• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.153-158
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• 2023

Massacres of civilians are being committed in the Russia-Ukraine war, and the war is becoming a long-term war due to a lack of support for reserve combat forces. Considering the reality that South Korea is experiencing a rapid population decline and is rapidly entering an aging society, we are at a point where the nature of the war with North Korea must change. Among them, if private security guards are placed under the control of the police as regular security and crime prevention personnel and used as an alternative resource for reserve forces to ensure the safety of wartime areas and residents and prepare for long-term wars, it will help preserve combat power and maintain sustainability.Regarding private security, considering Japan's further development, we compared it with ours and looked into ways to utilize it as a reserve force for a divided country. In a future where low birth rates will lead to a decrease in military strength, if private security guards are used in local security vacuums during peacetime and participate in local defense during wartime, it could help improve the Korean military's reserve force.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.53-64
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• 2024

Global population growth has resulted in an increased demand for food production. Simultaneously, aging rural communities have led to a decrease in the workforce, thereby increasing the demand for automation in agriculture. Drones are particularly useful for unmanned pest control fields. However, the current method of uniform spraying leads to environmental damage due to overuse of pesticides and drift by wind. To address this issue, it is necessary to enhance spraying performance through precise performance evaluation. Therefore, as a foundational study aimed at optimizing drone-based pest control technologies, this research evaluated water-sensitive paper (WSP) via density map estimation using convolutional neural networks (CNN) with a encoder-decoder structure. To achieve more accurate estimation, this study implemented multi-task learning, incorporating an additional classifier for image segmentation alongside the density map estimation classifier. The proposed model in this study resulted in a R-squared (R²) of 0.976 for coverage area in the evaluation data set, demonstrating satisfactory performance in evaluating WSP at various density levels. Further research is needed to improve the accuracy of spray result estimations and develop a real-time assessment technology in the field.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.141-157
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• 2024

Antithrombotic agents, including antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, are widely used in Korea because of the increasing incidence of cardiocerebrovascular disease and the aging population. The management of patients using antithrombotic agents during endoscopic procedures is an important clinical challenge. The clinical practice guidelines for this issue, developed by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, were published in 2020. However, new evidence on the use of dual antiplatelet therapy and direct anticoagulant management has emerged, and revised guidelines have been issued in the United States and Europe. Accordingly, the previous guidelines were revised. Cardiologists were part of the group that developed the guideline, and the recommendations went through a consensus-reaching process among international experts. This guideline presents 14 recommendations made based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and was reviewed by multidisciplinary experts. These guidelines provide useful information that can assist endoscopists in the management of patients receiving antithrombotic agents who require diagnostic and elective therapeutic endoscopy. It will be revised as necessary to cover changes in technology, evidence, or other aspects of clinical practice.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.19-25
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• 2024

The worldwide aging population trend is causing an increase in the incidence of major retinal diseases that can lead to blindness, including glaucoma, cataract, and macular degeneration. In the field of ophthalmology, there is a focused interest in diagnosing diseases that are difficult to prevent in order to reduce the rate of blindness. This study proposes a deep learning approach to accurately diagnose ocular diseases in fundus photographs using less data than traditional methods. For this, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models capable of effective learning with limited data were selected to classify Conventional Fundus Images (CFI) from various ocular disease patients. The chosen CNN models demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving high Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-score values. This approach reduces manual analysis by ophthalmologists, shortens consultation times, and provides consistent diagnostic results, making it an efficient and accurate diagnostic tool in the medical field.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.93-102
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: The effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions on functional brain changes in older adults remain unclear. This preliminary study aimed to explore the effect of physical exercise intervention (PEI), including HIIT, on cognitive function, physical performance, and electroencephalogram patterns in Korean elderly people. Methods: We enrolled six non-dementia participants aged >65 years from a community health center. PEI was conducted at the community health center for 4 weeks, three times/week, and 50 min/day. PEI, including HIIT, involved aerobic exercise, resistance training (muscle strength), flexibility, and balance. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis. Results: After the PEI, there was improvement in the 30-second sit-to-stand test result (16.2±7.0 times vs. 24.8±5.5 times, p=0.027), 2-minute stationary march result (98.3±27.2 times vs. 143.7±36.9 times, p=0.027), T-wall response time (104.2±55.8 seconds vs.71.0±19.4 seconds, p=0.028), memory score (89.6±21.6 vs. 111.0±19.1, p=0.028), executive function score (33.3±5.3 vs. 37.0±5.1, p=0.046), and total Literacy Independent Cognitive Assessment score (214.6±30.6 vs. 241.6±22.8, p=0.028). Electroencephalography demonstrated that the beta power in the frontal region was increased, while the theta power in the temporal region was decreased (all p<0.05). Conclusions: Our HIIT PEI program effectively improved cognitive function, physical fitness, and electroencephalographic markers in elderly individuals; thus, it could be beneficial for improving functional brain activity in this population.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2024

Recently, in the era of the 4th industry, the era of smart agriculture is progressing with the use of related core technologies in the agricultural sector. As a representative example, the use of drones for pest control is increasing, and the use in the agricultural sector is increasing, and the existing control method is being changed by replacing the aging population. However, the importance of control management is increasing due to the increase in agricultural control drones. In this study, various civil complaints are occurring due to the non-standardization of the control operator's work instructions, control area allocation, and control settlement. In this study, we try to resolve civil complaints by computerizing various tasks that occur from the drone control manager's point of view and computerizing them so that they can be managed. Through this, it is intended to manage the control area for large areas and use it as basic data for the development of control management system.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.216-234
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• 2024

Background: Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, is designated as an emergency medical vulnerable area, facing significant challenges in transporting and treating emergency patients. A detailed analysis of the regional emergency medical system is required to identify effective solutions. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from the National Emergency Medical Information System and emergency activity logs with qualitative data from focus group interviews involving 24 stakeholders, including medical staff, paramedics, civil servants, and local residents. Results: Quantitative findings indicated an aging population in Hapcheon-gun, with a growing number of elderly emergency room users. Despite the utilization of local emergency medical institutions, a lack of trust and preference for urban hospitals led even patients with mild conditions to seek care at higher-level facilities. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, transport distances and times for patients using 119 emergency services increased. Qualitative analysis identified several issues: limited capacity of local institutions, challenges in patient transport due to misaligned emergency medical zones, an increase in severely ill patients, and the absence of a coordinated emergency medical consultative body. Recommendations include strengthening local institutions through government support, realignment of emergency zones, legal reforms, the establishment of a continuous consultative body, and enhancing the capacity of medical staff, paramedics, and residents. Conclusion: Improving the emergency medical system in Hapcheon-gun will require targeted efforts in institutional strengthening, legal and administrative support, and capacity-building initiatives.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.367-383
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• 2024

Korea faces challenges in securing technical talent due to low birth rates and an aging population. To bridge labor market gaps, tailored education programs through universities are crucial. Although Program for Industrial needs-Matched Education (PRIME) encouraged developing industrial-university education courses, a few universities have the opportunities and the courses development is often depending on capability of a professor. Furthermore, administrative issues hinder progress. This study proposes streamlining administrative processes and leveraging technology to meet industry demands. Active collaboration between academia and industry can enhance education and benefit both employees and students.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.480-489
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• 2024

Objectives: Excess deaths, an indicator that compares total mortality rates before and during a pandemic, offer a comprehensive view of the pandemic's impact. However, discrepancies may arise from variations in estimating expected deaths. This study aims to compare excess deaths in Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic using 3 methods and to analyze patterns using the most appropriate method. Methods: Expected deaths from 2020 to 2022 were estimated using mortality data from 2015-2019 as reference years. This estimation employed 3 approaches: (1) simple average, (2) age-adjusted average, and (3) age-adjusted linear regression. Excess deaths by age, gender, and cause of death were also presented. Results: The number of excess deaths varied depending on the estimation method used, reaching its highest point with the simple average and its lowest with the age-adjusted average. Age-adjusted linear regression, which accounts for both the aging population and declining mortality rates, was considered most appropriate. Using this model, excess deaths were estimated at 0.3% for 2020, 4.0% for 2021, and 20.7% for 2022. Excess deaths surged among individuals in their 20s throughout the pandemic, largely attributed to a rise in self-harm and suicide. Additionally, the results indicated sharp increases in deaths associated with "endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases" and "symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified." Conclusions: Substantial variations in excess deaths were evident based on estimation method, with a notable increase in 2022. The heightened excess deaths among young adults and specific causes underscore key considerations for future pandemic responses.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.39-48
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• 2011

Korea is rapidly becoming an aging society. This study aims to examine the existing conditions of outdoor living environments to assist a healthy lifestyle for senior citizens and to determine the most influential factor in a senior-friendly outdoor space as well as to suggest improvements in existing conditions focused on the prospective senior population. This study relied on two methods: a descriptive method of researching publications and related scholastic writings and an empirical study that included a survey of present conditions and interviews with the prospective seniors and senior citizens in Daejeon. Conditions of outdoor living environments for seniors were found to be more than adequate in general. But some factors evaluated as low must be carefully tailored for seniors. First, the study showed that seniors evaluated as highest the 'use of a walkway' for a stroll and stayed outside for 1~2 hours at a time. Many vehicles parked in walkways were the most inconvenient factors in going for a walk. Second, the study showed that the evaluation of outdoor space was about average and 'sociality' was evaluated as the lowest. Third, the study showed that men evaluated lower than women 4 items: 'use and convenience of a wheelchair', 'night lighting', 'discrimination of signage at nighttime' and 'trees'. Respondents above the age of 66 are more uncomfortable with items such as 'slippery walking surface', 'stair handrail', 'discrimination of signage at nighttime' and 'direction of apartment complex' while respondents above the age of 80 are more uncomfortable with items of 'slippery walking surface', 'stair handrail' and 'discrimination of signage at nighttime'. Fourth, the evaluation by existing housing patterns was statistically significant in 20 of 22 evaluated items. This means that residents in apartment complex evaluated as high these items in general. In this study, existing outdoor living environments for the elderly did not display any immediately serious issues in the overall evaluation items. Assuming, however, that the aging population will quickly increase in the next ten years, items which are evaluated as low in descriptive statistics and items which give inconvenience to the elderly above the age of 80 in particular will need to be the first areas to be improved.