• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.609-617
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• 2007

In this paper, a new rehabilitation training system was developed to improve equilibrium sense of the elderly by combining virtual reality technology with a fixed exercise bicycle. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the training system, the elderly participated as test subject in the investigation of the influence of different the parameters on postural balance control. We measured three different running modes of virtual bicycle system with two successive sets. The parameters measured were running time, velocity, the weight movement, the degree of the deviation from the road, and the variables about the center of pressure. The repeated training, our results showed that the running capability of the elderly improve compared. In addition, it was found out that the ability of postural control and the equilibrium sense was improved with the presentation of the visual feedback information of the distribution of weight. From the results of this experiment, we showed that our newly developed system might be useful in the diagnosis of equilibrium sense or in the improvement of the sense of sight and, somatic, and vestibular sense of the elderly in the field of rehabilitation training.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: The multiple hop test is an active performance test that has been commonly used to assess individuals with functional ankle instability. Previous studies have suggested that insufficiency of dynamic postural stability and passive stability during dynamic activities can have an influence on performance in the multiple hop test. However, no study has investigated the effects of dynamic postural stability training and ankle bracing on multiple hop test performance in individuals with functional ankle instability. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of dynamic postural stability training versus ankle bracing in the performance of the multiple hop test for participants with functional ankle instability. Methods: Twenty-nine participants with functional ankle instability who scored below 24 in the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool were selected. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: a dynamic postural stability training group (n1=14) and an ankle bracing control group ($n_2=15$). The multiple hop tests were performed before and after applying each intervention. Dynamic postural stability training was performed using visual-feedback-based balance-training equipment; participants in this group were asked to perform a heel raise in a standing position while watching the centering of their forefoot pressure to prevent excessive ankle inversion. Ankle bracing was applied in the control group. Results: When comparing the pre- and post-intervention period for both groups, both methods significantly improved the results of the multiple hop test (p<.05). However, no significant differences were shown between the dynamic postural stability training and ankle bracing groups (p>.05). Conclusion: Both dynamic postural stability training and ankle bracing showed significant improvement (2.85 seconds and 2.05 seconds, respectively) in test performance. Further study is needed to determine the long-term effects of dynamic postural stability training and to determine whether insufficient dynamic postural stability is a causative factor for functional ankle instability.

• Atmosphere
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2018

This study examined the lake effect of the Yellow Sea which was induced by the Siberian High pressure system moving over the open waters. The development mechanism of the convective cells over the ocean was studied in detail using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Numerical experiments consist of the control experiment (CTL) and an experiment changing the yellow sea to dry land (EXP). The CTL simulation result showed distinct high area of relative vorticity, convergence and low-level atmospheric instability than that of the EXP. The result indicates that large surface vorticity and convergence induced vertical motion and low level instability over the ocean when the arctic Siberian air mass moved south over the Yellow Sea. The sensible heat flux at the sea surface gradually decreased while latent heat flux gradually increased. At the beginning stage of air mass modification, sensible heat was the main energy source for convective cell generation. However, in the later stage, latent heat became the main energy source for the development of convective cells. In conclusion, the mechanism of the west coast heavy snowfall caused by modification of the Siberian air mass over the Yellow Sea can be explained by air-sea interaction instability in the following order: (a) cyclonic vorticity caused by diabatic heating induce Ekman pumping and convergence at the surface, (b) sensible heat at the sea surface produce convection, and (c) this leads to latent heat release, and the development of convective cells. The overall process is a manifestation of air-sea interaction and enhancement of convection from positive feedback mechanism.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.973-979
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• 2024

In the framework of the Generation IV research and development project, in which the French Commission of Alternative and Atomic Energies (CEA) is involved, a main objective for the design of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) is to meet the safety goals for severe accidents. Among the severe ones, the Unprotected Transient OverPower (UTOP) accidents can lead very quickly to a global melting of the core. UTOP accidents can be considered either as slow during a Control Rod Withdrawal (CRW) or as fast. The paper focuses on fast UTOP accidents, which occur in a few milliseconds, and three different scenarios are considered: rupture of the core support plate, uncontrolled passage of a gas bubble inside the core and core mechanical distortion such as a core flowering/compaction during an earthquake. Several levels and rates of reactivity insertions are also considered and the thermal-mechanical behavior of an ASTRID fuel pin from the ASTRID CFV core is simulated with the GERMINAL code. Two types of fuel pins are simulated, inner and outer core pins, and three different burn-up are considered. Moreover, the feedback from the CABRI programs on these type of transients is used in order to evaluate the failure mechanism in terms of kinetics of energy injection and fuel melting. The CABRI experiments complete the analysis made with GERMINAL calculations and have shown that three dominant mechanisms can be considered as responsible for pin failure or onset of pin degradation during ULOF/UTOP accident: molten cavity pressure loading, fuel-cladding mechanical interaction (FCMI) and fuel break-up. The study is one of the first step in fast UTOP accidents modelling with GERMINAL and it has shown that the code can already succeed in modelling these type of scenarios up to the sodium boiling point. The modeling of the radial propagation of the melting front, validated by comparison with CABRI tests, is already very efficient.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2017

The problem of trunk stability is a major factor in back pain.. Abdominal draw in maneuver(ADIM), One of the trunk stabilization exercises to relieve lumbar instability, is a method of inducing selective contraction of the transverse abdominis associated with anticipatory posture control among the abdominal stabilization muscles. ADIM is usually performed with a visual feedback by applying a pressure biofeedback unit(PBU) under the lumbar at the supine position, which is not functional compared to the sitting position. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ADIM applied in supine and sitting position on 31 healthy men and women. In each posture, muscle activity was measured by rectal abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis (TrA)/internal obilique (IO) and erector spinae (ES) using wireless EMG. In the result, there was no significant difference between RA and EO between the two postures and there was a significant difference between TrA / IO and ES. In both postures, the activity of TrA/IO was higher than that of RA, and the effect of ADIM was shown to be the same, whereas TrA/IO and ES showed higher activity in sitting position. This means that the activity of the muscles involved in the postural stability and lumbar stability is increased further in the sitting position. Therefore, ADIM in sitting, which can be applied more easily in daily life, is useful for improving lumbar stability.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2009

Many biological systems are regulated by an intricate set of feedback loops that oscillate with a circadian rhythm of roughly 24 h. This circadian clock mediates an increase in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol secretion early in the day. Recent studies have shown changes in the amplitude of the circadian clock in the hearts and livers of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. It is therefore important to examine the relationships between circadian clock genes and growth factors and their effects on diabetic phenomena in animal models as well as in human patients. In this study, we sought to determine whether diurnal variation in organ development and the regulation of metabolism, including growth and development during the juvenile period in rats, exists as a mechanism for anticipating and responding to the environment. Also, we examined the relationship between changes in growth factor expression in the liver and clock-controlled protein synthesis and turnover, which are important in cellular growth. Specifically, we assessed the expression patterns of several clock genes, including Per1, Per2, Clock, Bmal1, Cry1 and Cry2 and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and -2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Growth factor and clock gene expression in the liver at 1 week post-induction was clearly increased compared to the level in control rats. In contrast, the expression patterns of the genes were similar to those observed after 5 weeks in the STZ-treated rats. The increase in gene expression is likely a compensatory change in response to the obstruction of insulin function during the initial phase of induction. However, as the period of induction was extended, the expression of the compensatory genes decreased to the control level. This is likely the result of decreased insulin secretion due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas by STZ.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.318-332
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the behavioral modification of obese adults who underwent nutritional and physical activity education. Twenty obese females, aged 20-60 years old, with BMIs (Body Mass Index) >30 or body fat (%) >40 were subjected to this study. Methods: The physical activity education program consisted of doing exercise in a gymnasium together or home exercise. Dietary attitudes and dietary intakes were assessed using weight control, physical activity, and eating habits. The nutrition-exercise educational period was 12 weeks. Results: After the study period, there was significant improvement in physical activity and eating habits score. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the dietary intakes of fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin $B_6$, and niacin. Blood pressure, blood glucose, and total cholesterol levels showed a tendency to decrease, but there was no significant difference. BMI, fat mass, abdominal circumference, and visceral fat levels were significantly reduced while muscle mass significantly increased. Conclusions: This study suggests that behavioral modification by nutrition and physical activity education with feedback has positive effects on dietary intake and anthropometric biomarkers in obese adults. Therefore, lifestyle interventions of this kind could be recommended as a method for obesity management.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.57-66
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• 2005

In this paper, a new rehabilitation training system was developed to improve equilibrium sense by combining virtual reality technology with a fixed exercise bicycle. The subjects consisted of two groups. A group of young people, was compared against a group of elderly. We measured three different running modes of virtual bicycle system with two successive sets. The parameters measured were running time, velocity, the weight movement, the degree of the deviation from the road, and the variables about the center of pressure. The repeated training, our results showed that the running capability of the elderly improve compared. In addition, it was found out that the ability of postural control and the equilibrium sense was improved with the presentation of the visual feedback information of the distribution of weight. From the results of this experiment, we showed that our newly developed system might be useful in the diagnosis of equilibrium sense or in the improvement of the sense of sight and, somatic, and vestibular sense of the elderly in the field of rehabilitation training.