Excitation of Cy5 in self-assembled lipid bilayers using optical microresonators

Due to their sensitivity and temporal response, optical microresonators are used extensively in the biosensor arena, particularly in the development of label-free diagnostics and measurement of protein kinetics. In the present letter, we investigate using microcavities to probe molecules within biomimetic membranes. Specifically, a method for self-assembling lipid bilayers on spherical microresonators is developed and the bilayer-nature is verified. Subsequently, the microcavity is used to excite a Cy5-conjugated lipid located within the bilayer while the optical performance of the microcavity is characterized. The emission wavelength of the dye and the optical behavior of the microcavity agree with theoretical predictions.     

Digestion of carbohydrate from white beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in healthy humans

An anatomic study of the ligamentous structures of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and their attachments on the ulnar styloid was performed using 27 embalmed cadaver wrists. The dorsal and palmar distal radioulnar ligaments of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in each specimen contained a superficial and a deep portion. The deep portion of both ligaments inserted on the fovea of the ulna. The superficial portion of both ligaments surrounded the articular disc uniting at the ulnar-most portion of the articular disc. The tissue that is between the ulnar aspect of the superficial ligament (and integrated on its periphery) and the ulnar capsule is defined as the meniscus homologue. Anatomic variations in the meniscus homologue and the prestyloid recess (the cavity adjacent to the ulnar styloid) were seen in 1 of 3 ways; the narrow opening type in 74% of specimens, the wide opening type in 11%, and the no opening type in 15%. The ulnotriquetral ligament inserted on the palmar-radial aspect of the base of the ulnar styloid and the ulnolunate ligament inserted on the palmar border of the articular disc.     

Production of monoclonal antibodies specific to Clostridium botulinum type B neurotoxin

Four monoclonal antibodies were produced for use in a rapid method to detect Clostridium botulinum type B neurotoxin. Cells of mouse myeloma cell line SP2/0 were fused with splenocytes of immunized BALB/c mice. An immunoblot assay of semipurified commercial neurotoxins of C. botulinum types A, B, C, D, E, and F was used to show specificity. All the monoclonal antibodies reacted with type B neurotoxin but did not cross-react with the other types. The monoclonal antibodies, separately and combined, did not neutralize the toxin in mice, and all showed specificity to the whole neurotoxin molecule and the heavy-chain component by immunoblot. No evidence of specific binding to the hemagglutinin molecule was noted. When tested against concentrated cultured supernatants of C. botulinum types A, B, E, and F, the 4 monoclonal antibodies reacted only against type B strains. They will be incorporated into a rapid assay with other specific monoclonal antibodies to detect C. botulinum neurotoxins from pure cultures or suspect foods.     

Videotherapy in the context of group therapy for late-latency children of divorce.

Although videotape has been used for a variety of clinical and research purposes, it is now being used in a unique fashion as a therapeutic tool in group treatment of late-latency children of divorce. The videotherapy takes the form of videotaped dramas staged by children, with the intent of making a "movie." The timing of its use is crucial, the child's stage of development is relevant, and its effectiveness is dependent on other therapeutic activities. Several differences appear to exist between videotherapy and usual role playing in therapy, chief of which is that the children invest their activity with more enthusiasm than is usually observed in therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

破碎空间系统中的步行人流和社区形态：马萨诸塞州波士顿实例

此论文探讨了在破碎的、可理解性低的空间系统中空间布局和网络组构对步行人流的影响,同时也评价了社区形态在形成不同尺度之间的关系中所扮演的角色,而这被认为是有助于产生城市生活的感觉和活力。在传统空间句法研究中“,可理解性”被定义为局部可达性(即连通性)与整体位置(即整体整合度)的相关度。传统空间句法理论认为在这些情况下空间和运动的相互关联度极低,从而将导致更低的可预测性,或者可称其为明显的随机运动形态。此论文建议对局部区域形态的仔细研究和重叠社区的边界分析,可以被用来理清复杂和难以识别的环境,以及它对步行运动的真实影响。通过多元回归分析和一种称为“相关性等高映射”的新技术对马萨诸塞州波士顿市的实例研究来探讨这个假设。“相关性等高映射”技术可以显示出复杂空间系统中的不同可预测性的边界,以及局部区域与其周边环境间新的内在联系。波士顿的例子(相关度r2在0.65～0.94之间)说明空间在对步行人流的影响中扮演着重要的角色,但是空间与不同的区域和使用者之间的关系并不是完全相同的。为了完全了解大规模城市建设对破碎的网络结构的干扰作用,就有必要认识局部区域形态和重叠边缘地带的影响。此研究以刘易斯·芒福德、简·雅各布斯、凯文·林奇和比尔·希利尔的社区形态和都市生活概论为基础。     

Esters of rosin and olefin epoxides

Rosin has been found to react extremely rapidly with commercially available olefin 1,2-epoxides to give hydroxy monoesters. These monoesters have been reacted further with rosin to give diesters. The diesters are ester gums, which are modified by the presence of a long aliphatic chain in the molecule. Preliminary results indicate that they are useful as tackifiers for SBR rubber. a Catalyst removed by acid wash. b Acid number 162, hylroxyl number 26, saponification number 183.     

An apparatus for the study of wear under dynamic loading conditions

A multipurpose wear testing apparatus has been designed, constructed and calibrated. The apparatus is primarily an impact wear testing device, but it may also be used for vibratory and oscillatory wear experimentation. The system utilizes a versatile displacement- and force-controlled device, which allows accurate control and measurement of the load cycles and their frequencies and the relative normal and transverse velocities between the wear surfaces as well as their time of contact. Features of this design permit testing at elevated frequencies and investigation of the effect of individual parameters on the wear process. These features include a facility to manipulate the system stiffness, the ability to control the impact and rotational velocities independently, feedback to maintain a constant nominal stress parameter, the ability to use spherical or cylindrical wear specimens and a method of applying the load and relative transverse motion in a constant, random or prescribed manner. The design facilitates modifications to include lubrication and environmental control, measurement of friction forces and fretting wear capabilities. Some initial results are included.     

Impedance spectroscopy of bismuth sodium titanate: Barium titanate ceramics with manganese doping

In this work we use Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) to study lead‐free ceramics of perovskite structure (Bi_1/2Na_1/2TiO₃)_0.925(BaTiO₃)_0.075 with Mn doping of 0, 0.2, 1.0, and 2.0 at.%. We compare our IS results with permittivity results, using dielectric to resistivity transformation equations which allow us to display results either as permittivity or as resistivity. We observe ionic conductivity dominating at lower temperatures, giving way to electronic conductivity at higher temperatures. The permittivity shows deviations from Curie‐Weiss behavior characteristic of relaxor ferroelectrics. The 0.2% Mn samples show the highest ionic resistivity, which will reduce heating for high voltage piezoelectric applications. They also have the highest Curie‐Weiss temperature and Burns temperature.     

Comparing the input, output, and validation maps for several models of land change

This paper applies methods of multiple resolution map comparison to quantify characteristics for 13 applications of 9 different popular peer-reviewed land change models. Each modeling application simulates change of land categories in raster maps from an initial time to a subsequent time. For each modeling application, the statistical methods compare: (1) a reference map of the initial time, (2) a reference map of the subsequent time, and (3) a prediction map of the subsequent time. The three possible two-map comparisons for each application characterize: (1) the dynamics of the landscape, (2) the behavior of the model, and (3) the accuracy of the prediction. The three-map comparison for each application specifies the amount of the prediction’s accuracy that is attributable to land persistence versus land change. Results show that the amount of error is larger than the amount of correctly predicted change for 12 of the 13 applications at the resolution of the raw data. The applications are summarized and compared using two statistics: the null resolution and the figure of merit. According to the figure of merit, the more accurate applications are the ones where the amount of observed net change in the reference maps is larger. This paper facilitates communication among land change modelers, because it illustrates the range of results for a variety of models using scientifically rigorous, generally applicable, and intellectually accessible statistical techniques.     

Electrochemically Driven Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Coating of Medical Implants

Calcium phosphates are of great interest for biomedical applications such as bone tissue engineering, bone fillers, drug and gene delivery, and orthopedic and dental implant coating. Here, the first electrochemically driven coating of medical implants using hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs) as building blocks is reported. This uncommon combination offers a simple, straightforward, and economic process with well controllable, pure, single‐phase HAp. Crystalline, pure HAp NPs are formed by precipitation reaction. The HAp NPs are dispersed by either citrate or poly(acrylic acid) to form pH sensitive dispersion. Controllable and homogeneous coating of medical implants is accomplished by altering the pH on the surface upon applying either a constant potential or current. The process involves protonation of the carboxylic acid moieties, which causes the irreversible aggregation of the HAp NPs due to diminishing the repulsive forces between the particles. Deposition is further demonstrated on a commercial dental implant. Moreover, the adhesion of the coating satisfies FDA and international standard requirements. A porous interconnected network of bone‐like HAp layer is formed during soaking in a simulated body fluid for 30 d and is similar to bone generation, and it therefore holds promise for further in vivo testing.