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One form of abnormal scapular alignment is scapular downward rotation (SDR). Changes in muscle function in SDR have not been clearly identified, and SDR exercises also require investigation. Although a diagonal pattern of exercise is commonly used as part of the exercise protocol, a direct comparison of shoulder and scapular diagonal exercises has not yet been conducted. The objectives of this study were to determine the altered activation of the scapular musculature in the SDR group and to investigate which diagonal pattern of exercise effectively activates the scapular musculature.Thirty-two participants (18 in the control group and 14 in the SDR group) volunteered to participate in this study. Electromyographic signals were collected from four muscles, the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and anterior deltoid (AD), during standing performance of diagonal shoulder and scapular exercises.The control group showed significantly lower UT activity, UT/LT ratio, and UT/SA values than the SDR group (p .05). Activation of the AD was significantly higher in the SDR than in the control group (p .05). SA and AD activation were significantly higher in shoulder diagonal pattern exercises than in scapular diagonal pattern exercises (p .05). The scapular posterior elevation pattern exercise showed significantly higher UT and LT activities than anterior elevation and shoulder diagonal pattern exercises (p .05).Our findings suggest that reduced activation of the UT could lead to greater activation in the AD in SDR. Scapular posterior elevation exercise is advantageous as selectively activates the trapezius musculature, and shoulder diagonal pattern exercise is advantageous in activating the SA and AD.

At this stage, it is undeniable that smart agriculture has become an inevitable development direction of agricultural production. The most basic part of smart agriculture is the collection and arrangement of big data. This paper discusses the effects of combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on photosynthetic characteristics and dry matter yield of silage corn, and uses silage corn varieties “Jinzhu 100” to provide theoretical support for big data in smart agriculture. In this experiment, 25 kinds of mixed treatments were set up, and the relevant indexes of corn were measured. Among the 25 treatments, N4P4 (nitrogen application 240.00 kg/hm2, phosphorus application P2O5 112.50 kg/hm2) and N4P3 (nitrogen application 240.00 kg/hm2, phosphorus application P2O5 75.00 kg/hm2) applied to “Jinzhu 100” plant height, leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll accumulation promoted the effects most significantly. N4P3 (nitrogen application 240.00 kg/hm2, phosphorus application P2O5 575.00 kg/hm2) had the most significant effect on increasing the dry matter weight of “Jinzhu 100”. Among the 25 treatments, N4P4 treatment had the best photosynthetic physiology and growth promotion effect of “Jinzhu 100”.

BACKGROUND: Problems related to ankle instability, decreased proprioceptive sensation, altered static and dynamic balance abilities are suggested as major representative factors that contribute to the recurrence of ankle sprains. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a three-week intervention (intervention emphasizing diagonal eccentric contraction (IEDEC) and intervention of general exercise (IGE)) on static and dynamic balance abilities, ankle strength and joint position sense at pre- and post-intervention, and at two- and three-week post-intervention. METHODS: Twenty-five participants with ankle instability, including a history of ankle sprain and recurrent episodes of giving way, were enrolled in the study. They were randomly classified into the IEDEC group (n= 12) and the IGE group (n= 13). Dynamic balance was examined using the Y Balance Test, four-way ankle strength was measured, and the static balance was evaluated using the total displacement of the center of pressure (COP). To identify the joint position error, eversion and inversion of the ankle angle were measured. RESULTS: The results revealed significant increases in ankle dynamic stability and strength at two and three weeks post-intervention (p< 0.05). Similarly, the total displacement of the COP differed significantly over time, with a higher COP during the initial measurement than at two and three weeks intervention (p< 0.05) General balance training with IEDEC can improve position sense during ankle inversion (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: General balance training with IEDEC improved the position sense of the inversion. Combined therapeutic intervention, such as with the manual technique, could be a beneficial approach to maximize the treatment effects.

Background: In recent years, a three-dimensional ankle exercise has been proposed as a practice for strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles, however this topic still requires further research. This study aimed to compare the activities of the intrinsic muscles in healthy participants during 3D foot&ndash, ankle exercises, namely, short foot (SF), and toe spread out (TSO). Methods: Prior to the experiment, 16 healthy adults were trained on how to perform SF, TSO, and 3D foot&ndash, ankle exercises for an hour. Once all participants passed the foot&ndash, ankle exercise performance test, we randomly measured the activity of the intrinsic foot muscles using electromyography while the patients were performing foot&ndash, ankle exercises. Results: The abductor hallucis (AbH), extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) activities showed significant differences among the exercises for intrinsic foot muscle strengthening (p &lt, 0.01). Additionally, the AbH/AdH (adductor hallucis) ratio showed significant differences among the exercises for strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles (p &lt, 0.01). Conclusions: Our results showed that the 3D extension exercise is as effective as the therapeutic exercise in terms of the AbH and FHB activities, and the AbH/AdH ratio. On the contrary, the 3D flexion exercise showed superiority in terms of the EHL activity.

Background General ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) cannot be flexibly adjusted to volumetric change in the lower leg because the molding is custom-fit. Thus, we developed a flexible assistive device called elastic neutral AFO (EN-AFO) to help stroke patients hold a neutral ankle position. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EN-AFO and improve gait patterns in stroke patients with rearfoot varus deformity. Methods Fifteen stroke patients with a varus deformity of the foot performed a walking test with and without the use of EN-AFO. Kinematic data were measured with a 3D motion analysis system with inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. Results In the stance phase, maximal pelvic tilt and maximal ankle dorsiflexion in the affected side changed, and maximal and minimal pelvic tilts and maximal hip abduction in the less-affected limb effectively changed, as well. During the swing phase, minimal pelvic tilt and minimal ankle abduction in the affective limb greatly changed; particularly, the reduction of maximal ankle inversion was significantly cleared. Conclusions The EN-AFO was effective in controlling the tendency of foot inversion in patients with varus deformities. This is suitable for gait training, as it can adjust the orthosis stiffness according to the foot condition.

The present study aimed to investigate lumbar multifidus (LM) thickness and perceived exertion during graded superman exercises (GSE) or GSE with an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (GSE-AD) in young adults. Twelve young adult males and females, who were informed of the purpose and procedures of this study and then gave their voluntary consent to participate, were included in this study. All subjects randomly performed three GSE and GSE-AD over 3 days. Ultrasonography was used to measure the LM thickness to the left and right of the L5 region. Additionally, the issue of whole-body fatigue felt by the subject while performing the GSE or GSE-AD was measured using the Borg scale. The intrarater reliability of the LM measurement was found to be intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC[3,1])=0.97 (0.87–0.99) at resting and ICC(3,1)=0.94 (0.78–0.99) at contraction. Both the left and right LM showed significantly higher contraction during the grade 3 GSE (P< 0.05). The whole-body fatigue was significantly greater following GSE 2 and 3 than following GSE-AD 2 and 3 (P0.05). It is recommended that the abdominal drawing-in maneuver be applied with grade 3 GSE to enhance stability and reduce spinal fatigue.

This study investigated potential for foot dysfunction and plantar fasciitis according to the shape of the foot arch in young adults. Fifty-two participants were required for the present study design to achieve 80% power, 0.8 effect size (η2), and an alpha level of 0.05. This study recruited 52 young adults (30 men and 22 women). All participants voluntarily agreed to participate in the study after hearing explanations about the purpose and process of the study. They were divided into two groups of 26 according to the shape of foot with and without flat foot using the navicular drop test. The participants were measured the foot function index (FFI), range of motion (ROM) of ankle, and four-way ankle strength. Additionally, the thickness of the plantar fascia was measured using ultrasonography. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify the inter- and intrarater reliability of ultrasonography. The inter- and intrarater reliability was excellent (ICC2,1=0.88, ICC3,1=0.93). There were significant differences in dorsi-flexion of ankle ROM, FFI, dorsi-flexion and eversion of ankle strength, and the thickness of the plantar fascia between the two groups (P

Many experts have used an indirect method for enhancing strength and performance of muscles in clinical practice. The indirect method, which called an irradiation is a basic procedure of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, there is little research related the effects of irradiation. This study investigated abdominal muscle activity during abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) combined with irradiation variations. The study recruited 42 healthy, young adults who were divided randomly into three groups according to which intervention they received. The first group performed the ADIM combined with coactivation of the pelvic floor muscle. The second group performed the ADIM combined with the irradiation resulting from dorsiflexion of the ankle. The third group performed the ADIM combined with the irradiation resulting from bilateral arm extension. Electromyography data were collected from the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, and transversus abdominis/internal oblique abdominis (TrA/IO) muscles during ADIM combined with irradiation variations. There were significant differences in the abdominal muscle activity and the preferential contraction ratio of the TrA/IO among the three groups (P

Objectives This study compared foot arch height, plantar fascia thickness, a range of motion assessments of the ankle joint, strength of the ankle joint, plantar pressure, and balance between obese and normal weight young adults. Methods Fifty-two participants were required for the present study design to achieve 80% power, 0.8 effect size (η2), and an alpha level of 0.05. The participants were categorized to normal weight or obese groups based on BMI (≤ 24 kg/m2 and ≥ 25 kg/m2, respectively). The foot and ankle disability index and Sport survey were completed by the participants before the measurements. Foot arch height was measured using the navicular drop test, and plantar fascia thickness was measured using ultrasound. Plantar pressure and balance tests were also conducted, followed by ankle joint range of motion and strength tests. Results Foot arch height and plantar fascia thickness was significantly higher in the obese group compared with the normal weight group (p < 0.01). There were significant differences in eversion of ankle strength, plantar pressure in the big toe and heel and anterior-posterior balance between normal and obese weight groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion Obese young adults had more abnormalities in the medial longitudinal arch, plantar fascia, and plantar pressure as well as weakened ankle eversion strength and balance problems compared with the normal weight group.

BACKGROUND Various forms of trunk exercise have been used for increasing abdominal strength. The plank exercise and bilateral leg raise exercise are one of these trunk exercises. However, there are few studies that compared the effects of these exercise variations. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate how effectively the trunk muscles during plank and bilateral leg raise exercises are activated. METHOD Surface electromyography responses of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and erector spinae muscles were investigated during the plank and bilateral leg raise exercise with different hip position. A total of 18 healthy, physically active female volunteers completed the normal plank exercise, plank exercise with placing the lower leg in a horizontal condition, bilateral leg raise exercise, and bilateral leg raise with lower leg as horizontal condition. RESULTS The horizontal condition caused significant increases in activity of the internal oblique muscles compared with the general condition (p< 0.05). The bilateral leg raise exercise showed significantly greater activation in the rectus abdominis compared to the plank exercise (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION The present study showed that the horizontal condition had the advantage of activating the internal oblique muscles, and the leg raise exercise is effective in strengthening global muscle such as the rectus abdominis.

BACKGROUND A high prevalence and incidence of neck and shoulder pain are common problems that require more attention from health service providers and researchers. Recent findings have indicated that the neck stretching is the one of the most effective physical therapy interventions. Although the recovery of the pain through the stretching exercise has been described in a previous study, functional advantages and changes of the neuromuscular control has not been suggested. Additionally, there was a lack of studies that considered methods of stretching. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term effects of stretching methods for cervical neuromuscular dysfunction, disability and pain in a sample of sedentary workers with neck pain. METHODS Twenty-four sedentary workers with neck pain participated in this study and were assigned to the following two groups: static stretching (SS), and diagonal active stretching (DS). Active cervical range of motion (ROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT), self reported questionnaire (Neck Disability Index, NDI), and the flexion - relaxation ratio (FRR) from the cervical erector spinae muscles were measured at pre-treatment, post-treatment (after 4 weeks) and follow-up (after 6 and 8 weeks). RESULTS In both groups, the values obtained for the cervical ROM as flexion, extension, lateral flexion, were significantly increased in comparison to pre-treatment (p< 0.05). Significant increases of the left and right neck rotation, left and right FRR were only observed in the DS group (p

Background We hypothesised that the balance of spastic chronic stroke patients is related to myofascial problems. We performed myofascial release (MFR) with a tennis ball on the affected limb, as suggested by Myers. Purpose This study investigated the benefits of 8 weeks of MFR using a tennis ball on the balance of spastic patients. Methods Eight stroke patients were enrolled voluntarily after providing informed consent. All subjects received 8-week interventions with MFR using a tennis ball three times per week. The patients were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed ‘Up & Go' (TUG) test before and after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention. Results There were significant differences in the BBS scores ( p = 0.001). The TUG time decreased significantly at 4 and 8 weeks ( p = 0.034). Conclusion Myofascial release appears to improve the balance of spastic chronic stroke patients; however, further studies should evaluate the effective of MFR on walking in stroke patients and determine the mechanism of the effect of MFR.

The purpose of this study was to identify the changes in the cervical range of motion (CROM), the cervical flexion-relaxation ratio (CFRR), and neck pain after dynamic neck training (DNT) combined with hold-relax technique (HRT) for young college students with video display terminal (VDT) syndrome. For this study, 15 young college students with VDT syndrome were recruited. DNT combined with HRT was applied to all participants in a sitting position for 15 min. Postintervention, the CROM and the CFRR were significantly higher than preintervention, and neck pain had significantly decreased. DNT combined with HRT showed immediate effects on the CROM, the CFRR, and neck pain in young college students with VDT syndrome.

Background and objectives: Obese people have many foot-related disorders and plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common disorder among them. However, research on the role of therapeutic exercises in PF is lacking and there is no evidence to suggest its benefits. As such, a further insight into therapeutic exercises is needed within this group. This case study investigated the effect of three-dimensional (3D) ankle exercises using a combined isotonic (CI) technique on function and balance in an obese subject with PF. Material and methods: The subject in this study was a 28-year-old obese woman who was diagnosed with PF by an orthopedic surgeon. A 3D ankle exercise program was commenced three times a week for 15 min over 4 weeks. The evaluations were conducted at five intervals: pre-test, and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks from the initiation of the intervention. The tests were conducted in the following order: the patient-specific functional scale test (PSFS), an ultrasound of the plantar fascia, the heel pressure and balance test, the pressure pain threshold (PPT), and the 4-way ankle strength test. Results: The mean score of the PSFS test reduced by 70.55% after 4 weeks of the intervention. The thickness of the plantar fascia and heel pressure measured during single-leg standing decreased by 6.67% and 10.37%, respectively, after 4 weeks of the intervention. The anteroposterior and medial-lateral balance ability showed improvements of 8.29% and 8.61%, respectively, after 4 weeks of the intervention. The PPT improved by 38.01% after 4 weeks of the intervention. In the 4-way ankle strength test, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion increased by 14.46%, 9.63%, 4.3% and 13.25%, respectively, after 4 weeks of the intervention. Conclusion: 3D ankle exercises utilizing the CI technique were shown to be effective in improving foot function, pressure pain, and muscle strength in dorsiflexion and inversion in an obese patient with PF.

The cloud model data mining algorithm is one of the important research methods of the "One Belt and One Road" intelligent analysis system. This paper analyzes the algorithm of the "One Belt and One Road" intelligent analysis system and combines with the characteristics of the cloud model data mining algorithm to propose a fusion cloud model data mining algorithm (CMDMA), which is known as "Belt and Road" intelligent analysis system method. Secondly, the cloud model data mining algorithm is discussed, and it can be used to better get the data of "One Belt and One Road" intelligent analysis system. The results show that the construction of the "One Belt and One Road" intelligent analysis system proposed in this paper helps to expand and develop research on online and offline human activities and interaction patterns.

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes of gait pattern, muscle activity, and perceived comfort in response to variations of height-elevating insoles (HEIs) in young adults. The subjects of this study were 30 young adults who voluntarily consented to participate in this experiment after listening to its purpose and method. They were di-vided into 3 groups who wore HEIs height (0, 3, and 7 cm). Each group consisted of 10 young adults and wore the HEIs for 4 hr a day. Electro-myographic signals were collected from the tibialis anterior, the gas-trocnemius, the hamstring, and the right and the left erector spinae (ES) before and after walking with the HEI. Gait pattern was measured be-fore and after walking with the HEI. Perceived comfort was measured after a subject wore the insoles for 4 hr. The activities of ES showed significant differences among the three groups. The activity of the left ES was significantly different between groups 1 (0 cm) and 2 (3 cm) and groups 1 and 3 (7 cm). The activity of the right ES was significantly dif-ferent between groups 1 and 3. The left stride length and the left step length showed significant differences between groups 1 and 3. Per-ceived comfort was significantly different among the three groups. As the HEIs increased, the activities of ES were gradually increased and the left step length and stride were decreased. Using of higher HEIs over 4 hr may be occurred excessive activities of the ES, abnormal gait patterns, and perceived discomfort.

Aim. Kuseonwangdogo is a traditional Korean immunomodulatory polyherbal prescription. However, there are no systemic findings on its complex immunomodulatory effects onin vivomodels. In this study, we observed the immunomodulatory effects of Kuseonwangdogo-based mixed herbal formula aqueous extracts (MHFe) on cyclophosphamide- (CPA-) induced immunosuppression mouse model.Methods. In total, 60 male 6-week-old ICR mice (10 mice/group) were selected based on body weight 24 h after the second CPA treatment and used in this experiment. Twelve hours after the end of the last (fourth) oral administration of MHFe, the animals were sacrificed.Results. Following CPA treatment, a noticeable decrease in the body, thymus, spleen, and submandibular lymph node (LN) weights; white blood cell, red blood cell, platelet number, hemoglobin, and hematocrit concentrations; serum interferon-γlevels; splenic tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, and IL-10 content; and peritoneal and splenic natural killer cell activities was observed. Depletion of lymphoid cells in the thymic cortex, splenic white pulp, and submandibular LN-related atrophic changes were also observed. However, these CPA-induced myelosuppressive signs were markedly and dose-dependently inhibited by the oral administration of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg MHFe.Conclusion. MHFe can be a promising, potent immunomodulatory therapeutic agent for various immune disorders.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of visual stimulus using central and peripheral vision fields on postural control. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects consisted of 40 young adult volunteers (15 males, 25 females) who had been informed of the study purpose and procedure. The subjects were randomly divided into four groups of differing visual stimulus. Each group was given visual intervention in a standing position for 3 minutes. Postural control was evaluated before and after visual intervention. [Results] The results of the functional reach test and body sway test showed significant differences among the four groups. [Conclusion] The two-way peripheral vision-field group showed significantly more body sway after visual intervention than the other three groups. This finding may suggest two-way peripheral vision field is a more effective visual stimulus for training postural control and balance.

This study investigated the reliability of ultrasound in combination with surface electromyogram (EMG) for evaluating the activity of the abdominal muscles in individuals with and without low back pain during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). The study recruited ten individuals with or without low back pain, respectively. While the participants were performing the ADIM, the activities of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and the internal oblique (IO) were measured using ultra-sound, while the activities of the external oblique (EO) and the rectus abdominis (RA) were measured using surface EMG. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to verify the inter-rater reliability of ultrasound in combination with surface EMG at rest and during the ADIM, and Bland-Altman plots were used to verify intra-rater reliability. The inter-rater reliability for the two groups at rest and during the ADIM was excellent (ICC2,1 = 0.77–0.95). In the Bland-Altman plots, the mean differences and 95% limits of agreement in the abdominal muscles of the two groups at rest were −0.03∼0.03 mm (−0.66 to 0.60 mm) and −0.12∼ −0.05 (−0.58 to 0.48% MVIC), respectively. The mean differences and 95% limits of agreement in the abdominal muscles of the two groups during the ADIM were −0.04∼0.02 mm (−0.73 to 0.65 mm) and −0.19∼0.05% MVIC (−1.24 to 1.34% MVIC), respectively. The ultrasound in combination with surface EMG showed excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability at rest and during the ADIM.

The objective of this study was to determine appropriate knee angles for the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) through evaluation of changes in contraction ratios of the abdominal muscles and activity of quadriceps muscle in relation to changes in knee angles occurring while the ADIM is performed in the wall support standing (WSS). 20 subjects performed the ADIM at different knee angles (0°, 20°, 40°, 60°) in random order, standing at a point 6 inches away from the wall with the spine maintained in the neutral position. The WSS with knee flexion at 20° showed significantly higher preferential contraction ratio (PCR) of transversus abdominis (TrA) compared to other positions (0°, 40°, 60°). Therefore, performing the ADIM in the WSS with knee flexion at 20° appears to be the most appropriate position for TrA PCR.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to research the effect of performing the suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) and self-myofascial release (SMFR) techniques in the suboccipital area on the flexibility of the hamstring. [Subjects] Fifty persons with short hamstrings participated in this research. According to the results of the finger-floor distance (FFD) test, the subjects were allocated to SMI and SMFR groups of 25 subjects each. [Methods] The SMI and SMFR techniques were applied to the groups. For the analysis, we used the FFD test and the straight leg raise (SLR) test for the flexibility of hamstring. The evaluator was blindfolded. [Results] In the SMI group, FFD, SLR, and PA were significantly changed after the intervention, and in the SMFR group, there was a significant change in SLR after the intervention. In a comparison between the groups, FED was found to be significantly increased in the SMI group. [Conclusion] Application of the SMI and SMFR to persons with short hamstrings resulted in immediate increases in flexibility of the hamstring. However, we could see that the SMI technique was more effective.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the flexion angle of the knee joint and the abduction angle of the hip joint on the activation of the cervical region and abdominal muscles. [Subjects] A total of 42 subjects were enrolled 9 males and 33 females. [Methods] The bridging exercise in this study was one form of exercise with a knee joint flexion angle of 90°. Based on this, a bridging exercise was conducted at the postures of abduction of the lower extremities at 0, 5, 10, and 15°. [Result] The changes in the knee joint angle and the hip abduction angle exhibited statistically significant effects on the cervical erector spinae, adductor magnus, and gluteus medius muscles. The abduction angles did not result in statistically significant effects on the upper trapezium, erector spinae, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles. However, in relation to the knee joint angles, during the bridging exercise, statistically significant results were exhibited. [Conclusion] When patients with both cervical and back pain do a bridging exercise, widening the knee joint angle would reduce cervical and shoulder muscle activity through minimal levels of abduction, permitting trunk muscle strengthening with reduced cervical muscle activity. This method would be helpful for strengthening trunk muscles in a selective manner.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate pressure variation for performing a successful abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). The abdominal muscle thickness variations and contraction ratios were examined in relation to pressure variations using a Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU) during an ADIM in the supine position. [Methods] The PBU was placed identically between the lumbar lordosis of 20 healthy subjects (12 males and 8 females) and the pressure of the PBU was maintained at 40 mmHg. Then, while the subjects performed ADIM at four random pressure variations (0, 2, 4, or 6 mmHg), the thicknesses of the transversus abdominis (TrA), the internal oblique abdominal muscle (IO), and the external oblique abdominal muscle (EO) were measured using ultrasonography. [Results] Pressure increases of 0-2 mmHg resulted in significant decreases in IO and EO thicknesses compared to pressure increases of 6 mmHg. Increases of 0-2 mmHg also resulted in significant decreases in IO+EO and EO contraction ratios compared to pressure increases of 6 mmHg, while the preferential activation ratio of the TrA was significantly increased. [Conclusion] Compared to the other pressure increases, an increase of 0-2 mmHg effectively regulated the thicknesses and contraction ratios of superficial muscles such as IO and EO, rather than the thickness and contraction ratio of the TrA, showing high and indirect preferential activation ratios for TrA. Therefore, for successful ADIM, rather than using large PBU pressure increases, exercises that promote slight increases of around 0-2 mmHg from a baseline of 40 mmHg are desirable.

Background: In May 2012, an outbreak of viral hepatitis A was reported to the Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention from a middle school in Liujiang County. An investigation was conducted to identify the cause and mode of transmission and to recommend control and prevention measures.Methods: A case was defined as any person from the middle school with onset of fatigue, anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or jaundice from 20 February to 20 May 2012. We compared attack rates (AR) between boys and girls, assuming that only boys used well water and girls used pipeline water. We then selected 133 students from three classes in each of the three grades to compare AR by reported water source and drinking history.Results: There were 22 cases, an AR of 3.8% (21/553) for students and 1.5% for teachers (1/65). Those who used well water were 8.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1–37.2) times more likely to be ill than those using pipeline water. The cohort study showed that students who reported using well water daily were 5.2 (95% CI = 0.7–41.8) times more likely to be ill than those that reported using the pipeline water daily. Eighteen cases were confirmed as hepatitis A.Conclusion: This hepatitis A outbreak was potentially caused by a contaminated school well. We recommended that the school discontinue using the well and that the students should drink boiled water. As there is a vaccine for hepatitis A, we recommended that several doses of the vaccine be stored for controlling outbreaks and for immunizing susceptible populations in future outbreaks.

Electronic commerce which had researched 7.0 trillion’s market scale in china by the end of 2011 has become one of the most important models of modern business, greatly promoting commercial activities. Internet of Things (IoT) in which wireless network of uniquely identifiable objects was used for the Internet has extended into our daily lives. So far there have already lots of works on the related subjects. And lots of researches about the applications of ToT, also some papers engaged in the application of IoT in E-commerce. But almost all of the works either focused on the two different subjects respectively, or only touched on the application of the later in the former, in this paper we made some researches of the application in details from the points of business models and technologies related, also we discussed about some related questions such as “Privacy and Security Issues” that was needed to deal with in the future.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of a conventional quadriceps setting exercise (CQS) and a modified quadriceps setting exercise (MQS) on the strength of the quadriceps femoris, hamstring and gluteus maximus muscles, and the walking ability of elderly persons with osteoarthritis (OA) during their early rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). [Subjects] The subject of this study were 44 elderly women aged 65 or over who were scheduled to undergo TKA on one knee and who voluntarily consented to participate in this experiment after listening to its purpose and method. We divided the subjects into an experimental group (n=22) who performed MQS and a control group (n=22) who performed CQS. [Methods] We measured subjectsAf muscle strength and conducted the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before surgery, 2 weeks after surgery, and 4 weeks after surgery. [Results] Changes in the strength of the hamstring and gluteus maximus muscles were significantly different between the two groups. [Conclusion] MQS may enhance the strength of the hamstring as well as gluteus maximus muscles and is considered an appropriate exercise for the elderly in their early rehabilitation after TKA.

blending is now a popular technology for large realtime texture synthesis .Nevertheless, creating blend map during rendering is time and computation consuming work. In this paper, we exploited a method to create a kind of blend tile which can be tile together seamlessly. Note that blend map is in fact a kind of image, which is Markov Random Field, contains multiresolution signals, while wavelet is a powerful way to process multiresolution signals, we use wavelet to process the traditional blend tile. After our processing steps, the result blend tile become smooth and suitable for tiling, with no important features lost. Using this kind blend tile, many computation resources for computing blend map during texture synthesizing is saved. The experimental results shows that our method may successfully process many traditional blend tiles.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) feedback during the abdominal hollowing exercise (AHE) in three different positions by monitoring the changes in the thicknesses of the abdominal muscles. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 42 healthy male adults who listened to an explanation of the study method and purpose and agreed to participate in the experiments. They were divided into an experimental group of 21 subjects who received RUSI feedback and a control group of 21 subjects who did not receive RUSI feedback. [Methods] The thickness of the abdominal muscles was measured during rest and AHE in three positions. The thickness changes between rest and AHE were compared between the two groups. [Results] The difference in internal abdominal oblique (IO) thickness changes between the groups were significant. The differences in external abdominal oblique (EO) thickness changes were only significant among the positions. A post hoc analysis of the differences in EO thickness changes among the positions found significant differences between the crook lying and four-point kneeling positions. The transversus abdominis (TrA) thickness changes showed significant interaction between group and position. [Conclusion] RUSI feedback assists the independent activities of TrA by decreasing the thickness changes of global muscles such as IO and EO. Furthermore, crook lying is a more effective position in AH training with RUSI feedback than the other two positions as it increases TrA thickness changes while minimizing those of EO.

[Purpose] This study examined the activities of the rectus abdominis (RA), external abdominal oblique (EO), transversus abdominis and internal abdominal oblique (TrA/IO) while abdominal hollowing (AH) was performed in four different positions (crook lying, prone lying, four-point kneeling, wall support standing). [Subjects] Experiments were conducted on 36 healthy male adults (mean age=24.44 years) who voluntarily agreed to participate in the experiments. [Methods] Each subject was instructed regarding maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and AH. While the MVC and AH of individual muscles were being performed, the activity of the muscles was measured using surface electromyography (EMG). The activity of the muscles while performing AH was normalized to percentages of MVC. [Results] TrA/IO showed significant differences among the positions and showed the highest muscle activity for prone lying. [Conclusion] The contraction of the TrA/IO was shown to be the highest muscle activity in prone lying. Therefore, we consider that various kinds of technique can eliminate EO activity during performing AH in prone lying.

This paper presents a implantable intrathecal drug infusion pump for pain control in cancer patients. This device consists of micropump module, drug reservoir module and control module. The micropump module using cam-follower mechanism composed of small-sized four cams and four followers. Each followers is driven by a cam and liquid is discharged by a sequential reciprocal motion of the followers. The advantage of this structure is that it allows the pump to be clean and valveless. The drug reservoir module composed of drug chamber, gas chamber and diaphragm. The control module composed of battery, wireless communication unit and controller. To design a small-sized, low power pump some analysis were performed to determine the design parameters. To verify the feasibility of the experiment, a prototype was manufactured and its operating characteristics were investigated. Experimental results were in accordance with the expected results obtained from analysis. 1. 서 론***

This paper proposes a tube pump composed of small-sized cams and followers for an implantable intrathecal drug infusion device. Each followers is driven by a cam and liquid is discharged by a sequential reciprocal motion of the followers. The advantage of this structure is that it allows the pump to be clean and valveless. To design a small-sized, low power pump some analysis were performed to determine the design parameters of the cam, follower and the tube. To verify the feasibility of the experiment, a prototype was manufactured and its operating characteristics were investigated. Experimental results were in accordance with the expected results obtained from analysis.

Objective: To observe the effect of Xueshuantong injection (XST, with its ingredient as Notoginseng saponin, on acute cerebral infarction (ACI) and on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, so as to comprehensively analyse the mechanism of XST.Methods: Fifty ACI patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, and XST group (30 patients) was treated with XST, and the control group (20 patients) given low molecular dextrose, as well as low molecular heparin calcium. The course of treatment for both groups was 15 days. The changes of effective rate, score of neurologic impairment, tissuetype plasminogen activator (tPA), inhibitor of plasminogen activator (PAI), D-D dimmer, antithrombinIII (AT-III), and fibrinogen (Fbg) were all observed.Results: The total effective rate of XST group was 73.33%, that of the control group 65. 00%. After the therapy, plasma level of tPA, ratio of tPA/PAI, and AT-III content were increased obviously, while the plasma level of PAI and D-D dimmer were decreased significantly (all P 0.05).Conclusion: XST injection could be effective to ACI, the mechanism of which is probably related to improving the balance between plasminogen activator and its inhibitory factor, increasing the activity of fibrinolysin, inactivating thrombin, inhibiting platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, and decreasing blood coagulation.

How to reduce the texture data set need to be transmitted is a key technology for network based 3D GIS application. in this paper, We introduced the concept of land cover distribution map(LCD map) which represents the distribution characteristic of land cover displayed in satellite image and design the algorithm for blending a set of small texture samples under the control of LCD map to produce terrain texture close to satellite image in run time. Contrast to the method which directly mapping satellite image to terrain, our method greatly cut down the amount of data needed to be transmitted, reduce the data transmission delay and therefore provides visual continuity, uniform frame rate. Another merit of our method is that it can generate terrain texture with right resolution for different flight height without extra data needed. A potential advantage of our method need to be research is that it can create texture change with time which is valuable for space-time data simulation.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of diagonal shoulder training on an individual with secondary impingement due to scapular dyskinesis. [Subject] A 54 year-old female with secondary impingement participated in this study. [Methods] The patient performed diagonal shoulder training in 4-point kneeling, 3 times per day for 20 minutes over a period of 6 weeks. Evaluations of shoulder pain, range of motion, upper trapezius/lower serratus anterior ratio, and impingement were performed before training and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. [Results] The patient’s parameters improved gradually. All parameters returned to normal ranges at 4 weeks. [Conclusion] Diagonal shoulder training is effective for improving dysfunction in individuals with secondary impingement. In addition, this training should be applied for more than 4 weeks.

Although the adrenal gland is a common site of metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), adrenal metastases are rarely seen in clinical practice because of its lower metastatic potential compared to the other malignancies. Adrenal metastases usually were detected at the time of diagnosis of primary HCC or simultaneously with intrahepatic recurrence after curative management of HCC. It is very rare that only metastatic HCC is detected without evidence of intrahepatic recurrence. Hereby, we report two cases of adrenal metastasis from HCC without intrahepatic recurrence after hepatic resection.

Enteritis cystica profunda is a very rare disease in which a mucin-filled cystic space is surrounded partially with nonneoplastic columnar epithelium in the submucosa of the small intestine. Most of the cases are accompanied by intestinal diseases, and the disease usually occurs in the jejunum and the ileum and there has been no report of a case that occurred in the ampulla of Vater. A 58-year-old healthy female patient without any particular symptom visited the hospital to get additional examination for a mass found on the ampulla of Vater by accident. In esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a cystic mass showing a positive pillow sign was found on the ampulla of Vater. Endoscopic retrogradecholangiopancreatography was conducted as choledochocele was suspected, but no abnormality was found in the biliary system. In endoscopic ultrasonography, multiseptated cystic structures were detected in the submucosal layer of the duodenum. The lesion was resected completely through endoscopic snare polypectomy and the case was histologically diagnosed as enteritis cystica profunda.

Support vector machine(SVM) has gained good performance in classification. We treat the DOA estimation problem as a multi-class classification problem, and solve it by SVM. Train samples generated from array output data with known directions are used to train the SVM and construct classifiers, and then the classifiers will evaluate the test sample generated from unknown direction and derive the final DOA estimation result. The robustness for array errors is analyzed for the DOA estimation based on SVM. Simulation results are presented to confirm the robustness of the algorithm.

Direction-of-arrival estimation is one of the most important issues in the signal processing field. Support vector machines have gained more and more attention in the DOA estimation in the recent ten years. Most researchers deal with the DOA estimation as a multiclass classification problem, and some approach have been proposed to solve the multiclass classification problem. Although the support vector machine has appeared some superior in its independence from array characteristics, the existing multiclass classification techniques encounter troubles when the class number is very large for DOA estimation. A multi-level technique is proposed to solve the large scale multiclass classification problem. Theoretical analysis shows that the multi-level support vector machine can reduce the computation load significantly and simulation experiments are carried out to confirm the conclusion above.