This study examines the challenges faced by native English-speaking professors who teach general English courses in Korean universities, specifically focusing on the issue of social marginalization. Data were collected through online surveys and interviews. The findings indicate that these professors view themselves as a non-mainstream group within university faculties, often experiencing exclusion from decision-making processes and professional development opportunities, primarily due to language barriers. Moreover, cultural differences and structural discrimination exacerbate these challenges. Although the respondents did not report significant difficulties related to student education and exhibited a strong sense of efficacy in teaching English, some lacked sufficient understanding of the institutional curriculum. To address these issues, this study suggests that, for foreign professors to fully demonstrate their expertise in English education and foster a sense of belonging within the university community, they should be granted the authority and responsibility to participate in curriculum improvement research, along with administrative assistance.

Background: Typical difficulties encountered during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to produce embryos in pigs include poor pronucleus formation and poor-quality fertilized embryos because of high polysperm invasion. In this study, we evaluated the effects of supplementation with apple seed extract (ASE) and coculture systems on porcine in vitro-fertilized embryo culture. Methods: Slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were used to obtain cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). COCs were conventionally used to perform IVF. We examined the differences in apoptosis and metabolism during development following addition of ASE to normal culture and coculture systems. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cell development-related factors, and apoptotic proteins were compared in porcine embryos produced under different conditions. Results: The expression of genes related to insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling was increased in the coculture system. In the ASE group, early apoptosis and necrosis were reduced in fertilized embryos and the late survival rate increased. Supplementation of the coculture system with ASE led to increased expression of BCL-2 and decreased expression of Casp-3 in the cytoplasm, thereby lowering the apoptosis rate and inducing MMP expression. In addition, compared with the extract-supplemented group in normal culture, the activity of MMP-2 decreased in the coculture system supplemented with ASE, activity of MMP-9 increased, and the expression of dynactin p62 and BrdU in the cytoplasm was higher than that in the other groups. Conclusions: The coculture system increased the activity of the embryonic cytoplasm compared with the non-coculture system. Supplementation with ASE may induce cell activity and inhibit the expression of apoptotic factors.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristic of quality attributes of smart hotels by using a SERVQUAL-IPA model, focusing on Chinese, which has the most proactive approach for the adoption of smart hotel system. Toward this goal, six quality factors—tangibles, reliability, assurance, responsiveness, empathy, and playfulness—were extracted through factor analysis, and IPA was used to appraise the degree of importance and satisfaction for each quality attribute. As a result of the SERVQUAL-IPA model, quality attributes were categorized into four groups of 'keep up the good work,' 'possible overkill,' 'low priority,' and 'concentrate here.'. Furthermore, it was concluded that there is a need to focus on the following elements: ‘smart devices can assist customers in emergency situations’, ‘when the room control system identifies customer needs, the staff can provide prompt service’, ‘development and improvement of mobile applications that enable customers to control room amenities’, ‘regular maintenance for smart devices’, and ‘providing data-driven personalized recommendations through customer activity data analysis’.

Schlumbergera truncata absorbs CO2 through its mature phylloclades during the night, and can use a substantial amount of CO2 without requiring ventilation. This study investigated the growth and photosynthetic responses of S. truncata ‘Red Candle’ at two CO2 levels—ambient (≈ 400 μmol･mol-1) and elevated (≈ 1000 μmol･mol-1). At 0–8 weeks after treatment (WAT), width and length of mature phylloclade and length of immature phylloclade did not differ significantly among the CO2 treatments. At 4–8 WAT, number of branches and phylloclades were significantly greater in plants grown under ambient CO2 than those under elevated CO2. Net CO2 uptake was highest in mature phylloclades of plants grown under ambient and elevated CO2 regimes at night, at 2.51 and 1.30 μmol·CO2·m-2·s-1, respectively. However, no statistically significant variation was observed at 6 WAT, and stomatal conductance was significantly affected only by CO2 uptake time at 6 and 8 WAT. Water-use efficiency of mature and immature phylloclades at night increased with increase in CO2 levels (r = 0.7462 and 0.9312, respectively). At 123 days after treatment, plants grown under elevated CO2 had 82.7 floral buds, compared to 72.1 buds in those under ambient CO2. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, S. truncata grown under elevated CO2 exhibited decreased growth and photosynthesis, whereas the number of floral buds did not exhibit any significant differences among the treatments.

방대한 빅데이터를 기반으로 발전한 인공지능 기술은 창작과 영상 예술, 인간의 고유 영역으로 여겨졌던 분야에 큰 영향을 미치기 시작했다. 전통적으로 선형적이었던 3D 애니메이션 제작 방식은 AI 이미지 생성 모델을 활용해 초기 기획, 컨셉 및 아이디어를 빠르게 비주얼화하고, 실시간 게임 엔진을 통해 실시간으로 수정 및 개선 작업을 반복하며 완성도를 높이는 비선형 적 방식으로 변화하고 있다. 본 논문에서는 Stable Diffusion의 노드 기반 비주얼 스크립트인 ComfyUI를 활용한 사전 제작 과정과 iClone 및 언리얼 엔진을 통해 디지털 휴먼을 제작하고 구체화하는 일련의 파이프라인을 분석한다. 이를 통해 전통적인 파이프라인을 넘어서는 새로운 예술적 표현의 가능성을 모색한다.

Periodontal disease (PD) is strongly linked to increased risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); however, the specific mechanism through which the development of PD and OSCC is simultaneously promoted remains unclear. This study explored the impact of periodontal pathogens on OSCC progression and the contribution of periodontal pathogen-stimulated OSCC to PD development. The expression of osteoclastogenesis-inducing factors was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis following stimulation of OSCC with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a pathogen commonly responsible for PD. The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to determine the effects of Pg-LPS on OSCC proliferation and drug resistance to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The effects of conditioned medium (CM) derived from Pg-LPS–stimulated OSCC on osteoclastogenesis was evaluated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Pg-LPS administration in SCC-25 and YD-8 OSCC cell lines induced a significant increase in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand mRNA expression; however, it did not affect cell proliferation. Treatment with CM derived from Pg-LPS–stimulated SCC-25 or YD-8 cells markedly enhanced the formation of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells during osteoclast differentiation of BMMs. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that Pg-LPS–stimulated OSCC promoted osteoclastogenesis through a paracrine mechanism.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease is characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, including fatal outcomes. This study aims to review gustatory and salivary secretion dysfunctions and determine their potential pathogenic mechanisms. Gustatory impairment and salivary dysfunction are prevalent among patients with acute COVID-19 and those recovering from the disease. The mouth serves as a critical entry route for SARS-CoV-2. The cells within the oral epithelium, taste buds, and minor and major salivary glands express key entry factors for SARS-CoV-2, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, transmembrane serine protease 2, and furin. The co-occurrence of gustatory and salivary secretion dysfunctions possibly has pathogenetic association with the following factors: the expression of SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry receptors in the taste buds and salivary glands and SARS-CoV-2–induced zinc deficiency, which is crucial for normal taste perception and saliva secretion. Furthermore, the cytokine storm triggered by COVID-19 contributes to secondary damage affecting gustatory and salivary functions.

This paper chronicles the evolution of load-sharing parameter estimation methodologies, with a particular focus on the significant contributions made by Kim and Kvam (2004) and Park (2012). Kim and Kvam's pioneering work underscored the inherent challenges in deriving closed-form solutions for load-share parameters, which necessitated the use of sophisticated numerical optimization techniques. Park's research, on the other hand, provided groundbreaking closed-form solutions and extended the theoretical framework to accommodate more general distributions of component lifetimes. This was achieved by incorporating EM-type methods for maximum likelihood estimation, which represented a significant advancement in the field. Unlike previous efforts, this paper zeroes in on the specific characteristics and advantages of closed-form solutions for load-share parameters within reliability systems. Much like the basic Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model enhances the understanding of real-life inventory systems dynamics, our analysis aims to thoroughly explore the conditions under which these closed-form solutions are valid. We investigate their stability, robustness, and applicability to various types of systems. Through this comprehensive study, we aspire to provide a deep understanding of the practical implications and potential benefits of these solutions. Building on previous advancements, our research further examines the robustness of these solutions in diverse reliability contexts, aiming to shed light on their practical relevance and utility in real-world applications.

This study aimed to determine how 15 weeks of Tai Chi training affected attention and brain waves. Thirty-six university students (mean age = 24.27 years; SD = ±1.054) participated in this experiment. Participants practiced form postures from the first section of form 85 of the traditional Yang style of Tai Chi Chuan. The Frankfurt Attention Inventory (FAIR) was used to assess each participant’s level of attention. The sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) power analysis demonstrated that participants in the Tai Chi group show higher SMR power than the control group. This study showed that Tai Chi Chuan increases theta and alpha waves by relaxing the body and mind, as well as through soft and slow movement and deep breathing. It reduces fast beta waves, which stabilizes the brain and improves attention. FAIR results showed that 15 weeks of Tai Chi training improved selective ability, control index, and persistence index. These findings suggested that Tai Chi is an exercise that helps improve attention.

본 연구는 서바이벌 게임에서 맵의 디자인 요소를 분석하고 표준화하는 것을 목표로 했다. 상 용 게임 10개를 조사하여 네 가지 주요 맵 유형을 파악하였고, 이를 바탕으로 유니티 에디터를 사용해 네 가지 유형의 맵을 개발 및 구현하였다. 무작위 위치에 장애물을 스폰하고, 타일 재 배치 시스템을 통해 맵을 무한대로 재배치할 수 있도록 했다. 또한, Update() 메서드를 조정해 타일 변위 오류를 해결했다. 마지막으로, ML 에이전트를 사용해 맵을 테스트했으며, 에이전트 가 환경을 탐색하고 장애물과 적대 대상을 인식 및 공격하며 각기 다른 네 가지 맵에서 효과 적으로 대응하는 모습을 확인했다.

본 논문은 급변하는 글로벌게임시장에 효과적으로 대응하고, 한국의 게임산업 경쟁력 제고 와 수도권 중심의 산업 구조를 탈피하기 위한 노력의 일환으로 전남지역 게임산업의 현황 및 발전 방안에 대하여 연구하였다. 이를 위해 우선 전남 게임 콘텐츠 산업 및 인재 양성의 현황 을 분석하여 타시·도 대비 전남지역만의 게임콘텐츠 혁신 역량을 분석하였다. 더불어 전남정보 문화산업진흥원 수혜기업 지원 현황과 실태파악을 위해 유선전화 및 서면조사 및 전문가 인터 뷰를 통한 실증 연구를 도입하였다. 이를 바탕으로 현 게임 산업 트렌드와 정부의 게임 산업 진흥 종합계획을 고려한 전남지역만의 게임콘텐츠 지원 방향과 육성 전략을 도출하였다. 분석 결과 경험과 제작 능력을 갖춘 게임 개발사의 국내외 시장 진출 강화, 도내 IP를 활용한 지역 특화 서브컬처 게임 제작 지원, 지역 대학과의 산학협력을 통한 인재양성 등의 전략을 제언하 였다.

본 논문은 모바일 폰 사진을 활용하여 도시 공간에서 전력선과 건물 사이의 거리를 편리하게 모델링하고 측정하는 방법에 중점을 두고 있으며, 이에 대한 정확성을 평가하였다. 모바일 장 치용 2뷰 지오메트리를 사용한 전력선과 건물의 3D 재구성 방법을 설계하여 어디에서나 즉시 측정할 수 있도록 하였다. 특징점을 사용하여 전력선과 건물 사이의 거리를 계산하고 건물 정 보를 활용하여 게임 가상 공간에 전력선과 전주를 배치할 수 있다. 본 논문에서는 대전시 내 10개의 위치에서 실험을 실시하고, 상업용 시스템과 LiDAR가 있는 경우와 없는 경우를 포함 한 이전 방법과의 성능을 평가하였다. 우리의 방법을 스마트폰에 구현했기 때문에 장점은 휴 대성과 저렴함이다.

In a situation where the importance of eco-friendly fashion is growing, this study adds to the needed research by analyzing consumption value satisfaction factors, brand image, and repurchase intentions of eco-friendly fashion products. During the investigation, the impact of gender was also accounted for to establish an effective marketing strategy. In June 2024, 250 surveys were evaluated from domestic consumers with experience purchasing eco-friendly fashion products. Descriptive statistical analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and regression analysis were performed. Five factors were measured to determine satisfaction with the consumption value of eco-friendly fashion products: emotional value, functional value, social and situational value, passive value, and rare and eco-friendly value. Empirically subdividing satisfaction with eco-friendly fashion as recognized by consumers reveals meaningful findings about consumption value. Among the factors of consumption value satisfaction with eco-friendly fashion products, functional value, social and situational value, and rare and eco-friendly value all positively affected repurchase intention. The consumer’s gender also made a difference in satisfaction. Considering these results, the marketing effect of eco-friendly fashion can be increased. This study will be able to increase the ESG management effect of fashion companies. By performing ESG management, the fashion industry can achieve social and environmental responsibility along with sustainable growth.

Wearable technology is expected to maintain continuous marketability and prospects, with its scope gradually expanding beyond the fashion sector to encompass fashion accessories. Meanwhile, the wedding industry is currently reflecting consumer preferences that emphasize individuality and emotional connection. As wedding trends evolve, there is a growing interest in unique and differentiated wedding styles. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to create high-value designs by integrating wearable LED technology into wedding accessories and dresses to meet the emotional needs of modern consumers. To achieve this, we analyzed the LED wedding accessories currently available in the market. Based on the findings, we designed and developed new such accessories and dresses through planning, development, and production processes. First, the study found out that LED wedding accessories are gaining attention as high-value products. Second, a survey of the domestic market for LED wedding accessories highlighted the needs for wedding dress designs that can be paired with LED hairpins. Third, we used Lilypad Arduino’s Lily Tiny to design and develop LED wedding hairpins and dresses through a production process. Finally, by styling LED wedding hairpins and dresses together, we demonstrated the potential in creating products that blend emotion and technology, in line with the current wearable technology trends. Overall, this study offers a fresh perspective on design development in wedding accessories.

The Metaverse’s virtual world is used in various industries and is expected to continue to grow in the future. In addition, the Metaverse is a new type of society that integrates various new technologies, and NFT products play an essential role. Therefore, NFT product characteristics and industry trends should be assessed to revitalize the NFT market. To this end, this study confirms the influence relationship between social presence and NFT product characteristics in the Metaverse environment and examines the impact of each characteristic on consumer satisfaction and continued engagement intention to NFT product. Statistical analysis such as exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) using IBM SPSS Amos was conducted on data collected through a survey targeting male and female Korean consumers in their age group 10 to 50. Study results indicate that social presence significantly impacted all characteristics of NFT products (authenticity, scarcity, rarity, collectability, and interactivity). Scarcity and authenticity significantly impacted consumer satisfaction, and both authenticity and consumer satisfaction significantly impacted continued engagement intention. Thus, effective product development and marketing strategies can be established only by presenting different emphasized characteristics depending on the type of NFT product and the Metaverse’s social presence.

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ensemble optimal interpolation (EnOI) in improving the analysis of significant wave height (SWH) within wave models using satellite-derived SWH data. Satellite observations revealed higher SWH in mid-latitude regions (30o to 60o in both hemispheres) due to stronger winds, whereas equatorial and coastal areas exhibited lower wave heights, attributed to calmer winds and land interactions. Root mean square error (RMSE) analysis of the control experiment without data assimilation revealed significant discrepancies in high-latitude areas, underscoring the need for enhanced analysis techniques. Data assimilation experiments demonstrated substantial RMSE reductions, particularly in high-latitude regions, underscoring the effectiveness of the technique in enhancing the quality of analysis fields. Sensitivity experiments with varying ensemble sizes showed modest global improvements in analysis fields with larger ensembles. Sensitivity experiments based on different decorrelation length scales demonstrated significant RMSE improvements at larger scales, particularly in the Southern Ocean and Northwest Pacific. However, some areas exhibited slight RMSE increases, suggesting the need for region-specific tuning of assimilation parameters. Reducing the observation error covariance improved analysis quality in certain regions, including the equator, but generally degraded it in others. Rescaling background error covariance (BEC) resulted in overall improvements in analysis fields, though sensitivity to regional variability persisted. These findings underscore the importance of data assimilation, parameter tuning, and BEC rescaling in enhancing the quality and reliability of wave analysis fields, emphasizing the necessity of region-specific adjustments to optimize assimilation performance. These insights are valuable for understanding ocean dynamics, improving navigation, and supporting coastal management practices.

In the mid-eastern part of the Yellow Sea, large-scale shelf ridges originated from erosion on sand-mud successions that have been presently eroded by strong tidal currents. A three-layered in situ geoacoustic model is provided down to 50 m for the subbottom sedimentary succession of a 45 m water depth using the Hamilton method. The succession is divisible into two-type units of Type-A and Type-B using high-resolution seismic profiles with a deep-drilled YSDP-104 core of 44.0 m in depth below the seafloor. Type-A unit mainly comprises sandy or gravelly sediments, whereas Type-B unit mostly consists of tidal muddy sediments with some thinner sand beds. P-wave speed values are positively compatible with the mean grain size and sediment type of the core sediments. For actual modeling, the geoacoustic property values of the models were compensated to in situ depth values below the seafloor. The detailed geoacoustic model contributes to simulating sound transmission through the sedimentary successions in erosional shelf ridges of variable geoacoustic properties distributed in shallow-water environments of the mid-eastern Yellow Sea.

The alternative food market has attracted much attention due to concerns about climate change, increasing consumer awareness of value consumption, and the development of the Food-Tech industry. This study aimed to analyze the factors that drive consumers to purchase alternative food products and identify the mechanisms that can induce consumers to continue buying. We surveyed 1,200 consumers and estimated data using a logit model. The results showed that the presence of vegetarians in the household, environmental concerns, a vegetable-oriented diet, and a mixed diet of meat and vegetables were positively associated with purchasing plant-based alternatives. Of particular interest was the non-linear relationship between respondents’ age and their purchasing experience with plant-based options, with the likelihood of purchasing alternatives increasing with age from the mid-50s onward. These findings suggest that in addition to the growing number of consumers who share the environmental value, which leads to increased interest in and purchase of plant-based alternatives, alternative foods are also health-oriented and meet the needs of older consumers, who are becoming an increasingly important segment of the super-aged society, suggesting the potential for continued growth in the alternative food market.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) impacts the social, physical, and psychological well-being and quality of life of the patient. Several techniques exist for its management, including transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES). Objects: We aimed to demonstrate the effects of TES on ultrasonographic variables and quality of life in women with SUI. Methods: This prospective study recruited 21 women who had been diagnosed with grade 1 or 2 SUI between July 2018 and March 2019. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy and a history of urogenital surgery. All participants were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after intervention initiation. The bladder neck position (BNP), length of the urethra (LU), funneling index (FI), and rhabdosphincter thickness (RT) were measured. The Incontinence-Quality of Life (I-QOL) was used to assess incontinence-specific quality of life. Statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Twenty-one patients with SUI used TES for 8 weeks. BNP and FI significantly decreased after intervention (p < 0.05). LU, anterior and posterior RT (indicators of external sphincter hypertrophy) significantly increased post-intervention (p < 0.05). The total I-QOL score increased from 64.81 to 71.86 after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This intervention improved BNP, LU, FI, RT, and subjective indicators such as quality of life in women with SUI. Therefore, TES can be an effective non-surgical treatment method for improving SUI symptoms and quality of life in these patients.

Background: Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is closely related to imbalance of the rotator cuff (RC) muscles. However, previous studies have only focused on isometric strength. To our knowledge, there has been no study examining potential differences in concentric and eccentric strength and functional strength ratio (FSR) of the RC muscles based on functional parameters related to throwing in with or without SD. Objects: This study aimed to determine whether there was a difference in the RC muscle strength and FSR between the dominant shoulder with SD and the non-dominant shoulder without SD in adolescent baseball players. Methods: Forty adolescent baseball players participated and classified types of SD based on movement patterns using the SD test by two examiners. The isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torque of the internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) were measured and quantified as peak torque to body weight (PT/BW). Also, the FSR was obtained by calculating the strength ratios of eccentric IR to concentric ER (IRecc/ERcon) and eccentric ER to concentric IR (ERecc/IRcon), respectively. Results: There was a significant decrease in the IR and ER PT/BW in the dominant shoulder with SD compared to the non-dominant shoulder without SD (p < 0.05), regardless of contraction types. However, no significant difference was observed in the FSR in both IRecc/ERcon and ERecc/IRcon ratios. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the isokinetic concentric and eccentric PT/BW of the IR and ER muscles were significantly lower in the dominant shoulder with SD than in the nonthrowing shoulder without SD. Therefore, when establishing a strategy for addressing RC muscle weakness in adolescent baseball players with SD, it is essential to consider an approach that accounts for scapular kinematic recovery.