• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.469-482
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• 2009

The emerging sensor-based structural health monitoring (SHM) technology has a potential for cost-effective maintenance of aging civil infrastructure systems. The author proposes to integrate continuous and global monitoring using on-structure sensors with targeted local non-destructive evaluation (NDE). Significant technical challenges arise, however, from the lack of cost-effective sensors for monitoring spatially large structures, as well as reliable methods for interpreting sensor data into structural health conditions. This paper reviews recent efforts and advances made in addressing these challenges, with example sensor hardware and health monitoring software developed in the author's research center. The hardware includes a novel fiber optic accelerometer, a vision-based displacement sensor, a distributed strain sensor, and a microwave imaging NDE device. The health monitoring software includes a number of system identification methods such as the neural networks, extended Kalman filter, and nonlinear damping identificaiton based on structural dynamic response measurement. These methods have been experimentally validated through seismic shaking table tests of a realistic bridge model and tested in a number of instrumented bridges and buildings.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.245-246
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• 2022

Concerns about a global economic recession are rising following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Accordingly, government entities, which are committed to overcome two barriers to severe inflation and economic recession, are showing high interest in spending management so as not to undermine fiscal soundness. Since the health care sector especially accounts for a large proportion of fiscal expenditure, it should be managed in a manner that the expense is appropriately spent. The National Health Insurance System and Healthcare System have secured international competitiveness and reliability by effectively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, considerable efforts should be made to reorganize the welfare and healthcare systems so that they can be sustainable during the post-COVID-19 era and the recession.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.543-550
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• 2020

Mosquitoes are globally distributed and important vectors for the transmission of many human diseases. Mosquito control is a difficult task and the cost of preventing mosquito-borne diseases is much lower than that for curing the associated diseases. Thus, chemical control remains the most effective tool for mosquito. Due to the long-term intensive use of insecticides to control mosquito vectors, resistance to most chemical insecticides has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between insecticide resistance and target site mutation of L1014 kdr and G119 ace alleles in 5 species/species group of mosquitoes (Aedes vexans, Ae. albopictus, Anopheles spp., Culex pipiens complex, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus) obtained from 6 collection sites. For Anopheles spp., the proportion of mosquitoes with mutated alleles in L1014 was 88.4%, homozygous resistant genotypes were observed in 46.7%, and heterozygous resistant genotypes were observed in 41.8%. For the Cx. pipiens complex and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus species, homozygous resistant genotypes were found in 25.9% and 9.8%, respectively. However, target site mutation of L1014 in the Ae. vexans nipponii and Ae. albopictus species was not observed. Anopheles spp., Cx. pipiens complex, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes were resistant to deltamethrin and chlorpyriphos, whereas Ae. vexans nipponii and Ae. albopictus were clearly susceptible. We also found a correlation between the resistance phenotype and the presence of the L1014 kdr and G119 ace mutations only in the Anopheles spp. population. In this study, we suggest that insecticide resistance poses a growing threat and resistance management must be integrated into all mosquito control programs.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2019

Background: Promoting healthy lifestyles at work should complement workplace safety programs. This study systematically investigates current states of occupational health and safety (OHS) policy as well as practice in the European Union (EU). Methods: OHS policies of EU member states were categorized as either prevention or health promotion provisions using a manifest content analysis. Policy rankings were then created for each prevention and promotion. Rankings compared eight indicators from the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks-2 data on prevention and promotion practices for each member state using Chi-square and probit regression analyses. Results: Overall, 73.1% of EU establishments take preventive measures against direct physical harm, and about 35.4% take measures to prevent psychosocial risks. Merely 29.5% have measures to promote health. Weak and inconsistent links between OHS policy and practice indicators were identified. Conclusion: National OHS policies evidently concentrate on prevention while compliance with health and safety practices is relatively low. Psychosocial risks are often addressed in national policy but not implemented by institutions. Current risk assessment methods are outdated and often lack psychosocial indicators. Health promotion at work is rare in policy and practice, and its interpretation remains preventive. Member states need to adopt policies that actively improve health and well-being at the workplace.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.69-91
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• 2017

Since the global financial crisis, major countries have been executing policies related to two top-priority goals to create more jobs: revitalization of entrepreneur activity and the cultivation of small and medium-sized companies. In South Korea, the interest of policy makers is increasingly focusing on the role of SMEs that have a technological competitive edge in the realization of a "job-centered creative economy." Due to the nature of the field, the health and medical industry requires a particularly long time until the achievement of industrialization, Also, because of the complex distribution structure, it is essential for related government ministries and institutions to jointly devise strategies. A lack of policy supports for the industry has thus far resulted in its development being relegated for the most part of small and medium-sized companies, which consequently means low global competitiveness. Now is the time for the South Korean government to provide the revolutionary supported options and strategies. This study aims to propose a general policy direction and policy areas for the cultivation of Korea's small and medium-sized companies in the healthcare industry into global small giant companies through an exploration of the German case. It is crucial to first cultivate the international competitiveness of Korean small and medium-sized companies (as in the case of Germany) so that they can grow into global small giant companies. Another important task is the creation of an environment that expedites the qualitative growth of promising SMEs as well as technological development. After securing competitiveness in terms of both product quality and technology in the global health market, substantive policy supports will be necessary to cultivate global small giant companies that are export-based (e.g. job creation effect, sales value added).

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the trend of overseas school health indicators and to investigate indicators comparable internationally. Methods: Using the key words, school, health, indicators and policy through formal literature and web sites, the resources were used after the completeness of resources such as the presence of author, year published and place, and reproducibility was evaluated. Results: In overseas, the interest of school health indicators has increased gradually since 1960. Quality indicators as well as quantitative indicators are important as the good school health indicators. The overseas school health indicators have been very comprehensive, not only including students, but also including the expanded population such as school personnel, parents, family and community, process and outcomes, policies, social and cultural environment. The trend of school health research is from traditional issue-based to indicatorbased which makes comprehensive interpretation including development of school health service and life satisfaction. Among internationally comparable indicators, Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) and Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) were chiefly for students' health and behavior level, and the School Health Service Survey (SHS) was for school health service personnel and policy. Conclusion: Characteristics of overseas school health indicators were expanded population, and comprehensive and internationally comparable indicators. Therefore, Korea school health indicators need to be comprehensive using expanded population and qualitative indicators, and consider standardized indicators comparable internationally.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether warm-needling is more effective than acupuncture in relieving the pain and improving the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis(OA). Methods : 76 volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received warm-needling(n=38), while the other group received acupuncture(n=38). Sixteen sessions of warm-needling or acupuncture were conducted on the pain region of each problematic knee over a period of 8 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) scores, physical health score based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) and the Global Assessment(PGA) was measured. Results : Compared to the acupuncture group, the warm-needling group showed a significant decrease in pain, function, and total WOMAC scores according to the Mann-Whitney U-test. The PGA scores of the warm-needling group also showed a significant improvement compared to the acupuncture group. Conclusions : Warm-needling showed a greater pain relief effect on knee OA compared to the acupuncture group. These findings suggest that warm-needling may be a promising alternative therapy for treating knee OA.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2014

Background: The development of technology can be beneficial for the life and health of human society. Crowdsourcing refers to drawing upon a large pool of individuals in order to seek services, ideas, or other contributions. With the development of information communication technology, crowdsourcing is able to provide powerful results in environmental health research. Methods: We searched 'crowdsourcing' and 'citizen science' for keywords related to the environmental health field and only selected journal articles and conference proceedings material, such as research reports and WHO reports. Results: This paper reviewed environmental health research using crowdsourcing. Examples of such research based on crowdsourcing included practices in environmental disasters, noise monitoring, global positioning system (GPS) technology, smart phones, attached portable devices and information delivery by web. Crowdsourcing methods can provide notably distinct approaches for future environmental health research. However, it is also important to protect personal information whenever crowdsourcing is applied to data generation and information dissemination. Conclusion: We expect that this review may provide useful information for the development of new environmental health research methods using crowdsourcing and citizen science.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.48
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• pp.27-56
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• 2010

Pollution emissions from international shipping and port activities have a significant impact on public health and global climate changes. The purpose of this paper is to review the status of pollution mitigation measures implemented to date in port industry and find out some implications for Korean ports. For this aim, the clean air strategies of the world major ports including six USA ports (Los Angeles/Long Beach, Now York/New Jersey, and Seattle and Tacoma), two European ports (Rotterdam and Gothenburg) and Busan Port were considered. Various measures to reduce emission from ports are evaluated by sectors-ocean going vessels, cargo handling equipments, truck and rail-, on the basis of categories such as reduction control technologies, operational changes and market-based measures. The policy implications of this paper are as follows. First, Clean Air Act Plans of Korean ports are required as soon as possible. Second, integrated approach is required to reduce emission effectively. Finally, the effect of port-related emission reduction can be maximized when various measures are conducted on a regional basis including neighboring ports. Furthermore, regional or global-based approach is useful to guarantee the level playing field among ports.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.75
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• pp.159-177
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• 2017

In this paper, we examined trends and regulations of the global medical equipment industry through literature search. The medical equipment industry is attracting attention as a new growth engine in the Fourth Industrial revolution. However, the medical device industry is a highly competitive field due to product diversity, short product life cycle and technological advances. In addition, Medical equipment are related to human health and safety. Therefore, it can only be exported if it is approved by national or international standards. Therefore, from the development stage of the product, the medical equipment should designate the country to be exported and develop a medical equipment that meets the requirements for licensing the medical equipment in the country. Therefore, In this paper, In this paper, we will present the practical considerations of the medical equipment exporting company by examining the global medical equipment market trends and the regulations related to medical equipment in major countries.