• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2009

The quality assurance (QA) is of utmost importance in biobanks when archived biomaterials are distributed to biomedical researchers. For sample authentication and cross-contamination detection, the two fundamental elements of QA, STR genotyping is usually utilized. However, the incorporated number of STR markers is highly redundant for biobanking purposes, resulting in time and cost inefficiency. An index to measure the cross-contamination detection capability of an STR marker, the mixture probability (MP), was developed. MP as well as other forensic parameters for STR markers was validated using STR genotyping data on 2328 normal Koreans with the commercial AmpFlSTR kit. For Koreans, 7 STR marker (D2S1338, FGA, D18S51, D8S1179, D13S317, D21S11, vWA) set was sufficient to provide discrimination power of ${\sim}10^{-10}$ and cross-contamination detection probability of ${sim}1$. Interestingly, similar marker sets were obtained from African Americans, Caucasian Americans, and Hispanic Americans under the same level of discrimination power. Only a small subset of commonly used STR markers is sufficient for QA purposes in biobanks. A procedure for selecting optimal STR markers is outlined using STR genotyping results from normal Korean population.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.704-715
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• 2014

This study was performed to examine attitude, perception, and sensory evaluation of Jjigae HMR (Home Meal Replacement) for Americans in the L.A. area. Attitude and perception of Jjigae were conducted by 128 consumers. The questions were as follows: 1) frequencies and attitude toward soup and stew, 2) experience and frequency of Korean food intake, 3) awareness of Korean Jjigae. A total of 69.5% of American had previous experience with Korean foods. However, the frequencies of Korean food intake were once every few months (27.4%) or once a year (18.9%). The 20.2% of consumers selected Kimchi-jjigae as the best-known Korean Jjigae, and 17.1% of consumers had previous experience with Kimchi-jjigae. However, the 23.7% of consumers did not have experienced with Jjigae. Sensory evaluation was conducted using Sundubu-jjigae and Kimchi jjigae. Overall liking and flavor liking were conducted by Americans using a nine-point scale (1: Dislike extremely - 9: Like extremely). The degree of intensity for sensory attribute was also rated using a nine-point Just-About-Right(JAR) scale (1: not nearly spicy/sour enough, 5: Just-About-Right, 9: too spicy/sour). Purchasing intention was rated using a five-point scale (1: Definitely would not purchase, 5: Definitely would purchase). Overall liking and flavor liking of two jjigae (Sundubu-jjigae & Kimchi-jjigae) had a value higher than five on the nine-point scale. The level of spiciness of Sundubu-jjigae was suitable for consumers whereas spiciness of Kimchi-jjigae was significantly different from the JAR value of five points on the nine-point JAR scale, showing that Kimchi-jjigae was significantly spicier than JAR point. Purchasing intention had a value higher than three on the five-point scale.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.124-139
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• 2013

Unlike studies of Europeans and Americans, many epidemiological studies of the Korean population have indicated that their risk for cardiovascular disease does not decrease with a vegetable-rich diet. The different dietary practices of Koreans, who consume salted vegetables instead of fresh vegetables (common in the Western diet), has been suggested as a reason for this observation. Korea is in a period of rapid epidemiologic transition, which includes dietary and disease patterns; therefore, this study investigated differences in the food consumption pattern and blood lipid profiles of Koreans compared to Europeans and Americans. The identification of dietary patterns related to blood lipid abnormalities was carried out using the 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey data from 14,056 subjects. Dietary patterns were analyzed according to food group and nutrient intake. Blood lipid abnormalities were classified into three groups: hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL cholesterolemia (hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia was 12.4%, 16.2%, and 27.7% respectively. In our analysis, the low consumption of all food groups was related to hypercholesterolemia. The high consumption of vegetable-containing foods, alcoholic beverages, and the low consumption of milk products were associated with hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Thus, unlike Europeans and Americans, the low consumption of all food groups is related to hypercholesterolemia and a low consumption of milk products is related to hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Dietary pattern might play a role in epidemiologic transition of Korean. Also, this study implies necessity of further research using longitudinal data.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Costume Conference
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.191-201
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• 2004

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.86-96
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine and compare satisfaction with Korean health care services for Americans, Chinese and Russians who resided in Korea. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 252 participants (81 Americans, 89 Chinese, 82 Russians). Three focus group interviews were subsequently conducted in order to obtain a greater understanding of participants' experience and perspectives. Results: The average satisfaction score was 3.09, with Americans and Russians showing significantly higher scores than Chinese. Overall, participants reported higher satisfaction in 'Facility', 'Quality of care' and 'Nursing services' as opposed to 'Information/education'. 'Care with cultural respect' as well as communication related services. Data from the focus group interviews were categorized into 12 sub-categories, 7 categories and 2 themes. The two themes were common experience and contrasting experience. Common experience included 4 categories, 'Quality of care', 'Hospital facility and health care system', 'Language barrier' and 'Information and education'. Contrasting experience included 3 categories, 'Medical cost', 'Health care personnel' and 'Accessibility'. Conclusion: Results of this study provide basic knowledge on foreign residents' satisfaction and experience with Korean health care services. Further research is needed with foreigners from different cultural backgrounds. Administrative and educational efforts are required to improve communication skills and cultural competency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.671-679
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• 2010

This study investigated the perception, evaluation, and the possibility for globalizing Korean foods and Yak-sun among different nationalities of foreigners living in Korea. A survey was conducted with 171 foreigners (eastern Asian, southeastern and central Asian, European, and American). The questionnaire was composed of three parts, including perception, evaluation, and the possibility for globalizing Korean foods and Yak-sun. The reason for choosing Korean foods cited by southeastern and central Asians and Americans was "taste", whereas eastern Asians and Europeans chose "culture" and "curiosity", respectively. Americans and Europeans considered "spiciness" as a reason not to choose Korean foods (P<0.001). Regarding the possibility of globalizing Korean foods, eastern Asians and Americans/Europeans/southeast Asians and central Asians responded "Korean dining culture" and "incomprehensive menus", respectively (P<0.05). An "explanation of the menu to foreigners" was regarded as the main suggestion for globalizing Korean food. Most of the respondents understood that Yak-sun is an oriental medicinal food that provides improved health and disease prevention. A number of Europeans and Americans expressed high interest in the conceptualization of Yak-sun (P<0.001). With regard to the priority for developing Yak-sun, eastern Asians, southeastern and central Asians, and Europeans picked out "health status improvement", whereas "improved nutritional status" was manifested in the majority of the American's responses (P<0.001). Therefore, it is crucial that "localization" be applied to Korean foods and Yak-sun to meet the international standard. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide simplified and correct Korean food content information to foreigners.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.154-171
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• 2006

By comparing to Chinese American banks, this research shows the uniqueness of Korean American banks. This article argues that instead of the cultural attributes and/or informal financial institutions, formal financial institutions, such as the ethnic banks studied here, are responsible for the business success of Asians abroad. However, ethnic banks have different development trajectories depending on their respective ethnic communities. Korean American banks are notably different from Chinese American banks in terms of growth, profitability, and banking strategies. Although both ethnic banks exercise relationship banking strategies in their loan portfolios, their deposit compositions are very different and cause significant differences in financial performance. The focus on business loans and high rates of non-interest deposits allow for higher growth rates in Korean American banks. Therefore, relationship banking does not adequately explain the differences of ethnic banks. This research attempts to understand the underlying factors in choosing banking strategies by mainly focusing on the unique examples found in Korean and Chinese immigrant societies. For Chinese Americans, the heterogeneity of their population composition and foreign influence dominate their bank structures. On the other hand, Korean American homogeneity and business orientation are distinctly different. The influence of Korean capital is not significant when compared to overseas Chinese capital.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2007

This study focuses on the relationship between ethnic identity of Asian-Americans and their appreciation of their ethnic body features, based on reference group theory. A convenience sample of 60 male and 52 female students from various Asian ethnicities attending a mid-western university was used for the study. A 2 (gender) by 2 (ethnic identification) by 2 (socializing group) analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on body image satisfaction as dependent variable and Body Mass Index score as a covariate was conducted. A significant main effect of ethnic identification was found, which indicates the more respondents identified with their ethnic group, the more likely they were to be satisfied with their appearance. The social group affiliation main effect was not significant. The impact of ethnic identification was significant only for those respondents who socialize more with Americans than with Asians. The results support the idea that one's ethnic group functions as a reference group, which influences body image appraisals.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.153-176
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• 2006

This paper examines "Difference in Requests." The study of speech acts is a crucial area in sociolinguistics and ethnolinguistics, and has aided in the development of TESOL. It also provides a useful means of relating linguistic form and communicative intent. This paper concentrated on 3 request strategies, which were requests made with an explanation, requests made without an explanation and no requests. The purpose of this study, and of concern in TESOL, was to discover whether Koreans framed their requests differently under different conditions. Based on these differences, I wanted to ascertain whether Koreans who spoke English as a second language, and who have lived in the United States, frame their requests as they would in their native tongues thus creating the potential for sociolinguistic failure, or use American sociolinguistic style. As the results of the study, it was found that in the majority of cases, Americans made an explanation with a request. In many cases the Koreans living in Korea would not give an explanation when making a request. Rather, they were direct in request. In many cases the Korean speaking English and living in the US had adopted the American request strategy of giving an explanation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.59-77
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• 1997

Multicultural literature serves as a device for mutual understanding of different cultural. racial, and ethnic groups. This sort of literature is like a window through which a reader can see what other value systems are. It also helps minority children discover their own cultural past and develop a sense of belonging. The purpose of this study is to investigate the general characteristics of East Asian American characters in English language children's fiction and to highlight the differences among three groups : Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans, and Korean Americans.