• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.91-129
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• 2024

The Bank of Korea, through a legal amendment in 2011 following the financial crisis, was entrusted with the additional responsibility of financial stability beyond its existing mandate of price stability. Since then, concerns have been raised about the prolonged increase in household debt compared to income conditions, which could constrain consumption and growth and increase the possibility of a crisis in the event of negative economic shocks. The current accumulation of financial imbalances suggests a critical period for the government and central bank to be more vigilant, ensuring it does not impede the stable flow of our financial and economic systems. This study examines the applicability of the Integrated Inflation Targeting (IIT) framework proposed by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) for macro-financial stability in promoting long-term economic stability. Using VAR models, the study reveals a clear increase in risk appetite following interest rate cuts after the financial crisis, leading to a rise in household debt. Additionally, analyzing the central bank's conduct of monetary policy from 2000 to 2021 through DSGE models indicates that the Bank of Korea has operated with a form of IIT, considering both inflation and growth in its policy decisions, with some responsiveness to the increase in household debt. However, the estimation of a high interest rate smoothing coefficient suggests a cautious approach to interest rate adjustments. Furthermore, estimating the optimal interest rate rule to minimize the central bank's loss function reveals that a policy considering inflation, growth, and being mindful of household credit conditions is superior. It suggests that the policy of actively adjusting the benchmark interest rate in response to changes in economic conditions and being attentive to household credit situations when household debt is increasing rapidly compared to income conditions has been analyzed as a desirable policy approach. Based on these findings, we conclude that the integrated inflation targeting framework proposed by the BIS could be considered as an alternative policy system that supports the stable growth of the economy in the medium to long term.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2024

This study investigated the effectiveness of using pathogens and aqueous acids to reduce the Aspergillus ochraceus and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa contamination in livestock production environments. For this study, 1 mL of each bacterial suspension (10⁷-10⁸ spores/mL) was inoculated on a knife surface, dried at 37℃, and used under each treatment condition. First, to investigate the effect of organic acids, acetic, lactic, and citric acids were used. Subsequently, to select the appropriate concentration, they were prepared at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%, respectively. Accordingly, to further maximize the effect of organic acid treatment, we combined the treatment with ultraviolet light. The two strains showed a significant difference (P<0.05) compared to the initial strain, with a greater than 90% decrease in the concentrations of all organic acids. Consequently, acetic and lactic acids decreased by approximately 5 and 2 log colony forming unit (CFU)/cm², respectively, when treated with ultraviolet light (360 mJ/cm²); however, citric acid decreased by less than 1 log CFU/cm². However, when manufactured with 4% acetic acid, a severe malodor was emitted, making it difficult for workers to use it in a production environment. Accordingly, the optimal treatment conditions for organic acid and ultraviolet light for application were selected as follows: immersion in a 4% lactic acid solution for 1 minute and then, sterilization with ultraviolet light at 360 mJ/cm². Finally, when a pork meat sample was cut with a knife that was finally washed with lactic acid and treated with ultraviolet light, the low level of inoculum transferred from the cleaned knife to the surface of the sample was not detected. In conclusion, using this established method can prevent cross-contamination of the surface of the meat during processing.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive tool for assessing dietary guideline adherence among older Korean adults, focusing on the domains of food and nutrient intake, eating habits, and dietary culture. Methods: Candidate items were selected through a literature search and expert advice. The degree of adherence to dietary guidelines was then evaluated through a face-to-face survey conducted on 800 elderly individuals across five nationwide regions. The items for dietary guideline adherence evaluation tool were selected through exploratory factor analysis of the candidate items in each of the three areas of the dietary guidelines, and construct validity was verified by performing confirmatory factor analysis. Using the path coefficient of the structural equation model, weights were assigned to each area and item to calculate the dietary guideline adherence score. A rating system for the evaluation tool was established based on national survey results. Results: A total of twenty-eight items were selected for evaluating dietary guideline adherence among the elderly. Thirteen items related to food intake, seven to eating habits, and eight to dietary culture. The average score for dietary guideline adherence was 56.9 points, with 49.8 points in the food intake area, 63.2 points in the eating habits area, and 58.6 points in the dietary culture area. Statistically significant correlations were found between dietary guideline adherence scores and food literacy (r = 0.679) and nutrition quotient scores (r = 0.750). Conclusion: The developed evaluation tool for dietary guideline adherence among Korean older adults can be used as a simple and effective instrument for comprehensively assessing their food and nutrient intake, dietary habits, and dietary culture.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-162
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• 2023

Asset management is a complex and difficult field that requires insight into numerous variables and even human psychology. Thus, it has traditionally been the domain of professionals, and these services have been expensive to obtain. Changes are taking place in these markets, and the driving force is the digital revolution, so-called the fourth industrial revolution. Among them, the Robo-Advisor service using artificial intelligence technology is the highlight. The reason is that it is possible to popularize investment advisory services with convenient accessibility and low cost. This study aims to clarify what factors are critically important when selecting robo-advisors for service users and providers in Korea, and what perception differences exist in the selection factors between user and provider groups. The framework of the study was based on the marketing mix 4C model, and the design and analysis of the model used Delphi survey and AHP. Through the study design, 4 main criteria and 15 sub-criteria were derived, and the findings of the study are as follows. First, the importance of the four main criteria was in the order of customer needs > customer convenience > customer cost > customer communication for both groups. Second, looking at the 15 sub-criteria, it was found that investment purpose coverage, investment propensity coverage, fee level and accessibility factors were the most important. Third, when comparing between groups, the user group found that the fee level and accessibility factors were the most important, and the provider group recognized the investment purpose coverage and investment propensity coverage factors as important. This study derived useful implications in practice. First, when designing for the spread of the robo-advisor service, the basis for constructing a user-oriented system was prepared by considering the priority of importance according to the weight difference between the four main criteria and the 15 sub-criteria. In addition, the difference in priority of each sub-criteria shown in the group comparison and the cause of the sub-criteria with large weight differences were identified. In addition, it was suggested that it is very important to form a consensus to resolve the difference in perception of factors between those in charge of strategy and marketing and system development within the provider group. Academically, it is meaningful in that it is an early study that presented various perspectives and perspectives by deriving a number of robo-advisor selection factors. Through the findings of this study, it is expected that a successful user-oriented robo-advisor system can be built and spread in Korea to help users.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City. The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion: Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.402-412
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• 2023

To cope with climate change, we compared the quality of naked oats (Avena sativa L.) cultivated in different regions. Naked oats were collected from domestic farms in different cultivation regions grouped as G1 and G2 for 3 years (2020-2022). The appearance, quality, and nutritional and functional compounds in the samples were assessed. In terms of appearance quality, the brightness and yellowness of the samples from the G1 region were significantly lower than those of the samples from the G2 region in 2020; however, no differences were observed between cultivation regions in the other 2 years. The results of testing the vitality of naked oats seeds showed that the electrical conductivity value was significantly lower in the samples from the G1 region than in those from the G2 region only in 2022. Among the nutritional components, moisture content was higher in the G2 region than in the G1 region over all 3 years, and the crude protein content was significantly higher in the G2 region than in the G1 region over all years. Carbohydrate content was significantly higher in the G1 region than in the G2 region in all 3 years and was inversely proportional to the crude protein content. The crude fat content tended to be significantly higher in the G1 region than in the G2 region, except in 2022. The levels of beta-glucan, a functional compound rich in naked oats, ranged between 3.4% and 4.2%, and except in 2020, there was no significant difference between cultivation regions. In addition, the content of avenanthramides, representative functional compounds that exist only in oats, was assessed. Over 2 years, in 2021 and 2022, the avenanthramide content was in the range of 2.4-20.7 ㎍/g and tended to be significantly higher in the G2 region than in the G1 region in both years. According to a survey of the average and minimum temperatures during the growing season of naked oats from 2020 to 2022, the average and minimum temperatures in January in the G2 region, which is the cultivation-limit area, were similar to those in Haenam in the G1 region. In conclusion, differences in nutritional and functional compounds were observed in naked oats grown in different cultivation areas. Therefore, considering the cultivation area of naked oats is expanding because of climate change, changes in the compounds that affect quality should be investigated.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.413-421
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• 2023

Data on salt tolerance, optimal sowing depth, soil bulk density (pb) and cardinal temperatures required for the germination and emergence of perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt) are scarce for reclaimed land soil. An experiment was conducted across six temperature treatments (10, 15, 20 , 25, 30, and 35℃) to determine the cardinal temperature for perilla seed germination and four salinity levels (0, 20, 40, and 60 mM) to determine the salt tolerance. Another experiment was performed for quantifying the emergence response of perilla to pb (1.1, 1.3, and 1.5 g cm^-3), sowing depth (1, 2, 3, and 4 cm) and soil salinity. The results revealed that increased sodium chloride levels caused a significant reduction in the seed germination at Deulhyang and Sodam. The optimum upper limit temperature was less than 35℃. The optimal sowing depth and soil bulk density were 1 cm and 1.1 g cm^-3 respectively. Perilla seedling growth was inhibited at 1.9 dS m^-1 although varying responses were observed. These results aid our understanding of the germination and emergence rate of these crops and provide data for field cultivation to optimize crop sowing in reclaimed land.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2024

Understanding changes in fermentation characteristics and microbial populations of forage silage during ensiling is of interest for improving the nutrient value of the feed for ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of whole crop rice (WCR) silage during the ensiling period. The chemical compositions, pH, organic acids and bacterial communities were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after ensiling. The bacterial communities were classified at both the genus and species levels. The dry matter content of WCR silage decreased with the length of storage (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in crude protein and NDF contents. Following fermentation, the pH level of WCR silage was lower than the initial level. The lactic acid content remained at high levels for 3 to 6 months after ensiling, followed by a sharp decline at 12 months (p<0.05). Before fermentation, the WCR was dominated by Weissella (30.8%) and Pantoea (20.2%). Growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (31.4%) was observed at 3 months after ensiling. At 6 months, there was a decrease in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (10.2%) and an increase in Levilactobacillus brevis (12.8%), resulting in increased bacteria diversity until that period. The WCR silage was dominated by Lentilactobacillus buchneri (71.2%) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (27.0%) with a sharp reduction in diversity at 12 months. Overall, the WCR silage maintained satisfactory fermentation quality over a 12-month ensiling period. Furthermore, the fermentation characteristics of silage were found to be correlated to bacterial microbiome.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.5
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• pp.1094-1109
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• 2023

Purpose To investigate whether CT-based tumor regression grade (ctTRG) can be used to predict the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in colon cancer. Materials and Methods A total of 53 patients were enrolled. Two radiologists independently assessed the ctTRG using the length, thickness, layer pattern, and luminal and extraluminal appearance of the tumor. Changes in tumor volume were also analyzed using the 3D Slicer software. We evaluated the association between pathologic TRG (pTRG) and ctTRG. Patients with Rödel's TRG of 2, 3, or 4 were classified as responders. In terms of predicting responder and pathologic complete remission (pCR), receiver operating characteristic was compared between ctTRG and tumor volume change. Results There was a moderate correlation between ctTRG and pTRG (ρ = -0.540, p < 0.001), and the interobserver agreement was substantial (weighted κ = 0.672). In the prediction of responder, there was no significant difference between ctTRG and volumetry (Az = 0.749, criterion: ctTRG ≤ 3 for ctTRG, Az = 0.794, criterion: ≤ -27.1% for volume, p = 0.53). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the two methods in predicting pCR (p = 0.447). Conclusion ctTRG might predict the response to NAC in colon cancer. The diagnostic performance of ctTRG was comparable to that of CT volumetry.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.177-198
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• 2024

Article 22(1) of the Library Act, which was completely revised in December 2006, stipulated that regional representative libraries are statutory organizations, and Article 25(1) of the Library Act, which was revised again in late 2021, renamed them as metropolitan representative libraries and expanded their duties. The reason why cities and provinces are required to specify or establish and operate metropolitan representative libraries is that in addition to their role as public libraries for public information use, cultural activities, and lifelong learning as stipulated in Article 23 of the Act, they are also responsible for the legal works of metropolitan representative libraries as stipulated in Article 26, and lead the development of libraries and knowledge culture by serving as policy libraries, comprehensive knowledge information centers, support and cooperation centers, research centers, and joint preservation libraries for all public libraries in the city or province. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze and diagnose whether the metropolitan representative library has been faithfully fulfilling its legal works for the past 15 years(2009-2023), and whether it is properly providing the results of its statutory planning and implementation on its website to meet the digital and mobile era. Therefore, this study investigated and analyzed the performance of the metropolitan representative library for the last two years based on the current statutory tasks and evaluated the extent to which it provides them through its website, and suggested complementary measures to strengthen its web services. As a result, it was analyzed that the web services for legal works that the metropolitan representative library should perform are quite insufficient and inadequate, so it suggested complementary measures such as building a website for legal works on the homepage, enhancing accessibility and visibility through providing an independent website, providing various policy information and web services (portal search, inter-library loan, one-to-one consultation, joint DB construction, data transfer and preservation, etc.), and ensuring digital accessibility of knowledge information for the vulnerable.