An evaluation of the implementation of a parent-led, games-based physical activity intervention: the Active Play at Home quasi-randomized trial.

Trial Registration: NCT02058342. Registered 6 February 2014 retrospectively registered.

High-shear, jet-cooking, and alkali treatment of corn distillers' dried grains to obtain products with enhanced protein, oil and phenolic antioxidants.

Distillers dried grains (DDG) have potential to be a nutritionally important source of protein, oil and phenolic antioxidants. DDG was subjected to high-shear and jet-cooking, with or without alkaline pH adjustment and autoclaving. Soluble and insoluble fractions were analyzed for protein, oil and ash. Extracts were analyzed for phenolic acids and antioxidant activity. Protein contents were significantly elevated in the insoluble fractions after treatment and the oil content was drastically increased in the insoluble fraction after high-shear and jet-cooking without pH adjustment. Alkaline pH adjustment resulted in a soluble fraction that was highest in phenolic acids, but not antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity was found in the 50% ethanol extract from DDG that had been subjected to high-shear and jet-cooking. These results suggest that high-shear and jet-cooking may be useful processing treatments to increase the value of DDG by producing fractions high in protein, oil and extractable phenolic acids with high antioxidant activity. The DDG fractions and extracts described herein may be useful as food and nutraceutical ingredients, and, if used for these applications, will increase the value of DDG and ease economic burdens on ethanol producers, allowing them to compete in the bio-fuel marketplace.

Nuclear eclectic power.

The uranium and thorium resources, the technology, and the social impacts all seem to presage an even sharper increase in nuclear power for electric generation than had hitherto been predicted. There are more future consequences. The "hydrogen economy." Nuclear power plants operate best at constant power and full load. Thus, a largely nuclear electric economy has the problem of utilizing substantial off-peak capacity; the additional energy generation can typically be half the normal daily demand. Thus, the option of generating hydrogen as a nonpolluting fuel receives two boosts: excess nuclear capacity to produce it, plus much higher future costs for oil and natural gas. However, the so-called "hydrogen economy" must await the excess capacity, which will not occur until the end of the century. Nonelectric uses. By analyses similar to those performed here, raw nuclear heat can be shown to be cheaper than heat from many other fuel sources, especially nonpolluting ones. This will be particularly true as domestic natural gas supplies become more scarce. Nuclear heat becomes attractive for industrial purposes, and even for urban district heating, provided (i) the temperature is high enough (this is no problem for district heating, but could be for industry; the HTGR's and breeders, with 600 degrees C or more available, have the advantage); (ii) there is a market for large quantities (a heat rate of 3800 Mw thermal, the reactor size permitted today, will heat Boston, with some to spare); and (iii) the social costs become more definitely resolved in favor of nuclear power. Capital requirements. Nuclear-electric installations are very capital-intensive. One trillion dollars for the plants, backup industry, and so forth is only 2 percent of the total gross national product (GNP) between 1974 and 2000, at a growth rate of 4 percent per year. But capital accumulation tends to run at about 10 percent of the GNP, so the nuclear requirements make a sizable perturbation. Also increasing the electric share of energy provision means increasing electric power utilization, which has a high technological content and demands yet more capital. Thus, provision of capital is a major problem ahead, especially for electric utilities. The need for people. The supply of available trained technologists, environmental engineers, and so on, especially in the architect-engineer profession, is insufficient for the task ahead, especially since the same categories of people will be in demand to build up a synthetic fuels industry and do other new things. Beyond these specific items and beyond the technological discussion, one can feel deeper currents running in this debate. Issues that started out seeming technological ended up being mainly societal: prevention of clandestine use, either by vigilance or by public spirit; a determination to maintain quality and to safeguard wastes that transcends narrow interests; a perception of social benefits and damage much more holistic than before; the need to manage programs more openly and better than before. Questions and doubts become more acute, answers and methods less sure. Here is a final question. We have never before been given a virtually infinite resource of something we craved. So far, increasingly large amounts of energy have been used to turn resources into junk, from which activity we derive ephemeral benefit and pleasure; the track record is not too good. What will we do now?

Disposal of Nuclear Wastes: At an increased but still modest cost, more options can be explored and the outlook can be improved.

For the present and the foreseeable future the following options appear to be either usable or worth further exploration: mausolea; disposal in mines of various sorts, and perhaps in ice; in situ melt; and further chemical separations. The options are interdependent. It is too early to assess disposal in space, and disposal in the oceans remains unsafe for lack of adequate knowledge. Table 3 is a summary of the main ideas for which we have worked out (sometimes uncertain) costs. For the short term, ultimate disposal in deep mines is the best-developed plan. However, the related concept of in situ melt has significant advantages and should be realistically appraised. Further chemical separation with subsequent recycling of the actinides in a LMFBR should be investigated and implemented, for it would be universally beneficial; on the other hand, additional removal of strontium and cesium does not seem attractive. Thus, for the near future we make the following recommendations: 1) Provide temporary storage facilities to ensure that the projected commercial high-level wastes do not become a public hazard. The AEC adopts this view, and has stated an intention to construct such facilities. But because of the capriciousness of man and nature, a workable ultimate disposal scheme must be developed soon. 2) Fund other ultimate disposal schemes at the same rate as the salt mine project-say $1 million a year or more-to sharpen the technological issues, so that a decision can be reached in the next few years. The schemes should include (i) in situ melt, and the variation with a central repository; (ii) burial in mines other than salt mines (including Antarctic rocks and permanent ice); (iii) further chemical separation of actinides and recycling actinides in a LMFBR. 3) Maintain liaison with the developing space shuttle technology to insure that no opportunity is lost. The AEC has a commitment to hold safety foremost in its waste management program, but budget considerations and management priorities have downgraded the program. Past funding levels and management emphasis have yet to produce, after a decade and a half, one operational long-term storage facility-a sign of both commendable caution and inadequate work. If nuclear power is to resolve our energy needs in the coming decades, its benefits should not be delayed for lack of a viable management program for high-level wastes.

The complete genome sequence of Escherichia coli K-12.

The 4,639,221-base pair sequence of Escherichia coli K-12 is presented. Of 4288 protein-coding genes annotated, 38 percent have no attributed function. Comparison with five other sequenced microbes reveals ubiquitous as well as narrowly distributed gene families; many families of similar genes within E. coli are also evident. The largest family of paralogous proteins contains 80 ABC transporters. The genome as a whole is strikingly organized with respect to the local direction of replication; guanines, oligonucleotides possibly related to replication and recombination, and most genes are so oriented. The genome also contains insertion sequence (IS) elements, phage remnants, and many other patches of unusual composition indicating genome plasticity through horizontal transfer.

The complete DNA sequence and analysis of R27, a large IncHI plasmid from Salmonella typhi that is temperature sensitive for transfer.

Salmonella typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever, annually infects 16 million people and kills 600 000 world wide. Plasmid-encoded multiple drug resistance in S. typhi is always encoded by plasmids of incompatibility group H (IncH). The complete DNA sequence of the large temperature-sensitive conjugative plasmid R27, the prototype for the IncHI1 family of plasmids, has been compiled and analyzed. This 180 kb plasmid contains 210 open reading frames (ORFs), of which 14 have been previously identified and 56 exhibit similarity to other plasmid and prokaryotic ORFs. A number of insertion elements were found, including the full Tn 10 transposon, which carries tetracycline resistance genes. Two transfer regions, Tra1 and Tra2, are present, which are separated by a minimum of 64 kb. Homologs of the DNA-binding proteins TlpA and H-NS that act as temperature-regulated repressors in other systems have been located in R27. Sequence analysis of transfer and replication regions supports a mosaic-like structure for R27. The genes responsible for conjugation and plasmid maintenance have been identified and mechanisms responsible for thermosensitive transfer are discussed.

Inkjet dispensing technology: applications in drug discovery.

The past year has seen significant advances in the reduction to practice of inkjet dispensing technology in drug discovery applications. Although much of the work in this area has been done by relatively few 'early innovators', broader acceptance of the feasibility of the use of inkjet dispensing is on the rise. Of the three main areas of drug discovery - genomics, high-throughput screening, and combinatorial chemistry - high-throughput screening has had the most applications to date. The burgeoning field of genomics has seen rapid incorporation of technologies that enable miniaturization of gene expression experiments. Inkjet dispensing has a clear role in this effort. Finally, as the miniaturization needs of combinatorial chemistry become more clear, inkjet dispensing technology will potentially play a role.

Novel phosphotransferase-encoding genes revealed by analysis of the Escherichia coli genome: a chimeric gene encoding an Enzyme I homologue that possesses a putative sensory transduction domain.

Two genes (ptsI and ptsA) that encode homologues of the energy coupling Enzyme I of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar-transporting phosphotransferase system (PTS) have previously been identified on the Escherichia coli chromosome. We here report the presence of a third E. coli gene, designated ptsP, that encodes an Enzyme I homologue, here designated Enzyme INtr. Enzyme INtr possesses an N-terminal domain homologous to the N-terminal domains of NifA proteins [(127 amino acids (aa)] joined via two tandem flexible linkers to the C-terminal Enzyme I-like domain (578 aa). Structural features of the putative ptsP operon, including transcriptional regulatory signals, are characterized. We suggest that Enzyme INtr functions in transcriptional regulation of nitrogen-related operons together with previously described PTS proteins encoded within the rpoN operon. It may thereby provide a link between carbon and nitrogen assimilatory pathways.

Subdivision of the Escherichia coli K-12 genome for sequencing: manipulation and DNA sequence of transposable elements introducing unique restriction sites.

A transposon-based method of introducing unique restriction sites was used for subdivision of the Escherichia coli genome into a contiguous series of large non-overlapping segments spanning 2.5Mb. The segments, sizes ranging from 150 to 250kb, were isolated from the chromosome using the inserted restriction sites and shotgun cloned into an M13 vector for DNA sequencing. These shotgun sizes proved easily manageable, allowing the genomic sequence of E. coli to be completed more efficiently and rapidly than was possible by previously available methods. The 9bp duplication generated during transposition was used as a tag for accurate splicing of the segments; no further sequence redundancy at the junction sites was needed. The system is applicable to larger genomes even if they are not already well-characterized. We present the technology for segment sequencing, results of applying this method to E. coli, and the sequences of the transposon cassettes.

Can the control of bodily orientation be significantly improved in a group of older adults with a history of falls?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term effectiveness of a biofeedback-based, computerized intervention that applied the principles of the ecological theory of perception and control of bodily orientation to the rehabilitation of older adults with a history of falling. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five older adults (X = 78.5 years) with a history of falls were assigned to either a control (n = 21) or intervention group (n = 24). DESIGN: A 2 x 2 (Group x Time) mixed factorial design with repeated measures on the second factor. SETTING: A motor control research laboratory in a university setting. MEASUREMENT: Impairments in multiple dimensions of balance (i.e., dynamic postural control and sensory organization) were measured before and after an 8-week balance intervention using the 100% Limits of Stability Test and Sensory Organization Test. More functional limitations in balance and/or mobility were measured using two clinical tests: Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go test. MAIN RESULTS: Repeated measures multivariate analyses and follow-up testing indicated significant improvements in the dynamic balance and sensory integration capabilities in the case of the intervention group only (P < .03). Significant improvements were also observed in the two clinical measures of balance and mobility evaluated before and after the intervention for the intervention group only. CONCLUSIONS: Theory-driven rehabilitation programs that focus on manipulating individual, task, and environmental constraints concurrently can significantly improve the control of bodily orientation of older adults with a previous history of falls in both static and dynamic action environments. Moreover, the significant improvements in functional performance observed for the intervention group suggest that interventions emphasizing task-specific practice are not the only means by which an older adult's ability to perform daily activities requiring postural control can be improved.

Arthroscopic treatment of synovial impingement of the ankle.

Twenty-nine cases of operative arthroscopy of the ankle were done between 1985 and 1989 for synovial impingement of the ankle. The average age of the patients was 37 years. All patients (17 men, 12 women) reported an earlier history of injury, with 24 of the patients (83%) noting chronic ankle pain after an inversion injury and 5 of the patients (17%) reporting a previous ankle fracture. Physical examination elicited anterolateral tenderness at the ankle in all cases with associated anteromedial pain in 4 patients. A demonstrable "click" was evident in 6 of the patients (21%) on forced dorsiflexion of the ankle. All patients failed conservative treatment including physical therapy and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Surgery was performed at an average of 36 months postinjury. Ankle arthroscopy revealed extensive hypertrophic synovial thickening and scar tissue anterolaterally, indicating synovial impingement in all patients. Associated chondromalacia of the distal tibia was seen in 21% of the patients. Operative arthroscopy included partial synovectomy and debridement of the hypertrophic tissue and partial shaving chondroplasty of the tibia when indicated. Postoperatively, patients were weightbearing as tolerated. Results were assessed subjectively and objectively. At 25-month followup 26 patients had excellent or good results and 3 had fair results; there were no poor results. There were no major complications, including infection or neurovascular compromise. The 3 patients with associated ankle instability comprised the "fair" result group and eventually required lateral ankle reconstruction. Thus, chronic ankle pain due to synovial impingement can be safely, predictably, and effectively treated by operative ankle arthroscopy.

Arthroscopic diagnosis and management of ochronotic arthropathy of the knee.

Ochronotic arthropathy is a progressive joint disorder resulting from the deposition of a derivative of homogentisic acid into connective tissues, especially meniscal and articular cartilage. Patients may present with symptoms, physical examination results, and radiographic changes consistent with degenerative joint disease. We present a case in which an operative arthroscopy of the knee was highly suggestive of ochronotic arthropathy. The definitive diagnosis of ochronosis was subsequently confirmed by laboratory and pathologic evaluation.

Arthroscopic treatment of an intra-articular lipoma of the knee joint.

Intra-articular lipoma is an exceedingly rare diagnosis. There have been less than 15 documented cases of an intra-articular lipoma of the knee joint. This report presents the first description of an intra-articular knee lipoma treated entirely by arthroscopic methods. Preoperative history, examination, and imaging studies are reviewed. Intraoperative findings, treatment, and postoperative evaluation are discussed as well. Symptomatic intra-articular lipoma of the knee joint can be successfully treated by arthroscopic resection. Differentiating intra-articular lipoma from lipoma arborescens, a similar but more common condition, is important with regards to optimal treatment.

The role of attention in one-handed catching.

The present study investigated the contribution of attention to one-handed catching success. A group of skilled (n = 8) and less skilled (n = 9) male subjects were compared in their ability to process secondary task information while executing a primary one-handed catching task. On 40% of the trials, a secondary visual stimulus (SVS) was presented in the peripheral visual field at predetermined times during the flight of the ball. On these trials, the subject was required to complete the one-handed catch and immediately throw the ball at a stationary target. Less skilled subjects made significantly more catching errors under both normal viewing and dual-task processing conditions. The differences were due to errors of positioning rather than grasping. Positioning of the hand appears to require visual attention regardless of skill level, as both skill groups experienced increased difficulty processing secondary task information as the ball approached the catching hand.

Arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulorrhaphy for anterior shoulder instability.

The role of arthroscopic procedures in the management of glenohumeral stability continues to evolve. Arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulorrhaphy, as described, is an effective alternative for correcting the pathology of anterior and anteroinferior shoulder instability. The procedure avoids the morbidity associated with open repairs as a result of anterior soft tissue dissection and division of the subscapularis. The procedure, however, is technically demanding. To achieve predictable and reproducible results that approach those seen in comparable patient populations undergoing open Bankart stabilization, recognition of, and addressing, the responsible pathology is essential, as is appropriate patient selection. Based upon experience to date, arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulorraphy is best indicated for traumatic anterior dislocators with a Bankart lesion and good quality glenohumeral ligaments. Arthroscopic suture capsulorrhaphy is not recommended for patients involved in upper extremity collision sports, those with a large glenoid rim defect, habitual luxators, patients younger than 18 years of age, and for surgeons whose experience with operative arthroscopy of the shoulder is limited. The procedure has an unresolved role, due to lack of sufficient long-term data in acute dislocations, multidirectional instability, those with previously failed open or arthroscopic repairs, and those with generalized joint hyperlaxity. The eventual role of arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulorrhaphy in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability awaits further studies and technological innovation.

The relative effectiveness of three forms of visual knowledge of results on peak torque output.

Therapists often search for more efficient and effective ways to provide patients with information regarding their performance. The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain types of machine-based visual displays could be used as a source of error-correction information to facilitate the immediate and/or delayed performance of a maximal effort isokinetic movement of the knee. The relative effectiveness of the knowledge of results (KR) provided by visual displays that differed in degree of precision and presentation schedule were compared during a practice and retention test phase. Twenty-four healthy male subjects (mean age = 22 years) performed isokinetic extension and flexion of the knee at low (120 degrees/sec) and high (240 degrees/sec) exercise speeds. A no-KR maximal effort pretest was followed by two practice sessions during which three groups each received one form of visual KR and a fourth group practiced without KR. A no-KR maximal effort posttest was administered to all groups following a 1-day rest interval. Although visual KR did not result in any significant differences in mean peak torque output during practice, between-group comparisons of pretest to posttest changes in mean peak torque indicated that groups receiving visual KR in addition to practice demonstrated significantly greater (p < .03) improvements in mean peak torque in three of the four conditions tested when compared with the group that practiced without KR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)