• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.304-309
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• 2023

Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health burden and a major cause of illness in developing countries. The diseases lead to various health threats, including growth retardation and mental health-related disorders, especially in children. We assessed the risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections among children aged 12-59 months residing in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using secondary data from 1,048 children aged 12-59 months whose stool samples were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites and whose results were registered in the laboratory information system in 2020. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in children aged 12-59 months was 53.2%. The dominant parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides (13.1%), followed by Giardia lamblia (10.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.9%), Trichuris trichiura (6.5%), hookworms (1.7%), and Taenia species (1.4%). A significant association was observed between intestinal parasites and the literacy of mothers or children's caregivers (odds ratio (OR)=5.09, P<0.001). Children from farming households were 2.8-fold more likely to contract intestinal parasitic infections than those from nonfarming households (OR=2.8, P<0.001). A significant association was also observed between intestinal parasites and food safety (OR=4.9, P<0.001). Intestinal parasitic infections were significantly associated with hand hygiene practices after using the toilet and washing fresh fruits before eating (P<0.001). The information gathered will help public health providers and partners develop control plans in highly endemic areas in Rwanda.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.715-722
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to revitalize rehabilitation treatment for people with physical disabilities by presenting a convergence plan between e-sports and rehabilitation exercises using AI-based metaverse. Metaverse-based e-sportscan be useful in providing sports experiences to people with physical disabilities who are unable to participate in society, and this also allows individuals with disabilities to experience sports that are difficult to actually experience. The use of metaverse will enable effective rehabilitation exercise links in vulnerable communities such as hospitals and farming and fishing villages, and provide integrated services of medical and rehabilitation movements that allow exercise data to be managed in an integrated manner. To this end, interdisciplinary experts should participate in the convergence development of e-sports and rehabilitation exercise.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2023

Although Due to industrial development and urbanization, the number of schools closing due to a decrease in the school-age population is increasing due to the phenomenon of relocation from farming and fishing villages. Closing schools are used as social and cultural facilities, or they are used to generate income by providing education and experiences. Agro-healing is an activity that promotes psychological, social, and physical health by using rural resources. By reflecting the Agro-healing in the services operated by the closed school, the perception of the provision of the Agro-healing service was investigated as a way to provide a therapeutic service to visitors and to increase the utilization of the closed school. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions, a total of 5 questions related to demographic information, a total of 5 questions related to the perception of agro-healing activities in closed school facilities. As a result, 347 people participated in the survey. The higher the awareness of agro-healing, the need for a agro-healing expert, the satisfaction with the use of rural closed school facilities, and the willingness to participate in agro-healing activities, the higher the awareness that the provision of agro-healing services was necessary by the state. Theses results are expected to be useful as basic to data to solve the diverse limitation in rural closed school and agro-healing activities.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1155-1169
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Unhealthy food choices among young adults are common globally, and the incidence of chronic diseases, such as obesity, is rising. Food literacy (FL) is important for improving and maintaining individual health in a rapidly changing food environment and can form the basis for following a sustainable diet. Therefore, it is essential to improve FL among young adults, particularly college students, who are in the formative years of their lifelong food habits. This study examined the facilitators and barriers of FL and related dietary behavior among college students in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study recruited 25 college students with different residence types using convenience and snowball sampling. In-person, telephone, and video interviews were conducted from March to November 2021. The interview data were analyzed using framework analysis based on the socio-ecological model. RESULTS: At the individual level, prior good experiences with food were the most frequently mentioned facilitator. In contrast, the major barriers were a lack of knowledge, financial hardship, irregular schedules, and academic stress. At the interpersonal level, the influences of family and peers, such as early exposure to healthy eating habits and opportunities to have easy accessibility to farms and farming, are major facilitators, but the lack of a sense of community was the major barrier. At the environmental level, the major barriers were unfavorable food environments at home and in neighborhoods, such as the absence of kitchens in housing and large packaging of produce at markets. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors affected the students' FL and related healthy eating practices. These findings suggest that a campus-based FL program should be developed by reflecting on these facilitators and barriers.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.114-125
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• 2024

Wetlands in the living area are important ecological resources that are the basis for the daily life or farming activities of local residents, and have high ecological value such as ecosystem services and green infrastructure. This study was carried out to develop a functional evaluation methodology optimized for small-scale wetlands(RAMS). Based on on-site evaluation by experts, surveys and in-depth interviews, four functional items, including biodiversity, health, hydrophilic culture and ecology, water circulation, and carbon absorption, and 15 detailed indicators, and the evaluation grade for each detailed indicator, were developed on a 5-point scale. The evaluation methodology optimized for small-scale living areas wetlands (RAMS) proposed as a result of this study can be used as basic data for conservation and restoration and management of small-scale living areas wetlands at home and abroad.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

In this study, we constructed a process simulation model for an agricultural by-products based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) combined heat and power generation system as part of the introduction of technology for energy self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector. The aim was to reduce the burden of increasing fuel and electricity consumption due to rapid fluctuations in international oil prices and the expansion of smart farming in domestic farms, while contributing to the national greenhouse gas reduction goals. Based on the experimental results of 0.3 ton/day torrefied agricultural by-product gasification experiment, a model for an agricultural by-product-based SOFC cogeneration system was constructed, and optimization of the heat exchange network was conducted for SOFC capacities ranging from 4 to 20 kW. The results indicated that an 8 kW agricultural by-product-based SOFC cogeneration system was optimal under the current system conditions. It is anticipated that these research findings can serve as foundational data for future commercial facility design.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.229-241
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• 2023

This study aims to examine the farm household income and consumption structure change as well as farm income inequality. Data from the Agricultural Household Survey for the years 2016, 2021, and 2022 were hired to analyze farm income inequality by the Gini coefficient decomposition method. Results show that from 2016 to 2021, all income quintiles exhibited an increasing trend, but in 2022, income decreased across all quintiles. As a result of analyzing farm household consumption expenditure, consumption expenditure increased in all income quintiles in 2021 and 2022 compared to 2016, but consumption of optional goods decreased in the fifth quintile. In addition, it was found that farmers in the first quartile had higher consumption expenditures and expenditures on options than those in the second quartile. The analysis of farm income by region show that public subsidies increased significantly for general rural farmers than for farmers in special and metropolitan areas in all income quintiles during the period. In the case of the first quintile, farm household income in rural areas in special and metropolitan cities increased compared to general rural areas. In the fifth quartile, agricultural income and sideline income in general rural areas increased compared to rural areas in special and metropolitan cities, while rural areas in special and metropolitan cities increased non-business income compared to rural areas. Results of farming income inequality by income type show a steady decline in inequality from 2016 to 2022, indicating that the decreasing gini coefficinet of public subsidies is contributing to the decline in farm income inequality. Private subsidies and side income are shown to increase inequality.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.58.1-58.8
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• 2024

Importance: Over the past decade, catfish farming has increased in Southeast Asia. However, there has been no existing for pharmacokinetic data in the hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus x C. gariepinus). Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of oxytetracycline (OTC) in the hybrid catfish, following single intravascular (IV) or oral (PO) administration at a single dosage of 50 mg/kg body weight (BW). Methods: In total, 140 catfish (each about 100-120 g BW) were divided into two groups (n = 70). Blood samples (0.6-0.8 mL) were collected from ventral caudal vein at pre-assigned times up to 144 h (sparse samples design). OTC plasma concentrations were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector. Results: The pharmacokinetic parameter of OTC was evaluated using a non-compartment model. OTC plasma concentrations were detectable for up to 144 and 120 h after IV and PO, respectively. The elimination half-life value of OTC was long with slow clearance after IV administration in hybrid catfish. The average maximum concentration value of OTC was 2.72 ㎍/mL with a time at the maximum concentration of 8 h. The absolute PO bioavailability was low (2.47%). Conclusions and Relevance: These results showed that PO administration of OTC at a dosage of 50 mg/kg BW was unlikely to be effective for clinical use in catfish. The pharmacodynamic properties and clinical efficacy of OTC after multiple medicated feed are warranted.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-30
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• 2003

This paper attempts to explore the effects of ecological and socioeconomic factors on the level of mortality and the changing trends of such effects during the period of 1990∼2000. For this purpose the population census data and micro-data from the vital statistics for years 1990, 1995 and 2000 were used. As indicators of mortality, the crude death rate(CDR), the standardized death rate(SDR) and the longevity rate were calculated for 170 'Si' s and 'Gun's. Using GIS, this paper first presents the mortality and longevity maps for years 1990, 1995 and 2000. Then ANOVA and regression analyses are carried out in an effort to generalize the effects of ecological and socioeconomic factors on the CDR, the SDR and the longevity rate. When the mortality and longevity maps are examined, three indices of mortality are found to be markedly high in the southwest coastal regions of Cholla-Nam-Do. By contrast, Seoul and Pusan metropolitan areas show substantially low level of mortality and longevity in these indices. It is also found that the regional differentials in the SDR and the longevity rate show a trend of becoming smaller after 1990. The research, however, does not find any linear relationship between the SDR and the longevity rate. The causal mechanisms of the two indices are found to be different. The results of the ANOVA and the regression analysis reveal that the locational factors of both mountainous and farming regions tend to increase the CDR and SDR while both coastal and farming regions disclose a tendency of increasing the longevity rate. The level of statistical significance of these analytical results is found to be weaker when socioeconomic factors such as education, income, marital status, availability of medical care, and sanitary conditions of the region are taken into account. The regional differentials in the mortality level seem to have a clear relationship not only with the socioeconomic factors but also with the age structure influenced by the age selectivity of migration during the past 40 years.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2019

Currently, cultivation of mushrooms using the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based smart farming technique is increasing rapidly. The main environmental factors for growth of mushrooms are temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and light. Among all the mentioned factors, currently, only temperature has been maintained under automatic control. However, humidity and ventilation are controlled using a timer, based on technical experience.Therefore, in this study, a Pleurotus eryngii first-generation smart farm model was set up that can automatically control temperature, humidity, and ventilation. After installing the environmental control system and the monitoring device, the environmental condition of the mushroom cultivation room and the growth of the fruiting bodies were studied. The data thus obtained was compared to that obtained using the conventional cultivation method.In farm A, the temperature during the primordia formation stage was about 17℃, and was maintained at approximately 16℃ during the fruiting stage. The humidity was initially maintained at 95%, and the farm was not humidified after the primordia formation stage. There was no sensor for CO₂ management, and the system was ventilated as required by observing the shape of the pileus and the stipe. It was observed that, the concentration of CO₂ was between 700 and 2,500 ppm during the growth period. The average weight of the mushrooms produced in farm A was 125 g, and the quality was between that of the premium and the first grade.In farm B. The CO₂ sensor was in use for measurement purposes only; the system was ventilated as required by observing the shape of the pileus and the stipe. During the growth period, the CO₂ concentration was observed to be between 640 and 4,500 ppm. The average weight of the mushrooms produced in farm B was 102 g.These results indicate that the quality of the king oyster mushroom is determined by the environmental conditions, especially by the concentration of CO₂. Thus, the data obtained in this study can be used as an optimal smart farm model, where, by improving the environmental control method of farm A, better quality mushrooms were obtained.