Mitigation of Silicon Contamination in Fuel Cell Gasket Materials through Silica Surface Treatment.

Gaskets and seals are essential components in the operation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and are required for keeping hydrogen and air/oxygen within their individual compartments. The durability of these gaskets and seals is necessary, as it influences not only the lifespan but also the electrochemical efficiency of the PEM fuel cell. In this study, the cause of silicon leaching from silicone gaskets under simulated fuel cell conditions was investigated.

Comparison of virtual reality exercise versus conventional exercise on balance in patients with functional ankle instability: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Recently, a variety of virtual reality (VR)-based interventions have been studied. However, they were only partially applied to physical therapy.

Objective: The present study investigated the effects of a VR exercise program by comparing the results of VR and conventional exercise on balance in patients with functional ankle instability (FAI).

The efficacy of virtual reality assisted versus traditional rehabilitation intervention on individuals with functional ankle instability: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) training, a virtual environment commonly generated by computer systems, may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of functional rehabilitation programmes. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a VR assisted intervention (VRAI) versus traditional rehabilitation intervention (TRI) on functional ankle instability (FAI).

Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted with 10 subjects for each group.

Hepatic Alanine Differentiates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis From Simple Steatosis in Humans and Mice: A Proton MR Spectroscopy Study With Long Echo Time.

Purpose: To evaluate the hepatic metabolic alterations in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by using H-MRS (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) with long echo time and to test the reproducibility of human study in an animal model. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD but with practical constraints. H-MRS allows in vivo assessment of hepatocellular metabolism and has shown potential for biochemical differentiation in diffuse liver disease.

Correlations between the sequelae of stroke and physical activity in Korean adult stroke patients.

[Purpose] The present study investigated a wide range of stroke patients living in South Korea using the Korean Community Health Survey raw data to determine the correlation between stroke and physical activity. [Subjects and Methods] This study used raw data from the 2012 Korean Community Health Survey. The total number of participants was 228,921; of the 4,475 stroke patients who had been diagnosed by a medical doctor or an oriental medical doctor, the data for 4,460 patients, excluding 15 whose amount of physical activity was unclear, were used in the analysis.

Effects of breathing exercises on lung capacity and muscle activities of elderly smokers.

[Purpose] Elderly smokers have a reduced chest diameter due to weakening of the respiratory muscles, and this results in decreased ventilation, leading to a vicious circle. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of an intervention program to enhance the pulmonary function and muscle activity of elderly smokers. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups or a control (CG) group.

Effects of Nintendo Wii Fit Plus training on ankle strength with functional ankle instability.

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a training program using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus on the ankle muscle strengths of subjects with functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] This study was conducted using subjects in their 20s who had functional ankle instability. They were randomized to a strengthening training group and a balance training group with 10 subjects in each, and they performed an exercise using Nintendo Wii Fit Plus for 20 minutes.

Association between osteoporotic fractures and quality of life based on the Korean Community Health Survey of 2010.

[Purpose] To assess the relationship between fractures and quality of life (QOL) of osteoporosis patients as well as the treatment methods and locations of fractures following osteoporosis diagnosis. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were selected from a cohort consisting of 229,229 subjects who participated in the Korean Community Health Survey. Those who were not diagnosed with osteoporosis by a doctor were excluded from the study (326) and the final analysis included 17,387 previously diagnosed participants with osteoporosis.

Effects of virtual reality programs on balance in functional ankle instability.

[Purpose] The aim of present study was to identify the impact that recent virtual reality training programs used in a variety of fields have had on the ankle's static and dynamic senses of balance among subjects with functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] This study randomly divided research subjects into two groups, a strengthening exercise group (Group I) and a balance exercise group (Group II), with each group consisting of 10 people. A virtual reality program was performed three times a week for four weeks.

The relationship between fracture and quality of life in Korean adults receiving treatment for osteoporosis based on the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fracture and quality of life in Korean adults receiving treatment for osteoporosis based on the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS). [Subjects and Methods] This study utilized the raw data of the 2010 KCHS. In the survey, osteoporosis was assessed in 228,903 subjects, excluding 326 for whom there was insufficient data.

The relationship between stroke patients' socio-economic conditions and their quality of life: the 2010 Korean community health survey.

[Purpose] The relationship between stroke patients' socio-economic conditions and quality of life (QOL) using the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) statistics was examined. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 4,604 stroke patients were analyzed. Socio-economic conditions were sex, age, educational level, monthly household income, occupation, residential area, and living with family.

The relationship between stroke and quality of life in Korean adults: based on the 2010 Korean community health survey.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of stroke in the Republic of Korea and its relationship with QOL based on standardized data. [Subjects and Methods] This study utilized raw data from the 2010 KCHS. In total, 229,229 individuals participated in the 2010 survey.

Factors Related to Stages of Exercise Behavior Change among University Students Based on the Transtheoretical Model.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution of stages of change in the exercise behavior of university students the transtheoretical model. [Subjects and Methods] Study subjects at four universities in G city were surveyed. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed, and 959 responses were analyzed.

Effectiveness of sling exercise for chronic low back pain: a systematic review.

[Purpose] This study investigated effects of sling exercise for patients with chronic low back pain. [Methods] We reviewed all relevant papers indexed in PubMed, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Registered Trials. Eligible trials were randomized controlled trials that compared sling exercise with any type of treatment.

Which Treatment is More Effective for Functional Ankle Instability: Strengthening or Combined Muscle Strengthening and Proprioceptive Exercises?

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to implement combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to examine the effects of combined exercises on functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] Experiments were conducted with 30 adult males and females. The study subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group (Group A), a muscle strengthening exercise group (Group B), or a combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercise group (Group C) consisting of 10 subjects each.