Electronic textiles promise to provide an intelligent platform to enlarge the scope of wearable electronic applications. Therefore, the combination of flexible energy storage devies into wearable systems is a key for operating these electronic textiles during bending, knotting, and rolling. Nonetheless, the application of fibrous supercapacitors consisting of a gel-electrolyte and carbon fiber electrode is still obstructed by low capacitance, low rate-performance, and poor cycling stability owing to the inefficient interface between the gel-electrolyte and electrode. Here, a fibrous supercapacitor is obtained using an optimized gelelectrolyte that improves the ionic diffusion capability. The optimized fibrous supercapacitor shows a superior electrochemical performance, including high specific capacitance of 41 mF cm−2 at current density of 2.0 μA cm−2, high-rate performance with 17 mF cm−2 at a current density of 15.0 μA cm−2, and outstanding cycling stability (88% after 3,000 cycles at a current density of 200.0 μA cm−2). The excellent energy storage performance is mainly attributed to the optimzied interface between the gelelectrolyte and electrode material, leading to an improved ionic diffusion capability.

We use vdW-corrected density functional theory (DFT) calculations with additional electron distribution correction to study the water binding chemistry of an Au nanoparticle supported on CeO2(111) with a linear step-edge. The initial structural model of Au/CeO2 used for DFT calculations is constructed by stabilizing a Au9 nanoparticle at the linear step-edge on a CeO2(111) slab. The calculated binding energy of a water molecule clearly shows that the interfacial site between Au and CeO2 binds water more strongly than the binding sites at the surface of Au nanoparticle. Subsequent water dissociation calculation result shows that the interface-bound water can be relatively easily dissociated into–OH and –H, providing a hydroxyl group that can be utilized as an oxygen source for CO oxidation. Based on the low dissociation energy of the interface bound water molecule, we suggest that the water at the Au-CeO2 interface can facilitate further oxidation of Au-bound CO. Our results point out that Au-CeO2 interface-bound water is beneficial for low-temperature oxidation reactions such as the water-gas shift reaction or preferential CO oxidation reaction.

Here, Zn ferrite is synthesized along with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The difference between the synthesized nanocomposites with those in other reported work is that the reaction conditions in this work are 160 oC for 12 h. The synthesized products are characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection. Further, the adsorption property of rGO–Zn ferrite (rGZF) nanocomposite is studied after confirming its successful synthesis. The adsorption capacity of rGZFs toward rhodamine B (RB) is ˃ 9.3 mg/g, whereas that of bare ZF nanoparticles is 1.8 mg/g in aqueous media. The efficiencies of rGZF and bare ZF to remove RB are 99 % and 20 %, respectively. Employing rGZF, 60 % of RB is decomposed within 5 min. The kinetic study reveals that the adsorption process of removing RB by bare Zn ferrite follows pseudo-firstorder kinetics. However, after zinc ferrite is incorporated with rGO, the kinetics changes to pseudo-second-order. Furthermore, the Langmuir isotherm is accomplished by the adsorption process employing rGZF, indicating that a monolayer adsorption process occurs. The thermodynamic parameters of the process are also calculated.

We confirm whether Zr powders can restrain a rapid nitrification reaction and offer a stable oxidation reaction according to temperatures in nitrogen gas purification. A pellet-type, porous Zr getter is prepared (diameter: 10 and thickness: 3 mm) using Zr powder with an average particle size of 45 μm. While maintaining the whole system, the Zr getter reaction is confirmed with an increase in temperature from 150 to 550 oC at increments of 100 oC under 99.999 % purity nitrogen atmosphere comprising of 10 ppm of impurity. Surface color, pore size, stabilized layer, and phase change are confirmed with optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, Micro-Raman, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) according to the Zr getter temperature. The surface color of the Zr getter changes from metallic silver to dark gray as temperature increases. In the EDS results, the nitrogen component is not observed, and oxygen content increases from each surface at elevated temperatures. The Raman and XRD results show the oxidation layer as a result of 350 oC annealing. Therefore, the Zr getter can be applied as a nitrogen getter under 5-nine purity nitrogen atmosphere after appropriate oxidized pre-stabilization process to prevent rapid nitrification reaction.

Strontium lanthanum vanadate La1-xSrxVO3 (LSVO) is a promising anode material for electrochemical devices, especially for solid oxide fuel cells, thanks to its irregular electrical conductivity. However, the known synthesis methods are incapable of producing well-dispersed LSVO nanoparticles (NPs) with homogeneous size distribution, which partly impedes the applicability of the material. Thus, a new approach to synthesize LSVO NPs with such characteristics is of paramount importance. In the present work, we successfully prepare LSVO NPs with a high dispersion degree and homogeneous size distribution via a modified co-precipitation pathway, followed by hydrogen reduction at a temperature as low as 700 oC. The prepared LSVO NPs display uniform sizes in the range of 50 ~ 100 nm and do not contain any secondary phases, according to XRD analysis. The chemical mechanism of reactions that occur to form the LSVO is thoroughly highlighted. The work functions of NPs measured by the UPS analysis are in the 2.13 ~ 3.62 eV range, making the LSVO powders promising for use in thermionic devices. An explanation of the role of Sr substitution in work function values of LSVO is also proposed.

To solve the common problems of concrete preparation in low-temperature environments, calcium formate (C2H2O4Ca), anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), triethanolamine (C6H15O3N), calcium bromide (CaBr2), and triisopropanolamine (C9H21NO3) are selected as early strength agents and mixed with C40 concrete in different dosages under low-temperature environments of 5 oC and 10 oC to develop a high-efficiency low-temperature compound early strength agent based on the effect of single-doped early strength agents. The effects of the compound early strength agent on the early strength of the concrete, the cement paste setting time, and cement fluidity at 5 oC and 10 oC are investigated, and the corresponding reaction mechanism is discussed from the perspective of micro-products. The best compound early strength agent ratio is found to be 2% of calcium formate + 0.08 % of TEA (C6H15O3N). The compound early strength agent effectively promotes the formation of hydration products, such as Ca(OH)2 and C-S-H gel. In comparison with the control group, the strength of the concrete cured for 18 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d under simulated natural conditions at 5 oC increases by 700%, 540%, 11.4 % and 10 %, respectively, whereas at 10 oC, the corresponding values are 991%, 400%, 19.6 % and 11 %, respectively. The strength of the concrete at each age is close to the normal temperature standard of the curing strength. The addition of the compound early strength agent causes a reduction in cement fluidity and initial and final setting times, and also yields a good effect on the porosity of the early concrete.

A Y6-xCa1.5xSi11N20O:Ce3+(x=2.5) oxynitride phosphor is synthesized at 1,750 oC in a mixed gas atmosphere of 5% H2 and 95 % N2 by using YN, Ca3N2, Si3N4, and CeO2 as raw material reagents. The crystal structure is a trigonal crystal system that has a P31c (no.159) space group and has lattice parameters of a, b = 9.8876(3), and c = 10.6806(4). This structure is an Er6Si11N20O structure type in which a Y6-xCa1.5xSi11N20O structure is formed by substituting a trivalent Y3+ element and a bivalent Ca2+ element at the position of Er element having an oxidation number of +3. Here, the charge difference caused by different oxidation numbers is balanced by the occupancy of a partially vacant 2c site and an O/N anion ratio in the Er6Si11N20O structure type. The Y6-xCa1.5xSi11N20O:Ce3+ (x = 2.5) phosphor is yellow powder with yellow luminescence; performing Rietveld refinement on the phosphor on the basis of the data obtained by XRD measurement results in the lattice parameters as described above. The Y6-xCa1.5xSi11N20O:Ce3+ (x = 2.5) phosphor has a broad emission band due to Ce3+ as an activator with the center wavelength of 565 nm. This phosphor has a broader emission band than a YAG:Ce3+ phosphor, which is a representative LED phosphor, and thus extends further into the blue and red spectrum ranges. Accordingly, this phosphor is an interesting phosphor that can be used for 1pc-LED with an improved color rendering index.

This research aims to study the simultaneous extraction and transesterification of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) using microwave irradiation with methanol as solvent and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst. The microwave-assisted insitu transesterification of C. vulgaris is assessed at various ratios of biomass-to-methanol, reaction times, and catalyst concentrations during the centrifugation and evaporation process. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis is performed to confirm fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) composition. Biodiesel preparation is carried out by simultaneous extraction and transesterification of microalgae from C. vulgaris. The product is then characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR); microalgae are observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest amount of FAME is obtained at a biomass-to-methanol ratio of 1:12, reaction time of 40 min, and catalyst concentration of 2 wt%. Biodiesel shows conversion to about 77.64% of methyl ester (methyl myristate, methyl palmitoleate, methyl linoleate, methyl oleate, methyl arachidonate, and methyl 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentanoate).

Background: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis show abnormal changes in muscle activity due to pain and limited range of motion of the lumbar spine. Excessive increased muscle tone and decreased muscle activity patterns threaten the patients’ quality of life. However, there have been a few studies showing how to improve muscle performance in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Among these, joint mobilization is one way of improving muscle performance through pain relief and increasing the range of motion. Objectives: To investigate the effect of lumbar mobilization by orthopedic manual physical therapy on paravertebral muscle activity and tone in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: In this study, 24 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were randomized (1:1 ratio) into two groups. The experimental group underwent lumbar posteroanterior mobilization, and the control group underwent conventional physical therapy (conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for 15 minutes each. For outcome measures, MyotonⓇPRO was used to evaluate muscle tone when resting of the paravertebral muscle in the pain area. For muscle activity evaluation, the reference voluntary contraction of the paravertebral muscle was evaluated using surface electromyography. Results: Muscle tone and activity were significantly improved after intervention in both the experimental and control groups. In addition, the experimental group showed more significant decrease in muscle tone and activity than the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that lumbar mobilization improving muscle performance in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Background: Physical therapy applied to stroke patients is recognized as a treatment that promotes function recovery, and it is a widely known fact that constant exercise should be performed. However, there are insufficient studies on exercise intensity and exercise time that can minimize side effects and maximize function recovery for exercise therapy. Objectives: To determine the effect of exercise variables on CPK generation during aerobic exercise in stroke patients and to discover how to use appropriate exercise intensity and time when conducting an exercise for function recovery in stroke patients. Design: Quasi-experimental research. Methods: This study classified subjects into three groups (low-intensity exercise group: LIE, moderate-intensity exercise group: MIE and high-intensity exercise group: HIE) according to exercise intensity, and was further classified into two groups (10-minute exercise group: 10MG and 20-minute exercise group: 20MG) according to exercise time variables within each exercise intensity group. After, the change in CPK according to exercise intensity and time was confirmed through hematological analysis. Results: In LIE and MIE, the CPK blood concentrations before and after exercise were increased in 10MG and 20MG, which was not statistically significant (P>.05). In HIE, the CPK blood concentrations before and after exercise were increased in 10MG, and it was statistically significant (P<.05). In HIE, the CPK blood concentrations before and after exercise were increased in 20MG, and it was statistically significant (P<.01). In 10MG and 20MG, the CPK blood concentrations before and after exercises were increased in all intensity group, and there was a statistically significant difference only in HIE. Conclusion: From the results of this study, considering CPK, it will be helpful to recover and improve function if the exercise intensity setting is applied in the type of moderate intensity exercise during physical therapy interventions in stroke patients.

Background: Exercise is necessary for the health of companion dogs. It is necessary to determine the relationship between height, weight, age and amount of exercise for the purpose of companion dog's health. Objectives: A survey was conducted in this study to small-dog owners living in Yongin city, Gyeonggi-do about their canine healthcare awareness. Design: Questionnaire design. Methods: The questionnaire was composed of exercise amount, type of exercise, and the necessity of exercise, general health condition, and environment. A total of 139 survey results were obtained. The average value of each item was analyzed and expressed in terms of frequency and percentage. Then, Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to find the relationship between these items. Results: The weight and height were not shown to have a significant difference in the amount of exercise in the results. The weight had a weak positive correlation with “exercise time of canine per day”. The age had a weak negative correlation with “the number of canine exercise per week” and “frequency of canine exercise per day”, while it had a weak positive correlation with “selfassessment of canine lack of exercise”. Conclusion: Based on this study, it is believed that in the future, various environments where dogs can exercise are believed to be necessary for the era of convergence.

Background: The spinal nerves, which start at the lumbar level, are connected to the nerve innervation in the knees. Currently, there is a lack of research on the treatment of knee pain through lumbar mobilization. Objectives: To investigate the effects of lumbar joint mobilization (LJM) and transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS) on proprioception and muscular strength in volleyball players with chronic knee pain. Design: Two group pre-posttest. Methods: A total of 26 professional volleyball players with chronic knee pain were allocated to the LJM (n=13) and TENS (n=13) groups. In the LJM group, grade III - IV amplitude was applied 3 times for 1 minute (80 times per minute) at the affected lumbar (L2-3) facet joint in the prone position. In the TENS group, the TENS treatment device was used to directly apply or 15 minutes to the area of chronic knee pain (100 Hz, 150 ㎲). Proprioception was measured by knee flexion and extension angles, and muscle strength was evaluated using an isokinetic test. Measurements were taken before and after interventions. Results: In the eye opened conditiond, proprioception significantly increased during both knee extension and flexion after LJM, while only knee extension was significantly increased in the TENS group. There was also a significant difference in knee extension between the two groups. In the eye close conditiond, proprioception was significantly improved only during knee extension in the LJM group, and the difference in knee extension between the groups was also significant (P<.05). The maximum torque of the affected knee joint was significantly improved at 60°/sec in both groups (P<.05); however, there was no difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the maximum flexion torque within or between the groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that LJM improved proprioception and muscular strength in volleyball players with chronic knee pain.

Background: Vibration stimulation has emerged as a treatment tool to help reduce spasticity during physical therapy. Spasticity includes problems of reduced range of motion (ROM) and stiffness. However, the benefits of vibration rolling (VR) on interventions for stroke patients are unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR intervention on the ankle ROM and ankle stiffness in stroke patients. Design: A randomized crossover study. Methods: Seven stroke patients completed two test sessions (one VR and one non-VR [NVR]) in a randomized order, with 48 hours of rest between each session. Participants completed intervention and its measurements on the same day. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM and stiffness of ankle muscles, including the tibialis anterior, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Results: After VR, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, lateral gastrocnemius stiffness, and medial gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (all P<.05). After NVR, only the lateral gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (P<.05). Furthermore, in the cases of changed values for ankle dorsiflexion ROM and lateral gastrocnemius stiffness were compared within groups, VR showed a more significant difference than NVR (P<.05) Conclusion: VR improved ankle ROM and muscle stiffness. Therefore, we suggest that practitioners need to consider VR as an intervention to improve dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius stiffness in stroke patients.

Background: Recently, a new home-based dysphagia rehabilitation method using information and communications technology (ICT) has been reported, but clinical evidence is still lacking. Objectives: To investigate the effects of home-based dysphagia rehabilitation using ICT on tongue muscle strength and volume in patients with developed dysphagia after stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial design. Methods: Twenty patients who developed dysphagia after stroke were enrolled. The experimental group received dysphagia rehabilitation in the form of ICT-based home care. In contrast, the control group received traditional rehabilitation based on swallowing under the supervision of occupational therapists. All interventions were conducted five times a week for four weeks. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant increases in tongue muscle strength and volume after the intervention (P<.05, both). However, there were no significant differences in tongue strength or volume between the two groups after the intervention (P>.05, both). Conclusion: Home-based dysphagia rehabilitation using ICT showed effects similar to those of conventional swallowing rehabilitation in patients who developed dysphagia after stroke. These findings suggest that dysphagia rehabilitation can be conducted at home without the help of a therapist.