Background: Changes in foot sole shape can result in plantar muscle weakness, lack of proprioception, increased ankle instability, and an inability to balance. Objectives: To investigated whether different floor surfaces influenced the effect that short-foot exercises have on the foot core system of healthy individuals. Design: Pretest-posttest control group experimental design. Methods: This exercise shortens the length of the foot by raising the medial longitudinal arch, strengthening the intrinsic muscle of the sole, and maintaining the shape of the medial longitudinal arch. Results: There was a significant difference in the angle of the medial longitudinal arch in the mat exercise group (MEG) and vibration exercise group (VEG) before and after the intervention (P<.05). As the arch angle decreased, the arch height increased. Post hoc analysis showed that there was no difference between the floor exercise group (FEG) and MEG or between the MEG and VEG (P>.05). In terms of the weight distribution index (WDI, there was a significant difference in the MEG and VEG (P<.05) but not in the FEG before and after the intervention (P>.05). The post hoc analysis results showed that there was no difference between the FEG and MEG (P>.05). Conclusion: Various methods to improve the strength of intrinsic muscles of the sole are more effective than no stimulation, and that short-foot exercise combined with sensory stimulation can be recommended for maintaining and increasing the medial longitudinal arch.

Background: Pectoralis minor tightness is associated with reduced glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion (ROM) and scapular anterior tilt alignment. However, the synergistic effects of the pectoralis minor stretching exercise and scapular posterior tilt strategy on glenohumeral internal rotation ROM and pectoralis minor length remain unexplored. Objectives: This study examined the effects of doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt on pectoralis minor length, scapular alignment, and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM. Design: A case series study. Methods: Fifteen adults with pectoralis minor tightness performed doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt. Pectoralis minor length, acromion–table distance, and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM were measured before and immediately after stretching. The pectoralis minor length was calculated using the pectoralis minor index. The measured variables were analyzed using a paired t-test. Results: While the pectoralis minor index and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM significantly increased, the acromion–table distance markedly decreased after doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt (P<.05). Conclusion: Based on the present findings, doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt could be an effective exercise for increasing glenohumeral internal rotation ROM and pectoralis minor length.

This study showcases an International Learning Exchange (ILE) program between North Korean (NK) refugee students in South Korea and American university students from the US. ILE programs connect two or more linguistic/ cultural groups for intercultural awareness, which provide authentic communicative environments. However, the prevalent use of English and research focus mostly on non-native English-speaking students reflect the ideology of native-speakerism embedded in ILE programs. The purpose of this study was to develop an ILE program that resists native-speakerism and to investigate its influences on native as well as non-native English-speaking students. Adopting a case-study approach, data were collected from video-taping, fieldnotes, student documents, surveys, and interviews. Findings show how the authors designed and implemented a principle-based ILE program. The responses of NK students show their growing motivation and communication ability. The responses of American students show their critical reflections on their native-speaker identities. This study offers insights into designing ILE programs based on multilingualism and translanguaging.

The current study examined the potential contribution of advanced Korean EFL learners’ writing abilities to their reading comprehension abilities. A total of 191 college students participated in this study and were tested on writing and reading comprehension abilities as well as other literacy-related measures including listening comprehension, textreading fluency, and knowledge of vocabulary to control for their effects. In order to account for different aspects of writing and reading comprehension abilities, multiple measures of reading and writing abilities were adopted. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analyses demonstrated that the advanced Korean EFL learners’ English writing abilities had a significant effect on their reading comprehension abilities when other relevant literacy skills were controlled for. Furthermore, their writing abilities mediated the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension abilities. These results highlight the important pedagogical implications on the critical role of writing abilities in enhancing the reading comprehension abilities of L2 learners.

Maize is an important cereal crop widely grown in all of Nigeria’s agroecology based on its economic and food values. This has led to its optimum production with Nigeria ranking top 12th maize producer in the world. Presently, the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is considered a potential threat to food security in Nigeria due to its devastating feeding pattern on maize and its wide host range. Its invasive and high dispersal nature enhances its spread from its first reported state (Oyo) in early 2016 to the entire 36 states of Nigeria by the year 2018. It accounts for averagely an estimated 34% or more yield reduction in Nigeria’s maize field, hence, a need for an efficient management approach. Although most farmers rely on the use of insecticide, it is found ineffective because of the inaccessible location of FAW in maize. This study was carried out to investigate the different management approaches adopted in Nigeria to control FAW and its impact on the insect pest population. Conventional measures such as planting improved seeds, avoidance of late planting, and polyculture to increase the natural enemy’s population have been used but with limited control of FAW. Maize lines with aflatoxin resistance or transgenic Bt-maize are found resistant to FAW. Botanicals such as neem extract lowered the percentage of leaf area damage, incidence of FAW larva infestation, and the number of larvae. It is difficult to curtail the menace of FAW through one control method, hence, the need for an integrated approach

본 연구의 목적은 학군사관후보생(ROTC)의 신체활동 참여습관, 체력수준, 학업성취능력의 관계를 조사하는 것이다. 본 연구의 참가자는 J 대학교에 재학중인 71명의 학군사관후보생을 선발하였 다. 신체활동 참여습관은 국제신체활동설문지(Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, GPAQ)를 이용하 여 조사하였고, 체력수준은 건강관련 체력평가로 측정하였다. 학업성취능력은 해당 학군단 장의 승인을 받은 대학성적자료(GPA)를 참가자 동의하에 수집하여 각각의 자료를 분석하였다. 신체활동 참여습관, 체력수준, 대학학점 간의 상관관계를 분석하였고, 체력수준별 학점을 비교하였다. 본 연구에서 신체 활동 참여습관과 학업성취능력 사이에 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계가 없는 것으로 조사되었다. 반면 주요 과목과 총체력점수, 심폐체력, 근지구력, 유연성, 신체조성 간에는 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계 가 나타났다. 체력 수준별로는 체력이 높은 그룹의 ROTC가 낮은 체력 그룹의 ROTC보다 통계적으 로 유의하게 높은 학업 성취능력을 보였다. 또한 낮은 체력수준의 ROTC 그룹은 높은 체력수준의 ROTC에 비해 학업성취능력이 다소 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 체력수준이 높은 ROTC는 그렇지 않은 사람에 비해 학습능력 향상에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤다. 본 연구는 자율적이지만 체계적 인 체력훈련 프로그램을 제공하여 ROTC의 체력을 향상시키고 우수한 미래 장교를 양성할 것을 제 안한다.

Soybean is an important crop widely grown in the northern region of Nigeria for human and animal consumption. Commercial production of soybean in Nigeria has existed for eight decades. Current malnutrition and nutrient health problems in Nigeria warranted the introduction of high nutritive and affordable food sources such as soybean in the Nigerian diet. The high demand for soybean and its products has led to the rise in the cultivation of soybean in Nigeria. Although an increase in production has been recorded, the region of production has failed to achieve the potential yield per hectare. In improving soybean production in Nigeria, it is paramount to understand the factors that contribute to the process of production. This review paper provides information on factors affecting soybean production across the regions of production in Nigeria. The identified factors responsible for the yield gap include the impact of climate change on the agroecology shift, nutrient depletion and soil fertility, sowing date, the emergence of pests and diseases, and limited improved soybean cultivars. Adoption of improved soybean variety suitable in agroecology and sowing, at the appropriate sowing date by Nigerian farmers, can guarantee optimum soybean production. Further soybean breeding improvement studies are needed to provide more improved varieties with superior performance in Nigeria’s agroecology to achieve yield potential.

Recent progress has been made to establish intestinal organoids for an in vitro model as a potential alternative to an in vivo system in animals. We previously reported a reliable method for the isolation of intestinal crypts from the small intestine and robust three-dimensional (3D) expansion of intestinal organoids (basal-out) in adult bovines. The present study aimed to establish next-generation intestinal organoids for practical applications in disease modeling-based host-pathogen interactions and feed efficiency measurements. In this study, we developed a rapid and convenient method for the efficient generation of intestinal organoids through the modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway and continuous apical-out intestinal organoids. Remarkably, the intestinal epithelium only takes 3-4 days to undergo CHIR (1 µM) treatment as a Wnt activator, which is much shorter than that required for spontaneous differentiation (7 days). Subsequently, we successfully established an apical-out bovine intestinal organoid culture system through suspension culture without Matrigel matrix, indicating an apical-out membrane on the surface. Collectively, these results demonstrate the efficient generation and next-generation of bovine intestinal organoids and will facilitate their potential use for various purposes, such as disease modeling, in the field of animal biotechnology.

고객의 ‘갑질’로부터 서비스 조직 구성원을 보호해야 한다는 논의가 활발하게 이루어지면서 고객의 비인 격적인 행동에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다. 고객의 무례한 행동(customer incivility)로 인하여 서비스 조직 의 구성원들은 심리적으로 큰 어려움을 겪고 있으며, 우울증과 극단적 선택까지 고려하는 상황이 되었다. 이러한 점에서 조직은 고객의 무례한 행동의 부정적 결과를 인식하고 이를 개선하기 위한 노력이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 고객의 무례한 행동이 스트레스를 통해 서비스 몰입과 이직의도에 미치는 과정에서 작용하 는 메커니즘을 확인하는 목적으로 수행되었다. 특히, 고객의 무례한 행동이 구성원들에게 미치는 부정적 효과를 보다 엄격하게 확인하기 위하여, 조직 내부에서 발생할 수 있는 직속상사의 비인격적 감독(abusive supervision)을 통제하였다. 가설검증을 위하여 2019년 5월에서 8월 사이 수도권 서비스직 종사자를 대상 으로 설문조사를 실시하였으며, 최종 205개의 설문을 기반으로 실증분석을 실시하였다. 본 연구의 분석 결과 고객의 무례한 행동은 구성원들의 서비스 몰입을 낮추고, 이직의도를 높이는 것으로 조사되었다. 또한 이 과정에서 스트레스가 매개 효과를 가짐을 확인하였다. 본 연구는 실증분석 결과를 바탕으로 이론적·실무 적 시사점을 논의하였으며, 향후의 연구 과제를 제시하였다.

Receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit, a marker found on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), is expressed in Leydig cells, which are testicular interstitial cells. The expression of other ICC markers has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the expression of c-Kit and anoctamin 1 (ANO1), another ICC marker, in mouse testes. In addition, the relationship between c-Kit and ANO1 expression and Leydig cell function was investigated. We observed that c-Kit and ANO1 were predominantly expressed in mouse Leydig cells. The mRNA and protein of c-Kit and ANO1 were expressed in TM3, a mouse Leydig cell line. LH induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, membrane depolarization, and testosterone secretion, whereas these signals were inhibited in the presence of c-Kit and ANO1 inhibitors. These results show that c-Kit and ANO1 are expressed in Leydig cells and are involved in testosterone secretion. Our findings suggest that Leydig cells may act as ICCs in testosterone secretion.

The leaves of Allium victorialis (AV) are known an edible perennial herb, which has been used in Korean traditional medicine. However, the beneficial pharmacological effects of AV extracts (AVE) on the antioxidant activity and atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate both antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect of AVE on AD in vitro and in vivo. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by total polyphenol content and ferric reducing ability. AVE showed a level of polyphenol content and reducing power activity. The five-week-old BALB/c mice were used as an AD-like mouse model by treating them with 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB). Topical administration of AVE for 3 weeks to DNCB-treated mice significantly alleviated clinical skin lesion dermatitis severity and epidermal thickness. Histopathological analysis also demonstrated that AVE decreased eosinophil and mast cell infiltration into skin and ear tissue. These results suggest that topical application of AVE inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesion in mice by their antioxidant activity. Thus, AVE may be a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

This study examines the word-initial stop variation in the speech of speakers who were born in North Kyungsang province and moved to Seoul after the age of 20 and that of speakers who were born in Seoul and moved to North Kyungsang province after the age of 20. Specifically, this study investigates whether Seoul Koreans moving to North Kyungsang have acquired the NKK-like word-initial tensification in any of the two contexts - wordlist and reading passage. Moreover, this study explores whether North Kyungsang Korean moving to Seoul have lost the NKK-like word-initial tensification in the two contexts. Finally, this study examines whether social factors, including gender, length of stay in a new region, attitude toward the first and second dialects, and awareness of the word-initial tensification affect the acquisition or loss of the second dialect feature. A major finding is that both mobile groups do not show the NKK-like word-initial tensification in wordlist and reading passage speech. With respect to the effect of the social factors, male Kyungsang Koreans in Seoul produce tensified stops more than female counterparts. Meanwhile, none of the social factors are significant in the speech of Seoul Koreans in North Kyungsang.

Korea Research Reactor 1&2 (KRR-1&2), Korea’s first research reactor, began dismantling in 1997. As of 2022, the demolition of general areas such as offices has been completed, and contaminated areas such as reactor rooms remain. On the other hand, construction waste generated in contaminated areas of nuclear facilities cannot be disposed of as general industrial waste. It is predicted that about 5,000 tons of construction waste will be generated if the contaminated area of KRR-1&2 is demolished. In this study, the application plan for the demolition of contaminated area of KRR-1&2 was reviewed through a review of laws and cases related to domestic and overseas disposal. The only method for disposing of construction waste in contaminated areas that can be applied in Korea is clearance in accordance with Nuclear Safety Commission Notice No. 2020-06. In addition, there has been no case of demolishing large-scale nuclear facilities in Korea. Therefore, there are limitations in domestic laws and standards to be applied to the dismantling of contaminated areas of KRR-1&2. The IAEA and the United States specify comprehensive matters such as optimization of radiation protection and minimization of waste products. The EU recommends demolition after decontamination by removing contaminated areas before demolition of buildings. It also presents three options for reuse, recycling, and disposal of buildings and building waste. In particular, in the case of Germany, detailed radioactivity measurement methods for deregulation of buildings and building waste are presented in accordance with the EU’s guidelines. As a result of synthesizing this, it is judged that the EU and Germany building clearance plan will be suitable for domestic application.

The International Atomic Energy Agency recommends the deep geological disposal system as one of the disposal methods for high-level radioactive waste (HLW), such as spent nuclear fuel. The deep geological disposal system disposes of HLW in a deep and stable geological formation to isolate the HLW from the human biosphere and restrict the inflow of radionuclides into the ecosystem. It mainly consists of an engineered barrier and a natural barrier. Safety evaluation using a numerical model has been performed primarily to evaluate the buffer’s long-term stability. However, although the gas generation rate input for long-term stability evaluation is the critical factor that has the most significant influence on the long-term hydraulic-mechanical behavior of the buffer, in-depth research and experimental data are lacking. In this study, the gas generation rate on the interface between the disposal canister and the buffer material, a component of the engineered barrier, was mainly studied. Gas can be generated between the disposal canister and the buffer material due to various causes such as anaerobic corrosion of the disposal canister metal, organic matter decomposition, radiation decomposition, and steam generation due to high temperature. The generation of gas in such a disposal environment increases the pore gas pressure in the buffer and causes internal cracks. The occurred cracks increase the intrinsic permeability of the buffer, which leads to a decrease in the primary performance of the buffer. For this reason, it is essential to apply the appropriate gas generation rate according to the disposal condition and buffer material for accurate long-term stability analysis. Therefore, the theoretical models regarding the estimation of gas generation were summarized through a literature study. The amount of gas generated was estimated according to the disposal environment and material of the disposal canister. It is expected that estimated values might be used to estimate the long-term stability analysis of buffer performance according to the disposal condition.