• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.160-165
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Korea is quickly becoming an aged society. Dementia is also becoming a vital public health problem in Korea. Cognitive impairment as a pre-stage of dementia shares most risk factors for dementia. The aim of the present study was to determine associations of serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E with the risk of cognitive impairment among elderly Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 230 participants aged 60-79 years from Yangpyeong cohort were included. Cognitive function was assessed by the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening. The logistic multivariable regression model was applied to determine the effect of serum vitamins A, C, and E on the risk of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: There was no significant association between the risk of cognitive impairment and serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin C. There was a significant odd ratio when the second tertile group of beta-gamma tocopherol level was compared to the first tertile group [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14-0.98, P for trend = 0.051]. In subgroup analyses, there were significant negative associations between beta-gamma tocopherol level and the risk of cognitive impairment in men (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.87, P for trend = 0.028), non-drinkers or former drinkers (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02-0.66, P for trend = 0.025), and non-smokers or former smokers (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09-0.82, P for trend = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Serum beta-gamma tocopherol levels tended to be inversely associated with the risk of cognitive impairment. Further prospective large-scaled studies are needed to examine this association.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.164-175
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• 2019

The Tor Tong Daeng Irrigation Project with the irrigation area of 61,400 hectares is located in the Ping Basin of the Upper Central Plain of Thailand where farmers depended on both surface water and groundwater. In the drought year, water storage in the Bhumipol Dam is inadequate to allocate water for agriculture, and caused water deficit in many irrigation projects. Farmers need to find extra sources of water such as water from farm pond or groundwater as a supplement. The operation of Bhumipol Dam and irrigation demand estimation are vital for irrigation water allocation to help solve water shortage issue in the irrigation project. The study aims to determine the smart dam operation system to mitigate water shortage in this irrigation project via introduction of machine learning to improve dam operation and irrigation demand estimation via soil moisture estimation from satellite images. Via ANN technique application, the inflows to the dam are generated from the upstream rain gauge stations using past 10 years daily rainfall data. The input vectors for ANN model are identified base on regression and principal component analysis. The structure of ANN (length of training data, the type of activation functions, the number of hidden nodes and training methods) is determined from the statistics performance between measurements and ANN outputs. On the other hands, the irrigation demand will be estimated by using satellite images, LANDSAT. The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) values are estimated from the plant growth stage and soil moisture. The values are calibrated and verified with the field plant growth stages and soil moisture data in the year 2017-2018. The irrigation demand in the irrigation project is then estimated from the plant growth stage and soil moisture in the area. With the estimated dam inflow and irrigation demand, the dam operation will manage the water release in the better manner compared with the past operational data. The results show how smart system concept was applied and improve dam operation by using inflow estimation from ANN technique combining with irrigation demand estimation from satellite images when compared with the past operation data which is an initial step to develop the smart dam operation system in Thailand.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-78
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• 1986

With Economic Development Plan, the Korean National Family Plan Program was introduced in early 1960's. The program, which has been a way for constraining population increase, has obtained excellent results. In other word, it has had an important role in controlling the increase in population. The purpose of this study is to analyze the change of fertility rates since 1970 and the lever of completed fertility of Korean women since 1960. There are Age-specific Fertility Rate(ASFR), Total Fertility Rate(TFR), Gross Reproduction Rate(GRR) and Net Reproduction Rate(NRR) etc. in indices of period fertility. It is also possible to be seen the completed fertility rates by using Parity Progression Ratio. The data necessary for this study were obtained from Population & Housing Census Report from the year of 1960 to 1980 and Vital Statistics from 1980 to 1984, which conducted by Economic Planning Board, Republic of Korea. The summarized results of this study were as follows : 1. Age-specific Fertility Fertility Rate(ASFR) has been continuously decreasing till now. The ASFR for the women aged 25 to 29 was higher than those of any other groups and the ASFR for the women aged 20 to 24 was higher than that of the women aged 30 to 34 since the mid 1970's. 2. There are Total Fertility Rate(TFR), Gross Reproduction Rate(GRR) and Ney Reproduction Rate(NRR) etc. in reproduction rates. First of all, TFR and GRR have been declining except late of 1970's and TFR showed 2.23 per ever-married women, GRR was 1.05 in 1982. Next, the change of NRR could not be found without life table by year and only NRR for the time of census was to be found. In 1980, NRR showed 1.27 per ever-married women and the level was still out of reach at replacement level of population. 3. Specific Fertility Rate by Birth Order(SFRBO) showed to be declined continually since 1972. Especially the SFRBO of the third live birth was decreased from about 22 per 1,000 ever-married women in 1972 to 12 or so in 1982. 4. To know the level of completed fertility, the mean number of completed live births per ever-married women was calculated from 1960 to 1980. The number of completed live births was more than 5 per ever-married women by the year of 1975 but have been declining and resulted in 4.69 in 1980.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.69-94
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• 2024

With the development of cyberspace and its increasing interaction with our daily lives, cybercrime has been steadily increasing in recent years and has become more prominent as a serious social problem. Notably, the "four major malicious cybercrimes" - cyber fraud, cyber financial crime, cyber sexual violence, and cyber gambling - have drawn significant attention. In order to minimize the damage of cybercrime, it's crucial to delve into the specifics of each crime and develop targeted prevention and intervention strategies. Yet, most existing research relies on indirect data sources like statistics, victim testimonials, and public opinion. This study seeks to uncover the characteristics and factors of cybercrime by directly interviewing suspects involved in 'copyright infringement', 'gambling' related to illicit online content, and 'pornography crime'. Through coding analysis and text mining, the study aims to offer a more in-depth understanding of cybercrime dynamics. Furthermore, by suggesting preventative and remedial measures, the research aims to equip policymakers with vital information to reduce the repercussions of this escalating digital threat.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2024

Purpose : Smoking is a major factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the effect of electrical cigarette smoking on COPD development is still uncertain. This study aimed to compare the functions of airways and lungs exposed to combustible cigarettes and electrical cigarettes based on the pulmonary function test (PFT) results from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods : This study used data from 8,942 participants with PFT results out of 47,309 total subjects from the 6th to 8th Korean NHANES (2014-2015, 2016-2018, and 2019, respectively). Individuals with diseases such as cancer, ex-smokers, and dual tobacco users were excluded. The PFT results were analyzed according to the COPD diagnostic criteria. After adjusting for confounding variables, a complex sample generalized linear model ANOVA test was performed to investigate the association between PFT results and combustible smoker or electrical cigarette user groups. Results : In an analysis based on the obstructive ventilatory disorders (forced expiratory volume in 1 second[FEV₁]/forced vital capacity[FVC]<.7), combustible cigarette smokers showed a 3.46 times higher risk of COPD compared to non-smokers, while electrical cigarette smokers exhibited no significant difference in terms of COPD-related risks compared to non-smokers. FEV₁ showed a negative relation with combustible cigarette smokers as reported elsewhere (B=-.07, p<.001). FEV₁/FVC was negatively related to both combustible cigarette smokers (B=-.03, p<.001) and electrical cigarette smokers (B=-.02, p<.001). Conclusion : FEV₁/FVC decreases were observed in the long-term exposure to both combustible and electrical cigarettes. The lower FEV₁ in the combustible cigarette group implies the worsening of the severity of COPD, suggesting more damage to the airways and lungs in the short term. Therefore, the temporary electrical cigarettes use for the transition period in order to smoking cessation potentially aids to reduce the harmful effect of combustible cigarettes in COPD development.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.182-188
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• 2011

Purpose: Recently in Korea, there have been significant improvements in neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR). This study aimed to investigate the proportion of the NMR among IMR, with the goal of discerning the influence of improved NMR on the reduction of IMR in the last 5 years in Korea. Methods: All data were from Statistics Korea. Changes in the NMR percentage among IMR and the percentage of the death by the distribution of the birth weight and gestational were investigated. Results: The total birth rate decreased, but the total number of preterm and low birth weight infants increased. These was a large decrease in NMR and IMR. The proportion of NMR among INR exceeded 50%. Early NMR was higher than late NMR. Among the total infant death, the mortality of preterm and low birth weight infants was high. Conclusion: Between 2005 and 2009, the total birth has declined in Korea, but the frequency of low birth weight infants is trending upward. The improvements in NMR and IMR, and the downtrend of the NMR percentage in IMR, are encouraging. It seems that the continued decrease of mortality of preterm and LBWI is required for better improvements NMR and IMR in Korea. This result is expected to be used for the basic data to improve the management of the newborns in Korea.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.101-130
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• 2012

This study examines mortality change in North Korea and its association with state production and welfare systems. Two main subjects are analyzed. The first theme is to examine the reliability of mortality related data released by North Korea government authorities. Examining inner consistencies among mortality related statistics and comparing with mortality trends in other socialist societies, the study finds that mortality rate was under estimated. Under-estimation of mortality by North Korean authorities is regarded to result not only from political purpose which aims to propagate the regime's superiority but also from enumeration errors of vital statistics based on the residence registration. The second theme is to estimate the change in mortality of North Korean people since the establishment of DPRK, correcting errors of mortality data. Mortality of North Korean people is estimated to have improved largely by the early 1970s, to have been sluggish hereafter, and finally to have increased during the economic hardship period between 1993 and 2008. While large people died during the food crisis in the late 1990s, however the population loss caused by mortality increase was not so great as the proposition of the huge starvation was expected. It is partly because population turbulence occurred not just by mortality increase, rather it has progressed in the joint effects of fertility decline and exodus of North Korean people for food. It is also due to North Korean people's voluntary activities of informal economy. It is also worth noting the high mortality rate of North Korean men. The high mortality of North Korean men is likely due to men's mobilization for long time in army and labor with high risk of accident and their life styles.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.21-44
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• 2008

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the family instability on the elderly suicide and to examine the change over time. An analytical model of causal structure was set up with residence, family instability and socioeconomic level as explanation variables for this study. The cause of death statistics and micro-data from the vital statistics for 1995, 2000 and 2005 were used. Family instability was measured through divorce, and the rate of elderly(male and female) suicide as well as the suicide rate of the elderly and those in their 20-50's was used for this analysis to examine the effect of divorce. This study hypothesized about family instability and elderly suicide through a literature review. This paper presents maps of the suicide rate by using GIS, and then ANOVA and regression analysis are carried out to verify a difference in the elderly suicide rate affected by residence and divorce. Divorce rate appears in most areas with a high level centering around metropolises except the central inland area. The rate of elderly suicide which stayed in only specific regions with a high level has increased as time went by, and the graph leveled high in most regions except the southwestern coast. In addition, the elderly suicide rate was increased rapidly in rural areas for the most recent 10 years. This shows the seriousness of problems of the aged in rural areas. Through the periods of economic crisis, a sudden increase in divorce causes family instability, which increase the suicide rate increasing. Divorce affects the elderly suicide rate and the 20-50s' suicide rate in the same way, and the stronger effect goes to the elderly rather than those in their 20-50s'. Regarding elderly suicide, the divorce has a different effect by gender, affecting males more than females. With these facts, we can draw the conclusion that family instability has the most significant effect on elderly males' suicide.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.101-118
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• 2014

"Career maturity" is very crucial for high school students since it has an impact on their career path and decision-making. Not only that, it is also important in self-realization and happiness as well as maximizing human resources. When it comes to understanding high school students' career path, it is necessary to know how they perceive school life since they spend most of their time in school. It's also vital to observe in the perspective of students' personal growth. This study seeks to understand the relationship between "adaptation to school life" "self-esteem" and "career maturity". To accomplish this, the 7th additional surveys conducted by Welfare Panel Study were used. The survey was conducted among 496 high school students in order to come up with descriptive statistics and correlation between "adaptation to school life" and "self-esteem" as well as the level of "career maturity". Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to understand the effects of "adaptation to school life" and "self-esteem" on "career maturity." The Baron and Kennny mediation analysis were used to understand the effects when the mediating role of "self-esteem" comes into the relationship between "adaptation to school life" and "career maturity". The results of the analysis are as follows: First, the average age for high school students' "career maturity" is 2.07, while it is 1.91 for "self-esteem". For "adaptation to school life," the relationship between "obedience to school regulations" and "relationship with friends" was relatively higher than the relationship between "attitude toward school life" and "interest in school life" Second, high school students' "career maturity" "adaptation to school life" and "self-esteem" were thought to be statistically meaningful since it showed that they had a positive relationship with each other. Third, "interest in school life" "attitude toward school life" and "obedience to school life" and "relationship with friends" in which all of these are the sub factors for "adaptation to school life" together with "self-esteem" had an influence on high school students' "career maturity". Lastly, the relationship between "adaptation to school life" and "career maturity" was proved to be influenced by the partial mediating role of "self-esteem". As the study seeks to find relationships and the factors that affect high school students' "career maturity" meaningful information is given out for the development and progress of educational programs for "career maturity". This was done by understanding the fundamental and systematic approach towards "career maturity" in the students' perspective.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.51
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• pp.181-201
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• 2018

The cartoon industry in Korea has continued to decline due to the contraction of published comics market and decrease in the number of comic books rental stores until the 2000s when it rapidly started to experience qualitative changes and quantitative growth due to the emergence of webtoon. The market size of webtoon industry, valued at 420 billion won in 2015, is expected to grow to 880.5 billion won by 2018. Notably, most cartoonists who draw cartoon strips are using digital devices and producing scripts in data, thereby overcoming the geographical, spatial and physical limitation of contents. As a result, a favorable environment for the creation of local ecosystems is generated. While the infrastructures of human resources are steadily growing by region, cartoon industries that are supported by the government policy have shown good performance combined with factors of creative infrastructures in local areas such as webtoon experience centers, webtoon campuses and webtoon creation centers, etc. Nevertheless, it is true that cartoon infrastructures are substantially based on a capital area which leads to an imbalanced structure of cartoon industry. To see the statistics, companies of offline cartoon business in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province make up 87%, except for distribution industry. In addition, companies of online cartoon business which are situated outside of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province form merely 7.5%. Studies and research on local webtoon are inadequate. The existing studies on local webtoon usually focus on its industrial and economic values, mentioning the word "local" only sometimes. Therefore, this study looked into the current status of local webtoon of the present time for the current state of local cartoon ecosystem, middle and long-term support from the government, and an alternative in the future. Main challenges include the expansion of opportunities to enjoy cartoon cultures, the independence of cartoon infrastructure, and the settlement of regionally specialized cartoon cultures. It means that, in order to enable the cartoon ecosystem to settle down in local areas, it is vital to utilize and link basic infrastructures. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider independence and autonomy beyond the limited support by the government. Finally, webtoon should be designated as a culture, which can be a new direction of the development of local webtoon. Furthermore, desirable models should be continuously researched and studied, which are suitable for each region and connect them with regional tourism, culture and art industry. It will allow the webtoon industry to soft land in the industry. Local webtoon, which is a growth engine of regions and main contents of the fourth industrial revolution, is expected to be a momentum for the decentralization of power and reindustrialization of regions.