• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.12a
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

This paper briefly reviews the history of the Korean geophysics and analyze the current status of geophysical researches. And the future prospects of geophysics are discussed based on social demands for the science and technology in Korea. About thirty universities offer geophysics courses in their academic curricula. Although the number of Ph.D. graduates in geophysics had been small until the year of 1990, but is rapidly increasing. In recent years about $7{\sim}8$ Ph.D's are produced every year. The major geophysical methods used in Ph.D. theses are seismic, electrical and electromagnetic methods, and earthquake waves and research themes are computational geophysics, which involve data processing, modelling, inversion and tomography, geological structures, and paleomagnetic studies in the order of numbers. The Solid Earth Geophysics is generally distinguished in two categories such as "Global Geophysics" and "Exploration Geophysics". However, they are intimately connected, and overlap in many sectors, especially in large scale research projects. The global geophysics has a more academic and general scientific meaning, and several research groups in Korean universities are carrying out the earthquake seismology and paleomagnetic studies. On the other hand the exploration geophysics focuses on practical application of geophysical concepts, and the public research institutes conduct large projects for exploration of energy and mineral resources and to cope with environmental and natural disaster problems. The geophysical studies for local geology and regional crustal structure utilize various survey methods and usually cover both academic and exploration purposes. The computational geophysics constitutes the indispensable theoretical backgrounds for all geophysical sectors. Many young Korean geophysicists, who have strong background in mathematics and physics, devote to the computational geophysics and several groups have made the internationally highest level achievements. But, Korean geophysicists have to expand their research interests to include more global-scale, high-tech researches and collaborative works with various other science groups.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.367-375
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• 2014

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions. Methods: The framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level and long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. In this study, 1,009 local residents were recruited in the city of Chungju using personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergen skin-prick tests for 12 common allergens. The prevalence rate of skin allergens was reviewed together with that from large-scale industrial areas. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma was 5.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Allergic rhinitis was 25.4% and 16.7%, allergic dermatitis was 16.6% and 9.9% and allergic conjunctivitis was 18.7% and 7.9%, respectively. These results were similar with those of industrial complexes. The prevalence of allergen skin-prick test was 16.4% and the most common allergen was dust mites (27.9-31.6%). This result was lower than those of the industrial complexes (22.5-39.9%) and Gangneung (18.2-24.7%). Conclusion: Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.321-342
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• 2005

The finance of the National Health Insurance(NHI) in nearly every Nation in the world has been traditionally based on premiums of the workers and employers. But in Korea, the government has been guaranteeing financial supports to regional health corporations. After the unification of the different corporations in the NHIC, the government will not have to give financial support to the NHIC. Then this will be a serious financial challenge to NHIC, which has usually had financial deficit. The purpose of this paper is to review the problems of the premium based financing of the NHI and to exam whether such problems will be solved through the financial support from the state to the NHI. The analysis in this paper focused on five viewpoints; 1) work relatedness 2) redistribution effect 3) financial burden of business firms through the premium 4) risk pooling 5) management hegemony of the NHI. As a result, it was found that there are many problems in every five aspects and these problems could be solve through the financial aid from the state. But, it does not without any restriction mean to suggest that the financing mode of the korean NHI should be wholly transformed to a tax based financing mode. Because there are many things to be considered in oder to alter the financing mode of the NHI. Nevertheless, this paper would give a logical background to enlarge the financial aid form the state to NHI, or at least, to maintain it at a present level.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.471-476
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• 2018

Background: Astragalus membranaceus belonging to the Leguminosae family is often utilized as a traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to elucidate the basic breeding information required to develop short stem A. membranaceus cultivars. Methods and Results: Roots of A. membranaceus advanced yield trial (AYT) lines were harvested in late October 2017. Root yield of six AYT lines were increased in a range of 8.9 - 74.8% compared with 'Aseong' as control (check variety). The height of seven AYT lines were shorter than that of 'Aseong'. In addition, stem diameter of nine AYT lines was thicker than that of 'Aseong'. Consequently, 1502-56, 1503-90, and 1510-80 were selected as elite lines for the development of short stem cultivars. HPLC analysis was perfromed to identify lines with high level active components such as calycosin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside and calycosin. The levels of both active components were higher in 1502-56, and 1503-90, but not in 1510-80 compared to 'Aseong'. In addition, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was higher in the 1502-56 compared to 'Aseong'. Considering these results, two AYT lines, 1502-56 and 1503-90 were selected as short stem lines with high calycosin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside and calycosin content. Conclusions: Taken together, Two short stem lines were identified in this study. In our future study, regional yield trial (RYT) will be conducted using these selected lines to develop new cultivars.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.241-255
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• 2020

Background: The stem exclusion stage is a stage of forest development that is important for understanding the subsequent understory reinitiation stage and maturation stage during which horizontal heterogeneity is formed. Over the past 11 years (2009-2019), we observed a deciduous broad-leaved forest in the Albongbunji Basin in Ulleungdo, South Korea in its stem exclusion stage, where Fagus engleriana (Engler's beech) is the dominant species, thereby analyzing the changes in the structure (density and size distributions), function (biomass and species richness), and demographics. Results: The mean stem density data presented a bell-shaped curve with initially increasing, peaking, and subsequently decreasing trends in stem density over time, and the mean biomass data showed a sigmoidal pattern indicating that the rate of biomass accumulation slowed over time. Changes in the density and biomass of Fagus engleriana showed a similar trend to the changes in density and biomass at the community level, which is indicative of the strong influence of this species on the changing patterns of forest structure and function. Around 2015, a shift between recruitment and mortality rates was observed. Deterministic processes were the predominant cause of tree mortality in our study; however, soil deposition that began in 2017 in some of the quadrats resulted in an increase in the contribution of stochastic processes (15% in 2019) to tree mortality. The development of horizontal heterogeneity was observed in forest gaps. Conclusions: Our observations showed a dramatic shift between the recruitment and mortality rates in the stem exclusion stage, and that disturbance increases the uncertainty in forest development increases. The minor changes in species composition are likely linked to regional species pool and the limited role of the life-history strategy of species such as shade tolerance and habitat affinity. Our midterm records of ecological succession exhibited detailed demographic dynamics and contributed to the improvement of an ecological perspective in the stem exclusion stage.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2021

Background: With the recent aging of the population, the transition to a disease structure centered on chronic diseases is accelerating. Moreover, the socio-economic gap and the polarization of the health gap between regions further increase the burden of disease on the country. Accordingly, this study calculated the disease cost of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, which are the three major chronic diseases, to establish an effective health promotion policy strategy for each region, and analyzed the gap in disease cost within the region to determine health determinants at the individual as well as the regional level. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2015 sample cohort of the National Health Insurance Service and calculated the disease cost of patients (diabetes: I10-I15, hypertension: E10-E14, hyperlipidemia: E78) based on the main diagnosis. Results: Based on our analysis, the case of medical use in cities and provinces was higher than in metropolitan cities, with relatively small medical use in Seoul and Gangwon-do. In terms of the disease cost, the cost of chronic diseases in Seoul and Jeju was the highest, but the difference in disease cost between patients in each region was the largest in Seoul and Gangwon-do. Conclusion: The results of this study provide meaningful data for implementing efficient health promotion policies by analyzing the differences in disease cost and identifying health determinants in different regions. Furthermore, in Korea, where socioeconomic differences are clearly revealed, it can be used as a basis for preparing a strategic plan, from a long-term perspective, to improve the health of patients with chronic diseases in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.272-281
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• 2022

Background: The constant consumption of chemical products owing to expanding industrialization has led to an increase in public interest in chemical substances. As the production and disposal processes for these chemical products cause environmental problems, regional information on the hazard level of chemical substances is required considering their effects on humans and in order to ensure environmental safety. Objectives: This study aimed to identify hazard contribution and spatiotemporal characteristics by region and chemical by calculating a hazard-based result score using pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) data. Methods: This study calculated the chemical discharge and hazard-based result score from the Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) model, analyzed their spatiotemporal patterns, and identified hotspot areas where chemical discharges and high hazard-based scores were concentrated. The amount of chemical discharge and hazard-based risk scores for 250 cities and counties across South Korea were calculated using PRTR data from 2011 to 2018. Results: The chemical discharge (high densities in Incheon, Daegu, and Busan) and hazard-based result scores (high densities in Incheon, Chungcheongnam-do, and some areas of Gyeongsangnam-do Province) showed varying spatial patterns. The chemical discharge (A, B) and hazard-based result score (C, D) hotspots were identified. Additionally, identification of the hazard-based result scores revealed differences in the type of chemicals contributing to the discharge. Ethylbenzene accounted for ≥80% of the discharged chemicals in the discharge hotspots, while chromium accounted for >90% of the discharged chemicals in the hazard-based result score hotspots. Conclusions: The RSEI hazard-based result score is a quantitative indicator that considers the degree of impact on human health as a toxicity-weighted value. It can be used for the management of industries discharging chemical substances as well as local environmental health management.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2023

Background: COVID-19 pandemic represented a unique stressful event that affected the physical health and psychological well-being (PWB) of individuals and communities. Monitoring PWB is essential not only to clarify the burden on mental health effects but also to define targeted psychological-supporting measures. This cross-sectional study evaluated the PWB of Italian firefighters during the pandemic. Methods: Firefighters recruited during the pandemic period filled out a self-administered questionnaire, the Psychological General Well-Being Index, during the health surveillance medical examination. This tool is usually used to assess the global PWB and explores six subdomains: anxiety, depressed mood, positive well-being, self-control, general health, and vitality. The influencing roles of age, gender, working activities, COVID-19, and pandemic restrictive measures were also explored. Results: A total of 742 firefighters completed the survey. The aggregate median PWB global score was in the 'no distress"" range (94.3 ± 10.3), which was higher than that observed in studies conducted using the same tool in the Italian general population during the same pandemic period. Similar findings were observed in the specific subdomains, thus suggesting that the investigated population was in good PWB condition. Interestingly, significantly better outcomes were detected in the younger firefighters. Conclusion: Our data showed a satisfactory PWB situation in firefighters that could be related to different professional factors such as work organization and mental and physical training. In particular, our results would suggest the hypothesis that in firefighters, maintaining a minimum/moderate level of physical activity (consisting of even just going to work) might have a profoundly positive impact on psychological health and well-being.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.216-234
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• 2024

Background: Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, is designated as an emergency medical vulnerable area, facing significant challenges in transporting and treating emergency patients. A detailed analysis of the regional emergency medical system is required to identify effective solutions. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from the National Emergency Medical Information System and emergency activity logs with qualitative data from focus group interviews involving 24 stakeholders, including medical staff, paramedics, civil servants, and local residents. Results: Quantitative findings indicated an aging population in Hapcheon-gun, with a growing number of elderly emergency room users. Despite the utilization of local emergency medical institutions, a lack of trust and preference for urban hospitals led even patients with mild conditions to seek care at higher-level facilities. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, transport distances and times for patients using 119 emergency services increased. Qualitative analysis identified several issues: limited capacity of local institutions, challenges in patient transport due to misaligned emergency medical zones, an increase in severely ill patients, and the absence of a coordinated emergency medical consultative body. Recommendations include strengthening local institutions through government support, realignment of emergency zones, legal reforms, the establishment of a continuous consultative body, and enhancing the capacity of medical staff, paramedics, and residents. Conclusion: Improving the emergency medical system in Hapcheon-gun will require targeted efforts in institutional strengthening, legal and administrative support, and capacity-building initiatives.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.11-22
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• 2020

Recently, developed countries have been suffering from a weakening sense of community due to low birthrate, aging population, rapid population movement, rapid urbanization, and industrialization. As a result, participation in local autonomy of residents in advanced countries such as the U.S. and Japan is forming community organizations at the regional level. The purpose of this study is to study the legal system of American and Japanese village enterprises. We would also like to analyze the legal system of village enterprises in the United States and Japan and examine the examples of the legal system of village enterprises in the United States and Japan. Specifically, the first is to consider the concept, background, and type of village enterprise based on prior research. Second, review the institutional characteristics of American and Japanese village enterprises. Third, I would like to analyze the cases of legal systems for village businesses such as Seattle City in the U.S. and Setaga Baseball in Tokyo, Japan. Fourth, suggest implications according to the results of the study. The results of the study suggested the following. First, the village development project should be set up and subdivided into dedicated administrative organizations. This should establish a segmented administrative organization system to support village development by establishing branch offices to support administrative services tailored to each region. Second, the village-building project should secure independent financial resources. In other words, there is an excuse to seek ways to continuously secure independent funds without relying on the administration financially for the village development project. Third, village-building should be carried out in phases. The government should support the activities of residents and promote continuous projects through phased project implementation. Fourth, a foundation must be laid for the universities and specialized high schools in the community to operate programs for regional innovation, such as social innovation.