• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 2019

This study compared the predictive models for the growth kinetics of Staphylococcus aureus in ham rice balls. In addition, a semi-quantitative risk assessment of S. aureus on ham rice balls was conducted using FDA-iRISK 4.0. The rice was rounded with chopped ham, which was mixed with mayonnaise (SHM), soy sauce (SHS), or gochujang (SHG), and was contaminated artificially with approximately $2.5{\log}\;CFU{\cdot}g^{-1}$ of S. aureus. The inoculated rice balls were then stored at $7^{\circ}C$, $15^{\circ}C$, and $25^{\circ}C$, and the number of viable S. aureus was counted. The lag phases duration (LPD) and maximum specific growth rate (SGR) were calculated using a Baranyi model as a primary model. The growth parameters were analyzed using the polynomial equation as a function of temperature. The LPD values of S. aureus decreased with increasing temperature in SHS and SHG. On the other hand, those in SHM did not show any trend with increasing temperature. The SGR positively correlated with temperature. Equations for LPD and SGR were developed and validated using $R^2$ values, which ranged from 0.9929 to 0.9999. In addition, the total DALYs (disability adjusted life years) per year in the ham rice balls with soy sauce and gochujang was greater than mayonnaise. These results could be used to calculate the expected number of illnesses, and set the hazard management method taking the DALY value for public health into account.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

Objectives: This study examined the safety of tattoo ink by analyzing the phenol contents in tattoo inks and its risk assessment of selected phenol. Methods: A sample of 30 tattoo inks was purchased, the phenol contents were analyzed, and a risk assessment on dermal exposure from tattooing was carried out. Hazard identification was collected from toxicity data on systemic effects caused by dermal exposure to phenol, and the most sensitive toxicity value was adopted. Exposure assessment ($Exposure_{phenol}$) was calculated by applying phenol contents and standard exposure factors, while dose-response assessment was based on the collected toxicity data and skin absorption rate of phenol, assessment factors (AFs) for derived no-effect level ($DNEL_{demal}$). In addition, the risk characterization was calculated by comparing the risk characterization ratio (RCR) with $Exposure_{phenol}$ and $DNEL_{dermal}$ Results: The phenol concentration in the 30 products was from 1.4 to $649.1{\mu}g/g$. The toxicity value for systemic effects of phenol was adopted at 107 mg/kg. $Exposure_{phenol}$ in tattooing was from 0.000087 to 0.040442 mg/kg. $DNEL_{dermal}$ was calculated at 0.0072 mg/kg (=toxicity value 107 mg/kg ${\div}$ AFs 650 ${\times}$ skin absorption rate 4.4%). Thirteen out of 30 products showed an RCR between 1.02 and 5.62. The RCR of all red inks was above 1. Conclusions: Phenol was detected in all of the 30 tattoo inks, and the RCR of 13 products above 1 indicates a high level of risk concern, making it necessary to prepare safety management standards for phenol in tattoo inks.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.35-42
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• 2018

In order to seek out methods to reduce safety accidents caused by construction machinery and equipment, this study collects data about safety accidents and draws main risk factors by construction from the data, through SNA. It aimed to suggest safety management points to be used in future construction fields, by analyzing risk index of such factors. The finding can be summarized: First, Backhoe Bucket is the risk factor for crash accidents of average workers in earth works; boring machines-maintenance is the risk factor for fall accidents of construction machinery operators in foundation works; bending machine-reinforcing rod processing is the risk factor for jamming accidents of reinforcing rod engineers in frame works; and mobile crane-hook is the risk factor for crash accidents of average workers in lifting works. Second, works can be arranged in turn, according to the risk index: earth, lifting, frame and foundation works. Risk factors can be also arranged according to the risk index: Backhoe in earth works, pile drivers in foundation works, bending machines in frame works and mobile cranes in lifting works. This study has some limits, in that it only analyzed main machinery/equipment, among various kinds of them, for earth, foundation, frame and temporary works (lifting works) and used data collected over three years. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an analysis using big data, by collecting additional data about a lot of machinery/equipment in future construction fields.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.561-571
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• 2021

The 2017 Pohang earthquake left us with issues related to long-term repair and restoration from massive earthquake damage. The existing Earthquake response manual was insufficient to consider the flow of earthquake disaster work and the characteristics of long-lasting earthquake disaster. Accordingly, It is important to analyze and record how to earthquake response work was carried out during the Pohang earthquake. The functions that require the most work and manpower in the event of an earthquake disaster were emergency life stabilization support, facility emergency recovery, and energy functional restoration. As a result of analyzing the difficulties and problems of disaster response by function, it was found that the prevention and preparation for damage in advance was insufficient for each function. In conclusion, we subdivided the response step applied with the concept of time and presented the overall work flow process for thirteen collaboration functions. It is expected that this result will help disaster managers to work effectively in the event of a large scale earthquake.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.356-365
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• 2021

The nationwide expansion of the agricultural early warning service for agrometeorological disaster would require assessment of geographical and agricultural environmental characteristics by individual region. The development of an efficient computing environment would facilitate such services for the area of study region to deal with various crops and varieties for many farms. In particular, the design of the computing environment would have a considerable impact on the service quality of agriculture meteorology when the scale of computing environments increases for extended service areas. The objectives of this study were to derive the issues on the current computing environment under which services are provided by each region and to seek the solutions to these problems. The self-evaluation through experimental operation for about a year indicated that integration of the early warning service system distributed over different regions would reduce redundant computing procedures and ensure efficient storage and comprehensive management of data. This suggested that the early warning service for agrometeorological disaster would become more stable even when the service areas are to be expanded to the national scale. This would contribute to higher quality services for individual farmers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.395-403
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• 2021

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that participation in social activities (SA) can prevent cognitive decline (CD) and that living arrangements (LA) can affect cognitive function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SA and LA on CD, as well as their interactions, using longitudinal data. Methods: Data were used from the 2006-2018 Korean Longitudinal Study for Aging, which followed 10 254 adults older than 45 years over a 12-year period. CD was defined as a ≥4-point score decrease in the Mini-Mental Status Exam over 2 years. We developed an extended Cox proportional hazards model for time-dependent covariates to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of CD in 4 groups: (1) socially active and living with others, (2) socially active and living alone, (3) socially inactive and living with others (SILO), and (4) socially inactive and living alone (SILA). The model was stratified by gender and adjusted for important confounders. Results: The HR of CD was significantly higher in the SILO group in men (HR,1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.78) and in the SILA group in women (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.75). However, the interaction term for gender was not significant. Conclusions: Among socially inactive elderly adults, the HR of CD was elevated in men who lived with others and in women who lived alone, although the interaction term for gender was not significant. Socially inactive men who live with others and socially inactive women who live alone are particularly encouraged to participate in SA to prevent CD.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.500-508
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• 2020

Background: Research on the status of many chemicals used in the semiconductor industry is needed. The purpose of this study was to describe the overall status of chemical use in the semiconductor industry in Korea and to examine it from a health perspective. Methods: Data on the status of chemical use and safety data sheets at 11 of 12 major semiconductor workplaces in Korea were collected. The number of chemical products and chemical constituents, quantities of chemicals, and trade secret ingredients used, as well as the health hazards were examined. Results: On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16-56%) contained at least one trade secret ingredient. Most of the trade secret ingredients were used in the photolithography process. Several carcinogens, including sulfuric acid, chromic acid, ethylene oxide, crystalline silica, potassium dichromate, and formaldehyde were also used. Only 29% (39 of 135) of the chemical constituents had occupational exposure limits, and more than 60% had no National Fire Protection Association health, safety, and reactivity ratings. Based on the aforementioned results, this study revealed the following. First, many chemical products and constituents are being used in the semiconductor industry and many products contained trade secret ingredients. Second, many products contained significant amounts of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials. Conclusion: We conclude that protecting workers in the semiconductor industry against harm from chemical substances will be difficult, due to widespread use of trade secret ingredients and a lack of hazard information. The findings of the status of chemical use and the health and safety risks in semiconductor industry will contribute to epidemiological studies, safe workplace, and worker health protection.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2022

Purpose: The term "intentional injuries" refers to a spectrum of injuries resulting from self-inflicted injuries, interpersonal violence, and group acts of violence. Intentional injuries are underreported in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the characteristics of intentional injuries in patients who presented to the emergency department of a primary trauma center in Medina, Saudi Arabia in 2013. Methods: A prospective cohort database analysis of the clinical patterns and treatment outcomes of 252 patients who had intentional injuries between January and December 2013 was done. Results: The proportion of trauma patients with intentional injuries was 1.3%. The mean age was 34.2±9.4 years, 141 patients (56.0%) were male, and 111 (44.1%) were female (male to female ratio, 1.27:1). The majority (n=159, 63.1%) of injuries occurred at night. Most occurred outside the home (n=180, 71.0%). Financial problems (n=62, 24.6%) and social disputes (n=61, 24.2%) were the most common reasons. Sharp objects (n=93, 36.9%) were the most common weapons used. The head and neck were the most commonly injured areas (n=63, 54.4%). Superficial cuts (n=87, 34.5%), were the most common type of injury. Suturing of wounds (n=54, 21.4%) and surgical debridement (n=47, 18.7%) were the most commonly performed modalities of management. Conclusions: We conclude that intentional injuries in Saudi Arabia are a health care hazard that is, unfortunately, underreported. The clinical pattern is similar in most aspects to international reports but differs in certain features due to the specific religious and conservative characteristics of the community. Nationwide clinical studies are strongly recommended.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2023

Objective : Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are nonneoplastic cysts. Most of them are asymptomatic and stable; when symptomatic, RCCs are surgically fenestrated and drained. However, the outcomes remain unclear. The authors evaluated the outcomes of RCC decompression. Methods : Between 2004 and 2019, 32 RCCs were decompressed in a single tertiary institution. The clinical characteristics, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and endocrinological and surgical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent sequential imaging at least twice and at least 12 months after surgery were included in the analysis. Results : Patients' mean age was 40.8±14.9 years, and 62.5% were women. The mean follow-up duration was 62.3±48.6 months. In 21 patients (65.6%), no residual cysts were identified on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Of the 18 patients with preoperative visual field defects, 17 (94.4%) experienced postoperative visual improvement. Postoperative complications included endocrinological deterioration in 11 patients (34.4%), permanent diabetes insipidus in 11 (34.4%), infection in four (12.5%), intrasellar hemorrhage in three (9.4%), and cerebrospinal fluid leak in two (6.3%). Follow-up images revealed cyst recurrence in nine patients (28.1%), an average of 20.4 months after surgery; in three patients, the cysts were symptomatic, and resection was repeated. Multivariable analysis revealed that postoperative endocrinological deterioration was the only independent factor associated with cyst recurrence (p=0.028; hazard ratio, 6.800). Conclusion : Our findings showed that although only cyst fenestration for decompression was performed to preserve pituitary function, more pituitary dysfunction occurred than expected. Besides, the postoperative hormonal deterioration itself acted as a risk factor for cyst recurrence. In conclusion, surgery for RCC should be more careful.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.266-274
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• 2023

Recently, sterilization technology has received increasing interest due to the COVID-19 pandemic and required safety precautions. Particularly, sterilization devices using near ultraviolet (UV) with a 405 nm wavelength are also drawing attention. It has a UV-C wavelength and other sterilization effects. Its blue-colored light on the boundary between UV and visible light is used as a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp for 405 nm sterilization, owing to its longer wavelengths than UV rays. However, the 405 nm wavelength contains blue light that can damage the eyes and skin during prolonged exposures and affect the emotional and biological parts of the body. Currently, 405 nm sterilization LED light registers are circulating in the market. However, they have not undergone safety tests for blue-light hazards. Thus, with the active distribution of sterilization LED lights, solid safety standards and management systems are essential to protect users from blue-light hazards. Accordingly, in this study, we conducted spectral radiance and spectral radiative luminance tests on 405 nm sterilization LED registers available in the market by the measurement criteria of IEC 62471. Safety standards must be established to secure users' safety against blue light hazards at a time when 405nm sterilization LED lights are actively distributed due to COVID-19.