• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.14
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• pp.29-36
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• 1996

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the application of complete fertilizer on the yields and quality of leaf tobaccod grown in soils with different fertility levels. The contents of inorganic nitrogen, organic matter and available phosphorus in the soil with high fertility level were shown to be more than those in the soils with medium and low fertility levels of the experimental fields. The contents of total nitrogen, nicotine and reducing sugar in the tobacco leaf were more than those in the cutters tobacco. The contents of total nitrogen and nicotine in the leaf tobacco increased as the application amounts of the fertilizer(10:10:20) increased, however, the reducing sugar contents in the leaf tobacco decreased. The increase in the yields of leaf tobacco was detected at the application amount of 75kg/10a in soils with high fertility level, but for high yield of leaf tobacco in the soils with low and medium levels the application amount of the fertilizer was found to be over 100kg per 10a. The quality (price/kg or price/kg ${\times}$ yield) of the leaf tobacco was known to be excellent at 50~75kg/10a of the application amount of the fertilizer(10:10:20) in soil with high fertility level and over 100kg/10a in the other soils in the experiment.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-26
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• 2006

This paper examines the interplay among changes in socioeconomic conditions, population policies, and fertility decline during $1960{\sim}2000$ in South Korea. Period-parity-progression-ratios (PPPR) are calculated using 2% samples of Population Census with the implied distribution of completed family size. The total fertility rate based on PPPR declined from 5.21 in 1960 to 2.76 in 1980, and 1.69 in 2000. The family planning programs were successful in meeting the needs of families that wanted to prevent further childbearing after having achieved the desired family size during $1960{\sim}1970$. The 1980s mark two important landmarks: achievement of replacement fertility and emergence of high sex ratio at birth. In the 1990s the "quality and welfare" approach was emphasized. In 2000s, South Korea's fertility is one of the lowest in the world. In response to this, in 2005, the Government adopted a new population policy with the goal of increasing the total fertility level to 1.6 by 2010. The results of this study indicate that proportion of women who would have no children at all throughout their reproductive life span increased substantially from 10% in 1995 to 16% in 2000, with a sharp increase since 1997. Thus, pro-natal programs need to address the problems associated with marriage and having the first child. Towards that, it is important that work and family life become more compatible.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.75-84
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• 2009

Recently, low birthrate has been recognized as a social problem, which is expressed as catastrophy of population. There are several reasons why low birth rate has occurred directly and indirectly, generating total economic and social burden for our society. That is, low birthrate should not be simply regarded as reduction of population. The present study identified the reasons of low birthrate and the current status of infertility, and examined practical and theoretical issues in terms of low birthrate. It is our contention that low birthrate and infertility is one of the most important governmental issue to enhance quality of life of the public. Thus, integrated and systematic policy must be developed and implemented to effectively meet the issues.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Globally, large amounts of phosphogypsum (PG), which is a by-product of the phosphate fertilizer production, is deposited in open areas. As PG contains calcium, phosphate, and sulphate, it can be used as a soil amendment in farmlands. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of PG application on properties of field soil and yield and quality of garlic (Allium sativum L.), and to seek appropriate level of PG application into the field. METHODS AND RESULTS: This experiment was conducted by applying PG at four different levels that were adjusted based on 65% calcium base saturation in the field soil: 0% (control), 50% (PG50, 100 kg/10a), 100% (PG100, 200 kg/10a), and 150% (PG150, 300 kg/10a). Following cultivation, soil electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, available P and exchangeable Ca increased, whilst soil pH decreased. With increase in PG application level, soil EC and exchangeable Ca increased. PG application increased concentrations of water soluble Ca and SO4 across the soil profile, especially in PG150. The highest yield of garlic was found in PG100 treatment. The plant's uptake for N, P, Ca, and S increased by PG applications, but that for K decreased. Moreover, concentrations of S-related amino acids such as cysteine and methionine in garlic increased by PG applications. The increased content of nutrients and amino acids with PG supply might improve yield, quality, and favor of the crop. CONCLUSION: Overall, PG application at 200 kg/10a into a field had the best effect on improving soil fertility as well as yield and quality of garlic. Further studies are required to maximize efficiencies of PG supply in soil management and production of various crops.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2020

Objective: Irregular patterns of marital cohabitation are a common problem in upper Egypt due to employment conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of irregular marital cohabitation on the quality of life and sexual function of infertile men. Methods: In total, 208 infertile men were included and divided into two groups. The first group included 134 infertile men with an irregular pattern of marital cohabitation and the second group included 74 infertile men with a regular pattern of marital cohabitation. All subjects were assessed through a clinical evaluation, conventional semen analysis, the fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, and the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PMEDT). Results: The two groups were compared in terms of conventional semen parameters, FertiQoL, IIEF-5 score, and PMEDT. Infertile men with an irregular pattern of marital cohabitation had significantly lower subscale and total FertiQoL and IIEF-5 scores. Additionally, they had significantly higher PMEDT scores. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation were more common in them than in infertile men with a regular pattern of marital cohabitation. Conclusion: Irregular patterns of marital cohabitation had an adverse effect on quality of life and sexual function in infertile men.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-24
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• 2017

The purpose of this study, which focuses on safe living as an important determinant of the quality of life for the elderly, is to provide policy proposals for their safe living in rural areas by examining their current living conditions and related policies. To examine the related policies, we analyzed government plans including: the first, second and third Basic Plan on Low Fertility and Aging Society, first implemented in 2006, the first, second and third Basic Plan for Healthy Families, also first implemented in 2006, and the first, second and third Five-year Plan for Improvement of the Quality of Life of Rural People and Regional Development of Rural Areas, first implemented in 2005. In addition to these plans, government projects concerning safe living environments were assessed. we present the following policy proposals for the safe living of the elderly in rural areas. First, integrated, customized policies are required for the rural elderly's everyday life. That is, elderly-friendly residential improvement policies are needed since accidents involving the rural elderly usually occur in their own houses. Policies should also be introduced to monitor and improve the elderly's nutritional and health status. Also considering the high proportion of elderly people in rural areas, policies must be aimed at creating elderly-friendly and family-friendly villages. Second, educational sessions for the elderly are necessary to raise their awareness of safety in everyday lives, which they often overlook.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2013

A herd of polish lowland local sheep was divided into two equal groups: the first group was kept under an overhead shelter, and the second group was kept in a warm barn. The effect of maintenance on ewe's reproductive performance, survival as well as the growth rate of lambs, and their carcasses quality was investigated. The lack of differences in fertility and prolificacy of ewes as well as in the survival and growth rate between the groups confirmed a good adaptation of $\dot{Z}$ela$\acute{z}$nie$\acute{n}$ska sheep to low temperature. Harsh environmental conditions did not cause a significant decrease of the body weight growth; however, they brought in an (insignificant) reduction of subcutaneous fat thickness and meatiness of the loin part of a lamb's body. The fat content of carcasses obtained from lambs reared under the overhead shelter was significantly lower, with no differences of meat and bones contribution between the groups.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.667-672
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• 2020

It is well known that intensive selection caused a decline in reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Interestingly, the reproductive performances including fertility and calving interval of Korean native beef cattle have declined in the last 20 years, suggesting that a breeding program focusing on carcass weight and intramuscular fat may affect the reproductive physiology in Korean native beef cattle, too. In this study, we analyzed the calving interval (CI) and selection index (SI) based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of Hanwoo cows for seven years (2013 - 2019). Multiparous cows (4.5 ± 0.11) were analyzed, which were bred by artificial insemination (AI). We first examined the distribution of the AIs and calving dates. About 40% of the AIs were carried out in May to June and October to December; subsequently, calving was observed from March to April and August to October, respectively, indicating the cows were seasonally bred. No correlation between CI and SI was found (y = 0.0459x - 17.64; R² = 0.0356), but the ratio of cows with a positive SI was higher in the longer CI group compared to the shorter group, suggesting that the selection for meat quality and quantity may affect the reproductive performances. In addition, the average value of SI was - 3.42 in the CI < 400 while + 5.79 in the CI > 400 although the values were not statistically significant. However, our results suggest that reproductive indices such as fertility and CI should be considered for sustainability in the Hanwoo breeding selection program.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2020

Purpose: Infertile women experience various physical, psychological, and relational problems that affect their infertility-related quality of life (QoL). This study investigated infertile women's infertility-related QoL with the goal of identifying how it is influenced by fatigue, depression, and marital intimacy. Methods: A sample of 140 infertile women was surveyed in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from February to April 2018 using self-report structured questionnaires at three infertility clinics located in Jeonju, Korea. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis in SPSS for Windows version 25.0. The subjects agreed to complete a face-to-face interview, including administration of the Fatigue Severity Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Marital Intimacy Scale, and the Fertility Quality of Life tool. Results: The mean age of the participants was 35.6±4.3 years. Infertility-related QoL was negatively correlated with fatigue (r=-.42, p<.001) and depression (r=-.56, p<.001), and positively correlated with marital intimacy (r=.30, p<.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that depression (β=-0.44, p<.001), fatigue (β=-0.27, p<.001), and husband's attitude (β=-0.19, p=.007) had significant effects on the QoL of infertile women, accounting for 40.5% of the variance in infertility-related QoL. Conclusion: The study provides insights into how infertile women's infertility-related QoL was influenced by depression, fatigue, and their husbands' attitudes regarding infertility treatment. To improve infertile women's infertility-related QoL, healthcare providers should consider developing strategies to decrease depression and fatigue in infertile women and to address their husbands' attitudes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.186-192
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• 2011

Objective: Since IVF program was first established, various types of media and culture systems have been developed either in-house or commercially. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of in-house Maria Research Center (MRC) media to that of commercially available Sydney IVF media in human day 3 embryo transfer cycles. Methods: Three hundred sixty nine couples were included in this prospective, randomized, and comparative study. All couples undergoing IVF treatment at the Maria Fertility Hospital were randomly assigned to either Sydney IVF (n=178) or MRC (n=191) media. Results: No difference was observed between the MRC media and Sydney IVF media groups with respect to fertilization rate (74.4% vs. 75.5%). The clinical pregnancy and implantation rates of MRC media (47.1% and 20.0%, respectively) were also similar to those of Sydney IVF media (44.4% and 19.4%, respectively). However, the proportion of embryos with good quality on day 3 was significantly higher in the MRC media group than the Sydney IVF media group (50.2% vs. 43.2%) ($p$ <0.05). Conclusion: MRC media were as effective as Sydney IVF media for sustaining embryo development and pregnancy rates. The present study implies that MRC media can be a suitable alternative to commercially available media for human IVF-ET program.