• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2004

This study is to investigate the amount of biased estimates for heritability and genetic correlation according to data structure on marbling scores in Korean cattle. Breeding population with 5 generations were simulated by way of selection for carcass weight, Longissimus muscle area and latent values of marbling scores and random mating. Latent variables of marbling scores were categorized into five by the thresholds of 0, I, 2, and 3 SD(DSI) or seven by the thresholds of -2, -1, 0,1I, 2, and 3 SD(DS2). Variance components and genetic pararneters(Heritabilities and Genetic correlations) were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood on multivariate linear mixed animal models and by Gibbs sampling algorithms on multivariate threshold mixed animal models in DS1 and DS2. Simulation was performed for 10 replicates and averages and empirical standard deviation were calculated. Using REML, heritabilitis of marbling score were under-estimated as 0.315 and 0.462 on DS1 and DS2, respectively, with comparison of the pararneter(0.500). Otherwise, using Gibbs sampling in the multivariate threshold animal models, these estimates did not significantly differ to the parameter. Residual correlations of marbling score to other traits were reduced with comparing the parameters when using REML algorithm with assuming linear and normal distribution. This would be due to loss of information and therefore, reduced variation on marbling score. As concluding, genetic variation of marbling would be well defined if liability concepts were adopted on marbling score and implemented threshold mixed model on genetic parameter estimation in Korean cattle.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.228-235
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• 2009

Growth and branch characteristics of 35 half-sib families were surveyed in a seedling seed orchard of Quercus acutissima at ages 10 and 12. The averages of height, DBH (diameter at breast height), branch height, crown width, branch angle and stem straightness at age 12 were 9.96 m, 14.50 cm, 1.04 m, 6.80 m, $18.82^{\circ}$ and 2.58, respectively. Families of 075 and 052 showed superior height growth and 0511 and 0517 were inferior ones. For DBH growth, 075 and 0413 were best families and 0725 and 0511 were inferior families. Pearson's product moment and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were all positive for all growth traits except branch angle at ages 10 and 12. This result showed that the families with good height and DBH growth were also superior in stem straightness. In ANOVA, there was a highly significant difference among families in height, DBH, cylindric volume and stem straightness. Branch height, crown width and branch angle were also significantly different among families. Family heritability was higher than individual heritability at ages 10 and 12. Height, DBH and stem straightness were under strong genetic control, showing high family heritability. This implies that high genetic gain could be expected by family selection. Expected genetic gain for each trait was estimated based on the family selection. The highest genetic gain was expected for the traits of branch angle, height and DBH because of the large phenotypic standard deviation and the high family heritability. The growth performance and branch characteristics were weighted by the magnitude of genetic variation and heritability. The weighted values were then subjected to estimate family breeding values. This family breeding value would be applied as a criterion in the genetic thinning of the seed orchard.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.239-251
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• 2019

Statistical methods such as moving averages, Kalman filtering, exponential smoothing, regression analysis, and ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) have been used for stock market predictions. However, these statistical methods have not produced superior performances. In recent years, machine learning techniques have been widely used in stock market predictions, including artificial neural network, SVM, and genetic algorithm. In particular, a case-based reasoning method, known as k-nearest neighbor is also widely used for stock price prediction. Case based reasoning retrieves several similar cases from previous cases when a new problem occurs, and combines the class labels of similar cases to create a classification for the new problem. However, case based reasoning has some problems. First, case based reasoning has a tendency to search for a fixed number of neighbors in the observation space and always selects the same number of neighbors rather than the best similar neighbors for the target case. So, case based reasoning may have to take into account more cases even when there are fewer cases applicable depending on the subject. Second, case based reasoning may select neighbors that are far away from the target case. Thus, case based reasoning does not guarantee an optimal pseudo-neighborhood for various target cases, and the predictability can be degraded due to a deviation from the desired similar neighbor. This paper examines how the size of learning data affects stock price predictability through k-nearest neighbor and compares the predictability of k-nearest neighbor with the random walk model according to the size of the learning data and the number of neighbors. In this study, Samsung electronics stock prices were predicted by dividing the learning dataset into two types. For the prediction of next day's closing price, we used four variables: opening value, daily high, daily low, and daily close. In the first experiment, data from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2017 were used for the learning process. In the second experiment, data from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 were used for the learning process. The test data is from January 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018 for both experiments. We compared the performance of k-NN with the random walk model using the two learning dataset. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 1.3497 for the random walk model and 1.3570 for the k-NN for the first experiment when the learning data was small. However, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for the random walk model was 1.3497 and the k-NN was 1.2928 for the second experiment when the learning data was large. These results show that the prediction power when more learning data are used is higher than when less learning data are used. Also, this paper shows that k-NN generally produces a better predictive power than random walk model for larger learning datasets and does not when the learning dataset is relatively small. Future studies need to consider macroeconomic variables related to stock price forecasting including opening price, low price, high price, and closing price. Also, to produce better results, it is recommended that the k-nearest neighbor needs to find nearest neighbors using the second step filtering method considering fundamental economic variables as well as a sufficient amount of learning data.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.238-250
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• 2023

This study aims to explore the effect of an appropriate technology program related to water acquisition and purification on scientific attitudes and creative problem-solving skills in elementary school students. Thus, this study developed a learning program related to the appropriate technology composed of 8 sessions, and some were for exploring water acquisition-related scientific principles and the appropriated technology of Warka Tower, and the others were for conducting water purification-related inquiry experiments, such as Life Straw and Drinkable Book, and the last two sessions were for presenting practical tasks through creative ideas and designs and carrying out the relevant campaign activities. For research subjects, this study selected 51 students from two sixth-grade classes, and after modifying the scientific attitude questionnaire and the creative problem-solving skill questionnaire fit for the environment and situation, this study conducted a paired-sample t-test by applying both the questionnaires before and after this program. In addition, while looking into the correlation between scientific attitudes and creative problem-solving skills, based on the post-test results, this study examined relationships between sub-domains perceived by the students after this program was applied. The results can be summarized as below. Out of all the scientific attitudes, curiosity, openness, cooperation, and creativity showed statistically significant results with an increase in the average value when their overall averages of the pre-test were compared with those of the post-test. With creative problem-solving skills, the domain of mastering a specific area and the domain of divergent thinking showed statistically significant results. The correlation analysis results showed that cooperation out of the scientific attitudes had a significant correlation with all the domains of creative problem-solving skills, especially showing the highest correlation coefficient with such sub-domains as critical and logical thinking. All the four domains of creative problem-solving skills showed a number of significant correlations with the sub-domains of scientific attitudes. Through the research results above, this study has several implications on how and where to apply such appropriate technology-related topics in the future and various responses from students.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1856-1864
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient intake status of university students in Chuncheon area (175 males and 131 females). This study was conducted by employing a self-administered questionnaire. Dietary assessment was measured by a 24-h recall method. The average height and weight of male students were $175.2{\pm}6.2cm$ and $68.2{\pm}9.9kg$, respectively. For female students, average values were $161.7{\pm}5.2cm$ and $55.1{\pm}6.5kg$, respectively. The mean BMIs for both male and female students were 22.2 and 21.1, respectively. In both male and female students, the rate of skipping breakfast was high. Daily averages for energy, carbohydrates, protein, and fat intakes in male students were significantly higher than those of female students (P<0.001). For male students, protein, vitamin B1, P, Fe, and Na were above recommended nutrient intake and adequate intake, whereas for female students, they were protein, vitamin A, P, and Na. For male students, nutrient intakes for Ca, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, and vitamin $B_6$ were below the estimated average requirement (EAR) by at least 50% or more, whereas for female students, they were vitamin C, Fe, vitamin $B_6$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, folate, and Ca. Ca was alarmingly low, with more than 75% of both male and female students showing levels below the EAR. Therefore, it is important that nutritional education be facilitated for college students to take responsibility of their own health through learning about nutrient intake as well as developing positive eating habits.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1234-1242
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate BMI, dietary behavior, and nutrient intake status according to frequency of breakfast intake in female college students (n=253) in Chuncheon area. This study was conducted by employing a self-administered questionnaire. Dietary assessment was measured by the 24-h recall method. The subjects were divided into two groups by frequency of breakfast: Five to seven times per week (eating breakfast group, n=139) and none to four times per week (skipping breakfast group, n=114). The living with parents group showed significant high frequency of breakfast intake, whereas the self-boarding group showed significant low frequency of breakfast intake. The body image satisfaction score of the 5~7 times/week group was higher than that of the 0~4 times/week group. The average height and weight of the 5~7 times/week group were $161.0{\pm}0.1cm$ and $52.6{\pm}7.6kg$, respectively, whereas those of the 0~4 times/week group were $160.7{\pm}0.1cm$ and $57.1{\pm}11.8kg$, respectively. The average body mass index (BMI) values of the 5~7 times/week and 0~4 times/week groups were $19.8{\pm}1.9kg/m^2$ and $21.5{\pm}3.4kg/m^2$, respectively. The dietary behavior score of the 5~7 times/week group was higher than that of the 0~4 times/week group. The daily averages for energy, carbohydrate, and protein intakes in the 5~7 times/week group were significantly higher than those of the 0~4 times/week group. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, vitamin $B_6$, P, Zn, and cholesterol in the 5~7 times/week group were significantly higher than those of the 0~4 times/week group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that resident type was the most significant variable associated with breakfast intake frequency. Therefore, strengthening dietary education programs that largely focus on resident type will greatly contribute to prevent skipping breakfast.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.341-356
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• 1975

This study was carried out to evaluate three winter active synthetic varieties in a succeeding generations of improvement and polycross progenies of seven genotypes selected at the cool and wet climate of the Western Oregon, in their performance of the polycross progeny test comparing with a control variety, high yielding 'Fawn', at Daejon, Korea. Various plant and leaf characteristics, especially related to photosynthesis, and forage production during the first summer after the establishment were examined. The important conclusions of this study are summarized as follows: 1. The differences of leaf fresh weight among groups and control exhibit genetic differences. The a verage of leaf fresh weight of polycross progeny group was the heaviest and those of winter active synthetic varieties in the succeeding generations of improvement was heavier than variety 'fawn'. Within polycross progeny group the genotypes exhibit genetic differences for leaf dry weight. 2. The leaf area exhibited genetic differences among groups and control. The average of winter active synthetic varieties in a succeeding generation was larger than variety 'Fawn'. Those oi the polycross progeny group was the largest among groups and control. 3. Differences of specific leaf weight(S. L. W.) among and within varieties, genotypes and control were not significant. Further investigation in this respect is necessary through the study of the diurnal change in S. L. W. 4. Differences of leaf width among groups and control exhibited genetic differences. The average leaf width of winter active varieties was larger than those of 'Fawn' variety. And those of polycross progenies of genotypes was the largest. 5. Plant height of 'fawn' variety in the first measurement was higher than those of winter active tall fescue varieties and genotypes. The deviation in plant height among polyeross progenies of seven genotypes gave a great deviation. The regrowth ability of plant height was not different suggesting that this characteristics was about the same among and within groups and control. 6. Plant width, spreading ability, improved through the succeeding generations of the improvement of the winter active synthetic varieties for the first measurement. Differences of plant width at the second measurement among genotypes within polycross progeny group were big enough to show the genetic difference. 7. Tiller number of the winter active synthetic varieties and the average of genotypes in polycross progeny was more than those of the control 'Fawn' in the first measurement. On the second measurement, the differences of tiller number appeared among three synthetic varieties indicating improvement, and there were genetic differences among seven genotypes in polycross progeny test. 8. Forage yield on the first cutting showed a considerble improvement of forage yield in the more advanced generation of synthetic varieties and genetic differences among seven genotypes in the polycross progeny test. The average of polycross progeny group was higher than those of the control or three winter active varieties. It was suggested that we could make a further improvement for the forage yield. 9. The regrowth ability of these winter active varieties and genotypes was about the same capacity at least on the measurement of the regrowth in forage yield and plant height during summer. 10. On the whole, the averages of the polycross progeny group was in the highest value and those of synthetic varieties were higher than the control variety, 'Fawn', for the most characteristics except S. L. W. and the plant height on the first measurement even though the differences were not always significant. And there were genetic differences among seven gentypes in their performance of the polycross progeny. 11. Although it was not always sgnificant, the most advanced winter active variety, '1002', had in the highest value for all plant characteristics and forage yield measurements than the other two varieties, '1001'. 12. The results of the association study among various characteristics were quite agreeable and would be useful in the selection of desirable genotypes for the development of a better variety.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.70-83
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• 1999

The birth of a premature infant is distressing for its parents. The parents of a premature infant experience stress according to the infant's physical appearance and behavior, the environment of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) , and the alteration in the parental role. Especially, a mother of a premature infant feels distressed even after the discharge of the infant : therefore, she has difficulties in maternal role performance. The main purpose of this study is to identify the effects of the planned infant care information program in order to lower the stress level for mothers of premature infants caused by the birth and hospitalization in NICU of premature infants, to reduce the maternal role strain, and to promote the maternal role performance after the infants' discharge. This study employed two methods of research at the same time : quasi -experimental non-equivalent pre and post test to compare : non-equivalent post test to compare. The total number of subjects was 19 who were assigned to the research program : 12 mothers of premature infants at the NICU at the Ch university hospital and 7 at the NICU at the Y general hospital located in Chounju city. The data were collected for 79 days from August 18 to November 5, 1998. The questionnaire method was applied for the data collection, and the measures used in this study were Parental Stressor Scale : NICU(Miles, 1993), the Maternal Role Strain Measures ( Hobbs, 1968 ; Steffensmeier, 1982) , and Self Confidence Scale (Pharis, 1978). Research procedure is as follows : after preliminary examination, the experimental subjects, the mothers of premature infants at the Nl CU at Ch university hospital were provided with slide films and information developed by the researcher based on existing documents and data. It took two 60-minute sessions a week for two weeks, and the mothers' stress level was measured using the same instrument twice one week and two week after the infants' hospitalization. The stress level of the contrast subjects, the mothers at Y general hospital was measured during the same period. The experimental subjects were provided with booklets on matters that require attention after the infants' discharge and on developmental project, and they were educated to play the maternal role in person for 2-3 hours a week : breast-feeding, burping a baby, and changing diapers. One week after the infants' discharge, the maternal role strain and the maternal role performance were examined in two groups of the subjects. The analysis of collected data was done using descriptive statistics including real numbers, percentages, averages, and standard deviations. Mann-Whitney test ; x² test ; Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance ; ANCOVA Spearman's rho correlation coefficients. The results on this study were as follows. (1) The examination of the same quality showed that there were no differences in the general and obstetrical characters between the two groups. However, in terms of the characters of premature infants. just right after their birth, the infants at the contrast group weighed more than those at the experimental group(U=16.5, p=.02), and the former was in mother's womb longer than the latter(U=15.5, p=.02). (2) The stress level of the mothers provided with the plannned nursing intervention program became lower as time passed compared to the others'(F=16.61, p=.00) Even when the influence of weight at birth and the length of gestation was removed among the premature infants' characters, the mothers' stress levels made a statistical difference 2 weeks after the infants' hospitalization depending on treatment (F=8.00, p=.01) (3) The maternal role strain of the mothers provided with the planned nursing intervention program was lower than the others'(U=2.0, p=.00). Even when the influence of weight at birth and the length of gestation was removed among the premature infants' characters, the maternal role strain levels made a statistical difference 2 weeks after the infants' hospitalization, depending on treatment(F=14.72, p=.00). (4) The maternal role performance level of the mothers provided with the planned nursing program was higher than the others'(U=.0, p=.00). Even when the influence of weight at birth and the length of gestation was removed among the premature infants' characters, the mothers' stress levels made a statistical difference 2 weeks after the infants' hospitalization, depending on treatment(F=8.00, p=.01). (5) The correlation between a mother's stress level 2 weeks after her infant's hospitalization, the maternal role strain and the maternal role performance were compared : the stress and the maternal role strain were statistically irrelevant to each other(r=.33, p=.12) : the stress was found to be in inverse proportion to the maternal role performance(r=-.53, p=.02). The maternal role strain was in inverse proportion to the maternal role performance as well(r=-.50, p=.00). In conclusion, for the mothers provided with the planned nursing intervention program, their stress level was getting lower as time passed during the infants' hospitalization, their maternal role strain reduced when they took care of their infants after their discharge, and their maternal role performance level was high compared to the other mothers. Besides, the lower the stress level of mothers of premature infants was during the infants' hospitalization, the higher the maternal role performance after their discharge was. The lower maternal role strain was, the higher the maternal role performance was as well. These results of the study suggested that the nursing intervention program for the mothers of premature infants developed by the researcher would be effectively applied to nursing practice, and it would be a foundation for the development of this kind of program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1649-1657
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the body mass index (BMI), dietary intake attitudes, and nutrient intake status according to sugar-containing food intake frequency of 409 college students in Gyeonggi-do. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to sugar-containing food intake frequency: rare intake group (n=113), average intake group (n=195), and frequent intake group (n=101). The average height and weight (P<0.001) of each group were $163.8{\pm}0.11cm$ and $52.9{\pm}8.6kg$, $164.4{\pm}0.1cm$ and $56.2{\pm}6.4kg$, and $167.9{\pm}0.1cm$ and $68.0{\pm}15.7kg$, respectively. The average BMIs of the groups were $19.6{\pm}2.3$, $20.7{\pm}0.8$, and $24.0{\pm}2.7$, respectively (P<0.001). Dietary intake attitude scores of the groups were $30.73{\pm}5.68$, $30.11{\pm}5.51$, and $28.00{\pm}5.31$, respectively (P<0.001). As a result of nutrient intake status, daily averages of energy and carbohydrate intake of the frequent intake group were significantly higher than those of the rare intake group (P<0.05). On the other hand, vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, and vitamin C intakes of the rare intake group were significantly higher than those of the frequent intake group (P<0.05). Using multiple regression analysis, we found that BMI was the most significant variable affecting sugar-containing food intake. Therefore, nutrition education is necessary to improve nutrient intake while considering sugar intake for maintenance of healthy weight.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.51-89
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• 2007

INTRODUCTION Due to the high broadband internet penetration rate and its group-oriented culture, various types of online communities operate in Korea. This study use 'Uses and Gratification Approach, and argue that members' usage-needs satisfaction with brand community is an important factor for promoting community commitment. Based on previous studies identifying the effect of brand image on consumers' responses to various marketing stimuli, this study hypothesizes that brand image can be a moderate variable affecting the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction with brand community and members' commitment to brand community. This study analyzes the influence of usage-needs satisfaction on brand community commitment and how apparel brand image affects the relationships between usage-needs satisfactions and community commitments. The hypotheses of this study are proposed as follows. H1-3: The usage-needs satisfaction of apparel brand community (interest, transaction, relationship needs) influences emotional (H1), continuous (H2), and normative (H3) commitments to apparel brand communities. H4-6: Apparel brand image has a moderating effect on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and emotional (H4), continuous (H5), and normative (H6) commitments to apparel brand communities. METHODS Brand communities founded by non-company affiliates were excluded and emphasis was placed instead on communities created by apparel brand companies. Among casual apparel brands registered in 6 Korean portal sites in August 2003, a total of 9 casual apparel brand online communities were chosen, depending on the level of community activity and apparel brand image. Data from 317 community members were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, moderated regression analysis, ANOVA, and scheffe test. Among 317 respondents answered an online html-type questionnaire, 80.5% were between 16 to 25 years old. There were a total of 150 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=3) recording higher-than-average brand image scores (Mean > 3.75) and a total of 162 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=6) recording lower-than-average brand image scores(Mean < 3.75). In this study, brand community commitment was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: emotional, continuous and normative commitment. The degree of usage-needs satisfaction (interest, transaction, relationship needs) was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The level of brand image was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: strength, favorability, and uniqueness of brand associations. RESULTS In the results of exploratory factor analysis, the three usage-needs satisfactions with brand community were classified as interest, transaction, and relationship needs. Brand community commitment was also divided into the multi-dimensional factors: emotional, continuous, and normative commitments. The regression analysis (using a stepwise method) was used to test the influence of 3 independent variables (interest-needs satisfaction, transaction-needs, and relationship-needs satisfactions) on the 3 dependent variables (emotional, continuous and normative commitments). The three types of usage-needs satisfactions are positively associated with the three types of commitments to apparel brand communities. Therefore, hypothesis 1, 2, and 3 were significantly supported. Moderating effects of apparel brand image on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and brand community commitments were tested by moderated regression analysis. The statistics result showed that the influence of transaction-needs on emotional commitment was significantly moderated by apparel brand image. In addition, apparel brand image had moderating effects on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and emotional, continuous and normative commitments to apparel brand communities. However, there were not significant moderate effects of apparel brand image on the relationships between interest-needs satisfaction and 3 types of commitments (emotional, continuous and normative commitments) to apparel brand communities. In addition, the influences of transaction-needs satisfaction on 2 types of commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were not significantly moderated by apparel brand image. Therefore, hypothesis 4, 5 and 6 were partially supported. To explain the moderating effects of apparel brand image, four cross-tabulated groups were made by averages of usage-needs satisfaction (interest-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.09, transaction-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.46, relationship-needs satisfaction M=1.62) and the average apparel brand image (M=3.75). The average scores of commitments in each classified group are presented in Tables and Figures. There were significant differences among four groups. As can be seen from the results of scheffe test on the tables, emotional commitment in community group with high brand image was higher than one in community group with low brand image when transaction-needs satisfaction was high. However, when transaction-needs satisfaction was low, there was not any difference between the community group with high brand image and community group with low brand image regarding emotional commitment to apparel brand communities. It means that emotional commitment didn't increase significantly without high satisfaction of transaction-needs, despite the high apparel brand image. In addition, when apparel brand image was low, increase in transaction-needs did not lead to the increase in emotional commitment. Therefore, the significant relationship between transaction-needs satisfaction and emotional commitment was found in only brand communities with high apparel brand image, and the moderating effect of apparel brand image on this relationship between two variables was found in the communities with high satisfaction of transaction-needs only. Statistics results showed that the level of emotional commitment is related to the satisfaction level of transaction-needs, while overall response is related to the level of apparel brand image. We also found that the role of apparel brand image as a moderating factor was limited by the level of transaction-needs satisfaction. In addition, relationship-needs satisfaction brought significant increase in emotional commitment in both community groups (high and low levels of brand image), and the effect of apparel brand image on emotional commitment was significant in both community groups (high and low levels of relationship-needs satisfaction). Especially, the effect of brand image was greater when the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was high. in contrast, increase in emotional commitment responding to increase in relationship-needs satisfaction was greater when apparel brand image is high. The significant influences of relationship-needs satisfaction on community commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were found regardless of apparel brand image(in both community groups with low and high brand image). However, the effects of apparel brand image on continuous and normative commitments were found in only community group with high satisfaction level of relationship-needs. In the case of communities with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, apparel brand image marginally increases continuous and normative commitments. Therefore, we could not find the moderating effect of apparel brand image on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and continuous and normative commitments in community groups with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS From the results of this study, we draw several conclusions; First, the increases in usage-needs satisfactions through apparel brand communities result in the increases in commitments to apparel brand communities, wheres the degrees of such relationship depends on the level of apparel brand image. That is, apparel brand image is a moderating factor strengthening the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and commitment to apparel brand communities. In addition, the effect of apparel brand image differs, depending on the level and types of community usage-needs satisfactions. Therefore, marketers of apparel brand companies must determine the appropriate usage-needs, depending on the type of commitment they wish to increase and the level of their apparel brand image, to promote member's commitments to apparel brand communities. Especially, relationship-needs satisfaction was very important factor for increasing emotional, continuous and normative commitments to communities. However the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was lower than interest-needs and transaction-needs. satisfaction. According to previous study on apparel brand communities, relationship-need satisfaction was strongly related to member's intention of participation in their communities. Therefore, marketers need to develope various strategies in order to increase the relationship- needs as well as interest and transaction needs. In addition, despite continuous commitment was higher than emotional and normative commitments, all types of commitments to apparel brand communities had scores lower than 3.0 that was mid point in 5-point scale. A Korean study reported that the level of members' commitment to apparel brand community influenced customers' identification with a brand and brand purchasing behavior. Therefore, marketers should try to increase members' usage-needs satisfaction and apparel brand image as the necessary conditions for bringing about community commitments. Second, marketers should understand that they should keep in mind that increasing the level of community usage needs (transaction and relationship) is most effective in raising commitment when the level of apparel brand image is high, and that increasing usage needs (transaction needs) satisfaction in communities with low brand image might not be as effective as anticipated. Therefore, apparel companies with desirable brand image such as luxury designer goods firms need to create formal online brand communities (as opposed to informal communities with rudimentary online contents) to satisfy transaction and relationship needs systematically. It will create brand equity through consumers' increased emotional, continuous and normative commitments. Even though apparel brand is very famous, emotional commitment to apparel brand communities cannot be easily increased without transaction-needs satisfaction. Therefore famous fashion brand companies should focus on developing various marketing strategies to increase transaction-needs satisfaction.