• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.237-245
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• 2022

Background: The current study reports measurements of activity concentrations of radon (²²⁰Rn) and thoron (²²⁰Rn) in dwellings, followed by inhalation dose assessment of the public, and then by the development of regulation and the national radon action plan (NRAP) in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: Radon, thoron, and thoron progeny measurements were carried out from 2014 to 2017 using radon-thoron discriminative detectors (commercially RADUET) in 450 dwellings and thoron progeny monitors in 350 dwellings. From 2019 to 2020, radon track detectors (commercially RADTRAK) were deployed in 1,400 dwellings. It was found that activity concentrations of radon range in 1,850 houses from 10 to 2,620 Bq/㎥ with a geometric mean of 76 Bq/㎥. Results and Discussion: Activity concentrations of thoron range from 20 to 700 Bq/㎥ with a geometric mean of 107 Bq/㎥. Thoron equilibrium factor ranges from 0.01 to 0.6, with an arithmetic mean of 0.09 that is higher than the default value of 0.02 given by UNSCEAR. On average, 49%, 9%, and 2% of all surveyed houses have radon concentrations above 100, 200, and 300 Bq/㎥, respectively. The average contribution of thoron to the inhalation dose due to radon and thoron exposure is about 40%. Thus, thoron cannot be neglected in dose assessment to avoid biased results in radio-epidemiological studies. Only radon was considered in the drafted regulation and in the NRAP adopted in October 2020. Reference levels of 300 Bq/㎥ and 1,000 Bq/㎥ were recommended for dwellings and workplaces. Conclusion: Priority actions for the coming years include the following: radon risk mapping, promotion of a protection policy against radon in buildings, integration of the radon prevention and mitigation into the training of construction specialists, mitigation of dwellings and workplaces with high radon levels, increased public awareness of the health risks associated with radon, and development of programs on the scientific and technical aspects.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.2082-2093
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• 2021

Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the tissue adequacy and complication rates of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) for molecular analysis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: We performed a literature search of the OVID-MEDLINE and Embase databases to identify original studies on the tissue adequacy and complication rates of PTNB for molecular analysis in patients with NSCLC published between January 2005 and January 2020. Inverse variance and random-effects models were used to evaluate and acquire meta-analytic estimates of the outcomes. To explore heterogeneity across the studies, univariable and multivariable metaregression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 21 studies with 2232 biopsies (initial biopsy, 8 studies; rebiopsy after therapy, 13 studies) were included. The pooled rates of tissue adequacy and complications were 89.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85.6%-92.6%; I² = 0.81) and 17.3% (95% CI: 12.1%-23.1%; I² = 0.89), respectively. These rates were 93.5% and 22.2% for the initial biopsies and 86.2% and 16.8% for the rebiopsies, respectively. Severe complications, including pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement and massive hemoptysis, occurred in 0.7% of the cases (95% CI: 0%-2.2%; I² = 0.67). Multivariable meta-regression analysis showed that the tissue adequacy rate was not significantly lower in studies on rebiopsies (p = 0.058). The complication rate was significantly higher in studies that preferentially included older adults (p = 0.001). Conclusion: PTNB demonstrated an average tissue adequacy rate of 89.3% for molecular analysis in patients with NSCLC, with a complication rate of 17.3%. PTNB is a generally safe and effective diagnostic procedure for obtaining tissue samples for molecular analysis in NSCLC. Rebiopsy may be performed actively with an acceptable risk of complications if clinically required.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.437-447
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• 2023

By actively adopting technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the port industry is trending toward new types of ports, such as automated and smart ports. However, behind the development of these ports, there is an increasing risk of cyber security incidents and threats within ports and container terminals, including information leakage through cargo handling equipment and ransomware attacks leading to disruptions in terminal operations. Despite the necessity of research to enhance cyber security within ports, there is a lack of such studies in the domestic context. This study focuses on Busan Port, a representative port in South Korea that actively incorporates technology from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in order to discover variables for improving cyber security in container terminals. The research results categorized factors for enhancing cyber security in Busan Port's container terminals into network construction and policy support, standardization of education and personnel training, and legal and regulatory factors. Subsequently, multiple regression analysis was conducted based on these factors, leading to the identification of detailed factors for securing and enhancing safety, reliability, performance, and satisfaction in Busan Port's container terminals. The significance of this study lies in providing direction for enhancing cyber security in Busan Port's container terminals and addressing the increasing incidents of cyber security attacks within ports and container terminals.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2024

In a field study, we investigated the consequences associated with the irrigation of red pepper with water contaminated by three types of veterinary antibiotics (amoxicillin, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline) on the soil residue, the absorption-translocation, and crop yields. As a result of evaluating the residue of veterinary antibiotics in pepper cultivation soil treated with veterinary antibiotics a total of 7 times from June 7 to August 26, 2023, the three antibiotics were not detected at the background level, but in the group treated with 10-fold and 50-fold of the background level was detected at a level of 2-10 ㎍/kg. For the leaf (stem) and fruit of red pepper, all three types of veterinary antibiotics were found to be below the detection limit at all treatments. However, trace levels were detected in red pepper roots. If veterinary antibiotics are unintentionally introduced into agricultural soil in the short term, the soil environment and crop safety will not be a problem. However, long-term introduction of veterinary antibiotics in agricultural soil may have negative effects by affecting soil microbial diversity and antibiotic resistance problems, so continuous monitoring and risk assessment are deemed necessary.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2013

Adiponectin (AdipoN), brain-derived nerotrophic factor (BDNF) and leptin (LeP) are mainly secreted from adipose tissue and are known to be involved in regulation of the development of obese. However, there are not many studies on the association between abdominal fat and neuropeptides such as AdipoN, BDNF and LeP. The aim of this study was undertaken to investigate the association between abdominal fat thickness, neuropeptides and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The participants in the study were 138 male employees without CVD. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Written informed consent for the participants in this study was obtained from all individuals. We obtained subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and visceral fat thickness (VFT) by using ultrasonography and neuropeptides levels were measured with ELISA kit according to the method suggested by kit manufacturer. The mean SFT and VFT were $1.58{\pm}0.51$ and $4.52{\pm}1.44$ cm. The mean concentrations of AdipoN, BDNF and LeP were $3.14{\pm}3.52$ ng/ml, $24.11{\pm}8.52$ pg/ml and $4.27{\pm}2.38$ ng/ml, respectively. VFT were positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.217, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.271, p<0.01), triglyceride (r=0.233, p<0.05) and insulin (r=0.338, p<0.01), but was inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=-420, p<0.01). AdipoN levels were positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=0.220, p<0.05) and were inversely correlated with total cholesterol (r=-0.196, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=-0.190, p<0.05), triglyceride (r=-0.199, p<0.05), SFT (r=-0.195, p<0.05) and VFT (r=-0.412, p<0.01). However, LeP levels showed a reverse trend to AdipoN. AdipoN level was significantly higher in non-obese participants (BMI<25 kg/m), but LeP concentration was significantly higher in obese participants (BMI>25 kg/m) than in non-obese. On multiple logistic regression analysis, obese were significantly associated with AdipoN (odds ratio=0.784) and LeP (odds ratio=1.494). These results suggested that AdipoN and LeP concentrations are affected abdominal fat and that dysfunction and/or declination in the production and secretion of neuropeptides might induced ultimately obese and CVD.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.469-478
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• 2019

Purpose: In this studies we examine the facilities damage characteristics caused by forest fire. Therefore, we surveyed damaged facilities from forest fire which was occurred on Goseong-Gun on march 28 in 2019.(damaged areas was 40ha) The types of facilities uses were house, public facility, warehouse and so on. 17 facilities were destroyed. The purpose of this study was to for establishing a disaster safety village in rural areas where damage from a similar type of disaster occurs repeatedly by conducting the consciousness survey targeting at experts and disaster safety officials in a local government. Method: We surveyed meteorological factors(temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity) per a minute for analyzing weather condition on Goseong-Gun when forest fire was occurred, spread and extinguished. And we surveyed forest fire risk factors(a slope degree, a slope direction, a geographical feature, a distance between forest and facility, main species, the existence of crown fire ignition, the direction of facility, the main material of building) around 10 damaged facilities. Finally, we analyzed damage pattern of facilities using meteorological factor and forest fire reisk fator Result: The weather condition of Kanseonng AWS (No.517) was high temperature, arid and strong wind, when the forest fire was occurred and spread. An average wind speed was 4.1m/s and the maximum wind speed was 11.6m/s. The main direction of wind was W(225~315°). Damaged facilities were located on the steep slope area and on the mountaintop. The forest density around facilities was high and main species was korean red pine. The crown fire was occurred in the forest around damaged facilities. The average distance was 13.5m from forest to facilities. When the main matarial of building was made by fire resistance materials (for example, rainforced concrete), the damage was slightly. on the other hand, when by flammable material (for example, a Sandwich Panel), the facilities were totally destroyed Conclusion: The results of this research which were the thinning around house, making a safety distance, the improvement of main material of building and etc, will be helpful for establishing a counter measure for a forest fire prevention of facilities in wild land urban interface

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.637-651
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• 2019

In the event of a major accident such as an explosion in a refinery or a petrochemical plant, it has caused a serious loss of life and property and has had a great impact on the insurance market. In the case of catastrophic incidents occurring in process industries such as refinery and petrochemical plants, only the proximate causes of loss have been drawn and studied from inspectors or claims adjustors responsible for claims of property insurers, incident cause investigators, and national forensic service workers. However, it has not been done well for conducting root cause analysis (RCA) and identifying the factors that contributed to the failure and establishing preventive measures before leading to chemical plant's catastrophic incidents. In this study, the criteria of warning signs on CCPS catastrophic incident waning sign self-assessment tool which was derived through the RCA method and the contribution factor analysis method using the swiss cheese model principle has been reviewed first. Secondly, in order to determine the major incident warning signs in an actual chemical plant, 614 recommendations which have been issued during last the 17 years by loss control engineers of global reinsurers were analyzed. Finally, in order to facilitate the assessment index for catastrophic incident warning signs, the criteria for the catastrophic incident warning sign index at chemical plants were grouped by type and classified into upper category and lower category. Then, a catastrophic incident warning sign index for a chemical plant was developed using the weighted values of each category derived by applying the analytic hierarchy process (pairwise comparison method) through a questionnaire answered by relevant experts of the chemical plant. It is expected that the final 'assessment index for catastrophic incident warning signs' can be utilized by the refinery and petrochemical plant's internal as well as external auditors to assess vulnerability levels related to incident warning signs, and identify the elements of incident warning signs that need to be tracked and managed to prevent the occurrence of serious incidents in the future.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.461-472
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the current status and condition of children's playgrounds in K which parents recognize as in Gyeonggi-do and provide basic data for the qualitative environment for daily outdoor play of young Children. To do so, a survey of 269 parents living in Gyeonggi-do was conducted and reconstructed based on the advanced research related to outdoor play. Also it was evaluated and revised after consultation with 3 children education specialists. The repossessed questionaries were frequency-analyzed with SPSS 20.0 program. The result of the analysis on outdoor playgrounds is in the following. First of all, it was analyzed that parents required 1 or 2 hours for their children to play outdoors in a type of "forest playgrounds." Moreover, they said that it was really important for the children to feel "interesting and funny" during the outdoor play, and they recognized that the play would be helpful for the children's socialization. However, they felt that a risk factor of the outdoor play was "a vehicle risk in streets." Secondly, the study suggested that there were outdoor playgrounds around parents' houses, and a type of the outdoor play was "a playground installed in the apartment complex." Furthermore, most of the parents weren't satisfied with the outdoor play because the apartment neglected the management of the playgrounds, and there were no playing facilities that were good enough to derive children's curiosity and adventurous spirit. The result also showed that most of the children played outdoors with "their mothers," and they participated in indoor activities, especially playing a game or watching TV rather than outdoor activities after attending a children educational institute. Lastly, when it comes to areas of outdoor play to be improved, it was necessary to "expand playgrounds that children can use for each season," build "safe playgrounds" for a type of the outdoor play," provide "playing spaces" for a spatial type, and "control vehicles around the playgrounds and deal with dangerous things" to prevent safety accidents. The result can expand the understanding of outdoor play for Young Children and offer discussions about the relevant organizations and studies.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to provide basic data for preventing and managing sarcopenia by identifying the relationship between sarcopenia, malnutrition, and psychosocial factors among the elderly in the community. Methods: The study included 1,019 subjects aged 60 and over. "Possible sarcopenia" was defined by low handgrip strength with or without reduced physical performance. Nutrition was evaluated according to the mini nutrition assessment (MNA), and the psychosocial factors examined were self-efficacy, social isolation, fear of falling, and social capital (trust and participation). A logistic regression analysis was also performed on the relationship between risk of malnutrition, psychosocial factors, and sarcopenia. Results: MNA was significantly associated with social participation (OR = 1.747, p <0.001), fear of falling (OR = 2.905, p <0.001), and self-efficacy (high/low, OR = 0.654, p = 0.011). In model 3, which included both MNA and psychosocial factors, sarcopenia was significantly associated with MNA (OR = 2.529, p <0.001) and fear of falling (OR = 1.544, p = 0.045). Compared with the low self-efficacy group, the high group (OR = 0.589, p = 0.009) was significant. The factors related to possible sarcopenia include risk of malnutrition, fear of falls, and low self-efficacy. Conclusion: It will be necessary to improve self-efficacy so that individuals feel they can do activities of daily living themselves and to reduce their fear of falling through muscle strength and balance exercises. Finally, it is also necessary to increase regular participation in community social activities.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.375-387
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• 2012

The objective of this study is investigation of contamination levels and assessment of health risk effects of heavy metals in herbal pills. 31 Items and 93 samples were obtained for this investigation from major herbal medicine producing areas, herbal markets and on-line supermarkets from Jan to Jun in 2010. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method was conducted for the quantitative analysis of Pb, Cd and As. In addition, the mercury analyzer system was conducted for that of Hg without sample digestion. The average contents of heavy metals in samples were as follows : 0.87 mg/kg for Pb, 0.08 mg/kg for Cd, 2.87 mg/kg for As and 0.16 mg/kg for Hg, respectively. In addition, the average contents of heavy metals in different parts of plants, including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were 0.63 mg/kg, 3.94 mg/kg, 1.42 mg/kg, 1.05 mg/kg, 0.16 mg/kg, 22.31 mg/kg and 10.17 mg/kg, respectively. After the estimations of dietary exposure, the acceptable daily intake (ADI), the average daily dose (ADD), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and the relative hazard of heavy metals were evaluated. As the results, the relative hazards compared to PTWI in samples were below the recommended standard of JECFA as Pb 3.1%, Cd 0.9%, Hg 0.5%. Cancer risks through slope factor (SF) by Ministry of Environment Republic Korea and Environmental Protection Agency was $4.24{\times}10^{-7}$ for Pb and $3.38{\times}10^{-4}$ for As (assuming that the total arsenic content was equal to the inorganic arsenic). Based on our results, possible Pb-induced cancer risks in herbal pills according to parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.95{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.45{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.14{\times}10^{-7}$, $6.27{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.99{\times}10^{-8}$, $3.61{\times}10^{-7}$ and $9.64{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Possible As-induced cancer risks in herbal pills by parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.54{\times}10^{-5}$, $7.24{\times}10^{-5}$, $1.23{\times}10^{-4}$, $2.02{\times}10^{-5}$, $3.25{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.18{\times}10^{-3}$ and $5.67{\times}10^{-6}$ respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that the majority of samples except for some samples with relative high contents of heavy metals were safe.