• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.200-207
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• 2003

'||'||'||'&'||'||'||'quot;Overheating index'||'||'||'&'||'||'||'quot;, the normalized difference in incident solar energy between a target surface and a level surface, is helpful in estimating the spatial variation in daily maximum temperature at the landscape scale. It can be computed as the ratio of the 4-hour cumulative solar irradiance surplus or deficit from that over a level surface to the maximum possible deviation (15 MJ $m^{-2}$ ) during the midafternoon. Ecosystem models may, for simplicity, use an empirical proxy (exposure index) variable combining slope and aspect in place of the overheating index to account for the variation of midafternoon solar irradiance. A comparative study with real-world landscape data was carried out to evaluate the performance of exposure index in replacing the overheating index. Overheating indices for summer solstice, fall equinox and winter solstice were calculated at 573,650 grid cells constituting the land surface of Donggye-Myun, Sunchang County in Korea, based on a 10-m DEM. Exposure index was also calculated for the same area and fitted for the variation of overheating index to derive a 2$^{nd}$ -order linear regression equation. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$) was 0.50 on summer solstice, 0.56 on fall equinox, and 0.44 on winter solstice, respectively. These are much lower than the theoretically calculated $R^2$ values ranging from 0.7 in summer to 0.9 in autumn. According to our study, exposure index failed to accurately predict the cumulative solar irradiance over a complex terrain, hindering its application to daily maximum temperature estimation. We suggest direct calculation of the overheating index in preference to using the exposure index.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2023

Observational data with missing or incomplete data are common in biomedical research. Multiple imputation is an effective approach to handle missing data with the ability to decrease bias while increasing statistical power and efficiency. In recent years propensity score (PS) matching has been increasingly used in observational studies to estimate treatment effect as it can reduce confounding due to measured baseline covariates. In this paper, we describe in detail approaches to competing risk analysis in the setting of incomplete observational data when using PS matching. First, we used multiple imputation to impute several missing variables simultaneously, then conducted propensity-score matching to match statin-exposed patients with those unexposed. Afterwards, we assessed the effect of statin exposure on the risk of heart failure-related hospitalizations or emergency visits by estimating both relative and absolute effects. Collectively, we provided a general methodological framework to assess treatment effect in incomplete observational data. In addition, we presented a practical approach to produce overall cumulative incidence function (CIF) based on estimates from multiple imputed and PS-matched samples.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

Objective: The author measured levels of fluoroscopic radiation exposure to the surgeon's body based on the different beam directions during kyphoplasty. Methods: This is an observational study. A series of 84 patients (96 vertebral bodies) were treated with kyphoplasty over one year. The patients were divided into four groups based on the horizontal and vertical directions of the X-Ray beams. We measured radiation exposure with the seven dosimetry badges which were worn by the surgeon in each group (total of 28 badges). Twenty-four procedures were measured in each group. Cumulative dose and dose rates were compared between groups. Results: Fluoroscopic radiation is received by the operator in real-time for approximately 50% (half) of the operation time. Thyroid protectors and lead aprons can block radiation almost completely. The largest dose was received in the chest irrespective of beam directions. The lowest level of radiation were received when X-ray tube was away from the surgeon and beneath the bed (dose rate of head, neck, chest, abdomen and knee: 0.2986, 0.2828, 0.9711, 0.8977, 0.8168 mSv, respectively). The radiation differences between each group were approximately 2.7-10 folds. Conclusion: When fluoroscopic guided-KP is performed, the X-Ray tube should be positioned on the opposite side of the operator and below the table, otherwise the received radiation to the surgeon's body would be 2.7-10 times higher than such condition.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2021

Background: Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a highly reactive chemical that causes sensitization and has also been associated with increased lung cancer. A risk assessment was conducted based on occupational epidemiologic estimates for several health outcomes. Methods: Exposure and outcome details were extracted from published studies and a NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation for new onset asthma, pulmonary function measurements, symptom prevalence, and mortality from lung cancer and respiratory disease. Summary exposure-response estimates were calculated taking into account relative precision and possible survivor selection effects. Attributable incidence of sensitization was estimated as were annual proportional losses of pulmonary function. Excess lifetime risks and benchmark doses were calculated. Results: Respiratory outcomes exhibited strong survivor bias. Asthma/sensitization exposure response decreased with increasing facility-average TDI air concentration as did TDI-associated pulmonary impairment. In a mortality cohort where mean employment duration was less than 1 year, survivor bias pre-empted estimation of lung cancer and respiratory disease exposure response. Conclusion: Controlling for survivor bias and assuming a linear dose-response with facility-average TDI concentrations, excess lifetime risks exceeding one per thousand occurred at about 2 ppt TDI for sensitization and respiratory impairment. Under alternate assumptions regarding stationary and cumulative effects, one per thousand excess risks were estimated at TDI concentrations of 10 - 30 ppt. The unexplained reported excess mortality from lung cancer and other lung diseases, if attributable to TDI or associated emissions, could represent a lifetime risk comparable to that of sensitization.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2015

We analyzed the differential effects of histopathology, apoptosis and expression of radiation response genes after chronic low dose rate (LDR) and acute high dose rate (HDR) radiation exposure in spleen, lung and liver of rats. Female 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used. For chronic low-dose whole body irradiation, rats were maintained for 14 days in a $^{60}Co$ gamma ray irradiated room and received a cumulative dose of 2 Gy or 5 Gy. Rats in the acute whole body exposure group were exposed to an equal dose of radiation delivered as a single pulse ($^{137}Cs$-gamma). At 24 hours after exposure, spleen, lung and liver tissues were extracted for histopathologic examination, western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. 1. The spleen showed the most dramatic differential response to acute and chronic exposure, with the induction of substantial tissue damage by HDR but not by LDR radiation. Effects of LDR radiation on the lung were only apparent at the higher dose (5 Gy), but not at lower dose (2 Gy). In the liver, HDR and LDR exposure induced a similar damage response at both doses. RT-PCR analysis identified cyclin G1 as a LDR-responsive gene in the spleen of rats exposed to 2 Gy and 5 Gy gamma radiation and in the lung of animals irradiated with 5 Gy. 2. The effects of LDR radiation differed among lung, liver, and spleen tissues. The spleen showed the greatest differential effect between HDR and LDR. The response to LDR radiation may involve expression of cyclin G1.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1457-1460
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• 2019

In this paper, we proposed the development of a mixed sensor parts for integrated radiation exposure protection fireman's life-saving alarm that can be location-tracked and irradiated. To measure radiation exposure dose, we use the PIN-Diode radiation measurement sensor module, a semi-conductive radiation measurement sensor that can minimize size and weight. The design for removing leakage current is carried out to enhance the characteristics of the radiation measurement sensor using PIN-Diode. The IMU sensor module is used to estimate the location of the current fireman at the same time as the accident estimate by adding together the data and the values for acceleration on the three axis. Experiments were conductied by an authorized testing agency to determine the efficiency of the proposed mixed sensor parts for integrated radiation exposure protection fireman's life-saving alarms. The cumulative dose measurement range was measured in the range of 10 μSv to 10 mSv, the highest level in the world. The accuracy was measured from ±6.3% to ±9.0% (137 Cs) and normal operation was found at the international standard of ±15%. In addition, positional accuracy was measured within ±10%, resulting in a high level of results, demonstrating its effectiveness. Therefore, it is expected that more firemen will be able to provide with superior performance integrated radiation exposure protection fireman life-saving alarm.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.273-284
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to estimate the number of those who used humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and experienced health effects from exposure to HDs in Korea between 1994 and 2011. Methods: A nationwide interview survey was conducted for the representative sample to identify the proportion of those who used HDs among the general population (n=3,001). Another online survey was conducted for those exposed to HDs to find the proportion of those who experienced health effects among those who were exposed to HDs (n=3,993). Statistics for population size by region and year (1994-2011) were used to estimate the cumulative number of those exposed to HDs and those who experienced health effects. In terms of the proportion of those exposed to HDs, those less than 30 years of age were excluded due to an issue related to information bias. Various approaches for estimation included the capture-recapture method for estimation of those who experienced health effects. Results: The cumulative proportion of those exposed to HDs was 6.7% among the general population, and the proportion of those who experienced health effects among those who were exposed to HDs was 13.9%. Based on these factors, it was estimated that 3.5 to 4.0 million people were exposed to HDs and 350 to 400 thousand experienced health effects at least requiring visiting a hospital. Conclusion: It is suggested that a nationwide representative sample may be essential for population size estimation of those exposed to environmental risk factors and of those who experienced health effects.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1158-1166
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• 2013

SAR calculation method following the Mobi-Kids study protocol is analyzed and evaluation method of cumulative RF dose from mobile phones which have been used by a subject of case and control groups is proposed. An SAR database is built by calculating SAR distributions in 4 head models at different ages for representative phone models with the same conducted power. To obtain SAR distribution in a subject's head for a specific commercial phone which had/have been used by him/her, an SAR correction factor using SAR compliance test results is determined. Cumulative dose is calculated by considering mobile phone characteristics and use pattern such as call time and laterality(right and left).

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.444-453
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• 2014

Inequality of environmental impact is forecast to deepen due to the damage of environmental risk by the interaction between environmental and social inequalities causing more harms to environmentally vulnerable population. This study assessed the integrated cumulative impact of Seoul using Environmental Health Screening Tool developed by Environmental Protection Agency of California. In order to screen vulnerable area to environmental health, 10 indexes have been selected according to the environmental burden of exposure to environment and public health effects, population characteristics of sensitive populations and socio-economic factors. As a result of assessment conducted on cumulative impact of Seoul for years 2009~2011 through Environmental Health Screening Tool, risk factor for districts of Gangseo and Gangnam of Seoul showed high - Gangseo area indicated high risk factor both in environmental burden and population characteristics, while Gangnam area appeared high in environmental burden. The result of survey will be able to suggest scientific basis to push through fair and effective environmental policy in consideration of environment vulnerable population.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2019

Objectives: The lung injuries by exposure to the humidifier disinfectants (HDs) were reported in 2011, Korea. For the HD victims, environmental exposure level and clinical diagnosis were conducted to determine the levels of damage by HDs. Methods: The exposure assessment to the HDs from 1st to 4th questionnaire surveys were carried out for 5,245 victims. And the affecting factors of exposure levels were analyzed by characterizing exposure and demographic information. By using of exposure concentration and cumulative time, exposure levels were classified and compared by percentage of clinical diagnosis classes. The high exposure and low clinical diagnosis rating groups, and low exposure and high clinical diagnosis rating groups were analyzed to overcome the limitation of past exposure assessment such as recall bias. Results: Among the all applicants damaged by the humidifier disinfectants, survivors were 4,028 and the dead were 1,217. And male and female were 2,675, and 2,547, respectively. In case of occurrence age of lung disease, under 10 years was majority age group (1,536) and followed by thirties (917). Pregnant women and fetuses were 339 and 439, respectively. And the damages by exposure to the HDs were concentrated on these susceptible populations in groups with low exposure and high clinical diagnosis rating. On the other hand, the groups classified by high exposure and low clinical diagnosis rating were shown different characterization. Conclusions: The questionnaire survey on past exposure may be uncertain due to recall bias. However, the relationship between classified exposure levels and clinical diagnosis ratings might be shown positive correlation if the exposure assessment errors were analyzed and controlled.