• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.53-68
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• 2020

Background: International organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) reported public exposure doses due to radionuclides released in the Fukushima nuclear accident a few years after the event. However, the reported doses were generally overestimated due to conservative assumptions such as a longer stay in deliberate areas designated for evacuation than the actual stay. After these reports had been published, more realistic dose values were reported by Japanese scientists. Materials and Methods: The present paper reviews those reports, including the most recently published articles; and summarizes estimated effective doses (external and internal) and issues related to their estimation. Results and Discussion: External dose estimation can be categorized as taking two approaches-estimation from ambient dose rate and peoples' behavior patterns-and measurements using personal dosimeters. The former approach was useful for estimating external doses in an early stage after the accident. The first 4-month doses were less than 2 mSv for most (94%) study subjects. Later on, individual doses came to be monitored by personal dosimeter measurements. On the basis of these measurements, the estimated median annual external dose was reported to be < 1 mSv in 2011 for 22 municipalities of Fukushima Prefecture. Internal dose estimation also can be categorized as taking two approaches: estimation from whole-body counting and estimation from monitoring of environmental samples such as radioactivity concentrations in food and drinking water. According to results by the former approach, committed effective dose due to ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs could be less than 0.1 mSv for most residents including those from evacuated areas. Conclusion: Realistic doses estimated by Japanese scientists indicated that the doses reported by WHO and UNSCEAR were generally overestimated. Average values for the first-year effective doses for residents in two affected areas (Namie Town and Iitate Village) were not likely to reach 10 mSv, the lower end of the doses estimated by WHO.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2973-2977
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• 2016

Opisthorchis viverrini is still a serious problem in Northeastern and Northern Thailand. Active surveillance is required to determine updated data for further prevention and control planning. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors for O. viverrini in three provinces, Northeastern Thailand. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during October 2015 to March 2016 at Kaeng Sanam Nang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Waeng Noi district of Khon Kaen province, and Khon Sawan district of Chaiyaphum province, Thailand. Stool samples were examined by using a modified Kato-Katz Thick smear technique. From a total of 978 participants screened, O. viverrini infection was found in 1.74%, the majority opf positive cases being male (6.62%), age group 51-60 years old (4.21%), educated at primary school (8.43%), occupied with agriculture (9.62%),having an income <4,000 baht per month (4.82%), and living in Khon Sawan district (8.43%). Participants had a high knowledge level (42.43%), good attitude level (34.76%), and fair level (38.04%). The present study indicates the O. viverrini infection rate is low, but elderly males with primary school education involved in agriculture are still frequently effected particularly in Khon Sawan district. Therefore, this risk group requires behavior modification and continued monitoring.

• Composites Research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.7-13
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• 2002

The piezoelectric thin film sensor has good characteristics to observe the impact responses of composite structures. The capabilities for monitoring impact behavior of Gr/Ep laminates subjected to damage-induced impact using the PVDF(polyvinylidene fluoride) film sensor were examined. For a series of low-velocity impact tests from low energy to damage-induced energy, simulated sensor signals were compared with measured signals and the PVDF film sensor. Local impact damages(matrix cracking and delamination) were found at three impact tests, but the measured signals agreed well with the simulated sensor signals based on the linear relationship between the impact forces and the PVDF film sensor signals. And the inverse technique was applied to reconstruct the impact forces using the PVDF film sensor signals. Most of reconstructed impact forces had good agreement with the measured forces. The comparison results showed that the local damage due. to low-velocity impact didn't disturb the global impact responses of composite laminates and the reconstruction of impact forces from PVDF sensor signals wasn't affected by the local damage.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.73-88
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• 2005

Three approaches presently used for the design of underground structures in rock mass are quantitative rock mass classification system, classification systems based on the behavior of the rock mass during excavation and general qualitative procedures for the design process. In this study their characteristics and shortcomings are discussed, and Austrian guideline for tunnel design/construction, that was proposed to solve the problems with these methods, are introduced and compared. For technically sound and economic tunnel construction, a flexible design and construction procedure is needed to cope with uncertain ground and boundary condition, and also actual ground condition should be predicted through feedback of geotechnical information obtained during construction.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)-led self-management program on cardiovascular health status among Korean women at risk of developing or progressing cardiovascular disease. Methods: This pilot study used one-group pre- and post- test experimental design. At health fairs in a community, 30 women who had one or more risk factors for metabolic syndrome were recruited and agreed to participate in the study. A total of 25 women completed the study. The intervention consisted of weekly follow-up calls and self-monitoring diary after an hour of individual counseling regarding risk factors, fast walking, and healthy diet tailored to the participants' needs. Physical activity was assessed with the World Health Organization International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a pedometer. Results: Participants showed statistically significant improvements in blood pressure, body mass index, levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein, numbers of metabolic syndrome factors, and the 10-year CV risk estimate after one month of concentrated intervention. In addition, their physical activity behavior significantly improved after the intervention. Conclusion: This APN-led self-management program targeting modifiable risk factors by offering tailored counseling and concentrated support during the transition might be effective in preventing progression to the cardiovascular disease.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2016

There has been intense research on self-diagnosis systems in railway applications, since stability and reliability have become more and more significant issues. Wired sensors have been widely used in the railway vehicles, but because of the difficulty in their maintenance and accessibility, they ar not considered for self-diagnosis systems. To have a self-monitoring system, wireless data transmission and self-powered sensors are required. For this purpose, a thermoelectric energy harvesting module that can generate electricity from temperature gradient between the bogie axle box and ambient environment was introduced in this work. The temperature gradient was measured under actual operation conditions, and the behavior of the thermoelectric module with an external load resistance and booster circuits was studied. The proposed energy harvesting system can be applied for wireless sensor nodes in railroad vehicles with optimization of thermal management.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.583-595
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• 2002

The purposes of this study are to perform the management and monitoring of droughts for Mokpo area via the monthly Palmer index(PDSI), the data is obtained from the Mokpo meteorological station, and the used data are in the period of 1906 to 1999. Monthly Palmer index is classified into 7 stochastic classes and its dynamic change of monthly transition probability estimated by Markov chain is investigated. We also estimate the steady state probability of the classified PDSI. The 4th class shows the highest frequency of 49.6% out of 7 classes and the 7th class which is the most extreme drought show that a stochastic transition probability is more or less larger than an empirical one. Also, we found that the monthly steady state probability could be used for the forecasting of changing pattern of drought magnitude for the study area.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.909-912
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• 2020

This paper introduces a customized pet care and training system based on information technology. A specific animal is recognized by nose-print recognition. Pet robot induces the animal to move to trainer device. Trainer device trains the animal by snack, play, and clicker, and it can be easily extended for specific training using add-on devices. Pet band performs vital sign monitoring, prevention of home escape, and measurement of exercise amount. By changing configuration, this system can perform various training programs such as mitigation of separation anxiety, induction to defecation place, and prohibition of tresspassing specific place. It also provides customized training by analyzing individual behavior of animal. It can exercise and play the animal when owner is out, and it can immediately notice to the owner when the animal has health trouble.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.156-156
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• 2002

The goal of this study is to develop a biomarker used in monitoring abnormal behaviors of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a model organism caused by hazardous chemicals that are toxic and persistent in the ecosystem. A widely used insecticide, diazinon (O, O-diethyl O- (2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate), is highly neurotoxic to fish, and it is also well known that it causes vertebral malformation and behavioral changes of fish at relatively low concentrations. The fish behaviors were observed on a real time basis using an image processing and automatic data acquisition system. The genes potentially involved in the abnormal behaviors were cloned using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique. The untreated individuals showed common behavioral characteristics. When the test fish was affected by diazinon at a concentration of 0.1 and 1 ppm, some specific patterns were observed in its behavioral activity and locomotive tracks. The typical patterns were enhanced surfacing activity, opercular movement, erratic movement, tremors and convulsions as reported previously. The number of genes up-regulated tty diazinon treatment were 97 which includes 27 of unknown genes. The number of down-regulated genes were 99 including 60 of unknown genes. These gene expression patterns will be analyzed by the artificial neural networks such as self organization map (SOM) and multilayer perceptron (MLP), revealing the role of genes responsible for the behaviors. These results may provide molecular biological and neurobehavioral bases of a biomonitoring system for diazinon using a model organism such as fish.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.11
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• pp.337-343
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• 2017

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood. This disorder, in addition to its main symptoms, creates significant difficulties in education, social performance, and personal relationships. Given the importance of rehabilitation for these patients to combat the above issues, the use of virtual reality (VR) technology is helpful. The aim of this study was to highlight the opportunities for VR in the rehabilitation of children with ADHD. This narrative review was conducted by searching for articles in scientific databases and e-Journals, using keywords including VR, children, and ADHD. Various studies have shown that VR capabilities in the rehabilitation of children with ADHD include providing flexibility in accordance with the patients' requirements; removing distractions and creating an effective and safe environment away from real-life dangers; saving time and money; increasing patients' incentives based on their interests; providing suitable tools to perform different behavioral tests and increase ecological validity; facilitating better understanding of individuals' cognitive deficits and improving them; helping therapists with accurate diagnosis, assessment, and rehabilitation; and improving working memory, executive function, and cognitive processes such as attention in these children. Rehabilitation of children with ADHD is based on behavior and physical patterns and is thus suitable for VR interventions. This technology, by simulating and providing a virtual environment for diagnosis, training, monitoring, assessment and treatment, is effective in providing optimal rehabilitation of children with ADHD.