Busan Institute of Science and Technology

<p>This study aims to expand leadership theory by examining how transformational leadership fosters innovative capability within organizations, particularly in higher education. Innovative capability serves as a mediating mechanism linking transformational leadership to enhanced creativity and performance. This research focuses on improving the performance of human resource (HR) lecturers in the education sector. Using a sample of 100 lecturers, data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show a significant positive effect of transformational leadership on both innovative capability and HR performance. Furthermore, innovative capability was found to mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and lecturer performance. These findings highlight the importance of cultivating innovation-oriented leadership to enhance the performance of academic professionals. It is recommended that higher education institutions implement structured leadership development programs aimed at cultivating transformational leadership qualities among academic leaders. Such programs should emphasize visionary thinking, communication skills, and the ability to motivate and empower subordinates. Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation is essential. This can be achieved by encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting experimentation, and recognizing creative efforts among lecturers.</p>

Pulsed electric field technology possesses a high potential and a bright future in food processing to inactivate microorganisms and reduce enzymatic activity. Processed food shows a higher retention of health-related compounds and an extension of the shelf-life compared to conventional pasteurization methods. This technology is gradually moving from the laboratory and pilot-plant scale to the commercial scale. In the current review, we focus on the way existing knowledge on mathematical modeling and computational approaches is structured, connected, and interpreted across scales. We start with the electroporation models, progressing from those that are derived from simple physical and chemical considerations to those that are based on more complex probabilistic approaches. They attempt to predict how electric pulses create pores in cell membranes and form the basis of kinetic inactivation models. Subsequently, we examine the most common kinetic models of microorganism inactivation, from first-order models to models based on random and probabilistic considerations. We then review the works carried out on the numerical simulations of the electric field in a continuous PEF chamber and the works related to coupled simulations of the electric, fluid flow, temperature, and inactivation kinetic field. Finally, we conclude the manuscript with a section dedicated to the current applications of the PEF process to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Abstract Japan and South Korea are experiencing rapid depopulation and population aging, with a growing number of older adults living alone while striving to remain independent. In these East Asian cultures, maintaining harmony and avoiding burdening others are highly valued. This study examines whether the desire to avoid dependence differs from a preference for independence. Data were collected in February 2025 through online surveys of 800 Japanese and 600 Korean participants (Mage=58.0, SD = 10.2, range=40-81; 50.9% women). Multiple regression analyses revealed that, in both countries, women and older age were associated with greater reluctance to depend on or inconvenience people outside their in-group. However, when considering in-group members (i.e., family, close friends, colleagues), this association was found only for older adults in Japan. Similarly, a preference for independence was linked solely to older age in Japan. These findings suggest that women and older individuals may refrain from seeking support from those outside their in-group, such as community members or government service providers, even when their in-group members are no longer dependable. Furthermore, a reluctance to depend on others may not necessarily equate to a preference for independence. Given that women in these nations have some of the world’s longest life expectancies, our findings highlight the need for accessible support systems tailored to older women while respecting their cultural values. This study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to aging support in East Asian societies, recognizing the distinction between avoiding dependence and preferring independence.

The shuttle effect has long been a major factor limiting the performance of lithium–sulfur batteries. In this paper, we prepared a POM-COF@Co(OH)2-NH2 composite material by in situ growth of an Anderson-type polyoxometalate-based covalent organic framework (POM-COF) on the surface of amino-functionalized layered cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)2-NH2), and applied it to lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery separators. This composite combines the strong polar chemical adsorption of Co(OH)2 with the high catalytic activity of POM-COF, effectively suppressing lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling. Extensive characterizations confirmed the material’s structure, revealing its unique 3D nanoflower-like morphology and good crystallinity. Electrochemical tests showed that Li–S batteries with this composite separator achieved an initial capacity of 893 mAh g–1 at 1C, retaining 784 mAh g–1 after 300 cycles (87.7% capacity retention, a capacity fade rate of 0.04% per cycle). This work offers a new strategy for designing multifunctional composite separators and is highly significant for advancing Li–S battery technology.

Staining variability in histopathological images compromises automated diagnostic systems by affecting the reliability of computational pathology algorithms. Existing normalization methods prioritize color consistency but often sacrifice critical morphological details essential for accurate diagnosis. This work proposes a novel deep learning framework, integrating enhanced residual learning with multi-scale attention mechanisms for structure-preserving stain normalization. The approach decomposes the transformation process into base reconstruction and residual refinement components, incorporating attention-guided skip connections and progressive curriculum learning. The method was evaluated on the MITOS-ATYPIA-14 dataset containing 1420 paired H&E-stained breast cancer images from two scanners. The framework achieved exceptional performance with a structural similarity index (SSIM) of 0.9663 ± 0.0076, representing 4.6% improvement over the best baseline (StainGAN). Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) reached 24.50 ± 1.57 dB, surpassing all comparison methods. An edge preservation loss of 0.0465 ± 0.0088 demonstrated a 35.6% error reduction compared to the next best method. Color transfer fidelity reached 0.8680 ± 0.0542 while maintaining superior perceptual quality (FID: 32.12, IS: 2.72 ± 0.18). The attention-guided residual learning framework successfully maintains structural integrity during stain normalization, with superior performance across diverse tissue types, making it suitable for clinical deployment in multi-institutional digital pathology workflows.

Objectives: Radio frequency (RF) induction sintering has demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional sintering methods in previous studies. Furthermore, the annealing process is expected to further enhance the mechanical properties of sintered zirconia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of annealing on RF-sintered zirconia and provide empirical evidence supporting its role in optimizing sintering outcomes. Methods: A custom-built RF induction sintering furnace was utilized to process zirconia specimens under various annealing conditions (temperature range, annealing time). The sintered specimens underwent three-point flexural strength testing, followed by microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests to assess the significance of differences between groups. Results: The optimal sintering temperature for RF induction sintering was determined to be 1350 °C, with a minimum annealing duration of 20 min at 1220 °C. Notably, even in the absence of annealing, RF sintering at 1350 °C for 20 min produced specimens with higher flexural strength than those obtained through conventional sintering methods. However, due to variability in mechanical properties, the incorporation of annealing is recommended for clinical applications to ensure consistency and reliability. Conclusions: RF induction sintering significantly reduced both energy consumption and processing time compared to conventional sintering techniques, particularly when combined with annealing. While full densification could be achieved within 20 min without annealing, a total processing time of 30 min, including annealing, was found to enhance process stability and ensure reliable mechanical properties. These findings suggest that both sintering and annealing are critical for achieving optimal densification in zirconia, with annealing playing a key role in improving consistency and reproducibility.

This study applies Roland Barthes' semiology theory to analyze semiotics in the animated film Luh Ayu Manik Mas Full Animation New. The film depicts a Balinese heroine striving to safeguard Bali's environment and cultural heritage from various threats. Through semiotic analysis, this research explores the denotative and connotative meanings embedded in the film’s narrative and visual elements, including character representation, traditional Balinese attire, symbols, and rituals. The findings indicate that the stories within each scene highlight Balinese cultural values while promoting environmental conservation. Furthermore, the film reinforces Bali’s indigenous identity by blending modern and traditional elements in its storytelling. The study's results are expected to contribute to media semiotics research, particularly regarding the cultural representation in contemporary animation.

This study investigates the impact of retirement preparation on life satisfaction and explores whether the perception of external support for older adults mediates this relationship.In particular, by comparing the baby boomer generation in their 60s with the older generation in their 70s, the study aims to propose policy measures that reflect generational characteristics to enhance quality of life in an aging society.A total of 501 adults aged between 60 and 79 participated in this study, with data collected through quota sampling based on gender, age, and residential population ratios.Mediating effects were analyzed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS.The results indicate that higher levels of retirement preparation are associated with lower perceptions of external support, while perceptions of external support positively influence life satisfaction.Furthermore, even when controlling for the mediating variable, retirement preparation continued to exhibit a significant positive effect on life satisfaction.Notably, among baby boomers in their 60s, the mediating role of external support perception was more pronounced, suggesting that actively leveraging personal resources through retirement preparation, coupled with a positive perception of external support, is a critical strategy for improving life satisfaction in this cohort.These findings underscore the importance of an integrated approach to retirement preparation and external support perception in enhancing the quality of life for older adults in a rapidly aging society.Moreover, the study highlights the need for tailored welfare policies that address generational characteristics, offering practical implications for policy development.

The development and management of Jakarta confront numerous obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure, increasing weather extremity, population growth, and shifts in residential, occupational, and shopping habits. Attempts to tackle these difficulties are often restricted by financial, institutional, and technological constraints. The ongoing improvement of drone technology provides real-time and cost-effective data collecting for inspection, monitoring, and addressing daily challenges in urban management. This paper used a straightforward case study on Panggang Island, located offshore from Jakarta, to explore the prospect of drone technology in addressing the challenges faced by Jakarta. The study employs a qualitative methodology, combining desk study, literature review, and a case study approach. The findings indicate that the prospects for this application are evident and robust.