Factors Related to Continuation of Health Behaviours among Stroke Survivors

Purpose: This study investigated stroke survivors'' perspectives of health behaviours after stroke. We aimed to explore the actual process by which stroke survivors changed their health behaviours. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 people in a 1-year prospective study in the regional city of Chiba, Japan. Interviews covered views of health behaviours in order to explore why patients change their risk factors. Data were analysed using the principles of modified grounded theory. Results: Six categories related to practising health behaviours were identified: cause of stroke, antithetic thinking, awareness of the body, fear of disease progression, view of health, and psychological meaning of practise. Stroke survivors constructed a meaning of practise for each health behaviour. The recognition of previous lifestyle as cause of stroke, hope for recovery, and fear of future progression influenced health behaviours. Conclusions: The key finding of this study is that when cognitive behavioural therapy principles are enforced, an important aspect is that stroke survivors recognize the possibility that previous lifestyle was a cause of stroke and appreciate the necessity of preventing a new stroke.     

Direct perfluoroalkylation of non-activated aromatic C-H bonds of phenols

A simple procedure for the perfluoroalkylation of the aromatic ring of phenols under mildly basic conditions is described. Treatment of a variety of phenols with perfluoroalkyl iodide in the presence of the radical initiator V-70L and Cs₂CO₃ provided the corresponding perfluoroalkylated products in moderate to good yields. Generally, the reaction proceeded smoothly at room temperature to yield regioselectively perfluoroalkylated products.     

Isotropic-nematic phase transition in a system of slightly flexible long thin rods

On the basis of Onsager's formalism, the isotropic-nematic phase transition in a system of slightly flexible long thin rods are studied theoretically. The phase diagram and some other physical quantities are calculated and the effects of flexibility are clarified. In particular, it is shown that with increasing flexibility of the rods, the transition density increases and the metastable region of each phase becomes wide.     

Fast Estimation Algorithm for Calculation of Reflectance Map based on Wiener Estimation Technique

We propose a fast estimation algorithm for calculation of a reflectance map from measured radiances based on Wiener estimation technique. This technique uses many sample data of reflectance maps to decide transformation for accurate estimation. Reflectance maps of objects are estimated rapidly by linear operation between a vector of measured radiances and an estimation matrix previously calculated based on the sample data.     

Dynamical properties of strongly interacting Brownian particles : II. Self-diffusion

The self-diffusion process of Brownian particles is theoretically investigated for concentrated systems in the presence of strong potential interactions between particles. Starting from an N-particle diffusion equation, a formalism is developed to calculate the self-diffusion coefficient and the velocity autocorrelation function on the basis of the superposition approximation for the three-particle distribution function of non-equilibrium states. Explicit calculations are carried out for model systems of hard spheres with a screened Coulomb potential. Calculated time-dependent self-diffusion coefficients are compared with available data of the Brownian dynamics. Without introducing any phenomenological or adjustable parameters, quantitative agreement is achieved.     

A plasmonic photocatalyst consisting of silver nanoparticles embedded in titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) displays photocatalytic behavior under near-ultraviolet (UV) illumination. In another scientific field, it is well understood that the excitation of localized plasmon polaritons on the surface of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) causes a tremendous increase of the near-field amplitude at well-defined wavelengths in the near UV. The exact resonance wavelength depends on the shape and the dielectric environment of the NPs. We expected that the photocatalytic behavior of TiO2 would be greatly boosted if it gets assisted by the enhanced near-field amplitudes of localized surface plasmon (LSP). Here we show that this is true indeed. We named this new phenomenon "plasmonic photocatalysis". The key to enable plasmonic photocatalysis is to deposit TiO2 on a NP comprising an Ag core covered with a silica (SiO2) shell to prevent oxidation of Ag by direct contact with TiO2. The most appropriate diameter for Ag NPs and thickness for the SiO2 shell giving rise to LSP in the near UV were estimated from Mie scattering theory. Upon implementing a device that took these design considerations into account, the measured photocatalytic activity under near UV illumination of such a plasmonic photocatalyst, monitored by decomposition of methylene blue, was enhanced by a factor of 7. The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity increases with a decreased thickness of the SiO2 shell. The plasmonic photocatalysis will be of use as a high performance photocatalyst in nearly all current applications but will be of particular importance for applications in locations of minimal light exposure.     

Stable immobilization of an oligonucleotide probe on a gold substrate using tripodal thiol derivatives

We proposed an interface molecule for immobilization of DNA probes on solid substrates of DNA chips. We have designed and synthesized tripodal thiol derivatives for stable immobilization of oligonucleotide probes on a gold surface. On the basis of the tetrahedral structure of tripod, the tripodal thiol derivatives were bonded upright to the gold substrate, which would control the orientation of oligonucleotide probes. When the gold substrate with oligonucleotide probes tethered using the thiol derivatives was exposed to deionized water at higher temperatures, the tripodal interface molecules were attached to the gold surface more stably than the single contact molecules. The DNA chip platform combined with the functional interface molecule is suitable for a reproducible, inexpensive, and high-throughput detection system for genetic analyses in clinical diagnostics.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-erinacine B

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-erinacine B has been achieved. Our approach features convergent construction of the 5-6-7 tricyclic cyathane core system via chiral building blocks prepared using asymmetric catalysis developed by us and highly stereoselective construction of all stereogenic centers in the aglycon. [reaction: see text].     

MR signal change in venous thrombus relates organizing process and thrombolytic response in rabbit

Venous thrombus is subsequently organized and replaced by fibrous connective tissue. However, the sequential changes in venous thrombi are not reliably detected by current noninvasive diagnostic techniques. The purpose of this study is to reveal whether magnetic resonance (MR) can detect venous thrombus, define thrombus age and predict thrombolytic responses. Thrombus in the rabbit jugular vein was imaged with a 1.5-T MR system at 4 h and at 1, 2 and 4 weeks using three-dimensional (3D) fast asymmetric spin echo T2-weighted (T2W) and 3D-gradient echo T1-weighted (T1W) sequences. The jugular veins were histologically assessed at each time point. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also performed in vivo before and 30 min after tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) administration. The thrombi in MRI were comparable in size to histological sections. The signal intensity (SI) of thrombi at 4 h was heterogeneously high or low on T2W or T1W images, respectively. The SI of thrombi on T2W images decreased time-dependently, but increased on T1W images at 1 and 2 weeks. Morphological analysis showed time-dependent decreases in erythrocyte, platelet and fibrin areas and time-dependent increases in smooth muscle cell, macrophage, collagen and iron areas. The t-PA administration significantly decreased thrombus volume at 4 h but not at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Venous thrombosis can be reliably and noninvasively detected by MRI. Measurement of SI might support assessments of thrombus age and thrombolytic response.