• Title/Summary/Keyword: Epidemic

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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.

A Study on the Skin Stress Recognition and Beauty Care Status due to Wearing Masks (안면 마스크 착용에 따른 피부 스트레스 인식도와 뷰티 케어 현황에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Hyeon-Suk
    • Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.465-475
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    • 2021
  • This study conducted an online and offline survey of 210 people from March 11 to 27, 2021 for the purpose of investigating and analyzing the current status of skin stress recognition and beauty care behavior due to wearing masks. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 with Cronbach's α, Frequency Analysis, Chi-square test, and One way Anova. The average daily mask wearing time of more than 7 hours during the Covid-19 period was 43.8%, and skin stress recognition by wearing masks was highest among those in their 30s (M=4.27) and service workers (M=4.64), and those with acne and skin troubles (M=4.47) perceived high stress. The most important factor for home care treatment was cleansing(67.6%) and for beauty care was skin care(36.7%). Considerations factors on beauty care were 54.3% for service and customer care capabilities, and on body shape management method 45.7% for exercise. According to this study, respondents are recognizing skin stress due to the long-term use of masks, and home care treatment has been increasing as the esthetic salon has become unstable to visit due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Meanings and Values of Korean Wave(Hallyu) for the Reunification of the South Korea and North Korea (통일과정에서의 한류의 의미와 가치)

  • Cho, Yong-Ki
    • Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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    • v.14 no.7
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    • pp.121-139
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    • 2020
  • A variety of the approaches to the unification of the South Korea and North Korea have been implemented based on both the view of the national-centered unification and that of the reunification of the South and North Korea as a unit of nation through political, economic, military and diplomatics. A culture itself plays a significant role for people to understand one another through communicating and sharing cultural values. At this point, Korean-Wave called'Hallyu' should have various meanings and values for the reunification of South and North Korea. It has been expanded to the world beyond Asia as an icon of the culture. In this situation, North Korea is not exceptional. In other words, North Korea should be influenced by the Korean wave. Sharing a cultural value about Korean-Wave between South and North Koreans would be a way to speed up the reunification by having a common sense about the national identifications. The culture of Hallyu reflecting on the national identification could be helpful to enhance national pride and play a part for curing for the scarlet letters that they have got since the Korea was divided by two parts. The North Korean government's distorted policy to have blamed for the South Korean governing would be challenged if the Korean-wave would be epidemic in the Korean peninsular. In addition, if the North Koreans would be perceptive to the real freedom and universal value for the humanity, it would be more feasible for two Koreas to be reunified than before. In fact, it must serve as a catalyst for the reunification, two Koreas experiencing the Korean wave as a cultural value. As a result, the reunification for the people should have a meaning of the universal value as like everyone in the world can pursue for their own happiness. Through the Hallyu, That is, the change of the people's perception to the reunification will facilitate the reunification of two Koreas more than we expected.

Evaluation on Immunopotentiation Activities of Combined Extract of Silkworm and Cinnamomum cassia in vivo (누에와 육계 복합 추출물의 in vivo 면역증진 기능성 연구)

  • Kim, Kyeong Jo;Park, Hae Jin;Kim, Il Gyu;Kim, Min Ju;Shin, Mi-Rae;Roh, Seong-Soo
    • The Korea Journal of Herbology
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.19-26
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    • 2018
  • Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the immunopotentiating activity of combine extract that Silkworm and Cinnamomum cassia. Recently, acute epidemic diseases such as cold and viral respiratory diseases have been emerging. So, interested in immunity enhancement has been increasing, and research on natural products to promote immunity activity has been actively conducted. Methods : To confirm the immunopotentiating activity effect, Silkworm (SW), Cinnamomum cassia (CC), and SWCC combined extracts were treated 14 days at 300 mg/kg/day. The changes of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in serum were analyzed after experiment. The changes in the total spleen cell number were measured. Immune cells in spleen were analyzed using fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). also, analyzed the expression of cytokines in spleen. Results : Total number of cells in the spleen and FACS analysis of T lymphocytes activated in the spleen showed that the SWCC combined treated group had much higher frequency of active cells than both single groups. The ratio of CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD69+ and CD4+CD25+ T cells in spleen, SWCC is higher than other groups except Nor in CD4+, CD4+CD69+, CD4+CD25+ T cells. The results of this study suggest that SWCC can help immune function via IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ cytokine production, increased T lymphocytes and splenocyte proliferation. Conclusion : Therefore, these results suggested that the SWCC combined extracts administration increase stronger immunity enhancement than when SW and CC adminstration.

The Gastroprotective and Antioxidative Effects of Lonicera japonica water extract on HCl/ethanol-induced Gastric Mucosa Damage in Rats (인동(忍冬) 열수 추출물의 항산화 효과 및 HCl-Ethanol로 유도된 위염 동물 모델에서의 위 점막 손상 보호 효과)

  • Sim, Mi-Ok;Lee, Hyun Joo;Jang, Ji Hun;Jung, Ho-Kyung;Yang, Beodul;Woo, Kyeong Wan;Hwang, Taeyeon;Kim, Sunyoung;Nho, Jonghyun;Cho, Hyun-Woo
    • The Korea Journal of Herbology
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    • v.34 no.6
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    • pp.57-62
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    • 2019
  • Objective : Gastritis is a major complication of gastrointestinal disease. Lonicera japonica is used in folk medicine to treat different diseases such as exopathogenic wind-heat, epidemic febrile diseases, sores, carbuncles and some infectious diseases. Therefore, this study examined the effects of Lonicera japonica water extract (LJE) on HCl/ethano-linduced acute gastric ulceration and anti-oxidants properties. Methods : LC-ESI-IT-TOF MS was employed for rapid identification of major compound from LJE. The antioxidant activities were evaluated through total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and radical scavenging assays and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. SD rats were randomly divided into five different groups including the normal group, ulcer group, positive group (20 kg/mg of omeprazole, ip), and experimental groups (100 kg/mg and 500 kg/mg of LJE, ip). Results : 4,5-Dicaffeoyl quinic acid, loganic acid, secologanic acid, sweroside, loganin, vogeloside were identified based on the detection of the molecular ion with those of literature data. The LJE was possessed free radical scavenging activities such as DPPH (IC50=189.7 ㎍/㎖), ABTS (IC50=164.5 ㎍/㎖), and SOD-like activity (IC50=405.02 ㎍/㎖). Macroscopic and histological analyses showed LJE treated group were significantly reduced to an extent that it allowed leukocytes penetration of the gastric walls compared with the ulcer group. In addition, an ulcer inhibition rate and prostaglandin E2 levels were increased in rats treated with LJE. Conclusion : The present study has demonstrated the antioxidantive and gastroprotective effect of LJE, these findings suggested that LJE has the potential for use in treatment of gastric disorders.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Negative Emotions in Korean College Students (코로나바이러스(COVID-19) 유행이 대학생의 부정정서에 미치는 영향)

  • Jang, Jun-Hyuk;Park, Seung-Hee;Kim, Jin-Hwi;Kim, Jongwan
    • Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.39-52
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    • 2021
  • This study aims to investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic on negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression, fear, and stress, in Korean college students. The study recruited students from J University and conducted interviews across three time points, namely, March 2019, March 2020, and November 2020. For three time points, the participants responded to structured questions about situations they may have encountered and they were asked to summarize their responses. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed to examine whether differences exist in negative emotions between time points. Furthermore, polynomial trend analyses were conducted to examine resultant patterns over time. The results revealed that negative emotions displayed significant differences between time points. Moreover, trend analyses revealed a curvilinear pattern, which indicates that negative emotions increased and were then sustained. These findings suggest that negative emotions may continue to become prevalent among college students with the increased impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The study discussed the need for psychological support systems, such as stress management and psychological counseling, for college students.