• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.135-145
• /
• 2022

Due to COVID 19, we are facing unprecedented phenomena. Among various industries, the aviation industry, as it is directly affected by the corona crisis is actively establishing various survival strategies, such as expanding cargo transportation. The market size of air cargo transportation is continuously increasing due to the characteristics that distinguish it from other transportation, and as individualism and selfishness deepen in the aftermath of COVID 19, it can be inferred that the concept of reciprocity within distribution channels will become important in the post-corona era. The specific contents of this study(research question) are as follows. First, as a central member of the air logistics distribution channel, logistics service companies business process and the sub-dimensions of trust of are identified, and how trust is built with transportation companies is investigated. Second, the effect of such trust on the various performances of logistics service companies is analyzed. Third, we examine whether the influences of the sub-dimensions of trust change according to the perceived reciprocity of logistics service companies. In addition, we investigate whether the perceived reciprocity changed before and after the corona situation. In particular, this study theoretically integrates the concepts of trust and commitment, which have been distinguished in many prior studies, to improve the parsimony and practicality of the research model. This study will be able to present useful academic and practical implications by empirically examining how trust is built between members of the air logistics distribution channel and furthermore, how much it affects the performance of logistics service companies, and by identifying the moderating effect of reciprocity.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.33-50
• /
• 2022

While the number of female entrepreneurs has been increasing, and female entrepreneurship has been increasingly perceived as a driving force of sustainable economic development, there is a lack of studies of female entrepreneurship, particularly in the non-Western regions. This study aims to explore current levels of entrepreneurial competences of female college students in four Asian countries (i.e., Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam), differences in the competences between countries, and factors affecting their entrepreneurial competences. Using online surveys, the present study collected data from 516 female Asian college students and examined their entrepreneurial competences in six dimensions-entrepreneurship, sensibility, business management, relationship management, strategic management, and multi-tasking. This study also investigated effects of four variables (i.e., entrepreneurship course taking experiences, on-campus entrepreneurship experiences, off-campus entrepreneurship experiences, and entrepreneurial intentions) on the six aspects of entrepreneurial competences. Data analysis reveals that female Asian college students as a whole group possess quite high levels of entrepreneurial competences while the Filipino students show the biggest competence in all the six dimensions measured. As regards affecting factors, this study finds that, in the total sample, regression equations are significant in all the six dimensions of entrepreneurial competences. On-campus experiences have significantly positive effects on those six dimensions while course taking experiences and entrepreneurial intentions positively affect three different dimensions each. However, out-of-campus experiences turn out to be negative though their effects are insignificant. Meanwhile, in individual samples, different factors affect different dimensions of entrepreneurial competences. Based on these findings, the present study suggests some actions for promoting female entrepreneurship and for conducting future studies.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.38-47
• /
• 2024

Background: Korea's population of children and adolescents has decreased by 2.88 million over the past decade and is expected to decline further due to the unprecedented low birth rate. In the fee-for-service compensation system, the decline in the pediatric population relates directly to the profit decrease in the pediatric clinics. This study analyzed whether the worsening profits of pediatric clinics impacted their closure. Methods: We built annual data for pediatric and other department clinics (internal medicine, otolaryngology, and family medicine) using the status of medical institute and health insurance claims data from 2012 to 2022. Then, we analyzed whether institutional variables such as annual profit and regional variables (Herfindahl-Hirschman index, the number of clinics per 100,000, etc.) affected the closure of clinics. The methods used in this study are descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. Odds ratios for each variable were estimated by generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: The closure rate of pediatric clinics was 2.66%-7.04% in 2012-2022, which was consistently higher than those of internal medicine, otolaryngology, and family medicine clinics. The profit gap per institution between the pediatric and the other clinics grew from 126 million won in 2012 to 245 million won in 2019. In the GEE analysis, profit decrease compared to the previous year with lower profit was the main factor that increased the closure of pediatric and other department clinics. After adjusting profit-related variables, the decrease in the pediatric population itself did not relate to the closure of pediatric clinics. The number of pediatric clinics or monopolies also did not affect the closure of pediatric clinics. Conclusion: The worsening profit is the crucial factor for the closure of pediatric clinics, while the pediatric population is decreasing. For this reason, it is necessary to actively seek ways to maintain a stable treatment system for children and adolescents.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the clinical features and determinants of macrolide-unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MUMP) and to assess the differences in the time to fever resolution between doxycycline (DXC), tosufloxacin (TFX) and corticosteroid (CST) as second-line treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients under the age of 18 who were admitted to Nowon Eulji University Hospital between July 2018 and February 2020, diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. Macrolide resistance was confirmed by detecting point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. MUMP was clinically defined by persistent fever (≥38.0℃) lasting for 72 hours or more after the initiation of macrolide treatment. In cases of MUMP, patients were treated with an addition of CST, or the initial macrolide was replaced either DXC or TFX. Results: Out of 157 cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, 83 cases (52.9%) did not respond to macrolides. Patients with MUMP exhibited significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (3.2±3.0 vs. 2.4±2.2 mg/dL, P=0.047), more frequent lobar/segmental infiltrations or pleural effusions (56.6% vs. 27.0%, P<0.001; 6.0% vs. 0.0%, P=0.032), and a higher prevalence of 23S rRNA gene mutations (96.4% vs. 64.6%, P<0.001) when compared to those with macrolide-susceptible M. pneumoniae pneumonia. In terms of second-line treatment, 15 patients (18.1%) responded to CST, 30 (36.1%) to DXC, and 38 (45.8%) to TFX. The time to defervescence (TTD) after initiation second-line treatment was significantly shorter in the CST group compared to the DXC (10.3±12.7 vs. 19.4±17.2 hours, P=0.003) and TFX groups (10.3±12.7 vs. 25.0±20.1 hours, P=0.043), with no significant difference observed between the DXC and TFX groups (19.4±17.2 vs. 25.0±20.1 hours, P=0.262). Conclusions: High CRP levels, the presence of positive 23S rRNA gene mutation, lobar or segmental lung infiltration, and pleural effusion observed in chest X-ray findings were significant factors associated with macrolide unresponsiveness. In this study, CST demonstrated a shorter TTD compared to DXC or TFX. Further, larger-scale prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal second-line treatment for MUMP.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.163-177
• /
• 2024

Background: This study aims to examine changes in fraudulent claim counts and total reimbursements before and after enhancements in counterfeit claim controls and monitoring of provider claim patterns under the "Proactive self-audit pilot program of fraudulent claims." Methods: This study used the claims data and hospital information (July 2021-February 2022) of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The data was collected from 1,129 hospitals assigned to the pilot program, selected from the providers who filed a claim for reimbursement for intravenous injections. Paired and independent t-tests, along with regression analysis, were utilized to analyze changing patterns and factors influencing claim behaviors. Results: This program led to a reduction in the number of fraudulent claims and the total amount of reimbursements across all levels of hospitals in the experimental groups (except for physicians below 40 years old). In the control group, general hospitals and hospitals demonstrated some significant decreases based on the duration since opening, while clinics showed significant reductions in specified subjects. Additionally, a notable increase was observed among male physicians over the age of 50 years. Overall, claims and reimbursements significantly declined after the intervention. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between hospital opening duration and claim numbers, suggesting longer-established hospitals were more likely to file claims. Conclusion: The results indicate that the pilot program successfully encouraged providers to autonomously minimize fraudulent claims. Therefore, it is advised to extend further support, including promotional activities, training, seminars, and continuous monitoring, to nonparticipating hospitals to facilitate independent improvements in their claim practices.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2008

Eight comprehensive oceanographic cruises on a squared $30{\times}30\;km$ area have been made to investigate the short and long-term impacts on the water qualities due to the sand mining operations at Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the central Yellow Sea from 2004 to 2007. The area was categorized to 'Sand Mining Zone', 'Potentially Affected Zone', and 'Reference Zone'. The investigation covered suspended solids, nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate), and chlorophyll-a in seawater and several parameters such as water temperature, salinity, pH, and ORP. Additionally, several intensive water collections were made to trace the suspended solids and other parameters along the turbid water by sand mining activities. The comprehensive investigation showed that suspended solids, nitrate, chlorophyll-a and ORP be sensitively responding parameters of seawater by sand mining operations. The intensive collection of seawater near the sand mining operation revealed that each parameter show different distribution pattern: suspended solids showed an oval-shaped distribution of the north-south direction of 8 km wide and the east-west direction of 5 km wide at the surface and bottom layers. On the other hand, phosphate showed so narrow distribution not to traceable. Also ammonium showed a limited distribution, but its boundary was connected to the high nitrate and chlorophyll-a concentrations with high N/P ratios. From the last 4 years of the comprehensive and intensive investigations, we found that suspended solids, ammonium, nitrate, chlorophyll-a, and ORP revealed the sensitive parameters of water quality for tracing the sand mining operations in seawater. Especially suspended solids and ORP would be useful tracers for monitoring the water qualities of remote area like EEZ in Yellow Sea.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.36-43
• /
• 2024

Fishing net waste (FNW) constitutes over half of all marine plastic waste and is a major contributor to the degradation of marine ecosystems. While current treatment options for FNW include incineration, landfilling, and mechanical recycling, these methods often result in low-value products and pollutant emissions. Importantly, FNWs, comprised of plastic polymers, can be converted into valuable resources like syngas and pyrolysis oil through pyrolysis. Thus, this study presents a process for generating high-purity hydrogen (H₂) by catalytically pyrolyzing FNW in a CO₂ environment. The proposed process comprises of three stages: First, the pretreated FNW undergoes Ni/SiO₂ catalytic pyrolysis under CO₂ conditions to produce syngas and pyrolysis oil. Second, the produced pyrolysis oil is incinerated and repurposed as an energy source for the pyrolysis reaction. Lastly, the syngas is transformed into high-purity H₂ via the Water-Gas-Shift (WGS) reaction and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). This study compares the results of the proposed process with those of traditional pyrolysis conducted under N₂ conditions. Simulation results show that pyrolyzing 500 kg/h of FNW produced 2.933 kmol/h of high-purity H₂ under N₂ conditions and 3.605 kmol/h of high-purity H₂ under CO₂ conditions. Furthermore, pyrolysis under CO₂ conditions improved CO production, increasing H₂ output. Additionally, the CO₂ emissions were reduced by 89.8% compared to N₂ conditions due to the capture and utilization of CO₂ released during the process. Therefore, the proposed process under CO₂ conditions can efficiently recycle FNW and generate eco-friendly hydrogen product.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2024

Recently, Metaverse technology has emerged as an important topic in various fields. Metaverse refers to a three-dimensional virtual space in which social and economic activities similar to the real world are possible. Among the 235 third-year students who applied the Metaversity app in the radiology department of this university from September to December 2023, 200 participated in a survey to determine the difference in student response and satisfaction when applying the Metaversity app. analyzed. First, the most satisfactory VOD viewing method was viewing through the Metaversity app, followed by viewing through the LMS. Second, 'I think online videos are appropriate for holiday reinforcement.' showed the highest score at 4.35±0.60, 'I want face-to-face classes and online classes to be held simultaneously.' was 4.25±0.87, and 'I think meta. 'I watched it well through the Metaversity app' was the lowest at 4.10±0.30, and 'VOD viewing through the Metaversity app was used appropriately in class' was the lowest at 3.99±0.75. Also, there was no significant difference in the response to the teaching method (p>0.05). Third, in terms of satisfaction with VOD viewing using the Metaversity app, 'Applying the Metaversity app was interesting and fun' ranked the highest at 4.24±0.88. The score was high, with 'Better improvement is needed to actively utilize the metaversity app' at 4.00±0.45, and 'I hope the metaversity app is implemented in other remote classes' at 3.77±0.88. appear. 'VOD classes through the Metaversity app are better than the existing LMS method.' was found to be 3.44±0.66. Additionally, there was no significant difference in satisfaction with classes according to age and gender (p>0.05). The correlation between response and satisfaction with the metaversity app is 0.601, which can be considered very significant (p>0.001). As a limitation of this study, although we surveyed students' satisfaction with using the Metaversity app, we were unable to investigate the satisfaction of instructors who interact with students. In the future, we did not consider the instructor's satisfaction in classes using the Metaversity app. Research must be conducted, and universities must have institutional support and continued interest until metaversity apps are selected and used to prepare for distance learning.

• The Korean Journal of Archival Studies
• /
• no.79
• /
• pp.5-32
• /
• 2024

The Korean government ranked 3rd among 193 UN member countries in the UN's 2022 e-Government Development Index. Korea, which has consistently been evaluated as a top country, can clearly be said to be a leading country in the world of e-government. The lubricant of e-government is data. Data itself is neither information nor a record, but it is a source of information and records and a resource of knowledge. Since administrative actions through electronic systems have become widespread, the production and technology of data-based records have naturally expanded and evolved. Technology may seem value-neutral, but in fact, technology itself reflects a specific worldview. The digital order of new technologies, armed with hyper-connectivity and super-intelligence, not only has a profound influence on traditional power structures, but also has an a similar influence on existing information and knowledge transmission media. Moreover, new technologies and media, including data-based generative artificial intelligence, are by far the hot topic. It can be seen that the all-round growth and spread of digital technology has led to the augmentation of human capabilities and the outsourcing of thinking. This also involves a variety of problems, ranging from deep fakes and other fake images, auto profiling, AI lies hallucination that creates them as if they were real, and copyright infringement of machine learning data. Moreover, radical connectivity capabilities enable the instantaneous sharing of vast amounts of data and rely on the technological unconscious to generate actions without awareness. Another irony of the digital world and online network, which is based on immaterial distribution and logical existence, is that access and contact can only be made through physical tools. Digital information is a logical object, but digital resources cannot be read or utilized without some type of device to relay it. In that respect, machines in today's technological society have gone beyond the level of simple assistance, and there are points at which it is difficult to say that the entry of machines into human society is a natural change pattern due to advanced technological development. This is because perspectives on machines will change over time. Important is the social and cultural implications of changes in the way records are produced as a result of communication and actions through machines. Even in the archive field, what problems will a data-based archive society face due to technological changes toward a hyper-intelligence and hyper-connected society, and who will prove the continuous activity of records and data and what will be the main drivers of media change? It is time to research whether this will happen. This study began with the need to recognize that archives are not only records that are the result of actions, but also data as strategic assets. Through this, author considered how to expand traditional boundaries and achieves reterritorialization in a data-driven society.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive tool for assessing dietary guideline adherence among older Korean adults, focusing on the domains of food and nutrient intake, eating habits, and dietary culture. Methods: Candidate items were selected through a literature search and expert advice. The degree of adherence to dietary guidelines was then evaluated through a face-to-face survey conducted on 800 elderly individuals across five nationwide regions. The items for dietary guideline adherence evaluation tool were selected through exploratory factor analysis of the candidate items in each of the three areas of the dietary guidelines, and construct validity was verified by performing confirmatory factor analysis. Using the path coefficient of the structural equation model, weights were assigned to each area and item to calculate the dietary guideline adherence score. A rating system for the evaluation tool was established based on national survey results. Results: A total of twenty-eight items were selected for evaluating dietary guideline adherence among the elderly. Thirteen items related to food intake, seven to eating habits, and eight to dietary culture. The average score for dietary guideline adherence was 56.9 points, with 49.8 points in the food intake area, 63.2 points in the eating habits area, and 58.6 points in the dietary culture area. Statistically significant correlations were found between dietary guideline adherence scores and food literacy (r = 0.679) and nutrition quotient scores (r = 0.750). Conclusion: The developed evaluation tool for dietary guideline adherence among Korean older adults can be used as a simple and effective instrument for comprehensively assessing their food and nutrient intake, dietary habits, and dietary culture.