• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.57-73
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• 2004

Quantitative safety analysis through a fault tree method has been conducted for a fire broken out over the spilling LNG from a pilot LNG tank, which may have 4 types of scenarios causing potentially risky results. When we consider LNG release from venting pipelines as a first event, any specific radius of Low Flammable Limit(LFL) has not been built up. The second case of LNG outflow from the rupture of storage tank which will be the severest has been analyzed and the results revealed various diffusion areas to the leaking times even with the same amount of LNG release. As a third case LNG leakage from the inlet/outlet pipelines was taken into consider. The results showed no significant differences of LFL radii between the two spilling times of 10 and 60 minutes. Hence, we have known the most affecting factor on the third scenario is an initial amount of LNG release. Finally, the extent of LFL was calculated when LNG pipelines around the dike area were damaged. In addition, consequence analysis has been also performed to acquire the heat radiation and flame magnitude for each case.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3131-3135
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• 2015

Objective: To investigate whether the expression of serum soluble neural cell adhesion molecule (sNCAM) is associated with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in hepatocelular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Materials and Methods: The Oncomine Cancer Microarray database was used to determine the clinical relevance of NCAM expression in different kinds of human cancers. Sera from 75 HCC cases enrolled in this study were assessed for expression of sNCAM by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Dependent on the Oncomine Cancer Microarray database analysis, NCAM was down regulated in 10 different kinds of cancer, like bladder cancer, brain and central nervous system cancer, while up-regulated in lung cancer, uterine corpus leiomyoma and sarcoma, compared to normal groups. Puzzlingly, NCAM expression demonstrated no significant difference between normal and HCC groups. However, we found by quantitative ELISA that the level of sNCAM in sera from HCC patients with HE ($347.4{\pm}151.9ng/ml$) was significantly more up-regulated than that in HCC patients without HE ($260.3{\pm}104.2ng/ml$), the p-value being 0.008. sNCAM may be an important risk factor of HE in HCC patients, the correlation coefficients was 0.278 (P<0.05) on rank correlation analysis. Conclusions: This study highlights that up-regulated level of serum sNCAM is associated with HE in HCC patients and suggests that the high expression can be used as an indicator.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.337-342
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• 2007

To obtain the data on the risk assessment of residue levels of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in fresh ginseng and red ginseng extract, the residual pesticides in samples are surveyed with GC-NPD and GC-ECD for quantitative analysis and GC-MSD for qualitative analysis. The residual organophosphorus pesticides, such as diazinon, pyrimethanil, tolclofos-methyl, metalaxyl, diethofencarb, parathion, cyprodinil, tolylfluanid and kresoxim-methyl, are not detected in fresh ginseng from Punggi. The residual organophosphorus pesticides except tolclofos-methyl are not detected in fresh ginseng from Sangju. Average amount of tolclofos-methyl in fresh ginseng from Sangju are $0.054{\pm}0.008\;mg/kg$, representing $18{\pm}2%$ of MRL of 0.03 mg/kg on fresh ginseng in Korea. The residual organochlorine pesticides, such as BHC isomer, DDT isomer, aldrin, azoxystrobin, captan, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dieldrin, difenoconazole, endosulfan-sulfate, endrin, fenhexamid, quintozene, ${\alpha}$-endosulfan and ${\beta}$-endosulfan, are not detected in fresh ginseng from Punggi and Sangju. The residual organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in red ginseng extract from Punggi and Sangju are not detected.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The association between dietary patterns and depression has been reported but the results have been inconsistent. This study was conducted to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression in middle-aged Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were selected from a community-based cohort, a subset of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and those with a BDI score ${\geq}16$ were defined as having depression. The subjects' food intakes over the year preceding the survey were estimated by using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by using factor analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association of dietary pattern with depression. RESULTS: Among 3,388 participants, 448 (13.2%) were identified as having depression. We identified two major dietary patterns: 'Healthy' dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish and fruits and a low intake of white rice. 'Unhealthy' dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread and coffee and a low intake of rice with other grains. Compared with subjects in the lowest quartiles, those in the highest quartiles of the healthy dietary pattern had a significantly lower odds ratio (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42-0.82, P for trend = 0.0037) after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, the unhealthy dietary pattern was negatively associated with depression (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.19-2.28, P for trend = 0.0021). CONCLUSION: This results suggest that a healthy dietary pattern (rich in vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish, and fruits) is associated with low risk of depression. Whereas an unhealthy dietary pattern (rich in white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread, and coffee) is associated with a high risk of depression in middle-aged Korean adults.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2021

This review investigated the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy treatment for scoliosis. There were 7 online databases used in the search from inception to March 17, 2021, for randomized controlled trials of the use of acupotomy in patients with scoliosis. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies included (n = 12). A quantitative synthesis of the randomized controlled trials was performed using RevMan Version 5.3. The effect sizes of studies were presented as mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes, with a 95% confidence interval. As part of combined therapy, acupotomy was reported to significantly improve Cobb's angle compared with other treatments. Likewise, the Visual Analog Scale score, the Oswestry Disability Index score, and pulmonary function were also reported to be improved following acupotomy combination therapy. Although 5 studies mentioned the criteria for reporting adverse events, only 1 study reported adverse events. In conclusion, acupotomy may be an effective treatment for scoliosis. However, the small number, and heterogeneity of the included studies, as well as the poor methodological quality, indicate that higher-quality studies should be conducted to verify the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy treatment for scoliosis.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.244-248
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• 2021

Background: Sunburn is the main avoidable cause of skin cancer. Beach lifeguards spend many hours exposed to the effects of solar radiation during their work day, precisely at times of the year when levels of solar irradiation are highest. The aim of this study is to quantify the risk to beach lifeguards of sun exposure. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Western Costa del Sol, southern Spain, during the summer of 2018. The research subjects were recruited during a skin cancer prevention course for beach lifeguards. All participants were invited to complete a questionnaire on their habits, attitudes, and knowledge related to sun exposure. In addition, ten were specially monitored using personal dosimeters for three consecutive days, and the results were recorded in a photoprotection diary. A descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation for the quantitative variables) was performed, and inter-group differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Two hundred fifteen lifeguards completed the questionnaire, and 109 met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The mean age was 23.8 years (SD: 5.1), 78.0% were male, 71.5% were phototype III or IV (Fitzpatrick's phototype), and 77.1% had experienced at least one painful sunburn during the previous summer. The mean daily personal ultraviolet exposure per day, the minimal erythema dose, and the standard erythema dose, in J/m², were 634.7 [standard deviation (SD): 356.2], 2.5 (SD: 1.4) and 6.35 (SD: 3.6), respectively. Conclusion: Beach lifeguards receive very high doses of solar radiation during the work day and experience correspondingly high rates of sunburn. Intervention strategies to modify their sun exposure behavior and working environment are necessary to reduce the risk of skin cancer for these workers and to promote early diagnosis of the disease.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.175-191
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The scientific evidence of a sodium-obesity association is limited by sodium intake assessments. Our specific aim is to synthesize the association between dietary sodium intake and obesity across the sodium intake assessments as evidenced by systematic reviews in adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A systematic search identified systematic reviews comparing the association of dietary sodium intakes with obesity-related outcomes such as body mass index (BMI), body weight, waist circumference, and risk of (abdominal) obesity. We searched PubMed on October 24, 2022. To assess the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS), we employed the ROBIS tool. RESULTS: This review included 3 systematic reviews, consisting of 39 unique observational studies (35 cross-sectional studies and 4 longitudinal studies) and 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We found consistently positive associations between dietary sodium intake and obesity-related outcomes in cross-sectional studies. Studies that used 24-h urine collection indicated a greater BMI for those with higher sodium intake (mean difference = 2.27 kg/m²; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-2.51; P < 0.001; I² = 77%) compared to studies that used spot urine (mean difference = 1.34 kg/m²; 95% CI, 1.13-1.55; P < 0.001; I² = 95%) and dietary methods (mean difference = 0.85 kg/m²; 95% CI, 0.1-1.51; P < 0.05; I² = 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative synthesis of the systematic reviews has shown that cross-sectional associations between dietary sodium intake and obesity outcomes were substantially different across the sodium intake assessments. We need more high-quality prospective cohort studies and RCTs using 24-h urine collection to examine the causal effects of sodium intake on obesity.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.657-668
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• 2022

With the occurrence of localized heavy rain while river flow has increased, both flow and rainfall cause riverside flood damages. As the degree of damage varies according to the level of social and economic impact, it is required to secure sufficient forecast lead time for flood response in areas with high population and asset density. In this study, the author established a flood risk matrix using ensemble rainfall runoff modeling and evaluated its applicability in order to increase the damage reduction effect by securing the time required for flood response. The flood risk matrix constructs the flood damage impact level (X-axis) using flood damage data and predicts the likelihood of flood occurrence (Y-axis) according to the result of ensemble rainfall runoff modeling using LENS rainfall data and as well as probabilistic forecasting. Therefore, the author introduced a method for determining the impact level of flood damage using historical flood damage data and quantitative flood damage assessment methods. It was compared with the existing flood warning data and the damage situation at the flood warning points in the Taehwa River Basin and the Hyeongsan River Basin in the Nakdong River Region. As a result, the analysis showed that it was possible to predict the time and degree of flood risk from up to three days in advance. Hence, it will be helpful for damage reduction activities by securing the lead time for flood response.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.352-360
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• 2007

Several nutrients are known to affect bone mineral density (BMD). However, these nutrients are combined with food intake and dietary patterns and little is known about the association of dietary patterns and BMD. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of dietary patterns with BMD in Korea Genome Epidemiology Study subjects. Among 2,884 women (40-69 yr) recruited at baseline study (2001), 861 subjects with BMD measurements at baseline and a 4-year follow up study (2005) completed the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. BMD was measured by the Quantitative Ultrasound method. One hundred three food items were combined into 17 food groups and 4 dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Cluster analysis using factor score classified each subject into one of three dietary pattern groups named 'Rice and kimchi eating' (n = 617), 'Contented eating' (n = 124), and 'Healthy and light eating' (n = 120). The 'Healthy and light eating' group, characterized by higher intake of fruit, vegetables, fish, milk and dairy products, and younger age, more exercise, higher education, and higher income than other groups. The tibia BMD of the 'Healthy and light eating' group was higher than the other groups after adjusting for the age. After the adjustment for the age BMI and exercise, the 'Healthy and light eating' group showed significantly lower odds of tibia osteopenia/osteoporosis risk compared to the 'Rice and kimchi eating' group both at the baseline [OR(95% CI) : 0.50(0.30-0.84)] and follow-up [OR(95% CI) : 0.59(0.36-0.97)] examinations. The dietary pattern with low calorie and high intakes of fruit, vegetables, fish, milk and dairy products may have beneficial effects on BMD in middle-aged women.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

This study evalutated the risk of foodborne illness from Vibrio spp. (Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae) through sea squirt consumption. The prevalence of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae in sea squirt was evaluated, and the predictive models to describe the kinetic behavior of the Vibrio in sea squirt were developed. Distribution temperatures and times were collected, and they were fitted to probabilistic distributions to determine the appropriate distributions. The raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016 were used to estimate the consumption rates and amount of sea squirt. In the hazard characterization, the Beta-Poisson model for V. vulnificus and V. cholerae infection was used. With the collected data, a simulation model was prepared and it was run with @RISK to estimate probabilities of foodborne illness by pathogenic Vibrio spp. through sea squirt consumption. Among 101 sea squirt samples, there were no V. vulnificus positive samples, but V. cholerae was detected in one sample. The developed predictive models described the fates of Vibrio spp. in sea squirt during distribution and storage, appropriately shown as 0.815-0.907 of R² and 0.28 of RMSE. The consumption rate of sea squirt was 0.26%, and the daily consumption amount was 68.84 g per person. The Beta-Poisson model [P=1-(1+Dose/β)^-α] was selected as a dose-response model. With these data, a simulation model was developed, and the risks of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae foodborne illness from sea squirt consumption were 2.66×10^-15, and 1.02×10^-12, respectively. These results suggest that the risk of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in sea squirt could be considered low in Korea.