The water consumption data of individual consumers must be analyzed and forecast to establish an effective water demand management plan. A k-mean cluster model that can monitor water use characteristics based on hourly water consumption data measured using automated meter reading devices and demographic factors is developed in this study. In addition, the quantification model that can estimate the daily water consumption is developed. K-mean cluster analysis based on the four clusters shows that the average silhouette coefficient is 0.63, also the silhouette coefficients of each cluster exceed 0.60, thereby verifying the high reliability of the cluster analysis. Furthermore, the clusters are clearly classified based on water usage and water usage patterns. The correlation coefficients of four quantification models for estimating water consumption exceed 0.74, confirming that the models can accurately simulate the investigated demographic data. The statistical significance of the models is considered reasonable, hence, they are applicable to the actual field. Because the use of automated smart water meters has become increasingly popular in recent year, water consumption has been metered remotely in many areas. The proposed methodology and the results obtained in this study are expected to facilitate improvements in the usability of smart water meters in the future.
Sodium intake has been associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study examined the demographic factors related to HRQoL and whether there is an association between sodium intake and HRQoL in adults residing in rural areas. A total of 1,980 adults (aged ≥20 years) were selected from a cross-sectional study conducted between December 2013 and February 2014 in Gyeongju, South Korea. The sodium intake and HRQoL were measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire and the EuroQol Five-Dimension (EQ-5D) (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), respectively. The education levels (<5 years) were inversely associated with all five dimensions of HRQoL. Men had better EQ-5D scores for each of the five components examined. Adults living with spouses had better scores related to usual activities and anxiety/depression, whereas widowers had decreased scores of mobility and self-care. Unlike older adults aged 70-79 years, adults aged <60 years were more likely to have greater scores related to mobility, usual activities, and pain/discomfort. The income levels were also inversely related to the scores for self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Sodium intake was positively associated with the HRQoL related to self-care, usual activities, and pain/discomfort, but it was negatively associated with anxiety/depression. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the demographic factors and sodium intake were independently associated with HRQoL. The results highlight the need to provide tailored, targeted policies and interventions that consider personal characteristics and dietary intake to improve the overall HRQoL in adults residing in rural areas.
The aims of this study is to analyze the purchasing behavior of customers purchasing seafood using internet shopping mall based on the sales data of Suhyup Shopping Mall in 2016. The research shows three facts. First, 46.1% of those customers marine products in Suhyup Shopping Mall are purchasing less than 2 times a year and 62.7% of them are purchasing less than 5 times a year. Seconds, The amount of purchases of marine products using Suhyup Shopping Mall is very small. The proportion of purchasers with less than ₩100,000 per year is 48.5%, and the proportion of customers with annual purchases of less than ₩300,000 is 68.2%. Last, Relatively strong items were found by region and age. Abortion was a relatively strong item in the 20s, and In the 30s, the aquatic product set was a relatively strong item. In the 60s are seashells / scallops / shellfish and other fish, 70s are dried yellow croaker, abalone, tile fish and other fish. In the 60s and 70s, the other fishes showed strong relative strengths in terms of quantity and amount. But There were no relatively strong items due to regional differences according to the metropolitan area and nonmetropolitan area.
This study aimed to analyze the effect of demographic characteristics of consumers and quality recognition factors on purchase intention of organic wine, and to provide preliminary data necessary for the development of wine industry. By factor analysis of collected surveys, quality recognition factors of both the experienced and non-experienced group of organic wine environment/health, varieties of grapes, price, and four brand elements. First, among demographic characteristics, only income level hae a significant influence on the changes in quality recognition causes. Each of quality recognition causes of organic wine had a significant relation with purchase intent. The result of our analysis suggested that ‘environment/health’ was most influential for the experienced group, and ‘health’ was most influential for the non-experienced group. Therefore, this hypothesis is supported.