• Clean Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.141-152
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• 2015

As environmental issues are emerging, bio-plastic suppliers in leading countries have been foreseeing the strong needs for environment-friendly materials such as eco-packing materials due to increased attention and regulation on recycle. To catch up with the demand, various types of bio-plastics based on natural feedstocks were developed and released on a market. These bio-plastic products drew the great attention even in domestic industries. At present, international oil price fluctuation and heavy charge on waste raise the unit cost of production and disposal expense of conventional plastic materials. These conditions make bio-plastic an alternative, because it is not restrained by oil prices and problem in the disposal. It is also expected that bio-plastic will be applied to various types of products including containers, industrial supplies, disposables, and medical supplies. However, the bio-plastic is still in its infancy, thus more research and understanding should be followed to put it to application. Bio-plastic is considered as environment-friendly material with high potential which has the advantages of production and disposal.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.347-354
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• 2013

In contrast to the increase in demand for high quality healthcare, there is limited medical human resources such as doctors and nurses so an excessive amount of workload is being forced to them. Therefore, a patient monitoring system using USN(Ubiquitous Sensor Network) is becoming a solution. This paper proposes a patient monitoring system applying USN in maternity hospital to reduce the workload of nurses. According to the efficiency evaluation test based on the model of two university hospitals(S, K University Hospital) and their doctor's diagnosis, the results showed that under the circumstances that one nurse is in charge of 12 patients(6 normal delivery patients and 6 cesarean delivery patients), a total of 1,260 minutes of workload was saved during hospitalization period(5 days). Also, we compared the workload of nurses with or without our proposed system, and the figures showed that in case of normal delivery patients, the workload of nurses decreased by 50 minutes per patient, whereas in case of cesarean delivery patients, the workload of nurses decreased by 130 minutes per patient.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.149-162
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to design strategic hospital service based on each hospital's features. For this study, an assessment was conducted by 398 in-patents of one university hospital located in Seoul. The self-questionnaires, which were investigated from Oct. 15th to 29th in 2008, compared central reception desk with ward reception desk in satisfaction and re-use rate of patients. The major results of this study are as follow. First, according to each reception desk user, they have different satisfaction of it. As for the staff kindness, admission procedure, discharge procedure and manner of staff, those made patients be gratified as well. Second, when it comes to the intention of re-use, there were no significant features between them. Only convenience in admission and discharge procedure, however, was an attractive factor for the recommendation. Third, this study found out the reasons for higher re-use rate of central reception desk users. Regarding service, they were contented with the time for test and treatment. As for the hospital service, they would like to re-use this hospital because of convenient steps of paying interim fee and getting certificates. Forth, this study found out the reasons for higher re-use rate of ward reception desk users. As a point of hospital service view, they responded that respected privacy, hospital facility and general service were good for staying. As for the manner of staff, they mentioned nurses and staff in charge and whole staff members were kind. When it comes to the procedures of patient management, steps of discharge and paying interim fee were convenience. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that providing a ward reception desk service can boost the satisfaction and re-use rate of in-patients. Furthermore, this strategic management method would be good for not only cutting the moving line but also efficient in-patient care system. These results can be used for the strategic hospital marketing field, as well. Even though this study has a limitation of the targeted populations which were only in a ward reception desk running hospital, it can say that having competitiveness in satisfaction of hospital service is good for promoting and differencing each hospital. Consequently, whole general management system would be adjusted first for differencing each hospital; however, this sort of additional factor should be concerned as well. I expect that this study would give meaningful data for designing strategic and differencing marketing method to lots of hospitals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.127-150
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• 2004

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide a basic structure for the establishment of the direction of school health programs, an overview of the historical changes of school health programs and their results, and a conceptual framework on school health programs. Methods: The data analysis has been done using a statistical almanac, relevant laws and regulations, operation handbook of the program, theses, reports, records of public hearings, and other reports as a technical research primarily based on evidence. The methodology of this research classifies the development and growth transition of school health programs during a historical period through the investigation of regulations, organization, manpower, and its program via its development process and to provide a basic tool to design a solid school health policy. Results: A The growth and development of school health programs The development of school health programs was classified into three different periods including the forthcoming period (1945~1967), the completion period (1967~1993), and the actualization period based on the establishment of legislation for School Health Law, other relevant legislation, and the contents of school health programs (1993~present). B. Policy direction of school health programs School health programs have reestablished their goals and range based on basic direction, and developed the W1it model of information structure for school health program management and its basic structure. Finally, the stepwise support system through the building of the school health support center is recommended. (1) The basic direction of school health programs has proposed 7 basic goals to reestablish the policy direction of health improvement based on total health. (2) The W1it model of information system and the school health information system for school health program management has been developed to utilize positive management. (3) School health policy through the study of the health laws and systems has been developed. The necessity of school health support center for the policy support, functional support and operation support has also been proposed. Conclusions: It is necessary to build a school health support center that consists of health professionals in charge of policy support, functional support, and program support of school health programs in order to realize and develop new policy.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.329-335
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• 2010

Digital imaging detectors can use a variety of detection materials to convert X-ray radiation either to light or directly to electron charge. Many detectors such as amorphous silicon flat panels, CCDs, and CMOS photodiode arrays incorporate a scintillator screen to convert x-ray to light. The digital radiography systems based on semiconductor detectors, commonly referred to as flat panel detectors, are gaining popularity in the clinical & hospital. The X-ray detectors are described between a-Silicon based indirect type and a-Selenium based direct type. The DRS of detectors is used to convert the x-ray to electron hole pairs. Image processing is described by specific image features: Latitude compression, Contrast enhancement, Edge enhancement, Look up table, Noise suppression. The image features are tuned independently. The final enhancement result is a combination of all image features. The parameters are altered by using specific image features in the different several hospitals. The image in a radiological report consists of two image evaluation processes: Clinical image parameters and MTF is a descriptor of the spatial resolution of a digital imaging system. We used the edge test phantom and exposure procedure described in the IEC 61267 to obtain an edge spread function from which the MTF is calculated. We can compare image in the processing parameters to change between original and processed image data. The angle of the edge with respect to the axes of detector was varied in order to determine the MTF as a function of direction. Each MTF is integrated within the spatial resolution interval of 1.35-11.70 cycles/mm at the 50% MTF point. Each image enhancement parameters consists of edge, frequency, contrast, LUT, noise, sensitometry curve, threshold level, windows. The digital device is also shown to have good uniformity of MTF and image parameters across its modality. The measurements reported here represent a comprehensive evaluation of digital radiography system designed for use in the DRS. The results indicate that the parameter enables very good image quality in the digital radiography. Of course, the quality of image from a parameter is determined by other digital devices in addition to the proper clinical image.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.220-228
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• 2018

The internal resistance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) using stainless steel skein for oxidizing electrode was investigated and the factors affecting the voltage generation were identified. We also investigated the effect of power management system (PMS) on the usability for MFC and the removal efficiency of organic pollutants. The performance of a stack microbial fuel cell connected with (PMS) or PMS+LED was analyzed by the voltage generation and organic matter reduction. The maximum power density of the unit cells was found to be $5.82W/m^3$ at $200{\Omega}$. The maximum current density was $47.53A/m^3$ without power overshoot even under $1{\Omega}$. The ohmic resistance ($R_s$) and the charge transfer resistance ($R_{ct}$) of the oxidation electrode using stainless steel skein electrode, were $0.56{\Omega}$ and $0.02{\Omega}$, respectively. However, the sum of internal resistance for reduction electrode using graphite felts loaded Pt/C catalyst was $6.64{\Omega}$. Also, in order to understand the internal resistance, the current interruption method was used by changing the external resistance as $50{\Omega}$, $300{\Omega}$, $5k{\Omega}$. It has been shown that the ohm resistance ($R_s$) decreased with the external resistance. In the case of a series-connected microbial fuel cell, the reversal phenomenon occurred even though two cells having the similar performance. However, the output of the PMS constantly remained for 20 hours even when voltage reversal occurred. Also the removal ability of organic pollutants (SCOD) was not reduced. As a result of this study, it was found that buffering effect for a certain period of time when the voltage reversal occurred during the operation of the microbial fuel cell did not have a serious effect on the energy loss or the operation of the microbial fuel cell.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.44-55
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• 2001

Background : This study aimed at identifying the effect of the standardized protocol on lowering the incidence of the ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP). Methods : The standard protocol focusing on decreasing VAP was made and applied at 5 ICUs (Medical ICU, surgical ICU, Respiratory ICU, Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU) in a university affiliated tertiary hospital, from April 1, 2000 to Oct 31, 2000. The protocol involved 3 parts : hand washing, the suctioning method and ventilator circuit management. All the nursing personnel received intensive education which was consisted of lecture, video film and demonstration. 176 nurses reported the performance of handwashing pre and post intervention. And randomly selected 15 nurses were observed by charge nurse and the handwashing practice was analyzed pre and post intervention. The incidence of VAP was compared with the former year incidence. Results : The self reported frequency of hand washing increased. In the direct observation of handwashing, the frequency, time, thoroughness of hand washing during 8 hours day duty was found to be improved. The frequency was increased from 1.1 time to 4.1 times; the time was improved from 1.7 seconds to 5.7 seconds and the thoroughness of the washing practice was from 0.2 times to 3.0 times respectively (p<0.001). The incidence of VAP decreased from at a rate of 15.63 number of case per 1,000 ventilator-day (April 1~August 31, 1999) to 7.23 number of case per 1,000 ventilator-days(April 1~Oct 31, 2000)(P<0.001). Conclusion : We developed the protocols which included hand washing, the suctioning method, and ventilator circuit management. Through the implementation of the protocol, the performance of hand washing improved and the VAP incidence rate in ICU was decreased.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.247-253
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• 2013

The purpose is a comparative evaluation in the DR System according to the dosimetry and image quality of the quantitative and objective via Direct digital radiography, Indirect digital radiography, Image intensifier (Charge Coupled Device type) digital radiography. The experimental method used rando phantom and measured the entrance surface dose. And through using the measured entrance surface dose and then using the PCXMC program were evaluated risk due to irradiation and the effective dose. SNR and NPS and CNR were measured and analyzed by using 21cm acryl phantom. Significance of measured value was evaluated by statistics method. Entrance surface dose, major organ dose, effective dose all of them were measured the lowest rated in direct DR when it is on the basis of direct DR dose, high-dose ratio were measured in I.I DR approximately 1.3 times, indirect DR approximately 2.4 times. Risk in accordance with radiation also was measured same as dose ratio. On the conclusion that SNR measurement result based on direct DR SNR measurements, low-SNR ratio were measured in I.I DR approximately 7.25 times, indirect DR approximately 1.48 times. On the conclusion that CNR measurement result based on direct DR CNR measurements, high-dose ratio were measured in I.I type DR approximately 1.16 tims and low-dose ratio were measured in indirect DR approximately 0.87 times. Therefore Direct DR system using a-selenium sensing element to detect x-ray photon is thought effectively at the examination such as infant to sensitive irradiation and the genital gland. Because quality image is built by low dose. Also when it is necessary that image test requiring many diagnosis information, indirect DR system is thought effectively.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 1999

The transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA was inspected using multi-cationic polymer, 5, 10, 25 and 50KD polyethylenimine (PEI). The optimal neutralization ratio of PEI/DNA complexes by agarose assay was 1.5-2.0 (nmol/nmol) without much difference in molecular weight of PEI.In vitro transfection assay, most of PEI-mediated plasmid delivery was better compared to the naked DNA. Especially, 25KD PEI at optimal condition gave higher transfection rather than the standard assay of DEAE-dextran or Lipofectin. To enhance the cell targeting delivery, the liposome formulations were introduced using phospholipids. As a result, PC/PE liposomes increased 2-2.5 times of the transfection efficiency of PEI single or PC/PE single delivery, but not the case of 25KD PEI. Moreover, the DOTAP/PE-introduced PEI delivery reduced the transfection of DOTAP/PE single delivery. All these results proved that the PEI can be used not only good transfectants and but also good DNA condensing agents in neutral/anionic liposome for cell targeting delivery.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.162-182
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• 1997

This study was carried out to assess the current status of hospital wage structure and to find out the characteristics and problems in the current hospital wage structure. so as to provide empirical data for establishing a rational wage structure. The data were collected from administrative personnels in charge of wage management in 31 hospitals by using a structured questionnaire through direct visiting and mailing in Pusan Metropolitan City. The major findings in this study were as follows: First, the hospital wage structure applied differently to the basic wages between doctors and the other employees. The wage structure for doctors included performance rate of 51.6%, followed by a synthesis rate of 29.0%, while the wage for the other employees had the synthesis rate of 74.2%, followed by the seniority rate of 12.9%. Second, the wage consisted of a basic wage for 57.5%. the allowance for 21.1% and monthly installed bonus for 21.4%, and the basic wage comprised 68.3% of the total wage for doctors, as compared to 51.9% for nurses and medical technicians and 52.4% for administrative and managerial personnel. The annual rate of the bonus was average 460%, and 96.8% of the hospital did not consider personnel preformance appraisal when paying the bonus. Third, 80.6% of the hospitals applied the legal rate to the retirement allowance while 19.4% applying cumulative rates more than the legal rate, and all of university hospitals applied cumulative rates. Retirement reserves were practiced only in 54.9% of the hospitals. Forth, many hospitals seemed to be interested in applying graded wage system according to performance, by showing that 42.9% of the hospitals were planning to apply it in the future, despite only 9.7% practicing it. Fifth, the wage structure appeared to be complicated due to various kinds of allowances. The kind of the allowances varied among hospitals, ranging from 2 to 26 kinds, and increased as the size of hospital was larger. Sixth, the opinions leading to improve the basic wage structure favored the seniority rate for 51.6% either to maintain the present seniority rate(16.1%) or to apply the incentive pay in addition to the senior rate(35.5%). and also favored the performance rate for 35.5%, followed by the job rate for 12.9%. In conclusion, the current hospital wage structure seemed to be too complicated to reflect personal ability, contribution and performance and to become a big barrier to inducing worker's motivation and to strengthening in competitveness. Therefore it is suggested that the current wage structure should be revised to the one emphasizing on job and ability base with considering characteristics and situation of the hospital, rather than seniority factors.