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The purpose of this study was to classify Korean readers into subgroups based on their reading achievement and to examine the relationships between these subgroups and a set of cognitive-linguistic variables. The reading achievement and cognitive-linguistic skills of 394 elementary school students were measured and the data were analyzed by disaggregating into primary grade level (i.e., Grades 1-3) and intermediate grade level (i.e., Grades 4-6). The main results are summarized as follows. First, three subgroups of readers were found based on the reading achievement for the primary grade level: "very poor word readers and poor comprehenders," "poor readers," and "average readers." Second, four subgroups of readers were found based on the reading achievement for the intermediate grade level: "very significantly poor readers," "very poor readers," "average word readers but poor comprehenders," and "average readers." Third, vocabulary, rapid naming, phonological memory, and phonological awareness were cognitive-linguistic variables that significantly differentiated "very poor readers" and "poor readers" from "average readers" for the primary grade level. Fourth, phonological memory, rapid naming, sentence repetition, and listening comprehension were cognitive-linguistic variables that significantly differentiated "very poor readers" and "poor readers" from "average readers" for the intermediate grade level. This article also discusses the limits of this research and the implications in practice. Finally, this article touches upon the direction of future studies. more...

Simple Summary: Previous epidemiological studies have shown that chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer and cancer-related mortality. Therefore, this study analyzed the association between CRS and cancer risk using a representative nationwide cohort database. Among 10,567 patients with CRS and 42,268 matched controls, CRS was linked to a higher cancer risk (adjusted HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05–1.28). Female patients with CRS without nasal polyps exhibited a particularly high cancer risk. These findings highlight the need for careful monitoring and the development of tailored therapeutic strategies for CRS management. Background/Objectives: We investigated the association between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and cancer risk in an adult Korean population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. To ensure comparability between the groups, adjustments were made for potential confounding factors, including sex, age, residence, household income, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. The primary endpoint was the presence of newly diagnosed cancer. Results: Among 1,337,120 individuals in the nationally representative cohort database, 10,567 patients with CRS were identified and matched with 42,268 control subjects without CRS. Patients with CRS had a significantly higher risk of overall cancer events than controls. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for cancer in the CRS group was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.28). Notably, female patients with CRS had an elevated risk of incident cancer events. Furthermore, patients with CRS without nasal polyps exhibited a significantly increased risk of cancer, whereas those with CRS with nasal polyps did not show a similar association. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for physicians to carefully monitor patients with CRS for potential cancer progression and develop appropriate therapeutic strategies to mitigate the impact of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the TSL (Thank you, Sorry, and Love) program in enhancing the adaptability of military children in the Republic of Korea. A total of 30 military children were selected as participants and assigned to three groups: an experimental group receiving the TSL program, a comparison group receiving a resilience program, and a control group. Measures of adaptability (including resilience, perceived stress, depression, family function, and school adaptation) were administered to the military children at pre, post, and follow-up stages. The results reveal significant differences in adaptability between the TSL program participants and the other groups' participants at the post-intervention and follow-up assessments. These findings suggest that the TSL program has the potential to effectively enhance the adaptability of military children and maintain their adaptive capacities across various domains in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical applicability of a customised power wheelchair joystick using rapid prototyping with 3D modeling and printing technology within a rehabilitation centre for patients with cervical spinal cord injury. Materials and Methods: Two male participants with tetraplegia following cervical-level spinal cord injury who had difficulty operating a powered wheelchair were recruited. The procedure of the joystick-making and training service consists of four steps: (1) driving evaluation; (2) digital fabrication; (3) functional test; and (4) driving training. K-QUEST 2.0 (Korean-Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction version 2.0) was used to measure the usability of the off-the-shelf and customised joystick. Results: During the application process, several redesign stages were required to obtain the final customised joystick. After participants attended a 30-min driving training five times per week for 8 weeks, the usability of the customised joystick was higher than that of the off-the-shelf one. Conclusion: Providing the customised joystick-making and training service can be used in hospitalised rehabilitation centre before the hospital discharge of patients and returns to their everyday lives. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: 3D printing technology in rehabilitation clinics can provide new benefits, including cost-effectiveness, customisation of assistive devices, higher productivity, and enhanced collaboration with clients. More specifically, the entire intervention process, from medical evaluation, designing and manufacturing the devices, and training the client, can be performed efficiently and quickly by rehabilitation practitioners who best understand the client's characteristics. This study aimed to confirm the clinical applicability of a quick and efficient service for a customised power wheelchair joystick using 3D modelling and printing technology in rehabilitation centres for patients with cervical spinal cord injury. This study is expected to provide clinical support for connecting potential users and practitioners with technological advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study aimed to investigate the impact of subjective socioeconomic status (SES) and job satisfaction on psychological symptoms of economically active people with disabilities. Data from the Korean Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED) from 2016 to 2018 were assessed using a longitudinal analysis. A total of 1591 individuals were included as the study population. To explore the impact of subjective SES and job satisfaction on psychological symptoms, a generalized estimating equation model was applied. People who were dissatisfied with their jobs and perceived themselves to have a low SES were 1.73 times more likely to have stress. Likewise, people with low job satisfaction and low subjective SES were 3.83 times more likely to have depressive symptoms, and even if subjective SES was high, those dissatisfied with their jobs were 4.24 times more likely to develop depressive symptoms. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that subjective SES had a greater influence on the psychological health of the economically active disabled population. These results highlight the importance of considering a disabled person's subjective socioeconomic factors and suggest ways to help them achieve a healthier and more fulfilling life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We evaluated the risk of being diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders after an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis using data from South Korea's National Health Insurance Service from 2002 to 2019, which covers approximately 97% of the country's population. ADHD and control groups were selected after propensity score matching was performed for individuals diagnosed with ADHD and their age- and sex-matched counterparts from the general population. Comorbid psychiatric disorders included depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, tic disorder, and schizophrenia. The incidence of newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders was compared between the groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and adjusted for ADHD medication prescription. After matching, 353,898 individuals were assigned to each of the two groups. Compared to the control group, the ADHD group showed a significantly higher risk of being subsequently diagnosed with depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and tic disorder. The onset age of depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia in the ADHD group was 16–17 years, approximately 5 years earlier than that in the control group. The risk for depression was the highest in individuals with high income levels, and that for schizophrenia was the highest among rural patients. The median length of the follow-up time until the diagnosis of each comorbid psychiatric disorder was 7.53, 8.43, 8.53, and 8.34 years for depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and tic disorder, respectively. Individuals with ADHD had an overall higher risk of being diagnosed with subsequent psychiatric disorders than did the controls. Hence, they should be carefully screened for other psychiatric symptoms from an early age and followed up for an extended duration, along with appropriate interventions for ADHD symptoms, including psychosocial treatments and educational approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Representative biology textbooks for secondary school students from Korea, Indonesia, and the USA were compared to explain the differences among each country's biodiversity-related contents. For comparison, a specialised technical book was added as a reference book. Textbooks from Korea, Indonesia, and the USA have similar main sub-sections of biodiversity contents. However, both Indonesian and American biological textbooks have special additional sub-sections that differed from Korean textbook. However, none of these biological textbooks presented fully similar explanation with the reference book as a standard. Since there were several differences in explaining major topics of biodiversity in each country, we suggest that curricula compilers adapt provided biodiversity related-contents for presenting them better in the future. In addition, we also suggest biology textbook authors in Korea to add more native biological diversity examples in biodiversity content especially in conservation sub-section. With this, we hope students can learn and know more their countries' biodiversity richness through biological textbook. more...

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the influences of creativity, psychological ownership (PO) and perceived organizational support (POS) on knowledge creation, using the integrative systems model of creativity. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was used to collect data from 188 workers in Korean public service organizations. Analyses, including bootstrapping and hierarchical regression analysis, were performed to determine the mediating effect of PO and also the moderating and the moderated mediating effects of POS. Findings: The results showed that PO mediates partially between creativity and knowledge creation and that POS moderates the relationship between PO and knowledge creation. Notably, the moderated mediating effect of POS was only significant when employees had a high level of POS. Practical implications: The findings suggest that creativity dissemination requires employees' social consciousness, collaborative interactions and organizational support. The results imply that human resource development (HRD) practitioners need to cultivate the creativity capacity in the organization. Originality/value: This study discusses the effects of PO and POS on creative performance, which HRD professionals and organizational leaders draw attention to for organizational development. Implications for organizational composition and interventions to enhance creative performance are provided. more...

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the effects of barefoot walking on an urban forest path on participants' C-reactive protein (CRP), interferon gamma (IFNγ), and serotonin levels, which are associated with feelings of well-being. Methods: Participants in the walking program included 62 consenting adults, divided into a sneaker-wearing and barefoot group (each N = 31). The program comprised 20 sessions, each consisting of a 90 min 4.4 km walk at a 50–70% target heart rate, held four times per week for 5 weeks. Physiological measurements were taken from pre-program saliva samples and after 10 and 20 sessions, respectively. Results: The sneaker-wearing group showed a consistent CRP increase, with levels reaching statistical significance after 20 sessions. In the barefoot group, CRP increased up to Session 10 but was lower than at the end of Session 20. The analysis of those with an initial CRP above 100 pg/mL showed that CRP was statistically significantly lower in the barefoot (N = 14) than in the sneaker-wearing (t = −0.048, p = 0.963) group after 20 sessions compared to before the program (t = 3.027, p = 0.010). IFNγ increased in both groups up to Session 10 but showed minimal change between Sessions 10 and 20. Serotonin was statistically significantly higher after 20 sessions than before the program in the barefoot group (t = −2.081, p = 0.046). Conclusions: Barefoot walking on forest trails is effective for people with above-normal inflammation, increasing serotonin levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The article investigates the impact of changes in employment and income on physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include the relationship between employment status and physical activity levels, the effects of the pandemic on individuals' health behaviors, particularly related to weight gain, and the methodology of the 2021 Community Health Survey in Korea. more...

Although bioaccumulation-related concepts are important scientific knowledge, a study on whether high school textbooks include appropriate explanations has not been conducted. The present study investigated science and biology textbooks from Korea, Japan, and the U.S., focusing on how bioaccumulation-related concepts were defined, what types of bioaccumulative substances were discussed, and the properties of these substances. The textbooks of these countries tended to focus on biomagnification. While the textbooks from Japan and the U.S. present synthetic organic compounds as examples of bioaccumulative substances, metallic substances were used as examples in all Korean textbooks. However, the discussion about the properties of bioaccumulative substances was brief in the textbooks. Moreover, the bioaccumulative properties of metals and organic compounds were not distinguished. The limited explanations in the textbooks might cause students to have misconceptions about the processes of bioaccumulation and bioaccumulative substances, and negative perceptions toward essential trace metals. more...

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents continues to be a significant public health concern worldwide. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that the global prevalence of NSSI in adolescents aged 12–18 years was 17.2%, with higher rates reported among females (19.7%) than males (14.8%). This behavior has been linked to several negative outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The present study aimed to classify adolescents based on intrapersonal and interpersonal factors associated with NSSI proposed in Nock's (2009) integrated model of NSSI, to identify distinct clusters targeting specific risk factors. This encompassed negative cognition, emotional vulnerability, poor coping skill, peer-victimization, family adaptability, and perceived stress. A total of 881 adolescents aged 11–16 years in South Korea completed self-reported questionnaires on automatic thoughts, depression, emotional regulation, peer victimization, family adaptability and perceived stress. Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed three distinct classes: "the severe group", "the moderate group", "the mild group". Class 3 ("severe group": N = 127) exhibited greater severity related to NSSI, including negative cognition, emotional vulnerability, poor coping skills, peer victimization, and perceived stress, with weaker levels of factors that can prevent NSSI compared to class 1 ("mild group": N = 416) and class 2 ("moderated group": N = 338). The present study emphasizes the importance of considering both intrapersonal (e.g., negative automatic thoughts & emotional dysregulation) and interpersonal factors (i.e., peer victimization) when understanding NSSI - among adolescents. These findings can be utilized to develop interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence and severity of NSSI among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study explores the relationship between landscape features and avian diversity in South Korea, examining both taxonomic and functional diversity. The Korean Peninsula serves as a pivotal habitat for resident bird species and a migratory pathway in the East Asia-Pacific flyway. Using a national dataset with block sizes ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 kilometers per side, we found that less urbanized open plains exhibit higher taxonomic diversity, while coastal regions with diverse water bird populations show higher functional diversity. These findings underscore the significance of conserving the existing land types and qualities in specific regions to substantially impact bird distribution and regional biodiversity. Remarkably, closed forests display diversity patterns akin to urban/built-up areas, despite their disparate land use characteristics. The stability of bird diversity indices across different land use types enables us to predict bird diversity indices based on the particular land use and land cover configurations. This study emphasizes the complementary nature of functional biodiversity indices in comprehending bird distribution patterns alongside taxonomic diversity indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Context Clinical implications of unilateral primary aldosteronism (PA) histopathology remain to be determined in various ethnic populations. Objective We examined the histopathology of unilateral PA using CYP11B2 immunostaining in relation to clinical phenotypes and postsurgical outcomes. Methods Patients consecutively operated for unilateral PA from 2010 to 2020 at 3 tertiary hospitals in South Korea were retrospectively enrolled. Adrenals with solitary aldosterone-producing adenomas and/or dominant aldosterone-producing nodules were classified as the classical and the others as the nonclassical groups. The classical group was subdivided into mixed or solitary group according to whether other aldosterone-producing lesions coexist or not. Results Of the 240 cases, 124 were solitary, 86 mixed, and 30 nonclassical. Baseline serum potassium concentration was lower in the solitary group than the mixed or nonclassical group. Plasma aldosterone concentration after saline loading was the highest in the solitary group (median 31.65 ng/dL), followed by the mixed group (median 25.40 ng/dL), and the lowest in the nonclassical group (median 14.20 ng/dL). Solitary and mixed groups showed higher lateralization indices and lower contralateral indices than the nonclassical group. The contralateral index was lower in the solitary group than the mixed group. At 6 to 12 months after adrenalectomy, fewer antihypertensive medications were required for the solitary and mixed groups than the nonclassical group. Conclusion The solitary group, followed by the mixed group, was associated with more severe hyperaldosteronism and more suppressed aldosterone production from the contralateral side than the nonclassical group. Histopathologic phenotypes were related to the clinical manifestations and may suggest postoperative prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: The mechanism of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) has not been clearly elucidated, and the number of authenticated HPV (+) TSCC cell lines is extremely limited. Objectives: To establish and characterize a de novo HPV (+) TSCC cell line derived from a Korean patient with TSCC. Materials and methods: We performed in vitro and in vivo experiments for evaluation of tumorigenicity of our TSCC cell line. In addition, we evaluated the stemness traits of this cell. Finally, we examined the physical status of our cell whether this belonged to the episomal, integrated, or mixed type. Results: The novel tonsillar cancer cell line, designated as KUSCC-152, was identified as a de novo TSCC cell line positive for HPV-16. In addition, the KUSCC-152 cell line has cancer cell traits in vitro and can induce tumor formation and metastasis to the neck lymph nodes in heterotopic and orthotopic xenograft mice. Moreover, the KUSCC-152 cells exhibited a cancer stemness phenotype, including sphere-forming capacity and the expression of stemness markers. Finally, we suggested that KUSCC 152 may belong to an integrated HPV incorporation type. Conclusions and significance: We successfully established and characterized a novel integrated-type HPV (+) TSCC cell line from an East Asian patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Thyroid hormones modulate the cardiovascular system. However, the effects of subclinical thyroid dysfunction and euthyroidism on cardiac function remain unclear. We investigated the association between left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and subclinical thyroid dysfunction or thyroid hormones within the reference range. This cross-sectional study included 26,289 participants (22,197 euthyroid, 3,671 with subclinical hypothyroidism, and 421 with subclinical thyrotoxicosis) who underwent regular health check-ups in the Republic of Korea. Individuals with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels > 4.2 µIU/mL and normal free thyroxine (FT4, 0.78–1.85 ng/dL) and triiodothyronine (T3, 76–190 ng/dL) levels were defined as having subclinical hypothyroidism. Individuals with serum TSH levels < 0.4 µIU/mL and normal FT4 and T3 levels were defined as having subclinical thyrotoxicosis. The cardiac structure and function were evaluated using echocardiography. LV diastolic dysfunction with normal ejection fraction (EF) was defined as follows: EF of > 50% and (a) E/e' ratio > 15, or (b) E/e' ratio of 8–15 and left atrial volume index ≥ 34 mL/m2. Subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly associated with cardiac indices regarding LV diastolic dysfunction. The odds of having LV diastolic dysfunction was also increased in participants with subclinical hypothyroidism (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.89) compared to euthyroid participants. Subclinical thyrotoxicosis was not associated with LV diastolic dysfunction. Among the thyroid hormones, only serum T3 was significantly and inversely associated with LV diastolic dysfunction even within the normal range. Subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly associated with LV diastolic dysfunction, whereas subclinical thyrotoxicosis was not. Serum T3 is a relatively important contributor to LV diastolic dysfunction compared to TSH or FT4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicidal ideation (SI) in the general Korean population. Methods: The 2022 Mental Health Awareness Survey was collected from the Chungcheongnam-do Mental Health Welfare Center (CHMHC). Before Propensity Score Matching (PSM), 823 participants were included in this study. After 1:4 PSM, the 255 participants were analyzed using the chi-square test and matched conditional logistic regression. Results: The AUD group had higher odds of experiencing SI than the non-AUD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.40, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.10–5.22). Stratified matched conditional logistic regression showed that, among the female, <40 years and single group, the AUD group was more likely to experience SI compared with the non-AUD, respectively (AOR:3.53, 95% CI: 1.20–10.44/AOR:3.45, 95% CI: 1.03–11.55/AOR:4.83, 95% CI: 1.18–19.69). However, among the male, ≥40 years and married group, we discovered no association between AUD and SI. Conclusions: Through this study, we found a strong association between the AUD group and SI. This association was particularly strong among female, <40 years, and single groups. This study elucidates the relationship between AUD and SI in the Chungnam region, which had not been previously identified in Korea, and it is expected to serve as foundational data for reducing the high suicide rate in this region. However, due to the limitation of being a cross-sectional study, future longitudinal research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of the "Thank you-Sorry-Love" (TSL®) program on posttraumatic growth (PTG) and cortisol level in parents of children with cancer. Methods: A total of 15 mothers of children with cancer were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 7) with the TSL intervention or a control group (n = 8) without any intervention. PTG and cortisol level were checked 3 times at the pretest, posttest, and 10-week follow-up. Results: PTG scores were significantly different between the two groups at the posttest and the follow-up test. Cortisol level was only significantly different between the two groups at the posttest. Conclusions: The TSL program may be a possible intervention for parents of children with cancer. more...

Simple Summary: This case report offers a comprehensive analysis of the clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and postmortem examinations of three green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) investigated for spirorchiidiasis. These findings highlight the complexity and severity of the disease, emphasizing the presence of systemic, granulomatous inflammation, and its impact on the overall health of sea turtles. This study advocates for continuous research and conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of spirorchiidiasis on marine turtles. Despite the precarious state of marine turtles as a highly endangered species, our understanding of their diseases remains limited. This case report presents a detailed pathological investigation of spirorchiidiasis, a blood fluke infection that poses a substantial threat to marine turtles. This retrospective study examined three cases of spirorchiid-infected sea turtles, specifically, green sea turtles stranded on Jeju Island, South Korea. Premortem examination of the three spirorchiid-infected green sea turtles demonstrated nonspecific clinical symptoms; blood analysis revealed dehydration, malnutrition, and anemia. Computed tomography scans provided insights into severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations, including the mass present in the joint region. Post-mortem examinations consistently indicated severe lung lesions and systemic manifestations, with histopathological examination confirming the presence of spirorchiid ova across various organs. Despite the global prevalence of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles, disease severity varies regionally. This report provides a detailed demonstration of the pathology of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles from Northeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The efficient scheduling of resources within emergency departments (EDs) is crucial to minimizing patient length of stay (LoS) times and maximizing the utilization of limited resources. Reducing patient wait times can enhance the operation of emergency departments and improve patient satisfaction and the quality of medical care. This study develops a simulation model using Discrete Event Simulation (DES) methodology, examining six resource scheduling policies that consider different combinations of general and senior physicians. By leveraging six scheduling policies and machine learning techniques, this model dynamically identifies the most effective scheduling policy, based on a comprehensive dataset of ED visits in South Korea. The ED simulation achieves an accuracy rate of 90% and demonstrates that our proposed integrated machine learning approach reduces average length of stay (LoS) to approximately 322.91 min, compared to 327.10 min under traditional methods. This study underscores the potential of integrating DES and machine learning to enhance resource management in EDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Melon thrips, Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a serious insect pest in crop productions, and synthetic chemicals are frequently used to control them. However, this practice causes residual issue in nature and makes melon thrips acquire strong resistance. To overcome these problems, a group of entomopathogenic fungi could be used as an alternative for controlling melon thrips. In this work, a total of 100 fungal isolates from soil in four different regions of Korea were isolated and subjected to virulence assays against melon thrips. Twenty‐five highly virulent fungal isolates, which showed 100% mortality 6 days after treatment, were determined. Liquid‐cultured filtrates of the selected isolates were further used to investigate their insecticidal activity against melon thrips, and of the 25 selected isolates finally seven isolates including Metarhizium spp. and Fusarium spp. showed high insecticidal activity in a dose‐dependent manner. Under a thermal stress at 121°C, culture filtrates of the seven isolates still kept their insecticidal activities. When liquid‐cultured spores were exposed to 45°C, spores of Fusarium isolates were resistant to the thermal stress, but those of Metarhizium isolates were susceptible to the stress. The culture filtrates of Fusarium isolates did not show any phytotoxicity to the tomato plants, followed by no phytotoxicity of liquid‐cultured spores, although mycotoxins need to be further clearly characterized. This work suggests that entomopathogenic Fusarium isolates are competitive in virulence against melon thrips and production of insecticidal metabolites compared to Metarhizium, and particularly attractive in sporal resistance against thermal stress, significantly stronger than Metarhizium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Various pathogens can cause upper respiratory tract infections, presenting challenges in accurate diagnosis due to similar symptomatology. Therefore, rapid and precise diagnostic tests are crucial for effective treatment planning. Traditional culture-based methods for diagnosis are limited by their reliance on skilled personnel and lengthy processing times. In contrast, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques offer enhanced accuracy and speed in identifying respiratory pathogens. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of the FilmArray™ Respiratory Panel (RP), a multiplex PCR test capable of simultaneously screening 20 pathogens. This retrospective analysis was conducted at Dankook University Hospital, South Korea, between January 2018 and December 2022. Samples from patients with upper respiratory tract infections were analyzed. Results revealed adenovirus as the most prevalent pathogen (18.9%), followed by influenza virus A (16.5%), among others. Notably, a 22.5% co-infection rate was observed. The FilmArray™ RP method successfully identified 20 pathogens within 2 h, facilitating prompt treatment decisions and mitigating unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. This study underscores the utility of multiplex PCR in respiratory pathogen identification, offering valuable insights for epidemiological surveillance and diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of The "Thank You, Sorry, Love" (TSL) family therapy program in potentially improving the marital relationships and health of North Korean refugee women. Methods: The participants included 12 married North Korean female refugees in their 20s to 40s. Using a blinded assignment, six received the TSL family therapy program and six did not receive any treatment. Pretests (just before the program), posttests (just after termination of the program), and follow-up tests (1 month after termination of the program) were conducted. Results: The program participants experienced a statistically significant decrease in marital violence and an increase in their total antioxidant activity levels. Conclusions: TSL family therapy has the potential to contribute to improving the lives of traumatized North Korean refugee women. Larger scale replication studies involving random assignment would be a useful next step in evaluating the TSL program. more...

Most previous studies on the association between bullying and body weight were performed using North American or White samples from Western countries. The present study is the first empirical endeavor to examine whether such an association exists in a sample of adolescents from East Asia. Specifically, the authors examined the associations between body weight and bully/victim experiences among a sample of 805 male and 835 female middle school students in South Korea using a questionnaire survey. Results showed that overweight male students were more likely to both physically bully others and be physically victimized by peers in comparison with normal weight boys. However, no association was observed with regard to verbal or relational bully/victim experiences. For female students, body weight was not associated with any types of bully/victim experiences. These findings disparate from prior Western studies highlight the importance of considering cultural and historical contextual factors when attempting to understand the linkage between bullying and body weight among adolescents. more...

Constipation is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, our understanding of its epidemiology and management in CKD is limited. We aimed to explore real-world data on constipation and laxative use in patients with CKD in a nationwide population-based cohort from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment-National Patient Sample database. This study analyzed retrospective health claims data in Korea from 2012 to 2017 that were transformed into the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model. The pooled proportion of constipation diagnoses was 30.5% in all patients with CKD and 15.9%, 16.5%, 17.4%, 29.9%, and 43.3% in patients with CKD stages 1–5, respectively, suggesting a higher prevalence in advanced CKD. Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis had the highest prevalence of constipation, while transplant recipients showed a prevalence comparable to that of patients with early CKD. Patients with CKD had a significantly higher risk of constipation than age- and sex-matched non-CKD individuals (range of odds ratio [OR]:1.66–1.90). Laxative prescribing patterns differed by CKD severity. Osmotic agents were prescribed in more than half of patients with advanced CKD, while magnesium salts and bulking agents were prescribed less frequently. The CKD patients with constipation were more likely to be prescribed constipation-inducing medications, including antipsychotic and neurological medications. Our findings provide real-world constipation and laxative prescription status in the Korean CKD population, revealing a significantly higher risk of constipation and different laxative prescribing patterns in patients with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Social isolation (SI) was recently identified as a significant public health issue in the United States. Consequently, several studies on the association between SI and mental health were conducted. However, few studies have considered the duration and intensity of SI. In the present study, a longitudinal analysis was conducted to determine the effect of the intensity of persistent SI on the mental health status of late middle‐aged and older Koreans. Methods: After excluding missing values, data on 6200 participants were analyzed using the group‐based trajectory model (GBTM) from the first to fifth Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA) to categorise the SI trajectory (SIT). The Chi‐square test, t‐test, analysis of variance, and time‐lagged generalised estimation equations were utilised from the fifth to eighth KLoSA to determine the association between SIT and the incidence of cognitive decline (the group with a Korean version Mini‐Mental State Examination score of 23 or lower), cognitive function score, and depression score. Results: Four SIT groups were identified in the GBTM analysis. These were the non‐SIT (21.7%), mild (46.8%), moderate (21.1%), and severe SIT (10.4%) groups. Compared to the non‐SIT group, the severe SIT group experienced a greater incidence of cognitive decline (odds ratio = 1.57, P < 0.0001) as well as poorer cognitive function scores (B = −0.63, P < 0.0001) and depression scores (B = 0.90, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, stratified analysis by sex and age showed that mental health status was inversely proportionate to the intensity of SIT, particularly in males and patients, aged 65 years and above. Conclusion: A close association was observed between SIT and mental health. This finding highlighted the need for policies and institutional measures to reduce the incidence of mental health deterioration among vulnerable groups due to the intensity of SI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Since the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in South Korea in 2010–2011, vaccination policies utilizing inactivated FMD vaccines composed of types O and A have been implemented nationwide. However, because type Asia1 occurred in North Korea in 2007 and intermittently in neighboring countries, the risk of type Asia1 introduction cannot be ruled out. This study evaluated the antigen yield and viral inactivation kinetics of the recombinant Asia1 Shamir vaccine strain (Asia1 Shamir-R). When Asia1 Shamir-R was proliferated in shaking flasks (1 L), a 2 L bioreactor (1 L), and a wave bioreactor (25 L), the antigen yields were 7.5 μg/mL, 5.2 μg/mL, and 3.8 μg/mL, respectively. The optimal FMDV inactivation conditions were 2 mM BEI at 26 °C and 1.0 mM BEI at 37 °C. There was no antigen loss due to BEI treatment, and only a decrease in antigen levels was observed during storage. The sera from pigs immunized with antigen derived from a bioreactor exhibited a neutralizing antibody titer of approximately 1/1000 against Asia1 Shamir and Asia1/MOG/05 viruses; therefore, Asia1 Shamir-R is expected to provide sufficient protection against both viruses. If an FMD vaccine production facility is established, this Asia1 Shamir-R can be employed for domestic antigen banks in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: The DAPA-HF and DELIVER trials demonstrated the clinical benefits of dapagliflozin in heart failure (HF) patients across the entire ejection fraction (EF) spectrum. However, further investigation is needed for the real-world application of dapagliflozin in HF patients. This study examines the proportion of real-world HF patients eligible for dapagliflozin and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of adding dapagliflozin to current HF therapy. Methods: Data from the nationwide prospective registry, the Korean Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) registry, were used to determine dapagliflozin eligibility based on the enrollment criteria of the DAPA-HF/DELIVER trials. A cost-utility analysis was conducted using a Markov model to assess the cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin by comparing it to the standard of care. Results: Out of 5178 KorAHF patients, 48.7% met the enrollment criteria of the DAPA-HF/DELIVER trials, while 89.5% met the label criteria (US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). Eligibility was highest among HF patients with preserved EF (55.3% vs. HF with mildly reduced EF and HF with reduced EF 46.4%). Dapagliflozin proved to be cost-effective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 4557 US dollar (US$) per quality-adjusted life year, which falls below the US$18,182 willingness-to-pay threshold. The cost-effectiveness benefit was more pronounced in patients with a left ventricular EF (LVEF) ≤ 40% (ICER US$3279 for LVEF ≤ 40% vs. US$8383 for LVEF > 40%). Conclusions: Discrepancies in dapagliflozin eligibility were observed between real-world data and clinical trial results. The addition of dapagliflozin to HF therapy proved to be highly cost-effective across the entire EF spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: The question of whether dental procedures increase the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients who have undergone total joint arthroplasty (TJA) remains controversial. Questions/purposes: (1) Are dental procedures associated with an increased incidence of PJI in the setting of either primary or revision TKA after controlling for relevant potentially confounding variables? (2) Is the administration of prophylactic antibiotics before dental procedures associated with any differences in this risk? (3) Which factors are associated with increased incidence of PJI after dental procedures? Methods: This nationwide, retrospective, comparative, large-database study evaluated 591,602 patients who underwent unilateral primary or revision TKA between 2009 and 2019 using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data in South Korea, in which all people in South Korea were registered and to which all medical institutions must charge any procedures they performed. The study population was divided into 530,156 patients with dental procedures and 61,446 patients without dental procedures based on whether the patients underwent a dental procedure at least 1 year after the index surgery. After propensity score matching, patients were classified into a dental (n = 182,052) and a nondental cohort (n = 61,422). The dental cohort was then divided into two groups: 66,303 patients with prophylactic antibiotics and 115,749 patients without prophylactic antibiotics based on prophylactic antibiotic use. After propensity score matching, patients were categorized into prophylactic (n = 66,277) and nonprophylactic (n = 66,277) cohorts. Propensity score matching was used to control for covariates including posttraumatic arthritis associated with PJI risk according to the dental procedure and prophylactic antibiotic use among the cohorts. After propensity score matching, the standardized mean difference was confirmed to be less than 0.1 for all variables. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed. Results: Dental procedures were not associated with an increase in PJI risk after primary (adjusted HR 1.56 [95% CI 0.30 to 8.15]; p = 0.60) or revision TKA (adjusted HR 1.74 [95% CI 0.90 to 3.34]; p = 0.10). Additionally, use of prophylactic antibiotics was not associated with a reduced PJI risk after the index surgery, either for primary (adjusted HR 1.28 [95% CI 0.30 to 5.42]; p = 0.74) or revision TKA (adjusted HR 0.74 [95% CI 0.45 to 1.23]; p = 0.25). Although surgery type and prophylactic antibiotic use exhibited no influence on PJI occurrence after dental procedures, posttraumatic arthritis was associated with PJI. The adjusted HR for posttraumatic arthritis was 4.54 (p = 0.046). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that dental procedures were not associated with an increased risk of PJI for up to 2 years after the dental procedure in patients who underwent either primary or revision TKA. Based on these findings, there is insufficient rationale for the use of prophylactic antibiotics before dental procedures in patients who have undergone primary or revision TKA. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) or irinotecan-based chemotherapy is frequently used after failure of second-line paclitaxel plus ramucirumab treatment for patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This study aimed to compare the efficacy between ICI and irinotecan-based chemotherapy as third-line treatment in patients with AGC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with AGC, whose third-line treatment started between July 2019 and June 2021 at 17 institutions in Korea. The ICI group included patients who received nivolumab or pembrolizumab, and the irinotecan-based chemotherapy group included patients who received irinotecan or FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan). Results: A total of 363 patients [n = 129 (ICI) and n = 234 (irinotecan-based chemotherapy)] were analyzed. The median progression-free survival was 2.3 and 2.9 months in ICI and irinotecan-based chemotherapy groups, respectively (p = 0.802). The median overall survival (OS) was 5.5 and 6.0 months in ICI and irinotecan-based chemotherapy groups, respectively (p = 0.786). For all patients included in this study, multivariable analysis showed that weight loss, peritoneal metastasis, low serum sodium or albumin, and short duration of second-line treatment were associated with inferior OS (p < 0.05). ICI showed significantly longer OS than irinotecan-based chemotherapy in patients without peritoneal metastasis. Whereas ICI showed significantly shorter OS in patients without PD-L1 expression than irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Conclusions: No significant difference in survival outcome was observed between ICI and irinotecan-based chemotherapy as third-line treatment for AGC patients. ICI might be preferred for patients without peritoneal metastasis and irinotecan-based chemotherapy for patients with tumors without PD-L1 expression. Trial registration: This study was registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of Korea (https://cris.nih.go.kr: KCT 0007732). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a pathogen with zoonotic and pandemic potential. Migratory birds are natural reservoirs of all known subtypes of AIVs, except for H17N10 and H18N11, and they have been implicated in previous highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks worldwide. This study identified and characterized the first isolate of the H13N6 subtype from a Vega gull (Larus vegae mongolicus) in South Korea. The amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin gene showed a low pathogenic AIV subtype and various amino acid substitutions were found in the sequence compared to the reference sequence and known H13 isolates. High sequence homology with other H13N6 isolates was found in HA, NA, PB1, and PA genes, but not for PB2, NP, M, and NS genes. Interestingly, various point amino acid mutations were found on all gene segments, and some are linked to an increased binding to human-type receptors, resistance to antivirals, and virulence. Evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses showed that all gene segments are gull-adapted, with a phylogeographic origin of mostly Eurasian, except for PB2, PA, and M. Findings from this study support the evidence that reassortment of AIVs continuously occurs in nature, and migratory birds are vital in the intercontinental spread of avian influenza viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

South Korea has experienced outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) of serotypes O and A, leading to nationwide vaccination with a bivalent vaccine. Since the FMD virus (FMDV) Asia1 group-V genotype occurred in North Korea in 2007, an Asia1/MOG/05 vaccine strain belonging to the Asia1 group-V genotype was developed using a genetic recombination method (Asia1/MOG/05-R). This study aimed to evaluate the antigen productivity and viral inactivation kinetics of Asia1/MOG/05-R to assess its commercial viability. The antigen yield of Asia1/MOG/05-R produced in flasks and bioreactors was approximately 4.0 μg/mL. Binary ethylenimine (BEI) inactivation kinetics of Asia1/MOG/05-R showed that 2 mM and 1.0 mM BEI treatment at 26 °C and 37 °C, respectively, resulted in a virus titer <10−7 TCID50/mL within 24 h, meeting the inactivation kinetics criteria. During incubation at 26 °C and 37 °C, 10% antigen loss occurred, but not due to BEI treatment. When pigs were inoculated twice with the Asia1/MOG/05-R antigen, the virus neutralization titer increased to approximately 1:1000; therefore, it can sufficiently protect against Asia1/MOG/05-R and Asia1 Shamir viruses. The Asia1/MOG/05-R will be useful as a vaccine strain for domestic antigen banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background and Objectives: The surge in breast-related surgeries in Korea underscores the critical need for an accurate early diagnosis of silicone breast implant-related issues. Complications such as BIA-ALCL and BIA-SCC add complexity to breast health concerns, necessitating vigilant monitoring. Despite advancements, discrepancies persist between ultrasonographic and pathologic classifications of silicone implant ruptures, highlighting a need for enhanced diagnostic tools. This study explores the reliability of ultrasonography in diagnosing silicone breast implant ruptures and determining the extent of silicone migration, specifically with a focus on guiding potential capsulectomy based on pathology. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of medical records encompassing 5557 breast implants across 2790 patients who underwent ultrasound-assisted examinations was conducted. Among the screened implants, 8.9% (249 cases) were diagnosed with silicone breast implant rupture through ultrasonography. Subsequently, 89 women underwent revisional surgery, involving capsulectomy. The pathological analysis of 111 periprosthetic capsules from these cases aimed to assess the extent of silicone migration, and the findings were juxtaposed with the existing ultrasonographic rupture classification. Results: The diagnostic agreement between preoperative sonography and postoperative findings reached 100% for silicone breast implant ruptures. All eighty prosthetic capsules exhibiting a snowstorm sign in ultrasonography demonstrated silicone migration to capsules upon pathologic findings. Conclusions: High-resolution ultrasonography emerged as a valuable and reliable imaging modality for diagnosing silicone breast implant ruptures, with a notable ability to ascertain the extent of free silicone migration to capsules. This diagnostic precision is pivotal in informing decisions about potential capsulectomy during revisional surgery. The study advocates for an update to the current binary ultrasonographic classification, suggesting a more nuanced categorization into three types (subcapsular, intracapsular, and extracapsular) based on pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The purpose of this study is to analyze the causes of cost variation in natural disaster prevention projects (NDPPs) in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, and develop tailored cost and risk management strategies. Utilizing a binary logistic regression model, this research uniquely focuses on the Gyeongsangbuk-do region, gathering data from 244 stakeholders through an online survey. The study identifies critical variables influencing cost deviation, including project management risk (PMR), project costing and execution risk (PCER), project execution strategy risk (PESR), construction project risk (CPR), project cost and schedule risk (PCSR), project management challenges (PMCs), and construction project subcontractor and safety management (CPSSM). Significant findings revealed PMR (OR = 3.744, 95% C.I. [1.657, 8.457]), PCER (OR = 5.068, 95% C.I. [2.236, 11.484]), and PESR (OR = 3.447, 95% C.I. [1.853, 6.413]) as the primary causes of cost deviation, alongside the notable impacts of other factors such as CPSSM. The developed predictive model is instrumental for NDPP stakeholders in Gyeongsangbuk-do, providing advanced risk management capabilities and aiding in effective preventive measures. This study not only corroborates theoretical hypotheses from previous research but also offers new insights into cost deviation causes in NDPPs, thereby enhancing strategic decision-making and advancing risk management perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sarcoscypha (Sarcoscyphaceae, Pezizales) is a saprobic fungus characterized by the cup or disc-shaped blight red apothecium and oblong to ellipsoid ascospores. The 18 species of Sarcoscypha were known to occur in Europe, North America, and tropical Asia. However, up to date, only two Sarcoscypha species have been reported in Korea. In this study, novel Sarcoscypha specimens were collected from Juwangsan, Odaesan, and Taebaeksan National Parks from September to October in Korea. This species is well distinguished from other Sarcoscypha species according to the molecular and phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Here, we provided detailed descriptions with illustrations and a phylogenetic tree to report our specimens as novel Sarcoscypha species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Wood-decaying fungi are essential decomposers in forest ecosystems. They decompose wood substrates by producing various lignocellulolytic enzymes, which have significant industrial and medical applications. A survey was conducted at the Juwangsan National Park from 2018 to 2019 to determine the diversity of macrofungi in Korea. Five previously unrecorded wood-decaying polyporoid and corticioid fungi were identified among the collected specimens: Eichleriella sinensis, Hymenochaete anomala, Hyphoderma subsetigerum, Lyomyces orientalis, and Pseudowrightoporia crassihypha. These species were identified based on morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU) region. In this study, we provide detailed macro- and micro-morphological figures with phylogenetic trees to support the discovery of five new species in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Using multilevel models, this study examined the effects of student- and course-level variables on monotonic response patterns in student evaluation of teaching (SET). In total, 11,203 ratings taken from 343 general education courses in a Korean four-year private university in 2011 were analyzed. The results indicated that 96% of variance of monotonic response patterns could be explained by student characteristics, such as gender, academic year, major, grade point average, SET score, and perceptions about course difficulty, while controlling for course-level variables. Furthermore, 4% of variance of monotonic response patterns was derived from course characteristics, including faculty age and class size, while controlling for student-level variables. The findings suggest that Korean higher education institutions need to take proper measures to encourage students to participate more actively and sincerely in SET for the best and proper use of the evaluation's outcomes. more...

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to affect brain and behavior in rodents and nonhuman primates, but there are few studies focusing on its relationship to human neurobehavior. We aimed to investigate the relationship between environmental exposure to BPA and childhood neurobehavior. Methods: Urinary BPA concentrations and behavioral and learning characteristics were assessed in a general population of 1,089 children, aged 8-11 years. The main outcome measures were the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Learning Disability Evaluation Scale (LDES). Results: Urinary levels of BPA were positively associated with the CBCL total problems score and negatively associated with the learning quotient from the LDES. The linear association with the CBCL anxiety/depression score and the quadratic association with the LDES listening score were significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: Environmental exposure to BPA might be associated with childhood behavioral and learning development. The results suggest possible nonmonotonic relationships. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.) more...

Simple Summary: Currently, it is unknown whether secondary esophagectomy after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is comparable to primary esophagectomy. The aim of our retrospective study was to compare short- and long-term clinical outcomes between the two groups. Propensity matching was performed, and 34 patients in each group were compared. Comparing primary and secondary surgery, lymph node metastasis (LNM), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS), were comparable between the two groups. Comparing the adverse events between the two groups, none of the patients in either group died within 60 days of treatment. There was no significant difference in the overall adverse events, but more early complications were observed in the primary surgery group than in the secondary surgery group. ESD and secondary esophagectomy can be recommended for patients with superficial esophageal cancer, as it does not compromise the outcomes of survival, recurrence, and complications. Even though the conventional treatment for T1 esophageal cancer is surgery, ESD is becoming the primary treatment. Currently, it is unknown whether secondary esophagectomy after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is comparable to primary esophagectomy when considering outcomes in patients with T1 esophageal cancer. We compared short- and long-term clinical outcomes between the two groups. Primary surgery (esophagectomy) was performed in 191 patients between 2003 and 2014, and 62 patients underwent secondary surgery (esophagectomy) after ESD for T1 esophageal cancer between 2007 and 2019. Propensity matching was performed for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), location, pathology, degree of differentiation, tumor size, and invasion depth. Lymph node metastasis (LNM), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and post-operative complications were compared between groups. Sixty-eight patients were included after propensity score matching; LNM, OS, DSS, and RFS were comparable between the two groups. Comparing primary and secondary surgery, the respective LNM rates were 23.5% and 26.5%, 6-year OS 78.0% and 89.7%, p = 0.15; DSS were 80.4% and 96.8%, p = 0.057; and RFS were 80.8% and 89.7%, p = 0.069. Comparing the adverse events between the two groups, there was no significant difference in the overall adverse events. However, more early complications were observed in the primary surgery group than in the secondary surgery group (50% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.021). Secondary surgery did not increase the risk of LNM. The long-term outcomes were comparable. Therefore, attempts to perform upfront ESD for superficial esophageal squamous cell cancers are justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Optical remote sensing using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is proposed to monitor changes in marine environments effectively. Optical measurements were performed using a UAV multispectral camera (RedEdge, five spectral wavelengths of 475, 560, 668, 717, and 842 nm) with high spatial (5 cm) and temporal (1 s) resolutions to monitor the rapidly changing suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the Saemangeum coastal area on the western coast of Korea. To develop the SSC algorithm, optical field, and water sample measurements were obtained from outside (11 stations) and inside (three stations) regions separated by a seawall, accounting for 100 measurements from 2018 to 2020. Accordingly, the remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) was estimated at each sampling station and used to develop the SSC algorithm based on multiple linear regression. The algorithm reasonably estimated the SSC with an R2 and root mean square error of 0.83 and 4.27 (mg L−1), respectively. Continuous individual UAV measurements over the coastal area of Saemangeum were combined to generate a wider SSC map. For the UAV observational data, the atmospheric influence at each altitude was reduced to the surface altitude level using a relative atmospheric correction technique. The SSC map enabled front monitoring of SSC fluctuations caused by discharge water due to the sluice gate opening. These results demonstrated the usability of the UAV-based SSC algorithm and confirmed the possibility of monitoring rapid SSC fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Identifying environmental effects on the reproduction cycle and sex hormones is essential for ensuring the sustainable productivity of Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT, Thunnus orientalis) aquaculture. In the present study, 70 PBTs, commercially farmed in sea cages near Yokjido Island, South Korea, were investigated from April 2020 to March 2021. Environmental data, including water temperature and photoperiod duration, were collected. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated, and male and female maturity stages were classified monthly in proportions based on histological analysis of the gonads. Male and female gonadal developmental stages were classified into four major stages. Mature male and female PBTs were observed from May to August and June to August, respectively. Monthly changes in sex steroid hormone levels in PBT plasma were evaluated. The GSI and sex steroid hormones of males and females increased in May, peaked in June, and decreased thereafter. Our results confirmed the reproductive potential of farmed PBT and verified that reproductive maturity is reached in July. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to investigate the reproductive biology of PBT in South Korea, and our results constitute a reference for future research on PBT aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

With apartment buildings representing a rapidly growing share of the residential market in South Korea, the effect of construction defects throughout the life cycle of construction projects, and particularly during the occupancy stage, has emerged as a significant social issue that may ultimately lead to an increase in defect disputes between new occupants and general contractors. An important step toward mitigating the likelihood of these defect disputes is to identify and address the factors that give rise to occupant dissatisfaction during the defect repair process. However, a reliable method by which to identify these factors has yet to be developed. In this respect, the main objective of the research presented in this paper is to develop a method for identifying occupant dissatisfaction factors in the construction defect repair stage. The developed method comprises the following procedures: (i) text pre-processing, which involves data cleaning, normalization, tokenization, morphological analysis, and removal of stopwords; (ii) term frequency–inverse document frequency for keyword extraction; and (iii) semantic network analysis to recognize relationships between words. The method was implemented using a dataset of 12,874 comments in Korean text format obtained from apartment building occupants. Based on the processing and analysis of this dataset, the occupant dissatisfaction factors were found to be: (i) inaccurate and inadequate repair work (represented by such keywords as "Repair", "Visit", and "Accuracy"); (ii) failure to keep promises (e.g., "Fulfillment", "Promise", and "Change"); and (iii) unprofessional conduct on the part of representatives in the repair service center (e.g., "Response", "Attitude", and "Receipt"). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The continued interest in air pollution and stratospheric ozone variability has motivated the development of a Geostationary Environmental Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) for hourly ozone monitoring. This paper provides the atmospheric science community with the world's first assessment of GEMS total column ozone (TCO) retrieval performance and diurnal ozone variation. The algorithm used for GEMS is a more advanced version of its predecessor, the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) V8, that incorporates several improvements, including a new lookup table, a simple Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity model, and a spectral dependence correction. The GEMS algorithm also uses the optimal estimation method (OEM) to make error analysis more accessible and robust. The estimated retrieval errors range from 1.5 to 2 DU in September and 2 DU in December, with a constant degree of freedom of the signal (DFS) of 1 in September and a variable DFS of 1.25 to 1.4 in December throughout the day, depending on solar zenith angle (SZA). To assess the performance of the GEMS algorithm, the hourly GEMS total ozone was compared with ground-based measurements from Pandora instruments and other satellite platforms from TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) and OMPS (Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite Nadir Mapper). GEMS has a high correlation of 0.97 and small RMSE values compared to Pandora TCO at Busan and Seoul in South Korea. It is notable that despite exhibiting seasonal dependence in the mean bias of GEMS with Pandora, GEMS is capable of observing daily variations in ozone that are highly consistent with Pandora measurements, with a bias of approximately 1 %. The comparison of GEMS TCO data with TROPOMI and OMPS TCO data shows a high correlation of 0.99 and low RMSE compared to TROPOMI and OMPS TCO data, but the data have a negative bias of -2.38 % and -2.17 %, with standard deviations of 1.33 % and 1.57 %, respectively. Similar to OMPS, the influence of SO 2 from volcanic eruptions is not properly removed in some regions, leading to GEMS overestimating TCO in those areas. The mean biases of GEMS TCO data with TROPOMI and OMPS TCO are within ±1 % at low latitudes but become negative at midlatitudes, with an increasingly negative dependence on latitude. Furthermore, this dependence becomes more prominent from summer to winter. The empirical correction applied to the GEMS irradiance data improves the dependence of the mean bias on season and latitude, but a consistent bias still remains, and a marginal positive trend was observed in December. Therefore, further investigation into correction methods is needed. The results are a meaningful scientific advance by providing the first validated, hourly UV ozone retrievals from a satellite in geostationary orbit. This experience can be used to advance research with future geostationary environmental satellite missions, including the incoming TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) and Sentinel-4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We investigated the effects of hindfoot and forefoot eversion on the knee's positional and rotational displacement, plantar pressure, and foot discomfort in a standing posture, beyond the traditional focus on external knee adduction moments (EKAM) in lateral wedge insoles. Twenty-six healthy participants underwent hindfoot eversion from 0 to 10 degrees in 2-degree increments, and forefoot eversion from 0 degrees to the hindfoot eversion angle in 2-degree increments in a standing posture. At each eversion angle, the knee's medial displacement, EKAM's moment arm decrease, plantar pressure changes, and foot discomfort were obtained and compared across varying angles. Both hindfoot-only and entire-foot eversion led to significant medial knee displacement and the EKAM's moment arm decrease, with more pronounced effects in entire-foot eversion. At each hindfoot eversion angle, increasing forefoot eversion resulted in significant medial knee displacement and EKAM's moment arm decrease. Lower leg rotations were not significantly affected in hindfoot-only eversion but displayed significant medial tilting and internal rotation in entire-foot eversion at specific combinations. Varying eversion angles significantly influenced the forefoot pressure, with heel pressure remaining unaffected. Notably, the lateral forefoot pressure increased significantly as the forefoot eversion angle increased, particularly at higher hindfoot eversion angles. Foot discomfort increased significantly with higher eversion angles, particularly in entire-foot eversion, and also increased significantly as the forefoot eversion angle increased at higher hindfoot eversion angles. Insole configurations incorporating 6–10 degrees of hindfoot eversion and 40–60% forefoot eversion of the hindfoot angle may offer optimized biomechanical support for knee osteoarthritis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objective: This study evaluated the Thank You, Sorry, Love (TSL) program's effect on child abuse and the levels of oxidative stress hormone (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) among North Korean refugee parents. Method: The participants, North Korean refugees (N = 45), were assigned to an experimental group with 10 sessions of TSL program intervention (n = 15), a comparison group with 10 sessions of Program A intervention (n = 15), or a control group with no intervention (n = 15). Effectiveness tests included a pre-test, post-test, and 4-week follow-up test. Results: Child abuse scores and cortisol levels differed significantly between the groups in the post-test and follow-up tests. It was confirmed that the group in the TSL program showed statistically significant improvements in child abuse and cortisol compared to the other groups. Conclusion: The TSL program can be used as a practical intervention to prevent child abuse in North Korean refugee families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Much has been written about how social media platforms enable the rise of networked activism. However, few studies have examined how these platforms' low-information environments shape how social movement activists, their opponents, and social media platforms interact. Hate speech reporting is one understudied area where such interactions occur. This article fills this gap by examining to what extent and how the gender and popularity of counterspeech in comment sections influence social media users' willingness to report hate speech on the #MeToo movement. Based on a survey experiment (n = 1250) conducted in South Korea, we find that YouTube users are more willing to report such sexist hate speech when the counterspeech is delivered by a female rather than a male user. However, when the female user's counterspeech received many upvotes, this was perceived to signal her enhanced status and decreased the intention to report hate speech, particularly among male users. No parallel patterns were found regarding other attitudes toward hate speech, counterspeech, YouTube, the #MeToo movement, and gender discrimination and hate speech legislation. These findings inform that users report hate speech based on potentially harmful content as well as their complex social interactions with other users and the platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objectives: The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a form of family therapy developed in Korea. The "Thank you--Sorry--Love" (TSL) model was applied to a group of elderly retired men to improve the quality of their marriage and to reduce their stress. Methods: Thirty married retired Korean men were assigned to three groups. Group 1 received 14 sessions over 7 weeks of the TSL intervention. Group 2 received 14 sessions of educational classes related to retirement and aging. Group 3 received nothing. Assessments were made of the men's marital quality (using the Dyadic Adjustment scale) and oxidative stress (a biological marker of health), pretreatment, posttreatment, and 5 weeks after treatment. The husbands' wives were assessed in terms of marital quality at similar time points. Results: Husbands who received TSL therapy experienced statistically significant decreased oxidative stress (8-isoprostane levels) and increased marital quality. The spouses of the TSL program participants also showed statistically significant improvement in marital quality. The educational comparison group and no-treatment control group clients did not significantly improve on either measure, nor did their spouses experience improved marital quality. Conclusions: TSL family therapy was followed by both psychosocial (husbands and wives') and physiological (husbands') improvements. Additional randomized clinical trials of this promising family therapy may be warranted. (Contains 9 tables and 3 figures.) more...

In total, 123 battered Korean women who used domestic violence agencies were asked where they had turned for assistance in response to intimate partner violence. This study examined the factors related to use of formal and informal resources by these women. Formal resources included police, medical, legal, and shelter; informal were family or neighbors. Findings revealed that (a) the women studied used a variety of resources and that (b) income, violence-related injuries, and partner child abuse were related to whether they contacted police. Injury and partner child abuse were related to contacting a medical doctor/medical facility. Income, relationship status, and partner child abuse were related to approaching family or neighbors. The key finding was that partner child abuse increased the likelihood of battered Korean women seeking help from formal service resources and informal networks. This suggests the need for integrative services that link women's and children's protective services in order to meet the needs of both victims and children. (Contains 1 table and 1 note.) more...

In this study, we developed an educational programme using soil seed banks to promote ecological literacy among primary school-aged children. The programme consisted of seven student activities, including sampling and setting soil seed banks around the school, watering, identifying seedlings, and making observations about the plants and their environments. Research was conducted in two urban elementary schools in Seoul, Korea with 99 fourth-grade students, who were divided into two experimental groups that engaged in the soil seed bank programme and a control group that followed the official textbook-based curriculum for studying lima bean seed growth. After participating in this programme, the level of student concepts about the relationship between plant distribution and the environment increased significantly in comparison with a control group (p less than 0.01), as did student knowledge about plants and plant ecology (p less than 0.01). In addition, the programme was associated with increases in eco-centric attitudes among the students (p less than 0.01), including a shift toward more positive attitudes about plants. According to the participants, the programme better enabled students to recognise and observe temporal changes in plants and nature, providing one indication that their ecological sensibilities were augmented by the student activities in which they engaged. Both the participating students and the teachers leading the activities expressed a belief that the programme benefited the participating students, and that the activities were interesting and useful. This study showed that a programme of activities using soil seed banks and seedling emergence methods promoted ecological literacy by providing simple, hands-on opportunities to experience and inquire about local plants and their environments. (Contains 3 figures and 6 tables.) more...