This study investigated perspective taking in essays written by South Korean undergraduate EFL students, its relationship with writing performance, and the features of its more advanced forms. Using a mixed-methods design, 78 essays from 26 students were analyzed. Perspective taking was coded at the T-unit level into hierarchical categories (own-side, dual, integrative), and writing quality was assessed both holistically and analytically. Dual and integrative units were further examined qualitatively for linguistic and discourse features. Results showed that students relied primarily on own-side perspectives, with dual and integrative perspectives occurring less frequently. Multilevel analyses revealed that perspective-taking scores were significantly associated with holistic writing quality and the analytic dimension of language use, controlling for essay length, prompt, and gender. Qualitative findings indicated that dual perspectives involved contrastive and evidential language, whereas integrative perspectives featured structures that reconciled opposing viewpoints. Overall, the findings highlight the role of linguistic choices in perspective taking and the need to support learners in integrating multiple viewpoints.

Pharmaceutical waste directly contributes to environmental pollution. Ibuprofen is one of the pharmaceutical wastes that often ends up in the environment without proper treatment, causing various harmful effects. Here, carbon quantum dots/ titanium dioxide (CQDs/TiO₂) nanocomposites synthesis as a photocatalyst for ibuprofen photodegradation has been investigated. This research consists of 3 steps: the first was initiated with CQD synthesis using the hydrothermal method derived from banana peel extract, followed by the synthesis of TiO2 rutile and anatase with banana peel extract as the reducing agent. The last was CQDs/TiO2 nanocomposites synthesis using a hydrothermal method. The CQDs/TiO2 nanocomposites obtained were characterized by TEM, FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Bright green fluorescence of CQDs was observed under UV irradiation with a average size of 9.5 nm. The nanocomposite of CQD/ TiO2 rutile and CQD/TiO2 anatase exhibited crystalline structures, each displaying a diffraction pattern of rutile and anatase, indicating high purity. However, CQDs/TiO2 anatase has a smaller size of 8 nm than CQD/TiO2 rutile of 132 nm. Therefore, the CQDs/TiO2 anatase nanocomposite showed the most effectiveness as a photocatalyst in degrading ibuprofen, with a photodegradation percentage of up to 53.656% at pH 3, a slight photocatalyst mass of 0.1 g, and a short photodegradation time of 30 min.

본 연구는 토마토 육묘기에 적용한 DIF 처리가 묘소질과 정식 후 생육, 조기 수확성 및 초기 수량성에 미치 는 영향을 구명하고자 수행되었다. 육묘기 DIF 처리 결과, 생육 단계에 따라 처리 간 반응이 상이하게 나타났다. 육 묘 초기에는 +5 DIF 처리 조건에서 잎 전개와 초장 신장이 상대적으로 촉진되었으나, 육묘 후기에는 －5 DIF 처리 구에서 엽면적, 생체중 및 건물중이 높았다. 특히 －5 DIF 처리는 초장 신장을 효과적으로 억제하면서 경직경 비대 와 근장 발달을 동시에 유도하여, 지상부와 지하부 생육의 균형이 우수한 강건묘 형성에 가장 적합한 조건이었다. 육묘기 DIF 처리는 정식 이후 생육과 수량 형성 단계까지 지속적인 이월 효과를 나타냈다. DIF 처리의 경우, －5 및 －8 DIF 조건에서는 조기 수확성이 뚜렷하게 향상되었다. 대조구(0 DIF)와 +5 DIF 에서는 정식 후 7주차까지 수확 이 되지 않는 반면, - DIF 처리구에서는 동일 시점에 전체 개체의 약 절반 이상에서 수확이 가능하여 수확 개시 시점 이 최소 2주 이상 앞당겨졌다. 특히 －5 DIF 처리구는 정식 이후 영양생장과 생식생장의 균형이 안정적으로 유지되 었으며, 그 결과 누적 수확량이 가장 높게 나타나 전반적인 생산 효율이 우수한 처리로 평가되었다. 이상의 결과로 토마토 육묘기 －5 DIF 환경 관리가 묘의 초형을 안정적으로 제어하면서도 정식 후 초기 활착을 개선하고, 수확 시 기를 단축하며 초기 수량성을 극대화할 수 있는 가장 효과적인 재배 관리 전략으로 판단된다.

Background: Falls represent a critical public health issue involving neuromuscular control strategies to execute appropriate motor plans. While self-initiated falls (SIF) and motor-induced falls (MIF) are common laboratory paradigms, the continuous temporal differences in their underlying neuromuscular strategies remain poorly understood. Objects: We conducted experiments to identify and compare the neuromuscular control strategies between SIF and MIF across three directions using continuous waveform analysis. Methods: Eight healthy young adults performed SIF and MIF in forward, backward, and sideways directions while surface electromyography was recorded from the bilateral tibialis anterior (TA), lateral gastrocnemius, and medial gastrocnemius. Data were normalized via maximum voluntary isometric contraction and reference voluntary contraction and analyzed using statistical non-parametric mapping over the entire fall duration (0%–100%). Results: Neuromuscular divergence was strategically concentrated within three critical windows: initial, mid-to-terminal, and terminal phases. For the TA, MIF elicited significantly higher activation during the initial phase of sideways falls (1%–5%, p < 0.05) and the mid-to-terminal phase of backward falls (62%–75%, p < 0.05). For the GCM, significantly higher activation in MIF was observed during the terminal phase of forward falls (70%–99%, p < 0.05), both early (1%–24%, p < 0.05), and late (58%–98%, p < 0.05) phases of sideways falls, and the initial response phase of backward falls (1%–5%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The central nervous system is characterized by high-amplitude activation patterns, which may reflect a response to unpredictable threats (MIF) compared to planned descents (SIF). These findings suggest the potential importance of direction-specific and timesensitive neuromuscular training to better prepare for real-world falls.

Biliary strictures arise from diverse benign and malignant etiologies, and accurate differentiation is pivotal for prognosis and treatment selection. Conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based sampling (brush cytology and forceps biopsy) suffers from limited sensitivity despite high specificity, leaving a substantial proportion as indeterminate biliary strictures. Peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) enables direct intraductal visualization and targeted biopsies, thereby enhancing diagnostic yield. This review summarizes technological evolution from fiber-optic mother–baby systems to digital single-operator cholangioscopy and direct POCS, as well as the integration of image-enhanced endoscopy and emerging widechannel scopes. Visual criteria for malignancy—tumor vessels, irregular granular or papillary/villous patterns, and friability—achieve high sensitivity and interobserver reliability with proposed classifications (Monaco, Mendoza). For cholangiocarcinoma, POCS-guided mapping biopsies precisely assess longitudinal intraepithelial tumor spread, informing R0 surgical planning. Randomized trials indicate higher or at least comparable sensitivity of POCS-guided biopsies relative to ERCP sampling, while novel forceps and larger working channels increase specimen size and reduce the number of biopsies. Artificial intelligence (AI) applied to POCS images shows promise for real-time risk stratification and improved targeting. Therapeutically, POCS guides intraductal lithotripsy with high clearance rates, and facilitates management in surgically altered anatomy in concert with endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage or transendosonographically/ guided created route procedure. Adverse events, chiefly pancreatitis and cholangitis, warrant attention to intraductal pressure control and CO2 insufflation. POCS has established an essential role in the diagnostic algorithm for biliary strictures; future advances will likely come from enhanced imaging, AI assistance, and next-generation digital cholangioscopes with larger biopsy devices.

Background: Sarcopenia is a progressive age-related musculoskeletal disorder. Early identification is critical for effective intervention. However, current criteria are time-consuming and require various equipment, limiting their utility. Therefore, we utilized a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor and machine learning to classify possible sarcopenia. Objects: This study aimed to develop a practical machine learning based classification model for possible sarcopenia. Methods: A total of 57 older adults participated and were classified into possible sarcopenia (n = 20) and non-possible sarcopenia (n = 37) groups based on the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 guideline. We extracted the mean and variance from the whole-body IMU sensor data during gait and developed five machine learning classification models. Results: The left lower leg sensor demonstrated the highest classification performance among the whole-body sensors. Using the left lower leg sensor data, the support vector machine yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.79. Notably, integrating demographic variables with IMU sensor features significantly enhanced the model’s performance, achieving an AUROC of 0.92. Conclusion: This study identified the lower leg as the optimal IMU sensor placement for screening possible sarcopenia. Furthermore, the proposed multimodal model, combining IMU sensor data with demographic information, serves as a highly accurate screening tool for possible sarcopenia. This practical model can help early detection of sarcopenia in community settings.