• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1146-1153
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• 2022

Many probiotic species have been used as a fermentation starter for manufacturing functional food materials. We have isolated Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LDTM 8102 from the feces of infants as a novel strain for fermentation. While Glycine max has been known to display various bioactivities including anti-oxidant, anti-skin aging, and anti-cancer effects, the immune-modulatory effect of Glycine max has not been reported. In the current study, we have discovered that the extract of Glycine max fermented with B. animalis subsp. lactis LDTM 8102 (GFB 8102), could exert immuno-modulatory properties. GFB 8102 treatment increased the production of immune-stimulatory cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages without any noticeable cytotoxicity. Analysis of the molecular mechanism revealed that GFB 8102 could upregulate MAPK2K and MAPK signaling pathways including ERK, p38, and JNK. GFB 8102 also increased the proliferation rate of splenocytes isolated from mice. In an animal study, administration of GFB 8102 partially recovered cyclophosphamide-mediated reduction in thymus and spleen weight. Moreover, splenocytes from the GFB 8102-treated group exhibited increased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production. Based on these findings, GFB 8102 could be a promising functional food material for enhancing immune function.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.103-112
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• 2022

As an alternative to improving the quality of life of the elderly and meeting the needs of high-level care, nursing services and needs, we aim to be the basis for formulating improvement proposals by applying the development of a fragrant healing-based fusion and complex social service professional training program. After conducting a questionnaire survey of 30 trainees in Guangzhou for 16 days from June 14, 2021 to September 23, 2021, and conducted a 7-day questionnaire survey, the education preference survey showed that in the educational preference, aromatherapy education was the highest surveyed at 42.11%, and the need for aromatherapy courses after the application of educational programs was the highest at 50%, and satisfaction was the highest at 48%. Accordingly, this study is used as a basis for the revitalization of the age-friendly industry and aims to contribute to the consolidation of senior care and nursing services and the securing of excellent personnel related to high-value-added fusion and complex social services.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.357-359
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• 2022

The market for eco-friendly food materials by online distribution is rapidly growing due to major environmental pollution such as air, soil, and water quality, and radical changes in living patterns caused by COVID-19. In addition, because of the aging population and the decrease in agricultural-related population due to social structural changes, aquaponics is emerging as a system that can solve problems such as independence of old economic activities, environmental protection, and securing healthy and safe food. This paper aims to design an intelligent plant growth measurement system among intelligent aquaponics production management modules for optimal growth environment derivation and quantitative production prediction by converging various ICT technologies into existing aquaponics systems. In particular, the focus is on designing systems suitable for production sites that do not have high-performance processing resources, and we propose a module configuration plan for production environments and training data and prediction systems.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2016

In accordance to rapid aging of population, the accidents of elderly pedestrian and pedestrian safety are becoming very important issues. In terms of smartphone technologies, older people are increasingly looking for useful and friendly ICT services that which can add a value on their silver life. This paper introduced a new IT-based service for elderly walking assist using a smart-phone accompanied by a wearable watch. We describe the functional requirements and a systems architecture model with an interface between a smart-phone and wearable watch. Moreover, this study attempted to verify what services are needed and to estimate elderly pedestrians' WTP (willingness to pay) for IT-based walking assistance device. A total of 189 elderly pedestrians were randomly surveyed through face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire consisted of 3 categories: (1) questions pertaining to socio-economic status, (2) 12 questions regarding walking attitudes, and (3) a question to measure WTP. With this gathered data, factor analysis and path model estimating were conducted. The results identified the elderly user requirements and the use-value of new innovative products for IT-based walking assistance services by two groups(latent elderly and elderly). The modeling result shows that elderly's service preference would increase the possibilities for the commercialization of IT-based walking device with improving their walking safety.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.57-71
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to extend Davis's Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) to verify the intention of use fintech factors in which usefulness, easiness, accessibility, affordability, innovation, and uncertainty for middle-aged and older adult. Data was derived from the 2017 Driving and Mobility Survey of Older Adult Korean, which was collected from 457 middle-aged and older adult aged 55 and over in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province. Then, structural equation was used to verify the fintech technology acceptance factors of the middle-aged and older adult. The results showed that fintech technology acceptance factors of middle-aged and older adult were verified as usefulness, easiness, innovation, and uncertainty. Namely, the higher usefulness, easiness and innovation resulted in higher the intention to use fintech. Also, the lower the uncertainty resulted in higher the intention to use fintech. This study has implication for fintech, a representative technology of the Aging-Friendly Finance Industry, to identify the technology acceptance factors by expanding the Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) for middle-aged and older adult.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 2013

Given both structural safety and economic benefits of aging facilities, remodelling of the existing facilities is preferable to reconstruction. This recognition provides an opportunity to reduce the commitment of resources and national budget. However, when a subordinate troop asks for remodeling or reconstruction of a deteriorated facility, it is difficult to ensure the consistency and objectivity in the process of decision making for the alternatives due to the absence of systematic and quantitative rating methodology. Their economic evaluation methodology only exists in a manual format. Thus, further research is required for converting the methodology into an automated system in view of practicality such as rapid and accurate data processing. The contributions of this study are as follows: 1) Literature review found out a representative economic evaluation model focused on military facilities, and comparative analysis with a similar study identified the strength and weakness. 2) this study presented how to convert the theoretical framework which enables to solve a specific subject matter into an automated system. 3) it developed a user friendly interfaces which consist of four functional modules by considering the usability and accessibility of the system user. 4) the developed system was verified by a case study in terms of four kinds of performance indicators.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.415-430
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• 2015

Since the late 1990s Vinacafe has gone through strategic changes in corporate governance and managements due to an increase in the introduction of coffee MNCs, a growth of global demands in sustainable coffee, aging coffee tree, and the deterioration of coffee production with climate changes in Vietnam. Vinacafe has attempted to cope with these kinds of changes through strategies for equitization. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to identify strategies for enhancing the competitiveness of the Vietnamese coffee industry by investigating changes in corporate governance and processes of coffee production and distribution. The equitization of Vinacafe has led to the enhancement of coffee competitiveness in two perspectives. Firstly, as it has decentralized decision-making from headquarter, subsidiaries have become able to strength their competitiveness themselves by introducing new technologies, improving coffee quality, and encouraging the introduction of eco-friendly production methods through cooperative relationships with stakeholders involved in coffee production and distributions in Vietnam. Secondly, it has also enhanced competitiveness through the diversification and effectiveness of coffee managements by intensifying the flexibility of contract with coffee farmers and diversifying coffee sales and supply chains in Vietnam.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.357-363
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• 2015

The development of the environment-friendly tire that meets the standard requirements according to tire labeling system can be improved through using highly homogeneous silica immobilized zinc oxide nanoparticles. In this study, a considerable amount of nanoporous silica was essentially added into nano zinc oxide to improve the physiochemical properties of the formed composite. The introduction of nanoporous silica materials in the composite facilitates the improvement of the wear-resistance and increases the elasticity of the tread. Therefore, the introduction of nanoporous silica can replace carbon black as filler in the formation of composites with desirable properties for conventional green tire. Herein, mesoporous silica immobilized zinc oxide nanoparticle with desirable properties for rubber compounds was investigated. Composites with homogeneous dispersion were obtained in the absence of dispersants. The dispersion stability was controlled through varying the molar ratio, ageing time and mixing order of the reactants. A superior dispersion was achieved in the sample obtained using 0.03 mol of zinc precursor as it had the smallest grain size (50.5 nm) and then immobilized in silica aged for 10 days. Moreover, the specific surface area of this sample was the highest ($649m^2/g$).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2019

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is an involuntary leakage of urine from the urethra when intra-abdominal pressure increases, such as from sneezing, coughing, or physical exertion. It is caused by insufficient strength of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles, resulting from vaginal delivery, obesity, hard physical work, or aging. The pelvic floor electrical stimulator is a conservative treatment generally used to relieve the symptoms of urinary incontinence. it recommended to applied before surgery is performed. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine if the transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TCES) would be effective for the physiological symptoms and psychological satisfaction of women with SUI for an 8-weeks intervention. Methods: Easy-K is a specially designed user-friendly TCES. Five female who were diagnosed with SUI by a gynecologist but who did not require surgical intervention were included in this study. Intervention was implemented over an 8-week period. Outcome measures included vaginal ultrasonography, Levator ani muscle (LAM) contraction strength, incontinence quality of life (I-QOL), and female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaires. Results: The bladder neck position significantly decreased across assessment time. Funneling index and urethral width significantly decreased after 8 weeks of intervention (p<.05). The bladder necksymphyseal distance and posterior rhabdosphincter thickness statistically increased and the anterior rhabdosphincter thickness showed a tendency to increase. All participants demonstrated a significant increase in the LAM contraction score across three assessment times (p<.05). Although the total score of the I-QOL did not show significant improvement, it steadily increased and among I-QOL subscales, only the "avoidance" subscale showed statistical improvements (p<.05). The total score of the FSFI statistically improved and the "desire" score significantly changed (p<.05). Conclusion: The TCES is recommended for women who want to apply conservative treatments before surgery and who have suffered from SUI in aspects of sexual function and quality of life.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.607-616
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• 2022

Corrosion and degradation of reinforced structures due to abnormal climates and natural disasters further accelerate the aging of structures. Coping with the decrease in structure performance, many old structures are being repaired and reinforced with low-weight and high-strength materials such as glass fiber composite material (GFRP). To further contribute, this paper focus on a more economical and eco-friendly material, basalt fiber composite (BFRP), which provide a more effective lateral constraint effect for seismic reinforcement. The main variables considered in this study are the curing temperature during the manufacturing of BFRP and the material characteristics of the target concrete member. The lateral constraint reinforcement effect was investigated through the evaluation of the performance of normal concrete and those with improved durability through fiber reinforcement. The reinforcement effect was 3.15 times for normal concrete and 3.72 times for fiber reinforced concrete, and the difference in reinforcement effect due to the improvement of the durability characteristics of the compression member was not significant. Lastly, the performance of the BFRP was compared with the results of the GFRP reinforcement from the previous study. The effect of the BFRP reinforcement was 1.18 times better than that of the GFRP reinforcement.