• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.503-507
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• 2011

Objective: This paper presents the factors influencing the effectiveness of materials handling equipments in agriculture. Background: Agriculture is one of the job categories where work-related musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) are the most common. Statistics shows that majority of farm workers is exposed to repetitive and forceful body movements, lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy materials. In such a working environment, materials handling equipments are required and introduced to assist in the prevention of MSDs and other farm injuries. Method: Examples of materials handling equipments are rail carts, portable lifts, and bale handlers. Contributing factors influencing the effectiveness of materials handling equipments supplied in agriculture were identified based on the lessons learned from previous government-funded ergonomic projects. Results: Contributing factors identified include: (1) forward-looking attitude for the standardization of farming, its environments, and handling equipments, (2) participation of farm members in the process and evaluation of project, (3) leadership of project manager, (4) reinforcement of safety education and training, and (5) project selection and priority of handling equipment. Conclusion: Government-funded research planners, farmers, ergonomists, and farm machine experts are recommended to consider the factors identified when implementing materials handling equipments in agriculture. Application: Actual or potential application of this research includes recommendation for the effective implementation of material materials handling equipments in agricultural sectors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.633-644
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was to investigate vascular dementia elders's activities of daily living, quality of life index and to determine how much vascular dementia elders is influenced by the 12 weeks combined exercise program with aerobic training and resistance exercise. Methods : Thirty patients with vascular dementia over 65 in B geriatrics hospital were recruited this study. Activities of daily living were measured by I-ADL(instrumental-activities of daily living) and B-ADL(basic-Activities of daily living) and quality of life index was measured by GQOL-D(geriatric quality of life scaledementia). Statistical analysis was used repeated one-way ANOVA to test mean difference by using SPSS 12.0 for windows. Results : After comparing the activities of daily living of experimental group that of control group according to the period of exercise, there were statistically significant differences in I-ADL, B-ADL score test and GQOL-D index test of both experimental and control groups. There was also a significant difference in comparing the results of 12 weeks exercise of the groups. Conclusion : 12 weeks combined exercise program had a good influence on vascular dementia elders's activities of daily living and quality of life index.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.7-12
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• 2013

In Die casting process, the problem of die degradation is often issued. In oder to increase of die life the material degradation of die steel was investigated using test core pins. Three test core pins were positioned in front of the gate entry and observed washout and soldering resistance during Mg die casting process. The test parameters are set as different commercial die materials, coatings condition and hardness of die surface. Usign 220t magnesium die casting machine was employed to cast AZ91 magnesium alloys. After 150 shots, macroscopic observation of die surface was carried out. Additional 50 cycles later, test pins were chemically cleaned with 5% HCl aqueous solution to find out the existence of washout and soldering layers. Microstructural characterization of die surface and the die roughness measurement were performed together. Computational simulation using AnyCasting program was also beneficial to correlate the extent of die damage with the position of test pin inside die cavity. As results, the optimal combination of die steel with productive coating as well as its hardness was drawn out. it will be helpful to decide the material and condition considering increasing of tool life.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2013

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacies of thoracic self-mobilization and strengthening exercise in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Methods: The subjects were 30 young adults (11 males, 19 females) with thoracic hyperkyphosis. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: thoracic self-mobilization, thoracic strengthening exercise, and control group. The thoracic self-mobilization group performed active dynamic exercises, which included thoracic extension and rotation in supine and standing positions. The strengthening exercise group performed resistance exercises involving the back extensor muscle, with an elastic band and dumbbells. The outcome measures were the thoracic kyphosis angle and forward head posture (craniovertebral angle [CVA] and cranial rotation angle [CRA]). Results: Compared with the baseline values, the thoracic kyphosis angle had decreased while the CVA had increased in both training groups (p<.05), but the CRA was significantly decreased in only the strengthening exercise group. Thoracic self mobilization reduced kyphosis and improved CVA, while thoracic strengthening exercise reduced kyphosis and improved CVA and CRA. Conclusion: This study suggests a promising exercise intervention that can improve posture in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.73-84
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• 1995

Spasticity has been defined as a motor disorder characterised by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks resulting in hyperexcitability of the stretch reflexes as one component of the upper motor neuron syndrome. Weakness and loss of dexterity, however, are considered to be more disabling to the patient than changes in muscle tone. The discussion includes the important role that alterations in the physiology of motor units, notably changes in firing rates and muscle fiber atrophy, play in the manifestation of muscle weakness. This paper considers both the neural and mechanical components of spasticity and discusses, in terms of clinical intervention, the implications arising from recent research. Investigations suggest that the resistance to passive movement in individuals with spasticity is due not only to neural mechanisms but also to changes in mechanical properties of muscle. The emphasis is on training the individual to gain control over the muscles required for different tasks, and on preventing secondary and adaptive soft tissue changes and ineffective adaptive motor behaviours.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.211-238
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• 2016

This study examines indicators and factors for identification of ASD(Autism Spectrum Disorder) characteristics of infants and toddlers and early screening of children with ASD by day care teachers. Focus group interviews were conducted with 11 teachers by a semi-structured questionnaire developed by the authors. The findings are: 1) key problems and indicators of behavioral characteristics of children with ASD included problems with social communication and interactions, restricted and unusual interests, outstanding ability in specific areas, insistence on sameness and ritualized patterns, problems with language development and communication, sensory abnormalities; 2) counseling with parents of children with ASD revealed a lack of recognition of parents, negative expressions of emotions and resistance, and difficulties in referral to and association with experts; 3) needs for ASD in the child care field included visiting by experts, provision of test scales, training of child care teachers and parents, and building cooperative systems; and 4) demands of development and execution of a Korean-style scale for early screening of children with ASD.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.415-422
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• 2005

Using stretch sensors, a stuttering treatment training device that improve the abnormal breathing of stutterer was designed and developed. To improve stutterer's inadequate breathing method that is one of principal reason of stammering, the device estimates breathing method by checking the changes of the stretch sensor's resistances those are put on the chest and abdomen of user. And a vocal exercise program that carry out exercises only when the user maintains the abdominal breathing was designed. Using a PIC16C711 device that includes an A/D convertor, a main controller was designed and the vocal exercises software was developed using Director and C program with graphic user interface for user convenience. The controller sends the resistance data of sensors to PC through the serial port and the software verifies the breathing method. And the device was designed that the RTS (request to send) pin of serial port in PC is used as a power source so that it can work without any battery or other power source. Three stutterers have carried out the clinical experiments using the implemented device for two months and the results showed it was excellent to alleviate the stuttering.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.185-207
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• 2009

One of the most important issues in a small and medium sized enterprise (SME) is to identify how to apply IT to the organization so that it maximizes the effectiveness of IT. In general, a large company mainly plans to adopt, implement, and stimulate a new IT in a viewpoint of advanced IT system's capability for maximizing the effectiveness of IT. However, SME requires a totally different approach since SME's situation is different from a large enterprise's one. In this study, we investigate several factors that have an influence on the successful IT adoption and implementation of a SME through the case of Hwacheon. We also find out that CEO's support, CEO-initiating strategic meeting, IT development ability, and organizational compatibility in the introduction stage of IT are relatively more important than those in the implementation stage of IT, whereas IT flexibility, system quality, training and support, overcoming organizational resistance and performance improvement in the implementation stage of IT play critical roles in the IS success. Our results show that the advance of IT may not guarantee the success of IT implementation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.63-78
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• 1998

The decrease of muscle power and muscle size between twenties and seventies was about 30% and 40% respectively. The loss of muscle mass by aging resulted in the decrease of muscle power. The loss of muscle mass was due to the decrease of number of Type I fiber and Type II fiber and size of each muscle fiber. The aging skeletal muscle didn't show the loss of glycolysis capacity but showed 20% decrease of the oxidative enzymes and muscle vascularization. The vigorous endurance exercise training with graded intensity played a role in the vascular proliferation, increase of activity of oxidative enzymes and improvement of $VO_2$ max. The graded resistance exercise also played a role in the muscle hypertrophy and increase of muscle power, if it performed with adequate intensity and period. The exercise adaptation of aging skeletal muscle prevented it from sarcopenia, provided the activity of daily living with great effect and provided the aging related disease, that is Type II diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, osteoporosis and obesity, with great effect.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2015

Background: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often the main pillar of an economy. Minor accidents, ergonomics problems, old and outdated machinery, and lack of awareness have created a need for implementation of safety practices in SMEs. Implementation of healthy working conditions creates positive impacts on economic and social development. Methods: In this study, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 30 randomly chosen SMEs in and around Mumbai, Maharashtra, and other states in India to evaluate safety practices implemented in their facilities. The study also looked into the barriers and drivers for technology innovation and suggestions were also received from the respondent SMEs for best practices on safety issues. Results: In some SMEs, risks associated with safety issues were increased whereas risks were decreased in others. Safety management practices are inadequate in most SMEs. Market competitiveness, better efficiency, less risk, and stringent laws were found to be most significant drivers; and financial constraints, lack of awareness, resistance to change, and lack of training for employees were found to be main barriers. Conclusion: Competition between SMEs was found to be major reason for implementation of safety practices in the SMEs. The major contribution of the study has been awareness building on safety issues in the SMEs that participated in the project.