• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.101-113
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• 2006

Structural health monitoring results obtained with the electro-mechanical (E/M) impedance techniqueand Lamb wave transmission methods during fatigue crack propagation of an Arcan specimen instrumented with piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) are presented. The specimen was subjected in mixed-mode fatigue loading and a crack was propagated in stages. At each stage, an image of the crack and the location of the crack tip were recorded and the PWAS readings were taken. Hence, the crack-growth in the specimen could be correlated with the PWAS readings. The E/M impedance signature was recorded in the 100 - 500 kHz frequency range. The Lamb-wave transmission method used the pitch-catch approach with a 3-count sine tone burst of 474 kHz transmitted and received between various PWAS pairs. Fatigue loading was applied to initiate and propagate the crack damage of controlled magnitude. As damage progressed, the E/M impedance signatures and the waveforms received by receivers were recorded at predetermined intervals and compared. Data analysis indicated that both the E/M impedance signatures and the Lamb-wave transmission signatures are modified by the crack progression. Damage index values were observed to increase as the crack damage increases. These experiments demonstrated that the use of PWAS in conjunction with the E/M impedance and the Lamb-wave transmission is a potentially powerful tool for crack damage detection and monitoring in structural elements.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.35-46
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• 2021

Ecosystem services play a role in promoting sustainable development by contributing to human welfare. For sustainable development, a balance between supply and demand for ecosystem services must be made. In this regard, in this study, factor analysis was performed using the results of measuring ecosystem services for the supply of ecosystem services and national statistical data representing socio-economic factors for demand for ecosystem services The results of analysis for Gyeong-gi Province are as follows. The service supply based on the result of ecosystem services was divided into the mixed service provisioning as factor1, the food provisioning as factor2, and the P retention service provisioning area as factor3. As for the demand for services based on socio-economic factors, factor1 is divided into urbanized areas, factor2 is forest development area, and factor3 is agricultural activity development area. Local governments that maintain balance were evaluated as Pocheon, Yangpyeong, Icheon, Pyeongtaek, Goyang, Suwon, Gwangmyeong, and Osan, and imbalanced local governments appeared in Gimpo, Uiwang, Anseong, and Yeoju. A management plan to maintain the balance between supply and demand of ecosystem services was suggested. The analysis method and results of this study are expected to be applicable to various local governments through regional expansion.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.65-75
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• 2019

This study aims at analyzing the therapeutic design characteristics implemented in the indoor atriums of the outpatient areas in four children's hospitals in London and San Francisco. A mixed-method approach was used to examine the spatial configurations and design elements in the atriums, while a literature review was conducted to understand the therapeutic design characteristics relevant to atrium spaces and children's healthcare facilities. The spatial design and the pattern of use of the atrium in each hospital were studied during field visits and interviews with the hospital management staff. Based on the literature review and the observations from the field study, a Visibility Graphic Analysis was chosen to examine the visibility, accessibility, and intelligibility of the spatial configurations in the atriums of each hospital. In addition, the openness, restfulness, and vibrant ambience of the design elements in the atriums of each hospital were investigated by surveying fifty-two design professionals on the quality of the design elements in the atriums. A spatial configuration analysis, confirmed that all the atrium spaces had high visibility, accessibility, and intelligibility due to their high connectivity, integration, intelligibility, and because the atriums were laid out in the open lobby space, along the major circulation axis, or in the circulation intersection. In the survey of the design element evaluation, all atriums proved to be appropriate in terms of openness, while the adequacy of restfulness and vibrant ambience differed depending on the hospitals. Notably, location and orientation, access, natural light, outdoor view, and play facilities were found significant environmental design elements determining the successful implementation of the therapeutic design in the atriums. The observations from the aforementioned are further discussed to enhance the therapeutic design quality of atrium spaces in children's hospitals.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.473-489
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• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated the patient safety culture (PSC), the perception of importance on patient safety management (PIPSM) and the patient safety management activities (PSMA) of care workers in nursing homes. This was a descriptive study that attempted to provide basic data for the patient safety education program of care workers. Methods: Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews from July 1 to 31 in 2020. One hundred and seventy-four care workers participated in quantitative research. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Bonferroni, and Pearson's correlation. The qualitative data were collected through semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews with six representatives and six care workers from six nursing homes. Content analysis was performed to analyze the data. Results: Positive correlations were observed between PSC and PIPSM, and between PIPSM and PIPSM. Care workers' experience in patient safety management was in the following six categories: "Safety accident risk factors", "Type of safety accidents", "How to prevent safety accidents", "Effective safety management education", "Emphasis on occupational ethics of care workers", and "Needs for standard protocol" Conclusion: These findings indicate that considering the care workers' age and facility size, nurses should enhance patient safety education for care workers and establish a management activity system.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.581-605
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for improving energy efficiency by estimating the regional energy efficiency in Korea using the stochastic frontier approach beyond the energy intensity that has been traditionally used as an indicator of energy efficiency. In this paper, energy efficiency and energy intensity efficiency were estimated as a stochastic distance function from 1998 to 2018 for 16 cities and provinces in Korea. In addition, the robustness of energy efficiency according to the capital stock estimation methods which had been mixed in previous studies was reviewed. As a result of the analysis, there is a significant change in regional rankings according to the three energy efficiency indicators, so they should be used complementary to each other. Second, while the energy efficiency improved little by little over time, the energy intensity efficiency decreased slightly though. Lastly, energy efficiency by region according to the capital stock estimation method was not robust. Care must be taken in estimating capital stock, which is important in economic analysis.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.526-532
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• 2020

Background: The high incidence of work-related diseases and injuries among day-laborers and workers with no legal contracts (informal workers) has received the attention of the Thai authorities. Workers' low occupational health literacy (OHL) has been reasoned as one contributing factor. Absence of a valid tool has prevented assessment of informal workers' OHL. The aim of this study was to create a valid and reliable Occupational Health Literacy Scale within the context of Thai working culture (TOHLS-IF). Methods: This study used the mixed method approach to develop TOHLS-IF. Questions were generated using in-depth interviews and an extensive review of the literature. Experts' assessment confirmed the content validity of TOHLS-IF. The scales of its psychometric properties were assessed in a sample of 400 informal workers using cluster random sampling. Results: The final version of the TOHLS-IF comprises 38 items within 4 dimensions: Ability to Gain Access, Understanding, Evaluation, and Use of occupational health and safety information. Factor analysis identified items explaining 50.22% of the total variance. The final confirmatory analysis confirmed the model estimates were satisfactory for the construct. TOHLS-IF demonstrated a high internal consistency and satisfactory reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .98). Conclusion: The TOHLS-IF is a valid and reliable instrument to assess informal workers' OHL. The structural dimensions of this instrument are based on the concept of health literacy and Thai culture. Thai health professionals are encouraged to benefit from this instrument to assess their workers' OHL and apply findings as guidelines for effective occupational health and safety interventions.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.214-230
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• 2022

Loss and damage have become a vital contemporary issue in climate change studies and actions in developing countries. However, studies are scant on this in the fisheries sector around the world. In Bangladesh, there is no study on the loss and damage in fisheries dependent communities. This study assesses economic and non-economic loss and damage to coastal shrimp farms due to cyclone Bulbul in Gabura Union of Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira district, using a mixed method approach. Results show that all shrimp farms' dependent communities are affected by cyclone Bulbul to some extent. About 14%, 57%, and 29% of the farms were totally, heavily and moderately damaged due to farm inundation and dyke damage. The estimated mean loss and damage per shrimp farm was worth USD 4,633. Around 31% and 72% of the farms' fencing nets and traps were lost, which was worth USD 333 per farm. There were also loss and damage to other resources such as houses, solar panels, livestock and agricultural crops where the estimated mean loss and damage per household was worth USD 3,170. This study reported that the rich shrimp farmers encountered proportionately more economic loss and damage than their poor counterparts. However, this does not mean that the poor suffered less. The current study found a range of non-economic loss and damage in different aspects of the shrimp farmers' household members such as unbearable mental pain, deterioration of health, physical injuries, disabilities, etc. and access to services (e.g., inadequate food, lack of safe drinking water, lack of medical facilities, disruption of education systems), social infrastructure (e.g., damage of roads and markets) and disturbance of cultural functions. The findings suggest that urgent short- and long-term actions may be taken to save the aquaculture farms and dependent livelihoods from economic and non-economic loss and damage to cyclones in future.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.59-74
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• 2023

Third places are those that offer a space outside of work and home for people to escape the stress associated with the primary spaces of their lives. Through social interactivity these help in acquiring some emotional support provided by a close and intimate attachment. Such social support can turn into social resources for individuals and can lead to forming communities that may become incubators for social capital through regular visits to shared socializing places. This paper focuses on social interaction that takes place through the third place and the communities that are being created as a contributing factor to knowledge management. The study being reported in this paper investigated the role of coffee shops as third places in building communities and social capital in Kuwait. A mixed-method approach was used to conduct the study. These methods included qualitative methods such as extended conversations in the form of semi-structured interviews and quantitative methods of using questionnaires distributed to coffee shop staff and visitors. Results indicated that importance attached to providing facilities by coffee shops reflected that the owners perceived these as third places. The facilities attracted customers to coffee houses where interactions took place that helped to build communities. The pattern of visits by customers showed that mostly they come in groups and have meetings and gatherings that facilitated and encouraged interactions. The communities that are being built in the coffee shops are indicative of these being perceived as third places by owners, customers, and staff. This study shows the potential of coffee shops as a major sector of the food industry promising a valuable contribution in transformation and transition to a knowl- edge-based economy in Kuwait.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.238-247
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• 2023

Objectives: Low adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases the risk of virus transmission from mother to newborn. Increasing mothers' knowledge and motivation to access treatment has been identified as a critical factor in prevention. Therefore, this research aimed to explore barriers and enablers in accessing HIV care and treatment services. Methods: This research was the first phase of a mixed-method analysis conducted in Kupang, a remote city in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Samples were taken by purposive sampling of 17 people interviewed, consisting of 6 mothers with HIV, 5 peer facilitators, and 6 health workers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document review. Inductive thematic analysis was also performed. The existing data were grouped into several themes, then relationships and linkages were drawn from each group of informants. Results: Barriers to accessing care and treatment were lack of knowledge about the benefits of ARV; stigma from within and the surrounding environment; difficulty in accessing services due to distance, time, and cost; completeness of administration; drugs' side effects; and the quality of health workers and HIV services. Conclusions: There was a need for a structured and integrated model of peer support to improve ARV uptake and treatment in pregnant women with HIV. This research identified needs including mini-counseling sessions designed to address psychosocial barriers as an integrated approach to support antenatal care that can effectively assist HIV-positive pregnant women in improving treatment adherence.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.408-415
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• 2023

The formation of bonding configurations such as pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N, and graphitic-N by nitrogen doping plays a crucial role in imparting distinct physical properties to carbon nanomaterials. In this study, we propose a simple and cost-effective approach to regulate nitrogen dopant configurations in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by mixing melamine as a dopant source. We employed three distinct mechanical mixing techniques, namely magnetic stirring, bath sonication and tip sonication. The higher the ratio of melamine to CNT, the higher the ratio of Pyrrolic-N, and when mixed through stirring, the highest ratio of Pyridinic-N was shown. The facile method proposed in this study, which can easily form various types of nitrogen dopants in carbon nanotubes, is expected to facilitate the application of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials.