• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.540-547
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• 2024

The continuous use of polymer materials has exacerbated waste and environmental challenges, spurring a growing interest in eco-friendly polymers, especially biodegradable polymers. These polymers are gaining attention for their potential as antimicrobial agents, particularly in fields like food packaging a need further underscored by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This study focuses on the development of an antibacterial polymer by combining poly-butylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) with zinc pyrithione (ZnPt). The antibacterial properties were assessed through turbidity analysis, the shaking flask method, and the film adhesion method. The antibacterial activities of the composites with varying ZnPt% (w/w) contents (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) were evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Results revealed that even at a low concentration of 0.1% (w/w), the composites demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli). Composites with ZnPt concentrations of 0.3% (w/w) or higher achieved over 99.999% antibacterial efficacy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis of the fracture surfaces of the composites confirmed the uniform distribution of ZnPt particles, ranging from 1-4 ㎛. Further FE-SEM analysis of bacterial suspensions exposed to the composite surfaces showed clear evidence of cell wall destruction in both E. coli and S. aureus. As an antimicrobial biodegradable polymer, PBAT-ZnPt composites show great promise for applications in various sectors, including food packaging.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.159-178
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• 2021

This study analyzed issues and trends related to ports with 86,611 news articles for the 30 years from 1991 to 2020, using BIGKinds, a big data news analysis service. The analysis was based on keyword analysis, word cloud, relationship diagram analysis offered by BIG Kinds. Analysis results of issues and trends on ports for the last 30 years are summarized as follows. First, during Phase 1 (1991-2000), individual ports such as Busan, Incheon, and Gwangyang ports tried to strengthen their own competitiveness. During Phase 2 (2001-2010), efforts were made on gaining more professional and specialized port management abilities by establishing the Busan Port Authority in 2004, the Incheon Port Authority in 2005, and the Ulsan Port Authority in 2007. During Phase 3 (2011-2020), the promotion of future-oriented, eco-friendly, and smart ports was major issues. Efforts to reduce particulate matters and pollutants produced from ports were accelerated, and an attempt to build a smart port driven by port automation and digitalization was also intensified. Lastly, in 2020, when the maritime sector was severely hit by the unexpected shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, a microscopic analysis of trends and issues in 2019 and 2020 was made to look into the impact the pandemic on the maritime industry. It was found that shipping and port industries experienced more drastic changes than ever while trying to prepare for a post-pandemic era as well as promoting future-oriented ports. This study made policy suggestions by analyzing port-related news articles and trends, and it is expected that based on the findings of this research, further studies on enhancing the competitiveness of ports and devising a sustainable development strategy will follow through a comparative analysis of port issues of different countries, thereby making further progress toward academic research on ports.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.131-150
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to find a countermeasure to the U.S. import refusals for the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry. To this end, an analysis of trends during the pandemic was conducted using the KITA Border Rejection Database, which includes information on items and types of import refusals. The reason for rejection was also analyzed according to the FDA violation codes. The degree of countermeasure for import refusals was identified by measuring the unit rejection rate (URR). The results of the analysis showed that the major U.S. import refusals for the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry had expanded from contact lenses to COVID-19 diagnostic kits and drugs after the pandemic broke out. The major reasons for import refusals were non-compliance with the Predicate Device and Drugs Act and non-approval by the FDA for products and facilities. On the other hand, the unit rejection rate (URR) of major items in the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry was measured higher than the industry average. The results therefore showed a low level of response to U.S. import refusals. The results of the analysis of reasons for import refusals by item according to FDA violation codes were as follows. First of all, the main violation for contact lenses and COVID-19 diagnostic kits corresponded to misbranding. This was often due to the fact that Korean companies did not provide the relevant notices and information required by the FDA. Many cases also failed to demonstrate a substantial equivalency compared to predicate devices already on the market. On the other hand, applications for new unapproved drugs were not accepted as they had yet to pass relevant regulations that would prove their safety and efficacy. In conclusion, import refusals for the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry were found to be closely related to technical barriers to trade (TBT).

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.39-49
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• 2021

Purpose: The negative pressure isolation ward is a key facility in preparedness and response to infectious diseases. For the sustainable operation of the facility, appropriate facility improvement is required. The experience of medical staff responding to infectious diseases in the COVID-19 pandemic provides effective informations for facility planning. Methods: The post occupancy evaluation (POE) was conducted by interviewing medical staff who is working on Nationally designated negative pressure isolation ward in general hospital. Floor plan analysis was conducted before field surveys for identifying facility characteristic and spatial composition. After that, field surveys were conducted at 3 hospitals, and interviews and fieldwork were conducted together. Results: It is necessary to increase the standard size of ward area from 15m² to 20m². The size of the doffing room has to be planned for accommodation of two or more people. Equipment storage, clean storage and waste storage also should be properly planned. There were almost no problems with the circulation in the ward. There was not enough space for medical staff. Implications: For a sustainable and safe negative pressure isolation ward planning, it is necessary to exploit learning from the medical staffs who have many experiences of coping with infectious diseases.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.140-149
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• 2021

Background: The aim of these two (pre COVID-19 pandemic) public health studies in Amsterdam were to promote the profession of the oral hygienist and to increase oral health care awareness among (pregnant) women and young mothers, who were visitors of public consumer's exhibitions. Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were carried out. In 2018, during the first study, 1,765 visitors of the Household Fair completed a questionnaire. In 2020, during Study 2, 304 visitors of the Nine-Month Fair completed a semi-structured online questionnaire. At both fairs a team of 'outspoken' oral hygienists, i.e., members of the Foundation 'Goed Gebekt', provided the visitors with tailored advices about general health related to adults, mothers', and their children' oral health, using natural routine interviewing, that was based on their own professional daily practical experience. Results: In Study 1, just over half (53.5%) of a total of 1,742 visitors, (85.7% female) was younger than 45 years old. In Study 2, 210 visitors with a mean age of 30.7 years were included. Most women reported their self-perceived oral health as 'good' (mean=8.0, standard deviation=1.3; range 3~10). Qualified (self) employed oral hygienists seem to be known among the visitors, but still only visited upon referral of the dentists. Up to the age of 18 reimbursements by the basic insurance is still unknown to the public. Conclusion: The Foundation 'Goed Gebekt' encourages other oral hygienists to make their own initiatives and experiences public and to share it. Public awareness is needed for oral health promotion and the development of optimally targeted interventions among (pregnant) women and young mothers by oral hygienists.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.78-104
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• 2021

Purpose - Semiconductors are a significant export item for Korea that is expected to continue to contribute significantly to the Korean economy in the future. Thus, the semiconductor industry is a critical component in the 4th Industrial Revolution and is expected to continue growing as the non-face-to-face economy expands as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, this paper aims to empirically investigate how semiconductors are imported and exported in Korea from a global supply chain perspective by analysing import and export data at the micro-level. Design/methodology - This study conducts a multifaceted analysis of the global supply chain for semiconductors and related equipment in Korea by examining semiconductor imports and exports by semiconductor type, year, target country, mode of transportation, airport/port, and domestic region, using import/export micro-data. The visualisation, flow analysis, and Bayesian Network methodologies were used to compensate for the limitations of each method. Findings - Korea is a major exporter of semiconductor memory and has the world's highest competitiveness but is relatively weak in the field of system semiconductors. The trade deficit in 'semiconductor equipment and parts' is clearly growing. As a result, continued investment in 'system semiconductors' and 'semiconductor equipment and parts' technology development is necessary to boost exports and ensure a stable supply chain. Originality/value - Few papers on semiconductor trade in Korea have been published from the perspective of the global supply chain or value chain. This study contributes to the literature in this area by focusing on import and export data for the global supply chain of the Korean semiconductor industry using a variety of approaches. It is our hope that the insights gained from this study will aid in the advancement of SCM research.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.282-289
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• 2021

A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused a worldwide pandemic. Our aim in this study is to produce new fusion inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2, which can be the basis for developing new antiviral drugs. The fusion core comprising the heptad repeat domains (HR1 and HR2) of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) were used to design the peptides. A total of twelve peptides were generated, comprising a short or truncated 24-mer (peptide #1), a long 36-mer peptide (peptide #2), and ten peptide #2 analogs. In contrast to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 S-mediated cell-cell fusion cannot be inhibited with a minimal length, 24-mer peptide. Peptide #2 demonstrated potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 S-mediated cell-cell fusion at 1 µM concentration. Three peptide #2 analogs showed IC50 values in the low micromolar range (4.7-9.8 µM). Peptide #2 inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus assay at IC50=1.49 µM. Given their potent inhibition of viral activity and safety and lack of cytotoxicity, these peptides provide an attractive avenue for the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.295-303
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• 2021

The relevance of the research is due to the fact that the issue of poverty is one of the most acute social problems of the beginning of the third millennium. The phenomenon of poverty is widespread in third world countries as well as it is observed in relatively developed countries. Poverty rates in Latin America are threatening. Consequently, the issue of social and economic inequality in these countries has become extremely acute. The purpose of the research: to identify the causes of poverty and social inequality and substantiate the main directions of poverty reduction in third world countries. The research methods: comparative analysis; index method; systematization; grouping; generalization. Results. The classification of the causes of poverty has been carried out and the directions of its overcoming in the countries of Latin America on groups of indicators have been defined, namely: 1) political; 2) economic; 3) demographic; 4) regional-geographical; 5) social; 6) qualification; 7) personal. Based on the Net Domestic Product indicator, a comparison of economic indicators of the studied countries has been carried out. It has been revealed that from 1990 to 2018 income inequality increased in 52 of 119 countries studied, and decreased in 57 states. Inequality has increased in the world's most populous countries, particularly China and India. In general, countries with growing inequality are home to more than two-thirds (71%) of the world's population. Trends in the distribution of income in the world have been investigated by applying the Gini index, the high level of which is observed in Latin America (Colombia 48,9%, Panama 46,1%, Chile and Mexico 45,9%). The forecast of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on this issue has been outlined; the ways of its impact on the economies of the countries have been studied. As a result of the study, the main directions and mechanisms of the strategy for poverty reduction and social inequality in the third world countries have been identified. The implementation of the poverty reduction strategy presented in this academic paper may have a positive impact on the economic situation of the population of Latin American countries.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2020

Objectives: Many fields have changed since covid-19, psychotherapy being no exception. With the pandemic associated increase in untact treatment, interest in virtual reality exposure therapy has also increased. The aim of study was to analyze recent literature using virtual reality therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Methods: We searched five databases from dates between October 1 to November 1, 2020. We selected articles related to the treatment of anxiety disorders using virtual reality therapy and analyzed the trend of that, not thesis but domestic articles. Results: There were 6 RCT studies and 3 were case reports where, based on the DSM-4, the participants presented with anxiety disorders including 2 with presentation anxiety, 1 heterosexual anxiety, 1 test anxiety, 1 social anxiety, 1 dental anxiety, 2 Acrophobia, and 1 social phobia. Treatment sessions varied from 1 session to 18 sessions, but 5 studies conducted 4 sessions, and all studies attempted virtual reality exposure for 30-minute time periods. 8 studies used HMD as the VR device and 1 study did not report a device. Conclusions: Anxiety disorders treated using virtual reality included speech anxiety and acrophobia. Median treatment session number was 4 and sessions were less than 30 minutes. The most common VR device used was an HMD. VR psychotherapy showed limitations relating to patient experience including cyber sickness and a lack of immersion. In addition, most of the studies were conducted with patients who visited hospitals utilizing Western medical practices. Currently, virtual reality therapy (VRT) intervention in oriental medicine is lacking. The lack of research in this area suggests analyzing data from VR psychotherapy in oriental medicine could provide novel and useful information.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2021

Contactless service is rapidly emerging as a new growth strategy due to consumers who are reluctant to the face-to-face situation in the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and various technologies are being developed to support the fast-growing contactless service market. In particular, the restaurant industry is one of the most desperate industrial fields requiring technologies for contactless service, and the representative technical case should be a kiosk, which has the advantage of reducing labor costs for the restaurant owners and provides psychological relaxation and satisfaction to the customer. In this paper, we propose a solution to the restaurant's store operation through the unmanned kiosk using a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technology of image recognition. Especially, for the products that do not have barcodes in bakeries, fresh foods (fruits, vegetables, etc.), and autonomous restaurants on highways, which cause increased labor costs and many hassles, our proposed system should be very useful. The proposed system recognizes products without barcodes on the ground of image-based AI algorithm technology and makes automatic payments. To test the proposed system feasibility, we established an AI vision system using a commercial camera and conducted an image recognition test by training object detection AI models using donut images. The proposed system has a self-learning system with mismatched information in operation. The self-learning AI technology allows us to upgrade the recognition performance continuously. We proposed a fully automated payment system with AI vision technology and showed system feasibility by the performance test. The system realizes contactless service for self-checkout in the restaurant business area and improves the cost-saving in managing human resources.