Background: As ways to optimize the mobilization of postural stability muscles for sitting up motions, arm reaching motions and head raising motions have important effects. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of reaching to sit-up training on the trunk muscle activity, postural ability, and balance ability of patients with hemiplegia due to stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was conducted with 18 stroke patients who met the selection criteria divided into two groups: a study group of 9 patents and a control group of 9 patients. The study group carried out reaching to sit-up training, which can promote trunk muscles and improve control through trunk interactions. The control group received general physical therapy intervention Results: The activity of the trunk muscle was significantly different before and after intervention in study and control group. The functional reaching test showed significant changes in both the study group and the control group. The timed up and go test showed a significant change in the study group. Conclusion: Reaching to sit-up training for 4 weeks showed increases in trunk muscle activity in stroke patients and was effective in improving balance ability.

Background: ErigoPro enables acute stroke patients to carry out stable weight-bearing training with gradual verticalization. Study on the effectiveness of robotic assisted treatment equipment for chronic patients is insufficient. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of dynamic vertical posture training using ErigoPro on trunk alignment and balance in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 patients were randomly assigned to a study group of 15 patients and a control group of 15 patients. The study intervention was carried out for 50 minutes per day consisting of 30 minutes of general neuro-physiotherapy and 20 minutes of ErogoPro training, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Results: The study group showed difference in trunk inclination (P<.05), kyphotic angle (P<.05), lateral deviation of the spine (P<.05), thoracic angle (P<.01), timed up and go test (P<.01), Berg balance score (P<.01). There was a significant difference between the groups in the trunk inclination (P<.05), timed up and go test (P<.01), Berg balance score (P<.05). Conclusion: It could be seen that the treatment combined with ErigoPro training for 8 weeks was effective in restoring trunk alignment and improving balance ability in chronic stroke patients.

Background: Proprioception in the ankle joint is important for maintaining balance. There is a correlation between joint position sense (JPS), balance and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of talocrural joint mobilization (TJM) and muscle energy technique (MET) of plantar flexor muscle (PF) on improving joint position sense (JPS) and static balance. Design: Cross-over randomized trial research. Methods: Sixteen participants (male 10, female 6; 20’s of their age) without ankle instability were recruited. In a randomized, three conditions, no intervention, talocalcaneal mobilization, and PF-MET were all applied to 16 participants. For TJM, the Kaltenborn grade 3 joint gliding method, in which the talus moves posteriorly perpendicular to the tacrocrural joint plane, were used. In the PF-MET, MET method were applied gastrocnemius muscle and soleus muscle with 25% of 1 Repeat Maximum of each muscle. The all participants performed PF-MET and TJM for 18 minutes. DF-ROM measured the weightbearing lunge test. JPS measured using the active joint angle reproduction test. Static balance was measured displacement of center of pressure parameter. Results: PF-MET and TJM had significant differences in DF-ROM and AP displacements. PF-MET significantly increased at 5° and 15° of plantar flexion and 5° of dorsiflexion, and COP velocity significantly decreased in JPS compared to TJM. Conclusion: PF-MET and TJM are effective in increasing DF-ROM. However, PF-MET has a more positive effect on improving JPS and static balance than on talocrural joint mobilization.

Background: A decrease in physical activity has been observed due to the global pandemic, resulting in the onset and progression of musculoskeletal disorders as chronic diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the difference in the degree of contraction of the lower limb muscles between the existing vertical vibration method and a new cross-vibration method. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The exercise program using whole-body vibration equipment was conducted for 12 sessions, 25 min per session, three times per week for 4 weeks. Results: The changes over time showed a significant difference in cross-alternating vibrations (P<.05), except for the lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior, with no significant difference in sonic vertical vibration (P>.05). The interaction between time and group was significant for all muscles (P<.05), except for the biceps femoris, with differences between before the program and at 2 and 4 weeks after the program revealed in the post-hoc analysis. Conclusion: Future studies should further evaluate the use of CAV exercise devices as auxiliary equipment in exercise by assessing different groups and variations in intensity.

Background: Some patients may not fully recover their daily activity capabilities even after the total hip replacement (THR), and may continue to experience functional limitations for up to a year after the procedure, according to reports. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of machine squat on muscle strength, balance and gait in patients after THR. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-three patients after THR were randomly allocated into slide (n=11), reformer (n=11), and control groups (n=11). Each group underwent their respective squat regimens for thirty minutes, seven times a week, for two weeks. Muscle strength changes were assessed using the manual muscle test (MMT), balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and gait analysis was performed using the 10-meter walk test (10MWT). Results: Significant changes in hip flexor and abductor strength were observed in the slide and reformer groups within each group (P<.05). The reformer group showed significant changes in hip extensor strength (P<.05). Significant improvements in BBS were observed in all three groups (P<.05). There were significant changes in 10MWT in the slide and reformer groups (P<.05). A significant difference in hip extensor strength was found between the reformer and control groups after the intervention (P<.0167). Significant differences in BBS were observed between the slide and reformer groups and between the reformer and control groups after the intervention (P<.0167). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that machine squat regimens can be effective for early rehabilitation after THR, improving muscle strength, balance, and gait.

Background: Junior colleges have been establishing plans for the development of start-up education for students and have been providing various educational programs to support students’ start-up businesses. Objectives: The effects of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the start-up intention of college physical therapy students were analyzed. Design: Questionnaire design. Methods: Surveys on entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and start-up intention were conducted with 269 college physical therapy students, and the levels of individual measurement variables, correlations, and variables affecting start-up intention were analyzed. Results: College physical therapy students showed differences in start-up intention between genders, and male students tended to have a higher startup intention (P<.001) than female students. The correlations among the major variables were analyzed. According to the results, all sub-factors of start-up intention had significant positive correlations with all sub-factors of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (P<.05). In addition, multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify factors affecting start-up intention. Start-up education was shown to have no direct effect on start-up intention. Innovation (β=.238, P=.000), risk sensitivity (β=.228, P=.000), and initiative (β=.220, P=.001), which are sub-factors of entrepreneurship, were shown to have effects on start-up intention. Self-regulated efficacy (β=-.193, P=.039) and task challenge (β=.210, P=.004), which are sub-factors of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, were found to have effects on start-up intention. Conclusions: To boost the start-up intention of college physical therapy students and induce their start-ups, customized start-up education that considers entrepreneurship level and gender is necessary.

Transparent conductive tungsten (W) doped indium oxide (In2O3; IWO) films were deposited at different substrate bias voltage (-Vb) conditions at room temperature on glass substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and the influence of the substrate bias voltage on the optical and electrical properties was investigated. As the substrate bias voltage increased to -350 Vb, the IWO films showed a lower resistivity of 2.06 × 10-4 Ωcm. The lowest resistivity observed for the film deposited at -350 Vb could be attributed to its higher mobility, of 31.8 cm2/Vs compared with that (6.2 cm2/Vs) of the films deposited without a substrate bias voltage (0 Vb). The highest visible transmittance of 84.1 % was also observed for the films deposited at the -350 Vb condition. The X-ray diffraction observation indicated the IWO films deposited without substrate bias voltage were amorphous phase without any diffraction peaks, while the films deposited with bias voltage were polycrystalline with a low In2O3 (222) diffraction peak and relatively high intensity (431) and (046) diffraction peaks. From the observed visible transmittance and electrical properties, it is concluded that the opto-electrical performance of the polycrystalline IWO film deposited by RF magnetron sputtering can be enhanced with effective substrate bias voltage conditions.

In this study we examine variations in the structure of perovskite compounds of LaBa2Cu2O9, LaBa2CaCu3O12 and LaBa2Ca2Cu5O15 synthesized using the solid state reaction method. The samples’ compositions were assessed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The La: Ba: Ca: Cu ratios for samples LaBa2Cu2O9, LaBa2CaCu3O12 and LaBa2Ca2Cu5O15 were found by XRF analysis to be around 1:2:0:2, 1:2:1:3, and 1:2:2:5, respectively. The samples’ well-known structures were then analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The three samples largely consist of phases 1202, 1213, and 1225, with a trace quantity of an unknown secondary phase, based on the intensities and locations of the diffraction peaks. According to the measured parameters a, b, and c, every sample has a tetragonal symmetry structure. Each sample’s mass density was observed to alter as the lead oxide content rose. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the three phases revealed that different Ca-O and Cu-O layers can cause different grain sizes, characterized by elongated thin grains, without a preferred orientation.

This study focuses on how the partial substitution of copper by nickel nanoparticles affects the electrical and structural properties of the Bi2Ba2Ca2Cu2.9Ni0.1O10+δ, Bi2Ba2Ca2Cu2.8Ni0.2O10+δ and Bi2Ba2Ca2Cu2.6Ni0.4O10+δ compounds. Approximate values of crystallization size and crystallization percentage for the three compounds were calculated using the Scherer, modified Scherer, and Williamson-Hall methods. A great similarity was observed in the crystal size values from the Scherer method, 243.442 nm, and the Williamson-Hall method, 243.794 nm for the second sample. At the same time this sample exhibited the highest crystal size value for the three methods. In the examination of electrical properties, the sample with 0.1 partial substitution, Bi2Ba2Ca2Cu2.9Ni0.1O10+δ was determined to be the best with a critical temperature of 100 K and an energy gap of 6.57639 × 10-21 MeV. Using the SEM technique to analyze the structural morphology of the three phases, it was discovered that the size of the granular forms exceeds 25 nm. It was determined that the samples’ shapes alter when nickel concentration rises. The patterns that reveal the distribution of the crystal structure also exhibit clear homogeneity.

This study investigated the growth behavior and characteristics of compounds formed at the interface between a liquid Al-Si-Cu alloy and solid cast iron. Through microstructural analyses, it was observed that various AlFe and AlFeSi phases are formed at the interface, and the relative proportion of each phase changes when small amounts of strontium are added to the Al alloy. The results of the microstructural analysis indicate that the primary phases of the interfacial compounds in the Al-Si-Cu base alloy are Al8Fe2Si and Al4.5FeSi. However, in the Sr-added alloys, significant amounts of binary AlFe intermetallic compounds such as Al5Fe2 and Al13Fe4 formed, in addition to the AlFeSi phases. The inclusion of Sr has a slight diminishing effect on the rate at which the interfacial compounds layer thickens during the time the liquid Al alloy is in contact with the cast iron. The study also discusses the nano-indentation hardness and micro-hardness of the interfacial phases.

This study examines the correlation between livestock odor civil petitions and the establishment of malodor control areas in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, focusing on swine farms where numerous civil petitions regarding malodors have been received. After the designation of the malodor control areas, high odor concentrations occurred in Aewoleup and Jocheon-eup, and the odor concentration decreased in other areas. The number of civil petitions shows a consistent annual trend, with increased petitions from March, peaking during summer (July and August), and decreasing from September into winter. In Jeju-si, there were many civil petitions in Hallim-eup and Aewol-eup where there were many malodor control areas. However, in Seogwipo-si, there were also many civil petitions in Pyoseonmyeon, where there is no malodor control area. Additionally, we compared the average multiple of compound malodors and the rate of exceeding the maximum allowable emission level for compound malodors with the number of livestock malodor civil petitions to assess the actual state of malodors. The results reveal a stronger correlation between the number of civil petitions and the rate of exceeding the compound malodors allowable emission level than the average multiple for compound malodors. These findings provide valuable insights into addressing livestock odor concerns and enhancing malodor control measures in Jeju Island.

ATP luminescence measurements (using Relative Light Units, RLU) has been used to assess the levels of bacterial contamination on the surfaces of various materials. However, not much is known about their suitability in assessing bacterial contamination on paper surfaces. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using ATP luminometers in measuring levels of bacteria contamination on paper surfaces. The three ATP luminometers studied were Clean-Q, smart PD-30, and 3M™ Clean-Trace™ LM1 manufactured by different companies. There were some differences in RLU results among the three ATP luminometers when they were tested with different concentrations of Micrococcus luteus cell suspension. 106 - 107 cells were required in order to effectively detect Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Micrococcus luteus on the surfaces of A4 printing sheets (100 cm2) when using the three ATP luminometers. The sizes and physical properties of surface areas varied slightly among the swabs used for the three ATP luminometers. Concentration-specific measurements (RLU) of M. luteus taken from the surfaces of six kinds of paper (fine print paper, medium print paper, ground paper, newsprint paper, practice paper, tracing paper) were possible using the smart PD-30 and LM1 ATP luminometers. ATP detection values of M. luteus varied among the six types of paper. The highest ATP detection values were found on the surfaces of tracing paper. If the RLU value is recorded at the level of 1000, this could indicate a very high bacterial contamination level of 105 to 106 CFU/4 cm2.

The air dilution olfactory method to measure complex odors needs to store and carry odor samples from the field sampling until the analysis in laboratories. Until the analysis of sample in the laboratory, odor dilution factor (odor sensitivity) in the sample bag may decrease over time depending on the characteristics of each odor substances. This is one of the limitation for the air dilution olfactory method. Thus, the air dilution device enable to measure without loss in complex odors of samples. Recently, many studies on the performance test of on-site air dilution devices, i.e., field olfactometer, has been conducted to figure out the feasibility of the field olfactometers. In this study, seven odor samples were collected from five odor emission source sites. And comparative analysis with the air dilution olfactory method was carried out to assess the field applicability of the olfactometer. As results, the performance of the field olfactometer used in this study is regared as the affordable method. The dilution factors from between two methods showed the similar values, indicating low values of standard deviations. In order to ensure the accuracy and precision of measurement data using the field olfactometer, methodology minimized variables (that may affect measurement) needs to establish.

In this study, we analyzed the changes in concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA), phenols, and indoles, as well as odor contribution in pig slurry. The pig slurry was stored for approximately two months after the manure excretion of pigs which had been fed 3% level of peat moss additive. The investigation was carried out through lab-scale experiments simulating slurry pit conditions within pig house. Throughout the storage period, the concentration of VFA exhibited a tendency to be 11%-32% higher in the pig manure treated with peat moss as compared to the control group. From a concentration perspective, phenol and acetic acid accounted for the majority of the total odor compounds produced during the pig slurry storage period. However, their significance diminished when the concentration of odoros compounds are converted into odor activity value and odor contribution. Despite the odor reduction effect of the ammonia (NH3) adsorption by peat moss, if it cannot effectively reduce the high odor-contributing compounds such as indoles and p-cresol, the sole use of peat moss may not be considered an effective means of mitigating odors produced by pig slurry. According to this study, indoles, p-cresol, skatole, and valeric acid were consistently revealed as major odor-contributing substances during the two-month storage of pig slurry. Therefore, a comprehensive odor mitigation methodology should be proposed, taking into consideration the odor generation characteristics (including temporal concentration and odor contribution) of pig slurry-derived odors during storage.

The purpose of this study was to determine the conditions necessary for the total eradication of mite pests in indoor environments. The study involved the construction of a sterilization experimental setup. For this setup, various sterilization techniques, such as UV-C, ozone, ultrasound, and heat were applied, based on previous research. The experimental procedure consisted of placing mite pests in a chamber and subjecting them to different sterilization techniques. Observations were conducted immediately after the experiment and repeated five days later to assess the extent of eradication. The results showed that UVC, ozone, and ultrasound methods were not successful in completely eradicating the mite pests. In contrast, heat sterilization demonstrated effectiveness depending on the specific temperature and exposure time. To achieve the eradication of mite pests in indoor environments, it is necessary to maintain conditions of short-term high-temperature sterilization above 65°C or sustain temperatures above 50°C for a minimum duration of 90 minutes.

This study was carried out to develop a system to reduce ultrafine dust using hygroscopic materials such as glycerin and propylene glycol. Prior to the development of an ultrafine dust reduction system, the moisture condensation efficiency of glycerin and propylene glycol was investigated based on relative humidity (RH). The results showed that when no substances (glycerin and propylene glycol) were added to a tedlar bag, the relative humidity and temperature remained constant. The moisture condensation efficiency of glycerin was 60%, and the time it took to reach 50% of the initial relative humidity was about 40minutes. In the case of propylene glycol, the moisture condensation efficiency was 75%, and the time it took to reach 50% of the initial relative humidity was about 10 minutes. When glycerin and propylene glycol mixture was added, the moisture condensation efficiency was 68% and it took 20 minutes to reach 50% of the initial relative humidity. These results suggest that hygroscopic materials such as glycerin and propylene glycol can actually condense moisture in the atmosphere. In addition, considering actual atmospheric conditions, the relative humidity was set to 60% and 40% or less, and the moisture condensation efficiency was measured. The results showed that the mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol yielded the highest condensation efficiencies, at 69% and 62%, respectively. Therefore, it is preferable to use a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol to condense moisture in the range of relative humidity in the actual atmosphere.

A 14-year-old castrated male Shih Tzu presented with acute hemorrhagic vomiting. The initial medical records indicated a probable diagnosis of acute gastritis due to inappropriate food intake. Although gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was the preferred diagnostic approach, the client declined anesthesia because of the dog’s underlying heart condition. Therefore, we opted for anesthesia-free capsule endoscopy. The procedure identified severe gastritis with no detectable abnormalities in the other GI regions. Following diagnosis, dietary modifications and omeprazole treatment were initiated, resulting in the resolution of clinical symptoms. Follow- up capsule endoscopy 3 weeks later verified a significant improvement in gastritis. This case highlights the potential of capsule endoscopy as a valuable diagnostic tool in patients presenting with acute vomiting.

A one-year-old, female, Maltese dog was presented with head tilting, horizontal nystagmus, and tetraparesis. Blindness was first identified, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning revealed diffuse lesion which was hyperintense on T2-weighted image over the cerebellum and brainstem. The immunosuppressive therapy had been administered, but the patient had no improvement. Re-performed MRI revealed the progression of the pre-existed inflammatory lesions. Treatment with prednisolone, leflunomide, cyclosporine, and cytosine arabinoside was initiated. However, neurological signs had been progressive, and the patient was euthanized. The histopathological examination revealed the disseminated granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME). This GME case suggests the importance of initiation of treatment at the appropriate time.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (ML) is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma involving MALT, commonly the stomach or salivary glands, although virtually any mucosal site can be affected. ML originates from B cells in the marginal zone of MALT, and is also called extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma. It is a slow-growing cancer that usually responds well to treatment. A 59-year-old female presented with a 1-day history of quadriparesis and dysarthria. Up arrival at the hospital, motor power in the right upper and lower extremities was grade 3/5 according to the Medical Research Council scale, while that in the left leg was 4/5. The patient had been diagnosed with gastric ML 1 year prior, and had received antibiotics during the previous 2 weeks. The emergency magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed at the time of presentation showed multifocal embolic infarction in the cerebral hemisphere bilaterally, which did not have a cardiac origin. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed no stenotic or occlusive lesions. Secondary prophylaxis with daily administration of 300 mg aspirin was prescribed. The patient was discharged with residual right hemiparesis 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Herein, we present a rare case of multifocal cerebral infarction in a gastric ML patient.