Benchmark definition

One of the most promising research lines in EDSS development is the definition of benchmarks to assess and evaluate the performance of EDSSs in a set of well-... 

For continuous data, there are still a number of outstanding issues regarding the benchmark including (Crump 2002) (1) definition of an adverse effect (2) whether to calculate the BMD from a continuous health outcome, or first convert the continuous response to a binary (yes/no) response (3) quantitative definition of the BMD, in particular in such a manner that BMD from continuous and binary data are commensurate (4) selection of a mathematical dose-response model for calculating a BMD (5) selection of the level of risk to which the BMD corresponds and (6) selection of a statistical methodology for implementing the calculation. 

The numerical determination of E grr by the use of many-body theory is a formidable task, and estimates of it based on E j and E p serve as important benchmarks for the development of methods for calculating electron correlation effects. The purpose of this work is to obtain improved estimates of Epp by combining the leading-order relativistic and many-body effects which have been omitted in Eq. (1) with experimentally determined values of the total electronic energy, and precise values of Epjp. We then obtain empirical estimates of E grr for the diatomic species N2, CO, BF, and NO using Epip and E p and the definition of E g in Eq. (1). 

One algorithm for blindly approximating physical states has already been proposed [36], although the method requires the number of states to be input. In work to be reported soon, Zhang and Zuckerman developed a simple procedure for approximating physical states that does not require input of the number of states. In several systems, moreover, it was found that sample-size estimation is relatively insensitive to the precise state definitions (providing they are reasonably physical, in terms of the timescale discussion above). The authors are therefore optimistic that a "benchmark" blind, automated method for sample-size characterization will be available before long. 

At the cytogenetic level, resistance can be defined as a loss or lack of MCR or CCR. At the molecular level, a complete molecular response is defined as undetectable BCR-ABLl transcripts by PCR or a > 3-log reduction, a BCR-ABLl transcripts which represents a major molecular remission. Loss of either of these responses would be defined as resistance at the molecular level. However, standardization of measurement of BCR-ABLl transcripts by PCR has not yet been accomplished, and results in one lab may not necessarily be equivalent to those of another lab. Also, a standardized definition of resistance at the molecular level is not well defined, although many experts consider a half log or one-log increase which is confirmed in a second sample as a reasonable benchmark for loss of molecular response (27). 

The principal limitation of these data is the lack of definition of the individual forms for the CYP2C subfamily. Analysis of this subfamily has remained problematic due to high cross-reactivities of all of the distinct forms with most antibody preparations. In addition, Western blot analysis does not distinguish between active and inactive forms of the protein. Furthermore, distinct enzymes may have different affinities for coenzymes necessary for catalytic activity, which will serve to unlink abundance of the protein and its catalytic activity. Therefore the assumptions must be made that the ratios of active to inactive protein are similar for all forms and that all forms have similar affinities for coenzymes. These assumptions may not be justified. However, even with these limitations, the study of Shimada et al. (1994) contributes greatly to our understanding of relative enzyme abundance in human liver. In addition, the relative abundance data, coupled with the absolute P450 content (per unit protein) and the turnover numbers for enzyme-specific substrates (per unit protein), can provide an estimate of the turnover number for individual enzymes in the human liver membrane environment. This provides an important benchmark for evaluation of turnover number data from cDNA-expressed enzymes. 

A decision to exit a program usually is based on failure of the business to meet predetermined goals (financial or otherwise). Typically, any new business is given a certain amount of time to meet its goals (18 to 24 months). Many organizations fail to have a mechanism in place to make a termination decision and instead let the business flounder and perhaps continue to lose money. It is much more preferable to have a definitive benchmark to which the program can be compared and a decision made promptly and decisively. 

Closely related to the above merit of VB methods, the unique definition of diabatic states also allows us to derive the energy profiles for diabatic states. Since for many reactions the whole process can be described with very few resonance structures, the comparison between the diabatic and adiabatic state energy profiles can yield insight into the nature governing the reactions [22-24]. In fact, even for complicated enzymatic reactions, simple VB ideas have shown unparalleled value [25, 26]. However, the further utilization of the VB ideas at the empirical and semi-empirical levels should be carefully verified by benchmark ab initio VB... 

By definition, refractory metals exhibit low thermal and electrical conductivities and have equally low thermal expansion properties (Table 3.6). As a relative benchmark, common metals such as iron and copper have coefficients of linear thermal expansion on the order of 12.1 and 17.7 p,m m K , respectively. Also for comparative purposes, the electrical/thermal conductivities for Fe and Cu are 9.71 j,Qcm V78-2 Wm and 1.67p,Q cm V397W m K , respectively. 

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