Characterization of titanium alloy implant surfaces with improved dissolution resistance

The present work sets out to investigate the structure and chemistry of surface treated oxides (either aged in boiling water or air-heated) with improved dissolution resistance compared to conventionally passivated surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has demonstrated a significant reduction in oxidized aluminium associated with an ageing-based surface treatment. Angle-dependent XPS has revealed an increase in amphoteric-OH surface sites for the thermal treatments. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation suggests that these sites play a role in the improved proteinadsorption properties of these surfaces. These observations form the basis of a model which describes the influence of surface oxide on the kinetics of metal ion dissolution.     

玻璃两面重叠手印拍摄机理

根据斯涅尔定律和菲涅尔公式阐述清水衬底法消除玻璃下界面手印或玻纹的影像，以及用偏振光，紫外线拍摄玻面痕迹的方法和机理。     

High-temperature sensible-heat storage options

Alkali-metal carbonate salts meet the requirements for high-temperature solar central receiver systems, but because of their corrosiveness they present special problems in the design of storage tanks. In order to reduce corrosion and temperature sufficiently to retain strength in the storage containing wall, internal and thermal insulation is required. We present design options and operation criteria for sensible-heat, molten-salt storage with internal insulation.     

Nursing home food services linked with risk of malnutrition.

PURPOSE: Links between food service characteristics and residents' risk of malnutrition were examined. METHODS: Cognitively intact residents meeting inclusion criteria and living in one of 38 participating nursing homes were randomly sampled. The final sample consisted of 132 residents, who were screened for risk of malnutrition and completed a face-to-face interview questionnaire about dining experiences. Additional data came from participants' medical charts, and each institution's food service manager completed a written questionnaire. Frequencies and logistic regressions were used to describe the sample and to examine relationships between risk of malnutrition and food service characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 37.4% of participants were at risk of malnutrition. Food service factors, including food packages, lids, and dishes that were difficult to manipulate (b=0.285, p=0.009), bulk food-delivery systems (b=1.329, p=0.036), overall food satisfaction (b=0.253, p=0.044), menu cycle length (b=-2.162, p=0.003), and porcelain dishes (b=-0.345, p=0.052), all were significantly associated with risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings clearly show a need for nursing homes to modify certain aspects of food service that may increase the risk of malnutrition among cognitively intact residents.     

掺杂铁电纳米粉的液晶的电光特性

铁电纳米粒子悬浮在向列相液晶母体中，增强介电各向异性，而且对施加的电场信号敏感。本文也展示了纳米粒子对所述复合材料可实现的总的相变的作用。这种方法也许可应用于设计新型显示材料。     

Successful Aging

This issue's Works in Progress department presents six abstracts for projects that are developing interesting solutions to the elderly's quality of life challenges. The first two abstracts discuss projects that will help provide the elderly with freedom and independence by instrumenting their environments with supportive technology. The next two abstracts discuss projects building specialized user interfaces for addressing some of the challenges associated with aging, such as vision impairment. The final two abstracts present projects that will aid independence for the elderly by providing remote monitoring and assistance.     

'Sheltered disruption' of Neurospora crassa MOM22, an essential component of the mitochondrial protein import complex

MOM22 is a component of the protein import complex of the mitochondrial outer membrane of Neurospora crassa. Using the newly developed procedure of 'sheltered disruption', we created a heterokaryotic strain harboring two nuclei, one with a null allele of the mom-22 gene and the other with a wild-type allele. Homokaryons bearing the mom-22 disruption could not be isolated, suggesting that mom-22 is an essential gene. The mutant nucleus can be forced to predominate in the heterokaryon through the use of specific nutritional and inhibitor resistance markers. Cultivation of the heterokaryon under conditions favoring the mutant nucleus resulted in selective depletion of MOM22. MOM22-depleted cells did not grow and contained mitochondria with an altered morphology and protein composition. Protein import into isolated, MOM22-depleted mitochondria was abolished for most precursor proteins destined for all subcompartments. In contrast, precursors of MOM19, MOM22 and MOM72 became inserted normally into the outer membrane, defining a novel MOM22-independent import pathway which remained intact in mutant mitochondria. Furthermore, the specific binding of the ADP/ATP carrier to the outer membrane was unaffected, but subsequent transport across the outer membrane did not occur. Our data show that MOM22 is an essential component of Neurospora cells specifically required for the biogenesis of mitochondria.     

The neurotoxicity of sulfur-containing amino acids in energy-deprived rat hippocampal slices

The rat hippocampal slice preparation and its electrophysiology were used to assess the toxicity of two sulfur-containing amino acids, L-cysteate (CA) and L-cysteine (CYS). Both compounds were innocuous under normal conditions but became toxic in energy-deprived (lack of oxygen or glucose) slices. CA and CYS toxicity was apparent as both reduced the number of slices that normally recover their neuronal function (evoked CA1 population spike) after a standardized period of hypoxia or glucose deprivation (GD). The competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate blocked the toxicity of both CA and CYS in hypoxic slices, but it was effective only against CYS toxicity in glucose-deprived slices. The glycine antagonist 7-chlorokynurenate blocked CA and CYS toxicity in hypoxic slices but was unable to block their toxicity in glucose-deprived tissue. Perfusing slices with medium containing a high magnesium concentration blocked the toxicity of CA in both hypoxic and glucose-deprived slices, a treatment that was ineffective against CYS toxicity under either condition. Calcium depletion from the perfusion medium completely blocked the damaging effect of both amino acids in hypoxic slices, but it only partially blocked the toxicity of CA and did not block that of CYS in glucose-deprived slices. These results suggest that CA and CYS activate different NMDA receptor subsets and other glutamate receptor subtypes. Moreover, the results indicate a possible difference between the mechanism that lead to hypoxic neuronal damage and the one that lead to hypoglycemic neuronal damage.     

Cognitive shifting as a predictor of progress in social understanding in high-functioning adolescents with autism: a prospective study

The pyrolytic behavior of inulin, a (2-->1)-linked fructofuranan, is described. Parallel investigations of the pyrolysis of glucose and of fructose were conducted to supplement the inulin results and to aid comparison with previous results from glucans. Effects of neutral and basic additives are emphasized. As with glucans, the addition of such additives (especially basic) increases the yields of the one-, two-, and three-carbon products (as well as of hexosaccharinolactones), while generally decreasing the yields of anhydro sugar and furan derivatives. The former products include glycolaldehyde, acetol, dihydroxy-acetone, acetic acid, formic acid, and lactic acid. Mechanistic speculations are made regarding the origins of these compounds, as well as of furan derivatives and saccharinic acid lactones. Parallels with alkaline degradation are considered.     

Lung function measurement in general practice: a comparison of the Escort spirometer with the Micromed turbine spirometer and the mini-Wright peak flow meter

It is important that new types of spirometer for widespread clinical use are pragmatically evaluated in primary care. This study compared measurements taken by a new portable Fleisch pneumotachograph spirometer (known as the Escort) with those of the commonly used mini-Wright peak flow meter and the Micromed Pocket turbine spirometer. A pragmatic study was conducted in two phases during routine surgeries at Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton. Phase I compared the new spirometer with the mini-Wright peak flow meter and Phase 2 compared the new spirometer and the turbine spirometer. One hundred patients aged 5-88 years (56 patients with a history of chronic respiratory complaints and 44 patients without) entered Phase 1, and 100 patients aged 6-82 years (62 patients with a history of chronic respiratory complaints and 38 patients without) entered Phase 2. Each patient contributed only once to each phase, but some entered both phases on separate occasions. Ninety-five percent limits of agreement (mean +/- SD) were wide for all comparisons. Graphical plots revealed trends towards higher Escort values as mean values rose compared with both mini-Wright and turbine readings for peak expiratory flow rate and forced expiratory volume in one second. Possible over-reading of peak expiratory flow rate with the mini-Wright meter at low mean values was also seen. Readings taken with these different types of meter cannot be interchanged with confidence in clinical practice. The clinical significance of the theoretically more accurate measures of lung function produced with the new meter, and indeed of spirometry itself, needs further investigation.