• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.147-149
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• 2003

The wetness, a function of precipitation and temperature etc, and the warmth, a function of temperature, are the dominant factor for global vegetation distribution. This paper employs the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), warmth index (WAI), and wetness index (WEI), and focuses on an essential climate-vegetation relationship at global scale. The NDVI was acquired from ‘Twenty-year global 4-minute AVHRR NDVI dataset.’ The WEI is defined as the fraction of the precipitation to the potential evaporation. The WAI was calculated by accumulating the monthly mean temperature of the portion exceeded 5$^{\circ}C$ throughout the year. Meteorological data for the WEI and WAI calculation were obtained from the ISLSCP CD-ROM. All analyses were conducted for 1 ${\times}$ 1 degree grid box on the terrestrial area of the Earth, and on annual value basis averaged in 1987 and 1988. The result of analyses demonstrated that there are two regimes in their relations, that is, a regime in which NDVIs vary depending on the WEI, and a regime in which NDVIs vary depending on the WAI. These two regimes appeared to correspond to the wetness dominant and warmth dominant vegetation, respectively. The geographical distributions of two regimes were mapped. Most of the world vegetation is categorized into wetness dominant, while warmth dominant vegetation is seen in the high-latitude area mainly to the north of 60$^{\circ}$N in the Northern Hemisphere and high-altitude areas.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2024

Background: The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI. Methods: A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested. Results: The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, "Subjectively estimated work ability and resources", was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, "Ill-health-related", of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.345-351
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• 2024

Background: A decrease in physical fitness with age can impact work ability. Exploring the role of physical fitness is important for identifying interventions to enhance work ability among aging workers. We sought to determine the association between physical fitness and physically demanding work ability in aging workers. Methods: We recruited workers aged 45-65 years from eight departments of a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Work ability was assessed using the work ability index (WAI), and physical fitness components were evaluated through various tests. Associations between work ability and physical fitness were examined using a multivariable regression analysis. Results: The response rate was 46.4% (n = 216). The mean WAI score was 41.6. Participants with an overweight or obese body mass index (BMI) had 1.8 (95% CI -3.1, -0.4) points lower WAI scores than did those within a healthy BMI range. A handgrip strength test revealed that participants in the good/very good group had 2.5 (95% CI: 0.6, 4.3) higher WAI scores than did those in the very poor/poor group. For a single-leg stance test, participants in the above-average group had 2.1 (95% CI: 0.7, 3.5) points greater WAI scores than did those in the below-average group. No significant associations were found between work ability and 3-min step, chair stand, or sit-and-reach test scores. Conclusion: The overall work ability of the participants was good. Body composition, muscle strength, and balance were associated with work ability. Promoting physical fitness is a viable strategy for enhancing work ability among aging workers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.176-187
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• 2018

The Korean government has been encouraging 'continuous' post-pump priming project management through relevant local personnel planning, action, and management, upon the selection of 68 sites for urban regeneration as part of the New Deal Project. This study assessed the utilization characteristics of containers, the socio-experimental temporary occupation facilities, as a tool for 'sustainable' urban regeneration. This is to identify the potential limitations of urban regeneration by the utilization of containers as public sector temporary occupation facilities and to provide adequate directions based on its efficacy. By comparing three Korean cases with the Japanese WaiWai project, in terms of 10 elements, the preoccupations with the social trend and scenery, and undifferentiated functions of the facilities focusing on the commercial or working aspects have been identified as limitations of Korean cases. Based on the analyses, the following are suggested as plausible approaches to utilize socio-experimental containers for sustainable urban regeneration: 1. Planning and management should be done by the same organization because the absence of the planning party's participation in the management likely leads to the pursuit of only profits. 2. Diversification and combinations of different utilization purposes of a single site and numerous planning of experimental container uses are in need. 3. Accommodations of heavy commercial uses lead to a decline in the continuity of follow-up projects and a change in the urban regeneration directions. Therefore, it is important to include a public socio-experimental program rather than a simple commercial or promotion program for the following urban renewal project.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.2 s.50
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• pp.497-510
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• 1995

This study was carried out to assess work ability of manufacturing workers and managerial workers. Subjects were 446 manufacturing workers and 278 managerial workers employed in Gumi industrial complex and the observation period was for 1 month(February to March), 1995. In this study, as a questionnaire for the assessment of work ability, we used the Work Ability Index(WAI) which was developed by Institute of Occupational Health in Finland. Major findings obtained from this study were as follows ; WAI was poor in lower economic condition, shift work, irregular diet group(p<0.05). There were no evident trends of WAS in sex, educational level, obesity index, exercise, smoking, and alcohol drinking. In the groups of sensitive to perception of stress, other industrial classification except textile and electronics, the more than 9 hours work, the evident trends of poor WAS were observed(p<0.01). In the groups of $30\sim39$ years old, $40\sim49$ years old, unmarried, high school, shift work, standard body weight, and regular .diet, WAI between manufacturing workers and managerial workers was significantly different(p<0.01) and WAI of managerial worker was worse than that of manufacturing worker.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Korean workers' work ability and to identify its contributing factors. Background: In order for Korea to overcome the phenomena of becoming an aged society, older adults must participate in the workforce to balance out the population; workers' work ability must also be maintained. In addition, influential factors in employees' capabilities and degrees of importance thereof should be identified in advance to maintain work ability. Method: The Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire was completed by 5,708 Korean workers. Survey questionnaire consisted items of current work ability, physical and mental demands of the job, numbers of diseases, work impairment due to diseases, sick leaves, work ability in 2 years and mental resources. Results: Results indicated that work ability and length of service increased with age. It was also found that employees in administrative positions had greater work ability than site workers, workers directly managed by a supervisor had greater work ability than workers in cooperative firms, and workers who performed intellectual tasks had greater work ability than workers who performed physical labor. Job stress was additionally observed to contribute towards overall work ability. And musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were found to negatively affect work ability. Conclusion: The strongest determining factors in the work ability of Korean workers were stress level and mental state. Therefore, when the WAI is used to assess Korean workers, the weighting of WAI items pertaining to physical and mental abilities should be adjusted accordingly to account for these factors. Application: The result is expected to suggest that workers maintain work ability in an aged society.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2009

Purpose : This study aims to comparison of ultrasonography on both sides of biceps brachii muscle of hemiplegic patient. Methods : The biceps brachii muscle of fifteen subjects (5 male, 10 female) with stroke were scanned with ultrasonography at the muscle belly at rest at elbow angles of 90 deg. The echogenicity (density, white area index; WAI, anatomic cross-sectional area; ACSA, volume) of ultrasonography was examined. Results : In the biceps brachii muscle, there were significant differences of density, WAI, ACSA, and volume between affected side and non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (density, WAI) of the affected side was higher than non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (ACSA, volume) of the non-affected side was higher than affected side. Conclusion : This study showed that change of skeletal muscle architecture properties occurred biceps brachii muscle of the affected side muscle of hemiplegic patient.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2007

The purpose of this study were to analysis on quality properties of lower extremity of patient with stroke by the existence of the independent walking. We recruited fourteen adults after stroke(7 male, 7 female; mean age, 64y) for our study. The subjects were divided into two groups; independent walking group(3 male, 3 female) and non-independent walking group(4 male, 4 female). We used in this study included a B-mode ultrasonography scanner with a 7.5 MHz linea probe. During the experiment, the subject was seated in the chair. The echogenicity(density, white area index; WAI) of the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris muscles were measured on both sides of the leg. In both of the density and WAI, the tibialis anterior muscle were significant differences between paratic side and non-paratic side, the independent walking and non-independent walking group. However, in both of the density and WAI of the rectus femoris muscle were only significant differences between paratic side and non-paratic side. This study showed that stroke and the independent walking have influenced on quality properties of lower leg. Especially, the independent walking has influenced on the tibialis anterior muscle.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.564-567
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• 1999

Gelatinization characteristics of pigmented rice varieties were determined in terms of amylose contents, amylograph, gel consistency, water absorption index (WAI) and water soluble index (WSI). Amylose contents of black and red rice were lower than those of brown rice, especially Sanghaehyanghyulla exhibited the lowest amylose contents among the pigmented rice varieties tested. There was no significant difference in WAI among the pigmented rice varieties, but WSI was lower in red rice than the others. Peak viscosity of black rice measured in a Brabender amylograph was lower than those of red and brown rice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.221.1-221
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• 2003

습식쌀가루는 침지 후 롤밀(Roll mill)로 분쇄 후 건조하여 휘츠밀(Fitz Mill)로 분쇄하여 제조하였으며 건식쌀가루는 Roll mill, Fitz Mill, 볼밀(Ball mill)의 입자 크기별로 만들어 쌀가루의 특성을 검토하였다. 건식쌀가루의 경우 제분공정의 횟수가 증가할수록 자기가 증가됨을 나타내었고 a값과 b값의 감소를 나타내었다. 습식은 건식에 비해 유의적으로 높은 자기를 나타내었고 건식과 마찬가지로 제분공정이 길어질수록 같은 색도 양상을 나타내었다. 각 입자크기에 따른 색도는 습식이 더높은 밝기 값을 나타내었다. 제조공정별 단계에 따른 수분흡수지수(WAI) 및 수분용해지수(WSI)의 값은 건식, 습식 모두 roll mill < Fitz mill < Ball mill 순으로 높은 값을 나타냈고, 물에 침지되어 침출액이 제거된 습식쌀가루의 WAI, WSI는 건식쌀가루보다 낮은 값을 나타내었다. 입자크기에 따른 건식쌀가루의 WAI, WSI의값은 입자가 작을수록 높은 값을 나타낸 반면 습식쌀가루의 WAS의 값은 80-100Mesh의 입자에서 가장 높은 값을 나타냈었고, 100-140Mesh이후로는 WAS의 값이 감소 한 반면 WSI의 값은 입자가 작을수록 높은 값을 나타내었다. 호화양상은 습식쌀가루가 호화엔탈피 (ΔH)의 값이 높게 나타났으며 제분방법의 횟수가 증가할수록 전분손상도가 증가됨을 나타내었다.