• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.395-400
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified in December 2019 in China and has spread globally, resulting in an ongoing pandemic. Because COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person, every person is required to wear a facemask in public. On the other hand, many people are still not wearing facemasks despite official advice. This paper proposes a method to predict whether a human subject is wearing a facemask or not. In the proposed method, two eye regions are detected, and the mask region (i.e., face regions below two eyes) is predicted and extracted based on the two eye locations. For more accurate extraction of the mask region, the facial region was aligned by rotating it such that the line connecting the two eye centers was horizontal. The mask region extracted from the aligned face was fed into a convolutional neural network (CNN), producing the classification result (with or without a mask). The experimental result on 186 test images showed that the proposed method achieves a very high accuracy of 98.4%.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2021

Objectives: This study explored changes in individuals' behavior in response to social distancing (SD) levels and the "no gatherings of more than 5 people" (NGM5) rule in Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Using survey data from the COVID-19 Behavior Tracker, exploratory factor analysis extracted 3 preventive factors: maintenance of personal hygiene, avoiding going out, and avoiding meeting people. Each factor was used as a dependent variable. The chisquare test was used to compare differences in distributions between categorical variables, while binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with high compliance with measures to prevent transmission. Results: In men, all 3 factors were significantly associated with lower compliance. Younger age groups were associated with lower compliance with maintenance of personal hygiene and avoiding meeting people. Employment status was significantly associated with avoiding going out and avoiding meeting people. Residence in the capital area was significantly associated with higher compliance with personal hygiene and avoiding venturing out. Increasing SD levels were associated with personal hygiene, avoiding going out, and avoiding meeting people. The NGM5 policy was not significantly associated with compliance. Conclusions: SD levels, gender, age, employment status, and region had explanatory power for compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Strengthening social campaigns to inspire voluntary compliance with NPIs, especially focused on men, younger people, full-time workers, and residents of the capital area is recommended. Simultaneously, efforts need to be made to segment SD measures into substrategies with detailed guidance at each level.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2021

Since its establishment in 2018, the Young Generation Network (YGN) has been dedicated, with support of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA), to a variety of activities to promote communication, collaboration and professional development of students and young professionals in the area of radiation protection and its allied fields. This article reports our recent activities from the middle of 2018 to the beginning of 2021, with highlights on some important events: "Joint JHPS-SRP-KARP Workshop of Young Generation Network" (December 2019 in Japan); contribution to "Nuclear Energy Agency Workshop on Optimization: Rethinking the Art of Reasonable" (January 2020 in Portugal); survey on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on radiation protection among IRPA YGN members (March 2020); and contribution to IRPA15 (15^th International Congress of the IRPA; January-February 2021, online). The discussion and insight obtained from each activity are also summarized. The IRPA YGN will aim to achieve its on-going activities and continue to follow the ways paved in the Strategic Agenda and despite the challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic. Namely, running an international survey (for example, on the usage of social media in radiation protection, and on the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic), engaging national YGNs, extending the network, finding new relationships with networks with an interest in the young generation and participation in (remote) events will be aspired for.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.104-115
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• 2021

Purpose: With increased time spent at home due to prolonged online classes, this study sought to determine how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the mukbang- and cookbang-watching patterns and dietary life of college students. Methods: All students majoring in food and nutrition (FN) at a college in Gyeonggi, Korea, participated in the survey in April 2019 (M/F = 36/106) and June 2020 (M/F -37/130) and data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: Compared to students responding in 2019, those in 2020 reported more frequently eating alone (p < 0.01) and cooking (p < 0.01), and evaluated their diets better regarding pleasant mealtimes atmosphere (p < 0.05), moderation in drinking (p < 0.05), and not consuming excessively delivery foods (p < 0.001), processed foods (p < 0.01), foods with animal fat (p < 0.01), salty foods (p < 0.01), and sweets (p < 0.01). Although the proportion of respondents who answered that they watched mukbang and cookbang at least occasionally did not change, greater proportions of respondents reported watching both genres frequently (p < 0.001, respectively) and spending less time/day in watching mukbang (p < 0.05) in 2020 vs. 2019. While they evaluated the effect of mukbang- and cookbang-watching on overall diet similarly, the proportion of respondents that reported feeling as though mukbang-watching prompted them to eat more of less-desirable foods decreased from 54.3% to 41.5% (p < 0.05). Diet improvement of participants due to COVID-19 resulted in that the association between frequent mukbang-watching and unhealthier dietary habits in 2019 was not shown in 2020. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the prolonged at-home stays due to COVID-19 might have improved many aspects of diet and decreased undesirable effect of frequent mukbang-watching in case of college students majoring in FN.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2021

In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to global health systems. The Korea has taken full-fledged actions against this novel infectious disease, swiftly implementing a testing-tracing-treatment strategy. New obligations have therefore been given to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) to devote the utmost effort towards tackling this global health crisis. Thanks to the universal national health insurance and state-of-the-art information communications technology (ICT) of the Korea, HIRA has conducted far-reaching countermeasures to detect and treat cases early, prevent the spread of COVID-19, respond quickly to surging demand for the healthcare services, and translate evidence into policy. Three main factors have enabled HIRA to undertake pandemic control preemptively and systematically: nationwide data aggregated from all healthcare providers and patients, pre-existing ICT network systems, and real-time data exchanges. HIRA has maximized the use of data and pre-existing network systems to conduct rapid and responsive measures in a centralized way, both of which have been the most critical tactics and strategies used by the Korean healthcare system. In the face of new obligations, our promise is to strive for a more responsive and resilient health system during this prolonged crisis.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2021

Recently many organizations have adopted 'untact' work due to social distancing caused by Coronavirus-19. To clarify some controversy about the effectiveness from 'untact' work, it is necessary to examine the cognition of organizational members. This study identified issues in 'untact' work from the literature review, analyzed the content of in-depth interviews with workers and managers experiencing 'untact' work, and compared both groups' cognition by applying the co-orientation model. Both groups pointed out the communication difficulty as the top disadvantage and showed no significant differences in job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and work-life balance. However, the two groups showed significant differences in their cognition about performance evaluation (agreement and workers' congruence) and productivity enhancement (workers' accuracy). This paper has an academic contribution in that it has focused on cognitive gaps between workers and managers, urges organizations to devise ways to reduce the gaps, and suggests future studies with quantitative approaches.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.sup1
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• pp.53-69
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To determine the weight change trend among the adult Turkish population after 1 yr of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and factors associated with weight change. MATERIALS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 26 February and 6 March 2021 using an online questionnaire that included questions for sociodemographic variables, eating habits, stress level, and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18. Those who weighed themselves 1-2 weeks before the pandemic was declared in Turkey and remembered their weight were invited to participate in the study. Trends in weight and body mass index (BMI) change were calculated. The variables associated with a 1% change in BMI were assessed using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The study was conducted with 1,630 adults (70.25% female) with a mean age of 32.09 (11.62) yrs. The trend of weight change was found to increase by an average of 1.15 ± 6.10 kg (female +0.72 ± 5.51, male +2.16 ± 7.22 kg) for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of participants with a normal BMI (18.50-24.99 kg/m²) decreased to 51.91% from 55.75%. Consuming an "Increased amount of food compared to before the pandemic" was found to be the independent variable that had the strongest association with a 1% increase in BMI (β = 0.23 P < 0.001). The average change in the BMI was higher in older individuals than in those who were younger. A high stress level was associated with a decrease in BMI (β = -0.04 P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the factors associated with weight change after 1 yr of the pandemic in the Turkish population was reported for the first time. A high stress level and increased weight gain trend still occur in Turkey after 1 yr of the pandemic.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.23-29
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• 2021

Countries are promoting Green New Deal policy to cope with global warming and climate change as a result of economic growth and overcome the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus 19. The role of ICT technology is crucial in realizing the Green New Deal policy, and standardization of ICT technology should be preceded. This paper examines domestic and foreign Green New Deal policies and analyzes trends in ICT standardization activities. Based on the analysis, we propose standards that should be developed for the eight major projects in order to successfully realize the Korean Green New Deal. A strategy to promote ICT standardization for the zero energy project in public facilities as an example was proposed. In addition, we present ways to resolve difficulties in realizing ICT standardization policies related to Korean Green New Deal. Through this study, it is expected that the Korean Green New Deal policies, which is being promoted at the pan-government level, will be effective based on ICT standard technology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.23-30
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Physical therapists are at risk of becoming infected because they are in contact with or within 2 meters of the patient while treating them. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anxiety and depression of physical therapists during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify the factors that affect anxiety and depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the pandemic. The survey were completed by 84 physical therapists in 24 local hospitals in Gwangju, South Korea. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate their anxiety and depression status. Logistic regression models were used to identify the general characteristics factors related to anxiety or depression. RESULTS: It was found that 40 (47.6%) respondents had anxiety, and 37 (44%) had depression. If there was a child under the age of seven in the physical therapist's family, a high probability of anxiety (p < .05) prevailed. Physical therapists in their 30s had a higher risk of depression than those in their 40s (p < .05). The risk of anxiety and depression in physical therapists who were with patients who did not wear masks was higher than for those who were with patients who wore masks (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The anxiety and depression status of physical therapists in Gwangju, South Korea, during the pandemic of COVID-19 was poor. It is necessary to wear a mask for all people during physical therapy.

• Informatization Policy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.67-90
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• 2022

The March 2022 presidential election held at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic drew flak for undermining the principle of universal suffrage by failing to guarantee properly the voting rights of confirmed and quarantined persons. Guaranteeing their voting rights requires thinking about e-voting that can fundamentally overcome the temporal and spatial limitations of current paper voting polling stations. The question is how to deal with the increased possibility of contradicting or violating the principles of equality and direct and secret suffrage due to the expansion of universal suffrage. In order to obtain implications for this, we looked at the case of Estonia, which has been holding 11 national elections without any problems since the introduction of e-voting in 2005. Estonia was successfully building trust in the system, government, and society through the institutionalization and routinization of the overall socio-technical system of e-voting, along with political and constitutional agreements on the principles of elections. Therefore, we should not only consider the possibility of e-voting in terms of technological development and level but also discuss the establishment of trust by mediating conflicts between election principles from a normative point of view to reach a social consensus.