• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.3625-3634
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• 2014

This study was conducted to provide the basic data for the prevention and management of health risk of dental technicians by proposing the necessary data in the management of the health related quality of life of dental technicians. The subjects of the survey were 141 dental technicians working in 30 dental technical laboratories and corresponding companies in Daejeon area. A structured self-entry type questionnaire survey was implemented by measuring the work environment from December 20, 2011 to January 31, 2012 at the same time. The total score of health index showed a significant difference according to the working hours and smoking state as the a factor of the individual level, the physical health index showed a significant difference according to the smoking state and the exercise habits as the factor of the individual level. The mental health index showed a significant difference according to the working hours and smoking state as the factor of the individual level. The significant variable did not appear in the predictor of the group level. In conclusion, the quality of life of dental technicians in relation to health appeared to have a larger effect on the factor of the individual level than the factor of the group level.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.353-361
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare job satisfaction, quality of life (QOL), incident report rate and overtime hours for 12-hour shifts and for 8-hour shifts in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 36 staff nurses from a PICU in a regional hospital in Korea. Data were collected using self-administrated questionnaires regarding job satisfaction and QOL at 6 months before and after the beginning of 12-hour shifts. Incident report rate and overtime hours for both 12-hour and 8-hour shifts were compared. Comparisons were made using $x^2$-test, paired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: After 12-hour shifts were initiated, job satisfaction significantly increased (t=3.93, p<.001) and QOL was higher for nurses on 12-hour shifts compared to 8-hour (t=7.83, p<.001). There was no statistically significant change in incident report rate ($x^2=0.15$, p=.720). The overtimes decreased from $36.3{\pm}34.7$ to $17.3{\pm}34.9$ minutes (Z=-8.91, p<.001). Conclusion: These results provide evidence that 12-hour shifts can be an effective ways of scheduling for staff nurses to increase job satisfaction and quality of life without increasing patient safety incidents or prolonged overtime work hours.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.1-19
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• 2003

In Scandinavian countries, where the society experienced change of typical nuclear family structure and higher vocational activity rates of married women earlier than East Asian countries, cohousing scheme has been evolved as an alternative housing to reduce housework for working women, and to reduce loneliness of elderly people who stay in their own homes. They can promote active mutual relationship among residents in the community. Korean family structure has been stemmed to more like extended family, but the tendency to live independently from their married children is getting more and more common in new cohort of senior citizens who are active, healthy, economically stable and higher educated. Korea has been industrialized rather rapidly since 1970's and faces to many societal phenomena about quality of life for senior citizens. Introduction of alternative housing solution for these senior citizens is necessary in Korea. In this paper, Danish senior cohousing scheme, particularly, self-work model project is described about its design feature in accordance to site planning, common facility, and dwelling unit. Aiming to mutual support and more frequent social contacts among residents, self-work model cohousing scheme has different design concept from the service mode scheme. Information about design feature of senior cohousing was collected from the published data with drawings and from field survey to 10 exiting projects in Denmark. Of those, 5 projects were described as a case study. It, hopefully, could provide practical information for architectural design when establishment of senior cohousing schemes start in Korea in the near future.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.370-376
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• 2021

Backround: Working condition surveys are widely recognized as useful tools for monitoring the quality of working life and the improvements introduced by health and safety policy frameworks at the European and national level. The Italian Workers' Compensation Authority carried out a national survey (Insula) to investigate the employer's perceptions related to working conditions and their impact on health. Methods: The present study is based on the data collected from the Italian survey on health and safety at work (INSULA) conducted on a representative sample of the Italian workforce (n = 8,000). This focuses on the relationship between psychosocial risk factors and self-reported health using a set of logistic and linear regression models. Results: Working conditions such as managerial support, job satisfaction, and role act as protective factors on mental and physical health. On the contrary, workers' risk perceptions related to personal exposure to occupational safety and health risks, concern about health conditions, and work-related stress risk exposure determine a poorer state of health. Conclusions: This study highlights the link between working conditions and self-report health, and this aims to provide a contribution in the field of health at work. Findings show that working conditions must be object of specific preventive measures to improve the workers' health and well-being.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.382-398
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• 2017

This study was conducted to identify the potential of Quercus mongolica (QUM), Pinus densiflora (PID) and Pinus rigida (PIR) as a raw material for pellet production. Larix kaempferi (LAK), which has mostly been used for pellet production in Korea, was also used as a control. All specimens contained very minimal amounts of sulfur and chlorine. Ash content of LAK was the lowest, followed by PID, PIR and QUM. For the size distribution, the mass fraction between 0.42 mm and 0.25 mm was the highest in PIR. Most fuel characteristics of the produced wood pellets improved with the use of 12% moisture content (MC) particles and the increase of the ratio of length to diameter of a hole in flat-die (L/D ratio). When the MC, bulk density and durability of QUM, PID, PIR and LAK pellets was compared with the standards of the KFRI and ISO, the use of wood particles of 12% MC and flat-die with an L/D ratio of 5.00 for PID particles are suitable for high-quality pellets in the aspects of all fuel characteristics. For PIR and QUM, further work is needed to seek the optimum conditions for the production of high-quality and durable pellets.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2012

Objectives: To understand the personal experiences of mine workers that have experienced job relocation due to silicosis at the Andina Division of Corporaci$\acute{o}$n Nacional del Cobre (CODELCO), Chile. The purpose of the study was to provide useful information for the development of new local, business and public policies for the care of workers with silicosis. Methods: A qualitative study based on a practical case study of 5 workers. The information was collected by means of structured individual interviews. The method of analysis was phenomenology. Results: The corporal axis was the most commented upon. It included awareness of the illness, body pains, fatigue, and antagonistic mood disorders (sadness, or the difficulty in finding meaning in life). As far as personal relationships, there was evidence of strong relationships with family, coworkers and friends, as well as extended family. Over all, the experience of relocation was positive with periods of impatience and uncertainty. The job reassignment provided a new and pleasant context for the relocated workers and in the process improved their perception of their quality of life. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary team should attend mine workers relocated because of silicosis by addressing the mental and physical aspects of their disease, along with the integral participation of close family members. It is suggested that this investigation be maintain over time to record the personal experiences in the medium-term, adding new cases with the intention of shedding more light on the phenomenon being studied. As a preventive measure, continual workshops are needed on the proper use of respiratory protection in addition, a group of monitors is required.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2021

In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), social distancing and strict visitation policies at hospitals have made it difficult for medical staff to provide high-quality end-of-life (EOL) care to dying patients and their families. There are various issues related to EOL care, including psychological problems of patients and their families, difficulties in EOL decision-making, the complicated grief of the bereaved family, moral distress, and exhaustion of medical staff. In relation to these issues, we aimed to discuss practical considerations in providing high-quality EOL care in the COVID-19 pandemic. First, medical staff should discuss advance care planning as early as possible and use the parallel planning strategy. Second, medical staff should play a role in facilitating patient-family communication. Third, medical staff should actively and proactively evaluate and alleviate dying patients' symptoms using non-verbal communication. Lastly, medical staff should provide care for family members of the dying patient, who may be particularly vulnerable to post-bereavement problems in the COVID-19 era. Establishing a system of screening high-risk individuals for complicated grief and connecting them to bereavement support services might be considered. Despite the challenging and limited environment, providing EOL care is essential for patients to die with dignity in peace and for the remaining family to return to life after the loved one's death. Efforts considering the practical issues faced by all medical staff and healthcare institutions caring for dying patients should be made.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2009

Recently, concrete track is replacing ballast track for efficient and economic maintenance of track. It considerably offer less maintenance, a longer service life and reduced life-cycle costs. With the aim of achieving high-quality track construction work, of developing tools for quality assurance in new construction and for later technical inspection of material condition, a quality strategy has to be developed. For these purpose, NDT which is using the seismic wave has carried out in situ studies in the test construction section. The used NDT are SASW test, impact echo test and continuous impact echo test. The test is performed 5,353 times on 49 pre-cast concrete track panels to verify the stiffness structure and grouting efficiency of the track structure. To conclude, because of the non-homogeneous characteristic of concrete material. it is restricted to apply the elastic wave test at some aspect. However it is possible to acquisite a sufficient reliability about structural stiffness and grouting efficiency of concrete track.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.23-30
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• 2021

This study is a study on the satisfaction of the living conditions of the residents of Chungcheongnam-do, and the analysis data was based on the results of the Chungcheongnam-do social survey conducted in 2020 by Statistics Korea. The results of the analysis on the satisfaction of the living conditions of the residents of Chungnam Province are summarized as follows. The level of satisfaction with the quality of life of the living environment, which is a personal characteristic, was 5.92 out of 10 for the degree of satisfaction with one's life, and 6.28 out of 10 for the overall value of the work one is doing. The overall life satisfaction of the region (city and gun) was analyzed as 5.81 out of 10, indicating that the satisfaction of Chungnam residents was more than average. In addition, satisfaction with the residential housing environment was analyzed with the highest frequency and ratio of 43.5%, with 226 people being slightly satisfied. Satisfaction with facility use was also slightly higher in 231 people, showing 44.5% response rate, and slightly higher in women than in men. This study is meaningful in that it provides basic data such as policy implications for improving the quality of life by grasping the social interests related to the quality of life and the subjective consciousness of the people of Chungnam.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.175-199
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• 2007

The study analyzes the characteristics, work stress, satisfaction and attitudes toward dementia of social care work force for dependent elders in Korea. Data were from 502 staffs including social workers, nurses, and direct care workers from 45 diverse type of nursing facilities in Busan and Daegu area. The results of the analysis indicate that they are low paid and overloaded in general. The respondents espoused highly hopeful and person-centered attitudes toward dementia and the elderly, while they showed low level of satisfaction related to work. The stress levels were higher in sub scales concerning care tasks and physical environments in work places. In addition, the results of multiple regression denote that those have higher level of satisfaction who are nurses, have no intension to quit, have more experiences of work education, and working in facilities with more frail elders. Stresses were closely related to higher level of education and the intension to quit. Person centered attitude was more often reported by those who have more elderly clients to take care of and are working in facilities with more elders who are demented and over 80. In particular, the association was consistent between higher level of job satisfaction and the person centered attitude. Several practical suggestions linked to the analysis were made including improving the welfare for staffs working in nursing facilities and providing continuous professional training and education for them particularly on person-centered care. In addition, it was emphasized to raise the morale of social care work force considering the rapidly increasing need of long term care and the important influence that care work force has on older persons' quality of life from now on.