• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.5005-5009
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• 2016

Introduction: Gutkha contains harmful and carcinogenic chemicals and oral cancer caused by tobacco usage has been reported as a major preventable cause of death worldwide by the World Health Organization. The Telangana state government implemented a ban on gutkha usage starting in 2013 but how effective this ban has been remains unclear. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the actual impact of the gutkha ban on users and vendors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among gutkha users and tobacco vendors in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. Based on a pilot study the sample size was determined as 368 and 384 for users and vendors respectively. Two separate questionnaires were administered to these groups. The parameters studied mainly included knowledge regarding the ban, and its impact. Results: About 49.1% of the users were aware of the ban on gutkha. Newspapers were the main source of information regarding the ban as reported by 45.3% of users. After the ban, 29.8% of gutkha users switched to other tobacco products. Awareness of health hazards and non-availability of gutkha was the most important reason stated for quitting or reducing consumption. Conclusion: The perspective of ban when visualized from the users point of view depicted a negative impact while the vendors portrayed a positive impact. Considering the addictive potential of the ingredients of gutkha, recording the effects of the ban on regular consumers and determining whether they can still obtain the products by illicit trade, would be noteworthy for implementation of strict rules.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.6 s.65
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• pp.451-466
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• 2006

Analysis of slope behavior concerning the structural characteristics of field rock mass can be processed by virtue of borehole information of joint orientation and position acquired from DOM drilled core. Anticipated sliding potential of pre-failed rock slope is analyzed and the regional slope instability is investigated by inspecting the hazardous joints and blocks the traces of which is projected on the cut-face. Cross section has been set at the center of rock slope and the traces of both joints and tetrahedral blocks, which potentially can induce the slope failure, are drawn to investigate the failure modes and the triggering mechanism. Automated monitoring system has been established to measure the slope movement and especially, inclinometer has been installed inside DOM borehole to analyze the slope movement by considering the internal rock structure. Algorithms for predicting the slope failure time have been reviewed and the significance of heavy rainfall on the slope behavior has been investigated.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.123-132
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• 2020

In contemporary times, there is an increasing demand for a dedicated healthcare environment, all over the world. The main motivation for this demand is the level of awareness manifested by the users and reflected on their expectations. Therefore new research strategies and design actions are investigated in order to answer to the users' needs and to provide objective design tools for the specialist. This study continues a series of previous developments of the Healthcare Environment Color Index that should be used for public facilities in Korea and abroad. The cross-cultural approach is a new opportunity for exchanging know-how and for testing and calibrating the perception of the users on the color index. The gathering of results was made based on the online survey provided in this phase in English version for the Romanian users. The survey was intended as an objective mean of research and an efficient way of disseminating information on the subject thus contributing to increasing the level of awareness of the users. A total of 86 Romanian and 89 Koreans with valid answers took part in the survey. Comparative visualizations of the results showed significant similarities concerning the patterns of color preferences but also cultural and emotional differences. As a result both categories of users proved to be aware of the relation between healthcare environment color and its effects on health. They also showed a common understanding on the potential of the color index. As a result the most appealing colors to be applied to the healthcare environment were the series G and B, and the most effective ones were proved to be the ranges of high lightness and low saturation but also the medium high lightness and medium saturation. Both the similarities and the differences of choice between Romanians and Koreans show that cultural and emotional differences of color recognition are important and that should be taken into consideration in design, in order to generate an inclusive and efficient healthcare environment.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2017

Multi-Axial Testing System (MATS) is a 6-DOF loading system located at National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taiwan for advanced seismic testing of structural components or sub-assemblages. MATS was designed and constructed for a large variety of structural testing, especially for the specimens that require to be subjected to vertical and longitudinal loading simultaneously, such as reinforced concrete columns and lead rubber bearings. Functionally, MATS consists of a high strength self-reacting frame, a rigid platen, and a large number of servo-hydraulic actuators. The high strength self-reacting frame is composed of two post-tensioned A-shape reinforced concrete frames interconnected by a steel-and-concrete composite cross beam and a reinforced concrete reacting base. The specimen can be anchored between the top cross beam and the bottom rigid platen within a 5-meter high and 3.25-meter wide clear space. In addition to the longitudinal horizontal actuators that can be installed for various configurations, a total number of 13 servo-hydraulic actuators are connected to the rigid platen. Degree-of-freedom control of the rigid platen can be achieved by driving these actuators commanded by a digital controller. The specification and information of MATS in detail are described in this paper, providing the users with a technical point of view on the design, application, and limitation of MATS. Finally, future potential application employing advanced experimental technology is also presented in this paper.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.318-335
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• 2024

Objectives: Despite the growing market share of online grocery shopping, there is a need to understand customer perceived value due to the ongoing advancements in information technology. This study explores the connections between attributes, consequences, and values. Additionally, it conducts a cross-country comparison of consumers' online grocery shopping behaviors to gain a deeper understanding of consumer market segments and any potential variations among them. Methods: Data was collected through an online questionnaire survey conducted from May 1 to 15, 2024, targeting 400 consumers in Seoul, Korea, and Shanghai, China, who have experience with online grocery shopping. The survey utilized the Means-End Chain theory and association pattern technique hard laddering. Data collation and analysis were conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0 program. The LadderUX software was employed to analyze the links between attributes, consequences, and values and create the consumer purchasing process's implication matrix and hierarchical value map (HVM). Results: The study identified key attributes that influence online grocery shopping decisions, including delivery service, price, freshness, and quality. Korean consumers demonstrated a higher sensitivity to price (19.0%) and delivery service (17.0%). In contrast, Chinese consumers prioritized delivery service (15.0%) and after-sales service (14.8%). Commonly cited consequences included time saving (12.6% for Koreans, 11.3% for Chinese), whereas prevalent values encompassed convenience (36.8% for Koreans, 19.6% for Chinese) and economic value (26.6% for Koreans, 14.7% for Chinese). The HVM underscored these insights, highlighting diverse consumer preferences and country-specific nuances. Conclusions: The findings highlight the current state of online food consumption and consumers' value systems, revealing variations among countries. These findings offer empirical insights that can be used to create customized global marketing strategies that resonate with various consumer preferences and market dynamics.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 1999.11a
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• pp.485-490
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• 1999

Wind vector information over the ocean is currently obtained using multiple beam scatterometer data. The scatterometers on ERS-1/2 generate wind vector information with a spatial resolution of 50km and accuracies of $\pm$2m/s in wind speed and $\pm$20$^{\circ}$ in wind direction. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data over the ocean have the potential of providing wind vector information independent of weather conditions with finer resolution. Finer resolution wind vector information can often be useful particularly in coastal regions where the scatterometer wind information is often corrupted because of the lower resolution system characteristics which is often contaminated by the signal returns from the coastal areas or ice in the case of arctic environments. In this paper we tested CMOD_4 and CMOD_IFR2 algorithms for extracting the wind vector from SAR data. These algorithms require precise estimation of normalized radar cross-section and wind direction from the SAR data and the local incidence angle. The CMOD series algorithms were developed for the C-band, VV-Polarized SAR data, typically for the ERS SAR data. Since RADARSAT operates at the same C-band but with HH-Polarization, the CMOD series algorithms should not be used directly. As a preliminary approach of resolving with this problem, we applied the polarization ratio between the HH and VV polarizations in the wind vectors estimation. Two test areas, one in front of Inchon and several sites around Jeju island were selected and investigated for wind vector estimation. The new results were compared with the wind vectors obtained from CMOD algorithms. The wind vector results agree well with the observed wind speed data. However the estimation of wind direction agree with the observed wind direction only when the wind speed is greater than approximately 3.0m/s.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.389-396
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• 2006

Objectives: A community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine theprevalence of osteoporosis and to evaluate the effects of body composition, health behaviors and reproductive history on bone density in postmenopausal women. Methods: The study subjects were 362 postmenopausal women, aged 45 years old or over, who were invited to the hospital. Information on their socio-demographic characteristics and the potential risk factors such as their past medical history, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, diet and menstrual/reproductive histories were collected by trained interviewers. Weight, height, the body mass index ($kg/m^{2}$), and body composition variables were measured. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 30.6% in the $45{\sim}64$ years old women, 52.5% in the elderly women aged $65{\sim}74$, and 68.7% in the women aged 75 years or over. After adjustment for the effect of potential covariates, those women in the highest 25% (4th quartile) of the lean body mass are less likely to have osteoporosis (aOR=0.31, 95% CI=0.12-0.76), compared with the lowest quartile group. More parity also had significantly detrimental effects on osteoporosis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women increased with age from 46.3% of those aged 45-64 to 68.7% for those aged 75 and over. Lean body mass and parity appeared significant contributor to bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in this population.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 2013

Purpose: To provide clear estimates of the adoption and use of electronic nursing records (ENRs) with standard terminology in Korea and identification of the scope and use as well as perceived or potential benefits of ENRs. Methods: A survey was done of 733 hospitals at three levels: tertiary advanced hospitals, general hospitals, and community hospitals. After performing a literature review a modified version of an existing survey tool was used for 2 months in 2012. The collected information related to EHR functionality and coverage of nursing documentation and nursing process, application of standard terminology, and perceived satisfaction and benefits of ENRs. Results: The response rate was 39.4% (289/733), and 202 hospitals (70.1%, 95% CI64.8~75.5%) of the respondents had ENR systems (82.5% of tertiary hospitals, 66.7% of general hospitals, and 70.1% of community hospitals). Out of these hospitals less than 10% had ENRs fully covering nursing documentation. The adoption rate of standard terminology was 55%, and hospital satisfaction with ENRs was 70%. But personalized care was identified as needing improvement in ENRs. Conclusion: The ENR adoption rate was high but there are many potential opportunities for improving ENR systems in terms of the data standardization and personalized care.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2012

To assess parameters of mating system in seed orchard, such as outcrossing rates, number of potential pollen contributors, and degree of pollen contamination, seeds, produced in '77 plot of the Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora S et Z) seed orchard at Anmyeon island, were collected in 2007 and analysed by nSSR and cpSSR markers. Estimates of outcrossing rates ranged from 91.2 to 100% (mean 97.7%) on the basis of the analysis of cpSSR haplotypes and from 81.6 to 100% (mean 95.3%) on the basis of the analysis of nSSR genotypes. By cross checking of both DNA markers, seeds, presumed to be products of self pollination on the basis of single marker, were confirmed as outcrossed seeds, which resulted in cumulative outcrossing rates of 98.9%. On the basis of pooled cpSSR haplotype of each seed, the number of pollen contributors and paternal contribution rates were estimated as 14.8 and 0.512, respectively. In conclusion, considering pretty high level of outcrossing rates observed in a seed orchard, good genetic potential of the seeds, produced in '77 plot of the seed orchard of Japanese red pines at Anmyeon island, may be guaranteed. Investigated results from the analysis of mating system of Japanese red pines in a '77 plot of the seed orchard may also be expected to provide useful information for the management and establishment of the seed orchard of the progressive generation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1651-1659
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• 2017

Objective: Lao PDR's recent accession to the World Trade Organization necessitates a greater understanding of the patterns and risk of livestock production in order to better align national policy with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. This eco-health study was conducted to improve understanding of the interrelations between market chains and zoonotic infection risks at two strategic cross border points between Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. Methods: Information gained from smallholder farmer/trader interviews was integrated with serological surveys for pig-associated zoonoses-including hepatitis E virus (HEV), Taenia solium (T. solium) and trichinella-to identify potential linkages between disease risk and pig production and slaughter in low input systems common across the country. Results: Trichinella and HEV exposure was high in both humans and pigs in both study areas, significantly associated with pig slaughter and the subsequent consumption and handling of raw pork products. T. solium demonstrated a strong geographical and ethnic association with the northern study area bordering Vietnam. With the right knowledge and accessible, affordable inputs, the majority of smallholder farmers indicated a willingness to invest more in pig production, which could simultaneously improve livelihoods and decrease exposure to HEV, Trichinella, and T. solium through increased access to formal markets and an improved slaughter processes. Conclusion: The linkages identified when assessing disease risk in the context of potential economic and cultural drivers of transmission highlight the importance of a systems-based approach for the detection and control of zoonotic disease, and contributes to an improved understanding of the Lao PDR livestock sector.