This investigation determined the effects of a static stretching program with different stretching protocols on the flexibility and passive resistance of the hamstrings of young adults. Forty healthy subjects (24 males and 16 females) aged 18 to 30 years were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The two training groups underwent static stretch training of the hamstrings either with a four-week protocol or with an eight-week protocol. The other two groups acted as control groups. A significant increase in flexibility of hamstrings was found in both of the two training groups (P<0.05). No difference was found in the range of motion gained between the two training groups. An increase in passive resistance at the corresponding maximal joint angle was only demonstrated in the four-week training group (P<0.05). Both protocols are effective in terms of improving flexibility of hamstrings. However, if injury is reduced when there is relatively lower passive resistance at the end-of-range, then the eight-week training regimen would be recommended.

Overall results showed that 15% and 20% loads increased IEMG at UT and both UT and LT respectively. In prolonged walking, 15% and 20% loads increased IEMG at UT from 15 and 5 minutes respectively. With a 20% load, muscle fatigue was found at UT from 10 minutes and at LT from 15 minutes.No muscle activity changes or muscle fatigue was found in RA. It is suggested that a load within 15% of the body weight in a backpack was acceptable to children aged six for walking within 20 minutes. were recorded at time intervals (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes), and were normalized to 12 the signals collected during maximum voluntary contraction. Integrated EMG signal 13 (IEMG) was calculated to evaluate the muscle activity. Power spectral frequency 14 analysis was applied to evaluate muscle fatigue by the shift of median power 15 frequency (MPF). Overall results showed that 15% and 20% loads increased IEMG at 16 UT and both UT and LT respectively. In prolonged walking, 15% and 20% loads 17 increased IEMG at UT from 15 and 5 minutes respectively. W ith a 20% load, muscle 18 fatigue was found at UT from 10 minutes and at LT from 15 minutes. No muscle 19 3 activity changes or muscle fatigue was found in RA. It is suggested that a load within 20 15% of the body weight in a backpack was acceptable to children aged six for walking 21 within 20 minutes. 22 23

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This paper introduces a co-design-based method for generating two-dimensional (2D) block patterns for physically disabled people with scoliosis, using three-dimensional (3D) virtual technology. A parameterization process is first performed on a scanned 3D body for creating a digitalized model of the human body, permitting simulation of the consumer's morphological shape with atypical physical deformations. Feature points of the human body for designing a garment block are discussed and classified with wearing ease for obtaining a desired fit effect based on the parameterized model. A basic garment block wire-frame aligned with body features is then established based on the defined feature points of the human body. Based on the deformed wireframe, a 3D expandable garment block is modeled. Customized 2D and 3D virtual garment prototyping tools are applied to create customized garment products based on the general concept of co-design by running the sequence Design–Display–Evaluation–Adjustment using the garment design process and design knowledge, which have already been applied to normal body shapes successfully. Through this process, the classical 2D garment design knowledge, especially 2D pattern design rules, will be modified according to the virtual garment evaluation procedure. The proposed method is validated and compared with the conventional block patternmaking methods in the virtual environment. The experimental results show that the proposed method is easier to implement and can generate garment patterns with satisfactory fit. Furthermore, the method can be used to create fit-ensured mass-customized apparel products (the top body type) for disabled people with scoliosis.

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Commercial formulations of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) consist of a mixture of four isomers, alpha, beta, gamma and delta. All these four isomers are toxic and recalcitrant pollutants. Sphingobium (formerly Sphingomonas) sp. strain BHC-A is able to degrade all four HCH isomers. Eight lin genes responsible for the degradation of gamma-HCH in BHC-A were cloned and analysed for their role in the degradation of delta-HCH, and the initial conversion steps in delta-HCH catabolism by LinA and LinB in BHC-A were found. LinA dehydrochlorinated delta-HCH to produce 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-1,4-cyclohexadiene (1,4-TCDN) via delta-pentachlorocyclohexene (delta-PCCH). Subsequently, both 1,4-TCDN and delta-PCCH are catalysed by LinB via two successive rounds of hydrolytic dechlorinations to form 2,5-dichloro-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-diol (2,5-DDOL) and 2,3,5-trichloro-5-cyclohexene-1,4-diol (2,3,5-TCDL) respectively. LinB could also catalyse the hydrolytic dechlorination of delta-HCH to 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-cyclohexanediol (TDOL) via 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexanol (PCHL).