• Title/Summary/Keyword: Potential safety hazards

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The development of the seismic fragility curves of existing bridges in Indonesia (Case study: DKI Jakarta)

  • Veby Citra Simanjuntak;Iswandi Imran;Muslinang Moestopo;Herlien D. Setio
    • Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.87-105
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    • 2023
  • Seismic regulations have been updated from time to time to accommodate an increase in seismic hazards. Comparison of seismic fragility of the existing bridges in Indonesia from different historical periods since the era before 1990 will be the basis for seismic assessment of the bridge stock in Indonesia, most of which are located in earthquake-prone areas, especially those built many years ago with outdated regulations. In this study, seismic fragility curves were developed using incremental non-linear time history analysis and more holistically according to the actual strength of concrete and steel material in Indonesia to determine the uncertainty factor of structural capacity, βc. From the research that has been carried out, based on the current seismic load in SNI 2833:2016/Seismic Map 2017 (7% probability of exceedance in 75 years), the performance level of the bridge in the era before SNI 2833:2016 was Operational-Life Safety whereas the performance level of the bridge designed with SNI 2833:2016 was Elastic - Operational. The potential for more severe damage occurs in greater earthquake intensity. Collapse condition occurs at As = FPGA x PGA value of bridge Era I = 0.93 g; Era II = 1.03 g; Era III = 1.22 g; Era IV = 1.54 g. Furthermore, the fragility analysis was also developed with geometric variations in the same bridge class to see the effect of these variations on the fragility, which is the basis for making bridge risk maps in Indonesia.

The Design of a Crutch as Mobility Aids for the Handicapped in the Lower Extremity (하지 장애인의 보행보조를 위한 목발 디자인 연구)

  • Yang, Sung Ho;Oh, Kwang Myung
    • Design Convergence Study
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.55-70
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    • 2018
  • This study was conducted as a part of long-term project on the development of a set of design guidelines for a crutch as mobility aids for the handicapped in the lower extremity and the suggestion a practical solution for a crutch design. The purpose of this study is to develop a design of a crutch and a set of prototypes that reflects the characteristics of crutch-gait and has a realistic possibility for mass production-based industry. TOGO, a axillary crutch as the result of this study, shows a number of characteristics distinguished from ordinary crutches. These are (1)Minimize the shock associated with planting of the crutch tips by improving the form and structure of crutch tip and axillary pad, (2)Ergonomically designed crutch in accordance with users' body movement while walking on crutches, (3)Easy length control to maximize mobility and maneuverability by changing the cross section of the crutch revolutionary, (4)Minimize possibilities of safety hazards, and (5)Attractive shape of the crutch to keep user self-esteem. The revolutionary crutch derived from this study results has been patented, and the company is seeking to mass-produce and find ways to commercialize it after reviewing the potential problems that may arise in the mass production environment.

Deep Learning Research on Vessel Trajectory Prediction Based on AIS Data with Interpolation Techniques

  • Won-Hee Lee;Seung-Won Yoon;Da-Hyun Jang;Kyu-Chul Lee
    • Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.1-10
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    • 2024
  • The research on predicting the routes of ships, which constitute the majority of maritime transportation, can detect potential hazards at sea in advance and prevent accidents. Unlike roads, there is no distinct signal system at sea, and traffic management is challenging, making ship route prediction essential for maritime safety. However, the time intervals of the ship route datasets are irregular due to communication disruptions. This study presents a method to adjust the time intervals of data using appropriate interpolation techniques for ship route prediction. Additionally, a deep learning model for predicting ship routes has been developed. This model is an LSTM model that predicts the future GPS coordinates of ships by understanding their movement patterns through real-time route information contained in AIS data. This paper presents a data preprocessing method using linear interpolation and a suitable deep learning model for ship route prediction. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method with an MSE of 0.0131 and an Accuracy of 0.9467.

Radionuclide concentrations in agricultural soil and lifetime cancer risk due to gamma radioactivity in district Swabi, KPK, Pakistan

  • Umair Azeem;Hannan Younis;Niamat ullah;Khurram Mehboob;Muhammad Ajaz;Mushtaq Ali;Abdullah Hidayat;Wazir Muhammad
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.56 no.1
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    • pp.207-215
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    • 2024
  • This study focuses on measuring the levels of naturally occurring radioactivity in the soil of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, as well as the associated health hazard. Thirty (30) soil samples were collected from various locations and analyzed for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radioactivity levels using a High Purity Germanium detector (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer with a photo-peak efficiency of approximately 52.3%. The average values obtained for these radionuclides are 35.6 ± 5.7 Bqkg-1, 47 ± 12.5 Bqkg-1, and 877 ± 153 Bqkg-1, respectively. The level of 232Th is slightly higher and 40K is 2.2 times higher than the internationally recommended limit of 30 Bqkg-1 and 400 Bqkg-1, respectively. Various parameters were calculated based on the results obtained, including Radium Equivalent (Raeq), External Hazard (Hex), Absorbed Dose Rate (D), Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGDE), Annual Effective Dose Rate, and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), which are 170.3 ± 24 Bqkg-1, 0.46 ± 0.06 Bqkg-1, 81.4 ± 2.04 nGy h-1, 582 ± 78.08 µSvy-1, 99.8 ± 13.5 µSv Gy-1, and 0.349 ± 0.04, respectively. These values are below the limits recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in 2002. This study highlights the potential radiation threats associated with natural radioactivity levels in the soil of Swabi and provides valuable information for public health and safety.

Investigation of Microbial Contamination Levels of Leafy Greens and Its Distributing Conditions at Different Time - Focused on Perilla leaf and Lettuce - (시기별 엽채류의 미생물 오염도와 유통 조건 조사 - 들깻잎과 상추를 중심으로 -)

  • Kim, Won-Il;Jung, Hyang-Mi;Kim, Se-Ri;Park, Kyeong-Hun;Kim, Byung-Seok;Yun, Jong-Chul;Ryu, Kyoung-Yul
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.277-284
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    • 2012
  • The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate microbial contamination levels of leafy greens (perilla leaf and lettuce) and its distributing conditions at different seasons (Feb, May, Aug, and Nov of the year 2011) in order to provide insight into any potential health hazards associated with consumption of these commodities. Leafy greens were collected from a farm located in Geumsan, Chungnam and wholesale markets (WM) and traditional markets (TM) located in Suwon. At the same time, temperature and relative humidity fluctuations experienced by the leafy greens during distribution from the farm to the distribution center were measured by a data logger. The contamination levels of perilla leaf and lettuce were determined by analyzing total plate count. Coliform groups, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were determined. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliform groups and B. cereus in both vegetables sampled during May and August found to be higher than those sampled during February and November. E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes were not detected in the vegetables analyzed in this study. There were no significant trends between samples at WM and TM in the contamination levels. Relative humidity of vegetables distributed from the farm to the distribution center showed over 90% during distribution regardless of measured seasons. In the case of background microflora on leafy greens, the density was significantly increased at 20, 30 and $37^{\circ}C$ during storage of 24h. E. coli O157:H7 and B. cereus inoculated on the leaves also showed similar increases in the storage tests. The microbial contamination levels determined in this study may be used as the fundamental data for microbial risk assessment.

Microbiological Hazard Analysis of Ginseng Farms at the Cultivation Stage to Develop a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Model (인삼의 GAP 실천모델 개발을 위한 재배단계의 미생물학적 위해도 평가)

  • Shim, Won-Bo;Kim, Jeong-Sook;Chung, Duck-Hwa
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.28 no.4
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    • pp.312-318
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    • 2013
  • This study validated microbiological hazards of ginseng farms at the cultivation stage and suggested recommendations to develop a good agricultural practices (GAP) model. A total of 96 samples were collected from cultivation environments (soil, irrigation water, and atmosphere), plants (ginseng and its leaf), personnel hygiene (glove, cloth, and hand) of 3 ginseng farms (A, B, and C) and were tested to analyze sanitary indicator bacteria (aerobic plate count, coliforms and Escherichia coli), major foodborne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus), and fungi. Total bacteria, coliform, and fungi in the 3 ginseng farms were detected at the level of 1.3~6.0, 0.1~5.0, and 0.4~4.9 v/g (or mL, hand, and $100cm^2$), respectively. Only irrigation water collected from one ginseng farm was confirmed to be E. coli positive. In case of pathogenic bacteria, B. cereus was detected at levels of 0.1~5.0 log CFU/g (or mL, hand, and $100cm^2$) in all samples, but other pathogen bacterias were not detected in any samples from all farms. Although E. coli were detected in irrigation water, the level of microbial for the three farms was lower than the regulation limit. According to the results, the ginsengs produced from the 3 farms were comparatively safe with respect to microbiological hazard. However, cross-contamination of bacteria from environments and workers to ginseng has been considered as potential risks. Therefore, to minimize microbial contamination in ginseng, GAP model should be applied for ensuring the safety of ginsengs.

Cannabidiol Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Inflammatory Microenvironment via the CB2-dependent p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway

  • Lin Li;Jin Feng;Lei Sun;Yao-wei Xuan;Li Wen;Yun-xia Li;Shuo Yang;Biao Zhu;Xiao-yu Tian;Shuang Li;Li-sheng Zhao;Rui-jie Dang;Ting Jiao;Hai-song Zhang;Ning Wen
    • International Journal of Stem Cells
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    • v.15 no.4
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    • pp.405-414
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    • 2022
  • Background and Objectives: Chronic inflammation of bone tissue often results in bone defects and hazards to tissue repair and regeneration. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural cannabinoid with multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and osteogenic potential. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of CBD in the promotion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenic differentiation in the inflammatory microenvironment. Methods and Results: BMSCs isolated from C57BL/6 mice, expressed stem cell characteristic surface markers and presented multidirectional differentiation potential. The CCK-8 assay was applied to evaluate the effects of CBD on BMSCs' vitality, and demonstrating the safety of CBD on BMSCs. Then, BMSCs were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammatory microenvironment. We found that CBD intervention down-regulated mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and promoted cells proliferation in LPS-treated BMSCs, also reversed the protein and mRNA levels downregulation of osteogenic markers caused by LPS treatment. Moreover, CBD intervention activated the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. While AM630, a selective CB2 inhibitor, reduced phosphorylated (p)-p38 levels. In addition, AM630 and SB530689, a selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, attenuated the enhancement of osteogenic markers expression levels by CBD in inflammatory microenvironment, respectively. Conclusions: CBD promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via the CB2/p38 MAPK signaling pathway in the inflammatory microenvironment.

International Tendencies for Estavlishing a Microbiogical Standard for Food (식품의 미생물 규격기준의 국제적동향)

  • 신광순
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.77-95
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    • 1986
  • In 1962 the governing bodies of FAO and WHO approved the establishment of a joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, the creation of a jointly sponsored body to be known as the Codex Alimentarius commission to implement the Programme. It can reasonably be claimed that the Commission has assumad the leading role in establishing internation food standards throughout the world. The Codex Committee of Food Hygiene has received much advice and assistance from other international organization which have been working in this field for a number of years. In particular, it has received valuable background documentation from the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods(ICMSF) which was set up by the International Association of Microbiological Societies(IAMS), and also from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Nevertheless, in spite of the information supplied by governments and research bodies in this field, microbiological standards have proved to be a highly controversial subject from the point of view of Codex standards. When it is decided to establish a microbiological standard for a food or class of foods, the following technical and administrative aspects must be considered: 1) The standard should be based on factual studies and serve one or more of the following objectives: (1) to determine the conditions of hygiene under which the food should be manufactured; (2) to minimize the hazards to public health; (3) to measure the keeping quality and storage potential of the food 2) The standard should be attainable under practicable operating and commercial conditions and should not entail the use of excessive heat treatment or the additions of extra preservatives. 3) The standard should be determined after investigation of the processing operation. 4) The standard should be as simple and inexpensive to administer as possible, the number of tests being kept to a minimum. 5) Details of methods to be used for sampling, examining and reporting should accompany all published microbiological standards. 6) In establishing tolerance levels for the permissible number of defective samples, allowance should be made for sampling and other variations due to differences in the laboratory methods. The following additional points should be kept in mind: 1) It is not satisfactory to establish one set of microbiological standards for a miscellaneous group of foods, such as“frozen foods”or“precooked foods”. 2) Microbiological standards should be applied first to the more hazardous types of food on the basis of experience of expected microbiological levels, taking into account variations in composition, processing procedures, and storage. 3) When a standard is established, there should be a definite relationship between the standard and the hazard against which it is meant to protect the public. 4) The sensitivity, reliability, and reproducibility of the sampling and analytical methods should be compared in different laboratories and the methods to be used should be specified in detail as part of the standard. 5) Tolerances should be included in the standard to account for inaccuracies of sampling and analysis. 6) Standards should be applied on a voluntary basis before compliance is made mandatory.

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How to Reflect Sustainable Development in Overseas Investment including Equator Principles (해외투자(海外投資)와 지속가능발전 원칙 - 적도원칙(赤道原則)(Equator Principles)을 중심으로 -)

  • Park, Whon-Il
    • 한국무역상무학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2006.06a
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    • pp.45-72
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    • 2006
  • The Equator Principles are a set of voluntary environmental and social guidelines for ethical project finance. These principles commit banks and other signatories to not finance projects that fail to meet these guidelines. The principles were conceived in 2002 on an initiative of the International Finance Corporation and launched in 2003. Since then, dozens of major banks have adopted the Principles, and with these banks among them accounting for more than three quarters of all project loan market volume the Principles have become the de facto standard for all banks and investors on how to deal with potential social and environmental effects of projects to be financed. While regarding the Principles an important initiative, NGOs have criticised the Principles for not producing real changes in financing activities and for allowing projects to go through that should have been screened out by the Principles, such as the Sakhalin-II oil and gas project in Russia. In early 2006, a process of revision of the principles was begun. The Equator Principles state that endorsing banks will only provide loans directly to projects under the following circumstances: - The risk of the project is categorized in accordance with internal guidelines based upon the environmental and social screening criteria of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). - For all medium or high risk projects (Category A and B projects), sponsors complete an Environmental Assessment, the preparation of which must meet certain requirements and satisfactorily address key environmental and social issues. - The Environmental Assessment report addresses baseline environmental and social conditions, requirements under host country laws and regulations, applicable international treaties and agreements, sustainable development and use of renewable natural resources, protection of human health, cultural properties, and biodiversity, including endangered species and sensitive ecosystems, use of dangerous substances, major hazards, occupational health and safety, fire prevention and life safety, socio-economic impacts, land acquisition and land use, involuntary resettlement, impacts on indigenous peoples and communities, cumulative impacts of existing projects, the proposed project, and anticipated future projects, participation of affected parties in the design, review and implementation of the project, consideration of feasible environmentally and socially preferable alternatives, efficient production, delivery and use of energy, pollution prevention and waste minimization, pollution controls (liquid effluents and air emissions) and solid and chemical waste management. - Based on the Environmental Assessment, Equator banks then make agreements with their clients on how they mitigate, monitor and manage those risks through an 'Environmental Management Plan'. Compliance with the plan is required in the covenant. If the borrower doesn't comply with the agreed terms, the bank will take corrective action, which if unsuccessful, could ultimately result in the bank canceling the loan and demanding immediate repayment. - For risky projects, the borrower consults with stakeholders (NGO's and project affected groups) and provides them with information on the risks of the project. - If necessary, an expert is consulted. The Principles only apply to projects over 50 million US dollars, which, according to the Equator Principles website, represent 97% of the total market. In early 2006, the financial institutions behind the Principles launched stakeholder consultations and negotiations aimed at revising the principles. The draft revised principles were met with criticism from NGO stakeholders, who in a joint position paper argued that the draft fails by ignoring the most serious critiques of the principles: a lack of consistent and rigorous implementation.

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Analysis of a Weak Zone in Embankment Close to a Drainage using Resistivity Monitoring Data (전기비저항 모니터링을 이용한 저수지 제체 취수시설 취약성 해석)

  • Lim, Sung Keun
    • Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.8-14
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    • 2018
  • For the purpose of maintenance and prevention of earth fill dams against damage from natural hazards, automatic monitoring through various measuring instruments and resistivity survey has been carried out. Reservoirs and embankments have the structural vulnerability on the agricultural usages since most of them were built more than thirty years ago. The main aim to use monitoring method is to verify the safety and integrity of the dam. Resistivity survey can detect potential weaknesses, such as defective zones, anomalous seepages or internal erosion processes. Permanent resistivity monitoring systems were installed at a reservoir, which daily measurements have been taken every 6 hour. Using monitoring data for one year, anomalous seepage and structural defects were clarified for dam safety. Annual water level fluctuations are around 10 m. During their operation, reservoir dams are subject to a never-ending hydraulic load from the reservoir, which over the years may cause changes in the properties of the inner parts of the dam construction. Detailed analysis of the monitoring results was performed and showed that resistivities at most locations have been very stable over the full monitoring period excluding the effects of water fluctuation and seasons. To investigate the detectability of weak zone using the DC resistivity monitoring, numerical modeling with a simplified model for the drainage at a reservoir dam was also performed. The results showed that the seepage zone near drainage in a reservoir dam could be detected by resistivity response change.