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This study investigated primary teachers' knowledge of pronunciation instruction, and its manifestation in classroom practices in Korean EFL contexts. To this end, the questionnaire data collected from 47 teachers were quantitatively analyzed. The emerging themes from 5 teachers' interviews were qualitatively analyzed, based on content analysis. Findings revealed that they had an appropriate knowledge base of pronunciation teaching, equipped with the better understanding of content knowledge (CK), followed by pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), and technical pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). No statistically significant difference was found in teachers' knowledge between males and females, and also between the 4 groups with different teaching experience. They manifested their knowledge mainly acquired from the past course lectures into classroom practices, employing controlled and free practices such as listening and repeating, shadowing, songs, chants, games, and role play, including different types of corrective feedback. Most notably, they integrated role play effectively into classroom practices to improve young learners' pronunciation in interest-provoking and enjoyable ways.

Background. Mesiodens can be associated with several complications. The optimal age for treatment, however, remains controversial. Aim. To investigate the three-dimensional (3D) positions of mesiodens using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and determine the association of eruption-related complications of mesiodens with these 3D positions and delayed development of the central incisors. Design. In total, 293 Korean children (383 supernumerary teeth) aged 4-10 years with no history of orthodontic treatment were included. CBCT and panoramic radiography data for all patients were retrospectively investigated with regard to the 3D positions of mesiodens, apical maturity of the permanent first molars, delayed development of the central incisors relative to the apical maturity of the permanent first molars (Nolla's stage), and eruption-related complications of mesiodens. Results. Eruption-related complications were not correlated with any 3D characteristic other than the 'within the arch' position of mesiodens, while they showed a significant correlation with delayed development of the central incisors (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Mesiodens caused eruption-related complications in 33.7% patients. Moreover, the risk of these complications was higher when mesiodens caused delayed development of the central incisors. These findings can aid clinicians in planning appropriate and timely treatment for mesiodens, with focus on minimising patient discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although vaccinations are critical for preventing emerging infectious diseases, scant research has been conducted on risk communication. With socio-economic characteristics, health behavior, and underlying diseases under control, we investigated associations between media use, health information-seeking behavior, health information type, and vaccination in the population.Methods: This study relied on a national survey of Korean adults (n = 1367). Participants were adult males and females age 20 and older. Web and face-to-face surveys were conducted throughout July 2014. The main outcome was vaccination (categorized as yes or no). Independent variables were time spent on media, frequency of health information-seeking behavior, and types of health information sought.Results: Controlling for co-variates, logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors that influence Korean adults being vaccinated. Results revealed that accessible information about emerging infectious diseases, listening to the radio, and reading the newspaper were associated with increased odds of being vaccinated. Active seeking health information as well as being female and of higher socio-economic status were positively correlated with Korean adults being vaccinated.Conclusion: It is critical to promote health information-seeking behavior and use diverse media channels to increase acceptance and awareness of emerging infectious diseases and vaccinations. Because there are differences in vaccination awareness depending on social class, it is critical to reduce communication inequality, strengthen accessibility to vaccinations, and devise appropriate risk communication strategies that ensure Korean adults receive vaccinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudacrobeles (Pseudacrobeles) curvatus sp. n. was collected from potato fields in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The new species shares morphological characters typical of the genus Pseudacrobeles, including three lateral incisures that fade posteriorly near the phasmid openings. The new species differs from other Pseudacrobeles species by its smaller body size and a comparatively shorter corpus relative to the isthmus length. In this study, we provide a comparison of morphometrics and diagnostic features of Pseudacrobeles species and molecular sequence data from the D2-D3 regions of the 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of rDNA from the new species, which can be used as molecular barcode sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Acrobeloides is described and illustrated from samples collected in rice farmland in South Korea. Acrobeloides varius sp. n. exhibits morphological characters of other acrobeloids, including a corpus with elongate spindle-like swelling and lateral incisures that extend to the tail end region. However, this new species is distinguished from other acrobeloids by having lateral incisures that change in number from one to five, three low rounded labial probolae, and a conical pointed tail end with a small spike-shaped mucron. In this study, a detailed morphological comparison of Acrobeloides species is provided, along with new molecular sequence data from the D2-D3 regions of LSU, SSU and partial mtDNA cox1 region from the new species, which can be used as molecular barcode sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]