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Highlights Blue micro-light-emitting diodes (μLED)-integrated gas sensors were fabricated as monolithic structure by directly loading sensing materials onto the μLED. SnO2 nanoparticles are activated by blue μLED and exhibit outstanding sensitivity to NO2 at μ-Watt power levels. Noble metal (Au, Pd, Pt)-decorated SnO2 showed the tunable gas selectivity for 4 target gases under blue light illumination.

This study proposes the use of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) remote sensing (RS) to support morphometric research for estimating the aerodynamic roughness length (z0 ) of building placement on various scales. A LiDAR three-dimensional point cloud (3DPC) data processing graphical user interface (GUI) was developed to explore the z0 and related urban canopy parameters (UCPs) in the Incheon metropolitan area in South Korea. The results show that multi-scale urban aerodynamic roughness exploration is viable and can address differences in urban building data at various spatial resolutions. Although validating morphological multi-scale UCPs using dense tall towers is challenging, emerging low-cost and efficient methods can serve as substitutes. However, further efforts are required to link the measured z0 to building form regulations, such as floor area ratio, and expand RS research to obtain more quantitative and qualitative knowledge.

Abstract BackgroundDigital therapeutics (DTx) are therapeutic interventions driven by software and directly provided to patients, allowing them to manage their health with ease in any setting. A growing interest in DTx has spurred a discussion concerning their reimbursement pathways. However, DTx are still at a premature stage, with insufficient evidence on effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Currently, although industries desire to quickly enter the market, especially by getting their products reimbursed by the National Health Insurance (NHI) fund, the NHI is cautious about DTx due to their uncertainties. Thus, public discussion and social consensus are crucial in deciding whether to reimburse DTx by the NHI fund. ObjectiveThis study examined multiple stakeholders’ awareness and attitudes toward DTx and perceptions of regulatory pathways for adopting DTx. MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 11 stakeholders in South Korea (industry: n=4, health care: n=3, academia: n=2, and consumer: n=2) using semistructured guidelines. They were purposively sampled to identify individuals with expertise in DTx and NHI policies. The interviews were conducted either in person or via a videoconference for 45-70 minutes. Qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis, which uses interview guidelines as an analytical framework. ResultsFindings were divided into three categories: (1) awareness and attitude toward DTx, (2) perception of whether DTx are worth entering the market and being reimbursed by the NHI fund, and (3) perception of how to enter the market and how to reimburse DTx by the NHI fund if they are worth it. Although consumer stakeholders were not familiar with the basic concept of DTx, the other stakeholders understood it thoroughly. However, all participants showed positive attitudes and acceptance of DTx. Most of them responded that DTx are worth entering the market, but they could not reach an agreement on the pathways for DTx to enter the market. Although participants were in favor of the reimbursement of DTx in principle, they responded that a conservative approach is required due to insufficient clinical evidence for DTx. ConclusionsWe found that stakeholders in South Korea had positive attitudes toward DTx, perceived them as worth using, and agreed to allow them to enter the market. The main issue was not the problem of the technology itself but the difference in opinion as to the pathways for reimbursement. Therefore, this study concluded that the NHI fund, which is operated very conservatively, is insufficient to quickly adopt and implement DTx. Various reimbursement methods, including tax-based financing, raising innovation funds for new technologies, and pilot studies using the NHI fund, should be used to rapidly generate clinical evidence and reduce the uncertainties of DTx to secure a stable market.

This paper introduces the Instructed Glacier Model (IGM) – a model that simulates ice dynamics, mass balance and its coupling to predict the evolution of glaciers, icefields or ice sheets. The novelty of IGM is that it models the ice flow by a Convolutional Neural Network, which is trained from data generated with hybrid SIA + SSA or Stokes ice flow models. By doing so, the most computationally demanding model component is substituted by a cheap emulator. Once trained with representative data, we demonstrate that IGM permits to model mountain glaciers up to 1000 × faster than Stokes ones on Central Processing Units (CPU) with fidelity levels above 90% in terms of ice flow solutions leading to nearly identical transient thickness evolution. Switching to the GPU often permits additional significant speed-ups, especially when emulating Stokes dynamics or/and modelling at high spatial resolution. IGM is an open-source Python code which deals with two-dimensional (2-D) gridded input and output data. Together with a companion library of trained ice flow emulators, IGM permits user-friendly, highly efficient and mechanically state-of-the-art glacier and icefields simulations.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease associated with increased systemic and vascular inflammation. Although dupilumab has been proven to be effective against severe AD, imaging studies analysing its inflammation-reducing effect have rarely been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dupilumab on systemic and vascular inflammation in adult patients with severe AD, using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). A total of 33 adult patients with severe AD and 25 healthy controls underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT at baseline. Patients on dupilumab treatment underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT again after achieving a 75% reduction from baseline on the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75). Patients with AD exhibited increased 18F-FDG uptake values in the liver, spleen, pancreas, and carotid artery compared with healthy controls. However, compared with baseline, there was no statistically significant difference in 18F-FDG uptake in major organs and arteries after achieving EASI-75 with dupilumab treatment. In conclusion, while dupilumab treatment resulted in a significant clinical improvement and reduced serum inflammatory markers in adult patients with severe AD, no changes in systemic and vascular inflammation were observed on 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.

Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is a rare variant of angiomyolipoma (AML), with a prominent epithelioid component. EAML usually presents as a large heterogeneous soft tissue lesion with intratumoral hemorrhage and variable necrosis or cystic changes. We present a case of multiloculated cystic renal EAML mimicking renal cell carcinoma in a 64-year-old female. Intracystic massive hemorrhage, hyperattenuating wall and septa on an unenhanced study, and enlarged intratumoral vessels can be helpful imaging features for distinguishing renal EAML from renal cell carcinoma.

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a systemic disease characterized by dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibroblast proliferation. The retroperitoneal involvement of IgG4-related disease usually appears as a soft-tissue mass covering the abdominal aorta or entrapping the ureters, resulting in hydronephrosis. Here, we present a case of IgG4-related disease with retroperitoneal involvement in a 75-yearold woman with an unusual manifestation. A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an irregular infiltrative retroperitoneal mass invading the normal anatomic barriers, raising the suspicion of malignancy or inflammation. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a homogeneous progressive enhancement of the mass.

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is defined as a state of excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone after long-standing secondary hyperparathyroidism, which typically occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease. Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is typically characterized by marked parathyroid hyperplasia or parathyroid adenomas. Here we present a case of multiple parathyroid adenomas in a 23-year-old woman with tertiary hyperparathyroidism due to chronic kidney disease and describe the ultrasonography and computed tomography findings. To our knowledge, this is the first case of four parathyroid adenomas showing variable radiological features in a patient with tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Keywords: Parathyroid neoplasm, Chronic kidney failure, Hyperparathyroidism, Ultrasonography, Computed tomography

In the integer-valued generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (INGARCH) models, parameter estimation is conventionally based on the conditional maximum likelihood estimator (CMLE). However, because the CMLE is sensitive to outliers, we consider a robust estimation method for bivariate Poisson INGARCH models while using the minimum density power divergence estimator. We demonstrate the proposed estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal under certain regularity conditions. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the estimator in the presence of outliers. Finally, a real data analysis using monthly count series of crimes in New South Wales and an artificial data example are provided as an illustration.

In this study, we consider the problem of testing for a parameter change in general integer-valued time series models whose conditional distribution belongs to the one-parameter exponential family when the data are contaminated by outliers. In particular, we use a robust change point test based on density power divergence (DPD) as the objective function of the minimum density power divergence estimator (MDPDE). The results show that under regularity conditions, the limiting null distribution of the DPD-based test is a function of a Brownian bridge. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed test and show that the test inherits the robust properties of the MDPDE and DPD. Lastly, we demonstrate the proposed test using a real data analysis of the return times of extreme events related to Goldman Sachs Group stock.

Climate change affects human health and calls for health meteorological services. The purpose of this study is to find the significant predictors for the demands of the health meteorological information. Methods: This study used a descriptive design through structured self-report questionnaires. Data from 956 participants who were at least 18 years old and living in Busan, Korea, were collected from June 1 to July 31, 2009. The data was analyzed using a decision tree method, one of the data mining techniques by SAS 9.1 and Enterprise Miner 4.3 program. Results: Two hundred and ninety participants (30.3%) demanded the information, and 505 of them (52.8%) perceived the necessity of health meteorological information. From the decision tree method, the predictors related to the demands of the health meteorological information were determined as “the perception of the necessity of health meteorological information,” “the coping to the weather warnings” and “the importance of the weather forecasting in daily life.” In Particular, the significant different variables in the perception of the necessity of health meteorological information were “female,” “aged over 40” and “environmental diseases.” Thus, the model derived in this study is considered for explaining and predicting the demands of health meteorological information. Conclusions: It can be effectively used as a reference model for future studies and is a suggested direction in health meteorological information service and policy development. We suggest health forecasting as a nursing service and a primary health care network for healthier and more comfortable life.

The recently observed hydrologic extremes are unlike what has been experienced so far. Both the magnitude and frequency of extremes are important indicators that determine the flood safety design criteria. Therefore, how are design criteria updated faced with these extremes? Both a sudden increase of design rainfall by the inclusion of these extremes and complete ignorance are inappropriate. In this study, the changes in extremes were examined and an alternative way to estimate the design rainfall amounts was developed using the data from 60 stations in South Korea. The minimum density power divergence estimator (MDPDE) with the optimal value of a tuning parameter, α, was suggested as an alternative estimator instead of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE); its performance was evaluated using the Gumbel (GUM) and the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution. The results revealed an increase in both the frequency and magnitude of extreme events over the last two decades, which imply that the extremes are already occurring. The performance of the MDPDE was evaluated. The results revealed decreased and adjusted values of the design rainfall compared to MLE. On the other hand, the MDPDE of the GEV distribution with a positive shape parameter, ξ, does not show its advantage conditionally because the GEV distribution has a heavier right tail than the GUM distribution (ξ = 0). In contrast, the results showed the high sensitivity of the MLE to the extremes compared to MDPDE.

In this paper, we consider a sequential monitoring procedure for detecting changes in copula function. We propose a cusum type of monitoring test based on the empirical copula function and apply it to the detection of the distributional changes in copula function. We investigate the asymptotic properties of the stopping time and show that under regularity conditions, its limiting null distribution is the same as the sup of Kiefer process. Moreover, we utilize the bootstrap method in order to obtain the limiting distribution. A simulation study and a real data analysis are conducted to evaluate our test.

This article discusses the rarely documented and often overlooked nail apparatus changes that can occur following upper limb casting or splinting. The study analyzed clinical data from 16 patients who experienced nail changes after hand casting or splinting at a hospital between 2012 and 2022. The primary nail changes observed were paronychia, transient static nail growth, onychomadesis, nail fold edema, onychorrhexis, and onycholysis. The study suggests that these nail changes may be related to vascular or lymphatic stasis and mild nerve injuries caused by prolonged pressure. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of these nail changes. [Extracted from the article]

Background: This study aimed to identify the trends in pharmaceutical expenditure (PE), share of PE in health expenditure (HE), and trends in expenditure by pharmacological groups (ATC level 1 classification) in Korea for a 10-year period (2011 - 2020) and compare the data with those of other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Using the findings, we determined the current status of pharmaceutical expenditure (PE) management in Korea and derived the implications for establishing future macroscopic policies on PE. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the OECD Health Statistics and the Korean national health insurance claims database from January 2011 through December 2020. The outcome measures were HE, PE, and pharmaceutical sales data for ATC level 1 medicines from OECD Health Statistics data during 2011 - 2020. As OECD collects limited ATC level 1 data, we used the HIRA health insurance claims data for PEs of ATC level-1 classification, including D, L, P, and S. Results: PE in Korea increased by 38.5% from 19.9 billion USD in 2011 to 27.6 billion USD in 2020, whereas the share of PE in HE decreased by 6.3%p from 26.4% in 2011 to 20.1% in 2020. In 2020, Korea ranked third in PE per capita (760.9 USD PPP) and had the highest share of PE (20.1%) among the 19 OECD countries studied. By ATC level 1 class, the highest PE was A (alimentary tract and metabolism) at 4.3 billion USD, and L (antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents) had the highest increase at 13.4%; in contrast, J (anti-infectives for systemic use) had the lowest increase in annual average PE at −0.2% in 2020 relative to 2011. Among the 17 OECD countries, Korea had the highest and the third-highest expenditures for ATC codes A and J, respectively. Conclusion: PE in Korea has continued to increase between 2011 and 2020, indicating the need for macroscopic management of PE. Our results on PE by ATC code may help health authorities in establishing future policies on PE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]