• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.42-52
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) use among medical device reprocessing staff. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 163 cleaning staff members from ten general hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires administered between July and September 2023. Analysis included t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Bonferroni correction, and multiple regression, conducted using SAS ver.9.4. Results: Statistically significant differences in compliance with PPE were found based on department and exposure to contamination within six months (t=-2.82, p=.007). Attitudes toward PPE (r=.22, p=.006) and awareness of the safety climate (r=.22, p=.006) showed a statistically significant positive correlation with PPE compliance. Factors influencing use of personal protective equipment by cleaning staff during medical device reprocessing were department, compliance with PPE, and awareness of the safety climate. The explanatory power of these factors was 58.0%. Conclusion: Improving PPE compliance and creating a safe cleaning environment entails fostering a supportive safety climate. Additionally, regular training that takes into consideration the characteristics of the cleaning staff, alongside continuous monitoring, is required.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2024

In this study, the pump and fertilize (PAF) was applied to reduce nitrogen infiltration into groundwater at three corn cultivation sites over a three-year period, and its effectiveness was evaluated. PAF involves pumping nitrate-contaminated groundwater and using it for irrigation, thereby replacing the need for chemical fertilizers. This method not only substitutes chemical fertilization, but also reduces nitrogen infiltration into groundwater through root zone consumption. To confirm PAF's effectiveness, an equal amount of nitrogen was applied in each cultivation plot, either through chemical fertilizer or irrigation with nitrate-contaminated groundwater. Regular monitoring of infiltrating pore water and groundwater was conducted in each cultivation plot. The linear regression slope for nitrate concentration in the pore water after repeated application of PAF ranged from -3.527 to -8.3485 mg-N/L/yr, confirming that PAF can reduce nitrate concentration in the pore water. With an increasing proportion of PAF, the infiltrating nitrate mass in pore water was reduced by 42% compared to plots fertilized with chemical fertilizer. Additionally, the linear regression slope of nitrate concentration in groundwater was calculated as -2.2999 and -9.2456 mg-N/L/yr. Therefore, continuous application of PAF in rural areas is expected to significantly contribute to reducing nitrate concentration in groundwater.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.51-68
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• 2024

Since 1949, the UK has implemented a national land planning strategy to sustain rural areas, emphasizing the concept of 'Natural Beauty.' This involves designating "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)" as a political approach to conserving rural landscapes and fostering a societal consensus on environmental conservation. AONB adopts an integrated and systematic approach to achieve harmony between the environment and human activities. This study investigates the implications of the AONB rural landscape management approach through case studies of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and Cannock Chase Joint Committee. It examines the legislative designation and supporting processes of AONB, analyzing the governance system to clarify the roles of authorities in policy decision-making. AONB's system revolves around joint committees or conservation boards of local authorities responsible for establishing, implementing, and monitoring management plans. The planning process involves a harmonious management plan system reflecting regional demands, including regular forums. AONB serves as a powerful tool for local residents to engage in the development of their region through stewardship. The study suggests that understanding the AONB model could provide a foundation for developing rural landscape conservation and spatial management plans tailored to Korea's context in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2023

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in branched chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKAD). Between 1997, when Korea's MSUD case was first reported, and 2023, 14 cases were reported in the literature. 29% of the cases experienced developmental delay, and 29% expired. The prevalence of MSUD in Korea was estimated to be 1 in 230,000. Of 21 MSUD patients currently being treated at the Korea Genetics Research Center, 19 were detected through newborn screening program, and 2 were diagnosed by the symptoms. 14 MSUD patients had confirmed genetic mutations; 6 (43%) were BCKDHA and 8 (57%) were BCKDHB. In one case, a large deletion was observed. 4 patients had leucine levels above 2,000 (umo/L), and post-dialysis diet therapy was initiated in the newborn period. No patient required further dialysis as diet therapy and regular monitoring proved highly effective. Most MSUD patients were growing normally; weight and height growth were above the 50th percentile in 76% of the cases while BMI values were higher than normal in 71% of cases. Developmental delays were observed only in 2 cases (10%) and anticonvulsant use in 3 cases (14%). With newborn screening available to all Korean infants, early diagnosis and intervention should allow most patients to remain asymptomatic. However, ongoing surveillance, dietary management and continued patient compliance as well as rapid correction of acute metabolic decompensations remain critical to a favorable long-term prognosis.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2024

Purpose: Open-air dumping is a significant problem in Gilgit City, with limited research analyzing waste generation and its physicochemical impact on the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of open dumping on soil properties and compare them with a controlled site. Research Design, data, and Methodology: Using ANOVA, the study found significant differences in electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), sand, silt, and clay between the two sites, except for pH. Pearson correlation revealed that pH negatively correlated with EC, sand, and silt, but positively with SOM, SOC, and clay. The control site's mean EC was 6.06 mS/m, whereas the dumping site recorded 8.5 mS/m. EC is inversely related to SOM, SOC, silt, and clay, but directly to sand. SOC and SOM values varied significantly, with notable differences in soil texture components like clay and silt. Results: The research highlights the detrimental effects of unsystematic waste dumping on soil health and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which exacerbates climate change. Conclusion: The study concluded that waste deposition and decomposition significantly impact EC, SOM, SOC, and soil texture, though pH remains unchanged. The unsystematic dumping of solid waste contributes to climate change through methane production, a potent greenhouse gas. To mitigate these impacts, the study recommends regular monitoring, waste prevention, recycling strategies, and continuous training for stakeholders to achieve sustainable development.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.101-126
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• 2024

To avoid irregularities in buildings, design codes worldwide have introduced detailed guidelines for their check and rectification. However, the criteria used to define and identify each of the plan and vertical irregularities are specific and may vary between codes of different countries, thus making their implementation difficult. This short communication paper proposes a novel approach for quantifying different types of structural irregularities using a common parameter named as unified identification factor, which is exclusively defined for the columns based on their axial loads and tributary areas. The calculation of the identification factor is demonstrated through the analysis of rectangular and circular reinforced concrete models using ETABS v18.0.2, which are further modified to generate plan irregular (torsional irregularity, cut-out in floor slab and non-parallel lateral force system) and vertical irregular (mass irregularity, vertical geometric irregularity and floating columns) models. The identification factor is calculated for all the columns of a building and the range within which the value lies is identified. The results indicate that the range will be very wide for an irregular building when compared to that with a regular configuration, thus implying a strong correlation of the identification factor with the structural irregularity. Further, the identification factor is compared for different columns within a floor and between floors for each building model. The findings suggest that the value will be abnormally high or low for a column in the vicinity of an irregularity. The proposed factor could thus be used in the preliminary structural design phase, so as to eliminate the complications that might arise due to the geometry of the structure when subjected to lateral loads. The unified approach could also be incorporated in future revisions of codes, as a replacement for the numerous criteria currently used for classifying different types of irregularities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.262-278
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• 2024

Objectives: To investigate the work environment measurement (WEM) status and concentration levels of substances with short-term exposure limits (STEL) among special management substances. Methods: Data from the past 5 years of WEM for 6 substances (1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP), 1,3-butadiene, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE) and sulfuric acid) were analyzed. The number of samples and concentration level of STEL and 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) were compared. Results: The number of STEL measurement for 1,3-butadiene, benzene, and sulfuric acid was less than 1% of the number of TWA measurement samples, while TCE, 1,2-DCP, and PCE, which are mainly used for cleaning metals, were relatively high, at 16.1%, 5.6%, and 2.2%, respectively. When comparing the concentrations of STEL with TWA on the same STEL measured workers (STEL-matched TWA), STEL concentrations were 2.8, 3.1, 2.6, 2.6 and 40.5 times higher than TWA as 1,2-DCP, benzene, TCE, PCE, and sulfuric acid. When comparing the concentration of STEL-matched TWA with the total TWA, STEL-matched TWA was 3.4, 8, 1.4, 2.0, 8.6 and 0.7 times higher for 1,2-DCP, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, TCE, PCE, and sulfuric acid, respectively. Conclusions: This study found that the workers performing irregular tasks may be exposed to higher concentrations of hazardous substances than regular workers. It is necessary to strengthen short-term exposure measurement, even for substances which STEL have not been set.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2016

Batteries are used for main power engine in the fields such as mobiles, electric vehicles and unmanned submarines, for starter and lamp driver in general automotive, for emergency electric source in ship. These days, lead-acid and the lithium ion batteries are increasingly used in the fields of the secondary battery, and the lead-acid battery has a low price and safety comparatively, The lithium ion battery has a high energy density, excellent output characteristics and long life, whereas it has the risk of explosion by reacting with moisture in the air. But Recently, due to the development of waterproof, fireproof, dustproof technology, lithium batteries are widely used, particularly, because their usages are getting wider enough to be used as a power source for hybrid ship and electric propulsion ship, it is necessary to manage more strictly. Hybrid ship has power supply units connected to the packets to produce more than 500kWh large power source, and therefore, A number of the communication modules and wires need to implement the wire inspection and monitor system(WIIMS) that allows monitoring server to transmit detecting voltage, current and temperature data, which is required for the management of the batteries. This paper implements a low price type wireless inspection and monitoring system(WILIMS) of the lithium ion battery for hybrid vessels using BLE wireless communication modules and power line modem( PLM), which have the advantages of low price, no electric lines compared to serial communication inspection systems(SCIS). There are state of charge(SOC), state of health(SOH) in inspection parts of batteries, and proposed system will be able to prevent safety accidents because it allows us to predict life time and make a preventive maintenance by checking them at regular intervals.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.471-475
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• 2008

Background: In order to achieve a maintenance level and to prevent hemorrhagic complications, regular monitoring of the INR is mandatory for patients on oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT). A point-of-care instrument for INR monitoring is convenient for users, but the accuracy of the results has been controversial, and so this calls for exact evaluation of the point-of-care instrument that is used for INR monitoring. Methods: From Aug 2007 through Feb 2008, 85 patients on OAT among the all the patients who were admitted to Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital were involved in this study. Parallel measurements of the PT INR were performed using a CoaguChek-XS and, a CA-7000 laboratory reference instrument and the results were analyzed. In addition, the patients' clinical data, including the diagnosis and the frequency and interval of the INR measurements, were also analyzed. Results: Of the 85 patients, 25 were admitted more than once to undergo INR testing and the mean interval between testing was 8.6 weeks with 39% and 38% of the tests being less than INR 2 units with using the CoaguChek-XS and the reference method, respectively. The coefficients of variation of CoaguChek-XS were 4.50 and 2.45 for the high and low INR patients, respectively. An excellent correlation was found between the two methods with a $R^2$ of 0.966 (p<0.001). Through Bland-Altman analysis, the mean INR difference between the two methods was 0.13 with the limit of agreement being -0.47~+0.72 with a 95% confidence interval. CoaguChek-XS was shown to overestimate the INR value for patients with an increasing INR, as compared to the reference method. Conclusion: CoaguChek-XS demonstrated great precision and accuracy for patients on OAT when compared to the laboratory INR results. Accordingly, the instrument should help to monitor the INR in the patients on OAT.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.73-96
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• 2013

ICAO's Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) was initially launched in January 1995, in response to widespread concerns about the adequacy of aviation safety oversight around the world. The recent reduction in aircraft accidents and effective role that is evaluated on the basis of these results, and in 2013 the existing 'snapshot approach' to 'regular monitoring system (USOAP-Continuous Monitoring Approach)' was converted to. ICAO aviation safety assessment of the state in today's international community 'aviation safety credibility' as objective indicators to judge the enormous impact on the aviation industry, the state is not satisfactory, especially if the results of the evaluation and expansion of code-share airline ban, reduced international air transit passengers, including premium increases business and economic penalties should. In addition, ICAO implementation of the existing laws and regulations(Prescriptive Approach), but based on the Risk-based prevention model, Proactive Approach introduced the concept of aviation safety system, including international aviation safety policy has been to switch paradigms. This new ICAO international aviation safety policy also applies to the Government of the Republic of Korea in line with the aviation safey policies have changed. In particular, the systematic implementation of safety management for the existing laws and regulations in the center of the safety oversight system of risk-based introduction of the concept of proactive safety management, and According to international standards ICAO aviation service providers operate their own Safety Management System was set out in Aviation Law ever. In addition, the aviation safety is at the center of the field of the safety of aircraft operations and maintenance for the promotion is promoting various safety policies. This new paradigm shift in the international aviation safety policy in line with our state in the international community with the most exemplary aviation safety system firmly established itself as a model, the Government will strengthen the competitiveness of our aviation plans to support. To do this, the government, airlines, aviation officials try all the practical effect would be expected.