본 연구의 목적은 기존의 하드 타입의 관성 센서를 대체할 수 있는 소프트 원단 기반 팔꿈치 굽힘 각 센서를 개발하 고, 이를 이용하여 굽힘 각도를 추정하는 시스템을 개발하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 비교 선정을 위하여 Bergamo, E-band, Span cushion, Polyester의 서로 다른 역학적 특성을 가진 4종류 원단에 SWCNT (Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes) 함침을 통해 전도성을 부여한 후 성능 평가를 통하여 하나의 원단을 선정하여 팔꿈치 굽힘 각 센서로 제작 하였다. 성능을 평가하는 지표로 게이지율(Gauge factor), 이력현상(Hysteresis) 및 센싱 범위를 사용하였다. 제작된 센 서를 통해 얻은 데이터는 bending 동작에서의 각도에 대한 센서 출력값의 변화와 extending 동작에서의 각도에 대한 센서 출력값의 변화가 다른 경향을 갖고 있기 때문에 두 가지 동작을 나누는 것을 1-step으로 하였다. 2-step으로, 데이 터의 복잡한 비선형 관계를 처리하고 높은 데이터 정확도를 달성하기 위해 MLP (Multi-Layer Perceptron)를 활용하였 다. 따라서 소프트 텍스타일 굽힘 센서를 제작하였고, MLP를 통해 비선형 관계를 처리하고 각도 추정이 가능해졌다. 본 연구 결과를 기반으로 다양한 스마트 웨어러블 및 헬스케어 분야에서 효과적으로 활용되기를 기대한다.

In this study, the structural integrity of the composite rocket motor case of a space launch vehicle was evaluated by conducting compression and bending tests. Two composite rocket motor case specimens with different stacking patterns were prepared for each test, and a dedicated jig was designed and manufactured. The test procedure was developed and applied separately for compression and bending tests. By performing these tests, the composite rocket motor case structural safety was assessed.

Background: Foot drop is a common symptom in stroke patients. Tape applications are widely used to manage foot drop symptoms. Previous studies have evaluated the effects of static and dynamic balance and gait on foot drop using kinesiology tape; however, only few studies have used dynamic tape application in stroke patients with foot drop. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of dynamic taping, which facilitates the dorsiflexor muscle, on static and dynamic balance and gait speed in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods: The study included 34 voluntary patients (17 men, 17 women) with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17), wherein dynamic taping was used to facilitate the dorsiflexor muscle, or the control group (n = 17), wherein kinesiology taping was used. Before the taping application, velocity average, path-length average, Berg balance scale, and timed up and go test (TUG) were recorded to measure static and dynamic balance, whereas the 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was used to measure gait speed. After the taping application, these parameters were re-evaluated in both groups. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used. Statistical significance levels were set to α = 0.05. Results: Except for the 10MWT scores in the control group, significant differences were noted in all the parameters measured for static and dynamic balance and gait speed between the pre and post-test (p < 0.05). However, the parameters showed significant interaction effects between group and time in the TUG and 10MWT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that compared with kinesiology taping, dynamic taping used in chronic stroke patients with foot drop had a more significant effect on dynamic balance and gait speed.

The design of the corner joints in furniture structures is very important to firmly support the loaded structure and to sufficiently maintain the durability and stability. Therefore, the strength of the corner joints and the rigidity of the connected panels play a very important role in the structural performance of the assembled furniture. The structural properties can be measured or calculated experimentally or numerically, and compared by representing the applyed forces or bending moments as a function of deformed value. This paper shows the numerical models to determine the strength and stiffness of the 3-types of corner joints for simple designed furniture. Based on the finite element results, the maximum stresses are concentrated on the corner joints designed with MDF panels. And the deformation resistances and maximum applied loads are calculated for furniture corner joints under tensile and compressive moment.

In the manufacturing of bulk graphite, pores produced by vaporization and discharge of volatile materials in binders during carbonization reduce the density of bulk graphite, which adversely affects the electrical conductivity, strength and mechanical properties. Therefore, an impregnation process is introduced to fill the pores and increase the density of bulk graphite. In this study, bulk graphite is prepared by varying the viscosity of the impregnant. The microstructure of bulk graphite is observed. The flexural strength and electrical resistivity are measured. As the viscosity of the impregnants decreases and the number of impregnations increases, it is shown that the number of pores decreases. The density before impregnation is 1.62 g/cm3. The density increases to 1.67 g/cm3 and porosity decreases by 18.6 % after three impregnations using 5.1 cP impregnant, resulting in the best pore-filling effect. After three times of impregnation with a viscosity of 5.1 cP, the flexural strength increases by 55.2 % and the electrical resistivity decreases by 86.76 %. This shows that a slight increase in density due to the pore-filling effect improves the properties of bulk graphite.

Background: The flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) refers to a sudden onset of activity in the erector spinae muscles that recedes or fades during full forward flexion of the trunk. Lumbar spine and hip flexion are associated with many daily physical activities that also impact trunk flexion. Shorter hamstring muscles result in a reduction of pelvic mobility that eventually culminates in low back pain (LBP). Many studies have explored the FRP in relation to LBP. However, few studies have investigated the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into three groups according to hamstring length measured through an active knee extension test. The 30 participants consisted of 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 20˚ or less (Group 1), 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 21˚–39˚ (Group 2), and 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 40˚ or more (Group 3). A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the difference in muscle activity of the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Results: The subjects with a shorter hamstring length had significantly higher muscle activity in their erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion and full trunk flexion (p < 0.05). The subjects with a shorter hamstring length also had a significantly higher flexion-relaxation ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that differences in hamstring muscle length can influence the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles. This finding suggests that the shortening of the hamstring might be associated with LBP.

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

Background: Measurement of passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADROM) is often part of a physical therapy assessment. Objects: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of subtalar joint neutral position (SJNP) on passive ADROM according to knee position in young adults. Methods: We recruited 14 young adult participants for this study. Two examiners used a universal goniometer to measure passive ADROM with and without SJNP. Dorsiflexion force was applied to the forefoot until maximum resistance was reached in two knee positions (extension and 90˚ flexion) in the prone position. Subtalar joint position was also recorded at maximum ADROM. Passive ADROM was measured three times at different knee and subtalar joint positions, in random order. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the effects of subtalar joint and knee position on passive ADROM. Results: Passive ADROM was significantly lower with than without SJNP during both knee extension (mean difference: 7.4˚) and 90˚ flexion (mean difference: 16.9˚) (p<.01). Passive ADROM was significantly higher during 90˚ knee flexion than during knee extension both with (mean difference: 5.8˚) and without SJNP (mean difference: 15.2˚) (p<.01). The valgus position of the subtalar joint was significantly lower with than without SJNP during both knee extension (mean difference: 3.3˚) and 90˚ flexion (mean difference: 4.3˚) (p<.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the gastrocnemius may limit ankle dorsiflexion more than the soleus does. Greater dorsiflexion at the subtalar and midtarsal joints was observed during passive ADROM measurement without than that with SJNP; therefore, SJNP should be maintained for accurate measurement of ADROM.

The structural performance of a vehicle can be evaluated by the static and dynamic structural analyses which predict the amount of deformation, stiffness. And the static analysis should be done first. Another important aspect to be considered in the design process is crashworthiness, because a structurally sturdy vehicle body may be overdesigned with excessive strength and durability standards. The ideal condition of a body structure is to absorb impact load at a certain level of local deformation, to distribute the load to each structure adequately, and to prevent excessive stress concentration and deformation. This paper is the result of the consideration of automotive body, bending and torsional stiffness for structure stiffness estimation of automotive body through finite element modeling.

Recently magnesium alloy sheet has been used as a lightweight material in transportation area. Warm forming is a forming method that improves formability and reduces springback. The magnesium alloy sheet has a characteristic that large difference of flow stress increases depending on strain rate at high temperature. These characteristics cause low dimensional accuracy of formed products. In this study, experiments were performed on the 2D-draw bending with respect to the temperature and forming speed in order to investigate the effects of strain rate and temperature. It was found that as the temperature increases, spinrgback of 2D-draw bending decreased and formability of AZ31B increased. Additionally, the effect of the punch speed was investigated. At 250°C, as the punch speed increased, the springback of 2D-draw bending decreased.

Background: The deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles have a crucial role in the management of neck pain. For preventing neck pain by activation of the DCF, craniocervical flexion (CCF) is an effective exercise. However, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is considered to affect negatively the activation of the DCF. SCM muscle which is an accessory muscle for respiration is activated differently depending on types of breathing patterns. It’s not certain that breathing patterns affect the SCM and DCF muscles thickness during CCF exercise. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of breathing patterns on the SCM and DCF muscles thickness during CCF exercise. Methods: Forty-five subjects participated in this study, and they were classified according to their breathing pattern, as follows: Costodiaphragmatic breathing (CDB) and upper costal breathing (UCB) groups. Ultrasonographic imaging of the SCM and DCF muscles was performed during five incremental levels of CCF during tidal breathing and expiration. Results: There was a significant interaction between the breathing pattern and the phase of CCF for percentage of SCM muscle thickness changes (p˂.05). In phase 1 CCF, a percentage of SCM muscle thickness changes was increased in the UCB group than in the CDB group (p˂.05). There was an increase in DCF muscles thickness with each additional CCF phase (p˂.05). Conclusion: Recruitment of SCM muscle was increased in the UCB group while performing CCF with a low intensity. There were no significant differences on DCF recruitment between the breathing pattern groups. Higher CCF exercise intensities elicited a higher DCF recruitment.

Background: Deficits of both ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) and dynamic balance are shown in persons with chronic ankle instability and the elderly, with the risk of falls. Objects: This study aims to investigate the relationship between DFROM and dynamic balance in elderly subjects and young adults. Methods: Fifty-nine subjects were divided into three groups: ankle stability young group (SY), ankle instability young group (IY) and ankle stability older group (SO). We recruited three old subjects with ankle instability, but excluded them during a pilot testing due to the safety issue. DFROM was measured by weight bearing lunge test (WBLT) and dynamic balance was measured via star excursion balance test (SEBT) in anteromedial, medial, and posteromedial directions. The group differences in WBLT and SEBT and each group’s correlation between WBLT and SEBT were detected using the R statistical software package. Results: The dorsiflexion range of motion was significantly different between the SY, IY, and SO groups. The SO group showed the highest DFROM and IY group showed the lowest DFROM (SY: 45.88±.66˚, IY: 39.53±1.63˚, SO: 47.94±.50˚; p<.001). However, the SO group showed the lowest dynamic balance score for all SEBT directions (SY: 87.24±2.05 ㎝, IY: 83.20±1.30 ㎝, SO: 77.23±2.07 ㎝; p<.05) and there was no relationship between the dorsiflexion range of motion and dynamic balance in any group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ankle DFROM is not a crucial factor for dynamic stability regardless of aging and ankle instability. Other factors such as muscle strength or movement coordination should be considered for training dynamic balance. Therefore, we need to establish the rehabilitation process by measuring and treating ROM, balance, and muscle strength when treating young adults with and without ankle instability as well as elderly people.

Recycling is required for all disused vehicle since 2015. The resource recycling act also recommends that most disused vehicle parts have to be reused except for steering and brake parts. Since vehicle windshields should provide protection for drivers and passengers, they need high structural strength and reliability. However, the vehicle windshields themselves contain many defects arising from glass production process. Because the vehicle windshields are exposed to harsh road conditions, they are expected to experience the formation and growth of surface cracks, which can result in sudden failure. In this study, equibiaxial flexural strength tests are performed on used vehicle windshields to examine whether or not the parts can endure high impact stress due to foreign flying objects. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) The equibiaxial flexural strength of used vehicle windshields fits the two-parameter Weibull distribution. The equibiaxial flexural strength with a 99.9% failure probability is 69MPa for used vehicle windshields. (2) The equibiaxial flexural strength with six sigma quality level and maximum principal stress at vehicle windshield under high impact load are 8.05MPa and 23MPa respectively. Therefore, Structural safety factor of used vehicle windshields is 0.35 and so we should prohibit used vehicle windshields from keeping in reuse.

Background:Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely on their upper limbs for body-lifting activity (BLA). While studies have examined the electromyography (EMG) and kinematics of the shoulder joints during BLA, no studies have considered foot position during BLA.Objects:This study compared the effects of different foot positions during BLA on the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion in individuals with SCI.Methods:The study enrolled 13 mens with motor-complete paraplegic SCI, ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) A or B. All subjects performed BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest and on the floor independently. Surface EMG was used to collect data from the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii. The peak plantar pressure was measured using pedar-X and the knee flexion angle with Image J. Borg’s rating perceived exertion scale was used to measure the physical activity intensity level. The paired t-test was used to compare the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion between the two feet positions during BLA.Results:The activity of the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii and rating perceived exertion decreased significantly and the peak plantar pressure and knee flexion angle increased significantly when performing BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest compared with on the floor (p<.05).Conclusion:These findings suggest that individuals with SCI may perform BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest for weight-relief lifting to decrease the shoulder muscle activities and the rating perceived exertion and to increase the peak plantar pressure and the knee flexion angle.

In order to provide the basis data for broad use and safe design of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, this paper aims at investigating the fracture behavior on CFRP specimen composed of one directional fiber through three point bending test. On the basis of experimental result, the improvement of composite layer specimen can be secured with the other data to compare the existing specimen. The fracture behavior happened at the experimental procedure is investigated in this study. The maximum loads of 1200 N, 1700N and 1600N are shown respectively at the specimens with the layer angles of 30°, 45° and 60°. The highest load is shown at the layer angle of 60° among all specimens and the longest displacement is maintained until each of the layer structure is broken down. The fracture due to the force applied from the outside can be prevented by applying the result of this study to the real structure. As structural safety can be evaluated and anticipated through this study, it is thought that the safe design is devoted.

In this study, the buckling restoration at CFRP 3-Point bending specimen composed of 30°, 45°and 60° is investigated when the pressure at the lowest position on the compressed specimen is eliminated. The fracture configuration and stress contour of the specimen can be seen according to the laminate angle of fiber. The result of this study is thought to apply the data for the safe design of CFRP structure.

Background: A forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common types of poor head posture in patients with neck disorder. A prolonged FHP might increase pressure on the posterior cranio-cervical structure and exhibit reduced performance on a cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT). CCFT is included to activate deep cervical flexor muscles and inhibit excessive activation of superficial cervical flexor muscles. Therefore, the selective activation of deep cervical flexors is needed for effective exercise for FHP. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle thickness between longus colli (Lco) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) using ultrasonography in subjects with FHP depending on head support. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, case-control research design study. The ultrasonographic images of Lco and SCM were taken in 17 subjects with FHP during the 5 phases of the CCFT with and without a head support. Towel was used for supporting head to make the neutral head position in supine. Changes in muscle thickness during the test were calculated to infer muscle activation. Data were analyzed using repeated measures of two-way analysis of variance with the significance level of .05. Results: When subjects performed the CCFT with head support, there was a significant difference in muscle thickness of Lco and SCM (p<.05). According to a post hoc paired t-test, change of thickness of Lco was greater at all phases, and change of thickness of SCM muscle was less at phase 4 and 5 in condition with head support (p<.01) compared to condition without head support (p<.01). Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that applying head support for neutral head position during CCFT could be a useful method for activating Lco muscle without excessive activation of SCM muscle.

본 논문에서는 굽힘하중이 가해지는 스마트 복합재 적층판의 자유단에서 발생하는 박리응력을 압전 작동기를 이용해서 감소시키는 방법을 응력함수를 이용해 해석하는 방법을 제안하였다. 전기-기계 연성에 의해 나타나는 지배방정식은 최소 보족일의 원리를 이용해 구하였다. 응력상태는 일반적인 고유치 해석과정을 통해 구하였다. 스마트 복합재 적층판의 자유단 박리응력은 압전 작동기를 이용해 감소시킬 수 있었다. cross-ply 복합재 적층판의 박리응력 감소가 angle-ply 복합재 적층판 보다 크게 나타났다.