• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.6
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• pp.261-268
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• 2014

Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are increasingly being treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents and are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) is recommended in these patients due to the initiation of anti-TNF therapy. Traditionally, LTBI has been diagnosed on the basis of clinical factors and a tuberculin skin test. Recently, interferon-gamma releasing assays (IGRAs) that can detect TB infection have become available. Considering the high-risk of developing TB in patients on anti-TNF therapy, the use of both a tuberculin skin test and an IGRA should be considered to detect and treat LTBI in patients with IMIDs. The traditional LTBI treatment regimen consisted of isoniazid monotherapy for 9 months. However, shorter regimens such as 4 months of rifampicin or 3 months of isoniazid/rifampicin are increasingly being used to improve treatment completion rates. In this review, the screening methods for diagnosing latent and active TB before anti-TNF therapy in patients with IMIDs will be briefly described, as well as the current LTBI treatment regimens, the recommendations for managing TB that develops during anti-TNF therapy, the necessity of regular monitoring to detect new TB infection, and the re-initiation of anti-TNF therapy in patients who develop TB.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.459-472
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• 2019

The increasing variation in climatic conditions under climate change directly influences plant-microbe interactions. To account for as many variables as possible that may play critical roles in such interactions, the use of an integrated modeling approach is necessary. Here, we report for the first time a local impact assessment and adaptation study of future epidemics of kiwifruit bacterial blossom blight (KBB) in Jeonnam province, Korea, using an integrated modeling approach. This study included a series of models that integrated both the phenological responses of kiwifruit and the epidemiological responses of KBB to climatic factors with a 1 km resolution, under the RCP8.5 climate change scenario. Our results indicate that the area suitable for kiwifruit cultivation in Jeonnam province will increase and that the flowering date of kiwifruit will occur increasingly earlier, mainly due to the warming climate. Future epidemics of KBB during the predicted flowering periods were estimated using the Pss-KBB Risk Model over the predicted suitable cultivation regions, and we found location-specific, periodic outbreaks of KBB in the province through 2100. Here, we further suggest a potential, scientifically-informed, long-term adaptation strategy using a cultivar of kiwifruit with a different maturity period to relieve the pressures of future KBB risk. Our results clearly show one of the possible options for a local impact assessment and adaptation study using multiple models in an integrated way.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.353-363
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• 2019

This paper presents a comprehensive simulation and assessment of gas dispersion above sea from a subsea release using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. A 3D CFD model is established to evaluate the behavior of flammable gas above sea, and a jack-up drilling platform is included to illustrate the effect of flammable gas cloud on surface vessels. The simulations include a matrix of scenarios for different surface release rates, distances between surface gas pool and offshore platform, and wind speeds. Based on the established model, the development process of flammable gas cloud above sea is predicted, and the dangerous area generated on offshore platform is assessed. Additionally, the effect of some critical factors on flammable gas dispersion behavior is analyzed. The simulations produce some useful outputs including the detailed parameters of flammable gas cloud and the dangerous area on offshore platform, which are expected to give an educational reference for conducting a prior risk assessment and contingency planning.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.4
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• pp.349-374
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• 2000

With rapid advances on Interactive technology, and the growing popularity of the Internet, Internet shopping receives considerable attention in both the popular-press and academic journals. The Internet has enormous commercial possibilities. But it is a new and dynamic medium that poses special challenges for marketers. The revolutionary nature of the Internet mandates that established wisdom on consumer marketing along with marketing-mix strategies has to be reexamined and perhaps radically revised. In order to assist marketers in this endeavor it is critical to understand consumers' buying behaviors of Internet shopping. But research in this area still very much its infancy. This study examined previous researches of Internet shopping and developed conceptual framework of Internet shopping modes. Additionally, this study examined empirical investigation of Internet shopping. Preliminary results suggests that there are significant differences in individuals' perceptions of Internet shopping and traditional shopping modes. Various factors influences on consumers' buying behavior on Internet shopping. There are Individuals' factors(personality, lifestyle, prior experience, perceived risk etc), shopping mall factors(trust, vividness, security, promotion, etc), product characteristics(product category, brand, etc), situational factors(time pressure, locational constraints etc), social/cultural factors(Norms, importance of other peoples etc). Additionally, We conducted empirical study of the impact of the Internet on consumer shopping behavior. We gathered consumers' reactions via an open-ended survey using a sample of 90 shoppers. We related the reactions to the factors of consumers' satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the Internet shopping. Consequently, there are many questions regarding factors that might influence Internet shopping. From theoretical and practical perspectives, studies that examine these factors would seem to offer much to the discipline. This paper has attempted th provide insights and direction of future empirical examination of Internet shopping.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.41-66
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• 2007

The e-marketplace is a virtual marketplace where buyers and sellers meet in order to conduct transactions through the intermediation of market-makers. For the success of an e-marketplace, it is crucial for the market-maker to induce both buyers and sellers to make active transactions in it. However, their participation is frequently deterred by potential risk factors caused mainly by the inherent, structural complexity of the e-marketplace. Therefore, it is a critical challenge for the market-maker to identify and manage the transactional risk perceived by both the buyers and sellers. In this paper, we investigate the sources of buyers' and sellers' perceived risks and their mitigating factors in the e-marketplace. Specifically, we derive an analysis framework based on the economic theory of agency relationship. The framework includes four sources of the risks(perceived information asymmetry, fears of seller opportunism, fears of buyer opportunism, and concerns about market-maker's role incompleteness) and five mitigators of the risks(website informativeness, trust in market-maker, trust in seller, product diagnosticity, and social presence). Then, we empirically verify the framework through a case study on four successful e-marketplaces, and provide implications and strategies for the market-maker to effectively manage the transactional risks.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1277-1284
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• 2016

Background: Early detection is a critical part of reducing the burden of breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) has been found to be an especially important early detection strategy in low and middle income countries such as Malaysia. Although reports indicate that Malaysian women report an increase in BSE activity in recent years, additional research is needed to explore factors that may help to increase this behavior among Southeastern Asian women. Objective: This study is the first of its kind to explore how the predicting variables of self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and body image factors correlate with self-reports of past BSE, and intention to conduct future breast self-exams among female students in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Through the analysis of data collected from a prior study of female students from nine Malaysian universities (n=842), this study found that self-efficacy, perceived barriers and specific body image sub-constructs (MBSRQ-Appearance Scales) were correlated with, and at times predicted, both the likelihood of past BSE and the intention to conduct breast self-exams in the future. Results: Self-efficacy (SE) positively predicted the likelihood of past self-exam behavior, and intention to conduct future breast self-exams. Perceived barriers (BR) negatively predicted past behavior and future intention of breast self-exams. The body image sub-constructs of appearance evaluation (AE) and overweight preoccupation (OWP) predicted the likelihood of past behavior but did not predict intention for future behavior. Appearance orientation (AO) had a somewhat opposite effect: AO did not correlate with or predict past behavior but did correlate with intention to conduct breast self-exams in the future. The body image sub-constructs of body area satisfaction (BASS) and self-classified weight (SCW) showed no correlation with the subjects' past breast self-exam behavior nor with their intention to conduct breast self-exams in the future. Conclusions: Findings from this study indicate that both self-efficacy and perceived barriers to BSE are significant psychosocial factors that influence BSE behavior. These results suggest that health promotion interventions that help enhance self-efficacy and reduce perceived barriers have the potential to increase the intentions of Malaysian women to perform breast self-exams, which can promote early detection of breast cancers. Future research should evaluate targeted communication interventions for addressing self-efficacy and perceived barriers to breast self-exams with at-risk Malaysian women. and further explore the relationship between BSE and body image.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2003

The causative role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in human carcinogenesis is undisputed. Measurements of PAH-DNA adduct levels in easily accessible white blood cells therefore represent useful early endpoints in exposure intervention of chemoprevention studies. The successful applicability of DNA adducts as early endpoints depends on several criteria:i.adduct levels in easily accessible surrogate tissues should reflect adduct levels in target-tissues, ii. toxicokinetics and the temporal relevance should be properly defined.iii. sources of inter- and intra-individual variability must be known and controllable, and finally iv. adduct analyses must have advantages as compared to other markers of PAH-exposure. In general, higher DNA adduct levels or a higher proportion of subjects with detectable DNA adduct levels were found in exposed individuals as compared with non-exposed subjects, but saturation may occur at high exposures. Furthermore, DNA adduct levels varied according to changes in exposure, for example smoking cessation resulted in lower DNA adduct levels and adduct levels paralleled seasonal variations of air-pollution. Intra-individual variation during continuous exposure was low over a short period of time (weeks), but varied significantly when longer time periods (months) were investigated. Inter-individual variation is currently only partly explained by genetic polymorphisms in genes involved in PAH-metabolism and deserves further investigation. DNA adduct measurement may have three advantages over traditional exposure assessment: i. they can smooth the extreme variability in exposure which is typical for environmental toxicants and may integrate exposure over a longer period of time. Therefore, DNA adduct assessment may reduce the monitoring effort. ii. Biological monitoring of DNA adducts accounts for all exposure routes. iii. DNA adducts may account for inter-individual differences in uptake, elimination, distribution, metabolism and repair amongst exposed individuals. In conclusion, there is now a sufficiently large scientific basis to justify the application of DNA adduct measurement as biomarkers in exposure assessment and intervention studies. Their use in risk-assessment, however, requires further investigation.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2022

Background: Bus driving is a mentally demanding activity that requires prolonged attention to ensure safety. The aim of the study was to assess mental fatigue caused by driving a public bus and to find a profile of workers at higher risk. Methods: We evaluated changes of critical flicker fusion (CFF) (index of central arousal) and heart rate variability (HRV) (index of autonomic balance) in a 6-hour driving shift on a real route, in 31 professional bus drivers, and we tested the influence of personal factors such as sleep quality, BMI, and age. Paired t-test was used to test differences of CFF and HRV between both initial and final phase of driving, while multiple linear regression tested the influence of personal variables on the indexes of mental fatigue. Results: Results showed that CFF significantly decreased after 6 hours of bus driving (41.91 Hz, sd 3.31 vs. 41.15 Hz, sd 3.15; p = 0.041), and heart rate significantly decreased in the final phase of driving, with respect to the initial phase (85 vs. 78 bpm, p = 0.027). Increasing age (beta = -0.729, p = 0.022), risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (beta = -0.530, p = 0.04), and diurnal sleepiness (beta = -0.406, p = 0.017) showed a significant effect on influencing mental fatigue. Conclusion: Elderly drivers at higher risk of sleep disorders are more prone to mental fatigue, when exposed to driving activity. Monitoring indexes of central arousal and autonomic balance, coupled with the use of structured questionnaires can represent a useful strategy to detect profile of workers at higher risk of mental fatigue in such duty.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
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• autumn
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• pp.306-310
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• 2002

Agreements such as the Uruguay Round and the New Round have dramatically changed international construction markets. The globalization of the construction industry provides tremendous opportunities for construction industry, while it generates the complex skeins of risks to contractors wllo would like to expand into new foreign markets. According to ENR, recently about $13.9\%$ of contractors that entered international construction markets have experienced loss in projects and furthermore, their average profits have also declined continuously. Accordingly, contractors need a strategic risk management system for assessing various risks and improving Profitability for overseas construction projects. This paper discusses the long-term trend of profitability performed by Korean contractors in international construction markets during the last 35 years. Then, it identifies the key factors that affect the profitability significantly through the structured surveys from 59 actual overseas projects. These factors can be used for developing a risk management system for international construction project.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2017

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive diagnostic method for mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of fever following EBUS-TBNA. Methods: A total of 684 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA from May 2010 to July 2012 at Seoul National University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were evaluated for fever by a physician every 6-8 hours during the first 24 hours following EBUS-TBNA. Fever was defined as an increase in axillary body temperature over $37.8^{\circ}C$. Results: Fever after EBUS-TBNA developed in 110 of 552 patients (20%). The median onset time and duration of fever was 7 hours (range, 0.5-32 hours) after EBUS-TBNA and 7 hours (range, 1-52 hours), respectively, and the median peak body temperature was $38.3^{\circ}C$ (range, $137.8-39.9^{\circ}C$). In most patients, fever subsided within 24 hours; however, six cases (1.1%) developed fever lasting longer than 24 hours. Infectious complications developed in three cases (0.54%) (pneumonia, 2; mediastinal abscess, 1), and all three patients had diabetes mellitus. The number or location of sampled lymph nodes and necrosis of lymph node were not associated with fever after EBUS-TBNA. Multiple logistic regression analysis did not reveal any risk factors for developing fever after EBUS-TBNA. Conclusion: Fever is relatively common after EBUS-TBNA, but is transient in most patients. However, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of infectious complications among patients with diabetes mellitus.