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Table S1. Residual Association of Covariates with Percent Densitya. Table S2. Association of Markers with Covariatesa. (DOCX 13 kb)

The growth rate of piglets will be decreased and the mortality of piglets will be increased in the postpartum sow with mastitis. The aim of this study was to isolate microorganisms from milk samples found in postpartum sows with suckling piglets and to further investigate antimicrobial susceptibility against isolated bacteria. Milk samples were collected from 567 udders of 42 lactating sows and the isolated bacteria was then identified. Isolated bacteria were tested with 12 antimicrobial agents. Bacteria were isolated from 260 milk samples (64.5%). Staphylococcus spp. were the most common microorganisms (74.5%) isolated from sow milk, followed by Streptococcus hyicus (53.9%), Staphylococcus epidermis (11.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.8%), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (53.9%). In the Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus pneumoniae (5.1%) was isolated as was Streptococcus sanguinis (3.8%) and Streptococcus ovis (2.9%). Results indicated that bacteria isolated from healthy sow milk were mostly susceptible to cephalothin (88.0%), amikacin (85.3%) and cefoxitin (82.4%), but were resistant to streptomycin (10.0%), kanamycin (33.1%) and tetracycline (19.6%).

In this paper, we introduce the 2-DOF robotic exoskeleton system for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke. We focused on the 2-DOF powered exoskeleton which consists of a cable-driven mechanism actuated by two motors. Strain gages measured torques which loaded elbow flexion/extension and wrist pronation/supination axes. sEMG(Electromyography) was used to detect the intentional movements of subjects to begin each training trials.

This paper introduces a smart mobile walker which was developed for elderly and disabled. It supports three features, which are walking aid, sit-to-stand aid, and electric scooter. Implementation of each function is briefly described. The overall performance of the smart mobile walker is evaluated by experts in rehabilitation hospitals and continuously being improved.

This paper presents the development of 2-DOF robotic exoskeleton for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke. We focused on the powered exoskeleton which consists of a cable-driven mechanism actuated by brushless motors. Strain gages measured torques which loaded elbow flexion/extension and wrist pronation/supination axes. To begin each trials, sEMG (surface Electromyography) was used to detect the voluntary movements of subjects.

This paper introduces a smart mobile walker which support walking aid, sit-to-stand aid, and electric scooter functions for elderly and disabled. It is designed for indoor use like rehabilitation hospital. It helps users exercise sit-to-stand motion, make gaits, and move place to place inside a facility. To support these functions, it changes its configuration. A smart device provides a GUI to communication with users. Detailed implementation of each function is described.

Motion capture analysis of sit-to-stand task with assistive device is hard to achieve due to obstruction on reflective makers. Previously developed robotic system, Smart Mobile Walker, is used as an assistive device to perform motion capture analysis in sit-to-stand task. All lower limb markers except hip markers are invisible through whole session. The link-segment and regression method is applied to estimate the marker position during sit-to-stand. Applying a new method, the lost marker positions are restored and the biomechanical evaluation of the sit-to-stand movement with a Smart Mobile Walker could be carried out. The accuracy of the marker position estimation is verified with normal sit-to-stand data from more than 30 clinical trials. Moreover, further research on improving the link segment and regression method is addressed.

This paper introduces a posture control of smart mobile walker, where the controller adjusts four linear actuators based on the measurement of orientation and ground forces to balance manipulator and to keep wheel contact with ground. It is an important feature for this walker to adapt its pose to uneven terrains such as ramp or slope since it aims to assist elderly and disabled safely. Control scheme is based on PID impedance control where sensor noise and wind-up due to low actuator performance are considered. Hardware implementation and its experimental result are presented.

Walking and sit-to-stand support system, the smart mobile walker, is being developed to help elderly and disabled to live an independent daily life. It comprises almost omnidirectional driving mechanism, sit-to-stand support mechanism, and motion compliance module to control the system. The development and evaluation of basic motion compliance algorithm shows that the algorithm for extraction of user intention from the interaction of the operator and the system determines performance of the system. The required parameters and performance index for improving sit-to-stand function are evaluated by the analysis of force reflection between the operator and the system. Finally, future research topics to improve the performance are addressed.

To compare therapeutic effects of red-hot needle therapy and filiform needle therapy on nodules of breast of the type of stagnation of liver-qi and phlegm coagulation.Six hundred cases were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 300 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with red-hot needle pricking at the proliferative parts and Ashi points as main, and the control group with filiform needle therapy.In the treatment group, 240 cases were cured, 58 cases improved and 2 cases were not cured with an effective rate of 99.3%; and in the control group, 113 cases were cured, 165 cases improved and 22 were not cured with an effective rate of 92.7%, with a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.001).The therapeutic effect of red-hot needle therapy is better than that of filiform needle therapy on nodules of breast of the type of stagnation of liver-qi and phlegm coagulation.