• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.147-157
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• 2024

The objective of standard guideline for utilization of human lung organoids is to provide the basic guidelines required for the manufacture, culture, and quality control of the lung organoids for use in non-clinical efficacy and inhalation toxicity assessments of the respiratory system. As a first step towards the utilization of human lung organoids, the current guideline provides basic, minimal standards that can promote development of alternative testing methods, and can be referenced not only for research, clinical, or commercial uses, but also by experts and researchers at regulatory institutions when assessing safety and efficacy.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.308-313
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• 2018

Background: A behavior-based safety initiative card-issuing system was introduced at a cement-manufacturing company in Zimbabwe in 2008 to try and curb accident occurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Behaviour Based Safety Initiative card system as a tool used for reducing accident frequencies. Methods: A mixed-method approach that involving administering piloted questionnaires to 40 out of 244 randomly selected employees, making observations, and reviewing secondary data were done to collect data from different sources in the organization in 2013. A paired t-test was conducted to test whether there was significant difference in accident occurrence before and after the implementation of the BBSI. Scatterplots were also used to establish the correlation between the issuance of cards and the accident and injury occurrence. Results: The findings suggest that the introduction of the card system brought a significant decrease in accident and injury occurrence. A negative correlation between card issuance and accident occurrence was observed, i.e., the greater the number of cards issued, the fewer the number of accidents. It was also noted that the card system positively influenced the mindset of workers towards safe work practices. Conclusion: The card system had an influence on the reduction of accidents and injuries. The organization should leverage on issuing more cards to further reduce the number of accidents and injuries to zero.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2019

Background: There is considerable evidence that leadership influences workplace safety, but less is known about the relative importance of different leadership styles for safety. In addition, a leadership style characterized by an emphasis and a focus on promoting safety has rarely been investigated alongside other more general leadership styles. Methods: Data were collected through a survey to which 269 employees in a paper mill company responded. A regression analysis was conducted to examine the relative roles of transformational, transactional (management-by-exception active; MBEA), and safety-specific leadership for different safety behavioral outcomes (compliance behavior and safety initiative behaviors) and for minor and major injuries. Results: A safety-specific leadership contributed the most to the enhanced safety of the three different kinds of leadership. Transformational leadership did not contribute to any safety outcome over and above that of a safety-specific leadership, whereas a transactional leadership (MBEA) was associated with negative safety outcomes (fewer safety initiatives and increased minor injuries). Conclusion: The most important thing for leaders aiming at improving workplace safety is to continuously emphasize safety, both in their communication and by acting as role models. This highlights the importance for leadership training programs aiming to improve safety to actually focus on safety-promoting communication and behaviors rather than general leadership. Furthermore, an overly monitoring and controlling leadership style can be detrimental to attempts at achieving improved workplace safety.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.82-92
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• 2021

To resolve difficulties of export process and strengthen competitiveness, Korea National Food Safety Certificate (K-NFSC), a comprehensive food safety support system, has been promoted to introduction. K-NFSC is at a developmental stage where the government certifies the safety of exported K-foods by developing Korean certification system based on HACCP and food safety management added for international use, and provides consulting on regulations of customs clearance and safety test analysis of food intended for export. To apply for the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) technical equivalence in 2022, developmental direction of Korean certification system is set referring to FSSC22000. If selected as participants of an export supporting project, regulatory information such as customs clearance procedures and food labeling will be provided. In addition, the results of safety test analysis will be certified to help export products pass customs entry. K-NFSC is expected to support K-food exports and be growth engine for K-food industry.

• East Asian Economic Review
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.59-80
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• 2017

This paper examines the operational limitations of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) as a regional financial safety net in East Asia and presents a new regional financial arrangement. To overcome the drawbacks of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization which has never been activated so far, this study proposes that ASEAN+3 establish a new lending facility, so-called a Reserve Fund Facility, and create a regional common reserves asset. The proposed Reserve Fund Facility framework guarantees lending automaticity of the liquidity facility, based on upfront funding instead of pledge funding. Establishing the Reserve Fund Facility could find a way of making up for weakness of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization and responding to the regional needs for effective regional financial arrangement. The full-fledged Reserve Fund Facility will ultimately contribute to the future development of East Asia's monetary and financial cooperation beyond the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2024

An organoid is a self-organized three-dimensional structure derived from stem cells that mimics the structure, cell composition, and functional characteristics of specific organs and tissues and is used for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of drugs and the toxicity of industrial chemicals. Organoid technology is a new methodology that could replace testing on animals testing and accelerate development of precision and regenerative medicine. However, large variations in production can occur between laboratories with low reproducibility of the production process and no internationally agreed standards for quality evaluation factors at endpoints. To overcome these barriers that hinder the regulatory acceptance and commercialization of organoids, Korea established the Organoid Standards Initiative in September 2023 with various stakeholders, including industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and standard development experts, through public and private partnerships. This developed general guidelines for organoid manufacturing and quality evaluation and for quality evaluation guidelines for organoid-specific manufacturing for the liver, intestines, and heart through extensive evidence analysis and consensus among experts. This report is based on the common standard guideline v1.0, which is a general organoid manufacturing and quality evaluation to promote the practical use of organoids. This guideline does not focus on specific organoids or specific contexts of use but provides guidance to organoid makers and users on materials, procedures, and essential quality assessment methods at end points that are essential for organoid production applicable at the current technology level.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2019

Background: Emerging reports suggest the potential for adverse health effects from exposure to emissions from some additive manufacturing (AM) processes. There is a paucity of real-world data on emissions from AM machines in industrial workplaces and personal exposures among AM operators. Methods: Airborne particle and organic chemical emissions and personal exposures were characterized using real-time and time-integrated sampling techniques in four manufacturing facilities using industrial-scale material extrusion and material jetting AM processes. Results: Using a condensation nuclei counter, number-based particle emission rates (ERs) (number/min) from material extrusion AM machines ranged from $4.1{\times}10^{10}$ (Ultem filament) to $2.2{\times}10^{11}$ [acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate filaments). For these same machines, total volatile organic compound ERs (${\mu}g/min$) ranged from $1.9{\times}10^4$ (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate) to $9.4{\times}10^4$ (Ultem). For the material jetting machines, the number-based particle ER was higher when the lid was open ($2.3{\times}10^{10}number/min$) than when the lid was closed ($1.5-5.5{\times}10^9number/min$); total volatile organic compound ERs were similar regardless of the lid position. Low levels of acetone, benzene, toluene, and m,p-xylene were common to both AM processes. Carbonyl compounds were detected; however, none were specifically attributed to the AM processes. Personal exposures to metals (aluminum and iron) and eight volatile organic compounds were all below National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-recommended exposure levels. Conclusion: Industrial-scale AM machines using thermoplastics and resins released particles and organic vapors into workplace air. More research is needed to understand factors influencing real-world industrial-scale AM process emissions and exposures.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 1997

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre(SCK${\cdot}$CEN) has been a pioneer of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy after over forty years of existence. Recently, SCK${\cdot}$CEN's financial support of doctoral and postdoctoral research in close collaboration with universities has been a vital ingredient for securing a quality profile committed to the pursuit of execllence. FLINS, Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent technologies in Nuclear Science, was initially built within one of the postdoctoral research project at SCK${\cdot}$CEN. Among SCK${\cdot}$CEN's activities which will have an important impact on its scientific future, the application of fuzzy logic and intelligent technologies in nuclear science and engineering opens new domains in radiation protection, safety assessment, human reliability, nuclear reactor control, waste and disposal, etc. In this paper, we review the available literature on fuzzy logic in nuclear applications. We then present the initiative of R&D on fuzzy logic applications at SCK${\cdot}$CEN, namely, (1) safety control for a nuclear reactor, and (2) a safety evaluation model for nuclear transmission lines. By these two examples of nuclear applications, we illustrate the potential use of fuzzy logic in nuclear safety issues.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.103-106
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• 2010

We develop a theoretical framework for international cooperation that can be used for the elimination of asbestos-related diseases(ARDs). The framework is based on the similarities in the temporal patterns of asbestos use and occurrence of ARDs in diverse countries. The status of each nation can be characterized by observing asbestos use and ARD frequency therein using a time window. Countries that supply technology for prevention of ARDs can be classified as donors and countries that receive these technologies as recipients. We suggest identification of three levels of core preventative technologies. Development of a common platform to gather and manage core preventative technologies will combine the strengths of donor countries and the needs of recipient countries.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.241-243
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 poses an occupational health risk to health-care workers. Several thousand health-care workers have already been infected, mainly in China. Preventing intra-hospital transmission of the communicable disease is therefore a priority. Based on the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model, the strategies and measures to protect health-care workers in an acute tertiary hospital are described along the domains of work task, technologies and tools, work environmental factors, and organizational conditions. The principle of zero occupational infection remains an achievable goal that all health-care systems need to strive for in the face of a potential pandemic.