The perception of Korea as a convention destination

The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of Korea as a convention destination by international convention attendees in the wake of the Asian financial crisis; Convention business has steadily grown in the past decade to become a significant segment of the Korean tourism industry. In spite of the importance of the market, little research has been undertaken to illustrate the perception of actual international convention attendees about Korea as a convention destination; This paper reports information derived from a study of the perceptions of 175 international convention attendees. The major findings indicated that there were significant differences in perceptions and satisfaction levels of Korea as a convention destination between Asians and non-Asians. In addition, the importance and performance analysis was performed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Korea as a convention destination. The implications for the marketing strategies are discussed, along with suggestions for future research

Lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites containing various nanoparticles as additives

In this study, we show the effect of various nanoparticle additives on phase separation behavior of a lattice-patterned liquid crystal [LC]-polymer composite system and on interfacial properties between the LC and polymer. Lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites were fabricated by exposing to UV light a mixture of a prepolymer, an LC, and SiO2 nanoparticles positioned under a patterned photomask. This resulted in the formation of an LC and prepolymer region through phase separation. We found that the incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles significantly affected the electro-optical properties of the lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites. This effect is a fundamental characteristic of flexible displays. The electro-optical properties depend on the size and surface functional groups of the SiO2 nanoparticles. Compared with untreated pristine SiO2 nanoparticles, which adversely affect the performance of LC molecules surrounded by polymer walls, SiO2 nanoparticles with surface functional groups were found to improve the electro-optical properties of the lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites by increasing the quantity of SiO2 nanoparticles. The surface functional groups of the SiO2 nanoparticles were closely related to the distribution of SiO2 nanoparticles in the LC-polymer composites, and they influenced the electro-optical properties of the LC molecules. It is clear from our work that the introduction of nanoparticles into a lattice-patterned LC-polymer composite provides a method for controlling and improving the composite's electro-optical properties. This technique can be used to produce flexible substrates for various flexible electronic devices

Response to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective observational study in Korea

Background/Aims Testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV) serologic markers and appropriate vaccination are required in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. We evaluated immunogenicity for HBV in IBD patients and the response to the HBV vaccination. Methods From May 2014 to August 2016, patients diagnosed with IBD were prospectively included and evaluated for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen. Among the 73 patients who were confirmed with nonimmunity to HBV, 44 patients who had completed the 3-dose HBV vaccination series received a single booster vaccination, while 29 patients who had not completed the vaccinations series or were unsure of receiving the vaccination received a full vaccination series. Results An optimal response was obtained in 70.5% of the patients in the booster group, and 89.7% of the patients in the full vaccination group. Age younger than 26 years (odds ratio [OR], 6.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–31.32; P=0.033) and a complete previous vaccination series (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03–0.80; P=0.026) were associated with optimal vaccine response. Previous complete vaccination series (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02–0.73; P=0.022) was the only predictive factor for lower compliance. Conclusions The response to the HBV vaccination was lower in patients older than 26 years and for those patients with a complete vaccination history. Since patients with a complete vaccination history also had poor compliance, serum HBV-titers should be checked more thoroughly, and a full vaccination series should be administered in cases when there is a negative response to the booster vaccination

Chronic airway disease as a major risk factor for fractures in osteopenic women: Nationwide cohort study

IntroductionThe study aimed to demonstrate the risk factors for fractures and to develop prediction models for major osteoporotic and hip fractures in osteopenic patients using the nationwide cohort study in South Korea.MethodsThe study was a retrospective nationwide study using the national screening program for transitional ages from the National Health Insurance Services database in Korea from 2008 to 2019. Primary outcomes were incident fracture events of major osteoporotic and hip fractures. Major osteoporotic and hip fracture events were defined as diagnostic and procedural codes. Patients were followed until the fragility fractures, death, or 2019, whichever came first.ResultsAll participants were 66-year-old females, with a mean body mass index was 25.0 ± 3.1 kg/m2. During a median follow-up of 10.5 years, 26.9% and 6.7% of participants experienced major osteoporotic and hip fractures. In multivariate analysis, a history of fracture, chronic airway disease, falls, diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular diseases were significant risk factors for major osteoporotic (hazard ratio [HR] 2.35 for a history of fracture; 1.17 for chronic airway disease; 1.10 for falls; 1.12 for diabetes mellitus; 1.11 for cerebrovascular disease) and hip fractures (HR 1.75 for a history of fracture; 1.54 for diabetes mellitus; 1.27 for cerebrovascular disease; 1.17 for fall; 1.15 for chronic airway disease). The performances of the prediction models were area under the receiver operating curve of 0.73 and 0.75 for major osteoporotic and hip fractures.ConclusionThe study presented prediction models of major osteoporotic and hip fractures for osteopenia patients using simple clinical features

Neo-Marxian social class inequalities in self-rated health among the employed in South Korea: the role of material, behavioral, psychosocial, and workplace environmental factors

Background The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of social inequality in self-rated health among the employed using the Wrights social class location indicator, and to assess the roles of material, behavioral, psychosocial, and workplace environmental factors as mediating factors in explaining the social class inequality in self-rated health in South Korea. Methods This study used data from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2009. Study subjects included the employed population of 4392 men and 3309 women aged 19–64 years. Subjects were classified into twelve social class positions based on the Wrights social class map. The health outcome was self-rated health. Material, psychosocial, behavioral, and workplace environmental factors were considered as potential mediators in explaining social class health inequality. We calculated prevalence ratios of poor self-rated health according to social class, adjusted for age and mediating factors using Poisson regression models. Results Nonskilled workers and petty bourgeoisie reported worse self-rated health than other social classes among men. The age-adjusted prevalence of petty bourgeoisie and nonskilled workers were about four-fold greater than that of managers. Expert supervisors in the contradictory class location had a greater prevalence of poor self-rated health than experts in men. In women, the prevalence of poor self-rated health was greater in most social classes than their male counterparts, while the differences among social classes within women were not statistically significant. Workplace environmental factors explained the social class inequality by from 24 to 31% in nonskilled and skilled workers and nonskilled supervisors, respectively, and material factors showed an explanatory ability of about 8% for both nonskilled workers and petty bourgeoisie in men. Conclusions We showed the inequality in self-rated health according to the Wrights social class in an industrialized Asian country. Policy efforts to improve workplace environments in nonskilled and skilled workers and nonskilled supervisors would have a moderate effect on reducing the magnitude of social class inequality in self-rated health. Furthermore, the means to improve power relations in the workplace should be devised to further reduce the social class inequalities in health

Development of functional gastrointestinal disorder symptoms following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe casual relationship between the role of cholecystectomy and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a controversial clinical challenge. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the overlap of FGIDs before cholecystectomy and its long-term outcome after surgery in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, and (2) the incidence of new-onset FGIDs after cholecystectomy.MethodsPatients with symptomatic gallstone disease who underwent elective, laparoscopic cholecystectomy were prospectively enrolled. Healthy populations who underwent medical check-ups were selected as age- and sex-matched controls. Questionnaires regarding sociodemographic characteristics, gastrointestinal symptoms and a somatization symptom checklist (SSC) were completed at baseline and 12 months thereafter.ResultsThe prevalence of all FGID symptoms before cholecystectomy were significantly higher in the group of patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis compared to the control group. In cholecystectomy group, the preoperative FGID symptoms improved after surgery, except for chronic diarrhea. Compared to the controls, the new-onset FGIDs, including functional dyspepsia (14.8% vs. 6.9%; p = 0.040), functional diarrhea (6.6% vs. 0.2%; p < 0.001), and chronic abdominal pain (11.9% vs. 4.4%; p = 0.024), were more common at 1 year after cholecystectomy. Somatization was independent predictors of new-onset dyspepsia and abdominal pain, while newly occurring diarrhea was not realted to somatization.ConclusionOverlap of FGIDs was common in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis before surgery and at follow-up 1 year after cholecystectomy. Furthermore, new-onset FGIDs could be occurred after cholecystectomy. Therefore, a delicate diagnostic approaches and appropriate treatments about co-existent FGIDs should be given in patients with cholelithiasis before and after cholecystectomy

Group Music Intervention Reduces Aggression and Improves Self-esteem in Children with Highly Aggressive Behavior: A Pilot Controlled Trial

We investigated the effects of group music intervention on aggression and self-esteem in children with highly aggressive behavior. Forty-eight children were allocated to either a music intervention group or an untreated control group. The music intervention group received 50 min of music intervention twice weekly for 15 consecutive weeks. The outcome measures were Child Behavior Checklist Aggression Problems Scale (Parents), Child Aggression Assessment Inventory (Teachers) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. After 15 weeks, the music intervention group showed significant reduction of aggression and improvement of self-esteem compared with the control group. All outcome measures were significantly lower in the music intervention group than prior to treatment, while there was no change in the control group. These findings suggest that music can reduce aggressive behavior and improve self-esteem in children with highly aggressive behavior. Music intervention is an easily accessible therapy for children and as such may be an effective intervention for aggressive behavior. Further more, objective and replicable measures are required from a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size and active comparable control