20 Questions

[Perpetuo Carlson]

CSSImaintains a dynamic portfolio of programs to keep pace with evolving scientific needs and allow space for new opportunities. Outcomes and resources from selected previous programs are included below.

The Provocative Questions (PQ) program was initiated in 2011 and had active funding opportunities from 2011 through 2021, stimulating research in under-explored areas across the cancer research continuum through nearly 400 awards. Approximately 70 understudied, paradoxical, or otherwise difficult-to-address challenges were identified by NCI in collaboration with the cancer research community. The questions spurred not only research through the supported grants, but also inspired new research collaborations and follow-on initiatives at NCI. The PQs represent a unique source of historical challenges in cancer research, some of which are on the path to being solved, while others remain perplexing.

Thrombosis is a major source of morbidity and mortality for people with cancer. To support the need for improved, actionable biomarkers of thrombosis, a pilot study was conducted to advance standardization and provide guidance for the measurement of thrombosis biomarkers. The project reproduced variable blood sample handling conditions experienced in the clinic and assessed their effects on sample integrity. Specimens were exposed to preanalytical variables including delay to centrifugation, delay to assay, and freeze/thaw cycles, and were analyzed for markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis, cellular injury, and inflammation. Blood samples, accompanying clinical and biomarker data, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for collection, handling, and analysis are available to researchers. Samples were donated pre-treatment from individuals with suspected cancer and include prostate, kidney, pancreas, colon, lung, head/neck, breast, lymphoma cases. Please contact michelle....@nih.gov to request blood plasma or cell pellets for research use.

Starting June 30, 2018, if you are traveling from an international last-point-of-departure to the U.S., powder-based substances in carry-on baggage greater than 350mL or 12 oz. may require additional screening at the central checkpoint. Powder-like substances over 12 oz. or 350mL in carry-on that cannot be resolved at the central checkpoint will not be allowed onto the cabin of the aircraft and will be disposed of.

The measures have already been implemented at U.S. airports nationwide to identify and prevent potentially dangerous items from being brought aboard the aircraft. There are no changes to what is allowed in carry-on baggage at U.S. airport checkpoints.

Interference with screening includes but is not limited to holding a recording device up to the face of a TSA officer so that the officer is unable to see or move, refusing to assume the proper stance during screening, blocking the movement of others through the checkpoint or refusing to submit a recording device for screening.

Please remove your pet from the carrying case and place the case through the X-ray machine. You should maintain control of your pet with a leash and remember to remove the leash when carrying your pet through the metal detector. Animal carriers will undergo a visual and/or physical inspection.

You are encouraged to contact your airline as times may vary depending on the airport and date of travel. In general, please allow time for parking/shuttle transportation, airline check-in, obtaining a boarding pass and going through the security screening process, which includes screening of your carry-on bag.

In the event you arrive at the airport without proper ID, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. By providing additional information, TSA has other ways to confirm your identity, like using publicly available databases, so you can reach your flight.

Persons wearing head coverings, loose fitting or bulky garments may undergo additional security screening, which may include a pat-down. A pat-down will be conducted by a TSA officer of the same gender. If an alarm cannot be resolved through a pat-down, you may ask to remove the head covering in a private screening area.

Certain metal body piercings may cause the machines to alarm and a pat-down may be required. If additional screening is required, you may be asked to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down.

Transgender persons will be screened as he or she presents at the security checkpoint. The advanced imaging technology used to screen passengers has software that looks at the anatomy of men and women differently. If there is an alarm, TSA officers are trained to clear the alarm, not the individual. This process ensures every individual is screened effectively according to procedures prior to entering the secured area of an airport. You may request private screening or to speak with a supervisor at any time during the screening process

Musical instruments must undergo screening when transported as carry-on or in checked baggage. Musical instruments transported as carry-on require a physical inspection at the security checkpoint. Inform the TSA officer if your instrument requires special care and handling. You may pack brass instruments in your checked or carry-on baggage.

TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening of a child and to resolve any alarms during screening. TSA has modified screening procedures for children 12 and under that reduce the likelihood of pat-down screening. Read about the screening process if you are traveling with children.

You will be asked to remove all items from your pockets (including non-metallic items) and walk into the imaging portal. Once inside, you are required to stand in position and remain still for a few seconds while the technology creates an image in real time. You will then exit the opposite side of the portal and collect your belongings. The entire process takes a matter of seconds.

Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. In fact, the energy emitted by millimeter wave technology is 1000 times less than the international limits and guidelines.

Generally, passengers undergoing screening will have the opportunity to decline AIT screening in favor of physical screening. However, some passengers will be required to undergo AIT screening if their boarding pass indicates that they have been selected for enhanced screening, in accordance with TSA regulations, prior to their arrival at the security checkpoint. This will occur in a very limited number of circumstances. The vast majority of passengers will not be affected.

A nebulizer, CPAP, BiPAP and APAP must be removed from its carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing may remain in the case. You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device through the X-ray.

TSA has made provisions for those that cannot safely wear a mask. Travelers under the age of 2 years old, those with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask for reasons related to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and those for whom a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations are exempt from the face mask requirement.

You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag. Remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.

During the additional screening, do not make contact with the dog/animal (other than holding the leash) until a TSA officer has completed inspection of your dog/animal. TSA will not separate you from your service animal. If you have concerns about your screening, you can ask to speak with a supervisor or passenger support specialist at any point during the process.

Service dog/animal collars, harnesses, leashes, backpacks, vests and other items are subject to security screening. Items that are necessary to maintain control of the service dog/animal or indicate that the service dog/animal is on duty do not require removal to be screened.

If you need to relieve your service dog and must exit the security checkpoint, you and the service dog will need to go through the screening process again. You may request to move to the front of the line upon your return.

You can be screened without having to empty or expose the ostomy pouch during Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), a walk-through metal detector (WTMD), or a pat-down screening. Please inform a TSA officer that you have an ostomy pouch before you enter the screening area. The ostomy pouch is subject to additional screening and may require you to conduct a self pat-down of the pouch outside of your clothing, followed by a test of your hands for any trace of explosives. You may also undergo a standard pat-down of areas that will not include the ostomy pouch.

Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) can facilitate your screening and reduces the likelihood of a pat-down. Inform the TSA officer that you have an artificial knee, hip, other metal implant or a pacemaker, defibrillator or other internal medical device. You should not be screened by a walk-through metal detector if you have an internal medical device such as a pacemaker. Consult with your physician prior to flying.

TSA makes every effort to reunite passengers with items left behind at the airport checkpoint. Lost and found items retained by TSA for a minimum of thirty (30) days, and if not claimed, are either destroyed, turned over to a state agency for surplus property, or sold by TSA as excess property. The state may dispose of the items through sales, destruction, donations or charities. The state keeps any money from sales, not TSA. At a number of locations, lost and found items are turned over to the airport at the end of each day.

Unclaimed electronics will have its memory removed and destroyed (e.g. laptop hard drive) or be destroyed completely (e.g. items with non-removable memory) to protect personal data after the 30-day holding period.

3a8082e126