ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A computerized laboratory result paging system (LRPS) that alerts providers about abnormal results ("push") may improve upon active laboratory result review ("pull"). However, implementing such a system in the intensive care setting may be hindered by low signal-to-noise ratio, which may lead to alert fatigue. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an LRPS in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. METHODS: Utilizing paper chart review, we tallied provider orders following an abnormal laboratory result before and after implementation of an LRPS. Orders were compared with a predefined set of appropriate orders for such an abnormal result. The likelihood of a provider response in the post-implementation period as compared to the pre-implementation period was analyzed using logistic regression. The provider responses were analyzed using logistic regression to control for potential confounders. RESULTS: The likelihood of a provider response to an abnormal laboratory result did not change significantly after implementation of an LRPS. (Odds Ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.63-1.30, p-value 0.58) However, when providers did respond to an alert, the type of response was different. The proportion of repeat laboratory tests increased. (26/378 vs. 7/278, p-value = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Although the laboratory result pager altered healthcare provider behavior in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, it did not increase the overall likelihood of provider response.
ABSTRACT
High-resolution optothermal laser spectroscopy is reported for the C-H stretching vibrations of the binary complexes formed between monodeuterated acetylene and carbon monoxide and nitrogen. In contrast with a previous study of the corresponding C(2)H(2) complexes, where the C-H fundamental spectra were highly perturbed [R. D. Beck, A. G. Maki, S.-H. Tseng, and R. O. Watts, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 158, 306-317 (1993)], the present spectra are well described by a simple linear-rotor Hamiltonian. This is presumed to result from the fact that the C-H vibration in the monodeuterated complexes is decoupled from the intermolecular degrees of freedom. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
ABSTRACT
The cyclic water hexamer, a higher energy isomer than the cage structure previously characterized in the gas phase, was formed in liquid helium droplets and studied with infrared spectroscopy. This isomer is formed selectively as a result of unique cluster growth processes in liquid helium. The experimental results indicate that the cyclic hexamer is formed by insertion of water molecules into smaller preformed cyclic complexes and that the rapid quenching provided by the liquid helium inhibits its rearrangement to the more stable cage structure.
ABSTRACT
It is shown that in the low-temperature (0.37 kelvin) environment of superfluid helium droplets, long-range dipole-dipole forces acting between two polar molecules can result in the self-assembly of noncovalently bonded linear chains. At this temperature the effective range of these forces is on the nanometer scale, making them important in the growth of nanoscale structures. In particular, the self-assembly of exclusively linear hydrogen cyanide chains is observed, even when the folded structures are energetically favored. This suggests a design strategy for the growth of new nanoscale oligomers composed of monomers with defined dipole (or higher order) moment directions.
ABSTRACT
Small van der Waals clusters of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and mixed SF6-rare gas clusters were prepared inside large droplets of helium-4, with each droplet consisting of about 4000 helium atoms. A diode laser was used to measure the high-resolution infrared spectra of these clusters in the vicinity of the nu3 vibrational mode. In all cases rotational structure was observed, indicating that the embedded species rotate nearly freely, although they had been cooled to a temperature of 0.37 kelvin. The results indicate that helium droplets are probably superfluid and thereby provide a uniquely cold yet gentle matrix for high-resolution spectroscopy.
