The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the effects of low-dye taping on peak plantar pressure following treadmill walking exercise, 2) to determine whether the biomechanical effectiveness of low-dye taping in peak plantar pressure was still maintained following removal of the tape during treadmill walking, and 3) to determine the trend towards a medial-to-lateral shift in peak plantar pressure in the midfoot region before and after application of low-dye taping. Twenty subjects with flexible flatfoot were recruited using a navicular drop test. The peak plantar pressure data were recorded during five treadmill walking sessions: (1) un-taped, (2) baseline-taped, (3) after a 10-minute treadmill walking exercise, (4) after a 20-minute treadmill walking exercise, and (5) after removal of the taping. The foot was divided into six parts during the data analysis. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to investigate peak plantar pressure variations in the six foot parts in the five sessions. This study resulted in significantly increased medial forefoot peak plantar pressure compared to the un-taped condition (p=.017, post 10-minute treadmill walking exercise) and (p=.021, post 20-minute treadmill walking exercise). The peak plantar pressure in the lateral forefoot showed that there was a significant decrease after sessions of baseline-taped (p=.006) and 10-minute of treadmill walking exercise (p=.46) compared to the un-taped condition. The tape removal values were similar to the un-taped values in the five sessions. Thus, the findings of the current study may be helpful when researchers and clinicians estimate single taping effects or consider how frequently taping should be replaced for therapeutic purposes. Further studies are required to investigate the evidence in support of biomechanical effectiveness of low-dye taping in the midfoot region.

Robot-assisted rehabilitation therapy has been used to increase physical function in post-stroke patients. The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify whether robot-assisted gait training can improve patients’ functional abilities. A comprehensive search was performed of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Academic Search Premier (ASP), ScienceDirect, Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Korea National Library, and the Korean Medical Database up to April, 2014. Fifteen eligible studies researched the effects of robot-assisted gait training to a control group. All outcome measures were classified by International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) domains (body function and structures, activity, and participation) and were pooled for calculating the effect size. The overall effect size of the robot-assisted gait training was .356 [95% confidence interval (CI): .186∼.526]. When the effect was compared by the type of electromechanical robot, Gait Trainer (GT) (.471, 95% CI: .320∼.621) showed more effective than Lokomat (.169, 95% CI: .063∼.275). In addition, acute stroke patients showed more improvement than others. Although robot-assisted gait training may improve function, but there is no scientific evidence about the appropriate treatment time for one session or the appropriate duration of treatment. Additional researchers are needed to include more well-designed trials in order to resolve these uncertainties.

This study investigated the effect of a load of 15% body weight on trunk, pelvis and hip joint coordination and angle variability in subjects with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP) during an anterior load carriage task. Thirty volunteers participated in the study (15 without CLBP, 15 with CLBP). All participants were asked to perform an anterior carriage task with a load of 15% body weight. The outcome measures included the means and standard deviations for measurements of three-dimensional coordination and angle variability of the trunk, pelvis and hip joint. As CLBP patient group .06, control group .70, the correlation coefficient between the groups showed a significant difference only in trunk-pelvic in the sagittal plane (p<.05). Angle variability of CLBP patient group increased significantly in the trunk in frontal plane, the pelvis in all sagittal plane, frontal plane, transverse plane, and the hip in sagittal plane, the hip in frontal plane than angle variability of control group (p<.05). This results mean that the CLBP patient group showed a disconnected coordination pattern in the trunk-pelvis in the sagittal plane, an increased pelvic angle variability in all three planes, and hip angle variability in the sagittal, and frontal planes. The CLBP patient group may have developed a compensatory movement of the pelvis and hip joint arising from the changed stability due to the abnormal coordination patterns of the trunk-pelvic in the sagittal plane. Therefore, CLBP symptoms can potentially worsen in the pelvis and adjacent hip joint in CLBP patients who perform weight-related behaviors in their daily lives. Further research is needed to determine the three-dimensional characteristics of the electromyography and neuromuscular aspects of subjects with CLBP.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dual-task training with cognitive effort on the walking and balance functions of chronic stroke patients. The study included 14 chronic stroke patients, who were randomly divided into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG), each with 7 patients. The EG performed the dual-task training with cognitive effort 3 times a week, 30 minutes for 4 weeks, where as the CG performed single-task training three times a week, for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. Outcome assessments were made with 10 m walk test, timed up and go test, 6 minutes walk test, and Berg balance scale. In within-group comparison, subjects from the EG showed significant differences in all variables (p<.05), while subjects from the CG showed only significant differences in 6 minutes walk test, and Berg balance scale (p<.05). Further, there was significant difference in the improvement rate of 10 m walk test. The findings suggest that the dual-task with cognitive effort may be beneficial for improving walking and balance functions of patients with chronic stroke.

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects’ impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity (R2=.41), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry (R2=.35). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry (R2=.17). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

Synthesis of nano-silica using water glass in a Sol-Gel process is one of several methods to manufacture nano-silica. In nano-silica synthesized from water glass, there are various metal impurities. However, synthesis of nano-silica using water glass in a Sol-Gel process is an interesting method because it is relatively simple and cheap. In this study, nano-silica was synthesized from water glass; we investigated the effect of pH on the synthesis of nano-silica. The morphology of the nanosilica with pH 2 was flat, but the surface of the nano-silica with pH 10 had holes similar to small craters. As a result of ICPOES analysis, the amount of Na in the nano-silica with pH 2 was found to be 170 mg/kg. On the other hand, the amount of Na in the nano-silica with pH 10 was found to be 56,930 mg/kg. After calcination, the crystal structure of the nano-silica with pH 2 was amorphous. The crystal structure of the nano-silica with pH 10 transformed from amorphous to tridymite. This is because elemental Na in the nano-silica had the effect of decreasing the phase transformation temperature

Alumina dispersion strengthening copper(ADSC) alloy has great potential for use in many industrial applications such as contact supports, frictional break parts, electrode materials for lead wires, and spot welding with relatively high strength and good conductivity. In this study, we investigated the oxidation behavior of ADSC alloys. These alloys were fabricated in forms of plate and round type samples by surface oxidation reaction using Cu-0.8Al, Cu-0.4Al-0.4Ti, and Cu-0.6Al-0.4Ti(wt%) alloys. The alloys were oxidized at 980 oC for 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h in ambient atmosphere. The microstructure was observed with an optical microscope(OM) and a scanning electron microscope(SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS). Characterization of alumina was carried out using a 200 kV field-emission transmission electron microscope(TEM). As a result, various oxides including Ti were formed in the oxidation layer, in addition to γ-alumina. The thickness of the oxidation layer increased with Ti addition to the Cu-Al alloy and with the oxidation time. The corrected diffusion equation for the plate and round type samples showed different oxidation layer thickness under the same conditions. Diffusion length of the round type specimen had a value higher than that of its plate counterpart because the oxygen concentration per unit area of the round type specimen was higher than that of the plate type specimen at the same diffusiondepth.

This paper presents the impact of partial shading on CuInxGa(1-x)Se2(CIGS) photovoltaic(PV) modules with bypass diodes. When the CIGS PV modules were partially shaded, the modules were under conditions of partial reverse bias. We investigated the characterization of the bypass diode and solar cell properties of the CIGS PV modules when these was partially shaded, comparing the results with those for a crystalline silicon module. In crystalline silicon modules, the bypass diode was operated at a partial shade modules of 1.67 % shading. This protected the crystalline silicon module from hot spot damage. In CIGS thin film modules, on the other hand, the bypass diode was not operated before 20 % shading. This caused damage because of hotspots, which occurred as wormlike defects in the CIGS thin film module. Moreover, the bypass diode adapted to the CIGS thin film module was operated fully at 60% shading, while the CIGS thin film module was not operated under these conditions. It is known that the bypass diode adapted to the CIGS thin film module operated more slowly than that of the crystalline silicon module; this bypass diode also failed to protect the module from damage. This was because of the reverse saturation current of the CIGS thin film, 1.99 × 10−5 A/cm2, which was higher than that of crystalline silicon, 8.11 × 10−7 A/cm2.

To improve its textural properties as a support for platinum catalyst, carbon aerogel was chemically activated with KOH as a chemical agent. Carbon-supported platinum catalyst was subsequently prepared using the prepared carbon supports(carbon aerogel(CA), activated carbon aerogel(ACA), and commercial activated carbon(AC)) by an incipient wetness impregnation. The prepared carbon-supported platinum catalysts were applied to decalin dehydrogenation for hydrogen production. Both initial hydrogen evolution rate and total hydrogen evolution amount were increased in the order of Pt/CA < Pt/AC < Pt/ACA. This means that the chemical activation process served to improve the catalytic activity of carbon-supported platinum catalyst in this reaction. The high surface area and the well-developed mesoporous structure of activated carbon aerogel obtained from the activation process facilitated the high dispersion of platinum in the Pt/ACA catalyst. Therefore, it is concluded that the enhanced catalytic activity of Pt/ACA catalyst in decalin dehydrogenation was due to the high platinum surface area that originated from the high dispersion of platinum.

Fatigue crack growth rate tests were conducted as a function of temperature, dissolved hydrogen (DH) level, and frequency in a simulated PWR environment. Fatigue crack growth rates increased slightly with increasing temperature in air. However, the fatigue crack growth rate did not change with increasing temperature in PWR water conditions. The DH levels did not affect the measured crack growth rate under the given test conditions. At 316 oC, oxides were observed on the fatigue crack surface, where the size of the oxide particles was about 0.2 μm at 5 ppb. Fatigue crack growth rate increased slightly with decreasing frequency within the frequency range of 0.1 Hz and 10 Hz in PWR water conditions; however, crack growth rate increased considerably at 0.01 Hz. The decrease of the fatigue crack growth rate in PWR water condition is attributed to crack closure resulting from the formation of oxides near the crack tips at a rather fast loading frequency of 10 Hz.

Sb-doped SnO2(ATO) thin films were prepared using electrospinning. To investigate the optimum properties of the electrospun ATO thin films, the deposition numbers of the ATO nanofibers(NFs) were controlled to levels of 1, 2, 4, and 6. Together with the different levels of deposition number, the structural, chemical, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of the nanofibers were investigated. As the deposition number of the ATO NFs increased, the thickness of the ATO thin films increased and the film surfaces were gradually densified, which affected the electrical properties of the ATO thin films. 6 levels of the ATO thin film exhibited superior electrical properties due to the improved carrier concentration and Hall mobility resulting from the increased thickness and surface densification. Also, the thickness of the samples had an effect on the optical properties of the ATO thin films. The ATO thin films with 6 deposited levels displayed the lowest transmittance and highest haze. Therefore, the figure of merit(FOM) considering the electrical and optical properties showed the best value for ATO thin films with 4 deposited levels.

We present the detection characteristics of nitrogen monoxide(NO) gas using p-type copper oxide(CuO) thin film gas sensors. The CuO thin films were fabricated on glass substrates by a sol-gel spin coating method using copper acetate hydrate and diethanolamine as precursors. Structural characterizations revealed that we prepared the pure CuO thin films having a monoclinic crystalline structure without any obvious formation of secondary phase. It was found from the NO gas sensin measurements that the p-type CuO thin film gas sensors exhibited a maximum sensitivity to NO gas in dry air at an operating temperature as low as 100 oC. Additionally, these CuO thin film gas sensors were found to show reversible and reliable electrical response to NO gas in a range of operating temperatures from 60 oC to 200 oC. It is supposed from these results that the ptype oxide semiconductor CuO thin film could have significant potential for use in future gas sensors and other oxide electronics applications using oxide p-n heterojunction structures.

Ceramics biomaterials are useful as implant materials in orthopedic surgery. In this study, porous HA(hydroxyapatite)/β-TCP(tricalcium phosphate) composite biomaterials were successfully fabricated using HA/β-TCP powders with 10-30 wt% NH4HCO3 as a space holder(SH) and TiH2 as a foaming agent, and MgO powder as a binder. The HA/β-TCP powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering(SPS) process at 1000 oC under 20 MPa conditions. The effect of SH content on the pore size and distribution of the HA/β-TCP composite was observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and a microfocus X-ray computer tomography system(SMX-225CT). These microstructure observations revealed that the volume fraction of the pores increased with increasing SH content. The pore size of the HA/β-TCP composites is about 400-500 μm. The relative density of the porous HA/β-TCP composite increased with decreasing SH content. The porous HA/β-TCP composite fabricated with 30%SH exhibited an elastic modulus similar to that of cortical bone; however, the compression strength of this composite is higher than that of cortical bone.

The purpose of the present study is to provide exercises, together with music, that are helpful for elderly people’s balancing ability, and to determine their effects in order to provide data for the promotion of elderly persons’health. Thirty elderly persons were randomly assigned to a balance training group(BTG) of 15 subjects, or a music and balance training group (music therapy + balance training [MTBTG]) of 15 subjects; intervention was implemented three times per week for six weeks. To measure the changes in their balancing ability before and after the experiment, the limit of stability, the“Timed Up and Go”(TUG) test, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were measured. Changes in the limit of stability before and after the experiment were shown to be significant in both the BTG and the MTBTG. Changes in the limit of stability of the right side before and after the experiment showed statistically significant differences between the BTG and the MTBTG. Changes in the TUG test and the BBS before and after the experiment were shown to be statistically significant in both the BTG and the MTBTG. The application of music during balance training thus is considered to have a positive effect on elderly persons’balancing ability.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship the quality of life, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in the Republic of Korea. This study was utilized raw data from the 2010 KCHS. In total, 229,229 individuals participated in the 2010 survey. The final analysis was identified 22,545 individuals who had been diagnosed by a doctor with arthritis or osteoporosis. To identify the relationship between the quality of life - related after treated or treating of arthritis, osteoporosis, A multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Treating group for osteoarthritis of their quality of life has statistically been less than after treated group(B=-.068, p<.001). Treating group for osteoporosis of their quality of life has statistically been less than after treated group(B=-.083, p<.001). Non-treatment group who was diagnosed by doctor, but no treated subject for osteoarthritis of their quality of life has statistically been less than after treated group(B=-.075, p<.001). Non-treatment group that was diagnosed by doctor, but no treated subject for osteoporosis of their quality of life has statistically been less than after treated group(B=-.045, p<.001). Non-treatment group who was diagnosed by doctor, but no treated subject for osteoporosis and arthritis of their quality of life has statistically been less than after treated group(B=-.0121, p<.001). as a result of those data, we understand that the decision maker for treatment has been chosen by quality of life, including pain, mobility activity and so on.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of joint position on the distraction distance in patients with adhesive capsulitis of glenohumeral joint. The study was conducted upon 20 adults in their 40's with the findings of adhesive capsulitis of glenohumeral joint. These subjects were subdivided into 3 groups, which were a group with neutral position(n=7), second group with resting position(n=7) and third group with end-range position( n=6). After having the subject wearing sleeveless shirts exposing armpit and lying straight on the plinth, a physical therapist with OMT qualification pulled glenohumeral joint at the Grade Ⅲ of Kaltenborn-Evjenth traction; and the distance between glenoid fossa and humeral head was measured with ultrasound. Following the application of traction, the group with resting position(.67±0.29) exhibited the longest distance between humeral head and glenoid fossa, and it was followed by neutral position(.50±0.25) and end-range position(.35±.21) in this order. From the comparison of these groups, there was no significant difference in distraction distance between resting position and neutral position; and there was again no significant difference in distraction distance between end-range position and neutral position. However, there was a significant difference in distraction distance between end-range position and resting position(p<.05). Upon application of the Grade Ⅲ of Kaltenborn-Evjenth traction, it was evident that the distance between humeral head and glenoid fossa can be varied depending on the location of the joint.

This study aimed to examine the most effective exercise method for shoulder joint rehabilitation by comparatively observing activity of shoulder stabilizer muscles during push up and push up plus exercises under diverse stable conditions. The subjects were 20 healthy adults students who went to M university. While the subjects conducted push up and push up plus exercises under diverse stable conditions(a stable surface, a support of 25cm height, a support of 30 cm height and a balance pad), activities of the upper trapezius muscle, pectoralis major muscle, serratus anterior muscle, and triceps brachii muscle were recorded. During push up and push up plus exercises, activities of the stabilizer muscles were higher when the stable condition was changed rather than on the stable surface. In particular, when the support of 30cm height and balance pads were applied, activity of the shoulder stabilizer was highest. There were significant differences in the upper trapezius muscle and triceps brachii muscle during the push up exercise(p<.05) and in the serratus anterior muscle during the push up plus exercise(p<.05). Activities of the shoulder stabilizers were higher when the upper and lower limbs' surface stable conditions were changed than the stable surface. Therefore, when programs for rehabilitation of shoulder joints are applied, provision of diverse stable conditions according to patients' conditions will be effective methods.

This study was conducted to identify how a flexi-bar exercise influences body alignment and balance in adults who have asymmetry in their right or left body. In total, 20 participants were separated into the experimental group and the comparison group. Those in the experimental group participated in a flexi-bar exercise for 6 weeks and based on the coronal plane before and after exercise, their body alignment and balance were measured behind the body. The result was those who had participated in a flexi-bar exercise significantly improved their angle of acromion on both sides, the difference in the angle and height of the posterior superior iliac spine on both sides(p<.05), and the balance of the center sagittal plane(p<.05). Through this study, it could be said that participating in a flexi-bar exercise would improve postural alignment and balance of the shoulder and pelvis in adults with asymmetric posture.

The purpose of the present study is to apply Maitland orthopedic manual physical therapy to patients to examine the effects of the therapy on the digestive system through serum gastrin tests that can identify the motility of the digestive system and dyspepsia symptoms and can provide basic data for internal medicinal physical therapy. Maitland orthopedic manual physical therapy was implemented on 20 subjects in total, with 10 in a dyspepsia group and 10 in a control group, for 20 minutes per day, three days per week for three weeks, and the following results were obtained. In the control group, serum gastrin values significantly decreased between before and after treatment(p<.01), and among questionnaire items regarding dyspepsia, those regarding epigastric pain and belching showed significant decreases in these symptoms(p<.05). In the dyspepsia group, serum gastrin values significantly decreased between before and after treatment(p<.01) and all questions regarding dyspepsia showed significant decreases in all symptoms(p<.01). According to the analysis, the dyspepsia group decreased significantly more than the control group in serum gastrin values and all dyspepsia symptoms, except for belching(p<.001). Through the present study, it was identified that Maitland orthopedic manual physical therapy can improve dyspepsia symptoms and is an effective treatment method for internal diseases, such as dyspepsia, by improving gastric motility to become close to the normal state.

The purpose of this study was to find out an inspiratory muscles training program’s therapeutic effects on stroke patients’respiratory function. For the purpose, this study targeted 20 stroke patients being hospitalized in K hospital in Daegu, and diveded the patients into the both groups of Inspiratory muscle training(IMT) group and control group, randomization. The 10 patients in the IMT group was applied the inspiratory muscles training. The control group was composed of other 10 patients. IMT group was given a inspiratory muscle training program for 30 minutes per times, 5 times a week for 6 weeks. The investigator measured the patients’respiratory function compared changes in the function and ability before and after the IMT. The results of this study are as follows. Investigating the inspiratory muscle training group’s lung functions, there appeared some significant differences in the tests the FVC(Forced vital capacity), FEV1(Forced expired volume in one second) before and after the training(p<.05), but the control group had no significant in the same tests before and after(p<.05). The differences in the both groups after depending the inspiratory muscles training were significantly found in the tests of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC(p<.05). The maximum inspiratory pressure showed some significant differences in the inspiratory muscle training group(p<.05), but didn't show any significant difference in the control group(p>.05). Conclusionally, it will be judged that the inspiratory muscles training program will improve stroke patients’respiratory function, and it is considered that will move up stroke patients’gait and body function.