• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.67-77
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• 2020

Purpose : Recently, Korea has entered an aging society due to the steadily increasing proportion of the elderly population. Additionally, elderly suicidal rate in Korea is the highest among OECD member countries. Because old age is a time when all functions are weakened physically, mentally, and socially, negative experiences, including depression and poor quality of life in the elderly, may lead to suicidal intentions. This study attempts to understand the relationship between depression and quality of life experienced by the elderly and their suicidal intentions. Methods : The survey was conducted from January 2 to March 31, 2019 by administering a questionnaire targeting people aged ≥ 65 years, who were registered at public health centers located in U-city, Gyeonggi-do. In total, 1,015 copies of data were used for the final analysis. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. The χ2 test was performed to investigate the relationship between the demographic characteristics and the suicidal intentions of the elderly subjects. The t-test was performed to determine the relationship between suicidal intentions, depression, and quality of life in elderly subjects. Results : The study results revealed that 168 people (16.6 %) had thought of suicide and 3.2 % had actually tried to commit suicide. The reasons for suicidal thoughts were family problems in 60 (5.6 %), economic problems in 49 (4.6 %), and physical illness in 44 (4.1 %). Those with suicidal intentions had higher levels of depression (t=11.712, p<.001) and higher quality of life scores (t=-9.565, p<.001). Conclusion : Based on these results, it is proposed that a suicide prevention policy and program that can improve the elderly's depression and quality of life is necessary.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.553-563
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• 2020

Suicide is one of the major social problems in Korea, and its suicide rate is highest among the OECD countries. It has been reported that employment instability in labour market is causal factor of suicide ideation. Because the unemployed and temporary or part-time workers are reported to have high level of suicide ideation due to unstable job security, and they are likely to be a high risk group for suicide, it is necessary to do in-depth research on the effect of job stability on suicide ideation and the protective factors. For this purpose this study investigates the relationship between employment status and suicide ideation, and examine the moderating effect of family function. Data of 1,235 adults from the national-wide 'Longitudinal Study of Suicide Survivors' Mental Health were analyzed. Employment status were associated with the level of suicide ideation(B=-.904, p<.001), and the level of suicide ideation was the highest in the unemployed group. And the moderating effect of family function was statistically significant(B=-.218, p<.05), and good family function buffers the effect of unstable job status on suicide as a protective factor. Based on these findings, policy and practical implications for suicide prevention for precarious employment from the family dimension are discussed.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.28
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• pp.2.1-2.7
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• 2013

Objectives Tricalcium phosphate and calcium hydrogenorthophosphate are high production volume chemicals, mainly used as foodstuff additives, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, synthetic resin, and disinfectants. Phosphate has the potential to cause increased algal growth leading to eutrophication in the aquatic environment. However, there is no adequate information available on risk assessment or acute and chronic toxicity. The aim of this research is to evaluate the toxic potential of phosphate compounds in the aquatic environment. Methods An aquatic toxicity test of phosphate was conducted, and its physico-chemical properties were obtained from a database recommended in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidance manual. An ecotoxicity test using fish, Daphnia, and algae was conducted by the good laboratory practice facility according to the OECD TG guidelines for testing of chemicals, to secure reliable data. Results The results of the ecotoxicity tests of tricalcium phosphate and calcium hydrogenorthophosphate are as follows: In an acute toxicity test with Oryzias latipes, 96 hr 50% lethal concentration ($LC_{50}$) was >100 (measured:>2.14) mg/L and >100 (measured: >13.5) mg/L, respectively. In the Daphnia test, 48 hr 50% effective concentration ($EC_{50}$) was >100 (measured: >5.35) mg/L and >100 (measured: >2.9) mg/L, respectively. In a growth inhibition test with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, 72 hr $EC_{50}$ was >100 (measured: >1.56) mg/L and >100 (measured: >4.4) mg/L, respectively. Conclusions Based on the results of the ecotoxicity test of phosphate using fish, Daphnia, and algae, $L(E)C_{50}$ was above 100 mg/L (nominal), indicating no toxicity. In general, the total phosphorus concentration including phosphate in rivers and lakes reaches levels of several ppm, suggesting that phosphate has no toxic effects. However, excessive inflow of phosphate into aquatic ecosystems has the potential to cause eutrophication due to algal growth.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 2012

The present study was conducted to assess the suitability of domestic natural waters as a Daphnia magna culture medium. In order to assess survival rate and reproductive output, young female daphnids (parent animals), aged less than 24 hours at the start of the test and produced in the Elendt M4 medium, were exposed to Elendt M4 medium, de-chlorinated tap water, and natural mineral water for 21 days. D. magna cultured in Elendt M4 medium (reference medium) and natural mineral water met the criteria of OECD No. 211, Daphnia magna Reproduction Test Guidelines in terms of percent adult survival, first day of reproduction, and average young production. However, the mortalities of adult daphnids observed in de-chlorinated tap water were more than 20% in two reproduction tests for 21 days. Mortality was observed on exposure days 13, 15, and 18 in de-chlorinated water. The use of D. magna is recommended in water of hardness >80 mg $CaCO_3\;L^{-1}$. However, the hardness of de-chlorinated tap water used in the present study was 50~53 mg $CaCO_3\;L^{-1}$. Therefore, it is judged that the delayed mortalities observed in de-chlorinated tap water were caused by a rapid decreased in hardness when the medium was changed from Elendt M4 to de-chlorinated tap water. When D. magna is cultured using domestic natural waters (underground water, surface water, and de-chlorinated water), the quality-control (QC) data should be maintained through a standardization for health assessment method, toxicity test method using reference chemical, test intervals of reference toxicant toxicity test, and data treatment and interpretation. In the long term, national research programs are needed for the development of test species which are representative of domestic aquatic environmental conditions among indigenous daphnids.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2006

Purpose: It can be said that the aged belong to the group vulnerable to safety accidents. The purpose of this study was to investigate safety accidents to old people and provide basic data to prevent them from being in a safety accident. Result : 1. The number of the aged of traffic accident fatalities per 100,000 persons was 57.8, which was significantly higher than other OECD countries. 2. trauma for the aged, falling accounted for 60.6%, which was relatively higher than other wounds, probably because of decreased capacity of movement and reduced faculty of sensation. 3. accidents to the aged at home, 43.9% occurred in a room, which shows great risk of safety accidents to the aged in a room. 4. the aged generally showed negative awareness of social safety. Suggestion : 1. it is necessary to provide regular education about accidents through the mass media and at social welfare facilities in order for aged people to consolidate safety consciousness repeatedly. 2. it is necessary to make a brief and clear guide to prevention of accidents. 3. the Ministry of Construction and Transportation and the Ministry of Health and Welfare should give priority to designing a building for aged people and authorize construction according to the standards for establishing safety facilities for the aged. 4. it is necessary to change social consciousness. since transportation accidents can be caused not by aged people's insufficient safety consciousness but by that of all the people, it is necessary to provide society-wide education programs against dangerous driving in order to guarantee aged people's safety. 5. legal procedure to secure aged people's safety should be strengthened to reinforce legal protection for them.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2020

Objective : The suicide mortality rate among Koreans was ranked first among the OECD countries in 2018. Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior. This study examined the relationship between the severity of subjects' drinking habits and the suicidal ideation among Koreans according to gender and age. Methods : The data of 113,602 people who visited the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Health Screening Center from January 2013 to December 2014 were used. The severity of subjects' harmful drinking habits was assessed using the Korean version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-K). The relationship between the severity of harmful drinking and suicidal ideation was compared using logistic regression analyses. We also examined the tendency through p for trend to identify a trend. Results : Of the 113,602 study subjects, 6,586 (5.8%) responded that they had thought of committing suicide. After controlling for gender, marriage, education, body mass index (BMI), depression and anxiety, the results showed that the higher the level of harmful drinking, the higher the suicidal ideation. Conclusion : This study found that, even after controlling depression and anxiety, the severity of drinking could be a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.151-160
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• 2019

Korea has the highest suicide rate among the OECD countries, and the suicide rate is highest among young adults in their 20s, most of whom are university students. Therefore, suicide among Korean university students is a public health issue that is of interest to us. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the suicidal ideation of university students in Korea, and to use them as a basis to establish effective intervention for university suicide prevention through it. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using convenience sampling method. The participants were 344 university students at universities in S and G cities. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis using with the SPSS/Win 23.0 program. There was a significant correlation between depression (r=.45, p<.001), drinking alcohol (r=.14, p=.008), social support (r=-.26, p<.001), quality of life (r=-.46, p<.001), and suicidal ideation. In the first step of hierarchical regression analysis, satisfaction of school life (${\beta}=.198$, p<.001) was the significant factor influencing the suicidal ideation. Explanatory power was 25.2%. In the second step of the hierarchical regression analysis, absence of parents (${\beta}=-.095$, p=.044), depression (${\beta}=.247$, p<.001), quality of life (${\beta}=-.280$, p<.001), and explanatory power were increased to 42.0%. The results of the study indicate the need to actively identify the group of university students in their 20s with high risk of suicide through continuous evaluation of depression, and to improve the quality of life as a method of preventing suicide. In addition, the effect of absence of parents on the suicidal ideation among Korean university students suggests that parental support may play an important role in suicide prevention.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.143-157
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• 2021

International organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation, and major developed countries recognize the seriousness of air pollution. International organizations such as the International Maritime Organization have also implemented various regulations to reduce air pollution from ships. In line with this international trend, the government has also enacted a special law on improving air quality in port areas, and is making efforts to reduce air pollution caused by ports. The purpose of the Special Act is to implement comprehensive policies to improve air quality in port areas. This study sought to identify the emissions of each source of air pollutants originating from the port and prepare basic data on setting the policy priorities. To this end, the analysis was conducted in six categories: ships, vehicles, loading and unloading equipment, railways, unloading/wild ash dust, road ash dust, and the methodology presented by the European Environment Agency(EEA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). The pollutants subject to analysis were analyzed for carbon monoxide(CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides(SOX), total airborne materials(TSP), particulate matter(PM10, PM2.5), and ammonia(NH3). The analysis showed a total of 7,122 tons of emissions. By substance, NOX accounted for the largest portion of 5,084 tons, followed by CO (984 tons), SOX (530 tons), and TSP (335 tons). By source of emissions, ships accounted for the largest portion with 4,107 tons, followed by vehicles with 2,622 tons, showing high emissions. This proved to be the main cause of port air pollution, with 57.6% and 36.8% of total emissions, respectively, suggesting the need for countermeasures against these sources.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.375-403
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• 2005

This Study reviews theoretical argument about the effect of retirement earnings test on the labor supply of the aged which is controversial issue in OECD countries and analyze the effect on the incidence of re-employment, re-employment period of suspended officials and the possibility of re-retirement through Government Employment Pension Corporation data. It consists of 178,363 public officials who received pension benefit or disability pension in January 2005. The main result of this research shows that public officials re-employed were 8,086 which is 4.5% of total retired, and median survival time of suspended pension payments is 3.3 years. Also the median re-employment period of 100% suspended officials is about 20 month shorter than that of 1/2 suspended officials and it is shown in regression analysis that the possibility of re-retirement by 100% suspended officials is statistically significant higher than those of 50%. It specially expects greater influence if includes in case taking lump-sum or no making effect of re-employment because current system withhold pension payments even by earned income itself. Therefore, this analysis suggests suspension of pension payment properly applied according to the age and income together with "Delayed Retirement Credit" or "Partial Pension" for developmental alternatives of civil servant's suspension of pension payments. Furthermore, It is urgently needed that distinctive quality data about re-employment including earnings to perform deep-empirical research for effective policy. Lastly, it is extremely necessary to reinforce management system of Government Employment Pension Corporation.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-187
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• 2021

The increase in the number of higher education graduates and of working couples have been improving the quality of parenting and the economic situation of parenting. The relationship between family members, which consists of child rearing support and family health in conversation and play, has been improving as well. This study analyzes the impact of parental level and the family relationship on the spending in private education in households with elementary students. For the analysis, this study focuses on the mediation of parental efficacy and parenting anxiety, through which family relationship and parental level affect elementary private education. Data of 1,075 parents with children aged 6 to 11 from 2018 Children's Comprehensive Survey are used in statistical analysis via PLS structural equation. This study shows that family relationship and parental level had have a positive effect on parental efficacy, and family relationship, parental level and parental efficacy had have a negative impact on parenting anxiety. It is also confirmed that parental level has a positive effect on private education, and that parental efficacy has a negative impact on private education. Family relationship and parental level affects parenting anxiety and private education through the mediation of parental efficacy. This study finds that improving parents' economic and educational level in the overheated private education atmosphere increases private education, but improving parental efficacy from good family relationship lowers parenting anxiety and private education. These results are expected to provide theoretical and practical implications for balancing children's education and family happiness from a knowledge management perspective.