• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.308-313
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• 2018

Background: A behavior-based safety initiative card-issuing system was introduced at a cement-manufacturing company in Zimbabwe in 2008 to try and curb accident occurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Behaviour Based Safety Initiative card system as a tool used for reducing accident frequencies. Methods: A mixed-method approach that involving administering piloted questionnaires to 40 out of 244 randomly selected employees, making observations, and reviewing secondary data were done to collect data from different sources in the organization in 2013. A paired t-test was conducted to test whether there was significant difference in accident occurrence before and after the implementation of the BBSI. Scatterplots were also used to establish the correlation between the issuance of cards and the accident and injury occurrence. Results: The findings suggest that the introduction of the card system brought a significant decrease in accident and injury occurrence. A negative correlation between card issuance and accident occurrence was observed, i.e., the greater the number of cards issued, the fewer the number of accidents. It was also noted that the card system positively influenced the mindset of workers towards safe work practices. Conclusion: The card system had an influence on the reduction of accidents and injuries. The organization should leverage on issuing more cards to further reduce the number of accidents and injuries to zero.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.438-444
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• 2011

The mushroom Coriolus versicolor contains biologically active polysaccharides, most of which belong to the ${\beta}$-glucan group. Diverse physicochemical properties, due to different sources and isolated types of ${\beta}$-glucans, can induce distinct biological activities. We investigated the effects of ${\beta}$-glucans from C. versicolor on phagocytic activity, nitric oxide (NO), TNF-${\alpha}$ production, and signaling of dectin-1, a well-known ${\beta}$-glucan receptor, in macrophages. ${\beta}$-Glucans increased phagocytic activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ and NO-iNOS/eNOS production. Laminarin, a specific inhibitor of dectin-1, showed strong inhibitory effects on phagocytosis and subsequent TNF-${\alpha}$, iNOS, and eNOS production increased by ${\beta}$-glucans, indicating that ${\beta}$-glucans reacts with dectin-1 receptors. We examined whether the aforementioned cytokines were involved in the signaling pathway from the dectin-1 receptor to phagocytosis, and found that the inhibition of iNOS, eNOS, and TNF-${\alpha}$ receptors significantly decreased ${\beta}$-glucan-induced phagocytosis. In conclusion, our study showed that dectin-1 signaling, triggered by ${\beta}$-glucans, subsequently elicited TNF-${\alpha}$ and NO-iNOS/eNOS production, and that these molecules seem to act as secondary molecules that cause eventual phagocytosis by macrophages. These findings suggest that C. versicolor could be used as a nutritional medicine that may be useful in the treatment of infectious disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.2901-2907
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• 2016

Background: Despite increasing debate about overdiagnosis and overtreatment of thyroid cancer in Korea, information to guide decisions on whether or not to undergo screening for and treatment of abnormal lesions of the thyroid is lacking. Moreover, studies have yet to outline what lay people know and want to know about thyroid cancer. The primary aim of this study was to explore general awareness of thyroid cancer among Korean women, their sources of information, and their satisfaction with the information they are provided. The secondary aim was to investigate information needs about thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study using focus group interviews was conducted. Twenty-nine women were divided into four groups: (1) participants who had never undergone thyroid ultrasound screening; (2) those who had undergone screening, (3) those who continued to undergo regular check-ups with ultrasonography for benign nodules of the thyroid; and (4) participants who had undergone surgery for thyroid cancer. Results: A widespread lack of awareness of information on thyroid cancer was noted among participants in groups 1 and 2 who were not well aware of thyroid cancer and generally recognized it as a 'good cancer'. Surprisingly, instead of doctors and medical personnel, most participants reported obtaining information from acquaintances and media outlets. Moreover, most participants described dissatisfaction with their experience with screening and a lack of explanation on treatment and test results from medical personnel. Conclusions: Women in Korea seek reliable information on thyroid cancer that could help them to better understand the disease and make informed decisions regarding screening and treatment. More effort is needed from medical personnel to communicate the implications of thyroid cancer, screening results, and treatments thereof to lay people.

• 한국건설순환자원학회논문집
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.342-348
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• 2018

이 연구의 목적은 폐필름 포장재 재활용 성형재의 압축, 인장 및 휨 강도와 변형 특성을 생산 공장에 따라 측정하여 건설 2차제품의 적용 타당성을 평가하는 것이다. 재활용 성형재의 역학적 성능은 저밀도 폴리에틸렌 및 고밀도 폴리에틸렌의 일반적 값 수준으로 있지만 성능의 편차를 줄이고 품질의 안정화를 위해서는 1) 구성재료들의 혼합비율에 따른 재료 성능 평가; 2) 이물질 및 수분 함유량에 따른 재료성능 평가; 3) 다양한 제조 조건(제조공정, 가력 압력 및 폐필름 수거지역과 시기)에 대한 재료성능의 데이터베이스 관리 등의 현장 관리 체계마련이 요구되었다.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.186-198
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• 2021

The introduction of digital technologies affects most socio-economic processes and activities in the economy, from agriculture to public services. Even though the world is currently only in the early stages of digital transformation, the digital economy is growing rapidly, especially in developing countries. Shortly, digital platforms will be able to replace the "invisible hand" of the market and turn it into digital. Some digital platforms have already reached global reach in some sectors of the economy. The growing value of data and artificial intelligence is reflected in the high capitalization of these enterprises. Their growing role has far-reaching consequences for the organization of economic activity and integration into the field of e-business. However, their importance and level of development in different countries differ significantly. The main purpose of this article is an assessment of the level and trends of the digital economy in the world and the identification of homogeneous groups of states following the main trends in the development of its components from among the EU countries. The methodology of the conducted research is based on the use of general scientific research methods in the analysis of secondary sources and the application of statistical methods of correlation-regression and cluster analysis. Macroeconomic indicators and components of DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) were used for the analysis. Results. Based on the analysis established that most developed countries have a medium level of digitalization of the business environment and a high level of digitalization of socially oriented public services, while countries with lower GDP focus their policies on building digital infrastructure and training qualified personnel. The study summarizes and analyzes current trends in digital technology, analyzes the level and dynamics of integration of digital technologies of the studied EU countries, the level of development of e-business and e-commerce. The conceptualization of mechanisms of creation of added value in the digital economy is offered and the possible consequences of digitalization of the economy of developing countries are generalized.

• 아태비즈니스연구
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.151-163
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• 2021

Purpose - The break-even point refers to the point where total profit and total cost coincide, and from this point on, the entrepreneur's decision-making takes a different route. Strategic decisions can be made for more efficient operation and eventually for more likelihood for growth and sustainability if a startup figures out when it recoups the investment and switches to a net profit. Design/methodology/approach - 748 creativity and skill-based sole proprietors in manufacturing industry were examined to demonstrate the effect of the entrepreneur's entrepreneurial experience and education level, the business launch preparation time, or the self-financing on the achievement of break-even point. Findings - While the business launch preparation time lowered the likelihood of reaching a break-even point, self-financing increased the likelihood. As a result of further analysis by subdividing into subgroups according to skill level, only the business launch preparation time was statistically significant in the highly skilled industries. In the low skilled industries, in addition to the business launch preparation time, the CEO's education level and the self-financing were statistically significant. Research implications or Originality - The longer the business launch preparation time, the higher the start-up cost, which increases the burden of initial cost recovery, and the agile response to market changes is thereby delayed, resulting in the business idea losing its appeal. Self-financing not only provides stability and strong motivation for the business operation but also promotes careful spending which contributes to the achievement of break-even point. In particular, it is found that practical experience is more useful than theoretical knowledge in low skilled industries. Due to the limitation of secondary data based on the recollection, the time required to reach a break-even point, percentage of financing sources, etc. may include cognitive errors. In addition, variables are not included that explain the characteristics of creativity and skill-based sole proprietorship, so it is necessary to exercise caution with the actual application.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권12호
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• pp.1624-1631
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• 2021

Prodigiosin as a high-valued compound, which is a microbial secondary metabolite, has the potential for antioxidant and anticancer effects. However, the large-scale production of functionally active Hahella chejuensis-derived prodigiosin by fermentation in a cost-effective manner has yet to be achieved. In the present study, we established carbon source-optimized medium conditions, as well as a procedure for producing prodigiosin by fermentation by culturing H. chejuensis using 10 L and 200 L bioreactors. Our results showed that prodigiosin productivity using 250 ml flasks was higher in the presence of glucose than other carbon sources, including mannose, sucrose, galactose, and fructose, and could be scaled up to 10 L and 200 L batches. Productivity in the glucose (2.5 g/l) culture while maintaining the medium at pH 6.89 during 10 days of cultivation in the 200 L bioreactor was measured and increased more than productivity in the basal culture medium in the absence of glucose. Prodigiosin production from 10 L and 200 L fermentation cultures of H. chejuensis was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses for more accurate identification. Finally, the anticancer activity of crude extracted prodigiosin against human cancerous leukemia THP-1 cells was evaluated and confirmed at various concentrations. Conclusively, we demonstrate that culture conditions for H. chejuensis using a bioreactor with various parameters and ethanol-based extraction procedures were optimized to mass-produce the marine bacterium-derived high purity prodigiosin associated with anti-cancer activity.

• East Asian Economic Review
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.49-91
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• 2022

Recent years have witnessed renewed interest in Africa and public diplomacy has emerged as the vital tool being used to cultivate these relations. China has been leading in pursuing stronger economic partnership with Africa while middle powers such as Korea are also intensifying engagement with the continent. While previous studies have analyzed the implications of China's activities in Africa on advanced powers, none has examined them from the paradigm of middle powers. This study fills this gap by assessing China's activities in Africa, their economic engagement and implications for Korea's interest in Africa. The analysis is qualitative based on secondary data from various sources and literature. The study shows that China's public diplomacy strategy involves a high degree of innovation and has evolved to encompass new tools and audiences. China has institutionalized a cooperative model that permeates many aspects of governance institutions in Africa, enabling it to strengthen their relations. This could also be helping China to adjust faster leadership transitions in Africa. Whereas the US is still the most influential country in Africa, China is influential in economic policies and has outstripped the US in infrastructure diplomacy. This could be because African policy makers align more with China's economic model than the US' mainstream economics. Chinese aid to Africa has been diversified to social sectors that are more responsive to the needs of Africa. Trade and investment relations between China and Africa have deepened, but so does trade imbalance since 2010. China mainly imports natural resources and raw materials from Africa. But this product portfolio is not different from Korea and the US. China's energetic insertion in Africa using various strategies has significant implications for countries with ambitions in Africa. Korea can achieve its ambitions in Africa by focusing resources in areas it can leverage its core strengths-such as education and vocational training, environmental policy and development cooperation.

• 한국과학교육학회지
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.177-184
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• 2022

This article aims to explain the concept and characteristics of the 'Intelligent Science Lab', which is being promoted nationwide in Korea since 2021. The Korean Ministry of Education creates a master plan containing a vision for science education every five years. The most recently announced '4th Master plan for science education (2020-2024)' emphasizes the policy of setting up an 'intelligent science lab' in all elementary and secondary schools as an online and offline space for scientific inquiry using advanced technologies, such as Internet of Things and Augmented and Virtual Reality. The 'Intelligent Science Lab' project is being pursued in two main directions: (1) developing an online platform named 'Intelligent Science Lab-ON' that supports science inquiry classes, and (2) building a science lab space in schools that encourages active student participation while utilizing the online platform. This article presents the key features of the 'Intelligent Science Lab-ON' and the characteristics of intelligent science lab spaces newly built in schools. Furthermore, it introduces inquiry-based science learning programs developed for intelligent science labs. These programs include scientific inquiry activities in which students generate and collect data ('data generation' type), utilize datasets provided by the online platform ('data utilization' type), or utilize open and public data sources ('open data source' type). The Intelligent Science Lab project is expected to not only encourage students to engage in scientific inquiry that solves individual and social problems based on real data, but also contribute to presenting a model of online and offline linked scientific inquiry lessons required in the post-COVID-19 era.

• 천문학회보
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.50.3-51
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• 2021

The progenitor of Type Ia supernovae is largely expected as a close binary system of a carbon/oxygen white dwarf (WD) primary and its secondary non-degenerate (single degenerate; SD) or degenerate companion (double degenerate; DD). Here we present a high-cadence monitoring observation of SN 2021hpr in a spiral galaxy, NGC 3147. SN 2021hpr shows typical characteristics as a normal type Ia supernova from its photometric (Δm₁₅(B)=1.01±0.03, dust free M_B,max=-19.45±0.02) and spectroscopic data. To investigate its progenitor system, we fit the early part of BVRI-band light curve simultaneously with a combined version of ejecta-companion and simple power-law model. As a result, we found a significant feature of an early excess possibly from a 7.63±0.52R_⊙-sized companion at the optimal viewing angle while the fit is not successful at the common viewing angle. No possible red sources brighter than F555W=-7.01 AB mag is detected at the SN location in Hubble Space Telescope (HST) pre-explosion images, excluding massive stars with initial mass of >16M_⊙ as companions. We suggest the progenitor system of SN 2021hpr can be a fairly large companion such as a main sequence, a low mass subgiant, and a helium giant star. In addition, a possibility of the ejecta-Disk Originated Matter (DOM) interaction for the DD scenario considering linearly-rising early flux still remains.