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To measure the thickness of transversus abdominis(TrA), internal oblique(IO), external oblique(EO) and multifidus(MF) and compare the effects on trunk stability according to the performing abdominal drawing-in manuever during plank exercises. Thirty healthy male and female adults were recruited. Subjects perform the plank exercises after measuring thickness of TrA, IO, EO and MF in resting position. When performing the General plank(GP), General plank with abdominal drawing-in maneuver(GPA), Unstable surface of plank(USP) and Unstable surface of the plank with abdominal drawing-in maneuver(USPA), we measured three times and used the value of measurements. All measurements were used in One way repeated ANOVA. The results of study, resting time and each plank exercises showed significant differences in TrA, IO, MF muscles. In the comparison between each plank exercises, the TrA, IO, MF activation increased because that muscle were thicker than other plank exercises when performing GPA and USPA. These findings suggest that a plank exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver is useful way in trunk stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phenomenological study explored how five U.S. school counselors-in-training experienced cultural immersion in family life, schools, agencies, and community in the Netherlands. The central phenomenon emerging from reflection papers was that insights about cultural values led to making sense of how school counseling and special education were conceptualized. Students' growth in cultural competence evolved from an initial preoccupation with concrete differences to a nuanced understanding of, and preference for, Dutch institutions and policies, and finally to a balanced view of U.S. and Dutch cultures. Findings attest that deep learning can occur in 2 weeks if thoughtful preparation, mutual benefit, collaboration, homestays, and community experiences are elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The optimal method for advanced airway management during cardiac arrest remains controversial. Most patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Korea are managed with a bag-valve mask by paramedics, while physicians perform advanced airway management in emergency departments (ED). Endotracheal intubation (ETI) has a risk of failure at the first attempt. By contrast, I-gel, a supraglottic airway device, is easier to insert than an endotracheal tube and shows a higher first-attempt success rate than ETI in outof- hospital settings by paramedics in the United States. We reviewed the use of ETI and I-gel by ED physicians to assess the first attempt success rate in a hospital setting. Methods. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with non-traumatic OHCA who were managed with either ETI using a Macintosh laryngoscope, or I-gel in the ED of Korean hospital from January 2012 to January 2014. Results. Of 322 adult patients with nontraumatic OHCA, 160 received I-gel and 162 received ETI. The first-attempt success rate was higher in the I-gel group (96.9%) than in the ETI group (84.6%, p < 0.001). The time from arrival to obtaining advanced airway management was shorter in the I-gel group than in the ETI group. Conclusions. I-gel showed a better firstattempt success rate and shorter insertion time compared with ETI when performed by physicians in a hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a historical approach based on newly declassified materials, / attempt to explain the correlation or contradiction between the open "Korea Clause"of 1969 and the secret "Korean Minute"of 1960, both of which were issued by the US-Japan alliance regard- ing the security of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The existing litera- ture has emphasized the Korea Clause in explaining the Japanese commitment to the security of the ROK and the Japan-ROK military connection. However, / argue that the Korea Clause was merely po- litical rhetoric initiated by Japan to neutralize the written Korean Minute. One of the key aims of US military policy toward Northeast Asia was to secure a free hand in using US forces and bases in Japan. In this context, the Korean Minute backed by the authority of the United Nations legalized the right of US forces to carry out sorties without prior consultation with the Japanese government in case of a Korean crisis. While Japan attempted to terminate the Korean Minute by politicizing it, the United States adopted a stance of be- nign neglect against it, especially by maintaining the United Nations Command. The Korean Minute remains valid today, and the US- Japan-ROK triangle continues to function legally based on it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in the United States. Chronic exposure to UVB irradiation is a major cause of this cancer. Daidzein, along with genistein, is a major isoflavone found in soybeans; however, little is known about the chemopreventive effects of daidzein and its metabolites in UVB-induced skin cancer. Here, we found that 7,3',4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (THIF), a major metabolite of daidzein, effectively inhibits UVB-induced cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression through the inhibition of NF-κB transcription activity in mouse skin epidermal JB6 P+ cells. In contrast, daidzein had no effect on COX-2 expression levels. Data from Western blot and kinase assays showed that 7,3',4'-THIF inhibited Cot and MKK4 activity, thereby suppressing UVB-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Pull-down assays indicated that 7,3',4'-THIF competed with ATP to inhibit Cot or MKK4 activity. Topical application of 7,3',4'-THIF clearly suppressed the incidence and multiplicity of UVB-induced tumors in hairless mouse skin. Hairless mouse skin results also showed that 7,3',4'-THIF inhibits Cot or MKK4 kinase activity directly, resulting in suppressed UVB-induced COX-2 expression. A docking study revealed that 7,3',4'-THIF, but not daidzein, easily docked to the ATP binding site of Cot and MKK4, which is located between the N- and C-lobes of the kinase domain. Collectively, these results provide insight into the biological actions of 7,3',4'-THIF, a potential skin cancer chemopreventive agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of analyzing the strength and quality of evidence of 41 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines between January 1994 and May 2010. The study classifies strength of recommendations from levels A through level C and quality from levels I through level III. Results of the study reveal that among the good evidence for support (level A) only 37% were based on expert opinion that falls on level III.

Although Candida species are the fourth most common cause of nosocomial blood stream infections in the United States, early diagnostic tools for invasive candidemia are lacking. Due to an increasing rate of candidemia, a new screening system is needed to detect the Candida species in a timely manner. Here we describe a novel method of detection using a solid-state micro-scale pore similar to the operational principles of a Coulter counter. With a steady electrolyte current flowing through the pore, measurements are taken of changes in the current corresponding to the shape of individual yeasts as they translocate or travel through the pore. The direct ultra-fast low concentration electrical addressing of C. albicans has established criteria for distinguishing individual yeast based on their structural properties, which may reduce the currently used methods' complexity for both identification and quantification capabilities in mixed blood samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explains why, in the wake of South Korea's democratization, the US-Republic of Korea alliance has suffered a steady decline while avoiding an abrupt collapse. The author argues that democratization weakened this asymmetric alliance by increasing the political influence of nationalism in South Korea. New South Korean democratic elites, subscribing to nationalist ideals, demanded an autonomous, equal relationship with the United States regardless of the de facto power disparity between the two countries. These elites also deemphasized the security threat from North Korea--with which they perceived a shared national identity--and adopted an unconditional engagement policy with that nation. The United States, in turn, resented the apparently unrealistic policies of these elites and showed a decreased interest in the alliance. Democratization, however, did not cause an abrupt end to the alliance, for two reasons. First, North Korea's military strength preserved a significant strategic need in South Korea for allied support. Second, as the result of a measured transition process, old pro-alliance elites in South Korea retained enough political clout to proscribe a radical shift in foreign policy away from the alliance with the United States, while new elites had opportunities to reconcile their nationalist ideals with strategic realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the claim that strategic theory of preventive war cannot account for US decision not to attack China in the early 1960s despite that country's moves to arm itself with atomic bombs. I argue that this critique is misguided since Washington during this period did not face those strategic conditions which the theory views as providing compelling incentives for a preventive attack. The United States neither foresaw a major shift in the balance of power nor possessed effective maneuver strategies available to it. Considering these circumstances, the Chinese case in fact confirms strategic theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current development of public in formation infrastructure in eastern USA. It proposes discussing lessons learned from four case studies of public information infrastructure projects to gain a better understanding of the challenges and implications of open access for broadband services and to provide a foundation for evaluating the advisability of mandatory open access policies. Design/methodology/approach - Four cases were selected for in-depth study in the eastern area of the USA. Multiple data collection methods were used - in-depth face-to-face and telephone interviews with people associated directly with the projects. Findings - The study recommends appropriate policy measures that can promote open access. Originality/value - The case studies shed light on how future public information infrastructures may evolve within the larger context of national and global information infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Russia's strategic interests related to the regional security dilemma surrounding North Korean nuclear weapons programs. Based on two basic principles—a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and political resolution of the crisis—the Putin administration has attempted to represent itself as an even-handed broker striving to normalize the situation. Peaceful resolution of the crisis would benefit not only Russia and but the entire region; however, Putin's efforts have not been instrumental toward these ends, notwithstanding his close contact with the North Korean leader. Russia has produced no policy suggestions capable of accommodating the conflicting interests of the United States and North Korea. Despite a lack of progress, Russia continues to desire multilateral talks since the meetings forestall unilateral actions by the two countries that would be detrimental to Russian interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper extends and further validates the quality-of-life/ community-healthcare model and measures developed by Rahtz and Sirgy (2000). The quality of life (QOL) model is based on the theoretical notion that community residents' satisfaction with healthcare services available within their community affects community quality of life and life satisfaction. This study extends the model and, in keeping with past research, posits that the bottom-up spillover from community QOL to life satisfaction is greater for those individuals with low personal health satisfaction, lower income, and old age. Data were collected from 1094 community residents in the East-Coast area of the United States. The results provide good support of the new model. Managerial implications and applications for the new model are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effects of moral philosophy and ethnocentrism on quality of life orientation in international marketing. It also provides a cross-cultural comparison of ethical values between Koreans and Americans. International quality-of-life (IQOL) orientation refers to marketers' disposition to make decisions to enhance the well-being of consumers in foreign markets while preserving the well-being of other stakeholders. It is hypothesized that marketers' moral philosophy and ethnocentrism influence the development of marketers' IQOL. Specifically, the higher the IQOL orientation of international managers, the higher their moral idealism, the higher their moral relativism, and the lower their ethnocentrism. Also, it is hypothesized that American managers are likely to score higher on moral relativism but lower on moral idealism compared to their Korean counterparts. Also, Korean managers are expected to be more ethnocentric than American managers. Data were collected from business professionals who enrolled in professional MBA courses both from the U.S. and Korea. The results provided support for the hypothesized relationships. Managerial implications of these relationships are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the `Agreed Framework,' a deal that the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made in Geneva, Switzerland in 1994 on the North Korean nuclear issue. Comment that the `Agreed Framework' is a case of overselling characterized by overstatements; United States' attempt to defend the agreement in spite of many loopholes.

The article examines the experience of Korean business in Los Angeles within the of urban transformation. The principal argument advanced in this article is that responses to urban transformation diverge between industrial sectors, the ethnic migrant communities and regions. The past two decades of industrial change in Los Angeles illustrate a typology of selective and systematic disinvestment in the city's basic productive capacity, including the closures of manufacturing plants in the inner city. It is important that corresponding transformations in the spatial division of labour did not replace the old divisions. Instead there was an evolving sequence of partial and selective transformations in the structure of the city's labour markets. In the case of Korean small businesses in Los Angeles, the sectoral shift revealed a clear pattern in their specific responses to this urban industrial change. While Korean migrants were self-employed increasingly in the small-firms sector, their shares in both manufacturing and construction sectors experienced accentuated growth between 1975 and 1986.