Seoul National University of Education

Abstract We generalize the synthetic control (SC) method to a multiple-outcome framework, where the conventional pre-treatment time dimension is supplemented with the extra dimension of related outcomes in computing the SC weights. This generalization reduces the risk of overfitting and improves the reliability of the SC method, particularly when the number of pre-treatment periods is small. To illustrate our method, we provide a new perspective on the classic SC application to the 1990 German reunification.

Melanoma progression is driven by both oncogenic signaling and metabolic reprogramming; however, the roles of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in these processes remain unclear. Here, we identified GPR161 as an oncogenic GPCR that is significantly upregulated in melanoma and associated with poor survival in advanced-stage melanoma. Functional studies revealed that GPR161 promotes melanoma cell proliferation and migration, whereas its suppression attenuates these malignant phenotypes. Using promoter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) binds directly to and transcriptionally activates GPR161. Inhibition or silencing of STAT3 reduced GPR161 expression and impaired melanoma cell growth. Transcriptomic profiling further identified thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as a key downstream target negatively regulated by GPR161. GPR161 depletion increased TXNIP expression, leading to reduced glycolytic capacity and proliferation under both physiological and high-glucose conditions. STAT3 knockdown recapitulated these effects by establishing a STAT3-GPR161-TXNIP regulatory axis. Analysis of the cancer genome atlas datasets confirmed an inverse correlation between GPR161 and TXNIP expression and showed that low TXNIP levels predicted poor overall survival. Together, our findings revealed that GPR161 promotes melanoma malignancy by linking STAT3 activation to TXNIP suppression and metabolic enhancement. This study identified GPR161 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in melanoma.

ABSTRACT Despite South Korea's extensive forest coverage, which accounts for approximately 63% of its total land area, the country imports over 83% of its timber needs and has shown a gradual decline in forest carbon sequestration capacity. The Circular Forest Management Policy (CFMP) addresses these challenges through systematic forest resource management aimed at establishing sustainable utilization cycles and enhancing carbon removals. However, public awareness remains low while environmental stakeholders express skepticism toward tree harvesting components, creating fundamental obstacles to policy success and threatening Korea's Nationally Determined Contributions targets. This study examines how communication framing strategies impact citizen support and behavioral intentions regarding CFMP. We conducted a survey experiment ( n = 402) using positive versus negative frames combined with three scenarios: carbon neutrality, economic incentives, and ecological sustainability. Participants were randomly assigned to one of six groups and assessed on policy support and behavioral intentions. Results demonstrate that negative framing significantly increases policy support by activating loss aversion bias. Economic and ecological scenarios each proved more effective than carbon neutrality messaging, though with distinct patterns across outcome measures. These findings indicate that strategic message framing represents a critical component for achieving meaningful policy communication and public engagement in forest management initiatives.

Nonlocal metasurfaces offer a platform to reduce footprint, power consumption and processing time in image processing and computing. Most implementations, however, are limited to single operations and confined to spatially symmetric functions that comply with reciprocity. Here, we introduce a nonreciprocal metasurface that leverages magneto-optical phenomena combined with nonlocality to execute edge detection or noise mitigation on images as a function of the observer position. Our work opens the door to ultra-compact, multifunctional devices that combine nonlocality and nonreciprocity for all-optical image processing, with potential applications in augmented reality, remote sensing, and biomedical imaging.

Wetlands have been recognized as nature-based solutions to the climate crisis. This study evaluates the state of standardization in nationwide inland wetland survey datasets and analyzes terrestrial vertebrate patterns by integrating datasets with public environmental data. Species richness data for amphibians/reptiles (432 wetlands), birds (1183 wetlands), and mammals (72 wetlands) were compiled from 134 reports published between 2000 and 2021. Using generalized linear models (GLMs) and generalized additive models (GAMs), we assessed how 15 explanatory variables (climate, topography, wetland information, land use, and water quality) relate to species richness. Model families were chosen for each taxonomic group, and variables were selected using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and ecological plausibility. Deviance explained was 55.5% for amphibians/reptiles, 60.1% for birds, and 52.4% for mammals. Wetland area and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were positively associated with species richness across all groups. Despite the large volume of survey data, inconsistent reporting formats and limited metadata constrain longitudinal and time series analyses. Standardized protocols and metadata management are therefore needed to build a systematic national database that can support wetland ecological modeling and conservation policy.

Abstract (2 S ,3 S )-Butanediol (BDO) is a valuable chiral diol with growing applications in pharmaceuticals and agriculture, but microbial production is hindered by inefficient ( S )-acetoin production. Here, we engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae to synthesize (2 S ,3 S )-BDO directly from glucose by using an efficient ( S )-acetoin-producing strain, which was generated by introducing Bacillus subtilis genes encoding α-acetolactate synthase ( Bs .AlsS) and a mutant α-acetolactate decarboxylase ( Bs. AlsD WP ) with reversed stereospecificity toward ( S )-acetoin formation, alongside targeted deletions of genes involved in racemic acetoin production and competing pathways. (2 S ,3 S )-BDO production in this strain was enabled by introducing Cg . butA from Corynebacterium glutamicum , encoding an L-butanediol dehydrogenase that reduced ( S )-acetoin to (2 S ,3 S )-BDO with high efficiency and stereospecificity. The engineered genome-integrated strains co-expressing Bs.alsS , Bs.alsD WP , and Cg.butA produced 27.9 g/L (2 S ,3 S )-BDO in fed-batch fermentation with high optical purity, an overall yield of 0.20 g/g glucose, and an average volumetric productivity of 0.17 g/L·h. This represents the first demonstration of high-purity (2 S ,3 S )-BDO biosynthesis directly from glucose without relying on spontaneous diacetyl-formation pathway, positioning S. cerevisiae as a versatile platform for stereoselective diol production.

ObjectiveThis review aimed to systematically review qualitative research examining changes in athletic identity following sports injuries.MethodsThe review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. Electronic databases searched included Web of Science, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus. Manual searches were conducted using forward and backward citation tracking via Google Scholar. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data extraction and synthesis followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, and the ConQual approach was used to evaluate the confidence level of findings based on dependability and credibility.ResultsA total of 24 qualitative studies were included. Using a meta-aggregative approach, findings were synthesized into two overarching themes: “athletic identity disruption” (n = 17) and “athletic identity reconstruction” (n = 7). The theme of athletic identity disruption highlighted that sports injuries often lead to a diminished sense of athletic identity due to factors such as physical limitations, withdrawal from competition, and psychological distress. In contrast, the athletic identity reconstruction theme showed that some athletes rebuild their athletic identity by engaging in alternative roles, such as coaching, volunteering, or participating in new sports.ConclusionSports injuries can have profound and varied effects on athletic identity. While some athletes experience disruption and identity loss, others successfully reconstruct their sense of self within the sporting context. Future research should consider more diverse study designs, such as longitudinal and mixed-methods studies, and further investigate how cultural, social, and contextual factors influence athletes’ experiences of identity disruption and reconstruction.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-025-03902-7.