• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2022

With external air pollution forcing many people indoors, new methods of facilitating healthier indoor life are necessary. This study, therefore, investigates the effects of indoor oxygen concentration and respiration methods on biosignals and cognitive ability. The study included twenty healthy subjects who inhaled air through a mask from a gas delivery system. All subjects were asked to perform three types of breathing (nasal, oral, and oral breathing with high oxygenation) and respond to cognitive stimuli (rest close eye, rest open eye, 1-back and 2-back working memory tasks). The changes in cognitive load according to respiration were analyzed by measuring response time, accuracy, and biosignals to stimuli. The result showed that, in all three respirations, heart rate significantly increased with the increase in cognitive load. Also, in oral respiration, the airway respiration rate significantly increased according to the increase in cognitive load. The change appeared to compensate for insufficient oxygen supply in oral respiration during cognitive activity. Conversely, there was no significant change in airway respiration rate during oral respiration with a high concentration oxygen supply as in nasal respiration. This result suggests that a high concentration oxygen supply might play a role in compensating for insufficient oxygen concentration or inefficient oxygen inhalation, such as oral respiration. Based on the results of this study, a follow-up study is necessary to determine the impact of changes in the autonomic nervous system, such as stress and emotions, to find out more precise and comprehensive effects of oxygen concentration and breathing type.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.3
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• pp.303-321
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• 2023

To develop the Forest Work Load Index (FWLI) for estimating the work intensity of forest workers, a study focused on forest tending was conducted. To estimate the FWLI, we used the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) and the Work Load Index (WLI). The OWAS is a prominent method used for analyzing musculoskeletal load in work tasks, and WLI is a prominent method used for analyzing the work intensity of workers. The PRI values analyzed for each forest tending project were 185.3 (Thinning), 150.6 (Pruning), 181.1 (Thinning for Forest Fire Prevention), and 197.0 (Thinning for Young Trees). The WLI values, calculated on the basis of the measured heart rates, were 59.5% (Thinning), 53.5% (Pruning), 56.2% (Thinning for Forest Fire Prevention), and 62.3% (Thinning for Young Trees). The FWLI was calculated using the analyzed PRI and WLI values. The FWLI values for the forest tending project were 110.2 (Thinning), 80.7 (Pruning), 102.1 (Thinning for Forest Fire Prevention), and 123.0 (Thinning for Young Trees). The FWLI developed in this study can be used to quantitatively compare the workloads of forest workers. In the future, the analyzed FWLI can be used as a basis for improving forest workers' postures and comparing workloads across different forest projects.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.164-176
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• 1998

This study deals with the current medical utilization for migrant workers and the characteristics of them. The purpose of this study is to provide the basic information to establish proper medical policy. For the study self-made questionnaire was used, which was answered by 453 migrant workers working in the area of manufacturing and non-technical work in 10 cities like Seoul, Inchon, Namyangju, Sungnam, Kwangju, Pyungchon, Kunpo, Kimpo, Masuk in Kyungki-do and Chunan in Chungchungnam-do. Besides, 303 medical records of those who had visited free medical check-up center were analyzed. The period of accumulating data is 6 months, from November 1st, 1996 to April 30th, 1997. The characteristics of migrant workers and current medical utilization are analyzed by percentage and the relation between characteristics and current medical utilization were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. The finding of this study was as follows : 1) The number of nationality was 16. The first majority was Philippians as 32.0%. Among 16 nationalities Southeastern and Northern Asians were 48.9%, Southwestern Asian was 46.5%, the rest was 7.3%. Men were 81.0%, those who are aged from 26 to 30 were 39.0%, Graduatee from high school 92.7%, Christians 56.3%, unmarried 55.4% and salary from 600,000 Won to 800,000 Won 53.8% averaging monthly payment 669,810 Won. As for their residence, those who resided over 3 years were 31.9% and the illegal residence reached 77.4%. As for Korean language, those who speak in middle level were 5.6%. 2) As for kind of work and circumstances, manufacturing was 81.1%, 4 off-days per month 72.2% and 9-10 working hours per day 42.1%. As for accommodation, residence in fabric was 62.6% and one or two members as roommate 40.2%. 3) The characteristics of health behavior showed that 89.4% of migrant workers had 3 meals, 70.9% of them did not drink alcohol, 73.5% of them did not smoke. 4) As a characteristic of health status, 71.8% of them perceived of their health. 76.1% thought that they had no illness before coming Korea. Among them who recognized their illness, those who had problem in circulatory system was 35.3%, respiratory system ENT 19.1% and nervous system 19.1%.66.2% of those having illness had already had sickness when coming to Korea. 5) During last one month, 79.2% of them were known as ones having no illness. Among the sick, those who had problem in circulatory system was 31.6%, nervous system 23.7% and respiratory system 21.1%. 60.3% of the sick were not cured at that time. 6) Sorting the symptom of those who visited free medical check up, dental care was 24.2%, orthopedic 14.0% and digestive system 13.8%. Teethache was 34.4%, stomach problem 11.6%, upper respiratory inflammation 10.2% and back pain 5.9%. Averagely they visited free medical check up 1-2 times. According to symptom, epilepsy 25.5 times, heart and vascular disease 9 times, constipation 2.8%, neurosis 2.38 times and stomach problem 2.34 times. 7) The most frequently visited medical service by migrant workers was hospital. The most mentioned reason was good healing as 36.3%. The medical service satisfied migrant workers mostly was hospital as 64.3%. The reason of satisfaction was also good healing as 45.9%. 8) 77.2% of respondents did not spend money for medical check. Average monthly medical cost was 25,100 Won, 3.7% of income. Those who had no medical security was 73.4%. In their case, 67.7% got discount from hospital or support from working place and religious organization. 9) As for the difference of medical utilization according for the characteristics of migrant workers, legal workers and no-Korean speaker used hospital more frequently. 10) Those who were satisfied most of all with the service of hospital were female workers, hinduists and buddhists, legal workers or manufacture workers. 11) Christians, those who have 3 meals or recognize themselves as healthy ones mostly had no illness. As a result, the most of migrant workers in Korea are from Asia. They are good educated but are working in manufacturing and illegal. Their average income is under 700,000 Won which in not enough for medical cost. They have no medical security and medical fee is supported by religious organization or discounted. Considering these facts the medical policy by government is to be established.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2005

Evaluation of repetitiveness for upper extremity intensive tasks is essential to determine the level of risk for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders at the workplace. However, experimental data available to establish the acceptable levels of repetitiveness for various postures and forces is lacking. The present study examined the maximum acceptable frequencies(MAFs; motions/min.) of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and index finger motions at different forces(1kgf and 4kgf for shoulder, elbow, and wrist; 0.25kgf and 1 kgf for index finger) in sitting. Seventeen right-handed males in 20s without having any history musculoskeletal disorders participated in the MAF experiment. The participants determined their MAFs for the upper extremity motions by using the self-adjustment method and their work pulse(increase in heart rate; beats/min.) and rating of perceived exertion(RPE) were measured when working at MAF. The MAFs of elbow, wrist, and index finger motions for each force level were about 2, 3, and 6 times the corresponding MAF(9 at the high force and 24 at the low force) of shoulder motion and the MAFs at the low force increased about 2 times those at the high force. The work pulses of elbow, wrist, and index finger motions for each force level were 70%, 50%, and 30% of the corresponding work pulse(17 at the high force and 12 at the low force) of shoulder motion and the work pulses at the low force were about 70 % of those at the high force. Lastly, the RPEs of the upper extremity regions were about level 3(moderate) or below.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2011

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the severity of white matter changes (WMC), risk factors and cognitive domains, including executive function profiles. Method Forty nine subjects over 55 years with subjective memory complaints were assessed with MRI and neuropsychological tests. The WMC were assessed by MRI T2-FLAIR images and divided into 3 groups of mild vs. moderate vs. severe and 2 groups of mild-moderate vs. severe by using Mantyla's criteria and Fazeka's criteria. The risk factors were examined in hypertension, heart disease history and chemistry Lab. Medical conditions which affect to cognitive dysfunction and definite dementia were also excluded. Results Comparing 3 groups, hypertension was identified as a risk factor of the WMC. Comparing 2 groups, total cholesterol and LDL were identified for as the risk factor of WMC. The severity of WMC was significantly associated with cognitive disturbances and their main effect on cognition was working memory and inhibition. Conclusion The risk factors of the WMC in the elderly were hypertension, hyperlipidemia. The severity of WMC appears to be associated with executive dysfunction in the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.37-52
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was performed to develop an assessment tool for middle aged women's health status based on dietary patterns, which will have practical applications in the working field of health and hygiene, aiming at improving the middle aged women's quality of life through their health improvement. Methods: As a first step, a literature review was conducted and the original data of '2008~2009 Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey' were reanalyzed. This analysis identified 65 preliminary questions that may be relevant to the study. After verifying the content validity by experts, the 65 questions were reduced into 51 questions. In order to secure higher validity of the candidate items, verification of their clinical validity was conducted among women aged between 45 and 60 years. Finally, an assessment tool was developed by applying weight and scoring. Results: Selected 51 questions were used to verify clinical validity and the results showed that 20 questions were relevant, nine questions ('regular meal time', 'regular amount of meal', 'intake frequency of dairy products', 'intake frequency of fruits', 'intake frequency of meat products', 'intake frequency of high cholesterol foods', 'intake frequency of salty foods', 'appetite', 'eat breakfast everyday') were related to dietary life. Eleven other questions ('self-rated health status', 'deep sleep', 'smoking', 'frequency of drinking', 'stress levels', 'health-related fitness levels', 'pounding of the heart', 'strange feelings on the skin', 'interfere with daily life', 'menopause will bring you a chance to see the life in a different perspective', and 'body mass index') were selected as valid questions. For the response scale for each question, 5 point Likert scale was used to make total 100 point score. Conclusions: This study is the first attempt to develop a health status assessment tool for middle aged women based on their dietary patterns. We conclude that this tool is expected to be a useful and practical tool in the field.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.83-91
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• 2016

Objectives : The Levator Ani Muscles Training(LAMT) is one of the well known very effective prevention and treatment method of some specific diseases in the anal organs, digestion system, urinary organs and genital organs, which means LAMT could be considered as an independent exercise. Methods : Chinese databases were searched and found one good source named CNKI(China National Knowledge Infrastructure) where there were downloaded 154 articles, out of which were finally selected 82 used for the introduction of the historical background, health-effectiveness, working mechanism, training methods, etc. Results : LAMT as an independent exercise, is considered very effective for the prevention of diseases in the anal organs, e.g. hemorrhoids, anal fissure, rectal prolapse; urinary organs, e.g. urinary incontinence, frequent micturition; digestion system, e.g. visceroptosis, diarrhea, chronic enteritis; genital organs, e.g. prostatitis, impotence, premature ejaculation, feminine vaginal relaxation, sexual indifference, etc. It is also told LAMT is effective for coronary heart disease, hyperyension and varicose veins of lower extremity to a certain degree. LAMT is also very similar to the Kegel exercise in couple of aspects. They are equally effective for the urinary incontinence and impotence. Conclusions : LAMT as an independent exercise has developed and become more and more health-effective, especially through the combination with the Qigong exercise, and thus many training methods have been introduced. There are not many scientific research and development with very limited accomplishments even in China. It is strongly required to strengthen the research and development activities so that LAMT will become one of the very effective natural healing soonest possible.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.951-956
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• 2011

Coronary angiography technology is usually used for examining or treating coronary artery stenosis. Especially, when a cardiologist inserts catheter into the heart blood vessel, the catheter path detection system is needed because the cardiologist has difficulty in not damaging vessel. Recently, to reduce this difficulty, many searchers have been working for the various image processing technologies, such as vessel edge detection, optimal threshold method, etc. However the results of these searches are showing different performances depend on the contrast and quality of images. Therefore, this study for the coronary angiography suggests a novel algorithm to avoid these problems. The suggested algorithm consists of multi-sampling, interpolation, threshold method, and fault points elimination. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we used several angiographic images in experimentation, and we found that the proposed method is effective for detecting the catheter insertion path.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.13-23
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) on autonomic nervous system in night nurses by heart rate variability. Methods : Five night nurses were divided into two groups. We checked their HRV once after sleeping for night and 5 times after working for night, 4 times after operation. We operate Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) and sham acupuncture twice by turns for group A and in reverse order for group B. We checked responses of HRV change after operations. Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS Win. Ver. 13.0 for analysis about correlation between data, and Baysian analysis using WinBUGS(Ver. 1.4) for comparison between Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) and sham acupuncture. Results : The median overall decrease for difference in responses of low-frequency power in normalized units (LF (NU)) was -16.56 (-28.88, -6.446), the median overall increase for difference in responses to high-frequency power in normalized units (HF (NU)) was 16.25 (8.104, 28.6) and for the median overall decrease for difference in responses to the ratio of low- to high-frequency power (LF/HF) was -1.846 (-3.922, -0.069), 95% credibility intervals being shown in brackets. VAS of stress was correlated with LF (NU) and HF (NU), LF/HF (p<0.0l). Conclusion : Sa-am acupuncture (Damjeonggyeok) might have sympatholytic and parasympathomimetic effects.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.177-188
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to shed light on the experiences of women caregivers' in nursing homes who provide care for older men; it focuses on sexual behavior and provides baseline data that can help improve quality of care. Methods: Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used for data analysis. Participants included 10 caregivers working at a nursing home. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection between January and February, 2020. Results: Five theme clusters were identified based on women caregivers' experiences of sexual behavior when caring for older men: "The weight of charge and exhausted stamina", "Unwillingness to face awkwardness", "Unacceptable sexual desire by older men", "An incurable wounded heart", and "Hardship in its entirety becomes my share of responsibility". The analysis further yielded ten themes. The participants stated that was hard to accept the older men's sexual behavior through relationships with the older men. Conclusion: These results should be considered in planning caring interventions for older men with respect to sexual behavior in nursing homes. The findings support the need for educational strategies and programs to improve the ability of nursing home caregivers to adequately care for older men, with consideration for their sexual behavior and for developing relevant policy supports.