The need for standards and certification for investigative genetic genealogy, and a notice of action.

As investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) becomes a more common tool for investigating agencies to resolve cold cases and provide names to unidentified human remains, there is an urgent need for standards and a certification process for IGG practitioners. There are four broad concerns that give rise to this need: data privacy, public trust, proficiency (and agency trust), and accountability. Yet, while the need is clear, the few discussions of standards and certification thus far have been plagued by misunderstandings of IGG and poor analogs for the profession.

A multicenter study to evaluate automated platelet aggregometry on Sysmex CS-series coagulation analyzers-preliminary findings.

Background And Objectives: Investigations of platelet function by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) using a dedicated aggregometer is time consuming and labor intensive. This multicenter study evaluated an automated LTA method using a coagulation analyzer to establish reference ranges and ideal testing regimen.

Methods: Sysmex CS-2x00 series analyzers were used to measure aggregation using a range of agonists and concentrations: ADP (1-20 μM); arachidonic acid (0.

Dressing up posture: The interactive effects of posture and clothing on competency judgements.

Individuals often receive judgements from others based on their clothing and their posture. While both of these factors have been found to influence judgements of competency independently, their relative importance in impression formation is yet to be investigated. We address this by examining interactive effects of posture and clothing on four competency measures: confidence, professionalism, approachability, and likeliness of a high salary.

Platelet function testing: from routine to specialist testing.

Platelets have many functions within the haemostatic system, and when these actions are diminished for whatever reason, a bleeding tendency can manifest. Unravelling the reason(s) for this bleeding can be complex due to the multiple roles platelets perform. This review seeks to explain each level of platelet testing moving from those performed at local hospital laboratories to those performed by specialist centres and university research departments.

Residual Stress Analysis Based on Acoustic and Optical Methods.

Co-application of acoustoelasticity and optical interferometry to residual stress analysis is discussed. The underlying idea is to combine the advantages of both methods. Acoustoelasticity is capable of evaluating a residual stress absolutely but it is a single point measurement.

The gestural misinformation effect: skewing eyewitness testimony through gesture.

The susceptibility of eyewitnesses to verbal suggestion has been well documented, although little attention has been paid to the role of nonverbal communication in misinformation. Three experiments are reported; in each, participants watched footage of a crime scene before being questioned about what they had observed. In Experiments 1 and 2, an on-screen interviewer accompanied identically worded questions with gestures that either conveyed accurate information about the scene or conveyed false, misleading information.

High sensitivity and specificity of a new functional flow cytometry assay for clinically significant heparin-induced thrombocytopenia antibodies.

Introduction: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening condition, in which the anticoagulant heparin, platelet factor 4 (PF4), and platelet-activating antibodies form complexes with prothrombotic properties. Laboratory tests to support clinical diagnosis are subdivided into functional, platelet activation assays, which lack standardization, or immunological assays, which have moderate specificity toward HIT. In this study, clinical performance of HITAlert, a novel in vitro diagnostic (IVD) registered platelet activation assay, was tested in a large cohort of HIT-suspected patients and compared with immunological assays.

Emergency nursing in Malta: past and present with a vision for the future.

Every other year, the International Council of Nurses convenes a conference. In 2011 it was held in Malta, and Diane Gurney, RN, MS, CEN, ENA Past President, attended to represent ENA. In this article Diane and Paul Calleja, MSc(Manchester) Nurs, BSc (Hons) Nurs, Dip Nurs, Malta Emergency Nurses Association (MENA) International Relationship Officer, describe this visit, the significant nursing history in Malta, emergency nursing, and MENA.