• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2022

Background: Coal mining is a hazardous industry. The purpose of the study is to identify the nature of occupational injuries and diseases among coal miners and to determine the factors that affect the rate of injury and duration of time loss from work. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using accepted workers' compensation claims data of 30,390 Australian coal miners between July 2003 and June 2017. Results: Musculoskeletal and fracture conditions accounted for approximately 60% of claims in all occupational groups. Cox regression analysis showed that older age and female gender were significant predictors of longer time off work. Injury types and occupations were associated with work time loss: mental health conditions, and machine operators and drivers had significantly longer durations of time off work. Conclusion: Future research can further address how these factors led to longer time off work so that coal industry regulators, employers, and healthcare providers can target interventions more effectively to these at-risk workers.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.303-310
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• 2018

Bitcoin (BTC) is a cryptocurrency proposed by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009. Bitcoin makes its transactions with no central authorities. This decentralization is accomplished with its mining, which is an operation that makes people compete to solve math puzzles to include new transactions into block, and eventually block chains (ledger) of bitcoin. Because miners need to solve a complex puzzles, they need a lot of computing resources. In return for miners' resources, bitcoin network gives newly minted bitcoins as a reward to miners when they succeed in mining. To prevent inflation, the reward is halved every 4 years. For example, in 2009 block reward was 50 BTC, but today, the block reward is 12.5 BTC. On the other hands, exchange rate for bitcoin and Korean Won (KRW) changed drastically from 924,000 KRW/BTC (January 12th, 2017) to 16,103,306 KRW/BTC (December 10th, 2017), which made mining more attractive. However, there are no rigorous researches on the profitability of bitcoin mining. In this paper, we evaluate the profitability of bitcoin mining.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2017

Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) potentially causes adverse health effects (e.g. respiratory symptoms, lung cancer). Due to a lack of data on Elemental Carbon (EC) exposure levels in underground copper ore mining (unlike other underground mining industries such as non-metallic and coal mining), this case study aims to provide individual miners' EC exposure levels, and information on their work practices including use of personal protective equipment. EC measurement was carried out during different work activities (i.e. drilling, driving a loader, plant fitting, plant operation, driving a Specialized Mining Vehicle (SMV)) as per NIOSH Method 5040. The copper miners were working 10 h/day and 5 days/week. This study found that the most significant exposures to EC were reported from driving a loader (range $0.02-0.42mg/m^3$). Even though there were control systems (i.e. water tanks and DPM filters) on the diesel vehicles, around 49.5% of the results were over the adjusted recommendable exposure limit ($0.078mg/m^3$). This was probably due to: (1) driver's frequently getting in and out of the diesel vehicles and opening the windows of the diesel vehicles, and (2) inappropriate maintenance of the diesel vehicles and the DPM control systems. The use of the P2 type respirator provided was less than 19.2%. However, there was no significant difference between the day shift results and the night shift results. In order to prevent or minimize exposure to EC in the copper ore mine, it is recommended that the miners are educated in the need to wear the appropriate respirator provided during their work shifts, and to maintain the diesel engine and emission control systems on a regular basis. Consideration should be given to a specific examination of the diesel vehicles' air-conditioning filters and the air ventilation system to control excessive airborne contaminants in the underground copper mine.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2020

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitations associated with chronic inflammatory response due to noxious particles or gases in the lung. Increasing oxidative stress associated with COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influencing factors of biomarkers for oxidative stress in retired miners with COPD. Methods: The levels of total peroxide(TPx), total antioxidant capacity(TAC), and oxidative stress index(TPx/TAC ratio, OSI) in plasma as biomarkers for oxidative stress, serum C-reactive protein(CRP) as a biomarker for inflammation, and general characteristics were measured in 93 male subjects with COPD. COPD was defined as post bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC<0.7 by spirometry. Results: Mean levels of TPx(p=0.013), TAC(p=0.010), OSI(p=0.040), and CRP(p=0.024) were higher in current smokers. Levels of TPx(β=0.445, p<0.001), TAC(β=0.490, p<0.001), and OSI(β=0.351, p<0.001) were related to CRP levels, and CRP levels were related to %FEV₁ predicted(β=-0.295, p=0.003) and current smoking(β=0.214, p=0.032). Conclusions: These results suggest that oxidative stress was related to inflammation, and inflammation were related to decreasing %FEV₁ predicted and current smoking in retired miners with COPD.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2020

Bitcoin (BTC) is a type of cryptocurrency that supports transaction/payment of virtual money between BTC users without the presence of a central authority or any third party like bank. It uses some cryptographic techniques namely public- and private-keys, digital signature and cryptographic-hash functions, and they are used for making secure transactions and maintaining distributed public ledger called blockchain. In BTC system, each transaction signed by sender is broadcasted over the P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Bitcoin network and a set of such transactions collected over a period is hashed together with the previous block/other values to form a block known as candidate block, where the first block known as genesis-block was created independently. Before a candidate block to be the part of existing blockchain (chaining of blocks), a computation-intensive hard problem needs to be solved. A number of miners try to solve it and a winner earns some BTCs as inspiration. The miners have high computing and hardware resources, and they play key roles in BTC for blockchain formation. This paper mainly analyses the underlying cryptographic techniques, identifies some weaknesses and proposes their enhancements. For these, two modifications of BTC are suggested ― (i) All BTC users must use digital certificates for their authentication and (ii) Winning miner must give signature on the compressed data of a block for authentication of public blocks/blockchain.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.251-258
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• 2019

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitations associated with chronic inflammatory response due to noxious particles or gases in the lung. Inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among inflammation, oxidative stress, and airflow limitation severity in retired miners with COPD. Methods: The levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP) as a biomarker for inflammation, degree of reactive oxygen metabolites(dROMs) and biological antioxidants potential(BAP) in plasma as biomarkers for oxidative stress were measured in 211 male subjects with COPD. Degree of airflow limitation severity as determined by spirometry was divided into three grades grouped according to the classification of the Global Initiatives for Obstructive Lung Disease(GOLD)(1, mild; 2, moderate; $3{\leq}$, severe or more) using a fixed ratio, post- bronchodilator $FEV_1/FVC$ < 0.7. Results: Mean levels of dROMs significantly increased in relation to airflow limitation severity(GOLD 1, 317.8 U.CARR vs. GOLD 2, 320.3 U.CARR vs. GOLD $3{\leq}$, 350.9 U.CARR, p=0.047) and dROMs levels were correlated with serum hsCRP levels(r=0.514, p<0.001). Mean levels of hsCRP were higher in current smokers(non-smoker, 1.47 mg/L vs. smoker, 2.34 mg/L, p=0.006), and tended to increase with degree of airflow limitation severity(p=0.071). Mean levels of BAP were lower in current smokers(non-smoker, $1873{\mu}mol/L$ vs. smoker, $1754{\mu}mol/L$, p=0.006). Conclusions: These results suggest that inflammation and oxidative stress are related to airflow limitation severity in retired miners with COPD, and there was a correlation between inflammation and oxidative stress.

• Journal of the speleological society of Korea
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• no.7
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• pp.11-14
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• 1998

1. Stafford's Cave, named by the miners because a former visitor, Mr. Stafford, broke his leg in it, is the most northern of the three caves. The entrance lies concealed in the undergrowth, but is otherwise wide and open. A steep conical shaft leads down for a depth of about 80 ft from the floor of the cave; at the bottom, rammed in between the two walls, lies a great block of limestone below which a rivulet streams forth, flowing through the cave, which runs from east; in the cave it is joined by a little tributary.(omitted)

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2010

Inhaled inorganic dusts, such as coal, can cause inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, known as pneumoconiosis. Diagnosis of pneumoconiosis depends on morphological changes by radiological findings and functional change by pulmonary function test (PFT). Unfortunately, current diagnostic findings are limited only to lung fibrosis, which is usually irreversibly progressive. Therefore, it is important that research on potential and prospective biomarkers for pneumoconiosis should be conducted prior to initiation of irreversible radiological or functional changes in the lungs. Analytical techniques using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) or exhaled gas are non-invasive methods for detection of various respiratory diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers, such as EBC pH or fractional exhaled nitric oxide ($FE_{NO}$), and pneumoconiosis among 120 retired coal miners (41 controls and 79 pneumoconiosis patients). Levels of EBC pH and FENO did not show a statistically significant difference between the pneumoconiosis patient group and pneumoconiosis patients with small opacity classified by International Labor Organization (ILO) classification. The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in the low percentage $FEV_1$ (< 80%) was lower than that in the high percentage (80% $\leq$) (p = 0.023). The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in current smokers was lower than that in non smokers (never or past smokers) (p = 0.027). Although there was no statistical significance, the levels of $FE_{NO}$ in smokers tended to decrease, compared with non smokers, regardless of pneumoconiosis. In conclusion, there was no significant relationship between the level of EBC pH or $FE_{NO}$ and radiological findings or PFT. The effects between exhaled biomarkers and pneumoconiosis progression, such as decreasing PFT and exacerbation of radiological findings, should be monitored.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2012

Objectives: To understand the personal experiences of mine workers that have experienced job relocation due to silicosis at the Andina Division of Corporaci$\acute{o}$n Nacional del Cobre (CODELCO), Chile. The purpose of the study was to provide useful information for the development of new local, business and public policies for the care of workers with silicosis. Methods: A qualitative study based on a practical case study of 5 workers. The information was collected by means of structured individual interviews. The method of analysis was phenomenology. Results: The corporal axis was the most commented upon. It included awareness of the illness, body pains, fatigue, and antagonistic mood disorders (sadness, or the difficulty in finding meaning in life). As far as personal relationships, there was evidence of strong relationships with family, coworkers and friends, as well as extended family. Over all, the experience of relocation was positive with periods of impatience and uncertainty. The job reassignment provided a new and pleasant context for the relocated workers and in the process improved their perception of their quality of life. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary team should attend mine workers relocated because of silicosis by addressing the mental and physical aspects of their disease, along with the integral participation of close family members. It is suggested that this investigation be maintain over time to record the personal experiences in the medium-term, adding new cases with the intention of shedding more light on the phenomenon being studied. As a preventive measure, continual workshops are needed on the proper use of respiratory protection in addition, a group of monitors is required.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.2 s.20
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• pp.233-243
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• 1986

Our study was designed to identify the difference in the mental health status among hospitalized patients due to occupational diseases and accidents and pre-employment physical examinees, and to identify the relationship between mental health status and socio-demographic variables, and to provide information useful to non-psychiatric clinicians in caring of such patients. Samples were comprised of 189 pneumoconiotic patients, 132 industrial accident-induced patients and 122 pre-employment physical examinees who were interviewed with 90-item symptom cheklist (SCL-90). The following results were obtained: 1) Mean scores of symptom dimension on socio-demographic subgroup showed higher tendencies in older aged, male, lower educated, miner, married, mining residence, and pneumoconiotic patients. 2) Mean scores of total samples on all symptom dimensions were as follows in the order of their magnitudes; Depression, Somatization, Obsessive-compulsive, Anxiety, Psychoticism, Interpersonal sensitivity, Phobic-anxiety, Hostility, and Paranoid ideation. 3) The highest mean scores on each socio-demographic subgroup were as follows; Depression in younger aged and Somatization in older aged; Depression in male Somatization in female; Somatization in lower educated and depression in higher educated; Somatization in miners and depression in non-miners; Somatization in married and Depression in unmarried; Depression in all kind of residences; Somatization in patients and Depression in pre-employment physical examinees(normal). 4) In consequence of stepwise multiple regression, the important socio-demographic variables were age, occupation, diagnostic classification, and residence. Age was the most imprtant variable in Somatization, Depression, Obsessive-compulsive, Anxiety, Phobic anxiety, Paranoid ideation, and Psychoticism. Occupation was the most important one in Interpersonal sensitivity and Hostility and also had significant realtionships with all symptom dimensions.