• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2014

Background: To manage intractable cancer pain, an alternative to systemic analgesics is neuraxial analgesia. In long-term treatment, intrathecal administration could provide a more satisfactory pain relief with lower doses of analgesics and fewer side-effects than that of epidural administration. However, implantable drug delivery systems using intrathecal pumps in Korea are very expensive. Considering cost-effectiveness, we performed epidural analgesia as an alternative to intrathecal analgesia. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the efficacy, side effects, and complications of epidural morphine and local anesthetic administration through epidural catheters connected to a subcutaneous injection port in 29 Korean terminal cancer patients. Patient demographic data, the duration of epidural administration, preoperative numerical pain rating scales (NRS), side effects and complications related to the epidural catheterization and the drugs, and the numerical pain rating scales on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 30th postoperative days were determined from the medical records. Results: The average score for the numerical pain rating scales for the 29 patients decreased from $7{\pm}1.0$ at baseline to $3.6{\pm}1.4$ on postoperative day 1 (P < 0.001). A similar decrease in pain intensity was maintained for 30 days (P < 0.001). Nausea and vomiting were the most frequently reported side effects of the epidural analgesia and two patients (6.9%) experienced paresthesia. Conclusions: Epidural morphine and local anesthetic infusion with a subcutaneous pump seems to have an acceptable risk-benefit ratio and allows a high degree of autonomy to patients with cancer pain.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.779-784
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• 2006

Several studies about hospital malnutrition have been reported that about more than 40% of hospitalized patients are having nutritional risk factors and hospital malnutrition presents a high prevalence. People in a more severe nutritional status ended up with a longer length of hospital stay and higher hospital cost. Nutrition screening tools identify individuals who are malnourished or at risk of becoming malnourished and who may benefit from nutritional support. For the early detection and treatment of malnourished hospital patients , few valid screening instruments fur Koreans exist. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a simple, reliable and valid malnutrition screening tool that could be used at hospital admission to identify adult patients at risk of malnutrition using medical electrical record data. Two hundred and one patients of the university affiliated medical center were assessed on nutritional status and classified as well nourished, moderately or severely malnourished by a Patient-Generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) being chosen as the 'gold standard' for defining malnutrition. The combination of nutrition screening questions with the highest sensitivity and specificity at prediction PG-SGA was termed the nutrition screening index (NSI). Odd ratio, and binary logistic regression were used to predict the best nutritional status predictors. Based on regression coefficient score, albumin less than 3.5 g/dl, body mass index (BMI) less than $18.5kg/m^2$, total lymphocyte count less than 900 and age over 65 were determined as the best set of NSI. By using best nutritional predictors receiver operating characteristic curve with the area under the curve, sensitivity and 1-specificity were analyzed to determine the best optimal cut-off point to decide normal or abnormal in nutritional status. Therefore simple and beneficial NSI was developed for identifying patients with severe malnutrition. Using NSI, nutritional information of the severe malnutrition patient should be shared with physicians and they should be cared for by clinical dietitians to improve their nutritional status.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.216-220
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• 2012

본 연구는 경기도 용인시에 위치한 공공하수처리장을 대상으로 소수력발전 성능특성을 예측하고 경제성을 분석하여 소수력발전소의 건설타당성을 제시하였다. 방류구에서의 수준측량 조사에 따르면 실제 유효 낙차는 4.3m로 나타났다. 최근 5년간 방류량 자료를 살펴보면 일평균 실제 처리량은 약 $30,000m^3/day$로 나타났으며, 우수 유입과 물 사용량이 증가하는 여름 및 가을에 처리량이 증가하였다. 설계유량은 유량변화에 따른 누적 확률밀도와 유량지속곡선에 근거해 산정하였으며, 시간빈도로 보았을 때 17%의 유량이 지속되는 $0.35m^3/sec$가 설계유량으로 나타났다. 예상되는 수차 발전용량은 11kW급이며, 시스템 가동율은 74%, 그리고 계통선에 송출될 수 있는 연 전력생산량은 71.3MWh로 나타났다. 경제성 평가는 신재생에너지 경제성 분석 도구인 RETScreen 프로그램을 사용하여 B/C ratio, IRR, 개발투자비 등의 경제성 평가지표들을 산정하였다. 편익(Benefit) 산정시 전력기준단가는 133.67원/kWh, 할인율 7%를 적용하였으며, 비용(Cost) 산정시 유지관리비는 초기 건설비의 1%, 사용연한 30년을 적용하였다. 경제성 분석결과 기흥레스피아의 소수력발전소 건설시 초기 건설공사비가 $165,000 일 때, B/C 1.0, NPV $3,534, 투자회수기간 15.1년으로 산정되었고 따라서 초기 건설비용이 $165,000 이하일 때 가장 경제적인 것으로 파악되었다.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.495-502
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• 2021

This study aims to provide basic data for elderly health insurance policy and medical radiation safety management by analyzing the general radiography usage and exposure dose of the elderly in Korea. The effective dose for each general radiography was calculated using the ALARA-GR program for 260 general radiography codes selected from 'National Health Insurance Care Benefit Cost'. The usage of general radiography was analyzed in the 2016 elderly patient data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, and the effective dose for each general radiography was applied. The general radiography usage and exposure dose per person aged 65 years and over was 6.47 cases and 0.56 mSv. Females showed higher value than males as 7.15 cases and 0.66 mSv(p<.001). By age, those between 75 and 79 showed the highest number as 6.97 cases and 0.62 mSv(p<.001). Those who were supported by Medical Aid showed higher value than those who were insured by National Health Insurance as 8.82 cases and 0.76 mSv(p<.001). In addition, the ratio by radiography was in the order of Chest 20.85%, Knee Joint 15.58%, and L-spine 14.67%, and the exposure dose was L-spine 29.40%, Chest 15.82%, Abdomen 7.97%, and Entire Spine 7.20%. General radiography, which is widely used due to the high frequency of diseases in the elderly population should be taken into consideration when establishing health insurance policies. In addition, it is necessary to check whether the general radiography with high exposure dose is performed as a routine examination without considering medical necessity.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.537-543
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• 2020

The window cleaning works are manpower-dependent and are performed in an unstable posture at high altitude, so that there is a risk of falling. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the safety of workers. In this study, a conceptual design was proposed for the cleaning of exterior windows of a building, and the economic feasibility of the proposed conceptual model was analyzed. The proposed model is designed to avoid protrusions such as window frames, and to be able to respond even if the shapes of the upper and lower parts are different. As a result of analyzing the economic feasibility of the designed conceptual model, the benefit cost ratio was 4.48, which was significantly higher than 1. Therefore, the economic feasibility of the proposed window cleaning device is expected to be sufficient. The results analyzed in this paper will be used in the development and marketing of the window cleaning device.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.5D
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• pp.513-522
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• 2010

Underground construction for traffic networks, complexes, and storage facilities has risen as an effective land use plan for dealing with emerging problems such as overcrowded urban cities and traffic jams. This paper performed an economic feasibility analysis of the development of the integrated field management system which provides field workers and managers with 3D-based location tracking and clear communication during underground construction works. To conduct the analysis, processes and problems of field management for underground construction were analyzed and deduction in accidents and field management costs and productivity improvement were estimated as expected benefits. Based on computed benefits and costs, an economic analysis was conducted using Benefit/Cost ratio(B/C), Net Present Value(NPV), and Internal Rate of Return(IRR) and then sensitivity analysis was performed to cope with the uncertainty of assumed variables.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2007

Purpose : Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is effective screening test for inherited metabolic diseases. In this study, we estimate potential costs and benefits of using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to screen new borns for inherited metabolic diseases (phenylketonuria, BH4 deficiency, citrullinemia, maple syrup urine disease, propionic aciduria, isovaleric aciduria, glutaric aciduria type 1, LCHAD deficiency) in Korea. Methods : From April 2001 to March 2004, 79,179 new borns were screened for amino acid disorders, organic acid disorders, and fatty acid oxidative disorders. Twenty-eight new borns were diagnosed with one of the metabolic disorder and the collective estimated prevalence amounted to 1 in 2,800 with a sensitivity of 97.67%, a specificity of 99.28%, a recall rate of 0.05%, and a positive preditive value of 6.38%. We calculated and compared the total costs in case when neonatal screening on pheny lketonuria, BH4 deficiency, citrullinemia, maple syrup urine disease, propionic aciduria, isovaleric aciduria, glutaric aciduria type 1, LCHAD deficiency is implemented, and when not. Results : If the neonatal screening on pheny lketonuria, BH4 deficiency, citrullinemia, maple syrup urine disease, propionic aciduria, isovaleric aciduria, glutaric aciduria type 1, LCHAD deficiency is implemented, total benefits far exceed costs at a ratio of 1.40:1. Conclusion : Although, this study only concerns the monetary aspects of the neonatal screening, tandem mass spcetrometry for neonatal screening is cost-effective compared with not screening. The study appears to support the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry into a Korea neonatal screening programme for inherited metabolic diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.102 no.4
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• pp.506-514
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• 2013

This study examined the feasibility on the construction of a wood industrialization service center for a wood industry cluster establishment in Jeollanam-do. Construction of the wood industrialization service center is based on a discount rate of 3.5%, an investment period of 4 years, a business operations period of 16 years and an investment cost of 24600 million won; the total amount of the net present value, the cost-benefit ratio and the internal rate of return were assumed to be 2.579 million won, 2.51%, and 10.1%, respectively. In addition, the production inducement coefficient, the induced production effect, the income-induced coefficient, the income inducement effect, the employment inducement coefficient, and the employment inducement effect were estimated 1.4345, 35287 million won, 0.1655, 4000.7 million won, and 0.4665, 1,145 people, in the effects of the wood related industries using the multi-regional input-output model, respectively. Financial independence of operating income to cover its own costs incurred in accordance with the operating project might be practicable.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 2020

Four developed patents have applied for a new type of Composite Cyclone Scrubber followed by the previous research (Cho and Kim, 2017), including dust reducing fan with filters. Regarding target installation and maintenance cost, 64% reduction for investment costs (6.2 billion won vs. 17 billion won) compared to existing road pollution reduction system, while social benefit costs increase by 43% compared to existing road pollution reduction measures (72.6 billion won vs. 50.8 billion won). The composition of the device is an air blower type spiral guide vane, and an injection pressure collecting dust efficiency. A nozzle varies Injection angle and contact range, spray liquid species (waterworks, salty water). The proposed patent tests are circulation water Time-by-Time Spray and collected 41.4% more increased micro dust since the sprayed water meets contaminated gas due to the 45° degree colliding, which is 141% increased conventional dust collector. (Ratio of collection over 85%). As regards the source of collection liquid, circulated rainwater and well water, we expect a huge amount of energy and economically saved eco-friendly system in our patent. Finally, the guided vane and metal filter reduced over 90% micro-dust, while sprayed water cleans the vane and filters, resultantly minimizing the maintenance budget. The preliminary evaluations of the developed design make it possible to reduce not only cheaper maintenance budget due to the characteristic water spraying but the cost of water comes from mainly rain and underground.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1-18
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• 2019

A short-turn bus is a bus that is operated within a subsection of an existing bus line. Previous studies regarding short-turn buses decided optimal turn-back points for a single bus line rather than a bus network. Also, in-vehicle crowding which has a significant impact on transit convenience was rarely considered. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a methodology to set priorities for the introduction of short-turn buses of bus lines and sections, considering crowding. To achieve this objective, we calculated occupancies and crowding alleviation benefits of existing bus lines overlapping a new short-turn route based on transit card data, before and after the introduction of short-turn strategy. Also, operator and social costs caused by the introduction of short-turn buses were calculated. Those procedures were iterated over bus lines and sections to operate a short-turn service, and a section whose benefit-to-cost ratio (B/C) is the largest in a line was selected to operate a short-turn service in the line. After, priorities of bus lines to introduce short-turn services could be determined based on B/C values, and the optimum total fleet size could be determined when a short-turn strategy is applied in multiple lines.