• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2018

Background: The motor unit number index (MUNIX) and motor unit size index (MUSIX) refer to the electrophysiological measurement of the motor units using the surface electromyographic interference pattern (SIP) recorded during graded muscle contraction. In order to improve the reliability and reproducibility of MUNIX by the systematization of the graded muscle contractions, we applied a digital hand instrument to the procedure of recording SIP signals. Methods: We tested the applicability of the digital instrument in the MUNIX technique by assessing the mean values and the reproducibility of the MUNIX involving the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles in 30 healthy adults. Results: The digital dynamometer was successfully applied to the MUNIX measurements of the APB and ADM muscles, and showed high reproducibility across trials. Conclusions: Application of the digital instrument would be useful in improving the reliability and reproducibility of MUNIX.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to assess the test-retest reproducibility of the Short Form Berg Balance Scale (SF-BBS) and the Short Form Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (SF-PASS) among chronic stroke survivors, focusing on their reliability for consistent measurements over time. Design: A cross-sectional study design Methods: Thirty chronic stroke survivors participated in this study, undergoing evaluations with SF-BBS and SF-PASS scales at two different points, separated by a seven-day interval. The analysis focused on test-retest reliability, employing statistical measures such as the Intra-Class Coefficient (ICC_2,1), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Minimal Detectable Change (MDC), and MDC%, the Bland-Altman plot to assess the limits of agreement and the extent of random measurement error. Results: The study found notable test-retest reproducibility for both SF-BBS and SF-PASS, with ICC values demonstrating strong reliability (0.932 to 0.941, with a confidence interval of 0.889 to 0.973). SEM values for SF-BBS and SF-PASS were reported as 1.34 and 0.61, respectively, indicating low measurement error. MDC values of 3.71 for SF-BBS and 1.69 for SF-PASS suggest that the scales have an acceptable level of sensitivity to change, with reliability metrics falling below 20% of the maximum possible score. Conclusions: The findings suggest that both SF-BBS and SF-PASS exhibit high intra-class correlation coefficients, indicating strong test-retest reliability. The SEM and MDC values further support the scales' reproducibility and reliability as tools for evaluating mobility and dynamic balance in chronic stroke survivors. Therefore, these scales are recommended for clinical use in this population, providing reliable measures for assessing progress in rehabilitation.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.5-9
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• 2002

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) has become the preferred planarization method for multilevel interconnect technology due to its ability to achieve a high degree of feature level planarity. Especially, to achieve the higher density and greater performance, shallow trench isolation (STI)-CMP process has been attracted attention for multilevel interconnection as an essential isolation technology. Also, it was possible to apply the direct STI-CMP process without reverse moat etch step using high selectivity slurry (HSS). In this work, we determined the process margin with optimized process conditions to apply HSS STI-CMP process. Then, we evaluated the reliability and reproducibility of STI-CMP process through the optimal process conditions. The wafer-to-wafer thickness variation and day-by-day reproducibility of STI-CMP process after repeatable tests were investigated. Our experimental results show, quite acceptable and reproducible CMP results with a wafer-to-wafer thickness variation within 400$\AA$.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2003

Background: Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) can directly assess motor neuron populations in muscle and quantify the degree of physiologic and/or pathologic motor neuron degeneration. A high degree of reproducibility and reliability is required from a good quantitative tool. MUNE, in various ways, is being increasingly applied clinically and statistical MUNE has several advantages over alternative techniques. Nevertheless, the optimal method of applying statistical MUNE to improve reproducibility has not been established. Methods: We performed statistical MUNE by selecting the most compensated compound muscle action potential (CMAP) area as a test area and modified the results obtained by weighted mean surface-recorded motor unit potential (SMUP). Results: MUNE measures in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients showed better reproducibility with sizeweighted modification. Conclusions: We suggest size-weighted MUNE testing of "neurogenically compensated"CMAP areas present an optimal method for statistical MUNE in ALS patients.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2019

Purpose: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data must be analyzed by an analyzer after data processing. Hence, the analyzed data of DTI might depend on the analyzer, making it a major limitation. This paper reviewed previous DTI studies reporting the repeatability and reproducibility of data from the corticospinal tract (CST), one of the most actively researched neural tracts on this topic. Materials and Methods: Relevant studies published between January 1990 and December 2018 were identified by searching PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE electronic databases using the following keywords: DTI, diffusion tensor tractography, reliability, repeatability, reproducibility, and CST. As a result, 15 studies were selected. Results: Measurements of the CSTs using region of interest methods on 2-dimensional DTI images generally showed excellent repeatability and reproducibility of more than 0.8 but high variability (0.29 to 1.00) between studies. In contrast, measurements of the CST using the 3-dimensional DTT method not only revealed excellent repeatability and reproducibility of more than 0.9 but also low variability (repeatability, 0.88 to 1.00; reproducibility, 0.82 to 0.99) between studies. Conclusion: Both 2-dimensional DTI and 3-dimensional DTT methods appeared to be reliable for measuring the CST but the 3-dimensional DTT method appeared to be more reliable.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.11-19
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• 2014

Reliability of the novel automatic system capable of measuring both St$\ddot{o}$ckigt sizing degree and contact angle at a time was evaluated through the calculation of its repeatability and reproducibility based on TAPPI Standard Method T 1200. As the basis weight of paper specimen increased, the repeatability and reproducibility of the automatic system became more improved than those from Hercules sizing test and contact angle test designated on TAPPI Standard Method T 530 and T 558. The more improved repeatability and reproducibility implies that a single tester can obtain the similar results under similar test conditions in spite of repetitive testing using the automatic system, and likewise that multiple testers can respectively reproduce similar data without big variation from the same paper specimen using the automatic system. In conclusion, this study is greatly meaningful in having developed the world's first automatic system to measure both St$\ddot{o}$ckigt sizing degree and contact angle simultaneously with excellent repeatability and reproducibility.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.253-267
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• 1987

The purpose of this study was to improve limitations and disadvantages of the mechanical pantograph and the Visi-Trainer, and to design the reliable and reproducible device mandibular movement tracking device (MMTD) that is more simple, convenient and save the chair time than the mechanical pantograph and Visi-Trainer. MMTD was consist of head frame, horizontal bar, condylar path tracking stylus holders, anterior path tracking stylus holder, two condylar path plastic recording plates, one anterior path plastic recording plate, toggles and open occlusal clutch. To prove the reliability and reproducibility of MMTD, a five adults were selected and mandibular condylar movement was recorded one time by the mechanical pantographic tracing and MMTD. The border movement recording of the mandibular incisor (frontal, sagittal and horizontal) was also recorded by Visi-Trainer and the MMTD. The obtained results were as follows; 1. The condylar movement path (sagittal, horizontal) of the MMTD was not coincidence with that of mechanical pantograph. 2. Measurements of the angulation which established between working and balancing path records by use of the mechanical pantograph and MMTD, there was no significance. 3. In a view of MMTD's reproducibility, there was revealed almost similar recording pattern. 4. The border movement recording of the mandibular incisor by the MMTD and the Visi-Trainer showed almost same reliability and reproducibility. 5. The subjects were able to his original mandibular movements by use of open occlusal clutch in the MMTD.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.55-67
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• 2007

Objectives : The repeatability and reproducibility of MIR-2, a newly developed impedance measurement device (four electrode method) on skin are of the meridian system, is evaluated and a method to improve the reliability is discussed. Methods : Multiple gage R&R studies were conducted for the impedance measurements over bilateral KI3 acupoint in ten participants by three assessors using MIR-2 device. Gage R&R studies were repeated after controlling the acupoint locating method or one value correction by replacing one assessor's outlying value with an average of the other assessors' values to explore any feasibility of improvement of measurement reliability. Results : Controlling acupoint locating method and replacing one value with an average of other assessors' value led to improved variation metrics in a gage R&R study. Conclusions : Measurement reliability can be improved by controlling measurement procedures or by using repeated measurement method, which will facilitate development of clinically applicable measurement device with reliability.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.123-144
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• 2005

Objectives: Pulse-Respiration Ratio has been used for estimating subject's Han-Yeol [寒熱] status since it mentioned in suwen [素問]. In practicing Pulse-Respiration Ratio over 5 means the status of Yeol [熱], Pulse-Respiration Ratio below 3 means the status of Han [寒]. We performed this study to examine the Optimum Standard for Measuring Pulse-Respiration Ratio on the Basis of Repeatability and Reproducibility. Methods: After subject's 5 minutes rest we measured subject's ECG, respiration pattern, EEG, EMG simultaneously. In this research examiner's number is two, subject's number is four, and the number of repeat is two. We calculated Pulse-Respiration Ratio through dividing Respiration cycle average by Pulse cycle average according to each standard including time section, $EEG(relative-{\alpha}$ density, $relative-{\beta}$ density, ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ and EMG. We analyzed these data through Gage R&R study using MINITAB 13.20 program and considered the results of below 30 %R&R and over 4 Number of Distinct Categories to have a significance. Results: 1. In the applying of time standard, Pulse-Respiration Ratio from section 3, 4, 6, 8 had a significant meaning in the aspect of Repeatability and Reproducibility. 2. In the applying of $EEG({\alpha}$ I , ${\beta}$ I , ${\alpha}/{\beta})$, EMG(E I) standard, there was no significant results. 3. In the applying of time standard(section 5, 6, 7), $EEG({\alpha}$ I , ${\beta}$ I , ${\alpha}/{\beta})$ and EMG(E I) standard simultaneously, Pulse-Respiration Ratio from ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ in section 6, ${\beta}$ I in section 8 had a significant meaning in the aspect of Repeatability and Reproducibility. Conclusions: We can suggest the Optimum Standard for Measuring Pulse-Respiration Ratio on the basis of Repeatability and Reproducibility as followings; 1. Pulse-Respiration Ratio Measuring time should be at least 15 minutes. 2. Applying of time(section 6, 8) and $EEG({\beta}$ I, ${\alpha}/{\beta})$ standard simultaneously is recommended considering reliability and validity but more study is needed. 3. EMG(E I) may be helpful to detect the segment of physical rest and exclude artifacts but more study is needed.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the reproducibility of panoramic radiographs of dentulous and edentulous patients. Materials and Methods: The reproducibility of panoramic radiographs was evaluated using the panoramic radiographs acquired from 30 anterior dentulous patients by using a common biting positioning device (dentulous group) and 30 anterior edentulous patients by using chin-support devices to take a panoramic radiograph (edentulous group), respectively; these patients had undergone 3 or more panoramic radiographs. The widths and angles between the designated landmarks were measured on the panoramic radiographs, and the reproducibility was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the coefficient of variation. Results: In the dentulous and edentulous groups, the ICCs of the mandibular ramus and mandibular angle areas were higher than the condylar head and zygomatic areas. The mandibular ramus and angle areas showed statistically lower mean coefficients of variation than the condylar head and zygomatic areas in the dentulous group. The mandibular angle area showed a significantly lower mean coefficient of variation than the zygomatic area in the edentulous group. By comparing the two groups, each ICC of the edentulous group was lower than that of the dentulous group, and the mean coefficients of variation of the mandibular ramus area, zygomatic area, left condylar inclination, and ramus ratio between the right and the left in the edentulous group were significantly higher than those in the dentulous group. Conclusion: Biting positioning for dentulous patients provided better positioning reproducibility than chin-support positioning when performing panoramic radiography for edentulous patients.