• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.85-114
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze Russia-Central Asia relations since the launch of the EAEU in 2015 and forecast the future from a structural realism perspective. Bilateral relations have both elements of close cooperation and elements of conflict. Russia and Central Asia, which have the characteristics of an authoritarian alliance, also have a symbiotic relationship in which they have no choice but to cooperate with each other to maintain the regime. Based on this, Russia has made various efforts to reunify Central Asia. Central Asia also has no choice but to cooperate with Russia for its survival, but at the same time, it has expanded its scope of cooperation in the international community to avoid being subjugated to Russia again. However, as China's power expands, Russia's relative weakness, and wariness toward Russia increases after the Ukraine War, the gap in bilateral relations is widening. In particular, as China's influence grows, Russia's nervousness also increases. This is why Putin visits Central Asia and holds active summit talks even during the war in Ukraine. If competition between Russia and China surfaces, there is a high possibility that the international order in Central Asia will become unstable. However, it is still unlikely that the power of Russia and China will reverse in Central Asia. Above all, the security, historical, and cultural connections between Russia and Central Asia are areas that are difficult for China to catch up with. Therefore, a weakening of Russia's influence compared to the past is inevitable, but its superiority is expected to continue. If Russia breaks away from belligerence and transforms into an attractive cooperative partner, there is a possibility that bilateral relations will take an upward turn again. However, it seems unlikely that such changes and innovations will occur under the Putin regime. Therefore, the biggest obstacle to realizing Putin's goal of reunifying Central Asia is Putin himself.

• Bangmulgwan gwa yeongu (The National Museum of Korea Journal)
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• v.1
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• pp.18-35
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• 2024

The Tomb of Jang Mui was discovered and investigated during the Japanese colonial era. It has provided key archaeological material for identifying the Daebang Commandery mentioned in historical records as Sariwon in Hwanghae-do Province when some bricks used in the construction of the tomb were found to be stamped with the official title "Prefect of Daebang Commandery." The discovery of the Tomb of Jang Mui served to confirm that the brick chamber tombs found along the Daedonggang River in 1909 were related to the Nangnang Commandery. It can be viewed as a major archaeological breakthrough that settled a debate over the locations of the Daesu River and Daebang Commandery that had been ongoing since the early Joseon Dynasty. Despite its significance for archeology and ancient Korean history, the circumstances of the discovery and investigations of the Tomb of Jang Mui have not been thoroughly examined. Inscribed bricks and roof tiles unearthed during the excavation conducted by Sekino Tadashi in 1912 are currently housed at The University Museum of The University of Tokyo. A number of other bricks excavated from the Tomb of Jang Mui are in the collection of the National Museum of Korea. Main agents of the investigations into these materials have not all been identified. Only some records on the materials collected during the investigations by Nomori Gen and others specify the main investigators. Inscribed bricks from other related tombs are also found in the Tokyo National Museum and at several universities in Japan. It is hoped that a comprehensive report incorporating all these materials can be written. Based on a reinterpretation of its structure conducted by Jung In-seung in 2010, the Tomb of Jang Mui has been dated to 348. This means it was not built during the Daebang Commandery period. The most compelling archaeological evidence regarding the location of the Daebang Commandery and its local capital has been undermined. It is hoped that active discussions will be held on the issue of the Daebang Commandery and its local capital.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.454-464
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• 2023

Objective: We aimed to investigate current expectations and clinical adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) software among neuroradiologists in Korea. Materials and Methods: In April 2022, a 30-item online survey was conducted by neuroradiologists from the Korean Society of Neuroradiology (KSNR) to assess current user experiences, perceptions, attitudes, and future expectations regarding AI for neuro-applications. Respondents with experience in AI software were further investigated in terms of the number and type of software used, period of use, clinical usefulness, and future scope. Results were compared between respondents with and without experience with AI software through multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses. Results: The survey was completed by 73 respondents, accounting for 21.9% (73/334) of the KSNR members; 72.6% (53/73) were familiar with AI and 58.9% (43/73) had used AI software, with approximately 86% (37/43) using 1-3 AI software programs and 51.2% (22/43) having up to one year of experience with AI software. Among AI software types, brain volumetry software was the most common (62.8% [27/43]). Although 52.1% (38/73) assumed that AI is currently useful in practice, 86.3% (63/73) expected it to be useful for clinical practice within 10 years. The main expected benefits were reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks (91.8% [67/73]) and improving reading accuracy and reducing errors (72.6% [53/73]). Those who experienced AI software were more familiar with AI (adjusted odds ratio, 7.1 [95% confidence interval, 1.81-27.81]; P = 0.005). More than half of the respondents with AI software experience (55.8% [24/43]) agreed that AI should be included in training curriculums, while almost all (95.3% [41/43]) believed that radiologists should coordinate to improve its performance. Conclusion: A majority of respondents experienced AI software and showed a proactive attitude toward adopting AI in clinical practice, suggesting that AI should be incorporated into training and active participation in AI development should be encouraged.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.974-982
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• 2023

Objective: Recent studies have highlighted the active and potential role of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in atherosclerosis and aneurysm progression, respectively. This study explored the link between PVAT attenuation and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression using computed tomography angiography (CTA). Materials and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study analyzed patients with AAA who underwent CTA at baseline and follow-up between March 2015 and July 2022. The following parameters were obtained: maximum diameter and total volume of the AAA, presence or absence of intraluminal thrombus (ILT), maximum diameter and volume of the ILT, and PVAT attenuation of the aortic aneurysm at baseline CTA. PVAT attenuation was divided into high (> -73.4 Hounsfield units [HU]) and low (≤ -73.4 HU). Patients who had or did not have AAA progression during the follow-up, defined as an increase in the aneurysm volume > 10 mL from baseline, were identified. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association between PVAT attenuation and AAA progression. Results: Our study included 167 participants (148 males; median age: 70.0 years; interquartile range: 63.0-76.0 years), of which 145 (86.8%) were diagnosed with AAA accompanied by ILT. Over a median period of 11.3 months (range: 6.0-85.0 months), AAA progression was observed in 67 patients (40.1%). Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that high baseline PVAT attenuation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-4.32; P = 0.017) was independently associated with AAA progression. This association was demonstrated within the patients of AAA with ILT subcohort, where a high baseline PVAT attenuation (aHR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.08-4.60; P = 0.030) was consistently independently associated with AAA progression. Conclusion: Elevated PVAT attenuation is independently associated with AAA progression, including patients of AAA with ILT, suggesting the potential of PVAT attenuation as a predictive imaging marker for AAA expansion.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2024

Purpose : The objective of this study was to determine the major factors influencing the onset of diabetes and prediabetes and for collection of the basic data required to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and plan for administration of an effective health care system. By classifying the level of blood sugar management according to three categories: normal, prediabetes, and diabetes diagnosis, and determining the causes of diabetes in consideration of various variables, we will conduct an analysis of the main factors to be addressed for effective management of blood sugar and for preparation of basic data for use in early management. Methods : In this study, an analysis of raw data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected over a period of three years from 2019 to 2021, including 8,110 subjects in 2019, 7,359 subjects in 2020, and 7,090 subjects in 2021 was performed. A total of 22,559 subjects were aged 19 years or older, and 15,821 subjects were classified as subjects for inclusion in the final analysis. In the analysis, categorical variables were tested for difference, analysis of continuous variables using regression was performed, and analysis of influencing factors was performed using multinomial logistic analysis. Result : Significant factors related to the onset of diabetes and prediabetes included age (p<.001), marital status (p<.001), occupation (p<.001), hypertension (p<.001), dyslipidemia (p<.001), cardiovascular disease (p=.008), alcohol (p=.030) smoking (p=.005), systolic blood pressure (p<.001), diastolic blood pressure (p<.001), body mass index (p<.001) and waist circumference (p=.037), blood triglycerides (p<.001), and blood cholesterol (p<.001). Conclusion : Diabetes, a complex disease affected by a variety of diseases, requires active management from the prediabetes stage, and providing an appropriate level of medical information and services to elderly individuals without family support is considered a long-term health care system requirement in Korean society where the demographic structure is changing. In particular, determining the causes of prediabetes and development of a preventive approach to administering the health care system will be important for efficient management of diabetic patients.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.63-86
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• 2019

As the use of ICT became a part of daily social life, online community has emerged as a new type of social organization. Online community is a virtual space which enables many people to participate and contribute together to collective knowledge. Anonymity in online communities can encourage active social participation by people with various social constraints, however, anonymity can also lead to serious social pathology. As a result, it is necessary to study on what is fundamentally influencing human behavior and how people's behavior is controlled in anonymous online community. This study focuses on human identity and investigate the factors affecting human behavior control in anonymous online environment by examining various aspects of identity in online discussion community. This study empirically verifies the causal relationship between factors, including social & technical anonymities, various identity dimensions, intrinsic motivation to participate in the community, group norm conformity, and quality of discussion. It also analyzes the difference between groups by the level of anonymity, gender, age, community usage period, and discussion topic. Based on the findings, this research provides theoretical and practical implications for online community management strategies and a better culture on Internet discussion.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.6
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• pp.80-104
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• 2024

Ginseng, a representative medicinal plant of South Korea, is also highly valued in North Korea. However, due to limited access to information about North Korea, the actual cultivation, research and development trends, and related industry status of ginseng in North Korea are not well known. In this study, we aimed to understand the current status and research trends of the ginseng industry in North Korea based on limited available literature. In the North Korean pharmacopoeia, ginseng is referred to as "Koryo ginseng" and is defined as the roots of 6-year-old ginseng cultivated in the Kaesong region. The pharmacopoeia includes 22 types of ginseng preparations. In addition, 10 ginseng preparations are included in North Korea's Essential Drug List, and various health supplements, cosmetics, and toothpastes containing ginseng have been developed, distributed, and sold. Since 2014, the ginseng industry and research in North Korea have become more active overall. During this period, the ginseng cultivation area in Kaesong has been significantly expanded, and the facilities have been renovated. The Kaesong Koryo Ginseng Processing Plant has been equipped with sterilized, modernized facilities since 2016 and has been in operation. Since 2017, there has been a growing interest in quality control research, leading to the introduction of quality management regulations and certification systems in 2019. In the 1990s, there was significant research on ginseng product development, and since the 2000s, studies on the pharmacological effects and clinical research of ginseng have been reported. Additionally, research on ginseng cultivation and ginseng processing industries to increase yield has been emphasized. Ginseng, as a representative medicinal crop of Korea, holds great importance for both South and North Korea. Given its significance and the potential for synergy through mutual cooperation, ginseng serves as an ideal subject for inter-Korean exchange and collaboration.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of concomitant open distal clavicle excision (DCE) on postoperative clinical outcomes and incidence of acromial and scapular stress fractures (ASFs) in patients with symptomatic acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis (ACJ OA) undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Methods: A single-surgeon retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients who underwent primary elective RTSA with or without DCE from 2015 to 2019 with a minimum 6-month follow-up period. Shoulder active range of motion (AROM) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. ASFs and other adverse events were identified using postoperative notes and/or radiographs. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between the RTSA and RTSA-DCE groups. Results: Forty-six RTSA patients (mean age, 67.9±8.7 years; 60.9% male; mean follow-up, 24.9±16.6 months) and 70 RTSA-DCE patients (mean age, 70.2±8.9 years; 20.0% male; mean follow-up, 22.7±12.9 months) were included. There were no significant intergroup differences in rates of ASF (RTSA, 0.0% vs. RTSA-DCE, 1.4%; P=1.00), stress reactions (RTSA, 8.7% vs. RTSA-DCE, 11.4%; P=0.76), reoperation, revision, or infection (all P>0.05), or in pre-to-postoperative reduction in VAS pain (P=0.17) at latest follow-up. However, the RTSA-DCE group had greater pre-to-postoperative improvement in flexion AROM (RTSA, 43.7°±38.5° vs. RTSA-DCE, 59.5°±33.4°; P=0.03) and internal rotation (IR) AROM (P=0.02) at latest follow-up. Conclusions: Concomitant DCE in RTSA improves shoulder flexion and IR AROM, alleviates shoulder pain, and does not increase the risk of ASFs. Level of evidence: III.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.551-557
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• 2024

Early childhood cultural and artistic education is a process of expressing oneself and understanding society, which has a great impact on the lives of young children. It utilizes the principle of individualization, which means that individual diversity should be considered because each toddler has different developmental characteristics; the principle of play-centeredness, which means that toddlers form active attitudes toward experiential activities through enjoyment through play; the principle of integration, which is the foundation for holistic development; and the principle of direct experience, which means that toddlers have the experience of touching and manipulating materials. In the introduction, children are encouraged to explore and think about materials, read and share books together, and express their thoughts creatively through artistic expressions such as art, music, physical expression, drama, movies, and photography in the first and second phases. In the final stage, a teaching and learning plan was developed that consisted of a circle time for the children to share their opinions with each other in the process of appreciating the results created by the children and presenting their thoughts. As the educational effectiveness of early childhood cultural arts education is best developed in the early childhood period, when learning is emphasized by children exploring according to their interests, this study presented a learning guidance plan that reflects various educational methods and genre convergence education that can be applied to early childhood cultural arts education.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.95-112
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• 2024

This study analyzed the trends of home economics research in China by examining the distribution by period, keyword distribution, distribution of researchers, citation frequency, and distribution of research institutions. For this purpose, data collected from CNKI, spanning from 1984 to 2022, resulted in 149 articles selected for final analysis. The analysis conducted using CiteSpace for the bibliometric research method yielded the following results: Firstly, a significant amount of home economics research was conducted between 2018 and 2022, with a notable increase in research in 2015 and 2020. Secondly, the analysis of keyword distribution showed that research centered around home economics education, home economics philosophy, etc., was active, and various research areas formed clusters. Thirdly, the major contributors to China's home economics research were Li, Xiong, Xia, and Wu, who mainly conducted independent research. The research by Li (2006) had the highest citation frequency, and Jilin Agricultural University published the most research among the institutions. This study indicates that despite quantitative growth due to social changes, China's home economics research lacks diversity and consideration of research outcomes. Therefore, participation from scholars, practical application of the discipline, increased government support, and cooperation for future comprehensive and qualitative research are necessary.