Background: Stroke often results in impaired postural control and asymmetric weight distribution, which negatively affect balance and functional mobility. Previous research has demonstrated that balance training interventions incorporating proprioceptive stimulation and visual feedback can enhance postural stability in stroke survivors. However, there remains debate regarding the relative effectiveness of these two approaches. While proprioception-based training emphasizes sensory input from mechanoreceptors to improve postural control, visual feedback-based training leverages external cues to facilitate balance adjustments. Objectives: To investigation the effects of proprioception-based trunk exercise and visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise on sitting balance in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 participants diagnosed with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the proprioception-based trunk exercise group (PTG, n=10) and the visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise group (VTG, n=11). Both groups participated in a 6-week intervention program, five sessions per week, lasting 25 minutes per session. Outcome measures included the Limitation of Stability (LOS), the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS), and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests to evaluate within-group and between-group differences. Results: Both PTG and VTG groups demonstrated significant improvements in LOS, K-TIS, and PASS scores following the intervention (P<.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the amount of change observed. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both proprioception-based and visualauditory feedback-based trunk exercises are effective in improving sitting balance in chronic stroke patients. The lack of a significant difference between the groups indicates that both approaches provide comparable benefits. Future research should explore long-term effects and investigate potential differences in various functional domains beyond sitting balance.

Background: Neck discomfort and movement limitations are common musculoskeletal problems among modern people. While cervical and thoracic joint mobilization are widely used interventions for cervical dysfunction, research comparing their immediate effectiveness in adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation is limited. Objectives: To compare the immediate effects of cervical versus thoracic joint mobilization in adults with adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation and discomfort. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty adults with left-right differences in cervical rotation of more than 5 degrees were randomly assigned to a cervical mobilization group (CMG, n=15) or thoracic mobilization group (TMG, n=15). Both groups received Grade III mobilization for 15 minutes. Range of motion (ROM), pain (VAS), and neck disability index (NDI) were measured before and after intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant increases in ROM after intervention (P<.001). Within-group analysis revealed that the TMG showed significant pain reduction (P<.01) and significant reduction in left-right rotation asymmetry (P<.001), while the CMG showed improvement in ROM but no significant changes in asymmetry or pain (P>.05). Neither group showed significant changes in NDI. Between-group comparisons showed no significant differences in any outcome measures. Conclusion: Both cervical and thoracic joint mobilization increased cervical range of motion in adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation discomfort. The TMG demonstrated significant within-group improvements in left-right rotation asymmetry and pain reduction, suggesting potential clinical benefits of thoracic mobilization for certain aspects of cervical dysfunction.

Background: Functional sarcopenia, a subcategory of sarcopenia, has recently been introduced. It is defined by muscle weakness and reduced physical performance, regardless of muscle mass reduction, and may potentially affect overall rehabilitation outcomes in patients. Objectives: This study aimed to classify stroke patients into two groups based on the presence or absence of functional sarcopenia and to compare changes in balance and gait ability after receiving the same rehabilitation intervention. Design: A quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 44 stroke patients participated in this study and were classified into functional sarcopenia (n=22) and non-functional sarcopenia groups. Physical function tests were used to assess balance (Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale) and gait (10-Meter Walk Test, Functional Ambulation Category). All participants underwent a four-week convalescent rehabilitation program, receiving five sessions per week, with each session lasting four hours per day. Results: After four weeks of convalescent rehabilitation, both groups showed significant improvements in all outcome measures (P<.05). However, when comparing the pre-post changes, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the changes of balance and gait outcomes (P>.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that stroke patients with functional sarcopenia can achieve a similar level of functional recovery as those without functional sarcopenia when provided with appropriate rehabilitation interventions.

Background: Prolonged use of computers and mobile devices has contributed to postural abnormalities such as Rounded Shoulder Posture (RSP), which is characterized by muscle imbalances that can lead to pain and functional limitations. Correcting these imbalances through targeted stretching and strengthening exercises was expected to help improve postural alignment and muscle function. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week integrated exercise program targeting the pectoralis minor (PM), upper trapezius (UT), and lower trapezius (LT) on postural alignment and muscle activation in female adults with RSP. Design: Single-group pre-post test study. Methods: Eighteen female university students (aged 20–22 years) with RSP participated in a six-week intervention consisting of PM stretching, UT stretching, and LT strengthening exercises. RSP severity was assessed using acromion-to-ground distance, PM length was measured with a caliper, and surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to evaluate UT and LT muscle activity. Normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and paired t-tests were conducted for statistical analysis (α=0.05). Results: After the intervention, significant improvements were observed in all measured variables. Acromion-to-ground distance decreased (P<0.001), PM length increased (P<0.001), UT activation decreased (P<0.01), and LT activation increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: The six-week integrated exercise program effectively improved postural alignment and muscle activation in women with RSP by addressing muscle shortening, overactivity, and weakness. These findings suggest that combined stretching and strengthening exercises can serve as a practical and effective approach for RSP correction. Future studies with longer durations and diverse populations are recommended to further validate these results and enhance clinical applicability.

The present study investigates the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools by pre-service teachers (PSTs) in lesson planning for a middle-school English as a foreign language (EFL) class, aiming to address gaps and inform teacher training. The case study examined PSTs in a South Korean university course who were tasked with creating lesson plans using generative AI to aid in lesson plan development for a middle school lesson that incorporated generative AI. Data were analyzed thematically, and results revealed that generative AI was used in topic selection, material creation, lesson organization, and language checking. While generative AI facilitated efficiency and creativity, challenges emerged, including the quality of outputs and limited incorporation of effective pedagogical strategies. These findings indicate a need for targeted training in prompt engineering, ethical considerations, pedagogy, and collaborative practices to enhance PSTs’ generative AI competencies. This study contributes to teacher education programs by providing insights into the practical integration of generative AI in pedagogical practices.

A new spider species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805, Pholcus osaek sp. nov., in the family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850, is described from Korea. This new species belongs to phungiformes-group in the genus. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the shape and structure of genital organs of both males and females. It is found on and between rock walls in mountainous mixed forests. Additionally, the taxonomic status of Pholcus uksuensis Kim & Ye, 2014 is revalidated, re-diagnosed, and redescribed based on specimens collected from the type locality. Considering differences mentioned in the diagnosis through revalidation, P. uksuensis is regarded as a distinct species. Therefore, it should be removed from the synonymy of P. woongil Huber, 2011.

목적 : 본 연구에서는 강원도 강릉지역의 중학교 3학년의 굴절 상태를 분석하여 지역적 기초자료로 사용하고자 한다. 방법 : 남학생 208안, 여학생 117안 총 325 안을 대상으로 연구를 진행하였으며, 등가구면 굴절이상 정도의 분 류는 정시 기준은 –0.25 D ~ +0.25 D, 경도 근시 –0.50 D~ -2.75 D, 중등도 근시 –3.00 D ~ 5.75 D, 고도 근 시 –6.00 D 이상으로 나누어 분류하여 굴절 상태를 분석하였다. 결과: 근시 291안 평균 굴절력은 –2.94±1.91 D, 남학생은 –2.85±1.89 D, 여학생은 –3.11±1.94 D로 조사되었 다. 근시 정도의 분류를 비교했을 때 경도 근시는 –1.40±0.75 D, 중등도 근시는 –4.06±0.87 D, 그리고 고도 근시는 –6.78±0.89 D으로 나타났으며 총 325안의 평균 굴절력은 –2.63±2.03 D로 나타났다. 성별에 따른 근시의 평균 굴절 력은 경도 근시는 남학생 –1.37±0.71 D, 여학생 –1.47±0.82 D, 중등도 근시는 남학생 –4.03±0.86 D, 여학생 –4.11±0.89 D, 고도 근시는 남학생 –6.63±0.86 D, 여학생 –7.09±0.94 D으로 나타났다. 난시의 평균 굴절력을 비교해 본 결과 남학생 –1.43±1.00 D, 여학생은 –1.34±0.98 D로, 경도 근시는 남학생 –1.24±0.97 D, 여학생 –0.92±0.41 D(t=-2.10, p<0.050)로, 고도 근시는 남학생 –1.44±0.49 D, 여학생 –2.50±1.76 D(t=2.34, p< 0.050)으로 나타났다. 결론 : 학생들은 근시 범위 중에서 중등도 근시의 비율이 가장 높았으며 여학생에서 경도 중등도 그리고 고도 근시 범위 모두 더 높은 굴절력이 나타났고, 난시 비교에서는 고도 근시 범위에 해당되는 난시에서만 여학생이 높 게 나타났다. 앞으로도 시력 관리에 도움이 될 만한 연구가 계속되어야 할 것으로 생각된다.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding DDGS and full-fat soybean in the finishing diet on the performance, carcass characteristics and unsaturated fatty acid composition of Hanwoo steers. Thirty Hanwoo steers (average age, 26.4 months; weight, 756.69 kg) were assigned into Control (no additive), DS (DDGS supplemented) and FS (full-fat soybean supplemented). The feeding rate of DDGS and full-fat soybean was set at 10% and 5% in the finishing diet, respectively, and the in vivo trial was conducted for 122 days. The final body weight was 779.81, 774.20 and 791.95 kg for Control, DS and FS, respectively, and the average daily gain was not different among treatments. The feed conversion ratio was lower in FS compared to Control. Carcass cold carcass weight, backfat thickness, M. longissimus dorsi area and marbling scores were not different among treatments, and moisture, crude protein, and crude fat content in carcass were not different. The melting point of sirloin ranged from 25 to 26℃ among treatments. The saturated fatty acid, C18:0, was lower in the FS than in Control. C18:1, the main unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) in carcasses, did not show any difference among treatments, but C18:2 was higher in DS than in Control. Total UFAs were higher in the FS than in Control. Based on the above results, DDGS feeding was effective in improving feed conversion ratio and C18:2 content, and full-fat soybean feeding was effective in improving feed conversion ratio and increasing UFA content.