• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.298-307
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the recent trends in patients with work-related musculoskeletal disorders in South Korea and to check the major results by reviewing the literature on the risk factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases related to work. Methods: Industrial disaster data from the Ministry of Employment and Labor from 2012 to 2021 were used, and the literature was reviewed regarding risk factors for musculoskeletal diseases related to work using PubMed and RISS. Results: The trend of patients with work-related musculoskeletal disorders has increased overall since 2017 after declining until 2016, with a particularly notable increase in the average annual number of patients with physical burden work. The average annual rate per ten thousand people for patients with body burden work, non-accidental lower back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome among work-related diseases was high in the mining industry. The average annual rate per ten thousand people for patients with accidental lower back pain was the highest in the fishing industry. Within the manufacturing field, it was the highest in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry. As a result of the literature review, the search rate for work-related musculoskeletal disease papers in unstructured work was high. In addition, physical stress factors were high among risk factors, and pain areas showed a high rate for the waist. Conclusion: Even after the institutional implementation of a hazard investigation system related to musculoskeletal diseases is implemented, the number of patients with occupational musculoskeletal disorders continues to increase. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct regular surveys and implement effective improvement activities for vulnerable industries or occupations.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.502-516
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate occupational exposure to chemical and health status of foreign workers in Korea. Methods: The data were collected from survey of general characteristics, job-related characteristics, work environment-related characteristics of 180 foreign workers who have been working at manufacturing industries in Korea in 2022. The data were analyzed using Rex. Results: Among the 180 participants, men accounted for more than women by 71.7% (129 people). Most of them are Vietnamese or Filipino and most of them graduated from high school. 116 of all participants are exposed to chemicals at work. The most prevalence rate of subject's health problems were backache (61.0%), headache (53.9%), fatigue (68.0%). Controlling for age, the number of physical health problems experienced in the last year was associated with BMI (r=0.184, p=0.049), and the number of mental health problems experienced in the past year (r=0.056, p<0.001) and all showed significant positive (+) correlations. The number of chemical products handled under age control showed a significant negative (-) correlation with working hours (r=0.207, p=0.027) and BMI (r=0.214, p=0.022) and showed a significant positive (+) correlation. Conclusions: The results of this study provided the latest update on the health status of foreign workers in Korea. It is also the first survey to attempt to assess the exposure of foreign workers to chemicals.

• 한국의류학회지
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.959-976
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• 2023

This study participated in educational programs for young designers and received trainings in sewing technology through government and local government-supported projects led by a from a skilled craftsman. These initiatives aim to revitalize the Dongdaemun fashion cluster, which is currently experiencing stagnation. Our goal is to develop denim brands that reflect the unique regional characteristics stemming from the skilled sewing techniques and denim processes of the Changsin·Sungin regions, the production hubs supporting Dongdaemun, to discover solutions for revitalizing the local industry. For the research method, we collected data by actively participating in support projects related to the Dongdaemun fashion cluster. Additionally, we gathered data by conducting a theoretical review of the sewing industry in the Changsin·Sungin regions and the Dongdaemun fashion cluster. The research results include developing a denim brand collection-eight denim products-based on Changsin-dong's unique denim sewing technology and various denim washing processes acquired through the support project and regional characteristics. Overall, this study is meaningful in presenting a sustainable plan to revitalize the domestic sewing and manufacturing industry, focusing on the Dongdaemun fashion cluster. We achieved this by developing a denim brand that leverages the sewing and washing process technology and the unique regional characteristics of Changsin-dong.

• 항공우주시스템공학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)는 물류, 산업, 운송 등 다양한 산업에서 그 활용처가 확대되고 있다. 하지만 다수의 UAV를 운용하기 위해서는 안전하고 효율적인 UAV 자가구성 통신망을 계획하는 것이 우선적으로 이루어져야 한다. 본 연구에서는 보로노이 다이어그램을 활용하여 안전하고 효율적인 UAV 자가구성 통신망을 계획하는 방법을 다음 3가지 단계로 제시한다: 1)장애물들을 이용한 보로노이 다이어그램 생성, 2)경로를 생성하기 위해 고려해야 할 장애물 선별, 3)최적 경로 계획 및 경로 출력. 본 연구에서 제시한 방법은 실제 운용 시 UAV들의 최적 통신경로를 계획하는 것이 실시간으로 가능한 것을 실험을 통해 검증하였다.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.303-308
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• 2024

The semiconductor and display industries require the development of plasma resistant materials for use in high density plasma etching process equipment. Yttria (Y₂O₃) is a ceramic material mainly used to ensure good plasma resistance properties, which requires a dense microstructure. In commercial production, a sintering process is applied to reduce the sintering temperature of Y₂O₃. In this study, the effect of the addition of glass frit to the sintered specimen was examined when manufacturing yttria sintered specimens for semiconductor process equipment parts. The Y₂O₃ specimen was shaped into a Ø50 mm size and then sintered at 1,600 ℃ for 1~8 h. The characteristics, X-ray diffraction pattern, densities, contraction rate of the specimen, and swelling of the surface of the Y₂O₃ specimens were investigated as a function of the sintering time and glass frit addition. The Y₂O₃ specimen exhibited a density of over 4.9 g/cm³ as the sintering time increased, and the swelling phenomenon characteristics were improved by glass frit, by controlling particle size.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• 제18권5호
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• pp.1273-1300
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• 2024

In the complex virtual environment of cyberspace, comprised of digital and communication networks, ensuring the security of information is being recognized as an ongoing challenge. The importance of 'Cyber Situation Awareness (CSA)' is being emphasized in response to this. CSA is understood as a vital capability to identify, understand, and respond to various cyber threats and is positioned at the heart of cyber security strategies from a defensive perspective. Critical industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation, and energy can be subjected to not just economic and societal losses from cyber threats but, in severe cases, national losses. Consequently, the importance of CSA is being accentuated and research activities are being vigorously undertaken. A systematic five-step approach to CSA is introduced against this backdrop, and a deep analysis of recent research trends, techniques, challenges, and future directions since 2019 is provided. The approach encompasses current situation and identification awareness, the impact of attacks and vulnerability assessment, the evolution of situations and tracking of actor behaviors, root cause and forensic analysis, and future scenarios and threat predictions. Through this survey, readers will be deepened in their understanding of the fundamental importance and practical applications of CSA, and their insights into research and applications in this field will be enhanced. This survey is expected to serve as a useful guide and reference for researchers and experts particularly interested in CSA research and applications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.846-853
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• 2024

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), which provides plant-based proteins and functional substances, requires a long soaking time during processing, which limits its usefulness to industries and consumers. To improve this, ultrasonic treatment using high pressure and shear force was judged to be an appropriate pretreatment method. This study aimed to determine the optimal conditions of ultrasound treatment for the improved hydration of adzuki beans using the response surface methodology (RSM). Independent variables chosen to regulate the hydration process of the adzuki beans were the soaking time (2-14 h, X₁), treatment intensity (150-750 W, X₂), and treatment time (1-10 min, X₃). Dependent variables chosen to assess the differences in the beans post-immersion were moisture content, water activity, and hardness. The optimal conditions for treatment deduced through RSM were a soaking time of 12.9 h, treatment intensity of 600 W, and treatment time of 8.65 min. In this optimal condition, the values predicted for the dependent variables were a moisture content of 58.32%, water activity of 0.9979 a_w, and hardness of 14.63 N. Upon experimentation, the results obtained were a moisture content of 58.28 ± 0.56%, water activity of 0.9885 ± 0.0040 a_w, and hardness of 13.01 ± 2.82 g, confirming results similar to the predicted values. Proper ultrasound treatment caused cracks in the hilum, which greatly affects the water absorption of adzuki beans, accelerating the rate of hydration. These results are expected to help determine economically efficient processing conditions for specific purposes, in addition to solving industrial problems associated with the low hydration rate of adzuki beans.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제34권
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• pp.16.1-16.11
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• 2022

Background: Antimony is used in catalysts, pesticides, brake systems, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic fire retardants in the plastic, paint, and rubber industries. Accumulation of trivalent antimony compounds in the body can cause cardiotoxic effects and increase the risk of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities and sudden death. Antimony exposure can result in action potential prolongation, causing a cardiac repolarization delay, which appears as QTc prolongation and T-wave abnormalities on the ECG. There are no studies on antimony-associated cardiac toxicity in Korea. Case presentation: Accordingly, the present study reports cases of ECG abnormalities in workers handling antimony trisulfide at a company located in the Gyeongsangbuk-do region. Nineteen workers employed at an automobile brake lining manufacturer were exposed to antimony trisulfide dust through thermoforming, grinding, and drilling processes. In 2020, the workers were reported to work 12-hour shifts, 5 days a week. The time-weighted average (TWA) of antimony trisulfide exposure measured in workers was 0.0028 mg/m³. Two workers were excluded from the analysis due to pre-existing medical conditions (cardiovascular disease). Of the remaining 17 workers, ECG abnormalities were found in 41% (seven out of 17: four with QTc prolongation and T-wave abnormalities; two with only T-wave abnormalities; and one with only QTc prolongation). Conclusions: This case report outlines the first few cases in Korea in which potential cardiac toxicity caused by occupational exposure to antimony was identified. However, data regarding cardiac toxicity caused by antimony exposure are still lacking in Korea; thus, additional studies are needed to identify causal relationships.

• Journal of Platform Technology
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.34-46
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• 2023

자동차 타이어의 휠과 트레드 사이에 탄성중합체 또는 다각형의 스포크를 채우는 방식으로 제작하는 비공기압 타이어는 자동차 관련 학계 및 항공우주 업계의 중요한 연구 주제가 되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 생성형 적대 신경망을 기반으로 비공기압 타이어 디자인을 생성하는 시스템 개발했다. 특히 비공기압 타이어의 종류와 사용 환경, 제작 방식, 공기압 타이어와의 차이점 그리고 스포크 디자인에 따른 하중 전달의 변화 등 디자인에 영향을 미칠만한 변수들에 대한 조사를 실시했다. 이 연구는 OpenCV를 통해 다양한 스포크 형태의 이미지를 만들고, projected GANs에 학습시켜 비공기압 타이어 디자인에 사용될 스포크를 생성했다. 디자인된 비공기압 타이어는 사용 가능 및 불가능으로 레이블링하고, 이를 Vision Transformer 이미지 분류 AI 모델에 학습시켜 분류하도록 하였다. 최종적으로 분류 모델의 평가를 통해 0에 가까운 loss의 수렴, 99%의 정확도를 확인했다. 차후 도형 및 스포크 이미지와 알고리즘을 이용한 디자인이 아닌, 완전 자동화 시스템의 개발과 더 나아가 3D의 물리적 해석 없이 사용 가능한 디자인을 생성하는 것을 목표로 한다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.102-112
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of chronic exposure by welders to manganese (Mn) through an analysis of the degree of brain activity in different activities such as cognition and motor activities using the neuroimaging technique of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The neurotoxic effect that Mn has on the brain was examined as well as changes in the neuro-network in motor areas, and the usefulness of fMRI was evaluated as a tool to determine changes in brain function from occupational exposure to Mn. Methods: A survey was carried out from July 2010 to October 2010 targeting by means of a questionnaire 160 workers from the shipbuilding and other manufacturing industries. Among them, 14 welders with more than ten years of job-related exposure to Mn were recruited on a voluntary basis as an exposure group, and 13 workers from other manufacturing industries with corresponding gender and age were recruited as a control group. A questionnaire survey, a blood test, and an fMRI test were carried out with the study group as target. Results: Of 27 fMRI targets, blood Mn concentration of the exposure group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001), and Pallidal Index (PI) of the welder group was also significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001). As a result of the survey, the score of the exposure group in self-awareness of abnormal nerve symptoms and abnormal musculoskeletal symptoms was higher than those of the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05, respectively). In the correlation between PI and the results of blood tests, the correlation coefficient with blood Mn concentration was 0.893, revealing a significant amount of correlation (p<0.001). As for brain activity area within the control group, the right and the left areas of the superior frontal cortex showed significant activity, and the right area of superior parietal cortex, the left area of occipital cortex and cerebellum showed significant activity. Unlike the control group, the exposure group showed significant activity selectively on the right area of premotor cortex, at the center of supplementary motor area, and on the left side of superior temporal cortex. In the comparison of brain activity areas between the two groups, the exposure group showed a significantly higher activation state than did the control group in such areas as the right and the left superior parietal cortex, superior temporal cortex, and cerebellum including superior frontal cortex and the right area of premotor cortex. However, in nowhere did the control group show a more activated area than did the exposure group. Conclusions: Chronic exposure to Mn increased brain activity during implementation of hand motor tasks. In an identical task, activation increased in the premotor cortex, superior temporal cortex, and supplementary motor area. It was also discovered that brain activity increase in the frontal area and occipital area was more pronounced in the exposure group than in the control group. This result suggests that chronic exposure to Mn in the work environment affects brain activation neuro-networks.