• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.531-539
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• 2022

The government enforced policies such as social distancing and limiting business hours to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the impact of the long-term COVID-19 pandemic is causing more serious difficulties for small business owners. The government intended to relieve the business management pressure for small business owners by drawing up the COVID-19 emergency disaster relief funds. The funds provided temporary support for the small business owners, but the prolonged pandemic worsened the business management difficulties. Therefore, this study will apply fixes that fail and shifting the burden archetypes from the system archetype of system thinking for the exploratory deduction of policy measures as the policy leverage to effectively enhance the recovery of small business owners. In response to the situation, emergency financial aid for small business owners and support that can enhance the self-sustaining powers are required to heighten the recovery of small business owners.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.275-284
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• 2022

Background Population aging has led to an increased incidence of pressure ulcers, resulting in a social burden and economic costs. We developed a three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) with a pressure-reducing function that can be applied topically in the early stages of pressure ulcers to prevent progression. Methods We evaluated the effects of the 3-DKF in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus pressure ulcer mouse model, and the fabric was preliminarily applied to patients. Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used for the animal experiments. In the pressure ulcer mouse model, an ischemia-reperfusion injury was created using a magnet on the dorsa of the mice. Pressure was measured with BodiTrak before and after applying the 3-DKF to 14 patients at risk of sacral pressure ulcers. Results In the 3-DKF-applied mice group, the ulcers were shallower and smaller than those in the control group. Compared with the mice in the control group, the 3-DKF group had lower platelet-derived growth factor-α and neutrophil elastase expression, as parameters related to inflammation, and increased levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin, which are related to growth factors and proliferation. Additionally, typical normal tissue staining patterns were observed in the 3-DKF group. In the preliminary clinical analysis, the average skin pressure was 26.2 mm Hg before applying the 3-DKF, but it decreased to an average of 23.4 mm Hg after 3-DKF application. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the newly developed 3-DKF was effective in preventing pressure ulcers through testing in a pressure ulcer animal model and preliminary clinical application.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2022

We report a case of successful treatment of congenital syphilis in an extremely preterm baby. A 1,395 g female infant was born by emergency Caesarean section due to preterm labor and breech presentation at gestational age at 29 weeks and 3 days with an Apgar score of 2 and 4 at 1 minute and 5 minutes, respectively. The mother of the newborn, an illegal immigrant who did not receive any antenatal care, was diagnosed as active syphilis infection by reactive rapid plasma regain (RPR) (titer 1:128) just before the delivery. Upon birth, the newborn presented with various clinical manifestations, including severe respiratory distress syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, desquamation and scaling of the whole body, and osteolytic changes of long bone ends. Results of laboratory tests showed signs of early congenital syphilis, including positive syphilis reagin test (12.7 R.U.), reactive with RPR titer of 1:64, and positive for immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test. However, after completion of penicillin G treatment for two weeks, laboratory results dramatically improved, showing a negative syphilis reagin test (0.5 R.U.) and non-reactive in RPR. In conclusion, the incidence of congenital syphilis is prone to be resurgent in South Korea, neonatologists should be fully aware of the clinical features of congenital syphilis because early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential in order to reduce the social and economic burden due to congenital syphilis.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to identify community-level childcare infrastructure for infants and toddlers and to use the data to categorize community types using K-Means cluster analysis with spatial constraints. Seven indicators of childcare resource supply were used for the purpose of categorization and the results revealed six types of community cluster. Communities in the Type 1 cluster provided sufficient parks, libraries, and kindergartens, but lacked pediatric facilities and private education institutions. This cluster comprised small cities and rural areas in Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Jeollabuk-do. The Type 2 cluster had numerous pediatric facilities and childcare centers, but lacked other childcare infrastructure. This comprised small and medium-sized cities in Gyeonggi-do, some areas in Chungcheongnam-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Gangwon-do bordering Gyeonggi-do. The Type 3 cluster comprised Busan, Daegu, and Gyeongsangnam-do, but had insufficient childcare infrastructure as a whole. Type 4 had the largest number of childcare centers, libraries, and private education institutions and comprised Jeollabuk-do, areas near Gwangju, and Jeju-do. Type 5, consisting of Seoul, Incheon and the southern part of Gyeonggi-do had many pediatric facilities and certified childcare centers, but lacked other childcare infrastructure. Type 6, being the rural areas and islands in Jeollanam-do, had sufficient kindergartens, but other infrastructure was insufficient. These results are expected to provide local government with policy implications in terms of relieving the childcare burden on residents with infants and toddlers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2023

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus patients usually experience various physical and psychological challenges. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, these challenges have become even harsher. Using the participatory action research approach, this study evaluated how an e-wellness program (eWP) impacted SLE-related knowledge and health behaviors, mental health, and quality of life among lupus patients in Thailand. Methods: A 1-group, pretest-posttest design study was conducted among a purposive sample of lupus patients who were members of Thai SLE Foundation. The 2 main intervention components were: (1) online social support, and (2) lifestyle and stress management workshops. Sixty-eight participants completed all the study requirements, including the Physical and Psychosocial Health Assessment questionnaire. Results: After being in the eWP for 3 months, participants' mean score for SLE-related knowledge increased significantly (t=5.3, p<0.001). The increase in sleep hours was statistically significant (Z=-3.1, p<0.01), with the percentage of participants who slept less than 7 hours decreasing from 52.9% to 29.0%. The percentage of participants reporting sun exposure decreased from 17.7% to 8.8%. The participants also reported significantly lower stress (t(66)=-4.4, p<0.001) and anxiety (t(67)=-2.9, p=0.005). The post-eWP quality of life scores for the pain, planning, intimate relationship, burden to others, emotional health, and fatigue domains also improved significantly (p<0.05). Conclusions: The overall outcomes showed promising results of improved self-care knowledge, health behaviors, mental health status, and quality of life. It is recommended that the SLE Foundation continues to use the eWP model to help the lupus patient community.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.87-91
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• 2023

Most advanced countries that are members of the World Physiotherapy have established a 4-year education system or specialized graduate school system for physical therapists based on national standards. They have also expanded their laws and systems to provide physical therapists with the autonomy and independence to offer services in their clinics. However, compared with developed countries in North America and Europe, there are issues with the autonomy and independence of physical therapists in Korea related to national regulations. Social status and recognition of the profession are also lagging. Korea is expected to become a super-aged society by 2025. To reduce the financial burden of healthcare and welfare on the government, it is necessary to extend the time spent by older adults on independent activities and minimize their time spent using medical services. To achieve this goal and maximize the active life of older adults, a plan to efficiently use licensed physical therapists in the country should be prepared. Korea should increase the license utilization rate of physical therapists to reduce waste at the national level and increase the professional hope of the younger generations of physical therapists. To create a healthcare policy focusing on the use of physical therapy personnel, similar to that in advanced countries, it is necessary to unify educational systems and produce excellent physical therapists. Providing professional autonomy can help physical therapists develop a sense of job satisfaction. Outstanding talent will choose physical therapy as a profession if they can see hope for their future careers, and if physical therapy services in Korea are similar to those delivered in advanced countries, physical therapy in Korea can develop into a healthcare service that people desire.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.129-134
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• 2022

A smart platform is defined as an evolved platform that realizes physical and virtual space into a hyper-connected environment by combining the existing platform and advanced IT technology. The hyper-connection that is the connection between information and information, infrastructure and infrastructure, infrastructure and information, or space and service, enables the realization and provision of high-quality services that significantly change the quality of life and environment of users. In addition, it is providing everyone with the effect of significantly improving the social safety net and personal health management level by implementing smart government and smart healthcare. A lot of information produced and consumed in these processes can act as a factor threatening the basic rights of the public and individuals by the informations themselves or through big data analysis. In particular, as the smart platform as a core function that forms the ecosystem of a smart city is naturally and continuously expanded, it faces a huge security burden in data processing and network operation. In this paper, platform components as core functions of smart city and appropriate security threats and countermeasures are studied.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-22
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• 2009

This study was conducted to evaluate changes in food consumption during the 1950's on the basis of articles that reflected national policy and changes in society during that time period. Many factors are involved in the development and changes in food consumption culture, and these factors can affect each other. As a result, the process involved in the development of food consumption culture acts as a living system. This study evaluated the food consumption culture during the 1950's because this period was subjected to obvious influences that may explain the modern food consumption market logic and commercialism. Changes in the national food consumption are dependent on natural changes such as income enlargement or cultural exchange with a foreign country. Accordingly, food consumption during the 1950's was influenced by changes in economical, social, and political needs. In addition, the influx of surplus agricultural products from the United States had an adverse effect on local agriculture and resulted in an increased external dependence on food during the 1950s. Moreover, the import of raw materials and simple manufacturing techniques led to the development of an industrial food processing industry that enabled accelerated mass production of food at a low-price. Furthermore, the importation of surplus agricultural products from the United States that were used as the raw materials for foods that had traditionally been produced domestically led to an increased burden and qualitative decline in the local food-service industry. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that during the 1950's fresh food began to be replaced with processed foods in Korea.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a pathogen with a high burden of disease and social cost among infants worldwide, but the development of a vaccine has been delayed. The recent understanding of the pathogenesis of RSV, progress in reverse genetics, and successful implementation of other maternal immunizations have prompted the recent rapid development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines for RSV prevention. Phase 3 clinical trials for two next-generation mAbs (nirsevimab and clesrovimab) and two maternal RSV pre-F vaccines are currently underway or have been recently completed. Soon, we might be able to protect young infants through long-acting mAbs and/or maternal immunization. Additionally, the development of live-attenuated vaccine candidates that are capable of avoiding enhanced RSV disease is ongoing. We need to gain familiarity with these newly developed strategies and collect epidemiological data on domestic RSV to adequately prepare for a new era of RSV prevention.

• 한국노년학
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.299-322
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to critically review recent discourse on aging appeared in Korean newspapers. For this purpose, 1,725 articles on 'aging' or 'elderly' appeared on three major Korean newspapers during 1997- 2006 are analyzed. It is shown that there is a recent surge of articles portraying the positive images of aging in Korean newspapers emphasizing the importance of productive, successful aging and active life style of the elderly. This trend is a welcomed change from the negative images of elderly as dependent burden of society. However, it seems that over emphasis on positive aging and 'New Elderly' might have created another stereotype about the elderly and unintentionally marginalize the certain group of the elderly. By focusing on individual responsibility, it also overlooked the constraints imposed by social structure on disadvantaged elderly group, such as women, elderly in low socio-economic strata. Theoretical and policy implications of this trends are discussed.