Background: Since core competence-based training is in demand, this study aimed to revise suitable major competencies for the Department of Physical Therapy at U University and use them to propose appropriate educational processes. Objectives: This research was to modify the competencies established in 2020 for Physical Therapy using focus group interviews, validate them using the Delphi survey, and modify a curriculum that aligns with competencies. Design: Panel survey research. Methods: This case study was conducted at U University. To reform curricula based on major competence, related documents were analyzed, expert opinions were obtained, and expert panel group Delphi survey was conducted. Results: The three major competencies of the Department of Physical Therapy at U University and 6 sub-competencies were defined by focus group interviews and review by the Physical Therapy Department Curriculum Committee. Additionally, the validity of the major competencies was established by the Delphi survey. Conclusions: Through step-by-step analysis, the current curriculum was revised into three major competencies and six sub-competencies, and the validity of the selected competencies was secured through a Delphi survey.

Background: Thoracic kyphosis is a condition characterized by an excessive curvature of the thoracic spine, often leading to decreased trunk range of motion and various health complications. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a rolling corrector on trunk range of motion (ROM) and thoracic kyphosis angle in individuals with thoracic kyphosis. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty participants with a thoracic kyphosis angle of 40 degrees or more were randomly assigned to either the rolling corrector group (RCG) or the control group (CG). The RCG used the rolling corrector for 30 minutes per session, five times a week for two weeks, while the CG received no intervention. Trunk ROM and thoracic kyphosis angle were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The RCG showed significant improvements in trunk flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM, as well as in the thoracic kyphosis angle, in within-group comparisons (P<.05). The CG did not exhibit significant changes in any of these variables (P<.05). Significant differences between the RCG and CG were observed in trunk ROM and thoracic kyphosis angle (P<.05). Conclusion: The rolling corrector was effective in improving trunk ROM and reducing the thoracic kyphosis angle in individuals with thoracic kyphosis. These findings suggest that the rolling corrector may be a beneficial intervention for managing thoracic kyphosis.

We conducted a study on excessive doping of the Cr and In elements in Bi-Sb-Te materials satisfying the Hume- Rothery rule, and investigated the resulting electrical and thermal properties. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, we confirmed the formation of a single phase even with excessive doping. Through analysis of electrical properties, we observed the highest enhancement in electrical characteristics at y = 0.2, suggesting that the appropriate ratio of Bi-Sb significantly influences this enhancement. Using the Callaway-von Baeyer (CvB) model to assess scattering due to point defects, we calculated the experimental point defect scattering factor (ΓCvB.exp), which was notably high due to the substantial differences in volume and atomic weight between the substituted (Cr, In) and original (Bi, Sb) elements. Additionally, we conducted a single parabolic band (SPB) modeling analysis of materials with compositions y = 0.1 and 0.2, where, despite a decrease in densityof- states effective mass (md *) during the enhancement process from y = 0.1 to 0.2, a sharp increase in non-degenerate mobility (μ0) led to an 88 % increase in weighted mobility (μw). Furthermore, analyzing zT with respect to nH revealed a 51 % increase in zT at a composition of y = 0.2. This study confirmed a significant reduction in lattice thermal conductivity with the co-doping strategy, and with further compositional studies to improve electrical properties, we anticipate achieving high zT.

Organic-inorganic hybrid coating films have been used to increase the transmittance and enhance the physical properties of plastic substrates. Sol-gel organic-inorganic thin films were fabricated on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrates using a dip coater. Metal alkoxide precursor tetraethylsilicate (TEOS) and alkoxy silanes including decyltrimethoxysilane (DTMS), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMS), 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) were used to synthesize sol-gel hybrid coating solutions. Sol-gel synthesis was confirmed by the results of FT-IR. Cross-linking of the Si-O-Si network during synthesis of the sol-gel reaction was confirmed. The effects of each alkoxy silane on the coating film properties were investigated. All of the organicinorganic hybrid coatings showed improved transmittance of over 90 %. The surface hardness of all coating films on the PMMA substrate was measured to be 4H or higher and the average thickness of the coating films was measured to be about 500 nm. Notably, the TEOS/DTMS coating film showed excellent hydrophobic properties, of about 97°.

Cu-Ti thin films were fabricated using a combinatorial sputtering system to realize highly sensitive surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. The Cu-Ti sample library was grown with various chemical compositions and electrical resistivity, providing important information for selecting the most suitable materials for SAW devices. Considering that acoustic waves generated from piezoelectric materials are significantly affected by the resistivity and density of interdigital transducer (IDT) electrodes, three types of Cu-Ti thin films with different Cu contents were fabricated. The thickness of the Cu-Ti thin films used in the SAW-IDT electrode was fixed at 150 nm. As the Cu content of the Cu-Ti films was increased from 31.2 to 71.3 at%, the resistivity decreased from 10.5 to 5.8 × 10-5 ohm-cm, and the density increased from 5.5 to 7.3 g/cm3, respectively. A SAW device composed of Cu-Ti IDT electrodes resonated at exactly 143 MHz without frequency shifts, but the full width at half maximum (FWHM) values of the resonant frequency gradually increased as the Cu content increased. This means that although the increase in Cu content in the Cu-Ti thin film helps to improve the electrical properties of the IDT electrode, the increased density of the IDT electrode deteriorates the acoustic performance of SAW devices.

Hydrothermal and ultrasonic processes were used in this study to synthesize a single-atom Cu anchored on t-BaTiO3. The resulting material effectively employs vibration energy for the piezoelectric (PE) catalytic degradation of pollutants. The phase and microstructure of the sample were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it was found that the sample had a tetragonal perovskite structure with uniform grain size. The nanomaterial achieved a considerable increase in tetracycline degradation rate (approximately 95 % within 7 h) when subjected to mechanical vibration. In contrast, pure BaTiO3 demonstrated a degradation rate of 56.7 %. A significant number of piezoinduced negative charge carriers, electrons, can leak out to the Cu-doped BaTiO3 interface due to Cu’s exceptional conductivity. As a result, a single-atom Cu catalyst can facilitate the separation of these electrons, resulting in synergistic catalysis. By demonstrating a viable approach for improving ultrasonic and PE materials this research highlights the benefits of combining ultrasonic technology and the PE effect.

Among the products of the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR), CO is currently the most valuable product for industrial applications. However, poor stability is a significant obstacle to CO2RR. Therefore, we synthesized a series of bimetallic organic framework materials containing different ratios of tungsten to copper using a hydrothermal method and used them as precursors. The precursors were then subjected to pyrolysis at 800 °C under argon gas, and the M-N bimetallic sites were formed after 2 h. Loose porous structures favorable for electrocatalytic reactions were finally obtained. The material could operate at lower reduction potentials than existing catalysts and obtained higher Faraday efficiencies than comparable catalysts. Of these, the current density of WCu-C/N (W:Cu = 3:1) could be stabilized at 7.9 mA ‧ cm-2 and the FE of CO reached 94 % at a hydrogen electrode potential of -0.6 V (V vs. RHE). The novel materials made with a two-step process helped to improve the stability and selectivity of the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO, which will help to promote the commercial application of this technology.

This study was conducted to solve the problem of the existing odor management method taking a long time to analyze samples. Using real-time air quality measurement equipment, 17 designated odor substances were measured three times at a business site causing odor complaints. As a result, three substances, hydrogen sulfide, trimethylamine, and methyl mercaptan, were measured at higher levels than the site boundary emission standards inside the business site. In the case of trimethylamine, it was measured about 500 times higher than Odor Threshold Values, and was estimated to be the substance causing the odor. Through an inspection of the business site, improvements were instructed to be made to the wastewater treatment process, which is the emission facility where trimethylamine is generated. Subsequent measurement results showed that designated odor substances were measured within the emission standards at all locations, and it was determined that efficient management of odorgenerating businesses would be possible if Selected Ion Flow tube-Mass Spectrometry was utilized.

In Korea, “group feeding facilities” are public establishments that offer food to large numbers of people, typically consisting of more than 50 individuals at a time. As of March 2024, there were 46,642 such meal facilities in Korea. Among these, 14,177 (30.4%) were kindergartens, 12,155 (26.1%) were schools, and 9,949 (21.3%) were industrial facilities. In February 2021, lung cancer among culinary workers in schools was first recognized as an occupational disease. Since then, the necessity of implementing health management of culinary workers and improving the cooking environment has become a pressing issue. Previous studies have identified various cooking pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and aldehydes generated during the cooking process. These pollutants have been shown to significantly impact on both indoor and outdoor environments. They are initially produced in cooking spaces, can spread to indoor dining areas by diffusion, and are eventually emitted to the outside air through exhaust outlets. Therefore, this study investigated previous research on the characteristics of pollutants and the environmental impacts of cooking facilities, including facilities providing meals. Additionally, this study analyzed the current status and limitations of policies and pollutant management systems related to these facilities. Finally, to improve the cooking environment and safeguard the health of workers, this study proposed several recommendations. These include guidelines and management system proposals for controlling cooking pollutants.

This study aimed to obtain basic information on the indoor environmental hygiene of non-disinfected libraries used for paper records preservation in the Nara Repository of National Archives, Korea. Microorganisms were investigated in dust samples collected from bookshelves of five libraries using the swab method. Bacterial concentration ranged from 6 CFU/m2 up to 1,730 CFU/m2 . A total of 11 bacterial species belonging to five genera were identified, with Bacillus being the predominant genus. Some bacterial species forming colonies with pigmentation on TSA media were also present. No bacterial species capable of producing cellulases were found. However, one species that could have harmful effects on human health was discovered. For fungi, concentration ranged between 6 CFU/m2 to 1,660 CFU/m2, and a total of six fungal species belonging to five genera were found. Some fungal species forming pigmented colonies on PDA media were also present. Additionally, three species that could have harmful effects on human health were identified. This study’s data suggests that microbial contamination in the dust is relatively low, but the dust in the bookshelves of non-disinfected libraries at the Nara Repository requires management. This is the first report conducted on microorganisms in the dust of bookshelves at the National Archives in Korea.

This study developed and tested a pilot-scale biowindow for simultaneous removal of odor and methane from landfills. The test was conducted in a sanitary landfill site during the summer season (July and August). The average temperature inside the biowindow was 5°C higher than the average air temperature, rising to 37–48oC when the outdoor temperature was very hot. The complex odor removal rate (based on the dilution-to-threshold value) in the biowindow during the summer was 91.3- 98.8% (with an average of 96.2±4.2%). The average concentration of hydrogen sulfide was 3,024.9±805.8 ppb, and its concentration was found to be the highest among 22 odorous compounds. The removal efficiencies of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan were 89.1% and 83.2%, respectively. The removal of dimethyl sulfide was 17.7%, and no ammonia removal was observed. Additionally, the removal efficiencies of toluene and xylene were 85.2% and 72.5%, respectively. Although the initial methane removal was low (24.9%), the methane removal performance improved to 53.7–75.6% after the 11th day of operation. These results demonstrate that the odor and methane removal performance of the pilot-scale biowindow was relatively stable even when the internal temperature of the biowindow rose above 40oC in the summer. Since the main microorganisms responsible for decomposing odor and methane are replaced by thermotolerant or thermophilic microorganisms, and high community diversity is maintained, odor and methane in the biowindow could be stably removed even under high-temperature conditions.

Health concerns related to particulate matter (PM) pollution are on the rise globally. This study investigates the effects of the main components of PM on human airway epithelial cells (Calu-3), focusing on three distinct types: PM10-bound PAHs (including Benzo[a]anthracene and Benzo[b]fluoranthene), PM10-bound trace elements (containing arsenic and lead), and PM2.5-bound ions (comprising sodium and calcium). Calu-3 cells were exposed to these PM components at concentrations ranging from 2 to 100 μg/mL. Unexposed Calu-3 cells exhibited a 60% increase in metabolic activity after 12 hours. In contrast, exposure to PM components resulted in significant reductions in cell viability, with PM10-bound PAHs and PM10-bound trace elements causing decreases of 54% and 55% respectively, and PM2.5-bound ions leading to a 63% reduction at 100 μg/mL. Additionally, there was found to be a notable rise in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-8 and TNF-α. Specifically, IL-8 levels increased by 456%, and TNF-α levels rose by 660% after 12 hours of exposure to PM2.5-bound ions. These findings indicate that the size and composition of fine dust particles play a critical role in their cytotoxic effects, contributing to increased cell death, membrane damage, and necrosis in airway epithelial cells.

In this study, hybrid devices were developed to simultaneously remove odor and particulate matter (PM) emitted during meat grilling, and their performance was evaluated. A ceramic filter system and surfactant microbubble plasma system were used to reduce particulate matter. For odor reduction, an electro-oxidation system, an ozone-active catalytic oxidation system, and a multi-adsorption filter system were used. By combining the above particulate matter reduction and odor reduction devices, the reduction efficiency of odor and particulate matter generated during meat grilling was analyzed. As a result, most of the six combined device conditions showed a reduction efficiency of more than 90% for particulate matter. The combined odor also showed a high reduction efficiency of less than 200 times the emission concentration standard. This study also evaluated 22 types of odorous substances, of which ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) showed removal efficiencies of more than 99%. Therefore, it is expected that the combination of these technologies can be used and applied directly to the sites where meat grilling restaurants are located to effectively contribute to the simultaneous reduction of particulate matter and odor.

One of the harmful substances produced by livestock manure is ammonia (NH3), which is emitted at a high rate. Additionally, NH3 reacts with sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere to produce fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, the management and countermeasures for NH3 in livestock facilities were found to be inadequate. To establish effective measures, an NH3 emission factor that complies with certified methodologies is required. This study calculates the emission factor by monitoring NH3 concentration and ventilation between September 2022 and May 2023 in a mechanically-ventilated enclosed facility. The data measurement was performed in accordance with the VERA test protocol from Europe, and NH3 concentrations were monitored in real-time using photoacoustic spectroscopy measurement equipment. The average NH3 concentrations for Rooms 1, 2, and 3 during the entire period were measured at 0.96 ± 0.39 ppm, 1.20 ± 0.57 ppm, and 1.34 ± 0.71 ppm, respectively, with an overall average of approximately 1.17 ± 0.49 ppm. The average ventilation was recorded at 2,782.0 ± 1,510.4 m³/h, with an average internal temperature of 26.0 ± 1.5 °C and a relative humidity of 63.9 ± 5.2%. The average emission factor per room was calculated as 0.14 ± 0.03 g/day/pig for Room 1, 0.19 ± 0.07 g/day/pig for Room 2, and 0.15 ± 0.05 g/day/pig for Room 3. Ultimately, this study determined the average NH3 emission factor for the weaned pig facility to be 0.16 g/day/ pig.

This study investigated the characteristics of personal PM2.5 exposure among 109 participants residing in Seoul over a two-month period, from February 2024 to April 2024. The participants were categorized into four sub-populations, and personal exposure to PM2.5 was assessed using portable monitors, GPS, and time-activity diaries. To understand the time-activity patterns, the daily occupancy rate for different microenvironments was calculated. Additionally, daily PM2.5 exposure contribution and integrated exposure were quantified. A time series analysis was conducted to identify differences in time-activity patterns and PM2.5 exposure among the sub-populations. ANOVA analysis indicated statistically significant differences in PM2.5 concentrations across populations and microenvironments (p<0.05). However, post-hoc analysis revealed specific microenvironments within certain sub-populations where PM2.5 concentration differences were not significant (p>0.05). All sub-populations spent more than 90% of their time indoors, and the results for exposure contribution and integrated exposure indicated that the home, which had the highest occupancy rate, was the most significant contributor to PM2.5 exposure. This study is expected to serve as foundational data for future indoor air quality management and the development of personalized strategies for reducing PM2.5 exposure.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can adversely affect human and plant health by generating secondary pollutants such as ozone and fine particulate matter, through photochemical reactions, necessitating systematic management. This study investigated the distribution characteristics of gaseous VOCs in ambient air, with a focus on interpreting data from a photochemical pollution perspective. This paper analyzed the presence and concentration distribution of VOCs in industrial areas, identifying toluene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and n-octane as the most frequently detected components. Particularly, toluene was found to significantly contribute to the formation of ozone and fine particulate matter, highlighting the need for stricter regulation of this compound. Although n-octane and styrene were present in relatively low concentrations overall, their significant contributions to ozone generation and secondary organic aerosol formation, respectively, emphasize their importance in air pollution management.

Among various organic materials suitable for silicon-based inorganic-organic hybrid solar cells, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been extensively studied due to its high optical transmittance, high work function, and low bandgap characteristics. The electro-optical properties of PEDOT:PSS have a significant impact on the power conversion efficiency of silicon-organic hybrid solar cells. To enhance the photovoltaic properties of the silicon-organic hybrid solar cells, we developed a method to improve the properties of the PEDOT:PSS film using Ag nanowires (NW) instead of conventional solvent addition methods. The influence of the Ag NW on the electro-optical property of the PEDOT:PSS film and the photovoltaic performance of the silicon-organic hybrid solar cells were investigated. The addition of Ag NW further improved the sheet resistance of the PEDOT:PSS film, enhancing the performance of the silicon-organic hybrid solar cells. The present work using the low sheet resistance PEDOT:PSS layer paves the way to develop simple yet more efficient siliconorganic hybrid solar cells.

Transition metal oxide-based materials have mainly been studied as electrodes for energy storage devices designed to meet essential energy demands. Among transition metal oxide-based materials, hydrated vanadium pentoxide (V2O5 ‧ nH2O), a vanadium oxide material, has demonstrated great electrochemical performance in the electrodes of energy storage devices. Graphene oxide (GO), a carbon-based material with high surface area and high electrical conductivity, has been added to V2O5 ‧ nH2O to compensate for its low electrical conductivity and structural instability. Here, V2O5 ‧ nH2O/GO nanobelts are manufactured with water without adding acid to ensure that the GO is uniformly dispersed, using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The resulting V2O5 ‧ nH2O/GO nanobelts exhibited a high specific capacitance of 206 F/g and more stable cycling performance than V2O5 ‧ nH2O without GO. The drying conditions of the carbon paper electrodes also resulted in more stable cycling performance when conducted at high vacuum and high temperature, compared with low vacuum and room temperature conditions. The improvement in electrochemical performance due to the addition of GO and the drying conditions of carbon paper electrodes indicate their great potential value as electrodes in energy storage devices.

The surface of titanium (Ti) dental implants was modified by applying a zinc (Zn)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating. Initially, the Ti surfaces were etched with NaOH, followed by a hydrolysis co-condensation using tetrabutyl titanate (TBT, Ti(OC4H9)4) and zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2 ‧ 6H2O), with ammonia water (NH3 ‧ H2O) acting as a hydroxide anion source. The morphology and chemical composition of the Zn-doped TiO2-coated Ti plates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synthesis temperatures were carefully adjusted to produce anatase Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with a bipyramidal structure and approximate sizes of 100 nm. Wettability tests and cell viability assays demonstrated the biomedical potential of these modified surfaces, which showed high biocompatibility with a survival rate of over 95 % (p < 0.05) and improved wettability. Corrosion resistance tests using potentiodynamic polarization reveal that Zn-TiO2-treated samples with an anatase crystal structure exhibited a lower corrosion current density and more noble corrosion potential compared to samples coated with a rutile structure. This method offers a scalable approach that could be adapted by the biomaterial industry to improve the functionality and longevity of various biomedical implants.

Background: Effective management of clinical assessment tools is critical in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation research. Managing rehabilitation outcome measures (ROMs) scores and training therapists in multicenter randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is challenging. Objects: The aim of this study was to develop a web-based platform, the Korean Rehabilitation Outcome Measurement (KoROM), to address these limitations and improve both therapist training and patient involvement in the rehabilitation process. Methods: The development of the KoROM spanned from June 2021 to July 2022, and included literature and web-based searches to identify relevant ROMs and design a user-friendly platform. Feedback from six physical therapy and informatics experts during pilot testing refined the platform. Results: Several clinical assessment tools categorized under the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model are categorized in the KoROM. The therapist version includes patient management, assessment tool information, and data downloads, while the patient version provides a simplified interface for viewing scores and printing summaries. The master version provides full access to user information and clinical assessment scores. Therapists enter clinical assessment scores into the KoROM and learn ROMs through instructional videos and self-checklists as part of the therapist standardization process. Conclusion: The KoROM is a specialized online platform that improves the management of ROMs, facilitates therapist education, and promotes patient involvement in the rehabilitation process. The KoROM can be used not only in multi-site RCTs, but also in community rehabilitation exercise centers.