• International Journal of Railway
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.143-148
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• 2008

This paper is the output of a collaborative European project concerning the barrier free accessibility for disabled persons to regional and long distance trains in Europe. Disabled people represent around 13% of the population in Europe. This is approximately 63 million people. The range of disabilities includes people with reduced mobility including wheel chair users, viewing and hearing impaired people and other forms of impairment. Improving accessibility aims at contributing to the provision of public transport services to all citizens in an equitable way. The purpose of the project was to analyse and to evaluate the existing solutions at selected European railways for all required modules at the entrance (doors, information and safety solutions), to derive a design concept, to develop a mock-up in meeting the needs of rail travellers with the above mentioned impairments and to test it with user groups. The project also aims at deriving components for the determination of standards. The EUPAX Design Mock-up test was performed to verify the advantages of the layout of the train segment including the different modules such as access area (including the access door, gaps between platform and train as well as boarding aid devices), entrance vestibule, information systems inside and outside the train, emergency facilities, toilet with all conveniences and the additional test arrangements regarding push buttons, steps and emergency equipment. For this purpose a questionnaire was developed for the assessment of the EUPAX segment and the additional test arrangements. With the help of this questionnaire it was possible to execute a quantitative and qualitative evaluation. During three test phases 67 experts and handicapped persons from 6 countries have evaluated the Industrial Design mock-up based on this questionnaire. The test group covered persons from North (Denmark) to the South (Italy) and from the West (Spain) to the Middle of Europe (Germany). This is especially important for the generalization (harmonisation) of the results for all European countries. According to COST 335 the information for people with reduced mobility should be clear, concise, accurate and timely. So that all information can be received from persons, they must be transferred on at least two of the three possible ways (acoustical, visual, tactile), a so called "2-sense-principle". Based on the results ergonomic specifications/ solutions for the ergonomic design of the access area, the acoustic, visual and tactile information and the emergency devices including the emergency communication system were developed, related to the benefiting passenger groups.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy. Materials and Methods: Between May of 2006 and July of 2014, a total of 43 patients who had undergone surgery for primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy were included in this study. We divided the subjects into two groups according to the method of surgery: group 1 (n=18) received mini-open ulnar nerve decompression only, and group 2 (n=25) received arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression. Patients were assessed for the following clinical outcomes: visual analogue scales (VAS) score, range of motion of the elbow joint, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) at the time before surgery and 6 months after surgery. We analyzed the recovery of the ulnar nerve by the McGowan grade and Bishop rating score preoperatively and at 6 months after the surgery. Results: The VAS score, range of motion of the elbow joint, MEPS, and DASH showed significant statistical difference after the surgery (p<0.05). However, between the 2 groups, there was no significant difference. For the McGowan grade, all cases of both groups-except one case each group-showed at least one grade improvement. Moreover, group 2 showed a greater significant difference than group 1 (p=0.001). At the final follow-up, according to the Bishop rating score, group 2 had a greater significant difference than group 1 (p=0.036). Conclusion: Arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy is a useful technique, which has several advantages, including the benefits associated with a minimally invasive surgery and also the improvement of elbow joint function and excellent recovery of the ulnar nerve.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.89-99
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• 2020

In this study, we tried to produce moving-image works through sentiment analysis of music. First, Google natural language API was used for the sentiment analysis of lyrics, then the result was applied to the image visualization rules. In prior engineering researches, text-based sentiment analysis has been conducted to understand users' emotions and attitudes by analyzing users' comments and reviews in social media. In this study, the data was used as a material for the creation of artworks so that it could be used for aesthetic expressions. From the machine's point of view, emotions are substituted with numbers, so there is a limit to normalization and standardization. Therefore, we tried to overcome these limitations by linking the results of sentiment analysis of lyrics data with the rules of formative elements in visual arts. This study aims to transform existing traditional art works such as literature, music, painting, and dance to a new form of arts based on the viewpoint of the machine, while reflecting the current era in which artificial intelligence even attempts to create artworks that are advanced mental products of human beings. In addition, it is expected that it will be expanded to an educational platform that facilitates creative activities, psychological analysis, and communication for people with developmental disabilities who have difficulty expressing emotions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6171-6176
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• 2014

Background: In order to design effective educational intervention for cancer survivors, it is necessary to identify most-trusted sources for health-related information and the amount of attention paid to each source. Objective: The objective of our study was to explore the sources of health information used by cancer survivors according to their access to the internet and levels of trust in and attention to those information sources. Materials and Methods: We analyzed sources of health information among cancer survivors using selected questions adapted from the 2012 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Results: Of 357 participants, 239 (67%) had internet access (online survivors) while 118 (33%) did not (offline survivors). Online survivors were younger (p<0.001), more educated (p<0.001), more non-Hispanic whites (p<0.001), had higher income (p<0.001), had more populated households (p<0.001) and better quality of life (p<0.001) compared to offline survivors. Prevalence of some disabilities was higher among offline survivors including serious difficulties with walking or climbing stairs (p<0.001), being blind or having severe visual impairment (p=0.001), problems with making decisions (p<0.001), doing errands alone (p=0.001) and dressing or bathing (p=0.001). After adjusting for socio-demographic status, cancer survivors who were non-Hispanic whites (OR= 3.49, p<0.01), younger (OR=4.10, p<0.01), more educated (OR= 2.29, p=0.02), with greater income (OR=4.43, p<0.01), and with very good to excellent quality of life (OR=2.60, p=0.01) had higher probability of having access to the internet, while those living in Midwest were less likely to have access (OR= 0.177, p<0.01). Doctors (95.5%) were the most and radio (27.8%) was the least trusted health related information source among all cancer survivors. Online survivors trusted internet much more compared to those without access (p<0.001) while offline cancer survivors trusted health-related information from religious groups and radio more than those with internet access (p<0.001 and p=0.008). Cancer survivors paid the most attention to health information on newsletters (63.8%) and internet (60.2%) and the least to radio (19.6%). More online survivors paid attention to internet than those without access (68.5% vs 39.1%, p<0.001) while more offline survivors paid attention to radio compared to those with access (26.8% vs 16.5%, p=0.03). Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the importance of improving the access and empowering the different sources of information. Considering that the internet and web technologies are continuing to develop, more attention should be paid to improve access to the internet, provide guidance and maintain the quality of accredited health information websites. Those without internet access should continue to receive health-related information via their most trusted sources.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.140-148
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• 2014

Purpose: Lowe syndrome is a rare, X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the OCRL gene. It involves multiple anatomic systems, particularly the eyes, central nervous system, and kidneys, and leads to profound growth failure and global developmental delay. This study evaluated the clinical and genetic characteristics of Korean patients with Lowe syndrome. Methods: The clinical findings and results of genetic studies were reviewed for 12 male patients diagnosed with Lowe syndrome at a single medical institution. Results: The mean age of the patients at presentation was 2.2 months (range, 0-4 months), although the diagnosis was delayed by a mean of 2.8 years (range, 0-9.7 years). The mean follow-up period was 9.0 years (range, 0.6-16.7 years). Nine mutations in OCRL were identified in 11 patients (92%), with three novel mutations. The main presentation was congenital cataract in both eyes necessitating early cataract removal in the 11 patients with impaired visual acuity. Profound short stature and developmental delay were observed in all patients, and seizures occurred in 50% of the patients. All patients suffered from proximal renal tubular dysfunction, and one patient developed chronic renal failure. Other manifestations included pathologic fracture (50%), cutaneous cysts (42%), and cryptorchidism (42%). However, there was no bleeding tendency, and none of the patients died during the study period. Conclusion: This study describes the clinical and genetic characteristics of Korean patients with Lowe syndrome. The observations are helpful for understanding the natural courses of Lowe syndrome and for appropriate genetic counseling.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.100-107
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• 2013

As the eBook market grows fast recently, various eBook viewer solutions such as hardware viewers and software readers came out to the market. We can, however, hardly find mobile eBook interfaces for the reading disabled people who have difficulties in reading for their visual impairment or learning disabilities, or dyslexia. An eBook viewer interfaces for the reading disabled people should be carefully and distinctively designed because the reading disabled people cannot use normal versions of eBook viewer. In this paper, we suggest a eBook viewer interface model to make the reading disabled people read eBooks easily. Depending on the type of the reading disabled people: the full blind, the almost blind, the just learning disabled, our model provides an adaptive interface to make them read eBooks effectively. In addition, unlike the existing simple audio books, we also support annotation systems to make the reading disabled people interact with eBook viewer. To show the effectiveness of our model, we implemented an eBook viewer prototype on an android-based mobile device. We are sure that our model and implementation can make the reading disabled people, who is 10% of all the domestic people, read eBooks effectively.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1106-1116
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• 2018

Study Design: Prospective observational study. Purpose: To evaluate the disability domains relevant to Indian patients with low backache and propose a modified disability questionnaire for such patients. Overview of Literature: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a self-reported measurement tool that measures both pain and functional status and is used for evaluating disability caused by lower backache. Although ODI remains a good tool for disability assessment, from the Indian perspective questions related to weight lifting and sexual activity of ODI are questioned in some of the earlier studies. Activities of daily living in Indian patients vary substantially from those in other populations and include activities like bending forwards, sitting in floor and squatting which are not represented in the ODI. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a seven-step approach was used for the development of a questionnaire. Thirty patients were interviewed to identify the most challenging issue they faced while performing their daily activities (by free listing) and understand how important the questionnaire items were in terms of the standard ODI. Thus, a comprehensive disability questionnaire comprising 14 questions was developed and administered to 88 patients. Both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative methods (to establish the validity, reliability, and correlation with the Visual Analog Scale [VAS] and Rolland Morris disability questionnaire) were used to identify the 10 questions that best addressed the disability domains relevant to Indian patients. Results: According to free listing, four new questions pertaining to bending forward, sitting on the floor, walking on uneven surfaces, and work-related disabilities were included. In the second phase, wherein the questionnaire with 14 items was used, 56.8% patients did not answer the questions related to sexual activity, whereas 23.8% did not answer those related to walking on uneven surfaces. The modified questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.892) and correlation with the Rolland Morris questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha=0.850, p>0.05), as well as with the VAS score for disability (Cronbach's alpha=0.712, p>0.05) and pain (Cronbach's alpha=0.625, p>0.05). Conclusions: A modified disability questionnaire that was designed by adding two questions related to bending forward and work status and removing questions related to sexual activity and weight lifting or traveling (depending on the occupation) can help evaluate disability caused by back pain in Indian population.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2019

Objective : The purpose of this study is to study the effects of multisensory environment interventions, to provide information about clinical applications, and to aid South Korean research on the multisensory environment. Methods : PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were used to search for papers published from 2008 to 2018. The main search terms were "multisensory environment" and "snoezelen", a total of 10 foreign research articles were selected. And they were summarized according to Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO). Results : Among the 10 papers, 6 included participants with dementia. The other studies examined patients with intellectual disabilities, patients with schizophrenia, and pregnant women. The study periods ranged from 3 weeks to 10 months. Most of the interventions included 2 or 3 sessions per week. The duration of each intervention session was 30 to 60 minutes. The dependent variables were psychological factors (such as anxiety and depression), social factors (such as quality of life), and cognitive and physical domains. The multisensory environment used for the interventions in the studies consisted of visual, auditory, and tactile senses, as well as additional olfactory and taste sensations, and vestibular sensations. Conclusion : In the future, the research should be applied to various target groups, especially children, who are interested in multisensory environmental intervention in South Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.112-135
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• 2021

Objectives : To report a case of drug-induced xerostomia treated with Integrative Korean Medicine Visiting Care Service of a Public Health Center. Methods : Home visit treatment and telemedicine were provided by public health doctor(Korean medicine doctor) for person with physical disability who were diagnosed with Behcet's Disease. Palmul-tang(PMT) soft extract was provided steadily 3 times a day for 6 months, and acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and electro-moxibustion were provided irregularly 6 times for 6 months. Yin-deficiency questionnaire(YDQ), oral health impact profile-14(OHIP-14), oral pain visual analogue scale(VAS), and xerostomia inventory(XI) were used 3 times(baseline, intermediate and termination) to evaluate the changes. Results : YDQ decreased from 620 to 375, OHIP-14 decreased from 34 to 6, VAS decreased from 70 to 40, and XI decreased from 44 to 34. Four scales all gradually decreased. Conclusions : Integrative Korean Medicine Treatments in health insurance including PMT soft extract through home visit treatment can improve drug-induced xerostomia and Quality of life(QoL) of person with disabilities.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2022

In this paper, we propose an effective software education program to promote employment of the disabled and verify the effectiveness of SW education through pilot operation. In this SW education program, we develop a SW curriculum consisting of the basic course, Unity programming course, and the advanced course, AR/VR digital content development course. The SW education achievement standard develops the basic and advanced course achievement standards in consideration of the level of the virtual reality content production job of the National Competency Standards(NCS) and the SW education achievement standards of youth with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities. SW education materials are developed on a project basis so that one AR/VR digital content can be implemented step by step according to the intellectual level of the disabled based on Unity. SW education pilot training is conducted as online education based on Blended Learning due to COVID-19. In order to derive the SW education effect and each learner's individual SW education academic achievement for the SW education pilot training, a survey is conducted on learners, and the results are analyzed. In the basic course, 77.3% of learners achieved academic achievement above excellent(80-90), and in the advanced course, 48.8% of learners achieved academic achievement above excellent(80-90). These results verify that the SW education program for the disabled developed in this paper is effective in activating employment for the disabled.