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This study investigates beginning EFL teachers' emotional labor from the perspective of the Activity Theory. Emotional labor is defined as the process of controlling one's emotions and emotional expressions in accordance with the occupational standards for proper emotional expression. Two beginning EFL teachers at Korean junior high schools were recruited by means of a qualitative research method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on Activity Theory. The findings indicate that participants' emotional labor in relation to their students was represented as conflicts in their activity system. Additionally, the resolution of the conflicts could be possible if a teacher can join a new teacher learning community and use new instruments. The results suggest that beginning EFL teachers should be encouraged to be empowered with new instruments such as classroom management skills and teaching practices for handling mixed-level students. These new instruments are expected to prevent students' problem behavior and ease the burden of teachers experiencing emotional labor.

This study examined the characteristics of male high school English learners' motivation and the relations between their motivation and achievement in English learning. A total of 334 Grade 10 students in a boys' high school participated in this study by completing a questionnaire survey on second language (L2) learning motivation and taking an English achievement test. As a result of explanatory factor analysis, five factors were found as underlying constructs for male high school students' English learning motivation: The Ought-to L2 Self, The Ideal L2 Self, The Feared L2 Self, Instrumentality, and Intrinsic Motivation. In terms of the structural relationships between the learners' motivation and achievement in English learning, the ideal L2 self and intrinsic motivation exerted a direct impact on their motivated L2 behavior, and then English achievement mediated by the motivated L2 behavior. The other factors had an indirect influence on motivated L2 learning behavior, mediated by the ideal L2 self and intrinsic motivation. Based on the findings, we suggested motivational activities to realize the creation of the ideal L2 self among male high school English learners.

This exploratory study investigates the structural relationship between second language (L2) learning motivation, resilience, motivated behavior, and L2 proficiency among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in South Korea. The research questions are as follows: (1) What are the constructs of resilience and L2 learning motivation among L2 learners? (2) What is the structural relationship between L2 learning motivation, resilience, motivated behavior, and L2 proficiency? A five-point Likert-type questionnaire was administered to 152 college-level EFL learners. The findings of factor analysis demonstrated that resilience factors were divided into self-composure, sociability, life satisfaction, communicative efficacy, and realistic optimism. Four factors emerged regarding L2 learning motivation: recognition from others, Ideal L2 self, instrumental motivation, and Ought-to L2 self. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that these factors are independent constructs with conceptual validity. The final structural equation model showed that resilience influenced L2 proficiency through L2 learning motivation and motivated behavior.

The current study aims to explore the influence of resilience on (de)motivation and second language proficiency among elementary school students in South Korea. A total of 367 sixth-grade students completed questionnaires at three elementary schools. The data were analyzed with factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that resilience is composed of metacognitive adaptation, sociability, optimism, perseverance, and communicative efficacy. In terms of the influence of resilience, the SEM presents that the direct impact of resilience on English as a foreign language (EFL) learning motivation is greater than its impact on demotivation. Regarding the impact of EFL learning (de)motivation and resilience on English proficiency, EFL learning demotivation plays the most dominant role. The findings indicate that it is important to simultaneously sustain EFL learning motivation and prevent demotivation to help learners achieve their desired level of English proficiency in an EFL context.

This paper presents the components influencing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning demotivation and resilience. Semi-structured interview data from 23 EFL students and nine teachers were thematically analyzed guided by the Grounded Theory approach after systematic reiterative comparative reviewing. The major demotivators were teachers' lack of clear delivery for elementary school students, excessive afterschool learning programs at private institutes for junior high school students, and impractical EFL lessons focusing on grammar rather than spoken English for high school students. In order to curb these demotivators and maintain high EFL learning motivation levels, four distinctive components influencing their resilience were identified: social support, emotional regulation, a clear learning goal, and tenacity in EFL learning. This study illustrates that emotional regulation, not negative emotions such as anxiety, is crucial, and students' clearly stated short-term learning goal is a crucial component in maintaining high academic resilience. Participants cultivated specific components influencing resilience as they advanced academically. Additionally, high-proficiency EFL students exhibited greater tenacity and utilized various coping strategies. We argue for the necessity to refine the sub-constructs of EFL learning demotivation and resilience and recommend the need for a follow-up confirmatory study to prove the conceptual validity of these constructs.

The purpose of the study is to explore the structural relationships among second language (L2) proficiency and the constructs of L2 learners' resilience, motivation, and demotivation. A total of 869 undergraduate students in South Korea participated in the study. The data were analyzed by means of factor analysis, correlations, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The factor analysis identified seven resilience factors (life satisfaction, sociability, communicative efficacy, self-composure, strategic competence, metacognitive adaptation, and realistic optimism), six motivation factors (ought-to L2 self, ideal L2 self, instrumental motivation, parental support, academic motivation, awareness of importance), and six demotivation factors (negative perception of English-speaking countries, compulsory EFL learning, perceived inappropriateness of textbooks or tasks, low self-esteem, unsupportive learning environment, unsupportive teachers). The SEM corroborated that resilience, L2 learning motivation, and L2 learning demotivation contribute to L2 proficiency. L2 learning demotivation had more explanatory power for L2 proficiency than did L2 learning motivation. Resilience had both a direct and an indirect effect on L2 proficiency via L2 learning demotivation. The findings suggest that teachers should equip learners with strategies to manage adversity in L2 learning.

Black ginseng (BG) is processed ginseng traditionally made in Korea via the steaming and drying of ginseng root through three or more cycles, leading to changes in its appearance due to the Maillard reaction on its surface, resulting in a dark coloration. In this study, we explored markers for differentiating processed ginseng by analyzing the chemical characteristics of BG. We elucidated a new method for the structural identification of ginsenoside metabolites and described the features of processed ginseng using UPLC-QTOF-MS in the positive ion mode. We confirmed that maltose, glucose, and fructose, along with L-arginine, L-histidine, and L-lysine, were the key compounds responsible for the changes in the external quality of BG. These compounds can serve as important metabolic markers for distinguishing BG from conventionally processed ginseng. The major characteristics of white ginseng, red ginseng, and BG can be distinguished based on their high-polarity and low-polarity ginsenosides, and a precise method for the structural elucidation of ginsenosides in the positive ion mode is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study focused on the factors that constitute second language (L2) learners' resilience, and how these factors are related to L2 learning by investigating what relation resilience may have to motivated behaviour and proficiency in English learning. A total of 1620 secondary school learners of English participated in a questionnaire survey. By analysing the quantitative data, five resilience factors were extracted: perceived happiness, empathy, sociability, persistence, and self-regulation. Confirmative factor analysis using AMOS proved that these five factors are distinctive constructs. Among the factors, persistence was identified to play the most influential role in L2 learning. Persistence showed the highest correlations with, and the strongest explanatory power for, motivated behaviour and English proficiency. It is suggested that resilience can be further explored as an individual differences factor in L2 learning, which is involved in L2 learning process and outcomes.

In South Korea, "Damunwha" students (students from multicultural family backgrounds) have difficulties at school because of others' derogatory perception of them and the different linguistic and cultural settings. In light of this issue, this paper addresses the "Damunwha" students' identities and participation within the language communities from a community of practice perspective and a critical pedagogy perspective. Four students (two from international marriage families and two from immigrant workers' families), their teachers, and their supervisors participated in the study from March to April 2013. The findings suggest that "Damunwha" students' participation in Korean society depends on their resources, others' perception of the participants' identities, and cultural capital. The findings show that students are losing their connection with their first language communities and that their linguistic resources and cultural diversity are undervalued. The study implies that cultural sensitivity should be promoted and that explicit support for "Damunwha" students is needed.

Background: The purpose of the Korean Hip Fracture Registry (KHFR) Study is to establish a nationwide, hospital-based prospective cohort study of adults with hip fracture to explore the incidence and risk factors of second osteoporotic fractures for a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) model. Methods: The KHFR, a prospective multicenter longitudinal study, was launched in 2014. Sixteen centers recruited participants who were treated for hip fracture. The inclusion criteria were patients, who were treated for proximal femur fracture due to low-energy trauma and aged 50 or more at the time of injury. Until 2018, 5,841 patients were enrolled in this study. Follow-up surveys were conducted annually to determine occurrence of second osteoporotic fracture, and 4,803 participants completed at least one follow-up survey. Discussion: KHFR is a unique resource of individual level on osteoporotic hip fracture with radiological, medical, and laboratory information including DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), bone turnover marker, body composition, and hand grip strength for future analyses for FLS model. Modifiable factors for mortality after hip surgery is planned to be identified with nutritional assessment and multi-disciplinary interventions from hospitalization to follow-ups. The proportions of femoral neck, intertrochanteric, and subtrochanteric fractures were 517 (42.0%), 730 (53.6%), and 60 (4.4%), respectively, from 2014 to 2016, which was similar in other studies. Radiologic definition of atypical subtrochanteric fracture was adopted and 17 (1.2%) fractures among 1,361 proximal femoral fractures were identified. Internal fixation showed higher reoperation rate compared to arthroplasty in unstable intertrochanteric fractures (6.1% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.046) with no significant difference in mortality. The KHFR plans to identify outcomes and risk factors associated with second fracture by conducting a 10-year cohort study, with a follow-up every year, using 5,841 baseline participants. Trial registration: Present study was registered on Internet-based Clinical Research and Trial management system (iCReaT) as multicenter prospective observational cohort study (Project number: C160022, Date of registration: 22th, Apr, 2016). Key messages: The KHFR study, which is a representative of the Korean hip fracture patients, showed that basic epidemiologic information of hip fracture including atypical hip fracture in Korea. Perioperative nutritional assessment and management by multi-disciplinary interventions could decrease malnutrition and mortality risk. Internal fixation in unstable intertrochanteric fracture was associated with higher reoperation rate, comparing with bipolar hemiarthroplasty, while mortality after surgery was not significantly differ according to the type of surgery. Prospective cohort and representative registry should be established to develop effective secondary prevention program such as Fracture Liaison Service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed-methods study investigates the differences in demotivation between Chinese and Korean English teachers. A questionnaire on demotivation was conducted on 58 Chinese and 94 Korean in-service teachers to find out the dominant factors in teacher demotivation. Follow-up interviews with teachers were conducted to explore the reasons as to why teachers found the salient factors to be demotivating. The results indicated that the number of students per English classroom was the detrimental factor for both Chinese and Korean teachers. Moreover, the only factor that Chinese teachers perceived to be more demotivating than Korean teachers was the excessive interference or expectations of school parents. For Korean teachers, large amounts of administrative tasks and students' lack of interest in English were found to be the most detrimental factors. From the findings of this study, practical implications as well as research suggestions are provided.

This study explores Korean elementary school students' decreased motivation for English learning by analyzing the questionnaire data obtained from 6,301 students in a large city in South Korea. The students' school grades and their prior experience in private institutes were considered as the major factors behind the decrease in their motivation. There was a statistically significant and consistent decrease in the students' satisfaction with their English learning experience; expectation of ultimate success in English; and intrinsic/extrinsic motivation and integrative/instrumental motivation. Prior experience in attending private institutes had a substantial impact on the students' motivation. Those who attended private institutes ("hakwons") exhibited higher levels of instrumental and intrinsic motivation. However, in terms of other motivational constructs of integrative and extrinsic (parental, academic) motivation, private instruction had a negligible or negative impact. By comparing the results with those of Lamb ("2007"), the present study proposes that Korean students should be made to internalize the beneficial role played by English so that their English learning motivation can be maintained.

This study examines the longitudinal trajectories of two Korean ESL immigrants' L2 learning motivation from an Activity Theory perspective. Two highly skilled immigrants participated in monthly semistructured interviews over a period of 10 months. The research questions are as follows: (1) How does the relationship between ESL learners and their perceived social contexts affect and shape the way in which their ESL learning motivation develops? (2) How can the factors affecting the changes in ESL learning motivation be explained from an Activity Theory perspective? The recurring themes in the monthly interview data were coded and aligned to Engestrom's (1999a) activity-system model; important interactions among the subcomponents of the model are presented and discussed. The results indicate that (1) the dynamism in ESL learning (de)motivation can be coherently explained in a series of longitudinal activity-system models; and (2) that it is not the ESL context per se but each participant's recognition of it that plays a pivotal role in creating, maintaining, and terminating ESL learning motivation. (Contains 8 figures, 1 table, and 3 notes.)

This paper investigates Korean high school students' English learning motivation and attitudes. In this regard, the results of a 2002 study were compared with those of a 2006 study. Questionnaire data were obtained from a total of 1,037 high school students in a major city in South Korea, and the data were compared with those on the students' English proficiency. Statistical analyses verified two distinctive Korean-specific constructs: "competitive motivation" and "attitudes toward Americans" among the participants. The results suggest that negative washback effects of the College Scholastic Ability Test in Korea and influences of peer group cohesion, mass media, and the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure play a crucial role in EFL motivation and attitudes among Korean high school students. (Contains 5 tables and 4 footnotes.)

In this paper, I analysed Korean ESL immigrants' ethnic name changing phenomena. The interpretive discourse analyses of the 15 interview data obtained from six new immigrants, documented that four of them maintained their Korean names, whereas others anglicised their names depending upon their subjective identity positionings in a new society. In particular, the sense of imagined communities (Wenger, 1998) was of utmost importance to the participants in the study. Participants, who hypothesised imagined communities or a third culture (Kramsch, 1993) mainly for their jobs, were willing to change their Korean names, whereas participants, who resisted habitus (Bourdieu, 1977, 1998, 2000) reorganisation by remaining in Korean-speaking communities in Toronto, demonstrated little sensitivity to the intricate relationship between name and identity or emotionally resisted the name change. The findings corroborate that ESL immigrants' name changing practices reflect their sense of ethnic identity, and suggest how individuals' unique sociocultural milieux impact name maintenance or change. (Contains 6 notes and 1 table.)

As incidences of osteoporotic hip fractures (OHFs) have increased, identifying OHFs has become important to establishing the medical guidelines for their management. This study was conducted to develop an operational definition to identify patients with OHFs using two diagnosis codes and eight procedure codes from health insurance claims data and to assess the operational definition's validity through a chart review. The study extracted data on OHFs from 522 patients who underwent hip surgeries based on diagnosis codes. Orthopedic surgeons then reviewed these patients' medical records and radiographs to identify those with true OHFs. The validities of nine different algorithms of operational definitions, developed using a combination of three levels of diagnosis codes and eight procedure codes, were assessed using various statistics. The developed operational definition showed an accuracy above 0.97 and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve above 0.97, indicating excellent discriminative power. This study demonstrated that the operational definition that combines diagnosis and procedure codes shows a high validity in detecting OHFs and can be used as a valid tool to detect OHFs from big health claims data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study investigates the structural relationship between second language (L2) learning motivation, resilience, motivated behavior, and L2 proficiency among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in South Korea. The research questions are as follows: (1) What are the constructs of resilience and L2 learning motivation among L2 learners? (2) What is the structural relationship between L2 learning motivation, resilience, motivated behavior, and L2 proficiency? A five-point Likert-type questionnaire was administered to 152 college-level EFL learners. The findings of factor analysis demonstrated that resilience factors were divided into self-composure, sociability, life satisfaction, communicative efficacy, and realistic optimism. Four factors emerged regarding L2 learning motivation: recognition from others, Ideal L2 self, instrumental motivation, and Ought-to L2 self. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that these factors are independent constructs with conceptual validity. The final structural equation model showed that resilience influenced L2 proficiency through L2 learning motivation and motivated behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certified reference materials (CRMs), KRISS CRM 111‐01‐010 and 111‐01‐011, were first developed in Korea to provide SI‐traceability in the measurement of triglycerides (TGs) in human frozen serum. For absolute TG quantification in KRISS CRMs, isotope dilution‐liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (ID‐LC–MS/MS) was used. Both certification and short‐term stability assessment of TG in KRISS CRMs were performed for each of 10 and eight selected units. The TG certified values and expanded uncertainties in KRISS CRMs were as follows: 0.608 ± 0.025 mmol/kg for CRM 111‐01‐010 and 1.825 ± 0.072 mmol/kg for CRM 111‐01‐011. The short‐term TG stability results were not significantly changed relative to the certified values, and therefore both KRISS CRMs were stable during the monitoring period at each temperature. Based on our experiments, the developed KRISS CRMs can provide accurate, precise, and reproducible TG measurements in human frozen serum for clinical laboratories with SI‐traceability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide practical guides for treatment; however, studies that have evaluated PROs of women in Korea with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) are lacking. This cross-sectional, multi-center (29 nationwide hospitals) study, performed from March 2013 to July 2014, aimed to assess PROs related to treatment satisfaction, medication adherence, and quality of life (QoL) in Korean PMO women using osteoporosis medication for prevention/treatment. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, PROs, and experience using medication were collected. The 14-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) (score-range, 0-100; domains: effectiveness, side effects, convenience, global satisfaction), Osteoporosis-Specific Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (OS-MMAS) (score-range, 0-8), and EuroQol-5 dimensions questionnaire (index score range, - 0.22 to 1.0; EuroQol visual analog scale score range, 0-100) were used. To investigate factors associated with PROs, linear (treatment satisfaction/QoL) or logistic (medication adherence) regression analyses were conducted. A total of 1804 patients (age, 62 years) were investigated; 60.1% used bisphosphonate, with the majority (67.2%) using weekly medication, 27.8% used daily hormone replacement therapy, and 12.1% used daily selective estrogen receptor modulator. Several patients reported gastrointestinal (GI) events (31.6%) and dental visits due to problems (24.1%) while using medication. Factors associated with the highest OS-MMAS domain scores were convenience and global satisfaction. GI events were associated with non-adherence. TSQM scores for effectiveness, side effects, and GI risk factors were significantly associated with QoL. Our study elaborately assessed the factors associated with PROs of Korean PMO women. Based on our findings, appropriate treatment-related adjustments such as frequency/choice of medications and GI risk management may improve PROs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to explore the influence of resilience on (de)motivation and second language proficiency among elementary school students in South Korea. A total of 367 sixth-grade students completed questionnaires at three elementary schools. The data were analyzed with factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that resilience is composed of metacognitive adaptation, sociability, optimism, perseverance, and communicative efficacy. In terms of the influence of resilience, the SEM presents that the direct impact of resilience on English as a foreign language (EFL) learning motivation is greater than its impact on demotivation. Regarding the impact of EFL learning (de)motivation and resilience on English proficiency, EFL learning demotivation plays the most dominant role. The findings indicate that it is important to simultaneously sustain EFL learning motivation and prevent demotivation to help learners achieve their desired level of English proficiency in an EFL context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Asian with bisphosphonate has been considered to have higher risk of subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femur (ST/DF) fractures, the occurrence of those fractures has been still unclear in Asia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence rate of ST/DF fractures among bisphosphonate users from nationwide database in South Korea. Using national health insurance claim database, we only included the bisphosphonate users who took bisphosphonate for the first time in 2008 and evaluated the incidence rate of ST/DF fracture from 2008 to 2013. Non-user controls were matched to bisphosphonate users by propensity score matching with age and gender. Cox regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios of ST/DF fracture with and without adjustment for comorbidity. A total of 682 ST/DF fractures were observed among 348,311 bisphosphonate users. The incidence rate of ST/DF fracture among bisphosphonate users (37.75/100,000 person years, 95% CI 35.02-40.70) was higher compared with non-users (24.41/100,000 person years, 95% CI 22.31-26.71). The risk of ST/DF fracture was greater in bisphosphonate users compared with non-users (hazard ratio 1.541, 1.370-1.734; p < 0.001). The incidence rate of ST/DF fracture after bisphosphonate use could be determined in Korean patients, which can provide basal information for further studies on risk and benefit of continuing bisphosphonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined differences between men and women in factors affecting anti-osteoporosis drug treatment after osteoporotic fracture. Using a national claims database, we analyzed patients aged 50 years and older who experienced their first osteoporotic fracture between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012. We examined whether patients were prescribed anti-osteoporosis drugs within 6 months post-fracture. Factors associated with treatment status were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Among a total of 556,410 patients aged 50 and older, only 37% were prescribed anti-osteoporosis drugs within 6 months post-fracture. Female patients with fractures were more likely to receive pharmacotherapy than male patients (41.7 vs. 19.3%). Older age significantly increased the likelihood of receiving anti-osteoporosis drugs after osteoporotic fracture. For men, the adjusted odds ratio for receiving therapy was greatest in those aged 80 years and older (OR 6.4), and for women, it was largest in those aged 70-79 (OR 3.33). Both men and women were more likely to be prescribed drugs after a spine fracture, with men having significantly greater odds of receiving drug therapy (men, OR 7.1, 95% CI 6.5-7.9; women 4.79, CI 4.63-4.96). Patients with rheumatic disease or other osteoporosis-inducing comorbid disease were more likely to be prescribed anti-osteoporosis drugs. Our findings indicate that a lack of anti-osteoporosis pharmacotherapy after fracture remains a problem in Korea, especially among men, highlighting the need for effective quality improvement interventions to maximize post-fracture treatment rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to estimate the current economic burden of osteoporosis in South Korea using national claim data of the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) from 2008 to 2011. Patients aged 50 years or older were identified from KNHIS nationwide database for all records of outpatient visits or hospital admissions. Healthcare costs for osteoporotic patients included direct medical costs for hospitalization, outpatient care, and prescription drugs for the year after discharge. Healthcare costs were estimated based on the perspective of KNHIS, and calculated using a bottom-up approach. Between 2008 and 2011, total healthcare costs for osteoporotic patients increased from 3976 million USD to 5126 million USD, with an annual increase of 9.2% which accounted for one-sixth (16.7%) of national healthcare expenditure. Healthcare cost for hospitalization was the highest ($1903 million, 40.0% of total healthcare cost), followed by cost for outpatient care ($1474 million, 31.0%) and cost for prescription drugs ($1379 million, 29.0%). Although total healthcare cost for osteoporotic men was 6 times lower than that for osteoporotic women, the cost per person was 1.5 times higher than that for women. Total healthcare cost for osteoporotic patients without fractures was higher than that for osteoporotic patients with fractures. However, cost per person was the opposite. Osteoporosis entails substantial epidemiologic and economic burden in South Korea. This study provides information about the total healthcare burden, which could be important when determining what attention and awareness osteoporosis should be given in the public health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Korea,Damunwha students (students from multicultural family backgrounds) have difficulties at school because of others' derogatory perception of them and the different linguistic and cultural settings. In light of this issue, this paper addresses the Damunwha students' identities and participation within the language communities from a community of practice perspective and a critical pedagogy perspective. Four students (two from international marriage families and two from immigrant workers' families), their teachers, and their supervisors participated in the study from March to April 2013. The findings suggest that Damunwha students' participation in Korean society depends on their resources, others' perception of the participants' identities, and cultural capital. The findings show that students are losing their connection with their first language communities and that their linguistic resources and cultural diversity are undervalued. The study implies that cultural sensitivity should be promoted and that explicit support forDamunwhastudents is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study explores motivational and demotivational factors in English learning among elderly learners attending a lifelong education institute located in Seoul, South Korea. A total of 420 elderly learners with limited English learning experience responded to a questionnaire with 47 five-point Likert-type items. In order to investigate what factors encourage and discourage elderly learners in their participation in English learning, we conducted factor analysis, which indicated five motivational and three demotivational constructs. The motivational factor of self-actualization proved the most influential, while pressure from the Graduation Equivalency Examination was the most demotivating. It was found that the motivational factors demonstrated positive correlations with demotivational factors, and that the ideal L2 self showed the highest correlation with demotivational factors. Furthermore, the elderly learners' motivation did not exhibit significant change related to their years of learning experience from less than one year to more than three years. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to verify the structural relationship between perceptual learning styles, English learning motivation, and achievement, this study investigated 2682 Korean EFL students' visual, auditory, kinesthetic styles, imagination, ideal L2 self, motivated behavior, and English proficiency. The data collected by means of a questionnaire were explored using a correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. It was found that while visual and auditory styles were positively correlated with motivational variables and English proficiency, kinesthetic style showed negative correlations with them. Furthermore, visual style proved to have the most substantial influence on achieving successful English proficiency, mediated by the ideal L2 self and motivated behavior. However, when observing the differences based on school levels, it was revealed that elementary school students' ideal L2 self leads to better English proficiency without the intervention of motivated behavior. For high school students, motivated behavior was the most critical factor affecting English proficiency. Junior high school students' ideal L2 self and motivated behavior were not identified as factors influencing English proficiency. Based on these results, practical applications and implications for further research were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Korea, where there are no resources such as natural gas or crude oil, research on alternative fuels has been actively conducted since the 1990s. The research on synthetic oil is subdivided into Coal to Liquid (CTL), Gas to Liquid (GTL), Biomass to Liquid (BTL), etc., and was developed with the focus on catalysts, their preparation, reactor types, and operation technologies according to the product to be obtained. In Fischer–Tropsch synthesis for synthetic oil from syngas, stability, CO conversion rate, and product selectivity of catalysts depends on the design of their components, such as their active material, promoter, and support. Most of the developed catalysts were Fe- and Co-based catalysts and were developed in spherical and cylindrical shapes according to the reactor type. Recently, hybrid catalysts in combination with cracking catalysts were developed to control the distribution of the product. In this review, we survey recent studies related to the design of catalysts for production of light hydrocarbons and middle distillates, including hybrid catalysts, encapsulated core–shell catalysts, catalysts with active materials with well-organized sizes and shapes, and catalysts with shape- and size-controlled supports. Finally, we introduce recent research and development (R&D) trends in the production of light hydrocarbons and middle distillates and in the catalytic processes being applied to the development of catalysts in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic natural gas (SNG) using syngas from coal and biomass has attracted much attention as a potential substitute for fossil fuels because of environmental advantages. However, heating value of SNG is below the standard heating value for power generation (especially in South Korea and Japan). In this study, bimetallic Co-Fe catalyst was developed for the production of light paraffin hydrocarbons (C2–C4 as well as CH4) for usage as mixing gases to improve the heating value of SNG. The catalytic performance was monitored by varying space velocity, reaction pressure and temperature. The CO conversion increases with decrease in space velocities, and with an increase in reaction pressure and temperature. CH4 yield increases and C2+ yield decreases with increasing reaction temperature at all reaction pressure and space velocities. In addition, improved CH4 yield at higher reaction pressure (20 bar) implies that higher reaction pressure is a favorable condition for secondary CO2 methanation reaction. The bimetallic Co-Fe catalyst showed the best results with 99.7% CO conversion, 36.1% C2–C4 yield and 0.90 paraffin ratio at H2/CO of 3.0, space velocity of 4000 mL/g/h, reaction pressure of 20 bar, and temperature of 350 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Displaced femoral neck fracture in elderly patients has been treated with hemiarthroplasty as the treatment of choice. Fever following HA is common in these elderly patients. The aim of this study was to determine which post-HA fever workup could be beneficial in this group of patients.Methods: A total of 272 consecutive patients aged ≥70 years undergoing HA for displaced femoral neck fracture were retrospectively investigated. Postoperative fever (POF) was defined as any recorded body temperature ≥38°C in the early postoperative period. POF in each patient was characterized by the maximum temperature, the day of the first fever, and frequency of fever, stratified as either single or multiple fever spikes. Medical records were reviewed to identify positive fever workups and febrile complications.Results: Of 272 patients, 135 (49.6%) developed POF. A total of 428 routine diagnostic tests were performed in all patients with POF, of which only 57 tests (13.3%) were positive. Urinalysis showed the highest positive rate (21.9%), followed by urine culture (14.3%), chest x-ray (12.6%), and blood culture (1.1%). The most common febrile complication was pneumonia (12.6%), followed by urinary tract infection (8.1%). On multivariate logistic regression for positive workups, only fever after postoperative day (POD) 2 was a risk factor for positive chest x-ray (OR 3.86, p=0.016) and urine culture (OR 5.04, p=0.019). Moreover, fever after POD 2 (OR 6.93, p<0.0001) and multiple fever spikes (OR 2.92, p=0.026) were independent predictors of infectious febrile complications.Conclusions: Routine workup for POF following hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fracture is not warranted. However, for fever after POD 2 and multiple fever spikes, chest x-ray and urinalysis would be necessary to rule out the two most common febrile complications such as pneumonia and urinary tract infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fourth generation (Delta) ceramic bearing was developed to reduce dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) by increasing the head diameter. We tested a hypothesis that 32/36 mm Delta ceramic bearing decreases the dislocation rate. We also evaluated ceramic-related complications and early outcome of this thin liner-on-large head ceramic bearing.Methods: We performed a prospective study on patients who underwent THA with use of 32/36 mm Delta ceramic bearing. The dislocation rate was compared with the historical dislocation rate of third generation 28 mm ceramic bearing. We also evaluated ceramic fracture, squeak, short-term results and survival. Follow-up period was minimum 2 years.Results: Between April 2010 and February 2012, we enrolled 250 consecutive patients (278 hips). All patients received cementless prostheses. Four patients (4 hips) who received metal shells ≤ 46 mm and 28 mm heads were excluded. Three patients died and 2 patients were lost within 2 years. The remaining 241 patients (269 hips) were followed for 24-46 months. There were 142 men (161 hips) and 99 women (108 hips) with a mean age of 53.7 years (range, 17-75 years) at the index operation. Dislocation occurred in three hips (1.1%). An old age was a risk factor for dislocation. Ceramic fracture and squeaking did not occur in any patient. Mean Harris hip score was 90.3 points at the latest follow-up. All acetabular and femoral components had bone-ingrowth stability. No hip had detectable wear or osteolysis. The survival was 99.3% in the best case scenario and 97.8% in the worst at 48 months.Conclusions: Total hip arthroplasty with use of 32/36 mm Delta ceramic bearing showed lower incidence of hip dislocation compared with 28 mm third generation ceramic bearing. A caution should be paid to prevent a fall in senile patients even though a large head is used. The short-term results of THA with this type of ceramic articulation are encouraging and we did not find any ceramic-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]