Class Test Generator

A combination of perl scripts and LaTeX files, this generates multiple multiple choice class tests from a single set of questions. You input a list of questions and answers into a text file. The script then produces any number of class tests that can be used, together with master answer sheets, by scrambling the order of the questions and the answers. Includes a detailed README file, but best just to try it and see.

Tidal volume single breath washout of two tracer gases--a practical and promising lung function test

Background Small airway disease frequently occurs in chronic lung diseases and may cause ventilation inhomogeneity (VI), which can be assessed by washout tests of inert tracer gas. Using two tracer gases with unequal molar mass (MM) and diffusivity increases specificity for VI in different lung zones. Currently washout tests are underutilised due to the time and effort required for measurements. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simple technique for a new tidal single breath washout test (SBW) of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and helium (He) using an ultrasonic flowmeter (USFM). Methods The tracer gas mixture contained 5% SF6 and 26.3% He, had similar total MM as air, and was applied for a single tidal breath in 13 healthy adults. The USFM measured MM, which was then plotted against expired volume. USFM and mass spectrometer signals were compared in six subjects performing three SBW. Repeatability and reproducibility of SBW, i.e., area under the MM curve (AUC), were determined in seven subjects performing three SBW 24 hours apart. Results USFM reliably measured MM during all SBW tests (n = 60). MM from USFM reflected SF6 and He washout patterns measured by mass spectrometer. USFM signals were highly associated with mass spectrometer signals, e.g., for MM, linear regression r-squared was 0.98. Intra-subject coefficient of variation of AUC was 6.8%, and coefficient of repeatability was 11.8%. Conclusion The USFM accurately measured relative changes in SF6 and He washout. SBW tests were repeatable and reproducible in healthy adults. We have developed a fast, reliable, and straightforward USFM based SBW method, which provides valid information on SF6 and He washout patterns during tidal breathing.

A robust reference signal generator for synchronized ventricular assist devices

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are blood pumps that offer an option to support the circulation of patients with severe heart failure. Since a failing heart has a remaining pump function, its interaction with the VAD influences the hemodynamics. Ideally, the heart's action is taken into account for actuating the device such that the device is synchronized to the natural cardiac cycle. To realize this in practice, a reliable real-time algorithm for the automatic synchronization of the VAD to the heart rate is required. This paper defines the tasks such an algorithm needs to fulfill: the automatic detection of irregular heart beats and the feedback control of the phase shift between the systolic phases of the heart and the assist device. We demonstrate a possible solution to these problems and analyze its performance in two steps. First, the algorithm is tested using the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. Second, the algorithm is implemented in a controller for a pulsatile and a continuous-flow VAD. These devices are connected to a hybrid mock circulation where three test scenarios are evaluated. The proposed algorithm ensures a reliable synchronization of the VAD to the heart cycle, while being insensitive to irregularities in the heart rate.

Assessing the function of the fronto-parietal attention network: Insights from resting-state fMRI and the attentional network test

In the recent past, various intrinsic connectivity networks (ICN) have been identified in the resting brain. It has been hypothesized that the fronto-parietal ICN is involved in attentional processes. Evidence for this claim stems from task-related activation studies that show a joint activation of the implicated brain regions during tasks that require sustained attention. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate that functional connectivity within the fronto-parietal network at rest directly relates to attention. We applied graph theory to functional connectivity data from multiple regions of interest and tested for associations with behavioral measures of attention as provided by the attentional network test (ANT), which we acquired in a separate session outside the MRI environment. We found robust statistical associations with centrality measures of global and local connectivity of nodes within the network with the alerting and executive control subfunctions of attention. The results provide further evidence for the functional significance of ICN and the hypothesized role of the fronto-parietal attention network. Hum Brain Mapp , 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structure-based assignment of the biochemical function of a hypothetical protein: A test case of structural genomics

Many small bacterial, archaebacterial, and eukaryotic genomes have been sequenced, and the larger eukaryotic genomes are predicted to be completely sequenced within the next decade. In all genomes sequenced to date, a large portion of these organisms’ predicted protein coding regions encode polypeptides of unknown biochemical, biophysical, and/or cellular functions. Three-dimensional structures of these proteins may suggest biochemical or biophysical functions. Here we report the crystal structure of one such protein, MJ0577, from a hyperthermophile, Methanococcus jannaschii, at 1.7-Å resolution. The structure contains a bound ATP, suggesting MJ0577 is an ATPase or an ATP-mediated molecular switch, which we confirm by biochemical experiments. Furthermore, the structure reveals different ATP binding motifs that are shared among many homologous hypothetical proteins in this family. This result indicates that structure-based assignment of molecular function is a viable approach for the large-scale biochemical assignment of proteins and for discovering new motifs, a basic premise of structural genomics.

A simple test of the vicarious trial-and-error hypothesis of hippocampal function.

Vicarious trial-and-error (VTE) is a term that Muenzinger and Tolman used to describe the rat's conflict-like behavior before responding to choice. Recently, VTE was proposed as a mechanism alternative to the concept of "cognitive map" in accounts of hippocampal function. That is, many phenomena of impaired learning and memory related to hippocampal interventions may be explained by behavioral first principles: reduced conflicting, incipient, pre-choice tendencies to approach and avoid. The nonspatial black-white discrimination learning and VTE behavior of the rat were investigated. Hippocampal-lesioned and sham-lesioned animals were trained for 25 days (20 trials per day) starting at 60 days of age. Each movement of the head from one discriminative stimulus to the other was counted as a VTE instance. Lesioned rats had fewer VTEs than sham controls, and the former learned much more slowly or never learned. After learning, VTE frequency declined. Male and female rats showed no significant differences in VTE behavior or discrimination learning.

Direct support, general support, and depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list : test stand, automotive generator, alternator, and starter (United Manufacturing Company model AGART type II, part number 7336 (4910-316-5252) and part numbers 7336-1, 7336-2, and 7336-3 (4910-767-0218)).

"December 1967."

Operator and organizational maintenance manual (including repair parts and special tool lists) : test stand, automotive generator, alternator, and starter, floor mounted, 10 to 50-V, 500-amp, DC, and 25 to 50-V, 100 to 400 amp, AC, testing ranges, w/800 to 11,000-RPM ... (United Manufacturing Company model AGARTS type II, part number 7336-1 ....

"November 1966."

Direct support, and general support maintenance repair parts and special tools list (including depot maintenance repair parts and special tools) for test stand, automotive generator, alternator and starter, floor mounted, 10 to 50-V, 500-amp, DC, (Sun Electric Corporation model AGT-9 and AGT-9A), (4910-767-0218).

Shipping list no.: 89-485-P.

Organizational, direct support, and general support maintenance repair parts and special tools list for test stand, automotive generator, alternator, starter, and associated equipment, model GASR-500 : part number 7458-2, 7458-4, NSN 4910-01-041-8161, 4910-00-767-0218.

"May 1987."

Direct support and general support maintenance manual : test stand, automotive generator, alternator, starter, and associated equipment, model GASR-500 : part number 7458-2 ....

"June 1981."

Organizational, DS, GS, and depot maintenance manual : test set TS-140/PCM : signal generator SG-15/PCM and SG-15A/PCM, and decibel meter ME-22/PCM and ME-22A/PCM.

Includes index.

Organizational, direct support, and general support maintenance repair parts and special tools lists (including depot maintenance repair parts and special tools) for test sets, motor-generator, AN/GSM-65 and AN/GSM-65A, (NSN 4920-00-348-5793).

Includes index.

Organizational maintenance repair parts and special tools lists for test sets AN/GGM-15(V)1 (NSN 6625-00-464-1702), AN/GGM-15(V)2 (NSN 6625-00-442-6131), and generator, signal ... analyzer, signal distortion ... oscilloscope ... dolly, test equipment V-434/GGM-15(V) (NSN 6625-00-435-7775).

Includes index.