• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.370-375
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• 2003

Purpose : It has been suggested that the exposure to aeroallergens during early infancy after birth is important in the subsequent development of sensitization and allergic diseases. In Korea, the level of house dust mites as one of the important aeroallergens is known to be the highest in autumn. The aim of this study was to test whether the distribution of month of birth bears a relationship to the presence of mite sensitization in children with respiratory allergy. Methods : Skin prick tests and methacholine provocation tests were performed on 1,327 patients with chronic respiratory symptoms who visited Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 1995 to May 2002. An analysis of patients' month of birth distribution according to the presence of mite sensitization was performed. Results : Atopic subjects who had at least one positive skin test numbered 864(65.1%); and non-atopic subjects numbered 463(34.9%). Among atopic subjects, 787(59.3%) had positive skin tests to mites and 77(5.8%) had positive skin test only to minor allergens. A significantly greater than expected number of mite atopic subjects were born in the months between August and November(P=0.03), however, the birth month of non-atopic subjects didn't show a consistent seasonal preference. Asthma patients numbered 543(40.9%). Among these, atopic asthmatics numbered 421(77.5%) and non-atopic asthmatics, 122(22.5%). Dust-mite atopic asthmatics numbered 387(91.9%) out of 421 atopic asthmatics. Dust-mite atopic asthmatics were born significantly higher in the season lasting from August to November in comparison to non-atopic asthmatics(P=0.002). Conclusion : Month of birth seems to be related with sensitization to allergens. Our results show that August to November is the risk period for the development of mite sensitization in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.413-420
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• 2005

Purpose: Neuroreceptor PET studies require 60-120 minutes to complete and head motion of the subject during the PET scan increases the uncertainty in measured activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of the data-driven head mutton correction on the evaluation of endogenous dopamine release (DAR) in the striatum during the motor task which might have caused significant head motion artifact. Materials and Methods: $[^{11}C]raclopride$ PET scans on 4 normal volunteers acquired with bolus plus constant infusion protocol were retrospectively analyzed. Following the 50 min resting period, the participants played a video game with a monetary reward for 40 min. Dynamic frames acquired during the equilibrium condition (pre-task: 30-50 min, task: 70-90 min, post-task: 110-120 min) were realigned to the first frame in pre-task condition. Intra-condition registrations between the frames were performed, and average image for each condition was created and registered to the pre-task image (inter-condition registration). Pre-task PET image was then co-registered to own MRI of each participant and transformation parameters were reapplied to the others. Volumes of interest (VOI) for dorsal putamen (PU) and caudate (CA), ventral striatum (VS), and cerebellum were defined on the MRI. Binding potential (BP) was measured and DAR was calculated as the percent change of BP during and after the task. SPM analyses on the BP parametric images were also performed to explore the regional difference in the effects of head motion on BP and DAR estimation. Results: Changes in position and orientation of the striatum during the PET scans were observed before the head motion correction. BP values at pre-task condition were not changed significantly after the intra-condition registration. However, the BP values during and after the task and DAR were significantly changed after the correction. SPM analysis also showed that the extent and significance of the BP differences were significantly changed by the head motion correction and such changes were prominent in periphery of the striatum. Conclusion: The results suggest that misalignment of MRI-based VOI and the striatum in PET images and incorrect DAR estimation due to the head motion during the PET activation study were significant, but could be remedied by the data-driven head motion correction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1488-1496
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• 2016

The purposes of this study were to analyze mothers' eating, cooking, and exercise habits based on their demographic characteristics and to examine the relationship between those habits and their late school-aged children's Broca index. A total of 393 questionnaires were mailed to the mothers of late school-aged children who registered at four elementary schools in the Seoul area, of which 159 participants (40.0%) completed questionnaires. Statistical data analyses were performed using SPSS/Win 21.0 for descriptive statistics, t-test ANOVA, and Pearson's regression coefficient. There was a statistically significant difference in mothers' cooking habit (F=3.920, P=0.022) and exercise habit (F=3.211, P=0.043) according to their educational level. Interestingly, 82.4% of mothers had a Broca index of less than 90% of normal body mass level. A significant positive correlation of Broca index between mothers and their late school-aged children (r=0.345, P<0.001) indicated that children whose mothers had a low body mass level also tended to have a low body mass level. In this study, late school-aged children's Broca index was not significantly related with mother's eating (r=-0.072, P=0.367) or exercise habits (r=-0.010, P=0.897) but was significantly related with their mother's cooking habits (r=-0.157, P=0.048). Considering there are few studies examining the impacts of mother's cooking habits on their children's appropriate body mass, the results suggest that developing an effective educational program to cultivate mothers' healthy cooking habits to improve school-aged children's health status is very important. The findings of this study provide important data that could be used when developing health education programs tailored to the multi-dimensional impacts of mothers' life habits on their last school-aged children's developmental health status.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.2 s.42
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• pp.222-230
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• 1993

Industrial glues, known as 'Bonds' in Korea, contain many kinds of organic solvents, and glue sniffing of youths became one of the social problems in Korea. Mixed exposures to solvents by glue sniffing may induce chronic toxicities different from those by exposures to solvents of single component. To test effects of the glue sniffing on weight gain or central nervous system, two groups of 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to air(control group) or vapors of the glues to narcotic status(exposed group), and weight check, tail flick test, hot plate test, rotarod treadmill test were done on the 14th,24th, 36th, 45th, 53rd, 86th, 102nd, 117th, 134th and 151st days after the first exposure. On the 188th day, their brains were excised and examined by a pathologist. Weight gain, controlled against time change, showed significant difference between the groups, but response times in tail flick test, hot plate tests, and rotarod treadmill test didn't. In pathological examination with blind method, no macroscopic or microscopic differences were found between the two groups. These results suggests that organic lesion in central nervous system may not ensue glue sniffing, but, before firm conclusion, more studies in various exposure conditions should be followed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.5
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• pp.618-629
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate ecological niche of Quercus acuta communities in Bogildo-island from July to October, 1998. This island is occupied by a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests. The study on community ecology of Q. acuta, mostly dominant species of subtropical forests, is very important for successful forest management. Sampling areas were selected in 16 quadrats, dominated by Q. acuta to examine the vegetation characteristics(plant identification, D.B.H.) and environmental elements (microtopography, altitude, slope degree, aspect, illumination and soil physicochemical properties). On the basis of data from field surveys, importance values were calculated for the dominance of Q. acuta and volume growth was analyzed by tree ring widths. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. The lists of vascular plants in the investigations were identified as 54 families, 91 genera, 113 species, 9 varieties, 1 formae. It appeared that 45 kinds were evergreen, 6 kinds(Camellia japonica, Ligustrum japonicum, Eurya japonica, Smilax china, Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium, Carex lanceolata) were commonly observed in all plots and 5 species(Cinnamomum japonicum, Ardisia japonica, Cymbidium goeringii, Dryopteris bissetiana, Viburnum erosum) were most highly observed in all plots(over 80%). 2. The dominating species per strata were, Quercus acuta, Castanopsis cuspidata sp. Quercus salicina, Pinus thunbergii, Prunus sargentii in tree layer, Camellia Japonica, Ligustrum japonicum, Quercus acuta, Eurya japonica, Castanopsis cuspidata sp. in subtree layer, Camellia japonica, Ligustrum japonicum, Smilax china, Cinnamomum japonicum, Viburnum erosum in shrub layer and Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium, Ardisia japonica, Carex lanceolata, Camellia japonica(seedlings), Quercus acuta(seedlings) in herb layer, all in descending orders. 3. Quercus acuta could be suggested as shade intolerant tree, considering the distribution in southern, western, nothern and eastern slopes in the descending orders. 4. Mean relative illumination in the forest is 0.89 % and it is relatively low in brightness. 5. Sustainment of Quercus acuta community couldn't be confirmed by judging from their reverse J curve in even-aged forest, as shown in D.B.H. distribution analysis. 6. The result of annual ring width analysis(mean ; 2.44 mm) showed three stages, such as a gentle increasing(1~12 year ; 2.04 mm), a relatively steep increasing(13~22 year ; 2.95 mm) and decreasing or stagnating(23 year after ; 2.41 mm).

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2016

Purpose In order to calculate the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) accurately, it is important to acquire the best septal view of left ventricle in the multi-gated cardiac blood pool scan (GBP). This study aims to acquire the best septal view by measuring angle of ventricular septal wall (${\theta}$) using enhanced CT scan and compare with conventional method using left anterior oblique (LAO) 45 view. Materials and Methods From March to July in 2015, we analyzed the 253 patients who underwent both enhanced chest CT and GBP scan in the department of nuclear medicine at National Cancer Center. Angle (${\theta}$) between ventricular septum and imaginary midline was measured in transverse image of enhanced chest CT scan, and the patients whose difference between the angle of ${\theta}$ and 45 degree was more than 10 degrees were included. GBP scan was acquired using both LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ views, and LVEFs measured by automated and manual region of interest (Auto-ROI and Manual-ROI) modes respectively were analyzed. Results $Mean{\pm}SD$ of ${\theta}$ on total 253 patients was $37.0{\pm}8.5^{\circ}$. Among them, the patients whose difference between 45 and ${\theta}$ degrees were more than ${\pm}10$ degrees were 88 patients ($29.3{\pm}6.1^{\circ}$). In Auto-ROI mode, there was statistically significant difference between LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ (LVEF $45=62.0{\pm}6.6%$ vs. LVEF ${\theta}=64.0{\pm}5.6%$; P = 0.001). In Manual-ROI mode, there was also statistically significant difference between LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ (LVEF $45=66.7{\pm}7.2%$ vs. LVEF ${\theta}=69.0{\pm}6.4%$; P < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficients of both methods were more than 95%. In case of comparison between Auto-ROI and Manual ROI of each LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$, there was no significant difference statistically. Conclusion We could measure the angle of ventricular septal wall accurately by using transverse image of enhanced chest CT and applied to LAO acquisition in the GBP scan. It might be the alternative method to acquire the best septal view of LAO effectively. We could notify significant difference between conventional LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ view.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.261-274
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• 2003

The effective probability-based tile pre-fetching algorithm and the collaborative cache replacement algorithm are able to reduce the response time for user's requests by transferring tiles which will be used in advance and determining tiles which should be removed from the restrictive cache space of a client based on the future access probabilities in Web GISs(Geographical Information Systems). The Web GISs have multi-level abstracted data for the quick response time when zoom-in and zoom-out queries are requested. But, the previous pre-fetching algorithm is applied on only two-dimensional pre-fetching space, and doesn't consider expanded pre-fetching space for multi-level abstracted data in Web GISs. In this thesis, a probability-based pre-fetching algorithm for multi-level abstracted in Web GISs was proposed. This algorithm expanded the previous two-dimensional pre-fetching space into three-dimensional one for pre-fetching tiles of the upper levels or lower levels. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of the proposed pre-fetching algorithm by using a simulation method. Through the experimental results, the response time for user requests was improved 1.8%∼21.6% on the average. Consequently, in Web GISs with multi-level abstracted data, the proposed pre-fetching algorithm and the collaborative cache replacement algorithm can reduce the response time for user requests substantially.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.156-158
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• 2009

Purpose: Since radiopharmaceuticals are intended for human administration, it is imperative that we should undergo quality control very strictly. Now almost all the PET laboratories have adopted Bacterial Endotoxin Test as the stand quality control method to monitor whether pyrogen is free or not in the product vial containing crude solution. The aim of this study is to find out the reason why false positive result is observed when using commercially available test vial. Materials and Methods: For this experiment, we used commercially available single test kit (Associates of Cape Code. Inc. USA) and we made pH samples by mixing each buffer whose pH ranges are 1.0 to 12.0. Otherwise we made Ethanol samples diluted with distilled water. After making test samples, it added 0.2 mL to the test vial. Assay mixture in the test vial was incubated in a water bath (Chang Shin Co. KOR) for 60 min at $35{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. Results: After incubation period ($60{\pm}1^{\circ}C$), we inverted the test vial about $180^{\circ}$ To know what pH and how many percentage of Ethanol (Fisher Scientific Korea. Ltd) will affect the reaction. With pH buffer, false positive result was observed at pH 1.0 to 5.0 and 7.7 to 12.6 but at pH 5.2 to.7.5, the test results show negative. It's very strange that we couldn't observe negative test result with Tris buffer at pH 8.4, 8.6, 8.8, 9.0. in other case Ethanol, the test result was seen with 5 to 10% Ethanol. But to my surprise we could see very thick gel formation with 100% Ethanol. Conclusions: In this study, we could notice that pH which is too much acidic or alkalic or high concentrated Ethanol would affect Bacterial Endotoxin Test result. As you know, LAL test is sensitive and very reliable method. Therefore, we are needed to elicit the accurate test result as possible as we can.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.51-89
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• 2007

INTRODUCTION Due to the high broadband internet penetration rate and its group-oriented culture, various types of online communities operate in Korea. This study use 'Uses and Gratification Approach, and argue that members' usage-needs satisfaction with brand community is an important factor for promoting community commitment. Based on previous studies identifying the effect of brand image on consumers' responses to various marketing stimuli, this study hypothesizes that brand image can be a moderate variable affecting the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction with brand community and members' commitment to brand community. This study analyzes the influence of usage-needs satisfaction on brand community commitment and how apparel brand image affects the relationships between usage-needs satisfactions and community commitments. The hypotheses of this study are proposed as follows. H1-3: The usage-needs satisfaction of apparel brand community (interest, transaction, relationship needs) influences emotional (H1), continuous (H2), and normative (H3) commitments to apparel brand communities. H4-6: Apparel brand image has a moderating effect on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and emotional (H4), continuous (H5), and normative (H6) commitments to apparel brand communities. METHODS Brand communities founded by non-company affiliates were excluded and emphasis was placed instead on communities created by apparel brand companies. Among casual apparel brands registered in 6 Korean portal sites in August 2003, a total of 9 casual apparel brand online communities were chosen, depending on the level of community activity and apparel brand image. Data from 317 community members were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, moderated regression analysis, ANOVA, and scheffe test. Among 317 respondents answered an online html-type questionnaire, 80.5% were between 16 to 25 years old. There were a total of 150 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=3) recording higher-than-average brand image scores (Mean > 3.75) and a total of 162 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=6) recording lower-than-average brand image scores(Mean < 3.75). In this study, brand community commitment was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: emotional, continuous and normative commitment. The degree of usage-needs satisfaction (interest, transaction, relationship needs) was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The level of brand image was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: strength, favorability, and uniqueness of brand associations. RESULTS In the results of exploratory factor analysis, the three usage-needs satisfactions with brand community were classified as interest, transaction, and relationship needs. Brand community commitment was also divided into the multi-dimensional factors: emotional, continuous, and normative commitments. The regression analysis (using a stepwise method) was used to test the influence of 3 independent variables (interest-needs satisfaction, transaction-needs, and relationship-needs satisfactions) on the 3 dependent variables (emotional, continuous and normative commitments). The three types of usage-needs satisfactions are positively associated with the three types of commitments to apparel brand communities. Therefore, hypothesis 1, 2, and 3 were significantly supported. Moderating effects of apparel brand image on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and brand community commitments were tested by moderated regression analysis. The statistics result showed that the influence of transaction-needs on emotional commitment was significantly moderated by apparel brand image. In addition, apparel brand image had moderating effects on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and emotional, continuous and normative commitments to apparel brand communities. However, there were not significant moderate effects of apparel brand image on the relationships between interest-needs satisfaction and 3 types of commitments (emotional, continuous and normative commitments) to apparel brand communities. In addition, the influences of transaction-needs satisfaction on 2 types of commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were not significantly moderated by apparel brand image. Therefore, hypothesis 4, 5 and 6 were partially supported. To explain the moderating effects of apparel brand image, four cross-tabulated groups were made by averages of usage-needs satisfaction (interest-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.09, transaction-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.46, relationship-needs satisfaction M=1.62) and the average apparel brand image (M=3.75). The average scores of commitments in each classified group are presented in Tables and Figures. There were significant differences among four groups. As can be seen from the results of scheffe test on the tables, emotional commitment in community group with high brand image was higher than one in community group with low brand image when transaction-needs satisfaction was high. However, when transaction-needs satisfaction was low, there was not any difference between the community group with high brand image and community group with low brand image regarding emotional commitment to apparel brand communities. It means that emotional commitment didn't increase significantly without high satisfaction of transaction-needs, despite the high apparel brand image. In addition, when apparel brand image was low, increase in transaction-needs did not lead to the increase in emotional commitment. Therefore, the significant relationship between transaction-needs satisfaction and emotional commitment was found in only brand communities with high apparel brand image, and the moderating effect of apparel brand image on this relationship between two variables was found in the communities with high satisfaction of transaction-needs only. Statistics results showed that the level of emotional commitment is related to the satisfaction level of transaction-needs, while overall response is related to the level of apparel brand image. We also found that the role of apparel brand image as a moderating factor was limited by the level of transaction-needs satisfaction. In addition, relationship-needs satisfaction brought significant increase in emotional commitment in both community groups (high and low levels of brand image), and the effect of apparel brand image on emotional commitment was significant in both community groups (high and low levels of relationship-needs satisfaction). Especially, the effect of brand image was greater when the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was high. in contrast, increase in emotional commitment responding to increase in relationship-needs satisfaction was greater when apparel brand image is high. The significant influences of relationship-needs satisfaction on community commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were found regardless of apparel brand image(in both community groups with low and high brand image). However, the effects of apparel brand image on continuous and normative commitments were found in only community group with high satisfaction level of relationship-needs. In the case of communities with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, apparel brand image marginally increases continuous and normative commitments. Therefore, we could not find the moderating effect of apparel brand image on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and continuous and normative commitments in community groups with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS From the results of this study, we draw several conclusions; First, the increases in usage-needs satisfactions through apparel brand communities result in the increases in commitments to apparel brand communities, wheres the degrees of such relationship depends on the level of apparel brand image. That is, apparel brand image is a moderating factor strengthening the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and commitment to apparel brand communities. In addition, the effect of apparel brand image differs, depending on the level and types of community usage-needs satisfactions. Therefore, marketers of apparel brand companies must determine the appropriate usage-needs, depending on the type of commitment they wish to increase and the level of their apparel brand image, to promote member's commitments to apparel brand communities. Especially, relationship-needs satisfaction was very important factor for increasing emotional, continuous and normative commitments to communities. However the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was lower than interest-needs and transaction-needs. satisfaction. According to previous study on apparel brand communities, relationship-need satisfaction was strongly related to member's intention of participation in their communities. Therefore, marketers need to develope various strategies in order to increase the relationship- needs as well as interest and transaction needs. In addition, despite continuous commitment was higher than emotional and normative commitments, all types of commitments to apparel brand communities had scores lower than 3.0 that was mid point in 5-point scale. A Korean study reported that the level of members' commitment to apparel brand community influenced customers' identification with a brand and brand purchasing behavior. Therefore, marketers should try to increase members' usage-needs satisfaction and apparel brand image as the necessary conditions for bringing about community commitments. Second, marketers should understand that they should keep in mind that increasing the level of community usage needs (transaction and relationship) is most effective in raising commitment when the level of apparel brand image is high, and that increasing usage needs (transaction needs) satisfaction in communities with low brand image might not be as effective as anticipated. Therefore, apparel companies with desirable brand image such as luxury designer goods firms need to create formal online brand communities (as opposed to informal communities with rudimentary online contents) to satisfy transaction and relationship needs systematically. It will create brand equity through consumers' increased emotional, continuous and normative commitments. Even though apparel brand is very famous, emotional commitment to apparel brand communities cannot be easily increased without transaction-needs satisfaction. Therefore famous fashion brand companies should focus on developing various marketing strategies to increase transaction-needs satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.33-43
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• 2002

Travel choice behavior is affected by real-time traffic information. Recently, in urban area, real-time traffic information is provided by several instruments such as transportation broadcasting, internet PC network and variable message sign, etc. Furthermore, it has been increasing for urban travelers to use real-time traffic information provided by several instruments. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of advanced traveler information on urban worker's travel choice behavior. Among several Advanced Traveler Information System(ATIS) employed in urban area. This study focuses on examining the effects of transportation broadcasting on urban worker's travel choice behavior. This study attempts to examine traveler's mode change behavior in the pre-trip stage and traveler's route change behavior in the on-route stage. For this study, the survey data collected from Daegu City in 2000 is used. For empirical analysis, several nested logit models are estimated, and among them, the best models are reported in this paper. Furthermore, based on the empirical models estimated for this research, important findings and their policy implications are discussed.