• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.419-430
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• 2005

We have carried out a statistical analysis on solar wind dynamic pressure pulses during geomagnetic storms. The Dst index was used to identify 111 geomagnetic storms that occurred in the time interval from 1997 through 2001. We have selected only the events having the minimum Dst value less than -50 nT. In order to identify the pressure impact precisely, we have used the horizontal component data of the magnetic field H (northward) at low latitudes as well as the solar wind pressure data themselves. Our analysis leads to the following results: (1) The enhancement of H due to a pressure pulse tends to be proportional to the magnitude of minimum Dst value; (2) The occurrence frequency of pressure pulses also increases with storm intensity. (3) For about $30\%$ of our storms, the occurrence frequency of pressure pulses is greater than $0.4\#/hr$, implying that to. those storms the pressure pulses occur more frequently than do periodic substorms with an average substorm duration of 2.5 hrs. In order to understand the origin of these pressure pulses, we have first examined responsible storm drivers. It turns out that $65\%$ of the studied storms we driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) while others are associated with corotating interaction regions $(6.3\%)$ or Type II bursts $(7.2\%)$. Out of the storms that are driven by CMEs, over $70\%$ show that the main phase interval overlaps with the sheath, namely, the region between CME body and the shock, and with the leading region of a CME. This suggests that the origin of the frequent pressure pulses is often due to density fluctuations in the sheath region and the leading edge of the CME body.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.123-134
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• 1998

The study was performed to investigate the differences among various evaluation criteria for noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL). The subjects were 100 workers who had received detailed audiometric examinations after the periodic annual examination for hearing loss. The evaluation criteria included were as follows: The criterion I was NIHL of 50dB or greater at 4,000Hz in either ear which is one of the legal requirements for determining occupational hearing loss in Korea. The criterion II was NIHL of 40dB or greater by 4-divided classification(a+b+c+d/4 at 500Hz(a), 1,000Hz(b), 2,000Hz(c), 4,000Hz(d)) which is also one of the legal requirements for determining occupational hearing loss in Korea. The criterion III was NIHL of 31dB of greater by 6-divided classification(a+2b+2c+d/6) which is the workers' compensation standard. The criterion IV was NIHL of 40dB or greater by 6-divided classification(a+2b+2c+d/6), the criterion used to prohibite workers to be employed in the noisy workplace. The criterion V was NIHL of 40dB or greater by 3-divided classification(a+b+c/3) which is the guideline of the Japanes Labour Department. The results were as follows; 1. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion I was the highest(96%) and covered all workers with NIHL diagnosed by other criteria. Therefore, this criterion was the most sensitive one for early detection of NIHL among various evaluation criteria. 2. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion II was 29% of the subjects, but all of them could be diagnosed as having NIHL by the criterion I and 33.1% of the NIHL by the criterion III could not be covered by the criterion II. Thus, this criterion was not considered suitable as an initial step for determining occupational hearing loss. 3. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion III was 45% of the subjects. This percentage was 46.9% of the NIHL by the criterion I and was estimated to cover 3.6% of all noise exposed workers. 4. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion IV was 28% of the subjects, but 37.8% of the NIHL by the criterion III and 70.8% of the NIHL by the criterion I were not covered by the criterion. Therefore, these workers could have been employed in the noisy workplaces. 5. Employed relocation which was one of the post management methods was an option in the criterion I in Korea and in the criterion V in Japan. The number of NIHL by the criterion I was 6.7times greater than that by the criterion V. Thus, although employee relocation was not used exclusively, many more workers with NIHL could have been relocated. In conclusion, this study revealed that the criteria being used for managing occupational hearing loss showed a lack uniformity among them. In addition, since these criteria are all relied on the total threshold shifts caused by the noise exposure at the time of hearing test with no consideration given to the past noise exposure history nor age, it can be said that they are not an effective tool for occupational hearing loss management. Since legal requirements are usually followed after being diagnosed as having NIHL, it is recommended that a uniform diagnostic criterion should be used to minimize confusion. Pre-employment hearing tests should also be utilized so as to managing occupational hearing loss after employment rather than being used as a legal roadblock of prohibiting workers with mild hearing loss from being employed. Thus, what is needed is an establishment of a rational criterion for occupational hearing loss management rather than for legal requirements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 1997

The study is aimed to find out the causes of rapidly increasing chloride (Cl$^{－}$) concentration of the Samyang 3rd pumping station originated from coastal springs of Cheju since January 1996. The study results show that it was caused by following complicated natural and anthropogenic effects. Due to severe draught in 1996 with total rainfall of only 41.7% of annual mean of the last 36 years (1991 to 1995), it creates firstly), significant decrease of the spring discharges as well decline of the groundwater level at the site . Sea water level was in general 4.4 cm to 12.4 cm higher than the groundwater level of the site during 2 to 3.8 hours at each high tide. Those higher potential head of sea water motivates the sea water intrusion into the fresh water lens through the permeable clinkers and fracture zones situated beneath the existing grouted zone which was installed to a maximum 10 m below the ground water surface, The repeated expansion and contraction of the fresh water lens occurred by periodic changes of the sea water level at high and low tide accelerates secondly the enlargement of the transition zone between the fresh and sea water at the site. The decrease of recharge amount by rainfall shortage creates thirdly the reverse flow at the interface of sea water and groundwater. The repeated groundwater extraction of 2790${\pm}$450 $m^3$d$^{－1}$ at the time of low tide, when the fresh water lens of the sire is under the contraction stare, makes additional drawdown of the ground water level and induces the upconing of salt water into the fresh water lens. The duration of spring discharge whose Cl concentration is less than 150 mg/1 at the low tide measured at the nearby springs was about two hours with discharge rate of 532 $m^3$d$^{－1}$ and after that Cl$^{－}$ concentration is increased up to more than 1900 mg/ι.eased up to more than 1900 mg/L.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2004

Hydraulic conductivity along rock fracture is mainly dependent on fracture geometries such as orientation, aperture, roughness and connectivity. Therefore, it needs to consider fracture geometries sufficiently on a fracture model for a numerical analysis to calculate permeability coefficient in a fracture. This study performed new type of numerical analysis using a homogenization analysis method to calculate permeability coefficient accurately along single fractures with several fracture models that were considered fracture geometries as much as possible. First of all, fracture roughness and aperture variation due to normal stress applied on a fracture were directly measured under a confocal laser scaning microscope (CLSM). The acquired geometric data were used as input data to construct fracture models for the homogenization analysis (HA). Using the constructed fracture models, the homogenization analysis method can compute permeability coefficient with consideration of material properties both in microscale and in macroscale. The HA is a new type of perturbation theory developed to characterize the behavior of a micro inhomogeneous material with a periodic microstructure. It calculates micro scale permeability coefficient at homogeneous microscale, and then, computes a homogenized permeability coefficient (C-permeability coefficient) at macro scale. Therefore, it is possible to analyze accurate characteristics of permeability reflected with local effect of facture geometry. Several computations of the HA were conducted to prove validity of the HA results compared with the empirical equations of permeability in the previous studies using the constructed 2-D fracture models. The model can be classified into a parallel plate model that has fracture roughness and identical aperture along a fracture. According to the computation results, the conventional C-permeability coefficients have values in the range of the same order or difference of one order from the permeability coefficients calculated by an empirical equation. It means that the HA result is valid to calculate permeability coefficient along a fracture. However, it should be noted that C-permeability coefficient is more accurate result than the preexisting equations of permeability calculation, because the HA considers permeability characteristics of locally inhomogeneous fracture geometries and material properties both in microscale and macroscale.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 1994

Seventy-five patients with tumors of the head and neck treated with either radiation therapy alone or combined with surgery or chemotherapy were studied prospectively to evaluate the effects of radiation therapy to the neck on thyroid gland between September 1986 and October 1992. All patients were serially monitored for thyroid function tests before and after radiation therapy. Radiation dose to the thyroid gland ranged from 35 to 60 Gy with a median dose of 50 Gy. Median follow-up time was 30 months with a range of 11 to 85 months. The incidence of thyroid dysfunction was 40$ \% $: forty-five patients(60$ \% $) euthyroid, 2 patients(3$ \% $) clinical hypothyroidism, 27 patients(36$ \% $) subclinical hypothyroidism and 1 patient(1$ \% $) hyperthyroidism. No thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer were detected in any patients. Thyroid dysfunction appeared earlier in patients who underwent surgery than in those patients treated with radiation therapy alone or combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy(P=0.0013). By multivariate analysis, risk factors that significantly influenced a higher incidence of thyroid dysfunction were female sex(p=0.0293) and combination of total laryngectomy and radiation therapy(p : 0.0045). In conclusion, evaluation of thyroid function before and after radiation therapy with periodic thyroid function tests are recommended to detect thyroid dysfunction in time and thyroid hormone replacement therapy is recommended whenever thyroid dysfunction develops.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.1 s.45
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• pp.145-158
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• 1994

This study was performed to investigate the knowledge and attitude of workers in small scale industries on health management, and to provide the basic data for more effective service by the group occupational health service system. The knowledge and attitude of 247 workers and 46 health personnel in the industries scattered around Incheon were investigated from December 1992 to February 1993. The results were summerized as follows ; 1. There were significant differences between the workers and the health personnel by age, sex, marriage status, job-position and education level. 2. The recognition level of the workers to contract work related disease was significantly higher than that of health personnel, and recognition level of the workers on environmental hazards and on the utility of measuring hazards were lower than that of health personnel. 3. The recognition level on the content of the group occupational health service system was significantly different between workers and health personnel, 72.6% of the responses from the workers answered that they did not know what the group occupational healthe service system was, but 82.2% of the responses from the health personnel answered that they knew well what it was. And 79.0% of all respondents thought it was necessary for worker's health. 4. Seventy three percent of the respondents from the workers indicated that they had never taken health education. However, 93.0% of all respondents answered positively for the need of health education to promote their health. 5. Current health service system was judged to be insufficient for the demand of workers for better health. Most of the respondents prefered a formal but flexible health service system and they wanted the periodic health examination to be followed up. It was revealed that despite of poor knowledge, the demand of workers for health service was higher than the current supply. Therefore, this study suggests that educating both health personnel and workers to obtain correct knowledge on the hazards to work enviroment and health management is needed for effective occupational health service.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.110-125
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• 1993

This study was designed to determine whether non-violent criminal and normal control on the basis of concentration of levels of trace mineral and toxic metal by analysis of human scalp hair. The subjects were selected 87 nonviolent criminal from a prison population and 120 normal control from periodic health checks for study. Hair samples were taken from the napes and Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) was performed also. Five trace mineral (Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, Na) and two toxic metal (lead, cadmium) contents were determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The contents of zinc and magnesium in hair of non-violent criminal were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.01). In the case of lead and cadimum, mean value of criminal group was significantly higher than control group. Significantly higher T-score of MMPI was seen in non-violent criminal group fur psychopathic deviate (Pd), paranoia scale (Pa), and Mania scale (Ma) than control group, but T-score of depression scale (D) was significantly higher in the control group. In the non-violent criminal group, the content of copper inversely proportion to T-score of Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Mf, Pa, Pt, Sc, Si except Ma, also Zinc inversely proportion to T-score of Hy, Mf, Pa, Pt. These results suggest that difference of some hair mineral contents exist between criminal and normal control group. Thus further studies are necessary to determine whether violent and nonviolent criminal group attributed biochemical imbalance with carefully constructed and controlled studies.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2008

Purpose: Radio-isotopes (RI) use has been steadily developing due to industrial and technical development in the modern medical society. Particularly, popularization of domestic cyclotrons dramatically enable hospitals to produce and use diagnostic radio-isotopes. Generally, only specific facilities such as hospitals, research institutes, nuclear power plants and universities can use radio-isotopes, they are also responsible for ventilation system. The strength of radioactivity in the air is strongly regulated and controlled by korea atomic energy law in Korea Institue of Nuclear Safety (KINS), so that air radioactivity exposure can lead to environmental pollution surrounding places. In this study, we'd like to find out the investigation and the present condition of the controlled ventilation system in domestic hospitals by an emission standard from KINS, and try to reach an agreement about how to use the ventilation system. Result: Definition of filters, features and structures of pre-filters, hepa-filters, charcol filters, filter exchange procedures and precautions are explained. RI deflation concentration and filter exchange cycle have been presented as a standard prescribed in the rules of KINS. The Radiation Control Management System (RCMS) introduced by Seoul National University Bundang Hospital linking to digital pressure gauge with computer controller in another medical facilities were described in details. Conclusions: The system of medical facilities using RI has been remarkably developing in 21 century. Especially, radiation safety control system has also been grown rapidly into the subdivision, specialization, advanced technology along with international technical improvement. However, As far as current RI ventilation system is concerned, it has nothing better than doing in the past. Preferentially, to reinforce this, more sophisticated system with strict periodic filter exchange and exhaust air control guidance should be introduced by applying brilliant domestic information technology for RCMS and digital gauge method. From personal point of view as a radiation safety manager, I have provide with present problems and improvements. Futhermore, more improved guidance should be conducted.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.582-594
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• 2001

This experiment was performed to investigate the effects of sulfur dioxide on the histological changes, properties of mucosubstances and glycoconjugates of the nasal respiratory mucosa in the rat. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing about 200~250g were divided into a control group and SO$_2$ exposed groups. Again SO$_2$ exposed groups were divided into 10 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 200 ppm subgroups, according to concentrations of SO$_2$ and each SO$_2$exposed groups were divided into 1, 3 and 6 hours groups. For the histological changes, hematoxylin-eosin(H-E) and periodic acid Schiff's(PAS) stainings were used, and for the properties of mucosubstances, PAS, alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5, pH 2.5-PAS, AB pH 1.0 and aldehyde fuchsin (AF) pH1.7-AB pH 2.5 were used. In all the SO$_2$ exposed groups, loss of cilia and detachment of epithelial cells, vacuolation of goblet cells were observed in the respiratory epithelium while epithelial squamous metaplasia and intraepthelial mucous cells were observed in the higher concentration of SO$_2$ and the degree of the loss cilia was higher according as concentration was higher and exposed time was longer. The intraepitheial mucous cells appeared most remarkable in the 50 ppm SO$_2$ exposed group. The numbers of goblet cells and acini of nasal septal gland were varied according to concentration of SO$_2$ and exposed time, but the numbers in the 25 ppm and 50 ppm, SO$_2$ exposed increased remarkably. However, the numbers in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO$_2$ exposed group had a tendency to decrease noticeably, or disappeared.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2009

The prevalence of food allergies was investigated using questionnaires with 300 subjects whose ages ranged from 19 to 24 years old and the causative food allergens was analyzed using immunological analysis with serum of the subjects who answered that they have/had food allergy. The questionnaire showed that 11.33% of subjects have/had experience of food hypersensitivity, where the main causative foods were fish, beef, chicken, milk, egg, and pork in order. The meat allergy shared 4.65% (2.33% for beef, 1.66% for chicken, 0.66% for pork) in the prevalence of food allergies. The causative beef allergens were investigated with the serum of 6 subjects who have had beef allergy. Western blots were carried out with the serum of P6 subject who showed a positive reaction to beef extract in ELISA. The two specific bands were detected in beef extract on the PVDF membrane, and no band was detected in extracts of pork and chicken. A calculation of the distance of migration by SDS-PAGE enabled the molecular masses of the two bands to be estimated as 67kDa and 31kDa, respectively. The 67kDa was revealed as bovine serum albumin (BSA) which is one of the important beef allergens as reported previously though an analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence. However we could not identify the sequence of 31kDa, probably because they comprised several subunits and were modified proteins such as glycoprotein that were unlikely to be easily degraded by the Edman method. The 31kDa band were dyed with the PAS (periodic acid-schiff reagent), suggesting that it might be a glycoprotein. These results suggested that the 31kDa might be considered as a novel potential beef allergen which is not reported previously, although further studies are needed.