• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.115-137
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• 2003

This study aims to investigate the related variables of self-esteem and depression among the Korean elderly people living alone and examine the relationships or interactions between those variables. Participants were 676 elderly men and women who were at least 65 years of age(M=76.17, sd=7.60) and lived in Seoul, Korea. Three hundred seventy eight participants of this study were living alone. Participants completed questionnaires and psychological tests including: Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale, The Index of Activities of Daily Living(IADL), Social Support Index(SSI), and Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Scale(LSES). Main statistical designs were 2(gender)×2(residential types), Pearson-product moment and regression analysis. Results indicated that the elderly living alone recognized their health poorer, have lower economic status, and received less social supports than the elderly lived with others. The elderly men who had children were more likely to lived alone. And the elderly men living alone received less social supports than the elderly women living alone, and significant gender difference was found in the reason of living alone. The elderly men living alone had lower self-esteem than the elderly women living alone, while the elderly living alone showed more depressive symptoms than the elderly living with others. There were 2-way interactions both in self-esteem and depression by gender and residential types. There was highly significant gender difference in self-esteem only for the elderly living alone, and it was found that there was no significant difference in depression between elderly men living alone and women living with others. Regression analysis revealed that physical function and self-reported health are predictors of self-esteem, and physical function, self-reported health, and social support are predictors of depression for the Korean elderly living alone. These findings reiterate the role of physical function, social support, health in self-esteem and depession among the elderly and suggest the gender role for quality of life among the Korean elderly living alone.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2024

Research in dam inflow prediction has actively explored the utilization of data-driven machine learning and deep learning (ML&DL) tools across diverse domains. Enhancing not just the inherent model performance but also accounting for model characteristics and preprocessing data are crucial elements for precise dam inflow prediction. Particularly, existing rainfall data, derived from snowfall amounts through heating facilities, introduces distortions in the correlation between snow accumulation and rainfall, especially in dam basins influenced by snow accumulation, such as Soyang Dam. This study focuses on the preprocessing of rainfall data essential for the application of ML&DL models in predicting dam inflow in basins affected by snow accumulation. This is vital to address phenomena like reduced outflow during winter due to low snowfall and increased outflow during spring despite minimal or no rain, both of which are physical occurrences. Three machine learning models (SVM, RF, LGBM) and two deep learning models (LSTM, TCN) were built by combining rainfall and inflow series. With optimal hyperparameter tuning, the appropriate model was selected, resulting in a high level of predictive performance with NSE ranging from 0.842 to 0.894. Moreover, to generate rainfall correction data considering snow accumulation, a simulated snow accumulation algorithm was developed. Applying this correction to machine learning and deep learning models yielded NSE values ranging from 0.841 to 0.896, indicating a similarly high level of predictive performance compared to the pre-snow accumulation application. Notably, during the snow accumulation period, adjusting rainfall during the training phase was observed to lead to a more accurate simulation of observed inflow when predicted. This underscores the importance of thoughtful data preprocessing, taking into account physical factors such as snowfall and snowmelt, in constructing data models.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2024

Recently, Metaverse technology has emerged as an important topic in various fields. Metaverse refers to a three-dimensional virtual space in which social and economic activities similar to the real world are possible. Among the 235 third-year students who applied the Metaversity app in the radiology department of this university from September to December 2023, 200 participated in a survey to determine the difference in student response and satisfaction when applying the Metaversity app. analyzed. First, the most satisfactory VOD viewing method was viewing through the Metaversity app, followed by viewing through the LMS. Second, 'I think online videos are appropriate for holiday reinforcement.' showed the highest score at 4.35±0.60, 'I want face-to-face classes and online classes to be held simultaneously.' was 4.25±0.87, and 'I think meta. 'I watched it well through the Metaversity app' was the lowest at 4.10±0.30, and 'VOD viewing through the Metaversity app was used appropriately in class' was the lowest at 3.99±0.75. Also, there was no significant difference in the response to the teaching method (p>0.05). Third, in terms of satisfaction with VOD viewing using the Metaversity app, 'Applying the Metaversity app was interesting and fun' ranked the highest at 4.24±0.88. The score was high, with 'Better improvement is needed to actively utilize the metaversity app' at 4.00±0.45, and 'I hope the metaversity app is implemented in other remote classes' at 3.77±0.88. appear. 'VOD classes through the Metaversity app are better than the existing LMS method.' was found to be 3.44±0.66. Additionally, there was no significant difference in satisfaction with classes according to age and gender (p>0.05). The correlation between response and satisfaction with the metaversity app is 0.601, which can be considered very significant (p>0.001). As a limitation of this study, although we surveyed students' satisfaction with using the Metaversity app, we were unable to investigate the satisfaction of instructors who interact with students. In the future, we did not consider the instructor's satisfaction in classes using the Metaversity app. Research must be conducted, and universities must have institutional support and continued interest until metaversity apps are selected and used to prepare for distance learning.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2024

Erwinia amylovora is a gram-negative plant pathogen that causes fire blight in apple and pear trees, resulting in significant damage worldwide. In this study, we monitored the emergence of fire blight from 2019 to 2023 to determine the emergence patterns and the factors affecting the outbreak of the disease. As a result of the 5-year survey on the emergence of fire blight, a total of 2,029 cases have emerged, mostly in apple trees of 1,378 cases (67.9%) followed by 645 cases (31.8%) in pear trees, and from quince, hawthorn, and mountain ash trees. Fire blight appeared in specific areas of Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Gangwon, and Chungbuk provinces in 2019, but spread to Andong and Yesan in 2021, Muju and Bonghwa in 2023. In 2020 and 2021, there were 744 and 618 cases of fire blight outbreaks, respectively, compared to other years (188-245 cases/year). Notably, 914 of these cases were observed in apple trees from May to July, with 667 cases reported in Chungju and Jecheon. The incidence of fire blight was positively correlated with the daily maximum temperatures and rainy days in January and February, as well as the rainy days in May and June. The average age of the diseased pear trees was 25 years, higher than the 10-year average age of the apple trees. This study provides fundamental information to understand the status and factors affecting the fire blight emergence in Korea. Prevention measures should be established through continuous analysis of the status of fire blight.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2024

Salmonella is a common food-borne intracellular bacterial pathogen that has triggered significant public health concerns. Salmonella hosts' genetic factors play a pivotal role in determining their susceptibility to the pathogen. Cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1), a member of LIM/double zinc finger protein family, is widely expressed in humans, such as in the lungs, spleen, and especially the gut. Recently, CRIP1 has been reported as a key marker of several immune disorders; however, the effect of CRIP1 on bacterial infection remains unknown. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between Salmonella infection and CRIP1 gene deficiency, as Salmonella spp. is known to invade the Peyer's patches of the small intestine, where CRIP1 is highly expressed. We found that CRIP1-deficient conditions could not alter the characteristics of bone marrow-derived myeloid cells in terms of phagocytosis on macrophages and the activation of costimulatory molecules on dendritic cells using ex vivo differentiation. Moreover, flow cytometry data showed comparable levels of MHCII⁺CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ dendritic cells and MHCII⁺F4/80⁺CD11b⁺ macrophages between WT and CRIP1 knockout (KO) mice. Interestingly, the basal population of monocytes in the spleen and neutrophils in MLNs is more abundant in a steady state of CRIP1 KO mice than WT mice. Here, we demonstrated that the CRIP1 genetic factor plays dispensable roles in host susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium infections and the activation of myeloid cells. In addition, differential immune cell populations without antigen exposure in CRIP1 KO mice suggest that the regulation of CRIP1 expression may be a novel immunotherapeutic approach to various infectious diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.862-875
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• 2021

Purpose To investigate the MRI features associated with neural foraminal stenosis (NFS) in patients older than 60 years with lumbar (L) radiculopathy. Materials and Methods This study included 133 retrospectively selected patients older than 60 years with lumbar radiculopathy who had undergone a lumbar spine MRI (from January 2018 to April 2018). For L4/L5 and L5/sacral (S)1 levels, NFS was reviewed blindly by two radiologists. Spondylolisthesis, retrolisthesis, disc height loss, disc bulging/herniation/central canal stenosis, ligamentum flavum thickening, and facet hypertrophy were evaluated separately for the NFS and non-NFS groups, and they were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results The univariate analysis revealed that disc height loss (p = 0.006) was associated with NFS for L4/L5. For L5/S1, both spondylolisthesis (p = 0.005) and facet hypertrophy (p = 0.006) were associated with NFS. The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that disc height loss was associated with NFS for L4/L5 [odds ratio (OR) = 4.272; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.736-10.514]. For L5/S1, spondylolisthesis (OR = 3.696; 95% CI 1.297-10.530) and facet hypertrophy (OR = 6.468; 95% CI 1.283-32.617) were associated with NFS. Conclusion Disc height loss was associated with NFS for L4/L5 and spondylolisthesis and facet hypertrophy were associated with NFS for L5/S1.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.373-384
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• 2023

This study aims to confirm the average chronologic age according to the developmental stages of the mandibular canine (L3), first and second premolars (L4, L5), and second and third molars (L7, L8) in children and adolescents, and to confirm the developmental stage of L3, L4, L5, and L7, which can estimate the development of L8. A total of 1,956 digital panoramic radiographs of healthy individuals aged between 6 and 15 years who visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected. The developmental stages of L3, L4, L5, L7, and L8 on both sides were evaluated using the dental maturity scoring system proposed by Demirjian and Goldstein. The average age at which the follicle of L8 was first observed was around 9.34 ± 1.35 years and varied from 6 to 12 years. The possibility of agenesis of L8 was high when no traces of L8 were observed after the following stages: L3, L4, and L5 at the developmental stage F and L7 at the developmental stage E; the age was about 10 years. In estimating the development of L8, when only one tooth was considered, estimation accuracy with L5 was the highest, and there was no significant difference when all four teeth were included. This study showed the age distribution according to the developmental stages of L3, L4, L5, L7, and L8 in children and adolescents and confirmed the developmental stages of L3, L4, L5, and L7, which can be used to estimate the development of L8.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2024

Understanding changes in fermentation characteristics and microbial populations of forage silage during ensiling is of interest for improving the nutrient value of the feed for ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of whole crop rice (WCR) silage during the ensiling period. The chemical compositions, pH, organic acids and bacterial communities were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after ensiling. The bacterial communities were classified at both the genus and species levels. The dry matter content of WCR silage decreased with the length of storage (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in crude protein and NDF contents. Following fermentation, the pH level of WCR silage was lower than the initial level. The lactic acid content remained at high levels for 3 to 6 months after ensiling, followed by a sharp decline at 12 months (p<0.05). Before fermentation, the WCR was dominated by Weissella (30.8%) and Pantoea (20.2%). Growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (31.4%) was observed at 3 months after ensiling. At 6 months, there was a decrease in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (10.2%) and an increase in Levilactobacillus brevis (12.8%), resulting in increased bacteria diversity until that period. The WCR silage was dominated by Lentilactobacillus buchneri (71.2%) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (27.0%) with a sharp reduction in diversity at 12 months. Overall, the WCR silage maintained satisfactory fermentation quality over a 12-month ensiling period. Furthermore, the fermentation characteristics of silage were found to be correlated to bacterial microbiome.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.168-181
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• 2024

Constructed wetlands (CWs) deliver a range of ecosystem services, including the removal of contaminants, sequestration and storage of carbon, and enhancement of biodiversity. These services are facilitated through hydrological and ecological processes such as infiltration, adsorption, water retention, and evapotranspiration by plants and microorganisms. This study investigated the correlations between microbial populations, soil physicochemical properties, and treatment efficiency in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSF CW) treating runoff from roads and parking lots. The methods employed included storm event monitoring, water quality analysis, soil sampling, soil quality parameter analysis, and microbial analysis. The facility achieved its highest pollutant removal efficiencies during the warm season (>15℃), with rates ranging from 33% to 74% for TSS, COD, TN, TP, and specific heavy metals including Fe, Zn, and Cd. Meanwhile, the highest removal efficiency was 35% for TOC during the cold season (≤15℃). These high removal rates can be attributed to sedimentation, adsorption, precipitation, plant uptake, and microbial transformations within the CW. Soil analysis revealed that the soil from HSSF CW had a soil organic carbon content 3.3 times higher than that of soil collected from a nearby landscape. Stoichiometric ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in the inflow and outflow were recorded as C:N:P of 120:1.5:1 and 135.2:0.4:1, respectively, indicating an extremely low proportion of N and P compared to C, which may challenge microbial remediation efficiency. Additionally, microbial analyses indicated that the warm season was more conducive to microorganism growth, with higher abundance, richness, diversity, homogeneity, and evenness of the microbial community, as manifested in the biodiversity indices, compared to the cold season. Pollutants in stormwater runoff entering the HSSF CW fostered microbial growth, particularly for dominant phyla such as Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, which have shown moderate to strong correlations with specific soil properties and changes in influent-effluent concentrations of water quality parameters.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.136-152
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• 2024

Purpose: A comprehensive evaluation item was developed to assess adolescent dietary habits and nutritional practices, considering food intake, eating behaviors, and food culture, such as social support and food environment. Methods: The 59 candidate items of the evaluation checklist were obtained based on the results of the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, Korea Dietary Reference Intakes, dietary guidelines for adolescents, Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, national nutrition policies and dietary guidelines, and literature reviews. Four hundred and three middle and high school students residing in metropolitan areas participated in a survey using the 58-item checklist, which was selected through expert evaluation and content validity ratio analysis. The construct validity of the assessment tool for the quality of adolescent diets was assessed by exploratory factor analyses to determine if the checklist items were organized properly and whether the responses to each item were distributed adequately. Results: The Bartlett sphericity test was significant for each area (p <0.001), and the eigen values were greater than one. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and cumulative proportions by areas were food intake (0.765 and 56.8%, respectively), eating behaviors (0.544 and 64.8%, respectively), and food environment (0.699 and 62.4%, respectively). Twenty-two checklists were determined for the final evaluation items for the adolescents' dietary habits and nutritional practices and were categorized into three distinct factors: food intake (10 items), eating behaviors (4 items), and food environment (8 items). Conclusion: The evaluation items for adolescent dietary habits and nutritional practices is a useful checklist for easily and quickly assessing the dietary qualities and reflecting Korean adolescents and their food environmental factors related to a sustainable diet.