• Title/Summary/Keyword: Evidence-based Standards

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Repeat Auditing of Primary Health-care Facilities Against Standards for Occupational Health and Infection Control: A Study of Compliance and Reliability

  • Cloete, Brynt;Yassi, Annalee;Ehrlich, Rodney
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.10-18
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    • 2020
  • Background: The elevated risk of occupational infection such as tuberculosis among health workers in many countries raises the question of whether the quality of occupational health and safety (OHS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) can be improved by auditing. The objectives of this study were to measure (1) audited compliance of primary health-care facilities in South Africa with national standards for OHS and IPC, (2) change in compliance at reaudit three years after baseline, and (3) the inter-rater reliability of the audit. Methods: The study analyzed audits of 60 primary health-care facilities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Baseline external audits in the time period 2011-2012 were compared with follow-up internal audits in 2014-2015. Audits at 25 facilities that had both internal and external audits conducted in 2014/2015 were used to measure reliability. Results: At baseline, 25% of 60 facilities were "noncompliant" (audit score<50%), 48% "conditionally compliant" (score >50 < 80%), and only 27% "compliant" (score >80%). Overall, there was no significant improvement in compliance three years after baseline. Percentage agreement on specific items between internal and external audits ranged from 28% to 92% and kappa from -0.8 to 0.41 (poor to moderate). Conclusion: Low baseline compliance with OHS-IPC measures and lack of improvement over three years reflect the difficulties of quality improvement in these domains. Low inter-rater reliability of the audit instrument undermines the audit process. Evidence-based investment of effort is required if repeat auditing is to contribute to occupational risk reduction for health workers.

Analysis of Inquiry Activities in High School Chemistry II Textbooks based on the 2009 Revised Science Curriculum: Focus on 8 Science Practices (2009 개정 교육과정에 따른 화학II교과서에 포함된 탐구 활동 분석: 8가지 과학 실천을 중심으로)

  • Jeon, Young;Choi, Aeran
    • Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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    • v.60 no.1
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    • pp.59-68
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    • 2016
  • The cultivation of scientific literacy in recent science education can be improved by experiencing and understanding scientific inquiry by which scientific knowledge is formed. The National Research Council(NRC) released the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) including 8 practices of science that help students experience scientists' inquiry and subdividing achievement standards to perform 8 practices of science into by grade clusters. This study was intended to examine science inquiry activities included in 4 high school chemistry II textbooks developed by the 2009 revised curriculum using the 8 scientific practices and their achievement standards for 9th-12th grade. The science inquiry activities and the science practices included in the 4 textbooks were 173 and 678. The science practices included in the inquiry activities of 4 textbooks included the most ‘analyzing and interpreting data.’ The ‘engaging in argument from evidence’, ‘Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information’ were less than other practices. The ‘asking questions and defining problem’ and ‘developing and using models’ were not nearly included in the 4 high school chemistry II textbooks.

Discussion on the Route of Lung Meridian: Focus on LU3 and LU4 (수태음폐경 노선에 대한 고찰: 천부·협백을 중심으로)

  • Seok Mo, Song
    • Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.172-183
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    • 2022
  • Objectives : An error was found in the recent standard by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the locations of the Upper arm Route of Lung Meridian (URLM) and its acupoints LU3 and LU4. This possible incorrect information is being taught throughout Korean medicine colleges nationwide, which follow WHO standards. Therefore, an investigation is required to sort out this discrepancy based on the evidence in historical documents. Methods : The location of WHO's URLM and LU3 and LU4 were compared with corresponding information in the classical literature. The anatomical structure mentioned in these classical documents was examined. Finally, an assessment was conducted on whether this structure is reflected in the WHO standards. Results : Classical literature prior to the early 20th century records the locations of the Lung Meridian and LU3 and LU4 of the upper arm to be in the artery on the medial aspect. This artery corresponds to the brachial artery. The location established by the WHO is on the anterolateral side of the upper arm, where no large arteries exist that can be found by haptic search or angiographically. The anterolateral side of the upper arm belongs to the Yang aspect, which does not coincide with the Yin aspect of Lung Meridian. Conclusions : The WHO's URLM and LU3-4 standards do not agree with the classical literature. The correct route must coincide with the brachial artery passing through the medial side of the humerus. The actual location of LU3-4 is on the medial aspect of the arm, just medial to the border of the biceps brachii muscle, on the brachial artery, 3-4 B-cun inferior to the anterior axillary fold.

Teacher's Gender-Related Beliefs about Mathematics

  • Zhang, Qiao-Ping;Wong, Ngai-Ying;Lam, Chi-Chung
    • Research in Mathematical Education
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.153-167
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    • 2013
  • Mathematics has been stereotyped as a male-dominated subject, and there is considerable evidence to support this belief. There has been much research in the past three decades on gender-related differences in elementrny and secondrny school mathematics. The research found that teachers possess different beliefs about male and female students that influence their teaching behaviour, which then directly or indirectly impact their students' behaviours, beliefs, and achievements in mathematics. Based on data collected from teacher questionnaire surveys in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, this study examines teachers' beliefs about the achievements of boys and girls in mathematics. The study also compares the findings in the two regions surveyed. Results showed that teachers gave more attention to boys than girls, regardless of the teacher's gender. Not only are teachers more likely to recall more boys than girls, but also more boys than girls with average academic standards.

The Wear Mechanism of Carbon(WC/C) Thin Film in Lubricated Contact (WC/C 박막의 윤활접촉하의 마멸기구)

  • Ahn, Hyo-Sok;Kim, Doo-In
    • Tribology and Lubricants
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    • v.24 no.6
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    • pp.302-307
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    • 2008
  • The running-in behaviour of the metal carbon coating (WC/C) was evaluated with regard to its applicability as wear-resistant coating for key components in engines. Reciprocating wear tests under lubricated condition employing an oscillating friction wear tester were performed to investigate the tribological behaviors of the coatings in ambient environment. Confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe worn surfaces and the wear scars on the steel balls. Elemental composition of the coating and worn surfaces were characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy. The friction behavior of WC/C coating was comparable to common carbon-based coatings. Thin tribofilm was formed on the worn surface of the steel ball due to material transfer and tribochemical reaction whereas there was no evidence of tribofilm generation on the coating surface. indicating the chemical innertness of WC/C coating.

A Study on Fracture Surface of Aged Turbine by Fractal Dimension

  • Kim, Amkee;Nahm, Seung-Hoon
    • Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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    • v.15 no.10
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    • pp.1417-1422
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    • 2001
  • Since fracture surface presents clear evidence to describe the circumstances of material failure event, analysis of fracture surface should provide plenty of useful information for failure prevention. Thus if we extract proper information from the fracture surface, the safety evaluation, for plant component could be more accurate. In general, the chaotic morphology of fracture surface is determined by the degree of material degradation as well as by other factors such as type of load, geometry of specimen, notch condition, microstructure of material and environment. In this research, we developed a fractal analysis technology for the fracture surface of aged turbine rotor steel based on the slit-island technique using an image analyzer. Moreover the correlation between the fractal dimension and the aging time was studied.

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The Study of Establishing Records and Archives Management System of The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (조계종 기록관리시스템 구축에 관한 연구)

  • Kwag, Jeong
    • The Korean Journal of Archival Studies
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    • no.11
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    • pp.144-180
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    • 2005
  • Automation can help organisations implement authentic and reliable record management practices, through the improved tracking of records through their life cycle as well as the consistent application of records schedules and descriptive standards. Maintaining evidence through authentic and reliable records is a cornerstone of good business practice and helps ensure a valuable record for society. This paper provided understanding of establishing records and archives management system(ARMS) with the case of the Jogye order of Korean buddhism. This system was designed to control records in the whole step from creation to preservation so that it automatized process to organize and control current records and to preserve archives. This system covers a wide range of archival functions including appraisal, arrangement and description, transfers, access, location and space management, microfilm management and destruction. This system will be applied records management of similar organization because of designing from the archival scientific point of view. Also, development process of this system will help archivist to build ARMS based on archival needs of institution.

Development of a Mobile Application for Effective Mental Health Intervention

  • Mousab Issa Alhamada;Khairayu Badron
    • International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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    • v.23 no.8
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    • pp.33-39
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    • 2023
  • The global surge in depression and anxiety, intensified by challenges such as cost and stigma, emphasizes the pressing need for accessible, evidence-based digital solutions. The research centers on the creation of a mobile application specifically designed to address mental health challenges. By integrating cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and features like appointment bookings and mindfulness feedback tools, the app is positioned to improve user outcomes. Utilizing platforms like React Native and React, combined with NestJS for enhanced backend security, the application adheres to the rigorous standards required for mental health interventions. Collaborative efforts with experts, notably the counseling unit of IIUM, ensure the app's alignment with contemporary best practices and research. Preliminary findings indicate a promising tool with the potential to address the global mental health treatment disparity.

Analysis of Achievement Standards, Activities, and Assessment Items in the 2015 Revised Science Curriculum and Grade 7 Science Textbooks: Focusing on Science Core Competencies (2015 개정 과학과 교육과정에 제시된 중학교 1학년 성취기준과 과학 1 교과서에 포함된 활동과 평가 문항 분석: 과학과 핵심역량 중심으로)

  • Yun, Doun;Choi, Aeran
    • Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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    • v.63 no.3
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    • pp.196-208
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    • 2019
  • This study analyzed achievement standards in the 2015 revised Science Education Standards as well as activities and assessment items in grade 7 science textbooks using science core competencies and subcomponents. Scientific participation and lifelong learning capacity was not involved in the achievement standards. Logical thinking of scientific thinking capacity, planning and carrying out investigation, analyzing and interpreting data, developing and using models, and constructing explanation of scientific inquiry capacity, collecting and selecting information of scientific problem solving capacity, and using various communication methods of scientific communication capacity were involved in the achievement standards. All five scientific core competencies including all subcomponents except rational decision making of scientific problem solving capacity and understanding and coordinating diverse thoughts of scientific communication capacity were involved in activities of science textbooks. All five scientific core competencies were involved in assessment items of science textbooks. Logical thinking and creative thinking of scientific thinking capacity, planning and carrying out investigation and constructing explanation of scientific inquiry capacity, identifying problems, collecting and selecting information, suggesting solutions, and performing of scientific problem solving capacity, using various communication methods, arguing based on evidence of scientific communication capacity, and being interested in science technology and society issues of scientific participation and lifelong learning capacity.

Final Impact of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment in Age-related Macular Degeneration (연령관련황반변성 환자에서 항혈관내피성장인자의 치료 방법과 재정 영향 분석)

  • Yang, Jangmi;Shin, Sang Jin;Suh, Jae Kyung;Cho, Songhee;Tchoe, Hajin;Kang, Min Joo;Jee, Donghyun
    • Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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    • v.59 no.11
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    • pp.1039-1048
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    • 2018
  • Purpose: To evaluate the effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment on the healthcare-related finances of patients with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Changes in health care financing due to newly introduced benefit standards were predicted over the coming 5-year period (2018-2022). We also analyzed the financial impact of scenarios in which agents similar to anti-VEGF, such as the over-licensed drug bevacizumab, were introduced. For this purpose, the future number of patients receiving anti-VEGF treatments was estimated for various scenarios based on National Health Insurance Corporation claims data followed by an estimate of the financial burden. Results: In the case of age-related macular degeneration, the current standard of care (14 times in a lifetime) was maintained in scenario 1. In 2018, the insurance budget for the coming 5-year period was estimated at approximately 440.3 billion won. The insurance cost for that period was estimated at approximately 560.1 billion won under the revised standard of December 2017 (scenario 2). For scenarios wherein, after 2020, similar treatments (scenario 3) and bevacizumab (scenario 4) were introduced, the estimated health insurance costs were 521 billion won and 419.7 billion won, respectively. Conclusions: Health insurance costs are projected to increase substantially due to the elimination of the 14 time pay standard; however, the actual budget will only moderately increase, due to new limitations of visual acuity ${\leq}0.1$ or in case of scarring/atrophic lesions. Clinically similar agents and bevacizumab could be considered as alternatives to anti-VEGF treatment for age-related macular degeneration.