• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.400-413
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate middle school students' processes of argumentation in science lessons and to compare students' argumentation in different contexts (socioscientific context/scientific context). An argumentation-based teaching-learning strategy was used to enhance quality in students' arguments in science lessons. Data were collected from five lessons by video- and audio-recording eight groups of four students each engaging in argumentation. The quality and frequency of students' argumentation was analyzed using an assessment framework based on the work of Toulmin. The findings showed that: (a) there was improvement in the quality of students' argumentation; (b) there were no differences in the structure of argumentation and percentage of explanatory argumentation components as well as dialogic argumentation components in different argumentation contexts. The results of this study showed that students' argumentation can be enhanced with strategic argumentation teaching-learning.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.351-366
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• 2023

Along with the development of immunosuppressive drugs, major advances on xenotransplantation were achieved by understanding the immunobiology of xenograft rejection. Most importantly, three predominant carbohydrate antigens on porcine endothelial cells were key elements provoking hyperacute rejection: α1,3-galactose, SDa blood group antigen, and N-glycolylneuraminic acid. Preformed antibodies binding to the porcine major xenoantigen causes complement activation and endothelial cell activation, leading to xenograft injury and intravascular thrombosis. Recent advances in genetic engineering enabled knock-outs of these major xenoantigens, thus producing xenografts with less hyperacute rejection rates. Another milestone in the history of xenotransplantation was the development of co-stimulation blockaded strategy. Unlike allotransplantation, xenotransplantation requires blockade of CD40-CD40L pathway to prevent T-cell dependent B-cell activation and antibody production. In 2010s, advanced genetic engineering of xenograft by inducing the expression of multiple human transgenes became available. So-called 'multi-gene' xenografts expressing human transgenes such as thrombomodulin and endothelial protein C receptor were introduced, which resulted in the reduction of thrombotic events and improvement of xenograft survival. Still, there are many limitations to clinical translation of cardiac xenotransplantation. Along with technical challenges, zoonotic infection and physiological discordances are major obstacles. Social barriers including healthcare costs also need to be addressed. Although there are several remaining obstacles to overcome, xenotransplantation would surely become the novel option for millions of patients with end-stage heart failure who have limited options to traditional therapeutics.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.130-138
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• 2023

Background and Purpose: Growing evidence has shown that cognitive interventions can mitigate cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, most previous cognitive interventions have been group-based programs. Due to their intrinsic limitations, group-based programs are not widely used in clinical practice. Therefore, we have developed a tablet-based cognitive intervention program. This preliminary study investigated the feasibility and effects of a 12-week structured tablet-based program on cognitive function in patients with MCI. Methods: We performed a single-arm study on 24 patients with MCI. The participants underwent a tablet-based cognitive intervention program 5 times a week over a 12-week period. The primary outcome was changes in cognitive function, measured using the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet (CERAD-K). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, within two weeks of the last program (post-intervention), and at the six-month follow-up session. Results: The completion rate of the tablet-based program was 83.3% in patients with MCI. The program improved cognitive function based on the CERAD-K total score (p=0.026), which was maintained for at least three months (p=0.004). There was also an improvement in the depression scale score (p=0.002), which persisted for three months (p=0.027). Conclusions: Our 12-week structured tablet-based program is feasible for patients with MCI. Furthermore, although further studies with a double-arm design are required, the program appears to be an effective strategy to prevent cognitive decline in patients with MCI.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.184-198
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• 2023

Early prevention of sarcopenia can be an important strategy for muscle maintenance, but most studies target subjects at slightly pre-sarcopenic state. Our previous paper describes the effect of protein supplements rich in leucine and vitamin D on muscle condition, and in this paper, we performed a sub-analysis to evaluate who benefitted the most in terms of improvement in muscle health. A 12-week randomized clinical trial of 120 healthy adults (aged 50 to 80) assigned to an intervention group (n = 60) or control group (n = 60) were analyzed. Subjects in the intervention group received, twice per day, a protein supplement containing (per serving) 800 IU of vitamin D, 20 g of protein (3 g of total leucine), 300 mg of calcium, 1.1 g of fat, and 2.5 g of carbohydrate. The subjects were classified into 'insufficient' and 'sufficient' groups at 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) value of 30 ng/mL. The skeletal muscle mass index normalized to the square of the skeletal muscle mass (SMM) height (kg/m²) increased significantly in the 'insufficient group' difference value of change between weeks 0 and 12 (Δ1.07 ± 2.20; p = 0.037). The SMM normalized by body weight (kg/kg, %) was higher, but not significantly, in the insufficient group (Δ0.38 ± 0.69; p = 0.050). For people with insufficient (serum 25[OH]D), supplemental intake of protein and vitamin D, calcium, and leucine and adequate energy intake increases muscle mass in middle-aged and older adults and would be likely to exert a beneficial effect on muscle health.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2024

This comprehensive study delves into the analysis of user review data across various metaverse platforms, employing advanced text mining techniques such as TF-IDF and Word2Vec to gain insights into user perceptions. The primary objective is to uncover the factors that contribute to user satisfaction and dissatisfaction, thereby providing a nuanced understanding of user experiences in the metaverse. Through TF-IDF analysis, the research identifies key words and phrases frequently mentioned in user reviews, highlighting aspects that resonate positively with users, such as the ability to engage in creative activities and social interactions within these virtual environments. Word2Vec analysis further enriches this understanding by revealing the contextual relationships between words, offering a deeper insight into user sentiments and the specific features that enhance their engagement with the platforms. A significant finding of this study is the identification of common grievances among users, particularly related to the processes of refunds and login, which point to broader issues within payment systems and user interface designs across platforms. These insights are critical for developers and operators of metaverse platforms, suggesting a focused approach towards enhancing user experiences by amplifying positive aspects. The research underscores the importance of continuous improvement in user interface design and the transparency of payment systems to foster a loyal user base. By providing a comprehensive analysis of user reviews, this study offers valuable guidance for the strategic development and optimization of metaverse platforms, ensuring they remain responsive to user needs and continue to evolve as vibrant, engaging virtual environments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study aimed to utilize the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) tool to identify a problem list and explore intervention effects using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for improving the crosswalk performance of patients who have undergone a bilateral hip arthroplasty. METHODS: The subject of this study was a 43-year-old male who had undergone a bilateral hip arthroplasty. To address the subject's functional status, a clinical decision-making process was carried out in the order of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcome. Patient information during the examination was collected using the ICF core set. The evaluation involved listing the items of each problem using the ICF assessment sheet and identifying the interaction between activity limitations and the impairment level. The diagnosis explicitly described the causal relationships derived from the evaluation using ICF terminology. The prognosis presented activity goals, body function, and structured goals in terms of the activity and participation levels that needed to be achieved for an individual's functional status. The intervention approached problems through the four components of the PNF philosophy, namely basic principles and procedures, techniques, and patterns, in an indirect-direct-task sequence. Results were compared before and after the intervention using the ICF evaluation display. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that the primary activity limitation, which was the walking time across the crosswalk, showed improvement, and the trunk's counter rotation and the weight-bearing capacity of both the lower limbs, which were impairment level indicators, were enhanced. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PNF intervention strategies will serve as a positive approach for improving crosswalk walking in patients with bilateral hip arthroplasty.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Interest in the future of the battery market is growing as Tesla announces plans to increase production of electric vehicles and to produce batteries. Tesla announced an action plan to reduce battery prices by 56% through 'Battery Day', which included expansion of factories to internalize batteries and improvement of materials and production technology. In the trend of automobile electrification, the expansion of the battery market, which accounts for 40% of the cost of electric vehicles, is inevitable, and the size of the electric vehicle battery market in 2026 is expected to increase more than five times compared to 2016. With the development of materials and process technology, the energy density of electric vehicle batteries is increasing while the price is decreasing. Soon, electric vehicles and internal combustion locomotives are expected to compete on the same line. Recently, the mileage of electric vehicles is approaching that of an internal combustion locomotive due to the installation of high-capacity batteries. In the EV battery market, Korean, Chinese and Japanese companies are fiercely competing. Based on market share in the first half of 2020, LG Chem, CATL, and Panasonic are leading the EV battery supply, and the top 10 companies included 3 Korean companies, 5 Chinese companies, and 2 Japanese companies. All-solid, lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, and lithium air batteries are being discussed as the next-generation batteries after lithium-ion, among which all-solid-state batteries are the most active. All-solid-state batteries can dramatically improve stability and charging speed by using a solid electrolyte, and are excellent in terms of technology readiness level (TRL) among various technology alternatives. In order to increase the competitiveness of the battery industry in the future, efforts to increase the productivity and economy of electric vehicle batteries are also required along with the development of next-generation battery technology.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.69-79
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning on awareness of sexual minorities among nursing college students in graduation year. The participants were eight students attending three nursing colleges in Provinces C and K. Data were collected from November 2023 to January 2024. through in-depth interview until data saturation. The collected data were analyzed by applying Colaizzi's phenomenological research method. In this study, four categories and eight theme clusters were generated. The four categories consisted of 'Ambivalence towards sexual minorities', 'Empathy for the sexual minorities' difficult situation', 'Fear of caring for sexual minorities', and 'Preparation for the future as a nurse'. These results will contribute to the qualitative improvement of nursing education by providing the grounds for the effective educational strategy development which improve nursing students' awareness and care of sexual minorities. In-depth studies on various factors affecting awareness of sexual minorities in nursing students and problems are required.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.72-84
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• 2023

The Rural Revitalization Strategy (2018-2022), published by the Chinese State Council in 2018, represents a new period of rural development in China. Suburban areas are more convenient than other rural areas in integrated urban-rural development but are under greater pressure from construction and industrial pollution. As a rural area with a high proportion of rural areas, it would be valuable for Henan province to gain a comprehensive grasp of rural human settlementst while identifying problems and proposing solutions. The purpose of this study is to analyze the satisfaction of the evaluation items based on the usage status and life perception of the residents of Tai Nan village, a suburb-type rural village in Henan province. The study proposes improvement programs based on the evaluation results. As a result of the study, 24 evaluation items were derived and divided into five categories: "Living Service Facilities", "Housing Environment, "Road Environment", "Health & Ecology Environment", and "Social & Cultural Environment". The Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method was used to find the overall satisfaction level of the human living environment in Tai Nan village, which was "average", among which "Living Service Facilities" was the most important "Health & Ecology Environment" was the least satisfied. Based on these results, an improvement plan is proposed in three stages. First, the living service will be improved while strengthening the facility management of the hygiene and the ecological environment. Second, reasonable improvement of housing and the road environment will be applied. Third, programs will be introduced to cultivate residents' ability to build their own and improve the social and cultural environment. This study provides basic data for the future improvement of rural settlements in the suburban areas of Henan province and is of great significance in gradually improving the the residents' quality of life.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.21-36
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• 2023

As a solution to environmental issues, such as climate change response, the carbon neutrality strategy, urban heat islands, fine dust, and biodiversity enhancement, the value of urban green spaces and trees are becoming important, and various studies dealing with the effects of trees for environmental improvement are being conducted. This study comprehensively considers the preceding studies on planting tree species, planting structure, planting density, and planting base to propose a direction for the planting renewal of green areas in urban parks and applies the findings to a renewal plan to improve the urban environment through landscaping trees. A field survey was conducted on the planting status of Seoul Children's Grand Park, a large-scale neighborhood park in Seoul, and based on the survey data, a planting function evaluation was conducted, and areas needing improvement in planting function were identified. The planting function evaluation was carried out considering the park function setting, planting concept according to spatial function, and planting status. As a result of the study, the direction of planting renewal according to functional change was derived for each stage of planting function evaluation. Increasing the green area ratio is a priority in setting up park functions, but user convenience should also be considered. As a concept of planting, visual landscape planting involves planting species with beautiful tree shapes, high carbon absorption, and fine dust reduction effects. Ecological landscape planting should create a multi-layered planting site on a slope. Buffer planting should be created as multi-layered forests to improve carbon absorption and fine dust reduction effects. Green planting should consist of broad-leaved trees and herbaceous layers and aim for the natural planting of herbaceous species. For plant species, species with high urban environment improvement effects, local native species, and wild bird preferred species should be selected. As for the planting structure, landscape planting sites and green planting sites should be composed of trees, shrubs, and trees and herbaceous layers that emphasize ecology or require multi-layered buffer functions. A higher standard is applied based on the planting interval for planting density. Installing a rainwater recycling facility and using soil loam for the planting base improves performance. The results of this study are meaningful in that they can be applied to derive areas needing functional improvement by performing planting function evaluation when planning planting renewal of aging urban parks and can suggest renewal directions that reflect the paradigm of functional change of created green areas.