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Rationale and Objectives: Long-term physical training is associated with morphological and functional adaptations of the cardiovascular system. Aim of this prospective study was to assess physiologic adaptations and structural cardiac remodelling and to analyze the presence and distribution of myocardial Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and Methods: Thirteen female professional handball players (mean age 25.14.7) and 13 age- and gender-matched non-athlete controls (mean age 25.54.2) underwent cardiac MRI at 1.5T. Steady-state free-precession cine MRI was used to calculate left and right ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV), endsystolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), myocardial mass (MM) and cardiac remodeling index (RI). Macroscopical structural alterations or myocardial scar were excluded by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging.Results: Indexed LV-EDV and RV-EDV were significantly (P

Five considerations for determining the most appropriate learning medium for students with functional vision are: (1) working distance from the page; (2) portability of reading skills; (3) reading rates and accuracy; (4) visual fatigue; and (5) interpretation of assessment results. (Author/DB)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of carotid ultrasound (CU) to predict coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic male marathon runners. A total of 49 male marathon runners older than 45 years (mean age 53.3 ± 7.2 years, range 45‐74 years) received CU and cardiac CT angiography (CTA) including calcium scoring (CS). Results of CU and CTA were classified binary: 1. Absence of atherosclerosis and 2. Presence of atherosclerosis. The extent of atherosclerosis was not primary end point of the study. Mean PROCAM score was 2.3% (SD 2.2, range 0.44%‐12.34%). One person had to be excluded from analysis (one missing CT‐scan). From the remaining 48 marathon runners, 17 (35.4%) had carotid atherosclerosis and 22 (45.8%) coronary atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis in either exam was diagnosed in 27/48 (56.3%) marathon runners. Diagnostic accuracy of CU to predict coronary atherosclerosis was: sensitivity 54.55% (95% CI 32.2‐75.6), specificity 80.8% (CI 60.6‐93.4), positive predictive value 70.6 (CI 44.1‐89.9), negative predictive value 67.7 (CI 48.6‐83.3) with a positive likelihood ratio of 2.84 (CI 1.18‐6.82) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.56 (CI 0.34‐0.92). Coronary and/or carotid atherosclerosis can be detected in more than 50% of male marathon runners aged older than 45 years. The diagnostic value of carotid ultrasound to predict coronary atherosclerosis is low but higher than the accuracy of rest‐ or stress‐ECG. As outcome studies in sportsmen are still missing, the routine evaluation of the carotid arteries by ultrasound or even cardiac CT cannot be recommended at present. Furthermore, the incidence of atherosclerosis by our method in normal population is not known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CAT-ACT—the hard X-ray beamline for CATalysis and ACTinide/radionuclide research at the KIT synchrotron radiation facility ANKA—is dedicated to X-ray spectroscopy, including “flux hungry” photon-in/photon-out and correlative techniques and combines state-of-the-art optics with a unique infrastructure for radionuclide and catalysis research. Measurements can be performed at photon energies varying between 3.4 keV and 55 keV, thus encompassing the actinide M- and L-edge or potassium K-edge up to the K-edges of the lanthanide series such as cerium. Well-established X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy in transmission and fluorescence detection modes is available in combination with high energy-resolution X-ray emission spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction techniques. The modular beamline design with two alternately operated in-line experimental stations enables sufficient flexibility to adapt sample environments and detection systems to many scientific challenges. The ACT experimental station focuses on various aspects of nuclear waste disposal within the mission of the Helmholtz association to contribute to the solution of one of the greatest scientific and social challenges of our time—the safe disposal of heat producing, highly radioactive waste forms from nuclear energy production. It augments present capabilities at the INE-Beamline by increasing the flux and extending the energy range into the hard X-ray regime. The CAT experimental station focuses on catalytic materials, e.g., for energy-related and exhaust gas catalysis. Characterization of catalytically active materials under realistic reaction conditions and the development of in situ and operando cells for sample environments close to industrial reactors are essential aspects at CAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the Ru K edge of Ru-doped PbSc0.5Ta0.5O3 (PST-Ru), PbSc0.5Nb0.5O3 (PSN-Ru), and 0.9PbZn1/3Nb2/3O3-0.1PbTiO3 (PZN-0.IPT-Ru) as well as at the Ta L3 edge of PST-Ru and the Nb K edge of PSN-Ru was applied to study the short- and intermediate-range atomic arrangements in perovskite-type (ABO3) relaxor ferroelectrics. The compounds were also analyzed by complementary Raman scattering, visible/near-visible absorption spectroscopy, and synchrotron x-ray single-crystal diffraction. The results show that Ru is octahedrally coordinated in all three relaxor host matrices but the average oxidation state of Ru in PST-Ru and PSN-Ru is ∼4.4, whereas it is ∼3.8 in PZN-0.IPT-Ru. In PbSc0.5 B"0.5 O3 (B" = Ta, Nb) Ru substitutes for the B" cations in the form of isolated point defects, while in PZN-0.1PT-Ru Ru replaces adjacent A and B sites, forming a chainlike structural species of face-sharing elongated octahedra. Chemical 1:1 B-site order as well as dynamic BO6tilting is observed around both the Ru dopant and the major B" cation in PST-Ru and PSN-Ru regardless of the fact that according to x-ray diffraction at ambient conditions, the average structure is cubic with weak or no long-range chemical order. Pb cations are off-center displaced from the prototypic cubic A site for all three compounds and in Ru-doped PbSc0.5B"0.5O3 the BO6, tilt angle correlates with the degree of coherent B-Pb distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of German Journal of Sports Medicine / Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Sportmedizin is the property of Verein zur Forderung der Sportmedizin Hannover e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We report endovascular thoracic and abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) with reverse chimney technique in a patient with contained ruptured type B dissection. EVAR seems feasible as a bailout option in Marfan patients with acute life-threatening disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of developing a successful stroke rehabilitation methodology requires four key components: a good understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this brain disease, clear neuroscientific hypotheses to guide therapy, adequate clinical assessments of its efficacy on multiple timescales, and a systematic approach to the application of modern technologies to assist in the everyday work of therapists. Achieving this goal requires collaboration between neuroscientists, technologists and clinicians to develop well-founded systems and clinical protocols that are able to provide quantitatively validated improvements in patient rehabilitation outcomes. In this article we present three new applications of complementary technologies developed in an interdisciplinary matrix for acute-phase upper limb stroke rehabilitation – functional electrical stimulation, arm robot-assisted therapy and virtual reality-based cognitive therapy. We also outline the neuroscientific basis of our approach, present our detailed clinical assessment protocol and provide preliminary results from patient testing of each of the three systems showing their viability for patient use. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN::Case series. OBJECTIVES::To evaluate the benefit, shortcomings and acceptance of a new transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation (FES) technology aimed at improving the grasp function in tetraplegic subjects in acute and postacute rehabilitation. SETTING::Spinal cord injury (SCI) centre, university hospital. METHODS::Subjects (N=11) with complete or incomplete SCI at C4/5-C7 who started FES 1-67 months after their accident were included. Hand function tests, analysis of video recordings and of written documentation of FES sessions, status of muscle strength, and follow-up query were used as outcome measures. RESULTS::Nine subjects used FES as a neuroprosthesis. Eight demonstrated improved grasp function and performance in activities of daily living. In one subject, no benefit from FES was observed. Two other subjects showed improvements in muscle strength and facilitation of active movement with FES. Four subjects successfully integrated FES as neuroprosthesis in everyday life within the rehabilitation centre. Three received the system for home use. The most relevant reasons for stopping the FES application were: (i) improvement of voluntary grasp function, (ii) physical and psychological problems, (iii) no available stimulator for home use, and (iv) insufficient assistance for electrode placement at home. Shortcomings related to the transcutaneous surface technology (eg pain or coactivation of neighbouring muscles) could usually be reduced, or did not limit the efficiency or acceptance of FES. Individually designed digital or analogue control devices were preferred. CONCLUSION::Tetraplegic subjects in acute and postacute rehabilitation can profit from a new transcutaneous FES system with respect to functional use and independence. It can be implemented in the rehabilitation programme for muscle strengthening and facilitation of voluntary activity. For a successful application of FES, there is a need for individual electrode placement, stimulation programmes, and FES control devices.Spinal Cord (2005) 43, 1-13. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101644; Published online 3 August 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results of patient experiments using a new gait-phase detection sensor (GPDS) together with a programmable functional electrical stimulation (FES) system for subjects with a dropped-foot walking dysfunction. The GPDS (sensors and processing unit) is entirely embedded in a shoe insole and detects in real time four phases (events) during the gait cycle: stance, heel off, swing, and heel strike. The instrumented GPDS insole consists of a miniature gyroscope that measures the angular velocity of the foot and three force sensitive resistors that measure the force load on the shoe insole at the heel and the metatarsal bones. The extracted gait-phase signal is transmitted from the embedded microcontroller to the electrical stimulator and used in a finite state control scheme to time the electrical stimulation sequences. The electrical stimulations induce muscle contractions in the paralyzed muscles leading to a more physiological motion of the affected leg. The experimental results of the quantitative motion analysis during walking of the affected and nonaffected sides showed that the use of the combined insole and FES system led to a significant improvement in the gait-kinematics of the affected leg. This combined sensor and stimulation system has the potential to serve as a walking aid for rehabilitation training or permanent use in a wide range of gait disabilities after brain stroke, spinal-cord injury, or neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The IEEE 802.11e medium access control protocol is an emerging standard for wireless local area networks providing quality of service. An overview of this standard based on the current draft is presented on this article. We analyze the enhancements in 802.11 standard. The new hybrid coordination function of the IEEE 802.11e with its contention-based and contention-free (controlled) medium access control schemes is evaluated. The capability to provide QoS support is discussed by means of simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In recent years, many weavers have changed to air-jet looms because of the high productivity and increasing flexibility of pneumatic weft insertion. This technology has higher energy consumption and a competitive advantage can only be achieved if the high numbers of revolution potential is used, high loom efficiencies are achieved and the fabric quality satisfies requirements.

Abstract Background Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is frequently and highly expressed on human carcinomas. The emerging role of EpCAM as a signalling receptor and activator of the wnt pathway, and its expression on tumor-initiating cells, further add to its attractiveness as target for immunotherapy of cancer. Thus far, five conventional monoclonal IgG antibodies have been tested in cancer patients. These are murine IgG2a edrecolomab and its murine/human chimeric IgG1 antibody version, and humanized, human-engineered and fully human IgG1 antibodies 3622W94, ING-1, and adecatumumab (MT201), respectively. Here we compared all anti-EpCAM antibodies in an attempt to explain differences in clinical activity and safety. Methods We recombinantly produced all antibodies but murine edrecolomab and investigated them for binding affinity, EpCAM epitope recognition, ADCC and CDC, and inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation. Results ING-1 and 3622W94 bound to EpCAM with much higher affinity than adecatumumab and edrecolomab. Edrecolomab, ING-1, and 3622W94 all recognized epitopes in the exon 2-encoded N-terminal domain of EpCAM, while adecatumumab recognized a more membrane proximal epitope encoded by exon 5. All antibodies induced lysis of EpCAM-expressing cancer cell lines by both ADCC and CDC with potencies that correlated with their binding affinities. The chimeric version of edrecolomab with a human Fcγ1 domain was much more potent in ADCC than the murine IgG2a version. Only adecatumumab showed a significant inhibition of MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation in the absence of complement and immune cells. Conclusion A moderate binding affinity and recognition of a distinct domain of EpCAM may best explain why adecatumumab showed a larger therapeutic window in cancer patients than the two high-affinity IgG1 antibodies ING-1 and 3622W94, both of which caused acute pancreatitis.