Search

This study was investigated the effects of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis on dynamic trunk motion using ultrasound-based motion analysis system. 15 subjects were participated in this study and divided into three groups according to the curve direction. Experimental procedure was divided into two sections: initial position, and left/right lateral bending position. To analyze the alteration of the trunk motion, ultrasound markers was represented the segments. There were significant differences in angle variation between left and right side during lateral bending for the scoliotic groups. In addition, angle differences between left and right side were decreased gradually according to the regions of scoliotic curvature. From these results, it was concluded that the direction and region of the abnormal lateral curvature can influence on dynamic trunk movement and postural balance. Furthermore, ultrasound-based motion analysis system can be utilized to detect asymmetrical balance and dynamic postural change of idiopathic scoliosis patients in adolescence.

Background A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak started in February 2020 and was controlled at the end of March 2020 in Daegu, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Korea. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in Daegu. Methods In collaboration with Daegu Metropolitan City and Korean Center for Diseases Control, we conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data, including viral RNA detection, were obtained from the electronic medical records and cohort database and compared between survivors and non-survivors. We used univariate and multi-variable logistic regression methods and Cox regression model and performed Kaplan–Meier analysis to determine the risk factors associated with the 28-day mortality and release from isolation among the patients. Results In this study, 7,057 laboratory-confirmed patients with COVID-19 (total cohort) who had been diagnosed from February 18 to July 10, 2020 were included. Of the total cohort, 5,467 were asymptomatic to mild patients (77.4%) (asymptomatic 30.6% and mild 46.8%), 985 moderate (14.0%), 380 severe (5.4%), and 225 critical (3.2%). The mortality of the patients was 2.5% (179/7,057). The Cox regression hazard model for the patients with available clinical information (core cohort) (n = 2,254) showed the risk factors for 28-day mortality: age > 70 (hazard ratio [HR], 4.219, P = 0.002), need for O2 supply at admission (HR, 2.995; P = 0.001), fever (> 37.5°C) (HR, 2.808; P = 0.001), diabetes (HR, 2.119; P = 0.008), cancer (HR, 3.043; P = 0.011), dementia (HR, 5.252; P = 0.008), neurological disease (HR, 2.084; P = 0.039), heart failure (HR, 3.234; P = 0.012), and hypertension (HR, 2.160; P = 0.017). The median duration for release from isolation was 33 days (interquartile range, 24.0–46.0) in survivors. The Cox proportional hazard model for the long duration of isolation included severity, age > 70, and dementia. Conclusion Overall, asymptomatic to mild patients were approximately 77% of the total cohort (asymptomatic, 30.6%). The case fatality rate was 2.5%. Risk factors, including older age, need for O2 supply, dementia, and neurological disorder at admission, could help clinicians to identify COVID-19 patients with poor prognosis at an early stage., Graphical Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine on mild-moderate COVID-19 patients in South Korea.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of the 358 laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) patients was conducted. 226 patients met inclusion criteria for analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) and Cox regression method were utilized to control and adjust for confounding factors. Mild to moderate COVID-19 patients were managed with hydroxychloroquine (HQ) plus antibiotics (n = 31) or conservative treatment (n = 195).ResultsKaplan-Meier curves drawn using propensity score-matched data revealed no differences between the length of time to viral clearance and duration of hospital stay between the two treatment arms (p=0.18, p=0.088). Multivariable Cox regression analysis similarly showed that time to viral clearance(Hazard ratio (HR) 0.97, [95%-confidence interval (CI): 0.57-1.67]) and symptom duration(HR 1.05, [95%-CI: 0.62-1.78]) were not different between groups. No severe adverse event or death was observed in either group.ConclusionsHQ with antibiotics was not associated with better clinical outcomes in terms of time to viral clearance, length of hospital stay, and duration of symptoms compared to conservative treatment alone. Large prospective randomized trials are necessary for definitive conclusions.

Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading worldwide. Although 10–20% of patients with COVID-19 have severe symptoms, little is known about the risk factors related to the aggravation of COVID-19 symptoms from asymptomatic or mild to severe disease states. Methods This retrospective study included 211 patients who were asymptomatic or with mild presentations of COVID-19. We evaluated the differences in demographic and clinical data between the cured (discharged to home) and transferred (aggravated to severe-stage COVID-19) groups. Results A multivariate logistic analysis showed that body temperature, chills, initial chest X-ray findings, and the presence of diabetes were significantly associated with predicting the progression to severe stage of COVID-19 (p Conclusions Even if patients are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, clinicians should closely observe patients with COVID-19 presenting with chills, body temperature > 37.5 °C, findings of pneumonia in chest X-ray, or diabetes.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading worldwide. Although 10%–20% of patients with COVID-19 have severe symptoms, little is known about the risk factors related to the aggravation of COVID-19 symptoms from asymptomatic or mild to severe disease states. Methods: This retrospective study included 211 patients who were asymptomatic or with mild presentations of COVID-19. We evaluated the differences in in demographic and clinical data between the cured (discharged to home) and transferred (aggravated to severe-stage COVID-19) groups. Results: A multivariate logistic analysis showed that body temperature, chills, initial chest X-ray findings, and the presence of diabetes were significantly associated with predicting the progression to severe stage of COVID-19 (p < 0.05). The odds ratio of transfer in patients with COVID-19 increased by 12.7-fold for abnormal findings such as haziness or consolidation in initial chest X-ray, 6.32-fold for initial symptom of chills, and 64.1-fold for diabetes.Conclusions: Even if patients are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, clinicians should closely observe patients with COVID-19 presenting with chills, body temperature >37.5°C, findings of pneumonia in chest X-ray, or diabetes.

Highlights • Approximately 17% of the patients with COVID-19 exhibited no symptoms. • All of the patients with obesity, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and coronary artery disease had COVID-19-related symptoms. • Median time from diagnosis to negative conversion was approximately 2 weeks in the natural course of asymptomatic COVID-19. • Time until negative conversion was shorter in asymptomatic COVID-19 than in symptomatic COVID-19. • Rebound of Ct values was not uncommon in follow-up RT-PCR assays. • There was no significant difference in rebound of Ct values between the asymptomatic and symptomatic patients., Objectives The aim of the study was to elucidate patterns of SARS-CoV-2 clearance in the natural course of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods Consecutive patients with nonsevere COVID-19 were retrospectively included. Asymptomatic patients with normal body temperature and no evidence of pneumonia throughout the disease course were classified in the asymptomatic group. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was repeated every two to five days after the first follow-up RT-PCR assay. Negative conversion was defined as two consecutive negative results of RT-PCR assays within a 24-h interval. Rebound of threshold cycle (Ct) value was defined as negative from the single RT-PCR assay and positive from the following assay. Results Among a total of 396 patients [age, 42.5 (25.0–55.0) years; males, 35.6%], 68 (17.2%) and 328 (82.8%) patients were in the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups, respectively. The time until negative conversion was significantly shorter in the asymptomatic group than in the symptomatic group [14.5 (11.0–21.0) days and 18.0 (15.0–22.0) days, respectively; p = 0.001]. Rebound of Ct values was observed in 78 patients (19.7%). Conclusions Time until negative conversion is shorter in asymptomatic COVID-19 than in symptomatic COVID-19. Rebound of Ct values is not uncommon.

The loss of an upper limb significantly limits the functional activities of daily living. A huge emphasis is placed on the manipulation, shape, weight, and comfort of a prosthesis, to enable its use as an inherent body part. Even with technological advances, customized upper-extremity myoelectric prosthesis remain heavy and expensive. The high cost of upper-extremity prosthesis is an especially steep economic barrier for patients. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a promising avenue for reducing the cost of prosthesis. We applied 3D-printed pressure-sensored prosthetics to a traumatic transradial amputee, and compared the hand functions with a customized myoelectric prosthesis. The 3D-printed pressure-sensored prosthetics showed low grip strength and decreased dexterity compared to the conventional myoelectric prosthesis. Although there were a few limitations, the fabrication of prosthesis with 3D printing technology can overcome previous problems such as high production cost, long fabrication period and heavy weight.

Background:A talus control foot orthosis (TCFO) combines an inverted rigid foot orthosis (RFO) with a broad upright portion that rises well above the navicular to cover and protect the talonavicular joint. We sought to identify the therapeutic effect of TCFOs in children with flexible flatfoot.Methods:Flexible flatfoot was diagnosed in 40 children when either of the feet had greater than 4° valgus of resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP) angle and one of the radiographic indicators was greater than 30° in anteroposterior talocalcaneal angles, 45° in lateral talocalcaneal angles, and 4° in lateral talometatarsal angles and less than 10° of calcaneal pitch in barefoot radiographs. Of 40 children with flexible flatfoot, 20 were fitted with a pair of RFOs and 20 with TCFOs, randomly. Follow-up clinical and radiographic measurements were completed 12 months later.Results:All of the radiographic indicators changed toward the corrective direction in both groups. There were significant improvements in calcaneal pitch and RCSP in both groups (P < .05). In the TCFO group, the anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle and the RCSP showed statistically significant improvement compared with the RFO group.Conclusions:In this study, the TCFO was more effective than the RFO at treating children with flexible flatfoot.

The effects of pelvic asymmetry and idiopathic scoliosis on postural balance during sitting were studied by measuring inclination angles, pressure distribution, and electromyography. Participants were classified into a control group, pelvic asymmetry group, scoliosis group, and scoliosis with pelvic asymmetry and then performed anterior, posterior, left, and right pelvic tilting while sitting on the unstable board for 5 seconds to assess their postural balance. Inclination and obliquity angles between the groups were measured by an accelerometer located on the unstable board. Pressure distribution (maximum force and peak pressure) was analyzed using a capacitive seat sensor. In addition, surface electrodes were attached to the abdominal and erector spinae muscles of each participant. Inclination and obliquity angles increased more asymmetrically in participants with both pelvic asymmetry and scoliosis than with pelvic asymmetry or scoliosis alone. Maximum forces and peak pressures of each group showed an asymmetrical pressure distribution caused by the difference in height between the left and right pelvis and curve type of the patients' spines when performing anterior, posterior, left, and right pelvic tilting while sitting. Muscle contraction patterns of external oblique, thoracic erector spinae, lumbar erector spinae, and lumbar multifidus muscles may be influenced by spine curve type and region of idiopathic scoliosis. Asymmetrical muscle activities were observed on the convex side of scoliotic patients and these muscle activity patterns were changed by the pelvic asymmetry. From these results, it was confirmed that pelvic asymmetry and idiopathic scoliosis cause postural asymmetry, unequal weight distribution, and muscular imbalance during sitting.

Although orthotic modification using the inverted technique is available for the treatment of flatfoot, empirical evidence for the biomechanical effects of inverted-angle foot orthoses (FOs) is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different FO inversion angles on plantar pressure during gait in children with flatfoot. Twenty-one children with flexible flatfeet (mean age 9.9 years) were enrolled in this study. The plantar pressures were measured for the rearfoot; medial and lateral midfoot; and medial, central, and lateral forefoot as participants walked on a treadmill while wearing shoes only and shoes with the following 3 orthotic conditions: (i) orthosis with no inverted angle, (ii) orthosis with a 15 degrees inverted angle, and (iii) orthosis with a 30 degrees inverted angle. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc test was used to compare the mean values of each orthotic condition. Compared with the shoe only condition, the peak pressure decreased significantly under the medial forefoot and rearfoot with all FOs (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in the peak pressure under the medial forefoot and rearfoot were observed between the FOs. The peak pressure under the medial midfoot increased significantly with all FOs, and a maximal increase in the peak pressure was obtained with a 30 degrees inverted angle orthosis. Furthermore, the contact area under the medial midfoot and rearfoot increased significantly with all FOs, compared with the shoe only condition (p < 0.05). Again, no significant differences were observed between the FOs. For plantar pressure redistribution, a FO with a low inverted angle could be effective, accommodative, and convenient for children with flatfoot.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of electric cortical stimulation in the experimentally induced focal traumatic brain injury (TBI) rat model on motor recovery and plasticity of the injured brain. METHOD: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were pre-trained on a single pellet reaching task (SPRT) and on a Rotarod task (RRT) for 14 days. Then, the TBI model was induced by a weight drop device (40 g in weight, 25 cm in height) on the dominant motor cortex, and the electrode was implanted over the perilesional cortical surface. All rats were divided into two groups as follows: Electrical stimulation (ES) group with anodal continuous stimulation (50 Hz and 194 µs duration) or Sham-operated control (SOC) group with no electrical stimulation. The rats were trained SPRT and RRT for 14 days for rehabilitation and measured Garcia's neurologic examination. Histopathological and immunostaining evaluations were performed after the experiment. RESULTS: There were no differences in the slice number in the histological analysis. Garcia's neurologic scores & SPRT were significantly increased in the ES group (p

Introduction/Background Hallux valgus (HV) deformity is the most commonly observed forefoot deformity in elderly women patients with arthritis. We investigated the effects of customized biomechanical foot orthosis (BFO) on kinematic data during gait in arthritis with HV deformities compared with normal control group. Material and method Ten arthritis patients with HV deformities and 10 normal women were enrolled in this study. All patients were diagnosed with foot deformities by biomechanical and radiologic studies, and they received the customized BFOs manufactured at a commercial orthosis laboratory (Biomechanics, Goyang, South Korea) according to the strictly defined procedure by a single experienced technician. The kinematic data by the Vicon 3D motion capture system (Oxford Metrics, Oxford, England) were compared in with and without application of the BFO. Results Patients with application of the BFO showed increased gait cadence, walking speed and decreased stride, step time in temporal parameters. Total mean range of motion (ROM) of hallux respect to forefoot was 52.67 degree [dorsiflexion (DF) 34.41; plantar-flexion (PF) 18.26] without BFO, and was increased to 73.12 degree (DF 24.75; PF 48.37) after application of the BFO. During specific gait events, a different range of motion was found at several inter-segment angles. Particularly, the range of motion of the hallux (sagittal plane) and hindfoot (frontal-transverse planes) during stance were significantly different. The averaged position of forefoot during whole gait cycle was persistently abducted in with application of the BFO. Conclusion The application of BFO will be considered to be useful effects for improvement of gait pattern in arthritis with HV deformities by increased ROM of hallux and change of foot position. Our results suggest that it is very important to find out pathophysiology of HV and the effectiveness of BFO on gait pattern in arthritis with HV.

In recent years, with the increase in sitting time, real-time posture monitoring system is needed. We developed sitting posture monitoring system with accelerometer to evaluate postural balance. Unstable structure of the system was designed to assess asymmetrical balance caused by habitual sitting position. Postural patterns of normal group and patients with functional scoliosis group were analyzed. Consequently, inclination angle of scoliosis group were tilted to the posterior and left side. From these results, we concluded that real-time sitting posture monitoring system can be utilized to measure asymmetrical balance of patients and provide accurate diagnosis as well as treatment for individuals.

AFO is a device, which is usually recommended for hemiplegics to help their pathologic gait. To date, no good engineering guidance is available. We analyze mechanical characteristics of AFO and evaluate structural stability effect of thickness of ankle foot orthosis (AFO). The study is to provide a guidance to make a functional AFO. Basic material characteristics such as Young’s modulus and Possion’s ratio were measured through material tests. Finite element models were made and analyzed based on various shapes and gait analysis. Young’s modulus of polypropylene is 1.15 GPa and Possion’s ratio is 0.35. Rigidity of AFO is more affected by the ankle width than the thickness of ankle area. The strain calculated by finite element analysis (FEA) in the neck area is twice as much as experimental results but the both of their trend show similar pattern. AFO was studied through its structural and functional analysis. Experimental structural analysis and FEA were made and compared.

In this study, we assessed spasticity objectively and quantitatively using the pendulum foot drop test. Twenty-eight patients with spasticity and ten healthy subjects participated in the study. A newly designed table for the motion analysis system using infrared cameras and a foot release mechanism were used. Electromyograph (EMG) was recorded from eight muscles of the lower limb during a foot drop maneuver. The study investigators suggest ‘modified relaxation index’ as a good representative parameter for describing spasticity. This parameter is based on quantitative measurement rather than investigator discretion, as in the modified Ashworth scale (MAS).

To overcome of poor electron injection in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with Al cathode, a thin layer of inorganic insulating materials, like as LiF, is inserted between an Al cathode and an organic electron transport layer. Though the device, mentioned above, improves both turn on voltage and luminescent properties, it has some problems like as thickness restriction, less than 2 nm, and difficulty of deposition control. On the other hand, Li organic complex, Liq, is less thickness restrictive and easy to deposit and it also enhances the performance of devices. This paper reports the improved electron injection on OLEDs with another I A group metal complex, Potassium quinolate (Kq), as an electron injection material. OLEDs with organic complexes showed improved turn-on voltage and luminous efficiency which are remarkably improved compared to OLEDs with Al cathode. Especially, OLEDs with Kq have longer life time than OLEDs with Liq.

Three novel diphosphine-Pt-disulfide complexes were synthesized and characterized by 1 H NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. As a diphosphine, 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene (dppn), rac -2,2 ′ -bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1 ′ -binaphthyl (dppbn), or 1,1 ′ -bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) was employed and chelated to the Pt(II) center. As an anion, p -tolylsulfide (4-SC 6 H 4 CH 3 ) was incorporated to Pt(II) center subsequently, yielding (dppn)Pt(4-SC 6 H 4 CH 3 ) 2 ( 1 ), (dppbn)Pt(4-SC 6 H 4 CH 3 ) 2 ( 2 ), or (dppf)Pt(4-SC 6 H 4 CH 3 ) 2 ( 3 ). The photophysical properties of the resulting Pt complexes were investigated with UV–VIS spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and transient PL. Charge Transfer absorptions between the metal and the ligand of 2 and 3 were observed at 320–350 nm in the UV–VIS spectra whereas such noticeable absorption was not observed in 1 . The solid films of 1 and 3 showed luminescence at 600 and 580 nm, respectively, while that of 2 did not show emission at the room temperature. The complex 3 exhibited two excited state lifetimes, 23 and 125 ns, at room temperature, and the weighting factor for 125 ns state is only ∼10% of that for 23 ns one. It means that the prominent luminescence was fluorescence and the intersystem crossing through LS coupling is relatively weak.

Tris(1-phenyl-κC 1 -pyrazolato-κN 2 )iridium (Ir(ppz) 3 ) was prepared and its luminescence properties were investigated for the application to organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Ir(ppz) 3 in dichloromethane showed a peak at 437 nm at room temperature. The luminescent lifetime of an Ir(ppz) 3 film doped in CBP was found to be 218 ns, which indicated that its emission is phosphorescent. OLEDs were fabricated with doped films of Ir(ppz) 3 in several hosts, and the electroluminescence (EL) peak was observed at 450 nm. The luminance of OLEDs was pure blue, with the CIE coordinates of x = 0.158, y = 0.139 at 100 cd/m 2 , but luminous efficiencies were low since the LUMO of Ir(ppz) 3 is higher than those of the hosts used.

The organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) based on fluorescence have low efficiencies due to the requirement of spin-symmetry conservation. By using the phosphorescent material, the internal quantum efficiency can reach 100%, compared to 25% in the case of the fluorescent material. Thus, the phosphorescent OLEDs have recently been extensively studied and showed higher internal quantum efficiencies than the conventional OLEDs. In this study, an orange-red electrophosphorescent devices have been fabricated with a new Ir complex, synthesized by coordinating a new electrowithdrawing lignad to (ppy) 2 Iracac, as the emitting dopant. It has been investigated the electrical and optical characteristics of the devices fabricated with a structure of ITO/NPB/Ir complex doped in CBP/BCP/Alq 3 /Li:Al/Al. The device with the Ir complex demonstrated an efficiency of 3.53 cd/A with an initial brightness of 100 cd/m 2 . The CIE coordinates for devices held at a current density of 1 mA/cm 2 were (0.585, 0.410).

Effects of mechanically polished and annealed indium–tin oxide (ITO) substrate in tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3)-based light-emitting diodes were studied. It was found that roughness and oxygen content at ITO surface were reduced after the mechanical polishing. The organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) fabricated on the polished ITO surface showed 10 times better electroluminescence and current injection than the OLEDs based on as-received ITO surface, due to the increase of smooth contact area between the ITO surface and organic layer. The nucleation of TPD on ITO shows different feature according to the surface condition of ITO. As a result, the mechanical polishing is an effective treatment to enhance the performance of the OLEDs.

A new pixel driving method is proposed for the implementation of a high information content organic light-emitting diode (OLED) flat-panel display (FPD). The new charge-pump active-matrix pixel driver consists only of a capacitance and a rectifying diode. Since no thin-film transistor (TFT) is needed in the new circuit, the manufacturing process for the fabrication of an OLED display panel can be greatly simplified compared to the one using the conventional TFT-based active-matrix pixel drivers. The new driver not only supplies a continuous current to the OLED throughout the whole period of panel scanning like the conventional TFT-based active-matrix driver, but also provides a highly linear gray-scale control through a pure digital manner similar to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) method.

Effects of mechanically polished and annealed indium-tin-oxide (ITO) substrates on tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminium (Alq3)-based light-emitting diodes were studied. It was found that the roughness and oxygen content at the ITO surface were reduced after mechanical polishing. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) fabricated on polished ITO surfaces showed ten fold better electroluminescence and current injection than OLEDs fabricated on as-received ITO surfaces, due to the increase of the smooth contact area between the ITO surface and the organic layer. The ITO substrate annealed at 300°C did not show much enhancement of electroluminescence, even though it showed high current injection at low voltage. Therefore, mechanical polishing is an effective treatment for enhancing the performance of OLEDs.

Correlation analysis between scoliosis and pelvic axial rotation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients was conducted using balance board system with accelerometer. 9 subjects were classified into scoliosis group and scoliosis with PAR group, and then their cobb angles, directions of pelvic axial rotation, and inclination angles were also measured. Inclination angles were assessed by using an accelerometer located on the balance board system. All subjects performed anterior, posterior, left, and right pelvic tilting on the system for 5 seconds during sitting. Inclination angles of scoliosis patients were changed significantly in the frontal and sagittal planes by the direction of the pelvic axial rotation. From the results, it was confirmed that postural balance of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents may be influenced by cobb angle and pelvic axial rotation. In addition, balance board system with accelerometer can be utilized to provide useful information about the patients with idiopathic scoliosis and pelvic deformities in rehabilitation medicine.

Fourty children were participated in this study who had been diagnosed as flexible pes planus, and had more than two consecutive radiologic studies. The anteroposterior talocalcaneal angles (APTCA) and lateral talocalcaneal angles (LTTCA), the lateral talometatarsal angles (LTTMA) and the calcaneal pitch (CP) of both feet were measured to evaluate foot alignment. Severe flexible pes planus was diagnosed when Beighton hypermobility score was greater than 4 points and when either of the feet had greater than 10 degrees valgus of resting calcaneal stance position angle and indicators showed greater than 55 degrees in APTCA and LTTCA, greater than 10 degrees in LTTMA, lesser than 10 degrees of CP. Twenty children with flexible flat foot were fitted with a pair of RFO and another 20 children were fitted with TCFO. They were recommended to put on orthosis more than 8 hrs a day, to walk with heel strike at initial contact and reciprocal arm swing to normalize gait pattern. The follow up clinical evaluation with radiologic study was done after 12 months. Result With TCFO, all radiologic indicators changed toward corrective direction than with RFO. There were statistically significant improvements in CP and RCSP in both groups. (p < 0.05) In TCFO group, APTCA, RCSP improved significantly compared with RFO group. Conclusion This study showed that TCFO is effective in the treatment of children with severe flexible pes planus than RFO. The evaluation with long term follow up of radiographic study would be necessary to confirm the therapeutic effect of TCFO in children with pes planus.

We have previously demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the ventral periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) produced analgesia in neuropathic pain in rats. Opioids were also shown to be involved in analgesic effects. This study sought to determine whether opiates microinjected into the ventral PAG produce analgesia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically implanted with a guide cannula in the PAG under pentobarbital anesthesia and both the tibial and sural nerves were completely cut. Pain sensitivity was postoperatively measured with a von Frey filament and acetone applied to the sensitive area for I week. Opioids such as [D-Ala 2 ,N-MePhe 4 ,Gly(ol) 5 ]-enkephalin (DAMGO) and [D-Pen 2 ,D-Pen 5 ].-enkephalin (DPDPE) were injected into the PAG. DAMGO, a μ-opioid agonist, and DPDPE, a δ-opioid agonist, were highly effective in reducing neuropathic pain. These effects were reversed by naloxone. These results suggest that the neurons in the ventral PAG are activated by opioids to produce analgesia and that specific opioid receptors are involved in the descending pain inhibition system from the PAG.

Momentum-resolved inelastic electron spectroscopy has been utilized to measure the surface-plasmon dispersion and damping for thick Hg films grown onto a Cu(100) substrate. Hg has been investigated since it offers an opportunity to examine the effects of the crystal potential on the surface-plasmon dispersion, and to correlate the measurements on a surface with those for collective excitations in clusters. The effects of the electronic band structure of Hg can be seen in the energy and width of the surface plasmon as a function of momentum transfer {ital q}{sub {parallel}}. Dynamical response calculations were performed for a semi-infinite electron gas where several important aspects of the crystal potential are taken into account in an average manner. These effects are shown to lead to an overall lowering of the plasma frequency, to a flattening of the momentum dispersion, and to sizable broadening of the plasmon line width relative to the behavior obtained for the simple metals. Even though the band structure effects in Hg are significant, there is a quantitative correlation between the normalized energy and width of the surface plasmon as a function of {ital q}{sub {parallel}} and the Mie resonance seen in Hg clusters as a function of the inversemore » of the radius {ital R}.« less

Significant progress has been made in understanding the physical nature of collective excitations at a surface since the concept of a surface plasmon was introduced 37 years ago by Ritchie [Phys. Rev. 106 (1957) 874]. The development of our understanding of surface plasmons and higher order modes will be discussed, and the impact of this concept on a wide range of phenomena will be presented. The concept of a surface plasmon coupled with the basic understanding that has been achieved is having an impact on a variety of fields, such as size dependence in the Mie resonance in clusters and plasmon excitations in quantum wells.

A two-stage all optical gain-clamped EDFA is designed for high output power to handle 64 channel WDM network systems. The EDFA has gain-clamped output powers up to 22 dBm with a flat gain bandwidth over 30 nm.

Objective To identify the effects of a custom-made rigid foot orthosis (RFO) in children over six years old with pes planus. Methods The medical records of 39 children (mean age, 10.3±4.09 years) diagnosed with pes planus, fitted with RFOs, and had who more than two consecutive radiological studies were reviewed. The resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP), anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle (APTCA), lateral talocalcaneal angle (LTTCA), the lateral talometatarsal angle (LTTMA), and calcaneal pitch (CP) of both feet were measured to evaluate foot alignment. After diagnosis, children were fitted with a pair of RFOs and recommended to walk with heel strike and reciprocal arm swing to normalize the gait pattern. A follow-up clinical evaluation with radiological measurements was performed after 12-18 months and after 24 months of RFO application. Post-hoc analysis was used to test for significant differences between the radiological indicators and RCSP. Results With RFOs, all radiological indicators changed in the corrective direction except LTTCA. RCSP and CP in the third measurement showed significant improvement in comparison with the second and baseline measurements. Additionally, APTCA and LTTMA revealed improvements at the third measurement versus the baseline measurements. Conclusion This study revealed that radiological indicators improved significantly after 24 months of RFO application. A prospective long-term controlled study with radiographical evaluation is necessary to confirm the therapeutic effects of RFOs and to determine the optimal duration of wear in children with pes planus.

Photoyield and electron-energy-loss measurements were combined to elucidate the nature of the collective electronic modes of thin K films on Al(111). Various kinds of overlayer modes are observed whose frequency depends on coverage and parallel momentum. While photoemission is limited to the long-wavelength limit, electron-energy-loss spectroscopy provides information on the full ${q}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$ dispersion. Surprisingly, the loss frequencies measured at ${q}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}=0$ differ appreciably from those observed in the photoyield spectra. They also exhibit a qualitatively different dependence on coverage. Calculations based on the time-dependent density-functional approach are carried out for both spectroscopies with the aim of analyzing the excitation spectra, in particular, the frequencies and relative intensities of overlayer modes as a function of coverage. We argue that for a consistent interpretation of photoyield and electron-energy-loss spectra it is crucial to account for the nonanalytic dispersion of the modes and their spectral weights at small ${q}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$ and for the finite angular resolution of the detector. The apparent discrepancies between the two spectroscopies are then resolved and the observed dispersions are in agreement with the density-functional predictions.

A series of ter(9,9-dialkylfluorene)s (TFs) containing cyclohexyl and hexyl side groups has been synthesized via the Suzuki coupling reaction. Their chemical structures were characterized by 1H NMR...

Objective To evaluate motor excitability and hand function on the non-dominant side according to the polarity of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the motor cortex in a healthy person. Method tDCS was applied to the hand motor cortex for 15 minutes at an intensity of 1 mA in 28 healthy right-handed adults. Subjects were divided randomly into four groups: an anodal tDCS of the non-dominant hemisphere group, a cathodal tDCS of the non-dominant hemisphere group, an anodal tDCS of the dominant hemisphere group, and a sham group. We measured the motor evoked potential (MEP) in the abductor pollicis brevis and Jabsen-Taylor hand function test (JTT) in the non-dominant hand prior to and following tDCS. All study procedures were done under double-blind design. Results There was a significant increase in the MEP amplitude and a significant improvement in the JTT in the non-dominant hand following anodal tDCS of the non-dominant hemisphere (p

Purpose : Tibial internal torsion is prevalent in East Asian countries such as Korea and Japan, where sitting on the floor is common behavior. Tibial internal torsion or excessive lateral tibial torsion may cause esthetical, functional, or psychological problems and also may induce degenerative arthritis in older age. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Tibial Counter Rotator (TCR) in patients with tibial internal torsion. Method : One hundred forty nine children (274 limbs) with tibial internal torsion participated in this study. Transmalleolar angle were measured with gravity goniometer. When tibial internal torsion was detected, TCR was applied at least for 3 hours a day during sleep. The patient's progress was followed monthly and transmalleolar angle was reevaluated by the same examiner. Results : Transmalleolar angle was significantly increased in patients with tibial internal torsion during TCR application (P