Background: Flexible flatfoot impairs gait and posture by weakening arch support, potentially leading to musculoskeletal dysfunction. Strengthening exercises, such as the short foot exercise (SFE), have shown promise in correcting this condition. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of SFE with visual feedback on medial arch height and foot function in adults with flexible flatfoot. Design: Experimental research. Methods: Adults diagnosed with flexible flatfoot were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group performed SFE with visual feedback, whereas the control group performed the same exercises without feedback. Both groups trained three times per week for five weeks. Outcome measures included the Navicular Drop Test (NDT), YBalance Test (YBT), and Tetrax postural analysis. Results: In the NDT, both groups showed significant improvements (P<.05), while in the YBT, only the experimental group showed a significant improvement (P<.05). In contrast, there were no significant changes in the Weight Distribution Index (WDI) and Stability Test (ST) areas of the Tetrax system in either group (P>.05). Conclusion: SFE effectively improved arch height regardless of visual feedback, though only the visual feedback group showed significant improvements in dynamic balance. However, between-group differences were not statistically significant, suggesting that visual feedback provides subtle rather than substantial additional benefits. Further research with larger samples is needed to establish the clinical value of adding visual feedback to SFE protocols.

Freshwater bivalves contribute to key ecological functions in lake ecosystems, yet their cryptic and benthic lifestyles often hinder detection through conventional surveys. In this study, we applied environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess the diversity and distribution of unionid bivalves in six lakes across Republic of Korea. Water samples were collected from three sampling strategies-Center Surface, Center Mix, and Waterside Surface-and processed using 16S rDNA-targeted primers followed by high-throughput sequencing. A total of four unionid species (Cristaria plicata, Sinanodonta lauta, Unio (Nodularia) douglasiae, and Anodonta woodiana) were detected across 18 sampling points. Notably, eDNA successfully identified unionid presence in all lakes, even where conventional surveys failed to observe individuals. Among the sampling strategies, Center Mix exhibited the highest values for Shannon and Simpson indices as well as ASV richness. Waterside Surface samples generally showed lower diversity and detection frequency. A Venn diagram of ASV occurrences revealed three ASVs shared across all sampling strategies and one unique ASV found only in Center Mix. These results indicate that sampling location significantly affects detection sensitivity and diversity representation in eDNA-based bivalve monitoring. Combined application of Center Mix and Center Surface strategies may enhance both detection efficiency and species diversity coverage in lentic environments.

Lithium (Li) metal is a promising anode for next-generation batteries due to its high capacity, low redox potential, and low density. However, dendrite growth and interfacial instability limit its use. In this study, an artificial solid electrolyte interphase layer of LiF and Li-Sn (LiF@Li-Sn) was fabricated by spray-coating SnF2 onto Li. The LiF@Li-Sn anode exhibited improved air stability and electrochemical performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated a charge transfer resistance of 25.2 Ω after the first cycle. In symmetric cells, it maintained a low overpotential of 27 mV after 250 cycles at 2 mA/cm2, outperforming bare Li. In situ microscopy confirmed dendrite suppression during plating. Full cells with NMC622 cathodes and LiF@Li-Sn anodes delivered 130.8 mAh/g with 79.4% retention after 300 cycles at 1 C and 98.8% coulombic efficiency. This coating effectively stabilized the interface and suppressed dendrites, with promising implications for practical lithium metal batteries.

This study analyzed and presented zooplankton species occurrence, diversity distribution, and community composition in ninety lakes across South Korea using samples collected through the “Survey of Lake Aquatic Ecosystem Status and Health Assessment.” When comparing our results with the National Species Checklist, we identified factors within each of the three taxa that warrant improvement due to their influence on diversity assessments. To bridge the gap between the ongoing lake ecosystem surveys and the continually updated National Species Checklist-and to enhance the accuracy of diversity evaluations-we conclude that (1) greater taxonomic rigor must be reflected in the national checklist, and (2) the limitations of morphology-based identification (α-taxonomy) must be addressed. Because the National Species Checklist does not distinguish among species, subspecies, and morphospecies, it can give rise to taxonomic oversplitting and taxonomic inflation, leading to ambiguous diversity-index results. Moreover, the low resolution of morphological identification for zooplankton (at the genus, family, or class level) can introduce errors when comparing communities across habitats or detecting non-native introductions. Although alternatives such as environmental DNA and functional diversity exist, they require further refinement before being adopted in policy; therefore, they should be implemented alongside and in comparison with current aquatic ecosystem health assessment methods.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of gypsum application on dry matter yield (DMY), mineral content of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and soil properties in reclaimed tidal land in South Korea. The experiment was conducted in Seokmun, located on the west coast of South Korea, which is reclaimed with approximately 70 cm depth of degraded island soil. Treatments consisted of a control with no gypsum application (G0), 2 ton ha-1 (G2), and 4 ton ha-1 (G4) of gypsum application. The first harvest was carried out when the alfalfa reached 10% flowering, and subsequent harvests were conducted at 35-day intervals. Over the three-year experimental periods (2019-2021), the total DMY of G2 treatment was significantly higher than those of G0 and G4 (p<0.05). Although both G2 and G4 gypsum application treatments lowered soil pH, the G4 treatment increased the electrical conductivity (EC) content of the soil. Additionally, gypsum application affected the mineral contents of alfalfa, resulting in reduced concentration of sodium (Na) and Magnesium (Mg). Therefore, this present study suggests that a gypsum application rate of 2 ton ha-1 is optimal for improving alfalfa dry matter yield and mineral balance, as well as enhancing soil chemical properties in reclaimed tidal land in South Korea.

목적 : 안경광학과 학생들의 의사소통 역량과 안경사 윤리강령 인식 간의 상관성을 분석하여, 예비 안경사의 핵 심 직무 역량 강화를 위한 교육 프로그램 개발의 기초 자료로 활용하고자 한다. 방법 : 본 연구에서는 안경광학과 재학생 98명을 대상으로 일반적 특성과 교육 경험 및 필요도는 빈도와 백분율 로 분석하였고, 최근 1년간 봉사 경험과 윤리적 가치 의식은 카이제곱 검정(chi-squared test)을 통해 분석하였 다. 또한, 의사소통 역량과 안경사 윤리강령 간의 상관관계는 Pearson 상관분석을 이용하여 분석하였다. 결과 : 의사소통 교육 경험 여부에 대해 77.55%가 경험이 있다고 응답했으며, 직업윤리 교육 경험 여부는 86.73%가 있다고 응답하였다고 답했다. 또한, 의사소통 역량의 필요성에 대해 81.63%가 필요하다고 응답하였다. 직무 관련 최근 1년간 봉사활동 경험과 윤리적 가치 및 직업의식 간의 연관성을 분석한 결과, 봉사 경험과 '우리 사 회의 근면성을 설명할 수 있다'라는 문항 간에 유의한 상관성(χ2=27.91, p=0.032)이 나타났다. 안경사 윤리강령과 의사소통 역량 간의 상관 분석 결과, '안경사는 품위를 유지하고 봉사 정신을 발휘해야 한다'와 '원활한 의사 표현을 방해하는 요인을 설명할 수 있다' 문항 간에 가장 높은 상관성(r=0.71, p<0.001)을 보였다. 결론 : 본 연구에서, 예비 안경사의 의사소통 역량 강화와 정직성을 바탕으로 한 직업윤리 확립의 필요성이 확 인되었다. 봉사 경험과 윤리적 가치 의식, 그리고 의사소통 역량과 안경사 윤리강령 간에 유의한 상관관계는, 다양 한 계층을 대상으로 한 비교과 프로그램을 체계적으로 구축하고 효과적인 교육 시스템 마련의 필요성을 시사한다.