• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2020

Background: This study aims to assess whether the TSI PortaCount (Model 8020) is a measuring instrument comparable with the flame photometer. This would provide an indication for the suitability of the PortaCount for determining the workplace protection factor for particulate filtering facepiece respirators. Methods: The PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion^TM) was compared with a stationary flame photometer from Moores (Wallisdown) Ltd (Type 1100), which is a measuring instrument used in the procedure for determining the total inward leakage of the particulate filtering facepiece respirator in the European Standard. Penetration levels of sodium chloride aerosol through sample respirators of two brands (A and B) were determined by the two measuring systems under laboratory conditions. For each brand, thirty-six measurements were conducted. The samples were split into groups according to their protection level, conditioning before testing, and aerosol concentration. The relationship between the gauged data from two measuring systems was determined. In addition, the particle size distribution inside the respirator and outside the respirator was documented. Linear regression analysis was used to calculate the association between the PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion^TM) and the flame photometer. Results: A linear relationship was found between the raw data scaled with the PortaCount (without N95-Companion^TM) and the data detected by the flame photometer (R² = 0.9704) under all test conditions. The distribution of particle size was found to be the same inside and outside the respirator in almost all cases. Conclusion: Based on the obtained data, the PortaCount may be applicable for the determination of workplace protection factor.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.177-196
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• 2001

At present the most popular turbulence models used for engineering solutions to flow problems are the $k-{\varepsilon}$ and Reynolds stress models. The shortcoming of these models based on the isotropic eddy viscosity concept and Reynolds averaging in flow fields of the type found in the field of Wind Engineering are well documented. In view of these shortcomings this paper presents the implementation of a non-linear model and its evaluation for flow around a building. Tests were undertaken using the classical bluff body shape, a surface mounted cube, with orientations both normal and skewed at $45^{\circ}$ to the incident wind. Full-scale investigations have been undertaken at the Silsoe Research Institute with a 6 m surface mounted cube and a fetch of roughness height equal to 0.01 m. All tests were originally undertaken for a number of turbulence models including the standard, RNG and MMK $k-{\varepsilon}$ models and the differential stress model. The sensitivity of the CFD results to a number of solver parameters was tested. The accuracy of the turbulence model used was deduced by comparison to the full-scale predicted roof and wake recirculation zone lengths. Mean values of the predicted pressure coefficients were used to further validate the turbulence models. Preliminary comparisons have also been made with available published experimental and large eddy simulation data. Initial investigations suggested that a suitable turbulence model should be able to model the anisotropy of turbulent flow such as the Reynolds stress model whilst maintaining the ease of use and computational stability of the two equations models. Therefore development work concentrated on non-linear quadratic and cubic expansions of the Boussinesq eddy viscosity assumption. Comparisons of these with models based on an isotropic assumption are presented along with comparisons with measured data.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.308-308
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• 2012

Electrodeposition of thermoelectric materials, including binary and ternary compounds, have been attracting attentions, because its many advantages including cost-effectiveness, rapid deposition rate, and ease of control their microstructure and crystallinity by adjusting electrodeposition parameters. In this work, $Bi_xTe_y$ films were potentiostatically electrodeposited using Au/Ni(80/20 nm)/Si substrate as the working electrode in solutions consisting of 10mM $TeO_2$ and 1M $HNO_3$ where $Bi(NO_3)_3$ was varied from 2.5 to 10 mM. Prior to electrodeposition potentiostatically, linear sweep voltammograms (LSV) were acquired with a standard three-electrode cell. The $Bi_xTe_y$ films deposited using the electrolyte containing low Bi ions shows p-type conductivity, which might be attributed by the large incorporation of Te phases. Near stoichiometric $Bi_2Te_3$ thin films were obtained from electrolytes containing 5mM $Bi(NO_3)_3$. This film shows the maximum Seebeck coefficient of $-100.3{\pm}12.7{\mu}V/K$. As the increase of Bi ions in electrolytes decreases the Seebeck coefficient and resistivity. The maximum power factor of $336.2{\mu}W/m{\cdot}K^2$ was obtained from the film deposited using the solution of 7.5mM $Bi(NO_3)_3$.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1416-1426
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• 2021

In the case of a scanning type multi-channel LiDAR sensor, the distance error called a walk error may occur due to a difference in received signal power. This work error causes different distance values to be output for the same object when scanning the surrounding environment based on multiple LiDAR sensors. For minimizing walk error in overlapping regions when scanning all directions using multiple sensors, to calibrate distance for each channels using convolution on external system. Four sensors were placed in the center of 6×6 m environment and scanned around. As a result of applying the proposed filtering method, the distance error could be improved by about 68% from average of 0.5125 m to 0.16 m, and the standard deviation could be improved by about 48% from average of 0.0591 to 0.030675.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.74-95
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• 2021

Background: A job-exposure matrix (JEM) is an important surrogate indicator to evaluate past exposure levels. Although a Korean asbestos JEM has been constructed previously, this JEM includes only a few industrial and occupational groups. This study aimed to reconstruct the JEM by integrating the latest organized data to improve its utility. Methods: We used recent Korean standard industry and occupation codes and extracted 36 articles from a systematic literature review to initiate the reconstruction of the previous Korean asbestos JEM. The resulting data consisted of 141 combinations of industrial and occupational groups. Data from the Netherlands's JEM were also reviewed and categorized into 70 industrial and 117 occupational groups by matching with the Korean data. We also utilized Germany's data, which consisted of 10 industrial and 14 occupational groups. Results: The reconstructed Korean asbestos JEM had 141 combinations of industries and occupations. The time periods are from the 1980s to the 2000s in 10-year intervals. Most of the data were distributed between the 1990s and the 2000s. Occupations with high exposure to asbestos included knitting and weaving machine operators, automobile mechanics or assemblers, ship mechanics or assemblers, mineral ore and stone products processing mechanics, and metal casting machine operators or mold makers. Conclusions: The reconstructed Korean asbestos JEM has expanded the type and duration of the occupational groups of the previous JEM and can serve as an important reference tool for evaluating asbestos exposure and designing compensation and prevention policies in Korea.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.1421-1430
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• 2022

The computation of the solid angle and the detector efficiency is considering to be one of the most important factors during the measuring process for the radioactivity, especially the cylindrical γ-ray NaI(Tl) detectors nowadays have applications in several fields such as industry, hazardous for health, the gamma-ray radiation detectors grow to be the main essential instruments in radiation protection sector. In the present work, a generic numerical simulation method (NSM) for calculating the efficiency of the γ-ray spectrometry setup is established. The formulas are suitable for any type of source-to-detector shape and can be valuable to determine the full-energy peak and the total efficiencies and P/T ratio of cylindrical γ-ray NaI(Tl) detector setup concerning the truncated conical radioactive source. This methodology is based on estimate the path length of γ-ray radiation inside the detector active medium, inside the source itself, and the self-attenuation correction factors, which typically use to correct the sample attenuation of the original geometry source. The calculations can be completed in general by using extra reasonable and complicate analytical and numerical techniques than the standard models; especially the effective solid angle, and the detector efficiency have to be calculated in case of the truncated conical radioactive source studied condition. Moreover, the (NSM) can be used for the straight calculations of the γ-ray detector efficiency after the computation of improvement that need in the case of γ-γ coincidence summing (CS). The (NSM) confirmation of the development created by the efficiency transfer method has been achieved by comparing the results of the measuring truncated conical radioactive source with certified nuclide activities with the γ-ray NaI(Tl) detector, and a good agreement was obtained after corrections of (CS). The methodology can be unlimited to find the theoretical efficiencies and modifications equivalent to any geometry by essential sufficiently the physical selective considered situation.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.153-159
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• 2022

The article discusses the use of smart technologies in the training of future specialists. Today, learning using smart technologies is becoming a new educational standard, where information is presented in a logical sequence, computer training systems have powerful functions for the educational process. The functions of smart technologies are highlighted. It is noted that smart technologies are successfully used in the field of education and professional training. The concept of "smart education" is characterized. Smart education is an educational paradigm that underlies a new type of education system. The implementation of the smart education paradigm is aimed at the process of obtaining competencies and competencies for flexible and adapted interaction with the social, economic and technological environment. Smart education should ensure that the benefits of the global information society can be used to meet educational needs and interests. A special place is occupied by computer-based educational multimedia systems that allow you to deepen your knowledge, reduce the duration of training, and increase the number of students per teacher. The main principles of smart education are highlighted. Improving the efficiency of training in a modern higher education institution is impossible without the introduction of smart technologies in the organization of the educational process.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.51
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• pp.6.1-6.9
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• 2021

Histopathology is a well-established standard diagnosis employed for the majority of malignancies, including breast cancer. Nevertheless, despite training and standardization, it is considered operator-dependent and errors are still a concern. Fractal dimension analysis is a computational image processing technique that allows assessing the degree of complexity in patterns. We aimed here at providing a robust and easily attainable method for introducing computer-assisted techniques to histopathology laboratories. Slides from two databases were used: A) Breast Cancer Histopathological; and B) Grand Challenge on Breast Cancer Histology. Set A contained 2480 images from 24 patients with benign alterations, and 5429 images from 58 patients with breast cancer. Set B comprised 100 images of each type: normal tissue, benign alterations, in situ carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma. All images were analyzed with the FracLac algorithm in the ImageJ computational environment to yield the box count fractal dimension (Db) results. Images on set A on 40x magnification were statistically different (p = 0.0003), whereas images on 400x did not present differences in their means. On set B, the mean Db values presented promising statistical differences when comparing. Normal and/or benign images to in situ and/or invasive carcinoma (all p < 0.0001). Interestingly, there was no difference when comparing normal tissue to benign alterations. These data corroborate with previous work in which fractal analysis allowed differentiating malignancies. Computer-aided diagnosis algorithms may beneficiate from using Db data; specific Db cut-off values may yield ~ 99% specificity in diagnosing breast cancer. Furthermore, the fact that it allows assessing tissue complexity, this tool may be used to understand the progression of the histological alterations in cancer.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2024

Background: E-waste workers in Hong Kong are handling an unprecedented amount of e-waste, which contains various neurotoxic chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the neurological health status of e-waste workers in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neurobehavioral alterations and to identify the vulnerable groups among Hong Kong e-waste workers. Methods: We recruited 109 Hong Kong e-waste workers from June 2021 to September 2022. Participants completed standard questionnaires and wore a GENEActiv accelerometer for seven days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Questionnaire 16/18 (Q16/18) were used to assess subjective neurobehavioral alterations. The GENEActiv data generated objective sleep and circadian rhythm variables. Workers were grouped based on job designation and entity type according to the presumed hazardous level. Unconditional logistic regression models measured the associations of occupational characteristics with neurobehavioral alterations after adjusting for confounders. Results: While dismantlers/repairers and the workers in entities not funded by the government were more likely to suffer from neurotoxic symptoms in Q18 (adjusted odds ratio: 3.18 [1.18-9.39] and 2.77 [1.10-7.46], respectively), the workers from self-sustained recycling facilities also have poor performances in circadian rhythm. Results also showed that the dismantlers/repairers working in entities not funded by the government had the highest risk of neurotoxic symptoms compared to the lowest-risk group (i.e., workers in government-funded companies with other job designations). Conclusion: This timely and valuable study emphasizes the importance of improving the working conditions for high-risk e-waste workers, especially the dismantlers or repairers working in facilities not funded by the government.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.126-144
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• 1974

Adult female prawn, Macrobrachium japonicum, which used for this work were collected at the river Simanto, Shikoku in Japan, and removed in the laboratory. Newly hatched larvae from an adult reared in circulation-filtered aquaria, which is controlled under the conditions of water temperature $26\pm0.3^{\circ}C$, chlorinity $6.21-6.45\%$ Cl, pH 8.0-8.1, illumination 3000 lux, and fed on Artemia salina nauplius sufficielltly For a period of rearing of zoea larvae, big individuals-individual varying bodies, comparing with standard bodies in the same aged individual group, are occasionally appeared from fifth zoea larva stage, and occurence of it be tempted to relate with the factor of trophic condition. This paper was dealt with a comparative morphological view on big individuals, comparing with standard type in the same aged group, to solve the problem on (1). the existence or nonexistence of stages which it is easier to occurence of big individuals, (2). the rate of development in several appendages of an individual, and (3). a happening of skipping whether it certainly occur or not, during newly hatched zoea larvae develop to post larva stage. The results of the above are as follow: (1). the stages which is easier to occur of big individuals are fifth and seventh stage in this species, (2). even same individual, development of several appendages differs more or less on the rate of growth in accordance with its parts, (3). Evidence which skipping phenomenon is occured, during development through zoea larvae to post larvae, couldn't confirm.