Search

The poem "Zoomology" by B. D. Love is presented. First Line: People have seemed to age by fourteen years; Last Line: The party waves. It drifts away from me.

The poem "To a Deflector" by B.D. Love is presented. First Line: Lies are merely nails, but the silence, that's; Last Line: That's how you did it, back in the Comedies.

The poem "Sunset at Dawn" by B.D. Love is presented. First Line: The scenic drive. At the edge of the sky, your knuckles; Last Line: as I look.

In 2008, the CDC published guidelines recommending screening of all persons undergoing treatment with rituximab to identify persons at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. We evaluated implementation of this recommendation in veterans, who are at increased risk of HBV, and determined characteristics of those screened. We also evaluated a control setting, rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening among the same rituximab-treated patients. There are no guidelines that recommend HCV screening prior to initiation of rituximab. Medical records of patients receiving rituximab between January 2006 and December 2012 were reviewed according to two time periods: 2006-2008 (period 1, pre-guidelines) and 2009-2012 (period 2, post-guidelines). Patient demographics, concomitant chemotherapy regimen (protocol, dose, duration), treatment indication, risk factors for hepatitis infection (substance abuse, homelessness, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)), and HBV/HCV screening status were documented. During the study period, 102 patients were treated with rituximab (49 in period 1 and 53 in period 2). During periods 1 and 2, 22 and 32 % of rituximab-treated patients were screened for HBV, respectively (p = 0.375). Treatment during 2009 was the only significant predictor of HBV screening in the adjusted model (p = 0.01). For HCV during periods 1 and 2, 22 and 21 % of patients were screened, respectively (p = 1.00). There were no significant predictors of HCV screening. Rates of screening for HBV among rituximab-treated patients were low, both before and after dissemination of guidelines recommending universal HBV screening of rituximab-treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the frequency dependent conductivity of the modified Huesler alloy UNiSn in the antiferromagnetic state and in the presence of a magnetic field. UNiSn as a paramagnetic; Magneto-optical measurements.

This study investigated the effect of Physical Education 32 Fitness Exercises activities of the CMU first-year students during the Second Semester School Year 2018-2019. The focus of this study was on physical fitness status of the students using Physical Fitness Tests. The results revealed that the physical fitness level of the students has significantly improved, as this was shown in the health-related fitness test with an overall mean of 2.80 based on the conducted pre-test, while the result on the post-test manifested an overall mean of 3.06. The skill-related fitness pretest, obtained a mean score of 2.79 compared to post-test that had 3.33. This means that physical exercise and physical education-related activities helped improve the physical fitness condition of the respondents. Physical Education subject, particularly Physical Education 32, was effective in terms of health-related and skill-related parameters. This was after engaging in the various exercises' activity, found in the outcomes-based syllabus, there was a significant increase in the number of participants who were able to reach the high competence level of fitness. It also proved that the physical fitness test under the Physical Fitness battery of test could determine the physical fitness performance of the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of crop genetic resources is an international priority and requires the continued collection and characterization of farmer varieties. We collected and characterized maize and upland rice populations cropped by farmers in Panama's Azuero region. The objective of our study was to evaluate the crop genetic diversity of farmer varieties of maize and upland rice grown by poor farmers in Panama. We found that: (1) farmers' naming practices only partially corresponded to genetic relationships and were the strongest for rice populations; (2) farmers' classification of populations as 'modern' or 'traditional' was reflected in phenotypic differences; (3) Panamanian maize populations were molecularly distinct from populations collected elsewhere in Latin America; and (4) heterogeneous rice populations were common and heterogeneity was often due to admixture of recognized farmer varieties. Our results indicate that poor farmers in Panama continue to farm 'traditional' varieties that harbour genetic diversity of interest. There has, however, been substantial adoption of 'modern' varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 34-year-old woman presented with acute and progressive pain in the upper abdomen with worsening nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Her pain was described as severe, sharp and stabbing, with radiation to her chest and back. The patient’s amylase and lipase levels were only mildly elevated. However, triglyceride levels (10 039 mg/dL) were markedly elevated upon presentation and no other causes of acute pancreatitis (e.g. obstruction, alcohol and medication) were identified. The patient was treated with opioids to control her pain and gemfibrozil was initiated to reduce her triglycerides. In addition, the patient received enoxaparin for deep vein thrombosis prevention and insulin for hyperglycaemia which also have been shown to decrease elevated triglycerides. The patient subsequently required antibiotic therapy with piperacillin–tazobactam after developing fever and an elevated white blood cell count. We review the role of adjunctive therapy with heparin and insulin in a patient with recurrent pancreatitis probably because of hypertriglyceridaemia and medication non-compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein conformational changes are often induced when bound to surfaces and can modulate colloidal stability of protein coated particles in dispersion. We evaluated bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed onto polystyrene particles at room temperature. A z-axis translating laser light scattering device (ZATLLS) measured the sedimentation velocity of protein-coated particles tracking aggregation characteristics compared with non-coated ones. Sedimentation velocities of particles moving in the dispersion, and the resulting viscosity and density of the residual solution following sedimentation determined aggregate size in the dispersion using Stoke's law. Our experiments objectively show that albumin-coated polystyrene forms aggregates. Interestingly, coating particles with protein slows the sedimentation velocity which should correspond to a more dispersed system, but it leads to higher aggregate sizes due to the larger influence of proteins in solution raising solution viscosity. Protein-bound particles were observed to fall out of solution in a more controlled and steady manner compared with uncoated particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of successful laser extraction of a defibrillator lead with baffle stenting in a 15-year-old boy with dextrocardia, L-transposition, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonic stenosis status-post Senning/Rastelli repair is presented. Six-month follow-up revealed a significant increase in exercise tolerance and maximum oxygen consumption (VO(2)max). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telemedicine research addressing user satisfaction abounds in academic literature. Results from patient satisfaction studies indicate exceptionally high levels of perceived satisfaction, often above the rates of expected satisfaction for traditional forms of health delivery. Results from provider satisfaction studies are also generally quite positive; however, data from providers point to higher concerns with delivery barriers and challenges. Even though data from patient and provider satisfaction research suggests overwhelming optimism for this delivery modality, this paper urges cautious embracement of these results for several reasons. First, many of the studies exhibit serious methodological weaknesses related to design and data collection instruments. In addition, the construct of satisfaction is largely undefined and is not clear. Even recognizing these caveats, the results of the study do offer some evidence that patient satisfaction will not impede the deployment of telemedicine, but provider satisfaction merits additional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the initiation and propagation of adiabatic shear bands in a tungsten heavy alloy by modeling each constituent as a heat-conducting, microporous, isotropic, elastothermoviscoplastic material. The two constituents are assumed to be perfectly bonded to each other so that the temperature, heat flux, displacements, and surface tractions are continuous across an interface between a tungsten particulate and the nickel-iron matrix. Three different modes of deformation, namely plane strain tension/compression, plane strain shear, and axisymmetric tension/compression are analyzed. No other defects are introduced. It is found that contours of the rate of temperature rise and/or velocity and/or the specific energy dissipation rate rather than those of effective plastic strain delineate the shear banded regions. For the same volume fraction of particulates smaller diameter particulates enhance the formation of adiabatic shear bands. The time of initiation of an adiabatic shear band also depends upon the particulate arrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New legislation directly affecting the nuclear arena is on the immediate horizon at both European Union (EU) and UK levels. This paper looks ahead to the new legislation by examining the supremacy and effect of the more wideranging legislation coming from the EU, and considers the new EU framework Directive on nuclear safety, which had a 1 January 2004 implementation deadline but which is now expected during 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, McMaster University School of Nursing in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada has utilized self-directed learning methods to teach psychomotor nursing skills to undergraduate nursing students. Second year students, in their postclinical evaluations indicated a desire for a structured laboratory setting to assist them in acquiring these skills. In response, faculty designed a randomized control trial to compare the effectiveness of teaching psychomotor skills in a structured laboratory setting with self-directed self-taught modules. The results of this study substantiated the hypothesis of no difference between psychomotor skill performance of students who learn in a self-directed manner and those taught in a structured clinical laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung transplantation remains the cornerstone of treatment for end-stage lung disease. Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a rare post-transplant complication that may lead to pulmonary hypertension, dyspnea and hypoxemia. Diagnosis is challenging given overlap with alternative common post-transplant complications. We describe a case of pulmonary vein stenosis several years post single lung transplant, which initially presented as chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) until invasive hemodynamics allowed for definitive diagnosis. A 62 year old female received a left single lung transplant for non-specific interstitial pneumonia. 4 years post-transplant she developed progressive dyspnea and hypoxemia requiring supplemental oxygen. Pulmonary function testing noted an 18% decrease in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and lung biopsy showed rejection grade A0BX. She was treated for CLAD with extracorporeal photophoresis without improvement. Ultimately right heart catheterization demonstrated mild pulmonary hypertension (mean PAP 26mmHg, PVR 3.9 Woods Units, PCW 5 mmHg). A patent foramen ovale was crossed and pulmonary venous pressures were obtained, revealing severe left lower pulmonary vein (LLPV) stenosis (mean 20mmHg) with a 15mmHg gradient to the left atrium (LA). Angiographically, there was a focal narrowing at the confluence with the LA. The patient underwent balloon dilation with a 12mm Paclitaxel drug-coated balloon with angiographic improvement and a 4 mmHg residual gradient. Rapidly post-intervention her hypoxemia resolved and her FEV1 improved. We describe a case of PVS several years post single lung transplant initially presenting as CLAD, with improvement in symptoms and FEV1 after drug-coated balloon angioplasty. Late vascular complications need to be considered when investigating respiratory complaints and decline in lung function after transplant and should be in the differential diagnosis when evaluating for chronic rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance has been a growing concern worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether susceptibility of mastitis pathogens has changed in recent years. Milk from dairy cattle, submitted to the Pennsylvania State University Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (PSU ADL) from 2000 through 2004, was cultured for bacterial pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined for 2554 isolates, using a commercially-available broth microdilution method (Sensititre, Trek Diagnostics, Westlake, OH) and interpretations of sensitive, intermediate or resistant were assigned according to guidelines published by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Isolates analyzed in this study included Staphylococcus aureus (N=242), coagulase negative staphylococci (N=367), Streptococcus uberis (N=393), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (N=304), Escherichia coli (N=299) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (N=261). Preliminary analyses indicate that a significant increase in resistance to beta-lactam-containing antimicrobials could be detected in streptococci, although not in staphylococci. Most of the antimicrobials included in the commercial mastitis panel have efficacy only against gram-positive organisms. Neither E. coli nor K. pneumoniae exhibited increasing resistance against ceftiofur or cephalothin over the years studied. It is generally accepted that antibiotics are beneficial in treatment of mastitis caused by gram-positive organisms. However, due to cost and the length of time required to identify the causative organism at a reference laboratory, and the potential of decreased efficacy if there is a delay in initiation of treatment, antibiotic treatment is frequently initiated without the knowledge about the causal agents. The increase in resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics seen in this study requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atoll reefs are associated with subsiding regions. In the West Philippine Sea, the Kalayaan Island Group is an emergent feature of the region's atoll reefs. In this study, we established the long-term rate of subsidence in the Pag-asa Atoll Reefs by indicators of sea level positions on the seafloor and in Pag-asa Island. For submerged indicators of paleo-sea levels, a multibeam bathymetry with a 5-m resolution was used as the primary data source. Four pairs of submerged terraces and scarps, interpreted as former coral reef flats and reef fronts, respectively, were mapped. The terraces, PARa-d, from shallowest to deepest, occur at depth ranges of 7-10, 36-45, 82-90, and 115-120 m. The step-like morphology of the slopes off Pag-asa is likely due to the backstepping of reefs during the overall rise of sea level from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Terraces PARa-d are interpreted as records of reef re-establishments during the stillstand periods following meltwater pulse event (MWP)-1C, MWP-1B, MWP-1A, and MWP-2B/2A. There is no clear morphological indicator of coral terraces that can be attributed to the LGM period. Variation in the widths and depths of the terraces between the leeward and windward sides of the island is also observed. Greater wave exposure appears favorable for coral reef terrace growth in Pag-asa, except for deeper terraces. The possible absence of the deepest terrace on the north side and an LGM terrace is attributed to possible thinner coral reef accretion due to the combination of cooler waters and possible swifter winds prior to 14 kyr. Correlation of the terrace depths and beach rock elevations as Pag-asa with the paleo-sea level of correlative stillstand events indicate long-term subsidence of 1.2 mm/yr between 15-12 kyr that declined to 0.3 mm/yr between 12 kyr to present. With sea level rise due to global warming and continuing subsidence, Pag-asa Island is threatened by coastal erosion, more frequent inundation, and groundwater salinization that needs to be addressed through proper adaptation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poem "Ring Cycle" by B. D. Love is presented. First Line: The day my father tossed his wedding ring; Last Line: Then sorted through the ash. The ring was there.

Young adult (YA) cancer survivors often experience social isolation. Mobile apps facilitate peer-to-peer connections, yet little is known about their use. YA survivors (N = 181) were surveyed about a peer-to-peer cancer support app. Among those with it downloaded, 36% reported daily/weekly use. One-to-one messaging and group chat features were easy-to-use and useful, but facilitation of social presence was variable. Within group chats, 55% participated in discussions; 45% observed conversations without contributing. The app was helpful for convenient access to peer support (84%), particularly when offline social networks were inadequate (83%); some (16–25%) reported nervousness initiating connections. Qualitative feedback identified facilitators and barriers to adoption and sustained engagement. Recommendations centered on improving design and logistical factors and facilitating in-app connections. App-based peer support is promising for addressing social isolation among YA survivors. Future research should examine theory-based communication and design features to encourage meaningful engagement and longitudinal effects on psychosocial outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Massively parallel, deep, sequencing of the transcriptome coupled with algorithmic analysis to identify adventitious agents (MP-Seq™) is an important adjunct in ensuring the safety of cells used in vaccine production. Such cells may harbour novel viruses whose sequences are unknown or latent viruses that are only expressed following stress to the cells. MP-Seq is an unbiased and comprehensive method to identify such viruses and other adventitious agents without prior knowledge of the nature of those agents. Here we demonstrate its utility as part of an integrated approach to identify and characterise potential contaminants within commonly used virus and vaccine production cell lines. Through this analysis, in combination with more traditional approaches, we have excluded the presence of porcine circoviruses in the ATCC Vero cell bank (CCL-81), however, we found that a full length betaretrovirus related to SRV can be expressed in these cells, a factor that may be of importance in the production of certain vaccines. Similarly, insect cells are proving to be valuable for the production of virus like particles and sub-unit vaccines, but they can harbour a range of latent viruses. We show that following MP-Seq of the Trichoplusia ni (High Five cell line) transcriptome we were able to detect a contaminating, latent nodavirus and identify an expressed errantivirus genome. Collectively, these studies have reinforced the role of MP-Seq as an integral tool for the identification of contaminating agents in vaccine cell substrates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Health providers are challenged to find efficacious ways to provide health education to a population with diverse levels of health literacy. This project sought to test the effectiveness of a website (Diabetes and You) about Type II diabetes designed for non-diabetics with low health literacy. Research participants were observed as they viewed the Diabetes and You website, tested for diabetes knowledge before and after viewing the website, checked for functional health literacy, and interviewed to discover their perceptions of the website. Results indicate that users were engaged and interested in the website and particularly preferred the interactive risk assessment page. Users demonstrated an increase in knowledge about diabetes and its risks after viewing the website. Further research into the most effective ways of delivering health information online to this key target population is necessary to minimize the role of health literacy in limiting these individuals' acquisition and understanding of health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentation is a limiting factor for the shelf life of filled paints and adhesive resins, and requires consideration when optimizing a resin's formulation for an end application. Static settling experiments have been performed using a bis-GMA-based photocurable resin system by varying some characteristics of the filler particles (size and composition) and of the resin (viscosity and composition). The recorded batch settling curves, mudline height vs. time, displayed the standard sedimentation shape. In particular, the mudline movement rate was constant in the initial period of sedimentation. The variations of this constant mudline velocity as a function of the settling conditions has been compared to sedimentation model predictions. A close correspondence has been obtained between the data and a model describing the sedimentation behavior of non-aggregated rigid spheres at high concentration in the Stokes regime. In particular, the constant mudline velocity is proportional to the square of the particle diameter. This result can be used as a way to limit the settling phenomenon in filled resin systems, by choosing a particle diameter as small as possible. As a validation of this result, no visually observable settling was seen in 50%-filled resin systems for a period more than 4 months at room temperature using 5.1-μm poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) particles as filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-nine baccalaureate nursing students were surveyed regarding their preferred method of learning psychomotor skills necessary for clinical practice. In addition, 12 faculty members were also asked to express their opinions of the best way for students to learn psychomotor skills. The use of a self-directed clinical laboratory was supported by both students and faculty in this study. Hands on and visual pre-clinical experiences with adequate equipment were the major factors influencing the students' requests for clinical laboratories. Faculty expressed the same concerns about equipment and human resources, but their support of the laboratory was tempered and based on the presence or absence of adequate human resources and equipment available to students in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because many types of living cells are sensitive to applied strain, different in vitro models have been designed to elucidate the cellular and subcellular processes that respond to mechanical deformation at both the cell and tissue level. Our focus was to improve upon an already established strain system to make it capable of independently monitoring the deflection and applied pressure delivered to specific wells of a commercially available, deformable multiwell culture plate. To accomplish this, we devised a custom frame that was capable of mounting deformable 6 or 24 well plates, a pressurization system that could load wells within the plates, and a camera-based imaging system which was capable of capturing strain responses at a sufficiently high frame rate. The system used a user defined program constructed in Labview® to trigger plate pressurization while simultaneously allowing the deflection of the silicone elastomeric plate bottoms to be imaged in near real time. With this system, up to six wells could be pulsed simultaneously using compressed air or nitrogen. Digital image capture allowed near-real time monitoring of applied strain, strain rate, and the cell loading profiles. Although our ultimate goal is to determine how different strain rates applied to neurons modulates their intrinsic biochemical cascades, the same platform technology could be readily applied to other systems. Combining commercially available, deformable multiwell plates with a simple instrument having the monitoring capabilities described here should permit near real time calculations of stretch-induced membrane strain in multiple wells in real time for a wide variety of applications, including high throughput drug screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple circuit for the presentation of the signals from Multi-gap Resistive Plate Chambers (MRPCs) to standard existing digitization electronics is described. The circuit is based on “off-the-shelf” discrete components. An optimization of the values of specific components is required to match the aspects of the MRPCs for the given application. This simple circuit is an attractive option for the initial signal processing for MRPC prototyping and bench- or beam-testing efforts, as well as for final implementations of small-area Time-of-Flight systems with existing data acquisition systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The preparation of ground low-density poly(ethylene) (LDPE), high-density poly(ethylene) (HDPE), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) materials suitable for use by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) experiments is described. Materials prepared showed a smaller and more uniform particle size, 83–86 µm (200 mesh), than commercially available Chromosorb® W solid chromatography support. In addition, the BET surface area of polymeric materials, 0.367–0.559 m2/cm3, was much greater than the surface area of 150- to 212-µm-diameter glass beads. The use of polymeric materials with uniform particle sizes and defined surface areas have several advantages over polymer coated Chromosorb® W and glass beads in IGC experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A user friendly, Labview™ controlled, prototype settling device has been designed and built that incorporates a laser light source and detector fixtured to a z-axis translating stage. The Labview™ data interface drives the unit and captures data in the form of scattered intensity as a function of z-axis location. We present some examples of sample output from low- and high-density particles settling in epoxy fluids of various viscosities. This device maps all of the expected settling regimes and, more importantly, valuable scattering information about partial settling is found in instances without a discrete mud line. The effect of resin viscosity on settling has been measured and corresponds well to model predictions. Measurement of settling data in the compression regime was also achievable, validating descriptive models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although individuals with poor food security might be expected to have reduced food intake, and thus reduced body fat and less likelihood of being overweight, these associations have not been adequately studied. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between food insecurity and overweight as measured by body mass index (BMI) using data from the nationally representative 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII). Overweight was defined as BMI >27.3 kg/m(2) for women and 27.8 kg/m(2) for men. Food insecurity was related to overweight status for women (n = 4509, P < 0.0001), but not for men (n = 4970, P = 0.44). Excluding the 11 severely insecure women, the prevalence of overweight among women increased as food insecurity increased, from 34% for those who were food secure (n = 3447), to 41% for those who were mildly food insecure (n = 966) and to 52% for those who were moderately food insecure (n = 86). Food insecurity remained a significant predictor of overweight status, after adjustment for potentially confounding demographic and lifestyle variables (P < 0.01). In a logistic regression analysis, mildly insecure women were 30% more likely to be overweight than those who were food secure [odds ratio (OR) 1.3, P = 0.005]. Thus, food insecurity had an unexpected and paradoxical association with overweight status among women with a higher prevalence of overweight among the food insecure, and a resulting potential for increased incidence of obesity-related chronic diseases. Given that the rates of both overweight and food insecurity are on the rise, this research area warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale experiments on medflies that were subjected to sterilizing doses of ionizing radiation (plus intact controls) and maintained on either sugar-only or full, protein-enriched diets revealed that, whereas the mortality trajectories of both intact and irradiated male cohorts maintained on both diets are similar, the mortality patterns of females are highly variable. Mean mortality rates at 35 days in male cohorts ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 but in female cohorts ranged from 0.09 to 0.35, depending on treatment. The study reports three main influences: (a) qualitative differences exist in the sex-mortality response of medflies subjected to dietary manipulations and irradiation; (b) the female mortality response is linked to increased vulnerability due to the nutritional demands of reproduction; and (c) female sensitivity to environmental changes underlies the dynamics of the sex-mortality differential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraatrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) is common after surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of IART targets anatomic areas critical to the maintenance of the arrhythmia circuit, areas that have not been well defined in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomic areas critical to IART circuits, defined by activation mapping and confirmed by an acutely successful RF ablation at the site. A total of 110 RF ablation procedures in 88 patients (median age 23.4 years, range 0.1 to 62.7) with CHD were reviewed. Patients were grouped according to surgical intervention: Mustard/Senning (n = 15), other biventricular repaired CHD (n = 24), Fontan (n = 43), and palliated CHD (n = 6). In first-time ablation procedures, > or = 1 IART circuits were acutely terminated in 80% of Mustard/Senning, 71% of repaired CHD, and 72% of Fontan (p = NS). The palliated CHD group underwent 1 of 6 successful procedures (17%), and this patient was excluded. The locations of acutely successful RF applications in Mustard/Senning patients (n = 14 sites) were at the tricuspid valve isthmus (57%) and at the lateral right atrial wall (43%). In patients with repaired CHD (n = 18 sites), successful RF sites were at the isthmus (67%) and the lateral (22%) and anterior (11%) right atria. In the Fontan group (n = 40 sites), successful RF sites included the lateral right atrial wall (53%), the anterior right atrium (25%), the isthmus area (15%), and the atrial septum (7%). Location of success was statistically different for the Fontan group (p = .002). In conclusion, the tricuspid valve isthmus is a critical area for ablation of IART during the Mustard/ Senning procedure and in patients with repaired CHD. IART circuits in Fontan patients are anatomically distinct, with the lateral right atrial wall being the more common area for successful RF applications. This information may guide RF and/or surgical ablation procedures in patients with CHD and IART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-thirds of Earth's surface is formed at mid-ocean ridges, yet sea-floor spreading events are poorly understood because they occur far beneath the ocean surface. At 9°50'N on the East Pacific Rise, ocean-bottom seismometers recently recorded the microearthquake character of a mid-ocean ridge eruption, including precursory activity. A gradual ramp-up in activity rates since seismic monitoring began at this site in October 2003 suggests that eruptions may be forecast in the fast-spreading environment. The pattern culminates in an intense but brief (∼6-hour) inferred diking event on 22 January 2006, followed by rapid tapering to markedly decreased levels of seismicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]