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This paper evaluates and compares the coalescence of polymer particles (continuous polymer films formation) in powdered polymer-modified mortars (PPMMs) and aqueous polymer-modified mortars (APMMs). Polymer-modified mortars (PMMs) using various redispersible polymer powders (powdered cement modifiers) and polymer dispersions (aqueous cement modifiers) were prepared by varying the polymer–cement ratio (P/C) and were tested for the characterization of polymer films using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after curing for 28 days. It is concluded from the test results that mortar constituents of unmodified mortar (UMM) are loosely joined with each other due to the absence of polymer films, thus having a structure with comparatively lower mechanical and durability characteristics. By contrast, mortar constituents in PPMMs and APMMs are compactly joined with each other due to the presence of interweaving polymer films, thereby forming a monolithic structure with improved mechanical and durability characteristics. However, the results make obvious the poor coalescence of polymer particles or development of inferior quality polymers films in PPMMs as compared to that observed in APMMs. Moreover, PPMMs show less uniform distribution of polymer films as compared to that in APMMs. Different powdered cement modifiers have different film-forming capabilities. However, such difference is hardly recognized in aqueous cement modifiers. The polymer films in PPMMs and APMMs may acquire different structures. They may appear as mesh-like, thread-like, rugged, dense or fibrous with fine or rough surfaces. Development of coherent polymer films is not well pronounced at a P/C of 5% in PPMMs, whereas sometimes coherent polymer films are observed at a P/C of 5% in APMMs. At a P/C of 10% or more, fully developed, coherent polymer films are observed in both PPMMs and APMMs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction/Background Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is often observed in right brain-damaged (RBD) patients but it is a poor prognostic factor for predicting recovery of activities of daily living. In this study, we devised a convenient and quantitative test for evaluating USN, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) tracing task, and examined its usefulness. Material and method The subjects were 40 healthy volunteers (21 males; mean age 58.9 years, SD 15.6) and 21 RBD patients (15 males; mean age 54.3 years, SD 10.1). After carrying out the task of copying ROCF, subjects underwent the task of tracing ROCF laid over carbon paper by using a chopstick so as not to leave lines directly on the ROCF. The RBD patients also carried out traditional tests for evaluating USN: the line bisection test, the line cancellation test, and a star cancellation test from the Japanese version of the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT). We quantified results of both the copying and tracing tasks with the total score (Osterrieth, 1944) and the Laterality index (LI) (Jeffrey S 1995, 2001). We set the cut-off values for total score and LI to 2 SD below their averages in the healthy group. Results Of the 21 RBD patients, 5 had USN as judged with the traditional tests. However, with the ROCF tracing task, the total scores of 6 patients and the LIs of 9 patients were below the cut-off values. Furthermore, with the ROCF tracing task, in one RBD patient USN was revealed that had not appeared in the ROCF copying task, and in another patient USN was revealed more clearly than with copying because of a decrease of constructive apraxia. Conclusion The ROCF tracing task might quantify certain aspects of movement memory in the neglect syndrome and detect USN with greater sensitivity than the traditional tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propionimicrobium lymphophilum is an anaerobic Gram-positive bacillus that exists in human skin and urinary tract. The pathogenicity is, however, not well known. Only two cases of urinary tract infection have been described recently. In the case presented here, the bacterium was isolated, concomitant with Actinotignum schaalii, from blood culture of a patient with fever and difficulty of urination. The bacteria were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA sequencing. The case was successfully treated with ampicillin/sulbactam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]