• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.127-153
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• 2009

There is a growing concern about potential harmful effect of second-hand or environmental tobacco smoking. As a result, smoking bans in workplace become more prevalent worldwide. In Korea, workplace smoking ban policy become more restrictive in 2003 when National health enhancing law was amended. The new law requires all office buildings larger than 3,000 square meters (multi-purpose buildings larger than 2,000 square meters) should be smoke free. Therefore, a lot of indoor office became non smoking area. Previous studies in other counties often found contradicting answers for the effects of workplace smoking ban on smoking behavior. In addition, there was no study in Korea yet that examines the causal impacts of smoking ban on smoking behavior. The situation in Korea might be different from other countries. Using 2001 and 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition surveys which are representative for population in Korea we try to examine the impacts of law change on current smoker and cigarettes smoked per day. The amended law impacted the whole country at the same time and there was a declining trend in smoking rate even before the legislation update. So, the challenge here is to tease out the true impact only. We compare indoor working occupations which are constrained by the law change with outdoor working occupations which are less impacted. Since the data has been collected before (2001) and after (2005) the law change for treated (indoor working occupations) and control (outdoor working occupations) groups we will use difference in difference method. We restrict our sample to working age (between 20 and 65) since these are the relevant population by the workplace smoking ban policy. We also restrict the sample to indoor occupations (executive or administrative and administrative support) and outdoor occupations (sales and low skilled worker) after dropping unemployed and someone working for military since it is not clear whether these occupations are treated group or control group. This classification was supported when we examined the answers for workplace smoking ban policy existing only in 2005 survey. Sixty eight percent of indoor occupations reported having an office smoking ban policy compared to forty percent of outdoor occupation answering workplace smoking ban policy. The estimated impacts on current smoker are 4.1 percentage point decline and cigarettes per day show statistically significant decline of 2.5 cigarettes per day. Taking into account consumption of average sixteen cigarettes per day among smokers it is sixteen percent decline in smoking rate which is substantial. We tested robustness using the same sample across two surveys and also using tobit model. Our results are robust against both concerns. It is possible that our measure of treated and control group have measurement error which will lead to attenuation bias. However, we are finding statistically significant impacts which might be a lower bound of the true estimates. The magnitude of our finding is not much different from previous finding of significant impacts. For cigarettes per day previous estimates varied from 1.37 to 3.9 and for current smoker it showed between 1%p and 7.8%p.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.257-279
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• 2012

This study examined how employment status changes affects poverty transition of workable youth using 3years panel data from KoWePS(Korea Welfare Panel Study, 2007-2009). Findings and implications of this study as follows. First, although relative poverty rate of aged 18-34 is lower than other age groups, significant amount of youth experienced poverty once in 2007-2009(14.59%). This means that there are some of youth suffering for poverty and the aspect of youth poverty is very dynamic. Second, much of workable poor of youth had high level of education(45.9% in 2009) and they were unemployed or inactive in labor market(55.3% in 2009). These findings consistent with previous studies of youth poverty or youth employment. Third, workable youth who had changed employment status from employed to unemployed or inactive in labor market were likely to enter poverty and less likely to exit from poverty. Moreover youth who were non-standard employed had more possibility to be poor and less possibility to be not poor. These show that employment instability makes youth vulnerable to economic hardship, poverty. The result of this study suggest that anti-poverty programs which are related with the work-related programs and active labor market policy, should consider workable youth who have high level of human capital comparing other ordinary working poor. Because of much of youth are not poor in fixed time point, they can't be supported from existing social assistance program, like National Basic Livelihood Protection Program. As youth who experienced poverty in changing time need social support to prevent long-term poverty, government should contemplate adopting assistance program for workable poor youth.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2007

Purpose: Ths study aims to examine characteristics of patients using emergency room after execution of five-day workweek system by government and provide basic materials for operation of efficient emergency room. Methods: Data were collected tbrough medical records of patients visiting emergency room from July of 2004 to October of 2006 and they were analyzed with SPSSlPC 10.0. Conclusion : 1. The number of patients visiting emergency room was average 16.7 persons a day in 2004, 17.5 in 2005 and 18.6 in 2006 and it was found that it was increasing every year since the execution of five-day workweek system 2. Gender distribution of subjects using emergency room was higher in male than in female every year. 3. Means of transport to emergency room were mostly private car and others(public transport or on foot), but use of ambulance was increasing. 4. Residential areas of subjects were mostly 'Myeon area' in 2004~2005, but it was changed to residents at 'Eup area' in 2006. 5. Distribution of patients by medical departments was highest in internal medicine and surgery in 2004~2006 and rate of visiting pediatrics was increasing every year. 6. Time to stay at emergency room was most at 'below 30 min'. in 2004~2006, but cases of stay for 'more than 2 hours' were increasing every year. 7. On presence or absence of trauma in patients visiting emergency room, rate of visit to emergency room with 'no trauma' was higher and this result was increasing every year. 8. As a result of classifying severity of patients visiting emergency room, use rate of emergency room by 'non-emergency' patients was over 90% in 2004~2006 and such a phenomenon was deepened in 2006 compared to that in 2004. 9. Measures after emergency care of patients were most in case of 'discharge' in 2004~2006, but cases of admission to hospital after emergency care were increased every year. 10. According to use of emergency room by a day of the week, use on Sunday was most frequent in 2004~2006, but use on Friday the day before holiday was increasing. 11. According to distribution by age, use by those between '40~49' was most in 2004~2005, but use by those 'below 10' was most in 2006. 12. According to time to visit emergency room, using emergency room at "15:31~23:30 was most in 2004~2006, cases of visiting emergency room at day working hour were decreased every year and those at evening and night working hours were increased. Conclusion: In sum, it was found that characteristics of patients visiting emergency room and their actual status were changed after the execution of five-day workweek system and efforts to rearrange emergency medical system are required.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2010

Objectives: The level of benzene exposure in the petrochemical industry during regular operation has been well established, but not in turnaround (TA), where high exposure may occur. In this study, the characteristics of occupational exposure to benzene during TA in the petrochemical companies were investigated in order to determine the best management strategies and improve the working environment. This was accomplished by evaluating the exposure level for the workers working in environments where benzene was being produced or used as an ingredient during the unit process. Methods: From 2003 to 2008, a total of 705 workers in three petrochemical companies in Korea were studied. Long- and short-term (< 1 hr) samples were taken during TAs. TA was classified into three stages: shut-down, maintenance and start-up. All works were classified into 12 occupation categories. Results: The long-term geometric mean (GM) benzene exposure level was 0.025 (5.82) ppm (0.005-42.120 ppm) and the short-term exposure concentration during TA was 0.020 (17.42) ppm (0.005-61.855 ppm). The proportions of TA samples exceeding the time-weighted average, occupational exposure level (TWA-OEL in Korea, 1 ppm) and the short-term exposure limit (STEL-OEL, 5 ppm) were 4.1% (20 samples of 488) and 6.0% (13 samples of 217), respectively. The results for the benzene exposure levels and the rates of exceeding the OEL were both statistically significant (p < 0.05). Among the 12 job categories of petrochemical workers, mechanical engineers, plumbers, welders, fieldman and scaffolding workers exhibited long-term samples that exceeded the OEL of benzene, and the rate of exceeding the OEL was statistically significant for the first two occupations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the periodic work environment must be assessed during non-routine works such as TA.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.119-130
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• 2012

This study attempted to investigate school participation experiences and the need for a school-participation leave for employed parents. A school participation leave is a paid or unpaid leave that guarantees workers to take time-off for school participation regarding children's educational purposes. We reviewed cases of school participation in other countries. There are similar types of educational leave in Russia, Greece, Italia, Sweden, Swaziland, and South Africa. We collected survey data from 1,194 employed parents (794 fathers and 400 mothers) whose children attend kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high-school. This study compares school participation experiences and needs by parent gender. The results showed that 62 % of the fathers and 80 % of the mothers participated in any type of school meetings and events at least once in the previous year. Fathers attended school events such as art festivals and mothers attended PTA meetings, school events, and parent-teacher conferences. The most frequently mentioned reason for non-participation among parents was related to work. A total of 87.7% of the parents agreed that a school-participation leave should be introduced. The results of the logistic regression showed that mothers compared to fathers, college graduates compared to post-secondary graduates, those whose children attended preschool or elementary school compared to high school, and those who had longer working hours were more likely to agree on the introduction of school participation leave. In conclusion, a policy intervention such as school-participation leave should be considered to provide employed parents time to be involved in their children's education and participate in school activities.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to develop a valid and reliable Korean Patient Classification System for Neonatal care nurses (KPCSN). Methods: The study was conducted in tertiary and general hospitals with 1~2 grade according to nursing fee differentiation policy for NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) nurse staffing. The reliability was evaluated for the classification of 218 patients by 10 nurse managers and 56 staff nurses working in NICUs from 10 hospitals. To verify construct validity, 208 patients were classified and compared for the type of stay, gestational age, birth weight, and current body weight. Nursing time was measured by nurses, nurse managers, and nurse aids. For the calculation of conversion index (total nursing time divided by the KPCSN score), 426 patients were classified using the KPCSN. Data were collected from September 5 to October 28, 2015, and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficient, and non-hierarchial cluster analysis. Results: The final KPCSN consisted of 11 nursing categories, 71 nursing activities and 111 criteria. The reliability of the KPCSN was r=.83 (p<.001). The construct validity was established. The KPCSN score was classified into four groups; group $1:{\leq}57points$, group 2: 58~80 points, group 3: 81~108 points, and group $4:{\geq}109points$ in the KPSCN score. The conversion index was calculated as 7.45 minutes/classification score. Conclusion: The KPCSN can be utilized to measure specific and complex nursing demands for infants receiving care in the NICUs.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to analyze occlusal contact pattern of 33 young adult males with normal occlusion during lateral excursion using T-scan III system which can measure the dynamic occlusion. Occlusal contact patterns were examined and categorized in non-working side disclusion point(more functionally acceptable position) not canine-to-canine position. Disclusion time, occlusal force, and occlusal force distribution ratio of upper canine at disclusion point during lateral excursion movement was also measured and compared among the groups divided according to contact patterns. The results showed that group function was clearly more dominant than canine guidance and other occlusal contact patterns different with existing patterns were found. There were significantly difference between groups in variables of T-scan measurement. T-scan III system is effective tools to analyze and evaluate occlusal contact patterns, disclusion time, occlusal force, and occlusal force distribution ratio of upper canine at disclusion point.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.1071-1078
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• 2014

Recently, information providing service using Big Data is being expanded. Big Data processing technology is actively being academic research to an important issue in the IT industry. In this paper, we analyze a skilled pattern of welder through Big Data analysis or extraction of welding based on R programming. We are going to reduce cost on welding work including weld quality, weld operation time by providing analyzed results non-skilled welder. Welding has a problem that should be invested long time to be a skilled welder. For solving these issues, we apply connection rules algorithms and regression method to much pattern variable for welding pattern analysis of skilled welder. We analyze a pattern of skilled welder according to variable of analyzed rules by analyzing top N rules. In this paper, we confirmed the pattern structure of power consumption rate and wire consumption length through experimental results of analyzed welding pattern analysis.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.938-945
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• 2005

The microstructure evolution in hot forging process is composed of dynamic recrystallization during deformation as well as grain growth during dwell time. Therefore, the control of forging parameters such as strain, strain rate. temperature and holding time is important because the microstructure change in hot working affects the mechanical properties. Modeling equations are developed to represent the flow curve. grain size. recrystallized volume fraction and grain growth phenomena by various tests. The developed modeling equations were combined with thermo-viscoplastic finite element modeling to predict the microstructure change evolution during hot forging process. The large exhaust valve spindle (head diameter of 512mm) was simulated by closed die forging with hydraulic press and cooled in air after forging. The preform was heated to each 1080 and 1150$^{\circ}C$. Numerical calculation was performed by DEFORM-2D. a commercial finite element code. Heat transfer can be coupled with the deformation analysis in a non-isothermal deformation analysis. In order to obtain the fine and homogeneous microstructure and good mechanical properties in forging. the FEM would become a useful tool in the simulation of the microstructure development. In forging, appropriate temperature, strain and strain rate and rapid cooling are required to obtain the fine grain microstructure The optimal forging temperature and effective strain range of Nimonic 80A for large exhaust valve spindle are about 1080$\∼$l120$^{\circ}C$ and 150$\∼$200$\%$.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2015

Objective: In this review we discuss the health effects among office workers. Background: Even if office workers are not exposed hazardous or harmful environment frequently, some problems could be happened to the office workers. Although serious occupational diseases rarely occur to the office workers, it is important to consider occupational risk factors for the office worker because the portion of the office workers is relatively high in all industries. Method: We divided possible health effects for the office workers into three categories; musculoskeletal disorders, indoor environment, and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. We reviewed related articles, textbooks, and statistical materials non-systematically and described risk factors, related illnesses, and prevention strategies on each category. Results: Office workers have various musculoskeletal disorders to be intervened. By medical treatment, improving working environment, and ergonomic intervention, office workers can be prevented from musculoskeletal injuries. Poor indoor environment can cause many building-related illnesses or sick building syndrome. Although the etiology of some problems by poor indoor environment is not clear, it helps to maintain adequate humidity, temperature, and clarity of indoor air. Cerebro-cardiovascular diseases are a rising issue because office workers in Korea tend to work for a lot of time. To prevent the diseases, it is needed to work for adequate time, lengthen activity level, and manage other medical risk factors for the diseases. Conclusion: There is no distinct occupational disease for office workers. However, there are some aspects to consider the health effects of office workers and it is important to prevent the possible health problems. Application: A strategy against occupational diseases among office workers can be established by reviewing this article.