Mass Difference of Tritium and Helium-3.

From cyclotron frequency ratios of HD^{+}/^{3}He^{+}, HD^{+}/T^{+}, and T^{+}/^{3}He^{+} we measure the mass difference between atoms of T and ^{3}He to be 1.995 940 8 (23)×10^{-5} u, corresponding to a Q value for tritium β decay of 18 592.071(22) eV.

Deuteron-to-Proton Mass Ratio from Simultaneous Measurement of the Cyclotron Frequencies of H_{2}^{+} and D^{+}.

By simultaneously measuring the cyclotron frequencies of an H_{2}^{+} ion and a deuteron in a coupled magnetron orbit we have made an extended series of measurements of their cyclotron frequency ratio. From the observed changes in H_{2}^{+} mass energy we have followed the decay of three H_{2}^{+} ions to the vibrational ground state. We are able to assign some of our measured ratios to specific rovibrational levels, hence reducing uncertainty due to H_{2}^{+} rotational energy.

Generative Retrieval Does Not Improve Long-Term Retention of Regional Anesthesia Ultrasound Anatomy in Unengaged Learners.

Background: Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is increasingly used in the perioperative period but performance requires a mastery of regional ultrasound anatomy. We aimed to study whether the use of generative retrieval to learn ultrasound anatomy would improve long-term recall.

Methods: Fourth-year medical students without prior training in ultrasound techniques were randomized into standard practice (SP) and generative retrieval (GR) groups.

Deuteron-to-Proton Mass Ratio from the Cyclotron Frequency Ratio of H_{2}^{+} to D^{+} with H_{2}^{+} in a Resolved Vibrational State.

We have measured cyclotron frequency ratios of H_{2}^{+} to D^{+} with sufficient precision to resolve the mass increase of H_{2}^{+} due to vibrational energy. Additional discrimination against excited vibrational levels was provided by increasing the rate of vibrational decay through Stark quenching. From our results we obtain a value for the deuteron-to-proton mass ratio, m_{d}/m_{p}=1.

Rotational Energy as Mass in H_{3}^{+} and Lower Limits on the Atomic Masses of D and ^{3}He.

We have made precise measurements of the cyclotron frequency ratios H_{3}^{+}/HD^{+} and H_{3}^{+}/^{3}He^{+} and observe that different H_{3}^{+} ions result in different cyclotron frequency ratios. We interpret these differences as due to the molecular rotational energy of H_{3}^{+} changing its inertial mass. We also confirm that certain high J, K rotational levels of H_{3}^{+} have mean lifetimes exceeding several weeks.

Atomic masses of tritium and helium-3.

By measuring the cyclotron frequency ratios of (3)He(+) to HD(+) and T(+) to HD(+), and using HD(+) as a mass reference, we obtain new atomic masses for (3)He and T. Our results are M[(3)He]=3.016 029 322 43(19)  u and M[T]=3.

Roles of type VI collagen and decorin in human mesenchymal stem cell biophysics during chondrogenic differentiation.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) induced towards chondrogenesis develop a pericellular matrix (PCM), rich in type VI collagen (ColVI) and proteoglycans such as decorin (DCN). Individual PCM protein functions still need to be elucidated to fully understand the mechanobiological role of this matrix. In this study we identified ColVI and DCN as important contributors in the mechanical function of the PCM and as biochemical modulators during chondrogenesis through targeted knockdown using shRNA lentiviral vectors.

Q value of ;{115}In --> ;{115}sn(3/2;{+}): the lowest known energy beta decay.

Using precision, cryogenic, Penning-trap mass spectrometry we have measured the atomic mass difference M[;{115}In]-M[;{115}Sn] to be 497.489(10) keV/c;{2}. Combined with the energy of the 3/2;{+} first excited state of ;{115}Sn [J.

Masses of 130Te and 130Xe and double-beta-decay Q value of 130Te.

The atomic masses of 130Te and 130Xe have been obtained by measuring cyclotron frequency ratios of pairs of triply charged ions simultaneously trapped in a Penning trap. The results, with 1 standard deviation uncertainty, are M(130Te)=129.906 222 744(16) u and M(130Xe)=129.

Improved measurement of the 1s2s 1S0-1s2p 3P1 interval in heliumlike silicon.

Using colinear fast-beam laser spectroscopy with copropagating and counter-propagating beams we have measured the 1s2s 1S0-1s2p 3P1 intercombination interval in 28Si12+ with the result 7230.585(6) cm{-1}. The experiment made use of a dual-wavelength, high-finesse, power build-up cavity excited by single-frequency lasers at 1319 and 1450 nm.

Dipole moment of PH+ and the atomic masses of 28Si, 31P by comparing cyclotron frequencies of two ions simultaneously trapped in a penning trap.

By trapping pairs of ions in a Penning trap, alternating each ion between large and small cyclotron orbits, we have measured the cyclotron frequency ratios 12C2H4+/28Si+, 13C2H2+/28Si+, 28SiH3+/31P+, and 16O2+/31PH+, all to <30 ppt precision. The 16O2+/31PH+ data exhibit a bimodal distribution due to the polarizability of the Lambda-doubling components of the PH+ ground state, from which we obtain the electric dipole moment of 31PH+, 0.331(8) ea0.

Mass and double-beta-decay Q value of 136Xe.

The atomic mass of 136Xe has been measured by comparing cyclotron frequencies of single ions in a Penning trap. The result, with 1 standard deviation uncertainty, is M(136Xe)=135.907 214 484 (11) u.

World Year of Physics: a direct test of E=mc2.

One of the most striking predictions of Einstein's special theory of relativity is also perhaps the best known formula in all of science: E=mc(2). If this equation were found to be even slightly incorrect, the impact would be enormous--given the degree to which special relativity is woven into the theoretical fabric of modern physics and into everyday applications such as global positioning systems. Here we test this mass-energy relationship directly by combining very accurate measurements of atomic-mass difference, Delta(m), and of gamma-ray wavelengths to determine E, the nuclear binding energy, for isotopes of silicon and sulphur.

Measurement of the 1s2s 1S0-1s2p 3P1 intercombination interval in helium-like silicon.

Using Doppler-tuned fast-beam laser spectroscopy the 1s2s 1S0-1s2p 3P1 intercombination interval in 28Si12+ has been measured to be 7230.5(2) cm(-1). The experiment made use of a single-frequency Nd:YAG (1.

Communication skills training in oncology. Description and preliminary outcomes of workshops on breaking bad news and managing patient reactions to illness.

Background: Cancer clinicians do not receive routine training in the psychosocial aspects of patient care such as how to communicate bad news or respond to patients who have unrealistic expectations of cure. Postgraduate workshops may be an effective way to increase interpersonal skills in managing these stressful patient encounters.

Methods: The authors conducted 2 half-day workshops for oncology faculty, one on breaking bad news and one on dealing with "problem situations.

Improving physician-patient communication in cancer care: outcome of a workshop for oncologists.

Background: Physicians caring for cancer patients receive little formal training in difficult communications such as breaking bad news, discussing life support, and addressing patients' emotional concerns.

Methods: The authors conducted a three-day workshop in communication skills for nine oncology attendings and three fellows. Topics for the workshop were selected by participants by a pre-workshop questionnaire.