Background: Disuse Syndrome is defined as a significantly reduced functional state due to acute disease or surgery. Despite the many advantages to robot rehabilitation, there have been no reported cases of robot rehabilitation being applied to patients with disuse syndrome. Objectives: To investigated report cases of robot rehabilitation in patients diagnosed with disuse syndrome after severe COVID-19 infection. Design: Case report. Methods: The subject of this study was an 81-year-old male who was 161 cm tall and weighed 55.3 kg. At the time of admission to the hospital, the patient had a manual muscle testing (MMT) score of 36 points and a modified barthel index (MBI) score of 7 points. Additionally, the patient had a fall risk assessment score of 10 and a visual analogue scale of 6 for lower back pain. The patient's MMT, trunk impairment scale (TIS), and MBI were followed up. The patient received acute rehabilitation treatment for 4 weeks, followed by additional robotic rehabilitation. For 4 weeks, a standing tilt robot and a wearable robot were applied for 2 weeks each. Results: After 4 weeks of intervention, MMT, TIS, and MBI were improved in the patients. MMT improved from 36 points to 41 points. TIS improved from 0 to 13 points. MBI improved from 7 points to 29 points. Conclusion: There is a need to pay more attention to the rehabilitation of patients with disuse syndrome in recovery rehabilitation hospitals. It is speculated that robot-assisted rehabilitation can be applied to patients with disuse syndrome.
Background: As sedentary life increases, people's thoracic vertebra joint movement decreases, and the resulting associated pain is complaining of a lot of discomfort. This is also affecting the autonomic nervous system. Objectives: The purpose of this study was therefore to find out the effect of thoracic vertebra joint mobilization on heart rate variability in upper back pain patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Method: Thirty subjects in this study were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 persons each using a randomization tool. Maitland's grade III joint mobilization, hot pack, and interferential current therapy (ICT) were applied to T1-L2 and hot pack and ICT were applied to the control group. The intervention was performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Results: There were statistically significant changes in Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Standard Deviation of all Normal R-R Intervals (SDNN), Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratio in the study group, and statistically significant changes in VAS, SDNN, and LF/HF ratio in the control group. In comparison of differences, there were statistically significant changes in VAS. Conclusion: Positive effects were found on SDNN and LF/HF ratio in both the joint mobilization group and the control group compared to before the study. In particular, even LF and HF were positive in the joint mobilization group showed influence.
Background: Mobilization movements was applied with different forces and frequencies for different clinicians. Force transmission varies with frequency. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of frequency- specific application of grade III PA movement on muscle tone and muscle activity around the lumbar vertebrae. Design: A one group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Twenty study subjects applied grades III of PA movement exercise of 0.5 Hz and 1 Hz with a force of 13 N around the 1st and 3rd lumbar vertebrae, and muscle tone and muscle activity were measured and compared before and after. Results: This study showed that 0.5 Hz grade III PA activity exerted an effect on the decrease in muscle tone of the 1st and 3rd right and left lumbar muscles. It was found that 0.5 Hz affected the right side of L1 and 1.0 Hz affected the left side of L1 in near-activity when applying the grade III PA movement by frequency. Conclusion: In the future, it will be necessary to investigate the effect of applying frequency according to various grades of PA movement.
Background: This study attempted a comparative analysis of three splint fabrication methods currently used in clinical fields. Traditional Orthotic Fabrication Method Utilizing Thermoplastic Resin, the Methodology for creating assistive devices using 3D scanner, commercial CAD software, and 3D printing technology, and the Fabrication Method of Arm Splint Based on XR (eXtended Reality) Algorithm. Objectives: The study recruited 12 undergraduate students majoring in physical therapy and occupational therapy who had sufficient knowledge of splints, with an equal gender distribution. The study randomized the participants and conducted the experiment and overall process using a stratified approach. Design: Clinical applied technology experiment Methods: The study used QUEST 2.0 (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology ver. 2.0) to survey standardization, weight, ease of use, safety, durability, usability, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction, and statistically analyzed all results as quantitative indicators. Results: The score of QUEST 2.0 showed different aspects in some items, and it is difficult to say that certain technologies are superior overall. Conclusion: The study attempted an intuitive interpretation of the results. Overall, it was concluded that the XR method, which allows for easy and fast fabrication, is likely to be more readily accepted in future clinical practice.
Background: Back stabilization exercises have been applied to decrease low back pain. Pilates exercise can help stabilize the low back and pelvic alignment, and uses equipment such as cadillac, reformer, chair, and barrel. Objectives: This study was conducted to confirm the effects of pilates exercise using cadillac equipment and self-exercise using back pain educational materials on pain, pelvic inclination, and single leg stance ability in adult women with back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-five participants (female 25) with unspecified low back pain with lumbar hyperextension and anterior pelvic tilt were recruited. 25 adult women with back pain were randomly divided into a pilates group and a selfexercise group. Pilates exercise intervention using a cadillac was administered to the pilates group, and posture and lifestyle education materials for back pain were provided to the self-exercise group. All of the interventions were conducted 3 times a week for 4 weeks, 50 minutes per session, and the results are as follows. Results: Data analysis in each group revealed statistical differences between self-exercise and divided into a Pilates intervention. A visual analog scale (VAS)/oswestry disability index (ODI) decreased pain in both groups, Independent t-test decreased pain in both groups, but there was no significant difference. Data analysis divided into a pilates group revealed statistical differences between a VAS/ODI and pelvic tilt angle and static balance. It has been shown to increase scores or relieve pain. Conclusion: Through this study, it was confirmed that the pilates exercise using cadillac can be effectively used to reduce back pain, improve pelvic alignment, and improve single leg stance ability in adult women with low back pain.
Background: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) has been proven effective in a myriad of clinical fields as a treatment to restore function in patients with musculoskeletal disorders, damage to the central nervous system, or sports injuries. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 2-week PNF exercise intervention on the degree of calcification, pain perception, and shoulder joint function in persons with calcific tendinitis (CT) of the supraspinatus. Design: Matched pairs design. Methods: This study was classified into a PNF group (n=8) and a control group (n=7) through a matched pairs design. Filmed x-rays, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and Constant-Murley Scale (CMS) were used to assess the long and short axis of calcified deposits, self-awareness of pain, and shoulder joint function of the subjects. 8 participants in the PNF group received a scapular and upper extremity PNF exercise intervention for 30 minutes per session, 10 times/week for 2 weeks while no intervention in the control group. Results: Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant improvement after the 2-week PNF exercise intervention on calcified deposits, pain, and shoulder joint function (P<.05), whereas no changes in the control. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the intensive 2-week PNF exercise may maximize intervention effects to reduce calcified deposits and pain in a relatively short period time and is effective for restoring shoulder function without combining other treatments or exercises in patients with supraspinatus CT.
Background: The Trunk Stabilization Exercise and Respiratory Muscle Exercise may help address the complex biomechanical and neuromuscular issues that contribute to shoulder joint disorders and can help improve patient outcomes in terms of pain relief, range of motion, and functional ability. Objectives: To investigated the effects of conventional physical therapy, trunk stabilization exercise, and respiratory muscle exercise, on the Range of Motion (ROM), ULF and balance in patients with shoulder joint disorder. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study randomly allocated 18 subjects to the control group, 19 to the trunk stabilization exercise group, and 19 to the respiratory muscle exercise group, while all interventions were performed five times a week for four weeks. The result measurement involved the ROM, the upper limb function test (ULT), and balance tests. Results: The respiratory muscles exercise group indicated significant improvement in ROM and balance tests than the trunk stabilization exercise group and control group. Conclusion: The respiratory muscle exercise is a more effective way to improve ROM and balance ability than trunk stabilization exercise for patients with shoulder joint disorder.
Background: Swallowing disorder is a common disease that can cause various complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and poor quality of life, and can affect people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Swallowing disorder rehabilitation is a complex process involving various skills such as exercise, diet modification, and posture adjustment. This study implements a rehab program for swallowing disorders using the Kinesio Tapping technique. Design: Prospective pilot case study. Objectives: To improve laryngeal detachment by providing external support to the muscles involved in swallowing using kinesio taping for conventional complex swallowing disorder rehabilitation. Methods: The study included 16 participants who were diagnosed with swallowing difficulties after a stroke and admitted to a rehabilitation ward in Ulsan. The average age of the participants, consisting of 9 males and 7 females, was 69.0 years (SD=1.23) and 64.0 years (SD=1.45), respectively. The stroke types were hemorrhagic and infarction, with onset periods ranging from 6 to 12 months (SD=1.11) in all participants. Each participant received a video fluoroscopy study (VFSS) for six months using the taping method developed by the research team. Kinesio taping techniques were developed by two professional physical therapists and one occupational therapist based on anatomical movements. Results: Significant differences were observed in self-training on the bed after the rehabilitation program compared to the initial period Kinesio taping can help improve laryngeal dislocation and reduce the risk of aspiration by providing external support to the muscles involved in swallowing. However, the effectiveness and optimal application techniques of kinesio taping in the rehabilitation of swallowing disorders are not yet clear. Conclusion: The results of this study could lead to the development of a new treatment protocol that incorporates kinesio taping as a standard therapy for the rehabilitation of swallowing disorders in bedridden patients.
Background: It is well known that squat exercises are good for scoliosis patients. Especially wall facing squat (WS) is believed to be more effective than normal squat (NS). Objectives: In order to find out what effect the wall squat has on the rehabilitation exercise of patients with lumbar scoliosis compared to the conventional squat, the force between the lumbar segments was compared using a motion analysis system. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: In this work, an attempt was made to provide a scientific basis for these experiences. Inverse dynamics simulations were performed for each of the 10 subjects with mild scoliosis during NS and WS using subject-specific 3D musculoskeletal models. Exercises with three sets of five cycle for NS or WS were performed. Muscle forces calculated from the simulations were compared with electromyography data for verification. Results: The imbalance of muscle forces between the right and left in erector spinae (ES) decreased with the progress of WS sets. The difference of 14.1% for the 1st set diminished to 1.8% during the 3rd set. Conclusion: The overall level of right and left ES muscle forces also increased from the 1st set to the 3rd set. The results of simulations indicated that WS was more effective than NS for scoliosis correction.
To develop a high capacity lithium secondary battery, a new approach to anode material synthesis is required, capable of producing an anode that exceeds the energy density limit of a carbon-based anode. This research synthesized carbon nano silicon composites as an anode material for a secondary battery using the RF thermal plasma method, which is an ecofriendly dry synthesis method. Prior to material synthesis, a silicon raw material was mixed at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt% based on the carbon raw material in a powder form, and the temperature change inside the reaction field depending on the applied plasma power was calculated. Information about the materials in the synthesized carbon nano silicon composites were confirmed through XRD analysis, showing carbon (86.7~52.6 %), silicon (7.2~36.2 %), and silicon carbide (6.1~11.2 %). Through FE-SEM analysis, it was confirmed that the silicon bonded to carbon was distributed at sizes of 100 nm or less. The bonding shape of the silicon nano particles bonded to carbon was observed through TEM analysis. The initial electrochemical charging/ discharging test for the 40 wt% silicon mixture showed excellent electrical characteristics of 1,517 mAh/g (91.9 %) and an irreversible capacity of 133 mAh/g (8.1 %).
This study aims to examine the correlation between microstructures and the mechanical properties of two highstrength API X70 linepipe steels with different specimen directions and Moaddition. The microstructure of the Mo-added steel has an irregularly shaped AF, GB matrix with pearlite because of the relatively large deformation in the non-recrystallization temperature region, while that of the Mo-free steel shows a PF matrix with bainitic microstructure. In the Mo-added steel, the M/A (martensite-austenite) in granular bainite (GB) and pearlite act as crack initiation sites with decreased upper shelf energy and an increased ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT). Regardless of Mo addition, all of the steels demonstrate higher strength and lower elongation in the T direction than in the L direction because of the short dislocation glide path and ease of pile-up at grain boundaries. In addition, the impact test specimens with T-L direction had a lower impact absorbed energy and higher DBTT than those with the L-T direction because the former exhibit shorter unit crack path compared to the latter.
Titanium, which has excellent strength and toughness characteristics, is increasingly used in the aerospace field. Among the titanium alloys used for body parts, more than 80 % are Ti-6Al-4V alloys with a tensile strength of 931 MPa. The spark plasma sintering (SPS) method is used for solidification molding of powder manufactured by the mechanical milling (MM) method, by sintering at low temperature for a short time. This sintering method avoids coarsening of the fine crystal grains or dispersed particles of the MM powder. To improve the mechanical properties of pure titanium without adding alloying elements, stearic acid was added to pure titanium powder as a process control agent (PCA), and MM treatment was performed. The properties of the MM powder and SPS material produced by solidifying the powder were investigated by hardness measurement, X-ray diffraction, density measurement and structure observation. The processing deformation of the pure titanium powder depends on the amount of stearic acid added and the MM treatment time. TiN was also generated in powder treated by MM 8 h with 0.50 g of added stearic acid, and the hardness of the powder was higher than that of Ti-6Al-4V alloy when treated with MM for 8 h. When the MM-treated powder was solidified in the SPS equipment, TiC was formed by the solid phase reaction. The SPS material prepared as a powder treated with MM 8 h by adding 0.50 g of stearic acid also formed TiN and exhibited the highest hardness of Hv1253.
Solar cells based on p-conjugated donor-acceptor (D-A) organic molecular systems are a promising alternative to conventional electrical energy generation. D-A molecular systems, which have a triphenylamine (TPA) moiety linked with a benzothiadiazole (BTD) moiety, open the potential development of new small molecule donors for bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. Here, a series of donor-acceptor-π-acceptor (D-A-π-A) small molecule donors (SMD) derived from triphenylamine (TPA) donor and benzothiadiazole (BTD) acceptor building blocks, were designed for BHJ organic solar cells. The small molecule donors SMD1-4 were studied using density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent-DFT (TDDFT) methods, to understand the effect of cyano and fluorine group functionalization on their properties. The effect of structure alteration by cyano and fluorine group functionalization on the optoelectronic properties, the calculated highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) and the HOMO-LUMO gaps were theoretically explored. The Voc (open-circuit photovoltage) and fill factor (FF) for SMD1-4 were obtained with a PC71BM acceptor, which showed that these organic small molecules are potential small molecule donors for organic bulk heterojunction solar cells.
An all-perovskite oxide heterostructure composed of SrSnO3/Nb-doped SrTiO3 was fabricated using the pulsed laser deposition method. In-plane and out-of-plane structural characterization of the fabricated films were analyzed by x-ray diffraction with θ-2θ scans and φ scans. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement was performed to check the film’s composition. The electrical transport characteristic of the heterostructure was determined by applying a pulsed dc bias across the interface. Unusual transport properties of the interface between the SrSnO3 and Nb-doped SrTiO3 were investigated at temperatures from 100 to 300 K. A diodelike rectifying behavior was observed in the temperature-dependent current-voltage (IV) measurements. The forward current showed the typical IV characteristics of p-n junctions or Schottky diodes, and were perfectly fitted using the thermionic emission model. Two regions with different transport mechanism were detected, and the boundary curve was expressed by ln I = -1.28V - 13. Under reverse bias, however, the temperature- dependent IV curves revealed an unusual increase in the reverse-bias current with decreasing temperature, indicating tunneling effects at the interface. The Poole-Frenkel emission was used to explain this electrical transport mechanism under the reverse voltages.
This review comprehensively summarizes the livestock odor reduction method by dietary manipulation, in-housing management, and manure management. The gut microbial metabolism of animals can be stimulated by low-crude protein feeding and the addition of probiotics, enzymes, plant extracts, and/or organic acids to their feed. These methods can result in reduced odor emissions from manure. For in-housing management, it is important to maintain the proper breeding density in the barn facilities, regularly remove dust and manure, and periodically clean the barn facilities. A barn using litter on the floor can reduce odor at a relatively low cost by adding adsorbents such as zeolite, biochar, etc. Although masking agent spraying can be the simplest and quickest way to control odors, it is not a fundamental odor mitigation strategy. Odor emissions can be reduced by installing covers on manure slurry storage facilities or by acidifying the manure slurry. It is necessary to install a solid-liquid separator in an enclosed facility to minimize odor emissions. Other methods for reducing odor emissions include covering manure composting plants with semi-permeable membranes or using reactor composting technology. In order to minimize odor emissions in the liquid manure composting, sufficient oxygen must be supplied during the fermentation process. Furthermore, the odor reduction effect can be achieved through the liquid manure pit recharge system which supplies matured liquid manure fertilizer to the slurry pit in the pig house.
Some plant pathogenic bacteria species are environmentally high-risk organisms that have a negative impact on agricultural production. Experiments with these pathogens in a biosafety laboratory require safety protocols to prevent contamination from these pathogens. In this work, we investigated the efficacy of using UV-C irradiation for the purpose of sterilizing an important plant pathogenic bacterium, Erwinia pyrifoliae, in a laboratory setting. For the test, the pathogen (1.71 × 108 CFU/ml) was inoculated on the surface of Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and the inoculated media were placed on a work surface in a biosafety cabinet (Class 2 Type A1) as well as on three different surfaces located within the laboratory: a laboratory bench, a laboratory bench shelf, and the floor. All the surfaces where the media were placed were in range of the UV-C beam projected by the UV lamp installed in the ceiling of the BSL 2 Class biosafety laboratory. Measurements of the reduction rate of bacteria under UV-C irradiation were conducted at different time intervals: after 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours, respectively. The reduction rate of bacteria ranged from 90% to 99% after 10min irradiation, from 97.8% to 100% after 30 minutes of irradiation, from 99.1% to 100% after 1 hour of irradiation, and from 99.99% to 100% after 2 hours of irradiation. After 3 hours of irradiation, the pathogen was completely killed in all the test conditions. In the cases of the laboratory bench and the shelf of the laboratory bench, the effectiveness of UV-C irradiation differed slightly between the site where the bacteria located vertically under the lamp and the site where the bacteria were located 1 meter away horizontally from the site under of the lamp.
This study was carried out to examine the concentration and distribution characteristics of total airborne bacteria (TAB) and airborne mold in non-regulated public-use facilities. The arithmetic mean (AM) of the TAB in all facilities was 356.5 ± 419.3 CFU/m3, and the geometric means (GM) was 157.8 CFU/m3, which did not exceed the standard value of 800 CFU/m3. The highest concentration was 637.3 ± 372.0 CFU/m3 (GM: 534.9 CFU/m3) in the underground shopping mall. The AM of airborne mold in all facilities was 448.2 ± 429.6 CFU/m3 (GM: 285.4 CFU/m3), which did not exceed the standard value of 500 CFU/m3, but was close to it. In particular, subway station (AM: 661.5 ± 441.2 CFU/m3, GM: 540.0 CFU/ m3), large-scale store (AM: 587.6 ± 683.2 CFU/m3, GM: 297.8 CFU/m3), and private educational institute (AM: 528.8 ± 379.6 CFU/m3, GM: 373.7 CFU/m3) exceeded the standard. Operational taxonomic unit of 16S rDNA and ITS2 rDNA region was analyzed to profile bacteria and mold component in the air of the public-use facilities. As a result, Pseudomonas and Morganella are the major bacterial groups. Regarding mold, Aspergillus, Candida, Malassezia, and Penicillium are the major groups. Component of each airborne bacterial and mold groups varied depending on the type of public-use facilities.
We used the measurement data derived from a proton transfer reaction time-offlight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) to ascertain the source profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 4 major industrial classifications which showed the highest emissions from a total of 26 industrial classifications of A industrial complex. Methanol (MOH) was indicated as the highest VOC in the industrial classification of fabricated metal manufacture, and it was followed by dichloromethane (DM), ethanol (EN) and acetaldehyde (AAE). In the industrial classification of printing and recording media, the emission of ethylacetate (EA) and toluene (TOL) were the highest, and were followed by acetone (ACT), ethanol (EN) and acetic acid (AA). TOL, MOH, 2-butanol (MEK) and AAE were measured at high concentrations in the classification of rubber and plastic manufacture. In the classification of sewage, wastewater and manure treatment, TOL was the highest, and it was followed by MOH, H2S, and ethylbenzene (EBZ). In future studies, the source profiles for various industrial classifications which can provide scientific evidence must be completed, and then specified mitigation plans of VOCs for each industrial classification should be established.
오늘날 사이버 안보의 위협은 모든 국가안보 사안과 관련되어 있다고 해 도 과언이 아니다. 사이버 안보의 위협은 정부와 안보기관에서 대응해야 할 핵심적인 사안으로 부상하였다. 국내에서도 사이버 안보 강화를 위한 법령 제정에 대한 논의가 있어왔으며 2011년 사이버위협 대응을 위한 부처별 역 할을 정립하는 등의 대응을 위한 ‘국가사이버 안보마스터 플랜’이 수립되었 고, 비교적 최근인 2019년에는 ‘국가사이버안보전략’이 세워지는 등의 노력 이 있어왔다. 그러나 이러한 노력들은 아직까지는 추상적인 수준에 머물고 있으며, 실제 사이버 안보 관련 입법으로 이어지지 못하였다는 점에서 한계 가 있다. 따라서 한국은 사이버 공간을 통한 다양한 정보활동, 대테러위협, 해킹위협 등에 노출되어 있음에도 불구하고 사이버 위협 대상이 되는 주요 시설과 취약시설에 대한 보안을 강화할 수 있는 법령이 상당히 취약하다. 반 면 미국과 유럽 등 해외 주요 선진국들은 2000년대 초부터 국가적 차원에서 사이버위협에 대응하기 위한 체계들을 세우고, 정책을 개발하고, 그리고 법 령들을 제정해왔다. 이러한 활동은 사이버 위협 컨트롤 타워 설립, 전담조직 설치, 관련기관 및 조직에 대한 책임 및 역할 부여, 사이버 안보법 제정, 사 이버안보 전략 수립 등의 다양한 법령과 전략, 그리고 정책의 수립 등을 포 함한다. 복잡한 사이버 안보사안의 출현과 다양한 사이버 안보 위협주체들의 등장으로 더욱 위협적으로 변모하고 있는 안보환경 속에서 국내 사이버 안 보 역량 강화를 위한 입법은 매우 시급하고 중요하다. 그러나 국내에서는 이 러한 사이버 안보관련 입법에 대한 관심이나 논의는 아직까지 미흡한 실정 이다. 이에 따라, 이 연구에서는 국내 사이버 안보관련 전략발전과 법령제정 에 기여하기 위한 의도로 미국의 사이버 안보전략과 정책, 그리고 법률의 발 전 동향을 살펴보았다. 이를 통해 이 연구는 국내 사이버 안보전략과 정책발 전 그리고 관련 법령의 제정과 관련된 시사점을 제시하였다.