• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 2016

Objective: Objective of this study is to provide characteristics of injury frequency and severity by driving condition in large truck-related traffic collisions. Background: Traffic accidents involving large trucks draw a lot of attention in accident prevention and management policies since they bring about severe human and financial damages. Method: In order to identify the major risk factors of accidents by driving condition, 255 recognized traffic accidents by large truck drivers were analyzed in terms of time of the day, road type, and shape of the road. Results: The driving conditions in the results are represented by the following form of combination, "Road Type (Non-expressway or Express) - Shape of Roads (Straight, Curved, Downhill, or Intersection) - Time of Accidents (Day or Night)". In the analysis of injury frequency, Non-expressway-Straight-Day condition was the most frequent one. Meanwhile, Expressway-Curved-Day, Non-expressway-Curved-Night and Non-expressway-Intersection-Night were evaluated as high level in view of injury severity. Also, Expressway-Straight-Night is the driving condition that is the highest in risk among the conditions that have to be managed as grade "High". Non-expressway-Straight-Night, Non-expressway-Downhill-Day, and Non-expressway-Curved-Day are also categorized as grade "High". Conclusion and Application: Safety managers in the fields require basic information on accident prevention that can be easily understood. The research findings will serve as a practical guideline for establishing preventive measures for traffic accidents.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 2018

Background: Several grip strength tests are commonly used for detecting sincerity of effort. However, there is still no widely accepted standardized sincerity of effort test. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether grip strength test in three wrist positions could distinguish between maximal and submaximal efforts. Methods: Twenty healthy individuals (10 men and 10 women) with a mean age of $26.7{\pm}3.92years$ participated in this study. All participants completed two test conditions (maximal and submaximal efforts) in three wrist positions (neutral, flexion, and extension) using both hands. Each participant exerted 100% effort in the maximal effort condition and 50% effort in the submaximal effort condition. The participants performed three repetitions of the grip strength test for each session. Results: The results showed that there is a significant main effect of the type of effort (p < 0.001), wrist position (p < 0.001), and hand (p = 0.028). There were also significant types of effort and wrist position interactions (p < 0.001) and effort and hand interactions (p < 0.028). The results also showed that grip strength was highest at the wrist in neutral position in both the maximal and the submaximal effort condition. Grip strength values of the three wrist positions in the maximal effort condition were noticeably greater than those in the submaximal effort condition. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that grip strength test in three wrist positions can differentiate a maximal effort from a submaximal effort. Thus, this test could potentially be used to detect sincerity of effort in clinical setting.

• Biomaterials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2018

Background: The chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is regulated by many factors, including oxygen tensions, growth factors, and cytokines. Evidences have suggested that low oxygen tension seems to be an important regulatory factor in the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation in various MSCs. Recent studies report that synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SDSCs) are a potential source of stem cells for the repair of articular cartilage defects. But, the effect of low oxygen tension on the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation in SDSCs has not characterized. In this study, we investigated the effects of hypoxia on proliferation and chondrogenesis in SDSCs. Method: SDSCs were isolated from patients with osteoarthritis at total knee replacement. To determine the effect of oxygen tension on proliferation and colony-forming characteristics of SDSCs, A colony-forming unit (CFU) assay and cell counting-based proliferation assay were performed under normoxic (21% oxygen) or hypoxic (5% oxygen). For in vitro chondrogenic differentiation, SDSCs were concentrated to form pellets and subjected to conditions appropriate for chondrogenic differentiation under normoxia and hypoxia, followed by the analysis for the expression of genes and proteins of chondrogenesis. qRT-PCR, histological assay, and glycosoaminoglycan assays were determined to assess chondrogenesis. Results: Low oxygen condition significantly increased proliferation and colony-forming characteristics of SDSCs compared to that of SDSCs under normoxic culture. Similar pellet size and weight were found for chondrogensis period under hypoxia and normoxia condition. The mRNA expression of types II collagen, aggrecan, and the transcription factor SOX9 was increased under hypoxia condition. Histological sections stained with Safranin-O demonstrated that hypoxic conditions had increased proteoglycan synthesis. Immunohistochemistry for types II collagen demonstrated that hypoxic culture of SDSCs increased type II collagen expression. In addition, GAG deposition was significantly higher in hypoxia compared with normoxia at 21 days of differentiation. Conclusion: These findings show that hypoxia condition has an important role in regulating the synthesis ECM matrix by SDSCs as they undergo chondrogenesis. This has important implications for cartilage tissue engineering applications of SDSCs.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.154-160
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• 2021

Background: Theoretically, balance is affected by the height of center of mass (COM) during quiet standing. However, no one examined this in humans with variables derived from the center of pressure (COP). Objects: We have conducted balance experiment to measure COP data during quiet standing, in order to examine how the COP measures were affected by the height of COM, vision, floor conditions, and gender. Methods: Twenty individuals stood still with feet together and arms at sides for 30 seconds on a force plate. Trials were acquired with three COM heights: 1% increased or decreased, and not changed, with two vision conditions: eyes closed (EC) and eyes open (EO), and with two floor conditions: unstable (foam pad) and stable (force plate) floor. Outcome variables included the mean distance, root mean square distance, total excursion, mean velocity, and 95% confidence circle area. Results: All outcome variables were associated with the COM height (p < 0.0005), vision (p < 0.0005), and floor condition (p < 0.003). The mean velocity and 95% confidence circle area were 5.7% and 21.8% greater, respectively, in raised COM than in lowered COM (24.6 versus 23.2 mm/s; 1,013.4 versus 832.3 mm²). However, there were no interactions between the COM height and vision condition (p > 0.096), and between the COM height and floor condition (p > 0.183) for all outcome variables. Furthermore, there was no gender difference in all outcome variables (p > 0.186). Conclusion: Balance was affected by the change of COM height induced by a weight belt in human. However, the effect was not affected by vision or floor condition. Our results should inform the design of balance exercise program to improve the outcome of the balance training.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2023

Background: Although visual examination and palpation are used to assess shoulder motion in clinical practice, there is no consensus on shoulder motion under dynamic and static conditions. This study aimed to compare shoulder joint motion under dynamic and static conditions. Methods: The dominant arm of 14 healthy adult males was investigated. Electromagnetic sensors attached to the scapular, thorax, and humerus were used to measure three-dimensional shoulder joint motion under dynamic and static elevation conditions and compare scapular upward rotation and glenohumeral joint elevation in different elevation planes and angles. Results: At 120° of elevation in the scapular and coronal planes, the scapular upward rotation angle was higher in the static condition and the glenohumeral joint elevation angle was higher in the dynamic condition (P<0.05). In scapular plane and coronal plane elevation 90°-120°, the angular change in scapular upward rotation was higher in the static condition and the angular change in scapulohumeral joint elevation was higher in the dynamic condition (P<0.05). No differences were found in shoulder joint motion in the sagittal plane elevation between the dynamic and static conditions. No interaction effects were found between elevation condition and elevation angle in all elevation planes. Conclusions: Differences in shoulder joint motion should be noted when assessing shoulder joint motion in different dynamic and static conditions.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.6-15
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• 2012

Purpose : The objective of this study was to develop background gradient correction method using excitation pulse profile compensation for accurate fat and $T_2{^*}$ quantification in the liver. Materials and Methods: In liver imaging using gradient echo, signal decay induced by linear background gradient is weighted by an excitation pulse profile and therefore hinders accurate quantification of $T_2{^*}$and fat. To correct this, a linear background gradient in the slice-selection direction was estimated from a $B_0$ field map and signal decays were corrected using the excitation pulse profile. Improved estimation of fat fraction and $T_2{^*}$ from the corrected data were demonstrated by phantom and in vivo experiments at 3 Tesla magnetic field. Results: After correction, in the phantom experiments, the estimated $T_2{^*}$ and fat fractions were changed close to that of a well-shimmed condition while, for in vivo experiments, the background gradients were estimated to be up to approximately 120 ${\mu}T/m$ with increased homogeneity in $T_2{^*}$ and fat fractions obtained. Conclusion: The background gradient correction method using excitation pulse profile can reduce the effect of macroscopic field inhomogeneity in signal decay and can be applied for simultaneous fat and iron quantification in 2D gradient echo liver imaging.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Located in Namwon-si, Jeonlla Bukdo, Gwanghallu Garden is created around Gwanghallu, which was a government office in the period of Joseon Dynasty and shows its looks as a government office building of the times. However, Gwanghallu Garden is recognized rather as a background site of Chunhyangjeon, representing a local culture, than the features and picture as a government office garden in the period of Joseon Dynasty because Gwanghallu appeared as the background of Chunhyangjeon in its Chinese character script and, after 1930s, Chunhyang Sadang was built up and Chunhyang Festival held, and it's recognized rather as a site for arousing national consciousness and cherishing Chunhyang for its integrity in the Japanese ruling era of Korea than as a government office building in the period of Joseon Dynasty. With it being more recognized as the background of Chunhyangjeon than an ancient government office building, Gwanghallu has been managed as a private house garden or event place of folk festival as the background of Chunhyangjeon than preserved and managed as ancient government office building, and now the looks and features as a garden of government office are hardly seen because of indiscriminate trees and making of structure and spaces. Therefore, to preserve and maintain Gwanghallu Garden as the garden of government office in the period of Joseon Dynasty, it's required to survey the trees, structure and spaces created in Gwanghallu Garden and compare the true condition with its original looks by studying its literature and it's suggested that the garden area created around Gwanghallu should be repaired and managed by separation from as the background of Chunhyangjeon. Such means of management may keep the looks of Gwanghallu as the ancient office garden while Chunhyangjeon can also settle down as a local culture in the background.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 1983

Background variables in 203 patients with TMJ pain dysfunction showing no bony change, ranging from 11 to 76 of age, were studied by use of the modified form of self-administered questionnaires deviced by Carlsson et al intended to give a review of the patient's history. All the patients were identified in the Dept. of Oral Diagnosis and Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, during the period from Feb. 1983 to Nov. 1983. The questions concerning general somatic and psychic health, educational and social condition were dealt with in this article. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The main symptoms reported by 203 patients were difficulties in opening the mouth wide(74.4%), clicking of TMJ(70.9%), chewing difficulties(69.0%), and pain on movement of mandible(57.6%) 2. The most fequently reported medical symptoms or histories were stomach disease (21.2%), insominia(15.3%), ENT disease(13.8%) and skin disease (12.8%) 3. Seventy-eight percent of the patients denied having had a nervous or psychic disorders while 4% were currently under treatment for such disorders. 4. Eleven percent of 203 patients with TMJ dysfunction thought their family situation was distressing(8.4%) or very troublesome(3.4%).

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 1996

In this paper, we present a vision algorithm to extract the tire information markings on the sidewall of tires. Since the appearance of tire marks is the same as its background, a primary feature to distinguish tire marks from their background is the roughness. Generally, the roughness of tire marks is different from that of its bakground: the surface of tire marks is smoother than the backgrounds. Light incident on the tire surface is reflected differently according to the roughness. For smoother surfaces, the surface irradiance is much stronger than that of rough surfaces. Based on these phenomena and observation, we propose an optimal illumination condition based on Torrance-Sparrow reflection model. We also develop an efficient reflectance-ratio based operator to extract the boundary of tire marks. Even with a very simple masking operation, we were able to obtain remarkable boundary extraction results from real experiments using many tires. By explicitly using the surface reflection model to explain the intensity variation on the black tire surface, we demonstrate that a physics-based vision method is powerful and feasible in extracting surface markings on tires.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2008.10b
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• pp.268-269
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• 2008

Moving object detection is a fundamental technique in visual surveillance. Robust technique to enhance performance of moving object detection is required for several bad conditions in real external circumtance. In case of sudden illumination change in outdoor condition, many objects are determined as moving object though they are not really moving, but just their illumination changes. This makes the detection result untrustworthy. In this paper, robust moving object detection to sudden illumination change using gaussian mixture background model and new texture information using background from the weighted sum of recent images is proposed.