Value Of Test Results Research Articles

Studi Uji Kuat Tekan Uniaksial dan Uji Kuat Tarik Tidak Langsung Untuk Menentukan Brittleness Index (BI) Pada Batupasir di Formasi Pulau Balang dan Balikpapan

In the process of designing mine slopes, drilling or tunneling, to determine the level of strength and brittleness factors of rock on a slope, it is necessary to carry out a uniaxial compressive strength test or indirect tensile strength test of the rock. Compressive strength testing is carried out to determine how long the rock maintains its strength or elastic properties when pressure is applied. This data can be used as information to understand the analysis of factors that influence the physical properties of rocks on the compressive strength of rocks from physical properties and compressive strength testing activities. and indirect tensile strength testing is carried out to determine the stress value contained in the rock. To determine the level of rock brittleness, it can be done by comparing the uniaxial compressive strength value and the indirect tensile strength value. This data can be used as information and reference for companies that will design a mine slope, drill and tunnel, how strong the strength and level of brittleness of rocks in areas dominated by sandstone. This research uses quantitative methods, so that to obtain accurate calculation data, testing methods are used in the form of uniaxial compressive strength tests and indirect tensile strength tests, in this case tested on sandstone samples obtained from 2 rock formations including the Pulaubalang formation and the Balikpapan formation, so that accuracy The test result values ​​can be obtained well. And after testing, a comparison is made between the uniaxial compressive strength test value and the indirect tensile strength test to obtain the Brittleness Index value.Based on the observation results, it can be concluded that when the brittleness of the rock becomes greater, the performance of the cutting digger increases several times.

Interpreting pathology test result values with comparators (< , >) in Electronic Health Records research: an OpenSAFELY short data report

Background Numeric results of pathology tests are sometimes returned as a range rather than a precise value, e.g. “<10”. In health data research, test result values above or below clinical threshold values are often used to categorise patients into groups; however comparators (<, > etc) are typically stored separately to the numeric values and often ignored, but may influence interpretation. Methods With the approval of NHS England we used routine clinical data from 24 million patients in OpenSAFELY to identify pathology tests with comparators commonly attached to result values. For each test we report: the proportion returned with comparators present, split by comparator type and geographic region; the specific numeric result values returned with comparators, and the associated reference limits. Results We identified 11 common test codes where at least one in four results had comparators. Three codes related to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) tests/calculations, with 31-45% of results returned with “≥” comparators. At least 90% of tests with numeric values 60 and 90 represented ranges (≥60 and ≥90 respectively) rather than exact values. The other tests - four blood tests (Nucleated red blood cell count, Plasma C reactive protein, Tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A, and Rheumatoid factor), two urine tests (albumin/microalbumin) and two faecal tests (calprotectin and quantitative faecal immunochemical test) - were returned with “≤” comparators (29-86%). Conclusions Comparators appear commonly in certain pathology tests in electronic health records. For most common affected tests, we expect there to be minimal implications for researchers for most use-cases. However, care should be taken around whether results falling exactly on clinical threshold values should be considered “normal” or “abnormal”. Results from GFR tests/calculations cannot reliably distinguish between mild kidney disease (stage G2, 60-<90) versus healthy kidney function (90+). More broadly, health data researchers using numeric test result values should consider the impact of comparators.

Pengaruh Sifat Fisik Terhadap Nilai Uniaxial Compressive Strength Batuan Dengan Kondisi Natural, Jenuh dan Kering Pada Formasi Balikpapan dan Pulaubalang Provinsi Kalimantan Timur

The uniaxial compressive strength value is one of the important parameters that is widely used in rock engineering projects in determining rock mass. The strength of rocks is greatly influenced by the water content and degree of saturation in the rock. Reduction of strength in rock is associated with an increase in water content, a slight increase in water content will cause a significant deviation in the compressive strength test value.This research is quantitative research, so to obtain accurate calculation data, testing methods are used in the form of compressive strength tests on rocks and physical properties tests in the treatment of samples of original rock, saturated rock and dry rock before testing. In this research, 2 types of rock were used, including limestone and sandstone in 2 rock formations, namely the Balikpapan formation and the Pulaubalang formation, so that the accuracy of the test result values ​​could be obtained well. Based on the results of observations and calculations that have been carried out, the water content values ​​of limestone in natural, saturated and dry conditions in the Balikpapan formation are obtained with average values ​​of 1.709%, 2.262% and 0.961% respectively. The water content of sandstone in natural, saturated and dry conditions is the Pulaubalang formation with average values ​​of 2.491%, 9.425% and 0.463% respectively. The UCS value of limestone in natural, saturated and dry conditions in the Balikpapan formation has an average value of 25.29 Mpa, 37.57 Mpa and 40.70 Mpa respectively. The UCS value of sandstone in natural, saturated and dry conditions in the Pulaubalang formation has an average value of 9,565 Mpa, 6,537 Mpa and 12,730 Mpa. It can be concluded that the correlation between uniaxial compressive strength values ​​and water content values ​​in limestone and sandstone shows a positive linear correlation, which means they have a strong relationship. The higher the compressive strength value of limestone and sandstone, the lower the water content value.

Mechanical and Durability Studies about the use of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill in Concrete

The best way to keep the required format of the manuscript is to overwrite these instructions with its text. Papers should be written in English. Manuscripts s Landfilling is the most common and cheapest method of waste management practice in India. Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (MSWL) became a nuisance affecting the health, hygiene, sanitation and aesthetics of the surrounding area. Aggregates occupy almost 70% of concrete, so replacing waste materials with them could be a rewarding choice. In the current work, an experimental investigation is being carried out to test the addition of MSWL as a substitution with fine aggregate for concrete production. Out of the different aged samples available at the dumpsite, the most aged sample is chosen for experimental investigations according to the basic physical properties. Concrete mixes, with 0%, 4%, 5%, 7% and 10% partial replacement of fine aggregate with MSWL are tested for mechanical properties such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and non-destructive test and have proved to be a partial substitute for fine aggregate. Durability studies such as water absorption, acid attack and sulphate attack also gave better experimental proof for the sustainable reuse of this waste material. The research reveals 5% replacement is the optimum considering all the test result values. The paper leads to advanced research for the suitability of the material in the construction industry.

Interpreting pathology test result values with comparators (< , >) in Electronic Health Records research: an OpenSAFELY short data report.

Numeric results of pathology tests are sometimes returned as a range rather than a precise value, e.g. "<10". In health data research, test result values above or below clinical threshold values are often used to categorise patients into groups; however comparators (<, > etc) are typically stored separately to the numeric values and often ignored, but may influence interpretation. With the approval of NHS England we used routine clinical data from 24 million patients in OpenSAFELY to identify pathology tests with comparators commonly attached to result values. For each test we report: the proportion returned with comparators present, split by comparator type and geographic region; the specific numeric result values returned with comparators, and the associated reference limits. We identified 11 common test codes where at least one in four results had comparators. Three codes related to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) tests/calculations, with 31-45% of results returned with "≥" comparators. At least 90% of tests with numeric values 60 and 90 represented ranges (≥60 and ≥90 respectively) rather than exact values. The other tests - four blood tests (Nucleated red blood cell count, Plasma C reactive protein, Tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A, and Rheumatoid factor), two urine tests (albumin/microalbumin) and two faecal tests (calprotectin and quantitative faecal immunochemical test) - were returned with "≤" comparators (29-86%). Comparators appear commonly in certain pathology tests in electronic health records. For most common affected tests, we expect there to be minimal implications for researchers for most use-cases. However, care should be taken around whether results falling exactly on clinical threshold values should be considered "normal" or "abnormal". Results from GFR tests/calculations cannot reliably distinguish between mild kidney disease (stage G2, 60-<90) versus healthy kidney function (90+). More broadly, health data researchers using numeric test result values should consider the impact of comparators.

Development of nuclear fuel assembly 3D reduced model and modal analysis

Due to the geometric complexity of fuel assembly (FA), virtually all reactor dynamic analysis models incorporated drastically simplied FA by lumped mass and beam. Considering the rapid advances of computer technology and analysis software, improving reactor dynamic analysis by 3D model is now possible. As a first step toward this goal, this research investigates and attempts to develop a reduced 3D FA dynamic analysis model to assess more accurate and detailed dynamic response of FA. A modal analysis of a 3D FA model was developed and showed the responses of the FA. The model was tuned to the test results up to 4th modes which were the upper value of test results. The model showed 3D response of FA and revealed additional modes of dynamic behaviors such as torsional motion and composite of bending and torsional motion.

Sports Product Marketing and Economic Growth Econometric Dynamic Analysis Model Based on Random Matrix Theory

With the development of sports spirit, the proportion of total output value of sports industry in economic growth is increasing day by day, which has become an important factor for the long-term stable medium and high growth of economy in the new normal period. In view of the background of sports economic growth, this paper adopts the data of sports product marketing and selects sports goods sales and GDP as indicators. Through the combination of consumption mode and sports industry, we trace the consumption mode of sports consumers, put forward the segmentation and positioning of sports product consumption market, and establish the dynamic quantitative system of sports economy combined with the random matrix. The dynamic influence mechanism of sports product marketing on economic growth is studied. The results show that all of them are stationary sequences after first-order difference in econometric analysis, and the values of test results are all less than 1. The effect of the model is good, the contribution of sports product sales to economic growth reaches the maximum, and the contribution to economic growth tends to be basically stable.

Qualitative Analysis of Peptides and Biological Activities of Allexis cauliflora (Violaceae) Leaves

Allexis cauliflora is a Cameroonian medicinal plant belonging to the violaceae family. It is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, syphilis and malaria. The aim of this study is to screen the peptides from the leaves of Allexis cauliflora and assess their biological activities. Previous studies have demonstrated antimicrobial properties of this plant. These properties have been mainly attributed to phenolic compounds. However, other plant defense molecules, such as antimicrobial peptides, may be present. In this work, we studied peptide extracts from the leaves of Allexis cauliflora. This plant has also been examined to determine its antimicrobial activities and its minimum inhibitory concentrations against bacteria pathogenic to humans and fungi using the agar well diffusion method. The corresponding concentration value antilog was taken as the minimum inhibitory concentration value. All values of test results were expressed as triple means, mean ± standard deviation. The extract from the leaves of this plant has shown antimicrobial activity against the bacterial and fungal pathogens studied. The phytochemical screening carried out showed the presence of flavonoids and triterpenes. Based on the results obtained, the medicinal value of this plant could be attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites in traditional medicinal plants.

Recurrent pregnancy loss: diagnostic workup after two or three pregnancy losses? A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUNDRecurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) occurs in 1–3% of all couples trying to conceive. No consensus exists regarding when to perform testing for risk factors in couples with RPL. Some guidelines recommend testing if a patient has had two pregnancy losses whereas others advise to test after three losses.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEThe aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence on the prevalence of abnormal test results for RPL amongst patients with two versus three or more pregnancy losses. We also aimed to contribute to the debate regarding whether the investigations for RPL should take place after two or three or more pregnancy losses.SEARCH METHODSRelevant studies were identified by a systematic search in OVID Medline and EMBASE from inception to March 2019. A search for RPL was combined with a broad search for terms indicative of number of pregnancy losses, screening/testing for pregnancy loss or the prevalence of known risk factors. Meta-analyses were performed in case of adequate clinical and statistical homogeneity. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.OUTCOMESFrom a total of 1985 identified publications, 21 were included in this systematic review and 19 were suitable for meta-analyses. For uterine abnormalities (seven studies, odds ratio (OR) 1.00, 95% CI 0.79–1.27, I2 = 0%) and for antiphospholipid syndrome (three studies, OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.86–1.25, I2 = 0%) we found low quality evidence for a lack of a difference in prevalence of abnormal test results between couples with two versus three or more pregnancy losses. We found insufficient evidence of a difference in prevalence of abnormal test results between couples with two versus three or more pregnancy losses for chromosomal abnormalities (10 studies, OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.55–1.10), inherited thrombophilia (five studies) and thyroid disorders (two studies, OR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.06–4.56).WIDER IMPLICATIONSA difference in prevalence in uterine abnormalities and antiphospholipid syndrome is unlikely in women with two versus three pregnancy losses. We cannot exclude a difference in prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities, inherited thrombophilia and thyroid disorders following testing after two versus three pregnancy losses. The results of this systematic review may support investigations after two pregnancy losses in couples with RPL, but it should be stressed that additional studies of the prognostic value of test results used in the RPL population are urgently needed. An evidenced-based treatment is not currently available in the majority of cases when abnormal test results are present.

Symptom dynamics assessment of the disease by methods of survival analysis

The article discusses typical tasks of quantitative comparison and analysis of the effectiveness of diagnostic medical technologies. Indicators of clinical informativeness of diagnostic methods, quantitative methods for their calculation and interpretation, their importance for making diagnostic decisions are discussed. Using one of the diagnostic methods as an example, algorithms for comparing the test diagnostic test with the gold standard test according to clinical information indicators are described: sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of test results, accuracy, likelihood ratio of positive and negative test results. The problems of constructing ROC curves by the example of diagnostic indicators of nasal obstruction: airflow and pressure, as well as the calculation and presentation of AUC (in one figure), finding diagnostic threshold points for two tests (changes in flow and resistance), and testing the statistical hypothesis about the equality of AUC of these two tests, creating a nomogram for calculating the post-test probability of illness. It is shown how, using the presented technique, it is possible to efficiently calculate all the standard operational characteristics of diagnostic medical technologies and additional useful indicators. All calculations were performed in the statistical program R. The text of the article presents program codes of the R language with explanations.

СТАНДАРТИЗАЦИЯ СПИРОМЕТРИИ: КАК УЛУЧШИТЬ РЕЗУЛЬТАТ

The majority of errors committed during spirometry results in the lower values of test results. The objective: to compare spirometry results obtained when using standard criteria of American Thoracic Society / European Respiratory Society and visual quality control. Subjects and methods . Spirometry was performed twice in 62 patients using different quality control methods. Bland – Altman method was used for statistic analysis. Results . The values of forced volume vital capacity (FVL) and forced expiratory volume during the 1st second (FEV1) were higher when using standard criteria compared to visual quality control. The mean difference in FVL made 0.40 ± 0.28 L and in FEV1 – 0.07 ± 0.21 L. Conclusion . Using the standard criteria during spirometry can significantly improve the quality of the test and prevent errors.

Effects of intermittent fasting during ramadan on insulin-like growth factor-1, interleukin 2, and lipid profile in healthy muslims

Background:Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) play an essential role in pathophysiology of several chronic diseases. As a stressor, fasting in Ramadan may increase inflammatory markers such as IGF-1 and IL-2 in Muslims. The aim of this before–after study was to investigate the effects of fasting in Ramadan on IGF-1 and IL-2 levels in individuals.Methods:In all, 34 men age 16–64 years were selected out of the overall number of individuals who were ready for fasting entirely throughout Ramadan. A sample of blood was drawn from the contributors before and after Ramadan, and plasma IGF-1, IL-2, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were determined. To identify differences between the initial and final values of test results of the study for plasma IGF-1, IL-2, and lipid parameters, we used paired sample T-test.Results:Paired sample T-test illustrated a significant decrease in IGF-1 and IL-2 levels after Ramadan fasting compared to before Ramadan. The concentration of TG, cholesterol, and LDL-C levels underwent significant decreases over the period of the study. HDL-C levels did not change significantly during the study. A significant decrease in weight, waist circumferences, calorie, carbohydrate, and fat intake were observed in participants during Ramadan fasting.Conclusions:It is concluded that fasting in Ramadan independent of anthropometric measures attenuates inflammation and is beneficiary to health.

THE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE LEARNING OUTCOMES ON LINEAR EQUATION SYSTEMS THREE VARIABLES BY USING POWER POINT MEDIA

In Learning System of Three Variable Linear Equation System Mathematics class X of Integrated High School Ar-Risalah still many under KKM (KKM 60) especially in solving the problems. Therefore, it is necessary an effort to improve the learning outcomes of Mathematics is through the media power point. This study aims to determine the improvement of learning outcomes of students class X IPA of Integrated High School Ar-Risalah academic of year 2017/2018 in the problems solving on the subject of SPLTV through power point media. The subjects of the study were the students class X IPA of Integrated high school Ar-Risalah of 22 students, a Mathematics teacher and 4 observers. Data collected included student learning outcomes, teacher observation results, student observation results. This research is a Classroom Action Research conducted in three cycles. Each cycle includes are 4 (four) stages of planning, action implementation, observation (observation) and reflection. The average value of test results cycle II, 53.18 increased by 30.49 compared to the average value of the results of the test cycle I, namely 22.69. And the average value of the third cycle test results that is 70.80 increased by 17.62 compared to the average value of the second cycle test results. Based on the performance indicator, in conclusion, that the result of the study, the students of Integrated High School Ar-Risalah on SPLTV can be improved through power point media.

Comparison of selected anthropometric parameters and motor tests in male gravity cyclists and high school students

The objective of our study was to compare selected parameters of body composition and motor tests results obtained with measuring of two diverse groups – elite gravity cyclists and a control group of high school students. The study was conducted in 31 male gravity cyclists (16 technical gravity disciplines, 15 downhill gravity disciplines) and 14 male school students. Matiegka protocol was used to estimate body composition and somatotype, a battery of specific motor skills was used to determine motor skills of the two test groups.Downhill gravity cyclists proved significantly higher mesomorphy than the control group - downhill disciplines 5,3 (σ = 0,43), control group 4.7 (σ = 1,05), and significantly higher values of test results than control group in broad jump (downhill disciplines 228,2 cm σ = 20,1 cm; control group 192,4 cm, σ = 15,1 cm), back-broad jump test (downhill disciplines 118,6 cm, σ = 12,8 cm; control group 98,3 cm, σ = 13,5 cm) and high jump (downhill disciplines 61,1cm, σ = 11,9 cm; control group 51,5 cm, σ = 12,5 cm). Technical disciplines cyclists proved significantly higher values of test results than control group in broad jump (technical disciplines 214,5 cm σ = 18,2 cm; control group 192,4 cm, σ = 15,1 cm), rotation jump (technical disciplines 510°, σ = 25,4°; control group 430,2°, σ = 39,4) and high jump test (technical disciplines 112,6 cm, σ = 10,9 cm; control group 98,3 cm, σ = 13,5 cm).Differences in somatotype, body constitution and motoric tests relate with characteristics of training and use of specific training methods. In this study high level performance athletes were tested, therefore it could be helpful for riders and coaches to increase the efficiency of the training process.

Load Carrying Capacity of Drift Pin Joint of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) with Steel Insert Plate

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is a structural plate element which is approved in Europe and is intended to be approved in Japan. It consists of small dimension laminae, in which laminae parallel and perpendicular to longitudinal direction are interlaminated. We performed tensile tests for the drift pin joint with steel insert plate. Specimen consisted of CLT was made from Japanese cedar laminae (thickness of laminae t = 30mm, five laminae were layered), with steel drift pin plate. Odd-numbered layers were parallel to the longitudinal axis, and even-numbered layers were perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The experimental parameters were edge distances (3d, 4d and 7d), end distances (3d, 4d and 7d) and diameters of pin (12 and 16 mm) and the replication were three respectively. Initial stiffness was lower than the results of glulam drift pin joint loaded in parallel to the grain, however second stiffness after the yield of drift pin was higher because the lateral compression occurred at even-numbered layers. Additionally, ductility was higher because split failures around the pin were prevented by the glued effect of interlaminated layers. As the characteristic value of test results, initial stiffness K, yield load Py, maximum load Pmax, indicated the effect of the difference of the diameter of the pin, while deformation capacity indicated the effect of edge distance.

Comparative Estimation of Exposure Level and Health Risk Assessment of Highly Produced Pesticides to Agriculture Operators by Using Default Dermal Absorption Rate or Actual Measurement Values

Pesticides are widely used to prevent loss of agricultural production but extensive exposure can induce health problems to pesticide operators. This study was performed to evaluate the health risk of highly produced pesticides used in fruit growing farm land by comparison of estimated exposure level with AOEL using KO-POEM program. AOEL was driven based on NOAEL of each pesticide evaluated by JMPR, EFSA or KRDA. In calculation of exposure level, types of formulation, dilution factors, spraying duration and motor type and exposure protection device were allocated according to actual condition of use. Dermal absorption rate was differently applied among EFSA default values (25% or 75%), general default value (10%) or real test result values to know the plausibility of default values and safety of pesticide to operators in outline. Twenty pesticide ingredients (fungicides and insecticides) were produced more than 30 tons per year, which were mancozeb, chlorothalonil, imidaclopirid and etc in order. Dermal absorption rates obtained from studies were various from 0.07 to 81% but mostly under 10%. The estimated exposure levels showed big differences more than 10 times higher when using EFSA default rate and up to 5 times higher when using general rate of 10% comparing using rates of test results. Mancozeb, chlorthalonil, diazinon and chlorpyrifos presented still higher exposure level than AOEL even when using test absorption rate from study, which suggests that re-evaluation of AOEL or dermal exposure absorption rate or strict management are required for health protection of operators who use those four pesticides in farm land.

Semiparametric Estimation of the Relationship between ROC Operating Points and the Test-result Scale: Application to the Proper Binormal Model

Semiparametric methods provide smooth and continuous receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve fits to ordinal test results and require only that the data follow some unknown monotonic transformation of the model's assumed distributions. The quantitative relationship between cutoff settings or individual test-result values on the data scale and points on the estimated ROC curve is lost in this procedure, however. To recover that relationship in a principled way, we propose a new algorithm for "proper" ROC curves and illustrate it by use of the proper binormal model. Several authors have proposed the use of multinomial distributions to fit semiparametric ROC curves by maximum-likelihood estimation. The resulting approach requires nuisance parameters that specify interval probabilities associated with the data, which are used subsequently as a basis for estimating values of the curve parameters of primary interest. In the method described here, we employ those "nuisance" parameters to recover the relationship between any ordinal test-result scale and true-positive fraction, false-positive fraction, and likelihood ratio. Computer simulations based on the proper binormal model were used to evaluate our approach in estimating those relationships and to assess the coverage of its confidence intervals for realistically sized datasets. In our simulations, the method reliably estimated simple relationships between test-result values and the several ROC quantities. The proposed approach provides an effective and reliable semiparametric method with which to estimate the relationship between cutoff settings or individual test-result values and corresponding points on the ROC curve.

Test Reliability of Impurity Parameters of Uster AFIS

This paper presents test reliablity of Uster AFIS for impurity test by calculating the Reliable Test Time (hereinafter referred to as RTT) and CV% of test results. The CV% value of test results of impurity-related parameters in card sliver obtained in 8 experiments totally with 313 different plans were calculated. By statistical analysis method, the reliable test time of AFIS for some impurity-related parameters was estimated. It is concluded that the impurity result obtained by 10-time tests with AFIS was inaccurate. The reasons for this are that the sample weight is too small, the impurity is unevenly distributed and the impurity in card sliver may have some loss in the manually-sampling process.

Interpreting SuperPAVE PG test results with confidence intervals

The innovative method to interpret SuperPAVE PG test results using regression analysis and confidence intervals is evaluated in this research. Till now, most of researches and conclusions in the field of bitumen rheological aspects are based on the mean values of test results. Using the mean values does not show the reliability of the test results and in many cases two bitumen with the same PG show different performances, due to different data variances. In this study the confidence intervals method is implemented to interpret the results of SuperPAVE PG tests and notify that the mean values of the variables are occasionally misleading and always some uncertainty exists when using bitumen. This study presents a new formulation that quantifies the uncertainties in bitumen behavior to obtain the true temperature grade of the bitumen with different confidence levels (75% and 95%). Two samples of bitumen with same PG were evaluated with this formulation and the interesting results were found. The behavior of these samples with same PG was significantly different regarding the higher confidence intervals.

Defining purpose: a key step in genetic test evaluation

The introduction of new genetic tests, like other medical innovations, can be conceptualized as a three-step process. Tests are proposed for use based on research findings and clinical reasoning; an evaluation occurs; and judgments are made about clinical use and reimbursement (Fig. 1). The evaluation may be informal, as when a clinician determines whether a new test will be helpful in a particular patient encounter, or formal, as when a practice guideline panel utilizes a defined methodology to assess a test or a health care funder utilizes a set of criteria to determine test coverage. Although genetic tests are often described in terms of technology, a full evaluation requires that the test be considered as a clinical process in which the laboratory assay, or other testing procedure, is done to acquire information about a particular health condition, in a defined population, for a specific clinical purpose.1 Genetic tests have a wide range of health care applications. They are used to confirm the presence of a genetic condition, identify reproductive risks, and select preventive therapy. Testing occurs in newborn screening programs and in primary, specialty, and prenatal care, and may be initiated on the basis of clinical symptoms, family history, or population demographics. Genetic tests also utilize a range of technologies, and vary considerably in their predictive value. This diversity poses a challenge for the evaluation process. Several groups have considered methods for genetic test evaluation,2–5 and model programs for systematic evaluation have been established in the United States (Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention6) and the UK (the UK Genetic Testing Network7). To date, however, the evaluation process has not fully addressed the clinical diversity of genetic tests. The Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention project has focused on genetic tests related to common disorders and drug therapy, whereas the United Kingdom Genetic Testing Network has primarily addressed tests for single gene disorders. An effort by the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing to categorize genetic tests into those requiring higher versus lower levels of scrutiny was not successful.8 To address the challenge of genetic test diversity, we propose an outcome-orientated taxonomy for defining test purpose. A focus on health outcomes allows the definition of a small and informative set of purposes for genetic testing, despite the range of technologies and clinical settings in which testing occurs. Defining test purpose in turn clarifies the benefits to be expected from the testing process, and provides guidance to clinicians and policy makers concerning the evidence needed to support test use. Defining test purpose, therefore, is an important first step in genetic test evaluation.