• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2022

Based upon differential quadrature method (DQM) and nonlocal strain gradient theory (NSGT), an investigation on the free vibrations of 2D plate systems with nano-dimensions has been provided taking into account the effects of different mechanical loadings. In order to capture different mechanical loadings, a general form of variable compressive load applied in the axial direction of the plate system has been introduced. The studied plate has been constructed from two types of particles which results in graded material properties and nanoscale pores. The established formulation for the plate is in the context of a novel shear deformable model and the equations have been solved via a semi-numerical trend. Presented results indicate the prominence of material composition, nonlocal coefficient, strain gradient coefficient and boundary conditions on vibrational frequencies of nano-size plate.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.438-449
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• 2024

This study investigated the influence of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) addition to particleboard from teak sawdust to reduce water absorption and thickness swelling using standard tests of physical and mechanical properties. The experiment had a completely randomized design with four treatments (SiO₂ concentrations of 5%, 3%, 1%, and 0%), each with three replicates, for a total of 12 conditions. The results showed that 1% concentration was the optimal concentration to reduce both water absorption (32.42% ± 1.78%) and thickness swelling (8.65% ± 1.16%). The product passed the standard tests for physical and mechanical properties, which reduced the cost of the SiO₂ content for particleboard processing. These results suggest that SiO₂ can resist moisture content but may slightly reduce strength.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.463-470
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• 2024

Recent wearable devices can measure workers' physical and mental stress levels in the workplace, enabling timely interventions or adjustments to improve safety, well-being, and productivity. However, stress is a subjective metric, response and recovery from stress varies depending on the individual's physical condition. This study is a preliminary study to test whether there are relationships between stress and physical conditions (i.e., body compositions) of individual workers. To find the relationship between various body compositions of the participants and their stress levels, Spearman correlation coefficients and linear regression analysis were conducted. The results showed a significant relationship between workers' stress level and their body composition. This suggests that by utilizing easily measurable body composition, customized stress monitoring for individual workers can be achieved, contributing to the prevention of construction accidents and the creation of a safer construction site.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.48-56
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• 2014

The aim of this study to investigate the effects of craniocervical flexion on muscle activities of scapular upward rotators during push-up plus exercise in subjects with winging scapula. Eighteen males with scapular winging were recruited, and each subject performed knee push-up plus and other exercises, in two conditions (craniocervical flexion vs. natural head positions). A surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure upper trapezius (UT), serratus anterior (SA), and lower trapezius (LT) muscle activity. A paired t-test was used to determine the statistical significance between the different condition with/without applying of craniocervical flexion. UT EMG activity significantly decreased and SA EMG activity significantly increased during knee push-up plus involving the craniocervical flexion compared to the natural head position. However, no significant differences (p>.05) were found in the activity of the LT muscle. The UT/SA ratios with and without craniocervical flexion showed a significant difference (p<.05). These results showed that the knee push-up plus other exercises performed with craniocervical flexion could strengthen the serratus anterior muscle and minimize the activity of the UT muscle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical basic data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing neck muscle activity and neck alignment using self-stretching and passive stretching exercises for chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were divided into 15 subjects assigned to perform self-stretching exercise and 15 subjects assigned to perform passive stretching exercise. The intervention was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle activity in the neck was measured by surface electromyography (EMG) before intervention, and craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles were measured by X-ray. The 4-week intervention was conducted and the above items re-measured in the same manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle activity within both groups after intervention using self-stretching or passive stretching exercise was significantly different (p < .05)(p < .01). Neck alignment of both groups was significantly different (p < .001)(p < .01). Further, muscle activities of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles showed significant differences (p<.05). Lastly, neck alignment showed statistically significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-stretching exercise activated motor nerves as a posture correction exercise, thereby improving inhibition of muscle activity, muscle contraction delay, and pathological conditions of the muscle. For future research, interventions of self-stretching exercise will be needed for patients with chronic back pain accompanied by forward head posture, and various clinical studies on postural improvement of forward head posture by maintaining a normal muscle tone state are needed.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2020

Objective: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common musculoskeletal deformity that is accompanied with pain and continues to decrease one's quality of life and ability to perform daily life activities by affecting gait and static stability. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the angle of HV (HVA) and to compare the one-legged stance and gait parameters in young adults with less HV and severe HV. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty young adults were divided into two groups, where HVA ≥15° (n=20) was defined as HV, and HVA <15° (n=20) was defined as normal. For balance ability, the center of pressure (COP) path, velocity, length of axis of the COP path, deviation of the x-axis and y-axis, and percentage of foot pressure were measured, and gait, the foot rotation angle, step length, percentage of each phase of the gait cycle, time change from the heel to forefoot, and maximum pressure of the forefoot and midfoot were measured. Results: Significant differences were found in sway length and time change from heel to forefoot during walking between the normal and HV groups (p<0.05). Most parameters were not associated with the HVA, but parameters such as length of axis and time to change from heel to forefoot were significantly associated with the HVA (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that most one-legged stance and gait parameters were not significantly affected by the HVA in young adults; therefore, future studies are needed in order to address other dynamic parameters and other methods of gait analysis for detecting clinically meaningful conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the dynamic range of motion (ROM) of the hip, knee, and ankle joint when wearing different shoe sole lifts, as well as the limb asymmetry of the range according to the leg length discrepancy (LLD) during normal speed walking. METHODS: The participants were 40 healthy adults. A motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic ROM data. The participants had 40 markers attached to their lower extremities and were asked to walk on a 6 m walkway, under three different shoe lift conditions (without an insole, 1 cm insole, and 2 cm insole). Visual3D professional software was used to coordinate kinematic ROM data. RESULTS: Most of the ROM variables of the short limbs were similar under each insole lift condition (p>.05). In contrast, when wearing a shoe with a 2 cm insole lift, the long limbs showed significant increases in flexion and extension of the knee joint as well as; plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, pronation, eversion, and inversion of the ankle joint (p<.05). Of the shoes with the insole lifts, significant differences in all ROM variables were observed between the left and right knees, except for the knee internal rotation (p<.05). CONCLUSION: As the insole lift was increased, more ROM differences were observed between the left and right limbs, and the asymmetry of the bilateral lower limbs increased. Therefore, appropriate interventions for LLD are needed because an artificial mild LLD of less than 2.0 cm could lead to a range of musculoskeletal problems of the lower extremities, such as knee and ankle osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.89-94
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of self-myofascial release using a foam roller on the quadriceps femoris for pelvic stability. We further compare the effects of a GRID surface Foam Roller (GFR), a Non-Vibration Foam Roller (NVFR), and a Vibration Foam Roller (VFR). Methods: Thirty healthy adults (15 males, 15 females) participated in this study and were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: GFR, NVFR, or VFR. Participants walked at self-selected speeds with an arm sling before and after foam roller stretching. The analyzed gait parameters included pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic rotation. Results: In the NVFR and VFR groups, there was a Significant differences were obtained in the pelvic tilt between pre-test and post-test values (p<0.05) in the NVFR and VFR groups, but no significant difference was observed in the GFR group (p>0.05). Comparing the amount of change between the three groups exhibited a significant decrease in pelvic tilt in the NVFR and VFR groups compared to the GFR group (p<0.017). No significant differences were found in pelvic obliquity and pelvic rotation (p>0.05) in all groups. Conclusion: While walking, the use of a VFR for self-myofascial release results in pelvic alteration by reducing the anterior pelvic tilt. We propose that a foam roller can be utilized to enhance pelvic stability during gait.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.117-123
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, subjects with femoral anterior glide type were examined to investigate the effects of femoral head anterior glide fixation during active straight leg raise on the strength of the hip flexor in a supine position. Methods: Fifteen subjects participated in this study. All subjects were classified through an evaluation form for femoral anterior glide type (FAGT). The strength of the hip flexor was measured during active straight leg raise test (ASLR test), and compared with and without femoral anterior glide fixation in a supine position. The fixation of the femoral head was achieved as per the therapist's manual guidelines. Paired t-test was applied to compare changes in the strength of the hip flexor according to fixation conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: The strength of the hip flexor was lesser during the ASLR test with fixation compared to without fixation (p=0.007). Conclusion: The strength of the hip flexor decreases with fixation. Results of this study revealed a difference between hip flexor strength, with and without femoral anterior glide fixation during ASLR, in subjects with femoral anterior glide type.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the immediate effects of different breathing training techniques on diaphragm excursion and vital capacity in healthy adults. Specifically, the study focused on comparing respiratory exercise without PNF, bilateral pattern respiratory exercise, and bilateral pattern with spiral pattern respiratory exercise. Methods: Twenty-seven healthy adults in their 20s participated in the study. Diaphragm excursion and vital capacity were evaluated under three different conditions. A one-way repeated ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in diaphragm excursion and vital capacity among the interventions. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in diaphragm excursion among the interventions, comparing respiratory exercise without PNF, bilateral pattern respiratory exercise, and bilateral pattern with spiral pattern respiratory exercise. Similarly, statistically significant differences were found in vital capacity among the interventions without PNF respiratory exercise, bilateral pattern respiratory exercise, and bilateral pattern with spiral pattern respiratory exercise. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that incorporating the spiral technique in respiratory exercise led to increased diaphragm excursion and lung capacity compared to other interventions. These findings suggest that PNF respiratory exercise combined with the spiral pattern may have clinical implications for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and clinical application of these approaches.