Polarized thermal emission from dust in a galaxy at redshift 2.6.

Magnetic fields are fundamental to the evolution of galaxies, playing a key role in the astrophysics of the interstellar medium and star formation. Large-scale ordered magnetic fields have been mapped in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies1,2, but it is not known how early in the Universe such structures formed3. Here we report the detection of linearly polarized thermal emission from dust grains in a strongly lensed, intrinsically luminous galaxy that is forming stars at a rate more than 1,000 times that of the Milky Way at redshift 2.6, within 2.5 Gyr of the Big Bang4,5. The polarized emission arises from the alignment of dust grains with the local magnetic field6,7. The median polarization fraction is of the order of 1%, similar to nearby spiral galaxies8. Our observations support the presence of a 5-kiloparsec-scale ordered magnetic field with a strength of around 500 µG or lower, oriented parallel to the molecular gas disk. This confirms that such structures can be rapidly formed in galaxies, early in cosmic history.

Intense star formation within resolved compact regions in a galaxy at z = 2.3.

Massive galaxies in the early Universe have been shown to be forming stars at surprisingly high rates. Prominent examples are dust-obscured galaxies which are luminous when observed at sub-millimetre wavelengths and which may be forming stars at a rate of 1,000 solar masses (M(middle dot in circle)) per year. These intense bursts of star formation are believed to be driven by mergers between gas-rich galaxies. Probing the properties of individual star-forming regions within these galaxies, however, is beyond the spatial resolution and sensitivity of even the largest telescopes at present. Here we report observations of the sub-millimetre galaxy SMMJ2135-0102 at redshift z = 2.3259, which has been gravitationally magnified by a factor of 32 by a massive foreground galaxy cluster lens. This magnification, when combined with high-resolution sub-millimetre imaging, resolves the star-forming regions at a linear scale of only 100 parsecs. We find that the luminosity densities of these star-forming regions are comparable to the dense cores of giant molecular clouds in the local Universe, but they are about a hundred times larger and 10(7) times more luminous. Although vigorously star-forming, the underlying physics of the star-formation processes at z approximately 2 appears to be similar to that seen in local galaxies, although the energetics are unlike anything found in the present-day Universe.

Utilizing collaborative practice to achieve quality outcomes in gentamicin administration.

An individualized weight-based gentamicin dosing program is used at this community hospital to achieve stable serum drug levels with optimal clinical outcomes. This program requires extensive communication between disciplines and because of its complexity, was identified by the nursing staff as being confusing to initiate and maintain. The authors report the work of an interdisciplinary team to streamline the ordering and administering process and to promote staff satisfaction in using the dosing program.

Patient education as a quality indicator in critical care: ischemic heart disease--recognition and response.

Medical critical care unit (MCCU) nurses at a VA medical center designed a quality assurance monitor for educating cardiac patients. Patients with a diagnosis of rule-out myocardial infarction are interviewed about their preadmission use of nitroglycerin and entry into emergency treatment facilities. The MCCU nurses teach a five-point "ischemic heart disease--recognition and response" lesson, and ascertain the patient's immediate level of understanding. If the patient returns to the MCCU at a later date, nurses record the appropriateness of his use of nitroglycerin and entry into emergency treatment facilities. Thus, both short- and long-term gains in patient knowledge are assessed. Solutions to problems encountered in the quality assurance monitor implementation process are discussed. Benefits of the project to patients, the nursing department, and other departments are identified. A sample monthly report and the monitor data collection tool illustrate the process. Future directions for patient education efforts in the MCCU are outlined.

Variability in measurements of pressure-volume curves in normal subjects.

Changes in lung elasticity as measured by the pressure-volume curve are used in clinical investigative studies to diagnose abnormalities in lung function and to evaluate changes in a patient either over time or with an acute intervention. To assess the intrinsic variability of parameters derived from this technique, 4 static deflation curves per day on 5 separate days during a 2-month period were constructed for 10 healthy adults. The pressure-volume data were fitted to the exponential equation: V = A-Be-KP. The coefficients of variation for maximal elastic recoil pressure, transpulmonary pressures at 90, 80, 70, and 60% total lung capacity, static expiratory compliance, and the constants A, B, and k were determined. No significant correlation was found between the variability of daily curves and that of curves performed on separate occasions. The natural log of the exponential constant showed the lowest coefficient of variation, indicating that this parameter is the most reproducible.