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This study aims to help firefighters conduct safe firefighting activities by revealing the factors affecting fire safety activities. The results of the study showed that accident experience had a significant effect on fire safety activities in terms of safety management competency, proactive response capability, safety learning capability and fire safety characteristics. Therefore, first, it is necessary to develop an easy-to-understand, simple and clear manual rather than a complicated standard disaster operation procedure to improve proactive response capability and establish a cooperative system for the smooth use of the resources of related organizations. Second, since safety learning competency has a positive effect on fire safety activities, it is necessary to systematize the education and training process on the management of the computerization of fire case data and advanced on-site response capabilities. Third, the direct and indirect accident experiences of firefighters reduce fire safety activities; therefore, the expansion of infrastructure, such as hospitals, legal support to strengthen the mental and physical stability of firefighters and a follow-up management system should be considered.

This study aimed to confirm the mediating effect of social capital on the relationship between a sense of connection to the mainland and life satisfaction as perceived by island residents. To that end, the study drew on original data from the Survey of the Welfare Status and Needs of Jeonnam Island Residents conducted by the Jeonnam Welfare Foundation from October 11 to November 1, 2017. The respondents (N = 500) were residents of inhabited islands in Jeollanam-do. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. The results indicate a partial mediating effect of social capital on the relationship between connection to the mainland and perceived life satisfaction. Based on these results, the study makes a number of practical and policy suggestions.

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between gadoxetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features—enhancing capsule, corona enhancement or hypointense rim—observed in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Of the HCCs surgically confirmed during a 5-year period (2013–2017), ≤ 3-cm lesions (n = 83) in 78 patients were evaluated. Presence of corona enhancement and enhancing capsule on multiphasic dynamic imaging and presence of hypointense rim on hepatobiliary phase imaging were determined retrospectively by two independent observers. The relationship among the three imaging features was statistically analysed and correlated with the presence of histologic fibrous capsules, tumour differentiation and gross morphologic type. There was substantial overall interobserver agreement in determining the presence of the three imaging features. Sixty (72.3%) lesions had histologic fibrous capsule positively correlated with all three imaging features (p < 0.05). Corona enhancement was the most common (66.3%) feature followed by enhancing capsule (61.4%) and hypointense rim (33.7%), and the correspondence rate of enhancing capsule to corona enhancement was 68.6% (p = 0.004). Corona enhancement was more frequently observed in moderately differentiated HCCs than other lesions (p = 0.012) and not dependent (p = 0.465) on the tumour size, while enhancing capsule was significantly dependent on tumour size, as indicated by univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (odds ratio, 4.241; p = 0.002). Among the capsular features, corona enhancement might closely relate to enhancing capsule in HCCs. Corona enhancement was not dependent on tumour size and had the highest incidence of appearance on gadoxetic acid–enhanced multiphasic dynamic MRI. • Enhancing capsule has a limited role in the LI-RADS categorisation during gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI. • Appearance of corona enhancement is closely related to enhancing capsule and is not dependent on size of HCCs. • Corona enhancement can substitute enhancing capsule in the diagnosis of HCCs during multiple arterial and portal venous phase gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI.

Bone is the rigid tissue that constitutes the skeleton. The material for bone regeneration has to provide the mechanical stability by maintaining the mechanical loads both in the rest conditions and during the body movements. Bone is dynamic tissue constantly reshaped by the action of cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts). This activity is normally enough to heal bone injuries; however, in several conditions, when bone is subjected to fatal damages, self-renewal is difficult, if not even impossible, and a medical treatment is required. The transplantation of a biomaterial is one of the common surgical procedures to overcome critical injuries. In this study, we exploited the effect of the use of different sources of demineralized bone powder (DBP) in combination with gellan gum (GG) to form a GG-DBP hydrogel scaffold with the purpose of regenerating the bone tissue. DBP was extracted from the femurs of two typologies of

Herein, gellan gum (GG), a nature-derived polysaccharide, was applied to combine fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to fabricate a bio-imaging material. The synthesis process of the FITC grafted GG (GG-F) and manufacturing method of GG-F scaffolds are presented. Chemical, physicochemical, and mechanical properties were characterized. In vitro study and in vivo study by implanting the GG-F scaffolds under the subcutaneous area of the nude mice were carried out to verify biocompatibility and safety of the material. The emission of the FITC was confirmed with high-resolution confocal laser scanning microscope (SR CLMS) and fluorescence in vivo imaging (FOBI). The results exhibited well-synthesized GG-F and the manufactured GG-F scaffolds showed similar property of GG scaffolds which confirms that the chemical modification does not affect the property of GG scaffolds. The in vitro and in vivo study exhibited biocompatibility of the GG-F material. Overall, the properly blended GG-F in GG did not influence the characteristics of the pristine GG except for the chemical property. Therefore, the GG-F can be applied for the future analysis in verifying the mechanism of GG characters and can be a promising candidate for bio-imaging.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to validate the use of subtraction images derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for observation of washout and enhancing capsule in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS. For 120 histologically verified HCCs in 115 high-risk patients, the presence of washout and enhancing capsule in the portal venous phase (PVP) on conventional MR images with and without corresponding subtraction images was determined by two independent observers. The incremental value of subtraction imaging in upgrading the categories outlined in the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) version 2018 for the diagnosis of HCC was analyzed for different subgroups of patients classified on the basis of lesion size (< 10 mm, 10-19 mm, ≥ 20 mm), unenhanced T1-weighted signal intensity, and arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) of the lesions. RESULTS. When conventional PVP images were compared with the combination of conventional and subtraction PVP images, only T1-weighted isointensity or hyperintensity significantly increased the detection of washout (eight vs 15 of 18 lesions; p = 0.0233). Detection of enhancing capsule was significantly increased (p < 0.05) regardless of various factors, except for a lesion size of less than 2 cm (five vs nine of 36 lesions; p = 0.1336). Two lesions (one LI-RADS category 3 lesion and one LI-RADS category 4 lesion) with APHE were upgraded to category 5 on the basis of a review of PVP subtraction images. CONCLUSION. PVP subtraction imaging during gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI can upgrade LI-RADS categories for the diagnosis of HCC because of its superior ability in depicting enhancing capsule and the incremental benefit of showing washout.

Background: This study evaluated the ultrasonographic and clinical findings of two groups with rhabdomyolysis, who showed abnormal or normal ultrasonographic findings of kidneys. Methods: Two groups (n = 78) of abnormal (A) and normal (B) renal ultrasonographic findings were included. Multiple laboratory findings were assessed within 2 days before or after ultrasonography. Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The variable causes of rhabdomyolysis were intense exercise, burn, operation, shivering, and drug intoxication, etc. Group A (n = 26; M:F = 19:7) showed enlarged both kidneys, increased parenchymal thickness, and increased (n = 23, 88.5%) or decreased (n = 3, 11.5%) cortical echogenicity. Group A also showed elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, potassium, and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), compared with those in Group B (n = 52; M:F = 36:16), and these results were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The myoglobin in serum and urine, creatine kinase, prothrombin time, dark urine, and microscopic hematuria were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients with elevated BUN, creatinine, potassium, and prolonged aPTT showed the ultrasonographic findings of acute kidney injury, but other parameters were not statistically different between the two groups.

In this study, based on the bottom-up spillover theory, the effects of living area satisfaction such as housing, public transportation access, access to medical institutions, access to cultural facilities and natural environments, and access to public institutions on life satisfaction were analyzed. For the analysis, raw data of the “Regional Resident Needs Survey for Establishment of the 4th Local Social Security Plan” conducted in Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do in 2018 was used. After allocating ‘eup’ and ‘myeon’ for the survey, a researcher visited the area and conducted a direct visit. And in the final analysis, the data of 195 people were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors affecting life satisfaction. Based on the research results, practical and policy suggestions were presented to improve the satisfaction of life for the elderly in the island area.

The present research was focused on the effect of porous graphite plate in TaC-coated crucible on crystal quality and resistivity of semi-insulating SiC crystals. Two SiC crystals grown with/without porous graphite plate in TaC-coated crucible were systematically compared. 6H-SiC polytype was obtained on both crystals regardless of porous graphite plate. The quality of SiC crystal grown using porous graphite plate placed in the TaC-coated crucible was slightly better than SiC crystal without porous graphite plate. SiC crystals having an average resistivity value of about 1×1010 Ωcm were obtained. In the result of COREMA measurement, the use of porous graphite plate tends to obtain wafers with better uniformity in resistivity value.

6-inch 4H-SiC single crystal was grown with modified hot-zone design for large diameter crystal. The simulation data confirmed reduced temperature gradient between center and edge region of growing front, and actual growth experiment exhibited that SiC crystal with good quality was obtained with modified hot-zone design without any quality degradation in edge region of bulk crystal. Based on the mapping measurement of FWHM (Full width at half maximum) value in X-ray rocking curve, the crystal quality of SiC crystals from middle and top region of grown ingot was observed to be almost identical. Furthermore, various properties of SiC crystal grown with modified hot-zone design have been systematically investigated.

Two SiC crystals were grown using SiC source powder with different level of purity and then the effect of the purity of SiC source materials on the final electrical properties has been systematically observed. Furthermore, the variation of vanadium amount according to the growth direction of vanadium doped semi-insulated SiC single crystals has been investigated. The quality of SiC crystal grown using SiC source powder with higher purity was definitely better than SiC crystal with lower purity. SiC crystals having an average resistivity value of about 1×1010 Ωcm were successfully obtained. In the result of COREMA measurement, the use of high purity SiC powder was revealed to obtain wafers with better uniformity in resistivity value.

Suncheonman Bay, Korea’s most representative estuary, is an invasive coastal wetland composed of 22.6 km2 of tidal flats surrounded by the Yeosu and Goheung Peninsulas. In January 2006, this region was registered in the Ramsar Convention list in Korea, representing the first registered wetland. Estuaries are generally known to have high species diversity. In particular, several studies have been conducted on planktonic and epipelic diatoms as primary producers. Suncheonman Bay has already been involved in many biological and geochemical studies, but fossil diatoms have not been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated fossil diatoms in Suncheonman Bay and introduced sub-fossil diatoms recorded in Korea. One sedimentary core has been extracted in 2018. We identified 87 diatom taxa from 52 genera in the SCW03 core sample. Of these, six species represent new records in Korea: Cymatonitzschia marina, Fallacia hodgeana, Navicula mannii, Metascolioneis tumida, Surirella recedens, and Thalassionema synedriforme. These six newly recorded diatom species were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The ecological habitats for all the investigated taxa are presented.

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effects of depression in the relationship between income inequality and satisfaction in life perceived by female fishermen. To verify the purpose of the study, we used data from a survey of 215 female fishermen residing in Jeollanam-do, Korea, conducted at Jeonnam Women’s Plaza (now “Foundation of Jeonam Women and Family”) in 2016. Hierarchical analysis and Sobel-test using SPSS ver. 21.0 were used in the analysis. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that there is a partial mediating effect of depression in the relationship between income inequality and satisfaction in life. Based on the result, we proposed practical and policy recommendations that can improve the satisfaction of female fishermen in their lives.

Prediction of the stable crystal structure for multinary (ternary or higher) compounds with unexplored compositions demands fast and accurate evaluation of free energies in exploring the vast configurational space. The machine-learning potential such as the neural network potential (NNP) is poised to meet this requirement but a dearth of information on the crystal structure poses a challenge in choosing training sets. Herein we propose constructing the training set from densityfunctional-theory (DFT) based dynamical trajectories of liquid and quenched amorphous phases, which does not require any preceding information on material structures except for the chemical composition. To demonstrate suitability of the trained NNP in the crystal structure prediction, we compare NNP and DFT energies for Ba2AgSi3, Mg2SiO4, LiAlCl4, and InTe2O5F over experimental phases as well as low-energy crystal structures that are generated theoretically. For every material, we find strong correlations between DFT and NNP energies, ensuring that the NNPs can properly rank energies among low-energy crystalline structures. We also find that the evolutionary search using the NNPs can identify low-energy metastable phases more efficiently than the DFTbased approach. By proposing a way to developing reliable machine-learning potentials for the crystal structure prediction, this work will pave the way to identifying unexplored multinary phases efficiently., 8 pages, 5 figures

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of texture analysis for discriminating the histopathological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging data from 101 patients with HCC, including T2-weighted imaging, arterial phase, and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping, were analyzed using texture analysis software (TexRAD). Differences among the histological groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The performance of texture features was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS Entropy was the most significantly relevant texture feature for distinguishing each histological grade group of HCC (P < 0.05). In ROC analysis, entropy with spatial scale filter 3 (area under curve the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.778), mean with coarse filter (spatial scale filter 5; AUC, 0.670), and skewness without filtration (AUC, 0.760) had the highest AUC value on T2-weighted imaging, arterial phase, and apparent diffusion coefficient maps, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Magnetic resonance imaging texture analysis demonstrated potential for predicting the histopathological grade of HCCs.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • A protocol was developed for detecting and quantifying scopolamine, L-hyoscyamine, and sparteine. • Target analytes were extracted from animal-based food using EN-QuEChERS and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. • EDTA solution was employed to improve recovery. • LOQ values of 1–5 µg/kg were obtained for all analytes., We developed a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (CEN QuEChERS) extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI+/MS-MS) to identify and quantify residues of three botanical alkaloids, namely, scopolamine, L-hyoscyamine, and sparteine, in animal-derived foods, including porcine muscle, egg, and milk. A combination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium buffer and acetonitrile acidified with 0.5% trifluoroacetic acid was used as an extraction solvent, whereas QuEChERS (CEN, 15662) kits and sorbents were applied for cleanup procedures. The proposed method was validated by determining the limits of quantification (LOQs), with values of 1–5 µg/kg achieved for the target analytes in various matrices. Linearity was estimated from matrix-matched calibration curves constructed using six concentration levels ranging from 1- to 6-fold increases in the LOQs of each analyte, and the correlation coefficients (R2) were ≥0.9869. Recoveries (at three concentration levels of 1-, 2-, and 3-fold increases in the LOQ) of 73–104% were achieved with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤7.7% (intra-day and inter-day precision). Ten types of each matrix procured from large markets were evaluated, and all tested samples showed negative results. The current protocol is simple and versatile and can be used for routine detection of plant alkaloids in animal food products.