Background: Bird dog exercise (BDE) is one of the lumbar stabilization exercises that rehabilitate low back pain by co-contraction of the local and global muscles. Previous studies have reported the effect of various type of BDEs (for example, practicing the exercises on various surfaces and changing the limb movement) for muscle co-contraction. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of knee joint flexion position of the raised lower limb on abdominal and back muscle activity during BDE in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Thirteen males participated in this study (age: 32.54 ± 4.48 years, height: 177.38 ± 7.17 cm). Surface electromyographic (SEMG) data of the internal abdominal oblique (IO), external abdominal oblique (EO), lumbar multifidus (MF), and thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum (ICLT) were collected in two knee joint flexion positions (90° flexion versus 0° flexion) during BDE. The SEMG data were expressed as a percentage of root mean square mean values obtained in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results: Greater muscle activity of the IO (p = 0.001), MF (p = 0.009), and ICLT (p = 0.021) of the raised lower limb side and the EO (p = 0.001) and MF (p = 0.009) of the contralateral side were demonstrated in the knee joint flexion position compared to the knee joint extension position. Greater local/global activity ratios of the abdominal muscle (i.e., IO and EO) of the raised lower limb (p = 0.002) and the back muscle (i.e., MF and ICLT) of the contralateral side (p = 0.028) were also noted in the knee joint flexion position. Conclusion: BDE with a knee joint flexion position might be recommended as an alternative lumbar stabilization exercise to enhance muscle activity in both the raised lower limb and the contralateral sides of the trunk for individuals with CLBP

In this report, we successfully prepared nitrogen-doped porous carbon (N-PC)/manganese dioxide ( MnO2) composite for a high-performance supercapacitor. X-ray diffraction data revealed the α-MnO2 phase. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the nanostructured α-MnO2 nanoparticles were coated on the surface of N-PC. The N-PC/α-MnO2 composite delivered a capacitance of 525.7 F g− 1 at the charging current of 1.0 A g− 1. The higher capacitance of the composite could be owing to the synergy of MnO2 and N-PC. Besides, the electrode exhibited a 14.7% capacitance loss after 6000 charge– discharge cycles at 10 A g− 1 indicating good electrochemical stability.

The fruit stalk of Hovenia dulcis (H.dulcis) is traditionally used to relieve hangovers in Korea. Theracurmin is a highly absorbable curcumin preparation which increases the bioavailability of curcumin. Curcumin is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the role of this combination in lowering alcohol levels in the body, thereby alleviating the severity of alcohol-induced hangover has not been investigated. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the eliminatory effects of a health drink containing the extract of the H. dulcis fruit stalk and theracurmin (theracurmin drink) on ethanol-induced hangover in rats. The theracurmin drink delivered orally to rats 30 mins before the administration of 40% ethanol (5 g/kg body weight), lowered the concentration of ethanol and acetaldehyde in the blood samples collected 1, 3, and 5 h after ethanol administration. Furthermore, the theracurmin drink increased the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes. The effectiveness of the theracurmin drink was thus superior to that of other health drink products, suggesting that its consumption may alleviate or prevent an alcohol-induced hangover.

Background: Individuals with scapular winging may have proprioceptive dysfunction which is important for motor control and causes shoulder instability. Reduced serratus anterior (SA) and lower trapezius (LT) muscle activity accompanied by over-active upper trapezius (UT), and pectoralis major (PM) may be contributing factors. Flexi-bar (FB) exercise may be used to increase joint position sense (JPS) and alter the target muscle activities. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of flexi-bar exercise prior to knee push-up plus (FPK) versus knee push-up plus (KPP) on JPS and muscle activity of SA, LT, UT, and PM in subjects with scapular winging. Methods: Eighteen subjects with scapular winging were recruited. JPS was investigated at baseline, after KPP and after FPK. Passive and active JPS errors were calculated by isokinetic equipment. Surface electromyography was used to record muscle activities during KPP and FPK. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc analyses were used to analyze the JPS error measured at baseline, after KPP and after FPK. Paired t-tests were used to compare muscle activities between KPP and FPK. Results: Passive JPS error was significantly decreased after KPP (p = 0.005) and after FPK (p = 0.003) compared to the baseline. Active JPS error was also significantly decreased after KPP (p = 0.016) and after FPK (p = 0.012) compared to the baseline. There was no significant difference in the passive and active JPS errors between KPP and FPK. SA activity during FPK was significantly increased (p = 0.024), and LT activity during FPK was significantly increased (p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in the UT and PM activity. Conclusion: FB might be recommended to immediately improve passive and active JPS and to selectively increase SA and LT muscle activities during KPP in individuals with scapular winging.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe and understand the experiences of pain and the perceptions of treatment through a traditional Korean medicine clinical trial in patients with non-acute pain after back surgery. Methods: The data collection was recorded through in-depth interviews with 20 participants and transcribed with verbatim. The data were analyzed with qualitative contents analysis. Results: Patients with persistent or recurring pain after back surgery experienced physical and psychological symptoms that resulted in severe difficulties in daily and working life. Their persistent or recurring pain after surgery was a burden in their life and a major source of depression. Because of the difference in the perception of pain between doctors and patients, the patients continuously sought and received various treatments. The patients also wanted to receive customized self-management in exercise so that they could control pain themselves in daily life. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach that includes psychological counseling, pain management, individualized exercise, and education for proper posture should be needed to reduce low back pain in patients with pain after back surgery.

Doped porous carbon materials have attracted great interest owing to their excellent electrochemical performance toward energy storage applications. In this report, we described the synthesis of nitrogen-doped porous carbon (N-PC) via carbonization of a triazine-based covalent organic framework (COF) synthesized by Friedel–Crafts reaction. The as-synthesized COF and N-PC were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The N-PC exhibited many merits including high surface area (711 m2 g−1), porosity, uniform pore size, and surface wettability due to the heteroatom-containing lone pair of electron. The N-PC showed a high specific capacitance of 112 F g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1 and excellent cyclic stability with 10.6% capacitance loss after 5000 cycles at a current density of 2.0 A g−1. These results revealed that the COF materials are desirable for future research on energy storage devices.

제비동자꽃(Lychnis wilfordii (Regel) Maxim.)은 주로 고위도의 이탄습지에 분포하는 전문종이다. 우리나라에서는 2개 지역에 고립되어 분포한다. 본 연구에서는 생육지 특성, 생장특성 및 자가화합성 그리고 안정적인 개체군을 유지하고 있는 용늪습지보호지역에서 개체군의 지속에 관여하는 내적 동태를 평가하였다. 분포지의 식생환경은 용늪습지보호지역과 평창군 대관령면 분포지 사이에 뚜렷한 차이가 있었다. 화분매개충의 방문에 의해 종자의 생산이 촉진되기는 하지만 자가화합성을 함께 소유하였다. 토양의 유기물함량이 높은 조건에서 다수의 겨울눈을 생성하였고, 줄기 수, 열매 수가 최대에 달하였다. 그렇지만 유기물함량이 낮은 조건에서도 생장하고 개화하여 종자를 생산하였다. 용늪습지보호지역에서 제비동자꽃은 고층습 원에는 분포하지 않았고 뚝사초가 형성하는 사초기둥이 발달한 저층습원에 분포하였다. 제비동자꽃은 이 공간에서도 사초기 둥의 상단부에 주로 분포하였다. 따라서 뚝사초가 형성하는 사초기둥의 생성, 성장 및 소멸은 이 공간에 분포하는 식물의 정착, 성장, 소멸과 밀접한 연관이 있는 것으로 판단되었다. 현재 용늪습지보호지역은 제비동자꽃이 분포하는 사초기둥이 발달한 공간이 넓게 분포하고 있고 소멸과 재정착의 과정이 잘 이루어지는 것으로 평가되었다. 그러므로 현재와 같은 생태적 과정이 잘 유지된다면 용늪습지보호지역의 제비동자꽃 개체군은 오랜 기간에 걸쳐 지속 가능할 것으로 예상되었다.

인디카 벼는 일조시간이 짧은 열대지역에서 주로 재배하며, 자포니카 벼는 일조시간이 긴 한국, 일본, 및 중국(동북부 지역)을 포함하는 온대지역에서 재배한다. 최근 동남아 열대지역에서 자포니카 쌀에 대한 수요가 증가함에 따라 농촌진흥청은 필리핀 국제미작연구소(IRRI)와 공동으로 열대지역에 적응하는 다수성 온대 자포니카 벼 품종을 개발하고 있다. 일반적으로 자포니카 벼를 단일조건인 열대지역에 재배하면 이앙 후 바로 개화가 촉진되어 극조기 출수가 유도된다. 따라서 열대지역에 적응하는 자포니카 벼를 개발하기 위해서는 단일조건에서도 충분히 생장한 후 출수를 하는 특성이 우선적으로 필요하다. 본 연구는 국내 자포니카형 벼 품종인 ‘일품’과 미국에서 육성한 인디카형 벼인 ‘Zenith’를 교배한 F9 RIL 180 계통을 이용하여 필리핀의 단일조건하에서 재배하면서 출수기에 관련한 양적형질유전자좌(QTL) 분석을 수행한 바, 그 결과는 다음 과 같다. 1. 단일조건하에서 출수일수(파종~출수)에 관여하는 2종의 QTL(qHD6-SD와 qHD6-LD)을 탐색하였다. 2. 정밀지도제작 결과 qHD6-SD와 qHD6-LD은 모두 6번 염색체 Hd1 유전자를 포함하는 98 kb 영역에 존재하는 동일한 QTL인 것으로 나타났다 3. 시험계통을 필리핀 단일 조건에서 재배하였을 때 qHD6- SD 또는 qHD6-LD에서 Zenith allele형을 보유한 계통들은 일 품 allele형을 가진 계통들 보다 출수일수가 평균 8일 정도 길었다. 3. 시험계통을 한국의 장일 조건에서 재배하였을 때 qHD6- SD 또는 qHD6-LD에서 Zenith allele형을 보유한 계통들은 일품 allele형을 가진 계통들보다 출수일수가 평균 8일 정도 짧 았다. 4. 이러한 특성은 기존에 보고된 Hd1 유전자의 특성과 유사하여 qHD6-SD 및 qHD6-LD 은 Hd1 유전자일 가능성이 높은 것으로 나타났으며, 본 시험에서 사용한 Zenith는 nonfunctional Hd1 allele을 보유하는 것으로 추정되었다. 5. 이러한 결과를 통해 열대지역에 적응하는 자포니카 벼 육종연구에서 극조기 출수를 방지하고 충분한 출수일수를 확보하여 수량을 높이기 위해서는 인디카 벼가 주로 보유하고 있는 non-functional Hd1 allele을 반드시 도입해야 함을 재확인 하였다.

Abstract Graphene, an allotrope of carbon in 2D structure, has revolutionised research, development and application in various disciplines since its successful isolation 16 years ago. The single layer of sp2-hybridised carbon atoms brings with it a string of unrivalled characteristics at a fraction of the price of its competitors, including platinum, gold and silver. More recently, there has been a growing trend in the application of graphene in catalysis, either as metal-free catalysts, composite catalysts or as catalyst supports. The unique and extraordinary properties of graphene have rendered it useful in increasing the reactivity and selectivity of some reactions. Owing to its large surface area, outstanding adsorptivity and high compatibility with various functional groups, graphene is able to provide a whole new level of possibilities and flexibilities to design and synthesise fit-for-purpose graphene-based catalysts for specific applications. This review is focussed on the progress, mechanisms and challenges of graphene application in four main reactions, i.e., oxygen reduction reaction, water splitting, water treatment and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. This review also summarises the advantages and drawbacks of graphene over other commonly used catalysts. Given the inherent nature of graphene, coupled with its recent accelerated advancement in the synthesis and modification processes, it is anticipated that the application of graphene in catalysis will grow exponentially from its current stage of infancy.

식물 종은 주어진 환경조건과의 상호작용의 결과로 현재와 같은 특성을 나타낸다. 제비꽃속의 식물은 적응전략으로 개방화와 더불어 왕성한 영양번식체계를 선택하였거나 또는 폐쇄화를 발달시키는 전략을 선택하였다. 왕제비꽃은 제비꽃 속의 식물로 세계적으로 한반도와 중국 지린(길림)성의 동부에만 분포한다. 분포의 중심과 가장자리는 서로 다른 개체군 동태를 나타낼 것으로 예상된다. 왕제비꽃이 복합적인종자생산전략(Mixed-mating strategy)을 소유함에도 현재와 같은 제한적인 분포를 나타내는 원인을 알아볼 필요가 있다. 먼저 우리는 분포지의 식생환경을 조사하여 그 특성을 평가하였다. 식물계절학을 통해 생장특성을 알아보았다. 또한 개체군의 구조, 개방화의 결실특성, 폐쇄화의 생산성을 평가하였다. 그리고 2014년과 2018년 사이의 개체군크기 변화를 비교하였다. 분포지의 대부분은 계곡에 인접한 낙엽활엽수혼효림의 식생하부에 위치하였다. 4∼5월에 자가불화합성의 개방화를 생산하였고 6∼9월까지 폐쇄화를 생산하였다. 폐쇄화의 생산은 불확실한 환경변화에서 종자의 생산을 보증하기 위한 전략으로 평가되며 개방화에 비해 약 2배의 생산량을 나타내었다. 개체군의 구조는 안정적인 지역과 매우 불안정한 지역이 구분되었다. 2014년에 비해 2018년의 조사에서 개체군의 급격한 감소를 경험한 지역이 존재하였다. 이러한 큰 폭의 감소는 가장자리 개체군에서 크게 나타나는 것으로 평가되었다. 왕제비꽃 분포지는 가뭄이라는 자연적인 교란 요인과 분포지를 구성하는 기질에 따른 다양한 미소입지의 존재로 다양한 식물을 부양하였다. 이러한 불확실한 조건에서 폐쇄화를 통해 종자의 생산을 보증하고 그에 따라 자연적인 교란요인이 제거되었을 때 빠르게 유묘의 재정착과 개체군의 보충이 가능한 것으로 판단되었다. 그리고 환경요인은 모든 개체군 및 개체군 내의 모든 개체에 동일하게 작용하지 않는 것으로 추정되었다. 따라서 지역적으로 급격한 개체수의 감소에도 불구하고 완전한 소멸에 이르지 않을 것이고 환경의 변화에 따라 국지적인 소멸과 재정착이 반복될 것으로 예상되었다. 우리는 본 연구를 통해 수집된 종의 특성에 대한 정보를 바탕으로 추가적인 분포지의 조사가 필요함을 제안하였다. 또한 효과적인 보전 전략의 수립과 시행을 위해서는 보다 장기적인 개체군 동태와 개방화와 폐쇄화의 유전적 특성을 평가하는 것이 필요함을 제안하였다.

A weak or dysfunctional gluteus medius (Gmed) is related to several pathologies, and individuals with hip abductor weakness have Gmed weakness. This study aimed to systematically review the literature associated with the anatomy and function of the Gmed, and the prevalence, pathology, and exercise of Gmed weakness. Papers published between 2010 and 2020 were retrieved from MEDLINE, Google Academic Search, and Research Information Sharing Service. The database search used the following terms: (glut* OR medius OR hip abduct*) AND weak*. The Gmed plays an important role in several functional activities as a primary hip abductor by providing pelvic stabilization and controlling hip adduction and internal rotation. Weakness of the Gmed is associated with many disorders including balance deficit, gait and running disorders, femoroacetabular impingement, snapping hip, gluteal tendinopathy, patellofemoral pain syndrome, osteoarthritis, iliotibial band syndrome, anterior cruciate ligament injury, ankle joint injuries, low back pain, stroke, and nocturia. Overuse of the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) as a hip abductor due to Gmed weakness can also cause several pathologies such as pain in the lower back and hip and degenerative hip joint pathology, which are associated with dominant TFL. Similarly, lateral instability and impaired movements such as lumbar spine lateral flexion or lateral tilt of the pelvis can occur due to compensatory activation of the quadratus lumborum for a weakened Gmed while exercising. Therefore, the related activation of synergistic muscles or compensatory movement should be considered when prescribing Gmed strengthening exercises.

To investigate the effect of gas dispersing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hot pressing method on the transparency and the conductivity of thin films, the free arc was used to disperse the CNTs in a high dispersion rate, and the dispersed CNTs were rapidly pressed into the surface of the PET film by hot pressing to obtain electrical conductivity. The relationship between the light transmission and sheet resistance of the film was studied by changing the deposition time and the presence or absence of electrostatic adsorption. It was found that the CNTs modified film still retains good electrical conductivity (sheet resistance up to 6 × 104 Ω, light transmittance 69%) through the cleaning of surfactants and ultrasonic waves, which proves that hot pressing is a simple physical method to achieve effective combination of CNTs and films.