• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.572-581
• /
• 2014

A design and control method of DC/DC converter, which can control variable DC-link voltage to drive a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), is proposed in this study. Given that a fuel cell has low-voltage and high-current characteristics, the required voltage for operating motor must be output through the DC/DC boost converter in the system to drive an FCEV. The proposed converter can choose the output voltage of battery or fuel cell in consideration of the driving mode, as well as control DC-link voltage in accordance with the back electromotive force. The switching lag-time to prevent shortage of pulse-width modulation inverter arms makes distorted current waveform caused by voltage distortion. Through this control method, the proposed converter can reduce the output voltage distortion and current ripple of the inverter, thereby reducing the distorted torque. Simulations and experimental results are presented to verify the reliability of the proposed DC/DC converter.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.175-181
• /
• 2014

A four-link mechanism consisting of torsion bars is used for opening the trunk lid in most midsize sedans. When the weight of the lid is in equilibrium with the spring force exerted by torsion bars, the lid stops opening at a pop-up height. However, the actual pop-up height has large deviations from the specified height even with the same parts in the same car model, which leads to quality issues. Automotive manufacturers have experienced this deviation problem despite much effort to resolve it. In this research, we developed a multi-body dynamics model for the analysis of pop-up deviation of a trunk lid with torsion bars, which can simulate the actual pop-up motion of the trunk lid by considering kinematic constraints of the motion and friction forces in joints. We could also determine the most important factor that governs the pop-up height by sensitivity analysis of all parts. The developed system can be used for the analysis of other trunk lid systems to control the tolerance of parts.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2010

The windshield wiper consists of 4 parts: a blade, an arm, a linkage and a motor. The wiper blade makes contact with the windshield and is designed to be operated normally at an angle of 30~50 degrees to the front glass. If the contact pressure between the wiper blade and windshield surface is too high, noise and wear of the rubber will result. On the other hand, if the contact pressure is too low, the performance will do badly, since foreign substances such as dust and stains will not be removed well. The pressure and friction of the wiper blade has a great influence on its effectiveness in cleaning the front window. This is due to the contact of the rubber with the window. This paper presents the dynamic analysis method to estimate the performance of the flat type blade of the wiper system. The blade has a nonlinear characteristic since the rubber is an incompressible hyper-elastic and visco-elastic material. Thus, Structural dynamic analysis using a complex contact model for the blade is performed to find the characteristics of the blade. The flexible multi-body dynamic model is verified by the comparison between test and analysis result. Also, the optimization using the central composite design table is performed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2002

Low intensity laser irradiation is potential physical agent that triggers the muscle regeneration by previous study. In muscle regeneration, a number of growth factors also promotes that is triggered in response to muscle damage. The transforming growth factor(TGF)-$\beta$ is involved in the activation of cell proliferation and the inhibition of cell differentiation in muscle regeneration. This is secreted not only autocrine system but also paracrine and endocrine. Therefore, We investigated that effects of Gallium aluminum arsenide(GaAlAs) diode laser for the expression of TGF-$\beta$ on lumbar spinal cord after extensor digitorum muscle crush injury. After laser irradiation, the immunoreactivity of TGF-$\beta$ was increased bilaterally in gray mater of spinal cord. Especially, in 1 day, experimental group was highed than control, and in 3 day, lateral motor nucleus were storong immunoreactivy of TGF-$\beta$. Also, in 1 and 2 day, TGF-$\beta$ was showed in white mater as well as gray mater, but in 3 day, only showed in gray mater. These data may suggests to the establishment of laser irradiation on spinal cord for skeletal muscle injury.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.73-81
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to measure the standing balance symmetry of stroke patients using a force-plate with computer system, and to investigate the correlation between the standing balance symmetry and that of the walking function in stroke patients. Methods: 48 patients with stroke (34 men, 14 women, $56.8{\pm}11.72$ years old) participated in this study. Static standing balance was evaluated by the weight distribution on the affected and the nonaffected lower limbs, sway path, sway velocity, and sway frequency, which reflected the characteristic of body sway in quiet standing. Dynamic standing balance was evaluated by anteroposterior and mediolateral sway angle, which revealed the limit of stability during voluntary weight displacement. Symmetry index of static standing balance, (SI-SSB) calculated by the ratio of the affected weight distribution for the nonaffected weight distribution, and symmetric index of dynamic standing balance (SI-SDB) by the ratio of the affected sway angle for the nonaffected sway angle. Functional balance assessed by a Berg balance scale (BBS), and the functional walking by 10m walking velocity, as well as the modified motor assessment scale (mMAS). Results: Static balance scales and SI-SSB was the only correlation with BBS (p<0.05). Dynamic balance scales and SI-DSB, not only was correlated with BBS, but also with 10m walking velocity and mMAS (p<0.01). Additionally, there was a significant difference between SI-SSB and that of SI-DSB (p<0.01). Conclusion: The balance and the walking function relate to real life in the stroke showed strong relationships with the dynamic standing balance symmetry in the frontal plane and the ability of anterior voluntary weight displacement in sagittal plane.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2015

Excessive manganese (Mn) in the brain promotes a variety of abnormal behaviors, including memory deficits, decreased motor skills and psychotic behavior resembling Parkinson's disease. Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a prevalent genetic iron overload disorder worldwide. Dysfunction in HFE gene is the major cause of HH. Our previous study has demonstrated that olfactory Mn uptake is altered by HFE deficiency, suggesting that loss of HFE function could alter manganese-associated neurotoxicity. To test this hypothesis, Hfe-knockout ($Hfe^{-/-}$) and wild-type ($Hfe^{+/+}$) mice were intranasally-instilled with manganese chloride ($MnCl_2$ 5 mg/kg) or water daily for 3 weeks and examined for memory function. Olfactory Mn diminished both short-term recognition and spatial memory in $Hfe^{+/+}$ mice, as examined by novel object recognition task and Barnes maze test, respectively. Interestingly, $Hfe^{-/-}$ mice did not show impaired recognition memory caused by Mn exposure, suggesting a potential protective effect of Hfe deficiency against Mn-induced memory deficits. Since many of the neurotoxic effects of manganese are thought to result from increased oxidative stress, we quantified activities of anti-oxidant enzymes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Mn instillation decreased superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) activity in $Hfe^{+/+}$ mice, but not in $Hfe^{-/-}$ mice. In addition, Hfe deficiency up-regulated SOD1 and glutathione peroxidase activities. These results suggest a beneficial role of Hfe deficiency in attenuating Mn-induced oxidative stress in the PFC. Furthermore, Mn exposure reduced nicotinic acetylcholine receptor levels in the PFC, indicating that blunted acetylcholine signaling could contribute to impaired memory associated with intranasal manganese. Together, our model suggests that disrupted cholinergic system in the brain is involved in airborne Mn-induced memory deficits and loss of HFE function could in part prevent memory loss via a potential up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes in the PFC.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.66-70
• /
• 2014

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a uncommon metabolic disorder which derived by peroxismal ${\beta}$-oxidation and elevation of serum very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA). VLCFA is mainly accumulated in the myelin of the central nervous system and adrenal cortex, by which the expressed symptoms of this disease are mainly neurologic and endocrinologic (such as adrenal insufficiency). The mutations in the ABCD1 gene causes X-linked ALD, nevertheless its phenotypes and genotypes are poorly coordinated. We report the case of a 12-year-old boy with X-linked ALD who developed vomiting, fatigue and poor oral intake. Severe dehydration and hyponatremia were found in initial physical examination and laboratory test, but his motor/sensory nerve function and mental status were completely normal. We diagnosed ALD with diffuse high-intensity signal in both parietotemporal cerebellar white matter in brain MRI and elevated serum VLCFA. Later, we confirmed a novel c.1635-1G>A (IVS6-1G>A) mutations of the ABCD1 gene. With the discrepancy between its phenotypes and genotypes, various phenotypes could be seen in X-ALD patient. Careful examination and further studies for these patients will be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of arm training in standing position on balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Sixteen chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=8) or a control group (n=8). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally received an arm training in standing position for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a treadmill training for 30 minutes. These 30-minute training sessions were held three times per week for six weeks. Upper extremity function was assessed using Fugle-Meyer motor assessment function upper extremity (FMA-UE), balance was assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS), and walking ability (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support period) was assessed using the GAITRite system. RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p<.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on BBS, gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limp support period (p<.05). The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the BBS (p=.01; z=-2.48), gait speed (p=.01; z=-3.26), cadence (p=.02; z=-2.31), step length (p=.01; z=-3.36), and double limb support period (p=.03; z=-2.84) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that arm training in standing position may be beneficial for improving balance and walking ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.73-77
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The prefrontal lobe, supplementary motor area, cerebellum, and basal ganglia are activated during gait. In addition, gait is controlled by nerves, such as the corticospinal tract (CST) and corticoreticular pathway (CRP). In this study, the presence of an injury to the CST and CRP was identified by diffusion tensor imaging and the characteristics of the gait pattern were investigated according to inferior cerebral artery infarction. Methods: One patient and six control subjects of a similar age participated. A 69-year-old female patient had an injury to the left basal ganglia, insular gyrus, corona radiata, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and postcentral gyrus due to an inferior cerebral artery infarction. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data was acquired 4 weeks after the stroke. The kinematic and spatio-temporal parameters of gait were collected using a three-dimensional gait analysis system. Results: On 4 weeks DTI, the CST and CRP in the affected hemisphere did not show injury to the affected and unaffected hemisphere. Gait analysis showed that the cadence of spatio-temporal parameter was decreased significantly in the patient. The angle of the knee joint was decreased significantly in the affected and unaffected sides compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results of diffusion tensor imaging showed that although the patient was evaluated to be capable of an independent gait, the quality and quantity of gait might be reduced. This study could help better understand the gait ability analysis of stroke patients and the abnormal gait pattern of patients with a brain injury.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.41-49
• /
• 1997

In South Korea since 1970s the rapid development of economic growth has brought about "Urbanization" in many areas and also raised the level of people's life in many ways. At the same time, however, the industrialization and overpopulated districts in many areas have caused the problems of air pollution in necessary. Among those air pollution, in particular, in large cities has become more serious since 1990s than before. Air pollution, like TSP and SO$_{x}$ caused by heating, generation of electric power and industrialization in 1980s, showed as that of the type of an underdeveloping country and was not hazardous enough to people in the least. Unfortunately, in 1990s NO$_{x}$, CO and O$_{3}$ caused by the soaring numbers of many types of cars have exhausted air pollutant more hazardous as the same air pollution type of many developed countries. So, the purpose of this study would be to analyze the changes of concentration of NO$_{x}$ and CO on environmental air by traffic volume and from the side drive way to the degree of distance in Sungnam City, and recognize the citizens' consciousness to air pollution and suggest the best walking point in part, and plan to design the reasonable use of cars and finally make the air quality improve toward the better-ment in part. From the research result we can know that people walking in the street would be protected from the hazardous air pollutant caused by the cats if they walk apart from a drive way as far as they can in the street. Accordingly, it might, to minimize th affect of air pollution, be thought to be desirable that the consideration of in introduction the system that the vehicle using the diesel engine motor should use the centered-lane aparted from road. Another to be desirable is that along side the road, the trees inhaled the pollution should be planted.