scholarly journals Training with Multiple Structurally Related Odorants Fails to Improve Generalization of Ammonium Nitrate Detection in Domesticated Dogs (Canis familiaris)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
David C. Dorman ◽  
Melanie L. Foster ◽  
Lucia Lazarowski
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Explosive Detection ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Explosive Materials ◽  
Simple Discrimination Task ◽  
Scent Detection ◽  
Group 1

A critical aspect of canine scent detection involves the animal’s ability to respond to odors based on prior odor training. In the current study, dogs (n = 12) were initially trained on an olfactory simple discrimination task using vanillin as the target odorant. Based on their performance on this task, dogs were assigned to experimental groups. Dogs in group 1 and 2 (n = 5 dogs/group; 1 dog/group were removed due to low motivation or high error rates) were trained with either two or six forms of ammonium nitrate (AN), respectively. Dogs were then assessed with a mock explosive with AN and powdered aluminum. Dogs in both groups failed to respond to the novel AN-aluminum odor. Mean success rates were 56 ± 5 and 54 ± 4% for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Overall, and individual dog performance was not statistically higher than chance indicating that dogs did not generalize from AN to a similar AN-based odorant at reliable levels desired for explosive detection dogs. These results suggest the use of authentic explosive materials, without the added complication of including category-learning methods, likely remains a cost-effective and efficient way to train explosive scent detection dogs.

scholarly journals Review of ERCP Techniques in Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Patients: Highlight on the Novel EUS-Directed Transgastric ERCP (EGDE) Technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harshit S. Khara ◽  
Swetha Parvataneni ◽  
Steven Park ◽  
Jihye Choi ◽  
Truptesh H. Kothari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Bypass ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Stent Migration ◽  
Adverse Event Rate ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
Hepatobiliary Complications

Abstract Purpose of Review Hepatobiliary complications are common in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients. Despite development of multiple surgical and endoscopic access techniques over the years, ERCP using standard duodenoscope remains challenging in these patients due to the altered anatomy. Recent Findings Limited success with enteroscope-assisted and laparoscope-assisted ERCP led to the evolution of the novel EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) procedure, with variations of this technique termed as Gastric Access Temporary for Endoscopy (GATE), EUS-guided TransGastric ERCP (EUS-TG-ERCP), EUS-guided GastroGastrostomy-assisted ERCP (EUS-GG-ERCP), and EUS-directed transgastric intervention (EDGI). EDGE has high technical (100%) and clinical success rates (60–100%), lower adverse event rate (1.5–7.6%), and up to 20% access stent migration rate; without any significant weight changes. EDGE has significantly shorter procedure time (73vs184min), post-procedural hospital stays (0.8vs2.65 days) and is more cost effective compared to other modalities. Summary EDGE technique addresses the challenges of RYGB anatomy as a minimally invasive, clinically successful, fully endoscopic, and cost-effective option. We present a literature review of the EDGE technique from its inception to current, in addition to reviewing other access techniques, their advantages, disadvantages and outcomes.

scholarly journals A New Fluorescence Probe for Rapid Detection of Amyloid

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Gour ◽  
Vivek Shinh Kshtriya ◽  
Bharti Koshti ◽  
Shradhey Gupta ◽  
khashti Ballabh Joshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Detection ◽  
Control Experiment ◽  
Fluorescence Probe ◽  
Photophysical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Novel ◽  
High Quantum Yield ◽  
Turn On ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Amyloidogenic Peptides

<p>We report efficient synthesis and photophysical properties of a novel fluorescent pyridothiazole based construct by a facile methodology and its application as a sensor for rapid, selective as well as sensitive detection of amyloid fibres. The novel compound has exceptionally high quantum yield and sensitivity. The fluorescence of pyridothiazole construct is completely quenched (Turn-OFF) upon addition of cupric ions and the fluorescence is recovered on addition of amyloidogenic peptides like A<i>β</i><sub>42 </sub>(Turn-ON). The control experiment with native and heat treated BSA suggest that the new probe binds to beeta/<i>β</i> sheets present in amyloid. The new probe offers direct visualization of fluorescence ‘Turn-OFF’ ‘Turn-ON’ under long UV without the use of sophisticated instrumentation. Hence, a very simple, facile and cost-effective methodology for the rapid detection of amyloid is presented and it may in all possibility pave the way for the design of a better probe for sensing amyloids than conventional ThT.</p>

Cost-effectiveness of digoxin, pacing, and direct current cardioversion for conversion of atrial flutter in neonates

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-729
Author(s):  
Deepa Prasad ◽  
Joni Steinberg ◽  
Christopher Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Atrial Flutter ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Efficient Method ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Direct Current Cardioversion ◽  
Neonatal Icu ◽  
The Cost

AbstractIntroductionNewborn atrial flutter can be treated by medications, pacing, or direct current cardioversion. The purpose is to compare the cost-effectiveness of digoxin, pacing, and direct current cardioversion for the treatment of atrial flutter in neonates.Materials and methodsA decision tree model was developed comparing the efficacy and cost of digoxin, pacing, and direct current cardioversion based on a meta-analysis of published studies of success rates of cardioversion of neonatal atrial flutter (age<2 months). Patients who failed initial attempt at cardioversion progressed to the next methodology until successful. Data were analysed to assess the cost-effectiveness of these methods with cost estimates obtained from 2015 Medicare reimbursement rates.ResultsThe cost analysis for cardioversion of atrial flutter found the most efficient method to be direct current cardioversion at a cost of $10 304, pacing was next at $11 086, and the least cost-effective was digoxin at $14 374. The majority of additional cost, regardless of method, was from additional neonatal ICU day either owing to digoxin loading or failure to covert. Direct current cardioversion remains the most cost-effective strategy by sensitivity analyses performed on pacing conversion rate and the cost of the neonatal ICU/day. Direct current cardioversion remains cost-effective until the assumed conversion rate is below 64.6%.ConclusionThe most cost-efficient method of cardioverting a neonate with atrial flutter is direct current cardioversion. It has the highest success rates based on the meta-analysis, shorter length of stay in the neonatal ICU owing to its success, and results in cost-savings ranging from $800 to $4000 when compared with alternative approaches.

A Kriging Based Fast and Efficient Method for Defect Detection in Massive Pipelines Using Magnetic Flux Leakages

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrata Mukherjee ◽  
Xuhui Huang ◽  
Lalita Udpa ◽  
Yiming Deng
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Defect Detection ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Lattice Points ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Similar Accuracy ◽  
Fast Procedure

Abstract Systems in service continue to degrade with passage of time. Pipelines are among the most common systems that wear away with usage. For public safety it is of utmost importance to monitor pipelines and detect new defects within the pipelines. Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing is a widely used nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique for defect detections within the pipelines, particularly those composed of ferromagnetic materials. Pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) procedure based on line-scans or 2D-scans can collect accurate MFL readings for defect detection. However, in real world applications involving large pipe-sectors such extensive scanning techniques are extremely time consuming and costly. In this paper, we develop a fast and cheap methodology that does not need MFL readings at all the points used in traditional PIG procedures but conducts defect detection with similar accuracy. We consider an under-sampling based scheme that collects MFL at uniformly chosen random scan-points over large lattices instead of extensive PIG scans over all lattice points. Based on readings for the chosen random scan points, we use Kriging to reconstruct MFL readings over the entire pipe-sectors. Thereafter, we use thresholding-based segmentation on the reconstructed data for detecting defective areas. We demonstrate the applicability of our methodology on synthetic data generated using popular finite element models as well as on MFL data collected via laboratory experiments. In these experiments spanning a wide range of defect types, our proposed novel MFL based NDE methodology is witnessed to have operating characteristics within the acceptable threshold of PIG based traditional methods and thus provide an extremely cost-effective, fast procedure with competing error rates that can be successfully used for scanning massive pipeline sectors.

scholarly journals Safety and effectiveness of a novel generator algorithm for bipolar vessel sealing: a randomised controlled chronic animal study

BMC Surgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Kraemer ◽  
Christos Tsaousidis ◽  
Stephan Kruck ◽  
Martin Schenk ◽  
Marcus Scharpf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Study ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Lateral Spread ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Vessel Sealing ◽  
Thermal Spread

Abstract Background Electrosurgical vessel sealers are gradually replacing conventional techniques such as ligation and clipping. Algorithms that control electrosurgical units (ESU), known as modes, are important for applications in different surgical disciplines. This chronic porcine animal study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the novel thermoSEAL electrosurgical vessel sealing mode (TSM). The BiClamp® mode (BCM) of the renowned VIO® 300 D ESU served as control. BCM has been widely available since 2002 and has since been successfully used in many surgical disciplines. The TSM, for the novel VIO® 3 ESU, was developed to reduce sealing time and/or thermal lateral spread adjacent to the seal while maintaining clinical success rates. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the long-term and intraoperative seal quality of TSM. Methods The BiCision® device was used for vessel sealing with TSM and BCM in ten German Landrace pigs which underwent splenectomy and unilateral nephrectomy during the first intervention of the study. The seals were cut with the BiCision® knife. Ninety-nine arteries, veins and vascular bundles were chronically sealed for 5 or 21 days. Thereafter, during the second and terminal intervention of the study, 97 additional arteries and veins were sealed. The carotid arteries were used for histological evaluation of thermal spread. Results After each survival period, no long-term complications occurred with either mode. The intraoperative seal failure rates, i.e. vessel leaking or residual blood flow after the first sealing activation, were 2% with TSM versus 6% with BCM (p = 0.28). The sealing time was significantly shorter with TSM (3.5 ± 0.69 s vs. 7.3 ± 1.3 s, p < 0.0001). The thermal spread and burst pressure of arteries sealed with both modes were similar (p = 0.18 and p = 0.61) and corresponded to the histological evaluation. The measured tissue sticking parameter was rare with both modes (p = 0.33). Tissue charring did not occur. Regarding the cut quality, 97% of the seals were severed in the first and 3% in the second attempt (both with TSM and BCM). Conclusions The novel TSM seals blood vessels twice as fast as the BCM while maintaining excellent tissue effect and clinical success rates. Trial registration Not applicable.

Nanomodified Endotracheal Tubes: Spatial Analysis of Reduced Bacterial Colonization in a Bench Top Airway Model

2012 ◽  
Vol 1418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C. Machado ◽  
Keiko M. Tarquinio ◽  
Thomas J. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Endotracheal Tubes ◽  
Surface Features ◽  
Log Reduction

ABSTRACTVentilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious and costly clinical problem. Specifically, receiving mechanical ventilation for over 24 hours increases the risk of VAP and is associated with high morbidity, mortality and medical costs. Cost effective endotracheal tubes (ETTs) that are resistant to bacterial infection could help prevent this problem. The objective of this study was to determine differences in the growth ofStaphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) on nanomodified and unmodified polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ETTs under dynamic airway conditions. PVC ETTs were modified to have nanometer surface features by soaking them inRhizopus arrhisus,a fungal lipase. Twenty-four hour experiments (supported by computational models) showed that air flow conditions within the ETT influenced both the location and concentration of bacterial growth on the ETTs especially within areas of tube curvature. More importantly, experiments revealed a 1.5 log reduction in the total number ofS. aureuson the novel nanomodified ETTs compared to the conventional ETTs after 24 hours of air flow. This dynamic study showed that lipase etching can create nano-rough surface features on PVC ETTs that suppressS. aureusgrowth and, thus, may provide clinicians with an effective and inexpensive tool to combat VAP.

scholarly journals An Automated and High-Throughput Immunoaffinity Magnetic Bead-Based Sample Clean-Up Platform for the Determination of Aflatoxins in Grains and Oils Using UPLC-FLD

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhihong Xuan ◽  
Jin Ye ◽  
Bing Zhang ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Yu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Magnetic Bead ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Automated Method ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Optimized Conditions

Sample clean-up remains the most time-consuming and error-prone step in the whole analytical procedure for aflatoxins (AFTs) analysis. Herein, an automated and high-throughput sample clean-up platform was developed with a disposable, cost-effective immunoaffinity magnetic bead-based kit. Under optimized conditions, the automated method takes less than 30 min to simultaneously purify 20 samples without requiring any centrifugation or filtering steps. When coupled to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, this new analysis method displays excellent accuracy and precision as well as outstanding efficiency. Furthermore, an interlaboratory study was performed in six laboratories to validate the novel protocol. Mean recovery, repeatability, reproducibility, and Horwitz ratio values were within 91.9%–107.4%, 2.5%–7.4%, 2.7%–10.6%, and 0.26%–0.90, respectively. Results demonstrate that the developed sample clean-up platform is a reliable alternative to most widely adopted clean-up procedures for AFTs in cereals and oils.

scholarly journals The effects of previous open renal stone surgery types on PNL outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faruk Ozgor ◽  
Onur Kucuktopcu ◽  
Burak Ucpinar ◽  
Omer Sarilar ◽  
Akif Erbin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Stone ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Anesthetic Agents ◽  
History Of ◽  
Renal Stone Surgery ◽  
Retrospective Nature ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Free Status ◽  
Group 1

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> Our aim was to demonstrate the effect of insicion of renal parenchyma during open renal stone surgery (ORSS) on percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Patients with history of ORSS who underwent PNL operation between June 2005 and June 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups according to their type of previous ORSS. Patients who had a history of ORSS with parenchymal insicion, such as radial nephrotomies, anatrophic nephrolithotomy, lower pole resection, and partial nephrectomy, were included in Group 1. Other patients with a history of open pyelolithotomy were enrolled in Group 2. Preoperative characteristics, perioperative data, stone-free status, and complications were compared between the groups. Stone-free status was defined as complete clearance of stone(s) or presence of residual fragments smaller than 4 mm. The retrospective nature of our study, different experience level of surgeons, and lack of the evaluation of anesthetic agents and cost of procedures were limitations of our study.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> 123 and 111 patients were enrolled in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Preoperative characteristics were similar between groups. In Group 1, the mean operative time was statistically longer than in Group 2 (p=0.013). Stone-free status was significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p=0.027). Complication rates were similar between groups. Hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion was the most common complication in both groups (10.5% vs. 9.9%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study demonstrated that a history of previous ORSS with parenchymal insicion significantly reduces the success rates of PNL procedure.</p>

scholarly journals Long-Term Storage of Compound Solutions for High-Throughput Screening by Using a Novel 1536-Well Microplate

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 492-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Joseph Pfeifer ◽  
Guenther Scheel
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Plate Design ◽  
Minor Losses ◽  
Storage Times ◽  
Term Storage

This report describes the features and the performance of a new and significantly improved 1536-well microplate design. The design allows for simple, automation-friendly, and cost-effective storage of compound solutions for high-throughput screening. The plate design is based on Society for Biomolecular Sciences standards for microplates and can be molded from polystyrene or cycloolefin copolymer, thus making the plate suitable for use with acoustic dispensing as well as other conventional liquid dispensing in the nanoliter range. For a 9:1 DMSO/water mix as solvent, the novel plate design has shown to perform over 4 months with only minor losses in solvent. Thus, this novel plate design creates the basis for further reductions in compound storage volumes and allows for an increase in the storage times for microliter volumes for up to a year or more. The high protection against solvent evaporation is also visible for aqueous solutions, thus allowing for reduced edge effects during screening campaigns.

scholarly journals Should Vascular Surgery Patients Be Screened Preoperatively for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1158-1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Y. Lee ◽  
Becky Y. Tsui ◽  
Rachel R. Bailey ◽  
Kenneth J. Smith ◽  
Robert R. Muder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Vascular Surgery ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Computer Simulation Model ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Wide Range

Background.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can cause severe infection in patients who are undergoing vascular surgical operations. Testing all vascular surgery patients preoperatively for MRSA and attempting to decolonize those who have positive results may be a strategy to prevent MRSA infection. The economic value of such a strategy has not yet been determined.Methods.We developed a decision-analytic computer simulation model to determine the economic value of using such a strategy before all vascular surgical procedures from the societal and third-party payer perspectives at different MRSA prevalence and decolonization success rates.Results.The model showed preoperative MRSA testing to be cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, <$50,000 per quality-adjusted life year) when the MRSA prevalence is ≥0.01 and the decolonization success rate is ≥0.25. In fact, this strategy was dominant (ie, less costly and more effective) at the following thresholds: MRSA prevalence ≥0.01 and decolonization success rate ≥0.5, and MRSA prevalence ≥0.025 and decolonization success rate ≥0.25.Conclusion.Testing and decolonizing patients for MRSA before vascular surgery may be a cost-effective strategy over a wide range of MRSA prevalence and decolonization success rates.

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