Reducing Confusion about Grounded Theory and Qualitative Content Analysis: Similarities and Differences

Although grounded theory and qualitative content analysis are similar in some respects, they differ as well; yet the differences between the two have rarely been made clear in the literature. The purpose of this article was to clarify ambiguities and reduce confusion about grounded theory and qualitative content analysis by identifying similarities and differences in the two based on a literature review and critical reflection on the authors’ own research. Six areas of difference emerged: (a) background and philosophical base, (b) unique characteristics of each method, (c) goals and rationale of each method, (d) data analysis process, (e) outcomes of the research, and (f) evaluation of trustworthiness. This article provides knowledge that can assist researchers and students in the selection of appropriate research methods for their inquiries

Korean Dermatological Association and Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology: Brief History and Future Prospects

Korean dermatology began in the late nineteenth century when American missionary doctors introduced Western medicine to Korea. Before the Second World War, the medical system in general was similar to the Japanese system; however, dermatologists and their training institutes were few in proportion to the total Korean population. In this period, there were several pioneering dermatologists, including Kung-Sun Oh.

Die finanzielle Versorgung nach der Scheidung im deutschen und koreanischen Recht im Vergleich

Die Zahl der Scheidungen nimmt sowie in Deutschland als auch in Korea zu. Das heißt, es wird für mehr Menschen wichtig, mit welchen finanziellen und anderen Folgen ein geschiedenes Paar zu rechnen hat. Sehr oft ist die Ehefrau in einer sozial schlechteren Position, weil sie wenige Beschäftigungsmöglichkeiten auf dem Arbeitsmarkt hat als der Mann und weil sie sich um die Kinder kümmert. Die Gesetze hinsiehtlich der Scheidungsfolgen wurden in Deutschland genauer ausgearbeitet als in Korea. In Korea sind sie häufiger Ermessensentscheidungen des Gerichts als in Deutschland. Drei wichtige finanzielle Möglichkeiten im deutschen Recht sind Zugewinnausgleich, der nacheheliche Unterhaltsanspruch und der Versorgungsausgleich. Zwei wichtige finanziellen Möglichkeiten im koreanischen Recht sind der Vermögensteilungsanspruch und der Schmerzensgeldanspruch. Das Rechtssystem von beiden Länder sind unterschiedlich. Ein Unterschied zwischen Deutschland und Korea ist, daß der Ausgleich der Rentenversorgung in Deutschland eine wichtige Scheidungsfolge ist und in Korea wenig entwickelt ist. Die unterschiedlichen Rechtssysteme werden verglichen.The number of divorces increases both in Germany and in Korea. That means that it is important for a larger number of people to know what financial and other consequences a divorced couple have to face. Very often the wife is in a socially worse situation, because she has fewer job opportunities and she cares for the children. The law of consequences after a divorce is more exactly worked out in Germany than in Korea. In Korea it is more often a matter of opinion of the court than in Germany. Three important financial possibilities in Germany are equalization of the surplus, maintenance after divorce and equalization of the pension. Two important financial possibilities in Korea are claim of propertyshares and claim of damages for pain and suffering. Both systems of law are different. A difference between Germany and Korea is that in Germany the equalization of the pension ist very important and not worked out in Korea. I compare both the German and Korean law system

Activation of two types of brain glutamate dehydrogenase isoproteins by gabapentin

AbstractThe stimulatory effects of gabapentin on the activities of two types of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) isoproteins homogeneously purified from bovine brain have been studied at various conditions. When the effects of different gabapentin concentrations on GDH activities were studied in the direction of reductive amination of 2-oxoglutarate with NADPH as a coenzyme, a marked activation was observed for both isoproteins, whereas both isoproteins showed activation to a lesser extent with NADH as a coenzyme. Stimulatory effects of gabapentin on GDH activities in the direction of the oxidative deamination of glutamate were also observed, but to a much lesser extent than reductive amination. There were big differences between the two GDH isoproteins in their sensitivity to the action of gabapentin. The largest activation was observed with GDH II when NADPH was used as a coenzyme. Half-maximal stimulation was reached at around 1.5 mM. Gabapentin relieved the inhibition of GDH isoproteins by GTP and this resulted in an increase in the apparent activation by gabapentin in the presence of GTP. 2-Oxoglutarate was found to give rise to high substrate inhibition and gabapentin reduced the substrate inhibition in the presence of 0.2 mM NADH. Since there are neurodegenerative disorders in which GDH activity is decreased, the therapeutic modulation of the activity of this enzyme may be clinically useful

What motivates people to post comments online?

Cyberbullying, i.e., posting malicious comments online, has been identified as a critical social issue in the online and social media context. As a way to prevent cyberbullying, it is important to promote online prosocial behavior. This study examines what motivates people to post benevolent comments as online prosocial behavior in the online context. For this purpose, we first adopt an exploratory study to identify decision factors in terms of social exchange decision making. We then undertake a main study by developing a theoretical research model based on the identified decision factors. The testing results explain what and how those explored factors affect the posting of benevolent comments online in the social media context. The study has its theoretical contribution in demonstrating the decision factors leading to the posting of benevolent comments by extending the social exchange theory. It also has its practical implications by providing guidance for promoting online prosocial behavior

Sorokdo: From the Island of Stigma to the Island of Historical Reflection

This article focuses on Sorokdo Island (Jeollanam-do, South Korea) as a remnant of the stigmatized landscape reflecting Hansen’s Disease and the Japanese colonial power. Sorokdo began to be stigmatized due to the Japanese colonial rule in the early 20th century when patients with Hansen\u27s Disease were forced to relocate there, suffering from human rights violations and labor exploitation. Isolation and the management of the patients by suppression and control were justified with the logic of modern values of sanitization supported by the colonial rule. Stigma has remained even after the liberation from the colonial power. Continuously recognized by people as an isolated, remote island with a significant concentration of patients with Hansen’s Disease, Sorokdo still is being poorly preserved and overlooked by the public and the government. Based on a literature review and field research, this article illustrates how stigmatized landscapes remain in the hospital, detention/testing rooms, the Japanese Shinto shrine, and Central Park, among others. This article points out the necessity to preserve the landscape so that Sorokdo can be used as a space to educate and reflect on history. The suppression of the patients and workers on this island also should be illuminated. This article further emphasizes that social consensus is required regarding how Sorokdo can be carefully managed as a place that reflects its traumatized colonial history

Alpha-tocopherol exerts protective function against the mucotoxicity of particulate matter in amphibian and human goblet cells

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders and mortality. The cytotoxicity of PM is mainly due to the abnormal increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cellular components such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. The correlation between PM exposure and human disorders, including mortality, is based on long-term exposure. In this study we have investigated acute responses of mucus-secreting goblet cells upon exposure to PM derived from a heavy diesel engine. To this end, we employed the mucociliary epithelium of amphibian embryos and human Calu-3 cells to examine PM mucotoxicity. Our data suggest that acute exposure to PM significantly impairs mucus secretion and results in the accumulation of mucus vesicles in the cytoplasm of goblet cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed that acute responses to PM exposure significantly altered gene expression patterns; however, known regulators of mucus production and the secretory pathway were not significantly altered. Interestingly, pretreatment with alpha-tocopherol nearly recovered the hyposecretion of mucus from both amphibian and human goblet cells. We believe this study demonstrates the mucotoxicity of PM and the protective function of alpha-tocopherol on mucotoxicity caused by acute PM exposure from heavy diesel engines