Low-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy on Amorphous Poly(Ether Ether Ketone) (PEEK).

Low-frequency peaks in the Raman spectra of amorphous poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) were investigated. An amorphous sample with zero crystallinity, as confirmed by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, was used in this study. In a previous study, two peaks were observed in the low-frequency Raman spectra of the crystallized samples.

Visualization and identification of components in a gigantic spherical dolomite concretion by Raman imaging in combination with MCR or CLS methods.

The combination of Raman imaging and multivariate curve resolution (MCR) or classical least squares (CLS) has allowed us to explore the distribution and identification of components in a gigantic spherical dolomite concretion. It has been found by the MCR and CLS analyses of imaging data that the concretion contains dolomite, kerogen, anatase, quartz, plagioclase, and carbon materials with considerably large distribution of dolomite. The existence of these components has also been confirmed by the point-by-point analysis of imaging data.

Real-time in-depth imaging of gap formation in bulk-fill resin composites.

Objectives: This study visualized in real-time the gap forming of bulk-fill resin composites during polymerization using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Light-cured bulk-fill resin composites; Tetric N-ceram Bulk Fill (TNB), SonicFill (SNF), Surefil SDR (SDR), dual-cured bulk-fill resin composite Bulk EZ (BEZ), and light-cured core resin composite Clearfil Photo Core (CPC) were investigated. Swept-source OCT real-time cross-sectional monitoring was obtained during resin composite placement and curing procedure.

Community activities predict disability and mortality in community-dwelling older adults.

Aim: With aging, it is important to maintain older community dwellers' regular engagement with familiar community activities (CA) engaged in close to home to protect them from frailty. Thus, the present study aimed to examine whether CA items or CA score were associated with mortality or the need for care under the new long-term care insurance service requirements over 3 years among community-dwelling older Japanese adults.

Methods: We analyzed cohort data for older adults from a prospective cohort study in Kami town, Japan.

Health checkup behavior and individual health beliefs in older adults.

Aim: Despite Japan being a developed nation, half of its older population does not attend regular health checkups. The aim of the present study was to examine the individual health beliefs and personal recommendations that strongly influence health checkup attendance among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: In 2013, questionnaires were sent to 5401 community-dwelling older adults who were not receiving long-term institutionalized care.

Self-Assessed Kyphosis and Chewing Disorders Predict Disability and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objective: It is clear that each trend of kyphosis with increased age and the ability to eat firm foods with the back teeth (chewing ability) has a strong influence on both the physical and mental condition of older people. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether the combination of kyphosis and chewing disorders was associated with mortality or the need for care under the new long-term care insurance (LTCI) service requirement, over 3 years in community-dwelling older Japanese adults.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

The relationship of community activities with cognitive impairment and depressive mood independent of mobility disorder in Japanese older adults.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship of participating in community activities (CA) with cognitive impairment and depressive mood independent of mobility disorder (MD) among older Japanese people.

Methods: Elderly residents in institutions or those requiring long-term care insurance services were excluded; questionnaires were mailed to 5401 older adults in 2013. The response rate was 94.

Effect of self-reported quality of sleep on mobility in older adults.

Aim: Quality of sleep (QOS) has been shown to have an affect on mental and physical well-being, and quality of life. However, few studies have investigated how sleep affects mobility in older adults. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between QOS and mobility disorder (MD) in community-dwelling older adults.

Long-term biopersistence of tangled oxidized carbon nanotubes inside and outside macrophages in rat subcutaneous tissue.

Because of their mechanical strength, chemical stability, and low molecular weight, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are attractive biological implant materials. Biomaterials are typically implanted into subcutaneous tissue or bone; however, the long-term biopersistence of CNTs in these tissues is unknown. Here, tangled oxidized multi-walled CNTs (t-ox-MWCNTs) were implanted into rat subcutaneous tissues and structural changes in the t-ox-MWCNTs located inside and outside of macrophages were studied for 2 years post-implantation.

Metal cations modulate the bacteriochlorophyll-protein interaction in the light-harvesting 1 core complex from Thermochromatium tepidum.

The light-harvesting 1 reaction center (LH1-RC) complex from Thermochromatium (Tch.) tepidum exhibits unusual Q(y) absorption by LH1 bacteriochlorophyll-a (BChl-a) molecules at 915nm, and the transition energy is finely modulated by the binding of metal cations to the LH1 polypeptides. Here, we demonstrate the metal-dependent interactions between BChl-a and the polypeptides within the intact LH1-RC complexes by near-infrared Raman spectroscopy.