• Journal of the Korean Institute of Educational Facilities
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.15-23
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• 2019

This study aims to suggest a Biophilic classroom design of high school to obtain attention restoration for students. The learning space for youth in the modern society is composed of dry artificial structures. This space is considered to be a space that can not relieve stress caused by learning. "The Attention Restoration Theory" is divided into "Directed Attention" of humans, which is the cause of fatigue and stress, and "Involuntary Attention" as a solution to it. "Involuntary Attention" takes place in a rest state and helps the brain recover when exposed to nature. And the core of "Biophilic-Design Theory" is that humans can recover physical and mental conditions when exposed to nature. The purpose of this study is to apply "The Biophilic-Design Theory" that emphasizes the importance of exposure to nature to the educational space and plan the space where the 'Attention Restoration' can be achieved. The research method is as follows. First, we review previous studies related to "The Biophilic-Design Theory" and "The Attention Restoration Theory". Second, we analyze the application examples of "The Biophilic-Design Theory" and "The Attention Restoration Theory" in domestic and foreign educational spaces. Third, the concept of educational space is set up based on the elements derived from previous studies. Finally, we propose the planning direction of classroom design based on Biophilic-Design. The following conclusions were drawn. First, The creation of the education space to restore the learner's attention requires a visual space plan that utilizes natural elements such as natural light, artificial light, plants, and natural materials that can directly experience nature. Second, the direction in which students in the classroom can be "The Attention Restoration Theory" should consider the use of indirect natural elements that bring the surrounding natural landscape into the interior. This study will be used as the baseline data for the spatial design and planning of education facilities based on Biophilic-Design.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.328-339
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• 2018

Background: Pneumococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in patients with comorbidities and advanced age. This study evaluated trends in epidemiology of adult pneumococcal disease in Crete, Greece, by identifying serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of consecutive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from adults during an 8-year time period (2009-2016) and the indirect effect of the infant pneumococcal higher-valent conjugate vaccines 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by E-test and serotyping by Quellung reaction. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as non-susceptibility to penicillin (PNSP) combined with resistance to ${\geq}2$ non-${\beta}$-lactam antimicrobials. Results: A total of 135 S. pneumoniae strains were isolated from adults during the study period. Twenty-one serotypes were identified with 17F, 15A, 3, 19A, and 11A, being the most common. The coverage rates of PCV10, and PCV13 were 17.8% and 37.8%, respectively. PCV13 serotypes decreased significantly from 68.4% in 2009 to 8.3% in 2016 (P = 0.002). The most important emerging non-PCV13 serotypes were 17F, 15A, and 11A, with 15A being strongly associated with antimicrobial resistance and MDR. Among all study isolates, penicillin-resistant and MDR strains represented 7.4% and 14.1%, respectively. Predominant PNSP serotypes were 19A (21.7%), 11A (17.4%), and 15A (17.4%). Erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and levofloxacin resistant rates were 30.4%, 15.6%, 16.3%, 16.3%, and 1.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Although pneumococcal disease continues to be a health burden in adults in Crete, our study reveals a herd protection effect of the infant pneumococcal higher-valent conjugate vaccination. Surveillance of changes in serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance among pneumococcal isolates are necessary to guide optimal prevention and treatment strategies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.460-465
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• 2021

Background: Metastasis and recurrence of primary cancer are the main causes of cancer mortality. Disseminated tumor cells refer to cancer cells that cause metastasis from primary cancer to other organs. Several recent studies have suggested that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are associated with the clinical stage, cancer recurrence, cancer metastasis, and prognosis. There are several methods of isolating CTCs from whole blood; in particular, using a membrane filtration system is advantageous due to its cost-effectiveness and availability in clinical settings. In this study, an animal model of lung cancer was established in nude mice using the human large cell lung cancer cell line H460. Methods: Six-week-old nude mice were used. The H460 lung cancer cell line was injected subcutaneously into the nude mice. Blood samples were obtained from the orbital area before cell line injection, 2 weeks after injection, and 2 weeks after tumor excision. Blood samples were filtered using a polycarbonate 12-well Transwell membrane (Corning Inc., Corning, NY, USA). An indirect immunofluorescence assay was performed with the epithelial cell adhesion molecule antibody. The number of stained cells was counted using fluorescence microscopy. Results: The average size of the tumor masses was 35.83 mm. The stained cells were counted before inoculation, 2 weeks after inoculation, and 2 weeks after tumor excision. Cancer cells generally increased after inoculation and decreased after tumor resection. Conclusion: The CTC detection method using the commercial polycarbonate 12-well Transwell (Corning Inc.) membrane is advantageous in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.37-47
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• 2021

Today, people share information and communicate with others using various information and communication media such as e-mail, smartphones, SNS, etc. However, it is being used in malicious attacks to send a large amount of illegal spam or to use it for fraud by using illegally collected personal information and devices that are vulnerable to security. Illegal spam, smishing, and fraudulent mail(SCAM) cause a lot of direct and indirect damage to companies and users, including not only social costs such as mental fatigue, but also unnecessary consumption of IT infrastructure resources and economic losses. Although there are regulations related to spam, violators of the law are still on the rise by circumventing the law, and victims are constantly occurring, so it is necessary to review what the problem is. This study examined domestic and foreign spam-related regulations and spam-related response activities, identified problems, and suggested improvement countermeasures. Through this study, it was intended to suggest directions for improving spam-related systems in order to block illegal spam and prevent fraudulent damage.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.1991-1999
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• 2021

The response changes of the specific growth rate of Lemna minor duckweed was modeled using the logarithms of frond numbers on tritium activity concentration and gamma radiation dose from cobalt 60. The concept of average specific growth rate depends on the general exponential growth pattern, where toxicity is estimated based on the effect on the growth rate. One of the main questions of the effect of the radiation dose on duckweed is how to correlate the effect of beta radiation with the effect of any other radiation for modeling radiation on Lemna minor. Experimental data were extrapolated by utilizing the OECD guidelines. A linear relationship of absorbed dose and activity concentration was obtained for the average dependency growth rate of Lemna minor as D = (0.1257)·A^0.585. The dose rate of gamma irradiation from ⁶⁰Co increases with tritium activity dependence, on the specific growth rate of the Lemna minor duckweed. An increase in the tritium activity causes a decrease in the specific growth rate of the Lemna minor duckweed. It indicates that as the quantity of the beta radiation dose increase in Lemna minor duckweed, a higher quantity of gamma radiation will be required to cause the same effect in the specific growth rate of Lemna minor duckweed. The relation between the inhibition of the Lemna minor seedling growth and gamma and beta radiation dosage agrees roughly with that between the decrease of survival rate or fertility and dosage.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2023

Background: Although microbial infection is direct cause of periodontal disease, various environmental factors influence the disease severity. Aging is considered a risk factor for oral diseases, with the prevalence of periodontal diseases increasing with age. Moreover, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expressed in age-related diseases is a key marker of chronic inflammation and aging phenotypes. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the relevance of senescent cells to periodontal health and disease, investigate the possibility of regulating the expression of aging- and osteolysis-related factors in gingival fibroblasts, and investigate the effect of senescence induction in gingival fibroblasts on osteoclast differentiation in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Methods: After stimulation with 400 nM hydrogen peroxidase, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were examined for senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to assess the expression of SASP. Osteoclast formation was assessed in BMMs using a conditioned medium (CM) from hydrogen peroxide-stimulated HGFs. Osteoclastic differentiation was investigated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and activity. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The expression of senescence-related molecules, including p53, p16, and p21, and the expression of osteolytic factors, including IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17, were found to be significantly higher in the hydrogen peroxide-stimulated HGF than in the control group. Regarding the indirect effects of senescent gingival cells, the number of osteoclasts and TRAP activity increased according to the differentiation of BMM cultured in CM. Conclusion: Our results on the of between osteolytic factors and cellular senescence in gingival fibroblast cells helped to reveal evidence of pathological aging mechanisms. Furthermore, our results suggest that the development of novel therapies that target specific SASP factors could be an effective treatment strategy for periodontal disease.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2024

Background: Despite many environmental problems, plastic waste emissions have been a significant surge during last few decades in the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has lead to an increased use and disposal of plastic waste worldwide. This paper tried to present summarized data related to the production and disposal of plastics especially before and after the COVID-19 pandemic with environmental impacts of plastics. Also, review of plastic waste reduction policies and feasible policies to promote an act for a safe, sustainable environment are presented. Results: Plastics cause many environmental problems due to their non-degrading properties and have a huge direct and indirect impact on Ecosystems and Public Health. Microplastics need a lot of attention because their environmental effects are not yet fully identified. Despite plastic's significant impact on climate change, the impact is not yet widely known to the public. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of plastic has surged and recycling has decreased due to the increase in delivery food and online shopping. Korea is introducing very active plastic and waste management policies, but it is necessary to implement more active policies by referring to the cases of other countries. Conclusions: In this article, we have scrutinized the evolution of plastic waste generation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and delved into policy frameworks adopted by other nations, which South Korea can draw valuable lessons from. The formidable challenges posed by plastic waste, the remarkable shifts witnessed during the COVID-19 era, and the multifaceted response strategies elucidated in this paper all play a pivotal role in steering South Korea toward a sustainable future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.359-365
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• 2005

Objectives : An abrupt economic decline may widen the socioeconomic differences in health between the advantaged and disadvantaged in a society. The aim of this study was to examine whether the South Korean economic crisis of 1997-98 affected the socioeconomic inequality from all-causes and from cause-specific mortality between 1995 and 2001. Methods : Population denominators were obtained from the registration population data, with the number of death (numerators) calculated from raw death certificate data. The indicator used to assess the geographic socioeconomic position was the per capita regional tax revenue. Administrative districts (Si-Gun-Gu) were ranked according to this socioeconomic measure, and divided into equal population size quintiles on the basis of this ranking. The sex- and 5-year age-specific numbers of the population and deaths were used to compute the sex- and age-adjusted mortality rates (via direct standardization method), standardized mortality ratios (via indirect standardization methods) and relative indices of inequality (RII) (via Poisson regression). Results : Geographic inequalities from all-causes of mortality, as measured by RII, did not increase as a result of the economic crisis (from 1998-2001). This was true for both sexes and all age groups. However, the cause-specific analyses showed that socioeconomic inequalities in mortalities from external causes were affected by South Korean economic crisis. For males, the RIIs for mortalities from transport accidents and intentional self-harm increased between 1995 and 2001. For females, the RII for mortality from intentional self-harm increased during the same period. Conclusions : The South Korean economic crisis widened the geographic inequality in mortalities from major external causes. This increased inequality requires social discourse and counter policies with respect to the rising health inequalities in the South Korean society.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.185-193
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• 2016

Purpose of this study is to classify damaged lands according to the cause of the damage and their influences based on characteristic of the damaged lands in DeMilitarized Zone(DMZ) area, and utilize this study as a fundamental study for establishment of ecosystem restoration system. Literature review and field survey have been conducted to review the damage status of DMZ area. For field survey, first year and second year have been conducted, in which type of the damage has been reviewed in this study. In the result, types of damage have been classified into 6 categories: 'alteration of initial landform', 'loss of surface layer', 'land pollution', 'alteration of soil chemical property', 'decline of vegetation', and 'invasion of foreign species'. Restoration for each damage type is as following. First, for alteration of initial landform, the land is restored to the original landform prior to the damage and connection to surrounding ecosystem is considered. Second, for loss of surface layer, lost surface layer is restored or further loss is prevented with stabilization. Third, for land pollution, source of the pollution is eradicated or self-circulation with purification of polluted land is encouraged. Fourth, for alteration of soil chemical property, soil is restored of its original property with eradication of the pollution source and improvement of soil. Fifth, for decline of vegetation, current vegetation and anticipated alteration in future are considered and number of wild species is to be increased based on structure and characteristic of nearby vegetation. Sixth, for invasion of foreign species, prevention of dominance by risky species and facilitation ecological stability with ecological management are to be considered. Influence according to the cause of damage has occurred in secondary(indirect) influence or simultaneous occurrence of several damage types. Considering all these aspects, when type of the damage is complex, restoration process for each of former mentioned 6 damage types with solitary influence should be considered in unison.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2016

3D visual fatigue is known as one of the most important factors that interfere the commercial success of 3D contents. Vergence-accommodation conflict, which is known to occur when an observer watches an image containing binocular disparity presented on a 3D display, has been suggested as a major cause of 3D visual fatigue. This implies that any image incorporating binocular disparity might cause 3D visual fatigue. In order to reduce 3D visual fatigue, it would be necessary to consider indirect ways of reducing 3D visual fatigue as well as eliminating the direct causes of 3D visual fatigue. We have examined the effect of the variables that are expected to affect subjective 3D visual fatigue and these variables included the relative disparity contained in an image, viewing distance and viewing angle. We have also figured out the proper levels of the variables required to minimize 3D visual fatigue. The results indicate that observers began to report significant 3D visual fatigue when the crossed disparity contained in an image exceeded 7.22' and the vertical viewing angle was larger than 15 degree.