Initial Part Research Articles

“Addressing the Silent Need”

Abstract Background Clinical Specialist Teams (CST) are a foundational component of the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) providing care for older adults with complex needs, completing Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGA) and supporting goals until outcomes are optimised (HSE, 2021). WHO (2014) estimates 400 million individuals worldwide are affected by hearing loss, with prevalence increasing with age. The WHO in 2024 recommended targeted hearing screening and interventions in older age. NICE guidelines (2023) issued specific recommendations for adults with suspected or diagnosed dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of this study was to review current practice of sensory assessment with respect to these recommendations. Methods This is a retrospective audit to evaluate current practice against established standards and to identify areas for improvement to achieve best practice. This will form part of an ongoing quality improvement initiative. Data was collected using a team designed tool gathering information on sensory assessment, interventions and onward referrals. A sample of 65 ICPOP clients was chosen from the last quarter of 2023. Results Preliminary results: Conclusion Screening rates for sensory impairment in the CST is high but needs improvement to reach the target of 100%. Referral onto appropriate services for specialised sensory intervention is actioned adequately, but there is need for the CST to advise timely hearing and vision testing to clients in order to adhere to international guidelines, especially those clients with dementia/MCI.

The importance of humanities in a career-focused educational environment

This article addresses the role of the humanities in the context of professional degree programs that focus on technology, and shows how the humanities has enhanced career-oriented degree programs. As part of a larger college-wide initiative to develop interdisciplinary curricula, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded a grant to ***** College to both explore the relationship between the humanities and career-focused degree programs in STEM departments. This article describes the design and implementation of coursework that bridges the curricular gaps between humanities disciplines and technical or career-focused disciplines by bringing the humanities to bear on science and technology-oriented courses. If humanities appear as a body of knowledge, then they appear distinct from other disciplines. If humanities are viewed as conceptual frameworks that develop different modes of thinking, then the importance of the humanities to workforce development becomes clear.

Development of Machine Learning-Based Mpox Surveillance Models in a Learning Health System.

We developed machine learning and deep learning models to identify mpox cases from clinical notes as part of a learning health system initiative. Lasso regression outperformed deep learning models, excelled in minimizing false positives, and may prove helpful for flagging missed or delayed diagnoses as part of continuous quality improvement.

The economic value of reducing avoidable mortality.

Living longer and healthier boosts individual and family welfare. As part of the World Bank's Healthy Longevity Initiative, we quantified the economic value of achieving the highest possible life span. We estimated the economic value of reducing avoidable mortality, defined as the difference between observed (or projected) mortality and lowest achieved (or projected) mortality, by world regions, sex, and age, between 2000 and 2021, with projection to 2050. In 2019, 69% of mortality, or 40 million deaths, was avoidable. The economic value of avoidable mortality globally was 23% of annual income, meaning that, globally, populations would be willing to give up about one-fifth of their current income in exchange for a year living at the lowest achieved mortality rate. This value ranges from 19% in China to 34% in sub-Saharan Africa. Under the rapid-progress scenario, in which countries experience fast but plausible mortality reductions from 2019 to 2050, we would expect globally the gap between projected and frontier life expectancy to be halved by 2050, and the economic value after achieving this scenario is equivalent to 14% of annual income. Our work provides supportive evidence on the high economic value placed on improving health.

MIRD Pamphlet No. 30: MIRDfit-A Tool for Fitting of Biodistribution Time-Activity Data for Internal Dosimetry.

In nuclear medicine, estimating the number of radioactive decays that occur in a source organ per unit administered activity of a radiopharmaceutical (i.e., the time-integrated activity coefficient [TIAC]) is an essential task within the internal dosimetry workflow. TIAC estimation is commonly derived by least-squares fitting of various exponential models to organ time-activity data (radiopharmaceutical biodistribution). Rarely, however, are methods used to objectively determine the model that best characterizes the data. Additionally, the uncertainty associated with the resultant TIAC is generally not evaluated. As part of the MIRDsoft initiative, MIRDfit has been developed to offer a biodistribution fitting software solution that provides the following essential features and advantages for internal dose assessment: nuclear medicine-appropriate fit functions; objective metrics for guiding best-fit selection; TIAC uncertainty calculation; quality control and data archiving; integration with MIRDcalc software for dose calculation; and a user-friendly Excel-based interface. For demonstration and comparative validation of MIRDfit's performance, TIACs were derived from serial imaging studies involving 18F-FDG and 177Lu-DOTATATE using MIRDfit. These TIACs were then compared with TIAC estimates obtained using other software. In most cases, the TIACs agreed within approximately 10% between MIRDfit and the other software. MIRDfit has been endorsed by the MIRD Committee of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and has been integrated into the MIRDsoft suite of free dosimetry software; it is available for download at no user cost (https://mirdsoft.org/).

Radiotelephony Untuk Personel Pangkalan TNI AU Atang Sendjaja

In the aviation industry, radiotelephony is the primary communication tool between pilots and personnel involved in aircraft operations. According to the Director General of Civil Aviation Regulation Number KP 038 of 2017, personnel providing apron management services are required to have specific licenses, such as Air Traffic Controllers, Aeronautical Communication Officers (ACO), or Apron Movement Controllers (AMC), with additional skills in radiotelephony. However, the personnel at the Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base currently do not meet the radiotelephony competency requirements. To perform services according to national and international standards, the use of radiotelephony is essential. To address this need, a training program was conducted as part of a community service initiative, aimed at equipping personnel with radiotelephony skills in line with applicable regulations. This training includes both theoretical and practical sessions conducted on-site, utilizing table-top exercise simulation methods. The outcome of this training indicates that the personnel at the Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base have acquired adequate skills to implement radiotelephony in their daily operational activities.

An investigation on anisotropic soil slope stability by LS-SVM and LEM approaches

Purpose This study aims to use regression Least-Square Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) as a probabilistic model to determine the factor of safety (FS) and probability of failure (PF) of anisotropic soil slopes. Design/methodology/approach This research uses machine learning (ML) techniques to predict soil slope failure. Due to the lack of analytical solutions for measuring FS and PF, it is more convenient to use surrogate models like probabilistic modeling, which is suitable for performing repetitive calculations to compute the effect of uncertainty on the anisotropic soil slope stability. The study first uses the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) based on a probabilistic evaluation over the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) technique for two anisotropic soil slope profiles to assess FS and PF. Then, using one of the supervised methods of ML named LS-SVM, the outcomes (FS and PF) were compared to evaluate the efficiency of the LS-SVM method in predicting the stability of such complex soil slope profiles. Findings This method increases the computational performance of low-probability analysis significantly. The compared results by FS-PF plots show that the proposed method is valuable for analyzing complex slopes under different probabilistic distributions. Accordingly, to obtain a precise estimate of slope stability, all layers must be included in the probabilistic modeling in the LS-SVM method. Originality/value Combining LS-SVM and LEM offers a unique and innovative approach to address the anisotropic behavior of soil slope stability analysis. The initiative part of this paper is to evaluate the stability of an anisotropic soil slope based on one ML method, the Least-Square Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM). The soil slope is defined as complex because there are uncertainties in the slope profile characteristics transformed to LS-SVM. Consequently, several input parameters are effective in finding FS and PF as output parameters.

Abstract B130: Partnership in persistent poverty neighborhoods: The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration

Abstract Introduction: Rising obesity rates significantly contribute to increases in many types of cancer. The link between obesity, socioeconomic status, and cancer risk is evident, particularly in persistent poverty areas. The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration (Acres Homes CPC), part of the Persistent Poverty Initiative (PPI) of the National Cancer Institute, is a dynamic partnership led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This community-academic partnership, centered on the Acres Homes neighborhood in Houston, TX, that is impacted by persistent poverty, utilizes community-engaged strategies and transdisciplinary research to mitigate obesity-related cancer risks. Methods: Through multiple community partnerships, the CPC aims to alleviate persistent poverty effects, support early-career researchers, and test nutrition and physical activity interventions for reducing obesity-related cancer risk. Results: The Acres Homes CPC funds two research projects: a trial of a physical activity program for cancer survivors and a cluster-randomized trial of food distribution and nutrition education for elementary school children and their parents. We have funded seven pilot studies on topics such as food security, culinary medicine, physical activity and mild cognitive impairment, and the physical and safety environment of neighborhoods. Three community advisors guide and support all activities, and information on the initiative is provided monthly to a community steering committee. The Acres Homes CPC also supports pre- and postdoctoral fellows interested in research promoting cancer prevention and control in persistent poverty communities. Conclusions: This initiative aims to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes in persistent poverty communities by bridging the gap between research and practical implementation through community-based participatory research and partnership with the community to address obesity. Citation Format: Karen Basen-Engquist, Ruth Rechis, Michael Mackert, Brad Love, Shreela Sharma, Sanjay Shete, Qian Lu, Shine Chang, Margaret Raber, Miranda Baum, Crystal Roberson, Lorna McNeill. Partnership in persistent poverty neighborhoods: The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B130.

A discrete element solution method embedded within a Neural Network

This paper introduces a novel methodology, the Neural Network framework for the Discrete Element Method (NN4DEM), as part of a broader initiative to harness specialised AI hardware and software environments, marking a transition from traditional computational physics programming approaches. NN4DEM enables GPU-parallelised computations by mapping particle data (coordinates and velocities) onto uniform grids as solution fields and computing contact forces by applying mathematical operations that can be found in convolutional neural networks (CNN). Essentially, this framework transforms a DEM problem into a series of layered “images” composed of pixels, using stencil operations to compute the DEM physics, which is inherently local. The method revolves around custom kernels, with operations prescribed by the laws of physics for contact detection and interaction. Therefore, unlike conventional AI methods, it eliminates the need for training data to determine network weights. NN4DEM utilises libraries such as PyTorch for relatively easier programmability and platform interoperability. This paper presents the theoretical foundations, implementation and validation of NN4DEM through hopper test benchmarks. An analysis of the results from random packing cases highlights the ability of NN4DEM to scale to 3D models with millions of particles. The paper concludes with potential research directions, including further integration with other physics-based models and applications across various multidisciplinary fields.

The Second Endourological Society Census Report.

As part of the Endourological Society's initiative to continuously enhance the field of endourology, the second annual census was circulated after the World Congress of Endourology and Uro-Technology 2022 (WCET22). An anonymous survey was created using Qualtrics XM and was disseminated via email to all Endourological Society (ES) members (n=1,502) between October 4th, 2022, and January 26th, 2023. A total of 46 questions were included in the survey and covered different aspects including demographics, practice patterns, satisfaction, impact of COVID, WCET22 attendance, and future opportunities. A total of 404 (26.9%) ES members (91.8% male and 8.2% female), representing 63 different countries participated in the survey. Fellowship-trained endourologists constituted 58.9% of respondents, and the most common practice setting was academic (55.2%). The most common practice scope was complex retrograde endoscopy (83.4%), followed by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (79.5%) and medical management of urolithiasis (72.5%). Work schedules were variable with 51.1% working 40-60 hours/week and 35.3% working >60 hours/week. More than 80% were satisfied with their practice; however, 42.4% indicated that COVID made satisfaction worse. Of the participants, 49.5% were satisfied with their compensation, and 7.3% plan to retire within the next 5 years. When asked about the future of endourology, 92.9% had a positive outlook. Of the respondents, only 36.8% attended WCET22, with the most chosen reason for attendance being an interest in learning new research and technology. For lack of attendance, cost of travel and lodging was reported as a determining factor by 45.4%. These survey results report important trends within the field of endourology and demonstrate the robust outlook of ES members for the future. By demonstrating important practice patterns and member needs, this information can be used to improve the responsiveness of its members and to continually strengthen the ES.

The Collaborative Outcome Study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT): Results from Cyprus.

Many studies have shown that COVID-19 caused many problems in mental health. This paper presents the results of the Cyprus sample, part of the global initiative named "The Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times" (COH-FIT). Methods: The study took place from April 2019 to January 2022, using the Greek version of the online standard COH-FIT questionnaire on 917 Cypriot adults. Weighted t-tests were applied to test the differences between pre-pandemic and intra-pandemic scores using the anesrake package. Results: Participant responses indicated a significant negative impact of the pandemic on measures of mental health (-7.55; 95% CI: -9.01 to -6.07), with worsening in the scores for anxiety (12.05; 95% CI: 9.33 to 14.77), well-being (-11.06; 95% CI: -12.69 to -9.45) and depression (4.60; 95% CI: 2.06 to 7.14). Similar negative effects were observed for feelings of anger (12.92; 95% CI: 10.54 to 15.29), helplessness (9.66; 95% CI: 7.25 to 12.07), fear (22.25; 95% CI: 19.25 to 25.26), and loneliness (12.52; 95% CI: 9.94 to15.11). Increased use of social media (0.89; 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.09), internet (0.86; 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.04), and substance consumption (0.06; 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.11) were reported, along with a significant decrease in physical health (-3.45; 95% CI: -4.59 to -2.32), self-care (-7.10; 95% CI: -9.00 to -5.20), and social function (-11.27; 95% CI: -13.19 to -9.35), including support (-0.72; 95% CI: -1.09 to -0.34) and family function (-7.97; 95% CI: -9.90 to -6.05). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the daily life and emotional well-being of Cypriots. Identifying factors that influence vulnerability and resilience is essential to prioritize mental health support and address the long-term effects of the pandemic.

The strategic case for New Zealand to join AUKUS Pillar 2

ABSTRACT A debate is underway in New Zealand over whether the nation should join AUKUS Pillar 2 that involves collaborating and sharing of advanced emerging technologies. Most of the commentary has been critical, yet rarely do New Zealand's domestic critics acknowledge the potential benefits or strategic reasoning underlying the New Zealand's government's decision to consider the pact. This article offers a rejoinder to insert balance into the discourse. It argues that the advanced technologies involved in Pillar 2 will be critical in future conflicts, and that New Zealand needs them if it is to remain interoperable with like-minded militaries. It may also act as an economic accelerator for New Zealand's budding tech industry, and future-proof New Zealand's access to advanced technologies in a bifurcating global technology ecosystem. AUKUS is also part of a region-wide geostrategic re-balancing initiative in response to China's military buildup – it may strengthen deterrence against potential Chinese aggression. The article also considers the issue of New Zealand's perceived trade dependency on China and how this is a factor in Wellington's deliberations, and then challenges the critique that New Zealand does not have relevant capabilities or expertise to benefit the AUKUS members.

Analisis Efektivitas Penerapan Layanan Publik E-Kelurahan di Kota Bandung

This article analyses the effectiveness of E-Kelurahan public service implementation in Bandung City, which is part of the e-government initiative to improve the quality of public services through information technology. The research uses a qualitative and descriptive analytical approach to evaluate the successes, constraints, and areas of improvement in the implementation of the system. The results show that E-Kelurahan has improved service speed and transparency, although there are still challenges related to infrastructure, digital literacy, and human resource readiness. This research suggests the need for continued efforts in improving technological infrastructure and training for village officials to optimise public services.

Noncontrast free-breathing ECG-gated 3D balanced steady-state free precession in congenital heart disease and aortopathy evaluation.

High-fidelity cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays a pivotal role in the surveillance of congenital heart disease (CHD) and aortopathy. We aimed to evaluate the quality and accuracy of free breathing, ECG-gated noncontrast three-dimensional (3D) balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) in cases of CHDs and aortopathies using contrast-enhanced 3D bSSFP as a reference. We also used one of our routinely used non-ECG-gated 2D-single-shot (SSh) bSSFP sequence as an adjunct to noncontrast 3D bSSFP. Institutional review board approval was obtained to perform a systematic retrospective analysis of image quality and vascular measurements. Patients with CHD and aortopathy, who were undergoing clinically indicated contrast-enhanced 3D bSSFP, were prospectively identified to also undergo additional noncontrast 3D bSSFP and 2D SSh bSSFP imaging as part of a clinical quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing the use of contrast when feasible. Two readers, blinded to each other's evaluations, graded image quality on a 5-point Likert scale and performed vascular measurements in separate sessions for both 3D bSSFP images. They also reported the visibility of various mediastinal great vessels on 2D SSh bSSFP images. Raw agreement, the weighted kappa statistic, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed to assess the consistency and agreement between the two readers. Comparative analysis of noncontrast and contrast-enhanced 3D bSSFP imaging was performed in adult and pediatric patients using a two-sided paired t-test and Bland-Altman analysis. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant for all inference testing. A total of 29 patients (17 males, median age 20.3years, interquartile range (IQR) 12.5, age range 7-39years), including 11 pediatric patients under the age of 18years (6 males, median age 14.5years, IQR 4.0, age range 7-17years), underwent retrospective analysis. The overall image quality score for contrast-enhanced 3D bSSFP was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than that of noncontrast 3D bSSFP for both all subjects (4.4 ± 0.2, range 4.0-4.9 vs 3.7 ± 0.4, range 3.1-4.7) and only pediatric subjects (4.3 ± 0.3, range 4.0-4.9 vs 3.6 ± 0.5, range 3.1-4.4). By combining noncontrast 3D bSSFP and 2D bSSFP, reader 1 and reader 2 rated 423 and 420 vessels diagnostic, respectively, in a total of 435 vessel segments. All landmarks showed similar mean vessel diameters without significant differences between noncontrast and contrast-enhanced 3D bSSFP MR angiography (r = 0.99, bias -0.31mm, 95% limits of agreement -2.04mm to 1.43mm). Although contrast-enhanced images had better overall image quality, an imaging protocol consisting of noncontrast 2D SSh bSSFP and 3D bSSFP whole-chest images provides diagnostically adequate image quality, and accurate vascular measurements, comparable to free-breathing contrast-enhanced 3D bSSFP in both children and adults with CHD and aortopathies.

The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) Investigation Development and Preflight Planning

The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) is a mass spectrometer instrument that operated during the Astrobotic Peregrine Mission-1 as part of the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. This paper describes the instrument and investigation design, development, and planning conducted by the PITMS team, consisting of a successful partnership between NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), The Open University, NASA, and ESA. PITMS was designed to measure the abundance and temporal variability of volatile species in the near-surface lunar exosphere from a landed platform on the lunar surface. The PITMS instrument consisted of a European Space Agency–provided Exospheric Mass Spectrometer (including sensor, electronics, controller, and power supply boards) and a GSFC wrapper that provided structural elements, thermal control, and a deployable dust cover. PITMS was designed to operate as a passive sampler, where ambient gases would enter PITMS through an aperture, diffuse around the mass analyzer cavity, become ionized by electron impact and trapped in an RF field, and then sequentially be released to a detector to build a mass spectrum. PITMS was capable of measuring species with a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) from 10 to 150 Da, with a mass resolution of approximately 0.5 amu. The PITMS science investigation was planned to be operated by GSFC with an international team of scientists. Though the mission did not achieve its lunar landing, information about the PITMS instrument and planning is provided to be able to understand and effectively use data that will be forthcoming from the investigation.

Making sense of colour-coded personality profiles in developmental contexts within organizations

Abstract In many organizations colour-coded personality questionnaires impact the way people communicate with each other about themselves and others. However, there has never been much research interest in what these colour profiles mean to people who have received such a profile. We believe such research is needed, as these profiles may affect how people experience themselves and are perceived by others in the organization. In this constructionist qualitative study, 29 people were interviewed about their experiences with one of four colour-coded personality instruments, with a focus on how these profiles related to their sense of self. The idiosyncratic ways profiles were interpreted by recipients demonstrate that identification with one’s profile should not be taken as an indication of fully agreeing with the interpretation according to the model. People who identify with their profile, may construct their own stories around the meaning of their profiles, in line with how they see themselves. When these instruments are part of a company initiative, processes need to be established that allow people to own the results in a way that means something to them and work with the consequences of that instead of the results of the questionnaire as such.

HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE VALUES IN NESTLING RED KITES (MILVUS MILVUS) IN SHORT-TERM HUMAN CARE IN ENGLAND.

Between the years 2022 and 2023, 62 red kite (Milvus milvus) nestlings were translocated from England to Spain to bolster declining populations in mainland Europe as part of a wider conservation initiative. Health examinations were undertaken by veterinarians ahead of translocation, including examination of hematology and biochemistry parameters from blood samples. This study aimed to establish reference values for these parameters in nestling red kites for use in future translocations or for other clinical purposes. All individuals included in the analysis were clinically healthy at the time of sampling. Biochemical reference intervals were comparable to published values for other Accipitridae, although differences in hematology were noted: PCV was generally lower; and WBC counts higher than (up to triple) those reported for related species of a similar age. It is hypothesized that these differences reflect species variations or the effects of the stress of recent capture on the immune system of the red kites. A Leucocytozoon species was identified on blood smears of six of the red kites. The reference intervals presented in this study are representative of free-living red kite nestlings in England that have recently been captured for conservation translocation purposes.

Enhancing Agricultural Practices through ICT: The Diffusion and Impact of the Among Tani Application in Batu City, Indonesia

This study examines the implementation and impact of the Among Tani application, a digital platform designed to support farmers in Batu City, Indonesia, as part of a broader smart city initiative. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the research investigates the diffusion process of the application, its role as a virtual communication medium, and its effects on organizational structures within farmer groups. The study reveals a staged adoption process influenced by factors such as farmer age and crop vulnerability. While the application has enhanced access to agricultural information and improved pest management, challenges including the digital divide and integration with traditional practices persist. The findings highlight the complex interplay between digital innovation and existing agricultural systems, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive approaches in implementing agricultural technologies. This research contributes to the understanding of digital agriculture's potential in supporting sustainable rural development and provides insights for future smart city initiatives in agricultural contexts.

Implementation of an Acute Pain Service in the Orthopedic Traumatology Department of the University Hospital of Batna.

Background and Objectives. Effective management of postoperative acute pain (POP) in surgical settings requires well-organized approaches. Our goal was to establish an economic model of the Acute Pain Service (APS), to ensure appropriate treatment of POP in adults undergoing orthopedic and traumatological surgery at the University Hospital Center of Batna between 2015 and 2017. Materials and Methods. A descriptive and evaluative study was conducted as part of a quality assurance initiative to establish a acute pain service (APS) between 2015 and 2017. This study focused on organization, training, information dissemination, and pain assessment. Participants included five medical practitioners, 37 paramedical professionals, as well as 104 patients audited before the PAS implementation and 136 patients audited after its establishment. All patients underwent orthopedic and traumatological surgeries. Results. The survey involved 5 physicians and 37 healthcare providers. The results of the reevaluation audit showed that practitioners acquired skills in 86% of cases, common protocols for managing postoperative pain (DPO) were present in 100% of cases, patient information was provided in 77% of cases, and the quality of DPO management was rated as good in 54% of cases. Conclusion. Implementing an organizational framework based on quality assurance principles led to a significant enhancement in postoperative pain management following the introduction of a functional analgesia unit of the acute pain service (APS).

1920~1930년대 초량토목출장소 낙동강개수공사의 시행과 성격

The Nakdong River Improvement Project, part of the larger Joseon River Improvement Initiative, spanned fifteen years and was largely coordinated through irrigation associations, which included lands owned by Japanese and some Korean landlords and capitalists. Despite the project’s ostensible goal of protecting the lives and properties of local residents—including both Koreans and Japanese—from flood risks, it was principally designed to advance the interests of the colonial regime and the landlord-capitalist class. This project showcases the blend of colonial and modern elements in infrastructure development, led and executed under Japanese direction with their technological expertise. The Choryang Civil Engineering Office and related facilities operated within a colonial employment structure, relegating Koreans mostly to unskilled manual labor and minimizing their roles in management or skilled positions. Contractors and suppliers were predominantly Japanese, using non-competitive contracts that largely excluded Korean involvement. Consequently, the main beneficiaries of the hydraulic and irrigation improvements were primarily the landowning classes, specifically Japanese and some Korean landlords and capitalists. The implementation of the Nakdong River Improvement Project catalyzed a multifaceted interplay of interests that extended beyond basic ethnic or socioeconomic dichotomies such as Korean versus Japanese or capitalists versus laborers. Despite this complexity, the execution of the project distinctly embodied the dynamics of colonial power, demonstrating the modern correlation of capital and technology with authority.