• Title/Summary/Keyword: virus spread

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Airborne infection risk of respiratory infectious diseases and effectiveness of using filter-embeded mechanical ventilator and infectious source reduction device such as air cleaner (실내 공간에서의 호흡기 감염병 공기전파감염 위험도와 공기정화장치(필터 임배디드 기계식 환기설비 및 공기청정기 등 실내 감염원 저감 장치) 사용에 따른 효율)

  • Park, Sungjae;Park, Geunyoung;Park, Dae Hoon;Koo, Hyunbon;Hwang, Jungho
    • Particle and aerosol research
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.73-94
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    • 2020
  • Particulate infectious sources, including infectious viruses, can float in the air, causing airborne infections. To prevent indoor airborne infection, dilution control by ventilation and indoor air cleaners are frequently used. In this study, the risk of airborne infection by the operation of these two techniques was evaluated. In case of dilution control by ventilation, a high efficiency air filter was embedded at the inlet of supply air. In this study, infectious source reduction devices such as indoor air cleaner include all kinds of mechanical-filters, UV-photo catalysts and air ionizers through which air flow is forced by fans. Two mathematical models for influenza virus were applied in an infant care room where infants and young children are active, and the risk reduction efficiency was compared. As a result, in the case of individually operating the ventilator or the infectious source reduction device, the airborne infection risk reduction efficiencies were 55.2~61.2% and 53.8~59.9%, respectively. When both facilities were operated, it was found that the risk of airborne infection was reduced about 72.2~76.8%. Therefore, simultaneous operation of ventilation equipment and infectious source reduction device is the most effective method for safe environment that minimizes the risk of airborne infection of respiratory infectious diseases. In the case of a space where sufficient ventilation operation is difficult, it was found that the operation of an infectious source reduction device is important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This study is meaningful in that it provides an academic basis for strategies for preventing airborne infection of respiratory infectious diseases.

Generating GAN-based Virtual data to Prevent the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza(HPAI) (고위험성 조류인플루엔자(HPAI) 확산 방지를 위한 GAN 기반 가상 데이터 생성)

  • Choi, Dae-Woo;Han, Ye-Ji;Song, Yu-Han;Kang, Tae-Hun;Lee, Won-Been
    • The Journal of Bigdata
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.69-76
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    • 2020
  • This study was conducted with the support of the Information and Communication Technology Promotion Center, funded by the government (Ministry of Science and ICT) in 2019. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an acute infectious disease of birds caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection, causing serious damage to poultry such as chickens and ducks. High pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is caused by focusing on winter rather than year-round, and sometimes does not occur at all during a certain period of time. Due to these characteristics of HPAI, there is a problem that does not accumulate enough actual data. In this paper study, GAN network was utilized to generate actual similar data containing missing values and the process is introduced. The results of this study can be used to measure risk by generating realistic simulation data for certain times when HPAI did not occur.

Predicting Preventive Behavior Intention in COVID-19 Pandemic Context: Application of Social Variables to Health Belief Model (코로나19 팬데믹 상황에서의 감염 예방행동 의도에 관한 연구: 건강신념모델에 사회적 변인 적용을 중심으로)

  • Hong, Da-Ye;Jeon, Min-A;Cho, Chang-Hoan
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.21 no.5
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    • pp.22-35
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    • 2021
  • The unprecedented pandemic caused by the COVID-19 has led to a massive global public health campaign to slow the spread of the virus. Thus, this study examines the importance of individual's prevention behavior intention by adapting health belief model(HBM). In addition, we added social variables to understand the prevention behavior better considering the situation in which collective behaviors are important. The online survey results(N=298) showed that higher level of perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived peril, perceived social norms and lower level of perceived responsibility led to higher prevention behavior intention. Peril was the most influential factor among all the variables. In addition, perceived severity and social norms followed after that. Additional analysis also implied that socio-HBM model we proposed better explained the prevention behavior intention than traditional HBM.

Current status of alert alien species management for the establishment of proactive management systems in Korea

  • Son, Seung Hun;Jo, A-Ram;Kim, Dong Eon
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.237-254
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    • 2021
  • Background: Some of the introduced alien species introduced settle, multiply, and spread to become invasive alien species (IAS) that threaten biodiversity. To prevent this, Korea and other countries legally designate and manage alien species that pose a risk to the environment. Moreover, 2160 alien species have been introduced in South Korea, of which 1826 animals and 334 plants are designated. The inflow of IAS can have negative effects such as ecosystem disturbance, habitat destruction, economic damage, and health damage to humans. To prevent damage caused by the inflow of IAS in advance, species that could potentially pose a risk to the environment if introduced in South Korea were designated as alert alien species (AAS). Results: The designation criteria were in accordance with the "Act on the Conservation and Use of Biological Diversity" and the "Regulations on the Ecological Risk Assessment of AAS and IAS" by the National Institute of Ecology. The analysis result of risk and damage cases indicated that mammals affect predation, competition, human economic activity, virus infection, and parasite infection. Birds have been demonstrated to affect predation, competition, human economic activity, and health. It was indicated that plants intrude on the ecosystem by competing with native species with their high-population density and capacity to multiply and cause allergic inducement. Interestingly, 300 species, including 25 mammals, 7 birds, 84 fishes, 28 amphibians, 22 reptiles, 1 insect, 32 spiders, 1 mollusk, 1 arthropod, and 99 plants, are included in the list of AAS. Conclusions: AAS designation plays a role in preventing the reduction of biodiversity by IAS in South Korea and preserving native species. Moreover, it is determined to provide considerable economic benefits by preventing socio-economic losses and ecological damage.

3D-printed Face Shields for Healthcare Professionals Battling COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Kim, Gyeong-Man;Assefa, Dawit;Kang, Joon Wun;Gebreyouhannes, Esayas
    • Journal of Appropriate Technology
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.226-237
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    • 2020
  • As the number of reported COVID-19 cases rises around the world, regions affected by the virus are taking serious measures to contain its spread. Face shields are one of the highest-need personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond traditional face masks, as known cases of the coronavirus soar, currently there is a significant shortage of face shields around the world. In response, the protective face shields were designed and fabricated with open-source 3D modelling software and 3D printing technology, respectively. Our face shield consisted of two parts only; a reusable 3D printed headband and a visor made of transparent plastic sheet, as barrier. The resulting 3D printed face shields are affordable, lightweight, one-size-fits-most and ready-to-wear with minimal assemblies, and go on easily over glass, goggle and face mask. To ensure being donated to the healthcare professionals without risk infected by any pathogens, the 3D printed face shields were successfully be disinfected with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI dosage of 1000 mJ/cm2) and 70% alcohol. For routine disinfection a UVGI chamber was designed and optimized to provide uniform UV-C illumination with an appreciated fluence for complete decontamination. More than 1,000 face shields were produced already and donated to the special hospitals for COVID-19 patients, quarantines, government and medical agencies in Ethiopia as well as in East-African countries. With certainty, our intention goes beyond the hospitals and other first responders, but not limited for all those who have to stay in the service or be in contact with many other people in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of COVID 19 on the Meat Supply Chain in the USA: A Review

  • Whitehead, Dalton;Kim, Yuan H. Brad
    • Food Science of Animal Resources
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    • v.42 no.5
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    • pp.762-774
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    • 2022
  • The COVID 19 pandemic resulted in a considerable influence on the world economy. Being a big sector of the economy, the food supply chain struggled. The meat supply chain was most notably affected as every part of the supply chain from farm to shelf was closely inter-related. With the closure of businesses and restaurants the demand for at home food from grocery stores increased. Meat production facilities were impacted when the virus spread to the workers causing facilities to close or line speeds to slow. The combination of these two issues, in turn, led to there being less meat on the shelves. With less meat animals being harvested, there was less demand for livestock leading to farmers having an excess in slaughter ready animals. The decreased demand for livestock led to economic issues as money was lost in multiple sections of the supply chain. Aside from the economy and supply chain issues, other issues include concerns over the safety of meat products due to decreased safety protocols to increase line speed. Additionally, concerns of animal welfare with the excess of animals being culled were raised due to decreased capacity in processing facilities. While this review paper mainly focuses on characterizing the impact of COVID 19 on the meat supply chain in the USA, the compiled information should be able to provide practical insights to the meat/food industry across the globe to develop potential mitigating strategies against the COVID 19 and/or any similar pandemic incidences in the future.

The Relationship between Individuals' Collectivistic Orientation and Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Crisis in Korea: The Mediating Role of Subjective Norm (코로나19 대유행 시기에 집단주의 성향과 사회적 거리두기 행동 간의 관계: 사회적 거리두기에 관한 주관적 규범의 매개효과)

  • Han, Jimin;Choi, Hoon-Seok
    • Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.217-236
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    • 2021
  • The present study examined the mediating role of the subjective norm about social distancing in the relationship between individuals' collectivistic orientation and their social distancing behavior during the early COVID-19 crisis in Korea. A total of 445 South Korean adults residing in Korea participated in a survey during which level 2 to 2.5 prevention policies were being enforced. Results indicated, as expected, that collectivism positively predicted the perceptions of subjective norm that supports social distancing, which in turn predicted positively individuals' participation in social distancing as prescribed by the central government. This result emerged regardless of the individuals' perception of personal vulnerability to COVID-19. We discuss implications of these findings and directions for future research regarding the link between individualism-collectivism and the behavioral immune system, along with the role of social distancing in effectively curbing the spread of corona virus during the pandemic.

HIV-1 Vaccine Development: Need For New Directions

  • Cho Michael W.
    • Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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    • 2000.10a
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    • pp.78-82
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    • 2000
  • The AIDS epidemic continues unabated in many part of the world. After near two decades, no vaccine is available to combat the spread of this deadly disease. Much of the HIV -1 vaccine effort during the past decade has focused on the viral envelope glycoprotein, largely because it is the only protein that can elicit neutralizing antibodies (Nabs). Eliciting broadly cross-reactive Nabs has been a primary goal. The intrinsic genetic diversity of the viral envelope, however, has been one of the major impediments in vaccine development. We have recently completed a comprehensive study examining whether it is possible to elicit broadly acting Nabs by immunizing monkeys with mixtures of envelope proteins from multiple HIV -1 isolates. We compared the humoral immune responses elicited by vaccination with either single or multiple envelope proteins and evaluated the importance of humoral and non-humoral immune response in protection against a challenge virus with a homologous or heterologous envelope protein. Our results show that (1) Nab is the correlate of sterilizing immunity, (2) Nabs against primary HIV -1 isolates can be elicited by the live vector-prime/protein boost approach, and (3) polyvalent envelope vaccines elicit broader Nab response than monovalent vaccines. Nonetheless, our findings clearly indicate that the increased breadth of Nab response is by and large limited to strains included in the vaccine mixture and does not extend to heterologous non-vaccine strains. Our study strongly demonstrates how difficult it may be to elicit broadly reactive Nabs using envelope proteins and sadly predicts a similar fate for many of the vaccine candidates currently being evaluated in clinical trials. We have started to evaluate other vaccine candidates (e.g. genetically modified envelope proteins) that might elicit broadly reactive Nabs. We are also exploring other vaccine strategies to elicit potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Preliminary results from some of these experiments will be discussed.

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COVID-19 and Social Enterprise in Korea: Achievements and Future Directions (COVID-19과 한국의 사회적경제: 성과와 미래 과제)

  • Cho, Young-bohk
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.265-273
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    • 2022
  • The purpose of this study is to take a look the situation of social enterprises under CIVID-19 Pandemic and to suggest future directions. The COVID-19 pandemic which started at the end of 2019, has influenced the various areas of our society, such as health, economic, social and networking. The virus is spread through human respiratory, and it is working as a disability factor in human focused social economy. Under the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Social entrepreneurs are being constrained in financial aspects. In the process of continuing pandemic, the size of the social economy has been expanded and cleaning & health businesses are showing economic performance. This is to tell the fact that social economy is solving COVID-19 issues based on a reciprocity and solidarity. To create a sustainable ecosystem for the social economy, we should select and promote universal and concrete future directions at the economic and social safety net building level rather than to respond to COVID-19.

A study on security requirements for Telecommuting in defense industry (방산업체 비대면(재택) 근무를 위한 보안 요구사항 연구)

  • Hwang Gue Sub;Yeon Seung Ryu
    • Convergence Security Journal
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    • v.23 no.5
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    • pp.209-221
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    • 2023
  • Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in December 2019, the working environment was rapidly converted to telecommuting. However, since the defense industry is an organization that handles technology related to the military, the network separation policy is applied, so there are many restrictions on the application of telecommuting. Telecommuting is a global change and an urgent task considering the rapidly changing environment in the future. Currently, in order for defense companies to implement telecommuting, VPN, VDI, and network interlocking systems must be applied as essential elements. Eventually, some contact points will inevitably occur, which will increase security vulnerabilities, and strong security management is important. Therefore, in this paper, attack types are selected and threats are analyzed based on the attack tactics of the MITER ATT&CK Framework, which is periodically announced by MITER in the US to systematically detect and respond to cyber attacks. Then, by applying STRIDE threat modeling, security threats are classified and specific security requirements are presented.