• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2023

This study examined the transition process of clinical laboratory technologists' national examination and job definition in Korea and compared the differences in the national examination between Korea and neighboring countries, such as Japan and Taiwan. In Korea, the number of questions made for it was 200 (1965), 200 (1977), 300 (1982), 250 (1992), 330 (2006), and 280 (2015). The practice of clinical physiology is important for real-time monitoring, given the characteristics of physiological testing. On the other hand, there are conflicts between other occupations in the working area. Clinical molecular biology needs to be established as a new major subject considering the diagnostic importance of molecular biological tests and the speed of science and technology development. Clinical laboratory operations provide policy and guidance recommendations to technologist staff. The proposed clinical laboratory technologists' national examination comprises major subjects: clinical biochemistry, clinical hematology, clinical transfusionology, clinical immunology, clinical microbiology, clinical molecular biology, clinical histology, clinical cytology, clinical physiology, and clinical laboratory operations. In addition, this study proposes the job definition of clinical laboratory technologists, revising various chemical or physiological testing to biomedical or physiological testing required for medical practice.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.204-213
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• 2022

Background: The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant increased the level of anxiety related to the radioactive contamination of various foods sourced in Japan. Particularly, after the accident, the detection of artificial radionuclides in locally produced foods raised food safety concerns. In this study, the radioactivity concentrations and annual ingestions of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in food products commonly and frequently consumed by the general public were investigated, and the annual effective dose of each was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The 2016-2018 data from the Radiation Safety Management Report released by the Korea Nuclear Safety Technology Center was referenced for the evaluation of the amounts of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs contained in food. Using the food-ingestion survey mentioned above as a reference, we selected 62 foods to include in our radioactivity concentration and dose assessment. We also developed a questionnaire and evaluated the responses from the subjects who answered the questionnaire. Results and Discussion: The radioactivity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs was found to be close to or below the level of minimum detectable activity. Additionally, the annual ingestion of 62 foods was 294.77 kg/yr, the effective doses from ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs were 136.4 and 0.163 μSv/yr, respectively. Conclusion: Thus, the findings confirmed that the effective dose from ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in food tends to be lower than the effective dose limit of 1 mSv/yr suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 60. The questionnaire developed in this study is expected to be useful for estimating the annual effective dose status of Korean adults who consume foods containing ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2023

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is an apex predator of the riparian ecosystem. It is a keystone and an indicator species; consequently, its presence suggests a sustainable water environment. Otter is a keystone species as a predator at the top of the food web in the aquatic environment and an indicator species representing the health of the aquatic environment. Although Eurasian otters disappeared from the Han River urban water system because of anthropogenic activities like habitat destruction, poaching, and environmental pollution in the 1980s, the species were sighted in the Cheonggye Stream, Jungrang Stream, and Seongnae Stream, which are urban sections of the Han River, in 2016 and 2021. Therefore, it is pertinent to assess the habitat potential in the area for conservation and management measures to ensure its permanent presence. However, existing studies on otter habitats focused on natural rivers and reservoirs, and there is a limit to applying them to habitats artificially confined habitats in narrow spaces such as tributaries in urban areas of the Han River. This study selected the Cheonggye Stream, an artificially restored urban stream, to evaluate its potential as a habitat for Eurasian otters in urban water environments using the habitat suitability index (HSI). The HSI was calculated with selected environment attributes, such as the cover, food, and threat, that best describe the L. lutra habitat. According to the results, the confluence area of Seongbuk Stream and Cheonggye Stream and the confluence area of Cheonggye Stream and Jungnang Stream were suitable otter habitats, requiring appropriate conservation efforts. The HSI model suggests a valuable method to assess the habitat quality of Eurasian otters in urban water environments. The study is crucial as it can help rehabilitate the species' populations by identifying and managing potential Eurasian otter habitats in highly urbanized areas of the Han River basin and its tributaries.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.257-264
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate effective intervention(upper thoracic mobilization and upper cervical mobilization) methods for forward head posture. 32 subjects were divided into two groups: upper thoracic mobilization(UTM) and upper cervical mobilization(UCM) on three times a week for a total of four weeks. In both groups significant difference in forward head posture pre and post test(p <.01), significant difference between the two groups (p <.05, 95% CI: .157-.341). In both groups significant difference in neck disability index pre and post test(p <.01), significant difference between the two groups (p <.01, 95% CI: 1.273-8.728). In both groups significant difference in quality of life pre and post test(p<.05), significant difference between the two groups (p <.01, 95% CI: 4.234-18.391). The results of this study showed that the UTM was more effective than that of the forward head posture. It would be possible to provide more effective interventions for patients with forward head posture and also to prevent secondary musculoskeletal disorders due to forward head posture.

• 한국노년학
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2005

This study was conducted to examine the environmental status, FIM(Function Independence Measure), Illness intrusiveness of home stayed stroke patients. Data were collected on 145 patients living in K city and the neighborhood located in southern part of Korea. The data were analyzed by means of SPSS program. Results : In assessment of environmental safety, 46.2%(67) felt unsafe around their residential area. The most dangerous facilities in their residence was stairs(58.2%), gas/electric facilities(14.9%). For sanitary problems, 28.2%(41) felt they have problems at their home. The most important problems were outdoor polluted toilet(22.0%) and scattered and dirty residential circumstances(22.0%). The average FIM score was 74.52(4.14) of total score 126(7). In motor area FIM was lowest at stair walking(3.01) and bathing(3.16). In cognitive area FIM was lowest at social activities(3.36). The mean score of Illness intrusiveness was 58.86(4.52) of total score 91(7). The major area largely impacted by stroke were health(5.61), working(5.68), active leisure activities(5.56). There was significant reverse correlation between FIM and illness intrusiveness(r=-0.66, p=0.00). Conclusion : It was needed environmental improvement and rehabilitation program for stroke patients, and repeated follow up study.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1345-1357
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• 2010

This research, with the participants of the female elderly using a home-visit bath among long-term care services, made an in-depth analysis of what they experience while getting a home-visit bath. We conducted in-depth interviews with 8 elderly people. According to the result, the female elderly experienced the absence of a caregiver, difficulty in carrying out daily life due to physical diseases, getting what they need by themselves, getting comfortable in body and mind, accepting their given situation though feeling shame at getting a bath, and expressing their desires. In addition, they had a close relationship with a care helper. On the basis of the results, a systematic training system which could intensify the professionalism of care helpers was suggested. For the enhancement of the elderly's emotional stability in a long-term care, an integrated case management system was also suggested, which supports the family by organizing an integrated network by region between a long-term care service, home-visit care service, welfare center, and the National Health Insurance Corporation.

• 한국노년학
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.393-408
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• 2007

This study examines the impact of retirement on psychological well-being of the elderly and identifies whether associative factors of psychological well-being differ between retired and non-retired persons. Psychological well-being is measured by the PGCMS developed by Lawton. The sample includes 1,625 older adults aged 60 and over, which derived from the cross-sectional data of the "Aging and the Quality of Life of the Elderly in Korea: A Longitudinal Study" living in Seoul and Chuncheon in 2003. Multivariate OLS regression results show that retirement is not associated with psychological well-being after controlling socio-demographic characteristics, economic status, health status, family and social relations, participation in social activities, and satisfaction with hobbies and learning needs. Also, associative factors of psychological well-being differ between retired and non-retired persons. For retired persons, greater social activities and higher satisfaction with hobbies are associated with the higher level of psychological well-being whereas higher satisfaction with learning needs has a positive relationship with the higher level of psychological well-being for non-retired persons. Discussion and implications of the findings are presented, and limitations of this study are acknowledged.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.741-762
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the Nutrition Quotient for Elderly(NQ-E) of the elderly living in the community and to investigate the characteristics of living conditions affecting the nutritional status of the elderly. The subjects of the survey were 1,970 elderly single elderly households aged 65 and over in the nationwide through convenience sampling method. A survey cooperative system was established with Comprehensive Support Center for Elderly Living Alone, and the 25 social welfare institutions. 385 Life Managers for Elderly Living Alone participated as a survey agent. As a result, NQ-E was 51.14 points, which is the lowest level in the NQ-E, and the explanatory power was 20.1% in multiple regression analysis. Significant variables were age, sex, subjective health status, low number of medication, non-smoker, non-alcoholic, satisfactory economic status, academic status, and the interaction with family and neighbors. Based on this result, this study explains that comprehensive measures of nutritional management for the elderly living alone needs to be sought.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of phenolic compounds after bordeaux mixture treatment on Cheorwon onion. Onion is a perennial plant belonging to the lily family. It is native to Persia of Southwest Asia. It is cultivated much in the temperate regions of the world. Onion is a good name for the 'Okchong' to drop blood cholesterol and cardiovascular blood flow to increase the prevention of adult diseases. Cheorwon area is inland, but it has high continental climate due to its high altitude. After the treatment with bordeaux mixture, the weight, width and plant height of the onion were affected to some extent. In the phenolic compounds, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, and kaempferol except benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid and quercetin were similar to or less than the control. Therefore, it was concluded that the treatment with bordeaux mixture had some effect on onion growth and phenolic compound contents.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus fermentation broth (ENM) on the human NK cell activity, and bone matrix density, matrix content and area of hamsters fed ENM. Methods: NK cell activity was tested, and bone mineral density were measured by x-ray. Results: NK cell activity was significantly higher in the control group (644.71 pg/ml) and in the test group (1796.37 pg/ml) (p<.004). Test groups were significantly increased by 1110.37 pg/ml in the pre-test and 1796.37 pg/ml in the post-test(p<.001). Behavioral observations after feeding ENM to hamsters showed normal behavior with no difference between control and test groups. The hamster body weight of the control was 106 g at the initial and final 27 days. In the test group, the initial weight was 96.6 g and the final 27 days was 114 g. No morphological changes were observed in the X-ray photographs of the hamster hind legs. The bone matrix density was 0.059 g/cm³ in control and 0.062 g/cm³ in the test, which was increased by 0.003 g/cm³. The bone matrix content was 0.175 g in the control and 0.196 g in the test. The bone area was 2.95 cm² in the control and 3.19 cm² in the test, which was increased by 0.19 cm². In the autopsy, neither the control nor the test group showed any remarkable abnormality, and each organ was normal. Conclusions: It is thought that ingestion of ENM is useful for immunity enhancement.