• Title/Summary/Keyword: Risk Assessments

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Analysis of Microbiota in Bellflower Root, Platycodon grandiflorum, Obtained from South Korea

  • Kim, Daeho;Hong, Sanghyun;Na, Hongjun;Chun, Jihwan;Guevarra, Robin B.;Kim, You-Tae;Ryu, Sangryeol;Kim, Hyeun Bum;Lee, Ju-Hoon
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.28 no.4
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    • pp.551-560
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    • 2018
  • Bellflower root (Platycodon grandiflorum), which belongs to the Campanulaceae family, is a perennial grass that grows naturally in Korea, northeastern China, and Japan. Bellflower is widely consumed as both food and medicine owing to its high nutritional value and potential therapeutic effects. Since foodborne disease outbreaks often come from vegetables, understanding the public health risk of microorganisms on fresh vegetables is pivotal to predict and prevent foodborne disease outbreaks. We investigated the microbial communities on the bellflower root (n = 10). 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing targeting the V6-V9 regions of 16S rRNA genes was conducted via the 454-Titanium platform. The sequence quality was checked and phylogenetic assessments were performed using the RDP classifier implemented in QIIME with a bootstrap cutoff of 80%. Principal coordinate analysis was performed using the weighted Fast UniFrac distance. The average number of sequence reads generated per sample was 67,192 sequences. At the phylum level, bacterial communities from the bellflower root were composed primarily of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria in March and September samples. Genera Serratia, Pseudomonas, and Pantoea comprised more than 54% of the total bellflower root bacteria. Principal coordinate analysis plots demonstrated that the microbial community of bellflower root in March samples was different from those in September samples. Potential pathogenic genera, such as Pantoea, were detected in bellflower root samples. Even though further studies will be required to determine if these species are associated with foodborne illness, our results indicate that the 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing approach can be used to detect pathogenic bacteria on fresh vegetables.

A Study on Residual Strength Assessment of Damaged Oil Tanker by Smith Method (Smith법에 의한 손상 유조선의 잔류강도 평가 연구)

  • Ahn, Hyung-Joon;Baek, Deok-Pyo;Lee, Tak-Kee
    • Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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    • v.35 no.10
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    • pp.823-827
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    • 2011
  • The present Common Structural Rules for double hull oil tanker is not included the residual strength, which is one of the functional requirements in design part of Goal-based new ship construction standards (GBS). The GBS will be enforced after July 1, 2016. The requirement related residual strength has the goal to build safe ship even if she has the specified damages due to marine accidents including collision and grounding. In order to assess the residual strength based on risk for structural damages according to GBS, tons of nonlinear FE analysis work taking into account various types of damage will be needed. The Smith's method, a kind of simplified method for the strength analysis is very useful for this purpose. In this paper, the residual strength assessments based on ultimate strength using Smith's method were carried out. The objected ship is VLCC with stranding damage in bottom structures. Also, the results were compared with that of nonlinear FE analysis using three cargo hold model.

A Study on the Protection for Original Technology and Improved Patent when Research Institutes or Universities Transfer their Research Outputs (출연연 및 대학에서 연구성과물의 기술이전 시 개량특허와 원천기술의 보호에 관한 검토 : H대학교와 D제약사의 신약후보물질 관련 개량특허 탈취논쟁여부를 중심으로 (대상판결: 서울중앙지방법원 2014.12.24. 선고 2013가합85597 판결))

  • Kang, Sun Joon;Kim, Min Ji;Won, Yoo Hyung;Oh, Keon Taek
    • Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.313-333
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    • 2017
  • As science and technology advanced, specialized and massive, development through mutual cooperation or research based on patent licensing such as material transfer contract, technology transfer contract etc are actively taking place to minimize or separate the cost and risk of R&D. In R&D, such mutual work can enjoy the merit of division of labor by effectively allocating resources and manpower to accomplish its goal. Inevitably, however, there are also many possibilities of disputes regarding the ownership and use of intellectual property rights resulting from such mutual/post-studies, or inventions upgraded by using prior patents. The case reviewed by this paper is noticeable regarding the recent trend of upgraded inventions. In the case, a pharmaceutical company conducted tests/assessments on the complete technology of patent owned by a university on the premise of transferring the technology, and then terminated the technology transfer contract due to reasons of toxicity. The university then filed a damage claim suit against the company for infringing the contract. This is a dispute case betw een a university which developed a potential ingredient for new medicine and a pharmaceutical company which agreed to transfer and receive the technological later on. Regarding the upgraded inventions of source patents, this case has many implications on the protection of prior patents, research contract, and research security to protect the accomplishment of research. This paper reviews the subject ruling and the protection of upgraded patents and source technologies. As critical notes, the paper also summarizes the major issues of case ruling to observe the standard of ruling patent infringement related to the extortion of upgraded patents. Then, through the ruling of the case above, the paper suggests implications and future strategies.

Microbial Contamination Analysis to Assess the Safety of Marketplace Sushi (유통중인 생선초밥의 오염 미생물 분석)

  • Cho, Sun-Kyung;Moon, Bo-Youn;Park, Jong-Hyun
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.334-338
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    • 2009
  • To determine the contamination status of Sushi fish and rice, seventy-nine samples of Sushi were collected from wholesale markets and Japanese restaurants within the Seoul area and subsequently analyzed for food-borne pathogens. Total aerobic counts ranged from 4 to 6 log CFU/g for the sliced raw fish, and from 3 to 5 log CFU/g for the boiled rice. Higher levels of contamination were detected in bream and shrimp Sushi versus other types. Coliform counts of 3-4 log CFU/g were detected in the sliced raw fish, whereas levels in the boiled rice were one log CFU/g lower compared to the raw fish. The raw Sushi fish had higher amounts of contamination than the boiled rice, however, E.coli was not detected. The prevalence rates of pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, in the raw fish were 17% and 10%, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence rates in the boiled rice were 11% and 8% for S. aureus and B.cereus, respectively. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were also detected; however, other pathogens such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfrigens, and Yersinia enterocolitica were not detected. Among the high contaminating pathogens, B.cereus was found in 13% of samples from the wholesale markets, while S.aureus was found in 30% of samples from the Japanese restaurants. Therefore, these data suggest that the primary microbial hazard factors for Sushi are S. aureus and B. cereus, in addition to V. parahaemolyticus, and further risk assessments should focus on those pathogens.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Male French Farmers and Agricultural Workers: Is It Only Associated With Physical Exposure?

  • Roquelaure, Yves;Jego, Sylvaine;Geoffroy-Perez, Beatrice;Chazelle, Emilie;Descatha, Alexis;Evanoff, Bradley;Garlantezec, Ronan;Bodin, Julie
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.33-40
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    • 2020
  • Background: Exploratory study to investigate whether co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in French male farmers and agricultural workers. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 711 men aged 30-65 years and working as either farmers or agricultural workers in 2009-2010 within a cohort covered by the French Agricultural Workers' and Farmers' Mutual Benefit Fund. CTS and exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between CTS and personal/medical factors, exposure to physical wrist stressors, exposure to chemicals, and co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals were studied using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Forty-four men {5.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0-7.7]} reported that they had suffered from unilateral/bilateral CTS during the last 12 months. CTS was associated with age, current smoking [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1 (1.0-4.5)], and exposure to physical wrist stressors [OR = 2.6 (1.1-5.9)]. An association was found between CTS and co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals [OR = 3.3 (0.8-14.3), p = 0.044] in comparison with the no-exposure group. Conclusions: This exploratory study shows an association of CTS with exposure to biomechanical wrist stressors in male farmers and agricultural workers and suggests an association of CTS with co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals. Owing to the limitations of the study, this result must be confirmed by a prospective study with objective assessments of the outcome and exposure before drawing conclusions on the possible synergistic effects of mechanical stressors and chemicals on the impairment of the median nerve.

Report on the Hitchhiker Insect Pests Detected from the Foreign Vessels Entering into Korea (국외에서 출항한 국내 입항 선박에서 검출된 한국 미분포 편승자 해충에 대한 보고)

  • Kang, Tae Hwa;Kim, Sang Woong;Cho, Il Kyu;Hong, Ki-Jeong;Park, Sangwook;Kim, Nam Hee;Choi, Deuk-Soo
    • Korean journal of applied entomology
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    • v.59 no.2
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    • pp.117-127
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    • 2020
  • We monitored on the hitchhiker insect pests from a total of 112 foreign vessels entering into Korea during 109 days from 1. Jun. to 17. Sep. in 2018. As the results, a total of 336 samples of the hitchhiker insects were collected using simply collecting method by hands, one of interception method and identified as 159 species of 47 families under nine orders on the basis of integrative species identification. Among them, 14 species of nine families under three orders were detected as undistributed species in South Korea. We reported on the 14 undistributed species in South Korea with the data sheets for the risk assessments on invasive or invasive likelihood species. Also, we suggested and used the term 'not-distributed species' for avoiding confusion with 'unrecorded species', 'unreported species', or 'new reported species'.

Mathematical modeling of growth of Escherichia coli strain RC-4-D isolated from red kohlrabi sprout seeds (적콜라비 새싹채소 종자에서 분리한 Escherichia coli strain RC-4-D의 생장예측모델)

  • Choi, Soo Yeon;Ryu, Sang Don;Park, Byeong-Yong;Kim, Se-Ri;Kim, Hyun-Ju;Lee, Seungdon;Kim, Won-Il
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.24 no.6
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    • pp.778-785
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    • 2017
  • This study was conducted to develop a predictive model for the growth of Escherichia coli strain RC-4-D isolated from red kohlrabi sprout seeds. We collected E. coli kinetic growth data during red kohlrabi seed sprouting under isothermal conditions (10, 15, 20, 25, and $30^{\circ}C$). Baranyi model was used as a primary order model for growth data. The maximum growth rate (${\mu}max$) and lag-phase duration (LPD) for each temperature (except for $10^{\circ}C$ LPD) were determined. Three kinds of secondary models (suboptimal Ratkowsky square-root, Huang model, and Arrhenius-type model) were compared to elucidate the influence of temperature on E. coli growth rate. The model performance measures for three secondary models showed that the suboptimal Huang square-root model was more suitable in the accuracy (1.223) and the suboptimal Ratkowsky square-root model was less in the bias (0.999), respectively. Among three secondary order model used in this study, the suboptimal Ratkowsky square-root model showed best fit for the secondary model for describing the effect of temperature. This model can be utilized to predict E. coli behavior in red kohlrabi sprout production and to conduct microbial risk assessments.

Policy Suggestions for Soil Contamination Prevention and Management of Inactive or Abandoned Metal Mines (휴.폐금속광산지역의 토양오염관리정책의 평가)

  • Park Yong-Ha;Seo Kyung-Won
    • Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2006
  • Attempts were made to analyze the national policy of soil contamination prevention and management of inactive or abandoned metal (IAM) mines in Korea. This approach focused on legal systems and legislation, remediation technology development, and the arrangement or distribution of budgets pertaining to national policy since the mid 1990's. Prevention of Mining Damage and Recovery Act enacted. Defines the roles, responsibility and budget of the government when recovering mine damages. However, in 2005 there still remains to improve the national policy of soil contamination prevention and management of IAM mines. Analysis of national and industrialized foreign countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands suggest the following improvements: i) arranging distinct regulations between strict and non-strict liability criteria for potentially responsible parties; limiting innocent and non-strict liability depending on the period of incurred mining activity, ii) enhancing participation of local communities by enforcing law and legislation, iii) establishing a national database system of (potentially) IAM contaminated sites based on the Website-Geographic Information System, iv) carrying out site-specific risk assessments and remediation of IAM contaminated sites, v) preparation and distribution of clean-up fund at mine sites adequately, and vi) technology development for the cleaning of IAM contaminated sites; awarding positive incentives of a legal nature for participants applying newly developed technology in IAM mines.

Weed Management Technology with Host Specific of Biological Control Agents (기주특이성 잡초 활성 미생물을 이용한 잡초방제 기술)

  • Hong, Yeon-Kyu;Lee, Bong-Choon;Song, Seok-Bo;Park, Sung-Tae;Kim, Jeong-Nam;Geon, Min-Goo;Kim, In-Seob
    • Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.175-190
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    • 2006
  • The term mycoherbicide started in 1970, but its interest heightened due to increase costs of chemical herbicides. A classical biocontrol agent is expected to become a permanent part of its new environment and do no harm to it. Contemporary biological control agent(BCA) must be produced by artificial culture and could be applied like chemical herbicides over weeds. BCA is different from the classical approach in that it released through natural spread. To date 26 species of fungi are used as classical BCA against 26 species of weeds in seven countries. There are a number of examples of pathogens attacking non-target plants. But through risk assessments which include understanding the taxonomy, biology and ecology, the target and non-target species, it will be safe to introduce of exotic pathogens to control weeds. But pathogens have not been successfully used in practice. Many mycoherbicides show potential in laboratories, but are ineffective in the field and not consistent from year to year or field to field. There is also a lack of understanding humidity, dew formation and temperature and their effects on suppression of weeds by plant pathogens. Potential pathogen must be selected as a BCA. Previous studies suggest that these pathogens must (1) produce abundant and durable inoculum in artifical culture, (2) be genetically stable and weed specific and (3) kill weeds in control. A granular preparation of mycoherbicide into sodium alginate is lighter than liquids and less bulky than organic matter. Gel forms have also been used.

Report on the Hitchhiker Insect Pests detected from the Foreign Vessels Entering into Korea II (국외에서 출항한 국내 입항 선박에서 검출된 한국 미분포 편승자 해충에 대한 보고 II)

  • Kang, Tae Hwa;Kim, Sang Woong;Hong, Ki-Jeong;Kim, Nam Hee;Cho, Il Kyu;Choi, Deuk-Soo
    • Korean journal of applied entomology
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    • v.60 no.3
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    • pp.269-276
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    • 2021
  • During 15 months from 13. Jul. 2018 to 29. Oct. 2019, we monitored on the hitchhiker insect pests from a total of 306 foreign vessels entering into Korea. As the results, a total of 805 samples of the hitchhiker insects were collected using simply collecting method by hands and identified as 379 species of 78 families under 12 orders on the basis of integrative species identification. Among them, 42 species (67 individuals) of 21 families under seven orders were detected as not-distributed species in South Korea. Of the 42 not-distributed species, seven species were multiply detected in 2018 and 2019, and two species, Erthesina fullo (Pentatomidae, Hemiptera) and Tessaratoma papilosa (Tessaratomidae, Hemiptera) were discovered as regulated insect pest. Therefore, we reported on the 42 not-distributed species in South Korea with the data sheets for the establishment of a monitoring plan on the not-distributed species and the risk assessments on invasive or invasive likelihood species.