Therapeutic death: A look at Oregon's law.

Oregon voters approved the first American statute authorizing physician-assisted suicide, the Oregon Death With Dignity Act, in 1994. The authors of this article identify some positive and negative psychological effects of laws such as Oregon's on patients. Generally, they conclude, on the basis of psychological theory and the available data, that laws such as Oregon's benefit patients psychologically. Undoubtedly, however, there exist important possible antitherapeutic effects on patients, and the authors hope that discussion of both therapeutic and antitherapeutic consequences will stimulate future research by social scientists in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Oligophenylenevinylenes in Spatially Confined Nanochannels: Monitoring Intermolecular Interactions by UV/Vis and Raman Spectroscopy

Perhydrotriphenylene‐based channel‐forming inclusion compounds (ICs) and thin films made of polyphenylenevinylene (PPV)‐type oligomers with terminal alkoxy groups are investigated and compared in a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Interchromophore interactions and host‐guest interactions are elucidated by UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The impact of the local environment of the chromophore on the optical and photophysical properties is discussed in light of quantum‐chemical calculations. In stark contrast to thin films where preferential side‐by‐side orientation leads to quenching of photoluminescence (PL) via non‐emissive traps, the ICs are found to be attractive materials for opto‐electronic applications: they offer high chromophore concentrations, but at the same time behave as quasi‐isolated entities of tightly packed, well‐oriented objects with high PL quantum yields and the possibility of color tuning.     

Eliciting patient preferences in today's health care system.

The American Medical Association Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs recommends that physicians discuss advance directives with their patients and the patients' proxies. The council could have gone further by recognizing the difficulties physicians will encounter in trying to implement its proposal in a managed health care system. There is an undeniable need for caregiver participation in end-of-life planning, but the health care system must recognize and support implementation of the council's recommendations to make that possible. More explicit recognition of this fact on the part of the council would have helped physicians attempt to comply with its recommendations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)