• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2022

Underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) is a good candidate for high-speed underwater wireless communication. In this work, we compare the performance of several modulation techniques for a UOWC system consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED) with an operating wavelength of 405 nm and a Si avalanche photodiode (APD). In this work, we consider six modulation schemes: 4-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 8-QAM, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), binary phase shift keying (BPSK), on-off keying (OOK), and 4-pulse amplitude modulation (PAM). We also consider the cases of pure water and seawater for the working conditions. Our results show that 4-QAM and 8-QAM perform the best, in terms of communication distance and transmission power efficiency, for all water types considered.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.254-260
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• 2007

Trichloroethylene(TCE) is widely used as a degreasing solvent in workplaces. TCE is primarily toxic to the nervous system, however, systemic disorder like Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been recently reported in small-scale factories, where the government has had limited information of chemical use. A survey was performed to investigate the actual condition of using TCE and to provide practical information to occupational health service agencies and professionals. This survey was carried out on 103 factories out of 430 factories which were conducted periodic work environment measurement for TCE. Degreasing was the most popular reason for using TCE in Korea, which reached to 94%. TCE was also used as a solvent for rubber in the coating or molding process, and adhesives in the bonding process. Metal fabrication was the most common as 23%, followed by assembling automobile parts (17%), and machinery (12%). Workers exposed to TCE during full-shift were 52% while 48% were exposed during short period of the shift or intermittently. Manual or semi-automatic work occupied 87% while automatic work was just 13%. Though automatic work by a closed system was generally lower exposed to TCE, compared to manual work, it can cause a high exposure when the maintenance system is improper. Semi-automatic work especially like open-top degreasing process can cause a high exposure when local exhaust system with condensing and refrigerating coils in the degreaser does not work well. In conclusion, the survey showed nationwide status of TCE exposure in various aspects. It can be used to monitor workplaces and workers exposed to TCE to prevent occupational diseases.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.306-315
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of caffeine intake by shift workers on sleep, considering various variable related to the sleep health of shift workers. Methods: A descriptive survey study was conducted with 128 employees who worked shifts. Respondents were surveyed on their of caffeine intake behavior, schedule type, quality of sleep, health promotion behavior, and occupational stress. Differences in their quality of sleep were assessed using the t-test and analysis of variance, while factors influencing the effect of caffeine intake on the quality of sleep were analyzed using hierarchical logistic regression. Results: The average Pittsburgh Sleep Index, Korean Version score of those surveyed was 7.3±3.25, indicating that their quality of sleep was low. On the other hand, their aveage daily intake of caffeine was 1.6±0.99 cups (1 cup =150 mL) and 116.4±77.58 mg/dL of caffeine. When the various variables that could have affected the quality of sleep were corrected, an increase in the amount of caffeine consumed was found to lead to a decrease in the quality of sleep (p=.015). Conclusion: Caffeine intake by shift workers has a significant bearing on their quality of sleep; therefore, such intake should be adjusted to improve their sleep health.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2020

The dynamic coupling between shaker and test-article has been investigated by recent research through the so called Virtual Shaker Testing (VST) approach. Basically a VST model includes the mathematical models of the test-item, of the shaker body, of the seismic mass and the facility vibration control algorithm. The subsequent coupled dynamic simulation even if more complex than the classical hard-mounted sine test-prediction, is a closer representation of the reality and is expected to be more accurate. One of the most remarkable benefits of VST is the accurate quantification of the frequency down-shift (with respect to the hard-mounted value), typically affecting the first lateral resonance of heavy test-items, like medium or large size Spacecraft (S/Cs), once mounted on the shaker. In this work, starting from previous successful VST experiences, the parameters having impact on the frequency shift are identified and discussed one by one. A simplified analytical system is thus defined to propose an efficient and effective way of calculating the lower bound frequency shift through a simple equation. Such equation can be useful to correct the S/C lateral natural frequency measured during the test, in order to remove the contribution attributable to the shaker in use. The so-corrected frequency value becomes relevant when verifying the compliance of the S/C w.r.t. the frequency requirement from the Launcher Authority. Moreover, it allows to perform a consistent post-test correlation of the first lateral natural frequency of S/C FE model.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2002

Objectives: In a number of simulated night shift studies, timed exposure to bright light improves sleep quality and work performance. We evaluated the effect of bright light on adaptation to night shift work with a field study. Methods: Five female nurses working shifts at Korea University Hospital were recruited for participation in this study. We investigated two series of six consecutive shift rotations comprising three day and three night shifts, using wrist Actigraphy, the Stanford Sleepiness Scale, Visual-analogue scales, STIM and tympanic membrane temperature for daytime sleep quality, alertness, subjective feeling, attention performance, and temperature rhythm. The subjects were exposed to bright light (2,500 lux) from 24:00 to 04:00 a.m. on three consecutive night shifts during the second series, whereas they worked under normal lightening (650 lux) conditions during the first series. Results: Actigraphic assessment of daytime sleep showed no significant difference between the first and third night shift in both baseline and light exposure phase. The mean lowest temperature shifted earlier during baseline phase but not during the light exposure phase. Also, the score for subjective feelings of depression, anxiety, physical discomfort and sleepiness was significantly higher in the third night shift than the first during baseline phase but not during the light exposure phase. Attention and attention switching ability was significantly improved in the third night shift compared to the first night during the light exposure phase but there were no significant changes during the baseline phase. Conclusion: This result suggests that there were no significant differences between the two phases in measures of quality of daytime sleep, but subjective feelings, attention and alertness were enhanced during light exposure. Although some placebo effects and learning effects might influence this result, bright light exposure between midnight and 4:00 a.m. may improve adaptation to night shift. In future, further controlled studies with a larger sample size, including melatonin measurement, are needed for real shift workers.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2000

Objectives: Through comparing sleep variables and autonomic activities among three shifts in shift workers, the authors intended to clarify which shift is most tolerable and to identify the characteristics of their psychological and physical problems. This study is also expected to help shift workers to adapt themselves to their work more effectively. Methods: Fifty one shift workers took part in this study. They were working in a rapidly rotating system in which they worked for 3 days in one shift with one day off between each shift. Based on a sleep diary, sleep latency (SL), sleep period time (SPT), and number of wake after sleep onset (NWASO) were estimated and compared among the three shifts. In assessing sleepiness, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used. To evaluate mood states among the three shifts, profile of mood states (POMS) was administered. Heart rate variability (HRV), and the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured to assess autonomic activities. HRV included low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and LF/HF. Results: SPT was significantly lengthened during the evening shift and SL was shortened during the night shift. The workers showed a drop in alertness at wake-up during morning shift and a drop in alertness at work during night shift. During night shift the subjects complained of physical fatigue and cognitive decline. Comparison of HRV showed that parasympathetic activity was most prominent during the evening shift. Secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline decreased during the evening shift, though statistically not significant. Conclusion: We found that the evening shift was most tolerable among the three shifts. It is recommended that morning light exposure be done during the morning shift and nocturnal light exposure during the night shift.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.646-657
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the quality of sleep in novice and experienced shift work nurses and compare the factors associated with their quality of sleep. Methods: We analyzed the data of 192 and 256 novice and experienced nurses, respectively. The quality of sleep, sleep hygiene, job stress, and fatigue were measured using Insomnia Severity Index, Sleep Hygiene Practice Scale, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, and Fatigue Severity Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 to calculate descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Sleep quality was lower in experienced nurses (12.55 ± 5.71) than in novice nurses (11.18 ± 5.78). Fatigue was more severe in experienced nurses (4.47 ± 1.13) than in novice nurses (4.23 ± 1.12). In the logistic regression, factors related to sleep quality in novice nurses were sleep hygiene (odds ratio; OR = 1.06, p < .001) and fatigue (OR = 2.49, p < .001). Factors related to sleep quality in the experienced nurses were also sleep hygiene (OR = 1.04, p = .001) and fatigue (OR = 1.53, p = .012). Conclusion: Sleep quality of experienced nurses is lower than those of novice nurses. Factors associated with sleep quality in novice and experienced nurses are equally identified as sleep hygiene and fatigue. Therefore, personal efforts to improve sleep hygiene, such as providing comfortable sleep environment, are needed. Furthermore, organized efforts to decrease fatigue, such as constructing a working environment with a bright light at night and providing a fatigue-decreasing program that includes meditation, are required.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2012

To identify health behavior of Peptic ulcer patients among all employees in Korea and examine relevant factors to present basic data for improving Korean adult employees' health conditions and quality of living, 3,515 employees aged 20 to 69 were sampled from the group that responded to the question concerning the presence of Peptic ulcer in the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the third year (2009). After logistic regression analysis was carried out to see the effects of working conditions, harmful factors, shift work, stress perception, and experience of depression on the presence of Peptic ulcer, it was found that unsafe or unpleasant working conditions led to higher risk of getting Peptic ulcer, that flexible workers were more likely to get Peptic ulcer, and that depression or stress perception exerted almost no effect on Peptic ulcer. With the increase in the number of flexible workers, increasingly more interest is taken in the effects of shift work on health; occupational Peptic ulcer tends to become chronic as compared with the condition in the general population and reappear even after recovery in many cases; therefore, it is necessary to take special management measures by estimating the number of those at a risk of getting Peptic ulcer and by finding out its risk factors.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2017

Background: Despite our knowledge of the causes of cancer, millions of workers are involuntarily exposed to a wide range of known and suspected carcinogens in the workplace. To address this issue from a policy perspective, we developed a policy framework based on a prospective health policy analysis. Use of the framework was demonstrated for developing policies to prevent cancers associated with diesel engine exhaust (DEE), asbestos, and shift work, three occupational carcinogens with global reach and large cancer impact. Methods: An environmental scan of existing prospective health policy analyses was conducted to select and describe our framework parameters. These parameters were augmented by considerations unique to occupational cancer. Policy-related resources, predominantly from Canada, were used to demonstrate how the framework can be applied to cancers associated with DEE, asbestos, and shift work. Results: The parameters of the framework were: problem statement, context, jurisdictional evidence, primary prevention policy options, and key policy players and their attributes. Applying the framework to the three selected carcinogens illustrated multiple avenues for primary prevention, including establishing an occupational exposure limit for DEE, banning asbestos, and improving shift schedules. The framework emphasized the need for leadership by employers and government. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first proposal for a comprehensive policy framework dedicated to the primary prevention of occupational cancer. The framework can be adapted and applied by key policy players in Canada and other countries as a guide of what parameters to consider when developing policies to protect workers' health.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.689-699
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of auricular acupressure on constipation and depression in shift-work nurses. The data was collected from May to June 2021 at A hospital in area I, and 40 nurses working in shifts participated in this study. This study was an open-label randomized controlled trial. 40 nurses who had constipation were randomized to the experimental group (n=20) or control group (n=20). Auricular acupressure was performed for 2 weeks at the corresponding points of constipation and depression for the experimental group. Auricular acupressure for 2 weeks significantly decreased constipation scores compared to the control group (F=7.74, p<.001). The mean difference in depression scores before and after acupressure in the experimental group (2.90±2.86) was larger than the difference in the control group (1.35±3.12), but it was not statistically significant (t=-1.64, p=.055). Auricular acupressure was effective in relieving constipation in shift-work nurses. Auricular acupressure could be considered as a treatment option for constipation.