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Kazakhstan’s adoption of open government platforms represents a strategic effort to enhance transparency, accountability, and civic engagement within its evolving digital governance landscape. This study investigates the participatory effectiveness of five major portals, focusing on Astana as a case study. The research combines a binary GSEM analysis of survey data with a qualitative evaluation of portal features to examine how citizen awareness, access behavior, and perceived challenges shape e-participation outcomes. Results reveal a significant indirect effect of awareness on participation via portal access, but also highlight how technical difficulties, lack of responsiveness, and privacy concerns moderate this pathway. The portal evaluation further contextualizes these findings, showing uneven responsiveness and limited interactivity across platforms. These constraints reduce the resilience potential of digital tools during crises, where timely feedback and inclusive decision-making are critical. The study concludes with targeted recommendations to improve usability, trust, and institutional responsiveness, emphasizing that meaningful digital engagement is essential for crisis preparedness and participatory governance in semi-authoritarian contexts.

This study examines the impact of deepfakes on democracy in public elections, analyzes the content of current government regulations, identifies problems, and proposes improvements. The study identifies three potential impacts of deepfakes on democracy: 1) information manipulation and the publication of disformation, 2) confusion among voters about candidates' identities, and 3) distortion of democratic representation, potentially leading to the replacement of elected officials. To prevent a crisis in democracy, this study examined the current status of deepfake regulations, including detection and administrative measures, and analyzed proposed regulations addressing the harmful effects of deepfake technology. Based on the analysis of the current status and the content of proposed legislation, the following recommendations are made for future improvements to deepfake regulations in public elections: 1) maximizing the effectiveness of mandatory labeling of AI products, 2) strengthening online platform accountability and reinforcing accountability through the introduction of a real-name system, 3) developing deepfake detection tools to determine authenticity, 4) developing government-certified standards and introducing an automatic shutdown system, 5) operation of reporting channels to strengthen citizen surveillance, and 6) intergovernmental collaboration.

This study examines how higher education can respond to the challenges of the digital risk society by developing convergence education grounded in the humanities and social sciences. Conceptualizing digital risk as a socio-technical condition characterized by uncertainty, institutional mediation, and normative contestation, the study proposes an analytical framework composed of three core competencies: technological system understanding, social problem-solving, and ethical and human-centered creative capacity. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research analyzes educational practices at Stanford University and the University of Tokyo. The findings show that both institutions move beyond technology-centered training by embedding ethical reasoning into technical curricula, linking digital education with governance and public problem-solving, and fostering creative capacities oriented toward human-centered and future-oriented innovation. These cases demonstrate that effective digital risk education requires institutional integration across disciplines rather than peripheral ethics instruction.

This study examined differences in osteoporosis treatment rates by family structure among postmenopausal women aged ≥50 years and identified factors influencing treatment participation. Using data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 712 women with osteoporosis (DXA T-score ≤ –2.5) were classified into one-person, couple-only, and co-residing-with-children households and analyzed using complex-sample χ²-tests and logistic regression. Treatment rates differed by family structure: lower participation was linked to anxiety/depression, physical inactivity, and fracture history in one-person households; sleep problems, pain, and depressive symptoms were associated with higher treatment rates in couple-only households; and underweight status and sleep problems promoted participation in households living with children. Across all groups, women aged ≥70 years and those with economic vulnerability consistently showed lower treatment rates, indicating the need for family-structure–based interventions and community strategies prioritizing one-person households, the very old, and economically disadvantaged women.

This study empirically examines the impact of China’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on technological innovation in the renewable energy sector. Using panel data for 82 listed renewable energy firms from 2010 to 2021, we construct a composite innovation index via principal component analysis. Difference-in-Differences (DiD) estimates show that the ETS significantly promotes aggregate innovation performance (coefficient = 0.139, p < 0.01) and patenting activity, with the strongest effect observed among state-owned enterprises (interaction term = 1,439.557, p < 0.01). Further, Firm size is positively associated with innovation, while profitability and ownership concentration have limited or negative effects. These findings suggest that the ETS not only mitigates emissions but also fosters green technological innovation. Policy implications highlight the need to enhance market stability and align allowance allocation and support measures with firm ownership to maximize innovation outcomes.

The U.S. is alleged to be considering reducing the U.S. forces in Korea (USFK) to counter its foremost threat, China, and heighten its leverage over Seoul. Given a potential contingency in the Taiwan Strait and the U.S. strategy to raise Seoul’s contribution to defense costs and the South Korean defense budget, it may well plan to do so. However, this does not seem to be an effective approach, if the tide and current in the new Seoul government are carefully examined. The Lee Jae-myung government – which follows the progressive political line of the Democratic Party of Korea – was inaugurated right after the former pro-American government was impeached. President Lee and his close aides have argued for more balanced relations with the U.S. and are more assertive in their interactions. Moreover, the Lee government implements external and internal balancing strategies. It seeks to improve and expand its relations with Pyongyang and China. In addition, it strives to advance the defense industry. These strategies are conducive to increasing Seoul’s say vis-à-vis the U.S. For Washington, it is worth considering adopting liberal and constitutive in addition to realist approaches to address the U.S.-Korea alliance.

With the advent of the Newspace era and the importance of systematic safety management for the unique hazards of the space environment has been highlighted. Conventional safety management approaches have limitations in effectively responding to complex and real-time evolving space risks. This study proposes the necessity of establishing a data-driven and systematic space risk safety management system to protect human lives and assets and ensure the sustainability of space activities. By analyzing the definition and current status of space risks and examining the limitations of existing safety management methods, this research emphasizes the significance of a data-driven risk management system specifically tailored for the space sector. Such a system plays a crucial role in various aspects, including enhancing mission success rates, protecting lives and assets, preventing accidents and providing early warnings, enabling integrated risk analysis across systems, and establishing a robust safety culture. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to the formulation and implementation of comprehensive space safety management policies for safe and sustainable space development and activities in the Newspace era.

This study qualitatively analyzed the usability (UX) and immersive experience of VR-based haptic music content for the older adults, exploring the impact of digital welfare technology on emotional recovery and the formation of social connectedness among seniors. The research conducted a pilot usability test with five older adult individuals living alone who utilize welfare centers, supplemented by in-depth interviews and observation. The results showed that the haptic stick's vibrations and visual feedback provided a sense of realism comparable to playing an actual instrument. Even amidst the suspension of welfare center programs post-COVID-19, this program served as a substitute for non-face-to-face emotional care, alleviating social isolation among the older adults. However, this study has limitations as a UX analysis-focused pilot test that did not verify long-term changes. This study empirically demonstrated that VR·haptic-based experiential music activities can contribute to emotional stability, immersive experiences, and social interaction formation among the older adults, providing foundational data for designing future Tech-Inclusive Gerontological Welfare policies.

This study analyzed data from the 2019 Community Health Survey (n=40,944) to identify factors associated with continued smoking among hypertensive older adults aged 65 years and over with a history of smoking. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that being male (OR=22.23, p<.001), having a spouse (OR=4.76, p=.006), and having a lower level of education (middle school or less) compared with high school or higher (OR=0.20, p=.004, indicating lower odds) were major factors related to continued smoking. Compared with those of normal weight, overweight (OR=0.11, p=.002) and obese (OR=0.24, p=.002) individuals had lower odds of continuing to smoke. Health and psychological factors such as age, income, employment status, sleep, depression, and stress were not significant, nor was satisfaction with the community socio-physical environment. Overall, continued smoking among older adults with hypertension was more strongly influenced by structural characteristics such as gender, education, and family relationships than by psychological or health-related factors, suggesting that smoking cessation policies should adopt an integrated approach linked to social welfare resources.

This study examined the effects of an Outcome-Present State Test (OPT) Model-Based Computerized Nursing Process Program (OPT-CNPP) on clinical performance confidence and clinical practicum satisfaction among fourth-year nursing students. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare an experimental group utilizing the OPT-CNPP with a control group using traditional, paper-based methods. Both outcomes were measured using a 100-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at three time points (pre-test, week 1, and week 2 of clinical practice). Data were analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA. The results showed that students utilizing the OPT-CNPP demonstrated significantly higher confidence and satisfaction compared to the control group (Confidence: F=9.21, p=.003 for group effect; Satisfaction: F=9.01, p=.003 for group effect). A significant group-by-time interaction effect was also confirmed for both confidence (F=13.50, p<.001) and satisfaction (F=10.05, p<.001). The OPT-CNPP effectively enhances student confidence and satisfaction, supporting its role as an optimal clinical reasoning education strategy.

This study aimed to develop a multisensory virtual reality (VR)-based interactive music program and to explore its effects on the psychological and social well-being of older adults. Methods A VR music system integrating visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli was developed, featuring a haptic drumstick and an immersive 3D environment tailored to the physical and cognitive characteristics of older adults. Based on this technology, a ten-session music activity program was designed with four structured phases. Five older adult women, aged 80 and above, participated in the program twice a week over seven weeks. Quantitative evaluations were conducted through pre- and post-test surveys on depression, anxiety, loneliness, and happiness, while qualitative data were collected through focus group interviews. Results Findings indicated statistically significant decreases in depression and loneliness scores after participation. Qualitative analyses revealed that participants experienced joy, emotional rejuvenation, curiosity toward new technology, and expanded social interactions. Conclusion These results suggest that a VR-based multisensory music experience can serve as an effective non-pharmacological intervention to promote mental health and social engagement among older adults.

Disaster risk reduction activities primarily focus on reducing the likelihood of hazard occurrences and their adverse consequences. The purpose of the study is to identify opportunities for toxic chemical risk reduction in the urban environment based on research on risk theory, the relationship between risk assessment elements, and the priorities outlined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The results of the study show that the risk of toxic chemical substances and potential incidents arising from substances is identified as a result of the interaction between pollutants, including toxic chemicals, materials, and products that pose threats to human health and environmental components, and vulnerabilities such as the exposed population and environment. A general modeling for toxic chemical risk has been developed. It is also identified that, firstly, the risk of chemical hazards depends on chemical hazards and vulnerability, which of the contaminated ways to the chemicals; secondly, the risk of potential chemical incidents depends on the hazard distribution during chemical incidents and the vulnerability to chemical incidents. Recommendations for toxic chemical risk reduction in the urban environment have been developed and aligned with the four priorities in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.