Testing Systems Research Articles

Deformation and Pore Structure Characteristics of Lignite Pyrolysis with Temperature Under Triaxial Stress

As people pay increasing attention to the clean and efficient mining and utilization of coal resources, efforts to improve the utilization rate of coal, modify coal resources, and carry out coal gasification have become more and more important. The deformation characteristics of lignite, the most appropriate coal type for underground coal gasification, are intricately linked to its mechanical properties, permeability characteristics, and mining efficiency throughout the extraction process. The deformation and pore structure characteristics of lignite from room temperature to 650 °C have been studied through high-temperature triaxial penetration testing systems, NMR, and X-CT. As the temperature increases, the porosity of lignite rises, its mechanical strength decreases, and significant deformation occurs, and high temperatures promote pore development in lignite. The axial deformation of lignite pyrolysis is divided into three stages: the dehydration and degassing at room temperature to ~200 °C, the slow deformation between 200 °C and 300 °C, and the pyrolysis deformation from 300 °C to 650 °C. Significant deformation occurs during both the dehydration degassing and pyrolysis deformation stages. Between 250 °C and 650 °C, a large number of highly interconnected pore networks form. Investigating the deformation and pore structure characteristics of lignite is crucial for elucidating its mechanical and permeability features under varying temperature and pressure conditions.

Microstructural Mechanical Characteristics of Soft Rock and the Water–Rock Coupling Mechanism

The strength of soft rock masses progressively deteriorates under dissolution effects, leading to extensive pore development and structural loosening within the rock matrix. This process induces water and sand inrush phenomena at excavation faces, posing substantial challenges to construction safety. This study systematically investigates the strength degradation mechanisms and engineering disaster evolution of soft rock subjected to water–rock interactions. Utilizing representative water-rich soft rock specimens from a tunnel in central Yunnan, a multi-scale analytical framework incorporating X-ray diffraction mineral analysis systems, triaxial mechanical testing systems for rocks, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was implemented. This integrated methodology comprehensively elucidates the macro–meso damage evolution mechanisms of soft rock under water–rock coupling interactions. The results indicate that as the dolomite content decreases and the impurity content increases, the softening grade of the rock rises, leading to more extensive pore development. Uniaxial compression tests revealed that the Poisson’s ratio of soft rock is significantly higher than that of typical rock. Triaxial compression tests demonstrated that confining pressure has a substantial impact on soft rock, particularly affecting Poisson’s ratio. Increased water content was found to significantly reduce the strength of the soft rock. Compared to loose soft rock, the radial strain of denser soft rock was markedly greater than the axial strain, and the soaking damage effect was more pronounced. This study provides a valuable insight into the mechanical and permeability behavior of soft rock under different conditions, and provides valuable insights into the solutions for soft rock in geological engineering such as tunnel excavations.

Application of new approach methodologies for nonclinical safety assessment of drug candidates.

The development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) and advances with in vitro testing systems have prompted revisions in regulatory guidelines and inspired dedicated in vitro/ex vivo studies for nonclinical safety assessment. This Review by a safety reflection initiative subgroup of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)/Preclinical Development Expert Group (PDEG) summarizes the current state and potential application of in vitro studies using human-derived material for safety assessment in drug development. It focuses on case studies from recent projects in which animal models alone proved to be limited or inadequate for safety testing. It further highlights four categories of drug candidates for which alternative in vitro approaches are applicable and discusses progress in using in vitro testing solutions for safety assessment in these categories. Finally, the article highlights new risk assessment strategies, initiatives and consortia promoting the advancement of NAMs. This collective work is meant to encourage the use of NAMs for more human-relevant safety assessment, which should ultimately result in reduced animal testing for drug development.

Testing Program Critical Control Points (TP-CCP): characterizing and optimizing decision-making power in food safety testing.

Foodborne illness affects 48 million people annually in the U.S., resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, and an estimated economic burden of $17.6 billion. To address this important public health issue, ongoing industry efforts have been undertaken to promote a proactive food safety culture that focuses on prevention-based approaches to food safety. In the 1960s, Good Manufacturing Processes (GMPs) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) were introduced to provide a systematic process to identify and mitigate physical, chemical, and biological risks, and quickly became standard components of a comprehensive quality and food safety program. In 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) introduced Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls (HARPC), an expansion of HACCP to products regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This article proposes a complementary program using the HACCP/HARPC construct for the systematic characterization and assessment of analytical tools used in monitoring critical steps in food processes. The Testing Program Critical Control Point (TP-CCP) framework extends the comprehensive HACCP/HARPC model to microbiological monitoring programs (e.g., sampling, testing methodology) to define the theoretical operating limits and realized performance of testing systems. TP-CCP identifies risk mitigation opportunities, supports broad prevention-based control efforts, and establishes a missing feedback loop for continuous improvement in food safety. The proposed TP-CCP ensures a robust network that the food industry can use to obtain a more efficient and reliable testing system to advance public health.

Evaluation of MicroScan and VITEK 2 systems for susceptibility testing of Enterobacterales with updated breakpoints.

We compared the performance of two commercial antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) systems for contemporary Enterobacterales strains using broth microdilution (BMD) as the reference standard with 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute or current FDA breakpoints applied. Enterobacterales clinical isolates with BMD results were tested in parallel using VITEK 2 AST test cards (N802, XN15, bioMérieux, Hazelwood, MO, USA) and MicroScan NM56 AST panels (Beckman Coulter, Sacramento, CA, USA). The 200 isolates (57 Escherichia coli, 55 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 21 Enterobacter cloacae complex, 18 Serratia marcescens, 12 Proteus mirabilis, 10 Citrobacter koseri, 9 Citrobacter freundii, 8 Klebsiella oxytoca, 5 Klebsiella aerogenes, 3 Providencia stuartii, and 2 Morganella morganii) included 25% extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), 23% carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and 4.5% AmpC resistance phenotypes. For the 28 antimicrobial agents tested, essential agreement (EA, MIC within ±1 doubling dilution), categorical agreement (CA, same categorical interpretation: susceptible, intermediate, susceptible dose dependent, and resistant), and error rates were calculated using BMD as the reference standard. Time to results (TTR) was determined for each instrument for all 200 isolates. Hands-on time was assessed by timing two technologists each setting up six batches of five isolates on each system. Accuracy was similar between systems with an overall CA > 94% and EA ≥ 96%. The CA was ≥90% for most agents tested on both systems (exceptions were ampicillin-sulbactam, cefoxitin, minocycline, and nitrofurantoin). The MicroScan with Prompt inoculum preparation required less hands-on setup time than VITEK (1.29 vs 1.83 min/isolate). The median instrument TTR was less for VITEK (11.7 vs 18 hours, P < 0.001), yielding an overall faster turnaround time.IMPORTANCEThere are limited data directly comparing the performance of commercial antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems for contemporary bacterial strains using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution method as the reference standard and applying updated breakpoints. These data will hopefully encourage labs to perform the necessary verification or validation studies needed to implement current breakpoints and ensure antimicrobial resistance is detected.

Architecting explainable AI systems for payment compliance testing

This article explores the architectural approaches for building explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) systems specifically designed for payment compliance testing in regulated financial environments. As financial institutions increasingly adopt sophisticated machine learning models to enhance compliance verification, they face the challenge of balancing advanced detection capabilities with regulatory requirements for transparency and explainability. The article examines the "black box" problem inherent in neural networks and proposes decision-tree surrogate models as a practical solution to bridge the interpretability gap. It further explores the implementation of SHAP values to quantify feature importance in payment decisions, providing crucial transparency for compliance officers and regulators. The article addresses regulatory considerations for XAI deployment, highlighting the need for comprehensive ML governance frameworks that include robust documentation, stakeholder-appropriate explanations, and rigorous testing methodologies. Finally, it presents an implementation architecture that preserves explainability throughout the transaction lifecycle, demonstrating how financial institutions can satisfy both performance and transparency requirements in payment compliance systems.

System for monitoring the strength and dynamic characteristics of freight wagons in operation

Purpose. Improvement of methods and tools for experimental evaluation of the quality and safety indicators of freight wagons by enhancing the theoretical foundations, methodological approach, and instrumental support for testing. It is proposed to implement software and hardware systems instead of laboratory wagons to determine the quality indicators of wagon movement, as well as to provide recommendations for assessing the dynamic performance of rolling stock. Methodology. The paper examines the features of monitoring the strength and dynamic characteristics of freight wagons using modern measurement systems under operating conditions. It describes a method for measuring wheel-rail interaction forces by determining deformations at control points and highlights the general requirements for force measurement systems to ensure traffic safety. The study provides recommendations for direct measurements to assess the stability margin of wheelsets (quality indicators of movement), which will help prevent transport incidents. Additionally, emphasis is placed on the need to improve methodological and software support for evaluating movement quality indicators. Findings. A transition from laboratory wagons to mobile software and hardware systems for rolling stock testing has been proposed, which will enhance the efficiency and accuracy of movement quality evaluation. The dependency areas of stress formation in the disk of a standard freight wagon wheel under vertical and horizontal force loads have been identified. An improved strain gauge scheme for measuring wheel-rail interaction forces has been proposed. Originality. General requirements for a mobile software and hardware system for measuring and evaluating the quality indicators of freight wagon movement under operating conditions have been developed, and field tests using this system have been conducted. Practical value. The obtained research results make it possible to formulate general requirements for a mobile software and hardware system for measuring and evaluating the quality indicators of freight wagon movement under operating conditions. These results should be used in the development and design of systems for railway rolling stock aimed at monitoring traffic safety by measuring strength and dynamic parameters. This, in turn, will enhance the safety of railway transportation.

Intercultural Competence of Chinese College English Teachers: A Comprehensive Study

This study investigates Chinese college English teachers’ intercultural competence (IC) through mixed-methods research involving 69 survey respondents and four interviews. Findings reveal systemic challenges in integrating cultural instruction, including teachers’ self-perceived knowledge gaps (39%), pedagogical skill deficiencies (36%), and curricular misalignment with policy mandates. While national reforms emphasize IC development, classroom practices remain constrained by exam-oriented priorities, limited training (only 26% received in-service IC training), and textbook biases favoring Anglo-American cultures. Quantitative analysis shows teachers’ confidence negatively correlates with teaching experience, but positively with education level, suggesting advanced academic training enhances IC integration capabilities. Qualitative data highlight tensions between ideological-political curriculum requirements and authentic intercultural pedagogy, with teachers creatively adapting content to balance cultural perspectives. The research identifies two critical gaps: (1) policy-implementation disconnect in cultural education, and (2) insufficient professional development despite training demands. Recommendations emphasize holistic reforms: expanding workshop-based teacher training, redesigning textbooks with balanced cultural representations, and aligning assessment systems with IC objectives. This study underscores the necessity of addressing both institutional barriers (time constraints, testing systems) and individual competencies to bridge China’s intercultural education aspirations and classroom realities.

In vitro to in vivo extrapolation modeling to facilitate the integration of transcriptomics data into genotoxicity assessment.

In vitro to in vivo extrapolation modeling to facilitate the integration of transcriptomics data into genotoxicity assessment.

Genotoxicity assessment of food-grade titanium dioxide.

Genotoxicity assessment of food-grade titanium dioxide.

Abstract 669: AmoyDx essential NGS panel (LC 10), one solution covering tumor tissue and plasma for detection of EGFR and cMET alterations in NSCLC

Abstract Background: Approximately 50% of Asian non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients carry EGFR and MET alterations with available targeted therapies. LC10 was designed for detection of genetic alterations in 10 driver genes in NSCLC, using FFPE or plasma samples. Notably, current commercial testing systems often use different NGS platforms for tissue and plasma analysis, limiting direct comparability and sample accessibility. This study validates EGFR and cMET alteration detection in tissue and plasma samples using a unified NGS platform (LC10) and assesses its implications for treatment planning in NSCLC patients. Methods: LC10 is used for detection of 10 lung cancer driver genes by using ddCapture® technology with increased recovery rate and capture specificity. The analytical validation utilized clinical samples with varying dilutions of specific mutations (EGFR ex20ins, common mutations and MET ex14 skipping) and 11 synthesized plasmids in HEK-293T cells with gradient concentrations of 3rd TKI acquired resistance mutations (muts), along with a total of 277 plasma and 163 tissue samples. During clinical validation stage, paired peripheral blood and tumor tissue samples collected from 316 NSCLC patients were analyzed. Both tissue and plasma samples were tested with an average sequencing depth of 10, 000X. The recommended input for tissue DNA and plasma ctDNA is 50ng and 30ng respectively. Results: LC10 showed competent performance in EGFR ex20ins, common muts, 3rd TKI resistance muts and MET ex14 skipping detection with LOD 1% in tissue and 0.3% in plasma analysis. Specifically, a total of 16 different EGFR ex20ins types were validated during analytical validation stage. Among the 316 NSCLC patients (median age: 59 years; 51.6% male), 80.1% were treatment-naïve, while 19.9% had relapsed with drug resistance. Patients from stage IIIB-IV comprised 37.3% of the cohort (n: 118). In these 118 stage IIIB-IV patients, 57 EGFR muts (19del: 21, L858R: 23, T790M: 7, exon20ins: 4, other: 2) and 1 MET ex14 skipping muts were detected in plasma, achieving an overall percent agreement (OPA) of 86.4% with tissue samples. Concordance by muts site was as follows: 19del: 94.9%, L858R: 91.5%, T790M: 94.1%, exon20ins: 100%, and MET exon 14 skipping: 98.3%. Among the 189 stage I-IIIA patients, 12 EGFR muts and 1 MET exon 14 skipping mut were detected in plasma with OPA of 60.31% compared to tissue. Considering the “non-shedding” nature of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, this concordance rate is comparable to previous studies. Conclusion: In advanced-NSCLC, plasma is a dependable source for guiding targeted therapies, capturing both primary driver muts and acquired resistance. Employing LC10 provides a one-stop platform for both tissue and plasma testing in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment, which enhances the precision of muts detection with broader sample accessibility. Citation Format: Min Qing, Jingxun Wu, Yuping Li, Jianmin Li, Xing Li, Cheng Li, Yin Shi, Xuejun Chen, Zhenjun Tan, Xiaofang Zhuo, Chengjuan Xiong, Longen Zhou, Flora Berisha, Changbin Zhu. AmoyDx essential NGS panel (LC 10), one solution covering tumor tissue and plasma for detection of EGFR and cMET alterations in NSCLC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 669.

Friction Characterization and Mitigation in Large‐Scale 6DOF Multi‐Axial Hybrid Simulation

ABSTRACTIn the last few decades, hybrid simulation has become widely used for understanding the response of structural components and systems under extreme loading conditions. Large‐scale, three‐dimensional (3D), multi‐axial testing facilities with six degrees of freedom (6DOF) are versatile testing systems that can be used for testing a variety of structural systems and components. The University of Minnesota Multi‐Axial Subassemblage Testing (MAST) facility, which was originally developed in the 1990s, has had recent upgrades to its 6DOF multi‐axial pseudo‐dynamic hybrid simulation capabilities. One of the well‐recognized challenges in using such 6DOF multi‐axial setups of this size is the friction within the system, especially in the swivels of actuators, which can lead to numerical instabilities in hybrid simulation if not mitigated or compensated for properly. As such, when using such setups, friction effects on the stability of hybrid simulation must be understood. Characterizing the friction within the setup is not only crucial for understanding whether friction effects must be compensated for during the test, but it is also important for adopting the appropriate friction compensation scheme. Given the inherent complexities of such over‐constrained large‐scale multi‐axial setups, due to their size, capacity, and the intricate interaction within the actuators, characterizing the friction within the system is not trivial. This paper provides an overview of the MAST system and its features, a brief review of selected past projects, and the architecture of the newly upgraded hybrid simulation capabilities. The effects of friction on the stability of hybrid simulation are discussed, and commonly used methods for managing friction or compensating for it are presented. The experiments used to characterize the performance of the MAST testing facility, including the internal friction within the system, are presented. These experiments can serve as a framework for internal friction characterization in similar test setups and can be used by laboratories that are new to using 3D, 6DOF multi‐axial test setups. In the end, a suite of validation multi‐axial pseudo‐dynamic hybrid simulation tests was performed, where all 6DOFs of the MAST system were used in the hybrid simulation control loop. The validation hybrid simulations were performed on a three‐story moment resisting frame structure, under the 1994 Northridge earthquake. One of the columns within the building was physically tested at MAST, while the rest of the structure was modeled numerically first in OpenSees, and afterward in Ansys in a repeat test. Results from the pseudo‐dynamic hybrid simulation are presented and compared with purely numerical predictions, which validated the system performance. The hydrostatic friction bearings incorporated within the MAST system ensured negligible friction compared to the capacity of the system, with the friction not exceeding 0.23% for the worst‐case scenario.

Study on the Approach to Obtaining Mechanical Properties Using Digital Image Correlation Technology.

Accurate mechanical property parameters constitute an indispensable guarantee for the accuracy of finite element simulations. Traditionally, uniaxial tensile tests are instrumental in acquiring the stress-strain data of materials during elongation, thereby facilitating the determination of the materials' mechanical property parameters. By capitalizing on the digital image correlation (DIC) non-contact optical measurement technique, the entire test can be comprehensively documented using high-speed cameras. Subsequently, through in-depth analysis and meticulous numerical computations enabled by computer vision technology, the complete strain evolution of the specimen throughout the test can be precisely obtained. In this study, a comparison was made between the application of strain gauges and DIC testing systems for measuring the strain alterations during the tensile testing of 316L stainless steel, which serves as the material for the primary circuit pipelines of pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plants (NPPs). The data procured from these two methods were utilized as material mechanical parameters for finite element simulations, and a numerical simulation of the uniaxial tensile test was executed. The results reveal that, within the measuring range of the strain gauge, the DIC method generates measurement outcomes that are virtually identical to those obtained by strain gauges. Given its wider measurement range, the DIC method can be effectively adopted in the process of obtaining material mechanical parameters for finite element simulations.

Polymer Nanogels with Albumin Reporting Interface Created Using RAFT Precipitation Polymerization for Disease Diagnosis and Food Testing

AbstractAn interface capable of recognizing and reporting target molecules is crucial for applications such as food testing, disease diagnosis, and drug delivery systems. Among biomolecules, albumin serves as a significant target for food testing and diagnosis. In this study, polymer nanogels with a recognition/reporting interface for albumin are synthesized through reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) precipitation polymerization of di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and N,N’‐methylenebis(acrylamide) using a poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) macro‐RAFT agent, followed by dansyl modification. These nanogels feature dansyl groups as albumin recognition/reporting units, supported by a PMPC base to prevent nonspecific protein binding. The adsorption capacity of the dansyl‐modified polymer nanogels for albumin is validated using quartz crystal microbalance and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Additionally, the nanogels effectively adsorbed albumin from human, bovine, and porcine serum by changes in fluorescence intensity. The polymer nanogels are successfully applied for the fluorescent detection of the urinary serum albumin for the diagnosis of renal disease. Furthermore, the study successfully demonstrates the fluorescent detection of contaminated BSA in the real soy milk sample as a model case of the food testing for vegans.

Facilitating Synergy in Establishing a Caritas Demo Farm for Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program for Agri-Scholars

Introduction: This research provides a thorough needs assessment for the proposed Caritas Agroforestry Eco-Demo Farm, which is intended to benefit Agriculture Scholars in the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP). Caritas Manila, Inc., a renowned Catholic Church-affiliated nonprofit organization, is dedicated to addressing social welfare issues and poverty reduction in the Philippines. Central Philippines State University (CPSU) has collaborated with Caritas on this significant project to further its mission of providing accessible, high-quality education. Objectives: This research looks into the creation of the Caritas Demo Farm, with a primary focus on agricultural education and community development. The research objectives included clarifying roles and responsibilities, identifying and mitigating challenges, assessing sustainability prospects, and making recommendations for similar initiatives. Methods: The Caritas Manila, Inc., the Diocese of Kabankalan, and CPSU held a focused group discussion (FGD) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the specific needs and services required for this collaborative endeavor. Results: Key findings highlight the central theme of Collaborative Partnership, emphasizing all stakeholders' unwavering commitment to empowering youth in agriculture. The vision of CARITAS Manila, Inc. to produce 1,000 agriculture graduates and provide scholarships highlights the critical importance of Educational Empowerment. Inclusion in Education broadens opportunities for students pursuing related programs, while rigorous Scholar Selection and Screening processes ensure excellence. Timely Academic Support is critical for scholar success. Environmental Sustainability is prioritized, with the project contributing to food security and environmental protection. Sustainable practices such as soil testing, agroforestry development, and irrigation systems demonstrate the project's dedication to environmental stewardship. Conclusions: The role of technology and expertise in effectively addressing challenges is critical.Recommendations include formalizing partnerships through Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), enhancing scholar support, broadening scholarship opportunities, maximizing practical learning experiences, emphasizing environmental sustainability, integrating technology, and preparing future agricultural consultants. In conclusion, this study offers vital insights into the collaborative establishment of the Caritas Demo Farm, providing a well-defined roadmap for agricultural education, sustainability, and community development. The partnership exemplifies a resolute commitment to empowering youth and addressing pressing agricultural challenges, with the potential to catalyze positive change in the sector and beyond.

Sustainable synthesis of a PtNPs@rGO nanohybrid for detection of toxic fluoride ions using hand-made screen-printed electrodes in aqueous medium.

High fluoride (F-) concentrations in groundwater affect over 200 million people across 25 countries, making accurate detection and quantification of fluoride in water essential for safety assessment. There is a growing demand for advanced water quality testing systems that provide real-time, location-specific data without requiring specialized expertise. This study presents the development of a simple, eco-friendly, and cost-effective nanosensor for electrochemical F- detection in environmental water samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the green synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) using Ficus religiosa (sacred fig) leaf extract via a co-precipitation method. Additionally, PtNPs were synthesized ex situ and decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to form a nanohybrid using ultrasonication. The PtNPs@rGO nanohybrid was then deposited on a disposable screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) to fabricate the PtNPs@rGO/SPCE nanosensor using a drop-casting technique. This approach enhances the specificity and sensitivity of the sensor, addressing current analytical challenges. The PtNPs@rGO nanohybrid was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis, contact angle (CA) measurement, and electrochemical techniques such as differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The PtNPs@rGO/SPCE nanosensor exhibited a wide linear range from 0.001 to 160 μM for F- concentrations, with a limit of detection of 10 nM and a limit of quantification of 0.036 μM. The sensitivity was 4.126 μA μM-1 cm-2. The sensor demonstrated excellent reproducibility and strong anti-interference properties. It was successfully applied for F- detection in tap, drain, and tube well water samples, yielding satisfactory recoveries, and its performance surpasses those of previously reported sensors for aqueous F- sensing.

External quality assessment of molecular detection and variant typing of SARS-CoV-2 in European expert laboratories in 2023.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of laboratory preparedness. Regular monitoring of diagnostic tools via external quality assessments (EQAs) is key to maintaining robust public health response service. We hereby conducted a third SARS-CoV-2 EQA assessing the diagnostic capabilities of European expert public health laboratories. A 10 samples panel containing Alpha (used in previous EQA), BA.4, BA.5, and BQ.1.18 variants along with human seasonal coronaviruses and negative controls was produced and validated. Participants were invited by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and asked to submit results and assay details via electronic forms. Thirty-eight laboratories from 31 European countries participated. Most (n = 32, 84%) identified all panel samples correctly and used in-house (11, 29%), commercial assays (22, 58%), or both (5, 13%). Compared to previous EQAs, correct detection of the SARS-CoV-2 samples in the panels increased: 8 (12%) in 2020, 45 (75%) in 2021, and 34 (90%) laboratories in 2023, respectively. The number of participants decreased to an average of one laboratory per country (range 1-3) compared to two (1-7) laboratories in both previous EQAs. The usage of commercial assays gradually increased in contrast to the usage of in-house or both approaches. The capacity for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostics has markedly improved in Europe as evidenced by three consecutive EQAs carried out by expert public health laboratories. Routine monitoring of diagnostic and surveillance assays via EQAs remains key to maintaining rapid public health laboratory response systems.IMPORTANCEExternal quality assessments (EQAs) are crucial to ensure the reliability and consistency of diagnostic laboratories. They provide an objective framework for evaluating the performance of testing systems, enabling laboratories to identify weaknesses and implement improvements promptly. In the context of SARS-CoV-2, EQAs have become even more critical due to the high demand for accurate molecular diagnostics and the emergence of new variants. Accurate detection and typing of variants are especially essential for monitoring viral evolution. EQAs help standardize methodologies, ensuring that results across laboratories remain comparable and trustworthy. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in minimizing errors such as false positives or negatives. In this rapidly evolving landscape, regular EQAs are indispensable for maintaining high-quality standards in molecular diagnostics and variant surveillance. We demonstrate here that regular EQAs improve the molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in European laboratories.

ViraLite: An Ultracompact HIV Viral Load Self-Testing System with Internal Quality Control.

The availability of effective antiretroviral therapy has made HIV manageable, provided patients have consistent access to routine viral load (VL) testing. Nonetheless, access to frequent VL testing remains limited. There is a need for accessible, user-friendly testing systems that allow people living with HIV (PLHIV) to monitor their VL more frequently and empower self-management. Here, we developed ViraLite, a sample-to-answer, compact, accessible, and battery-powered system for HIV viral load monitoring. The system is built upon a probe-based RT-LAMP assay that allows for multiplexed detection and quantification. An internal quality control targeting the RNase P was incorporated to enhance the reliability of the results. A software-reconfigurable real-time sensing system empowered by machine learning and a smartphone-guided protocol was developed in tandem to analyze the multiplexed assay. We analyzed 45 clinically archived samples using ViraLite and benchmarked our results against qRT-PCR, which showed 21 positive and 23 negative samples. Using our process control, ViraLite first identified 17 inconclusive samples that would otherwise be classified as negative. Then, ViraLite classified 14 out of 15 HIV-positive samples (93.3%) and 13 out of 13 HIV-negative samples (100%). The incorporation of RNase P as a process control increased the sensitivity of ViraLite from 66.66% to 93.33%, while maintaining a high specificity (100%). To assess the acceptance of ViraLite among PLHIV, we recruited 480 participants from online and three clinical sites to complete a survey. Over 86% of participants indicated ViraLite had benefits in convenience and privacy, on the other hand 61% of participants indicated concerns with test accuracy. The integration of compact hardware, a reliable assay, and smartphone guidance provides an accurate, easy to use system for PLHIV to self-manage their viral load and update their prescriptions frequently.

Food Safety Practices in Artisanal and Semi-Automated Dairy Processors: Evidence from Fier, Albania

Food safety and traceability in dairy processing plants are essential for public health and industry sustainability. This study provides an empirical assessment of food safety and traceability practices among artisanal and semi-automated dairy processors in Fier, Albania, which is the country’s leading milk-producing region. Based on structured interviews with 18 dairy processors, we examined practices related to supplier management, quality control, facility conditions, staff hygiene, and equipment sanitation. The results reveal significant gaps in milk supplier inspections, biochemical testing, and traceability systems. The majority of processors lack barcode systems, regulated contracts with farmers, and formalized product tracking mechanisms, decreasing the chances of market formalization. Moreover, none of the dairies in this study have ISO certification, which restricts access to international markets. This paper also compares food safety practices between semi-automated and artisanal processors, with the former having slightly better compliance in certain key areas such as milk supply monitoring and biochemical testing. However, both groups face major challenges in complying with food safety standards due to weak regulatory enforcement, limited financial resources, and insufficient training. Implementing stricter food safety measures and modern traceability systems is not only a regulatory necessity but a strategic step toward improving public health, market access, and the long-term sustainability of Albania’s dairy sector.

Microfluidic chip systems for color-based antimicrobial susceptibility test a review.

Microfluidic chip systems for color-based antimicrobial susceptibility test a review.