• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 1993

Biogas created from animal waste is a precious energy source. A practical and successful utilization of the biogas is not easy, because there lie some difficulties in biogas production and facilities investment. In this study, the requisites for a successful biogas utilization were discussed. The production results obtained in the previous operation of anaerobic digestion plant were used for the simulation. When the slurry heating was designed for constant biogas generation, depreciation costs of the facilities amounted 1,175,000 yen per year, and biogas productions at $24.5^{\circ}C$, $30.0^{\circ}C$ and $35.5^{\circ}C$ were $16.8m^3$, $17.6m^3$ and $25.1m^3$, respectively. Removal ratios of organic matters were not so high. At $35.5^{\circ}C$, energy value of the biogas produced was estimated 125.5 Mcal per day, and the following heat loss (y Mcal/day) was brought about by the temperature difference ($X^{\circ}C$) between the digester and atmosphere; y = 0.769X - 5.375. The costs of biogas production per cow were assumed to decrease according to enlargement of feeding scale, especially on scales of more than 30 cows. On recent levels of costs and prices of energy in Japan, they were nearly equal to 2 to 3 fold of the price of municipal mixed gas when a anaerobic digester was compulsorily heated and kept at $30.0^{\circ}C$ or $35.5^{\circ}C$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.1677-1684
• /
• 2016

Background: Among the factors reported to determine the quality of life of breast cancer patients are socio-demographic background, clinical stage, type of treatment received, and the duration since diagnosis. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) scores among breast cancer patients at a Malaysian public hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study of breast cancer patients was conducted between March to June 2013. QOL scores were determined using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its breast cancer supplementary measure (QLQ-BR23). Both the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 assess items from functional and symptom scales. The QLQ-C30 in addition also measures the Global Health Status (GHS). Systematic random sampling was used to recruit patients. Results: 223 breast cancer patients were recruited with a response rate of 92.1%. The mean age of the patients was 52.4 years (95% CI = 51.0, 53.7, SD=10.3). Majority of respondents are Malays (60.5%), followed by Chinese (19.3%), Indians (18.4%), and others (1.8%). More than 50% of respondents are at stage III and stage IV of malignancy. The mean Global Health Status was 65.7 (SD = 21.4). From the QLQ-C30, the mean score in the functioning scale was highest for 'cognitive functioning' (84.1, SD=18.0), while the mean score in the symptom scale was highest for 'financial difficulties' (40.1, SD=31.6). From the QLQ-BR23, the mean score for functioning scale was highest for 'body image' (80.0, SD=24.6) while the mean score in the symptom scale was highest for 'upset by hair loss' (36.2, SD=29.4). Two significant predictors for Global Health Status were age and employment. The predictors explained 10.6% of the variation of global health status ($R^2=0.106$). Conclusions: Age and employment were found to be significant predictors for Global Health Status (GHS). The Quality of Life among breast cancer patients reflected by the GHS improves as age and employment increases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• 2006.11a
• /
• pp.702-707
• /
• 2006

There have been certain extent of material inventory in construction site because of difficulties in ordering by small quantity, strategy of securing future requirements and prevention of delay. However, carrying these inventory entails a financial cost called inventory holding cost and decrease construction productivity, so proper inventory management in construction industry is important for construction efficiency and cost reduction. This study tries to find analytical method of inventory management. It includes ordering decision which decide how much to order and when to order. Setting these strategies including deciding safety inventory, input and ouput variability are able to controled.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.12
• /
• pp.359-371
• /
• 2017

This study qualitatively examined the lives of non-tenured, secondary school teachers who are preparing for the teachers' exam. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with ten teachers and the data were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research method. Most of the participants had chosen a contract-based teaching position, believing that it would meet their financial needs, provide them with the satisfaction of being a teacher and, more importantly, afford practical help with their exam preparation. In practice, however, they suffered from low self-esteem and identity confusion due to discrimination by the school administrators. Ironically, this unfair treatment strengthened the participants' commitment to studying for the exam, in order to acquire a stable and secure position in school. However, they experienced a lot of study-related stress, including a lack of study hours, heavy study load, multiple life roles, physical exhaustion, the difficulties caused by the vague exam guide, and anxiety due to previous failure in the exam. Based on the findings of this study, directions for future research are suggested.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.29-42
• /
• 2017

Background : Efforts towards increasing insurance coverage for traditional Korean medicine (TKM) are being continued. However, various difficulties are faced in generating evidence for TKM due to limited financial support and the low quality of research methodology. Objectives : The objectives of this study were to review the Swiss evaluation program for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and assess the expansion in public health insurance coverage of complementary medicine as approved by referendum in Switzerland. Methods : The regulations of CAM in the European Union were assessed. Research articles, reports, government publications and websites which deal with the 'Programm Evaluation $Komplement{\ddot{a}}rmedizin$ (PEK)' and the referendum in Switzerland were searched for and analyzed. Results : The PEK was conducted from 1998 to 2005. The PEK evaluated the efficacy, utilization and cost-effectiveness of anthroposophical medicine, homeopathy, neural therapy, phytotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine. However, clear conclusions could not be drawn from the evaluation according to the PEK Report. Later, a referendum was implemented in which 5 therapies would be added to the Switzerland Constitution with the support of the public. The coverage of CAM was approved by Swiss a plebiscite with an approval rate of 67.0%. Conclusions : The reason for the successful referendum is suggested to be public support and the solidarity with CAM experts and politicians. It may be surmised that recognition of the political efforts and scientific aspects required to expand insurance coverage of TKM, and towards obtaining public support, is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.291-296
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine food safety practices and procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and to suggest more effective method of HACCP implementation in meat packaging industry in Korea. We used the non-compliance rate of each evaluation item to compare the weak points of prerequisite requirements and HACCP. The prerequisite items related to facility, equipment, and tools showed inadequate level of requirements or unsanitary conditions for proper HACCP operation. A lack of understanding of sanitation standard operation procedures was identified as a fundamental barrier to HACCP implementation. High rate of non-compliance in HACCP items compared to prerequisite requirements signify that small businesses have potential difficulties of applying HACCP due to lack of technical expertise, financial resources for prerequisite requirements, and available personnel to prepare and operate HACCP plan. Also we suggest to revise and minimize current critical control points (CCPs). Time-temperature control of cold-storage rooms for carcasses and final products could be performed by control points of prerequisite requirements. As the occurrence frequency getting lower, metal detector should be replaced by intensified training of sanitary handling and safety procedure. This will be more effective and preventive measures against physical contaminants including metal particles. In conclusion, control point of prerequisite requirement may replace CCP in the plant with simple processing line and no heating process such as meat packaging industry.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Electrogastrography is a method of measuring action potentials of the stomach. The purpose of this study was to investigate early postoperative changes in the electrogastrography and determine the correlation between electrogastrography and quality of life of patients with stomach cancer who underwent distal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed 20 patients with stomach cancer who underwent electrogastrography and quality of life was measured 1, 12, and 24 weeks after the operation. Quality of life-C30 version 3.0 and quality of life-STO22, were used. Results: Fasting and postprandial mean dominant frequency at 1 week after the operation was 2.7 and 2.7 cycles per minute, and 2.8 and 2.7 cycles per minute at 12 weeks, 2.6 and 2.8 cycles per minute at 24 weeks. Fasting and postprandial mean dominant power at 1 week was 36.5 and 36.4 dB, 36.3 and 40.1 dB at 12 weeks and 40.9 and 42.3 dB at 24 weeks. The percentage of tachygastria was increased whereas the percentage of bradygradia was decreased during the postoperative periods (P<0.05). Global health, physical, emotional and social functioning scales were improved, but role and cognitive functioning were not changed. Pain, insomnia, diarrhea and financial difficulties were significantly improved according to the postoperative periods (P<0.05). The correlation between the STO22 and electrogastrography parameters was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: These may suggest that electrogastrography is a simple and noninvasive method and may be applicated for evaluating motility and autonomic functions of the remnant stomach.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2000

Objectives : The author wanted to summarize the psychiatric and social aspects of the patients with hepatitis B virus infection. Methods : The author reviewed all pertinent citations in the Medline database from 1966 to 1999. Results : Psychiatric problems in this population include delirium, psychotic disorder due to general medical condition(especially mania), anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, alcohol abuse/dependence, and drug abuse/dependence. Social aspects of the patients with hepatitis B viral infection relate to the stigma of being a carrier, guilty feeling about infection, guilty feeling about increased family burden, impacts of having hepatitis on interpersonal relations, sexual difficulties, and job loss with increased financial burden, and health care worker's refusal. Conclusions : Appropriate early educational counseling interventions regarding the expected course and psychosocial intervention should be tailored to the sociocultural needs of special populations. Those interventions will increase compliance of treatment and prevent progression to hepatocellalar carcinoma from hepatitis.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
• /
• v.61
• /
• pp.327-358
• /
• 2014

During the past decade after entering the World Trade Organization (WTO), China has quickened its integration into the global economy while its foreign trade has been further invigorated. On the 10th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO, the Chinese government issues White Paper to give a comprehensive introduction to China's foreign trade development. Through this paper, the Chinese government introduces I. Historic Progress in China's Foreign Trade II. Reform of and Improvements to China's Foreign Trade System III. The Development of China's Foreign Trade Contributes to the World Economy IV. Promoting Basically Balanced Growth of Foreign Trade V. Constructing All-round Economic and Trade Partnerships with Mutually Beneficial Cooperation VI. Realizing Sustainable Development of Foreign Trade. At present, the underlying impact of the international financial crisis, the protracted, arduous and complicated nature of the world economic recovery is manifesting itself, and the global economic structure and trade layout face in-depth readjustment. China will make new adjustments to its foreign trade, in an effort to turn foreign trade from scale expansion to quality and profit improvement, and from mainly relying on its low-cost advantage to enhancing its comprehensive competitive edge, thereby turning China from a big trading country to a strong trading power. China's foreign trade is still hampered by many uncertainties and is bound to meet new difficulties and challenges. During the 12th Five-year Plan period China will open itself wider to the outside world as a driver for further reform, development and innovation, make full use of its advantages, strengthen international cooperation in all respects. And at the same time China integrate itself into the world economy on a wider scale and at a higher level. China is willing to work with its trading partners to cope with the various challenges facing the world economy and trade, and promote its foreign trade to realize a more balanced, coordinated and sustainable development, and share prosperity and mutually beneficial results with its trading partners.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.1-26
• /
• 2018

This study examines 17 ex-offenders' wives who is receiving housing support from the Korea Rehabilitation Agency to understood the difficulties child-rearing experiences with the grounded theory. Based upon the research outcomes, supporting that needs for prisoners' wives who feel a huge burden on taking care of infants and preschool children by themselves was discussed. The prisoners' wives with children at school age and initial/middle adolescent need to get strong support due to not only the shock about husbands in prison but also the burden and stress that should follow the role as parents of students. Those late adolescent/adulthood who were supposed to follow their dreams, were required for their financial and emotional sacrifice. Result indicates children need to get support to form the right identity, not to get exhausted or shrink from being stigmatized and prejudiced as children of released prisoners.