• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.351-360
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral premedication with ibuprofen on the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) using 2% lignocaine and 1:100000 epinephrine in tobacco-chewing (TC) and non-tobacco-chewing (NTC) patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) during nonsurgical endodontic intervention (NEI). Methods: This multicenter, prospective, double-blind, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 160 patients was conducted for a period of 9 months. The patients were classified into the study (TC patients) and control (NTC patients) groups, which were subdivided into two subgroups 1 hour before the procedure based on oral premedication with tab ibuprofen 600 mg. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Nicotine Scale. Patients were administered an IANB injection of 2% lignocaine containing epinephrine 1:100000 after premedication. Pulpal anesthesia before NEI was confirmed using electric pulp testing and cold spraying. Patients rated their pain on the 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) during NEI thrice at the dentin, pulp, and instrumentation levels. No pain at each level indicated the success of anesthesia. Results: The success and failure rates did not differ between the premedication and non-premedication subgroups in the TC or NTC groups (P > 0.05). However, the success rate was higher in the premedication subgroup of the NTC group (52.5%) than in the TC group (45%). Most patients with premedication experienced failure at the instrumentation level, whereas patients in the non-premedication group experienced pain at the dentin level. Failure rates of IANB did not differ significantly at different levels between the groups (P > 0.05). The mean VAS scores differed significantly at the dentin level in both groups, with lower values in the premedication group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The efficacy of ibuprofen premedication with IANB during NEI did not differ significantly between the TC and NTC patients with SIP. The effect of premedication was more significant in the NTC group than in the TC group. A causal relationship between nicotine consumption and the success of premedication could not be established, and further studies are required to validate the results of the present study.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.381-409
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• 2024

In co-authorship networks, temporal networks can be modeled by identifying the formation and dissolution (linking and removing) of co-authorship relationships over time from the publication year information of the papers. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze the overall research collaboration networks of data papers and articles from an evolutionary perspective for modeling the temporal network in terms of informetrics and investigating the dynamic and structural mechanisms of the temporal co-authorship network. For that purpose, Biodiversity Data Journal, a mixed data journal in the biodiversity domain was used as the unit of analysis in this study as this domain had proposed data paper as a new mechanism for data publication. In addition, bibliometric records of 247 data papers and 638 articles involving two or more researchers were collected from the Web of Science. The results indicated that the dynamic co-authorship networks of data papers and articles in the biodiversity domain exhibited the scale-free property of a complex network and the small-world property in the Watts-Strogatz sense during the network evolution. Also, both publication types kept the structure of locally cohesive author groups over time in the networks. The implementation of TTBC (Temporal Triadic Betweenness Centrality) has allowed for the examination and tracking of the evolutionary trends of important or influential time-dependent authors (nodes) by the target year. And last, visualization with a dynamic approach enabled a more effective identification of analysis results, such as the exhibited structural difference in the temporal co-authorship networks of data papers and articles in the biodiversity domain, which can be interpreted as the structural properties of the networks among collaborative researchers dealing with data.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.147-161
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• 2023

As global challenges, particularly climate change, become more pressing, there is a growing global awareness of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management. Given the crucial role played by the logistics industry in the complex network of the global supply chain, various societal stakeholders are emphasizing the necessity for logistics entities to practice ESG management. Despite the comprehensive ESG guidelines established by Korea for all enterprises, a notable limitation arises from its inadequate consideration of the distinctive features inherent to logistics enterprises, especially those of a smaller and medium scale. Accordingly, this study conducts a thorough examination of existing ESG guidelines, sustainable management approaches in large-scale logistics enterprises, and prior research to identify potential ESG management diagnostic criteria relevant to small and medium-sized logistics enterprises, including aspects such as Public(P), Environmental(E), Social(S), and Governance(G). To streamline the diagnostic criteria, taking into account the unique characteristics of small and medium-sized logistics enterprises, this study conducts a survey involving 60 logistics company personnel and experts from academic and research domains. The collected data undergoes Principal Component Analysis (PCA), revealing that the four dimensions of information disclosure can be consolidated into a single dimension. Additionally, environmental criteria reduce from 16 to 3 items, societal considerations decrease from 22 to 7 items, and governance structures distill from 20 to 5 items. This empirical endeavor is deemed significant in presenting tailored ESG management diagnostic criteria aligned with the specificities of small and medium-sized logistics enterprises. The findings of this study are expected to serve as a foundational resource for the development of guidelines by relevant entities, promoting the wider adoption of ESG management practices in the sphere of small and medium-sized logistics enterprises in the near future. population coming from areas other than Gwangyang, where Gwangyang Port is located.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.75
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• pp.127-152
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• 2023

Purpose of study: This study aims to explore 'labyrinth walking,' a lesser-known Christian spiritual practice within the Korean church. Additionally, it intends to propose ways for implementing labyrinth walking through literature reviews encompassing theory and practice. Research content and method: The article begins with its exploration by defining labyrinth walking from a historical perspective. It was a spiritual practice that existed in the Middle Ages, involving the traversal of a labyrinthine shape, typically a single path on the floor, often accompanied by prayer or contemplation. The contemporary spiritual practice of labyrinth walking was recovered and reinterpreted by Christian scholars and spiritual directors during the mid and late twentieth century. Additionally, within Christianity, labyrinth walking, rich with symbolism representing Jesus' suffering and salvation, baptism, pilgrimage, and purification, comprises five essential steps: preparing, walking with prayer or contemplation, remaining in the center, returning, and journaling and sharing. By merging pilgrimage, walking, prayer, and meditation, the practice of walking the labyrinth can enable people to have an opportunity for retreat, to encounter and be accompanied by God, to experience moments of serenity and healing, to reflect on themselves, to create life-transforming resolutions, and to build a sense of community. As a result, many Korean churches should acknowledge the value of and utilize labyrinth walking to nurture faith and spirituality. Conclusions and Suggestions: Accordingly, this paper suggests some practical ways to employ labyrinth walking as a form of prayer, part of a ritual or religious activity, an embodiment of pilgrimage, and a tranquil and nonverbal experience. Furthermore, the study recommends that Korean churches establish proper goals, consider essential principles for labyrinth design and installation, and follow specific guidelines while conducting labyrinth walks.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.227-243
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• 2024

This study aimed to evaluate pain assessment strategies and factors associated with outcomes after microvascular decompression for the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia in adults. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of English, Spanish, and French literature. We searched three databases, PubMed, Ovid, and EBSCO, from 2010 to 2022 and selected studies including patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia, clear pain assessment, and pain outcomes. Population means and standard deviations were calculated. Studies that included factors associated with postoperative outcomes were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 995 studies involving 5673 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia following microvascular decompression were included. Patients with arteries compressing the trigeminal nerve demonstrated optimal outcomes following microvascular decompression (odds ratio [OR]= 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.19-0.80; X² = 46.31; Dof = 15; I² = 68%; P = < 0.0001). Conversely, when comparing arterial vs venous compression of the trigeminal nerve (OR = 2.72; 95% CI = 1.16-6.38; X² = 23.23; Dof = 10; I² = 57%; P = 0.01), venous compression demonstrated poor outcomes after microvascular decompression. Additionally, when comparing single-vessel vs multiple-vessel compression (OR = 2.72; 95% CI = 1.18-6.25; X² = 21.17; Dof = 9; I² = 57%; P = 0.01), patients demonstrated unfavorable outcomes after microvascular decompression. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated factors associated with outcomes following microvascular decompression (MVD) for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN). Although MVD is an optimal treatment strategy for PTN, a gap exists in interpreting the results when considering the lack of evidence for most pain assessment strategies.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2024

Photo booths have traditionally provided a fun and easy way to capture and print photos to cherish memories. These booths allow individuals to capture their desired poses and props, sharing memories with friends and family. To enable diverse expressions, generative AI-powered photo booths have emerged. However, existing AI photo booths face challenges such as difficulty in taking group photos, inability to accurately reflect user's poses, and the challenge of applying different concepts to individual subjects. To tackle these issues, we present CINEMAPIC, a photo booth system that allows users to freely choose poses, positions, and concepts for their photos. The system workflow includes three main steps: pre-processing, generation, and post-processing to apply individualized concepts. To produce high-quality group photos, the system generates a transparent image for each character and enhances the backdrop-composited image through a small number of denoising steps. The workflow is accelerated by applying an optimized diffusion model and GPU parallelization. The system was implemented as a prototype, and its effectiveness was validated through a user study and a large-scale pilot operation involving approximately 400 users. The results showed a significant preference for the proposed system over existing methods, confirming its potential for real-world photo booth applications. The proposed CINEMAPIC photo booth is expected to lead the way in a more creative and differentiated market, with potential for widespread application in various fields.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.203-216
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Epidemiological investigations have shown positive correlations between increased diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in ambient air and adverse health outcomes. DEP are the major constituent of particulate atmospheric pollution and have been shown to induce proinflammatory responses both in the lung and systemically. Here, we report the effects of DEP exposure on the properties of human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), including stemness, regeneration, and immunomodulation. Methods and Results: Non-apoptotic concentrations of DEP (10 ㎍/ml) inhibited the migration and osteogenic differentiation capacity of WJ-MSCs. Gene expression profiling showed that DEP increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of pro-inflammatory and metabolic-process-related genes including cFos. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP showed impaired suppression of T cell proliferation that was reversed by inhibition of ROS or knockdown of cFos. ERK inhibition assay revealed that DEP-induced ROS regulated cFos through activation of ERK but not NF-κB signaling. Overall, low concentrations of DEP (10 ㎍/ml) significantly suppressed the stemness and immunomodulatory properties of WJ-MSCs through ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP impaired the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in experimental colitis mice, but was partly reversed by inhibition of ROS. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate that exposure to DEP enhances the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune responses through a mechanism involving the ROS/ERK/cFos pathway in WJ-MSCs, and that DEP-induced ROS damage impairs the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in colitis. Our results suggest that modulation of ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways in WJ-MSCs might be a novel therapeutic strategy for DEP-induced diseases.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.163-178
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrative medical service model applied to breast cancer patients and their caregivers, exploring its feasibility and challenges within the context of South Korean healthcare system. Methods : A case study approach was chosen to assess the integrative medical service model's efficacy, involving one breast cancer patient and her primary caregiver from W University Hospital. The patient had completed reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy and was undergoing radiotherapy. The model included standard treatments alongside psychological counseling, aromatherapy, axillary rehabilitation exercise, make-up program, art therapy, laughter therapy, horticultural therapy, and yoga programs, and meditation programs delivered over eight weeks. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through surveys, psychological tests, and feedback assessments. Results : The integrative medical service model demonstrated notable improvements in the quality of life for both breast cancer patients and their caregivers. Participants reported enhanced emotional well-being, reduced stress levels, and improved coping mechanisms throughout the treatment journey. Qualitative feedback highlighted the positive impact of holistic interventions in alleviating psychological distress and fostering resilience. Quantitative data corroborated these findings, showing statistically significant improvements in various psychosocial parameters assessed. Conclusions : Our findings underscore the benefits of integrative medical service model with standard medical treatments in the care of breast cancer patients and their caregivers. The holistic approach not only addresses physical symptoms but also enhances overall well-being and quality of life. However, the implementation of such models faces challenges within the South Korean healthcare system, including fragmented service networks and financial constraints. Addressing these structural barriers is crucial for the widespread adoption and sustainability of integrative care models in oncology practice. Future research should focus on larger-scale studies to further validate these findings and inform policy decisions aimed at optimizing cancer care delivery.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.19-38
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• 2024

The purposes of this study are to obtain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of novice Home Economics teachers during their first year and to extract meaning from the experiences. The Photovoice was used as a research methodology. Participants in the study included three novice Home Economics teachers who passed the 2022 secondary school teacher recruitment examination and began working at middle schools in the Seoul metropolitan area from March 2022. Data were collected from February 2022 to January 2023, involving one written interview, nine monthly Photovoice projects, and two Focus Group Interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis. The narratives of novice Home Economics teachers were divided into the narratives as 'Home Economics teacher' and as 'Novice teacher'. As being Home Economics teachers, participants constructed their narratives around three themes: 'Home Economics is a practical discipline', 'Home economics teachers are agents of change', and 'Home Economics is undervalued in the school.' Furthermore, the sub themes of the 'novice teachers' narrative included 'Now it's the real beginning', 'Teaching is a wonderful profession', and 'I will become a good teacher.' The significance of this study lies in the in-depth exploration of the lived experiences of novice Home Economics teachers during their first year and broadening the use of Photovoice as a research and teaching strategy.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.195-200
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to propose optimized cognitive warfare strategies for the Korean Peninsula by analyzing recent war case studies. Through the analysis of the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Ukraine-Russia war, and the Israel-Hamas conflict, it was found that the following aspects are crucial in conducting cognitive warfare: 1) applying methods according to objectives, 2) organizing and structuring appropriately to the objectives and means, and 3) utilizing various means from both civilian and military sectors. Based on these findings, cognitive warfare strategies optimized for the operational environment of the Korean Peninsula were suggested in terms of the three elements of military innovation. From the aspect of methodology, it is recommended to develop cognitive warfare scenarios based on legitimacy and legality, and to integrate roles according to the level of warfare. Regarding organization and structuring, the establishment of a national-level control tower and the construction of an integrated response system involving civilians, government, military, and police based on legislation are proposed. In terms of means, it is suggested to utilize various tools from the civilian, government, military, and police sectors, such as North Korean defectors, psychological warfare broadcasts against North Korea, social media, and cyber operations, for auditory, visual, and message delivery. In future battlefields characterized by hyper-connectivity and hyper-intelligence, the execution of cognitive warfare will become increasingly important. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously develop optimized cognitive warfare strategies for the Korean Peninsula through comprehensive national efforts.