• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.355-365
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• 2019

Objectives: In rural areas of Korea, where public transportation infrastructure is lacking and alternative systems are poor, the elderly experience inconveniences in using healthcare, although their need is high. This study aimed to analyze the association between the convenience of transportation and unmet healthcare needs among the rural elderly. Methods: The data used were collected in the 2016 Community Health Survey among rural elderly individuals aged 65 or older. Dependent variable was the unmet healthcare needs, explanatory variable was the convenience of transportation. The elderly were divided into 3 groups: with no driver in the household, with a driver, and the elderly individual was the driver (the self-driving group). Covariates were classified into predisposing, enabling, and need factors. They included gender, age, education, income, economic activity, household type, motor ability, subjective health level, number of chronic diseases, anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and stratification. Results: A significant association was found between the convenience of transportation and unmet healthcare needs. When examined unadjusted odds ratio of the group with a driver in the household, using the group with no driver as a reference, was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.68), while that of the self-driving group was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.30 to 0.38). The odds ratios adjusted for all factors were 0.69 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.80) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.91). Conclusions: We confirmed a significant association between inconvenient transportation and unmet healthcare needs among the rural elderly even after adjustment for existing known factors. This implies that policies aimed at improving healthcare accessibility must consider the means of transportation available.

• Proceedings of the KOR-KST Conference
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• 1997.12b
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• pp.35-72
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• 1997

This study was conducted to develop a methodology to predict utility pole accident rates and to evaluate cost-effectiveness for safety improvement for utility pole accidents. The utility pole accident rate prediction model was based on the encroachment rate approach introduced in the Transportation Research Board special Report 214. The utility pole accident rate on a section of highway depends on the roadside encroachment rate and the lateral extent of encroachment. The encroachment rate is influenced by the horizontal and vertical alignment of the highway as well as traffic volume and mean speed. The lateral extent of encroachment is affected by the horizontal and vertical alignment, the mean speed and the roadside slope. An analytical method to generate the probability distribution function for the lateral extent of encroachment was developed for six kinds of encroachment types by the horizontal alignment and encroachment direction. The encroachment rate was calibrated with the information on highway and roadside conditions and the utility pole accident records collected on the sections of 55mph speed limit of the State Trunk Highway 12 in Wisconsin. The encroachment rate on tangent segment was calibrated as a function of traffic volume with the actual average utility pole accident rates by traffic volume strategies. The adjustment factors for horizontal and vertical alignment were when derived by comparing the actual average utility pole accident rates to the estimations from the model calibrated for tangent and level sections. A computerized benefit-cost analysis procedure was then developed as a means of evaluating alternative countermeasures. The program calculates the benefit-cost ratio and the percent of reduction of utility pole accidents resulting from the implementation of a safety improvement. This program can be used to develop safety improvement alternatives for utility pole accidents when a predetermined performance level is specified.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.331-338
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• 2021

Metaverse is a compound word of 'meta' and 'universe', which means transcendence and the world. It is a digital world where daily life and economic activities are possible. While the Metaverse is being actively used as an alternative space to enjoy leisure life since COVID-19, not much academic research on Metaverse in Korea has been done yet. Based on the previous research on Metaverse in Korea and overseas we conducted a typology analysis on cultural leisure-based Metaverse and a study on its key features. Considering the current situation in which the Metaverse era is blooming we also investigated the development trends of the Metaverse and related technologies at home and abroad. We also presented the direction of advancement of the cultural leisure-based Metaverse. This study differentiates itself from previous domestic and foreign studies by discovering and analyzing theoretical models, frameworks and features in terms of society, collaboration, and leisure use through case studies. It is meaningful that this research presents directions on further Metaverse research that reflect the current information technology (IT) and changes in life.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2021

High voltage impulse (HVI) has been gained attention as an alternative technique that could control the CaCO₃ scale problems encountered in water main, pipe, cooling tower and heat exchanger vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electric field (E) and contact time (t) of HVI on reduction of Ca²⁺ concentration at two different temperatures of 25℃ and 60℃. A kinetic model on the effect of E and t was investigated too. As the E and t increased, the Ca²⁺ concentration decreased more than that of the control (= no HVI). The Ca²⁺ concentration decreased up to 81% at 15 kV/cm at 60℃, which was nearly 2 times greater than the control. With these experimental data-set of reduction of Ca²⁺ concentration under different E and t, the kinetic model was developed. The relationship between E and t required to reduce the concentration of Ca²⁺ by 30% was modeled at each temperature. The empirical model equations were; E^0.83· t = 60.3 at 25℃ and E^0.08· t = 1.1 at 60℃. These equations state the products of Eⁿ and t is always constant, which means that the required contact time can be reduced in accordance with the increment of E and vice versa.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.81-89
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• 2019

PURPOSE: To solve the problems of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients complaining of muscle fatigue and having limited motor abilities, this study provided the clinical basic data for pulmonary rehabilitation by examining the effects of High Low-Frequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on the respiratory muscle strength, quadriceps muscle activity, and life quality. METHODS: Samples were collected from 20 COPD patients and placed randomly in a low-frequency group (n=10) and high-frequency group (n=10). For a pretest, the respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), quadriceps muscle activity (LF, VM, VL), and life quality (SGRQ) were measured. After applying NMES to each group for 30 minutes at a time, five times a week, for four weeks, a posttest was conducted in the same way as the pretest. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant differences in the respiratory muscle strength, quadriceps muscle activity, and quality of life within the groups and there were significant differences in the quadriceps muscle activity between the groups. CONCLUSION: The four-weeks NMES positively influenced the respiratory muscle strength and life quality by enhancing the function of the quadriceps and exercise tolerance. In particular, high-frequency(75 Hz) NMES was more effective than low-frequency (15 Hz) NMES. This result can be an alternative means to improve the physical functions of COPD patients clinically in the future.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze effects of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction in district energy business mainly based on Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants. Firstly this paper compares the actual carbon intensity of power production between conventional power plants and district energy plants. To allocate the GHG from CHP plants, two of different methods which were Alternative Generation Method and Power Bonus Method, have been investigated. The carbon intensity of power production in district energy plants ($0.43tonCO_2e/MWh$) was relatively lower than conventional gas-fired power plants ($0.52tonCO_2e/MWh$). Secondly we assessed the cost effectiveness of reduction by district energy sector compared to the other means using TIMES model method. We find that GHG marginal abatement cost of 'expand CHP' scenario (-$134/ton$CO_2$) is even below than renewable energy scenario such as photovoltaic power generation ($87/ton$CO_2$). Finally the GHG emission reduction potential was reviewed on the projected GHG emission emitted when the same amount of energy produced in combination of conventional power plants and individual boilers as substitution of district energy. It showed there were 10.1~41.8% of GHG emission reduction potential in district energy compared to the combination of conventional power plants and individual boilers.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.41-50
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• 2018

In our society, recently, the concept of social economy stands out as an alternative to the mainstream economy in the market. It is noteworthy that although the social economy has the nature of practical field of civil society, the government has a willingness to actively support the social economy as a means of getting visible result of job creation. The social economy in Korea is being fostered by the government and understood within the framework of a very limited policy goal of providing jobs for the vulnerable. The problem is that the social value and community implications of the social economy are disappearing while the social economic organizations have higher policy status and become more and more dependent on the government's financial support. This paper suggests that the discourse on the social economy should be reconstructed while holding the problem of this situation.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.123-134
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• 2019

This paper proposed a new design equation for the inelastic lateral torsional buckling (LTB) of singly symmetric stepped I-beams with non-compact flange sections. The proposed equation was generated using a finite element program, ABAQUS, and a statistical program, MINITAB. The parameters used were the stepped beams parameters; ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, and ${\gamma}$ and the length-to-height ratio ($L_b/h$) of the beam. The proposed equation was further validated by means of experimental test, where beams were subjected to four-point bending and supported by roller and lateral braces near the end supports. In addition, finite element models were simulated using the same parameters used in the experimental test to verify the results of the test conducted. It was proved that LTB capacity calculated from the proposed equation is accurate and conservative in comparison with the yielded values from the FEM and actual test, making it a reliable and safe approach in calculating the buckling capacities of singly symmetric stepped beams with non-compact flange sections.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.171-182
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• 2019

Bicycles are a pollution-free means of transportation. In addition to leisure, the use of bicycles is increasing as alternative eco-friendly transportation. Accordingly, bicycle accidents are also increasing. The purpose of this study is to implement bicycle black box technology to identify situation when a bicycle accident occurs. Currently, bicycle black box products are mainly based on video cameras, and are commercially available by adding various functions mainly on high resolution cameras and are sold at high prices. If a bicycle accident occurs, quantitative data on the accident location at the time of the accident and the state of the bicycle at the time of the accident is required. In this study, IMU sensor used to obtain acceleration and slope, and time and coordinates are obtained. In addition, real-time acceleration and tilt data while is stored in memory card and by using Bluetooth transmit to the smart phone owned by the in real time to prevent accidents and to monitor status.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Along with industrial development, various architectural structures have become bigger and higher, leading to an expansion in the size and capacity of construction equipment. And with the development of public transportation, the use of subways as a means of transportation in the city center is increasing, so that vibrations and structural noises are emerging as a new environmental issue. Considering that architectural structures may be used from several decades to hundreds of years after the time of construction, they can be seen as semi-permanent. Due to changes in the vibration-proof polyurethane mats installed in the foundation of these structures, settling may occur and vibration reduction may become inadequate. Therefore, in view of service life, it is necessary to have a high-level standard of reliability and stability. In accordance with this, the Floating Floor System, which uses soft polyurethane foam and can be constructed within a relatively short period of time, has excellent vibration resistant characteristics. It is presented as a great alternative solution to the issue of vibrations caused by subways, railways and building structures. At present, vibration-proof polyurethane mats have been developed up to the same product level as in other advanced countries. However, in the construction of structure foundations, the physical properties of this product and its shape incur changes. If they are installed as such in the structure of a building, it may cause significant impact on stability, requiring that this cause be urgently identified and improved.