The Delphi outer detector decision module: Lucifer

Lucifer, a fastbus module functioning as part of the Delphi track trigger hardware in the first- and second-level trigger sequences, is described. This module is designed for flexibility, ease of testing, and usage. These aims are achieved in limited area by extensive use of application-specific IC devices. Hardware implementation, control requirements, and data bus architecture are described     

Does nominal lineup size matter?

The minimum number of distractors required in a lineup varies across jurisdictions. However, available data do not support the importance of nominal lineup size as a criterion of lineup fairness. Two staged-crime experiments were conducted in which the central manipulation was lineup size. In the 1st experiment (N?=?192), lineup structure was varied by adding 0, 3, or 6 poor foils (persons not resembling the suspect) to a relatively good lineup containing the suspect (guilty or innocent) and 3 good foils (persons resembling the suspect). This manipulation did not significantly influence the rates of either correct or false identification. A 2nd experiment (N?=?270) was conducted in which 4, 8, 12, or 16 and 20 people were presented with all good foils. Once again, nominal size was found to have no significant effect on the rates of correct and false identification. The importance of nominal lineup size relative to other aspects of lineup procedure is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood: Recent evidence and future directions.

An overview of recent research on adolescent sexual activity, pregnancy, and parenthood is presented, with a focus on the dearth of knowledge concerning psychological precursors and consequences. Although the rate of teenage childbearing has decreased substantially this century, increasing rates of sexual activity, illegitimacy, and welfare receipt raise public concerns. New research is discussed that suggests that many negative outcomes previously ascribed to mothers' age are as much causes or correlates of teenage pregnancy as effects of it, although this claim is less substantiated regarding effects on children of teenage mothers. Literature on fathers and grandmothers is summarized, and suggestions are made for furthering this research. An overview is given of recent successes among intervention programs, and policy implications of the new federal welfare law are considered for teenage mothers and their children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Detection of postoperative myocardial ischemia by bedside ST-segment analysis in coronary artery bypass graft patients

INTRODUCTION: Inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) recently has been associated with mutations in genes coding for potassium (KVLQT1, KCNE1, and HERG) or sodium (SCN5A) ion channels involved in regulating either sodium inward or potassium outward currents of heart cells, resulting in prolongation of the repolarization period. We describe a new mutation, a -1 donor splice site mutation in a kindred with two affected members (QTc = 0.61 and 0.54 sec). METHODS AND RESULTS: Single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses were performed on DNA fragments amplified by polymerase chain reaction from DNA extracted from whole blood. Aberrant conformers were analyzed by DNA sequencing. SSCP analysis of the KVLQT1 gene revealed an aberrant conformer in the affected family members. DNA sequencing confirmed the presence of a G-->A change in the last nucleotide of codon 344. This mutation does not cause an amino acid change, but a change of the splice site characteristics at the 3' end of exon 6. The mutation may affect, through deficient splicing, the putative sixth transmembrane segment of the K+ channel, and this type of mutation has not previously been described in KVLQT1. CONCLUSION: The clinical course of LQTS in the affected family members, in whom no deaths occurred despite 20 to 30 syncopes, can be explained by the ability of the cellular machinery to perform partial correct splicing in the mutant allele. This type of mutation may be misinterpreted as a normal variant, since it is a point mutation causing neither an amino acid change nor the introduction of a stop codon.     

Junior doctors and clinical audit

OBJECTIVES: To assess the extent of junior doctor involvement in clinical audit, the degree of support from audit staff, and the perceived value of the resulting audits. DESIGN: Postal survey of National Health Service (NHS) junior doctors. SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS: 704 junior doctors in central Leeds hospitals, June 1996. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 232 respondents (33%), 211 (31%) were completed; 157 respondents (74%) had personally performed audit. Mean (+/- SD) duration since last audit project was 14.9 (14.1) (range 0-84) months. Of the respondents who had personally performed audit, 88 (56%) did not use the hospital audit department, 60 (38%) received no guidance and only 19 (12%) were involved in re-auditing the same project. Mean (+/- SD) time spent per audit project was 27.8 (37.7), (range 2-212) hours. Seventy-five junior doctors (48%) were aware of subsequent change in clinical practice, 41 (26%) perceived a negative personal benefit from audit, 33 (21%) perceived a negative departmental benefit, and 42 (27%) felt that audit was a waste of time. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of junior doctors are involved in audit projects that do not conform to established good practice and which have a low impact on clinical behaviour. Although junior doctors feel that there is inadequate assistance and poor supervision whilst performing audit, they still support the principle of audit. There is a need to improve the quality and supervision of audit projects performed by junior doctors.     

Comparison of Electronic Transport Measurements on Organic Molecules

We compile, compare, and discuss experimental results on low‐bias, room‐temperature currents through organic molecules obtained in different electrode–molecule–electrode test‐beds. Currents are normalized to single‐molecule values for comparison and are quoted at 0.2 and 0.5 V junction bias. Emphasis is on currents through saturated alkane chains where many comparable measurements have been reported, but comparison to conjugated molecules is also made. We discuss factors that affect the magnitude of the measured current, such as tunneling attenuation factor, molecular energy gap and conformation, molecule/electrode contacts, and electrode material.     

Human osteoclast formation and activity in vitro: effects of alendronate

A 10-center cooperative clinical study with a new formulation of epirubicin hydrochloride injectable solution (Epirubicin-RTU) was conducted in patients with breast cancer. One course of treatment consisted of one intravenous administration of Epirubicin-RTU at the dose of 60 mg/m2 followed by a 3-week drug-free interval and concomitant daily administration of oral cyclophosphamide at 100 mg/day during the period between Days 1 through 14. At least, two courses of treatment were given. Among 20 registered cases, all 20 cases were eligible and 16 cases completed the whole course of the study. In 16 completers, PR was observed in 5 cases, indicating the efficacy rate of 31.3% (5/16).. No local irritation was observed at the injection sites. Adverse reactions frequently observed were leukopenia, neutropenia, anorexia, alopecia, and nausea/vomiting, which were all reversible and tolerable. From the above results, Adverse reactions both locally and systemically were tolerable. Intravenous administration of Epirubicin-RTU was considered to be useful for the treatment of breast cancer.