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Endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy reduces proton pump inhibitor dependency and the need for anti-reflux surgery for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease

  • Abraham Joel;Alakh Konjengbam;Yirupaiahgari Viswanath;Georgios Kourounis;Emily Hammond;Helen Frank;Shivani Kuttuva;Simon Mbarushimana;Hena Hidayat;Srivishnu Thulasiraman
    • Clinical Endoscopy
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    • v.57 no.1
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    • pp.58-64
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    • 2024
  • Background/Aims: Radiofrequency treatment of the gastroesophageal junction using the Stretta procedure for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is observed to improve the symptoms and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dependence and reduce the need for anti-reflux operations. As one of the largest studies in Europe, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of Stretta in patients with medically refractory GERD. Methods: A tertiary UK center evaluated all patients with refractory GERD who underwent Stretta between 2014 and 2022. Patients and primary care professionals were contacted to obtain information regarding the initiation of PPI and reintervention after Stretta. Results: Of the 195 patients (median age, 55 years; 116 women [59.5%]) who underwent Stretta, PPI-free period (PFP) data were available for 144 (73.8%) patients. Overall, 66 patients (45.8%) did not receive PPI after a median follow-up of 55 months. Six patients (3.1%) underwent further interventions. The median PFP after Stretta was 41 months. There was a significant negative correlation between PFP and age (p=0.007), with no differences between sexes (p=0.96). Patients younger than 55 years of age had a longer PFP than their older counterparts (p=0.005). Younger males had a significantly longer PFP than older males (p=0.021). However, this was not observed in the female cohort (p=0.09) or between the younger men and women (p=0.66). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Stretta is a safe and feasible option for treating refractory GERD, especially in younger patients. It prevents further anti-reflux interventions in most patients and increases the lead-time to surgery in patients with refractory GERD.

A Case Study on Growth Through Coupled Process Open Innovation Open Innovation in the Faculty Startup Ecosystem: From the Perspective of Core Competency Theory (교원창업 생태계에서 결합형 오픈이노베이션을 통한 성장 사례 연구: 핵심역량이론 관점에서)

  • Changwon Yoon;Jeahong Park;Youngwoo Sohn;Youngjin Kim;Yeoungho Seo
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.173-186
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    • 2024
  • This paper analyzes a case of successful faculty entrepreneurship through a coupled process of open innovation in a university context, using the core competency theory perspective. Initially, the current state of faculty entrepreneurship is examined, and the effects of interdisciplinary coupled processes of open innovation are explored, focusing on the case of 'Omotion Inc.,' a startup utilizing generative AI technology for hyper-realistic 3D virtual human experiences. The research methodology involves in-depth interviews with Omotion Inc.'s co-founders, technology commercialization professionals, and experts in the field, followed by analysis based on foundational theories. Applying the core competency theory, this paper scrutinizes the process of integrating diverse expertise and technologies from various academic disciplines. The analysis goes beyond the limitations of faculty entrepreneurship confined to a single technology-centric research domain. Instead, it explores the possibilities of enhancement and value creation through coupled processes, providing practical implications for the university entrepreneurial ecosystem. The aim is to extend the traditional roles of education and research within the university, presenting a role in economic value creation beyond the boundaries of conventional faculty entrepreneurship. Through the collaboration of two faculty members, this study showcases the creation of novel technology and business models. It establishes that successful coupled processes of open innovation in faculty entrepreneurship, from a core competency theory perspective, require the entrepreneurial firm to possess (1) entrepreneurial capabilities, (2) technological capabilities, and (3) networking capabilities. The implications of this research highlight the positive impact of coupled processes of open innovation in faculty entrepreneurship, as evidenced by the Omotion Inc. case, offering guidance on entrepreneurial directions for university members preparing for entrepreneurship.

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The crisis of church education in Korean churches and the need for Christian education experts (한국교회 교회교육의 위기와 기독교교육 전문가의 필요성)

  • Jeung-Gwan Lee
    • Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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    • v.76
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    • pp.51-71
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    • 2023
  • Purpose of study: Recognizing the importance of securing professionalism in church education in the context of the serious problem of church eucation in the Korean church today, this study aims to reveal the problems of current church education and suggest alternatives for solving the problems. Research content and method: The Korean church is facing crises. One of the crises is the decline in church membership and worship attendance. Another, more fundamental problem is the crisis of church education, where the number of students in Sunday schools is plummeting, and many young people are leaving the church. Many of them are questioning the quality of church education leaders. The decline and demise of Sunday schools does not bode well for the future of the Korean church. What the church needs to do to address these issues is to build up educational professionals. Leadership and professionalism are critical issues. Until now, the needs of church education in the Korean church have relied on dedication and life mission rather than professionalism. And these criteria were enough. It has been 34 years since the October 1989 resolution of the General Assembly of the Christian Church in Korea to establish a system of educators. However, little progress has been made and the system has not been changed to a system of educators. One of the ways to solve this problem is for the Korean church to prepare for the future of the Korean church by utilizing educators for church growth and the restoration of Sunday schools. Conclusions and Suggestions: For the function, mission, and purpose of the church, the system of educators is requested to be established in the Korean church as soon as possible to fulfill the professional church education and educational pastoral mission. In response to this call, current Korean church education needs to change and innovate. The direction of innovation is professional education, which means that there is a need and urgency for professional educators qs church education leaders.

Prioritization Analysis for Cyber Security Enhancement at Busan Port Container Terminal (부산항 컨테이너 터미널 사이버 보안 강화를 위한 우선순위 분석)

  • Ha, Do-Yeon;Kim, Chi-Yeol;Kim, Yul-Seong
    • Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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    • v.40 no.1
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    • pp.1-14
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    • 2024
  • The port industry has been actively adopting Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, leading to transformations in port infrastructure, such as automated and smart ports. While these changes have improved port efficiency, they have also increased the potential for Cyber Security incidents, including data leaks and disruptions in terminal operations due to ransomware attacks. Recognizing the need to prioritize Cyber Security measures, a study was conducted, focusing on Busan Port's rapidly automating container terminal in South Korea. The results of the Eisenhower Matrix analysis identified legal and regulatory factors as a top priority in the first quadrant, with educational systems, workforce development, network infrastructure, and policy support in the third quadrant. Subsequently, a Borich Needs Analysis revealed that the highest priority was given to legal improvements in security management systems, while the development of Cyber Security professionals ranked lowest. This study provides foundational research for enhancing Cyber Security in domestic container terminals and offers valuable insights into their future direction.

The Effect of University Students' Dependence on Social Networking Services on a Healthy Lifestyle: Mediating Effect of Social Networks (대학생의 소셜 네트워킹 서비스 의존도가 건강한 라이프스타일에 미치는 효과: 사회적 관계망의 매개효과)

  • An, Hyunseo;Kim, Inhye;Yun, Sohyeon;Park, Hae Yean
    • Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.23-36
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    • 2024
  • Objective : This study investigated the mediating effect of social networks on the relationship between social networking service (SNS) dependence and healthy lifestyle among university students. Methods : Data from 374 university students were collected via online surveys. Sociodemographic data, SNS dependence, social networks, and healthy lifestyle were assessed. Mediation analysis using bootstrapping was conducted to examine the mediating effect of social networks on the relationship between SNS dependence and healthy lifestyle. Results : A total of 374 university students participated in this study. The average age of the participants was 21.8 years (standard deviation = 2.1), and 70.3% were females. Mediation analysis revealed that SNS dependence had a direct effect on healthy lifestyle (β = -.078, standard error [SE] = .052, p = .128), which was not statistically significant. However, a statistically significant indirect effect was observed through social networks (β = -.052, SE = .020, p = .011). The total effect of SNS dependence on a healthy lifestyle was significant (β = -.130, SE = .053, p = .014). Conclusion : Social networks play a critical role in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Health professionals should prioritize interventions to address SNS dependence and leverage social networks to encourage healthier behaviors.

Research on Computer-Based Convergence Performing Arts - The Impact of Digital Technology on the Performing Arts-

  • Jin-hee gong
    • Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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    • v.29 no.9
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    • pp.99-107
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    • 2024
  • This study analyzed how computer-based digital technology affects convergence performing arts according to the trend of the times of domestic performing arts. Based on the analyzed contents, the purpose of the study was to propose an appropriate use plan for performing arts and technology and a plan for future development of convergence performing arts. Looking at the analysis results according to the purpose of the study, as a first step, the use of video technology developed in the performing arts stage using video technology evolved into holograms, media art, and 3D techniques. In the second step, technology and art were fused using artificial intelligence and robots. Artificial intelligence composed music, choreographed dance, and wrote a play script. In addition, robots performed and played with humans on stage. Third, virtual space was also used in performing arts. It was possible to direct spaces in various places using virtual spaces rather than performance halls and stage spaces. In this way, performing arts using digital technology will become more diverse and professional, and things that are possible in imagination that cross boundaries will be developed into reality. This study proposes a convergence that appropriately utilizes various technologies of digital and computer while maintaining the area of creation that humans can do and the expressiveness and artistry they express. In preparation for these changes in the times, future convergence performing artists should be able to acquire a combination of artistry and technology of stage technology experts who can use digital technology, professional actors who can express artistry along with AI, and professionals who can create art by manipulating AI.

The impact of beauty workers' human service quality on customer empathy and intention to revisit beauty shops (뷰티종사자의 인적서비스품질이 고객공감과 뷰티숍 재방문의도에 미치는 영향)

  • Tae Hyun Shin
    • The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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    • v.10 no.5
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    • pp.423-429
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    • 2024
  • Recently, the beauty industry has become very competitive, so providing high-quality personal service has been raised as an important factor in maintaining a competitive edge and attracting customers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of personal service quality of beauty workers on customer empathy and intention to revisit beauty shops. To this end, a total of 238 questionnaires were collected and frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were performed using the statistical package SPSS 27.0. The results of the study were as follows: First, among the components of personal service quality of beauty workers, sincerity and professionalism had a significant effect on emotional empathy, but reliability did not have a significant effect. Second, reliability, sincerity, and professionalism all had a significant effect on cognitive empathy. Third, emotional empathy and cognitive empathy had a significant effect on intention to revisit. Accordingly, in order to increase intention to revisit beauty shops, it seems necessary to provide education on words and actions that can give trust to beauty workers, genuine service, and professional skills. In the future, it is thought that research on customer empathy and revisit intentions should be conducted through the human service quality of beauty professionals and other variables differentiated from this study.

An Analysis of University Record-Related Regulations and Proposals for Improvement (대학 기록 관련 규정의 현황 분석과 개선 방향)

  • SeonWook Kim
    • Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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    • v.35 no.3
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    • pp.105-135
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    • 2024
  • This study aims to analyze the current state of record-related regulations in Korean universities and suggest improvement measures. The research involved a three-step process: exploratory analysis of existing regulations, establishment of classification criteria, and comparative analysis with the National Archives' guidelines. Data were gathered from 66 regulations across 63 universities. The findings reveal that many universities revised their regulations after 2020, often without clear standards, leading to inconsistencies. Notably, many private universities still lack proper record-related regulations. Discrepancies between the National Archives' guidelines and university practices were identified. To address these issues, it is recommended that the National Archives incorporate feedback from universities in guideline revisions, universities enhance their record management by consulting experts and increasing personnel, and record management professionals report their institutional status and share best practices. Accurate terminology use is essential to avoid confusion.

Information Privacy Concern in Context-Aware Personalized Services: Results of a Delphi Study

  • Lee, Yon-Nim;Kwon, Oh-Byung
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.63-86
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    • 2010
  • Personalized services directly and indirectly acquire personal data, in part, to provide customers with higher-value services that are specifically context-relevant (such as place and time). Information technologies continue to mature and develop, providing greatly improved performance. Sensory networks and intelligent software can now obtain context data, and that is the cornerstone for providing personalized, context-specific services. Yet, the danger of overflowing personal information is increasing because the data retrieved by the sensors usually contains privacy information. Various technical characteristics of context-aware applications have more troubling implications for information privacy. In parallel with increasing use of context for service personalization, information privacy concerns have also increased such as an unrestricted availability of context information. Those privacy concerns are consistently regarded as a critical issue facing context-aware personalized service success. The entire field of information privacy is growing as an important area of research, with many new definitions and terminologies, because of a need for a better understanding of information privacy concepts. Especially, it requires that the factors of information privacy should be revised according to the characteristics of new technologies. However, previous information privacy factors of context-aware applications have at least two shortcomings. First, there has been little overview of the technology characteristics of context-aware computing. Existing studies have only focused on a small subset of the technical characteristics of context-aware computing. Therefore, there has not been a mutually exclusive set of factors that uniquely and completely describe information privacy on context-aware applications. Second, user survey has been widely used to identify factors of information privacy in most studies despite the limitation of users' knowledge and experiences about context-aware computing technology. To date, since context-aware services have not been widely deployed on a commercial scale yet, only very few people have prior experiences with context-aware personalized services. It is difficult to build users' knowledge about context-aware technology even by increasing their understanding in various ways: scenarios, pictures, flash animation, etc. Nevertheless, conducting a survey, assuming that the participants have sufficient experience or understanding about the technologies shown in the survey, may not be absolutely valid. Moreover, some surveys are based solely on simplifying and hence unrealistic assumptions (e.g., they only consider location information as a context data). A better understanding of information privacy concern in context-aware personalized services is highly needed. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to identify a generic set of factors for elemental information privacy concern in context-aware personalized services and to develop a rank-order list of information privacy concern factors. We consider overall technology characteristics to establish a mutually exclusive set of factors. A Delphi survey, a rigorous data collection method, was deployed to obtain a reliable opinion from the experts and to produce a rank-order list. It, therefore, lends itself well to obtaining a set of universal factors of information privacy concern and its priority. An international panel of researchers and practitioners who have the expertise in privacy and context-aware system fields were involved in our research. Delphi rounds formatting will faithfully follow the procedure for the Delphi study proposed by Okoli and Pawlowski. This will involve three general rounds: (1) brainstorming for important factors; (2) narrowing down the original list to the most important ones; and (3) ranking the list of important factors. For this round only, experts were treated as individuals, not panels. Adapted from Okoli and Pawlowski, we outlined the process of administrating the study. We performed three rounds. In the first and second rounds of the Delphi questionnaire, we gathered a set of exclusive factors for information privacy concern in context-aware personalized services. The respondents were asked to provide at least five main factors for the most appropriate understanding of the information privacy concern in the first round. To do so, some of the main factors found in the literature were presented to the participants. The second round of the questionnaire discussed the main factor provided in the first round, fleshed out with relevant sub-factors. Respondents were then requested to evaluate each sub factor's suitability against the corresponding main factors to determine the final sub-factors from the candidate factors. The sub-factors were found from the literature survey. Final factors selected by over 50% of experts. In the third round, a list of factors with corresponding questions was provided, and the respondents were requested to assess the importance of each main factor and its corresponding sub factors. Finally, we calculated the mean rank of each item to make a final result. While analyzing the data, we focused on group consensus rather than individual insistence. To do so, a concordance analysis, which measures the consistency of the experts' responses over successive rounds of the Delphi, was adopted during the survey process. As a result, experts reported that context data collection and high identifiable level of identical data are the most important factor in the main factors and sub factors, respectively. Additional important sub-factors included diverse types of context data collected, tracking and recording functionalities, and embedded and disappeared sensor devices. The average score of each factor is very useful for future context-aware personalized service development in the view of the information privacy. The final factors have the following differences comparing to those proposed in other studies. First, the concern factors differ from existing studies, which are based on privacy issues that may occur during the lifecycle of acquired user information. However, our study helped to clarify these sometimes vague issues by determining which privacy concern issues are viable based on specific technical characteristics in context-aware personalized services. Since a context-aware service differs in its technical characteristics compared to other services, we selected specific characteristics that had a higher potential to increase user's privacy concerns. Secondly, this study considered privacy issues in terms of service delivery and display that were almost overlooked in existing studies by introducing IPOS as the factor division. Lastly, in each factor, it correlated the level of importance with professionals' opinions as to what extent users have privacy concerns. The reason that it did not select the traditional method questionnaire at that time is that context-aware personalized service considered the absolute lack in understanding and experience of users with new technology. For understanding users' privacy concerns, professionals in the Delphi questionnaire process selected context data collection, tracking and recording, and sensory network as the most important factors among technological characteristics of context-aware personalized services. In the creation of a context-aware personalized services, this study demonstrates the importance and relevance of determining an optimal methodology, and which technologies and in what sequence are needed, to acquire what types of users' context information. Most studies focus on which services and systems should be provided and developed by utilizing context information on the supposition, along with the development of context-aware technology. However, the results in this study show that, in terms of users' privacy, it is necessary to pay greater attention to the activities that acquire context information. To inspect the results in the evaluation of sub factor, additional studies would be necessary for approaches on reducing users' privacy concerns toward technological characteristics such as highly identifiable level of identical data, diverse types of context data collected, tracking and recording functionality, embedded and disappearing sensor devices. The factor ranked the next highest level of importance after input is a context-aware service delivery that is related to output. The results show that delivery and display showing services to users in a context-aware personalized services toward the anywhere-anytime-any device concept have been regarded as even more important than in previous computing environment. Considering the concern factors to develop context aware personalized services will help to increase service success rate and hopefully user acceptance for those services. Our future work will be to adopt these factors for qualifying context aware service development projects such as u-city development projects in terms of service quality and hence user acceptance.

Clinacal investigation of child sexual abuse (소아 성폭력에 관한 임상적 고찰)

  • Lee, Hyun Joo;Han, Hye Jung;Kim, Ji Hee;Lee, Hye Sun;Lee, In Sil
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.50 no.1
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    • pp.20-27
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    • 2007
  • Purpose : Child sexual abuse is a significant and serious problem that affects public health and society. Pediatricians are responsible for preventing and detecting sexual abuse of children. The aim of this study was to examine clinical findings of child sexual abuse. Methods : The authors retrospectively studied 292 patients between the ages of 0 and 18 who were referred for evaluation of sexual abuse to the Emergency Department of the National Police Hospital from Oct 1, 2001 to May 5, 2005. Results : Sixty three (21.6 percent) of sexual abuse victims were younger than 6 years of age; 89 (30.5 percent) were 6-12 years of age; and 104 (47.9 percent) were 12-18 years of age. Attack time was the most common between noon and 6 pm. Victims were attacked in their home or nearby (51.4 percent). One hundred fifty six (53.6 percent) offenders were accquaitances, thirty nine (13.4 percent) of whom were family members. The disclosure of attack by parents with abnormal physical symptoms was more common in younger children than in adolescence. Eighty nine (30.5 percent) victims had no specific physical findings, 51 percent had injury to the hymen, 37.3% had injury to external genitalia, and 4 percent had anal injury. One case of gonorrhea and thirteen cases of chlamydia were found. Sperm was found in 19 cases and acid phosphatase was positive in 28 cases. The absence of physical findings and laboratory findings was more common in younger children than in those in adolescence. The time interval from attacks to hospital visits had a significant negative correlation with age. Conclusion : For younger victims, the time interval from attack to hospital visitis was more prolonged. Victims may have no physical evidence of sexual abuse. Therefore, a careful history should be obtained and a through physical examination should be performed. Pediatricians must play a leading role in evaluation and treatment of sexually abused children, considering children,s growth and development. Coordination with other professionals is necessary to provide consultation, medical treatment, and legal assistance for the sexually abused children and families.