Obesity is a continuing issue around the world and in many contexts. The growing number of obese people is an increasing concern for those in the medical profession, and obesity can pose specific challenges in relation to fertility and pregnancy. Patients who are obese require specific considerations and knowledge. Bringing together experts from a variety of specialties to examine the issues and challenges of obesity, this book discusses how obesity affects fertility, reproduction, and pregnancy. Beginning with an exploration of the epidemiology of obesity, further chapters focus on specific issues related to obesity and both male and female reproduction, the complications of obesity during pregnancy and labour, and the long term effects of obesity. This is the most comprehensive resource to examine the topic of obesity and reproductive issues, making it invaluable for medical students, professionals, and researchers in public policy and medicine.
Comprehensive examination of fertility issues arising from male and female obesityClinical knowledge and expertise given to the subjectsIn-depth examination through 47 chapters of a growing, but often overlooked, issue in fertility and pregnancy

An AGI Brain for a Robot is the first and only book to give a detailed account and practical demonstration of an Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The brain is to be implemented in fast parallel hardware and embodied in the head of a robot moving in the real world. Associative learning is shown to be a powerful technique for novelty seeking, language learning, and planning. This book is for neuroscientists, robot designers, psychologists, philosophers and anyone curious about the evolution of the human brain and its specialized functions. The overarching message of this book is that an AGI, as the brain of a robot, is within our grasp and would work like our own brains. The featured brain, called PP, is not a computer program. Instead, PP is a collection of networks of associations built from J. A. Fodor's modules and the author's groups. The associations are acquired by intimate interaction between PP in its robot body and the real world. Simulations of PP in one of two robots in a simple world demonstrate PP learning from the second robot, which is under human control. "Both Professor Daniel C. Dennett and Professor Michael A. Arbib independently likened the book 'An AGI Brain for a Robot' to Valentino Braitenberg's 1984 book 'Vehicles: Experiments in Synthetic Psychology'." Daniel C. Dennett, Professor of Philosophy and Director of Center for Cognitive Studies, Tufts University. Author of "From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds." "Michael Arbib, a long time expert in brain modeling, observed that sometimes a small book can catch the interest of readers where a large book can overwhelm and turn them away. He noted, in particular, the success of Valentino Braitenberg's 'Vehicles' (for which he wrote the foreword). At a time of explosive interest in AI, he suggests that PP and its antics may be just the right way to ease a larger audience into thinking about the technicalities of creating general artificial intelligence." Michael A Arbib, Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Southern California. Author of "How the Brain Got Language". "Robots seem to increasingly invade our lives, to the point that sometimes seems threatening and other-worldly. In this small book, John Andreae shows some of the basic principles of robotics in ways that are entertaining and easily understood, and touch on some of the basic questions of how the mind works." Michael C. Corballis, Professor of Psychology, University of Auckland. Author of "The Recursive Mind". "A little book that punches far beyond its weight." Nicholas Humphrey, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, London School of Economics. Author of "Soul Dust: The Magic of Consciousness". "A bold and rich approach to one of the major challenges for neuroscience, robotics and philosophy. Who will take up Andreae's challenge and implement his model?" Matthew Cobb, Professor of Zoology, University of Manchester. Author of "The Idea of the Brain". "Here is a book that could change the direction of research into artificial general intelligence in a very productive and profitable way. It describes a radical new theory of the brain that goes some way towards answering many difficult questions concerning learning, planning, language, and even consciousness. Almost incredibly, the theory is operational, and expressed in a form that could-and should-inspire future, novel, research in AI that transcends existing paradigms." Ian H. Witten, Professor of Computer Science, Waikato University. Author with Eibe Frank of "Data Mining: Practical Machine Learning Tools and Techniques".

This book comprehensively summarizes the biology, etiology, and pathology of ovarian cancer and explores the role of deep molecular and cellular profiling in the advancement of precision medicine. The initial chapter discusses our current understanding of the origin, development, progression and tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer. In turn, the book highlights the development of resistance, disease occurrence, and poor prognosis that are the hallmarks of ovarian cancer. The book then reviews the role of deep molecular and cellular profiling to overcome challenges that are associated with the treatment of ovarian cancer. It explores the use of genome-wide association analysis to identify genetic variants for the evaluation of ovarian carcinoma risk and prognostic prediction. Lastly, it highlights various diagnostic and prognostic ovarian cancer biomarkers for the development of molecular-targeted therapy.

This book presents the latest knowledge on both the physiological and the microbiological aspects of wound healing. Fresh insights into the process of cutaneous wound healing are described, which involves tissue regeneration and repair processes consisting of a sequence of molecular and cellular events. The management of infected wounds is then discussed in detail, covering the roles of traditional medicine practices, novel anti-infective formulations, non-antibiotic approaches, and probiotic bacteria. A section devoted to the interdisciplinary approach to wound care addresses topics including in vitro and in vivo research models, the development of advanced wound dressings, tissue engineering, and the potential applications of bioscaffolds. The authors are all leading researchers in the field. This book is an attempt to showcase current research status and future directions in the area of wound-healing research, which must be of interest to a large group of readers and researchers interested in this field.

This new edition provides an update on the molecular mechanisms that regulate spermatogenesis. In addition to the rodent as a study model, chapters also include research on studies in humans. It includes the latest approaches of studying spermatogenesis, such as the use of bioinformatics, molecular modeling and others which are not commonly found in published materials. It also reviews the latest developments in the field, such as studies on the role of regulatory RNAs on spermatogenesis. Due to the declining fertility rate among men, a brand new chapter highlights the impact of environmental toxicants on spermatogenesis.

The book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of phytochemicals as efficient cancer therapeutics. Over the last few decades there has been a paradigm shift from conventional cancer therapeutic approaches to alternative and complementary medicinal approaches especially using phytoconstituents from natural products. As such, the book provides an in-depth understanding of phytochemicals targeting diverse signaling pathways involved in cancer along with the evaluation of the cancer modulatory effects of phytochemicals. It also highlights the potential modulatory effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the cancer-associated cellular pathways and their interactions with the phytochemicals. Further, it analyzes the drug delivery methods, bioavailability of active components of botanicals, and toxicity of phytochemicals. Lastly, the book elucidates the 3D cell culture and animal models systems to analyze the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in cancer.

Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields. Chapter "Stationary and Non-Stationary Ion- and Water Flux Interactions in Kidney Proximal Tubule. Mathematical Analysis of Isosmotic Transport by a Minimalistic Model" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Foundations of Voice Studies provides a comprehensive description and analysis of the multifaceted role that voice quality plays in human existence. * Offers a unique interdisciplinary perspective on all facets of voice perception, illustrating why listeners hear what they do and how they reach conclusions based on voice quality * Integrates voice literature from a multitude of sources and disciplines * Supplemented with practical and approachable examples, including a companion website with sound files at www.wiley.com/go/voicestudies * Explores the choice of various voices in advertising and broadcasting, and voice perception in singing voices and forensic applications * Provides a straightforward and thorough overview of vocal physiology and control

"International Review of Research inDevelopmental Disabilities"is an ongoing scholarly look at research into the causes, effects, classification systems, syndromes, etc. of developmental disabilities. Contributors come from wide-ranging perspectives, including genetics, psychology, education, and other health and behavioral sciences. Volume41 of the series offers chapters on a variety of themes.

*Provides the most recent scholarly research in the study of developmental disabilities *A vast range of perspectives is offered, and many topics are covered *An excellent resource for academic researchers"

Progress in molecular and cellular biology has greatly enhanced our ability to accurately diagnose diseases that are caused by gene mutations, changes in genome structures, and altered gene expression; increased emphasis is now placed on translational research the clinical treatment of these genetically determined diseases. Seeking Cures outlines the progress and implications of science's quest to identify therapeutic targets and initiate novel treatments at the gene, RNA, protein, and physiological levels. Also considered are aspects of treatment at the cellular level (e.g., those with hematopoietic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells). Topics covered in this text include: * outline of the processes typical for identifying disease-modifying therapies * examples of newer therapeutic approaches in use or under investigation to treat lysosomal storage diseases, inborn errors of metabolism, mitochondrial functional defects, and specific monogenic diseases * therapeutic designs for specific complex common diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and autism Through these specific examples, Seeking Cures provides a glimpse at the pursuit-and future-of personalized medicine.

One of the biggest questions in today's biochemistry is how biological molecules became essential for the processes that occur within living cells. This new book from outstanding Metal Ions in Life Science series gives an overview about biochemical evolution of organic molecules and metabolic pathways in living systems and outlines the vital biochemical processes in microbial cells in which metals are involved.

The 4th World Congress on Genetics, Geriatrics and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (GeNeDis 2020) focuses on the latest major challenges in scientific research, new drug targets, the development of novel biomarkers, new imaging techniques, novel protocols for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, and several other scientific advances, with the aim of better, safer, and healthier aging. The increase in the average length of life leads to the development of various diseases in the elderly population. This volume focuses on the sessions from the conference on Geriatrics.

Whether they are in developed or developing nations, all women are susceptible to dying from complications in childbirth. While some of these complications are unavoidable, many develop during pregnancy and can be prevented or, when caught in time, treated. These difficulties are often a result of inaccessibility to care, inadequate health services, poor prenatal screening, and uninformed mothers, among others, that in many cases are a direct consequence of the mother's geographical location and economic status. Innovations in Global Maternal Health: Improving Prenatal and Postnatal Care Practices explores new techniques, tools, and solutions that can be used in a global capacity to support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, regardless of their wealth or location. Highlighting a range of topics such as maternal care models, breastfeeding, and social media and internet health forums, this publication is an ideal reference source for world health organizations, obstetricians, midwives, lactation consultants, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, directors, counselors, therapists, academicians, and researchers interested in the latest practices currently in use that can combat maternal mortality and morbidity and lead to healthier women and newborns.

This book focuses on the structural, biochemical, and diverse functional properties of the endothelial luminal membrane glycocalyx (ELMG), an organelle which constitutes the endothelial cell "membrane." It is intended to provide the newcomer with a broad, basic, and brief perspective of the luminal endothelial vascular membrane, and for the more established investigator, a basic overview and integrated perspective of the "universe" we explore. The endothelium is an assortment of heterogeneous regulatory cells whose cytoplasm and cell membranes are joined, forming functional units. There is a tremendous amount of literature on the endothelial cell, constituting seemingly isolated and distinct fields of encapsulated research. However, the multifunctional properties of some molecules give rise to an overlap of findings, frequently ignored between the different fields. The book is divided into three parts. The first part concentrates on the structure of the ELMG, with emphasis on morphological and biochemical composition. The importance of the chemical composition to the physiological functions of the ELMG, such as sieving properties, pharmacology, and flow sensing, is the focus of the second part of the book. Finally, some of the pathologies associated with ELMG dysfunction are explored in the last section. The aim is to provide basic and well-established knowledge in the various individual fields, identify the current concepts in each area, and discuss their respective strengths and weaknesses (including hidden problems). Finally, the overall goal is to integrate areas where overlap is clearly indicated, bringing them all together to provide the first ever basic, integrative, panoramic bird's-eye view of the field.

Endocrine Self-Assessment Program (ESAP (TM)), Reference Edition 2018 is a self-study curriculum for physicians and health professionals wanting a self assessment and a broad review of endocrinology. It consists of 120 brand-new multiple choice questions in all areas of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. There is extensive discussion of each correct answer, a comprehensive syllabus, and references. ESAP is updated annually with new questions. Customers are advised that this book is a reference edition and the questions in it are designed for self-study and reference. The content is the same as the non-reference edition, but CME and MOC credits are not available upon completion of the material. Anyone with questions about CME and/or MOC credits should consult www.endocrine.org/store for further information.