Electrostatically Powered Multimode Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators.

Soft actuators based on liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are captivating significant interest because of their unique properties combining the programmable liquid crystalline molecular order and elasticity of polymeric materials. For practical applications, the ability to perform multimodal shape changes in a single LCE actuator at a subsecond level is a bottleneck. Here, we fabricate a monodomain LCE powered by electrostatic force, which enables fast multidirectional bending, oscillation, rotation, and complex actuation with a high degree of freedom.

Voxelated opto-physically unclonable functions via irreplicable wrinkles.

The increased prevalence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the integration of digital technology into our daily lives have given rise to heightened security risks and the need for more robust security measures. In response to these challenges, physical unclonable functions (PUFs) have emerged as promising solution, offering a highly secure method to generate unpredictable and unique random digital values by leveraging inherent physical characteristics. However, traditional PUFs implementations often require complex hardware and circuitry, which can add to the cost and complexity of the system.

Biomechanical and functional analysis of the shoulder complex and thoracic spine in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A case control study.

The motions of the shoulder are mainly carried out through the glenohumeral joint, but are also assisted by the scapulothoracic joint. Therefore, changes in the biomechanics of the thoracic spine and scapula affect the function of the shoulder. However, there is limited information on the biomechanical and functional characteristics of the shoulder complex and thoracic spine in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).

Biomechanical Asymmetry of Strength and Dynamic Balance Kinetics in Middle-Ages with Adhesive Capsulitis of the Hip.

The representative clinical features of adhesive capsulitis of the hip (ACH) are restricted range of motion (ROM) and pain. However, reports on kinetics such as strength and dynamic balance that explain physical functions are rare. This study compared subjective hip scores using Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) and ROM using a manual goniometer as well as strength using isokinetic equipment, and dynamic balance through the Y-balance test, between patients with ACH and healthy individuals.

Kinetic Effects of 6 Weeks' Pilates or Balance Training in College Soccer Players with Chronic Ankle Instability.

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is a common sports injury that frequently occurs in active individuals. LAS is characterized by a high recurrence rate, with a large proportion of patients progressing to chronic ankle instability (CAI). Pilates exercises have provided positive results in health care and in rehabilitation.

Characteristics of Biomechanical and Physical Function According to Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Acetabular Impingement Syndrome in Young Adults.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is caused by hip joint anomalies. Although asymptomatic and symptomatic FAI have been reported in young adults, information on biomechanical and functional characteristics of FAI is rare. We compared the subjective hip score, range of motion (ROM), dynamic balance, and hip strength between symptomatic FAI (FAIsym) and asymptomatic FAI (FAIasym) groups and healthy controls.

Effects of Aquatic Training and Bicycling Training on Leg Function and Range of Motion in Amateur Athletes with Meniscal Allograft Transplantation during Intermediate-Stage Rehabilitation.

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is a treatment modality for restoring knee function in patients with irreversible meniscal injury. Strengthening programs to promote functional recovery are treated with caution during the intermediate rehabilitation phase following MAT. This study analyzed the effects of aquatic training (AQT) and bicycling training (BCT) during the intermediate stage of rehabilitation in amateur athletes that underwent MAT.

Effects of High-Intensity Aquatic or Bicycling Training in Athletes with Unilateral Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common overuse injuries experienced by athletes. It is characterized by pain and functional deficits that lead to decreased performance, thereby limiting sports activity. Therefore, optimal training interventions are required to improve physical fitness and function while minimizing pain due to PFPS.

Effect of Cycle-Based High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Adolescent Soccer Players.

Cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic power, and lower extremity strength are essential for soccer players at all levels. An effective program should be developed to improve physical strength for adolescent soccer players who need to combine academic and technical training. This study analyzed the impact of short-term high intensity interval training (HIIT) training and traditional moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on adolescent soccer players.

The Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Smoking and Alcohol Experiences in Adolescents from Low-Income Households.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents is increasing globally and the age of onset is gradually decreasing. MetS is associated with serious health problems and presents an early risk for adult morbidity and mortality. From 2014-2019, we investigated the relationship between MetS and health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and nutrition education in Korean adolescents (boys: 1235, girls: 1087, age: 13-18 years) based on household income; the relationship with hand grip strength was also evaluated.

Design of an Electro-Stimulated Hydrogel Actuator System with Fast Flexible Folding Deformation under a Low Electric Field.

Soft actuators have recently been widely studied due to their significant advantages including light weight, continuous deformability, high environment adaptability, and safe human-robot interactions. In this study, we designed electrically responsive poly(sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate/2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate/acrylamide) (P(VBS/HEMA/AAm)) and poly(sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/acrylic acid) (P(VBS/HEMA/AAc)) hydrogels. A series of P(VBS/HEMA/AAm) and P(VBS/HEMA/AAc) hydrogels were prepared by adjusting the monomer composition and cross-linking density to systemically analyze various factors affecting the actuation of hydrogels under an electric field.

Design Optimization of Reconfigurable Liquid Crystal Patch Antenna.

In various fields such as the 5G antenna system and satellite communication system, there is a growing demand to develop a smart antenna with a frequency selective or beamforming function within a limited space. While antennas utilizing mechanical, electronic, and material characteristics are being studied, a method of having tunable frequency characteristics by applying a liquid crystal material with dielectric anisotropy to a planar patch antenna is proposed. In resonance mode, the design method for using only the minimum amount of expensive liquid crystals is systematically arranged while maximizing the amount of change in the operating frequency of the antenna by considering the electric field distribution on the surface of the patch antenna.

Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Thyroid Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

The association of metabolic syndrome and its components with the risk of thyroid cancer is unclear. Thus, we conducted a large-scale, nationwide, population-based, cohort study to investigate this relationship. We studied 9,890,917 adults without thyroid cancer from the Korean National Health Insurance health checkup database from January 1 to December 31, 2009.

Multipolar spatial electric field modulation for freeform electroactive hydrogel actuation.

Electroactive hydrogels that exhibit large deformation in response to an electric field have received significant attention as a potential actuating material for soft actuators and artificial muscle. However, their mechanical actuation has been limited in simple bending or folding due to uniform electric field modulation. To implement complex movements, a pre-program, such as a hinge and a multilayer pattern, is usually required for the actuator in advance.

Trends in the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease in Korea: a nationwide, population-based study.

Background: The lack of adequate and detailed epidemiological data of Parkinson's disease (PD), especially in Asia, is a barrier to future disease burdens and the prospect of effective public health plans. This study aimed to investigate temporal trends in the incidence and prevalence of PD in South Korea from 2010 to 2015, based on uniform diagnostic criteria.

Methods: This study examined all PD patients registered in a South Korean national registry database of more than 50 million individuals.

Metoclopramide and Levosulpiride Use and Subsequent Levodopa Prescription in the Korean Elderly: The Prescribing Cascade.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing cascade phenomenon of dopaminergic drugs such as levodopa in the management of gastroprokinetic drugs induced parkinsonism. Based on the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-Senior Cohort Database, we analyzed patients aged ≥65 years, between 2009 and 2013, who obtained new prescriptions for levodopa through the NHIS during this period. Those who were prescribed levodopa from 2002 to 2008 were excluded, only patients who were prescribed metoclopramide and levosulpiride within 90 days of receiving the levodopa prescription were included.

Factors associated with quality of life in patients with depression: A nationwide population-based study.

Background: Depression, one of the most costly and common mental disorders, is reported to be associated with lower quality of life (QoL) in several studies. Improved understanding of the associated factors with QoL is necessary to optimize long-term outcomes and reduce disability in patients with depression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify factors that are associated with lower QoL among patients with depression.

Cancer risk in patients with Parkinson's disease in South Korea: A nationwide, population-based cohort study.

Introduction: The association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and cancer development is controversial, especially in Asia. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study to assess the overall cancer risk and risk for specific cancers in patients with PD in Korea.

Methods: Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database, we analysed 52,009 patients diagnosed with PD between 2010 and 2015 and 260,045 individuals without PD.

Association between statin treatment and new-onset diabetes mellitus: a population based case-control study.

Background: Several studies suggest that statin may increase the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM). This study aimed to evaluate the association between the duration and recent use of statin, and the risk of NODM, based on population-based data sets.

Methods: We used the South Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort database for this nationwide case-control study.

Association between body mass index and mortality in the Korean elderly: A nationwide cohort study.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in the elderly. This study was a nation-wide population-based retrospective cohort study of the National Health Insurance System-Senior Database (NHIS-SD). In this study, a total of 75,856 subjects were identified and selected from among 251,593 individuals aged ≥ 65 years who underwent health screening at least once between 2009 and 2012 and who had no history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Association between serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels and bone health in Korean adolescents: A nationwide population-based study.

It is important to identify risk factors for low bone mass at a young age. An influence of iron store on bone health in the general population has been reported but has not been studied in adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels and bone mineral content (BMC) in South Korean adolescents.

G-CSF-induced myeloid cells stimulated by TLR2 enhance engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

A high frequency of G-CSF-mobilized myeloid cells (gMCs) in a donor graft accelerates hematopoietic recovery after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). However, because of the limited functional efficacy of gMCs, repeated transfusions of gMCs are frequently required. In this study, we investigated a strategy to improve the functional capacity of gMCs during hematopoietic engraftment after allogeneic transplantation.