Policymakers have attempted to preemptively address the concern of ethical issues with the regulation of automated vehicles. Unfortunately, both policymakers and designers of these technologies struggle to articulate ethical issues and their resolution. We propose a framework that engineers and designers of automated technologies can apply that allows them to identify and resolve ethical tensions within the design task. We demonstrate the practicability of the framework to the engineering design process through a human-subject study where engineers applied the framework in a workshop.

Malnutrition is one of the most frequent geriatric syndromes and a key contributor to frailty. Ageing is commonly associated with modifications in eating habits with changes in appetite and food intake. Malnutrition is not only a sign of illness, but its presence increases morbidity, hospital stay, institutionalization, poor quality of life, in-hospital complications, expenses, and mortality. Hospitalized patients have increased calorie requirements to overcome the increased energy expenditure due to acute disease. We aimed to evaluate the actual consumption of the food offered to a sample of hospitalized older adults. Sixty hospitalized patients (women/men = 23/37) were recruited sequentially. After participants signed an informed consent, we evaluated their mean actual intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) at lunch during three consecutive days, calculated with a nutrition analysis software from the weighted food (first course, second course, side dishes) measured before and after consumption. Other parameters assessed included self-sufficiency by the capacity to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL, IADL), cognitive performance with Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), physical performance with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip dynamometry, EAT-10 test for the assessment of swallowing capacity, and anthropometric parameters. Mean ± SD of the main parameters assessed were as follows: age 77.8 ± 9.3 years, BMI 27.1 ± 8.7 Kg/m2, ADL 3.8 ± 2.0, IADL 4.1 ± 2.8 (indicative of compromise self-efficacy), MMSE 21.8 ± 5.9, SSPB 5.3 ± 3.1, handgrip dynamometry 16.5 ± 7.8 Kg (indicative of mild to moderate cognitive and physical impairment). The mean intake of macronutrients for the 3-day assessment was 65.7 ± 20.6% of carbohydrates, 74.3 ± 30.4% of proteins, and 47.4 ± 38.1% of fats of the total amount offered at lunch. Older patients tended to have lower intakes of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, while participants with higher SPPB had higher intakes of carbohydrates and proteins. The results of the present study show that hospitalized older adults, with compromised autonomy, physical and cognitive performance, had lower consumption compared to what is offered to them in the hospital despite their elevated nutritional needs due to the acute illness leading to hospitalization. Undernutrition and weight-loss are key factors associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to set appropriate nutritional interventions in hospitalized patients, particularly those with disability and cognitive decline. Early recognition and treatment of malnutrition are essential preventive measures to improve the quality of care, quality of life, and decrease mortality risk in hospitalized older adults.

The VISCACHA (VIsible Soar photometry of star Clusters in tApii and Coxi HuguA†) Survey is an ongoing project based on deep and spatially resolved photometric observations of Magellanic Cloud star clusters, collected using the SOuthern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope together with the SOAR Adaptive Module Imager. So far we have used >300h of telescope time to observe ∼150 star clusters, mostly with low mass (M < 104M⊙) on the outskirts of the LMC and SMC. With this high-quality data set, we homogeneously determine physical properties using deep colour-magnitude diagrams (ages, metallicities, reddening, distances, mass, luminosity and mass functions) and structural parameters (radial density profiles, sizes) for these clusters which are used as a proxy to investigate the interplay between the Magellanic Clouds and their evolution. We present the VISCACHA survey and its initial results, based on our first two papers. The project’s long term goals and expected legacy to the community are also addressed.

This 60 year old male developed a right hemiplegia and aphasia. A C.T. head scan showed a cerebral infarct which appeared hyperdense on a subsequent scan done 18 days after presentation. This was interpreted as indicating a hemorrhagic transformation resulting in discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy. At autopsy, the area of infarction in the left frontoparietal hemisphere appeared intensely green due to breakdown of the blood-brain barrier in the presence ofjaundice. A striking finding on microscopy was the presence of calcium salts throughout the area of infarction but most prominent in the grey matter at the periphery of the infarct corresponding to the areas which appeared hyperdense on the CT head scan and stained intensely with bilirubin. There was no evidence of recent hemorrhage. This case illustrates that calcification can occur within weeks after the onset of a recent cerebral infarct and should be considered when interpreting the development of C.T. scan hyperdensity in recent cerebral infarcts.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a review of health technology assessments (HTAs) in cervical cancer screening to highlight the most common metrics HTA agencies use to evaluate and recommend cervical cancer screening technologies.

Methods: The Center for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD), MedLine, and national HTA agency databases were searched using keywords (“cervical cancer screening” OR “cervical cancer” OR “cervical screening”) and “HTA” from January 2000 to October 2014. Non-English language reports without English summaries, non-HTA reports, HTAs unrelated to a screening intervention and HTAs without sufficient summaries available online were excluded. We used various National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) methods to extract key assessment criteria and to determine whether a change in screening practice was recommended.

Results: One hundred and ten unique HTA reports were identified; forty-four HTAs from seventeen countries met inclusion criteria. All reports evaluated technologies for use among women. Ten cervical screening technologies were identified either as an intervention or a comparator. The most common outcome metric evaluated was diagnostic accuracy, followed by economic effectiveness. Additional outcome metrics such as the use of adjunct testing, screening intervals, and age-specific testing were commonly evaluated. Nearly one-third (fifteen of forty-four) of HTAs recommended a change in practice.

Conclusions: This review highlights popular metrics used in HTAs for cervical cancer screening. Clinical and economic effectiveness metrics have been consistently assessed in HTAs, while the use of adjunct testing, screening intervals, and age-specific screening became increasingly prevalent from after 2007. Moreover, we observed an increase in optimized recommendations after 2007.

The metallicities of 15 Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) clusters are determined from the Calcium ii-triplet lines in spectra obtained using the FORS2 multi-object spectrograph on the VLT (Paranal, Chile). The metallicity distribution, metallicity gradient and age–metallicity relationship in the SMC are determined and analyzed using new and literature data for these and other, previously studied SMC objects. Only the main results regarding these topics are presented and discussed.

We present flux-calibrated integrated spectra in the optical spectral range of Galactic open clusters (GOCs) and Magellanic Cloud (MC) stellar clusters (SCs) obtained at CASLEO (Argentina). The SC parameters were derived using the equivalent-width (EW) method and the template-matching procedure by comparing the line strengths and continuum distribution of the cluster spectra with those of template spectra with known parameters. MC cluster reddening values were also estimated by interpolation between the available extinction maps. The derived ages for the GOCs range from 3 Myr to 4 Gyr, while those of the MC SCs vary from 3 Myr to 7 Gyr. E(B−V) colour-excess values in the MCs appear to be all lower than 0.17 mag, while those of the GOCs range from 0.00 to 2.40 mag. The present data led us to upgrade the spectral libraries of reference spectra or templates of solar and MC metallicities.

We present flux-calibrated integrated spectra in the optical spectral range of concentrated star clusters in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC-SMC), approximately half of which constitute unstudied objects. We have mainly estimated ages and foreground interstellar reddening values from the comparison of the line strengths and continuum distribution of the cluster spectra with those of template spectra with known parameters. Also reddening values were estimated by interpolation between the extinction maps of Burstein & Heiles (1982) (BH). A good agreement between ages and reddenings derived through the different procedures was found. The ages of the 27 LMC star clusters range from 5 to 125 Myr, while those of the 13 SMC vary from 4 to 350 Myr.

We have carried out a large-scale investigation of the metallicity and kinematics for a number of LMC and SMC star clusters using Ca ii triplet spectra obtained at the VLT. Our sample includes 28 LMC and 16 SMC clusters, covering a wide range of ages and spatial extent of the host galaxy. We determine mean cluster velocities to about 2 km s−1 and metallicities to 0.05 dex (random error), from about 7 members per cluster. Herein we present the main results for this study for the cluster metallicity distributions, metallicity gradients, age-metallicity relations and kinematics.

Integrated spectra of 17 blue Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) clusters were obtained in the (3600-6800 Å) range using the CASLEO (Argentina) 2.15 m telescope. The typical resolution and dispersion were 12 Å and 3.5 Å/pixel, respectively. Cluster ages were derived by means of two methods: the template matching, in which the observed spectra are compared and matched to template spectra with well-known determined properties, and the equivalent width (EW) method, in which diagnostic diagrams involving the sum of EWs of selected spectral lines were employed together with their calibrations with age and metallicity given by Santos & Piatti (2004), hereafter SP. The spectra were normalized to Fλ = 1 at ∼ 5870 Å. The EWs of H Balmer, KCaII, G band and MgI were measured within the spectral windows defined by Bica & Alloin (1986). We then obtained the sum of EWs of the 3 metallic lines (Sm) and of the 3 Balmer lines Hβ, Hγ and Hδ (Sh). As a first approach to get cluster ages, we used the diagnostic diagrams defined by SP. The clusters were then age-ranked according to the SP's calibrations. We used Sm to get a first age estimate using: log t(Gyr) = a0 + a1Sm + a2Sm2, where a0 = −2.18 ± 0.38, a1 = 0.188 ± 0.080 and a2 = −0.0030 ± 0.0032. We then used Sh to get a second age estimate guided by the previous Sm estimate, since from Sh two solutions are possible: log t(Gyr) = { − b ± [b2 − 4a(c − Sh)]1/2}/2a, where a = −6.35 ± 0.18, b = −8.56 ± 0.35 and c = 23.32 ± 0.20. The average of these two estimates is listed in column 7 of Table 1.

37 potential members of the red-giant branches of NGC 6192, NGC 6208 and NGC 6268 were observed in the UBV system, while 22 of them were also observed in the DDO system. The observations were made at La Silla and Cerro Tololo Inter-American observatories (Chile), using pulse-counting photoelectric photometers. Coravel radial velocities (RVs) were obtained at La Silla for 24 red giant candidates in the three clusters. Five stars of NGC 6192 have RVs in the narrow range -8.8 km/s < VR < -6.4 km/s, including two new spectroscopic binaries (SBs). Three stars of NGC 6208 – including a new SB – and three stars of NGC 6268 show similar RVs so that their physical membership to NGC 6208 and NGC 6268, respectively, is highly probable. Mean radial velocities are: -7.7 ± 0.38 km/s (NGC 6192), -32.21 ± 0.28 km/s (NGC 6208) and -15.11 ± 0.08 km/s (NGC 6268). We have also derived the following mean E(B-V) values from Janes (1977) iterative method: 0.63 ± 0.02 (NGC 6192), 0.31 ± 0.02 (NGC 6208) and 0.43 ± 0.02 (NGC 6268).

Dye sensitized solar cells of the Graetzel type are usually fabricated with TiO2 covered with dye after its synthesis as one electrode. ZnO is, aside from TiO2, a promising alternative semiconducting material for solar energy conversion due to its enhanced surface area and a strong attachment of non-aggregated sensitizer dyes. We investigate ZnO/dye electrodes where the dye is already added during the electro-deposition process of the ZnO. We examine the influence of the dye species and the dye concentration on the surface morphology by means of atomic force and scanning electron microscopy imaging. The electrical properties of the films are characterized by means of current-voltage measurements. In order to study the integral properties of the charge carrier transport in the lateral direction of the film we characterized ZnO thin films electro-deposited across an insulating gap between two microstructured electrodes made of gold.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a sleep disturbance that commonly occurs in Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Retrospective examination of DLB course has shown that RBD and cognitive decline may precede the onset of parkinsonism and visual hallucinations. Therefore, some patients with DLB may initially present with dementia and RBD, but would not meet current formal criteria for probable DLB at that time. The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with dementia and RBD, who do not have parkinsonism or visual hallucinations, have cognitive profiles that can be distinguished from autopsy-confirmed definite AD, but not from clinically probable DLB. If so, this would support the hypothesis that the presence of RBD and dementia, as the only presenting symptoms, reflects the early manifestation of DLB. Results show that early dementia in probable DLB and dementia with RBD are neuropsychologically indistinguishable. Both groups differ from definite AD of a similar early stage with significantly worse visual perceptual organization, sequencing and letter fluency but significantly better confrontation naming and verbal memory. In addition, follow-up data from a subset of patients with dementia and RBD reveal the subsequent development of parkinsonism or hallucinations 1 to 6 years later. Results indicate that the presentation of dementia and RBD is suggestive of underlying Lewy body disease and not Alzheimer's disease. This provides further evidence in support of including RBD as one of the core diagnostic features of DLB. (JINS, 2002, 8, 907–914.)

Within recent years, the development of polymer-fullerene plastic solar cells has made significant progress. In such devices, an efficient charge generation takes place via photoinduced charge transfer between the photoexcited conjugated polymer and acceptor-type fullerene molecules. Due to the paramagnetic nature of the radical species, the photoinduced charge transfer can be studied by means of light induced electron spin resonance (LESR) techniques. We carried out W-band (95 GHz) LESR at high magnetic field strengths. Two well separated line groups with a strong anisotropic structure were detected for the composite MDMOPPV: PCBM. From the line shape analysis, we obtained an environmental axial symmetry for the positive polaron P+ and a lower, rhomboedric symmetry for the fullerene anion. The signals were found to be independent of each other with different spin-lattice relaxation times; hence, the radical species can be investigated separately. In order to study the bulk transport properties, we carried out admittance spectroscopy on the ITO/PEDOT:PSS/MDMO-PPV:PCBM/Al device. Two frequency-dependent contributions to the device capacitance with the activation energies 9 meV and 177 meV were found. For the very shallow trap state, we assume a bulk impurity, whereas the latter one is assigned to an interfacial defect state, located at the composite- aluminium interface.

We studied the electronic transport properties of conjugated polymer/fullerene based solar cells by means of temperature and illumination intensity dependent current-voltage characteristics, admittance spectroscopy and light-induced electron spin resonance. The short-circuit current density increases with temperature at all light illumination intensities applied, i.e., from 100 mW/cm2 to 0.1 mW/cm2 (white light), whereas a temperature independent behavior was expected. An increase of the open-circuit voltage from 850 mV to 940 mV was observed, when cooling down the device from room temperature to 100 K. The fill factor depends strongly on temperature with a positive temperature coefficient in the whole temperature range. In contrast, the light intensity dependence of the fill factor shows a maximum of 52% at intermediate illumination intensities (3 mW/cm2) and decreases subsequently, when increasing the intensity up to 100 mW/cm2. Further studies by admittance spectroscopy revealed two frequency dependent contributions to the device capacitance. One, as we believe, originates from trapping states located at the interface between composite and metal electrode with an activation energy of EA=180 meV, and the other one is from very shallow bulk states with EA=10 meV. The origin of the latter is possibly the thermally activated conductivity. The photo-generation of charge carriers and their fate in these blends have been studied by light-induced electron spin resonance. We can clearly distinguish between photo-generated electrons and holes in the composites due to different spectroscopic splitting factors (g-factors). Additional information on the environmental axial symmetry of the holes located on the polymer chains as well as on a lower, rhombic, symmetry of the electrons located on the methanofullerene molecules has been obtained. The origin of the signals and parameters of the g-tensor have been confirmed from studies on a hole doped polymer.

This article investigates the electronic transport properties of ZnO/ CdS/ Cu(In,Ga)Se2 heterojunction solar cells during and after illumination or forward bias in the dark. We observe a relaxation of the open circuit voltage under constant illumination as well as a relaxation of the voltage drop over the device under constant forward bias current in the dark. Both phenomena are accompanied by an increase of the sample capacitance. We introduce a general quantitative model concept for the open circuit voltage relaxation and related effects in heterojunction devices that explains the phenomena as a consequence of the persistent capture of charge carriers within the space charge region. We apply our concept to develop a specific quantitative model for the observed metastablity in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 heterojunction solar cells.

Thin films of GaN and its alloy AlGaN are investigated with respect to their properties of the persistent photoconductivity (PPC). In this work, we show that the film-substrate interface plays an important role for the metastable electrical effect. Strongly absorbed bandgap light causes an increase of photoconductivity which is about one order of magnitude higher when the sample is illuminated from the substrate side near the interface than from the growth side. To access the interface properties at the substrate, we use temperature-dependent Hall effect measurements. The smallest PPC effect was observed for the GaN film with the best interface properties grown on SiC.

Thin films of GaN and its alloy AlGaN are investigated with respect to their properties of the persistent photoconductivity (PPC). In this work, we show that the film-substrate interface plays an important role for the metastable electrical effect. Strongly absorbed bandgap light causes an increase of photoconductivity which is about one order of magnitude higher when the sample is illuminated from the substrate side near the interface than from the growth side. To access the interface properties at the substrate, we use temperature-dependent Hall effect measurements. The smallest PPC effect was observed for the GaN film with the best interface properties grown on SiC.

The theory of r selection, favoring population growth, as opposed to K selection, favoring more efficient utilization of resources, has in recent years been applied by Rushton to contrast human ethnic groups in terms of their r/K reproductive strategies, suggesting the existence of a continuum from r groups, producing many offspring but providing little parental care, to K groups, producing few offspring but providing much parental care. Rushton's theory, which is largely based on ethnic differences in twinning rates, is here critically examined. It is pointed out that twinning rate differences are not necessarily genetic in origin since various environmental factors clearly play a role, and also that twinning, as a mode of reproduction, is not necessarily an r strategy, considering the high prenatal and perinatal selection to which it has been, and still is, associated. Moreover, Rushton misinterprets a number of relevant aspects related to the biology of twinning. The claim that ethnic differences in twinning rates provide evidence for an r/K typology in human populations with respect to reproductive strategies does not appear to be warranted.