• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.123-138
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• 2024

With the increase in online shopping and delivery food consumption since the pandemic, solving environmental problems caused by single-use packaging has become an important issue. 'Upcycling' is a combination of 'Upgrade' and 'Recycle', and it is the rebirth of obsolete or discarded objects by adding new value to them, and there are currently various upcycled products on the market. In order to activate upcycling, consumers' awareness of the environment and their values for consumption are very important. This study aims to investigate the influence of students' environmental concern, environmental experience, and consumption value on their purchase intention of upcycled products. Based on the results of previous studies on environmental concern, environmental experience, and consumption value, hypotheses were set, and a survey was conducted among university students nationwide to test the hypotheses. The results of this study are as follows First, environmental concern has a significant positive effect on purchase intention of upcycled products. It can be seen that the more environmental concerns such as global warming and waste disposal problems increase, the more positive attitudes toward upcycled products increase. Second, the research hypothesis that environmental knowledge will have a positive effect on the purchase intention of upcycled products is rejected. It was found that environmental knowledge is acquired through environmental education and many SNS, but it does not have a direct effect on the purchase intention of upcycled products. Third, it was found that the consumption value of college students has a positive effect on the purchase intention of upcycled products by increasing their positive perception of upcycled products. Fourth, college students' purchase intention of upcycled products has a positive effect on their behavioral intention to purchase upcycled products. The results of the study provide implications for relevant organizations such as universities and companies to effectively design upcycling-related education. It is also expected to have a positive impact on the use of upcycled products by providing basic information on the characteristics of consumers who purchase upcycled products.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2024

According to the REDD+ program, it is necessary to monitor, quantify, and report forest conditions in protected land areas. The objectives of this work were to quantify the average monthly aerial net primary productivity (ANPP_MONTH) of semi-arid Chaco Forest at Copo National Park (CNP), Santiago del Estero, Argentina, during the period 2000-2023, as well as its spatial distribution and relationship, and its use efficiency (RUE) of average monthly rainfall (AMR). The ANPP_MONTH model accounted for 90% of the seasonal variability from October to May, the average seasonal ANPP_MONTH was 145 tons of dry matter per hectare (t dm/ha), being the maximum in January with 192 t dm/ha and the minimum in May with 91 t dm/ha. The surface area covered by ANPP_MONTH exhibited a consistent positive trend from October to May (t test=15.65, p<0.01). Strong and significant direct relationships were found between ANPP_MONTH and AMRs, linear models explaining 90% and 96% of the variability, respectively. The results obtained become reference values for assessing the capacity of the forest systems to stock carbon for global warming mitigation and for monitoring and controlling their response to extreme climatic adversities. The average ANPP_MONTH reduces uncertainty when defining the thresholds to monitor and quantify ANPP and forest area, thus facilitating the detection of negative changes in land use in CNP. Such results evidence the National Parks Administration's high effectiveness for the maintenance of protected area and for the high ANPP of the FCHS of CNP in the period 2000-2023.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2024

Purpose: This descriptive research study is intended to develop practical strategies for enhancing the quality of elderly care by evaluating the levels of ageism and compassion competence among clinical nurses and their impact on geriatric nursing performance. Methods: This study involved 162 nurses who provided direct care to elderly patients in a department with many such patients. Of the 161 returned questionnaires, 150 were analyzed, excluding 11 that had insincere or missing responses. To analyze the data, a comprehensive approach was employed using the IBM SPSS 27.0 program that included calculations of frequency and percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as more complex statistical tests such as the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical linear regression analysis. Results: Compassion competence was significantly positively correlated with elderly care and negatively correlated with ageism. This study conclusively demonstrates that compassion competence among nurses in geriatric nursing situations plays a crucial role in provision of quality nursing grounded in understanding and respect for the elderly. Consequently, it is imperative to develop educational strategies tailored to each career stage of nursing practice to further enhance effective elderly care. Conclusion: This study conclusively demonstrates that compassion competence in geriatric nursing situations plays a crucial role in provision of quality nursing grounded in understanding and respect for the elderly. Consequently, it is imperative to develop educational strategies tailored to each career stage of nursing practice to further enhance effective elderly care.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

Purpose: This study is aimed to introduce the application of phantom approach with structural equation modelling method for online learning. By integrating these innovative methodologies, the research seeks to advance the understanding of how the phantom approach can effectively complement and augment structural equation modeling techniques. Research design, data and methodology: A theoretical framework of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was modified and updated. A questionnaire was developed and used to extract information from 189 instructors who used online learning as their primary medium. The Covariance Based Structural Equation Modelling (CBSEM) was applied to test the direct effects and the phantom approach is used to handle the 2 mediators in the model. Results:social influence, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use exerted discernible impacts on instructors' intentionsto engage in online learning. These findings illuminate the intricate dynamics influencing instructor behavior within the realm of online education, underscoring the significance of various factors in shaping their intentions. Conclusions: In additions, the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had mediated the effect of social influence and instructor intention using phantom approach. Therefore, one can have concluded that this modified model was also confirmed, thereby reinforcing distribution strategies to online learning and overall education presence.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.16.1-16.9
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• 2024

Autologous pericardial tissues are utilized in veterinary cardiovascular surgeries due to their accessibility and effectiveness. To enhance handling and biomechanical properties, glutaraldehyde (GA) fixation is applied. However, GA fixation can induce calcification, leading to tissue failure. This study aimed to establish an optimal rapid anti-calcification protocol by integrating ethanol treatment with the proven effective GA concentration and fixation time, facilitating application from collection to utilization. Pericardia were fixed with 0.625% GA for 20 min and subjected to ethanol treatment for 0 (group A, control), 20 (group B), and 30 minutes (group C). The treated tissues underwent mechanical test and were implanted subcutaneously in 3-week-old male rats for 7 weeks before extraction, followed by calcium analysis and histological examination via hematoxylin and eosin staining. No significant differences in mechanical properties were observed among the groups. The ethanol-treated groups (groups B and C; p < 0.05) exhibited significantly lower calcium levels than control (group A). Microscopy confirmed collagen and elastic fibers preservation, without significant immune cell variance. However, higher fibrocyte presence was noted in the ethanol-treated groups. This study presents a rapid anti-calcification protocol combining ethanol treatment with optimal GA fixation, suitable for direct surgical use of autologous tissues. Further research is necessary for long-term efficacy evaluation.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.13 no.1 s.53
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• pp.152-160
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• 2009

The pipe jacking method which is a non-excavation method is frequently used due to constructability and economical efficiency in a medium or small-sized pipeline construction. However, jacking process of the method still causes problems that the base ground is disturbed and loosen. These lead to surface settlement, strength decrease and leakage of water. Therefore, this study presents in-situ application of the steel pipe jacking with grouting, and it is that jacking and grouting are progressed simultaneously. To verify this, the steel pipe jacking with grouting and the existing steel pipe jacking have been constructed on the same ground condition. It has been proved that the steel pipe jacking with grouting is in-situ applicable according to results of monitoring surface settlement, in-situ density, GPR geophysical prospecting and large scale direct shear test.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.87-93
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether library field study expands students' understanding of their knowledge acquired in school. For this purpose, six major areas of LIS(Library and Information Science) and 29 sub-major knowledge were derived, and 19 fourth-year undergraduate students were surveyed before and after field study. The analysis showed that there was a difference in comprehension between the pre- and post-tests in the major areas where the students had direct practice, but there was no significant relationship between field study using Fisher's exact test. In the future, it is necessary to conduct a follow-up study with a long-term practice and a large number of students, and this study will be a step towards discovering the possibility that field study can make a positive contribution to the understanding of knowledge.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.680-696
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Circular RNAs were known to play vital role in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI), while the role of CircZNF609 in MIRI remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the function of CircZNF609 in MIRI. Methods: Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established to mimic MIRI in vitro. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate gene transcripts. Cellular localization of CircZNF609 and miR-214-3p were visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8. TUNEL assay and flow cytometry were applied to detect apoptosis. Lactate dehydrogenase was determined by commercial kit. ROS was detected by DCFH-DA probe. Direct interaction of indicated molecules was determined by RIP and dual luciferase assays. Western blot was used to quantify protein levels. In vivo model was established to further test the function of CircZNF609 in MIRI. Results: CircZNF609 was upregulated in H/R model. Inhibition of CircZNF609 alleviated H/R induced apoptosis, ROS generation, restored cell proliferation in cardiomyocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Mechanically, CircZNF609 directly sponged miR-214-3p to release PTGS2 expression. Functional rescue experiments showed that miR-214-3p/PTGS2 axis was involved in the function of circZNG609 in H/R model. Furthermore, data in mouse model revealed that knockdown of CircZNF609 significantly reduced the area of myocardial infarction and decreased myocardial cell apoptosis. Conclusions: CircZNF609 aggravated the progression of MIRI via targeting miR-214-3p/PTGS2 axis, which suggested CircZNF609 might act as a vital modulator in MIRI.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2024

We aimed to assess the evolution of small-strain stiffness and relative density in non-compacted embankment layers. We developed embedded type in-situ soil stiffness measurement devices for monitoring small-strain stiffness occurring after filling at a test site and conducted comprehensive laboratory compaction tests using an oedometer cell with a bender element. However, direct comparison is extremely difficult because the shear wave velocity measured in the field and laboratory depend on depth and effective stress, respectively. Therefore, we propose a method for establishing a relationship between effective stress and depth using a compressibility model. In this study, the shear wave velocity measured in the field was compared to the estimated shear wave velocity-depth profiles for completely dry and saturated conditions with different relative densities. The relative density under saturated soil conditions may vary between 50% and 90% and tends to be closer to 95%. Under dry soil conditions, the relative density of the embankment can vary from 30% to 70% and tends to approach 76%. For model validation, the relative density estimated from shear wave velocity-depth profiles was compared to that estimated from DCPI data. In other words, the results analyzed in the context of an effective stress-depth model enable the prediction of engineering properties such as the small-strain stiffness and relative density of embankment layers. This study demonstrates that physics-based data analyses successfully capture the relative density of non-compacted embankment layers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2024

Background: In recent years, the rise of workplace racial discrimination and microaggressions has decreased the efficiency and productivity of organizations and institutions, and realization of organizational goals globally. Accordingly, it was decided to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis in the present study with the aim of investigating the prevalence of microaggression and racial discrimination in the workplace. Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched for studies that had reported the effects of work stress among managers. The search did include a lower time limit and was conducted in June 2023. The heterogeneity of the studies was investigated using the I² index, and accordingly random effects method was adopted for meta-analysis. Data analysis was conducted with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (v.2) software. Results: In the review of seven studies with a sample size of 2998 people, the overall prevalence of microaggression and racial discrimination in the workplace was found to be 73.6% and 18.8%, respectively. Publication bias within the selected studies was examined with the Egger's test, which indicated the absence of publication bias for the pooled prevalence of workplace microaggression (p: 0.264) and for the pooled prevalence of workplace racial discrimination (p: 0.061). Conclusion: The results obtained from this report indicate the high impact of micro-aggression and racial discrimination in the workplace. Considering the negative effects of such behaviours, the findings from this study will be helpful to managers and health policymakers.