This study proposes a low-cycle fatigue life derived from measurement points on pipe elbows, which are components that are vulnerable to seismic load in the interface piping systems of nuclear power plants that use seismic isolation systems. In order to quantitatively define limit states regarding leakage, i.e., actual failure caused by low-cycle fatigue, in-plane cyclic loading tests were performed using a sine wave of constant amplitude. The test specimens consisted of SCH40 6-inch carbon steel pipe elbows and straight pipes, and an image processing method was used to measure the nonlinear behavior of the test specimens. The leakage lines caused by low-cycle fatigue and the low-cycle fatigue curves were compared and analyzed using the relationship between the relative deformation angles, which were measured based on each of the measurement points on the straight pipe, and the moment, which was measured at the center of the pipe elbow. Damage indices based on the combination of ductility and dissipation energy at each measurement point were used to quantitatively express the time at which leakage occurs due to through-wall cracking in the pipe elbow.

Background: The characteristics of lateral epicondylitis (LE) are muscle strength weakness and increased common extensor tendon (CET) thickness. Ultrasonography has recently been used to evaluate tendinopathy. Diamond taping (DT) is commonly used to manage patients with LE. However, no previous studies have investigated the effects of DT on CET thickness. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DT applied around the lateral elbow on CET thickness, grip strength, and wrist extension force in healthy subjects. Methods: The subjects were 26 adults (13 male) in their twenties. First, the CET thickness was measured at rest. The CET thickness was measured by using ultrasonography at two points. The subjects were then instructed to perform maximal grip activities or maximal wrist extension activities before and after DT around the lateral elbow. The DT technique was applied using non-elastic tape. While the subjects performed maximal grip activities, the investigator measured the maximum grip strength (MGS) and CET thickness. Likewise, while the subjects performed maximal wrist extension activities, the investigator measured the maximum wrist extension force (MWEF) and CET thickness. Results: The MGS showed a statistically significant improvement after DT taping application in men (p < 0.05). The MWEF showed a statistically significant improvement after DT application in male (p < 0.01) and female (p < 0.05). When performing the activities, the CET thickness increased compared to that at rest. However, CET thickness didn’t show a statistically significant improvement before and after DT. Conclusion: This study shows that DT applied around the lateral elbow is effective in improving MGS and MWEF. However, it does not affect CET thickness.

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal pain condition of the upper extremities. LE is often related to forceful grip activities that require isometric contraction of the wrist extensors. A previous study evaluated the effect of the diamond taping technique on grip strength and pain; however, there has been no report on the change in the electromyography (EMG) findings of wrist extensors. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diamond taping technique, using a rigid tape, on the EMG activities of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) during grip activities. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects (mean age = 21.50 ± 2.76 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform forceful grip activities with and without diamond-type taping on the origin area of the ECR. Grip strength tests were performed at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% for maximal isometric contraction force. EMG data were collected from the ECR. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of grip force and taping (with and without). Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.05. Comparison of the results with and without taping at different grip force were analyzed using independent t-test. Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.01. Results: Statistically significant association was observed between the taping application and forceful grip activity as revealed by the EMG data of the ECR (p < 0.05). EMG of the ECR significantly reduced for all muscle strength levels (p < 0.01) after taping. Conclusion: This study shows an impressive effect of the diamond taping technique, using rigid tape, on wrist extensors during grip activities. Decreasing muscle activity via this taping approach could be utilized to enhance pain-free grip force and reduce pain in patients with LE. Our study suggested that this taping technique could be considered as an effective management strategy of LE.

Background:Rounded shoulder posture (RSP), a postural abnormality, might cause shoulder pain and pathologic conditions. Although most previous research has investigated RSP focusing on the proximal structures of the shoulder, such as the scapula and pectoralis muscles, the relationship between RSP and anterior distal structures of the upper extremity, such as the biceps brachii muscle and elbow joint, is not clearly understood.Objects:This study aimed to investigate the correlations between RSP and the biceps brachii length, elbow joint angle (EJA), pectoralis minor length, general pectoralis major length, humeral head anterior translation (HHAT), glenohumeral internal rotation (IR), external rotation (ER), and horizontal adduction (HAD).Methods:Twelve subjects with RSP (6 male, 6 female) were recruited. All subjects fulfilled the RSP criteria indicated by a distance ≥2.5 cm from the posterior aspect of the acromion to the table in the supine position. The examiner measured each of the following parameters twice: RSP, biceps brachii length, EJA, pectoralis minor length, pectoralis major length, HHAT, glenohumeral IR, ER, and HAD. Pearson’s correlation coefficient(r) was used to assess the correlation between RSP and all the variables.Results:There was a significant moderate positive correlation between RSP and biceps brachii length (r=.55, p=.032), moderate negative correlation between RSP and pectoralis minor length (r=-.62, p=.015), and moderate positive correlation between RSP and HHAT (r=.53, p=.038).Conclusion:The biceps brachii length, pectoralis minor length, and HHAT could be used to evaluate patients with RSP. Better understanding of the correlation between these factors and RSP could help in the development of effective methods to treat patients with this condition in clinical management.

Recently, the automobile industry need environmental standards and demands decrease of vehicle weight to reduce the environmental pollution. magnesium-Aluminum cast alloys are of commercial importance because of their various applications in the automotive industry. These alloys offer a combination of a high degree of achievable strength with excellent castability, light weight and good machinability with regard to both permanent molds and die castings forming. This paper show oxide distribution and deformation on casting condition of Mg elbow support. Moreover the microstructure of Mg elbow support is observed in the integrity assessment of porosity for nondestructive radiation x-ray.

Materials design and processing development proposed in this study, aims at contributing to high wear resistant and friction characteristics. To find wear resistant and friction with inner elbow pipe, it is needed hardness and frictional condition test to be capable of supplying with high Cr casting steel. The result of HTV(heat treatment in vacuum) shows that hardness increased with increasing Cr content in % carbide phase. It was about 7∼10% of hardness improvement compared to original casting elbow pipe. This behavior of the hardness of Cr casting steel was explained by the types of chemical bonds that hold atoms together in Cr carbide phase. Through the friction coefficient and wear loss test, with the increasing of Cr wt% reduction in the coefficient of friction and wear loss.

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference of the pinch strength according to testing posture(standing and sitting) and elbow flexion degree(0。, 45。, 90。and 135。). Forty normal young adults(male: 20, female: 20, mean age: 22.68±2.91 years) participated in this study. The methods of this study were categorized as follows: 1) One set of measurement was performed on four elbow flexion degrees(0。, 45。, 90。and 135。) in two testing postures(standing and sitting) and all subjects were measured for 3 sets testing procedures in every experimental sessions. 2) Pinch strength in various elbow flexion degree was measured after 2 min rest time, and then each test set was repeatedly performed with 5 min rest time to prevent fatigue of muscles involved in the elbow joint. The result was obtained as follow: 1) In standing posture, there was statistically significant difference at 0。and 45。, 0。and 90。, 0。and 135。, 45。and 90。, 45。and 135。, 90。and 135。. 2) In sitting posture, there was statistically significant difference at 0。and 45。, 0。and 90。, 0。and 135。, 45。and 90。, 45。and 135。, 90。and 135。. 3) Statistically, there was no significant difference between standing and sitting posture in same elbow flexion degree, however pinch strength in standing posture was higher than sitting posture.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of muscle fatigue in elbow flexors on the sense of force reproduction. Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Maximum voluntary force (MVF) of elbow flexor muscles was measured by a digital tensiometer. Force errors were measured to test accuracy of the sense of force reproduction in elbow flexors. The subject was required to flex the elbow joint, to maintain and concentrate on about 20% of the MVF target force under visual feedback for 3 seconds. After a 5 second period rest, the subject was asked to duplicate the target force actively. Muscle fatigue was evoked with isometric contraction of the elbow flexors. Isometric contraction was continued until a 50% drop in MVF. The difference, in kilogram between the target force and the reproduced force was calculated for measuring force error. Force errors were compared between the non-fatigued condition and the fatigued condition by the paired t-test. Force errors were significantly increased in the fatigued condition compare to non-fatigued condition. This result suggests that the sense of force reproduction can be disturbed by localized muscle fatigue.

The walker provides stability for walking for people whose lower extremities are disabled. It is important to measure and determine the appropriate height of a walker to conserve energy and to improve function. The purposes of this study were to examine effects of walker height and gait velocity on triceps, latissimus dorsi muscle activation, and energy expenditure index (EEI) during ambulation with a walker. Fifteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Each subject was assigned a walker with one of three heights (high, standard, lower height) and of two gait velocities (comfortable gait velocity or fast gait velocity). Electromyographic data were collected from triceps and latissimus dorsi, and EEI was determined from each condition. Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance. Post hoc comparison was performed with the Bonferroni test. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. There was a significant difference in the %MVIC of triceps among different walker height factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that %MVIC of dominant triceps brachii was more significantly increased in patients who used the higher walker than those who used the lower walker (p<.05). 2. There were significant differences in the %MVIC of the latissimus dorsi among different walker height factors and gait velocity factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that the %MVIC of dominant latissimus dorsi was also more significantly increased in patients who used the higher walker than those who used the lower walker (p<.05) and in those who used the faster gait velocity than those who used the slower gait velocity (p<.05). 3. There were significant differences in the EEI among different walker height factors and gait velocity factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that the EEI was significantly increased among those who used higher and lower walkers compared with the standard walker. The EEI was also more significantly increased among those who used the fast gait velocity than those who used the slower gait velocity (p<.05). It has been concluded that increased muscle activation in triceps and latissimus dorsi was required when the walker height increased and that more energy was exp ended when the gait velocity increased. Therefore, from the findings of this study, it is recommended that walker height be adjusted according to the purposes of gait training and that healthy subjects conserve energy when ambulating with standard walkers in a comfortable gait velocity.

We processed meta-analysis to test if the effects of laser therapy and mobilization techniques are evidence-based practice for treating tennis elbow. By researching and collecting the results of previous studies on tennis elbow, we inquired into the difference in the effects of each treatment methods on pain, grip strength, and ROM. A total of 10 international and domestic articles on the treatments of tennis elbow were selected for this study, including 7 articles on the effect of laser therapy and 3 on mobilization techniques. According to the qualitative meta-analysis, all 7 of the articles on laser therapy and 1 of the mobilization technique were double-blinded and randomized the subjects, and all of the 10 studies were designed in a high quality research, using statistics. The results of the studies on laser therapy showed in terms of statistical significance: 4 out of 7 did not decrease pain after therapy, and 3 out of 5 did not increase grip strength after therapy. In the studies on the effects of mobilization technique, both the 2 studies significantly increased grip strength after therapy. For other studies which measured ROM and tension, the mobilization therapy increased ROM significantly, and decreased tension significantly. The results of our study are shown in a diverse form in terms of the effects of different therapy techniques. This is related to the accuracy of the measurement tools for assessments and diagnoses. Further qualitative studies on the evidence-based practice and researches on tennis elbow are needed.

The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of joint position sense between measurements. Fourteen healthy male subjects were recruited for this study. The elbow joint position senses were measured using angle reproduction test. The elbow joint position sense was assessed with three experimental conditions: ipsilateral reproduction test in open-chain condition, contralateral reproduction test in open-chain condition, ipsilateral reproduction test with weight in open-chain condition and ipsilateral reproduction test in closed-chain condition. The angular difference between stimulus position and the reproduced position (angular error) was calculated in all testing conditions to examine the accuracy of the joint position sense. One way ANOVA was used to compare the error angles in all experimental conditions. The error angles between measurements were significantly different in elbow joint. The error angles was smallest in ipsilateral reproduction test with weight in open-chain condition and was greatest in the contralateral reproduction test in open-chain condition. Findings of this study indicate that testing methods, types of task, existence of resistance should be considered in clinical assessment for the joint position sense.

Thirty normal adults were tested to measure the electrical activity of the anterior (AD), middle (MD), and posterior portion (PD) of the deltoid muscle and sternal portion of the pectoralis major muscle (PM) during the performance of four upper extremity PNF diagonal patterns with elbow flexion angle in , , and . The PNF patterns in which these muscles function optimally have been theoretically advanced by Kabat and further described by Knott and Voss. They theorize that the MD should be most active with shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation (D2F); the PD with shoulder extension, abduction, and internal rotation (D1E); the AD with shoulder flexion, adduction, and external rotation (D1F); and the PM with shoulder extension, adduction and internal rotation (D2E). The patterns were performed through range of motion, with an isometric contraction performed in the shortened range. When the EMG activity of AD, MD, PD and PM in its optimal patterns was measured, it does not have significant difference among fixed elbow flexion angle , , and (p>.05). In addition, suggestions were made for study of patients who exhibit imbalance of muscle strength and have muscle weakness.

본 증례연구는 복합손상을 가진 척수손상환자의 재활치료과정을 소개하여 유사한 사례의 치료에 도움이 되고자 하는 것이다. 증례연구의 대상자인 26세의 남자환자는 흉수 4번 완전손상과 사고 당시 전기화상에 의한 좌측하박 절단과 우측손의 정중신경이 마비되었다. 치료초기에는 일상생활동작 검사에서 MBI (Modified Barthel Index) 점수가 22점으로 독립적으로 가능한 것은 거의 없었고, 기능적으로도 모든 도움이 필요한 상태였으나 재활치료결과 독립적

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of head and neck(HN) position in the transverse plane on the static production of elbow extension force in the involved(paretic) upper extremity of patients with hemiparesis. On this study, thirty patients who had experienced a cerebrovascular accident were matched with neurologically intact subjects. Force of static elbow extension was tested with a hand-held dynamometer, twice with the HN rotated toward the paretic side and twice with the HN rotated toward the non-paretic side. Elbow extension force differed significantly with the HN in the two position in patients with hemiparesis but not in normal persons(=0.05). Results of this study support the conclusion that HN position in the transverse plane influences the production of static elbow extension force on the paretic side in patients with hemiparesis.

The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity and reliability of goniometric measurement of joint motion. Subjects were 40 healthy university students. Measurements were performed by 4 inexperienced physical therapy students. Four different instruments were used and three readings were taken with each instrument in random order making a total of 12 readings for flexion of the right elbow of each subject. Goniometers used were 1. universal 2. fluid-based goniometer/inclinometer 3. digital LCD goniometer 4. electronic goniometer/torsiometer. The results were as follows: Concurrent validity was highest (r= .94) with the universal and digital LCD tools. Interrater reliability (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) was good for each tool. Interrater reliability calculated by ICC(2,1) was highest (.96) with the tensiometer and lowest (.78) with the digital LCD goniometer. Intrarater reliability calculated by ICC was excellent () for all instruments. These results show that concurrent validity, intrarater and interrater reliability are very good in the used of all four types of goniometers/inclinometer/tensiometer, even with inexperienced raters. These results confirm the almost universal reliance on hand held goniometers for joint measurement by physical therapists as being a reliable practice. Further research should be done clinically with actual patients.

In this study, a PTZ(Pan-Tilt-Zoom) system was applied as the methods for measuring the deformation angle of a steel pipe elbow. An image of the steel pipe elbow was enhanced using an image filter processing algorithm. To measure the deformation angle, the Hough transform was applied to the enhanced image to facilitate line recognition. In this study, the limit state of the elbow was defined as rupture or leakage. To verify the validity of measuring the deformation angle of a steel pipe elbow by using a PTZ system, an in-plane cyclic loading test was conducted so that deformation angles that are too large to measure using a conventional sensor could be measured effectively.

This paper presents a new concept of a 1-DOF elbow exoskeleton driven by a twisted strings-based actuator. A novel joint actuation mechanism is proposed and its kinematic model is presented along with its experimental evaluation, and guidelines on how to choose the strings suitable for such an exoskeleton are given. We also proposed and experimentally verified a human intention detection method which takes advantage of intrinsic compliance of the mechanism. The study showed that the developed twisted strings-driven elbow exoskeleton is light, compact and have a high payload-to-weight ratio, which suggests that the device can be effectively used in a variety of haptics, teleoperation, and rehabilitation applications.

Control and trajectory generation of a 7 DOF anthropomorphic robot arm suffer from computational complexity and singularity problem because of numerical inverse kinematics. To deal with such problems, analytical methods for a redundant robot arm have been researched to enhance the performance of inverse kinematics. In this research, we propose an analytical inverse kinematics algorithm for a 7 DOF anthropomorphic robot arm. Using this algorithm, it is possible to generate a trajectory passing through the singular points and intuitively move the elbow without regard to the end-effector pose. Performance of the proposed algorithm was verified by various simulations. It is shown that the trajectory planning using this algorithm provides correct results near the singular points and can utilize redundancy intuitively.

In this paper, the prototype of surface EMG (ElectroMyoGram) sensor is developed for the robotic rehabilitation applications, and the developed sensor is composed of the electrodes, analog signal amplifiers, analog filters, ADC (analog to digital converter), and DSP (digital signal processor) for coding the application example. Since the raw EMG signal is very low voltage, it is amplified by about one thousand times. The artifacts of amplified EMG signal are removed by using the band-pass filter. Also, the processed analog EMG signal is converted into the digital form by using ADC embedded in DSP. The developed sensor shows approximately the linear characteristics between the amplitude values of the sensor signals measured from the biceps brachii of human upper arm and the joint angles of human elbow. Finally, to show the performance of the developed EMG sensor, we suggest the application example about the real-time human elbow motion acquisition by using the developed sensor.