Arbitrary number content (arb.num.cont.) - Dynamic NPU Manual

Arbitrary number content (arb.num.cont.)

by | Dec 5, 2024 | List of kinds-of-property, Kind-of-quantity

Arbitrary number content (arb.num.cont.)

Arbitrary number content

Abbreviation

 Arb.num.cont.

Definition in words

 Arbitrary number content of component B in system 1

Definition by equation

Note: kprocedure is a constant defined by the measurement procedure (there is an approximately proportionality to a kind-of-quantity from the International System of Quantities)

Result type

 Rational scale
  • Value sets are positive numerical values
  • Numerical values from 0-∞
  • Algebraic operations are allowed
  • Possible comparison of values (a=nb; a≠nb)

Unit

 International unit (IU) or procedure defined unit (p.d.u.) (non-SI units)

Special rule(s) in the NPU syntax

“Procedure” is stated in the specification to the kind-of-property in the NPU definition.

“Procedure” indicates that the measurement procedure must be stated somewhere else than the NPU code and there may be difficulties in comparing values for the same NPU code.

If the unit is an International Unit (IU), an international certified reference material (e.g. WHO reference material) is specified in the specification to the kind-of-property.

If there exist no international certified reference material, the laboratory can specify the unit at the placeholder, procedure defined unit.

Reference
  1. Ferard G, Dybkaer R, Fuentes-Arderiu X. Compendium of Terminology and Nomenclature of Properties in Clinical Laboratory Sciences : Recommendations 2016. 1 ed: Royal Society of Chemistry; 2016. 182 p.
  2. Mesures BIdPe. International Vocabulary of Metrology – Basic and General Concepts and Associated Terms VIM 3rd edition JCGM 200:2012 (JCGM 200:2008 with minor corrections). https://www.bipm.org: Bureau International des Poids et Mesures; 2008.

Laboratory field

Examples

Molecular Biology and Genetics

 Example 1 (Rational)
Generic abbreviated form NPU57553 RNA(Tumor;spec.)—IGFBP3 gene; arb.num.cont.(proc.) = ? (p.d.u.)
Full form with a result NPU57553 RNA(Tumor;specification)—IGFBP3 gene; arbitrary number content(procedure) = 15 arbitrary unit
Abbreviated form with a result NPU57553 RNA(Tumor;spec.)—IGFBP3 gene; arb.num.cont.(proc.) = 15 arbitrary unit
Written expression The arbitrary number content of IGFBP3 gene in Mr Smith’s Tumor’s DNA is [15] arbitrary unit. The measurement is performed according to a procedure defined by the laboratory.
Notes “Arbitrary unit” was chosen by a local laboratory as a proprietary measurement unit and not an accepted international unit.

Reference

 NPU database, https://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-scientific-division/sd-committees/c-npu/npusearch/ 

    • Kind-of-property

      • Nominal kind-of-property

      • Kind-of-quantity

        • Unitary kind-of-quantity

          • Rational kind-of-quantity

            • Arbitrary number content

Reference
  • Dybkaer R. Concept system on ‘quantity’: formation and terminology. Accredit Qual Assur. 2013;18(3):253-60.
  • Dybkaer R. ISO terminological analysis of the VIM3 concepts ‘quantity’ and ‘kind-of-quantity’. Metrologia. 2010;47(3):127-34.
Date Term Note
2024-10-22 Arbitrary number concentration Term established

NPU term identifier

 QU101174