• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.325-331
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• 2023

Background: Heat stress is a harmful physical hazard in many occupational settings. However, consequences of occupational heat exposure among workers in a sugarcane factory in Ethiopia are not well characterized. This study aimed to assess the level of occupational heat exposure-related symptoms and contributing factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, five workstations were selected for temperature measurement. Heat stress levels were measured using a wet-bulb globe temperature index meter. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 1,524 participants. Heat-related symptoms were assessed using validated questionnaires. Results: The level of occupational heat exposure was 72.4% (95% CI: 70.2%-74.8%), while 71.6% (95% CI: 69.3%-74.9%) of participants experienced at least one symptom related to heat stress. The most common heat-related symptoms were swelling of hands and feet (78%), severe thirst (77.8%) and dry mouth (77.4%). The identified risk factors were a lack of reflective shields (AOR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.53, 3.17), not-enclosed extreme heat sources (AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.51), a lack of access to shade (AOR: 9.62, 95% CI: 6.20, 14.92), and inappropriate protective clothing provision (AOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.27, 2.71). Conclusions: The burden of occupational heat exposure and heat-induced symptoms was high. Lack of reflective shields, the absence of enclosed extreme heat sources, a lack of access to shade, and inappropriate protective clothing provision were considerable attributes of heat stress. Therefore, the use of mechanical solutions to stop heat emissions at their sources and the key factors identified were areas for future intervention.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.458-466
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• 2023

Objectives: The association between long sleep duration and mortality is frequently attributed to the confounding influence of comorbidities. Nevertheless, past efforts to account for comorbidities have yielded inconsistent outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate this relationship using a large prospective cohort in Korea. Methods: The study included 114 205 participants from the Health Examinees Study, who were followed for a median of 9.1 years. A composite comorbidity score was developed to summarize the effects of 21 diseases. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality associated with sleep duration were estimated. These estimates were adjusted for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors, body mass index, and comorbidity score. Additionally, a stratified analysis by subgroups with and without comorbidities was conducted. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, 2675 deaths were recorded. After all adjustments, an association was observed between a sleep duration of 8 hours or more and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20). However, no such association was detected in the stratified analysis for the subgroups based on comorbidity status. Conclusions: Long sleep duration was found to be associated with all-cause mortality among Koreans, even after adjusting for comorbidities. Additional studies are required to explore the mechanism underlying the association between sleep duration and major causes of mortality.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.18-31
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of anthropometric indices of obesity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, waist hip ratio, and body fat percentage) on the incidence of hypertension in adults with prehypertension. Methods: A longitudinal study design using secondary data form the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study was employed. The study included 1,838 adults with prehypertension tracked every two years from 2001 to 2018. Statistical analyses, including frequency assessments, number of cases per 1,000 person-years, log-rank tests, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox's proportional hazards regression, were conducted using SPSS version 25. Results: Over the observation period (15,783.6 person-years), 1,136 individuals developed hypertension. The incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in the obesity groups defined by BMI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.33), waist circumference (HR = 1.34), waist hip ratio (HR = 1.29), and body fat percentage (HR = 1.31) compared to the non-obese group. These findings indicate an increased risk of hypertension associated with obesity as measured by these indices. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of avoiding obesity to prevent hypertension in individuals with prehypertension. Specifically, BMI, waist circumference, waist hip circumference, and body fat percentage were identified as significant risk factors for hypertension. The results suggest the need for individualized weight control interventions, emphasizing the role of health professionals in addressing the heightened hypertension risk in this population.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권10호
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• pp.710-719
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: In previous studies, high homocysteine levels were associated with high cardiovascular mortality. However, these results were inconsistent with those of randomized controlled trials. We aimed to evaluate the causal role of homocysteine on allcause and cardiovascular mortality using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: This study included the 10,005 participants in the Namwon Study. In conventional observational analysis, age, sex, survey years, lifestyles, body mass index, comorbidities, and serum folate level were adjusted using multivariate Cox proportional regression. MR using 2-stage least squares regression was used to evaluate the association between genetically predicted plasma homocysteine levels and mortality. Age, sex, and survey years were adjusted for each stage. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism was used as an instrumental variable for predicting plasma homocysteine levels. Results: Observed homocysteine levels were positively associated with all-cause (hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-1.54) and cardiovascular (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.28-2.06) mortality when plasma homocysteine levels doubled. However, these associations were not significant in MR analysis. The HRs of doubling genetically predicted plasma homocysteine levels for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 0.99 (95% CI, 0.62-1.57) and 1.76 (95% CI, 0.54-5.77), respectively. Conclusions: This MR analysis did not support a causal role for elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations in premature deaths.

• 대한토목학회논문집
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• 제32권4D호
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• pp.291-303
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• 2012

보다 안전한 운전을 유도하기 위해서는 불특정 운전자에게 획일적이고 정적인 감속정보를 제공하기보다는 개별차량 움직임을 고려하여 해당 도로를 이용하는 운전자가 어떻게 행동해야 하는지에 대해 개별 운전자 중심의 동적이고 구체적인 정보를 제공하여야 한다. 본 연구에서는 실시간으로 차량 및 도로교통상황에 대한 정보의 수집 및 전송이 가능한 스마트하이웨이의 도로 및 통신환경이 조성되었을 때를 가정하여, 노면상태 및 주행상태 등의 도로교통상황, 선 후행차량의 통행속도 및 차간거리를 고려하여 실시간으로 차량 안전거리 정보 제공을 목적으로 하였다. 노면상태에 따라 상태기준컬럼($C_{condition}$)의 값을 달리 정의하여 기본적인 위험상황정보를 제시하고자 하였으며, 이를 기준으로 표현컬럼($C_n$)의 범위에 선 후행차량의 통행속도, 차량간격, 종단경사, 노면상태 등을 종합적으로 반영하여 실시간 안전거리 지수(RSDI)를 산출하도록 하였다. 산출된 실시간 안전거리 지수(RSDI)를 운전자에게 제공함으로서, 운전자가 차량간 충돌(추돌) 가능 위험상황에 대해 직관적으로 인지하고 충분히 대응할 수 있도록 하여 안전을 도모하도록 하였다. 산출된 RSDI의 값은 30개의 단위컬럼으로 이루어지고, 사전에 정한 '경고', '위험, '보통'의 3단계 위험도 평가 등급으로 구분되어 운전자에게 제공되게 된다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.604-615
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• 1998

Although previous studies revealed the association of physical activity with mortality rate, it is unclear whether there is a linear trend between physical activity and mortality rate. In this study, the association of physical activity with the risk of all-cause mortality was analysed using Cox's proportional hazard model for a cohort of 14,204 healthy Korean men aged 40-59 years followed up for 4 years(Jan. 1993-Dec. 1996). Physical activity and other life style were surveyed by a postal questionnaire in December 1992. Total of 14,204 subjects were grouped into quartiles by physical activity. Using death certificate data, 123 deaths were identified. The second most active quartile had a lowest mortality .ate with relative risk of 0.44(95% C.I. : 0.23-0.84) compared with most sedentary quartile, showing a J-shape pattern of physical activity-mortality curve. By examining the difference in proportion of cause of the death between most active quartile and the other quartiles, there was no significant difference of proportional mortality from cardiovascular deaths, cerebrovascular deaths or deaths from trauma. The covariates were stratified into two group between which the trend of RR was compared to test the effect modification. There was no remarkable effect modification by alcohol intake, smoking, body mass index, calorie consumption, percent fat consumption. In conclusion, moderate activity was found to have more protective effect on all-cause mortality than vigorous activity and that the J-shape pattern of physical activity-mortality curve was not due to the difference of mortality pattern or effect modification by alcohol intake, smoking, body mass index, calorie consumption and percent fat consumption.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.117-126
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• 2002

Contamination levels of pathogenic microorganisms in 145 cases of beef, which were distributed in Gwangju province, had been investigated in each distributed stage and also monitored by general bacterial count and E coli count index. General bacterial count of beef from the slaughterhouse was 10$^4$cfu/g less than the level of promotion(10 cfu/$\textrm{cm}^2$) and E coli count index was also under the level of 10$^2$cfu/$\textrm{cm}^2$ recommended level of the ministry of agriculture and forestry. Pathogenic microorganisms were detected from 23.2% of samples in the consumption stage, 12.5% in the slaughtering stage and 5.6% in the transporting and processing stage. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in the largest number and its ratio was 9.0%, listeria monocytogenes 5.5% and salmonella spp 1.4%. There were no samples that bacteria had been detected dually. E coli O157:H7 and campylobacter jejuni were not isolated. In raw and chilled beef, isolation rate of pathogenic microorganisms were 13.3% and 16.5% each. Especially in raw beef, L monocytogenes was. isolated in 3 samples among 30 cases (10%) and S aureus in one sample (3.3%). According to a scale of meat store, isolation rates of pathogenic microorganisms were different. It was 28.6% in the small-scale meat store and 16.7% in the large-scale meat store each. Four cases (16.7%) of S aureus were isolated in the large-scale meat store and seven cases (20.0%) of L monocytogenes and 2 cases (5.7%) of salmonella spp were isolated in the small-scale meat store. S aureus was isolated in two places among 10 feeding facilities of the elementary school. This result shows that the sanitation of elementary school feeding facilities is so poor and more careful policy consideration is needed. Eleven strains of S aureus isolated showed ${\beta}$-hemolysis on blood agar, 1 strain ${\alpha}$-hemolysis, and 1 strain ${\gamma}$-hemolysis. Isolated strains of L monocytogenes were reconfirmed in 560 bp by PCR. Conclusively, these results show that the sanitary condition in the stages of slaughtering, transportation-processing and consumption influences the degree of pathogenic microorganisms contamination in beef severely It is necessary to apply thoroughly hazard analysis critical control point in a process of beef distribution and also to develop rapid test methods for microorganism diagnosis. This effort is very important for the supply of safe and clean meat from farm to table and helpful for the improvement of public health.

• 한국화재소방학회논문지
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.6-14
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• 2018

본 연구는 건축용 목재의 화재위험성에대하여 열방출 특성을 중심으로 조사하였다. 열방출 성질은 cone calorimeter (ISO 5660-1)를 이용하여 측정하였으며 4종의 목재를 사용하였다. 외부 열유속 $25kW/m^2$에서 연소시킨 후 측정된 착화시간은 35 s부터 55 s까지였다. 나왕(lauan)과 적송의 착화 시간은 각각 54 s, 55 s로 가장 지연된 값으로 얻어졌다. 최대열방출율은 $156.87{\sim}235.1kW/m^2$ 였고 화재초기의 위험성은 가문비나무가 가장 높았다. 삼나무의 평균유효연소열은 19.1 MJ/kg였고 시료들 중에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 화재성능지수(FPI)에 의한 목재의 화재위험성은 나왕($0.2468s{\cdot}m^2/kW$) < 적송($0.2339s{\cdot}m^2/kW$) < 가문비나무($0.2308s{\cdot}m^2/kW$) < 삼나무($0.2231s{\cdot}m^2/kW$) 순으로 높았고 화재성장지수(FGI)에 의한 목재의 화재위험성은 나왕($0.5088kW/m^2{\cdot}s$) < 적송($0.511kW/m^2{\cdot}s$) < 삼나무 ($2.8522kW/m^2{\cdot}s$) < 가문비나무($3.0662kW/m^2{\cdot}s$) 순으로 높았다. 그러므로 목재의 열방출 특성에 대한 화재위험성은 가문비나무와 삼나무가 높은 것으로 나타났다.

• 해양환경안전학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.93-102
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• 2007

수 저층의 퇴적물에서는 자체 내에서의 물질이동과 변환뿐만 아니라 외부로부터 유입된 물질과 수계 자체에서 생성된 여러 물질들이 침강하고 퇴적되고 있다. 또한 퇴적물에서 수층으로 물질들이 용출하는 등 저층의 퇴적물과 수층 간에는 끊임없이 물질교환이 이루어 지고 있다. 수 저층 퇴적물의 오염상태를 나타내는 저질은 수 저층의 퇴적물 자체를 의미하는 것이 아니라 퇴적물의 오염도를 의미하며 이는 수질과는 달리 시 공간적으로 쉽게 변하지 않아 오랜 기간의 수계 환경의 오염 상태를 알 수 있어 최근 수질조사와 더불어 수 환경의 오염도 평가와 수생생물, 저서생물과 관련한 연구가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 주요 저질의 항목으로는 영양염과 중금속 함량, 강열감량(IL), 총 황화물(TS), 산화환원치(ORP), COD, 색, 냄새와 악취, 용출량 등이 있다. 이러한 저질 인자들이 하천이나 호소 및 해양의 과거 및 현재의 오염상태를 알 수 있는 오염의 지표로 이용될 수 있으나 퇴적물의 채취방법, 조사 지점 수, 분석방법, 결과의 상호 비교 평가 등의 여러 문제점이 있어 실제 우리나라에서는 저질조사 연구가 많이 이루어지고 있지 않고 있는 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 저질 조사의 중요성과 채취방법, 각 저질 항목의 분석방법, 저질변동과 분석 및 평가에 관하여 소개하고자 하였다.

• 한국지진공학회논문집
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

느슨한 포화 사질토 층에 위치한 구조물은 지진 시 액상화로 인해 막대한 인적 경제적 피해가 발생하기 때문에 액상화 발생 가능 지반으로 분류된 지역은 구조물의 설계 및 운영 시 액상화 발생 가능성에 주의를 기울어야 한다. 한반도의 경우 중진 지역에 해당되고 역사 문헌의 발생 기록을 제외한 어떤 액상화 피해도 보고되지 않음에 따라 오랫동안 액상화에 대해서는 안전지대로 여겨져 왔다. 하지만, 최근 해외 지진 사례에 의하면 국내 서해안 지역 지반과 유사한 비소성 실트질 흙에서의 액상화 발생과 이로 인한 피해 사례가 종종 보고되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 국내에서의 액상화 가능성 평가 기법 합리화의 일환으로 서해안 두 부지를 대상으로 피에조콘 관입시험(CPTu)과 표준관입시험(SPT) 결과를 이용하여 액상화가능지수(LPI)를 산정하였다. LPI는 심도 20m까지의 액상화 가능성을 통합 적분하여 액상화로 인한 지표면 피해 발생 정도를 지수로 제시한다. 먼저 대상 현장에 대해 시나리오별 액상화 발생 가능성을 평가한 후, CPTu와 SPT로부터 산정된 LPI 값을 비교하였다. 액상화 저항 강도를 의미하는 진동저항응력비(CRR) 값에 의하면, CPTu로부터 구한 보정 콘 선단저항력 (qc1N)CS가 40에서 120 사이인 경우 또는 CRR이 0.23 이하인 경우에 SPT로부터의 산정된 값보다 작게 평가되었다. 또한 CRR 차이는 세립질 함유량이 큰 흙에서 두 방법 간의 차이가 더 크게 나타났다.