• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.273-284
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• 2017

As these days people spend most of time at inner space, indoor air quality affect human life seriously. Government manage indoor air quality of various facilities based on different laws. Government released that they would try to protect environment for vulnerable people such children and seniors from indoor air pollutants in 2015. But social welfare facilities are exception under current legal systems. Clients of social welfare residential facilities are the disables, the elderly, homeless and children and they usually stay inner space very long time. The purpose of this study is explore workers' attitude and related factors about indoor air quality management of social welfare facilities. 69.5% of respondents agree to government's indoor air quality management, 80.9% of respondents think social welfare facilities must be included in legal system for indoor air quality management. Environmental awareness and law awareness were related with attitude to indoor air quality management. Based on the results of the analysis, I propose the amendment of law on indoor air quality of the Ministry of Environment, cost burden of central or local government and the necessity of education and research on indoor air quality management in social welfare facilities.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.329-347
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to see if we can predict the health of seniors of community by analyzing the connection between social network degree and mental and physical health of old people who live in the areas of Gangwha Island. The subjects of the study were men and women aged 65 or over, a total of 643 that resided in Ganghwa A-county. The survey was conducted on Korean Social Life, Health and Aging Project from the year 2011 to 2012. Regression analysis was carried out using the data. The analysis results were as follows. First, it showed the relationships between income, gender, age out of demographic variables used as control variable and old persons'physical health. The research results showed that physical health was better in case of the higher incomes, men, and lower age. Second, out of demographic variables, educational background, income, age was shown to correlate with mental health. The research results showed that mental health was better in case of the higher incomes, higher educational background, and lower age. Third, in social network including direction, both out-degree and in-degree were shown to predict old people's physical and mental health. The results of this study suggest that not only out-degree but also in-degree should be considered in predicting the health of elderly persons by a person's human relationship. Also, two indicators of degree are meaningful in the dimension of health promotion and welfare of the old in that they can be used for finding isolated individuals that can be physically and mentally vulnerable.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.79-90
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• 2019

It is important to control fine particles in children care centers, elementary schools, elderly care facilities and so on where vulnerable children and the aged stay during most of their time. This study has investigated $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ concentrations in two classrooms equipped with an air cleaner and two air cleaners, respectively and they were compared to those in a classroom without an air cleaner as well as those outdoors. Eight air cleaners which have various clean air delivery rates (CADRs) between 9.9 and $21.3m^3/min$ were tested in classrooms in two elementary schools in Seoul. Average $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were $7.3{\pm}0.7$ and $45.5{\pm}4.1{\mu}g/m^3$ in classrooms equipped with an air cleaner and $4.2{\pm}0.6$ and $24.6{\pm}2.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in classrooms with two air cleaners, whereas they were $22.1{\pm}2.6$ and $109.1{\pm}9.6{\mu}g/m^3$ in classrooms without an air cleaner and $36.9{\pm}5.1$ and $74.1{\pm}10.6{\mu}g/m^3$ outdoors, respectively. $PM_{2.5}$ in classrooms could be reduced effectively by using an air cleaner or two air cleaners, because $PM_{2.5}$ was mainly infiltrated from outdoors, however $PM_{10}$ could not because $PM_{10}$ was mainly caused indoors by students' activities. Air cleaners were more effective for removal of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ in classrooms with a high airtightness than those in classrooms with a relatively low one. Average $CO_2$ in classrooms was about 1500 to 2000 ppm for class hours dependent on the student number per a classroom, which was about 1.5 to 2 times higher than the standard, regardless of the use of air cleaner.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.28-40
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• 2019

In order to resolve the imbalances in the supply of living SOCs according to socio-economic status, location, and population groups, the discussions on inclusive city policies are expanding. The purpose of this study is to propose an Index of Park Derivation (IPD) as an alternative indicator for the promotion of an inclusive urban park policy that can be applied in the 7 major metropolitan cities to select a region with a relatively high park needs. The main research results are as follows. First, the concept of an inclusive urban park policy is defined as "a policy to supply to manage high-quality park services with priority given to areas with low socio-economic and environmental status, such as a large amount of elderly, children, low-income families, areas vulnerable to disasters, such as heat and fine dust, and population groups." Second, we developed the index of park derivation (IPD), which is a combination of 17 variables including park service level, demographic characteristics, economic and educational level, health level, and environmental vulnerability. The variables that constitute the index of park deprivation (IPD) can be applied to SOC policies outside the parks, such as sports facilities, daycare centers, kindergartens, and public libraries. Third, applying index of park deprivation (IPD) to 1,148 Eup/Myeon/dong areas of the 7 metropolitan cities resulted in areas with relatively high park service needs. This study implies that the central and the local government suggest an alternative index to promote an inclusive urban park policy based on statistical and geographical information and data that can be easily accessed and utilized.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.659-670
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• 2020

This study analyzes the effects of companion animals on humans based on folk tales of righteous dogs in Hongseong. By targeting the theses and Hongseong righteous dog tales for this purpose, analyses of Ethnography and FGI(Focus Group Interview) were used among Qualitative Research Methods. According to research analysis, the impact of companion animals on humans was analyzed as emotional, economic, and cultural and environmental effects. In the case of emotional impact, the effect of companion animals on social sentiment is analyzed to have a positive effect in various classes, ranging from children and adolescents to the elderly and the socially vulnerable. On the economic aspect, SWOT analysis was attempted in connection with the rapid expansion of the companion animals industry, as represented by the Petconomy market, and analysis was attempted by focusing on cultural campaigns and tales that appeared in various cultural and environmental influences. The results of these studies suggest that this study is one that adds depth to the fact that it is the first attempt to analyze the culture and technology of companion animals, that it triggers the contribution of community development by analyzing the symbiotic relationship between companion animals and humans through the specific region, and that pets will have an emotional positive impact on human life in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, when individualism will be maximized.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.87-96
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• 2022

The traffic vulnerable, including elderly pedestrians, have a relatively low walking speed and slow cognitive response time due to reduced physical ability. Although a smart crossing system has been developed and operated to improve problem, it is difficult to operate a signal that reflects the appropriate walking speed for each pedestrian. In this study, a neural network model and a multiple regression model-based traversing speed estimation model were developed using image information collected in an area with a high percentage of traffic vulnerability. to support the provision of optimal walking signals according to real-time traffic weakness. actual traffic data collected from the urban traffic network of Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do were used. The performance of the model was evaluated through seven selected indicators, including correlation coefficient and mean absolute error. The multiple linear regression model had a correlation coefficient of 0.652 and 0.182; the neural network model had a correlation coefficient of 0.823 and 0.105. The neural network model showed higher predictive power.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.302-316
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• 2023

Objectives: The study aim was to identify changes in the nutritional status of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic according to household income and demographic characteristics. Methods: Study participants were 2,408 adults aged 65 and over who participated in the 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). To examine changes in nutrient intake levels resulting from COVID-19, data of 2019 and of 2020 were compared. Study participants were divided into three groups based on household income level to compare these changes. The changes were compared according to household income level, age group, and household type. Results: Percentages of recommended intakes for energy, protein, and most micronutrients were the lowest for the low-income group of both males and females in 2020. The Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) score was the lowest for the low-income group in both years. When comparing nutrient density for 2019 and 2020 by income group, the male low-income group experienced a decrease in nutrient densities of vitamin A, thiamine, calcium, and iron. For the same group, a decreased percentage for energy intake from protein was noted. Fruit intake was lowest in the low-income group for both males and females. Low-income males had the lowest intake levels for meat, fish, eggs, and legumes in both 2019 and 2020 and the lowest milk and milk product intake levels in 2020. Older adults living alone or single older adults with children had lower MAR scores than those living with a spouse. Older adults living alone experienced decreases in energy and thiamine and iron intake levels in 2020 compared to their intake levels in 2019. Conclusions: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, nutrition intake levels worsened for older adult males in the low-income group and older adults living alone. This finding shows the need for a more systematic nutritional support strategy for the vulnerable older adults population in national disaster situations.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationship between frailty and Area Deprivation Index (ADI) among older adults in Korea. Methods: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2019, focusing on individuals aged 65 years and older. Frailty was assessed using Fried phenotype of frailty criteria. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between frailty and ADI adjusted for all covariates. Results: Among 9,825 older adults, those who lived in an area with a high ADI had a 1.2-fold higher risk of frailty compared to those who lived in an area with a low ADI (odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.37). Particularly, married individuals living in areas with a high ADI had an approximately 1.4-fold higher risk of frailty compared to those living in areas with a low ADI (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.16-1.57). Conclusion: This study reveal a significant relationship between frailty and the ADI among older adults. In particular, married individuals who live in areas with a high ADI were found more vulnerable to frailty than those who live in areas with a low ADI. Therefore, policy intervention should be implemented to reduce health inequalities among older people, especially those living in the most deprived areas groups.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2018

PURPOSES : As the population of the mobility handicapped, who are classified as the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women, children, etc., has increased, the voices for guaranteeing their rights have been increasing as well. Thus, the design manuals for roads and sidewalks for the mobility handicapped were developed by the local government, such as the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Tourism, in Seoul City. However, according to the 2013 survey results of the Seoul Metropolitan City, the mobility handicapped still feel uncomfortable with the sidewalks, and particularly request for the improvement of the step and slope of the sidewalk curb. Therefore, in this study, we conducted an empirical experimental study to determine the slope of the sidewalk curb and height of the steps considering the mobility handicapped and analyzed whether there is a statistically significant difference. METHODS : The methodology of this study is an empirical experimental one. In the study, five non-disabled people, 10 wheelchair users, and 10 eye patch and stick users walked about 2-3 min on the sidewalk plates of the sloped type (0%, 5%, 6.3%, 8.3%) and stepped type (0 cm, 1 cm, 3 cm, 6 cm), and their human physiological responses, such as the skin temperature, volume of perspiration on forehead and chest, and heart rate, were measured and recorded. After combining the data, we conducted a nonparametric test, ANOVA, or t-test to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference according to each slope and step type. RESULTS : It was found that for the non-disabled, there was no significant difference in human physiological responses according to the slope and steps of the sidewalk. It can be said that the non-disabled do not feel much physiological discomfort while walking. In the case of the sloped sidewalk plate, the heart rate of the wheel chair users increased when the slope was 6.3%. In the case of the eye patch and stick users, the volume of perspiration on the chest increased at a slope of 5.0%. In general, it is judged that a sidewalk with a slope that is less than 5% does not cause a change in the physiological response. In the case of a stepped sidewalk plate, when 0 cm, 1 cm, and 3 cm were compared for wheelchair users, the amount of forehead perspiration increased from 1 cm. Meanwhile, in the case of the eye patch and stick users, when 0 cm and 6 cm were compared, the amount of perspiration on the forehead and chest as well as the heart rate all increased at 6 cm. Taken together, in the case of wheelchair users, a difference was shown when the height of the step of the sidewalk plate was 1 cm, suggesting that installing it at 0 cm does not cause any physiological discomfort. Moreover, in the case of the eye patch and stick users, when comparing only 0 cm and 6 cm, 0 cm was considered to be suitable, as there was a difference in physiological response at 6 cm. CONCLUSIONS : In this study, we set the human physiological responses such as chest skin temperature, amount of perspiration, and heart rate as evaluation items, and our study was considered to be a meaningful experiment that targeted wheelchair users as well as eye patch and stick users. The validity of the evaluation items was confirmed, as the results of human physiological responses were significant. As for the sidewalk design, according to the experiment result, it is considered that differential application should be implemented according to the type of mobility handicap, rather than uniformly applying a sidewalk step of 2 cm and sidewalk slope of 1/25, which are the current legal standards.