• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2020

Echinosophora koreensis (Nakai) Nakai an endemic plant with limited distribution in some parts of the Korean Peninsula, is designated as "Endangered" species on the IUCN Red List. The species is under the threat of deterioration in nature due to various environmental changes causing loss of natural habitats. We investigated the distribution pattern and population structure of E. koreensis to serve as a basic reference for identifying the dynamics and persistence of natural populations of this species in the future. To determine the characteristics of the E. koreensis population, we laid two to three large plots sized 20m×30m on the ridgeline as the reference in Yanggu, Chuncheon, and Hongcheon and laid four to seven small quadrats sized 1m×1m on the transect. A total of 530 plots were laid, 10 each at 2m interval, to measure the number of the stems, the number of fruiting, height, and other factors. The collected distribution information was compared with the existing IUCN assessed categories by applying IUCN Red List ver 3.1 Criteria B. The average population density of the three surveyed areas was 3.47 stem/㎡; the density of each area was 3.95 stems/㎡ in Yanggu, 3.37 stems/㎡ in Chuncheon, and 2.87 stems/㎡ in Hongcheon. The number of fruiting per stem was 0.0038, indicating only 7 fruits out of 1,837 stems and that vegetative reproduction is likely to be more dominant than sexual reproduction. The distribution tendency of population density in the small plots in three surveyed areas showed that the density of E. koreensis tended to decrease toward the center of the forest with low crown openness and around the mountain ridge with high crown openness. It indicated that the quantity of light could be a very important factor for the growth of individuals of this species. The analysis of the heights of individuals present in the surveyed plots showed a range of 2.3 ~ 68.5cm and an average of 20.1cm. An analysis on the stage-structure of the E. koreensis population based on the sieve height found that the appearance frequency decreased with increasing height above 15 ~ 20cm and that the percentage of individuals lower than 10cm, which were presumed to be seedlings, was severely low, indicating a necessity of study on the population sustainability based on the monitored data. The occupied area calculated with the collected species distribution information was 200㎢, indicating the EN category according to the IUCN Red List Reference B.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.114-119
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the reference values and factors influencing blood lead levels among Korean adolescents. Methods: The study population consisted of 1,585 adolescents (801 males, 784 females; aged 10-19 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013. We analyzed blood lead concentrations in relation to demographic/lifestyle characteristics for all participants. "Reference values" of blood lead levels were calculated as the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the 95th percentile. Results: The average "reference value" for blood lead concentrations among Korean adolescents was $2.25{\mu}g/dL$ ($2.49{\mu}g/dL$ for males, $2.07{\mu}g/dL$ for females), and the geometric mean of the blood lead concentrations was $1.34{\mu}g/dL$. Males had higher blood lead concentrations than females (male, $1.48{\mu}g/dL$; female, $1.19{\mu}g/dL$; P<0.001). Elementary school students had higher blood lead concentrations than junior and senior high school students ($1.44{\mu}g/dL$ vs. $1.31{\mu}g/dL$, P<0.001). Participants living in detached houses had higher blood lead concentrations than those living in apartments (P<0.001) and current smokers had higher concentrations than nonsmokers or participants with secondhand smoke exposure (P<0.05). Additionally, participants with excessive alcohol consumption had higher levels than non-drinkers (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study provides national reference data on blood lead concentrations stratified by demographic and lifestyle factors among Korean adolescents. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between increased lead exposure and demographic factors including type of housing.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.359-374
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• 2012

This paper intends to examine spatial patterns and regional variations of aging population in Korea based on census data for 163 areas during 1980~2010. It briefly investigates general characteristics of aging population in Korea from previous studies and clarifies spatial patterns of aging process at regional level with reference of population growth rate at different time periods. Cities in Korea are classified into several stages including aging society, aged society and super-aged society according to the percentages of aging population out of total population every five years. At the regional scale, the stage of aging society was revealed from 1980, while the stage of aged society was shown from 1995 and super-aged society was entered from 2000 in Korea. Eighty cities in the analysis were shown at the stage of super-aged society in 2010. The portions of aging population are highly related to city size and population growth rate. For instance, the cities both in small size and with low population growth rate are revealing high percentage of aging population. As of 2010, most rural areas are staged into super-aged society, while most cities within Seoul metropolitan area and mid-sized cities are kept in the stage of aging society. At regional scale, there are no significant statistical correlations between total fertility rate and aging population.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.101-108
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• 1975

The nitrogen economy and primary production of a Helianthus annuus "Manchurian" population were studied with special reference to the pattern of seasonal changes of vertical distributions of dry matter and nitrogen quantities, and its quantitative significance was discussed in relation to the pattern of the plant population growth, distribution ratios among organs, and turnover rates of dry matter and nitrogen. The population was established in plant density of 11.1plant/$m^2$ at the experimdntal field of Kyungpook National University, Daegu. During the period of population developemnt (April-September, 1973), the annual inflow rates and outflow rates of dry matter and nitrogen were 5560 gDM/$m^2$/year and 89 gN/$m^2$/year, respectively. The distribution ratios of dry matter and nitrogen to leaves were 28% and 45%, to stems 48% and 18%, to roots 13% and 5%, and to flowers and seeds 11% and 32%, respectively. The maximum turnover rates of inflow of dry matter and nitrogen were attained in May-June, and were 216%/month and 210%/month, respectively. The amount of nitrogen demand was 52gN/$m^2$/year (58%) for the foliage growth, 13 gN/$m^2$/year(15%) for the stem growth, 20 gN/$m^2$/year(23%) for the reproductive organs, and 4 gN/$m^2$/year(4%) for the growth of the underground parts. The amount of nitrogen supply by the nitrogen withdrawn from senescing leaves and stems was 25gN/$m^2$/year(28%) and the amount of nitrogen absorption by the root from the environmental soil was 64 gN/$m^2$/year(72%). The ratiio of the a mount of produced dry matter to that of assimilated nitrogen during a year was calculated for this annual plant population as 60, which can be used as the nitrogen utility index.ity index.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.464-470
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of imputation from low density (LDC) to moderate density SNP chips (MDC) in a Thai Holstein-Other multibreed dairy cattle population. Dairy cattle with complete pedigree information (n = 1,244) from 145 dairy farms were genotyped with GeneSeek GGP20K (n = 570), GGP26K (n = 540) and GGP80K (n = 134) chips. After checking for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) quality, 17,779 SNP markers in common between the GGP20K, GGP26K, and GGP80K were used to represent MDC. Animals were divided into two groups, a reference group (n = 912) and a test group (n = 332). The SNP markers chosen for the test group were those located in positions corresponding to GeneSeek GGP9K (n = 7,652). The LDC to MDC genotype imputation was carried out using three different software packages, namely Beagle 3.3 (population-based algorithm), FImpute 2.2 (combined family- and population-based algorithms) and Findhap 4 (combined family- and population-based algorithms). Imputation accuracies within and across chromosomes were calculated as ratios of correctly imputed SNP markers to overall imputed SNP markers. Imputation accuracy for the three software packages ranged from 76.79% to 93.94%. FImpute had higher imputation accuracy (93.94%) than Findhap (84.64%) and Beagle (76.79%). Imputation accuracies were similar and consistent across chromosomes for FImpute, but not for Findhap and Beagle. Most chromosomes that showed either high (73%) or low (80%) imputation accuracies were the same chromosomes that had above and below average linkage disequilibrium (LD; defined here as the correlation between pairs of adjacent SNP within chromosomes less than or equal to 1 Mb apart). Results indicated that FImpute was more suitable than Findhap and Beagle for genotype imputation in this Thai multibreed population. Perhaps additional increments in imputation accuracy could be achieved by increasing the completeness of pedigree information.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.414-422
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• 2023

Objectives: This study evaluated usual dietary intakes of total fat and fatty acids among the Korean population based on the revised Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans 2020 (2020 KDRIs). Methods: This study utilized data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2019-2021). We included 18,895 individuals aged 1 year and above whose 1-day 24-hour dietary recall data were available. To calculate the external variability using the National Cancer Institute 1-day method, data from the U.S. NHANES 2017-March 2020 Pre-pandemic dataset were employed. The total fat and fatty acid intake were evaluated based on the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) and Adequate intake (AI) of 2020 KDRIs for each sex and age groups. Results: Approximately 86% of the Korean population obtained an adequate amount of energy from total fat consumption (within the AMDRs), indicating an appropriate level of intake. However, the percentage of individuals consuming saturated fatty acids below the AMDR was low, with only 12% among those under 19 years of age and 52% aged 19 years and older. On a positive note, approximately 70% of the population showed adequate consumption of essential fatty acids, exceeding the AI. Nevertheless, monitoring the intake ratio of omega 3 (n-3) to omega 6 (n-6) fatty acids is essential to ensure an optimum balance. Conclusions: This study explored the possibility of estimating the distribution of nutrient intake in a population by applying the external variability ratio. Therefore, if future KNHANES conduct multiple 24-hour recalls every few years-similar to the U.S. NHANES-even for a subset of participants, this may aid in the accurate assessment of the nutritional status of the population.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.449-458
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• 2000

Objectives : To determine the prevalence of prostatitis symptoms in the general population by questionnaire survey and to measure the effect of prostatitis symptoms on quality of life(QOL). Materials & Methods : A cross sectional community-based epidemiologic study was performed on 2,034 men, living in the Seoul metropolitan area using stepwise random sampling. Out of 2,034 interviewees, 1,356 men who were older than 40 and provided sufficient information were selected for this study. The questionnaires were completed by well trained interviewers. Contents of the questionnaires included demographic data, the Prostatitis Symptom Index(PSI), the International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS), a general health questionnaire section and a sexual health questionnaire section. The PSI was composed of a sum of the scores from three questions about dysuria, penile pain and perineal pain and it ranged 0 to 12. Incidence of prostatitis symptoms was defined by a score of 4 or more and the reference group was defined as consisting of those with a score of 3 or less. The rate of incidence of prostatitis symptoms was assessed according to age and the difference of QOL between the prostatitis symptoms group and the reference group. Results : The overall positive rate of prostatitis symptoms measured by the PSI, in men older than 40, living in the Seoul metropolitan area, was 4.5%(61/1,356), adjusted to 4.8% by the relative proportion of this age group in the general population of the Seoul metropolitan area as compared to Korea and the World. The proportion of the group with prostatitis symptoms assessed by the PSI did not increase with age although the proportion of participants with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) did increase with age. The group with prostatitis symptoms suffered from a much greater incidence of LUTS compared to the reference group (p<0.05). The QOL scores of the IPSS, and the general health and sexual health status of the group with prostatitis symptoms, were worse than those of the reference group.(p<0.05). Conclusions : The positive rate of prostatitis symptoms in men older than 40, living in the Seoul metropolitan area, was 4.8% and it didn't increase with age. The general QOL of the group with prostatitis symptoms was much worse than that of the reference group.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the coping behaviors related to menopause experience in woman. Method: The research method used was Q-methodology. The statement of self-reference was derived from face to face interviews with 10 womens. Statements were categorized by the researcher according to semantics. From categories of the Q-population 27 of the self reference statement were selected and 39 of the women were selected with consideration of given to diversity in socio-demographic background. Based on a 1 to 9 point scale, the selected menopausal women were made to participated in the Q-sorting. Analysis of Q-type was obtained by use of the QUNAL program. Result: There are three type of menopause experience of Korean women. 1. The first type focused on active coping relate to menopause. 2. The second type focused on mind control related to menopause. 3. The third type focused on religious support related to menopause. Conclusion: It is suggested that the results of this study may contribute to the development strategies for the purpose of health promotion middle aged women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.422-431
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective opinions related to NVP experience in woman. Method: The research method used was Q-methodology. The statement of self-reference was derived from face to face interviews with 10 womans. Statement were categorized by researcher according to semantics. Twenty-seven of the self reference statement from categories of the Q-population were selected. Twenty-five of pregnant womans were selected by consideration of diversity in sociodemographic background. Based on a 1 to 9 point scale, the selected pregnant womans were made to participate in. Q-sorting. Analysis of Q-type was obtained by use of the QUANAL program. Result: There are three type of NVP experience of Korean womans. The first type focused on family support relate to NVP coping. The second type focused on physical self regulation related to NVP coping. The third type focused on actual strategy related to NVP coping. Conclusion: It is suggested that the results of this study may contribute to the development strategies for the purpose of decreasing the incidence of NVP.

• Radioisotope journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.55-65
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• 2006

A passive type radon monitor adopting two silicon PIN detector as radiation detector has been developed, manufactured and test-evaluated. A radiation signal processing circuit has been electronically tested and then the radiation detection characteristics of this instrument has been performance-tested by using reference radon concentration and a reference photon radiation field. As a result, in a electronic performance test, radiation signals from each detector were well observed in each signal processing circuit. The radiation detection sensitivity of this instrument after several test-irradiations to a Cs-137 gamma radiation source and a standard radon concentration appeared to be 1.37 cph/$\mu$Svh-1 and 1.66 pCi/L respectively. The developed radon monitor in this paper could be used conveniently in monitoring of radon concentration in buildings which population utilize in Korea.