• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.378-391
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• 2018

Background: People who were born in different years, that is, different birth cohorts, grow in varying socio-historical and dynamic contexts, which result in differences in social dispositions and physical abilities. Methods: This study used age-period-cohort analysis method to establish explanatory models on healthcare expenditure in Korea reflecting birth cohort factor using intrinsic estimator. Based on these models, we tried to investigate the effects of ageing population on future healthcare expenditure through simulation by scenarios. Results: Coefficient of cohort effect was not as high as that of age effect, but greater than that of period effect. The cohort effect can be interpreted to show 'healthy ageing' phenomenon. Healthy ageing effect shows annual average decrease of -1.74% to 1.57% in healthcare expenditure. Controlling age, period, and birth cohort effects, pure demographic effect of population ageing due to increase in life expectancy shows annual average increase of 1.61%-1.80% in healthcare expenditure. Conclusion: First, since the influence of population factor itself on healthcare expenditure increase is not as big as expected. Second, 'healthy ageing effect' suggests that there is a need of paradigm shift to prevention centered-healthcare services. Third, forecasting of health expenditure needs to reflect social change factors by considering birth cohort effect.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.179-182
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• 2021

Human infection with Taenia asiatica or a hybrid between Taenia saginata and T. asiatica has not been reported in Cambodia. We detected for the first time a hybrid form between T. saginata and T. asiatica in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. An adult tapeworm specimen, i.e., 75 cm long strobila without scolex, was expelled from a 27-year-old man after praziquantel medication and purging. It was morphologically indistinguishable between T. saginata and T. asiatica. Several proglottids were molecularly analyzed to confirm the tapeworm species. The mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and nuclear genes encoding elongation factor-1α (ef1) and ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-like protein (elp) were sequenced, and a single-allele analysis was performed to confirm the haploid genotype. The results revealed that our sample showed a discrepancy between the mitochondrial and 2 nuclear genes. It possessed homozygous sequences typical of T. saginata at cox1 and ef1 loci. However, it was heterozygous at the elp locus, with 1 allele in T. asiatica (elpA) and 1 in T. saginata (elpC), which indicates that it is a hybrid between T. saginata and T. asiatica. The present results confirmed the presence of a hybrid between T. saginata and T. asiatica in Cambodia and strongly suggest the existence of also 'pure' T. asiatica in Cambodia.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.646-654
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• 2020

Objectives: Users of parks or children's play facilities have pointed to pets' bowel movements as the most serious problem when using them. In prior studies, a very low detection rate of parasites (eggs) in sand flooring materials has been found. Even though feces have been identified, no parasites (eggs) have been detected. Method: A standard solution of nitrate nitrogen was used to verify the reliability of a new nitrogen analysis method. The linearity, precision, and accuracy of the nitrate nitrogen analysis method were verified. Using this method, the pollution distribution of the sand flooring material and the degree of pollution at each point were investigated. Results: As a result of the verification of the nitrogen analysis method, the linearity was found to be good at r2=0.999 when distilled water is mixed in a standard substance solution. The standard substance additive solution r2=0.968 was found to be good. Precision represented 0.01 to 0.06% RSD for peak height. The recovery rate was 92.4 to 104.0 percent, indicating high accuracy. According to the same method of analysis, the flooring material sand at a general amusement facility with the largest number of concealed spaces was nitrate nitrogen 6.1 times higher than at the entrance of the playground. Also, in a comparison between clean sand and sandy flooring, the average nitrogen concentration of the sand flooring material was 24.4-167 times higher than pure sand. Conclusions: As such, no parasites (eggs) were detected at all points under investigation, but the sand flooring was exposed to animal fecal contamination. Therefore, the management of nitrogenous components should allow accurate identification of animal fecal contamination so that the timing of sand replacement can be managed hygienically and safely.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1261-1274
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• 2020

The characteristics of ammonia-nitrogen (NH4+-N) adsorption by a zeolitic material synthesized from Jeju scoria using the fusion and hydrothermal method was studied. The synthetic zeolitic material (Z-SA) was identified as a Na-A zeolite by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence analysis and scanning electron microscopy images. The adsorption of NH4+-N using Jeju scoria and different types of zeolite such as the Z-SA, natural zeolite, and commercial pure zeolite (Na-A zeolite, Z-CS) was compared. The equilibrium of NH4+-N adsorption was reached within 30 min for Z-SA and Z-CS, and after 60 min for Jeju scoria and natural zeolite. The adsorption capacity of NH4+-N increased with approaching to neutral when pH was in the range of 3-7, but decreased above 7. The removal efficiency of NH4+-N increased with increasing Z-SA dosage, however, its adsorption capacity decreased. For initial NH4+-N concentrations of 10-200 mg/L at pH 7, the adsorption rate of NH4+-N was well described by the pseudo second-order kinetic model than the pseudo first-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm was well fitted by the Langmuir model. The maximum uptake of NH4+-N obtained from the Langmuir model decreased in the order of Z-CS (46.8 mg/g) > Z-SA (31.3 mg/g) > natural zeolite (5.6 mg/g) > Jeju scoria (0.2 mg/g).

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: In masking level difference (MLD), the masked detection threshold for a signal is determined as a function of the relative interaural differences between the signal and the masker. Study 1 analyzed the results of school-aged children with good school performance in the MLD test, and study 2 compared their results with those of a group of children with poor academic performance. Subjects and Methods: Study 1 was conducted with 47 school-aged children with good academic performance (GI) and study 2 was carried out with 32 school-aged children with poor academic performance (GII). The inclusion criteria adopted for both studies were hearing thresholds within normal limits in basic audiological evaluation. Study 1 also considered normal performance in the central auditory processing test battery and absence of auditory complaints and/or of attention, language or speech issues. The MLD test was administered with a pure pulsatile tone of 500 Hz, in a binaural mode and intensity of 50 dBSL, using a CD player and audiometer. Results: In study 1, no significant correlation was observed, considering the influence of the variables age and sex in relation to the results obtained in homophase (SoNo), antiphase (SπNo) and MLD threshold conditions. The final mean MLD threshold was 13.66 dB. In study 2, the variables did not influence the test performance either. There was a significant difference between test results in SπNo conditions of the two groups, while no differences were found both in SoNo conditions and the final result of MLD. Conclusions: In study 1, the cut-off criterion of school-aged children in the MLD test was 9.3 dB. The variables (sex and age) did not interfere with the MLD results. In study 2, school performance did not differ in the MLD results. GII group showed inferior results than GI group, only in SπNo condition.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: In masking level difference (MLD), the masked detection threshold for a signal is determined as a function of the relative interaural differences between the signal and the masker. Study 1 analyzed the results of school-aged children with good school performance in the MLD test, and study 2 compared their results with those of a group of children with poor academic performance. Subjects and Methods: Study 1 was conducted with 47 school-aged children with good academic performance (GI) and study 2 was carried out with 32 school-aged children with poor academic performance (GII). The inclusion criteria adopted for both studies were hearing thresholds within normal limits in basic audiological evaluation. Study 1 also considered normal performance in the central auditory processing test battery and absence of auditory complaints and/or of attention, language or speech issues. The MLD test was administered with a pure pulsatile tone of 500 Hz, in a binaural mode and intensity of 50 dBSL, using a CD player and audiometer. Results: In study 1, no significant correlation was observed, considering the influence of the variables age and sex in relation to the results obtained in homophase (SoNo), antiphase (SπNo) and MLD threshold conditions. The final mean MLD threshold was 13.66 dB. In study 2, the variables did not influence the test performance either. There was a significant difference between test results in SπNo conditions of the two groups, while no differences were found both in SoNo conditions and the final result of MLD. Conclusions: In study 1, the cut-off criterion of school-aged children in the MLD test was 9.3 dB. The variables (sex and age) did not interfere with the MLD results. In study 2, school performance did not differ in the MLD results. GII group showed inferior results than GI group, only in SπNo condition.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.91-100
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to critically review the global intellectual property regime, which has been in full swing since the mid-1990s, from the perspective of postcolonialism. More specifically, by looking at issues which were raised by the Postcolonial Piracy Studies, it attempted to relativize the global IP system. This paper confirmed the postcolonialist view that universal concepts could never be completely universal or pure, and confirmed the non-state legalities view of media piracy as a conduit for participation in the global network through 'porous legalities' concept of Lawrence Liang. Finally, this paper raised the need to understand various relationships between the informal media economy and the formal media economy in a balanced perspective, rather than relying only on the neat dichotomy logic of illegality/legal.

• Philosophy of Medicine
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• v.15
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• pp.3-37
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• 2013

George Canguilhem(1904-1995) is one of the rare French philosophers of the 20th century to develop an approach that was shaped by a medical education. For him, medicine is considered as "a technique or an art at the junction of many different sciences, rather than a proper science." The thesis that medicine is a technique is presented not at a practical level, but on an axiological horizon which reflects the totality of humanity. This character of medicine became a motive that concretized Canguilhem's philosophical thinking. Medical knowledge is not an application of physiology, but is derived from clinical observations which are based on the personal experiences of each patient. If medicine were based on scientific knowledge and its practice the very application of this pure knowledge, the patient might be a passive object. However, the patient doesn't remain passive, but reacts to the menace of disease according to attitude that the patient developed over the course of his or her life. Canguilhem characterizes this point as 'normativity', the core of individual life, which eludes positivist medicine. Here appear the essential contents of his vitalism. Although they emphasized the activity of individual living being, other modern French vitalists didn't consider this dimension of norms. Since the normativity in Canguilhem concerns the subjectivity of the first person, it avoids a mechanical form of explanation. Thus Canguilhem's originality is found in his derivation of the essence of medicine from individuality, values and norms.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2022

Herein a rich, Se-nanoparticle modified Mo-W₁₈O₄₉ nanocomposite as efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst is reported via hydrothermal synthesized process. In this work, Na₂SeSO₃ solution and selenium powder are used as Se precursor material. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), EDX spectrum analysis and the corresponding element mapping. The improved electrochemical properties are studied by current density, and EIS analysis. The as-prepared Se modified Mo-W₁₈O₄₉ synthesized via Na₂SeSO₃ is investigated by FE-SEM analysis and found to exhibit spherical particles combined with nanosheets. This special morphology effectively improves the charge separation and transfer efficiency, resulting in enhanced photoelectric behavior compared with that of pure Mo-W₁₈O₄₉. The nanomaterial obtained via Na₂SeSO₃ solution demonstrates a high HER activity and low overpotential of -0.34 V, allowing it to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm^-2.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.515-525
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• 2023

This research aimed to examine the effects of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) at various concentrations on the microbial safety and physicochemical characteristics of onion puree (0.01~0.1%). The onion puree was kept at 4℃ for 14 days. The results of the study indicated that the addition of GSE did not cause any significant changes in the sample's brix degree and viscosity in onion puree (p<0.05). However, as the concentration of GSE increased, the pH level decreased. On the other hand, as GSE was added, the lightness of the onion puree increased, while the redness and yellowness decreased. Compared to pure onion puree, the GSE-incorporated onion puree had higher levels of total flavonoid and total polyphenol content, indicating that it helps to maintain antioxidant activities. Based on the microbial safety test, aerobic bacteria, yeast, and mold were absent until day 14 of storage. In conclusion, the study suggests that the addition of GSE to onion puree increases its antioxidant activity and shelf-life.