reform and affirms the necessity of several related educational reforms.Secondly,it expoxmds the orientation of examination evaluation.Finally,it summarizes the function of examination evaluation from four aspects:guiding the development of students*comprehensive quality,supervising teaching work,promoting the progress of teaching work,and guiding examination propositions.The advantages of examination evaluation are emphasized to promote the reform of college entrance examination and further drive the progress of the education reform in China.