• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.376-387
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• 2020

Objectives: This study is aimed at offering basic data for making plans for offensive odor management after researching offensive odor occurrence and characteristics in Gangwon Province. Methods: The data used in the study is based on offensive odor data analyzed by the Gangwon Institute of Health and Environment from 2012 to 2019. The data were reclassified by year, month, facility, and region to identify characteristics of occurrence. Finally, a distribution map of offensive odors was created using ArcGIS. Results: The highest monthly frequency of offensive odor occurrence falls in June, August, and July, and the summer season and third quarter are the highest. According to the latest eight-year data for Gangwon Province, complaints about offensive odors in county areas are more frequent than those in city areas. There are many offensive odor complaints in Wonju, Cheorwon, and Heongsung. The main offensive odor emission facilities are livestock and waste treatment (recycling) facilities. Complaints about offensive odors are relatively lower the Yeongdong area than Yeongseo area, which is considered to be the result of characteristics of land-sea breezes and geographical factors. Offensive odors from livestock facilities count for an average of 53.9% of the total, and the inadequacy rate of livestock facilities averages 36.9%. Conclusions: To maintain a clean environment in Gangwon Province, it is strongly recommended that an offensive odor reduction plan for livestock facilities be established. Areas with a high density of offensive odor occurrence should be identified and systematically managed with short- and mid-term measures. If offensive odors is managed using GIS, it is possible to identify the characteristics of occurrence by time and space and also by facility. In addition, since systematic data management is possible, it is believed that a rapid response to offensive odors, prediction of their spread, and efficient management are possible.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.15-32
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• 2013

Few public health researchers have paid research attention to the location of medical institutions in Korea. Previous studies were published in geography journals, and relied on limited data in terms of geographic regions and the type of medical institutions. This study utilized nationwide data covering 8 types of medical institutions. We obtained data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and National Population and Housing Census. The correlation coefficients of resident, daytime, university-graduate population, and the population of different age groups (fewer than 15, 15~64, 65 or more) were compared to understand their relative association with the location of medical institutions. Medical clinic, dental clinic, oriental medical clinic, and pharmacy, all of which are almost completely operated by private sector, showed strong positive correlation with population. Hospital-level medical institutions, which are operated by both public and private sector, had moderate positive correlation. Daytime population and university-graduate population, rather than resident population, were more correlated with the location of medical clinics. The correlation coefficients of the population of 15~64 age group and the location of medical institutions were greater than that of other age groups. The results showed that daytime and university-graduate population are more important than resident population to explain the location of medicalrelated facilities. The results also suggests that the population of age groups (especially, 15~64) might be one of important influence factors in the location of medical institutions.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.12.1-12.8
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• 2014

Objectives Cohort studies of associations between air pollution and health have used exposure prediction approaches to estimate individual-level concentrations. A common prediction method used in Korean cohort studies is ordinary kriging. In this study, performance of ordinary kriging models for long-term particulate matter less than or equal to $10{\mu}m$ in diameter ($PM_{10}$) concentrations in seven major Korean cities was investigated with a focus on spatial prediction ability. Methods We obtained hourly $PM_{10}$ data for 2010 at 226 urban-ambient monitoring sites in South Korea and computed annual average $PM_{10}$ concentrations at each site. Given the annual averages, we developed ordinary kriging prediction models for each of the seven major cities and for the entire country by using an exponential covariance reference model and a maximum likelihood estimation method. For model evaluation, cross-validation was performed and mean square error and R-squared ($R^2$) statistics were computed. Results Mean annual average $PM_{10}$ concentrations in the seven major cities ranged between 45.5 and $66.0{\mu}g/m^3$ (standard deviation=2.40 and $9.51{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). Cross-validated $R^2$ values in Seoul and Busan were 0.31 and 0.23, respectively, whereas the other five cities had $R^2$ values of zero. The national model produced a higher cross-validated $R^2$ (0.36) than those for the city-specific models. Conclusions In general, the ordinary kriging models performed poorly for the seven major cities and the entire country of South Korea, but the model performance was better in the national model. To improve model performance, future studies should examine different prediction approaches that incorporate $PM_{10}$ source characteristics.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2011

Health risk assessments for the abandoned asbestos mine were usually performed with activity-based sampling (ABS) method, which was not a effective tool for indexing health risk on an exact small area of mine. A newly proposed potential index of health risk (PIHR) was applied with proper spatial determination of geographical information system (GIS) to assess quantitatively health risks. A new trial was applied to a certain abandoned mine in Boryong as follows: A high grade area of PIHR was estimated 7.8% of the whole area of the mine (about 27.3 ha). Based on US EPA IRIS (integrated risk information system) model considering lifetime excess cancer risk (LECR), the health risk assessment indicated that the high grade area increased from 3.0 ha through 12.9 ha to 19.5 ha with an increase of asbestos contents in soil from 0.36% (1E-04 level) through 0.1% (3E-05 level) to 0.04% (1E-05 level). These results can be effectively applied to determine reclamation area of the abandoned asbestos mine.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.118-129
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• 2016

Many epidemiological studies, relying on administrative air pollution monitoring data, have reported the association between particulate matter ($PM_{10}$) air pollution and human health. These monitoring data were collected at a limited number of fixed sites, whereas government-generated health data are aggregated at the area level. To link these two data types for assessing health effects, it is necessary to estimate area-level concentrations of $PM_{10}$. In this study, we estimated district (Gu)-level $PM_{10}$ concentrations using a previously developed pointwise exposure prediction model for $PM_{10}$ and three types of point locations in Seoul, Korea. These points included 16,230 centroids of the largest census output residential areas, 422 community service centers, and 610 centroids on the 1km grid. After creating three types of points, we predicted $PM_{10}$ annual average concentrations at all locations and calculated Gu averages of predicted $PM_{10}$ concentrations as representative Gu-estimates. Then, we compared estimates to each other and to measurements. Prediction-based Gu-level estimates showed higher correlations with measurement-based estimates as prediction locations became more population representative ($R^2=0.06-0.59$). Among the three estimates, grid-based estimates gave lowest correlations compared to the other two(0.35-0.47). This study provides an approach for estimating area-level air pollution concentrations and assesses air pollution health effects using national-scale administrative health data.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.171-174
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• 2017

While many fertility preservation (FP) options now exist for reproductive-aged cancer patients, access to these services continues to be limited. A comprehensive FP program should be organized to serve oncofertility patients effectively. Also, much effort is needed from various individuals-patients, specialists from various fields, and consultants-to facilitate FP in a timely manner. Various challenges still exist in improving access to FP programs. To improve access to FP treatment, it is important to educate oncologists and patients via electronic tools and to actively navigate patients through the system. Reproductive endocrinology practices that receive oncofertility referrals must be equipped to provide a full range of options on short notice. A multidisciplinary team approach is required, involving physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, office staff, and laboratory personnel. The bottom line of FP patient care is to understand the true nature of each patient's specific situation and to develop a patient flow system that will help build a successful FP program. Expanding the patient flow system to all comprehensive cancer centers will ensure that all patients are provided with adequate information regarding their fertility, regardless of geography.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 2014

This study investigated the ability of Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake (Poaceae), Cyperus ligularis L. (Cyperaceae), Commelina erecta L. (Commelinaceae), Mariscus umbellatus (Rottb.) Vahl (Cyperaceae), Fimbistylis miliacea L. (Cyperaceae) and Torulinium odoratum L. (Cyperaceae) to clean up various levels of used motor oil (UMO) contaminated soils. The plants were grown in 2 kg garden soils treated to 0%, 1%, 5% and 10% levels of UMO contamination. The plant growth parameters, chlorophyll contents and dry weight of test plants were measured. The phytoremediation ability of these test plants were assessed by measuring the uptake of hydrocarbons in terms of total hydrocarbon content (THC) as well as their percentage degradation values. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in leaf chlorophyll contents and dry weights of the test plant species planted in UMO contaminated soils. THC as well as the percentage uptake (or degradation) of hydrocarbons were both lowest in C. ligularis but highest in T. odoratum in all cases. The phytoremediation potential of test plants was highest in soils contaminated with 5% UMO. Based on the results of this study, all test plants with the exception of C. ligularis were potentially capable of undertaking phytoremediation. However, B. bladhii and T. odoratum proved most effective in the uptake and degradation of UMO.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.99-105
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• 2017

Food allergy (FA) is a serious health problem, and severe FA such as food-induced anaphylaxis can often be life threatening. The incidence of FA has been increasing especially in children. They usually develop early in life and affect up to 10% of children. The 2 most common food allergens worldwide are milk and eggs, while the third one varies depending on the countries: peanuts in the United States and Switzerland, wheat in Germany and Japan, tree nuts in Spain, sesame in Israel, and walnuts in Korea. These common food allergens are different and difficult to identify because of differing study methodologies, population, geography, age, and dietary exposure patterns. The current management of FA relies on the strict avoidance of culprit allergens, the prompt treatment of allergic reactions, including epinephrine use for food-induced anaphylaxis, monitoring, and education to prevent further reactions. Newer approaches for tolerance induction to FA and FA immunotherapy have been under investigation but are not yet ready for real-world application. Thus, consistent and systematic education of patients, caregivers, and food-handling people is of primary importance for the management and prevention of FA reactions. This review assesses and compares IgE-mediated FA in children in Korea and other countries, with a focus on summarizing the prevalence, common triggers, and management of FA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.487-496
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• 2020

This study introduces how GISs (Geographic Information Systems) are used to assess spatial disparities in urban green spaces in the Chicago. Green spaces provide us with a variety of benefits, namely environmental, economic, and physical benefits. This study seeks to explore socioeconomic relationships between green spaces and their surrounding communities and to evaluate spatial disparities from a variety of perspectives, such as health-related, socioeconomic, and physical environment factors. To achieve this goal, this study used spatial statistics, such as optimized hotspot analysis, network analysis, and space-time cluster analysis, which enable conclusions to be drawn from the geographic data. In particular, 12 variables within the three factors are used to assess spatial disparities in the benefits of the use of green spaces. Finally, the variables are standardized to rank the community areas and identify where the most vulnerable community areas or parks are. To evaluate the benefits given to the community areas, this study used the z- and composite scores, which are compared in the three different combinations. After identifying the most vulnerable community area, crime data is used to spatially understand when and where crimes occur near the parks selected. This work contributes to the work of urban planners who need to spatially evaluate community areas in considering the benefits of the uses of green spaces.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.97-113
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• 2018

Low-frequency geological natural disaster events such as Pohang earthquake have been occurred. As a results, there's a growing recognition on the importance of education and training for low frequency geological disasters in Korea. In spite of many years of scientific researches on volcanic disaster prevention and preparedness on Baekdusan volcano, the results do not provide the proper scenario for the training for volcanic ash event. Fall 3D volcanic ash diffusion model was run based on wind field data for the last five year, assuming Aso Mountain's explosion with volcanic explosion index 5 for seventy two hours. The management criteria values for proper actions in the previous studies were applied to make a scenario for thirteen groups of the disaster response teams such as train transportation, water supply, electrical facilities and human health. The models on the relationship between education and training for disaster prevention and response were suggested to fulfill the scientific and practical training at local level.