• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.469-475
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• 2017

Workers in industrial fields are highly exposed to accidents or injuries caused by long working hours. An exoskeleton that is able to support the arm muscles of the worker and thereby reduce the probability of an accident and enhance working efficiency could be a solution to this problem. However, existing exoskeletons demand the use of high-priced sensors and motors, which makes them difficult to use in industrial fields. To solve this problem, we developed an arm assisting exoskeleton that consists only of mechanical components without any electronic sensors or motors. The exoskeleton follows the movement of the human arm by shoulder joint and ankle joint. In addition, counterbalance mechanisms are installed on the exoskeleton to support arm strength. The experimental validation of the exoskeleton was conducted using an EMG sensor, confirming the performance of the exoskeleton.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.388-394
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• 2003

To handle the high level radioactive materials such a spent fuel, the master-slave manipulators (MSM) are widely used as a remote handling device in nuclear facilities such as the hot cell with sealed and shielded space. In this paper, the Digital Mockup which simulates the remote operation of the Advanced Conditioning Process(ACP) is developed. Also, the workspace and the motion of the slave manipulator, as well as, the remote operation task should be analyzed. The process equipment of ACP and Maintenance/Handling Device are drawn in 3D CAD models using IGRIP. Modeling device of manipulator is assigned with various mobile attributes such as a relative position, kinematics constraints, and a range of mobility, The 3D graphic simulator using the external input device of space ball displays the movement of manipulator. To connect the external input device to the graphic simulator, the interface program of external input device with 6 DOF is deigned using the Low Level Tele-operation Interface(LLTI). The experimental result shows that the developed simulation system gives much-improved human interface characteristics and shows satisfactory response characteristics in terms of synchronization speed. This should be useful for the development of work's education system in the virtual environment.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.117-125
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• 2009

Early in 21st century, researches about intelligent service robot that provide various services for a human out of the industrial robot only has simple pattern repetition. It concentrates in the research regarding the URC(Ubiquitous Robotic Companion) robot which connects the network in the intelligent service. This paper proposes the robot system based on network to guide a way. The robot has made by lego brick and used ultrasonic sensor, rotation sensor and RFID tag to recognize external environment. Also, it includes a PDA to process the data between robot and server. The network server transmits information to robot controller by bluetooth and it controls the course movement and evasion of the robot. In this research, the robot system based on network to guide a way is easy to expand service and is able to process a data in real time due to data processing in the server as a part of intelligent robot. And it can reduce the cost to build a robot thank to use cheaper sensor equipment.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2003

Electromyogram (EMG) is the bioelectric signal induced by motor nerves. Analyzing EMG with the movement produced by muscle contraction, we can provide input commands to a computer as a man-machine interface as well as can evaluate the patient's motional abnormality. In this paper, we developed an integrated miniaturized device which acquires and transmits the surface EMG of an interested muscle. Developed system measures $60{\times}40{\times}25mm$, weighs 100g. Using an amplifier circuitry on the electrodes and the radio frequency transmission, the developed system dispenses with the use of cables among the electrodes, amplifier, and the post processing system (personal computer). The wiring used in conventional systems can be obstacle for natural motion and source of motion artifacts. In results, the developed system improves not only the signal-to-noise ration in dynamic EMG measurement, but also the user convenience. We propose a new human-computer interface as well as a dynamic EMG measurement system as a possible application of the developed system.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2018

This paper is composed of a passenger management system using a temperature sensing module, a PIR sensor module for detecting movement inside a room, and a smart breath sensing module for determining a sleeping state. An embedded sensor module and a communication system integrated the sensing part and the algorithm driving part. As the aging society is accelerating and becoming more upgraded, the social cost of Silver Care increases, and in order to protect privacy, it is necessary to reduce costs by developing efficient smart silver care devices. The proposed non - image human body detection IOT sensor system is implemented by hardware and software and has superior performance compared with conventional image monitoring method.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2008

A new movement in forming community villages for better living standards is becoming popular. In order to sustain a proper community, it is essential to design proper community programs and facilities, which can encourage the proactive participation of residents. In this study, detailed aspects of the Mindlre (Dandelion) community (including formation process and management of the village) are investigated. The Mindlre community is a successful community village in Korea concerned with residents' participation and community activities. The community is located in Sancheong, Gyungsangnamdo province in Korea. The study methods are references, field trips, and interviews with residents. Six areas were surveyed and investigated: the physical environment of the Mindlre community and eco-friendly elements, respondents' background and the motivation to join, residents composition, residents' participation in the formation process of the community, self-management systems and common activities, and residents's life satisfaction. The mindlre Community was founded on Christian religions faith. The primary idea of this village was building a new hope for rural areas without discrimination. The size of the village was expanded with housing for teachers and students who were linked with the Mindlre School (substitution school). When the community was founded, existing shapes of the village were preserved. The village was physically renovated based on the original environment, in addition nature friendly materials and methods were used. The residents were proactively involved in the community through regular meetings, self-regulation, and community worship. Although the survey results should that most residents were highly satisfied with living standards, there seemed to be no clear division between community facilities and private houses. A systematic and detailed space planning technique was required. In addition, various community facilities are required due to the expansion of the community.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

Kefir exhibits antimicrobial activity in vitro against gram-positive and gram negative bacteria, as well as some fungi. The ability of LAB to inhibit the growth of closely related bacteria is well known. This inhibition of pathogenic and spoilage microbes may be due to the production of organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, acetaldehyde, diacetyl, carbon dioxide, or bacteriocins. Lactobacilli are the major contributors to acid production and, hence, a determining factor in the flavor development in kefir. Lactic acid, proteolytic activity, and acetaldehyde are the essential flavor compounds in kefir. Both acid and bacteriocins contribute to the antimicrobial activity of kefir and kefir grains. Kefir is rich in proteins, calcium, vitamin $B_{12}$, niacin, and folic acid. Many studies have investigated the benefits of consuming kefir and have shown that it is a natural probiotic, which when consumed regularly, can help relieve intestinal disorders, promote bowel movement, reduce flatulence, and improve the overall health of the digestive system. Tibetan kefir, which is different from traditional kefir, is produced in China. It has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity that is nearly identical to that of traditional kefir. Kefir production is considered a rapidly growing food industry in China.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of the area of the base of support formed by the human body on the maximal voluntary isometric contraction of upper limb muscles. Methods: The study was conducted with 20 normal adults. To identify changes in the base of support, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps muscle was measured in a standing position, a sitting position, and a lying position for each subject. The sizes of the base of support formed in the standing, sitting, and lying positions were set to 1, 2, and 3 respectively, based on the sizes, to analyze the correlations. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps muscle was measured using surface electromyograms (EMGs) (Noraxon DTS, Germany). Results: The results showed negative correlations in which, as the size of the base of support increased, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps muscle decreased. Conclusion: Changes in the base of support of the body affect the maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the upper limbs. Therefore, when resistance exercises are applied for muscle strengthening, the positions should be changed considering the changes in muscle activity according to those positions. In addition, when EMGs are used to measure the maximal voluntary isometric contraction, the measurements should be conducted in the same positions, considering muscle activity that changes according to the base of support and positions, for data quantification.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.121-127
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• 2007

Muscle force produced by muscle fibers is transmitted to bones via tendinous structures(aponeuroses and tendon), resulting in joint(s) movement. As force-transmitting elements, mechanical behavior of aponeuroses and tendon are closely related with the function of muscle-tendon complex. The purpose of this study was to determine strain characteristics of aponeuroses for in-vivo human soleus muscle during submaximal voluntary contractions using an advanced medical imaging technique, velocity-encoded phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (VE-PC MRI). VE-PC MRI of the soleus muscle-tendon complex was acquired during submaximal isometric plantarflexion contraction-relaxation cycle (n = 7), using 3.0T Trio MRI scanner(Siemens AG, Malvern, MA). From the VE-PC MRI containing the tissue velocity in superior-inferior direction, twenty regions of interest(20 ROI; 10 on the anterior aponeurosis and 10 on the posterior aponeurosis) were tracked. During the isometric plantarflexion contraction-relaxation cycle, velocity and displacement profiles were different between the anterior and posterior aponeuroses, indicating heterogeneous strain behavior along the length of the leg. The anterior aponeurosis elongated while the posterior aponeurosis shortened during the initial phase of the contraction. Moreover, strain behavior of the posterior aponeurosis was different from that of the Achilles tendon. Possible explanation for the observed variations in strain behavior of aponeuroses was investigated with morphological assessment of the soleus muscle and it was found that the intramuscular tendinous structures significantly vary among subjects. In conclusion, the heterogeneous mechanical behavior of the soleus aponeuroses and the Achilles tendon suggests that the complexity of skeletal muscle-tendon complex should be taken into consideration when modeling the complex for better understanding of its functions.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.283-290
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• 2015

We proposed blink based online speller for the locked-in syndrome (LIS) patients, paralyzed in nearly all voluntary muscles expect for the eyes, with a simple and easy-to-use eye blink detection glasses. Electrooculogram (EOG) is the golden standard method of eye movement or blink measurement with Ag/AgCl electrodes. However, this method has several drawbacks such as skin irritation and dehydration of conductive gel. To resolve the shortcomings, we used a blink detection system based on a transparent capacitively coupled electrode, which is conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) films. The films make it possible to measure eye blink without direct skin contact and obstruction of field of view. We finally developed user-friendly blink based online speller with the blink detection system. To classify voluntary and non-voluntary blink, we used the double blink for command of the speller. The online speller experiment result with six healthy subjects shows that mean accuracy is 98.96% and letter per minute (LPM) is 4.73, which are better result by comparison with conventional P300 or auditory brain-computer interface (BCI) paradigm. The result of the experiment demonstrates the possibility of applying the proposed system as a communication method for the LIS patients.