Singapore will soon submit a national report to and subsequently appear before the UN Human Rights Council for a universal periodic review of its human rights laws and practices. This review will elicit a rare and unprecedented expression of whether and how Singapore feels it has adhered to international human rights law, and ways in which it may further refine or calibrate its domestic practices. This article seeks to identify Singapore’s human rights achievements; highlight challenges it should be prepared to address; and recommend measures it should adopt to promote human rights.

Currently, nanotechnology is widely applied in various industrial fields and is rapidly emerging as a promising future technology. In food industries, nanotechnology is used to enhance food quality and safety. Numerous cutting-edge studies on the advantages of nanotechnology have been conducted in the fields of food processing, food ingredients and additives, food packaging, and food engineering for optimal health. The market for these areas of research has grown steadily, and is expected to continue to do so. Because of this, R&D for nanotechnology that can be used effectively in food industries is being performed by several companies, as well as in academic research institutions around the world. This review describes the recent global R&D trends that have been in progress for two key areas: food processing and food packaging.

The present case study highlights the effects of a novel Comprehensive Hand Repetitive Intensive Strengthening Training (CHRIST) on morphological changes and associated upper extremity (UE) muscle strength and motor performance in a child with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The Child, a 10-year-old girl with spastic quadriplegic CP, was treated with CHRIST for 60 minutes a day, five times a week, for 5 weeks. The CHRIST was designed to improve motor function and strength. Clinical tests including the modified Wolf Test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and Pediatric Motor Activity Log questionnaire were used to determine motor function. Ultrasound imaging was performed to determine the changes in the cross-section area (CSA) of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and triceps brachii (TRI). Muscle strength was measured with a dynamometer at pretest, and post-test, and 3-month follow-up. Ultrasound imaging data showed that the CSAs of both ECR and TRI muscles were enhanced as a function of the intervention. These changes were associated with muscle strength and motor performance and their effects remained even at a 3-month follow-up test. Our results suggest that the CHRIST was effective at treating muscle atrophy, weakness and motor dysfunction in a child with spastic quadriplegic CP.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a workplace-based work-conditioning program (WCP) on the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in an automobile-parts manufacturing company. In total, 1,110 subjects with WRMDs participated in workplace-based WCP emphasizing function-centered management and ergonomics. We investigated the incidence of WRMDs variables (number of persons diagnosed with industrial accident-related WHMDs, number of cases of WRMD) and financial benefits (cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs) per year before and after WCP. Additionally, we compared self-reported pain intensity and functional disability in subjects with musculoskeletal pain before and after the WCP. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI) and the Oswestry disability Index (ODI). The number of person diagnosed with industrial accident-related WRMDs, the number of cases of WRMD, the cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs per year decreased by 51%, 37%, 34%, and 47%, respectively, and VAS, NDI, and ODI scores decreased significantly after implementation of WCP (p<.05). Thus, the results of the present study suggest that function-centered, workplace-based WCP was effective in managing WRMDs at an automobile-parts manufacturing company.

The reliability of the thickness measurement of the lumbar multifidus (LMD using real-time ultrasonography (US) was determined in only the superficial fiber of the lumbar multifidus (SM). However, previous studies have not examined the reliability of the deep fiber of the LM (DM). The purpose of this study was to determine the intrarater and the interrater reliability of the thickness measurements of DM using US. Eleven heathy males participated in the study. The thickness of the DM was measured with an US in the prone position. Reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of the measurement (SEM), and the Bland and Altman plot. ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the interrater reliability of the thickness measurement of DM using the values from both the first and second test sessions. Additionally, ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days using the measurements obtained in test session 1 and lest session 2. The results of this study were as follows: 1) the ICC(3,1) value for interrater reliability was .94 in the first test session, and .93 in the second test session. 2) the ICC(3,1) values for intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days was .90 in both the first examiner and the second examiner. The interrater reliability and interrater reliability of the DM measurements, obtained via the US protocol used in this research was excellent. Therefore, we conclude that the thickness measurement of the DM obtaioned from the US protocol used in this research would be useful for clinician assessment of the thickness of the DM.

Stiffness of the posterior deltoid is as a causative factor in the limited range of glenohumeral horizontal adduction and various other shoulder pathologies including shoulder impingement syndrome, frozen shoulder, and humerus anterior glide syndrome. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two techniques (soft tissue massage and cross-body stretch) on increasing the range of horizontal adduction. Thirty-two subjects with a or greater difference between the right and left sides in horizontal adduction were selected. Sixteen subjects from each group were allocated randomly. Interventions were applied on six occasions for 2 weeks, and the range of horizontal adduction was measured using an inclinometer at pre-and post-intervention. A analysis of variance (interventiontime) was used to compare the effects of the two techniques. In the soft tissue massage group, the angle of horizontal adduction significantly increased compared with the cross-body stretch group. These findings indicate that the soft tissue massage of the posterior deltoid muscle is a more effective method to increase the flexibility of the glenohumeral horizontal adduction.

The aim of this study was to determine the muscle activity of the abdominalis and erector spinae during bridging and unilateral bridging exercises on the firm surface, the sir-fit, and the foam roll. Eighteen healthy young subjects were recruited for this study. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded from the both sides of the rectus abdominalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and erector spinae muscles during bridging and unilateral bridging-exercises. A one-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the EMG activity of each muscle according to the support surface condition. Differences in the EMG activities between the bridging and unilateral bridging exercises, and between the right and left side were assessed using a paired t-test. The study showed that the EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher when the bridging exercise was performed using the foam roll or sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of the right rectus abdominis, right external obliques, the right internal oblique, and both erector spinae were significantly higher during unilateral bridging ex exercise using the foam roll or the sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher during the unilateral bridging exercise than during the bridging exercise. Based on these finding, performing the unilateral bridging exercise using the sit-fit or the foam roll is a useful method for facilitating trunk muscle strength and lumbar stability.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of different hand positions on scapulothorcic muscle activities during push-up plus exercises. Fourteen healthy males performed push-up plus exercises under three conditions (neutral, internally rotated, and externally rotated hand positions), during which the activities of the serratus anterior, pectoralis major, and upper trapezius muscles were recorded using surface electromyography. The statistical significance at three different hand positions was tested by repeated one-way ANOVA. The mean activities of the serratus anterior increased and the mean activities of the pectoralis major decreased in the order of neutral hand position, internally rotated hand position, and externally rotated hand position. There was a significant difference during push-up plus between neutral and externally rotated hand positions as well as in the serratus anterior/pectoralis major activity ratio (p<.0.5). However, no significant differences were found in the activity of the upper trapezius muscle or the serratus anterior/upper trapezius activity ratio. We suggest that the push-up plus exercise performed in the externally rotated hand position could a beneficial strategy for selective strengthening of the serratus anterior muscle, while minimizing the activity of the pectoralis major muscle.