Background: Passive or therapist-assisted stretching, followed by scapular stabilization exercises, has been shown to be effective. However, most previous studies have focused on stretching individual muscles or specific movement directions, often neglecting the role of active scapular stretching. Objects: This study aimed to compare changes in the muscle activity of the lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and upper trapezius (UT), as well as the scapular posterior tilt (SPT) angle before and after scapular circle (SC) stretching during SPT exercise. Methods: Twenty participants were recruited for this study. Electromyography electrodes were attached to the LT, SA, and UT. Muscle activity and the posterior scapular tilt angle were measured while performing the SPT exercises. After the SC stretch, the measurements were repeated in the same manner. The LT, SA, and UT electromyography activities and SPT angles were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: LT activity was significantly higher in the SC stretch plus SPT exercise compared with in the SPT exercise alone (p = 0.018). There were no significant differences in SA activity between the SPT and SC stretch plus SPT exercise conditions (p = 0.812). UT activity significantly increased in the SC stretch plus SPT exercise compared with that in the SPT exercise (p = 0.001). The SPT angle was significantly enhanced during SPT exercise after the SC stretching compared to that without SC stretching (p = 0.009). The RSP improved by 2.32% compared to the initial posture when only the SPT was performed, and improved by 9.95% when the SPT was performed after the SC stretching. Conclusion: These results suggest that performing SC stretching prior to SPT exercise may effectively improve scapular alignment and posture, even when UT activation increases more than of the LT. Elevated UT activity highlights the need to address muscular balance in corrective exercise design.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare gluteus medius (Gmed) and quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle activities and the Gmed/QL activity ratio, during five hip abduction exercises in individuals with Gmed weakness. Objects: Nineteen participants with clinically identified Gmed weakness performed five hip abduction exercises: side-lying hip abduction (SHA), side-bridge (SB), SB using sling (SB-sling), SB with hip abduction (SB-HA), and SB-HA using sling (SB-HA-sling). Surface electromyography recorded Gmed and QL, normalized to %maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess differences across conditions. Results: Significant differences were found in Gmed (F = 68.980, p = 0.001) and QL (F = 10.676, p = 0.001) activation across exercises. Gmed activity was highest in SB-HA (61.77 ± 14.46 %MVIC), while SHA produced the highest Gmed/QL activity ratio (1.70 ± 0.26), indicating more selective Gmed activation. SB and SB-sling showed lower Gmed activity and higher QL activation. SB-HA-sling resulted in moderate Gmed activation without significantly increasing QL activation. Conclusion: The SB-HA exercise is effective for co-activating Gmed and QL, while SHA and SB-HA-sling are better suited for selectively targeting Gmed with minimal QL compensation. These findings support exercise selection based on specific rehabilitation goals.

Solar energetic particle (SEP) events, driven by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are occasionally accompanied by ground level enhancements (GLEs), detected by neutron monitors. While GLEs represent only a subset of SEP events, their occurrence may provide insight into the acceleration and propagation mechanisms of SEPs. In this study, we conducted a statistical analysis of 122 SEP events from 1997 to 2023, including 16 events associated with GLE and 106 without, using elemental composition data from the ACE/SIS instrument and X-ray fluence data from GOES/XRS. The results show that SEP events with GLE exhibit significantly higher fluences of SIS elements (He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si) than those without, particularly at high energy channels. Notably, the fluences of carbon and oxygen were particularly enhanced in SEP events associated with GLE, suggesting a potential role for these elements in the generation of GLEs. A strong correlation (average r ≈ 0.75) was observed between the X-ray fluence of associated solar flares and the elemental fluences in SEP events with GLE, whereas a weaker correlation (average r ≈ 0.32–0.40) was found for SEP events without GLE. These findings imply that the presence of a GLE is linked to distinct acceleration conditions and enhanced ion production, particularly of light ions with large charge-to-mass ratios. This study contributes to a better understanding of SEP composition, GLE-associated mechanisms, and their relevance to space weather forecasting and radiation hazard assessments.

본 연구는 저관리형 거리화단 화훼경관용 초화류 식물 선발을 위하여, 4종의 초본화훼식물(Zinnia elegans, Salvia splendens, Catharanthus roseus, Gomphrena globose )을 대상으로 무관 수 처리에 따른 내건성을 구명하고자 실시하였다. 4종 식물의 영구위조점을 알아본 결과, 무관수 후 백일초가 23일째 가장 먼저 고사하였고, 그 다음으로 살비아는 29일째, 일일초는 51일 째, 천일홍은 61일째에 고사하였다. 무관수 처리에 따른 4종의 용적수분함량 변화를 비교한 결과, 용적수분함량은 무관수 이후 지속적으로 감소하였고, 용적수분함량이 0%에 도달한 것은 백 일초가 무관수 16일째로 가장 빨랐으며, 그 다음으로 살비아 25일, 일일초 35일, 천일홍 40일 순으로 나타났다. 4종의 지상 부생체중의 감소율을 영구위조점에서 보았을 때 4종의 식물중 백일초의 감소율이 가장 높았고, 그 다음은 살비아, 천일홍, 일일초 순으로 높게 나타났다. 또한 지상부와 지하부 건물중의 증가율은 일일초가 가장 높았으며 통계적으로 유의하였다. 무관 수 처리에 따른 광합성 형광 변수 중 하나인 Fv/Fm 측정 결과, 백일초는 일시위조점인 15일째부터 감소하였고, 살비아는 무관 수 29일째, 일일초는 37일째, 천일홍은 43일째부터 감소하였 으며, 통계적으로 유의하였다. 무관수 처리에 따른 4종의 각 개체별 측정된 식생지수의 변화를 알아본 결과, 정규식생지수 (normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI), 광화학 반사율 지수(photochemical reflectance index, PRI), 안토 시아닌 반사율 지수(anthocyanin Reflectance Index, ARI) 가 무관수 기간동안 백일초, 살비아보다 일일초, 천일홍이 장기 간 건강한 잎의 범위에 속하였다. 본 연구결과를 종합해 볼 때, 저관리형 거리화단 화훼경관용 식물 선정 시 거리화단의 수분관 리 측면을 고려한다면 무관수 처리 후 약 50-60여 일간 생존하 여 내건성이 강한 것으로 나타난 일일초, 천일홍이 저관리형 거리화단 화훼경관 조성 시 적용 가능성이 매우 높은 식물로 판단되었다. 거리화단 화훼경관 조성 후 물관리가 어려운 거리 화단 화훼경관의 지속적인 유지, 관리에 대한 어려움이 부각되 어왔다. 따라서 저관리형 거리화단 화훼경관용 식물의 다양한 적용 및 관리를 위해서는 향후 보다 많은 식물종을 대상으로 한 실험뿐만 아니라 식물 내에서 품종 간의 비교에 대한 후속 연구도 필요한 것으로 생각되었다.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common health problem among female caregivers. In Korea, 70.4% of caregivers experience LBP after caregiving. The prevalence of LBP was higher in female caregivers of patients who required physical assistance with transfer than in those caring for patients who did not require physical assistance. Lifting movements, such as patient transfer and positioning, are associated with lumbopelvic stability (LPS) and knee muscle strength. However, no studies have investigated the differences in LPS and knee muscle strength between female caregivers with and without CLBP. Objects: This study was conducted to investigate the differences of the LPS, knee extension strength (KES) and knee flexion strength (KFS) between female caregivers with and without CLBP. Methods: Thirty-one female caregivers participated in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: (1) caregivers without CLBP (n = 13) and (2) caregivers with CLBP (n = 18). LPS, KES, and KFS levels were measured. An independent t-test was used to compare the LPS, KES, and KFS between caregivers with and without CLBP. The statistical significance was set at α of 0.05. Results: The LPS and KES scores were significantly lower in caregivers with CLBP than those without. In contrast, the KFS did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: This study observed associations of both LPS and KES with CLBP among female caregivers.