• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.481-491
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• 2024

Paxlovid is the first approved oral treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 and includes nirmatrelvir, a protease inhibitor targeting the main protease (M^pro) of SARS-CoV-2, as one of the key components. While some specific mutations emerged in M^pro were revealed to significantly reduce viral susceptibility to nirmatrelvir in vitro, there is no report regarding resistance to nirmatrelvir in patients and animal models for SARS-CoV-2 infection yet. We recently developed xenograft tumors derived from Calu-3 cells in immunodeficient mice and demonstrated extended replication of SARS-CoV-2 in the tumors. In this study, we investigated the effect of nirmatrelvir administration on SARS-CoV-2 replication. Treatment with nirmatrelvir after virus infection significantly reduced the replication of the parental SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 Omicron at 5 days post-infection (dpi). However, the virus titers were completely recovered at the time points of 15 and 30 dpi. The virus genomes in the tumors at 30 dpi were analyzed to investigate whether nirmatrelvir-resistant mutant viruses had emerged during the extended replication of SARS-CoV-2. Various mutations in several genes including ORF1ab, ORF3a, ORF7a, ORF7b, ORF8, and N occurred in the SARS-CoV-2 genome; however, no mutations were induced in the M^pro sequence by a single round of nirmatrelvir treatment, and none were observed even after two rounds of treatment. The parental SARS-CoV-2 and its sublineage isolates showed similar IC₅₀ values of nirmatrelvir in Vero E6 cells. Therefore, it is probable that inducing viral resistance to nirmatrelvir in vivo is challenging differently from in vitro passage.

• Sim-seong Yeon-gu
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.239-268
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• 2023

Humanity has faced destruction(chaos) due to catastrophes (Covid-19, war, earthquake) and awaits a new restoration. For civilizations and individuals, creation or creativity is essential to psychic development. Creativity is the driving force that renews an individual when a new stance and attitude of consciousness or a new adaptation to reality is desperately needed in the depth of the human mind. This article is the result of an exploration of the nature and characteristics of creativity presented by a series of four dreams. First, the definition and form of creativity were explored in the context of religion, mythology, and history of Eastern and Western. While Western mythology refers to creation or creativity originating from God, ancient China viewed creativity as expressed through the interaction of yin and yang, the movement of Tao. In East and West, the form of creation is divided into creation from nothing, creation from matter, and creation through dissolution from the matrix, which psychologically suggests that creativity or creation originates from the unconscious, the seedbed of infinite potential and creative power. Next, with insights from the second dream, the characteristics of creativity were discussed. Creativity occurs through transcendent function and 'going beyond the frame of reference,' that is, 'transgressivity.' Third, the nature of creativity was explored as the creativity of the unconscious aims for regeneration and drives the renewal of Self archetypal images within the collective and individuals. Ultimately, the creativity of the unconscious is the goal of the whole psyche and aims for individuation to become the whole. Realizing the creativity of the unconscious is the fate of humans as the second creator.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.149-164
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The economic recession caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic disproportionately affected poor and vulnerable populations globally. Better uunderstanding of vulnerability to shocks in food supply and demand in the Asia Pacific region is needed. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using secondary data from rapid assessment surveys during the pandemic response (n = 10,420 in mid-2020; n = 6,004 in mid-2021) in India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, this study examined the risk factors for reported income reduction or job loss in mid-2021 and the temporal trend in food security status (household food availability, and market availability and affordability of essential items) from mid-2020 to mid-2021. RESULTS: The proportion of job loss/reduced household income was highest in India (60.4%) and lowest in Indonesia (39.0%). Urban residence (odds ratio [OR] range, 2.20-4.11; countries with significant results only), female respondents (OR range, 1.40-1.69), engagement in daily waged labor (OR range, 1.54-1.68), and running a small trade/business (OR range, 1.66-2.71) were significantly associated with income reduction or job loss in three out of 4 countries (all P < 0.05). Food stock availability increased significantly in 2021 compared to 2020 in all four countries (OR range, 1.91-4.45) (all P < 0.05). Availability of all essential items at markets increased in India (OR range, 1.45-3.99) but decreased for basic foods, hygiene items, and medicine in Vietnam (OR range, 0.81-0.86) in 2021 compared to 2020 (all P < 0.05). In 2021, the affordability of all essential items significantly improved in India (OR range, 1.18-3.49) while the affordability of rent, health care, and loans deteriorated in Indonesia (OR range, 0.23-0.71) when compared to 2020 (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term social protection programs need to be carefully designed and implemented to address food insecurity among vulnerable groups, considering each country's market conditions, consumer food purchasing behaviors, and financial support capacity.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.379-386
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to pay attention to the increase in the frequency of expression of butterflies and insects, whose decrease in the number of individuals is symbolized as a measure of environmental pollution, among the various motifs of nature as we go through the COVID-19, when we realized the importance of nature. The scope of this study was limited to fashion collection fashion show photos and interview articles of online for fashion collections from 2019 to 2023. As a result of the study, 185 butterfly motivation fashion design appeared, and digital printing techniques were the most used as a type of plane expression method. Along with this, techniques such as quilting, embroidery, and beading have appeared a lot as techniques to express the planar motif of butterflies. As for the three-dimensional expression types, 3D printing, laser cutting, corsage techniques, and draping techniques showed similar proportion. It can be seen that the expressed butterfly motif had more realistic description the shape of the butterfly as it was than abstract expressions. In conclusion, it can be seen that the butterfly motif fashion design over the past five years contains a stronger message about the environment than the butterfly motif fashion in the past. It was confirmed that it is a motif with a great symbolic meaning that can convey an eco-friendly message beyond just the morphological beauty and colorful design elements of the butterfly.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.69-80
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• 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of remote education, yet the adoption rate of AI in the educational sector remains relatively low, and studies into learners' familiarity with using AI learning robots are scarce. In response, this study analyzes the factors influencing users' familiarity with AI learning robots in a smart learning environment tailored to the untact era. To this end, social big data analysis was used to examine changes in public perception and the frequency of mentions of smart learning and AI learning robots. The results showed that positive perceptions of smart learning significantly outweigh negative ones, reflecting the convenience and improved accessibility that technology brings to education. However, there is also a considerable negative perception attached to smartphone use, which is interpreted as reflecting concerns that smartphones may disrupt learning and bring other negative aspects of technology dependence. These results indicate mixed social concerns and expectations regarding the educational use of smart learning and AI technologies. The effective introduction and use of AI learning robots, especially in smart learning environments, necessitate considering these social perceptions. This study provides foundational data for the effective implementation and use of AI learning robots in smart learning environments and suggests the need for approaches that primarily consider users' familiarity and social perceptions in the development of educational technologies.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the role of student immediacy in learning-related positive affective experiences in the technology-mediated education context. In particular, perceived social presence was expected to mediate the relationship between student immediacy and positive affect. Moreover, we hypothesized the moderating role of technology readiness in the relationship between student immediacy and perceived social presence. To test this hypothesis, a survey of approximately 500 undergraduate students who have attended non-face-to-face online courses was conducted. The results revealed that social presence fully mediated the relationship between immediacy and positive affect. That is, students who scored high on the immediacy scale tended to experience a greater level of social presence during online classes; consequently, they tended to demonstrate more positive affect. As expected, technology readiness moderated the relationship between immediacy and social presence. Unlike previous studies that mainly focused on instructor immediacy, the present study contributed to immediacy literature by empirically testing the positive effect of student immediacy on learning. Furthermore, this study revealed the potential importance of communication competence and its progress in predicting student participation and satisfaction, which could have been changed since the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.319-341
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• 2024

The utilization of multispectral imaging systems (MIS) in remote sensing has become crucial for large-scale agricultural operations, particularly for diagnosing plant health, monitoring crop growth, and estimating plant phenotypic traits through vegetation indices (VIs). However, environmental factors can significantly affect the accuracy of multispectral reflectance data, leading to potential errors in VIs and crop status assessments. This paper reviewed the complex interactions between environmental conditions and multispectral sensors emphasizing the importance of accounting for these factors to enhance the reliability of reflectance data in agricultural applications.An overview of the fundamentals of multispectral sensors and the operational principles behind vegetation index (VI) computation was reviewed. The review highlights the impact of environmental conditions, particularly solar zenith angle (SZA), on reflectance data quality. Higher SZA values increase cloud optical thickness and droplet concentration by 40-70%, affecting reflectance in the red (-0.01 to 0.02) and near-infrared (NIR) bands (-0.03 to 0.06), crucial for VI accuracy. An SZA of 45° is optimal for data collection, while atmospheric conditions, such as water vapor and aerosols, greatly influence reflectance data, affecting forest biomass estimates and agricultural assessments. During the COVID-19 lockdown,reduced atmospheric interference improved the accuracy of satellite image reflectance consistency. The NIR/Red edge ratio and water index emerged as the most stable indices, providing consistent measurements across different lighting conditions. Additionally, a simulated environment demonstrated that MIS surface reflectance can vary 10-20% with changes in aerosol optical thickness, 15-30% with water vapor levels, and up to 25% in NIR reflectance due to high wind speeds. Seasonal factors like temperature and humidity can cause up to a 15% change, highlighting the complexity of environmental impacts on remote sensing data. This review indicated the importance of precisely managing environmental factors to maintain the integrity of VIs calculations. Explaining the relationship between environmental variables and multispectral sensors offers valuable insights for optimizing the accuracy and reliability of remote sensing data in various agricultural applications.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.47-60
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine students' experiences in the dietary life class using traditional Korean desserts in middle school home economics classes. Participatory observation, in-depth interview, and site data collected in this study were analyzed through emic coding, and the results are as follows. First, students had 'expectations about Han-gwa lab classes.' Students were always positive about lab classes, looking forward to eating delicious food and eagerly awaiting their first lab class since entering middle school. Additionally, there were many students who were experiencing Han-gwa for the first time, so expectations about learning about Han-gwa were high. Second, students engaged in 'self-directed learning through the Han-gwa project.' In other words, while creating an activity book about Han-gwa, the students realized self-directed learning about the differences between Han-gwa and Yang-gwa (Western-style sweets), and the scientific principles of cooking Han-gwa. Third, students had 'instilled pride in Han-gwa through lab classes.' The students learned that there was sufficient awareness and change in values to cherish Han-gwa and to inherit its traditions. Fourth, there was a 'potential curriculum effect.' Students who did not experience face-to-face group activities for three years in middle school due to COVID-19 came to recognize the importance of collaboration and even tried making Han-gwa at home. In order for students to have pride in Han-gwa, it was confirmed that it was necessary for home economics teachers at school to actively teach classes on traditional foods and provide students with many opportunities to encounter them.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.361-373
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• 2024

Advertising on the exterior of buses was initiated in 1985 with the aim of generating operational funds for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. However, despite numerous technological advancements, the regulations governing the method (sheet attachment), area, and placement of exterior advertising on buses have remained unchanged to date. This has constrained the potential for profitability and efficiency in bus exterior advertising. According to Seoul Metropolitan Government, metro usage increased by 23 % in 2019 (prior to the COVID-19) compared to 2006, while bus usage decreased by 10 %. Consequently, financial subsidy for buses surged significantly over the past five years (2018-2022), averaging around KRW 450 billion, which is approximately 1.27 times the average for the preceding decade (2013-2022). The majority of revenue for bus transportation agencies is derived from passenger fares (81.1 %) and subsidies from Seoul City (17.5 %). Hence, it is imperative to enhance the share of revenue from sources other than fares. This study proposes an expansion of the role of bus exterior advertising by increasing the advertising area as a means to increase non-fare revenue. Two alternatives were proposed to expand the advertising area by 17 % and 94 %, respectively, compared to the current level, and their potential impacts were analyzed. The findings indicate that advertising revenue could increase from a minimum of KRW 3.2 billion to a maximum of KRW 53.9 billion, and public subsidies could be reduced by as much as 11.9 %. The bus exterior advertising can serve as an effective approach to diversify transportation revenue and decrease public subsidies.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.11.1-11.9
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• 2022

Background: Although coronavirus disease 2019 is causing a variety of psychological problems for workers, there are few longitudinal studies on changes in workers' mental health by workplace intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the change in the prevalence of depression and anxiety according to the active involvement of the workplace. Methods: This study was conducted on 1,978 workers at a workplace who underwent a health screening from January 2019 to August 2020, and classified depression and anxiety disorders using a self-report questionnaire. After the first pandemic, the company stopped health screening, took paid leave and telecommuting, and conducted interventions such as operating its own screening clinic. To see if this workplace intervention affects workers' mental health, we conducted generalized estimating equations to compare odds ratio (OR). Results: In the pre-intervention group, 384 people (16.86%) had depression, and 507 people (22.26%) had anxiety disorder. Based on the OR before intervention, the OR of depression decreased to 0.76 (0.66-0.87) and the OR of anxiety disorder decreased to 0.73 (0.65-0.82). Conclusions: As a result of this study, it was confirmed that workplace intervention was related to a decrease in depression and anxiety. This study provides basic data to improve workers' mental health according to workplace intervention, and further research is needed according to workplace intervention in the future.