• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.33-40
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• 2012

Dentists are known to be highly exposed to the musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The present study investigated the prevalence of MSD among Korean dentists and association between their MSD and physical workload. In addition, detailed causes related to the physical workloads were identified in dental operation, and needs for improvement of dental instrument and environment were collected from Korean dentists. The standardized Nordic questionnaire was used to survey body troubles and three types of questionnaires were made to investigate the physical workloads, causes of the physical workloads and improvement priority of dental equipments, respectively. A total of 104 Korean dentists were participated in the survey. Neck trouble (82%) was the most prevalent in Korean dentists, and shoulder (68%) and low back trouble (56%) followed, while low back trouble was reported to be most frequent in previous studies. The body troubles were related to the physical workload of the corresponding body parts, although they were not associated with personal characteristics. Most Korean dentists selected 'to keep direct view inside patient's mouth' and 'no support of the hand with dental instruments' as the causes of awkward and strenuous work postures. They wanted design improvement for some equipment in their operating room such as operating light and arrangement of workplace.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.71-82
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• 2009

As a solution to spectrum under-utilization problem, Cognitive radio (CR) introduces a dynamic spectrum access technology. In the area, one of the most important problems is how secondary users (SUs) should choose between the available channels, which means how to achieve load balancing between channels. We consider spectrum load balancing problem for CR system in frequency domain and especially in time domain. Our objective is to balance the load among the channels and balance the occupied time length of slots for a fixed channel dynamically in order to obtain a user-optimal solution. In frequency domain, we refer to Dynamic Noncooperative Scheme with Communication (DNCOOPC) used in distributed system and a distributed Dynamic Spectrum Load Balancing algorithm (DSLB) is formed based on DNCOOPC. In time domain, Spectrum Load Balancing method with QoS support is proposed based on Dynamic Feed Back theory and Hash Table (SLBDH). The performance of DSLB and SLBDH are evaluated. In frequency domain, DSLB is more efficient compared with existing Compare_And_Balance (CAB) algorithm and gets more throughput compared with Spectrum Load Balancing (SLB) algorithm. Also, DSLB is a fair scheme for all devices. In time domain, SLBDH is an efficient and precise solution compared with Spectrum Load Smoothing (SLS) method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.33-38
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• 2010

To survive head-to-head competition, we should keep our labor productivities above those of other nations. However, our labor productivities are low compared to those of the developed countries. It is the well-known fact that we make up for the productivities with long work hours. Entering the line of developed nations safely and enjoying well-being age freely, we need to achieve high labor productivities without sacrificing work hours. What would be a fine solution? Back to the basics! Although it is important to enforce R&D on high-tech products, we should have so-called bluebird philosophy, being faithful to the basics and trying to find solutions at a stone's throw. Basics of basics may be unceasing improvement, establishing reasonable standard times, and maintaining them. To support going back to the basics, this thesis proposes VITAMAX, a motion and time study software. As VITAMAX stands for "Visual Improvement and Time Analysis for Maximizing Profits", it provides a simple and powerful visual tool which is useful for improving manual works and determining standard times. Since VITAMAX is based on the Microsoft Excel and VBA, it is very cost-effective and easy to use. VITAMAX may contribute to the profit increase of manufacturing companies, especially for the small and medium-sized enterprise.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.44-64
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• 2021

With the upcoming 4^th industrial revolution era, the applications of artificial intelligence(AI) and big data in engineering are increasing. In the field of blasting, there have been various reported cases of the application of AI. In this paper, AI techniques, such as artificial neural network, fuzzy logic, generic algorithm, swarm intelligence, and support vector machine, which are widely applied in blasting area, are introduced, The studies about the application of AI for the prediction of ground vibration, rock fragmentation, fly rock, air overpressure, and back break are surveyed and summarized. It is for providing starting points for the discussion of active application of AI on effective and safe blasting design, enhancing blasting performance, and minimizing the environmental impact due to blasting.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the proprioceptive exercise program on balance performance in order to the suggest hemiplegic patients the therapeutic intervention. Methods : In this study, Proprioceptive exercise program was applied to 11 hemiplegic patients for 6 weeks as follows: First of all, hemi leg flexion-extension pattern was applied in a supine position. Secondly, alternated leg flexion pattern was applied in a standing posture with one hand support on the unstable platform. Thirdly, rhythmic stabilization techniques were applied in a standing posture on the unstable platform. Results : Significant differences were observed the chronic low back pain patient for VAS, BBS. Chronic low back pain patient improved all test. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. After intervention, there was a statistically significant change in the dynamic balance (FSST, TUG, FRT) performance(p<.05). 2. After intervention, there was also a statistically significant change in the static balance (FICSIT-4) performance(p<.05). Conclusion : The result of the study suggests that muscle strength exercise by the intervention of proprioceptive exercise program improves the hemiplegic patients' static and dynamic balance performance.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.601-613
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• 2023

Low liquid limit silt, widely distributed in the middle and down reaches of Yellow River, has the disadvantages of poor grading, less clay content and poor colloidal activity. It is very easy to cause vehicle jumping at the bridge-embankment transition section when the low liquid limit silt used as the backfill at the abutment back. In this paper, a series of laboratory tests were carried out to study the physical and mechanical properties of the low liquid limit silt used as back filling. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was excited by active MgO and hydrated lime to solidify silt as abutment backfill. The optimum ratio of firming agent and the compaction and mechanical properties of reinforced soil were revealed through compaction test and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) test was used to study the pore characteristics and hydration products of reinforced soil. 6% hydrated lime and alkali activated slag were used to solidify silt and fill the model of subgrade respectively. The pavement settlement regulation and soil internal stress-strain regulation of subgrade with different materials under uniformly distributed load were studied by model experiment. The effect of alkali activated slag curing agent on curing silt was verified. The research results can provide technical support for highway construction in silt area of the Yellow River alluvial plain.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.188-202
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effect of one-to-one labor support on labor pain, labor stress response, childbirth experience and neonatal status for primipara by a quasi experiment (nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design), from April 30, 1999 to February 20, 2000. The subjects of this experiment consisted of eighty two primipara with single gestation, full term, uncomplicated pregnancies. Forty one were in the experimental group and forty one in the control group. Their mean age was 25.95 years, their mean gestation period was 39.9 weeks. A caring package of one-to-one labor support had three components. Physical support consisted of massage, back pressure, touch. Emotional support was provided by a continuous nurse's presence, acceptance and encouragement. Informational support involved teaching breathing skills, relaxation skills and knowledge about the labor process. Data assessed labor pain, pulse rate and blood pressure to measure labor stress response. Also, in measuring the value of labor stress response, plasma epinephrine, plasma norepinephrine and serum cortisol were measured. In the 24 hours after birth, the data for the postpartum mother's childbirth experiences was collected. Umbilical cord arterial blood pH, one minute and five minute Apgar score were measured after birth. Data was analyzed by t-test, $x^2$-test, repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA with SAS Program. The results were as follows; 1. Labor pain was significantly low in the experimental group(P=.016). 2. No significant group effects were found, but significant time effects were found for plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, serum cortisol, pulse rate and blood pressure. 3. The childbirth experience of the experimental group was significantly more positive than the control group (P = .005). 4. The umbilical cord arterial blood pH of the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group(P=.014). There was no significant difference between the two groups in neonatal one minute and five minute Apgar scores. In conclusion, these findings indicate that one-to-one labor support could be effective in decreasing labor pain, and increasing positive childbirth experiences, also increasing the neonatal umbilical cord arterial blood pH for primipara. So, one-to-one labor support could be applied as an effective nursing treatment for primipara.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.352-360
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects on musculoskeletal symptoms of both social demographic features and detailed characteristics of each task category of care workers who offer visiting home-help services. And to establish the measures that can reduce musculoskeletal symptoms among care workers. Methods: This study was conducted among 192 care workers from welfare centers C and K located in city P. After participants completed the task burden checklist regarding the scale of musculoskeletal symptoms and the details of their duties, the data collected were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: According to the degree of observable musculoskeletal symptoms in care workers, the highest figures were observed for back and shoulder pain. Based on the results of assessing the effect of detailed task category characteristics on musculoskeletal symptoms, "helping patients eat, helping patients move, helping patients bath, and changing body positions" were found to have an effect from the physical care category, "providing physical therapy assistance, treating bedsores" from the health care category, and "cleaning and doing laundry" from the facility management category. Conclusions: Due to the high proportion of patients requiring burdensome physical labor from care workers such as moving patients who have trouble doing so on their own, helping them change positions, and so on, it is highly likely that pain will occur in the low back, which carries most of the physical weight. So, education on human epidemiological positions that can reduce overload on areas prone to pain such as the low back and shoulders is essential. Proper equipment and personnel support must be provided for dangerous tasks. Further, multidimensional social support is required consistently.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1091-1097
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• 2011

This study aims to develop the plastic suspension assembly which is installed on inside of vehicle seat and supports passenger's back to provide the comfortable feeling. This design is the suspension structure to support the back equally and assemble seat back frame and plastic suspension effectively. The parts of suspension are designed by considering the property of body pressure distribution. As analysis values are approached to measured values by comparing the deformations in the cases of existed spring suspension and developed plastic suspension, the optimum design can be established.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.37-53
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• 2012

There is considerable uncertainty in ground properties used in tunnel designs. In this study, a back analysis was performed to find optimal ground properties based on the artificial neural network facility of MATLAB program of using tunnel monitoring data. Total 81 data were constructed by changing elastic modulus and coefficient of lateral pressure which have great influence on tunnel convergence. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to establish an optimal training model by varying the number of hidden layers, the number of nodes, learning rate, and momentum. Meanwhile, the optimal training model was selected by comparing MSE (Mean Squared Error) and coefficient of determination ($R^2$) and was used to find the correct elastic moduli of layers and the coefficient of lateral pressure. In future, it is expected that the suggested method of this study can be applied to determine the optimum tunnel support pattern under given ground conditions.