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With the increased awareness about the economic and environmental impact of food waste, many interventions along food supply chains have been proposed to mitigate food waste. Even though interventions used to target food waste usually revolve around logistics and operations management, we highlight a unique solution to address this issue, specifically for fluid milk. We target the intrinsic quality of fluid milk by evaluating interventions that will extend the product shelf life. We used data from a previous fluid milk spoilage simulation model, collected price and product information from retail stores, conducted an expert elicitation, and used hedonic price regressions to determine the private and social gains to the dairy processing plant when implementing 5 different interventions to extend shelf life. Our data suggest that the value of each additional day of shelf life is approximately $0.03 and indicate that increasing periodic equipment cleaning is the most cost-effective strategy for processing plants to achieve fluid milk shelf-life improvements, both from a firm's economic standpoint and from an environmental standpoint. Importantly, the approaches reported here will be valuable to help individual firms to generate customized facility and firm specific assessments that identify the most appropriate strategies for extending the shelf life of different dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychrotolerant gram-negative bacteria introduced as post-pasteurization contamination (PPC) are a major cause of spoilage and reduced shelf life of high-temperature, short-time pasteurized fluid milk. To provide improved tools to (1) predict pasteurized fluid milk shelf life as influenced by PPC and (2) assess the effectiveness of different potential interventions that could reduce spoilage due to PPC, we developed a Monte Carlo simulation model that predicts fluid milk spoilage due to psychrotolerant gram-negative bacteria introduced as PPC. As a first step, 17 gram-negative bacterial isolates frequently associated with fluid milk spoilage were selected and used to generate growth data in skim milk broth at 6°C. The resulting growth parameters, frequency of isolation for the 17 different isolates, and initial concentration of bacteria in milk with PPC, were used to develop a Monte Carlo model to predict bacterial number at different days of shelf life based on storage temperature of milk. This model was then validated with data from d 7 and 10 of shelf life, collected from commercial operations. The validated model predicted that the parameters (1) maximum growth rate and (2) storage temperature had the greatest influence on the percentage of containers exceeding 20,000 cfu/mL standard plate count on d 7 and 10 (i.e., spoiling due to PPC), which indicates that accurate data on maximum growth rate and storage temperature are important for accurate predictions. In addition to allowing for prediction of fluid milk shelf life, the model allows for simulation of "what-if" scenarios, which allowed us to predict the effectiveness of different interventions to reduce overall fluid milk spoilage due to PPC through a set of proof-of-concept scenario (e.g., frequency of PPC in containers reduced from 100% to 10%; limiting distribution temperature to a maximum of 6°C). Combined with other models, such as previous models on fluid milk spoilage due to psychrotolerant spore-forming bacteria, the data and tools developed here will allow for rational, digitally enabled, fluid milk shelf life prediction and quality enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals had previously been hypothesized to have negligible sensitivity to skull defects. The objective is to experimentally investigate the influence of conducting skull defects on MEG and EEG signals. Methods A miniaturized electric dipole was implanted in vivo into rabbit brains. Simultaneous recording using 64-channel EEG and 16-channel MEG was conducted, first above the intact skull and then above a skull defect. Skull defects were filled with agar gels, which had been formulated to have tissue-like homogeneous conductivities. The dipole was moved beneath the skull defects, and measurements were taken at regularly spaced points. Results The EEG signal amplitude increased 2-10 times, whereas the MEG signal amplitude reduced by as much as 20%. The EEG signal amplitude deviated more when the source was under the edge of the defect, whereas the MEG signal amplitude deviated more when the source was central under the defect. The change in MEG field-map topography (relative difference measure, RDM∗=0.15) was geometrically related to the skull defect edge. Conclusions MEG and EEG signals can be substantially affected by skull defects. Significance MEG source modeling requires realistic volume conductor head models that incorporate skull defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popularity of organic polymers despite their high flammability forces the introduction of flame retardants (FR) such as metal phosphinates into the combustible material. The thermal behavior of aluminum diethylphosphinate (AlPi) as FR in the widely used polymer ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is investigated here. The study focuses on the effect of the FR on the gas phase activity when a polymer is pyrolyzed or burned. For this purpose, the fast pyrolysis of AlPi was investigated by differential mass-spectrometric thermal analysis (DMSTA). Also, the thermal and chemical structures of diffusion flames of UHMWPE + AlPi specimens were investigated using micro thermocouples and molecular beam mass spectrometry, respectively. Small amounts of AlPi (2.5 wt.%) decrease the gas temperature significantly by a maximum of 155 K related to FR-free polymer flames, indicating a retardancy effect of the additive on the flame. From the results of subsequent limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests, it is obvious that a PE burn-up cannot be achieved in a self-sustained flame when an additive content above 10 wt.% is used as FR. In the mass-spectrometric studies, the phosphorus-containing species produced in the pyrolysis experiments (DMSTA) of the neat AlPi as well as the species which are formed in flames during combustion experiments can be detected. In the flames, the concentration of the phosphorus containing compounds peaks at low heights above the polymer surface which indicate a gas phase activity of AlPi or its pyrolysis products. Besides a charring layer on top of the burning surface could be noticed. The use of AlPi as a FR for UHMWPE shows flame retardant effects in both the condensed and the gas phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aetiopathogenesis of medial coronoid disease (MCD) remains obscure, despite its high prevalence. The role of changes to subchondral bone or articular cartilage is much debated. Although there is evidence of micro-damage to subchondral bone, it is not known whether this is a cause or a consequence of MCD, nor is it known whether articular cartilage is modified in the early stages of the disease. The aim of the present study was to use equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent with micro-computed tomography (microCT) to investigate changes to both the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone of the medial coronoid processes (MCP) of growing Labrador retrievers at an early stage of the disease and at different bodyweights. Of 14 purpose-bred Labrador retrievers (15-27 weeks), six were diagnosed with bilateral MCD and one was diagnosed with unilateral MCD on the basis of microCT studies. The mean X-ray attenuation of articular cartilage was significantly higher in dogs with MCD than in dogs without MCD (P < 0.01). In all dogs, the mean X-ray attenuation of articular cartilage was significantly higher at the lateral (P < 0.001) than at the proximal aspect of the MCP, indicating decreased glycosaminoglycan content. Changes in parameters of subchondral bone micro-architecture, namely the ratio of bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV), bone surface density (BS/TV), bone surface to volume ratio (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th; mm), size of marrow cavities described by trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp; mm), and structural model index (SMI), differed significantly by litter (P < 0.05) due to the difference in age and weight, but not by the presence/absence of MCD (P > 0.05), indicating that subchondral bone density is not affected in early MCD. This study demonstrated that cartilage matrix and not subchondral bone density is affected in the early stages of MCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medial coronoid disease (MCD) is a common joint disease of dogs. It has a multifactorial aetiology, but the relationship between known causal factors and the disease has yet to be elucidated. As most of the published literature is clinical and it reports changes associated with advanced disease, it is not known whether the changes reflect the cause or consequences of the condition. The aim of this study was to investigate early micromorphological changes occurring in articular cartilage and to describe the postnatal development of the medial coronoid process (MCP) before MCD develops. Three litters of MCD-prone young Labrador retrievers were purpose-bred from a dam and two sires with MCD. Comparisons of the micromorphological appearance of the MCP in MCD-negative and MCD-positive joints demonstrated that MCD was initially associated with a disturbance of endochondral ossification, namely a delay in the calcification of the calcifying zone, without concurrent abnormalities in the superficial layers of the joint cartilage. Cartilage canals containing patent blood vessels were only detected in dogs <12 weeks old, but the role of these channels in impaired ossification requires further investigation. Retained hyaline cartilage might ossify as the disease progresses, but weak areas can develop into cracks between the retained cartilage and the subchondral bone, leading to cleft formation and fragmentation of the MCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medial coronoid disease (MCD) encompasses lesions of the entire medial coronoid process (MCP), both of the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone. To detect the earliest signs of MCD, radiography and computed tomography were used to monitor the development of MCD in 14 Labrador retrievers, from 6 to 7 weeks of age until euthanasia. The definitive diagnosis of MCD was based on necropsy and micro-computed tomography findings. The frequency of MCD in the dogs studied was 50%. Radiographic findings did not provide evidence of MCD, ulnar subtrochlear sclerosis or blunting of the cranial edge of the MCP. Computed tomography was more sensitive (30.8%) than radiography (0%) in detecting early MCD, with the earliest signs detectable at 14 weeks of age. A combination of the necropsy and micro-computed tomography findings of the MCP showed that MCD was manifested as a lesion of only the subchondral bone in dogs <18 weeks of age. In all dogs (affected and unaffected), there was close contact between the base of the MCP and the proximal radial head in the congruent joints. Computed tomography and micro-computed tomography findings indicated that the lesions of MCD probably originated at the base of the MCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To successfully monitor carbon dioxide capture and storage facilities, it is necessary to select appropriate methods which can provide required information from different scales, both in desired resolutions and in real time. This paper will provide an assessment of open-path Fourier-transform infrared (OP-FTIR) spectroscopy as part of a hierarchical monitoring concept. The technology is introduced as a promising ground-based remote sensing technology for large- scale monitoring of leakage detection. Initial tests using this method were carried out at natural analogue sites where different degassing situations are present, providing optimal conditions for evaluating OP-FTIR spectroscopy capability. The application of this technology focused on determining spatial atmospheric CO2 distribution and to help obtain insights into how CO2 spreads in the vicinity of the degassing vents using scanned images. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: This report describes novel initiatives to inform ethnic groups contributing high numbers of VFRs about potential travel risks. Multilingual and culturally appropriate information was distributed to the media (newspaper, radio, web-based, and television), via printed materials (posters, tear sheets and z-cards) and at community festivals to convey simple travel health messages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 232–237 Several recent studies have highlighted the emergence of a globally disseminated clone of uropathogenic and invasive Escherichia coli isolates of serotype O25:H4 and sequence type 131. The ability to characterize rapidly E. coli isolates of this lineage would facilitate enhanced surveillance for this pathogen. We have used the semi-automated DiversiLab repetitive PCR-based system to analyse a collection of 35 clinical isolates of uropathogenic E. coli from across the UK, with particular focus on the O25:H4-ST131 lineage. All isolates had been characterized using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and 14 had previously been typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The DiversiLab system allowed discrimination of O25:H4-ST131 isolates from those of other E. coli lineages. It was slightly more discriminatory than MLST, but was less discriminatory than PFGE. With an analysis time of <4 h between receipt of a cultured organism and provision of a typing result, the system offers information on a real-time basis, a major advantage over current practice. We suggest that introduction of the DiversiLab system would be useful for rapid exclusion of E. coli isolates during outbreak investigations, and that the approach could be employed for surveillance for pathogenic or antibiotic-resistant clones of this organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, as a result of the widespread use of PCR and DNA sequencing, 16S rDNA sequencing has played a pivotal role in the accurate identification of bacterial isolates and the discovery of novel bacteria in clinical microbiology laboratories. For bacterial identification, 16S rDNA sequencing is particularly important in the case of bacteria with unusual phenotypic profiles, rare bacteria, slow-growing bacteria, uncultivable bacteria and culture-negative infections. Not only has it provided insights into aetiologies of infectious disease, but it also helps clinicians in choosing antibiotics and in determining the duration of treatment and infection control procedures. With the use of 16S rDNA sequencing, 215 novel bacterial species, 29 of which belong to novel genera, have been discovered from human specimens in the past 7 years of the 21st century (2001–2007). One hundred of the 215 novel species, 15 belonging to novel genera, have been found in four or more subjects. The largest number of novel species discovered were of the genera Mycobacterium ( n = 12) and Nocardia ( n = 6). The oral cavity/dental-related specimens ( n = 19) and the gastrointestinal tract ( n = 26) were the most important sites for discovery and/or reservoirs of novel species. Among the 100 novel species, Streptococcus sinensis, Laribacter hongkongensis, Clostridium hathewayi and Borrelia spielmanii have been most thoroughly characterized, with the reservoirs and routes of transmission documented, and S. sinensis, L. hongkongensis and C. hathewayi have been found globally. One of the greatest hurdles in putting 16S rDNA sequencing into routine use in clinical microbiology laboratories is automation of the technology. The only step that can be automated at the moment is input of the 16S rDNA sequence of the bacterial isolate for identification into one of the software packages that will generate the result of the identity of the isolate on the basis of its sequence database. However, studies on the accuracy of the software packages have given highly varied results, and interpretation of results remains difficult for most technicians, and even for clinical microbiologists. To fully utilize 16S rDNA sequencing in clinical microbiology, better guidelines are needed for interpretation of the identification results, and additional/supplementary methods are necessary for bacterial species that cannot be identified confidently by 16S rDNA sequencing alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Incorporating various new and conventional risk factors, the 2005 St Gallen risk categorization is a potentially useful prognostic tool for breast cancers. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate its application in Hong Kong. Of the 902 included female breast cancers with median follow-up of 5.4 years, 7%, 63% and 30% patients were classified as low-, intermediate- and high-risk categories, respectively. Their corresponding 5-year distant disease-free survivals (DDFS) were 100%, 92% and 72%, respectively (p<0.00005). In the intermediate-risk category, node-positive patients had marginally inferior 5-year DDFS than node-negative patients (89% vs. 93%, p=0.0551). In the high-risk category, patients having HER2 overexpressed tumors and 1–3 positive nodes had significantly better DDFS than other patients with ⩾4 positive nodes (89% vs. 65%, p=0.0001). Overall, the 2005 St Gallen risk categorization had high prognostic value. However, the impact of HER2 overexpression might be affected by reproducibility of HER2 tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chronic lower back pain due to degeneration of the lumbar spine, commonly referred to as mechanical back pain, is thought to be due to instability of the lumbar motion segment that is secondary to disc degeneration and facet arthrosis. This article concentrates on the various types of stabilisation techniques used to treat such disorders. Traditionally, fusion has been the mainstay of treatment. Many techniques have been developed to maximise fusion rates but a corresponding improvement in clinical outcomes has not been seen. Motion sparing techniques such as dynamic stabilisation, total disc replacement and nucleus pulposus replacement, are alternative forms of treatment. Such new technologies are predicted to have a big impact on the treatment of lumbar instability but as yet require more development and clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate long-term oncological outcomes and the added value of sentinel lymph node sampling (SLN) compared to pelvic lymph node dissection (LND) in patients with endometrial cancer. During the evaluation phase of SLN for endometrial cancer, we performed LND and SLN and retrospectively compared the oncologic outcome with the immediate non-overlapping historical era during which patients underwent LND. Tertiary gynecology oncology center. From 2007 to 2010, 193 patients underwent LND and from December 2010 to 2014, 250 patients had SLN mapping with completion LND. Pelvic lymph node dissection (LND) versus sentinel lymph node sampling (SLN) followed by LND. During a median follow-up period of 6.9 years, addition of SLN was associated with more favorable oncological outcomes compared to LND with 6-year overall survival (OS) of 90% compared to 81% (p=0.009), and progression free survival (PFS) of 85% compared to 75% (p=0.01) respectively. SLN was associated with improved OS (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, p=0.004), and PFS (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9, p=0.03) in a multivariable analysis, adjusted for age, ASA score, stage, grade, non-endometrioid histology, and LVSI. Patients who were staged with SLN were less likely to have a recurrence in the pelvis or lymph node basins compared to patients who underwent LND only (6-year recurrence-free survival 95% vs 90%, p=0.04). Addition of SLN to LND was ultimately associated with improved clinical outcomes compared to LND alone in patients with endometrial cancer undergoing surgical staging, suggesting that the data provided by the analysis of the SLN added relevant clinical information, and improved the decision on adjuvant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: To study the effect of the interval between surgery and the start of chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Methods: We stratified patients according to the start of platinum-based chemotherapy in group 1 (within 4 weeks from surgery), group 2 (between 4 and 8 weeks) and group 3 (between 8 and 12 weeks). Results: Three hundred and ninty-four stage III ovarian cancer patients were analysed. In the multivariate analysis there were no differences in survival according to the interval between surgery and chemotherapy among the three groups. The independent prognostic variables were type of procedure (p=0.014), performance status (p=0.040) and post-chemotherapy CA-125 (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The interval between surgery and chemotherapy does not affect outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: PMOS transistor degradation due to negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) has proven to be a significant concern to present CMOS technologies. This is of particular importance for analog applications where the ability to match device characteristics to a high precision is critical. Analog circuits use larger than minimum device dimensions to minimize the effects of process variation, leaving PMOS NBTI as a possible performance limiter. This paper examines the effect of PMOS-NBTI induced mismatch on analog circuits in a 90nm technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To evaluate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in obese endometrial cancer patients. A retrospective study of obese patients (BMI ≥35 kg/m2), diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma between 2007 and 2017, comparing surgical and oncological outcomes of two patient's cohorts. Tertiary gynecology oncology center. 223 patients with median BMI of 40.6 kg/m2 including: 140 patients that underwent LND (with or without SLN) and 83 patients that underwent SLN. Lymph node dissection (LND) with or without SLN versus only SLN for endometrial cancer staging. Patients that had only SLN seemed to have more metastatic pelvic nodal disease (13.3% vs. 7.1%), though this difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.2). Patients from the SLN only group had significantly higher rate of successful mapping (92.8% vs. 78.4%, p=0.009), bilaterally detected SLN (80.7% vs. 54.5%, p<0.001) and Indocyanine green (ICG) usage (95.2% vs. 36.4%, p<0.001). The median operative time for surgical staging in SLN only group was shorter in 47.5 minutes than for patients in the LND+/-SLN group (190.5 minutes (108-393) vs. 238 minutes (131-440), respectively, (p < 0.001)), and they had reduced estimated blood loss compared to the LND+/-SLN group (30 ml (0-300) vs. 40 ml (0-800ml), P=0.03). At a 24 months follow-up cut-off, 98% of the patients were alive, without significant differences in OS, DSS and PFS between the two groups. Obese patients that were injected with ICG for the SLN procedure had higher successful mapping and bilateral detection rates compared to blue dye (92.8% vs 71.7%, p<0.001 and 80.2% vs 43.3%, p<0.001, respectively). Omitting LND from surgical staging where SLN is performed was associated with shorter operative time and minimal bleeding without affecting survival. ICG should be the dye of choice in obese endometrial cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is one of the most successful anticancer prodrugs that becomes effective after biotransformation in the liver resulting in the toxic metabolite acrolein. Cancer is often accompanied by thromboembolic events, which might be a result of dysfunctional endothelial cells due to CPA treatment. Here, the effect of 1 mM CPA or acrolein (10/50/100/500 μM) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was analyzed after two days of treatment. The addition of CPA or 10 μM acrolein did not affect HUVECs. However, concentrations of 100 μM and 500 μM acrolein significantly reduced the number of adherent cells by 86 ± 13% and 99 ± 1% and cell viability by 51 ± 29% and 93 ± 8% compared to the control. Moreover, pronounced stress fibers as well as multiple nuclei were observed and von Willebrand factor (vWF) was completely released. Lactate dehydrogenase was 8.5 ± 7.0-fold and 252.9 ± 42.9-fold increased showing a loss of cell membrane integrity. The prostacyclin and thromboxane secretion was significantly increased by the addition of 500 μM acrolein (43.1 ± 17.6-fold and 246.4 ± 106.3-fold) indicating cell activation/pertubation. High doses of acrolein led to HUVEC death and loss of vWF production. This effect might be associated with the increased incidence of thromboembolic events in cancer patients treated with high doses of CPA. • Acrolein dose-dependently (100 μM and 500 c.f. 0 μM) reduced the number of adherent HUVECs by 86 ± 13% and 99 ± 1%. • Acrolein reduced the cell viability by 51 ± 29% and 93 ± 8% compared to the control. • Acrolein led to impaired cell membrane integrity, stress fiber formation, and release of von Willebrand factor. • Prostacyclin and thromboxane secretion was markedly increased (up to 246-fold) by acrolein, indicating cell perturbation. • Acrolein-induced effects might be associated with the increased incidence of thromboembolic events after CPA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]