• Title/Summary/Keyword: Quality Improvements

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Spectral Feature Transformation for Compensation of Microphone Mismatches

  • Jeong, So-Young;Oh, Sang-Hoon;Lee, Soo-Young
    • The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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    • v.22 no.4E
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    • pp.150-154
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    • 2003
  • The distortion effects of microphones have been analyzed and compensated at mel-frequency feature domain. Unlike popular bias removal algorithms a linear transformation of mel-frequency spectrum is incorporated. Although a diagonal matrix transformation is sufficient for medium-quality microphones, a full-matrix transform is required for low-quality microphones with severe nonlinearity. Proposed compensation algorithms are tested with HTIMIT database, which resulted in about 5 percents improvements in recognition rate over conventional CMS algorithm.

Practical Management of Cancer Pain (암성 통증의 관리)

  • Jin Seok Jang
    • Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.56-63
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    • 2014
  • Cancer pain is one of the most serious undesirable and unsolved complications for the cancer patients. Despite significant improvements in the management of cancer pain through past decades, it is still perceived as insufficient. Effective management of pain starts on a comprehensive assessment to identify the origin and characteristics of the pain. Then, appropriate multidisciplinary medical and surgical interventions could provide optimal treatments. With intensive attentions, complete or partial pain relief with tolerable side effects of the medication will be obtained and it will improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

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Effects of Community-based Rehabilitation Programs on Activities of Daily Living, Quality of Life and Assistive Technology Satisfaction for Disabled Adults in South Korea

  • Heo, Seo Yoon;Lee, Chang Hee;Choi, Wan Suk
    • Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.1100-1104
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program on activities of daily livings (ADLs), quality of life and assistive technology satisfaction for disabled adults in South Korea. Fourteen community-dwelling subjects were participated in a home-based rehabilitation program which performed once a month for 2 months. The outcome measures included Modified Barthel Index (MBI) for assessing ADLs, EuroQol five-dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) for quality of life (QoL) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST 2.0) for assistive technology. Significant improvements in ADLs, quality of life and assistive technology satisfaction were observed after the program. This study indicated that community-based rehabilitation program is an effective method for improving ADLs, quality of life and assistive technology satisfaction for adults with disabilities.

QFD-HOQ Comparison and Improvement Strategies for Quality and Cost of Rebar Couplers (철근 커플러의 품질, 비용에 관한 QFD-HOQ 비교 및 개선전략)

  • Cho, Jaeho;Chae, Myungjin
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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    • 2023.05a
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    • pp.319-320
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    • 2023
  • In a reinforced concrete structure, coupler construction is easier to install than jointing or welding reinforcing bars, so it is possible to work by one person. When constructing a reinforcing bar coupler, the coupler construction method must be different for each member that receives a large tensile force or a member that receives a small tensile strength. Various coupler products are used in the global construction market, and the quality, performance, and cost of reinforcing bar joints vary from product to product. This study compares and analyzes the quality and cost of representative rebar couplers according to the requirements using the quality house of QFD-HOQ. The case study presents a quality and cost improvements strategy through QFD-HOQ analysis of rebar couplers.

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An Analysis on Situation and Causes of Strategic Alliance Major Container Liner Company in the World (세계 주요 컨테이너 해운기업의 전략적 제휴의 현황과 그 생성원인에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Tae-Woo;Kim, Kwang-Hee;Lee, Kwang-Hee
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Navigation
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.1-18
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    • 1997
  • From the beginning of 1990s , also in the shipping industry, especially liner shipping industry competition has been more intensive and difference of the service quality among shipping companies has been learned . On the other hand, a shipping company has some limitations to do its international mission for itself just by broadening service area. For this reason, the necessity for the global strategi alliance among the shipping companies, which is orginally aimed at sharing of facilities and organixation, has been developed. Through strategic alliance, liner shipping companies do not need to input the additional capitals to increase the material assets such as vessel capacity and spread the risk by the enlargement of the market. Also, they can secure the competitive edge through efficient utilizaton of assets. The purpose of strategic alliance of Hanjin Shipping Ltd., can be summarized as follows ; broadening of service area, cost reduction through vessel sharing, realization of rationalized shipping service by terminal and equipment or facilities sharing. Liner strategic alliances are agreement among liner companies to pol their equipment , andterminals for joint operations and services in which each alliance partner continues to serve its market using jointly operated or used inland feeders,inland terminals, port terminals, and mainline fleets of ship as well as joint pools of containers and equipment. Strategic alliances are generally more formal agreements than consortia and impose longer term and far reaching obligation on their members. It also acts as one in developing and advancing the strategic aims of the alliance members. The most important objective for liner strategic alliances is cost reduction and improvement in capital asset utilization. Main aims of strategic alliance drawn in this paper, can be enumerated follows : 1. improvements in service frequency and quality : 2. improvements in vessel and equipment utilization and thereby reductions in fixed and variable cost ; 3. improvements in market shares and high value cargo booking ; 4. reductions in intermodal storage and port terminal throughput costs ; 5. improvements in negotiating powers with ports and feeder transport providers ; 6. reduction in financial and other fixed costs such as insurance; 7. coordination and integration of MIS and EDI systems and service for greater efficiency and market penetration ; and, 8. improvements in logistic chain management and economic of scale by equipment depot, terminal, and vessel sharing.

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The Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and the Five Facets of Mindfulness in Patients with Mood Disorders through Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (기분장애 환자에서 마음챙김에 기초한 인지치료에 따른 우울 증상과 다섯 가지 마음챙김 요소와의 관계)

  • Kim, Namwoo;Kim, Hyeyoung;Cho, Sung Joon;Ahn, Yong Min
    • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.212-218
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    • 2017
  • Objectives We aimed to examine whether mindfulness skills are mediating the improvements of depressive symptoms in patients with mood disorders who practiced Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Methods A total of 19 patients with mood disorder were included in this study. The participants were divided into two subgroups: a normal to mild depression group and a moderate depression group. The participants completed questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms, anxiety, quality of life, suicidal idea, and mindfulness skills which were measured by the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before and after MBCT course. Results The moderate depression group showed improvements through MBCT in depressive symptoms and suicidal idea, but not in anxiety and quality of life. The normal to mild depression group showed no significant change through MBCT. The improvement of depressive symptoms in the moderate depression group was predictable by improvements of the five facets of mindfulness, especially by 'observe' and 'non-react' components. Conclusions This study showed that currently depressive patients with moderate severity but not with normal to mild severity benefit from MBCT in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal idea. The improvement of depressive symptoms was mediated by improved mindfulness skills through MBCT.

A Study on Efficient Operation of Safety Management System for Airport Organization (공항운영조직의 안전관리시스템(SMS) 운영 효율성 향상에 관한 연구)

  • An, Gyeong-Ryeong;Jang, Jing-Lun;Jang, Jung-Hwan;Lee, Chang-Ho
    • Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.13-19
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    • 2015
  • Continued efforts to build up Safety Management System(SMS) and to improve its efficiency in airports, to which customers have direct access, are taken for granted due to continuous development of the aviation industry in both quantity and quality and rapid growth of air transportation market. This thesis proposed efficient operation methods of SMS for domestic airport organizations including Incheon International Airport(IIA), the largest airport in South Korea, aiming at strengthening aviation safety from the perspective of airport operators who play a pivotal role in service provider SMS. Those are consolidation of the existing safety management organizations and various improvements to promote voluntary incident reporting system. To draw a proposal for the improvements, conducted a research on domestic safety management status, carried out an analysis on operating conditions and did a research on ICAO regulations, domestic legal system as well as statistics data. Relevant studies and researches were also gathered and analyzed. A search for further improvements can also help increase operational efficiency and promoting a higher-level of safety awareness among operators can establish mature safety culture at airports.

Roles of Participatory Action-oriented Programs in Promoting Safety and Health at Work

  • Kazutaka, Kogi
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.3 no.3
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    • pp.155-165
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    • 2012
  • Reflecting the current international trends toward proactive risk assessment and control at work with practical procedures, participatory action-oriented approaches are gaining importance in various sectors. The roles of these approaches in promoting the safety and health at work are discussed based on their recent experiences in preventing work-related risks and improving the quality of work life, particularly in small-scale workplaces. The emphasis placed on the primary prevention at the initiative of workers and managers is commonly notable. Participatory steps, built on local good practices, can lead to many workplace improvements when the focus is on locally feasible low-cost options in multiple aspects. The design and use of locally adjusted action toolkits play a key role in facilitating these improvements in each local situation. The effectiveness of participatory approaches relying on these toolkits is demonstrated by their spread to many sectors and by various intervention studies. In the local context, networks of trainers are essential in sustaining the improvement activities. With the adequate support of networks of trainers trained in the use of these toolkits, participatory approaches will continue to be the key factor for proactive risk management in various work settings.

Tai Chi Exercise on MDA, SOD and Physical Fitness in Breast Cancer Patients (규칙적인 태극권의 참여가 유방암 수술환자의 산화-항산화계에 미치는 영향)

  • Hwang, In-Soo;Kwak, Yi-Sub
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.543-548
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    • 2009
  • Treatment for breast cancer produces side effects that diminish functional capacity and quality of life (QOL) among survivors. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may improve functional capacity, physical activity and oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of regular Tai Chi exercise on malondialdehyde (MDA), SOD and physical fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction). Forty obese women were recruited from a public health center and divided into control (CON: n=20) and trained (EXP: n=20) groups. The Tai Chi exercise group participated in a 12-week (4 times/week) training program. Data were analyzed with T-test. MDA, SOD and physical fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction) were evaluated before and after the Tai Chi program in both groups. There were significant improvements in shoulder flexibility, flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. However, there was no improvement in muscle strength. There were also significant improvements in MDA and SOD. Based on these results, Tai Chi exercise has been shown to stimulate endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reduce oxidative damage markers. and also be effective in improving physical fitness and QOL. Further study is needed in this area.

Comparison of Distribution Competitiveness of the Mackerel Industry between Korea and Norway (우리나라-노르웨이 고등어산업의 유통 경쟁력 비교 연구)

  • KIM, Dae-Young;KANG, Jong-Ho
    • Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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    • v.27 no.6
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    • pp.1685-1692
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    • 2015
  • This study examines the mackerel distribution systems in Norway which has a leading mackerel industry, and has the purpose of analyzing the effects of structural improvements for the development of Korea's mackerel industry. The landing and distribution status of Korea and Norway's mackerel industry was compared, and the effects of structural improvements was analyzed under the assumption that a number of factors would be improved after an analysis of competitiveness. Special features of the landing and distribution systems of mackerel in Norway are Reduction of transportation costs and transportation time through E-auctions, fish Pumps, freshness management using state-of-the-art equipment and technology such as sea water cooling systems, direct landing at processing factories and Automation through fully automated sorting & packaging systems. The distribution competitiveness of Korea and Norway's mackerel industry was compared through the qualitative review of landing time and the length of distribution channel, distribution costs due to differences in trading method, quality and hygiene management and merchandising. For Korea's mackerel industry to have international competitiveness, they must have efficiency throughout the phases of landing, processing and distribution systems as observed in case of Norway.