• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.367-376
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the current status of work performance of public health doctors(PHDs) involved in quarantine of COVID-19, and to suggest a plan to support PHDs for effective national epidemic prevention and control in the future. As a result of the study, it was found that PHDs mainly performed sample collection, interview, and treatment. 39% of PHDs worked in places without negative pressure facilities, and personal protective equipment and welfare support were poor. In addition, it was investigated that they experienced high-risk infectious diseases, mental distress, exclusion from the decision-making process, conflicts with officials, problems with work guidelines, and lack of prior education. For effective infectious disease management, it is necessary to assign appropriate ranks and to participate in the decision-making process for quarantine, to specify appropriate compensation and regulations, to education, and to support mental health.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.105-111
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• 2014

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) refer to various types of amplification equipment designed to improve the communication of individuals with hard of hearing to enhance the accessibility to speech signal when individual hearing instruments are not sufficient. There are many types of ALDs to overcome a triangle of speech to noise ratio (SNR) problems, noise, distance, and reverberation. ALDs vary in their internal electronic mechanisms ranging from simple hard-wire microphone-amplifier units to more sophisticated broadcasting systems. They usually use microphones to capture an audio source and broadcast it wirelessly over a frequency modulation (FM), infra-red, induction loop, or other transmission techniques. The seven types of ALDs are introduced including hardwire devices, FM sound system, infra-red sound system, induction loop system, telephone listening devices, television, and alert/alarm system. Further development of digital wireless technology in hearing instruments will make possible direct communication with ALDs without any accessories in the near future. There are two technology solutions for digital wireless hearing instruments improving SNR and convenience. One is near-field magnetic induction combined with Bluetooth radio frequency (RF) transmission or proprietary RF transmission and the other is proprietary RF transmission alone. Recently launched digital wireless hearing aid applying this new technology can communicate from the hearing instrument to personal computer, phones, Wi-Fi, alert systems, and ALDs via iPhone, iPad, and iPod. However, it comes with its own iOS application offering a range of features but there is no option for Android users as of this moment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2023

Background: Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, often requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and eventually tracheostomy. Both procedures occur in isolation units where personal protective equipment is needed. Additionally, the high bleeding risk in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) places a great strain on surgeons. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) supported by ECMO, and compared the outcomes of patients with and without ECMO. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent elective PDT (n=29) from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. The patients were divided into ECMO and non-ECMO groups. Data were collected from electronic medical records at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Korea. Results: Twenty-nine COVID-19 patients underwent PDT (24 men [82.8%] and 5 women [17.2%]; median age, 61 years; range, 26-87 years; interquartile range, 54-71 years). The mean procedure time was 17±10.07 minutes. No clinically or statistically significant difference in procedure time was noted between the ECMO and non-ECMO groups (16.35±7.34 vs. 18.25±13.32, p=0.661). Overall, 12 patients (41.4%) had minor complications; 10 had mild subdermal bleeding from the skin incision, which was resolved with local gauze packing, and 2 (6.9%) had dislodgement. No healthcare provider infection was reported. Conclusion: Our PDT approach is safe for patients and healthcare providers. With bronchoscopy assistance, PDT can be performed quickly and easily even in isolation units and with acceptable risk, regardless of the hypo-coagulable condition of patients on ECMO.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.127-131
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• 2015

In spite of the socio-economic benefits of the construction industry, it accounts for many deaths, injuries and illnesses in many countries. In developing countries like Vietnam, the situation is even worse. Health and safety (H&S) management plays a crucial role in the efforts to improve H&S performance as it contributes to mitigating the risks of occupational injuries and illnesses. However, within the wider H&S literature in Vietnam, there is no insight into the current state of affairs of H&S management, particularly in terms of the management practices that need attention in order to improve H&S management across the construction sector. This study therefore presents the findings of an inquiry into the H&S management practices of contractors in Vietnam. The study employed a questionnaire survey which yielded 58 responses from contractors, particularly those operating in Southern Vietnam. Some commonly implemented H&S management practices by the contractors are: provision of personal protective equipment (94%), allocation of H&S supervisor on site (90%), and displaying of company H&S policy on construction sites, company website, and head/branch offices (86%). Some of the less implemented practices are: networking/engaging with other companies/institutions (e.g. government offices) about H&S issues (39%), rewarding workers for safe work behaviour (39%), reviewing and updating H&S plans (48%), and displaying regulatory H&S posters on site (45%). The findings have provided some insight into the current state of affairs of the H&S management practices of contractors in Southern Vietnam and could thus inform efforts by industry stakeholders to improve the aspects of H&S management that are lagging.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.439-446
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• 2023

Objectives: The aims of this study are to investigate how X-rays are emitted to surrounding parts during the ion implantation process, to analyze these emissions in relation to the properties of the ion implanter equipment, and to estimate the resulting exposure dose. Eight ion implanters equipped with high-voltage electrical systems were selected for this study. Methods: We monitored X-ray emissions at three locations outside of the ion implanters: the accelerator equipped with a high-voltage energy generator, the impurity ion source, and the beam line. We used a Personal Portable Dose Rate and Survey Meter to monitor real-time X-ray levels. The SX-2R probe, an X-ray Features probe designed for use with the Radiagem^TM meter, was also utilized to monitor lower ranges of X-ray emissions. The counts per second (CPS) measured by the meter were estimated and then converted to a radiation dose (𝜇Sv/hr) based on a validated calibration graph between CPS and μGy/hr. Results: X-rays from seven ion implanters were consistently detected in high-voltage accelerator gaps, regardless of their proximity. X-rays specifically emanated from three ion implanters situated in the ion box gap and were also found in the beam lines of two ion implanters. The intensity of these X-rays did not show a clear pattern relative to the devices' age and electric properties, and notably, it decreased as the distance from the device increased. Conclusions: In conclusion, every gap, in which three components of the ion implanter devices were divided, was found to be insufficiently shielded against X-ray emissions, even though the exposure levels were not estimated to be higher than the threshold.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.291-300
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• 2023

Purpose: The impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures in adults has been reported, with a drastic reduction in the number of procedures. However, there are no sufficient data regarding the impact on pediatric GI endoscopy. Here, we aimed to report that impact in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A questionnaire-based internet survey was conducted from June to November 2021 among pediatric endoscopy institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, with each institution providing a single response. Overall, 25 questions focused on the impact of the number of procedures conducted, the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and endoscopy training programs during the pandemic. Results: A total of 162 institutions across 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region participated in the study, and 133 (82.1%) institutions underwent procedure changes since the emergence of COVID-19. The number of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy procedures decreased in 118/133 (88.7%) and 112/133 (84.2%) institutions, respectively. Endoscopy for patient with positive COVID-19 in an emergency or urgent cases still carried out in 102/162 (62.9%) institutions. Screening of COVID-19 for all patients before endoscopy was done across 110/162 (67.9%) institutions. PPE recommendations varied among institutions. Pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy training programs were discontinued in 127/162 (78.4%) institutions. Conclusion: This study reports the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region. There has been a significant reduction in the number of endoscopic procedures and relevant training programs.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.99-108
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• 2023

As the computerization of hospitals becomes more advanced, security issues regarding data generated from various medical devices within hospitals are gradually increasing. For example, because hospital data contains a variety of personal information, attempts to attack it have been continuously made. In order to safely protect data from external attacks, each hospital has formed an internal team to continuously monitor whether the computer network is safely protected. However, there are limits to how humans can monitor attacks that occur on networks within hospitals in real time. Recently, artificial intelligence models have shown excellent performance in detecting outliers. In this paper, an experiment was conducted to verify how well an artificial intelligence model classifies normal and abnormal data in network traffic data generated from medical devices. There are several models used for outlier detection, but among them, Random Forest and Tabnet were used. Tabnet is a deep learning algorithm related to receive and classify structured data. Two algorithms were trained using open traffic network data, and the classification accuracy of the model was measured using test data. As a result, the random forest algorithm showed a classification accuracy of 93%, and Tapnet showed a classification accuracy of 99%. Therefore, it is expected that most outliers that may occur in a hospital network can be detected using an excellent algorithm such as Tabnet.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.168-175
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• 2011

Construction accidents are major problem in Turkish Construction industry and especially fatally rates are very high. Current legislative system on occupational safety in Turkey enforces employers to implement safety measures as well as safety management systems. However level of consciousness in the industry is unsatisfactory and safety are perceived as extra cost and unnecessary expenditure. Moreover, especially in small residential building constructions which have a big share in the industry and unfortunately safety measures to mitigate or abate construction risks do not exist. The study focuses on small residential building construction sites and in the scope of this study, thirty building projects are examined. For each building project, project cost including labour and material costs, service and consultancy costs for mechanical, electrical systems as well as architectural and structural services, costs for supervision and finally general expenditures for construction site facilities were calculated. On the other hand, occupational safety costs for personal protective equipment, collective protective measures, consultancy and training were determined. Work breakdown structures were established and for each work item firstly occupational risks were evaluated and furthermore according to risk scores safety measures to be implemented were defined and related costs were calculated. The study gave results for total safety cost on average, in terms of percentage of total project cost (3.73% of total project cost), safety cost per man-hour (0.40 USD) and safety cost in terms of unit construction area (11.60 USD per square meter). Since safety management is a part of whole project management process, study gives suggestions and techniques to calculate safety costs and implement safety measures as a part of project management service for professionals. Authors believe that suggested approach may easily developed by the usage of more data to establish a model for estimation not only for building construction sites but also for all construction projects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.152-160
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• 2024

We analyzed risk factors of coastal gillnet fishers during fishing process and considered work safety measures to reduce safety accidents during fishing using a UWB (ultra wideband) based positioning system. The static position accuracy of the UWB based positioning system was 45 cm. When entering a port, there is a risk of falling overboard. When casting a net, there was a risk of falling overboard due to being hit by fishing gear or guards, or getting caught in a buoy line or sinker line. When hauling a net, there is a risk of getting caught between fishing gear and net hauler, and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to repetitive work over a long period of time. Most safety accidents during work on fishing boats are blamed on human errors of the fisher and skipper, but safety accidents occur due to a mixture of mechanical and equipment factors, work and environmental factors, and management factors in addition to human errors. Therefore, the 4E were presented as countermeasures against the 4M, which are causes of safety accidents, and the proposed measures were used to identify risk factors for operation process, comply with work safety rules, and ensure the wearing of personal protective equipments. We need to reduce safety accidents during work by making it part of our daily routine. These research results can be used in the future for optimal placement of fishing gear and fishing nets in other coastal industries where safety accidents occur frequently.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.547-554
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to identify the relationship between bovine brucellosis prevalence, farmers' knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP), and social factors on migratory draft cattle and smallholder dairy farms in the central dry zone of Myanmar. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 54 migratory and 38 dairy cattle farms between August 2020 and February 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to identify farmers' behaviors. Bulk milk was sampled and tested using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA). STATA 17 was used for all the analyses. Results: Migratory cattle farms had a higher farm level brucellosis prevalence (14.8%) than dairy farms (2.6%; χ² = 3.75; df = 1; p = 0.05). Only 2.8% of the farmers had knowledge about brucellosis, while 39.1% and 41.6% had attitudes and farm practices with respect to brucellosis, respectively in the study area. Socio-economic attribute of training in animal husbandry (p<0.01), raising system (p<0.01), practice of separating the aborted cow (p<0.01) were negatively associated to brucellosis. The overall farm level brucellosis prevalence was strongly associated with cattle herd size (p = 0.01), free movement grazing practices (p<0.01), practice of self-removal of placental debris without using personal protective equipment (p<0.01) and farmers' attitudes towards eating cow placenta debris (p<0.01). Conclusion: Farmers had little knowledge of brucellosis. Attitudes and practices differed significantly between migratory and dairy farmers. Training and extension programs are necessary to make farmers aware of their KAP situation since livestock migration and the custom of eating cow placental debris contribute to the spread of brucellosis. Persistent efforts are required to reduce the adverse effects of brucellosis. Therefore, the study suggests that a feasible control intervention and public awareness campaigns need to be conducted regarding methods of preventing human exposure to brucellosis.