• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.395-400
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• 2002

Epoxy coating and sealing used in nuclear plants for the protection of radiation degrades with aging and hazardous atmosphere. In order to evaluate the degradation of the epoxy, dependence of the acoustic impedance on the change of mechanical properties has been used. Unlike metals, the surface of the epoxy coating on a concrete liner is so wavy that the acoustic impedance is difficult to measure by using the reflectivity of the ultrasound on the interface surface because of the irregular reflection and propagation from the epoxy surface. SA(simulated annealing) algorithm is applied to calculate the acoustic impedance using a reflection wave from the rough epoxy surface. The surface waviness and acoustic impedance are taken into account and determined by SA method to evaluate the state of degradation quantitatively.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2020

Objective: The purposes of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic values of abdominal muscles thickness and sterno-costal angle as the quantitative diagnostic indicators for young adults with rounded shoulders. Design: A observational, cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included thirty-three male participants in order to examine the relationship among thoracic kyphosis, sternocostal angle, and abdominal muscle thickness. We used ultrasound imaging to measure the muscle thickness, two gravity-dependent inclinometers to measure the kyphosis angle, and Image J to measure the sterno-costal angle. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of thoracic kyphosis angle and muscle thickness of the external oblique (EO) on the right side (r=0.931), and on the left side (r=0.432), and the transverse abdominis (TrA) (r=0.649). There was also a significant negative correlation between the thoracic kyphosis angle and the sterno-costal angle at the right side (r=-0.942) and at the left side (r=-0.860). There was a significant positive relationship with muscle thickness of the EO and TrA on the right side with the thoracic kyphosis angle, and was significant negative relationship with the sterno-costal angle on both sides. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that the thoracic kyphosis angle is related to muscle thickness of the EO and TrA on the dominant side and the sterno-costal angle. We also suggest that future studies are needed to determine how strengthening the abdominal muscles may contribute to preventing excessive thoracic kyphosis in young adults.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 2018

Objective: To determine if the provision of visual biofeedback using real-time rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) enhances the acquisition and retention of diaphragm muscle recruitment during exercise. Design: Two group pretest posttest design. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to the verbal feedback group (VG, n=15) or the visual and verbal feedback group (VVG, n=15). The VG performed breathing exercises 10 times with verbal feedback, and the VVG also performed breathing exercises 10 times with verbal feedback and visual feedback with the use of RUSI to measure changes in diaphragm thickness (DT). For DT, the mid-axillary lines between ribs 8 and 9 on both sides were measured in standing, and then the chest wall was perpendicularly illuminated using a linear transducer with the patients in supine to observe the region between rib 8 and 9 and to obtain 2-dimensional images. DT was measured as the distance between the two parallel lines that appeared bright in the middle of the pleura and the peritoneum. After one week, three repetitions (follow-up session) were performed to confirm retention effects. Intra- and between- group percent changes in diaphragm muscle thickness were assessed. Results: In the VVG, the intervention value had a medium effect size compared to the baseline value, but the follow-up value decreased to a small effect size. In the between-group comparisons, during the intervention session, the VVG showed no significant effect on percent change of DT but had a medium effect size compared to the VG (p=0.050, Cohen's d=0.764). During the follow-up session, retention effect did not persist (p=0.311, Cohen's d=0.381). Conclusions: RUSI can be used to provide visual biofeedback and improve performance and retention in the ability to activate the diaphragm muscle in healthy subjects. Future research needs to establish a protocol for respiratory intervention to maintain the effect of diaphragmatic breathing training using RUSI with visual feedback.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.12-27
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• 2006

"본 논문은 대한내과학회지 2006년 제70권 제3호에 실렸던 논문으로 대한내과학회 편집위원회의 승인을 득하고 본 협회지에 게재함. Background : Diabetes mellitus is a major independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. In recent years non-invasive high resolution B-mode ultrasound methods have been developed to measure the intima-media thickness(IMT) of the carotid artery as an indicator for early atherosclerosis. Itis known that obesity plays a role in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and it has also been reported that not only the amount but also the distribution of body fat is important. This study investigated the relationship between obesity and the development of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Carotid IMT was measured by ultrasound B-mode imaging in 144 patients with type 2diabetes mellitus. All subjects underwent assessment for the degree and distribution of obesity, the presence of coronary artery disease risk factors, and the presence of diabetic complications. Resuts: Carotid IMT was increased in the abdominal obese group defined by waist circurference. However, there was no significant difference in carotid TMT between the non-obese group and obese group as defined by body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and total body fat percent measured by bio electrical impedance analysis. There were positive correlations between carotid IMT and age, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed the variable that interacted independently with carotid IMT was age in type 2 diabetic patients. Carotid IMT was significantly increased in type 2 diabetic patients with macrovascular complications and microvascvlar complications .Conclusion: This study suggested that abdominal obesity rather than general obesity was associated with carotid atherosclerosis reflected by increment of carotid IMT in type 2 diabetic subjects.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2012

This study aimed to assess the effects of progressive lumbar stability exercises and lumbar stability exercises on changes in the transversus abdominis muscle thickness and lower extremity muscle fatigue index in soccer players. Ten subjects were assigned to undergo training in each of the 2 groups, namely, the progressive lumbar stability exercise group and lumbar stability exercise group. Each intervention session lasted for 30 min, and 4 sessions were conducted in a week for 6 weeks for soccer players of S. University in Jeonnam, Korea. Changes in the transversus abdominis muscle thickness and lower extremity muscle fatigue index were measured using ultrasound and surface electromyogram. The results of the ultrasound measurement for the transversus abdominis muscle thickness indicated that progressive lumbar stability exercises were more effective than lumbar stability exercises. The results of the lower extremity muscle fatigue index measurements using surface electromyogram indicated that the fatigue index decreased in the progressive lumbar stability exercise group. Progressive lumbar stability exercise is believed to have put more workload during the shaking of the limbs, leading to increased stability and increased efficiency of the lower extremity muscle, thereby decreasing the fatigue index. Therefore, progressive lumbar stability exercises can be an effective measure for preventing injuries and improving the game performance of sports players by increasing the transversus abdominis muscle thickness and decreasing the lower extremity muscle fatigue index.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.298-305
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• 2013

Uniform silica nanobeads were synthesized by St$\ddot{o}$ber method and assembled in the form of monolayer on glass substrate using sonication method. Before the assembly of silica nanobeads, glass substrates were treated with molecular linkers, such as CP-TMS and PEI, and nanobeads were dispersed in toluene. In attachment test, SO (sonication without stacking) method and SS (sonnication with stacking) method was used and sonication time was controled. After the experiment, microbalance was use to measure deviation between before and after the attachment experiment then calculate percent of coverage. Minutely observe with SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) then select the most close-packed and monolayer assembled cover glass and calculate DOC (Degree of Coverage). In SO method, DOC increased very sharply and reach over 140 percent point, also got lots of multi-layer region. On the other hand, in SS method DOC increased slower than SO method but more close-packed and monolayer assembled.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.207-214
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• 2011

In this paper, using Zigbee-based wireless sensor networks and Lego MindStorms NXT robot, a remote monitoring and navigation system for mobile robot has been developed. Mobile robot can estimate its position using encoder values of its motor, but due to the existing friction and shortage of motor power etc., error occurs. To fix this problem and obtain more accurate position of mobile robot, a ultrasound module on wireless sensor networks has been used in this paper. To overcome disadvantages of ultrasound which include straightforwardness and narrow detection coverage, we rotate moving node attached to mobile robot by $360^{\circ}$ to measure each distance from four fixed nodes. Then location of mobile robot is estimated by triangulation using measured distance values. In addition, images are sent via a network using a USB Web camera to smart phone. On smart phones we can see location of robot, and images around places where robot navigates. And remote monitoring and navigation is possible by just clicking points at the map on smart phones.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.289-294
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• 2014

The purpose of this report is to discuss the obtained findings gathered from ultrasound screenings of the liver. After running diagnostic tests health, screens were then conducted to analyze and compare the gained results. This data was then charted and used to strengthen our theorized hypothesis. From January 2013 to June 2013 a recorded 2906 people over the age of 20 visited Health Promotion Centers in various areas throughout Daejeon. Of those 2906 participants 1789 underwent screenings for abdominal ultrasonography; these participants as well as their ultrasound results were used as the bases of our study. For the establishment of our baseline and the comparison of our results, we gathered case-controlled studies from various reputable sources. Both the control and the experimental groups were tested to measure the following liver enzymes (AST, ALT, r-GTP, ALP, and etc.). Kidney functions were measured as well enzymes such as BUN, Creatinine, and Uric Acids levels were analyzed and recorded to see if any relationships existed between the levels documented in the liver and those in the kidneys. It was shown that the two primary causes of fat build up within the liver were significantly connected to obesity BMI(OR=4.14) and waist circumference(OR=3.88).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare changes in the thickness of the gluteus medius muscle fiber between chronic low back pain(clbp) with gluteus medius weakness and healthy subject. METHODS: Ultrasound imaging was used to measure in the thickness of each fiber of the gluteus medius muscle based on maximal muscle contraction during abduction motion of the hip joint in a healthy group (11 subjects) and a chronic CLBP group (21 subjects). An independent t-test was performed to analyze the difference of thickness in each fiber of the gluteus medius muscle and the rate of changes in the fibers in the two groups. RESULTS: The fiber thickness changes in the gluteus medius muscle were significantly lower for the posterior fiber in the CLBP group compared to the healthy group (p<0.01). The changes in rate of difference of thickness the posterior part of the gluteus medius muscle was significantly lower in the CLBP group than in the healthy group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study CLBP patients with weakness of the gluteus medius muscle that lower for the posterior fiber's difference of thickness and rate of change in the CLBP group compared to the healthy group. Indicate that rehabilitation of CLBP patients with weakness of the gluteus medius muscle should consider the functions of posterior fiber of the gluteus medius muscle.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2020

Objective: Patients with low back pain can possibly have impaired core muscle function, which is the common cause of low back pain. Spinal stabilization exercises are recommended for prevention and reinforcement. This study aimed to compare the effects of different types of feedback on abdominal and lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle recruitment during spinal stabilization exercises. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifty-seven healthy subjects (sex=male 21/female 36, age=21.28±1.60 years) were divided into three different groups: the control group (n=19), the auditory feedback (AF) group (n=19), and the visual and auditory feedback (VAF) group (n=19). The control group received no feedback, whereas the AF group only received AF during exercises and the VAF group received the AF and visual feedback through the real-time ultrasound images. The main outcome measure was the assessment of the thickness of the abdominal muscles and LM measured by a dual ultrasound. Results: When VAF was applied, the thickness of the transverse abdominis significantly increased rather than when feedback was not applied or with AF only (p<0.05). The VAF group showed significant differences in both the control group and the AF group in the post-hoc test (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the control group and the AF group. Conclusions: With spinal stabilization exercises, VAF should be applied in standing posture for healthy adults to further promote the production of effective contractions.