• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2016

Background: This study purposed to analyze the relationship between regional obesity rates and regional variables. Methods: Data was collected from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and Community Health Survey in 2012. The units of analysis were administrative districts such as city, county, and district. The dependent variable was the age-sex adjusted regional obesity rates. The independent variables were selected to represent four aspects of regions: health behaviour factor, psychological factor, socio-economic factor, and physical environment factor. Along with the traditional ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis model, this study applied geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis to calculate the regression coefficients for each region. Results: The OLS results showed that there were significant differences in regional obesity rates in high-risk drinking, walking, depression, and financial independence. The GWR results showed that the size of regression coefficients in independent variables was differed by regions. Conclusion: Our results can help in providing useful information for health policy makers. Regional characteristics should be considered when allocating health resources and developing health-related programs.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1082-1102
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• 2002

Most of comparative studies in science teacher education so far have been conducted in terms of teacher education policy, pre- and in-service training system and curriculum, and certificate system. While such superficial information can be readily obtainable, it does not necessarily enable us to make access to reality of science teachers' professional development in respective countries, because practice in professional development among science teachers is deeply embedded into respective socio-cultural environment or climate. In order to get information on reality in science teachers' professional development, alternative approaches of research should be developed. This paper aims at pursuing an alternative way to approach reality of Japanese science teachers' professional development. An email survey of free description method with 29 in-service science teachers with a variety of years of experience in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, revealed that Japanese science teachers have developed their expertise through very close daily-based communication with their peer science teachers. At least, within their consciousness, neither formal in-service training programs, nor pre-service training programs have had much stronger effects on their professional development than such non-formal, daily-based, deep, apprenticeship-typed or in some sense, family-typed communication. The results suggest that in order to conduct meaningful comparative studies, we should take much more attention to how to make access to reality of science teachers' professional development.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2016

High-rise as a building typology is gaining popularity in Asian mega-cities, due to its advantages in increasing volumetric density with limited land resources. Numerous factors contribute to the formation of high-rise urban form, from economical and institutional, environmental to socio-political. Environmental concerns over the impact of rapid urbanization in developing economies demand new thought on the link between urban environment and urban form. Outdoor and indoor climate, pedestrian comfort, and building energy consumption are all related to and impacted by urban form and building morphology. There are many studies and practices on designing individual "green" high-rise buildings, but far fewer studies on designing high-rise building clusters from the perspective of environmental performance optimization.. This paper focuses on the environmental perspective, and its correlation with the evolution of the high-rise urban form. Previous studies on urban morphology in terms of environmental and energy performance are reviewed. Studies on "parameterizing" urban morphology to estimate its environmental performance are reviewed, and the possible urban design implications of the study are demonstrated in by the author, by way of a microclimate map of the iconic Shanghai Xiao Lujiazui CBD. The study formulates the best-practice design guidelines for creating walkable and comfortable outdoor space in a high-rise urban setting, including proper sizing of street blocks and building footprint, provision of shading, and facilitating urban ventilation.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.25-39
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the group games on children's prosocial thinking and social ability. The subjects of this study were 30 four-five years old boys and' girls in S daycare center in Iksan of Jeonbuk province. Children in this study were divided into two groups. In order to measure children's pro social thinking. 'Skill Situation Measure' developed by McGinnis & Goldstein(l990) was used. In order to measure children's social ability, 'Preschool Socio-affective Profile(PSP)' developed by La Freniere. Dumas, Capuano & Dubeau(1992) was used. The tools were applied in two groups in pre-test, and the experimental group was given a total of 20 sessions (twice a week. for 10 weeks). The results of the study were as follows: 1. The experimental group children with group games showed a significant improvement in their prosocial thinking. 2. The experimental group children with group games showed a significant improvement in their social ability.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.59-79
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• 2008

In this study, the investigator examined employees' work-family conflict, and analyzed its relationship with family health, to clarify the two-way influence of work-family and to verify the influence of a family friendship system based upon work-family compatibility and a healthy family. Data from 379 married female and male corporate employees were collected. Collected data were analyzed on the SPSS WIN 12.0 program. Study findings are as follows: First - For the individual, in domain variables of work-family conflict according to socio-demographic characteristics, gender has a significant influence upon strain-based conflict, family interference with work, and time-based conflict. Second - Work domain variables such as occupation, career, employment type, and working hours have a significant influence upon work interference with family, while career, and a working couple have a significant influence upon family interference with work. Finally - average housework hours and children have a significant influence upon work interference with family, whereas the length of a marriage, the average housework hours, and a housework helper have a significant influence upon family interference with work.

• Asian Journal of Business Environment
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2013

Purpose - The study investigates the obstacles faced by small business owners (SBOs) in accessing finance in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The study aims to identify the causes of inaccessibility to finance for SBOs, investigate the role of government agencies in supporting SBOs, assess the extent to which banks support SMMEs, and suggest solutions to ease the challenge of inaccessibility of finance. Research design, data, methodology -We used a triangulation research design, wherein SMME owners and managers in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality were the target population. We used simple random sampling techniques to select respondents, and conducted in-depth interviews to collect qualitative data. Results - We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and factor analysis. The qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The study identifies and discusses the obstacles in accessing finance; the main among which are the lack of collateral security, poor business plans, lack of knowledge, and lack of financial deposit. Conclusions -We urge the banks, government, and government agencies to support the SMME sector, for it remains the economic engine of many African countries and helps in reducing the impact of socio-economic challenges, like unemployment and poverty.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.426-440
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• 2015

Purpose: This qualitative study aimed to understand older adults' perspectives on successful aging and develop a model of a successful aging process, within the Korean socio-cultural context. Methods: This study used a Grounded Theory approach. Through theoretical sampling, 14 participants were selected from older adults at a public health center and a volunteer institution in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Results: The basic social process identified was "expanding the aging self", which was preceded by three phases, namely, adjusting to the changes, developing the valuable self, and embracing the environment. Participants used 2-3 strategies for successful aging in each phase. For adjusting to the changes, participants used strategies such as "adopting a positive attitude", "accepting the changes", and "being at the center of life". To develop the valuable self, "re-identifying capacities", "having something to do", and "advancing to a healthy lifestyle" were used. Participants embraced their environments with "sharing with others" and "embracing younger generations". The causal condition for expanding the aging self was the changes in participants' physical, mental, or psychosocial situations. Conclusion: These findings suggest a theoretical foundation for the development of potential nursing interventions to promote self-care management and the interpersonal relationship for successful aging among Korean elderly individuals.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-133
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to asses individual, organizational and environmental capacity for members of Healthy Cities Partnership (KHCP) and exploring advanced suggestions for further developing. Methods: Participants were 27. The questionnaire was developed based on Health Promotion Capacity Checklist and it analyze capacity in 3 lelvels including individual, organizational and environmental. Each level is consist of 4 sections, individual: 'Knowledge', 'Skills', 'Commitment' and 'Resources', organizational; 'Commitment', 'Culture', 'Structure' and 'Resources', environment:'Public opinion', 'Political will', 'Supportive organizations' and 'Ideas and other resources'. Each section was assessed in 4 point rating scale and cross analyzed with basic information. Results: The mean score of 3 levels were 2.57. Among the 3 levels, 'Individual' marks 2.78 point which were top and 'Organizational' marks 2.59 and 'Environmental' marks 2.33. There were no significant factors affecting Healthy cities capacity of 'Individual' and 'Organizational' level, but just 'specialization' of 'Environmental' had significance. Conclusion: Above the results, this study suggested that just 'Individual' capacity is above median point and other levels were lower. Further efforts for developing Healthy cities capacity, especially focused on 'Organizational' and 'Environmental' levels, is strongly required.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.579-588
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• 2009

This study examined the birth timing and the birth interval for married women, focusing on their employment status. Relying on 2005 National Survey of Marriage and Fertility, three different groups were selected: those who have no child until five years after marriage; those who gave birth for the first child within three years; those who gave birth for the second child within three years. Results show that married women who have temporary jobs tend to have longer period of having no child than housewives. In contrast, among those who have the second child within three years, married women who have temporary jobs tend to have shorter birth interval for their second child than housewives. Women in their 20s are more likely to have shorter period of time to have the first child and shorter interval for the second child than those in their 30s. Job security for married women, maternity leave for childbirth and childcare, and family-friendly environment should be strengthened to increase the fertility level by shortening the timing of having the first child and the birth interval.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Recently in Korean Society, risk and safety has become a central discourse in not only the social and natural science but also political decision making. The efficient organizational management contributes to controlling the risk factors in the workplace. For the management is influenced and improved by the organizational culture, the alternatives more than simply improving the work environment or enforcing the education of safety on each workers are required. This study was the status of safety culture in organizational members(managers and workers, and specialist) including the attitude on the safety atmosphere and risk perception, and experiences, knowledges, motivation etc. For this part, the method of questionnaire and statistical analysis are mobilized. The degree of safety commitment of organization members appears relatively high (3.97 in five scale estimation), but there are variations in this results according to socio-demographic characteristics. At the same time, managers and professionals actively participation in the program related to safety than workers in production/sales. The higher income level and career is the more attention to the safety is. Based on this survey, we make an rough suggestion of several tasks to the policy -makers: improvement of communication on the risk and safety is required and in particular, the workers in the relatively low level in production/sales. The education system about safety which is, with one-side, provided by government or managers turns out to be inefficient. Rather, small group performance of the organizational members which they participate in the communication with interaction in the various discourse are able to provoke the safety mood in workplace.