[248th] H1N1 Influenza / Attractions / Korean companies' Triump

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09.26.doc

H1N1 death toll climbs to nine

| 기사입력 2009-09-23 08:25

A woman yesterday died three weeks after brain death caused by her infection with the H1N1 flu virus, health officials confirmed.

With her passing, the nation`s death toll from the disease climbed to nine.

"As her brain death was prolonged, the woman had been breathing on a life support system. From the previous weekend, her condition started suddenly deteriorating, with her blood pressure dropping to 30-40," said Kwon Jun-wook, senior official at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is first time here for a flu patient with no underlying disease to slip into a state of brain death and then die from the disease.

Globally no other brain death case resulting from H1N1 virus infection has been reported, health officials said.

On Aug. 28, the 40-year-old woman living in the Seoul metropolitan area was moved to a local university hospital as she displayed severe pneumonia symptoms, including high fever, coughing and respiratory difficulties.

She was hospitalized at an isolation unit and administered antiviral drugs.

She was confirmed to have contracted the flu virus on Aug. 31.

Health officials said she had no recent overseas experience and was not in close contact with confirmed flu patients.

While being treated for acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, she suffered cerebral edema and hemorrhaging early this month, and while brain dead had been kept on breathing machines.

After collecting the opinions of experts, health officials concluded the H1N1 flu virus has caused the inflammation of her brain.

In its weekly influenza surveillance report, the disease control agency yesterday said a total of 16 patients have been hospitalized for complications from the flu infection.

Those in critical condition included a 61-year-old man with diabetes, a 17-year-old developmentally disabled boy and a 52-year-old woman who was previously healthy.

The nation`s influenza illness rate, an indicator judging the seriousness of the flu`s spread, continued to increase last week, but at a moderate pace, the report showed.

The number of flu patients was 6.32 per 1,000 outpatients, slightly up from 4.33 a week ago.

1. As of 24^th September, 11 people were passed away due to H1N1 influenza. What do you think of the severity of this issue? Does it threaten your daily life?

2. KFDA announced ‘Tips to prevent H1N1 influenza infection’. Let’s share what you have done to keep yourself away from it.

3. There are some people saying that Koreans tend to indifferent to safety. Do you agree or disagree?

What's the attraction? Look to society, biology, not 'logic'

Enlarge Illustration by Jerry Mosemak, USA TODAY

Before love or even the inkling of a relationship, there is attraction, that unexplained magnetism that draws people together, possibly leading to love.

Daniel Altieri, 32, a software salesman in New York City, says he'll approach an attractive woman to speak with her, "unless I notice something that pushes me away, like an obnoxious laugh."

Others are attracted to certain physical types.  "I do tend to gravitate toward blondes," says freelance copywriter Brian Dean, 41, of Alexandria, Va. "I like athletic, outdoorsy women as well as creative and artistic women."

So far, there isn't a neat answer as to why. Much relationship research has focused on how romantic heterosexual relationships are formed or how people fall in love and stay in love. Within the past few years, researchers have begun to focus on the nature of physical attraction with a spate of studies, many of them published in the past year.

BRAIN SCANS: Honeymoon period doesn't always end

But this question of initial attraction is more than just about the physical. Personality, evolution and even economic compatibility can all be factors in why people are drawn together.

"What we see as attractive is a byproduct of not only our biological wiring, but is also influenced by socio-cultural factors," says David Sarwerof the Center for Human Appearance at the University of Pennsylvania.

Although individual differences in what we consider attractive "are not well-understood," Sarwer says, we are shaped by "what we learn from our parents and peers as well as what we see in the mass media."

BETTER LIFE: More on sexual health

Overall, experts say, men are visual beings and focus on the physical; woman view attractiveness as more than just looks.

Katie Puma, 24, of New York City says looks attract her, but personality is important as well.

"Normally if I'm out with friends and see someone I'm attracted to, I want to talk to him," she says. "But if I'm talking to someone out of nowhere and they have a great personality, then looks might come in second."

Evolution plays a role

Research suggests that some physical characteristics — a symmetrical face, for example — are considered more universally attractive, experts say.

Other preferences are more hard-wired and rooted in a deeply ingrained drive to procreate.

Evolutionary theorists say men are attracted to youthful women who have an "hourglass figure" with hips larger than the waist, an advantage in childbirth.

Women are attracted to masculine faces that are more angular, with a larger jaw and greater muscle mass, which suggest higher levels of testosterone.

"It all boils down to the differences that are the key attractors," says anthropologist David Givens, author of the book Love Signals and director of the non-profit Center for Nonverbal Studies in Spokane, Wash. "All these things work to say: 'I am male, or female. I am physically present. Notice me. And I am interested, so come closer.' "

Other studies have found romantic attraction among those who have similar family, religious and economic backgrounds or who are similar in physical attractiveness, intelligence, self-esteem or mental or physical health.

Also, research has shown that the more socially desirable people are, the more they expect the same qualities in a partner.

"At some point, people get a sense of what they look like and how attractive they are. There's sort of a mating market where people are attracted to partners similar in value," says Dario Maestripieri, a professor of human development, evolutionary biology and neurobiology at the University of Chicago.

A less attractive man attracted to a more attractive woman, for example, can compensate with money and status, he says.

Some people are attracted to others who resemble a beloved family member or who were their first date or first love, while others are attracted to the complete opposite, at least in terms of physical appearance.

Among those with a new slant on attraction is biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, a research professor at Rutgers University who has studied romantic love for more than 30 years. Her new book, Why Him? Why Her?, suggests that certain hormones — dopamine, estrogen, serotonin and testosterone — attract others, depending upon which hormone appears dominant in that person.

1.       This article shows key attractions in relationship such as physical figures, personality, economic compatibility, intelligence, and family. Let’s specify these factors. For example, what kind of personality would attract others? Sensibility? Caring?

2.       Please rank the above key attractors. What would be the most required features to give a good impression to others?

3.       Among TN members, who would be the most attractive person? Let’s pick each of Mr./Ms. Attractive.

Korean Companies Triumph Over Global Financial Crisis 

Analyses show that major South Korean companies became stronger a year after the outbreak of the global financial crisis triggered by the collapse of the Lehman Brothers.

Despite posting an operating loss of 740 billion won ($606 million) in Q4 2008, Samsung recovered relatively faster than Intel, Nokia and Sony. The electronics giant has already posted an operating surplus of 2.5 trillion won in Q2 2009 and is forecast to reap some 4 trillion won in Q3 2009.

If the trend continues, its annual operating profit could top 10 trillion won, a 60 percent increase since last year.

LG Electronics also appears to have dodged the recession, best illustrated in its quarterly operating profit of 1 trillion won. Hyundai Motor, POSCO and other major South Korean companies are also exhibiting superb performances compared with its global competitors.

South Korean companies’ growing market share is another indicator, hinting a breakthrough in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

South Korea’s market share for D-RAM in Q2 2009 soared from 49.6 percent to 55.8 percent year-on-year as well as TV from 34.5 percent to 36.8 percent. Market share for handsets leaped from 24.7 percent to 30.1 percent as well.

Hyundai Motor was also the only auto maker among the top 10 auto giants that enjoyed a boost in sales in the first half of the year. In contrast, Toyota’s share dipped for the first time since 1999.

Nam Yong, the vice chairman and CEO of LG Electronics, attributed the outstanding performance to innovative spirit and diverse portfolio.

In short, the South Korean companies boast of world class level in production technology of finished products as well as in portfolio by releasing various products and dispersing its export market. Vertical integration which had once been belittled as the vice of large companies also shined in the darkest hour.

The secret behind Samsung Electronics’ garnering the No.1 spot in TV lies in its capability of securing LCD panels, glass substrate and all sorts of components from the company. To this end, the company is able to cut costs and make timely release of new products.

1.       In the midst of this global economic downturn, some Korean conglomerates enjoy their overseas growth. What drives these companies to be such strong?

2.       When were you proud of Korea? Let’s talk about our experiences.

3.     There are some multinational companies which are well known for the profitable business. Please name those and share its strategies of successful

[전방글(choco)]

아직 읽기 전이라 수정의 코멘트는 없고^^;; 눈 깜박이는 푸가 너무 귀여워 언니의 토픽이 마구 읽고 싶어져요!!^0^

[지훈 [St. Paul Phoenix]]

[★박한범 (Sean J)★]

very good!!^.^