We propose a new way to search for hypervelocity stars in the Galactic bulge, by using red clump (RC) giants, that are good distance indicators. The 2nd Gaia Data Release and the near-IR data from the VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) Survey led to the selection of a volume limited sample of 34 bulge RC stars. A search in this combined data set leads to the discovery of seven candidate hypervelocity red clump stars in the Milky Way bulge. Based on this search we estimate the total production rate of hypervelocity RC stars from the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) to be N HV RC = 3.26 × 10 −4 yr −1 . This opens up the possibility of finding larger samples of hypervelocity stars in the Galactic bulge using future surveys, closer to their main production site, if they are originated by interactions of binaries with the central SMBH.

Objectives-To analyse the attitudes of medical personnel towards terminally ill patients and their right to be fully informed. Design-Self-administered questionnaire composed of 56 closed questions. Setting-Three general hospitals and eleven health centres in Granada (Spain). The sample comprised 168 doctors and 207 nurses. Results-A high percentage of medical personnel (24. 1%) do not think that informing the terminally ill would help them face their illness with greater serenity. Eighty-four per cent think the patient's own home is the best place to die: 8.9% of the subjects questioned state that they would not like to be informed of an incurable illness. Conclusion-In our opinion any information given should depend on the patient's personality, the stage of the illness andfamily circumstances. Our study confirms that a hospital is not the ideal environment for attending to the needs of the terminally ill and theirfamilies. (7ournal ofMedical Ethics 1998;24:106-109)

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We report the distance and [Fe/H] value for the globular cluster NGC 5904 (M5) derived from the Fourier decomposition of the light curves of selected RRab and RRc stars. The aim in doing this was to bring these parameters into the homogeneous scales established by our previous work on numerous other globular clusters, allowing a direct comparison of the horizontal branch luminosity in clusters with a wide range of metallicities. Our CCD photometry of the large variable star population of this cluster is used to discuss light curve peculiarities, like Blazhko modulations, on an individual basis. New Blazhko variables are reported.From the RRab stars we found [Fe/H] UVES = −1.335 ± 0.003(statistical) ± 0.110(systematic), and a distance of 7.6 ± 0.2 kpc, and from the RRc stars we found [Fe/H] UVES = −1.39 ± 0.03(statistical) ± 0.12(systematic) and a distance of 7.5 ± 0.3 kpc. The results for RRab and RRc stars should be considered independent since they come from different calibrations and zero points. Absolute magnitudes, radii and masses are also reported for individual RR Lyrae stars. The distance to the cluster was also calculated by alternative methods like the Period-Luminosity relation of SX Phe and the luminosity of the stars at the tip of the red giant branch, and we obtained the results 7.7 ± 0.4 and 7.2 − 7.5 kpc respectively.The distribution of RR Lyrae stars in the instability strip is discussed and compared with other clusters in connection with the Oosterhoff and horizontal branch type. The Oosterhoff type II clusters systematically show a RRab-RRc segregation about the instability strip first-overtone red edge, while the Oosterhoff type I clusters may or may not display this feature. A group of RR Lyrae stars is identified in an advanced evolutionary stage, and two of them are likely binaries with unseen companions.