• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2023

In this study, we aimed to identify the important hazard factors and determine their criticality in causing serious accidents in vehicle-mounted mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs). Fuzzy failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)was performed using accident data and a survey of experts. To determine the hazard factors, the accident data for the last 10 years were used and a questionnaire survey was designed. The questionnaire survey was sent to four experts in the field of occupational safety to determine the severity, occurrence, and detectability of serious accidents in MEWPs. Furthermore, objective RPN scores and risk priority were obtained using fuzzy FMEA. Finally, the criticality of hazard factors in descending order was found to be overloading, non-installation or defective installation of outriggers, breakage due to wire rope aging, and illegal remodeling of vehicle structures. The results were verified by comparing the occurrence data of serious disasters.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.1524-1530
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• 2008

Generally a road vehicle's wrong entry into level crossing gives rise to hazardous events, the eventual collision with a approaching train depends on the effective operation of safety barriers such a abnormal condition detecting or emergency braking. In this paper, the risk assessment models developed for the level-crossing accidents will be introduced. The definition of hazardous events and the related hazardous factors are identified by the review of the accident history and engineering interpretation of the accident behavior. A probability of the hazardous events will be evaluated by the FTA, which is based on the accident scenario. For the severity estimation, the critical factors which can effect on the consequence will be reviewed during the ETA. Finally, the number of casualty for the public(vehicle drivers) and the train passengers are converted into an equivalent fatality.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2010

Gene-environment interactions are important in pathogenesis of suicide or suicidal behavior. Twin and adoption studies and family studies show that genetic factors play a critical role in suicide or suicidal behavior. Given the strong association between serotonergic neurotransmission and suicide, recent molecular genetic studies have focused on polymorphisms of serotonin genes, especially on serotonin transporter and tryptophan hydroxylase genes. Some studies have revealed a significant interaction between s allele of the serotonin transporter gene and the risk of suicide attempt associated with childhood trauma. In addition, the polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene also may influence the effect of childhood trauma in relation to the risk of attempting suicide. Future studies should explore genetic and environmental factors in suicide or suicidal behavior and examine for gene and environment interaction.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.267-275
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• 2017

Background: The mining industry is known worldwide for its highly risky and hazardous working environment. Technological advancement in ore extraction techniques for proliferation of production levels has caused further concern for safety in this industry. Research so far in the area of safety has revealed that the majority of incidents in hazardous industry take place because of human error, the control of which would enhance safety levels in working sites to a considerable extent. Methods: The present work focuses upon the analysis of human factors such as unsafe acts, preconditions for unsafe acts, unsafe leadership, and organizational influences. A modified human factor analysis and classification system (HFACS) was adopted and an accident predictive fuzzy reasoning approach (FRA)-based system was developed to predict the likelihood of accidents for manganese mines in India, using analysis of factors such as age, experience of worker, shift of work, etc. Results: The outcome of the analysis indicated that skill-based errors are most critical and require immediate attention for mitigation. The FRA-based accident prediction system developed gives an outcome as an indicative risk score associated with the identified accident-prone situation, based upon which a suitable plan for mitigation can be developed. Conclusion: Unsafe acts of the worker are the most critical human factors identified to be controlled on priority basis. A significant association of factors (namely age, experience of the worker, and shift of work) with unsafe acts performed by the operator is identified based upon which the FRA-based accident prediction model is proposed.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.19-31
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality and assure the hygienic safety of the Bibimbap production in elementary school foodservice in accordance with the HACCP(Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Point) program. The time-temperature relationship and the microbiological quality(total plate count and coliform bacteria count) were assessed to find the critical control point(CCP) during each of the production phase. In the pre-preparation phase, the risk factors of the raw ingredients exceeded the standard level suggested by Solberg et al. Mungbean starch jelly, egg and Kochujang were satisfactory in that no coliform groups were observed over the standard TPC level. In particular, there was a high the risk of beef from the early stages in terms of the coliform level. In the pre-preparation phase, green pumpkin had more coliform groups than the standard level even after washed, which calls for special attention to washing, sterilization, secondary infection of the handler, and the required time for pre-preparation of raw vegetables. In the cooking phase, the temperature of the soybean sprout and mungbean starch jelly decreased to 42$^{\circ}C$ and 26$^{\circ}C$, respectively, which was within the risk zone. In particular, mungbean starch jelly had a great risk factor even after boiling in hot water. During the storage stage before serving, a lot of ingredients were exposed to poor management of temperature and time and thus exceeded the standard level in the total plate counts. In particular, the microbiological count of beef was five times the standard level. Green pumpkins and soybean sprouts were left at 15-38$^{\circ}C$ that is within the risk zone for a long period of time after they were cooked. It is highly recommended that the time of the storage stage before consumption should be shortened and that proper devices should be used to prevent proliferation of bacteria. The number of TPC of the utensils was satisfactory enough, but the knife used exceeded the standard level and thus was a risk factor of bacteria proliferation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2013

Background: We investigated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the health care workers (HCWs) and analyzed its risk factors in South Korea. Methods: A standard questionnaire regarding the baseline demographics and risk factors for LTBI was given to each participant and tuberculin skin test (TST), QuantiFERON-TB GOLD In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay, and chest radiography were performed. Results: A total of 493 participants, 152 (30.8%) doctors and 341 (69.2%) nurses were enrolled in eight tertiary referral hospitals. The mean age of the subjects was 30.6 years old, and 383 (77.7%) were female. Of the 152 doctors, 63 (41.4%) and 36 (23.7%) were positive by TST and by QTF-GIT, respectively, and among the 341 nurses, 119 (34.9%) and 49 (14.4%) had positive TST and QFT-GIT results, respectively. Overall, the agreement between the two tests was 0.22 by the chance corrected proportional agreement rate (kappa coefficient) in 493 subjects. Experience of working in tuberculosis (TB)-related departments was significantly associated with positive LTBI test results by QFT-GIT assay, not by TST. In multivariate analysis, only age was independently associated with increased risk of a positive TST result, while age and experience of working in TB-related departments (odds ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-5.12) were independently associated with increased risk of a positive QFT-GIT result. Conclusion: A high prevalence of LTBI was found among South Korean HCWs. Considering the association between the experience of working in TB-related departments and high risk of LTBI, QFT-GIT may be a better diagnostic test for LTBI than TST in HCWs.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2022

Purpose : This descriptive survey aims to identify the prevalence of factors associated with sarcopenia among hemodialysis patients. Methods : The study subjects were 137 patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis in three artificial kidney centers in B and Y cities. Data were collected from August 1 to September 30, 2020, using the SARC-F (Strength, Assistant walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, Falls) questionnaire, Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), and a grip dynamometer. The collected data were analyzed using t-tests, crossover analysis, and logistic regression using the IBM SPSS 23 program. Results : The prevalence of sarcopenia among hemodialysis patients, determined using the SARC-F questionnaire, was 16.1%. The associated factors of sarcopenia among hemodialysis patients were found to be gender (OR=6.44, p =.002), age (OR=1.07, p =.015), nutritional status (OR=10.37, p =.027), and albumin level (OR=0.10, p =.014). These findings are supported by an explanatory power of 46.3% (p =.597). Conclusion : The identified risk factors for sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients were; sex, age, nutritional status, and albumin level. The findings of this study can serve as clinical evidence for the development of an intervention program for preventing and managing sarcopenia in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1765-1770
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• 2015

Background: Oral cancer presents with high mortality rates, and the likelihood of survival is remarkably superior when detected early. Health care providers, particularly dentists, play a critical role in early detection of oral cancers and should be knowledgeable and skillful in oral cancer diagnosis. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the current knowledge of future Yemeni dentists and their opinions on oral cancer. Materials and Methods: A pretested self-administered questionnaire was distributed to fourth and fifth year dental students. Questions relating to knowledge of oral cancer, risk factors, and opinions on oral cancer prevention and practices were posed. Results: The response rate was 80%. The vast majority of students identified smoking and smokeless tobacco as the major risk factors for oral cancer. Most of the students (92.6%) knew that squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of oral cancer, and 85.3% were aware that tongue and floor of the mouth are the most likely sites. While the majority showed willingness to advise their patients on risk factors, only 40% felt adequately trained to provide such advice. More than 85% of students admitted that they need further information regarding oral cancer. As expected, students of the final year appeared slightly more knowledgeable regarding risk factors and clinical features of the disease. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that here is a need to reinforce the undergraduate dental curriculum with regards to oral cancer education, particularly in its prevention and early detection.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.347-357
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence rate of, and the risk factors for pressure ulcers in critical patients at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Methods: We reviewed the electronic medical records of 2,107 patients who were admitted to the intensive care units in D university hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2012. The collected date were analyzed by ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, and multi-variate logistic regression with forward stepwise selection using the SPSS program version 21. Results: The prevalence rate of pressure ulcers at the ICU admission was 23.7%. Risk factors significantly affecting pressure ulcers carrying were the age of 80 years or older (OR=3.70, 95% CI: 1.80~7.60), body weight less than 50 kg (OR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.74~4.56), sedated consciousness (OR=6.10, 95% CI: 3.57~10.40), use of ventilator (OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.02~2.49), use of vasopressors (OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.09~2.14), ICU admission via operation room (OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.29~0.85), and hospital admission from nursing homes (OR=13.65, 95% CI: 3.02~61.72). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggested that the prevention efforts for pressure ulcers should be given in prior to ICU admission. Further research is necessary for developing nursing interventions for preventing pressure ulcers in the pre-ICU stage.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.28-33
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• 2019

Electronic health records (EHRs) enable us to use and re-use electronic data for various multiple purposes, such as public reporting, quality improvement, and patient outcomes research. Current hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) risk assessment instruments have not been specifically developed for intensive care unit (ICU) patients and showed false positive rates in this specific populations. Previous research studies report a number of risk factors; however, it is still not clear what factors influence ICU HAPI in this population. As part of a larger research study, we performed an exploratory analysis by using a large electronic health record data. The aims of this study were to compare characteristics of patients who developed HAPIs during their ICU stay with those who did not, and to determine whether the two groups were different in the aspects of length of ICU stay, discharge disposition, and discharge destinations. We conducted chi-square test and t-test for group comparison. Association was examined by using bivariate analyses. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine correlation between LOS and number of medications. Our findings suggest a number of consistent and potentially modifiable risk factors, such as sedation, feeding tubes, and the number of medications administered. The mortality of the HAPI group was significantly higher than the non-HAPI group in our data. Discharge disposition was significantly different between the groups. 67% of the HAPI group transferred to intermediate or long-term care hospitals whereas 57.7% of the non-HAPI group went home after discharge. Awareness of these risk factors can lead to clinical interventions that can be preventative in the ICU setting.