Hydrothermal synthesis of highly crystalline TiO2 nanorods is a well-developed technique and the nanorods have been widely used as the template for growth of various core-shell nanorod structures. Magneli/CdS core-shell nanorod structures are fabricated for the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) electrode to achieve enhanced carrier transport along the metallic magneli phase nanorod template. However, the long and thin TiO2 nanorods may form a high resistance path to the electrons transferred from the CdS layer. TiO2 nanorods synthesized are reduced to magneli phases, TixO2x-1, by heat treatment in a hydrogen environment. Two types of magneli phase nanorods of Ti4O7 and Ti3O5 are synthesized. Structural morphology and X-ray diffraction analyses are carried out. CdS nano-films are deposited on the magneli nanorods for the main light absorption layer to form a photoanode, and the PEC performance is measured under simulated sunlight irradiation and compared with the conventional TiO2/CdS core-shell nanorod electrode. A higher photocurrent is observed from the stand-alone Ti3O5/CdS coreshell nanorod structure in which the nanorods are grown on both sides of the seed layer.

Background: There are insufficient objective or quantitative evidence for the better intervention to improve proprioception particularly for the application of external load. There are conflicting opinions whether the external load is effective for proprioception improvement or not. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of external load on proprioception of shoulder joint quantitatively using 3D motion capture system. Methods: Nine healthy adults joined for this study. They were asked to perform scapular plane abduction motion with attaching reflective markers on the trunk and upper limb. The 3D positions of finger marker, while they performed the same task with and without external load, were recorded and analyzed. Results: All participants showed decreased variable errors in the vertical direction when the external load was applied (p<.02). Even though other directions (y, z) and absolute errors increased, they did not have statistical significances. Conclusion: Based on this study results, the external load application would be effective for shoulder joint position sense improvement.

Chinese L2 learners of Japanese are identified as showing difficulties in the production of Japanese geminates. The idea of being difficult-to-listen is embodied in the concept Comprehensibility (Derwing & Munro 2015). This study first reviews the native pronunciation of Japanese singleton vs. geminate contrast. Then, we report findings based on the pronunciation by 20 Chinese learners of Japanese and discuss the issue of comprehensibility in geminate production. While the contrast in the closure duration between singleton and geminate consonants shows a similar pattern to reported Japanese speech, the learners show large differences in the vowel duration preceding and following consonants. We report findings from a linear mixed model that was run with speaker as a random effect. The results show that participants do not make differences in vowel duration, or the difference in vowel duration is reversed from L1 Japanese speakers. Identifying the locus of the source of an L2 accent should be accompanied with intelligibility and comprehensibility. Such identification is important in increasing comprehensibility in speech that is already intelligible.

Background: The craniocervical flexion (CCF) exercise is one of the effective exercise in correcting forward head posture (FHP). However, some people with FHP achieve CCF with compensatory movements, for example, low cervical flexion using superficial neck flexors such as the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. No study has yet investigated whether a dualpressure biofeedback unit (D-PBU) method to prevent low cervical flexion would be helpful in performing pure CCF movement. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the CCF using D-PBU method and the traditional CCF method on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the longus colli muscle (LCM) and the activity of SCM muscle in subjects with FHP. Methods: Twentyfour FHP subjects (male: 16, female: 8) were recruited for this study. All subjects performed CCF using two different methods: The traditional CCF method and the CCF using D-PBU method. The CSA of the LCM was measured via ultrasound, and surface electromyography was used to measure SCM muscle activity. Results: The change in CSA of the LCM was significantly larger during the CCF using D-PBU method (1.28±.09) compared with the traditional CCF method (1.19±.08) (p<.05). The SCM muscle activity using the CCF using D-PBU method (2.01±1.97 %MVIC) was significantly lower than when using the traditional CCF method (2.79±2.32 %MVIC) (p<.05). Conclusion: The CCF using D-PBU method can be recommended for increasing LCM activation and decreasing SCM muscle activity during CCF movement in subjects with FHP.

Background: Stroke patients show abnormal walking patterns due to brain injury. In order to have the desired walking pattern, appropriate stimulation is required to activate the central pattern generator. For this reason, our study performed treadmill ambulatory training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. However we did not consider the influence of visual feedback. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the gait abilities in chronic stroke patients following either treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback (TRASVF) or treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (TRAS) alone. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were divided into two groups: A TRASVF group (10 subjects) and a TRAS group (11 subjects). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and walking training for 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured before and after the training period. The Biodex gait trainer treadmill system measured gait parameters. Results: After the training periods, the TRASVF group showed a significant improvement in walking speed, the step length of the affected limb, and time on each foot of the affected limb when compared to the TRAS group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback improved individual gait ability more than the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation alone. Therefore, visual feedback should be considered along with rhythmic auditory stimulation training.

Collocational competence is important part of L2 English amplifier acquisition. This competence entails learners' ability to use the right combination of words with natural-sounding semantic prosody. It is known to be an integral part of mastering pragmatic function of L2 English vocabulary, which also is a challenge for the learners at the same time (Zhang, 2008). Despite the importance, previous studies on ESL/EFL learners' amplifier use lacked empirical evidence and insight about semantic prosody. The purpose of present learner corpora-based study was to fill the existing research gap by finding patterns of amplifiers. Two existing corpora were selected, coded, and analyzed to fulfill this purpose; they are Korean EFL learners and native speakers of English (NE). Results from analysis found Korean learners' overall underuse in amplifiers. Also, frequently occurring amplifier ranks for each corpus differed. Semantic prosody analysis revealed that amplifier associated with dominantly positive connotation were very, really, and highly. Amplifiers associated with dominantly negative connotation were extremely, absolutely, severely, and greatly. Contrast analysis showed that the only amplifier that Koreans and NEs used amplifier to signal same semantic prosody dominantly was severely (negative). Other than that, Koreans and NE showed salient discrepancies in semantic prosody use. The pedagogical implication of the present study is that vocabulary teaching need to include semantic prosody, and the first step will be to conduct ESL/EFL teacher education about it (Zhang, 2009). It's important to remind them of the value of semantic prosody in language communication (S Lee, 2011).

Background: The deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles have a crucial role in the management of neck pain. For preventing neck pain by activation of the DCF, craniocervical flexion (CCF) is an effective exercise. However, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is considered to affect negatively the activation of the DCF. SCM muscle which is an accessory muscle for respiration is activated differently depending on types of breathing patterns. It’s not certain that breathing patterns affect the SCM and DCF muscles thickness during CCF exercise. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of breathing patterns on the SCM and DCF muscles thickness during CCF exercise. Methods: Forty-five subjects participated in this study, and they were classified according to their breathing pattern, as follows: Costodiaphragmatic breathing (CDB) and upper costal breathing (UCB) groups. Ultrasonographic imaging of the SCM and DCF muscles was performed during five incremental levels of CCF during tidal breathing and expiration. Results: There was a significant interaction between the breathing pattern and the phase of CCF for percentage of SCM muscle thickness changes (p˂.05). In phase 1 CCF, a percentage of SCM muscle thickness changes was increased in the UCB group than in the CDB group (p˂.05). There was an increase in DCF muscles thickness with each additional CCF phase (p˂.05). Conclusion: Recruitment of SCM muscle was increased in the UCB group while performing CCF with a low intensity. There were no significant differences on DCF recruitment between the breathing pattern groups. Higher CCF exercise intensities elicited a higher DCF recruitment.

Purpose: The research that combines qualitative and quantitative methods are recently received attention in nursing academia and the number of research on mixed method is increased. The purpose of the study was to understand and discuss the application of mixed method research (MMR). Methods: This study provided the concept, research design, justification, and systematic issues of MMR through the literature review and researcher’s analytical thinking. Results: MMR was generally accepted in the literature as a new and comprehensive methodology. MMR was developed from the philosophical foundation on pragmatism. The designs of MMR and notation, mixing strategies, strategies for sampling and data analysis, and validity of MMR were examined. These were continued to be the issues including epistemology and pragmatic stances of MMR, primary point of interface for mixing, the level of interaction between different method (qualitative and quantitative), and more proper langue than ‘mixed’ etc. of MMR. Conclusion: In spite of those issues, MMR is solidified it’s position as multi-strategy research in the aspect of expansion of qualitative and quantitative methods with triangulation. I recommended that the researcher should apply the MMR after considering of epistemological assumptions and possibility evaluation of the synergy effects to his or her research for the merits of extensive results of MMR.

Background: Hemispatial neglect is defined as the failure to attend, report, respond, or orient toward meaningful stimuli provided in the contralateral side of a brain lesion. Objects: This study was conducted to find out the effect of dynamic trunk equilibirum exercise for stroke patients with hemi-spatial neglect. Methods: This study included 21 stroke subjects, randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The exercise program consisted of 5 sessions of 20 minutes per week during 4 weeks. The line-bisection test, the Albert test, the balance function score, the Berg balance scale, the postural assessment scale for stroke and the modified Barthel index were measured before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Between-group and within-group comparison was analyzed by using Independent t-test and Paired t-test respectively. Results: The results of study were as follows: There were significant differences between before and after intervention in both group (p<.05). There were significant differences in the line-bisection test, Albert test, balance function score, Berg balance scale, postural assessment scale for stroke and modified Barthel index between the experimental group and the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: Dynamic trunk equilibrium exercise had a positive effect on patients’ neglect, balance ability and activities of daily living. Further studies are required to generalize the results of this study.

This study examined how adult native speakers of Korean prosodically structure their speech during spontaneous story telling. It asked participants to produce a spontaneous story from a picture book in L1 Korean. Participants’ phonological phrasing (via pause) was analyzed with reference to eight hierarchical syntactic structures defined in the study. The results suggested three-level hierarchy in phonological structure in spoken Korean: between sentences > between independent clauses > between a dependent clause and the matrix clause = any within-clause boundaries. Korean speakers paused the longest prior to starting a new sentence. They paused statistically significantly shorter between two independent clauses (e.g., coordinate clauses and adverbial clauses), and even shorter between a dependent clause (e.g., complement clauses and relative clauses) and the matrix clause. Interestingly, however, the last type of clausal boundaries, i.e., between interdependent but separate clauses, did not differ from any of the observed within-clause boundaries with respect to intonation structure marked by pauses. These results are consistent with the literature as to across-clause boundaries, but contra the traditional prediction that syntactic hierarchical structure may be mapped onto phonological structure: clausal boundaries are prosodically treated the same as within-clausal boundaries. Crosslinguistic and educational implications are discussed.

Background: Deficits of both ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) and dynamic balance are shown in persons with chronic ankle instability and the elderly, with the risk of falls. Objects: This study aims to investigate the relationship between DFROM and dynamic balance in elderly subjects and young adults. Methods: Fifty-nine subjects were divided into three groups: ankle stability young group (SY), ankle instability young group (IY) and ankle stability older group (SO). We recruited three old subjects with ankle instability, but excluded them during a pilot testing due to the safety issue. DFROM was measured by weight bearing lunge test (WBLT) and dynamic balance was measured via star excursion balance test (SEBT) in anteromedial, medial, and posteromedial directions. The group differences in WBLT and SEBT and each group’s correlation between WBLT and SEBT were detected using the R statistical software package. Results: The dorsiflexion range of motion was significantly different between the SY, IY, and SO groups. The SO group showed the highest DFROM and IY group showed the lowest DFROM (SY: 45.88±.66˚, IY: 39.53±1.63˚, SO: 47.94±.50˚; p<.001). However, the SO group showed the lowest dynamic balance score for all SEBT directions (SY: 87.24±2.05 ㎝, IY: 83.20±1.30 ㎝, SO: 77.23±2.07 ㎝; p<.05) and there was no relationship between the dorsiflexion range of motion and dynamic balance in any group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ankle DFROM is not a crucial factor for dynamic stability regardless of aging and ankle instability. Other factors such as muscle strength or movement coordination should be considered for training dynamic balance. Therefore, we need to establish the rehabilitation process by measuring and treating ROM, balance, and muscle strength when treating young adults with and without ankle instability as well as elderly people.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review of illness experience research study using phenomenological approaches. Methods: Data were searched from the database (CINAHL) under the key word '(Phenomeno*) and lived experience' and the publishing period 'Jan. 2006~Dec. 2016'. A total of 62 articles about first hand experience of patients was selected as final samples. Data were analysed in terms of research method and contents. Results: The chronic illness was the most frequently used disease, and 'van Mannen' method was also the most frequently used. The popular philosophical perspectives were Husserl's phenomenology and Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology. As the criteria to ensure truthworthiness, Lincoln & Guba's criteria was the one mostly employed. Conclusion: It was found that the researchers employed various qualitative approaches despite of continued discussion on selecting a proper approach. However, the phenomenological approach was found to be the strongest tool for exploring the lived experience of patients. In this respect, the given approach is warranted for future utilization in nursing research.

Background: After a stroke, the patient may have abnormal muscle tone due to abnormal alignment. Physical therapists have used stretching, neural mobilization other methods to treat patients after stroke. In addition, joint mobilization is also used to stimulation in pathway of cervical segmental region and to normal cervical spine alignment. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine whether Maitland cervical spine mobilization has an immediate effect on muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into a experimental group (n1=10), a placebo group (n2=10), and a control group (n3=10). The Maitland cervical spine mobilization was applied in the supine position. Immediately after the intervention, muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii, brachioradialis, deltoid, and pectoralis major were measured using Myoton®PRO. In the placebo group, sham mobilization was applied to the fifth and sixth cervical vertebra, and the control group was instructed to control breathing. Results: In the experimental group, significant differences were found in muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii and brachioradialis in comparison with the affected side and the non-affected side before the intervention (p<.05), whereas there was no significant difference after the intervention (p>.05). Muscle tone of biceps brachii on the non-affected side and pectoralis major on the affected side was significantly decreased before and after the intervention (p<.05). The placebo and control group showed no changes on the non-affected and affected side, and no significant differences were detected before and after the intervention. All the groups revealed no significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity before and after the intervention. Conclusion: This study suggests that the application of Maitland cervical spine mobilization enhanced muscle tone of upper extremity on the involved side symmetrically, and influenced a decrease in muscle tone

Purpose: This study was aimed to provide in-depth understanding of male nurses’ work adaptation experience and suggest future directions for nursing interventions for them by synthesizing individual qualitative findings. Methods: Qualitative meta-synthesis method suggested by Sandelowski and Barroso was utilized. A total of 6 qualitative studies’ findings were synthesized to describe male nurses’ experience of work adaptation in clinical settings. Results: The major task regarding male nurses’ work adaptation was ‘planting himself in the workplace.’ Its contextual and related factors to the task include: extraordinary choice for men, female-centered hierarchical work culture, gender difference vs. interindividual difference, stereotyped view on ‘male’ nurses, strengthening work identity of nursing profession, and dim future even after many years of experience. Conclusion: The findings illuminated the necessity of orchestrated efforts from both female and male nurses to form work environments overcoming gender bias and promoting adaptation of male nurses in clinical settings.

Even though many researchers emphasise the interrelatedness of language and culture and the significance of teaching culture in foreign language education, understanding how culture can be taught has proven to be a difficult undertaking in many respects. This problem is hardly new, and the problems of defining what culture is and how to teach it in language classes have been of concern to researchers for decades. Developments in technology have opened up access to cultural resources from all over the world, and to this end, methods of teaching culture using technology have started to appear more regularly in research associated with second language teaching and learning. A glance through the literature reveals, however, that where in the past many teachers focused on teaching a single culture within a language class, in recent years there has been a movement to try to broaden the focus to include general intercultural communication competence, but a systematic approach for methods of teaching culture have been still lacking. However, it is generally accepted that cross-cultural understanding is indeed a by-product of foreign language learning, and language should be taught as an explicit element of cultural practice. Therefore, it is necessary to consider issues about teaching culture in foreign language education such as what role culture plays in language teaching and how it is being taught. Based on current developments in technology, it is timely to think about effective teaching methodologies for integrating culture and language that prepare learners to communicate and collaborate effectively in the 21st century

Intelligibility is considered key to successful and effective human communication. The intelligibility of the English used by its non-native speakers is the subject of much research enquiry, and as English continues to strengthen its foothold in international settings as the global lingua franca, the issue of mutual intelligibility has never been of greater importance. The paper begins by examining “intelligibility” as conceptualized by scholars in the fields of World Englishes (WE) and English as a lingua franca (ELF). While WE scholars approach the subject by investigating the international intelligibility of the new varieties of English, particularly to other non-native speakers of the language, ELF researchers seek to uncover how speakers negotiate and co-construct intelligibility in interaction, and the kinds of accommodation strategies employed in the process. Although the underlying assumptions and the methodologies associated with the 2 fields are not always congruent, the findings contribute towards developing a clearer picture of the subject of intelligibility in global communication. The paper ends by considering the pedagogical implications of the findings of intelligibility studies in WE and ELF.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the nursing unit manager's experience with patient safety accidents. Methods: Data were collected from April, 2017 to December, 2017 through in-depth interviews with seven unit managers who worked in General wards, OPD or in the ICU of a general hospital. Qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: The following four categories were elicited; dimensions are different from each other, complex feelings about the person after the accident, ambivalence for the accident triggers, leadership learned from accident management. Conclusion: The findings provided valuable informations on the nursing unit managers' experience with patient safety accidents, which held many nursing implications. Based on the findings, it is possible to develop accident management guidelines and the support system for accident management personnels.

Background: It is very difficult for hemiplegic patients to effectively perform the sit-to-stand (STS) movements independently because of several factors. Moreover, the analysis of STS motion in hemiplegic patients has been thus far confined to only muscle strength evaluation with little information available on structural and environmental factors of varying chair height and foot conditions. Objects: This study aimed to analyze the change in biomechanical factors (ground reaction force, center of mass displacement, and the angle and moment of joints) of the joints in the lower extremities with varying chair height and foot conditions in hemiplegic patients while they performed the STS movements. Methods: Nine hemiplegic patients voluntarily participated in this study. Their STS movements was analyzed in a total of nine sessions (one set of three consecutive sessions) with varying chair height and foot conditions. The biomechanical factors of the joints in the lower extremities were measured during the movements. Ground reaction force was measured using a force plate; and the other abovementioned parameters were measured using an infra-red camera. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was performed to determine the changes in biomechanical factors in the lower extremities with varying chair height and foot conditions. Results: No interaction was found between chair height and foot conditions (p>.05). All measured variables with varying chair height showed a significant difference (p<.05). Maximum joint flexion angle, maximum joint moment, and the displacement of the center of mass in foot conditions showed a significant difference (p<.05); however the maximum ground reaction force did not show a significant difference (p>.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that hemiplegic patients can more stably and efficiently perform the STS movement with increased chair height and while they are bare-foot.

General D-glass(Dielectric glass) fibers are adaptable to PCBs(Printed circuit boards) because they have a low dielectric constant of about 3.5~4.5. However, very few papers have appeared on the physical characteristics of D-glass fibers. D-glass fibers were fabricated via continuous spinning process using bulk D-glass. In order to fabricate the D-glass, raw materials were put into a Pt crucible, melted at 1650℃ for 2 hrs, and then annealed at 521 ± 10℃ for 2 hrs. We obtained transparent clear glass. The transmittance and adaptable temperature for spinning of the bulk marble glass were characterized using a UV-visible spectrometer and a viscometer. Continuous spinning was carried out using direct melting spinning equipment as a function of the fiberizing temperature in the range of 1368℃ to 1460℃, while the winder speed was between 100 rpm and 200 rpm. We investigated the physical properties of the D-glass fibers. The average diameters of the glass fibers were measured by optical microscope and FE-SEM. The average diameters of the D-glass fibers were 21.36 um at 100 rpm and 34.06 um at 200 rpm. The mechanical properties of the fibers were confirmed using a UTM(Universal materials testing machine). The average tensile strengths of the D-glass fibers were 467.03 MPa at 100 rpm and 522.60 MPa at 200 rpm.

We examined the characteristics of indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) on polyimide (PI) substrates for next-generation flexible display application. In this study, the ITZO TFT was fabricated and analyzed with a SiOx/ SiNx gate insulator deposited using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) below 350℃. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) results revealed that the oxygen vacancies and impurities such as H, OH and H2O increased at ITZO/gate insulator interface. Our study suggests that the hydrogen related impurities existing in the PI and gate insulator were diffused into the channel during the fabrication process. We demonstrate that these impurities and oxygen vacancies in the ITZO channel/gate insulator may cause degradation of the electrical characteristics and bias stability. Therefore, in order to realize high performance oxide TFTs for flexible displays, it is necessary to develop a buffer layer (e.g., Al2O3) that can sufficiently prevent the diffusion of impurities into the channel.