Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support structure including a base, an intermediate frame, and a patient support deck and a lift mechanism for moving the patient support deck relative to the base. A plurality of load cells are interposed between the lift mechanism and the support structure to measure load about the patient support surface. Each of the plurality of load cell assemblies includes a body, a bushing, and a shaft. The bushing is configured to be received by the body and defines opposing tapered regions and a central region. The shaft is configured to be received by the bushing and defines a reduced diameter region arranged to engage the central region of the bushing to urge the shaft into alignment with bushing and to permit limited pivoting and translational movement between the shaft and the bushing in response to load shifting between the plurality of load cell assemblies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making ?-polypeptides. The method includes polymerizing ?-lactam-containing monomers in the presence of a base initiator and a co-initiator which is not a metal-containing molecule to yield the product ?-polypeptides. Specifically disclosed are methods wherein the base initiator is potassium t-butoxide, lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LiN(TMS)2), potassium bis(trimethyl-silyl)amide, and sodium ethoxide, and the reaction is carried out in a solvent such as chloroform, dichloromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, or tetrahydrofuran.