• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.545-556
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• 2017

Various assessment indexes have been developed and utilized to evaluate the driver workload. However, existing workload assessment indexes do not fully reflect driving habits and driving patterns of individual drivers. In addition, there exists significant differences in the amount of workload experienced by a driver and the ability to overcome the driver's workload. To overcome these limitations associated with existing indexes, this study has developed a novel workload assessment index to reflect an individual driver's driving pattern. An average of the absolute values of the steering velocity for each driver are set as a threshold value in order to reflect the driving patterns of individual drivers. Further, the sum of the areas of the steering velocities exceeding the threshold value, which is defined as erratic steering area (ESA) in this study, was quantified. The developed ESA index is applied in evaluating the driver workload of manually driven vehicles in automated vehicle platooning environments. Driving simulation experiments are conducted to collect drivers' responsive behavior data which are used for exploring the relationship between the NASA-TLX score and the ESA by the correlation analysis. As a result, ESA is found to have the greatest correlation with the NASA-TLX score among the various driver workload evaluation indexes in the lane change scenario, confirming the usefulness of ESA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.113-122
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• 1994

The present study was carried out to characterize the functional properties of spinomesencephalic tract (SMT) neurons in the lumbar spinal cord of urethane anesthetized rats. Extracellular single unit recordings were made from neurons antidromically activated by stimulation of the midbrain area, including the deep layers of superior colliculus, periaqueductal gray and midbrain reticular formation. Recording sites were located in laminae I-VII of spinal cord segments of L2-L5. Receptive field properties and responses to calibrated mechanical stimulation were studied in 78 SMT cells. Mean conduction velocity of SMT neurons was $19.1{\pm}1.04\;m/sec$. SMT units were classified according to their response profiles into four groups: wide dynamic range (58%), deep/tap (23%), high threshold (9%) and low threshold (3%). A simple excitatory receptive field was found for most SMT neurons recorded in superficial dorsal horn (SDH). Large complex inhibitory and/or excitatory receptive fields were found for cells in lateral reticulated area which usually showed long after-discharge. Most of SMT cells received inputs from $A{\delta}$ and C afferent fiber types. These results suggest that sensory neurons in the rat SMT may have different functional roles according to their location in the spinal cord in integrating and processing sensory inputs including noxious mechanical stimuli.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• 제59권1호
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• pp.217-219
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• 2010

Spasticity is a motor disorder characterized by a velocity dependent increase in muscle tone with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyper-excitability of the stretch reflex. The aim of this study is to develop a portable system for quantifying the grade of spasticity which could calculate the biomechanical as well as neurophysiologic parameters, and for determining the relationship between the Tonic Stretch Reflex Threshold (TSRT) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Eleven patients with stroke participated in the study (6 males and 5 females, the average age of $64.5\pm16.0$ years). As a results, the mean and standard deviation values of the TSRT were $129.8\pm4.2$, $123.4\pm5.2$ and $119.1\pm2.6$ in the MAS 1, MAS 1+ and MAS 2 groups, respectively. Also, there was a negative correlation between the TSRT and MAS (rho=-0.72, p<0.05). This demonstrated that the TSRT could be made clinically available for the more objective and reliable evaluation of the spasticity, instead of using the conventional clinical scales and an isokinetic dynamometer.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.59-64
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• 2016

Background: This study was to investigate the effect of cervical HVLA technique and mulligan MWM technique on patients with lateral epicondylitis. Methods: 36 participants were randomly allocated to the two groups; group I involved high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) cervical mobilization technique, mulligan mobilizations with movement (MWM) technique (n=18). group II mulligan MWM (n=18). Patient attended for three times a week for six weeks. Results: The change of visual analogue scale (VAS) was statistically and significantly decreased in both of the group I and the group II. The change of patients rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) was statistically and significantly decreased in both of the group I and the group II. The change of pressure pain threshold (PPT) was statistically and significantly increased in both of the group I and the group II. Nevertheless, There is no statistical differences between group I and group II. Conclusion: After experiment, pressure pain threshold and visual analogue scale, patients rated tennis elbow evaluation were improved in both group. But Cervical HVLA group does not showed the change better than mulligan MWM group.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.79-85
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• 2016

This paper proposes a threshold-based fall recognition algorithm to discriminate between falls and activities of daily living (ADL) using a tri-axial accelerometer and a bi-axial gyroscope sensor mounted on the upper sternum. The experiment was executed ten times according to the proposed experimental protocol. The output signals of the tri-axial accelerometer and the bi-axial gyroscope were measured during eight falls and eleven ADL action sequences. The threshold values of the signal vector magnitude (SVM_Acc), angular velocity (${\omega}_{res}$), and angular variation (${\theta}_{res}$) parameter were calculated using MATLAB. From the preliminary study, three thresholds (TH1, TH2, and TH3) were set so that the falls could be distinguished from ADL. When the parameter SVM_Acc is greater than 2.5 g (TH1), ${\omega}_{res}$ is greater than 1.75 rad/s (TH2), and ${\theta}_{res}$ is greater than 0.385 rad (TH3), these action sequences are recognized as falls. If at least one or more of these conditions is not satisfied, the sequence is classified as ADL.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.59-66
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• 1987

This study was aimed to investigate whether the conduction velocity of nerve impulses through the ventral afferent fibers is constant along their entire courses in dorsal as well as in ventral roots. Cats were anesthetized with ${\alpha}-chloralose$ (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and artificially ventilated. Laminectomies were done on L4-S1 spinal vertebrae to expose the lumbosacral spiral cord. Both ventral and dorsal roots of L7 or S1 spinal segments were isolated and cut near the spinal cord. Ventral roots were placed on 6-lead stimulating electrodes and stimulated with supra C-threshold intensity. Divided dorsal root fascicles were placed on bipolar recording electrodes and single fiber units activated by the stimulation of the ventral roots were identified. Followings are the results obtained: 1) A total of 27 VRA units were identified. 10 units of them conducted impulses slower than 2 m/sec. Conduction velocities of the remaining units were in the range of 3.11-20.91 m/sec. 2) In 12 Units conduction velocities Of the VRA units through dorsal$(CV_{DR})$ and venral root$(CV_{DR})$ were determined respectively. There was a tendency to conduct impulses faster through dorsal roots$(CV_{DR}=8.19{\pm}3.26\;m/sec)$ than ventral roots$(CV_{DR}=3.46{\pm}1.02\;m/sec)$. From the above results we confirmed that there exist nerve fibers in continuity between the spinal ventral and dorsal roots but we could not ascertain whether there is a change in conduction velocity through the entire course of ventral afferent unit.

• 전기의세계
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.55-61
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• 1974

Nature of magnetic creep phenomena in low coercive force films(Ni 80%-Fe 20%) in form of narrow channels imbedded in high coercive force films is studied in this work. Aluminium is evaporated on the hot glass substrate and eched free in the shape of narrow channels by photoetoetching method. then, Permalloy(Ni 80%, Fe 20%) is deposited on these Aluminium substrate under the uniform field of 30(Oe) to introduce anisotropy. Permalloy film on Al has a high coercive force and one on the substrate devoid of Al has how coercive force. Magnetic revers domain which is introduced at the end of channel grows under the a.c field in hard axis direction, in spite of very weak d.c field in easy axis direction. This creeping is investigated as a function of external fields and channel widths. Permalloy film thickness is 500.angs.-900.angs. and channel widths are 40, 51, 65, 81, 115.mu. respectively. Creeping increases as external field increases while it decreases with channel width decrease. Creep velocity in channels depends on the a.c field along hard axis, d.c field along easy axis and channel widths and its range is 1-10cm/sec in this experiment. From study of dependence of creep velocity on channel width, it can be concluded that creep velocity is expressed in form of v=v$_{0}$ exp .alpha.(H-H$_{0}$) where .alpha. is a function of a.c field along hard axis and H is driving d.c field along easy axis, H$_{0}$ is not a coercive force of film as usuall expected but the d.c threshold field along easy axis which is a function of channel width. This characteristic is also confirmed by the study of dependence of creep velocity upon easy axis field strength. Value of .alpha. obtained is 1.3-2.3cm/sec We depending upon film charactor, hard axis field strength and frequency.uency.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.309-315
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• 2002

Since the discovery, in the 1980s, of erosion-pit-induced fractures in implanted mechanical heart valves. cavitation on the surface of mechanical heart valves has been widely studied as a possible cause of pitting. Several factors, including peak dp/dt of the ventricular pressure. maximum closing velocity of the leaflet, and squeeze flow. have been studied as indices of the cavitation threshold. In the present study. cavitation erosion on the surface of a mechanical valve was examined by focusing on squeeze flow and the water hammer phenomenon during the closing period of the valve. In this study, we measures pressure wave forms near a valve and closing velocities of a disk, which were placed in a holder with and without compliance. In case of all holders, pressure drop of below vapor pressure expect at near the surface disk. It was also found that the closing velocity of the disk increased and that cavitation erosion was enhanced too. These results suggest that disk closing velocity during the closing phase has signifiant effects on pitting erosion.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.39-53
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• 2021

By means of installing sloped rolling-type seismic isolators (SRI), the horizontal acceleration transmitted to the to-be-protected object above can be effectively and significantly reduced under external disturbance. To prevent the maximum horizontal displacement response of SRI from reaching a threshold, designing large and conservative damping force for SRI might be required, which will also enlarge the transmitted acceleration response. In a word, when adopting seismic isolation, minimizing acceleration or displacement responses is always a trade-off. Therefore, this paper proposes that by exploiting the possible information provided by an earthquake early warning system, the damping force applied to SRI which can better control both acceleration and displacement responses might be determined in advance and accordingly adjusted in a semi-active control manner. By using a large number of ground motion records with peak ground acceleration not less than 80 gal, the numerical results present that the maximum horizontal displacement response of SRI is highly correlated with and proportional to some important parameters of input excitations, the velocity pulse energy rate and peak velocity in particular. A control law employing the basic form of hyperbolic tangent function and two objective functions are considered in this study for conceptually developing suitable control algorithms. Compared with the numerical results of simply designing a constant, large damping factor to prevent SRI from pounding, adopting the recommended control algorithms can have more than 60% reduction of acceleration responses in average under the excitations. More importantly, it is effective in reducing acceleration responses under approximately 98% of the excitations.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.157-161
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• 2008

We have estimated the fractal dimension of the molecular clouds associated with the Hii region Sh 156 in the Outer Galaxy. We selected the $^{12}CO$ cube data from the FCRAO CO Survey of the Outer Galaxy. Using a developed code within IRAF, we identified slice-clouds (2-dimensional clouds in velocity-channel maps) with two threshold temperatures to estimate the fractal dimension. With the threshold temperatures of 1.8 K, and 3 K, we identified 317 slice-clouds and 217 slice-clouds, respectively. There seems to be a turn-over location in fractional dimension slope around NP (area; number of pixel) = 40. The fractal dimensions was estimated to be D = $1.5\;{\sim}\;1.53$ for $NP\;{\geq}\;40$, where $P\;{\propto}\;A^{D/2}$ (P is perimeter and A is area), which is slightly larger than other results. The sampling rate (spatial resolution) of observed data must be an important parameter when estimating fractal dimension. Fractal dimension is apparently invariant when varying the threshold temperatures applied to slice-clouds identification.