Background: Emotional labor, the management of feelings to create organizationally desired emotional displays, has been consistently associated with adverse health outcomes in Western populations. However, cultural context may fundamentally alter these relationships in Asian service economies. Objectives: To examine temporal trends in emotional labor prevalence and investigate associations between emotional labor and health outcomes among Korean service workers over a 17-year period. Design: Repeated cross-sectional study. Methods: We analyzed data from seven waves of the Korean Working Conditions Survey (2006-2023), comprising 271,039 observations. Emotional labor was assessed using validated items measuring frequency of hiding feelings and managing customer emotions. Health outcomes included psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, fatigue) and physical symptoms (musculoskeletal disorders, headaches, gastrointestinal problems). We employed multivariable logistic regression, fixed-effects models, and mediation analyses, adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational factors. Results: Emotional labor exposure remained stable at approximately 3.0 (5- point scale) from 2014-2023. Health problem prevalence was consistently around 60% across all survey years. Contrary to hypotheses, emotional labor showed no significant association with health problems (OR=0.999, 95% CI: 0.993-1.005, P=0.735). These null findings persisted in fixed-effects analyses (β=-0.0003, P=0.736), gender-stratified models, and interaction tests. The Cochran-Armitage trend test revealed no temporal trends (P=0.865). Mediation analysis found no indirect effects through psychological hazards. Notably, this finding represents a paradoxical discovery that challenges Western-centric assumptions about the universality of emotional labor's health effects. Conclusion: Despite high statistical power and comprehensive methodology, we found no evidence linking emotional labor to health problems in Korean workers. These unexpected findings challenge the assumed universality of emotional labor's health effects and suggest cultural factors may fundamentally modify occupational stress pathways. Western-derived theoretical models may require substantial adaptation for Asian contexts where emotional regulation represents normative social behavior rather than occupational burden.
The integration of high-capacity active materials onto flexible substrates is essential for advancing flexible sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we report a novel strategy for fabricating high-performance, flexible SIB anodes via the immobilization of molybdenum disulfide ( MoS2) nanoparticles on carbon cloth (CC) modified with metal–organic framework-derived carbon nanotubes (MOF-derived CNTs). In this method, Co-containing zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) were assembled on polyaniline-coated CC, followed by CNT growth via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and hydrothermal deposition of MoS2. The resulting MoS2@ CNT@CC electrodes achieved significantly higher MoS2 loading (15–20 wt%) compared to direct deposition on CC (< 5 wt%). Electrochemical evaluation revealed an initial discharge capacity of 231 mAh g− 1 with a Coulombic efficiency of 94.3%, outperforming MoS2@ CC (150 mAh g− 1, 77.8%) and bare CC (113 mAh g− 1, 74.3%). After 100 cycles at 50 mA g− 1, MoS2@ CNT@CC maintained a stable capacity of 133 mAh g− 1 and an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.9%. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed enhanced redox activity, while mechanical tests showed no significant degradation after 10,000 bending cycles (10 mm radius). These findings highlight the effectiveness of MOF-derived CNTs in enhancing MoS2 loading, conductivity, and mechanical resilience, offering a promising route toward robust and efficient flexible SIB anodes.
기후변화에 따른 관리형 화분매개자 부족은 온실 딸기 재배에서 대체 화분매개자의 필요성을 높이고 있다. 재래꿀벌(Apis cerana)은 양봉꿀벌 (Apis mellifera)의 대체종으로 제안되었으나, 온실 조건에서의 직접 비교 연구는 제한적이다. 본 연구에서는 2024년 11월부터 2025년 3월까지 대 한민국 충남 논산의 딸기 온실에 두 종의 봉군을 설치하고, 봉군세력, 먹이활동, 화분매개 효율을 모니터링 하였다. 두 종 모두 세력이 감소했으나, 양봉꿀벌에서 감소 폭이 더 컸다. 종 간 먹이활동 차이는 정오 무렵에만 나타났으며, 세력으로 보정하면 사라졌다. 꽃 방문 및 정상 수과 형성률로 측정한 화분매개 효율은 종 간 유의한 차이가 없었으나, 방문당 효율은 양봉꿀벌에서 다소 낮은 경향을 보였다. 화분매개 효율은 먹이활동과는 양의 상관을, 봉군 세력과는 음의 상관을 나타냈다. 이러한 결과는 재래꿀벌이 겨울철 봉군세력을 더 안정적으로 유지하면서도 유사한 화분매개 서비스 를 제공함을 보여주며, 온실 딸기 재배에서 대체 화분매개자로서의 잠재성을 뒷받침한다.
심비디움 ‘연두랑’은 절화용으로 적합한 연녹색 품종을 개발 하기 위하여 2023년 국립원예특작과학원에서 육성한 신품종 으로 2009년에 C. ‘Daijeolturuk’과 C.‘Romeo’를 인공교배 하다. 교배 후 기내파종과 하우스 순화를 통해 121개의 실생묘 를 얻었고, 그 중 형태적, 생리적, 개화 특성을 포함한 종합적인 특성을 바탕으로 우수한 2계통을 1차 선발하였다. 이후 선발계 통의 안정성과 균일성을 확인하기 위하여 2016년부터 2022년 까지 특성검정을 수행하였고, 최종적으로‘C09037-45’한 계통 을 선발하였고 ‘원교 F1-80’로 계통명을 부여한 후,‘연두랑’으 로 명명하였다. 본 품종은 67.2 cm 길이의 직립성 화경에 약 22개의 연녹색 꽃을 착화하는 중형종으로, 절화수명은 평균 34.3일로, 대비품종 ‘러블리킹’보다 6일 이상 길었다.‘연두랑’ 은 1월부터 개화하며 기내 증식력은 대비 품종과 유사한 정도 로 나타나 상업적 활용을 위한 대량 증식이 가능할 것으로 판단 된다.
Background: Early recovery of cognitive function and lower-limb strength is critical for regaining mobility and independence after stroke. However, patients with cognitive impairment often have limited participation in conventional rehabilitation (CR). Objects: This study compared the effects of robotic tilt-table training (RT) group and CR group on cognitive function, lower-limb strength, balance, gait, and activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke. Methods: In this retrospective study, 122 patients with subacute stroke were divided into two groups: the RT group and the CR group. The interventions were administered 5 times per week for a period of 4 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, muscle strength using Manual Muscle Test, spasticity using the Modified Ashworth Scale, balance using the Berg Balance Scale, gait using the Functional Ambulation Category, and activities of daily living using the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index, both before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Mann–Whitney U-tests. Between-group comparisons were performed on change scores (Δ = post − pre), and baseline differences were adjusted using ANCOVA or rank ANCOVA as appropriate (two-sided α = 0.05). Results: After 4 weeks of intervention, both groups showed within-group improvements in balance, gait, and activities of daily living (p < 0.05); however, the RT group demonstrated greater improvements in cognitive function and lower-limb muscle strength compared to the CR group. The two groups differed significantly in cognitive function and lower extremity muscle strength (p < 0.05) but not in spasticity, balance, gait, or activities of daily living (p > 0.05). Conclusion: RT may be effective in improving cognitive function and lower-limb strength in patients with subacute stroke, potentially serving as an adjunct rehabilitation strategy to promote early mobility and functional recovery. However, its effects on balance, gait, and spasticity were not significant, indicating the need for complementary task-specific training and further controlled studies.
Background: Mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ), a synthetic analog of coenzyme Q10 with antioxidant properties, has demonstrated significant improvements in mitochondrial penetration compared to coenzyme Q10, demonstrating potential medicinal benefits. We investigated the effects of MitoQ on neonatal testicular development using ex vivo mouse testicular fragments (MTFs). Methods: Testicular cell differentiation was assessed by culturing MTF from 5-day-old male mice in vitro with 0.01-1 μM MitoQ for 5 days. Cell differentiation, proliferation, and distribution within the testes were assessed using immunohistochemical staining and analysis of gene and protein expression. Results: Histological analysis revealed that 0.01-1 μM MitoQ induced germ cell miogenesis in the seminiferous tubules, increasing the number of Sycp3-positive cells and reducing the genetic expression of the undifferentiated marker Sall4. Sertoli and Leydig cell markers increased at the genetic and protein levels, as confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, MitoQ increased the expression of antioxidant regulatory and antioxidant enzyme-related factors. Conclusions: Overall, MitoQ can induce the expression of antioxidant factors in in vitro cultured neonatal testes while simultaneously enhancing germ cell differentiation, Sertoli cell proliferation, and Leydig cell maturation and proliferation.
Background: Muscle thickness (MT) measurement using ultrasound image is emerging as a useful method to assess muscle mass during stretching. Traditionally, range of motion (ROM) measurements assessed by digital inclinometer are considered reliable and valid parameter for monitoring muscle flexibility. The ultrasound-based measurement for MT to monitor muscle flexibility has yet to be validated. Objects: This study aimed to determine whether ultrasound measurement can serve as a valid alternative to a digital inclinometer for assessing muscle flexibility following stretching interventions. Methods: A randomized crossover design study was conducted with 20 healthy young participants. The stretching exercise program was carried out passive static and hold-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching exercises applied on gastrocnemius-soleus muscle group with 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Data were collected 3 times for pre- and post-tests. Dorsiflexion ROM was measured by a digital inclinometer and the MT of gastrocnemius muscle by the ultrasound. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis for test-retest reliability, Wilcoxon sign rank test for stretching effects, and Spearman’s correlation analysis for determining the concurrent validity of two measurements. Results: ICC values of pre- and post-tests in both ROM and MT measurements were showed good to excellent intra rater reliabilities ranging from 0.782 to 0.968 (p < 0.001). A significant increase in the ROM measurements was observed following the stretching program (p < 0.01), whereas no significant change in the MT measurement was showed. Spearman’s correlations revealed weak relationships between the ROM and MT measurements (r = –0.217 for pre-test, r = –0.259 for post-test, r = –0.282, p < 0.05 for changes). Conclusion: These findings suggest that both the MT and ROM measurements were not compatible for monitoring muscle flexibility following stretching exercises regardless of their good reliabilities. Further investigations may be required to the MT measurement alone to be an alternative method.
As the unmanned aerial vehicle industry grows, unexplained multirotor crashes continue to increase, and existing preventive maintenance methods have limitations in managing multirotor safety. Safety must be the top priority in multi-copter operations. To address this, real-time monitoring of the multi-copter's flight status during operation is required, along with anomaly detection and immediate response based on flight log information. However, limitations exist in processing anomaly data for each flight control log, necessitating the development of standardized technology to overcome this challenge. In this paper we propose a standardized process for collecting multi-copter flight control logs in real time, classifying the log information by message sets, and extracting key defect detection indicators contained in each message set. Furthermore, the extracted defect detection indicators were validated using various supervised learning models. In our experimental results, we collected flight logs from a multi-copter equipped with a defective propeller and conducted experiments using three defect detection models. The results show an accuracy rate of 0.99. This is the F1-score for the defect detection rate.
Bisphenol F (BPF) is a substitute agent for bisphenol A and is widely used in the production of materials such as epoxy resins and plastics. BPF accumulates in surface water because of its nonbiodegradable and recalcitrant nature, making it difficult to remove. In this study, the removal of BPF through a photocatalytic process was evaluated using zinc oxide (ZnO)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) microspheres. A spray drying method was used to prepare the ZnO/RGO microspheres, which combine the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO with the high electron mobility and large surface area of RGO, achieving a bandgap of 2.53 eV. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the successful hybridization of the ZnO/RGO microsphere composite. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/RGO microspheres was evaluated under various light sources, with the highest degradation efficiency achieved under ultraviolet C irradiation. The optimal catalyst dosage of the ZnO/RGO microspheres was determined to be 0.1 g/L for BPF removal (BPF initial concentration = 5 mg/L). Scavenger tests revealed the dominance of superoxide radicals ( O2 ·−) in the degradation process. The effects of pH (3.52–9.59), ions ( Cl−, NO3 −, and SO4 2−), and natural organic matter were also examined to assess the practical applicability of the ZnO/RGO microsphere photocatalytic system. High pH levels and the presence of NO3 − (> 10 mM) were found to enhance BPF removal. This research highlights the potential of the ZnO/RGO microspheres as efficient photocatalysts for the removal of BPF in aqueous solutions.