• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.47-75
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• 2009

Recently, researches on Management Information Systems (MIS) have laid out theoretical foundation and academic paradigms by introducing diverse theories, themes, and methodologies. Especially, academic paradigms of MIS encourage a user-friendly approach by developing the technologies from the users' perspectives, which reflects the existence of strong causal relationships between information systems and user's behavior. As in other areas in social science the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) has rapidly increased in recent years especially in the MIS area. The SEM technique is important because it provides powerful ways to address key IS research problems. It also has a unique ability to simultaneously examine a series of casual relationships while analyzing multiple independent and dependent variables all at the same time. In spite of providing many benefits to the MIS researchers, there are some potential pitfalls with the analytical technique. The research objective of this study is to provide some guidelines for an appropriate use of SEM based on the assessment of current practice of using SEM in the MIS research. This study focuses on several statistical issues related to the use of SEM in the MIS research. Selected articles are assessed in three parts through the meta analysis. The first part is related to the initial specification of theoretical model of interest. The second is about data screening prior to model estimation and testing. And the last part concerns estimation and testing of theoretical models based on empirical data. This study reviewed the use of SEM in 164 empirical research articles published in four major MIS journals in Korea (APJIS, ISR, JIS and JITAM) from 1991 to 2007. APJIS, ISR, JIS and JITAM accounted for 73, 17, 58, and 16 of the total number of applications, respectively. The number of published applications has been increased over time. LISREL was the most frequently used SEM software among MIS researchers (97 studies (59.15%)), followed by AMOS (45 studies (27.44%)). In the first part, regarding issues related to the initial specification of theoretical model of interest, all of the studies have used cross-sectional data. The studies that use cross-sectional data may be able to better explain their structural model as a set of relationships. Most of SEM studies, meanwhile, have employed. confirmatory-type analysis (146 articles (89%)). For the model specification issue about model formulation, 159 (96.9%) of the studies were the full structural equation model. For only 5 researches, SEM was used for the measurement model with a set of observed variables. The average sample size for all models was 365.41, with some models retaining a sample as small as 50 and as large as 500. The second part of the issue is related to data screening prior to model estimation and testing. Data screening is important for researchers particularly in defining how they deal with missing values. Overall, discussion of data screening was reported in 118 (71.95%) of the studies while there was no study discussing evidence of multivariate normality for the models. On the third part, issues related to the estimation and testing of theoretical models on empirical data, assessing model fit is one of most important issues because it provides adequate statistical power for research models. There were multiple fit indices used in the SEM applications. The test was reported in the most of studies (146 (89%)), whereas normed-test was reported less frequently (65 studies (39.64%)). It is important that normed- of 3 or lower is required for adequate model fit. The most popular model fit indices were GFI (109 (66.46%)), AGFI (84 (51.22%)), NFI (44 (47.56%)), RMR (42 (25.61%)), CFI (59 (35.98%)), RMSEA (62 (37.80)), and NNFI (48 (29.27%)). Regarding the test of construct validity, convergent validity has been examined in 109 studies (66.46%) and discriminant validity in 98 (59.76%). 81 studies (49.39%) have reported the average variance extracted (AVE). However, there was little discussion of direct (47 (28.66%)), indirect, and total effect in the SEM models. Based on these findings, we suggest general guidelines for the use of SEM and propose some recommendations on concerning issues of latent variables models, raw data, sample size, data screening, reporting parameter estimated, model fit statistics, multivariate normality, confirmatory factor analysis, reliabilities and the decomposition of effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2018

Studies on suspected endocrine disrupting pesticide (EDP) residues in agricultural products were carried out in 2016 in Busan, Korea. Twelve different EDPs, ranging in concentration between 0.003-2.049 mg/kg, were detected in 19.5% of 462 samples. About 0.2% of agricultural product samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Risk indices of all of the EDPs were less than 10% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). The outcomes indicated that the risk groups at highest risk of exposure to diazinon (found in Korean cabbages) and carbendazim (found in apples) were females aged 40 to 49 and young males less than 10 years old, respectively. Based on the stochastic assessment at $95^{th}$ percentile (P95), risk index in these risk groups accounted for 8.38 and 2.98% of ADIs. The results showed that the occurrence of EDP residues in agricultural products could not be considered a public health problem.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.59-70
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• 2004

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on 63 subjects to determine the antihypertensive effect of a vegetable drink in which sardine protein hydrolysates containing a dipeptide, Valyl-Tyrosine (VY), were incorporated. The subjects, consisting of people with mild hypertension, high-normal blood pressure and normal blood pressure, were randomly divided into test (male/female=25.6, average age 50.1${\pm}$10.4 years old) and control groups (26/6, 49.0${\pm}$5.0). Each subjects in the test group was given 195g of the vegetable drink containing 0.5g of sardine peptides (sardine protein hydrolysates) with 0.4 mg of VY (test drink) once a day for 13 weeks in a row, and subjects in the control group were given the same amount of the vegetable drink without sardine peptides (control drink) in the same manner. In the test group, 40 subjects with mild hypertension of high-normal blood pressure (130 mmHg${\leq}$systolic blood pressure (SBP)<160 mmHg and/or 80 mmHg${\leq}$diastolic blood the start of the test to 134.4${\pm}$11.1 mmHg during the first week of the test period, after which similar values were seen throughout the test period (13 weeks). Compared to the control group, the difference in SBP from vaseline was statistically significant in the test group throughout the intake period. DBP also decreased significantly from 88.0${\pm}$7.9 mmHg at baseline to 83.5${\pm}$8.6 mmHg after 13 weeks. In the control group, SBP and DBP were 140.8${\pm}$8.4 mmHg and 90.5${\pm}$6.6 mmHg respectively at the start of the test, and neither decreased during the test period. In subjects with normal blood pressure, neither those in the test group nor those in the control group showed a significant change in SBP and DBP during the test period. An excessive ingestion test was performed on 25 subjects with hypertension, mild hypertension, high-normal blood pressure, and normal blood pressure by giving 585g (3 times the recommended amount of intake) of the test drink for 14 days in a row. As a result, a significant decrease of blood pressure was observed in the hypertension, mild hypertension and high-normal blood pressure groups, but no excessive decline in blood pressure or any side-effects were associated with any subjects during the test period. In the groups with normal blood pressure, the excessive ingestion of the test drink did not affect blood pressure. In these two studies, physical check-ups and biochemical analyses of blood and urine were also conducted in all subjects, and no abnormalities were observed. These results suggest that the test drink containing sardine protein hydrolysates exhibited the antihypertensive effect in only the subjects with mild hypertension or high-normal blood pressure. No adverse effects were observed in either hypertensive of normotensive subjects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.581-592
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated major dietary patterns among healthy Korean adults using cluster analysis and analyzed the relationship between energy intake and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: This study was conducted using the data from the 2008 ~ 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. The data of 7,922 subjects aged 30 years and over, without any missing values, were included in the final analysis. K-means cluster analyses were conducted to identify the dietary patterns of the study subjects, which were based on the energy intake from 21 food groups using a 24-h recall method. The changes in energy intake with each dietary pattern, according to quartiles of skeletal muscle mass, were investigated. Results: Three dietary patterns were identified for both men and women: 'Flour, Animal fat', 'White rice' and 'Healthy mixed diet'. The association between energy intake and skeletal muscle mass for both men and women was significant only in the 'White rice' dietary pattern. In the 'White rice' pattern, the energy intake increased up to > 300 kcal from the lowest to the highest quartile of skeletal muscle mass after adjustment for covariates. Within the 'White rice' pattern, skeletal muscle mass was linearly associated with energy intake in all the age groups in men. Conclusion: Energy intake was significantly associated with changes in skeletal muscle mass only in the 'White rice' pattern. Furthermore, the degree of association between the change in skeletal muscle mass and energy intake differed according to gender. These results indicate that the association between skeletal muscle mass and energy intake may be specific to Korean people who are accustomed to a traditional Korean diet.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2004

Purpose: This study reported the outcomes following the use of bioabsorbable knotless anchor in patients with anterior instability of shoulder. Methods: We studied fifteen cases with traumatic anterior shoulder instability underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with bioabsorbable knotless suture anchor between January 2003 and June 2003. Among fifteen patients, fourteen were male and one was female, with a mean patient age of 24 years (range 16-42). The mean follow-up was 14 months (range 12-18 months). We compared with operation time of twenty cases of arthroscopic Bankart repair by the suture anchor technique between January 2002 and October 2002. Results: Neither recurrent dislocation nor subluxation was happened in postoperative follow-up. Mean score for functional evaluation by Rowe et al. was 89.4 and that for patient subjective satisfaction was 87,5. At last follow-up period, average shoulder range of motion for flexion and external rotation was 171$^{\circ}$ and 54$^{\circ}$ respectively. All patients were satisfied except three who had an apprehension at the follow up. During Bankart repair, it took an average of 25.5 minutes for one knot with the use of suture anchor technique whereas an average of 16.5 minutes for one knot with the use of bioabsorbable knotless anchor. Significantly, we saved operation time with the use of bioabsorbable knotless anchor (P<0.05).Conclusion: Repairing the Bankart lesion with the use of knotless anchor technique has the advantage of obtaining good capsular tensioning and saving operation time. And it is considered to be very successful in treating shoulder instability without recurrent dislocation or subluxation.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.227-232
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• 2018

Purpose: Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common type of seizure in children between 6 months to 5 years of age. A family history of febrile seizures can increase the risk a child will have a FS. Yet, prevalence of FS regarding external environment has not been clearly proved. This study attempts to determine the association between prevalence of FS and weather. Methods: This study included medical records from the Korea National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Data were collected from 29,240 children, born after 2004, diagnosed with FS who were admitted to one of the hospitals in Seoul, Korea, between January 2009 and December 2013. During the corresponding time period, data from the Korea Meteorological Administration on daily monitoring of four meteorological factors (sea-level pressure, amount of precipitation, humidity and temperature) were collected. The relationships of FS prevalence and each meteorological factor will be designed using Poisson generalized additive model (GAM). Also, the contributory effect of viral infections on FS prevalence and weather will be discussed. Results: The amount of precipitation was divided into two groups for comparison: one with less than 5 mm and the other with equal to or more than 5 mm. As a result of Poisson GAM, higher prevalence of FS showed a correlation with smaller amount of precipitation. Smoothing function was used to classify the relationships between three variables (sea-level pressure, humidity, and temperature) and prevalence of FS. FS prevalence was correlated with lower sea-level pressure and lower humidity. FS prevalence was high in two temperature ranges (-7 to $-1^{\circ}C$ and $18-21^{\circ}C$). Conclusion: Low sea-level pressure, small amount of precipitation, and low relative air humidity may increase FS prevalence risk.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of environmental fators on backfat thickness and carcass weight and to investigate the carcass grade frequencies by sex, backfat thickness and carcass weight in commercial pigs. Total 20,450,773 of commercial pigs was used in this study, which were obtained from Korea institute for Animal Product Evaluation (KAPE) from July 1, 2007 to April 30, 2009. The averages of carcass weight and backfat thickness were $20.76{\pm}0.001mm$ and $85.97{\pm}0.002kg$, respectively. Carcass weight and backfat thickness of barrow were $22.55{\pm}0.002mm$ and $86.25{\pm}0.003kg$, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of males and females. The carcass weight and backfat thickness were increased with the slaughter years. In the effects of the season of slaughter, carcass weight was significantly higher in winter ($87.00{\pm}0.007kg$), and the backfat thickness was significantly higher in fall ($19.32{\pm}0.004mm$). In grade frequencies of carcass quality grade in sex, grade frequencies of high grade in barrow was higher than those of female in hot carcass and cold carcass. In grade frequencies of carcass quality grade in carcass weight, grade frequencies of high grade in 84~88kg was higher than the other groups in hot carcass and cold carcass. In grade frequencies of carcass quality grade in backfat thickness, grade frequencies of high grade in 22~24 mm was higher than other groups in hot carcass and cold carcass.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.197-204
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• 2018

Purpose: West syndrome is a severe form of age-specific epilepsy that typically affects infants younger than 2 years of age with mitochondrial disease. We aimed to examine age-specific characteristics of the syndrome in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 54 patients with West syndrome diagnosed with mitochondrial disease between March 2006 and March 2016. We compared treatment strategies and diagnostic and clinical variables between patients with early-onset (<6 months of age) and late-onset (${\geq}6$ months of age) seizures. Results: Seizure was the first symptom in 30 (90.9%) and 13 (65%) patients of the early-onset and late-onset groups, respectively (P=0.046). Delayed development was observed in 3 (9.1%) and 7 (35%) patients of the early-onset and late-onset groups, respectively (P=0.023). Lactate levels were normal in 17 patients (55%) of the early-onset group and 5 (25%) of the late-onset group (P=0.036), while initial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were normal in 23 (67.6%) and 8 (40%) patients of the early-onset and late-onset groups, respectively. Final MRI findings were abnormal in 32 patients (94.1%) of the early-onset group and 18 (90%) of the late-onset group (P=0.036). Although ketogenic diets reduced seizure frequency in both groups, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in epilepsy-related variables when patients are divided based on a cut-off age of 6 months. However, differences in the first symptom at onset and MRI findings were observed. Although lactate levels were not of significant diagnostic value in the early-onset group, they may be in the late-onset group.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.177-206
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• 2013

The Korean government has implemented the senior employment policy as a direct job creation policy since 2004. A realistic discussion of policy alternatives and orientation for this has been given little attention even though senior employment policy has been carried out for the last 10 years and it will be expanded next year. This study tries to examine active labor market policy especially focusing on direct job creation programs and policies for the disadvantaged low-income elderly in OECD countries, and then it suggests some developmental alternatives for senior employment policy based on the study's results. The main results from this analysis are summarized in two points. Firstly, except pension policies, employment policy for older workers in the OECD countries is highly proportional to the tackling of objective factors reducing the demand for older workers (wage subsidies, reduced social security contribution rate etc). And the strategies of improving employability have not been relatively important and direct job creation policy has been marginal. Secondly, employment support policies for the low-income elderly can be divided into three types: support for the low-income elderly, alleviating early retirement and support for full employment according to the criteria which are determined by policy objectives and the social economic index. Korea's employment support policies belong to the type of direct job creation among them. This seems to be due to the fact that the rate of elderly poverty is extremely high and an income security system has not been developed in Korea. However, the policy objective is still uncertain. Therefore, this policy needs to set up clear objectives and establish a proper system for the achievement of its goals. If we focus on the strength of its employment characteristics, we need to modify the policy's plan in the perspective of labor market policy. But if we intend to keep both of the current objectives, it is better for this policy to be divided into two parts: social participation and income supplements. Or it also may be a solution to transform the system into an employment service, a training system which supports participants to move into unsubsidized jobs such as SCSEP in the U. S.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1018-1023
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• 2010

Climatic change was observed and analyzed in view of impacts on agricultural ecosystem, inter alia on rice cropping. The changed climate gave rise to earlier transplanting of rice seedling and later harvest after 40 years. Also phenological change and prolonged growth duration was observed. The meteorological data was selected from the standardized climatological data of 30 year normals of 1960s and 2000s, which were published by Korea Meteorological Administration. Development stages and growing periods of rice crop were compared by analyzing critical and optimum temperatures of each growth stage during these two periods. The first appearance date of $15^{\circ}C$ was ranged from Apr. 29 to May 23 in the year-normals of 1960s and it varied from Apr. 24 to May 16 in the normals of 2000s. The difference of the first appearance date of $15^{\circ}C$ was 0~10 days earlier in the year-normals of 2000s than the 1960s. The last harvesting date was determined to be the last appearance date of mean air temperature $15^{\circ}C$. The difference in the last appearance date of $15^{\circ}C$ was 1 to 13 days later in the year-normals of 2000s than in 1960s. The plant height of a rice variety, Hwayoung-byeo was 101~109 cm in 4 local areas, Seoul, Kangneung, Kwangju and Daegu. The plant height became 1~4 cm taller under warm condition. Rice grain yields estimated with daily weather data for the year-normals of 1960s and 2000s were 453~580 kg $10a^{-1}$ and 409~484 kg $10a^{-1}$ respectively. Rice grain yield of the former period was 50~100 kg $10a^{-1}$ higher than that hat in the later period.