• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sagittal spinopelvic alignment on the clinical parameters, motor symptoms, and respiratory function in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: This study was a prospective assessment of treated patients (n=28, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage 2-3) in a PD center. Twenty-eight subjects ($68.5{\pm}5.7yrs$) participated in this study. The clinical and demographic parameters, including age, sex, symptoms duration, treatment duration, and H&Y stage, were collected. Kinematic analysis was conducted in the upright standing posture with a motion capture system. A pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed in the sitting position using a spirometer. The motor symptoms were assessed on part III of the movement disorder society sponsored version of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS). SPSS 18.0 was used to analyze the collected data. Results: The exceeding 12 degrees group of the lower trunk showed significantly higher on the clinical parameters than the below 12 degrees group. In addition, the exceeding 12 degrees group of the lower trunk showed a significantly lower forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) / forced vital capacity (FVC) (%) and 25-75% forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF) (L/s) than in the below group. On the other hand, there was no difference in the upper trunk and the cervical pelvis between the groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the sagittal balance in the lower trunk is related to the clinical parameters and respiratory function, but not the motor symptoms in patients with mild to moderate PD.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a functional evaluation model and the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale in evaluating the upper extremities of stroke patients Methods: Thirty-eight stroke patients were evaluated using the FMA and performed reaching and grasping motions using a three-dimensional motion analysis (Qquas 1 series, Qualisys AB, Sweden). The participants sat on a chair with a backrest. The position of the cup was located at a distance of 80% to the front arm length. The markers were attached to the sternum, acromion, elbow lateral epicondyle, ulnar styloid process, three metacarpal heads, and the distal phalanges of the thumb and index finger. The variables of the correlation between the functional evaluation model and the FMA scale were analyzed. Multiple regression (stepwise) was used to investigate the effect of the kinematic variables. Results: A significant negative correlation was found between the movement time (p < 0.05), movement unit (p < 0.05), and trunk displacement values (p < 0.05) in the FMA total scores, while a positive correlation was found between the peak velocity (p < 0.05) and maximum grip aperture values (p < 0.05). As a result of the multiple regression analysis, the most significant factor was the movement unit, followed by the general movement assessment and trunk displacement. The explained FMA total score value was 62%. Conclusion: This study presents a new functional evaluation model for assessing the reaching and grasping ability of stroke patients. The factors of the proposed functional evaluation model showed significant correlations with the FMA scale scores and confirmed that the new functional evaluation model explained the FMA by 67%. This suggests a new functional evaluation model for reaching and grasping stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze relationship between biomechancal factors and diver's distance during golf driver swing. Fifteen professional golfers were participated in as subject. Eight motion capture cameras(250 Hz), 2 force plates(1000 Hz), and Trackman were used to collect kinematic and kinetic datas. It was performed Pearson's correlation analysis using SPSS 24.0. The level of significance was at .05. Ball speed, club head speed, X-Factor, and ground reaction force were correlated on driving distance, However, smash factor and knee moment were not correlated on driving distnace. Ball speed, club head speed, X-Factor, and ground reaction force were effected to driving distance, but smash factor and knee moment were not effected to driving distance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the chronic ankle instability affects postural control during forward jump landing. Method: 20 women with chronic ankle instability (age: 21.7 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 162.1 ± 3.7 cm, weight: 52.2 ± 5.8 kg) and 20 healthy adult women (age: 21.8 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 161.9 ± 4.4 cm, weight: 52.9 ± 7.2 kg) participated in this study. For the forward jump participants were instructed to stand on two legs at a distance of 40% of their body height from the center of force plate. Participants were jump forward over a 15 cm hurdle to the force plate and land on their non-dominant or affected leg. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using 8 motion capture cameras and 1 force plates and joint angle, vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure. All statistical analyses were using SPSS 25.0 program. The differences in variables between the two groups were compared through an independent sample t-test, and the significance level was to p < .05. Results: In the hip and knee joint angle, the CAI group showed a smaller flexion angle than the control group, and the knee joint valgus angle was significantly larger. In the case of ankle joint, the CAI group showed a large inversion angle at all events. In the kinetic variables, the vGRF was significantly greater in the CAI group than control group at IC and mGRF. In COP Y, the CAI group showed a lateral shifted center of pressure. Conclusion: Our results indicated that chronic ankle instability decreases the flexion angle of the hip and knee joint, increases the valgus angle of the knee joint, and increases the inversion angle of the ankle joint during landing. In addition, an increase in the maximum vertical ground reaction force and a lateral shifted center of pressure were observed. This suggests that chronic ankle instability increases the risk of non-contact knee injury as well as the risk of lateral ankle sprain during forward jump landing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.74-79
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• 2021

Generally, multi-legged walking robots have excellent mobility in rough and uneven terrain, and they are deployed for the safety of rescuers in various disaster environments. However, as each leg is driven by a number of actuators, it leads to a complicated structure and high power consumption; therefore, it is difficult to put them into practical use. In this article, a new concept is proposed of a walking robot whose legs are driven by a complex linkage structure to overcome the deficiencies of conventional multi-legged walking robots. A double crank-rocker mechanism is proposed, making it possible for one DC motor to actuate the left and right movements of two neighboring thighs of the multi-legged walking robot. Each leg can also move up and down through an improved cam structure. Finally, each mechanism is connected by spur and bevel gears, so that only two DC motors can drive all legs of the walking robot. The feasibility of the designed complex linkage mechanism was verified using the UG NX program. It was confirmed through actual production that the proposed multi-legged walking robot performs the desired motion.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.351-366
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• 2022

We investigated the kinematic activity of the Type II Seyfert galaxy Mrk 1 based on H𝛽 and [O III] 5007 extracted from the MR 1 grism spectra observed with the OASIS attached to the CFHT 3.6 m telescope. The [O III] forbidden Gaussian line profiles exhibited asymmetric features with an excess of the blue component: (1) strongest at a distance of about 960 pc from the galaxy center, and (2) a wider line width of about ~900 km s^-1 in the NS direction of the center. The velocity distributions in the spectral images showed blue or approaching flow motion in the NE zone, while receding in the SW zone, implying the counter-clockwise rotation. The radial velocity data showed that the center of the AGN region appears to be blocked by gas-dust approaching toward the Earth.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2022

It is known that chronic pain and injury of upper limb joint tissue in manual wheelchair users is usually caused by muscle imbalance, and the propulsion speed is reported to increase this muscle imbalance. In this study, kinematic variables, electromyography, and ultrasonographic images of the upper limb were measured and analyzed at two different propulsion speeds to provide a quantitative basis for the risk of upper extremity joint injury. Eleven patients with spinal cord injury for the experimental group (G_E) and 27 healthy adults for the control group (G_C) participated in this study. Joint angles and electromyography were measured while subjects performed self-selected comfortable and fast-speed wheelchair propulsion. Ultrasound images were recorded before and after each propulsion task to measure the acromiohumeral distance (AHD). The range of motion of the shoulder (14.35 deg in G_E; 20.24 deg in G_C) and elbow (5.25 deg in G_E; 2.57 deg in G_C) joints were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Muscle activation levels of the anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii increased at fast propulsion. Specifically, triceps brachii showed a significant increase in muscle activation at fast propulsion. AHD decreased at fast propulsion. Moreover, the AHD of G_E was already narrowed by about 60% compared to the G_C from the pre-tests. Increased load on wheelchair propulsion, such as fast propulsion, is considered to cause upper limb joint impingement and soft tissue injury due to overuse of the extensor muscles in a narrow joint space. It is expected that the results of this study can be a quantitative and objective basis for training and rehabilitation for manual wheelchair users to prevent joint pain and damage.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2023

Background: The gluteus maximus (GM) muscle comprise the lumbo-pelvic complex and is an important stabilizing muscle during leg extension. In patients with low back pain (LBP) with weakness of the GM, spine leads to compensatory muscle activities such as instantaneous increase of the erector spinae (ES) muscle activity. Four-point kneeling arm and leg lift (FKALL) is most common types of lumbopelvic and GM muscles strengthening exercise. We assumed that altered hip position during FKALL may increase thoraco-lumbar stabilizer like GM activity more effectively method. Objects: The purpose of this study was investigated that effects of the three exercise postures on the right-sided GM, internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and multifidus (MF) muscle activities and pelvic kinematic during FKALL. Methods: Twenty eight healthy individuals participated in this study. The exercises were performed three conditions of FKALL (pure FKALL, FKALL with 120° hip flexion of the supporting leg, FKALL with 30° hip abduction of the lifted leg). Participants performed FKALL exercises three times each condition, and motion sensor used to measure pelvic tilt and rotation angle. Results: This study demonstrated that no significant change in pelvic angle during hip movement in the FKALL (p > 0.05). However, the MF and GM muscle activities in FKALL with hip flexion and hip abduction is greater than pure FKALL position (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our finding suggests that change the posture of the hip joint to facilitate GM muscle activation during trunk stabilization exercises such as the FKALL.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.367-383
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• 2023

In this investigation, an improved integral trigonometric shear deformation theory is employed to examine the vibrational behavior of the functionally graded (FG) sandwich plates resting on visco-Pasternak foundations. The studied structure is modelled with only four unknowns' variables displacements functions. The simplicity of the developed model being in the reduced number of variables which was made with the help of the use of the indeterminate integral in the formulation. The current kinematic takes into consideration the shear deformation effect and does not require any shear correction factors as used in the first shear deformation theory. The equations of motion are determined from Hamilton's principle with including the effect of the reaction of the visco-Pasternak's foundation. A Galerkin technique is proposed to solve the differentials governing equations, which enables one to obtain the semi-analytical solutions of natural frequencies for various clamped and simply supported FG sandwich plates resting on visco-Pasternak foundations. The validity of proposed model is checked with others solutions found in the literature. Parametric studies are performed to illustrate the impact of various parameters as plate dimension, layer thickness ratio, inhomogeneity index, damping coefficient, vibrational mode and elastic foundation on the vibrational behavior of the FG sandwich plates.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.99-112
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• 2022

The present study examines the natural frequencies (NFs) of perfect/imperfect functionally graded sandwich beams (P/IP-FGSBs), which are composed of a porous core constructed of functionally graded materials (FGMs) and a homogenous isotropic metal and ceramic face sheets resting on elastic foundations. To accomplish this, the material properties of the FGSBs are assumed to vary continuously along the thickness direction as a function of the volume fraction of constituents expressed by the modified rule of the mixture, which includes porosity volume fraction represented using four distinct types of porosity distribution models. Additionally, to characterize the reaction of the two-parameter elastic foundation to the Perfect/Imperfect (P/IP) FGSBs, the medium is assumed to be linear, homogeneous, and isotropic, and it is described using the Winkler-Pasternak model. Furthermore, the kinematic relationship of the P/IP-FGSBs resting on the Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundations (WPEFs) is described using trigonometric shear deformation theory (TrSDT), and the equations of motion are constructed using Hamilton's principle. A closed-form solution is developed for the free vibration analysis of P/IP-FGSBs resting on the WPEFs under four distinct boundary conditions (BCs). To validate the new formulation, extensive comparisons with existing data are made. A detailed investigation is carried out for the effects of the foundation coefficients, mode numbers (MNs), porosity volume fraction, power-law index, span to depth ratio, porosity distribution patterns (PDPs), skin core skin thickness ratios (SCSTR), and BCs on the values of the NFs of the P/IP-FGSBs.