• Economic Analysis
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-33
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• 2020

Recent discussions about a minimum wage increase (MWI) and its influence on the economy have mainly focused on the quantitative aspects, such as labor costs and employment. However, concerning the qualitative aspects, an MWI could have positive effects by enhancing firm productivity and crowding out marginal firms from the market. These positive effects of an MWI can offset, to some extent, its potential negative effects - increasing labor costs and decreasing employment, among others. In this regard we empirically examine the impact of an MWI on firm productivity (total factor productivity). Using firm level panel data from the manufacturing industry in Korea, we calculate the influence rates of a minimum wage by sector and by firm size (number of workers), and analyze its effects on firm productivity. In particular, the production functions of the firms are estimated by taking into account endogeneity among the input factors, in order to resolve the drawbacks of existing studies - underestimating the capital factor coefficient and overestimating the labor factor coefficient. This study finds that the influences of an MWI on wages, employment, and productivity are substantially different across sectors and firm sizes. While an MWI has shown to have positive influences on productivity growth in the manufacturing industry as a whole, each sector demonstrates a different direction of effect, and the degree of productivity change also varies by sector. The impacts of an MWI on firm productivity are generally estimated to be more negative for smaller firms, but in some sectors the effects are found to be positive. In addition, the wage increases resulting from an MWI seem to cause a productivity enhancement across all sectors in the manufacturing industry. The policy implications of this study are as follows. Considering the empirical findings that an MWI causes an increase in productivity in many sectors of the manufacturing industry, it would be desirable to take into consideration not only the negative side effects but also the positive effects of an MWI when designing any future minimum wage policy. Moreover, in spite of there being a uniform minimum wage, this study finds that the diverse influence rates of a minimum wage across firms have different impacts on wages, employment, and productivity across sectors or firm size. This finding could be conducive to discussions about differentiation among minimum wage schemes by sector or firm size.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2023

This study was conducted to discover substances that regulate skin surface acidification using human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines, and to investigate their effects on the moisturizing ability and skin barrier function of the stratum corneum. Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) is an herb widely distributed in Northwest Africa and North America that has been studied for its anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, research on the regulation of NHE1 expression and the restoration of skin barrier function has not been conducted. Analysis of P. vulgaris revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid as active ingredients, which were tested for toxicity in human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT), and showed no toxic effects were observed at high concentarion (100 ㎍/mL or 100 µM). It is known that sodium-hydrogen ion exchange pumps (NHE1) decrease in expression in aging skin to maintain the acidic pH of the stratum corneum, and it is hypothesized that this decrease plays an important role in the impaired restoration of skin barrier function in aging skin. P. vulgaris extract and caffeic acid increased the expression of NHE1 in keratinocytes, increased the expression of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) precursor filaggrin and ceramide synthesis enzyme serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT). In addition, P. vulgaris and caffeic acid decreased the extracellular pH of keratinocytes, indicating a direct effect on skin pH regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that P. vulgaris and caffeic acid can regulate skin pH through NHE1 modulation, and may help to restore skin barrier function by increasing NMF and ceramide synthesis. These results show the possibility that honeysuckle and caffeic acid can have a positive effect on skin health, and can be the basis for the development of new skin protection products using them.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.627-638
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• 2022

This study was conducted at a village fishing farm on 4 peaks on the main island of Jeju Island and 2 peaks on an inhabited island to compare the distribution characteristics of seaweeds along the coast of Jeju Island from May to December 2018. A total of 101 species of seaweeds were surveyed, including 13 species (12.9%) of green algae, 24 species (23.8%) of Phaeophyta, and 64 species (63.4%) of Rhodophyta. The largest number of seaweeds appeared in May and the fewest in October, showing typical features of a temperate sea area. The number of seaweed species that appeared was 66 and 65 species at the water depths of 5 m and 8 m, respectively, and the largest was 74 species at 12 m. The number of seaweeds that appeared by area was the largest at 66 species on Udo Island, an eastern island near Jeju Island, and the lowest at 27 species in Pyoseon-ri, an eastern part of Jeju Island. The important values of emerging species were high in the order of, Ecklonia cavaand Corallina crassissima at 21.1% and 20.3%, respectively, Corallina aberransat 9.2%, Amphora ephedraeaat 6.2%, and Sargassum macrocarpumat 4.4%. Among seaweeds, an average of 11.2 species of coralline algae appeared, and the mean importance value was 32.6% in the sear area. The lowest importance value was 14.7% on Udo Island, and the highest was 41.0% in Pyoseon-ri. The mean ecological evaluation index (EEI) of seaweed colonies ranged from 2.1 to 10. It was the lowest at the water depth of 12 m in Pyoseon-ri in May and June and was 7.3 or higher in other areas, indicating good condition. This study rated the standardized ecological grade I for the water depth of 12 m on Udo Island and grade II for the water depths of 5 m and 8 m in Sagye-ri and on Chujado Island. Grade III was the water depth of 5 m and 12 m in Pyoseon-ri and Guideok 2-ri and the water depth of 5 m and 8 m in Pyeongdae-ri, and grade IV was the water depth of 8 m in Guideok 2-ri.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.37-45
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• 2023

The surge in food delivery systems during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic necessitated this study of heavy metal migration from food contact materials (FCMs). A total of 104 samples of FCMs, comprising 51 polypropylene (PP), 21 polyethylene (PE), and 32 polystyrene (PS) samples of six different types of FCMs (containers, covers, table utensils, cups, pouches, and wrappers) used for food delivery distributed in Korea, were collected and investigated for migration of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine whether they complied with Korea's Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. Acetic acid (4%, v/v) was used as the food simulant, and tests were performed at 100℃ (in harsh conditions) for 30 min. Linearity of Pb, Cd, and As showed acceptable results with a coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.9999. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of Pb, Cd, and As were 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 ㎍/L and 0.002, 0.003, and 0.003 ㎍/L, respectively. Accuracy and precision results complied with the criteria presented in the European Commission Joint Research Centre guidelines. The average concentration of Pb, Cd, and As migration detected in a total of 104 samples was 0.009-0.260 ㎍/L, which was very low compared with the migration specification set in the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. The maximum level of Pb corresponded to 0.23% of the migration limit. There were no samples exceeding the limit. Thus, this study confirmed that the heavy metal contents of FCMs used for delivery food distributed in Korea were safely managed. The data from this study represent an invaluable source for science-based safety management of hazardous heavy metals migrating from FCMs used in the food delivery industry.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.32-44
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of implant connection type on marginal bone loss (MBL) and to analyze the factors that affect MBL. This study focuses on single implants planted in the upper and lower first molar area. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 implants from 68 patients were tracked for a period over 5 years. There were 57 external connection type (EC) implants and 30 internal connection type (IC) implants in 38 males and 30 females. The MBL and EA were measured from intraoral radiograph images taken after 5 years at most. Results: Significant difference in MBL between EC and IC type was observed in patients without GBR or diabetes. Patients without GBR exhibited an MBL of -0.065 ± 0.859 mm in EC type and -0.627 ± 0.639 mm in IC type (P = 0.025). Using multiple regression analysis, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed between MBL and conditions including implant-abutment connection type (β = -0.303), diabetes (β = -0.113), emergence angle > 30° (β = -0.234), and age (β = -0.776). Conclusion: Within this results, IC type implants had less MBL than EC type, and implant prosthesis with emergence angle over 30° showed greater MBL. To minimize the MBL of the implant and ensure implant stability, careful consideration should be given to the EA of implant prosthesis and its connection type.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.34
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• pp.7-12
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• 2022

Purpose: When it is difficult to secure the skin dose when treating Irregularly Shaped Skin Surface such as the nose where it is difficult to apply a bolus, increase the skin dose with a treatment plan that combines the IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) delivery technique and FFF (Flattening Filter Free), It was tried to find out whether or not through the phantom experiment. Materials & Methods: Based on the 6MV-FF (Flattening Filter) and VMAT (Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy) treatment plans, which are the most commonly used treatment plans for head and neck cancer, A comparison group was created by combining VMAT and IMRT, FF and FFF, and the presence or absence of 5 mm bolus application. A virtual target was created on the Rando Phantom's nose, and a virtual bolus of 5 mm was applied assuming full contact on the Rando Phantom's nose. Five measurement points were determined based on the phantom's nose, and the absorbed dose was measured by irradiating each treatment plan 3 times per treatment plan according to the treatment technique and whether or not the bolus was applied. Result: The difference in skin dose in FF vs FFF increased in the case of FFF in VMAT bolus off, and there was no difference in case of IMRT bolus off. In VMAT bolus 5 mm and IMRT bolus 5 mm, it was confirmed that the skin dose was rather decreased in FFF. The difference in skin dose between VMAT and IMRT increased only in the case of FFF bolus off, and there was no statistical difference in the rest. For the difference in skin dose between bolus off vs bolus 5 mm, it was confirmed that the skin dose increased at bolus 5 mm, except for the case of using IMRT FFF. The treatment plan combining IMRT and FFF did not find any statistically significant difference as a result of analyzing the measured values of the treatment plan skin dose applied with a 5 mm bolus using the commonly used VMAT and FF. Therefore, it is thought that by using IMRT_FFF, it is possible to deliver a skin dose similar to that of applying a 5 mm bolus to VMAT_FF, which can be useful for patients who need a high skin dose but have difficulty applying a bolus. Conclusion: For patients who find it difficult to apply bolus, an increase in skin dose can be expected with a treatment plan that properly combines IMRT and FFF compared to VMAT and FF.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2023

This study analyzed the factors affecting the opinions of life-sustaining treatment among the elderly in Korea. The study subjects were 10,097 people who responded to the survey on the condition of the elderly (2020), and using the SPSS 25.0 program, first, the demographic characteristics of the research subjects were identified through descriptive statistics and the average and normality of major variables were identified. Second, the chi-square was analyzed by conducting a cross-analysis of opinions on life-sustaining treatment according to the characteristics of the elderly. Third, a correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between major variables. Fourth, the relative influence on the life-sustaining treatment of the elderly was identified through multiple regression analysis. The main research findings are as follows. First, 8,565 (84.8%) of the elderly were opposed to medical treatment (life-sustaining treatment) to save them even if they were unconscious or difficult to live. Second, as a result of cross-analysis on life-sustaining treatment for the elderly, the 𝑥² values of education level, health status, living together with children, and cost of living in old age were found to be significant. Third, the educational level of the elderly, living together with children, and the cost of living in old age were found to have statistically significant negative effects on life-sustaining treatment. Such research results indicate that the elderly with a high level of education oppose life-sustaining treatment compared to those with a low level of education. In addition, in the case of the elderly with traditional values who responded that one of their children should live with the elderly (parents), the ratio of people in favor of life-sustaining treatment was high, and in the case of the elderly with modern values who responded that they did not have to live together, the ratio of opposition to life-sustaining treatment was high. appeared to be high. In addition, in the case of the elderly with traditional values who responded that the burden of living expenses in old age should be shared between the state and society and their children, the proportion in favor of life-sustaining treatment was high. This high figure expressed the desire for well-dying. Based on these research results, the value system was re-examined as a factor influencing the elderly's opinion on life-sustaining treatment, and basic data for welfare policies for the elderly were provided.

• Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.53-65
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• 2022

According to the advancement of the GNSS satellite positioning system, the module of hardware and operation software reflecting accuracy and economical efficiency is implemented in the user sector including the multi-channel GNSS receiver, the multi-frequency external antenna and the mobile app (App) base public positioning analysis software etc., and the multichannel GNSS RTK positioning of the active configuration method (DIY, Do it yourself) is possible according to the purpose of user. Especially, as the infrastructure of multi-GNSS satellite is expanded and the potential of expansion of utilization according to various modules is highlighted, interest in the utilization of multi-channel low-cost GNSS receiver module is gradually increasing. The purpose of this study is to review the multi-channel low-cost GNSS receivers that are appearing in the mass market in various forms and to analyze the utilization plan of the "address information facility investigation project" of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security by constructing the multi-channel low-cost GNSS positioning module based RTK survey system (hereinafter referred to as "multi-channel GNSS RTK module positioning system"). For this purpose, we constructed a low-cost "multi-channel GNSS RTK module positioning system" by combining related modules such as U-blox's F9P chipset, antenna, Ntrip transmission of GNSS observation data and RTK positioning analysis app through smartphone. Kinematic positioning was performed for circular trajectories, and static positioning was performed for address information facilities. The results of comparative analysis with the Static positioning performance of the geodetic receivers were obtained with 5 fixed points in the experimental site, and the good static surveying performance was obtained with the standard deviation of average ±1.2cm. In addition, the results of the test point for the outline of the circular structure in the orthogonal image composed of the drone image analysis and the Kinematic positioning trajectory of the low cost RTK GNSS receiver showed that the trajectory was very close to the standard deviation of average ±2.5cm. Especially, as a result of applying it to address information facilities, it was possible to verify the utility of spatial information construction at low cost compared to expensive commercial geodetic receivers, so it is expected that various utilization of "multi-channel GNSS RTK module positioning system"

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.188-196
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• 2023

Among marine accidents caused by bad weather, visibility restrictions caused by sea fog occurrence cause accidents such as ship strand and ship bottom damage, and at the same time involve casualties caused by accidents, which continue to occur every year. In addition, low visibility at sea is emerging as a social problem such as causing considerable inconvenience to islanders in using transportation as passenger ships are collectively delayed and controlled even if there are local differences between regions. Moreover, such measures are becoming more problematic as they cannot objectively quantify them due to regional deviations or different criteria for judging observations from person to person. Currently, the VTS of each port controls the operation of the ship if the visibility distance is less than 1km, and in this case, there is a limit to the evaluation of objective data collection to the extent that the visibility of sea fog depends on the visibility meter or visual observation. The government is building a marine weather signal sign and sea fog observation networks for sea fog detection and prediction as part of solving these obstacles to marine traffic safety, but the system for observing locally occurring sea fog is in a very insufficient practical situation. Accordingly, this paper examines domestic and foreign policy trends to solve social problems caused by low visibility at sea and provides basic data on the need for government support to ensure maritime traffic safety due to sea fog by factually investigating and analyzing social problems. Also, this aims to establish a more stable maritime traffic operation system by blocking marine safety risks that may ultimately arise from sea fog in advance.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.171-197
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• 2023

The traditional Korean society has been classified as an Eastern collectivist culture, but in the flow of globalization and digitalization along with the post-Cold War era of the 1970s, Western individualistic culture and values quickly permeated the Korean younger generation. Since rapid changes occurred within a short period of time, there may be differences in cultural self-construal between generations living in the same era. Due to this, psychological problems related to emotional expression and suppression may appear differently depending on generations. Therefore, in the current study, 1,000 Korean adult men and women from their 20s to 60s were investigated for their level of independent and interdependent self-construal, alexithymia, ambivalence over emotional expression(AEE) and emotional suppression(ES). Then the relationship between the variables(self-construal and alexithymia,) and the mediating process of AEE and ES were examined. The generation of participants were divided into the industrialization cohort (birth year < 1970) and the digitalization cohort (birth year starting from 1970). Using the PROCESS macro(Hayes, 2022), we tested a serial mediation model of AEE and ES between the relative independent self-construal(RIS) and alexithymia. The results indicate that the level of alexithymia increases by the serial increase of AEE and ES when RIS decreases. Next, we examined a moderation effect of generatione on the mediation process of AEE and ES, and found that generation moderates the relationship between ES and alexithymia. That is, the effect of ES on alexithymia is significant for the digitalization cohort, while it is not significant for the industrialization cohort. The current results imply that emotion regulation strategies of Koreans have been differently developed according to prevailing cultural values in each generation, and that the negative influence of emotion suppression could be different according to the cultural background of each generation.