• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.516-538
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• 2020

The present study investigated regional and sex differences in knowledge, perception, cognition and behavior of fine-dust protective masks for periods of high concentration of fine dust in Korea. A total of 2,012 adults from seven provinces responded to the questionnaire. The results (all p<.05) showed that 78% of respondents considered pollution from China to be the greatest contributor of fine dust. Seoul and Gyeonggi residents more frequently checked fine dust forecasts than other provinces and consulted their smartphone applications to do so more than other residents. Jeju, Gwangwon, and Jeonla residents had less knowledge of KF 80, 94, and 99 masks than residents of other provinces. Gwangwon and Jeju residents had less trust in the effectiveness of protective masks than other residents. Females perceived themselves as unhealthier respiratory, more frequently checked the concentration of fine dust, trusted more the effectiveness of masks, and more frequently wore masks, compared to male respondents. Those who self-identified their respiratory function as poor, more frequently checked fine dust forecasting, and had greater knowledge of masks, which resulted in greater trust in the protective function of masks, and finally had higher wear frequency of masks for days with high concentrations of fine dust.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.459-464
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to minimize cross infection that can take place within dental office, to make dental workers recognize importance of infection management, and to improve dental-care environment that is exposed to infection. Methods : It conducted the self-reported questionnaire survey on the practice of wearing PPE(personal protective equipment) from April 1, 2008 to May 30 targeting 180 dental workers who are working for dental offices where are located in Jeonnam region. Results : 1. As for research subjects' general characteristics, age was the largest in under 29 years old with 75.0%. It was surveyed to be large in over 5 years(56.1%) for working career, in a city(83.3%) for working region, and in having licence of dental hygienist(75.0%). 2. As a result of surveying the practice of wearing PPE, wearing mask given dental care was surveyed to have the highest practice level with 75.6%. Wearing protective glasses showed the lowest practice ratio with 23.3%. 3. As a result of surveying the difference in the practice of wearing PPE according to general characteristics, the difference according to the working region was surveyed to be the greatest. Conclusions : As the above result, the education of infection management for dental workers needs to be performed continuously even after curriculum of school. Even the in-service education on infection management needs to be vitalized. Also, the necessity was examined for always recognizing and practicing importance of infection by using a method of publishing newsletter via post to dental clinics where are located in rural area, with considering regional deviation.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.831-838
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the perception and practice of the infection control by empowerment in the dental hygienists. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 200 dental hygienists in Gyeongbuk from January 3 to February 20, 2013. Data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0 program. The instrument of impowerment was adapted from Spreitzer and consisted of 12 questions including meaning(4 questions), competency(4 questions), self-decision(4 questions), and impact(4 questions). Impowerment was score by Likert 5 scale and higher score means higher impowerment. The instrument for hand washing recognition and practice was adapted from Kim and consisted of hand washing(5 questions), personal protective clothing management(5 questions), contaminated appliance management(3 questions), sterilization(3 questions), and infection control environment(8 questions). The empowerment instrument was score by Likert 5 scale and the mean was 3.83 points. Based on 3.83, infection control recognition and practice were divided into upper group and lower group. Cronbach alpha was 0.951 in empowerment, 0.931 in recognition, and 0.924 in practice in the study. Results: Based on the average points of 3.83, the groups were divided into two groups including upper group and lower group. The upper group showed higher score in hand washing than the lower group. In the protective clothing management, the upper group changed the mask at one-hour interval(p<0.001). Conclusions: In the viewpoint of empowerment, it had a significant influence on the perception and practice of the dental infection control in the dental hygienists.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2007

Purpose: By identifying the actual profile of emergency medical personnel's pre-admission infection control practices, this study intended to provide a basic reference material for the improvement and reorientation of pre-admission infection control measures, and thereby help establish an effective plan for pre-admission infection control activities. Methods: Total 119 EMT's working for Jeollabuk-do Provincial Fire Defense HQ were asked to join a structured questionnaire survey from June to August 2006. Results: 1. It was found that 56.1% respondents answered no guideline available on the prevention of infection. Out of our rescue brigade members who knew about relevant guideline available, 34.2% respondents answered that their department conducted quality control program for the guideline. 2. For protective outfit in emergency practice, it was found that most respondents put on gloves or nothing at all(38%), which was followed by sterile gloves(29.2%), disposable mask(26.9%), gown(4.3%) and protective goggle(1.6%). And it was noted that all respondents(100%) washed out any clothing contaminated with somatic secretion on their own. 3. For a question about any experience in emergency activities exposed to infectious diseases, it was found that most of all respondents(77.9%) answered 'No', which was followed by 'Don't Know'(18.6%) and Yes(3.9 %). 4. For a question about any experience in inquiring of patients about infectious diseases, it was found that most respondents(49.4%) answered 'Yes' and 'Sometimes'(9.1%). It was noted that 20.2% respondents had extra medical examination in medical institution in terms of whether they were exposed to infectious diseases, apart from regular medical examination. Conclusions: In order to protect 119 EMT's from infectious diseases, it will be necessary to acquire emergency medical staffs specializing in infection control and organize corresponding personnel training units to keep providing reorientation and evaluation. In addition, it will be also necessary to supply them with a full set personal protection apparatuses and other equipments required for disinfection and sterilization.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.275-304
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• 2019

Background: Air-purifying, tight-fitting facepieces are examples of respiratory protective equipment and are worn to protect workers from potentially harmful particulate and vapors. Research shows that the presence of facial hair on users' face significantly reduces the efficacy of these devices. This article sets out to establish if an acceptable seal could be achieved between facial hair and the facepiece. The team also created and investigated a low-cost "pressure testing" method for assessing the efficacy of a seal to be used during the early design process for a facepiece designed to overcome the facial hair issue. Methods: Nine new designs for face mask seals were prototyped as flat samples. A researcher developed a test rig, and a test protocol was used to evaluate the efficacy of the new seal designs against facial hair. Six of the seal designs were also tested using a version of the conventional fit test. The results were compared with those of the researcher-developed test to look for a correlation between the two test methods. Results: None of the seals performed any better against facial hair than a typical, commercially available facepiece. The pressure testing method devised by the researchers performed well but was not as robust as the fit factor testing. Conclusion: The results show that sealing against facial hair is extremely problematic unless an excessive force is applied to the facepiece's seal area pushing it against the face. The means of pressure testing devised by the researchers could be seen as a low-cost technique to be used at the early stages of a the design process, before fit testing is viable.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.226-237
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• 2020

As the number of reported COVID-19 cases rises around the world, regions affected by the virus are taking serious measures to contain its spread. Face shields are one of the highest-need personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond traditional face masks, as known cases of the coronavirus soar, currently there is a significant shortage of face shields around the world. In response, the protective face shields were designed and fabricated with open-source 3D modelling software and 3D printing technology, respectively. Our face shield consisted of two parts only; a reusable 3D printed headband and a visor made of transparent plastic sheet, as barrier. The resulting 3D printed face shields are affordable, lightweight, one-size-fits-most and ready-to-wear with minimal assemblies, and go on easily over glass, goggle and face mask. To ensure being donated to the healthcare professionals without risk infected by any pathogens, the 3D printed face shields were successfully be disinfected with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI dosage of 1000 mJ/cm²) and 70% alcohol. For routine disinfection a UVGI chamber was designed and optimized to provide uniform UV-C illumination with an appreciated fluence for complete decontamination. More than 1,000 face shields were produced already and donated to the special hospitals for COVID-19 patients, quarantines, government and medical agencies in Ethiopia as well as in East-African countries. With certainty, our intention goes beyond the hospitals and other first responders, but not limited for all those who have to stay in the service or be in contact with many other people in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2008

This study attempted to develop the technology by gaseous ozone for decontaminating building affected by a model of biological weapon agent(Bacillus subtilis spores) instead of Bacillus anthracis spore. The use of ozone is attractive method from a practical point of view of decontamination procedure since it has strong oxidation power but no residue after application. We examined the disinfection efficiency of gaseous ozone to Bacillus subtilis spores which suspension was sprayed on different material surfaces and dried. Three different types of gaseous ozone was applied : dry ozone, dry ozone with humidified air, and water bubbled wet ozone. Dry ozone(1500ppm) failed to achieve any significant inactivation for 2hrs. However, six log reduction of B. subtilis spore was achieved within 30min by 1500ppm of water bubbled wet ozone. This result shows the noticeable inactivation efficiency by gaseous ozone compared with previous studies. Good performance by wet ozone was also found for military material surface.(i.e. : gas mask hood, protective garments, army peinted metal surface).

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.07a
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• pp.806-809
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• 2003

Ion-induced secondary electron emission coefficient $({\gamma})$. of the patterned MgO thin film with geometrical structures has been measured by ${\gamma}$ - FIB(focused ion beam) system. The patterned MgO thin film with geometrical structures has been formed by the mask (mesh of ${\sim}$ $10{\mu}m^{2})$ under electron beam evaporation method. It is found that the higher ${\gamma}$. has been achieved by the patterned MgO thin film than the normal ones without patterning.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1264-1273
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to analyze protection functionality of supermodern fashion which is shown by responding to supermodern environment, where non-spaces increases in the 21st modern city. The theoretical background is drawn for supermodern environment theory. For the study, he researcher used existing study and specialized book and analyzed photograph materials by selecting them in specialized fashion book, internet site and designer's collection. The works from 1995 S/S collection to 2008 S/S collection are analyzed. The result of this study is as follow. First, supermodern design is adopting the shape of high-functional element, electronic device, protective device to protect wearer in non-space. Second, in order to mentally protect individual anonymous leadership of interaction is granted by adopting hood, veil or mask. Third, supermodern design is creating independent and user-based space by shape transformation in change of urban environment. Fourth, in order to protect wearer through camouflage or concealment, camouflage pattern or neutral color are used.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.211-222
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• 2022

After more than two years of efforts to end the corona pandemic, a gradual recovery is starting in countries with high vaccination rates. Easing public health policies for a full-fledged post-corona era, such as lifting the mandatory use of outdoor mask and quarantine measures in entry have been considered in Korea. However, the continuous emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and limitations in vaccine efficacy still remain challenging. Fortunately, T cells and memory T cells, which are key components of adaptive immunity appear to contribute substantially in COVID-19 control. SARS-CoV-2 specific CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells are induced by natural infection or vaccination, and rapid induction and activation of T cells is mainly associated with viral clearance and attenuated clinical severity. In addition, T cell responses induced by recognition of a wide range of epitopes were minimally affected and conserved against the highly infectious subsets of omicron variants. Polyfunctional SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell memory including stem cell-like memory T cells were also developed in COVID-19 convalescent patients, suggesting long lasting protective T cell immunity. Thus, a robust T-cell immune response appears to serve as a reliable and long-term component of host protection in the context of reduced efficacy of humoral immunity and persistent mutations and/or immune escape.