Products from NASA's In-Space Propulsion Technology Program Applicable to Low-Cost Planetary Missions

Since September 2001 NASA s In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) program has been developing technologies for lowering the cost of planetary science missions. Recently completed is the high-temperature Advanced Material Bipropellant Rocket (AMBR) engine providing higher performance for lower cost. Two other cost saving technologies nearing completion are the NEXT ion thruster and the Aerocapture technology project. Also under development are several technologies for low cost sample return missions. These include a low cost Hall effect thruster (HIVHAC) which will be completed in 2011, light weight propellant tanks, and a Multi-Mission Earth Entry Vehicle (MMEEV). This paper will discuss the status of the technology development, the cost savings or performance benefits, and applicability of these in-space propulsion technologies to NASA s future Discovery, and New Frontiers missions, as well as their relevance for sample return missions

Sex Differences in the Use of Early Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and purposeStudies show that women are more likely to receive do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders after acute medical illnesses than men. However, the sex differences in the use of DNR orders after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have not been described.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of consecutive patients hospitalized for acute ICH at a tertiary stroke center between 2006 and 2010. Unadjusted and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to test for associations between female sex and early (<24 hours of presentation) DNR orders.ResultsA total of 372 consecutive ICH patients without preexisting DNR orders were studied. Overall, 82 (22%) patients had early DNR orders after being hospitalized with ICH. In the fully adjusted model, early DNR orders were more likely in women (odds ratio, 3.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-6.70), higher age (odds ratio, 1.09 per year; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.12), larger ICH volume (odds ratio, 1.01 per cm(3); 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.02), and lower initial GCS score (odds ratio, 0.76 per point; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.84). Early DNR orders were less likely when the patients were transferred from another hospital (odds ratio, 0.28, 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.76).ConclusionsWomen are more likely to receive early DNR orders after ICH than men. Further prospective studies are needed to determine factors contributing to the sex variation in the use of early DNR order after ICH

Sex Differences in the Use of Early Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Studies show that women are more likely to receive do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders after acute medical illnesses than men. However, the sex differences in the use of DNR orders after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has not been described. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive patients hospitalized for acute ICH at a tertiary stroke center between 2006 and 2010. Unadjusted and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to test for associations between female sex and early (<24 hours of presentation) DNR orders. RESULTS: A total of 372 consecutive ICH patients without pre-existing DNR orders were studied. Overall, 82 (22%) patients had early DNR orders after being hospitalized with ICH. In the fully adjusted model, early DNR orders were more likely in women (odds ratio 3.18, 95% CI 1.51 to 6.70), higher age (odds ratio 1.09 per year, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.12), larger ICH volume (odds ratio 1.01 per cm(3), 95% CI 1.01 to 1.02), and lower initial GCS score (odds ratio 0.76 per point, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.84). Early DNR orders were less likely when the patients were transferred from another hospital (odds ratio 0.28, 95% 0.11 to 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Women are more likely to receive early DNR orders after ICH than men. Further prospective studies are needed to determine factors contributing to the sex variation in the use of early DNR order after ICH

Pneumonia in Military Trainees: A Comparison Study Based on Adenovirus Serotype 14 Infection

Background. Adenovirus serotype 14 (Ad-14) recently emerged as a respiratory pathogen in the United States, with studies suggesting higher morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine whether Ad-14 is associated with clinical outcomes in otherwise healthy patients with pneumonia