• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.442-452
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• 2010

Our team carried out a new program for public engagement on nanotechnology in Korea. We chose 22 monitors, who majored in science or technology and graduated from universities long time ago. Most of them were married and housewives. This 'focus group' had not only general knowledge about science or technology but also much interest in social activities. The 167 nanoproducts to be monitored were for daily life, e.g. home appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, water purifier, etc), clothing, cosmetics, food, toy, and others. And the period of it was one month. The monitors had a sheet with 10 questions, and filled them out in essay form. All of them submitted 2~3 sheets every weekend to our team. Before monitoring, our team had a meeting for introduction and explanation about the potential risk of nanotechnology as well as benefits from it. Another meeting was held after finishing monitoring to share their experience one another. The main results of the monitoring were as follows: the number of nanoproducts describing both the definition of 'nano' and the size of nanomaterials was just 2 (1.2%) the number of them explaining the technical methods enough was 15 (9/0%) the number of them accounting for the reason of functional improvement enough was 14(8.4%); the number of them doubtful as if there would be exaggeration or false knowledge was 27 (16.2%); the number of them commenting potential hazards to human health or environment was almost zero; the number of them describing about safety certification acceptable was 9 (5.4%). The monitors made a proposal containing recommendation to Government and industry. The contents were as follows: industry should make the manual in detail and correctly, Describe Certificate detailed and correctly, Do research on risk and toxicity continually, Educate employee about nanoproducts at consumer's center; Government should make indication of nanoproducts compulsory, Appoint Certificate Authority and make Certificate Mark guaranteeing the safety on nanoproducts, Make detailed explanation about nanoproducts compulsory.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2018

Although Kimchi has health benefits, food poisoning associated with consumption of Kimchi has been frequently reported. Accordingly, microbiological properties of Kimchi (100 samples) and washing effects on microbial reduction against its ingredients (200 samples) were examined. Total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium perfringens were quantified. In addition, B. cereus, Salmonella spp., Enterohemorrhagic E. coli, C. perfringens, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Yersinia enterocolitica were analysed qualitatively. Total aerobic bacteria count was approximately 1.4-9.0 log CFU/g, which were highest in ginger (8.8 log CFU/g), and Chonggak Kimchi (9.0 log CFU/g). The range of coliform counts detected in all raw materials was 0.5-7.3 log CFU/g and ginger showed the greatest number 7.3 log CFU/g among others. Contamination was decreased to 0.2-3.2, 0.3-2.7, and 1.0-3.9 log CFU/g for total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and B. cereus, respectively, after washing. Minimising microbial contamination in Kimchi ingredients is necessary to ensure the safety of Kimchi. These results indicate that washing is a useful method to reduce bacterial contamination in Kimchi.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.716-722
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• 2018

Objective : Lateral interbody fusion (LIF) is attractive as a less invasive technique to address anterior spinal pathology in the treatment of adult spinal deformity. Its own uses and benefits in treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis are undefined. To investigate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of LIF, and staged LIF and posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis patients, we analyzed radiographic and clinical outcomes of adult degenerative scoliosis patients who underwent LIF and posterior spinal fusion. Methods : Forty consecutive adult degenerative scoliosis patients who underwent LIF followed by staged PSF at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Long-standing 36" anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs were taken preoperatively, at inter-stage, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery were reviewed. Outcomes were assessed through the visual analogue scale (VAS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results : Forty patients with a mean age of 66.3 (range, 49-79) met inclusion criteria. A mean of 3.8 levels (range, 2-5) were fused using LIF, while a mean of 9.0 levels (range, 3-16) were fused during the posterior approach. The mean time between stages was 1.4 days (range, 1-6). The mean follow-up was 19.6 months. Lumbar lordosis was significantly restored from $36.4^{\circ}$ preoperatively up to $48.9^{\circ}$ (71.4% of total correction) after LIF and $53.9^{\circ}$ after PSF. Lumbar coronal Cobb was prominently improved from $38.6^{\circ}$ preoperatively to $24.1^{\circ}$ (55.8% of total correction) after LIF, $12.6^{\circ}$ after PSF respectively. The mean pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch was markedly improved from $22.2^{\circ}$ preoperatively to $8.1^{\circ}$ (86.5% of total correction) after LIF, $5.9^{\circ}$ after PSF. Correction of coronal imbalance and sagittal vertebral axis did not reach significance. The rate of perioperative complication was 37.5%. Five patients underwent revision surgery due to wound infection. No major perioperative medical complications occurred. At last follow-up, there were significant improvements in VAS, SF-36 Physical Component Summary and ODI scores. Conclusion : LIF provides significant corrections in the coronal and sagittal plane in the patients with adult degenerative scoliosis. However, LIF combined with staged PSF provides more excellent radiographic and clinical outcomes, with reduced perioperative risk in the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.160-164
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• 2015

The effects of different ingredient formulations on physicochemical qualities and consumer preferences were investigated using Baikseolgi incorporated with pomegranate concentrate (PC), a healthy food ingredient, as a model system. PC was incorporated into the formulation at five different amounts [0%, 1.6%, 3.3%, 5%, and 6.6% (w/w)] by replacing the equivalent amount of water added. After appropriate mixing, rice cakes were steamed and quality attributes were evaluated after cooling. The pH decreased while moisture content increased significantly with increased PC substitution (P<0.05). Lightness decreased significantly from 82.33 to 65.09 with higher incorporation of PC (P<0.05), indicating that the color of Baikseolgi became darker. Redness and yellowness, on the other hand, increased significantly (P<0.05). Hardness gradually increased as the PC content increased in the formulation (P<0.05). In addition, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased significantly (P<0.05), and they were well correlated. The overall consumer acceptance results indicate that incorporation of 1.6% PC in the formulation of Baikseolgi is recommended to take advantage of the health benefits of PC without sacrificing quality acceptance by consumers.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.51
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• pp.5-28
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• 2002

The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues and the characteristics of the recent social security pension debate in the United States. For the purpose the transforming process from the funded system to the pay-as-you-go system in the 1930s, three alternatives of social security reform proposed by the Social Security Administration in 1996, and the other various alternatives proposed by the politicians, the business leaders and the scholars were analysed. While the alternatives were compared, the critical issues could be identified. The core issues were as follows. First, the individual accounts should be newly made or not? Second, who is the main administrator, government or private investment companies? Third, what is important, the inter-generational and the vertical income redistribution effect or the individual equity in social security pension system? Besides, the different positions of the social forces were also examined. The supporters of privatizing the social security pension, supporters of IA and PSA, prefer the value of equity, the effect of promoting savings, the private management of the social security funds, and the investment of the funds to the private capital markets. The supporters of pay-as-you-go system, supporters of MB, prefer the inter-generational and the vertical income redistribution effect of social security pension, and were convinced that fundamental changes of the systems are not necessary, and the insolvency problem could be overcome through a few reform, for example, increasing the rate and decreasing the benefits.

• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
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• no.60
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• pp.133-173
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• 2018

This paper analyzes the consistency and the discrepancy between system and practices of the old age pension(Nyunronyungeum) in North Korea. The literature review is conducted to analyze the system. Specifically, the North Korean law and North Korean dictionaries were carefully examined. The interviews with 25 North Korean refugees were conducted to grasp the exact state of the old age pension in North Korea. Major findings are as follows: the consistency between system and practices of the old age pension in North Korea is identified only certain portions of that. Beneficiaries(blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, farmers, soldiers, and employees in foreign-invested enterprises), contribution periods, earning-related schemes, the totalization of periods of coverage(workplace transitions), the absence of double benefits and early retirement pension, and the delivery system around Civic Service offices(Dong offices) are confirmed by complete consistency. Preservation age, variations in the implementation of the pension system by region, and premium of the old age pension are confirmed by partial consistency. The length of service, the labor regulation, lump-sum payment, and double dipping are confirmed by discrepancies. It's important that this study brings about a better understanding the old age pension in North Korea through various original texts of North Korea and interviews with refugees. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the policy production for the age income security system after the unification and to the spread of unification perspectives.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.129-143
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• 2021

Objectives This study was aimed to evaluate clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) of traffic injuries, which has already been developed at domestic or outside of country, and to explore the Korean medical treatments included in the CPGs. Methods Twelve electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI {Chinese Academic Journals, CAJ}], Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], KoreaMed, Korean Medical Guideline Information [KoMGI), National Guideline Clearinghouse [AHRQ], Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative Website [COMET], Turning Research into Practice [TRIP], The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], and Medical Research Information Center [MedRIC]) up to July 2021 were searched. Only systematically developed CPGs for traffic injuries were selected and appraised. The appraisal was conducted by using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. Results Six CPGs were included and evaluated. All CPGs were appraised as highly recommended because they exceeded 60% in more than 4 among 6 domains of AGREE II, including domain of 'rigor of development', and 30% in the rest. Recommendations related to Korean medicine treatments such as on manual therapy related to Chuna were given in 6 CPGs, 4 for acupuncture, 1 for Qigong and 1 for Taping. Conclusions The 6 CPGs were developed up to now through a systematic development methodology and there were many recommendations for Korean medical treatments related to manual (Chuna) treatment, acupuncture and Qigong. However, the evidence for the side effects and risk factors of Korean medical treatments was scantly reflected in CPGs. Therefore, it is considered that balanced CPG with benefits and risks should be developed, covering Korean medical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.15-24
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• 2021

Objectives : The Glycyrrhiza new varieties, WONGAM and SINWONGAM, were developed through interspecific cross between Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis by the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration in Korea. This in vitro study was undertaken to compare the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects between Glycyrrhiza new varieties (WONGAM and SINWONGAM) and official compendia (Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Methods : Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhy drazyl), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis (3-rthylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) diammonium salt, Nitrite radical scavenging assay, and Reducing Power assay. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay and cell morphology was observed by an inverted microscope. Results : The DPPH, ABTS, Nitrite radical scavenging activities and reducing power of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WONGAM, and SINWONGAM were evaluated at different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 ㎍/㎖). Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WONGAM, and SINWONGAM showed similar dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activities. The cytotoxic effects with increasing doses of Glycyrrhiza new varieties and official compendia did not differ in HCT116, HT29, A549, MDA-MB231, PC3, ACHN, and HeLa cells. However, significant difference in cytotoxicity were observed in AGS, MCF7 and Hep3B cells by Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WONGAM, and SINWONGAM. Conclusions : These results showed that Glycyrrhiza new varieties and official compendia acts as a potent antioxidant. Also, the finding that equivalent cytotoxic potency was observed in a cell dependent manner. Our study suggests that Glycyrrhiza new varieties may offer a wide-variety of health benefits.

• Korean Journal of Labor Studies
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.35-71
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine which job-related factors are associated with presenteeism, which is defined as attending work while ill. Although presenteeism is a relatively new concept in academic research, it should be regarded as an important social issue in that presenteeism threatens employees' job prospects and quality of life as well as it causes loss of work productivity. I analyzed a cross-sectional survey of 24,571 wage workers over 15 from the fourth wave of the Korean Working Conditions Survey in 2014. Five logistic regression models were analyzed on experience of presenteeism, and work hours and private life, occupational environment, job insecurity, rewards and welfare were assessed as key predictors of presenteeism. I found that 1) work hours with bad fit with private life, 2) high level of work time-pressure, and low job satisfaction 3) job insecurity, and 4) low benefits are associated with experience of presenteeism. The findings are fairly consistent with the theory of job-person mismatch, which explains that workers tend to preserve their personal resources by going to work while ill (presenteeism) when job demands or work conditions do not match with their level of personal expectation and, thus, workers are afraid of loss of personal resources. Presenteeism influences worker's long-term health and quality of life negatively as well as causes serious social costs. Therefore, we need organizational efforts to prevent the negative effects of presenteeism on society as well as workers.

• Clean Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.263-272
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• 2019

Air pollutants have a high impact on everyday life as well as on human health; therefore, new technologies such as low-emission vehicles and add-on systems for air pollutant reduction are needed for our society. However, the environmental benefits and costs of those technologies are not taken into account in existing economic feasibility assessments, which is a barrier that needs to be overcome for green technology to achieve wide dissemination and fast penetration in the market. Thus, this study develops a methodology to assess the economic feasibility of an air pollutant reduction technology by taking into account the social costs from air pollutants and carries out a case study to validate the methodology. Because the social unit costs for air pollutants have not been evaluated yet in South Korea, the methodology uses the social unit costs evaluated for the European Union that are then converted to those for South Korea based on the measuring criteria for vehicle emission gases, parity purchasing price, foreign currency exchange rate, and customer price index. The social unit costs for South Korea are used to assess economic feasibility. A case study was performed to assess the economic feasibility of a dual fuel system using diesel and compressed natural gas by taking into account social costs from air pollutants as well as economic costs. This study could contribute to assessing the true economic feasibility of green technology, projects, and policy related with air pollutant reduction.