Herpetological Monitoring Using a Pitfall Trapping Design in Southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fisher, Robert; Stokes, Drew; Rochester, Carlton; Brehme, Cheryl; Hathaway, Stacie; Case, Ted

2008-01-01

The steps necessary to conduct a pitfall trapping survey for small terrestrial vertebrates are presented. Descriptions of the materials needed and the methods to build trapping equipment from raw materials are discussed. Recommended data collection techniques are given along with suggested data fields. Animal specimen processing procedures, including toe- and scale-clipping, are described for lizards, snakes, frogs, and salamanders. Methods are presented for conducting vegetation surveys that can be used to classify the environment associated with each pitfall trap array. Techniques for data storage and presentation are given based on commonly use computer applications. As with any study, much consideration should be given to the study design and methods before beginning any data collection effort.

Potential Pitfalls Related to Space-Based Lidar Remote Sensing of the Earth with an Emphasis on Wind Measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kavaya, Michael J.; Spiers, Gary D.; Frehlich, Rod G.; Arnold, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

A collection of issues is discussed that are potential pitfalls, if handled incorrectly, for earth-orbiting lidar remote sensing instruments. These issues arise due to the long target ranges, high lidar-to-target relative velocities, low signal levels, use of laser scanners, and other unique aspects of using lasers in earth orbit. Consequences of misunderstanding these topics range from minor inconvenience to improper calibration to total failure. We will focus on wind measurement using coherent detection Doppler lidar, but many of the potential pitfalls apply also to noncoherent lidar wind measurement, and to measurement of parameters other than wind. Each area will be identified as to its applicability.

Twinkling artifact on color Doppler ultrasound: an advantage or a pitfall?

PubMed

Ozan, Ebru; Atac, Gokce Kaan; Gundogdu, Sadi

2016-07-01

The twinkling artifact (TA) or color comet-tail artifact is characterized by a rapidly changing mixture of red and blue color Doppler signals. Even though many diseases and clinical conditions have been shown to produce this artifact, its source is not clearly understood yet. The TA may provide additional information to gray-scale ultrasound findings in several clinical situations. However, there may be pitfalls to keep in mind. We must first be aware of the TA to benefit from the advantages and avoid the pitfalls. In this review, we aim to give practicing radiologists an overview of the mechanisms and clinical applications of the TA by illustrating sample cases we have encountered.

How artificial intelligence tools can be used to assess individual patient risk in cardiovascular disease: problems with the current methods.

PubMed

Grossi, Enzo

2006-05-03

In recent years a number of algorithms for cardiovascular risk assessment has been proposed to the medical community. These algorithms consider a number of variables and express their results as the percentage risk of developing a major fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event in the following 10 to 20 years The author has identified three major pitfalls of these algorithms, linked to the limitation of the classical statistical approach in dealing with this kind of non linear and complex information. The pitfalls are the inability to capture the disease complexity, the inability to capture process dynamics, and the wide confidence interval of individual risk assessment. Artificial Intelligence tools can provide potential advantage in trying to overcome these limitations. The theoretical background and some application examples related to artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic have been reviewed and discussed. The use of predictive algorithms to assess individual absolute risk of cardiovascular future events is currently hampered by methodological and mathematical flaws. The use of newer approaches, such as fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks, linked to artificial intelligence, seems to better address both the challenge of increasing complexity resulting from a correlation between predisposing factors, data on the occurrence of cardiovascular events, and the prediction of future events on an individual level.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 and bone therapy: successes and pitfalls.

PubMed

Poon, Bonnie; Kha, Tram; Tran, Sally; Dass, Crispin R

2016-02-01

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), more specifically BMP-2, are being increasingly used in orthopaedic surgery due to advanced research into osteoinductive factors that may enhance and improve bone therapy. There are many areas in therapy that BMP-2 is being applied to, including dental treatment, open tibial fractures, cancer and spinal surgery. Within these areas of treatment, there are many reports of successes and pitfalls. This review explores the use of BMP-2 and its successes, pitfalls and future prospects in bone therapy. The PubMed database was consulted to compile this review. With successes in therapy, there were descriptions of a more rapid healing time with no signs of rejection or infection attributed to BMP-2 treatment. Pitfalls included BMP-2 'off-label' use, which lead to various adverse effects. Our search highlighted that optimising treatment with BMP-2 is a direction that many researchers are exploring, with areas of current research interest including concentration and dose of BMP-2, carrier type and delivery. © 2015 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Application of fluorescence resonance energy transfer in protein studies

PubMed Central

Ma, Linlin; Yang, Fan; Zheng, Jie

2014-01-01

Since the physical process of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was elucidated more than six decades ago, this peculiar fluorescence phenomenon has turned into a powerful tool for biomedical research due to its compatibility in scale with biological molecules as well as rapid developments in novel fluorophores and optical detection techniques. A wide variety of FRET approaches have been devised, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Especially in the last decade or so, we are witnessing a flourish of FRET applications in biological investigations, many of which exemplify clever experimental design and rigorous analysis. Here we review the current stage of FRET methods development with the main focus on its applications in protein studies in biological systems, by summarizing the basic components of FRET techniques, most established quantification methods, as well as potential pitfalls, illustrated by example applications. PMID:25368432

Soft Tissue Tumor Immunohistochemistry Update: Illustrative Examples of Diagnostic Pearls to Avoid Pitfalls.

PubMed

Wei, Shi; Henderson-Jackson, Evita; Qian, Xiaohua; Bui, Marilyn M

2017-08-01

- Current 2013 World Health Organization classification of tumors of soft tissue arranges these tumors into 12 groups according to their histogenesis. Tumor behavior is classified as benign, intermediate (locally aggressive), intermediate (rarely metastasizing), and malignant. In our practice, a general approach to reaching a definitive diagnosis of soft tissue tumors is to first evaluate clinicoradiologic, histomorphologic, and cytomorphologic features of the tumor to generate some pertinent differential diagnoses. These include the potential line of histogenesis and whether the tumor is benign or malignant, and low or high grade. Although molecular/genetic testing is increasingly finding its applications in characterizing soft tissue tumors, currently immunohistochemistry still not only plays an indispensable role in defining tumor histogenesis, but also serves as a surrogate for underlining molecular/genetic alterations. Objective- To provide an overview focusing on the current concepts in the classification and diagnosis of soft tissue tumors, incorporating immunohistochemistry. This article uses examples to discuss how to use the traditional and new immunohistochemical markers for the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors. Practical diagnostic pearls, summary tables, and figures are used to show how to avoid diagnostic pitfalls. - Data were obtained from pertinent peer-reviewed English-language literature and the authors' first-hand experience as bone and soft tissue pathologists. - -The ultimate goal for a pathologist is to render a specific diagnosis that provides diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information to guide patient care. Immunohistochemistry is integral to the diagnosis and management of soft tissue tumors.

Diagnostic classification of cancer using DNA microarrays and artificial intelligence.

PubMed

Greer, Braden T; Khan, Javed

2004-05-01

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to microarray data has been receiving much attention in recent years because of the possibility of automated diagnosis in the near future. Studies have been published predicting tumor type, estrogen receptor status, and prognosis using a variety of AI algorithms. The performance of intelligent computing decisions based on gene expression signatures is in some cases comparable to or better than the current clinical decision schemas. The goal of these tools is not to make clinicians obsolete, but rather to give clinicians one more tool in their armamentarium to accurately diagnose and hence better treat cancer patients. Several such applications are summarized in this chapter, and some of the common pitfalls are noted.

How artificial intelligence tools can be used to assess individual patient risk in cardiovascular disease: problems with the current methods

PubMed Central

Grossi, Enzo

2006-01-01

Background In recent years a number of algorithms for cardiovascular risk assessment has been proposed to the medical community. These algorithms consider a number of variables and express their results as the percentage risk of developing a major fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event in the following 10 to 20 years Discussion The author has identified three major pitfalls of these algorithms, linked to the limitation of the classical statistical approach in dealing with this kind of non linear and complex information. The pitfalls are the inability to capture the disease complexity, the inability to capture process dynamics, and the wide confidence interval of individual risk assessment. Artificial Intelligence tools can provide potential advantage in trying to overcome these limitations. The theoretical background and some application examples related to artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic have been reviewed and discussed. Summary The use of predictive algorithms to assess individual absolute risk of cardiovascular future events is currently hampered by methodological and mathematical flaws. The use of newer approaches, such as fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks, linked to artificial intelligence, seems to better address both the challenge of increasing complexity resulting from a correlation between predisposing factors, data on the occurrence of cardiovascular events, and the prediction of future events on an individual level. PMID:16672045

Tackling Health Inequalities in the United Kingdom: The Progress and Pitfalls of Policy

PubMed Central

Exworthy, Mark; Blane, David; Marmot, Michael

2003-01-01

Goal Assess the progress and pitfalls of current United Kingdom (U.K.) policies to reduce health inequalities. Objectives (1) Describe the context enabling health inequalities to get onto the policy agenda in the United Kingdom. (2) Categorize and assess selected current U.K. policies that may affect health inequalities. (3) Apply the “policy windows” model to understand the issues faced in formulating and implementing such policies. (4) Examine the emerging policy challenges in the U.K. and elsewhere. Data Sources Official documents, secondary analyses, and interviews with policymakers. Study Design Qualitative, policy analysis. Data Collection 2001–2002. The methods were divided into two stages. The first identified policies which were connected with individual inquiry recommendations. The second involved case-studies of three policies areas which were thought to be crucial in tackling health inequalities. Both stages involved interviews with policy-makers and documentary analysis. Principal Findings (1) The current U.K. government stated a commitment to reducing health inequalities. (2) The government has begun to implement policies that address the wider determinants. (3) Some progress is evident but many indicators remain stubborn. (4) Difficulties remain in terms of coordinating policies across government and measuring progress. (5) The “policy windows” model explains the limited extent of progress and highlights current and possible future pitfalls. (6) The U.K.'s experience has lessons for other governments involved in tackling health inequalities. Conclusions Health inequalities are on the agenda of U.K. government policy and steps have been made to address them. There are some signs of progress but much remains to be done including overcoming some of the perverse incentives at the national level, improving joint working, ensuring appropriate measures of performance/progress, and improving monitoring arrangements. A conceptual policy model aids understanding and points to ways of sustaining and extending the recent progress and overcoming pitfalls. PMID:14727803

Complexities and potential pitfalls of clinical study design and data analysis in assisted reproduction.

PubMed

Patounakis, George; Hill, Micah J

2018-06-01

The purpose of the current review is to describe the common pitfalls in design and statistical analysis of reproductive medicine studies. It serves to guide both authors and reviewers toward reducing the incidence of spurious statistical results and erroneous conclusions. The large amount of data gathered in IVF cycles leads to problems with multiplicity, multicollinearity, and over fitting of regression models. Furthermore, the use of the word 'trend' to describe nonsignificant results has increased in recent years. Finally, methods to accurately account for female age in infertility research models are becoming more common and necessary. The pitfalls of study design and analysis reviewed provide a framework for authors and reviewers to approach clinical research in the field of reproductive medicine. By providing a more rigorous approach to study design and analysis, the literature in reproductive medicine will have more reliable conclusions that can stand the test of time.

Reduction of bias and variance for evaluation of computer-aided diagnostic schemes.

PubMed

Li, Qiang; Doi, Kunio

2006-04-01

Computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) schemes have been developed to assist radiologists in detecting various lesions in medical images. In addition to the development, an equally important problem is the reliable evaluation of the performance levels of various CAD schemes. It is good to see that more and more investigators are employing more reliable evaluation methods such as leave-one-out and cross validation, instead of less reliable methods such as resubstitution, for assessing their CAD schemes. However, the common applications of leave-one-out and cross-validation evaluation methods do not necessarily imply that the estimated performance levels are accurate and precise. Pitfalls often occur in the use of leave-one-out and cross-validation evaluation methods, and they lead to unreliable estimation of performance levels. In this study, we first identified a number of typical pitfalls for the evaluation of CAD schemes, and conducted a Monte Carlo simulation experiment for each of the pitfalls to demonstrate quantitatively the extent of bias and/or variance caused by the pitfall. Our experimental results indicate that considerable bias and variance may exist in the estimated performance levels of CAD schemes if one employs various flawed leave-one-out and cross-validation evaluation methods. In addition, for promoting and utilizing a high standard for reliable evaluation of CAD schemes, we attempt to make recommendations, whenever possible, for overcoming these pitfalls. We believe that, with the recommended evaluation methods, we can considerably reduce the bias and variance in the estimated performance levels of CAD schemes.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of inguinal lymphogranuloma venereum: important lessons from a case series.

PubMed

Oud, Emerentiana Veronica; de Vrieze, Nynke Hesselina Neeltje; de Meij, Arjan; de Vries, Henry John C

2014-06-01

Current lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) guidelines mainly focus on anorectal infections. Inguinal LGV infections have been rare in the current epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM), but might require a different approach not yet recommended in current guidelines for the treatment and diagnosis of LGV. We describe 4 inguinal LGV cases. Three MSM developed inguinal LGV infection several weeks after a previous consultation, of which two had received azithromycin after being notified for LGV. Three failed the recommended 21 days doxycycline treatment. These inguinal LGV cases highlight 3 pitfalls in the current standard management of LGV: (1) Urethral chlamydia infections in MSM can be caused by LGV biovars that in contrast to non-LGV biovars require prolonged antibiotic therapy. (2) The recommended one gram azithromycin contact treatment seems insufficient to prevent established infections. (3) Inguinal LGV may require prolonged courses of doxycycline, exceeding the currently advised 21 days regimen. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Adversity and Pitfalls of Twice-Exceptional Urban Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayes, Renae D.; Moore, James L., III.

2016-01-01

Current research provides unique insights into the experiences and context of twice-exceptional students in K-12 schools. However, within this literature, a critical gap exists concerning the voices of twice-exceptional African American students and their families. The current qualitative study examined the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences…

Teacher Performance Appraisal in Thailand: Poison or Panacea?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pimpa, Nattavud

2005-01-01

This research focuses on the examination of problems related to the national teacher performance appraisal system by the Thai Ministry of Education. It highlights major problems of the current performance appraisal system by delineating the weaknesses and pitfalls of the current appraisal system. The findings indicate problems to three major…

Bioinformatics in proteomics: application, terminology, and pitfalls.

PubMed

Wiemer, Jan C; Prokudin, Alexander

2004-01-01

Bioinformatics applies data mining, i.e., modern computer-based statistics, to biomedical data. It leverages on machine learning approaches, such as artificial neural networks, decision trees and clustering algorithms, and is ideally suited for handling huge data amounts. In this article, we review the analysis of mass spectrometry data in proteomics, starting with common pre-processing steps and using single decision trees and decision tree ensembles for classification. Special emphasis is put on the pitfall of overfitting, i.e., of generating too complex single decision trees. Finally, we discuss the pros and cons of the two different decision tree usages.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Counting Pizza Toppings: A Creative Writing Learning Strategy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buchan, Laura; And Others

1996-01-01

This article describes the application of a proofreading mnemonic learning strategy for proofreading creative writing assignments. The mnemonic--Ninja Turtles Counting Pizza Toppings--reminds students to check their work for name, title, capitalization, punctuation, and transition words. Application of the strategy, possible pitfalls, and…

Real numbers tell real stories in health services management.

PubMed

Heenan, Michael; Wood, Brady; Taylor, D Wayne

2010-01-01

In the words of one hospital manager, "hospital data is currently indigestible and alien to the average user." Drawing upon the experience of an academic hospital that, contrary to established practice, published real numbers alongside rates and ratios during a Clostridium difficile outbreak, the authors examined the pitfalls of publishing only abstract performance measures and the advantages of releasing real numbers to the public. This article identifies lessons for hospital board governance, media relations, employee communications, and citizen and patient engagement that are applicable across the healthcare industry in many countries. If healthcare is to be a caring industry, then care should be taken in the public reporting of data and information.

MRI Measurements of Iron Load in Transfusion‐Dependent Patients: Implementation, Challenges, and Pitfalls

PubMed Central

St Pierre, Tim G.

2015-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has played a key role in studies of iron overload in transfusion‐dependent patients, providing insights into the relations among liver and cardiac iron loading, iron chelator dose, and morbidity. Currently, there is rapid uptake of these methods into routine clinical practice as part of the management strategy for iron overload in regularly transfused patients. Given the manifold methods of data acquisition and analysis, there are several potential pitfalls that may result in inappropriate decision making. Herein, we review the challenges of establishing suitable MRI techniques for tissue iron measurement in regularly transfused patients. PMID:26713769

Pentaploid Wheat Hybrids: Applications, Characterisation, and Challenges

PubMed Central

Padmanaban, Sriram; Zhang, Peng; Hare, Ray A.; Sutherland, Mark W.; Martin, Anke

2017-01-01

Interspecific hybridisation between hexaploid and tetraploid wheat species leads to the development of F1 pentaploid hybrids with unique chromosomal constitutions. Pentaploid hybrids derived from bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. durum Desf.) crosses can improve the genetic background of either parent by transferring traits of interest. The genetic variability derived from bread and durum wheat and transferred into pentaploid hybrids has the potential to improve disease resistance, abiotic tolerance, and grain quality, and to enhance agronomic characters. Nonetheless, pentaploid wheat hybrids have not been fully exploited in breeding programs aimed at improving crops. There are several potential barriers for efficient pentaploid wheat production, such as low pollen compatibility, poor seed set, failed seedling establishment, and frequent sterility in F1 hybrids. However, most of the barriers can be overcome by careful selection of the parental genotypes and by employing the higher ploidy level genotype as the maternal parent. In this review, we summarize the current research on pentaploid wheat hybrids and analyze the advantages and pitfalls of current methods used to assess pentaploid-derived lines. Furthermore, we discuss current and potential applications in commercial breeding programs and future directions for research into pentaploid wheat. PMID:28367153

GIS applications to wilderness management: potential uses and limitations

Treesearch

Peter Landres; David R. Spildie; Lloyd P. Queen

2001-01-01

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly being used in all areas of natural resource management. This paper first presents a brief primer on GIS, and then discusses potential applications of GIS to wilderness management in the areas of inventorying, monitoring, analysis, planning, and communication. Outlined are the limitations and pitfalls that could...

Six pitfalls in firewall deployment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilner, Bruce

1996-03-01

This note describes six key pitfalls in the deployment of popular commercial firewalls. The term `deployment' is intended to include the architecture of the firewall software itself, the integration of the firewall with the operating system platform, and the interconnection of the complete hardware/software combination within its target environment. After reviewing the evolution of Internet firewalls against the backdrop of classical trusted systems development, specific flaws and oversights in the familiar commercial deployments are analyzed in some detail. While significantly costlier solutions are available that address some of these problems, the analysis is applicable to the overwhelming majority of firewalls in use at both commercial and Government installations.

Testing biomaterials for application in artificial organs: impact of procedures, donor and patient properties.

PubMed

Vienken, Joerg

2008-12-01

Many factors can affect the characterisation of biomaterials during testing. These include drugs administered prior to testing and shear stress on blood cells induced by different blood flows and specific blood donor conditions. Some of the misconceptions in testing are described here and serve to indicate that a systems approach, and not only individual test parameters, is best when testing for biocompatibility. "Methodology is everything and the devil is in the details", remarked Paul Simmons, the current president of the International Society for Stemcell Research, in an article in Nature magazine [1]. The article refers to current problems related to the reproducibility of data in stem cell research. Reproducibility in in vitro testing is also mandatory when selecting polymers for medical device applications. Many mechanical and physical engineers are surprised when they realise the enormous standard deviations (sometimes between 50 and 100%) of data found in biological or physiological investigations of biomaterials. The reasons for this are the complexity of physiological parameters such as the nature of blood originating from a variety of donors and hour-to-hour and day-to-day physiological differences. As a consequence, standardisation is a condition sine qua non in biomaterial testing, and knowledge of possible pitfalls is absolutely necessary. Therefore ISO 10993-4, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices, Selection of Tests for Interaction With Blood, [2] provides a practical tool, including a decision tree for use in the selection of appropriate polymers for biomaterial applications. However, the interested reader finds in Section 3.1 of ISO 10993-4 the definition of blood-device interaction: "Any interaction between blood or any component of blood and a device, resulting in effects on blood, or on any organ or tissue, or on the device". A note added to this definition further clarifies: "Such effects may or may not have clinically significant or undesirable consequences." This prompts one to ask if effects leading to undesirable consequences that are not clinically significant would be helpful to the polymer chemist. This article provides some observations and examples of the misconceptions and pitfalls that exist in testing biomaterials for biocompatibility.

Common System and Software Testing Pitfalls

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-03

GEN- TTE -1) Target Platform Difficult to Access (GEN- TTE -2) → Inadequate Test Environments (GEN- TTE -3) Poor Fidelity of Test Environments (GEN- TTE -4...Inadequate Test Environment Quality (GEN- TTE -5) Test Environments Inadequately Tested (GEN- TTE -6) [new pitfall] Inadequate Test Configuration...Management (GEN- TTE -7) 29Common System/SW Testing PitfallsDonald G. Firesmith, 3 November 2014 General Pitfalls – Automated Testing [new pitfall category

Innovations and pitfalls in the use of wearable devices in the prevention and rehabilitation of running related injuries.

PubMed

Willy, Richard W

2018-01-01

Running-related injuries are common and are associated with a high rate of reoccurrence. Biomechanics and errors in applied training loads are often cited as causes of running-related injuries. Clinicians and runners are beginning to utilize wearable technologies to quantify biomechanics and training loads with the hope of reducing the incidence of running-related injuries. Wearable devices can objectively assess biomechanics and training loads in runners, yet guidelines for their use by clinicians and runners are not currently available. This article outlines several applications for the use of wearable devices in the prevention and rehabilitation of running-related injuries. Applications for monitoring of training loads, running biomechanics, running epidemiology, return to running programs and gait retraining are discussed. Best-practices for choosing and use of wearables are described to provide guidelines for clinicians and runners. Finally, future applications are outlined for this rapidly developing field. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temperature effects on pitfall catches of epigeal arthropods: a model and method for bias correction.

PubMed

Saska, Pavel; van der Werf, Wopke; Hemerik, Lia; Luff, Martin L; Hatten, Timothy D; Honek, Alois; Pocock, Michael

2013-02-01

Carabids and other epigeal arthropods make important contributions to biodiversity, food webs and biocontrol of invertebrate pests and weeds. Pitfall trapping is widely used for sampling carabid populations, but this technique yields biased estimates of abundance ('activity-density') because individual activity - which is affected by climatic factors - affects the rate of catch. To date, the impact of temperature on pitfall catches, while suspected to be large, has not been quantified, and no method is available to account for it. This lack of knowledge and the unavailability of a method for bias correction affect the confidence that can be placed on results of ecological field studies based on pitfall data.Here, we develop a simple model for the effect of temperature, assuming a constant proportional change in the rate of catch per °C change in temperature, r , consistent with an exponential Q 10 response to temperature. We fit this model to 38 time series of pitfall catches and accompanying temperature records from the literature, using first differences and other detrending methods to account for seasonality. We use meta-analysis to assess consistency of the estimated parameter r among studies.The mean rate of increase in total catch across data sets was 0·0863 ± 0·0058 per °C of maximum temperature and 0·0497 ± 0·0107 per °C of minimum temperature. Multiple regression analyses of 19 data sets showed that temperature is the key climatic variable affecting total catch. Relationships between temperature and catch were also identified at species level. Correction for temperature bias had substantial effects on seasonal trends of carabid catches. Synthesis and Applications . The effect of temperature on pitfall catches is shown here to be substantial and worthy of consideration when interpreting results of pitfall trapping. The exponential model can be used both for effect estimation and for bias correction of observed data. Correcting for temperature-related trapping bias is straightforward and enables population estimates to be more comparable. It may thus improve data interpretation in ecological, conservation and monitoring studies, and assist in better management and conservation of habitats and ecosystem services. Nevertheless, field ecologists should remain vigilant for other sources of bias.

Bioremediation of treated wood with bacteria

Treesearch

Carol A. Clausen

2006-01-01

This chapter reviews prior research in the field of bacterial bioremediation for wood treated with oilborne and inorganic preservatives. Current state of the art is summarized along with potential benefits and pitfalls of a pilot-scale bioremediation process for CCA-treated waste wood.

Multifaceted applications of bile salts in pharmacy: an emphasis on nanomedicine

PubMed Central

Elnaggar, Yosra SR

2015-01-01

The human body has long provided pharmaceutical science with biomaterials of interesting applications. Bile salts (BSs) are biomaterials reminiscent of traditional surfactants with peculiar structure and self-assembled topologies. In the pharmaceutical field, BSs were employed on the basis of two different concepts. The first concept exploited BSs’ metabolic and homeostatic functions in disease modulation, whereas the second one utilized BSs’ potential to modify drug-delivery characteristics, which recently involved nanotechnology. This review is the first to gather major pharmaceutical applications of BSs from endogenous organotropism up to integration into nanomedicine, with a greater focus on the latter domain. Endogenous applications highlighted the role of BS in modulating hypercholesterolemia and cancer therapy in view of enterohepatic circulation. In addition, recent BS-integrated nanomedicines have been surveyed, chiefly size-tunable cholate nanoparticles, BS-lecithin mixed micelles, bilosomes, probilosomes, and surface-engineered bilosomes. A greater emphasis has been laid on nanosystems for vaccine and cancer therapy. The comparative advantages of BS-integrated nanomedicines over conventional nanocarriers have been noted. Paradoxical effects, current pitfalls, future perspectives, and opinions have also been outlined. PMID:26109855

Model-based analyses: Promises, pitfalls, and example applications to the study of cognitive control

PubMed Central

Mars, Rogier B.; Shea, Nicholas J.; Kolling, Nils; Rushworth, Matthew F. S.

2011-01-01

We discuss a recent approach to investigating cognitive control, which has the potential to deal with some of the challenges inherent in this endeavour. In a model-based approach, the researcher defines a formal, computational model that performs the task at hand and whose performance matches that of a research participant. The internal variables in such a model might then be taken as proxies for latent variables computed in the brain. We discuss the potential advantages of such an approach for the study of the neural underpinnings of cognitive control and its pitfalls, and we make explicit the assumptions underlying the interpretation of data obtained using this approach. PMID:20437297

Nuclear Forensics and Radiochemistry: Radiation Detection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rundberg, Robert S.

Radiation detection is necessary for isotope identification and assay in nuclear forensic applications. The principles of operation of gas proportional counters, scintillation counters, germanium and silicon semiconductor counters will be presented. Methods for calibration and potential pitfalls in isotope quantification will be described.

Senior Design in Agricultural Engineering--Progress and Pitfalls.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holmes, R. G.; Rohrbach, R. P.

1979-01-01

Describes a specific senior design course and its objectives. Explains the basic deficiencies and problems for design education in agricultural engineering. Also stresses the effect the project advisor has on students' attitudes toward design and the applications of the course. (SMB)

Standards, Accountability, and School Reform: Perils and Pitfalls.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sheldon, Kennon M.; Biddle, Bruce J.

1998-01-01

Examines current debates about educational standards, accountability, and school reform from the perspective of Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory. Research reveals various perils associated with rigid standards, narrow accountability, and tangible sanctions that can debase student and teacher motivation and performance. Alternative…

SU-F-P-04: Implementation of Dose Monitoring Software: Successes and Pitfalls

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Och, J

2016-06-15

Purpose: to successfully install a dose monitoring software (DMS) application to assist in CT protocol and dose management. Methods: Upon selecting the DMS, we began our implementation of the application. A working group composed of Medical Physics, Radiology Administration, Information Technology, and CT technologists was formed. On-site training in the application was supplied by the vendor. The decision was made to apply the process for all the CT protocols on all platforms at all facilities. Protocols were painstakingly mapped to the correct masters, and the system went ‘live’. Results: We are routinely using DMS as a tool in our Clinicalmore » Performance CT QA program. It is useful in determining the effectiveness of revisions to existing protocols, and establishing performance baselines for new units. However, the implementation was not without difficulty. We identified several pitfalls and obstacles which frustrated progress. Including: Training deficiencies, Nomenclature problems, Communication, DICOM variability. Conclusion: Dose monitoring software can be a potent tool for QA. However, implementation of the program can be problematic and requires planning, organization and commitment.« less

Cytometric methods for measuring bacteria in water: advantages, pitfalls and applications.

PubMed

Hammes, Frederik; Egli, Thomas

2010-06-01

Rapid detection of microbial cells is a challenge in microbiology, particularly when complex indigenous communities or subpopulations varying in viability, activity and physiological state are investigated. Flow cytometry (FCM) has developed during the last 30 years into a multidisciplinary technique for analysing bacteria. When used correctly, FCM can provide a broad range of information at the single-cell level, including (but not limited to) total counts, size measurements, nucleic acid content, cell viability and activity, and detection of specific bacterial groups or species. The main advantage of FCM is that it is fast and easy to perform. It is a robust technique, which is adaptable to different types of samples and methods, and has much potential for automation. Hence, numerous FCM applications have emerged in industrial biotechnology, food and pharmaceutical quality control, routine monitoring of drinking water and wastewater systems, and microbial ecological research in soils and natural aquatic habitats. This review focuses on the information that can be gained from the analysis of bacteria in water, highlighting some of the main advantages, pitfalls and applications.

A perspective on microarrays: current applications, pitfalls, and potential uses

PubMed Central

Jaluria, Pratik; Konstantopoulos, Konstantinos; Betenbaugh, Michael; Shiloach, Joseph

2007-01-01

With advances in robotics, computational capabilities, and the fabrication of high quality glass slides coinciding with increased genomic information being available on public databases, microarray technology is increasingly being used in laboratories around the world. In fact, fields as varied as: toxicology, evolutionary biology, drug development and production, disease characterization, diagnostics development, cellular physiology and stress responses, and forensics have benefiting from its use. However, for many researchers not familiar with microarrays, current articles and reviews often address neither the fundamental principles behind the technology nor the proper designing of experiments. Although, microarray technology is relatively simple, conceptually, its practice does require careful planning and detailed understanding of the limitations inherently present. Without these considerations, it can be exceedingly difficult to ascertain valuable information from microarray data. Therefore, this text aims to outline key features in microarray technology, paying particular attention to current applications as outlined in recent publications, experimental design, statistical methods, and potential uses. Furthermore, this review is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather substantive; highlighting important concepts and detailing steps necessary to conduct and interpret microarray experiments. Collectively, the information included in this text will highlight the versatility of microarray technology and provide a glimpse of what the future may hold. PMID:17254338

Progress in the Utilization of High-Fidelity Simulation in Basic Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Helyer, Richard; Dickens, Peter

2016-01-01

High-fidelity patient simulators are mainly used to teach clinical skills and remain underutilized in teaching basic sciences. This article summarizes our current views on the use of simulation in basic science education and identifies pitfalls and opportunities for progress.

Visual, Physiological, and Aesthetic Factors and Pitfalls in Asian Blepharoplasty

PubMed Central

Chen, William Pai-Dei

2016-01-01

Double eyelid surgery to create an upper-lid crease in Asian patients is one of the more popular aesthetic surgeries among people of Asian descent. Much has been written about the myriad methods, but little has been written about the underlying factors that predispose a patient to complications and suboptimal results. This article touches on some of the possible errors in placement of crease height in upper blepharoplasty and the pitfalls that can be associated with permanent placement of nondissolvable sutures that encircle the complex layers of the upper eyelid, as well as the ideal eyelid crease wound closure and its biodynamics. One should consider these factors in any form of upper eyelid procedure, as they are not merely applicable to upper blepharoplasty. PMID:26673576

Image Guidance in Radiation Therapy: Techniques and Applications

PubMed Central

Kataria, Tejinder

2014-01-01

In modern day radiotherapy, the emphasis on reduction on volume exposed to high radiotherapy doses, improving treatment precision as well as reducing radiation-related normal tissue toxicity has increased, and thus there is greater importance given to accurate position verification and correction before delivering radiotherapy. At present, several techniques that accomplish these goals impeccably have been developed, though all of them have their limitations. There is no single method available that eliminates treatment-related uncertainties without considerably adding to the cost. However, delivering “high precision radiotherapy” without periodic image guidance would do more harm than treating large volumes to compensate for setup errors. In the present review, we discuss the concept of image guidance in radiotherapy, the current techniques available, and their expected benefits and pitfalls. PMID:25587445

A Comparison of Herpetofaunal Sampling Effectiveness of Pitfall, Single-ended, and Double-ended Funnel Traps Used with Drift Fences

Treesearch

Cathryn H. Greenberg; Daniel G. Neary; Larry D. Harris

1994-01-01

We assessed the relative effectiveness of pitfalls, single-ended, and double-ended funnel traps at 12 replicate sites in sand pine scrub using drift fence arrays. Pitfalls captured fewer species but yielded more individuals of many species and higher average species richness than funnel traps. Pitfalls and funnel traps exhibited differential capture bias probably due...

Human Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines for Rhabdomyosarcoma Research: Utility and Pitfalls

PubMed Central

Hinson, Ashley R. P.; Jones, Rosanne; Crose, Lisa E. S.; Belyea, Brian C.; Barr, Frederic G.; Linardic, Corinne M.

2013-01-01

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and adolescence. Despite intergroup clinical trials conducted in Europe and North America, outcomes for high risk patients with this disease have not significantly improved in the last several decades, and survival of metastatic or relapsed disease remains extremely poor. Accrual into new clinical trials is slow and difficult, so in vitro cell-line research and in vivo xenograft models present an attractive alternative for preclinical research for this cancer type. Currently, 30 commonly used human RMS cell lines exist, with differing origins, karyotypes, histologies, and methods of validation. Selecting an appropriate cell line for RMS research has important implications for outcomes. There are also potential pitfalls in using certain cell lines including contamination with murine stromal cells, cross-contamination between cell lines, discordance between the cell line and its associated original tumor, imposter cell lines, and nomenclature errors that result in the circulation of two or more presumed unique cell lines that are actually from the same origin. These pitfalls can be avoided by testing for species-specific isoenzymes, microarray analysis, assays for subtype-specific fusion products, and short tandem repeat analysis. PMID:23882450

Development of the National Health Information Systems in Botswana: Pitfalls, prospects and lessons.

PubMed

Seitio-Kgokgwe, Onalenna; Gauld, Robin D C; Hill, Philip C; Barnett, Pauline

2015-01-01

Studies evaluating development of health information systems in developing countries are limited. Most of the available studies are based on pilot projects or cross-sectional studies. We took a longitudinal approach to analysing the development of Botswana's health information systems. We aimed to: (i) trace the development of the national health information systems in Botswana (ii) identify pitfalls during development and prospects that could be maximized to strengthen the system; and (iii) draw lessons for Botswana and other countries working on establishing or improving their health information systems. This article is based on data collected through document analysis and key informant interviews with policy makers, senior managers and staff of the Ministry of Health and senior officers from various stakeholder organizations. Lack of central coordination, weak leadership, weak policy and regulatory frameworks, and inadequate resources limited development of the national health information systems in Botswana. Lack of attention to issues of organizational structure is one of the major pitfalls. The ongoing reorganization of the Ministry of Health provides opportunity to reposition the health information system function. The current efforts including development of the health information management policy and plan could enhance the health information management system.

Nanoscale Surface Modifications of Orthopaedic Implants: State of the Art and Perspectives

PubMed Central

Staruch, RMT; Griffin, MF; Butler, PEM

2016-01-01

Background: Orthopaedic implants such as the total hip or total knee replacement are examples of surgical interventions with postoperative success rates of over 90% at 10 years. Implant failure is associated with wear particles and pain that requires surgical revision. Improving the implant - bone surface interface is a key area for biomaterial research for future clinical applications. Current implants utilise mechanical, chemical or physical methods for surface modification. Methods: A review of all literature concerning the nanoscale surface modification of orthopaedic implant technology was conducted. Results: The techniques and fabrication methods of nanoscale surface modifications are discussed in detail, including benefits and potential pitfalls. Future directions for nanoscale surface technology are explored. Conclusion: Future understanding of the role of mechanical cues and protein adsorption will enable greater flexibility in surface control. The aim of this review is to investigate and summarise the current concepts and future directions for controlling the implant nanosurface to improve interactions. PMID:28217214

Current and potential imaging applications of ferumoxytol for magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Toth, Gerda B; Varallyay, Csanad G; Horvath, Andrea; Bashir, Mustafa R; Choyke, Peter L; Daldrup-Link, Heike E; Dosa, Edit; Finn, John Paul; Gahramanov, Seymur; Harisinghani, Mukesh; Macdougall, Iain; Neuwelt, Alexander; Vasanawala, Shreyas S; Ambady, Prakash; Barajas, Ramon; Cetas, Justin S; Ciporen, Jeremy; DeLoughery, Thomas J; Doolittle, Nancy D; Fu, Rongwei; Grinstead, John; Guimaraes, Alexander R; Hamilton, Bronwyn E; Li, Xin; McConnell, Heather L; Muldoon, Leslie L; Nesbit, Gary; Netto, Joao P; Petterson, David; Rooney, William D; Schwartz, Daniel; Szidonya, Laszlo; Neuwelt, Edward A

2017-07-01

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a commonly used diagnostic tool. Compared with standard gadolinium-based contrast agents, ferumoxytol (Feraheme, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA), used as an alternative contrast medium, is feasible in patients with impaired renal function. Other attractive imaging features of i.v. ferumoxytol include a prolonged blood pool phase and delayed intracellular uptake. With its unique pharmacologic, metabolic, and imaging properties, ferumoxytol may play a crucial role in future magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system, various organs outside the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the overall safety and effectiveness of this novel contrast agent, with rarely occurring anaphylactoid reactions. The purpose of this review is to describe the general and organ-specific properties of ferumoxytol, as well as the advantages and potential pitfalls associated with its use in magnetic resonance imaging. To more fully demonstrate the applications of ferumoxytol throughout the body, an imaging atlas was created and is available online as supplementary material. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Transformation of Lesquerella fendleri with the new binary vector pGPro4-35S

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Crop genetic engineering requires the use of various promoters to control the expression of introduced transgenes. Some of the binary vectors currently available for promoter characterization in dicotyledonous plants have pitfalls due to their construction, such as containing a selectable marker ca...

New inducible genetic method reveals critical roles of GABA in the control of feeding and metabolism

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Currently available inducibleCre/loxPsystems, despite their considerable utility in gene manipulation, have pitfalls in certain scenarios, such as unsatisfactory recombination rates and deleterious effects on physiology and behavior. To overcome these limitations, we designed a new, inducible gene-t...

OVERVIEW, PRACTICAL TIPS AND POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF USING AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL IN CT: SIEMENS CARE DOSE 4D.

PubMed

Söderberg, Marcus

2016-06-01

Today, computed tomography (CT) systems routinely use automatic exposure control (AEC), which modulates the tube current. However, for optimal use, there are several aspects of an AEC system that need to be considered. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the Siemens CARE Dose 4D AEC system, discuss practical tips and demonstrate potential pitfalls. Two adult anthropomorphic phantoms were examined using two different Siemens CT systems. When optimising the CT radiation dose and image quality, the projection angle of the localiser, patient centring, protocol selection, scanning direction and the use of protective devices requires special attention. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A Primer on Sampling for Statewide Assessment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaeger, Richard M.

This paper is a primer on sampling procedures for statewide assessment. The careful reader should gain substantial knowledge about the promises and pitfalls of sampling for assessment. The primer has three basic objectives: (1) to define terms and concepts basic to sampling theory and its application, including population, sampling unit, sampling…

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Alzheimer' Disease Drug Development.

PubMed

Holiga, Stefan; Abdulkadir, Ahmed; Klöppel, Stefan; Dukart, Juergen

2018-01-01

While now commonly applied for studying human brain function the value of functional magnetic resonance imaging in drug development has only recently been recognized. Here we describe the different functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques applied in Alzheimer's disease drug development with their applications, implementation guidelines, and potential pitfalls.

Applying Propensity Score Methods in Medical Research: Pitfalls and Prospects

PubMed Central

Luo, Zhehui; Gardiner, Joseph C.; Bradley, Cathy J.

2012-01-01

The authors review experimental and nonexperimental causal inference methods, focusing on assumptions for the validity of instrumental variables and propensity score (PS) methods. They provide guidance in four areas for the analysis and reporting of PS methods in medical research and selectively evaluate mainstream medical journal articles from 2000 to 2005 in the four areas, namely, examination of balance, overlapping support description, use of estimated PS for evaluation of treatment effect, and sensitivity analyses. In spite of the many pitfalls, when appropriately evaluated and applied, PS methods can be powerful tools in assessing average treatment effects in observational studies. Appropriate PS applications can create experimental conditions using observational data when randomized controlled trials are not feasible and, thus, lead researchers to an efficient estimator of the average treatment effect. PMID:20442340

Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meth, Jeffrey

Polymer nanocomposites have been developed for application in several areas. This talk will provide three vignettes of applications that have been explored. Nanoporous ceramics are free standing ceramic objects that can be used for filtration. The pore size distribution is in the proper target range for filtering viruses from medicines in solution. Filled polyimides are useful for improving the ultimate electrical properties of insulating films during corona exposure. The advantages and pitfalls of this approach will be detailed. Exfoliated laponite dispersed into ethylene copolymers reduces creep while maintaining transparency, which is applicable to packaging.

PET/CT with 18F-choline: Physiological whole bio-distribution in male and female subjects and diagnostic pitfalls on 1000 prostate cancer patients: 18F-choline PET/CT bio-distribution and pitfalls. A southern Italian experience.

PubMed

Calabria, Ferdinando; Chiaravalloti, Agostino; Cicciò, Carmelo; Gangemi, Vincenzo; Gullà, Domenico; Rocca, Federico; Gallo, Gianpasquale; Cascini, Giuseppe Lucio; Schillaci, Orazio

2017-08-01

The 11 C/ 18 F-choline is a PET/CT radiopharmaceutical useful in detecting tumors with high lipogenesis. 11 C/ 18 F-choline uptake can occur in physiological conditions or tumors. The knowledge of its bio-distribution is essential to recognize physiologic variants or diagnostic pitfalls. Moreover, few information are available on the bio-distribution of this tracer in female patients. Our aim was to discuss some documented 18 F-choline PET/CT pitfalls in prostate cancer patients. Our secondary aim was to describe the 18 F-choline bio-distribution in the female body. We collected diagnostic pitfalls in three PET centers examining 1000 prostate cancer by 18 F-choline PET/CT. All pitfalls were ensured by follow-up, imaging and/or histology. We also performed whole body 18 F-choline PET/CT in 5 female patients. 169/1000 (16.9%) patients showed pitfalls not owing to prostate cancer. These findings were due to inflammation, benign tumors while, in 1% of examined patients, a concomitant neoplasm was found. In the female body, the breast showed low physiological uptake. The accurate knowledge of 18 F-choline PET/CT bio-distribution and diagnostic pitfalls is essential. Correlative imaging and histological exam are often necessary to depict pitfalls. In women, the uptake in the breast is due to the physiological gradient of 18 F-choline uptake in the exocrine glands. Our results confirm the possibility of 18 F-choline uptake in several diseases other than prostate cancer. However, our experience was acquired on a large population and shows that a conspicuous amount of 18 F-choline diagnostic pitfalls are easily recognizable and attributable to inflammation. A new advance in knowledge is the minimal difference in terms of physiological tracer bio-distribution between male and female patients. The knowledge of the physiological bio-distribution and of the potential pitfalls linked of a tracer could help physicians to choose the best diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for a better patient quality of life. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Where Judgement Fails: Pitfalls in the Selection Process for Medical Personnel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eva, Kevin W.; Reiter, Harold I.

2004-01-01

Despite the critical importance of maintaining a valid and transparent selection process that serves the values held by all stakeholders involved in medical education (i.e., students, faculty, society), there continue to be problems with the current state of available admissions protocols. Some problems derive from inertia induced by inaccurate…

Promises and Pitfalls of Online Education. Evidence Speaks Reports, Vol 2, #15

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bettinger, Eric; Loeb, Susanna

2017-01-01

Online courses have expanded rapidly and have the potential to extend further the educational opportunities of many students, particularly those least well-served by traditional educational institutions. However, in their current design, online courses are difficult, especially for the students who are least prepared. These students' learning and…

The Perceptions of Twelfth-Grade Students on Financial Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrelson, Joseph Christopher

2010-01-01

The problem of financial illiteracy at the high school level is becoming a growing pandemic in America. The current financial curriculum may not be preparing high school students against reported financial pitfalls. At the study site, high school students graduate without financial skills that may impact their future financial status. The purpose…

Communicating the role of genetics in management

Treesearch

Mary F. Mahalovich

1997-01-01

Three current issues serve as examples to convey the role of genetics in management. (1) Consequences of silvicultural systems on the genetic resource of tree species are limited to one generation of study and isozyme (qualitative) data. Results of simulated data for diameter (quantitative data) over several generations, illustrate the pitfalls of working towards...

Opportunities and methodological challenges in EEG and MEG resting state functional brain network research.

PubMed

van Diessen, E; Numan, T; van Dellen, E; van der Kooi, A W; Boersma, M; Hofman, D; van Lutterveld, R; van Dijk, B W; van Straaten, E C W; Hillebrand, A; Stam, C J

2015-08-01

Electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetoencephalogram (MEG) recordings during resting state are increasingly used to study functional connectivity and network topology. Moreover, the number of different analysis approaches is expanding along with the rising interest in this research area. The comparison between studies can therefore be challenging and discussion is needed to underscore methodological opportunities and pitfalls in functional connectivity and network studies. In this overview we discuss methodological considerations throughout the analysis pipeline of recording and analyzing resting state EEG and MEG data, with a focus on functional connectivity and network analysis. We summarize current common practices with their advantages and disadvantages; provide practical tips, and suggestions for future research. Finally, we discuss how methodological choices in resting state research can affect the construction of functional networks. When taking advantage of current best practices and avoid the most obvious pitfalls, functional connectivity and network studies can be improved and enable a more accurate interpretation and comparison between studies. Copyright © 2014 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advancements in Electromagnetic Wave Backscattering Simulations: Applications in Active Lidar Remote Sensing Involving Aerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, L.

2016-12-01

Atmospheric remote sensing based on the Lidar technique fundamentally relies on knowledge of the backscattering of light by particulate matters in the atmosphere. This talk starts with a review of the current capabilities of electromagnetic wave scattering simulations to determine the backscattering optical properties of irregular particles, such as the backscatterer and depolarization ratio. This will be followed by a discussion of possible pitfalls in the relevant simulations. The talk will then be concluded with reports on the latest advancements in computational techniques. In addition, we summarize the laws of the backscattering optical properties of aerosols with respect to particle geometries, particle sizes, and mixing rules. These advancements will be applied to the analysis of the Lidar observation data to reveal the state and possible microphysical processes of various aerosols.

Positive Pitfalls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schneider, Michael

2004-01-01

This article describes how Cahokia middle and high school students conduct inquiry-based science through a pitfall trap experiment. In a collaborative effort, students designed and conducted pitfall trap investigations that combined their interest in the natural world with their love of technology. The students set up their own experiments to…

Design considerations on ultra-low-power wireless transmitters for wearable medical devices.

PubMed

Manstretta, Danilo

2010-01-01

A wireless transmitter for wearable bio-sensing applications must fulfill very specialized requirements. It has been estimated that for truly wearable systems it must operate with an average power consumption of less than 140 microW. The alternatives, pitfalls, and realistic performance of robust, low power signal transmission will be addressed.

"Intercultural Training" in Exchange Situations for Experts and Management: A Critical Reflection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engelbert, Sonja

2004-01-01

In this paper, developments in the area of "intercultural communication" are described to shed light on the pitfalls that the author has discovered in her analysis of some of the more popular intercultural training programs, through practical applications of communication training programs and through her own personal experiences in exchange…

Applications of Cognitive Flexibility Theory in Cross-Cultural Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Richard W.

2010-01-01

An examination of American efforts to influence global peace and security through development assistance to foreign police and other security forces reveals that they have a record of mixed results. The pitfalls arising from cultural dissonance in international training programs is a significant factor in why some police reform initiatives fail.…

Application of Preventative Legal Considerations to the Alumni Affairs Administrator.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miles, Albert S.; Miller, Michael T.

Colleges and universities increasingly rely on fund raising activities as a major source of operating revenue, a process which is wrought with legal pitfalls. This document provides an overview of the legal considerations of fund raising for the alumni and development officer, focusing particularly on span of control considerations between alumni…

Impartial judgment by the "gatekeepers" of science: fallibility and accountability in the peer review process.

PubMed

Hojat, Mohammadreza; Gonnella, Joseph S; Caelleigh, Addeane S

2003-01-01

High publication demands and the low acceptance rate of peer review journals place the journal editors and their reviewers in a powerful position. Journal reviewers have a vital role not only in influencing the journal editor's publication decisions, but also in the very nature and direction of scientific research. Because of their influence in peer review outcomes, journal reviewers are aptly described as the "gatekeepers of science." In this article we describe several pitfalls that can impede reviewers' impartial judgement. These include such issues as confirmatory bias, the negative results bias (the file drawer problem), the Matthew effect, the Doctor Fox effect, and gender, race, theoretical orientation, and "political correctness." We argue that procedures currently used by many professional journals, such as blind or masked review, may not completely alleviate the effects of these pitfalls. Instead, we suggest that increasing reviewers' awareness of the pitfalls, accountability, and vigilance can improve fairness in the peer review process. The ultimate responsibilities belong to the journal editors who are confronted with the difficult task of satisfying journal readers, contributors, reviewers, and owners. We recommend that the journal editors conduct periodic internal and external evaluations of their journals' peer review process and outcomes, with participation of reviewers, contributors, readers and owners.

Applied statistics in ecology: common pitfalls and simple solutions

Treesearch

E. Ashley Steel; Maureen C. Kennedy; Patrick G. Cunningham; John S. Stanovick

2013-01-01

The most common statistical pitfalls in ecological research are those associated with data exploration, the logic of sampling and design, and the interpretation of statistical results. Although one can find published errors in calculations, the majority of statistical pitfalls result from incorrect logic or interpretation despite correct numerical calculations. There...

Limitations and pitfalls of 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC (Tektrotyd) scintigraphy.

PubMed

Garai, Ildikó; Barna, Sandor; Nagy, Gabor; Forgacs, Attila

2016-01-01

Tektrotyd kit was developed by Polatom company for 99mTc labeling to make an alternative tracer of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy available. Since 2005, 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-Tyr3-Octreotide has been used in clinical imaging and achieved high impact in management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Knowing the limitations and pitfalls is essential to provide ac-curate diagnosis. Therefore, the potential pitfalls associated with the use of 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC are reviewed on the basis of own experience. Data were analyzed of 310 patients who underwent somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with 99mTc-Tektrotyd. Pitfalls during radiolabeling process or acquisition can worsen the sensitivity of SRS (somatostatin receptor scintigraphy). Recognizing physi-ological and clinical pitfalls, the diagnostic accuracy will improve.

How organizational research can avoid the pitfalls of a co-optation perspective: analyzing gender equality work in Austrian universities with organizational institutionalism.

PubMed

Striedinger, Angelika

2017-04-03

The concept of co-optation offers vocabulary to discuss how concerns and demands of feminist movements are transformed on their way to, and within, mainstream organizations and policymaking. However, applications of this concept can have problematic implications, failing to grasp the complexity of social change efforts and contributing to divisions, rather than alliances, between different groups that work and fight for gender equality. This article argues that conceptual tools from organizational institutionalism can help to avoid these pitfalls by capturing the ambivalence of organizational change initiatives, and allowing us to identify not only counterintentional effects, but also subtle and unexpected opportunities of organizational gender equality work. I illustrate my arguments with empirical examples from research on gender equality work in Austrian universities.

How organizational research can avoid the pitfalls of a co-optation perspective: analyzing gender equality work in Austrian universities with organizational institutionalism

PubMed Central

Striedinger, Angelika

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The concept of co-optation offers vocabulary to discuss how concerns and demands of feminist movements are transformed on their way to, and within, mainstream organizations and policymaking. However, applications of this concept can have problematic implications, failing to grasp the complexity of social change efforts and contributing to divisions, rather than alliances, between different groups that work and fight for gender equality. This article argues that conceptual tools from organizational institutionalism can help to avoid these pitfalls by capturing the ambivalence of organizational change initiatives, and allowing us to identify not only counterintentional effects, but also subtle and unexpected opportunities of organizational gender equality work. I illustrate my arguments with empirical examples from research on gender equality work in Austrian universities. PMID:29097905

Web based collaborative decision making in flood risk management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evers, Mariele; Almoradie, Adrian; Jonoski, Andreja

2014-05-01

Stakeholder participation in the development of flood risk management (FRM) plans is essential since stakeholders often have a better understanding or knowledge of the potentials and limitation of their local area. Moreover, a participatory approach also creates trust amongst stakeholders, leading to a successful implementation of measures. Stakeholder participation however has its challenges and potential pitfalls that could lead to its premature termination. Such challenges and pitfalls are the limitation of financial resources, stakeholders' spatial distribution and their interest to participate. Different type of participation in FRM may encounter diverse challenges. These types of participation in FRM can be classified into (1) Information and knowledge sharing (IKS), (2) Consultative participation (CP) or (3) Collaborative decision making (CDM)- the most challenging type of participation. An innovative approach to address these challenges and potential pitfalls is a web-based mobile or computer-aided environment for stakeholder participation. This enhances the remote interaction between participating entities such as stakeholders. This paper presents a developed framework and an implementation of CDM web based environment for the Alster catchment (Hamburg, Germany) and Cranbrook catchment (London, UK). The CDM framework consists of two main stages: (1) Collaborative modelling and (2) Participatory decision making. This paper also highlights the stakeholder analyses, modelling approach and application of General Public License (GPL) technologies in developing the web-based environments. Actual test and evaluation of the environments was through series of stakeholders workshops. The overall results based from stakeholders' evaluation shows that web-based environments can address the challenges and potential pitfalls in stakeholder participation and it enhances participation in flood risk management. The web-based environment was developed within the DIANE-CM project (Decentralised Integrated Analysis and Enhancement of Awareness through Collaborative Modelling and Management of Flood Risk) of the 2nd ERANET CRUE funding initiative.

Oxidative stress and antioxidative systems: recipes for successful data collection and interpretation.

PubMed

Noctor, Graham; Mhamdi, Amna; Foyer, Christine H

2016-05-01

Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are common to many fundamental responses of plants. Enormous and ever-growing interest has focused on this research area, leading to an extensive literature that documents the tremendous progress made in recent years. As in other areas of plant biology, advances have been greatly facilitated by developments in genomics-dependent technologies and the application of interdisciplinary techniques that generate information at multiple levels. At the same time, advances in understanding ROS are fundamentally reliant on the use of biochemical and cell biology techniques that are specific to the study of oxidative stress. It is therefore timely to revisit these approaches with the aim of providing a guide to convenient methods and assisting interested researchers in avoiding potential pitfalls. Our critical overview of currently popular methodologies includes a detailed discussion of approaches used to generate oxidative stress, measurements of ROS themselves, determination of major antioxidant metabolites, assays of antioxidative enzymes and marker transcripts for oxidative stress. We consider the applicability of metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics approaches and discuss markers such as damage to DNA and RNA. Our discussion of current methodologies is firmly anchored to future technological developments within this popular research field. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Pitfalls of Personal Development Plans--The User Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grohnert, Therese; Beausaert, Simon; Segers, Mien

2014-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate which pitfalls users of personal development plans (PDPs) perceive in business and governmental organisations with mandatory PDP use. Hundred and thirty-one written statements of PDP users across three Dutch organisations were analysed and categorised into nine pitfalls. Next to an overall lack of use and…

In Search of a Better Mousetrap: A Look at Higher Education Ranking Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swail, Watson Scott

2011-01-01

College rankings create much talk and discussion in the higher education arena. This love/hate relationship has not necessarily resulted in better rankings, but rather, more rankings. This paper looks at some of the measures and pitfalls of the current rankings systems, and proposes areas for improvement through a better focus on teaching and…

State of the art on targeted memory reactivation: Sleep your way to enhanced cognition.

PubMed

Schouten, Daphne I; Pereira, Sofia I R; Tops, Mattie; Louzada, Fernando M

2017-04-01

Targeted memory reactivation is a fairly simple technique that has the potential to influence the course of memory formation through application of cues during sleep. Studies have shown that cueing memory during sleep can lead to either an enhanced or decreased representation of the information encoded in the targeted networks, depending on experimental variations. The effects have been associated with sleep parameters and accompanied by activation of memory related brain areas. The findings suggest a causal role of neuronal replay in memory consolidation and provide evidence for the active system consolidation hypothesis. However, the observed inconsistencies across studies suggest that further research is warranted regarding the underlying neural mechanisms and optimal conditions for the application of targeted memory reactivation. The goal of the present review is to integrate the currently available experimental data and to provide an overview of this technique's limitations and pitfalls, as well as its potential applications in everyday use and clinical treatment. Exploring the open questions herein identified should lead to insight into safer and more effective ways of adjusting memory representations to better suit individual needs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Developing CD-ROMs: Pitfalls and Detours on the Road to the Digital Village.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas State Technical Coll., Waco.

This guide provides information on many aspects of CD-ROM development. Storage requirements of multimedia applications such as graphic images, audio, video, and animation are provided in section one. Storage capacity, transfer rate, and access time are the three criteria used to judge various storage media. In section two, specifications for these…

The application of genetic indicators in wild populations: Potential and pitfalls for genetic monitoring [Chapter 15

Treesearch

Jennifer Pierson; Gordon Luikart; Michael Schwartz

2015-01-01

The genetic aspects of biodiversity and conservation have been long recognised as important to the viability of populations and evolutionary potential of species (Lande 1988). Yet incorporating genetic considerations into conservation, management, and decision making has lagged behind this recognition (Mace et al. 2003; Laikre et al. 2010). Gene-level (genetic...

The petroleum explorationist's guide to contracts used in oil and gas operations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mosburg, L.G. Jr.

This volume provides articles and current sample forms of contract negotiation and drafting. The contents include: An introduction to oil and gas contracts; Effective deal negotiation; General principles of contract law and negotiation; Problems and pitfalls in support agreements; Sample support agreements; Basic concept of farmout agreements; Farmout negotiation checklist; ''Area of mutual interest'' provisions, Problems and pitfalls in 'contract (minimum) depth' and 'farmout (earned) depth' provisions; Options in interests assigned and reserved; Sample 'AMI' provision; ''conventional'' and ''revenue ruling 77-176'' farmout agreement forms; the AAPL model from operating agreement; 1982 revisions to the model form; Side-by-side comparisons of themore » 1956, 1977 and 1982 model forms, 1984 (1985) COPAS accounting procedure; Tax consequences of oil and gas exploration and development, revenue ruling 77-176; Use of tax partnerships and present assignments; Also materials on gas balancing agreements: Seismic options; and Structuring considerations.« less

Protein and genetic diagnosis of limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A: The yield and the pitfalls.

PubMed

Fanin, Marina; Angelini, Corrado

2015-08-01

Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A) is the most frequent form of LGMD worldwide. Comprehensive clinical assessment and laboratory testing is essential for diagnosis of LGMD2A. Muscle immunoblot analysis of calpain-3 is the most useful tool to direct genetic testing, as detection of calpain-3 deficiency has high diagnostic value. However, calpain-3 immunoblot testing lacks sensitivity in about 30% of cases due to gene mutations that inactivate the enzyme. The best diagnostic strategy should be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on which tissues are available, and which molecular and/or genetic methods are adopted. In this work we survey the current knowledge, advantages, limitations, and pitfalls of protein testing and mutation detection in LGMD2A and provide an update of genetic epidemiology. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The social networks: new challenge or new addiction?

PubMed

Colucci, Annalisa

2016-09-01

The reality of Social networks provides a fascinating and enhancing opportunity to understand the issues and life dynamics of generations of pre-adolescents and adolescents; This study has matured over three years of work in the schools of Campania (southern Italy), observing all the provinces, with a predominance of those of the Neapolitan territory. It has been found that the language of the boys finds its maximal expression in using social media to share, exhibit, and tell their experience of living every day their daily lives, with a high probability of encountering very interesting pitfalls and dangers... because they are "children" of a period when to exhibit themselves is in accordance with current fashion. These dangers and pitfalls are amplified by simply sharing, and sharing this work with professionals has helped to better monitor some contexts and difficulties which have emerged with difficulty and have helped to shed light on more specific and authentic issues regarding this reality.

Pitfalls in Persuasion: How Do Users Experience Persuasive Techniques in a Web Service?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Segerståhl, Katarina; Kotro, Tanja; Väänänen-Vainio-Mattila, Kaisa

Persuasive technologies are designed by utilizing a variety of interactive techniques that are believed to promote target behaviors. This paper describes a field study in which the aim was to discover possible pitfalls of persuasion, i.e., situations in which persuasive techniques do not function as expected. The study investigated persuasive functionality of a web service targeting weight loss. A qualitative online questionnaire was distributed through the web service and a total of 291 responses were extracted for interpretative analysis. The Persuasive Systems Design model (PSD) was used for supporting systematic analysis of persuasive functionality. Pitfalls were identified through situations that evoked negative user experiences. The primary pitfalls discovered were associated with manual logging of eating and exercise behaviors, appropriateness of suggestions and source credibility issues related to social facilitation. These pitfalls, when recognized, can be addressed in design by applying functional and facilitative persuasive techniques in meaningful combinations.

Analytical Pitfalls of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Thiopurines in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

PubMed Central

Meijer, Berrie; Mulder, Chris J. J.; van Bodegraven, Adriaan A.; de Boer, Nanne K. H.

2017-01-01

Abstract: The use of thiopurines in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be optimized by the application of therapeutic drug monitoring. In this procedure, 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) and 6-methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP) metabolites are monitored and related to therapeutic response and adverse events, respectively. Therapeutic drug monitoring of thiopurines, however, is hampered by several analytical limitations resulting in an impaired translation of metabolite levels to clinical outcome in IBD. Thiopurine metabolism is cell specific and requires nucleated cells and particular enzymes for 6-TGN formation. In the current therapeutic drug monitoring, metabolite levels are assessed in erythrocytes, whereas leukocytes are considered the main target cells of these drugs. Furthermore, currently used methods do not distinguish between active nucleotides and their unwanted residual products. Last, there is a lack of a standardized laboratorial procedure for metabolite assessment regarding the substantial instability of erythrocyte 6-TGN. To improve thiopurine therapy in patients with IBD, it is necessary to understand these limitations and recognize the general misconceptions in this procedure. PMID:29040228

Can transcranial electrical stimulation improve learning difficulties in atypical brain development? A future possibility for cognitive training☆

PubMed Central

Krause, Beatrix; Cohen Kadosh, Roi

2013-01-01

Learning difficulties in atypical brain development represent serious obstacles to an individual's future achievements and can have broad societal consequences. Cognitive training can improve learning impairments only to a certain degree. Recent evidence from normal and clinical adult populations suggests that transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), a portable, painless, inexpensive, and relatively safe neuroenhancement tool, applied in conjunction with cognitive training can enhance cognitive intervention outcomes. This includes, for instance, numerical processing, language skills and response inhibition deficits commonly associated with profound learning difficulties and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current review introduces the functional principles, current applications and promising results, and potential pitfalls of TES. Unfortunately, research in child populations is limited at present. We suggest that TES has considerable promise as a tool for increasing neuroplasticity in atypically developing children and may be an effective adjunct to cognitive training in clinical settings if it proves safe. The efficacy and both short- and long-term effects of TES on the developing brain need to be critically assessed before it can be recommended for clinical settings. PMID:23770059

Cloning cattle: the methods in the madness.

PubMed

Oback, Björn; Wells, David N

2007-01-01

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is much more widely and efficiently practiced in cattle than in any other species, making this arguably the most important mammal cloned to date. While the initial objective behind cattle cloning was commercially driven--in particular to multiply genetically superior animals with desired phenotypic traits and to produce genetically modified animals-researchers have now started to use bovine SCNT as a tool to address diverse questions in developmental and cell biology. In this paper, we review current cattle cloning methodologies and their potential technical or biological pitfalls at any step of the procedure. In doing so, we focus on one methodological parameter, namely donor cell selection. We emphasize the impact of epigenetic and genetic differences between embryonic, germ, and somatic donor cell types on cloning efficiency. Lastly, we discuss adult phenotypes and fitness of cloned cattle and their offspring and illustrate some of the more imminent commercial cattle cloning applications.

The application of Big Data in medicine: current implications and future directions.

PubMed

Austin, Christopher; Kusumoto, Fred

2016-10-01

Since the mid 1980s, the world has experienced an unprecedented explosion in the capacity to produce, store, and communicate data, primarily in digital formats. Simultaneously, access to computing technologies in the form of the personal PC, smartphone, and other handheld devices has mirrored this growth. With these enhanced capabilities of data storage and rapid computation as well as real-time delivery of information via the internet, the average daily consumption of data by an individual has grown exponentially. Unbeknownst to many, Big Data has silently crept into our daily routines and, with continued development of cheap data storage and availability of smart devices both regionally and in developing countries, the influence of Big Data will continue to grow. This influence has also carried over to healthcare. This paper will provide an overview of Big Data, its benefits, potential pitfalls, and the projected impact on the future of medicine in general and cardiology in particular.

Applying Quality by Design Concepts to Pharmacy Compounding.

PubMed

Timko, Robert J

2015-01-01

Compounding of medications is an important part of the practice of the pharmacy profession. Because compounded medications do not have U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, a pharmacist has the responsibility to ensure that compounded medications are of suitable quality, safety, and efficacy. The Federal Government and numerous states have updated their laws and regulations regarding pharmacy compounding as a result of recent quality issues. Compounding pharmacists are expected to follow good preparation prodecures in their compounding practices in much the same way pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to follow Current Good Manufacturing Procedures as detailed in the United States Code of Federal Regulations. Application of Quality by Design concepts to the preparation process for a compounded medication can help in understanding the potential pitfalls and the means to mitigate their impact. The goal is to build quality into the compounding process to ensure that the resultant compounded prescription meets the human or animal patients' requirements.

Bioresorbable scaffolds in the treatment of coronary artery disease

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yaojun; Bourantas, Christos V; Farooq, Vasim; Muramatsu, Takashi; Diletti, Roberto; Onuma, Yoshinobu; Garcia-Garcia, Hector M; Serruys, Patrick W

2013-01-01

Drug-eluting stents have reduced the risk of in-stent restenosis and have broadened the application in percutaneous coronary intervention in coronary artery disease. However, the concept of using a permanent metallic endovascular device to restore the patency of a stenotic artery has inherited pitfalls, namely the presence of a foreign body within the artery causing vascular inflammation, late complications such as restenosis and stent thrombosis, and impeding the restoration of the physiologic function of the stented segment. Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) were introduced to potentially overcome these limitations, as they provide temporary scaffolding and then disappear, liberating the treated vessel from its cage. Currently, several BRSs are available, undergoing evaluation either in clinical trials or in preclinical settings. The aim of this review is to present the new developments in BRS technology, describe the mechanisms involved in the resorption process, and discuss the potential future prospects of this innovative therapy. PMID:23662091

Advanced Neuroimaging in Traumatic Brain Injury

PubMed Central

Edlow, Brian L.; Wu, Ona

2013-01-01

Advances in structural and functional neuroimaging have occurred at a rapid pace over the past two decades. Novel techniques for measuring cerebral blood flow, metabolism, white matter connectivity, and neural network activation have great potential to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and prognosis for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), while also providing biomarkers to guide the development of new therapies. Several of these advanced imaging modalities are currently being implemented into clinical practice, whereas others require further development and validation. Ultimately, for advanced neuroimaging techniques to reach their full potential and improve clinical care for the many civilians and military personnel affected by TBI, it is critical for clinicians to understand the applications and methodological limitations of each technique. In this review, we examine recent advances in structural and functional neuroimaging and the potential applications of these techniques to the clinical care of patients with TBI. We also discuss pitfalls and confounders that should be considered when interpreting data from each technique. Finally, given the vast amounts of advanced imaging data that will soon be available to clinicians, we discuss strategies for optimizing data integration, visualization and interpretation. PMID:23361483

Walking through the statistical black boxes of plant breeding.

PubMed

Xavier, Alencar; Muir, William M; Craig, Bruce; Rainey, Katy Martin

2016-10-01

The main statistical procedures in plant breeding are based on Gaussian process and can be computed through mixed linear models. Intelligent decision making relies on our ability to extract useful information from data to help us achieve our goals more efficiently. Many plant breeders and geneticists perform statistical analyses without understanding the underlying assumptions of the methods or their strengths and pitfalls. In other words, they treat these statistical methods (software and programs) like black boxes. Black boxes represent complex pieces of machinery with contents that are not fully understood by the user. The user sees the inputs and outputs without knowing how the outputs are generated. By providing a general background on statistical methodologies, this review aims (1) to introduce basic concepts of machine learning and its applications to plant breeding; (2) to link classical selection theory to current statistical approaches; (3) to show how to solve mixed models and extend their application to pedigree-based and genomic-based prediction; and (4) to clarify how the algorithms of genome-wide association studies work, including their assumptions and limitations.

Using Weather Data and Climate Model Output in Economic Analyses of Climate Change

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Auffhammer, M.; Hsiang, S. M.; Schlenker, W.

2013-06-28

Economists are increasingly using weather data and climate model output in analyses of the economic impacts of climate change. This article introduces a set of weather data sets and climate models that are frequently used, discusses the most common mistakes economists make in using these products, and identifies ways to avoid these pitfalls. We first provide an introduction to weather data, including a summary of the types of datasets available, and then discuss five common pitfalls that empirical researchers should be aware of when using historical weather data as explanatory variables in econometric applications. We then provide a brief overviewmore » of climate models and discuss two common and significant errors often made by economists when climate model output is used to simulate the future impacts of climate change on an economic outcome of interest.« less

Patient-specific instruments: advantages and pitfalls

PubMed Central

Hafez, Mahmoud A.; Moholkar, Kirti

2017-01-01

Patient-specific instruments (PSI) aim to improve the accuracy of total knee replacement (TKR) based on computer-assisted preoperative planning. In this work, the authors describe the advantages and pitfalls of PSI based on their clinical experience. The main conclusion of this work is that PSI has direct impact on the logistical and technical features of TKR with some advantages and pitfalls. PMID:29227785

Pitfall Traps and Mini-Winkler Extractor as Complementary Methods to Sample Soil Coleoptera.

PubMed

Carneiro, A C; Batistella, D A; Battirola, L D; Marques, M I

2016-02-01

We compared abundance, species richness, and capture efficiency with pitfall traps and mini-Winkler extractors to examine their use as complementary methods for sampling soil Coleoptera during dry (2010) and high water seasons (2011) in three areas, including inundated and non-inundated regions, in the Pantanal of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil. We paired treatments with two 10 × 10 m plots in inundated and non-inundated locations that were repeated three times in each location for a total of 18 plots. In each plot, we used nine pitfall traps and collected 2 m(2) of leaf litter and surface soil samples with mini-Winkler extractors. We collected a total of 4260 adult beetles comprising 36 families, 113 genera, and 505 species. Most were caught in pitfalls (69%) and the remainder in the mini-Winkler extractors (31%). Each method provided distinct information about the beetle community: 252 species were captured only in pitfall traps, 147 using only the mini-Winkler extractors, and these methods shared another 106 species. Pitfall and mini-Winkler contribute in different ways for the sampling of the soil beetle community, and so they should be considered complementary for a more thorough assessment of community diversity.

Biomarkers of tolerance: searching for the hidden phenotype.

PubMed

Perucha, Esperanza; Rebollo-Mesa, Irene; Sagoo, Pervinder; Hernandez-Fuentes, Maria P

2011-08-01

Induction of transplantation tolerance remains the ideal long-term clinical and logistic solution to the current challenges facing the management of renal allograft recipients. In this review, we describe the recent studies and advances made in identifying biomarkers of renal transplant tolerance, from study inceptions, to the lessons learned and their implications for current and future studies with the same goal. With the age of biomarker discovery entering a new dimension of high-throughput technologies, here we also review the current approaches, developments, and pitfalls faced in the subsequent statistical analysis required to identify valid biomarker candidates.

Applied Behavior Analysis in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Recent Developments, Strengths, and Pitfalls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matson, Johnny L.; Turygin, Nicole C.; Beighley, Jennifer; Rieske, Robert; Tureck, Kimberly; Matson, Michael L.

2012-01-01

Autism has become one of the most heavily researched topics in the field of mental health and education. While genetics has been the most studied of all topics, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has also received a great deal of attention, and has arguably yielded the most promising results of any research area to date. The current paper provides a…

Anarchist Epistemologies and the Separation of Science and State: The Critique and Relevance of Paul Feyerabend to Educational Foundations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolfmeyer, Mark

2017-01-01

This article synthesizes Paul Feyerabend's controversial contributions to 20th-century philosophy of science through the synthesis of his works and the secondary literature, with specific foci on current trends in educational foundations and the potentials and pitfalls for applying Feyerabendian logics to our work. First, I situate his strains of…

Variants and pitfalls on radioiodine scans in pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

PubMed

Mostafa, Mohamed; Vali, Reza; Chan, Jeffrey; Omarkhail, Yusuaf; Shammas, Amer

2016-10-01

Potentially false-positive findings on radioiodine scans in children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma can mimic functioning thyroid tissue and functioning thyroid carcinomatous tissue. Such false-positive findings comprise variants and pitfalls that can vary slightly in children as compared with adults. To determine the patterns and frequency of these potential false-positive findings on radioiodine scans in children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. We reviewed a total of 223 radioiodine scans from 53 pediatric patients (mean age 13.3 years, 37 girls) with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Focal or regional activity that likely did not represent functioning thyroid tissue or functioning thyroid carcinomatous tissue were categorized as variants or pitfalls. The final diagnosis was confirmed by reviewing the concurrent and follow-up clinical data, correlative ultrasonography, CT scanning, serum thyroglobulin and antithyroglobulin antibody levels. We calculated the frequency of these variants and pitfalls from diagnostic and post-therapy radioiodine scans. The most common variant on the radioiodine scans was the thymic activity (24/223, 10.8%) followed by the cardiac activity (8/223, 3.6%). Salivary contamination and star artifact, caused by prominent thyroid remnant, were the most important observed pitfalls. Variants and pitfalls that mimic functioning thyroid tissue or functioning thyroid carcinomatous tissue on radioiodine scan in children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma are not infrequent, but they decrease in frequency on successive radioiodine scans. Potential false-positive findings can be minimized with proper knowledge of the common variants and pitfalls in children and correlation with clinical, laboratory and imaging data.

Straight-line drift fences and pitfall traps

USGS Publications Warehouse

Corn, Paul Stephen

1994-01-01

Straight-line drift fences typically are short barriers (5-15 m) that direct animals traveling on the substrate surface into traps places at the ends of or beside the barriers. Traps (described below) can be pitfalls, funnel traps, or a combination of the two. Drift fences with pitfall or funnel traps and pitfall traps without fences are used commonly to inventory and monitor populations of amphibians and reptiles. For example, 9 of 17 field studies reported for management of terrestrial vertebrates (Sarzo et al. 1988) used these techniques to sample amphibians. Drift fences with pitfall traps can be used to determine species richness at a site and to detect the presence of rare species. They also can yield data on relative abundances and habitat use of selected species. Pitfall traps arrayed in a grid without fences can also be used to study the population ecology and habitat use of selected species. Population density can be estimated with this latter technique if used in conjunction with mark-recapture techniques (see Chapter 8). Drift fence arrays or pitfall grids can be left in place for long-term monitoring. In this section, I discuss the use of this technique to obtain data on amphibians away from breeding ponds. Use of drift fences and traps to monitory amphibian activity at breeding ponds is discussed in the section "Drift Fences Encircling Breeding Sits", below (technique 9). Some materials and procedures are common to both techniques. Investigators contemplating the use of drift fences and traps in any context should read both accounts.

Pitfalls in classical nuclear medicine: myocardial perfusion imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fragkaki, C.; Giannopoulou, Ch

2011-09-01

Scintigraphic imaging is a complex functional procedure subject to a variety of artefacts and pitfalls that may limit its clinical and diagnostic accuracy. It is important to be aware of and to recognize them when present and to eliminate them whenever possible. Pitfalls may occur at any stage of the imaging procedure and can be related with the γ-camera or other equipment, personnel handling, patient preparation, image processing or the procedure itself. Often, potential causes of artefacts and pitfalls may overlap. In this short review, special interest will be given to cardiac scintigraphic imaging. Most common causes of artefact in myocardial perfusion imaging are soft tissue attenuation as well as motion and gating errors. Additionally, clinical problems like cardiac abnormalities may cause interpretation pitfalls and nuclear medicine physicians should be familiar with these in order to ensure the correct evaluation of the study. Artefacts or suboptimal image quality can also result from infiltrated injections, misalignment in patient positioning, power instability or interruption, flood field non-uniformities, cracked crystal and several other technical reasons.

Current trends and pitfalls in endoscopic treatment of urolithiasis.

PubMed

Inoue, Takaaki; Okada, Shinsuke; Hamamoto, Shuzo; Yoshida, Takashi; Matsuda, Tadashi

2018-02-01

Current development of endoscopic technology, lithotripters, and stone-retrieval devices has expanded the indications for retrograde and antegrade endoscopic therapy in the management of urolithiasis. This technology has also resulted in minimally invasive therapy. As surgeons' experience of endourological procedures with the newer instruments has become integrated, the surgical technique and indications for urolithiasis have also changed in the past few years. The present review provides an overview of endourological procedures for upper urinary tract stones and the key points related to surgical techniques. © 2017 The Japanese Urological Association.

Decision Making Analysis: Critical Factors-Based Methodology

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

the pitfalls associated with current wargaming methods such as assuming a western view of rational values in decision - making regardless of the cultures...Utilization theory slightly expands the rational decision making model as it states that “actors try to maximize their expected utility by weighing the...items to categorize the decision - making behavior of political leaders which tend to demonstrate either a rational or cognitive leaning. Leaders

Public-Private Partnerships in Development: Three Applications in Timor Leste. Working Paper No. 221 (Formerly Webdoc No. 9)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Braz, Jose

2003-01-01

Timor Leste, the first new nation of the twenty-first century, is a young country facing many of the most challenging problems of underdevelopment: illiteracy, malnutrition, low skills base and high unemployment. It also is on the threshold of facing the potential pitfalls of being a relatively large-scale exporter of oil and gas. Finally…

Nuclear medicine imaging and therapy of neuroendocrine tumours

PubMed Central

Gotthardt, Martin; Dijkgraaf, Ingrid; Boerman, Otto C; Oyen, Wim J G

2006-01-01

Radiolabelled peptides are used for specific targeting of receptors (over-)expressed by tumour cells. Dependent on the kind of labelling and the radionuclide used, these compounds may be utilised for imaging or for therapy. A concise overview is provided on basic principles of designing and developing radiopeptides for these applications. Furthermore, clinical application of these compounds for imaging and therapy is described. Advantages of the method compared to other techniques (such as the use of radiolabelled antibodies or antibody fragments) are discussed as well as pitfalls and limitations. PMID:17114073

Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes—Pitfalls and Possibilities

PubMed Central

Prasad, Rashmi B.; Groop, Leif

2015-01-01

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex disease that is caused by a complex interplay between genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. While the major environmental factors, diet and activity level, are well known, identification of the genetic factors has been a challenge. However, recent years have seen an explosion of genetic variants in risk and protection of T2D due to the technical development that has allowed genome-wide association studies and next-generation sequencing. Today, more than 120 variants have been convincingly replicated for association with T2D and many more with diabetes-related traits. Still, these variants only explain a small proportion of the total heritability of T2D. In this review, we address the possibilities to elucidate the genetic landscape of T2D as well as discuss pitfalls with current strategies to identify the elusive unknown heritability including the possibility that our definition of diabetes and its subgroups is imprecise and thereby makes the identification of genetic causes difficult. PMID:25774817

The doctor in claims for work injuries and ill health--legal pitfalls.

PubMed

Lee, See-Muah; Sng, Judy; Koh, David

2009-08-01

Occupational health work is currently undertaken by the specialist and the non-specialist physician alike. The work scope can vary from medical assessments of individual workers to health risk assessment at the workplace. The scope of the latter will include evaluation of exposures, hazards, risks and its management to control these risks. Much of the case law governing legal disputes over industrial safety and health have involved the employers. Over the years, the actions brought forth by workers have resulted in a formidable volume of case law based on statutes and on the common law of negligence in tort. Disputes over the assessment of workers' health or workplace health risks to the extent that it is a failure to discharge a reasonable standard of care, may result in the doctor being a defendant. Measures to prevent these legal pitfalls include communication with employers about the causative link of the illness suffered to workplace factors and the clarity of contractual obligations undertaken with regard to workplace health risk assessment.

Ex Vivo Artifacts and Histopathologic Pitfalls in the Lung.

PubMed

Thunnissen, Erik; Blaauwgeers, Hans J L G; de Cuba, Erienne M V; Yick, Ching Yong; Flieder, Douglas B

2016-03-01

Surgical and pathologic handling of lung physically affects lung tissue. This leads to artifacts that alter the morphologic appearance of pulmonary parenchyma. To describe and illustrate mechanisms of ex vivo artifacts that may lead to diagnostic pitfalls. In this study 4 mechanisms of ex vivo artifacts and corresponding diagnostic pitfalls are described and illustrated. The 4 patterns of artifacts are: (1) surgical collapse, due to the removal of air and blood from pulmonary resections; (2) ex vivo contraction of bronchial and bronchiolar smooth muscle; (3) clamping edema of open lung biopsies; and (4) spreading of tissue fragments and individual cells through a knife surface. Morphologic pitfalls include diagnostic patterns of adenocarcinoma, asthma, constrictive bronchiolitis, and lymphedema. Four patterns of pulmonary ex vivo artifacts are important to recognize in order to avoid morphologic misinterpretations.

Big data in sleep medicine: prospects and pitfalls in phenotyping

PubMed Central

Bianchi, Matt T; Russo, Kathryn; Gabbidon, Harriett; Smith, Tiaundra; Goparaju, Balaji; Westover, M Brandon

2017-01-01

Clinical polysomnography (PSG) databases are a rich resource in the era of “big data” analytics. We explore the uses and potential pitfalls of clinical data mining of PSG using statistical principles and analysis of clinical data from our sleep center. We performed retrospective analysis of self-reported and objective PSG data from adults who underwent overnight PSG (diagnostic tests, n=1835). Self-reported symptoms overlapped markedly between the two most common categories, insomnia and sleep apnea, with the majority reporting symptoms of both disorders. Standard clinical metrics routinely reported on objective data were analyzed for basic properties (missing values, distributions), pairwise correlations, and descriptive phenotyping. Of 41 continuous variables, including clinical and PSG derived, none passed testing for normality. Objective findings of sleep apnea and periodic limb movements were common, with 51% having an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) >5 per hour and 25% having a leg movement index >15 per hour. Different visualization methods are shown for common variables to explore population distributions. Phenotyping methods based on clinical databases are discussed for sleep architecture, sleep apnea, and insomnia. Inferential pitfalls are discussed using the current dataset and case examples from the literature. The increasing availability of clinical databases for large-scale analytics holds important promise in sleep medicine, especially as it becomes increasingly important to demonstrate the utility of clinical testing methods in management of sleep disorders. Awareness of the strengths, as well as caution regarding the limitations, will maximize the productive use of big data analytics in sleep medicine. PMID:28243157

Augmented and virtual reality in surgery—the digital surgical environment: applications, limitations and legal pitfalls

PubMed Central

Baker, Benjamin; Amin, Kavit; Chan, Adrian; Patel, Ketan; Wong, Jason

2016-01-01

The continuing enhancement of the surgical environment in the digital age has led to a number of innovations being highlighted as potential disruptive technologies in the surgical workplace. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are rapidly becoming increasingly available, accessible and importantly affordable, hence their application into healthcare to enhance the medical use of data is certain. Whether it relates to anatomy, intraoperative surgery, or post-operative rehabilitation, applications are already being investigated for their role in the surgeons armamentarium. Here we provide an introduction to the technology and the potential areas of development in the surgical arena. PMID:28090510

Augmented and virtual reality in surgery-the digital surgical environment: applications, limitations and legal pitfalls.

PubMed

Khor, Wee Sim; Baker, Benjamin; Amin, Kavit; Chan, Adrian; Patel, Ketan; Wong, Jason

2016-12-01

The continuing enhancement of the surgical environment in the digital age has led to a number of innovations being highlighted as potential disruptive technologies in the surgical workplace. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are rapidly becoming increasingly available, accessible and importantly affordable, hence their application into healthcare to enhance the medical use of data is certain. Whether it relates to anatomy, intraoperative surgery, or post-operative rehabilitation, applications are already being investigated for their role in the surgeons armamentarium. Here we provide an introduction to the technology and the potential areas of development in the surgical arena.

Hubble trial: time to stick to basics for treatment of haemorrhoids?

PubMed

Brown, S R

2017-01-01

The results of the Hubble trial, a randomised controlled trial comparing haemorrhoidal artery ligation with rubber band ligation for early-grade prolapsing haemorrhoids, are discussed. The difficulties in defining treatment success are debated along with the trial design highlighting the pitfalls of previous research. A finding that haemorrhoidal artery ligation is not necessarily superior to cheap alternatives has implications for current practice and future commissioning of surgeons.

Induced Insecurity: Understanding the Potential Pitfalls in Developing Theater Campaign Plans

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-11

effective partnerships that meet outlined in higher- level strategic guidance . 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. UMITATION OF... effective partnerships that meet the desired end states outlined in higher-level strategic guidance. DEDICATION To the millions of men and women who...and draw conclusions, it does not always prove to be an effective means of predicting the outcome of current or future events. In addition, the

Evaluating Contextual Processing in Diffusion MRI: Application to Optic Radiation Reconstruction for Epilepsy Surgery

PubMed Central

Tax, Chantal M. W.; Duits, Remco; Vilanova, Anna; ter Haar Romeny, Bart M.; Hofman, Paul; Wagner, Louis; Leemans, Alexander; Ossenblok, Pauly

2014-01-01

Diffusion MRI and tractography allow for investigation of the architectural configuration of white matter in vivo, offering new avenues for applications like presurgical planning. Despite the promising outlook, there are many pitfalls that complicate its use for (clinical) application. Amongst these are inaccuracies in the geometry of the diffusion profiles on which tractography is based, and poor alignment with neighboring profiles. Recently developed contextual processing techniques, including enhancement and well-posed geometric sharpening, have shown to result in sharper and better aligned diffusion profiles. However, the research that has been conducted up to now is mainly of theoretical nature, and so far these techniques have only been evaluated by visual inspection of the diffusion profiles. In this work, the method is evaluated in a clinically relevant application: the reconstruction of the optic radiation for epilepsy surgery. For this evaluation we have developed a framework in which we incorporate a novel scoring procedure for individual pathways. We demonstrate that, using enhancement and sharpening, the extraction of an anatomically plausible reconstruction of the optic radiation from a large amount of probabilistic pathways is greatly improved in three healthy controls, where currently used methods fail to do so. Furthermore, challenging reconstructions of the optic radiation in three epilepsy surgery candidates with extensive brain lesions demonstrate that it is beneficial to integrate these methods in surgical planning. PMID:25077946

Evaluating contextual processing in diffusion MRI: application to optic radiation reconstruction for epilepsy surgery.

PubMed

Tax, Chantal M W; Duits, Remco; Vilanova, Anna; ter Haar Romeny, Bart M; Hofman, Paul; Wagner, Louis; Leemans, Alexander; Ossenblok, Pauly

2014-01-01

Diffusion MRI and tractography allow for investigation of the architectural configuration of white matter in vivo, offering new avenues for applications like presurgical planning. Despite the promising outlook, there are many pitfalls that complicate its use for (clinical) application. Amongst these are inaccuracies in the geometry of the diffusion profiles on which tractography is based, and poor alignment with neighboring profiles. Recently developed contextual processing techniques, including enhancement and well-posed geometric sharpening, have shown to result in sharper and better aligned diffusion profiles. However, the research that has been conducted up to now is mainly of theoretical nature, and so far these techniques have only been evaluated by visual inspection of the diffusion profiles. In this work, the method is evaluated in a clinically relevant application: the reconstruction of the optic radiation for epilepsy surgery. For this evaluation we have developed a framework in which we incorporate a novel scoring procedure for individual pathways. We demonstrate that, using enhancement and sharpening, the extraction of an anatomically plausible reconstruction of the optic radiation from a large amount of probabilistic pathways is greatly improved in three healthy controls, where currently used methods fail to do so. Furthermore, challenging reconstructions of the optic radiation in three epilepsy surgery candidates with extensive brain lesions demonstrate that it is beneficial to integrate these methods in surgical planning.

How to avoid the ten most frequent EMS pitfalls

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Andrews, W.

1982-04-19

It pays to do your homework before investing in an energy management system if you want to avoid the 10 most common pitfalls listed by users, consultants, and manufacturers as: oversimplification, improper maintenance, failure to involve operating personnel, inaccurate savings estimates, failure to include monitoring capability, incompetent or fradulent firms, improper load control, not allowing for a de-bugging period, failure to include manual override, and software problems. The article describes how each of these pitfalls can lead to poor decisions and poor results. (DCK)

Rational manipulation of digital EEG: pearls and pitfalls.

PubMed

Seneviratne, Udaya

2014-12-01

The advent of digital EEG has provided greater flexibility and more opportunities in data analysis to optimize the diagnostic yield. Changing the filter settings, sensitivity, montages, and time-base are possible rational manipulations to achieve this goal. The options to use polygraphy, video, and quantification are additional useful features. Aliasing and loss of data are potential pitfalls in the use of digital EEG. This review illustrates some common clinical scenarios where rational manipulations can enhance the diagnostic EEG yield and potential pitfalls in the process.

Clinical Utility and Pitfalls of Ultrasound Guided Foreign Body Removal in War Fighters

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

1 AD_________________ AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-08-2-0162 TITLE: Clinical Utility and Pitfalls of Ultrasound Guided Foreign Body Removal in War...Clinical Utility and Pitfalls of Ultrasound Guided Foreign Body Removal in War Fighters 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER: W81XWH-08-2-0162 5c...Purpose: To demonstrate that 1) ultrasound guided foreign body removal (USFBR) is superior to conventional surgery in the cadaver model, 2) USFBR can be

Design of control-group conditions in clinical trials of behavioral interventions.

PubMed

Lindquist, Ruth; Wyman, Jean F; Talley, Kristine M C; Findorff, Mary J; Gross, Cynthia R

2007-01-01

To review considerations in the design of placebo (attention) control conditions for community-based clinical trials of health behavior change interventions and to provide practical strategies for the design of control conditions. A well-designed control condition is an essential component of a clinical trial to foster the unambiguous interpretation of study findings. Pitfalls in the design of control conditions in clinical trials of behavioral interventions are identified and strategies to address them are offered. Types of control conditions that have been used in fall prevention trials are described, along with their strengths and weaknesses. The control condition used in the recent fall evaluation and prevention program (FEPP) was designed to overcome limitations of previous trial designs; it is provided to illustrate how to apply specific design principles. Pitfalls in the design of behavioral intervention studies may be avoided with the application of sound design principles. The FEPP active control condition can be used as a model in the design of future studies.

Methods and pitfalls of measuring thermal preference and tolerance in lizards.

PubMed

Camacho, Agustín; Rusch, Travis W

2017-08-01

Understanding methodological and biological sources of bias during the measurement of thermal parameters is essential for the advancement of thermal biology. For more than a century, studies on lizards have deepened our understanding of thermal ecophysiology, employing multiple methods to measure thermal preferences and tolerances. We reviewed 129 articles concerned with measuring preferred body temperature (PBT), voluntary thermal tolerance, and critical temperatures of lizards to offer: a) an overview of the methods used to measure and report these parameters, b) a summary of the methodological and biological factors affecting thermal preference and tolerance, c) recommendations to avoid identified pitfalls, and d) directions for continued progress in our application and understanding of these thermal parameters. We emphasize the need for more methodological and comparative studies. Lastly, we urge researchers to provide more detailed methodological descriptions and suggest ways to make their raw data more informative to increase the utility of thermal biology studies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gabor Deconvolution as Preliminary Method to Reduce Pitfall in Deeper Target Seismic Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oktariena, M.; Triyoso, W.

2018-03-01

Anelastic attenuation process during seismic wave propagation is the trigger of seismic non-stationary characteristic. An absorption and a scattering of energy are causing the seismic energy loss as the depth increasing. A series of thin reservoir layers found in the study area is located within Talang Akar Fm. Level, showing an indication of interpretation pitfall due to attenuation effect commonly occurred in deeper level seismic data. Attenuation effect greatly influences the seismic images of deeper target level, creating pitfalls in several aspect. Seismic amplitude in deeper target level often could not represent its real subsurface character due to a low amplitude value or a chaotic event nearing the Basement. Frequency wise, the decaying could be seen as the frequency content diminishing in deeper target. Meanwhile, seismic amplitude is the simple tool to point out Direct Hydrocarbon Indicator (DHI) in preliminary Geophysical study before a further advanced interpretation method applied. A quick-look of Post-Stack Seismic Data shows the reservoir associated with a bright spot DHI while another bigger bright spot body detected in the North East area near the field edge. A horizon slice confirms a possibility that the other bright spot zone has smaller delineation; an interpretation pitfall commonly occurs in deeper level of seismic. We evaluates this pitfall by applying Gabor Deconvolution to address the attenuation problem. Gabor Deconvolution forms a Partition of Unity to factorize the trace into smaller convolution window that could be processed as stationary packets. Gabor Deconvolution estimates both the magnitudes of source signature alongside its attenuation function. The enhanced seismic shows a better imaging in the pitfall area that previously detected as a vast bright spot zone. When the enhanced seismic is used for further advanced reprocessing process, the Seismic Impedance and Vp/Vs Ratio slices show a better reservoir delineation, in which the pitfall area is reduced and some morphed as background lithology. Gabor Deconvolution removes the attenuation by performing Gabor Domain spectral division, which in extension also reduces interpretation pitfall in deeper target seismic.

Environmental permitting in Thailand

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Byers, A.C.

Thailand's 1992 enhancement and Conservation of Environmental Quality Act and regulations require any entry proposing to construct a thermal power plant with a capacity greater that 10 MW to perform various environmental studies and prepare an environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report in accordance with the guidelines issued by the office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP). Approval of the EIA is a prerequisite to the issuance of most other construction permits. Applicable environmental standards and regulation are promulgated by the Pollution Control Department (PCD), a wholly separate agency for the OEPP. The PCD is a fairly new organization and, asmore » a result, their staff is still gaining understanding of the multiple environmental aspects of power generation. Accordingly, the PCD is still in process of drafting key regulations applicable to the power industry. This paper examines the current guidelines, practices, procedures and legal requirements regarding environmental licensing of a thermal power plant in Thailand. The requisite scope and content of the EIA report will be identified, as well as the current procedure for its official review and approval by the OEPP. The paper will address the challenges of working with local consultants and identify potential pitfalls in the report preparation process. Areas of particular interest in the EIA review will be identified based on recent examples of OEPP comments on previous SPP and IPP projects. Additionally, the development of applicable environmental standards by the PCD will be identified along with their plans for implementing these standards. The paper will also examine the relationship of the OEPP and PCD, and reflect upon trends for environmental regulation in Thailand in the near future.« less

Can transcranial electrical stimulation improve learning difficulties in atypical brain development? A future possibility for cognitive training.

PubMed

Krause, Beatrix; Cohen Kadosh, Roi

2013-10-01

Learning difficulties in atypical brain development represent serious obstacles to an individual's future achievements and can have broad societal consequences. Cognitive training can improve learning impairments only to a certain degree. Recent evidence from normal and clinical adult populations suggests that transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), a portable, painless, inexpensive, and relatively safe neuroenhancement tool, applied in conjunction with cognitive training can enhance cognitive intervention outcomes. This includes, for instance, numerical processing, language skills and response inhibition deficits commonly associated with profound learning difficulties and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current review introduces the functional principles, current applications and promising results, and potential pitfalls of TES. Unfortunately, research in child populations is limited at present. We suggest that TES has considerable promise as a tool for increasing neuroplasticity in atypically developing children and may be an effective adjunct to cognitive training in clinical settings if it proves safe. The efficacy and both short- and long-term effects of TES on the developing brain need to be critically assessed before it can be recommended for clinical settings. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Venous ulcer review

PubMed Central

Bevis, Paul; Earnshaw, Jonothan

2011-01-01

Clinical question: What is the best treatment for venous ulcers? Results: Compression aids ulcer healing. Pentoxifylline can aid ulcer healing. Artificial skin grafts are more effective than other skin grafts in helping ulcer healing. Correction of underlying venous incompetence reduces ulcer recurrence. Implementation: Potential pitfalls to avoid are: Failure to exclude underlying arterial disease before application of compression.Unusual-looking ulcers or those slow to heal should be biopsied to exclude malignant transformation. PMID:21673869

The futility study—progress over the last decade

PubMed Central

Levin, Bruce

2015-01-01

We review the futility clinical trial design (also known as the non-superiority design) with respect to its emergence and methodologic developments over the last decade, especially in regard to its application to clinical trials for neurological disorders. We discuss the design’s strengths as a programmatic screening device to weed out unpromising new treatments, its limitations and pitfalls, and a recent critique of the logic of the method. PMID:26123873

Human hair follicle organ culture: theory, application and perspectives.

PubMed

Langan, Ewan A; Philpott, Michael P; Kloepper, Jennifer E; Paus, Ralf

2015-12-01

For almost a quarter of a century, ex vivo studies of human scalp hair follicles (HFs) have permitted major advances in hair research, spanning diverse fields such as chronobiology, endocrinology, immunology, metabolism, mitochondrial biology, neurobiology, pharmacology, pigmentation and stem cell biology. Despite this, a comprehensive methodological guide to serum-free human HF organ culture (HFOC) that facilitates the selection and analysis of standard HF biological parameters and points out both research opportunities and pitfalls to newcomers to the field is still lacking. The current methods review aims to close an important gap in the literature and attempts to promote standardisation of human HFOC. We provide basic information outlining the establishment of HFOC through to detailed descriptions of the analysis of standard read-out parameters alongside practical examples. The guide closes by pointing out how serum-free HFOC can be utilised optimally to obtain previously inaccessible insights into human HF biology and pathology that are of interest to experimental dermatologists, geneticists, developmental biologists and (neuro-) endocrinologists alike and by highlighting novel applications of the model, including gene silencing and gene expression profiling of defined, laser capture-microdissected HF compartments. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Efficacy of Pitfall Trapping, Winkler and Berlese Extraction Methods for Measuring Ground-Dwelling Arthropods in Moist-Deciduous Forests in the Western Ghats

PubMed Central

Sabu, Thomas K.; Shiju, Raj T.

2010-01-01

The present study provides data to decide on the most appropriate method for sampling of ground-dwelling arthropods measured in a moist-deciduous forest in the Western Ghats in South India. The abundance of ground-dwelling arthropods was compared among large numbers of samples obtained using pitfall trapping, Berlese and Winkler extraction methods. Highest abundance and frequency of most of the represented taxa indicated pitfall trapping as the ideal method for sampling of ground-dwelling arthropods. However, with possible bias towards surface-active taxa, pitfall-trapping data is inappropriate for quantitative studies, and Berlese extraction is the better alternative. Berlese extraction is the better method for quantitative measurements than the other two methods, whereas pitfall trapping would be appropriate for qualitative measurements. A comparison of the Berlese and Winkler extraction data shows that in a quantitative multigroup approach, Winkler extraction was inferior to Berlese extraction because the total number of arthropods caught was the lowest; and many of the taxa that were caught from an identical sample via Berlese extraction method were not caught. Significantly a greater frequency and higher abundance of arthropods belonging to Orthoptera, Blattaria, and Diptera occurred in pitfall-trapped samples and Psocoptera and Acariformes in Berlese-extracted samples than that were obtained in the other two methods, indicating that both methods are useful, one complementing the other, eliminating a chance for possible under-representation of taxa in quantitative studies. PMID:20673122

Placebo Analgesia in Rodents: Current and Future Research

PubMed Central

Keller, Asaf; Akintola, Titilola; Colloca, Luana

2018-01-01

The investigation of placebo effects in animal pain models has received less attention than human research. This may be related to a number of difficulties, including the fact that animals lack the ability to use language and establish expectancies verbally, that animals cannot report and rate the extent to which they experience pain, and the inadequacy of current models of pain. Here, we describe the relatively small number of studies that have been published, communicating the opportunities and excitement of this research. We critically discuss pitfalls and limitations with the hope that this will advance future animal placebo-related research. PMID:29681320

Applications of social network media in medicolegal death investigation.

PubMed

Hookano, Ryan; Knight, Laura D; Brunelli, Ronald A; Stoppacher, Robert

2013-11-01

With the increased popularity of online social networking services (SNS) such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+, we propose that a wealth of new resources is available for medicolegal death investigation. Recognizing this potential, we identified cases in which social media had been useful in the past in our office and asked our investigative staff to consider using social media in current cases. These cases provided illustrative examples for this primer regarding how information from SNS was used in death investigations in our office. Information gleaned from online social media aided in establishing preliminary identification of a decedent, locating next-of-kin, investigating the circumstances of death as relevant to the manner of death, corroborating eyewitness accounts, and providing information relevant to time of death. Potential pitfalls were identified, such as shared accounts or online impostors. SNS proved useful to the medicolegal death investigator and medical examiner, so long as their limitations were recognized. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Physiological responses to hypothermia.

PubMed

Wood, Thomas; Thoresen, Marianne

2015-04-01

Therapeutic hypothermia is the only treatment currently recommended for moderate or severe encephalopathy of hypoxic‒ischaemic origin in term neonates. Though the effects of hypothermia on human physiology have been explored for many decades, much of the data comes from animal or adult studies; the latter originally after accidental hypothermia, followed by application of controlled hypothermia after cardiac arrest or trauma, or during cardiopulmonary bypass. Though this work is informative, the effects of hypothermia on neonatal physiology after perinatal asphyxia must be considered in the context of a prolonged hypoxic insult that has already induced a number of significant physiological sequelae. This article reviews the effects of therapeutic hypothermia on respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic parameters, including glycaemic control and feeding requirements. The potential pitfalls of blood‒gas analysis and overtreatment of physiological changes in cardiovascular parameters are also discussed. Finally, the effects of hypothermia on drug metabolism are covered, focusing on how the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and dosing requirements of drugs frequently used in neonatal intensive care may change during therapeutic hypothermia. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using guided debates to teach current issues.

PubMed

Hanna, Debra R

2014-06-01

A guided-debate strategy was developed for a graduate-level core course in current issues based on the Jesuit method of discernment (group decision making). The strategy encourages students to use up-to-date Internet sources to determine the range of opinions on current controversies in the discipline. In addition to providing a structured process to engage in persuasive discussion of difficult issues, the strategy facilitates critical thinking about the quality of the debate itself. Thus, students learn to avoid the pitfalls associated with consensus, such as failing to express reservations or negative opinions that might be important, while learning how to express concerns that might not be easily received by others in a group. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

Common problems and pitfalls in gear design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, Dennis P.

1986-01-01

There are several pitfalls and problems associated with the successful design of a new gear transmission. A new design will require the knowledge and experience of several technical areas of engineering. Most of the pitfalls and problems associated with a new design are related to an inadequate evaluation of several areas, such as, the lubrication and cooling requirements, complete static and dynamic load analysis, evaluation of materials and heat treatment and the latest manufacturing technology. Some of the common problems of the gear design process are discussed with recommendations made for avoiding these conditions.

Prototyping Visual Database Interface by Object-Oriented Language

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-06-01

approach is to use object-oriented programming. Object-oriented languages are characterized by three criteria [Ref. 4:p. 1.2.1]: - encapsulation of...made it a sub-class of our DMWindow.Cls, which is discussed later in this chapter. This extension to the application had to be intergrated with our... abnormal behaviors similar to Korth’s discussion of pitfalls in relational database designing. Even extensions like GEM [Ref. 8] that are powerful and

Adjustable Autonomy and Human-Agent Teamwork in Practice: An Interim Report on Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradshaw, Jeffrey M.; Feltovich, Paul; Hoffman, Robert; Jeffers, Renia; Suri, Niranhan; Uszok, Andrzej; VanHoof, Ron; Acquisti, Alessandro; Prescott, Debbie

2003-01-01

We give a preliminary perspective on the basic principles and pitfalls of adjustable autonomy and human-centered teamwork. We then summarize the interim results of our study on the problem of work practice modeling and human-agent collaboration in space applications, the development of a broad model of human-agent teamwork grounded in practice, and the integration of the Brahms, KAoS, and NOMADS agent frameworks. We hope our work will benefit those who plan and participate in work activities in a wide variety of space applications, as well as those who are interested in design and execution tools for teams of robots that can function as effective assistants to humans.

Pitfalls in the consultant's path.

PubMed

Short, D

If the consultant is to retain his skill and reputation, he must be constantly aware of the pitfalls that lie in his path. This article discusses the temptations of greed, dishonesty, arrogance, alcohol and drug abuse, and neglect of family and recreation.

Navigating the complexities of qualitative comparative analysis: case numbers, necessity relations, and model ambiguities.

PubMed

Thiem, Alrik

2014-12-01

In recent years, the method of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) has been enjoying increasing levels of popularity in evaluation and directly neighboring fields. Its holistic approach to causal data analysis resonates with researchers whose theories posit complex conjunctions of conditions and events. However, due to QCA's relative immaturity, some of its technicalities and objectives have not yet been well understood. In this article, I seek to raise awareness of six pitfalls of employing QCA with regard to the following three central aspects: case numbers, necessity relations, and model ambiguities. Most importantly, I argue that case numbers are irrelevant to the methodological choice of QCA or any of its variants, that necessity is not as simple a concept as it has been suggested by many methodologists, and that doubt must be cast on the determinacy of virtually all results presented in past QCA research. By means of empirical examples from published articles, I explain the background of these pitfalls and introduce appropriate procedures, partly with reference to current software, that help avoid them. QCA carries great potential for scholars in evaluation and directly neighboring areas interested in the analysis of complex dependencies in configurational data. If users beware of the pitfalls introduced in this article, and if they avoid mechanistic adherence to doubtful "standards of good practice" at this stage of development, then research with QCA will gain in quality, as a result of which a more solid foundation for cumulative knowledge generation and well-informed policy decisions will also be created. © The Author(s) 2014.

Brain banks as key part of biochemical and molecular studies on cerebral cortex involvement in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Ravid, Rivka; Ferrer, Isidro

2012-04-01

Exciting developments in basic and clinical neuroscience and recent progress in the field of Parkinson's disease (PD) are partly a result of the availability of human specimens obtained through brain banks. These banks have optimized the methodological, managerial and organizational procedures; standard operating procedures; and ethical, legal and social issues, including the code of conduct for 21st Century brain banking and novel protocols. The present minireview focuses on current brain banking organization and management, as well as the likely future direction of the brain banking field. We emphasize the potentials and pitfalls when using high-quality specimens of the human central nervous system for advancing PD research. PD is a generalized disease in which α-synuclein is not a unique component but, instead, is only one of the players accounting for the complex impairment of biochemical/molecular processes involved in metabolic pathways. This is particularly important in the cerebral cortex, where altered cognition has a complex neurochemical substrate. Mitochondria and energy metabolism impairment, abnormal RNA, microRNA, protein synthesis, post-translational protein modifications and alterations in the lipid composition of membranes and lipid rafts are part of these complementary factors. We have to be alert to the possible pitfalls of each specimen and its suitability for a particular study. Not all samples qualify for the study of DNA, RNA, proteins, post-translational modifications, lipids and metabolomes, although the use of carefully selected samples and appropriate methods minimizes pitfalls and errors and guarantees high-quality reserach. © 2012 The Authors Journal compilation © 2012 FEBS.

Blockchain distributed ledger technologies for biomedical and health care applications.

PubMed

Kuo, Tsung-Ting; Kim, Hyeon-Eui; Ohno-Machado, Lucila

2017-11-01

To introduce blockchain technologies, including their benefits, pitfalls, and the latest applications, to the biomedical and health care domains. Biomedical and health care informatics researchers who would like to learn about blockchain technologies and their applications in the biomedical/health care domains. The covered topics include: (1) introduction to the famous Bitcoin crypto-currency and the underlying blockchain technology; (2) features of blockchain; (3) review of alternative blockchain technologies; (4) emerging nonfinancial distributed ledger technologies and applications; (5) benefits of blockchain for biomedical/health care applications when compared to traditional distributed databases; (6) overview of the latest biomedical/health care applications of blockchain technologies; and (7) discussion of the potential challenges and proposed solutions of adopting blockchain technologies in biomedical/health care domains. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Internationalization of higher education: potentials and pitfalls for nursing education.

PubMed

Allen, M; Ogilvie, L

2004-06-01

Internationalization, an integral part of strategic planning initiatives in universities around the world, is occurring within the context of globalization. As we move toward greater internationalization in nursing education, we must understand the ideologies that currently underpin globalization and their fit with the vision and mission of nursing. To outline the current debates surrounding internationalization and globalization and their potential consequences for universities. The historical and current interest in internationalization and globalization are reviewed briefly in order to set the context for this discussion. What emerges from an analysis of current internationalization directions is the complexity of the relationship between internationalization and the conflicting ideologies underpinning globalization. Nursing can play a key role within universities to ensure that varying viewpoints are debated and the implications of varying internationalization decisions are understood.

Comparative studies of social buffering: A consideration of approaches, terminology, and pitfalls.

PubMed

Kiyokawa, Yasushi; Hennessy, Michael B

2018-03-01

KIYOKAWA, Y. and HENNESSY, M.B. Comparative studies of social buffering: A consideration of approaches, terminology, and pitfalls…NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV XXX-XXX, .- Over the past decades, there has been an increasing number of investigations of the impact of social variables on neural, endocrine, and immune outcomes. Among these are studies of "social buffering"-or the phenomenon by which affiliative social partners mitigate the response to stressors. Yet, as social buffering studies have become more commonplace, the variety of approaches taken, definitions employed, and divergent results obtained in different species can lead to confusion and miscommunication. The aim of the present paper, therefore, is to address terminology and approaches and to highlight potential pitfalls to the study of social buffering across nonhuman species. We review and categorize variables currently being employed in social buffering studies and provide an overview of responses measured, mediating sensory modalities and underlying mechanisms. It is our hope that the paper will be useful to those contemplating examination of social buffering in the context of their own research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gene therapy for PIDs: progress, pitfalls and prospects.

PubMed

Mukherjee, Sayandip; Thrasher, Adrian J

2013-08-10

Substantial progress has been made in the past decade in treating several primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) with gene therapy. Current approaches are based on ex-vivo transfer of therapeutic transgene via viral vectors to patient-derived autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) followed by transplantation back to the patient with or without conditioning. The overall outcome from all the clinical trials targeting different PIDs has been extremely encouraging but not without caveats. Malignant outcomes from insertional mutagenesis have featured prominently in the adverse events associated with these trials and have warranted intense pre-clinical investigation into defining the tendencies of different viral vectors for genomic integration. Coupled with issues pertaining to transgene expression, the therapeutic landscape has undergone a paradigm shift in determining safety, stability and efficacy of gene therapy approaches. In this review, we aim to summarize the progress made in the gene therapy trials targeting ADA-SCID, SCID-X1, CGD and WAS, review the pitfalls, and outline the recent advancements which are expected to further enhance favourable risk benefit ratios for gene therapeutic approaches in the future. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The pitfalls of container production

Treesearch

Wayne Bell

2013-01-01

This paper summarizes ten of the biggest “pitfalls” or challenges I have encountered in my experience growing southern pine seedlings in containers over the past 30 years. Learning from challenges is an important part of growing successful nursery operations.

Prospects and Pitfalls in the Coming Wave of High-frequency Environmental Data: What to Look Forward to, and Watch out for

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keller, A. A.; Adeleye, A. S.; Huang, Y.; Garner, K.

2014-12-01

The application of nanotechnology in drinking water treatment and pollution cleanup is promising, as demonstrated by a number of field-based (pilot and full scale) and bench scale studies. A number of reviews exist for these nanotechnology-based applications; but to better illustrate its importance and guide its development, a direct comparison between traditional treatment technologies and emerging approaches using nanotechnology is needed. In this review, the performances of traditional technologies and nanotechnology for water treatment and environmental remediation were compared with the goal of providing an up-to-date reference on the state of treatment techniques for researchers, industry, and policy makers. Pollutants were categorized into broad classes, and the most cost-effective techniques (traditional and nanotechnology-based) in each category reported in the literature were compared. Where information was available, cost and environmental implications of both technologies were also compared. Traditional treatment technologies were found to currently offer the most cost-effective choices for removal of several common pollutants from drinking water and polluted sites. Nano-based techniques may however become important in complicated remediation conditions and meeting increasingly stringent water quality standards, especially in removal of emerging pollutants and low levels of contaminants. We also discuss challenges facing environmental application of nanotechnology were also discussed and potential solutions.

Where Lies the Fault in Diagnosing Dhat Syndrome among Females? Understanding through a Case Study.

PubMed

Kar, Sujita Kumar; Singh, Amit

2017-01-01

Dhat syndrome is a culture-bound syndrome of South-East Asia, common in young men. However, similar entity has also been described in female patients who attribute their symptoms to nonpathological or physiological vaginal discharge. The current diagnostic system for psychiatric illnesses does not encompass Dhat syndrome in females, and so these group of patients receive alternative diagnoses such as somatoform disorder or depression. As a result of which the focus of unique Dhat syndrome-centered management gets weakened, affecting the clinical outcome. This case study focuses on the diagnostic dilemmas related to Dhat syndrome in females and pitfalls in the current diagnostic system.

The Internship: The Practice Field of Professional Training

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Ramsey L.

2010-01-01

The internship process can be difficult to navigate. Going into an internship with an open mind and prepared to conquer the academic challenges you will face will result in a wonderful professional development experience. From the application process to how to conduct yourself once you get the job, most students are left to fend for themselves when they face these situations. This presentation will help you avoid some pitfalls and assist in maximizing your internship experience.

Prediction versus aetiology: common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

PubMed

van Diepen, Merel; Ramspek, Chava L; Jager, Kitty J; Zoccali, Carmine; Dekker, Friedo W

2017-04-01

Prediction research is a distinct field of epidemiologic research, which should be clearly separated from aetiological research. Both prediction and aetiology make use of multivariable modelling, but the underlying research aim and interpretation of results are very different. Aetiology aims at uncovering the causal effect of a specific risk factor on an outcome, adjusting for confounding factors that are selected based on pre-existing knowledge of causal relations. In contrast, prediction aims at accurately predicting the risk of an outcome using multiple predictors collectively, where the final prediction model is usually based on statistically significant, but not necessarily causal, associations in the data at hand.In both scientific and clinical practice, however, the two are often confused, resulting in poor-quality publications with limited interpretability and applicability. A major problem is the frequently encountered aetiological interpretation of prediction results, where individual variables in a prediction model are attributed causal meaning. This article stresses the differences in use and interpretation of aetiological and prediction studies, and gives examples of common pitfalls. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.

CD-ROM: Potential and Pitfalls.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dreiss, L. Jack; Bashir, Shahzad

1990-01-01

Examines issues surrounding CD-ROM as an organizational information management tool: (1) the CD-ROM market; (2) pitfalls, including compatibility, effect on existing information systems, fear of obsolescence, protection of sensitive information, and lack of successful role models; and (3) factors that will fuel growth, including greater…

Seven PC Purchasing Pitfalls.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wodarz, Nan

1997-01-01

Explores how to avoid common pitfalls when schools purchase computer equipment. Purchasing tips are provided in the areas of choosing multiple platforms, buying the cheapest model available, choosing a proprietary design, falling for untested technology, purchasing systems that are not upgradable, ignoring extended warranties, and failing to plan…

Potential Pitfalls Related to Space-Based Lidar Remote Sensing of the Earth With an Emphasis on Wind Measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kavaya, Michael J.; Spiers, Gary D.; Frehlich, Rod G.

2000-01-01

A collection of issues is discussed that are potential pitfalls, if handled incorrectly, for earth-orbiting lidar remote sensing instruments. These issues arise due to the long target ranges, high lidar-to-target relative velocities, low signal levels, use of laser scanners, and other unique aspects of using lasers in earth orbit. Consequences of misunderstanding these topics range from minor inconvenience to improper calibration to total failure. We will focus on wind measurement using coherent detection Doppler lidar, but many of the potential pitfalls apply also to noncoherent lidar wind measurement, and to measurement of parameters other than wind.

Group decision-making techniques for natural resource management applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coughlan, Beth A.K.; Armour, Carl L.

1992-01-01

This report is an introduction to decision analysis and problem-solving techniques for professionals in natural resource management. Although these managers are often called upon to make complex decisions, their training in the natural sciences seldom provides exposure to the decision-making tools developed in management science. Our purpose is to being to fill this gap. We present a general analysis of the pitfalls of group problem solving, and suggestions for improved interactions followed by the specific techniques. Selected techniques are illustrated. The material is easy to understand and apply without previous training or excessive study and is applicable to natural resource management issues.

Idioms and Back Translation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffin, Frank

2004-01-01

The challenges of intercultural communication are an integral part of many undergraduate business communication courses. Marketing gaffes clearly illustrate the pitfalls of translation and underscore the importance of a knowledge of the culture with which one is attempting to communicate. A good way to approach the topic of translation pitfalls in…

Linear Augmentation for Stabilizing Stationary Solutions: Potential Pitfalls and Their Application

PubMed Central

Karnatak, Rajat

2015-01-01

Linear augmentation has recently been shown to be effective in targeting desired stationary solutions, suppressing bistablity, in regulating the dynamics of drive response systems and in controlling the dynamics of hidden attractors. The simplicity of the procedure is the main highlight of this scheme but questions related to its general applicability still need to be addressed. Focusing on the issue of targeting stationary solutions, this work demonstrates instances where the scheme fails to stabilize the required solutions and leads to other complicated dynamical scenarios. Examples from conservative as well as dissipative systems are presented in this regard and important applications in dissipative predator—prey systems are discussed, which include preventative measures to avoid potentially catastrophic dynamical transitions in these systems. PMID:26544879

Report of the Aircraft Systems/Flight Test Workshop Held at East Point, Georgia on 8-17 November 1977.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-11-01

prior knowledge to decrease the amount of manpower and time required to evaluate the second package, but in principle, each STC package must be...techniques. Our knowledge of the problems, hazards, and pitfalls in the use of these techniques is very limited. Background: We do not have sufficient...prediction techniques, and what recommendations we would like to make, based on the limited knowledge we currently have. I would really like to spend another

Incorporating social media into dermatologic education.

PubMed

Ko, Lauren N; Rana, Jasmine; Burgin, Susan

2017-10-15

In the current digital age, medical education has slowly evolved from the largely lecture-based teaching style of the past to incorporate more interactive pedagogical techniques, including use of social media. Already used readily by millennial trainees and clinicians, social media can also be used in innovative ways to teach trainees and facilitate continuing education among practicing clinicians. In this commentary, we discuss many learning benefits of social media and review potential pitfalls of employing social media in both trainee and physician dermatological education.

Percutaneous Pulmonary Embolism Thrombectomy and Thrombolysis: Technical Tips and Tricks.

PubMed

Devcic, Zlatko; Kuo, William T

2018-06-01

Catheter-directed therapy (CDT) is now acknowledged as a treatment option for select patients with acute massive or submassive pulmonary embolism (PE), and more patients are being considered for CDT if there is available expertise. Therefore, interventionalists should be aware of the variety of catheter-based treatment options, specific pitfalls to avoid during therapy, and the appropriate treatment endpoints. This article reviews currently available techniques and protocols for treating acute massive and submassive PE, with tips to safely and successfully perform percutaneous PE interventions.

Broadsheet number 57: problems in fine needle biopsy of the thyroid.

PubMed

Orell, S R; Philips, J

2000-08-01

The role of fine needle biopsy and cytological diagnosis in the preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules is reviewed on the basis of the current literature as well as the authors' personal experience. Technical aspects and guidelines for reporting thyroid samples are discussed in some detail. The main emphasis is on diagnostic pitfalls, those which may lead to a false-negative diagnosis, to a false-positive diagnosis or to an erroneous typing of the lesion, and their cytological patterns are described.

Gynecomastia – evaluation and current treatment options

PubMed Central

Johnson, Ruth E; Kermott, Cindy A; Murad, M Hassan

2011-01-01

Clinical question: What is the best management approach for gynecomastia? Results: In most patients, surgical correction usually leads to immediate cosmetic and symptomatic improvement and is considered the best approach. In men who are being treated with antiandrogen therapies, pharmacological intervention with tamoxifen is the most effective approach, followed by radiotherapy. Implementation: Pitfalls to avoid when treating gynecomastia Failure to detect the very rare male breast cancerOverly aggressive early intervention or evaluationAppropriate medical interventionWhen to refer to specialist treatment PMID:21479145

Empathy and Social-Emotional Learning: Pitfalls and Touchstones for School-Based Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maxwell, Bruce; DesRoches, Sarah

2010-01-01

This chapter identifies three common pitfalls in the use of the concept of empathy in formal social-emotional learning interventions: (1) not distinguishing between affective and cognitive empathy ("equivocation"); (2) overestimating the role of the imagination in empathizing ("Piaget's fallacy"); and (3) not accommodating the developmental and…

Encounter Co-Training: Benefits and Pitfalls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundberg, Joan, Lundberg, Craig

1974-01-01

The authors promote the position that the benefits tend to exceed the pitfalls of dual facilitation of intense small group experience and should become a more standard feature of laboratory training, for reasons of new trainer development, better learning experience for participants, and continuing skill development of experienced trainers. (AJ)

Pitfalls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Triffet, Terry

1990-01-01

Though potentially of great benefit to the nation, the experience of the workshop participants and their discussions with Sea Grant and Land Grant officials make it clear that the Space Grant Program must avoid certain pitfalls of the past and present if it is to be successful. The most important of these are listed and briefly discussed.

Managing the potential and pitfalls during clinical translation of emerging stem cell therapies

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

We are moving into a new era of stem cell research where many possibilities for treatment of degenerative, chronic and/or fatal diseases and injuries are becoming primed for clinical trial. These reports have led millions of people worldwide to hope that regenerative medicine is about to revolutionise biomedicine: either through transplantation of cells grown in the laboratory, or by finding ways to stimulate a patient’s intrinsic stem cells to repair diseased and damaged organs. While major contributions of stem cells to drug discovery, safety and efficacy testing, as well as modelling ‘diseases in a dish’ are also expected, it is the in vivo use of stem cells that has captured the general public’s attention. However, public misconceptions of stem cell potential and applications can leave patients vulnerable to the influences of profit driven entities selling unproven treatments without solid scientific basis or appropriate clinical testing or follow up. This review provides a brief history of stem cell clinical translation together with an overview of the properties, potential, and current clinical application of various stem cell types. In doing so it presents a clearer picture of the inherent risks and opportunities associated with stem cell research translation, and thus offers a framework to help realise invested expectations more quickly, safely and effectively. PMID:24949190

Evaluation of smartphone oral contraceptive reminder applications.

PubMed

Gal, Noga; Zite, Nikki B; Wallace, Lorraine S

2015-01-01

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most widely used contraceptive method among women of reproductive age in the United States (US). Routine download and use of health-related smartphone applications (apps) continues to increase. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of English-language, smartphone-platform OC reminder apps currently available for download in the US. During June-July 2013, official Internet-based, mobile app platforms for the two major smartphone operating systems in the US-Android (Google Play Store) and iPhone (iTunes)-were searched. "Birth control," "the pill," and "contraception" were entered into the search-bar of each Smartphone store. Apps were assessed for the following: cost, health care professionals' involvement in app development, reminder mechanisms, and functionality. Of the 39 unique OC reminder apps meeting inclusion criteria, 7 (18%) did not operate as intended when downloaded. Most apps functioned without an Internet connection (97%) and included pop-up notifications (84%). Certain app features overcome common causes of missing an alarm, and hypothetically, may minimize likelihood of an OC user missing a daily pill. Health care providers should inform users of potential pitfalls and advise them that an OC reminder app should be not be used as a sole reminder method. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Toward seamless hydrologic predictions across spatial scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samaniego, Luis; Kumar, Rohini; Thober, Stephan; Rakovec, Oldrich; Zink, Matthias; Wanders, Niko; Eisner, Stephanie; Müller Schmied, Hannes; Sutanudjaja, Edwin H.; Warrach-Sagi, Kirsten; Attinger, Sabine

2017-09-01

Land surface and hydrologic models (LSMs/HMs) are used at diverse spatial resolutions ranging from catchment-scale (1-10 km) to global-scale (over 50 km) applications. Applying the same model structure at different spatial scales requires that the model estimates similar fluxes independent of the chosen resolution, i.e., fulfills a flux-matching condition across scales. An analysis of state-of-the-art LSMs and HMs reveals that most do not have consistent hydrologic parameter fields. Multiple experiments with the mHM, Noah-MP, PCR-GLOBWB, and WaterGAP models demonstrate the pitfalls of deficient parameterization practices currently used in most operational models, which are insufficient to satisfy the flux-matching condition. These examples demonstrate that J. Dooge's 1982 statement on the unsolved problem of parameterization in these models remains true. Based on a review of existing parameter regionalization techniques, we postulate that the multiscale parameter regionalization (MPR) technique offers a practical and robust method that provides consistent (seamless) parameter and flux fields across scales. Herein, we develop a general model protocol to describe how MPR can be applied to a particular model and present an example application using the PCR-GLOBWB model. Finally, we discuss potential advantages and limitations of MPR in obtaining the seamless prediction of hydrological fluxes and states across spatial scales.

Intravital FRET: Probing Cellular and Tissue Function in Vivo

PubMed Central

Radbruch, Helena; Bremer, Daniel; Mothes, Ronja; Günther, Robert; Rinnenthal, Jan Leo; Pohlan, Julian; Ulbricht, Carolin; Hauser, Anja E.; Niesner, Raluca

2015-01-01

The development of intravital Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is required to probe cellular and tissue function in the natural context: the living organism. Only in this way can biomedicine truly comprehend pathogenesis and develop effective therapeutic strategies. Here we demonstrate and discuss the advantages and pitfalls of two strategies to quantify FRET in vivo—ratiometrically and time-resolved by fluorescence lifetime imaging—and show their concrete application in the context of neuroinflammation in adult mice. PMID:26006244

Comparative Effectiveness Research in Pediatric Respiratory Disease: Promise and Pitfalls.

PubMed

Ramos, Kathleen J; Somayaji, Ranjani; Nichols, David P; Goss, Christopher H

2018-02-01

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has become increasing central to clinical research in medicine. CER seeks to conduct clinical trials that compare different commonly used interventions in real-world settings (pragmatic clinical trials) and use a multitude of sources of evidence (including registries and cohort studies) to inform clinical decision making. CER also ensures that stakeholders (patients, families, care providers, insurers) have a voice in the research process by integrating formal stakeholder engagement as part of the research. This innovative approach to clinical research has distinct benefits and pitfalls. This review first defines what CER is and then describes some of its benefits and then pitfalls. The focus is on the role of CER in pediatrics.

Drug supply indicators: Pitfalls and possibilities for improvements to assist comparative analysis.

PubMed

Singleton, Nicola; Cunningham, Andrew; Groshkova, Teodora; Royuela, Luis; Sedefov, Roumen

2018-06-01

Interventions to tackle the supply of drugs are seen as standard components of illicit drug policies. Therefore drug market-related administrative data, such as seizures, price, purity and drug-related offending, are used in most countries for policy monitoring and assessment of the drug situation. International agencies, such as the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, also monitor and report on the drug situation cross-nationally and therefore seek to collect and make available key data in a uniform manner from the countries they cover. However, these data are not primarily collected for this purpose, which makes interpretation and comparative analysis difficult. Examples of limitations of these data sources include: the extent to which they reflect operational priorities rather than market changes; question marks over the robustness of and consistency in data collection methods, and issues around the timeliness of data availability. Such problems are compounded by cultural, social and contextual differences between countries. Making sense of such data is therefore challenging and extreme care needs to be taken using it. Nevertheless, these data provide an important window on a hidden area, so improving the quality of the data collected and expanding its scope should be a priority for those seeking to understand or monitor drug markets and supply reduction. In addition to highlighting some of the potential pitfalls in using supply indicators for comparative analysis, this paper presents a selection of options for improvements based on the current EMCDDA programme of work to improve their supply-related monitoring and analysis. The conceptual framework developed to steer this work may have wider application. Adopting this approach has the potential to provide a richer picture of drug markets, at both national and international levels, and make it easier to compare data between countries. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pitfalls and major issues in the histologic diagnosis of peripheral T-cell lymphomas: results of the central review of 573 cases from the T-Cell Project, an international, cooperative study.

PubMed

Bellei, Monica; Sabattini, Elena; Pesce, Emanuela Anna; Ko, Young-Hyeh; Kim, Won Seog; Cabrera, Maria Elena; Martinez, Virginia; Dlouhy, Ivan; Paes, Roberto Pinto; Barrese, Tomas; Vassallo, Josè; Tarantino, Vittoria; Vose, Julie; Weisenburger, Dennis; Rüdiger, Thomas; Federico, Massimo; Pileri, Stefano

2017-12-01

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that are derived from post-thymic lymphoid cells at different stages of differentiation with different morphological patterns, phenotypes and clinical presentations. PTCLs are highly diverse, reflecting the diverse cells from which they can originate and are currently sub-classified using World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 criteria. In 2006 the International T-Cell Lymphoma Project launched the T-Cell Project, building on the retrospective study previously carried on by the network, with the aim to prospectively collect accurate data to improve knowledge on this group of lymphomas. Based on previously published reports from International Study Groups it emerged that rendering a correct classification of PTCLs is quite difficult because the relatively low prevalence of these diseases results in a lack of confidence by most pathologists. This is the reason why the T-Cell Project requested the availability of diagnostic material from the initial biopsy of each patient registered in the study in order to have the initial diagnosis centrally reviewed by expert hematopathologists. In the present report the results of the review process performed on 573 cases are presented. Overall, an incorrect diagnosis was centrally recorded in 13.1% cases, including 8.5% cases centrally reclassified with a subtype eligible for the project and 4.6% cases misclassified and found to be disorders other than T-cell lymphomas; 2.1% cases were centrally classified as T-Cell disorders not included in the study population. Thus, the T-Cell Project confirmed the difficulties in providing an accurate classification when a diagnosis of PTCLs is suspected, singled out the major pitfalls that can bias a correct histologic categorization and confirmed that a centralized expert review with the application of adequate diagnostic algorithms is mandatory when dealing with these tumours. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Correlating electroluminescence characterization and physics-based models of InGaN/GaN LEDs: Pitfalls and open issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calciati, Marco; Goano, Michele; Bertazzi, Francesco; Vallone, Marco; Zhou, Xiangyu; Ghione, Giovanni; Meneghini, Matteo; Meneghesso, Gaudenzio; Zanoni, Enrico; Bellotti, Enrico; Verzellesi, Giovanni; Zhu, Dandan; Humphreys, Colin

2014-06-01

Electroluminescence (EL) characterization of InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs), coupled with numerical device models of different sophistication, is routinely adopted not only to establish correlations between device efficiency and structural features, but also to make inferences about the loss mechanisms responsible for LED efficiency droop at high driving currents. The limits of this investigative approach are discussed here in a case study based on a comprehensive set of current- and temperature-dependent EL data from blue LEDs with low and high densities of threading dislocations (TDs). First, the effects limiting the applicability of simpler (closed-form and/or one-dimensional) classes of models are addressed, like lateral current crowding, vertical carrier distribution nonuniformity, and interband transition broadening. Then, the major sources of uncertainty affecting state-of-the-art numerical device simulation are reviewed and discussed, including (i) the approximations in the transport description through the multi-quantum-well active region, (ii) the alternative valence band parametrizations proposed to calculate the spontaneous emission rate, (iii) the difficulties in defining the Auger coefficients due to inadequacies in the microscopic quantum well description and the possible presence of extra, non-Auger high-current-density recombination mechanisms and/or Auger-induced leakage. In the case of the present LED structures, the application of three-dimensional numerical-simulation-based analysis to the EL data leads to an explanation of efficiency droop in terms of TD-related and Auger-like nonradiative losses, with a C coefficient in the 10-30 cm6/s range at room temperature, close to the larger theoretical calculations reported so far. However, a study of the combined effects of structural and model uncertainties suggests that the C values thus determined could be overestimated by about an order of magnitude. This preliminary attempt at uncertainty quantification confirms, beyond the present case, the need for an improved description of carrier transport and microscopic radiative and nonradiative recombination mechanisms in device-level LED numerical models.

European Earwig, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) at the Hanford Reach National Monument, Washington State

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The European earwig, Forficula auricularia L., was surveyed using pitfall traps at three sites at the Hanford Reach National Monument in south central Washington state. Pitfall traps were collected weekly from April 2002 through April 2003. The earwig was consistently taken during all months of the...

An Ethnographic Eye on Religion in Everyday Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berglund, Jenny

2014-01-01

There are many pitfalls associated with teaching about religions. One such pitfall entails the risk of presenting religions as stereotypical monolithic systems; that is, all who belong to a particular religious tradition think and act in the same way. I like to call this sort of stereotyping the "robotic tendency" because it has a habit…

Cases on Global E-Learning Practices: Successes and Pitfalls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharma, Ramesh C., Ed.; Mishra, Sanjaya, Ed.

2007-01-01

"Cases on Global E-Learning Practices: Successes and Pitfalls" looks into global practices of e-learning, examining the successes and failures of e-learning professionals. It provides a judicious mix of practical experiences and research in the form of case studies. Written by experts from all over the globe, this book shows how to…

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: Linear regression analysis

PubMed Central

Aggarwal, Rakesh; Ranganathan, Priya

2017-01-01

In a previous article in this series, we explained correlation analysis which describes the strength of relationship between two continuous variables. In this article, we deal with linear regression analysis which predicts the value of one continuous variable from another. We also discuss the assumptions and pitfalls associated with this analysis. PMID:28447022

A Comparison of the Pitfall Trap, Winkler Extractor and Berlese Funnel for Sampling Ground-Dwelling Arthropods in Tropical Montane Cloud Forests

PubMed Central

Sabu, Thomas K.; Shiju, Raj T.; Vinod, KV.; Nithya, S.

2011-01-01

Little is known about the ground-dwelling arthropod diversity in tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF). Due to unique habitat conditions in TMCFs with continuously wet substrates and a waterlogged forest floor along with the innate biases of the pitfall trap, Berlese funnel and Winkler extractor are certain to make it difficult to choose the most appropriate method to sample the ground-dwelling arthropods in TMCFs. Among the three methods, the Winkler extractor was the most efficient method for quantitative data and pitfall trapping for qualitative data for most groups. Inclusion of floatation method as a complementary method along with the Winkler extractor would enable a comprehensive quantitative survey of ground-dwelling arthropods. Pitfall trapping is essential for both quantitative and qualitative sampling of Diplopoda, Opiliones, Orthoptera, and Diptera. The Winkler extractor was the best quantitative method for Psocoptera, Araneae, Isopoda, and Formicidae; and the Berlese funnel was best for Collembola and Chilopoda. For larval forms of different insect orders and the Acari, all the three methods were equally effective. PMID:21529148

DRD4 and DAT1 in ADHD: Functional neurobiology to pharmacogenetics

PubMed Central

Turic, Darko; Swanson, James; Sonuga-Barke, Edmund

2010-01-01

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common and potentially very impairing neuropsychiatric disorder of childhood. Statistical genetic studies of twins have shown ADHD to be highly heritable, with the combination of genes and gene by environment interactions accounting for around 80% of phenotypic variance. The initial molecular genetic studies where candidates were selected because of the efficacy of dopaminergic compounds in the treatment of ADHD were remarkably successful and provided strong evidence for the role of DRD4 and DAT1 variants in the pathogenesis of ADHD. However, the recent application of non-candidate gene strategies (eg, genome-wide association scans) has failed to identify additional genes with substantial genetic main effects, and the effects for DRD4 and DAT1 have not been replicated. This is the usual pattern observed for most other physical and mental disorders evaluated with current state-of-the-art methods. In this paper we discuss future strategies for genetic studies in ADHD, highlighting both the pitfalls and possible solutions relating to candidate gene studies, genome-wide studies, defining the phenotype, and statistical approaches. PMID:23226043

Bioluminescence lights the way to food safety

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brovko, Lubov Y.; Griffiths, Mansel W.

2003-07-01

The food industry is increasingly adopting food safety and quality management systems that are more proactive and preventive than those used in the past which have tended to rely on end product testing and visual inspection. The regulatory agencies in many countries are promoting one such management tool, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), as a way to achieve a safer food supply and as a basis for harmonization of trading standards. Verification that the process is safe must involve microbiological testing but the results need not be generated in real-time. Of all the rapid microbiological tests currently available, the only ones that come close to offering real-time results are bioluminescence-based methods. Recent developments in application of bioluminescence for food safety issues are presented in the paper. These include the use of genetically engineered microorganisms with bioluminescent and fluorescent phenotypes as a real time indicator of physiological state and survival of food-borne pathogens in food and food processing environments as well as novel bioluminescent-based methods for rapid detection of pathogens in food and environmental samples. Advantages and pitfalls of the methods are discussed.

Integration of USB and firewire cameras in machine vision applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Timothy E.; Britton, Douglas F.; Daley, Wayne D.; Carey, Richard

1999-08-01

Digital cameras have been around for many years, but a new breed of consumer market cameras is hitting the main stream. By using these devices, system designers and integrators will be well posited to take advantage of technological advances developed to support multimedia and imaging applications on the PC platform. Having these new cameras on the consumer market means lower cost, but it does not necessarily guarantee ease of integration. There are many issues that need to be accounted for like image quality, maintainable frame rates, image size and resolution, supported operating system, and ease of software integration. This paper will describe briefly a couple of the consumer digital standards, and then discuss some of the advantages and pitfalls of integrating both USB and Firewire cameras into computer/machine vision applications.

Practical Radiobiology for Proton Therapy Planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Bleddyn

2017-12-01

Practical Radiobiology for Proton Therapy Planning covers the principles, advantages and potential pitfalls that occur in proton therapy, especially its radiobiological modelling applications. This book is intended to educate, inform and to stimulate further research questions. Additionally, it will help proton therapy centres when designing new treatments or when unintended errors or delays occur. The clear descriptions of useful equations for high LET particle beam applications, worked examples of many important clinical situations, and discussion of how proton therapy may be optimized are all important features of the text. This important book blends the relevant physics, biology and medical aspects of this multidisciplinary subject. Part of Series in Physics and Engineering in Medicine and Biology.

Pitfalls in lung cancer molecular pathology: how to limit them in routine practice?

PubMed

Ilie, M; Hofman, P

2012-01-01

New treatment options in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) targeting activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations and other genetic alterations demonstrated the clinical significance of the molecular features of specific subsets of tumors. Therefore, the development of personalized medicine has stimulated the routine integration into pathology departments of somatic mutation testing. However, clinical mutation testing must be optimized and standardized with regard to histological profile, type of samples, pre-analytical steps, methodology and result reporting. Routine molecular testing in NSCLC is currently moving beyond EGFR mutational analysis. Recent progress of targeted therapies will require molecular testing for a wide panel of mutations for a personalized molecular diagnosis. As a consequence, efficient testing of multiple molecular abnormalities is an urgent requirement in thoracic oncology. Moreover, increasingly limited tumor sample becomes a major challenge for molecular pathology. Continuous efforts should be made for safe, effective and specific molecular analyses. This must be based on close collaboration between the departments involved in the management of lung cancer. In this review we explored the practical issues and pitfalls surrounding the routine implementation of molecular testing in NSCLC in a pathology laboratory.

The Pitfalls of Mobile Devices in Learning: A Different View and Implications for Pedagogical Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ting, Yu-Liang

2012-01-01

Studies have been devoted to the design, implementation, and evaluation of mobile learning in practice. A common issue among students' responses toward this type of learning concerns the pitfalls of mobile devices, including small screen, limited input options, and low computational power. As a result, mobile devices are not always perceived by…

Diagnostic pitfalls associated with a large true posterior communicating artery aneurysm: a case report.

PubMed

Nagatani, Kimihiro; Otani, Naoki; Seno, Soichiro; Takeuchi, Satoru; Wada, Kojiro; Mori, Kentaro

2013-10-01

True posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm is an aneurysm that originates from the PCoA, and large or giant true PCoA aneurysms are rare. We report a case of a large true PCoA aneurysm successfully clipped after anterior clinoidectomy and discuss the diagnostic pitfalls associated with this rare clinical entity.

Using Malaise traps to sample ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Treesearch

Michael D. Ulyshen; James L. Hanula; Scott Horn

2005-01-01

Pitfall traps provide an easy and inexpensive way to sample ground-dwelling arthropods (Spence and Niemela 1994; Spence et al. 1997; Abildsnes and Tommeras 2000) and have been used exclusively in many studies of the abundance and diversity of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Despite the popularity of this trapping technique, pitfall traps have many disadvantages...

Proposal Pitfalls Plaguing Researchers: Can Technical Communicators Make a Difference?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemanski, Steve

2014-01-01

The facts bear out that the odds are against most scientific researchers and scholars--especially those just starting out--in their attempts to win funding for their research projects through their grant proposals. In this article, the author takes a close look at some of the proposal-related problems and pitfalls that have historically challenged…

Habitat relationships of amphibians and reptiles in California oak woodlands

Treesearch

William M. Block; Michael L. Morrison

1998-01-01

We used pitfall traps and time-constrained searches to sample amphibians and reptiles and to describe their habitats in oak woodlands at three areas in California. We captured 766 individuals representing 15 species during pitfall trapping and 333 animals representing 15 species during the time-constrained searches. A total of 19 species were sampled. Across all study...

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: Clinical versus statistical significance

PubMed Central

Ranganathan, Priya; Pramesh, C. S.; Buyse, Marc

2015-01-01

In clinical research, study results, which are statistically significant are often interpreted as being clinically important. While statistical significance indicates the reliability of the study results, clinical significance reflects its impact on clinical practice. The third article in this series exploring pitfalls in statistical analysis clarifies the importance of differentiating between statistical significance and clinical significance. PMID:26229754

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: Understanding the properties of diagnostic tests - Part 1.

PubMed

Ranganathan, Priya; Aggarwal, Rakesh

2018-01-01

In this article in our series on common pitfalls in statistical analysis, we look at some of the attributes of diagnostic tests (i.e., tests which are used to determine whether an individual does or does not have disease). The next article in this series will focus on further issues related to diagnostic tests.

The currency and tempo of extinction.

PubMed

Regan, H M; Lupia, R; Drinnan, A N; Burgman, M A

2001-01-01

This study examines estimates of extinction rates for the current purported biotic crisis and from the fossil record. Studies that compare current and geological extinctions sometimes use metrics that confound different sources of error and reflect different features of extinction processes. The per taxon extinction rate is a standard measure in paleontology that avoids some of the pitfalls of alternative approaches. Extinction rates reported in the conservation literature are rarely accompanied by measures of uncertainty, despite many elements of the calculations being subject to considerable error. We quantify some of the most important sources of uncertainty and carry them through the arithmetic of extinction rate calculations using fuzzy numbers. The results emphasize that estimates of current and future rates rely heavily on assumptions about the tempo of extinction and on extrapolations among taxa. Available data are unlikely to be useful in measuring magnitudes or trends in current extinction rates.

TH-E-202-01: Pitfalls and Remedies in PET/CT Imaging for RT Planning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pan, T.

2016-06-15

PET/CT is a very important imaging tool in the management of oncology patients. PET/CT has been applied for treatment planning and response evaluation in radiation therapy. This educational session will discuss: Pitfalls and remedies in PET/CT imaging for RT planning The use of hypoxia PET imaging for radiotherapy PET for tumor response evaluation The first presentation will address the issue of mis-registration between the CT and PET images in the thorax and the abdomen. We will discuss the challenges of respiratory gating and introduce an average CT technique to improve the registration for dose calculation and image-guidance in radiation therapy.more » The second presentation will discuss the use of hypoxia PET Imaging for radiation therapy. We will discuss various hypoxia radiotracers, the choice of clinical acquisition protocol (in particular a single late static acquisition versus a dynamic acquisition), and the compartmental modeling with different transfer rate constants explained. We will demonstrate applications of hypoxia imaging for dose escalation/de-escalation in clinical trials. The last presentation will discuss the use of PET/CT for tumor response evaluation. We will discuss anatomic response assessment vs. metabolic response assessment, visual evaluation and semi-quantitative evaluation, and limitations of current PET/CT assessment. We will summarize clinical trials using PET response in guiding adaptive radiotherapy. Finally, we will summarize recent advancements in PET/CT radiomics and non-FDG PET tracers for response assessment. Learning Objectives: Identify the causes of mis-registration of CT and PET images in PET/CT, and review the strategies to remedy the issue. Understand the basics of PET imaging of tumor hypoxia (radiotracers, how PET measures the hypoxia selective uptake, imaging protocols, applications in chemo-radiation therapy). Understand the basics of dynamic PET imaging, compartmental modeling and parametric images. Understand the basics of using FDG PET/CT for tumor response evaluation. Learn about recent advancement in PET/CT radiomics and non-FDG PET tracers for response assessment. This work was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute Grants R01CA172638.; W. Lu, This work was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute Grants R01CA172638.« less

Climate change mitigation: potential benefits and pitfalls of enhanced rock weathering in tropical agriculture

PubMed Central

Lim, Felix; James, Rachael H.; Pearce, Christopher R.; Scholes, Julie; Freckleton, Robert P.; Beerling, David J.

2017-01-01

Restricting future global temperature increase to 2°C or less requires the adoption of negative emissions technologies for carbon capture and storage. We review the potential for deployment of enhanced weathering (EW), via the application of crushed reactive silicate rocks (such as basalt), on over 680 million hectares of tropical agricultural and tree plantations to offset fossil fuel CO2 emissions. Warm tropical climates and productive crops will substantially enhance weathering rates, with potential co-benefits including decreased soil acidification and increased phosphorus supply promoting higher crop yields sparing forest for conservation, and reduced cultural eutrophication. Potential pitfalls include the impacts of mining operations on deforestation, producing the energy to crush and transport silicates and the erosion of silicates into rivers and coral reefs that increases inorganic turbidity, sedimentation and pH, with unknown impacts for biodiversity. We identify nine priority research areas for untapping the potential of EW in the tropics, including effectiveness of tropical agriculture at EW for major crops in relation to particle sizes and soil types, impacts on human health, and effects on farmland, adjacent forest and stream-water biodiversity. PMID:28381631

Pitfalls and Precautions When Using Predicted Failure Data for Quantitative Analysis of Safety Risk for Human Rated Launch Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hatfield, Glen S.; Hark, Frank; Stott, James

2016-01-01

Launch vehicle reliability analysis is largely dependent upon using predicted failure rates from data sources such as MIL-HDBK-217F. Reliability prediction methodologies based on component data do not take into account risks attributable to manufacturing, assembly, and process controls. These sources often dominate component level reliability or risk of failure probability. While consequences of failure is often understood in assessing risk, using predicted values in a risk model to estimate the probability of occurrence will likely underestimate the risk. Managers and decision makers often use the probability of occurrence in determining whether to accept the risk or require a design modification. Due to the absence of system level test and operational data inherent in aerospace applications, the actual risk threshold for acceptance may not be appropriately characterized for decision making purposes. This paper will establish a method and approach to identify the pitfalls and precautions of accepting risk based solely upon predicted failure data. This approach will provide a set of guidelines that may be useful to arrive at a more realistic quantification of risk prior to acceptance by a program.

Climate change mitigation: potential benefits and pitfalls of enhanced rock weathering in tropical agriculture.

PubMed

Edwards, David P; Lim, Felix; James, Rachael H; Pearce, Christopher R; Scholes, Julie; Freckleton, Robert P; Beerling, David J

2017-04-01

Restricting future global temperature increase to 2°C or less requires the adoption of negative emissions technologies for carbon capture and storage. We review the potential for deployment of enhanced weathering (EW), via the application of crushed reactive silicate rocks (such as basalt), on over 680 million hectares of tropical agricultural and tree plantations to offset fossil fuel CO 2 emissions. Warm tropical climates and productive crops will substantially enhance weathering rates, with potential co-benefits including decreased soil acidification and increased phosphorus supply promoting higher crop yields sparing forest for conservation, and reduced cultural eutrophication. Potential pitfalls include the impacts of mining operations on deforestation, producing the energy to crush and transport silicates and the erosion of silicates into rivers and coral reefs that increases inorganic turbidity, sedimentation and pH, with unknown impacts for biodiversity. We identify nine priority research areas for untapping the potential of EW in the tropics, including effectiveness of tropical agriculture at EW for major crops in relation to particle sizes and soil types, impacts on human health, and effects on farmland, adjacent forest and stream-water biodiversity. © 2017 The Author(s).

Oligonucleotides as antivirals: dream or realistic perspective?

PubMed

Van Aerschot, Arthur

2006-09-01

Many reports have been published on antiviral activity of synthetic oligonucleotides, targeted to act either by a true antisense effect or via non-sequence specific interactions. This short review will try to evaluate the current status of the field by focusing on the effects as reported for inhibition of either HSV-1, HCMV or HIV-1. Following an introduction with a historical background and a brief discussion on the different types of constructs and mechanisms of action, the therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides as antivirals, as well as possible pitfalls upon their evaluation will be discussed.

Synthetic Lethal Networks for Precision Oncology: Promises and Pitfalls.

PubMed

Shen, John Paul; Ideker, Trey

2018-06-19

Synthetic lethal interactions, in which the simultaneous loss-of-function of two genes produces a lethal phenotype, are being explored as a means to therapeutically exploit cancer-specific vulnerabilities and expand the scope of precision oncology. Currently, three FDA approved drugs work by targeting the synthetic lethal interaction between BRCA1/2 and PARP. This review examines additional efforts to discover networks of synthetic lethal interactions and discusses both challenges and opportunities regarding the translation of new synthetic lethal interactions into the clinic. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Reflections on modern macroeconomics: Can we travel along a safer road?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaffeo, E.; Catalano, M.; Clementi, F.; Delli Gatti, D.; Gallegati, M.; Russo, A.

2007-08-01

In this paper we sketch some reflections on the pitfalls and inconsistencies of the research program-currently dominant among the profession-aimed at providing microfoundations to macroeconomics along a Walrasian perspective. We argue that such a methodological approach constitutes an unsatisfactory answer to a well-posed research question, and that alternative promising routes have been long mapped out but only recently explored. In particular, we discuss a recent agent-based, truly non-Walrasian macroeconomic model, and we use it to envisage new challenges for future research.

Stand age and habitat influences on salamanders in Appalachian cove hardwood forests

Treesearch

W. Mark Ford; Brian R. Chapman; Michael A. Menzel; Richard H. Odom

2002-01-01

We surveyed cove hardwood stands aged 15, 25, 50, and ≥85 years following clearcutting in the southern Appalachian Mountains of northern Georgia to assess the effects of stand age and stand habitat characteristics on salamander communities using drift-fence array and pitfall methodologies from May 1994 to April 1995. Over a 60,060 pitfall trapnight effort, we...

Analysis of Factors Enhancing Pitfall in Research and Teaching of the Nigerian University System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahmed, Tafida; Umar, Kasim; Paul, Chima

2015-01-01

The paper analyses factors enhancing pitfall in research and teaching in the Nigerian university system. Using data generated from secondary sources, it was found that so many factors are responsible for the constant decay in teaching and research in the Nigerian universities. The paper however found from literature that the high rate of pitfalls…

Executive Programs for Brazilian Mid-Career Public Managers: Pitfalls and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pacheco, Regina Silvia; Franzese, Cibele

2017-01-01

This paper discusses the challenges of professional education for mid-career public managers at graduate level, pointing out pitfalls to avoid and obstacles to face. Analyzing the Brazilian case, the goal is to raise issues that may also be present in other cases. The main argument developed here is that the puzzle faced by graduate programs on…

The Pitfalls of Valenced Labels and the Benefits of Properly Calibrated Psychological Flexibility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McNulty, James K.; Fincham, Frank D.

2012-01-01

Replies to comments by Sonja Lyubomirsky (see record 2012-27130-008), Riva Guiseppe (see record 2012-27130-009), and Alan S. Waterman (see record 2012-27130-010) on the original article by McNulty and Fincham (see record 2011-15476-001) regarding the pitfalls of valenced labels and the benefits of properly calibrated psychological flexibility.

How the Irish Became CRT'd? "Greening" Critical Race Theory, and the Pitfalls of a Normative Atlantic State View

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kitching, Karl

2015-01-01

This article considers the transatlantic use of Critical Race Theory (CRT) frameworks to critically interpret racism in education internationally, and the possibilities and pitfalls this has for understanding racism in Ireland. It argues for the importance of CRT's framework on a number of grounds, but echoes cautions against the assumed, or sole…

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: “P” values, statistical significance and confidence intervals

PubMed Central

Ranganathan, Priya; Pramesh, C. S.; Buyse, Marc

2015-01-01

In the second part of a series on pitfalls in statistical analysis, we look at various ways in which a statistically significant study result can be expressed. We debunk some of the myths regarding the ‘P’ value, explain the importance of ‘confidence intervals’ and clarify the importance of including both values in a paper PMID:25878958

Surgery of the ear and the lateral skull base: pitfalls and complications

PubMed Central

Schick, Bernhard; Dlugaiczyk, Julia

2013-01-01

Surgery of the ear and the lateral skull base is a fascinating, yet challenging field in otorhinolaryngology. A thorough knowledge of the associated complications and pitfalls is indispensable for the surgeon, not only to provide the best possible care to his patients, but also to further improve his surgical skills. Following a summary about general aspects in pre-, intra-and postoperative care of patients with disorders of the ear/lateral skull base, this article covers the most common pitfalls and complications in stapes surgery, cochlear implantation and surgery of vestibular schwannomas and jugulotympanal paragangliomas. Based on these exemplary procedures, basic “dos and don’ts” of skull base surgery are explained, which the reader can easily transfer to other disorders. Special emphasis is laid on functional aspects, such as hearing, balance and facial nerve function. Furthermore, the topics of infection, bleeding, skull base defects, quality of life and indication for revision surgery are discussed. An open communication about complications and pitfalls in ear/lateral skull base surgery among surgeons is a prerequisite for the further advancement of this fascinating field in ENT surgery. This article is meant to be a contribution to this process. PMID:24403973

[Complications and pitfalls in surgery of the ear/lateral skull base].

PubMed

Schick, B; Dlugaiczyk, J

2013-04-01

Surgery of the ear and the lateral skull base is a fascinating, yet challenging field in otorhinolaryngology. A thorough knowledge of the associated complications and pitfalls is indispensable for the surgeon, not only to provide the best possible care to his patients, but also to further improve his surgical skills.Following a summary about general aspects in pre-, intra- and postoperative care of patients with disorders of the ear/lateral skull base, this article covers the most common pitfalls and complications in stapes surgery, cochlear implantation, surgery of vestibular schwannomas, and jugulotympanal paragangliomas. Based on these exemplary procedures, basic "do's and don'ts" of skull base surgery are explained, which the reader can easily transfer to other disorders. Special emphasis is laid on functional aspects, such as hearing, balance and facial nerve function. Furthermore, the topics of infection, bleeding, skull base defects, quality of life and indication for revision surgery are discussed.An open communication about complications and pitfalls in ear/lateral skull base surgery among surgeons is a prerequisite for the further advancement of this fascinating field in ENT surgery. This article is meant to be a contribution to this process. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

The Advent of Indium Selenide: Synthesis, Electronic Properties, Ambient Stability and Applications

PubMed Central

Boukhvalov, Danil W.; Gürbulak, Bekir; Duman, Songül; Wang, Lin; Caputi, Lorenzo S.; Chiarello, Gennaro; Cupolillo, Anna

2017-01-01

Among the various two-dimensional semiconductors, indium selenide has recently triggered the interest of scientific community, due to its band gap matching the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with subsequent potential applications in optoelectronics and especially in photodetection. In this feature article, we discuss the main issues in the synthesis, the ambient stability and the application capabilities of this novel class of two-dimensional semiconductors, by evidencing open challenges and pitfalls. In particular, we evidence how the growth of single crystals with reduced amount of Se vacancies is crucial in the road map for the exploitation of indium selenide in technology through ambient-stable nanodevices with outstanding values of both mobility of charge carriers and ON/OFF ratio. The surface chemical reactivity of the InSe surface, as well as applications in the fields of broadband photodetection, flexible electronics and solar energy conversion are also discussed. PMID:29113090

Concussion management in US college football: progress and pitfalls

PubMed Central

Kroshus, Emily

2015-01-01

Reducing the frequency and severity of concussions from sport is an important issue in public health currently addressed by a multifaceted approach. Given the large number of participants and the comparatively high risk of injury, American football is an important sport to consider when examining concussion management practices. Focusing on American football at the collegiate level, this manuscript describes current research regarding concussion epidemiology, policy, implementation of clinical diagnosis, management and return-to-play standards and athlete concussion education. Although American collegiate sports leagues have put forth concussion-related policies in recent years, the implementation of these policies and related effects on athlete concussion education, clinical management of concussion and ultimately athlete health outcomes are not well understood. Additional research is needed. PMID:27064258

Surfing amongst Oil-Tankers: Connecting Emerging Research Fields to the Current International Landscape.

PubMed

Charrier, Bénédicte; Coates, Juliet C; Stavridou, Ioanna

2017-01-01

The COST Action Phycomorph (FA1406) was initiated in 2015 from a handful of academic researchers, and now joins together 19 European countries and nine international partners. Phycomorph's goal is to coordinate and develop research on developmental biology in macroalgae. This is an ambitious project, as the related scientific community is small, the concepts are complex, and there is currently limited knowledge of these organisms and there are few technologies to study them. Here we report the first step in achieving this enterprise, the creation of the Phycomorph network. We share the associated strengths, pitfalls, and prospects for setting up the network in the hope that this might guide similar efforts in other fields. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The establishment of tocopherol reference intervals for Hungarian adult population using a validated HPLC method.

PubMed

Veres, Gábor; Szpisjak, László; Bajtai, Attila; Siska, Andrea; Klivényi, Péter; Ilisz, István; Földesi, Imre; Vécsei, László; Zádori, Dénes

2017-09-01

Evidence suggests that decreased α-tocopherol (the most biologically active substance in the vitamin E group) level can cause neurological symptoms, most likely ataxia. The aim of the current study was to first provide reference intervals for serum tocopherols in the adult Hungarian population with appropriate sample size, recruiting healthy control subjects and neurological patients suffering from conditions without symptoms of ataxia, myopathy or cognitive deficiency. A validated HPLC method applying a diode array detector and rac-tocol as internal standard was utilized for that purpose. Furthermore, serum cholesterol levels were determined as well for data normalization. The calculated 2.5-97.5% reference intervals for α-, β/γ- and δ-tocopherols were 24.62-54.67, 0.81-3.69 and 0.29-1.07 μm, respectively, whereas the tocopherol/cholesterol ratios were 5.11-11.27, 0.14-0.72 and 0.06-0.22 μmol/mmol, respectively. The establishment of these reference intervals may improve the diagnostic accuracy of tocopherol measurements in certain neurological conditions with decreased tocopherol levels. Moreover, the current study draws special attention to the possible pitfalls in the complex process of the determination of reference intervals as well, including the selection of study population, the application of internal standard and method validation and the calculation of tocopherol/cholesterol ratios. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Importance and pitfalls of molecular analysis to parasite epidemiology.

PubMed

Constantine, Clare C

2003-08-01

Molecular tools are increasingly being used to address questions about parasite epidemiology. Parasites represent a diverse group and they might not fit traditional population genetic models. Testing hypotheses depends equally on correct sampling, appropriate tool and/or marker choice, appropriate analysis and careful interpretation. All methods of analysis make assumptions which, if violated, make the results invalid. Some guidelines to avoid common pitfalls are offered here.

Benefits and Pitfalls: Simple Guidelines for the Use of Social Networking Tools in K-12 Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huffman, Stephanie

2013-01-01

The article will outline a framework for the use of social networking tools in K-12 education framed around four thought provoking questions: 1) what are the benefits and pitfalls of using social networking tools in P-12 education, 2) how do we plan effectively for the use of social networking tool, 3) what role does professional development play…

Two new planthopper species (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Caliscelidae) collected in pitfall traps in Zambia.

PubMed

Chmurova, Lucia; Webb, Michael D

2016-08-22

Two new species of planthoppers in the family Caliscelidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) are described from Zambia, i.e., Afronaso spinosa sp. n. and Calampocus zambiaensis sp. n. All specimens are flightless males and nearly all were collected from baited pitfall traps (except for one specimen collected from a yellow pan trap), suggesting that they live near to or on the ground.

Short-term response of shrews to prescribed fire and mechanical fuelr eduction in a Southern Appalachian upland hardwood forest

Treesearch

Cathryn H. Greenberg; Stanlee Miller; Thomas A. Waldrop

2007-01-01

As part of the multidisciplinary National Fire and Fire Surrogate study, we used drift fences with pitfall traps from May to September 2003 and 2004 to determine how three fuel reduction techniques affected shrews in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Ground dwelling macroarthropods also were collected from a subset of pitfall traps to assess...

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: Absolute risk reduction, relative risk reduction, and number needed to treat

PubMed Central

Ranganathan, Priya; Pramesh, C. S.; Aggarwal, Rakesh

2016-01-01

In the previous article in this series on common pitfalls in statistical analysis, we looked at the difference between risk and odds. Risk, which refers to the probability of occurrence of an event or outcome, can be defined in absolute or relative terms. Understanding what these measures represent is essential for the accurate interpretation of study results. PMID:26952180

Animal models of protein allergenicity: potential benefits, pitfalls and challenges.

PubMed

Dearman, R J; Kimber, I

2009-04-01

Food allergy is an important health issue. With an increasing interest in novel foods derived from transgenic crop plants, there is a growing need for the development of approaches suitable for the characterization of the allergenic potential of proteins. There are methods available currently (such as homology searches and serological testing) that are very effective at identifying proteins that are likely to cross-react with known allergens. However, animal models may play a role in the identification of truly novel proteins, such as bacterial or fungal proteins, that have not been experienced previously in the diet. We consider here the potential benefits, pitfalls and challenges of the selection of various animal models, including the mouse, the rat, the dog and the neonatal swine. The advantages and disadvantages of various experimental end-points are discussed, including the measurement of specific IgE by ELISA, Western blotting or functional tests such as the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis assay, and the assessment of challenge-induced clinical symptoms in previously sensitized animals. The experimental variables of route of exposure to test proteins and the incorporation of adjuvant to increase the sensitivity of the responses are considered also. It is important to emphasize that currently none of these approaches has been validated for the purposes of hazard identification in the context of a safety assessment. However, the available evidence suggests that the judicious use of an accurate and robust animal model could provide important additional data that would contribute significantly to the assessment of the potential allergenicity of novel proteins.

Therapeutic applications of carbon nanotubes: opportunities and challenges.

PubMed

Rogers-Nieman, Gabrielle M; Dinu, Cerasela Zoica

2014-01-01

Based on their physicochemical properties that allow efficient functionalization with biomolecules and cellular membrane translocation, as well as on their applications in Raman and near-infrared fluorescence imaging, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed as viable candidates for developing therapeutic platforms that ensure targeting of tumor cells without affecting healthy cells. This article reviews the research on toxicological effects of CNTs on host cells, as well as their pharmacological profiles on cancer cells. The potential impact of this approach is discussed along with some potential pitfalls that will need to be overcome when therapeutic implementation CNTs are considered. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. The authors declare no competing financial interest. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of pitfall trap preservative on collections of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCravy, K.W.; Willand, J.E.

2007-01-01

Effects of six pitfall trap preservatives (5% acetic acid solution, distilled water, 70% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol solution, 50% propylene glycol solution, and 10% saline solution) on collections of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were studied in a west-central Illinois deciduous forest from May to October 2005. A total of 819 carabids, representing 33 species and 19 genera, were collected. Saline produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, while distilled water produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid. Significant associations between numbers of captures and treatment were seen in four species: Amphasia interstitialis (Say), Calathus opaculus LeConte, Chlaenius nemoralis Say, and Cyclotrachelus sodalis (LeConte). Results of this study suggest that type of preservative used can have substantial effects on abundance and species composition of carabids collected in pitfall traps.

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: Odds versus risk

PubMed Central

Ranganathan, Priya; Aggarwal, Rakesh; Pramesh, C. S.

2015-01-01

In biomedical research, we are often interested in quantifying the relationship between an exposure and an outcome. “Odds” and “Risk” are the most common terms which are used as measures of association between variables. In this article, which is the fourth in the series of common pitfalls in statistical analysis, we explain the meaning of risk and odds and the difference between the two. PMID:26623395

Constraints and spandrels of interareal connectomes

PubMed Central

Rubinov, Mikail

2016-01-01

Interareal connectomes are whole-brain wiring diagrams of white-matter pathways. Recent studies have identified modules, hubs, module hierarchies and rich clubs as structural hallmarks of these wiring diagrams. An influential current theory postulates that connectome modules are adequately explained by evolutionary pressures for wiring economy, but that the other hallmarks are not explained by such pressures and are therefore less trivial. Here, we use constraint network models to test these postulates in current gold-standard vertebrate and invertebrate interareal-connectome reconstructions. We show that empirical wiring-cost constraints inadequately explain connectome module organization, and that simultaneous module and hub constraints induce the structural byproducts of hierarchies and rich clubs. These byproducts, known as spandrels in evolutionary biology, include the structural substrate of the default-mode network. Our results imply that currently standard connectome characterizations are based on circular analyses or double dipping, and we emphasize an integrative approach to future connectome analyses for avoiding such pitfalls. PMID:27924867

Constraints and spandrels of interareal connectomes.

PubMed

Rubinov, Mikail

2016-12-07

Interareal connectomes are whole-brain wiring diagrams of white-matter pathways. Recent studies have identified modules, hubs, module hierarchies and rich clubs as structural hallmarks of these wiring diagrams. An influential current theory postulates that connectome modules are adequately explained by evolutionary pressures for wiring economy, but that the other hallmarks are not explained by such pressures and are therefore less trivial. Here, we use constraint network models to test these postulates in current gold-standard vertebrate and invertebrate interareal-connectome reconstructions. We show that empirical wiring-cost constraints inadequately explain connectome module organization, and that simultaneous module and hub constraints induce the structural byproducts of hierarchies and rich clubs. These byproducts, known as spandrels in evolutionary biology, include the structural substrate of the default-mode network. Our results imply that currently standard connectome characterizations are based on circular analyses or double dipping, and we emphasize an integrative approach to future connectome analyses for avoiding such pitfalls.

Data Science Careers: A Sampling of Successful Strategies, Pitfalls, and Persistent Challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stocks, K. I.; Duerr, R.; Wyborn, L. A.; Yarmey, L.

2015-12-01

Data Scientists do not have a single career trajectory or preparatory pathway. Successful data scientists have come from domain sciences, computer science, library science, and other diverse fields. They have worked up from entry-level staff positions, have started as academics with doctoral degrees, and have established themselves as management professionals. They have positions in government, industry, academia, and NGO's, and their responsibilities range from highly specialized, to generalists, to high-level leadership. This presents a potentially confusing landscape for students interested in the field: how to decide among the varied options to have the best chance at fulfilling employment? What are the mistakes to avoid? Many established data scientist, both old-timers and early career professionals, expressed interest in presenting in this session but were unable to justify using their one AGU abstract for something other than their funded projects. As the session chairs we interviewed them, plus our extended network of colleagues, to ask for their best advice on what was most critical to their success in their current position, what pitfalls to avoid, what ongoing challenges they see, and what advice they would give themselves, if they could do it all over again starting now. Here we consolidate those interviews with our own perspectives to present some of the common themes and standout advice.

Ethanol fuel improves pitfall traps through rapid sinking and death of captured orthopterans.

PubMed

Szinwelski, N; Yotoko, K S C; Solar, R; Seleme, L R; Sperber, C F

2013-08-01

The choice of killing solutions for pitfall traps can influence sampling and is highly dependent on the objectives of each study. It is becoming increasingly common, however, and is more environmentally friendly, to use the same organisms to extract information for different kinds of studies. The killing solution should, therefore, be able to sample local active organisms, as well as maintain the integrity of their organs, tissues, and macromolecules. In a previous work, we showed that using ethanol fuel as a killing solution maintains the integrity of the specimens and enhances the Orthoptera richness and abundance of samples. In the current study, we evaluated two explanations for this pattern. We set up a field experiment to test whether ethanol fuel is attractive for orthopterans, and we investigated in the laboratory whether individuals of Gryllus sp. sink or die faster in ethanol fuel than in other killing solutions. Our results allowed us to refute the hypotheses of attraction caused by ethanol fuel and showed that the higher sampling efficiency of ethanol fuel is directly linked to the specimens sinking and dying faster than in other killing solutions. Thus, in addition to taxonomic, anatomical, and molecular studies, we recommend ethanol fuel for sampling organisms active in the litter in ecological studies.

Pre- and Postoperative Imaging of the Aortic Root

PubMed Central

Chan, Frandics P.; Mitchell, R. Scott; Miller, D. Craig; Fleischmann, Dominik

2016-01-01

Three-dimensional datasets acquired using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are ideally suited for characterization of the aortic root. These modalities offer different advantages and limitations, which must be weighed according to the clinical context. This article provides an overview of current aortic root imaging, highlighting normal anatomy, pathologic conditions, imaging techniques, measurement thresholds, relevant surgical procedures, postoperative complications and potential imaging pitfalls. Patients with a range of clinical conditions are predisposed to aortic root disease, including Marfan syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Loeys-Dietz syndrome. Various surgical techniques may be used to repair the aortic root, including placement of a composite valve graft, such as the Bentall and Cabrol procedures; placement of an aortic root graft with preservation of the native valve, such as the Yacoub and David techniques; and implantation of a biologic graft, such as a homograft, autograft, or xenograft. Potential imaging pitfalls in the postoperative period include mimickers of pathologic processes such as felt pledgets, graft folds, and nonabsorbable hemostatic agents. Postoperative complications that may be encountered include pseudoaneurysms, infection, and dehiscence. Radiologists should be familiar with normal aortic root anatomy, surgical procedures, and postoperative complications, to accurately interpret pre- and postoperative imaging performed for evaluation of the aortic root. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2015 PMID:26761529

Current developments in soil organic matter modeling and the expansion of model applications: a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Eleanor E.; Paustian, Keith

2015-12-01

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important natural resource. It is fundamental to soil and ecosystem functions across a wide range of scales, from site-specific soil fertility and water holding capacity to global biogeochemical cycling. It is also a highly complex material that is sensitive to direct and indirect human impacts. In SOM research, simulation models play an important role by providing a mathematical framework to integrate, examine, and test the understanding of SOM dynamics. Simulation models of SOM are also increasingly used in more ‘applied’ settings to evaluate human impacts on ecosystem function, and to manage SOM for greenhouse gas mitigation, improved soil health, and sustainable use as a natural resource. Within this context, there is a need to maintain a robust connection between scientific developments in SOM modeling approaches and SOM model applications. This need forms the basis of this review. In this review we first provide an overview of SOM modeling, focusing on SOM theory, data-model integration, and model development as evidenced by a quantitative review of SOM literature. Second, we present the landscape of SOM model applications, focusing on examples in climate change policy. We conclude by discussing five areas of recent developments in SOM modeling including: (1) microbial roles in SOM stabilization; (2) modeling SOM saturation kinetics; (3) temperature controls on decomposition; (4) SOM dynamics in deep soil layers; and (5) SOM representation in earth system models. Our aim is to comprehensively connect SOM model development to its applications, revealing knowledge gaps in need of focused interdisciplinary attention and exposing pitfalls that, if avoided, can lead to best use of SOM models to support policy initiatives and sustainable land management solutions.

Current developments in soil organic matter modeling and the expansion of model applications. A review

DOE PAGES

Campbell, Eleanor E.; Paustian, Keith

2015-12-23

It is important to note that Soil organic matter (SOM) is a great natural resource. It is fundamental to soil and ecosystem functions across a wide range of scales, from site-specific soil fertility and water holding capacity to global biogeochemical cycling. It is also a highly complex material that is sensitive to direct and indirect human impacts. In our SOM research, simulation models play an important role by providing a mathematical framework to integrate, examine, and test the understanding of SOM dynamics. Simulation models of SOM are also increasingly used in more ‘applied’ settings to evaluate human impacts on ecosystemmore » function, and to manage SOM for greenhouse gas mitigation, improved soil health, and sustainable use as a natural resource. Within this context, there is a need to maintain a robust connection between scientific developments in SOM modeling approaches and SOM model applications. This need forms the basis of this review. In this review we first provide an overview of SOM modeling, focusing on SOM theory, data-model integration, and model development as evidenced by a quantitative review of SOM literature. Second, we present the landscape of SOM model applications, focusing on examples in climate change policy. Finally, we conclude by discussing five areas of recent developments in SOM modeling including: (1) microbial roles in SOM stabilization; (2) modeling SOM saturation kinetics; (3) temperature controls on decomposition; (4)SOM dynamics in deep soil layers; and (5)SOM representation in earth system models. Our aim is to comprehensively connect SOM model development to its applications, revealing knowledge gaps in need of focused interdisciplinary attention and exposing pitfalls that, if avoided, can lead to best use of SOM models to support policy initiatives and sustainable land management solutions.« less

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Serum biomarkers in predicting liver damage

PubMed Central

Valva, Pamela; Ríos, Daniela A; De Matteo, Elena; Preciado, Maria V

2016-01-01

Currently, a major clinical challenge in the management of the increasing number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients is determining the best means for evaluating liver impairment. Prognosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are partly dependent on the assessment of histological activity, namely cell necrosis and inflammation, and the degree of liver fibrosis. These parameters can be provided by liver biopsy; however, in addition to the risks related to an invasive procedure, liver biopsy has been associated with sampling error mostly due to suboptimal biopsy size. To avoid these pitfalls, several markers have been proposed as non-invasive alternatives for the diagnosis of liver damage. Distinct approaches among the currently available non-invasive methods are (1) the physical ones based on imaging techniques; and (2) the biological ones based on serum biomarkers. In this review, we discuss these approaches with special focus on currently available non-invasive serum markers. We will discuss: (1) class I serum biomarkers individually and as combined panels, particularly those that mirror the metabolism of liver extracellular matrix turnover and/or fibrogenic cell changes; (2) class II biomarkers that are indirect serum markers and are based on the evaluation of common functional alterations in the liver; and (3) biomarkers of liver cell death, since hepatocyte apoptosis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of HCV infection. We highlight in this review the evidence behind the use of these markers and assess the diagnostic accuracy as well as advantages, limitations, and application in clinical practice of each test for predicting liver damage in CHC. PMID:26819506

Obtaining consent to oral and maxillofacial surgery.

PubMed

Poswillo, D

1989-09-01

The question of whether or not a patient has consented to treatment has recently become significant to all who practise oral and maxillofacial surgery. It is often linked to professional negligence when the outcome differs from the patient's perception or expectation of the operation. Consent may be oral or written, applies to referred patients and all those with physical and mental handicap and religious restrictions. Examples of procedure in discussing consent assist the surgeon to inform without creating fear. Knowledge of the benefits of informed consent and current legal opinion assist the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to avoid the pitfalls of failure to inform.

Designing Media for Visually-Impaired Users of Refreshable Touch Displays: Possibilities and Pitfalls.

PubMed

O'Modhrain, Sile; Giudice, Nicholas A; Gardner, John A; Legge, Gordon E

2015-01-01

This paper discusses issues of importance to designers of media for visually impaired users. The paper considers the influence of human factors on the effectiveness of presentation as well as the strengths and weaknesses of tactile, vibrotactile, haptic, and multimodal methods of rendering maps, graphs, and models. The authors, all of whom are visually impaired researchers in this domain, present findings from their own work and work of many others who have contributed to the current understanding of how to prepare and render images for both hard-copy and technology-mediated presentation of Braille and tangible graphics.

The emergence and pitfalls of international tissue banking.

PubMed

Phillips, Glyn O

2018-05-23

The rapid growth of tissue banking and associated international organisations following the fall of the Berlin wall in 1991 is described. This surge in collaboration led to a world-wide constructive movement to use and to produce human tissues. As the years progressed industrialisation, led by the USA, improved the quality of tissue allografts but led higher costs and consolidation within the developing industry. The growth of litigation more than kept pace with the industrial progress. One landmark case is described, the outcome of which could revolutionise the current practices now applied to eliminate possible viral contamination of implanted tissue grafts.

On the interpretability and computational reliability of frequency-domain Granger causality.

PubMed

Faes, Luca; Stramaglia, Sebastiano; Marinazzo, Daniele

2017-01-01

This Correspondence article is a comment which directly relates to the paper "A study of problems encountered in Granger causality analysis from a neuroscience perspective" ( Stokes and Purdon, 2017). We agree that interpretation issues of Granger causality (GC) in neuroscience exist, partially due to the historically unfortunate use of the name "causality", as described in previous literature. On the other hand, we think that Stokes and Purdon use a formulation of GC which is outdated (albeit still used) and do not fully account for the potential of the different frequency-domain versions of GC; in doing so, their paper dismisses GC measures based on a suboptimal use of them. Furthermore, since data from simulated systems are used, the pitfalls that are found with the used formulation are intended to be general, and not limited to neuroscience. It would be a pity if this paper, even if written in good faith, became a wildcard against all possible applications of GC, regardless of the large body of work recently published which aims to address faults in methodology and interpretation. In order to provide a balanced view, we replicate the simulations of Stokes and Purdon, using an updated GC implementation and exploiting the combination of spectral and causal information, showing that in this way the pitfalls are mitigated or directly solved.

Cytopathologist-performed and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology enhances diagnostic accuracy and avoids pitfalls: An overview of 20 years of personal experience with a selection of didactic cases.

PubMed

Paksoy, Nadir; Ozbek, Busra

2018-01-01

Over the last few decades, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA) has emerged as a SAFE (Simple, Accurate, Fast, Economical) diagnostic tool based on the morphologic evaluation of cells. The first and most important step in obtaining accurate results from FNA is to procure sufficient and representative material from the lesion and to appropriately transfer this material to the laboratory. Unfortunately, the most important aspect of this task occurs beyond the control of the cytopathologist, a key reason for obtaining unsatisfactory results with FNA. There is growing interest in the field of cytology in "cytopathologist-performed ultrasound (US)-guided FNA," which has been reported to yield accurate results. The first author has been applying FNA in his own private cytopathology practice with a radiologist and under the guidance of US for more than 20 years. This study retrospectively reviews the utility of this practice. We present a selection of didactic examples under different headings that highlight the application of FNA by a cytopathologist, accompanied by US, under the guidance of a radiologist, in the form of an "outpatient FNA clinic." The use of this technique enhances diagnostic accuracy and prevents pitfalls. The highlights of each case are also outlined as "take-home messages."

[Integrated delivery systems in California--success and failure determining factors for the first 10 years and impetus for Germany].

PubMed

Janus, K; Amelung, V E

2004-10-01

Since the coming into effect of the Health Care Modernization Act (Gesundheitsmodernisierungsgesetz) the conditions for integrated health care delivery are favourable in Germany. However, comprehensive approaches are a long time in coming. In contrast, integrated health care delivery as an integral part of the spreading of managed care entered a further stage of development, which enables health care decision makers to draw conclusions regarding the further development of integrated health care delivery in Germany. Based on case studies integrated delivery systems in the San Francisco Bay Area have been analyzed with the objective to evaluate pitfalls and successful strategies for integrated health care delivery. The major pitfalls refer to an insufficient local focus, a lack of actual integration and the application of per capita reimbursement (which is a key subject on the political agenda in Germany as well) within integrated delivery systems. On the contrary, successful strategies include achieving a dynamic tension between centralized and decentralized coordination, internal and external relationship management, well organised human resource management including a well-defined corporate policy and a comprehensive implementation of information technology. Based on US experiences with integrated delivery systems implications for the design of integrated health care delivery in Germany are discussed.

Abundance and species richness of snakes along the Middle Rio Grande riparian forest in New Mexico

Treesearch

Heather L. Bateman; Alice Chung-MacCoubrey; Howard L. Snell; Deborah M. Finch

2009-01-01

To understand the effects of removal of non-native plants and fuels on wildlife in the riparian forest of the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico, we monitored snakes from 2000 to 2006 using trap arrays of drift fences, pitfalls, and funnel traps. We recorded 158 captures of 13 species of snakes from 12 study sites. We captured more snakes in funnel traps than in pitfalls...

Avoiding pitfalls in estimating heritability with the common options approach

PubMed Central

Danchin, Etienne; Wajnberg, Eric; Wagner, Richard H.

2014-01-01

In many circumstances, heritability estimates are subject to two potentially interacting pitfalls: the spatial and the regression to the mean (RTM) fallacies. The spatial fallacy occurs when the set of potential movement options differs among individuals according to where individuals depart. The RTM fallacy occurs when extreme measurements are followed by measurements that are closer to the mean. We simulated data from the largest published heritability study of a behavioural trait, colony size choice, to examine the operation of the two fallacies. We found that spurious heritabilities are generated under a wide range of conditions both in experimental and correlative estimates of heritability. Classically designed cross-foster experiments can actually increase the frequency of spurious heritabilities. Simulations showed that experiments providing all individuals with the identical set of options, such as by fostering all offspring in the same breeding location, are immune to the two pitfalls. PMID:24865284

Gene Ontology: Pitfalls, Biases, and Remedies.

PubMed

Gaudet, Pascale; Dessimoz, Christophe

2017-01-01

The Gene Ontology (GO) is a formidable resource, but there are several considerations about it that are essential to understand the data and interpret it correctly. The GO is sufficiently simple that it can be used without deep understanding of its structure or how it is developed, which is both a strength and a weakness. In this chapter, we discuss some common misinterpretations of the ontology and the annotations. A better understanding of the pitfalls and the biases in the GO should help users make the most of this very rich resource. We also review some of the misconceptions and misleading assumptions commonly made about GO, including the effect of data incompleteness, the importance of annotation qualifiers, and the transitivity or lack thereof associated with different ontology relations. We also discuss several biases that can confound aggregate analyses such as gene enrichment analyses. For each of these pitfalls and biases, we suggest remedies and best practices.

Application of “omics” to Prion Biomarker Discovery

PubMed Central

Huzarewich, Rhiannon L. C. H.; Siemens, Christine G.; Booth, Stephanie A.

2010-01-01

The advent of genomics and proteomics has been a catalyst for the discovery of biomarkers able to discriminate biological processes such as the pathogenesis of complex diseases. Prompt detection of prion diseases is particularly desirable given their transmissibility, which is responsible for a number of human health risks stemming from exogenous sources of prion protein. Diagnosis relies on the ability to detect the biomarker PrPSc, a pathological isoform of the host protein PrPC, which is an essential component of the infectious prion. Immunochemical detection of PrPSc is specific and sensitive enough for antemortem testing of brain tissue, however, this is not the case in accessible biological fluids or for the detection of recently identified novel prions with unique biochemical properties. A complementary approach to the detection of PrPSc itself is to identify alternative, “surrogate” gene or protein biomarkers indicative of disease. Biomarkers are also useful to track the progress of disease, especially important in the assessment of therapies, or to identify individuals “at risk”. In this review we provide perspective on current progress and pitfalls in the use of “omics” technologies to screen body fluids and tissues for biomarker discovery in prion diseases. PMID:20224650

Population genetic testing for cancer susceptibility: founder mutations to genomes.

PubMed

Foulkes, William D; Knoppers, Bartha Maria; Turnbull, Clare

2016-01-01

The current standard model for identifying carriers of high-risk mutations in cancer-susceptibility genes (CSGs) generally involves a process that is not amenable to population-based testing: access to genetic tests is typically regulated by health-care providers on the basis of a labour-intensive assessment of an individual's personal and family history of cancer, with face-to-face genetic counselling performed before mutation testing. Several studies have shown that application of these selection criteria results in a substantial proportion of mutation carriers being missed. Population-based genetic testing has been proposed as an alternative approach to determining cancer susceptibility, and aims for a more-comprehensive detection of mutation carriers. Herein, we review the existing data on population-based genetic testing, and consider some of the barriers, pitfalls, and challenges related to the possible expansion of this approach. We consider mechanisms by which population-based genetic testing for cancer susceptibility could be delivered, and suggest how such genetic testing might be integrated into existing and emerging health-care structures. The existing models of genetic testing (including issues relating to informed consent) will very likely require considerable alteration if the potential benefits of population-based genetic testing are to be fully realized.

Skeletal assessment with finite element analysis: relevance, pitfalls and interpretation.

PubMed

Campbell, Graeme Michael; Glüer, Claus-C

2017-07-01

Finite element models simulate the mechanical response of bone under load, enabling noninvasive assessment of strength. Models generated from quantitative computed tomography (QCT) incorporate the geometry and spatial distribution of bone mineral density (BMD) to simulate physiological and traumatic loads as well as orthopaedic implant behaviour. The present review discusses the current strengths and weakness of finite element models for application to skeletal biomechanics. In cadaver studies, finite element models provide better estimations of strength compared to BMD. Data from clinical studies are encouraging; however, the superiority of finite element models over BMD measures for fracture prediction has not been shown conclusively, and may be sex and site dependent. Therapeutic effects on bone strength are larger than for BMD; however, model validation has only been performed on untreated bone. High-resolution modalities and novel image processing methods may enhance the structural representation and predictive ability. Despite extensive use of finite element models to study orthopaedic implant stability, accurate simulation of the bone-implant interface and fracture progression remains a significant challenge. Skeletal finite element models provide noninvasive assessments of strength and implant stability. Improved structural representation and implant surface interaction may enable more accurate models of fragility in the future.

The power of PowerPoint.

PubMed

Niamtu , J

2001-08-01

Carousel slide presentations have been used for academic and clinical presentations since the late 1950s. However, advances in computer technology have caused a paradigm shift, and digital presentations are quickly becoming standard for clinical presentations. The advantages of digital presentations include cost savings; portability; easy updating capability; Internet access; multimedia functions, such as animation, pictures, video, and sound; and customization to augment audience interest and attention. Microsoft PowerPoint has emerged as the most popular digital presentation software and is currently used by many practitioners with and without significant computer expertise. The user-friendly platform of PowerPoint enables even the novice presenter to incorporate digital presentations into his or her profession. PowerPoint offers many advanced options that, with a minimal investment of time, can be used to create more interactive and professional presentations for lectures, patient education, and marketing. Examples of advanced PowerPoint applications are presented in a stepwise manner to unveil the full power of PowerPoint. By incorporating these techniques, medical practitioners can easily personalize, customize, and enhance their PowerPoint presentations. Complications, pitfalls, and caveats are discussed to detour and prevent misadventures in digital presentations. Relevant Web sites are listed to further update, customize, and communicate PowerPoint techniques.

Climate change and public health policy: translating the science.

PubMed

Braks, Marieta; van Ginkel, Rijk; Wint, William; Sedda, Luigi; Sprong, Hein

2013-12-19

Public health authorities are required to prepare for future threats and need predictions of the likely impact of climate change on public health risks. They may get overwhelmed by the volume of heterogeneous information in scientific articles and risk relying purely on the public opinion articles which focus mainly on global warming trends, and leave out many other relevant factors. In the current paper, we discuss various scientific approaches investigating climate change and its possible impact on public health and discuss their different roles and functions in unraveling the complexity of the subject. It is not our objective to review the available literature or to make predictions for certain diseases or countries, but rather to evaluate the applicability of scientific research articles on climate change to evidence-based public health decisions. In the context of mosquito borne diseases, we identify common pitfalls to watch out for when assessing scientific research on the impact of climate change on human health. We aim to provide guidance through the plethora of scientific papers and views on the impact of climate change on human health to those new to the subject, as well as to remind public health experts of its multifactorial and multidisciplinary character.

Use of social media in dental schools: pluses, perils, and pitfalls from a legal perspective.

PubMed

Parkinson, Joseph W; Turner, Sharon P

2014-11-01

One of the ways dental education is changing the way it is preparing the next generation of learners is through efficient utilization of interactive social media. Social media, which facilitates interaction and sharing of new ideas, is being utilized to educate students, residents, and faculty. Unfortunately, as with most improvements in technology, there are growing pains. Faculty, student, and patient interaction on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, can lead to inappropriate or embarrassing situations. Striking the appropriate balance between free speech rights of students and faculty and the need for colleges and universities to have efficient operations is often left to the judicial system. The concepts of free speech and contract law and how each is applied in educational settings should be understood by students, faculty, and administrators. This article provides a review of legal cases that led to current social media policies, as well as present-day cases that exemplify the application of these principles, to help dental educators gain a greater understanding of the boundaries of protected speech. It also provides a set of sample guidelines for communicating through these media.

Assessment of Enzyme Inhibition: A Review with Examples from the Development of Monoamine Oxidase and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Drugs.

PubMed

Ramsay, Rona R; Tipton, Keith F

2017-07-15

The actions of many drugs involve enzyme inhibition. This is exemplified by the inhibitors of monoamine oxidases (MAO) and the cholinsterases (ChE) that have been used for several pharmacological purposes. This review describes key principles and approaches for the reliable determination of enzyme activities and inhibition as well as some of the methods that are in current use for such studies with these two enzymes. Their applicability and potential pitfalls arising from their inappropriate use are discussed. Since inhibitor potency is frequently assessed in terms of the quantity necessary to give 50% inhibition (the IC 50 value), the relationships between this and the mode of inhibition is also considered, in terms of the misleading information that it may provide. Incorporation of more than one functionality into the same molecule to give a multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) requires careful assessment to ensure that the specific target effects are not significantly altered and that the kinetic behavior remains as favourable with the MTDL as it does with the individual components. Such factors will be considered in terms of recently developed MTDLs that combine MAO and ChE inhibitory functions.

Climate Change and Public Health Policy: Translating the Science

PubMed Central

Braks, Marieta; van Ginkel, Rijk; Wint, William; Sedda, Luigi; Sprong, Hein

2013-01-01

Public health authorities are required to prepare for future threats and need predictions of the likely impact of climate change on public health risks. They may get overwhelmed by the volume of heterogeneous information in scientific articles and risk relying purely on the public opinion articles which focus mainly on global warming trends, and leave out many other relevant factors. In the current paper, we discuss various scientific approaches investigating climate change and its possible impact on public health and discuss their different roles and functions in unraveling the complexity of the subject. It is not our objective to review the available literature or to make predictions for certain diseases or countries, but rather to evaluate the applicability of scientific research articles on climate change to evidence-based public health decisions. In the context of mosquito borne diseases, we identify common pitfalls to watch out for when assessing scientific research on the impact of climate change on human health. We aim to provide guidance through the plethora of scientific papers and views on the impact of climate change on human health to those new to the subject, as well as to remind public health experts of its multifactorial and multidisciplinary character. PMID:24452252

A brief introduction to mixed effects modelling and multi-model inference in ecology

PubMed Central

Donaldson, Lynda; Correa-Cano, Maria Eugenia; Goodwin, Cecily E.D.

2018-01-01

The use of linear mixed effects models (LMMs) is increasingly common in the analysis of biological data. Whilst LMMs offer a flexible approach to modelling a broad range of data types, ecological data are often complex and require complex model structures, and the fitting and interpretation of such models is not always straightforward. The ability to achieve robust biological inference requires that practitioners know how and when to apply these tools. Here, we provide a general overview of current methods for the application of LMMs to biological data, and highlight the typical pitfalls that can be encountered in the statistical modelling process. We tackle several issues regarding methods of model selection, with particular reference to the use of information theory and multi-model inference in ecology. We offer practical solutions and direct the reader to key references that provide further technical detail for those seeking a deeper understanding. This overview should serve as a widely accessible code of best practice for applying LMMs to complex biological problems and model structures, and in doing so improve the robustness of conclusions drawn from studies investigating ecological and evolutionary questions. PMID:29844961

A brief introduction to mixed effects modelling and multi-model inference in ecology.

PubMed

Harrison, Xavier A; Donaldson, Lynda; Correa-Cano, Maria Eugenia; Evans, Julian; Fisher, David N; Goodwin, Cecily E D; Robinson, Beth S; Hodgson, David J; Inger, Richard

2018-01-01

The use of linear mixed effects models (LMMs) is increasingly common in the analysis of biological data. Whilst LMMs offer a flexible approach to modelling a broad range of data types, ecological data are often complex and require complex model structures, and the fitting and interpretation of such models is not always straightforward. The ability to achieve robust biological inference requires that practitioners know how and when to apply these tools. Here, we provide a general overview of current methods for the application of LMMs to biological data, and highlight the typical pitfalls that can be encountered in the statistical modelling process. We tackle several issues regarding methods of model selection, with particular reference to the use of information theory and multi-model inference in ecology. We offer practical solutions and direct the reader to key references that provide further technical detail for those seeking a deeper understanding. This overview should serve as a widely accessible code of best practice for applying LMMs to complex biological problems and model structures, and in doing so improve the robustness of conclusions drawn from studies investigating ecological and evolutionary questions.

Applications of next generation sequencing in molecular ecology of non-model organisms.

PubMed

Ekblom, R; Galindo, J

2011-07-01

As most biologists are probably aware, technological advances in molecular biology during the last few years have opened up possibilities to rapidly generate large-scale sequencing data from non-model organisms at a reasonable cost. In an era when virtually any study organism can 'go genomic', it is worthwhile to review how this may impact molecular ecology. The first studies to put the next generation sequencing (NGS) to the test in ecologically well-characterized species without previous genome information were published in 2007 and the beginning of 2008. Since then several studies have followed in their footsteps, and a large number are undoubtedly under way. This review focuses on how NGS has been, and can be, applied to ecological, population genetic and conservation genetic studies of non-model species, in which there is no (or very limited) genomic resources. Our aim is to draw attention to the various possibilities that are opening up using the new technologies, but we also highlight some of the pitfalls and drawbacks with these methods. We will try to provide a snapshot of the current state of the art for this rapidly advancing and expanding field of research and give some likely directions for future developments.

Ground-foraging ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and rainfall effect on pitfall trapping in a deciduous thorn woodland (caatinga), Northeastern Brazil.

PubMed

Nunes, Francyregis A; Segundo, Glauco B Martins; Vasconcelos, Yuri B; Azevedo, Raul; Quinet, Yves

2011-12-01

The semi-arid Caatinga is the fourth largest biome of Brazil, which biota still remains one of the most poorly known, especially with regard to invertebrate groups. In this study, a ground-foraging ant assemblage was surveyed during one year and the effect of rainfall on pitfall trapping was assessed. The study was performed in an area located in the municipality of Pentecoste (3 degrees 48' S - 39 degrees 20' W), in the State of Ceará. A 200m transect with 20 equidistant sampling points was established. Transect sampling was performed once a month during 12 months, over the period August 2008-August 2009. At each sampling point, a pitfall trap partially filled with a mixture of ethanol and monoethylene glycol was placed at the beginning of each month and remained in the field for seven days. 39 species belonging to six subfamilies and 19 genera, plus two unidentified species, were collected, with Pheidole (10 spp.) and Camponotus (8 spp.) being the taxa with the most species. 23 species were frequent, being found in more than 50% of the 12 transect samplings. Five species had an intermediate frequency (25 to 50%), while 13 were relatively infrequent (less than 25%). Most of the species (22) showed low occurrence, being found in less than 10% of the 240 samples (20 samples each month, during 12 months). Only five species were collected in more than 50% of the samples, those species being also responsible for most of the total abundance (number of captured individuals of all species) observed each month. The species-accumulation curves (observed and estimated) indicated that sampling sufficiency was attained, and that about 92% of the estimated ground-foraging ant fauna had been collected. 40 and 29 species were collected in the dry and rainy season, respectively, with monthly species richness ranging from 13 to 28. The total ant abundance showed a drastic decrease during the rainy season, and a negative linear correlation was found between rainfall and total ant abundance (R2 = 0.68). A similar negative linear correlation was found for species occurrences against rainfall (R2 = 0.71), and for mean number of species per pitfall trap against rainfall (R2 = 0.71). However, some species showed equal abundance, occurrence and mean number of individuals per pitfall trap in both seasons, while others showed a much higher abundance and occurrence during the rainy season. Pitfall trapping as a method to sample ground-foraging ant assemblage of the Caatinga biome and potential factors responsible for lower pitfall trap performance during rainy season are discussed.

Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in Emergency Medicine.

PubMed

Yun, Brian J; Prabhakar, Anand M; Warsh, Jonathan; Kaplan, Robert; Brennan, John; Dempsey, Kyle E; Raja, Ali S

2016-06-01

Value in emergency medicine is determined by both patient-important outcomes and the costs associated with achieving them. However, measuring true costs is challenging. Without an understanding of costs, emergency department (ED) leaders will be unable to determine which interventions might improve value for their patients. Although ongoing research may determine which outcomes are meaningful, an accurate costing system is also needed. This article reviews current costing mechanisms in the ED and their pitfalls. It then describes how time-driven activity-based costing may be superior to these current costing systems. Time-driven activity-based costing, in addition to being a more accurate costing system, can be used for process improvements in the ED. Copyright © 2015 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Amnion-derived stem cells: in quest of clinical applications

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

In the promising field of regenerative medicine, human perinatal stem cells are of great interest as potential stem cells with clinical applications. Perinatal stem cells could be isolated from normally discarded human placentae, which are an ideal cell source in terms of availability, the fewer number of ethical concerns, less DNA damage, and so on. Numerous studies have demonstrated that some of the placenta-derived cells possess stem cell characteristics like pluripotent differentiation ability, particularly in amniotic epithelial (AE) cells. Term human amniotic epithelium contains a relatively large number of stem cell marker-positive cells as an adult stem cell source. In this review, we introduce a model theory of why so many AE cells possess stem cell characteristics. We also describe previous work concerning the therapeutic applications and discuss the pluripotency of the AE cells and potential pitfalls for amnion-derived stem cell research. PMID:21596003

Comments on the "Byzantine Self-Stabilizing Pulse Synchronization" Protocol: Counter-examples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malekpour, Mahyar R.; Siminiceanu, Radu

2006-01-01

Embedded distributed systems have become an integral part of many safety-critical applications. There have been many attempts to solve the self-stabilization problem of clocks across a distributed system. An analysis of one such protocol called the Byzantine Self-Stabilizing Pulse Synchronization (BSS-Pulse-Synch) protocol from a paper entitled "Linear Time Byzantine Self-Stabilizing Clock Synchronization" by Daliot, et al., is presented in this report. This report also includes a discussion of the complexity and pitfalls of designing self-stabilizing protocols and provides counter-examples for the claims of the above protocol.

Personal pervasive environments: practice and experience.

PubMed

Ballesteros, Francisco J; Guardiola, Gorka; Soriano, Enrique

2012-01-01

In this paper we present our experience designing and developing two different systems to enable personal pervasive computing environments, Plan B and the Octopus. These systems were fully implemented and have been used on a daily basis for years. Both are based on synthetic (virtual) file system interfaces and provide mechanisms to adapt to changes in the context and reconfigure the system to support pervasive applications. We also present the main differences between them, focusing on architectural and reconfiguration aspects. Finally, we analyze the pitfalls and successes of both systems and review the lessons we learned while designing, developing, and using them.

Personal Pervasive Environments: Practice and Experience

PubMed Central

Ballesteros, Francisco J.; Guardiola, Gorka; Soriano, Enrique

2012-01-01

In this paper we present our experience designing and developing two different systems to enable personal pervasive computing environments, Plan B and the Octopus. These systems were fully implemented and have been used on a daily basis for years. Both are based on synthetic (virtual) file system interfaces and provide mechanisms to adapt to changes in the context and reconfigure the system to support pervasive applications. We also present the main differences between them, focusing on architectural and reconfiguration aspects. Finally, we analyze the pitfalls and successes of both systems and review the lessons we learned while designing, developing, and using them. PMID:22969340

Gold nanoparticles in breast cancer treatment: Promise and potential pitfalls

PubMed Central

Lee, Jihyoun; Chatterjee, Dev Kumar; Lee, Min Hyuk; Krishnan, Sunil

2014-01-01

Despite remarkable achievements in the treatment of breast cancer, some obstacles still remain. Gold nanoparticles may prove valuable in addressing these problems owing to their unique characteristics, including their enhanced permeability and retention in tumor tissue, their light absorbance and surface plasmon resonance in near-infrared light, their interaction with radiation to generate secondary electrons, and their ability to be conjugated with drugs or other agents. Herein, we discuss some basic concepts of gold nanoparticles, and early results from studies regarding their use in breast cancer, including toxicity and side effects. We also discuss these particles’ potential clinical applications. PMID:24556077

Correlating electroluminescence characterization and physics-based models of InGaN/GaN LEDs: Pitfalls and open issues

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Calciati, Marco; Vallone, Marco; Zhou, Xiangyu

2014-06-15

Electroluminescence (EL) characterization of InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs), coupled with numerical device models of different sophistication, is routinely adopted not only to establish correlations between device efficiency and structural features, but also to make inferences about the loss mechanisms responsible for LED efficiency droop at high driving currents. The limits of this investigative approach are discussed here in a case study based on a comprehensive set of current- and temperature-dependent EL data from blue LEDs with low and high densities of threading dislocations (TDs). First, the effects limiting the applicability of simpler (closed-form and/or one-dimensional) classes of models are addressed,more » like lateral current crowding, vertical carrier distribution nonuniformity, and interband transition broadening. Then, the major sources of uncertainty affecting state-of-the-art numerical device simulation are reviewed and discussed, including (i) the approximations in the transport description through the multi-quantum-well active region, (ii) the alternative valence band parametrizations proposed to calculate the spontaneous emission rate, (iii) the difficulties in defining the Auger coefficients due to inadequacies in the microscopic quantum well description and the possible presence of extra, non-Auger high-current-density recombination mechanisms and/or Auger-induced leakage. In the case of the present LED structures, the application of three-dimensional numerical-simulation-based analysis to the EL data leads to an explanation of efficiency droop in terms of TD-related and Auger-like nonradiative losses, with a C coefficient in the 10{sup −30} cm{sup 6}/s range at room temperature, close to the larger theoretical calculations reported so far. However, a study of the combined effects of structural and model uncertainties suggests that the C values thus determined could be overestimated by about an order of magnitude. This preliminary attempt at uncertainty quantification confirms, beyond the present case, the need for an improved description of carrier transport and microscopic radiative and nonradiative recombination mechanisms in device-level LED numerical models.« less

Intraoperative neural monitoring in thyroid surgery: lessons learned from animal studies

PubMed Central

Randolph, Gregory W.; Lu, I-Cheng; Chang, Pi-Ying; Chen, Yi-Ting; Hun, Pao-Chu; Lin, Yi-Chu; Dionigi, Gianlorenzo; Chiang, Feng-Yu

2016-01-01

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury remains a significant morbidity associated with thyroid and parathyroid surgery. In the past decade, surgeons have increasingly used intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) as an adjunct technique for localizing and identifying the RLN, detecting RLN injury, and predicting the outcome of vocal cord function. In recent years, many animal studies have investigated common pitfalls and new applications of IONM. For example, the use of IONM technology in animal models has proven valuable in studies of the electrophysiology of RLN injury. The advent of animal studies has substantially improved understanding of IONM technology. Lessons learned from animal studies have immediate clinical applications in establishing reliable strategies for preventing intraoperative RLN injury. This article gives an overview of the research progress on IONM-relevant animal models. PMID:27867861

Information Theory Applied to Animal Communication Systems and Its Possible Application to SETI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanser, Sean F.; Doyle, Laurance R.; McCowan, Brenda; Jenkins, Jon M.

2004-06-01

Information theory, as first introduced by Claude Shannon (Shannon &Weaver 1949) quantitatively evaluates the organizational complexity of communication systems. At the same time George Zipf was examining linguistic structure in a way that was mathematically similar to the components of the Shannon first-order entropy (Zipf 1949). Both Shannon's and Zipf's mathematical procedures have been applied to animal communication and recently have been providing insightful results. The Zipf plot is a useful tool for a first estimate of the characterization of a communication system's complexity (which can later be examined for complex structure at deeper levels using Shannon entropic analysis). In this paper we shall discuss some of the applications and pitfalls of using the Zipf distribution as a preliminary evaluator of the communication complexity of a signaling system.

[Responsibility: Towards a fifth principle in blood transfusion's ethics. Applicability and limits of Hans Jonas's responsibility principle].

PubMed

Nélaton, C

2016-09-01

Nowadays, in France, anonymity, gratuity, volunteering, non-profit are recognized as ethical principles in blood transfusion. Can we add responsibility to this list? Can a logo named "Responsiblood" efficiently encourage blood donation? This article explores Hans Jonas's reform of the responsibility concept in order to measure its applicabilities and limits in the field of blood transfusion. Indeed, this concept - rethought by Jonas - seems to be a good encouragement which avoids the pitfalls of the concept of duty and of the idea of payment for blood donation. But can't we also see in this reform a threat to blood transfusion because of technophobia and the heuristics of fear that it involves? Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The emerging age of cell-free synthetic biology.

PubMed

Smith, Mark Thomas; Wilding, Kristen M; Hunt, Jeremy M; Bennett, Anthony M; Bundy, Bradley C

2014-08-25

The engineering of and mastery over biological parts has catalyzed the emergence of synthetic biology. This field has grown exponentially in the past decade. As increasingly more applications of synthetic biology are pursued, more challenges are encountered, such as delivering genetic material into cells and optimizing genetic circuits in vivo. An in vitro or cell-free approach to synthetic biology simplifies and avoids many of the pitfalls of in vivo synthetic biology. In this review, we describe some of the innate features that make cell-free systems compelling platforms for synthetic biology and discuss emerging improvements of cell-free technologies. We also select and highlight recent and emerging applications of cell-free synthetic biology. Copyright © 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Active Search on Carcasses versus Pitfall Traps: a Comparison of Sampling Methods.

PubMed

Zanetti, N I; Camina, R; Visciarelli, E C; Centeno, N D

2016-04-01

The study of insect succession in cadavers and the classification of arthropods have mostly been done by placing a carcass in a cage, protected from vertebrate scavengers, which is then visited periodically. An alternative is to use specific traps. Few studies on carrion ecology and forensic entomology involving the carcasses of large vertebrates have employed pitfall traps. The aims of this study were to compare both sampling methods (active search on a carcass and pitfall trapping) for each coleopteran family, and to establish whether there is a discrepancy (underestimation and/or overestimation) in the presence of each family by either method. A great discrepancy was found for almost all families with some of them being more abundant in samples obtained through active search on carcasses and others in samples from traps, whereas two families did not show any bias towards a given sampling method. The fact that families may be underestimated or overestimated by the type of sampling technique highlights the importance of combining both methods, active search on carcasses and pitfall traps, in order to obtain more complete information on decomposition, carrion habitat and cadaveric families or species. Furthermore, a hypothesis advanced on the reasons for the underestimation by either sampling method showing biases towards certain families. Information about the sampling techniques indicating which would be more appropriate to detect or find a particular family is provided.

Variegated tropical landscapes conserve diverse dung beetle communities.

PubMed

Costa, Cristiane; Oliveira, Victor Hugo F; Maciel, Rafaella; Beiroz, Wallace; Korasaki, Vanesca; Louzada, Julio

2017-01-01

Conserving biodiversity in tropical landscapes is a major challenge to scientists and conservationists. Current rates of deforestation, fragmentation, and land use intensification are producing variegated landscapes with undetermined values for the conservation of biological communities and ecosystem functioning. Here, we investigate the importance of tropical variegated landscapes to biodiversity conservation, using dung beetle as focal taxa. The study was carried out in 12 variegated landscapes where dung beetles were sampled using six pitfall traps, 30 m apart from each other, along a transect in each studied landscape use and cover classes-LUCC (forest fragment and corridor, coffee plantation, and pasture). We baited each pitfall trap with 30 g of human feces and left open for a 48 h period. We also measured three environmental variables reflecting structural differences among the studied classes: canopy cover, local vegetation heterogeneity and soil sand content. We collected 52 species and 2,695 individuals of dung beetles. We observed significant differences in the mean species richness, abundance and biomass among classes, with forest fragments presenting the highest values, forest corridors and coffee plantations presenting intermediate values, and pastures the lowest values. Regarding community structure, we also found significant differences among classes. Canopy cover was the only variable explaining variation in dung beetle species richness, abundance, biomass, and community structure. The relative importance of spatial turnover was greater than nestedness-resultant component in all studied landscapes. This study evaluated the ecological patterns of dung beetle communities in variegated tropical landscapes highlighting the importance of these landscapes for conservation of tropical biodiversity. However, we encourage variegation for the management of landscapes that have already been fragmented or as a complementary initiative of current conservation practices (e.g., protection of natural habitats and establishment of reserves).

The sweet and sour of serological glycoprotein tumor biomarker quantification

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Aberrant and dysregulated protein glycosylation is a well-established event in the process of oncogenesis and cancer progression. Years of study on the glycobiology of cancer have been focused on the development of clinically viable diagnostic applications of this knowledge. However, for a number of reasons, there has been only sparse and varied success. The causes of this range from technical to biological issues that arise when studying protein glycosylation and attempting to apply it to practical applications. This review focuses on the pitfalls, advances, and future directions to be taken in the development of clinically applicable quantitative assays using glycan moieties from serum-based proteins as analytes. Topics covered include the development and progress of applications of lectins, mass spectrometry, and other technologies towards this purpose. Slowly but surely, novel applications of established and development of new technologies will eventually provide us with the tools to reach the ultimate goal of quantification of the full scope of heterogeneity associated with the glycosylation of biomarker candidate glycoproteins in a clinically applicable fashion. PMID:23390961

Impact of transgenic soybean expressing Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins on the non-target arthropod community associated with soybean in Brazil

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Field-scale studies that examine the potential for adverse effects of Bt crop technology on non-target arthropods may supplement data from laboratory studies to support an environmental risk assessment. A three year field study was conducted in Brazil to evaluate potential for adverse effects of cultivating soybean event DAS-81419-2 that produces the Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins. To do so, we examined the diversity and abundance of non-target arthropods (NTAs) in Bt soybean in comparison with its non-Bt near isoline, with and without conventional insecticide applications, in three Brazilian soybean producing regions. Non-target arthropod abundance was surveyed using Moericke traps (yellow pan) and pitfall trapping. Total abundance (N), richness (S), Shannon-Wiener (H’), Simpson’s (D) and Pielou’s evenness (J) values for arthropod samples were calculated for each treatment and sampling period (soybean growth stages). A faunistic analysis was used to select the most representative NTAs which were used to describe the NTA community structure associated with soybean, and to test for effects due to the treatments effects via application of the Principal Response Curve (PRC) method. Across all years and sites, a total of 254,054 individuals from 190 taxa were collected by Moericke traps, while 29,813 individuals from 100 taxa were collected using pitfall traps. Across sites and sampling dates, the abundance and diversity measurements of representative NTAs were not significantly affected by Bt soybean as compared with non-sprayed non-Bt soybean. Similarly, community analyses and repeated measures ANOVA, when applicable, indicated that neither Bt soybean nor insecticide sprays altered the structure of the NTA communities under study. These results support the conclusion that transgenic soybean event DAS-81419-2 producing Cry1Ac and Cry1F toxins does not adversely affect the NTA community associated with soybean. PMID:29394266

Optical Oxygen Micro- and Nanosensors for Plant Applications

PubMed Central

Ast, Cindy; Schmälzlin, Elmar; Löhmannsröben, Hans-Gerd; van Dongen, Joost T.

2012-01-01

Pioneered by Clark's microelectrode more than half a century ago, there has been substantial interest in developing new, miniaturized optical methods to detect molecular oxygen inside cells. While extensively used for animal tissue measurements, applications of intracellular optical oxygen biosensors are still scarce in plant science. A critical aspect is the strong autofluorescence of the green plant tissue that interferes with optical signals of commonly used oxygen probes. A recently developed dual-frequency phase modulation technique can overcome this limitation, offering new perspectives for plant research. This review gives an overview on the latest optical sensing techniques and methods based on phosphorescence quenching in diverse tissues and discusses the potential pitfalls for applications in plants. The most promising oxygen sensitive probes are reviewed plus different oxygen sensing structures ranging from micro-optodes to soluble nanoparticles. Moreover, the applicability of using heterologously expressed oxygen binding proteins and fluorescent proteins to determine changes in the cellular oxygen concentration are discussed as potential non-invasive cellular oxygen reporters. PMID:22969334

Immobilized liquid layers: A new approach to anti-adhesion surfaces for medical applications

PubMed Central

Sotiri, Irini; Overton, Jonathan C; Waterhouse, Anna

2016-01-01

Surface fouling and undesired adhesion are nearly ubiquitous problems in the medical field, complicating everything from surgeries to routine daily care of patients. Recently, the concept of immobilized liquid (IL) interfaces has been gaining attention as a highly versatile new approach to antifouling, with a wide variety of promising applications in medicine. Here, we review the general concepts behind IL layers and discuss the fabrication strategies on medically relevant materials developed so far. We also summarize the most important findings to date on applications of potential interest to the medical community, including the use of these surfaces as anti-thrombogenic and anti-bacterial materials, anti-adhesive textiles, high-performance coatings for optics, and as unique platforms for diagnostics. Although the full potential and pitfalls of IL layers in medicine are just beginning to be explored, we believe that this approach to anti-adhesive surfaces will prove broadly useful for medical applications in the future. PMID:27022136

Using demographic data to better interpret pitfall trap catches

PubMed Central

Matalin, Andrey V.; Makarov, Kirill V.

2011-01-01

Abstract The results of pitfall trapping are often interpreted as abundance in a particular habitat. At the same time, there are numerous cases of almost unrealistically high catches of ground beetles in seemingly unsuitable sites. The correlation of catches by pitfall trapping with the true distribution and abundance of Carabidae needs corroboration. During a full year survey in 2006/07 in the Lake Elton region (Volgograd Area, Russia), 175 species of ground beetles were trapped. Considering the differences in demographic structure of the local populations, and not their abundances, three groups of species were recognized: residents, migrants and sporadic. In residents, the demographic structure of local populations is complete, and their habitats can be considered “residential”. In migrants and sporadic species, the demographic structure of the local populations is incomplete, and their habitats can be considered “transit”. Residents interact both with their prey and with each other in a particular habitat. Sporadic species are hardly important to a carabid community because of their low abundances. The contribution of migrants to the structure of carabid communities is not apparent and requires additional research. Migrants and sporadic species represent a “labile” component in ground beetles communities, as opposed to a “stable” component, represented by residents. The variability of the labile component substantially limits our interpretation of species diversity in carabid communities. Thus, the criteria for determining the most abundant, or dominant species inevitably vary because the abundance of migrants in some cases can be one order of magnitude higher than that of residents. The results of pitfall trapping adequately reflect the state of carabid communities only in zonal habitats, while azonal and disturbed habitats are merely transit ones for many species of ground beetles. A study of the demographic structure of local populations and assessment of the migratory/residential status of particular carabid species are potential ways of increasing the reliability of pitfall trap information. PMID:21738415

Use of machine learning to improve autism screening and diagnostic instruments: effectiveness, efficiency, and multi-instrument fusion

PubMed Central

Bone, Daniel; Bishop, Somer; Black, Matthew P.; Goodwin, Matthew S.; Lord, Catherine; Narayanan, Shrikanth S.

2016-01-01

Background Machine learning (ML) provides novel opportunities for human behavior research and clinical translation, yet its application can have noted pitfalls (Bone et al., 2015). In this work, we fastidiously utilize ML to derive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) instrument algorithms in an attempt to improve upon widely-used ASD screening and diagnostic tools. Methods The data consisted of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores for 1,264 verbal individuals with ASD and 462 verbal individuals with non-ASD developmental or psychiatric disorders (DD), split at age 10. Algorithms were created via a robust ML classifier, support vector machine (SVM), while targeting best-estimate clinical diagnosis of ASD vs. non-ASD. Parameter settings were tuned in multiple levels of cross-validation. Results The created algorithms were more effective (higher performing) than current algorithms, were tunable (sensitivity and specificity can be differentially weighted), and were more efficient (achieving near-peak performance with five or fewer codes). Results from ML-based fusion of ADI-R and SRS are reported. We present a screener algorithm for below (above) age 10 that reached 89.2% (86.7%) sensitivity and 59.0% (53.4%) specificity with only five behavioral codes. Conclusions ML is useful for creating robust, customizable instrument algorithms. In a unique dataset comprised of controls with other difficulties, our findings highlight limitations of current caregiver-report instruments and indicate possible avenues for improving ASD screening and diagnostic tools. PMID:27090613

Use of machine learning to improve autism screening and diagnostic instruments: effectiveness, efficiency, and multi-instrument fusion.

PubMed

Bone, Daniel; Bishop, Somer L; Black, Matthew P; Goodwin, Matthew S; Lord, Catherine; Narayanan, Shrikanth S

2016-08-01

Machine learning (ML) provides novel opportunities for human behavior research and clinical translation, yet its application can have noted pitfalls (Bone et al., 2015). In this work, we fastidiously utilize ML to derive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) instrument algorithms in an attempt to improve upon widely used ASD screening and diagnostic tools. The data consisted of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores for 1,264 verbal individuals with ASD and 462 verbal individuals with non-ASD developmental or psychiatric disorders, split at age 10. Algorithms were created via a robust ML classifier, support vector machine, while targeting best-estimate clinical diagnosis of ASD versus non-ASD. Parameter settings were tuned in multiple levels of cross-validation. The created algorithms were more effective (higher performing) than the current algorithms, were tunable (sensitivity and specificity can be differentially weighted), and were more efficient (achieving near-peak performance with five or fewer codes). Results from ML-based fusion of ADI-R and SRS are reported. We present a screener algorithm for below (above) age 10 that reached 89.2% (86.7%) sensitivity and 59.0% (53.4%) specificity with only five behavioral codes. ML is useful for creating robust, customizable instrument algorithms. In a unique dataset comprised of controls with other difficulties, our findings highlight the limitations of current caregiver-report instruments and indicate possible avenues for improving ASD screening and diagnostic tools. © 2016 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Universal Design Criteria in Standards and Codes About Accessibility of Built Environments in Brazil.

PubMed

Guimarães, Marcelo Pinto

2016-01-01

This paper includes some criticism in analysis of the development and implementation of the national standards for accessibility of the built environment in Brazil, i.e., the NBR9050. Currently, the 2015 version of it resembles an encyclopaedia including a variety of exotic contributions gathered historically from different sources; however, that characteristic makes it work like a puzzle that keeps alive prejudices about users' needs and disabilities. Besides, there are conflicts between recommended ideas and previous requirements from older versions. The definition of Universal Design has been published since 2004, but there is still no indication of how to make the principles work in practice. Therefore, it is very hard for city officials to assess quality of environments, and professionals have serious constraints to explore their skills further while addressing users' diversified needs. Certainly, the current NBR9050 requires further editorial work. Nevertheless, an important decision is necessary: it is important to organize information so that readers may identify in each topic whether Universal Design application can be achieved or whether the proposed technical solution may lead to construction of limited spatial adaptation and reach only some poor accommodation of users with uncommon needs. Presenting some examples in context of socially inclusive environments, the newer revised version of NBR9050 is necessary to explain about pitfalls of bad design of accessibility for discriminated disabled users. Readers should be able to establish conceptual links between the best ideas so that Universal Design could be easily understood.

Hip Arthroscopy: Common Problems and Solutions.

PubMed

Casp, Aaron; Gwathmey, Frank Winston

2018-04-01

The use of hip arthroscopy continues to expand. Understanding potential pitfalls and complications associated with hip arthroscopy is paramount to optimizing clinical outcomes and minimizing unfavorable results. Potential pitfalls and complications are associated with preoperative factors such as patient selection, intraoperative factors such as iatrogenic damage, traction-related complications, inadequate correction of deformity, and nerve injury, or postoperative factors such as poor rehabilitation. This article outlines common factors that contribute to less-than-favorable outcomes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Computed tomographic angiography in stroke imaging: fundamental principles, pathologic findings, and common pitfalls.

PubMed

Gupta, Rajiv; Jones, Stephen E; Mooyaart, Eline A Q; Pomerantz, Stuart R

2006-06-01

The development of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) now permits visualization of the entire vascular tree that is relevant for the management of stroke within 15 seconds. Advances in MDCT have brought computed tomography angiography (CTA) to the frontline in evaluation of stroke. CTA is a rapid and noninvasive modality for evaluating the neurovasculature. This article describes the role of CTA in the management of stroke. Fundamentals of contrast delivery, common pathologic findings, artifacts, and pitfalls in CTA interpretation are discussed.

Pearls and pitfalls: Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome-like disease.

PubMed

Bartels, Anne K; Banks, Taylor A; Bay, Jeannie L

2017-07-01

A case of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) was presented, followed by a discussion of the clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of this disease. Clinical pearls and pitfalls are emphasized for the use of the practicing allergist and the fellow in-training. The diagnosis of ALPS was guided by published criteria. A careful history and workup were needed to exclude other possible etiologies for the patient's symptoms and physical findings. ALPS often carries significant morbidity and is best managed through a multidisciplinary approach.

Venous Intravasation: A Potential Pitfall of Confirmatory Hysterosalpingogram Following Essure Hysteroscopic Sterilization

PubMed Central

Chang, Michael C.; Shim, John J.

2012-01-01

Indications for hysterosalpingography (HSG) include evaluation of infertility, spontaneous abortions, postoperative evaluation of tubal ligation, pre-myomectomy evaluation, and more recently, evaluation of tubal occlusion after placement of the Essure Permanent Birth Control System. Here we report a case of venous intravasation during a routine post-Essure HSG, a phenomenon in which contrast transits from the uterine cavity, through the myometrium, and directly into draining pelvic veins. Venous intravasation is a potential pitfall in interpretation of HSGs. PMID:23378884

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: “No evidence of effect” versus “evidence of no effect”

PubMed Central

Ranganathan, Priya; Pramesh, C. S.; Buyse, Marc

2015-01-01

This article is the first in a series exploring common pitfalls in statistical analysis in biomedical research. The power of a clinical trial is the ability to find a difference between treatments, where such a difference exists. At the end of the study, the lack of difference between treatments does not mean that the treatments can be considered equivalent. The distinction between “no evidence of effect” and “evidence of no effect” needs to be understood. PMID:25657905

A systematic review of gamification in e-Health.

PubMed

Sardi, Lamyae; Idri, Ali; Fernández-Alemán, José Luis

2017-07-01

Gamification is a relatively new trend that focuses on applying game mechanics to non-game contexts in order to engage audiences and to inject a little fun into mundane activities besides generating motivational and cognitive benefits. While many fields such as Business, Marketing and e-Learning have taken advantage of the potential of gamification, the digital healthcare domain has also started to exploit this emerging trend. This paper aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding gamified e-Health applications. A systematic literature review was therefore conducted to explore the various gamification strategies employed in e-Health and to address the benefits and the pitfalls of this emerging discipline. A total of 46 studies from multiple sources were then considered and thoroughly investigated. The results show that the majority of the papers selected reported gamification and serious gaming in health and wellness contexts related specifically to chronic disease rehabilitation, physical activity and mental health. Although gamification in e-Health has attracted a great deal of attention during the last few years, there is still a dearth of valid empirical evidence in this field. Moreover, most of the e-Health applications and serious games investigated have been proven to yield solely short-term engagement through extrinsic rewards. For gamification to reach its full potential, it is therefore necessary to build e-Health solutions on well-founded theories that exploit the core experience and psychological effects of game mechanics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nanoparticles for transcutaneous vaccination

PubMed Central

Hansen, Steffi; Lehr, Claus‐Michael

2012-01-01

Summary The living epidermis and dermis are rich in antigen presenting cells (APCs). Their activation can elicit a strong humoral and cellular immune response as well as mucosal immunity. Therefore, the skin is a very attractive site for vaccination, and an intradermal application of antigen may be much more effective than a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. However, the stratum corneum (SC) is a most effective barrier against the invasion of topically applied vaccines. Products which have reached the stage of clinical testing, avoid this problem by injecting the nano‐vaccine intradermally or by employing a barrier disrupting method and applying the vaccine to a relatively large skin area. Needle‐free vaccination is desirable from a number of aspects: ease of application, improved patient acceptance and less risk of infection among them. Nanocarriers can be designed in a way that they can overcome the SC. Also incorporation into nanocarriers protects instable antigen from degradation, improves uptake and processing by APCs, and facilitates endosomal escape and nuclear delivery of DNA vaccines. In addition, sustained release systems may build a depot in the tissue gradually releasing antigen which may avoid booster doses. Therefore, nanoformulations of vaccines for transcutaneous immunization are currently a very dynamic field of research. Among the huge variety of nanocarrier systems that are investigated hopes lie on ultra‐flexible liposomes, superfine rigid nanoparticles and nanocarriers, which are taken up by hair follicles. The potential and pitfalls associated with these three classes of carriers will be discussed. PMID:21854553

Theoretical Basis for Dynamic Label Propagation in Stationary Metabolic Networks under Step and Periodic Inputs

PubMed Central

Sokol, Serguei; Portais, Jean-Charles

2015-01-01

The dynamics of label propagation in a stationary metabolic network during an isotope labeling experiment can provide highly valuable information on the network topology, metabolic fluxes, and on the size of metabolite pools. However, major issues, both in the experimental set-up and in the accompanying numerical methods currently limit the application of this approach. Here, we propose a method to apply novel types of label inputs, sinusoidal or more generally periodic label inputs, to address both the practical and numerical challenges of dynamic labeling experiments. By considering a simple metabolic system, i.e. a linear, non-reversible pathway of arbitrary length, we develop mathematical descriptions of label propagation for both classical and novel label inputs. Theoretical developments and computer simulations show that the application of rectangular periodic pulses has both numerical and practical advantages over other approaches. We applied the strategy to estimate fluxes in a simulated experiment performed on a complex metabolic network (the central carbon metabolism of Escherichia coli), to further demonstrate its value in conditions which are close to those in real experiments. This study provides a theoretical basis for the rational interpretation of label propagation curves in real experiments, and will help identify the strengths, pitfalls and limitations of such experiments. The cases described here can also be used as test cases for more general numerical methods aimed at identifying network topology, analyzing metabolic fluxes or measuring concentrations of metabolites. PMID:26641860

Staging systems of hepatocellular carcinoma: A review of literature

PubMed Central

Maida, Marcello; Orlando, Emanuele; Cammà, Calogero; Cabibbo, Giuseppe

2014-01-01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem with a high incidence and mortality all over the world. Natural history of HCC is severe and extremely variable, and prognostic factors influencing outcomes are incompletely defined. Over time, many staging and scoring systems have been proposed for the classification and prognosis of patients with HCC. Currently, the non-ideal predictive performance of existing prognostic systems is secondary to their inherent limitations, as well as to a non-universal reproducibility and transportability of the results in different populations. New serological and histological markers are still under evaluation with promising results, but they require further evaluation and external validation. The aim of this review is to highlight the main tools for assessing the prognosis of HCC and the main concerns, pitfalls and warnings regarding its staging systems currently in use. PMID:24764652

Inequality and childhood overweight and obesity: a commentary.

PubMed

Ulijaszek, S J; Pentecost, M; Marcus, C; Karpe, F; Frühbeck, G; Nowicka, P

2017-06-01

Statements on childhood overweight and obesity (COO) have focused on different avenues for prevention and treatment, critical stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy and lactation, individual, family, school and community-based interventions, multidisciplinary family programmes and multicomponent interventions. This commentary is concerned with the less-addressed relationship between COO and inequality. It describes current global patterns of inequality and COO and the ways in which those inequalities are linked to COO at micro-level, meso-level and macro-level. It then describes current programmatic approaches for COO inequality, preventive and medical, and considers important pitfalls in the framing of the problem of COO and inequality. It ends with describing how childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity prevention and treatment programmes might be formulated within broader socio-political frameworks to influence outcomes. © 2016 World Obesity Federation.

Prospects and challenges for fungal metatranscriptomes of complex communities

DOE PAGES

Kuske, Cheryl Rae; Hesse, Cedar Nelson; Challacombe, Jean Faust; ...

2015-01-22

We report that the ability to extract and purify messenger RNA directly from plants, decomposing organic matter and soil, followed by high-throughput sequencing of the pool of expressed genes, has spawned the emerging research area of metatranscriptomics. Each metatranscriptome provides a snapshot of the composition and relative abundance of actively transcribed genes, and thus provides an assessment of the interactions between soil microorganisms and plants, and collective microbial metabolic processes in many environments. We highlight current approaches for analysis of fungal transcriptome and metatranscriptome datasets across a gradient of community complexity, and note benefits and pitfalls associated with those approaches.more » Finally, we discuss knowledge gaps that limit our current ability to interpret metatranscriptome datasets and suggest future research directions that will require concerted efforts within the scientific community.« less

Rodent models of insomnia: a review of experimental procedures that induce sleep disturbances.

PubMed

Revel, Florent G; Gottowik, Juergen; Gatti, Sylvia; Wettstein, Joseph G; Moreau, Jean-Luc

2009-06-01

Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, is characterized by persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep despite adequate opportunity to sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and mental dysfunction. As sleep is a sophisticated physiological process generated by a network of neuronal systems that cannot be reproduced in-vitro, pre-clinical development of hypnotic drugs requires in-vivo investigations. Accordingly, this review critically evaluates current and putative rodent models of insomnia which could be used to screen novel hypnotics. Only few valid insomnia models are currently available, although many experimental conditions lead to disturbance of physiological sleep. We categorized these conditions as a function of the procedure used to induce perturbation of sleep, and we discuss their respective advantages and pitfalls with respect to validity, feasibility and translational value to human research.

Solution of Nonlinear Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, L. R.

1960-01-01

The problem of solving systems of nonlinear equations has been relatively neglected in the mathematical literature, especially in the textbooks, in comparison to the corresponding linear problem. Moreover, treatments that have an appearance of generality fail to discuss the nature of the solutions and the possible pitfalls of the methods suggested. Probably it is unrealistic to expect that a unified and comprehensive treatment of the subject will evolve, owing to the great variety of situations possible, especially in the applied field where some requirement of human or mechanical efficiency is always present. Therefore we attempt here simply to pose the problem and to describe and partially appraise the methods of solution currently in favor.

Lynch Syndrome: Female Genital Tract Cancer Diagnosis and Screening.

PubMed

Mills, Anne M; Longacre, Teri A

2016-06-01

Lynch syndrome is responsible for approximately 5% of endometrial cancers and 1% of ovarian cancers. The molecular basis for Lynch syndrome is a heritable functional deficiency in the DNA mismatch repair system, typically due to a germline mutation. This review discusses the rationales and relative merits of current Lynch syndrome screening tests for endometrial and ovarian cancers and provides pathologists with an informed algorithmic approach to Lynch syndrome testing in gynecologic cancers. Pitfalls in test interpretation and strategies to resolve discordant test results are presented. The potential role for next-generation sequencing panels in future screening efforts is discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laboratory animals as surrogate models of human obesity

PubMed Central

Nilsson, Cecilia; Raun, Kirsten; Yan, Fei-fei; Larsen, Marianne O; Tang-Christensen, Mads

2012-01-01

Obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases represent a growing socioeconomic problem throughout the world. Great emphasis has been put on establishing treatments for this condition, including pharmacological intervention. However, there are many obstacles and pitfalls in the development process from pre-clinical research to the pharmacy counter, and there is no certainty that what has been observed pre-clinically will translate into an improvement in human health. Hence, it is important to test potential new drugs in a valid translational model early in their development. In the current mini-review, a number of monogenetic and polygenic models of obesity will be discussed in view of their translational character. PMID:22301857

Assessing the future of air freight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dajani, J. S.

1977-01-01

The role of air cargo in the current transportation system in the United States is explored. Methods for assessing the future role of this mode of transportation include the use of continuous-time recursive systems modeling for the simulation of different components of the air freight system, as well as for the development of alternative future scenarios which may result from different policy actions. A basic conceptual framework for conducting such a dynamic simulation is presented within the context of the air freight industry. Some research needs are identified and recommended for further research. The benefits, limitations, pitfalls, and problems usually associated with large scale systems models are examined.

Portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis

PubMed Central

von Köckritz, Leona; De Gottardi, Andrea; Praktiknjo, Michael

2017-01-01

Abstract Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is frequent in patients with liver cirrhosis and possible severe complications such as mesenteric ischemia are rare, but can be life-threatening. However, different aspects of clinical relevance, diagnosis and management of PVT are still areas of uncertainty and investigation in international guidelines. In this article, we elaborate on PVT classification, geographical differences in clinical presentation and standards of diagnosis, and briefly on the current pathophysiological understanding and risk factors. This review considers and highlights the pitfalls of the various treatment approaches and prophylactic treatments. Finally, we review the controversial issue of clinical impact of PVT on prognosis, especially considering liver transplantation and future perspectives. PMID:28533912

The importance and pitfalls of correlational science in palliative care research.

PubMed

Klepstad, Pål; Kaasa, Stein

2012-12-01

Correlational science discovers associations between patient characteristics, symptoms and biomarkers. Correlational science using data from cross-sectional studies is the most frequently applied study design in palliative care research. The purpose of this review is to address the importance and potential pitfalls in correlational science. Associations observed in correlational science studies can be the basis for generating hypotheses that can be tested in experimental studies and are the basic data needed to develop classification systems that can predict patient outcomes. Major pitfalls in correlational science are that associations do not equate with causality and that statistical significance does not necessarily equal a correlation that is of clinical interest. Researchers should be aware of the end-points that are clinically relevant, that end-points should be defined before the start of the analyses, and that studies with several end-points should account for multiplicity. Correlational science in palliative care research can identify related clinical factors and biomarkers. Interpretation of identified associations should be done with careful consideration of the limitations underlying correlational analyses.

Whole-body FDG PET-MR oncologic imaging: pitfalls in clinical interpretation related to inaccurate MR-based attenuation correction.

PubMed

Attenberger, Ulrike; Catana, Ciprian; Chandarana, Hersh; Catalano, Onofrio A; Friedman, Kent; Schonberg, Stefan A; Thrall, James; Salvatore, Marco; Rosen, Bruce R; Guimaraes, Alexander R

2015-08-01

Simultaneous data collection for positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) is now a reality. While the full benefits of concurrently acquiring PET and MR data and the potential added clinical value are still being evaluated, initial studies have identified several important potential pitfalls in the interpretation of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MRI in oncologic whole-body imaging, the majority of which being related to the errors in the attenuation maps created from the MR data. The purpose of this article was to present such pitfalls and artifacts using case examples, describe their etiology, and discuss strategies to overcome them. Using a case-based approach, we will illustrate artifacts related to (1) Inaccurate bone tissue segmentation; (2) Inaccurate air cavities segmentation; (3) Motion-induced misregistration; (4) RF coils in the PET field of view; (5) B0 field inhomogeneity; (6) B1 field inhomogeneity; (7) Metallic implants; (8) MR contrast agents.

Pitfalls to avoid when using phage display for snake toxins.

PubMed

Laustsen, Andreas Hougaard; Lauridsen, Line Præst; Lomonte, Bruno; Andersen, Mikael Rørdam; Lohse, Brian

2017-02-01

Antivenoms against bites and stings from snakes, spiders, and scorpions are associated with immunological side effects and high cost of production, since these therapies are still derived from the serum of hyper-immunized production animals. Biotechnological innovations within envenoming therapies are thus warranted, and phage display technology may be a promising avenue for bringing antivenoms into the modern era of biologics. Although phage display technology represents a robust and high-throughput approach for the discovery of antibody-based antitoxins, several pitfalls may present themselves when animal toxins are used as targets for phage display selection. Here, we report selected critical challenges from our own phage display experiments associated with biotinylation of antigens, clone picking, and the presence of amber codons within antibody fragment structures in some phage display libraries. These challenges may be detrimental to the outcome of phage display experiments, and we aim to help other researchers avoiding these pitfalls by presenting their solutions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advances in Carbon Nanotubes-Hydrogel Hybrids in Nanomedicine for Therapeutics.

PubMed

Vashist, Arti; Kaushik, Ajeet; Vashist, Atul; Sagar, Vidya; Ghosal, Anujit; Gupta, Y K; Ahmad, Sharif; Nair, Madhavan

2018-05-01

In spite of significant advancement in hydrogel technology, low mechanical strength and lack of electrical conductivity have limited their next-level biomedical applications for skeletal muscles, cardiac and neural cells. Host-guest chemistry based hybrid nanocomposites systems have gained attention as they completely overcome these pitfalls and generate bioscaffolds with tunable electrical and mechanical characteristics. In recent years, carbon nanotube (CNT)-based hybrid hydrogels have emerged as innovative candidates with diverse applications in regenerative medicines, tissue engineering, drug delivery devices, implantable devices, biosensing, and biorobotics. This article is an attempt to recapitulate the advancement in synthesis and characterization of hybrid hydrogels and provide deep insights toward their functioning and success as biomedical devices. The improved comparative performance and biocompatibility of CNT-hydrogels hybrids systems developed for targeted biomedical applications are addressed here. Recent updates toward diverse applications and limitations of CNT hybrid hydrogels is the strength of the review. This will provide a holistic approach toward understanding of CNT-based hydrogels and their applications in nanotheranostics. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Application-Program-Installer Builder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolgast, Paul; Demore, Martha; Lowik, Paul

2007-01-01

A computer program builds application programming interfaces (APIs) and related software components for installing and uninstalling application programs in any of a variety of computers and operating systems that support the Java programming language in its binary form. This program is partly similar in function to commercial (e.g., Install-Shield) software. This program is intended to enable satisfaction of a quasi-industry-standard set of requirements for a set of APIs that would enable such installation and uninstallation and that would avoid the pitfalls that are commonly encountered during installation of software. The requirements include the following: 1) Properly detecting prerequisites to an application program before performing the installation; 2) Properly registering component requirements; 3) Correctly measuring the required hard-disk space, including accounting for prerequisite components that have already been installed; and 4) Correctly uninstalling an application program. Correct uninstallation includes (1) detecting whether any component of the program to be removed is required by another program, (2) not removing that component, and (3) deleting references to requirements of the to-be-removed program for components of other programs so that those components can be properly removed at a later time.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Labby, Z.

Physicists are often expected to have a solid grounding in experimental design and statistical analysis, sometimes filling in when biostatisticians or other experts are not available for consultation. Unfortunately, graduate education on these topics is seldom emphasized and few opportunities for continuing education exist. Clinical physicists incorporate new technology and methods into their practice based on published literature. A poor understanding of experimental design and analysis could Result in inappropriate use of new techniques. Clinical physicists also improve current practice through quality initiatives that require sound experimental design and analysis. Academic physicists with a poor understanding of design and analysismore » may produce ambiguous (or misleading) results. This can Result in unnecessary rewrites, publication rejection, and experimental redesign (wasting time, money, and effort). This symposium will provide a practical review of error and uncertainty, common study designs, and statistical tests. Instruction will primarily focus on practical implementation through examples and answer questions such as: where would you typically apply the test/design and where is the test/design typically misapplied (i.e., common pitfalls)? An analysis of error and uncertainty will also be explored using biological studies and associated modeling as a specific use case. Learning Objectives: Understand common experimental testing and clinical trial designs, what questions they can answer, and how to interpret the results Determine where specific statistical tests are appropriate and identify common pitfalls Understand the how uncertainty and error are addressed in biological testing and associated biological modeling.« less

Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion: cytohistologic correlation study with diagnostic pitfalls.

PubMed

Mokhtar, Ghadeer A; Delatour, Nicolas L D Roustan; Assiri, Ali H; Gilliatt, M Angela; Senterman, Mary; Islam, Shahidul

2008-01-01

In the current study, we explore the diagnostic parameters and pitfalls in the follow-up of 123 cases of Pap smears diagnosed as high-grade atypical squamous cells (ASC-H) at our institution. A computer database search was performed from the archives of the Ottawa Hospital Cytopathology Service for cases diagnosed with ASC-H between January 2003 and July 2005. Follow-up of the 123 cases of ASC-H showed high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) in 73 patients (59.4%), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in 11 (8.9%), immature squamous metaplasia in 23 (18.7%), reactive squamous cell changes in 12 (9.8%), benign glandular lesions (endocervical atypia, degenerated glandular cells) in 2 (1.6%) and atrophy in 2 (1.6%). In our study, 83 patients were younger than 40 years (67.4%), with biopsy-proven HSIL found in 54 patients (65.1%). The remaining 40 patients (32.6%) were older than 40 years of age, and follow-up biopsies showed HSIL in 19 patients (47.5%). In our study, 59.4% of the cases that were diagnosed cytologically as ASC-H were found to have HSIL on subsequent biopsies. This correlation was stronger in patients below the age of 40 years (65.1% vs. 47.5%). The cytopathologic feature most strongly associated with HSIL was the presence of coarse nuclear chromatin (84%).

Pearls and pitfalls in neural CGRP immunohistochemistry.

PubMed

Warfvinge, Karin; Edvinsson, Lars

2013-06-01

This review outlines the pearls and pitfalls of calcitonin-gene related protein (CGRP) immunohistochemistry of the brain. In 1985, CGRP was first described in cerebral arteries using immunohistochemistry. Since then, cerebral CGRP (and, using novel antibodies, its receptor components) has been widely scrutinized. Here, we describe the distribution of cerebral CGRP and pay special attention to the surprising reliability of results over time. Pitfalls might include a fixation procedure, antibody clone and dilution, and interpretation of results. Standardization of staining protocols and true quantitative methods are lacking. The use of computerized image analysis has led us to believe that our examination is objective. However, in the steps of performing such an analysis, we make subjective choices. By pointing out these pitfalls, we aim to further improve immunohistochemical quality. Having a clear picture of the tissue/cell morphology is a necessity. A primary morphological evaluation with, for example, hematoxylin-eosin, helps to ensure that small changes are not missed and that background and artifactual changes, which may include vacuoles, pigments, and dark neurons, are not over-interpreted as compound-related changes. The antigen-antibody reaction appears simple and clear in theory, but many steps might go wrong. Remember that methods including the antigen-antibody complex rely on handling/fixation of tissues or cells, antibody shipping/storing issues, antibody titration, temperature/duration of antibody incubation, visualization of the antibody and interpretation of the results. Optimize staining protocols to the material you are using.

The what, where, how and why of gene ontology—a primer for bioinformaticians

PubMed Central

du Plessis, Louis; Škunca, Nives

2011-01-01

With high-throughput technologies providing vast amounts of data, it has become more important to provide systematic, quality annotations. The Gene Ontology (GO) project is the largest resource for cataloguing gene function. Nonetheless, its use is not yet ubiquitous and is still fraught with pitfalls. In this review, we provide a short primer to the GO for bioinformaticians. We summarize important aspects of the structure of the ontology, describe sources and types of functional annotations, survey measures of GO annotation similarity, review typical uses of GO and discuss other important considerations pertaining to the use of GO in bioinformatics applications. PMID:21330331

Metamodels for Computer-Based Engineering Design: Survey and Recommendations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simpson, Timothy W.; Peplinski, Jesse; Koch, Patrick N.; Allen, Janet K.

1997-01-01

The use of statistical techniques to build approximations of expensive computer analysis codes pervades much of todays engineering design. These statistical approximations, or metamodels, are used to replace the actual expensive computer analyses, facilitating multidisciplinary, multiobjective optimization and concept exploration. In this paper we review several of these techniques including design of experiments, response surface methodology, Taguchi methods, neural networks, inductive learning, and kriging. We survey their existing application in engineering design and then address the dangers of applying traditional statistical techniques to approximate deterministic computer analysis codes. We conclude with recommendations for the appropriate use of statistical approximation techniques in given situations and how common pitfalls can be avoided.

Laboratory Assays in Evaluation of Lynch Syndrome in Patients with Endometrial Carcinoma.

PubMed

Djordjevic, Bojana; Broaddus, Russell R

2016-06-01

This article reviews the main tissue testing modalities for Lynch Syndrome in the pathology laboratory, such as immunohistochemistry and PCR based analyses, and discusses their routine application, interpretation pitfalls, and troubleshooting of common technical performance issues. Discrepancies between laboratory and genetic testing may arise, and are examined in the context of the complexity of molecular abnormalities associated with Lynch Syndrome. The merits of targeted versus universal screening in a changing healthcare climate are addressed. In the absence of comprehensive screening programs, specific tumor topography and histological features that may prompt pathologist-initiated molecular tumor testing are outlined. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Integrated data analysis for genome-wide research.

PubMed

Steinfath, Matthias; Repsilber, Dirk; Scholz, Matthias; Walther, Dirk; Selbig, Joachim

2007-01-01

Integrated data analysis is introduced as the intermediate level of a systems biology approach to analyse different 'omics' datasets, i.e., genome-wide measurements of transcripts, protein levels or protein-protein interactions, and metabolite levels aiming at generating a coherent understanding of biological function. In this chapter we focus on different methods of correlation analyses ranging from simple pairwise correlation to kernel canonical correlation which were recently applied in molecular biology. Several examples are presented to illustrate their application. The input data for this analysis frequently originate from different experimental platforms. Therefore, preprocessing steps such as data normalisation and missing value estimation are inherent to this approach. The corresponding procedures, potential pitfalls and biases, and available software solutions are reviewed. The multiplicity of observations obtained in omics-profiling experiments necessitates the application of multiple testing correction techniques.

Infrared imaging of the crime scene: possibilities and pitfalls.

PubMed

Edelman, Gerda J; Hoveling, Richelle J M; Roos, Martin; van Leeuwen, Ton G; Aalders, Maurice C G

2013-09-01

All objects radiate infrared energy invisible to the human eye, which can be imaged by infrared cameras, visualizing differences in temperature and/or emissivity of objects. Infrared imaging is an emerging technique for forensic investigators. The rapid, nondestructive, and noncontact features of infrared imaging indicate its suitability for many forensic applications, ranging from the estimation of time of death to the detection of blood stains on dark backgrounds. This paper provides an overview of the principles and instrumentation involved in infrared imaging. Difficulties concerning the image interpretation due to different radiation sources and different emissivity values within a scene are addressed. Finally, reported forensic applications are reviewed and supported by practical illustrations. When introduced in forensic casework, infrared imaging can help investigators to detect, to visualize, and to identify useful evidence nondestructively. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Site-specific management of nematodes pitfalls and practicalities.

PubMed

Evans, Ken; Webster, Richard M; Halford, Paul D; Barker, Anthony D; Russell, Michael D

2002-09-01

The greatest constraint to potato production in the United Kingdom (UK) is damage by the potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis. Management of PCN depends heavily on nematicides, which are costly. Of all the inputs in UK agriculture, nematicides offer the largest potential cost savings from spatially variable application, and these savings would be accompanied by environmental benefits. We mapped PCN infestations in potato fields and monitored the changes in population density and distribution that occurred when susceptible potato crops were grown. The inverse relationship between population density before planting and multiplication rate of PCN makes it difficult to devise reliable spatial nematicide application procedures, especially when the pre-planting population density is just less than the detection threshold. Also, the spatial dependence found suggests that the coarse sampling grids used commercially are likely to produce misleading distribution maps.

How experimental biology and ecology can support evidence-based decision-making in conservation: avoiding pitfalls and enabling application.

PubMed

Cooke, Steven J; Birnie-Gauvin, Kim; Lennox, Robert J; Taylor, Jessica J; Rytwinski, Trina; Rummer, Jodie L; Franklin, Craig E; Bennett, Joseph R; Haddaway, Neal R

2017-01-01

Policy development and management decisions should be based upon the best available evidence. In recent years, approaches to evidence synthesis, originating in the medical realm (such as systematic reviews), have been applied to conservation to promote evidence-based conservation and environmental management. Systematic reviews involve a critical appraisal of evidence, but studies that lack the necessary rigour (e.g. experimental, technical and analytical aspects) to justify their conclusions are typically excluded from systematic reviews or down-weighted in terms of their influence. One of the strengths of conservation physiology is the reliance on experimental approaches that help to more clearly establish cause-and-effect relationships. Indeed, experimental biology and ecology have much to offer in terms of building the evidence base that is needed to inform policy and management options related to pressing issues such as enacting endangered species recovery plans or evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions. Here, we identify a number of pitfalls that can prevent experimental findings from being relevant to conservation or would lead to their exclusion or down-weighting during critical appraisal in a systematic review. We conclude that conservation physiology is well positioned to support evidence-based conservation, provided that experimental designs are robust and that conservation physiologists understand the nuances associated with informing decision-making processes so that they can be more relevant.

How experimental biology and ecology can support evidence-based decision-making in conservation: avoiding pitfalls and enabling application

PubMed Central

Birnie-Gauvin, Kim; Lennox, Robert J.; Taylor, Jessica J.; Rytwinski, Trina; Rummer, Jodie L.; Franklin, Craig E.; Bennett, Joseph R.; Haddaway, Neal R.

2017-01-01

Abstract Policy development and management decisions should be based upon the best available evidence. In recent years, approaches to evidence synthesis, originating in the medical realm (such as systematic reviews), have been applied to conservation to promote evidence-based conservation and environmental management. Systematic reviews involve a critical appraisal of evidence, but studies that lack the necessary rigour (e.g. experimental, technical and analytical aspects) to justify their conclusions are typically excluded from systematic reviews or down-weighted in terms of their influence. One of the strengths of conservation physiology is the reliance on experimental approaches that help to more clearly establish cause-and-effect relationships. Indeed, experimental biology and ecology have much to offer in terms of building the evidence base that is needed to inform policy and management options related to pressing issues such as enacting endangered species recovery plans or evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions. Here, we identify a number of pitfalls that can prevent experimental findings from being relevant to conservation or would lead to their exclusion or down-weighting during critical appraisal in a systematic review. We conclude that conservation physiology is well positioned to support evidence-based conservation, provided that experimental designs are robust and that conservation physiologists understand the nuances associated with informing decision-making processes so that they can be more relevant. PMID:28835842

New Technique of AC drive in Tokamak using Permanent Magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matteucci, Jackson; Zolfaghari, Ali

2013-10-01

This study investigates a new technique of capturing the rotational energy of alternating permanent magnets in order to inductively drive an alternating current in tokamak devices. The use of rotational motion bypasses many of the pitfalls seen in typical inductive and non-inductive current drives. Three specific designs are presented and assessed in the following criteria: the profile of the current generated, the RMS loop voltage generated as compared to the RMS power required to maintain it, the system's feasibility from an engineering perspective. All of the analysis has been done under ideal E&M conditions using the Maxwell 3D program. Preliminary results indicate that it is possible to produce an over 99% purely toroidal current with a RMS d Φ/dt of over 150 Tm2/s, driven by 20 MW or less of rotational power. The proposed mechanism demonstrates several key advantages including an efficient mechanical drive system, the generation of pure toroidal currents, and the potential for a quasi-steady state fusion reactor. The following quantities are presented for various driving frequencies and magnet strengths: plasma current generated, loop voltage, torque and power required. This project has been supported by DOE Funding under the SULI program.

"Permission to Speak": A Postcolonial View on Racialized Bodies and PE in the Current Context of Globalization.

PubMed

Azzarito, Laura

2016-06-01

The current neoliberal context of schools presents difficult challenges in addressing persistent issues of social inequalities. In this article, first, I argue that because of today's market-driven education, the rise of fitness testing in school physical education (PE) can be seriously detrimental to young people in general and to ethnic-minority young people's embodied identity in particular. Second, I explain how the racialization process circulated by the body-at-risk discourse, sustained by the media, and reproduced by high-stakes testing in PE forces ethnic-minority young people to construct their identities through White eyes, which alienates them from a consciousness of their own identity. Third, I explore the possible uses and pitfalls of Spivak's theoretical notion of "strategic essentialism" to put forward strategies to build a positive image of the "other" while attempting to avoid the erasure of difference. Fourth, I conclude the article by suggesting how Spivak's notion of strategic essentialism can be useful in rethinking current PE fitness practices.

The seven common pitfalls of customer service in hospitals.

PubMed

Domingo, Rene T

2015-01-01

Operating simultaneously like a repair shop, prison, and hotel, hospitals are prone to seven common pitfalls in customer service. Patient care is often fragmented, inscrutable, inflexible, insensitive, reactive, myopic, and unsafe. Hospitals are vying to be more high-tech, rather than high-touch even though staff engagement with patients rather than facilities and equipment strongly influence patient satisfaction. Unless processes, policies, and people are made customer-centered, the high quality of the hospital's human and hardware resources will not translate into high patient satisfaction and patient loyalty.

Genomics for paediatricians: promises and pitfalls.

PubMed

Hammond, Carrie Louise; Willoughby, Josh Matthew; Parker, Michael James

2018-03-24

In recent years, there have been significant advances in genetic technologies, evolving the field of genomics from genetics. This has huge diagnostic potential, as genomic testing increasingly becomes part of mainstream medicine. However, there are numerous potential pitfalls in the interpretation of genomic data. It is therefore essential that we educate clinicians more widely about the appropriate interpretation and utilisation of genomic testing. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Affinity proteomics to study endogenous protein complexes: Pointers, pitfalls, preferences and perspectives

PubMed Central

LaCava, John; Molloy, Kelly R.; Taylor, Martin S.; Domanski, Michal; Chait, Brian T.; Rout, Michael P.

2015-01-01

Dissecting and studying cellular systems requires the ability to specifically isolate distinct proteins along with the co-assembled constituents of their associated complexes. Affinity capture techniques leverage high affinity, high specificity reagents to target and capture proteins of interest along with specifically associated proteins from cell extracts. Affinity capture coupled to mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analyses has enabled the isolation and characterization of a wide range of endogenous protein complexes. Here, we outline effective procedures for the affinity capture of protein complexes, highlighting best practices and common pitfalls. PMID:25757543

Infantile botulism: pitfalls in electrodiagnosis.

PubMed

Sheth, R D; Lotz, B P; Hecox, K E; Waclawik, A J

1999-03-01

Botulism in infants, unless recognized early, is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The diagnosis is suspected when infants present with sudden onset of weakness, respiratory failure, and constipation and is confirmed by demonstration of botulinum toxin in stool several weeks later. Electrodiagnosis allows quick and reliable confirmation of botulism. Low-amplitude compound muscle action potentials, tetanic or post-tetanic facilitation, and the absence of post-tetanic exhaustion support the diagnosis. Two infants with confirmed botulism did not exhibit the characteristic electrodiagnostic features, demonstrating the pitfalls in electrodiagnosis of infantile botulism.

Digital communication support and Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Ekström, Anna; Ferm, Ulrika; Samuelsson, Christina

2017-08-01

Communication is one of the areas where people with dementia and their caregivers experience most challenges. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the understanding of possibilities and pitfalls of using personalized communication applications installed on tablet computers to support communication for people with dementia and their conversational partners. The study is based on video recordings of a woman, 52 years old, with Alzheimer's disease interacting with her husband in their home. The couple was recorded interacting with and without a tablet computer including a personalized communication application. The results from the present study reveal both significant possibilities and potential difficulties in introducing a digital communication device to people with dementia and their conversational partners. For the woman in the present study, the amount of interactive actions and the number of communicative actions seem to increase with the use of the communication application. The results also indicate that problems associated with dementia are foregrounded in interaction where the tablet computer is used.

The Promises and Pitfalls of Digital Technology in Its Application to Alcohol Treatment

PubMed Central

Muench, Frederick

2014-01-01

Individuals seeking to change their alcohol use form a heterogeneous group with varied treatment goals—including moderation and abstinence—that therefore requires flexible treatment options. The availability of alcohol in the United States, and the pervasive social pressure to drink, warrant treatments that support individuals outside the treatment environment and that foster coping and self-regulation in the face of these demands. Emerging digital technologies show promise for helping both to hone therapies to clients’ individual needs and to support clients in settings beyond the clinic. In the broader health care arena, digital health technologies (DHTs) are transforming how health professionals assess, prevent, and treat both physical and mental health problems. DHTs include assessments and interventions delivered via computer, Internet, mobile phone, and wireless or wearable device technologies. The emerging literature examining within-treatment and mobile DHTs highlights an opportunity to create personalized alcohol treatments for every person seeking care. Despite the promises DHTs may hold, however, there still are many potential risks to using them and a number of challenges regarding how to integrate them into treatment successfully. This article will review the current and potential advantages of DHTs in alcohol treatment and the technological, personal, organizational, and systemic limitations of integrating various technology-based assessment and intervention programs into care. PMID:26259008

Cross-validation pitfalls when selecting and assessing regression and classification models.

PubMed

Krstajic, Damjan; Buturovic, Ljubomir J; Leahy, David E; Thomas, Simon

2014-03-29

We address the problem of selecting and assessing classification and regression models using cross-validation. Current state-of-the-art methods can yield models with high variance, rendering them unsuitable for a number of practical applications including QSAR. In this paper we describe and evaluate best practices which improve reliability and increase confidence in selected models. A key operational component of the proposed methods is cloud computing which enables routine use of previously infeasible approaches. We describe in detail an algorithm for repeated grid-search V-fold cross-validation for parameter tuning in classification and regression, and we define a repeated nested cross-validation algorithm for model assessment. As regards variable selection and parameter tuning we define two algorithms (repeated grid-search cross-validation and double cross-validation), and provide arguments for using the repeated grid-search in the general case. We show results of our algorithms on seven QSAR datasets. The variation of the prediction performance, which is the result of choosing different splits of the dataset in V-fold cross-validation, needs to be taken into account when selecting and assessing classification and regression models. We demonstrate the importance of repeating cross-validation when selecting an optimal model, as well as the importance of repeating nested cross-validation when assessing a prediction error.

Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in Cartilage Repair: Graft Storage Paradigm, Translational Models, and Clinical Applications

PubMed Central

Bugbee, William D.; Pallante-Kichura, Andrea L.; Görtz, Simon; Amiel, David; Sah, Robert

2016-01-01

The treatment of articular cartilage injury and disease has become an increasingly relevant part of orthopaedic care. Articular cartilage transplantation, in the form of osteochondral allografting, is one of the most established techniques for restoration of articular cartilage. Our research efforts over the last two decades have supported the transformation of this procedure from experimental “niche” status to a cornerstone of orthopaedic practice. In this Kappa Delta paper, we describe our translational and clinical science contributions to this transformation: (1) to enhance the ability of tissue banks to process and deliver viable tissue to surgeons and patients, (2) to improve the biological understanding of in vivo cartilage and bone remodeling following osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation in an animal model system, (3) to define effective surgical techniques and pitfalls, and (4) to identify and clarify clinical indications and outcomes. The combination of coordinated basic and clinical studies is part of our continuing comprehensive academic OCA transplant program. Taken together, the results have led to the current standards for OCA processing and storage prior to implantation and also novel observations and mechanisms of the biological and clinical behavior of OCA transplants in vivo. Thus, OCA transplantation is now a successful and increasingly available treatment for patients with disabling osteoarticular cartilage pathology. PMID:26234194

'Necessary and sufficient' in biology is not necessarily necessary - confusions and erroneous conclusions resulting from misapplied logic in the field of biology, especially neuroscience.

PubMed

Yoshihara, Motojiro; Yoshihara, Motoyuki

In this article, we describe an incorrect use of logic which involves the careless application of the 'necessary and sufficient' condition originally used in formal logic. This logical fallacy is causing frequent confusion in current biology, especially in neuroscience. In order to clarify this problem, we first dissect the structure of this incorrect logic (which we refer to as 'misapplied-N&S') to show how necessity and sufficiency in misapplied-N&S are not matching each other. Potential pitfalls of utilizing misapplied-N&S are exemplified by cases such as the discrediting of command neurons and other potentially key neurons, the distorting of truth in optogenetic studies, and the wrongful justification of studies with little meaning. In particular, the use of the word 'sufficient' in optogenetics tends to generate misunderstandings by opening up multiple interpretations. To avoid the confusion caused by the misleading logic, we now recommend using 'indispensable and inducing' instead of using 'necessary and sufficient.' However, we ultimately recommend fully articulating the limits of what our experiments suggest, not relying on such simple phrases. Only after this problem is fully understood and more rigorous language is demanded, can we finally interpret experimental results in an accurate way.

Improving Land-Surface Model Hydrology: Is an Explicit Aquifer Model Better than a Deeper Soil Profile?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gulden, L. E.; Rosero, E.; Yang, Z.-L.; Rodell, Matthew; Jackson, C. S.; Niu, G.-Y.; Yeh, P. J.-F.; Famiglietti, J. S.

2007-01-01

Land surface models (LSMs) are computer programs, similar to weather and climate prediction models, which simulate the storage and movement of water (including soil moisture, snow, evaporation, and runoff) after it falls to the ground as precipitation. It is not currently possible to measure all of the variables of interest everywhere on Earth with sufficient accuracy. Hence LSMs have been developed to integrate the available information, including satellite observations, using powerful computers, in order to track water storage and redistribution. The maps are used to improve weather forecasts, support water resources and agricultural applications, and study the Earth's water cycle and climate variability. Recently, the models have begun to simulate groundwater storage. In this paper, we compare several possible approaches, and examine the pitfalls associated with trying to estimate aquifer parameters (such as porosity) that are required by the models. We find that explicit representation of groundwater, as opposed to the addition of deeper soil layers, considerably decreases the sensitivity of modeled terrestrial water storage to aquifer parameter choices. We also show that approximate knowledge of parameter values is not sufficient to guarantee realistic model performance: because interaction among parameters is significant, they must be prescribed as a harmonious set.

Towards interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in sub-Saharan Africa: developing an appropriate environmental surveillance framework to guide and to support 'end game' interventions.

PubMed

Stothard, J Russell; Campbell, Suzy J; Osei-Atweneboana, Mike Y; Durant, Timothy; Stanton, Michelle C; Biritwum, Nana-Kwadwo; Rollinson, David; Ombede, Dieudonné R Eloundou; Tchuem-Tchuenté, Louis-Albert

2017-01-14

Schistosomiasis is a waterborne parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly common in rural populations living in impoverished conditions. With the scale-up of preventive chemotherapy, national campaigns will transition from morbidity- to transmission-focused interventions thus formal investigation of actual or expected declines in environmental transmission is needed as 'end game' scenarios arise. Surprisingly, there are no international or national guidelines to do so in sub-Saharan Africa. Our article therefore provides an introduction to key practicalities and pitfalls in the development of an appropriate environmental surveillance framework. In this context, we discuss how strategies need to be adapted and tailored to the local level to better guide and support future interventions through this transition. As detection of egg-patent infection in people becomes rare, careful sampling of schistosome larvae in freshwater and in aquatic snails with robust species-specific DNA assays will be required. Appropriate metrics, derived from observed prevalence(s) as compared with predetermined thresholds, could each provide a clearer insight into contamination- and exposure-related dynamics. Application could be twofold, first to certify areas currently free from schistosomiasis transmission or second to red-flag recalcitrant locations where extra effort or alternative interventions are needed.

[Precision Oncology and "Molecular Tumor Boards" - Concepts, Chances and Challenges].

PubMed

Holch, Julian Walter; Westphalen, Christoph Benedikt; Hiddemann, Wolfgang; Heinemann, Volker; Jung, Andreas; Metzeler, Klaus Hans

2017-11-01

Recent developments in genomics allow a more and more comprehensive genetic analysis of human malignancies, and have sparked hopes that this will contribute to the development of novel targeted, effective and well-tolerated therapies.While targeted therapies have improved the prognosis of many cancer patients with certain tumor types, "precision oncology" also brings along new challenges. Highly personalized treatment strategies require new strategies for clinical trials and translation into routine clinical practice. We review the current technical approaches for "universal genetic testing" in cancer, and potential pitfalls in the interpretation of such data. We then provide an overview of the available evidence supporting treatment strategies based on extended genetic analysis. Based on the available data, we conclude that "precision oncology" approaches that go beyond the current standard of care should be pursued within the framework of an interdisciplinary "molecular tumor board", and preferably within clinical trials. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Current Guidelines, Common Clinical Pitfalls, and Future Directions for Laboratory Diagnosis of Lyme Disease, United States.

PubMed

Moore, Andrew; Nelson, Christina; Molins, Claudia; Mead, Paul; Schriefer, Martin

2016-07-01

In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted to humans by blacklegged ticks. Patients with an erythema migrans lesion and epidemiologic risk can receive a diagnosis without laboratory testing. For all other patients, laboratory testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, but proper interpretation depends on symptoms and timing of illness. The recommended laboratory test in the United States is 2-tiered serologic analysis consisting of an enzyme-linked immunoassay or immunofluorescence assay, followed by reflexive immunoblotting. Sensitivity of 2-tiered testing is low (30%-40%) during early infection while the antibody response is developing (window period). For disseminated Lyme disease, sensitivity is 70%-100%. Specificity is high (>95%) during all stages of disease. Use of other diagnostic tests for Lyme disease is limited. We review the rationale behind current US testing guidelines, appropriate use and interpretation of tests, and recent developments in Lyme disease diagnostics.

Pink-pigmented non-fermentative gram-negative rods associated with human infections: a clinical and diagnostic challenge.

PubMed

Hogue, R; Graves, M; Moler, S; Janda, J M

2007-06-01

Over the past several decades, the appearance of pink-pigmented bacteria in clinical specimens has gone from being a microbiologic curiosity in the clinical laboratory to the recognition of these aerobic microorganisms as etiologic agents of human disease, most notably bloodstream infections. Advances in the fields of molecular taxonomy and phylogenetics indicate that at least four distinct genera and eight different species are associated with clinical infections in susceptible patient populations. However, these bacteria are slow growing and present multiple diagnostic challenges to the microbiology laboratory including culture, isolation, and identification to species rank. This article provides a current review of these unusual non-fermentative chromogenic bacteria including their disease spectrum, taxonomy, and laboratory identification. The review also highlights the pitfalls or shortcomings we currently have in our knowledge of these microbes and their disease-producing capabilities.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ulyshen, Michael D.; Hanula, James L.; Horn, Scott

Pitfall traps provide an easy and inexpensive way to sample ground-dwelling arthropods (Spence and Niemela 1994; Spence et al. 1997; Abildsnes and Tommeras 2000) and have been used exclusively in many studies of the abundance and diversity of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Despite the popularity of this trapping technique, pitfall traps have many disadvantages. For example, they often fail to collect both small (Spence and Niemela 1994) and trap-shy species (Benest 1989), eventually deplete the local carabid population (Digweed et al. 1995), require a species to be ground-dwelling in order to be captured (Liebherr and Mahar 1979), and produce differentmore » results depending on trap diameter and material, type of preservative used, and trap placement (Greenslade 1964; Luff 1975; Work et al. 2002). Further complications arise from seasonal patterns of movement among the beetles themselves (Maelfait and Desender 1990), as well as numerous climatic factors, differences in plant cover, and variable surface conditions (Adis 1979). Because of these limitations, pitfall trap data give an incomplete picture of the carabid community and should be interpreted carefully. Additional methods, such as use of Berlese funnels and litter washing (Spence and Niemela 1994), collection from lights (Usis and MacLean 1998), and deployment of flight intercept devices (Liebherr and Mahar 1979; Paarmann and Stork 1987), should be incorporated in surveys to better ascertain the species composition and relative numbers of ground beetles. Flight intercept devices, like pitfall traps, have the advantage of being easy to use and replicate, but their value to carabid surveys is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate the effectiveness of Malaise traps for sampling ground beetles in a bottomland hardwood forest.« less

Functional Evaluation of the DOZA DKG-05D Electronic Dosimeter System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Piper, Roman K.; Scherpelz, Robert I.

2009-11-04

The DOZA DKG-05D electronic personal dosimeter (EPD) was the subject of a limited type-test evaluation in support of Plutonium Production Reactor Agreement (PPRA) Implementation. The primary goal of this evaluation was to provide confidence in the functionality of the dosimeter and identify potential weaknesses in PPRA applications. The tests were based on IEC-61526, recommendations of the International Electrotechnical Commission pertaining to EPDs. All tests were performed in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Radiological Calibrations and Standards Facility in the 318 building. The first testing category was functional considerations. The tests found that the mechanical characteristics of the DKG-05D support usability.more » However, user controls are not intuitive and straightforward, and the user instructions were unclear and difficult to follow. The unit functioned in a variety of humidity conditions. In high temperature conditions it performed well. However, in cold conditions the display began to fade, which limits its usefulness below about 5 °C. The vendor claims that the unit functions to -20 °C, and it may be correctly recording doses at that low temperature, but the doses cannot be read in real time. Testing found that battery life is generally good, operating for 200 hours on a full charge. This is far more than needed for the intended application. Charging the battery, however, had some pitfalls resulting from two charging modes. The high-current mode would be automatically selected if the battery charge fell below a threshold value when inserted in the charger. Otherwise, a low-current mode would be selected. In some cases a battery needing recharging would not get sufficient current to fully charge in a reasonable time period. There were also problems found in the low-battery indication and there was a possibility for data loss in the low-battery condition. The EPD generally performed well in measuring dose and dose rate. There were some small problems with non-linearity over a range of doses, but these non-linearities were at extremely low and very high doses and would not adversely affect the performance in our intended application. The testing resulted in the general conclusion that the DOZA DKG-05D is suitable for use in PPRA applications for real-time indication of dose received by a user and for estimation of stay times in radiation zones. It can be used as a supplement to a passive dosimeter, but it should not be used for measuring the user’s dose of record.« less

Cognitive neuropsychology and its vicissitudes: The fate of Caramazza's axioms.

PubMed

Shallice, Tim

2015-01-01

Cognitive neuropsychology is characterized as the discipline in which one draws conclusions about the organization of the normal cognitive systems from the behaviour of brain-damaged individuals. In a series of papers, Caramazza, later in collaboration with McCloskey, put forward four assumptions as the bridge principles for making such inferences. Four potential pitfalls, one for each axiom, are discussed with respect to the use of single-case methods. Two of the pitfalls also apply to case series and group study procedures, and the other two are held to be indirectly testable or avoidable. Moreover, four other pitfalls are held to apply to case series or group study methods. It is held that inferences from single-case procedures may profitably be supported or rejected using case series/group study methods, but also that analogous support needs to be given in the other direction for functionally based case series or group studies. It is argued that at least six types of neuropsychological method are valuable for extrapolation to theories of the normal cognitive system but that the single- or multiple-case study remains a critical part of cognitive neuropsychology's methods.

False-positive diagnosis of disease progression by magnetic resonance imaging for response assessment in prostate cancer with bone metastases: A case report and review of the pitfalls of images in the literature

PubMed Central

YU, YI-SHAN; LI, WAN-HU; LI, MING-HUAN; MENG, XUE; KONG, LI; YU, JIN-MING

2015-01-01

Bone metastases are common in prostate cancer. However, differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic alterations of bone on images is challenging. In the present report, a rare case of bone marrow reconversion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment, which may lead to a false-positive diagnosis of disease progression of bone metastases in hormone-resistant prostate cancer, is presented. Furthermore, a review of the literature regarding the pitfalls of images for response assessment, including the ‘flare’ phenomenon on bone scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography/CT and marrow reconversion on MRI is also provided. These inaccuracies, which may lead to a premature termination of an efficacious treatment, should be carefully considered by the radiologists and oncologists involved in clinical trials. The case reported in the present study showed how to assess the early therapeutic response and select the appropriate treatment for the patient when these pitfalls are encountered on clinical images. PMID:26788174

Histopathologic pitfalls of Mohs micrographic surgery and a review of tumor histology.

PubMed

França, Katlein; Alqubaisy, Yasser; Hassanein, Ashraf; Nouri, Keyvan; Lotti, Torello

2018-06-01

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized subset of staged surgical excisions with each subsequent stage being driven largely by the histologic findings of the previous stage. Therefore, it is imperative that histologic analysis is performed in an accurate manner. Frozen section and tissue flattening is a crucial step in Mohs surgery. Frozen sections introduce certain artifacts and these artifacts must be interpreted in the correct context. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common tumors encountered in Mohs micrographic surgery, and their histopathology is also associated with certain "pitfalls". Basal cell carcinoma should be distinguished from hair follicles, folliculocentric basaloid proliferations, poromas, nevus sebaceous, desmoplastic trichoepitheliomas, and spiradenomas, to name but a few histologic entities. Similarly, squamous cell carcinoma should be distinguished from hypertrophic actinic keratoses, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, sebaceous carcinoma, and microcystic adnexal carcinoma. In addition, there are numerous subtypes of basal cell and squamous carcinomas that the Mohs surgeon should be aware of due to differences in the biologic behavior of these tumors. This review presents a number of the common histologic pitfalls of Mohs micrographic surgery and a review of tumor histology.

Social media and professional identity: Pitfalls and potential.

PubMed

O'Regan, Andrew; Smithson, William Henry; Spain, Eimear

2018-02-01

Social media developments have completely changed how information is accessed and communicated. While great potential exists with these platforms, recent reports of online unprofessional behavior by doctors has threatened the medical professional identity; a matter of critical importance for clinicians and medical educators. This paper outlines a role for social media in facilitating support for clinicians and medical teachers; it will raise awareness of pitfalls and explain ethical and legal guidelines. An analysis of inappropriate behaviors and conflicting attitudes regarding what is acceptable in online posts, including the inter-generational contrast in online presence and perceptions of where the boundaries lie. Guidance documents are analyzed and potentially confusing and conflicting statements are identified and clarified. The authors believe that clinicians and medical students must follow ethical imperatives in both personal and professional spheres. It is essential that medical educational and professional bodies encourage clinicians to support one another and share information online while providing clear legal and ethical advice on maintaining standards and avoiding common pitfalls. Education on the responsible use of social media and associated risk awareness should be a priority for medical school curricula.

Uptake of 18F-DCFPyL in Paget's Disease of Bone, an Important Potential Pitfall in Clinical Interpretation of PSMA PET Studies.

PubMed

Rowe, Steven P; Deville, Curtiland; Paller, Channing; Cho, Steve Y; Fishman, Elliot K; Pomper, Martin G; Ross, Ashley E; Gorin, Michael A

2015-12-01

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted PET imaging is an emerging technique for evaluating patients with prostate cancer (PCa) in a variety of clinical contexts. As with any new imaging modality, there are interpretive pitfalls that are beginning to be recognized. In this image report, we describe the findings in a 63-year-old male with biochemically recurrent PCa after radical prostatectomy who was imaged with 18 F-DCFPyL, a small molecule inhibitor of PSMA. Diffuse radiotracer uptake was noted throughout the sacrum, corresponding to imaging findings on contrast-enhanced CT, bone scan, and pelvic MRI consistent with Paget's disease of bone. The uptake of 18 F-DCFPyL in Paget's disease is most likely due to hyperemia and increased radiotracer delivery. In light of the overlap in patients affected by PCa and Paget's, it is important for nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists interpreting PSMA PET/CT scans to be aware of the potential for this diagnostic pitfall. Correlation to findings on conventional imaging such as diagnostic CT and bone scan can help confirm the diagnosis.

Image-Based Environmental Monitoring Sensor Application Using an Embedded Wireless Sensor Network

PubMed Central

Paek, Jeongyeup; Hicks, John; Coe, Sharon; Govindan, Ramesh

2014-01-01

This article discusses the experiences from the development and deployment of two image-based environmental monitoring sensor applications using an embedded wireless sensor network. Our system uses low-power image sensors and the Tenet general purpose sensing system for tiered embedded wireless sensor networks. It leverages Tenet's built-in support for reliable delivery of high rate sensing data, scalability and its flexible scripting language, which enables mote-side image compression and the ease of deployment. Our first deployment of a pitfall trap monitoring application at the James San Jacinto Mountain Reserve provided us with insights and lessons learned into the deployment of and compression schemes for these embedded wireless imaging systems. Our three month-long deployment of a bird nest monitoring application resulted in over 100,000 images collected from a 19-camera node network deployed over an area of 0.05 square miles, despite highly variable environmental conditions. Our biologists found the on-line, near-real-time access to images to be useful for obtaining data on answering their biological questions. PMID:25171121

Testing and Validating Machine Learning Classifiers by Metamorphic Testing☆

PubMed Central

Xie, Xiaoyuan; Ho, Joshua W. K.; Murphy, Christian; Kaiser, Gail; Xu, Baowen; Chen, Tsong Yueh

2011-01-01

Machine Learning algorithms have provided core functionality to many application domains - such as bioinformatics, computational linguistics, etc. However, it is difficult to detect faults in such applications because often there is no “test oracle” to verify the correctness of the computed outputs. To help address the software quality, in this paper we present a technique for testing the implementations of machine learning classification algorithms which support such applications. Our approach is based on the technique “metamorphic testing”, which has been shown to be effective to alleviate the oracle problem. Also presented include a case study on a real-world machine learning application framework, and a discussion of how programmers implementing machine learning algorithms can avoid the common pitfalls discovered in our study. We also conduct mutation analysis and cross-validation, which reveal that our method has high effectiveness in killing mutants, and that observing expected cross-validation result alone is not sufficiently effective to detect faults in a supervised classification program. The effectiveness of metamorphic testing is further confirmed by the detection of real faults in a popular open-source classification program. PMID:21532969

Image-based environmental monitoring sensor application using an embedded wireless sensor network.

PubMed

Paek, Jeongyeup; Hicks, John; Coe, Sharon; Govindan, Ramesh

2014-08-28

This article discusses the experiences from the development and deployment of two image-based environmental monitoring sensor applications using an embedded wireless sensor network. Our system uses low-power image sensors and the Tenet general purpose sensing system for tiered embedded wireless sensor networks. It leverages Tenet's built-in support for reliable delivery of high rate sensing data, scalability and its flexible scripting language, which enables mote-side image compression and the ease of deployment. Our first deployment of a pitfall trap monitoring application at the James San Cannot Mountain Reserve provided us with insights and lessons learned into the deployment of and compression schemes for these embedded wireless imaging systems. Our three month-long deployment of a bird nest monitoring application resulted in over 100,000 images collected from a 19-camera node network deployed over an area of 0.05 square miles, despite highly variable environmental conditions. Our biologists found the on-line, near-real-time access to images to be useful for obtaining data on answering their biological questions.

A proposed route to independent measurements of tight junction conductance at discrete cell junctions

PubMed Central

Zhou, Lushan; Zeng, Yuhan; Baker, Lane A; Hou, Jianghui

2015-01-01

Direct recording of tight junction permeability is of pivotal importance to many biologic fields. Previous approaches bear an intrinsic disadvantage due to the difficulty of separating tight junction conductance from nearby membrane conductance. Here, we propose the design of Double whole-cell Voltage Clamp - Ion Conductance Microscopy (DVC-ICM) based on previously demonstrated potentiometric scanning of local conductive pathways. As proposed, DVC-ICM utilizes two coordinated whole-cell patch-clamps to neutralize the apical membrane current during potentiometric scanning, which in models described here will profoundly enhance the specificity of tight junction recording. Several potential pitfalls are considered, evaluated and addressed with alternative countermeasures. PMID:26716077

BIG DATA AND STATISTICS

PubMed Central

Rossell, David

2016-01-01

Big Data brings unprecedented power to address scientific, economic and societal issues, but also amplifies the possibility of certain pitfalls. These include using purely data-driven approaches that disregard understanding the phenomenon under study, aiming at a dynamically moving target, ignoring critical data collection issues, summarizing or preprocessing the data inadequately and mistaking noise for signal. We review some success stories and illustrate how statistical principles can help obtain more reliable information from data. We also touch upon current challenges that require active methodological research, such as strategies for efficient computation, integration of heterogeneous data, extending the underlying theory to increasingly complex questions and, perhaps most importantly, training a new generation of scientists to develop and deploy these strategies. PMID:27722040

Deep learning with convolutional neural network in radiology.

PubMed

Yasaka, Koichiro; Akai, Hiroyuki; Kunimatsu, Akira; Kiryu, Shigeru; Abe, Osamu

2018-04-01

Deep learning with a convolutional neural network (CNN) is gaining attention recently for its high performance in image recognition. Images themselves can be utilized in a learning process with this technique, and feature extraction in advance of the learning process is not required. Important features can be automatically learned. Thanks to the development of hardware and software in addition to techniques regarding deep learning, application of this technique to radiological images for predicting clinically useful information, such as the detection and the evaluation of lesions, etc., are beginning to be investigated. This article illustrates basic technical knowledge regarding deep learning with CNNs along the actual course (collecting data, implementing CNNs, and training and testing phases). Pitfalls regarding this technique and how to manage them are also illustrated. We also described some advanced topics of deep learning, results of recent clinical studies, and the future directions of clinical application of deep learning techniques.

Mathematical modeling of the aging processes and the mechanisms of mortality: paramount role of heterogeneity.

PubMed

Rossolini, G; Piantanelli, L

2001-08-01

Main problems of modeling the link between aging processes and mechanisms of mortality are addressed. Various applications of Gompertz's law, which allowed to formulate some fruitful hypotheses on the field, are reviewed. Some pitfalls occurring in its applications are also discussed using a model built on purpose to overcome these difficulties. The role played by heterogeneity emerges as the common cause of some relevant failure in using Gompertz's law and the necessary key ingredient of any model aimed to interpret the link between aging and mortality correctly. Though a number of problems are related to inter-individual variability, the search for their solution can lead to an intriguing approach to the study of aging and mortality. Living beings can be considered as complex systems and their age-related changes can be described at the light of complex system theory.

Multiple Applications of Alamar Blue as an Indicator of Metabolic Function and Cellular Health in Cell Viability Bioassays

PubMed Central

Rampersad, Sephra N.

2012-01-01

Accurate prediction of the adverse effects of test compounds on living systems, detection of toxic thresholds, and expansion of experimental data sets to include multiple toxicity end-point analysis are required for any robust screening regime. Alamar Blue is an important redox indicator that is used to evaluate metabolic function and cellular health. The Alamar Blue bioassay has been utilized over the past 50 years to assess cell viability and cytotoxicity in a range of biological and environmental systems and in a number of cell types including bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa and cultured mammalian and piscine cells. It offers several advantages over other metabolic indicators and other cytotoxicity assays. However, as with any bioassay, suitability must be determined for each application and cell model. This review seeks to highlight many of the important considerations involved in assay use and design in addition to the potential pitfalls. PMID:23112716

Target-directed Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry: A Study on Potentials and Pitfalls as Exemplified on a Bacterial Target.

PubMed

Frei, Priska; Pang, Lijuan; Silbermann, Marleen; Eriş, Deniz; Mühlethaler, Tobias; Schwardt, Oliver; Ernst, Beat

2017-08-25

Target-directed dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) is an emerging technique for the efficient identification of inhibitors of pharmacologically relevant targets. In this contribution, we present an application for a bacterial target, the lectin FimH, a crucial virulence factor of uropathogenic E. coli being the main cause of urinary tract infections. A small dynamic library of acylhydrazones was formed from aldehydes and hydrazides and equilibrated at neutral pH in presence of aniline as nucleophilic catalyst. The major success factors turned out to be an accordingly adjusted ratio of scaffolds and fragments, an adequate sample preparation prior to HPLC analysis, and the data processing. Only then did the ranking of the dynamic library constituents correlate well with affinity data. Furthermore, as a support of DCC applications especially to larger libraries, a new protocol for improved hit identification was established. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Design of lightning protection for a full-authority digital engine control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dargi, M.; Rupke, E.; Wiles, K.

1991-01-01

The steps and procedures are described which are necessary to achieve a successful lightning-protection design for a state-of-the-art Full-Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. The engine and control systems used as examples are fictional, but the design and verification methods are real. Topics discussed include: applicable airworthiness regulation, selection of equipment transient design and control levels for the engine/airframe and intra-engine segments of the system, the use of cable shields, terminal-protection devices and filter circuits in hardware protection design, and software approaches to minimize upset potential. Shield terminations, grounding, and bonding are also discussed, as are the important elements of certification and test plans, and the role of tests and analyses. Also included are examples of multiple-stroke and multiple-burst testing. A review of design pitfalls and challenges, and status of applicable test standards such as RTCA DO-160, Section 22, are presented.

Critical evaluation of municipal solid waste composting and potential compost markets.

PubMed

Farrell, M; Jones, D L

2009-10-01

Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) of mixed waste streams is becoming increasingly popular as a method for treating municipal solid waste (MSW). Whilst this process can separate many recyclates from mixed waste, the resultant organic residue can contain high levels of heavy metals and physical and biological contaminants. This review assesses the potential end uses and sustainable markets for this organic residue. Critical evaluation reveals that the best option for using this organic resource is in land remediation and restoration schemes. For example, application of MSW-derived composts at acidic heavy metal contaminated sites has ameliorated soil pollution with minimal risk. We conclude that although MSW-derived composts are of low value, they still represent a valuable resource particularly for use in post-industrial environments. A holistic view should be taken when regulating the use of such composts, taking into account the specific situation of application and the environmental pitfalls of alternative disposal routes.

Deep learning for computational biology.

PubMed

Angermueller, Christof; Pärnamaa, Tanel; Parts, Leopold; Stegle, Oliver

2016-07-29

Technological advances in genomics and imaging have led to an explosion of molecular and cellular profiling data from large numbers of samples. This rapid increase in biological data dimension and acquisition rate is challenging conventional analysis strategies. Modern machine learning methods, such as deep learning, promise to leverage very large data sets for finding hidden structure within them, and for making accurate predictions. In this review, we discuss applications of this new breed of analysis approaches in regulatory genomics and cellular imaging. We provide background of what deep learning is, and the settings in which it can be successfully applied to derive biological insights. In addition to presenting specific applications and providing tips for practical use, we also highlight possible pitfalls and limitations to guide computational biologists when and how to make the most use of this new technology. © 2016 The Authors. Published under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license.

Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology.

PubMed

Johnson, Kipp W; Torres Soto, Jessica; Glicksberg, Benjamin S; Shameer, Khader; Miotto, Riccardo; Ali, Mohsin; Ashley, Euan; Dudley, Joel T

2018-06-12

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to influence nearly every aspect of the human condition, and cardiology is not an exception to this trend. This paper provides a guide for clinicians on relevant aspects of artificial intelligence and machine learning, reviews selected applications of these methods in cardiology to date, and identifies how cardiovascular medicine could incorporate artificial intelligence in the future. In particular, the paper first reviews predictive modeling concepts relevant to cardiology such as feature selection and frequent pitfalls such as improper dichotomization. Second, it discusses common algorithms used in supervised learning and reviews selected applications in cardiology and related disciplines. Third, it describes the advent of deep learning and related methods collectively called unsupervised learning, provides contextual examples both in general medicine and in cardiovascular medicine, and then explains how these methods could be applied to enable precision cardiology and improve patient outcomes. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cultural Diversity in Nursing Education: Perils, Pitfalls, and Pearls

PubMed Central

Bednarz, Hedi; Schim, Stephanie; Doorenbos, Ardith

2010-01-01

Increasing diversity in the classroom challenges nursing educators to identify issues that complicate teaching (perils), analyze barriers for themselves and their students (pitfalls), and select new strategies for working with nontraditional students (pearls). This article identifies concerns arising from attitudes and values within nursing and common approaches to diversity education, and then discusses key issues in nursing education that relate to human nature, culture, faculty workload, and student demographics. Finally, some strategies are proposed for increasing the effectiveness of professional preparation with diverse students through a focus on culturally congruent education and development of faculty cultural competence. PMID:20143759

Cultural diversity in nursing education: perils, pitfalls, and pearls.

PubMed

Bednarz, Hedi; Schim, Stephanie; Doorenbos, Ardith

2010-05-01

Increasing diversity in the classroom challenges nursing educators to identify issues that complicate teaching (perils), analyze barriers for themselves and their students (pitfalls), and select new strategies for working with nontraditional students (pearls). This article identifies concerns arising from attitudes and values within nursing and common approaches to diversity education, and then discusses key issues in nursing education that relate to human nature, culture, faculty workload, and student demographics. Finally, some strategies are proposed for increasing the effectiveness of professional preparation with diverse students through a focus on culturally congruent education and development of faculty cultural competence.

Going single but not solo with podocytes: potentials, limitations, and pitfalls of single-cell analysis.

PubMed

Schiffer, Mario

2017-11-01

Single-cell RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) is a widely used tool to study biological questions in single cells. The discussed study identified 92 genes being predominantly expressed in podocytes based on a 5-fold higher expression compared with endothelial and mesangial cells. In addition to technical pitfalls, the question that is discussed in this commentary is whether results of a single-cell RNAseq study are able to deliver expression data that truly characterize a podocyte. Copyright © 2017 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pitfalls and Potentials of Crowd Science: a Meta-Analysis of Contextual Influences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klippel, A.; Sparks, K.; Wallgrün, J. O.

2015-08-01

Crowd science is becoming an integral part of research in many disciplines. The research discussed in this paper lies at the intersection of spatial and behavioral sciences, two of the greatest beneficiaries of crowd science. As a young methodological development, crowd science needs attention from the perspective of a rigorous evaluation of the data collected to explore potentials as well as limitations (pitfalls). Our research has addressed a variety of contextual effects on the validity of crowdsourced data such as cultural, linguistic, regional, as well as methodological differences that we will discuss here in light of semantics.

An unusual case of acute kidney injury due to vancomycin lessons learnt from reliance on eGFR.

PubMed

Barraclough, Katherine; Harris, Marianne; Montessori, Val; Levin, Adeera

2007-08-01

We present a case of renal impairment in an emaciated HIV-infected male that initially went unrecognized because of reliance on serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Inaccurate vancomycin dosing led to toxic drug levels (66 mg/l), associated with acute and severe worsening of kidney function. This occurred in the context of escalating doses of vancomycin given in the presence of changing kidney function, albeit kidney function that always remained well within the normal range (serum creatinine 29 - 42 mumol/l). In the absence of other plausible explanations, a presumptive diagnosis of vancomycin nephrotoxicity was made. Given the rarity of this diagnosis in the current era, we discuss the pathophysiology of vancomycin nephrotoxicity. We also explore the potential reasons for inaccuracy of GFR prediction equations in the HIV population, and discuss the potential pitfalls associated with application of eGFR or even serum creatinine without appropriate understanding of their limitations. We believe our case highlights a number of important teaching points: Vancomycin nephrotoxitiy is rare but can occur in the setting of kidney dysfunction. Current assessment of kidney function using creatinine and eGFR requires awareness of the clinical caveats in which these measures may be misleading. Acute changes in kidney function, irrespective of the test used, should be contextualized to the individual situation. Persons with HIV and low muscle mass constitute a specific subgroup in whom assessment of kidney function may be problematic using creatinine. We support ongoing efforts to develop or refine equations for specific unique and easily identifiable populations.

Resting-State Functional Connectivity in the Infant Brain: Methods, Pitfalls, and Potentiality.

PubMed

Mongerson, Chandler R L; Jennings, Russell W; Borsook, David; Becerra, Lino; Bajic, Dusica

2017-01-01

Early brain development is characterized by rapid growth and perpetual reconfiguration, driven by a dynamic milieu of heterogeneous processes. Postnatal brain plasticity is associated with increased vulnerability to environmental stimuli. However, little is known regarding the ontogeny and temporal manifestations of inter- and intra-regional functional connectivity that comprise functional brain networks. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has emerged as a promising non-invasive neuroinvestigative tool, measuring spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal at rest that reflect baseline neuronal activity. Over the past decade, its application has expanded to infant populations providing unprecedented insight into functional organization of the developing brain, as well as early biomarkers of abnormal states. However, many methodological issues of rs-fMRI analysis need to be resolved prior to standardization of the technique to infant populations. As a primary goal, this methodological manuscript will (1) present a robust methodological protocol to extract and assess resting-state networks in early infancy using independent component analysis (ICA), such that investigators without previous knowledge in the field can implement the analysis and reliably obtain viable results consistent with previous literature; (2) review the current methodological challenges and ethical considerations associated with emerging field of infant rs-fMRI analysis; and (3) discuss the significance of rs-fMRI application in infants for future investigations of neurodevelopment in the context of early life stressors and pathological processes. The overarching goal is to catalyze efforts toward development of robust, infant-specific acquisition, and preprocessing pipelines, as well as promote greater transparency by researchers regarding methods used.

Nanoparticles for transcutaneous vaccination.

PubMed

Hansen, Steffi; Lehr, Claus-Michael

2012-03-01

The living epidermis and dermis are rich in antigen presenting cells (APCs). Their activation can elicit a strong humoral and cellular immune response as well as mucosal immunity. Therefore, the skin is a very attractive site for vaccination, and an intradermal application of antigen may be much more effective than a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. However, the stratum corneum (SC) is a most effective barrier against the invasion of topically applied vaccines. Products which have reached the stage of clinical testing, avoid this problem by injecting the nano-vaccine intradermally or by employing a barrier disrupting method and applying the vaccine to a relatively large skin area. Needle-free vaccination is desirable from a number of aspects: ease of application, improved patient acceptance and less risk of infection among them. Nanocarriers can be designed in a way that they can overcome the SC. Also incorporation into nanocarriers protects instable antigen from degradation, improves uptake and processing by APCs, and facilitates endosomal escape and nuclear delivery of DNA vaccines. In addition, sustained release systems may build a depot in the tissue gradually releasing antigen which may avoid booster doses. Therefore, nanoformulations of vaccines for transcutaneous immunization are currently a very dynamic field of research. Among the huge variety of nanocarrier systems that are investigated hopes lie on ultra-flexible liposomes, superfine rigid nanoparticles and nanocarriers, which are taken up by hair follicles. The potential and pitfalls associated with these three classes of carriers will be discussed. © 2011 The Authors; Microbial Biotechnology © 2011 Society for Applied Microbiology and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Resting-State Functional Connectivity in the Infant Brain: Methods, Pitfalls, and Potentiality

PubMed Central

Mongerson, Chandler R. L.; Jennings, Russell W.; Borsook, David; Becerra, Lino; Bajic, Dusica

2017-01-01

Early brain development is characterized by rapid growth and perpetual reconfiguration, driven by a dynamic milieu of heterogeneous processes. Postnatal brain plasticity is associated with increased vulnerability to environmental stimuli. However, little is known regarding the ontogeny and temporal manifestations of inter- and intra-regional functional connectivity that comprise functional brain networks. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has emerged as a promising non-invasive neuroinvestigative tool, measuring spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal at rest that reflect baseline neuronal activity. Over the past decade, its application has expanded to infant populations providing unprecedented insight into functional organization of the developing brain, as well as early biomarkers of abnormal states. However, many methodological issues of rs-fMRI analysis need to be resolved prior to standardization of the technique to infant populations. As a primary goal, this methodological manuscript will (1) present a robust methodological protocol to extract and assess resting-state networks in early infancy using independent component analysis (ICA), such that investigators without previous knowledge in the field can implement the analysis and reliably obtain viable results consistent with previous literature; (2) review the current methodological challenges and ethical considerations associated with emerging field of infant rs-fMRI analysis; and (3) discuss the significance of rs-fMRI application in infants for future investigations of neurodevelopment in the context of early life stressors and pathological processes. The overarching goal is to catalyze efforts toward development of robust, infant-specific acquisition, and preprocessing pipelines, as well as promote greater transparency by researchers regarding methods used. PMID:28856131

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Radiology: Opportunities, Challenges, Pitfalls, and Criteria for Success.

PubMed

Thrall, James H; Li, Xiang; Li, Quanzheng; Cruz, Cinthia; Do, Synho; Dreyer, Keith; Brink, James

2018-03-01

Worldwide interest in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, including imaging, is high and growing rapidly, fueled by availability of large datasets ("big data"), substantial advances in computing power, and new deep-learning algorithms. Apart from developing new AI methods per se, there are many opportunities and challenges for the imaging community, including the development of a common nomenclature, better ways to share image data, and standards for validating AI program use across different imaging platforms and patient populations. AI surveillance programs may help radiologists prioritize work lists by identifying suspicious or positive cases for early review. AI programs can be used to extract "radiomic" information from images not discernible by visual inspection, potentially increasing the diagnostic and prognostic value derived from image datasets. Predictions have been made that suggest AI will put radiologists out of business. This issue has been overstated, and it is much more likely that radiologists will beneficially incorporate AI methods into their practices. Current limitations in availability of technical expertise and even computing power will be resolved over time and can also be addressed by remote access solutions. Success for AI in imaging will be measured by value created: increased diagnostic certainty, faster turnaround, better outcomes for patients, and better quality of work life for radiologists. AI offers a new and promising set of methods for analyzing image data. Radiologists will explore these new pathways and are likely to play a leading role in medical applications of AI. Copyright © 2017 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Benefits and Pitfalls of Satellite SAR for Coastal Area Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nunziata, F.; Buono, A.; Mgliaccio, M.; Li, X.; Wei, Y.

2016-08-01

This study aims at describing the outcomes of the Dragon-3 project no. 10689. The undertaken activities deal with coastal area monitoring and they include sea pollution and coastline extraction. The key remote sensing tool is the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that provides fine resolution images of the microwave reflectivity of the observed scene. However, the interpretation of SAR images is not at all straightforward and all the above-mentioned coastal area applications cannot be easily addressed using single-polarization SAR. Hence, the main outcome of this project is investigating the capability of multi-polarization SAR measurements to generate added-vale product in the frame of coastal area management.

Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy

PubMed Central

Mata, Marina; Chattopadhyay, Munmun; Fink, David J

2009-01-01

Neuropathy is a common, untreatable complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In animal models peptide neurotrophic factors can be used to protect against the development of neuropathy, but the combination of short half-life and off-target effects of these potent pleiotropic peptides has limited translation to human therapy. Gene transfer is a promising strategy that might circumvent these limitations. In this essay we review the basic methods of gene transfer and the preclinical data in rodent models that support the utility of this approach in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The path to a clinical applications and potential pitfalls in developing gene therapy for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy are considered. PMID:18990298

Vector Autoregression, Structural Equation Modeling, and Their Synthesis in Neuroimaging Data Analysis

PubMed Central

Chen, Gang; Glen, Daniel R.; Saad, Ziad S.; Hamilton, J. Paul; Thomason, Moriah E.; Gotlib, Ian H.; Cox, Robert W.

2011-01-01

Vector autoregression (VAR) and structural equation modeling (SEM) are two popular brain-network modeling tools. VAR, which is a data-driven approach, assumes that connected regions exert time-lagged influences on one another. In contrast, the hypothesis-driven SEM is used to validate an existing connectivity model where connected regions have contemporaneous interactions among them. We present the two models in detail and discuss their applicability to FMRI data, and interpretational limits. We also propose a unified approach that models both lagged and contemporaneous effects. The unifying model, structural vector autoregression (SVAR), may improve statistical and explanatory power, and avoids some prevalent pitfalls that can occur when VAR and SEM are utilized separately. PMID:21975109

Tachycardia detection in ICDs by Boston Scientific : Algorithms, pearls, and pitfalls.

PubMed

Zanker, Norbert; Schuster, Diane; Gilkerson, James; Stein, Kenneth

2016-09-01

The aim of this study was to summarize how implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) by Boston Scientific sense, detect, discriminate rhythms, and classify episodes. Modern devices include multiple programming selections, diagnostic features, therapy options, memory functions, and device-related history features. Device operation includes logical steps from sensing, detection, discrimination, therapy delivery to history recording. The program is designed to facilitate the application of the device algorithms to the individual patient's clinical needs. Features and functions described in this article represent a selective excerpt by the authors from Boston Scientific publicly available product resources. Programming of ICDs may affect patient outcomes. Patient-adapted and optimized programming requires understanding of device operation and concepts.

Optical noninvasive calculation of hemoglobin components concentrations and fractional oxygen saturation using a ring-scattering pulse oximeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdallah, Omar; Stork, Wilhelm; Muller-Glaser, Klaus

2004-06-01

The deficiencies of the currently used pulse oximeter are discussed in diverse literature. A hazardous pitfalls of this method is that the pulse oximeter will not detect carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin (metHb) concentrations. This leads to incorrect measurement of oxygen saturation by carbon monoxide poisoning and methemoglobinemia. Also the total hemoglobin concentration will not be considered and can only be measured in-vitro up to now. A second pitfall of the standard pulse oximetry is that it will not be able to show a result by low perfusion of tissues. This case is available inter alia when the patient is under shock or has a low blood pressure. The new non-invasive system we designed measures the actual (fractional) oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration. It will enable us also to measure COHb and metHb. The measurement can be applied at better perfused body central parts. Four or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes (LDs) and five photodiodes (PDs) are used. The reflected light signal detected by photodiodes is processed using a modified Lambert-Beer law (I=I0×e-α.d ). According to this law, when a non scattering probe is irradiated with light having the incident intensity I0, the intensity of transmitted light I decays exponentially with the absorption coefficient a of that probe and its thickness d. Modifications of this law have been performed following the theoretical developed models in literature, Monte Carlo simulation and experimental measurement.

Preventing thalassemia in Lebanon: successes and challenges in a developing country.

PubMed

Abi Saad, Michele; Haddad, Anthony G; Alam, Elie S; Aoun, Sanaa; Maatouk, Pascale; Ajami, Najat; Khairallah, Therese; Koussa, Suzanne; Musallam, Khaled M; Taher, Ali T

2014-01-01

Thalassemia continues to be a major health burden. The chronicity of the disease and the high cost of life-long treatment make prevention strategies crucial in the management of this disease. In this article, we revisit different successful prevention strategies, and underline the Lebanese model. The Chronic Care Center (CCC), Beirut, is the only specialized center in Lebanon for the treatment and prevention of thalassemia. The current number of patients registered up to August 2013 was 724, representing cases from all over Lebanon. In 1994, the center launched a national prevention program following the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The major activities of the program include awareness campaigns, screening for thalassemia carriers in the general population and high risk groups, registry of new cases and follow-up on the mandatory premarital law (established at the same time). Screening programs showed a carrier rate of around 2.3% in the general population, and 4.0-41.0% in high risk groups. The major pitfall in the law is that only persons with a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of >70.0 fL are asked to perform further hemoglobin (Hb) testing. A significant decrease in the number of new cases of thalassemia patients in Lebanon reflects the efforts deployed in the prevention of the disease. However, some limitations are faced in reaching a complete eradication of the disease, mainly due to the fact that abortion is illegal and due to pitfalls and incorrect implementation of the premarital law.

Secure anonymity-preserving password-based user authentication and session key agreement scheme for telecare medicine information systems.

PubMed

Sutrala, Anil Kumar; Das, Ashok Kumar; Odelu, Vanga; Wazid, Mohammad; Kumari, Saru

2016-10-01

Information and communication and technology (ICT) has changed the entire paradigm of society. ICT facilitates people to use medical services over the Internet, thereby reducing the travel cost, hospitalization cost and time to a greater extent. Recent advancements in Telecare Medicine Information System (TMIS) facilitate users/patients to access medical services over the Internet by gaining health monitoring facilities at home. Amin and Biswas recently proposed a RSA-based user authentication and session key agreement protocol usable for TMIS, which is an improvement over Giri et al.'s RSA-based user authentication scheme for TMIS. In this paper, we show that though Amin-Biswas's scheme considerably improves the security drawbacks of Giri et al.'s scheme, their scheme has security weaknesses as it suffers from attacks such as privileged insider attack, user impersonation attack, replay attack and also offline password guessing attack. A new RSA-based user authentication scheme for TMIS is proposed, which overcomes the security pitfalls of Amin-Biswas's scheme and also preserves user anonymity property. The careful formal security analysis using the two widely accepted Burrows-Abadi-Needham (BAN) logic and the random oracle models is done. Moreover, the informal security analysis of the scheme is also done. These security analyses show the robustness of our new scheme against the various known attacks as well as attacks found in Amin-Biswas's scheme. The simulation of the proposed scheme using the widely accepted Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications (AVISPA) tool is also done. We present a new user authentication and session key agreement scheme for TMIS, which fixes the mentioned security pitfalls found in Amin-Biswas's scheme, and we also show that the proposed scheme provides better security than other existing schemes through the rigorous security analysis and verification tool. Furthermore, we present the formal security verification of our scheme using the widely accepted AVISPA tool. High security and extra functionality features allow our proposed scheme to be applicable for telecare medicine information systems which is used for e-health care medical applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A review of the benefits and pitfalls of phantoms in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.

PubMed

Hocking, Graham; Hebard, Simon; Mitchell, Christopher H

2011-01-01

With the growth of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, so has the requirement for training tools to practice needle guidance skills and evaluate echogenic needles. Ethically, skills in ultrasound-guided needle placement should be gained in a phantom before performance of nerve blocks on patients in clinical practice. However, phantom technology is varied, and critical evaluation of the images is needed to understand their application to clinical use. Needle visibility depends on the echogenicity of the needle relative to the echogenicity of the tissue adjacent the needle. We demonstrate this point using images of echogenic and nonechogenic needles in 5 different phantoms at both shallow angles (20 degrees) and steep angles (45 degrees). The echogenicity of phantoms varies enormously, and this impacts on how needles are visualized. Water is anechoic, making all needles highly visible, but does not fix the needle to allow practice placement. Gelatin phantoms and Blue Phantoms provide tactile feedback but have very low background echogenicity, which greatly exaggerates needle visibility. This makes skill acquisition easier but can lead to false confidence in regard to clinical ability. Fresh-frozen cadavers retain much of the textural feel of live human tissue and are nearly as echogenic. Similar to clinical practice, this makes needles inserted at steep angles practically invisible, unless they are highly echogenic. This review describes the uses and pitfalls of phantoms that have been described or commercially produced. Copyright © 2011 by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine

Hidden Treasures and Secret Pitfalls: Application of the Capability Approach to ParkinsonNet.

PubMed

Canoy, Marcel; Faber, Marjan J; Munneke, Marten; Oortwijn, Wija; Nijkrake, Maarten J; Bloem, Bastiaan R

2015-01-01

In the Netherlands, the largest health technology assessment (HTA) program funds mainly (cost-)effectiveness studies and implementation research. The cost-effectiveness studies are usually controlled clinical trials which simultaneously collect cost data. The success of a clinical trial typically depends on the effect size for the primary outcome, such as health gains or mortality rates. A drawback is that in case of a negative primary outcome, relevant other (and perhaps more implicit) benefits might be missed. Conversely, positive trials can contain adverse outcomes that may also remain hidden. The capability approach (developed by Nobel Prize winner and philosopher Sen) is an instrument that may reveal such "hidden treasures and secret pitfalls" that lie embedded within clinical trials, beyond the more traditional outcomes. Here, we exemplify the possible merits of the capability approach using a large clinical trial (funded by the HTA program in the Netherlands) that aimed to evaluate the ParkinsonNet concept, an innovative network approach for Parkinson patients. This trial showed no effects for the primary outcome, but the ParkinsonNet concept tested in this study was nevertheless met with great enthusiasm and was rapidly implemented throughout an entire country, and meanwhile also internationally. We applied the capability approach to the ParkinsonNet concept, and this analysis yielded additional benefits within several capability domains. These findings seems to substantiate the claim that richer policy debates may ensue by applying the capability approach to clinical trial data, in addition to traditional outcomes.

Pitfalls and Limitations of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Urinary Bladder Cancer

PubMed Central

Lin, Wei-Ching; Chen, Jeon-Hor

2015-01-01

Adequately selecting a therapeutic approach for bladder cancer depends on accurate grading and staging. Substantial inaccuracy of clinical staging with bimanual examination, cystoscopy, and transurethral resection of bladder tumor has facilitated the increasing utility of magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate bladder cancer. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging technique. The high tissue contrast between cancers and surrounding tissues on DWI is derived from the difference of water molecules motion. DWI is potentially a useful tool for the detection, characterization, and staging of bladder cancers; it can also monitor posttreatment response and provide information on predicting tumor biophysical behaviors. Despite advancements in DWI techniques and the use of quantitative analysis to evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient values, there are some inherent limitations in DWI interpretation related to relatively poor spatial resolution, lack of cancer specificity, and lack of standardized image acquisition protocols and data analysis procedures that restrict the application of DWI and reproducibility of apparent diffusion coefficient values. In addition, inadequate bladder distension, artifacts, thinness of bladder wall, cancerous mimickers of normal bladder wall and benign lesions, and variations in the manifestation of bladder cancer may interfere with diagnosis and monitoring of treatment. Recognition of these pitfalls and limitations can minimize their impact on image interpretation, and carefully applying the analyzed results and combining with pathologic grading and staging to clinical practice can contribute to the selection of an adequate treatment method to improve patient care. PMID:26055180

Comparative performance and complementarity of four sampling methods and arthropod preference tests from human and porcine remains at the Forensic Anthropology Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.

PubMed

Schoenly, Kenneth G; Haskell, Neal H; Hall, Robert D; Gbur, J Robert

2007-09-01

Comparative performance and complementarity tests of four arthropod sampling methods (aerial netting, hand collection, pitfall traps, and sticky traps), used by forensic entomologists in death investigations, training workshops, and research trials, were conducted from simultaneously placed human and porcine subjects inside the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. A secondary aim investigated the widely held claim that pig carcasses are reliable surrogates for human corpses. Over a 35-d period in summer 1989, >72,000 invertebrates from three subjects (one human, two pigs) were sampled of which 93% were members of the forensically important (FI) fauna. Performance tests revealed that hand collections, when performed by an experienced forensic entomologist, consistently yielded the largest fraction of FI arthropods from the total invertebrate catch, followed by aerial netting, sticky traps, and pitfall traps, regardless of subject. Pitfall traps and hand collections were broadly effective at sampling both fly and beetle populations, whereas aerial netting and sticky traps mostly targeted flies. The best two-method combination, based on the highest combined catches of FI taxa, were hand collections and pitfall traps, regardless of subject. Between-subject comparisons revealed negligible preference by FI arthropods for human over pig remains. Insofar as our limited comparisons allow with only three study subjects, these results validated the concept of transferability of "best practices" from one subject to another and confirmed the claim that pig carcasses (of 23-27-kg starting mass) can substitute for human corpses in research and training programs, at least for summer-exposed and unconcealed remains in the first 5 wk postmortem.

Effectiveness of Winkler Litter Extraction and Pitfall Traps in Sampling Ant Communities and Functional Groups in a Temperate Forest.

PubMed

Mahon, Michael B; Campbell, Kaitlin U; Crist, Thomas O

2017-06-01

Selection of proper sampling methods for measuring a community of interest is essential whether the study goals are to conduct a species inventory, environmental monitoring, or a manipulative experiment. Insect diversity studies often employ multiple collection methods at the expense of researcher time and funding. Ants (Formicidae) are widely used in environmental monitoring owing to their sensitivity to ecosystem changes. When sampling ant communities, two passive techniques are recommended in combination: pitfall traps and Winkler litter extraction. These recommendations are often based on studies from highly diverse tropical regions or when a species inventory is the goal. Studies in temperate regions often focus on measuring consistent community response along gradients of disturbance or among management regimes; therefore, multiple sampling methods may be unnecessary. We compared the effectiveness of pitfalls and Winkler litter extraction in an eastern temperate forest for measuring ant species richness, composition, and occurrence of ant functional groups in response to experimental manipulations of two key forest ecosystem drivers, white-tailed deer and an invasive shrub (Amur honeysuckle). We found no significant effect of sampling method on the outcome of the ecological experiment; however, we found differences between the two sampling methods in the resulting ant species richness and functional group occurrence. Litter samples approximated the overall combined species richness and composition, but pitfalls were better at sampling large-bodied (Camponotus) species. We conclude that employing both methods is essential only for species inventories or monitoring ants in the Cold-climate Specialists functional group. © The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Efficacy of UV-Pit-light traps for discerning micro-habitat-specific beetle and ant species related with different oil palm age stands and tropical annual seasons for accurate ecology and diversity interpretations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad Bukhary, A. K.; Ruslan, M. Y.; Mohd. Fauzi, M. M.; Nicholas, S.; Muhamad Fahmi, M. H.; Izfa Riza, H.; Idris, A. B.

2015-09-01

A newly innovated and efficient UV-Pit-light Trap is described and the results of the experiments on its efficacy that were carried out within different oil palm age stands of the year 2013 were evaluated and compared with previous study year of 2010, with out the implementation of the UV-Pit-light Trap. In 2013 the UV-Pit-light Traps, the Malaise Traps, and the Pit-fall Traps were employed, while in 2010, the conventional canopy-height UV-Light Traps, Malaise Traps, and the Pit-fall Traps were employed. The UV-Pit-light traps caught more beetle and ant families, morpho-species, and individuals per species compared with the passive Pit-fall traps. The UV-Pit-light Trap targets different subsets of the oil palm beetles and ants' communities, specifying on epigaeic-related micro-habitats, with different oil palm age stands have different compositions of micro-habitats. The UV-Pit-light Traps have the dual quality for satisfying both the biological and statistical data requirements and evaluations. There were no significant difference between the UV-Pit-light Traps and the passive Pit-fall Traps, while the trapping difference with the Malaise traps for different seasons of the year 2013. The UV-Pit-light Traps and the Malaise Traps were complementary to each other, detecting the activities of beetles and ants around the epigaeic-related micro-habitats or having active flight activities respectively according to annual seasons. The UV-Pit-light Trap is an oil-palm specific type of passive trapping system, focusing on the insect species dwelling the upper-ground/epigaeic micro-habitats.

Using malaise traps to sample ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ulyshen, Michael D., James L. Hanula, and Scott Horn

2005-01-01

Pitfall traps provide an easy and inexpensive way to sample ground-dwelling arthropods (Spence and Niemela 1994; Spence et al. 1997; Abildsnes and Tommeras 2000) and have been used exclusively in many studies of the abundance and diversity of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Despite the popularity of this trapping technique, pitfall traps have many disadvantages. For example, they often fail to collect both small (Spence and Niemela 1994) and trap-shy species (Benest 1989), eventually deplete the local carabid population (Digweed et al. 1995), require a species to be ground-dwelling in order to be captured (Liebherr and Mahar 1979), and produce differentmore » results depending on trap diameter and material, type of preservative used, and trap placement (Greenslade 1964; Luff 1975; Work et al. 2002). Further complications arise from seasonal patterns of movement among the beetles themselves (Maelfait and Desender 1990), as well as numerous climatic factors, differences in plant cover, and variable surface conditions (Adis 1979). Because of these limitations, pitfall trap data give an incomplete picture of the carabid community and should be interpreted carefully. Additional methods, such as use of Berlese funnels and litter washing (Spence and Niemela 1994), collection from lights (Usis and MacLean 1998), and deployment of flight intercept devices (Liebherr and Mahar 1979; Paarmann and Stork 1987), should be incorporated in surveys to better ascertain the species composition and relative numbers of ground beetles. Flight intercept devices, like pitfall traps, have the advantage of being easy to use and replicate, but their value to carabid surveys is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate the effectiveness of Malaise traps for sampling ground beetles in a bottomland hardwood forest.« less

'Medusa head ataxia': the expanding spectrum of Purkinje cell antibodies in autoimmune cerebellar ataxia. Part 3: Anti-Yo/CDR2, anti-Nb/AP3B2, PCA-2, anti-Tr/DNER, other antibodies, diagnostic pitfalls, summary and outlook.

PubMed

Jarius, S; Wildemann, B

2015-09-17

Serological testing for anti-neural autoantibodies is important in patients presenting with idiopathic cerebellar ataxia, since these autoantibodies may indicate cancer, determine treatment and predict prognosis. While some of them target nuclear antigens present in all or most CNS neurons (e.g. anti-Hu, anti-Ri), others more specifically target antigens present in the cytoplasm or plasma membrane of Purkinje cells (PC). In this series of articles, we provide a detailed review of the clinical and paraclinical features, oncological, therapeutic and prognostic implications, pathogenetic relevance, and differential laboratory diagnosis of the 12 most common PC autoantibodies (often referred to as 'Medusa head antibodies' due to their characteristic somatodendritic binding pattern when tested by immunohistochemistry). To assist immunologists and neurologists in diagnosing these disorders, typical high-resolution immunohistochemical images of all 12 reactivities are presented, diagnostic pitfalls discussed and all currently available assays reviewed. Of note, most of these antibodies target antigens involved in the mGluR1/calcium pathway essential for PC function and survival. Many of the antigens also play a role in spinocerebellar ataxia. Part 1 focuses on anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 1-, anti-Homer protein homolog 3-, anti-Sj/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor- and anti-carbonic anhydrase-related protein VIII-associated autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (ACA); part 2 covers anti-protein kinase C gamma-, anti-glutamate receptor delta-2-, anti-Ca/RhoGTPase-activating protein 26- and anti-voltage-gated calcium channel-associated ACA; and part 3 reviews the current knowledge on anti-Tr/delta notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor-, anti-Nb/AP3B2-, anti-Yo/cerebellar degeneration-related protein 2- and Purkinje cell antibody 2-associated ACA, discusses differential diagnostic aspects and provides a summary and outlook.

TU-C-9A-01: IROC Organization and Clinical Trial Credentialing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Followill, D; Molineu, A; Xiao, Y

2014-06-15

As a response to recommendations from a report from the Institute of Medicine, NCI is reorganizing it clinical trial groups into a National Clinical Trial Network (NCTN) that consists of four adult groups (Alliance, ECOGACRIN, NRG, and SWOG) and one children’s group (COG). NRG will house CIRO, a center to promote innovative radiation therapy research and intergroup collaboration in radiation. The quality assurance groups that support clinical trials have also been restructured. ITC, OSU Imaging corelab, Philadelphia Imaging core-lab, QARC, RPC, and RTOGQA have joined together to create the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) Group. IROC’s mission is tomore » provide integrated radiation oncology and diagnostic imaging quality control programs in support of the NCI’s NCTN thereby assuring high quality data for clinical trials designed to improve the clinical outcomes for cancer patients worldwide. This will be accomplished through five core services: site qualification, trial design support, credentialing, data management, case review.These changes are important for physicist participating in NCI clinical trials to understand. We will describe in detail the IROC’s activities and five core services so that as a user, the medical physicist can learn how to efficiently utilize this group. We will describe common pitfalls encountered in credentialing for current protocols and present methods to avoid them. These may include the which benchmarks are required for NSABP B-51/RTOG 1304 and how to plan them as well as tips for phantom planning. We will explain how to submit patient and phantom cases in the TRIAD system used by IROC. Learning Objectives: To understand the basic organization of IROC, its mission and five core services To learn how to use TRIAD for patient and phantom data submission To learn how to avoid common pitfalls in credentialing for current trials.« less

Benign phyllodes tumor with tubular adenoma-like epithelial component in FNAC: A diagnostic pitfall.

PubMed

Panda, Kishori M

2016-01-01

Benign phyllodes tumor (BPT) is a biphasic neoplasm composed of bland stromal and epithelial elements. Cytologic diagnostic criteria of BPT, though documented in the literature, diagnostic pitfalls in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may occur due to sampling error, high cellularity, ductal hyperplasia, paucity of stromal component, and occasional dissociation of epithelial cells. Here, we describe a case of BPT diagnosed by histology in a 19-year-old female, where FNAC features were inconclusive due to paucity of stromal component, predominance of tubular adenoma-like epithelial component, and due to the presence of other overlapping features with fibroadenoma.

Epidemiological designs for vaccine safety assessment: methods and pitfalls.

PubMed

Andrews, Nick

2012-09-01

Three commonly used designs for vaccine safety assessment post licensure are cohort, case-control and self-controlled case series. These methods are often used with routine health databases and immunisation registries. This paper considers the issues that may arise when designing an epidemiological study, such as understanding the vaccine safety question, case definition and finding, limitations of data sources, uncontrolled confounding, and pitfalls that apply to the individual designs. The example of MMR and autism, where all three designs have been used, is presented to help consider these issues. Copyright © 2011 The International Alliance for Biological Standardization. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pitfalls in colour photography of choroidal tumours

PubMed Central

Schalenbourg, A; Zografos, L

2013-01-01

Colour imaging of fundus tumours has been transformed by the development of digital and confocal scanning laser photography. These advances provide numerous benefits, such as panoramic images, increased contrast, non-contact wide-angle imaging, non-mydriatic photography, and simultaneous angiography. False tumour colour representation can, however, cause serious diagnostic errors. Large choroidal tumours can be totally invisible on angiography. Pseudogrowth can occur because of artefacts caused by different methods of fundus illumination, movement of reference blood vessels, and flattening of Bruch's membrane and sclera when tumour regression occurs. Awareness of these pitfalls should prevent the clinician from misdiagnosing tumours and wrongfully concluding that a tumour has grown. PMID:23238442

Cat-Scratch Disease: A Pitfall for Lymphoma Evaluation by FDG-PET/CT.

PubMed

Dubreuil, Julien; Dony, Arthur; Salles, Gilles; Traverse-Glehen, Alexandra; Giammarile, Francesco; Skanjeti, Andrea

2017-02-01

FDG-PET/CT is a standard of care in staging and response assessment of Hodgkin lymphoma. Hence, it is important to recognize pitfalls owing to the potential therapeutic impact. We report a case of a 29-year-old woman affected by stage III bulky Hodgkin lymphoma. The interim FDG-PET/CT showed a complete metabolic response. After three new cycles of chemotherapy, the patient showed fever and lymphadenopathy at clinic examination, PET/CT revealed several FDG uptakes at lymph nodes in inguinal and iliac region. Pathologic analyses, after biopsy and serologic examinations, led to the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease.

Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy using Transforaminal Endoscopic Spine System technique: Pitfalls that a beginner should avoid

PubMed Central

Kapetanakis, Stylianos; Gkasdaris, Grigorios; Angoules, Antonios G; Givissis, Panagiotis

2017-01-01

Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy (TPED) is a minimally invasive technique mainly used for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation from a lateral approach. Performed under local anesthesia, TPED has been proven to be a safe and effective technique which has been also associated with shorter rehabilitation period, reduced blood loss, trauma, and scar tissue compared to conventional procedures. However, the procedure should be performed by a spine surgeon experienced in the specific technique and capable of recognizing or avoiding various challenging conditions. In this review, pitfalls that a novice surgeon has to be mindful of, are reported and analyzed. PMID:29312845

PET kinetic analysis --pitfalls and a solution for the Logan plot.

PubMed

Kimura, Yuichi; Naganawa, Mika; Shidahara, Miho; Ikoma, Yoko; Watabe, Hiroshi

2007-01-01

The Logan plot is a widely used algorithm for the quantitative analysis of neuroreceptors using PET because it is easy to use and simple to implement. The Logan plot is also suitable for receptor imaging because its algorithm is fast. However, use of the Logan plot, and interpretation of the formed receptor images should be regarded with caution, because noise in PET data causes bias in the Logan plot estimates. In this paper, we describe the basic concept of the Logan plot in detail and introduce three algorithms for the Logan plot. By comparing these algorithms, we demonstrate the pitfalls of the Logan plot and discuss the solution.

Extraosseous Extension of Aggressive Vertebral Hemangioma as a Potential Pitfall on 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT.

PubMed

Probst, Stephan; Bladou, Franck; Abikhzer, Gad

2017-08-01

A 74-year-old man with newly diagnosed prostate cancer underwent Ga-PSMA PET/CT, which demonstrated intense uptake in and adjacent the L2 vertebral body. Subsequent MRI of the lumbar spine showed an aggressive L2 hemangioma with adjacent soft tissue extension. There was congruence of the intraosseous and extraosseous components of the hemangioma and the PSMA PET uptake. This is a rare but important potential pitfall in Ga-PSMA PET/CT-a soft tissue lesion with intense tracer uptake related not to a nodal metastasis of prostate cancer but to extraosseous extension of an aggressive vertebral body hemangioma.

Pitfalls in colour photography of choroidal tumours.

PubMed

Schalenbourg, A; Zografos, L

2013-02-01

Colour imaging of fundus tumours has been transformed by the development of digital and confocal scanning laser photography. These advances provide numerous benefits, such as panoramic images, increased contrast, non-contact wide-angle imaging, non-mydriatic photography, and simultaneous angiography. False tumour colour representation can, however, cause serious diagnostic errors. Large choroidal tumours can be totally invisible on angiography. Pseudogrowth can occur because of artefacts caused by different methods of fundus illumination, movement of reference blood vessels, and flattening of Bruch's membrane and sclera when tumour regression occurs. Awareness of these pitfalls should prevent the clinician from misdiagnosing tumours and wrongfully concluding that a tumour has grown.

Multifractal analyis of soil invertebrates along a transect under different land uses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machado Siqueira, Glécio; Alves Silva, Raimunda; Vidal-Vázquez, Eva; Paz-González, Antonio

2017-04-01

Soil fauna play a central role in many essential ecosystem processes. Land use and management can have a dramatic effect upon soil invertebrate community. Indices based on soil invertebrates abundance and diversity are fundamental for soil quality assessment. Many soil properties and attributes have been shown to exhibit spatial variabilityThe aim of this study was to analyze the scaling heterogeneity of the soil invertebrate community sampled using pitfall traps across a transect. The field study was conducted at Mata Roma municipality, Maranhão State, Brazil. Transects were marked under seven different agricultural/forestry land uses (millet, soybean, maize, eucalyptus, pasture, secondary savannah and native savannah). Native vegetation was considered as a reference, whereas the agricultural fields showed a range of soil use intensities. Along these transects 130 pitfall per land use were installed. First, differences in community assemblages and composition under different land use systems were evaluated using classical indices. Then, the spatial distribution of soil fauna trapped by pitfall techniques, characterized through generalized dimension, Dq, and singularity spectra, f(α) - α, showed a well-defined multifractal structure. Differences in scaling heterogeneity and other multifractal characteristics were examined in relation to land use intensification.

MR imaging findings of adenomyosis: correlation with histopathologic features and diagnostic pitfalls.

PubMed

Tamai, Ken; Togashi, Kaori; Ito, Tsuyoshi; Morisawa, Nobuko; Fujiwara, Toshitaka; Koyama, Takashi

2005-01-01

Adenomyosis is a nonneoplastic condition, characterized by benign invasion of ectopic endometrium into the myometrium with hyperplasia of adjacent smooth muscle. The common symptoms include dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and abnormal uterine bleeding, but these do not allow diagnosis. Therefore, imaging plays an important role because establishment of the correct preoperative diagnosis is critical to avoid unnecessary intervention. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a highly accurate noninvasive modality for diagnosis of adenomyosis, differentiation of adenomyosis from other gynecologic disorders, and planning of appropriate treatment. Although the typical MR imaging findings are well established, adenomyosis actually varies widely in terms of histopathologic features (adenomyosis with sparse glands), growth patterns (polypoid adenomyoma, adenomyotic cyst, and miniature uterus), responses to hormonal activity (tamoxifen, decidual changes), and responses to treatment (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist). The MR imaging findings of adenomyosis occasionally mimic those of uterine malignancy or ovarian cancer. Furthermore, malignancy occasionally develops in otherwise benign adenomyosis. Pitfalls in diagnosis of adenomyosis include myometrial contractions, leiomyoma, adenomatoid tumor, metastases, endometrial carcinoma, and endometrial stromal sarcoma. Knowledge of the various appearances of adenomyosis and the possible pitfalls in differential diagnosis help guide the determination of appropriate treatment options. (c) RSNA, 2005.

Pitfalls in penetrating thoracic trauma (lessons we learned the hard way...).

PubMed

Degiannis, Elias; Zinn, Richard Joseph

2008-10-01

The majority of patients with penetrating thoracic trauma are managed non-operatively. Those requiring surgery usually go to theater with physiological instability. The critical condition of these patients coupled with the rarity of penetrating thoracic trauma in most European countries makes their surgical management challenging for the occasional trauma surgeon, who is usually trained as a general surgeon. Most general surgeons have a general knowledge of basic cardiothoracic operative surgery, knowledge originating from their training years and possibly enhanced by reading operative surgery textbooks. Unfortunately, the details included in most of these books are not extensive enough to provide him with enough armamentaria to tackle the difficult case. In this anatomical region, their operative dexterity and knowledge cannot be compared to that of their cardiothoracic colleagues, something that is taken for granted in their cardiothoracic trauma textbooks. Techniques that are considered basic and easy by the cardiothoracic surgeons can be unfamiliar and difficult to general surgeons. Knowing the danger points and the pitfalls that will be encountered in cardiothoracic trauma surgery will help them to avoid intraoperative errors and improve patient outcome. The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight the commonly encountered pitfalls by trauma surgeons operating on penetrating trauma to the chest.

Pitfalls and Limitations in the Interpretation of Geophysical Images for Hydrologic Properties and Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Day-Lewis, F. D.

2014-12-01

Geophysical imaging (e.g., electrical, radar, seismic) can provide valuable information for the characterization of hydrologic properties and monitoring of hydrologic processes, as evidenced in the rapid growth of literature on the subject. Geophysical imaging has been used for monitoring tracer migration and infiltration, mapping zones of focused groundwater/surface-water exchange, and verifying emplacement of amendments for bioremediation. Despite the enormous potential for extraction of hydrologic information from geophysical images, there also is potential for misinterpretation and over-interpretation. These concerns are particularly relevant when geophysical results are used within quantitative frameworks, e.g., conversion to hydrologic properties through petrophysical relations, geostatistical estimation and simulation conditioned to geophysical inversions, and joint inversion. We review pitfalls to interpretation associated with limited image resolution, spatially variable image resolution, incorrect data weighting, errors in the timing of measurements, temporal smearing resulting from changes during data acquisition, support-volume/scale effects, and incorrect assumptions or approximations involved in modeling geophysical or other jointly inverted data. A series of numerical and field-based examples illustrate these potential problems. Our goal in this talk is to raise awareness of common pitfalls and present strategies for recognizing and avoiding them.

Current Priorities for Public Health Practice in Addressing the Role of Human Genomics in Improving Population Health

PubMed Central

Khoury, Muin J.; Bowen, Michael S.; Burke, Wylie; Coates, Ralph J.; Dowling, Nicole F.; Evans, James P.; Reyes, Michele; St. Pierre, Jeannette

2017-01-01

In spite of accelerating human genome discoveries in a wide variety of diseases of public health significance, the promise of personalized health care and disease prevention based on genomics has lagged behind. In a time of limited resources, public health agencies must continue to focus on implementing programs that can improve health and prevent disease now. Nevertheless, public health has an important and assertive leadership role in addressing the promise and pitfalls of human genomics for population health. Such efforts are needed not only to implement what is known in genomics to improve health but also to reduce potential harm and create the infrastructure needed to derive health benefits in the future. PMID:21406285

Immunotherapy Approaches for Malignant Glioma From 2007 to 2009

PubMed Central

Sampson, John H.

2012-01-01

Malignant glioma is a deadly disease for which there have been few therapeutic advances over the past century. Although previous treatments were largely unsuccessful, glioma may be an ideal target for immune-based therapy. Recently, translational research led to several clinical trials based on tumor immunotherapy to treat patients with malignant glioma. Here we review 17 recent glioma immunotherapy clinical trials, published over the past 3 years. Various approaches were used, including passive transfer of naked and radiolabeled antibodies, tumor antigen-specific peptide immunization, and the use of patient tumor cells with or without dendritic cells as vaccines. We compare and discuss the current state of the art of clinical immunotherapy treatment, as well as its limited successes, pitfalls, and future potential. PMID:20424975

Higher-order theories of gravity: diagnosis, extraction and reformulation via non-metric extra degrees of freedom—a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belenchia, Alessio; Letizia, Marco; Liberati, Stefano; Di Casola, Eolo

2018-03-01

Modifications of Einstein’s theory of gravitation have been extensively considered in the past years, in connection to both cosmology and quantum gravity. Higher-curvature and higher-derivative gravity theories constitute the main examples of such modifications. These theories exhibit, in general, more degrees of freedom than those found in standard general relativity; counting, identifying, and retrieving the description/representation of such dynamical variables is currently an open problem, and a decidedly nontrivial one. In this work we review, via both formal arguments and custom-made examples, the most relevant methods to unveil the gravitational degrees of freedom of a given model, discussing the merits, subtleties and pitfalls of the various approaches.

Targeting the SASP to combat ageing: Mitochondria as possible intracellular allies?

PubMed

Birch, Jodie; Passos, João F

2017-05-01

Anti-senescence therapies, such as drugs that specifically kill senescent cells, to stave off ageing are currently under investigation. While these interventions show promise, their potential pitfalls are discussed herein. We have shown that the mitochondria are essential for development of senescence and many of the associated phenotypes, including the often detrimental senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Here, we disentangle many ways in which the mitochondria may influence senescence and development of the SASP and focus on possible pathways that could be exploited for future generation of anti-senescence therapies with a clear aim; to specifically eliminate the problematic features of senescent cells, while maintaining their beneficial characteristics. © 2017 The Authors. BioEssays Published by WILEY Periodicals, Inc.

Adult multipotent stromal cell cryopreservation: Pluses and pitfalls

PubMed Central

Duan, Wei; Hicok, Kevin

2017-01-01

Abstract Study and clinical testing of adult multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are central to progressive improvements in veterinary regenerative medicine. Inherent limitations to long‐term culture preclude use for storage. Until cell line creation from primary isolates becomes routine, MSC stasis at cryogenic temperatures is required for this purpose. Many protocols and reagents, including cryoprotectants, used for veterinary MSCs are derived from those for human and rodent cells. Dissimilarities in cryopreservation strategies play a role in variable MSC behaviors. Familiarity with contemporary cryopreservation reagents and processes is essential to an appreciation of their impact on MSC survival and post‐cryopreservation behavior. In addition to these points, this review includes a brief history and description of current veterinary stem cell regulation. PMID:29023790

Understanding the Origin of Species with Genome-Scale Data: the Role of Gene Flow

PubMed Central

Sousa, Vitor; Hey, Jody

2017-01-01

As it becomes easier to sequence multiple genomes from closely related species, evolutionary biologists working on speciation are struggling to get the most out of very large population-genomic data sets. Such data hold the potential to resolve evolutionary biology’s long-standing questions about the role of gene exchange in species formation. In principle the new population genomic data can be used to disentangle the conflicting roles of natural selection and gene flow during the divergence process. However there are great challenges in taking full advantage of such data, especially with regard to including recombination in genetic models of the divergence process. Current data, models, methods and the potential pitfalls in using them will be considered here. PMID:23657479

Higher-order theories of gravity: diagnosis, extraction and reformulation via non-metric extra degrees of freedom-a review.

PubMed

Belenchia, Alessio; Letizia, Marco; Liberati, Stefano; Di Casola, Eolo

2018-03-01

Modifications of Einstein's theory of gravitation have been extensively considered in the past years, in connection to both cosmology and quantum gravity. Higher-curvature and higher-derivative gravity theories constitute the main examples of such modifications. These theories exhibit, in general, more degrees of freedom than those found in standard general relativity; counting, identifying, and retrieving the description/representation of such dynamical variables is currently an open problem, and a decidedly nontrivial one. In this work we review, via both formal arguments and custom-made examples, the most relevant methods to unveil the gravitational degrees of freedom of a given model, discussing the merits, subtleties and pitfalls of the various approaches.

[Preclinical treatment of severe burn trauma due to an electric arc on an overhead railway cable].

PubMed

Spelten, O; Wetsch, W A; Hinkelbein, J

2013-09-01

Severe burns due to electrical accidents occur rarely in Germany but represent a challenge for emergency physicians and their team. Apart from extensive burns cardiac arrhythmia, neurological damage caused by electric current and osseous injury corresponding to the trauma mechanism are also common. It is important to perform a survey of the pattern of injuries and treat acute life-threatening conditions immediately in the field. Furthermore, specific conditions related to burns must be considered, e.g. fluid resuscitation, thermal management and analgesia. In addition, a correct strategy for further medical care in an appropriate hospital is essential. Exemplified by this case guidelines for the treatment of severe burns and typical pitfalls are presented.

Versatile CAR T-cells for cancer immunotherapy

PubMed Central

Cao, Jingjing; Neelalpu, Sattva S

2018-01-01

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been clinically proven to efficiently combat haematological malignancies. However, continuous efforts are required to increase the specificity of CAR T-cells against tumour versus normal tissues, and are essential to improve their antitumour activity in solid tumours. This review summarises the structure of major CAR designs, and strategies to overcome immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, and reduce toxicities. Along with reviewing currently available techniques that allow the elimination of CAR T-cells after they fulfil their desired functions, using suicide genes, drug elimination strategies are also introduced. A better understanding of the strengths and pitfalls of CAR T-cell therapy will provide fundamental knowledge for the improvement of engineered T-cell therapy in the near future. PMID:29628798

Sperm Patch-Clamp

PubMed Central

Lishko, Polina; Clapham, David E.; Navarro, Betsy; Kirichok, Yuriy

2014-01-01

Sperm intracellular pH and calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) are two central factors that control sperm activity within the female reproductive tract. As such, the ion channels of the sperm plasma membrane that alter intracellular sperm [Ca2+] and pH play important roles in sperm physiology and the process of fertilization. Indeed, sperm ion channels regulate sperm motility, control sperm chemotaxis toward the egg in some species, and may trigger the acrosome reaction. Until recently, our understanding of these important molecules was rudimentary due to the inability to patch-clamp spermatozoa and directly record the activity of these ion channels under voltage clamp. Recently, we overcame this technical barrier and developed a method for reproducible application of the patch-clamp technique to mouse and human spermatozoa. This chapter covers important aspects of application of the patch-clamp technique to spermatozoa, such as selection of the electrophysiological equipment, isolation of spermatozoa for patch-clamp experiments, formation of the gigaohm seal with spermatozoa, and transition into the whole-cell mode of recording. We also discuss potential pitfalls in application of the patch-clamp technique to flagellar ion channels. PMID:23522465

Computational neuroscience across the lifespan: Promises and pitfalls.

PubMed

van den Bos, Wouter; Bruckner, Rasmus; Nassar, Matthew R; Mata, Rui; Eppinger, Ben

2017-10-13

In recent years, the application of computational modeling in studies on age-related changes in decision making and learning has gained in popularity. One advantage of computational models is that they provide access to latent variables that cannot be directly observed from behavior. In combination with experimental manipulations, these latent variables can help to test hypotheses about age-related changes in behavioral and neurobiological measures at a level of specificity that is not achievable with descriptive analysis approaches alone. This level of specificity can in turn be beneficial to establish the identity of the corresponding behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms. In this paper, we will illustrate applications of computational methods using examples of lifespan research on risk taking, strategy selection and reinforcement learning. We will elaborate on problems that can occur when computational neuroscience methods are applied to data of different age groups. Finally, we will discuss potential targets for future applications and outline general shortcomings of computational neuroscience methods for research on human lifespan development. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

A Gentle Introduction to Bayesian Analysis: Applications to Developmental Research

PubMed Central

van de Schoot, Rens; Kaplan, David; Denissen, Jaap; Asendorpf, Jens B; Neyer, Franz J; van Aken, Marcel AG

2014-01-01

Bayesian statistical methods are becoming ever more popular in applied and fundamental research. In this study a gentle introduction to Bayesian analysis is provided. It is shown under what circumstances it is attractive to use Bayesian estimation, and how to interpret properly the results. First, the ingredients underlying Bayesian methods are introduced using a simplified example. Thereafter, the advantages and pitfalls of the specification of prior knowledge are discussed. To illustrate Bayesian methods explained in this study, in a second example a series of studies that examine the theoretical framework of dynamic interactionism are considered. In the Discussion the advantages and disadvantages of using Bayesian statistics are reviewed, and guidelines on how to report on Bayesian statistics are provided. PMID:24116396

Secondary prevention fallacy: pitfalls in comparing with primary.

PubMed

Caro, J J; Huybrechts, K F; Klittich, W S

2001-10-01

A basic tenet of our culture is the idea that preventing ills is better than curing them. This principle is entrenched in many proverbs and popular admonitions: 'A stitch in time saves nine', 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. These well-worn sayings crisply convey our sense that it is preferable to intervene before a bad event occurs than to wait and try to mitigate it afterwards. Yet, economic analyses have demonstrated that in healthcare this does not hold: 'primary prevention' does not provide as good value-for-money as 'secondary prevention'. Is this reversal of folk wisdom correct? Or, instead, is it a result of faults in the application of the relatively new methodology of cost-effectiveness analyses?

Computer-assisted navigation in orthopedic surgery.

PubMed

Mavrogenis, Andreas F; Savvidou, Olga D; Mimidis, George; Papanastasiou, John; Koulalis, Dimitrios; Demertzis, Nikolaos; Papagelopoulos, Panayiotis J

2013-08-01

Computer-assisted navigation has a role in some orthopedic procedures. It allows the surgeons to obtain real-time feedback and offers the potential to decrease intra-operative errors and optimize the surgical result. Computer-assisted navigation systems can be active or passive. Active navigation systems can either perform surgical tasks or prohibit the surgeon from moving past a predefined zone. Passive navigation systems provide intraoperative information, which is displayed on a monitor, but the surgeon is free to make any decisions he or she deems necessary. This article reviews the available types of computer-assisted navigation, summarizes the clinical applications and reviews the results of related series using navigation, and informs surgeons of the disadvantages and pitfalls of computer-assisted navigation in orthopedic surgery. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.

Methodological Variability Using Electronic Nose Technology For Headspace Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Knobloch, Henri; Turner, Claire; Spooner, Andrew

Since the idea of electronic noses was published, numerous electronic nose (e-nose) developments and applications have been used in analyzing solid, liquid and gaseous samples in the food and automotive industry or for medical purposes. However, little is known about methodological pitfalls that might be associated with e-nose technology. Some of the methodological variation caused by changes in ambient temperature, using different filters and changes in mass flow rates are described. Reasons for a lack of stability and reproducibility are given, explaining why methodological variation influences sensor responses and why e-nose technology may not always be sufficiently robust for headspacemore » analysis. However, the potential of e-nose technology is also discussed.« less

Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation Surgery for Metacarpal Head Defects.

PubMed

Kitay, Alison; Waters, Peter M; Bae, Donald S

2016-03-01

Post-traumatic osteonecrosis of the metacarpal head is a challenging problem, particularly in younger patients in whom arthroplasty may not be a durable option. Although several osteochondral reconstructive options have been proposed, some are associated with considerable donor site morbidity and/or require the use of internal fixation. We present an application of osteochondral autograft transplantation surgery as a treatment option for focal metacarpal head lesions. An osteochondral plug from the non-weight-bearing articular surface of the knee is transferred and press-fit to resurface a focal metacarpal head defect. The technical pearls and pitfalls are reviewed, and an illustrative case is presented. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The myths of 'big data' in health care.

PubMed

Jacofsky, D J

2017-12-01

'Big data' is a term for data sets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. Billions of dollars have been spent on attempts to build predictive tools from large sets of poorly controlled healthcare metadata. Companies often sell reports at a physician or facility level based on various flawed data sources, and comparative websites of 'publicly reported data' purport to educate the public. Physicians should be aware of concerns and pitfalls seen in such data definitions, data clarity, data relevance, data sources and data cleaning when evaluating analytic reports from metadata in health care. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1571-6. ©2017 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery.

Time-Series Analysis: A Cautionary Tale

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Damadeo, Robert

2015-01-01

Time-series analysis has often been a useful tool in atmospheric science for deriving long-term trends in various atmospherically important parameters (e.g., temperature or the concentration of trace gas species). In particular, time-series analysis has been repeatedly applied to satellite datasets in order to derive the long-term trends in stratospheric ozone, which is a critical atmospheric constituent. However, many of the potential pitfalls relating to the non-uniform sampling of the datasets were often ignored and the results presented by the scientific community have been unknowingly biased. A newly developed and more robust application of this technique is applied to the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II version 7.0 ozone dataset and the previous biases and newly derived trends are presented.

Imaging cellular structures in super-resolution with SIM, STED and Localisation Microscopy: A practical comparison.

PubMed

Wegel, Eva; Göhler, Antonia; Lagerholm, B Christoffer; Wainman, Alan; Uphoff, Stephan; Kaufmann, Rainer; Dobbie, Ian M

2016-06-06

Many biological questions require fluorescence microscopy with a resolution beyond the diffraction limit of light. Super-resolution methods such as Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy and Single Molecule Localisation Microscopy (SMLM) enable an increase in image resolution beyond the classical diffraction-limit. Here, we compare the individual strengths and weaknesses of each technique by imaging a variety of different subcellular structures in fixed cells. We chose examples ranging from well separated vesicles to densely packed three dimensional filaments. We used quantitative and correlative analyses to assess the performance of SIM, STED and SMLM with the aim of establishing a rough guideline regarding the suitability for typical applications and to highlight pitfalls associated with the different techniques.

Application of Metamorphic Testing to Supervised Classifiers

PubMed Central

Xie, Xiaoyuan; Ho, Joshua; Kaiser, Gail; Xu, Baowen; Chen, Tsong Yueh

2010-01-01

Many applications in the field of scientific computing - such as computational biology, computational linguistics, and others - depend on Machine Learning algorithms to provide important core functionality to support solutions in the particular problem domains. However, it is difficult to test such applications because often there is no “test oracle” to indicate what the correct output should be for arbitrary input. To help address the quality of such software, in this paper we present a technique for testing the implementations of supervised machine learning classification algorithms on which such scientific computing software depends. Our technique is based on an approach called “metamorphic testing”, which has been shown to be effective in such cases. More importantly, we demonstrate that our technique not only serves the purpose of verification, but also can be applied in validation. In addition to presenting our technique, we describe a case study we performed on a real-world machine learning application framework, and discuss how programmers implementing machine learning algorithms can avoid the common pitfalls discovered in our study. We also discuss how our findings can be of use to other areas outside scientific computing, as well. PMID:21243103

Effect of rice husk biochar application to soil insect diversity on potato cultivation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meilin, A.; Rubiana, R.

2018-02-01

High intensity of disease infection and the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticidescause saturated fertilizer and pesticide to the land. Remediation using biochar rice husk is one of the technology to decrease fertilizer and pesticide residue. The diversity of soil insects can be used as bioindicators because of their existence dependsg on soil structure and condition. This study was aimed to study the diversity and structure communities of soil insect in potatoes on difference husk rice biochar application. The sampling of soil insects was done on potato farmer’s land with four treatments i.e control (farmers’ technique), trichokompos without biochar, trichokompos + biochar with dose 1 ton/ha, and trichokompos + biochar with dose 2 ton / ha. At each point a single pitfall trap was installed for two nights and then it was taken for identification. The results showed that biochar application had significant effect on the number of soil insect species (P = 0.037). The soil insect species composition pattern also showed significant differences between the four treatments (R: 0.2306, Pvalue = 0.001). This mean that the application of biochar affects the number of insects species and plays a role in the formation of soil insect diversity beta patterns.

A tutorial on aphasia test development in any language: Key substantive and psychometric considerations

PubMed Central

Ivanova, Maria V.; Hallowell, Brooke

2013-01-01

Background There are a limited number of aphasia language tests in the majority of the world's commonly spoken languages. Furthermore, few aphasia tests in languages other than English have been standardized and normed, and few have supportive psychometric data pertaining to reliability and validity. The lack of standardized assessment tools across many of the world's languages poses serious challenges to clinical practice and research in aphasia. Aims The current review addresses this lack of assessment tools by providing conceptual and statistical guidance for the development of aphasia assessment tools and establishment of their psychometric properties. Main Contribution A list of aphasia tests in the 20 most widely spoken languages is included. The pitfalls of translating an existing test into a new language versus creating a new test are outlined. Factors to consider in determining test content are discussed. Further, a description of test items corresponding to different language functions is provided, with special emphasis on implementing important controls in test design. Next, a broad review of principal psychometric properties relevant to aphasia tests is presented, with specific statistical guidance for establishing psychometric properties of standardized assessment tools. Conclusions This article may be used to help guide future work on developing, standardizing and validating aphasia language tests. The considerations discussed are also applicable to the development of standardized tests of other cognitive functions. PMID:23976813

[Genetic diagnostics of pathogenic splicing abnormalities in the clinical laboratory--pitfalls and screening approaches].

PubMed

Niimi, Hideki; Ogawa, Tomomi; Note, Rhougou; Hayashi, Shirou; Ueno, Tomohiro; Harada, Kenu; Uji, Yoshinori; Kitajima, Isao

2010-12-01

In recent years, genetic diagnostics of pathogenic splicing abnormalities are increasingly recognized as critically important in the clinical genetic diagnostics. It is reported that approximately 10% of pathogenic mutations causing human inherited diseases are splicing mutations. Nonetheless, it is still difficult to identify splicing abnormalities in routine genetic diagnostic settings. Here, we studied two different kinds of cases with splicing abnormalities. The first case is a protein S deficiency. Nucleotide analyses revealed that the proband had a previously reported G to C substitution in the invariant AG dinucleotide at the splicing acceptor site of intronl/exon2, which produces multiple splicing abnormalities resulting in protein S deficiency. The second case is an antithrombin (AT) deficiency. This proband had a previously reported G to A substitution, at nucleotide position 9788 in intron 4, 14 bp in front of exon 5, which created a de novo exon 5 splice site and resulted in AT deficiency. From a practical standpoint, we discussed the pitfalls, attentions, and screening approaches in genetic diagnostics of pathogenic splicing abnormalities. Due to the difficulty with full-length sequence analysis of introns, and the lack of RNA samples, splicing mutations may escape identification. Although current genetic testing remains to be improved, to screen for splicing abnormalities more efficiently, it is significant to use an appropriate combination of various approaches such as DNA and/or RNA samples, splicing mutation databases, bioinformatic tools to detect splice sites and cis-regulatory elements, and in vitro and/or in vivo experimentally methods as needed.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing—pitfalls and recommendations for managing variants of uncertain clinical significance

PubMed Central

Eccles, D. M.; Mitchell, G.; Monteiro, A. N. A.; Schmutzler, R.; Couch, F. J.; Spurdle, A. B.; Gómez-García, E. B.

2015-01-01

Background Increasing use of BRCA1/2 testing for tailoring cancer treatment and extension of testing to tumour tissue for somatic mutation is moving BRCA1/2 mutation screening from a primarily prevention arena delivered by specialist genetic services into mainstream oncology practice. A considerable number of gene tests will identify rare variants where clinical significance cannot be inferred from sequence information alone. The proportion of variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUS) is likely to grow with lower thresholds for testing and laboratory providers with less experience of BRCA. Most VUS will not be associated with a high risk of cancer but a misinterpreted VUS has the potential to lead to mismanagement of both the patient and their relatives. Design Members of the Clinical Working Group of ENIGMA (Evidence-based Network for the Interpretation of Germline Mutant Alleles) global consortium (www.enigmaconsortium.org) observed wide variation in practices in reporting, disclosure and clinical management of patients with a VUS. Examples from current clinical practice are presented and discussed to illustrate potential pitfalls, explore factors contributing to misinterpretation, and propose approaches to improving clarity. Results and conclusion Clinicians, patients and their relatives would all benefit from an improved level of genetic literacy. Genetic laboratories working with clinical geneticists need to agree on a clinically clear and uniform format for reporting BRCA test results to non-geneticists. An international consortium of experts, collecting and integrating all available lines of evidence and classifying variants according to an internationally recognized system, will facilitate reclassification of variants for clinical use. PMID:26153499

Imaging of cartilage and bone: promises and pitfalls in clinical trials of osteoarthritis

PubMed Central

Eckstein, F.; Guermazi, A.; Gold, G.; Duryea, J.; Le Graverand, M.-P. Hellio; Wirth, W.; Miller, C.G.

2015-01-01

summary Imaging in clinical trials is used to evaluate subject eligibility, and/or efficacy of intervention, supporting decision making in drug development by ascertaining treatment effects on joint structure. This review focusses on imaging of bone and cartilage in clinical trials of (knee) osteoarthritis. We narratively review the full-text literature on imaging of bone and cartilage, adding primary experience in the implementation of imaging methods in clinical trials. Aims and constraints of applying imaging in clinical trials are outlined. The specific uses of semi-quantitative and quantitative imaging biomarkers of bone and cartilage in osteoarthritis trials are summarized, focusing on radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Studies having compared both imaging methodologies directly and those having established a relationship between imaging biomarkers and clinical outcomes are highlighted. To make this review of practical use, recommendations are provided as to which imaging protocols are ideal for capturing specific aspects of bone and cartilage tissue, and pitfalls in their usage are highlighted. Further, the longitudinal sensitivity to change, of different imaging methods is reported for various patient strata. From these power calculations can be accomplished, provided the strength of the treatment effect is known. In conclusion, current imaging methodologies provide powerful tools for scoring and measuring morphological and compositional aspects of most articular tissues, capturing longitudinal change with reasonable to excellent sensitivity. When employed properly, imaging has tremendous potential for ascertaining treatment effects on various joint structures, potentially over shorter time scales than required for demonstrating effects on clinical outcomes. PMID:25278061

Customer value propositions in business markets.

PubMed

Anderson, James C; Narus, James A; van Rossum, Wouter

2006-03-01

Examples of consumer value propositions that resonate with customers are exceptionally difficult to find. When properly constructed, value propositions force suppliers to focus on what their offerings are really worth. Once companies become disciplined about understanding their customers, they can make smarter choices about where to allocate scarce resources. The authors illuminate the pitfalls of current approaches, then present a systematic method for developing value propositions that are meaningful to target customers and that focus suppliers' efforts on creating superior value. When managers construct a customer value proposition, they often simply list all the benefits their offering might deliver. But the relative simplicity of this all-benefits approach may have a major drawback: benefit assertion. In other words, managers may claim advantages for features their customers don't care about in the least. Other suppliers try to answer the question, Why should our firm purchase your offering instead of your competitor's? But without a detailed understanding of the customer's requirements and preferences, suppliers can end up stressing points of difference that deliver relatively little value to the target customer. The pitfall with this approach is value presumption: assuming that any favorable points of difference must be valuable for the customer. Drawing on the best practices of a handful of suppliers in business markets, the authors advocate a resonating focus approach. Suppliers can provide simple, yet powerfully captivating, consumer value propositions by making their offerings superior on the few elements that matter most to target customers, demonstrating and documenting the value of this superior performance, and communicating it in a way that conveys a sophisticated understanding of the customer's business priorities.

The skin microbiome: Associations between altered microbial communities and disease.

PubMed

Weyrich, Laura S; Dixit, Shreya; Farrer, Andrew G; Cooper, Alan J; Cooper, Alan J

2015-11-01

A single square centimetre of the human skin can contain up to one billion microorganisms. These diverse communities of bacteria, fungi, mites and viruses can provide protection against disease, but can also exacerbate skin lesions, promote disease and delay wound healing. This review addresses the current knowledge surrounding the healthy skin microbiome and examines how different alterations to the skin microbial communities can contribute to disease. Current methodologies are considered, changes in microbial diversity and colonisation by specific microorganisms are discussed in the context of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne vulgaris and chronic wounds. The recent impact of modern Westernised lifestyles on the human skin microbiome is also examined, as well as the potential benefits and pitfalls of novel therapeutic strategies. Further analysis of the human skin microbiome, and its interactions with the host immune system and other commensal microorganisms, will undoubtedly elucidate molecular mechanisms for disease and reveal gateways for novel therapeutic treatment strategies. © 2015 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Current Guidelines, Common Clinical Pitfalls, and Future Directions for Laboratory Diagnosis of Lyme Disease, United States

PubMed Central

Moore, Andrew; Nelson, Christina; Molins, Claudia; Mead, Paul

2016-01-01

In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted to humans by blacklegged ticks. Patients with an erythema migrans lesion and epidemiologic risk can receive a diagnosis without laboratory testing. For all other patients, laboratory testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, but proper interpretation depends on symptoms and timing of illness. The recommended laboratory test in the United States is 2-tiered serologic analysis consisting of an enzyme-linked immunoassay or immunofluorescence assay, followed by reflexive immunoblotting. Sensitivity of 2-tiered testing is low (30%–40%) during early infection while the antibody response is developing (window period). For disseminated Lyme disease, sensitivity is 70%–100%. Specificity is high (>95%) during all stages of disease. Use of other diagnostic tests for Lyme disease is limited. We review the rationale behind current US testing guidelines, appropriate use and interpretation of tests, and recent developments in Lyme disease diagnostics. PMID:27314832

Can artificial parthenogenesis sidestep ethical pitfalls in human therapeutic cloning? An historical perspective

PubMed Central

Fangerau, H

2005-01-01

The aim of regenerative medicine is to reconstruct tissue that has been lost or pathologically altered. Therapeutic cloning seems to offer a method of achieving this aim; however, the ethical debate surrounding human therapeutic cloning is highly controversial. Artificial parthenogenesis—obtaining embryos from unfertilised eggs—seems to offer a way to sidestep these ethical pitfalls. Jacques Loeb (1859–1924), the founding father of artificial parthogenesis, faced negative public opinion when he published his research in 1899. His research, the public's response to his findings, and his ethical foundations serve as an historical argument both for the communication of science and compromise in biological research. PMID:16319240

Genetic Contributions to Clinical Pain and Analgesia: Avoiding Pitfalls in Genetic Research

PubMed Central

Kim, Hyungsuk; Clark, David; Dionne, Raymond A.

2010-01-01

Understanding the genetic basis of human variations in pain is critical to elucidating the molecular basis of pain sensitivity, variable responses to analgesic drugs, and, ultimately, to individualized treatment of pain and improved public health. With the help of recently accumulated knowledge and advanced technologies, pain researchers hope to gain insight into genetic mechanisms of pain and eventually apply this knowledge to pain treatment. Perspective We critically reviewed the published literature to examine the strength of evidence supporting genetic influences on clinical and human experimental pain. Based on this evidence and the experience of false associations that have occurred in other related disciplines, we provide recommendations for avoiding pitfalls in pain genetic research. PMID:19559388

A novel mutation of the beta-globin gene promoter (-102 C>A) and pitfalls in family screening.

PubMed

Aguilar-Martinez, Patricia; Jourdan, Eric; Brun, Sophie; Cunat, Séverine; Giansily-Blaizot, Muriel; Pissard, Serge; Schved, Jean-François

2007-12-01

We describe a family with beta-thalassemia in which several pitfalls of genetic diagnoses were present. These include coherent family phenotypes with discrepancies in molecular findings because of nonpaternity, and a false beta-globin gene homozygous genotype due to a large deletion in the second locus. These findings underline the difficulties of family genetic studies and the need for tight relationship between professionals involved in laboratory studies and those in-charge of the clinical follow-up and genetic counselling. In this family, we also report a new silent beta-thalassemia mutation, -102 (C>A), in the distal CACCC box of the beta-globin gene promoter.

Surgery for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer: Tips, Tricks, and Pitfalls.

PubMed

Warrier, Satish K; Heriot, Alexander G; Lynch, Andrew Craig

2016-06-01

Rectal cancer can recur locally in up to 10% of the patients who undergo definitive resection for their primary cancer. Surgical salvage is considered appropriate in the curative setting as well as select cases with palliative intent. Disease-free survival following salvage resection is dependent upon achieving an R0 resection margin. A clear understanding of applied surgical anatomy, appropriate preoperative planning, and a multidisciplinary approach to aggressive soft tissue, bony, and vascular resection with appropriate reconstruction is necessary. Technical tips, tricks, and pitfalls that may assist in managing these cancers are discussed and the roles of additional boost radiation and intraoperative radiation therapy in the management of such cancers are also discussed.

Normal Variants and Pitfalls Encountered in PET Assessment of Gynecologic Malignancies.

PubMed

Yu, Jian Q; Doss, Mohan; Alpaugh, R Katherine

2018-04-01

Combined PET/computed tomography is used for oncological indications. PET/computed tomography benefits from the metabolic information of PET and the anatomic localization of computed tomography. The integrated scanner provides data with accurate registration of anatomy and molecular information. Many physiologic conditions, normal variants, and benign lesions within the pelvis and the body can cause confusion and uncertainty. False-negative results owing to low 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake from the tumor can produce diagnostic challenges and inaccurate conclusions. This article reviews normal variants and potential pitfalls encountered in PET assessment of gynecologic malignancies to provide useful information for the referring and reporting physicians. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Practical use and pitfalls of hepatocyte-specific contrast agents (HSCAs) for pediatric hepatic and biliary magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Ayyala, Rama S; Anupindi, Sudha A; Callahan, Michael J

2017-02-01

Magnetic resonance imaging is commonly used to evaluate for hepatic and biliary pathology in the pediatric population. Recently, there has been increased use of hepatocyte-specific contrast agents (HSCAs), such as Gadoxetate disodium in children. Traditionally, HSCAs have been used to characterize focal liver lesions. However, these agents can also be used to problem solve specific hepatic or biliary diagnostic dilemmas. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the practical uses of HSCA in children with both hepatic and biliary indications, and review the corresponding imaging findings. We will highlight the diagnostic uses of HSCA in children, as well as pitfalls encountered.

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Negative Metastases-A Potential Pitfall in Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET.

PubMed

Noto, Benjamin; Auf der Springe, Katharina; Huss, Sebastian; Allkemper, Thomas; Stegger, Lars

2018-06-01

Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was performed in a 74-year-old man because of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer following radiation therapy of the prostate gland 24 months earlier. Besides focal nuclide accumulation in the prostate gland suggestive of local recurrence, PET scan revealed no further pathologic uptake. However, CT showed multiple pulmonic nodules suggestive of metastases. Thoracotomy and pathologic examination revealed the nodules to be prostate cancer metastasis. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining with PSMA antibodies demonstrated a virtual lack of PSMA expression. This case demonstrates the possibility of PSMA-negative metastases of prostate cancer an important pitfall that should be known to physicians interpreting PSMA PET.

The promise and pitfalls of community resilience.

PubMed

Uscher-Pines, Lori; Chandra, Anita; Acosta, Joie

2013-12-01

An important shift in terminology has occurred in emergency preparedness, and the concept of community resilience has become ubiquitous. Although enhancing community resilience is broader than preparedness, and emphasizes a distinct set of activities and participants, the terms are often used interchangeably. The implications of this shift have not been fully explored. This commentary describes the potential promise and pitfalls of the concept of community resilience and recommends strategies to overcome its limitations. We believe that resilience has the power to dramatically change this field in immense, positive ways, but some important challenges such as confusion about definitions and lack of accountability must first be overcome. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:603-606).

Can we manage for biological diversity in the absence of science?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Trauger, D.L.; Hall, R.J.

1995-01-01

Conservation of biological diversity is dependent on sound scientific information about underlying ecological processes. Current knowledge of the composition, distribution, abundance and life cycles of most species of plants and animals is incomplete, insufficient, unreliable, or nonexistent. Contemporary managers are also confronted with additional levels of complexity related to varying degrees of knowledge and understanding about interactions of species and ecosystems. Consequently, traditional species-oriented management schemes may have unintended consequences and ecosystem-oriented management initiatives may fail in the face of inadequate or fragmentary information on the structure, function, and dynamics of biotic communities and ecological systems. Nevertheless, resource managers must make decisions and manage based on the best biological information currently available. Adaptive resource management may represent a management paradigm that allows managers to learn something about the species or systems that they are managing while they are managing, but potential pitfalls lurk for such approaches. In addition to lack of control over the primary physical, chemical, and ecological processes, managers also lack control over social, economic, and political parameters affecting resource management options. Moreover, appropriate goals may be difficult to identify and criteria for determining success may be elusive. Some management responsibilities do not lend themselves to adaptive strategies. Finally, the lessons learned from adaptive management are usually obtained from a highly situational context that may limit applicability in a wider range of situations or undermine confidence that problems and solutions were properly diagnosed and addressed. Several scenarios are critically examined where adaptive management approaches may be inappropriate or ineffective and where management for biological diversity may be infeasible or inefficient without a sound scientific basis. Whereas some level of management must exist to meet agency responsibilities, more research is needed to conserve biological diversity.

Hair Analysis in Forensic Toxicology: An Updated Review with a Special Focus on Pitfalls.

PubMed

Kintz, Pascal

2017-01-01

The detection of drugs in hair analysis has progressively emerged as a consequence of the enhanced sensitivity of analytical techniques used in forensic toxicology; a greater advantage in using this matrix with respect to classical ones (i.e. urine and blood) is an easier and non-invasive sample collection, even when the careful supervision of law enforcement officers is required to avoid the risk that the sample may be adulterated or replaced. Moreover, according to the length of the hair, the history of drug exposure can be retrospectively monitored from few weeks up to months or years since sample collection. Through a detailed revision of the existent literature, this manuscript provides information on the proper sample collection, preparation and analysis, as well as pitfalls in forensic hair analysis, and summarizes the wide range of application of this technology, including excessive alcohol drinking, doping, child abuse, and offences linked to drug use. Verification of history of psychotropic drugs, alcohol and doping agents use by hair analysis, hair testing for driving license regranting and drug facilitated crimes, and testing for drugs in hair of children have been reviewed together with recent trends in hair contamination and possibility to disclose use of new psychoactive substances by hair analysis. Hair analysis in forensic toxicology has been quickly emerged and improved in recent years; a deeper knowledge of advantages and limitations of this unique matrix is necessary for a better use in forensic caseworks. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Leaf litter arthropod responses to tropical forest restoration.

PubMed

Cole, Rebecca J; Holl, Karen D; Zahawi, Rakan A; Wickey, Philipp; Townsend, Alan R

2016-08-01

Soil and litter arthropods represent a large proportion of tropical biodiversity and perform important ecosystem functions, but little is known about the efficacy of different tropical forest restoration strategies in facilitating their recovery in degraded habitats. We sampled arthropods in four 7- to 8-year-old restoration treatments and in nearby reference forests. Sampling was conducted during the wet and dry seasons using extractions from litter and pitfall samples. Restoration treatments were replicated in 50 × 50-m plots in four former pasture sites in southern Costa Rica: plantation - trees planted throughout the plot; applied nucleation/islands - trees planted in patches of different sizes; and natural regeneration - no tree planting. Arthropod abundance, measures of richness and diversity, and a number of functional groups were greater in the island treatment than in natural regeneration or plantation treatments and, in many cases, were similar to reference forest. Litter and pitfall morphospecies and functional group composition in all three restoration treatments were significantly different than reference sites, but island and plantation treatments showed more recovery than natural regeneration. Abundance and functional group diversity showed a much greater degree of recovery than community composition. Synthesis and applications: The less resource-intensive restoration strategy of planting tree islands was more effective than tree plantations in restoring arthropod abundance, richness, and functional diversity. None of the restoration strategies, however, resulted in similar community composition as reference forest after 8 years of recovery, highlighting the slow rate of recovery of arthropod communities after disturbance, and underscoring the importance of conservation of remnant forests in fragmented landscapes.

Acquisition and analysis of cardiovascular signals on smartphones: potential, pitfalls and perspectives: by the Task Force of the e-Cardiology Working Group of European Society of Cardiology.

PubMed

Bruining, Nico; Caiani, Enrico; Chronaki, Catherine; Guzik, Przemyslaw; van der Velde, Enno

2014-11-01

Smartphones, mobile applications ('apps'), social media, analytics, and the cloud are profoundly changing the practice of medicine and the way health decisions are made. With the constant progress of technology, the measurement of vital signals becomes easier, cheaper, and practically a standard approach in clinical practice. The interest in measuring vital signals goes beyond medical professionals to the general public, patients, informal caregivers, and healthy individuals, who frequently lack any formal medical training. On smartphone platforms such as iOS and Android, a proliferation of health or medical 'apps' acquire and analyse a variety of vital signs through embedded sensors, interconnected devices or peripherals utilising on occasion analytics and social media. Smartphone vendors compete with traditional medical device manufacturers in the grey area between health care, wellness, and fitness, as US and EU regulatory bodies are setting and revising rules for these new technologies. On the other hand, in the absence of robust validation results, clinicians are hesitant to trust measurements by apps or recommend specific apps to their patients, partly also due to lack of a cost reimbursement policy. This review focuses on the acquisition and analysis on smartphones of three important vital signs in the cardiovascular and respiratory field as well as in rehabilitation i.e. heart or pulse rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygenation. The potential, pitfalls, and perspectives on mobile devices and smartphone apps for health management by patients and healthy individuals are discussed. © Authors 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Pitfalls of CITES implementation in Nepal: a policy gap analysis.

PubMed

Dongol, Yogesh; Heinen, Joel T

2012-08-01

Implementation of policy involves multiple agencies operating at multiple levels in facilitating processes and actions to accomplish desired results. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was developed and implemented to regulate and control international wildlife trade, but violations of the agreement are widespread and growing worldwide, including in Nepal. This study attempts to understand how domestic CITES policies are translated into action and what effect actions and processes have on compliance. In doing so, this study provides insights into the implementation and enforcement pitfalls of national legislation that explain CITES violations in Nepal. Primarily, we used 26 key informants interviews to learn opinions of experts, and the grounded theory approach for further qualitative data analysis. In addition, we used Najman's (1995) policy implementation analysis framework to explain gaps. Many interrelated variables in the content of the policy, commitment and capacity of the agencies, the roles of clients and coalitions and contextual issues were observed. Variables that emerged suggest pitfalls in the regulatory policy represented by low probability of detection, arrest and punishment. Moreover, redistributive policies in buffer zones of protected areas are needed into perpetuity to benefit locals. Also, conservation organizations' support for building public and political salience is imperative.

Pitfalls in lupus.

PubMed

Schneider, M

2016-11-01

"The objective of Pitfall!™ is to guide Harry through a maze of jungle scenes, jumping over or avoiding many deadly dangers… Harry has three lives in each game." If you exchange Harry's adventures with "Life with SLE," patients have to be guided through the jungle having just one life and the deadly dangers are flares, organ manifestations, and, e.g., consequences of immunosuppressive medications, especially glucocorticoids. Monitoring and treatment in line with recommendations and guidelines may be supportive to survive the first 3 to 5 levels in most cases, but for higher levels of the reality game, creativity is needed and life becomes more risky. The aim of this reflection is to identify common pitfalls and to stimulate further research and collaboration in specific areas of the lupus jungle. Topics like "Hidden Power Unit," "Looks similar …," "Rev Meter for SLE," "Flare Prediction," "Level 2: Eminence Based," "Lupus=Lifelong Immunosuppression?!," "Glucocorticoids," "Antimalarials Are Contraindicated," "It Is All About Immunosuppression," "Prediction of Damage," and "Patient Global Assessment (PGA) versus Physician Global Assessment (PhGA)" are addressed. Raised ideas and thoughts are by no means complete or exclusive, but if taken up, they may hopefully lead to another approach in daily care and trials in SLE. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pitfalls of CITES Implementation in Nepal: A Policy Gap Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dongol, Yogesh; Heinen, Joel T.

2012-08-01

Implementation of policy involves multiple agencies operating at multiple levels in facilitating processes and actions to accomplish desired results. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was developed and implemented to regulate and control international wildlife trade, but violations of the agreement are widespread and growing worldwide, including in Nepal. This study attempts to understand how domestic CITES policies are translated into action and what effect actions and processes have on compliance. In doing so, this study provides insights into the implementation and enforcement pitfalls of national legislation that explain CITES violations in Nepal. Primarily, we used 26 key informants interviews to learn opinions of experts, and the grounded theory approach for further qualitative data analysis. In addition, we used Najman's (1995) policy implementation analysis framework to explain gaps. Many interrelated variables in the content of the policy, commitment and capacity of the agencies, the roles of clients and coalitions and contextual issues were observed. Variables that emerged suggest pitfalls in the regulatory policy represented by low probability of detection, arrest and punishment. Moreover, redistributive policies in buffer zones of protected areas are needed into perpetuity to benefit locals. Also, conservation organizations' support for building public and political salience is imperative.

Moving to higher ground: The dynamic field theory and the dynamics of visual cognition

PubMed Central

Johnson, Jeffrey S.; Spencer, John P.; Schöner, Gregor

2009-01-01

In the present report, we describe a new dynamic field theory that captures the dynamics of visuo-spatial cognition. This theory grew out of the dynamic systems approach to motor control and development, and is grounded in neural principles. The initial application of dynamic field theory to issues in visuo-spatial cognition extended concepts of the motor approach to decision making in a sensori-motor context, and, more recently, to the dynamics of spatial cognition. Here we extend these concepts still further to address topics in visual cognition, including visual working memory for non-spatial object properties, the processes that underlie change detection, and the ‘binding problem’ in vision. In each case, we demonstrate that the general principles of the dynamic field approach can unify findings in the literature and generate novel predictions. We contend that the application of these concepts to visual cognition avoids the pitfalls of reductionist approaches in cognitive science, and points toward a formal integration of brains, bodies, and behavior. PMID:19173013

Prospects for Accelerator Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todd, Alan

2011-02-01

Accelerator technology today is a greater than US$5 billion per annum business. Development of higher-performance technology with improved reliability that delivers reduced system size and life cycle cost is expected to significantly increase the total accelerator technology market and open up new application sales. Potential future directions are identified and pitfalls in new market penetration are considered. Both of the present big market segments, medical radiation therapy units and semiconductor ion implanters, are approaching the "maturity" phase of their product cycles, where incremental development rather than paradigm shifts is the norm, but they should continue to dominate commercial sales for some time. It is anticipated that large discovery-science accelerators will continue to provide a specialty market beset by the unpredictable cycles resulting from the scale of the projects themselves, coupled with external political and economic drivers. Although fraught with differing market entry difficulties, the security and environmental markets, together with new, as yet unrealized, industrial material processing applications, are expected to provide the bulk of future commercial accelerator technology growth.

Use of Occupancy Sensors in LED Parking Lot and Garage Applications: Early Experiences

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kinzey, Bruce R.; Myer, Michael; Royer, Michael P.

2012-11-07

Occupancy sensor systems are gaining traction as an effective technological approach to reducing energy use in exterior commercial lighting applications. Done correctly, occupancy sensors can substantially enhance the savings from an already efficient lighting system. However, this technology is confronted by several potential challenges and pitfalls that can leave a significant amount of the prospective savings on the table. This report describes anecdotal experiences from field installations of occupancy sensor controlled light-emitting diode (LED) lighting at two parking structures and two parking lots. The relative levels of success at these installations reflect a marked range of potential outcomes: from anmore » additional 76% in energy savings to virtually no additional savings. Several issues that influenced savings were encountered in these early stage installations and are detailed in the report. Ultimately, care must be taken in the design, selection, and commissioning of a sensor-controlled lighting installation, else the only guaranteed result may be its cost.« less

The power and pitfalls of HIV phylogenetics in public health.

PubMed

Brooks, James I; Sandstrom, Paul A

2013-07-25

Phylogenetics is the application of comparative studies of genetic sequences in order to infer evolutionary relationships among organisms. This tool can be used as a form of molecular epidemiology to enhance traditional population-level communicable disease surveillance. Phylogenetic study has resulted in new paradigms being created in the field of communicable diseases and this commentary aims to provide the reader with an explanation of how phylogenetics can be used in tracking infectious diseases. Special emphasis will be placed upon the application of phylogenetics as a tool to help elucidate HIV transmission patterns and the limitations to these methods when applied to forensic analysis. Understanding infectious disease epidemiology in order to prevent new transmissions is the sine qua non of public health. However, with increasing epidemiological resolution, there may be an associated potential loss of privacy to the individual. It is within this context that we aim to promote the discussion on how to use phylogenetics to achieve important public health goals, while at the same time protecting the rights of the individual.

Endoscopic ultrasound description of liver segmentation and anatomy.

PubMed

Bhatia, Vikram; Hijioka, Susumu; Hara, Kazuo; Mizuno, Nobumasa; Imaoka, Hiroshi; Yamao, Kenji

2014-05-01

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can demonstrate the detailed anatomy of the liver from the transgastric and transduodenal routes. Most of the liver segments can be imaged with EUS, except the right posterior segments. The intrahepatic vascular landmarks include the major hepatic veins, portal vein radicals, hepatic arterial branches, and the inferior vena cava, and the venosum and teres ligaments are other important intrahepatic landmarks. The liver hilum and gallbladder serve as useful surface landmarks. Deciphering liver segmentation and anatomy by EUS requires orienting the scan planes with these landmarkstructures, and is different from the static cross-sectional radiological images. Orientation during EUS requires appreciation of the numerous scan planes possible in real-time, and the direction of scanning from the stomach and duodenal bulb. We describe EUS imaging of the liver with a curved linear probe in a step-by-step approach, with the relevant anatomical details, potential applications, and pitfalls of this novel EUS application. © 2013 The Authors. Digestive Endoscopy © 2013 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.

Toward the Application of the Implicit Particle Filter to Real Data in a Shallow Water Model of the Nearshore Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, R.

2015-12-01

Following the success of the implicit particle filter in twin experiments with a shallow water model of the nearshore environment, the planned next step is application to the intensive Sandy Duck data set, gathered at Duck, NC. Adaptation of the present system to the Sandy Duck data set will require construction and evaluation of error models for both the model and the data, as well as significant modification of the system to allow for the properties of the data set. Successful implementation of the particle filter promises to shed light on the details of the capabilities and limitations of shallow water models of the nearshore ocean relative to more detailed models. Since the shallow water model admits distinct dynamical regimes, reliable parameter estimation will be important. Previous work by other groups give cause for optimism. In this talk I will describe my progress toward implementation of the new system, including problems solved, pitfalls remaining and preliminary results

Social media in travel medicine: a review.

PubMed

Patel, Dipti; Jermacane, Daiga

2015-01-01

The use of social media is widespread and provides new opportunities for healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations to interact with patients, the public, policy makers, and each other. Social media offers the possibility of providing users with up-to-date information when, where, and how they want it, but it also brings with it some challenges. With increasing use of social media, there is potential to change the way travel medicine is delivered; practitioners should consider how to exploit the benefits in their practice, and not be afraid to experiment. However they need to be cognizant of the potential pitfalls. The information exchanged requires careful application as it may not always achieve the desired outcome, it needs to be monitored for quality, accuracy, and reliability, and confidentiality and privacy must be maintained. Most importantly, as social media becomes more sophisticated and widely adopted in the healthcare arena, further evaluation and research is required to understand its impact and its application to travel medicine. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nanoparticle-based delivery of small interfering RNA: challenges for cancer therapy

PubMed Central

Miele, Evelina; Spinelli, Gian Paolo; Miele, Ermanno; Di Fabrizio, Enzo; Ferretti, Elisabetta; Tomao, Silverio; Gulino, Alberto

2012-01-01

During recent decades there have been remarkable advances and profound changes in cancer therapy. Many therapeutic strategies learned at the bench, including monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors, have been used at the bedside, leading to important successes. One of the most important advances in biology has been the discovery that small interfering RNA (siRNA) is able to regulate the expression of genes, by a phenomenon known as RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi is one of the most rapidly growing fields of research in biology and therapeutics. Much research effort has gone into the application of this new discovery in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. However, even though these molecules may have potential and strong utility, some limitations make their clinical application difficult, including delivery problems, side effects due to off-target actions, disturbance of physiological functions of the cellular machinery involved in gene silencing, and induction of the innate immune response. Many researchers have attempted to overcome these limitations and to improve the safety of potential RNAi-based therapeutics. Nanoparticles, which are nanostructured entities with tunable size, shape, and surface, as well as biological behavior, provide an ideal opportunity to modify current treatment regimens in a substantial way. These nanoparticles could be designed to surmount one or more of the barriers encountered by siRNA. Nanoparticle drug formulations afford the chance to improve drug bioavailability, exploiting superior tissue permeability, payload protection, and the “stealth” features of these entities. The main aims of this review are: to explain the siRNA mechanism with regard to potential applications in siRNA-based cancer therapy; to discuss the possible usefulness of nanoparticle-based delivery of certain molecules for overcoming present therapeutic limitations; to review the ongoing relevant clinical research with its pitfalls and promises; and to evaluate critically future perspectives and challenges in siRNA-based cancer therapy. PMID:22915840

Integrating DNA barcode data and taxonomic practice: determination, discovery, and description.

PubMed

Goldstein, Paul Z; DeSalle, Rob

2011-02-01

DNA barcodes, like traditional sources of taxonomic information, are potentially powerful heuristics in the identification of described species but require mindful analytical interpretation. The role of DNA barcoding in generating hypotheses of new taxa in need of formal taxonomic treatment is discussed, and it is emphasized that the recursive process of character evaluation is both necessary and best served by understanding the empirical mechanics of the discovery process. These undertakings carry enormous ramifications not only for the translation of DNA sequence data into taxonomic information but also for our comprehension of the magnitude of species diversity and its disappearance. This paper examines the potential strengths and pitfalls of integrating DNA sequence data, specifically in the form of DNA barcodes as they are currently generated and analyzed, with taxonomic practice.

Pancreatic Islets: Methods for Isolation and Purification of Juvenile and Adult Pig Islets.

PubMed

Brandhorst, Heide; Johnson, Paul R V; Brandhorst, Daniel

The current situation of organ transplantation is mainly determined by the disbalance between the number of available organs and the number of patients on the waiting list. This obvious dilemma might be solved by the transplantation of porcine organs into human patients. The metabolic similarities which exist between both species made pancreatic islets of Langerhans to that donor tissue which will be most likely transplanted in human recipients. Nevertheless, the successful isolation of significant yields of viable porcine islets is extremely difficult and requires extensive experiences in the field. This review is focussing on the technical challenges, pitfalls and particularities that are associated with the isolation of islets from juvenile and adult pigs considering donor variables that can affect porcine islet isolation outcome.

Supporting the volunteer career of male hospice-palliative care volunteers.

PubMed

Weeks, Lori E; MacQuarrie, Colleen

2011-08-01

We invited men to discuss their volunteer careers with hospice-palliative care (HPC) to better understand how to recruit and train, retain and support, and then successfully end their volunteer experience. Nine male current or former HPC volunteers participated in face-to-face interviews which were transcribed and analyzed. The men described a complex interplay of individual characteristics with the unique roles available to HPC volunteers. The men's recruitment experiences coalesced around both individually based and organizationally based themes. Results pertaining to retention revealed the interchange between their personalities, the perks and pitfalls of the unique experiences of an HPC volunteer, and the value of the organization's support for these volunteers. Our interpretation of these experiences can help HPC organizations enhance their recruitment, retention, and support of male volunteers.

An early assessment of silicone hydrogel safety: pearls and pitfalls, and current status.

PubMed

Keay, Lisa; Edwards, Katie; Stapleton, Fiona

2007-11-01

The contact lens industry has evolved and now provides many choices, including continuous wear, overnight orthokeratology, frequent-replacement lenses, daily-disposable lenses, and many alternatives in systems of care and maintenance. Epidemiologic studies to date have shown that how a lens is worn, particularly if worn overnight, can increase the risk of microbial keratitis. However, the risk of silicone hydrogel contact lenses worn on a continuous-wear basis has been evaluated only recently. This article summarizes the recent research data on extended-wear silicone hydrogel lenses and discusses the challenges of early evaluations of silicone hydrogel lens safety. Finally, the relevance of this information is discussed to practitioners and contact lens wearers making choices about the risks and benefits of different products and how they are used.

Social Media and Oncology: The past, present, and future of electronic communication between physician and patient

PubMed Central

Lewis, Mark A.; Dicker, Adam P.

2015-01-01

The relationship between patient and physician is in flux with the advent of electronic media that are advancing and enhancing communication. We perform a retrospective, current, and forward-looking examination of the technologies by which information is exchanged within the healthcare community. The evolution from email and listservs to blogs and the modern social networks is described, with emphasis on the advantages and pitfalls of each medium, especially in regard to maintaining the standards of privacy and professionalism to which doctors are held accountable. We support the use of contemporary platforms like Twitter and Facebook for physicians to establish themselves as trustworthy online sources of medical knowledge, and anticipate ongoing collaboration between researchers, patients, and their advocates in trial design and accrual. PMID:26433557

Regenerative medicine technology applied to gastroenterology: current status and future perspectives.

PubMed

Orlando, Giuseppe

2012-12-21

This special issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology has been conceived to illustrate to gastroenterology operators the role that regenerative medicine (RM) will have in the progress of gastrointestinal (GI) medicine. RM is a multidisciplinary field aiming to replace, regenerate or repair diseased tissues or organs. The past decade has been marked by numerous ground-breaking achievements that led experts in the field to manufacture functional substitutes of relatively simple organs. This progress is paving the ground for investigations that aims to the bioengineering and regeneration of more complex organs like livers, pancreas and intestine. In this special issue, the reader will be introduced, hand-in-hand, to explore the field of RM and will be educated on the progress, pitfalls and promise of RM technologies as applied to GI medicine.

Can we communicate gravidity and parity better?

PubMed

Creinin, Mitchell D; Simhan, Hyagriv N

2009-03-01

Communication of gravidity and parity is a typical part of any written or oral presentation related to an obstetric or gynecologic patient. The ostensible purpose of including this information at the beginning of a discussion of a woman's care is to provide a quick context of the patient from a reproductive standpoint. Unfortunately, the systems in use for describing gravidity, parity, and reproductive outcomes are without clear epidemiologic, biologic, or clinical basis. In description of parous events, births and abortions easily can be confused in the gray zone of 20 to 24 weeks, and terminology used often fails to take into account the clinical context. In this article, we discuss the pitfalls of current systems used for describing a woman's reproductive history and recommend new and simple nomenclature to enhance our ability to communicate properly.

Magnetic field strengths in high-redshift galaxies - Can the galactic dynamo be tested?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Judith J.; Watson, Alan M.; Kronberg, Philipp P.

1993-01-01

The hypothesis that the population of strong H I absorption systems is responsible for a significant excess Faraday rotation measure in quasars is discussed, and it is concluded that the case is unproved, in contrast to a recent analysis by Wolf et al. (1991). The limitations and pitfalls inherent in attempts to derive firm magnetic field strengths from the existing integrated rotation measures of quasars are discussed, and it is shown that although it is premature to use integrated quasar rotation measures to either confirm or rule out particular mechanisms of magnetic field amplification in galaxy disks, the present observations may call for reexamination of current theories of large-scale magnetic field generation. The sources of rotation measure in the double quasar 0957+561 are also discussed.

Is NF-kappaB a good target for cancer therapy? Hopes and pitfalls.

PubMed

Baud, Véronique; Karin, Michael

2009-01-01

Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcription factors have a key role in many physiological processes such as innate and adaptive immune responses, cell proliferation, cell death, and inflammation. It has become clear that aberrant regulation of NF-kappaB and the signalling pathways that control its activity are involved in cancer development and progression, as well as in resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This article discusses recent evidence from cancer genetics and cancer genome studies that support the involvement of NF-kappaB in human cancer, particularly in multiple myeloma. The therapeutic potential and benefit of targeting NF-kappaB in cancer, and the possible complications and pitfalls of such an approach, are explored.

Potential pitfalls of strain rate imaging: angle dependency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Castro, P. L.; Greenberg, N. L.; Drinko, J.; Garcia, M. J.; Thomas, J. D.

2000-01-01

Strain Rate Imaging (SRI) is a new echocardiographic technique that allows for the real-time determination of myocardial SR, which may be used for the early and accurate detection of coronary artery disease. We sought to study whether SR is affected by scan line alignment in a computer simulation and an in vivo experiment. Through the computer simulation and the in vivo experiment we generated and validated safe scanning sectors within the ultrasound scan sector and showed that while SRI will be an extremely valuable tool in detecting coronary artery disease there are potential pitfalls for the unwary clinician. Only after accounting for these affects due to angle dependency, can clinicians utilize SRI's potential as a valuable tool in detecting coronary artery disease.

Clinical and Biochemical Pitfalls in the Diagnosis of Peroxisomal Disorders.

PubMed

Klouwer, Femke C C; Huffnagel, Irene C; Ferdinandusse, Sacha; Waterham, Hans R; Wanders, Ronald J A; Engelen, Marc; Poll-The, Bwee Tien

2016-08-01

Peroxisomal disorders are a heterogeneous group of genetic metabolic disorders, caused by a defect in peroxisome biogenesis or a deficiency of a single peroxisomal enzyme. The peroxisomal disorders include the Zellweger spectrum disorders, the rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata spectrum disorders, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, and multiple single enzyme deficiencies. There are several core phenotypes caused by peroxisomal dysfunction that clinicians can recognize. The diagnosis is suggested by biochemical testing in blood and urine and confirmed by functional assays in cultured skin fibroblasts, followed by mutation analysis. This review describes the phenotype of the main peroxisomal disorders and possible pitfalls in (laboratory) diagnosis to aid clinicians in the recognition of this group of diseases. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Frequent Pitfalls in the Characterization of Electrodes Designed for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage.

PubMed

Zeradjanin, Aleksandar R

2018-04-25

Focus on the importance of energy conversion and storage boosted research interest in various electrocatalytic materials. Characterization of solid-liquid interfaces during faradaic and non-faradaic processes is routinely conducted in many laboratories worldwide on a daily basis. This can be deemed as a very positive tendency. However, careful insight into modern literature suggests frequent misuse of electroanalytical tools. This can have very negative implications and postpone overall development of electrocatalytic materials with the desired properties. This work points out some of the frequent pitfalls in electrochemical characterization, suggests potential solutions, and above all encourages comprehensive analysis and in-depth thinking about electrochemical phenomena. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Technical Pitfall in 68Ga-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Imaging: Altered Biodistribution Caused by Free 68Ga-Citrate Due to Radiolysis Showing Increased Vascular Activity.

PubMed

Hod, Nir; Anconina, Reut; Levin, Daniel; Ezroh Kazap, Dina; Lantsberg, Sophie

2018-06-01

As with any new molecular imaging modality, accurate characterization of abnormalities on Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging can be accomplished only if one is aware of the normal distribution pattern, physiological variants, and potential sources of false imaging findings. Altered biodistribution can have a significant impact on scan interpretation. Presented here is a rare case in which radiopharmaceutical radiolysis occurred causing excessive free Ga-citrate showing as an increased vascular activity. As Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging is a relatively new imaging technique, it is important to be aware of such a potential technical pitfall in clinical practice in order to prevent scan misinterpretation.

Protein molecular data from ancient (>1 million years old) fossil material: pitfalls, possibilities and grand challenges.

PubMed

Schweitzer, Mary Higby; Schroeter, Elena R; Goshe, Michael B

2014-07-15

Advances in resolution and sensitivity of analytical techniques have provided novel applications, including the analyses of fossil material. However, the recovery of original proteinaceous components from very old fossil samples (defined as >1 million years (1 Ma) from previously named limits in the literature) is far from trivial. Here, we discuss the challenges to recovery of proteinaceous components from fossils, and the need for new sample preparation techniques, analytical methods, and bioinformatics to optimize and fully utilize the great potential of information locked in the fossil record. We present evidence for survival of original components across geological time, and discuss the potential benefits of recovery, analyses, and interpretation of fossil materials older than 1 Ma, both within and outside of the fields of evolutionary biology.

Advances in computer simulation of genome evolution: toward more realistic evolutionary genomics analysis by approximate bayesian computation.

PubMed

Arenas, Miguel

2015-04-01

NGS technologies present a fast and cheap generation of genomic data. Nevertheless, ancestral genome inference is not so straightforward due to complex evolutionary processes acting on this material such as inversions, translocations, and other genome rearrangements that, in addition to their implicit complexity, can co-occur and confound ancestral inferences. Recently, models of genome evolution that accommodate such complex genomic events are emerging. This letter explores these novel evolutionary models and proposes their incorporation into robust statistical approaches based on computer simulations, such as approximate Bayesian computation, that may produce a more realistic evolutionary analysis of genomic data. Advantages and pitfalls in using these analytical methods are discussed. Potential applications of these ancestral genomic inferences are also pointed out.

Time-dependent variational principle in matrix-product state manifolds: Pitfalls and potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kloss, Benedikt; Lev, Yevgeny Bar; Reichman, David

2018-01-01

We study the applicability of the time-dependent variational principle in matrix-product state manifolds for the long time description of quantum interacting systems. By studying integrable and nonintegrable systems for which the long time dynamics are known we demonstrate that convergence of long time observables is subtle and needs to be examined carefully. Remarkably, for the disordered nonintegrable system we consider the long time dynamics are in good agreement with the rigorously obtained short time behavior and with previous obtained numerically exact results, suggesting that at least in this case, the apparent convergence of this approach is reliable. Our study indicates that, while great care must be exercised in establishing the convergence of the method, it may still be asymptotically accurate for a class of disordered nonintegrable quantum systems.

Comparison of fingerprint and facial biometric verification technologies for user access and patient identification in a clinical environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Bing; Zhang, Yu; Documet, Jorge; Liu, Brent; Lee, Jasper; Shrestha, Rasu; Wang, Kevin; Huang, H. K.

2007-03-01

As clinical imaging and informatics systems continue to integrate the healthcare enterprise, the need to prevent patient mis-identification and unauthorized access to clinical data becomes more apparent especially under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandate. Last year, we presented a system to track and verify patients and staff within a clinical environment. This year, we further address the biometric verification component in order to determine which Biometric system is the optimal solution for given applications in the complex clinical environment. We install two biometric identification systems including fingerprint and facial recognition systems at an outpatient imaging facility, Healthcare Consultation Center II (HCCII). We evaluated each solution and documented the advantages and pitfalls of each biometric technology in this clinical environment.

Monte Carlo simulation: Its status and future

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murtha, J.A.

1997-04-01

Monte Carlo simulation is a statistics-based analysis tool that yields probability-vs.-value relationships for key parameters, including oil and gas reserves, capital exposure, and various economic yardsticks, such as net present value (NPV) and return on investment (ROI). Monte Carlo simulation is a part of risk analysis and is sometimes performed in conjunction with or as an alternative to decision [tree] analysis. The objectives are (1) to define Monte Carlo simulation in a more general context of risk and decision analysis; (2) to provide some specific applications, which can be interrelated; (3) to respond to some of the criticisms; (4) tomore » offer some cautions about abuses of the method and recommend how to avoid the pitfalls; and (5) to predict what the future has in store.« less

Efficient and Flexible Computation of Many-Electron Wave Function Overlaps.

PubMed

Plasser, Felix; Ruckenbauer, Matthias; Mai, Sebastian; Oppel, Markus; Marquetand, Philipp; González, Leticia

2016-03-08

A new algorithm for the computation of the overlap between many-electron wave functions is described. This algorithm allows for the extensive use of recurring intermediates and thus provides high computational efficiency. Because of the general formalism employed, overlaps can be computed for varying wave function types, molecular orbitals, basis sets, and molecular geometries. This paves the way for efficiently computing nonadiabatic interaction terms for dynamics simulations. In addition, other application areas can be envisaged, such as the comparison of wave functions constructed at different levels of theory. Aside from explaining the algorithm and evaluating the performance, a detailed analysis of the numerical stability of wave function overlaps is carried out, and strategies for overcoming potential severe pitfalls due to displaced atoms and truncated wave functions are presented.

PACS archive upgrade and data migration: clinical experiences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Brent J.; Documet, Luis; Sarti, Dennis A.; Huang, H. K.; Donnelly, John

2002-05-01

Saint John's Health Center PACS data volumes have increased dramatically since the hospital became filmless in April of 1999. This is due in part of continuous image accumulation, and the integration of a new multi-slice detector CT scanner into PACS. The original PACS archive would not be able to handle the distribution and archiving load and capacity in the near future. Furthermore, there is no secondary copy backup of all the archived PACS image data for disaster recovery purposes. The purpose of this paper is to present a clinical and technical process template to upgrade and expand the PACS archive, migrate existing PACs image data to the new archive, and provide a back-up and disaster recovery function not currently available. Discussion of the technical and clinical pitfalls and challenges involved in this process will be presented as well. The server hardware configuration was upgraded and a secondary backup implemented for disaster recovery. The upgrade includes new software versions, database reconfiguration, and installation of a new tape jukebox to replace the current MOD jukebox. Upon completion, all PACS image data from the original MOD jukebox was migrated to the new tape jukebox and verified. The migration was performed during clinical operation continuously in the background. Once the data migration was completed the MOD jukebox was removed. All newly acquired PACS exams are now archived to the new tape jukebox. All PACs image data residing on the original MOD jukebox have been successfully migrated into the new archive. In addition, a secondary backup of all PACS image data has been implemented for disaster recovery and has been verified using disaster scenario testing. No PACS image data was lost during the entire process and there was very little clinical impact during the entire upgrade and data migration. Some of the pitfalls and challenges during this upgrade process included hardware reconfiguration for the original archive server, clinical downtime involved with the upgrade, and data migration planning to minimize impact on clinical workflow. The impact was minimized with a downtime contingency plan.

Sampling efficacy for the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

PubMed

Stringer, Lloyd D; Suckling, David Maxwell; Baird, David; Vander Meer, Robert K; Christian, Sheree J; Lester, Philip J

2011-10-01

Cost-effective detection of invasive ant colonies before establishment in new ranges is imperative for the protection of national borders and reducing their global impact. We examined the sampling efficiency of food-baits and pitfall traps (baited and nonbaited) in detecting isolated red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) nests in multiple environments in Gainesville, FL. Fire ants demonstrated a significantly higher preference for a mixed protein food type (hotdog or ground meat combined with sweet peanut butter) than for the sugar or water baits offered. Foraging distance success was a function of colony size, detection trap used, and surveillance duration. Colony gyne number did not influence detection success. Workers from small nests (0- to 15-cm mound diameter) traveled no >3 m to a food source, whereas large colonies (>30-cm mound diameter) traveled up to 17 m. Baited pitfall traps performed best at detecting incipient ant colonies followed by nonbaited pitfall traps then food baits, whereas food baits performed well when trying to detect large colonies. These results were used to create an interactive model in Microsoft Excel, whereby surveillance managers can alter trap type, density, and duration parameters to estimate the probability of detecting specified or unknown S. invicta colony sizes. This model will support decision makers who need to balance the sampling cost and risk of failure to detect fire ant colonies.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing-pitfalls and recommendations for managing variants of uncertain clinical significance.

PubMed

Eccles, D M; Mitchell, G; Monteiro, A N A; Schmutzler, R; Couch, F J; Spurdle, A B; Gómez-García, E B

2015-10-01

Increasing use of BRCA1/2 testing for tailoring cancer treatment and extension of testing to tumour tissue for somatic mutation is moving BRCA1/2 mutation screening from a primarily prevention arena delivered by specialist genetic services into mainstream oncology practice. A considerable number of gene tests will identify rare variants where clinical significance cannot be inferred from sequence information alone. The proportion of variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUS) is likely to grow with lower thresholds for testing and laboratory providers with less experience of BRCA. Most VUS will not be associated with a high risk of cancer but a misinterpreted VUS has the potential to lead to mismanagement of both the patient and their relatives. Members of the Clinical Working Group of ENIGMA (Evidence-based Network for the Interpretation of Germline Mutant Alleles) global consortium (www.enigmaconsortium.org) observed wide variation in practices in reporting, disclosure and clinical management of patients with a VUS. Examples from current clinical practice are presented and discussed to illustrate potential pitfalls, explore factors contributing to misinterpretation, and propose approaches to improving clarity. Clinicians, patients and their relatives would all benefit from an improved level of genetic literacy. Genetic laboratories working with clinical geneticists need to agree on a clinically clear and uniform format for reporting BRCA test results to non-geneticists. An international consortium of experts, collecting and integrating all available lines of evidence and classifying variants according to an internationally recognized system, will facilitate reclassification of variants for clinical use. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Insights on Parenting.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnes, Natalie

1993-01-01

The mother of an extremely gifted boy relates her emotional response upon learning of his giftedness, especially her excitement at his potential and her fear that his uniqueness harbors hidden pitfalls. (JDD)

Regenerating the kidney using human pluripotent stem cells and renal progenitors.

PubMed

Becherucci, Francesca; Mazzinghi, Benedetta; Allinovi, Marco; Angelotti, Maria Lucia; Romagnani, Paola

2018-06-25

Introduction Chronic kidney disease is a major healthcare problem worldwide and its cost is becoming no longer affordable. Indeed, restoring damaged renal structures or building a new kidney represent an ambitious and ideal alternative to renal replacement therapy. Streams of research have explored the possible application of pluripotent SCs (embryonic SCs and induced pluripotent SCs) in different strategies aimed at regenerate functioning nephrons and at understanding the mechanisms of kidney regeneration. Areas covered In this review, we will focus on the main potential applications of human pluripotent SCs to kidney regeneration, including those leading to rebuilding new kidneys or part of them (organoids, scaffolds, biological microdevices) as well as those aimed at understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of renal disease and regenerative processes (modeling of kidney disease, genome editing). Moreover, we will discuss the role of endogenous renal progenitors cells in order to understand and promote kidney regeneration, as an attractive alternative to pluripotent SCs. Expert opinion Opportunities and pitfalls of all these strategies will be underlined, finally leading to the conclusion that a deeper knowledge of the biology of pluripotent SCs is mandatory, in order to allow us to hypothesize their clinical application.

The implementation of liquid-based cytology for lung and pleural-based diseases.

PubMed

Michael, Claire W; Bedrossian, Carlos C W M

2014-01-01

First introduced for the processing of cervico-vaginal samples, liquid-based cytology (LBC) soon found application in nongynecological specimens, including bronchoscopic brushings, washings and transcutaneous and transbronchial aspiration biopsy of the lung as well as pleural effusions. This article reviews the existing literature related to these specimens along with the authors' own experience. A literature review was conducted through Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed search engines using several key words. Most of the literature is based on data collected through the use of split samples. The data confirms that the use of LBC is an acceptable, and sometimes superior, alternative to the conventional preparations (CP). LBC offers several advantages, including the ability to transport in a stable collecting media, elimination of obscuring elements, ease of screening, excellent preservation, random representative sample, and application of ancillary techniques on additional preparations. Some diagnostic pitfalls related to the introduced artifacts were reported. The utilization of LBC offers many advantages over CP and has a diagnostic accuracy that is equal to or surpasses that of CP. LBC affords a bridge to the future application of molecular and other ancillary techniques to cytology. Knowledge of the morphological artifacts is useful at the early stages of implementation.

Applications and Lessons Learned using Data from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ray, S. E.; Fetzer, E. J.; Olsen, E. T.; Lambrigtsen, B.; Pagano, T. S.; Teixeira, J.; Licata, S. J.; Hall, J. R.

2016-12-01

Applications and Lessons Learned using Data from the Atmospheric Infrared SounderSharon Ray, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on NASA's Aqua spacecraft has been returning daily global observations of Earth's atmospheric constituents and properties since 2002. With a 12-year data record and daily, global observations in near real-time, AIRS can play a role in applications that fall under many of the NASA Applied Sciences focus areas. AIRS' involvement in applications is two years in, so what have we learned and what are the pitfalls? AIRS has made gains in drought applications with products under consideration for inclusion in the U.S. Drought Monitor national map, as also with volcano rapid response with an internal alert system and automated products to help characterize plume extent. Efforts are underway with cold air aloft for aviation, influenza outbreak prediction, and vector borne disease. But challenges have occurred both in validation and in crossing the "valley of death" between products and decision makers. AIRS now has improved maps of standard products to be distributed in near real-time via NASA LANCE and by the Goddard DAAC as part of the Obama's administration Big Earth Data Initiative. In addition internal tools have been developed to support development and distribution of our application products. This talk will communicate the status of the AIRS applications effort along with lessons learned, and provide examples of new product imagery designed to best communicate AIRS data.

Software engineering and automatic continuous verification of scientific software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piggott, M. D.; Hill, J.; Farrell, P. E.; Kramer, S. C.; Wilson, C. R.; Ham, D.; Gorman, G. J.; Bond, T.

2011-12-01

Software engineering of scientific code is challenging for a number of reasons including pressure to publish and a lack of awareness of the pitfalls of software engineering by scientists. The Applied Modelling and Computation Group at Imperial College is a diverse group of researchers that employ best practice software engineering methods whilst developing open source scientific software. Our main code is Fluidity - a multi-purpose computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code that can be used for a wide range of scientific applications from earth-scale mantle convection, through basin-scale ocean dynamics, to laboratory-scale classic CFD problems, and is coupled to a number of other codes including nuclear radiation and solid modelling. Our software development infrastructure consists of a number of free tools that could be employed by any group that develops scientific code and has been developed over a number of years with many lessons learnt. A single code base is developed by over 30 people for which we use bazaar for revision control, making good use of the strong branching and merging capabilities. Using features of Canonical's Launchpad platform, such as code review, blueprints for designing features and bug reporting gives the group, partners and other Fluidity uers an easy-to-use platform to collaborate and allows the induction of new members of the group into an environment where software development forms a central part of their work. The code repositoriy are coupled to an automated test and verification system which performs over 20,000 tests, including unit tests, short regression tests, code verification and large parallel tests. Included in these tests are build tests on HPC systems, including local and UK National HPC services. The testing of code in this manner leads to a continuous verification process; not a discrete event performed once development has ceased. Much of the code verification is done via the "gold standard" of comparisons to analytical solutions via the method of manufactured solutions. By developing and verifying code in tandem we avoid a number of pitfalls in scientific software development and advocate similar procedures for other scientific code applications.

A Secure and Robust User Authenticated Key Agreement Scheme for Hierarchical Multi-medical Server Environment in TMIS.

PubMed

Das, Ashok Kumar; Odelu, Vanga; Goswami, Adrijit

2015-09-01

The telecare medicine information system (TMIS) helps the patients to gain the health monitoring facility at home and access medical services over the Internet of mobile networks. Recently, Amin and Biswas presented a smart card based user authentication and key agreement security protocol usable for TMIS system using the cryptographic one-way hash function and biohashing function, and claimed that their scheme is secure against all possible attacks. Though their scheme is efficient due to usage of one-way hash function, we show that their scheme has several security pitfalls and design flaws, such as (1) it fails to protect privileged-insider attack, (2) it fails to protect strong replay attack, (3) it fails to protect strong man-in-the-middle attack, (4) it has design flaw in user registration phase, (5) it has design flaw in login phase, (6) it has design flaw in password change phase, (7) it lacks of supporting biometric update phase, and (8) it has flaws in formal security analysis. In order to withstand these security pitfalls and design flaws, we aim to propose a secure and robust user authenticated key agreement scheme for the hierarchical multi-server environment suitable in TMIS using the cryptographic one-way hash function and fuzzy extractor. Through the rigorous security analysis including the formal security analysis using the widely-accepted Burrows-Abadi-Needham (BAN) logic, the formal security analysis under the random oracle model and the informal security analysis, we show that our scheme is secure against possible known attacks. Furthermore, we simulate our scheme using the most-widely accepted and used Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications (AVISPA) tool. The simulation results show that our scheme is also secure. Our scheme is more efficient in computation and communication as compared to Amin-Biswas's scheme and other related schemes. In addition, our scheme supports extra functionality features as compared to other related schemes. As a result, our scheme is very appropriate for practical applications in TMIS.

Problems Inherent to Augmentation of Natural Enemies in Open Agriculture.

PubMed

Michaud, J P

2018-04-01

Augmentation biological control has successfully replaced a lot of insecticide use in 'closed system' agriculture (e.g., greenhouses). The profitable commercialization of biocontrol agents in greenhouses has created an incentive to expand markets for mass-reared beneficial insects into open agricultural systems, often without sufficient scientific justification. However, the semi-contained nature of greenhouse culture is often critical to the success of augmentation and can serve to mask potential pitfalls and intrinsic limitations of this approach in open systems. Factors contributing to greenhouse successes include the reduced biological diversity of contained agroecosystems, the prevention of agent dispersal, the ability to maintain environmental conditions within a range favorable for the agent, the exclusion of competitors and natural enemies of the agent that might otherwise diminish its efficacy, and the absence of alternative prey/hosts that could divert predation/parasitism from the target pest. There are also problems arising from collection of source material from locally adapted populations, and the inadvertent imposition of artificial selection in the course of laboratory rearing. Besides highlighting these pitfalls, this paper aims to encourage more consideration of conservation approaches prior to investment in augmentation programs which entice farmers into perpetual cycles of 'rear and release.' I argue that although augmentation can benefit agriculture whenever it replaces pesticide applications, it does not constitute an ecologically sustainable solution because it requires continued inputs, and it can distract research attention away from more sustainable objectives. Sustainable biological control is best achieved through modifications to cultural practices that increasingly 'naturalize' agroecosystems, thus facilitating the natural recruitment and persistence of beneficial arthropod fauna, combined with habitat management geared to increasing overall plant and arthropod diversity in the agroecosystem.

Avoiding common pitfalls in qualitative data collection and transcription.

PubMed

Easton, K L; McComish, J F; Greenberg, R

2000-09-01

The subjective nature of qualitative research necessitates scrupulous scientific methods to ensure valid results. Although qualitative methods such as grounded theory, phenomenology, and ethnography yield rich data, consumers of research need to be able to trust the findings reported in such studies. Researchers are responsible for establishing the trustworthiness of qualitative research through a variety of ways. Specific challenges faced in the field can seriously threaten the dependability of the data. However, by minimizing potential errors that can occur when doing fieldwork, researchers can increase the trustworthiness of the study. The purpose of this article is to present three of the pitfalls that can occur in qualitative research during data collection and transcription: equipment failure, environmental hazards, and transcription errors. Specific strategies to minimize the risk for avoidable errors will be discussed.

Inverted papilloma-like sinonasal epithelial hyperplasia, overshadowing underlying sinonasal fibrosarcoma: a diagnostic pitfall.

PubMed

Maly, Alexander; Maly, Bella; Eliashar, Ron; Doviner, Victoria

2006-01-01

Proliferating invaginations of the sinonasal epithelium, simulating inverted papillomas, have been mentioned once in the literature as a reactive phenomenon overlying sinonasal fibrosarcomas. These proliferations may be so marked as to make the distinction from inverted papilloma virtually impossible. The possible result is that the examining pathologist's attention might be drawn exclusively to the epithelial component, thus causing him to overlook, especially in a small biopsy, a rather bland but distinctive sarcomatoid component which is located underneath. We report such a case of marked endophytic proliferation of sinonasal epithelium which was interpreted, in the preoperative biopsy, as an inverted papilloma with dense fibrous stroma which later, in the surgical specimen, was found to be a part of a submucosal fibrosarcoma. The diagnostic pitfall is discussed.

Scrum and Global Delivery: Pitfalls and Lessons Learned

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadun, Cristiano

Two trends are becoming widespread in software development work—agile development processes and global delivery, both promising sizable benefits in productivity, capacity and so on. Combining the two is a highly attractive possibility, even more so in fast-paced and constrained commercial software engineering projects. However, a degree of conflict exists between the assumptions underlying the two ideas, leading to pitfalls and challenges in agile/distributed projects which are new, both with respect to traditional development and agile or distributed efforts adopted separately. Succeeding in commercial agile/distributed projects implies recognizing these new challenges, proactively planning for them, and actively put in place solutions and methods to overcome them. This chapter illustrates some of the typical challenges that were met during real-world commercial projects, and how they were solved.

Data Visualization Challenges and Opportunities in User-Oriented Application Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilone, D.; Quinn, P.; Mitchell, A. E.; Baynes, K.; Shum, D.

2015-12-01

This talk introduces the audience to some of the very real challenges associated with visualizing data from disparate data sources as encountered during the development of real world applications. In addition to the fundamental challenges of dealing with the data and imagery, this talk discusses usability problems encountered while trying to provide interactive and user-friendly visualization tools. At the end of this talk the audience will be aware of some of the pitfalls of data visualization along with tools and techniques to help mitigate them. There are many sources of variable resolution visualizations of science data available to application developers including NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), however integrating and leveraging visualizations in modern applications faces a number of challenges, including: - Varying visualized Earth "tile sizes" resulting in challenges merging disparate sources - Multiple visualization frameworks and toolkits with varying strengths and weaknesses - Global composite imagery vs. imagery matching EOSDIS granule distribution - Challenges visualizing geographically overlapping data with different temporal bounds - User interaction with overlapping or collocated data - Complex data boundaries and shapes combined with multi-orbit data and polar projections - Discovering the availability of visualizations and the specific parameters, color palettes, and configurations used to produce them In addition to discussing the challenges and approaches involved in visualizing disparate data, we will discuss solutions and components we'll be making available as open source to encourage reuse and accelerate application development.

Advances in the diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis: current options and applications for control.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Expósito, Daniel; Ferre, Ignacio; Ortega-Mora, Luis M; Álvarez-García, Gema

2017-10-01

Bovine besnoitiosis, which is caused by the tissue cyst-forming intracellular parasite Besnoitia besnoiti, is a chronic and debilitating disease that is responsible for severe economic losses in the cattle raised under extensive husbandry systems. The absence of vaccines, treatments or a health scheme at local, national and international levels has led to a rapid spread of bovine besnoitiosis from western Europe towards eastern countries and northwards. Moreover, this parasitic disease is widely present in many sub-Saharan countries. Thus, bovine besnoitiosis should be included in the animal health scheme of beef cattle herds. Accurate diagnostic tools and common diagnostic procedures are mandatory in any control programme. Relevant advances have been made in this field during the last decade. Succeeding with accurate diagnosis relies on the technique employed and the antibody and parasite kinetics of the infection stage, which may notably influence control programmes and surveillance. Moreover, control programmes should be adapted to the epidemiological status of the disease, as the disease presentation in a herd has important implications for prospective control. Herein, we review the clinical disease presentation of bovine besnoitiosis and the correlation between its clinical course and laboratory parameters. We also provide an update on the available diagnostic tools, discuss their strengths and pitfalls, and provide guidelines for their use in control, surveillance and epidemiological studies. A rational control strategy is also recommended. Copyright © 2017 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Computational Psychiatry: towards a mathematically informed understanding of mental illness

PubMed Central

Huys, Quentin J M; Roiser, Jonathan P

2016-01-01

Computational Psychiatry aims to describe the relationship between the brain's neurobiology, its environment and mental symptoms in computational terms. In so doing, it may improve psychiatric classification and the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. It can unite many levels of description in a mechanistic and rigorous fashion, while avoiding biological reductionism and artificial categorisation. We describe how computational models of cognition can infer the current state of the environment and weigh up future actions, and how these models provide new perspectives on two example disorders, depression and schizophrenia. Reinforcement learning describes how the brain can choose and value courses of actions according to their long-term future value. Some depressive symptoms may result from aberrant valuations, which could arise from prior beliefs about the loss of agency (‘helplessness’), or from an inability to inhibit the mental exploration of aversive events. Predictive coding explains how the brain might perform Bayesian inference about the state of its environment by combining sensory data with prior beliefs, each weighted according to their certainty (or precision). Several cortical abnormalities in schizophrenia might reduce precision at higher levels of the inferential hierarchy, biasing inference towards sensory data and away from prior beliefs. We discuss whether striatal hyperdopaminergia might have an adaptive function in this context, and also how reinforcement learning and incentive salience models may shed light on the disorder. Finally, we review some of Computational Psychiatry's applications to neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, and some pitfalls to avoid when applying its methods. PMID:26157034

Mentorship: Concepts and Application to Plastic Surgery Training Programs

PubMed Central

Franzblau, Lauren E.; Kotsis, Sandra V.; Chung, Kevin C.

2016-01-01

Background Countless papers have demonstrated and emphasized the importance of mentoring in academic medicine. However, the upcoming role of mentors in the evolving medical field is poorly defined. As translational medicine, collaboration, and healthcare priorities change, so too must the goals and usage of mentoring. The aims of this paper are to demonstrate key aspects of effective mentoring in academic plastic surgery, show institutions how to cultivate mentoring relationships among their faculty and trainees, and provide direction for how to optimize the future use of mentoring to best prepare the next generation of plastic surgeons. Methods We reviewed the current literature regarding mentorship and the evolution of academic medicine. Results Mentors not only facilitate their protégés’ entrance into the field and future success, but can also attract medical students and residents to careers in research and abet the racial and gender discrepancies in plastic surgery and academia. Ideally faculty should undergo some form of training before they enter mentoring relationships. This will ensure that they are aware of their specific duties as mentors, are able to communicate with mentees, and can avoid potential pitfalls. Conclusions Mentorship is a tool. If used correctly, it can help recruit and retain talented physician-scientists to plastic surgery to satisfy the growing demand. This will require institutions to actively support mentorship, provide opportunities and resources for training mentors, and enable faculty to allocate time to this vital pursuit. PMID:23629123

Real-time control using open source RTOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irwin, Philip C.; Johnson, Richard L., Jr.

2002-12-01

Complex telescope systems such as interferometers tend to rely heavily on hard real-time operating systems (RTOS). It has been standard practice at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and many other institutions to use costly commercial RTOSs and hardware. After developing a real-time toolkit for VxWorks on the PowerPC platform (dubbed RTC), the interferometry group at JPL is porting this code to the real-time Application Interface (RTAI), an open source RTOS that is essentially an extension to the Linux kernel. This port has the potential to reduce software and hardware costs for future projects, while increasing the level of performance. The goals of this paper are to briefly describe the RTC toolkit, highlight the successes and pitfalls of porting the toolkit from VxWorks to Linux-RTAI, and to discuss future enhancements that will be implemented as a direct result of this port. The first port of any body of code is always the most difficult since it uncovers the OS-specific calls and forces "red flags" into those portions of the code. For this reason, It has also been a huge benefit that the project chose a generic, platform independent OS extension, ACE, and its CORBA counterpart, TAO. This port of RTC will pave the way for conversions to other environments, the most interesting of which is a non-real-time simulation environment, currently being considered by the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) and the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) Projects.

From staff-mix to skill-mix and beyond: towards a systemic approach to health workforce management

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Throughout the world, countries are experiencing shortages of health care workers. Policy-makers and system managers have developed a range of methods and initiatives to optimise the available workforce and achieve the right number and mix of personnel needed to provide high-quality care. Our literature review found that such initiatives often focus more on staff types than on staff members' skills and the effective use of those skills. Our review describes evidence about the benefits and pitfalls of current approaches to human resources optimisation in health care. We conclude that in order to use human resources most effectively, health care organisations must consider a more systemic approach - one that accounts for factors beyond narrowly defined human resources management practices and includes organisational and institutional conditions. PMID:20021682

The Development of NASA's Fault Management Handbook

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fesq, Lorraine

2011-01-01

Disciplined approach to Fault Management (FM) has not always been emphasized by projects, contributing to major schedule and cost overruns. Progress is being made on a number of fronts outside of Handbook effort: (1) Processes, Practices and Tools being developed at some Centers and Institutions (2) Management recognition . Constellation FM roles, Discovery/New Frontiers mission reviews (3) Potential Technology solutions . New approaches could avoid many current pitfalls (3a) New FM architectures, including model ]based approach integrated with NASA fs MBSE efforts (3b) NASA fs Office of the Chief Technologist: FM identified in seven of NASA fs 14 Space Technology Roadmaps . opportunity to coalesce and establish thrust area to progressively develop new FM techniques FM Handbook will help ensure that future missions do not encounter same FM ]related problems as previous missions Version 1 of the FM Handbook is a good start.

Advances in lens implant technology

PubMed Central

Kampik, Anselm; Dexl, Alois K.; Zimmermann, Nicole; Glasser, Adrian; Baumeister, Martin; Kohnen, Thomas

2013-01-01

Cataract surgery is one of the oldest and the most frequent outpatient clinic operations in medicine performed worldwide. The clouded human crystalline lens is replaced by an artificial intraocular lens implanted into the capsular bag. During the last six decades, cataract surgery has undergone rapid development from a traumatic, manual surgical procedure with implantation of a simple lens to a minimally invasive intervention increasingly assisted by high technology and a broad variety of implants customized for each patient’s individual requirements. This review discusses the major advances in this field and focuses on the main challenge remaining – the treatment of presbyopia. The demand for correction of presbyopia is increasing, reflecting the global growth of the ageing population. Pearls and pitfalls of currently applied methods to correct presbyopia and different approaches under investigation, both in lens implant technology and in surgical technology, are discussed. PMID:23413369

Regenerative medicine technology applied to gastroenterology: Current status and future perspectives

PubMed Central

Orlando, Giuseppe

2012-01-01

This special issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology has been conceived to illustrate to gastroenterology operators the role that regenerative medicine (RM) will have in the progress of gastrointestinal (GI) medicine. RM is a multidisciplinary field aiming to replace, regenerate or repair diseased tissues or organs. The past decade has been marked by numerous ground-breaking achievements that led experts in the field to manufacture functional substitutes of relatively simple organs. This progress is paving the ground for investigations that aims to the bioengineering and regeneration of more complex organs like livers, pancreas and intestine. In this special issue, the reader will be introduced, hand-in-hand, to explore the field of RM and will be educated on the progress, pitfalls and promise of RM technologies as applied to GI medicine. PMID:23322983

Virtual environment and computer-aided technologies used for system prototyping and requirements development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Logan, Cory; Maida, James; Goldsby, Michael; Clark, Jim; Wu, Liew; Prenger, Henk

1993-01-01

The Space Station Freedom (SSF) Data Management System (DMS) consists of distributed hardware and software which monitor and control the many onboard systems. Virtual environment and off-the-shelf computer technologies can be used at critical points in project development to aid in objectives and requirements development. Geometric models (images) coupled with off-the-shelf hardware and software technologies were used in The Space Station Mockup and Trainer Facility (SSMTF) Crew Operational Assessment Project. Rapid prototyping is shown to be a valuable tool for operational procedure and system hardware and software requirements development. The project objectives, hardware and software technologies used, data gained, current activities, future development and training objectives shall be discussed. The importance of defining prototyping objectives and staying focused while maintaining schedules are discussed along with project pitfalls.

Social Media and Oncology: The Past, Present, and Future of Electronic Communication Between Physician and Patient.

PubMed

Lewis, Mark A; Dicker, Adam P

2015-10-01

The relationship between patient and physician is in flux with the advent of electronic media that are advancing and enhancing communication. We perform a retrospective, current, and forward-looking examination of the technologies by which information is exchanged within the healthcare community. The evolution from e-mail and listservs to blogs and the modern social networks is described, with emphasis on the advantages and pitfalls of each medium, especially in regard to maintaining the standards of privacy and professionalism to which doctors are held accountable. We support the use of contemporary platforms like Twitter and Facebook for physicians to establish themselves as trustworthy online sources of medical knowledge, and anticipate ongoing collaboration between researchers, patients, and their advocates in trial design and accrual. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Understanding the Experience of Stroke: A Mixed-Method Research Agenda

PubMed Central

Clarke, Philippa

2009-01-01

The use of both quantitative and qualitative strategies to examine a single research question has been a subject of considerable controversy and still remains a largely uncommon practice in the sociology of health and illness. Yet, when seeking to understand the meaning of a chronic disabling condition in later life from a social psychological perspective, a mixed-method approach is likely to provide the most comprehensive picture. This article provides an overview of the usefulness and appropriateness of a mixed-method approach to understanding the stroke experience. I comment on the current state of research on the experience of stroke, including epistemological and ontological orientations. Using real data examples, I address paradigmatic assumptions, methods of integration, as well as challenges and pitfalls in integrating methods. I conclude by considering future directions in this field of research. PMID:19386828

The current status of clinical proteomics and the use of MRM and MRM(3) for biomarker validation.

PubMed

Lemoine, Jérôme; Fortin, Tanguy; Salvador, Arnaud; Jaffuel, Aurore; Charrier, Jean-Philippe; Choquet-Kastylevsky, Geneviève

2012-05-01

The transfer of biomarkers from the discovery field to clinical use is still, despite progress, on a road filled with pitfalls. Since the emergence of proteomics, thousands of putative biomarkers have been published, often with overlapping diagnostic capacities. The strengthening of the robustness of discovery technologies, particularly in mass spectrometry, has been followed by intense discussions on establishing well-defined evaluation procedures for the identified targets to ultimately allow the clinical validation and then the clinical use of some of these biomarkers. Some of the obstacles to the evaluation process have been the lack of the availability of quick and easy-to-develop, easy-to-use, robust, specific and sensitive alternative quantitative methods when immunoaffinity-based tests are unavailable. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM; also called selected reaction monitoring) is currently proving its capabilities as a complementary or alternative technique to ELISA for large biomarker panel evaluation. Here, we present how MRM(3) can overcome the lack of specificity and sensitivity often encountered by MRM when tracking minor proteins diluted by complex biological matrices.

Somatotropin in the treatment of growth hormone deficiency and Turner syndrome in pediatric patients: a review

PubMed Central

Reh, Christina Southern; Geffner, Mitchell E

2010-01-01

Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone that is synthesized and secreted by the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland. The main action of GH is to stimulate linear growth in children; however, it also fosters a healthy body composition by increasing muscle and reducing fat mass, maintains normal blood glucose levels, and promotes a favorable lipid profile. This article provides an overview of the normal pathophysiology of GH production and action. We discuss the history of GH therapy and the development of the current formulation of recombinant human GH given as daily subcutaneous injections. This paper reviews two of the longest standing FDA-approved indications for GH treatment, GH deficiency and Turner syndrome. We will highlight the pathogenesis of these disorders, including presentations, presumed mechanism(s) for the associated short stature, and diagnostic criteria, with a review of stimulation test benefits and pitfalls. This review also includes current recommendations for GH therapy to help maximize final height in these children, as well as data demonstrating the efficacy and safety of GH treatment in these populations. PMID:22291494

Simulation of networks of spiking neurons: A review of tools and strategies

PubMed Central

Brette, Romain; Rudolph, Michelle; Carnevale, Ted; Hines, Michael; Beeman, David; Bower, James M.; Diesmann, Markus; Morrison, Abigail; Goodman, Philip H.; Harris, Frederick C.; Zirpe, Milind; Natschläger, Thomas; Pecevski, Dejan; Ermentrout, Bard; Djurfeldt, Mikael; Lansner, Anders; Rochel, Olivier; Vieville, Thierry; Muller, Eilif; Davison, Andrew P.; El Boustani, Sami

2009-01-01

We review different aspects of the simulation of spiking neural networks. We start by reviewing the different types of simulation strategies and algorithms that are currently implemented. We next review the precision of those simulation strategies, in particular in cases where plasticity depends on the exact timing of the spikes. We overview different simulators and simulation environments presently available (restricted to those freely available, open source and documented). For each simulation tool, its advantages and pitfalls are reviewed, with an aim to allow the reader to identify which simulator is appropriate for a given task. Finally, we provide a series of benchmark simulations of different types of networks of spiking neurons, including Hodgkin–Huxley type, integrate-and-fire models, interacting with current-based or conductance-based synapses, using clock-driven or event-driven integration strategies. The same set of models are implemented on the different simulators, and the codes are made available. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide a resource to facilitate identifying the appropriate integration strategy and simulation tool to use for a given modeling problem related to spiking neural networks. PMID:17629781

Role of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer: Current evidence

PubMed Central

Bogani, Giorgio; Dowdy, Sean C.; Cliby, William A.; Ghezzi, Fabio; Rossetti, Diego; Mariani, Andrea

2015-01-01

The aim of the present review is to summarize the current evidence on the role of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer. In 1988, the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommended surgical staging for endometrial cancer patients. However, 25 years later, the role of lymph node dissection remains controversial. Although the findings of two large independent randomized trials suggested that pelvic lymphadenectomy provides only adjunctive morbidity with no clear influence on survival outcomes, the studies have many pitfalls that limit interpretation of the results. Theoretically, lymphadenectomy may help identify patients with metastatic dissemination, who may benefit from adjuvant therapy, thus reducing radiation-related morbidity. Also, lymphadenectomy may eradicate metastatic disease. Because lymphatic spread is relatively uncommon, our main effort should be directed at identifying patients who may potentially benefit from lymph node dissection, thus reducing the rate of unnecessary treatment and associated morbidity. This review will discuss the role of lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer, focusing on patient selection, extension of the surgical procedure, postoperative outcomes, quality of life and costs. The need for new surgical studies and efficacious systemic drugs is recommended. PMID:24472047

Intrinsically incompatible crystal (ligand) field parameter sets for transition ions at orthorhombic and lower symmetry sites in crystals and their implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudowicz, C.; Gnutek, P.

2010-01-01

Central quantities in spectroscopy and magnetism of transition ions in crystals are crystal (ligand) field parameters (CFPs). For orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic site symmetry CF analysis is prone to misinterpretations due to large number of CFPs and existence of correlated sets of alternative CFPs. In this review, we elucidate the intrinsic features of orthorhombic and lower symmetry CFPs and their implications. The alternative CFP sets, which yield identical energy levels, belong to different regions of CF parameter space and hence are intrinsically incompatible. Only their ‘images’ representing CFP sets expressed in the same region of CF parameter space may be directly compared. Implications of these features for fitting procedures and meaning of fitted CFPs are categorized into negative: pitfalls and positive: blessings. As a case study, the CFP sets for Tm 3+ ions in KLu(WO 4) 2 are analysed and shown to be intrinsically incompatible. Inadvertent, so meaningless, comparisons of incompatible CFP sets result in various pitfalls, e.g., controversial claims about the values of CFPs obtained by other researchers as well as incorrect structural conclusions or faulty systematics of CF parameters across rare-earth ion series based on relative magnitudes of incompatible CFPs. Such pitfalls bear on interpretation of, e.g., optical spectroscopy, inelastic neutron scattering, and magnetic susceptibility data. An extensive survey of pertinent literature was carried out to assess recognition of compatibility problems. Great portion of available orthorhombic and lower symmetry CFP sets are found intrinsically incompatible, yet these problems and their implications appear barely recognized. The considerable extent and consequences of pitfalls revealed by our survey call for concerted remedial actions of researchers. A general approach based on the rhombicity ratio standardization may solve compatibility problems. Wider utilization of alternative CFP sets in the multiple correlated fitting techniques may improve reliability ( blessing) of fitted CFPs. This review may be of interest to a broad range of researchers from condensed matter physicists to physical chemists working on, e.g., high temperature superconductors, luminescent, optoelectronic, laser, and magnetic materials.

The role of interdisciplinary collaboration for stated preference methods to value marine environmental goods and ecosystem services

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Börger, Tobias; Böhnke-Henrichs, Anne; Hattam, Caroline; Piwowarczyk, Joanna; Schasfoort, Femke; Austen, Melanie C.

2018-02-01

With the increasing use of environmental valuation methods in coastal, marine and deep-sea settings, there is a growing need for the collaboration of natural scientists and environmental economists. Stated preference valuation methods in particular need to be based on sound natural science information and translate such information to be used in social surveys. This paper uses three applications to make explicit the flow of information between different disciplines in the preparation and implementation of stated preference studies. One approach for facilitating this flow is to increase knowledge and understanding of natural scientists on these methods. To address this, this paper highlights key opportunities and pitfalls and demonstrates those in the context of three case studies. It therefore provides guidance on stated preference valuation for natural scientists rather than for economists.

A Checklist for Successful Quantitative Live Cell Imaging in Systems Biology

PubMed Central

Sung, Myong-Hee

2013-01-01

Mathematical modeling of signaling and gene regulatory networks has provided unique insights about systems behaviors for many cell biological problems of medical importance. Quantitative single cell monitoring has a crucial role in advancing systems modeling of molecular networks. However, due to the multidisciplinary techniques that are necessary for adaptation of such systems biology approaches, dissemination to a wide research community has been relatively slow. In this essay, I focus on some technical aspects that are often under-appreciated, yet critical in harnessing live cell imaging methods to achieve single-cell-level understanding and quantitative modeling of molecular networks. The importance of these technical considerations will be elaborated with examples of successes and shortcomings. Future efforts will benefit by avoiding some pitfalls and by utilizing the lessons collectively learned from recent applications of imaging in systems biology. PMID:24709701

The evaluation of research papers in the XXI century. The Open Peer Discussion system of the World Economics Association.

PubMed

Ietto-Gillies, Grazia

2012-01-01

The paper starts with a brief discussion of the traditional peer review (TPR) system of research evaluation, its role, and the criticisms levelled at it. An analysis of specific problems in economics leads to a full discussion of the Open Peer Review (OPR) system developed by the World Economics Association (WEA) and the principles behind it. The system is open in the following two respects: (a) disclosure of names of authors and reviewers; and (b) inclusivity of potential reviewers in terms of paradigmatic approaches, country, and community. The paper then discusses the applicability of the same system to other disciplines. In doing so, it stressed the aims of various evaluation systems and the possible pitfalls of rating systems. It also speculates on the future of journal publication.

A Method for Imaging Oxygen Distribution and Respiration at a Microscopic Level of Resolution.

PubMed

Rolletschek, Hardy; Liebsch, Gregor

2017-01-01

Conventional oxygen (micro-) sensors assess oxygen concentration within a particular region or across a transect of tissue, but provide no information regarding its bidimensional distribution. Here, a novel imaging technology is presented, in which an optical sensor foil (i.e., the planar optode) is attached to the surface of the sample. The sensor converts a fluorescent signal into an oxygen value. Since each single image captures an entire area of the sample surface, the system is able to deduce the distribution of oxygen at a resolution level of few micrometers. It can be deployed to dynamically monitor oxygen consumption, thereby providing a detailed respiration map at close to cellular resolution. Here, we demonstrate the application of the imaging tool to developing plant seeds; the protocol is explained step by step and some potential pitfalls are discussed.

In Vitro Evaluation of Molecular Tumor Targets in Nuclear Medicine: Immunohistochemistry Is One Option, but Under Which Conditions?

PubMed

Reubi, Jean Claude

2017-12-01

The identification of new molecular targets for diagnostic and therapeutic applications using in vitro methods is an important challenge in nuclear medicine. One such method is immunohistochemistry, increasingly popular because it is easy to perform. This review presents the case for conducting receptor immunohistochemistry to evaluate potential molecular targets in human tumor tissue sections. The focus is on the immunohistochemistry of G-protein-coupled receptors, one of the largest families of cell surface proteins, representing a major class of drug targets and thus playing an important role in nuclear medicine. This review identifies common pitfalls and challenges and provides guidelines on performing such immunohistochemical studies. An appropriate validation of the target is a prerequisite for developing robust and informative new molecular probes. © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

Theory and applications survey of decentralized control methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Athans, M.

1975-01-01

A nonmathematical overview is presented of trends in the general area of decentralized control strategies which are suitable for hierarchical systems. Advances in decentralized system theory are closely related to advances in the so-called stochastic control problem with nonclassical information pattern. The basic assumptions and mathematical tools pertaining to the classical stochastic control problem are outlined. Particular attention is devoted to pitfalls in the mathematical problem formulation for decentralized control. Major conclusions are that any purely deterministic approach to multilevel hierarchical dynamic systems is unlikely to lead to realistic theories or designs, that the flow of measurements and decisions in a decentralized system should not be instantaneous and error-free, and that delays in information exchange in a decentralized system lead to reasonable approaches to decentralized control. A mathematically precise notion of aggregating information is not yet available.

Optimal routing of IP packets to multi-homed servers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swartz, K. L.

1992-08-01

Multi-homing, or direct attachment to multiple networks, offers both performance and availability benefits for important servers on busy networks. Exploiting these benefits to their fullest requires a modicum of routing knowledge in the clients. Careful policy control must also be reflected in the routing used within the network to make best use of specialized and often scarce resources. While relatively straightforward in theory, this problem becomes much more difficult to solve in a real network containing often intractable implementations from a variety of vendors. This paper presents an analysis of the problem and proposes a useful solution for a typical campus network. Application of this solution at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center is studied and the problems and pitfalls encountered are discussed, as are the workarounds used to make the system work in the real world.

The Business of Anti-Aging Science.

PubMed

de Magalhães, João Pedro; Stevens, Michael; Thornton, Daniel

2017-11-01

Age-related conditions are the leading causes of death and health-care costs. Reducing the rate of aging would have enormous medical and financial benefits. Myriad genes and pathways are known to regulate aging in model organisms, fostering a new crop of anti-aging companies. Approaches range from drug discovery efforts to big-data methods and direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies. Challenges and pitfalls of commercialization include reliance on findings from short-lived model organisms, poor biological understanding of aging, and hurdles in performing clinical trials for aging. A large number of potential aging-associated interventions and targets exist, but given the long validation times only a small fraction can be explored for clinical applications. If even one company succeeds, however, the impact will be huge. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Some Pitfalls in Special Relativity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chai, An-Ti

1973-01-01

The problem of observing a collision between two spaceships is utilized to illustrate the misuse of time dilation and length contraction, and the incorrect description of space-time coordinates in special relativity. (Author/DF)

Necessary Ingredients for Good Team Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colman, Clyde H.; Budahl, Leon

1973-01-01

Team teaching should not be adopted wholesale without first being tested for its real advantages. After listing disadvantages and possible pitfalls, the authors offer procedural suggestions that can lead to teaching ecstasy.'' (Editor)

Rhinitis Overview

MedlinePlus

... triggers. Videos: Choosing Wisely » Rhinitis (Hay Fever) Treatment & Management Once specific allergens are diagnosed, your allergist / immunologist ... Pitfalls of Diagnostic Allergy Testing » The Diagnosis and Management of Rhinitis: An Updated Practice Parameter » Allergen Immunotherapy: ...

In vivo labeling of cortical astrocytes with sulforhodamine 101 (SR101).

PubMed

Nimmerjahn, Axel; Helmchen, Fritjof

2012-03-01

Fluorescent markers that stain particular cell types in the intact brain are essential tools for fluorescence microscopy because they enable studies of structure and function of cells identified in this way. Although cell type-specific fluorescence staining can be achieved through promoter-driven expression of fluorescent proteins, this genetic approach is generally labor- and cost-intensive. Alternative viral approaches for targeted fluorophore expression are relatively invasive. For astrocytes, there is a simple alternative. This protocol describes an easy and robust method for rapid (within minutes) and high-contrast staining of astrocytes in defined regions of the intact rodent cortex using the synthetic, water-soluble but non-fixable red fluorescent dye sulforhodamine 101 (SR101). Selective staining is achieved through local uptake and gap junction-mediated spread of SR101 following its topical application or injection into tissue. Applications, technical pitfalls, and limitations of the SR101-staining technique are discussed. Given its simplicity and reliability, SR101 staining is a valuable tool for the study of astrocyte function in the intact brain and for in vivo fluorescence microscopy in general.

Raman Hyperspectral Imaging of Microfossils: Potential Pitfalls

PubMed Central

Olcott Marshall, Alison

2013-01-01

Abstract Initially, Raman spectroscopy was a specialized technique used by vibrational spectroscopists; however, due to rapid advancements in instrumentation and imaging techniques over the last few decades, Raman spectrometers are widely available at many institutions, allowing Raman spectroscopy to become a widespread analytical tool in mineralogy and other geological sciences. Hyperspectral imaging, in particular, has become popular due to the fact that Raman spectroscopy can quickly delineate crystallographic and compositional differences in 2-D and 3-D at the micron scale. Although this rapid growth of applications to the Earth sciences has provided great insight across the geological sciences, the ease of application as the instruments become increasingly automated combined with nonspecialists using this techique has resulted in the propagation of errors and misunderstandings throughout the field. For example, the literature now includes misassigned vibration modes, inappropriate spectral processing techniques, confocal depth of laser penetration incorrectly estimated into opaque crystalline solids, and a misconstrued understanding of the anisotropic nature of sp2 carbons. Key Words: Raman spectroscopy—Raman imaging—Confocal Raman spectroscopy—Disordered sp2 carbons—Hematite—Microfossils. Astrobiology 13, 920–931. PMID:24088070

Problems, pitfalls and probes: Welcome to the jungle of electrochemical noise technology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edgemon, G.L.

1998-02-19

The rise in electrochemical noise (EN) as a corrosion monitoring technique has resulted in unique problems associated with the field application of this method. Many issues relate to the design of the EN probe electrodes. The ability of an electrochemical noise monitoring system to identify and discriminate between localized corrosion mechanisms is related primarily to the capability of the probe to separate the corrosion cell anode from the corresponding cathode. Effectiveness of this separation is largely determined by the details of and the proper design of the probe that is in the environment of interest. No single probe design ormore » geometry can be effectively use in every situation to monitor all types of corrosion. In this paper the authors focus on a case study and probe development history related to monitoring corrosion in an extremely hostile environment using EN. While the ultimate application of EN was and continues to be successful, the case study shows that patience and persistence was necessary to meet and properly implement the monitoring program. Other possible source of problems and frustration with implementing EN are also discussed.« less

Theoretical and practical considerations in the application of whole body plethysmography to sleep research.

PubMed

Stephenson, Richard; Gucciardi, Enza J

2002-07-01

The sleep-wake state has a profound influence on many, perhaps most, aspects of normal physiology and is strongly implicated in the mediation (or remediation) of impaired health and performance. Many sleep disorders stem from abnormal respiratory anatomy or sleep-induced changes in respiratory control, underscoring the need for research into the effects of the sleep-wake state on respiratory control processes. Whole body plethysmography is being increasingly used to study respiration in freely behaving animals, and is especially well suited to studies of sleeping animals and human subjects. The method is simple in principle, but care is required in its application to ensure reliable results, and there are circumstances in which it is an inappropriate technique. This review describes the main advantages, pitfalls, and limitations inherent in the use of whole body plethysmography for non-invasive measurement of lung ventilation and metabolic rate in sleeping animals. Sources of potential error, and ways of avoiding such errors, are discussed, with reference to studies involving animal models of sleep-related breathing disorders.

Simplified Life-Cycle Cost Estimation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Remer, D. S.; Lorden, G.; Eisenberger, I.

1983-01-01

Simple method for life-cycle cost (LCC) estimation avoids pitfalls inherent in formulations requiring separate estimates of inflation and interest rates. Method depends for validity observation that interest and inflation rates closely track each other.