AIMS: Encouraging data have been reported on the use of cardiogenic impedance (CI) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) optimization. The purposes of this study were to: evaluate the stability of certain CI vectors 24 h postimplantation, study the correlation between these CI signals and selected echocardiographic parameters, and examine the possibility ...

Cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are often prone to selection bias despite randomization. Using a simulation study, we investigated the use of propensity score (PS) based methods in estimating treatment effects in CRTs with selection bias when the outcome is quantitative. Of four PS-based methods (adjustment on PS, inverse weighting, stratification, ...

OBJECTIVE: The stepped wedge design is increasingly being used in cluster randomized trials (CRTs). However, there is not much information available about the design and analysis strategies for these kinds of trials. Approaches to sample size and power calculations have been provided, but a simple sample size formula is lacking. ...

A fast, accurate model for computing Logvinenko's optimal metamers is introduced. The spectral reflectance of an optimal metamer is uniquely determined from a class of metamers with common tristimulus values. A set of optimal metamers is useful for evaluating the color reproduction and gamut of object colors under different illuminants. ...

A paradigm for optimal state-space reconstruction with nonuniform time delays is proposed. A comparison based on a diffeomorphic measure and a smoothness cost function shows that the proposed methodology achieves a better reconstruction compared to a reconstruction based on time delays that are multiples of the first minimum of mutual ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The objective of this simulation study is to compare the accuracy and efficiency of population-averaged (i.e. generalized estimating equations (GEE)) and cluster-specific (i.e. random-effects logistic regression (RELR)) models for analyzing data from cluster randomized trials (CRTs) with missing binary responses. METHODS: In this simulation study, clustered responses were ...

Ligand-based virtual screening plays a fundamental part in the early drug discovery stage. In a virtual screening, a chemical library is searched for molecules with similar properties to a query molecule by means of a similarity function. The optimal assignment of chemical graphs has proven to be a valuable similarity ...

Radionuclide-based imaging is an alternative to evaluate ventricular function and synchrony and may be used as a tool for the identification of patients that could benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In a previous work, we used Factor Analysis of Dynamic Structures (FADS) to analyze the contribution and spatial distribution ...

[This corrects the article on p. e61258 in vol. 8.].

When eyespots were presented on a reversible figure, the total duration for which elements bearing the eyespots were seen as closer to the observer was found to be greater than the total for counterpart elements. It is speculated that the tendency to see eyespots as nearer than they really are ...

Background: In spite of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefits, 25-30% of patients are still non responders. One of the possible reasons could be the non optimal atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) intervals settings. Our aim was to exploit a numerical model of cardiovascular system for AV and VV intervals optimization ...

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using a biventricular pacemaker is an invasive and expensive treatment option for left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD). The CRT candidate selection is a crucial issue due to the unreliability of the current standard CRT indicators. Real-time three-dimensional (3-D) echocardiography (RT3DE) provides four-dimensional (4-D) (3-D+time) information about ...

BACKGROUND: Project-based Housing First (HF) programs provide immediate, permanent, low-barrier, nonabstinence-based supportive housing to chronically homeless people within a single housing project. Previous studies have shown project-based HF is associated with 6-month reductions in jail time (Larimer et al., 2009), and that people with criminal histories are able to maintain ...

The optimal selection of parameters for time-delay embedding is crucial to the analysis and the forecasting of chaotic time series. Although various parameter selection techniques have been developed for conventional uniform embedding methods, the study of parameter selection for nonuniform embedding is progressed at a slow pace. In nonuniform embedding, ...

In this paper we introduce a comprehensive and versatile approach to the parametric shape optimization of oleophobic surfaces. We evaluate the performance of inverse trapezoid microstructures (Im<1,2>) in terms of three objective parameters: apparent contact angle, maximum sustainable hydrostatic pressure and mechanical robustness. We find that each of these parameters, ...

BACKGROUND: AV delay optimisation of biventricular pacing devices (cardiac resynchronisation therapy, CRT) is performed in trials and recommended by current guidelines. The Doppler echocardiographic iterative method is the most commonly recommended. Yet whether it can be executed reliably has never been tested formally. METHODS: 36 multinational specialists, familiar with using ...

The T-optimality criterion is used in optimal design to derive designs for model selection. To set up the method, it is required that one of the models is considered to be true. We term this local T-optimality. In this work, we propose a generalisation of T-optimality (termed robust T-optimality) that ...

SUMMARYCluster randomized trials (CRTs) use as the unit of randomization clusters, which are usually defined as a collection of individuals sharing some common characteristics. Common examples of clusters include entire dental practices, hospitals, schools, school classes, villages, and towns. Additionally, several measurements (repeated measurements) taken on the same individual at ...

We sought a method for any reader to quantify the limit, imposed by variability, to sustainably observable R(2) between any baseline predictor and response marker. We then apply this to echocardiographic measurements of mechanical dyssynchrony and response. Can mechanical dyssynchrony markers strongly predict ventricular remodeling by biventricular pacing (cardiac resynchronization ...

Respondent uncertainty is often considered as one of the main limitations of stated preference methods, which are nowadays being widely used for valuing environmental goods and services. This article examines the effect of respondent uncertainty on welfare estimates by applying the contingent valuation method. This is done in the context ...

Selection for 11 generations in swine for ovulation rate (OR) or uterine capacity (UC) resulted in significant changes in component traits of litter size. Our objective was to conserve the unique germplasm for the future and to characterize sperm quality as a correlated response to the selection criterion imposed compared ...

Many wild equids are at present endangered in the wild. Concurrently, increased mechanization has pushed back the numbers of some old native horse breeds to levels that are no longer compatible with survival of the breed. Strong concerns arose in the last decade to preserve animal biodiversity, including that of ...

In this review, possible comparative advantages of studying endocrine disruption in farm animals vs laboratory rodents are discussed. First, using farm animals, the generality of findings in laboratory rodents are challenged. Farm animals may in certain aspects be better models for humans than laboratory rodents, and sometimes there might be ...

The ovarian pool of follicle-enclosed oocytes is highly susceptible to elevated ambient temperature. It is not clear, however, whether the model of using heat shock in vitro simulates the effects of heat stress that animals experience in vivo. The current study examined the reliability of in vitro models, relative to ...

In humans and other mammals, sperm morphology has been considered one of the most important predictive parameters of fertility. The objective was to determine the presence and distribution of sperm head morphometric subpopulations in a nonhuman primate model (Callithrix jacchus), using an objective computer analysis system and principal component analysis ...

Although cryopreserved boar semen has been available since 1975, a major breakthrough in commercial application has not yet occurred due to the high susceptibility of boar spermatozoa to damage during cryopreservation and the complicated process required for deep freezing. In recent years, the application of antioxidants during the cryopreservation of ...

The need for information on the reproductive physiology of different wildlife species is important for ex situ conservation using such methods as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Information on species reproductive physiology and evaluation of sperm quality using accurate, objective, repeatable methods, such as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) for ex situ ...

Abstract The UK Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) held a consensus workshop on Oocyte and Embryo Cryopreservation in Sheffield, UK, on May 17th, 2011.  This was organised in response to a number of considerations including the increasing prevalence of vitrification for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation in the UK and worldwide, ...

Abstract Sperm competition has been found to have a strong influence on the evolution of many male and female reproductive traits. Theoretical models have shown that, with increasing levels of sperm competition, males are predicted to increase ejaculate investment, and there is ample empirical evidence supporting this prediction. However, most ...

This paper aimed at investigating the potential use of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) to improve the routine screening of Holstein bulls' infertility. Cryopreserved sperm samples from 201 Holstein bulls provided by an AI Centre were used in the analyses of SDF at 0 (SDF_0) and 6 (SDF_6) hours of incubation ...

The existence of sperm subpopulations within the mammalian ejaculate has now been widely recognized. However, to the best of our knowledge, no data exist regarding the existence of sperm morphometric subpopulations within the ovine ejaculate. Computer assisted sperm morphometry analysis (ASMA) data and clustering methods were used in this study ...

Using Iberian red deer as a model, this study presents a supervised learning method, the Support Vector Machines (SVM), to characterize sperm population structure related with freezability. Male freezability was assessed by evaluating motility, membrane status and mitochondrial membrane potential of sperm after a freezing-thawing procedure. The SVM model was ...

Selection for 11 generations in swine for ovulation rate (OR) or uterine capacity (UC) resulted in significant changes in component traits of litter size. Our objective was to conserve the unique germplasm for the future and to characterize sperm quality as a correlated response to the selection criterion imposed compared ...

Since the very early establishment of in vitro insemination, it became clear that one of the limiting steps is the achievement of fertilization. Among the different assisted fertilization methods, intracytoplasmic sperm injection emerged as the ultimate technique to allow fertilization with ejaculated, epididymal, and testicular spermatozoa. This work describes the early ...

The assessment of maturity and biological parameters is important in the composting process. In this study, excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to evaluate the maturity and biological parameters of compost produced from the co-composting of dairy and rice chaff. The results from a Pearson correlation analysis between traditional ...

Perimeters are commercially available instruments for measuring various attributes of the visual field in a clinical setting. They have several advantages over traditional lab-based systems for conducting vision experiments, including built-in gaze tracking and calibration, polished appearance, and attributes to increase participant comfort. Prior to this work, there was no ...

In this paper we propose a robust lane detection and tracking method by combining particle filters with the particle swarm optimization method. This method mainly uses the particle filters to detect and track the local optimum of the lane model in the input image and then seeks the global optimal ...

Research on offenders with intellectual disabilities (IDs) in the criminal justice arena is on the rise, reflected by a growing number of relevant publications each year. However, there is a long recognized methodological problem that hampers the comparability of empirical studies and that raises doubts about the accuracy of prevalence ...

An optimal electrode position and interventricular (VV) delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves its success. However, the precise quantification of cardiac dyssynchrony and magnitude of resynchronization achieved by biventricular (BiV) pacing therapy with mechanical optimization strategies based on computational models remain scant. The maximum circumferential uniformity ratio estimate (CURE) ...

Three-dimension path planning for uninhabited combat air vehicle (UCAV) is a complicated high-dimension optimization problem, which primarily centralizes on optimizing the flight route considering the different kinds of constrains under complicated battle field environments. A new hybrid metaheuristic differential evolution (DE) and cuckoo search (CS) algorithm is proposed to solve ...

Purpose: The predictive utility of an integrated model of disability is tested. The integrated model incorporates an impairment based model (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)) and the behavioural models. Methods: Community dwelling adults (n = 628) completed a postal questionnaire measuring the integrated model. The ability of the model ...

Objectives.To present and test an ecological multidimensional model of neighborhood characteristics and examine its relationship to older disability among older adults.Method.Indicators of social vulnerability, wealth, violence, storefronts, residential stability, and the presence of physicians, supermarkets, and fast-food establishments for 1,644 of New Jersey's census tracts were derived from sources that ...

Fertilization with spermatozoa from bulls ingesting elevated concentrations of ergovaline [i.e. consumption of toxic endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue] results in reduced cleavage rates. Thus, the objectives of the current study were to evaluate motility and penetration rates of spermatozoa from bulls grazing tall fescue pastures and intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) parameters ...

This review is based largely, but not entirely, on the assumption that gamete quality is directly linked to sperm output and thus testicular mass, an approach made necessary by the absence of a large body of data on factors that affect gamete quality in ruminants. On the other hand, there ...

To devise a multivariate parametric model for short-term prediction of disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and multimodal sensory EP (mEP). A total of 221 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who underwent repeated mEP and EDSS assessments at variable time intervals over a 20-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Published ...

The aims of the study were to: (1) build new item banks for a revised version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) with four content domains: daily activities, mobility, social/cognitive, and responsibility; and (2) use post-hoc simulations based on the combined normative and disability calibration samples to assess ...

Secondary conditions are considered a direct consequence of having a disability, and many are presumed to be preventable. Although a few researchers have noted that people with disabilities are exposed to several secondary conditions, including pain, fatigue, depression, and obesity, what is lacking in the literature is a conceptual framework ...

Disablement is a multifactorial and complex process that creates challenge for both the rehabilitation researcher and the clinical practitioner; however, each seeks to improve quality health outcomes for the adult or child with disability. Knowledge translation (KT) is an approach to evidence-based medicine where various evidence sources are aggregated so ...

The purposes of this perspective article are: (1) to explore models of disability from the perspective of the academic discipline of disability studies (DS), (2) to consider the paradox of improving functional capacities while valuing disability as diversity, (3) to identify how physical therapy's use of the International Classification of ...

Recent data analysed for Ireland suggest a strong link between disability status and household poverty, while there exists substantial evidence to suggest that disability is highly prevalent among persons of older age. Within this context, this paper estimates the welfare implications of disability for older people in Ireland. We define ...