• Title/Summary/Keyword: Safety Concerns

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Whose Science is More Scientific? The Role of Science in WTO Trade Disputes

  • Kim, Inkyoung;Brazil, Steve
    • Analyses & Alternatives
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.31-69
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    • 2018
  • This study examines the role of science in resolving trade disputes. After the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011 that not only jeopardized the people of Japan, but also put the safety of an entire region at risk, the Republic of Korea (Korea) has imposed import bans as well as increased testing and certification requirements for radioactive material on Japanese food products. Japan has challenged these restrictions at the World Trade Organizations Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). This study aims to explain how international trade agreements and previous DSB rulings have dealt with different scientific viewpoints provided by confronting parties. In doing so, it will contrast the viewpoints espoused by Korean and Japanese representatives, and then analyzes the most similar case studies previously ruled on by the DSB, including the case of beef hormones and the case of genetically modified crops including biotech corn, both between the United States and the European Communities (EC). This study finds that science is largely subordinate to national interests in the case of state decision-making within the dispute settlement processes, and science has largely been relegated to a supportive role. Due to the ambiguity and lack of truly decisive decisions in the Appellate Body in science-based trade disputes, this study concludes that the Appellate Body avoids taking a firm scientific position in cases where science is still inconclusive in any capacity. Due to the panel's unwillingness to establish expert review boards as it has the power to do, instead favoring an individual-based system so that all viewpoints can be heard, it has also developed a system with its own unique weaknesses. Similar to any court of law in which each opposing party defends its own interests, each side brings whatever scientific evidence it can to defend its position, incentivizing them to disregard scientific conclusions unfavorable to their position. With so many questions that can arise, combined with the problems of evolving science, questions of risk, and social concerns in democratic society, it is no wonder that the panel views scientific information provided by the experts as secondary to the legal and procedural issues. Despite being ruled against the EC on legal issues in two previous cases, the EC essentially won both times because the panel did not address whether its science was correct or not. This failure to conclusively resolve a debate over whose science is more scientific enabled the EC to simply fix the procedural issues, while continuing to enforce trade restrictions based on their scientific evidence. Based on the analysis of the two cases of disputes, Korea may also find itself guilty of imposing an unwarranted moratorium on Japan's fish exports, only to subsequently pass new restrictions on labelling and certification requirements because Japan may have much scientific evidence at its disposal. However, Korea might be able to create enough uncertainty in the panel to force them to rule exclusively on the legal issues of the case. This will then equip Korea, like the EC in the past, with a way of working around the ruling, by changing whatever legal procedure they need to while maintaining some, if not most, of its restrictions when the panel fails to address its case on scientific grounds.

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Cleft lip and palate surgery during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: a 36-month experience at the Bandung Cleft Lip and Palate Center

  • Ali Sundoro;Dany Hilmanto;Hardisiswo Soedjana;Ronny Lesmana;Kevin Leonard Suryadinata
    • Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.111-116
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    • 2023
  • Background: In Indonesia, the prevalence of cleft lip and palate increased from 0.08% to 0.12% between 2013 and 2018. Children with cleft deformities typically undergo staged surgery. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had negative impacts on the healthcare sector, including the suspension of elective procedures; this has raised concerns about the safety of performing surgery and the functional consequences of delaying treatment, the latter of which is associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to report the characteristics of clefts treated by the Bandung Cleft Lip and Palate Center team during the pandemic period. Methods: This brief comparative study based on a chart review was conducted at the Bandung Cleft Lip and Palate Center. We statistically evaluated data from all patients treated between September 2018 and August 2021. Frequency analysis was performed to analyze the average number of each procedure by age before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Data from 18-month periods before (n= 460) and during (n= 423) the pandemic were compared. Cheiloplasty procedures were examined (pre-pandemic, n= 230; pandemic, n= 248); before the pandemic, 86.1% were performed according to the treatment protocol (patient < 1 year old), and this proportion non-significantly dropped to 80.6% during the pandemic (p= 0.904). Palatoplasty procedures were also compared (pre-pandemic, n= 160; pandemic, n= 139); the treatment protocol (patient 0.5-2 years old) was followed for 65.5% of procedures before the pandemic and 75.5% during the pandemic (p= 0.509). Additionally, 70 (mean age, 7.94 years) revision and other procedures were performed before the pandemic and 36 (mean age, 8.52 years) during the pandemic. Conclusion: The cleft procedures performed at the Bandung Cleft Lip and Palate Center did not significantly change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On-site Inventory Management Plan for Construction Materials Considering Activity Float Time and Size of a Stock Yard (공정별 여유시간과 야적장 규모를 고려한 건설자재의 현장 재고관리 방안 연구)

  • Kim, Yong Hwan;Yoon, Hyeong Seok;Lee, Jae Hee;Kang, Leen Seok
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.43 no.1
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    • pp.79-89
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    • 2023
  • The inventory of many materials requires a large storage space, and the longer the storage period, the higher the potential maintenance cost. When materials are stored on a construction site, there are also concerns about safety due to the reduction of room for movement and working. On the other hand, construction sites that do not store materials have insufficient inventory, making it difficult to respond to demands such as sudden design changes. Ordering materials is then subject to delays and extra costs. Although securing an appropriate amount of inventory is important, in many cases, material management on a construction site depends on the experience of the site manager, so a reasonable material inventory management plan that reflects the construction conditions of a site is required. This study proposes an economical material management method by reflecting variables such as the status of the preceding and following activities, site size, material delivery cost, timing of an order, and quantity of orders. To this end, we set the appropriate inventory amount while adjusting related activities in the activity network, using float time for each activity, the size of the yard, and the order quantity as the main variables, and applied a genetic algorithm to this process to suggest the optimal order timing and order quantity. The material delivery cost derived from the results is set as a fitness index and the efficiency of inventory management was verified through a case application.

A study on an interval of tunnel cross passage considering inclination and internal airflow (터널 내부 기류 변화에 따른 피난연락갱 간격 설정에 관한 연구)

  • Rie, Dong-Ho;Kim, Ha-Young;Yoo, Ji-Oh
    • Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.43-49
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    • 2010
  • The escape connecting gallery in a tunnel on a road is one of emergency equipment to ensure safety for passer in the tunnel against the tunnel fire. Government stipulate over 500m tunnel has the cross passage at intervals of less then 250 m. However, this lump estimated interval is generated the concerns of exaggeration and under construction because peculiarity of the tunnel ex. The velocity of the tunnel airflow, an incline, degree of a fire, and innering area are not considered. The study indicate the way to estimate of the cross passage considered an incline and the velocity of the tunnel airflow for efficient application of cross passage on the tunnel design. As a result, in 0.0 m/s and 1.0 m/s of the velocity of the tunnel airflow case, the movement of smoke is influenced by the incline however, in 20 m/s case, it isn't influenced by incline much. According to the velocity of tunnel airflow and the incline, optimum interval of cross passage is not corresponded. Therefore established lump estimate that has 250 m intervals would be changed to estimate of optimum interval of cross passage that considered about the properties of tunnel, the velocity of the tunnel airflow, incline, degree of a fire and innering area of the tunnel.

Unsupervised Learning-Based Threat Detection System Using Radio Frequency Signal Characteristic Data (무선 주파수 신호 특성 데이터를 사용한 비지도 학습 기반의 위협 탐지 시스템)

  • Dae-kyeong Park;Woo-jin Lee;Byeong-jin Kim;Jae-yeon Lee
    • Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.147-155
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    • 2024
  • Currently, the 4th Industrial Revolution, like other revolutions, is bringing great change and new life to humanity, and in particular, the demand for and use of drones, which can be applied by combining various technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and information and communications technology, is increasing. Recently, it has been widely used to carry out dangerous military operations and missions, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and North Korea's reconnaissance against South Korea, and as the demand for and use of drones increases, concerns about the safety and security of drones are growing. Currently, a variety of research is being conducted, such as detection of wireless communication abnormalities and sensor data abnormalities related to drones, but research on real-time detection of threats using radio frequency characteristic data is insufficient. Therefore, in this paper, we conduct a study to determine whether the characteristic data is normal or abnormal signal data by collecting radio frequency signal characteristic data generated while the drone communicates with the ground control system while performing a mission in a HITL(Hardware In The Loop) simulation environment similar to the real environment. proceeded. In addition, we propose an unsupervised learning-based threat detection system and optimal threshold that can detect threat signals in real time while a drone is performing a mission.

Comparison of Kinematics and Myoelectrical Activity during Deadlift, with and without Variable Banded Resistance, in Healthy, Trained Athletes

  • Everett B. Lohman;Mansoor Alameri;Fulden Cakir;Chih Chieh Chia;Maxine Shih;Owee Mulay;Kezia Marceline;Simran Jaisinghani;Gurinder Bains;Michael DeLeon;Noha Daher
    • Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.53-70
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    • 2024
  • Background: The conventional deadlift is a popular exercise for enhancing trunk, core, and lower extremity strength. However, its use in sports medicine is constrained by concerns of lumbar injuries, despite evidence supporting its safety and rehabilitative benefits. To optimize muscle activation using resistive bands in variable resistance therapy, we explored their feasibility in the deadlift. Design: Comparative experimental design Methods: Surface electromyography recorded muscle activity in the trunk and lower extremities during lifting, with normalization to the isometric Floor Lift using Maximal Voluntary Contraction. Kinematics were measured using inclinometer sensors to track hip and trunk sagittal plane angles. To prevent fatigue, each subject only used one of the three pairs of bands employed in the study. Results: Our study involved 45 healthy subjects (mean age: 30.4 ± 6.3 years) with similar baseline characteristics, except for years of lifting and strength-to-years-of-lifting ratio. Various resistance band groups exhibited significantly higher muscle activity than conventional deadlifts during different phases. The minimal resistance band group had notably higher muscle activity in the trunk, core, and lower extremity muscles, particularly in the end phase. The moderate resistance band group showed increased muscle activity in the mid-and end-phases. The maximum resistance band group demonstrated greater muscle activity in specific muscles during the early phase and overall higher activity in all trunk and lower extremity muscles in the mid and end phases of the deadlift (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings provide valuable insights into muscle activation with various resistance bands during deadlift exercise in clinical and gym settings. There appears to be a dose-response relationship between increased resistance bandwidth, external load, myoelectric activation, and range.

Smooth versus Textured Tissue Expanders: Comparison of Outcomes and Complications in 536 Implants

  • Omar Allam;Jacob Dinis;Mariana N. Almeida;Alexandra Junn;Mohammad Ali Mozaffari;Rema Shah;Lauren Chong;Olamide Olawoyin;Sumarth Mehta;Kitae Eric Park;Tomer Avraham;Michael Alperovich
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.51 no.1
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    • pp.42-51
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    • 2024
  • Background Increasing concerns regarding the safety of textured surface implants have resulted in surgeons transitioning from textured tissue expanders (TEs) to smooth TEs. Given this change has only recently occurred, this study evaluated outcomes between smooth and textured TEs. Methods Women who underwent two-stage breast reconstruction using TEs from 2013 to 2022 were included. TE-specific variables, perioperative information, pain scores, and complications were collected. Chi-squared, t-test, and linear regression analyses were performed. Results A total of 320 patients received a total of 384 textured and 152 smooth TEs. Note that 216 patients received bilateral reconstruction. TEs were removed in 9 cases. No significant differences existed between groups regarding comorbidities. Smooth TEs had a higher proportion of prepectoral placement (p < 0.001). Smooth TEs had less fills (3±1 vs. 4±2, p < 0.001), shorter expansion periods (60±44 vs. 90±77 days, p < 0.001), smaller expander fill volumes (390±168 vs. 478±177 mL, p < 0.001), and shorter time to exchange (80±43 vs. 104±39 days, p < 0.001). Complication rates between textured and smooth TEs were comparable. Smooth TE had a greater proportion of TE replacements (p = 0.030). On regression analysis, pain scores were more closely associated with age (p = 0.018) and TE texture (p = 0.046). Additional procedures at time of TE exchange (p < 0.001) and textured TE (p = 0.017) led to longer operative times. Conclusion As many surgeons have transitioned away from textured implants, our study shows that smooth TEs have similar outcomes to the textured alternatives.

A comparison study of the characteristics of private and public security service of Koryo dynasty and modern security service (고려시대 공적·사적경호의 특성과 현대경호와의 비교연구)

  • Lee, Sung-Jin
    • Korean Security Journal
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    • no.36
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    • pp.417-442
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    • 2013
  • This study considers the characteristics of the separation of public and private security service during Koryo dynasty, and compares it with the modern security service. Modern day security service's definition of private and public security service was used to distinguish them. Given the different historical settings, it's difficult to argue that the distinction between public and private service during Koryo dynasty was clear, but it can be said that public security service was centered around palace guard and concerns the activities of protest, and military made for the relationship, and private security service was centered around power of DoBang and includes the activities of malingering, and Byolchogun. During the early days of Koryo, protest, district military and soldiers who stay in the palace were all parts of a palace revolt and this institutional improvement of soldiers who stay in the palace was accomplished during King Seongjong's rule. The tradition of a palace revolt can find its roots in the middle military, and after the unification, a palace revolt was reformed into the king's palace revolt of second and the 6th along the course of establishing the nation's system. All of the changes stem from the reformation for consolidating the royal authority. Gyung Dae Seoung wanted to protect himself and he slept with his army night and days and because of that, group of soldiers was created and it was called DOBANG. Some members were from dobang gyeonryong, The forced were powerful because it was gathered with a warriors with extraordinaire martial arts and competent management. Most of the soldiers followed gyeong dae seung because they believed that he has a strong leadership and loves his people, and had a strong faith in him. However, the general gyeong jang had a belief that politics must be reverted to the previous so the relationships between jungbang wasn't smooth. Because of the economic operational problems, due to fraud committed by the mens under his command failed to maintain integrity and was criticised.The misconception also fed up with the emperor and the deepening relationships between the soldiers, his dobang was dismantled. After he took over the dobang, for his personal safety and to strengthen his position he compensated gyeon dae seong's dobang and developed the organization. In the process of extending the dobang Choi chung heon recruited many talented people to strengthen the military base, and also accepted the advice and expanded the power of Dobang. Choi Chung Heon thus consolidated his political gains by weakening the power of the king's army and adjusting the myth, which could've threatened his regime, and this was called Dobang number 6th. Dobang number six got even more powerful by his son named Choi woo, and after ruling, he expanded into a room, and a substantial reorganization of Dobang was developed. And then the creation of yabyeolcho also showed the effect to prevent the crisis. Although the palace guards who were public security service of Koryo Dynasty was still maintained during the military rule era when the royal authority was incapacitated, it was only maintained to have a symbolic meaning as the actual authority including military power was with Choi, the master of Dobang, private security service group. Likewise, during the rule of Choi, private securty service could reign over public security service, and the noteworthy characteristic of Dobang is that it assisted the private soldier groups to seize the military power by reorganizing and modifying military system. Although both differences and similarities can be found when comparing the guards of Koryo Dynasty with those of contemporary society, they have a similarity in terms of the essence of guards that they guarantee the safety of their clients. As for differences, the royalty of Koryo Dynasty and the pursuit of profit of contemporary society are in contrast, and contemporary guards can be seen as the fulfillment of responsibility and duty by free will, whereas guards of Koryo Dynasty were ruled with military coercion.

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An Approach for Enhancing Current Korean e-Grocery Business Focusing on Delivery Service Alternatives (한국의 e-Grocery 배송서비스 대안에 관한 연구)

  • Koo, Jong-Soon;Lee, Jung-Sun;Jeon, Dong-Hwa
    • International Commerce and Information Review
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.169-201
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    • 2011
  • There was a new wave in grocery business with development of information and technology, thus a movement from traditional stores to online stores, In order to expand the scale of traditional supermarket and to satisfy the customers' needs, they provide offline and online services simultaneously. This paper is based on the previous studies which had been researched in developed countries from late 1990s to early 2000s and the purpose of this study is to introduce the idea and operation system of e-Grocery business. Moreover, we suggest the alternatives on delivery service methods in order to satisfy the customers' needs through analyzing the current condition of e-Grocers in Korea. According to the result of this study, Korean e-Grocers offer only attended home delivery services. In our opinion, Korean supermarkets have to take hybrid model which Tesco.com is using. There are some alternatives to increase the profits of Korean e-Grocers and to provide better services to their customers as follows: As an alternatives for delivery services, picking service is the easiest and cheapest way to apply for supermarkets. This is very useful for working women and also it is possible to order by smartphone recently. They can order the goods to the closest local supermarkets from working place, and then they pick them up on the way home from working off. In order to improve the quality of delivery services, to use the reception box will be the way to provide better services to the customers. The reception box is a way to protect the quality of goods such as fresh-cut product, which require the freshness through the temperature adjustment, and also to keep the safety of ordered goods through locking system Through this system, supermarkets are able to use attended or unattended services under the customers' satisfaction. However, using the reception box is expensive, so shared reception box will be an alternative. As an alternative for development of e-Grocery business, the advertisement for e-Grocery business has to be supported in order to attract potential customers in e-Grocery business. Furthermore, the main concerns of e-Grocery business such as the sanitation and safety of goods, and convenience must be guaranteed in order to keep the loyal customers and to attract new customers.

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Reviews of Radiation Protection and Shielding for Computed Tomography in Foreign Countries (외국의 컴퓨터 단층촬영 장치의 방어시설 문헌 조사)

  • Jahng, Geon-Ho;Yang, Dal-Mo;Sung, Dong-Wook;Lee, Kwang-Yong;Kim, Hyeog-Ju
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.276-284
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    • 2008
  • A computed tomography (CT) is a powerful system for the effectively fast and accurate diagnosis. The CT system, therefore, has used substantially and developed for improving the performance over the past decade, resulting in growing concerns over the radiation dose from the CT. Advanced CT techniques, such as a multidetector row CT scanner and dual energy or dual source CT, have led to new clinical applications that could result in further increases of radiation does for both patients and workers. The objective of this study was to review the international guidelines of the shielding requirements for a CT facility required for a new installation or when modifying an existing one. We used Google Search Engine to search the following keywords: computed tomography, CT regulation or shield or protection, dual energy or dual source CT, multidetector CT, CT radiation protection, and regulatory or legislation or regulation CT. In addition, we searched some special websites, that were provided for sources of radiation protection, shielding, and regulation, RSNA, AAPM, FDA, NIH, RCR, ICRP, IRPA, ICRP, IAEA, WHO (See in Table 1 for full explanations of the abbreviations). We finally summarized results of the investigated materials for each country. The shielding requirement of the CT room design was very well documented in the countries of Canada, United States of America, and United Kingdom. The wall thickness of the CT room could be obtained by the iso-exposure contour or the point source method. Most of documents provided by international organizations were explained in importance of radiation reduction in patients and workers. However, there were no directly-related documents of shielding and patient exposure dose for the dual energy CT system. Based international guidelines, the guideline of the CT room shielding and radiation reduction in patients and workers should be specified for all kinds of CT systems, included in the dual energy CT. We proposed some possible strategies in this paper.

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