To date, however, the three-dimensional morphology of the vibrissal array has not been

characterized. Quantifying array morphology is important because it directly constrains the mechanosensory inputs that will be generated during behavior. These inputs in turn shape all subsequent neural processing in the vibrissal-trigeminal system, from the trigeminal ganglion to primary somatosensory (“”barrel”") cortex. Here we develop a set of equations for the morphology of the vibrissal array CH5424802 that accurately describes the location of every point on every whisker to within +/- 5% of the whisker length. Given only a whisker’s identity (row and column location within the array), the equations establish the whisker’s two-dimensional (2D) shape as well as three-dimensional (3D) position and orientation. The equations were developed via parameterization of 2D and 3D scans of six rat vibrissal arrays, and the parameters were specifically chosen to be consistent with those commonly

measured in behavioral studies. The final morphological model was used to simulate the contact patterns that would be generated as a rat uses its whiskers to tactually explore objects with varying curvatures. The simulations demonstrate that altering the morphology of the array changes the relationship between the sensory signals acquired and the curvature of the object. The morphology of the vibrissal array thus directly constrains the nature of the neural computations GSK2126458 that can be associated with extraction of a particular object feature. These results illustrate the key role that the physical embodiment of the sensor array plays in the sensing

process.”
“Purpose: To determine whether the presence of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order impacts on triage decisions 5-Fluoracil to a medical intensive care unit (MICU) of an academic medical center.

Methods: Data were collected on 179 patients in whom MICU consultation was sought and included demographic, clinical information, diagnoses, ICU admission decision, Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, and the presence of DNR order. Functional status was determined retrospectively using the Modified Rankin Score.

Results: The only factor that influenced MICU admission was the presence of DNR order at the time of MICU consultation (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.71, P < .006). There was no difference between the age, APACHE II scores, or functional status between admitted or refused. Medical intensive care unit admission was associated with increased length of stay without difference in mortality.

Conclusion: The presence of a DNR order at the time of MICU consultation was significantly associated with the decision to refuse a patient to the MICU. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.