International Organization For Standardization Standards Research Articles

Validation of Polar ElixirTM Pulse Oximeter against Arterial Blood Gases during Stepwise Steady State Inspired Hypoxia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements from Polar ElixirTM pulse oximetry technology compared to arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) measurements during acute stepwise steady state inspired hypoxia at rest. A post hoc objective was to determine if SpO2 measurements could be improved by recalibrating the Polar ElixirTM algorithm with SaO2 values from a random subset of participants. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) protocol (ISO 80601-2-61:2017) for evaluating the SpO2 accuracy of pulse oximeter equipment was followed whereby five plateaus of SaO2 between 70-100% were achieved using stepwise reductions in inspired O2 during supine rest. Blood samples drawn through a radial arterial catheter from 25 participants were first used to compare SaO2 to SpO2 measurements from Polar ElixirTM. Then the Polar ElixirTM algorithm was recalibrated using SaO2 data from 13 random participants and SpO2 estimates were recalculated for the other 12 participants. For SaO2 values between 70-100%, root mean square error (RMSE), intraclass correlations (ICC), Pearson correlations, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the accuracy, agreement, and strength of relationship between SaO2 values and SpO2 values from Polar ElixirTM. The initial RMSE for Polar ElixirTM was 4.13%. After recalibrating the algorithm, the RMSE was improved to 2.67%. The ICC revealed excellent levels of agreement between SaO2 and Polar ElixirTM SpO2 values both before (ICC(3,1) = 0.837, df = 574, p < 0.001) and after (ICC(3,1) = 0.942, df = 287, p < 0.001) recalibration. Relative to ISO standards, Polar ElixirTM yielded accurate SpO2 measurements during stepwise inspired hypoxia at rest when compared to SaO2 values, which were improved by recalibrating the algorithm using a subset of the SaO2 data.

Insights into Properties of Biomass Energy Pellets Made from Mixtures of Woody and Non-Woody Biomass: A Meta-Analysis

There is a widespread global shift toward renewable energy sources, where the emphasis is on enhancing the utilization of renewable energy due to the rising costs associated with fossil fuels. In this light, biomass pellets made from woody and non-woody biomass and blends have gained increased attention. Extensive research has been conducted globally to enhance the quality of biomass pellets and to explore the potential to combine woody biomass with other non-woody forms of biomass in biomass pellet production. The heterogeneity of the raw materials used and resulting properties of the biomass pellets have led to the establishment of internationally recognized benchmarks such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17225 standard to regulate pellet quality. In this article, the key mechanical, physical, chemical, and energy properties of pellets made of different non-woody herbaceous biomass are investigated, and the available test values for such properties of the pellets were meta-analyzed. A comparison of the properties of these pellets with the relevant standards was also performed. A meta-analysis of studies on biomass pellet production was conducted via a comprehensive Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The SLR focuses on determining and analyzing the average values for the key physical properties of biomass pellets using woody biomass as a component in concert with other biomass materials. In addition, the optimal range of mixtures of woody and non-woody biomass was reviewed to produce biomass pellets with potential acceptance in the marketplace. The majority of studies included in the SLR concentrate on pellets made from a mixture of biomass materials. The results show that the average values for wood/non-wood mixtures such as pellet diameter, pellet length, moisture content, ash content, fine particle content, gross calorific value, and bulk density were found to adhere to the ISO standards. However, the average mechanical durability fell short of meeting the requirements of the standards. Additional comparisons were nitrogen, sulfur, volatile matter, and fixed carbon content. The findings in this meta-analysis could be useful in directing future research focused on producing high-quality and efficient biomass pellets derived from biomass blends and mixtures.

Smartphone-Based versus Non-Invasive Automatic Oscillometric Brachial Cuff Blood Pressure Measurements: A Prospective Method Comparison Volunteer Study.

Introduction: Mobile health diagnostics have demonstrated effectiveness in detecting and managing chronic diseases. This method comparison study aims to assess the accuracy and precision of the previously evaluated OptiBP™ technology over a four-week study period. This device uses optical signals recorded by placing a patient's fingertip on a smartphone's camera to estimate blood pressure (BP). Methods: In adult participants without cardiac arrhythmias and minimal interarm blood pressure difference (systolic arterial pressure (SAP) < 15 mmHg or diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) < 10 mmHg), three pairs of 30 s BP measurements with the OptiBP™ (test method) were simultaneously compared using three pairs of measurements with the non-invasive oscillometric brachial cuff (reference method) on the opposite arm over a period of four consecutive weeks at a rate of two measurements per week (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). The agreement of BP values between the two technologies was analyzed using Bland-Altman and error grid analyses. The performance of the smartphone application was investigated using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) definitions, which require the bias ± standard deviation (SD) between two technologies to be lower than 5 ± 8 mmHg. Results: Among the 65 eligible volunteers, 53 participants had adequate OptiBP™ BP values. In 12 patients, no OptiBP™ BP could be measured due to inadequate signals. Only nine participants had known chronic arterial hypertension and 76% of those patients were treated. The mean bias ± SD between both technologies was -1.4 mmHg ± 10.1 mmHg for systolic arterial pressure (SAP), 0.2 mmHg ± 6.5 mmHg for diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) and -0.5 mmHg ± 6.9 mmHg for mean arterial pressure (MAP). Error grid analyses indicated that 100% of the pairs of BP measurements were located in zones A (no risk) and B (low risk). Conclusions: In a cohort of volunteers, we observed an acceptable agreement between BP values obtained with the OptiBPTM and those obtained with the reference method over a four-week period. The OptiBPTM fulfills the ISO standards for MAP and DAP (but not SAP). The error grid analyses showed that 100% measurements were located in risk zones A and B. Despite the need for some technological improvements, this application may become an important tool to measure BP in the future.

Conclusions from the Analysis of Blockchain Solutions

The development of blockchain technology and distributed ledgers indeed contributes to enabling the delivery of various digital services, such as financial services, registry management, and tokens, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In blockchain systems, decisions are made based on the so-called consensus mechanism, which is a method of selecting a single version of transaction history that all nodes consistently agree upon. Although this technology is classified as emerging, it has a history of over ten years, and its ongoing implementations, including in the public administration sector, demonstrate its evolution and its status as one of the most promising technologies in terms of ensuring data immutability. The published ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards and numerous implementations using business models executed in the DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) architecture undoubtedly support the development of blockchain.

Cumin and eucalyptus essential oil standardization using fractional distillation: Data-driven optimization and techno-economic analysis

Cumin and eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) are among the most important and widely used EOs with a broad range of applications in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries. The seeds and leaves of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) plants are processed with extraction techniques to retrieve their EOs, yet certain product specifications need to be met to achieve a high-quality product. Based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the essential oils of cumin and eucalyptus should contain certain amounts of cuminaldehyde and 1,8-cineole to be of acceptable quality. In this study, we design and optimize a dynamic fractional distillation process that enriches cumin and eucalyptus EOs to the ISO standards, with concentrations of 42% cuminaldehyde and 80% of 1,8-cineole achieved for each EO respectively. The dynamic model of this process is simulated via Aspen Plus using data from a pilot-scale fractional distillation unit, and the operating conditions that minimize the operational cost in the simulated environment are identified using the NOMAD algorithm. The optimization results show that the operating cost of standardization processes for cumin and eucalyptus EOs are $0.688/batch and $0.6973/batch, with process efficiencies of 69.56% and 59.77%, respectively. Furthermore, the techno-economic analysis for these two standardization processes showed that the total annualized cost was approximately $510,600 for both processes.

Improving Accuracy and Reliability of Hearing Tests: An Exploration of International Standards.

This study explores the internal standards for hearing tests and benefits of implementing international standard protocols, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and discusses how ISO and IEC standards provide a framework for designing, calibrating, assessing hearing test instruments and methods, and exchanging and comparing data globally. ISO and IEC standards for hearing tests improve accuracy, reliability, and consistency of test results by applying standardized methods and environments. Moreover, they promote international harmonization and data interoperability, enabling information exchange and research collaboration. Those standards for hearing tests are beneficial but have challenges and limitations, such as variation in equipment and calibration, lag in updating standards, variation in implementation and compliance, and lack of coverage of clinical aspects, cultural diversity, and linguistic diversity. These affect the quality and interpretation of test results. Adapting ISO or IEC standards locally would improve their applicability and acceptability, while balancing customization and compatibility with global standards.

B3X: a novel efficient algorithm for accurate automated auscultatory blood pressure estimation

Objective. The auscultatory technique is still considered the most accurate method for non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurement, although its reliability depends on operator’s skills. Various methods for automated Korotkoff sounds analysis have been proposed for reliable estimation of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures. To this aim, very complex methodologies have been presented, including some based on artificial intelligence (AI). This study proposes a relatively simple methodology, named B3X, to estimate SBP and DBP by processing Korotkoff sounds recordings acquired during an auscultatory NIBP measurement. Approach. The beat-by-beat change in morphology of adjacent Korotkoff sounds is evaluated via their cross-correlation. The time series of the beat-by-beat cross-correlation and its first derivative are analyzed to locate the timings of SBP and DBP values. Extensive tests were performed on a public database of 350 annotated measurements, and the performance was evaluated according to the BHS, AAMI/ANSI, and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) quality standards. Main results. The proposed approach achieved ‘A’ scores for SBP and DBP in the BHS grading system, and passed the quality tests of AAMI/ANSI and ISO standards. The B3X algorithm outperformed two well-established algorithms for oscillometric NIBP measurement in both SBP and DBP estimation. It also outperformed four AI-based algorithms in DBP estimation, while providing comparable performance for SBP, at the cost of a much lower computational burden. The full code of the B3X algorithm is provided in a public repository. Significance. The very good performances ensured by the proposed B3X algorithm, at a low computational cost and without the need for parameter training, support its direct implementation into clinical blood pressure (BP) monitoring devices. The results of this study pave the way for solving/overcoming the trade-off between the accuracy of the auscultatory technique and the objectivity of oscillatory measurements, by bringing an automated auscultatory BP measurement method in clinical practice.

Physicochemical Properties and Biocompatibility of Various Bioceramic Root Canal Sealers: In Vitro Study

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of various calcium silicate–based bioceramic sealers (CSBSs). MethodsFour recently developed CSBSs, including AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer (AHB), EndoSequence BC Sealer (ESB), TotalFill BC Sealer (TTB), and Bio-C Sealer (BIC), were compared with the epoxy resin–based sealer AH Plus (AHP). Their physical properties, including flow, setting time, radiopacity, dimensional stability, and pH, were evaluated according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 6876. Their cytotoxicity in human periodontal ligament fibroblast (hPDLF) was assessed through the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and compared. Additionally, cell attachment to the sealer surface was analyzed using green fluorescent protein and confocal laser scanning microscopy to evaluate cell viability. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance to determine the difference between groups for categorical variables, followed by Tukey's post hoc test at the significance level of 95%. ResultsThe flow, setting time, and radiopacity of all tested CSBSs satisfied the ISO 6876/2012 standards. Further, these CSBSs showed shrinkage after immersion in distilled water for 30 days and complied with the ISO 6876/2001 requirements. The pH values of AHB, ESB, TTB, and BIC were greater than 11, whereas AHP had a pH of 6.69 after 4 weeks. CSBS showed excellent biocompatibility compared with that of AHP (P < .05). Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that alive hPDLFs were attached well to all the tested CSBSs but not to AHP. ConclusionsCSBSs have similar physical characteristics within the ISO standards and higher biocompatibility than epoxy resin–based sealers.

A Metabolomics and Big Data Approach to Cannabis Authenticity (Authentomics).

With the increasing accessibility of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., also known as marijuana and hemp), its products are being developed as extracts for both recreational and therapeutic use. This has led to increased scrutiny by regulatory bodies, who aim to understand and regulate the complex chemistry of these products to ensure their safety and efficacy. Regulators use targeted analyses to track the concentration of key bioactive metabolites and potentially harmful contaminants, such as metals and other impurities. However, the metabolic complexity of cannabis metabolic pathways requires a more comprehensive approach. A non-targeted metabolomic analysis of cannabis products is necessary to generate data that can be used to determine their authenticity and efficacy. An authentomics approach, which involves combining the non-targeted analysis of new samples with big data comparisons to authenticated historic datasets, provides a robust method for verifying the quality of cannabis products. To meet International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, it is necessary to implement the authentomics platform technology and build an integrated database of cannabis analytical results. This study is the first to review the topic of the authentomics of cannabis and its potential to meet ISO standards.

Methods of Preparation of Nanoparticles

The size, shape, and material qualities of nanoparticles can be used to classify them into several categories. Some classifications distinguish between organic and inorganic nanoparticles; nevertheless, the classification of nanoparticles is often determined by their applications or may be connected to how they were formed. Nanoparticles can be found in nature and are also produced as a result of human activity. Nanoparticles have unique material properties due to their sub-microscopic size, and they may find practical uses in a range of fields. A nanoparticle is a distinct nano-object with all three Cartesian dimensions smaller than 100 nm, according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Two-dimensional nano-objects and one-dimensional nano-objects are both described in the ISO standard. However, the definition is later changed. Nanoparticles can also be classed as hard, such as silica particles and fullerenes, or soft, such as nanodroplets. For millennia, nanometreshave been used to study biological systems and to develop a variety of materials such as colloidal dispersions, metallic quantum dots, and catalysts. For example, more than a thousand years ago, the Chinese used Au nanoparticles as an inorganic dye to provide red colour to their ceramic porcelains. Although a complete study on the creation and properties of colloidal gold was only published in the middle of the nineteenth century, its use has a long history. Colloidal Faraday's gold dispersion, was created in 1857. Nanotechnology is a technology for designing, fabricating, and applying nanostructures and nanomaterials in general. Fundamental knowledge of the physical properties and phenomena of nanomaterials and nanostructures is also required for nanotechnology. Nanoscience is the study of basic links between physical characteristics and events in nanoscale scale materials. Nanotechnology is described in the United States as materials and systems with nanoscale structures and components that display innovative and considerably improved physical, chemical, and biological properties, phenomena, and processes. Here are some of the techniques for making nanomaterials.

Accuracy of a smartphone application for blood pressure estimation in Bangladesh, South Africa, and Tanzania

Undetected and unmonitored hypertension carries substantial mortality and morbidity, especially during pregnancy. We assessed the accuracy of OptiBPTM, a smartphone application for estimating blood pressure (BP), across diverse settings. The study was conducted in community settings: Gaibandha, Bangladesh and Ifakara, Tanzania for general populations, and Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, South Africa for pregnant populations. Based on guidance from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 81,060–2:2018 for non-invasive BP devices and global consensus statement, we compared BP measurements taken by two independent trained nurses on a standard auscultatory cuff to the BP measurements taken by a research version of OptiBPTM called CamBP. For ISO criterion 1, the mean error was 0.5 ± 5.8 mm Hg for the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 0.1 ± 3.9 mmHg for the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in South Africa; 0.8 ± 7.0 mmHg for the SBP and −0.4 ± 4.0 mmHg for the DBP in Tanzania; 3.3 ± 7.4 mmHg for the SBP and −0.4 ± 4.3 mmHg for the DBP in Bangladesh. For ISO criterion 2, the average standard deviation of the mean error per subject was 4.9 mmHg for the SBP and 3.4 mmHg for the DBP in South Africa; 6.3 mmHg for the SBP and 3.6 mmHg for the DBP in Tanzania; 6.4 mmHg for the SBP and 3.8 mmHg for the DBP in Bangladesh. OptiBPTM demonstrated accuracy against ISO standards in study populations, including pregnant populations, except in Bangladesh for SBP (criterion 2). Further research is needed to improve performance across different populations and integration within health systems.

Sustainable digitalisation and implementation of ISO standards for facilities management

PurposeThis viewpoint paper aims to discuss sustainable digitalisation of facilities management (FM) through the implementation of the newly recognised International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards within the ISO 41000 series.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint paper provides a review of the literature of the recent ISO documents and academic study. The content is also dependent on the authors’ opinions and interpretation.FindingsFM is currently shifting emphasis towards a strategic focus through the adoption of the new recognised international ISO standards that consider sustainable digitalisation in business decisions. However, the FM sector is encountering potential risks to the implementation of the new recognised international ISO standards. Digitalisation is one kind of force that has shaped the management of the built environment and FM recently and rapidly, especially in the Covid-19 period. This is impacting the FM industry. As standardisation aims at establishing a constantly evolving baseline of proven practices, standardisation can be considered a part of sustainable FM. It is believed that standardised and strategic level support is crucial for the smooth adoption of sustainable FM practices and processes. Standards such as the ISO standards, applied to the global FM industry, help in objectively quantifying the added value of FM to the core business. Advanced technology and digitalisation can contribute to the sustainability of any profession and industry, but it also requires a community to tackle the problems.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the FM industry by making recommendations for improvement in the use of digitalisation. In summary, the significant finding of this viewpoint paper is that digitalisation offers both possibilities and problems in the application of the new recognised international ISO standards within the FM industry.

Measuring vessel underwater radiated noise in shallow water.

Performing reproducible vessel source level (SL) measurements is complicated by seabed reflections in shallow water. In deep water, with a hydrophone far from the seabed, it is straightforward to estimate propagation loss (PL) and convert sound pressure level (SPL) into SL using the method codified in the international standard ISO 17208-2 [International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva, Switzerland (2019)]. Estimating PL is more difficult in shallow water because of the way that sound reflects from the seabed such that multiple propagation paths contribute to SPL. Obtaining reproducible SL measurements in shallow water requires straightforward and robust methods to estimate PL. From May to July 2021, a field experiment evaluated different methods of measuring vessel SL in shallow water. The same vessels were measured many times in water depths of 30, 70, and 180 m. In total, 12 079 SL measurements were obtained from 1880 vessel transits and 16 hydrophones, distributed across 3 moored vertical line arrays and 2 moored horizontal line arrays. The experiment confirmed that it is possible to obtain reproducible vessel SL estimates in shallow water comparable to within ±2.5 dB of ISO-compliant measurements in deep water and repeatable to within ±1.5 dB.

The Status of International Guidance and Standards for Environmental Noise Assessment

Since its first publication in 1971 of ISO/R 1996:1971 on Acoustics Assessment of Noise with Respect to Community Response, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed and published a range of standards for environmental noise assessment. The main ISO 1996 series of standards on Description, Measurement and Assessment of Environmental Noise has been developed in phases. And almost 30 years ago, ISO 9613 Attenuation of Sound During Propagation Outdoors was added. More recently, supporting standards such as the ISO PAS 20065 Objective Method for Assessing the Audibility of Tones in Noise and the ISO 17534 series concerning Software for the Calculation of Sound Outdoors have been added, and cooperation initiated with the International Electrotechnical Commission on the IEC 61400-11-2 Assessment of Wind Turbines Noise at receptor positions. This paper provides an overview of ISO standards related to environmental noise assessment. It also describes the historical development of the ISO 1996 series and related standards. Current developments, including their status, are described. Finally, it provides some suggestions and considerations for further research.

The definition of the quality management system and methodology of quality evaluation in public government bodies

The article is devoted to the analysis of the definition of the quality management system (QMS) according to various sources, including the national quality standard DSTU ISO 9001:2015, the views of domestic and foreign scientists. Approaches to the definition of QMS are considered in the context of its role as a strategic decision of the organization to improve overall effectiveness and sustainable development. The authors of the article take into account the definition of Tuomi V., who sees QMS as a process management system with a focus on customer satisfaction while minimizing the cost to the organization, and also express the points of view of A. Oleshka. and Momota I.O. As a result of combining the methodological approach of Tuomi V. and the formal approach to the definition of QMS, the article proposes a new definition: QMS is a set of procedures, methods, instructions and organizational structure necessary for managing processes in order to achieve the maximum result at the minimum costs of the organization. Given the variety of approaches to understanding QMS, this new definition can become a useful tool for practical application and further research of quality management systems in various fields of activity. In addition, the article examines the development of the concept of quality and the quality management system (QMS) in international business processes. The transition period from the 80s to the 90s of the last century, when the concept of «quality» expanded its application from production processes to the sphere of services, was analyzed. The implementation of QMS in the US public sphere and the process of harmonization of national quality standards in Europe based on ISO 9000 standards are also investigated. The article also describes in detail the role of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the development of international standards and the promotion of international trade. The main functions of ISO are emphasized, as well as the chronological development of ISO 9000 standards, in particular the ISO 9001:2015 version. The article also notes the research of domestic and foreign scientists who studied the implementation of international quality standards in practice at various levels, including local authorities. Auxiliary references to the works of Pakhomova T. and Lakhizha M.I., Tuomi V., who were engaged in the analysis and research of quality management systems, are indicated. The international standard ISO 9001, which defines the requirements for the quality management system, was considered. The standard provides for the ability of the organization to satisfy the needs of consumers on an ongoing basis through the effective application of the quality management system. It is general and is used in all organizations, regardless of their type, size and type of products or services. The ISO 9001 standard is based on the PDCA cycle (planning, action, verification, implementation). It provides guidance on planning, implementation, quality assessment, and continuous improvement of a product or service. The standard implementation process includes resource allocation, customer communication, internal quality audit, process monitoring and corrective actions. The author emphasizes that the implementation of the PDCA cycle in the activities of public authorities will help to improve the quality of providing public services to citizens. Completing tasks according to such a mechanism will create a high-quality precedent that can be relied upon for the implementation of subsequent projects. The introduction of quality standards will also provide a convenient basis for public managers in solving operational tasks and ensuring constructive communication with citizens. It is noted that ignoring the wishes of customers can negatively affect the profitability of the organization. The possibility of applying the methodology for assessing the quality of public services on the basis of citizens' feedback for public bodies in Ukraine is being investigated. There are two main reasons for the use of this methodology by public managers: assessment of the actual state of public service provision and prioritization of efficiency improvement processes in crisis areas of citizen service. Examples of the implementation of this methodology in other countries and research results showing the significant impact of ISO 9001 quality standards on the quality of public services are presented. It is noted that this methodology can help public managers understand the level of effectiveness of interaction between public authorities and citizens and contribute to the implementation of quality standards in areas that need it, especially in wartime.

EURAMET supplementary comparison of personal dose equivalent rate at 0.07 mm and 3 mm depth, H p(0.07) and H p(3), for beta radiation

Main textFor quality assurance in the realization and transfer of the unit of the absorbed dose rate at 0.07 mm tissue depth for beta radiation by the national standard laboratories, comparison measurements, especially between the primary standard facilities are needed. A corresponding comparison took place from 2004 to 2007 as EUROMET project No. 739. The comparison described in this report took place from 2018 to 2023 with the following extensions:instead of only eight laboratories, this time 16 participants from all parts of the world (five continents) were included;besides the absorbed dose rate at 0.07 mm tissue depth, 3 mm tissue depth was included for the first time;three different types of primary standards and radiation sources of four differing design types were used;one laboratory participated at an extreme altitude of 3000 m above sea level which required a very significant correction for air density to the dose rate;finally, besides the long-established beta reference radiation fields from the three radio nuclides 1. 147Pm with E̅ = 0.07 MeV and E max = 0.22 MeV,2. 85Kr with E̅ = 0.25 MeV and E max = 0.7 MeV, and3. 90Sr/90Y with E̅ = 0.8 MeV and E max = 2.3 MeV, also a fourth, i.e., a high-energy radiation field utilizing4. 106Ru/106Rh with E̅ = 1.2 MeV and E max = 3.5 MeV, was included for the first time;all four in accordance with the international standard series ISO 6980 from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).A flat ionization chamber accompanied by a complete measurement system was used as the transfer instrument for the comparison. The calibration coefficients of this chamber were compared in the reference fields listed above. The 16 participants were from Germany (PTB), Portugal (IST-LPSR), Spain (CIEMAT), Hungary (BFKH), Sweden (SSM), Finland (STUK), France (LNE-LNHB), China (NIM), Republic of Korea (KRISS), Taiwan (INER), Japan (NMIJ), South Africa (NMISA), Mexico (ININ), Canada (NRC), United States of America (NIST), and Cuba (CPHR). The PTB was the pilot laboratory, and the comparison ran under EURAMET Project No. 1398 and BIPM KCDB: EURAMET.RI(I)-S16. The results from 13 of the 16 participants are consistent with the stated uncertainties while one participant's results agree for normal radiation incidence (0°) but not for oblique angles, one participant's results agree for the quantity H p(0.07) but not for H p(3) and one participant's results agree for the 90Sr/90Y radiation quality but not for 85K.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

“Too quality”! Professional boundary setting and the ISO 56000 standard on innovation management. In honor of Dorothy E. Smith (1926–2022)

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to pay homage to Dorothy E. Smith (1926–2022), and her lifelong significance for organizational ethnography. Building on Smith, the empirical purpose of the paper is to analyze professional boundary setting on behalf of innovation management as it occurred in the recent International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committees (TC) 279 committee on innovation management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an ethnographic study of the drafting and publication of a novel international management standard on innovation management, the ISO 56000-series published in 2019. It is based on fieldwork from the ISO committee and integrates relevant standardization documents, observations and interviews.FindingsThe paper analyzes four occasions for textual professional boundary work ranging from negotiations of content and choice of ISO standard formats to the unprecedented high-level liaison agreements across international organizations. In each instance, the analysis depicts distinct textual features related to ISO standardization. The analysis shows how the standard becomes positioned as extending and complementing the ISO 9001, not as a radical, freestanding alternative to quality management.Originality/valueThe paper presents original data from the ISO standardization committee. It develops Smith's general textual ontology into a theoretical framework for analyzing how professional boundary setting occurs in the textually structured context of ISO standardization. It gives attention to the implications of questions of objectification and standardization as these apply to contemporary research into innovation and organization.

Enhancement of a Single-Axis Femtosecond Laser Scanning System by Using Two Galvanometers to Improve the Telecentricity and the Effective Scanning Length on Laser Process

The galvanometer scanning system plays a crucial role in modern laser material processing. With the development of this industry, the requirements for galvanometer scanners are getting higher and higher, especially to overcome the inherent disadvantages that still exist, such as image distortion, marking speed and accuracy in state-of-the-art scanning systems. In this paper, a single-axis optical scanner using two galvanometers in combination with one f-theta telecentric lens and a 343 nm femtosecond pulse laser source is proposed as a new approach for enhancing the precision of laser micromachining technology. The additional second galvanometer is used to manipulate the output laser beam of the first galvanometer to the path with less lens aberration to enhance the telecentricity correction and the effective scanning area. This is based on the international standard regulation ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) 11145:2018 requirements in optics and photonics, in which an important criterion is for the roundness of the focused beam spot to be greater than 87% to determine the effective working length of the proposed scanning system compared to the conventional scanning system. It is demonstrated by optical simulations and real optical experiments that the effective working length can be increased by 3.6 mm, corresponding to 8.1% of the effective scanning field, to achieve a laser material processing system with ISO standard. The damped least squares (DLS) algorithm in optical design software ZEMAX is used to optimize the deflected angle of the two galvanometers to obtain the optimal incident position of the f-theta lens.

Software development methodology of structural-parametric description of low-temperature co-fired ceramics-technology for the production of microwave components

The article discusses the production of microwave components based on the technology of low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC). A set of standards Continuous Acquisition and Life cycle Support (CALS) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and business process models in these standards are considered. Based on the basic models of the ISO and CALS standards, a structural-parametric description model (SPD) has been developed, in which the structure of ISO-9000 is preserved, and specific parameters of LTCC technology are added. The methodology of the (SPD) of this technology is proposed. Open source software for processes, resources, results, production operations, control and management has been developed for each technological operation (TO), workplace and area. The methodology for creating information support and Microsoft Access Database Management System (DBMS) of SPD is proposed. Recommendations for the development of a software-methodological complex of information support for SPD of LTCC technology are proposed.

A Comprehensive Study of Biodegradation of Cigarette Filters and Bidi Butts

Summary Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) by living microbial organisms. With the advancement in analytical techniques, standard methods have been developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), eliminating the ambiguity associated with biodegradation testing for several materials. There is no data available on biodegradation of cigarette filters that follows a standardized and validated ISO method. The objective of this study is to understand the biodegradation of conventional and non-conventional cellulose acetate (CA) Cigarette Filters, Infused Paper Filter (IP), and Combined Material Filter (CMF), Condensed Tobacco End Filter (CTEC) and bidi butts. In this study, cigarettes and bidis were smoked on a smoking machine following the standard ISO 3308 for cigarettes and the standard ISO 17175 for bidis. After smoking, cigarette filters and bidi butts were subjected to biodegradation testing, adopting the standard ISO 14855-1. The study demonstrated 92.1% biodegradation in 151 days for cellulose acetate cigarette filters, 91.9% biodegradation in 97 days for DE-TowTM (Cellulose acetate with additives) filters, 96.2% biodegradation in 86 days for CMF, 93.4% biodegradation in 55 days for paper filters, 92.1% biodegradation in 54 days for bidi butts, and 95.3% biodegradation in 37 days for CTEC filters were recorded. This study provided an unbiased proof that the cigarette filters made of cellulose acetate are biodegradable as per the standard ISO 14855-1. Also, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis was carried out on the smoked cigarette filters of Cellulose acetate, DE-TowTM and CMF as well as their resulting compost to detect any cellulose acetate remaining in the final compost. The GPC analysis indicated cellulose acetate peaks in smoked cigarette filters of cellulose acetate, DE-TowTM and CMF samples, whereas no cellulose acetate peak was observed in resulting compost samples. Hence it is concluded that cellulose acetate is not present in any of the resulting composts of cellulose acetate filters, DE-TowTM filters and CMF samples. It is inferred from the results that cigarette filters and bidi butts chosen for the study have achieved the criteria of more than 90% biodegradation, which is well within the specified criteria of 180 days. This article will be beneficial for entire scientific community, regulators as well as manufacturers in understanding the biodegradability of cigarette filters.