Risk-taking Attitude of Retired Seniors: Age versus Cohort Effects

The rapid aging of Korean society poses a significant challenge, necessitating attention due to its potential economic repercussions. This paper investigates the interplay between age, cohort, and risk-taking attitudes, utilizing data from the Survey of Consumer Finance (SCF) issued by the Federal Reserve spanning the period from 1992 to 2019. Our analysis reveals a negative relationship between age and risk-taking tendencies, which aligns with the life-cycle hypothesis. As individuals age, their propensity for risk-taking diminishes. However, when examining cohort effects, we find a notable shift in the association between individual experiences and risk-taking behavior, particularly in light of the Global Financial Crisis. Before the crisis, individual experiences wielded a significant influence on risk-taking behavior, while this association significantly weakened in the aftermath of the crisis

A STUDY ON THE TWO-ROW EFFECT IN THE SLOSHING PHENOMENON

In this study, changes in fluid impact loads inside a tank were examined according to a two-row tank arrangement in an LNG-FPSO (Liquefied Natural Gas-Floating Production Storage Offloading) vessel. The motion RAO (Response Amplitude Operator) of the LNG-FPSO, coupled with the sloshing phenomenon inside the tank, was calculated by using HydroStar by Bureau Veritas. The motion simulation in the tank was conducted under filling ratios of 30%H, 60%H, and 80%H. The RAO in each condition was calculated according to the one-row and the two-row tank arrangement. The motion response spectrum using the calculated RAO and the JONSWAP (Joint North Sea Wave Analysis Project) spectrum were computed by implementing irregular motion according to each filling ratio and tank arrangement. The sloshing phenomenon inside the tank was implemented by using a 6-DOF (Degree Of Freedom) sloshing motion platform; impact pressure on the walls of the tank was measured with pressure sensors installed inside the tank. The sloshing experiment was conducted under the three filling ratios in the one-row and the two-row tank arrangement and impact loads were compared under each filling ratio according to the one-row and the two-row tank arrangement

Total Ankylosis by Heterotopic Ossification in an Adolescent Anterior Trans-olecranon Fracture Dislocation: A Case Report

The incidence of heterotopic ossification in adolescents appears to be lower than in adults. There exist very few reports of heterotopic ossification with total bony ankylosis in child or adolescent populations. We describe a case of total bony ankylosis of the elbow secondary to heterotopic ossification, in a 14-year-old female. Total ankylosis of the elbow at 45 degrees of flexion was noted 6 months post-surgery, and complete surgical excision of the heterotopic mass was performed. After an additional one-time dose of radiation therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug medication, full range of motion was obtained without any recurrence or other complications, up to the last follow-up of 30 months

Is the Direct Fixation of Displaced Quadrilateral Plates in Acetabular Fractures Necessary?

Quadrilateral plate fractures represent a heterogeneous group of acetabular fractures. Accurate reduction is required to prevent post-traumatic arthritis. The purpose of this study is to determine the reduction effect of the direct fixation of quadrilateral plates in acetabular fractures, and to evaluate the strength of direct fixation compared to indirect fixation. Between 2005 and 2021, 49 patients underwent surgery for open reduction and internal fixation in acetabular fractures with severely displaced quadrilateral plates. Twenty-nine patients comprised the indirect fixation group, and twenty patients comprised the direct fixation group. In a comparison of primary outcome between two groups, 10 out of 29 indirect-group patients and 1 out of 20 direct-group patients developed post-traumatic osteoarthritis, wherein the difference between the two groups is statistically significant. In the assessment of postoperative Matta\u27s radiological reduction status, 19 out of 20 patients in the direct group had achieved anatomical and congruent reduction. The treatment using a direct reduction and internal fixation improved the reduction quality of articular displacement and offered a better survivorship of the affected hip joint

Stretching of porous poly (l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) membranes regulates the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Background: Among a variety of biomaterials supporting cell growth for therapeutic applications, poly (l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) has been considered as one of the most attractive scaffolds for tissue engineering owing to its superior mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and processibility. Although extensive studies have been conducted on the relationship between the microstructure of polymeric materials and their mechanical properties, the use of the fine-tuned morphology and mechanical strength of PLCL membranes in stem cell differentiation has not yet been studied.Methods: PLCL membranes were crystallized in a combination of diverse solvent–nonsolvent mixtures, including methanol (MeOH), isopropanol (IPA), chloroform (CF), and distilled water (DW), with different solvent polarities. A PLCL membrane with high mechanical strength induced by limited pore formation was placed in a custom bioreactor mimicking the reproducible physiological microenvironment of the vascular system to promote the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into smooth muscle cells (SMCs).Results: We developed a simple, cost-effective method for fabricating porosity-controlled PLCL membranes based on the crystallization of copolymer chains in a combination of solvents and non-solvents. We confirmed that an increase in the ratio of the non-solvent increased the chain aggregation of PLCL by slow evaporation, leading to improved mechanical properties of the PLCL membrane. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the cyclic stretching of PLCL membranes induced MSC differentiation into SMCs within 10 days of culture.Conclusion: The combination of solvent and non-solvent casting for PLCL solidification can be used to fabricate mechanically durable polymer membranes for use as mechanosensitive scaffolds for stem cell differentiation

Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (BALT) Lymphoma of the Lung Showing Mosaic Pattern of Inhomogeneous Attenuation on Thin-section CT: A Case Report

The authors present a case of histologically proven bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) lymphoma of the lung in a patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome that manifested on thin-section CT scan as a mosaic pattern of inhomogeneous attenuation due to mixed small airway and infiltrative abnormalitie

The Impact of Ripening Time on Technological Quality Traits, Chemical Change and Sensory Characteristics of Dry-cured Loin

The effect of ripening time on the technological quality traits, fatty acid compositions and sensory characteristics of dry-cured loin was studied. Pork loins (n = 102) at 24 h post-mortem were used to produce dry-cured loins. The dry-cured loins were assessed at 30, 60, and 90 days of ripening for the aforementioned characteristics. Our results showed that the water activity (aw) decreased (p<0.05) up to 60 days and did not change thereafter. The lipid oxidation and weight loss levels significantly (p<0.05) increased with increased ripening time. The Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) L* decreased for 90 days while CIE a* increased for 60 days and did not increase thereafter. More noticeably, the levels of most of unsaturated fatty acids and total polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly decreased as increasing ripening time up to 90 days. The 30 days-ripened loins had lower (p<0.05) color, flavor and overall acceptability scores than the loins ripened for 60 and 90 days, however, no differences in sensory traits occurred between the 60 and 90 day-ripened samples. Based on the results obtained in the present study, it is suggested that the ripening duration between 30 and 60 days could be more appropriate for producing dry-cured loin product with higher quality and economic benefits