In recent years, the global geopolitical landscape has been significantly influenced by nations asserting dominance in key sectors, including finance, intellectual property, and military industries. This ascendancy allows states to dictate terms and wield substantial impact on the world order. In particular, China has emerged as a pivotal player, strategically utilizing innovation and economic prowess to reshape international relations. This research examines China’s role in redefining global power dynamics, particularly within Africa, while evaluating the effectiveness and criticisms of its “soft power” strategies. China’s robust presence in critical sectors such as finance, intellectual property, and military industries underscores the correlation between leadership in these domains and global influence. The country’s economic and technological prowess has positioned it as a formidable player, enabling it to exert significant control over international rules and norms. The ramifications of such dominance transcend mere economic power, influencing diplomatic relations and shaping the international order.

본 연구의 목적은 기존의 하드 타입의 관성 센서를 대체할 수 있는 소프트 원단 기반 팔꿈치 굽힘 각 센서를 개발하 고, 이를 이용하여 굽힘 각도를 추정하는 시스템을 개발하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 비교 선정을 위하여 Bergamo, E-band, Span cushion, Polyester의 서로 다른 역학적 특성을 가진 4종류 원단에 SWCNT (Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes) 함침을 통해 전도성을 부여한 후 성능 평가를 통하여 하나의 원단을 선정하여 팔꿈치 굽힘 각 센서로 제작 하였다. 성능을 평가하는 지표로 게이지율(Gauge factor), 이력현상(Hysteresis) 및 센싱 범위를 사용하였다. 제작된 센 서를 통해 얻은 데이터는 bending 동작에서의 각도에 대한 센서 출력값의 변화와 extending 동작에서의 각도에 대한 센서 출력값의 변화가 다른 경향을 갖고 있기 때문에 두 가지 동작을 나누는 것을 1-step으로 하였다. 2-step으로, 데이 터의 복잡한 비선형 관계를 처리하고 높은 데이터 정확도를 달성하기 위해 MLP (Multi-Layer Perceptron)를 활용하였 다. 따라서 소프트 텍스타일 굽힘 센서를 제작하였고, MLP를 통해 비선형 관계를 처리하고 각도 추정이 가능해졌다. 본 연구 결과를 기반으로 다양한 스마트 웨어러블 및 헬스케어 분야에서 효과적으로 활용되기를 기대한다.

Abstract Purpose : To determine the perceptions of soft contact lens wearers regarding contact lens wear and care, and their knowledge of adverse effects of contact lens wear by self-assessment. Methods : An online survey using smartphone was conducted by Naver and Google questionnaires among university students who have experience wearing soft contact lenses. Results : Two hundred twenty-eight soft lens wearers were participated in the study. The average age was 20.9±1.7 years (female 72.8%; male 27.2%) were university students. Approximately 25.4% of respondents did not receive training and practices for safe soft lens wear and 14.1% evaluated themselves as poor at wearing and caring for soft lenses. The most uncomfortable symptom of soft lens wear was dryness at 76.3%, and 36.0% experienced soft lens-related adverse events. The higher type of adverse event was conjunctivitis, and the most common self-reported cause of contact lens-related adverse events was improper lens care and non-compliance to lens wear regimens. Conclusion : Based on the self-assessment of soft lens care that resulted from this survey, we believe that a more proactive approach to intervention by contact lens practitioners is still needed to prevent the risk of adverse events and improve soft lens wearer behavior. Key words : Compliance, Contact lens-related adverse events, Self-assessment, Soft contact lens Authors ORCID:†

On the international political stage of the 21st century, the strategic rivalry between China and the United States is one of the most captivating focal points. As two major global powers, China and the United States, their competition and cooperation across multiple domains have profound implications for the global political and economic landscape. The historical evolution of Sino-U.S. relations provides us with key insights into the understanding of the current strategic rivalry. Within the realm of hard power, the economic and technological rivalry between China and the United States is intensifying, engendering notable frictions within areas such as economics and technology. These frictions reverberate through their interactions, influencing their positions and interests on the global stage. However, the role of soft power in the context of Sino-American relations cannot be understated. The United States has persistently exported its values of democracy and freedom, whereas China emphasizes the principles of peaceful development and shared prosperity. The strategic rivalry between China and the United States is an intricate, multifaceted issue that poses significant challenges. To effectively address this complexity, China must employ a comprehensive array of strategies and measures to ensure its enduring stability and sustained development in the ever-evolving global landscape.

As a promising anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), cobalt sulfide ( CoS2) has attracted extensive attention due to its high theoretical capacity, easy preparation, and superior electrochemical activity. However, its intrinsic low conductivity and large volume expansion result in poor cycling ability. Herein, nitrogen-doped carbon-coated CoS2 nanoparticles (N–C@ CoS2) were prepared by a C3N4 soft-template-assisted method. Carbon coating improves the conductivity and prevents the aggregation of CoS2 nanoparticles. In addition, the C3N4 template provides a porous graphene-like structure as a conductive framework, affording a fast and constant transport path for electrons and void space for buffering the volume change of CoS2 nanoparticles. Benefitting from the superiorities, the Na-storage properties of the N–C@CoS2 electrode are remarkably boosted. The advanced anode delivers a long-term capacity of 376.27 mAh g− 1 at 0.1 A g− 1 after 500 cycles. This method can also apply to preparing other metal sulfide materials for SIBs and provides the relevant experimental basis for the further development of energy storage materials.

지구의 약 2/3를 차지하는 바다는 수억 종 유기체의 터전이며 이산화탄소를 흡수하며 기후변화 완화에 중요한 역할을 한다. 또한 바다는 해양자원을 제공 하고 무역의 중요한 교통로 역할을 한다. 그러나 우리 삶과 매우 밀접한 관계 가 있는 해양이 플라스틱으로 인해 파괴되고 있다. 매일 800만 개의 쓰레기가 바다로 유입되어 다양한 해양 생물이 쓰레기에 얽히거나 쓰레기를 섭취함으로 써 직접적인 영향을 받고 있다. 이처럼 해양환경에 부정적 영향을 미치는 해양 플라스틱에 대응하기 위해 2022년 3월 나이로비에서 열린 유엔환경총회 (UNEA)에서는 해양 플라스틱을 직접적으로 규제하는 법적 구속력을 지닌 국 제조약을 제정하기로 합의하였다. 이는 해양 플라스틱으로 인해 날로 심각해지 고 있는 해양환경에 매우 긍정적이라 할 수 있다. 육지를 기반으로 한 해양오 염으로부터 해양환경을 보호하기 위한 국제사회의 노력은 수 세기 동안 연성법의 형태로 발전되어 왔다. 이런 연성법은 새로 제정될 해양 플라스틱 조약에 분명 제시하는 시사점이 있을 것이다. 그러므로 본 논문에서는 연성법의 내용 을 교리적 법률연구를 통해 살펴보고, 이를 통해 새로운 국제조약에 필수적으 로 포함되어야 할 규정에 대해 제안하고자 한다.

Soft magnetic powder materials are used throughout industries such as motors and power converters. When manufacturing Fe-based soft magnetic composites, the size and shape of the soft magnetic powder and the microstructure in the powder are closely related to the magnetic properties. In this study, Fe-Si-Al-P alloy powders were manufactured using various manufacturing process parameter sets, and the process parameters of the vacuum induction melt gas atomization process were set as melt temperature, atomization gas pressure, and gas flow rate. Process variable data that records are converted into 6 types of data for each powder recovery section. Process variable data that recorded minute changes were converted into 6 types of data and used as input variables. As output variables, a total of 6 types were designated by measuring the particle size, flowability, apparent density, and sphericity of the manufactured powders according to the process variable conditions. The sensitivity of the input and output variables was analyzed through the Pearson correlation coefficient, and a total of 6 powder characteristics were analyzed by artificial neural network model. The prediction results were compared with the results through linear regression analysis and response surface methodology, respectively.

Bacterial phytopathogen Pectobacterium causes soft rot disease in several vegetable crops globally, resulting in heavy agricultural losses at both the pre and postharvest stages. The present work was carried out to screen Kimchi cabbage genetic resources conserved at the National Agrobiodiversity Center, Rural Development Administration, Korea, for resistance against the soft rot pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum KACC 21701 over a period of three years (from 2020 to 2022). Infection of the phytopathogen was carried out at four-leaf stage and for each accession, twenty-five plants per germplasm were infected with KACC 21701. Kimchi cabbage cultivars Wangmatbaechu, Seoulbaechu, and CR Kiyoshi were used as control. Seven-days post-infection, the Disease Index (DI) values were manually recorded from zero to four, zero matched perfectly heathy plants and four completely dead plants. The 682 accessions of Kimchi cabbage exhibited varying degrees of disease resistance to KACC 21701 and thirty accessions, exhibiting a DI≤2, were considered for replication studies. During the replication studies, four landrace germplasms (IT102883, IT120036, IT120044, and IT120048) and one cultivar (IT187919) were confirmed to be moderately susceptible to KACC 21701. Results of the preliminary screening as well as replication studies were documented for the all the 682 germplasms. Addition of such information to the passport data of stored germplasms might serve as potential bio-resource for future breeders and researchers to develop resistant varieties or study the mechanisms involved in resistance of plants to such phytopathogen.

목적: 초기노안을 대상으로 중심-근용 멀티포컬 콘택트렌즈 착용 시 구면수차가 시력에 미치는 영향을 확인하고자 하였다. 방법 : 초기노안 50명을 대상으로 중심-근용 멀티포컬 콘택트렌즈 착용하고 일주일의 적응 기간 후 원·근거 리 시력과 구면수차의 변화 및 원·근거리 시력 개선에 필요한 추가 교정도수를 확인하였고, 시력만족도는 설문조 사로 확인하였다. 결과 : 대상자의 평균 교정굴절력은 –2.65±1.67 D, 가입도는 +1.15±0.05 D이었으며, 안구 구면수차는 0.010±0.028 ㎛였으며, 이 중 37명(72 %)은 양의 구면수차(0.028±0.017 ㎛)를, 13명(28 %)은 음의 구면수차 (–0.020±0.010 ㎛)를 갖고 있었다. 중심-근용 멀티포컬 콘택트렌즈를 착용한 후 양의 구면수차를 가 진 그룹은 -0.012±0.005 ㎛로, 음의 구면수차를 가진 그룹은 –0.043±0.010 μm로 모두 음(-)의 방향으로 증 가하였다(p<0.050). 멀티포컬 콘택트렌즈를 착용한 후 100% 원거리 시력(logMAR)은 양의 구면수차를 가진 그룹 에서는 –0.014±0.090, 음의 구면수차를 가진 그룹에서는 0.022±0.120으로 양의 구면수차를 가진 그룹에서 더 좋았고(p<0.001), 100% 고대비 근시력(logMAR)은 양의 구면수차를 가진 그룹에서는 0.127±0.090, 음의 구면 수차를 가진 그룹에서는 0.118±0.090으로 음의 구면수차를 가진 그룹에서 더 좋았다(p<0.001). 설문조사 결과 에서는 양의 구면수차를 가진 그룹에서는 원거리에서 높은 만족도를 보였고, 음의 구면수차를 가진 그룹에서는 중 간거리와 근거리 영역에서 만족도가 높았다(p<0.050). 결론 : 중심-근용 멀티포컬 콘택트렌즈를 처방 후 구면수차가 변할 수 있고, 착용자의 안구 구면수차에 따라 원·근거리 시력 만족도가 달라질 수 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 멀티포컬 콘택트렌즈를 처방할 때 착용자의 구면 수차를 확인한다면 처방 성공률을 더 높일 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

목적: 국내에서 판매되는 4개 제조사의 15개 제품들의 소프트 콘택트렌즈 간의 새그깊이 차이를 비교해보고 렌즈들 이 상대적으로 가파른지 혹은 편평한지에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 식염수가 포함된 폴리스티렌 재질의 사각페트리디쉬와 기준선이 있는 기준체를 사용하여 소프트 콘택트 렌즈의 새그깊이를 사진 촬영을 통해서 측정하였다. 사용된 콘택트렌즈는 시중에서 판매되는 -3.00 D인 15개 제 품의 소프트 콘택트렌즈이었다. 결과 : 측정된 렌즈의 새그깊이는 3.68±0.16 mm로 3.42~3.96 mm의 범위를 보여 주었다. 계산된 렌즈의 새그깊이는 3.67±0.15 mm이었고, 일부 렌즈에서 상대적으로 큰 차이가 있었다. 측정된 새그깊이 별 계산된 기 본커브는 8.58±0.16 mm이었고, 제조 회사의 제시된 기본커브는 8.59+0.12 mm 이었다. 일부 렌즈에서 상대적 으로 큰 차이가 있었다. 결론 : 국내에서 판매되는 15개의 소프트 콘택트렌즈 제품들의 새그깊이 차이를 비교할 수 있었고, 측정된 새 그깊이와 그에 따른 계산된 기본커브를 통해 렌즈들이 상대적으로 가파른지 혹은 편평한지에 대한 추가적인 정보 를 얻을 수 있었다.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) means transnational corporations (TNCs) are responsible for not only the interests of their shareholders, but also the interests and welfare of the local community of the area in which they operate. Therefore, TNCs have to furnish the local community beneficial and social services voluntarily and free of charge to help the local community achieve sustainable development. A question may arise whether it is legally feasible to oblige these corporations to abide by social responsibility in oil and gas industry and its resources specially petroleum laws, regulations and contracts as well as international investment treaties. This article shows that basically CSR in oil and gas industry is voluntarily enforced by TNCs who perform it for non-binding and moral reasons. Nonetheless, in oil and gas industry and its sources especially petroleum laws and contracts, it is feasible to require TNCs to undertake CSR and various dimensions therewith.

The bacterial soft-rot disease is one of the most critical diseases in vegetables such as Chinese cabbage. The researchers isolated two bacteria (Pseudomonas kribbensis and Pantoea vagans) from diseased tissue samples of Chinese cabbages and confirmed them as being the strains that cause soft-rot disease. Lactic-acid bacteria (LAB), were screened and used to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The researchers tested the treatments with hypochlorous acid water (HAW) and LAB supernatant to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The tests confirmed that treatments with the HAW (over 120 ppm) or LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum PL203) culture supernatants (0.5 mL) completely controlled both P. kribbensis and P. vagans.

본 논문은 한국 드라마 <태양의 후예>를 분석하여 홍보가 한 나라 의 소프트 파워 전략에 어떻게 작용하는지, 그리고 문화와 이데올로기 의 전파가 전 세계 매체 환경에서 어떻게 전파되는지를 탐구하였다. 우 선 국가 주도의 소프트 파워를 홍보에 접목한 이론적인 틀을 제시하였 다. 그리고 한국 영화와 드라마의 홍보 역사를 정리하였다. 이어서 <태양의 후예>는 소프트 파워가 갖춰진 한류 드라마이자 홍보 드라마 임을 논의하였다. 끝으로 소프트 파워, 홍보, 한류 대중문화 사이의 관 계, 국가가 대중문화의 생산과 보급에 어떻게 참여하는지, 그리고 이 과정에서 소프트 파워가 어떻게 적용되는지를 제시하였다.

In vivo oocytes grow and mature in ovarian follicles whereas oocytes are matured in vitro in plastic culture dishes with a hard surface. In vivo oocytes show a superior developmental ability to in vitro counterparts, indicating suboptimal environments of in vitro culture. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an agarose matrix as a culture substrate during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the development of pig oocytes derived from small antral follicles (SAFs). Cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) retrieved from SAFs were grown in a plastic culture dish without an agarose matrix and then cultured for maturation in a plastic dish coated without (control) or with a 1% or 2% (w/v) agarose hydrogel. Then, the effect of the soft agarose matrix on oocyte maturation and embryonic development was assessed by analyzing intra-oocyte contents of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), expression of VEGFA, HIF1A , and PFKP genes, and blastocyst formation after parthenogenesis. IVM of pig COCs on a 1% (w/v) agarose matrix showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation, intra-oocyte GSH contents, and transcript abundance of VEGFA. Moreover, a significantly lower intra-oocyte ROS content was detected in oocytes matured on the 1% and 2% (w/v) agarose matrices than in control. Our results demonstrated that IVM of SAFs-derived pig oocytes on a soft agarose matrix enhanced developmental ability by improving the cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes through redox balancing and regulation of gene expression.

Post-disturbance recovery pattern of subtidal soft corals-macroalgae mixed community and the role of water depth were investigated. The experiment was conducted in a subtidal rock wall of Munseom, Jeju Island, Korea for 2.5 years. Artificial disturbance was done at established treatment plots at depths of 10, 15 and 20 m and were then compared with undisturbed control plots. After disturbance, recovery of soft corals was very slow, whereas macroalgae quickly occupied the plots and reached a similar level as the control in 6 months, and this pattern was consistent at all water depths. This unbalanced speed of recovery caused higher macroalgae establishment than soft corals in treatment compared to control plots, indicating a possible phase shift in the community structure. This study provides an important implication for the necessity of monitoring the influence of disturbance at a larger scale, from a conservation perspective of soft corals in Jeju coast.

목적 : OSDI 설문조사를 시행하여 소프트 콘택트렌즈 착용과 각막굴절교정수술 응답자 사이에서 안구건조 유병률을 비교하고자 하였다. 방법 : 대학생들을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시하였고, 또한 정시안을 대조군으로 사용하여 두 그룹을 비교하였다. 안구건조증은 OSDI 설문지를 이용하여 평가하였고, 안구건조증은 OSDI 점수에 따라 경도(13~22), 중등도 (23~32), 중증(33~100) 건성안으로 분류하였다. 결과 : 콘택트렌즈 착용에 62명, 굴절교정수술에는 49명, 대조군에 68명이 본 연구에 포함되었다. OSDI 점수는 두 그룹 모두 대조군 보다 높았으나 소프트 콘택트렌즈 착용과 굴절교정수술 사이에 안구건조 유병률은 통계적으로 차이가 없었다. 안구건조는 소프트 콘택트렌즈 착용자의 53.2% (n=33), 굴절교정 수술자의 53.1%(n=26), 대조군은 30.8%(n=21)로 나타났다. 결론 : 본 연구에서 소프트 콘택트렌즈 착용과 각막굴절교정수술 모두에서 안구건조증의 유병률은 50% 이상으로 대조군보다 높게 나타났고, 두 그룹의 안구건조 유병률은 거의 같게 나타났다.

Smart materials capable of changing their characteristics in response to stimuli such as light, heat, pH, and electric and magnetic fields are promising for application to flexible electronics, soft robotics, and biomedicine. Compared with conventional rigid materials, these materials are typically composed of soft materials that improve the biocompatibility and allow for large and dynamic deformations in response to external environmental stimuli. Among them, smart magnetic materials are attracting immense attention owing to their fast response, remote actuation, and wide penetration range under various conditions. In this review, we report the material design and fabrication of smart magnetic materials. Furthermore, we focus on recent advances in their typical applications, namely, soft magnetic actuators, sensors for self-assembly, object manipulation, shape transformation, multimodal robot actuation, and tactile sensing.

PURPOSES : This study aims to develop an algorithm to solve the user equilibrium traffic assignment problem using soft link capacity constraints. This model is used to relax the hard capacity constraints model. METHODS : In the traffic assignment model that imposes the hard capacity constraints, the well-known solution algorithms used are the augmented Lagrange multiplier method and the inner penalty function method. The major drawback of using the hard-capacity constraint model is the feasible solution issue. If the capacities in the network are not sufficient to absorb the flow from the diverged flows through the hard capacity constraints, it might result in no solution; whereas, using a soft capacity constraint model guarantees a feasible solution because the soft capacity constraint model uses the penalization of constraint violation in the objective function. In this study, the gradient projection (GP) algorithm was adapted. RESULTS : Two numerical experiments were conducted to demonstrate the features of the soft capacity constraint model and the computational performance of the solution algorithm. The results revealed that imposing the soft link capacity constraints can ensure convergence. CONCLUSIONS : The proposed model can be easily extended by considering other traffic assignment models, for e.g., non-additive traffic equilibrium problem, stochastic traffic equilibrium model, and, elastic demand traffic equilibrium problem. Furthermore, the model can exist regardless of the sufficient capacity for each O-D pair to cater to their demands.