• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.407-409
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• 2017

Air pollutants of concern include traffic-related air pollution, including particulate matter in respirable coarse and fine size fractions. There are no critical studies to date into associations between knowledge, awareness, and attitudes in using proper respiratory masks and prevalence of respiratory symptoms among urban street vendors in Thailand. In this study, we estimated adverse respiratory health outcomes among street vendors, in particular young adults, in Bangkok, Thailand, using a self-report questionnaire. Street vendors, who were not currently smoking and not having known diagnosed respiratory diseases, were recruited. They were selected from selected roadsides at Chong Nonsi, Bangkok. Participants (n = 30) reported having lower respiratory (50%), upper respiratory (37%), and other symptoms (70%). Also, 53% of participants had never used respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE: masks). Among those using PPE, all used masks not proper for particulate matter. Results suggested knowledge, awareness, and attitudes concerning proper PPE use needs to be increased among street vendors in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.174-182
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• 2004

The zinc intake and status of South Koreans from rural, urban and metropolitan areas were compared to evaluate the zinc nutritional status in different regional areas in South Korea. The dietary habits of 721 healthy adult subjects (271 from rural, 240 from urban, 210 from metropolitan city) with an age range 30 ∼ 64 (mean age 54$\pm$18) were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Mean daily Zn intake for rural, urban, and metropolitan areas was 6.5 mg, 7.3 mg, and 11.4 mg (p<0.05), respectively, which was 54%,61% and 95% of the Korean RDA for man (12 mg/d). Mean phytate: zinc molar ratios for rural, urban, and metropolitan city were 41, 34, and 30, respectively (p < 0.05), which were higher than the cutoff level of 20 for poor zinc status. The zinc intake and phytate: Zn molar ratio in the rural area were 0.5 and 1.3-fold compared to those of the metropolitan city, which can cause poor zinc nutriture in the rural area. Most of the zinc biomarkers were lower in the rural area than in the metropolitan city (p < 0.05) (mean rural and metropolitan values for plasma Zn: 80.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dL and 119.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dL, respectively; RBC Zn: 7.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dL and 8.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dL, respectively; plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity: 87 mU/mL and 100.4 mU/mL, respectively). It seems that a lower zinc intake in the rural area decreased zinc biomarker levels, such as plasma and RBC zinc, and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity, and caused the poor zinc nutritional status in this area. Most of the zinc biomarkers, such as RBC zinc and urinary and plasma zinc levels, in the subjects from the three localities, were within the normal range even when zinc intake of rural and urban subjects was low. The exception was plasma ALP activity in the rural area, which was lower than the reference level. Thus, marked zinc deficiency in these subjects were not observed, however, the potential for marginal zinc deficiency should be considered, especially for the rural area, because of the low zinc intake and the biomarker levels for marginal zinc deficiency.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.469-476
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• 2017

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and naming tests have been used clinically as screening and diagnostic tools for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Researches in other countries have reported that residential areas would affect one's cognitive abilities. In Korean, however, there was no systematic studies on geographical influences to cognitive ability among a sample of urban/rural residents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of urban/rural locality of residence on cognitive tests in normal elderly Korean. Residents aged 65 years and older (N=108) were administered the K-MMSE, confrontation/generative naming tests, and medical/socio-demographic interview. When comparing the total number of correct responses between urban residents and rural residents, the performances of rural group were significantly worse than those of the urban group in K-MMSE. Based on the results, our finding suggests that a factor of residential locality should be considered to examine the function and explain the cognitive decline in rural community-dwelling elders.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.447-454
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• 2006

Objectives : To determine obesity for the screening of individuals at high risk of coronary heart disease in urban areas. Methods : Data were obtained from 4,137 adults between 19 and 85 years of age (2,372 males, 1,765 females), not recognized as taking medicines for cardiovascular diseases, who underwent a health check-up at the health promotion center of university hospitals in cities between Jan. 2003 and Dec. 2004. The variables studied were divided into two broad categories, and their relationships examined. obesity indices and risk factors for coronary heart disease. To reveal the relation between each of the obesity indices and the proportion of individuals at risk of coronary heart disease, the obesity indices were stratified and odds ratios obtained after age adjustment. Results : From a gender comparison of anthropometric measures, men were found to have significantly greater heights, weights, and waist and hip circumferences than women. From a gender comparison by the obesity indices, women were found to have significantly higher BMI, %Fat, waist to hip and waist to stature ratios than men. As obesity indices, the waist to stature ratio and the waist circumference were strongly correlated with coronary risk factors, both in men and women. The age-adjusted odds ratio of coronary risk factors increased significantly with increasing waist circumference, BMI, %fat, waist to hip and waist to stature ratios, and were highest specifically for the waist to stature ratio and the waist circumference. Conclusions : The study results showed that the waist to stature ratio and the waist circumference, as obesity indices, were most closely correlated with coronary risk factors. It is suggested that the waist to stature ratio and, specifically, the waist circumference can be effectively used in the field of health management for screening those with high levels of coronary risk factors.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify differences and influencing factors in the level of life satisfaction among the urban community-dwelling elderly by age group. Methods: The study was conducted utilizing the secondary data of 2017 Seoul Survey in a cross-sectional design. Of 42,688 participants in total, the data of 7,927 adults aged 65 or older were analyzed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression. Results: There were significant differences between age groups, and it was found that the old elderly groups had significantly higher life satisfaction than the oldest elderly group (t=8.37, p<.011). In common, family and community factors influencing life satisfaction in the two age groups were companion animals (old elderly: β=.03, p=.002; oldest elderly: β=.06, p=.021), social network (old elderly: β=.10, p<.001; oldest elderly: β=.08, p=.008), and social support (old elderly: β=.05, p<.001; oldest elderly: β=.08, p=.005). Conclusion: Based on these results, social welfare and nursing care services focusing on social capital and age group-specific interventions are needed to improve life satisfaction of the elderly. This study might provide the possibility and evidence for a program to improve life satisfaction for the urban community-dwelling elderly, including social capital elements.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.295-304
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• 2023

Background: Adolescents are relatively more sensitive than adults to exposure to indoor pollutants. The indoor air quality in classrooms where students spend time together must therefore be managed at a safe level because it can affect the health of students. Objectives: In this study, three types of green-wall models were applied to classrooms where students spend a long time in a limited space, and the resulting effects on reducing PM were evaluated. Methods: In the middle school classrooms which were selected as the experimental subjects, IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring equipment was installed for real-time monitoring. Three types of plant models (passive, active, and active+light) were installed in each classroom to evaluate the effects on improving indoor air quality. Results: The concentration of PM in the classroom is influenced by outdoor air quality, but repeated increases and decreases in concentration were observed due to the influence of students' activities. There was a PM reduction effect by applying the green-wall model. There was a difference in PM reduction efficiency depending on the type of green-wall model, and the reduction efficiency of the active model was higher than the passive model. Conclusions: The active green-wall model can be used as an efficient method of improving indoor air quality. Additionally, more research is needed to increase the efficiency of improving indoor air quality by setting conditions that can stimulate the growth of each type of plant.

• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2024

With the continuous advancement of computer technology, deep learning models have emerged as innovative tools in shaping various aspects of architectural design. Recognizing the distinctive perspective of children, which differs significantly from that of adults, this paper contends that conventional standards may not always be the most suitable approach in designing urban structures tailored for children. The primary objective of this study is to leverage neural style networks within the design process, specifically adopting the artistic viewpoint found in children's illustrations. By combining the aesthetic paradigm of urban architecture with inspiration drawn from children's aesthetic preferences, the aim is to unearth more creative and subversive aesthetics that challenge traditional norms. The selected context for exploration is the landmark buildings in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China. Employing the neural style network, the study uses architectural elements of the chosen buildings as content images while preserving their inherent characteristics. The process involves artistic stylization inspired by classic children's illustrations and images from children's picture books. Acting as a conduit for deep learning technology, the research delves into the prospect of seamlessly integrating architectural design styles with the imaginative world of children's illustrations. The outcomes aim to provide fresh perspectives and effective support for the artistic design of contemporary urban buildings.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.83-94
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• 2009

This study examined the expectations and attitudes of urban Korean consumers with respect to the Korea-USA Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was drafted on April, 2007. The data were collected through online surveys in which 527 adults answered structured questionnaires. The results showed that the number of consumers who favored the Korea-U.S.A. FTA was almost twice the number of those who objected to it. Most of the consumers surveyed expected not only positive effects but also negative ones from the FTA, and the more consumers expected positive effects from the FTA, the more they tended to have positive attitudes toward the trade agreement. The effects of consumers' individual characteristics on their expectations and attitudes were also analyzed in this experiment.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.17-29
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was to explore how elderly with chronic disease in a health management program managed their health and to describe their health management strategies. Methods: The data were collected through in-depth interviews, with a purposeful sample of twelve in an urban community. The collected information was analyzed through grounded theory approaches by Strauss and Corbin. Results: Though open coding process, 35 concepts, 17 subcategories, 8 categories were identified. As for the participation experience process, four stages had surfaced, namely, 'Perception of chronic disease', 'Concerned about health', 'Developing life pattern', 'Restoring health'. These processes were within 'Restoring Health Equilibrium', core category. Consequently, the participants revealed in restoring relationship-oriented life and settling in family-focused life. Conclusions: These findings have implications for the understanding of health promotion for the elderly with chronic diseases and contributing to make a basic data for developing elderly health management program.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.121-122
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• 2002

중금속은 산업화 이후 오늘날까지 개발도상국뿐만 아니라 선진국에서도 지속적인 모니터링을 하며 관리하고 있는 환경오염물질이다. 납(Pb)과 카드뮴(Cd)은 산업화된 도시의 대기, 수질 및 토양의 모든 환경 매체에 분포하고 있는 환경오염물질이다(Lopez-Artiguez et al., 1993; Buchet et al., 1983). 특히, 환경중의 카드뮴 노출은 생물학적 반감기가 길기 때문에 특별히 더 중요한 의미를 가지는 잘 알려진 유독성의 물질이며(Buchet et al., 1983; Muller and Anke, 1994; Ikeda et al., 1989, 1995), 장기간의 직업상의 노출과 환경노출에 기인하는 독성의 영향도 최근 연구되어지고 있다(Jarup et al., 1998). (중략)