• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.427-438
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• 2023

Biocide dichlofluanid breaks down quickly and accumulates easily in sediment, potentially causing a persistent impact on various marine organisms. We analyzed the potential toxicity of dichlofluanid on major aquaculture species in Korea, Undaria pinnatifida. Female gametophytes of U. pinnatifida were exposed to dichlofluanid at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg L^-1, and their survival and relative growth rate were analyzed. The no observed effect concentration(NOEC), lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC), and median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) for female gametophyte survival were determined as 1, 2, and 10.82 (95% CI: 8.87-13.23) mg L^-1, respectively. The NOEC, LOEC, and median effective concentration (EC₅₀) for relative growth rate were 1, 2, and 6.58 (95% CI: 6.03-7.17) mg L^-1, respectively. Female gametophytes of U. pinnatifida were expected to experience toxic effects at concentrations above 2 mg L^-1 of dichlofluanid. These research findings are expected to serve as important reference data for evaluating the toxicity effects of U. pinnatifida in its early life stages when exposed to dichlofluanid.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.277-283
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• 2020

The smoke hazard assessment of building materials focusing on smoke performance index-II (SPI-II) and smoke growth index-II (SGI-II) was investigated. The test species used were Japanese cedar, spruce, lauan, and red pine. The smoke characteristics of wood specimen were investigated using a cone calorimeter (ISO 5660-1). SPI-II was measured after the combustion reaction increased by 1.31~2.15 times based on red pine. The fire risk by SPI-II increased in the order of spruce, lauan, Japanese ceda, and red pine. SGI-II increased by 1.18~2.55 times compared to that of Japnese ceda. The fire risk caused by SGI-II increased in the order of Japanese ceda, spruce, lauan, and red pine. CO_mean concentrations were ranged from 58 to 133 ppm, which was higher than permissible exposure limits of the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA), 50 ppm. Therefore, woods such as red pine containing various volatile organic substances, were considered to be highly smoke hazardous due to low SPI-II and high SGI-II.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.82-98
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• 2007

This study aimed to analyze the factors that influence the job satisfaction of nurses involved in medical insurance reviews. The study involved a self-administered questionnaire survey which was conducted with to 297 nurses who were in charge of medical insurance reviews between April 10 and April 28, 2000. The average job satisfaction of the subjects was 3.04. The sub-items of job satisfaction were noted to be high for 'professional status'(3.79) and low for wage (2.46). The job satisfaction of subjects showed statistically significant differences with regard to education, career, and volume of service(p<0.05). The average job stress of subjects was 2.57. The sub-items of job stress included problems pertaining to human relationships problem(2.84), conflicts with doctors at work (2.79), and the burden of excessive workloads(2.79), in that order. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that job satisfaction was significantly low when the job stress was higher. It also showed that the job satisfaction was significantly high as there was more frequency of judgements and higher education. These results suggest that the job stress of nurses involved in medical insurance reviews has a profound impact on their job satisfaction. Therefore, the efforts should be made to reduce their job stress. It may also be beneficial to reinforce the training with the doctors and nurses in order to improve their communication skills. Disseminating more information about insurance standards may also be considered.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.75-84
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• 2018

Objects: This study is a descriptive study to identify the factors influencing the glycated hemoglobin control in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: This study used raw data from the third year of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed from 2015. The subjects were 285 people who were classified as type 2 diabetes patients among the 7,380 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Findings: The factors influencing the glycated hemoglobin control in type 2 diabetes patients were found to be age, education level, prevalence period and sleeping time. Improvements: In type 2 diabetes patients, it is very important to have appropriate education on diabetes when they discovered the disease morbidity in the middle age rather than in the aged period and to have enough sleeping time. A practical program to help this education and training should be developed.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2002

The objectives of this study were to explore to upbringing system for the future farmers of the 4-H Clubs, future farmers organization and the Center for 4-H in the USA to suggest some implications to 4-H programs in Korea. To train future leaders in agricultural and agri-business areas leaders in the United States felt the need to create various organizations such as 4-H Club, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Young Farmer Association (YFA), and cooperate each other. The members in future farmer's groups benefit from opportunities and involvement of farming and agri-related activities and contribute to improve their communities. One of them, the 4-H Club remains strong in the country covering young people as members and adult as volunteer leaders. Youth in 4-H learn by doing, and members find opportunities for leadership. 4-H members contribute to their family, community, and country in meaningful ways to make a difference. The Center for 4-H has provided a range of challenging opportunities around the arts, sciences, environment, technology, business, animals, foods, and health while always stressing leadership and citizenship for 4-H members. The Center has been supporting research, teaching, and outreach in community based non-formal youth development education. The Center is particularly interested in youth development opportunities including foster resiliency, promote safe and healthy behaviors, and support youth in communities in various ways.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2021

7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (7H-4MC) inhibits hyaluronan production in multiple cell lines and tissue types both in vitro and in vivo. It is a commercially available drug approved for human use, called hymecromone, in European and Asian countries to prevent biliary spasms. Nevertheless, as the pharmacological efficacy of 7H-4MC has not yet been reported in macrophages, this study investigated its anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells were treated with various concentrations of 7H-4MC (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 μM). The application of 7H-4MC significantly reduced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ production without cytotoxic effects. Additionally, 7H-4MC strongly decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase. Furthermore, 7H-4MC reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. Finally, 7H-4MC exerted its potent anti-inflammatory actions via the upregulation of IκB-α production, which led to the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. These results, obtained in macrophage cell lines, suggest that 7H-4MC prevents inflammatory diseases via the NF-κB signaling pathway and that its use could be beneficial for human health. Ultimately, this is the first report describing the anti-inflammatory activity of 7H-4MC in a macrophage cell line.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2014

Background Free flap surgery for head and neck defects has gained popularity as an advanced microvascular surgical technique. The aims of this study are first, to determine whether the known risk factors such as comorbidity, tobacco use, obesity, and radiation increase the complications of a free flap transfer, and second, to identify the incidence of complications in a radial forearm free flap and an anterolateral thigh perforator flap. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients with head and neck cancer who underwent reconstruction with free flap between May 1994 and May 2012 at our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Results The patients included 36 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 59.38 years. The most common primary tumor site was the tongue (38%). The most commonly used free flap was the radial forearm free flap (57%), followed by the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap (22%). There was no occurrence of free flap failure. In this study, risk factors of the patients did not increase the occurrence of complications. In addition, no statistically significant differences in complications were observed between the radial forearm free flap and anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Conclusions We could conclude that the risk factors of the patient did not increase the complications of a free flap transfer. Therefore, the risk factors of patients are no longer a negative factor for a free flap transfer.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.41-57
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• 2008

To examine the gap between physician's perceived importance and performance of care and to identify factors associated with the gap. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 91 physicians working in a University hospital in Seoul. The respondents were asked about their perceived importance and actual performance of interpersonal care on a 5-point Likert-type scale, indicating a higher score as higher importance and performance. Interpersonal care was measured by questions modified from the Korean Standard Service Quality Index, which are grouped into 6 categories: basic services, extra services, reliability, courtesy, convenience, and tangibles. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to find out physician characteristics associated with the gap. All of the 6 interpersonal care categories showed lower performance than perceived importance. The respondents tended to have a worse performance than perceived importance as the number of patients per outpatient care session ($\beta$=-0.0204, p<0.05) and the need for customer satisfaction education increase ($\beta$=-0.2226, p<0.05). Female physicians ($\beta$=0.2336, p<0.05) and those with higher job satisfaction($\beta$=0.0096, p<0.05) showed a better performance than perception. Overall, it appears that lower quality of interpersonal care was delivered to patients than the desired level considered by the responding physicians. Based on the regression analysis results, it is suggested that reducing patient volume per session, fulfilling education need for customer satisfaction, and improving job satisfaction may contribute to reduce the gap between physician's perceived importance and performance of interpersonal care.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.3006-3016
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• 2022

In this study, the images of specific prompt gamma (PG)-rays of 719 keV emitted from proton-boron reactions were analyzed using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Quantitative evaluation of the images verified the detection of anatomical changes in tumors, one of the important factors in daily adaptive proton therapy (DAPT) and verified the possibility of application of the PG-ray images to DAPT. Six scenarios were considered based on various sizes and locations compared to the reference virtual tumor to observe the anatomical alterations in the virtual tumor. Subsequently, PG-rays SPECT images were acquired using the modified ordered subset expectation-maximization algorithm, and these were evaluated using quantitative analysis methods. The results confirmed that the pixel range and location of the highest value of the normalized pixel in the PG-rays SPECT image profile changed according to the size and location of the virtual tumor. Moreover, the alterations in the virtual tumor size and location in the PG-rays SPECT images were similar to the true size and location alterations set in the phantom. Based on the above results, the tumor anatomical alterations in DAPT could be adequately detected and verified through SPECT imaging using the 719 keV PG-rays acquired during treatment.