Search

Reading-integrated writing is known as an effective approach to teaching and learning vocabulary as it allows students to transfer vocabulary from a source text to writing. This study examines whether vocabulary transfer from an input text to writing varies according to the two types of tasks: essay writing and synchronous text chat. One hundred Korean college students from four "Reading and Writing" classes performed both tasks, and their vocabulary use was compared between the two tasks. The tokens and the types of words used in essay writing and chatting were compared against a base wordlist constructed from the input text, and their lexical profiles were analyzed using various programs, such as RANGE, VocabProfile, and WordSmith. The findings show that more varied words were transferred from the source text to the chat scripts than to the essays. While the lexical diversity was slightly greater in the chat scripts than in the essays, the difference was not statistically significant. Interestingly, the chat scripts exhibited the same level of lexical density (i.e., the ratio of content words to function words) as the essays. It can be inferred from the findings that the synchronous chat provides a valuable context for practicing target language, and that it is as useful as essay writing for promoting vocabulary transfer from reading to output production. In addition, the findings suggest that reading can become a beneficial source of language input that leads to output production.

This study examines the identities of Korean English teachers who have lived in various English-speaking countries but now serve as certified public school teachers in Korea. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with seven teachers and analysed via critical discourse analysis. Despite being rated as near-native, the teachers with transnational experience still undervalued their English proficiency, possibly because they compared their proficiency to that of native speakers. They were also found to place emphasis on native-like pronunciation, particularly American pronunciation. They classified themselves as non-native speakers, stating that they would never be close to native speakers due to innate factors such as nationality or race. The skewed preference towards American English and native speakership was found to be heavily influenced by the socio-cultural ideologies embedded in institutional systems in Korea. These findings reveal the underlying ideologies of English and native speakership in Korea, which highlights the importance of considering teacher's perceptions of their identities in designing teacher training programmes.

Teachers who know what, how and why to teach are essential for successful student learning. However, many preservice teachers (PSTs) lack teaching experience and the ability to integrate theory and practice. To help bridge this gap, this study employed a learning‐by‐design project approach in which 22 Korean PSTs developed lesson plans for middle school English classes, constructed virtual classrooms in the metaverse based on their English lesson plans, and conducted microteaching in the virtual classrooms. The study used a qualitative research method and focused on an emic perspective with multiple data sets, including the PSTs' reflection papers and post‐interviews as primary data, and their lesson plans, virtual classrooms and recordings of microteaching as secondary data. The results showed that the project supported learning by design, and that it also helped PSTs understand learners and learning, redefine the teacher's role as a designer and facilitator, connect theories to practice and improve their teaching skills. The findings can be used as a reference for future teacher training. Practitioner notes What is already known about this topic Teachers' content, pedagogical and technological knowledge and skills are essential attributes for effective performance. Preservice teachers (PSTs) have difficulty transferring their knowledge to real classrooms because their knowledge often focuses on the ‘know‐what’ of teaching, but not on the ‘know‐how’. Microteaching in virtual environments helps PSTs connect knowledge and practice and prepare for real classroom situations. What this paper adds The study applied a learning‐by‐design approach to preservice teachers' microteaching to help them connect their pedagogical knowledge to classroom practice. The study focused on describing how the PSTs' virtual classroom design influenced the way they planned and implemented their microteaching. Implications for practice and/or policy Teacher educators can incorporate the design‐based approach into their teacher training modules to help teachers understand learner needs when planning and implementing English lessons. Teachers can develop technological literacy and positive attitudes about using technology in their classrooms. What is already known about this topic Teachers' content, pedagogical and technological knowledge and skills are essential attributes for effective performance. Preservice teachers (PSTs) have difficulty transferring their knowledge to real classrooms because their knowledge often focuses on the ‘know‐what’ of teaching, but not on the ‘know‐how’. Microteaching in virtual environments helps PSTs connect knowledge and practice and prepare for real classroom situations. What this paper adds The study applied a learning‐by‐design approach to preservice teachers' microteaching to help them connect their pedagogical knowledge to classroom practice. The study focused on describing how the PSTs' virtual classroom design influenced the way they planned and implemented their microteaching. Implications for practice and/or policy Teacher educators can incorporate the design‐based approach into their teacher training modules to help teachers understand learner needs when planning and implementing English lessons. Teachers can develop technological literacy and positive attitudes about using technology in their classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the holomorphicity of totally geodesic Kobayashi isometric embeddings between bounded symmetric domains. First, we show that for a C1$C^1$‐smooth totally geodesic Kobayashi isometric embedding f:Ω→Ω′$f\colon \Omega \rightarrow \Omega ^{\prime }$ where Ω$\Omega$, Ω′$\Omega ^{\prime }$ are bounded symmetric domains, if Ω$\Omega$ is irreducible and rank(Ω)⩾rank(Ω′)$\text{rank}(\Omega) \geqslant \text{rank}(\Omega ^{\prime })$ or more generally, rank(Ω)⩾rank(f∗v)$\text{rank}(\Omega) \geqslant \text{rank}(f_*v)$ for any tangent vector v$v$ of Ω$\Omega$, then f$f$ is either holomorphic or anti‐holomorphic. Second, we characterize C1$C^1$ Kobayashi isometries from a reducible bounded symmetric domain to itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Biological aspect and clinical research demonstrated that dual‐frequency ultrasound (local dynamic micro‐massage, LDM) waves of very high frequency can significantly modify cellular signaling providing anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrotic effects. During the recent past, these waves were successfully applied for the treatment of various inflammatory skin conditions, hypertrophic scars, and chronical wounds. Since the main complications after rhinoseptoplasty are caused by excessive inflammatory reactions and development of fibrosis along nasal implants which can lead to a revision rhinoseptoplasty, in this retrospective multicenter blinded study we have evaluated the efficacy of LDM ultrasound for the treatment of the postoperative perilesional ecchymosis and edema in patients after rhinoseptoplasty. Methods: Twenty‐four patients received daily LDM treatment (study group) for 5 days starting from the first day postoperative, whereas 24 patients (control group) were treated with conventional ice packs. Dynamic reduction of the postoperative perilesional ecchymosis and edema was followed up, and the total duration of these side effects was determined within specific paranasal anatomical areas. Results: Post‐rhinoseptoplasty ecchymosis and edema were observed in the areas of anterior cheek, lower eyelids, and upper eyelids. Duration of the postoperative perilesional edema was significantly reduced in the group treated with LDM (1.9 ± 0.9 days) compared with control group (4.5 ± 2.1 days). Duration of the ecchymosis was also significantly reduced in LDM group (2.8 ± 1.4 days) compared with controls (7.4 ± 2.8 days). Postoperative patient satisfaction in LDM‐treated and control groups was 3.1 ± 1.3 and 1.5 ± 0.7, respectively, demonstrating significantly higher satisfaction in LDM‐treated group. Conclusions: This study proved that the post‐rhinoseptoplasty group treated with LDM ultrasound showed a significantly shorter duration of the postsurgical perilesional ecchymosis and edema, with no substantial adverse effects other than those observed in the control group. It can be suggested that ultrasound treatment can serve as an alternative option for the noninvasive management of postoperative perilesional ecchymosis and edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The concept of "skin boosters" has evolved, marking a shift from traditional uses of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers primarily for augmenting skin volume to a more diverse application aimed at improving dermal conditions. Restylane Vital and other HA fillers have been repurposed to combat skin aging and wrinkles by delivering HA directly to the dermis. Objectives: This review aims to define the term "skin booster" and to discuss the various components that constitute skin boosters. It seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the different ingredients used in skin boosters, their roles, and their impact on enhancing dermal conditions. Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted, focusing on representative skin booster ingredients. The approach involved analyzing the different elements used in skin boosters and their specific roles in enhancing dermal improvement. Results: The findings indicate that skin boosters, encompassing a range of ingredients, are effective in improving the condition of the skin's dermis. The review identifies key ingredients in skin boosters and their specific benefits, including hydration, elasticity improvement, and wrinkle reduction. Conclusions: Skin boosters represent a significant development in dermatological treatments, offering diverse benefits beyond traditional HA fillers. This review provides valuable insights into the constituents of skin boosters and their effectiveness, aiding readers in making informed decisions about these treatments. The potential of skin boosters in dermatological practice is considerable, warranting further research and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation focused on the impact of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) extract (WSE) on age-related mechanisms affecting skeletal muscle sarcopenia-related muscle atrophy in aged mice. Beyond evaluating muscular aspects, the study explored chronic low-grade inflammation, muscle regeneration, and mitochondrial biogenesis. WSE administration, in comparison to the control group, demonstrated no significant differences in body weight, diet, or water intake, affirming its safety profile. Notably, WSE exhibited a propensity to reduce epidermal and abdominal fat while significantly increasing muscle mass at a dosage of 200 mg/kg. The muscle-to-fat ratio, adjusted for body weight, increased across all treatment groups. WSE administration led to a reduction in the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, mitigating inflammation-associated muscle atrophy. In a 12-month-old mouse model equivalent to a 50-year-old human, WSE effectively preserved muscle strength, stabilized grip strength, and increased muscle tissue weight. Positive effects were observed in running performance and endurance. Mechanistically, WSE balanced muscle protein synthesis/degradation, promoted fiber differentiation, and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis through the IGF-1/Akt/mTOR pathway. This study provides compelling evidence for the anti-sarcopenic effects of WSE, positioning it as a promising candidate for preventing sarcopenia pending further clinical validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enlarged facial pores are a common dermatological and cosmetic concern, which are difficult to treat because their pathogenesis is multifactorial. Many technological treatments have been developed to treat enlarged pores. Despite these efforts, enlarged pores remain problematic for many patients. Objectives: Microcoring technology has recently been developed to treat pores and serve as a leading primary treatment option to address these concerns. Methods: Three patients underwent a single treatment of rotational fractional resection. The 0.5 mm diameter rotating scalpels were used to resect the skin pores in the cheek region. The resected site was evaluated 30 days after treatment, and the patients underwent scanning in bilateral 45° views at 60 cm from the face with the same brightness setting. Results: The three patients improved in terms of enlarged pores and had no severe skin‐related adverse effects. Furthermore, the three patients showed satisfactory treatment outcomes after 30 days of follow‐up. Conclusion: Rotational fractional resection is a new concept that produces measurable permanent results for enlarged pore removal. These cosmetic procedures produced promising outcomes in a single treatment. However, the current clinical procedures trend demands minimally invasive treatment for enlarged pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether foreign language learner anxiety and motivational goal orientations remained stable across two different classroom contexts: a reading course and a conversation course. The researcher measured anxiety and four types of motivational goal orientations by surveying 59 Korean college students learning English in both courses. A repeated-measures MANCOVA was used to analyze the responses. The findings indicated that levels of anxiety can vary according to instructional contexts. The study found a significant difference for anxiety, with the students reporting higher levels of anxiety in the conversation course than in the reading course. By contrast, for goal orientation, students exhibited similar patterns across contexts. These Korean students displayed a high tendency toward a utilitarian goal regardless of context. The article also suggests teaching implications for reducing anxiety and enhancing motivation. (Contains 2 figures, 4 tables and 2 notes.)

This study sought to identify the association between English-medium instruction (EMI) teachers’ beliefs and their practices of disciplinary writing (DW) in content courses. Drawing on qualitative research data from interviews with Korean college professors and their course materials, the study found that instructors prioritized content learning over language learning. They also placed relatively more emphasis on speaking than writing, which led to the use of speaking-integrated writing, such as writing scripts for oral presentations. Although they acknowledged writing proficiency to be an integral component of global competence, they confined the role of writing tasks to superficially displaying students’ content knowledge. Writing tasks varied according to disciplines, although many of them were not specifically related to the field in question. While most instructors used general writing tasks in a skill-integrated approach, very few adopted discipline-specific writing tasks. In implementing DW in their EMI courses, all the instructors viewed content as far more important than language and perceived themselves to be content experts, not language teachers. Their beliefs were manifest in their assessment practices, particularly in their feedback provision. They rarely offered feedback and, if they did, it was minimal, mostly addressing content issues. These findings have implications for teachers who conduct EMI for content courses in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, to analyze the effect of wet compression technology on the aero-thermodynamic performance of a centrifugal compressor, a numerical analysis study was conducted on the design point and off-design point. Wet compression technology sprays water droplets at the inlet of the compressor. During the compression process, water droplets evaporate, reducing the heat of compression and reducing the compression work, which improves the efficiency of the compressor. In wet compression technology, detailed research is needed for the application to compressors because the droplet behavior affects the internal flow. The main parameters for wet compression technology are the droplet size and injection rate selection, and the flow inside the compressor changed by the droplet behavior was analyzed. When the droplet size and injection rate were changed at the design point and the off-design point, it was confirmed that a small droplet size was effective in both areas, and it was confirmed that the performance improved as the flow rate increased. The internal flow changed greatly depending on the size of the droplet. As a result, the centrifugal compressor to which the wet compression technology was applied had a lower outlet temperature than dry compression at both the design point and the off-design point and had increases in the pressure ratio and efficiency. However, the surge margin decreased by about 2% in the surge region. The reason is that due to high-speed rotation, particles move in the outer diameter direction and are driven into a tip-leakage flow, and many stagnant flows occur without flowing into the main flow. Through the study results, it was possible to understand the effects of wet compression technology on the performance and efficiency increase of centrifugal compressors and the effects of particle behavior on the internal flow of the compressor at the off-design point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]