Research on the Development Process and Competitiveness of Central Asian bank in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze the development process and current status of the Indonesian banking industry. In addition, we will investigate the founder, development process and current status of Bank Central Asia, an overseas Chinese bank that plays a central role in the Indonesian banking industry and analyze its competitiveness. Based on this analysis, we would like to propose practical implications and development strategies. Based on literature research, we will investigate the development process and current status of the Indonesian banking industry, the founders of Bank Central Asia, the development process and current status, and analyze its competitiveness. Using Porter's five forces analysis model, we want to analyze the competitiveness of Bank Central Asia. By utilizing SWOT analysis, we analyze the internal and external environment of Bank Central Asia. Bank Central Asia, although founded by overseas Chinese, is a leader in Indonesia's financial industry. Bank Central Asia has weaknesses in digital transformation, product innovation, customer experience, risk management, cooperation and innovation, but has strengths in network expansion, talent training, promotion and development system improvement. Based on this competitiveness, we have maintained a leading position in the Indonesian financial market. When formulating and executing strategies, Bank Central Asia must fully consider market trends, competitor dynamics, and changes in policies and regulations, make sound decisions, and monitor and adjust plans at any time. Bank Central Asia has maintained a good reputation and sustainable development based on external networks and internal competitiveness. A study on these overseas Chinese banks helps to understand the Southeast Asian economy. &nbsp

Development of Carbon Nanotube/Silicone Pad for Improved Performance of Electromyostimulation Training

We have developed a carbon nanotube (CNT) pad to replace carbon black, which is essential for electric muscle stimulation (EMS) suits that can provide efficient exercise effects in a short time. The optimized CNT pad had 10 times lower concentration but showed 20 times lower resistance than the carbon black pad. In the case of the peak voltage indicating the EMS performance, it was confirmed that the CNT (4.0 wt%) was 25.9 V and the carbon black (40 wt%) was 6.5 V, which was about 4 times better. CNT added increased from 4.0 wt% to 10.0 wt%, and the peak voltage increased from 25.9 V to 26.8 V, but the output voltage was not significantly improved compared to the amount of CNT added. These experimental results are expected to show higher EMS properties than carbon black because carbon nanotubes and silicon are agglomerated to form a particle-like shape

Development of Carbon Nanotube/Silicone Pad for Improved Performance of Electromyostimulation Training

We have developed a carbon nanotube (CNT) pad to replace carbon black, which is essential for electric muscle stimulation (EMS) suits that can provide efficient exercise effects in a short time. The optimized CNT pad had 10 times lower concentration but showed 20 times lower resistance than the carbon black pad. In the case of the peak voltage indicating the EMS performance, it was confirmed that the CNT (4.0 wt%) was 25.9 V and the carbon black (40 wt%) was 6.5 V, which was about 4 times better. CNT added increased from 4.0 wt% to 10.0 wt%, and the peak voltage increased from 25.9 V to 26.8 V, but the output voltage was not significantly improved compared to the amount of CNT added. These experimental results are expected to show higher EMS properties than carbon black because carbon nanotubes and silicon are agglomerated to form a particle-like shape

Linalool Alleviates Aβ42-Induced Neurodegeneration via Suppressing ROS Production and Inflammation in Fly and Rat Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

Terpenes are vital metabolites found in various plants and animals and known to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. Previously, our group identified terpenes that increased the survival of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model flies expressing human amyloid β (Aβ) and identified linalool as a neuroprotective terpene against Aβ toxicity. Linalool is a monoterpene that is commonly present as a constituent in essential oils from aromatic plants and is known to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihyperlipidemia, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties. Although several studies have shown the beneficial effect of linalool in AD animal models, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of linalool on AD are yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we showed that linalool intake increased the survival of the AD model flies during development in a dose-dependent manner, while the survival of wild-type flies was not affected even at high linalool concentrations. Linalool also decreases Aβ-induced apoptosis in eye discs as well as the larval brain. Moreover, linalool intake was found to reduce neurodegeneration in the brain of adult AD model flies. However, linalool did not affect the total amount of Aβ42 protein or Aβ42 aggregation. Rather, linalool decreased Aβ-induced ROS levels, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response in the brains of AD model flies. Furthermore, linalool attenuated the induction of oxidative stress and gliosis by Aβ1-42 treatment in the rat hippocampus. Taken together, our data suggest that linalool exerts its beneficial effects on AD by reducing Aβ42-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions

National trends in depression and suicide attempts and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, 1998–2021: a nationwide study in South Korea

Background: despite the significant psychiatric effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's limited data on the prevalence and risk factors of depression and suicide attempts among South Korean adults. Methods: a nationwide cross-sectional study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data from 1998 to 2021 was conducted. Changes in prevalence and risk factors for depression and suicide attempts were assessed using weighted odds ratios or weighted beta coefficients. Results: during the observation period (1998–2021), the prevalence of depression increased in the overall population; however, no significant surge was found regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2.78% (95% CI, 2.41–3.15) in 1998–2005–4.96% (4.32–5.61) in 2020 and 5.06% (4.43–5.69) in 2021. However, immediately after the onset of the pandemic, younger ages, male sex, urban residence, higher education, and high economic status became significant vulnerable factors compared to pre-pandemic periods. The prevalence of suicide attempts remained stable, and there was no notable surge specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, from 0.23% (95% CI, 0.18–0.28) in 1998–2005–0.45% (0.25–0.66) in 2020 and 0.42% (0.24–0.60) in 2021. Furthermore, no distinct vulnerable factors associated with suicide attempts have been identified. Conclusion: through this nationwide serial cross-sectional survey study, we emphasized the need for understanding the differential impacts of global crises, such as COVID-19, across varied population subgroups, thereby highlighting the importance of specific and targeted mental health support strategies.</p

National trends in asthma prevalence in South Korea before and during the COVID-19 pandemic 1998-2021

To the Editor,Since the COVID-19 pandemic has a drastic effect on diverse allergic diseases, research on the critical impact of COVID-19 on asthma has been highlighted internationally. According to previous studies, the prevalence of asthma increased worldwide over the past decades due to pandemic.1, 2 However, previous studies reported in South Korea have conflicting evidence on whether the prevalence of asthma has decreased or increased, especially among adolescents.3 Thus, to further understand the context of this extraordinary trend, we examined the trends of age-stratified asthma prevalence in South Koreans before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.4 The effects of age and other socioeconomic and environmental variables on these trends were analysed using data collected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 1998–2021.5 An annual survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 1998–2021...</p

Trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in South Korea, 1998-2021: a nationally representative serial study

The impact of the pandemic on hypertension management is unknown, particularly regarding changes in demographic risk factors. We conducted a comprehensive study between 1998 and 2021 on the long-term trends in hypertension prevalence in South Korea, including a comparison of the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras. Data from 1998 to 2021 of 108,687 Korean adults were obtained through a nationwide, large-scale, and serial study. We conducted a weighted complex sampling analysis on the estimates of national prevalence and compared the slope of hypertension prevalence before and during the pandemic to determine the trend dynamics. We included 108,687 participants over 24 years, 1998–2021. While the prevalence of patients with hypertension consistently increased before the pandemic from 25.51% [95% CI: 24.27–26.75] in 1998–2005 to 27.81% [95% CI: 26.97– 28.66] in 2016–2019, the increasing slope in hypertension prevalence slowed during the pandemic period (28.07% [95% CI: 26.16–29.98] for 2021; βdif, −0.012 [−0.023 to 0.000]). Hypertension awareness, treatment, control, and control rates among patients receiving treatment followed similar trends. Compared to the pre-pandemic era, individuals aged 19–59 years or male had signifcantly increased control rates among the treated patients during the pandemic. This study investigated longterm trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among Korean adults. The absence of a reduction in the health indicators associated with hypertension during the pandemic implies that medical services for individuals with hypertension remain unafected.</p