Ribonuclease A (RNase A) is immobilized on silver surfaces in oriented and random form via self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols. The immobilization process is characterized step-by-step using chemically selective near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) at the C, N, and S K-edges. Causes of imperfect immobilization are pinpointed, such as oxidation and partial...

Enzymatic bioelectrochemistry represents the marriage of electrochemistry and enzymatic biocatalysis, has led to important applications for biosensors, biofuel cells, bioelectrocatalysis. Enzyme immobilization is basis bioelectrochemistry, as itself determines enzyme/material interface thus electrochemical performance. Amongst range methods enzyme immobilization, one-step approaches feature rap...

[Purpose] To study muscle atrophy, the muscle atrophy model mice have been used frequently. In particular, cast immobilization is the most common method to induce muscle atrophy. However, it is time consuming and often causes adverse events including skin injury, edema, and necrosis. The present study, we developed a hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro) immobilization method as a new, simple, and le...

Single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) is powerful for studying folding states and mechanical properties of proteins, however, it requires protein immobilization onto force-transducing probes such as cantilevers or microbeads. A common method relies on coupling lysine residues to carboxylated surfaces using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl) carbodiimide N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS). Becau...

Robotic systems for computer-assisted surgery involve both tools and techniques that are new to the surgical arena. Registration and immobilization in particular are key problems. Registration is the spatial alignment of the coordinate frames of the robot, an anatomic object (e.g., a bone), and the preoperative plan (a computer model). Immobilization is necessary to maintain that alignment. We ...

BACKGROUND Cast immobilization induces mechanical hypersensitivity, which disturbs rehabilitation. Although vibration therapy can reduce various types of pain, whether vibration reduces immobilization-induced hypersensitivity remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of vibration therapy on immobilization-induced hypersensit...

This paper presents the preclinical evaluation of a novel immobilization system for patients undergoing external beam radiation treatment of head and neck tumors. An immobilization mask is manufactured directly from a 3-D model, built using the CT data routinely acquired for treatment planning so there is no need to take plaster of Paris moulds. Research suggests that many patients find the mou...

Prior to 1992, our postoperative management for congenital muscular torticollis consisted of either plaster cast immobilization or no immobilization, depending on the patient's age and the degree of contracture. However, some patients required further surgery and developed complications. In 1992, we produced rugby helmet braces for postoperative management. The purpose of this study was to comp...