• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.2 s.53
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• pp.311-329
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• 1996

This study was designed to compare the level of medical utilization between the urban and rural areas of Korea and to explain the differences between the two regions. Data from the National Health Interview Survey performed by the Korean Institute of Health & Social Affairs in 1992 were used for this study utilizing a sample size of 21,841 people. The level of medical utilization such as the number of physician visits and the number of hospital admissions was compared between the regions with ANOVA. Various determinants for medical use were also compared by univariate analysis. Statistical models which included enabling factors, predisposing factors, need factors and region were constructed for bivariate analysis in order to further elucidate the level of medical utilization. The results were as follows: 1. There was greater medical use, both in terms of physician visits and inpatient care in the rural areas in spite of insufficient health resources. The particular reasons for higher medical utilization in rural areas were attributed to a higher number of initial physician visits as well as a longer the length of stay per hospital admission. Therefore, indicators representing the degree of met need (utilization/need) showed no significant difference between rural and urban areas in spite of the fact that the medical need is larger in rural areas. 2. Use of public health facilities received a significant portion of physician visits in the rural area. The government's effort to enhance primary health care through health centers, health subcenters and the nurse practitioner's post in rural areas has contributed to the increase of access to medical care in the rural areas. 3. There were some differences in the socio-demographic characteristics between two regions ; There were more elderly people over the age of 65: unstable marital status, less education and lower incomes also characterized the rural areas. Therefore, among rural people, there were more predisposing factors for medical use. Additionaly, need factors such as poor self-reported health status and high morbidity level were also high in the rural area. 4. In contrast it was learned that, the supply of health resources was mostly concentrated in the urban areas except for public health facilities. Therefore, geographical access to medical care was lower in the rural area both in terms travel time and travel cost. 5. The coefficient of the region variable was insignificant in the regression model which controlled the supply factor only. However, utilization was significantly higher in urban areas if the model included predisposing factors and need factors in addition to the supply factor. The results were interpreted as rural people have greater medical needs.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 1983

The purposes of this study are to analyze/model the mode choice behavior of the regional traveler by express bus/express train and to offer useful source in deciding the public transportation policy. The data analyzed were trips of both modes from March, 1980 to November, 1981, between Seoul and other nineteen cities; the data were grouped as five groups according to the change of service variables. Service variables were travel time(unit: minute), cost(:won), average allocation time(:won), service hour(:hour), and dummy variables by mode. As model Logit Model with linear or log utility function were postulated. As the result of this study, some reseanable models were constructed at Model Type I(eq. 2. of this paper) based on the above data except the dummy. It was judged that the parameters calibrated by Group III and Group IV data in table 4, were optimal. Among the parameters, the parameter of travel cost was most reliable. There was a tendency preferring express bus to train in October and November. With the constructed model and Pivot-Point Method. the demand change of express train caused by the service variables' change could be forecasted over 99%.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.23 no.3 s.81
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• pp.7-19
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• 2005

Mode choice Analysis is essential analysis stage in transportation demand forecasting process. Therefore, methods for calibration and forecasting of mode choice model in aspect of practical view need to be discussed in depth. Since 1980s, choice models, especially Logit model, are spread widely and rapidly over academic area, research institutes and consulting firms in Korea like other developed countries in the world. However, the process of calibration and parameter estimation for practical application was not clearly explained in previous papers and reports. This study tried to explain clearly the calibration process of mode choice step by step and suggested a forecasting mode choice model that can be applicable in real policy analysis by using household survey data of Pusan metropolitan are. The study also suggested a way of estimating attributes which was not observed during the household survey commonly such as travel time and cost of unchosen alternative modes. The study summarized the statistical results of model specification for four different Logit models as a process to upgrade model capability of explanation for real traveler's choice behaviors. By using the analysis results, it also calculated the value of travel time and compared them with the values of other previous studies to test reliability of the estimated model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.43-49
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• 1998

Retardation effect of heavy metals in soils caused by adsorption onto the surfaces of solids particles is well known phenomena. The adsorption of metal ions has been recognized more strong in clay mineral and organic matter contents rather than sands and gravels. In this study, we investigated the retardation effect in two sandy soils by conducting batch and column tests. The column tests were conducted to obtain the relationship between concentration and time known as breakthrough curve (BTC). We applied pulse type injection of ZnCl$_2$solution on the inlet boundary and monitored the effluent concentration at the exit boundary under steady state condition using EC-meter and ICP-AES. Batch test consisted of an equilibrium procedure for fine fractions collected from two sandy soils for various initial ZnCl$_2$concentrations, and analysis of Zn ions in equilibrated solution using ICP-AES. The results of column test showed that i) the peak concentration of Zn analyzed by ICP was far less than that detected by EC-meter for both soils and ii) travel times for peak concentration were more less identical for two different monitoring techniques. The first result can be explained by ion exchange between Zn and other cations initially present in the soil particles since ICP analysis showed a significant amount of Ca, Mg ions in the effluent. From the second result, we found that retardation effect was not present in these soils due to strong cation exchange capacity of Zn ion over other cations since we did not apply a solution containing more adsorptive cations such as Al. The result of batch test also showed high distribution coefficients (K$_{d}$) for two soils supporting the dominant ion exchange phenomena. Based on the retardation factor obtained from the Kd, we predicted the BTC using CDE model and compared with the BTC of Zn concentration obtained from ICP The predicted BTC, however, disagreed with the monitored in terms of travel time and magnitude of the peak concentrations. The only way to describe the prominent decrease of Zn ion was to introduce decay or sink coefficient in the CDE model to account for irreversible decrease of Zn ions in liquid phase.e.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.539-546
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• 2016

It is over 12 years since the launch of Korea Train eXpress (KTX) services. Demand for the KTX has been on the increase continuously but few studies have been produced related to this phenomenon. KTX passenger demand has been constantly increasing due to influencing factors such as the expansion of network, rise of oil prices, etc. In this study, our main focus is to verify that there are other types of elements that are causing an increase in KTX demand; our approach looks at changes in social and psychological aspect that have occurred due to the reduction of travel time and cost, as well as the imposition of a five-day workweek. In other words, we considered diffusion theory in the marketing area, which affects product selection and purchasing attitudes, as a key factor that is causing passenger demand to increase. That is to say that it is hypothesized that the demand for travel on the KTX has increased due to the train's utility, which is spread by the diffusion effect Therefore, the Bass diffusion model was applied to explain the dramatic increase in KTX passenger demand. Based on this foundation, it was also discussed how certain marketing strategies that incorporate the diffusion effect should be considered variously for sustainable management of rail transportation, while considering a steady passenger demand.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.2
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• pp.170-186
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• 2024

This study was conducted to identify the usage characteristics of the DMZ Punchbowl Trail (DPT) as a national forest trail (NFT) and to estimate its ripple effects on the local economy. The objective of this study is to provide policy implications for sustainable operational management. Out of the 500 questionnaires distributed, 215 respondents provided their complete travel itineraries and expenditures. The respondents, mainly aged 50 and above and residing in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, spend 3.5 hours of travel time to the DPT. Together with their families, the respondents typically spend approximately 4 hours for leisurely activities, primarily appreciation of scenic views and relaxation by visiting the "O-yubatgil." Furthermore, they extend their travels to other parts of Gangwon Province, where the DPT is situated. Within Gangwon Province, Yanggu County is the most visited destination. The respondents reported a notably higher average expenditure per visitor compared with the typical local walking tourists. Estimates show that the DPT generates an annual average of KRW 2.1 billion in direct expenditure (based on an average of 10,000 visitors for over five years), KRW 2.8 billion in production, and KRW 1.3 billion in added value, and it has created 40 jobs in Gangwon Province. The results of this study lies in empirically determining the specific economic scale and ripple effects of DPT as an NFT in the major sector, which occupies a significant portion of the Gangwon Province's local economy. The results will be instrumental in validating NFT policies and informing policy making for sustainable forest utilization.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.370-379
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• 2020

This study examined the growth characteristics and competitive advantages of Korea's tourism industry compared to other Northeast Asian countries using the Balassa Indices and Shift-Share method. The analysis results showed that the growth of Korea's tourism industry over the past decade was due mainly to external factors, such as the growth of the global economy and the expansion of the tourism sector, while the role of growth momentum of the tourism industry itself was insignificant. Employment in Korea's tourism industry has shown relatively higher increasing rates compared to the rates of the total amount of sales and value-adding. This appears to be caused by the decreased absorption of the labor force in the tourism industry due to the overall capacity of job creation. (Ed note: This sentence was unclear. Please check the edits.)The competitive advantage of Korea's tourism industry has been strengthened over the past decade, but it is still inferior to other countries. The travel account balance showed that the economic size of the Chinese tourism sector had grown rapidly over the past decade, but the competitive advantage of the sector has been weakened. On the other hand, the economic size of the Japanese tourism sector has shown sluggish growth, while its competitive advantage has been strengthened significantly.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.177-185
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• 2015

The gender difference in social roles affects digital devices' utilization differences in man and woman even in the 21st Century. Prior studies analyze the digital divide (genders, ages, etc.) from the assessment perspectives of digital equipment, such as PCs. In the area of high speed internet, most functions of PCs have been replaced with smartphones, and around 80% of the mobile phone users adopt smartphones. Subsequently the inequality of physical access to the digital devices is no longer a criterion for digital divide. The focus on digital divide should be shifted from the physical access to other factors, such as socio-technical or socio-cultural ones. This paper examines utilization of women's digital equipment, in particular, preparing for tourism activities, which is popular but sensitive to the technology. A survey was conducted with participants of [Suncheon Garden Expo] 2013. The results of this study capture the inactive use of digital devices particularly women over 50s. This phenomenon (high utilization of the digital devices for social or informative purposes, but low utilization of the digital payment) implies other aspects of Korean women (economic independence, low self-assertion, technical difficulties, etc.), which is considered from the socio-technological convergence perspective. This study also has a practical implication on the side of the digital device developers as well as marketing, where the qualitative communication is likely to be incorporated for the women over 50s.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.77-81
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• 2021

Purpose: The United States of America have pre-migration screening program are mandated through legislation. The one of purpose of this program is to prevent the importation of certain communicable diseases. Examinations of migration applicants are performed by panel physicians who are licensed physicians in the countries of origin that have agreements with the government departments of the country of destination to undertake this activity. In recent decades, the number of US migrants has increased, however COVID-19 impacted this trend of international migrants. The Aim of this study is to examine trends of US applicants and outcomes of tuberculosis and sexual transmitted infections (STIs) screening in South Korean applicants for US visa. Methods: A total of 4,442 applicants participated in US visa health check-up in 2016 to 2020. Results: The numbers of applicant for US visa in males and females was 1,814 and 2,628. The positive results in tuberculosis and STIs screening was noted with 0.66% in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), 0.03% in tuberculosis, 0.03% in gonorrhea, 0.08% in syphilis, and 0.74% in chlamydia. The age groups of 2 to 14 years showed higher positive rate (13.89%) in tuberculin skin test (TST) tests compared to the rate of interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) tests (0.44%, P<0.001). The positive ratio of NTM and abnormal chest X-ray (CXR) which required sputum tests among the applicants over 15 years old has trends to increase with age. The age groups of over 70 years showed high positive rate in NTM and abnormal CXR (4.10%, 20.51%). However, ages 15 to 49 years groups showed 0.00% to 0.30% in NTM and 1.08% to 3.91% in abnormal CXR. In the study population, the positive rates of STIs were 0.03%, 0.08%, and 0.74% in gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, respectively. Among the participants who underwent sputum smears and cultures were just 1 case of active tuberculosis (0.03%) and 25 cases of NTM infection (0.66%). Conclusion: This study found that rate of positivity in tuberculosis and STIs screening among South Korean applicants for US visa in 2016 to 2020. Regarding tuberculosis, the positivity of CXR among the aged 15 to 59 years applicants was lower than that among over 60 years old. Among 2 to 14 years, positivity of IGRA was very low. And IGRA test can reduce effort of further evaluation compared to TST test in South Korea, so IGRA test among young adults can be useful. High positive rates in STI among young adult could result in high active sexuality, especially chlamydia infection is most common. Therefore Chlamydia polymerase chain reaction should be considered formal protocol among the Korean applicant for US visa.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.163-199
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• 2010

A frequent flyer program is a loyalty program offered by many airlines. Typically, airline customers enrolled in the program accumulate frequent flyer miles corresponding to the distance flown on that airline or its partners. There are other ways to accumulate miles. In recent years, more miles were awarded for using co-branded credit and debit cards than for air travel. Acquired miles can be redeemed for free air travel; for other goods or services, such as travel class upgrades, airport lounge access or priority bookings. The first modern frequent flyer program was created Texas International Airlines in 1979. This program was also adopted in Korean Air in 1984. Since then, the mileage programs have grown enormously. As of June 2009, the total member of two national airlines in Korea had been over thirty million. However, accumulated miles could be burden of airlines, because the korean corporations should record the annual financial report the accumulate mileage on a liability account by 'the international financial report standards(IFRS)' next year. The korean airlines need to minimize the accumulated miles, so that for instance Korean Airlines SKYPASS-miles expire 5 years after being earned. It means that miles earned on or after July 2008 will expire after five years if unredeemed. Thus, this paper attempt to analyze the unfairness of the mileage rules of korean airlines by examining a specific portion of the conditions relating to consumer protection, because many mileage users has difficulties using mileage programs and complained the amendment of the mileage rules. In conclusion, the contemporary mileage rules in Korea are rather unsatisfactory, because airlines is not only recognizing a mileage into a kind of benefit but also denying inheritance of mileage and the legal nature of mileage as a property right. It is necessary to amend relevant mileage rules in view of consumer protection, because air mileage is not simple benefit but a right of mileage user.