• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2005

Evaluation of repetitiveness for upper extremity intensive tasks is essential to determine the level of risk for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders at the workplace. However, experimental data available to establish the acceptable levels of repetitiveness for various postures and forces is lacking. The present study examined the maximum acceptable frequencies(MAFs; motions/min.) of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and index finger motions at different forces(1kgf and 4kgf for shoulder, elbow, and wrist; 0.25kgf and 1 kgf for index finger) in sitting. Seventeen right-handed males in 20s without having any history musculoskeletal disorders participated in the MAF experiment. The participants determined their MAFs for the upper extremity motions by using the self-adjustment method and their work pulse(increase in heart rate; beats/min.) and rating of perceived exertion(RPE) were measured when working at MAF. The MAFs of elbow, wrist, and index finger motions for each force level were about 2, 3, and 6 times the corresponding MAF(9 at the high force and 24 at the low force) of shoulder motion and the MAFs at the low force increased about 2 times those at the high force. The work pulses of elbow, wrist, and index finger motions for each force level were 70%, 50%, and 30% of the corresponding work pulse(17 at the high force and 12 at the low force) of shoulder motion and the work pulses at the low force were about 70 % of those at the high force. Lastly, the RPEs of the upper extremity regions were about level 3(moderate) or below.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of shoes with curved out-sole on the pressure, reaction force(sum of pressure) on foot and relations between the rolling speeds and pronation of foot. The foot pressure, reaction force and pressure center on the foot surface of shoe were measured with NOVEL padar system, and 3 type shoes were used to compare the position and speed of pressure center and the foot reaction force, which were s(target) shoe with soft cushions in middle part of out-sole and curved out-sole, m shoes with two type- soft, hard, hardness out-sole and curved out-sole and n shoes with flat out-sole. The subjects were 13 female university students, had weared the 3 type shoes for 6 weeks on two-weeks shifts for adaptation before experiment and put on 3-type shoes repeatedly and randomly and walked on treadmill with 3.5km/h and 80 steps/min. The data were captured with 30Hz and readjusted with 5kgf threshold reaction force. The results can be summarized as follow. 1. There were no difference in maximum reaction force on initial contact period and total foot impact, but statistical difference in maximum reaction force on takeoff period : s, m, n in ascending order. 2. There were some difference in rolling speeds for support periods. At initial contact, the rolling speed of s shoes was fastest but at periods between first and second maximum reaction force, that of m shoes fastest. 3. There was a negative relation between rolling speeds and the length of lever arm on initial reaction force related to pronation. It seems shoes with various curved shapes and hardness could make effects on the rolling features and the rolling speed also have some relationships with walking efficiency, absortion of impact and pronation.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.503-511
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• 2004

In this study, for estimating responses of a controlled structure and determining the maximum control force of velocity-dependent damping devices, three estimation models such as Fourier envelope convex model, probability model, and Newmark design spectrum are used. For this purpose, a procedure is proposed for estimating actual velocity using pseudo-velocity and this procedure considers the effects of damping ratio increased by the damping device. Time history results indicate that actual velocity should be used for estimating accurate maximum control force of damping device and Newmark design spectrum modified by the proposed equation gives the best estimation results for over all period structures.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2008

Bite force is created by the force of adjacent teeth accompanied with tension of masticatory muscle. The bite force value is greater in male than in female and ha maximum value at first molar. Masseter muscle is associated with bite force and during muscle contraction the electric signal is expressed in EMG form. The aim of the study is to assess recovery time for masseter muscle activity and according to each part of bite force after open reduction with internal fixation when mandibular angle fracture and subcondyle fracture occurred. And to determine the appropriate period for mandibular fracture patients to have normal masticatory activity. 30 patients with normal bite condition was selected for control group and from April, 2007 to September, 2007, 20 patients who visited our department of oral and maxillofacial surgery of Dankook University, were selected for the study and were diagnosed as mandibular angle fracture and subcondyle fracture. For control group, the bite force for incisors, canine, premolars and molars and activity of the masseter muscle was measured and compared for 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. That was divided as fracture side and normal side. Mann-Whitney U test was performed for significant difference and the following result was obtained. 1. The maximum voluntary bite force for incisors, canine, premolars and molars portion were 0.113 kN, 0.182kN, 0.295kN and 0.486kN and the masseter muscle activity was 0.192 volts in the control group. 2. The maximum bite force at fracture side was recovered by 4th weeks for incisors, 6th weeks for canine and premolars and 8th weeks for molars and the masseter muscle activity was recovered by 6th weeks in the experimental group. 2. The maximum bite force at normal side was recovered by 4th weeks for incisors, 6th weeks for canine, premolars and molars and the masseter muscle activity was recovered by 3rd weeks in the experimental group. 3. The method for internal fixation by 2.0mm miniplates at both superior and inferior border had no complications according for twenty patients and had a satisfactory recovery. According to the result, patient with mandibular angle fracture and subcondyle fracture, 8 weeks was required for bite force recovery. Therefore, patients with open reduction and internal fixation under general anesthesis, it can be assumed that 8 weeks was needed after operation in order to have normal bite force and masseter muscle recovery.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2014

PURPOSE. The occlusal splint has been used for many years as an effective treatment of sleep bruxism. Several methods have been used to evaluate efficiency of the occlusal splints. However, the effect of the occlusal splints on occlusal force has not been clarified sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal splints on maximum occlusal force in patients with sleep bruxism and compare two type of splints that are Bruxogard-soft splint and canine protected hard stabilization splint. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twelve students with sleep bruxism were participated in the present study. All participants used two different occlusal splints during sleep for 6 weeks. Maximum occlusal force was measured with two miniature strain-gage transducers before, 3 and 6 weeks after insertion of occlusal splints. Clinical examination of temporomandibular disorders was performed for all individuals according to the Craniomandibular Index (CMI) before and 6 weeks after the insertion of splints. The changes in mean occlusal force before, 3 and 6 weeks after insertion of both splints were analysed with paired sample t-test. The Wilcoxon test was used for the comparison of the CMI values before and 6 weeks after the insertion of splints. RESULTS. Participants using stabilization splints showed no statistically significant changes in occlusal force before, 3, and 6 weeks after insertion of splint (P>.05) and participants using Bruxogard-soft splint had statistically significant decreased occlusal force 6 weeks after insertion of splint (P<.05). There was statistically significant improvement in the CMI value of the participants in both of the splint groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION. Participants who used Bruxogard-soft splint showed decreases in occlusal force 6 weeks after insertion of splint. The use of both splints led to a significant reduction in the clinical symptoms.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.553-563
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gender (male, female) and grip spans (45, 50, 60, 70, 80mm) on total grip strength, resultant force, finger force and subjective discomfort rating. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, studies of hand tools need to be preceded based on grip strength, finger force, and subjective discomfort rating. However, experimental apparatus using tools such as pliers that reflect the actual work place was almost non-existent. Method: Fifty-Two (26 males and 26 females) participants were recruited from the student population. In this study, a pair of revised pliers, which can change grip span from 45 to 80mm was applied to estimate total grip strength, resultant force and individual finger forces. All participants were asked to exert a maximum grip force with three repetitions, and to report the subjective discomfort rating for five grip spans of pliers (45, 50, 60, 70, 80mm). Results: There were significant differences of total grip strength, resultant force, individual finger forces and subjective discomfort rating according to grip span. The lowest total grip strength was obtained from the grip span of 80mm for both genders. For resultant force, the highest resultant force was exerted at grip spans of 50, 60 and 70mm for females and 50 and 60mm for males. The lowest subjective discomfort rating was observed in the 50mm for both genders. Conclusion: Based on the result, 50mm and 60mm grip spans which provide the highest force and lowest discomfort rating might be recommendable for the male and female pliers users. Application: The findings of this study can provide guidelines on designing a hand tool to help to reduce hand-related musculoskeletal disorders and obtain better performance.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.59-65
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• 2007

In this study, six grip spans (45mm-65mm) were tested to evaluate the effects of handle grip span and user's hand size on maximum grip strength, individual finger force, and subjective ratings of comfort using a digital dynamometer with individual force sensors. Forty-six males were assigned into three hand size groups according to their hand lengths. Results showed that overall 55mm and 50mm grip spans were the most comfortable sizes and associated with the highest grip strength in the maximum grip force exertions, whereas 65mm grip span was rated as the least comfortable size as well as the lowest grip strength. In the interaction effect of grip span and hand size, small and middle hand sized participants rated the best preference and the least preference grip spans differently with large hand sized participants. With respect to the analysis of individual finger force, the middle finger force was the strongest and the highest contribution to the total finger force, followed by ring, index and little fingers. In addition, it was noted that each finger had a different optimal grip span for exerting maximum force resulting in a bowed contoured shaped handle for two-handle hand tools. Thus, the grip spans for two-handle hand tools might be designed according to the users' hand and finger anthropometrics to maximize performance and subjective perception of comfort.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.191-195
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the immediate effects of ankle restriction with an elastic band on ground reaction force during a golf swing. Method: There were five subjects who were teaching pros with an average golf score of 75. A force platform (9281B, Switzerland) was used. The independent variable was the presence of an elastic band. The dependent variables were three-dimensional ground reaction forces to analyze the transfer of momentum with the timing, control and coordination of the three forces. A paired t-test within subject repeated measure design was used via an SPSS 20.0. Results: Wearing an elastic band around one's ankles significantly makes shorter time differences between the moment of cross anterior / posterior forces and vertical force and median value of anterior / posterior forces during the backswing, between medial and lateral maximum and anterior / posterior force from the top of the back swing to the mid down swing, and creates an anterior / posterior maximum force. Conclusion: Wearing an elastic band around one's ankles affects control and coordination between three dimensional forces, and anterior force power according to each phase of the golf swing.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2007

The wheel slip control systems are able to control the braking force more accurately and can be adapted to different vehicles more easily than conventional ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) systems. In realizing the wheel slip control systems, real-time information such as the tire braking force at each wheel is required. In addition, the optimal target slip values need to be determined depending on the braking objectives such as minimum braking distance and stability enhancement. In this paper, a robust wheel slip controller is developed based on the adaptive sliding mode control method and an optimal target slip assignment algorithm is proposed for maximizing the braking force. An adaptive law is formulated to estimate the braking force in real-time. The wheel slip controller is designed based on the Lyapunov stability theory considering the error bounds in estimating the braking force and the brake disk-pad friction coefficient. The target slip assignment algorithm searches for the optimal target slip value based on the estimated braking force. The performance of the proposed wheel slip control system is verified in HILS (Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulator) experiments and demonstrates the effectiveness of the wheel slip control in various road conditions.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.245-255
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• 2013

This paper presents the results of a set of wind tunnel tests carried out to examine wind-induced overall structural loads on rectangular medium-rise buildings. Emphasis was directed towards torsion and its correlation with peak shear forces in transverse and longitudinal directions. Two building models with the same horizontal dimensions but different gabled-roof angles ($0^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$) were tested at different full-scale equivalent eave heights (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 m) in open terrain exposure for all wind directions (every $15^{\circ}C$). Wind-induced pressures were integrated over building surfaces and results were obtained for along-wind force, across-wind force, and torsional moment. Maximum wind force component was given along with the other simultaneously-observed wind force components normalized by the overall peak. The study found that for flat-roofed buildings maximum torsion for winds in transverse direction is associated with 80% of the overall shear force perpendicular to the longer horizontal building dimension; and 45% of the maximum shear occurs perpendicular to the smaller horizontal building dimension. Comparison of the wind tunnel results with current torsion provisions in the American wind standard, the Canadian and European wind codes demonstrate significant discrepancies. Suggested load combination factors were introduced aiming at an adequate evaluation of wind load effects on rectangular medium-rise buildings.