Black carbon (BC), which is mainly contained in fine particulate matters, is one of the typical anthropogenic air pollutants that are generated from the incomplete combustion process and discharged into the atmosphere, and its various health effects particularly on children have been a growing concern. In this study, BC and particulate matters were closely analyzed in an elementary school adjacent to a high- traffic road in a large metropolitan city. The investigation showed that black carbon behaved similarly to ultrafine dust of 0.3 μm or less in the air, accounting for 20%-40% of it. The occurrence of high concentration outdoor pollution influences the BC content in indoor particulate matters. The average I/O value was 0.7 during the class-hours, and 0.8 without students. However, when students played in the classroom, the range of BC concentrations varied from 0.25 to 1.15, wider than 0.41-1.13 without students. Although this study was conducted with regard to just one elementary school, it can be considered to represent the typical air quality status of domestic schools, and it is believed to present valuable data which can be utilized to assist with preparing measures to enhance the air quality management of schools.

Air curtains, blowing air streams across a doorway, were installed in trial trains on subway line 7 in 2021 and they have been operated with dust collectors to improve the air quality of subway trains. In this study, we investigated the effects of air curtains on the indoor air quality in the trial subway trains. The concentrations of PM2.5 and carbon dioxide in the four selected cabins were measured in the morning hours (e.g., 7:30–11:30 am including the morning rush hour). The measurements were conducted on February 26, March 31, April 30, and May 14, 2021 and air curtain (AC)s and dust collector (DC)s in the four cabins were operated differently on those measuring days. All devices were turned off in the control cabin and only ACs, only DCs, and both the ACs and DCs were turned on in the other three cabins, respectively. The 4-h-averaged PM2.5 concentrations in the cabins, where only ACs and only DCs are turned on, are lower than in the control cabin by 18% and 26%, respectively. In addition, the joint operation of ACs and DCs can decrease the PM2.5 concentration by up to 42%. The time series of PM2.5 concentrations, measured on April 30, illustrate again that ACs block the intrusion of outside particulate matters. The 4-h-averaged carbon dioxide concentrations in the four cabins do not show monotonic differences between the cabins because of the generation of carbon dioxides inside the cabins. When the weights of individual cars and thus the numbers of passengers are similar between the cabins, the carbon dioxide concentrations in the ACs-operated cabins are higher than in the control cabin. This indicates that ACs can block the outward emission of carbon dioxides and maybe other indoor air pollutants as well.

Most of the white fumes from the tenter process of a textile plant in an industrial complex are generated by water vapor and oil mist. While general water vapor disappears when the humidity is lowered, the white fume generated in the tenter process does not disappear and is continuously maintained, resulting in environmental problems and complaints. Efforts to reduce white fume are being conducted, but it is vitally important to develop a performance index that quantitatively calculates and deduces the degree by which white fume has been reduced, so that a tangible and visible result can be obtained in the performance evaluation of prevention facilities. In this study, the removal efficiency or performance of a general wet scrubber and a wet electrostatic precipitator (electrical fume collector, EFC) installed in the actual textile tenter process was analyzed by the light scattering method that can measure the concentration of particles up to a high level. The white fume removal efficiency of the EFC was 92%, much higher than the 17% removal efficiency of the general scrubber. In addition, the EFC was more effective in removing toluene, 1,1'- [oxybis(methylene)]bis- Benzene, and benzothiazole, which are the major substances generated from the textile tenter process, as well as complex odors. From these results, it was found that the light scattering method is one of the useful tools to evaluate the performance of white fume prevention facilities in the industrial field in terms of satisfying the urgent need for measurement and the ability to obtain a clear and precise result on site. This approach is meaningful in that real-time quantification is applicable more intuitively than the gravimetric method in assessing the fume removal performance as it can be observed with the naked eye.

본고에서는 시의성 있는 입법방향성을 논하기 위해서 ‘데이터 보안’의 개념을 ‘사이버 보안’ 또는 ‘사이버 안보’의 개념과 궤를 같이하는 것으로 보았다. 정보통신기술의 발전은 정보화 사회로의 전환에 기여하였으나, 사 이버 공간에서의 정보 보안, 개인정보 보호, 정보 자유의 보호가 국가의 중요한 역할이 되었다. 그러나 우리나라는 데이터 보안에 관한 총괄 입법체계가 부재하여, 국 가차원에서 사이버 공간에 대한 위기 관리업무를 체계적으로 수행할 수 있는 구체적 방법·절차가 정립되어 있지 않기 때문에, 사이버 안보를 포 괄하는 데이터 보안 기본법 입법 필요성이 제기되고 있다. 이에 본고에서는 데이터 보안의 함의를 분석하여 본 연구의 중요성을 살 피고, 주요 국가의 데이터 보안 법제 분석을 통해 우리나라 법제와의 비교 연구의 기초로 삼음으로써 바람직한 입법·정책 방향에 관하여, 첫째, 주요 국의 입법례를 참고하여 공공·민간부문을 아우르는 통합 데이터 보안 기본 법의 제정, 둘째, 데이터 보안과 개인정보 보호의 균형의 관점에서 기본법 내 개인정보 처리에 관한 특별 규정을 포함하는 방안 검토, 셋째, 실효성 있는 방안 도출을 위한 국제사회와의 협력 강화, 넷째, 사회적 합의와 국민 적 공감을 얻을 수 있도록 입법과정에서의 소통 강화를 제언하였다. 또한 데이터 보안이 「헌법」의 기본적 가치 영역인, ‘국가안전보장’과 ‘국민의 기본권’과 밀접하게 연결되어 있는 만큼 입법과정에서 정쟁(政爭) 의 대상이 되는 것을 지양함과 동시에, 다양한 의견을 수렴하여 「헌법」의 기본가치를 온전히 수호할 수 있도록 해야 할 것임을 강조하였다.

This case report describes satisfactory correction of deep and large canine corneal ulcerations by application of bidirectional corneo-conjunctival transposition (CCT). A 12-year-old spayed female Maltese dog with a large corneal descemetocele, perforation, and blepharospasm of the right eye was referred to Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. More than half of the thickness of the cornea was damaged, and the ulcer was progressive. On ophthalmic examination, menace response and dazzle reflex were absent. No corneal melting was observed. As the patient had large and deep corneal ulcers, traditional one-sided CCT was not sufficient to cover the wound lesion. To increase corneal transparency after recovery, we decided to perform bidirectional CCT from 12 o’ clock on the dorsal side to 7 o’ clock on the ventral side. The dog was medicated with topical eye drops, ofloxacin, atropine, and moxifloxacin before surgery. Debridement with a diamond burr was then performed around the descemetocele. Five weeks after surgery, the dazzle reflex was restored as the blood vessel receded from the cornea to the conjunctiva. Eight weeks after surgery, corneal transparency and corneal stability were gradually restored, but not completely. Bidirectional CCT provides structural support and helps corneal wound healing in large canine corneal ulceration.

Lactic acid bacteria as probiotics are intensively used in human and animal species. These probiotic properties of LABs were variable according to bacterial strain and species. However, there was limited information on probiotic properties of monkey origin LABs. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of monkey and human origin LABs against monkey origin enteric bacteria by the agar disc diffusion test and broth culture inhibition assay. All LABs represented enough tolerance to pepsin (0.3%) and bile acid (pH = 2). To 50% of Clostridium perfringens and 20% of Escherichia coli, monkey origin LABs showed statistically higher antibacterial activity compared to human origin LABs (p < 0.05). Also, distinct antibacterial activity was verified among some bacteria species and strains. Higher antibacterial activity against enteric bacteria except for C. perfringens was verified in Lactobacillus johnsonii strains compared to Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus salivarius. Statistically different antibacterial activity against C. perfringens was verified among strains within L. reuteri and L. johnsonii. In conclusion, we prove the higher probiotic properties of monkey origin LABs against homogenous enteric bacteria although humans and monkeys were phylogenetically similar species. For non-human primates, homogenous LABs should be used as probiotics, not human origin LABs. Furthermore, it was confirmed among monkey origin LABs, L. johnsonii showed a high antibacterial activity on various enteric pathogenic bacteria and was an appropriate lactic acid strain for inhibiting C. perfringens.

우리민법은 정보제공의무에 관한 명시적인 규정을 두고 있지 않다. 그 러나 이러한 규정은 필요하다. 왜냐하면 계약의 목적물을 점유하고 있으 면서 유사한 계약을 반복적, 전문적으로 체결함으로써 그 계약의 성립이 가져오게 될 효과는 물론 계약과 관련한 특별한 사정까지도 정확하게 파 악하고 있는 당사자와 그렇지 못한 상대방 간에는 계약의 목적을 달성하 기 위하여 분명히 알아야 할 사항들에 관한 정보의 불균형 현상이 발생한 다는 것을 충분히 예상할 수 있기 때문이다. 그리고 계약의 당사자 간 정 보의 격차를 방치할 경우 불공정한 계약은 계속 늘어 갈 것이며 그로 인 한 정보약자의 피해는 우리가 쉽게 해결할 수 없는 사회문제로 귀결될 것 이다. 우리나라에도 계약체결 이전의 정보제공의무를 규정하는 법률들이 존재 한다. 약관거래법, 할부거래법, 방문판매법 같은 소비자 관련 특별법들이 바로 그것이다. 그러나 이는 특별법이기 때문에 글자 그대로 특별한 경우 의 계약 당사자들에게만 적용되는데 불과하다. 사회적 약자가 대부분인 정보약자는 모든 계약에서 존재하면서 부족한 정보 때문에 불이익을 당하 는 일이 비일비재 하므로 모든 사법적 계약에 전면적으로 적용되는 계약 체결 이전 단계에서의 정보제공의무에 관한 연구가 필요하다. 따라서 본 논문은 기존의 국내논의와 외국의 논의를 정리하고 최종적으 로 제535조의 2로 구체적인 민법규정을 제시하고자 한다.

불공정무역조사법 제4조 제1항 각 호에서는 우리나라 무역위원회의 조 사 대상이 되는 불공정무역행위 유형에 대하여 규정하고 있으며, 이 중 제1호에서 지식재산권 침해 물품 등의 국내 수입, 수출 행위 등을 규정하 고 있다. 불공정무역조사법상 지식재산권 침해 행위에는 특허권, 실용신안 권, 디자인권, 상표권, 저작권, 저작인접권, 출판권, 데이터베이스 제작자 의 권리 및 반도체집적회로의 배치설계권이나 지리적 표시 및 지리적 표 시권 또는 영업비밀 침해까지 포함되나, 부정경쟁방지법상의 부정경쟁행 위는 규정하고 있지 않다. 불공정무역조사법상의 조사와는 별도로 부정경쟁방지법에서는 부정경쟁 행위 조사제도를 운영하고 있는데, 이를 무역위의 불공정무역행위 조사제 도와 비교해 보고, 불공정무역조사법상 조사대상이 되는 지식재산권 침해 범위에 부정경쟁행위의 추가여부의 타당성, 적절성을 검토해 볼 필요가 있다. 이를 위해 본 연구에서는 먼저 불공정무역조사법과 부정경쟁방지법 상의 조사제도를 비교분석하고, 각 제도의 운영 실태 및 현황을 조사하여 분석하였다. 다음으로 해외 주요국에서 불공정무역행위 조사제도의 현황 및 관련 법규를 조사하여, 해외에서 불공정무역 조사대상에 부정경쟁행위 를 포함하고 있는 사례를 살펴보았다. 이를 통해 불공정무역조사법상 지 식재산권 침해 범위에 부경법상 부정경쟁행위의 추가여부의 타당성을 법 리적으로 검토하고, 관련 고려사항을 제시하였다.

In this study, an Co/Fe coated porcelain using a cobalt and ferrous sulfate was sintered at 1,250 oC. The specimens were investigated by HR-XRD, FE-SEM (EDS), Dilatometer, and UV-vis spectrophotometer. The surface of the porcelain was uniformly fused with the pigment, and white ware and celadon body specimens were densely fused to a certain thickness from the surface. Other new compounds were produced by the chemical reaction of cobalt/ferrous sulfate with the porcelain body during the sintering process. These compounds were identified as cobalt ferrite spinel phases for white ware and white mixed ware, and an andradite phase for the celadon body, and the amorphous phase, respectively. As for the color of the specimens coated with cobalt and ferrous mixed pigments, it was found that the L* value was greatly affected by the white ware, and the a* and b* values were significantly changed in the celadon body. The L* values of the specimens fired with pure white ware, celadon body, and white mix ware were 72.1, 60.92, 82.34, respectively. The C7F3 pigment coated porcelain fired at 1,250 oC had L* values of 39.91, 50.17, and 40.53 for the white ware, celadon body, and white mixed ware, respectively; with a* values of -1.07, -2.04, and -0.19, and at b* values of 0.46 and 6.01, it was found to be 4.03. As a new cobalt ferrite spinel phase was formed, it seemed to have had a great influence on the color change of the ceramic surface.

In this study, using deep learning, super-resolution images of transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were generated for nanomaterial analysis. 1169 paired images with 256  256 pixels (high resolution: HR) from TEM measurements and 32  32 pixels (low resolution: LR) produced using the python module openCV were trained with deep learning models. The TEM images were related to DyVO4 nanomaterials synthesized by hydrothermal methods. Mean-absolute-error (MAE), peak-signal-to-noise-ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity (SSIM) were used as metrics to evaluate the performance of the models. First, a super-resolution image (SR) was obtained using the traditional interpolation method used in computer vision. In the SR image at low magnification, the shape of the nanomaterial improved. However, the SR images at medium and high magnification failed to show the characteristics of the lattice of the nanomaterials. Second, to obtain a SR image, the deep learning model includes a residual network which reduces the loss of spatial information in the convolutional process of obtaining a feature map. In the process of optimizing the deep learning model, it was confirmed that the performance of the model improved as the number of data increased. In addition, by optimizing the deep learning model using the loss function, including MAE and SSIM at the same time, improved results of the nanomaterial lattice in SR images were achieved at medium and high magnifications. The final proposed deep learning model used four residual blocks to obtain the characteristic map of the low-resolution image, and the super-resolution image was completed using Upsampling2D and the residual block three times.

The lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) is considered one of the promising approaches to overcome the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER), bypassing -OOH* coordination with a high energetic barrier. Activated lattice oxygen can participate in the OER as a reactant and enables O*-O* coupling for direct O2 formation. However, such reaction kinetics inevitably include the generation of oxygen vacancies, which leads to structural degradation, and eventually shortens the lifetime of catalysts. Here, we demonstrate that Se incorporation significantly enhances OER performance and the stability of NiFe (oxy)hydroxide (NiFe) which follows the LOM pathway. In Se introduced NiFe (NiFeSe), Se forms not only metal-Se bonding but also Se-oxygen bonding by replacing oxygen sites and metal sites, respectively. As a result, transition metals show reduced valence states while oxygen shows less reduced valence states (O-/O2 2-) which is a clear evidence of lattice oxygen activation. By virtue of its electronic structure modulation, NiFeSe shows enhanced OER activity and long-term stability with robust active lattice oxygen compared to NiFe.

In this work, we developed silver nanowires and a silicon based Schottky junction and demonstrated ultrafast broadband photosensing behavior. The current device had a response speed that was ultrafast, with a rising time of 36 μs and a falling time of 382 μs, and it had a high level of repeatability across a broad spectrum of wavelengths (λ = 365 to 940 nm). Furthermore, it exhibited excellent responsivity of 60 mA/W and a significant detectivity of 3.5 × 1012 Jones at a λ = 940 nm with an intensity of 0.2 mW cm2 under zero bias operating voltage, which reflects a boost of 50%, by using the AC PV effect. This excellent broadband performance was caused by the photon-induced alternative photocurrent effect, which changed the way the optoelectronics work. This innovative approach will open a second door to the potential design of a broadband ultrafast device for use in cutting-edge optoelectronics.

Background: The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games (WPG) being one of the most successful Paralympic Games (PG) in modern athletic world history, hosted the largest number of elite athletes representing 49 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs). Objects: The present investigation highlighted the demographic and clinical characteristics of injured athletes and non-athletes and the physiotherapy services provided during the PyeongChang 2018 WPG. Methods: Prospective descriptive epidemiology study, in which the study group comprised of 201 participants (51 athletes and 150 non-athletes) who were admitted to and utilized the polyclinic physiotherapy service of 2018 PyeongChang WPG in Physiotherapy Department of Paralympic Village from March 1, 2018 to March 20, 2018. Results: Qualitative frequency analysis of injury type demonstrated highest number of chronic injuries (51%, n = 100) in athletes and non-athletes. Anatomical injury site analysis revealed that the spine and shoulder areas were affected with equal frequency for athletes (54.9%, n = 14), whereas for non-athletes, the frequencies of spine and shoulder area injuries were 36.7% (n = 55) and 26% (n = 39), respectively. The Pyeongchang WPG showed a high rate of athletes visiting the physiotherapy service during the pre-competition period (33.3%, n = 50), which may have led to smaller incidence rate of traumatic injury. The physiotherapy treatment service analysis demonstrated that manual therapy (35.4%, n = 230) was most commonly utilized, followed by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation/interference current therapy (TENS/ICT), therapeutic massage and therapeutic exercise. Conclusion: We established the importance of prophylactic and preventive physiotherapy services to reduce the risk of sports injuries during WPG.

Background: A spinal extension and intensive rehabilitation program reduced the symptoms and pain of kyphosis, and improved function. Objects: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of a spine extension device on the degree of thoracic kyphosis and extension angles, confirm reduction of the kyphosis angle and an increase in flexibility. Methods: Thirteen adults were enrolled in the experiment, using the spine extension device, which was set to passively extend the spine. The angle between the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra and the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra was measured by dual inclinometer before and after using the spine extension device. Results: In the static posture, the thoracic kyphosis decreased after using the spine extension device in the thoracic extension posture, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05); thoracic extension angle increased with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the thoracic kyphosis angle and thoracic extension angle of the subjects before and after using spine extension device was compared and analyzed, which proved that the spine extension device can effectively improve the mobility of spinal extension.

Background: Trunk movements are an important factor in activities of daily living; however, these movements can be impaired by stroke. It is difficult to quantify and measure the active range of motion (AROM) of the trunk in patients with stroke. Objects: To determine the reliability and validity of measurements using a digital goniometer (DG) and smart phone (SP) applications for trunk rotation and lateral flexion in stroke patients. Methods: This is an observational study, in which twenty participants were clinically diagnosed with stroke. Trunk rotation and lateral flexion AROM were assessed using the DG and SP applications (Compass and Clinometer). Intrarater reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the validity of the DG and SP in AROM measurement. The level of agreement between the two instruments was shown by Bland–Altman plot and 95% limit of agreement (LoA) was calculated. Results: The intrarater reliability (rotation with DG: 0.96–0.98, SP: 0.98; lateral flexion with DG: 0.97–0.98, SP: 0.96) was excellent. A strong and significant correlation was found between DG and SP (rotation hemiplegic side: r = 0.95; non-hemiplegic side: r = 0.90; lateral flexion hemiplegic side: r = 0.88; non-hemiplegic side: r = 0.78). The level of agreement between the two instruments was rotation (hemiplegic side: 23.02° [LoA 17.41°, –5.61°]; non-hemiplegic side: 31.68° [LoA 23.87°, –7.81°]) and lateral flexion (hemiplegic side: 20.94° [LoA 17.48°, –3.46°]; non-hemiplegic side: 27.12° [LoA 18.44°, –8.68°]). Conclusion: Both DG and SP applications can be used as reliable methods for measuring trunk rotation and lateral flexion in patients with stroke. Although, considering the level of clinical agreement, DG and SP could not be used interchangeably for measurements.

Background: The presence of the lumbopelvic-hip neuromuscular chain is essential for dynamic spinal stabilization; its therapeutic effects on dynamic movements of the distal extremity segment and underpinning motor mechanism remain unknown and warrant further study on participants with low back pain (LBP). Objects: We aim to compare the effects of the broken chain exercise (BCE) and connected chain exercise (CCE) on electromyography (EMG) amplitude and onset time in participants with and without LBP. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. A convenience sample of 40 nonathletic participants (mean age: 24.78 ± 1.70) with and without LBP participated in this study. All participants underwent CCE for 30 minutes, 30-minute daily. We measured EMG amplitude and onset times on bilateral erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), hamstring (HAM), transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) during the prone hip extension (PHE) test before and after the BCE and CCE. We used multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to analyze the amplitude and onset time difference between exercises (BCE and CCE) and Pearson’s correlations to determine any synergistic relationship among the HAM, GM, bilateral TrA/IO, and ES muscles. The statistical analyses were used at p < 0.05. Results: MANOVA showed that CCE was more decreased on EMG amplitude in HAM and bilateral ES, while increased GM and contralateral TrA/IO than BCE (p < 0.05). MANOVA EMG onset time data analyses revealed that the main effect of the conditions was significant for all HAM, GM, and bilateral ES muscles, whereas the main effect for the group was significant only for GM and contralateral ES in healthy and LBP groups. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was computed to assess the relationship between BCE and CCE on dependent variables. In most of the muscles, there was a strong, positive correlation between the two variables, and there was a significant relationship (p < 0.001). Conclusion: CCE produced more effective and coordinated core stabilization and motor control mechanism in the lumbopelvic-hip muscles in participants with and without LBP during PHE than BCE.

Background: Pronated foot posture (PFP) contributes to excessive dynamic knee valgus (DKV). Although foot orthoses such as medial arch support (MAS) are widely and easily used in clinical practice and sports, few studies have investigated the effect of MAS on the improvement of DKV during stair descent in individuals with a PFP. Moreover, no studies reported the degree of improvement in DKV according to the severity of PFP when MAS was applied. Objects: This study aimed to examine the immediate effect of MAS on DKV during stair descent and determine the correlation between navicular drop distance and changes in DKV when MAS is applied. Methods: Twenty individuals with a PFP (15 males and five females) participated in this study. The navicular drop test was used to measure PFP severity. The frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) was calculated under two conditions, with and without MAS application, using 2-dimensional video analysis. Results: During stair descent, the FPPA with MAS (173.1° ± 4.7°) was significantly greater than that without MAS (164.8° ± 5.8°) (p < 0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the navicular drop distance and improvement in the FPPA when MAS was applied (r = 0.453, p = 0.045). Conclusion: MAS application can affect the decrease in DKV during stair descent. In addition, MAS application should be considered to improve the knee alignment for individuals with greater navicular drop distance.

Background: The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is the most important index for accurately measuring cardiopulmonary function in patients with acute ischemic heart disease. However, the relationship between the OUES variables and important cardiopulmonary function parameters remain unelucidated for patients with acute ischemic heart disease, which accounts for the largest proportion of heart disease. Objects: The present cross sectional clinical study aimed to determine the multiple relationships among the cardiopulmonary function variables mentioned above in adults with acute ischemic heart disease. Methods: A convenience sample of 110 adult inpatients with ischemic heart disease (age: 57.4 ± 11.3 y; 95 males, 15 females) was enrolled at the hospital cardiac rehabilitation center. The correlation between the important cardiopulmonary function indicators including peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), minute ventilation (VE)/carbon dioxide production (VCO2) slope, heart rate recovery (HRR), and ejection fraction (EF) and OUES was confirmed. Results: This study showed that OUES was highly correlated with VO2 peak, VE/VCO2 slope, and HRR parameters. Conclusion: The OUES can be used as an accurate indicator for cardiopulmonary function. There are other factors that influence aerobic capacity besides EF, so there is no correlation with EF. Effective cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs can be designed based on OUES during submaximal exercise in patients with acute ischemic heart disease.

Background: Older adults use different ankle muscle activation patterns during difficult static balance conditions. It has been suggested that this is related to a decline in proprioception with age, resulting in reduced postural balance. However, the association between proprioception and ankle muscle activity during quiet standing has not been directly assessed. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of age and sensory condition on ankle muscle activity and the association between ankle proprioception and ankle muscle activity. Methods: We recruited 10 young women and 9 older women. Ankle proprioception was evaluated using joint position sense (JPS) and force sense (FS) divided by dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles was collected during quiet standing. Results: Older women activated GCM muscle more than young during quiet standing and when performing difficult tasks. Older women had more errors in JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion than did young. The GCM muscle activity is related to JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion. Conclusion: Lower proprioception of the GCM with age leads to increased muscle activity, resulting in reduced postural balance. There was no difference in TA proprioception or muscle activity among older women with frequent physical activity.

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a physical modality used to activate skeletal muscles for strengthening. While voluntary muscle contraction (VMC) follows the progressive recruitment of motor units in order of size from small to large, NMES-induced muscle contraction occurs in a nonselective and synchronous pattern. Therefore, the outcome of muscle strengthening training using NMES-induced versus voluntary contraction might be different, which might affect balance performance. Objects: We examined how the NMES training affected balance and proprioception. Methods: Forty-four young adults were randomly assigned to NMES and VMC group. All participants performed one-leg standing on a force plate and sat on the Biodex (Biodex R Corp.) to measure balance and ankle proprioception, respectively. All measures were conducted before and after a training session. In NMES group, electric pads were placed on the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles for 20 minutes. In VMC group, co-contraction of the three muscles was conducted. Outcome variables included mean distance, root mean square distance, total excursion, mean velocity, 95% confidence circle area acquired from the center of pressure data, and absolute error of dorsi/plantarflexion. Results: None of outcome variables were associated with group (p > 0.35). However, all but plantarflexion error was associated with time (p < 0.02), and the area and mean velocity were 37.0% and 18.6% lower in post than pre in NMES group, respectively, and 48.9% and 16.7% lower in post than pre in VMC group, respectively. Conclusion: Despite different physiology underlying the NMES-induced versus VMC, both training methods improved balance and ankle joint proprioception.