• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.40 no.5 s.110
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• pp.514-532
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to critically examine conventional spatial measures of individual accessibility, which are based on the notion of spatial proximity, the single reference location, and the unlinked travel model. Using space-time accessibility measures with the travel-activity diary data set of Portland Metro, US, three expectations from spatial measures on spatial patterns of individual accessibility were empirically examined: (1) does individual accessibility decrease with an increase of distance from the CBD?; (2) does the spatial pattern of accessibility resemble that of urban opportunity density pattern?; and (3) are spatial patterns of individual accessibility of different socio- demographic population groups basically similar as people in the same area share the same geographic characteristics regardless of gender, race, age, and so on? First of all, the results showed that spatial variations in individual accessibility were not directly determined by spatial proximity and opportunity density as suggested by previous accessibility measures. The spatial pattern of individual accessibility was dramatically different from that of urban opportunity density High peaks of accessibility level were found far away from the CBD and regional centers. This finding might be associated with the importance of multi-reference locations and linked travels in shaping accessibility in reality. Furthermore, this study found that spatial patterns of accessibility clearly differ between men and women. These findings suggest that access requires more than proximity, and that the interaction between person-specific space-time constraints and the consequential availability of urban opportunities in space-time renders different accessibility experiences to people even in the same region, which would be one of the key ingredients missing from conventional spatial measures of accessibility.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.40 no.5 s.110
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• pp.584-593
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• 2005

The spatial and temporal variations of heating degree-days (HDDs) and cooling degree-days (CDDs) are closely related with the temperature field. The spatial distribution of 30-year mean HDDs shows that the higher values locates in the northern part of South Korea while the lower values locates in the southern part. The 30-year mean CDDs shows a more randomized distribution than the HDDs. The changing trends of HDDs and CDDs show a different feature: HDDs have a distinct decreasing trend while CDDs have an insignificant change. The decreasing trends of HDDs are consistent over South Korea and most of stations have experienced the statistically significant change. As significant changing areas of HDDs are much broader than those of annual mean temperature, HDDs can be more useful than annual mean temperature to detect the climate change impact on a regional level. In other words, an insignificant change on the mean temperature field can induce the significant change of thermal climatology in a region. The temporal pattern of climatic departure index (CDI) for South Korea HDDs series shows a general decreasing, but a sharp increase during recent years. The drastic decrease of HDDs induces higher CDI indicating larger variability among stations. However, the decrease of South Korea HDDs series cannot totally attribute to the global warming due to urban effects. By the early 1980s, there were no big differences of HDDs between urban and rural series, but later the differences are getting larger. This was expected to be with the intensification of urbanization in South Korea. However, still there is a decreasing trend of HDDs for rural stations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.4-15
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• 2005

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. The major exposure route of MeHg to humans is via consumption of fish and shellfish which accumulate the chemical through the food web in an aquatic environment. Hair mercury level is an excellent marker for MeHg exposure. We have been conducting a survey on hair mercury contents among general populations from 14 districts to estimate the current Japanese MeHg exposure level. Total mercury levels of all hair samples collected (12923 in total) were analyzed by the oxygen combustion-gold amalgamation method using an atomic absorption mercury detector. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mercury levels were significantly correlated with several covariates, such as sex, age, the amount of daily intake of total fish/shellfish, a preference for certain fish such as tuna or bonito, and artificial waving. The geometric means for the population without artificial waving were 2.47 and 1.65 ${\mu}g/g$ for males (n = 5623) and females (n = 3470), respectively. Hair mercury levels varied with age, and the variations were more significant in males. Since the difference between sexes was not evident at younger ages, some hormonal control might also be involved in the mercury uptake by human hair. The average mercury levels in our hair samples varied among the sampling districts. Tuna is a major carnivorous fish with high mercury accumulations that is often consumed in Japan. The amount of fish consumption and the preference rate far tuna would appear to be responsible far the regional variation in hair mercury levels in Japan. Recently, a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of MeHg was revised by 61st JECFA to 1.6 ${\mu}g/kg/week$, which was about half that of the Japanese standard, and corresponded to a hair level of 2.2 ppm. The distribution of hair mercury levels in Japanese populations in the present study indicated that 25% of the Japanese females of child-bearing age were estimated to be exposed to MeHg over the PTWI level. This would reflect the high Japanese consumption of marine products. However, not only mercury contamination, but also the nutritional benefit may have to be considered when discussing the risk involved in the current level of fish and shellfish consumption in Japan.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.150-155
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• 2009

Because the import of Inonotus obliquus have been rapidly increased in Korea, we developed the Inonotus species-specific marker by using various sequences including ITS sequences, PCR-RFLP and STS primers and used this marker to determine both genetic relatedness and strains discrimination of Inonotus spp. Total 17 different Inonotus spp. were examined by using ITS sequences and classified into 2 different groups. One strain, ASI74008 isolated from Kamchaka island of Siberia, showed the high sequence identity (98%) at the nucleotide level to the other I. obliquus DSM strain, indicating the ASI74008 belong to I. obliquus species. Comparison of banding patterns after restriction enzyme digestions with PCR amplicons of ITS region revealed some variations depending on the species and strains. However, PCR products amplified with STS primer showed species specific patterns.Therefore, use of both STS primers and PCR-RFLP could help for better strain identification.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 1993

The variation of H/F coefficient (Hubnerite/Feberite coefficient) and the temperature of formation with depth have been studied for the hydrothermal tungsten-quartz veins from Ssangjeon, Weolag, Cheongyang, and Sannae mines. All samples were selected at the same paragenetic stage and mineral assemblege according to depth. The studied mines provide an opportunity to examine and regional variations in wolframite composition in different provinces. The formation temperature is linearly related to the depth. At the Weolag, Cheongyang and Sannae mines, the H/F ratio of wolframite and filling temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz show a general tendency to decrease at shallow levels, in spite of different geological settings. This implies the pH of fluid will decrease vertically with falling temperature and the high H/F ratio of wolframite in deep zone result in an increase of pH with depth. The Ssangjeon mine exhibits a tendency to increase slightly upwards at shallow level. This implies a different geochemical environment (high pH environment) for the Ssangjeon mine, as compared to the other three mines. The H/F coefficient pattern suggests that it is a useful geothermometer for vein-type tungsten deposits in Korea. The H/F coefficient as an indication of depth should be examined for use in exploration.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1234-1243
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• 2011

Our study was carried out to develop the severity-adjustment model for length of stay in hospital for community-acquired pneumonia so that we analysed the factors on the variation in length of stay(LOS). The subjects were 5,353 community-acquired pneumonia inpatients of the Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey data from 2004 through 2006. The data were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA and the severity-adjustment model was developed using data mining technique. There are differences according to gender, age, type of insurance, type of admission, but there is no difference of whether patients died in hospital. After yielding the standardized value of the difference between crude and expected length of stay, we analysed the variation of length of stay for community-acquired pneumonia. There was variation of LOS in regional differences and insurance type, though there was no variation according whether patients receive their care in their residences. The variation of length of stay controlling the case mix or severity of illness can be explained the factors of provider. This supply factors in LOS variations should be more studied for individual practice style or patient management practices and healthcare resources or environment. We expect that the severity-adjustment model using administrative databases should be more adapted in other diseases in practical.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.36-47
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to classify and assess the characteristics of urban Korean parks by on-site park users' reactions, such as satisfaction, preference and cognitive image of the park and park facilities. The park facilities are classified into five types of satisfaction: management status, activity facilities, convenient facilities, circulation and density, and landscape facilities. The park users are satisfied with conversation, rest and relaxation in the parks, but not satisfied with studying and nature experience. The behaviors in the park are classified as park activities, emotional and experiential activities, and nature activities. The results indicate that the images of the parks are stable, comfortable and natural. There are three factors to classifying the park images: nature-harmony, openness, uniqueness. Preferences for each parks are generally good. According to the criteria such as satisfaction of park facility, behavioral satisfaction, images and preference for each park, the 12 parks are divided into 5 different types: multi-purpose park, well-balanced park with natural elements, urban open space, park to be improved, and ecological park. The characteristics of each park was analyzed and categorized. This study dealt with only the parks in Seoul and its environs, and the survey was only done during the summer season. Therefore, further research is necessary to enlarge and generalize the results of this study, considering seasonal and regional variations.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.385-396
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• 2006

The International GNSS Service (IGS) has prepared for a transition from the relative phase conte. variation (PCV) to the absolute PCV, because the terrestrial scale problem of the absolute PCV was resolved by estimating the PCV of the GPS satellites. Thus, the GPS data will be processed by using the absolute PCV which will be an IGS standard model in the near future. It is necessary to compare and analyze the results between the relative PCV and the absolute PCV for the establishment of the reliable processing strategy. This research analyzes the effect caused by the absolute PCV via the GPS network data processing. First, the four IGS stations, Daejeon, Suwon, Beijing and Wuhan, are selected to make longer baselines than 1000km, and processed by using the relative PCV and the absolute PCV to examine the effect of the antenna raydome. Beijing and Wuhan stations of which the length of baselines are longer than 1000km show the average difference of 1.33cm in the vertical component, and 2.97cm when the antenna raydomes are considered. Second, the 7 permanent GPS stations among the total 9 stations, operated by Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, are processed by applying the relative PCV and the absolute PCV, and their results are compared and analyzed. An insignificant effect of the absolute PCV is shown in Korea regional network with the average difference of 0.12cm in the vertical component.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.550-560
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• 2013

In this study, the variations of geoid measured by GRACE satellite are investigated in the 20 volcanic areas erupted since 2005, and it is recognized that a detailed geological study is necessary in using geoid data for a research of the magmatic activities under the volcano. Therefore, the relationship between the regional geoid variation obtained by GRACE satellite and the change of magma activity, is studied in Japan's Shinmoedake volcano in the Kirishima volcanic complex whose eruption in 2011 was studied in detail geologically. Throughout this study the increase of geoid from 2002 in the Shinmoedake volcanic area is confirmed to be caused by the increase of gravity under the volcano, which is well matched with geological interpretation of the continuous intrusion of basaltic magma into magma chamber during several years before the 2011 eruption. The result indicates that information of the geoid variation measured by GRACE satellite is useful for monitoring the possibility of volcanic eruption although there is a need to more study to be able to confirm the possibility.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2465-2472
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• 2015

Background: The Quality Audit (BQA) program of the Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (NZ) collects data on early female breast cancer and its treatment. BQA data covered approximately half all early breast cancers diagnosed in NZ during roll-out of the BQA program in 1998-2010. Coverage increased progressively to about 80% by 2008. This is the biggest NZ breast cancer database outside the NZ Cancer Registry and it includes cancer and clinical management data not collected by the Registry. We used these BQA data to compare socio-demographic and cancer characteristics and survivals by ethnicity. Materials and Methods: BQA data for 1998-2010 diagnoses were linked to NZ death records using the National Health Index (NHI) for linking. Live cases were followed up to December $31^{st}$ 2010. Socio-demographic and invasive cancer characteristics and disease-specific survivals were compared by ethnicity. Results: Five-year survivals were 87% for Maori, 84% for Pacific, 91% for other NZ cases and 90% overall. This compared with the 86% survival reported for all female breast cases covered by the NZ Cancer Registry which also included more advanced stages. Patterns of survival by clinical risk factors accorded with patterns expected from the scientific literature. Compared with Other cases, Maori and Pacific women were younger, came from more deprived areas, and had larger cancers with more ductal and fewer lobular histology types. Their cancers were also less likely to have a triple negative phenotype. More of the Pacific women had vascular invasion. Maori women were more likely to reside in areas more remote from regional cancer centres, whereas Pacific women generally lived closer to these centres than Other NZ cases. Conclusions: NZ BQA data indicate previously unreported differences in breast cancer biology by ethnicity. Maori and Pacific women had reduced breast cancer survival compared with Other NZ women, after adjusting for socio-demographic and cancer characteristics. The potential contributions to survival differences of variations in service access, timeliness and quality of care, need to be examined, along with effects of comorbidity and biological factors.