894 research outputs found
Information Content of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking
We propose a measure of order in the context of nonequilibrium field theory
and argue that this measure, which we call relative configurational entropy
(RCE), may be used to quantify the emergence of coherent low-entropy
configurations, such as time-dependent or time-independent topological and
nontopological spatially-extended structures. As an illustration, we
investigate the nonequilibrium dynamics of spontaneous symmetry-breaking in
three spatial dimensions. In particular, we focus on a model where a real
scalar field, prepared initially in a symmetric thermal state, is quenched to a
broken-symmetric state. For a certain range of initial temperatures,
spatially-localized, long-lived structures known as oscillons emerge in
synchrony and remain until the field reaches equilibrium again. We show that
the RCE correlates with the number-density of oscillons, thus offering a
quantitative measure of the emergence of nonperturbative spatiotemporal
patterns that can be generalized to a variety of physical systems.Comment: LaTeX, 9 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl
Utilizing RxNorm to Support Practical Computing Applications: Capturing Medication History in Live Electronic Health Records
RxNorm was utilized as the basis for direct-capture of medication history
data in a live EHR system deployed in a large, multi-state outpatient
behavioral healthcare provider in the United States serving over 75,000
distinct patients each year across 130 clinical locations. This tool
incorporated auto-complete search functionality for medications and proper
dosage identification assistance. The overarching goal was to understand if and
how standardized terminologies like RxNorm can be used to support practical
computing applications in live EHR systems. We describe the stages of
implementation, approaches used to adapt RxNorm's data structure for the
intended EHR application, and the challenges faced. We evaluate the
implementation using a four-factor framework addressing flexibility, speed,
data integrity, and medication coverage. RxNorm proved to be functional for the
intended application, given appropriate adaptations to address high-speed
input/output (I/O) requirements of a live EHR and the flexibility required for
data entry in multiple potential clinical scenarios. Future research around
search optimization for medication entry, user profiling, and linking RxNorm to
drug classification schemes holds great potential for improving the user
experience and utility of medication data in EHRs.Comment: Appendix (including SQL/DDL Code) available by author request.
Keywords: RxNorm; Electronic Health Record; Medication History;
Interoperability; Unified Medical Language System; Search Optimizatio
Most \u3cem\u3eCaenorhabditis elegans\u3c/em\u3e MicroRNAs are Individually Not Essential for Development or Viability
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a large class of short noncoding RNAs found in many plants and animals, often act to post-transcriptionally inhibit gene expression. We report the generation of deletion mutations in 87 miRNA genes in Caenorhabditis elegans, expanding the number of mutated miRNA genes to 95, or 83% of known C. elegans miRNAs. We find that the majority of miRNAs are not essential for the viability or development of C. elegans, and mutations in most miRNA genes do not result in grossly abnormal phenotypes. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that there is significant functional redundancy among miRNAs or among gene pathways regulated by miRNAs. This study represents the first comprehensive genetic analysis of miRNA function in any organism and provides a unique, permanent resource for the systematic study of miRNAs
Translation and Community in the work of Elizabeth Cary
Explores the role of female community within Elizabeth Cary\u27s translations and her play, The Tragedy of Mariam
User Guide for Luminescence Sampling in Archaeological and Geological Context
Luminescence dating provides a direct age estimate of the time of last exposure of quartz or feldspar minerals to light or heat and has been successfully applied to deposits, rock surfaces, and fired materials in a number of archaeological and geological settings. Sampling strategies are diverse and can be customized depending on local circumstances, although all sediment samples need to include a light-safe sample and material for dose-rate determination. The accuracy and precision of luminescence dating results are directly related to the type and quality of the material sampled and sample collection methods in the field. Selection of target material for dating should include considerations of adequacy of resetting of the luminescence signal (optical and thermal bleaching), the ability to characterize the radioactive environment surrounding the sample (dose rate), and the lack of evidence for post-depositional mixing (bioturbation in soils and sediment). Sample strategies for collection of samples from sedimentary settings and fired materials are discussed. This paper should be used as a guide for luminescence sampling and is meant to provide essential background information on how to properly collect samples and on the types of materials suitable for luminescence dating. La datación por luminiscencia proporciona una estimación directa de la edad del último momento en el que el cuarzo o los minerales de feldespato se expusieron a la luz o al calor y que se ha aplicado exitosamente a depósitos, superficies rocosas y materiales expuestos al fuego en distintos contextos arqueológicos y geológicos. Las estrategias de muestreo son diversas y pueden ser individualizadas dependiendo de las circunstancias locales, aunque todas las muestras de sedimentos deben incluir una muestra segura que no haya sido expuesta a la luz y material para calcular la tasa de la dosis. La exactitud y precisión de los resultados de la datación por luminiscencia están directamente relacionadas con el tipo y la calidad de los materiales muestreados y los métodos de recolección de muestras en el campo. La elección del material de estudio para su datación debe incluir las siguientes consideraciones en torno a la idoneidad de poder reposicionar la señal de luminiscencia (blanqueador óptico y térmico), la capacidad de caracterizar el ambiente radiactivo que rodea la muestra (la tasa de la dosis) y el que no exista evidencia de una alteración posdeposicional (bioperturbación en suelos y sedimentos). Se discuten las estrategias de muestreo para la recolección de muestras de contextos sedimentarios y de materiales expuestos al fuego. Este artículo debe utilizarse como una guía para el muestreo por luminiscencia y tiene la intención de proveer información básica de cómo recolectar muestras y sobre los tipos de materiales apropiados para la datación por luminiscencia
Effect of Palliative Care–Led Meetings for Families of Patients With Chronic Critical Illness: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Family caregivers of patients with chronic critical illness experience significant psychological distress
A maximum rupture model for the central and southern Cascadia subduction zone—reassessing ages for coastal evidence of megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis
A new history of great earthquakes (and their tsunamis) for the central and southern Cascadia subduction zone shows more frequent (17 in the past 6700 yr) megathrust ruptures than previous coastal chronologies. The history is based on along-strike correlations of Bayesian age models derived from evaluation of 554 radiocarbon ages that date earthquake evidence at 14 coastal sites. We reconstruct a history that accounts for all dated stratigraphic evidence with the fewest possible ruptures by evaluating the sequence of age models for earthquake or tsunami contacts at each site, comparing the degree of temporal overlap of correlated site age models, considering evidence for closely spaced earthquakes at four sites, and hypothesizing only maximum-length megathrust ruptures. For the past 6700 yr, recurrence for all earthquakes is 370–420 yr. But correlations suggest that ruptures at ∼1.5 ka and ∼1.1 ka were of limited extent (<400 km). If so, post-3-ka recurrence for ruptures extending throughout central and southern Cascadia is 510–540 yr. But the range in the times between earthquakes is large: two instances may be ∼50 yr, whereas the longest are ∼550 and ∼850 yr. The closely spaced ruptures about 1.6 ka may illustrate a pattern common at subduction zones of a long gap ending with a great earthquake rupturing much of the subduction zone, shortly followed by a rupture of more limited extent. The ruptures of limited extent support the continued inclusion of magnitude-8 earthquakes, with longer ruptures near magnitude 9, in assessments of seismic hazard in the region
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