• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2024

Coastal sand dunes are formed by the transport and deposition of sands by wind, and play a role in conserving ecosystems and safeguarding against natural disasters. While dunes possess a self-recovering ability from erosion, the ongoing reduction in coastal zones necessitates the countermeasures of coastal sand erosion. The potential of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology, which enhances the ground's strength and stiffness, in increasing the erosion resistance of coastal sand dunes is explored in this study. A wind tunnel testing system was used to simulate the erosion behavior of coastal dune. Untreated and MICP-treated sands were prepared for the erosion tests. Using a 3D scanner, pre- and post-wind eroded sand surfaces were surveyed. The erosion behaviors and corresponding erodibility parameters were analyzed based on the wind tunnel testing results. The level of cementation was quantified by acid-washing the treated sands. Experimental results indicated an increase in CaCO₃, strength, and erosion resistance with higher MICP treatments. This study proposed a correction coefficient to correlate the shear stress by wind with the one by water. This study confirms the potential of applying MICP technology to mitigate wind-induced erosion in coastal sand dunes.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.354-366
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• 2024

Background: Anesthetic agents are potential modifiable factors that can mitigate chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) development. This study aimed to investigate the association between propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and the occurrence of CPSP following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer resection. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included adult patients with lung cancer who underwent elective VATS between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients were divided based on the maintenance anesthetic used (propofol vs. sevoflurane). The primary outcome was the presence of CPSP, defined as any level of surgical site pain recorded within 3-6 months postoperatively. The authors investigated the association between anesthetic agents and CPSP using propensity score matching with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (sIPTW) to adjust for confounders. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression was used to further adjust for intraoperative opioid use that sIPTW could not account for. The robustness of these associations was evaluated using the E-value. Results: Of the 833 patients analyzed, 461 received propofol and 372 sevoflurane. The overall incidence of CPSP was 43.3%. After sIPTW, the use of TIVA was significantly associated with a lower incidence of CPSP (odds ratio [OR]: 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.99, P = 0.041), and remained significant after adjusting for intraoperative remifentanil equivalent dose (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55-0.96, P = 0.026). The E-values were 1.08 and 1.17, respectively. Conclusions: Propofol-based TIVA is associated with reduced CPSP occurrence in VATS for lung cancer. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the results.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.173-200
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• 2024

This study investigates the dynamics of the digital divide and social inclusion in a society increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI) by 2035. Using a 2×2 matrix scenario analysis, the research explores future scenarios based on two axes: the level of AI technological advancement and societal response. The scenarios range from an "Inclusive AI Society," characterized by advanced AI technology and comprehensive societal measures, to an "AI Polarized Society," marked by rapid AI advancement but fragmented social responses, exacerbating inequalities. The study emphasizes the critical role of both technological and social strategies in addressing the challenges of AI-driven societies. It provides policy recommendations to mitigate potential disparities, highlighting the need for inclusive education, equitable access to AI benefits, and adaptive governance frameworks. The findings aim to inform policymakers and stakeholders about the impacts of AI on social inclusion and the digital divide, proposing strategies for fostering a balanced and equitable AI future.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.268-277
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• 2024

Erwinia pyrifoliae is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen that commonly causes black shoot blight in pear and apple tree. Although the pathogenicity of this bacterial species is very similar to E. amylovora, there is no specific explanation of its pathogenic genes and mechanisms. In this study, our investigation into E. pyrifoliae pathogenicity involved generating seven YKB12327 mutant strains using Tn5 transposon mutagenesis. Observations revealed weakened growth rate and loss of pathogenicity in these mutants. Whole-genome sequencing and alignment analysis identified transposon insertions within the coding sequences of five strains and in the intergenic region of two strains. Annotation analysis elucidated genes directly or indirectly associated with pathogenicity. Notably, mutant strain MT16 displayed a transposon insertion mutation in the cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterase (pdeF) gene, a key player in bacterial signaling, governing microbial behavior and adaptation to environmental changes. Our findings provide insights into the genetic regulation of E. pyrifoliae pathogenicity, suggesting potential avenues for further research aimed at understanding and controlling this bacterial pathogen by targeting pdeF to mitigate apple black shoot blight disease.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.226-237
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the levels of postpartum fatigue, parenting stress, family support, and postpartum depression (PPD) experienced by first-time Chinese mothers and to investigate their impact on PPD. Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 150 primigravida women attending postnatal checkups in Hebi City, Henan Province, China. Demographic data and information on environmental variables (living conditions, family relationships), postpartum fatigue, parenting stress, family support (expected vs. actual level), and PPD were collected. Results: The average age of the women was 26.25 years (SD, ±3.90), with 78.7% at risk for PPD (score ≥10). Significant correlations were found between PPD and postpartum fatigue (r=.63, p<.001), parenting stress (r=.59, p<.001), and family support (r=.40, p<.001). In model 1, which examined the influence of women's demographic variables on PPD, significant factors included a poor relationship with parents (β=.24, p=.001), a poor relationship with parents-in-law (β=.18, p=.029), and a poor relationship with the husband (β=.20, p=.013). When the three research variables were incorporated into model 2, the factors contributing to a higher level of PPD included a poor relationship with parents-in-law (β=.14, p=.033), increased postpartum fatigue (β=.37, p<.001), increased parenting stress (β=.33, p<.001), and less family support than expected (β=.12, p=.048). Conclusion: The most critical factors influencing PPD include postpartum fatigue, parenting stress, poor relationships with parents-in-law, and low family support among Chinese primiparas. To mitigate PPD levels, healthcare professionals should screen mothers for depression in outpatient clinics and offer education and counseling to both mothers and their families or companions regarding PPD.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.238-249
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and explored associated factors among mothers attending postnatal care in Bhutan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2023 at a national referral hospital in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. In total, 314 mothers were recruited. Sociodemographic, psychosocial, obstetric, and infant-related data were collected using questionnaires. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, with a threshold of ≥11, was employed to screen for PPD, and logistic regression was used to test the potential factors. Results: The prevalence of PPD was 14.97%. Mothers with a perceived change in body image (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.91-10.17; p=.001), perceived heightened stress after delivery (AOR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.45-9.67; p=.006), poor relationship with inlaws (AOR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.24-5.30; p=. 011), and negative birth experience (AOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.17-5.00; p=.016) demonstrated significantly higher odds of developing PPD. However, mothers with a higher monthly family income (Bhutanese ngultrum [Nu.] 20,000 to <50,000; AOR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.92; p=.033), ≥Nu. 50,000 (AOR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.13-1.07, p=.067) compared to <Nu. 20,000, and advanced gestational age (37 to <41 weeks; AOR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.71; p=.009) and ≥41 weeks (AOR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.00-0.75; p=.028) compared to <37 weeks had significantly lower risks of PPD. Conclusion: To mitigate the prevalence and risk of PPD, prioritizing screening strategies and interventions may benefit mothers with perceived changes in body image and heightened perceived stress after delivery, poor relationships with in-laws, and those with negative birth experiences.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.429-437
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• 2024

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) uses natural gas and carbon dioxide as reactants to produce hydrogen, potentially providing a solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering an alternative carbon-free energy source. However, since DRM is highly endothermic, its application and commercialization are limited by rapid temperature decrease and resulting catalyst inactivation. Consequently, research into catalyst development and reactor design to mitigate temperature decline is essential. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is utilized to develop a multiphysics simulation platform for DRM within a fixed-bed reactor, employing two types of spherical catalysts: eggshell and uniform types. Our findings indicate that the eggshell model can maintain a higher temperature at the reactor's core than the uniform catalyst model by approximately 20 K. Furthermore, the eggshell model demonstrates superior methane conversion and hydrogen yield due to its ability to suppress excessively rapid reactions. These results underscore the benefits of eggshell catalysts in highly endothermic reactors, such as those used in DRM processes. The developed simulation platform can be used to assess various combinations of reactor and catalyst designs and further optimize their dimensions and operational protocols.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.2189-2201
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• 2024

Objective: Despite the considerable body of research on the effects of heat stress coupled with water scarcity (either through restriction or deprivation) on goats, aimed at enhancing their welfare, there remains a notable gap in the literature regarding the subsequent period following water restoration, during which the cumulative impact is fully alleviated. In response to this gap, we propose a strategy grounded in the assessment of body-thermal status to improve the welfare of heat-stressed and water-deprived goats. Specifically, our strategy seeks to determine the minimally required recovery interval necessary to completely mitigate the residual effects of water deprivation endured for a duration of 72 hours. Methods: Eight healthy Aardi bucks, aged 10 months and weighing 30 kg, were subjected to three distinct stages: euhydration, dehydration, and rehydration. Each stage spanned for 72 hours except for the rehydration stage, which was left unrestricted. Various meteorological, biophysiological, and thermophysiological measurements were subsequently recorded. Results: Exposure of heat-stressed goats, as indicated by the temperature-humidity index values, to a 72 hours deprivation period resulted in noticeable (p<0.05) alterations in their biophysiological (daily feed intake, body weight, and feces water content) and thermophysiological responses (core, rectal, skin, and surface temperatures, respiratory and heart rates, internal, external, and total body-thermal gradients, heat tolerance and adaptability coefficients, heterothermial total body-heat storage, and total water conservation). Remarkably, our findings demonstrate that all assessed variables, whether measured or estimated, returned to their baseline euhydration levels within 10 days of commencing the rehydration phase. Conclusion: In order to improve the welfare of heat-stressed and 72 hours water-deprived goats, it is imperative to allow a recovery period of no less than 10 days following the restoration of water access prior to initiating any subsequent experiments involving these animals. Such experiments, addressing these critical aspects, serve to advance our understanding of goat welfare and obviously hold promise for contributing to future food security and economic viability.

• Studies on Life and Culture
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• v.52
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• pp.249-272
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• 2019

This study examined the moderating effects of closed communication between parents and children on the relationship between children's depression and cyberbullying behaviors. The research model was designed to classify the controlled variable, parent-child communication, as father-child, mother-child, and parents-child. As a result of the analysis, we confirmed the moderating effects of all three parent-child communication on cyberbullying behavior. In case, the degree of closed communication between parents and children is low, it buffers the positive effect of depression on cyberbullying behavior. These moderating effects were found to have a greater impact on adolescent depression. Based on the findings, this study suggests several practical ways of intervention to mitigate cyberbullying behaviors of adolescents.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.497-504
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• 2024

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) are typically described as a two-player game between a generator and a discriminator, where the generator aims to produce realistic data, and the discriminator tries to distinguish between real and generated data. However, this setup often leads to mode collapse, where the generator produces limited variations in the data, failing to capture the full range of the target data distribution. This paper proposes a new training system to mitigate the mode collapse problem. Specifically, it extends the traditional two-player game of GANs into a multi-player game and introduces a peer-evaluation method to effectively train multiple GANs. In the peer-evaluation process, the generated samples from each GANs are evaluated by the other players. This provides external feedback, serving as an additional standard that helps GANs recognize mode failure. This cooperative yet competitive training method encourages the generators to explore and capture a broader range of the data distribution, mitigating mode collapse problem. This paper explains the detailed algorithm for peer-evaluation based multi-GANs training and validates the performance through experiments.