• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.92-101
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• 2023

To solve the problem of climate change, carbon neutrality has now become a necessity rather than an option. Hydrogen is not only a energy storage that can supplement the intermittent production of renewable energy, but is also considered a good alternative in the field of utilization as it does not emit carbon dioxide after reaction. In order to revitalize hydrogen vehicles, one of the fields of hydrogen utilization, the construction of hydrogen station infrastructure must be preceded. Prioritization of risk factors is necessary for efficient operation and risk assessment of hydrogen stations, but due to the short operation period of domestic hydrogen stations, there is a lack of frequency data on accidents and their reliability is low. In this study, we aim to identify the causes and consequences of deviations in hydrogen stations through HAZOP analysis. Additionally, we intend to analyze them using Fuzzy-AHP. Through this, we intend to derive the decision values for the causes of deviations in hydrogen stations and apply them to hydrogen accident cases and risk assessments to confirm the reliability and utility of the data.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.369-383
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to develop and implement a program based on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for female college students experiencing body dissatisfaction. To systematize the program development process, we adopted the service design method. First, we conducted In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) to identify the difficulties faced by six female college students who experience body dissatisfaction, and to determine what kind of help they needed. Second, content analysis of the findings revealed that female college students were experiencing emotional-behavior problems which derived from the discrepancy between their ideal body image and the reality. Third, a prototype of a cognitive reconstruction program was developed to help transform their perceived 'body distortion' to a rational cognitive concept and thus reduce maladaptive consequences of 'body dissatisfaction'. The overall program consisted of three therapeutic components and seven steps. Fourth, to assess the effectiveness of the program, survey and IDIs were conducted. The results revealed that it is appropriate to use a cognitive model to solve problems caused by body dissatisfaction, and that understanding and reconstructing one's own cognitive processes can be effective in reducing body dissatisfaction. However, based on feedback from participants, a number of revisions were proposed, such as including sufficient induction regarding the behavioral change.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 2024

Objectives: The Chepang people, an indigenous ethnic group in Nepal, experience substantial marginalization and socioeconomic disadvantages, making their communities among the most vulnerable in the region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in the Chepang communities of Raksirang Rural Municipality, Makwanpur District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to April 2023 among 231 Chepang women selected using simple random sampling from Raksirang Rural Municipality. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for interviewing the mothers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Variables with a variation inflation factor of more than 2 and a p-value of more than 0.25 were excluded from the final model. Results: The study revealed that the prevalence rate of adolescent pregnancy among Chepang women was 71.4% (95% CI, 65.14 to 77.16). A large percentage of participants (72.7%) were married before the age of 18 years. Poor knowledge of adolescent pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.3; 95% CI, 8.42 to 14.87), unplanned pregnancy (aOR, 13.3; 95% CI, 10.76 to 19.2), and lack of sex education (aOR, 6.57; 95% CI, 3.85 to 11.27) were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy. Conclusions: The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy among the Chepang community was high. These findings highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the potential consequences of adolescent pregnancy and implementing comprehensive sexuality education programs for preventing adolescent pregnancies within this community.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.39-48
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• 2024

Due to COVID-19, much research has been conducted on learning loss and educational gaps due to the postponement of the start of school and prolonged online distance learning, and most of the research has focused on the phenomenon of educational gaps. If a pandemic situation like this occurs in the future, fundamental policies are needed to resolve the educational gap. A fundamental solution requires not only an understanding of the educational gap phenomenon, but also the structure behind the phenomenon. Therefore, from a structuralist perspective, this study sought to model the educational gap caused by COVID-19 as a prototype of systems thinking and identify its structure. In addition, we looked at the unintended consequences resulting from policies aimed at resolving existing educational gaps. In order to respond to similar disaster situations in the future, policies for resolving the digital gap, support for basic academic skills, quality improvement for distance learning, and self-directed learning were discussed based on the structure of this study.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.88-98
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• 2023

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and risk factors for development of periprosthetic occult femoral fractures during primary cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to assess the clinical consequences of these fractures. Materials and Methods: A total of 199 hips were examined. Periprosthetic occult femoral fractures were defined as fractures not detected intraoperatively and on postoperative radiographs, but only observed on postoperative computed tomography (CT). Clinical, surgical, and radiographic analysis of variables was performed for identification of risk factors for periprosthetic occult femoral fractures. A comparison of stem subsidence, stem alignment, and thigh pain between the occult fracture group and the non-fracture group was also performed. Results: Periprosthetic occult femoral fractures were detected during the operation in 21 (10.6%) of 199 hips. Of eight hips with periprosthetic occult femoral fractures that were detected around the lesser trochanter, concurrent periprosthetic occult femoral fractures located at different levels were detected in six hips (75.0%). Only the female sex showed significant association with an increased risk of periprosthetic occult femoral fractures (odds ratio for males, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-1.01; P=0.04). A significant difference in the incidence of thigh pain was observed between the occult fracture group and the non-fracture group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Occurrence of periprosthetic occult femoral fractures is relatively common during primary THA using tapered wedge stems. We recommend CT referral for female patients who report unexplained early postoperative thigh pain or developed periprosthetic intraoperative femoral fractures around the lesser trochanter during primary THA using tapered wedge stems.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2024

In recent years, climate change has been responsible for unusual weather patterns on a global scale. Droughts, natural disasters triggered by insufficient rainfall, can inflict significant social and economic consequences on the entire agricultural sector due to their widespread occurrence and the challenge in accurately predicting their onset. The frequency of drought occurrences in South Korea has been rapidly increasing since 2000, with notably severe droughts hitting regions such as Incheon, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk in 2015, resulting in significant agricultural and social damage. To prepare for future drought occurrences resulting from climate change, it is essential to develop long-term drought predictions and implement corresponding measures for areas prone to drought. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report outlines a climate change scenario under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), which integrates projected future socio-economic changes and climate change mitigation efforts derived from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6). SSPs encompass a range of factors including demographics, economic development, ecosystems, institutions, technological advancements, and policy frameworks. In this study, various drought indices were calculated using SSP scenarios derived from 18 CMIP6 global climate models. The SSP5-8.5 scenario was employed as the climate change scenario, and meteorological drought indices such as the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Self-Calibrating Effective Drought Index (scEDI), and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were utilized to analyze the prediction and variability of future drought occurrences in South Korea.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.151-167
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often occurs suddenly and leads to fatal consequences. Ferroptosis is closely related to the progression of AMI. However, the specific mechanism of ferroptosis in AMI remains unclear. Methods: We constructed a cell model of AMI using AC16 cells under oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions and a mice model of AMI using the left anterior descending (LAD) ligation. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide was employed to determine cell viability. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and iron were measured using corresponding kits. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down were performed to validate the correlations among AC005332.7, miR-331-3p, and cyclin D2 (CCND2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining was employed to evaluate myocardial damage. Results: AC005332.7 and CCND2 were lowly expressed, while miR-331-3p was highly expressed in vivo and in vitro models of AMI. AC005332.7 sufficiency reduced ROS, MDA, iron, and ACSL4 while boosting the GSH and GPX4, indicating that AC005332.7 sufficiency impeded ferroptosis to improve cardiomyocyte injury in AMI. Mechanistically, AC005332.7 interacted with miR-331-3p, and miR-331-3p targeted CCND2. Additionally, miR-331-3p overexpression or CCND2 depletion abolished the suppressive impact of AC005332.7 on ferroptosis in OGD-induced AC16 cells. Moreover, AC005332.7 overexpression suppressed ferroptosis in mice models of AMI. Conclusions: AC005332.7 suppressed ferroptosis in OGD-induced AC16 cells and LAD ligation-operated mice through modulating miR-331-3p/CCND2 axis, thereby mitigating the cardiomyocyte injury in AMI, which proposed novel targets for AMI treatment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.293-303
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• 2024

River mining, the extraction of sand and gravel from riverbeds, is rising at an alarming rate to keep pace with the increasing demand for construction materials worldwide. The far-reaching deleterious effects of river mining include the lowering of water levels, the augmentation of turbidity, and the erosion of riverbanks, i.e., the disruption of water flow and alteration of river morphology. Aggregates demand, geolocation, and the economy of Bangladesh accelerated illegal extraction. However, limited research has been carried out in this region, despite the severe impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. To address the corresponding consequences and direct the scope for further research, it is required to evaluate existing studies of other countries having similarities in river morphology, climate, economy, and other related parameters. In this respect, based on previous studies, the effects of sand extraction are particularly prominent in India, having 54 cross-boundary rivers with Bangladesh. The geological profile of numerous rivers in the past decades has been altered due to natural aggregate mining in the Indian subcontinent. Hence, this study focused on relevant research in this region. However, the existing research only focuses on the regional portion of the aforementioned international rivers, which lacks proper assessments of these rivers, taking into account especially the mining effects. Moreover, several global rivers that have similarities with Bangladeshi rivers, considering different parameters, are also included in this study. The findings of this article underline the pressing need for more efficacious measures to address the adverse effects of river mining and safeguard ecosystems and communities globally, especially in the Indian subcontinent, where the situation is particularly vulnerable. For this reason, targeting the aforementioned region, this review highlights the global evidence in assessing the future effects of river mining and the need for further research in this field.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.293-303
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• 2022

Thoracic foreign bodies (FBs) are serious and relatively frequent in emergency departments. Thoracic FBs may occur in association with aspiration, ingestion, trauma, or iatrogenic causes. Imaging plays an important role in the identification of FBs and their dimensions, structures, and locations, before the initiation of interventional treatment. To guide proper clinical management, radiologists should be aware of the radiologic presentations and the consequences of thoracic FBs. In this pictorial essay, we reviewed the optimal imaging settings to identify FBs in the thorax, classified thoracic FBs into four types according to their etiology, and reviewed the characteristic imaging features and the possible complications.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2024

Objective: To investigate molecular and functional consequences of additional exposures to iodine- or gadolinium-based contrast agents within 24 hours from the initial intravenous administration of iodine-based contrast agents through an animal study. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were equally divided into eight groups: negative control, positive control (PC) with single-dose administration of CT contrast agent, and additional administration of either CT or MR contrast agents 2, 4, or 24 hours from initial CT contrast agent injection. A 12 µL/g of iodinated contrast agent or a 0.47 µL/g of gadolinium-based contrast agent were injected into the tail vein. Serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cystatin C (Cys C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. mRNA and protein levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were evaluated. Results: Levels of serum creatinine (SCr) were significantly higher in repeated CT contrast agent injection groups than in PC (0.21 ± 0.02 mg/dL for PC; 0.40 ± 0.02, 0.34 ± 0.03, and 0.41 ± 0.10 mg/dL for 2-, 4-, and 24-hour interval groups, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the average Cys C and MDA levels between PC and repeated CT contrast agent injection groups (Cys C, P = 0.256-0.362; MDA, P > 0.99). Additional doses of MR contrast agent did not make significant changes compared to PC in SCr (P > 0.99), Cys C (P = 0.262), and MDA (P = 0.139-0.771) levels. mRNA and protein levels of KIM-1 and NGAL were not significantly different among additional CT or MR contrast agent groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A sufficient time interval, probably more than 24 hours, between repeated contrast-enhanced CT examinations may be necessary to avoid deterioration in renal function. However, conducting contrast-enhanced MRI on the same day as contrast-enhanced CT may not induce clinically significant kidney injury.