Search

Introduction:Lipoma arborescens is a tumor-like lesion that occurs inside joints and synovial bursae, especially in knee joints. It rarely occurs in the shoulder joints and this disease usually causes severe shoulder pain. This study aims to report a rare case of lipoma arborescens occurring in the subdeltoid bursa with severe shoulder pain. Case Report: A 59-year-old woman with severe pain and restriction of range of motion (ROM) for her right shoulder consisting for 2 months was referred to our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed that a tumor-like lesion exists in the subdeltoid bursa in her right shoulder and blood examinations revealed no abnormal findings. Surgical resection of the tumor-like lesion was performed and the rotator cuff was repaired because this tumor-like lesion invaded the rotator cuff partially. Pathology examination of the resected tissues was consistent with lipoma arborescens. One year after surgery, the patient’s shoulder pain was diminished and its ROM recovered. There was no significant difficulty in activities of daily living. Conclusion: Lipoma arborescens should be considered when patients present with complaints of severe shoulder pain. Even if their physical findings do not suggest rotator cuff injuries, MRI should be performed to rule out lipoma arborescens. Keywords: Lipoma arborescens, shoulder, subdeltoid bursa.

Purpose To compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of using a variable-angle volar locking plate (VAVLP) with those of using a fixed-angle volar locking plate (FAVLP) for treating unstable intra-articular fractures of the distal radius . Methods One hundred twenty patients with unstable intra-articular fractures of the distal radius were randomized to open reduction and internal fixation with a VAVLP (n = 60) or an FAVLP (n = 60). Supplementary methods (eg., Kirschner wire fixation) were required in 4 patients with a VAVLP and 9 with an FAVLP. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were used to measure standard radiographic parameters before surgery, in the immediate postoperative period , and at 1 year. Plate prominence and articular congruity were quantified using computed tomography at 6 months. Results There were no significant differences in any clinical outcome between the groups at any follow-up time. Volar tilt was significantly greater in patients treated with a FAVLP in the immediate postoperative period (8° vs 6°) and at 1 year (8° vs 5°). Although significant differences were not found in articular gap or stepoff between the 2 plates, the distal and volar prominence of the VAVLP was significantly greater than that of the FAVLP at 6 months. Significantly more patients treated with a VAVLP had a complication (38% vs 19%). However, most secondary surgeries were performed for hardware removal, and no patients from either group had complex regional pain syndrome or tendon rupture . Conclusions Patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures can expect good functional and radiographic outcomes with VAVLP or FAVLP fixation. The VAVLP may be more prone to technical errors, leading to complications, whereas the FAVLP is more likely to require supplementary fixation. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic I

Gate-induced carrier concentration dependence of electrical conductivity σ and thermoelectric power S of rubrene crystals is investigated down to low temperatures (T) using laser heating, and the r...

The lateral capitello-humeral angle (LCHA), which is an index of sagittal alignment of the elbow, has gradually been adopted for the postoperative assessment of radiographic results. However, the normal values and ranges of the LCHA remain unclear. A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the normal values and ranges of the LCHA in a sample of healthy children with even distributions of age, sex and laterality. A total of 168 radiographs of the elbows of healthy children (age range, 0-11 years) with even distributions of age, sex and laterality were reviewed. The primary aim was to analyze the normal values and ranges of the LCHA categorized by age, sex and laterality. The secondary aim was to assess the association of the LCHA with increasing age. The LCHA between sex or laterality in each age category was also compared. The mean LCHA of the 168 patients was 47.1° (range, 27°-63°). There was a weak association between the LCHA and increasing age (r = 0.41). The mean LCHA in females (49.1°) was significantly larger than that in males (45.1°). Significant sex-related differences were observed in age categories between 2 and 7 years. Results of this study will be useful in the postoperative radiographic assessment of sagittal alignment of the elbow in children.

Recently, dimethylbenzoimidazole (DMBIH) derivatives have attracted considerable attention as an n-channel dopant. Crystal structures and conducting properties of several aryl-substituted benzoimid...

Low-temperature CO2 electrolysis technology, which converts CO2 into valuable products, has attracted attention for its potential to mitigate climate change caused by global warming. Various products, such as CO and ethylene glycol, can be obtained from electrochemical reactions [1,2]. CO, a useful raw material for hydrocarbons, is a particularly simple product. In order to implement an industrial-scale low-temperature CO2 electrolysis system, we must further reinforce the properties of the CO2 electrolysis cell: namely, energetic (energy conversion) efficiency, CO2 conversion rate (current density and scaling) and durability. For realizing high energetic efficiency, decreasing ohmic resistance and overvoltage is required. Therefore, a zero-gap electrolysis cell, which has short electrodes distance leading to lower ohmic resistance, has been adopted. The zero-gap configuration contains a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) constructed from cathode and anode electrodes and a diaphragm. Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have been mainly used in past research as the diaphragm, however, the AEMs have several shortcomings for practical use as the diaphragm, e.g., low thermal stability, weak mechanical strength and high cost. In this work, we have focused on porous membranes as a novel diaphragm which is more suitable for overcoming those instabilities and costs. We have achieved an increase in energetic efficiency of the zero-gap CO2 electrolysis cell using the porous membrane when compared to that of AEMs. We have experimentally revealed higher ion permeability, lower ohmic resistance and lower overvoltage when using the porous membrane, resulting in improvement of the energetic efficiency. Regarding CO2 conversion rate and durability, we have developed a large-scale cell stack constructed with ten layers of a 100 cm2 size cell and demonstrated durable operation over one month. This work is partially supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan. [1] Y. Kofuji, A. Ono, Y. Sugano, A. Motoshige, Y. Kudo, M. Yamagiwa, J. Tamura, S. Mikoshiba and R. Kitagawa, Chem. Lett. 50, 482 (2021). [2] J. Tamura, A. Ono, Y. Sugano, C. Huang, N. Hideyuki, and S. Mikoshiba, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 17, 26072 (2015).

Background Abscess formation in the subscapularis muscle is a rare clinical condition. Few reports are available regarding the treatment methods and surgical approaches for subscapularis intramuscular abscesses. Here, we describe a case of subscapularis intramuscular abscess that was treated successfully via surgical drainage using a new approach, the “dorsal subscapularis approach”. Case presentation A 67-year-old woman presented to our hospital with complaints of fever and disturbance of consciousness. Two days prior to visiting our hospital, right shoulder pain and limited range of motion in the shoulder were noted. Cerebrospinal fluid examination and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging on admission revealed a right subscapularis intramuscular abscess with concomitant bacterial meningitis. The patient’s clinical symptoms improved after antibiotic administration for 3 weeks, but the right shoulder pain persisted. Contrast-enhanced CT imaging performed after antibiotic administration revealed an abscess in the right shoulder joint space, in addition to a capsule of the abscess in the right subscapularis muscle. We performed open surgical drainage for the abscess, which had spread from the subscapularis muscle to the glenohumeral joint. Using the deltoid-pectoral approach, we detected exudate and infected granulation tissue in the joint cavity. Furthermore, we separated the dorsal side of the subscapularis muscle from the scapula using a raspatory and detected infected granulation tissue in the subscapularis muscle belly. We performed curettage and washed as much as possible. After surgery, antibiotic administration continued for 2 weeks. The patient’s right shoulder pain subsided and CT performed 2 months after surgery revealed no recurrence of infection. Conclusions The present case indicated that a subscapularis intramuscular abscess could lead to severe concomitant infections of other organs via the hematogenous route. Thus, early detection and treatment are necessary. Moreover, in this case, surgical drainage using a dorsal subscapularis approach was beneficial to treating the abscess, which had spread from the subscapularis muscle to the glenohumeral joint.

Background Superior shoulder dislocation is a rare type of shoulder dislocation. Its occurrence is thought to be associated with rupture of the deltoid; however, few reports are available on the mechanism of onset and the treatment of a superior shoulder dislocation. Here we describe a case of dislocation in the direction of the posterior acromion, referred to as posterosuperior shoulder dislocation, caused by the traumatic rupture of deltoid posterior fibers. Case presentation An 83-year-old woman who fell on her right elbow in the hospital presented to our department with complaints of right shoulder pain. She had been undergoing conservative treatment for a massive rotator cuff tear and a rupture of the long head of biceps tendon 5 years previously. X-ray radiography images at the time of the trauma revealed that the right humeral head was dislocated upwards and in the direction of the posterior acromion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed newly ruptured deltoid posterior fibers, in addition to the massive rotator cuff tear. Closed reduction was performed and the shoulder joint was held in external rotation at 30 degrees for 6 weeks. However, re-dislocation was observed at an early stage after the removal of the orthosis and marked instability remained. Conclusions This is the first case of posterosuperior shoulder dislocation. It suggests that rupture of the deltoid posterior fibers contributes to the onset of posterosuperior shoulder dislocation in patients with a massive rotator cuff tear. Moreover, in superior shoulder dislocation, conservative treatment may result in continuing instability which requires surgical treatment.

[1]Benzoseleno[3,2-b]benzoselenophene (BSBS) derivatives are known as high-performance transistor materials. Novel and highly conductive charge-transfer (CT) complexes, (BSBS)2XF6 (X = As and Sb), have been prepared, and their transport properties are investigated. At room temperature, these complexes exhibit conductivities larger than 600 S cm–1. The chemical pressure effect originating from the counter anion size is estimated to be 0.3 kbar. The thermoelectric (TE) power is 15–17 μV K–1, demonstrating that the BSBS complexes have remarkably large transfer integrals of 310 meV, as observed in the highly conductive benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT) complexes. From both molecular orbital calculations and experiments, it is demonstrated that the BTBT skeleton has the property of forming a very large energy bandwidth. The TE power of metallic CT complexes based on organic transistor molecules is useful for experimentally determining the intermolecular transfer integrals of charged semiconductor molecules.

Surgical treatment for humeral shaft fractures has been reported to yield satisfactory results; however, there may be complications, such as delayed bone union, nonunion, iatrogenic radial nerve injury, and infection. The risk factors for postoperative complications remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the influence of timing of surgery on the incidence of postoperative complications of acute humeral shaft fractures. We retrospectively reviewed 43 patients who underwent osteosynthesis for acute humeral shaft fractures between 2006 and 2020. The patients were divided into early (21 patients) and delayed (22 patients) treatment groups based on the timing of the surgical intervention (within or after four days). Outcomes were the incidences of complications (delayed union, nonunion, iatrogenic radial nerve injury, and infection) and postoperative fracture gaps. We evaluated the outcomes using plain radiographs and clinical notes. In addition, we performed subgroup analyses on outcomes in a subgroup of patients who underwent intramedullary nailing and one who underwent plate fixation. The frequency of delayed union was significantly higher in the delayed group ( P = 0.046 ), and the postoperative fracture gap size was also significantly greater in the delayed group ( P = 0.007 ). The subgroup analyses demonstrated a significant association between the increased incidence of delayed union and delayed surgical interventions only in the intramedullary nailing subgroup ( P = 0.017 ). This study suggests that performing surgery within four days after acute humeral shaft fracture is recommended to reduce the occurrence of delayed union, particularly in cases requiring intramedullary nailing fixation.

Smoking is thought to be a risk factor for osteoporosis development; however, the consequences of stopping smoking for bone homeostasis remain unknown. Here we conducted two separate human studies and show that bone mineral density was significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers. The first was an observational study of pre- and post-menopausal healthy female smokers and non-smokers; the second included 139 current smokers determined to stop smoking. In the second study, levels of bone formation markers such as osteocalcin and uncarboxylated osteocalcin significantly increased after successful smoking cessation, as verified by significantly reduced levels of serum cotinine, a nicotine metabolite. Moreover, nicotine administration to mice reduced bone mineral density and significantly increased the number of osteoclasts in bone. Reduced bone mass phenotypes seen in nicotine-treated mice were significantly increased following nicotine withdrawal, an outcome accompanied by significantly reduced serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, a bone resorption marker. Taken together, our findings suggest that bone homeostasis is perturbed but can be rescued by smoking cessation.

The carrier-number dependence of the thermoelectric power is investigated in the band-filling controlled organic conductors, β′-(BEDT-TTF)3(CoCl4)2−x(GaCl4)x (BEDT-TTF: bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene). Although the BEDT-TTF molecules are positively charged, the thermopower is negative in the entire temperature range and produces a broad peak around 150 K. The nontrivial temperature and carrier-number dependence is quantitatively analyzed by calculating the thermopower from the band structure. The thermopower becomes gradually smaller with increasing x, where electron doping occurs at the upper band of the strongly dimerized system. At the same time, the bandwidth shrinks due to the negative chemical pressure, and the conductivity decreases in spite of the increasing electron number. Since the parent compound at x = 0 has a semimetallic band structure, the thermoelectric power factor monotonously decreases upon doping, in sharp contrast to that in organic polymers.

New π-conjugated polymers with strong electron affinity, PNDTI-BBTs, consisting of naphtho[2,3-b:6,7-b′]dithiophenediimide (NDTI) and benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole (BBT) units, were synthesized. PNDTI-BBTs have low-lying LUMO energy levels (∼−4.4 eV), which is sufficiently low for air-stable electron transport in organic field-effect transistors and for being readily doped by a well-known n-dopant, N,N-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzoimidazole (N-DMBI), affording doped polymer films with relatively high conductivities and Seebeck coefficients. Depending on the solubilizing alkyl groups (2-decyltetradecyl, PNDTI-BBT-DT, or 3-decylpentadecyl groups, PNDTI-BBT-DP), not only the electron mobility in the transistor devices with the pristine polymer thin films (PNDTI-BBT-DT: ∼0.096 cm2 V–1 s–1; PNDTI-BBT-DP: ∼0.31 cm2 V–1 s–1) but also the conductivity and power factor of the doped thins films (PNDTI-BBT-DT: ∼0.18 S cm–1 and ∼0.6 μW m–1 K–2; PNDTI-BBT-DP: ∼5.0 S cm–1 and ∼14 μW m–1 K–2) were dr...

The association between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome, an elderly onset rheumatic disease, is not fully understood. Here, we describe a case of acute CTS caused by RS3PE syndrome. An 84-year-old man visited the hospital with sudden onset of severe neuralgia in the median nerve and pitting edema in both hands. Computed tomography showed low-density areas around the flexor tendons and median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. Rapidly progressing intolerable neuralgia and paralysis required urgent carpal tunnel release in the left hand. After surgery, we considered the possibility of RS3PE syndrome and started the administration of prednisolone. The pitting edema and neuralgia improved. In this case, imaging and intraoperative findings suggest that the effusion generated from flexor tenosynovitis associated with RS3PE syndrome increased the internal pressure in the carpal tunnel rapidly, which led to acute CTS and urgent surgery.

Background Plate fixation is the established method of treating unstable distal clavicle fractures. However, the appropriate timing of surgery for acute distal clavicle fractures remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of osteosynthesis using a Scorpion plate and to assess the influence of surgery timing on the surgical outcomes for acute unstable distal clavicle fractures. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients who underwent fixation for acute unstable distal clavicle fractures (Neer type II and V) using the Scorpion plate between 2008 and 2018. Patients were divided into early (45 patients) and delayed (60 patients) treatment groups based on the timing of the surgical intervention (within or after seven days). The outcomes were postoperative complications (delayed union, peri-implant fracture, plate loosening, plate-related pain, and stiffness). We evaluated the outcomes from X-ray radiographs and clinical notes.Results Among the 105 patients, delayed union, plate loosening, plate-related pain, and stiffness were observed in six patients (5.7%), four patients (3.8%), seven patients (6.7%), and one (1.0%) patient, respectively. The delayed union rate was significantly higher in the delayed treatment group than that in the early treatment group (P=0.036). Although the difference was not significant, plate loosening and stiffness were only observed in the delayed treatment group. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that osteosynthesis using Scorpion plates achieved satisfactory surgical outcomes for unstable distal clavicle fractures . In addition, this study suggested that performing surgery within six days after injury is recommended to reduce postoperative complications .

Background Intraosseous suture-button devices have been used for acromioclavicular joint reconstruction due to its relative simplicity compared with other procedures. However, the complications of acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a suture-button are not fully understood. Here, we describe a case of a clavicle fracture at the suture hole following acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a suture-button and hook plate. Case presentation A 28-year-old man presented at our hospital after a fall from his bicycle. The patient had a history of acromioclavicular joint reconstruction with a suture-button and a hook plate for right acromioclavicular joint dislocation, seven months ago at another hospital. The hook plate had been removed four months ago, while X-ray radiography before removal had shown the widening of a suture hole. In the current fall from the bicycle, X-ray radiography revealed a clavicle fracture through the previous drill hole for suture-button. We removed the suture-button and performed an open reduction and internal fixation for the clavicle fracture. Conclusion The present case indicated that a clavicle fracture at the suture hole, although rare, is one of the complications after an acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a suture-button. This case suggested that drilling to the necessary minimum when making suture holes and paying attention to the widening of suture holes are important to prevent a postoperative clavicle fracture.

A 1 : 1 metallic charge-transfer salt is obtained by cosublimation of (Z,E)-(SMe)2Me2TTF and TCNQ. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the formation of segregated stacks comprising donor and acceptor molecules in [(E)-(SMe)2Me2TTF](TCNQ). The crystal packing features lateral S⋯S interactions between TTF stacks, which is in sharp contrast to that in (TTF)(TCNQ). Structural analysis and theoretical studies afford a partial charge-transfer (ρ ≈ 0.52), leading to a system with the electronic structure close to quarter-filled. Resistivity measurements reveal that this material behaves as a metal down to 56 K and 22 K at 1 bar and 14.9 kbar, respectively. The thermopower is negative in the metallic regime, indicating the dominant role of the acceptor stacks for the observed conducting behavior. Analysis of single-crystal EPR spectra shows the remaining spin susceptibility at 4.3 K, suggesting the importance of the Hubbard U correction. These results highlight the judicious engineering of electronic and geometrical effects on the TTF core; the combined use of methyl and thiomethyl groups has decreased the TCNQ bandwidth while maintaining the segregated stacks, converting the metal to insulator (M–I) transition to more 4kF like. In addition, the enhanced S⋯S contacts between the TTF stacks lead to more rapidly decreasing M–I transition temperature under various pressures., This research was supported by the French National Research Agency Grants, ANR 16-ACHN-0007 and ANR 17-ERC3-0003, and a PhD grant (to M. Beau) from the Bretagne region. Y. Kiyota is grateful to JSPS for a research fellowship (17J05098). We thank Dr A. Vacher (Rennes) for the preparation of (Z,E)-(SCH2CH2CN)2(Me)2TTF and CDIFX-Rennes for access to the X-ray diffractometer. Work in Spain was supported by MICIU (PGC2018-096955-B-C44 and PGC2018-093863-B-C22), MINECO through the Severo Ochoa (SEV-2015-0496) and Maria de Maeztu (MDM-2017-0767) Programs and the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR1506 and 2017SGR1289). Work in Japan was supported by JPSJ KAKENHI (Grant Number 16K13974 and 18H02044) and the Takahashi Industrial and Economic Research Foundation.

International audience; Sulfur-rich acceptors, birhodanines, 3,3'-dialkyl-5,5'-bithiazolidinylidene-2,2'-dione-4,4'-dithiones (OS-R, R = Et and Pr) and 3,3'-dialkyl-5,5'-bithiazolidinylidene-4,4'-dione-2,2'-dithiones (SO-R, R = Et), as well as the sulfur analogues, 3,3'-dialkyl-5,5'-bithiazolidinylidene-2,4,2', 4'-tetrathiones (SS-R, R = Et, Pr), form 1 1 composition charge-transfer complexes with donors such as pyrene, perylene, and coronene. These complexes have mixed stacks, and the SS-R complexes show n-channel transistor properties due to the intercolumnar S center dot center dot center dot S contacts between the acceptors. By contrast, the OS-R and SO-R complexes exhibit basically hole-dominant ambipolar properties due to the absence of S center dot center dot center dot S contacts. Accordingly, the charge transport is governed mostly by the direct interchain interactions instead of the transport along the columns.

The temperature dependence of thermoelectric power is investigated down to low temperatures for oriented thin films of organic conductors. In addition to the evaporated films, highly oriented films consisting of nanoparticles are fabricated by the solution method for tetrathiafulvalene:tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF)(TCNQ) and (TTF)[Ni(dmit)2]2 (dmit: 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato). The resulting films show n-type thermoelectric power, whose temperature dependence is similar to the single-crystal result along the most conducting axis. Owing to the ordered orientation and nanostructures, the thermoelectric power factor is considerably improved in comparison with the ordinary organic films.

(CH3)4N[Ni(dmit)2]2 shows ordinary T-linear thermoelectric power of −40 µV/K at room temperature coming from the quasi-one-dimensional band, but β-(CH3)4N[Pd(dmit)2]2 shows small negative thermoele...

Small-molecule organic metals are interesting not only due to the intriguing thermoelectric properties but also as promising thermoelectric materials. In this study, single-junction thermoelectric generators are investigated combining p-type materials such as (BTBT)2PF6, (BTBT)2AsF6, and (TMTSF)2PF6 (BTBT: [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene, and TMTSF: tetramethyl tetraselenafulvalene) with n-type materials such as Cu(DMDCNQI)2 and (TTM-TTP)(I3)5/3 (DMDCNQI: 2,5-dimethyl N,N’-dicyanoquinonediimine, and TTM-TTP: 2,5-bis[4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene). These complexes exhibit high and metallic conductivity exceeding 250 S cm−1 at room temperature, and result in large power factors from 26 to 116 μW m−1 K−2. Power output of a (TMTSF)2PF6/Cu(DMDCNQI)2 thermoelectric generator achieves 36 μW cm−1 at room temperature with a temperature difference of 10 K. In the actual thermoelectric generator with contact resistance, large Seebeck coefficient is more important than the power factor, and energy level matching between the thermoelectric and electrode materials is desirable.

Persistent room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) under ambient conditions is attracting attention due to its strong potential for applications in bioimaging, sensing, or optical recording. Molecular packing leading to a rigid crystalline structure that minimizes nonradiative pathways from triplet state is often investigated for efficient RTP. However, for complex conjugated systems a key strategy to suppress the nonradiative deactivation is not found yet. Here, the origin of small rates of a nonradiative decay process from triplet states of conjugated molecular crystals showing RTP is reported. Optical microscopy analysis showed that, despite a favorable molecular stacking, an aromatic crystal with strong RTP is characterized by small diffusion length and small values of the diffusion coefficient of triplet excitons. Quantum chemical calculations reveal a large overlap between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals but very small overlap between the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs). Inefficient electron exchange caused by the small overlap of HOMOs prevents triplet excitons from diffusing over long distances and consequently from quenching at defect sites inside the crystal or at the crystal surface. These results will allow design of comprehensive molecular structures to obtain molecular solids with more efficient RTP.

Finger Gestural Interface (FGI) is a novel lightweight natural interface. Magic Ring is a kind of wearable finger gesture input device. It is desired to perform the evaluation work on such kind of interface in some realistic scenario. In this paper, we set up a multiple home appliances control system as the test bed and perform the usability evaluation experiment on Magic Ring over 18 subjects. The appliance control process is divided into several steps. Novice Expert ratio Method (NEM) is adopted to observe the different time cost on each step between the expert user (the developer) and novice user (the subjects). The cons and pros are heighted through the quantitative experiment analysis.

To study the adaptation process for standing postural control in patients with hemiparesis after stroke.The changes of a standing posture developed in nine hemiparetic patients who had never maintained an upright stance alone (aged 48-62 years; 6-19 days after stroke) was evaluated by recording ground reaction forces and surface electromyographic (EMG) from lower limbs. A 60-s standing trial without any instruction about body alignment was repeated five times, and the experience-related changes of centre of pressure (COP) and integrated EMG data were estimated.In the early standing trials, patients balanced themselves by managing the average COP position around the midline of both feet, accompanied by increased muscular activity of the non-paretic leg. COP displacement gradually decreased in the later standing trials (P0.05). Postural adaptations were achieved by shifting the centre of body sway to the side of the non-paretic foot (P0.05) while reducing biceps femoris muscular activity (P0.01) in the non-paretic leg.This study revealed that weight-bearing asymmetry might contribute to improving increased body sway and muscular over-activity of the non-paretic leg. When planning rehabilitative treatment for hemiparetic patients, we should consider that weight-bearing asymmetry may be a result of systematic postural control.

In the title compound, 3-[(3,4-di­hydro-2-methyl-4-oxopyrimidin-5-yl)­methyl]-5-(2-hydroxy­ethyl)-4-methyl­thia­zolium hexa­fluoro­phosphate monohydrate, C12H16N3O2S+·PF6−·H2O, oxy­thi­amine is a monovalent cation with a neutral oxo­pyrimidine ring. The mol­ecule assumes the F conformation, which is a common form for thi­amine but which is substantially different from the unusual V conformation found in the chloride and hydro­chloride salts of oxy­thi­amine. The anion-bridging interaction, C—H⋯anion⋯pyrimidine, is emphasized as being important for stabilization of the F conformation.

In the title compound, 3-[(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxopyrimidin-5-yl) methyl]-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazolium hexafluorophosphate monohydrate,C(12)H(16)N(3)O(2)S(+).PF(6)(-).H(2)O, oxythiamine is a monovalent cation with a neutral oxopyrimidine ring. The molecule assumes the F conformation, which is a common form for thiamine but which is substantially different from the unusual V conformation found in the chloride and hydrochloride salts of oxythiamine. The anion-bridging interaction, C-H...anion...pyrimidine, is emphasized as being important for stabilization of the F conformation.

Corrosion behavior of tinplates covered with the molybdenum compound film was investigated in organic acid solution. Specimens treated by pulsed current in the molybdate solution inhibited anodic and cathodic reactions in organic acid solution. Corrosion current densities of these specimens were lower than the specimen without treatment. Anodic or cathodic polarization, however, caused the pitting corrosion on surface of these specimens covered with molybdenum compounds.

On the basis of an excellent transistor material, [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (BTBT), a series of highly conductive organic metals with the composition of (BTBT)2XF6 (X = P, As, Sb, and Ta) are prepared and the structural and physical properties are investigated. The room-temperature conductivity amounts to 4100 S cm(-1) in the AsF6 salt, corresponding to the drift mobility of 16 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). Owing to the high conductivity, this salt shows a thermoelectric power factor of 55-88 μW K(-2) m(-1), which is a large value when this compound is regarded as an organic thermoelectric material. The thermoelectric power and the reflectance spectrum indicate a large bandwidth of 1.4 eV. These salts exhibit an abrupt resistivity jump under 200 K, which turns to an insulating state below 60 K. The paramagnetic spin susceptibility, and the Raman and the IR spectra suggest 4kF charge-density waves as an origin of the low-temperature insulating state.