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Objectives: A paper filter was prepared by pitch based activated carbon fibers to investigate the removal efficiency of toxic gas. Also, changes in pore characteristics and mechanical properties according to the ratio of the adsorbent and the binder were observed to optimize the decrease in specific surface area and micropore, which are the unique characteristics of activated carbon fibers. In addition, it is intended to establish optimized paper filter derived activated carbon fiber manufacturing conditions through evaluation of toxic gas removal characteristics. Method: The pore characteristics of the activated carbon fiber and prepared paper were analyzed by measuring the BET specific surface area, and SEM analysis was performed on the fine surface shape. Tensile strength and air permeability were performed according to ISO 1924-2 and ASTM D737: 04, respectively. The adsorption performance of the prepared filter was evaluated as a gas removal efficiency using a gas detection tube (GV-110S). Results and Discussion: As the content of the binder increased in the paper manufacturing process, it was confirmed that the specific surface area of ​​the prepared filter decreased by up to 39.5% compared to the activated carbon fiber. It is considered that the micropores were closed because the surface of the activated carbon fiber was coated with the excessive addition of the binder. The removal efficiency showed a removal rate of 90% of ammonia, and methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide showed a removal rate of about 60%. This result might be due to the difference in the physical adsorption rate according to the vapor pressure of each material. Conclusions: An activated carbon fiber-based paper filter for removing of toxic gas was prepared. It was confirmed that the mixing ratio of the adsorbent and the binder was an important process parameter for determining moldability and adsorption performance. Finally, optimum condition was selected as weight ratio condition of 8:2.

Medical education research subjects are incredibly diverse and have changed over time. This work in particular aims to compare and analyze research trends in medical education through the words used in the titles of these research papers. Academic Medicine (the journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges), Medical Teacher (the journal of the Association of Medical Education in Europe), the Korean Journal of Medical Education (KJME), and Korean Medical Education Review (KMER) were selected and analyzed for the purposes of this research. From 2009 to 2018, Academic Medicine and Medical Teacher published approximately 10 to 20 times more papers than the KJME and KMER. Frequently used words in these titles include “medical,” “student,” “education,” and “learning.” The words “clinical” and “learning” were used relatively often (7.80% to 13.66%) in Korean journals and Medical Teacher, but Academic Medicine used these phrases relatively less often (6.47% and 4.41%, respectively). Concern with such various topics as problem-based learning, team-based learning, program evaluations, burnout, e-learning, and digital indicates that Medical Teacher seems to primarily deal with teaching and learning methodologies, and Academic Medicine handles all aspects of medical education. The KJME and KMER did not cover all subjects, as they publish smaller papers. However, it is anticipated that research on new subjects, such as artificial intelligence in medical education, will occur in the near future.

Paper-cut is not simply a form of traditional Chinese folk art. Lucky motifs developed in paper-cut certainly acquired profound cultural connotations. As paper-cut is a time-honoured skill across the nation, interpreting those motifs requires cultural receptiveness and anthropological sensitivity. The author of this article analyzes examples of paper-cut from Northern Shaanxi, China, to identify the cohesive motifs and explore the auspiciousness of the specific concepts of Fu, Lu, Shou, Xi. The paper-cut of Northern Shaanxi is an ideal representative of the craft as a whole because of the relative stability of this region in history, in terms of both art and culture. Furthermore, its straightforward style provides a clear demonstration of motifs regarding folk understanding of expectations for life.

Objectives : The focus of the analysis was laid on changes in research pertaining to pharmacopuncture in regards to time progression. Methods : Type analysis was done on pharmacopuncture related papers published in the Journal of Korean Institute of Pharmacopuncture from the inaugural issue to June 2006 issue. 196 papers are analyzed to the sort of type. Results : For type analysis of the type of studies, experiment papers outnumbered other types with 94 cases, followed by 67 for clinical trials, and 35 for literary studies. Type analysis on the type of illnesses listed in the Methods section, 31 papers concentrated on arthritis or HIVD of spine, 6 for Pharmacopuncture response in human, 5 for anti-cancer and immune disorders, etc. Conclusion : Since its inaugural issue in 1997 to August 2006 issue ranging 10 years, type analysis revealed that the number of journals pertaining to pharmacopuncture has risen steadily over the years and nearly half of papers published recently are dealing with pharmacopuncture. Pharmacopuncture is a treatment method based on the unique theory of Korean traditional medicine. Its superior efficacy is proven through numerous research works, and effort and academical approach on pharmacopuncture are expected to receive positive evaluation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a computerized touch-screen version of the asthma-specffic quality-of-life (cA-QOL) questionnaire against the conventional paper-and-pencil version (pA-QOL) for equivalence, time for completion, user preference, and ease of use. Methods: A total of 261 patients were recruited. A randomized cross-over design was used. Patients in group A completed the cA-QOL first while waiting to see a physician, and completed the pA- QOL version after seeing the physician. Patients allocated in group B completed these questionnaires in the reverse order. The patients were asked questions about user preference and ease of use of the cA-QOL. The time taken to complete both versions of the questionnaire was measured. Results: Weighted kappa coefficients of all items showed almost per- fect agreement. The time required to complete the pA-QOL is faster than the time for cA-QOL. The patients who preferred the cA-QOL were 37.5%, while those who preferred the pA-QOL were 29.9%. Most patients reported that the cA-QOL was "easy" or "very easy" to complete. Conclusion: The cA-QOL is the computerized equivalent of the pA-QOL. The findings herein demonstrate that the cA-QOL can be helpful to nurses in busy practices for assessing, collecting, and evaluating their patients' health related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of the study is to analyze the review contents of reviewers for the submitted papers in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing in 2003., Method: The review contents of the 165 papers were selected 217 papers that were submitted in 2003. Among those 165 papers, the 21 papers belonged to the 'Do not publish' list and 17 papers, 'Revise manuscript and resubmit', list and the 94 papers, 'Publish if revisions are made' list. There are more than two level differences among the four levels of decision in acceptance of publication in 33 papers., Results: The analysis of the review contents for the papers were suggested according to review categories : introduction, method, results, discussion and conclusion. In addition, if papers had more than two levels of review they were rated poor accord or inconsistent., Conclusion: For the quality of the academic journal and development of the nursing science, it is important to disseminate and publish the research paper. Therefore, review of the submitted paper is also important. Implications for the profitable review were suggested in the study.

Purpose: This study aimed was done to analyze recent trends in nursing research published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing by focusing on the content of nursing interventions and their level of evidence., Methods: A total of 209 studies published between 2007 and 2008 were reviewed using analysis criteria developed by the researchers., Results: The number of quantitative studies was greater than that of qualitative studies. There was a slight increase in the number of qualitative studies and studies including elderly populations, which reflects the recent population trend in Korea. More randomized controlled trials with a low risk of bias were needed to support more evidence-based nursing practice. Concerning the low rate of ethical consideration, stricter application of research ethics needs to be encouraged., Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest the recent trends in nursing research and the direction of nursing research and review in the Journal.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a computerized touch-screen version of the asthma-specific quality-of-life (cA-QOL) questionnaire against the conventional paper-and-pencil version (pA-QOL) for equivalence, time for completion, user preference, and ease of use., Methods: A total of 261 patients were recruited. A randomized cross-over design was used. Patients in group A completed the cA-QOL first while waiting to see a physician, and completed the pA-QOL version after seeing the physician. Patients allocated in group B completed these questionnaires in the reverse order. The patients were asked questions about user preference and ease of use of the cA-QOL. The time taken to complete both versions of the questionnaire was measured., Results: Weighted kappa coefficients of all items showed almost perfect agreement. The time required to complete the pA-QOL is faster than the time for cA-QOL. The patients who preferred the cA-QOL were 37.5%, while those who preferred the pA-QOL were 29.9%. Most patients reported that the cA-QOL was "easy" or "very easy" to complete., Conclusion: The cA-QOL is the computerized equivalent of the pA-QOL. The findings herein demonstrate that the cA-QOL can be helpful to nurses in busy practices for assessing, collecting, and evaluating their patients' health related quality of life.

Objectives: This study evaluated knowledge structure and its effect factor by analysis of co-author and keyword networks in Korea's preventive medicine sector., Methods: The data was extracted from 873 papers listed in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and was transformed into a co-author and keyword matrix where the existence of a 'link' was judged by impact factors calculated by the weight value of the role and rate of author participation. Research achievement was dependent upon the author's status and networking index, as analyzed by neighborhood degree, multidimensional scaling, correspondence analysis, and multiple regression., Results: Co-author networks developed as randomness network in the center of a few high-productivity researchers. In particular, closeness centrality was more developed than degree centrality. Also, power law distribution was discovered in impact factor and research productivity by college affiliation. In multiple regression, the effect of the author's role was significant in both the impact factor calculated by the participatory rate and the number of listed articles. However, the number of listed articles varied by sex., Conclusions: This study shows that the small world phenomenon exists in co-author and keyword networks in a journal, as in citation networks. However, the differentiation of knowledge structure in the field of preventive medicine was relatively restricted by specialization.

Purpose: This study was to determine the current trend of nursing research as exploring both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and to provide the explicit direction to improve the quality of published papers., Methods: Total of 366 articles published between 2004 and 2006 was reviewed using the criteria of analysis., Results: There was more number of quantitative studies than qualitative studies. More studies were conducted with subjects who had health problems, and studies that targeted women and elderly population have been significantly increased. In quantitative methodology, utilization of experimental and quasi-experimental designs has been increased, however descriptive study was dominant as yet. In qualitative methodology, studies using grounded theory and phenomenology were frequently published. It was noted that theoretical framework and rational for sample size were rarely presented in quantitative study. Philosophical position and the process of preparation for study, which guided the research, were not clearly described in qualitative study., Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest that published studies have been improved and diversified, however, detailed and clear evaluation tool that assesses study process and method should be developed as a way to further improve the quality of published papers.

This issue of Volume 34, Issue 1 contains 5 papers, 3 original articles, 2 review articles, and 0 case report. By subject, there were 0 papers on Aerospace Medicine, 5 on Aviation Human Factors, and 0 on Aviation Nursing. The first paper investigated the effect of self-management competence on social anxiety among students in an aviation program at a college, based on a survey of 90 students. Conducted with careful consideration of student anonymity, this study found that higher self-management competence are associated with lower social anxiety. The second paper explored the introduction of a pre-safety assessment and consulting system in the aviation industry, gathering and analyzing opinions from professionals through an online survey. The third study analyzed air traffic control threats and their impact, using data collected from Line Operations Safety Audits, and presented statistically significant findings. The fourth paper focused on fatigue management strategies for shift workers in air traffic control, reviewing related domestic and international laws and regulations and emphasizing the need for effective fatigue management. Lastly, the fifth paper discussed the characteristics of low-cost carriers and their ripple effects on the air transport market, examining both positive and negative aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific papers on the history of psychiatric diagnosis presented at the 16th International Taniguchi Symposium for Comparative History of Medicine-East and West which was held in 1991 in Japan were briefly reviewed and discussions and comments interchanged in this meeting were introuduced with some personal appreciation that the meeting was excellently organized and enormously successful. Particularly, the papers of medical historians and the expert in specific area like Indian medicine from North America and Europe were highly instructive. The informal gathering in the evening had offered a fascinating original report such as an old documentary film about Imu, a Japanese culture bound syndrome. One very important point was raised in this review that the comparisons between the Medicine-East and the West, particularly the translation of the Eastern medical descriptions of mental illness into the modern Western pschiatric terms should be very cautiously carried out, because by the crude identification of one medical system with the other system the uniqueness of the illness in a specific time and in a specific place might easily be overlooked. For both Japanese and Korean traditional medicine share with Chinese traditional medicine and yet they preserve their uniqueness, a small group study for comparative East Asian medicine was suggested for the more elaborated clarification of medical terms.

Background: The health promoting benefits of greenness exposure were addressed before, during, and after pregnancy. Addressing the low-birth-rate issue of Korea, this review focuses on forest-based interventions to assess the mental and physical health of pregnant women in green environments, both nationally and internationally. It also proposes the utilization of green environmental resources as a strategy to improve maternal health and address the low-birth-rate issue. Current Concepts: Keyword search was done using PubMed, Web of Science, and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) databases manually for references of retrieved papers until September 2023. Keywords included forest, greenness, and antenatal education. Of 107 potentially relevant papers related to prenatal education in forest or green environments, 12 papers were finally analyzed (comprising six domestic and 6 international academic journals). Overall, these papers showed at least moderate levels of bias. This review explored the influence of green spaces, forest activities, and psychological wellbeing on pregnant women. When analyzing pregnancy outcomes about green environments, differences between domestic and international studies became evident due to age, location, sample size, study design, and female participation rates. Discussion and Conclusion: The primary assessment tools focused on mental health, stress levels, quality of life, and overall psychological wellbeing. Domestic studies emphasized stress, anxiety, life satisfaction, inner peace, and maternal identity during pregnancy, while international research underscored the positive impact of green environments on pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Parents with a premature infant are usually confronted with difficulties in caring for their babies and need education on appropriate care. The purpose of this paper was to describe the components of caring education for parents with a premature infant based on an integrative literature review and to present strategies for future education. Methods: Four electronic databases were searched to identify studies. Sixteen articles were selected through full text screening of related research published in domestic journals from January 1990 to October 2012. Results: Through in-depth discussion and investigation of the relevant literature, three components emerged; (a) nurses as educators and parents as learners, (b) education content including caring on admission or discharge, and effects of education, and (c) education environment including timing, place and materials. Conclusion: Future education on caring for premature infant should include the nurse as educator and have diverse content including parent's role, interaction with healthcare providers, and special care for premature infants with special problems. Moreover, highly technical teaching materials should be provided, along with continuous support of institution and government to individual caregivers. Results of this study provide comprehensive prospective and basic standards for education on premature infant care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This issue of Volume 33, Issue 3 contains 6 papers, 4 original and 2 review articles. The first paper analyzes communication errors between domestic air traffic controllers and pilots and highlights the importance of adhering to the International Civil Aviation Organization standard language. The second paper analyzes trends in bacterial dysentery outbreaks in South Korea and Japan from 2016 to 2020, highlighting the need for robust information systems. The third paper analyzes human papillomavirus vaccination trends and shows a gradual recovery in vaccination rates after the COVID-19 pandemic. The fourth paper analyzes 24 years of trends in aviation medical examinations, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in the proportion of female pilots. The fifth paper explores the potential applications of blockchain technology in the aviation industry, presenting several use cases. The final paper analyzes medical error cases using the SHELL model and highlights the systemic problems of medical institutions in Korea. The journal covers a wide range of topics related to aerospace and human factors, and each paper presents important issues and suggestions for improvement in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first study analyzes the aeromedical consultation outcomes for Korean military flight crews diagnosed with malignant tumors. It highlights the increasing incidence of cancers such as thyroid and lung cancer, underscoring the need for regular health check-ups and thorough aeromedical evaluations. The second paper addresses the significant fatigue experienced by air operations control officers due to shift work. It suggests restructuring shift schedules to ensure adequate rest and maintain performance. The third study explores the effects of low-dose radiation on cognitive functions, suggesting potential benefits such as improved cell repair mechanisms, though it also calls for cautious application due to ongoing debates. The fourth paper examines the operational environment for urban air mobility, emphasizing the need for robust air traffic management systems and addressing vertical take-off and landing challenges. Lastly, the fifth study compares Korea’s aircraft maintenance personnel qualification system with international standards, recommending the adoption of competency-based training to enhance educational quality. Together, these studies contribute valuable insights and potential solutions for advancing aerospace and environmental medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pancreatitis is a non-reversible, progressive inflammatory disease of the pancreas that is caused by repeated inflammation. It is characterized by morphological changes in the parenchyma and main pancreatic duct as pancreatic tissue is damaged and fibrosis progresses. These changes can lead to exocrine and endocrine dysfunction in patients with chronic pancreatitis, with major complications including pain, endocrine or exocrine insufficiency, and increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Of these, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is a state of malabsorption in which more than 15 g of fat is excreted per day. It can be diagnosed and assessed using several methods, but these methods are currently difficult to use in Korea and have low compliance, making them low utility. Recently, the PEI-questionnaire (PEI-Q) was developed to diagnose and assess patients’ exocrine insufficiency. It has been validated in foreign countries and has the potential to be used as a tool for diagnosing exocrine insufficiency with simple questions. This paper will review the diagnostic methods for existing exocrine insufficiency and the usefulness and utilization of the PEI-Q. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air travel market has changed significantly by the emergence of a lowcost carrier (LCC). The LCCs offer lower fares and fewer frills than the traditional full service carriers (FSCs). The key competitive advantage of the LCCs is their ability to offer significantly lower fares, or at least to create the image of offering lower fares, while being able to generate profits by having low unit costs. LCCs have reshaped the competitive environment within air travel markets and have made significant impacts in the domestic passenger markets, which had previously been largely controlled by FSCs. The new demand for air travel experience through the low fares of low-cost airlines increases the likelihood of choosing not only low-cost airlines but also existing large airlines when choosing air travel. This generally equates to the intention of customers to move to more advanced products as their experience with new products increases. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to theoretically discuss the operating characteristics and market ripple effects of low-cost airlines, and to explore the theoretical implications of existing papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the global incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has decreased significantly since modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), new HIV infections steadily occur, in the Republic of Korea. Based on the understanding of the risk factors for HIV infection, combined strategic behavioral and biomedical interventions should be implemented to reduce HIV infection. This paper reviews the strategies for the prevention of HIV infection. Current Concepts: While the consistent use of latex condoms is effective for the prevention of HIV transmission, consistent use of condoms is low among sexually active individuals. ART can be initiated, after exposure, to prevent HIV infection (post-exposure prophylaxis) after occupational or sexual exposure, injection drug use, and other nonoccupational exposures to HIV. There is a negligible risk of sexual transmission of HIV when the HIV-infected sexual partner has durably suppressed viral replication with ART. Antiretroviral agents have been shown to be highly effective when administered prophylactically to HIV-uninfected but at-risk individuals (pre-exposure prophylaxis). A high-risk group, such as men who have sex with men, is required to be included in health insurance care benefits for pre-exposure prophylaxis, in addition to the current partners of HIV-infected individuals, to ensure its efficacy. Discussion and Conclusion: HIV-related deaths are rapidly decreasing, but new HIV infections continue to occur. In an environment where a cure or the development of vaccines is unlikely, a multifaceted and proactive approach is required to minimize new HIV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the field of urological surgery, robotic surgery continues to develop and increase. This paper is an overview of the present and future of robotic urological surgery. Current Concepts: Robot-assisted surgery has revolutionized minimally invasive surgery and advanced the technical limitations of laparoscopy. Urologists have always been eager to adopt new technological advances to benefit their patients, and they have also been pioneers in the field of robotic surgery. Discussion and Conclusion: Following the first approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, the da Vinci System (Intuitive Surgical, USA) remained the leading robotic surgical system for over 20 years. In 2000, the first robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was performed in urology. Subsequently, applications of the da Vinci System in urology have grown exponentially, including the kidney, urinary bladder, and reconstructive and functional urological surgeries. To date, urology is driving robotic innovation. The first specialist-engineered system for single-site surgery, the da Vinci SP, was initially approved for use in urological surgery. Due to the advantages of robotic surgery, such as excellent visibility and operability, the demand for robotic surgery in the urology department is continuously increasing. Recently, in addition to the da Vinci System, other robot platforms are being developed and commercialized in many countries. In South Korea, robots such as Revo-I (Meere Company Inc., Korea) and Zamenix (Roen Surgical, Korea) are being released and commercialized. Urologists continue to lead the development of domestic robots and robotic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In December 2022, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Korean government announced the "action plan for essential medicine (EM)," featuring that the regional emergency centers in tertiary general hospitals would be responsible for emergency medical care. There have been several limitations in regional emergency centers because of lacking operating rooms, intensive care units, and wards during weekdays and surgery staff during the nighttime and holidays. Thus, this plan may be insufficient to achieve the goal. Current Concepts: This paper proposes special hospitals for EM, especially essential surgery in which there are no scheduled surgeries and outpatient clinics during weekdays. At least half of wards should be reserved for EM patients because of lacking wards, and these empty wards should be financially rewarded. During weekends, a team of five surgical specialists works 16 h per day to prevent the so-called weekend or Friday effect because of lacking surgeons. The special hospital would operate 365 days and 24 hours with an EM surgeon pool in the digital twin system--virtual and real hospitals (so-called smart essential surgery metaverse hospital). Discussion and Conclusion: This paper proposes a pilot project to establish a smart essential surgery metaverse hospital to compare the efficiency of EM with the regional emergency centers in tertiary general hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, it was revealed that Jong-Ha Kim was the first self-employed Korean physician in Daejeon city of South Korea during the Japanese colonial period. However, little is known about him. In this paper, the author aimed to search for historical records of his activities as the first Korean physician in Daejeon city. Current Concepts: Kim's clinic in Daejeon city was called Chung-Ang Clinic. This is all that has ever been confirmed about Jong-Ha Kim. The author has been searching for his medical record for the last year. Kim's medical records were collected from journal papers on the modern history of Korea, National Institute of Korean History database, Naver news library archive, official gazette of the Japanese government-general of Korea, database of Seoul National University alumni, and a resume of a professor at the Hamhung Medical School. The results are as follows. He was born in Shinchang-ri Hamheung city Hamgyeongnam-do on August 9, 1900. He graduated from the missionary school established by Canadian missionaries and was admitted to Kyungseong (Keijo) Medical School in 1918. It was recently discovered that he participated in the Independence movement on March 1, 1919. His picture, an old leaflet for his clinic which he had used, and his resume as a professor at the Hamhung Medical School were discovered for the first time. Discussion and Conclusion: The historical records of Jong-Ha Kim's life provide insight into the lives of contemporary doctors in modern Korea. During the period of 1900 to 1950, which encompasses his historical records, significant events took place in Korean history, and he actively participated in these events. Despite facing numerous difficulties as a doctor in modern Korea, Jong-Ha Kim made decisions that had a great impact. He was a great doctor who served as a good role model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the useful treatment for treating diseases that cause pancreatic duct stenosis. However, if the stenosis is severe, accessories other than the guide wire cannot pass through. This makes the ERCP procedure difficult. At this time, cystotome, a type of diathermic dilator seems to be an option. In this paper, we would like to discuss the experience of treatment procedures using cystotome. Methods: Patients who underwent ERCP at a single tertiary hospital from November 2019 to October 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, cystotome was used in eight procedures in seven patients who passed the guide wire but failed to pass the stenosis. Results: Technical success was achieved in all eight times. All the balloon catheter smoothly passed through the stenosis after cystotome was performed. In the second ERCP, it was a functional success for the balloon catheter to pass through stenosis without further treatment. This was achieved in 6 out of 8 (75.0%). In the case of complications, only one of the total successful procedures developed mild pancreatitis, which led to additional hospitalization for about two days after the procedure, and improved after conservative treatment. Conclusions: Based on this, cystotome seems to be a good option as an alternative treatment to severe stenosis of the pancreatic duct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intratympanic injection has emerged as a novel approach to bypass the blood-labyrinth barrier and effectively deliver drugs into the inner ear. This technique is used for treatment of various inner ear diseases and overcomes the limitations of systemic drug therapy. In this paper, we provide an overview of the application of intratympanic injection using steroids and gentamicin and highlight the major diseases and summarize the reported efficacy of this approach. Current Concepts: Intratympanic steroid injections have been used for treatment of various inner ear diseases, including sudden sensorineural hearing loss, Ménière disease, and tinnitus. Therapeutic effects of steroids include reducing inflammation, modulating the immune response, improving cochlear blood flow, and maintaining ion homeostasis. Intratympanic gentamicin injections are primarily used to minimize hearing loss and control vertigo symptoms in patients with Ménière disease. Gentamicin selectively injures vestibular hair cells with minimal ototoxicity compared with other aminoglycoside antibiotics. Discussion and Conclusion: Intratympanic injections offer several advantages, including targeted drug delivery, minimal systemic adverse effects, and rapid action. Reportedly, intratympanic steroid injections used as primary or salvage treatment are associated with positive outcomes in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Ménière disease also shows positive outcomes following intratympanic steroid and gentamicin injections. However, studies have reported conflicting results, and further research is required to standardize dosing and administration protocols. Intratympanic injections are a promising therapeutic option, and ongoing research is essential to optimize their efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This issue of Volume 33, Issue 4 contains 4 papers, 2 review articles, 1 letter, 1 case report focusing on aerospace medicine and human factors. The first paper discusses the implementation of lightning warning systems in domestic airports, emphasizing safety enhancements and efficient communication. The second uses Analytic Hierarchy Process to assess community acceptance and human factors in Urban Air Mobility, highlighting the importance of medical transport, speed, and flight safety. The third letter-style paper examines the increase in panic attacks during air travel, suggesting better crew training and passenger screening. The fourth investigates the risk of recurrent stroke among passengers with ischemic stroke history, concluding that further research is needed for clearer results. This issue addresses vital topics in aerospace medicine and human factors, with no reported conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have developed various algorithms utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically and objectively diagnose patterns and extent of pulmonary emphysema or interstitial lung diseases on chest CT scans. Studies show that AI-based quantification of emphysema on chest CT scans reveals a connection between an increase in the relative percentage of emphysema and a decline in lung function. Notably, quantifying centrilobular emphysema has proven helpful in predicting clinical symptoms or mortality rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the context of interstitial lung diseases, AI can classify the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on CT scans into categories like normal, ground-glass opacity, reticular opacity, honeycombing, emphysema, and consolidation. This classification accuracy is comparable to chest radiologists (70%-80%). However, the results generated by AI are influenced by factors such as scan parameters, reconstruction algorithms, radiation doses, and the training data used to develop the AI. These limitations currently restrict the widespread adoption of AI for quantifying pulmonary emphysema and interstitial lung diseases in daily clinical practice. This paper will showcase the authors' experience using AI for diagnosing and quantifying emphysema and interstitial lung diseases through case studies. We will primarily focus on the advantages and limitations of AI for these two diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve the National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target, the government and Gyeongsangbuk-do waste sector are planning to significantly expand the waste reduction and recycling rate. Household waste in the northern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do burns household waste from 11 northern local governments at “Clear Nuri Park”, a wide-area waste treatment facility, and close properties and surveys of household waste are needed to reduce greenhouse gases generated by incineration and resource recovery facilities. Constellation analysis investigated a total of 1,110.4 kg of household waste over three seasons (spring, summer, and fall), with paper being the most common with 259.5 kg (23.4%), followed by other 256.8 kg (23.1%) > vinyl 241.6 kg (21.8%) > plastic 99 kg (8.9%). Recycling waste accounted for the largest proportion of household waste in the northern part of North Gyeongsang Province with 695.2 kg (63.0%), followed by incineration with 321.5 kg (29.2%), food logistics with 82.5 kg (7.4%), hazardous waste with 2.4 kg (0.2%), and landfill with 1.8kg (0.2%). According to the estimation of greenhouse gas generation from the incineration of household waste in the northern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2022, the total greenhouse gas emission was 75,052.4tCO2eq, and Andong City was the largest with 28,217.6tCO2eq, followed by Yeongju City with 13,462.3tCO2eq and Sangju City with 7,426.1tCO2eq. Based on the amount brought into Clear Nuri Park in 2022, the total reduction of greenhouse gases was 12,012.94tCO2eq, of which Andong City had the largest reduction with 4,637.52tCO2eq reduction, followed by Yeongju City with 1,938.18tCO2eq and Sangju City with 1,133.48tCO2eq. In the case of reduction by constellation, plastics were found to be the most reduced to 11,779.7tCO2eq, followed by rubber leather 152tCO2eq, paper 59.1tCO2eq, and other household wastes 18.6tCO2eq. It is necessary to check the ratio of properties with high greenhouse gases (plastics and rubber leather) through the analysis of household waste properties by city and county.

The elements of landscape-based water treatment design are reviewed in this work. The paper examines the most commonly utilized elements, such as Vegetated swale/Bio-swale and Constructed wetland, as well as their benefits and possibilities for treating water for various purposes, such as irrigation and domestic usage. This paper also reviews the literature on determining the potential of plants used for pollution removal, particularly the capacity of Vetiver grass to remove pollutants from waste water.

This paper provides a new theoretical rationale for public procurement for innovation (PPI), a unique policy encouraging public procurers to purchase innovative products. In contrast to existing studies that primarily emphasize the advantages of PPI, this paper takes a comprehensive approach, examining both the costs and risks associated with PPI, alongside its benefits. It finds a general condition under which PPI outperforms traditional public procurement. Under this condition, this paper demonstrates that PPI enhances social welfare by facilitating optimal risk-sharing between public procurers and the general economy. Additionally, it draws policy implications from a comparative analysis between the current PPI policy in Korea and an optimal PPI policy.

The import content of export (ICE) has served as an indicator of global integration for several decades. It is defined as the share of imported products embodied in exports and can be interpreted as the relative degree of the utilization of global production network (GPN) over the domestic supply chain (DSC) in terms of ‘value-added.’ This paper proposes two new indicators of global integration. They are defined as the ratios of imports (foreign products) to gross output (domestic products) generated by exports and can be interpreted as the relative degrees of the utilization of GPN over DSC in terms of ‘production.’ Both indicators are easy to compute and can be compared between years, between countries, between industries, and between groups of industries. The paper applies the new indicators to the recent edition of the OECD’s Input-Output Database. Finally, the paper shows that the recent slowdown in international trade is mostly due to the decrease in the international trade of intermediate goods, with significant implications regarding the future of global integration.

This study analyzes the impact of secondary tax liability borne by stockholders, an exception to the principle of limited liability, on corporate investment. The paper constructs a model of a firm to examine the effect of this secondary tax liability, finding that the violation of limited liability increases firms’ expected bankruptcy costs, thereby reducing investments. By means of an empirical analysis, the paper examines whether firms with the largest shareholder stake exceeding 50%, the condition under which secondary tax liability is incurred, decrease their investments. The results show that firm investment is highly concentrated in observations of cases in which the largest shareholder stake does not exceed 50%. Investments decrease sharply in cases where the largest shareholder stake exceeds 50%. The results here provide implications pertaining to how exceptions of the limited liability principle, existing only in Korea, affect corporate investments.

This paper focuses on the crucial role of solar power generation in addressing global warming. It examines South Korea's solar technology, which demonstrates high proficiency at approximately 90% (EU standard) and outperforms the EU in system operation and maintenance. Despite China's lower technological score (87.5%), its competitive pricing has led to an increase in the market share of Chinese products, eroding South Korea's competitiveness. The research identifies cost issues compared to coal and explores avenues for improvement, particularly in direct and indirect cost aspects. In the direct cost domain, proposals include establishing solar cell production facilities in countries with low labor costs and favorable tax incentives to reduce equipment costs. In the indirect cost domain, suggestions involve leveraging building-integrated solar and unused land to cut permit and financial expenses. The paper highlights reasons for the inadequate adoption of building-integrated solar in South Korea, such as mortgage issues, pricing constraints due to the System Marginal Price (SMP) system, and the limited deployment of microgrids. Emphasis is placed on the activation of microgrids, introducing new transaction methods and promoting efficient power transactions through infrastructure. These efforts are expected to lead to the sustained growth of the solar power generation industry in the future.

This paper examines the supply and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Hong Kong during the influenza epidemics of the 1950s and 1960s. Existing narratives of TCM in Hong Kong have predominantly framed with within the dichotomy of Western medicine “Xiyi” and Chinese medicine “Zhongyi,” portraying TCM as marginalized and nearly wiped out by colonial power. Departing from this binary opposition, this study views TCM as an autonomous space that had never been subjugated by the colonial power which opted for minimal interventionist approach toward TCM. By adopting diachronic and synchronic perspectives on Hong Kong's unique environment shaped by its colonial history and the geopolitics of the Cold War in East Asia, particularly its relationships with “China,” this research seeks to reassess the role and status of TCM in post-World War II Hong Kong.In Hong Kong, along with other countries in East Asia, traditional medicine has ceded its position as mainstream medicine to Western medicine. Faced with the crisis of “extinction,” Chinese medical professionals, including medical practitioners and merchant groups, persistently sought solidarity and “self-renewal.” In the 1950s and 1960s, the colonial authorities heavily relied on private entities, including charity hospitals and clinics; furthermore, there was a lack of provision of public healthcare and official prevention measures against the epidemic influenza. As such, it is not surprising that the Chinese utilized TCM, along with Western medicine, to contain the epidemics which brought about an explosive surge in the number of patients from novel influenza viruses. TCM was significantly consumed during these explosive outbreaks of influenza in 1957 and 1968.In making this argument, this paper firstly provides an overview of the associations of Chinese medical practitioners and merchants who were crucial to the development of TCM in Hong Kong. Secondly, it analyzes one level of active provision and consumption of Chinese medicine during the two flu epidemics, focusing on the medical practices of TCM practitioners in the 1957 epidemic. While recognizing the etiologic agent or agents of the disease as influenza viruses, the group of Chinese medical practitioners of the Chinese Medical Society in Hong Kong adopted the basic principles of traditional medicine regarding influenza, such as Shanghanlun and Wenbingxue, to distinguish the disease status among patients and prescribe medicine according to correct diagnoses, which were effective. Thirdly, this paper examines the level of folk culture among the people, who utilized famous prescriptions of Chinese herbal medicine and alimentotherapy, in addition to Chinese patent medicines imported from mainland China. In the context of regional commercial network, this section also demonstrates how Hong Kong served as a sole exporting port of medicinal materials (e.g., Chinese herbs) and Chinese patent medicines from the People’s Republic of China to capitalist markets, including Hong Kong, under the socialist planned or controlled economy in the 1950s and 1960s.It was not only the efficacy of TCM in restoring immunity and alleviating symptoms of the human body, but also the voluntary efforts of these Chinese medical practitioners who sought to defend national medicine “Guoyi,” positioning it as complementary and alternative medicine to scientific medicine. Additionally, merchants who imported and distributed Chinese medicinal materials and national “Guochan” Chinese patent medicine played a crucial role, as did the people who utilized Chinese medicine, all of which contributed to making TCM thrive in colonial Hong Kong.

Carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) of the European Union has started from October 2023 and the transitional period of it would be from October 2023 to December 2025. CBAM is the first carbon border tax in the world and domestic companies are having difficulties in responding to CBAM among inaccurate information. Thus, this paper is written to deliver accurate information about CBAM based on the EU regulations or documents published by the EU. It is written that CBAM overview, how to respond to the transitional period, and the main concepts and data preparation of CBAM. Domestic companies are classified according to import system in the EU as Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. The action for each type is presented, and preparation of CBAM report or emissions data communication template is described. Through this paper, it is expected that domestic companies would respond appropriately to CBAM during the transition period and contribute to the export of CBAM goods to the EU.

Infections and inflammatory conditions of immature musculoskeletal systems in pediatric patients also affect the adjacent muscles, connective tissues, and joints. Rapid diagnosis leading to appropriate treatment can significantly impact the occurrence of complications and mortality rates due to these conditions. When a radiologist becomes familiar with the imaging findings of pediatric musculoskeletal infections and inflammatory diseases, rapid differential diagnoses and more timely and appropirate treatment could be possible. In this paper, we introduce the imaging findings of infectious and inflammatory diseases affecting the immature musculoskeletal system, such as osteomyelitis, pyogenic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and hemophilic arthritis, based on the anatomical and pathophysiological characteristics of the immature musculoskeletal system in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify research trends related to emotional leadership among nurse managers by conducting a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. This study sought to derive insights that could contribute to improving emotional leadership in nursing practice. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Databases including PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, Web of Science, Research Information Sharing Service, Koreanstudies Information Service System, Korean Medical Database, KoreaMed, ScienceON, and DBpia were searched to obtain papers published in English and Korean. Literature searches and screenings were conducted for the period December 1, 2023 to December 17, 2023. The effect size correlation (ESr) was calculated for each variable and the meta-analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS 29.0, R 4.3.1. Results: Twenty-five (four personal, six job, and fifteen organizational) relevant variables were identified through the systematic review. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the total overall effect size was ESr = .33. Job satisfaction (ESr = .40) and leader-member exchange (ESr = .75) had the largest effect size among the job and organizational-related factors. Conclusion: Emotional leadership helps promote positive changes within organizations, improves organizational effectiveness, and increases member engagement and satisfaction. Therefore, it is considered an important strategic factor in improving organizational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hematuria is a common laboratory finding in clinical practice, occurring mostly in the kidneys. However, it can occur in the rest of the urinary system, including the ureters, bladder, and urethra, as well as in the prostate in men. This paper will discuss cases of hematuria observed in various diseases, especially kidney disease. current concepts: Hematuria is diagnosed when three or more red blood cells are found in a high-power field microscopic urinalysis. Identifying urine sediment is critical in differentiating between glomerular and nonglomerular hematuria, classified according to location. If hematuria is accompanied by proteinuria, dysmorphic red blood cells, or cellular casts in urine microscopy, as well as hypertension or renal function decline, glomerular disease may be present; thus, a nephrologist should be consulted. Hematuria is also observed in renal vascular diseases, including renal infarction, renal artery dissection, and nutcracker syndrome. In polycystic kidney disease, hematuria may present in combination with renal stones or malignancy. Diabetic nephropathy can manifest hematuria, which is a negative prognosticator of end-stage kidney disease. discussion and conclusion: Hematuria is a laboratory finding for various diseases, and appropriate diagnosis and treatment should be provided according to its clinical features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain edema is a well-recognized pathophysiological secondary change after primary brain injury. The mechanism of brain edema may differ based on the types of brain edema. However, numerous ion channels are involved in its development and are therefore currently a hot target for anti-edema therapy. Here, this paper reviews the clinically important differences among the types of brain edema and a step-wise management strategy for brain edema and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Current Concepts: Brain edema can be classified as cytotoxic, ionic, vasogenic, and interstitial edema. Although the underlying mechanisms may differ among the various types of brain edema, multiple ion channels and the integrity of tight junctions are associated with the development of brain edema. If brain edema aggravates, the intracranial volume expands and leads to an elevation of ICP. A basic principle in the management of ICP includes proper positioning, screening for a need for extraventricular drainage, proper sedation, transient hyperventilation, assessing the intracranial water status with the serum sodium level, optimization of cerebral perfusion pressure, hyperosmolar therapy, targeted temperature management, and induction of a pharmacological coma with sedatives. Discussion and Conclusion: Stepwise treatment strategies are recommended in the management of patients with ICP crisis. Based on the principle, detailed management plans need to be adjusted based on the status of an individual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first study analyzes the aeromedical consultation outcomes for Korean military flight crews diagnosed with malignant tumors. It highlights the increasing incidence of cancers such as thyroid and lung cancer, underscoring the need for regular health check-ups and thorough aeromedical evaluations. The second paper addresses the significant fatigue experienced by air operations control officers due to shift work. It suggests restructuring shift schedules to ensure adequate rest and maintain performance. The third study explores the effects of low-dose radiation on cognitive functions, suggesting potential benefits such as improved cell repair mechanisms, though it also calls for cautious application due to ongoing debates. The fourth paper examines the operational environment for urban air mobility, emphasizing the need for robust air traffic management systems and addressing vertical take-off and landing challenges. Lastly, the fifth study compares Korea’s aircraft maintenance personnel qualification system with international standards, recommending the adoption of competency-based training to enhance educational quality. Together, these studies contribute valuable insights and potential solutions for advancing aerospace and environmental medicine.

Background: Lung cancer is representative of a high frequency and high mortality disease and ranks at the top in incidence and mortality in Korea, when excluding thyroid cancer. In this manuscript, we focused on current targeted therapies for lung cancer used widely in the medical field. Current Concepts: The majority of patients with lung cancer cannot be treated with surgery only and require chemotherapeutics or radiation therapy. Currently, classical chemotherapeutic agents, targeted agents, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are the most widely used. Recently, the Research and Development of antibodydrug conjugates is gaining attention, and this may become a more widely prescribed treatment in the future. Among the available treatment options, targeted therapy is becoming increasingly feasible and widespread for treating inoperable lung cancers, where driver mutations have been identified, and for adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) improves the ability to identify driver mutations that were previously difficult to detect and can also be performed on blood samples where no cancer tissue is available for testing. This makes it possible to identify therapeutic targets for targeted therapy more rapidly. Discussion and Conclusion: The most common type of lung cancer in Korea is adenocarcinoma, for which a driver mutation has been identified. Newly developed drugs target previously problematic mutations or cancer cell lines that have acquired resistance induced during the treatment process. The survival rate of patients with lung cancer is expected to improve with the development of tailored treatments for targets identified from the NGS data of the patient. This paper will help clinicians understand the current state of targeted therapies for lung cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic stones are a common finding of chronic pancreatitis and may cause recurrent abdominal pain and pancreatitis. Pancreatic stones are often accompanied by stenosis of the pancreatic duct and are often impacted within the pancreatic duct, so it is not easy to remove the pancreatic stones using a basket. Until now, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been used, but it requires repeated procedures and the success rate is not very high. The recently developed SpyGlass™ DS II (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) has a 3.5 mm diameter that allows insertion into the dilated pancreatic duct, it is possible to remove the pancreatic stones using electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) or laser lithotripsy while directly viewing the pancreatic stones. In this paper, we would like to introduce a method to remove multiple pancreatic stones larger than 10 mm using SpyGlass™ DS II with EHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mingli tan 名理探 (Investigation of Name-Patterns) is the first Chinese work dedicated to introducing Aristotelian logic. It was largely forgotten after being published in the 1630s, only rediscovered more than two centuries later, and then considered by modern academia more or less a failed project. However, through the lens of mingli, the key term to translate ‘logic’ in the book, this paper argues that despite the scarce readership and influence of Mingli tan, its translation practice should not be deemed as a failure. Instead, it is a work that reveals how translators can intervene with conceptual paradigms creatively and meaningfully. This paper provides a thorough examination of mingli, a culturally loaded term, by contextualizing it in the late Ming (1582‒1644), a time of significant Sino-European cultural contacts. In doing so, it sheds light on the neglected philosophical value carried by the term through translation, and highlights the translator—Li Zhizao李之藻 (1565‒1630)—and his pioneering effort in infusing it with a novel Aristotelian and Christian sense. Mingli is also examined in the broader intellectual history. Through an investigation into its traces in later Chinese translations of ‘logic’ starting from the 19th century until the 1980s, this study reveals a line of changes in the Chinese reception of logic suggested by the shift from the use of mingli to the phonetic translation luoji 逻辑 to denote logic, indicating that mingli can serve as a meaningful clue to track the transition of Chinese thought from traditional to modern paradigms.

This paper attempts a new reading of Gongsun Long’s “Baima lun”, through comparison with the Heidelberg School’s interpretation of Hölderlin’s “Being and Judgement” as a critique of self-consciousness and its judgmental form. It demonstrates that “Baima lun” correspondingly employs a reflectivity, or logic-transcending, anti-foundational perspective of “Being”, in order to undertake an ironical critique of judgment by a judgment as an illustration and confirmation of the epistemological ideas developed in “Zhiwu lun” and “Mingshi lun”. Consequently, based on the GSLZ, this paper proposes a new nominalist approach which differs from that of Hansen. Derived from further elaboration of the Heidelberg School’s interpretation of Hölderlin’s conception of Being, this paper posits that “things”, as read in “Mingshi lun”, are a specific dimension of “Being”, as singular infinity, and “name”, as superior to “zhi” or judgment in the rendering of things as criticized in “Zhiwu lun” and “Baima lun”.

This issue of Volume 34, Issue 1 contains 5 papers, 3 original articles, 2 review articles, and 0 case report. By subject, there were 0 papers on Aerospace Medicine, 5 on Aviation Human Factors, and 0 on Aviation Nursing. The first paper investigated the effect of self-management competence on social anxiety among students in an aviation program at a college, based on a survey of 90 students. Conducted with careful consideration of student anonymity, this study found that higher self-management competence are associated with lower social anxiety. The second paper explored the introduction of a pre-safety assessment and consulting system in the aviation industry, gathering and analyzing opinions from professionals through an online survey. The third study analyzed air traffic control threats and their impact, using data collected from Line Operations Safety Audits, and presented statistically significant findings. The fourth paper focused on fatigue management strategies for shift workers in air traffic control, reviewing related domestic and international laws and regulations and emphasizing the need for effective fatigue management. Lastly, the fifth paper discussed the characteristics of low-cost carriers and their ripple effects on the air transport market, examining both positive and negative aspects.

With aging, there is a loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, which leads to an increased risk of falls, fractures, long-term institutional care, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and even mortality. Sarcopenia has been defined as a condition characterized by low muscle mass together with low muscle strength and/or low muscle performance. In 2019, the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) published a consensus paper on the diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia. The AWGS 2019 guideline, in particular, presented strategies for case-finding and assessment, which could aid in the diagnosis of possible sarcopenia in primary care settings. AWGS 2019 proposed an algorithm that recommends calf circumference measurement (cut-off <34 cm in men, <33 cm in women) or the SARC-F (strength, assistance in walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, falls) questionnaire (cut-off ≥4), followed by handgrip strength measurement (cut-off <28 kg in men, <18 kg in women) or the 5-time chair stand test (≥12 seconds). Finally, "possible sarcopenia" is defined by either low muscle strength (handgrip strength) or low physical performance (5-time chair stand test). This paper will address the way in which sarcopenic patients can be identified and assessed practically in primary care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the research trends on North Korean defector children. Methods: A total of 127 related research papers were analyzed according to their publication year, children's age, research area, topic, and method. Results: First, the study analyzed the research papers according to publication year and found that there was a rising tendency in their quantity since 1999, when the first study was published; additionally, we found that 12 or more research papers have been published annually since 2012, except for 2017. Second, concerning children's age, there were more papers on children in the school ages than children in early childhood. Third, the most popular research area was human ecology (22.83%), followed by education (19.69%), and psychological sciences (18.90%). Fourth, the most frequent research topic was family/welfare (28.35%), followed by psychology/sexuality/counseling (20.47%), and education/activities (16.54%). Fifth, the most popular methods were qualitative research (28.35%), survey research (27.56%), and experimental study (18.90%). Conclusion: First, there is a need to expand research on young North Korean defector children. Second, expanding research on fathers as parents is also essential. Third, it is necessary to develop teaching-learning methods and welfare programs applicable to the field with various members of society, including North Korean defector children. Fourth, studies need to examine the lives and changes of North Korean defector children from a long-term perspective beyond short-term research. Finally, comparative studies on the unique characteristics of North Korean defector children should be performed according to their diverse backgrounds and experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews developments in military medicine during the Korean War and places them in the evolution of military medical lessons from the Second World War and the subsequent development of military medicine through the Vietnam War to the present day. The analysis is structured according to the ‘10 Instruments of Military Healthcare.’ Whilst there were incremental developments in military medicine in all these areas, several innovations are specifically attributed to the Korean War. The introduction of helicopters to the battlefield led to the establishment of dedicated medical evacuation helicopters crewed with medical personnel and the evolution into the DUSTOFF system during the Vietnam War. Helicopter evacuation was the primary medical evacuation system in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The establishment of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War were founded upon the US Auxiliary Surgical Groups or the UK Casualty Clearing Stations of World War II. The requirement for resuscitation and surgical teams close to the battlefield has endured through the development of mobile hospitals of varying sizes from Field Surgical Teams to the current ‘modular’ Hospital Centre and other international equivalents. There were many innovations in the clinical care of battle casualties covering wound shock, surgical techniques, preventive medicine, and acute psychiatric care that refreshed or advanced knowledge from the Second World War. These were enabled through the establishment of medical research programs that were managed within the theatre of operations. Further advances in all these clinical topics can be observed through the Vietnam War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – all of which were underpinned by institutional directed research programs. Finally, collaboration between international military medical services and the development of Korean military medical services is a major theme of this review. This ‘military-tomilitary’ and ‘civil-military’ medical engagement was also a major activity during the Vietnam War and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. Overall, the topics and themes in military medicine that were important during the Korean War can be considered to be part of trajectory of innovation in military medicine have been replicated in many subsequent wars. The paper also highlights some ‘lessons’ from World War II that had to be relearned in the Korean War, and some observations from the Korean War that had to be relearned in subsequent wars.

Zhu Zhenheng, the last generation and sole representative from Southern China among the four masters of Jin-Yuan medicine, synthesized the evolution of Chinese medicine from the Song to the Yuan dynasties, profoundly impacting East Asian medical history. Zhu, identified as a Neo-Confucian scholar, appears in the Scholarly Records of the Song-Yuan Dynasties and in ‘the Biographies of Confucians’ rather than ‘the Biographies of Experts’ in the Official History of the Yuan Dynasty. His close association with the Jinhua school of Daoxue is noteworthy. Zhu’s career, as well as his medical theory and practice, exemplify the influence of Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism, which was a significant intellectual resource among the literati during the late Yuan period, on medicine. Zhu Zhenheng’s model of a Confucian physician later became a paradigm in East Asia, as Neo-Confucianism gained mainstream acceptance among the literati. This paper offers a detailed exploration of the specific contexts of Zhu’s social and intellectual networks as well as an examination of the characteristics of his medical theories and practices. It explores how Zhu’s career and identity as a Neo-Confucian physician were shaped through the local and empire-wide networks of the Jinhua school of Neo-Confucianism within the broader context of the Mongol empire, a global power in the late Yuan period. The paper also examines in depth how Zhu’s medical practices were influenced by Neo-Confucianism, and it investigates the real nature and significance of the integration of medicine and Neo-Confucianism, two distinctly different realms of knowledge. Zhu Zhenheng’s medical theories were formed through concerns about jufang medicine and the active presentation of alternatives. A notable aspect of his integration of medicine and Confucianism was the adoption of Neo-Confucian terminologies, concepts, and philosophical and ethical theses, while ensuring that the unique and independent domain of medicine was not subordinated to abstract philosophical theories. This is especially evident through his active and effective use of medical cases. Unlike previous studies, this paper demonstrates that Zhu Zhenheng’s integration of medicine and Neo-Confucianism was mostly a metalevel process, involving methodology and knowledge reproduction patterns, and was driven by a belief in the possibility of harmonizing with Daoxue’s ultimate principle without undermining the autonomy of medical knowledge.

As next-generation sequencing has been developed and used widely, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has rapidly emerged as the first choice of tools to validate global transcriptome profiling. With the significant advances in RNA-seq, various types of RNA-seq have evolved in conjunction with the progress in bioinformatic tools. On the other hand, it is difficult to interpret the complex data underlying the biological meaning without a general understanding of the types of RNA-seq and bioinformatic approaches. In this regard, this paper discusses the two main sections of RNA-seq. First, two major variants of RNA-seq are described and compared with the standard RNA-seq. This provides insights into which RNA-seq method is most appropriate for their research. Second, the most widely used RNA-seq data analyses are discussed: (1) exploratory data analysis and (2) pathway enrichment analysis. This paper introduces the most widely used exploratory data analysis for RNA-seq, such as principal component analysis, heatmap, and volcano plot, which can provide the overall trends in the dataset. The pathway enrichment analysis section introduces three generations of pathway enrichment analysis and how they generate enriched pathways with the RNA-seq dataset.

Objectives Microplastics are released into the aquatic environment through multiple pathways including runoff, atmospheric sedimentation, aquaculture, and fishing and pose a hazard to organisms. Public concerns regarding microplastics are raising as microplastic pollution increases. A lot of studies have been evaluated the behavior of microplastics in the environment, suggesting that microplastics remain a prolonged period in the environment due to their persistence and can interact with other contaminants. Microplastics as carriers of coexisting contaminants may pose a more severe toxicity to organisms than microplastics alone. In this study, we investigated the behavior of microplastics as carriers of environmental contaminants and introduced a potential ecotoxicity of microplastics carrying other contaminants. Methods The behavior of microplastics as carriers of contaminants were classified as adsorption mechanisms. Research literature regarding ecological risk of microplastics carrying contaminants was reviewed in papers published between October 2003 and August 2023. Results and Discussion Adsorption of contaminants onto microplastics are mainly involved in hydrophobic interaction, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond, and Van der Waals forces. The co-exposure of microplastics with contaminants to organisms can induce oxidative stress and bioaccumulation and reduce the survival and reproduction rates, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency. On the other hand, a few studies reported that the co-exposure of microplastics with contaminants can decrease the toxicity to organisms. Conclusion This paper provides basic information regarding the adsorption interactions of microplastics with diverse contaminants and their ecological effects on organisms. The contents will help to understand a potential function of microplastics as a carrier of coexisting contaminants in aquatic environment and their biological risk.