• STI Policy Review
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.105-145
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• 2015

Science, technology and innovation (STI) is crucially important to eradicating poverty, and making advances in various areas such as agriculture, health, environment, transport, industry, and telecommunications. Therefore, it is vital to the overall socioeconomic development of nations. The indispensable role of STI in the competitive globalized economy led to several attempts to measure national STI capacities. The present study outlines STI capacity around three sets of capabilities: technological capabilities, social capabilities, and common capabilities. The Global Science, Technology and Innovation Capacity (GSTIC) index was developed to provide current evidence on the national STI capacities of the countries, and to improve the composite indicators used for such purposes. The GSTIC ranks a large number of countries (167) on the basis of their STI capacities and categories them into four groups: i.e. leaders, dynamic adopters, slow adopters, and laggards. For more meaningful assessment of the STI capacities of nations, it captures the achievement gaps of individual countries with the highest achiever. The study also provides ranking and achievement gaps of nations in the nine GSTIC pillars: technology creation, R&D capacity, R&D performance, technology absorption, diffusion of old technologies, diffusion of recent innovations, exposure to foreign technology, human capital, and enabling factors. A more detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in different pillars of STI capacity of ten selected countries is also provided. The results show that there are significant disparities among nations in STI capacity and its various aspects, and developing countries have much to catch-up with the developed nations. However, different countries may adopt different strategies according to their strengths and weaknesses. Useful insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the national STI capacities of different countries are provided in the study.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2023

Objective : To investigate the effects of thorax mobility exercises on thorax mobility, breathing pattern, and respiratory capacity in subjects with restricted thorax mobility. Methods : Thirteen subjects with restricted thorax mobility participated in this study. Measurement of thorax circumference using a tape measure (difference between inhalation and exhalation), breathing pattern (distance of rib cage elevation during breathing), and respiratory capacity was performed. Paired t-test was used to compare the thorax mobility, breathing pattern, and respiratory capacity between before and after thorax mobility excercise. Statiscal significance was set at .05. Results : There were significant differences in thorax mobility and breathing pattern, but no significant difference in respiratory capacity (p < .05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, thorax mobility exercise using the rib mobilization technique is considered to be a method that can improve thorax mobility and normalize abnormal breathing patterns that cause rib cage elevation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

This study aimed to compare 2 protocols recommended to patients with chronic cervical cord injury: each protocol included breathing exercises (inhalation-oriented or exhalation-oriented) and facilitation maneuver for the accessory respiratory muscles. Seventeen patients with chronic cervical cord injury volunteered to participate in this study, and we randomized these patients into 2 groups: the inhalation-oriented breathing exercise group (IOBEG) and exhalation-oriented breathing exercise group (EOBEG), consisting of 8 and 9 patients, respectively. Patients in the IOBEG performed inspiratory exercises using intermittent positive pressure breathing devices, while those in the EOBEG performed expiratory exercises using incentive spirometry. All exercises were performed by the subjects twice a day for 4 weeks, with each session lasting an average of 20 min. The outcomes were assessed on the basis of the pre- and post-treatment values of vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC. In the IOBEG, no significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-treatment values of any of the measured variables (p>.05); however, in the EOBEG, significant improvement was noted in the VC, FVC, FEV1 measured (p<.05) after the treatment. In addition, the rates of change in the values of VC, FVC, and FEV1 differed significantly between the 2 groups (p<.05). These findings suggest that the EOBEs can enhance respiratory function and are clinically feasible in patients with chronic cervical cord injury. Further studies will be undertaken to evaluate the clinical application of these findings.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.330-336
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• 2012

Purpose: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity ($FEF_{25-75}$) are not included in routine monitoring of asthma control. We observed changes in FeNO level and $FEF_{25-75}$ after FeNO-based treatment with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in children with controlled asthma (CA). Methods: We recruited 148 children with asthma (age, 8 to 16 years) who had maintained asthma control and normal forced expiratory volume in the first second ($FEV_1$) without control medication for ${\geq}3$ months. Patients with FeNO levels >25 ppb were allocated to the ICS-treated (FeNO-based management) or untreated group (guideline-based management). Changes in spirometric values and FeNO levels from baseline were evaluated after 6 weeks. Results: Ninety-three patients had FeNO levels >25 ppb. These patients had lower $FEF_{25-75}$ % predicted values than those with FeNO levels ${\leq}25$ ppb (P<0.01). After 6 weeks, the geometric mean (GM) FeNO level in the ICS-treated group was 45% lower than the baseline value, and the mean percent increase in $FEF_{25-75}$ was 18.7% which was greater than that in other spirometric values. There was a negative correlation between percent changes in $FEF_{25-75}$ and FeNO (r=-0.368, P=0.001). In contrast, the GM FeNO and spirometric values were not significantly different from the baseline values in the untreated group. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory treatment simultaneously improved the FeNO levels and $FEF_{25-75}$ in CA patients when their FeNO levels were >25 ppb.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.37-44
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aquatic exercise on body composition, fitness and pulmonary function. Subjects were seven spasticity cerebral palsy(18-20years). The aquatic exercise program consisted of 11 items, and performed for 30-40mins in a bout, 4 times a week at the intensity of HRmax($40-65\%$) for 12 weeks. And the change of body weight, %fat, fat mass, hand grip, sit up, sit and reach, close eyes foot balance and side step have been measured before and post exercise 12 weeks. Paired t-test was performed for data analysis at the 0.051eve1 of significance. The following results as; First, body compositions(body weight, $\%$fat and fat mass) were decreased significantly after 12 weeks(p< .05). Second, muscle endurance, balance and flexibility were increased significantly after 12 weeks(p< .05, p< .01), respectively. Third, vital capacity was increased significantly after 12 weeks(p< .05). These results suggest that the aquatic exercise programs are applicable to the spasticity cerebral palsy with abnormal movement.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2664-2671
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• 2012

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical characteristics and walking ability in the elderly population. Subjects were 77 elderly (38 men and 39 women) who are capable of walking independently with and without walking aids. Correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between physical characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, muscle mass, waist/hip ratio, heart rate, vital capacity, flexibility, maximum oxygen consumption, one-leg standing time, and strength of knee flexor and extensor) and walking velocity of subjects. Age, height, vital capacity, one-leg standing time, and strength of knee flexor and extensor showed significant correlations with walking velocity of subjects (p<.05). Further, the strength of knee flexor explained 27% of the variance, and up to 32% of the walking velocity could be explained when the strength of knee extensor were added to the model. The findings suggest that walking velocity of elderly depends on the strength of lower limb's strength and a variety of physical characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.460-469
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose was to investigate the physiological parameter and physical health status and health perception in the elderly, and to find the correlation between these variables. The subjects were 139 in Kyungi senior center. Method: The instruments for this study were physiological parameters, which were composed of vital capacity, blood pressure, pulse oxygenation, hand grip power, body fat and physical health status scale developed by researcher, and health perception scale developed by Ware(1976). The data were analyzed by the SPSS-PC 11.0 version. Results: 1) 7.9% of subjects were included in abnormal range of vital capacity, 40.3% were systolic hypertension and 11.5% were diastolic hypertension. And 92.1% were included in normal range of pulse oxygenation, 79.8% were weakened hand grip power, and 10.1% of subjects were included in normal range of body fat. 2) The total mean score of the physical health status was 26.34 of a possible maximum score of 45. The physical health status score of women was lower than man's. 3) The mean score of man's health perception was 24.52 and women's was 20.39 of a possible maximum score of 44. 4) There was a significant positive correlation between hand grip power and physical health status(r=.28, p=.001). And a significant correlation between physical health status and health perception was found (r=.24, p=.004). Conclusion: It is concluded that the blood pressure, hand grip power and body fat among the physiological parameters of elderly subjects in Kyungi senior center were included in abnormal range. The factors were related life style. therefore, it is suggested that the health education to change life style for the elderly is needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.190-195
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• 2015

Background: Although organizing pneumonia (OP) responds well to corticosteroid therapy, relapse is common during dose reduction or follow-up. Predictors of relapse in OP patients remain to be established. The aim of the present study was to identify factors related to relapse in OP patients. Methods: This study was retrospectively performed in a tertiary referral center. Of 66 OP patients who were improved with or without treatment, 20 (30%) experienced relapse. The clinical and radiologic parameters in the relapse patient group (n=20) were compared to that in the non-relapse group (n=46). Results: Multivariate analysis demonstrated that percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), $PaO_2/FiO_2$, and serum protein level were significant predictors of relapse in OP patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.97; p=0.018; OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04; p=0.042; and OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.87; p=0.039, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows that FVC, $PaO_2/FiO_2$ and serum protein level at presentation can significantly predict relapse in OP patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.278-285
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• 2020

Background: Individuals with forward head posture (FHP) have neck pain. To correct the FHP, a posture correction band is commonly used. However, we do not know the posture correction band influenced the pulmonary function in individuals with FHP. Objects: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the posture correction band on the pulmonary function in young adults with neck pain and FHP and to monitor how the pulmonary function changed over time. Methods: Twenty subjects with chronic neck pain and forward head posture were recruited. Subjects performed pulmonary function test four times: before, immediately, and 2 hours after wearing the postural band, and immediately after undressing the postural band. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) were measured. The modified Borg dyspnea scale was used to measure each subject's responses to the posture correction band. The mixed-effect linear regression was used to the effect of the posture correction band over time. Results: There were no significant differences in VC, FVC, PEF, FEV1 values over time (p > 0.05), although all values slightly decreased after applying posture correction band. However, the score of the modified Borg scale significantly changed after wearing the postural bands (p < 0.05), indicating the subject felt discomfort with posture correction band during breathing. Conclusion: Because the posture correction band did not change the pulmonary function over time, but it induces psychological discomforts during breathing in people with FHP. Therefore, this posture correction band can be used for FHP realignment after discussion with the subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.23-28
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional gait and pulmonary function of patients with subacute or chronic stroke for aperiod after the onset of stroke. Healthy people of similar ages served as a control group. The study focused on the clinical importance of intervention with cardiopulmonary rehabilitation treatment in patients with stroke. Methods: The standard time period used to differentiate the subacute and the chronic stroke groups was six months. Each group, including the control, was allocated 11 subjects. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume at one second ($FEV_1$) were measured with a spirometer for each subject. Walk tests (10 m and 6 min) and functional gait tests were then conducted. Results: Significant differences were noted for VC, FVC, and $FEV_1$ between the subacute stroke group and the normal group and between the chronic stroke group and the normal group (p<0.05), but no significant difference was evident between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group (p>0.05). No significant difference was seen between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group in the 6min walk test (p>0.05), whereas a significant difference was observed between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group in the 10 m walk test (p<0.05). Conclusion: The general rehabilitation treatment is effective with respect to functional aspects, but it has limited effect in improving pulmonary function and muscular endurance. Therefore, additional intervention of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is necessary in the rehabilitation treatment process of patients with stroke.