• Journal of KIBIM
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.104-115
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• 2022

Fine Dust in Korea has been classified as a social disaster since 2019 due to continuous increase in concentration of Particulate Matter 10(PM 10) and PM 2.5. The fine dust issue has negative physical and mental impacts, especially on vulnerable population including children and the elderly. Seoul metropolitan government have installed fine dust shelters since 2019. However, there is a lack of research that evaluates spatiotemporal distribution of these facilities. Therefore, the first aim of this study is to find the relationship between PM levels and dust scattering construction sites, or air pollutant emission sites through in depth spatial analyses. The second purpose is to analyze the spatial distribution of PM shelters in Seoul, and to evaluate the location efficiency of them. Kernel density, krigging, and network analyses were conducted, and floating population was considered instead of census data for this research. The reults of network analysis based on the road system showed that Yangcheon-gu, Songpa-gu, Seongbuk-gu, and Dobong-gu were found to need additional fine dust shelters. Also, the results from analyzing the floating population that includes children and the elderly showed that Songpa-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Gangdong-gu, Seocho-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu need more placements of find dust shelters. The results of this study are expected to provide implications for urban planners to enhance find dust shelter placement in urban areas, and vulnerable population issues would be considered in many ways.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-26
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• 2008

This research examines the effect of area level characteristics on individual health, particularly focusing on the vulnerable populations in Seoul. We consider adult individuals whose family income is under 1.5 million won, who are aged 65 and over, or who have neither spouse nor job but aged 40 and over as vulnerable populations. Using the 2005 Seoul Citizens' Health Interview Survey, we conducted multilevel analyses to simultaneously investigate the effect of area and individual level characteristics on health. Between-area variance of self-rated health status was greater for the elderly population than for all populations. Area material deprivation index and happiness index were associated with the self-rated health of economically disadvantaged populations. Vulnerable populations showed greater between-area variances in emotional health than the same for all populations. Area happiness index, material deprivation index, the proportion of households below poverty line and street safety showed statistically significant association with emotional health. The effect of area characteristics were particularly salient for the emotional health of elderly population and its between area variance was also notable.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.246-254
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aims to provide baseline data on children's health care and household safety management in one region and to support implementation of customized visiting health care services for children. Methods: 51 children and their caregivers from socially vulnerable group and 69 children and their caregivers from general group are selected as research participants. Data were collected through home visiting survey by 10 professional nurses. Results: Children from socially vulnerable group are at higher risks of poor health care and safety accidents in households than general group. Rates of taking developmental screening tests, medical check-up remain considerably low in vulnerable social group. Regarding home safety, vulnerable children are more likely to be exposed to unsafe conditions. Conclusion: These results indicate that in order to promote health care and safety conditions for vulnerable children, it is necessary to implement customized visiting health care programs which actually can reach vulnerable households and meet their demands. These findings can be used as baseline data to develop customized visiting health care programs for children.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify influencing factors of metabolic index and cardiovascular risk factors, on depressive and non-depressive groups, in vulnerable diabetic elderly women. Methods: Participants were 137 vulnerable diabetic elderly women, using health centers in D city. Data were collected through interviews September though December 2017. The metabolic index was measured using National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III), and cardiovascular risk factors were measured using Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Depressive and non-depressive groups were divided by the score of Geriartric Depress Scale Short Korea Version (GDSSF). Collected data were analyzed using a x2 test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression, with the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: Vulnerable diabetic elderly women, did not exercise in the depressive groups, and had higher triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and larger waists, than in the non-depressive group. Results show that lack of exercise (OR= 6.30), is the highest risk factor, influencing the depressive symptom in vulnerable diabetic elderly women. Conclusion: These results suggest that to reduce depressive symptom levels among vulnerable diabetic elderly women, nursing interventions are needed to increase exercise and decrease TG, TC, and waist size, particularly in improving exercise of vulnerable diabetic elderly women.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.124-138
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• 2024

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Korean Red Data Book both categorize the dragon swallowtail Sericinus montela Grey, 1852 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) as a vulnerable insect. In South Korea, the main reason for this categorization is habitat destruction and deterioration, along with limited distribution mainly to the eastern region of South Korea, particularly to Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. Considering much of the information is older than ten years the renewed survey to estimate distributional stability is required, particularly under global warming. In addition, the population genetic diversity and isolation of S. montela, which is important information when seeking to evaluate its vulnerability, is not yet known. In this study, we visited 38 habitable sites, consisted of 15 sites with the previous record for the sightings of the species and 23 sites without such record. Moreover, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region was sequenced for 56 individuals collected from seven sites. We observed S. montela at 20 sites, consisted of 11 recorded and 9 new sites in seven provinces, excluding Jeollanam-do and Jeju-do. Finding of the species in 9 new sites and location of the 4 in western region, which has a rare previous record are promising. However, failure to observe in 4 recorded sites and an extremely low observed number in new sites (5.3 vs. 17.6 individuals per site on average) is not optimistic. Population genetic data partially corroborate with the field observation data, showing that the populations in western region have lower genetic diversity and intermittent genetic isolation compared to those in eastern region. Taken these together, we suggest that S. montela should be remained as a vulnerable insect. However, more extensive field monitoring and co-dominant molecular data are required to verify this conclusion.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.371-380
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• 2009

Purpose: This study aimed at describing the characteristics and nursing needs of vulnerable families in a City. Methods: A total of 427 vulnerable families enrolled in the Visiting Health Care Center in K-gu of S city were investigated in this study. Data were collected using questionnaires for one year from Jan to Dec, 2003, and analysed using mean, standard deviation and $x^2$. Results: Most of the vulnerable families investigated here showed many deficits, especially incomplete family structure (62.8%), financial problem (84.0%), lack of support (55.8%) were prevalent. The score of level of economic status in Family Capability for Self management ($1.95{\pm}0.65$) was lowest, and the score of perception of family problem and health of family members ($2.62{\pm}0.78$) was highest. The four family groups divided according to the total score of family management capability showed significant differences in family interaction, support, and coping domain. The total score of family management capability increased as family functioning-related problems decreased in the vulnerable families. Conclusion: In order to find vulnerable families, and improve their family function, it is required to develop the systematic assesment tools, community supportive systems and nursing interventions for family strength.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Seoul, a mega city, contains many features of the modern city. When the disaster or emergency occurs in Seoul, the place for shelter is required for evacuation urgently. There are currently the numbers of shelters in Seoul City, which can hold the twice more capacity of population of Seoul. However, the population distribution fluctuation in the day and the night needs to be considered. Therefore, in order to analyze the actual capacity of shelter, it is necessary to consider the dynamic characteristics of population distribution in the metropolitan area. In the study, the substantial accessibility and the capacity of shelters in Seoul were analyzed by the floating population data of the metropolitan area. The accessibility of shelter was investigated through a network analysis that includes the pedestrian road data, while the capacity of shelter was analyzed by the local differences of daytime population distributions. Finally it was possible to identify the vulnerable areas on the basis of the distribution of shelter in the region.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.29-40
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• 2006

Everybody may be vulnerable to fires depending on the time, place, and circumstances. Fire statistics show that the occurrence of fire death depends not only on the severity of a fire itself, but also largely on the conditions of occupants such as physical functions, the environment around occupants, and the type of facility where are fire occurs. The review of fire safety from the viewpoint of vulnerable populations does not simply mean additional special attention and care only to high risk groups, but instead it means significant review of fire safety design and systems for all people from a more universal standpoint. Therefore, in order to examine the strategies of a fire death-reduction program, safety measures suitable for the relevant high-risk groups considering the type of vulnerable person, the type of fire, and the type of building in residential occupancies. Solutions will require strenuous multilateral effort and flexibility.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.97-103
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• 2022

Low fertility rates and increased life expectancy further exacerbate the process of an aging society. This is also reflected in the gradual increase in the proportion of vulnerable groups in the social population. The demand for improved mobility among vulnerable groups such as the elderly or the disabled has greatly driven the growth of the electric-assisted mobility device market. However, such mobile devices generally require a certain operating capability, which limits the range of vulnerable groups who can use the device and increases the cost of learning. Therefore, autonomous driving technology needs to be introduced to make mobility easier for a wider range of vulnerable groups to meet their needs of work and leisure in different environments. This study uses mini PC Odyssey, Velodyne Lidar VLP-16, electronic device and Linux-based ROS program to realize the functions of working environment recognition, simultaneous localization, map generation and navigation of electric powered mobile devices for vulnerable groups. This autonomous driving mobility device is expected to be of great help to the vulnerable who lack the immediate response in dangerous situations.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.45-51
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• 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically impacted our society and health care system. People with schizophrenia are more vulnerable to this burden of illness and related societal changes. In addition, they are more susceptible to the transmission of COVID-19 and have a significantly higher mortality rate compared to the general population. In a recent study, vaccinated patients with schizophrenia showed a greatly decreased mortality level similar to that of the general population. However, patients with schizophrenia were less likely to be vaccinated. Mental health professionals should provide them with appropriate information on prevention strategies against COVID-19 and vaccination. Long-lasting social distancing and social disconnection can make people with schizophrenia more vulnerable to loneliness and depression. Furthermore, patients with schizophrenia may face challenges continuing psychiatric treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support and suitable mental health services using novel technologies should be developed and provided to patients with schizophrenia.