• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.95-100
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• 2018

Background: Respiratory protection equipment (RPE) is the last resort to control exposure to workplace air pollutants. A comprehensive respiratory protection program (RPP) ensures that RPE is selected, used, and cared properly. Therefore, RPP must be well integrated into the occupational health and safety requirements. In this study, we evaluated the implementation of RPP in Iranian petrochemical industries to identify the required solutions to improve the current status of respiratory protection. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 24 petrochemical industries in Iran. The survey instrument was a checklist extracted from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration respiratory protection standard. An index, Respiratory Protection Program Index (RPPI), was developed and weighted by analytic hierarchy process to determine the compliance rate (CR) of provided respiratory protection measures with the RPP standard. Data analysis was performed using Excel 2010. Results: The most important element of RPP, according to experts, was respiratory hazard evaluation. The average value of RPPI in the petrochemical plants was $49{\pm}15%$. The highest and lowest of CR among RPP elements were RPE selection and medical evaluation, respectively. Conclusion: None of studied petrochemical industries implemented RPP completely. This can lead to employees' overexposure to hazardous workplace air contaminants. Increasing awareness of employees and employers through training is suggested by this study to improve such conditions.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.36-41
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the biomechanical variables of the walking patterns of the obese children compared with those of normal children would revealing significant differences. Normal(N=25) and obese(N=19) subjects were screened based on a health record which was examined to eliminate any subjects who had any pathological condition related to their gait. Data for a minimum of 5 repeated walking trials were collected using a stop watch and a tape measure. Basic kinematic analyses yielded data based on the following variables : stride length divided by leg length, and cadence divided by leg length. This measurement data was classified by the Obesity Index calculated from by height, weight data. Results showed no significant difference among normal, obese and subjects(p>.05). Difficulties in formulating the experimental condition and poor equipment quality are thought to be reason for the inconclusive results. Future studies might include medical complications such as tibia vara, genu valgum, other diseases caused by obesity.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.42-51
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the direction of tissue contraction after microwave ablation in ex vivo bovine liver models. Materials and Methods: Ablation procedures were conducted in a total of 90 sites in ex vivo bovine liver models, including the surface (n = 60) and parenchyma (n = 30), to examine the direction of contraction of the tissue in the peripheral and central regions from the microwave antenna. Three commercially available 2.45-GHz microwave systems (Emprint, Neuwave, and Surblate) were used. For surface ablation, the lengths of two overlapped square markers were measured after 2.5- and 5-minutes ablations (n = 10 ablations for each system for each ablation time). For parenchyma ablation, seven predetermined distances between the markers were measured on the cutting plane after 5- and 10-minutes ablations (n = 5 ablations for each system for each ablation time). The contraction in the radial and longitudinal directions and the sphericity index (SI) of the ablation zones were compared between the three systems using analysis of variance. Results: In the surface ablation experiment, the mean longitudinal contraction ratio and SI from a 5-minutes ablation using the Emprint, Neuwave, and Surblate systems were 28.92% and 1.04, 20.10% and 0.53, and 24.90% and 0.45, respectively (p < 0.001). A positive correlation between longitudinal contraction and SI was noted, and a similar radial contraction was observed. In the parenchyma ablation experiment, the mean longitudinal contraction ratio and SI from a 10-minutes ablation using the three pieces of equipment were 38.60% and 1.06, 32.45% and 0.61, and 28.50% and 0.50, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the longitudinal contraction properties, whereas there was no significant difference in the radial contraction properties. Conclusion: The degree of longitudinal contraction showed significant differences depending on the microwave ablation equipment, which may affect the SI of the ablation zone.

• 한국화재소방학회논문지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.85-93
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 소방대원이 수행하는 업무 중 중량물을 다루어야 하는 작업에 대한 분류 및 정량적 분석(NLE, 3DSSPP)을 수행하여 향후 소방대원의 중량물 관련 작업에 대한 위험도를 예측하고, 관련 위험도를 감소시키기 위한 기초 자료를 도출하고자 하였다. 도출된 위험도 등급은 위험도 점수가 3점부터 9점까지 총 7단계로 구성되었다. 가장 위험도가 높은 1등급은 나타나지 않았으며 인명구조 작업이 두 번째로 높은 2등급에 속하는 것으로 나타났다. 3등급은 파괴기구 활용, 환자 들어올리기작업 등으로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과들은 소방대원의 허리 부상을 포함하는 근골격계 질환 예방을 위한 작업방법 및 장비의 개선, 교육 프로그램의 개발에 기본 토대가 될 수 있다고 판단되며, 소방대원들의 근골격계 질환에 대한 지속적인 예방을 위해서는 본 연구의 골격을 토대로 한 추후 심층적인 조사와 연구가 시급하다고 사료된다.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.264-271
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of active vibration exercise of upper limb on physical capacity index (endurance, grip strength, balance, and flexibility) and vasomotor index (capillary length and body surface temperature) in middle aged women. 20 participants randomly divided into two groups: vibro-swing exercise (VSE) and non vibro-swing exercise (NVSE). Subjects in each group measured the 30 second arm curl test, hand dynamometer, one leg standing test, back scratch test, nail fold capillary microscope (NFM), and digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) before and after exercise. The results showed that active vibration exercise of upper limb with vibro-swing equipment increased the endurance, balance ability, and the capillary length. In addition, changes in body temperature immediately after exercise were predicted to affect vasomotor. Active vibration exercise of upper limb has the advantage of being able to exercise anywhere regardless of the location by inducing different frequency changes in movement of various ranges and velocity. For this reason, the combination of vibration and active movement can be expected the physiological effects when producing exercise programs for middle aged women.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2014

This study is performed to determine the priorites of the evaluation factors for the improvement of fire emergency medical service by increasing it's efficiency to protect the people's lives effectively, and by recognizing it's mid-long term development. Based on the output of the analysis, the critical evaluation factors of the fire emergency medical services to be improved shall be identified, and shall be intended to use strategically for increasing the efficiency of all the activity in the EMT service, and also for providing the basic date to product and manage the good quality services. To calculate the priority of the evaluation factor for each level as shown on this study, AHP(anaysis hierarchy process) with pairwise comparison method is applied. According to the priority analysis for the evaluation factors in main category (evaluation zone), 'medical service professional aspect' is recognized as highest one, and 'service infrastructure aspect', 'service management aspect' are indicated in order. According to the priority analysis for the evaluation factors in evaluation index, 'professional personal arrangement' in the service infrastructure aspect, 'appropriateness and timeliness of emergency medical care' in the medical service professional aspect, and 'clinical training' in the service management aspect are respectively recognized as most important factors.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.72-77
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors related to needle stick injuries (NSIs) and to assess related safety measures among a sample of Iranian nurses. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of 168 registered active nurses was selected from different wards of one of the hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). Data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire and a checklist based observational method among the 168 registered active nurses. Results: The prevalence of NSIs in the total of work experience and the last year was 76% and 54%, respectively. Hollow-bore needles were the most common devices involved in the injuries (85.5%). The majority of NSIs occurred in the morning shift (57.8%) and the most common activity leading to NSIs was recapping needles (41.4%). The rate of underreporting NSIs was 60.2% and the major reasons for not reporting the NSIs were heavy clinical schedule (46.7%) and perception of low risk of infection (37.7%). A statistically significant relationship was found between the occurrence of NSIs and sex, hours worked/week, and frequency of shifts/month. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of NSIs among nurses. Supportive measures such as improving injection practices, modification of working schedule, planning training programs targeted at using personal protective equipment, and providing an adequate number of safety facilities such as puncture resistant disposal containers and engineered safe devices are essential for the effective prevention of NSI incidents among the studied nurses.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.123-136
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• 2024

This study aimed to assess the mobility and thermal comfort of personal protective equipment (PPE) among female healthcare workers, taking into account wearers' physique and PPE protection levels. A total of 16 participants (age: 26.3 ± 8.3 y, height: 161.5 ± 7.3 cm, body weight: 57.1 ± 11.0 kg, BMI: 21.9 ± 3.6), representing diverse body types, underwent four PPE conditions: L (Low_Plastic gown ensemble), M (Medium_Tyvek 400), H (High_Tyvek 800J with Powered Air Purifying Respirator [PAPR]), and E (Extremely high_Tychem 2000 with PAPR, Bib apron, and Chemical-resistant gloves). The mobility protocol consisted of 10 different tasks in addition to donning and doffing. The 10 tasks were repeated twice at an air temperature of 24.3 ± 0.1℃, 59±4%RH. Findings revealed a disproportionate relationship between PPE protection and wearer discomfort. Significant differences in clothing microclimate and total sweat rate were observed between the lowest (L) and highest (E) protection levels (p < 0.01), while distinctions among medium levels were inconclusive. Subjective evaluations favored conditions H and L over M and E (p < 0.05), indicating reduced heat, and humidity, increased comfort, and lower exertion. Instances of mobility discomfort, specially in the small body type group, underscored the need for a suitable PPE size system for Korean adult female medical workers. Furthermore, enhancements in gloves, shoe cover, and PAPR hood designs are essential for improving ease of movement and preventing hindrance.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2022

Background: To compare ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the genicular nerve with the genicular nerve block using local anesthetic and steroid for management of osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. Methods: Thirty patients with OA knee were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound-guided PRF of the genicular nerve (PRF group) or nerve block with bupivacaine and methylprednisolone acetate (local anesthetic steroid [LAS] group). Verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS) and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were measured at pre-procedure and 1-, 4-, and 12-weeks post-procedure. Results: VNRS scores decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in both the groups at 12 weeks and other follow up times compared to baseline. Seventy-three percent of patients in the PRF group and 66% in the LAS group achieved effective pain relief (≥ 50% pain reduction) at 12 weeks (P > 0.999). There was also a statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement in WOMAC scores in both groups at all follow up times. However, there was no intergroup difference in VNRS (P = 0.893) and WOMAC scores (P = 0.983). No complications were reported. Conclusions: Both ultrasound-guided PRF of the genicular nerve and blocks of genicular nerve with local anesthetic and a steroid provided comparable pain relief without any complications. However, PRF of the genicular nerve is a procedure that takes much more time and equipment than the genicular nerve block.

• 한국정보통신학회논문지
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• 제20권11호
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• pp.2149-2154
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• 2016

현대 사회는 건강한 삶에 대한 사람들의 관심이 깊어지고 있다. 이에 따라 건강과 관련된 연구 및 서비스 개발이 진행되고 있는 실정이다. 이를 위해 IT 분야에서는 의료 분야의 정보를 활용한 헬스케어 시스템들이 개발되고 있다. 개발된 시스템들은 PC 및 스마트 TV를 활용하거나 스마트 폰을 이용하여 사용자에게 의료 분야의 정보 및 운동과 관련된 정보를 제공해주지만 사용자의 신체 정보를 정확히 분석하는 알고리즘이나 시스템은 개발 단계인 실정이다. 이를 해결하기 위해 본 논문에서는 사용자의 BMI(Body Mass Index) 지수와 BMR(Basal Metabolic Rate) 수치를 분석하여 사용자에게 정보를 제공하는 시스템을 제안한다. 사용자에게 제공하는 정보는 기존의 피트니스 시스템들처럼 움직임을 감지하고 이로 인해 소모한 칼로리 값을 보여주는 것과 달리 사용자의 신체에 적절한 운동 강도, 적정 수준의 운동량, 적합한 운동 기구를 추천해준다. 이로 인해 사용자는 추천 받은 정보를 기반으로 효율적인 운동을 진행할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.