Impact of Decreased Transmural Conduction Velocity on the Function of the Human Left Ventricle: A Simulation Study.

This study investigates the impact of reduced transmural conduction velocity (TCV) on output parameters of the human heart. In a healthy heart, the TCV contributes to synchronization of the onset of contraction in individual layers of the left ventricle (LV). However, it is unclear whether the clinically observed decrease of TCV contributes significantly to a reduction of LV contractility.

Effect of Transmural Differences in Excitation-Contraction Delay and Contraction Velocity on Left Ventricle Isovolumic Contraction: A Simulation Study.

Recent studies have shown that left ventricle (LV) exhibits considerable transmural differences in active mechanical properties induced by transmural differences in electrical activity, excitation-contraction coupling, and contractile properties of individual myocytes. It was shown that the time between electrical and mechanical activation of myocytes (electromechanical delay: EMD) decreases from subendocardium to subepicardium and, on the contrary, the myocyte shortening velocity (MSV) increases in the same direction. To investigate the physiological importance of this inhomogeneity, we developed a new finite element model of LV incorporating the observed transmural gradients in EMD and MSV.

Ultra-broadband EPR spectroscopy in field and frequency domains.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a powerful technique to investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of a wide range of materials. We present the first combined terahertz (THz) field and frequency domain electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR/FDMR) spectrometer designed to investigate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of molecular systems, thin films and solid state materials in a very broad frequency range of 85-1100 GHz. In this paper, we show high resolution frequency-field (Zeeman) maps (170-380 GHz by 0-15 T) recorded on two single-molecule magnets, [Mn2(saltmen)2(ReO4)2] and [Mn2(salpn)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2, which give direct access to the field-dependence of the energy level diagram.

Copper alloy surfaces sustain terminal cleaning levels in a rural hospital.

Objective: To assess the ability of copper alloy surfaces to mitigate the bacterial burden associated with commonly touched surfaces in conjunction with daily and terminal cleaning in rural hospital settings.

Design: A prospective intention-to-treat trial design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of cooper alloy surfaces and respective controls to augment infection control practices under pragmatic conditions.

Setting: Half of the patient rooms in the medical-surgical suite in a 49-bed rural hospital were outfitted with copper alloy materials.