The effects of various stair-climbing exercises on functional mobility and trunk muscle activation in community-dwelling older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Stair-climbing (SC) is an essential daily life skill, and stair-climbing exercise (SCE) serves as a valuable method for promoting physical activity in older adults. This study aimed to compare the impact of SCEs with heel contact (HC) and heel off (HO) during SC on functional mobility and trunk muscle (TM) activation amplitudes in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: In the pilot randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated to either the HC group (n = 17; mean age 75.

Effects of Taekkyon-based exercise program on balance, lower extremity strength, and gait parameters in community-dwelling older women: Randomized controlled trial.

Background: As individuals age, they experience a decline in muscle strength and balance, leading to diminished functional capacity and an increased risk of falls. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of the Taekkyon-based exercise program on balance, muscle strength, and gait ability in women aged over 65-year-old residing in the local community.

Methods: Forty-eight subjects were randomly allocated into the Taekkyon-based exercise program as an experimental group (EG = 25; mean age: 71.

Serious infections and tuberculosis in psoriasis patients receiving systemic therapy in Korea: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Psoriasis itself, as well as its immunomodulatory drugs, may alter the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. Recent research has indicated that patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing severe infections including tuberculosis.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the incidence of serious infectious diseases in Korea between patients with psoriasis and participants without psoriasis regarding each treatment modality.

Risk of malignancy in patients with psoriasis according to treatment modalities in Korea: a nationwide cohort study.

Intrinsic immunologic disparity of psoriasis itself, along with chronic inflammation and immunomodulatory anti-psoriatic treatments could be associated with increased risk of malignancy. We aimed to estimate the risk of malignancy in patients with psoriasis by treatment modality compared with that in individuals without psoriasis in Korea. We conducted a nationwide cohort study using the claims database of the National Health Insurance Service from January 2005 to December 2018.

Coupled mechanical creep and bio-compression and residual settlement in a multi-stage municipal solid waste landfill, Korea.

Based on a field monitored dataset measured at landfill #1 over 21 years, the characteristics of settlement coupling mechanical creep and biodegradation and the residual settlement were analyzed. Since landfill #1 is a multi-stage municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill where dykes are constructed after landfilling for subsequent waste fills, the waste decomposition between the lower and upper lifts was quite different and it is difficult to discern between the mechanical creep and bio-compression on the settlement curves. The compression ratio coupled with mechanical creep and bio-compression and the residual compression ratio were determined as 0.

Immediate effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of hamstring muscles on straight leg raise, craniovertebral angle, and cervical spine range of motion in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: The cranio-cervical flexion exercise and sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique have been used to improve a forward head posture among neck pain patients with straight leg raise (SLR) limitation. However, little is known about the cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) and cervical spine range of motion (CROM) after applying stretching methods to the hamstring muscle.

Objective: To compare the immediate effects of static stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on SLR, CVA, and CROM in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation therapy with home exercise on pain, fatigue, and stress in subjects with fibromyalgia syndrome: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fibromyalgia is accompanied by symptoms of fatigue, depression, sleep disorders, and physical and mental stress [1]. It is a difficult-to-treat disorder because its exact causes are unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation therapy (PMRT) on pain, fatigue, and stress in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Multication perovskite 2D/3D interfaces form via progressive dimensional reduction.

Many of the best-performing perovskite photovoltaic devices make use of 2D/3D interfaces, which improve efficiency and stability - but it remains unclear how the conversion of 3D-to-2D perovskite occurs and how these interfaces are assembled. Here, we use in situ Grazing-Incidence Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering to resolve 2D/3D interface formation during spin-coating. We observe progressive dimensional reduction from 3D to n = 3 → 2 → 1 when we expose (MAPbBr)(FAPbI) perovskites to vinylbenzylammonium ligand cations.

The lower energy diffraction and scattering side-bounce beamline for materials science at the Canadian Light Source.

A new diffraction beamline for materials science has been built at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron. The X-ray source is an in-vacuum wiggler with a 2.5 T peak magnetic field at 5.

Changes in Muscle Activation and Ground Reaction Force of the Lower Limbs According to Foot Placement During Sit-to-Stand Training in Stroke Patients.

Objective: The aims of the study were to investigate the kinetic effects of sit-to-stand training in various foot positions on the coronal plane in patients with strokes and to suggest appropriate exercises.

Design: Thirty-six poststroke subjects participated in this study. The subjects performed three sit-to-stand trials in the following foot positions: (a) symmetric foot positioning (symmetric), (b) affected foot placed to the side (asymmetric 1), and (c) and less affected foot placed to the side (asymmetric 2).

Effects of Tai Chi versus Taekkyon on balance, lower-extremity strength, and gait ability in community-dwelling older women: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

Background: Taekkyon, a Korean form of martial arts, has been trained for a long period. However, it is not yet known whether the Taekkyon exercise has better effects on functional mobility or balance in older adults than other types of well-investigated exercise programs such as Tai Chi (TC).

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of TC and Taekkyon exercise programs on the lower-extremity strength, balance, and gait ability of community-dwelling older women as a fall prevention method.

Usability evaluation of communication service robot for the elderly.

Background: The Republic of Korea has become the most rapidly aging society and is anticipated to enter the post-aged society in 2026. As the population ages, demand for senior-friendly products has gradually increased. Under the demands for these circumstances, usability evaluation aimed to make these products more competitive in terms of quality has been perceived as a critical means.

Short-term effects of the suboccipital muscle inhibition technique and cranio-cervical flexion exercise on hamstring flexibility, cranio-vertebral angle, and range of motion of the cervical spine in subjects with neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cervical spinal instability often leads to neck pain and forward head posture (FHP). To improve neck pain and FHP, both the suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) technique and cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) have been used. However, little is known regarding the validity of hamstring flexibility in neck pain subjects after CCFE as a treatment index, and comparison between the SMI technique and CCFE for neck pain treatment.

Effect of crossed-education using a tilt table task-oriented approach in subjects with post-stroke hemiplegia: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the effect of crossed-education, using task-related training on a tilt table, on upper extremity function and grip strength in subjects with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Design: Double-blind, randomized controlled, pilot study.

Patients: A total of 45 patients between 6 and 12 months post-stroke.

Comparison between the Ki-hap technique and verbal encouragement on activation of abdominal muscles in healthy participants.

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparison between a Ki-hap, defined as a psyching-up technique, and verbal encouragement, defined as a verbal command by a third party, on abdominal muscle activation during performance of the crunch exercise in healthy participants. Ninety participants were randomly allocated to the following three groups: crunch only exercise group (CG, n = 30), crunch exercise with Ki-hap group (CKG, n = 30), and crunch exercise with Ki-hap and verbal encouragement group (CKVG, n = 30). The interventions were conducted over three trials with each group, and measurements involving each participant, were performed by a single examiner.

Magnetic Excitations across the Metal-Insulator Transition in the Pyrochlore Iridate Eu_{2}Ir_{2}O_{7}.

We report a resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study of the magnetic excitation spectrum in a highly insulating Eu_{2}Ir_{2}O_{7} single crystal that exhibits a metal-insulator transition at T_{MI}=111(7)  K. A propagating magnon mode with a 20 meV bandwidth and a 28 meV magnon gap is found in the excitation spectrum at 7 K, which is expected in the all-in-all-out magnetically ordered state. This magnetic excitation exhibits substantial softening as the temperature is raised towards T_{MI} and turns into a highly damped excitation in the paramagnetic phase.

A comparison of ultrasonography measurement on the abdominal muscle thickness between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and healthy subjects.

Background: Many studies have shown asymmetric behavior of the surface and deep layers of spine muscles in scoliosis patients, compared to normal individuals. However, there is a lack of research on the transversus abdominal (TA) muscle, which plays an important role in trunk stabilization.

Objective: To assess symmetry in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by measuring the thickness of abdominal muscles, and to investigate characteristic features through a comparative analysis of the data with healthy aged-matched group.

Biodegradable vascular stents with high tensile and compressive strength: a novel strategy for applying monofilaments via solid-state drawing and shaped-annealing processes.

Monofilaments such as those consisting of polyamide (PA), polydioxanone (PDS), and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), have been commonly used in various industries. However, most are non-biodegradable, which is unfavorable for many biomedical applications. Although biodegradable polymers offer significant benefits, they are still limited by their weak mechanical properties, which is an obstacle for use as a biomaterial that requires high strength.

Short-term effects of respiratory muscle training combined with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on the decreased pulmonary function of individuals with chronic spinal cord injury: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) combined with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on the pulmonary function in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Thirty-seven subjects with SCI (level of injury: C4-T6, time since injury: 4-5 years) were randomly allocated to three groups; the integrated training group (ITG), the RMT group (RMTG), and the control group (CG). The ITG performed RMT using an incentive respiratory spirometer (IRS) and the ADIM using a stabilizer.

Comparison of the Effect of Lateral and Backward Walking Training on Walking Function in Patients with Poststroke Hemiplegia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The purposes of the present study were to compare the effects of backward and lateral walking training and to identify whether additional backward or lateral walking training would be more effective in increasing the walking function of poststroke patients.

Design: Fifty-one subjects with hemiplegic stroke were randomly allocated to 3 groups, each containing 17 subjects: the control group, the backward walking training group, and the lateral walking training group. The walking abilities of each group were assessed using a 10-m walk test and the GAITRite system for spatiotemporal gait.

Short-Term Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Combined with Task-Related Training on Upper Extremity Function, Spasticity, and Grip Strength in Subjects with Poststroke Hemiplegia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of whole-body vibration training combined with task-related training on arm function, spasticity, and grip strength in subjects with poststroke hemiplegia.

Design: Forty-five subjects with poststroke were randomly allocated to 3 groups, each with 15 subjects as follows: control group, whole-body vibration group, and whole-body vibration plus task-related training group. Outcome was evaluated by clinical evaluation and measurements of the grip strength before and 4 weeks after intervention.

Comparison between ankle proprioception measurements and postural sway test for evaluating ankle instability in subjects with functional ankle instability.

Background: It is important to establish the effective evaluation approaches that are appropriate for measuring ankle proprioception. But, only a few studies used more than one test procedure simultaneously to identify proprioceptive deficits. Further, no data are available on the correlations between the measures of ankle proprioception and postural sway (PS) test in subjects with functional ankle instability (FAI).

Effects of the combination of respiratory muscle training and abdominal drawing-in maneuver on respiratory muscle activity in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: No study has examined the effects of the combination of respiratory muscle training (RMT) and abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on respiratory muscle activity and function in stroke patients during early pulmonary rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RMT combined with ADIM on decreased respiratory muscle activity and function in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Methods: Thirty-seven subjects with post-stroke hemiplegia were randomly allocated to three groups; integrated training group (ITG), respiratory muscle training group (RMTG), and control group (CG).