• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.297-301
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• 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been ongoing for more than 2 years. Many patients who recover from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection continue to have aftereffects such as dyspnea and fatigue, which may lead to functional decline. Therefore, the need for managing these symptoms using methods such as pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has emerged. The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of PR in five patients with acute COVID-19. PR was performed in patients with persistent dyspnea and oxygen demand after COVID-19. All five patients were able to maintain an independent functional status before COVID-19. However, after acute COVID-19, they were unable to walk independently and needed assistance for activities of daily living due to dyspnea and fatigue. Therefore, they were referred to rehabilitation units, and PR was performed. The modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), 6-minute walking test, forced vital capacity, and grip strength were assessed before and after PR, and the results were compared. After PR, the parameters improved, except for the MEP in one patient (patient 3) and the grip strength in another patient (patient 4). After PR, two out of five patients returned to work and the other three returned home. Therefore, we conclude that PR is necessary for patients with acute COVID-19 with activity limitations.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to understand how changes in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the health behavior and mental health status of self-employed individuals. Methods: We compared the health behavior and mental health status of regular wage workers and self-employed individuals with no change in income, with that of self-employed individuals with reduced income due to the spread of COVID-19. Results: Smoking status, average amount of smoking per day, changes in the amount of smoking and drinking due to COVID-19, drinking frequency per year, monthly binge drinking experiences, subjective stress, and suicidal thoughts experienced by self-employed individuals with decreased income were not only higher than those of wage workers and self-employed individuals with maintained income, but their happiness index was also lower than the latter group. Conclusion: This study suggests that the change in total household income due to COVID-19 adversely affects the health behavior and mental health status of self-employed individuals. However, COVID-19-related policies focus only on economic loss compensation, and the health behavior and mental health management for self-employed individuals is insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to establish policies for health behavior and mental health management of self-employed individuals.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.309-320
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• 2023

This study examined the determinants of healthy food purchases before and after COVID-19 in Korea. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumer Behavior Survey data from 2019 to 2021. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the non-intake of healthy food in 2021 compared to 2019, suggesting the impact of COVID-19 on healthy food consumption. Consumption patterns also changed, with a decrease in direct purchases and an increase in gift-based purchases. Several variables showed significant effects on healthy food intake. Single-person households exhibited a higher probability of eating healthy food after COVID-19. The group perceiving themselves as healthy had a lower likelihood of consuming healthy food pre-COVID-19, but this changed after the pandemic. Online food purchases, eco-friendly food purchases, and nut consumption showed a gradual decrease in the probability of non-intake over time. Gender and age also influenced healthy food intake. The probability of eating healthy food increased in the older age group compared to the younger group, and the probability increased significantly after COVID-19. The probability of buying gifts was significantly higher in those in their 60s, indicating that the path to obtaining healthy food differed by age.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.400-412
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• 2020

The world has witnessed unimaginable damage from the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Because the pandemic is growing rapidly, it is important to consider diverse treatment options to effectively treat people worldwide. Since the immune system is at the hub of the infection, it is essential to regulate the dynamic balance in order to prevent the overexaggerated immune responses that subsequently result in multiorgan damage. The use of stem cells as treatment options has gained tremendous momentum in the past decade. The revolutionary measures in science have brought to the world mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) as therapeutic opportunities for various diseases. The MSCs and MSC-Exos have immunomodulatory functions; they can be used as therapy to strike a balance in the immune cells of patients with COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the basics of the cytokine storm in COVID-19, MSCs, and MSC-derived exosomes and the potential and stem-cell-based ongoing clinical trials for COVID-19.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.13-19
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• 2021

It is analyzed that the energy pattern is affected by the social matters of the disease trend where the energy consumption has been reduced following the depression of the national economy. The campaign of social distance for the people has been done by voluntary or legally due to the epidemic of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some economic stimulus policies have been done in some countries including the United States, South Korea, and some others. It is shown the susceptible, infectious, and recovered (SIR) modeling applied by system dynamics (SD) where the logical modeling is constructed with S, I, and R. Especially, the I is connected with Society including Population, Race, and Maturity. In addition, Economy and Politics are connected to Income, GDP, Resources, President, Popularity, Ruling Government, and Leadership. The graph shows the big jump on 2020 April when is the starting month of the S value multiplication. This shows the effect of the COVID-19 and its related post-pandemic trend. The trends of OECD and non-OECD are very similar and the effect of the virus hazards causes significantly to the economic depressions.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.81-103
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• 2022

It recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being worldwide and consistently records public happiness figures through the World Happiness Report. COVID-19, which occurred in China in 2019, has changed people's daily lives a lot. The accumulation of stress caused by the prolonged epidemic is affecting people's happiness. The present research has revealed negative mental health effects such as "depression" and "anxiety" after the pandemic. In this regard, it was revealed that the happiness index was also lowered numerically. It is insufficient to analyze specific issues about changes in the issue of happiness felt by the public in Korean society after the epidemic. Therefore, this study aims to identify changes in the happiness issue of Koreans after COVID-19 and find ways to improve happiness. Data were collected from various aspects by searching 32 sub keywords based on ERG theory by dividing the period before and after COVID-19. The results of topic modeling before and after COVID-19 were classified into seven areas of happiness index 2.0 published by the National Assembly Future Research Institute and compared and analyzed. Based on the results of comparing the results of the before and after topic from the perspective of each area, a plan to improve happiness was presented. The academic implications of this paper are that the research on psychological changes caused by COVID-19 was expanded by mining the opinions of the actual public on 'happiness'. In addition, it has practical implications in that it specifically presented measures to promote happiness by utilizing the area of objective happiness indicators based on the existing research on ways to reduce happiness promotion unhappiness.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2023

COVID-19, which occurred in 2019, has a strong contagious power, has serious symptoms of infection and after-effects, and death in severe cases depending on the underlying disease and symptoms. As COVID-19 is highly contagious, in Korea, screening clinics have been set up across the country to determine whether or not to be positive for COVID-19 and isolate the infected to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, there are cases where COVID-19 test applicants flock to screening clinics and cannot receive tests due to longer waiting times, and there is a risk that secondary infections may occur in the atmosphere. In this study, the reservation and notification system can be applied from the existing screening care system to solve spatial constraints, reducing waiting time with screening appointments, and solving population bottlenecks to screening clinics. Taking the COVID-19 pandemic as an experience, we propose a system that can present directions in future pandemic situations. To process real-time data, we use Google's Firebase to use Realtime Database in the cloud environment. Because a real-time database is used, users can check the status of screening clinics in real time through the app, make reservations, and receive notifications about test reservations.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.37-53
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• 2023

This study conducted an empirical analysis of how different types of living retail businesses affected housing prices during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on both global and local time series effects. The main findings are three folds: First, from a global perspective, the study discovered that the presence of living retail businesses had a significant impact on prices of nearby apartment, varying according to their type. Secondly, the impact of COVID-19 on the retail industry varied depending on the type of business. Thirdly, when viewed from a local standpoint, the impact of the retail business sector on apartment prices due to COVID-19 pandemic was substantial, varying across regions and business types. This implies that external shocks like COVID-19 have the potential to alter the role and perception of living retail businesses. In light of this, the study has put forth policy implications aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of living retail businesses and enhancing residential quality.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.3-17
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• 2024

Despite extensive discussions on the repercussions of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lack of analysis on the relationships and changes in relationships between business districts Therefore, this study aims to understand the impact of COVID-19 on retail business districts in Seoul by considering the geographical dependency and interactions of these districts. Using data from the fourth quarters of 2019 to 2021 for 1,490 retail business districts in Seoul, we employed the 3-Stage Least Squares (3SLS) estimation method for simultaneous equation modeling to empirically examine how spatial dependencies among retail business districts in Seoul have evolved due to the influence of COVID-19. The results indicate the existence of spatial dependence among retail business districts in Seoul, with developmental districts exerting a negative influence on nearby districts. Furthermore, the analysis reveals changes in dependency patterns after the onset of COVID-19, interpreted as a decrease in commercial activities in developmental districts due to the impact of the pandemic. The significance of this study lies in providing new insights into Seoul's retail business districts through a spatially dependent analysis, offering a foundation for various stakeholders, including government, local authorities, and small business owners, to respond appropriately to changes in business districts by considering their interrelationships.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.193-215
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• 2024

This study aims to identify the main factors that caused the digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing data from the 2020 and 2021 Digital Divide Surveys by the National Information Agency, a research model was constructed for analysis using SmartPLS 4, applying PLS-SEM and Multigroup Analysis methods. The results of the study are as follows. First, combining 2020 and 2021, mobile internet usage during COVID-19 is positively associated with digital skills, digital usage, and usage outcomes except for networking. Second, the impact of digital usage was significantly higher during the outbreak than during the beginning of COVID-19, which may be due to the increased demand for digital usage as the outbreak continued, and the corresponding increase in internet usage. Third, we discovered that demographics are not the main factor affecting changes in mobile internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, digital literacy affects mobile usage, which is the most important one. The results show the importance of creating programs to teach people how to use technology appropriately. We propose that digital literacy should be central to training programs for people who use digital services.