• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.27-35
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• 2001

Objective : Doctors who treat women in childbed have to pay attention to postpartum blues and depression which women in childbed can suffer from, as well as recovery of physical function. Methods : Subjects were 107 females who admitted in Woosuk Hospital of Oriental Medicine from September, 2000 to October, 2001 and made out the question paper within 10 days after delivery. The paper included EPDS(Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and many items known to be the factors related to postpartum blues and depression. Results : The rate of postpartum depression assessed by EPDS was 16.8%. As the result of analysis, there were significant statistic corelations between each group assessed by EPDS and age parity relation with husband yes or no living with parents-in-law. But there were no significant corelations between each group assessed by EPDS and education religion yes or no occupation delivery method sex of infant marriage type yes or no rearing the infant. Conclusions : We recognized that insufficiency- of delivery experience and stress due to bad adaptation after delivery are possible to be risk factors of postpartum blues and depression. More research should be taken on the corelation between postpartum depression and yes or no living with parents-in-law, because this result is opposite to the trouble between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. In addition, more research is needed on corelation between physical condition, oriental-diagnosis of women in childbed and postpartum depression.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2014

Macrobenthic biodiversity in the rocky intertidal areas of the Tae-an region, Republic of Korea, has decreased since the Hebei Spirit oil spill in December 2007. We aimed to investigate ecological roles of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) because recruitment and growth of oysters are critical to the recovery of damaged rocky shore ecosystem. We surveyed two sites monthly: natural rocky substrate and farming substrate, from July 2012 to January 2013 to identify and compare the changes in macrobenthic fauna. The abundance of young oysters was higher at the natural site. On the other hand, the mean height of oyster on the farming substrate was more than twice as great. The abundance of oyster at the natural site increased until October and then continuously decreased until end of study period. However, the abundance of oyster at the farming site constantly decreased from the beginning of study period. These different growth patterns might be attributable to spatial competition between oyster and a barnacle species (Balanus albicostatus) and environmental factors. At the natural site, physical stress factors including dramatic temperature changes and desiccation a few of the major factors limiting growth during aerial exposure. In addition, motile macrobenthos could be detrimental to oysters because they interrupt filter-feeding activities and hence hamper the growth of oysters. We show the higher recruitment of oysters at the natural site and healthy growth in the farming substrate are due to complicated differences in physical and biological stress factors.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2021

During our observations of changes in halophyte distribution in Hampyeong Bay over a period of five years, we found that the distribution area showed a maintenance for Phragmites communis community, a tendency of gradual increase for Zoysia sinica community, gradual decrease for Suaeda maritima community, and disappearance for Limonium tetragonum community during the studied period. The Phragmites communis community stably settled in areas adjacent to land and appeared not to be significantly affected by physical factors (such as tides and waves) or disturbances caused by biological factors (such as interspecific competition). Among studied species, germination time was shown to be the fastest for Suaeda maritima. In addition, this species showed certain characteristics that allowed it to settle primarily in new habitats formed by sand deposition as its growth was not halted under conditions with high amounts of sand and high organic matter content. However, in areas where Zoysia sinica and Suaeda maritima resided together, the area inhabited by Suaeda maritima gradually decreased due to interspecific competition between the two species. This was believed to be the result of a sharp decrease in the germination of Suaeda maritima since May, while the germination of Zoysia sinica was continuously maintained, indicating that the latter had an advantage in terms of seedling competition. In the case of the Limonium tetragonum community, its habitat was found to have been completely destroyed because it was covered by sand. The study area was confirmed to have undergone a large change in topography as tides and waves resulted in sand deposition onto these lands. Hampyeong Bay is considered to have experienced changes in halophyte distribution related to certain complex factors, such as changes in physical habitats and changes in biological factors such as interspecific competition.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.227-237
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• 2019

In terms of the concept of space in urban planning and design, the modern city approaches from the perspective that all spaces are made up of different places based on identity. In this study, we analyzed disparate image by paying attention to the difference between the individual spaces that form the city. And the physical and behavioral factors that respond to the disparate spatial images are derived through legibility measurement. As a result, the urban space in Busan has disparate images such as closure, openness, dynamic + closure, dynamic + openness, quiet space. The following are the legibility factors that make each image stronger. The elements of closure are high-density and high-rise buildings, residence, work, openness appeared as a factor of water space, walking and viewing. Dynamic & Closure is the element of industrial activity, dynamic & openness is open space, water space, swimming element, quiet space image is green space, walking, stay factor.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine environmental chemical exposure related to residential and personal lifestyle characteristics in the adult Korean population. The observations of this study can provide information useful for developing reduction approaches for exposure to chemicals among the general adult population. Methods: The second stage of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNHES) was conducted from 2012 to 2014, with 6,478 persons participating. Using the results of the survey, the relationship between exposure levels of heavy metals and organic chemicals and exposure factors, e.g. residential and personal lifestyle characteristics, were analyzed. Results: The exposure levels of VOCs and PAHs were significantly lower in participants living at a distance of more than 100 m from roads versus living closer to roads. Home ventilation lowered VOC and PAH exposure but did not lower chemical exposure from household products. Use of public transportation showed lower exposure to heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs. Current smoker was significantly higher for levels of heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs, and the exposure trend was similar for current drinkers. Physical activity was related with higher exposure to phthalates and environmental phenols. Conclusion: Our observations based on a nationally representative population for Korea show that exposure to chemicals varies by residential and personal lifestyle, and this should be considered for developing appropriate mitigation measures and policies. Given the health concerns surrounding environmental chemicals, it is necessary to develop comprehensive measures to reduce chemical exposure.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.23-41
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• 1988

Environmental design pattern of the nine Small Urban Spaces at C.B.D. in City of Seoul are surveyed and analyzed for user's satisfaction and behavior under the environmental design evaluation by using Chrisopher Alexander's Pattern Language. Small Urban Spaces as a part of streetscape are formed by physical factors as well as visual environment and interacting user's behavior. Therefore, user's satisfacuion and behavior at the nine Urban Small Spaces were investigated under the further search for some possibilities of a pplication of those Pattern Languages. A pattern language has a structure of a network. It is used in sequence, going through the patterns, moving always from large patterns to smaller, always from the ones which create comes simply from the obsernation that most of the wonderful places of the city were not made by architects but by the people. It defines the limited number of arrangements of spaces that make sense in any given culture. And it actually gives us the power to generate these coherent arrangement of space. As a results, 'Plazl', 'Seats' and 'Accessibility' related design patterns are highly evaluated by Pattern Frequency, Pattern Interaction and their Composition ranks, thus reconfirm Whyte's Praise of urban Small Spaces in our inner city design environments. According to the multiple regression analysis of user's evaluation, the environmental functins related to the satisfaction were 'Plaza', 'Accessibility' and 'Paving'. According to the free response, user's prefer such visually pleasing environmental design object as 'Waterscape' and 'Setting'. In addition to, the basic needs in Urban Small Spaces are amenity facilities as bench, drinking water and shade for rest.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2024

Manufacturing workers face increased fatigue and stress due to environmental factors in workplace such as noise and vibration. Addressing this issue requires creating conducive rest spaces; however, the existing conditions of rest spaces in manufacturing workplace are subpar and lack sufficient scholarly evidence. This study investigated the effect of nature-based rest spaces on the physical and emotional recovery from fatigue on manufacturing workers. Three manufacturing complexes with nature-friendly rest spaces were selected, and 63 manufacturing workers participated in the study. The measurement tools included the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS) for fatigue levels, physiological indicators (blood pressure and heart rate), and emotional indicators (Zuckerman Inventory of Personal Reaction Scale; ZIPERS, Perceived Restorativeness Scale; PRS, Profile of Mood States; POMS and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI). The study compared recovery levels during a 7-minute rest between a space without plants and a space with natural elements. The results indicated a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of participants in green rest spaces compared with those in conventional rest spaces. Regarding fatigue levels, green rest spaces showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure in the middle-fatigue and high-fatigue groups. Positive feelings increased in green spaces, whereas negative emotions decreased, suggesting that short breaks in nature-friendly environments effectively promote workers' physical and emotional recovery. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of green space in various work environments to promote well-being in workers.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.95-104
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• 2015

Public rental housing in Korea has been initially provided for residential stability of low-income household focusing on solving quantitative insufficiency since 1980s. In the process of early stage of designing and planning public rental housing, qualitative aspects of considering children were not primary concern. This study aims to analyze the priority of environmental improvement of outdoor spaces for children's safety in public rental housing. First, literature review was performed in the reference of local residential safety guidelines, Universal Design, and CPTED guidelines. In each guidelines, common safety planning factors for children were extracted within different types of outdoor spaces. Second, based on literature analysis, residents evaluated importance and satisfaction level by different safety types, outdoor space type, and environmental planning factors. In results, residents evaluated high importance and showed low satisfaction for crime and traffic safety. Through IPA, facilities and parking space was evaluated where improvement is needed for the first priority, and planning factors were mostly concerned with surveillance and safety management system. Result shows general concern of public rental housing residents, about weak facility management and security system, and about socially isolated environment which heightened the fear of crime safety. Overall, poor maintenance of the complex environment and decrepit facilities are constantly raising risk of safety accidents especially for children. Considering residents' concern, environmental improvement should be considered in perspective of not only physical repair, but also facility management and security system.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.244-250
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among the psychological, social, and environmental factors influencing the utilization of senior centers among older adults in Korea. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to two types of older adults who lived in Seoul, Korea: 262 older adults who used senior centers (3 places) and 156 older adults who did not use senior centers. Results: Our results showed clearly that the utilization of the senior centers in Korea is affected by higher self-efficacy (odds ratio [OR], 6.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.31 to 12.32), higher perceived benefits (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.16 to 4.36), lower perceived barriers (OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 3.07 to 11.45), higher family support (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 2.02 to 8.77), and higher support from friends (OR, 4.08; 95% CI, 2.38 to 7.81). The results also showed that participants whose total travel time was 15 to 29 minutes (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.21 to 3.64) or less than 14 minutes (OR, 4.68; 95% CI, 3.41 to 8.41) were more likely to use a senior center than those who had to travel more than 30 minutes. Conclusions: This study showed that the utilization of senior centers in Korea is affected by psychological, social, and environmental factors, specifically by self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, social support, convenience of transportation, and total travel time to the senior centers. The effects of longer-term utilization of the senior centers by non-users on health-related outcomes in a large population warrant attention.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.469-483
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• 2021

Background and objective: If the Nelumbo nucifera spreads in a wetland at a high density, it can have considerable positive and negative ecological effects on habitats. For this reason, it is necessary to precisely investigate the impacts of its rapid proliferation. This study was conducted to propose the distribution and management of N. nucifera, which can cause the degradation of wildlife habitats due to the rapid spread of internal and external environmental factors that may affect the Junam wetland ecosystem. Methods: For the investigation and analysis of physical and ecological characteristics, factors of the abiotic environment such as general weather conditions, topography and water depth structure, and soil and water quality analysis, and bioenvironment characteristics such as changes in the N. nucifera community distribution were evaluated. To assess whether the differences in the soil depth and physicochemical characteristics between the N. nucifera community and the aquatic plant community are statistically significant, a One-way ANOVA was executed. Results: N. nucifera was presumably introduced in approximately 2007 and observed at a prevalence of only 0.8% in 2009, but had expanded to 11.1% in 2014. After that, the area was increased to 19.3% in 2015 and 40.0% in 2017, about twice that of the previous survey year. The rapid diffusion of an N. nucifera colony can have adverse effects on wildlife habitats and biodiversity at Junam Wetland. To solve these problems, four management methods can be proposed; water level management, mowing management, installation of posts and removal of lotus roots. Control of the N. nucifera community using these methods was judged to be suitable for cutting and water level management when considering expansion rate, water level variation, and wildlife habitat impacts. Conclusion: As the biotic and abiotic environmental factors are different for each wetland, it is necessary to determine the timing and method of management through a detailed investigation.