• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.229-239
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• 2008

This paper compares the load transfer efficiency between precast concrete pavement specimen and typical concrete pavement specimen by means of laboratory and field tests. An experimental method was developed to evaluate the load transfer efficiency of the dowel bars buried in the concrete pocket and grouted with cement mortar. The test results showed that the load transfer efficiency of the specimen for the dowel bars repaired with grout was equivalent to that of the control specimen. In addition, a series of FWD field tests were conducted on the precast pavement to evaluate the joint stiffness. The field test results revealed that the central deflection of the precast slab slightly increased but the load transfer efficiencies at the joints were almost the same as those in the typical concrete pavement slab.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.443-460
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• 2016

In this paper, the efficiency and effectiveness of two strengthening methods for upgrading behavior of the two external weak reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column joints were experimentally investigated under cyclic loading. Since two deficient external RC joints with reduced beam height and low strength concrete were strengthened using one-way steel prop and curbs with and without steel revival sheets on the beam. The cyclic performance of these strengthened specimens were compared with two another control external RC beam-column joints, one the standard RC joint that had not two mentioned deficiencies and another had both. Therefore, four half-scale RC joints were tested under cyclic loading.The experimental results showed that these innovative strengthening methods (RC joint with revival sheet specially) surmounted the deficiencies of weak RC joints and upgraded their performance and bearing capacity, stiffness degradation, energy absorption, up to those of standard RC joint. Also, results exhibited that the prop at joint acted as a fuse element due to adding steel revival sheets on the RC beam and showed better behavior than that of the specimen without steel revival sheets. In other words by stiffening of beam, the prop collected all damages due to cyclic loading at itself and acted as the first line of defense and prevented from sever damages at RC joint.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of single-dose corticosteroid injection (CSI) administered at 6 weeks postoperative to treat stiffness following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Methods: In this prospective, multicentric, case-control study, post-ARCR stiffness at 6 weeks was treated with either a single dose of intra-articular CSI (CSI group) or physical therapy with oral analgesics (non-CSI group). Pain intensity according to visual analog scale (VAS), functional outcome using the Constant Murley Shoulder Score, time to return to activities of daily living (ADLs), and retear rate were recorded at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months postoperatively in both groups. Results: A total of 149 patients (54.5%) in the CSI group and 124 patients (45.5%) in the non-CSI group were included in this study. Pain and function were significantly better in the CSI group at 9-week, 12-week, and 6-month (P<0.001) follow-up, whereas they were not significantly different when the groups were compared at 12- and 18-month follow-up. The mean duration to return to ADLs was significantly shorter (P<0.001) in the CSI group. The incidence of retears was not significantly different (P=0.36) between groups at the end of 18 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Single-dose intra-articular CSI administered at 6 weeks postoperative to treat post-ARCR stiffness significantly improved pain, function, and duration of return to ADLs without increasing the risk of retears compared to patients who did not receive intra-articular CSI. Level of evidence: III.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.4-22
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• 1996

Purposes of this study were to identify a hospital-based home care model and to improve the physical, emotional and economical effectiveness of arthritic patients through medical and nursing team approach. The design in nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design with matched samples in terms of age, sex and disease severity. Fifty two patients in each group were assigned in Seoul, Kyunggi, Kangwon and Kwangju. Before and after 6-month period of home care, level of pain, duration of morning stiffness, Richie Index, ADL, self efficacy, depression, cost expenditure were measured. Nine patients were excluded from the control group in the period of study because of denial of participation. Contents of home care provided to the experimental group include mainly distribution of prescribed drugs, 'assessment of patients' condition and side-reactions of drug. All of the information related to the home care patient were reported to the physician. On the bases of these data, the physician prescribe the specific drugs to each patient. Each patient visited the physician every 2 or 3 month for laboratory test. Patients assigned to the control group visited the outpatient clinic once a month as usual. Null hypotheses were selected because physicians concerned about the ineffective change of patients' conditions due to indirect communication with patients through nurses. Level of pain, Richie index, ADL, self-efficacy, depression, duration of morning stiffness and direct medical cost were the home care provided to them. If a family member accompany in a home care group can save 10,676 Won/month in Seoul, 34,000 Won/month in other districts. Other in-direct cost for transportation and meal can also be saved. In conclusion, those patients with low level of ADL, high level of pain and Richie index, living in the remote area definitely need the home care.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.661-677
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• 2016

The quasi static test of the steel reinforced concrete (SRC) bridge piers and rigid frame arch bridge structure with SRC piers was conducted in the laboratory, and the seismic performance of SRC piers was compared with that of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers. In the test, the failure process, the failure mechanism, hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, ductility coefficient, stiffness degradation curves and the energy dissipation curves were analyzed. According to the $M-{\Phi}$ relationship of fiber section, the three-wire type theoretical skeleton curve of the lateral force and the pier top displacement was proposed, and the theoretical skeleton curves are well consistent with the experimental curves. Based on the theoretical model, the effects of the concrete strength, axial compression ratio, slenderness ratio, reinforcement ratio, and the stiffness ratio of arch to pier on the skeleton curve were analyzed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.137-149
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• 2023

In this study, to explore the working performance of the CFST split spherical node wind power tower, two groups of CFST split spherical joint plane towers with different web wall thicknesses and a set of space systems were analyzed. The tower was subjected to a low-cycle repeated load test, and the hysteresis and skeleton curves were analyzed. ABAQUS finite element simulation was used for verification and comparison, and on this basis parameter expansion analysis was carried out. The results show that the failure mode of the wind power tower was divided into weld tear damage between belly bar, high strength bolt thread damage and belly rod flexion damage. In addition, increasing the wall thickness of the web member could render the hysteresis curve fuller. Finally, the bearing capacity of the separated spherical node wind power tower was high, but its plastic deformation ability was poor. The ultimate bearing capacity and ductility coefficient of the simulated specimens are positively correlated with web diameter ratio and web column stiffness ratio. When the diameter ratio of the web member was greater than 0.13, or the stiffness ratio γ of the web member to the column was greater than 0.022, the increase of the ultimate bearing capacity and ductility coefficient decreased significantly. In order to maximize the overall mechanical performance of the tower and improve its economy, it was suggested that the diameter ratio of the ventral rod be 0.11-0.13, while the stiffness ratio γ should be 0.02-0.022.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.80-88
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• 2003

Objective : This study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of bee venom therapy on rheumatoid arthritis by randomized controlled double blind method. Methods : RA patients were recruited and divided into an experiment group and a control group by random selection. As a double blind test, the experiment group was treated with bee venom injection on acupoints, and the control group was treated with normal saline injection on acupoints twice a week for 8 weeks. Tender joint count, swollen joint count, morning stiffness, pain, health assessment questionnaire, ESR, and CRP were estimated and analyzed at baseline, and at 1 month and 2 months after bee venom therapy. Results : Compared to the control group, the experiment group showed significant decrease in tender joint count, swollen joint count, morning stiffness, and health assessment questionnaire after 2 months. Pain, ESR and CRP showed significant decrease in the experiment group after 1 & 2 months. Conclusions : These results suggests that bee venom therapy could be an effective method in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-45
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an eight session integrated case management program for improvement of medication adherence, physical function, pain, and depression among medical aid beneficiaries with osteoarthritis. Method: A nonequivalent control group pre-posttest design was employed. Participants were 55 medical aid beneficiaries who agreed to participate in this study, and were assigned to an experimental group (n=28) or control group (n=27). The framework of this research derived from Cox's Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior guided the overall intervention and the components. The program led by a case manager with a medication calendar, motivating interviewing and coaching strategies and collaboration with a pharmacist. Analysis included change in scores, ${\chi}^2$-test, and t-test. Result: The results showed significant increase in medication adherence, physical function and decrease joint pain, joint stiffness and depression in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The eight session integrated case management program indicated an effect on medication adherence, pain, physical function, and depression. Partnership with a pharmacist is recommended for medication adherence and conduct of further studies will be needed in order to determine the long-term effect of an extended integrated program on health outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined whether ankle joint stabilizing taping and muscle control taping influenced the ankle range of motion (ROM), muscle tone, and balance ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Ten stroke patients were assigned randomly to experimental group 1 (joint stabilization taping n = 5) and experimental group 2 (Muscle control taping n = 5). After general physical therapy in both groups, ankle stabilization taping was applied to experimental group 1, and muscle control taping was applied to experimental group 2 three times a week for a total of six weeks (18 times). RESULTS: The muscle tone and stiffness of the gastrocnemius (GCM) showed significant differences between the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (p < .05). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and ROM also showed significant differences within the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (p < .05). The BBS and ROM also showed no significant differences between the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (p > .05). CONCLUSION: This study examined the muscle tone, balance, and ROM on the paraplegic side of stroke patients using kinesio taping, and the effect of the taping application method was confirmed from the preceding study. Therefore, it can decrease the paralysis side muscle tone and improve the ROM and balance ability.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.410-418
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• 2021

This study was conducted in 8.2m wide single-span greenhouse to investigate the effect of presence or absence of rafter steel pipe joint and foundation conditions on greenhouse structural performance. Structural performance was evaluated by static loading test using the structural performance evaluation system for single-span greenhouse. The measured displacement was compared with the predicted result by numerical analysis. The displacement of each measurement location showed a significant difference regardless of the conditions of the foundation and presence or absence of rafter steel pipe joint. Compared to the hinge conditions, the difference in structural performance of the greenhouse in the fixed conditions was seen to be relatively large. The difference in structural performance according to presence or absence of rafter steel pipe joints, the lateral stiffness of the joint was 8.1% greater.