Automatic calibration and selection of optimal performance criterion of a water quality model for a river controlled by total maximum daily load (TMDL).

When manually calibrating water quality models, considerable time and attention are required. Hence, developing an automated model that allows for efficient and objective automatic calibration is highly desirable. The QUAL2Kw model calibrates the QUAL2K automatically using a genetic algorithm (GA).

No significant correlation between the intensity of static stretching and subject's perception of pain.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine whether the intensity of static stretching measured quantitatively is related to subjects' perception of pain. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-eight participants were recruited. Static stretching was performed once for 30 seconds while maintaining the knee at 0° flexion and was continued to the point where pain was recognized.

Stretching position can affect levator scapular muscle activity, length, and cervical range of motion in people with a shortened levator scapulae.

Objectives: Levator scapulae (LS) muscle stretching exercises are a common method of lengthening a shortened muscle; however, the appropriate stretching position for lengthening the LS in people with a shortened LS remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different stretching exercise positions on the LS and introduce effective stretching exercise methods to clinicians.

Participants: Twenty-four university students (12 men, 12 women) with a shortened LS were recruited.

RNA-RNA SELEX.

Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) protocol is a valuable technique to identify RNA aptamers interacting with RNA structural motifs. RNA aptamers are mainly resolved with affinity column chromatography and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Here, we describe the separation of the RNA aptamers binding to an RNA stem-loop target with affinity chromatography using the column attached the target RNA and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to obtain a single predominant RNA aptamer family.

Effects of integrating hip movements into bridge exercises on electromyographic activities of selected trunk muscles in healthy individuals.

This study aimed to identify the electromyographic (EMG) effects in selected trunk muscles after incorporating hip movement into bridging exercise. Twenty-six healthy adults (13 men and 13 women) volunteered for this experiment. EMG data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) were recorded from the rectus abdominis (RA), obliquus internus (OI), erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF) muscles of the dominant side while the subjects performed 3 types of bridging exercise, including bridging alone (Bridging 1), bridging with unilateral hip movements (Bridging 2), and bridging with bilateral hip movements (Bridging 3) in a sling suspension system.