• Title/Summary/Keyword: Recovery period

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Necessity to incorporate XR-based Training Contents Focused on Cable pulling using Winches in the Shipbuilding (윈치를 활용한 케이블 포설을 중심으로 고찰한 XR 기반 훈련 콘텐츠 도입의 필요성)

  • JongMin Lee;JongSeong Kim
    • Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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    • v.28 no.6
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    • pp.53-62
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    • 2023
  • This paper has suggested the necessity of introducing training contents using XR(Extended reality) technology as a way to lower the high rate of nursing accidents among unskilled technical personnel in domestic shipbuilding industry, focusing on cable pulling using winch. The occurrence rate of nursing accidents in the domestic shipbuilding industry was almost double(197.4%) (2017~2020) when compared with other manufacturing industries. In particular, it is worth noting that more than 31.8% of nursing accidents in the shipbuilding industry occurred among workers whose job experience is no more than 6 months. Most of new workers are seen to have hard time due to several factors such as lack of work information, inexperience, and unfamiliarity with the working environments. This indicates that it is essential to incorporate more effective training method that could help new workers become familiar with technical skills as well as working environments in a short period of time. Currently, education/training at the domestic shipyard is biased toward technical skills such as welding, painting, machine installation, and electrical installation. Contrary, even more important training required to get new workers used to the working environment has remained at a superficial level such as explaining ship building processes using 2D drawings. This may be the reason why it is inevitable to repeat similar training at OJT (On-the-Job Training) even at the leading domestic companies. Domestic shipbuilding industries have been attracting a lot of new workers thanks to recent economic recovery, which is very likely to increase the occurrence of disasters. In this paper, the introduction of training using XR technology was proposed, and as a specific example, the process of pulling cables using winches on ships was implemented as XR-based training content by using Unity. Using the developed content, it demonstrated that new workers can experience the actual work process in advance through simulation in a virtual space, thereby becoming more effective training content that can help new workers become familiar with the work environment.

Studies on the Cutting Managemente of Pasture during the Mid Summer Season I. Effect of cutting management on tall fescue dominated pasture (고온기 초지의 예취관리에 관한 연구 I. 고온기 예취방법이 tall fescue 우점초지의 재생 , 잡초발생 및 수량에 미치는 영향)

  • Seo, S.;Han, Y.C.;Park, M.S.
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.22-32
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    • 1985
  • Optimum pasture management during the summer season is an important factor to maintain good regrowth and persistence of pasture in Korea. This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of the cutting management on the dead plant, weed appearance, regrowth and carbohydrate reserves in stubble, and dry matter yield of tall fescue dominated pasture during the mid summer season. For the test, a split plot design with 4 replications was treated with 2 different the third cutting times (July 12 and Aug. 4) as the mainplots, and 3 different cutting heights (3, 6 and 9 cm) at the third cut as the subplots, and the experiment was done at the experimental field of the Livestock Experiment Station, in Suweon, 1984. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Considering the meteorological conditions during the experimental period, the temperature was a little higher by $2^{\circ}C$ than that of average year, especially the first and second decade of August were high. And the precipitation of 1984 tended to be low when compared with the average year. 2. Temperature of soil surface and underground tended to increase by $1-3^{\circ}C$ as the stubble height was low during the summer season. 3. Regrowth leaf length and leaf area after the third cut increased significantly with the high cutting height at the third cut. 4. A significant higher total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) content in stubble after the third cut was observed in the high stubble cut on July 12. The results indicate that the high stubble height reserves more carbohydrates for early regrowth stage after the third cut when compared with the low stubble. On Aug. 4, however, the recovery of TNC contents after the third cut was not effective due to high temperature and rainfall. 5. The percentage of dead plant after the third cut was found to be high with the low cutting height during the mid summer season (p<0.05). 6. With the low stubble height on July 12 cut, it was appeared that the percentage of weed was significantly increased (p<0.05), and main weeds appeared after the third cut were Echinochloa crusgalli>Digitaria sanguinalis>Cyperus iria>Rumex crispus, and so on. In case of cut on Aug. 4, weed appearance was no difference at three cutting heights. 7. Dry matter yield at the third cut was increased in the plot of cutting on Aug. 4 and stubble height (p<0.05). However, yields at the fourth and fifth cut were increased with high stubble height (p<0.05), regardless of harvest time. 8. In total dry matter yield after the third cut, there was no significant difference between the cutting time and forage yield. However, total yield on July 12 was increased with the high stubble height (p<0.05). 9. From the above results, it is suggested that the 9 cm cutting height during the mid summer season is the most effective for good regrowth, weed control and forage yield of tall fescue dominated pasture.

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Comparison of the Operative Results of Performing Endoscopic Robot Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery Versus Conventional Cardiac Surgery (수술용 내시경 로봇(AESOP)을 이용한 최소 침습적 개심술과 동 기간에 시행된 전통적인 개심술의 결과에 대한 비교)

  • Lee, Young-Ook;Cho, Joon-Yong;Lee, Jong-Tae;Kim, Gun-Jik
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.41 no.5
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    • pp.598-604
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    • 2008
  • Background: The improvements in endoscopic equipment and surgical robots has encouraged the performance of minimally invasive cardiac operations. Yet only a few Korean studies have compared this procedure with the sternotomy approach. Material and Method: Between December 2005 and July 2007, 48 patients (group A) underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery with AESOP through a small right thoracotomy. During the same period, 50 patients (group B) underwent conventional surgery. We compared the operative time, the operative results, the post-operative pain and the recovery of both groups. Result: There was no hospital mortality and there were no significant differences in the incidence of operative complications between the two groups. The operative $(292.7{\pm}61.7\;and\;264.0{\pm}47.9min$, respectively; p=0.01) and CPB times ($128.4{\pm}37.6\;and\;101.7{\pm}32.5min$, respectively; <0.01) were longer for group A, whereas there was no difference between the aortic cross clamp times ($82.1{\pm}35.0\;and\;87.8{\pm}113.5min$, respectively; p=0.74) and ventilator times ($18.0{\pm}18.4\;and\;19.7{\pm}9.7$ hr, respectively; p=0.57) between the groups. The stay on the ICU $(53.2{\pm}40.2\;and\;72.8{\pm}42.1hr$, respectively; p=0.02) and the hospitalization time ($9.7{\pm}7.2\;and\;14.8{\pm}11.9days$, respectively; p=0.01) were shorter for group A. The Patients in group B had more transfusions, but the difference was not significant. For the overall operative intervals, which ranged from one to four weeks, the pair score was significantly lower for the patients of group A than for the patients of group B. In terms of the postoperative activities, which were measured by the Duke Activity Scale questionnaire, the functional status score was clearly higher for group A compared to group B. The analysis showed no difference in the severity of either post-repair of mitral ($0.7{\pm}1.0\;and\;0.9{\pm}0.9$, respectively; p=0.60) and tricuspid regurgitation ($1.0{\pm}0.9\;and\;1.1{\pm}1.0$, respectively; p=0.89). In both groups, there were no valve related complications, except for one patient with paravalvular leakage in each group. Conclusion: These results show that compared with the median sternotomy patients, the patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery enjoyed significant postoperative advantages such as less pain, a more rapid return to full activity, improved cosmetics and a reduced hospital stay. The minimally invasive surgery can be done with similar clinical safety compared to the conventional surgery that's done through a median sternotomy.

The Influence of the Preoperative Chronic Cyanosis on the Cardiac Troponin I in the Pediatric Cardiac Operation (지속적인 청색증에 노출된 선천성 심장병에서 수술 후 Cardiac Troponin I의 농도 변화)

  • Song, Jinyoung;Lee, Sungkyu;Lee, Jaeyoung;Kim, Soojin;Shim, Wooseup
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.498-504
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    • 2002
  • Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perioperative myocardial damage in pediatric congenital heart disease with the cardiac specific protein of cardiac troponin I(cTpn-I). Methods : All 25 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot or double outlet right ventricle were classified as group A(acyanotic, $SaO_2$ >90%), group B(mildly cyanotic, $SaO_2$ >80-90%) and group C(moderately cyanotic, $SaO_2$ <80%). The control group D was consisted of 10 patients with ventricular septal defects who were operated in the same period. We measured preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative and postoperative(24 and 72 hour) arterial oxygen saturation, cTpn-I and creatine kinase(CK-MB). Results : Total 25 patients were subdivided into 6 of group A, 12 of group B and 7 of group C. The concentrations of preoperative cTpn-I were $0.23{\pm}0.12ng/mL$ in group A, $0.25{\pm}00.12 ng/mL$ in group B, $0.26{\pm}0.13ng/mL$ in group C. And the concentrations of cTpn-I in postoperative 24 hour were $10.04{\pm}5.28ng/mL$ in group A, $12.50{\pm}6.86ng/mL$ in group B, $12.55{\pm}9.90ng/mL$ in group C. Which revealed cTpn-I in group C was higher than that of the another less cyanotic groups. In addition, the concentration of cTpn-I of group C in postoperative 72 hour was higher than any other groups. The concentration of cTpn-I in postoperative 72 hour was statistically correlated with that in postoperative 24 hour and preoperative arterial oxygen saturation(P=0.001). Conclusion : Preoperative chronic cyanosis can influence on the postoperative concentration of cTpn-I in pediatric cardiac patients, which means impairment on the postoperative myocardial recovery.

Protective Effects of Korean Panax Ginseng Extracts against TCDD-induced Toxicities in Rat (랫드에서 TCDD 투여에 의해 유도된 생체독성의 고려홍삼 추출물에 의한 억제 효과)

  • Choi, Soo-Jin;Sohn, Hyung-Ok;Shin, Han-Jae;Hyun, Hak-Cheol;Lee, Dong-Wook;Song, Yong-Bum;Lee, Soo-Hyun;Gang, Dong-Ho;Lim, Hak-Seob;Lee, Cheol-Won;Moon, Ja-Young
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.382-389
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    • 2008
  • To achieve a better understanding of protective effects of water extracts of Panax ginseng against TCDD-induced toxicities, we monitored physiological and clinical changes in rat for 4 weeks after administrations of each Panax Ginseng extract or TCDD, and co-administration of the two materials. For this study, 120 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 190-210 g each (8 weeks old) were divided into four groups: TCDD-administered, co-administered group with TCDD and ginseng extract, ginseng extract-administered, and control group. The TCDD-administered group received single dose of TCDD in a corn oil vehicle ($25\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) by intraperitoneal administration on Day 1. The Panax ginseng extracts-administered group received intraperitoneally 100 mg/kg body weight every other day for one month. For the co-administered group with TCDD and ginseng extracts, Panax ginseng extracts were intraperitoneally administered to rats at 100 mg/kg body weight every other day for one month after a single intraperitoneal dose of $25\;{\mu}g$ of TCDD/kg body weight on Day 1. Panax ginseng extracts attenuated the mortality induced by TCDD administration. The extracts also slightly attenuated the TCDD-induced body weight loss. Administration of TCDD alone increased liver weight at 2, 5, and 16 days after administration of TCDD. Administration of Panax ginseng extracts rather decreased liver weight through whole the experimental period, but which was statistically insignificant. Administration of TCDD alone at $25\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight increased both serum enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at 32 days, indicating that liver damage occurred maximally at that time. Ginseng extract administration caused insignificant changes in serum ALT, but gradually decreased in AST as the exposure time increased. Coadministration of TCDD and ginseng extracts caused serum AST activity to significant recovery to normal value at 16 days and 32 days after exposure to TCDD. The extracts also significantly decreased the TCDD-induced ALT activity after 16 days of TCDD administration. These results suggest that Panax ginseng extracts may possess a protective effect against TCDD-induced toxicities including hepatotoxicity in rats.

Early Result of Surgical Management of the Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (관상동맥-폐동맥 이상 기시증에 대한 수술의 조기 결과)

  • Yoon Yoo Sang;Park Jeong Jun;Yun Tae Jin;Kim Young Hwue;Ko Jae Kon;Park In Sook;Seo Dong Man
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.39 no.1 s.258
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    • pp.18-27
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    • 2006
  • Background: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly, but is one of the most common causes of myocardial ischemia which would result in high mortality within the first year of life. This is our early result of the surgical management for these patients. Material and Method: From June 1989 to July 2003, 6 patients with ALCAPA and one patient with ARCAPA (Anomalous origin of the Right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) underwent surgical repair. We have reviewed the all medical records, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and echocardiography retrospectively. Result: Three of the patients were boys and four were girls. The median age at the operation was 5.4 months (Range: 3$\∼$33 months). The average body weight of at the operation was 6.7 kg (Range: 3.7$\∼$11.3 kg). A mean follow up period was 18 months. Only 3 patients were initially diagnosed as ALCAPA. And 3 patients had moderate mitral regurgitation. Immediate coronary artery reimplantation on diagnosis with the aim of restoring a two-coronary system circulation was done. The average bypass time was 114$\pm$37 minutes, and the average aortic cross clamping time was 55$\pm$22 minutes. The average stay of intensive care unit was 5$\pm$3 days, the mean mechanical ventilator time was 38$\pm$45 hours and the hospital stay after operation was 12$\pm$5 days. There were significant improvements in electrocardiogram and chest X-ray of the all patients except one late death patient. The ventricular function showed almost normal recovery after operation; the EF (Ejection Fraction) increased from 41.2$\pm$ 10.3$\%$ to 60.5$\pm$ 15.8$\%$ within 1 month and to 59.8$\pm$13.9$\%$ within 1 year after operation, the SF (Shortening Fraction) increased from 23.6$\pm$4.7$\%$ to 38.6$\pm$8.4$\%$ within 1 month and to 37.4$\pm$7.9$\%$ within 1 year after operation, LVEDDI (Left Ventricular End-diastolic Dimension Index) decreased from 100.8$\pm$25.6 mm/$m^{2}$ to 90.3$\pm$ 19.2 mm/$m^{2}$ within f month and to 79.3$\pm$ 15.8 mm/$m^{2}$ within 1 year after operation. Concomitant mitral repair was done in two patients with anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. In every patient, mitral valve showed less than mild regurgitation during follow up. One late death occurred in which patient Dor procedure was applied 10 months after initial operation due to the dilated cardiomyopathy Conclusion: In the management of this rare and could be fatal Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), early suspicion and correct diagnosis is of most important. But, after diagnosis, immediate restoration of 2 coronary systems could result in good outcome.

Translocation of Tolclofos-methyl from Ginseng Cultivated Soil to Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) and Residue Analysis of Various Pesticides in Ginseng and Soil (토양 중 잔류된 Tolclofos-methyl의 인삼(Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer)에 대한 이행 및 잔류 특성)

  • Kim, Ji Yoon;Kim, Hea Na;Saravanan, Manoharan;Heo, Seong Jin;Jeong, Haet Nim;Kim, Jang Eok;Kim, Kwan Rae;Hur, Jang Hyun
    • The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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    • v.18 no.3
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    • pp.130-140
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    • 2014
  • Recently, some of the previous studies reported that tolclofos-methyl is still exist in ginseng cultivated soil, even though it is has been banned for ginseng. Therefore, the current study was aimed to examine the levels of absorption and translocation of tolclofos-methyl from ginseng cultivated soil to ginseng root and leaf stem for the period of 1 year. For this study, ginseng plants were transplanted in pots and treated with $5.0mg\;kg^{-1}$ of tolclofos-methyl (50% WP). At the end of each interval periods (every three months) the samples (soil, roots and leaf stems) were collected and analyzed the absorption and translocation levels of tolclofos-methyl using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The limit of quantitation of tolclofos-methyl was found to be $0.02mg\;kg^{-1}$ and 70.0~120.0% recovery was obtained with coefficient of variation of less than 10% regardless of sample types. In this study, a considerable amount of translocation of tolclofos-methyl residues were found in soil (4.28 to $0.06mg\;kg^{-1}$), root (7.09 to $1.54mg\;kg^{-1}$) and leaf stem (0.79 to $0.69mg\;kg^{-1}$). The results show that the tolclofos-methyl was absorbted and translocated from ginseng cultivated soil to ginseng root and ginseng leaf stem and found to be decreased time-coursely. Secondly, we were also analyzed soil, root and leaf stems samples from Hongcheon, Cheorwon, Punggi and Geumsan by GC-MS/MS (172 pesticides), LC-MS/MS (74 pesticides). In this study, 43 different pesticides were detected ($0.01{\sim}7.56mg\;kg^{-1}$) in soil, root and leaf stem. Further, tolclofos-methyl was detected 4 times separately in root sample alone which is less ($0.01{\sim}0.05mg\;kg^{-1}$) than their maximum residual limit (MRL) in ginseng. Consequently, the results from both studies indicate the residues of tolclofos-methyl found in ginseng cultivated soil and ginseng ensuring their safety level. Moreover, long-term evaluations are needed in order to protect the soil as well as ginseng free from tolclofos-methyl residues.

The Findings of Pulmonary Function Test in Patients with Inhalation Injury (흡입화상 환자에서의 폐기능검사 소견)

  • Kim, Jong Yeop;Kim, Cheol Hong;Shin, Hyun Won;Chae, Young Je;Choi, Chul Young;Shin, Tae Rim;Park, Yong Bum;Lee, Jae Young;Bahn, Joon-Woo;Park, Sang Myeon;Kim, Dong-Gyu;Lee, Myung Goo;Hyun, In-Gyu;Jung, Ki-Suck
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.60 no.6
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    • pp.653-662
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    • 2006
  • Background: The changes in the pulmonary function observed in burn patients with an inhalation injury are probably the result of a combination of airway inflammation, chest wall and muscular abnormalities, and scar formation. In addition, it appears that prolonged ventilatory support and an episode of pneumonia contribute to the findings. This study investigated the changes in the pulmonary function in patients with inhalation injury at the early and late post-burn periods. Methods: From August 1, 2002, to August 30, 2005, surviving burn patients who had an inhalation injury were enrolled prospectively. An inhalation injury was identified by bronchoscopy within 48hours after admission. Spirometry was performed at the early phase during admission and the recovery phase after discharge, and the changes in the pulmonary function were compared. Results: 37 patients (M=28, F=9) with a total burn surface area (% TBSA), ranging from 0 to 18%, were included. The initial $PaO_2/$FiO_2$ratio and COHb were $286.4{\pm}129.6mmHg$ and $7.8{\pm}6.6%$. Nine cases (24.3%) underwent endotracheal intubation and 3 cases (8.1%) underwent mechanical ventilation. The initial X-ray findings revealed abnormalities in, 18 cases (48.6%) with 15 (83.3%) of these being completely resolved. However, 3 (16.7%) of these had residual sequela. The initial pulmonary function test, showed an obstructive pattern in 9 (24.3%) with 4 (44.4%) of these showing a positive bronchodilator response, A restrictive pattern was also observed in 9 (24.3%) patients. A lower DLco was observed in only 4 (17.4%) patients of which 23 had undergone DLco. In the follow-up study, an obstructive and restrictive pattern was observed in only one (2.7%) case each. All the decreased DLco returned to mormal. Conclusions: Most surviving burn patients with an inhalation injury but with a small burn size showed initial derangements in the pulmonary function test that was restored to a normal lung function during the follow up period.

Effect of Physical Training on Electrocardiographic Amplitudes and the QRS Vector (체력단련(體力鍛練)이 심전도파고(心電圖波高)와 QRS벡타에 미치는 효과(效果))

  • Yu, Wan-Sik;Hwang, Soo-Kwan;Kim, Hyeong-Jin;Choo, Young-Eun
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.51-65
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    • 1984
  • In an effort to elucidate the effect of physical training on the electrocardiographic amplitudes, QRS vector, axis and QRS vector amplitude, electrocardiograms were recorded before and 1, 5 and 10 minutes after 3 minute rebounder exercise in 23 healthy male students aged between 18 and 21 years in two groups of athletes and non-athletes. ECG amplitudes were measured from lead I, $V_1$ and $V_5$ and axis and amplitudes of QRS vectors were measured from lead I and III in frontal plane, from lead $V_2$ and lead $V_6$ in horizontal plane. The results obtained are summarized as follows. ECG amplitudes: The R wave amplitude was $23.38{\pm}1.14\;mm$ in athletes which was higher than $17.91{\pm}2.00\;mm$ in non-athletes. After exercise, the difference in two groups remained significant throughout the recovery period. The S wave amplitude was increased significantly, and the T wave amplitude was decreased in both groups after exercise. The P wave amplitude was increased in both groups after exercise, and it was lower in athletes than in non-athletes. The PQ segment amplitude was zero in athletes but negative in non-athletes than in the resting state. The J point amplitude was positive in resting state and was negative after exercise in both groups. J+0.08 sec point amplitude was also lowered after exercise, and it was higher in athletes than in non-athletes. Therefore the whole ST segment was proved to be decreased after exercise. The summated amplitude of R in $V_5$ plus S in $V_1$ was $38.74{\pm}2.71\;mm$ in athletes which was higher than $32.82{\pm}2.90\;mm$ in non-athletes. After exercise, it was also significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes. Axis of QRS vector: In frontal plane, axis of QRS vector was $62.7{\pm}7.36^{\circ}$ in athletes, it showed no significant difference between the two groups. In horizontal plane, axis of QRS vector was $-23.5{\pm}7.2^{\circ}$ in athletes which was significantly higher than $-38.8{\pm}8.2^{\circ}$ in non-athletes. After exercise, it was significantly higher than the resting state in both groups. Amplitude of QRS vector : In frontal plane, amplitude of QRS vector was $13.86{\pm}1.44\;mm$ in athletes which was significantly higher than $9.62{\pm}0.97\;mm$ in non-athletes. After exercise, it was also significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes. In horizontal plane, amplitude of QRS vector was $19.82{\pm}2.10\;mm$ in athletes which was significantly higher than $16.90{\pm}1.39\;mm$ in non-athletes. After exercise, it was also significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes. From the above, these results indicate that R wave amplitude in athletes was significantly higher than in non-athletes before and after exercise, and that the summated amplitude of R in $V_5$ plus S in $V_1$ in athletes was also $38.74{\pm}2.71\;mm$ suggesting a left ventricular hypertrophy We should note that the PQ segment and ST segment amplitude were higher in athletes than in non-athletes, and they were decreased with exercise in both groups. In particular, the fact that amplitudes of QRS vector in frontal plane or in horizontal plane were significantly greater in athletes than in non-athletes may be an index in evaluating athletes.

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Changes in Agricultural Extension Services in Korea (한국농촌지도사업(韓國農村指導事業)의 변동(變動))

  • Fujita, Yasuki;Lee, Yong-Hwan;Kim, Sung-Soo
    • Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.155-166
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    • 2000
  • When the marcher visited Korea in fall 1994, he was shocked to see high rise apartment buildings around the capitol region including Seoul and Suwon, resulting from rising demand of housing because of urban migration followed by second and third industrial development. After 6 years in March 2000, the researcher witnessed more apartment buildings and vinyl house complexes, one of the evidences of continued economic progress in Korea. Korea had to receive the rescue finance from International Monetary Fund (IMF) because of financial crisis in 1997. However, the sign of recovery was seen in a year, and the growth rate of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in 1999 recorded as high as 10.7 percent. During this period, the Korean government has been working on restructuring of banks, enterprises, labour and public sectors. The major directions of government were; localization, reducing administrative manpower, limiting agricultural budgets, privatization of public enterprises, integration of agricultural organization, and easing of various regulations. Thus, the power of central government shifted to local government resulting in a power increase for city mayors and county chiefs. Agricultural extension services was one of targets of government restructuring, transferred to local governments from central government. At the same time, the number of extension offices was reduced by 64 percent, extension personnel reduced by 24 percent, and extension budgets reduced. During the process of restructuring, the basic direction of extension services was set by central Rural Development Administration Personnel management, technology development and supports were transferred to provincial Rural Development Administrations, and operational responsibilities transferred to city/county governments. Agricultural extension services at the local levels changed the name to Agricultural Technology Extension Center, established under jurisdiction of city mayor or county chief. The function of technology development works were added, at the same time reducing the number of educators for agriculture and rural life. As a result of observations of rural areas and agricultural extension services at various levels, functional responsibilities of extension were not well recognized throughout the central, provincial, and local levels. Central agricultural extension services should be more concerned about effective rural development by monitoring provincial and local level extension activities more throughly. At county level extension services, it may be desirable to add a research function to reflect local agricultural technological needs. Sometimes, adding administrative tasks for extension educators may be helpful far farmers. However, tasks such as inspection and investigation should be avoided, since it may hinder the effectiveness of extension educational activities. It appeared that major contents of the agricultural extension service in Korea were focused on saving agricultural materials, developing new agricultural technology, enhancing agricultural export, increasing production and establishing market oriented farming. However these kinds of efforts may lead to non-sustainable agriculture. It would be better to put more emphasis on sustainable agriculture in the future. Agricultural extension methods in Korea may be better classified into two approaches or functions; consultation function for advanced farmers and technology transfer or educational function for small farmers. Advanced farmers were more interested in technology and management information, while small farmers were more concerned about information for farm management directions and timely diffusion of agricultural technology information. Agricultural extension service should put more emphasis on small farmer groups and active participation of farmers in these groups. Providing information and moderate advice in selecting alternatives should be the major activities for consultation for advanced farmers, while problem solving processes may be the major educational function for small farmers. Systems such as internet and e-mail should be utilized for functions of information exchange. These activities may not be an easy task for decreased numbers of extension educators along with increased administrative tasks. It may be difficult to practice a one-to-one approach However group guidance may improve the task to a certain degree.

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