• Title/Summary/Keyword: Epidemic

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Coronaviruses: SARS, MERS and COVID-19 (코로나바이러스: 사스, 메르스 그리고 코비드-19)

  • Kim, Eun-Joong;Lee, Dongsup
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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    • v.52 no.4
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    • pp.297-309
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    • 2020
  • Coronaviruses were originally discovered as enzootic infections that limited to their natural animal hosts, but some strains have since crossed the animal-human species barrier and progressed to establish zoonotic diseases. Accordingly, cross-species barrier jumps resulted in the appearance of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 that manifest as virulent human viruses. Coronaviruses contain four main structural proteins: spike, membrane, envelope, and nucleocapsid protein. The replication cycle is as follows: cell entry, genome translation, replication, assembly, and release. They were not considered highly pathogenic to humans until the outbreaks of SARS-CoV in 2002 in Guangdong province, China. The consequent outbreak of SARS in 2002 led to an epidemic with 8,422 cases, and a reported worldwide mortality rate of 11%. MERS-CoVs is highly related to camel CoVs. In 2019, a cluster of patients infected with 2019-nCoV was identified in an outbreak in Wuhan, China, and soon spread worldwide. 2019-nCoV is transmitted through the respiratory tract and then induced pneumonia. Molecular diagnosis based on upper respiratory region swabs is used for confirmation of this virus. This review examines the structure and genomic makeup of the viruses as well as the life cycle, diagnosis, and potential therapy.

Park Se-chae's Theory of Rituals and eclectic features (남계 박세채의 예론과 고금절충론적 특징)

  • Yi, Nam-ok
    • (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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    • no.68
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    • pp.209-235
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    • 2017
  • This study was conducted for a review of Park Se-chae's Theory of Rituals and eclectic features. He was in agreement with Song Si-yeol's allegation and Seoin's theory of rituals(西人禮論) in the 1659 controversy over propriety(己亥禮訟) and the 1674 controversy over propriety(甲寅禮訟). After that, he was cautious and criticized for Song's claims in 1683 discussion of Hyojong's sacrifices and Taejo's posthumous name. This tendency can be seen in his paper of rituals. He wrote "服制私議"(Private opinion of mourning clothes) etc. in his early life and wrote "關西昏喪契約束"(Covenant on wedding ceremonies and mourning ceremonies in the Gwanse province), "喪祭値疫痘說"(Mourning ceremonies and sacrifice when there is an epidemic) etc. in his later life. By comparing the books, we can identify changes in Park Se-chae's eclectic features. Early in life, he reviewed Gorye(古禮, Rituals of the old such as Liji) and the timely institutions(時制) on the "朱子家禮"(A book written by Zhuzi about family rituals). However, later in life, he reviewed Gorye and the Zhuzi Jiali on the timely institutions. The following is a summary of the above. His theory of rituals can be said that the eclectic features have changed from 'on Zhuzi Jiali' to 'on the timely institution'.

Modeling for Nuclear Energy for IoT Systems as Green Fuels in Mitigating COVID-19 (COVID-19 완화를 위한 녹색 연료로서 IoT 시스템용 원자력 에너지 모델링)

  • Jang, Kyung Bae;Baek, Chang Hyun;Woo, Tae Ho
    • Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.13-19
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    • 2021
  • It is analyzed that the energy pattern is affected by the social matters of the disease trend where the energy consumption has been reduced following the depression of the national economy. The campaign of social distance for the people has been done by voluntary or legally due to the epidemic of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some economic stimulus policies have been done in some countries including the United States, South Korea, and some others. It is shown the susceptible, infectious, and recovered (SIR) modeling applied by system dynamics (SD) where the logical modeling is constructed with S, I, and R. Especially, the I is connected with Society including Population, Race, and Maturity. In addition, Economy and Politics are connected to Income, GDP, Resources, President, Popularity, Ruling Government, and Leadership. The graph shows the big jump on 2020 April when is the starting month of the S value multiplication. This shows the effect of the COVID-19 and its related post-pandemic trend. The trends of OECD and non-OECD are very similar and the effect of the virus hazards causes significantly to the economic depressions.

Big Data based Epidemic Investigation Support System using Mobile Network Data (이동통신 데이터를 활용한 빅데이터 기반 역학조사지원 시스템)

  • Lee, Min-woo;Kim, Ye-ji;Yi, Jae-jin;Moon, Kyu-hwan;Hwang, SeonBae;Jun, Yong-joo;Hahm, Yu-Kun
    • The Journal of Bigdata
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.187-199
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    • 2020
  • The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11. South Korea recorded 27,000 cases of the coronavirus illness, and more than 50 million coronavirus cases were confirmed all over the world. An epidemiological investigation becomes important once again due to the spread of COVID-19 infections. However, there were a number of confirmed coronavirus cases from Deagu and Gyeongbuk. Limitations of the epidemiological investigation methods were recognized. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency developed the Epidemiological Investigation Support System(EISS) to utilize the smart city data hub technology and utilized the system in the epidemiological investigation. As a part of EISS, The proposed system is big-data bsed epidemiological investigation support system processing mobile network data. The established system is the epidemiological investigation support system based on big data to process mobile carriers' big data. Processing abnormal values of mobile carriers' data which was impossible with existing staff or creating hotspot regions where more than two people were in contact with an infected person were realized. As a result, our system processes outlier of mobile network data in 30 seconds, while processes hotspot around in 10 minutes. as a first time to adapt and support bigdata system into epidemiological investigation, our system proposes the practical utilizability of big-data system into epidemiological investigation.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Influenza in Children during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Influenza Seasons in Jeju, Korea (2017-2018, 2018-2019 절기 제주 지역 소아 인플루엔자의 역학적 특성)

  • Kim, Yoon-Joo;Choe, Young June;Choi, Jae Hong
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.171-179
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    • 2020
  • Purpose: In Korea, seasonal influenza is an important respiratory illness afflicting children every year. We aimed to investigate the childhood epidemiology in Jeju during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. Methods: Children aged <13 years, who were tested for influenza at the Jeju National University Hospital during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 influenza seasons, were included. Demographics and the influenza test results were retrospectively reviewed from their medical records. Results: This study included 5,219 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) (2017-2018: n=2,279; 2018-2019: n=2,940). The mean age of the eligible children was 2.85±2.79 years, and the most common age among ILI patients in each season was 1 year group. There were 902 (17.3%, 902/5,219) confirmed influenza cases during the 2 seasons. The rate of influenza confirmed by rapid influenza diagnostic test or polymerase chain reaction among ILI patients in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons was 10.4% (236/2,279) and 10.3% (303/2,940) for influenza A, and 9.1% (208/2,279) and 5.3% (155/2,940) for influenza B, respectively. The mean age of influenza-confirmed cases was 4.09 years and 5.05 years in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons, respectively (P<0.05). Weekly distribution of influenza was similar to that of ILI in the clinical sentinel surveillance system in both seasons. Conclusion: The difference in the influenza epidemic trend and age-group distribution between the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons was distinct in Jeju. Steady epidemiological studies on influenza in Jeju are needed for comparison with other regions of Korea.

A Movement Tracking Model for Non-Face-to-Face Excercise Contents (비대면 운동 콘텐츠를 위한 움직임 추적 모델)

  • Chung, Daniel;Cho, Mingu;Ko, Ilju
    • KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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    • v.10 no.6
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    • pp.181-190
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    • 2021
  • Sports activities conducted by multiple people are difficult to proceed in a situation where a widespread epidemic such as COVID-19 is spreading, and this causes a lack of physical activity in modern people. This problem can be overcome by using online exercise contents, but it is difficult to check detailed postures such as during face-to-face exercise. In this study, we present a model that detects posture and tracks movement using IT system for better non-face-to-face exercise content management. The proposed motion tracking model defines a body model with reference to motion analysis methods widely used in physical education and defines posture and movement accordingly. Using the proposed model, it is possible to recognize and analyze movements used in exercise, know the number of specific movements in the exercise program, and detect whether or not the exercise program is performed. In order to verify the validity of the proposed model, we implemented motion tracking and exercise program tracking programs using Azure Kinect DK, a markerless motion capture device. If the proposed motion tracking model is improved and the performance of the motion capture system is improved, more detailed motion analysis is possible and the number of types of motions can be increased.

Identification of a conservative site in the African swine fever virus p54 protein and its preliminary application in a serological assay

  • Xu, Lingyu;Cao, Chenfu;Yang, Zhiyi;Jia, Weixin
    • Journal of Veterinary Science
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.55.1-55.12
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    • 2022
  • Background: ASF was first reported in Kenya in 1910 in 1921. In China, ASF spread to 31 provinces including Henan and Jiangsu within six months after it was first reported on August 3, 2018. The epidemic almost affected the whole China, causing direct economic losses of tens of billions of yuan. Cause great loss to our pig industry. As ELISA is cheap and easy to operate, OIE regards it as the preferred serological method for ASF detection. P54 protein has good antigenicity and is an ideal antigen for detection. Objective: To identify a conservative site in the African swine fever virus (ASFV) p54 protein and perform a Cloth-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting the ASFV antibody in order to reduce risks posed by using the live virus in diagnostic assays. Method: We used bioinformatics methods to predict the antigen epitope of the ASFV p54 protein in combination with the antigenic index and artificially synthesized the predicted antigen epitope peptides. Using ASFV-positive serum and specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), we performed indirect ELISA and blocking ELISA to verify the immunological properties of the predicted epitope polypeptide. Results: The results of our prediction revealed that the possible antigen epitope regions were A23-29, A36-45, A72-94, A114-120, A124-130, and A137-150. The indirect ELISA showed that the peptides A23-29, A36-45, A72-94, A114-120, and A137-150 have good antigenicity. Moreover, the A36-45 polypeptide can react specifically with the mAb secreted by hybridoma cells, and its binding site contains a minimum number of essential amino acids in the sequence 37DIQFINPY44. Conclusions: Our study confirmed a conservative antigenic site in the ASFV p54 protein and its amino acid sequence. A competitive ELISA method for detecting ASFV antibodies was established based on recombinant p54 and matching mAb. Moreover, testing the protein sequence alignment verified that the method can theoretically detect antibodies produced by pigs affected by nearly all ASFVs worldwide.

The Effect Analysis of COVID-19 vaccination on social distancing (코로나19 백신접종이 사회적 거리두기 효과에 미치는 영향분석)

  • Moon, Su Chan
    • Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.67-75
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    • 2022
  • The purpose of this study is to present an appropriate management plan as a supplement to the scientific evidence of the currently operated distancing system for preventing COVID-19. The currently being used mathematical models are expressed as simultaneous ordinary differential equations, there is a problem in that it is difficult to use them for the management of entry and exit of small business owners. In order to supplement this point, in this paper, a method for quantitatively expressing the risk of infection by people who gather is presented in consideration of the allowable risk given to the gathering space, the basic infection reproduction index, and the risk reduction rate due to vaccination. A simple quantitative model was developed that manages the probability of infection in a probabilistic level according to a set of visitors by considering both the degree of infection risk according to the vaccination status (non-vaccinated, primary inoculation, and complete vaccination) and the epidemic status of the virus. In a given example using the model, the risk was reduced to 55% when 20% of non-vaccinated people were converted to full vaccination. It was suggested that management in terms of quarantine can obtain a greater effect than medical treatment. Based on this, a generalized model that can be applied to various situations in consideration of the type of vaccination and the degree of occurrence of confirmed cases was also presented. This model can be used to manage the total risk of people gathered at a certain space in a real time, by calculating individual risk according to the type of vaccine, the degree of inoculation, and the lapse of time after inoculation.

Genome characterization and mutation analysis of human influenza A virus in Thailand

  • Rattanaburi, Somruthai;Sawaswong, Vorthon;Nimsamer, Pattaraporn;Mayuramart, Oraphan;Sivapornnukul, Pavaret;Khamwut, Ariya;Chanchaem, Prangwalai;Kongnomnan, Kritsada;Suntronwong, Nungruthai;Poovorawan, Yong;Payungporn, Sunchai
    • Genomics & Informatics
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.21.1-21.14
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    • 2022
  • The influenza A viruses have high mutation rates and cause a serious health problem worldwide. Therefore, this study focused on genome characterization of the viruses isolated from Thai patients based on the next-generation sequencing technology. The nasal swabs were collected from patients with influenza-like illness in Thailand during 2017-2018. Then, the influenza A viruses were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and isolated by MDCK cells. The viral genomes were amplified and sequenced by Illumina MiSeq platform. Whole genome sequences were used for characterization, phylogenetic construction, mutation analysis and nucleotide diversity of the viruses. The result revealed that 90 samples were positive for the viruses including 44 of A/H1N1 and 46 of A/H3N2. Among these, 43 samples were successfully isolated and then the viral genomes of 25 samples were completely amplified. Finally, 17 whole genomes of the viruses (A/H1N1, n=12 and A/H3N2, n=5) were successfully sequenced with an average of 232,578 mapped reads and 1,720 genome coverage per sample. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the A/H1N1 viruses were distinguishable from the recommended vaccine strains. However, the A/H3N2 viruses from this study were closely related to the recommended vaccine strains. The nonsynonymous mutations were found in all genes of both viruses, especially in hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. The nucleotide diversity analysis revealed negative selection in the PB1, PA, HA, and NA genes of the A/H1N1 viruses. High-throughput data in this study allow for genetic characterization of circulating influenza viruses which would be crucial for preparation against pandemic and epidemic outbreaks in the future.

Approaches to Digital Health Passport for Healthy Travel in the the Era of COVID-19 (COVID-19시대에 건강한 여행을 위한 Digital Health Passport에 대한 접근법)

  • Yim, Myung-Seong
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.19 no.5
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    • pp.81-92
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    • 2021
  • The purpose of this study is to present an approach to the "Digital Health Passport" (DHP), which will be the most important in the change of the travel industry among the sudden environmental changes brought about by COVID-19. To this end, this study reviewed a variety of empirical literature on DHP, and proposed a framework for DHP based on literature review. The framework is composed of travel intention, health information provision intention, and new technology acceptance/adoption of tourists. First, in terms of travel intention, providing information to DHP should not undermine the travel intention of the travelers. It should be possible to facilitate the travelers' enjoyment by using the information provided by the traveler. In addition, there is a need to assure that the data provided by travelers is managed in a reliable way. Second, it is necessary to understand why the travelers want to provide additional personal information (information disclosure), rather than seeing healthcare information only in terms of mandatory information provision. Finally, from the perspective of new technology, it is necessary to understand the intention of travelers to use/adopt DHP. The key implication of this work is that it proposed a DHP framework for realizing the travel bubble to predict and respond to foreign travelers' behaviors.