Computed tomographic imaging characteristics of the normal canine lacrimal glands.

BackgroundThe canine lacrimal gland (LG) and accessory lacrimal gland of the third eyelid (TEG) are responsible for production of the aqueous portion of the precorneal tear film. Immune-mediated, toxic, neoplastic, or infectious processes can affect the glands directly or can involve adjacent tissues, with secondary gland involvement. Disease affecting these glands can cause keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal ulcers, and loss of vision. Due to their location in the orbit, these small structures are difficult to evaluate and measure, making cross-sectional imaging an important diagnostic tool. The detailed cross-sectional imaging appearance of the LG and TEG in dogs using computed tomography (CT) has not been reported to date.ResultsForty-two dogs were imaged, and the length, width, and height were measured and the volume calculated for the LGs & TEGs. The glands were best visualized in contrast-enhanced CT images. The mean volume of the LG was 0.14 cm3 and the TEG was 0.1 cm3. The mean height, width, and length of the LG were, 9.36 mm, 4.29 mm, and 9.35 mm, respectively; the corresponding values for the TEG was 2.02 mm, 9.34 mm, and 7.90 mm. LG and TEG volume were positively correlated with body weight (p < 0.05).ConclusionsContrast-enhanced CT is a valuable tool for noninvasive assessment of canine lacrimal glands

Simplified modelling of air source heat pumps producing detailed results

Created by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the UK Government‟s recommended method of assessing the energy ratings of dwellings. Modelling future complex dwellings, and their servicing systems, will require a more advanced calculation which is as simple as SAP to use but can produce more detailed results. This paper extends a novel advanced dynamic calculation method (IDEAS – Inverse Dynamics based Energy Analysis and Simulation) of assessing the controllability of a building and its servicing systems. IDEAS produces SAP compliant results and allows confident (i.e. calibrated in SAP) predictions to be made regarding the impact of novel heating and renewable energy systems. This paper describes the addition of an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) model to IDEAS. This allows for detailed analysis to be made of ASHPs in a SAP compliant framework. The benefits of using the IDEAS method is highlighted with capabilities outwith the scope of SAP also possible. For example, IDEAS can be used as sizing tool for a heating system in a building

Teacher Reported Preparedness: A Study of One Midwest Metropolitan School District

Title from PDF of title page, viewed on April 1, 2014Dissertation advisor: Jennifer FriendVitaIncludes bibliographical references (pages 172-201)Ph. D., School of Education. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2013The ultimate purpose of school lies in the success and achievement of its students. Therefore, efforts must be made to continuously improve achievement for every student. What the teacher knows and can do in the classroom is the most powerful factor in increasing a student’s achievement (Cunningham & Allington, 2003; Darling-Hammond, 2000; Jackson, 2009; Marzano, 2007). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher certification route and teacher reported preparedness in one Midwest metropolitan school district and to determine whether differences exist between teacher samples based on their years of teaching experience. New and experienced teachers’ self-identified professional preparation in the areas of: (a) classroom management or discipline situations, (b) use of a variety of instructional strategies, (c) knowledge of subject of matter, (d) usage of computers in classroom instruction, (e) assessment of students, and (f) selection and adaptation of curriculum and instruction materials. The major construct of the research pertaining to the study is teachers’ perceptions of their own preparedness in public school classrooms in one Midwestern metropolitan school district. This study examined two hypotheses related to teacher preparation. The first hypothesis, teacher experience has a positive effect on new teacher preparation. The second hypothesis, teacher certification type has a positive effect on teacher reported preparedness of experienced teachers. In this study, the researcher utilized selected questions from the 2007-2008 Public School Teacher Questionnaire, developed by the National Center for Education Research for use in the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). Using a quantitative survey design methodology, 1,422 teachers in one Midwest metropolitan school district were invited to participate in this study by completing the online survey. Respondents were asked to rate their level of preparedness in six teaching areas. The study yielded a response rate of 272 teachers. Data analysis procedures included descriptive statistics and MANOVAs. Study findings indicated that years of experience and teacher certification route have an effect on teacher perceived preparedness. Multiple statistical tests (crosstabulations, MANOVAs, and univariate follow-ups) showed interactions between teaching experience and certification route with three of the six teacher preparedness variables (knowledge of content, assessment of students, and selection and adaptation of curriculum and instructional materials). In all three areas alternatively certified, new teachers reported the least preparation in all three areas. Overall, new teachers reported less preparedness than experienced teachers regardless of their certification route. However, experienced teachers (traditional and alternatively certified) reported similar feelings of preparedness in two of the variables (knowledge of content and selection/adaptation of curriculum and instructional materials). Conclusively, experienced teachers regardless of certification route reported feeling more prepared in all three of the teacher preparedness variablesAbstract -- List of illustrations -- List of tables -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Review of the related literature -- Research methods and procedures -- Results -- Discussion of findings -- Appendix -- Reference

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroids Retain Osteogenic Phenotype Through α2β1 Signaling.

Unlabelled: The induction of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) toward the osteoblastic lineage using osteogenic supplements prior to implantation is one approach under examination to enhance their bone-forming potential. MSCs rapidly lose their induced phenotype upon removal of the soluble stimuli; however, their bone-forming potential can be sustained when provided with continued instruction via extracellular matrix (ECM) cues. In comparison with dissociated cells, MSC spheroids exhibit improved survival and secretion of trophic factors while maintaining their osteogenic potential. We hypothesized that entrapment of MSC spheroids formed from osteogenically induced cells would exhibit better preservation of their bone-forming potential than would dissociated cells from monolayer culture. Spheroids exhibited comparable osteogenic potential and increased proangiogenic potential with or without osteogenic preconditioning versus monolayer-cultured MSCs. Spheroids were then entrapped in collagen hydrogels, and the osteogenic stimulus was removed. In comparison with entrapped dissociated MSCs, spheroids exhibited significantly increased markers of osteogenic differentiation. The capacity of MSC spheroids to retain their osteogenic phenotype upon withdrawal of inductive cues was mediated by α2β1 integrin binding to cell-secreted ECM. These results demonstrate the capacity of spheroidal culture to sustain the mineral-producing phenotype of MSCs, thus enhancing their contribution toward bone formation and repair.SignificanceDespite the promise of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cell-based therapies for tissue repair and regeneration, there is little evidence that transplanted MSCs directly contribute to new bone formation, suggesting that induced cells rapidly lose their osteogenic phenotype or undergo apoptosis. In comparison with dissociated cells, MSC spheroids exhibit increased trophic factor secretion and improved cell survival. The loss of phenotype represents a significant clinical challenge for cell therapies, yet there is no evidence for whether MSC spheroids retain their osteogenic phenotype upon entrapment in a clinically relevant biomaterial. These findings demonstrate that MSC spheroids retain their osteogenic phenotype better than do dissociated MSCs, and this is due to integrin engagement with the cell-secreted extracellular matrix. These data provide evidence for a novel approach for potentiating the use of MSCs in bone repair

Control of micro-CHP and thermal energy storage for minimising electrical grid utilisation

The efficient use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems in buildings presents a control challenge due to their simultaneous production of thermal and electrical energy. The use of thermal energy storage coupled with a CHP engine provides an interesting solution to the problem—the electrical demands of the building can be matched by the CHP engine, while the resulting thermal energy can be regulated by the thermal energy store. Based on the thermal energy demands of the building the thermal store can provide extra thermal energy or absorb surplus thermal energy production. This paper presents a multi-input multi-output inverse-dynamics-based control strategy that will minimise the electrical grid utilisation of a building, while simultaneously maintaining a defined operative temperature. Electrical demands from lighting and appliances within the building are considered. In order to assess the performance of the control strategy, a European Standard validated simplified dynamic building physics model is presented that provides verified heating demands. Internal heat gains from solar radiation and internal loads are included within the model. Results indicate the control strategy is effective in minimising the electrical grid use and maximising the utilisation of the available energy when compared with conventional heating systems

Making the transition from on-campus to online learning: Pre-service teachers\u27 experiences of online learning as a result of COVID-19

Online learning is rapidly becoming the preferred study option for many higher education students, due to its accessibility, convenience and flexible teaching arrangements. For other students who have access to a university campus, their preferred option is to attend on-campus classes, where advantages include synchronous interaction with peers, lecturers and access to practical experiences, materials, and resources. The impact of COVID-19 resulted in interruptions to social, economic, cultural, and educational life, with social distancing measures and health and well-being concerns leading to widespread restrictions in numerous different contexts. Universities throughout Australia restricted access to campuses and shifted their teaching of classes to purely online delivery. This shift posed many challenges for students and staff as ways of teaching and learning were reconceptualised. This paper examines the experiences of two different cohorts of pre-service teachers from two different universities who were studying full-time on-campus at the time when the restrictions were applied and reports the impact the shift to online had on cognitive, social and teaching presence within a model of community of inquiry. The findings indicate that despite the challenges involved with the rapid transition to online delivery, participants were able to identify the presence of core elements of the model, and how these factors impacted upon their engagement with the course

Impact of spinal manipulation on cortical drive to upper and lower limb muscles

This study investigates whether spinal manipulation leads to changes in motor control by measuring the recruitment pattern of motor units in both an upper and lower limb muscle and to see whether such changes may at least in part occur at the cortical level by recording movement related cortical potential (MRCP) amplitudes. In experiment one, transcranial magnetic stimulation input–output (TMS I/O) curves for an upper limb muscle (abductor pollicus brevis; APB) were recorded, along with F waves before and after either spinal manipulation or a control intervention for the same subjects on two different days. During two separate days, lower limb TMS I/O curves and MRCPs were recorded from tibialis anterior muscle (TA) pre and post spinal manipulation. Dependent measures were compared with repeated measures analysis of variance, with p set at 0.05. Spinal manipulation resulted in a 54.5% ± 93.1% increase in maximum motor evoked potential (MEPmax) for APB and a 44.6% ± 69.6% increase in MEPmax for TA. For the MRCP data following spinal manipulation there were significant difference for amplitude of early bereitschafts-potential (EBP), late bereitschafts potential (LBP) and also for peak negativity (PN). The results of this study show that spinal manipulation leads to changes in cortical excitability, as measured by significantly larger MEPmax for TMS induced input–output curves for both an upper and lower limb muscle, and with larger amplitudes of MRCP component post manipulation. No changes in spinal measures (i.e., F wave amplitudes or persistence) were observed, and no changes were shown following the control condition. These results are consistent with previous findings that have suggested increases in strength following spinal manipulation were due to descending cortical drive and could not be explained by changes at the level of the spinal cord. Spinal manipulation may therefore be indicated for the patients who have lost tonus of their muscle and/or are recovering from muscle degrading dysfunctions such as stroke or orthopaedic operations and/or may also be of interest to sports performers. These findings should be followed up in the relevant populations

Impaired Hyperemic Response to Exercise Post Stroke

Individuals with chronic stroke have reduced perfusion of the paretic lower limb at rest; however, the hyperemic response to graded muscle contractions in this patient population has not been examined. This study quantified blood flow to the paretic and non-paretic lower limbs of subjects with chronic stroke after submaximal contractions of the knee extensor muscles and correlated those measures with limb function and activity. Ten subjects with chronic stroke and ten controls had blood flow through the superficial femoral artery quantified with ultrasonography before and immediately after 10 second contractions of the knee extensor muscles at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the test limb. Blood flow to the paretic and non-paretic limb of stroke subjects was significantly reduced at all load levels compared to control subjects even after normalization to lean muscle mass. Of variables measured, increased blood flow after an 80% MVC was the single best predictor of paretic limb strength, the symmetry of strength between the paretic and non-paretic limbs, coordination of the paretic limb, and physical activity. The impaired hemodynamic response to high intensity contractions was a better predictor of lower limb function than resting perfusion measures. Stroke-dependent weakness and atrophy of the paretic limb do not explain the reduced hyperemic response to muscle contraction alone as the response is similarly reduced in the non-paretic limb when compared to controls. These data may suggest a role for perfusion therapies to optimize rehabilitation post stroke

Reflecting on incidents: Barriers and tactics

Learning from incidents (LFI) is key for energy companies to become safer. Researchers from the Open University discuss what comprises effective LFI, barriers that can prevent LFI, and tactics companies can use to overcome those barriers