Direct Conversion of Phase-Transition Entropy into Electrochemical Thermopower and the Peltier Effect.

A thermocell generates thermopower from a temperature difference (ΔT) between two electrodes. The converse process of thermocells is an electrochemical Peltier effect, which creates a ΔT on the electrodes by applying an external current. The Seebeck coefficient (S ) of the electrochemical system is proportional to the entropy change of the redox reaction; therefore, a redox system having a significant entropy change is expected to increase the S .

Clinical utility of minimally invasive posterior internal fixation within the pelvic ring using S2 alar iliac screws for unstable pelvic ring fracture.

Introduction: Posterior internal fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures is often associated with complications, including pelvic hemorrhage and gluteal necrosis. Pelvic ring fixation using the S2 alar iliac screw (SAIS) without fixation of the lumbosacral vertebrae may have potential as a novel, minimally invasive technique for treating unstable pelvic ring fractures. The present study compared clinical outcomes in patients who underwent SAIS fixation within the pelvic ring with a historical control group of patients who underwent conventional trans-iliac plate fixation for the treatment of unstable pelvic ring fractures.

Analysis of the risk factors for tracheostomy and decannulation after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury in an aging population.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objectives: To investigate the risk factors associated with tracheostomy after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) and to identify factors associated with decannulation in an aging population.

Setting: Advanced critical care and emergency center in Yokohama, Japan.

Risk factors associated with mortality after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To investigate the mortality rate following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) injury and analyze the associated risk factors.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: One Level 1 trauma center.

Rapid sensitive molecular diagnosis of pyogenic spinal infections using methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus-specific polymerase chain reaction and 16S ribosomal RNA gene-based universal polymerase chain reaction.

Background Context: Rapid diagnosis and accurate detection of etiological agents in pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) patients are important.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus-specific polymerase chain reaction (MRS-PCR) and broad-range universal PCR (U-PCR) for diagnosing PSI.

Study Design: A prospective diagnostic study.