• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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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.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.127-135
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• 2006

In this study, steel deck bridges are chosen as analytic model to show the structural behaviors generated by high temperature of pavement and to formulate the simplified approximate analysis of thermal effects. In general, the thermal effect is changed by the material property of pavements and environmental temperature as well as shape, size and boundary conditions of bridge. Specially, this effect is the representative initial stress problem dependent on time. The thermal effect, however, does not depend on time and thermal effect is regarded as initial load in this study. After these thermal loading is modelled as moving loads, influence lines of reactions of shoes are calculated and the successive pavement steps with arbitrary segments are determined to minimize the thermal effect of shoes by influence line.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.457-466
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• 2023

Background: During hot environment work tasks with whole-body enclosed anti-bioaerosol suit, the combined effect of heavy sweating and exhaled hot humid air may cause the N95 medical respirator to saturate with water/sweat (i.e., water-blocking). Methods: 32 young male subjects with different body mass indexes (BMI) in whole-body protection (N95 medical respirator + one-piece protective suit + head covering + protective face screen + gloves + shoe covers) were asked to simulate waste collecting from each isolated room in a seven-story building at 27-28℃, and the weight, inhalation resistance (R_f), and aerosol penetration of the respirator before worn and after water-blocking were analyzed. Results: All subjects reported water-blocking asphyxia of the N95 respirators within 36-67 min of the task. When water-blocking occurred, the R_f and 10-200 nm total aerosol penetration (P_t) of the respirators reached up to 1270-1810 Pa and 17.3-23.3%, respectively, which were 10 and 8 times of that before wearing. The most penetration particle size of the respirators increased from 49-65 nm before worn to 115-154 nm under water-blocking condition, and the corresponding maximum size-dependent aerosol penetration increased from 2.5-3.5% to 20-27%. With the increase of BMI, the water-blocking occurrence time firstly increased then reduced, while the R_f, P_t, and absorbed water all increased significantly. Conclusions: This study reveals respirator water-blocking and its serious negative impacts on respiratory protection. When performing moderate-to-high-load tasks with whole-body protection in a hot environment, it is recommended that respirator be replaced with a new one at least every hour to avoid water-blocking asphyxia.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.237-242
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the joint movements and muscle activities of novices according to pedal type (flat, clip, and cleat pedal). Method: Nine novice male subjects (age: $24.4{\pm}1.9years$, height: $1.77{\pm}0.05m$, weight: $72.4{\pm}7.6kg$, shoe size: $267.20{\pm}7.50mm$) participated in 3-minute, 60-rpm cycle pedaling tests with the same load and cadence. Each of the subject's saddle height was determined by the $155^{\circ}$ knee flexion angle when the pedal crank was at the 6 o'clock position ($25^{\circ}$ knee angle method). The muscle activities of the vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius medialis were compared by using electromyography during 4 pedaling phases (phase 1: $330{\sim}30^{\circ}$, phase 2: $30{\sim}150^{\circ}$, phase 3: $150{\sim}210^{\circ}$, and phase 4: $210{\sim}330^{\circ}$). Results: The knee joint movement (range of motion) and maximum dorsiflexion angle of the ankle joint with the flat pedal were larger than those of the clip and cleat pedals. The maximum plantarflexion timing with the flat and clip pedals was faster than that of the flat pedal. Electromyography revealed that the vastus lateralis muscle activity with the flat pedal was greater than that with the clip and cleat pedals. Conclusion: With the clip and cleat pedals, the joint movements were limited but the muscle activities were more effective than that with the flat pedal. The novice cannot benefit from the clip and cleat pedals regardless of their pull-up pedaling advantage. Therefore, the novice should perform the skilled pulling-up pedaling exercise in order to benefit from the clip and cleat pedals in terms of pedaling performance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of 2D(2 dimensional form) & 3D(3 dimensional form; a customized arch-fit for posture correction) insoles for assessing their biomechanical functionality. Background : Recently there has been increased interest in both foot health and foot pain patients. Analysis of the plantar pressure was often used to solve the problems of the foot displayed by such people as rheumatoid arthritis patients. Method : Subjects who participated in this study were 17 female university students who had no previous injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The shoe size of all subjects was 240 mm. Two models of insoles of 2D(typical flat insole - 2 dimensional form) and 3D(special production - 3 dimensional form) were selected for the test. Using the Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 4.0 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 50 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Results : Results of the foot-pressure distribution and biomechanical functionality on each insole were as follows; analyses of mean plantar pressure, maximum plantar pressure, maximum vertical GRF, and plantar pressure curve shape all showed overall low plantar pressure and GRF. Conclusion : This can be evaluated as an excellent insole for low levels on the plantar pressure and GRF. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that according to this analysis the 3D Customized Arch-fit Insole was better than 2D insole on the basis of these criteria.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1423-1436
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• 2010

The effects of meteorological and reclaiming conditions on the reduction of suspended particles are investigated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with the k-$\varepsilon$ turbulence closure scheme based on the renormalization group (RNG) theory. Twelve numerical experiments with different meteorological and reclaiming conditions are performed. For identifying the meteorological characteristics of the target area and providing the inflow conditions of the CFD model, the observed data from the automatic weather station (AWS) near the target area is analyzed. Complicated flow patterns such as flow distortion, horse-shoe vortex, recirculation zone, and channeling flow appeared due to the topography and buildings in the domain. Specially, the flow characteristics around the reclamation area are affected by the reclaiming height, reclaiming size and windbreak height. Reclaiming height affected the wind speed above the reclaiming area. Windbreak induces more complicated flow patterns around the reclaiming area as well as within the reclaiming area. In front of the windbreak, flow is distorted as it impinges on the windbreak. As a result, upward flow is generated there. Behind the windbreak, a secondary circulation, so called, a recirculation zone is generated and flow is reattached at the end of the recirculation zone (reattachment point). At the lower part of the recirculation zone, there is a reverse flow toward the windbreak. Flow passing to the reattachment point starts to be recovered. Total amounts of suspended particles are calculated using the frictional and threshold frictional velocities, erosion potential function, and the number of surface disturbance. In the case of a 10 m-reclaiming and northerly wind, the amount of suspended particles is largest. In the presence of 5 m windbreak, the friction velocity above the reclaiming area is largely reduced. As a result, the total amount of the suspended particles largely decreases, compared to the case with the same reclaiming and meteorological conditions except for the windbreak The calculated suspended particle amounts are used as the emission rate of the dispersion model simulations and the dispersion characteristics of the suspended particles are analyzed.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.155-174
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• 2021

This study noted the emergence of the Resell investment within the fashion market, among emerging investment techniques. Worldwide, the market size is growing rapidly, and currently, there is a craze taking place throughout Korea. Therefore, we would like to use shoe data from StockX, the representative site of Resell, to present basic guidelines to consumers and to break down barriers to entry into the Resell market. Moreover, it showed the current status of the Resell craze, which was based on information from various media outlets, and then presented the current status and research model of the Resell market through prior research. Raw data was collected and analyzed using the XGBoost algorithm and the Prophet model. Analysis showed that the factors that affect the Resell market were identified, and the shoes suitable for the Resell market were also identified. Furthermore, historical data on shoes allowed us to predict future prices, thereby predicting future profitability. Through this study, the market will allow unfamiliar consumers to actively participate in the market with the given information. It also provides a variety of vital information regarding Resell investments, thus. forming a fundamental guideline for the market and further contributing to addressing entry barriers.