White Area Index Research Articles

Test and analysis of the porosity of cotton fiber assembly

Porosity is one of the most important properties of textile materials that ensures their comfort and usability. The internal pore structure of the cotton fiber assembly is complex and changeable, surface pore is difficult to explain its pore structure. It is intended to develop a method to predict the pore morphology of cotton fiber assembly. Pore image of the multi-layer fiber assembly is collected by a fiber photography instrument, used the Image Pro Plus 6.0 software to analyze, and obtained the white area indicators of image which can be applied to describe void space of fiber assembly. Using multiple linear regression analysis method, the regression equation of the white area index of image and porosity index of cotton fiber assembly is established. The results indicate that the white area index can largely be explained by three pore index namely the porosity ε, mean length of fiber between the adjacent contacts B and fiber tortuosity coefficient. Appropriate regression equations can be formulated for the pore of white area index which can aid in predicting the pore texture. Comparing the data indicators, it is found that mean length of fiber between the adjacent contacts B and the porosity ε, fiber tortuosity coefficient τ, and air permeability q have good linear correlation.

The effect of trunk stabilization circuit exercise using a rubber mat on the thickness and white area index of transverse abdominis in healthy young adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of trunk stabilization circuit exercise using a rubber mat on the thickness and white area index of the transverse abdominis in college students in their 20’s. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. Those exercises were provided to twenty eight healthy adults in their 20s for four weeks and the thickness of transverse abdominis was measured before study and after 4 weeks. [Results] There were significant differences in interaction between two groups. Paired t-test for thickness and white area index of transverse abdominis showed statistically significant differences to experimentals than controls. Independent t-test for white area index of transverse abdominis also showed statistically significant differences to experimentals than controls. [Conclusion] In conclusion, there was statistically significant difference between the effects of trunk stabilization circuit exercises on back muscles according to types of the surface, and it is expected that this result will be used as a basic data in studies of abdominal muscle stabilization in the future.

Impact of Waist Stabilization Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction on White Area Index of Trunk Muscle Thickness Density

Purpose: In this study experiments were performed during 6 weeks with 40 adults, 20 subjects in the waist stabilization exercise with blood flow restriction group and 20 subjects in the waist stabilization exercise without blood flow restriction group, in order to determine the impact of waist stabilization exercise on White Area Index (WAI) followed by blood flow restriction. Methods: Thickness of external oblique abdominal muscle, internal oblique abdominal muscle, and transversus abdominis muscle, as well as density and WAI of external oblique abdominal muscle were measured, followed by performance of repeated ANOVA. Results: Significant difference in thickness of external oblique abdominal muscle according to periodical difference was observed between groups (p<0.05). Significant difference in thickness of internal oblique abdominal muscle and transversus abdominis muscle according to periodical difference was observed between groups (p<0.05). Significant difference in density and WAI of external oblique abdominal muscle according to periodical difference was observed between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, significant difference was observed after waist stabilization exercise with blood flow restriction. These results can be used as basic data for future research on waist stabilization exercise and blood flow restriction exercise.

성별에 따른 몸통근육의 초음파 영상 구조 비교

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study is to compare ultrasound images of trunk muscles according to gender in healthy subjects.METHODS:Twenty six subjects(13 males and 13 females) were enrolled in this study. The thickness of trunk muscles was measured for transverse abdominis (TrA), external oblique abdominis (EOA), internal oblique abdominis(IOA), and multifidus (MF) using ultrasound. The thickness of the muscles was measured for the length of cross-section except for fascia. The muscle thickness wasmeasured at the both side, then the mean value was calculated. Also, each of trunk muscle wasanalysed by echodensity, white area index. RESULTS:As a results, there was significant difference in muscle thickness of EOA, IOA according to gender (p<0.05).

Age-related differences in the quantitative echo texture of the median nerve.

Currently, there are no quantitative data on the echo texture of a peripheral nerve. This study was designed to objectively compare the differences in the echo texture of the median nerve in the young and the elderly. The median nerves of 10 healthy young volunteers (<30 years old; group Y) and 10 elderly patients undergoing lower limb surgery (>60 years old; group E) were scanned at the mid forearm by a standardized protocol. The echo texture of a normalized median nerve image was analyzed for the echo intensity and spatial distribution of pixels. Noise in the image was reduced by using a median filter, and thresholding was performed thereafter. In the resultant binary image, the cross-sectional area, echo intensity, white area index, and black area index of the median nerve were determined by computerized texture analysis. The mean cross-sectional area of the median nerve in group E was significantly smaller than that in group Y (P = .002). The mean echo intensity and white area index in group E were significantly higher than those in group Y (P= .002 and .012). The mean black area index in group E was correspondingly significantly lower than that in group Y (P = .012). In group Y, the mean white area index was significantly lower than the black area index (P = .006) but not in group E (P = .213). There are significant differences in the echo texture of the median nerve between the young and the elderly. These differences may be due to age-related changes in the relative proportion of neural fascicles and connective tissue within the nerve.

불안정 지지면에서의 동적 안정화 운동이 허리근육의 두께 및 밀도에 미치는 효과

본 연구의 목적은 불안정 지지면에서의 동적 안정화 운동이 배가로근과 뭇갈래근의 두께와 밀도 및 백색영역지수(white area index, WAI)에 미치는 영향을 연구하였다. 연구대상은 20대 성인 27명이며 세 그룹으로 나누어 각기 다른 면에서 동적 안정화 운동을 6주 동안 실시하여 실험 전 후에 배가로근과 뭇갈래근의 두께와 근육 밀도, 백색영역지수를 측정하였다. 그 결과 세 그룹 간 의미있는 차이를 보였다(p<.05). 반복측정분산분석(repeated ANOVA) 결과, 배가로근과 뭇갈래근의 두께가 시기별 차이에서 그룹 간 의미있는 차이를 보였으며(p<.05), 뭇갈래근의 근육 밀도와 백색영역지수의 그룹 간 비교결과 의미있는 차이를 보였다(p<.05). 결론적으로 불안정 지지면에서 허리부 안정화 운동의 효과에 의미있는 차이가 있었고 이 같은 결과는 허리안정화 운동에 대한 추후 연구에 기초 자료로 활용 가능할 것으로 보인다. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of dynamic stabilization exercise on unstable surface on thickness, muscle density and white area index (WAI) of transverse abdominis muscle and multifidus muscle. The subjects were 20s healthy adults and 27 people were measured for muscle thickness and muscle density, white area index after the experiment conducted during a six-week dynamic stabilization exercises divided into three groups, each in a different plane. The results showed a significant difference between the three groups (p <.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance (repeated ANOVA) results, transverse abdominis muscle and multifidus muscle thickness showed a significant difference between the groups in the time difference (p <.05), and between multifidus muscle density and white area index in the comparison between groups showed a significant difference (p <.05). In conclusion, showed significant difference in lumbar stabilization exercise part. These results seems to be utilized as a basis for future research on the lumbar stabilization exercise.

무릎관절 전치환술에 따른 하지 근육의 초음파 영상 구조 변화

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in ultrasound imaging of the lower limbs in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis who received a total knee replacement (TKR). Methods : The participants for the study were ten patients who were to receive a total knee replacement. Measurements were taken a total of three times: before receiving a total knee replacement, and one week and two weeks after receiving a total knee replacement. The vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle were measured using ultrasound imaging. Results : Muscle thickness of the vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle had no significant interaction over time whether surgery was performed or not. White area index (WAI) and density of vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle had no significant interaction over time whether surgery was performed or not. Conclusion : In conclusion, lower quality muscles were due to a decrease in muscle fiber and an increase in fat fiber. Therefore, initial physical therapy after total knee replacement should consider this point and be designed appropriately as a therapeutic approach for total knee replacement patients.

만성 편마비 환자의 상완이두근에 대한 초음파 영상구조의 특성 분석

Purpose : This study aims to comparison of ultrasonography on both sides of biceps brachii muscle of hemiplegic patient. Methods : The biceps brachii muscle of fifteen subjects (5 male, 10 female) with stroke were scanned with ultrasonography at the muscle belly at rest at elbow angles of 90 deg. The echogenicity (density, white area index; WAI, anatomic cross-sectional area; ACSA, volume) of ultrasonography was examined. Results : In the biceps brachii muscle, there were significant differences of density, WAI, ACSA, and volume between affected side and non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (density, WAI) of the affected side was higher than non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (ACSA, volume) of the non-affected side was higher than affected side. Conclusion : This study showed that change of skeletal muscle architecture properties occurred biceps brachii muscle of the affected side muscle of hemiplegic patient.

The effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on skeletal muscle architecture and qualitative properties in vivo

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in skeletal muscle architecture and qualitative properties by muscle contraction force when neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of 50% MVIC was applied. Sixteen subjects (8 male. 8 female) without neuromuscular disease volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were divided into two subgroups: control (no electrical stimulation) group and 50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group. NMES training program was performed in the calf muscle three times a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the experiments, the MVIC of ankle plantar flexor was measured by the use of dynamometer, and the ultrasonography in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle was measured. The following results were obtained; MVIC was significantly increased in the electrical stimulation groups. Pennation angle, muscle density, and white area index also considerably changed in the electrical stimulation groups. In conclusion, the NMES training of 50% MVIC, comparative low level, improved the skeletal muscle architecture and the qualitative properties as well as the muscle contraction force.

Muscle ultrasound in children: Normal values and application to neuromuscular disorders

In this study, 105 healthy children (45 to 156 months old, 57 girls) were examined using ultrasound (US) imaging to obtain reference values of muscle dimensional and aspect parameters. We measured biceps and quadriceps sizes and subcutaneous tissue thickness. To quantify muscle aspect, we calculated muscle density, inhomogeneity and white-area index by digital image analysis. Age-, weight- and gender-dependencies were discussed. We demonstrated earlier that the complete set of parameters allows for differentiation between myopathies and neuropathies in adults, with high sensitivity. In this study, we investigated if these parameters have additional value in the diagnostic evaluation of 36 children with proven neuromuscular disease (20 Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 16 neuropathies). We found that density analysis provides a sensitive method for distinguishing between healthy children and children with neuromuscular disorders. We have also found that more detailed aspect analysis is necessary to further distinguish between these types of neuromuscular disorders in children. In conclusion, this set of normal muscle parameters can be used to help diagnose neuromuscular disorders in children. It will also facilitate follow-up in disease progression and therapy. (E-mail: n.m.maurits@neuro.azg.nl)

Muscle ultrasound analysis: normal values and differentiation between myopathies and neuropathies

In this study, 145 healthy adults (20 to 94 years old, 69 women) were examined using ultrasound (US) imaging to obtain reference values of muscle parameters that were previously not available. We measured biceps and quadriceps sizes and subcutaneous fat thickness. To quantify muscle aspect, we defined and calculated the muscle aspect parameters muscle density, inhomogeneity and white-area index by digital image analysis. All muscle aspect parameters were found to increase with age, which may be due to age-related muscle replacement by fatty tissue and collagen. Other age-, weight- and gender-dependencies are also discussed. The complete set of muscle parameters was used to differentiate between typical myopathies and neuropathies in a group of 32 patients (24 to 79 years old, 18 women). We were succesful in almost completely separating the two types of disorders based on abnormality of muscle aspect parameters alone. These preliminary results show that this set of normal muscle parameters can be used to help diagnose neuromuscular disorders. It will also facilitate follow-up in disease progression and therapy. (E-mail: n.m.maurits@neuro.azg.nl)