• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2005

We propose an equivariant and robust estimator in multivariate regression model based on the least quartile difference (LQD) estimator in univariate regression. We call this estimator as the multivariate least quartile difference (MLQD) estimator. The MLQD estimator considers correlations among response variables and it can be shown that the proposed estimator has the appropriate equivariance properties defined in multivariate regressions. The MLQD estimator has high breakdown point as does the univariate LQD estimator. We develop an algorithm for MLQD estimate. Simulations are performed to compare the efficiencies of MLQD estimate with coordinatewise LQD estimate and the multivariate least trimmed squares estimate.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.263-272
• /
• 2018

For the design of hydraulic structures, the design flood discharge corresponding to a specific frequency is generally used by using the design storm calculated according to the rainfall-runoff relationship. In the past, empirical equations such as rational equations were used to calculate the peak flow rate. However, as the duration of rainfall is prolonged, the outflow patterns are different from the actual events, so the accuracy of the temporal distribution of the probability rainfall becomes important. In the present work, Huff's quartile method is used for the temporal distribution of rainfall, and the third quartile is generally used. The regression equation for Huff's quadratic curve applies a sixth order polynomial equation because of its high accuracy throughout the duration of rainfall. However, in statistical modeling, the regression equation needs to be concise in accordance with the principle of simplicity, and it is necessary to determine the regression coefficient based on the statistical significance level. Therefore, in this study, the statistical significance test for regression equation for temporal distribution of the Huff's quartile method, which is used as the temporal distribution method of design rainfall, is conducted for 69 rainfall observation stations under the jurisdiction of the Korea Meteorological Administration. It is statistically significant that the regression equation of the Huff's quartile method can be considered only up to the 4th order polynomial equation, as the regression coefficient is significant in most of the 69 rainfall observation stations.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.185-195
• /
• 2022

Purpose - This study attempts to analyze the determinants of inventory turnover by applying quantile regression analysis. Design/methodology/approach - By selecting the gross margin, capital intensity, and sale surprise as the determinants of inventory turnover, we investigate their effects on inventory turnover at the several quartiles (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%) of inventory turnover with quantile regression analysis. Findings - The effects of gross margin and capital intensity on inventory turnover are different for each quartile. But the effects of sale surprise on inventory turnover are not different for each quartile. Research implications or Originality -This study is the first attempt to examine the effects of inventory turnover determinants on inventory turnover by applying quantile regression analysis was not employed in the prior studies. Thus, this study is meaningful in that it shows the possible way to review inventory management strategies that can be applied differently to the firms with different inventory turnover levels.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.233-241
• /
• 2017

This study identified an effective control method for periodontitis by investigating the association between blood levels of vitamin D and periodontitis in Korean elderly based on raw data from the fifth Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey of 2010 (KNHANES). In this study, 1,021 adults over 65 years of age were evaluated based on data from the KNHANES. Periodontal disease was assessed using community periodontal index (CPI), with CPI codes ${\geq}3$ defined as periodontitis. Blood levels of vitamin D were measured from blood samples and divided into four groups (first quartile: ${\leq}13.23ng/ml$, second quartile: 13.24~16.95 ng/ml, third quartile: 16.96~21.58 ng/ml), and fourth quartile >21.59 ng/ml). Using multiple logistic regression analyses, the variables were adjusted for general characteristics, oral health-related characteristics, health-related characteristics, and bone mineral density. The statistical analysis was performed using the SAS (ver. 9.2). The results of this study are as follows: the prevalence of periodontitis was 42.6% in Korean elderly. After adjusting for general, oral health-related, and health-related, the risk of periodontitis in the first quartile group was 1.74 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02~2.98) higher than that of the fourth quartile group (p=0.041). After adjusting for general, oral health-related, and health-related characteristics as well as bone mineral density, the risk of periodontitis in the first quartile group was 1.73 times (95% CI, 1.02~2.96) higher than that of the four quartile group (p=0.042). There was a significant relationship between blood vitamin D level and periodontitis in Korean elderly. For the prevention of periodontitis, factors related to vitamin D should be considered along with other risk factors.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.141-147
• /
• 2019

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical association between cadmium exposure and hearing impairment among the Korean population. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used the data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for our study. Finally, 3,228 participants were included in our study, which were then divided into quartiles based on their blood cadmium levels: first quartile (1Q), second quartile (2Q), third quartile (3Q), and fourth quartile (4Q) groups. The hearing thresholds were measured using an automatic audiometer at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 kHz. Hearing loss (HL) was defined as >25 dB average hearing threshold (AHT). Results: All the groups had 807 participants each. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of cadmium level for HL were 0.634 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.621-0.646). The participants in the 4Q group had higher Low/Mid-Freq, High-Freq, and AHT values than those in the other groups in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for confounding factors. The logistic regression showed that the OR for HL per $1{\mu}g/L$ increase in cadmium was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.09-1.44; p=0.002) on the multivariate analysis. Moreover, the multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the participants in the 4Q group exhibited a 1.59-, 1.38-, and 1.41-fold higher odds for HL than those in the 1Q, 2Q, and 3Q groups, respectively. Conclusion: High cadmium level quartile was associated with increased hearing thresholds and HL among the Korean adult population.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.333-342
• /
• 2014

Limited epidemiologic data is available regarding the cardiovascular effects of mercury exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between mercury exposure from fish consumption and cardiovascular disease in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults using the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV 2008~2009). Survey logistic regression models accounting for the complex sampling were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) adjusted for fish consumption frequency, age, education, individual annual income, household annual income, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), alcohol consumption status, and smoking status. The mean blood mercury level in the population was $5.44{\mu}g/L$. Trends toward increased blood mercury levels were seen for increased education level (P=0.0011), BMI (P<0.0001), WC (P<0.0001), and fish (i.e., anchovy) consumption frequency (P=0.0007). The unadjusted OR for hypertension in the highest blood mercury quartile was 1.450 [95% confidential interval (CI): 1.106~1.901] times higher than that of the lowest quartile. The fish consumption-adjusted OR for hypertension in the highest blood mercury quartile was 1.550 (95% CI: 1.131~2.123) times higher than that of the lowest quartile, and the OR for myocardial infarction or angina in the highest blood mercury quartile was 3.334 (95% CI: 1.338~8.308) times higher than that of the lowest quartile. No associations were observed between blood mercury levels and stroke. These findings suggest that mercury in the blood may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension and myocardial infarction or angina in the general Korean population.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.34
• /
• pp.43.1-43.11
• /
• 2022

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have become common pollutants with industrial development. Although the effect of exposure to PAHs on allergic disease in humans has been evaluated, evidence of an association is sparse. The association between PAH exposure and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels was evaluated in Korean adults. Methods: In total, this study included 3,269 participants in the Third Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2015-2017). Four urinary PAH metabolites were used to assessed exposure to PAHs: 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2-naphthol, and 2-hydroxyfluorene. The analyses were performed on 3 cutoff levels (100 IU/mL, 114 IU/mL, and 150 IU/mL) set as the total IgE elevation. Prevalence of total IgE elevation by PAH exposure group and general characteristics (age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol drinking, and occupation) were analyzed using the Rao-Scott χ² test. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for total IgE elevation by PAH exposure groups. Results: Total IgE elevation differed significantly by age, sex, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, and occupation. For 2-hydroxyfluorene, the fourth quartile showed a significant association with IgE elevation compared to the first quartile in the analyses of cutoff-level 100 IU/mL (OR: 1.372, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007-1.869) and 114 IU/mL (OR: 1.643, 95% CI: 1.167-2.312). In the analysis of cutoff-level 150 IU/mL, the adjusted ORs of the third and fourth quartile of 2-hydroxyfluorene were significantly higher than the first quartile (3rd quartile: OR: 1.478, 95% CI: 1.034-2.113; 4th quartile: OR: 1.715, 95% CI: 1.161-2.534). However, there were no significant positive associations for the other metabolites. Conclusions: This study implied that PAHs exposure is associated with total IgE elevation in Korean adults. More research is needed to confirm the effect of exposure to PAHs on serum IgE and allergic diseases.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 2014

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and food and beverage containers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between urinary concentrations of BPA and waist circumference in Korean adults. A total of 1,030 Korean adults (mean age, $44.3{\pm}14.6$ years) were enrolled in the study on the integrated exposure to hazardous materials for safety control, conducted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety from 2010 to 2012. Abdominal obesity was defined as having a waist circumference of at least 90 cm and 85 cm for men and women, respectively. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to the urinary BPA concentration quartile. Waist circumference was significantly higher among subjects with a urinary BPA concentration in the highest quartile relative to those in the lowest quartile (p = 0.0071). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive association between urinary BPA concentrations and body mass index, body fat, after adjusting for potential confounders. Moreover, subjects with urinary BPA concentrations in the fourth quartile were more likely to be obese compared to those with urinary BPA concentrations in the first quartile (odds ratio, 1.938; 95% CI: 1.314~2.857; p for trend = 0.0106). These findings provide evidence for a positive association between urinary BPA concentration and waist circumference in Korean adults.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.583-593
• /
• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the frequency score of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and concentration of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites in farmers. Methods: The study was conducted in Chungcheongnam-do Province of South Korea. We collected urine samples from 308 farmers from September to December 2017 and May to July 2018. Among them, 17 farmers with urinary creatinine levels outside the normal range were excluded. Information on the frequency of wearing PPE was obtained from the farmers through face-to-face survey. Each frequency of wearing for seven types of PPE was converted into a score and expressed as a total score, which was divided into quartiles. Four types of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass selective detector. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify concentrations of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites affected by the frequency of wearing PPE. Results: The average frequency score of wearing PPE was 8.0. The quartiles of frequency score of wearing PPE were divided as follows: 1st quartile (≤1), 2nd quartile (1-6), 3rd quartile (6-12), and 4th quartile (>12). Compared with subjects with a low frequency score of wearing PPE (reference), subjects with a high frequency score of wearing PPE (4th quartile) had lower concentrations of urinary diethyl phosphate (DEP) (p<0.01) and dialkyl phosphate (ΣDAP) (p<0.05), which is the sum of dimethyl phosphate (DMP), DEP, dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP), and diethyl thiophosphate (DETP). Conclusion: Concentrations of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were associated with frequency score of wearing PPE. Particularly as the frequency score of wearing PPE increased, concentrations of urinary DMP, DEP, DETP, and ΣDAP significantly decreased. The findings of this study can contribute to the management of health effects among farmers working with pesticides.

• Korean Journal of Hydrosciences
• /
• v.5
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 1994

This study is to determine the critical duration of design rainfall and to utilize it for the design of detention pond with pump station. To examine the effect of the duration and temporal distribytion of the design rainfall, Huff's quartile method is used for the 9 cases of durations (ranges from 20 to 240 minutes) with ten years return period, and the ILLUDAS model is used for runoff analysis. The storage ratio, which is the ratio of maximum storage amounts to total runoff volume, is introduced to determine the criticalduration of design rainfall. The duration which maximizes the storage ratio is adopted as the critical duration. This study is applied to 18 urban drainage watercheds with pump station in Seoul, of which the range of watershed area is 0.24~12.70$km^2$. The result of simulation shows that the duration which maximizes storage ratio is 30 and 60 minutes on the whole. It is also shown that the storage ratios of 2nd - and 3rd-quartile pattern are larger than those of 1st- and 4th-quartile pattern of temporal distribution. A simplified empirical formula for Seoul area is suggested by the regression analysis between the maximum storage ratio and the peak ratio. This formula can be utilized for the preliminary design and planning of detention pond with pump station.