Background: Child care center teachers are exposed to musculoskeletal injuries caused by repetitive movements at low heights due to the nature of their jobs. Self-myofascial release (SMFR) improves flexibility, pain, and functional performance. Pectoralis minor self-stretching (PMSS) improves muscle flexibility and postural alignment. PMSS has been commonly used to correct a rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Objectives: To examine the shoulder height, muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and muscle elasticity for women child care center teachers with RSP. Design: Randomized study. Methods: The participants were 20 women child care center teachers with RSP. They were randomly assigned two groups: SMFR group (n=10) and PMSS group (n=10). They performed each exercise for 20 min, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. They measured shoulder height, muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of upper trapezius before and after exercise. Results: In the shoulder height, there was no significant difference between two groups. There were significant decreases within both groups. In the muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, there was no significant difference between two groups and within two groups. Conclusion: SMFR using a hard massage ball and PMSS have a positive effect on posture correction for child care center teacher with RSP.

Spasticity, a frequently encountered symptom in patients with upper motor neuron (UMN) syndrome, poses a significant challenge, negatively affecting function, activity, and social engagement. Despite the acknowledged benefits of exercise in the rehabilitation of UMN syndrome, therapy sessions often trigger an unwelcome increase in muscle stretch reflex activity, resulting in considerable muscle tension despite improvements in function and activity levels. Despite the recognized benefits of exercise in UMN syndrome rehabilitation, there's often an undesirable rise in muscle stretch reflex activity during therapy, leading to considerable muscle tension despite improvements in function and activity levels. The challenge lies in identifying effective strategies that enhance function, activity, and participation while curbing excessive muscle tension caused by heightened stretch reflex activity. Spasticity significantly disrupts the daily lives of affected individuals and presents substantial challenges for caregivers. However, existing methods for measuring and evaluating spasticity have their limitations and are susceptible to errors. This article describes both established and innovative methods utilized for quantitative spasticity assessment and management of spasticity, with the overarching goal of improving the definition of spasticity and identifying assessment techniques suitable for clinical application.

Because plastics are cheap and light, their use is indispensable in our daily lives. However, the extensive use of plastics causes the disposal issue. Among various disposal processes, plastic recycling is of great attention because of minimizing waste and harmful byproducts. Herein, we recycle the most popular thermoplastic materials, high-density and low-density polyethylene, producing the anode materials for the Li-ion batteries. The electrochemical properties of the as-recycled soft carbon are investigated to study the energy storage capability as the anode of Li-ion batteries. Our work demonstrates the soft carbon recycled from plastic wastes is a promising anode material.

글로벌거버넌스에 대한 서구식 혹은 비서국식 접근법의 이분법에 대해 서는 알려진 바가 없다. 이에 본 논문은 다음의 연구문제를 제기했다. 비 서구권 유명인사들과 UN 산하기구들의 파트너십을 통한 해시태그 행동 주의는 어떻게 지속가능개발목표(SDGs)의 실현과 디지털 시대 자유주의 세계질서에 이바지할 수 있을까? 해시태그 행동주의와 명사외교에 대한 이론적 접근으로 본고는 1) 참여, 2) 글로벌 청중, 3) 영향 메커니즘의 세 가지 분석적 차원을 도출하고 방탄소년단의 유니세프 친선대사 위촉 사례를 분석하여, 방탄소년단 팬클럽 ARMY의 초국경적 글로벌 운동이 디지털 참여를 통한 글로벌 연대로 이어졌다는 것을 밝혔다. 방탄소년단 의 스토리텔링에 내재 된 자유주의적 가치는 글로벌 청중들이 사이버 활 동에 더 많이 참여하도록 했고, 밴드의 참여는 젊은이들의 플랫폼 역할 을 하는 상향식 영향 메커니즘을 만들었다.

This study aimed to identify changes in upper body measurements and body shape types among women over a 10-year period based on data from the 6th and 8th Size Korea Anthropometric Surveys. The study used regression analysis to explore the relationship between various dimensions, enabling the prediction of different upper body dimensions based on height and waist circumference. The sample consisted of 1,179 women in their 20s who participated in the 6th (2010) and 8th (2020) Size Korea Anthropometric Surveys, with 33 items analyzed. Initially, most items, except those related to height, exhibited larger values in the 8th Survey than in the 6th, suggesting a general increase in the upper body dimensions of females in their 20s over the 10-year period. Subsequent factor analysis revealed three factors crucial for determining the upper body shape of women in this age group. The body shapes were then categorized into four distinct clusters. Regression analysis indicated that both waist circumference and height significantly influence most of the measured items, with waist circumference having a more substantial impact in most models. Through this research, we aim to provide foundational data that reflects the evolving upper body shapes of women in their 20s to enhance clothing production and improve the sizing system.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have been reported to have better properties than conventional materials; however, they are more expensive due to the high cost of their main components. Therefore, research is needed to reduce manufacturing costs. In this study, CoCrFeMnNi HEAs were prepared using metal injection molding (MIM), which is a powder metallurgy process that involves less material waste than machining process. Although the MIM-processed samples were in the face-centered cubic (FCC) phase, porosity remained after sintering at 1200°C, 1250°C, and 1275°C. In this study, the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process, which considers both temperature (1150°C) and pressure (150 MPa), was adopted to improve the quality of the MIM samples. Although the hardness of the HIP-treated samples decreased slightly and the Mn composition was significantly reduced, the process effectively eliminated many pores that remained after the 1275°C MIM process. The HIP process can improve the quality of the alloy.

The development of thermoelectric (TE) materials to replace Bi2Te3 alloys is emerging as a hot issue with the potential for wider practical applications. In particular, layered Zintl-phase materials, which can appropriately control carrier and phonon transport behaviors, are being considered as promising candidates. However, limited data have been reported on the thermoelectric properties of metal-Sb materials that can be transformed into layered materials through the insertion of cations. In this study, we synthesized FeSb and MnSb, which are used as base materials for advanced thermoelectric materials. They were confirmed as single-phase materials by analyzing X-ray diffraction patterns. Based on electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of both materials characterized as a function of temperature, the zT values of MnSb and FeSb were calculated to be 0.00119 and 0.00026, respectively. These properties provide a fundamental data for developing layered Zintl-phase materials with alkali/alkaline earth metal insertions.

InP quantum dots (QDs) have attracted researchers’ interest due to their applicability in quantum dot light-emitting displays (QLED) or biomarkers for detecting cancers or viruses. The surface or interface control of InP QD core/ shell has substantially increased quantum efficiency, with a quantum yield of 100% reached by introducing HF to inhibit oxide generation. In this study, we focused on the control of bandgap energy of quantum dots by changing the Zn/(In+Zn) ratio in the In(Zn)P core. Zinc incorporation can change the photoluminescent light colors of green, yellow, orange, and red. Diluting a solution of as-synthesized QDs by more than 100 times did not show any quenching effects by the Förster resonance energy transfer phenomenon between neighboring QDs.

Because most spent nuclear fuel storage casks have been designed for low burnup fuel, a safety-significant high burnup dry storage cask must be developed for nuclear facilities in Korea to store the increasing high burnup and damaged fuels. More than 20% of fuels generated by PWRs comprise high burnup fuels. This study conducted a structural safety evaluation of the preliminary designs for a high burnup storage cask with 21 spent nuclear fuels and evaluated feasible loading conditions under normal, off-normal, and accident conditions. Two types of metal and concrete storage casks were used in the evaluation. Structural integrity was assessed by comparing load combinations and stress intensity limits under each condition. Evaluation results showed that the storage cask had secured structural integrity as it satisfied the stress intensity limit under normal, off-normal, and accident conditions. These results can be used as baseline data for the detailed design of high burnup storage casks.

Vitrification, one of the most promising solidification processes for various materials, has been applied to radioactive waste to improve its disposal stability and reduce its volume. Because the thermal decomposition of dry active waste (DAW) significantly reduces its volume, the volume reduction factor of DAW vitrification is high. The KHNP developed the optimal glass composition for the vitrification of DAW. Since vitrification offers a high-volume reduction ratio, it is expected that disposal costs could be greatly reduced by the use of such technology. The DG-2 glass composition was developed to vitrify DAW. During the maintenance of nuclear power plants, metals containing paper, clothes, and wood are generated. ZrO2 and HfO2 are generally considered to be network-formers in borosilicate-based glasses. In this study, a feasibility study of vitrification for DAW that contains metal particulates is conducted to understand the applicability of this process under various conditions. The physicochemical properties are characterized to assess the applicability of candidate glass compositions.

A poorly known spider, Pholcus kwangkyosanensis Kim & Park, 2009 is redescribed with diagnosis, detailed descriptions, and taxonomic photographs of diagnostic characters. P. kwangkyosanensis is similar in appearance to P. kwanaksanensis Namkung & Kim, 1990, in terms of the shape of the genital organ and body, but it can be easily distinguished from the latter by the shape of the cheliceral apophysis, uncus, and procursus in males, as well as the shape of the epigynum and pore plates in females. The specimens of this spider were collected at the type locality (Mt. Gwanggyosan, Suwon), specifically under the bridge on a local stream in an agricultural landscape surrounded by rice fields, upland fields, or horticultural greenhouses.

Due to the complexity of urban area, the city vehicle routing problem has been a difficult problem. The problem has involved factors such as parking availability, road conditions, and traffic congestion, all of which increase transportation costs and delivery times. To resolve this problem, one effective solution can be the use of parcel lockers located near customer sites, where products are stored for customers to pick up. When a vehicle delivers products to a designated parcel locker, customers in the vicinity must pick up their products from that locker. Recently, identifying optimal locations for these parcel lockers has become an important research issue. This paper addresses the parcel locker location problem within the context of urban traffic congestion. By considering dynamic environmental factors, we propose a Markov decision process model to tackle the city vehicle routing problem. To ensure more real situations, we have used optimal paths for distances between two nodes. Numerical results demonstrate the viability of our model and solution strategy.

Human bitter taste-sensing type 2 receptors (hTAS2Rs) are expressed in various human tissues and may be associated with various cell signaling pathways, cell progression, and cell physiology in each tissue. hTAS2Rs can be a potential drug target because it is also expressed in some cancer cells. Xanthorrhizol (XNT) has various biological activities, such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. XNT produces a bitter taste, but the specific hTAS2R activated is unknown, and the hTAS2R-mediated effect of XNT on cancer cells has not been studied. This study discovered the target receptor of XNT among 25 hTAS2Rs and confirmed the possibility of the hTAS2R-mediated inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. XNT activated only one receptor, hTAS2R38 (EC50=1.606±0.021 g/mL), and its activity was inhibited by probenecid, a hTAS2R38 antagonist. When HepG2 and MCF-7 cells were treated with XNT or phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), a known hTAS2R38 agonist, both chemicals inhibited cancer cell proliferation. XNT targets the human bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 and inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 and MCF-7 cells mediated by TAS2R38. This suggests that TAS2R38 may be a new target for disease treatment and a potential new factor for drug development.

Teaching is often regarded as a profession with a high probability of job burnout. Research has shown a close relationship between teachers’ motivation and their burnout, but it has not been closely explored among EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers in Chinese contexts. Considering the large number of college English teachers in Chinese universities and recent changes in their role, the study explores the relationship between their motivation and burnout, as well as the factors that affect teacher burnout among Chinese college English teachers. For this purpose, a total of 261 college English teachers from ten Chinese universities participated in the survey. Among them, 68 teachers submitted their narratives on teacher burnout using the narrative frame. The results showed that high mastery and relational goals and a low level of work avoidance goals contributed to higher motivation and less teacher burnout. The demand for research, lack of autonomy, and guanxi-based practices influenced Chinese teachers’ burnout. The results show that teacher burnout is highly context-dependent and affected by the organizational structure and cultural practices. An organizational support needs to be provided for teachers to maintain their mastery goal orientations and increase their autonomy as professional teachers.

漢字構形學은 한자를 구성하는 단위의 개념을 규정하고 각 단위가 맺는 공시 적, 통시적 관계를 밝혀내어 관계를 지배하는 원리를 기술하는 학문이다. 1980년대 말에 한자구형학 이론이 정립된 후 2002년에 처음 출판된 󰡔漢字構形學講座󰡕부터 10여 년이 지난 후 2015년에 출판된 󰡔漢字構形學導論󰡕까지 내용이 보완되면서 점차 늘어난 편폭 만큼 한자구형학에 대한 저자의 깊은 통찰력도 더욱 분명하게 드러난다. 이 책 서문에서 저자는 한자를 인식하는 데 필요한 두 가지 열쇠가 표의성(表意性)과 형태 구성(構形)의 체계성이라고 강조하고 있으며, 이것은 漢字構形學을 지배하는 기본 원리라고 할 수 있 다. 漢字構形學은 한자의 본체인 ‘형태(形)’에 초점을 맞추어 한자의 형태가 구성되고 변화하는 과정에서 나타나는 ‘현상’을 연구하며, 그 이론을 관통하고 있는 핵심 주제는 한자의 ‘체계성’이다. 체계성의 핵심 의미는 그 체계를 구성하는 요소 간의 유기적 관계 에 있다. 이 책은 한자의 본체인 자형(字形)을 중심으로 한자 체계의 내부적, 외부적 요 소 간의 ‘관계’를 폭넓게 다루고 있다. 그리고 한자 체계 내부에 존재하는 각종 관계와 외 부 요소와의 관계는 통시적인 형태 변화 과정에서 나타나는 현상을 근거로 증명한다. 이 책은 이론적인 문제의 해결에서 ‘관계’를 기술하여 설명하고 ‘근거’를 들어 ‘증명’하는 한 자학의 학술적 의미를 되새기게 한다.

Undeclared nuclear activities are challenging given the lack of information from the sites involved in such activities. Wide-area environmental sampling (WAES) can be an effective method to detect undeclared nuclear activities. However, it is crucial to address the potential risks during the WAES, including sample tampering or extortions. Therefore, tracking and monitoring of various on-site data is imperative to accurately interpret the status of samples and workers throughout the WAES process. ‘Environmental and Geographical Data Transfer (EGDT)’ was developed for the real-time monitoring of integrated on-site data. EGDT module is equipped with various sensors and can be attached to a worker’s uniform or a sample storage box. This study demonstrated the technical effectiveness of EGDT by exploring three experimental methodologies for feasibility assessment. Compared to the Normal Operation case, the inference of the Sample Extortion case was predominantly based on changes in lux and dose rate. The inference of the Out-of-Work-Area case primarily relied on changes in dose rate and acceleration. Finally, the preliminary evaluation of the performance of the developed prototype was conducted, and a foundation was established for enhancing the application in the WAES process.

The pet industry, especially pet food, is experiencing rapid growth. This growth is accompanied by increasing concerns about pets' gut health, as an imbalanced microbiota can lead to various diseases. This study analyzes global patent trends in microbiome-based technologies for treating pet digestive issues using the WIPS database across major markets. Of 1,194 patents identified, 394 key references were examined, highlighting the increasing number of probiotic and microbiome-related patents since 2016. China dominates this sector, followed by Korea, Japan, and the United States. The findings provide a foundation for advancing microbiome-driven solutions for pet digestive ailments.

Background: This study focused on reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle, specifically the environmental factors affecting gestation length and birth weight. Methods: The records of 1,540 cows calved at the Hanwoo Research Institute from 2015 to 2023 were examined. This study analyzed two populations, linebreeding Hanwoo (LBH) and general Hanwoo (GH), with all cows undergoing estrus synchronization and artificial insemination. The R software was used to compare the differences between the two populations and analyze the environmental factors affecting each trait. Results: The results showed that the average gestation length for LBH was 283.28 ± 5.93 days, which was significantly shorter than that of the GH, which had an average of 285.63 ± 6.21 days (p < 0.001). The average birth weight of LBH calves was 25.10 ± 3.69 kg, significantly lighter than GH calves, which weighed 27.26 ± 4.11 kg on average (p < 0.001). Analysis of environmental factors revealed significant differences in the gestation length of LBH based on dam parity, year, and season of calving. However, no significant differences were observed based on calf sex. For LBH, birth weight showed significant differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and sex of the calf, but not the season of calving. In GH, gestation length varied with dam parity and calving season, but not with calving year or calf sex. The GH birth weight showed differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and calf sex, but not the season of calving. Conclusions: Reproductive traits in the Hanwoo cattle industry are economically vital but are heavily influenced by environmental factors due to their low heritability. An accurate evaluation of the genetic potential of these traits requires an analysis of the environmental factors affecting them. The results of this study serve as foundational data for predicting the potential for genetic improvement in the gestation length and birth weight of Hanwoo cattle.

실내 벽면녹화용으로 많이 이용되고 있는 덩굴식물 스킨답 서스(Epipremnum aureum)는 줄기의 상·하 유인방향에 생장 차이를 보이는 것으로 알려져 있으나 그 원인에 대해서는 구 체적으로 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 광원의 위치(상· 하)와 줄기 유인방향(상·하)에 따른 스킨답서스의 생장반응을 15주간 조사하였다. 그 결과 정상적인 식물 생장 환경조건인 광원이 위에 있고 줄기를 위로 유인한 처리를 제외하고는 광 원이 아래에 위치하거나 줄기를 아래로 유인한 처리에서는 굴 곡과 뒤틀림 정도가 매우 컸다. 이것은 굴광성과 항굴지성에 대한 식물체 지상부의 반응 결과이며, 굴광성과 항굴지성의 경합반응은 식물체 아래 광원이 위치하고 줄기를 아래로 유인 했을 때 더욱 뚜렷하였다. 광원의 위치와 줄기 유인방향에 따 른 스킨답서스의 생장 반응은 굴광성과 항굴지성으로 설명 가 능하며 굴광성의 영향이 상대적으로 높게 나타났다.

As the complexity and uncertainty of international construction projects increase, the importance of risk management capabilities in the construction industry has become more pronounced. Accordingly, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has become a widely adopted approach among organizations as a new way for more effective risk management. Despite its growing application, research related to ERM is still in its infancy, and most of the existing studies have been limited to financial industries. Therefore, this study aims to empirically examine the influence of ERM’s core elements on project risk management (PRM) and project performance within construction firms. Our findings indicate that the key ERM components—organization, policy, and culture—significantly enhance PRM processes, underscoring their critical role and importance. Additionally, effective PRM positively affects project outcomes, highlighting its significance for construction companies engaged in international projects. While ERM does not directly impact project performance, it indirectly improves outcomes through enhanced PRM capabilities. It suggests that ERM will contribute to the firm’s performance by improving the firm’s PRM capability through policies and a risk-focused culture corresponding to the adopted ERM organization and system..