• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.145-152
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• 2021

Purpose: During the treatments of cancer patients with a linear accelerator (LINAC) using photon beams with energies ≥8 MV, the components inside the LINAC head get activated through the interaction of photonuclear reaction (γ, n) and neutron capture (n, γ). We used spectroscopy and measured the dose rate for the LINAC in operation after the treatment ended. Methods: We performed spectroscopy and dose rate measurements for three units of LINACs with a portable high-purity Germanium (HPGe) detector and a survey meter. The spectra were obtained after the beams were turned off. Spectroscopy was conducted for 3,600 seconds, and the dose rate was measured three times. We identified the radionuclides for each LINAC. Results: According to gamma spectroscopy results, most of the nuclides were short-lived radionuclides with half-lives of 100 days, except for ⁶⁰Co, ⁶⁵Zn, and ¹⁸¹W nuclides. The dose rate for three LINACs obtained immediately in front of the crosshair was in the range of 0.113 to 0.129 µSv/h. The maximum and minimum dose rates measured on weekends were 0.097 µSv/h and 0.092 µSv/h, respectively. Compared with the differences in weekday data, there was no significant difference between the data measured on Saturday and Sunday. Conclusions: Most of the detected radionuclides had half-lives <100 days, and the dose rate decreased rapidly. For equipment that primarily used energies ≤10 MV, when the equipment was transferred after at least 10 minutes after shutting it down, it is expected that there will be little effect on the workers' exposure.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.105-116
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• 2022

Domestic and foreign aviation industries showed steep growth along with rapid increase in aviation demand, but the industries got directly hit by COVID-19. Now, with the recovery of daily life, aviation demand is gradually increasing, too. However, the risk of aviation accidents also increases proportionally to the increasing demand for aviation. Although it is a point that safety management needs to be actively conducted to prevent safety accidents resulted from the growth of aviation industries, research on safety culture and organizations is not sufficiently done in terms of the depth and scope of it despite the importance of the discussion. Studies in various areas have reported that an organization's safety culture forms the group's safety atmosphere and then results in the workers' safety behavior. Accordingly, this study examined the effects of safety culture in an organization on the safety behavior of its members who are aircraft maintenance technicians. The results of this research can be summed up as follows: first, it has been found that the roles of the person in charge grounded on clear goals and guidelines for the organization's safety policy influence the technicians' attitudes. Second, the important factor in the technicians' safety observance is that the attitude to follow safety rules when performing aviation maintenance raises their awareness of safety, for instance, following standard operation procedures or wearing personal equipment for protection. Third, their attitudes have positive effects on safety participation, and consequently, their intention to comply with safety rules is shown as an active action to achieve the ultimate goal of safety behavior.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.34.1-34.8
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• 2023

Background: Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic substance that humans can be exposed to occupationally, and cases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning of workers in industrial sites are commonly reported. However, there have been no cases of poisoning of the public due to an unauthorized discharge of wastewater, so it is important to describe this incident. Case presentation: In a small village in Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea, accounts of a terrible stench had been reported. A 26-year-old man who lived and worked in a foul-smelling area was taken to the emergency room with a headache, dizziness, nausea, and repeated syncope. A subsequent police and Ministry of Environment investigation determined that the cause of the stench was the unauthorized discharge of 9 tons of wastewater containing hydrogen sulfide through a stormwater pipe while the villagers were sleeping. The patient had no previous medical history or experience of symptoms. Leukocytes and cardiac markers were elevated, an electrocardiogram indicated biatrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy, and corrected QT interval prolongation. Myocardial hypertrophy was detected on a chest computed tomography scan, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was confirmed on echocardiography. After hospitalization, cardiac marker concentrations declined, symptoms improved, and the patient was discharged after 7 days of hospitalization. There was no recurrence of symptoms after discharge. Conclusions: We suspect that previously unrecognized heart disease manifested or was aggravated in this patient due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Attention should be paid to the possibility of unauthorized discharge of hydrogen sulfide, etc., in occasional local incidents and damage to public health. In the event of such an accident, it is necessary to have government guidelines in place to investigate health impact and follow-up clinical management of exposed residents.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.13-24
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• 2023

Objective : This study was aimed to reassess the scope of practice for medical personnel based on laws. Method : The law specifying the scope of practice for medical personnel has been selected searching Korean Law Information Center(https://www.law.gov.kr). The result was categorized as 'examination, diagnosis, treatment, procedure, prescription, and others'. Results : The laws related to medical procedures were divided into three categories: diagnosis, treatments, and public health and others. In the field of diagnosis, traditional Korean medicine practitioners are generally allowed to play a role. However, some laws specify that only medical doctors can be the primary authorities for diagnosing infectious diseases. In the area of treatments, particularly in emergency medical situations, only medical doctors or nurses are typically mentioned. There are debates in the field of public health and other areas concerning issues such as vaccination, disability diagnosis, and the qualifications for health center directors. A reevaluation is also needed for the Occupational Safety and Health Act, where only medical doctors are set as the personnel standard for workers' health examinations. Conclusion : To safeguard and promote the health of the citizens, there is a need for a clear definition of the licensure and scope of practice for healthcare professionals. Consistent interpretation of conflicting provisions among various laws and clear criteria for the term 'physician' in legal contexts are essential.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2024

As interest in sustainable and eco-friendly energy increases due to various problems in the carbon economy, a hydrogen economy that utilizes hydrogen as a main energy source is emerging. Among the methods of producing hydrogen, the water electrolysis method based on renewable energy produces environmentally friendly green hydrogen because it produces hydrogen from water. The water electrolysis facility currently under development produces hydrogen by receiving electricity directly from renewable energy and uses KOH(potassium hydroxide) as an electrolyte. In this study, HAZOP(Hazard and Operability Study), a qualitative risk assessment, was conducted on alkaline water electrolysis facilities to find problems and risk factors in the design and operation of water electrolysis facilities. Risks related to oxygen and KOH, an electrolyte, were identified as major risks, and it is believed that the safety of facilities and workers can be secured based on emergency action plans and safe operation procedures.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1207-1215
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• 2009

Purpose:To review and determine the complications in 76 child abuse cases recorded by a multidisciplinary hospital-based child protection team between 1987 and 2007. Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the reports and medical records of child abuse cases maintained by a university hospital-based child protection team. We devised a questionnaire for standardized interviews with the victims' guardians to determine the current physical and mental status of the children; questionnaires were answered by social workers of the child protection team who interviewed the present fosterers of 24 (35.8%) children. Results:Of the 76 children, 6 were infants, 10 were 1-3 years old, were 3-10 years old, and 19 were over 10 years old. Seven children (9.2%) were neglected and 27 (35.5%) and 44 (57.9%) were sexually and physically abused, respectively. In more than half of the cases, the perpetrators were the father or mother of the children. Most children (41 cases, 53.9%) were abused at their homes. The mean follow-up duration from the time of abuse infliction was $54.3{\pm}49.2$ months, and the current mean age of the children was $8.3{\pm}6.4$ years. Moderate and severe developmental delay and physical disability were observed in 6 (25.0%) and 3 (12.5%) cases, respectively. In 13 children (54.2%), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) score was less than 60, which indicates mild mental disability. Conclusion:A hospital-based child protection team may witness the different proportion of abuse types and patterns by conducting a nation-wide survey of child abuse cases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.387-396
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• 2020

Objectives: The lack of advance planning in a public health emergency can lead to wasted resources and inadvertent loss of lives. This study is aimed at forecasting the needs for healthcare resources following the expansion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Republic of Kazakhstan, focusing on hospital beds, equipment, and the professional workforce in light of the developing epidemiological situation and the data on resources currently available. Methods: We constructed a forecast model of the epidemiological scenario via the classic susceptible-exposed-infected-removed (SEIR) approach. The World Health Organization's COVID-19 Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool was used to evaluate the healthcare resources needed for the next 12 weeks. Results: Over the forecast period, there will be 104 713.7 hospital admissions due to severe disease and 34 904.5 hospital admissions due to critical disease. This will require 47 247.7 beds for severe disease and 1929.9 beds for critical disease at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. There will also be high needs for all categories of healthcare workers and for both diagnostic and treatment equipment. Thus, Republic of Kazakhstan faces the need for a rapid increase in available healthcare resources and/or for finding ways to redistribute resources effectively. Conclusions: Republic of Kazakhstan will be able to reduce the rates of infections and deaths among its population by developing and following a consistent strategy targeting COVID-19 in a number of inter-related directions.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the seropositive prevalence of blood-borne infection in neurotrauma patients who underwent emergent surgical intervention, especially patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis and human immunodefIciency virus (HIV). Methods: A retrospective review identified 559 patients with traumatic brain injury and spinal trauma who underwent emergent surgery between 2007 and 2014. We reviewed the medical records and extracted data, including age, sex, location of lesion, result of serologic tests, time interval of admission and surgery after presenting to emergency room. Serologic tests for HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV were performed and analyzed to determine whether the seropositive results were confirmed by the surgeon before surgery. Results: The majority of the patients were male (74.6%), and the mean age was $55.4{\pm}20.2years$. Most patients underwent surgery due to traumatic brain injury (90.0%). Fifty-three patients (10.0%) showed a positive result on at least one serologic test. Seropositive rates according to pathogens were 0.5% for syphilis, 5.2% for HBV and 3.9% for HCV. No positive results were noted on the serologic tests for HIV. HBV in patients with spinal cord injury and age from 40 to 49 years were associated with high serologic positive rate, and that result was statistically significant. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the other variables. Serologic results could not confirmed before surgery in the majority of the cases (62.1%), and 10.4% of these patients showed seropositive results. Conclusion: The results of this study emphasize the importance of taking precautions and conducting rapid serologic testing in preventing the occupational transmission of blood-borne viruses to health-care workers.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.116-132
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• 1997

The purpose of the study is to find out how laws related to the nursing profession can be improved by analyzing the rules and regulations concerning nursing. Furthermore, to help settle legal matters in the process of doing nursing work. The data used for the study are the Health and Medical Act, the Maternal and Child Health Act, the School Health Act, the Special Act for Health and Medical Service in Rural Areas, the Industrial Health & Safety Act and the Notice on Nursing Professional Courses analyzed by age and content. The results of the study are as follows : First, basic nursing practice includes 'nursing care for recuperation and assistance in medical treatment and in special areas including the pre-vention of disease, maintenance of health, control of environment, and other therapeutic activities. It is suggested that the phrase 'assistance in medical treatment' should be eliminated as it limits the basic nursing practice to the assistance of the medical treatment. Second, Article 56 of the Health & Medical Act prescribes a special nurse but it does not prescribe a specific job. Accordingly, the new provison concerning the specific jobs of a special nurse should be added or a job guide should be inseated. Third, it is prescribed that those who have completed the training course after obtaining a license are qualified to be a midwife, a special nurse and a nurse practitioner working in special areas. However, school nurses, occupational health nurses and maternal and health workers are required to obtain a nurse license, but not to take an additional training course. Nurses working in special areas should be legally recognized as nurse specialists. The regulations to control various qualification standards consistently should be established. Fourth, the qualifications and types of nurses by area prescribed by Article 54 of the Health and Medical Act are not consistent with those of special nurses as recognized by affiliated organizations of the Korean Nurse Association and some hospitals. Accordingly, the qualifications and types of special nurses should be adjusted in consideration of special nurses. Fifth, as Article 16, Paragraph 2 of the Health and Medical Act does not prescribe the type and scope of first - aid treatment that nurses can provide, the first-aid treatment of nurses might be considered as an unlicensed practice. The specific regulations regarding these matters should be established. Sixth, the contents of the nursing record, which are prescribed by Article 21 of the Health and Medical Act as a duty, include 1) matters concerning body temperature, pulse, breath and blood pressure 2) matters concerning drug prescription 3) matters concerning input and output 4) matters concerning the treatment and nursing care (Article 17 of the Enforcement Regulations, Health and Medical Act). However, these matters are limited to basic nursing care and assistance in medical treatment. The new recording methods on nursing process are suggested to be adopted legally. Seventh, the prescription right entrusted to nurses which are prescribed by the School Health Act, the Special Act on Health and Medical Service for Rural Areas, and the Industrial Health and Safety Act are not consistent with the rights of nurses as prescribed by the Health and Medical Act. New regulations prescribing the partial right for medical treatment entrusted to nurses in consideration of the restraint of time and place in emergency situations should be established.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.12 no.3 s.30
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• pp.69-78
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• 2004

Since 1995, One of the NGIS(National Geographic Information System) projects, the underground utilities project, has been finished in 2003. The 19 cities in korea for this project will use underground utilities management system using underground utilities database focusing on water and sewage system. However, special expert, technical and experience problem in computer environment has not been had in working department for water and sewage management and maintenance for each local government. The management and maintenance by underground utilities database by manual method is getting lowered a data qualify of underground utilities database because of the data omitting, error in writing and securing of the lasted database. Therefore, in this study, Application test for field workers using a mobile tool and environment analysis of wireless communication in Korea and application test of GPS receiver for mobile tools had been processed and made a mobile working environment. The efficient management and maintenance method for underground utilities database has been developed an off-line method for modification and update of database about general work which has a high working frequency because of the limitation of wireless communication environment. Also, the emergency working has been applied for on-line method.