Past Issues

This exploratory study investigated the effects of the interaction between the experience of social exclusion and the presence or absence of a companion animal on the psychological well-being of individuals. Participants answered questions about whether or not they were respected by the community (yes or no); whether or not they currently have a companion animal (yes or no); and if they do, what kind of animal(s) they raise (multiple answers allowed). The study also assessed the psychological well-being of the participants. The group that experienced social exclusion demonstrated lower levels of psychological well-being than the group that did not. In addition, the group that reported the presence of at least one companion animal evinced higher levels of psychological well-being than the group that did not. Individuals who experienced social exclusion but lived with at least one companion animal were found to display superior psychological well-being than those who could not avail of the company of an animal. No difference in psychological well-being was found between those with a companion animal and those without one in the group that did not experience social exclusion. In conclusion, this study observed the effects of the binary interactions between social exclusion (experienced vs. not experienced) and the existence of companion animals (presence vs. absence) on the psychological well-being of people. The empirical data offer theoretical implications for the conditions in which companion animals do or do not improve psychological well-being in humans.

keyword : Companion Animal, Happiness, Psychological Well-Being, Psycho-Social Needs, Social Exclusion, 반려동물, 행복, 심리적 안녕감, 심리사회적 욕구, 사회적 배제

The purpose of this study is to develop a strain sensor based on a nanoweb by applying electrical conductivity to a polyurethane nanoweb through the use of Graphene. For this purpose, 1% Graphene ink was pour-coated on a polyurethane nanoweb and post-treated with PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) to complete a wearable strain sensor. The surface characteristics of the specimens were evaluated using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) to check whether the conductive material was well coated on the surface of the specimen. Electrical properties of the specimens were measured by using a multimeter to measure the linear resistance of the specimen and comparing how the line resistance changes when 5% and 10% of the specimens are tensioned, respectively. In order to evaluate the performance of the specimen, the gauge factor was obtained. The evaluation of the clothing was performed by attaching the completed strain sensor to the dummy and measuring the respiration signal according to the tension using MP150 (Biopac system Inc., USA) and Acqknowledge (ver. 4.2, Biopac system Inc., U.S.A.). As a result of the evaluation of the surface characteristics, it was confirmed that all the conductive nanoweb specimen were uniformly coated with the Graphen ink. As a result of measuring the resistance value according to the tensile strength, the specimen G, which was treated with just graphene had the lowest resistance value, the specimen G-H had the highest resistance value, and the change of the line resistance value of the specimen G and the specimen G-H is increased to 5% It is found that it increases steadily. Unlike the resistance value results, specimen G showed a higher gauge rate than specimen G-H. As a result of evaluation of the actual clothes, the strain sensor made using the specimen G-H measured the stable peak value and obtained a signal of good quality. Therefore, we confirmed that the polyurethane nanoweb treated with Graphene ink plays a role as a breathing sensor.

keyword : Graphene, Polyurethane Nanoweb, Smart Textile, Strain Sensor, Respiration Rate, 그래핀, 폴리우레탄 나노웹, 스마트텍스타일, 스트레인센서, 호흡률

The U-Healthcare era has evolved with the development of the Internet of things (IoT) in the early stages of being connected as a society. Already, many changes such as increased well-being and the extension of human life are becoming evident across cultures. Korea entered the growing group of aging societies in 2017, and its silver industry is expected to grow rapidly by adopting the IoT of a super-connected society. In particular, the senior shift phenomenon has resulted in increased interest in the promotion of the health and well-being of the emergent silver generation which, unlike the existing silver generation, is highly active and wields great economic power. This study conducted in-depth interviews to investigate the characteristics of the new silver generation, and to develop the design for a wearable serious game that intends to boost the interest of the elderly in exercise and fitness activities according to their personalized physical training regimes as prescribed by the U-Hospital service. The usage scenario of this wearable serious game for the ‘U-silver generation’ is derived from social necessity. Medical professionals can utilize this technology to conduct health examinations and to monitor the rehabilitation of senior patients. The elderly can also use this tool to request checkups or to interface with their healthcare providers. The wearable serious game is further aimed at mitigating concerns about the deterioration of the physical functions of the silver generation by applying personalized exercise prescriptions. The present investigation revealed that it is necessary to merge the on / off line community activities to meet the silver generation's daily needs for connection and friendship. Further, the sustainability of the serious game must be enhanced through the inculcation of a sense of accomplishment as a player rises through the levels of the game. The proposed wearable serious game is designed specifically for the silver generation that is inexperienced in using digital devices: simple game rules are applied to a familiar interface grounded on the gourmet travels preferred by the target players to increase usability.

keyword : Connected Life, Wellness Life Style, Aging Society, U-Silver Generation, Serious Wearable Game, U-Silver Contents, User Scenario, User-Centered Design, 초연결사회, 웰니스 라이프 스타일, 고령사회, U-실버세대, 기능성 웨어러블 게임, U-실버 콘텐츠, 사용 시나리오

Individuals with problematic hypersexual behavior (PHB) evince the inability to control sexual impulses and arousal. Previous studies have identified that these characteristics are related to structural and functional changes in the brain region responsible for inhibitory functions. However, very little research has been conducted on the functional connectivity of these brain areas during the resting state in individuals with PHB. Therefore, this study used functional magnetic resonance imaging devices with the intention of identifying the deficit of the functional connectivity in the executive control network in individuals with PHB during the resting state. Magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained for 16 individuals with PHB and 19 normal controls with similar demographic characteristics. The areas related to the executive control network (LECN, RECN) were selected as the region of interest, and the correlation coefficient with time series signals between these areas was measured to identify the functional connectivity. Between groups analysis was also used. The results revealed a significant difference in the strength of the functional connectivity of the executive control network between the two groups. In other words, decreased functional connectivity was found between the superior/middle frontal gyrus and the caudate, and between the superior/middle frontal gyrus and the superior parietal gyrus/angular gyrus in individuals with PHB. In addition, these functional Connectivities related to the severity of hypersexual behavior. The findings of this study suggest that the inability to control sexual impulses and arousal in individuals with PHB might be related to the reduced functional connectivity of executive control circuits.

keyword : Problematic Hypersexual Behavior, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Executive Control Network, Functional Connectivity, Superior/Middle Frontal Gyrus, 문제적 과잉 성 행동자, 휴지기 자기공명영상, 집행 통제 회로, 기능적 연결성, 상/중 전두회

Empathy has been observed to be pivotal in enhancing both social relations and the efficiency of task performance. Empathetic interaction has been shown to begin with individuals mirroring each other's facial expressions, vocal tone, actions, and so on. The internal responses of the cardiovascular activity of people engaged in empathetic interaction are also known to be synchronized. This study attempted to objectively and quantitatively define the rules of empathy with regard to the synchronization of cardiac rhythm between persons. Seventy-four subjects participated in the investigation and were paired to imitate the facial expressions of their partner. An electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement was taken as the participants conducted the task. Quantitative indicators were extracted from the heart rhythm pattern (HRP) and the heart rhythm coherence (HRC) to determine the difference of synchronization of heart rhythms between two individuals as they pertained to empathy. Statistical significance was confirmed by an independent sample t-test. The HRP and HRC correlation(r) between persons increased significantly with empathy in comparison to an interaction that was not empathetic. A difference of the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and the dominant peak frequency decreased. Therefore, significant parameters to evaluate empathy have been proposed through a step-wise discrimination analysis. Empathic interactions may thus be managed and monitored for high quality social interaction and communication.

keyword : Empathy, Emotion Recognition, Synchronization, Electrocardiogram, Imitation, 공감, 감성 인식, 동기화, 심전도, 모방

Stress is accompanied by changes in the responses of the autonomic nervous system, and the heart rate variability (HRV) index is a quantitative marker that reflects autonomic responses induced by stressors. In this study, we observed changes in the autonomic responses induced by combinations of 30% oxygen administration and color light for stress relaxation. In all, 42 participants produced stress symptoms over the preceding two weeks, as rated on the stress response scale. After stress assessment, they were exposed to three therapeutic conditions, and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were recorded before, during, and after therapy. The three therapy conditions consisted of only 30% oxygen administration with white light, a combination of 30% oxygen and orange light, and a combination of 30% oxygen and blue light. The HRV indices extracted from ECG signals were heart rate (HR), the standard deviation of the RR interval (SDNN), the mean square root of consecutive RR interval difference values (RMSSD), the low frequency component of HRV (LF), the high frequency component (HF), and the LF/HF ratio. These indicators were used to compare mean values before and after therapy. The results showed that HR and the LF/HF ratio were significantly lower after therapy than before it. In particular, the condition with 30% oxygen and blue light yielded significantly greater RMSSD and HF increases, as well as decreases in LF/HF ratio than in other two conditions. Our results suggest that therapy with 30% oxygen and blue light is the most effective for the relaxation of stress, which implies autonomic balance by parasympathetic activation.

keyword : Oxygen, Color Light, Stress Relaxation, Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, 산소, 색채 조명, 스트레스 이완, 심박률, 심박변이도

Currently, the field of textile is expanding the scope of its research, which focuses on non-material values such as emotion. This study suggests possibilities for and applications of emotional textile design, using digital craft via empirical research focusing on the emotional significance of textile design. The results, obtained with a subjective evaluation scale developed for this study, were used to verify whether there is statistical significance in the differences between textile design using digital technology and textile design using digital craft. The experiment indicated certain meaningful implications for application of digital crafts through the application of textile design. First, ethnic emotions were not found to be significant but did increase in all three comparative analyses. Second, both modern and classical emotions decreased. Third, comparisons between digital textile machine and digital textile machine and craft showed a significant difference in sensibility. Lastly, the comparison of 3D printing and 3D printing and craft indicated a significant increase in elegance. Therefore, textile design using digital craft is thought to be able to deliver an ethnic, fun, and elegant sensibility, following the digital technology used. If the results derived from this study are used appropriately in the development and production of textile design, it can effectively support the development of emotional textile design. In addition, the results of this study provide objective data for the design of emotional textile through digital craft, which will provide important implications for the academic world and for practical production.

keyword : Emotional Evaluation, Textile Design, Digital Craft, Emotion, Digital, Craft, 감성평가, 텍스타일 디자인, 디지털 크래프트, 감성, 디지털, 크래프트

As the social interest of the Baby Boomer generation is increasing, this study derives implications for lifelong education policy through identification of the need and support for lifelong education among baby boomers lifelong learning, taking into account such aspects of quality of life as emotional psychology-based self-development and self-realization. To optimally explore support for lifelong learning for the baby-boomer generation, first-tier (top-level), sixth-tier (bottom-level), and five-other evaluation criteria were available. For the first layer, we examined whether potentiality or realizability was more desirable, and for the second layer, detailed criteria for realizability were set up, dividing them into financial, legal, and administrative feasibility. A study conducted by experts on the policy priority analysis of Baby Boomers showed that their support for lifelong learning places a greater priority on its feasibility (the more feasible alternative) than desire (the more desirable option). Among the six criteria, lifestyle activities had high priority, and the relative importance of the five assessment alternatives for lifetime learning activities was shown to be higher for employment skills education (0.377), civil participation education (0.181), lifestyle activities (0.200), and ‘lifetime activities’ (06.11). These results are meaningful: they can help shape and refine the needs of lifelong education, assess their relative importance, and prepare basic data for lifelong learning policies for baby boomers who are about to enter their old age.

keyword : AHP Analysis, Baby Boomer Policy, Emotional Psychology, Priority, 감성심리, 베이비부머 정책, 우선순위, AHP 분석방법

Sleep apnea, a medical condition associated with a variety of complications, is generally monitored by standard sleep polysomnography, which is expensive and uncomfortable. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes an unconstrained wearable monitoring system with stretch-fiber sensors that integrate with the wearer's clothing. The system allows patients to undergo examinations in a familiar environment while minimizing the occurrence of skin allergies caused by adhesive tools. As smart clothing for adult males with sleep apnea, long-sleeved T-shirts embedding fibrous sensors were developed, enabling real-time monitoring of the patients' breathing rate, oxygen saturation, and airflow as sleep apnea diagnostic indicators. The gauge factor was measured as 20.3 in sample 4. The maximum breathing intake, measured during three large breaths, was 2048 ml. the oxygen saturation was measured before and during breath-holding. The oxygen saturation change was 69.45%, showing a minimum measurable oxygen saturation of 70%. After washing the garment, the gauge factor reduced only to 18.0, confirming the durability of the proposed system. The wearable sleep apnea monitoring smart clothes are readily available in the home and can measure three indicators of sleep apnea: respiration rate, breathing flow and oxygen saturation.

keyword : Sleep Apnea, Polysomnography, Fiber Sensor, Monitoring, Smartwear, 수면무호흡증, 수면다원검사, 섬유 센서, 모니터링, 스마트웨어