bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Learning Motivation of Library-Information Majors at Can Tho University, Vietnam
Authors: Le Linh Ngoc , Bui Anh Thu
Published: March 2022

Students’ motivation as a performance aspect of modern librarianship tertiary programs in Vietnam has not yet been discussed in library and information science literature. With its three-fold theoretical rationale (that motivation and academic achievement are related, motivation changes through time, and motivation is regulated by numerous factors) formulated from Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory (1985), the study seeks to quantatively measure students’ motivation using a 6-item questionnaire delivered to 164 Library and Information majors (LIMs) at Can Tho University (CTU). Cronbach’s Alpha was calculated to check the questionnaire’s internal reliability, while frequencies and Pearson correlation coefficients revealed a non-relationship between LIMs’ motivation level and their grade point average, a reducing number of highly-motivated LIMs, and causal sources of low motivation. These three findings necessitate motivation-raising solutions,one being making motivation a strong predictor of academic achievement (which advocates the 1989’s view of Pintrich on motivation research and that of Deci and Ryan’s 1985); and another: building motivation by satisfying students’ needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy (which encompasses the main postulate of Deci and Ryan’s 1985-conceived Self-Determination Theory). The findings and the solutions can bea source of reference for other higher educational institutions that offer library-information programs.
Regulation and Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry: The Case of a New Diabetes Drug
Authors: Mora Henry , Dutrénit Gabriela , Vera-Cruz Alexandre
Published: March 2022

This document analyses the effect of the regulation on the pharmaceutical industry’s innovation processes. The objective is analyzing the effect of the regulation on the development of an innovative drug produced by a Mexican-based pharmaceutical company. This is an exploratory-type and case study design research. The case is the development of a new diabetes drug. Data was gathered mainly through semi-structured interviews to the company’s staff, who took part in the innovation project. To understand the effect of the regulation, we started from the analysis of the regulatory requirements that the company had to meet. The different stages of the innovation process were analyzed—it was found that most of the effects are focused into three stages: (i) the stage where human beings are involved for developing tests (clinical trial stage), (ii) the sanitary registration stage, the process in which the drug to be marketed complies with the safety, efficiency, and quality conditions, and (iii) the manufacturing stage, in order to guarantee the appropriate manufacturing of the drug according to good practices. Regulations lead to both positive and negative effects. Among the positive effects, it is important to highlight the regulations on intellectual property and on the drug’s quality. Main negative effects are related to the implementation of the regulation, rather than to the requirements implied. Throughout the innovation process, the regulation caused some delays in the planned activities, leading to cost increases, loss of competitiveness, and uncertainty about the return on investment.
A Study on the performance of Skill Development Centres in Haryana
Authors: Sheokand Dr. Karamvir , Sonia Dr. , Dalal Dr. Garima
Published: March 2022

Today all economies need skilled workers to meet international quality standards, increase their foreign trade, bring improved technology to their domestic industries and enhance their industrial and economic development. Skills development is used to describe a wide range of institutions and jobs that affect employment and income. The goal of the research is to analyse the performance of skill development centres and their role in creating job skills among trainees in Haryana. Frequency, Percentage, Cross tabulation, Chi square test etc. were used for the purpose of analysing the data. The findings indicate that the performance of skill centres play an effective role in creating and enhancing competency for job as well as job acquirement up to an extent.
30 years of the Child and Adolescent Satatute: Justice and guaranteed rights!
Authors: Orzechowski Suzete Terezinha , de Souza Thainá Matos
Published: March 2022

The Child and Adolescent Statute, at 30, still breathes hope. Law 8.069 / 1990 still lacks due recognition from the institutions that make up the whole of society; citizens who are part of marginalized communities; in addition to the bodies that make up the rights guarantee networks. In this context, it is up to the funding agencies to implement knowledge socialization activities in the communities where they operate, with the support of basic education institutions up to the Universities. The text presented below intends to resume some ideas disseminated at the VII Paraná State Seminar held in November 2020, which denotes the concern about guaranteeing rights for children and adolescents in times of democratic losses in reference to human rights. In a process of pandemic and economic stress, where education and health, in Brazil, suffers a technical, political and scientific neglect, all types of violence (physical or symbolic) are maximized, in which children and adolescents are inserted, a reality that regardless of social class. In addition to bringing the main ideas of the seminar to the debate, the analysis will be guided by authors who can contribute to the desired depth. The results of this immersion intend to impress the relevance in the care and protection of children and adolescents from the cities to the traditional communities, identifying and systematizing the main actions pointed out in the seminar, object of our bibliographic and eventual investigation. Faced with the socio-cultural and socio-educational tangle that we face today, the human values ​​of solidarity, collaboration and respect for life with equity begin to have a greater meaning. Authors such as Gohn (2011), Caliman (2010) support the reflections on socio-cultural and socio-educational contexts. The analysis of social policies specifically referring to ECA will be based on Perez and Passoni (2010); Farinelli and Pierinni (2016). The methodological process is based on the qualitative conception of research aiming at the reliability of the debates in the exposition tables, Minayo (2002). The Federal Constitution (1988) and Paganini (2011) support the study on the guarantee of fundamental rights in which the five axes of ECA are cemented.
Between Legality and Legitimate: Civil Disobedience in the Rule of Law in Semiotic Considerations
Authors: Ladeira Fernando de Oliveira Domingues
Published: March 2022

The fragmentation of society is a complex event and one of its political reflexes is the loss of confidence in Western democracies. Civil disobedience emerges in this context of low density of democracy as a political act with the objective of expanding citizenship. What should be the role of the interpreter in the face of acts that can be considered civil disobedience is a challenge to be faced, including the legal recognition of this conduct as a form of popular participation. The article aims to analyze civil disobedience under the semiotic methodology, presenting its basic characteristics.
Brasil: comarca de Barra do Garças/MT descumpre prazo legal para realizar audiência de custódia
Authors: Cupolillo Catarini Vezetiv , Negri Sandra
Published: March 2022

In Brazil, custody hearing, a procedure that consists of presenting the person arrested to the magistrate, need to be held within 24 hours after the arrest. The custody hearing aims to ensure the humanization of the act of incarceration, the magistrate analyzes the circumstances in which the arrest took place, guaranteeing the subjective rights of the custodian. The research question raised is: what were the impacts of custody hearings on the management of criminal justice in the district of Barra do Garças - Mato Grosso, observing the time lag between january 2016 and december 2019? In the methodology, an initial exploratory research was carried out with a subsequent literature review, data analysis, interviews with experts and subsequent content analysis. The research contributes scientifically from the demonstration of the way in which custody hearings are managed. It was found that there are management problems regarding compliance with the deadline of up to 24 hours, especially with regard to on-call situations. The research indicates, as part of the solution to the problem, to adopt the recommendation found by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, namely, holding custody hearings in prisons, without the need to move the prisoner to the seat of the Judiciary.
Dimensional Metrology, Intermediate Precision and Uncertainty
Authors:   Dimensional Metrology Group, Doiron Ted
Published: March 2022

Uncertainty has proven difficult to implement in calibrations labs. The subject has advanced mathematics and statistics that are often needed for scientific research, but are seldom needed to develop uncertainty budgets for routine calibrations. There is, however, a second path to uncertainty that does not require such mathematical skills, only patience. This method, using check standards to sample the sources of variability is actually part of the GUM, albeit a small part.
ISO/IEC 170256 Requirements for Dimensional Testing
Authors:   Medtronic, Mason Shawn
Published: March 2022

This paper will present the requirements for determining the Dimensional Testing requirements for ISO/IEC 17025 accrediting labs. Topics covered What are the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for Dimensional Testing: • Certificate of Inspection vs Calibration Certificate • What parameters are listed on scopes of accreditation, also relating to GD&T • What are the uncertainty requirements • What are the TUR values and requirements The paper will give an example of the process with working with third party accredited labs to meet ISO 17025 Dimensional Testing requirements.
Conformity Assessment of Energy Storage
Authors:   Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Viswanathan Vish
Published: March 2022

Increasing energy, environmental, and economic challenges have heightened interest in developing and deploying new technologies related to energy delivery and use. Energy storage, including pumped hydropower systems and batteries, has been one of those technologies for some time. Utility programs, the need to respond to natural disasters, and policy changes have further increased interest in energy storage. Consequently energy storage technologies continue to grow in number, and their deployment is increasing on both the grid side and customer side of the meter. Energy storage system safety and performance is particularly important and criteria to define what is and is not safe and how these systems will perform are contained in a number of codes, standards, and regulations. The realization of safety and anticipated performance, as covered in codes, standards, and regulations, is heavily dependent on conformity assessment activities. These activities address the manner in which compliance with stated requirements is documented and verified and involves testing, certification, accreditation, and other activities by numerous parties. This paper provides background information about energy storage technologies and the documents that guide how their safety and performance are assessed. It also covers the role that testing, certification, and accreditation entities play in the timely deployment of safe energy storage systems and fostering informed decisions involving their anticipated performance.
Summary Result of 2014 Outside Micrometer Calibration Proficiency Testing in Taiwan
Authors:   Center for Measurement Standards/Industrial Technology Research Institute, Chen Yi-Ting , Kam-Wa Lui Paul , Wang Pin-Hao , Hung Chen-Yun
Published: March 2022

Proficiency testing is one of the ways to demonstrate a laboratory’s measurement capabilities. Accredited laboratories are usually requested participating proficiency testing by the laboratory accreditation organizations in each country. Center for Measurement Standards / Industrial Technology Research Institute (CMS/ITRI) has been committed to measurement technologies and statistical engineering. CMS has established its renowned reputation at metrology in Taiwan. CMS is one of the Proficiency Testing Providers (PTPs), with accreditation number of P002, accredited by Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF). CMS is the designated PTPs to hold proficiency testing in the field of calibration. This paper gives the summary results of 2014 outside micrometer calibration proficiency testing scheme, numbered as PT2014-KA02, held in Taiwan. There were twenty-five TAF accredited calibration laboratories participated. All the |En| values of the participating laboratories are smaller than one. This implies that all the participants’ results are satisfactory to each other. It also shows that the measurement capabilities of outside micrometer calibration of these laboratories are very consistent in Taiwan.
Utilizing A 3-D Printer to Improve Learning of Metrology and GD&T
Authors:   Purdue College of Technology, Fuehne Joseph P.
Published: March 2022

Three-dimensional printing or rapid prototyping has had a significant impact on manufacturing and educational environments. Manufacturing organizations can now cheaply and quickly create prototypes to provide information on sizes, tolerances, tolerance stack-ups, and assembly. Educational institutions may utilize 3-D printers in much the same ways. Students enhance computer-aided design (CAD) learning by actually making the parts they design and checking assembly operations. From a metrology and GD&T perspective, 3-D printers are also employed to enhance the learning of these topics. Reverse engineering projects are conducted where students use metrology tools to measure a part or assembly, model the part on a computer using CAD, print the part using a 3-D printer, and then measuring the printed part for comparison to the original. As part of the process, students are asked to develop a measuring process that could be employed during an actual manufacturing process of the part including determining the critical dimensions and tools required to measure those dimensions. Additionally, students are required to create 5 GD&T specifications for the part and determine the best way to inspect those specifications.
Establishment of the Gas Flow Calibration Facility at CSIR-NPL, India
Authors:   Fluid FLow Measurement Standards, Kumar Jaiswal Shiv ,   CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPLI)
Published: March 2022

Recently Gas Flow Calibration System (GFCS) has been established in the Fluid Flow Measurement Standard group of NPLI in the flow range from 10 sccm (standard cubic centimeter per minute) to 1000 slm (standard litre per minute) at 0 ºC and 101.325 kPa. The expanded measurement uncertainty of the system in the above flow range is ±0.2 % at k=2. This GFCS is suitable for calibration of different types of flowmeters i.e. mass flow controllers, mass flow meters, rotameters, totalizer type meters, digital flow calibrators, compact provers, etc. used in many research, development and industrial applications mainly process controls, environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals and drugs manufacturing, health assessment etc. and also in many NABL accredited laboratories. Present paper describes the details of the GFCS architecture and calibration of a rotameter (i.e. volumetric flow rate device) as a case study. The uncertainty has been estimated as per ISO ´GUM’ document guidelines [1]. The standards used for calibration are traceable to appropriate “National standards”
Leveraging Integration of Calibration Management Systems in Healthcare Metrology
Authors:   Blue Mountain Quality Resources, McNeely Marcus
Published: March 2022

Software packages with targeted calibration and maintenance functionality have long been incorporated to track calibration, maintenance and asset management for IM&TE in regulated environments with an ever-increasing list of functionality to meet specific needs of the end-user group. As corporations move towards implementations of major ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software applications, resident calibration functionality ´modules’ are increasingly mandated to metrology organizations, often without user acceptance, with corporate focus on efficiency of implementing a single solution at the cost functionality that falls short of specific metrology user requirements. API (Application Programming Interface, AKA, Integration) is a viable option to leverage the desired functionality between two or more systems’ data. Integration is a user-defined interaction (to the field-level) so that key information can be ´pushed’ or ´pulled’ to and from target and source software packages. This paper discusses the strategy of justifying and incorporating integration between an ERP (or other software systems) and desired CMMS software (Calibration/Maintenance Management System), its architecture overview and common validation plans to satisfy corporate quality and IT organizations in order to maximize compliance and efficiency in the metrology department
The role of measurement in experimental research, development and innovation projects
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Metrología, Echeverria-Villagomez Salvador
Published: March 2022

A great step in the development of science was the conformation in the 16th Century of the Scientific Method. The way was paved by the artists of the Renaissance, including Leonardo Da Vinci with his inventions, and the new look at nature and knowledge. Keystones for an experimental, inductive approach, were posted by Andreas Vesalius, Francis Bacon and Galileo Galilei, who emphasized the value of empirical research and experimental evidence to test theoretical models. Galileo was the one who said ´Measure whatever is measurable and make it measurable what is not’. Scientific research has two main courses of development that have to complement each other to make a real scientific discovery: one is the theoretical modelling of phenomena and the other the experimental analysis of the same phenomena. Among them, there are combinations and interactions. Logic and mathematics are the main tools for the theoretical analysis and measurement for the experimental work. Actually, measurement science is what connects the experimental world with the theoretical one, since every number that goes into an equation should, preferably, come from reality through measurements, or goes to reality for its demonstration. It is still surprising that some universities are not aware of the role that metrology could play for the advancement of their disciplines. In many postgraduate programs metrology is poorly understood or believed to be something that could add little or nothing to the value of their research. Convinced of the opposite, a program has been launched at the PhD Engineering Program of the Autonomus University of Queretaro, Mexico, to bring formal metrology into the research projects of the students. For two years a Workshop called ´The role of measurement in the research process’ has been run with very good results. The workshop does not intend to force metrology into the research project of the postgraduate students. Rather, it helps them to understand the role of empirical data and experiments in their projects, and the role of metrology to evaluate certainty about the data relevant for them. From that, metrology follows. In two and a half years there have been 5 courses of 6 months and 20 projects. All have been in engineering with different subdisciplines, from mechanics, electronics and radiofrequency, to agriculture, life sciences and prosthesis design. Only 4 of these projects were purely theoretical work and, even then, the workshop showed the students criteria to judge the data they put into their models. The other 16 projects have significantly benefited from the workshop, since they have relevant components of experimental work. The paper will show the objectives, methods and materials used for the workshop, as well as some of the very interesting results of the first two years of the program.
Dimnesional Fidelity of Replica Casting Compounds
Authors: O'Brien Edward , Patel Nishant , Woods James , Mertes Rick , Tran Hy D. ,   Primary Standards Laboratory,   AC Project,   Sandia National Laboratories
Published: March 2022

Difficulty arises when wanting to measure features on a part or assembly that is inaccessible with measuring equipment. Sometimes, these features are small and in a recess, such as an O-ring groove; other times, the feature is on a complete assembly which is large, such as a valve seat on an engine. A common practice is to use a replica casting compound to make a negative impression of the feature of interest and measure the replica. Advantages of making replicas include being able to (1) measure a small imperfection on a large piece without having to disassemble or destroy the original, (2)provide archiving of such imperfections, and (3) eliminate light scattering which might cause difficulty with some optical techniques for dimensional metrology. Reprorubber®, a metrology-grade casting material, is a commonly used silicone-based replica casting compound made from polyvinyl siloxane (PVS). We investigated the fidelity to which this material replicates surface texture and geometry, using step height reference specimens and parameter reference specimens (Type A per ASME B46.1:2009), along with the fidelity for longer spatial wavelength features using optical flats (and Type C specimens per ASME B46.1:2009), and other surfaces with known form geometry. Results of step heights are presented here, but all results will be presented at the conference. Our results are used to assign a Type B uncertainty associated with the replication process when replicating a feature which is inaccessible to dimensional instruments.
Up to 50 GHz Microwave Frequency Measurement Using Down-Convert Technique at Telecommunication Laboratories, Taiwan
Authors:   National Time and Frequency Standard Laboratory Telecommunication Laboratories, CHT Co. Ltd., Liao Chia-Shu
Published: March 2022

TL has established its microwave frequency measurement capability by using a microwave signal synthesizer (~40 GHz) and a microwave counter (~46 GHz) from 2010. Our initial setup of microwave frequency measurement system, utilized direct frequency measurement, couldn't meet the requirement for calibrating a Device under test(DUT) with high frequency accuracy. Therefore, an indirect measuring way utilizing down-convert technique has been used for microwave frequency measurement with enough resolution. In 2012, a HP 83630L signal generator (served as a DUT, ~26.5 GHz ) was used to output a nominal frequency signal to be measured, and the Agilent E8257D synthesizer was then adjusted accordingly to keep a constant difference frequency output (10 MHz) from the mixer. The SR620 time interval counter was popularly used in T&F measurement and which has been adopted in our indirect measurement since 2012. In 2014, an amplified doubler was used to extend the DUT's output to the upper frequency limit provided by the E8257D (40 GHz). The measurement capability of our system was then changed to 40 GHz. In this study, we will follow our previse scheme of 2014 and upgrade the measurement range up to 50GHz. The uncertainty budget will also be discussed.
Modeling the Effects of Noise Source Mismatch on Y-Factor Noise Figure Measurement Uncertainty
Authors:   Keysight Technologies, Wong Ken
Published: March 2022

Accurate low noise figure measurement is critical for devices used in telecommunication systems. Lower the noise figure, the less transmission power is required to receive a signal within a given distance. The Y-factor method is the most common technique for determining the Noise Figure (NF) or effective input noise temperature of a Device Under Test (DUT). It is based on supplying an input termination to the DUT at two different noise temperatures, with cryogenic standards, or more commonly, with a commercial noise source consisting of a noise diode that can be biased on or off. Uncertainty of Y-factor measurements are commonly evaluated with a Noise Figure Uncertainty Calculator, NFUC. When the assumptions of the Y-factor measurement method are not met, e.g. good source match, significant error will occur that is not captured by the calculator. This problem become noticeable with Y-factor NF measurements above 18GHz and is significant in the millimeter-wave range. The mm-wave range is critical for 5G system development. Measurement comparisons will be made to illustrate the impact of source match on measurement uncertainty. This paper will introduce new ways to estimate and ameliorate this uncertainty. A new model for predicting the added uncertainty caused by the reflection coefficient of the noise source will be presented.
Understanding the Test Measurand and the Profound Impact on Calibration, Verification, and Uncertainty
Authors:   Mitutoyo America Corporation, Salsbury Jim
Published: March 2022

In September 2015 a new international standard was published that will likely have far reaching impact in the calibration and test world. This standard, ISO 14253-5, is entitled "Geometrical product specifications (GPS) - Inspection by measurement of workpieces and measuring equipment - Part 5: Uncertainty in verification testing of indicating measuring instruments". While this standard was developed by experts in dimensional metrology, the general concepts need to be deeply considered by anybody involved with conformance testing of any type of measuring instrument to stated specifications. This paper begins with a summary of the primary concepts in ISO 14253-5 - the definition of the test measurand and the measurement uncertainty associated with verification testing, which the standard has termed the "test value uncertainty". This standard is the first formal attempt internationally to define the measurand in conformance testing, and the resulting impact to uncertainty can be significant. This paper will then go beyond the scope of ISO 14253-5 and show how the same principles apply to verification testing of material measures (i.e. artifacts and standards). This paper will then carefully analyze the test measurand and discuss the broad and critical ramifications on the definitions and concepts of calibration and verification. This paper will show how many of the generally accepted notions on the differences between calibration and verification should be carefully considered, and possibly reconsidered. It is the purpose of this paper to introduce the important concepts of ISO 14253-5, evaluate the broader impact, and foster further discussion within NCSL International.
Conformance Decision Rules to Support ISO/IEC CD2 17025 Under Revision
Authors:   Keysight Technologies, Stern Robert
Published: March 2022

The current draft of ISO/IEC CD 17025 contains a clause to document the decision rule for conformity along with the risk and statistical assumptions in the test method or procedure (7.1.1d). So how shall we do this? A common strategy for managing measurement decision risk is to choose a guard-band that results in a desired false-accept risk given a tolerance limit, the calibration process uncertainty, and the a priori probability. JCGM 106:2012 provides guidance for the implementation of prior knowledge in conformance decisions, however a good estimate of the a priori probability may be difficult to obtain. Historical device population information for estimating a priori probability may not be readily available such as "testing" applications where the device is a prototype. This paper presents the false-accept risk and corresponding false-reject risk for four decision rules. We provide simple equations to limit risk to pre-determined amounts. Several case studies illustrate when to use "Specific" or "Global" risk. When "Global" risk is appropriate, the decision rules can be applied with limited knowledge of a priori probability.
Calibration of Elctrocardiograph (ECG) Simulators
Authors:   Standards and Calibration Laboratory, Yang Steven
Published: March 2022

The Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) in Hong Kong has set up a calibration facility for electro-cardio graph (ECG) simulators. ECGs are medical devices designed to measure the electrical signals associated with cardiac activity. They are used to diagnose heart diseases and arrhythmias, which are commonly used in hospitals, emergency facilities and medical institutes. Routine performance check of ECGs could be performed by ECG simulator. In order to ensure the accuracy of the instruments, calibration procedures which are traceable to primary standards or SI units are essential. At the SCL, the output signal from an ECG simulator is measured by a differential amplifier and a high speed digital sampling system. The system also includes a reference voltage source, an inductive voltage divider and a control computer. Digital sampling system enables the calibration of non-sinusoidal wave with high accuracy. Signal characteristics including signal amplitude, frequency and wave form could be evaluated by an in-house developed program for normal sinus rhythm waveforms as well as for ECG performance waveforms (sinusoidal, triangle, square and pulse). Since the test signal is in the sub-millivolt (mV) range, a differential amplifier with high common mode rejection ratio is used to amplify the test signal. The frequency response of the differential amplifier is calibrated by a reference voltage source and an inductive voltage divider, whereas the digital sampling system is calibrated against the laboratory's voltage and frequency reference standards. The developed calibration system is capable of measuring signals in the sub-mV level with test uncertainty ratio (TUR) better than 4. Details of the system configurations and the uncertainty evaluation will be described in the paper.
Combined Instruments for Test Efficiency
Authors:   National Instruments Corporation, Coonan Tim
Published: March 2022

An instrument combination is when two or more separate instruments are combined into a system to achieve a single function. Examples are a DC Source inline characterized by a high precision DMM to create a high precision DC source or two CW Sources and a combiner used to create a TOI test instrument. Often times calibration procedures are written to use an expensive and slow multifunction calibrator that is not optimized for time and cost. In this paper I will describe examples of when we have replaced a multifunction calibrator with a more specific instrument combination in order to optimize the procedure, what we had to look out for while making these replacements, and how we have designed our hardware abstraction layer to allow for these replacements without the need to update test code.
Computer Aided Calibration of Voltage and Current Surge Generator in Accordance with IEC 61000-4-5:2014
Authors:   Standards and Calibration Laboratory, Ko Samuel
Published: March 2022

Reliable electrical and electronic equipment are designed to immense against different kinds of electromagnetic interference such as voltage dip, burst, electrostatic discharge, and surge. Surge is a 'slow transient overvoltage' with frequency contents below 10 MHz which may cause electrical and thermal damages to the equipment. Surges are created by switching events and insulation faults in AC power distribution networks, lightning and others. A combination wave generator which simulates the switching and lightning transients is used to evaluate the immunity performance of equipment under test against high energy surge interference. The Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) has recently set up a system to calibrate 1.2/50 μs - 8/20 μs or 10/700 μs - 5/320 μs combination wave generators by laboratory digital oscilloscope in accordance with the latest international standard IEC 61000-4-5:2014. The new revision has made many significant changes including redefinition of the surge waveforms and the evaluation of measurement uncertainty. The calibration parameters include the front time, duration and voltage surge peak. The principle of the calibration is to convert the high voltage or high current surge pulse waveform to lower signal waveform by calibrated potential divider or burden respectively. System response time including the oscilloscope, divider and the burden must be considered to characterize the surge waveform accurately. The required voltage and timing measurement is taken by computer automatically to reduce human error and to enhance consistency. The best measurement uncertainties of the front time, duration and surge peak are 5%, 2% and 3% respectively with test output voltage of 0.5 to 4 kV.
Assessing Your Laboratories Technical Competence in Regards to the Requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005, Section 5
Authors:   Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation, Inc., Kramer Michael J.
Published: March 2022

This will look at a practical and efficient way of assessing your laboratory's compliance to Section 5 of ISO/IEC 17025:2005. An assessment of Section 5 should consist of much more than just cross referencing requirements of the Quality Management System. This paper will provide an overview of each pertinent technical section of the standard and provide a hands on approach to assessing the laboratory's compliance to the elements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005. It will educate users on how to proactively uncover nonconformities which may arise when performing daily routine calibrations or tests. Each part of Section 5 will be reviewed and will include an interpretation of key elements, along with objective evidence in which internal auditors should request while actually witnessing the calibrations or tests being undertaken. This will incorporate a front door to backdoor approach from the acceptance of an artifact to the return of an artifact to a client. Key elements of Section 4 will also be discussed as applicable. This will benefit participants involved in the quality operation of a laboratory, particularly those designated to conduct or oversee internal audits and results.
The Influence of Measurement Uncertainty in Conformity Assessment
Authors:   Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF), Lin I-jhen
Published: March 2022

Measurement uncertainty plays an important role in conformity assessment. In conformity assessment, a measurement result is used to decide if an item of interest conforms to a specified requirement. For laboratories or end users in society, in order to make sure that services or supplies comply with specified requirements, conformity assessment usually has to be made after purchasing supplies or after periodic calibration of instrument. Based on ISO/IEC 17025 5.10.4.2, the uncertainty of measurement shall be taken into account when making statements of compliance. The accuracy and precision of instruments which have been used during testing or calibration process, would directly affect the measurement results. It is crucial that users shall attach importance to measurement uncertainty when making conformity assessment so that the measurement accuracy and quality could be maintained. In Taiwan, now there are approximately 1900 accredited laboratories including testing, medical, and calibration fields. The testing and calibration reports, which have been issued by TAF accredited laboratories, have been used domestically and worldwide by end users in different areas. It would cause huge impact on the society if incorrect data result has been delivered via testing or calibration reports. In this paper, we will share more detail about how TAF (Taiwan Accreditation Foundation) help and train our accredited laboratories and end users to learn about the significance of measurement uncertainty when making conformity assessment. In addition, some training courses and seminars about conformity assessment were held for assessors not only for laboratory accreditation area, but also for assessors for certification accreditation. We aimed to: (1) promote the importance of calibration and measurement uncertainty, and conformity assessment (2) provide training courses and seminars for laboratories, assessors, and end users (3) clarify ambiguous concept among measurement error, measurement uncertainty, and systematic bias (systematic error) (4) raise the quality and reliability of testing and calibration reports In this paper, we will share why, how, and what we did as well as the results about the impact on our accredited laboratories and society.
The Impact of BIPM Amendments in the Romanian Mass Dissemination
Authors:   National Institute of Metrology, Vâlcu Adriana
Published: March 2022

From January 2014 to January 2015 an extraordinary calibration using IPK was carried out at BIPM. After this calibration campaign, it was concluded that the results obtained for the set of working standards indicate the existence of an offset from the IPK over 22 years by 35 μg. Therefore, Consultative Committee for Mass and Related Quantities (CCM) recommended that all mass calibrations of national prototypes and of mass standards issued by the BIPM during the years 2003-2013 need to be amended with this value. During this period, Romanian National Prototype of the Kilogram (NPK ) together with stainless steel kilogram Ni81 were calibrated two times at BIPM: in 2005 and 2013. After receiving the BIPM amendments, the first measure taken by Mass laboratory was to perform the comparison between NPK and stainless steel reference standards, which represents the main step in the dissemination of mass unit in Romania. The paper describes the results obtained from this comparison, the impact of these new values on Romanian mass dissemination and actions taken in consequence.
Speeding up Monte Carlo Computations by Parallel Processing Using GPU for Uncertainty Evaluation in Accordance with GUM Supplement 2
Authors: Tsui C.M. , Yan Aaron Y.K. , Lai H.M. ,   Standards and Calibration Laboratory,   The Government of the Hong  Kong Special Administrative Region
Published: March 2022

The GUM Supplement 2 deals with measurement models with more than one output quantities, which may be mutually correlated. Such measurement models are common in electrical metrology where the measurand can be complex-valued quantities, such as S-parameters. The GUM Supplement 2 describes a Monte Carlo Method (MCM) for evaluating the output quantities, their standard uncertainties, the covariances between them and the coverage region. The Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) has developed six years ago a software tool for evaluation of measurement models for complex-valued quantities in accordance with GUM Supplement 2. The SCL software tool was written in Visual C++ and Visual Basic for Application (VBA), with Microsoft Excel as frontend user interface. As MCM involves large number of repetitive computations, this old SCL software tool has long processing time especially for complicated measurement models such as coaxial airline. Nowadays many personal computers are equipped with Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) containing massive number of floating point cores. A high end GPU may have nearly 2000 cores while the main CPU normally has only up to 4 cores. As MCM is well suited to parallel processing, to speed up the uncertainty computation, SCL has ported the algorithm to GPU using the Open Computing Language (OpenCL) which was specially designed to support parallel computing. The new SCL tool is an add-on module to Microsoft Excel which allows uncertainty budget listed in spreadsheet table to be calculated by MCM. GPU from the major suppliers Nvidia, AMD and Intel are supported. The uncertainty computation time can be reduced by more than ten times. This paper describes the design and implementation of this new software tool.
Deep Learning & Artificial Intelligence can Solve Measurement Problems with Estimated Confidence
Authors:   Cal Lab Solutions, Inc., Schwartz Michael L.
Published: March 2022

In the past, like many companies, we tried to automate the data collection of handheld meters and other devices using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, only to learn OCR technology has its limitations; we discovered any change in position, lighting, angle and even glare would throw off the OCR, resulting in bad numbers. So we changed direction and switched to Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Deep Learning algorithms. Our goal was to implement a “learn as you go,” AI-assisted solution that will learn to read a handheld meter as good, or better than, a human. The continual learning/training would train the AI to read measurements at any angle, in most lighting conditions. The trained AI would even be smart enough to understand scaled values based on the prefixes. Over time, with a much larger data set, the AI would be able to read just about any new display.
North American High Voltage Interlaboratory Comparison
Authors:   Ohm-Labs, Inc., Klevens Jay
Published: March 2022

This is the report for an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) of high voltage measurements performed by ten labs in the USA and Canada from 2018-2019. The measurement ranges were 20-100 kV dc and 15-70 kV rms at 60 Hz ac. The ILC was designed to verify strengths and reveal weaknesses in high voltage measurements in commercial, military and energy sector calibration laboratories. The ILC was performed among members of NCSL International, with the generous support of National Research Council Canada (NRC).
Reverse Engineering and Measurement in a University Class
Authors:   Mechanical Engineering Technology Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Fuehne Joseph P.
Published: March 2022

As part of the curriculum in several engineering technology degree programs at Purdue Polytechnic Columbus (PPC), participants are required to complete a class titled “Production Design and Specifications”. While the class focuses on CAD drawings, proper dimensioning practices and standards, an additional element concentrates on measurement and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing practices. As part of the class, participants are required to perform a reverse engineering project. The project involves completing measurements on a part, creating a three-dimensional CAD model, having the part printed on a 3D printer, and then completing the measurements again to compare the original part to the 3D printed part. Participants in this year’s class are reverse engineering a specific artifact designed to allow many linear dimensions and also many geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) dimensions. Every part designed by the students is 3D printed and then each student performs a complete dimensional study including GD&T specifications on their individual part. Differing materials are used for the 3D prints as well as differing layer widths to highlight the differences created by those comparisons. A Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is used for the GD&T measurements while a dial indicator is also utilized for certain parallelism, perpendicularity, and flatness specifications to provide a constructive comparison of those different methods of measurement. Finally, students are expected to prepare an executive summary lab report which details the comparisons between the artifact and the 3D printed specimen and the various measurement tools employed in the assignment.
Incidence of dystocia at piglet level in cloprostenol-induced farrowings and associated risk factors
Authors: Nam Nguyen Hoai , Sukon Peerapol
Published: March 2022

Abstract. Few studies have investigated risk factors for dystocia in swine, although this birthing abnormality can compromise welfare of both sows and piglets by increasing stillbirth rate and decreasing sow productivity. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with dystocia at piglet level in cloprostenol-induced farrowings. A dystocia event was recorded when a birth interval exceeded 45 min or when manual extraction was applied. Data were collected from 898 piglets born from 77 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows, which were induced for farrowing on day 114 of gestation. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to evaluate the association between dystocia and parity, gestation length, litter size, relative birth order (RBO (%) = 100 ⋅ birth order/litter size), birth weight, crown rump length, body mass index, ponderal index, piglet's sex, use of oxytocin, and stillbirth. Sows nested in farrowing batches were fitted as random factors in GLMMs. Incidence of dystocia at piglet and farrowing levels was 11.0 % and 75.3 %, respectively. The final multivariate model explained 20.1 % variation of dystocia. RBO had a quadratic effect on dystocia in which incidence of dystocia decreased from RBO ≤ 40 % to RBO = 60 %–70 %, and then increased to the end of parturition. Piglets with birth weight > 1700 g and stillborn piglets had higher odds of dystocia in comparison with piglets with a birth weight of 900–1700 g (OR = 2.63; 95 % CI = 1.66–4.18) and live-born piglets (OR = 2.62; 95 % CI = 1.12–6.15), respectively. This study indicates that dystocia is very common in cloprostenol-induced farrowings and suggests that the last one-third of parturitions is the most important stage to be supervised, and selection for homogenous litters and moderate high birth weight may reduce the rate of dystocia.
On the colour of noctilucent clouds
Authors: Lange Anna , Baumgarten Gerd , Rozanov Alexei , von Savigny Christian
Published: March 2022

Abstract. The high-latitude phenomenon of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) is characterised by a silvery-blue or pale blue colour. In this study, we employ the radiative transfer model SCIATRAN to simulate spectra of solar radiation scattered by NLCs for a ground-based observer and assuming spherical NLC particles. To determine the resulting colours of NLCs in an objective way, the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) colour matching functions and chromaticity values are used. Different processes and parameters potentially affecting the colour of NLCs are investigated, i.e., the size of the NLC particles, the abundance of middle atmospheric O3 and the importance of multiply scattered solar radiation. We afﬁrm previous research indicating that solar radiation absorption in the O3 Chappuis bands can have a signiﬁcant effect on the colour of the NLCs. A new result of this study is that for sufﬁciently large NLC optical depths and for speciﬁc viewing geometries, O3 plays only a minor role for the blueish colour of NLCs. The simulations also show that the size of the NLC particles affects the colour of the clouds. Cloud particles of unrealistically large sizes can lead to a reddish colour. Furthermore, the simulations show that the contribution of multiple scattering to the total scattering is only of minor importance, providing additional justiﬁcation for the earlier studies on this topic, which were all based on the single scattering approximation.