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The study of the large paraphyletic group of extinct 'palaeoniscoid' fishes has shed light on the diversity and evolutionary history of basal actinopterygians. However, only a little ontogenetic information about 'palaeoniscoids' is known because their records in the early stages of development are scarce. Here, we report on a growth series of 'palaeoniscoids' in the juvenile stage from the Upper Triassic Amisan Formation of South Korea. Fourteen specimens, including five counterpart specimens, represent a new taxon, Megalomatia minima gen. et sp. nov., exhibiting ontogeny and exceptional preservation with the eyes possibly containing the crystalline lens, the otoliths, and the lateral line canals without covering scales. This discovery allows us to discuss the adaptations and evolution of basal actinopterygians in more detail than before. The otoliths in situ of Megalomatia support the previous interpretation that basal actinopterygians have a sagitta as the largest otolith. The trunk lateral line canal, which runs under the scales instead of passing through them, represents a plesiomorphic gnathostome trait. Notably, the large protruded eyes suggest that Megalomatia probably has binocular vision, which would have played a significant role in targeting and catching prey with the primitive jaw structure. In addition, the firstly formed skeletal elements such as the jaws, pectoral girdle, and opercular series, and the posteroanterior pattern of squamation development are likely linked to the adaptation of young individuals to increase their viability for feeding, respiration, and swimming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood carotenoid concentration measurement is considered the gold standard for fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake estimation; however, this method is invasive and expensive. Recently, skin carotenoid status (SCS) measured by optical sensors has been evaluated as a promising parameter for F&V intake estimation. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to validate the utility of resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS)-assessed SCS as a biomarker of F&V intake in Korean adults. We used data from 108 participants aged 20–69 years who completed SCS measurements, blood collection and 3-d dietary recordings. Serum carotenoid concentrations were quantified using HPLC, and dietary carotenoid and F&V intakes were estimated via 3-d dietary records using a carotenoid database for common Korean foods. The correlations of the SCS with serum carotenoid concentrations, dietary carotenoid intake and F&V intake were examined to assess SCS validity. SCS was positively correlated with total serum carotenoid concentration (r = 0·52, 95 % CI = 0·36, 0·64, P < 0·001), serum β -carotene concentration (r = 0·60, 95 % CI = 0·47, 0·71, P < 0·001), total carotenoid intake (r = 0·20, 95 % CI = 0·01, 0·37, P = 0·04), β -carotene intake (r = 0·30, 95 % CI = 0·11, 0·46, P = 0·002) and F&V intake (r = 0·40, 95 % CI = 0·23, 0·55, P < 0·001). These results suggest that SCS can be a valid biomarker of F&V intake in Korean adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large gulls are generalist predators that play an important role in Arctic food webs. Describing the migratory patterns and phenology of these predators is essential to understanding how Arctic ecosystems function. However, from all six large Arctic gull taxa, including three long-distance migrants, to date seasonal movements have been studied only in three and with small sample sizes. To document the flyways and migratory behaviour of the Vega gull, a widespread but little-studied Siberian migrant, we monitored 28 individuals with GPS loggers over a mean period of 383 days. Birds used similar routes in spring and autumn, preferring coastal to inland or offshore routes, and travelled 4000–5500 km between their breeding (Siberia) and wintering grounds (mainly the Republic of Korea and Japan). Spring migration mainly occurred in May, and was twice as fast and more synchronized among individuals than autumn migration. Migration bouts mainly occurred during the day and twilight, but rates of travel were always higher during the few night flights. Flight altitudes were nearly always higher during migration bouts than during other bouts, and lower during twilight than during night or day. Altitudes above 2000m were recorded during migrations, when birds made non-stop inland flights over mountain ranges and vast stretches of the boreal forest. Individuals showed high inter-annual consistency in their movements in winter and summer, indicating strong site fidelity to their breeding and wintering sites. Within-individual variation was similar in spring and autumn, but between individual variation was higher in autumn than in spring. Compared to previous studies, our results suggest that the timing of spring migration in large Arctic gulls is likely constrained by snowmelt at breeding grounds, while the duration of migration windows could be related to the proportion of inland versus coastal habitats found along their flyways ('fly-and-forage' strategy). Ongoing environmental changes are hence likely in short term to alter the timing of their migration, and in long term possibly affect the duration if e.g. the resource availability along the route changes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To test the effect of membrane fixation on ridge volume stability and new bone formation using guided bone regeneration. Materials and Methods: In eight beagle dogs, after bilateral extraction of the maxillary pre‐molars, a box‐shaped defect was created on each side. All defect sites were augmented with a particulate bone substitute material, covered with either one of two non‐cross‐linked collagen membranes (CM1 or CM2) with or without fixation (‐F or ‐UF). Samples were collected after 8 weeks. Histomorphometric and micro‐computed tomography analyses were performed. Results: Membrane fixation made no significant difference to the total augmented volume for both membranes (p >.05). Histological data indicated that at the ridge crest the augmented tissue width amounted to 2.4 ± 0.4 mm in the group CM1‐F and 2.4 ± 0.5 mm in the group CM1‐UF, with no significant difference between the groups. Conversely, in CM2‐F the augmented tissue width was significantly larger than in CM2‐UF (2.3 ± 0.1 vs. 1.57 ± 0.27, p <.05). Conclusions: Membrane fixation in contained defects failed to improve ridge volume stability regardless of the membrane type. However, it may enhance the width of the augmented ridge at the coronal portion depending on the type of membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research in Asian cultures regarding the association between employment status and health has been limited. The current study investigated the association between depression and employment status in Korea, moderated by gender.Methods: Data from the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were analysed. In total, 11,157 participants aged ≥ 19 years responded to the survey. The Korean version of the PHQ-9 was utilised in addition to questions assessing employment status.Results: Precarious employment indicated a greater prevalence of depression in comparison to permanent employment (14.9% vs 10.8%, p < 0.001; 22.6% vs 20.2%, p < 0.001). Precariously employed men were 1.40 times more likely to have depression (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR): 1.40; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.15-1.70; p= 0.001) while no such association existed among women (adjusted OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.89-1.27; p= 0.493). The subgroup analyses revealed that men working day shifts in a precarious employment were 1.48 times more likely to be depressed than those with permanent employment. In contrast, precarious employed women working night shifts were 2.13 times more likely to be depressed than those permanently employed counterparts.Limitations: Current research did not investigate the causality of the variables hence was unable to identify whether employment instability from precarious engagements preceded the onset of depression.Conclusions: These findings suggest gender can independently modify the relationship between employment stability and depression, as well as in association with additional variables - including work shift type and income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of Eudynamys scolopaceus using Illumina and Pacbio next-generation sequencing. The total length of the mitogenome was 18,170 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, a non-coding control region, and two repeat regions. The order of the genes and genome structure were the same as those in a previous publication in other Cuculidae species. A phylogenetic tree constructed with 13 PCGs indicated that E. scolopaceus is closely related to Urodynamis taitensis and genus Cuculus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The video monitoring system used in this study can be applied for monitoring coastal processes of erosion and recovery and thus can be useful in designing beach protection/prevention plans for damage by storm waves. Once a beach is eroded by storm waves, it is generally recovered under milder wave conditions. To prevent or reduce damage, it is therefore important to understand the characteristics of the site-specific recovery process. Here, we present the results, based on a data set from a video monitoring system and wave measurements, of the recovery process in a pocketed beach located inside a bay where the shoreline retreated harshly (~12 m, on average, of beach width) during Typhoon TAPAH (T1917) in September 2019. It took about 1.5 years for the beach to be recovered to the level before the typhoon. During this period, the erosion and accretion were repeated, with the pattern highly related to the wave power ( P w ); most of the erosion occurred when P w became greater than 30 kWatt/m, whereas the accretion prevailed when P w was no greater than 10 kWatt/m. The recovery pattern showed discrepancies between different parts of the beach. The erosion during storm events was most severe in the southern part, whereas the northern shoreline did not significantly change even during TAPAH (T1917). In contrast, the recovery process occurred almost equally at all locations. This discrepancy in the erosion/accretion process was likely due to human intervention, as a shadow zone was formed in the northern end due to the breakwaters, causing disequilibrium in the sediment transport gradient along the shore. The results in this study could be applied in designing the protection plans from severe wave attacks by effectively estimating the size of coastal structures and by correctly arranging the horizontal placement of such interventions or beach nourishment. Although the application of these results should be confined to this specific site, the method using wave energy parameters as criteria can be considered in other areas with similar environments, for future planning of beach protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research regarding the association between depression and exercise has been limited regarding precariously employed individuals. The current study investigated the association between exercise variations and depressive symptoms among precarious employees in South Korea. Data from the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were analyzed. In total, 13,080 participants aged ≥ 19 years responded to the survey. The Korean version of the PHQ-9 was utilized in addition to questions assessing regular exercise. Precariously employed men engaging in two or more variations of exercise each week were significantly less likely to report depressive symptoms (adjusted (OR): 0.78; 95% CI 0.62–0.97; p = 0.025), and the likelihood of depression was also lower for women who engaged in one or more forms of exercise (adjusted OR: 0.82; 95% CI 0.71–0.94; p = 0.006). These findings support the association between depression and exercise and suggest that greater variations in regular exercise are associated with a reduction in depression for men whereas any form of exercise reduces the risk of depression in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Geum River, Republic of Korea, is an important wintering site for waterbirds that migrate along the East-Asian Australasian Flyway. It has recently experienced two major changes in environmental conditions as a result of increased use of bale silage (wrapping and sealing forage crops with plastic bags during harvest) beginning in 2007, and the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project (FMRRP) in 2011 to deepen and widen the major rivers in Republic of Korea. To examine these effects on wintering waterbirds, we monitored changes in wintering waterbird abundance in the downstream and upstream regions of Geum River. Wintering waterbirds in the downstream region were reduced by 67% after use of bale silage compared to before bale silage. The FMRRP changed the habitat structure, deepening and widening the river, followed by a substantial decline in overall wintering waterbirds in both regions (38% in the downstream and 51% in the upstream). Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Spot-billed Duck (A. poecilorhyncha) populations showed the most decrease in numbers. However, Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser), that fish in deep water, increased over the same time. The effects of such changes in habitat conditions are not temporary, elucidating the need for monitoring and conservation programs for wintering waterbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This randomized, open-label trial aimed to compare the efficacy of 10-day bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) with 7-day proton-pump inhibitor-clarithromycin containing standard triple therapy (STT) as an empirical first-line Helicobacter pylori therapy.Methods: Participants with H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to either 10-day BQT (daily doses of bismuth 300 mg, four times; lansoprazole 30 mg, twice; metronidazole 500 mg, three times; and tetracycline 500 mg, four times) or 7-day STT (lansoprazole 30 mg; amoxicillin 1,000 mg; and clarithromycin 500 mg; each given twice daily). Participants who failed initial therapy were crossed over to the alternative treatment regimen. Primary outcome was the eradication rates of first-line treatment by intention-to-treat analysis.Results: Study participants (n = 352) were randomized to receive either 10-day BQT (n = 175) or 7-day STT (n = 177). The BQT-group achieved a significantly higher eradication rate than the STT-group in the intention-to-treat analysis (74.3% vs 57.1%, respectively; P = 0.001), modified intention-to-analysis (87.2% [130/149] vs 68.7% [101/147], respectively; P < 0.001) and per-protocol analysis (92.9% [105/113] vs 70.1% [94/134], respectively; P < 0.001). Although there was no serious adverse event, the compliance was lower with BQT than STT as a higher proportion of participants in the BQT-group discontinued therapy because of adverse events than those in the STT-group (23.1% vs 9.1%, respectively; P = 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Ten-day BQT had higher eradication rates compared to that of the 7-day STT as an empirical first-line treatment for H. pylori eradication in Korea.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02557932. Registered 23 September 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02557932?term=NCT02557932&draw=2&rank=1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify factors influencing disordered eating behaviors in female college students based on the theory of triadic influence. Design and Method: The participants in this study were 307 college females in Korea. Data were analyzed using t‐tests, correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses. Findings: Multiple regression analysis revealed that objectified body consciousness, social physique anxiety, and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance influenced disordered eating behavior (R2 = 0.33, F = 51.32, P < 0.001). Practice Implications: This study suggests the development of a nursing program for college females that considers the factors influencing personal, social, and cultural streams will be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades the treatment of schizophrenia has focused primarily on pharmacotherapy with an emphasis on respite for family caregivers, support groups, and compliance regimens to sustain and maintain the affected client and family members. The use of family therapy models to intervene effectively with families affected by a diagnosis of schizophrenia is less common in the professional literature. This case study draws on the Mental Research Institute's communication theory and Bowen Family Systems Theory in therapeutic work with a Korean family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Articles from open access and local journals are important resources for research in Korea and the usage trends of these articles are important indicators for the assessment of the current research practice. We analyzed an institutional collection of published papers from 1998 to 2014 authored by researchers from Seoul National University, and their references from papers published between 1998 and 2011. The published papers were collected from Web of Science or Scopus and were analyzed according to the proportion of articles from open access journals. Their cited references from published papers in Web of Science were analyzed according to the proportion of local (South Korean) or open access journals. The proportion of open access papers was relatively stable until 2006 (2.5 ~ 5.2% in Web of Science and 2.7 ~ 4.2% in Scopus), but then increased to 15.9% (Web of Science) or 18.5% (Scopus) in 2014. We analyzed 2,750,485 cited references from 52,295 published papers. We found that the overall proportion of cited articles from local journals was 1.8% and that for open access journals was 3.0%. Citations of open access articles have increased since 2006 to 4.1% in 2011, although the increase in open access article citations was less than for open access publications. The proportion of citations from local journals was even lower. We think that the publishing / citing mismatch is a term to describe this difference, which is an issue at Seoul National University, where the number of published papers at open access or local journals is increasing but the number of citations is not. The cause of this discrepancy is multi-factorial but the governmental / institutional policies, social / cultural issues and authors' citing behaviors will explain the mismatch. However, additional measures are also necessary, such as the development of an institutional citation database and improved search capabilities with respect to local and open access documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Capsular laxity is a main contributing factor in recurrent shoulder instability and is suggested to be correlated withincreased capsular volume. Arthroscopic capsular shift combined with Bankart repair can reduce the capsular volume and reinforce the redundant capsule; however, as the capsuloligamentous structure has viscoelastic properties, it is possible for the shifted and tensioned capsule of the glenohumeral joint to slowly stretch out again over time, resulting in an increase in capsular volume. Purpose: To analyze changes in capsular volume of the glenohumeral joint over time after arthroscopic Bankart repair and capsular shift, the factors associated with these changes, and their relevance to outcomes. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Included in this study were 105 patients (mean age, 25.8 6 8.2 years) who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair and capsular shift for anterior shoulder instability and computed tomography arthrography (CTA) at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively and whose various functional outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up (.12 months). Among these patients, 27 also had preoperative CTA. These 27 patients were used to make comparisons between preoperative and 3-month postoperative CTA measurements, and all 105 patients were used for all other comparisons. Two raters measured the separate anterior and posterior capsular volume and cross-sectional area at the 5-o'clock position using 3-dimensional (3D) Slicer software. These measurements were subsequently adjusted for each glenoid size. The changes in capsular volume and crosssectional area at the 5-o'clock position over time, the factors related to higher change in anterior capsular volume, and their correlation with outcomes were evaluated. Results: Three months postoperatively, the total and anterior capsular volume and anterior cross-sectional area significantly decreased; however, these values increased again at 1 year postoperatively (all P\.01). The inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the measurements were excellent (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.717-0.945). Female sex, being an elite athlete, and more dislocations before surgery were related to a higher increase in anterior capsular volume at 1 year (all P\.05). Eight patients had redislocation, and 18 exhibited positive apprehension test postoperatively, and these patients showed significantly higher increases in anterior and total capsular volume at 1 year than did those without redislocation or positive apprehension sign (all P\.01). However, with the exception of Rowe score, a higher increase in anterior capsular volume was not related to functional outcome measures.Conclusion: Surgeons should be aware of the re-increase in anterior capsular volume or restretching trait of the anterior capsule over time, even after successful arthroscopic Bankart repair and capsular shift. In this study, women, elite athletes, and those with frequent dislocations were at high risk of capsular restretching. An increase in capsular volume was related to redislocation and positive apprehension sign as well as with Rowe score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that identifies the impact of capsular release during rotator cuff repair on the outcomes of patients with shoulder stiffness and a rotator cuff tear. Shoulder range of motion was estimated six weeks, three months, six months, and a year postoperatively. It is said that all range of motion measurements improved postoperatively. It is concluded that the outcomes did not differ between treatment methods for stiffness regardless of the stiffness severity.

The article compares the outcomes of L-shaped and U-shaped tears repairs using stabilization of the anterior or posterior leaves of the rotator cuff. It highlights the importance of correct identification of tear patterns in the accurate restoration of rotator cuff tears. It is said the study targeted patients who have undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using transosseous-equivalent technique. The use of serial ultrasonographic evaluation to measure primary outcome is also discussed.

The article discusses a study that investigated the outcomes of type 2 superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) repairs in athletes. The outcomes measured included the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. The study concluded that arthroscopic SLAP repairs had positive clinical and radiological outcomes and that labral healing did not guarantee return to play, which was difficult in elite baseball players.

Yoo, H.J.; Kim, H.; Lee, J.L., and Park, J.Y., 2021. Asymmetry between accretional advance and erosional retreat of shoreline position in on-offshore direction. In: Lee, J.L.; Suh, K.-S.; Lee, B.; Shin, S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Crisis and Integrated Management for Coastal and Marine Safety. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 114, pp. 6–10. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Episodic shoreline retreat often slowed recovery in low frequency periods (weeks or months). The asymmetry between wave energy rise and collapse is closely related to the asymmetry of shoreline advancement and retreat, but the latter is more pronounced due to the different profile adjustment processes. Long-term wave time series data and shoreline time series data were analyzed at Won-pyeong beach located on the east coast of Korea. When waves such as storms come into the beach, the shoreline quickly retreated, and in relatively quiet times, the beach slowly recovered to it's original position. Also, the asymmetry of the shoreline position with respect to time is stronger than that of the wave height. A methodology is proposed here, and the envelope rope curve can be used to predict profile and average shoreline changes in the reference section for erosion steps such as storms.The proposed equation was in good agreement for shoreline asymmetry position, and is satisfactory. Empirical formular are slightly different in the relatively calm period, this is an artificial change formed by external pressure conditions such as artificial nourishment. Several variables were used as correction factors. It's important for future research to propose standardized correction factors and ranges by applying them at various sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the need for medical librarians in South Korea and in other developing countries to provide information to the general public. Also discussed are the ways in which information and communication technology is changing library services and the way library users access information and how libraries must adapt to this technology as they face competition from non-library information resources. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development discusses the economic development and industrialization of South Korea.

A vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) outbreak occurred in an intensive care unit (ICU) in South Korea. We aimed to investigate the condition that led to the VISA outbreak and seek measures to prevent further spread of the multidrug-resistant organism. A total of three VISA isolates were obtained from two patients and a health care worker (HCW) in a newly built 450-bed secondary hospital. Extensive screening of close contacts for VISA in terms of space sharing and physical contact, irrespective of contact time, was performed. Furthermore, multilocus sequence type, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type, and spa type profiles were determined for all VISA isolates. The relationship between vancomycin use and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of S. aureus was also investigated. Molecular typing showed that the strains of the three VISA isolates were identical, indicating horizontal hospital transmission. We assumed that VISA colonised in the HCW could have transmitted to the two patients, which resulted in one infection and one colonisation. The affected HCW was excused from work and was decolonised with mupirocin. Five weeks after the interventions, no additional VISA isolates were identified. No relationship between vancomycin use and MIC of S. aureus was identified. Extensive screening of contacts in addition to decolonisation is crucial in preventing the further spread of VISA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) vs. Sertraline in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in South Korean participants. This was a multi-center, double blind, active controlled study with non-inferiority testing. Patients were randomly assigned to receive tDCS (n = 45) or Sertraline (n = 47). tDCS was administered in 30-min, 2 mA prefrontal stimulation sessions for 10 consecutive weekdays, followed by 2 treatments at 4 and 6 weeks. Sertraline was administered at a dose of 50 mg per day for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure was a change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score at six weeks. Mean MADRS scores decreased by 14.58 ± 8.51 points in the tDCS group and 12.32 ± 8.56 points in the Sertraline group. There was no significant main effect of group (p = 0.5877) or time by group interaction across weeks 0, 3, and 6 (p = 0.1539). Noninferiority of tDCS compared with Sertraline was not demonstrated. The mean difference between the Sertraline and tDCS group was −2.258 (95% confidence interval [CI], −5.795 to 1.27811), and the lower boundary of the CI was lower than the prespecified noninferiority margin of −3.56. There were no significant group differences in the rate of adverse events. In the present study, the noninferiority of tDCS to Sertraline for the treatment of depression was not found in this Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives Although hypertension is known to be a risk factor for AD, the effects of hypertension on brain function in AD patients are not well understood. We investigated alterations in resting-state functional connectivity according to the presence of hypertension in AD patients by using a method of correlation analysis based on a seed region in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). We also determined whether differences in resting-state connectivity were associated with gray matter atrophy. Methods Thirty-seven AD patients (18 patients with hypertension and 19 patients without hypertension) underwent the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We obtained the PCC maps by a temporal correlation method, to identify alterations in the functional connectivity of the PCC in hypertensive group relative to non-hypertensive group. Voxel-based morphometry analysis was also applied to adjust the confounding effect of gray matter atrophy. Results We detected a decreased connectivity to the PCC in the regions of subgenual anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) in hypertensive group relative to non-hypertensive group. However, we observed a pattern of increased connectivity between the PCC and the left inferior parietal cortex in hypertensive group. After correction for gray matter atrophy, all detected regions still remained significant. Conclusions Altered connectivity in AD patients with hypertension suggests the possibility that hypertension impairs resting-state functional connectivity of the AD brain, inducing a compensational process outside the impaired networks or disequilibrium in brain connectivity. This finding may account for an additional contribution of hypertension to the pathophysiology of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]