• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.440-449
• /
• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk and to evaluate the relations with factors affecting these levels. Methods: The congener levels of PBDE in 22 samples of breast milk were analyzed using a high resolution gas chromatograph with a high resolution mass detector. In accordance with our standard operating procedures, the recoveries of internal standards had to range between 68% and 118%. Since the distribution of PBDE concentrations is close to log-normal, the data were logarithmically transformed before analysis. Test subjects were healthy primipara and multipara mothers with a mean age of 32 (SD = 2.7) in 2006. Results: Seven PBDE congeners (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) were detected and identified in all of the pooled breast milk samples, indicating widespread contamination from PBDEs in the environment in Korea. Residue levels of total PBDEs (sum PBDEs from tri- to hepta-BDE) ranged from 0.84-13.1 ng/g lipid with median and geometric mean levels of 2.6 ng/g lipid and 2.74 ng/g lipid, respectively. PBDE congeners 47, 99 and 153 markedly predominated and accounted for about 75% of the amount of the PBDE congeners analyzed. BDE-47 was the dominant congener in most samples, whereas BDE-153 was predominant in a few (n = 7/22). BDE-47 was highly correlated with total PBDEs (r = 0.987, p < 0.01). In analyses of the differences of the means of log transformed breast milk PBDE levels for groups of potential covariates, only breast milk BDE-47 and BDE-99 levels were significantly associated with fish (p < 0.05) and meat consumption (p < 0.01). However, we did not find significant correlations between PBDE levels and maternal age, body mass index (BMI), parity, job presence and smoking status. Conclusions: Our findings are mainly limited due to the small sampling size and low doses of PBDEs exposure. Background and human exposure data of PBDEs is lacking, and longitudinal investigations into the environment and biota are encouraged to determine the health impact on future populations in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.48-56
• /
• 2011

The objective of this study is to develop quantitative criteria for setting reasonable standards and regulations for building heights in collective facility districts inside national parks or those connected to their borders. Heights of all building sin collective facility districts were simulated in order to determine heights of ridge lines of sight passing the upper parts of buildings from a main view point. Where a facility's zone is located at the inside or boundary of inland mountainous national parks, and there are coastal type national parks with mountains in the background, the study recommended assigning the maximum allowable height of a building as 8.82m if national park authorities intend to preserve the ridges at three-tenths the height of a mountain. It amounts to 3 or 3.5 stories when it is converted into the number of floors. It is desirable to apply this standard to accommodations like a hotel except lodge or cottage as the maximum allowable height of a building. Nevertheless, when there aren't back mountainous areas among coastal-type national parks, there is a need for applying a separate standard. If an equal and uniform standard is applied to all collective facility districts, it becomes difficult to address local differences when managing landscape. There must be flexibility when applying a standard, depending on variables such as location of view points, differences in the methods of selection of view points, and differences in view angles, etc. Thus, there is a need for different landscape management strategies that address the unique natural environment of different zones.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.235-250
• /
• 2017

In this study, we monitored 4 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and tetrachloromethane in groundwater samples to determine the detection frequency and their concentrations and evaluated the health risk level considering ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. 75 groundwater wells were selected. 24 wells were from monitoring background groundwater quality level and 51 wells were from monitoring groundwater quality level in industrial or contamination source area. In the results, the detection frequency for chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and tetrachloromethane was 42.3%, 8.1%, 6.0%, and 3.4%, respectively. The average concentrations of VOCs were high in the order of chloroform ($1.7{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), dichloromethane ($0.08{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), tetrachloromethane ($0.05{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), and 1,2-dichloroethane ($0.05{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$). Chloroform had the highest detection frequency and average detection concentration. In the contaminated groundwater, the detection frequency of VOCs was high in the order of chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dchloroethane, and tetrachloromethane. The average concentrations for chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and tetrachloromethane were $2.23{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, $0.08{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, $0.07{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and $0.06{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. All the 4 compounds were detected at industrial complex and storage tank area. The maximum concentration of chloroform, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane was detected at industrial complex area. Especially, the maximum concentration of chloroform and dichloromethane was detected at a chemical factory area. In the uncontaminated groundwater, the detection frequency of VOCs was high in the order of chloroform, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dchloroethane and tetrachloromethane was not detected. The average concentrations for chloroform, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane were $0.57{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, $0.07{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and $0.03{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. Although chloroform in the uncontaminated groundwater was detected the most, the concentration of chloroform was not exceeding water quality standards. By land use, the maximum detection frequency of 1,2-dichloroethane was found near a traffic area. For human risk assessment, the cancer risk for the 4 VOCs was $10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-9}$, while the non-cancer risk (HQ value) for the 4 VOCs is $10^{-2}{\sim}10^{-3}$.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.1-36
• /
• 2020

While the policy intervention of each country for the promotion of renewable energy is strengthened, Korea introduced Feed-in Tariff (FIT) in 2002 to directly support the development of renewable energy. But in 2012, the shift of policy instrument that from FIT to Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is occurred. This is a unique background that is currently found only in Korea, and new answers that focus on the outcomes of the shift of policy instruments are needed in addition to the existing discussion of comparison of FIT and RPS. Therefore, this study analyzed the change of policy efficiency after the shift to RPS using Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA) and Malmquist Index. In the result of analysis, a difference in the improvement of policy efficiency after in shift to RPS is found among each renewable energy source. This result is because renewable energy companies voluntarily entered the market only for energy sources that have secured technology or price competitiveness, and this indicates that the performance of renewable energy after the RPS shift has been concentrated on specific energy sources. As a result of this study, considering that the goal of renewable energy policy is to expand distribution and to drive growth engines, multi-faceted analysis is required in consideration of technology and market in selecting policy instruments.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.sup1
• /
• pp.28-36
• /
• 2016

Background: This study aimed to develop the models for regional cardiac surgery centers, which take regional characteristics into consideration, as a policy measure that could alleviate the concentration of cardiac surgery in the metropolitan area and enhance the accessibility for patients who reside in the regions. Methods: To develop the models and set standards for the necessary personnel and facilities for the initial management plan, we held workshops, debates, and conference meetings with various experts. Results: After partitioning the plan into two parts (the operational autonomy and the functional comprehensiveness), three models were developed: the 'independent regional cardiac surgery center' model, the 'satellite cardiac surgery center within hospitals' model, and the 'extended cardiac surgery department within hospitals' model. Proposals on personnel and facility management for each of the models were also presented. A regional cardiac surgery center model that could be applied to each treatment area was proposed, which was developed based on the anticipated demand for cardiac surgery. The independent model or the satellite model was proposed for Chungcheong, Jeolla, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang area, where more than 500 cardiac surgeries are performed annually. The extended model was proposed as most effective for the Gangwon and Jeju area, where more than 200 cardiac surgeries are performed annually. Conclusion: The operation of regional cardiac surgery centers with high caliber professionals and quality resources such as optimal equipment and facility size, should enhance regional healthcare accessibility and the quality of cardiac surgery in South Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.287-295
• /
• 2017

Background: Recently, the use of ultrasound (US) techniques in regional anesthesia and pain medicine has increased significantly. However, the current extent of training in the use of US-guided pain management procedures in Korea remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to assess the current state of US training provided during Korean Pain Society (KPS) pain fellowship programs through the comparative analysis between training hospitals. Methods: We conducted an anonymous survey of 51 pain physicians who had completed KPS fellowships in 2017. Items pertained to current US practices and education, as well as the types of techniques and amount of experience with US-guided pain management procedures. Responses were compared based on the tier of the training hospital. Results: Among the 51 respondents, 14 received training at first- and second-tier hospitals (Group A), while 37 received training at third-tier hospitals (Group B). The mean total duration of pain training during the 1-year fellowship was 7.4 months in Group A and 8.4 months in Group B. Our analysis revealed that 36% and 40% of respondents in Groups A and B received dedicated US training, respectively. Most respondents underwent US training in patient-care settings under the supervision of attending physicians. Cervical root, stellate ganglion, piriformis, and lumbar plexus blocks were more commonly performed by Group B than by Group A (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Instruction regarding US-guided pain management interventions varied among fellowship training hospitals, highlighting the need for the development of educational standards that mandate a minimum number of US-guided nerve blocks or injections during fellowships in interventional pain management.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
• /
• v.4 no.6
• /
• pp.1418-1432
• /
• 1997

Most general content_based image retrieval techniques use color and texture as retrieval indices. In color techniques, color histogram and color pair based color retrieval techniques suffer from a lack of spatial information and text. And This paper describes the design and implementation of content_based image retrieval system using color space and keywords. The preprocessor for image retrieval has used the coordinate system of the existing HSI(Hue, Saturation, Intensity) and preformed to split One image into chromatic region and achromatic region respectively, It is necessary to normalize the size of image for 200*N or N*200 and to convert true colors into 256 color. Two color histograms for background and object are used in order to decide on color selection in the color space. Spatial information is obtained using a maximum entropy discretization. It is possible to choose the class, color, shape, location and size of image by using keyword. An input color is limited by 15 kinds keyword of chromatic and achromatic colors of the Korea Industrial Standards. Image retrieval method is used as the key of retrieval properties in the similarity. The weight values of color space ${\alpha}(%)and\;keyword\;{\beta}(%)$ can be chosen by the user in inputting the query words, controlling the values according to the properties of image_contents. The result of retrieval in the test using extracted feature such as color space and keyword to the query image are lower that those of weight value. In the case of weight value, the average of te measuring parameters shows approximate Precision(0.858), Recall(0.936), RT(1), MT(0). The above results have proved higher retrieval effects than the content_based image retrieval by using color space of keywords.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.151-165
• /
• 2015

Objective: This study aims to develop and scientifically investigate the efficacy of the Spine S-curve Reactive Backrest that responds to the spine curvature of the user when seated, and maintains and enhances the natural S-curve of the lower back, thereby helping to relieve fatigue, correct posture and prevent spine deformities. Background: The focus of current development, design guidelines and/or standards for office chairs is mainly placed on the chair's dimensions, incline angle, adjusting features and lumbar support. Research and development was called for developing a chair backrest that maintains and improves the S-curve of the full spine. Method: The Spine S-curve Reactive Backrest was ergonomically designed to maintain correct posture and enhance user comfort. When leaned on, the backrest responds to the user's spine line and the whole lower back sits closely against the backrest, thereby aligning the user's lower back and backrest as one to maintain and improve the natural S-curve formation of the spine. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the newly designed chair (new design) and the comparison target (chair), five male college students of standard body type with normal spine curvature were selected as test subjects, and a motion analyzer and electromyography were utilized to measure S-curve and erector spinae muscle activity when seated. Results: The spine S-curve was better maintained and improved when sitting in the new design than in the comparison chair. Particularly notable was the greater displacement gap of the thoracic spine than the cervical spine, and also that of the lumbar more than the thoracic spine, with the increase of the backrest tilting angle. Furthermore, the electromyogram results showed the new design caused a lower fatigue level of the erector spinae muscles compared to the comparison chair, and also earned a higher preference in the subjective opinion results. Conclusion: The newly designed chair in this study responds to the user's spine curvature and maintains and enhances the lower back's natural S-curve, and thereby relieves fatigue, promotes better posture, and helps to prevent spine deformities better than existing office chairs. There is a need to widely introduce and supply this new design. Application: The new design is applicable to office and student chairs, and is expected to improve concentration and work efficiency.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.107-120
• /
• 1974

Necessity and purpose of this study: In a large number of countries it has been founded that children′s domestic accidents are at great risk year by year In the United States, they publish detailed accident statistics at regular intervals. In Korea. there have been just a few studies on Accidents-At-Home of preschool children. But it can not be said that there have been any systematic statistics about this area. and any study accounting for the relations of home accidents and preschool: children in detail, Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was focused on the inquire of these relations so as to make a little contribution to Korean preschool children′s health and security measures. So, the detail-purposes are to study following questions and to testify following hypothesis. Prob. 1. What the types of accidents of Preschool children, where the place accidents occurred\ulcorner Prob. 2. What the cause of accidents and, the main factors of the cause\ulcorner Prob. 3. How about the number of their children. the disparity of age among their children and mother′s age in each case of accidents\ulcorner hypothesis 1. There will be differences in the density of protection of parents according to the number of their children. hypothesis 2, There will be differences in accident-types and first-aid methods according to parents socio-economic background. Method; This study employed the interviewing survey method, in which 130 preschool children ware random.sampled, who visit hospital to have medical care. These children (from 1 to 6 years olds) were selected at the emergency room of five hospitals in Seoul (Hosp: Severance, Woosok, Medical Center, Hanyang Medical College Hospital and Seoul Medical Col1age Hospital during study-period (from Aug. to Oct, 1973). Four head nurses in above Hospitals were employed as accident members for this study. Concerning research analysis, the method of hypothesis verifying is used. Conclusion: As two American experts on this subject. Dr, Raymond Neuter and Mr. Ross Mc Garland have drawn attention to "minor epidemics of accidents" that could be avoided by fairly simple measures. preschool children′s accidents could be avoided by parents fair attentions. In other words, one of the most common causes of preschool children′s accidents derived from their parent′s inattention. Therefore, one important task on this subject is to instruct the parents fairly about the children′s accidents. Many accidents could be avoided by the exorcist of a little self-discipline. Also, as much the prevention of accidents is important, as the first-aid Is Important and necessary at the case of the accidents. So, the methods of proper first-aid treatment must be emphasized, and must be taught in school, especially in girls school. And there could be other means available for prevention of accidents. Firstly, the public authorities can take legal measures. More stringent safety standards can be made enforceable by law. Building materials and equipment for domestic us: ought to meat minimum safety criteria at all times. Next the public itself has to understand the seriousness of the problem, and here the dissemination of information is of great importance. All mass media should be brought into play to promote greater public awareness of the question. At last, it will be needed to obtain more detailed epidemiological data through additional surveys and statistics after this study.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.237-246
• /
• 2020

The background of the research is the following: As a result of ultra-light flying device industry development, the utilization of drones and their efficiency have been increasing. However, problems regarding flight permission·approval procedure have not been improved, resulting in increased number of civil complaints. Thus, the purpose of this research is to minimize such civil petition according to the required standards of the two government organizations through enhancing the procedure for managing and employing the system. The research methods entail pinpointing the problems by analysing ultra-light flying device related literature review and by holding focus-interviews with field experts, thereby verifying and providing improved solutions. Under (MLIT) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport supervision and in accordance with aviation security law, the research provides various updated functions such as improved civil petition processing system's employment and management system, flight approval, integration of names, process, format regarding aviation photographing approval, tool buttons such as the 'Main' button in the system's homepage. This research has the following expected effects : Firstly in the law and regulations section, the clear distinction in the missions and roles of each organization enhances cooperations in tackling civil petition. Secondly the integration of civil petition process reduces time and improves efficiency. And lastly, the improvement of supplementary tools for the public is expected to minimize civil petitions. Future research needs to be conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense(MND). Factors such as systematic infrastructure for flight photography approval, related unit's reorganization following the defense reform 2.0, and guaranteed conditions for field security action units need to be ameliorated.