Earticle

Purpose: We aimed to determine the differences in the levels of serum thyroid hormone (free T4 [FT4]) and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH]) as biomarkers for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection status, with respect to age and sex. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed serum samples from 200 patients who underwent HBV testing from August 2022 to September 2022. Serum samples were collected from patients suspected of having HBV infection who visited this hospital. Thyroid hormone levels were measured, and patients were grouped according to age and sex. Results: Differences in TSH and FT4 levels in the serum of patients in the HBV-positive and -negative groups were not significant. Among the HBV-positive patients in the younger age group (<60 years), TSH and FT4 levels were 1.78 ± 0.09 μIU/mL (normal: 0.4–5.0 μIU/mL) and 1.24 ± 0.02 ng/mL (normal: 0.8–1.9 ng/mL), respectively, whereas among the HBV-positive patients in the older age group (≥60 years), TSH and FT4 levels were 2.22 ± 0.17 μIU/mL and 1.24 ± 0.07 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The presence of HBV did not markedly affect serum thyroid hormone levels. Our findings shed light on the conflicting evidence on the association between thyroid hormone levels and HBV infection. We, Hyeokjun Yun and Bo Kyeung Jung are co-first authors which made substantial contribution equally to the conception and designed of this work. Jae Kyung Kim, In soo Rheem and Kap No Lee made significant contributions to the acquisition and analysis of the data.

This study was a phenomenological study to examine the meaning and structure of the difficulty of delivery. Participants in this study conducted deep interviews with seven female 20 to 24. The interview data was conducted through the process of analysis and interpretation using the Giorgi method. As a result of study, 12 themes were derived and 4 categories. As a result of the analysis, young women's thoughts on observing delivery consisted of 'fear', 'powerlessness', 'disgust', and 'inevitable fate'. Based on the above meaning, the structure of young women's thoughts on delivery was found to be a point of view that it is regrettable that delivery compensates for all difficulties and pain with the joy of birth. Accordingly, it is proposed to develop and apply a program that can actually alleviate the anxiety, fear, and physical discomfort experienced by women in childbearing age through childbirth.

This paper intends to shed light on how the advent of streaming services pioneered by Netflix has been affecting the media landscape in the U.S. by looking at Disney’s entry into streaming services and what effects this might have had. The paper first looks at the rise of Netflix, the disruptive impact it had on cable and film businesses, and the challenges this has posed to traditional media conglomerates like Disney. In this context, the paper examines Disney’s decision to enter into streaming services as a move to counter both these challenges and Netflix’s growing power. Finally, the paper notes the changes Disney’s entry is likely to bring about, notably the continued disruption of film and television as streaming business expands, as well as the potential of Disney’s streaming services to challenge Netflix and further strengthen its media empire.

The mouse as an input device has undoubtedly brought convenience to users due to its intuitiveness and simplicity, but it also brought unprecedented issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). As a result, the necessity of alternative input devices that put less strain on the wrist, while still providing the convenience of a conventional mouse, has emerged. Unfortunately, there have been several research about alternative devices to replace a mouse, however, they showed inconsistent results. This study suggests that those inconsistent results may stem from the type and the difficulty of tasks used in previous studies. Therefore, we designed this study to compare the performance and perceived workload of three input devices (Mouse/Trackball/Touchpad) in each condition in terms of task type (Targeting/Tracking) and difficulty level (Easy/Hard). The results indicated that there were significant performance differences and no significant workload differences among the three devices, and the interactions were observed in some conditions. These results can provide users with practical guidelines to choose the optimal input device according to their needs or purpose.

In this paper, we show that the limitations of Holter monitoring and Wearable Electrocardiogarphy Devices and their arrhythmia detection. Sudden death caused by cardiovascular disease, often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its unpredictable nature, is a major health concern. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a basic diagnostic tool for detecting heart disease, but its limitations make it difficult to detect arrhythmia, a significant indicator of an irregular heart state. To address this limitation, a long-term continuous ECG recording device has been developed, Holter ECG device and wearable device. A significant number of studies have focused on the differences between Holter monitoring and wearable devices. The Holter tests were useful for detecting regularly occurring arrhythmias, whereas wearable patches were better at detecting random and infrequent arrhythmias. Wearable patches were effective in detecting episodes of arrhythmia and myocardial ischemia. Despite the concern, wearable devices had less signal loss than Holter monitoring and patients also preferred wearable devices over Holter monitoring due to convenience. These results could mean that the wearable devices can perfectly replace the Holter test.

Intelligent IoT environments that accommodate a very large number of clients require technologies that provide secure information service regardless of the number of clients. Wireless data broadcast is an information service technique that ensures scalability to deliver data to all clients simultaneously regardless of the number of clients. In wireless data broadcasting, clients access the wireless channel linearly to explore the data, so the access time of clients is greatly affected by the broadcast cycle. Data compression-based data broadcasting can reduce the broadcast cycle and thus reduce client access time. Therefore, a simulation framework that can evaluate the performance of data broadcasting by applying different data compression algorithms is essential and important. In this paper, we propose a simulation framework to evaluate the performance of data broadcasting that can adopt data compression. We design the framework that enables to apply different data compression algorithms according to the data characteristics. In addition to evaluating the performance according to the data, the proposed framework can also evaluate the performance according to the data scheduling technique and the kind of queries the client wants to process. We implement the proposed framework and evaluate the performance of data broadcasting using the framework applying data compression algorithms to demonstrate the performances of data compression broadcasting.

In this study, Proline pentamer model was used to investigate change in the dihedral angle, intramolecular hydrogen bonding and formation energies during structural optimization. L-Proline (LP, as an imino acid residue) pentamers having four conformation types [β: φ/ψ=t−/t+, α: φ/ψ=g−/g−, PPII: φ/ψ=g−/t+ and P-like: φ/ψ= g−/g+] were carried out by QCC [B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)]. The optimized structure and formation energy were examined for designated structure. In LP, P-like and PPII types did not change by optimization, and β types were transformed into PPII having no H-bond independently of the designated ψ values. PPII was more stable than P-like by about 2.2 kcal/mol/mu. The hydrogen bond distances of d2(4-6) type H-bonds were 1.94 - 2.00Å. In order to understand the processes of the transformations, the changes of φ/ψ, distances of NH-OC (dNH/CO) and formation energies (ΔE, kcal/mol/mu) were examined.

This research report cuts across management sciences (market strategy entry mode development) and innovative technology (Electric Vehicle (EV)) alongside measures to submerge global warming. The development of a successful entry mode for the electric Vehicle into the African continent is the main objective of the study. The study focuses on an analysis of how electric car manufacturers can enter the African market in other to achieve global sustainability and social responsibility. The methodology is based on identifying the factors that affect the choice of an entry mode into international markets by multinational companies desiring to leverage their revenue through a foreign market. It also offered a quantitative approach that can support the economic and sustainability entry mode model for EVs and a qualitative approach of Porter`s five forces analysis as an entry mode coaching tool for EVs. These proxies are used in quite a wide range of multivariate statistical methods (trend analysis, ratio, and probability, comparative t-test technique, auto-regression, and ordinary least square technique). The result acknowledges joint venture and setting of the plant (physical presents) as the optimal entry mode in African EV market. It requires the EV manufacturers a tire-free emission innovation technology in order to optimize the global sustainability initiative.

This research investigates the relationship between the information quality, service quality, and system quality of lodging apps and the users' expectations, level of satisfaction, and intent to continue using them. For this objective, 418 respondents participated in a survey. To evaluate the hypotheses, the collected data were examined using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0 statistical software. This study constructed a model using information quality, service quality, system quality, expectancy, satisfaction, and intention to continue using the pre- and post-use relationship of users of accommodation applications. The results of testing the hypotheses indicated that system quality had no significant effect on expectancy, system quality and service quality had no significant effect on satisfaction, and all other hypotheses had significant effects. The conclusion of this research is that the app's system quality, including access speed, access barriers, and privacy, does not satisfy pre- and post-use expectations. In addition, the system quality and service quality of the application have little effect on the app's satisfaction. The information quality of the application has a considerable impact on expectation confirmation and satisfaction, expectation confirmation has an impact on satisfaction, and expectation confirmation and satisfaction have an impact on intention to continue using.

As the Internet is used as a major channel for marketing and sales, the top ranking of search engine results is becoming a key competitor among websites. Various methods exist to maintain the top ranking of websites in search engines, typically investing heavily in organic coding or search engine optimization. The purpose of this paper, we present the ranking by recognizing factors that should be removed as negative factors when designing a web page in consideration of website visibility (SEO) because if website visibility is not met, the ranking may fall behind or be completely removed from the search engine index. The experiments that recognized and ranked the negative factors of website visibility proposed in this paper were provided through theory and experiments based on the existing website visibility analysis model. The models analyzed in this paper, we expressed or quantified as scores based on the methodology of each model, and 10 items were selected as negative factors through experiments and ranked as high scores. Therefore, when designing a website, it should be considered that the website is not removed from the search engine index as it is designed by excluding high-ranking items, which are negative factors.

Growing environmental awareness around the world has made environmental issues increasingly important in business. While most past research has focused on consumers’ sustainable morals and lifestyles as the main motivations for eco-friendly consumption, few studies have examined the effect of traditional marketing programs on sustainable consumption. In this study, the author posited that delicate visual cues in store retail environments, particularly visual cues of the store interiors, affect the ways consumers evaluate the brand. The author specifically tested the effect of visual congruence, or the perceived fit between brands and visual cues in retail atmospheres, on perceived brand image and trust. The results of the online survey of 622 U.S. consumers indicated that visual congruence has a significant positive effect on consumer trust in the brand. The author also hypothesized that environmental concerns would moderate the relationships. consumers’ subjective environmental concerns do not moderate the positive effect of visual congruence on trust in the brand.

The study was conducted in Manu-stream, located in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, from January 2021 to December 2021. The survey points were selected in the upper and lower streams based on where thermal discharged to investigate water temperature and fish species and biological community analysis and growth rate were analyzed. The average annual water temperature difference between the upper and lower stream is about 11.0℃, and in the case of the lower stream area, the water temperature is maintained at 20.0℃ or more per year. Fish that appeared during the survey period decreased lower stream compared to the upper stream, which is believed to be the result of a decrease in temperature-sensitive species as the simple riverbed structure and water temperature increased compared to the upper stream. As a result of biological community analysis, it showed a relatively stable community state at the upper stream. The growth rate of fish has a high regression coefficient b value in lower streams throughout the four seasons. It showed relatively good growth lower stream, with a high water temperature. However, the results of each survey point are similar from season to season. The indicator species is a resistant intermediate species, and the range of resistance to water temperature is wide, so it is judged that water temperature's effect on the indicator species' growth is low.

Small-scale environmental impact assessments have limitations in terms of survey duration and evaluation resources, which can hinder the assessment and analysis of the current situation. In this study, we propose the use of drone technology during the environmental impact assessment process to supplement these limitations in the current situation analysis. Drone photography can provide rapid and accurate high-resolution images, allowing for the collection of various information about the target area. This information can include different types of data such as terrain, vegetation, landscape, and real-time 3D spatial information, which can be collected and processed using GIS software to understand and analyze the environmental conditions. In this study, we confirmed that terrain and vegetation analysis and prediction of the target area using drone photography and GIS analysis software is possible, providing useful information for environmental impact assessments.

This paper selects 100 IT companies listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange from 2016 to 2020, and the public announcement in Hwajung collects ESG integrated ratings and grades for each sector and empirically verifies the relationship between ESG ratings and stock returns. Huazheng ESG level data and QIANZHAN database Using corporate financial data, a total of 500 samples were selected through correlation analysis and linear regression analysis with SPSS23 to analyze the effect of ESG on Return. As a result of the analysis, first, the impact on stock returns was found to be a significant positive (+) value for ESG integrated ratings and ratings by E (environment), S (social), and G (governance) sectors, confirming that ESG ratings have a positive mold of corporate stock returns. Currently, the world's major economies have proposed sustainable development strategies and "carbon neutral" goals. Development strategies are very consistent with ESG concepts, and companies that agree and execute ESG concepts may have higher ratings than other companies in the same industry, resulting in certain evaluation premiums. In addition, capital market performance in recent years shows that companies with ESG concepts or "carbon neutrality" concepts are generally considered to have higher growth potential and stronger anti-risk capabilities in the market. For listed companies, they should focus on ESG investment, improve ESG performance, and actively disclose related information to investors. Improving ESG performance should deliver positive information to society, enhance corporate image, increase market confidence in the future development of listed companies, and positively improve corporate value to actively increase financial, financial, trading, and other aspects of negotiation.

With the rapid adoption of 5G, the gaming industry has undergone significant innovation, with the quality of game content and player experience becoming the focal point of attention. ZBrush, as a professional digital sculpting software, plays a crucial role in the production of 3D game models. In this paper, we explore the application methods and techniques of ZBrush in game weapons production through specific case analyses. We provide a detailed analysis of two game weapon models, discussing the design and modeling process, low-to-high poly conversion, UV unwrapping and texture baking, material texture creation and optimization, and final rendering. By comparing the production process and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of ZBrush, we establish a theoretical foundation for further design research and provide reference materials for game industry professionals, aiming to achieve higher quality and efficiency in 3D game model production.

The widespread discussion of AI-generated content, fueled by the emergence of consumer applications like ChatGPT and Midjourney, has attracted significant attention. Among various AI applications, AI painting has gained popularity due to its mature technology, user-friendly nature, and excellent output quality, resulting in a rapid growth in user numbers. Midjourney and Stable Diffusion are two of the most widely used AI painting tools by users. In this study, the author adopts a perspective that represents the general public and utilizes case studies and comparative analysis to summarize the distinctive features and differences between Midjourney and Stable Diffusion in the context of AI character illustration. The aim is to provide informative material for those interested in AI painting and lay a solid foundation for further in-depth research on AI-generated content. The research findings indicate that both software can generate excellent character images but with distinct features.

In recent years, the emergence of a number of AI image generation software represented by [Midjourney] has brought great impetus to the development of the field of AI-assisted art creation. Compared with the traditional hand-painted digital painting with the aid of electronic equipment, broke the traditional sense of animation character creation logic.This paper analyzes the application of AI technology in the field of animation character design through the practice of two-dimensional animation character . This is having a significant impact on the productivity and innovation of animation design and character modeling. The key results of the analysis indicate that AI technology, particularly through the utilization of "Midjourney,"enables the automation of certain design tasks, provides innovative approaches, and generates visually appealing and realistic characters. In conclusion, the integration of AI technology, specifically the application of "Midjourney," brings a new dimension to animation character design. The utilization of AI image generation software facilitates streamlined workflows, sparks creativity, and improves the overall quality of animated characters. As the animation industry continues to evolve, AI-assisted tools like "Midjourney" hold great potential for further advancement and innovation.

Since 2017, the application of VR technology in the game field has become more and more extensive, and more and more scholars have conducted research on VR games, especially VR horror games. This article will conduct research on VR horror games and scrolling scroll games through comparative analysis, and believes that VR horror games are much stronger than side scrolling scrolling games in terms of immersion. However, due to its unique flat third-person perspective, completely different operation methods and the existence of ‘the fourth wall in side-scrolling horror games, Players can clearly realize that they are in an absolutely safe environment, and that they are just manipulators of game characters, not experiencers of terrorist events, so players will not receive excessive fright. Therefore, this article believes that the number of players who like side-scrolling horror games with certain horror elements is greater than the number of players who like pure VR horror games.Many traditional games in this paper have their own advantages in many aspects. For example, many traditional games such as horizontal games also have good development prospects in the future. We should promote the research on games in the academic community from multiple angles, not limited to popular VR games.