Background: Sarcopenia refers to a decrease in functional ability due to the loss of skeletal muscle. Sarcopenia can be prevented, delayed, and treated more effectively the sooner the intervention, and muscle mass and strength can be effectively increased through physical exercise and adequate protein intake. Because symptoms of sarcopenia do not appear in the early stages, awareness among healthcare professionals is essential for early diagnosis and subsequent intervention. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop sarcopenia questionnaire items and investigate additional factors in Korean clinical practice. Design: Qualitative research. Methods: A qualitative survey was conducted targeting eight physical therapists affiliated with the sarcopenia associations or physical therapists with extensive clinical experience. A preliminary sarcopenia questionnaire and a qualitative survey questionnaire created by the researchers were sent to the participants together. All questions were open-ended. Results: Through a qualitative survey, themes were derived, including barriers to equipment and healthcare reimbursement, the need for awareness of sarcopenia, and improvement of survey questions. Conclusion: The diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia requires efforts not only from physical therapists, but also from patients, government, and professional societies.

Recently, a closed-type plant factory has been receiving attention as a advanced agricultural method. It has diverse advantages such as climate-independence, high productivity and stable year-round production. However, high energy cost caused by environmental control system is considered as a challenges of a closed-type plant factory. In order to reduce the energy cost, investigation about energy load which is directly connected to energy consumption needs to be conducted. In this study, energy load changes of a plant factory have been analytically analyzed according to the environmental changes. The target plant factory was a lettuce growing container farm. Firstly, the impact of photoperiod, set temperature and relative humidity change were examined. Under the climate condition of Daejeon in South Korea, increase of photoperiod and set temperature rose a yearly energy demand of a container farm. However, increase of set relative humidity decreased a yearly energy demand. Secondly, the climate environment effect was compared by investigating the energy demand under 9 different climate conditions. As a result, the difference between maximum and minimum value of the yearly energy demand showed 21.7%. Lastly, sensitivity analysis of each parameter (photoperiod, set temperature and relative humidity) has been suggested under 3 different climate conditions. The ratio of heating and cooling demand was varied depending on the climate, so the effect of each parameter became different.

Background: Outcome measures (OMs) are essential components of evidence- based practice as they help in implementing interventions and assessing changes in a patient's status before and after treatment. However, many therapists do not utilize OMs in their practice, and research on the factors that influence physical therapists' decisions regarding the use of OMs primarily consists of quantitative or survey-based studies. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to select research studies on OMs use among physical therapists through a systematic review, identify questionnaire characteristics, and assess the quality of items collection and research. Design: A systematic review. Methods: This study systematically collected survey studies on the use of OMs from five databases (KMBase, RISS, KCI, Pubmed, and Cochrane) based on the criteria of PRISMA's systematic review flowchart. The quality of the studies was assessed using the AXIS Tool. Results: A total of eight studies were selected. In most of the studies, the questionnaires were developed internally, validated through preliminary research, and reliability testing was not conducted. The items used within OMs were divided into 10 categories, with the highest frequency of questions centering around how to use OMs, and the lowest frequency regarding work environment and reasons. All eight studies were determined to be of good quality. Conclusion: The collected OMs questionnaires revealed variations in the item frequency. Future qualitative research and participant feedback are needed to develop a consistent questionnaire and validate its validity and reliability.

A ‘brand’ metaverse is a virtual space where customers experience the brand via digital avatars. With the advancement of augmented and virtual reality technologies, a brand metaverse is an important medium for communicating the brand with customers. In this study, we focus on the resemblance between a customer’s self and his/her avatar (i.e., self-avatar resemblance) in the brand metaverse and examine its influence on brand attitude. Prior studies examine self-avatar resemblance exclusively in non-brand-related virtual gaming platforms and test its effect on identity perception and immersion in the platforms. However, few studies probe the extent to which self-avatar resemblance influences customers' exploration in a brand metaverse and their attitude toward the brand. We fill this research gap by uncovering the positive effects of self-avatar resemblance on brand attitude and purchase intentions. Moreover, we proffer that the customers’ engagement toward the brand metaverse platform mediates the relationship between self-avatar resemblance and brand attitude. In addition, based on the interactive nature of metaverse, we hypothesize copresence―the number of avatars exploring the brand metaverse at the same time―to be a moderator, which strengthens the mediation. We conduct an experiment using a fashion brand’s virtual world positioned in a popular metaverse platform. In this experiment, participants create an avatar and freely roam around in the brand metaverse with their avatars. By reviewing the screen recording of each participant’s brand exploration in the metaverse, we measure self-avatar resemblance and other constructs. We also collect responses from questionnaires designed to measure attitudinal and behavioral variables. With the accumulated data, we test the hypotheses using partial least square structural equation model and find the results largely consistent with the hypotheses. With the findings, we provide important and interesting implications to marketing practitioners considering and doing ‘metaverse marketing.’

Cyanobacteria Pseudanabaena strains are known to produce 2-MIB (odorous material) in freshwater systems, thereby causing problems in water use. However, their physiological responses to environmental factors in relation with 2-MIB production is not well explored. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature on the growth and 2-MIB production of Pseudanabaena redekei. The experimental cyanobacteria strains were separated from the Uiam Reservoir (North Han River) and cultured in the BG-11 medium. Temperature was set to 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30℃ for the experiment, in the reflection of the seasonal water temperature variation in situ. For each temperature treatment, cyanobacterial biomass (Chl-a) and 2-MIB concentration (intra-cellular and extra-cellular fractions) were measured every 2 days for 18 days. Both maximal growth and total 2-MIB production of P. redekei appeared at 30℃. While intra-cellular 2-MIB contents were similar (26~29 ng L-1) regardless of treated temperatures, extra-cellular 2-MIB concentration was higher only in high temperature conditions (25~30℃), indicating that the extents of 2-MIB biosynthesis and release by P. redekei vary with temperature. The 2-MIB productivity of P. redekei was much higher in low-temperature conditions (10~15℃) than high temperature conditions (25~30℃). This study demonstrated that temperature was a critical factor contributing to 2-MIB biosynthesis and its release in cell growth (r=0.605, p<0.01). These results are important to understand the dynamics of 2-MIB in the field and thereby provide basic information for managing odorous material in drinking water resources.

Water electrolysis holds great potential as a method for producing renewable hydrogen fuel at large-scale, and to replace the fossil fuels responsible for greenhouse gases emissions and global climate change. To reduce the cost of hydrogen and make it competitive against fossil fuels, the efficiency of green hydrogen production should be maximized. This requires superior electrocatalysts to reduce the reaction energy barriers. The development of catalytic materials has mostly relied on empirical, trial-and-error methods because of the complicated, multidimensional, and dynamic nature of catalysis, requiring significant time and effort to find optimized multicomponent catalysts under a variety of reaction conditions. The ultimate goal for all researchers in the materials science and engineering field is the rational and efficient design of materials with desired performance. Discovering and understanding new catalysts with desired properties is at the heart of materials science research. This process can benefit from machine learning (ML), given the complex nature of catalytic reactions and vast range of candidate materials. This review summarizes recent achievements in catalysts discovery for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The basic concepts of ML algorithms and practical guides for materials scientists are also demonstrated. The challenges and strategies of applying ML are discussed, which should be collaboratively addressed by materials scientists and ML communities. The ultimate integration of ML in catalyst development is expected to accelerate the design, discovery, optimization, and interpretation of superior electrocatalysts, to realize a carbon-free ecosystem based on green hydrogen.

Background: Korea citation index (KCI) enhances the quality of journals by securing a management system for domestic journals and strengthening the international competitiveness of excellent domestic journals. Errors in studies, papers, and investigations of statistical methods have been reported worldwide in the medical field. However, there is a lack of studies on statistical methods and error investigations in physical therapy journals in Korea. Objectives: To investigated the frequency of statistical methods and research errors in physical therapy journal articles evaluated by KCI. Design: Review. Methods: Ten journals classified as physical therapy journals by December 2021, which are candidate journals or higher, were targeted. The study focused on original articles published from 2017 to 2021 and investigated the frequency of statistical methods used, sample size calculations, result tables, effect sizes, and confidence intervals. Results: Statistical methods used in physical therapy studies in Korean journals mainly employed group comparative analysis. However, in most cases, the basis for sampling, effect size, and confidence interval were not presented, even though most of the results tables were included. Conclusion: This study allowed us to examine the most frequently used statistical methods in Korean physical therapy studies and assess the reporting status of sample size calculations, result tables, effect sizes, and confidence intervals. Efforts are needed to publish high-quality papers to improve the quality of Korean physical therapy journals.

This study was conducted as a part of the research for the “Development of Big Data Analysis Techniques and AI-based Integrated Support System for Energy-Environment Management.” We collected research results on characterization of distribution of fine dust and re-analyzed using meta-analysis techniques to build “big data” with high potential for school environments. The results of prior studies on the characteristics of fine dust concentration distribution in a school environment conducted in Korea were collected and re-analyzed the results using the metaanalysis technique. In this manner, the variables that could be used to derive the independent variables needed to produce the e-coding book prior to the big data collection, were first derived. The possibility of using the data as independent variables was then evaluated. In this study, three variables: “elementary school vs. middle school vs. high school,” “general classroom vs. special classroom,” and “new classroom vs. old classroom” were evaluated for their application as major classification variables with priority. The necessity of being derived as a major classification variable was examined by testing the difference in fine dust concentration distribution in the school environment by each variable case. Results showed that “elementary school vs. middle school vs high school” and “general classroom vs. special classroom” could be used as independent variables, while “new classroom vs. old classroom” was less likely to be used as an independent variable.

The effects of chemical compositions (protein, lipid, and dietary fiber) on the physical properties of dried biji powders were investigated. The raw biji was freeze-dried (control) and hot-air dried (untreated). The untreated biji was further defatted and deproteinated. The prepared biji powders were analyzed for the proximate composition, total dietary fiber (TDF), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), swelling power, solubility (including the quantification of soluble carbohydrate and protein fractions), and final viscosity (using a rapid visco analyzer). Control and untreated biji powders exhibited the similar chemical compositions. The defatted biji possessed higher TDF, although its protein content did not significantly differ for control and untreated ones. The deproteinated biji consisted mainly of TDF. WAI and swelling power increased in the order: deproteinated > defatted > control > untreated biji powders. WSI and solubility increased in the order: control > untreated > defatted > deproteinated biji powders. The similar patterns were observed for soluble carbohydrate and protein fractions. The deproteinated biji revealed the highest viscosity over applied temperatures, while the untreated one was lowest. Overall results suggested that the physical properties of the dried biji powder were reduced by protein and fat, but enhanced by dietary fiber.

This study analyzes the structure and meaning of the landscape expressed in the Sangrimshipgyeong poem composed by King Jeongjo, which describes the Donggwol back garden in the Joseon Dynasty. The study conclusions are as follows: the landscape contents of Sangrimshipgyeong were evenly distributed in the Donggwol back garden, and jeongs, gaks, and dangs are set as view points. The landscape objects of Sangrimshipgyeong consisted of behaviors and the natural phenomena of four seasons. The poem primarily depicted daytime scene. The landscapes were distributed over the four seasons, with four spring landscapes, four autumn landscapes, one summer landscape, and one snowy landscape. The landscape structure expressed in Sangrimshipgyeong appeared to be formed around a limited view point of the building. However, the objects did not intermittently exist, but maintained organic relations in one context. It is organic and harmonious in that interplay was visualized as the pavilion extends to nature, and nature comes into the pavilion. The depiction of Sangrimshipgyeong was not only very suggestive in terms of showing the hopes and dreams of the royal culture of the Joseon Dynasty, but also interesting because they were based on the condensed ideological symbolism of a specific cultural group. Sangrimshipgyeong expresses amusement and responsiveness to the scene based on the understanding of nature in the limited space of a palace back garden. It was also full of dynamic poetic language, such as encouragement of agriculture, sericulture, rain-calling, and highest- level state examination. Sangrimshipgyeong is interpreted as a symbol of ideology and a desired landscape reflecting the cosmic resonance of political affairs and moral cultivation of a king or an heir to the throne.

The concern of fine particle (PM2.5) management of outdoor environments has been increasing due to its exposure and related health effects in Korea. As a result, PM2.5 standard in atmosphere environment was regulated in 2015. On the other hand, indoor PM2.5 standard has been required because most people spent their times in indoor environments. In this study, we measured the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations both indoor and outdoor environments of public-use facilities such as underground stations, underground shopping centers, and nurseries for 24 hour with filter-weighing method in Seoul and Daegu. Measurement duration was from March to April in 2014 during the Asian dust period. At all measurements, indoor to outdoor (I/O) concentration ratios exceeded 1 except 1 day nursery in Daegu in spite of Asian dust period. The ratios of PM2.5 to PM10 concentrations ranged from 0.63 to 0.75 in indoor environments, and from 0.63 to 0.82 in outdoor, indicating that PM2.5 should be carefully managed in indoor environments as well as outdoor atmosphere.

우리나라의 남부 해안지방의 상록수림 아래에서 자 생하는 새우난초(Calanthe discolor)의 생육과 개화에 알맞은 광도를 규명하기 위하여 자연광조건과 차광율 을 94%, 80%, 71%, 58% 그리고 32% 수준으로 조 절한 차광조건 아래에서 2년간 재배하면서 생장과 개 화반응을 조사하였다. 그 결과 자연광 조건인 양지쪽에 서는 잎에 황화현상과 갈반현상이 나타났고 때로는 고 사하였다. 엽장과 엽폭은 광도가 낮아질수록 증가되었 는데 특히 71% 이상의 차광구부터 뚜렷하게 증가되었 으며 잎의 엽록소 함량은 광도가 낮아짐에 따라서 증 가되었으나 생체중은 58% 차광구에서 가장 무거웠고 화경당 착화수는 차광율 71%와 80% 조건에서 많았 다. 한편 개화시기는 차광정도가 심해질수록 지연되었 다. 종합적으로 고려해 볼 때 새우난초는 71%와 80% 수준의 차광조건 아래에서 재배하는 것이 잎의 생장과 개화가 가장 양호하였고 관상가치가 높았다.

We investigated the inhibitory effects of solvent extracts from Ailanthus altissima in A549 human lung cancer cell. A. altissima has been recognized as a traditional healthy food due to its various biological activities against hypertension, strokes, fever, pain, neuralgia, inflammation, and cancer effects. Recently, it has been reported that the extracts of various wild vegetables show strong anti-cancer properties by induction of apoptosis. However, the mechanisms of their cytotoxicity in human lung cancer cells have been poorly understood. The present study was investigated the effects of solvent extracts from A. altissima on cell growth and apoptosis on A549 human lung cancer cells. A treatment of A. altissima inhibited the growth of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis. Especially, the chloroform fraction showed the highest anti-cancer effect among five kinds of fractions. And also, induction of apoptosis by chloroform fraction were associated with down-regulation of Bcl-2, and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression. From these results, A. altissima may have a therapeutic potential in human lung cancer cells and as a functional food.

A monoterpenoid, benzylideneacetone (BZA), is synthesized by an entomopathogenic bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila K1, and known to suppress insect immune responses by inhibiting phospholipase A2(PLA2). This was designed to test its effect of insect digestion by oral administration. The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, was tested by treating its artificial diet with different doses of BZA. The second instar larval were treated with the diets and monitored in their pupation, pupal weight, and adult emergence. BZA gave significant adverse effects on the larval development and subsequent adult metamorphosis. Digestive lumen of the fifth instar larval of S. exigua possessed activity, which was significant inhibited by BZA. These results support that BZA can be developed as a novel feeding deterrent.

Various bioactive substances are found in Loranthus tanakae, including quercetin 3-rhamnoside (1), kaempferol 3-rhamnoside (2), rhamnetin 3-rhamnoside (3), and rhamnocitrin 3-rhamnoside (4), which inhibit tyrosinase. These compounds are mainly found in the EtOAc fraction of L. tanakae extract and demonstrate higher rates of tyrosinase inhibition than ascorbic acid, which was used as a control. Our results suggest that L. tanakae extracts can be utilized in skin whitening cosmetics.

Various bioactive substances are found in mistletoe, including viscumneoside III (1) and homoflavoyadorinin B (2), both which inhibit tyrosinase. These two compounds are mainly found in the EtOAc fraction of the mistletoe extract and demonstrate higher rates of tyrosinase inhibition than ascorbic acid, which was used as a control. Our results suggest that mistletoe extracts can be utilized in skin whitening cosmetics.