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A Study on Public Interest-based Technology Valuation Models in Water Resources Field (수자원 분야 공익형 기술가치평가 시스템에 대한 연구)

  • Ryu, Seung-Mi;Sung, Tae-Eung
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.177-198
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    • 2018
  • Recently, as economic property it has become necessary to acquire and utilize the framework for water resource measurement and performance management as the property of water resources changes to hold "public property". To date, the evaluation of water technology has been carried out by feasibility study analysis or technology assessment based on net present value (NPV) or benefit-to-cost (B/C) effect, however it is not yet systemized in terms of valuation models to objectively assess an economic value of technology-based business to receive diffusion and feedback of research outcomes. Therefore, K-water (known as a government-supported public company in Korea) company feels the necessity to establish a technology valuation framework suitable for technical characteristics of water resources fields in charge and verify an exemplified case applied to the technology. The K-water evaluation technology applied to this study, as a public interest goods, can be used as a tool to measure the value and achievement contributed to society and to manage them. Therefore, by calculating the value in which the subject technology contributed to the entire society as a public resource, we make use of it as a basis information for the advertising medium of performance on the influence effect of the benefits or the necessity of cost input, and then secure the legitimacy for large-scale R&D cost input in terms of the characteristics of public technology. Hence, K-water company, one of the public corporation in Korea which deals with public goods of 'water resources', will be able to establish a commercialization strategy for business operation and prepare for a basis for the performance calculation of input R&D cost. In this study, K-water has developed a web-based technology valuation model for public interest type water resources based on the technology evaluation system that is suitable for the characteristics of a technology in water resources fields. In particular, by utilizing the evaluation methodology of the Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan to match the expense items to the expense accounts based on the related benefit items, we proposed the so-called 'K-water's proprietary model' which involves the 'cost-benefit' approach and the FCF (Free Cash Flow), and ultimately led to build a pipeline on the K-water research performance management system and then verify the practical case of a technology related to "desalination". We analyze the embedded design logic and evaluation process of web-based valuation system that reflects characteristics of water resources technology, reference information and database(D/B)-associated logic for each model to calculate public interest-based and profit-based technology values in technology integrated management system. We review the hybrid evaluation module that reflects the quantitative index of the qualitative evaluation indices reflecting the unique characteristics of water resources and the visualized user-interface (UI) of the actual web-based evaluation, which both are appended for calculating the business value based on financial data to the existing web-based technology valuation systems in other fields. K-water's technology valuation model is evaluated by distinguishing between public-interest type and profitable-type water technology. First, evaluation modules in profit-type technology valuation model are designed based on 'profitability of technology'. For example, the technology inventory K-water holds has a number of profit-oriented technologies such as water treatment membranes. On the other hand, the public interest-type technology valuation is designed to evaluate the public-interest oriented technology such as the dam, which reflects the characteristics of public benefits and costs. In order to examine the appropriateness of the cost-benefit based public utility valuation model (i.e. K-water specific technology valuation model) presented in this study, we applied to practical cases from calculation of benefit-to-cost analysis on water resource technology with 20 years of lifetime. In future we will additionally conduct verifying the K-water public utility-based valuation model by each business model which reflects various business environmental characteristics.

Change of Green Space Arrangement and Planting Structure of Apartment Complexes in Seoul (서울시 아파트단지의 녹지배치 및 식재구조 변화 연구)

  • Lee, Dong-Wook;Lee, Kyong-Jae;Han, Bong-Ho;Jang, Jae-Hoon;Kim, Jong-Yup
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.1-17
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    • 2012
  • This study was carried out to propose the improved method by analyzing the change of green space arrangement and planting structure of apartment complexes in Seoul. 12 survey sites, which have obvious differences, were selected by reflecting the change of floor area ratio, underground parking place, and green space ratio. We divided the survey sites into four types that high green ratio(over 40%) apartment on natural ground, low green ratio(under 40%) apartment on natural ground, low green ratio(under 40%) apartment on artificial ground, and high green ratio(over 40%) apartment on artificial ground each period based on green space ratio and ground structure, plant crown volume, planting density, and planting pattern. The main factors of change of green space arrangement were green space ratio and ground structure. The Green space ratio was changed by the floor area ratio with constructing underground parking place and floor area ratio was adjusted by government policy and economic status. Average width of front green area has been changed from 10.0m in high green ratio apartment on natural ground for 3.5m, 2.7m, and 4.5m each period. The average width of the buffer green area has been changed from 15.0m in high green ratio apartment on natural ground of 7.7m, and 2.7m by extending parking place in the low green ratio apartment of artificial ground, so buffer green areas have been reduced and disconnected. So buffer green area in apartment complexes has been extended that the average width of the buffer green area was 3.8m caused by growing recognition of green since 2001. The ratio of native plant in canopy layer was increased from 45.1 % in the case of the high green ratio apartment of natural ground in 1980~1983 to 55.6%. Average plant crown volume increased from $1.27m^3/m^2$ in high green ratio apartment on natural ground for $3.47m^3/m^2$ in a low green ratio apartment on natural ground. But average plant crown volume is $0.27m^3/m^2$ in the high green ratio apartment of the artificial ground plant density of canopy layer was changed from 5 individuals per $100m^2$ to 14.5 individuals per $100m^2$. We should construct the buffer green area with natural ground and get the function of ecological and beautiful environment regarding to garden concept in case of front green area, width 4.5m. We should get the function of increasing green volume by multi-layer planting with shade woody species and flower woody species in case of back-side green area, width over 5.0m. We should get the function of covering the wall and increasing green landscape by planting with high woody species in case of side green area. We should apply the ecological planting technique to buffer green area and connect buffer green area to inner green area in apartment complexes.

Factors associated with Experience of Diagnosis and Utilization of Chronic Diseases among Korean Elderly : Focus on Comparing between Urban and Rural Elderly (한국 노인의 만성질환 진단경험 및 의료이용에 관련된 요인 : 도시와 농촌 간 비교를 중심으로)

  • Lee, Min Ji;Kown, Dong Hyun;Kim, Yong Yook;Kim, Jae Han;Moon, Sung Jun;Park, Keon Woo;Park, Il Woo;Park, Jun Young;Baek, Na Yeon;Son, Gi Seok;Ahn, So Yeon;Yeo, In Uk;Woo, Sang Ah;Yoo, Sung Yun;Lee, Gi Beop;Lim, Soo Beom;Jang, Soo Hyun;Jang, In-Deok;Jeon, Jeong-U;Jeong, Su Jin;Jung, Yeon Ju;Cho, Seong Geon;Cha, Jeong Sik;Hwang, Ki Seok;Lee, Tae-Jun;Lee, Moo-Sik
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.44 no.4
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    • pp.165-184
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    • 2019
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the difference and related factors with general characteristic and health behaviors, a experience of diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases between rural and urban among elderly in Korea. Methods: We used the data of Community Health Survey 2017 which were collected by the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The study population comprised 67,835 elderly peopled aged 65 years or older who participated in the survey. The chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. Results: We identified many significant difference of health behaviors, an experience of diagnosis and treatment with chronic diseases between rural and urban. Compared to urban elderly, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval) of rural elderly were 1.136 (1.092-1.183) for diagnosis of diabetes, 1.278 (1.278-1.386) for diagnosis of dyslipidemia, 0.940 (0.904-0.977) for diagnosis of arthritis, 0.785(0.736-0.837) for treatment of arthritis, 1.159 (1.116-1.203) for diagnosis of cataracts, and 1.285(1.200-1.375) for treatment of cataracts. In the experience of diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases, various variables were derived as contributing factors for each disease. Especially, there were statistically significant difference in the experience of diabetes diagnosis, arthritis diagnosis, cataract diagnosis and dyslipidemia except for hypertension diagnosis (p <0.01) between urban and rural elderly. There were statistically significant differences in the experience of treatment for arthritis and cataract (p <0.01), but there was no significant difference in the experience of treatment for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia between urban and rural elderly. Conclusion: Therefore, it would be necessary to implement a strategic health management project for diseases that showed significant experience of chronic diseases with diagnosis and treatment, reflecting the related factors of the elderly chronic diseases among the urban and rural areas.

Performance State and Improvement Countermeasure of Primary Health Care Posts (보건진료소(保健診療所)와 업무실태(業務實態)와 개선방안(改善方案))

  • Park, Young-Hee;Kam, Sin;Han, Chang-Hyun;Cha, Byung-Jun;Kim, Tae-Woong;Gie, Jung-Aie;Kim, Byong-Guk
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.353-377
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    • 2000
  • This study was performed to investigate the performance state and improvement countermeasure of Primary Health care Posts(PHPs). The operation reports of PHPs(1996 330 PHPs, 1999 313 PHPs) located in Kyongsangbuk-Do and data collected by self-administered questionnaire survey of 280 community health practitioners(CHPs) were analyzed. The major results were as follows: Population per PHP in 1999 decreased in number compared with 1996. But population of the aged increased in number. The performance status of PHP in 1999 increased compared with 1996. A hundred forty one community health practitioners(50.4%) replied that the fiscal standing of PHP was good. Only 1.4% replied that the fiscal standing of PHP was difficult. For the degree of satisfaction in affairs, overall of community health practitioners felt proud. The degree of cooperation between PHP and public health institutions was high and the degree of cooperation of between PHP and private medical institutions was high. The degree of cooperation between PHP and Health Center was significantly different by age of CHP, the service period of CHP, and CHP's service period at present PHP. Over seventy percent of CHPs replied that they had cooperative relationship with operation council, village health workers, community organization. CHPs who drew up the paper on PHP's health activity plan were 96.4 % and only 11.4% of CHPs participated drawing up the report on the second community health plan. CHPs who grasped the blood pressure and smoking status of residents over 70% were 88.2%, 63.9% respectively and the grasp rate of blood pressure fur residents were significantly different according to age and educational level of CHP. CHPs received job education in addition continuous job education arid participated on research program in last 3 years were 27.5%, respectively. CHPs performed the return health program for residents in last 3years were 65.4%. Over 95% of CHPs replied that PHPs might be necessary and 53.9% of CHPs replied that the role of PHPs should be increased. CHPS indicated that major reasons of FHPs lockout were lack of understanding for PHP and administrative convenience, CHPs were officials in special government service governors intention of self-governing body. CHPs suggested number of population in health need such as the aged and patients with chronic disease, opinion of residents, population size, traffic situation and network in order as evaluation criteria for PHP and suggested results of health performance, degree of relationship with residents, results of medical examination anti treatment, ability for administration and affairs in order as evaluation criteria for CHP. CHPs replied that the important countermeasures for PHPs under standard were affairs improvement of PHPs and shifting of location to health weakness area in city. Over 50% of CHPs indicated that the most important thing for improvement of PHPs was affairs adjustment of CLIP. And CHPs suggested that health programs carried out in priority at PHP were management of diabetes mellitus and hypertention. home visiting health care, health care for the aged. The Affairs of BLIP should be adjusted to satisfy community health need and health programs such as management of diabetes mellitus and hypertention, home visiting health care, health care for the aged should be activated in order that PHPs become organization reflecting value system of primary health care.

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Studies on the Effect of Feeding Pelleted Diets on Energy Metabolism and Nitrogen Retention in Growing Chickens (Pellet사료(飼料)의 급여(給與)가 병아리의 대사(代謝)에너지와 질소축적(窒素蓄積)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Park, Chang Sik;Kwon, Soon Ki;Min, Tae Hyuk
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.206-211
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    • 1983
  • This study was carried out to compare the feed utilization between pelleted and all-mash diet of similar composition by growing chickens. Day-old broilers (Hubbard) and egg-type chickens(Hy-line) of commercial strain were employed in this experiment. The results obtained were summarized as follows. 1. The chickens fed pelleted diets were heavier than those of birds fed all-mash diets. The Hubbard broilers and Hy-line chickens fed pelleted diets weighed 2,702g and 812g respectively, at 9 weeks of age. In comparison, the Hubbard broilers and Hy-line chickens fed all-mash diets weighed 2,571g and 777g respectively, at 9 weeks of age. 2. The pellet-fed chickens consumed more feeds than birds fed all-mash diets in both types of strain. Feed efficiencies (gain/feed) of Hubbard and Hy-line chickens were 0.38 and 0.26 in pellet feeding groups, and 0.36 and 0.25 in all-mash feeding groups, respectively. The Hy-line chickens fed pelleted diets drank more water than birds fed all-mash diets. 3. Pellet feeding groups produced more dry matter excreta as compared with all-mash feeding groups, reflecting the pattern of feed consumption by these chickens. Nitrogen retention ratio of the Hubbard and Hy-line chickens were 57-67% and 65-73%, respectively. Chickens fed pelleted diets showed 1-4% higher nitrogen retention than chickens fed all-mash diets. 4. The ME/GE ratio of the Hubbard and the Hy-line at 8 weeks of age were 73.4-74.3% and 82.8-83.8%, respectively. Pellet feeding groups showed 1% higher ME/GE ratio than all-mash feeding groups. 5. The dietary productive energy calculated from respiratory quotient was $94.1-102.6kca/kg^{\frac{3}{4}}$ BW/day in pellet feeding groups. The ratios of PE/GE were 41.3-48.9% in pellet feeding groups and 39.0-45.8% in all-mash feeding groups. 6. It appears that pelleting the all-mash diet increases feed consumption and body weight gain of growing chickens. Feed efficiency and energy utilization were also improved by pelleting process. More research work should be done to establish the relationship clearly between feed pelleting and heat increments.

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Global Cosmetics Trends and Cosmceuticals for 21st Century Asia (화장품의 세계적인 개발동향과 21세기 아시아인을 위한 기능성 화장품)

  • T.Joseph Lin
    • Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.5-20
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    • 1997
  • War and poverty depress the consumption of cosmetics, while peace and prosperity encourage their proliferation. With the end of World War II, the US, Europe and Japan witnessed rapid growth of their cosmetic industries. The ending of the Cold War has stimulated the growth of the industry in Eastern Europe. Improved economies, and mass communication are also responsible for the fast growth of the cosmetic industries in many Asian nations. The rapid development of the cosmetic industry in mainland China over the past decade proves that changing economies and political climates can deeply affect the health of our business. In addition to war, economy, political climate and mass communication, factors such as lifestyle, religion, morality and value concepts, can also affect the growth of our industry. Cosmetics are the product of the society. As society and the needs of its people change, cosmetics also evolve with respect to their contents, packaging, distribution, marketing concepts, and emphasis. In many ways, cosmetics mirror our society, reflecting social changes. Until the early 70's, cosmetics in the US were primarily developed for white women. The civil rights movement of the 60's gave birth to ethnic cosmetics, and products designed for African-Americans became popular in the 70's and 80's. The consumerism of the 70's led the FDA to tighten cosmetic regulations, forcing manufacturers to disclose ingredients on their labels. The result was the spread of safety-oriented, "hypoallergenic" cosmetics and more selective use of ingredients. The new ingredient labeling law in Europe is also likely to affect the manner in which development chemists choose ingredients for new products. Environmental pollution, too, can affect cosmetics trends. For example, the concern over ozone depletion in the stratosphere has promoted the consumption of suncare products. Similarly, the popularity of natural cosmetic ingredients, the search of non-animal testing methods, and ecology-conscious cosmetic packaging seen in recent years all reflect the profound influences of our changing world. In the 1980's, a class of efficacy-oriented skin-care products, which the New York Times dubbed "serious" cosmetics, emerged in the US. "Cosmeceuticals" refer to hybrids of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals which have gained importance in the US in the 90's and are quickly spreading world-wide. In spite of regulatory problems, consumer demand and new technologies continue to encourage their development. New classes of cosmeceuticals are emerging to meet the demands of increasingly affluent Asian consumers as we enter the 21st century. as we enter the 21st century.

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Determination of optimum fertilizer rates for barley reflecting the effect of soil and climate on the response to NPK fertilizers (기상(氣象) 및 토양조건(土壤條件)으로 본 대맥(大麥)의 NPK 시비적량결정(施肥適量決定))

  • Park, Nae Joung;Lee, Chun Soo;Ryu, In Soo;Park, Chun Sur
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.177-184
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    • 1974
  • An attempt was made to determine simple and the most reasonable fertilizer recommendation for barley utilizing the present knowledge about the effect of soil and climatic factors on barley response to NPK fertilizer in Korea and establishing the critical contents of available nutrients in soils. The results were summarized as follows. 1. The relationships between relative yields or fertilizers rates for maximum yields from quadratic response curves and contents of organic matter, available $P_2O_5$, exchangeable K in soils were examined. The trend was more prospective with relative yields because of smaller variation than with fertilizer rates. 2. Since the relationship between N relative yields and organic matter contents in soils was almost linear over the practical range, it was difficult to determine the critical content for nitrogen response by quadrant methods. However, 2.6%, country average of organic matter content in upland soils was recommended as the critical point. 3. There showed a trend that average optimum nitrogen rater was higher in heavy texture soils, colder regions. 4. The critical $P_2O_5$ contents in soil were 96 or 118 ppm in two different years, which were very close to the country average, 114 ppm of $P_2O_5$ contents in upland soils. The critical K content in soil was 0.32 me/100g, which was exactly coincident to the country average of exchangeable K in upland soils. 5. According to the contents of avaiiable $P_2O_5$ and exchangeable K, several ranges were established for the purpose of convenience in fertilizer recommendation, that is, very low, Low, Medium, High and very High. 6. More phosphate was recommended in the northern region, clayey soils, and paddy soils, whereas less in the southern region and sandy soils. More potash was recommended in the northern region and sandy soils, whereas less in the southern region and clayey soils. 7. The lower the PH, the more fertilizers were recommended. However, liming was considered to be more effective than increas in amount of fertilizers.

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Structural and Compositional Characteristics of Skarn Zinc-Lead Deposits in the Yeonhwa-Ulchin Mining District, Southeastern Taebaegsan Region, Korea Part II : The Yeonhwa II Mine (연화(蓮花)-울진광산지대(蔚珍鑛山地帶) 스카른연(鉛)·아연광상(亞鉛鑛床)의 구조적(構造的) 및 성분적(成分的) 특징(特徵) 기이(其二) : 제2연화광산(第二蓮花鑛山))

  • Yun, Suckew
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.12 no.3
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    • pp.147-176
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    • 1979
  • The Yeonhwa II zinc-lead mine is characterized by a dozen of moderately dipping tabular orebodies of skarn and zinc-lead sulfides, developed in accordance with the ENE-trending bedding thrusts and bedding planes of the Pungchon Limestone and underlying Myobong Formation, mostly along the contacts of a ENE-trending sill and a NW-trending dike of quartz mononite porphyry. The orebodies occur in three groups: (1) the footwall Wolgok orebodies with respect to the sill, (2) the hangingwall Wolgok orebodies, and (3) the Seongok orebodies extended from dike contacts into carbonate beds. Mineral compositions of these orebodies are dominated by calc-silicates (skarn) associated with ore minerals of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite, as well as sulfide gangue of pyrrhotite. A pair of exo- and endo-skerns in the Wolgok footwall contact aureole between the Pungchon Limestone and quartz monzonite porphyry on the -120 level represents a well-developed symmetrical pattern of mineral zoning: a garnet/quartz zone in the center of exoskarn, two zones of pyroxene with ore minerals on both sides of the garnet/quartz zone, further outwards-an epidote/chlorite-bearing hornfelsic zone in the Myobong slate beyond a zone of unaffected limestone, and an epidote-dominated zone of endo skarn on the opposite side toward fresh quartz monzonite porphyry. These features indicate a combination of two effects on the skarn formation: (1) differences in composition of the host rocks(sedimentary and ignous), and (2) progressive outward migration of inner zones on outer zones on the course of metasomatic replacement of the pre-existing minerals. Microprobe analyses of garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoids, epidote, and chlorite for nine major elements on a total of 23 mineral grains revealed that: the pyroxenes are hedenbergitic, in most zones, with a gradual decrease of Fe- and Mn-contents toward the central zone, whereas the garnets are andraditic in outer zones, but are grossularitic in the central zone. This indicates a reverse relationship of Fe-contents between pyroxene and garnet across the exoskarn zones. Pyroxenoids are lacking in wollastonite but are dominated by pyroxmangite, rhodonite and bustamite, indicating a Mn-rich nature in bulk chemistry. Pseudomorphic fluorite after garnet occurs abundantly reflecting a fluorine-enhanced evidence of the skarn-forming fluids. Epidote contains 0.19-0.25mole fraction of pistacite, and chlorite is Mn-rich but is Mg-poor. Sulfide mineralization took place with the most Fe-rich pyroxene rather than with garnet as indicated by the fact that the highest value of hedenbergite mole fraction occurs in the ore-bearing pyroxene zone. The Yeonhwa II ores are characterized by high zinc and low lead in metal grade, with minor quantity of copper content in almost constant grade. The hangingwall Wolgok and Seongok orebodies, that formed in a more open environment with respect to their local configurations of geologic setting, are more variable in metal grades and ratios, than are the footwall Wolgok orebodies formed in a more closed condition in a narrow interval of sedimentary beds.

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Breathing Reserve Index at Anaerobic Threshold of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (만성폐쇄성 폐질환의 운동부하 심폐기능검사에서 무산소역치 예비호흡지수의 의의)

  • Lee, Byoung-Hoon;Kang, Soon-Bock;Park, Sung-Jin;Jee, Hyun-Suk;Choi, Jae-Chol;Park, Yong-Bum;Ahn, Chang-Hyuk;Kim, Jae-Yeol;Park, In-Won;Choi, Byung-Whui;Hue, Sung-Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.46 no.6
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    • pp.795-802
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    • 1999
  • Objective : Cardiopulmonary exercise test is a useful tool to evaluate the operative risk and to plan exercise treatment for the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). In cardiopulmonary exercise test, most of the measured parameters are recorded at the time of peak exercise, which are hard to attain in COPD patients. So we evaluated the usefulness of the parameter, breathing reserve index(BRI=minute ventilation [$V_E$]/maximal voluntary ventilation[MVV]) at the time of anaerobic threshold($BRI_{AT}$) for the differentiation of COPD patients with normal controls. Methods : Thirty-six COPD patients and forty-two healthy subjects underwent progressive, incremental exercise test with bicycle ergometer upto possible maximal exercise. All the parameters was measured by breath by breath method. Results : The maximal oxygen uptake in COPD patients (mean$\pm$SE) was $1061.2{\pm}65.6ml/min$ which was significantly lower than $2137.6{\pm}91.4ml/min$ of normal subjects(p<0.01). Percent predicted maximal oxygen uptake was 54.3% in COPD patients and 86.0% in normal subjects(p<0.01). Maximal exercise(respiratory quotient; $VCO_2/VO_2{\geq}1.09$) was accomplished in 7 of 36 COPD patients(19.4%) and in 18 of 42 normal subjects(42.9%). The $BRI_{AT}$ of COPD patients was higher($0.50{\pm}0.03$) than that of control subject($028{\pm}0.02$, p<0.01), reflecting early hyperventilation in COPD patient during exercise. The correlation between $BRI_{AT}$ and BRI at maximal exercise in COPD patients was good(r=0.9687, p<0.01). Conclusion : The $BRI_{AT}$ could be a useful parameter for the differentiation of COPD patients with normal controls in the submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise test.

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Electronic Word-of-Mouth in B2C Virtual Communities: An Empirical Study from CTrip.com (B2C허의사구중적전자구비(B2C虚拟社区中的电子口碑): 관우휴정려유망적실증연구(关于携程旅游网的实证研究))

  • Li, Guoxin;Elliot, Statia;Choi, Chris
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.262-268
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    • 2010
  • Virtual communities (VCs) have developed rapidly, with more and more people participating in them to exchange information and opinions. A virtual community is a group of people who may or may not meet one another face to face, and who exchange words and ideas through the mediation of computer bulletin boards and networks. A business-to-consumer virtual community (B2CVC) is a commercial group that creates a trustworthy environment intended to motivate consumers to be more willing to buy from an online store. B2CVCs create a social atmosphere through information contribution such as recommendations, reviews, and ratings of buyers and sellers. Although the importance of B2CVCs has been recognized, few studies have been conducted to examine members' word-of-mouth behavior within these communities. This study proposes a model of involvement, statistics, trust, "stickiness," and word-of-mouth in a B2CVC and explores the relationships among these elements based on empirical data. The objectives are threefold: (i) to empirically test a B2CVC model that integrates measures of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors; (ii) to better understand the nature of these relationships, specifically through word-of-mouth as a measure of revenue generation; and (iii) to better understand the role of stickiness of B2CVC in CRM marketing. The model incorporates three key elements concerning community members: (i) their beliefs, measured in terms of their involvement assessment; (ii) their attitudes, measured in terms of their satisfaction and trust; and, (iii) their behavior, measured in terms of site stickiness and their word-of-mouth. Involvement is considered the motivation for consumers to participate in a virtual community. For B2CVC members, information searching and posting have been proposed as the main purpose for their involvement. Satisfaction has been reviewed as an important indicator of a member's overall community evaluation, and conceptualized by different levels of member interactions with their VC. The formation and expansion of a VC depends on the willingness of members to share information and services. Researchers have found that trust is a core component facilitating the anonymous interaction in VCs and e-commerce, and therefore trust-building in VCs has been a common research topic. It is clear that the success of a B2CVC depends on the stickiness of its members to enhance purchasing potential. Opinions communicated and information exchanged between members may represent a type of written word-of-mouth. Therefore, word-of-mouth is one of the primary factors driving the diffusion of B2CVCs across the Internet. Figure 1 presents the research model and hypotheses. The model was tested through the implementation of an online survey of CTrip Travel VC members. A total of 243 collected questionnaires was reduced to 204 usable questionnaires through an empirical process of data cleaning. The study's hypotheses examined the extent to which involvement, satisfaction, and trust influence B2CVC stickiness and members' word-of-mouth. Structural Equation Modeling tested the hypotheses in the analysis, and the structural model fit indices were within accepted thresholds: ${\chi}^2^$/df was 2.76, NFI was .904, IFI was .931, CFI was .930, and RMSEA was .017. Results indicated that involvement has a significant influence on satisfaction (p<0.001, ${\beta}$=0.809). The proportion of variance in satisfaction explained by members' involvement was over half (adjusted $R^2$=0.654), reflecting a strong association. The effect of involvement on trust was also statistically significant (p<0.001, ${\beta}$=0.751), with 57 percent of the variance in trust explained by involvement (adjusted $R^2$=0.563). When the construct "stickiness" was treated as a dependent variable, the proportion of variance explained by the variables of trust and satisfaction was relatively low (adjusted $R^2$=0.331). Satisfaction did have a significant influence on stickiness, with ${\beta}$=0.514. However, unexpectedly, the influence of trust was not even significant (p=0.231, t=1.197), rejecting that proposed hypothesis. The importance of stickiness in the model was more significant because of its effect on e-WOM with ${\beta}$=0.920 (p<0.001). Here, the measures of Stickiness explain over eighty of the variance in e-WOM (Adjusted $R^2$=0.846). Overall, the results of the study supported the hypothesized relationships between members' involvement in a B2CVC and their satisfaction with and trust of it. However, trust, as a traditional measure in behavioral models, has no significant influence on stickiness in the B2CVC environment. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on B2CVCs, specifically addressing gaps in the academic research by integrating measures of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in one model. The results provide additional insights to behavioral factors in a B2CVC environment, helping to sort out relationships between traditional measures and relatively new measures. For practitioners, the identification of factors, such as member involvement, that strongly influence B2CVC member satisfaction can help focus technological resources in key areas. Global e-marketers can develop marketing strategies directly targeting B2CVC members. In the global tourism business, they can target Chinese members of a B2CVC by providing special discounts for active community members or developing early adopter programs to encourage stickiness in the community. Future studies are called for, and more sophisticated modeling, to expand the measurement of B2CVC member behavior and to conduct experiments across industries, communities, and cultures.