• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.2 s.61
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• pp.275-284
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• 1998

Activities of enzymes involved in the metabolism of various carcinogenic xenobiotics is one of the most important host factors for cancer occurrence. N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) are enzymes which .educe the toxicity of activated carcinogenic metabolites. Slow N-acetylation and lack of GST mu (GSTMI) were reported as risk factors of bladder cancer. GST theta (GSTT1), which is another type of GST, was reported to be deleted at higher proportion among Koreans. Since cause of bladder cancer is not fully explained by single risk factor, many kinds of enzymes would be involved in the metabolism of carcinogens excreted in urine. This study was performed to investigate whether the polymorphisms of NAT2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 are risk factors of bladder cancer and to evaluate the effects of their interaction on bladder cancer development. Sixty-seven bladder cancer and 67 age- and sex-matched non-cancer patients hospitalized in Chungbuk National University Hospital from March to December 1996, are the subjects of this case-control study. Questionnaire interview was done and the genotypes of NAT2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 were identified using PCR methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. The effects of the polymorphism of NAT2 and GSTM1 and their interaction on bladder cancer were statistically tested after controlling the other risk factors. The frequencies of slow, intermediate, and rapid acetylators were 3.0%, 38.8%, and 58.2% to. the cases, and 7.6%, 40.9%, and 51.5% for the controls, respectively. The risk of bladder cancer was not associated with the increase of NAT2 activity($\chi^2_{trend}=1.18$, P-value>0.05). GSTM1 was deleted in 68.7% of the cases and 49.3% of the controls ($\chi^2=5.21$, P-value<0.05), and the odds ratio (95% CI) was 2.23 (1.12 - 4.56). GSTT1 deletion, the .ate of which were 26.9% for the bladder cancer patients and 43.3% for the controls, was a significant protective factor against bladder cancer. Smoking history turned out to be insignificant as a risk factor of bladder cancer (OR=1.85, 95% CI: 0.85 - 4.03), and occupation could not be tested because of the extremely small number of occupational history related to the increase of bladder cancer. In multiple logistic analysis controlling the effects of other risk factors, GSTM1 deletion was the only significant risk factor for bladder cancer (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.22-5.36, P-value<0.05), but slow acetylation and GSTT1 deletion were not. These results suggest that GSTM1 deletion may be a significant risk factor of bladder cancer. Since there have been much debates on causal relationship between slow acetylation and GSTT1 deletion, and bladder cancer, further studies are needed.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.417-433
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• 2010

Purpose: This study evaluated the manpower planning of dental technicians. Methods: Methods : Survey was conducted regarding subject's general characteristics, characteristics of dental technician's occupational view and working conditions, and reason to enter into branches of the public health enter. The survey sample consisted of 323 dental technicians (221 male/ 102 female). Survey was conducted for one month from August 1 to September 1 in 2010. Following results were obtained. Results: 1. Regarding general characteristics of the subjects, there was a slight male predilection with 68.4%. Subjects in their 40s occupied the highest proportion of 32.2%. Majority of subjects worked in the big cities (71.5%). Favored working places were dental laboratory (57.6%) and dental hospital or dental clinic (19.5%). Although no position is available in the public sector such as public health center or health care civil servant, 9.3% preferred working in the public health center. Public sector is more favored than 2-year technical colleges or dental supply and equipment companies. In respect to education, 57% of the subjects graduated college. 67.8% were married. Subjects who specialize in the porcelain or all-ceramic were 57.9%. With regard to current position, head of the dental laboratory was most common. 2. Following occupation characteristics were found. Economic reason took the highest proportion when deciding their occupation (39.9%) followed by gaining social experience (36.5%). Majority of the subjects (76.5%) wanted to work as dental technicians until their retirement. 71.5% pursuit to become a manager of the dental laboratory. 76.1% agreed on opening a dental technician position in the public health center. Regarding an authority to lead developing the dental technician position in the public sector, majority of the subject chose ministry of health and welfare (35.6%) and Korean dental technologist association (34.7%). Employment (average, 30%) and turnover rate (average, 36.5%) of dental technology college graduates ranged from 40% to 60%. Most important factors for the employment were practical experience (41.2%) and competency (34.4%). With regard to job satisfaction, so-so as 46.7% and satisfactory was 42.7% 3. In respect to the reason for opening a position in the public health center, 'It is needed to continue denture rogram for elderly patients' obtained the highest score (4.14 point). 'Institutional devices are required to open a position for dental technicians as a public healthcare provider' received high score (4.11 point). 4. Concerning the working conditions, 'professional knowledge is required' received the highest score (4.23) followed by 'too short maternity and parental leave' (4.21). 5. Relationship between general characteristics of the subjects and favor of working in the public health center was investigated. Significant differences were found according to the current and favored working area, favored occupation, education level, marital status, and specialty. Working in the public health center was favored by following subjects: working in mid- or small-sized cities (4.16 point, p<0.05); PhD degree-holder (4.59 point, p<0.01). 6. Among general characteristics of the subjects, significant difference of working conditions was found in the following factors: gender; working areas; favored working areas; favored working positions, and education level. Majority of subjects favored working in big cities and currently work in big cities although satisfaction was comparatively low (3.75 score). 7. Future plan to work in public health center was evaluated according to occupational characteristics. Subject's intention to work in the public healthcare center was significantly affected by opening of dental technician position, leading authority, average turnover rate, and factors affecting employment. Working in the public health care center was favored by the following subjects: Dental technicians who actively supported opening of the dental technician position (4.34 point, p<0.001); subjects who thought the Korean dental technologist association is responsible for the opening of positions in the public sector (4.26 point, p<0.001); and subjects who thought that attitude and character are important for the employment (p<0.001). 8. Concerning difference of working conditions according to the occupational characteristics, significant difference was demonstrated by factors such as a reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, pursuing position, responsible authority, average employment rate, and job satisfaction. High standard of working conditions was required in subjects who selected to be a dental technician for the leisure time after work (s.05 point, p<0.01), who planted to work until their marriage (4.25 point, p<0.001), and who pursuit to be a manager (3.98, p<0.05). 9. In respect to influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.068 and age affected the working condition with significant difference according to the pvalue. 10. Regarding influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.335 and work plan, opening of dental technician position in the public sector, and responsible authority had significant influence over the subject's intention to work in the public health center according to the p-value. 11. With regard to the influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.091 and reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, and responsible authority significantly affected subject's working conditions. Conclusion: Korean society is becoming a super-aged society according to several statistics. As aged population is rapidly increasing, national health insurance plans to cover denture for senior citizen over 75 years old from 2012. Therefore, dental technicians are urgently needed in the public health centers all over the nation. Many subjects in this study planed to work until their retirement and recognized dental technician's expertise. Ministry of health and welfare and Korean dental technologist association should co-operate each other to prepare foundation and institutional devices for dental technicians to advance into the public health center. This will improve oral health of the population. This study showed urgency of medical facilities and services which meets increasing number of aged population and welfare of the population.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.299-308
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate cadmium concentrations among metals in ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) of indoor environments and to evaluate the cadmium as a marker of ETS. The correlations of cadmium concentrations and nicotine, 3-EP, RSP, SD (Smoking Density), and SI (Smoking Index). Air samples of metals, nicotine, 3-EP, and RSP were taken in smoking room, smoking allowed office, corridor outside smoking room, and non-smoking office respectively. The SD, ACH, and SI were investigated during sampling. Airborne concentration of cadmium known as human carcinogen were qualified and quantified. The SD was 0.2 to $2.6cig/m^2{\cdot}hr$, and the mean value of SD in smoking rooms was $1.2cig/m^2{\cdot}hr$ that is higher than other researches. The mean of ACH in smoking rooms was 11.1. The concentrations of cadmium showed log-normal distributions and the geometric mean concentrations of cadmium in smoking rooms, corridor outside smoking rooms, smoking allowed offices, and non-smoking offices were $0.045{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.018{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.021{\mu}g/m^3$, and $0.017{\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. The concentrations of cadmium in smoking room showed significant difference according to category of indoor office environments (p<0.05) and showed compliance with occupational exposure limits. The correlation coefficients between cadmium and nicotine, 3-EP, and RSP were 0.53, 0.41, 0.43 respectively. The cadmium among metals showed the highest correlations (r=0.63) with SI. It was recommended cadmium among metals is a good indicator for ETS.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.5-19
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• 1998

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted to identify the major factors affecting health promoting behaviors. 344 workers who employed in four different manutacturing plants in Taegu and Kyungbuk area were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected from April let to April 18th, 1998 by ready structured questionaires. The purpose of this study was to offer the basic data for health promotion theory development and health promotion strategy planning. This study was based on Pender's Health Promotion Model and examined three variables health promoting behavior, self-concept and perceived importance of health. The Life Style and Health Habit Assessment scale(LHHA) developed by Pender(1982).The Self-concept scale developed by Choi(1972) and the Health Value scale developed by Wallston, Maides and Wallston(1980) were used for this study. Data was analyzed by percentage, mean. t-test. ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and Stepwise Multiple Regression. The major findings of this study are as follows ; 1. The average level of health promoting behavior practice was 63.2% and possible range was from 62 to 248 point. The mean score of respondent's positive self-concept was 75.8. 81.4% of respondents put a high priority on the importance of health. 2. There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of general self care and less amount of working hours per day(P=0.000), less amount of working hours per week(P=0.000). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of nutrition and age(0.002), marital status(0.000), working hour per day(0.008), working hours per week(0.001), There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of nutriton and sex(0.000), age(0.000), marital status(0.025), education level(0.000), working hours per day(0.002), working hours per week(0.006). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of sleep and rest and age(0.003), marital status(0.002), working hours per day(0.001), working hours per week(0.001). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of stress management and working hours per day(0.001), working hours per week(0.002). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of self-actualization and working hours per day(0.050). 3. General characteristics influencing the respodent's self-concept were level(P=0.009) and worksite(P=0.001). 4. The results of the hypothesis tests are as follows The first hypothesis, that "The respondent who have more positive self-concept will have higher scores in the practice of health promoting behavior." was supported(r=0.2973, P=0.0001). The second hypothesis that "The respondent who have higher perception level on importance of health will have higher scores in the practice health promoting behavior." was rejected(r=- 0665, P=0.2225). 5. The most important factor that affects health promoting behavior practice was working hours per week(6.0%). The combination of working hours per week, age, education level accounted for 10.0% of the variance in health promoting behavior. In conclusion, the results of this study on industrial workers supported Pender's health promotion model in partial and showed the relatedness between self concept and the practice of health promoting behavior. Further research is required to find factors influencing health promoting behaviors of industrial workers.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-30
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• 2002

Industrial shift workers feels suffer mental stresses which are caused by unfamiliar day sleep, noisy environment, sleeping disorder by bright light, unusual contacts with family, difficulty in meeting with friends or having formal social meetings and other social limitations such as the use of transportation. Such stresses influence health of the workers negatively. Thus the health promotion policy for shift workers should be made considering the workers' ways of living and shift work specially. This study attempted to provide basic information for development of the health promotion program for industrial shift workers by examining predictive factors influencing health promotion behaviors of those workers. In designing the study, three power generation plants located in Pusan and south Kyungsang province were randomly selected and therefrom 280 workers at central control, boiler and turbine rooms and environmental chemistry parts whose processes require shift works were sampled as subjects of the study. Data were collected two times from September 17 to October 8, 1999 using questionnaires with helps of safety and health managers of the plants. The questionnaires were distributed through mails or direct visits. Means for the study included the measurement tool of health promotion behavior provided by Park(1995), the tool of self-efficacy measurement by Suh(1995), the tool of internal locus of control measurement by Oh(1987), the measurement tool of perceived health state by Park(1995) and the tool of social support measurement by Paek(1995). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS program. Controlling factors of the subjects were evaluated in terms of frequency and percentage ratio Perceived factors and health promotion behaviors of the subjects were done so in terms of mean and standard deviation, and average mark and standard deviation, respectively. Relations between controlling and perceived factors were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA and those between perceived factors and the performance of health promotion behaviors, using Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The performance of health promotion behaviors was tested using t-test, ANOVA and post multi-comparison (Scheffe test). Predictive factors of health promotion behavior were examined through the Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis. Results of the study are summarized as follows. 1. The performance of health promotion behaviors by the subjects was evaluated as having the value of mean, $161.27{\pm}26.73$ points(min.:60, max.:240) and average mark, $2.68{\pm}0.44$ points(min.:1, max.:4). When the performance was analyzed according to related aspects, it showed the highest level in harmonious relation with average mark, $3.15{\pm}.56$ points, followed by hygienic life($3.03{\pm}.55$), self-realization ($2.84{\pm}.55$), emotional support($2.73{\pm}.61$), regular meals($2.71{\pm}.76$), self-control($2.62{\pm}.63$), health diet($2.62{\pm}.56$), rest and sleep($2.60{\pm}.59$), exercise and activity($2.53{\pm}.57$), diet control($2.52{\pm}.56$) and special health management($2.06{\pm}.65$). 2. In relations between perceived factors of the subjects(self-efficacy, internal locus of control, perceived health state) and the performance of health promotion behaviors, the performance was found having significantly pure relations with self-efficacy (r=.524, P=.000), internal locus of control (r=.225, P=.000) and perceived health state(r=.244, P=.000). The higher each evaluated point of the three factors was, the higher the performance was in level. 3. When relations between the controlling factors(demography-based social, health-related, job-related and human relations characteristics) and the performance of health promotion behaviors were analyzed, the performance showed significant differences according to marital status (t=2.09, P= .03), religion(F=3.93, P= .00) and participation in religious activities (F=8.10, P= .00) out of demography-based characteristics, medical examination results (F=7.20, P= .00) and methods of the collection of health knowledge and information(F=3.41, P= .01) and methods of desired health education(F=3.41, P= .01) out of health-related characteristics, detrimental factors perception(F=4.49, P= .01) and job satisfaction(F=8.41, P= .00) out of job-related characteristics and social support(F=14.69, P= .00) out of human relations characteristics. 4. The factor which is a variable predicting best the performance of health promotion behaviors by the subjects was the self-efficacy accounting for 27.4% of the prediction, followed by participation in religious activities, social support, job satisfaction, received health state and internal locus of control in order all of which totally account for 41.0%. In conclusion, the predictive factor which most influence the performance of health promotion behaviors by shift workers was self-efficacy. To promote the sense, therefore, it is necessary to develop the nursing intervention program considering predictive factors as variables identified in this study. Further industrial nurses should play their roles actively to help shift workers increase their capability of self-management of health.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.3 s.62
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• pp.490-502
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• 1998

This study purports to find the predictor of hospital bankruptcy in Korea and to examine the predictive power of the discriminant function model of hospital bankruptcy. Data on 17 financial and 4 non-financial indicators of 31 bankrupt and 31 profitable hospitals of 1, 2, and 3 years before bankruptcy were obtained from the hospital performance databank of Korea Institute of Health Services Management. Significant variables were identified through mean comparison of each indicator between bankrupt and profitable hospitals, and the discriminant function model of hospital bankruptcy was developed. The major findings are as follows 1. As for profitability indicators, net worth to total assets, operating profit to total capital, operating profit ratio to gross revenues, normal profit to total assets, normal profit to gross revenues, net profit to total assets were significantly different in mean comparison test in 1, 2, and 3 years before hospital bankruptcy. With regard to liquidity indicators, current ratio and quick ratio were significant in 1 year before bankruptcy. For activity indicators, patients receivable turnover was significant in 2 and 3 years before bankruptcy and added value per adjusted inpatient days was significant in 3 years before bankruptcy. 2. The discriminant function in 1, 2, and 3 years before bankruptcy were; $Z=-0.0166{\times}quick$ ratio-$0.1356{\times}normal$ profit to total assets-$1.545{\times}total$ assets turnrounds in 1 year before bankruptcy, $Z=-0.0119{\times}quick$ ratio-$0.1433{\times}operating$ profit to total assets-$0.0227{\times}value$ added to total assets in 2 years before bankruptcy, and $Z=-0.3533{\times}net$ profit to total assets-$0.1336{\times}patients$ receivables turn-rounds-$0.04301{\times}added$ value per adjusted $patient+0.00119{\times}average$ daily inpatient census in 3 years before bankruptcy. 3. The discriminant function's discriminant power in 1, 2, and 3 years before bankruptcy was 77.42, 79.03, 82.25% respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2005

The purposes of this study was to collect, analyze, and describe the MF exposure levels from subways in Korea and to measure and evaluate the MF levels generated from electric appliances used at general homes. The target subway lines were Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 to Line 8, Bundang Line, Incheon Line, Daegu Line, Gwangju Line, and Busan Line 1 and Line 2. We measured at each station in those subway lines and, all the train types (pantograph-equipped, motor-equipped, and common), and platform types(facing and isolating) were investigated by the distance(80, 200, 400 cm) from the train on 19 targeted subway lines using 3 magnetic field measuring devices (EMDEXII, Enertech Co.) during the survey from January till October, 2004. On the other hand, the levels of the 60Hz magnetic fields generated from 14 items of home electric appliances such as electric blankets, hair dryers, electric razors, etc. were measured at 10 general homes using 5 EMDEXII meters with a sampling interval of 1.5 second by the distance(surface, 30, 50, 100, 300cm ) from the target electric appliances. The survey results in the whole subway lines examined in this study were as follows; Seoul Metropolitan Line 4 using AC(alternating current) power source showed the highest mean value of $2.85{\mu}T$, followed by Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 running between Seoul and Incheon using AC($2.78{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Uijongbu using AC($2.73{\mu}T$), Bundang Line using AC($1.79{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 connected from Yongsan using AC($1.67{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Suwon using AC($0.79{\mu}T$), and so on. In general, the intensity of the magnetic field in the subway systems in Korea was significantly higher when using AC($2.14{\pm}0.91{\mu}T$) than when using DC($0.29{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$) power source. Among the home electric appliances examined, microwave ovens showed the highest mean value of $7.69{\mu}T$, followed by hair dryers($6.47{\mu}T$), vacuum cleaners($5.27{\mu}T$), televisions ($2.26{\mu}T$), electric blankets($1.38{\mu}T$), personal computers ($0.81{\mu}T$), and so on. Two items of electric appliances showed the excess value of $0.2{\mu}T$ at the distance of 30cm in the MF exposure level; electric razors $1.58{\pm}2.13{\mu}T$ and vacuum cleaners $0.48{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$. As a whole, this study showed a tendency that the shift of the MF levels according to the increase of distance from the electric appliances was lower than those of the results surveyed in UK and USA. As a result, this study is expected to suggest meaningful data for the future study in exposure assessment of magnetic fields and for the establishment of guidelines for subways and electric appliances in Korea. More detailed and large scaled exposure assessment studies should be performed continuously to get the various and useful information on health risk assessment of MFs in Korea.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.685-693
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• 2011

Objectives : Five years have passed since the departments of dental hygiene with four-year term released their graduates. It is necessary to investigate concordance between desired career and current job and job satisfaction in dental hygienists according to graduation term. Accordingly, a survey on concordance between desired career and current job and job satisfaction in dental hygienists according to graduation term was conducted to obtain a basis necessary for providing right job consciousness to students of departments of dental hygiene. Methods : Of departments of dental hygiene nationwide, a total of four departments consisting of two departments with 3-year term and two departments with 4-year term were randomly selected. Of 683 graduates for 2006-10 of the selected departments, 163 graduates who agreed to participate in this study through telephone and e-mail were chosen as subjects. The data of 159 graduates were analyzed except for 4 graduates who did not respond to job satisfaction. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 17 questions: 5 general questions such as graduation term, and current job and salary, 2 questions for desired career at the time of entrance and graduation, and 10 questions for the satisfaction of current job and working environments. Concordance between the desired career at the time of entrance and graduation and current job was calculated using Kappa-value. A cross analysis was conducted to investigate job satisfaction according to general features and graduation term. A statistical significance was examined using $X^2$-test (p<0.05). Results : The Kappa-value for concordance between the desired career at the time of graduation and the current job was 0.288, showing slightly low concordance. In particular, the Kappa-value was 0.089 in the graduates of departments of dental hygiene with 3-year term, which showed significantly low concordance. The job satisfaction of the graduates was 49.1%, which was higher in the graduates with 4-year term than in the graduates with 3-year term, but was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The detailed job satisfaction was all higher in the graduates with 4-year term than in the graduates with 3-year term except for distance to a working place, but a statistical significance was only found in working place recognition and regional status (p<0.05 ). Conclusions : This study showed differences in concordance between desired career and current job and job satisfaction between the graduates of departments of dental hygiene with 3-year term and the graduates of departments of dental hygiene with 4-year term. Therefore, the curriculum of department of dental hygiene is required to be more specifically applied in accordance with graduation term. In addition, a further study is required to develop specialized curriculums in accordance with graduation term.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.118-129
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• 2011

This study is about the governor general's official residence and its garden in Yongsan that were constructed during the Japanese occupational time. The garden design drawing was also made while planning such Neo-Baroque style building, and it contains particular information of the garden unlike the other existing landscape drawings. The content of garden translated and landscape historical value drawn out by analysis of garden drawings, press articles and literatures are as follows; First, such governor general's official residence garden in Yongsan is likely to be the Korean first western style landscape form. For, from the point that it was completely constructed together with such official residential building in 1909, its construction time should be before that of the garden of Seokjojeon, Deoksu Palace, which was constructed in 1911. Second, it shows the garden style and garden planting factors introduced together with the modern architecture then. Such garden planting factors are placed from the center axis of the garden that is connected to the center of the building and monument as well. Such style and factors cover and show the flower bed appearing in Baroque style gardens, the monument that forms Vista playing the center of audience's vision, water space that is placed symmetrically against the axis, planting pattern that emphasizes the plants' space, flower bed shape and axis, and what kinds of plants were introduced then. Third, it shows the using pattern of western style gardens. Western style garden parties used to take in place in this garden while official dinner and reception were held in the evening in the official residence. Fourth, it shows the historical value as a modern landscape drawing, which is the Korean first landscape drawing that shows the plants' names and planting techniques marking the current height and planned height for change of topography and water system as a water landscape factor. That is, this drawing has the value that it was upgraded from the other existing ones that expressed only simple plants' symbols or flower bed shapes. I, therefore, hope that the studies on the modern landscape would be getting wider by excavation of new historical records in the future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.205-219
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• 2016

Objectives: No children-specified review and meta-analysis paper about the short-term effect of fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) on hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma has been published. We calculated more precise pooled effect estimates on this topic and evaluated the variation in effect size according to the differences in study characteristics not considered in previous studies. Methods: Two authors each independently searched PubMed and EMBASE for relevant studies in March, 2016. We conducted random effect meta-analyses and mixed-effect meta-regression analyses using retrieved summary effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and some characteristics of selected studies. The Egger's test and funnel plot were used to check publication bias. All analyses were done using R version 3.1.3. Results: We ultimately retrieved 26 time-series and case-crossover design studies about the short-term effect of $PM_{2.5}$ on children's hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma. In the primary meta-analysis, children's hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma were positively associated with a short-term $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in $PM_{2.5}$ (relative risk, 1.048; 95% CI, 1.028 to 1.067; $I^2=95.7%$). We also found different effect coefficients by region; the value in Asia was estimated to be lower than in North America or Europe. Conclusions: We strengthened the evidence on the short-term effect of $PM_{2.5}$ on children's hospital admissions and emergency department visits for asthma. Further studies from other regions outside North America and Europe regions are needed for more generalizable evidence.