Absolute Method for Measuring Environmental Radioactive Materials Using Imaging Plates.

We had previously developed a measurement method using an imaging plate (IP) to evaluate and address surface contamination caused by the release of radioactive materials during the Fukushima nuclear accident. The measurement units for the surface contamination density were in relative values [described as relative luminescence levels measured in luminescence arbitrary units (LAU)], but the evaluation was required in absolute values, such as Bq cm -2 , to enable appropriate control of exposure doses. This study establishes a method for converting the IP measurements of surface contamination density due to environmental radioactivity into absolute values.

Hot-pack therapy increased gliding function of the iliotibial band during passive knee motion: An exploratory study.

Introduction: Quantifying soft tissue dynamics during joint motion is important for the valid assessment and development of effective therapeutic interventions for the soft tissues. This study aimed to examine the immediate effect of thermotherapy on gliding of the iliotibial band (ITB), including the subcutaneous tissue, and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during passive knee joint motion.

Methods: Ten participants (age, 20.

Motor activation is modulated by visual experience during cyclic gait observation: A transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been widely utilized to noninvasively explore the motor system during the observation of human movement. However, few studies have characterized motor cortex activity during periodic gait observation. Thus, this study examined the effects of an observer's visual experience and/or intention to imitate on corticospinal excitability during the observation of another's gait.

Association between trunk acceleration during walking and clinically assessed balance in patients with stroke.

Background: Accelerometers provide information regarding balance and gait, but they are rarely used in clinical settings for stroke patients. Clinically, balance is assessed with simple tests, but their relationships with accelerometry results after stroke are unknown.

Objective: We examined the relationship between accelerometry-assessed gait indices calculated from trunk acceleration and results of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) tests in stroke patients.

Excitability changes in intracortical neural circuits induced by differentially controlled walking patterns.

Our previous single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study revealed that excitability in the motor cortex can be altered by conscious control of walking relative to less conscious normal walking. However, substantial elements and underlying mechanisms for inducing walking-related cortical plasticity are still unknown. Hence, in this study we aimed to examine the characteristics of electromyographic (EMG) recordings obtained during different walking conditions, namely, symmetrical walking (SW), asymmetrical walking 1 (AW1), and asymmetrical walking 2 (AW2), with left to right stance duration ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1, respectively.

Intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities of real-time acceleration gait analysis system.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to construct a real-time acceleration gait analysis system equipped with software to analyse real-time trunk acceleration during walking and to examine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities of the this system.

Methods: This system has been comprised of an accelerometer, an acceleration amplifier, a transmitter, two foot switches, a receiver and a personal computer installed with the real-time acceleration analysis software. The acceleration signals received were analysed using the real-time acceleration analysis software, and gait parameters were calculated.

Effects of volitional walking control on postexercise changes in motor cortical excitability.

To explore the effects of qualitative or quantitative changes in walking on motor cortical excitability, a transcranial magnetic stimulation procedure was used to examine the alterations of motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude following walking. Eight healthy participants completed a series of two walking tasks on a treadmill at 2 km/h. The ratio of the left stance duration to the right stance duration was 1 : 2 in the asymmetrical walking task and 1 : 1 in the symmetrical walking task.

Influence of trunk muscle co-contraction on spinal curvature during sitting.

Background And Purpose: Slumped sitting is known to increase disc pressure and aggravate chronic low back pain. In addition, it has been recognized that co-contraction of the deep spine-stabilizing muscles enhances lumbar segmental stability and the sacro-iliac joint. The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the trunk muscles and the muscle thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) during slumped sitting with the same parameters during co-contraction and investigate how co-contraction influences spinal curvature.

[Experience using the isocenter verification device in proton therapy equipment].

In this study, we developed an isocenter verification device for use in proton therapy. Radiation and mechanical isocenters were verified for treatment equipment including room lasers, a digital radiography system and the beam axis of a rotational gantry. The special feature of this device is its ability to correlate the position of the three isocenters in one measurement and thus improve accuracy compared to the conventional method using three separate devices.

Metathesis-like splitting reactions of metallated [36]octaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1): experimental and computational investigations.

meso-Octakis(pentafluorophenyl)-substituted [36]octaphyrin(1.1.1.