• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1464-1473
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• 1990

Optimal design parameters are estimated from the sensitivity function and performance index variation. Suspension design modification for performance improvement and basic materials for practical applications are presented. The linear quarter model of a vehicle suspension is analyzed in order to represent the utilities of sensitivity analysis, and sensitivity function is determined in the frequency domain. The change of frequency response function is predicted, which depends on the design parameter variation and the property is verified by computer simulation. As an investigation results of sensitivity function for the vibrational amplitude of sprung mass to road profile input, it is shown that the most sensitive parameters are the suspension damping and the suspension stiffness. In order to identify the effects of these two parameters to the performance of suspension system, the performance index variation according to the changes of parameters is considered and then optimal design parameters are determined. It is verified that the system response is improved noticeably in the both of frequency and time domain after the design modification with the optimal parameters.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2021

Objective: The most common type of cancer in women is breast cancer, and pain in the upper extremity and trunk is a discomfort experienced by more than half. Based on the evidence that manual therapy is effective for pain control in postoperative rehabilitation, this study aims to analyze the effects of manual therapy on upper extremity pain and function in patients after breast cancer surgery. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PEDro, and CINAHL databases until August 2021. We included randomized controlled trial evaluating pain and function in patients after breast cancer surgery. Qualitative analysis was performed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool, and quantitative analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 to analyze post-intervention outcomes. Results: Four randomized controlled trials were selected to evaluate the effects of upper extremity pain and function in 133 patients who underwent manual therapy after breast cancer surgery. In the results of qualitative and quantitative analysis, the experimental group treated with manual therapy showed a significant improvement in pain compared to the control group (-0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.97 to -0.27). However, there was no significant improvement in upper extremity function (-0.09; 95% CI -0.43 to 0.25). Conclusions: Current evidence shows that manual therapy is effective for pain control in patients who complain of upper extremity pain after breast cancer surgery.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.337-342
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• 2021

Objective: Forward head posture can caused by deformation of structures and soft tissues around the neck, which has an uncomfortable effect on daily life as well as functional disorders of the neck. However, studies related to direct forward head posture, neck function, and quality of life have not yet been conducted. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of improving the forward head posture on the function of the neck and to examine the change in the quality of life. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: The participants were 41 adults (22.17±2.67 years) recruited and redivided randomly into two group (Biofeedback, BFG vs. Control). The Biofeedback group was proceeded according to the over load principle through 4 steps. (n=21). The control (n=20) was not applied after TENS padding was applied and 20 minute. This study was conducted three times a week for a total of four weeks. Results: Forward head posture for showed significant improvement in the results in the craneocervical angle (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.130, 2.858). In neck disability index more significant improvement in BFG than group (p<0.05, 95% CI: 14.346, 17.825), and BFG showed significant increased in the results in the Quality of life (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.392, 9.549) Conclusions: This study suggected that forward head posture treatment and effective for neck function and quality of life

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.81-95
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of a group cognitive improvement program on cognitive function, depression and self-esteem in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: This was an experimental study that employed a pre-post design of a non-equivalence control group. The subjects were 52 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment, 25 of whom were assigned to the experimental group and 27 to the control group. The program was conducted for a total of 12 sessions for 60 minutes each. Data were analyzed using the ${\chi}2-test$, Fisher's exact test, and Independent t-test with the SPSS 20.0 program. Results: After the intervention, the group who participated showed improvement in all areas of cognitive function based on MMSE-KC (F=26.37, p.<0.001), the Rey Complex Figure Test: copy (F=20.66, p.<0.001), Immediate memory of Seoul Verbal Learning Test-Elderly's version (F=29.68, p.<0.001), delayed memory (F=45.79 p.<0.001), memory recall (F=28.97, p.<0.001), Forward of Digit Span Test (F=9.25, p=.004), backward (F=8.33, p.=0.006), language comprehension (F=13.42, p.<0.001), and digit symbol coding (F=17.74, p.<0.001) relative to the control group. Moreover depression (F=24.09, p.<0.001) was decreased in program participants, whereas self-esteem (F=40.24, p.<0.001) was increased. Conclusion: The program could be a useful intervention because the results show that the group cognitive improvement program has a significant effect on cognitive function, depression and self-esteem in elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.192-205
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is known that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the brain could regulate cognitive functions as well as blood pressure. Inhibition of RAS for the improvement of cognitive function may be a new strategy, but studies so far have mostly reported on the effects of RAS inhibition by drugs, and there is no research on cognitive improvement through RAS inhibition of food ingredients. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of curcumin on blood pressure and cognitive function and its related mechanism in spontaneously hypertensive rat/Izm (SHR/Izm). MATERIALS/METHODS: Six-week-old SHR/Izm rats were divided into 5 groups: control group (CON), scopolamine group (SCO, drug for inducing cognitive deficits), positive control (SCO and tacrine [TAC]), curcumin 100 group (CUR100, SCO + Cur 100 mg/kg), and curcumin 200 group (CUR200, SCO + Cur 200 mg/kg). Changes in blood pressure, RAS, cholinergic system, and cognitive function were compared before and after cognitive impairment. RESULTS: The SCO group showed increased blood pressure and significantly reduced cognitive function based on the y-maze and passive avoidance test. Curcumin treatments significantly improved blood pressure and cognitive function compared with the SCO group. In both the CUR100 and CUR200 groups, the mRNA expressions of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II receptor type1 (AT1), as well as the concentrations of angiotensin II (Ang II) in brain tissue were significantly decreased. The mRNA expression of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) and acetylcholine (ACh) content was significantly increased, compared with the SCO group. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of curcumin improved blood pressure and cognitive function in SCO-induced hypertensive mice, indicating that the cholinergic system was improved by suppressing RAS and AT1 receptor expression and increasing the mAChR expression.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.15-22
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• 2020

In this study, we propose an improvement method that can create U-Net model which detect fine concrete cracks by applying a weighted loss function. Because cracks in concrete are a factor that threatens safety, it is important to periodically check the condition and take prompt initial measures. However, currently, the visual inspection is mainly used in which the inspector directly inspects and evaluates with naked eyes. This has limitations not only in terms of accuracy, but also in terms of cost, time and safety. Accordingly, technologies using deep learning is being researched so that minute cracks generated in concrete structures can be detected quickly and accurately. As a result of attempting crack detection using U-Net in this study, it was confirmed that it could not detect minute cracks. Accordingly, as a result of verifying the performance of the model trained by applying the suggested weighted loss function, a highly reliable value (Accuracy) of 99% or higher and a harmonic average (F1_Score) of 89% to 92% was derived. The performance of the learning improvement plan was verified through the results of accurately and clearly detecting cracks.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2013

Objectives : Previous studies reported that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) resulted from a deficit of selective attention and sustained attention. In this study, we assessed the result of methylphenidate-induced changes of the cerebral frontal executive functions in patients with ADHD. Methods : The subjects in this study consisted of 16 ADHD patients whose age ranged from 7 to 12. We used ADHD Diagnostic System (ADS) for the attention improvement, and the Stroop Test for the executive function response to pharmacotherapy with MPH. Results : After pharmacotherapy with methylphenidate for 12 weeks, the study group showed improvement in the clinical aspects through Clinical Global Impression-Severity, ADHD-rating scale and Inattention/Overactivity With Aggression Conner's Parents Rating Scale. In the ADS test, only in auditory task there was a decrease of both the response time and the standard deviation of the response time significantly. In the Stroop Test, there was a decrease in the word task, color task and color-word task significantly. Conclusion : Our results show that psychostimulant medication improves neuropsychological function, including the cerebral frontal executive function. This study implies that we have to consider the improvement of executive function, as well as attention when evaluating the efficacy of treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.70-80
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• 2007

This study was surveyed from January to september, 2007 in order to evaluate the function of coastal wetland as a ecological axis in korea peninsula. Assessment was done by RAM (Rapid Assessment Method). RAM is consisted of total 8 contents and divided into high, moderate, low. The preservation grade of RAM is divided into 4 grades; absolute preservation, preservation, improvement and improvement or restoration. Throughout survey on total 14 wetlands of marine, estuary wetland and back marsh which are distributed in west coast in chung-nam province, their function was assessed. As result, total all the 14 wetlands were judged as preservation grade by assessment of 8 functional contents. The function of wetlands assessed as preservation grade showed high in water quality protection and improvement. Also, showed high in vegetation diversity, wildlife habitat and aesthetic recreation. Meanwhile, showed low in ground water recharge, Shoreline/Stream Bank Protection, Flood/Stormwater storage and Flood flow alteration. Of wetlands evaluated as preservation grade, Dae-ho, Sinduri, Bu-Nam lake, Sowhang dune and keum river estuary were assessed as absolute preservative area owing to habitation of international protection species and endangered species. These wetlands are essential to be managed continuously as a area having high ecological value. Farther, this wetlands will be done as a axis of ecological network related to land ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of physical therapy provided at home on the motor function, activity of daily living (ADL), and level of pain in veterans men with disabilities, and to provide the information. METHODS: The participants were 108 patients men with disabilities living in the cities Seoul, Pusan, Daegu, Gwangju and Daejeon; they performed physical therapy at home-provided by physical therapy services- that included therapeutic exercise for 50 minute, 1~2 times a week for 24 weeks. The motor function was measured by using motor assessment scale (MAS) and ADL, the level of pain were recorded both before and after physical therapy. The data form both before and after physical therapy were analyzed by using the paired t-test. All statistical tests in this study were performed with the level of significance set at .05. RESULTS: After 24 weeks of physical therapy, we observed significant improvement in the MAS and ADL scale, as well as significant decrease in the level fo pain in the participants (p<.01). Significant improvement was also observed in the MAS and ADL scale, as well as a decrease in the level of pain among participants with stroke and spinal disease (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that physical therapy provided at home can lead to an improvement in the motor function as well as improved ADL and pain control; physical therapy also has positive effects in relieving symptoms of veterans with disabilities.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2022

To investigate effects of cognitive function improvement whether against Taegeuk ginseng on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats. All experiments were conducted in three groups: the control group (CTR), the scopolamine 0.4mg/kg (SCP), and the scopolamine (SCP+T) treated with Taegeuk ginseng 100 mg/kg. Taegeuk ginseng 100 mg/kg daily was orally administered for one month and treated with scopolamine was only for 7 consecutive days on the Morris water maze task. 3 weeks after oral administration of Taegeuk ginseng, subjects were performed the Morris water maze test for 8 days and then the open-field exploration test which to assessed for cognitive function improvement. After behavioral testing, subjects were sacrificed and microdissected brains for neurochemical analysis. In the cognitive-behavioral test, long-term administration of Taegeuk ginseng improved spatial navigation learning task compared with the impeded by scopolamine treatment. In neurochemistry, the expression of the synaptic marker PSD95 (postsynaptic density protein 95) was increased in the hippocampus compared to the scopolamine group. Also, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression was significantly increased in the taegeuk ginseng administration group. These data suggested that long-term administration of taegeuk ginseng might improve cognitive-behavioral functions on hippocampal related spatial learning memory, and it was correlated with neurotropic and synaptic reinforcement. In conclusion, treatment with taegeuk ginseng may positive outcome on learning and memory deficit disorders.