Publisher's Note: Direct Lifetime Measurements of the Excited States in

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.122502.

Absence of Low-Energy Shape Coexistence in

The ^{80}Ge structure was investigated in a high-statistics ß-decay experiment of ^{80}Ga using the GRIFFIN spectrometer at TRIUMF-ISAC through γ, ß-e, e-γ, and γ-γ spectroscopy. No evidence was found for the recently reported 0_{2}^{+} 639-keV level suggested as evidence for low-energy shape coexistence in ^{80}Ge. Large-scale shell model calculations performed in ^{78,80,82}Ge place the 0_{2}^{+} level in ^{80}Ge at 2 MeV. The new experimental evidence combined with shell model predictions indicate that low-energy shape coexistence is not present in ^{80}Ge.

Lifetime Measurements and Triple Coexisting Band Structure in

Lifetime measurements of excited states in the neutron-rich nucleus ^{43}S were performed by applying the recoil-distance method on fast rare-isotope beams in conjunction with the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array. The new data based on γγ coincidences and lifetime measurements resolve a doublet of (3/2^{-}) and (5/2^{-}) states at low excitation energies. Results were compared to the π(sd)-ν(pf) shell model and antisymmetrized molecular dynamics calculations. The consistency with the theoretical calculations identifies a possible appearance of three coexisting bands near the ground state of ^{43}S: the K^{π}=1/2^{-} band built on a prolate-deformed ground state, a band built on an isomer with a 1f_{7/2}^{-1} character, and a suggested excited band built on a newly discovered doublet state. The latter further confirms the collapse of the N=28 shell closure in the neutron-rich region.

Enhanced Electric Dipole Strength for the Weakly Bound States in

An enhanced low-energy electric dipole (E1) strength is identified for the weakly bound excited states of the neutron-rich isotope ^{27}Ne. The Doppler-shift lifetime measurements employing a combination of the γ-ray tracking array GRETINA, the plunger device, and the S800 spectrograph determine the lower limit of 0.030 e^{2} fm^{2} or 0.052 W.u. for the 1/2^{+}→3/2^{-} E1 transition in ^{27}Ne, representing one of the strongest E1 strengths observed among the bound discrete states in this mass region. This value is at least 30 times larger than that measured for the 3/2^{-} decay to the 3/2_{gs}^{+} ground state. A comparison of the present results to large-scale shell-model calculations points to an important role of core excitations and deformation in the observed E1 enhancement, suggesting a novel example of the electric dipole modes manifested in weakly bound deformed systems.

Isomeric Character of the Lowest Observed 4

Previous experiments observed a 4^{+} state in the N=28 nucleus ^{44}S and suggested that this state may exhibit a hindered E2-decay rate, inconsistent with being a member of the collective ground state band. We populate this state via two-proton knockout from a beam of exotic ^{46}Ar projectiles and measure its lifetime using the recoil distance method with the GRETINA γ-ray spectrometer. The result, 76(14)_{stat}(20)_{syst} ps, implies a hindered transition of B(E2;4^{+}→2_{1}^{+})=0.61(19) single-particle or Weisskopf units strength and supports the interpretation of the 4^{+} state as a K=4 isomer, the first example of a high-K isomer in a nucleus of such low mass.

Direct Lifetime Measurements of the Excited States in (72)Ni.

The lifetimes of the first excited 2^{+} and 4^{+} states in ^{72}Ni were measured at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory with the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method, a model-independent probe to obtain the reduced transition probability. Excited states in ^{72}Ni were populated by the one-proton knockout reaction of an intermediate energy ^{73}Cu beam. γ-ray-recoil coincidences were detected with the γ-ray tracking array GRETINA and the S800 spectrograph. Our results provide evidence of enhanced transition probability B(E2;2^{+}→0^{+}) as compared to ^{68}Ni, but do not confirm the trend of large B(E2) values reported in the neighboring isotope ^{70}Ni obtained from Coulomb excitation measurement. The results are compared to shell model calculations. The lifetime obtained for the excited 4_{1}^{+} state is consistent with models showing decay of a seniority ν=4, 4^{+} state, which is consistent with the disappearance of the 8^{+} isomer in ^{72}Ni.

Evolution of collectivity in 72Kr: evidence for rapid shape transition.

The transition rates from the yrast 2+ and 4+ states in the self-conjugate 72Kr nucleus were studied via lifetime measurements employing the GRETINA array with a novel application of the recoil-distance method. The large collectivity observed for the 4+→2+ transition suggests a prolate character of the excited states. The reduced collectivity previously reported for the 2+→0+ transition was confirmed. The irregular behavior of collectivity points to the occurrence of a rapid oblate-prolate shape transition in 72Kr, providing stringent tests for advanced theories to describe the shape coexistence and its evolution.

Sacral neuromodulation stimulation for IC/PBS, chronic pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction.

This study aims to review the use of sacral neuromodulation in the patient population with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC), chronic pelvic pain (CPP), and sexual dysfunction. A literature review of the current research was carried out. This article highlights the current research findings and uses of sacral neuromodulation in patients with PBS/IC, CPP, vulvar vestibulitis, and erectile dysfunction. Current research on sacral neuromodulation on the abovementioned patient population has shown potential efficacy in pilot studies, though larger, multi-centered trials with long-term follow-up are needed.

Effect of repeated instillation of interstitial cystitis urine on the rabbit urinary bladder.

One theory for the etiology of interstitial cystitis (IC) proposes toxic substances in the urine. This hypothesis was tested in our laboratory by infusing urine into the bladders of rabbits twice weekly for six weeks. For the first study rabbits were treated by one-hour biweekly intravesical exposure to urine from a symptomatic interstitial cystitis patient, a normal volunteer, or physiologic saline. For the second study, animals were exposed to both a high and a low molecular weight fraction of urine pooled from 7 interstitial cystitis patients, 7 normal female volunteers, and physiologic saline. At the end of six weeks the animals were cystoscoped and the bladder was removed the following day for histologic and contractile studies. Post-distention glomerulations were observed in 3 of the 4 whole IC urine-treated animals and an ulcer identical to the classic "Hunner's ulcer" was seen in one of these animals. Post-distention petechial hemorrhages were also noted in all 5 of the high molecular weight IC urine-treated animals but in none of the others, suggesting a difference between IC and normal urine. These IC urine-treated groups also showed the greatest degree of histologic changes including edema and plasma cell infiltrates in the lamina propria, submucosa and perivascular tissue. However, there was no statistically significant difference in bladder capacity, micturition patterns, or contractile response of bladder strips. These results indicate that there are substances with nominal molecular weight greater than 10 kD in interstitial cystitis urine that induce changes in the rabbit bladder that resemble bladders of interstitial cystitis patients.

The interstitial cystitis symptom index and problem index.

OBJECTIVES: To develop 2 brief self-administered indices for measuring lower urinary tract symptoms and their impact in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC). METHODS: An initial set of questions was developed and evaluated in focus groups. The index was revised, shortened, and validated with patients diagnosed in 3 large urologic practices with experience in interstitial cystitis (N = 45). Controls were recruited from a group of healthy volunteers in a gynecology clinic (N = 67). Internal consistency, construct validity, and test-retest reliability were evaluated. RESULTS: The IC symptom index and the IC problem index measure urinary and pain symptoms and assesses how problematic symptoms are for patients with interstitial cystitis. Psychometric performance of both instruments is good, with the symptom index demonstrating excellent ability to discriminate characteristics between patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Both indices should be useful in the evaluation and management of patients with IC and should be particularly useful in clinical trials of new therapies for this condition, where reliable, validated, and reproducible outcome measures are critically important.

A diagnostic in vitro urine assay for interstitial cystitis.

OBJECTIVES: A low molecular weight urine factor that inhibits the proliferation of normal bladder epithelial cells in vitro was previously shown to be present significantly more often in the urine of patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) than in the urine of asymptomatic age-, race-, and sex-matched control subjects. We sought to determine the specificity of this finding for IC by determining whether the urine of patients with other urogenital inflammatory disorders also contains a factor that inhibits bladder epithelial cell proliferation. METHODS: Urine was collected from women with IC, acute bacterial cystitis, or vulvovaginitis, as well as from asymptomatic control women. The proliferation of primary normal adult bladder epithelial cells was determined by measuring 3H-thymidine incorporation in vitro. RESULTS: Osmolality- and pH-corrected urine specimens from 50 (86%) of 58 women with IC significantly inhibited human bladder epithelial cell proliferation compared with 3 (8%) of 36 asymptomatic control women, 7 (12%) of 58 women with bacterial cystitis, and 0 (0%) of 12 women with vulvovaginitis (P < 0.001 for the comparison of mean percent change in 3H-thymidine incorporation with IC urine versus urine from each of the control groups). Optimal sensitivity and specificity values of 91.4% and 90.6%, respectively, were achievable at a cutoff of 25% inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation, using all three control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of urine antiproliferative activity may be a useful noninvasive means for diagnosing IC in women.

Self-care regimens for patients with interstitial cystitis.

For those who suffer from interstitial cystitis, living with the condition is a challenge that requires creativity, patience, determination, and a sound set of coping mechanisms. Because of the high percentage of gynecologic and systemic manifestations of interstitial cystitis, a customized treatment regimen is often necessary to achieve the therapeutic goal of a remission in symptoms. Treatment philosophies should be based on the proposed causative mechanisms, and a multimodality approach to therapy is usually successful. Self-care regimens give the patient a sense of control by active participation in treatment, which often improves coping mechanisms. Treatment of the sequelae of chronic pain (anxiety and depression) often improves response to overall therapy. Remission is the goal, coping is the key, and creativity opens the door to treating this most perplexing of conditions.

Office urodynamics.

Each urologist can best form his or her own set of indications for and techniques of urodynamic evaluation or referral. Thus, what constitutes "office urodynamics" in one practice does not in another. The practicing urologist should at least have access to filling cystometry, flowmetry, residual urine determination, and voiding cystourethrography. All but the last named are certainly compatible with any office practice.

Who, what, where, when, why and how: technology assessment in a hospital setting.

Biomedical engineers have long seen that they have a role in the fields of equipment planning and technology assessment. This role has not been universally understood. Through sustained efforts we have shown that we can contribute to and should be involved in equipment planning. Efforts are now under way to demonstrate the need for and the role that biomedical engineering can play in technology assessment and ultimately in strategic planning. The paper examines the Canadian healthcare scene within the context of the Province of British Columbia, and more specifically the opportunities and challenges in the fields of technology management presented to an in-house biomedical engineering group at a hospital society in Greater Vancouver.

A review of the literature: Implementation and management of an on-site ergonomics program - the occupational therapist's role.

Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are a major problem facing industry and workers today. A successful ergonomics program can be designed by the occupational therapist (OT) to meet the unique needs of a company. It can help manage costs and control CTDs. The successful implementation of an ergonomics program requires a team effort and must include management, engineers, line supervisors, workers and the health care provider with a knowledge of ergonomic principles. A well designed ergonomics program should include surveillance activities, worksite job analysis and education and training of all employees. Solutions to identified problems can be developed through administrative and engineering controls and modification of work practices. This article reviews the role of the OT in the implementation and management of an on-site ergonomics program.

Depression, abuse and its relationship to interstitial cystitis.

This study evaluated the prevalence of depression, sexual abuse, and physical abuse among women diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC). One hundred forty-one subjects completed the validated Beck's Depression Inventory II Questionnaire (BDI-II) and the validated Drossman Abuse Questionnaire. Ninety-seven (69%) subjects scored 14 or higher on the BDI-II, corresponding to depression. When compared to the US prevalence of 9%, this was significantly higher. Fifty-one subjects (36%) reported sexual abuse which is higher than the US average. The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in the sample was not significantly different than the US average. The prevalence of physical abuse in the sample was not statistically different than the US average. Women with IC appear to have a higher prevalence of depression and sexual abuse than the general population. Women with IC should be screened for depression and abuse and referred to a mental health expert as necessary for treatment.