• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.222-235
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the factors explaining protective behaviors against radiation exposure in perioperative nurses based on the theory of planned behavior. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 229 perioperative nurses participated between October 3 and October 20, 2021. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 software. The three exogenous variables (attitude toward radiation protective behaviors, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) and two endogenous variables (radiation protective intention and radiation protective behaviors) were surveyed. Results: The hypothetical model fit the data (χ²/df = 1.18, SRMR = .02, TLI = .98, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .03). Radiation protective intention (β = .24, p = .001) and attitude toward radiation protective behaviors (β = .32, p = .002) had direct effects on radiation protective behaviors. Subjective norm (β = .43, p = .002) and perceived behavior control (β = .24, p = .003) had direct effects on radiation protective intention, which explained 38.0% of the variance. Subjective norm (β = .10, p = .001) and perceived behavior control (β = .06, p = .002) had indirect effects via radiation protective intention on radiation protective behaviors. Attitude toward radiation protective behaviors, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were the significant factors explaining 49.0% of the variance in radiation protective behaviors. Conclusion: This study shows that the theory of planned behavior can be used to effectively predict radiation protective behaviors in perioperative nurses. Radiation safety guidelines or education programs to enhance perioperative nurses' protective behaviors should focus on radiation protective intention, attitude toward radiation protective behaviors, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-188
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors influencing endoscopy nurses' protective behavior against radiation exposure. Methods: Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 122 endoscopy nurses in 21 hospitals located in Seoul, Gyeonggi province and six metropolitan cities in Korea. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program and included multiple regression analysis. Results: 1) There were significant relationships between protective behavior and protective environment (r=.74, p<.001), number of education sessions on radiation protection (r=.32, p<.001), number of protective devices (r=.28, p=.002), number of fellow nurses (r=.27, p=.003), and protective attitude (r=.18, p=.048). 2) Protective environment (${\beta}=0.79$, p<.001), type of hospital foundation (${\beta}=0.18$, p=.011) and marital status (${\beta}=-0.13$, p=.040) significantly predicted endoscopy nurses' protective behavior against radiation exposure (adjusted R square=.58, p<.001). The most powerful predictor for protective behavior against radiation exposure was a protective environment. Conclusion: Effective protective behavior of endoscopy nurses from radiation exposure requires improvement in their protective environment. Hospital administrators and managers should make efforts to increase protective facilities in endoscopy departments and provide endoscopy nurses with regular education on radiation protection.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.581-586
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• 2018

This study was conducted to analyze factors Influencing Protective Behavior against Radiation Exposure using questionnaires for 231 radiological technologists working in Computed Tomography(CT) examination room with high radiation dose in diagnostic radiology field. Statistical analysis of the collected data revealed that the reasons for partially shielding the examination part in the CT scan were the lack of protective equipment, securing of radiation justification, being annoying and maybe not being harm to adults in order. It was also revealed that the variables influencing the protective behavior were protective behavior against radiation harm, self-efficacy, protective environment, organization culture, protective knowledge and protective instrument in order. The higher the radiological protective environment(${\beta}=0.245$) and the lower the radiological protective knowledge(${\beta}=-0.034$), the more influential the protective behavior against radiation harm was. In this study, it was shown that non examination parts were not shielded in the CT scan. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the level of protective environment, to cultivate knowledge to improve the protective behavior against radiation harm and to have an intervention strategy for concrete action.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.157-162
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• 2010

This study surveyed a total of 1,322 radiation technologist in health care institutions throughout Korea. This is a comparative study conducted on the levels of protective behavior against the harmful effects of radiation in heath care institutions which indicated that university hospitals and general hospitals showed higher level of protective behavior than for medical practitioners. This study found university hospitals have the following 7 characteristics to manage protective behavior against the harmful effects of radiation, protective environment, self-efficacy by distinction of task, self-efficacy, expectation of the protective behavior, the number of patients, level of the education related to the protection of the harmful effects of radiation and protective attitude. While general hospitals have the following 3 characteristics protective environment, expectation of the protective behavior and protective attitude. Hospitals have the following 4 characteristics protective environment, expectation of the protective behavior, protective attitude and self-efficacy. and medical clinics have characteristics protective environment.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to examine factors affecting radiation protective behaviors among emergency room nurses by assessing knowledge, attitude, and environment for radiation protection. Methods : The study employed a cross-sectional design. Subjects were a convenience sample of 129 nurses working in emergency rooms of three general hospitals. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results : The more the nurses received radiation safety education (t=2.26, p=.026), used protective gear (t=4.40, p<.001), and took health screenings (t=2.65, p=.009), the higher their levels of radiation protection behavior. There were significant relations between radiation protective behaviors and attitude (r=.27, p=.002), and radiation protective behaviors and environment for radiation protection (r=.55, p<.001). The factors affecting radiation protective behaviors were protective environment (β=.53, p<.001), protective attitude (β=.32, p<.001), and the use of protective gear (β=.24, p=.002). Conclusions : The government, hospital administrators, and radiation protection-related organization should adopt the following measures to protect emergency room nurses from radiation: research and development of shield instrument, medical examination for emergency room nurses, protocol development of radiation protection behaviors, extension of education chances of radiation protection, and encouraging the use of protective equipment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2015

Trace elements play crucial role in the maintenance of genome stability in the cells. Many endogenous defense enzymes are containing trace elements such as superoxide dismutase and metalloproteins. These enzymes are contributing in the detoxification of reactive oxidative species (ROS) induced by ionizing radiation in the cells. Zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium are main trace elements that have protective roles against radiation-induced DNA damages. Trace elements in the free salt forms have protective effect against cell toxicity induced by oxidative stress, metal-complex are more active in the attenuation of ROS particularly through superoxide dismutase mimetic activity. Manganese-complexes in protection of normal cell against radiation without any protective effect on cancer cells are more interesting compounds in this topic. The aim of this paper to review the role of trace elements in protection cells against genotoxicity and side effects induced by ionizing radiation.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 2009

Protective behavior of radiological technologists against radiation exposure is important to achieve reduction of the patient doses without compromising medical achievements. This study attempts to provide a basic model for the sophisticated intervention strategy that increases the level of the protective behavior of the technologists. The model was applied to real situations in Korea to demonstrate its utility. The results of this study are summarized as follows: First, the protective environment showed the highest relationship in the factors considered, r=0.637 (p<0.01). Secondly, the important factors were protective environment in environment characteristics, expectation for the protective behavior 0.228 (p<0.001), self-efficacy 0.142 (p<0.001), and attitude for the protective behavior 0.178 (p<0.001) in personal characteristics, and daily patient -0.112 (p<0.001) and number of the participation in the education session for the protective behavior 0.074 (p<0.05). Thirdly, the final protective behavior model by a path analysis method had direct influence on the attitude 0.171 (p<0.01) and environment 0.405 (p<0.01) for the protective behavior, self efficacy 0.122 (p<0.01), expectation for the protective behavior 0.16 (p<0.01), and self-efficacy in the specialty of projects 0.154 (p<0.01). The acceptance of the model determined by the absolute fit index (GFI), 0.969, and by the incremental fit index (CFI), 0.943, showed very significant levels. Value of $x^2$/df that is a factor applied to verify the acceptance of the model was 37, which implies that the result can be accepted in the desirable range. In addition, the parsimonious fit index configured by AGFI (0.890) and TLI (0.852) was also considered as a scale that accepts the model in practical applications. In case of the establishment of some specific intervention strategies based on the protective behavior model against harmful radiation effects proposed in this study, the strategy will provide an effective way to prevent medical harmful radiation effects that could cause severe injuries to people.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2017

The test methods using convection (flame) and radiation heat sources were compared to evaluate the thermal protective performance of the firefighter's protective clothing. In particular, the influence of the outer shell, mid-layer, and lining constituting the firefighter's protective clothing on the thermal protective performance was compared for convection and radiation heat sources. Tests for the thermal protective performance were carried out according to KS K ISO 9151 (convection), KS K ISO 6942 (radiation), and KS K ISO 17492 (convection and radiation). When tested under the same incident heat flux conditions ($80kW/m^2$), the heat transfer index ($t_{12}$ and $t_{24}$) for the radiation heat source was higher than that for the convection heat source. This means that radiation has a lesser effect than convection. For the convection heat source, the lining had the greatest effect on the thermal protective performance, followed by the mid-layer and the outer shell. On the other hand, for the radiation heat source, the effect on the thermal protective performance was great in the order of lining, outer shell, and mid-layer. Convection and radiation have fundamentally different mechanisms of heat transfer, and different heat sources can lead to different thermal protective performance results depending on the material composition. Therefore, to evaluate the thermal protective performance of the firefighter's protective clothing, it is important to test not only the convection heat source, but also the radiation heat source.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2013

Background: Medical doctors who perform C-arm fluoroscopy-guided procedures are exposed to X-ray radiation. Therefore, radiation-protective shields are recommended to protect these doctors from radiation. For the past several years, these protective shields have sometimes been used without regular inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of damage to radiation-protective shields in the operating room. Methods: This study investigated 98 radiation-protective shields in the operation rooms of Konkuk University Medical Center and Jeju National University Hospital. We examined whether these shields were damaged or not with the unaided eye and by fluoroscopy. Results: There were seventy-one aprons and twenty-seven thyroid protectors in the two university hospitals. Fourteen aprons (19.7%) were damaged, whereas no thyroid protectors (0%) were. Of the twenty-six aprons, which have been used since 2005, eleven (42.3%) were damaged. Of the ten aprons, which have been used since 2008, none (0%) was damaged. Of the twenty-three aprons that have been used since 2009, two (8.7%) of them were damaged. Of the eight aprons used since 2010, one (12.3%) was damaged. Of the four aprons used since 2011, none (0%) of them were damaged. The most common site of damage to the radiation-protective shields was at the waist of the aprons (51%). Conclusions: As a result, aprons that have been used for a long period of time can have a higher risk of damage. Radiation-protective shields should be inspected regularly and exchanged for new products for the safety of medical workers.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.239-252
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• 2015

Purpose: Lead has been widely used in radiation shielding for its low price and high workability. Recently in several europe countries, use of lead was banned for environmental issues. Also lead can cause health problems like alergies. Alternative materials for lead are highly required. The purpose of this study was to propose lead free radiation shielding material. Methods: Research of radiation shielding in Korea is not easy for certain limits such as radiation materials, experimental facilities and places. The collected data through the research were simulated using MCNPX. The simulation tools used for this study were utilized Monte Carlo method. Results: we suggest new design of lead free radiation shielding material using MCNPX code comparing shielding performance of new composite materials to lead. Conclusion: This newly introduced nano-scale composite of metal and polymer makes new chance for highly lightened radiation protective garments with endurable shielding performance.