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Accurate diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (LC) and significant fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is important. The Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has emerged as a novel serum biomarker for liver fibrosis; however, insufficient clinical data of M2BPGi are available in patients with CLD. Therefore, we performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the clinical usefulness of serum M2BPGi for assessing LC and significant fibrosis in CLD patients. We retrospectively reviewed the CLD patients with measured serum M2BPGi at Kosin University Gospel Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent factors associated with LC. The diagnostic power of serum M2BPGi for LC and significant fibrosis (≥F2) was evaluated and compared to that of other serum biomarkers using receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC). A total of 454 patients enrolled in this study. M2BPGi (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.07) and fibrosis index based on four factors (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.11-1.37) were identified as significant independent factors for LC. The AUC of M2BPGi for LC (0.866) and significant fibrosis (0.816) were comparable to those of fibrosis index based on four factors (0.860, 0.773), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (0.806, 0.752), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (0.759, 0.710). The optimal cut-off values for M2BPGi for LC and significant fibrosis were 1.37 and 0.89, respectively. Serum M2BPGi levels were significantly correlated with liver stiffness measurements (ρ = 0.778). Serum M2BPGi is a reliable noninvasive method for the assessment of LC and significant fibrosis in patients with CLD.

Backgrounds/aims Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a major concern for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have undergone liver resection. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score is a novel model for assessing liver function. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the ALBI score as a predictor of PHLF in HCC patients who have undergone hepatectomy in South Korea. Methods Between January 2014 and November 2018, HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy and indocyanine retention rate at 15 min (ICG-R15) test were enrolled in this study. Results A total of 101 patients diagnosed with HCC underwent hepatectomy. Thirty-two patients (31.7%) experienced PHLF. The ALBI score (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.22-6.55; p=0.015), ICG-R15 (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.12; p=0.007) and ALBI grade (OR 2,86; 95% CI 1.08-7.58; p=0.035) were identified as independent predictors of PHLF by multivariable analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the ALBI score and ICG-R15 were 0.676 (95% CI 0.566-0.785) and 0.632 (95% CI 0.513-0.752), respectively. The optimal cutoff value of the ALBI score in predicting PHLF was -2.62, with a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 56.5%. Conclusions The ALBI score is an effective predictor of PHLF in patients with HCC, and its predictive ability is comparable to that of ICG-R15.

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica that infects mainly cattle, sheep, and goats. Humans can be infected by water or aquatic plants contaminated with metacercariae. The authors encountered two cases of F. hepatica infection. One patient reported abdominal discomfort with marked eosinophilia. The other patient had chest discomfort with marked eosinophilia. The abdominal CT images revealed hypodense lesions in the liver. The ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy findings in both patients were indicative of parasitic infections. Serological tests confirmed the definite diagnoses. Both patients were treated with a single dose of triclabendazole, which is the treatment of choice for fascioliasis. These findings suggest that a diagnosis of fascioliasis, particularly in the acute phase, should be considered in patients with abdominal pain, marked eosinophilia, and hypodense hepatic lesions on CT.

Drug-induced liver injury is the most common cause of acute liver failure in Western countries by prescription drugs and herbal medications. Liver injury due to azithromycin has rarely been reported. This is a brief report of a patient administered azithromycin and who developed acute liver failure leading to liver transplantation. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman who developed jaundice 1 week after she started taking a azith romycin. On the 3rd day of hospitalization, her hepatic function rapidly deteriorated and level of consciousness decreased to drowsiness. The model for end-stage liver disease score was confirmed to be 33, and liver transplantation was considered. On the 8th day of hospitalization, she underwent emergency living donor liver transplantation, receiving a right lobe liver graft from a 35-year-old male donor, the patient’s son. Currently, she is alive with good liver function after 25 months of transplant. This case suggests that azithromycin may cause rare hepatitis with liver failure. Therefore, at the beginning of the azithromycin treatment, patients should visit the hospital immediately if symptoms such as jaundice and abdominal pain are experienced.

AA6061-T4 composites containing SiC and B4C particles were fabricated by friction stir processing (FSP) with an SKD11 tool. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated with various test methods. With the inclusion of ceramic particles, refined grains in the stir zone (SZ) were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and tunneling electron microscope (TEM). Because the ceramic particles facilitated grain refinement in the SZ via the pinning effect, the SZ with the particles had a much smaller grain size than the SZ without the particles. Vickers hardness test, tensile test and Charpy impact test were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties. Mechanical properties of the SZ with the ceramic particles were improved relative to those of the SZ without the particles. Vickers hardness (from 50 to 90 HV), tensile strength (from 117 to 253 MPa) and Charpy impact absorbed energy (from 4.2 to 5.6 J) of the SZ increased with the addition of ceramic particles.

Rationale Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a social movement against systematic injustice and police violence toward Black people whose goal is to ensure their safety and the expression of their culture. As BLM gained momentum, counter-movements emerged, such as All Lives Matter (ALM), White Lives Matter (WLM), and Blue Lives Matter (BlueLM). Because they undermine support for Black people's safety and culture, exposure to stances against BLM can be a race-related stressor. Although the perception of racial discrimination has been associated with negative health outcomes in Black people, it is not clear whether exposure to negative stances on a race-related social issue is associated with worse health outcomes. Objective We investigated whether living in areas of the United States with a high prevalence of negative stances on BLM is associated with worse health outcomes, such as higher body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity. Methods We scraped geo-coded tweets (N = 51,020) that contained #BLM, #ALM, #WLM, and #BlueLM from 2014 to 2016. We determined the stances of the tweets on BLM using machine learning algorithms and aggregated stances at the metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area (MMSA) levels. Participants’ BMI and obesity status were derived from the 2017 BRFSS SMART data in 76 MMSAs, as compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (N = 20,530). Results After controlling for individual- and regional-level covariates, regional measures of racism and police brutality rate, and baseline BMI in 2014 aggregated on MMSA level, Black people had a higher BMI and prevalence of obesity in areas that showed higher negative stances on BLM. Stances against BLM were positively associated with implicit racism against Black people and can be an acute race-related stressor associated with negative downstream health outcomes. Conclusion Negative societal sentiments around race-related issues may be detrimental to the health outcomes of minority populations.

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a novel solid-state welding technique. This process has many advantages, such as no consumable requirement, low distortion, low shrinkage, and excellent mechanical properties. Recently, FSW has been successfully used to fabricate metal matrix composites (MMCs), as the process overcomes environmental problems caused by other MMC fabrication processes. In previous studies, the goal was to reinforce the mechanical properties of base materials. In this study, the FSW technique and Ag-decorated carbon nanotubes (Ag-CNTs) were used to enhance the thermal properties of copper, and the microstructures of joints of Ag-CNT-reinforced copper fabricated by FSW were evaluated. The microstructures were analyzed using an optical microscope, and the presence of Ag-CNT in the joint was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Additionally, we confirmed the distribution of Ag-CNTs by electron probe microanalyzer, and the thermal properties of joints were evaluated by laser flash analysis. The Ag-CNT-reinforced Cu composites fabricated by FSW have improved thermal properties compared with conventional copper MMCs.

The mechanical properties of Sn-58 wt.% Bi solder with different amounts (0 wt.%, 0.05 wt.%, 0.1 wt.%, and 0.2 wt.%) of Ag-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanoparticles under 85°C/85% relative humidity environmental conditions for 0 h to 1000 h was investigated. Sn-58 wt.% Bi solder is a lead-free option for use in solder joints due to its low melting temperature and good creep resistance; however, it is brittle and has reliability issues. Ag-decorated MWCNT nanoparticles were used to improve these weaknesses of Sn-58 wt.% Bi solder. A ball shear test was performed using a bond tester to investigate the solder's mechanical properties. The microstructures of the solder joints and fracture mode were analyzed using a field-emission scanning electron microscope. The results demonstrated that the addition of Ag-decorated MWCNT nanoparticles to Sn-58 wt.% Bi increased the shear strength and fracture energy by approximately 15% and 14%, respectively, compared with Sn-58 wt.% Bi alone. After a high-temperature, high-humidity test for 1000 h, the shear strength and fracture energy of Sn-58 wt.% Bi with 0.1 wt.% Ag-decorated MWCNT nanoparticles were 13% and 21% greater than for Sn-58 wt.% Bi alone.

Researchers might assume that neutrality does not shape thought and action because it signals that nothing in the environment needs attention, hence a person has little need to alter their behavior. However, feeling neutral about an issue might be consequential. The COVID-19 pandemic was a major issue during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. We examined whether feeling neutral about COVID-19 was associated with attitudes about the top 2 presidential candidates (Trump vs. Biden) and behavior (i.e., whether a person voted and who they voted for). Data were collected at 2 critical time points: Study 1 was conducted immediately after the U.S. presidential election and Study 2 was conducted prior to the second Senate impeachment trial of Trump. Because feeling neutral about COVID-19 might indicate that a person views the issue as unworthy of attention, a perspective more aligned with Trump's approach, we hypothesized that feeling neutral about COVID-19 would be associated with more pro-Trump attitudes and behaviors. Even after accounting for other affects about COVID-19, in both studies, neutrality was associated with more favorable attitudes toward Trump, less favorable attitudes toward Biden, being less likely to vote, and if a person did vote, being more likely to vote for Trump. In Sudy 2, neutrality was associated with less support for impeaching Trump. Overall, in contrast to the view that neutral affect exerts little influence, neutrality can be critically intertwined with thought and action. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The mechanical reliability of Sn–MWCNT composite solder containing various content of Sn-decorated MWCNTs (0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 wt%) and Sn–58Bi solder were investigated. The Sn-decorated MWCNTs nanoparticles were used to improve the mechanical reliability of Sn–58Bi solder, which is a representative, low-temperature, lead-free solder. The Sn-decorated MWCNT nanoparticles were synthesized using the polyol method, and the Sn–MWCNT composite solder paste was fabricated by mechanical mixing. The shear and bending tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the solder joints. We identified the microstructure of solder to investigate the intermetallic compound and failure mechanism of Sn–MWCNT composite solder. Furthermore, a high-temperature storage test at 100 °C for 1000 h was performed to determine long-term reliability. The shear strength and fracture energy increased about 21% and 23%, respectively, with 0.1 wt% Sn-decorated MWCNTs. In addition, the bending reliability of Sn–58Bi solder increased approximately 25%.

The mechanical properties and microstructures of Sn58Bi (in wt.%) composite solders with Sn decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube (Sn MWCNT) particles were investigated. The contents of Sn MWCNT particles were 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 wt.%. Sn58Bi composite solder pastes were printed on printed circuit board (PCB) substrates and bonded to the substrates using reflow processes (1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 times). This study describes the effect of Sn MWCNTs content and the number of reflow processes on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Sn58Bi composite solders. Mechanical properties were investigated using a low speed ball shear test. In the shear test, the shear strength increased by 7.07%, and the fracture energy increased by 14.4% with 0.1 wt.% of Sn MWCNT particles after 1one reflow. The number of reflows did not significantly affect the shear strength, but the fracture energy increased with increasing content of Sn MWCNT particles. Cross-sectional microstructures and fracture surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sn MWCNT particles in the solder matrix were observed on polished surfaces of SEM images and were also identified by a Raman spectrometer. After the shear test, brittle failure occurred in all joints, indicating no influence of MWCNT particles.

Background Environmental tobacco smoke exposure due to parents is a modifiable risk factor for childhood asthma, but many studies have evaluated parental smoking using self-reported data. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the relationship between parental cotinine-verified smoking status and asthma in their children. Methods This population-based cross-sectional study used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2017. Participants aged 0 to 18 years with complete self-reported physician-diagnosed childhood asthma and measurement of their parental urinary cotinine levels were included. Parental urinary cotinine-verified smoking status was defined using both urinary cotinine levels and self-report, as active, passive, and non-smoker. Sample weights were applied to all statistical analyses because of a complex, multistage and clustered survey design. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between childhood asthma and parental smoking. Results A total of 5,264 subjects aged < 19 years were included. The prevalence of asthma was 3.4%. The proportions of paternal and maternal urinary cotinine-verified active smokers during the study period were 50.4% and 16.9%, respectively. When parental urinary cotinine level increased, the proportion of parental low household income was increased (P < 0.001). There was no significant association between the parental urinary cotinine-verified smoking group and childhood asthma group. However, the adjusted odds ratios of childhood asthma in the middle and highest tertile of paternal urinary cotinine levels compared with those in lowest tertile were 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–3.89) and 2.34 (95% CI, 1.21–4.54), respectively. Conclusion There seems to be a dose-related association between paternal urinary cotinine levels and the risk of childhood asthma. Because of the high rate of paternal smoking, further studies are needed to develop a targeted strategy to reduce parental smoking for childhood asthma., Graphical Abstract

Objectives With the rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes, the age groups of diabetic patients are becoming diversified. This study will examine the degree of obesity, insulin resistance, and insulin secretion ability among patients first diagnosed with diabetes according to age and gender. Methods The subjects of this study included 616 patients who were first diagnosed with diabetes during a routine physical examination. This sample was obtained from a total of 28,075 adults aged 19 years and older who received the examination among 33,829 participants in the Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2007–2010. The subjects were categorized by age into young age (age: 19 – 39 years), middle age (age: 40 – 59 years), and old age (age: 60 years and older). The degree of obesity was categorized according to body mass index (BMI) into normal weight (BMI: 18.5 ∼ 22.9), overweight (BMI: 23 ∼ 24.9), and obesity (BMI: 25 or above). Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results It was found that 14.1% (n = 87) of a total of 616 subjects (324 men, 292 women) were in the young age group, 43.8% (n = 270) were in the middle age group, and 42.1% (n = 259) were in the old age group. In addition, 83.3% of men that were overweight or obesity were in the young age group, while 79.2% and 60.5% were in the middle age and old age groups, respectively. A total of 82.2% of women that were overweight or obesity were in the young age group, while 79.5% and 77% were in the middle age and old age groups, respectively. For men, the more obesity they were in all age groups, the higher their HOMA-IR. For women, the more obesity they were in the young age and middle age groups, the higher their HOMA-IR; however, women in the old age group showed the highest HOMA-IR when they were of normal weight. Conclusion Among diabetic patients first diagnosed with the disease in Korea, the youth population had the highest obesity rate. Insulin resistance increases as an individual's weight increases among those patients who are first diagnosed with diabetes; the only exception noted is for elderly women.

Groups experience collective autonomy restriction whenever they perceive that other groups attempt to limit the freedom of their group to determine and express its own identity. We argue that collective autonomy restriction motivates groups (both structurally advantaged and disadvantaged) to improve their power position within the social hierarchy. Four studies spanning real-world (Studies 1 and 2) and lab-based (Studies 3 and 4) intergroup contexts supported these ideas. In Study 1 (N = 311), Black Americans' (a relatively disadvantaged group) experience of collective autonomy restriction was associated with greater support for collective action, and less system justification. In Study 2, we replicated these findings with another sample of Black Americans (N = 292). We also found that collective autonomy restriction was positively associated with White Americans' (a relatively advantaged group, N = 294) support for collective action and ideologies that bolster White's dominant position. In Study 3 (N = 387, 97 groups), groups that were susceptible to being controlled by a high-power group (i.e., were of low structural power) desired group power more when their collective autonomy was restricted (vs. supported). In Study 4 (N = 803, 257 groups) experiencing collective autonomy restriction (vs. support) increased low-power group members' support of collective action, decreased system justification, and evoked hostile emotions, both when groups were and were not materially exploited (by being tasked with more than their fair share of work). Across studies, we differentiate collective autonomy restriction from structural group power, other forms of injustice, group agency, and group identification. These findings indicate that collective autonomy restriction uniquely motivates collective behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Ankle joint provides propulsion and stability of the gait through coordination of agonist and antagonist muscles. The main goal of this study is to quantify the coordination of the ankle joint agonist and antagonist muscles during a gait. For this, we introduce a Vector cording technique (VCT) that has not previously been applied in EMG signal quantification and validate its feasibility. EMG signals of the muscles were acquired during normal gait (n = 15). By applying two muscle EMG signals in the VCT method, muscle activation could be categorized into 4 patterns of In- (First phase = 1.3±0.5 %; Second phase = 6.9±1.5 %), Anti- (First phase = 1.6±0.6 %; Second phase = 11.9±1.1 %), Tibialis anterior- (First phase = 8.1±0.6 %; Second phase = 9.1±1.5 %), and Medial gastocnemius- (First phase = 1.4±0.5 %; Second phase = 22.1±2.2 %) activations. This categorization allows us to quantify the relative activation between two muscles and the activation of each muscle over time.

In this study, we investigated the rotational characteristics which were comprised of directionality and lin-earity of target registration error (TRE) as a study in advance to enhance the accuracy of contour-based registrationin neuronavigation. For the experiment, two rigid head phantoms that have different faces with specially designedtarget frame fixed inside of the phantoms were used. Three-dimensional coordinates of facial surface point cloud andtarget point of the phantoms were acquired using computed tomography (CT) and 3D scanner. Iterative closest point(ICP) method was used for registration of two different point cloud and the directionality and linearity of TRE in over-all head were calculated by using 3D position of targets after registration. As a result, it was represented that TREhad consistent direction in overall head region and was increased in linear fashion as distance from facial surface,but did not show high linearity. These results indicated that it is possible for decrease TRE by controlling orientationof facial surface point cloud acquired from scanner, and the prediction of TRE from surface registration error candecrease the registration accuracy in lesion. In the further studies, we have to develop the contour-based registrationmethod for improvement of accuracy by considering rotational characteristics of TRE.Key words: Neuronavigation, Image-guided surgery, Contour-based registration, Target registration error, Rota-tional characteristics

The mechanical properties and microstructure of Sn-58 wt%Bi solder including various levels of Ag-decorated MWCNTs (0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 wt%) were investigated for use in solder joints. The electronic industry relies on Pb-free solders because lead can have harmful effects on the environment and human health. The Sn-58 wt%Bi solder is a representative low temperature Pb-free solder with high tensile strength and good creep resistance. However, the Sn-58 wt%Bi solder has poor ductility for relieving shock impact. To address this drawback, Ag-decorated MWCNTs were used to reinforce the mechanical properties of Sn-58 wt%Bi solder. The Sn-58 wt%Bi-nanocomposite solder paste was fabricated by mechanically mixing Ag-decorated MWCNTs with solder paste. The Sn-58 wt%Bi solder pastes including Ag-decorated MWCNTs were printed on a printed circuit board (PCB), and the joints were aged in an isothermal environment. Inclusion of 0.1 wt% Ag-decorated MWCNTs increased the shear strength of the solder by about 15%. The thickness of the IMC of Sn-58 wt%Bi solder increased with age.

Transforaminal epidural injection is used to treat radicular pain. However, there is no objective method of assessing pain relief following transforaminal injection. Perfusion index is a metric for monitoring peripheral perfusion status. This study evaluates the correlation between perfusion index change and analgesic efficacy in transforaminal blocks for lumbosacral radicular pain. We retrospectively analyzed data of 100 patients receiving transforaminal block for lumbosacral radicular pain. We assessed perfusion index before treatment and at 5, 15, and 30 min following the block. We defined responders (group R) and non-responders (group N) as those with &ge, 50% and &lt, 50% pain reduction, respectively, 30 min following block. Clinical data and perfusion index of the groups were analyzed. Ninety-two patients were examined, of whom 57 (61.9%) and 35 (38.0%) patients reported &ge, 50% pain reduction, respectively. Group R had a significantly higher perfusion index change ratio 5 min following the block (p = 0.029). A perfusion index change ratio of &ge, 0.27 was observed in group R (sensitivity, 75.4%, specificity, 51.4%, AUC (area under the curve), 0.636, p = 0.032). A perfusion index change ratio of &ge, 0.27 at 5 min after block is associated with, but does not predict improvement in, pain levels following lumbosacral transforaminal block.

th , 2015; Revised: August 11 st , 2015; Accepted: August 20 th , 2015 Purpose: From the perspective of biomechanics, joint moments quantitatively show a subject’s ability to perform actions. In this study, the effect of normalization in the fast and asymmetric motions of a golf swing was investigated by applying three different normalization methods to the raw joint moment. Methods: The study included 13 subjects with no previous history of musculoskeletal diseases. Golf swing analyses were performed with six infrared cameras and two force plates. The majority of the raw peak joint moments showed a significant correlation at p < 0.05. Additionally, the resulting effects after applying body weight (BW), body weight multiplied by height (BWH), and body weight multiplied by leg length (BWL) normalization methods were analyzed through correlation and regression analysis. Results: The BW, BWH, and BWL normalization methods normalized 8, 10, and 11 peak joint moments out of 18, respectively. The best method for normalizing the golf swing was found to be the BWL method, which showed significant statistical differences. Several raw peak joint moments showed no significant correlation with measured anthropometrics, which was considered to be related to the muscle coordination that occurs in the swing of skilled professional golfers. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the BWL normalization method can effectively remove differences due to physical characteristics in the golf swing analysis.

In this research, we investigated the coordination pattern and consistency of coordination between the thorax and pelvis during gait in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Across the study, 69 adolescent girls (controls: 30, patients: 39) participated. All participants were asked to walk 10 m barefoot at a self-selected speed. The walking speed, stride length, and range of motion of the pelvic and thoracic angles were collected using a three-dimensional optical motion analysis system, and the thorax–pelvis coordination was quantified using a vector coding technique. The frequency of four different patterns of coordination (in-phase, anti-phase, pelvis only, and thorax only) and the consistency of coordination including direction and magnitude during the gait cycle of the two groups were investigated. Independent-sample t tests were performed to examine differences between the two groups with regard to coordination patterns and consistency. The patients with idiopathic scoliosis showed significantly higher in-phase and relatively lower anti-phase in the transverse plane compared to controls. Additionally, the pelvis only in the transverse, frontal, and sagittal planes was significantly lower in patients. The consistency of coordination in patients was significantly lower than in controls in direction and magnitude on the transverse and frontal planes. From viewpoint of the thorax–pelvis coordination, patients with IS had less gait stability in the trunk than controls.

In this study, we prepared cadmium phosphate glasses with various compositions, given by χCdO-(100 - χ)P₂O 5 (χ = 10.55 mol%), and analyzed their Fourier transform infrared spectra, dissolution rate, thermal expansion coefficient, glass transition temperature, glass softening temperature, and optical band gap. We found that the thermal expansion coefficient and dissolution rate increased while the glass transition temperature and glass softening temperature decreased with increasing CdO content. These results suggest that CdO acts as a network modifier in binary phosphate glass and weakens its structure.

Permanent facial nerve damage is one of the most critical complications that can occur during otologic and neurosurgical procedures. As a result, facial nerve monitoring equipment is now used in most of otologic surgeries. The monitoring devices used for this purpose usually evaluate the activity of facial muscle in response to stimulation to the facial nerve. For these purposes, electromyography and the train-of-four (TOF) method is commonly used clinically, but these approaches have an important limitation: this qualitative method only depends on visual information of finger movement. Thus, in this study, a new factor that can be used to quantitatively the stage of muscle relaxation at the facial nerve was developed based on the degree of muscle relaxation and electro-stimulation. Ketamine intravenous anesthesia and isoflurane inhalation anesthesia was given to 13 rabbits. A 28 G unipolar needle-electrode was inserted at an exposed facial nerve, and stimulated (0.1 mA–5.0 mA) with an electrical stimulator. Also, the degree of muscle relaxation based electromyographic signal acquisition was performed while increasing the dose of neuromuscular blockades. After data noise reduction and normalization, the collected EMG signals were divided into 33 variables, and a new evaluation factor was developed using statistical methods based on multiple linear regression models and principal component analysis. A new evaluation factor was identified that can be used to quantitatively estimate each phase in muscle relation. The evaluating factors that were calculated in accordance with the electrical simulation resulted in improved results (r = 0.96) when compared to the existing assessment methods. (T1 ratio r = 0.72; T4/T1 ration r = 0.52).

The purpose of this study was to select the appropriate input variables for the development of an expert system to analyze the gait asymmetry of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Gait experiments were performed with 12 healthy female adolescents and 16 female adolescents with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The experimental equipment included six infrared cameras and two ground reaction force platforms. By using a 3D human model, gait elements, kinematic and kinetic data were extracted. Self-organizing map and genetic algorithm were used for proper selection of input variables, and these methods were validated by using auto regression models, which were described in previous studies. Sixty gait variables based on a literature review were selected, and Self-organizing map was used to maintain the independency between the input variables, and the 39 independent retaining variables were chosen. Also, in order to identify the inputs exhibiting a significant relationship with the output, a genetic algorithm-general regression neural network was applied; and the frequency of the solution set was measured by genetic algorithm iteration. A stepwise method was applied based on the variables with high frequency, and final 11 input variables were selected. Furthermore, a back propagation artificial neural network with high accuracy 96.3(3.2)%, which can discriminate patients from the normal subjects, was developed with selected 11 input variables. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as input variables for the development of a gait asymmetry expert system.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to select standing posture parameters that have a significant difference according to the severity of spinal deformity, and to develop a novel Cobb angle prediction model for adolescent girls with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: Five normal adolescents girls with no history of musculoskeletal disorders, 13 mild scoliosis patients (Cobb angle: 10°-25°), and 14 severe scoliosis patients (Cobb angle: 25°-50°) participated in this study. Six infrared cameras (VICON) were used to acquire data and 35 standing parameters of scoliosis patients were extracted from previous studies. Using the ANOVA and post-hoc test, parameters that had significant differences were extracted. In addition, these standing posture parameters were utilized to develop a Cobb-angle prediction model through multiple regression analysis. Results: Twenty two of the parameters showed differences between at least two of the three groups and these parameters were used to develop the multi-linear regression model. This model showed a good agreement (R 2 = 0.92) between the predicted and the measured Cobb angle. Also, a blind study was performed using 5 random datasets that had not been used in the model and the errors were approximately 3.2 ± 1.8. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated the possibility of clinically predicting the Cobb angle using a non-invasive technique. Also, monitoring changes in patients with a progressive disease, such as scoliosis, will make possible to have determine the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation strategies without the need for radiation exposure.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to build an accurate digital factory that evaluates the performance of a factory using computer simulation. To achieve this goal, we evaluated the effect of worker-related variables on production in a simulation model using comparative analysis of two cases. Methods: The overall work process and worker-related variables were determined and used to build a simulation model. Siemens PLM Software's Plant Simulation was used to build a simulation model. Also, two simulation models were built, where the only difference was the use of the worker-related variable, and the total daily production analyzed and compared in terms of the in dividual process. Additionally, worker efficiency was evaluated based on worker analysis. Results: When the daily production of the two models were compared, a 0.16% error rate was observed for the model where the worker-related variables were applied and error rate was approximately 5.35% for the model where the worker-related variables were not applied. In addition, the production in the individual processes showed lower error rate in the model that included the worker-related variables than the model where the worker-related variables were not used. Also, among the total of 22 workers, only three workers satisfied the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) suggested worker capacity rate (90%). Conclusions: In the daily total production and individual process production, the model that included the worker-related variables produced results that were closer to the real production values. This result indicates the importance of work er elements as input variables, in regards to building accurate simulation models. Also, as suggested in this study, the model that included the worker-related variables can be utilized to analyze in more detail actual production. The results from this study are expected to be utilized to improve the work process and worker efficiency.

Due to the increase of the number of farmers who have entrepreneurial intentions and the expansion of governmental support to invigorate the regional economy, the interest in manufacture of high-quality agricultural processed food is increasing, and the study of the method to realize it efficiently is continuing. Especially, the method to visualize a manufacturing process by simulation and analyze it to extract an improved scheme has advantages of saving time and cost in comparison with trial and error method. In this study, the current manufacturing environment was analyzed by applying simulation on Korean traditional sweets, which is typical agricultural processed food. By extending this kind of method into small businesses processing other agricultural products, as well as Korean traditional sweets, it can draw strengthening of comparativeness through the improvement of productivity and product quality.

The purpose of this study is basically for the use of simulations to enhance productivity. In this paper, the optimal number of allocation in a small and medium industry which produces eleutherococcus senticosus sap, is performed using simulations. The simulation model was developed under considerations of production layout, process & operation, process time, total work time, work in process (WIP), utilization, failure rate, and operation efficient as inputs, and was validated with careful comparisons between real behaviors and outputs of the production line. Therefore, we can evaluate effects and changes in productivity when some strategies and/or crucial factors are changed. Although too many workers and machines could decrease productivity, the eleutherococcus senticosus sap production line in this paper has been maintained many machines. To solve this problem, we determined the optimal number of workers and machines that could not cause any interrupt in productions using simulations. This simulation model considers diverse input variables which could influence productivity, and it is very useful not only for the production line of Eleutherococcus Senticosus Sap, but also for other production lines with various purposes, especially, in the small and medium industries.