• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.91-105
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• 2005

The assessment (or the evaluation) of spatial disparity is the main concern for the study of spatial disparities or spatial inequalities. In order to evaluate the spatial disparity, the regional differences have to be counted quantitatively. Several measurements have been introduced for evaluating the development potentials of each region. Most of them are the composite indices of the socio-economic variables rather than the real potentials of the region. This study attempts to investigate the spatial disparity in Korea. For the purpose, the levels of opportunity potentials of the cities have been calculated by the Potential Model redefined by Lee(1995). The opportunity potentials have been calculated for the educational, cultural, medical service, environmental sectors, income, and consumption sectors, and the spatial patterns of various opportunity potentials have been analyzed. The spatial patterns of opportunity potentials show the severe concentration on the Metropolitan Seoul area through all sectors. The next level concentration appears at the other end of the Keuyng-Bu axis. And the cities relatively high opportunity potential values are distributed along the Keuyng-Bu axis. Remain parts of the country show quietly low opportunity potential values. In particular, the southern-west and the northern-east parts show relatively very low values. This pattern appears for all sectors except for the opportunity potential of the environmental sector. It means that the spatial disparity in Korea have been promoted and enhanced by the national development policies concentrated the investment on the large cities along the Keuyng-Bu axis during the last 40 years.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2006

As the number of old people grows in today's modern society, dental hygienist's role is more emphasized than ever before for oral hygiene management of the aged. It is also important to find out college students' knowledge, attitude and behavior towards the elderly. Therefore, this study is conducted through interview with college students who are majoring in dental hygiene of health care in Busan and will be in charge of oral hygiene. According to the interview, this study obtains the following results: 1. The level of undergraduate students' knowledge of old people shows a total score of $14.53{\pm}2.35$ (correct response rate is 69.9%). 2. The average score of undergraduate students' attitude towards old people is in a neutral range(50~70), recording 63.12(${\pm}7.22$) on a scale of 100. 3. The average score of undergraduate students' behavior towards old people is lower than a neutral range(43~60), recording 39.09(${\pm}13.43$) on a scale of 85 and showing negative behavior. 4. Experience of living together with the elderly and participating in volunteer jobs lead to significant differences in undergraduate students' attitude towards old people. 5. Experience of living together with the elderly causes significant differences in undergraduate students' behavior towards old people. That is, undergraduate students living together with the elderly show a positive behavior towards old people. 6. Undergraduate students' knowledge shows a strong positive relationship with their attitude, but it has a bit positive correlation with behavior even though there are no statistically significant differences between knowledge and behavior. No relationship is found between behavior and attitude. That is, undergraduate students have more positive attitude as their knowledge of the elderly is higher, but their behavior is not positive.

• 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.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 1999

Purpose : Surveying the rates, severity, and variables influencing depression and their correlation between pain and depression in Korean cancer patients, we attempted to provide a basic database for the effective depression management program. Methods : The results of survey were colleted from 10 patients who were hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital for cancer treatment from February to June of 1999. Factors of depression and the level of pain were examined by self-reported survey employing Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and an abridged version of Brief pain Inventory respectively. The purpose of this study and guidelines for the questionnaires were clearly explained to participating patients by Resgitered Nurses before answering the survey. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were compiled by reviewing their medical records in corporation with a family physician. The difference in the level of depression among patient groups was analyzed with the t-test and ANOVA, and the correlation between variables with Pearson correlation coefficient. Results : 1) 142 subjects comprised 79 male and 63 female, and their mean age was 51.86. 2) The mean scores of the worst pain for last 24-hours was 6.08(SD 2.23), the average pain for last 24-hours 4.44(SD 1.85), and the mean scores of pain at the time of survey 3.48(SD 2.25), while the mean scores of the least pain for last 24-hours 2.25(SD 1.83). 3) The mean BDI scores were 23.73(SD 0.99), and 55.6% of patients were evaluated to be in depression(cutting point 21). Scores of depression for cancer patients were higher than normal population. 4) The correlation between worst pain for last 24-hours and depression(r=0.252, P=0.002), average pain for last 24-hours and depression(r=0.225, P=0.007), present pain and depression(r=0.291, P=0.000) were significant. 5) Significant differences were found among groups of cancer patients with pain with respect to gender(t=3.59, p=0.000), level of education(F=4.063, P=0.009), ECOG(F=3.352, P=0.021). There was significant positive correlation between depression and pain(r=0.171, P=0.042). Conclusions : More than 50% of cancer patients with pain are suffering from depression. We have shown that the variables like the degree of pain, gender, level of education, ECOG, and age are significantly related to the depression in cancer patients. The findings of this study may be used for assessing high-risk patients in need of intervention and for planning effective therapeutic strategies for them after the routine assessment. Further study is necessary to investigate the cultural differences and the variables influencing on depression in Korean cancer patients.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2009

Purpose: To update the epidemiologic information of hepatobiliary diseases in pediatric inpatients using cross-sectional survey data throughout the Republic of Korea. Methods: Nationwide cross-sectional survey was obtained from the 85 residency training hospitals in Korea to gather the final diagnosis on discharge. The surveyed periods were from 2004 to 2006. All the reports regarding the diagnosis were based on ICD-10 system. In this study, we focused on hepatobiliary diseases. Results: A total of 826,896 cases with discharge data were collected, of which 4,151 (5.0%) hepatobiliary cases were identified; 2,385 cases (57.4%) of hepatobiliary disease were hepatitis, which was the most common hepatobiliary disease. Other diseases included congenital hepatobiliary diseases (524 cases [12.6%]) and biliary diseases (315 cases [7.6%]). The prevalence of hepatobiliary disease according to age differed. Biliary atresia was the most common hepatobiliary disease in the neonatal period, whereas the prevalence of hepatitis increased in adolescents. The total number of hepatobiliary operations was 416 cases. With the comparison of annual data, there was no definite difference in the total number of hepatobiliary cases. The average duration of hospital stay appeared to decrease gradually. Conclusion: In this study, we have summarized the recent epidemiology of hepatobiliary disorders in Korean children based on discharge data. Hepatobiliary disorders in pediatric inpatient units consisted of diverse disorders with a low prevalence, so multi-center approaches should be considered to enhance the clinical and public health outcomes. To improve this nationwide survey, a new data collecting system should be developed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.162-170
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• 2007

Purpose : While cases of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have increasingly been reported worldwide since it was first reported in the late 1980s, there have been few systemic studies on the pediatric population. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the planning of VRE prevention by investigating the prevalence, risk factors and transmission of VRE infection. Methods : We studied 230 patients under age 15 years who were isolated VRE between January 2001 and December 2006 retrospectively. The patients were classified into the intensive care unit (ICU) and the non-ICU groups. We reviewed the procedures before VRE detection as well as antibiotic sensitivity of detected organisms. Results : The number of VRE-isolation cases was higher in the ICU group than the non-ICU group. Instances of VRE-isolation were also more prevalent in patients who underwent operations or active procedures while taking 3rd-generation cephalosporins or glycopeptides. Almost all antibiotics except tetracycline were resistant to VRE. The proportion of 3rd-generation cephalosporin use was higher than those of any other antibiotics before VRE detection. Additionally, the use of 3rd-generation cephalosporins has increased annually, but that of glycopeptides had decreased in 2006. Also, the rates of VRE isolation have been increasing since 1998. Conclusion : VRE infection is increasing in pediatric population. Strict adherence to appropriate infection control guidelines for the prevention of VRE transmission in hospitals, and tracking of VRE colonization through active surveillance in high risk units are recommended.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.41
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• pp.37-66
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• 2014

In recent years, with the development of computers and electronics, electronics and communication technology in a growing and each part is dependent on the cross-referencing makes all electronic equipment is obsolete due to direct or indirect damage EMP. Korea and the impending standoff North Korea has a considerable level of technologies related to the EMP, EMP weapons you already have or in a few years, the development of EMP weapons will complete. North Korea launched a long-range missile and conducted a nuclear test on several occasions immediately after, when I saw the high-altitude nuclear blackmail has been strengthening the outright offensive nuclear EMP attacks at any time and practical significance for the EMP will need offensive skills would improve. At this point you can predict the damage situation of Korea's security reality that satisfy the need, more than anything else to build a protective system of the EMP. The scale of the damage that unforeseen but significant military damage and socio-economic damage and fatalities when I looked into the situation which started out as a satellite communications systems and equipment to attack military and security systems and transportation, finance, national emergency system, such as the damage elsewhere. In General, there is no direct casualties reported, but EMP medical devices that rely on lethal damage to people who can show up. In addition, the State power system failure due to a power supply interruption would not have thought the damage would bring State highly dependent on domestic power generation of nuclear plants is a serious nuclear power plant accident in the event of a blackout phenomenon can lead to the plant's internal problems should see a forecast. First of all, a special expert Committee of the EMP, the demand for protective facilities and equipment and conduct an investigation, he takes fits into your budget is under strict criteria by configuring the contractors should be sifting through. He then created the Agency for verification of performance EMP protection after you have verified the performance of maintenance, maintenance, safety and security management, design and construction company organized and systematic process Guard facilities or secret communications equipment and perfect for the EMP, such as protective equipment maneuver system should take.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.1 s.60
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• pp.49-58
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• 1998

The study was done to determine the reliability and validity of a life style questionnaire for the elderly. The questionnaires were sent to 16,524 elderly people who were beneficiaries of Korean Medical Insurance Corporation in Pusan. Among the completed 9,139 questionnaires, 200 were randomly sampled and retested. finally, 110 duplicates were collected. Weighted kappa-value and Pearson correlation coefficients were estimated to measure the reliability. Validity coefficient was estimated by using reliability coefficient. In self-self responses, reliability coefficients of the most of items were over 0.6 except some physical activity related item. Relatively high reliability was observed in smoking, alcohol related items and anthropometric items. In self-proxy responses, most of the physical activity related items were found to be less reliable than self-self responses. Smoking and alcohol related items were consistently reliable. Male showed higher validity in food related item than female. On the other hand, some of the physical activity related items and smoking and alcohol related items were less valid in male than female. With regard to bias of proxy respondents, offsprings tended to underestimate the frequency of house cleaning' and 'kitchen work' and overestimate the height of them. In conclusion, the life style questionnaire was found to be reliable in the most of items. But, some items related with physical activity were found to be somewhat less reliable. Sexual difference on the validity was identified in some items. With regard to bias of proxy respondents, offsprings tended to have bias in part of items of housework and anthropometry.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Retro recon in SRS planning using BranLAB when stereotactic location error occurs by metal artifact. Materials and Methods : By CT simulator, image were acquired from head phantom(CIRS, PTW, USA). To observe stereotactic location recognizing and beam hardening, CT image were approved by SRS planning system(BrainLAB, Feldkirchen, Germany). In addition, we compared acquisition image(1.25mm slice thickness) and Retro recon image(using for 2.5 mm, 5mm slice thickness). To evaluate these three images quality, the test were performed by AAPM phantom study. In patient, it was verified stereotactic location error. Results : All the location recognizing error did not occur in scanned image of phantom. AAPM phantom scan images all showed the same trend. Contrast resolution and Spatial resolution are under 6.4 mm, 1.0 mm. In case of noise and uniformity, under 11, 5 of HU were measured. In patient, the stereotactic location error was not occurred at reconstructive image. Conclusion : For BrainLAB planning, using Retro recon were corrected stereotactic error at beam hardening. Retro recon may be the preferred modality for radiation treatment planning and approving image quality.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.231-242
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nutrition education based on ubiquitous healthcare (u-health) service on changes in dietary habits, nutrition intake, and risk factors for metabolic syndrome in male workers. In total, 72 male office workers with at least three risk factors of the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III were recruited as subjects. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical analyses were conducted on all subjects. Dietary habits and nutrient intake were determined by a questionnaire using the 24-hour dietary recall method before and after nutrition education. Subjects measured their body composition, blood pressure, and physical activity more than once per week during the 12 weeks using the u-health care equipment and sent these data to a central database system using a personal computer. Individual nutrition counseling was provided four times on the first, fourth, eight, and twelfth weeks. The results showed significant decreases in abdominal circumference, body fat (%), diastolic blood pressure, serum triglycerides, and serum total cholesterol during the 12 weeks. Subjects with more than 12 measurements showed significant reductions in abdominal circumference, body fat (%), serum triglyceride, and serum total cholesterol. Mean intake of dietary fiber, animal calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and folic acid after nutrition education were higher than those before nutrition education. Participants showed significant increases in the frequencies of consuming protein foods (meat, fish, eggs, beans, tofu, etc.) and vegetables. In conclusion, nutrition education through the u-health service resulted in positive effects on the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, nutrient intake, and dietary habits.