• Title/Summary/Keyword: Early Assessment

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How to Reflect Sustainable Development in Overseas Investment including Equator Principles (해외투자(海外投資)와 지속가능발전 원칙 - 적도원칙(赤道原則)(Equator Principles)을 중심으로 -)

  • Park, Whon-Il
    • 한국무역상무학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2006.06a
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    • pp.45-72
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    • 2006
  • The Equator Principles are a set of voluntary environmental and social guidelines for ethical project finance. These principles commit banks and other signatories to not finance projects that fail to meet these guidelines. The principles were conceived in 2002 on an initiative of the International Finance Corporation and launched in 2003. Since then, dozens of major banks have adopted the Principles, and with these banks among them accounting for more than three quarters of all project loan market volume the Principles have become the de facto standard for all banks and investors on how to deal with potential social and environmental effects of projects to be financed. While regarding the Principles an important initiative, NGOs have criticised the Principles for not producing real changes in financing activities and for allowing projects to go through that should have been screened out by the Principles, such as the Sakhalin-II oil and gas project in Russia. In early 2006, a process of revision of the principles was begun. The Equator Principles state that endorsing banks will only provide loans directly to projects under the following circumstances: - The risk of the project is categorized in accordance with internal guidelines based upon the environmental and social screening criteria of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). - For all medium or high risk projects (Category A and B projects), sponsors complete an Environmental Assessment, the preparation of which must meet certain requirements and satisfactorily address key environmental and social issues. - The Environmental Assessment report addresses baseline environmental and social conditions, requirements under host country laws and regulations, applicable international treaties and agreements, sustainable development and use of renewable natural resources, protection of human health, cultural properties, and biodiversity, including endangered species and sensitive ecosystems, use of dangerous substances, major hazards, occupational health and safety, fire prevention and life safety, socio-economic impacts, land acquisition and land use, involuntary resettlement, impacts on indigenous peoples and communities, cumulative impacts of existing projects, the proposed project, and anticipated future projects, participation of affected parties in the design, review and implementation of the project, consideration of feasible environmentally and socially preferable alternatives, efficient production, delivery and use of energy, pollution prevention and waste minimization, pollution controls (liquid effluents and air emissions) and solid and chemical waste management. - Based on the Environmental Assessment, Equator banks then make agreements with their clients on how they mitigate, monitor and manage those risks through an 'Environmental Management Plan'. Compliance with the plan is required in the covenant. If the borrower doesn't comply with the agreed terms, the bank will take corrective action, which if unsuccessful, could ultimately result in the bank canceling the loan and demanding immediate repayment. - For risky projects, the borrower consults with stakeholders (NGO's and project affected groups) and provides them with information on the risks of the project. - If necessary, an expert is consulted. The Principles only apply to projects over 50 million US dollars, which, according to the Equator Principles website, represent 97% of the total market. In early 2006, the financial institutions behind the Principles launched stakeholder consultations and negotiations aimed at revising the principles. The draft revised principles were met with criticism from NGO stakeholders, who in a joint position paper argued that the draft fails by ignoring the most serious critiques of the principles: a lack of consistent and rigorous implementation.

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Three-dimensional Algal Dynamics Modeling Study in Lake Euiam Based on Limited Monitoring Data (제한된 측정 자료 기반 의암호 3차원 조류 예측 모델링 연구)

  • Choi, Jungkyu;Min, Joong-Hyuk;Kim, Deok-Woo
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.181-195
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    • 2015
  • Algal blooms in lakes are one of major environmental issues in Korea. A three-dimensional, hydrodynamic and water quality model was developed and tested in Lake Euiam to assess the performance and limitations of numerical modeling with multiple algal groups using field data commonly collected for algal management. In this study, EFDC was adopted as the basic model framework. Simulated vertical profiles of water temperature, dissolved oxygen and nutrients monitored at five water quality monitoring stations from March to October 2013, which are closely related to algal dynamics simulation, showed good agreement with those of observed data. The overall spatio-temporal variations of three algal groups were reasonably simulated against the chlorophyll-a levels of those estimated from the limited monitoring data (chlorophyll-a level and cell numbers of algal species) with the RMSEs ranging from 2.6 to $17.5mg/m^3$. Also, note that $PO_4-P$ level in the water column was a key limiting factor controlling the growth of three algal groups during most of simulation period. However, the algal modeling results were not fully attainable to the levels of observation during short periods of time showing abrupt increase in algae throughout the lake. In particular, the green algae/cyanobacteria and diatom simulations were underestimated in late June to early July and early October, respectively. The results shows that better understanding of internal algal processes, neglected in most algal modeling studies, is necessary to predict the sudden algal blooms more accurately because the concentrations of external $PO_4-P$ and specific algal groups originated from the tributaries (mainly, dam water releases) during the periods were too low to fully capture the sharp rise of internal algal levels. In this respect, this study suggests that future modeling efforts should be focused on the quantification of internal cycling processes including vertical movement of algal species with respect to changes in environmental conditions to enhance the modeling performance on complex algal dynamics.

Derivation of Engineered Barrier System (EBS) Degradation Mechanism and Its Importance in the Early Phase of the Deep Geological Repository for High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) through Analysis on the Long-Term Evolution Characteristics in the Finnish Case (핀란드 고준위방폐물 심층처분장 장기진화 특성 분석을 통한 폐쇄 초기단계 공학적방벽 성능저하 메커니즘 및 중요도 도출)

  • Sukhoon Kim;Jeong-Hwan Lee
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.725-736
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    • 2023
  • The compliance of deep geological disposal facilities for high-level radioactive waste with safety objectives requires consideration of uncertainties owing to temporal changes in the disposal system. A comprehensive review and analysis of the characteristics of this evolution should be undertaken to identify the effects on multiple barriers and the biosphere. We analyzed the evolution of the buffer, backfill, plug, and closure regions during the early phase of the post-closure period as part of a long-term performance assessment for an operating license application for a deep geological repository in Finland. Degradation mechanisms generally expected in engineered barriers were considered, and long-term evolution features were examined for use in performance assessments. The importance of evolution features was classified into six categories based on the design of the Finnish case. Results are expected to be useful as a technical basis for performance and safety assessment in developing the Korean deep geological disposal system for high-level radioactive waste. However, for a more detailed review and evaluation of each feature, it is necessary to obtain data for the final disposal site and facility-specific design, and to assess its impact in advance.

Preoperative Prediction for Early Recurrence Can Be as Accurate as Postoperative Assessment in Single Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

  • Dong Ik Cha;Kyung Mi Jang;Seong Hyun Kim;Young Kon Kim;Honsoul Kim;Soo Hyun Ahn
    • Korean Journal of Radiology
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.402-412
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    • 2020
  • Objective: To evaluate the performance of predicting early recurrence using preoperative factors only in comparison with using both pre-/postoperative factors. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 549 patients who had undergone curative resection for single hepatcellular carcinoma (HCC) within Milan criteria. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify pre-/postoperative high-risk factors of early recurrence after hepatic resection for HCC. Two prediction models for early HCC recurrence determined by stepwise variable selection methods based on Akaike information criterion were built, either based on preoperative factors alone or both pre-/postoperative factors. Area under the curve (AUC) for each receiver operating characteristic curve of the two models was calculated, and the two curves were compared for non-inferiority testing. The predictive models of early HCC recurrence were internally validated by bootstrap resampling method. Results: Multivariable analysis on preoperative factors alone identified aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (OR, 1.632; 95% CI, 1.056-2.522; p = 0.027), tumor size (OR, 1.025; 95% CI, 0.002-1.049; p = 0.031), arterial rim enhancement of the tumor (OR, 2.350; 95% CI, 1.297-4.260; p = 0.005), and presence of nonhypervascular hepatobiliary hypointense nodules (OR, 1.983; 95% CI, 1.049-3.750; p = 0.035) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as significant factors. After adding postoperative histopathologic factors, presence of microvascular invasion (OR, 1.868; 95% CI, 1.155-3.022; p = 0.011) became an additional significant factor, while tumor size became insignificant (p = 0.119). Comparison of the AUCs of the two models showed that the prediction model built on preoperative factors alone was not inferior to that including both pre-/postoperative factors {AUC for preoperative factors only, 0.673 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.623-0.723) vs. AUC after adding postoperative factors, 0.691 (95% CI, 0.639-0.744); p = 0.0013}. Bootstrap resampling method showed that both the models were valid. Conclusion: Risk stratification solely based on preoperative imaging and laboratory factors was not inferior to that based on postoperative histopathologic risk factors in predicting early recurrence after curative resection in within Milan criteria single HCC patients.

Improvement for the Safety on the Automobile-Parts Assembly Process using Collaborative Robot through Risk Assessment : Disk snap ring assembly process mainly (위험성 평가를 통한 협동로봇 활용 자동차부품 조립공정의 안전성 향상 방안 : 디스크 스냅링 조립공정 위주로)

  • Cho, Guy-Sun
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.8
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    • pp.342-347
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    • 2020
  • Recently, as the collaborative robot has been introduced into the domestic industrial robot market, it is installed mainly in the manufacturing industry. Collaborative robots are subject to the safety regulations of industrial robots by Article 93 of the Safety Inspection of the Industrial Safety and Health Act. The sites where collaborative robots are to be installed must perform risk assessments for robots-humans, work environments, and work methods and reduce the risks according to ISO 10218-2 and ISO 12100. On the other hand, because it is early in the introduction of collaborative robots, new risks for collaborative robots have not been issued, and risk assessments are unfamiliar and difficult to apply in the workplace. The risk assessment of collaborative robots aims to identify and reduce the risk of a high probability of occurrence by focusing on the abnormal behavior of humans, human errors, equipment defects, and interlock functions. In this study, a risk assessment was applied to a domestic automobile parts production plant, and improvement measures were drawn. This risk assessment is expected to be useful for improving the safety of small businesses by continuously discovering risk assessment examples of collaborative robots.

Effect of Neonatal Developmental Intervention Program (NDT) on Motor Development and Growth in Premature Infants

  • Park, Geun-Hwa;Choi, Sang-Youn;Kim, Sung-Mi;Kim, Mi-Ae;Lee, Eun-Ju
    • Neonatal Medicine
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.207-216
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of neonatal developmental intervention program (NDT) in promoting motor development and growth and to determine the usefulness of Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) and Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) in premature infants. Methods: We performed NDT on selected premature infants (PI, n=42) and compared them with the full term control group (FC, n=20). NDT protocol and development assessment (HNNE, NBAS) were manipulated by the physical therapist in the neonatal intensive care unit. The data of this study were collected prospectively. Results: The PI with GA <34 weeks (VPI) subgroup showed a more use of mechanical ventilator and surfactant, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intraventricular hemorrhage, and patent ductus arteriosus treated surgically than the PI with GA $\geq$34 weeks but less than 37 weeks (LPI) subgroup. The average scores improved significantly in the PI group between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd assessment by repeated measure (P=0.000). Also, the PI group showed significantly higher total scores and average score at 40 weeks postmenstrual age, P=0.000, respectively than in the FC group. The LPI subgroup showed more weight gain and change in the head circumference between the 1st and 3rd assessment by repeated measure, respectively, P<0.05. The PI group showed no apnea, bradycardia and late sepsis associated with intervention and assessment. Conclusion: The NDT might be a safe and useful intervention to promote motor and growth outcomes in premature infants. Also, the HNNE and NBAS might be safe and useful tools for assessing neurodevelopment in premature infants.

Validation of the ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator for Patients with Early Gastric Cancer Treated with Laparoscopic Gastrectomy

  • Alzahrani, Saleh M;Ko, Chang Seok;Yoo, Moon-Won
    • Journal of Gastric Cancer
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.267-276
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    • 2020
  • Purpose: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) risk calculator is useful in predicting postoperative adverse events. However, its accuracy in specific disorders is unclear. We validated the ACS NSQIP risk calculator in patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative laparoscopic surgery. Materials and Methods: We included 207 consecutive early gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy between January 2018 and January 2019. The preoperative characteristics and risks of the patients were reviewed and entered into the ACS NSQIP calculator. The estimated risks of postoperative outcomes were compared with the observed outcomes using C-statistics and Brier scores. Results: Most of the patients underwent distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (74.4%). We did not observe any cases of mortality, venous thromboembolism, urinary tract infection, renal failure, or cardiac complications. The other outcomes assessed were complications such as pneumonia, surgical site infections, any complications requiring re-operation or hospital readmission, the rates of discharge to nursing homes/rehabilitation centers, and the length of stay. All C-statistics were <0 and the highest was for pneumonia (0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.58-0.71). Brier scores ranged from 0.01 for pneumonia to 0.155 for other complications. Overall, the risk calculator was inconsistent in predicting the outcomes. Conclusions: The ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator showed low predictive ability for postoperative adverse events after laparoscopic gastrectomy for patients with early gastric cancer. Further research to adjust the risk calculator for these patients may improve its predictive ability.

Cognition and Experience about Sexual Harassment in Elementary School Students (초등학생의 성희롱에 대한 인식과 경험)

  • Yang, In-Hye;Chun, Jin-Ho
    • Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.233-248
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    • 2002
  • Purpose : Sexual abuse especially in younger group have been growing. This study was performed to propose the fundamental data for developing early education program to prevent damage from sexual harassment in elementary school students. Method : Questionnaire survey on cognitions and experiences about sexual harassment was done on 3125 elementary school students from seven elementary schools in Busan area from January to March, 2002. Data analysis was done with SPSS (ver 10.0). Results : Though 82% of the students have ever herd about sexual harassment previously, but self assessment of 'well-known' was only 5%. About 40% of them have ever experienced audio-visual sexual materials mainly through PC (18%), media (14%), etc. And, 60% of them have ever educated about sexual harassment. In cognitions, they agreed 'unwanted touch', 'intentional showing his (her) own body', 'send lewd mails and pictures', but disagreed 'ask massage from aged', 'gaudy joke' as one of sexual harassment. In attitudes, 'no response', 'defense with friends and family', 'express unpleasantness apparently' were desirable pattern, instead, 'his (her) own responsibility', 'problem only between person concerned', 'neglect is the best way' were undesirable. About 24% of them have ever experienced at least one of the fifteen types of sexual harassment with major types of lewd mails pictures (11%), hugging (5%), ask massage (4.7%) and unwanted touch (3.3%). The experience by gender was higher in girls (25.0%) than boys (22.4%) with no statistical significance. The mean level of cognition and attitude out of one hundred was $70.3{\pm}28.1$ and $73.5{\pm}15.9$, respectively. The mean frequency of experience was $0.4{\pm}1.1$ times. The level of cognition and attitude was higher in girls, 6th graders, and in ever educated group (p<0.001). Conclusions : The cognition level of elementary school students about sexual harassment assessed considerable. And, they also experienced several types of sexual harassment, though not too much. Therefore, compatible education program let them able to protect themselves from sexual harassment should be developed and applied even in early school age.

Early Preterm Infant Feeding Behaviors in Adolescent and Adult Mothers

  • Kanhadilok, Supannee;Brown, Lisa
    • Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.51-72
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    • 2016
  • Background: Adolescent mothers may find the transition to motherhood to be overwhelming when compared to adult mothers. The adaptiveness of mother and infant feeding behaviors may greatly influence the quality of adolescent mothers' feeding interactions when compared to adult mothers. Purpose: To examine the adaptiveness of early maternal and infant feeding behavior between adolescent mothers and adult mothers. Method: In this secondary analysis, six adolescent mothers (< 20 years old) and six adult mothers were videotaped while feeding. The mothers were observed 3 times: when the infants were in the hospital, 1 month old, and 4 months old. The videotapes were coded using four scales of the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment (PCERA). The two maternal scales were Positive Affective Involvement and Sensitivity/Responsiveness (PAISR) and Regulation of Affect and Behavior (RAB). The two infant scales were Infant Positive Affect, Communication, and Social Skills (IPACS) and Infant Regulation of Affect and Behavior (IRAB). The dyads were videotaped just before hospital discharge and at one and four months corrected age. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine the difference in the PCERA between the two groups. Results: Adolescent mothers had a significantly lower score on the PAISR before hospital discharge (p-value 0.005) and at one month corrected age (p-value 0.008) than adult mothers. Adolescent mothers also had a significantly lower score on the RAB before hospital discharge, 1 and 4 months corrected age than adult mothers. There were no significant differences in IPACS and IRAB of infants of adolescent and adult mothers. Conclusion: Clinicians need to be aware of the differences in sensitivity that occur.

Social Distancing and Public Health Guidelines at Workplaces in Korea: Responses to Coronavirus Disease-19

  • Kim, Eun-A
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.275-283
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    • 2020
  • Background: In the absence of a vaccine or treatment, the most pragmatic strategies against an infectious disease pandemic are extensive early detection testing and social distancing. This study aimed to summarize public and workplace responses to Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) and show how the Korean system has operated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Daily briefings from the Korean Center for Disease Control and the Central Disaster Management Headquarters were assembled from January 20 to May 15, 2020. Results: By May 15, 2020, 11,018 COVID-19 cases were identified, of which 15.7% occurred in workplaces such as health-care facilities, call centers, sports clubs, coin karaoke, and nightlife destinations. When the first confirmed case was diagnosed, the Korean Center for Disease Control and Central Disaster Management Headquarters responded quickly, emphasizing early detection with numerous tests and a social distancing policy. This slowed the spread of infection without intensive containment, shut down, or mitigation interventions. After entering the public health blue alert level, a business continuity plan was distributed. After entering the orange level, the Ministry of Employment and Labor developed workplace guidelines for COVID-19 consisting of social distancing, flexible working schedules, early identification of workers with suspected infections, and disinfection of workplaces. Owing to the intensive workplace social distancing policy, workplaces remained safe with only small sporadic group infections. Conclusion: The workplace social distancing policy with timely implementation of specific guidelines was a key to preventing a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Korean workplaces. However, sporadic incidents of COVID-19 are still ongoing, and risk assessment in vulnerable workplaces should be continued.