• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.259-276
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• 2024

The undrained shear strength is widely acknowledged as a fundamental mechanical property of soil and is considered a critical engineering parameter. In recent years, researchers have employed various methodologies to evaluate the shear strength of soil under undrained conditions. These methods encompass both numerical analyses and empirical techniques, such as the cone penetration test (CPT), to gain insights into the properties and behavior of soil. However, several of these methods rely on correlation assumptions, which can lead to inconsistent accuracy and precision. The study involved the development of innovative methods using extreme gradient boosting (XGB) to predict the pile set-up component "A" based on two distinct data sets. The first data set includes average modified cone point bearing capacity (q_t), average wall friction (f_s), and effective vertical stress (σ_vo), while the second data set comprises plasticity index (PI), soil undrained shear cohesion (S_u), and the over consolidation ratio (OCR). These data sets were utilized to develop XGBoost-based methods for predicting the pile set-up component "A". To optimize the internal hyperparameters of the XGBoost model, four optimization algorithms were employed: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Social Spider Optimization (SSO), Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA), and Sine Cosine Optimization Algorithm (SCOA). The results from the first data set indicate that the XGBoost model optimized using the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (XGB - AOA) achieved the highest accuracy, with R2 values of 0.9962 for the training part and 0.9807 for the testing part. The performance of the developed models was further evaluated using the RMSE, MAE, and VAF indices. The results revealed that the XGBoost model optimized using XGBoost - AOA outperformed other models in terms of accuracy, with RMSE, MAE, and VAF values of 0.0078, 0.0015, and 99.6189 for the training part and 0.0141, 0.0112, and 98.0394 for the testing part, respectively. These findings suggest that XGBoost - AOA is the most accurate model for predicting the pile set-up component.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.589-599
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• 2024

Dispersion occurs when clay soil disperses under specific conditions and is rapidly washed away. While there are numerous methods for rectifying it, they are neither cost nor time-effective. The current study used metakaolin and zeolite to improve heavily dispersive clay soil either separately or in combination at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of the soil weight. After 7 days of curing, the samples were tested to determine the extent of change in the dispersion potential, as well as the improvement of the geotechnical properties of the soil. The results indicated that the addition of 2% zeolite with 6% to 8% metakaolin decreased the dispersion potential considerably. Double hydrometry test findings revealed that the dispersion potential decreased by almost 70% and entered the non-dispersive group; the crumb test also revealed this. Atterberg limits testing indicated a decrease in the plasticity index which reduced the flexibility of the samples. The greatest decrease in PI (67.5%) was achieved with the addition of 8% zeolite plus 8% metakaolin to the soil. The results of density tests revealed that a decrease in the optimal moisture content increased the maximum dry density of soil. This increase in density was a response to the high reactivity of metakaolin with calcium hydroxide and the formation of calcium hydroxide hydrate gel. This eventually caused an increase in the unconfined compressive strength, the greatest increase in strength of about 1.8-fold was observed with a combination of 2% zeolite and 6% metakaolin compared to the unmodified sample.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.29-45
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of pain level, lower back pain dysfunction level, psychosocial level, hip abductor strength (HAS), number of positive lumbar instability tests, and dynamic balance (DB) by applying lumbar stabilization exercises according to the presence or absence of gluteus medius muscle weakness in chronic lower back pain (CLBP) patients with lumbar instability. METHODS: Thirty-five CLBP patients with lumbar instability were divided into the gluteus medius weakness (n = 18) and gluteus medius non-weakened (n = 17) groups using the gluteus medius manual muscle test. Intervention applied conservative physical therapy and lumbar stabilization exercises to both groups that lasted three times a week for four weeks. To compare the intervention effects, the quadruple visual analog scale (QVAS), the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), HAS, lumbar instability tests positive response counter (LIC), and DB were measured. RESULTS: Significant differences were shown for QVAS, K-ODI, FABQ, HAS, LIC, and DB for both groups pre- and post-intervention (p < .05). Compared to the gluteus medius weakness group, the gluteus medius non-weakened group showed a significant difference (p < .05) in the changes in QVAS, K-ODI, FABQ-W, FABQ-total, and HAS. CONCLUSION: In CLBP patients with lumbar instability, having gluteus medius weakness was less effective in improving lumbar stabilization exercise than gluteus medius non-weakness regarding pain level, lower back pain dysfunction level, psychosocial level excluding physical activity, and hip abductor strength. Therefore, additional gluteus medius strengthening exercises are necessary for patients with lumbar instability and gluteus medius muscle weakness.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2023

In this study, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/magnesium hydroxide (EVA/MDH) composites were prepared by electron beam crosslinking. EVA as a matrix resin and MDH as a flame retardant were melt-blended and compression molded to prepare EVA/MDH composites. The prepared EVA/MDH composites were electron beam-irradiated at various absorbed doses of 50~200kGy. The effects of electron beam irradiation on the gel content, tensile strength, elongation-at-break, thermal properties, and flame retardancy of the composites were investigated. The gel content and tensile strength increased, while the elongation-at-break decreased with an increase in the absorbed dose due to the formation of crosslinked network structures. In addition, the thermal stability and flame retardancy improved as the absorbed dose increased. Therefore, the EVA/MDH composites prepared in this study can be used as an insulation material for flame-retardant and heat-resistant wires and cables.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.646-662
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) with transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) on motor function improvement in stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with stroke more than 2 weeks but within 12 months of onset. A total of 22 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received EA and tDCS treatment, while the control group received sham EA and sham tDCS treatment. Assessments were conducted using the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (K-FMA) scores, grip and pinch strength tests, Box and Block test (BBT), Nine-hole peg test (9HPT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Korean version the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) scores. Adverse events were recorded at each intervention. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in general characteristics between the two groups. The K-FMA, BBS, and K-MBI scores of both groups increased significantly after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Although hand strength and dexterity improved after intervention in both groups, the changes were not statistically significant. In the experimental group, the lateral pinch score increased significantly after the intervention, but this increase was not significant compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. All nine reported adverse reactions were minor, with no moderate or severe adverse reactions reported. Conclusion: This study confirmed the potential effectiveness and safety of EA with tDCS in improving motor function in stroke patients.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.56-80
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• 1984

The main objectives of the present study is to evaluate Physician's Health Education Activities by means of physician's direct response to the prepared questionnaire and patient's perception to the physician in the course of medical care. For the data collection, the present study was conducted from Aug. 16 to Oct. 7, 1983 for 739 patients and 91 physicians who were attended outpatient clinics of 5 general hospitals in Seoul. The major findings are summarized as follows: 1. Self-evaluation on Physician's Health Education Activities (1) In consideration of health education services for the patient, the data revealed that 9.9% of the sampled physician wanted to strength public health and preventive medicine lecture in the curricula at medical education. On the other hand, only 1.1% expressed that they wanted to make it short. (2) In consideration of the necessity of health education service, it was shown that 95.6% of physicians agreed to take it into consideration. Self expression for the practice of health education was placed on the 3.15 score when 5 point scale used. (3) To evaluate the degree of an explanation about medical care for the patient, Index score with 4 point scale was employed. The Index score for the first time was shown that scale was placed on 3.23 for 'diagnosis', 3.12 for 'progress of the disease', 3.11 for 'discription of procedure' and 3.02 for 'cause of the disease' respectively. In comparison of the physician's explanation about the status of disease for the first and the second visitors to clinic, they evaluated themselves as giving more detailed explanation for the second visitors rather than the first visitors. 2. Physician's Health Education Services evaluated by patients (1) To evaluate physician-patient communication at beginning time for taking history about disease, the Index score with 5 point scale was employed. The data on taking history have shown that the score placed on 3.07 for those patients who visited the first time and 2.53 for second visitors. And the score about listening from the patients was placed on 3.52 and 3.42 respectively. (2) The Index score with 5 point scale, as used before, was also employed to evaluate medical care services for the patient. The data evaluated by the patients was shown that the score placed on 4.21 for patient treatment in general, 4.58 for physician's credibility, and 3.6 for physician's kindness. However, approximately 80% of those who failed to understand physician's explanation was caused by highly sophisticated medical terminology. (3) According to the Index score with 4 point scale, to evaluate physician's explanation, the data was shown that the patient who visited the first time gave 2.51 for 'diagnosis', 2.35 for 'progress', 2.11 for 'cause of the disease' and so on. It is acknowledged on the whole that the patients who visited the second time have more satisfaction in physician's explanation about their disease, than those who visited the first time. 3. Comparison of self-evaluation of Physician's Health Education Activities and patient's perception. (1) There was communication barriers between physicians and patients in expressing some medical terminology. For example physician understood that they explained more than 50% of medical terminology into common words for the patient, but 30% of patient complained medical terminology used by physician. (2) Comparing the index score of health education practice recognized by patients and physicians for both first visit and revisit groups, it was shown that the Index score of health education activities evaluated by physicians themselves were slightly higher than the score evaluated by patients.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

Objective : This study investigates the impact of the musculoskeletal disorder prevention exercise program designed on the basis of agricultural work posture on the balance ability, Oswestry Disability level, and Psychosocial stress of participants from one rural village in Chungnam area. Method : The exercise program was provided to 21 farmers with musculoskeletal symptoms living in one village in Chungnam area. Such program was performed once a week, 90 minutes per session, for a total of twelve weeks from July 10 to October 11, 2008, and was constructed in a way to increase flexibility and muscular strength, taking agricultural work posture into account. The balance ability, Oswestry Disability Index, and Psychosocial Well-being Index scores were analyzed based on the data of 13 of the farmers who participated in the program for more than eight times and in all of the pre- and post-assessments. Result : Thirteen participants were all women who were 70.55(${\pm}6.78$) years old on average. Most of them were engaged in general dry-filed farming. The parts where they mainly felt the pain were low back(69.2%) and knees(61.5%), and 46.2% responded 'not healthy' to the question on the overall health status. The static balance ability when standing on the right foot significantly increased from the average 9.27(${\pm}5.53$) seconds before intervention to 14.22(${\pm}5.47$) seconds after intervention(p<.05). The Oswestry Disability Index showed a significant change, decreasing from the average 19.84(${\pm}6.89$) seconds to 14.38(${\pm}7.58$) seconds(p<.05). However, there was no change in the Psychosocial Well-being Index. Conclusion : This exercise program that has been conducted for the female farmers who are mainly engaged in the dry-filed farming has contributed to the improvement of their static ability and reduction of their Oswestry Disability Index scores. It is expected that the studies on the effects of the differentiated exercise programs depending on work characteristics will make progress in the future.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of activated charcoal (AC) mixed with wood vinegar on performance and egg quality in laying hens. A total of one hundred ninety two, 56-wk-old Lohmann brown laying hens were divided into four groups, consisting four replicates of 12 birds each and fed one of the four experimental diets containing AC 0%, AC 0.5%, AC 1%, AC 2% for 5 wks. The blood profiles and contents of total lipid and cholesterol, fatty acid profiles in egg yolk were determined. There were no significant differences in laying performance, feed intake and vitelline membrane strength among the treatments. The eggshell breaking strength and Haugh unit were significantly increased in 2% AC group compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Egg yolk index in 2% AC group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the control and 0.5% AC group and yolk color was significantly improved by the dietary AC (P<0.05). The levels of serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and enzyme activities were not influenced by feeding AC. Total lipid of egg yolk in 1 % and 2% AC groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared to that of the control, although there was no significant difference in yolk cholesterol. In conclusion, the addition of activated charcoal with wood vinegar in layer diet resulted in improving egg quality by means of enhancing eggshell breaking strength, Haugh unit, yolk index and yolk color.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.35 no.3 s.110
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• pp.207-215
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• 2005

This study was performed to evaluate clinical practicality of the rebonding method with flowable resin without the removal of the residual resin on the debonded theeth and debonded bracket base after debonding. The samples of the control group (group I) were rebonded with Transbond XT using the usual rebonding method after the residual resin was removed. At experimental group, the brackets were rebonded with Transbond XT(group II) and CharmFil Flow (group III) without removal of residual resin which is the possibility becoming the index (or rebonding to similar position With initial bonding. The Shear bond Strength of the each group was measured. Patterns of bonding failure were evaluated with modified ARI score. and the shear bond strength according to patterns of bonding failure at experimental group was compared. Between the control group $(6.51\pm1.21MPa)$ and the group II rebonded with Transbond XT $(6.30\pm1.01MPa)$ did not have significantly difference in the shear bond strength (p=0.534), and the shear bond strength of group II was Significantly lower 4han the group III rebonded With CharmFil Flow $(7.29\pm1.54 MPa)$ (P=0.009). At control group, there was not large difference if distribution of bending failure pattern. But at experimental group, bond failure did not occur in interface between the resin-enamel. and bond failure between the resin-bracket, within the resin was distributed similarly. There was not significantly difference in the shear bond strength according to patterns of bonding failure at experimental group (P>0.05) The result of this study showed that the method suggested in this study aid flowable resin as rebonding adhesive could be useful in clinically.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 1995

This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of electrical stimulation on physicochemical and rheological properties of the plaice (Paralichthys olivaceus) muscle at early period after death. The plaices were electrically stimulated in seawater bath (110V/60Hz) for 15sec., 35sec., and 60sec. and killed instantly with spiking at the head. Killed samples were stored at $5^{\circ}C$, and the changes in rigor index, ATP breakdown, lactate accumulation, and breaking strength of muscle through storage were investigated. Electrical stimulation effectively accelerated rigor-mortis, lactate accumulation , and ATP breakdown. As the time of electrical stimulation was lengthened, the onset of rigor-mortis of all samples were accelerated Just after killing, and the amount of lactate was rapidly increased, But, significant differences were not observed in variance of rigor-mortis and lactate concentration. Electrically stimulated plaices showed decreasing in ATP to $4.58{\mu}mole/g$ for 15sec., $4.13{\mu}mole/g$ for 35sec., and $2.39{\mu}mole/g$ for 60sec. samples as compared with $5.5{\mu}mole/g$ of unstimulated samples. As the time of electrical stimulation was lengthened, ATP in samples were decomposed more rapidly. The rate constant of ATP breakdown were $0.244hr^{-1}$ for 15sec., $0.358hr^{-1}$ for 35sec., and $0.479hr^{-1}$ for 60sec.. The level of breaking strength in muscle of the plaice was $1050.30\pm50.23g$ immediately after killing. Values of breaking strength in samples electrically stimulated for 35sec. increased rapidly just after killing among all samples. However, the breaking strength was not increased through the whole storage time in samples stimulated for 60sec.. The value and time roaching to the maximum breaking strength for each samples stimulated electrically for 15, 35 and 60 second were $1264.43\pm35.76g$ and 2hr, $1357.68\pm22.50g$ and Ohr, and $1012.18\pm57.36g$ and Ohr. Breaking strength in all samples electrically stimulated decreased significantly (P<0.05) after reaching the maximum values.