• The Journal of Health Technology Assessment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to investigate regional variations of mastication difficulty rates in the elderly over 65 in 229 primary autonomous districts in Korea and explore relevant characteristics. For the research data, local community health survey conducted in 2015 and data from Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Health & Welfare, National Health Insurance Service and Statistics Korea were used. Methods: Frequency analysis was conducted for general characteristics and mastication difficulty rates of each region, and distribution of mastication difficulty rates was displayed for each town, city and province by mapping them. Extremal quotient (EQ), coefficient of variation (CV) values were calculated for regional variations, and logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal the relationship between each independent variable and mastication difficulty rates. Results: The average of standardized mastication difficulty rate was 46.78%, and regional variations were significant with EQ 3.46, CV 0.18. Characteristic factors that have significant effects on mastication difficulty rate included sex ratio, elderly population and the number of dentists per 10000 people. Conclusion: As a result, there were variations among mastication difficulty rates in 229 primary local governments across the country, and the distribution of health care resources by the characteristics of the local environment by region affected mastication difficulty rates. Accordingly, it is required to provide political supports to overcome regional inequality of oral health levels and develop cooperative system between local governments and local dentists.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 1994

The objective of this study were to measure concentrations of indoor pollutants in public transportation systems to provide importance of indoor air quality in transportation systems to policy makers. Indoor air quality of the pollutants (CO, CO$_2$, PM-10) and environmental sources (temperature, humidity) were measured at subway, seat-type bus, and city-type bus in the Seoul area from April to September 1992. The same pollutants and environmental sources were also measured at selected bus stops and subway stations during October 1991-September 1992. The mean concentrations of indoor pollutants in the public transportation systems were showed 115.5 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in PM-10, 6.8 ppm in CO, and 2167.9 ppm in CO$_2$, respectively. The mean values of PM-10 and CO showed below the U.S. 24 hour standard value of PM-10 and the Korea ambient CO standard, while the mean concentrations of CO$_2$ exceeded the Korea CO$_2$ standard. The highest levels of indoor concentration at public transportation systems were PM-10 of 134.6 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in the subway, CO of 8.9 ppm in the city-type bus, CO$_2$ of 2,511.1ppm in seat-type bus, respectively. The results showed that indoor air quality in bus and subway seemed likely to be affected by number of passengers and outdoor air infiltrated from exhausted gases of automobiles.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1996

This study was conducted to evaluate breakthrough characteristics of respirator cartridge using multi-organic vapors, including carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, and toluene. The organic vapors were used as single phase, binary system, and ternary system. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Organic vapors studied were 1,000 ppm, 750 ppm, 500 ppm and 250 ppm in single phase. Carbon tetrachloride having the highest molecular weight showed the breakthrough first, and breakthrough sequency by organic vapor was dependent on its molecular weight. The 10% breakthrough times at 1,000 ppm of organic vapor were 97 minutes for carbon tetrachloride, 129 minutes for trichloroethylene and 135 minutes for toluene. 2. When concentrations of organic vapors were at levels of the Threshold Limit Values, the lives of the respirator cartridges were 122 hours in carbon tetrachloride, 18 hours in trichloroethylene and 28 hours in toluene. 3. In the binary system at a total concentration of 1,000 ppm with carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene, breakthrough times ranged from 104 minutes to 125 minutes, which were longer than 97 minutes in a single phase (1,000 ppm) for carbon tetrachloride, but shorter than breakthrough times for TCE and Toluene. 4. Breakthrough times in the binary system with carbon tetrachloride and toluene were 131~132 minutes. 5. Breakthrough times in the ternary system with carbon tetrachloride, toluene, and trichloroethyl ene were $120{\pm}8$ minutes, which were longer than 97 minutes in the single phase (1,000 ppm) for carbon tetrachloride, equal to 129 minutes for trichloroethylene, and shorter than 135 minutes for toluene. Those were almost similar to $124{\pm}9$ minutes of breakthrough times in the binary systems.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.216-225
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• 1994

The cost of hospice care should be covered by the insurance system if it is to be promoted in our country and this, in turn, requires a proper method to the estimate of this cost. The purpose of this study was to set up the method to estimate the cost of hospice care. First the cost effectiveness of hospice care were studied. By tracing the activities of hospice nurses for a given period, all the relevant data such as the scope and load of activities as well as the cost were collected. Then these were analysed and compared with the data obtained from hospice and home care. The results showed that the cost of hospice care was the most economic, and indicate its qualification as .1n in-dependent system. The main part of the cost of hospice care was found to be the labor cost which was up to 83% of the total. Therefore a method to estimate the cost should reflect the real labor cost. Several methods have been proposed in the study in terms of unit labor cost, service time, material cost, and the weight of the labor cost. All variables, including the service time surveyed in this study, can easily be translated into numerical values and it would not difficult to estmate the cost of hospice care. Hence by letting the hospice care be insured, hospice care can be expected to function as a good alternative to the present medical system.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2006

Statement of problem: The previous unilateral bite force recorder has several limitations for taking long time for measuring and causing discomfort to subjects. Because of these reasons, it could not use widely for epidemiological researches. However, 'Dental Prescale System' which is new equipment for measuring bite force, is more convenient for measuring bite force than previous unilateral recorder. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare a new technique(Dental Prescale System) using pressure sensitive foils for recording of maximal jaw closing force with conventional measurement using unilateral bite force recorder Material and method: This studies included 22 healthy dental students in college of dentistry Yonsei university in Rep of Korea. Mean age was 23.9 years. All subjects had continuous dental arches and no significant malocclusion or signs from the teeth and craniomandibular system. The Dental Prescale System (Fuji Film, Tokyo, Japan) consists of a horseshoe-shaped pressure sensitive sheet (50H, R type) and a computerized scanning system.(FPD705) We also used unilateral bite force recorder(Denbotics Co. Seoul, Rep.Korea) for comparing with Dental Prescale. Results and conclusion: The total bite force recorded with Dental Prescale System (1423 N) was systematically higher than that recorded by unilateral bite force recorder. (256 N) However, the maximum bite force values measured in the two ways were significantly correlated (r=0.46, p<0.05). The Dental Prescale bite force calculated for first molar (208 N) was lower than that recorded by unilateral bite force recorder. (256 N) The two values were also very significantly correlated. (r=0.66. p<0.001) There were significantly different in bite force between two measurement methods. The reasons were first, unilateral bite force recorder measured only the bite force of a part of teeth, and Dental Prescale measured the total teeth force. Second, in measurement, a difference in muscle contraction appeared by an extent of mouth-opening. Third, unilateral bite force recorder has the reducing effect of the bite force by protective tape. Fourth, Dental Prescale has limitations during the computer scanning procedure. Therefore, Dental Prescale System is considered to be a very promising alternative to be conventional bite force recording methods.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.84-89
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• 2023

Background: Food consumption is one of the most important routes for radionuclide intake for the public; therefore, there is the need to have a comprehensive understanding of the amount of radioactivity in food products. Consumption of radionuclide-contaminated food could increase potential health risks associated with exposure to radiation such as cancers. The present study aims to determine radioactivity levels in some food products (milk, rice, sugar, and wheat flour) consumed in Mali and to evaluate the radiological effect on the public health from these radionuclides. Materials and Methods: The health impact due to ingestion of radionuclides from these foods was evaluated by the determination of activity concentration of radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs using gamma spectrometry system with high-purity germanium detector and radiological hazards index in 16 samples collected in some markets, mall, and shops of Bamako-Mali. Results and Discussion: The average activity concentrations were 9.8±0.6 Bq/kg for ²³⁸U, 8.7±0.5 Bq/kg for ²³²Th, 162.9±7.9 Bq/kg for ⁴⁰K, and 0.0035±0.0005 Bq/kg for ¹³⁷Cs. The mean values of radiological hazard parameters such as annual committed effective dose, internal hazard index, and risk assessment from this work were within the dose criteria limits given by international organizations (International Commission on Radiological Protection and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) and national standards. Conclusion: The results show low public exposure to radioactivity and associated radiological impact on public health. Nevertheless, this study stipulates vital data for future research and regulatory authorities in Mali.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was investigated the characteristics of small-scale water works (SWW) in Gyeongnam area and conduct a health risk assessment of water-quality inspection items unfitted for water-quality standards (WQS). Methods: The characteristics of SWW in Gyeongnam province were analyzed using the data of SWW in the last three years (2014~2016) published in National Waterworks Information System. In addition, the health risk assessment for inspection items unfitted for WQS was carried out in four steps: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Results: The total number of SWW in Gyeongnam area was gradually decreased from 2014 to 2016. In addition, drinking water sources of SWW were in the order of ground water, valley water, spring water, surface water, and river-bed water. The number of points unfitted for WQS in SWW by year was 22, 45, and 18 in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively, and a total of 112 points were found to unfit for WQS in SWW during 2014~2016. The hazard quotient (HQ) for fluoride, nitrate nitrogen, boron in the unfitted points for WQS was more than 1.0, and the mean values for turbidity and color in points unfitted for WQS were 2.38 nephelometric turbidity unit and 16.25 color unit, respectively. Conclusions: The HQ for fluorine, nitrate nitrogen and boron was more than 1.0 in points unfitted for WQS among SWW in Gyeongnam area, and the turbidity and the color degree exceeded WQS, which mean that there is a possibility of harmful impacts on the human health.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.97-121
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• 2004

Recently, human embryonic stem cell research raises exciting public expectation on medical possibilities as well as ethical debate. Embryo management has become an integral part of the management of infertility treatment, researches on embryo and human embryonic stem cells and so on. Britain has permitted the research on stem cells derived from human embryo which made the first nation to allow the cloning of human embryo for the stem cell research. However, new technologies such as the assisted reproductive technologies and human embryonic stem cell research continue to pose an increasing source of ethical dilemmas for physician, scientists, legislators, religious authorities and the general publics to deal with. None the less, the United Kingdom has adopted the most liberal policies regarding human embryo and human embryonic stem cell research. The implication of the British embryo management system are as follows: 1) the development of reproductive technologies and new stem cell research technologies continue to pose legal and ethical debates, since those involve several parties; 2) the UK has taken the legal and institutional approaches to cope with those serious issues; 3) the UK adopted most liberal policies regarding embryonic and human embryonic stem cell researches; 4) the British HFE Act is consistent with the existing Acts related to human embryo management and researches; 5) through amending the HFE Act to accomodate the changes of technologies, the UK try to minimize the legal and ethical burden on undertaking research regarding embryo. The debates about the researches on human embryo and human embryonic stem cells is likely to continue in the Korean society. Because of the controversy and competing ethical values, as well as the evolving technologies, so far no consensus exists in our society. It suggest that it is premature to bring closure by ruling out any particular approaches. Thus our society needs to make an efforts to find a basis which could resolve the societal controversies through enriching the societal conversation about the profound ethical issues regarding embryo management.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.1 s.23
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• pp.61-69
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• 1988

In this study, the number of physicians presently living in Korea was thoroughly estimated by several means and, on this basis, their productivity and level of supply were estimated. The results were as follows First, the number of physicians who did not notify the Korea Medical Association in May 1987 were 10,110, including 4,093 emigrant physicians(40.5%) ,861 military medical officers,745 public health doctors, and 107 deceased physicians. A total of 1,330 physicians could not be identified by any effort. Second, among the 34,897 registered physicians as of May 1987, 29,933(85.8%) were residing in Korea, 4,115 physicians(11.8%) had emigrated to other countries, and 849 physicians(2.4%) were deceased. Practicing physicians difined as those in Korea who were not retired, serving in the military, or completing residencies or internships, comprised 78.6%(27,414 physicians) of the total number of registered physicians. Third, it is estimated that in the year 2000 the number of registered physicians, physicians residing in Korea, and practicing physician will be 75,040, 64,038, and 57,655, respectively and these are increases of 115.0%, 113.9%, and 110.3%, respectively, compared to 1987. Fourth, the population physician ratio will be 759 to one physician in the year 2000. Fifth, the productivity of physicians, as calculated by relative values defining the productivity of 35 to 44 year-old male physicians as 10, will increase 110.7% in the year 2000 compare to that of 1987, and this increment is almost the same level as that of physician supply. From the results of the present analysis of physician manpower and supply projection, it can be recognized that the development of a regular notification system is necessary in order to identify precisely the number of physicians. Also a policy of physician supply is essential in order to adjust in advance the number of physicians, otherwise there will be surplus to the medical demand.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2006

The principal aim of this field study was to determine the concentrations and emissions of gaseous contaminants such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the different types of pig buildings in Korea and allow objective comparison between Korea and the other countries in terms of pig housing types. This field study was performed from May to June and from September to October in 2002. Pig buildings investigated in this research were selected in terms of three criteria; manure removal system, ventilation mode and growth stage of pig. Measurements of concentration and emission of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings were done in 5 housing types and the visited farms were 15 sites per each housing type. Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were measured at three locations of the central alley in the pig building and emission rates of them were estimated by multiplying the average concentration($mg/m^3$) measured near the air outlet by the mean ventilation rate($m^3/h$) and expressed either per pig of liveweight 75kg(mg/h/pig) or per area($mg/h/m^2$). Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings were averaged to 7.5 ppm and 286.5 ppb and ranged from 0.8 to 21.4 ppm and from 45.8 to 1,235 ppb, respectively. The highest concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were found in the mechanically ventilated buildings with slats; 12.1 ppm and 612.8 ppb, while the lowest concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were found in the pig buildings with deep-litter bed system(2.2 ppm) and the naturally ventilated pig buildings with manure removal system by scraper(115.2 ppb), respectively(p<0.05). All the pig buildings were investigated not to exceed the threshold limit values(TLVs) of ammonia(25 ppm) and hydrogen sulfide(10 ppm). The mean emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide per pig(75kg in terms of liveweight) and area($m^2$) from pig buildings were 250.2 mg/h/pig and 37.8 mg/h/pig and $336.3mg/h/m^2$ and $50.9mg/h/m^2$, respectively. The pig buildings with deep-litter bed system showed the lowest emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide(p<0.05). However, the emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from the other pig buildings were not significantly different(p>0.05). Concentrations and emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were relatively higher in the pig buildings managed with deep-pit manure system with slats and mechanical ventilation mode than the different pig housing types. In order to prevent pig farm workers from adverse health effect caused by exposure to ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in pig buildings, they should wear the respirators during shift and be educated sustainably for the guideline related to occupational safety.