• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.729-740
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• 2022

This study analyzed the effects of job stress and sleep disorders on sleepiness during the daytime for a night-shift urban railway crew. As a result of the analysis, measurements on a daytime sleepiness index were higher for the crew than those during other working hours, indicating that the degrees of sleepiness and drowsiness were severe. Afterwards, aromatic essential oils, which are generally known to help relieve sleep disorders and stress, were utilized to verify the effect on stress on night-shift workers. The experimental group treated with aromatherapy was found to show improved stress reduction and overall activity levels in the autonomic nervous system compared to an untreated control group. This study proves that night work by an urban railway crew negatively affects stress levels by increasing stress and negatively affects the autonomous nervous system, also showing that an aromatherapy treatment can be a good alternative to alleviate these conditions. The results of this study are expected to help prevent safety accidents by relieving the stress of nighttime workers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1011-1022
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• 2021

The Korea Coast Guard(KCG) is the only comprehensive maritime administrative agency in Korea that performs various tasks taking place in the ocean, including rescue operations, disaster management, policing, Drug and smuggling crackdown, responding to Response to invasion of maritime territory, environmental conservation, and maritime security. It is vital to inform the public of the role and mission of KCG as the only comprehensive maritime administrative agency in Korea. However, most citizens, excluding residents of the coastal and island areas, have little knowledge of the security administration services of the KCG due to lack of exposure. This study reviewed the KCG's public relations(PR) organization and current status using KCG promotional materials, diagnosed the actual conditions of KCG's PR, and suggested ways to improve public relations activities through a questionnaire survey of public relations personnel. Through literature research and questionnaire survey, the KCG's public relations status was estimated and the measures to enhance publicity was derived as follows: strengthening the PR organization by reinforcing the personnel in charge of PR, improving customized promotion by clarifying the promotion strategy according to the promotion target, enhancing job training for PR personnel, and increasing the interest and support of commanders and internal members in charge of PR work.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2023

Poor indoor acoustic environments negatively affect occupants. Previous research has shown that indoor acoustic environments affect not only task performance and job satisfaction of the occupants, but also their health and well-being. This study aimed for evaluating indoor acoustic environments of open-plan offices located in public buildings in Korea. It also aimed to review the matters that need to be considered in order to improve occupants' acoustic comfort. Indoor noise levels were measured in 13 sites; the measurements were conducted for five consecutive working days from Monday to Friday. The noise levels were evaluated based on the levels recommended by the ISO and the EU ALDREN project. The study found that most of the indoor noise levels measured in the sampled sites during the working hours met the ISO standard. In the case of the levels under unoccupied conditions at night, those at three sites did not meet the recommendation of the ALDREN. In addition, some characteristics of the sites had significant effects on the noise level. Since the exact acoustic performance of the building envelope could not be identified, future research is needed for investigating the relationship between accurate building performance and indoor acoustic environments.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.61-74
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• 2009

Purpose: In order to increase the quality of nursing care for patients with diabetes mellitus, it is important for clinical nurses to accept changes in diabetes knowledge and correct their approach immediately. This approach will also contribute to effective nursing practice. Methods: The study was designed to investigate the level of knowledge and diffusion of knowledge for nursing care of patients with diabetes mellitus among clinical nurses. It was conducted with nurses from 29 general hospitals in Korea from November 3 to December 5, 2008. The questionnaire consisted of 129 items and it was sent to the participants by mail. Of the 1,060 questionnaires returned, only 930 were valid for use in the statistical analysis. Results: 1) The average score for clinical nurses' knowledge of diabetes mellitus was 0.67 out of 1.0. 2) The level of persuasion of knowledge for nursing care of patients with diabetes mellitus averaged 0.64 out of 1.0 3) The level of practical application of knowledge for nursing care of patients with diabetes mellitus averaged 1.05 out of 2.0, indicating that they applied their knowledge 'sometimes'. 4) The level of diffusion of knowledge for nursing care of patients with diabetes mellitus was 2.37 out of 4.0 and level was estimated as the stage of 'persuasion'. 5) There were significant differences in nursing knowledge of diabetes mellitus, according to experience in practical education for diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The results indicate that nurses with a lower level of knowledge of diabetes mellitus have a lower level of persuasion of knowledge for nursing care of patients with diabetes mellitus and lower practical application. To improve the level of nurses' knowledge of diabetes mellitus, practical training programs are needed for areas in which knowledge level is low, such as 'diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus', 'oral diabetes medication', and 'glucose control in special conditions'.

• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.83
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• pp.157-185
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• 2017

The present study examines the dialectic tensions arising within the ICT-mediated labor culture between the dominant power of conglomerates and the precarious labor subjects in the labor practices, as smartphones and tablet PCs have grown in popularity. The present study explores how much young precarious workers named 'Cheongyeon Alba' (young precariat in S Korea) suffers from continually precarious job positions as temporary staff or contract workers, being trapped at the bottom of the pay scale, and also being electronically connected to the workplace in a seamless way. Concretely, this study investigates how the mobile phone becomes deeply entangled with the 'precarious' labor culture in the metropolitan city of Seoul. The mobile precariat has been in a disadvantaged position, in terms not only of the moral issue of exploitation in business but also of social injustice. Labor exploitation of young workers has been reinforced by the mobile labor culture, in which they are remotely monitored by live surveillance mobile apps, and mobile instant messaging from a boss can intrude incessantly into their private life. This study depicts the extension of the business's surveillant power by mobilizing the mobile phone in the working practices.

• Korean Journal of Comparative Education
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.163-185
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• 2014

Along with concerns about deteriorating social and economic status of teachers around the world, Master Teacher System(MTS) has been considered as one of the alternatives to transform teaching profession into a more attractive job. In this study, the conditions and problems associated with the MTS in China is analyzed to draw implications for South Korea, which recently legalized the MTS. Research framework including four research questions is developed based on the controversies surrounding MTS of South Korea. The main findings show that the MTS in China was introduced to improve teachers' social and economic status along with the quality of prospective teachers. A very small number of master teachers are selected through rigorous standards including longer service period. They are given additional monetary and non-monetary compensations in return for their teaching-learning leadership and responsibilities. As highly respected educators, they enjoy the lifelong benefits, although they are annually evaluated. It is evident that the MTS has contributed to improving the attractiveness of teaching profession in China. Nevertheless, there are many problems associated with selection standards and methods of master teachers, their roles, compensation, evaluation and terms of service. Recent criticism due to changing circumstances surrounding education in China makes the MTS more questionable. Based on the findings, major implications for future directions of MTS of South Korea are drawn and suggested.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.23-42
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• 2023

This study originated from recognition of importance of firefighters' decision-making in fire response, coupled with existing gap in research. By utilizing Q-methodology, the study aimed to categorize firefighters' subjectivity in fire response decision-making. Through this categorization, the study sought to highlight insights into the current technological and data limitations, as well as potential directions for future R&D in the field of firefighting. The findings of the study revealed that firefighters' subjectivity could be classified into three factors: "emphasis on direct information related to rescue," "emphasis on information related to the target property," and "emphasis on information related to command and coordination." The study theoretically confirmed that the subjectivity of firefighters' decision-making in fire response is partially influenced by their experiences and job. Additionally, the study's significance lay in its approach of collecting specific decision-making factors in fire response, moving beyond general theoretical models. Furthermore, from a policy perspective, the typification of decision-making factors contributed to connecting the identified data-based administrative needs from prior studies. Insights from the study emphasized the importance of leveraging on-site experience in Korea to aid decision-making, calling for the development of equipment and data collection methods that can rapidly and accurately assess on-site conditions.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2024

Background: This study examines the relationship between functional disability and work ability in workers affected by low back pain (LBP) through an analysis of correlations between the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Work Ability Index (WAI). The role of personal and work factors on functional disability/work ability levels has also been studied. LBP is the most common musculoskeletal problem and a major disabling health problem worldwide. Its etiology is multifactorial. Multidisciplinary approaches may help reduce the burden of pain and disability and improve job continuity and reintegration at work. Methods: A cohort of 264 patients affected by LBP from an Italian outpatient clinic were included in a clinical diagnostic/therapeutic trial aiming at rehabilitation and return to work through an integrated investigation protocol. Data were collected during the first medical examination using anamnestic and clinical tools. The final sample is composed of 252 patients, 57.1% man, 44.0 % blue collars, 46.4% with the high school degree, 45.6% married. Results: WAI and ODI reported a negative and fair correlation (r = -0.454; p = .000). Workers with acute LBP symptoms have a higher probability of severe disability than those with chronic LBP symptoms. White collars without depressive symptoms reported higher work ability - even in chronic disability conditions-than those with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The study found that ODI and WAI have a convergent validity and this suggests that the two tools measure capture distinctive aspects of disability related to personal, environmental, and occupational characteristics. The most important and modifiable prognostic factors found for ODI and WAI were depressive symptoms, workday absence, and intensity of back pain. The study also found a mild association between age and ODI. The study's findings highlight the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach to manage and prevent disability due to LBP.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.28.1-28.12
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• 2022

Background: Haenyeo is a woman who has the job of collecting seafood in the Jeju Sea at an average temperature of 13℃-14℃. The purpose of this study was to examine the cold acclimatization and occupational characteristics of Haenyeo through biomarkers such as orexin and irisin related to heat generation in the body. Methods: Twenty-one Haenyeo and 25 people with similar age, body type, and body mass index were selected as the control group (Control G). In the cold exposure experiment, a climate chamber was set to 5℃ and both feet were immersed in a 15℃ water tank for 30 minutes. Tympanic temperature (T_ty) and skin temperature (T_sk) were measured, and the mean body temperature (mT_b) was calculated. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the examination. Orexin and irisin levels were analyzed. Results: Orexin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 12.17 ± 4.44 to 12.95 ± 4.53 ng/mL (Haenyeo group [Haenyeo G], p < 0.01) and 10.37 ± 3.84 to 11.25 ± 4.02 ng/mL (Control G, p < 0.001). Irisin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 4.83 ± 2.28 to 5.36 ± 2.23 ng/mL (Haenyeo G, p < 0.001) and 3.73 ± 1.59 to 4.18 ± 2.04 ng/mL (Control G, p < 0.001). The difference between Haenyeo G and Control G values in orexin and irisin appears not only in pre-exposure but also in post-exposure (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our experimental results suggest that Haenyeo G were relatively superior in cold tolerance to Control G under cold exposure conditions. Haenyeo's cold acclimatization is due to the basic differences in pyrogens regarding body temperature control such as orexin and irisin. This means that Haenyeo are advantageous for cold survival.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.1032-1042
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes and satisfaction level towards military foodservices as well as suggest effective ways to increase foodservice quality. A questionnaire survey was administered to 413 subjects, which included 400 soldiers and 13 foodservice managers. The survey period was from August 6 to August 25, 2008. The collected data were statistically treated using SPSS V12.0. Most of the investigated soldiers were 20~25 years old. The foodservice managers were male general officials and the majority of them had no prior food service training. None of the foodservice managers had a dietician certificate. Menu was planned through a local foodservice conference, and most food materials were delivered in the form of center-type and military unit-type. Deficiency and deterioration of food service facilities (28.6%) as well as deficiency in the number of cooking personnel (14.3%) increased the difficulty of operational management. Soldiers expressed a desire for increases in Western (25.7%) and Korean traditional foods (21.5%), which meant menu diversity. To increase the quality of military foodservices, taste of food (40.6%), increased portion size (30.4%), and improvement in hygienic conditions (13.6%) were demanded by the soldiers. Food taste (30.8%), improvement in hygienic conditions (23.1%), and better job management were all demanded by the foodservice managers. After factor analysis, quality attributes were rearranged into five dimensions, including facilities, food, menu, service, and sanitation most attributes were over 4 points out of 5 total in importance, but only 3 points in performance. The importance score was higher than the performance score. Soldiers' overall satisfaction level was on average 3.43 points out of 5 points.