• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.375-387
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• 2012

The objective of this study is investigation of contamination levels and assessment of health risk effects of heavy metals in herbal pills. 31 Items and 93 samples were obtained for this investigation from major herbal medicine producing areas, herbal markets and on-line supermarkets from Jan to Jun in 2010. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method was conducted for the quantitative analysis of Pb, Cd and As. In addition, the mercury analyzer system was conducted for that of Hg without sample digestion. The average contents of heavy metals in samples were as follows : 0.87 mg/kg for Pb, 0.08 mg/kg for Cd, 2.87 mg/kg for As and 0.16 mg/kg for Hg, respectively. In addition, the average contents of heavy metals in different parts of plants, including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were 0.63 mg/kg, 3.94 mg/kg, 1.42 mg/kg, 1.05 mg/kg, 0.16 mg/kg, 22.31 mg/kg and 10.17 mg/kg, respectively. After the estimations of dietary exposure, the acceptable daily intake (ADI), the average daily dose (ADD), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and the relative hazard of heavy metals were evaluated. As the results, the relative hazards compared to PTWI in samples were below the recommended standard of JECFA as Pb 3.1%, Cd 0.9%, Hg 0.5%. Cancer risks through slope factor (SF) by Ministry of Environment Republic Korea and Environmental Protection Agency was $4.24{\times}10^{-7}$ for Pb and $3.38{\times}10^{-4}$ for As (assuming that the total arsenic content was equal to the inorganic arsenic). Based on our results, possible Pb-induced cancer risks in herbal pills according to parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.95{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.45{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.14{\times}10^{-7}$, $6.27{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.99{\times}10^{-8}$, $3.61{\times}10^{-7}$ and $9.64{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Possible As-induced cancer risks in herbal pills by parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.54{\times}10^{-5}$, $7.24{\times}10^{-5}$, $1.23{\times}10^{-4}$, $2.02{\times}10^{-5}$, $3.25{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.18{\times}10^{-3}$ and $5.67{\times}10^{-6}$ respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that the majority of samples except for some samples with relative high contents of heavy metals were safe.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

For the development of qualitative PCR detection method of genetically modified (CM) rice, rice species-specific gene, OsCc-1 (rice cytochrome c gene), was selected as suitable far use as an endogenous gene in rice. The primer pair OsCytC-5'/3'with 111 bp amplicon was used for PCR amplification of the rice endogenous gene, OsCc-1 and no amplified product was observed from 8 different crops as templates. Qualitative PCR method was carried out with stack traits of L528$\times$CryIAc1 GM rice developed in Korea. For the qualitative PCRs, some primer pairs were designed with a construct-specific and event-specific type based on T-DNA and junction sequences of T-DNA in GM rice. Actck-5'/3' amplifying between actin promoter and OsCK1 gene introduced in LS28 gave rise to an amplicon 306 bp; also, CrLB-5'/3' from CryIAcl and CKRB-5'/3'amplifying the junction region of T-DNA and genome sequence from LS28 as event-specific primers gave rise to an amplicon 142 bp and 91 bp, respectively. These primer pairs for the detection of event-specific targets not produced PCR amplicons on non-CM rice and various crops in contrast to event lines. Therefore, in this study we verified that event-specific primers were effective to specifically detect stack trait lines and demonstrated that this method presented could be provided with the detection-method data for risk assessment analysis of GM rice to be commercialized.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.77-100
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• 2015

This study examined the factors that influence the smartphone user's decision to accept the personalized mobile advertisement. As a theoretical basis, we applied the privacy calculus model (PCM) that illustrates how consumers are engaged in a dynamic adjustment process in which privacy risks are weighted against benefits of information disclosure. In particular, we investigated how smartphone users make a risk-benefit assessment under which personalized service as benefit-side factor and information privacy risks as a risk-side factor accompanying their acceptance of advertisements. Further, we extend the current PCM by considering advertisement fatigue as a new factor that may influence the user's acceptance. The research model with five (5) hypotheses was tested using data gathered from 215 respondents through a quasi-experimental survey method. During the survey, each participant was asked to navigate the website where the experimental simulation of a mobile advertisement service was provided. The results showed that three (3) out of five (5) hypotheses were supported. First, we found that the intention to accept advertisements is positively and significantly influenced by the perceived value of personalization. Second, perceived advertisement fatigue was also found to be a strong predictor of the intention to accept advertisements. However, we did not find any evidence of direct influence of privacy risks. Finally, we found that the significant moderating effect between the perceived value of personalization and advertisement fatigue. This suggests that the firms should provide effective tailored advertisement that can increase the perceived value of personalization to mitigate the negative impacts of advertisement fatigue.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2020

In this study, we investigated pesticide residues in 207 agricultural products distributed by direct trade in the northern area of Gyeonggi Province. A total of 94 general agricultural products and 113 eco-friendly agricultural products collected from local grocers and cooperative stores were analyzed by multiresidue method for 263 pesticides using GC (gas chromatography)/ECD (electron capture detector), GC/NPD (nitrogen phosphorus detector), GC-MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometry), LC (liquid chromatography)/PDA (photodiode array detector), LC/FLD (fluorescence detector), LC-MS/MS. All samples showing pesticide residues were general agricultural products collected from local food stores. The pesticide residue levels of 14 samples (6.8%) were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) and one of them (0.5%) exceeded the MRLs. Sixteen pesticides were detected from samples of the following produce items: spinach, young cabbage, perilla leaves, mallow, cucumber, chives and water dropwort. The safety of the detected pesticides was assessed by monitoring the daily intake estimate (EDI) and the daily intake allowance (ADI) based on the amount of pesticides detected. The ADI percentage range (the ratio of EDI to ADI) was 0.0134-61.6259% and there was no health risk connected with consuming agricultural products in which pesticide residues were detected.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.7-29
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• 2012

Smartphone and its applications (i.e. apps) are increasingly penetrating consumer markets. According to a recent report from Korea Communications Commission, nearly 50% of mobile subscribers in South Korea are smartphone users that accounts for over 25 million people. In particular, the importance of smartphone has risen as a geospatially-aware device that provides various location-based services (LBS) equipped with GPS capability. The popular LBS include map and navigation, traffic and transportation updates, shopping and coupon services, and location-sensitive social network services. Overall, the emerging location-based smartphone apps (LBA) offer significant value by providing greater connectivity, personalization, and information and entertainment in a location-specific context. Conversely, the rapid growth of LBA and their benefits have been accompanied by concerns over the collection and dissemination of individual users' personal information through ongoing tracking of their location, identity, preferences, and social behaviors. The majority of LBA users tend to agree and consent to the LBA provider's terms and privacy policy on use of location data to get the immediate services. This tendency further increases the potential risks of unprotected exposure of personal information and serious invasion and breaches of individual privacy. To address the complex issues surrounding LBA particularly from the user's behavioral perspective, this study applied the privacy calculus model (PCM) to explore the factors that influence the adoption of LBA. According to PCM, consumers are engaged in a dynamic adjustment process in which privacy risks are weighted against benefits of information disclosure. Consistent with the principal notion of PCM, we investigated how individual users make a risk-benefit assessment under which personalized service and locatability act as benefit-side factors and information privacy risks act as a risk-side factor accompanying LBA adoption. In addition, we consider the moderating role of trust on the service providers in the prohibiting effects of privacy risks on user intention to adopt LBA. Further we include perceived ease of use and usefulness as additional constructs to examine whether the technology acceptance model (TAM) can be applied in the context of LBA adoption. The research model with ten (10) hypotheses was tested using data gathered from 98 respondents through a quasi-experimental survey method. During the survey, each participant was asked to navigate the website where the experimental simulation of a LBA allows the participant to purchase time-and-location sensitive discounted tickets for nearby stores. Structural equations modeling using partial least square validated the instrument and the proposed model. The results showed that six (6) out of ten (10) hypotheses were supported. On the subject of the core PCM, H2 (locatability ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) and H3 (privacy risks ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) were supported, while H1 (personalization ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) was not supported. Further, we could not any interaction effects (personalization X privacy risks, H4 & locatability X privacy risks, H5) on the intention to use LBA. In terms of privacy risks and trust, as mentioned above we found the significant negative influence from privacy risks on intention to use (H3), but positive influence from trust, which supported H6 (trust ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA). The moderating effect of trust on the negative relationship between privacy risks and intention to use LBA was tested and confirmed by supporting H7 (privacy risks X trust ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA). The two hypotheses regarding to the TAM, including H8 (perceived ease of use ${\rightarrow}$ perceived usefulness) and H9 (perceived ease of use ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) were supported; however, H10 (perceived effectiveness ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) was not supported. Results of this study offer the following key findings and implications. First the application of PCM was found to be a good analysis framework in the context of LBA adoption. Many of the hypotheses in the model were confirmed and the high value of $R^2$ (i.,e., 51%) indicated a good fit of the model. In particular, locatability and privacy risks are found to be the appropriate PCM-based antecedent variables. Second, the existence of moderating effect of trust on service provider suggests that the same marginal change in the level of privacy risks may differentially influence the intention to use LBA. That is, while the privacy risks increasingly become important social issues and will negatively influence the intention to use LBA, it is critical for LBA providers to build consumer trust and confidence to successfully mitigate this negative impact. Lastly, we could not find sufficient evidence that the intention to use LBA is influenced by perceived usefulness, which has been very well supported in most previous TAM research. This may suggest that more future research should examine the validity of applying TAM and further extend or modify it in the context of LBA or other similar smartphone apps.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.549-556
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• 2017

This study compared the spatial scattered dose distribution according to whether the recently developed radiation shielding is used or not in order to understand the spatial scattered dose distribution of C-arm. The horizontal side distribution increased by $30^{\circ}$ in the interval of the radius 50 cm on the height of 95 cm based on the head of the patient, and it was measured by increasing $30^{\circ}$ with the interval of 50 cm in the vertical side of each horizontal side. In the same method, the radiation shielding was installed and measured. The result of measurement shows that the horizontal side of 50 cm distance was $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ and $180^{\circ}$, was $1.77{\pm}0.12$, $1.90{\pm}0.13$, $2.12{\pm}0.14$, and $2.69{\pm}0.15mSv/h$ in the $270^{\circ}$ direction, and was $1.59{\pm}0.12$, $0.99{\pm}0.09$, $1.47{\pm}0.11$, and $1.37{\pm}0.11mSv/h$ after the use of the radiation shielding. In addition, the vertical distribution in horizontal direction $90^{\circ}$ with 50 cm distance was $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $120^{\circ}$, was $3.85{\pm}0.18$, $9.15{\pm}0.28$, $10.82{\pm}0.31$, and $5.40{\pm}0.22mSv/h$ in $150^{\circ}$, and was $2.03{\pm}0.13$, $4.32{\pm}0.19$, $2.76{\pm}0.16$, and $1.92{\pm}0.13mSv/h\;mR/h$ after the use of the radiation shielding. Both direction showed decrease according to the use of the radiation shielding. Therefore, radiation related workers who work in operating rooms should recognize the spatial scattered dose distribution exactly and need to try to prevent the risk of radiation exposure with proper protective measures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.2 s.247
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• pp.132-138
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• 2005

Background: Mitral valve repair (MVP) is the optimal procedure for mitral regurgitation (MR), however, failure and subsequent reoperations are the limitations. The current study assessed the procedure in relation to the primary valve related causes of recurrent MR. Material and Method: MR was treated in 493 patients undergoing MVP from January of 1994 to January of 2002. The causes of MR were degenerative $(n=252,\;51.5\%),$ rheumatic $(n=156,\; 31.6\%),$ and others $(n=85,\; 16.9\%).$ Surgery comprised 446 ring annuloplasties $(90.5\%),$ 227 new chordae formations $(46\%),$ 125 quadriangular resections $(25.3\%),$ 28 chordae transfers $(5.7\%),$ and 8 Alfieri's stitches $(1.6\%).$ The mean follow up was $29.04\pm22.81$ months. Result: There were 5 early $(1.01\%)$, and 5 late deaths $(1.01\%).$ The reoperation rate was $1.42\%$. There were 45 $(9.1\%)$ recurrent MR (grade III or IV). Of these, 24 were procedure related including incomplete repair (n=14), discordant new chordae length (n=8) and others (n=2). In 21 patients, the cause was valve related including rheumatic disease progression (n=10), recurrent chordae elongation or prolapse (n=5) and others (n=6). Severe MR was higher after incomplete repair (p < 0.001), and valve related failure strongly correlated with rheumatic progression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Since completeness of operation is the prime risk factor that determine the repair durability, intra-operative assessment of the initial repair with trans-esophageal echocardiography is essential.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.447-460
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• 2013

Dietary supplement use is prevalent and represents an important source of nutrition. This study was conducted in order to assess the dietary maximum exposure of vitamins and minerals from various sources including regular diet, vitamin mineral supplements for non-prescription drug (VMS-NPD), vitamin mineral supplements for health functional foods (VMS-HFF), and fortified foods (FF). A total of 1,407 adolescent boys and girls attending middle or high schools were chosen from various cities and rural communities in Korea. Users of vitamin and mineral supplements (n = 60, 15-18 years of age) were chosen from the above 1,407 students. Intake of vitamins and minerals from a regular diet and FF was assessed by both food record method and direct interview for three days of two weekdays and one weekend, and those from VMS-NPD and VMS-HFF were assessed by both questionnaire and direct interview, and compared with the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) and the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for Korean adolescents. Daily average exposure range of vitamins and minerals from a regular diet was 0.3 to 4.4 times of the RNI. Some subjects had an excessive exposure to the UL in the following areas: from regular diets, vitamin A (1.7%) and niacin (5.0%); from only VMS-NPD, vitamin C (9.1%) and iron (5.6%); and from only VMS-HFF, niacin (8.6%) > vitamin $B_6$ (7.5%) > folic acid (2.9%) > vitamin C (2.3%). Nutrients of daily total intake from regular diet, VMS-NPD, VMS-HFF, and FF higher than the UL included nicotinic acid for 33.3% of subjects, and, then, in order, vitamin C (26.6%) > vitamin A (13.3%), iron (13.3%) > zinc (11.7%) > calcium (5.0%) > vitamin E (1.7%), vitamin $B_6$ (1.7%). Thus, findings of this study showed that subjects may potentially be at risk due to overuse of supplements, even though most of them took enough vitamins and minerals from their regular diet. Therefore, we should encourage adolescents to have sound health care habits through systematic and educational aspects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

The effect of sediments in a waste dumping area on marine organisms was evaluated using sediment toxicity tests with a benthic amphipod (Monocorophium acherusicum) and bioluminescent bacterium (Vibrio fischeri) in accordance with the Korean Standard Method for Marine Wastes (KSMMW). Nine sites in the East Sea-Byeong, East Sea-Jeong, and Yellow Sea-Byeong areas were sampled from 2016 to 2019. The test results showed that the relative average survival rate (benthic amphipods) and relative luminescence inhibition rate (luminescent bacteria) were below 30%, which were judged to be "non-toxic." However, in the t-test, a total of 12 benthic amphipod samples (6, 1, 1, and 4 in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) were significantly different (p<0.05) from the control samples. To identify the source of toxicity on benthic amphipods, a simple linear regression analysis was performed between the levels of eight heavy metals (Cr, As, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg) in sediments and the relative average survival rate. The results indicated that Cr had the highest contribution to the toxicity of benthic amphipods (p = 0.000, R2 = 0.355). In addition, Cr was detected at the highest concentration at the DB-85 station and exceeded the Marine Environment Standards every year. Although the sediments were determined as "not toxic" according to the ecotoxicity criteria of the KSMMW, the results of the statistical significance tests and toxicity identification evaluation indicated that the toxic effect was not acceptable. Therefore, revising the criteria for determining the toxic effect by deriving a reference value through quantitative risk assessment using species sensitivity distribution curves is necessary in the future.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.271-276
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• 2012

This study intented to standardize the method for total polysaccharide, which is a functional marker for aloe vera gel in Korea. We used four lyophilized raw materials and commercial aloe gel products, certified as Health Functional Food by Korea Food and Drug Administration, including powder, solution, jelly, tablet and capsule, to optimize the analytical condition of dialysis and phenol-sulfuric acid reaction in polysaccharide analysis. The optimal conditions for polysaccharide analysis included 1 L water for dialysis and change 3 times for 24hr against 25 mL prepared sample solution. Validation test showed lower than 5% of coefficient of variation(CV) in intra-, interday validation in lyophilized raw materials and 4 types of commercial products. In inter-person and inter-laboratory validation with 4 persons from 4 different laboratories, CV(%) were 5.50 and 6.64 respectively. The linearity of polysaccharide analysis was assessed using 5 serial concentration of lyophilized raw materials(0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5%(w/v)). The results showed $R^2{\geq}0.995$ of high linearity. In the commercial aloe vera gel products, the results of reproductivity showed lower than 7.08% and revealed that the standardized method from this study ensured high precision for polysaccharide analysis.