• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.161-171
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to examine the morphological changes of different simulated canals according to the preparation procedures. With the use of clear casting resin, simulated straight and curved canals were created so that canal preparation procedures could be directly visualized and compared. Thirty clear polyester casting resin blocks which contained four simulated canals divided into three groups; Group A($0^{\circ}$), Group B($15^{\circ}$), and Group C($30^{\circ}$). In each block, 3 canals were prepared different preparation techniques, which were conventional method, step-back method, and giromatic filing. But, one canal was not prepared as a control group. The results were as follows: 1. There was no difference on canal shape among three canal preparation methods in straight canals (Group A). 2. When conventional method and Giromatic filing were used in curved canals (Group B, C), elbow, zip and hour-glass shape were formed in apical third. 3. When conventional method and Giromatic filing were used in curved canals (Group B, C), tear-drop appearance developed at the site of the canal exit in curved canals. 4. In curved canals (Group B, C), file tend to straighten within the canal. 5. There was no difference on canal shape according to curved angle in step-back method (p > 0.1). But there was significant difference on canal shape according to curved angle in conventional method and Giromatic filing (p < 0.001). 6. Step-back method was significantly more effective than conventional method and Giromatic preparation in morphologic aspects of apical third of original canals.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of modified swing to prevent shoulder injury by analyzing differences in the muscle activation patterns of upper limb by the swing method in wheelchair badminton players. Research design, data, and methodology: 10 wheelchair badminton players participated in the experiment as subjects and performed 10 high clears and 10 smashes in both traditional and modified swing methods toward a shuttlecock hung at the height of racket impact point. For each trial, activation patterns of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, anterior deltoid, and posterior deltoid were measured from the upper limb participating in the swing from which the duration, peak, and root mean square (RMS) of electromyography (EMG) activities from swing initiation to shuttle impact were calculated. The maximum swing velocity of the smash and the distance of the high clear were also measured with both methods to compare differences in the swing velocity and shuttle hit distance. Results: Differences in the EMG peak and RMS of the anterior deltoid by swing methods were shown to differ by the skill type, being higher in the traditional swing method than the modified during only the high clear. The EMG peak and RMS, and the duration of the posterior deltoid were higher and longer with the traditional swing method than the modified during both the smash and high clear. The intensities of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii activities measured during the smash and high clear were higher in the traditional swing method than the modified, and the biceps brachii and triceps activity durations during the high clear were shorter in the modified swing method than the traditional. The maximum swing velocity of the smash was faster with the traditional swing method than the modified, while the distance of the high clear did not differ significantly. Conclusions: These results suggest that the modified swing can be an effective performance method for preventing shoulder injuries without undue loss of impact power in wheelchair badminton players by reducing excessive loads imposed on the shoulder and allowing the optimal use of the elbow extension.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.374-379
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• 2002

In this study, we developed a new human arm movement detection system using electrical bio-impedance method with several skin-electrodes. The correlation coefficients of the joint angle and the impedance change from human arm movement was obtained using a goniometer and impedance measurement system developed in this study. The correlation coefficients of the wrist and the elbow movements were 0.94 and -0.99, respectively. This system was applied to control a robotic arm by converting the measured impedance to joint angle to confirm the validity of the proposed system. In conclusion, we confirmed that this system can control the robotic arm according to arm movement without any limitation of movement. This system showed possibility that upper arm movement could be easily measured by impedance measurement system with a few skin-electrodes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2005

This study aims to compare a self-reported and expert-observed method on ergonomic risk factors of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). The checklist was developed based on the results of previous studies, and the symptoms of WMSDs were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire from 1,029 shipyard workers. The risk factors were assessed through the self-report by workers and video analysis by ergonomists. The symptom prevalence at the low back (59.2%), shoulders (50.8 %), and knees (49.7%) were relatively higher than those at other body parts. Odds ratios (ORs) by body parts were 2.48 to 2.90 for the risk job, and the ORs were significantly different from those of the low risk job. The risk factor scores by body parts between workers and ergonomist were very high correlation(r=0.82 to 0.92). The rates of self-report from risk job were 54.0% (elbow and arm) to 72.1 % (low back), but sometimes overestimated(105.7 to 122.6%) than those by ergonomists. The checklist, developed in this study, will be an efficient tool for the evaluation of risk jobs using self-report by workers.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-69
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study is to suggest new terminology for the ninety-five hand techniques based on the significance of their angular momentum, determined by analyzing each technique's influence or impact on the compartmentalized angular momentum of the trunk, upper arm, and forearm in the Taekwondo Poomsae. Method: An athlete who won the 2014 World Taekwondo Poomsae championship was selected and agreed to participate in the data collection phase of our investigation. The video data was collected using eight infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualysis, Sweden) and the Qualisys Track Manager software (Qualisys, Sweden). The angular momentum of each movement was then calculated using the Matlab R2009a software (The Mathworks, Inc., USA). Results: The classification of the ninety-five hand techniques in the Taekwondo Poomsae based on the significance of each segment's momentum is as follows. Makgi (blocking) is classified into fourteen categories, jireugi (punching) is classified into three categories, chigi (hitting) was classified into six categories, palgupchigi (elbow hitting) was classified into four categories, and jjireugi (thrusting) was classified two categories. Conclusion: This study offers a new approach, based on a biomechanical method, to the classification of the hand techniques that reflect kinesthetic motions in the Taekwondo Poomsae.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 2009

This paper proposes command signal generating method for a wearable robot using the force as the input signal. The basic concept of this system pursues the combination of the natural and sophisticated intelligence of human with the powerful motion capability of the robot. We define a task for the command signal generation to operate with the human body simultaneously, paying attention to comfort and ease of wear. In this study, we suggest a basic exoskeleton experimental system to evaluate a HRI(Human Robot Interface), selecting interfaces of arm braces on both wrists and a weight harness on the torso to connect the robot and human. We develop the HRI to provide a command for the robot motion. It connects between the human and the robot with the multi-axis load-cell, and it measures the relative force between the human and the robot. The control system calculates the trajectory of end-effector using this force signal. In this paper, we verify the performance of proposed system through the motion of elbow E/F(Extension/Flexion), the shoulder E/F and the shoulder Ab/Ad (Abduction/Adduction).

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.183-196
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the agreement between job physical risk factor analysis by ergonomists using ergonomic methods and physical examinations made by occupational physicians on the presence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Background: Ergonomics is the systematic application of principles concerned with the design of devices and working conditions for enhancing human capabilities and optimizing working and living conditions. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent injuries and physical and emotional stress. The major types of ergonomic injuries and incidents are cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), acute strains, sprains, and system failures. Minimization of use of excessive force and awkward postures can help to prevent such injuries Method: Initial data were collected as part of a larger study by the University of Utah Ergonomics and Safety program field data collection teams and medical data collection teams from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH). Subjects included 173 male and female workers, 83 at Beehive Clothing (a clothing plant), 74 at Autoliv (a plant making air bags for vehicles), and 16 at Deseret Meat (a meat-processing plant). Posture and effort levels were analyzed using a software program developed at the University of Utah (Utah Ergonomic Analysis Tool). The Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) was developed to assess the risk of epicondylitis from observable job physical factors. The model considers five job risk factors: (1) intensity of exertion, (2) forearm rotation, (3) wrist posture, (4) elbow compression, and (5) speed of work. Qualitative ratings of these physical factors were determined during video analysis. Personal variables were also investigated to study their relationship with epicondylitis. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between risk factors and symptoms of epicondyle pain. Results: Results of this study indicate that gender, smoking status, and BMI do have an effect on the risk of epicondylitis but there is not a statistically significant relationship between EEM and epicondylitis. Conclusion: This research studied the relationship between an Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) and the occurrence of epicondylitis. The model was not predictive for epicondylitis. However, it is clear that epicondylitis was associated with some individual risk factors such as smoking status, gender, and BMI. Based on the results, future research may discover risk factors that seem to increase the risk of epicondylitis. Application: Although this research used a combination of questionnaire, ergonomic job analysis, and medical job analysis to specifically verify risk factors related to epicondylitis, there are limitations. This research did not have a very large sample size because only 173 subjects were available for this study. Also, it was conducted in only 3 facilities, a plant making air bags for vehicles, a meat-processing plant, and a clothing plant in Utah. If working conditions in other kinds of facilities are considered, results may improve. Therefore, future research should perform analysis with additional subjects in different kinds of facilities. Repetition and duration of a task were not considered as risk factors in this research. These two factors could be associated with epicondylitis so it could be important to include these factors in future research. Psychosocial data and workplace conditions (e.g., low temperature) were also noted during data collection, and could be used to further study the prevalence of epicondylitis. Univariate analysis methods could be used for each variable of EEM. This research was performed using multivariate analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the different effect of each variable. Basically, the difference between univariate and multivariate analysis is that univariate analysis deals with one predictor variable at a time, whereas multivariate analysis deals with multiple predictor variables combined in a predetermined manner. The univariate analysis could show how each variable is associated with epicondyle pain. This may allow more appropriate weighting factors to be determined and therefore improve the performance of the EEM.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.92-103
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• 2010

In this paper, a method for the recognition of dynamic hand gestures in various backgrounds using Dynamic Space Time Warping(DSTW) algorithm is proposed. The existing method using DSTW algorithm compares multiple candidate hand regions detected from every frame of the query sequence with the model sequences in terms of the time. However the existing method can not exactly recognize the models because a false path can be generated from the candidates including not-hand regions such as background, elbow, and so on. In order to solve this problem, in this paper, we use the invariant moments extracted from the candidate regions of hand and compare the similarity of invariant moments among candidate regions. The similarity is utilized as a weight and the corresponding value is applied to the matching cost between the model sequence and the query sequence. Experimental results have shown that the proposed method can recognize the dynamic hand gestures in the various backgrounds. Moreover, the recognition rate has been improved by 13%, compared with the existing method.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of the treatment of a proximal humerus fracture with a locking compression plate(LCP). Materials and Methods: This study reviewed the results of 24 cases of a proximal humerus fracture treated with a LCP from January 2005 to April 2007, after a follow up of more than 12 months. There were 8 males and 16 females with a mean age of 68.9(33-90) years. The clinical results were evaluated using the Neer's evaluation criteria, and the radiographic results were evaluated using the bone union time and Paavoleinen method. Results: The mean time for bone union was 11.9 weeks. Using the Neer's functional evaluation, 21 cases of the 24 patients (87%) showed excellent or satisfactory results. Twenty two cases (91%) showed good results according to the Paavoleinen method. The complications encountered were metal failure (1 patient), AVN of the humeral head (1 patient) and joint stiffness (1 patient). Conclusion: The LCP demonstrated good results in the treatment of a proximal humerus fracture and has relatively fewer complications than other internal fixators.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2003

This study was performed on 17 female dental hygienists to find an appropriate method to reduce the hygienists' body discomfort while scaling, and provide a foundation to educate them how 10 posture during the process. To assess the arm abduction, elbow flexion, neck flexion, trunk flexion and trunk lateral bending through Video 2D(two dimensional motion) analysis and assessing the risk through the Action level of RULA(rapid upper limb assessment) checklist, an ergonomic analysis method. Correlation analyses on the posture angles and on body discomfort were performed. ANOVA analysis on scaling treatment position and the scaling treatment region of patients was also performed. The results are as following. 1. 20 analysis while scaling, arm abduction was $40{\sim}79.9^{\circ}$, elbow flexion $20{\sim}110^{\circ}$, neck flexion $50{\sim}100^{\circ}$, trunk flexion $60{\sim}80^{\circ}$, and trunk lateral bending $5{\sim}19.9^{\circ}$. 2. The Action level of RULA was 2. 3 resulted from scores 4 and 5 of group A which includes upper arm, lower ann, wrist, and scores 2 and 4 of group B which includes neck, trunk, legs. It means that the scaling treatment posture causes a high incidence rate of musculoskeletal that an additional investigation and improvement should be followed without hesitation. 3. There were significant differences among the maxilla right, maxilla anterior, maxilla left, mandible left, mandible anterior, and mandible right of a patient of the right and left upper arm, lower arm, neck, trunk, group A, group B, final RULA score while scaling treatment. 4. There were significant differences among the time position of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 of the right and left upper arm, lower arm, neck, trunk, group A, group B, final RULA score while scaling treatment, 5. As for the body discomfort, neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, right back, right wrist etc. were listed on top. As a conclusion, performing the time position of 12 which shows low right and left final RULA scores is better than the time position of 8 and 10 which show high final RULA scores to reduce the body discomfort while scaling treatment.