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Traditional wisdom on how late industrialized countries follow the technology trajectories of preceding economies is in need of reformation as these countries have attained industrial leadership in a growing number of fields. However, current understandings about these countries' development of their emerging technologies have yet to investigate the divergence of idiosyncratic technology trajectories. The aim of this paper was to explore how their knowledge production strategies in emerging technology sectors are diverging. Specifically, this research examines the changing patterns of knowledge production in quantum technology in South Korea and China by developing a knowledge portfolio and knowledge strategic diagram. According to the knowledge portfolio, the relative literature position differs. In the knowledge strategic diagram, there are diverging patterns in the emerging keywords sector. This paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating the diverging strategies of late industrialized countries in their transition from catch‐up to post‐catch‐up paradigms and provides policy implications for countries developing an idiosyncratic trajectory in emerging technology sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to make a bibliometric analysis of the current research situation in unilateral biportal endoscopy/biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (UBE/BESS). Research data sets were acquired from the Web of Science database. The study chosed "biportal endoscopic spinal surgery" OR "two portal endoscopic spinal surgery" OR "percutaneous biportal endoscopic decompression" OR "unilateral biportal endoscopy" OR "irrigation endoscopic discectomy" as the search terms. The literature search was limited to articles published before March 5, 2021. We only included original articles and reviews. VOS viewer and Citespace software were used to analyze the data and generate visualization knowledge maps. Annual trend of publications, distribution, H‐index status, co‐authorship status, and research hotspots were analyzed. A total of 74 publications met the requirement. The sum number of citations was 31,204, in which 19,336 were no self‐citations. The average citation of all the papers was 21.84 times. The H‐index of all the publications was 85. South Korea's total number of articles was far higher than that of other countries and regions (61, 82.4%), followed by United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Peoples Republic of China (three, ranking second, accounting for 12.2% of the total). For the most productive authors, Choi ranked first with 21 articles, Kim ranked second with 16 articles, and Heo ranked third with 12 articles. The journal with the greatest number of publications was World Neurosurgery, with a total of 18 (39.1%) papers. Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery ranked second with six (13.0%) papers. In third place, there were fix articles published by Asian Spine Journal and Neurospine, accounting for 21.8% of the total articles. These top three journals accounted for 73.9% of all the papers. Spondylolisthesis and endoscopic decompression were the research hotspots in recent years. The number of publications has showed an upward trend with a stable rise in recent years. South Korea is the country with the highest productivity, not only in quality, but also in quantity. Barun Hosp and Leon Wiltse Mem Hosphave published most articles. Choi is the most productive author. World Neurosurgery is the most productive journal. Spondylolisthesis and endoscopic decompression are the research hotspots in recent years. Indeed, this study provides new insight into the growth and development of UBE/BESS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase of distributed Photovoltaic (PV) generators in the power system changes the load demand pattern as some of them are located behind the meter (BtM). As known as BtM PV generators, the impact on netload demand pattern increases the uncertainty of scheduling and balancing of the power system. The distortion of load demand by BtM PV must be decoupled to make an accurate forecast model for the load. In this paper, the impact of BtM PV on stochastic forecast error (SFE) is analyzed and verified how they change the efficiency of microgrid operation. The net load pattern and solar irradiation data are collected and used to decouple BtM PV distortion by using K‐mean clustering and support vector machine regression analysis. Then, the baseload demand and solar irradiation forecast model is built using recurrent neural networks with external input parameters. Using the forecast model, the correlation between distributions of forecast and forecast error is built as a joint probability distribution. The SFE is modeled as conditional forecast error in a form of a probability density function and used for microgrid scheduling optimization. Case studies are based on data acquired from global data assimilation and prediction system (GDAPS) and local transmission system operator (TSO) at Jeju island in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in household composition and the residential environment have had a considerable impact on the features of postal delivery regions in recent years, resulting in a large increase in the overall workload of domestic postal delivery services. In this paper, we provide complex analysis results for postal delivery areas using various unsupervised learning approaches. First, we extract highly influential features using several feature‐engineering methods. Then, using quantitative and qualitative cluster analyses, we find the distinctive traits and semantics of postal delivery zones. Unsupervised learning approaches are useful for successfully grouping postal service zones, according to our findings. Furthermore, by comparing a postal delivery region to other areas in the same group, workload balancing was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines how time availability, relative monetary contribution, and gender ideology are related to a couple's contribution to domestic work in South Korea, using data from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families. OLS regressions with fixed effects indicate that couples' hours worked were significantly associated with their own and their spouse's time spent on domestic work. The wife's relative wage was another essential determinant in the division of domestic work between wife and husband. Although the wife's gender ideology was not a significant factor for her domestic work time, a husband whose wife had more gender‐equitable attitudes was more likely to devote time to domestic work. Going beyond earlier studies, we also present new evidence for gender display: the wife's relative wage had a curvilinear relationship with the couple's time spent on domestic work. The broader implications of the main findings are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses survey‐based data for 16 South Korean regions to refine the application of Flegg's location quotient (FLQ) and its variant, the sector‐specific FLQ (SFLQ). These regions vary markedly in terms of size. Especial attention is paid to the problem of choosing appropriate values for the unknown parameter δ in these formulae. Alternative approaches to this problem are evaluated and tested. Our paper adds to earlier research that aims to find a cost‐effective way of adapting national coefficients, so as to produce a satisfactory initial set of regional input coefficients for regions where survey‐based data are unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying cannot be tolerated as a normal social behavior portraying a child's life. This paper quantifies its negative consequences allowing for the possibility that victims and nonvictims differ in unobservable characteristics. To this end, we introduce a factor analytic model for identifying treatment effects of bullying in which latent cognitive and noncognitive skills determine victimization and multiple outcomes. We use early test scores to identify the distribution of these skills. Individual‐, classroom‐ and district‐level variables are also accounted for. Applying our method to longitudinal data from South Korea, we first show that while noncognitive skills reduce the chances of being bullied during middle school, the probability of being victimized is greater in classrooms with relatively high concentration of boys, previously self‐assessed bullies and students that come from violent families. We report bullying at age 15 has negative effects on physical and mental health outcomes at age 18. We also uncover heterogeneous effects by latent skills, from which we document positive effects on the take‐up of risky behaviors and negative effects on schooling attainment. Our findings suggest that investing in noncognitive development should guide policy efforts intended to deter this problematic behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to a develop model for generation expansion planning that can support diverse environmental policies for the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) of South Korea. South Korea is required to reduce its GHG emissions by 30% from the BAU level by 2020. The Wien Automatic System Planning Package currently used in South Korea has limitations in terms of the application of renewable energy policies and GHG targets; this paper proposes the use of an equipment planning model named generation and transmission expansion program, which has been developed to resolve such limitations. For verification of the model, a case study on the 6th Basic Plan of Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand has been conducted. The results show that for the year 2020 South Korea's annual GHG emissions will be 36.6% more than the GHG Target Management System (GHG TMS) target set for the same year (30%). To achieve the GHG TMS target, the costs involved amount to about 72 trillion KRW (70 billion USD). Consequently, the South Korean government needs to review the performability of this target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper revisits the claim that members of legislative committees direct more earmark spending to their constituents. In South Korea's legislature, a national law regulating the budget committee provides an unusual source of exogenous variation in membership: members of the committee are rotated each year owing to 1‐year term limits. Using data from 226 local governments, and both within‐district and within‐member variations in membership, we find that districts represented by a budget committee member secure roughly 3% more subsidies than those represented by a nonmember. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A millimetre‐wave cloud radar has limitations for observing heavy rainfall because the short wavelength leads to strong attenuation from raindrops. However, recent studies have attempted to estimate the rain rate using attenuation, which becomes greater as the rain intensity increases. The rain‐rate‐retrieval algorithm is developed in the present paper using the Ka‐band cloud radar (KaCR) installed at the Boseong Global Standard Observatory (BGSO) in the Republic of Korea. First, rain profiles were identified using the threshold of reflectivity (Z) and Doppler velocity (DV) averaged for the analysis of layer that minimized the effects of the receiver saturation and classified as low or high rain‐rate cases using the averaged DV. The reflectivity and rain‐rate (Z‐R) relationship was then derived for low rain‐rate cases that showed insignificant effects for signal attenuation. On the other hand, the attenuation and rain‐rate (A‐R) relationship was derived using high rain‐rate cases that showed the dominant effects of attenuation. The attenuation was calculated using a reflectivity gradient between the upper and lower boundaries of the attenuated layer. Finally, the rain‐rate‐retrieval algorithm was designed using the derived Z‐R and A‐R relationship and then applied back to the KaCR. The estimated rain rate in the KaCR was a similar trend to the observed rain rate in the optical rain gauge (ORG), but slightly underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papers in Regional Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating the comparative efficacy and safety of new cancer therapies. However, enrolling patients in control arms of clinical trials can be challenging for rare cancers, particularly in the context of precision oncology and targeted therapies. External Control Arms (ECAs) are a potential solution to address these challenges in clinical research design. We conducted a scoping review to explore the use of ECAs in oncology. Methods: We systematically searched four databases, namely MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. We screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligible articles focusing on patients undergoing therapy for cancer, employing ECAs, and reporting clinical outcomes. Results: Of the 629 articles screened, 23 were included in this review. The earliest included studies were published in 1996, while most studies were published in the past 5 years. 44% (10/23) of ECAs were employed in blood‐related cancer studies. Geographically, 30% (7/23) of studies were conducted in the United States, 22% (5/23) in Japan, and 9% (2/23) in South Korea. The primary data sources used to construct the ECAs involved pooled data from previous trials (35%, 8/23), administrative health databases (17%, 4/23) and electronic medical records (17%, 4/23). While 52% (12/23) of the studies employed methods to align treatment and ECAs characteristics, 48% (11/23) lacked explicit strategies. Conclusion: ECAs offer a valuable approach in oncology research, particularly when alternative designs are not feasible. However, careful methodological planning and detailed reporting are essential for meaningful and reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a stakeholder theory approach, this paper reports on a comparative case study between the Board of Audit of Japan (BOAJ) and the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea (BAIK) on how to balance independence and responses to stakeholders' needs within their limited resources. The empirical results show that the BOAJ maintains its independence partially adapting to political pressure: neither the Diet nor citizens have a mandate to enforce audits on requested issues. On the other hand, the BAIK meets citizens' needs through screening instruments to maintain independence and political neutrality, while responding to audit requests from the National Assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Regional Science Policy & Practice is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper responds to a recent call by researchers that we need to move beyond both advocacy of and technical arguments about the value of accrual accounting to more fully recognise the institutional forces, key change agents and the local political fields. We draw on elements of institutional theory and the practice theory of Pierre Bourdieu to explore the 'problematic' aspects of institutional forces, key organisational change agents and the local political field associated with the adoption of accrual accounting in the South Korean public sector. We found that accrual accounting was driven by many factors including a local financial scandal, the advocacy of a civil society group and the ambitions and the ideology of key actors. The contribution of this paper is that it shows how the practices of accounting cannot be separated from their political and personal context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT This article is linked to Choe et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17125 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17152 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT This article is linked to Choe et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17125 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17184 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing the output of renewable energy sources considering their uncertainty and variability is crucial for resilience in power system operation. In addition, analyzing stability issues that may arise at the maximum output is important to ensure power system stability. Therefore, the authors propose a method for estimating the maximum non‐synchronous generation (Max NSG) of renewable energy based on the minimum inertia of the power system. The minimum inertia is determined through the correlation between the available and required quantity of inertia and governor resources, satisfying the frequency standards in a South Korean power system. The Max NSG of renewable energy sources at that system inertia level is estimated based on the derived minimum inertia. The proposed method was applied to 22,612 operation data extracted from the Korea energy management system (K‐EMS). The authors estimated a linear relationship between demand levels and Max NSG, ranging from 52.6 to 3.83 GW. The study shows that Max NSG, which is difficult to estimate in many power system operating conditions, can be estimated based on minimum inertia considering the frequency stability in South Korean power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Changes in the local population are intricately linked to healthcare infrastructure, which subsequently impacts the healthcare sector. A decreasing local population can result in lagging health infrastructure, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes as patients may be at risk of not receiving optimal care and treatment. While some studies have explored the relationship between chronic diseases and local population decline, evidence regarding cancer is insufficient. In this study, we focused on how deteriorating management of chronic diseases such as dyslipidemia could influence the risk of cancer. We investigated the relationship between changes in the local population and cancer incidence among patients with dyslipidemia. Methods: This cohort study was conducted using claims data. Data from adult patients with dyslipidemia from the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort conducted between 2002 and 2015 were included. Population changes in each region were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service and were used to link each individual's regional code. Cancer risk was the dependent variable, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the target associations. Results: Data from 336,883 patients with dyslipidemia were analyzed. Individuals who resided in areas with a decreasing population had a higher risk of cancer than those living in areas with an increasing population (decrease: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03–1.10; normal: HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.09). Participants living in regions with a low number of hospitals had a higher risk of cancer than those in regions with a higher number of hospitals (HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.12–1.29). Conclusion: Patients in regions where the population has declined are at a higher risk of cancer, highlighting the importance of managing medical problems caused by regional extinction. This could provide evidence for and useful insights into official policies on population decline and cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to climate change, abnormal climate phenomena occur frequently, damaging aging highway facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to develop adaptation projects for highway systems. Adaptation projects focus on mitigating the impact of climate change on highway facilities and enabling safe use. The present study aims to develop quantified evaluation indicators that are necessary for planning and selecting appropriate climate change adaptation projects. By analysing previous studies, the most important factors to be considered in the evaluation process of climate change adaptation projects were defined, and 20 preliminary evaluation indicators were divided into three layers. A feasibility study for each class was performed on the preliminary evaluation indicators by an expert panel; 16 evaluation indicators were selected through a feasibility study, and the weight of each indicator was calculated using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. The priority of the evaluation indicators was service improvement through adaptation projects (weight 8.76), cost reduction and job creation (weight 8.46), and climate change impact reduction and vulnerability reduction (weight 8.31). These quantified evaluation indicators can help organizations that manage highways respond to climate change and establish adaptation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper empirically examines the dynamic stock return-volume relations for six emerging Asian markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Evidence is found that trading volume Granger causes stock return in quantiles and the causal effects of volume are heterogeneous across quantiles. This shows that volume carries some information to the return and could be interpreted in light of theoretical models. In addition, we find that there is bi-directional causality between stock return and trading volume in most of the markets. The finding indicates that those Asian emerging markets with different institutions and information flows than more mature markets have present similar causal effects on the stock return-volume relation. Furthermore, the cross-country evidence shows that the US market helps to predict the returns of the emerging Asian markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of "skin boosters" comprised of hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based fillers to improve skin quality has gained popularity recently, especially in individuals interested in skin rejuvenation. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal micropuncture injections of HA‐based gel filler combined with lidocaine (BYRYZN® SKINBOOSTER HA, ACROSS Co., Ltd., Gangwon‐do, Korea). Patients/Methods: A prospective, single‐arm, open‐label pilot study was conducted with study subjects who were aged between 30 and 60 years old and exhibited evidence of skin aging, such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity. They received three injections at 2‐week intervals and were followed up for a total of 12 weeks. Results: Twenty subjects with a mean age of 54.1 years were included. The mean Lemperle wrinkle scale demonstrated a 40% decrease from 2.60 ± 0.60 at baseline to 1.55 ± 0.51 at week 8. The improvement rate was maintained at about 33% until week 12. The average maximum height of the wrinkle (Rz, μm), average skin roughness (Ra, μm), skin elasticity (R2, AU), facial curved length (mm), skin pore size (mm2), skin hydration (AU), TEWL (g/hm2), and skin glossiness (gloss value, AU) exhibited statistically significant improvements over time compared with the baseline measurements. No serious adverse effects or persistent adverse effects were reported, except for a transient subcutaneous nodule in one subject. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that multiple microinjections of HA‐based gel filler for facial skin aging are safe and effective in improving facial skin quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An accurate and easily accessible method for diagnosing malignancies in local veterinary clinics has not yet been established. Objectives: To investigate the usefulness of serum thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) protein and its autoantibody as tumor biomarkers in dogs. Animals: Serum samples from 1702 dogs were collected from local animal hospitals and referral animal medical centers in South Korea. Methods: TK1 protein OD value and TK1 autoantibody ratio (TK1 autoantibody OD/total IgG OD) in serum samples of dogs classified into healthy controls, group with nontumor disease, group with benign and group with malignant tumors were measured using lateral flow immunochromatographic assay methods. Results: TK1 autoantibody levels were significantly higher in malignant tumor group (median 0.71) than in healthy controls (median 0.34), group with nontumor disease (median 0.34), and group with benign tumor (median 0.32, Welch t test, P <.0001). They were also significantly different among dogs with carcinomas (median 0.77), hematopoietic tumors (median 0.71), and sarcomas (median 0.56) than in healthy controls (median 0.34, post hoc Games‐Howell test, P <.0001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve of TK1 protein, AUC was 0.633 (95% CI: 0.592‐0.675, P <.0001). The AUC of TK1 autoantibody ratio was 0.758 (95% CI: 0.723‐0.793, P <.0001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: TK1 autoantibody is a potentially useful biomarker for differentiating between healthy and tumor‐bearing dogs, better than TK1 protein measurement. However, both were inadequate when used as single biomarkers for screening dogs to discover occult malignant tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transboundary fine dust has been a leading cause of dispute between China and Korea since the mid‐2010s. This study observes that transboundary fine dust is not purely an environmental issue, but rather mixed with political and diplomatic challenges. Despite the emerging bilateral and multilateral efforts to tackle this issue, this research sheds light on how political and diplomatic factors have undermined the outcomes of environmental negotiations between China and Korea. We highlight three dimensions of policy‐based studies: scientific joint research on source‐receptor relationships, interstate environmental negotiations, and multilateral environmental institutions in Northeast Asia. This study argues that transboundary fine dust cooperation has been extensively entangled with national political interests and proceeded via diplomatic channels, leading to the current absence of binding agreements and policy commitments. Therefore, a steady process of de‐linking environmental cooperation and diplomatic fluctuations would be the best direction to proceed in a long‐term perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying environmental effects on the reproduction cycle and sex hormones is essential for ensuring the sustainable productivity of Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT, Thunnus orientalis) aquaculture. In the present study, 70 PBTs, commercially farmed in sea cages near Yokjido Island, South Korea, were investigated from April 2020 to March 2021. Environmental data, including water temperature and photoperiod duration, were collected. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated, and male and female maturity stages were classified monthly in proportions based on histological analysis of the gonads. Male and female gonadal developmental stages were classified into four major stages. Mature male and female PBTs were observed from May to August and June to August, respectively. Monthly changes in sex steroid hormone levels in PBT plasma were evaluated. The GSI and sex steroid hormones of males and females increased in May, peaked in June, and decreased thereafter. Our results confirmed the reproductive potential of farmed PBT and verified that reproductive maturity is reached in July. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to investigate the reproductive biology of PBT in South Korea, and our results constitute a reference for future research on PBT aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe and evaluate a system for regional modeling of atmospheric composition with the Met Office Unified Model (UM), suitable for climate, weather forecasting and air quality applications. In this system, named NUMAC ("Nested UM with Aerosols and Chemistry"), a global model provides boundary conditions for regional models nested within it, using the Met Office's Regional Nesting Suite for multi‐scale simulations. The regional models, which can run at convection‐permitting or cloud‐resolving scales, use the same code as the global model. The system includes double‐moment prognostic aerosol microphysics with interactive chemistry of sulfur species, ozone, NOx, and CO as in the UK Earth System Model. Double‐moment prognostic cloud microphysics is optional. To test NUMAC, we compare simulations to surface and aircraft measurements from NASA's Korea‐United States Air Quality campaign over South Korea. The performance of the regional model, which we run at 5 km resolution, is similar to the well‐evaluated global model when the regional and global models use the same emissions. Most species such as ozone, NOx, OH, or PM2.5 are simulated within a factor of 2 of observations most of the time, though they are biased low compared to monitors in polluted areas (observed surface dry PM2.5 averages 28 μgm−3 but we simulate 17 μgm−3). Meteorology and clouds are represented satisfactorily. With higher‐resolution emissions, many of the low model biases are reduced, but a tuning was required to keep NO concentrations realistic, indicating shortcomings in the chemistry scheme. We demonstrate the potential of NUMAC for studies of aerosol‐cloud interactions. Plain Language Summary: Unified atmospheric simulation systems, defined as those that are routinely used to represent air quality, weather and climate with the same code, are rare. The UK Met Office Unified Model (UM) is one such system, but until recently, aerosol‐cloud interactions were represented only in global climate simulations. Effects of aerosol‐cloud interactions and atmospheric chemistry on Earth's radiation balance are large and must be included in global and regional climate predictions. However, partly because clouds and emissions are spatially inhomogeneous, their effects on climate are currently poorly understood. Simulations with high grid resolution can help us understand the relevant processes better. We document here a system for representing air quality, weather and climate with the UM, including chemistry‐aerosol‐cloud interactions, at high spatial grid resolution on regional scales. We test our system against surface and aircraft measurements of atmospheric chemical species such as ozone and particulate matter made in May 2016 in Korea. The model represents most species well, but has some shortcomings we must address in future work. Overall, however, we judge that it is ready for studies of how atmospheric chemical species and particulate matter affect air quality, weather and climate, and can be further improved as it is used. Key Points: We introduce a system for simulations of regional air quality and aerosol‐climate interactions with the UK Met Office Unified ModelWe evaluate the model against data from NASA's Korea‐United States Air Quality campaign in 2016 over South KoreaDespite shortcomings in the representation of some chemical and aerosol species, the system is ready for application and further development [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Baumann skin type questionnaire (BSTQ) has been widely used for evaluating skin types in dermatology. However, it requires excessive assessment time and lacks sufficient clinical validation for the Asian population. Aims: We aimed to establish optimized BSTQ based on dermatological assessment of the Asian population. Methods: This was a single‐center retrospective study, where the patient completed a modified BSTQ and a digital photography examination. The answers to four question groups for evaluating skin properties, including oily versus dry (O‐D), sensitive versus resistant (S‐R), pigmented versus non‐pigmented (P‐N), and wrinkled versus tight (W‐T) were compared with the measurements. Highly relevant questions are selected using two different strategies and used to determine the threshold level, which was compared with skin‐type measurement. Results: In O‐D, S‐R, P‐N, and W‐T, 3–5 out of 6, 2–6 out of 9, 3–6 out of 7, and 4–9 out of 11 questions were selected, respectively. As a result, skin type scores from two strategies and measurements showed similar Pearson correlation coefficient values compared to modified BSTQ (for O‐D and sebum, 0.236/0.266 vs. 0.232; for O‐D and porphyrin, 0.230/0.267 vs. 0.230; for S‐R and redness, 0.157/0.175 vs. 0.095; for S‐R and porphyrin, 0.061 vs. 0.051; for P‐N and melanin pigmentation, 0.156/0.208 vs. 0.150; for W‐T and wrinkle, 0.265/0.269 vs. 0.217). Conclusion: Two strategies for optimizing BSTQ are proposed and validated for Asian patients. Compared to the BSTQ, our methods show comparable performance with a significantly reduced number of questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in throughfall plays a vital role in providing carbon and energy to organisms in forests. We utilized carbon isotope analysis to allocate the sources of throughfall DOC, including leaching from plant tissues, PM2.5 deposition on plant foliage, and precipitation. Rainwater, PM2.5, and throughfall samples were collected from pine and oak forests between March and November 2021. The mean concentration of throughfall DOC was 7.9 mg L−1, approximately six times higher than that of rainfall. The mean Δ14C of throughfall DOC was −38.2‰, ∼200‰ higher than that of rainwater or PM2.5. Mass balance estimates revealed that canopy leaching contributed to ∼83% of throughfall DOC, while desorption of PM2.5 and rainwater accounted for only ∼3% and ∼14% of throughfall DOC, respectively. These results clearly highlight canopy leaching as the primary source of carbon input to the forest floor, with a relatively minor contribution from PM2.5 desorption on leaves. Plain Language Summary: Canopy leaching occurs when raindrops hit leaves and branches before falling to the ground. This brings dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into forest ecosystems, providing carbon and energy for organisms. The wash‐off of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from tree leaves can also contribute to throughfall DOC. Both canopy leaching and PM2.5 contain organic carbon showing humic‐like fluorescence spectra, making it difficult to quantify how much throughfall DOC comes from canopy leaching or desorption of PM2.5 from leaves. Here, we employed carbon isotope analysis to differentiate three sources of throughfall DOC: leaching from plant tissues, PM2.5 deposition on plant foliage, and precipitation. Rainwater, atmospheric PM2.5, and throughfall samples were collected from pine and oak forests in South Korea between March and November 2021. The mean concentration of throughfall DOC was six times larger than that of rainfall, and the mean Δ14C of throughfall DOC exceeded those of rainwater or PM2.5. Mass balance estimates indicated canopy leaching accounted for roughly 83% of throughfall DOC, while desorption of PM2.5 from leaves and rainwater contributed only 3% and 14% to throughfall DOC, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that leaching from plant tissues, not PM2.5 on plants, predominantly controls throughfall DOC composition. Key Points: Isotopic ratios of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in throughfall differed from those in rainwater and atmospheric fine particlesAbout 83% of DOC in throughfall was due to leaching of tree canopyDesorption of PM2.5 from plant foliage accounted for only ∼3% of DOC in throughfall [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this special interview series, we profile members of TheFEBS Journal editorial board to highlight their research focus, perspectives on the journal and future directions in their field. Hyunsook Lee is Professor at the Laboratory of Cancer Cell Biology at Seoul National University in Korea. She has served as an editorial board member of TheFEBS Journal since 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-tech markets are unpredictable owing to rapid technology innovation, diverse customer needs, high competition, and other elements. Many scholars have attempted to explain the uncertainty in high-tech markets using their own various approaches. However, sufficiently clear ways to predict diverse changes and trends in hightech markets have yet to be presented. Thus, this paper proposes a new approach model, that is, systematic market segmentation, to give more accurate information. Using an empirical dataset from the mobile handset market in the Republic of Korea, we conduct our research model consisting of three steps. First, we categorize nine basic segments. Second, we test the stability of these segments. Finally, we profile the characteristics of the customers and products. We conclude that the approach is able to offer more diagnostic information to both practitioners and scholars. It is expected to provide rich information for an appropriate marketing mix in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. As from the late 1990s, Japan and the Republic of Korea embarked upon labour market reforms that have often been presented as a simple process of flexibilization. Taking Polanyi's perspective of 'double movement', however, this paper explores how these countries combined 'more market' with the pursuit of social stability. Reviewing legislative activities concerned with employment liberalization and income maintenance, the author analyses the different approaches taken by Japan and Korea in reforming their dual labour markets. In conclusion, he argues that their divergent reform paths originated in differences between the two countries' policy-making mechanisms and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Belshe et al. (2010). Efficacy of live attenuated influenza vaccine in children 6 months to 17 years of age. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 4(3), 141–145. Background It has been suggested that live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) may be less effective in older individuals because of prior wild-type influenza infections. LAIV is currently approved in the United States, South Korea and Hong Kong for individuals 2–49 years of age. Objective To examine data from previously published pediatric studies to determine the efficacy of LAIV in various age groups. Methods Four studies in which the subject age range exceeded 36 months were identified: one 2-year study comparing LAIV with placebo and three 1-year studies comparing LAIV with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV). Efficacy against any strain regardless of antigenic similarity to vaccine was analyzed by age; age groups were based on the study design and sample size. A logistic regression model was used to assess whether age, as a continuous variable, was an effect modifier on LAIV efficacy. Results The efficacy of LAIV did not vary with age in children aged 15–84 months compared with placebo or in children aged 6 months to 17 years compared with TIV. Conclusions The available data from prospective, randomized studies in children does not support the concept that prior repeated exposure to influenza, either through wild-type infection or vaccination with live, attenuated or inactivated vaccines, reduces the efficacy of LAIV compared with placebo or TIV. The decreased immunologic responses to LAIV reported in older individuals or those with pre-existing immunity do not appear to translate into reduced protection from influenza in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Uruguay Round Agreement on agriculture (UR) has contributed to the increase in U.S. and world rice trade since 1994. Despite this, the Japanese and Korean rice markets continue to be characterized by high levels of trade intervention. This paper attempts to analyze both import markets incorporating econometric estimates and public choice theory in a game theoretic framework. Various scenarios are analyzed. The results show that the overall Nash equilibrium occurs with a 4% tariff reduction for Japan and Korea under the U.S. Market Development Program, which includes the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The purpose of this paper was to study the patterns of genetic variation, demographic history, haplotype relationships and potential location of diversity centres of two closely related species, Machilus thunbergii and Machilus kusanoi. Location The phylogeography of M. thunbergii and M. kusanoi was examined by sampling 110 and 106 individuals from 25 and 16 sampling sites, respectively, across their distributional range in Taiwan. Machilus thunbergii is distributed on the Asian mainland, South Korea, southern Japan, the Ryukyus, Taiwan and the Philippines, whereas M. kusanoi is endemic to Taiwan. These two species are closely related, and both are widely distributed in Taiwan but occupy different altitudinal zones and habitats. Methods The range-wide variation of M. thunbergii and M. kusanoi in Taiwan was studied using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variations. A haplotype network was constructed with the computer programtcs. Nested clade analysis was conducted with the computer programceodis, and various parameters of genetic diversity were calculated and neutrality tested by the computer program DnaSP. Population differentiation was estimated using the programsarlequin andhapstep. The contribution of the populations to gene diversity and to allelic richness was calculated using the softwarecontrib. The level of divergence for each population from the remaining populations was calculated as the mean value of pairwise FST for each population against the rest of the populations. Results Extremely low levels of genetic differentiation were found for both species. This result suggested that these two species probably survived in multiple relict refugia with different population sizes throughout the island during low-temperature periods of the Pleistocene. In addition, nested clade analysis (NCA) of cpDNA haplotypes indicated that restricted gene flow with isolation-by-distance characterized the recolonization after the Pleistocene by Tashueshan and Shiouhluan populations of M. thunbergii in the north-central area west of the Central Mountain Range (CMR). In contrast, NCA analysis indicated that a major diversity centre on the southern tip of the island (Kending population) and contiguous range expansion characterized the recolonization by M. kusanoi of northern areas along the east side of the CMR. The major diversity centres found for the two species examined were further supported by the results of the mean FST for individual populations in comparison with other populations, and of the contribution of the divergence component to the total diversity. Main conclusions This research supports the multiple relict refugia hypothesis for both species investigated. Populations of M. thunbergii at Shiouhluan and Tashueshan in the north-central area west of the CMR represent a diversity centre currently expanding its size. A diversity centre at the southern-edge population of M. kusanoi, and a contiguous range expansion from Kending, were found. These results indicate that the M. thunbergii populations at Tashueshan and Shiouhluan and the M. kusanoi population at Kending, and even Soukar, are evolutionarily significant units for conservation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the relationship between the first exon at position +49 (A/G) polymorphism of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) gene and bipolar disorder. Among the Korean patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn; DSM-IV), 90 patients without serious medical illness, neurologic illness, hormonal disorder, or concomitant mental illness were selected. The normal control group consisted of 149 age- and sex-matched subjects without current or past history of autoimmune diseases or mental disorder. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using proteinase K; and the exon 1 region of the CTLA4 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Gene typing was performed using single strand conformation polymorphism. There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies of CTLA4*G/G, CTLA4*G/A, and CTLA4*A/A between the patients with bipolar disorder and the control group (48.9% vs 46.3%, 44.4% vs 39.6%, and 6.7% vs 14.1%, respectively). There were no significant differences in allelic frequencies of CTLA4*G and CTLA4*A between the patients with bipolar disorder and the control group (71.1% vs 66.1%; 28.9% vs 33.9%, respectively). In the present study an association was not found of exon 1 (+49) polymorphism of CTLA4 gene with bipolar disorder in the Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the associations of psychological burnout and time factors on hospital nurses' medication errors. Design: A cross‐sectional survey design was used. Methods: A structured questionnaire pertaining to psychological burnout, time factors and medication error was administered to 200 bedside nurses working at two tertiary university hospitals in Korea. The associations between the psychological burnout, time factor and medication error were analysed with the zero‐inflated negative binomial regression for over‐dispersed and over‐abundant zeros count data. Results: Higher psychological burnout, shorter meal time during duty and longer weekly overtime were associated with an increased likelihood of medication error of nurses working in tertiary university hospitals. For medication safety, nurse managers should provide appropriate administrative support to nurses to cope with psychological burnout of nurses. Work time management should also be considered as human factors to satisfy the needs of nurses, such as securing meal times and maintaining a low level of weekly overtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the mediating effect of sleep‐related problems on the relationship between depression and work–family conflicts (WFCs) among middle‐aged female workers. Design: Secondary analysis of cross‐sectional study. Methods: Overall, 15,718 female workers aged 40–65 years from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) were included. Depression was assessed using the WHO‐5 wellbeing index; sleep‐related problems and WFCs were measured with five items on a Likert scale. The mediating effect of sleep‐related problems between depression and WFCs was analysed using model 4 of Hayes PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between depression and both sleep‐related problems (r = 0.225, p < 0.001) and WFCs (r = 0.124, p < 0.001). Depression also had a significant effect on sleep‐related problems (β = 0.221, p < 0.001) and WFCs (β=0.061, p < 0.001). Sleep‐related problems had a significant effect on WFCs (β = 0.282, p < 0.001). The indirect effect of depression on WFCs by mediating sleep‐related problems was β = 0.062 (95% bootstrap confidence interval = 0.057–0.068). The study also confirmed the significance of the mediating effect of sleep‐related problems in the relationship between depression and WFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although strengthening coverage has improved cancer care, there are concerns related to medical distortion. Previous studies have only examined whether patients visit a specific hospital, and not the continuum of patients with cancer, resulting in a lack of evidence in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the patterns in hospital type for cancer care and analyze their association with outcomes. Methods: The data for this study were obtained from the National Health Insurance Services Sampled Cohort database. This study included patients with four types of cancer (top four cancer incidence in 2020): gastric (3353), colorectal (2915), lung (1351), and thyroid (5158) cancer. The latent class mixed model was used to investigate cancer care patterns, and multiple regression or survival analysis was performed to examine medical cost, length of stay (LOS), and mortality. Results: The patterns in each cancer type were classified into two to four classes, namely, mainly visited clinics or hospitals, mainly visited general hospitals, mainly visited tertiary hospitals (MT), and tertiary to general hospitals through trajectory modeling based on the utilization of cancer care. Compared to the MT pattern, other patterns were generally associated with higher cost, LOS, and mortality. Conclusion: The patterns found in this study may be a more realistic way of defining patients with cancer in South Korea compared to previous studies, and its association‐related outcomes may be used as a basis to address problems in the healthcare system and prepare alternatives for patients with cancer. Future studies should review cancer care patterns related to other factors such as regional distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris Trin.) is an exotic species in South Korea and is popular worldwide as an ornamental grass for landscaping purposes. The Ministry of Environment in South Korea has categorized this species as an "Ecosystem Hazard Class 2" plant, requiring long‐term monitoring to assess its ecological impacts on native species and communities. In this study, a 2‐year greenhouse experiment was conducted using M. capillaris and 17 native plant species (6 annuals, 8 nonwoody perennials, and 3 woody perennials) to test the hypothesis that if M. capillaris is an invasive species, it will negatively affect the establishment and growth of native plants in competitive pairings compared with controls (native species grown in monoculture). Results showed that the mean canopy cover of native plants in competition with M. capillaris was not significantly different from monocultures of the corresponding native species. There were also no significant differences in mean aboveground biomass production between native species growing with M. capillaris compared to corresponding native monocultures. Results indicate that M. capillaris did not significantly affect the establishment and growth of the 17 native species investigated. The minimal impacts suggest that M. capillaris may not be a harmful invasive species, but further monitoring of its spread will be required to test these findings under natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance open access (OA) journal publishing environments, this study proposed and applied a diagnostic framework for OA journal publishing. The framework includes three dimensions: OA policy establishment and disclosure, OA sustainability and journal openness quality. By applying this framework to nine OA journals in the field of science and technology in Korea, challenges faced by OA publishing were uncovered. For the dimension of OA policy establishment and disclosure, it was found that participants had lower perceptions of the importance of OA‐related financial disclosure and archiving policies compared with copyright policies. The dimension of OA sustainability was recognized as critical among participants. Finance was recognized as the most critical component of OA sustainability. Financial sources were mostly internal funding and article processing charges (APC), and participants perceived the current financial status of their journal positively. However, they were concerned about long‐term financial security. For the journal openness quality dimension, the participants were hesitant in disclosing reviews and reviewers, which can facilitate the prevention of fake peer review of predatory journals. Based on the findings, the article discusses how the challenging issues identified could be addressed. The results of this study may provide a guide for OA policy and OA system development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ARIA is a block cipher proposed by Kwon et al. at ICISC 2003 that is widely used as the national standard block cipher in the Republic of Korea. Herein, we identify some flaws in the quantum rebound attack on seven‐round ARIA‐DM proposed by Dou et al. and reveal that the limit of this attack is up to five rounds. Our revised attack applies to not only ARIA‐DM but also ARIA‐MMO and ARIA‐MP among the PGV models, and it is valid for all ARIA key lengths. Furthermore, we present dedicated quantum rebound attacks on seven‐round ARIA‐Hirose and ARIA‐MJH for the first time. These attacks are only valid for the 256‐bit key length of ARIA because they are constructed using the degrees of freedom in the key schedule. All our attacks are faster than the generic quantum attack in the cost metric of the time–space tradeoff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine self‐care behaviours among older adults with hypertension and identify related factors, including cognitive function, religious belief and comorbidities. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Methods: Self‐care behaviours included diet and health. Participants completed a survey including items on demographics, disease‐related characteristics and self‐care behaviours and underwent cognitive function tests. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and multiple regression analysis was performed to analyse the factors affecting self‐care. Results: Regarding diet behaviour, older religious adults and those with higher scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment‐Korean version had higher levels of self‐care scores according to the HBP‐SC. Regarding health behaviour, older adults with no comorbidities had higher levels of self‐care scores according to the HBP‐SC. Conclusion: Factors affecting self‐care diet behaviour include religion and Montreal Cognitive Assessment‐Korean version scores and those affecting health behaviour include comorbidities among older adults with hypertension. Therefore, to improve their self‐care behaviours, their religious practices and comorbidities should be considered, cognitive function should be assessed, and tailored education should be provided. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: This study investigated factors affecting self‐care behaviours of hypertensive older adults in South Korea. The self‐care was divided into diet and health behaviours. The factors influencing diet behaviour were religion and Montreal Cognitive Assessment‐Korean version scores, and the factor influencing health behaviour was comorbidities. We also investigated self‐care behaviour patterns. Older adults with hypertension were good at controlling alcohol consumption and did not forget to fill prescriptions. However, they were poor at reading nutrition labels to check on sodium content and checking blood pressure at home. Therefore, nurses could develop interventions considering these influencing factors and behavioural patterns to improve self‐care behaviours and enhance health for older adults with hypertension. Impact Hypertension in older adults affects their health conditions and performance of self‐care behaviours. Nurses could assess self‐care based on diet and health behaviours. Additionally, further developing tailored programmes is recommended considering factors like religious belief, cognitive function and comorbidities. Reporting Method: This study followed the STROBE guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: This study used a convenience sample of 105 participants aged ≥ 65 years recruited from a Korean hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Korea, winter can cause skin dryness due to low relative humidity (RH); moreover, indoor heating devices promote moisture loss and air pollution. If dryness persists, dead skin cells accumulate, leading to skin problems; therefore, careful skin care is required. This study aimed to compare changes in skin conditions when exposed to an indoor environment for a short period of 6 h in winter, and to suggest proper winter skin care practices. Methods: A randomized, split‐face clinical study was conducted in which healthy female participants with normal skin were exposed to an indoor environment with a heater turned on for a short period at least 6 h per day in the winter season, and cream was applied to one side of the face. Skin temperature, hydration, sebum, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), elasticity, texture, pores, redness, and wrinkles were measured at the treated and nontreated sites. Results: After 6 h of exposure, skin temperature, pores, roughness, redness, and wrinkles significantly increased (p < 0.05) on the face, whereas TEWL significantly increased on the forearm (p < 0.05). However, sebum secretion appeared to function as a barrier to maintain homeostasis in the facial skin. Elasticity, pores, texture, and wrinkles in the cream‐treated ceramide site improved compared to those in the nontreated site (p < 0.05). The moisture content was also significantly higher in the forearm (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Changes in skin parameters of participants with healthy skin were observed even after short‐term exposure to an indoor environment in winter. Creams containing ceramide maintain skin homeostasis and protect the skin barrier; therefore, it is recommended to use such creams to prevent skin damage and maintain healthy skin, particularly during prolonged exposure to indoor environments during winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NEUROD1) is frequently overexpressed in small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC). NEUROD1 plays an important role in promoting malignant behavior and survival. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the association between putative functional polymorphisms in 45 NEUROD1 target genes and chemotherapy response and survival outcomes in 261 patients with SCLC. Among the 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) studied, two were significantly associated with both chemotherapy response and overall survival (OS) of patients with SCLC. Results: The SNP rs3806915C>A in semaphorin 6A (SEMA6A) gene was significantly associated with better chemotherapy response and OS (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively). The SNP rs11265375C>T in nescient helix–loop helix 1 (NHLH1) gene was also associated with better chemotherapy response and OS (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Luciferase assay showed a significantly higher promoter activity of SEMA6A with the rs3806915 A allele than C allele in H446 lung cancer cells (p = 4 × 10−6). The promoter activity of NHLH1 showed a significantly higher with the rs11265375 T allele than C allele (p = 0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that SEMA6A rs3806915C>A and NHLH1 rs11265375C>T polymorphisms affect the promoter activity and expression of the genes, which may affect the survival outcome of patients with SCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R&D strategies of companies with low and high technological levels are discussed based on the concept of technology convergence and divergence. However, empirically detecting enterprise technology convergence in the distribution of enterprise technology (total productivity increase) over time and identifying key change factors are challenging. This study used a novel statistical indicator that captures the internal technology distribution change with a single number to clearly measure the technology distribution peak as a change in critical bandwidth for enterprise technology convergence and presented it as evidence of each technology convergence or divergence. Furthermore, this study applied the quantitative technology convergence identification method. Technology convergence appeared from the separation of total corporate productivity distribution of 69 IT companies in Korea in 2019–2020 rather than in 2015–2016. Results indicated that when the total technological level was separated from the technology leading and technology catch‐up, IT companies were found to be pursuing R&D strategies for technology catch‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aims to examine the factors related to career interruption and re‐employment of women who had worked or were working in the human health sector and to compare them with those in other industrial sectors. Design: Secondary data analysis study. Methods: Data from the 2019 economic activities survey of career‐interrupted women of South Korea was used, and 2570 participants were included in the analysis. Results: Women who had majored in health care and had worked, or were working, in the human health and social work activities sector showed a higher tendency to work more than 40 h per week, compared to the mean of all participants. Moreover, parental leave and flexible working time were related to career interruption and re‐employment. Patient or Public Contribution: Policies that encourage the use of parental leave and flexible shift work systems should be developed and implemented to prevent career interruption of women in the health sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While imperfect substitutability between native and immigrant workers is an important mechanism in estimating the wage effects of immigration, its empirical literature is concentrated on the context of only a few countries. Using occupation task‐intensity data from a unique Korean data set, we demonstrate that relatively skilled native Korean workers respond to increased low‐skilled immigration by pursuing jobs more intensive in communication and cognitive tasks. This native response is mainly pronounced in knowledge‐intensive service sectors and leads to an improvement in average wages in these sectors. Our results support the general assumption that the labor market impact of immigration critically depends on whether native and immigrant workers are substitutes or complements in production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored a comparative static computable general equilibrium model with six regions and 12 sectors to estimate the impacts of the recent UK–Korea free trade agreement (FTA) along with the European Union (EU)–Korea FTA. The empirical results provide quantitative evidence of the impact on national GDP, national exports and imports by sector, and the changes in exports or imports among the United Kingdom, Korea, Japan, China, and the EU. The UK–Korea FTA, along with the EU–Korea FTA, increases GDP and welfare for the United Kingdom and Korea; moreover, there is a large increase in automobiles, transport equipment, and machinery exports between Korea and the United Kingdom. The GDP and welfare level of non‐member countries such as Japan and China will slightly decline. Exports from the United Kingdom and Korea to non‐member countries are also expected to decrease in most manufacturing sectors. The UK–Korea FTA will lead to increases in imports between the United Kingdom and Korea due to mutual trade creation effects and trade diversion effects. However, non‐member countries such as Japan's exports are expected to experience a large decline in automobiles to the United Kingdom and in most manufacturing products to Korea due to the negative impact of the UK–Korea FTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the interdecadal change in tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the western North Pacific (WNP) in the early 2010s. At the western boundary of the WNP, the interdecadal change in TC activity exhibited a meridional tripole pattern. In contrast to the reduced activity over the northern South China Sea (SCS) and Taiwan, TC activity increased over the southern SCS and to the north of Shanghai after the early 2010s. Herein, we focused on the northern WNP. Over the last decade, frequent TC occurrences have affected East China, Korea and Japan. In this work, we examined the influence of synoptic‐scale waves (SSWs) on the interdecadal change in TC activity. During the 2011–2021 period, SSWs tended to propagate northward, resulting in more TC tracks affecting the northern WNP and surrounding countries. In contrast, the westward‐propagating SSWs before the early 2010s were more likely to favor westward‐moving TCs. Plain Language Summary: Previous studies has revealed that tropical cyclone (TC) activity increased over the southern South China Sea (SCS) and decreased over the northern SCS and Taiwan since the early 2010s. In warming climates, TC activity shows significant poleward extension. Thus, in this study, we broadened the study area to 50°N and focused on the TC activity over the northern western North Pacific (WNP), where most populous region went through increased TC occurrences in the recent decade (2011–2021). The interdecadal change in TC activity exhibited a meridional tripole pattern after the early 2010s over the WNP. Considering tropical synoptic‐scale waves (SSWs) can reflect the general atmospheric inner process, this study investigated the role of SSWs in the interdecadal change in TC activity in the 2010s. During the 2011–2021 period, SSWs tended to propagate northward, resulting in more TC tracks affecting the northern WNP and surrounding countries. In contrast, the westward‐propagating SSWs before the early 2010s were more likely to favor westward‐moving TCs. The synoptic‐scale processes can explain most of the interdecadal changes in the relative vorticity over the northern WNP, showing the critical role of the SSWs on the interdecadal change of TC activity over the WNP in the early 2010s. Key Points: The interdecadal change in tropical cyclone (TC) activity exhibited a meridional tripole pattern after the early 2010s over the western North PacificOver the last decade (2011–2021), frequent TC occurrences have affected East China, Korea and JapanDuring the 2011–2021 period, tropical synoptic‐scale waves tended to propagate northward, which led to more northward‐moving TC tracks [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To explore the experiences of South Korean mothers of their children with medical complexity under long‐term hospitalization. Design: A qualitative descriptive using thematic analysis. Methods: Seven South Korean mothers of children with medical complexity underwent semi‐structured interviews between February and April 2021. Data were analysed by six phases of thematic analysis. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines were applied in the conduct of the research. Results: Mothers of children with medical complexity experienced a journey beginning from within their vacillating minds towards the outside world. The mother's journey during the hospitalization of their children with medical complexity began from within their vacillating minds towards achieving resilience. The mothers received various support from the family, society and hospital staff during this period of vacillation. When the mothers achieved resilience, they in turn provided support to other mothers as an act of solidarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]