Background: In patients with low back pain (LBP), weakened core muscles and impaired proprioception contribute to decreased spinal stability and LBP recurrence. Objectives: To investigate the effects of abdominal bracing exercises (BE) and kinetic link training (BEKLT) on pain, balance, and proprioception in LBP patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Sixteen adults with LBP were randomly assigned to a BE group or a BEKLT group. Both groups completed a four-week intervention (three sessions per week). Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), proprioception with the lumbar reposition sense test, and balance with the BT4 system. Results: Both groups showed significant reductions in VAS and proprioception error (P<.05), with no inter-group differences. In dynamic balance (limits of stability), the BE group improved in rearward, left, and right angles, while the BEKLT group improved in forward, rearward, and left angles (P<.05). A significant difference was observed in the forward leaning angle between groups (P<.05). For static balance, both groups showed significant reductions in trace length and C90 area (P<.05), with no inter-group differences. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both BE and BEKLT are effective interventions for reducing pain and improving proprioception and balance in LBP, with BEKLT providing additional benefits for dynamic balance.
This study investigates the kinetic compensatory gait changes in a small-sized dog (4.2 kg, 2-year-old spayed female poodle) with experimentally induced lameness. Reversible lameness was induced by applying silicone pads to the dog's forelimbs and hindlimbs. A force plate analysis system was used to measure Peak Vertical Force (PVF) and Symmetry Index (SI) during normal and induced lameness conditions. The results showed significant reductions in PVF in the induced limbs. Specifically, the left forelimb’s PVF decreased from 139.00 ± 9.85% in normal gait to 88.00 ± 19.05% after lameness induction, and the right forelimb’s PVF decreased from 130.33 ± 5.51% to 78.00 ± 18.52%. In contrast, compensatory increases were observed in the contralateral limbs, with the PVF of the contralateral forelimb increasing to 125.33 ± 1.15%. Similar patterns were observed in the hindlimbs, although the changes were less pronounced. The Symmetry Index (SI) values also increased in the induced limbs, particularly in the forelimbs (ILF: 53.10 ± 22.85%, IRF: 72.17 ± 15.08%), indicating greater asymmetry. These results suggest that forelimb lameness in small dogs results in more significant compensatory gait changes than hindlimb lameness.
Background: Previous studies have highlighted the beneficial impact of trunk strength training on gross motor muscle function. Additionally, trunk strength training has been shown to enhance upper limb function and balance in children with cerebral palsy. Although numerous studies have explored dynamic and static balance for children with cerebral palsy, none have yet examined the combined application of kinetic link training (KLT) and bird dog exercise (BDE). Objectives: To investigated the effect of cerebral Palsy on the KLT and BDE. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study involved 30 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They were randomly allocated to two groups: 15 children in the KLT group and 15 in the bird-dog group. During the intervention, four participants dropped out, resulting in 26 subjects for the final analysis (KLT=11, Bird-dog=15). After randomizing the subjects into two groups, we allocated their general characteristics. Prior to starting the intervention, initial measurements were taken using the Romberg test for static balance and the limit of stability (LOS) test for dynamic balance. Each group participated in KLT and BDE for 30 minutes, three times a week for eight weeks, under the supervision of a therapist. Follow-up measurements of static and dynamic balance were taken at the conclusion of the eight-week period. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS ver. 21.0 program by paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: In the results for static balance, the within-group comparisons indicated a significant reduction in trace length, STD velocity, and velocity postintervention compared to pre-intervention for both the KLT and BDE groups, except for the C90 area (P<.05). Regarding dynamic balance, the withingroup comparisons demonstrated a significant increase in LOS in the forward direction for the BDE group from pre- to post-intervention (P<.05). Similarly, there was a significant increase in LOS in the backward direction for the KLT group from pre- to post-intervention (P<.05). The LOS in both the left and right directions showed significant increases in the BDE group from pre- to post-intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: An eight-week intervention involving KLT and BDE exercises improved both static and dynamic balance in children with cerebral palsy.
Background: Children with cerebral palsy face challenges in maintaining body stability because of structural and functional defects. Their ability for responsive balance control is diminished. While there exist various trunk stabilization exercises such as Kinetic Link training (KLT) and the Bird-dog posture, there is a notable dearth of research that applies KLT specifically to children with cerebral palsy. Objectives: To investigate the effects of KLT and Bird-dog exercise on gross motor function and balance in children with cerebral palsy. Design: Quaxi-experimental study. Methods: The study participants were randomly divided into two groups: 15 individuals in the KLT group and 15 in the Bird-dog group. General characteristics were examined, and initial measurements of Gross motor function measure (GMFM) and Pediatric balance scale (PBS) were taken prior to the intervention. Each group engaged in KLT exercises and Bird-dog exercises for 20 minutes, three times a week over an 8 week period. Following the completion of the 8 week intervention, secondary measurements of GMFM and PBS were conducted. Results: In the KLT group, both PBS and GMFM showed a significant increase after the intervention compared to before (P<.05). Similarly, in the Bird-dog group, both PBS and GMFM significantly increased after the intervention compared to before (P<.05). There was a significant difference observed in PBS when comparing the pre- and post-intervention changes between the two groups (P<.05), whereas no significant difference was found in GMFM between the groups when comparing the pre- and post-intervention changes (P>.05). Conclusion: The interventions involving KLT and Bird-dog exercises were observed to effectively enhance PBS and GMFM in children with cerebral palsy. Specifically, it was evident that KLT was more beneficial in improving balance abilities compared to Bird-dog exercise.
Mg81Ni19-8wt.% REO (oxides of Lanthanum and Cerium) alloys were successfully prepared using mechanical alloying method with Mg-Ni alloy and REO powder. Phase analysis, structural characterization, and microstructure imagine of the alloys were conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), metallurgical microscope, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. Multi-phase structures, including the primary phase of Mg2Ni and several secondary phases of Mg + Mg2Ni, MgNi-LaO, and MgNi-CeO, were found in in the as-cast Mg81Ni19- 8wt.% REO alloys. XRD and TEM results showed that Ce exhibits variable valence behavior at various stages, and the addition of REO promotes the nanocrystalline of the alloy. The hydrogen absorption capacity of ball-milled Mg81Ni19 and Mg81Ni19- 8wt.%REO alloy for 2 h at 343 K is 1.34 wt.% and 1.83 wt.%, which are much larger than 0.94 wt.% of as-cast Mg81Ni19 alloy. The addition of REO led to a decrease of the thermal decomposition temperature of the alloy hydride by approximately 20 K and a reduction of the activation energy of the hydrogen desorption reaction by 10% and 13%, respectively.
Bis (2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) is a renowned extractant, favored for its affinity to selectively remove uranium via its P=O groups. We previously synthesized HDEHP-functionalized mesoporous silica microspheres for solid-phase uranium adsorption. Herein, we investigated the kinetic and isothermal behavior of uranyl ion adsorption in mesoporous silica microspheres functionalized with phosphate groups. Adsorption experiments were conducted by equilibrating 20 mg of silica samples with 50 mL of uranium solutions, with concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mgU L−1 for isotherms and 100 mgU L−1 for kinetics. Three distinct samples were prepared with varying HDEHP to TEOS molar ratios (x = 0.16 and 0.24) and underwent hydrothermal treatment at different temperatures, resulting in distinct textural properties. Contact times spanned from 1 to 120 hours. For x = 0.16 samples, it took around 50 and 11 hours to reach equilibrium for the hydrothermally treated samples at 343 K and 373 K, respectively. Adsorbed quantities were similar (99 and 101 mg g-1, respectively), indicating consistent functional group content. This suggests that the key factor influencing uranium adsorption kinetics is pore size of the silica. The sample treated at 373 K, with a larger pore size (22.7 nm) compared to 343 K (11.5 nm), experienced less steric hindrance, allowing uranium species to diffuse more easily through the mesopores. The data confirmed the excellent fit of pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 > 0.999) and closely matched the experimental value, suggesting that chemisorption governs the rate-controlling step. To gain further insights into uranium adsorption behavior, we conducted an adsorption isotherm analysis at various initial concentrations under a constant pH of 4. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied, with the Langmuir model providing a superior fit. The relatively high R2 value indicated its effectiveness in describing the adsorption process, suggesting homogenous sorbate adsorption on an energetically uniform adsorbent surface via a monolayer adsorption and constant adsorption site density, without any interaction between adsorbates on adjacent sites. Remarkably, differences in surface area did not significantly impact uranium removal efficiency. This observation strongly suggests that the adsorption capacity is primarily governed by the loading amount of HDEHP and the inner-sphere complexation with the phosphoryl group (O=P). Our silica composite exhibited an impressive adsorption capacity of 133 mg g-1, surpassing the results reported in the majority of other silica literature.
When decommissioning of nuclear facilities happens, large amounts of radioactive wastes are released. Because costs of nuclear decommissioning are enormous, effective and economical decontamination technologies are needed to remove radioactive wastes. During NPP operation, corrosion product called Chalk River Unidentified Deposits (CRUD) is generated. CRUD is an accumulation of substances and corrosion products consisting of dissolved ions or solid particles such as Ni, Fe, and Co on the surface of the NPP fuel rod coating. CRUD is slowly eroded by the circulation of hot pressurized water and later deposits on the fuel rod cladding or external housing, thereby reducing heat production by the nuclear fuel. Decontamination of radiologically contaminated metals must be performed before disposal, and several methods for decontaminating CRUD are being studied in many countries. Decontamination technology is an alternative to reducing human body covering and reducing radioactive waste disposal costs, and much research and development has been conducted to date. Currently, the importance of decontamination is emerging as the amount of waste stored in radioactive waste storage is close to saturation, and the amount of radioactive waste generated must be minimized through active decontamination. In this study, a preliminary study was conducted on the removal of CRUD by multiple membrane in an electro-kinetic process using an electrochemicalbased decontamination method. Preliminary research to develop a technology to electrochemically remove CRUD by using a self-produced electrochemical cell to check the pH change over time of the CRUD cell according to voltage, electrolyte, membrane and pH change.
This study presents the synthesis, characterization, and utilization of marine macroalgae-derived bio-carbon catalysts (BC and KOH-AC) for the efficient conversion of waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel. The biochar (BC) was produced through slow pyrolysis of macroalgal biomass, which was subsequently activated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) to produce a KOH-modified activated carbon (KOH-AC) catalyst. Advanced characterization techniques, including SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and TGA, were used to examine the physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts. The synthesized catalysts were utilized to produce biodiesel from WCO, and the results revealed that the highest biodiesel yields, 98.96%, and 47.54%, were obtained using KOH-AC and BC catalysts, respectively, under optimal reaction conditions of 66 °C temperature, 12.3 M/O molar ratio, 130 min time, and 3.08 wt.% catalyst loading via RSM optimization. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, such as k, Ea, ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG, were determined to be 0.0346 min− 1, 43.31 kJ mol− 1, 38.98 kJ mol− 1, − 158.38 J K− 1 mol− 1, and 92.58 kJ mol− 1, respectively. The KOH-AC catalyst was recycled up to five times, with a significant biodiesel yield of 80.37%. The fuel properties of the biodiesel met ASTM (D6751) specifications, ensuring that it has excellent fuel characteristics and can be used as an alternative fuel.
In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesised using green chemistry to decorate multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) made from walnut shells transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy and fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy were used to diagnose MWCNTs and AuNPs. MWCNT-COOAu, MWCNT-COO and MWCNT-Au were diagnosed by Raman, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and FESEM. The effect of AuNPs, MWCNT-COO, MWCNT-COOAu and MWCNT-Au on pure and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity was studied in vitro using the enzyme-substrate 4-nitrophenyl disodium orthophosphate. For pure enzymes, Vmax slightly increased as the concentration of MWCNT-Au, MWCNT-COOAu and MWCNTCOO increased, whereas the Vmax values decreased as the concentration of AuNPs increased. The inhibition type for all NPs varied. For serum ALP enzyme, the Vmax values for Au-based NPs decreased as the concentration of NPs increased. The Vmax values exceeded the standard value at the concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 ppm for MWCNT-Au and MWCNT-COOAu, whereas the Vmax values increased over the standard value for all concentrations of AuNPs.
Background: Osteoarthritis is a common condition with an increasing prevalence and is a common cause of disability. Osteoarthritic pain decreases the quality of life, and simple gait training is used to alleviate it. Knee osteoarthritis limits joint motion in the sagittal and lateral directions. Although many recent studies have activated orthotic research to increase knee joint stabilization, no study has used patellar tendon straps to treat knee osteoarthritis.
Objects: This study aimed to determine the effects of patellar tendon straps on kinematic, mechanical, and electromyographic activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: Patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected. After creating the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), leg length difference, Q-angle, and thumb side flexion angle of the foot were measured. Kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation data during walking before and after wearing the orthosis were viewed.
Results: After wearing the patellar tendon straps, hip adduction from the terminal stance phase, knee flexion from the terminal swing phase, and ankle plantar flexion angle increased during the pre-swing and initial swing phases. The cadence of spatiotemporal parameters and velocity increased, and step time, stride time, and foot force duration decreased.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the increase in plantar flexion after strap wearing is inferred by an increase due to neurological mechanisms, and adduction at the hip joint is inferred by an increase in adduction due to increased velocity. The increase in cadence and velocity and the decrease in gait speed and foot pressure duration may be due to joint stabilization. It can be inferred that joint stabilization is increased by wearing knee straps. Thus, wearing a patellar tendon strap during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis influences kinematic changes in the sagittal plane of the joint.
Background: Previous studies have reported that improving the spinal stability could be more effective in the prevention and treatment of recurrence. Lumbar stabilization exercise is known to strengthen the lumbar extension muscles and enhance physical, psychological and social functions.
Objectives: To investigated the effect of lumbar spiral stenosis on the kinetic link training and lumbar stabilization exercise.
Design: A randomized controlled trial.
Methods: Study was preformed by randomly allocated 28 LSS participants into a kinetic link training group (KLT, n=14) and a lumbar stabilization exercise group (LSE, n=14). Kinetic link training and lumbar stabilization exercise were performed to subjects in both groups 5 times a week for 6 weeks. To verify the effect of LSS, changes in VAS, ODI, and proprioception before and after intervention were observed.
Results: In KLT, statistically significant changes were found in VAS, ODI, and Proprioception before and after intervention. In LSE, there were significant changes in VAS and ODI before and after intervention. KLT and LSE before and after intervention indicated significant differences in proprioception.
Conclusion: KLT and LSE are applied to LSS, there are effects of pain decrease, lumbar recovery and proprioception improvement.
There are a number of methods to evaluate the quality of squid. However, when purchasing the fish, consumers and retails rely only on the sensory test and flavor in the field. Therefore, this study was aimed to prove relationship between scientific indicator and sensory test. Total viable cell count (TVC), viable cell count of Pseudomonas spp., pH and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) were selected as scientific indicators and mesured during the storage of squid at different temperature. The squid was storaged at 3 different temperature (5oC, 15oC, 20oC). Off flavor determination time was measured by R-index, and kinetic modeling was conducted. Activation energies of offflavor determination time, TVC, Pseudomonas spp, VBN, and pH were 51.210 kJ/mol, 42.88 kJ/mol, 50.283 kJ/mol, 72.594 kJ/mol and 41.99 kJ/mol respectively. Activation energy of off-flavor determination time was approximated to viable cell count of Pseudomonas spp., TVC, pH and VBN as an order. Especially, viable cell count of Pseudomonas spp. had best match of the activation energy. Therefore, it was judged that indicator of off-flavor determine time was viable cell count of Pseudomonas spp..
Background: Since chronic ankle instability (CAI) can adversely affect postural control, core stability exercises have been investigated to improve postural control. However, only a few studies have focused on kinetic chain exercises. Objectives: To investigate the effects of open kinetic chain (OKC) and closed kinetic chain (CKC) core stability exercises on static and dynamic balance abilities and vertical jump height in CAI patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The 18 participants enrolled in this study were randomly divided into the OKC group (n=9) and CKC group (n=9). Static and dynamic balance abilities and vertical jump height were measured before and after the intervention. The intervention program comprising OKC or CKC core stability exercises depending on the groups was conducted for 30 min twice a week for 6 weeks in 12 sessions. Results: In the OKC group, static measured with the eyes open or closed and dynamic balance abilities were significantly improved after the intervention (P<.05). In the CKC group, dynamic balance ability was significantly increased (P<.05). A significant difference was observed in static balance ability measured with the eyes open between the two groups (P<.05). Vertical jump height was significantly increased after the intervention in both groups (P<.05). Conclusion: OKC and CKC core stability exercises improve static and dynamic balance abilities and vertical jump height in CAI patients. Specifically, the OKC core stability exercise was more effective in enhancing static balance ability than the CKC core stability exercise.