Background: Stroke often results in impaired postural control and asymmetric weight distribution, which negatively affect balance and functional mobility. Previous research has demonstrated that balance training interventions incorporating proprioceptive stimulation and visual feedback can enhance postural stability in stroke survivors. However, there remains debate regarding the relative effectiveness of these two approaches. While proprioception-based training emphasizes sensory input from mechanoreceptors to improve postural control, visual feedback-based training leverages external cues to facilitate balance adjustments. Objectives: To investigation the effects of proprioception-based trunk exercise and visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise on sitting balance in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 participants diagnosed with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the proprioception-based trunk exercise group (PTG, n=10) and the visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise group (VTG, n=11). Both groups participated in a 6-week intervention program, five sessions per week, lasting 25 minutes per session. Outcome measures included the Limitation of Stability (LOS), the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS), and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests to evaluate within-group and between-group differences. Results: Both PTG and VTG groups demonstrated significant improvements in LOS, K-TIS, and PASS scores following the intervention (P<.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the amount of change observed. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both proprioception-based and visualauditory feedback-based trunk exercises are effective in improving sitting balance in chronic stroke patients. The lack of a significant difference between the groups indicates that both approaches provide comparable benefits. Future research should explore long-term effects and investigate potential differences in various functional domains beyond sitting balance.

Background: Neck discomfort and movement limitations are common musculoskeletal problems among modern people. While cervical and thoracic joint mobilization are widely used interventions for cervical dysfunction, research comparing their immediate effectiveness in adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation is limited. Objectives: To compare the immediate effects of cervical versus thoracic joint mobilization in adults with adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation and discomfort. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty adults with left-right differences in cervical rotation of more than 5 degrees were randomly assigned to a cervical mobilization group (CMG, n=15) or thoracic mobilization group (TMG, n=15). Both groups received Grade III mobilization for 15 minutes. Range of motion (ROM), pain (VAS), and neck disability index (NDI) were measured before and after intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant increases in ROM after intervention (P<.001). Within-group analysis revealed that the TMG showed significant pain reduction (P<.01) and significant reduction in left-right rotation asymmetry (P<.001), while the CMG showed improvement in ROM but no significant changes in asymmetry or pain (P>.05). Neither group showed significant changes in NDI. Between-group comparisons showed no significant differences in any outcome measures. Conclusion: Both cervical and thoracic joint mobilization increased cervical range of motion in adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation discomfort. The TMG demonstrated significant within-group improvements in left-right rotation asymmetry and pain reduction, suggesting potential clinical benefits of thoracic mobilization for certain aspects of cervical dysfunction.

Background: Functional sarcopenia, a subcategory of sarcopenia, has recently been introduced. It is defined by muscle weakness and reduced physical performance, regardless of muscle mass reduction, and may potentially affect overall rehabilitation outcomes in patients. Objectives: This study aimed to classify stroke patients into two groups based on the presence or absence of functional sarcopenia and to compare changes in balance and gait ability after receiving the same rehabilitation intervention. Design: A quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 44 stroke patients participated in this study and were classified into functional sarcopenia (n=22) and non-functional sarcopenia groups. Physical function tests were used to assess balance (Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale) and gait (10-Meter Walk Test, Functional Ambulation Category). All participants underwent a four-week convalescent rehabilitation program, receiving five sessions per week, with each session lasting four hours per day. Results: After four weeks of convalescent rehabilitation, both groups showed significant improvements in all outcome measures (P<.05). However, when comparing the pre-post changes, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the changes of balance and gait outcomes (P>.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that stroke patients with functional sarcopenia can achieve a similar level of functional recovery as those without functional sarcopenia when provided with appropriate rehabilitation interventions.

Background: Recent research suggests that the most effective and proactive method for correcting excessive pronation, which contributes to the lowering of the medial longitudinal arch, is to enhance both intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles simultaneously. Objectives: This study aims to compare the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle exercises on medial longitudinal arch height, plantar pressure distribution, and lactate levels in university students with flexible flatfoot. Design: Randomized controlled trial study. Methods: Twenty-two students with flexible flat foot participated in this study and were recruited by N University in Korea. The subjects were randomly divided into Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening group (IFG; n=11) that went through Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercise, Extrinsic foot muscle strengthening group (EFG; n=11) that went through extrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercise. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Results: Both groups showed significant increases in medial arch height and first metatarsal bone pressure, while EFG also had increased pressure at the second to fourth metatarsal bones. No significant differences were found in lactate levels. Conclusion: Both intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercises can be suggested as effective interventions for improving medial longitudinal arch height and plantar pressure.

Background: Prolonged use of computers and mobile devices has contributed to postural abnormalities such as Rounded Shoulder Posture (RSP), which is characterized by muscle imbalances that can lead to pain and functional limitations. Correcting these imbalances through targeted stretching and strengthening exercises was expected to help improve postural alignment and muscle function. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week integrated exercise program targeting the pectoralis minor (PM), upper trapezius (UT), and lower trapezius (LT) on postural alignment and muscle activation in female adults with RSP. Design: Single-group pre-post test study. Methods: Eighteen female university students (aged 20–22 years) with RSP participated in a six-week intervention consisting of PM stretching, UT stretching, and LT strengthening exercises. RSP severity was assessed using acromion-to-ground distance, PM length was measured with a caliper, and surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to evaluate UT and LT muscle activity. Normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and paired t-tests were conducted for statistical analysis (α=0.05). Results: After the intervention, significant improvements were observed in all measured variables. Acromion-to-ground distance decreased (P<0.001), PM length increased (P<0.001), UT activation decreased (P<0.01), and LT activation increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: The six-week integrated exercise program effectively improved postural alignment and muscle activation in women with RSP by addressing muscle shortening, overactivity, and weakness. These findings suggest that combined stretching and strengthening exercises can serve as a practical and effective approach for RSP correction. Future studies with longer durations and diverse populations are recommended to further validate these results and enhance clinical applicability.

Background: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is a prevalent cause of shoulder pain, often linked to abnormal scapular positioning and movement. Prior research suggests that scapular stabilization exercises (SSE) may improve SAIS symptoms, but there's a lack of research on the specific quantitative effects of SSE on scapular position and function. Objectives: To investigated the effects of SSE on scapular position and shoulder function in patients with SAIS. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty participants with SAIS, diagnosed using the Scapular Dyskinesis Test (SDT), were randomly assigned to either a scapular stabilization exercise group (SSEG, n=15) or a traditional rehabilitation training group (TRTG, n=15). Both groups received eight weeks of intervention. Outcome measures included the scapular index (SI), measured using digital vernier calipers, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Results: The SSE group showed statistically significant increases in scapular index (SI) and significant decreases in Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) pain and disability scores. The TRTG showed no statistically significant changes in these measures. The SSE group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in SI and SPADI scores compared to the TRTG. Conclusion: These findings suggest that SSE may be a valuable treatment option for improving shoulder function and reducing pain in patients with SAIS. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the longterm effects of SSE.

This study aims to demonstrate the integration of character education with content and language integrated learning (CLIL) and evaluate its effects on the English language learning and character development of young learners who use EFL. Eight participants received character-integrated CLIL instruction over 16 class sessions. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study collected qualitative data primarily through observations, interviews, portfolios, self-assessments, and peerassessments, complemented by quantitative data from English tests and questionnaires. Findings revealed that character-integrated CLIL significantly enhanced learners’ oral language skills, confidence, and engagement in learning English. Additionally, it facilitated simultaneous development of language proficiency and subject knowledge, while promoting acquisition of positive character traits. The learner-centered environment supported by teacher scaffolding and authentic materials allowed learners to apply their knowledge to real-life situations. These results provide educators with a model for effectively integrating character education into language learning. They also highlight the broader potential of CLIL to foster holistic learner development.

본 논문은 한반도 유사 사례 중 하나인 KAL 858 사건 당시 한미일의 대응을 검토하였다. 본 연구는 KAL 858 사건이 발생했던 전두환 정권 시기와 노태우가 대통령으로 취임했던 1988년 2월 25일 이후 시기를 구 분하여 한국, 미국, 일본에서 생산된 1차 자료들을 중심으로 검토하였다. KAL 858 사건 발생 당시 한국, 미국, 일본은 공통적인 반응을 나타냈 다. 우선 KAL 858 사건이 일어났던 1987년 11월부터 한국, 미국, 일본 모두 협력하여 북한을 규탄하며 제재를 가하였다. 반면, 노태우 대통령 취임 이후 한국, 미국, 일본은 북한을 규탄하면서도 군사적인 보복 등의 강력한 제재와 관련된 고려를 줄였다. 본 연구는 1987년 KAL 858 사건 에서 한국, 미국, 일본이 협력하는 모습을 보였음을 제시한다.

본 연구는 기술수용모델(TAM), 컴퓨터 사회적 행위자 이론(CASA), 그 리고 자극-유기체-반응(S-O-R) 모델을 종합적으로 활용하여, AI 기반 디지털 휴먼 투어 가이드의 ‘신기술적 속성’과 ‘사회적 행위자 특성’이 문화관광 맥락에서 방문객의 감정적 경험 및 문화적 정체성 형성에 어떻 게 작용하는지를 규명하였다. 이를 위해 현장 조사와 온라인 설문을 통 해 총 436부의 유효 표본을 확보하고, 구조방정식 모형과 매개분석을 실 시하였다. 연구 결과, 지각된 기술적 새로움(technological novelty), 신 뢰도(credibility), 인간적 특성(anthropomorphism), 그리고 행위성 (agency)은 모두 방문객의 감정적 경험을 유의미하게 높이는 것으로 나 타났으며, 이는 직·간접적으로 문화적 정체성을 강화하는 데 기여하였다. 반면 지각된 지능적 우위(intelligent advantage)는 통계적으로 유의한 영향이 확인되지 않아, 경험 중심의 맥락에서는 순수하게 합리적인 기술 적 특성만으로는 충분한 방문객 공감을 이끌어내기 어렵다는 점이 시사 되었다. 본 연구는 S-O-R 모델 내에서 감정적 경험의 매개 역할을 부각 함으로써, TAM 및 CASA 이론의 적용 범위를 확장하였다. 또한 실무적 으로는 AI 기반 투어 가이드 디자인 시 새로움, 신뢰도, 인간적 특성, 그 리고 상호작용적 행위성을 강조함으로써 방문객의 감정적 몰입과 문화적 태도를 제고할 수 있음을 제안한다.

This longitudinal study used data from the Busan Educational Longitudinal Study (BELS) to identify growth profiles of English class self-efficacy (ECS) over three years and their associations with English class comprehension, engagement, and achievement. A middle school student sample from 2016 to 2018 BELS comprised 3,038 students (1,394 females and 1,644 males) from 56 middle schools in South Korea. Using a personcentered approach with Mplus 8.4, a higher-order growth mixture modeling (GMM) yielded three distinct growth trajectories of ECS: 82.8% of initially high and slowly decreasing (HSD) group, 9.7% of intermediate high and decreasing (IHD) group, and 7.5% of low but increasing (LI) group growth profiles. Results indicated that English class comprehension, engagement, and achievement showed statistically significant mean differences across each growth profile of ECS. The identified ECS growth profiles can be used to tailor intervention measures. Empirical findings are discussed in terms of pedagogical implications in applied language learning and teaching practices and further research.

Gas sensors are crucial devices in various fields including industrial safety, environmental monitoring, gas infrastructure and medical diagnosis. These sensors measure specific gases in different environments, guaranteeing operational safety and efficiency through precise on-site measurements. Designed for high sensitivity, stability and reliability, gas sensors must also be cost-effective, quickly responsive and compact. To address these diverse requirements, we have developed two types of gas sensors based on the volumetric and the manometric method. These sensors operate by measuring the gas volume and the pressure changes, respectively, of the emitted gas. These sensors are capable of determining gas transport parameters such as gas uptake, solubility and diffusion coefficient for gas-charged polymers in high pressure environment. The sensors provide rapid responses within one second and can measure gas concentrations ranging from 0.01 wt ppm to 1500 wt ppm with adjustable sensitivity and measurement ranges. Performance evaluations demonstrate the sensors' reliability, adaptability to varying measurement ranges and stability under temperature and pressure fluctuations. As a result, this sensor system facilitates the real time detection and analysis of gas transport properties in pure gases including H₂, He, N₂, O₂ and Ar, making it suitable for pure gas sensing.

Writing conferences are one-on-one feedback sessions that enable teachers and students to engage in constructive interactions to improve students’ writing. While interacting individually, a teacher can use various feedback strategies to improve the quality of a student’s writing. This study examined how a secondary English teacher elicited students’ self-correction of writing issues during EFL writing conferences conducted in Korean (L1) as part of an after-school English program at a Korean high school. One English teacher and five first-year students participated in writing classes for two weeks during the winter vacation. Their conversations were video-recorded and analyzed using Conversation Analysis. Findings revealed that the teacher elicited the student’s selfcorrection through four key strategies: (1) metalinguistic clues, (2) building on initial corrections, (3) leveraging morphological knowledge, and (4) guiding students through a stepwise construction of sentence elements. This study can enhance our understanding of corrective feedback in secondary EFL writing conferences and offer insights for improving teacher-student feedback interactions.

Sodium sulfate, as a commonly used early strengthening agent, has been widely used in different areas. Because of its sulfonic acid group, sodium sulfate is also used as a cement capillary crystal waterproof material. However, temperature has a significant effect on concrete mixed with sodium sulfate. The effect of sodium sulfate on the early hydration rate at different temperatures was studied by conducting a time and hydration thermal analysis. The effects of sodium sulfate on the mechanical properties of concrete at different temperatures were studied through compressive strength experiments. Impermeability at different temperatures was studied by testing resistance to chloride ion penetration and resistance to water penetration. The effect of resistance to sulfate attack was also experimentally. The hydration products were analyzed by electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The experimental results showed that at low temperature, sodium sulfate can accelerate the early hydration reaction rate, and the effect becomes weaker with increasing temperature. At low temperature, the addition of sodium sulfate can effectively improve the degree of hydration, and enhance the permeability resistance and ion erosion resistance of the matrix.

During an investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in the Republic of Korea, 17 bacterial strains belonging to the phylum Bacteroidota and 4 strains belonging to the phylum Bacillota were isolated from freshwater environments. These isolated bacterial strains formed a robust phylogenetic clade with type strains of the closest related bacterial species, with 16S rRNA gene sequences sharing similarities of higher than 98.7%. To date, there have been no official report of these 21 isolates in the Republic of Korea. At the genus level, these unreported species were affiliated with Mucilaginibacter and Pedobacter of class Sphingobacteriia, Flavobacterium and Gillisia of class Flavobacteriia, Hymenobacter of class Cytophagia, and Paenibacillus and Planococcus of class Bacilli. These species were further examined by performing Gram staining, analyzing their colonies and cell morphologies, and determining their basic biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic positions. Detailed descriptions of the 21 previously unreported species are provided.

The present study investigates the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools by pre-service teachers (PSTs) in lesson planning for a middle-school English as a foreign language (EFL) class, aiming to address gaps and inform teacher training. The case study examined PSTs in a South Korean university course who were tasked with creating lesson plans using generative AI to aid in lesson plan development for a middle school lesson that incorporated generative AI. Data were analyzed thematically, and results revealed that generative AI was used in topic selection, material creation, lesson organization, and language checking. While generative AI facilitated efficiency and creativity, challenges emerged, including the quality of outputs and limited incorporation of effective pedagogical strategies. These findings indicate a need for targeted training in prompt engineering, ethical considerations, pedagogy, and collaborative practices to enhance PSTs’ generative AI competencies. This study contributes to teacher education programs by providing insights into the practical integration of generative AI in pedagogical practices.

Defense Modeling & Simulation (M&S) techniques are used for developing the efficiency and economics of national defense at operational level so that it maintains interoperability and reusability in sustainability for the following process of the war simulation. However, the lack of conceptual models was one cause of limiting the interoperability and reusability in defense M&S areas. In this paper, the Conceptual Model of the Mission Space (CMMS) is studied as preliminary process for the defense M&S. The conceptual modeling framework called CMMS-K (Conceptual Model of the Mission Space-Korea) is suggested using a case example in consideration of the Korean Army specification and characteristics. The practicality of CMMS-K is evaluated through the ontology development for military scenarios. It is expected that the gap between the theoretical approach and the practical perspective of defense M&S can be diminished through the use of these approaches.

The utilization of pig slurry (PS) as an organic fertilizer plays a pivotal role in nutrient recycling within agricultural systems. However, this practice concomitantly leads nitrogen (N) losses through ammonia (NH₃) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of wood biochar on mitigating NH3 and N2O emissions and enhancing N retention from PS-applied soil, and plant biomass production during the vegetative growth of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). The experiment consisted of three treatments: 1) water (non-PS), 2) PS, and 3) PS combined with wood biochar (PS+WB). The PS+WB treatment resulted in the maintenance of elevated soil water content during the experimental period. The PS+WB treatment significantly enhanced soil nitrogen retention compared to PS alone, maintaining higher total N and NH₄⁺-N levels while reducing NO₃⁻ -N accumulation. Wood biochar application also leds to substantial reductions in NH₃ and N₂O emissions, mitigating environmental N losses. The PS+WB treatment resulted in an improvement of shoot biomass, crude protein content, and total digestible nutrients, indicating enhanced forage quality. The increased soil moisture content in PS+WB further contributed to plant growth benefits. These findings demonstrate that wood biochar is an effective amendment for improving nitrogen retention, reducing gaseous N emissions, and enhancing crop productivity in PS-amended soils.

Global strategists emphasize leveraging capabilities developed in domestic markets when expanding into international markets, a strategy reflected in the entry of Korean startups into the Chinese market. Value appropriation refers to a company's ability to claim its share of the value created in a target market, with value appropriation factors being critical elements required for this process. Despite these strategies, many foreign companies fail to achieve expected performance in China, often attributed to their inability to secure the necessary value appropriation factors. Researchers posit that business guanxi can play a pivotal role in facilitating the acquisition of these factors in the Chinese market. This study examines the relationship between the network capabilities of global startups and value appropriation factors during the overseas expansion stage. It also explores the moderating effect of business guanxi through empirical research. The data was collected via surveys from Korean global startups targeting business operations in China. The results indicate that sub-components of network capability, specifically networking capability and international market resource securing capability, are significantly associated with the acquisition of value appropriation factors. Furthermore, business guanxi was found to positively moderate the relationship between networking capability and securing value appropriation factors. These findings suggest that Korean global startups should prioritize developing strong network capabilities and fostering business guanxi to enhance their ability to secure value appropriation factors during the overseas expansion stage. Chinese companies do not have deep trust in Korean startups. Therefore, startups should build a business guanxi based on emotional trust from the beginning of early entry. This effort will extend beyond the trust of startup products and services to corporate trust.