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Korea has used three different teacher evaluation systems since the 1960s: teacher performance rating, teacher performance-based pay and teacher evaluation for professional development. A number of studies have focused on an analysis of each evaluation system in terms of its advent, development, advantages and disadvantages, but these studies have been critically limited in that they have focused only on the partial integration of the three current teacher evaluation systems, without addressing the problems embedded in each of them. The present study provides a systematic analysis of the three current Korean teacher evaluation systems based on a sound analytical framework and proposes appropriate directions for designing an effective and efficient system. It is found that the three systems share commonalities in terms of stakeholders, evaluators, scope, criteria and methods, further supporting the rationale for developing a single comprehensive teacher evaluation system in Korea. Finally, several steps to establish a comprehensive teacher evaluation system based on the analysis results are suggested.

In this study, we examine the predictive factors influencing the outcomes of voice treatment in patients with voice-related disorders, using the voice handicap index (VHI) as a key assessment tool. By analyzing various personal habits and clinical variables, we identify the primary factors associated with changes when comparing VHI scores before and after voice treatment. For this research, we employed binomial logistic regression, random forest (RF), and a multilayer perceptron (MLP) model to evaluate the effectiveness of voice treatment. The findings reveal that gender (with female patients showing greater improvements in VHI scores compared to male patients), surgical history, voice use status, and voice training status are significant predictors of therapy outcomes. The MLP model demonstrated high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.87 indicating its potential as a valuable clinical predictive tool; however, the model's relatively low specificity suggests the need for further refinement to enhance its predictive accuracy. The results of this study provide valuable insights for clinicians and speech–language pathologists in developing personalized treatment strategies to optimize the effectiveness of voice therapy. Future research should prioritize the validation of these findings in larger and more diverse population samples. Furthermore, it is essential to explore additional predictive variables in order to enhance the model's accuracy across different types of voice disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, photocatalysis technology has been widely considered as an effective method for solving environmental pollution issues and addressing the energy crisis. Hybrids of layered double hydroxide (LDH) exhibit excellent photocatalytic properties for use in the field of wastewater treatment due to the large interlayer spaces, chemical stability, and low cost. However, pristine LDH suffers from numerous limitations, such as insufficient visible light utilization and a high recombination rate of electron–hole pairs, resulting in degradation of photocatalytic performance. Recent advancements have demonstrated that LDH-based hybrids are suitable nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications when combining LDH with other semiconductors. This article summarizes the progress in the field of LDH-based ternary composites with emphasis on the removal of organic pollutants and heavy metal ions from aqueous media. Moreover, the applications and synthesis of LDH-based ternary composites, including corresponding examples, are discussed. In addition, the interaction mechanisms between photocatalysts and contaminants in water are comprehensively explained. Finally, the review provides insights into the challenges and prospects for the advancement of LDH-based photocatalysts.

The national college admission system has quite frequently been altered in South Korea since Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Nonetheless, there are still many ways in which the national college entrance system can be improved. This article initially analysed and synthesized the issues associated with the Korean college admission system that successive regimes had to tackle, the relevant policy alternatives, and the ensuing consequences of the policy alternatives instituted by different regimes. Based on the analysis, the persistent key issues embedded in major screening factors in the college admission system were determined. Through this analytical lens, this study intends to delineate some possible future directions for the improvement of the college admission system. In conclusion, the government would be well advised to make a continuous effort to complement and stabilize the existing system, regardless of changes in the regime. In addition, the historical analyses of the Korean college admission system will contribute to providing education policy makers in other countries with insights and vicarious experience for the reform of their college entrance systems.

This study analyzes existing research on learning needs assessments to identify key insights into the discipline and propose implications for future studies. Eighty-nine SSCI journal articles from 1997 to 2023 were reviewed. The findings are as follows. Firstly, concerning the nature of learning needs, prominent fields identified included education, social welfare, medicine and nursing, business, and psychology. Research identifying the learning needs of medical staff was the most prevalent, followed by K–12 teachers, lifelong learners without professional goals, university faculty, and social workers. Notably, Europe and North America were the primary research regions. Secondly, researchers mostly employed quantitative data, then combined methodologies, and qualitative data. Numerous studies involved only target learners in their needs assessments, with fewer involving stakeholders. Many studies did not employ multi-faceted approaches combining different source inputs or incorporating complementary needs assessment methods. Future needs assessment studies should involve diverse individuals and integrate indicators such as relevant test results or performance appraisal outcomes to obtain more trustworthy data for the needs assessment process. Most studies containing quantitative analysis components used mean values to determine learning needs. The ranked discrepancy model is recommended when conducting ordinal surveys for learning needs assessment to avoid misinterpretations and inaccurate conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer is a common cause of global mortality, with significant challenges during treatment due to side effects and complications. Traditional herbal medicine (THM) has emerged as a potential adjuvant therapy to enhance cancer treatment by reducing side effects and bolstering the immune response. This study conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of THM as an adjuvant therapy in post-surgical gastric cancer patients. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, CiNii, KMBASE, KISS, OASIS, RISS, and ScienceON databases were searched from inception through December, 2021. The outcomes considered in this analysis encompassed tumor response, quality of life (QoL), side effects, and tumor markers. Additionally, a frequency analysis of the most commonly used herbs in the included studies was conducted. A total of 36 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and data were extracted according to study design. The analysis compared groups receiving chemotherapy alone with those receiving both chemotherapy and THM treatment. Results: The group receiving both chemotherapy and THM showed substantial improvement in tumor response compared to the chemotherapy-only control group (RR 1.25, 95% CI [1.09, 1.45]). QoL also significantly increased in the THM-treated group. Most drug adverse reactions displayed statistical significance, except for platelet reduction. Tumor markers CEA, CA19-9, and CA72-4 exhibited significant improvements, but CA125 did not. The 1, 2, and 3-year survival rates improved, with RR values of 1.08 (95% CI [1.02, 1.14]), 1.32 (95% CI [1.19, 1.47]), and 1.42 (95% CI [1.12, 1.79]) respectively. However, some publication bias was indicated. Conclusion: THM may offer potential benefits as a complementary approach to post-surgical anticancer therapy in gastric cancer patients. Improved tumor response, quality of life, and survival rates were reported. However, it is important to exercise caution due to the possibility of publication bias, and further research is needed to confirm these findings. Registration:PROSPERO CRD 42022354133 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]