• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.62 no.3
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2019

Newborn infants, including premature infants, are high-risk patients susceptible to various microorganisms. Catheter-related bloodstream infections are the most common type of nosocomial infections in this population. Regular education and training of medical staffs are most important as a preventive strategy for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Bundle approaches and the use of checklists during the insertion and maintenance of central catheters are effective measures to reduce the incidence of CLABSIs. Chlorhexidine, commonly used as a skin disinfectant before catheter insertion and dressing replacement, is not approved for infants <2 months of age, but is usually used in many neonatal intensive care units due to the lack of alternatives. Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing and bathing, recommended for adults, cannot be applied to newborns. Appropriate replacement intervals for dressing and care sets are similar to those recommended for adults. Umbilical catheters should not be used longer than 5 days for the umbilical arterial catheter and 14 days for the umbilical venous catheter. It is most important to regularly educate, train and give feedback to the medical staffs about the various preventive measures required at each stage from before insertion to removal of the catheter. Continuous efforts are needed to develop effective and safe infection control strategies for neonates and young infants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2023

LPG-related accidents, which account for half of all gas accidents in Korea, have not shown any sign of decrease over the past decade, partially owing to the lack of effective safety improvement measures. The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of improvement measures by analyzing the traits of accidents in terms of human factors, and to seek more effective accident prevention strategies. In this study, 108 accident cases were collected and analyzed in the aspect of accident characteristics such as violation type, human factors, and so on. The results showed that the work procedures of suppliers and engineers related to LPG accidents seemed to be similar in outward appearance; however, specific accident causes and unsafe behaviors were different. Particularly, type and target of violations were different, which could be visually confirmed by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Quantification Techniques (QT). Furthermore, for engineers, insufficient supervision was a major influencing factor. In conclusion, because the accident characteristics of suppliers and engineers are different, differentiated accident prevention strategies should be implemented, which was discussed in this study.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.487-506
• /
• 2023

Looking from the past to the present, the earthquakes can be said to be type of disaster with most casualties among natural disasters. Soil liquefaction, which occurs under repeated loads such as earthquakes, plays a major role in these casualties. In this study, analytical equation models were developed to predict the probability of occurrence of soil liquefaction. In this context, the parameters effective in liquefaction were determined out of 170 data sets taken from the real field conditions of past earthquakes, using WEKA decision tree. Linear, Exponential, Power and Quadratic models have been developed based on the identified earthquake and ground parameters using Krill Herd algorithm. The Exponential model, among the models including the magnitude of the earthquake, fine grain ratio, effective stress, standard penetration test impact number and maximum ground acceleration parameters, gave the most successful results in predicting the fields with and without the occurrence of liquefaction. This proposed model enables the researchers to predict the liquefaction potential of the soil in advance according to different earthquake scenarios. In this context, measures can be realized in regions with the high potential of liquefaction and these measures can significantly reduce the casualties in the event of a new earthquake.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.91-104
• /
• 2024

Safe radiation management is essential not only for operational nuclear power plants but also for nuclear plants to be decommissioned. When spent nuclear fuel is present on-site, meticulous radiation emergency plans are necessary to ensure safety. In Korea, numerous radiation emergency plans have been established for operational nuclear reactors. These plans delineate distinct response mitigation measures for white, blue, and red emergencies. However, clear regulations are yet to be devised for radiation emergency plans for reactors to be decommission. Therefore, this study investigated the decommissioning plan and status of Kori unit 1 to comprehensively analyze the current status of decommissioning safety in Korea. In this study, radiation emergency plans of decommissioning nuclear power plants abroad were reviewed to confirm radiation emergency action levels. Furthermore, radioactive waste treatment facilities, to be used for decommissioning reactors in Korea were evaluated. Moreover, the study assessed emergency plans (especially, emergency initiating conditions) for operational nuclear power plants in Korea for potential use in the decommissioning phase. This study proposed an emergency initiating condition that can be used for decommissioning reactors in Korea. Considering the anticipated introduction of plasma torch melting facility in Korea, this study examined the conditions of radiation emergency plans can be altered. This study identified effective measures and guidelines for managing radiological emergency initiating conditions, and effective decommissioning of nuclear power plants in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.59-70
• /
• 2009

This study presents a novel traffic information system which is capable of detecting unsafe traffic events leading to accident occurrence and providing warning information to drivers for safer driving. Unsafe traffic events are captured by a vehicle image processing-based detection system in real time. Surrogate safety measures (SSM) representing quantitative accident potentials were derived, and further utilized to develop a data processing algorithm and analysis techniques in the proposed system. This study also defined 'emergency warning area' and 'general warning area' for more effective provision of warning information. In addition, methodologies for determining thresholds to trigger warning information were presented. Technical issues and further studies to fully exploit the benefits of the proposed system were discussed. It is expected that the proposed system would be effective for better management of traffic flow to prevent traffic accidents on freeways.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.57-74
• /
• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine in vitiligo by analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods Three electronic databases including the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were used to search for randomized controlled trials, by using specific key words and criteria up to January 4^th, 2020. Data in regards to years of publication, nation, demographic information, disease characteristics, duration of diseases, treatment methods, treatment period, outcome measures, results and adverse events were collected for this study. Results A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were selected and analyzed. The total effective rate of the treatment group treated with herbal medicine was significantly higher than that of the control group. In the other outcome measures, the treatment group also showed statistically significant differences in improving the outcome measures compared to the control group, or showed similar treatment effects to the control group. The most commonly used herbal medicines were Carthami Flos (紅花), Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸), Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker f. (白芷), Astragali Radix (黃芪), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (甘草), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (丹參), Persicae Semen (桃仁), Araliae Continentalis Radix (獨活), Tribuli Fructus (白蒺藜), Psoraleae Semen (補骨脂) etc. Hardly any severe adverse events were reported from the trials selected. Conclusions Based on the results of the clinical studies, herbal medicine treatment could be an effective and safe option for vitiligo treatment and symptom improvement.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.464-470
• /
• 2016

This paper presents a speech recognition database verification system using speech measures, and describes a speech measure extraction algorithm which is applied to this system. In our previous study, to produce an effective speech quality measure for the system, we propose a combination of various speech measures which are highly correlated with WER (Word Error Rate). The new combination of various types of speech quality measures in this study is more effective to predict the speech recognition performance compared to each speech measure alone. In this paper, we increase the system independency by employing GMM acoustic score instead of HMM score which is obtained by a secondary speech recognition system. The combination with GMM score shows a slightly lower correlation with WER compared to the combination with HMM score, however it presents a higher relative improvement in correlation with WER, which is calculated compared to the correlation of each speech measure alone.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The present study has two aims; firstly, it attempts to verify the presence of oxidative stress by estimating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in periodontal pockets ${\geq}5$ mm as compared to controls. The second aim is to evaluate the effect of lycopene as a locally delivered antioxidant gel on periodontal health and on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative injury. Methods: Thirty-one subjects participated in this study. In the pretreatment phase, the ROS levels in pockets ${\geq}5$ mm were measured by flow cytometry. Three sites in each subject were randomly assigned into each of the following experimental groups: sham group, only scaling and root planing (SRP) was done; placebo group, local delivery of placebo gel after SRP; and lycopene group, local delivery of lycopene gel after SRP. Clinical parameters included recording site-specific measures of GCF 8-OHdG, plaque, gingivitis, probing depth, and clinical attachment level. Results: The gel, when delivered to the sites with oxidative stress, was effective in increasing clinical attachment and in reducing gingival inflammation, probing depth, and 8-OHdG levels as compared to the placebo and sham sites. Conclusions: From this trial conducted over a period of 6 months, it was found that locally delivered lycopene seems to be effective in reducing the measures of oxidative stress and periodontal disease.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.136-146
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there was a gender difference in motivating university students to decrease their sodium intake and to identify effective motivating factors. Within the protection motivation theory (PMT) framework, a survey questionnaire was developed to measure participants' perceptions on the severity of and the vulnerability to risk of serious diseases due to the high sodium intake, as well as the effectiveness (response efficacy) and the ability to perform preventive measures (self-efficacy). Behavioral intentions on five specific practices (checking nutrition label, consuming more fruits and vegetables, consuming less soups, avoiding spicy and pungent food, purchasing less instant or restaurant foods) related to decreasing sodium intake were also included. A total of 294 usable response data were collected from university students (92 male, 202 female) in Busan and Gyeongnam in June 2015 and analyzed using IBM SPSS 22. Severity was the highest (4.04) PMT factor followed by response efficacy (3.72), self-efficacy (3.42), and vulnerability (3.26). Compared to male students, female students thought that the threat was more severe (t=6.035, p<0.001) and reducing sodium intake would be effective to prevent serious illnesses (t=4.724, p<0.001), but their vulnerability and self-efficacy perceptions were not different from male students. Among the five items measuring behavioral intention, female students were more likely to increase fruits and vegetables consumption (t=3.811, p<0.001), while male students were more likely to avoid spicy and pungent foods (t=2.336, p=0.020). Based on findings of this study, the recommended strategy to effectively motivate university students to lower their sodium consumption level is the development of campaign focused on increased vulnerability perception, response efficacy, and ease of practicing preventive measures instead of emphasizing the severity of the consequences.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2013

There is still a considerable burden of occupational diseases and injuries in the world. It is not well known which interventions can effectively reduce the exposures at work that cause this burden. The objective of this article is to summarize evidence from systematic reviews of interventions to prevent occupational diseases and injuries. We included systematic reviews of interventions to reduce the incidence of work-related cancer, dust-related diseases, occupational asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, noise induced hearing loss, back pain, and occupational injuries. We searched Medline and Embase with predefined search strategies to locate systematic reviews of these interventions. We found 23 systematic reviews of which the results are also applicable to low- and middle income countries. Effective measures to reduce exposure leading to work-related cancer, dust-related diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, noise, and injuries are available. However, better implementation of these measures is needed. Regulation, enforcement of regulation, and incentives for employers are effective interventions to achieve this goal. There is evidence that feedback and rewards for workers help in reducing occupational injuries. There is no evidence in many studies that back pain can be prevented. Personal protective equipment technically has the potential to reduce exposure but this is difficult to put into effect. There is no evidence in the studies regarding the effectiveness of education and training, preventive drugs, or health examinations. There is evidence that the implementation of technical measures enforced by regulation can prevent occupational diseases and injuries. For other interventions such as education or health examinations, there is no evidence that supports their effectiveness. More systematic reviews are needed in the area of injury prevention.