Background: Although the original version of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires are found to be acceptable, the cross-culturally adapted versions may not be comparable to their original version. Objects: To examine dimensionality and construct validity of two Korean versions of the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and EuroQOL-5 dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaires. Methods: A total of 77 cancer survivors undergoing palliative rehabilitation programs from two rehabilitation institutes was recruited from April 16, 2018 to June 26, 2019. The WHOQOL- BREF and the EQ-5D were filled out by the various cancer survivors following a particular session of rehabilitation programs. The scores were analyzed with Winsteps Rasch analysis computer program using the rating scale model. Rasch fit statistics were used to determine the dimensionality and the item difficulty calibrations of WHOQOL-BREF and EQ-5D. Results: All items except two, negative feeling, need treatment function and pain prevent activity (mean square [MnSq] = 2.42, 1.82 and 2.51, respectively), were found to be acceptable, while two items of the EQ-5D, anxiety/depression and self-care, were misfit (infit MnSq = 1.65 and 0.38, respectively). Item difficulty calibrations of WHOQOL-BREF match person ability measures (i.e., HRQOL) fairly well. However, the person ability distribution showed obvious ceiling effects for EQ-5D. All items of EQ-5D were appeared to be less challenged in comparison with those of WHOQOL-BREF. Conclusion: Item-level analysis using the Rasch model supports the quality of culturally adapted items used to measure the HRQOL one exception; that is, whether or not to include misfit items as part of the HRQOL measurements. Additionally, cancer survivors undergoing palliative rehabilitation programs appear to have more of a tendency to view the EQ-5D items as being more challenging than the WHOQOL-BREF.

Background: The longitudinal arch is important for individuals with pes planus. The toe spread out exercise (TSO) has been widely used to continuously support the longitudinal arch by increasing the abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscle activation. However, the AbdH muscle is commonly lack of the sufficient activation during the TSO especially in individuals with pes planus. Objects: This study was performed to investigate the effect of arch support on the muscle activity and strength of the AbdH during TSO in standing position in individuals with pes planus. Methods: Twenty subjects with pes planus between 20 and 30 years of age participated in this study. The muscle activity and strength of the AbdH were measured using surface EMG system and the Smart KEMA tensiometer system. The AbdH muscle was evaluated during TSO between individuals with and without longitudinal arch support in standing position. The longitudinal arch was supported by using the insole. The paired t-test was used. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: The muscle activity and strength of the AbdH during TSO with arch support in standing position was significantly greater than that without arch support. Conclusion: The muscle activity and strength of the AbdH during TSO in standing position can be influenced by the longitudinal arch support in individuals with pes planus. The AbdH strengthening during TSO in standing with arch support can be recommended especially in individuals with pes planus in the clinical settings.

Background: The classification of foot type can be commonly determined by the height of the media longitudinal arch. The normalized arch height (NAH) is defined as the ratio of navicular or instep heights to the foot length or instep length. Objects: This study investigated the relationships among foot characteristics, such as foot length (FL), instep length (IL), navicular height (NH), and instep height (IH), in Korean young adults. Also, the distribution of foot type based on calculated NAH was assessed. Methods: Three-dimensional foot scanning data of young adults aged 20 to 39 years (total: 1,978; 974 male, 1,004 female) were obtained from the Korea Technology Standards Institute, and used for analyses. NAH was calculated as the following: NH/FL, IH/FL, IH/IL, NH/ IL. Spearman’s rank order correlation was used to identify correlations among variables. The Mann–Whitney U-test and chi-square test were used to compare the sex differences in foot characteristics and distribution of foot type. Results: FL and IL showed a very high correlation (r = 0.94). The correlations between FL or IL and IH (r = 0.50–0.57) were greater than those between FL or IL and NH (r = 0.23–0.72). Males had significantly larger values than females (p < 0.001), and the frequency of pes planus was significantly higher in females than in males (χ2 = 50.09, p < 0.001). Based on the IH/IL index, the neutral foot, pes planus and pes cavus distributed by 16%, 78%, and 6% respectively. Conclusion: Our results on foot arch distribution could be used as basic data in clinical or footwear fields, and our data on differences in arch structure according to sex may facilitate understanding of why injury to the lower limbs differs between males and females.

Background: Stroke patients experience multiple dysfunctions that include motor and sensory impairments. Therefore, new intervention methods require a gradational approach depending on functional levels of a stroke patient’s activity and should include cognition treatment to allow for a patient’s active participation in rehabilitation. Objects: This study investigates the effect of integrated revision of electrical sensory stimulation, which stimulates somatosensory and action observation training, which is synchronized cognition intervention method on stroke patients’ functions. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were randomized into two groups. The two groups underwent twenty minutes of intervention five times a week for three weeks. This study used an electromyogram to evaluate symmetric muscle activation of lower extremities and muscle onset time when performing sit to stand before and after intervention. A weight-bearing ratio was used to evaluate the weight-bearing of the affected side in a sit to standing. To evaluate sit to stand performance ability, this study performed five timed sit to stand tests. Results: The two groups both showed statistically significant improvement in muscle onset time of lower extremity, static balance ability in a standing position, and sit to stand performance after the intervention (p < 0.05). In addition, the action observation and synchronized electrical sensory stimulation group showed significant improvement in symmetric muscle activation of lower extremities and weight–bearing ratio of the affected side (p < 0.05). Conclusion: action observation and synchronized electrical sensory stimulation (AOT with ESS) can have positive effects on a stroke patient’s sit to stand performance, and the intervention method that provides integrated AOT with ESS can be used as new nervous system intervention program.

Background: Backward walking exercise may offer some unique and potentially beneficial differences compared with forward walking exercise. There is still a lack of research on backward walking exercises and forward head posture. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of backward walking exercise on college students forward head posture in their 20s. Methods: Twenty-one subjects participated in the experiment. The subjects were those with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 55 degrees or less who understood the purpose and method of this study and voluntarily agreed. A camera capable of taking pictures of the lateral plane was installed at a distance of 1.5 meters before exercising. Pictures were taken before walking backward, and after walking for 15 minutes on the treadmill, the images were taken in the same way. The composition of the backward walking exercise was walking at a rate of 1.0 for 5 minutes, and the remaining 10 minutes were walking at a rate of 1.5. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare CVA and craniorotational angle (CRA) before and after exercise. Results: As a result of this study, there was a significant difference in CVA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in CRA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The backward walking exercise and verbal command seems to have positively influenced the changes in CVA and CRA among college students in their 20s. It seems that studies to confirm balance or muscle activity as well as changes in forward head posture through the long-term intervention of the backward walking exercise should be conducted.

Background: Stroke patients have reduced trunk control compared to normal people. The ability to control the trunk of a stroke patient is important for gait and balance. However, there is still a lack of research methods for the characteristics of stroke control in stroke patients. Objects: The aim of this research was to determine whether trunk position sense has any relation with balance and gait. Methods: This study assessed trunk performance by measuring position sense. Trunk position sense was assessed using the David back concept to determine trunk repositioning error in 20 stroke patients and 20 healthy subjects. Four trunk movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) were tested for repositioning error and the measurement was carried out 6 times per move; these parameters were used to compare the mean values obtained. Subjects with stroke were also evaluated with clinical measures of balance and gait. Results: There were significant differences in trunk repositioning error between the stroke group and the control group in flexion, lateral flexion to the affected side, lateral flexion to the unaffected side, rotation to the affected side, and rotation to the unaffected side. Mean flexion error: post-stroke: 7.95 ± 6.76 degrees, control: 3.32 ± 2.27; mean lateral flexion error to the affected side: 6.13 ± 3.79, to the unaffected side: 5.32 ± 3.15, control: 3.57 ± 1.92; mean rotation error to the affected side: 8.25 ± 3.09, to the unaffected side: 9.24 ± 3.94, control: 5.41 ± 1.82. There was an only significant negative correlation between the repositioning error of lateral flexion and the Berg balance scale score to the affected side (–0.483) and to the unaffected side (–0.497). A strong correlation between balance and gait was found. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that stroke patients exhibit greater trunk repositioning error than age-matched controls on all planes of movement except for extension. And lateral flexion has correlation with balance and gait.

Background: The flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) refers to a sudden onset of activity in the erector spinae muscles that recedes or fades during full forward flexion of the trunk. Lumbar spine and hip flexion are associated with many daily physical activities that also impact trunk flexion. Shorter hamstring muscles result in a reduction of pelvic mobility that eventually culminates in low back pain (LBP). Many studies have explored the FRP in relation to LBP. However, few studies have investigated the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into three groups according to hamstring length measured through an active knee extension test. The 30 participants consisted of 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 20˚ or less (Group 1), 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 21˚–39˚ (Group 2), and 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 40˚ or more (Group 3). A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the difference in muscle activity of the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Results: The subjects with a shorter hamstring length had significantly higher muscle activity in their erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion and full trunk flexion (p < 0.05). The subjects with a shorter hamstring length also had a significantly higher flexion-relaxation ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that differences in hamstring muscle length can influence the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles. This finding suggests that the shortening of the hamstring might be associated with LBP.

Background: The characteristics of lateral epicondylitis (LE) are muscle strength weakness and increased common extensor tendon (CET) thickness. Ultrasonography has recently been used to evaluate tendinopathy. Diamond taping (DT) is commonly used to manage patients with LE. However, no previous studies have investigated the effects of DT on CET thickness. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DT applied around the lateral elbow on CET thickness, grip strength, and wrist extension force in healthy subjects. Methods: The subjects were 26 adults (13 male) in their twenties. First, the CET thickness was measured at rest. The CET thickness was measured by using ultrasonography at two points. The subjects were then instructed to perform maximal grip activities or maximal wrist extension activities before and after DT around the lateral elbow. The DT technique was applied using non-elastic tape. While the subjects performed maximal grip activities, the investigator measured the maximum grip strength (MGS) and CET thickness. Likewise, while the subjects performed maximal wrist extension activities, the investigator measured the maximum wrist extension force (MWEF) and CET thickness. Results: The MGS showed a statistically significant improvement after DT taping application in men (p < 0.05). The MWEF showed a statistically significant improvement after DT application in male (p < 0.01) and female (p < 0.05). When performing the activities, the CET thickness increased compared to that at rest. However, CET thickness didn’t show a statistically significant improvement before and after DT. Conclusion: This study shows that DT applied around the lateral elbow is effective in improving MGS and MWEF. However, it does not affect CET thickness.

CeO2 nanoparticles, employed in a lot of fields due to their excellent oxidation and reduction properties, are synthesized through a solvothermal process, and a high specific surface area is shown by controlling, among various process parameters in the solvothermal process, the type of solvent. The synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles are about 11~13 nm in the crystallite size and their specific surface area is about 65.38~84.65 m2/g, depending on the amount of ethanol contained in the solvent for the solvothermal process; all synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles shows a fluorite structure. The dispersibility and microstructure of the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles are investigated according to the species of dispersant and the pH value of the solution; an improvement in dispersibility is shown with the addition of dispersants and control of the pH. Various dispersing properties appear according to the dispersant species and pH in the solution with the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles, indicating that improved dispersing properties in the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles can be secured by applying dispersant and pH control simultaneously.

FDM 3D printing structures have rough surfaces and require post-treatment to improve the properties. Fumigation is a representative technique for removing surface unevenness. Surface treatment by fumigation proceeds by dissolving the surface of the protruding structure using a vaporized solvent. In this study, 3D printed PVB outputs are surface-treated with ethyl-alcohol fumigation. As the fumigation time increases, the surface flattens as ethanol dissolves the mountains on the surface of PVB and the surface valleys are filled with dissolved PVB. Through the fumigation process, the mechanical strength tends to decrease, and deformation rate increases. Ethanol vapor permeates into PVB, widening the distance between chains and resulting in weak bonding strength between chains. In order to confirm the effect of fumigation only, an annealing process is performed at 80 oC for 1, 5, 10, 30, and 50 minutes and the results of the fumigation are compared.

This study is aimed at improving the plasma resistance of Al2O3 ceramics on which plasma resistant YAS(Y2O3- Al2O3-SiO2) frit is melt-coated using a simple heat-treatment process. For this purpose, the results of phase analysis and microstructural observations of the prepared YAS frits and the coating layers on the Al2O3 ceramics according to the batch compositions are compared and discussed with regard to the results of plasma resistance test. The prepared YAS frits consist of crystalline or amorphous or co-existing crystalline and amorphous phases according to the batch compositions, depending on the role and content of each raw material. The prepared YAS frit is melt-coated on the densely sintered Al2O3 ceramics, resulting in a dense coating layer with a thickness of at least ~ 80 m. The YAS coating layer consists of crystalline YAG(Y3Al5O12), Y2Si2O7, and Al2O3 phases, and YAS glass phase. Plasma resistance of YAS coated Al2O3 ceramics is strongly dependent on the content of the YAG(Y3Al5O12) and Y2Si2O7 crystalline phases in the coating layer, especially on the content of the YAG phase. Comparing the weight loss of YAS coating ceramics with values obtained for commercial Y2O3, Al2O3, and quartz ceramics, the plasma resistance of the YAS coating ceramics is 6 times higher than that of quartz, 2 times higher than that of Al2O3, and 50 % of the resistance of Y2O3.

A variety of composite powders having different aluminum and carbon contents are prepared using various organic solvents having different amounts of carbon atoms in unit volume as ball milling agents for titanium and aluminum ball milling. The effects of substrate temperature and post-heat treatment on the texture and hardness of the coating are investigated by spraying with this reduced pressure plasma spray. The aluminum part of the composite powder evaporates during spraying, so that the film aluminum content is 30.9 mass%~37.4 mass% and the carbon content is 0.64 mass%~1.69 mass%. The main constituent phase of the coating formed on the water-cooled substrate is a non-planar α2 phase, obtained by supersaturated carbon regardless of the alloy composition. When these films are heat-treated at 1123 K, the main constituent phase becomes  phase, and fine Ti2AlC precipitates to increase the film hardness. However, when heat treatment is performed at a higher temperature, the hardness is lowered. The main constitutional phase of the coating formed on the preheated substrate is an equilibrium gamma phase, and fine Ti2AlC precipitates. The hardness of this coating is much higher than the hardness of the coating in the sprayed state formed on the water-cooled substrate. When hot pressing is applied to the coating, the porosity decreases but hardness also decreases because Ti2AlC grows. The amount of Ti2AlC in the hot-pressed film is 4.9 vol% to 15.3 vol%, depending on the carbon content of the film.

NKN [(Na,K)NbO3] is a candidate lead-free piezoelectric material to replace PZT [Pb(Zr,Ti)O3]. A single crystal has excellent piezoelectric-properties and its properties are dependent of the crystal orientation direction. However, it is hard to fabricate a single crystal with stoichiometrically stable composition due to volatilization of sodium during the growth process. To solve this problem, a solid solution composition is designed (Na,K)NbO3-Ba(Cu,Nb)O3 and solid state grain growth is studied for a sizable single crystal. Ceramic powders of (Na,K)NbO3-M(Cu,Nb)O3 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) are synthesized and grain growth behavior is investigated for different temperatures and times. Average normal grain sizes of individual specimens, which are heat-treated at 1,125 oC for 10 h, are 6.9, 2.8, and 1.6 m for M = Ca, Sr, and Ba, respectively. Depending on M, the distortion of NKN structure can be altered. XRD results show that (NKN-CaCuN: shrunken orthorhombic; NKN-SrCuN: orthorhombic; NKN-BaCuN: cubic). For the sample heat-treated at 1,125 oC for 10 h, the maximum grain sizes of individual specimens are measured as 40, 5, and 4,000 m for M = Ca, Sr, and Ba, respectively. This abnormal grain size is related to the partial melting temperature (NKN-CaCuN: 960 oC; NKN-SrCuN: 971 oC; NKN-BaCuN: 945 oC).

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanocrystals are synthesized by a thermal evaporation method using a mixture of SnO2 and Mg powders. The synthesis process is performed in air at atmospheric pressure, which makes the process very simple. Nanocrystals with a belt shape start to form at 900 oC lower than the melting point of SnO2. As the synthesis temperature increases to 1,100 oC, the quantity of nanocrystals increases. The size of the nanocrystals did not change with increasing temperature. When SnO2 powder without Mg powder is used as the source material, no nanocrystals are synthesized even at 1,100 oC, indicating that Mg plays an important role in the formation of the SnO2 nanocrystals at temperatures as low as 900 oC. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the SnO2 nanocrystals have a rutile crystal structure. The belt-shaped SnO2 nanocrystals have a width of 300~800 nm, a thickness of 50 nm, and a length of several tens of micrometers. A strong blue emission peak centered at 410 nm is observed in the cathodoluminescence spectra of the belt-shaped SnO2 nanocrystals.

Orthorhombic DyMnO3 films are fabricated epitaxially on Nb-1.0 wt%-doped SrTiO3 single crystal substrates using pulsed laser deposition technique. The structure of the deposited DyMnO3 films is studied by X-ray diffraction, and the epitaxial relationship between the film and the substrate is determined. The electrical transport properties reveal the diodelike rectifying behaviors in the all-perovskite oxide junctions over a wide temperature range (100 ~ 340 K). The forward current is exponentially related to the forward bias voltage, and the extracted ideality factors show distinct transport mechanisms in high and low positive regions. The leakage current increases with increasing reverse bias voltage, and the breakdown voltage decreases with decrease temperature, a consequence of tunneling effects because the leakage current at low temperature is larger than that at high temperature. The determined built-in potentials are 0.37 V in the low bias region, and 0.11 V in the high bias region, respectively. The results show the importance of temperature and applied bias in determining the electrical transport characteristics of all-perovskite oxide heterostructures.

Laser induced surface activation (LISA) technology requires refined selection of process variables to fabricate conductive microcircuits on a general polymer material. Among the process variables, laser mode is one of the crucial factors to make a reliable conductor pattern. Here we compare the continuous wave (CW) laser mode with the pulse wave (PW) laser mode through determination of the surface roughness and circuit accuracy. In the CW laser mode, the surface roughness is pronounced during the implementation of the conductive circuit, which results in uneven plating. In the PW laser mode, the surface is relatively smooth and uniform, and the formed conductive circuit layer has few defects with excellent adhesion to the polymer material. As a result of a change of laser mode from CW to PW, the value of Ra of the polymer material decreases from 0.6 m to 0.2 m; the value of Ra after the plating process decreases from 0.8 m to 0.4 m, and a tight bonding force between the polymer source material and the conductive copper plating layer is achieved. In conclusion, this study shows that the PW laser process yields an excellent conductive circuit on a polymeric material.

Background: The effect of mobilization on lumbar back pain has been fully described in several clinical aspects, but evidence for muscle strength would be still less clear. Objective: To assess the effect of lumbar mobilization on lower limb strength in healthy individuals. Methods and Analysis: Healthy people aged 18-65 will be included regardless of race or sex. Original peer-reviewed primary reporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be included. Electronic databases, such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Pedro, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov will be searched from inception until July 30. Only studies published in English will be included in this review. Two reviewers will complete the screening for eligibility independently, and the other two reviewers will also complete the risks of data extraction and bias assessment independently. Lower Limb strength will be assessed as primary outcome, and particular intervention or participant characteristics will be assessed as the secondary outcomes. Meta-analysis will be conducted using Review Manager 5.3.3, and evidence level will be assessed using the method for Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Outcomes will be presented as the weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference with 95% CI. If I2 ≤ 50%, P>.1, the fixed effect model will be used, otherwise, random-effects model will be used. Ethics and dissemination: This review might not be necessary ethical approval because it does not require individual patient’s data; these findings will be published in conference presentations or peer-reviewed journal articles. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020150144.

Background: Spinal Mobilization is one of the manual therapy technique that clinicians have used to treat pain, however, there is still a lack of research on changes in strength in healthy people. Objectives: To investigate the effect of posterior-anterior lumbar mobilization on lower limb strength in healthy individuals. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: In this study, 23 healthy subjects aged 20 years were assigned to 12 lumbar mobilization group (LMG) and 12 sham group (SG) to perform intervention and measurement through pre- and post-design. Intervention was performed in LMG with grade III~IV on L3-5 of the lumbar spine, and lumbar mobilization was performed for each segment. After intervention, knee flexion and extension strength were measured. To measure the main effect on muscle strength, a comparative analysis was conducted using paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: In LMG, knee flexor and extensor strength were increased significantly at 60°/s (P<.05). In addition, the extensors of LMG and SG were significantly different only at 60°/s, and the flexors were significantly different between groups at both 60°/s and 180°/s (P<.05). Conclusion: In healthy individuals, lumbar mobilization results in improvement of strength of knee flexor and extensor, and additional experiments on the effect of mobilization on the lumbar spine on functional changes in the lower limbs will be needed.

Background: Chronic ankle instability is a common injury that decreases balance and negatively affects functional movements, such as jumping and landing. Objectives: To analyze the effect of taping types and jump heights on balance with eyes open and closed during jump landings in chronic ankle instability. Design: Within-subject design. Methods: The study involved 22 patients with chronic ankle instability. They performed both double-leg and single-leg drop jump landings using three conditions (elastic taping, non-elastic taping, and barefoot) on three different jump platforms (30, 38, and 46 cm). Balance was measured using the Romberg's test with eyes open and closed. Results: Interaction effect was not statistically significant. Balance with eyes open and closed was significantly improved in both the elastic taping and non-elastic taping conditions compared to the barefoot condition. There was no significant difference according to the jump height. Conclusion: Individuals with chronic ankle instability demonstrated increased balance ability with eyes open and closed when jump landing. Elastic taping and non-elastic taping on the ankle joint can positively affect balance during landing in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Background: Based on the understanding of the muscle activation relationship between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles to according to the angle of motion during external rotation on glenohumeral joint, effective shoulder joint strengthening exercise for the prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injury due to muscle strength imbalance can be performed by achieving the ideal muscle activity ratio during exercise. Objectives: To compare and analyze the muscle activation changes and activity ratio of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles according to the glenohumeral external rotation angle. Design: Quasi-randomized trial. Methods: The study included 48 healthy male and female adults who provided informed consent for participation in the study. All the subjects performed isometric glenohumeral external rotation by setting the angle of motion to 30°, 45°, and 60° using a 5 kg resistance weight pulley. On surface electromyography, the differences in muscle activation and activity ratio between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles were investigated. Results: A significant difference in muscle activation was found in the comparison between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles according to the glenohumeral external rotation angle (P<.05). The muscle activation levels of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles were highest at the external rotation angles of 30° and 60°, respectively. The muscle activity ratio between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles also showed a significant difference (P<.05) and was highest at the shoulder external rotation angle of 30°. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that muscle activity is the highest at the shoulder external rotation angle of 30° in healthy individuals.