• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.106-111
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, we evaluate the potential of the relative ratio of capsular width (RCW) between the affected side (Aff) and non-affected side (Non-aff) in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia. We assessed whether RCW may hold greater diagnostic significance than the objective capsular width (CW) reported in previous studies when diagnosing arthralgia using ultrasonography (US). Methods: Forty-nine patients were assessed using US, excluding four patients with bilateral arthralgia. The patients were divided into two groups: 40 with unilateral arthralgia (UA), and nine without arthralgia (NA). We measured CW and masseter muscle thickness using US. Moreover, we employed RCW to analyze the variances between the groups. The numerical rating scale (NRS) and RCW were compared before and after dexamethasone injection in 10 patients who underwent follow-up evaluations. Results: Within the UA group, CW on the Aff was found to be significantly larger compared to the Non-aff (p<0.001). Additionally, RCW in the UA group was greater than that in the NA group (p<0.01). Furthermore, after dexamethasone injection, a reduction in the NRS and RCW values was observed in the 10 patients who were followed up. Conclusions: While previous studies have suggested a link between arthralgia and TMJ effusion, making CW a possible indirect diagnostic indicator for arthralgia, our findings propose that RCW could hold more diagnostic value than objective CW. However, additional studies are required to standardize the protocols for interpreting US results and determining the cutoff value of RCW in diagnosing TMJ arthralgia.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2024

Background: Despite many environmental problems, plastic waste emissions have been a significant surge during last few decades in the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has lead to an increased use and disposal of plastic waste worldwide. This paper tried to present summarized data related to the production and disposal of plastics especially before and after the COVID-19 pandemic with environmental impacts of plastics. Also, review of plastic waste reduction policies and feasible policies to promote an act for a safe, sustainable environment are presented. Results: Plastics cause many environmental problems due to their non-degrading properties and have a huge direct and indirect impact on Ecosystems and Public Health. Microplastics need a lot of attention because their environmental effects are not yet fully identified. Despite plastic's significant impact on climate change, the impact is not yet widely known to the public. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of plastic has surged and recycling has decreased due to the increase in delivery food and online shopping. Korea is introducing very active plastic and waste management policies, but it is necessary to implement more active policies by referring to the cases of other countries. Conclusions: In this article, we have scrutinized the evolution of plastic waste generation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and delved into policy frameworks adopted by other nations, which South Korea can draw valuable lessons from. The formidable challenges posed by plastic waste, the remarkable shifts witnessed during the COVID-19 era, and the multifaceted response strategies elucidated in this paper all play a pivotal role in steering South Korea toward a sustainable future.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2007

In recent years, mammography system is changed rapidly from conventional screen-film system to digital system for application to screening and diagnosis. Digital mammography system provides several advantages over screen-film mammography system. According to the information provided by the manufacturer, digital mammography system offers radiation dose reduction in comparison with screen-film mammography system, because of digital detector, particularly direct digital detector has higher x-ray absorption efficiency than screen-film combination or imaging plate(IP). We measured average glandular doses(AGD) in screen-film mammography(SFM) system with slow screen-film combination, computed mammography(CM) system, indirect digital mammography(IDM) system and direct digital mammography(DDM) system using brest tissue-equivalent phantom(glandularity 30%, 50% and 70%). The results were shown as follows : AGD values for DDM system were highest than those for other systems. Although automatic exposure control(AEC) mode was selected, the curve of the AGD values against thickness or glandularity increased significantly for the SFM system with the uniform target/filter(Mo/Mo) combination. Therefore, the AGD values for the high energy examinations were highest in the SFM system, and those for the low energy examinations were highest in the DDM system. But the curve of the AGD values against thickness and glandularity increased gently for CM system with the automatic selection of the target/filter combination (from Mo/Mo to Mo/Rh or from Mo/Rh to Rh/Rh), and the AGD values were lowest. Consequently, the parameters in mammography for each exposure besides detection efficiency play an important role in oder to estimate a patient radiation dose.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.65-79
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• 2019

The study attempted to estimate the optimal facility capacity by combining renewable energy sources that can be connected with gas CHP in industrial complexes. In particular, we reviewed industrial complexes subject to energy use plan from 2013 to 2016. Although the regional designation was excluded, Sejong industrial complex, which has a fuel usage of 38 thousand TOE annually and a high heat density of $92.6Gcal/km^2{\cdot}h$, was selected for research. And we analyzed the optimal operation model of CHP Hybrid System linking fuel cell and photovoltaic power generation using HOMER Pro, a renewable energy hybrid system economic analysis program. In addition, in order to improve the reliability of the research by analyzing not only the heat demand but also the heat demand patterns for the dominant sectors in the thermal energy, the main supply energy source of CHP, the economic benefits were added to compare the relative benefits. As a result, the total indirect heat demand of Sejong industrial complex under construction was 378,282 Gcal per year, of which paper industry accounted for 77.7%, which is 293,754 Gcal per year. For the entire industrial complex indirect heat demand, a single CHP has an optimal capacity of 30,000 kW. In this case, CHP shares 275,707 Gcal and 72.8% of heat production, while peak load boiler PLB shares 103,240 Gcal and 27.2%. In the CHP, fuel cell, and photovoltaic combinations, the optimum capacity is 30,000 kW, 5,000 kW, and 1,980 kW, respectively. At this time, CHP shared 275,940 Gcal, 72.8%, fuel cell 12,390 Gcal, 3.3%, and PLB 90,620 Gcal, 23.9%. The CHP capacity was not reduced because an uneconomical alternative was found that required excessive operation of the PLB for insufficient heat production resulting from the CHP capacity reduction. On the other hand, in terms of indirect heat demand for the paper industry, which is the dominant industry, the optimal capacity of CHP, fuel cell, and photovoltaic combination is 25,000 kW, 5,000 kW, and 2,000 kW. The heat production was analyzed to be CHP 225,053 Gcal, 76.5%, fuel cell 11,215 Gcal, 3.8%, PLB 58,012 Gcal, 19.7%. However, the economic analysis results of the current electricity market and gas market confirm that the return on investment is impossible. However, we confirmed that the CHP Hybrid System, which combines CHP, fuel cell, and solar power, can improve management conditions of about KRW 9.3 billion annually for a single CHP system.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.147-166
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• 2023

This study aimed to develop and apply guidelines for calculating greenhouse gas emissions to activate the contribution of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) for institutional-level research activities. In addition, we intended to improve awareness by identifying greenhouse gas emissions from KIGAM's basic research and development (R&D) activities in fiscal 2022. Herein, the research plan and budget contents of individual projects were analyzed, whilst the boundaries and scopes of greenhouse gas emissions were determined, with 22 cases being derived as either direct, indirect, or other sources of emissions. Subsequently, research activity emissions were calculated by emission source. The greenhouse gas emissions of KIGAM's 2022 basic project R&D activities were 2,041.506 tCO2eq, of which direct emissions were 793.235 tCO2eq (38.86%), indirect emissions comprised 305.647 tCO2eq (14.97%), whilst other emissions were 942.624 tCO2eq (46.18%). In particular, greenhouse gas emissions per 100 million won in the KIGAM's basic projects for fiscal 2022 (a total of 96.661 billion won) was calculated as 2.11 tCO2eq, whilst greenhouse gas emissions per participating researcher (was 4.800 tCO2eq. Such calculations should be carried out annually rather than once and accumulated for at least 5 years. Accordingly, it will be possible to standardize specific matters that influence emissions according to differences in research field characteristics and methods, thus guiding greenhouse gas emission reduction management in the future and evaluating the contributions of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) management to the environmental sector.

• Journal of Korean Society of societal Security
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.33-39
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• 2010

This study is to reduce the rate of drowning accident by using of buoyancy bag. People are exposed to the high risk of drowning accident when they have water leisure activities due to the lack of safety mind-set and shortage of safety products. In case of drowning accident, the rescue action is normally depending on the other people's assistance. Therefore, rescue activities which relyn the people doesn't improve the ratio of survival in the drowning accidents. The submarine specialists should use the buoyancy products to rescue the people in the drowning accident. The citizen can carry portable buoyancy product in the automobile as well as by hands anywhere and anytime. It will be effective rescue tool to save his/her life in the emergency. In addition, it will contribute to rescue other's life because it can be used immediately. There are 3 positive characteristics on the buoyancy bag. First, it is convenience. Documents and other stuffs can be kept in the bag. Second is safety. The material of buoyancy is placed in the inner of the bag. It is possible to float the person whose weight is 90 kg. Lastly, it is durability. It can be used long-term because the outer of the bag is made of anti-water material and anti-water zipper. As a result of performance analysis, it is evident that the buoyancy bag can be used to rescue the people in the drowning accident as a indirect rescue tool compared with the current other rescue products. It is recommended that the design of outer box and performance of buoyancy are required to be improved in order to contribute more to rescue people in the accident.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.5-15
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• 2010

Business corporations have become specialized and on the basis of various interests try to strengthen their competitiveness through a cooperative system of purchase, distribution, service and IT technology. And an advanced Internet-based electronic commerce has witnessed explosive growth and a business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce. Through E-marketplace. business corporations achieve such diverse utilities as expenditure curtailment, process reduction and prime cost reduction. And with business depression worldwide and soaring prices of materials, many business corporations consider the introduction of comprehensive purchase of MRO (maintenance, repair and operation) materials. The Purpose of this study was to examine the definition of B2B E-marketplace and the utilities of MRO commerce correctly focusing on an empirical analysis of cases of MRO supply and purchase business corporations. The indications acquired from this research results are as follows. Firstly, as for MRO integrated purchase under the characteristics of the market environment, it had to use the supplier obligatorily through the integrated purchase on the level of CEO's decision-making or the group rather than the voluntary will of the purchasing department or the procurement department. Secondly, as for the present B2B E-marketplace MRO purchase, the purchasing agency business has formed the mainstream, but it is aiming at the diversification of the benefit by supplementing/correcting the business model such as category type, mediation business type, MRO-type advancing in the store inclusive of the purchasing agency business, keeping pace with the potential market of MRO. Thirdly, as for analysis of the products, the purchaser wants more various products and assortment of goods than those of the present time, and also to be provided with the precise product information. Especially, as the importance of the product sourcing becomes high, the whole energy has been bestowed on acquirement of the excellent suppliers. Fourth, as for use of B2B E-marketplace MRO integrated purchasing system, there are the purchasing companies complaining the inconvenience even until now, and there is the demerit spending the long time during the image move and the process treatment. It shall try to shorten the searching time and the process treatment time as the system is centered on the purchaser. In order to enhance the efficiency of MRO E-marketplace purchase, followings must be considered: First, because the importance of product sources ever increases, an excellent supplier must be secured earnestly. Second, the time of process must be reduced focusing on purchasers. B2B E-marketplace will increase and diversify electronic commerce continuously. Through MRO E-marketplace, business corporations will reduce expenditure, achieve a transparent and speedy trade, and purchase products of fine quality, thus establishing a most effective market. In addition, in this study the investigator brings focus into MRO which has not been clearly discussed in the academic and business world so far and intensively highlights an indirect material-oriented expenditure curtailment effect. By taking all the aspects of supplier, purchaser and practical economical value into account, the investigator presents a strategic direction for the successful comprehensive purchase of B2B MRO.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 1998

Hand washing is an important component of hygiene program for food handlers. Hands can be a source of direct or indirect contamination of foods with pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the effectiveness of hand washing methods and the use of 70% alcohol solution against transient skin bacteria was tested in an university foodservice facility. 70% alcohol solution is sprayed for 5 seconds automatically when hands are placed in the dispenser. Samples were taken using swab technique in meat cutting area, vegetable trimming area, and vegetable cutting area: before and after washing hands according to planned methods, and after being sprayed with 70% alcohol solution after washing hands. The bacteriological analysis of total plate counts, coliform, fecal coliform of food handlers' hands was done. Statistical data analysis was completed with Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis model using the SPSS program. The levels of initial contamination of workers' hand were significantly different by the work areas($x^2$=9.156, p<0.01). Workers in the vegetable trimming area had more heavily soiled hands than in the other work areas. Mean of TPC counts and coliform was 8.97×$10^5$ CFU/12.4$cm^2$, 2.93×$10^2$ MPN/12.4$cm^2$ respectively, but fecal coliform was not detected. Transient bacteria were removed from hands after washing and using 70% alcohol solution but were not removed completely. Mean reduction percentage in TPC varied among work areas and ranged from 93.19% to 94.99%, and in coliforms from 97.31% to 100%. A significant difference in TPC was found between before and after hand disinfection (Z=-2.714, p<.01) and between standardized hand washing procedures and un-standardized hand washing procedures(z=-2.301, p<.01). Subjects using the hand sanitizer showed a great elimination of TPC(99.45% reduction), but this effect was valid only after following proper washing procedures. Based on the results, the most effective hand washing method was recommended as the combination of the standardized hand washing procedure with warm-water and use of the 70% alcohol solution. The results can be used to develop hand hygiene programs and training strategies for enhancing hand hygiene practices for food handlers in foodservice operations.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2000

The etiologic agents of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Korea are Hantaan and Seoul virus in the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae. Antibody titers of sera from HFRS patients against Hantaan virus were measured by immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high density composite particle agglutination (HDPA) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNI). PRNT and nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) was used for serotypic differentiation of Hantaviruses against Hantaan and Seoul virus. Eight doubtful HFRS patients showed higher fluorescent, IgG ELISA, agglutination and neutralizing antibody titer by IFAT, ELISA IgG, HDPA and PRNT, respectively Five out of them showed high IgM antibody titer by IgM capture ELISA against Hantaan virus, remarkably. Fifteen HFRS patients showed higher fluorescent antibody titer by IFAT. In PRNT, 12 out of them showed high neutralizing antibody titer against HTNV, 2 against SEOV and 1 against both viruses. In nested RT-PCR using serotype specific-primer, 3 out of them showed positive against HTNV and 1 against SEOV.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.781-790
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• 2014

Contaminants such as organic matters, nutrients and toxic chemicals in rivers and lakes with a weak flow rate are first removed from the water and accumulated in the sediments. Subsequently, they are released into the water column again, posing direct/indirect adverse effects on the water quality and aquatic ecosystems. In particular, phosphorus is known to accelerate the eutrophication phenomenon when it is released into the water column via physical disturbance and biological/chemical actions as one of important materials that determine the primary production of aquatic ecosystems and an element that is stored mainly in the sediments in the process of material circulation in the body of water. In this study, the effect on reducing phosphorus release in sediments was analyzed by applying different capping materials to lake water, where the effect of aquatic microorganisms is taken into account, and to distilled water, where the effect of microorganisms is excluded. The experimental results showed that capping with chemical materials such as Fe-gypsum and $SiO_2$-gypsum further reduced the phosphorus release by at least 40% compared to the control case. Composite materials like granule gypsum+Sand showed over 50% phosphorus release reduction effect. Therefore, it is determined that capping with chemical materials such as granule-gypsum and eco-friendly materials such as sand is effective in reducing phosphorus release. The changes in phosphorus properties in the sediments before and after capping treatment showed that gypsum input helped to change the phosphorus that is present in lake sediments into apatite-P, a stable form that makes phosphorus release difficult. Based on the above results, it is expected that the application of capping technology will contribute to improving the efficiency of reducing phosphorus release that occurs in river and lake sediments.