• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of forest healing programs with walking, sightseeing, and forest scent among six healing forest treatments using forest environment on the cognitive function, depression, and quality of life of elderly living alone. The subjects of the study were 17 senior citizens living in Samcheok and complaining of severe depression and forgetfulness. They were divided into two groups, and each group participated in the six sessions of the weekly forest healing program. All of them were surveyed of a Korean version of the MMSE-K, BDI (Beck Depression Inventory Korean Version), and SF-36 (Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire) with the questionnaire designed for the one-group pre-post test to examine changes in cognitive function, depression, and quality of life. The results showed that the mental status, depression level, and quality of life of respondents were significantly higher after healing programs. These results suggest that participation in healing program activities using forest environment can improve cognitive function, relieve depression and improve quality of life for senior citizens living alone. Therefore, inducing older adults who live alone and avoid outside activities to participate in the regular forest healing program will contribute to the prevention of dementia due to age and environment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1779-1784
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• 2013

Although enzyme-hydrolyzed silk fibroin has been reported to enhance cognitive function before, it has been still unknown which peptides can improve memory. Here we report that amino acid sequences of three novel peptides were identified from fibroin hydrolysate. Fibroin hydrolysate was obtained by hydrolysis with protease after partial hydrolysis with 5M $CaCl_2$. Synthesized peptides derived from these sequences improved scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. We confirmed this hydrolysate had effects that improved learning and memory abilities by performing the Rey-Kim test. From this hydrolysate of silk fibroin, amino acid sequences of eight peptides were identified by LC-MS/MS. Three peptides (GAGAGTGSSGFGPY, GAGAGSGAGSGAGAGSGAGAGY, and SGAGSGAGAGSGAGAGSGA) were synthesized to investigate whether they could improve memory. Passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test were performed, and all peptides showed memory-enhancing abilities on scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. In this study, we identified three novel peptides that could improve memory, and that silk fibroin hydrolysate was a mixture of various active peptides that could enhance memory.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2017

Objectives: The study compared the intelligence test profiles of Tourette's Disorder (TD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and TD with ADHD (TD+ADHD) groups. Methods: The Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-third edition (K-WISC-III) and Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-fourth edition (K-WISC-IV) were administered to 13 children and adolescents with TD, 17 children and adolescents with ADHD, and 15 children and adolescents with TD+ADHD. Each parameter was compared among the groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean scores of the freedom from distractibility/working memory index (FD/WMI) and the digit span and arithmetic subtests of the TD+ADHD group were significantly lower than those of the TD group. Conclusion: According to the intelligence test results, the comorbid ADHD+TD group showed a significant decrease in working memory compared to the TD group. These findings are similar to those of previous research on cognitive functions and suggest that the TD+ADHD comorbid and TD alone groups exhibit different endophenotypes. The results also imply that WISC-III and WISC-IV, the most commonly used intelligence tests clinically, are effective in evaluating cognitive functions such as attention. Further research is required to confirm these results.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2015

This study examined the effects of a tablet PC-based music-making program on the executive function of adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Four adolescents with intellectual disabilities participated in this program. Each participant received 45-minute individual sessions twice a week for a total of 16 sessions. The music-making program was designed in the sequence of planning; learning table PC operations; exploring musical elements; making rhythm, melody, and lyrics; composing loop sections; and presentation of the completed music. The Stroop test, Children's Color Trails Test, and Digit Span and Letter-Number sequencing tests were measured at pretest, midtest, and posttest in order to examine changes in executive function. The participants showed increased scores on all three tests. The participants' attention span also increased and their attempts to correct errors during tasks occurred more frequently at posttest. This study supports the effects of the technology-based program on the executive function of adolescents with intellectual disabilities and presents its expanded applicability for adolescents who show low cognitive function and limited motivation for cognitive engagement.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.192-210
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• 2023

This study was intended to develop the plant molecular biology experimental program using Rapid-cycling Brassica rapa (RcBr) based on the teaching steps and teaching methods of the cognitive apprenticeship model and to determine its application effects. In order to improve a subject's cognitive function and expertise on molecular biology experiments, two themes composed of a total 8 class sessions were selected: 'Identification of DFR gene in purple RcBr and non-purple RcBr' and 'Identification of RcBr's genetic polymorphism site using the DNA profiling method'. Research subjects were 18 pre-service teaching majors in biology education of H University in Chungbuk, Korea. The effectiveness of the developed program was verified by analyzing the enhancement of 'cognitive function' related to the use of molecular biology knowledge and technology, and the enhancement of 'domain-general metacognitive abilities.' The effect of the developed program was also determined by analyzing the task flow diagram provided. The developed program was effective in improving the cognitive functions of the pre-service teachers on the use of knowledge and technology of molecular biology experiments. It was especially effective to improve the higher cognitive function of pre-service teachers who did not have the previous experience. The developed program also showed a significant improvement in the task of metacognitive knowledge and in the planning, checking, and evaluation of metacognitive regulation, which are sub-elements of domain-general metacognitive abilities. It was found that the developed program's self-test activity could help the pre-service teachers to improve their metacognitive regulation. Therefore, this developed program turned out to be helpful for pre-service teachers to develop core competencies needed for molecular biology experimental classes. If the teaching and learning materials of the developed program could be reconstructed and applied to in-service teachers or high school students, it would be expected to improve their metacognitive abilities.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.190-199
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in sleep, fatigue, and neurocognitive function between shift nurses and non-shift nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A total of 100 nurses participated in the study. 50 were shift nurses and the remaining 50 were non-shift nurses. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Fatigue Severity Scale, and a computerized neurocognitive function test (CNS Vital Signs-VS4) were administered to the subjects to assess verbal and visual memory, processing speed, reaction time, and simple attention. After the last night shift, the shift nurse conducted the study at around 8:00 am and the non-shift nurse participated after work. Results: Compared to non-shift nurses, shift nurses had a significantly lower sleep quality (p=.002) and higher fatigue (p=.001) and achieved significantly lower scores on verbal memory (p=.001), processing speed (p=.003), and reaction time (p=.018). There were significant correlations between sleep quality and processing speed (p=.042), and reaction time (p=.015) of shift nurses who were bad sleepers. Conclusion: This study findings suggest shift work could interfere with cognitive function. Personal and organizational programs should be developed to support their sleep and neurocognitive function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.163-170
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• 2014

This study is to investigate neuro-anatomical correlation between neuropsychological results and cerebral cortex thickness of cognitive ability in the brain MRI targeting the patients with mild cognitive impairment. It was that 78 people who were diagnosed as first Parkinson's disease followed by neuropsychological screening battery(Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment: 39 people; Parkinson's disease with normal cognition: 39 people) and 32 people of normal group were selected. Correlation between mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive impairment and correlation between neuropsychological screening battery and cerebral cortex thickness in the brain MRI were performed by independent sample t-test or Pearson correlation coefficient and then level of significance of collected data was verified in p<0.05. As a result, cerebral cortex thickness of the Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment in both side precuneas and right inferiortemporal lobe had statistically significant decrease. In addition, function of visuospatial ability, verbal and visual memory was reduced in neuropsychological screening battery for cognitive assessment. Especially, there was correlation between neuropsychological screening battery of verbal and visual memory anatomical left precuneus.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Objectives: Depression, sleep complaints and cognitive impairments are commonly observed in the elderly. Elderly subjects with depressive symptoms have been found to show both poor cognitive performances and sleep disturbances. However, the relationship between sleep complaints and cognitive dysfunction in elderly depression is not clear. The aim of this study is to identify the association between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline in late-life depression. Methods: A total of 282 elderly people who underwent nocturnal polysomnography in a sleep laboratory were enrolled in the study. The Korean version of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery developed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) was applied to evaluate cognitive function. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and subjective sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI). Results: The control group ($GDS{\leq}9$) when compared with mild ($10{\leq}GDS{\leq}16$) and severe ($17{\leq}GDS$) depression groups, had significantly different scores in the Trail making test part B (TMT-B), Benton visual retention test part A (BVRT-A), and Stroop color and word test (SCWT)(all tests p<0.05). The PSQI score, REM sleep duration, apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index were significantly different across the three groups (all indices, p<0.05). A stepwise multiple regression model showed that educational level, age and GDS score were predictive for both TMT-B time (adjusted $R^2$=35.6%, p<0.001) and BVRT-A score (adjusted $R^2$=28.3%, p<0.001). SCWT score was predicted by educational level, age, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and GDS score (adjusted $R^2$=20.6%, p<0.001). Poor sleep quality and sleep structure alterations observed in depression did not have any significant effects on cognitive deterioration. Conclusion: Older adults with depressive symptoms showed mild sleep alterations and poor cognitive performances. However, we found no association between sleep disturbances (except sleep apnea) and cognitive difficulties in elderly subjects with depressive symptoms. It is possible that the impact of sleep disruptions on cognitive abilities was hindered by the confounding effect of age, education and depressive symptoms.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.5485-5491
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate PR-VEP characteristics on the perception function(S/N) and the judgement function(T/F) of MBTI. The 136 study participants, over 20 years old adults, were examined by PR-VEP and MBTI test for two months in July and August in 2013. PR-VEP was conducted in O1 and O2 by 32 channels EEG system and MBTI test was measured by Form-M online. We found that the time interval(Duration) between N75 and P100 of PR-VEP was 5.49 ms significantly shorter in the group preferring S indicator. And the latency until N75 was 4.83 ms significantly shorter in O1 and 4.27 ms shorter in O2 in the group preferring F indicator. According to these, the characteristics of groups preferring S and F indicator have influence on visual cognitive function, which is meaningful that the interpretation of brain-science can be used with recognition/judgement function of MBTI.

• Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.635-644
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• 2011

This research analyzed the brainwave activities and brain hemispherity to find out any implications to design the connections between the activities of the brain function and the computerized arithmetic addition in two difficulty levels: easy: 1-5 vs. hard: 6-9. Thus, in developing the brain based math learning for the computer education by implicit association test(IAT) indicated the significant results for the exclusive brain location and the brain hemispherity on the theta, alpha, low alpha, beta brainwaves by QEEG analysis. The results of this study physiologically supported the theoretical background for the computerized math learning skills as well as the math learning material development. It shows the difficulty levels of math information education and the brain activities on cognitive process of the learner continued on the possible investigation of the brain science.