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Objective To evaluate the maximum isometric strength and endurance of lumbar dorsal muscle extensors in patients with degenerative spinal deformity (DSD), and analyze their correlation with the quality of life (QOL). Methods Fifty-six DSD patients admitted in our hospital from May 2018 to March 2019 were collected as the deformity group, and 32 healthy subjects during the same time served as the control group. After admission, the maximal voluntary exertion strength (MVE) strength and endurance time (ET) of all participants were assessed by standing isometric tension test. Their Oswestry disability index (ODI) and 36 simple health questionnaire score (SF-36) were used for the participants. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Roland-Morris low back pain dysfunction score (RMD) were also collected in the DSD group. The correlations of MVE and ET in the DSD group with VAS, ODI, RMD and SF-36 scores were analyzed. Results MVE strength, ET and SF-36 scores of lumbar dorsal muscles were significantly lower in the DSD group than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and ODI score was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in ET between the 2 groups. MVE strength was negatively correlated with VAS, ODI and RMD in the DSD group (P < 0.05), and positively with SF-36 total score and physiological function, role physical, body pain, vitality and social function (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between ET and QOL in the DSD group. Conclusion DSD patients have a decrease in the maximum isometric strength of lumbar dorsal muscle. Improving the lumbar dorsal muscle strength is important for a better QOL in them.

Scoliosis is a 3D deformity of the spine measuring at least 10° of angulation on the posterior-anterior radiograph. Idiopathic scoliosis, the most common one, is the type without definite cause. Histories make men wise, and the course of learning about scoliosis helps us to understand the current problems in its diagnosis and treatment and enhances the development of future modalities. In the past 2 decades, great achievements have been made in imaging, instrumentation, classification, and corrective techniques for idiopathic scoliosis, which have provided new insights on the diagnosis and management of this condition, but its etiology and surgical strategy still remain controversial. So, in this article, we review the general history of idiopathic scoliosis (including adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and early onset scoliosis), summarize the current status and problems in order to provide guidance on the available surgical alternatives to address these conditions. In the near future, strategies should be focused on the etiology and natural history of idiopathic scoliosis, minimally invasive surgery techniques for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and the development of growth friendly implants for early onset scoliosis.

The current investigation studied psychometric properties of the Homework Emotion Regulation Scale (HERS) for math homework, with 915 tenth graders from China. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) supported the presence of two separate yet related subscales for the HERS: Emotion Management and Cognitive Reappraisal. The latent factor means for both subscales were shown to be invariant across gender. Furthermore, both subscales were positively related to homework purposes and behaviors (effort and completion) in the theoretically expected directions. Meanwhile, math performance was positively related to emotion management, but not cognitive reappraisal.

The present investigation examines models of factors influencing time management in online groupwork for Chinese undergraduates. Multilevel findings showed that time management was positively related to five individual-level variables, including online courses taken previously, learning-oriented reasons, arranging the environment, help-seeking and feedback. Furthermore, at the group level, time management was positively correlated with feedback and learning-oriented reasons. Our investigation suggests that results concerning feedback and arranging the environment have the potential to be applicable in cross-cultural settings. It further suggests that time management may be influenced by cultural differences (e.g., value of education and polychromic time orientation). Finally, our result concerning help seeking lends empirical support to the theoretical claim that seeking help may serve to enhance individuals' efforts to manage their work, in the context of Chinese undergraduates' time management in online groupwork.

The authors examined self-regulation of mathematics homework behavior (i.e., mathematics homework management). The participants consisted of 796 eighth-grade students (46 classes) in China. Multilevel results showed that mathematics homework management was positively associated with value belief at the class and individual level. At the individual level, students' management in mathematics homework was positively related to affective attitude, expectancy belief, learning-oriented reasons, homework interest, parent education, teacher feedback, adult-oriented reasons, and value belief. Meanwhile, students' management in mathematics homework was negatively related to time spent on television. Our findings were discussed in the context of related theoretical frameworks (e.g., self-regulation and expectancy value) as well as previous findings pertaining to homework.