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Introduction: Conventional vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) requires significant time and resources, especially for patients with low compliance, limiting its effectiveness and accurate assessment. Studies have shown VRT using virtual reality (VR) to be effective, with meta-analyses confirming its superiority over conventional methods. However, methodological variations in VR remain a limitation. This study aimed to assess the effects of VRT using head-mounted display (HMD) VR technology in patients with acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUVP) and compare the outcomes with conventional VRT. Methods: We conducted a single-blinded randomized controlled trial with 60 AUVP patients randomly assigned to VR or control groups. The VR group received VRT via VR, while the control group underwent conventional VRT. Both groups followed individual home-based programs for 8 weeks and visited the clinic every 2 weeks. Subjective dizziness symptoms were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Compliance with home-based programs was assessed on a 0–2-point scale based on responses in a booklet guide. Results: Seven patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 26 and 27 patients in the VR and control groups, respectively. The mean patient age was 56.91 ± 12.11 years; 22 men and 33 women were included. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant improvement in both groups for DHI and ABC scores. However, changes in DHI, VAS, and compliance scores did not differ between groups. Improvement in the physical domain of the DHI and ABC scores was significantly faster in the VR group (p = 0.019 for DHI, p = 0.0020 for ABC). Discussion: VRT using VR technology showed comparable efficacy to conventional VRT in AUVP patients. The VR group demonstrated greater improvement in the physical domain of the DHI and ABC scales, indicating enhanced confidence in movement and reduced perception of physical handicap due to dizziness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arduino, a widely used tool for physical computing, is favored for its affordability and easy availability. However, a drawback for beginners is the requirement of prior knowledge of C programming language and circuit theory for effectively utilizing Arduino. In this research, we address this issue by developing a Graphical Arduino IDE system that allows users to control Arduino without the need for prior knowledge of C language and circuit theory. Users can create node graph‐based scripts in the Wiring Tab of the Graphical Arduino IDE and develop flowchart‐based scripts in the Algorithm Tab. The scripts created in the Wiring Tab serve as guidelines for wiring, thus preventing users from making wiring mistakes. Additionally, users without knowledge of C language can control Arduino by creating flowchart‐based scripts in the Algorithm Tab. The finalized scripts are converted into Arduino code and uploaded to the Arduino board using the built‐in Code Upload feature. Finally, a paired t test was conducted between the Graphical Arduino IDE and Scratch for Arduino, confirming that the Graphical Arduino IDE required fewer user inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a noninvasive test that measures neural activity in response to auditory stimuli. Racial differences in head shape have provided strong evidence for specific normative data and accurate device calibration. International standards emphasize the need for standardized procedures and references. This study aimed to outline the standard procedure and related normative ABR values. Standard procedures were performed according to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. Five studies from two countries were included to compare the normative values of the ABR. The dataset from the National Standard Reference Data Center (NSRDC) was used as reference. Normative values were described in terms of stimuli, latency, and amplitude. For click stimuli, the latency of the ABR showed different patterns across populations, such as those from Korea and the USA. Although the latencies reported by the NSRDC and for Koreans were relatively short, those reported for USA populations were longer. Using clicks, it was shown that the USA population had the largest ABR amplitude compared to those reported for the other two datasets. For Wave V latency using tone bursts, a similar pattern was identified with click stimuli. Frequency-specific trends were also observed. Although there is a lack of ABR datasets, the information and insights of the present study could be utilized as standard guidelines in research on ABR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Korea, Kori Unit 1 was permanently closed in 2017 and scheduled for decommissioning. Kori Unit 1 is currently scheduled to undergo system decontamination and to be decommissioned by December 2038. Measures to properly control and remove radiological hazards must be established to go through decommissioning a nuclear power plant (NPP). Radiological characterization must precede NPP decommissioning. Radiological characterization generates a lot of data during this process. The consistency of radiological characterization data is important for systematically decommissioning NPPs. However, the data generated from radiological characterization may not be systematically managed because a database of radiological characterizations for Kori Unit 1 has not been properly established. Therefore, this study has proposed a database to be filled during radiological characterization in terms of occupational radiation exposure of personnel and decommissioning waste safety using key performance indicators presented by the International Atomic Energy Agency. From the perspective of occupational exposure, databases have been proposed for operational history investigations, decommissioning source term calculations, and investigation of the level of radiological contamination. From the perspective of the safety of decommissioning waste, databases were proposed for operational history investigation, decommissioning source term calculation, investigation of the level of radiological contamination, and investigation of radiological characteristics of decommissioning waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The routine practice accompanying the operation of nuclear facilities involves the discharge of radioactive effluents from nuclear power plants (NPPs). Regulation of this discharge to the environment hinges on three criteria: radioactivity concentration, public dose, and radioactivity. Among these, radioactive carbon‐14 holds particular significance as it possesses an extensive half‐life of 5730 years, making it a primary source of radiation dose to communities residing around NPPs. In Korea, the monitoring of carbon‐14 discharges from pressurized water reactors (PWRs) in gaseous effluents has been ongoing since 2012, whereas before 2012, monitoring exclusively focused on carbon‐14 discharges from pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). Analysis of carbon‐14 discharges from Korean PHWRs indicates that their emission constituted less than 1% of total radioactive effluents over the past two decades. In the context of Korean PWRs, carbon‐14 discharge monitoring was absent from 2002 to 2011, resulting in an absence of data regarding such discharges during that period. After introducing carbon‐14 discharge monitoring in gaseous effluents from Korean PWRs, emissions from 2012 to 2021 contributed 3% of the total gaseous effluents. These findings indicate that despite being the primary contributor to public dose, carbon‐14 discharges from NPPs constitute a minor portion of the radioactive effluent discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]