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Background Electronic cigarette (EC) consumption (‘vaping’) is rapidly increasing, not only in adults but also in adolescents. Little is known about the association between vaping and problem behaviors such as drinking. Methods We used data from the 11th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which was conducted in 2015 and included 68,043 participants who were Korean middle and high school students. The survey assessed EC, cigarette, and alcohol use. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine risk of current drinking and problem drinking across the following categories of users: never user (never used either product), former user (use of EC or cigarettes in the past, but not currently), vaping only, smoking only, and dual user (current use of both products). Results EC only users were 1.2% in males, and 0.3% in females. Dual user of both conventional cigarettes and ECs were 5.1% in males, and 1.2% in females. Drinking frequency, drinking quantity per once, and problem drinking were higher among vapers than non-vapers and former-vapers, moreover, were higher among daily vapers than intermittent vapers. Compared to never users, EC only users were higher on risk of current drink and problem drink. The dual users were highest on risk of current drink. Conclusion Vaping is independently associated with alcohol use problems in Korean students, even those not currently smoking. Moreover, dual use of cigarettes and ECs is strongly associated with alcohol use problems. Therefore, vaping students should be concerned about their hidden alcohol use problems.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition of global concern, with increasing incidence in both sexes. Bone mineral density (BMD), a highly heritable trait, has been proven a useful diagnostic factor in predicting fracture. Because medical information is lacking about male osteoporotic genetics, we conducted a genome-wide association study of BMD in Korean men. With 1,176 participants, we analyzed 4,414,664 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after genomic imputation, and identified five SNPs and three loci correlated with bone density and strength. Multivariate linear regression models were applied to adjust for age and body mass index interference. Rs17124500 (p = 6.42 × 10(-7)), rs34594869 (p = 6.53 × 10(-7)) and rs17124504 (p = 6.53 × 10(-7)) in 14q31.3 and rs140155614 (p = 8.64 × 10(-7)) in 15q25.1 were significantly associated with lumbar spine BMD (LS-BMD), while rs111822233 (p = 6.35 × 10(-7)) was linked with the femur total BMD (FT-BMD). Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between BMD and five genes previously identified in Korean men. Rs61382873 (p = 0.0009) in LRP5, rs9567003 (p = 0.0033) in TNFSF11 and rs9935828 (p = 0.0248) in FOXL1 were observed for LS-BMD. Furthermore, rs33997547 (p = 0.0057) in ZBTB and rs1664496 (p = 0.0012) in MEF2C were found to influence FT-BMD and rs61769193 (p = 0.0114) in ZBTB to influence femur neck BMD. We identified five SNPs and three genomic regions, associated with BMD. The significance of our results lies in the discovery of new loci, while also affirming a previously significant locus, as potential osteoporotic factors in the Korean male population.

Phase currents should be measured in real time for vector control of a 2-phase induction motor. Generally, the phase currents of the motor are measured using two Hall current sensors installed at the output terminal of an inverter. Unfortunately, Hall current sensors are expensive and uneconomical because a vector-controlled inverter for 2-phase induction motor is mainly used in low-power and low-price applications. This paper proposes a low-cost current measurement method using two shunt resistors instead of expensive Hall current sensors. The proposed method can measure the phase currents under all operating conditions of the motor. This method was applied to an experimental vector-controlled inverter for 2-phase induction motor of 220(V)/360(W) and was verified through computer simulations and experimentation.

Global crisis expedites the change in the environment of industry and puts small size enterprises in danger of mass bankruptcy. Because of this, domestic small size enterprises is an urgent need of restructuring. Based on the small business data registered in the Credit Guarantee Fund, we estimated the survival probability in the context of the survival analysis. We also analyzed the survival time which are distinguished depending on the types of business in the small business. Financial variables were also conducted using COX regression analysis of small businesses by types of business. In terms of types of business wholesale and retail trade industry and services were relatively high in the survival probability than light, heavy, and the construction industries. Especially the construction industry showed the lowest survival probability. In addition, we found that construction industry, the bigger BIS (bank of international settlements capital ratio) and current ratio are, the smaller default-rate is. But the bigger borrowing bond is, the bigger default-rate is. In the light industry, the bigger BIS and ROA (return on assets) are, the smaller a default-rate is. In the wholesale and retail trade industry, the bigger bis and current ratio are, the smaller a default-rate is. In the heavy industry, the bigger BIS, ROA, current ratio are, the smaller default-rate is. Finally, in the services industry, the bigger current ratio is, the smaller a default-rate is.