• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of chronic exposure by welders to manganese (Mn) through an analysis of the degree of brain activity in different activities such as cognition and motor activities using the neuroimaging technique of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The neurotoxic effect that Mn has on the brain was examined as well as changes in the neuro-network in motor areas, and the usefulness of fMRI was evaluated as a tool to determine changes in brain function from occupational exposure to Mn. Methods: A survey was carried out from July 2010 to October 2010 targeting by means of a questionnaire 160 workers from the shipbuilding and other manufacturing industries. Among them, 14 welders with more than ten years of job-related exposure to Mn were recruited on a voluntary basis as an exposure group, and 13 workers from other manufacturing industries with corresponding gender and age were recruited as a control group. A questionnaire survey, a blood test, and an fMRI test were carried out with the study group as target. Results: Of 27 fMRI targets, blood Mn concentration of the exposure group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001), and Pallidal Index (PI) of the welder group was also significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001). As a result of the survey, the score of the exposure group in self-awareness of abnormal nerve symptoms and abnormal musculoskeletal symptoms was higher than those of the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05, respectively). In the correlation between PI and the results of blood tests, the correlation coefficient with blood Mn concentration was 0.893, revealing a significant amount of correlation (p<0.001). As for brain activity area within the control group, the right and the left areas of the superior frontal cortex showed significant activity, and the right area of superior parietal cortex, the left area of occipital cortex and cerebellum showed significant activity. Unlike the control group, the exposure group showed significant activity selectively on the right area of premotor cortex, at the center of supplementary motor area, and on the left side of superior temporal cortex. In the comparison of brain activity areas between the two groups, the exposure group showed a significantly higher activation state than did the control group in such areas as the right and the left superior parietal cortex, superior temporal cortex, and cerebellum including superior frontal cortex and the right area of premotor cortex. However, in nowhere did the control group show a more activated area than did the exposure group. Conclusions: Chronic exposure to Mn increased brain activity during implementation of hand motor tasks. In an identical task, activation increased in the premotor cortex, superior temporal cortex, and supplementary motor area. It was also discovered that brain activity increase in the frontal area and occipital area was more pronounced in the exposure group than in the control group. This result suggests that chronic exposure to Mn in the work environment affects brain activation neuro-networks.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.133-163
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• 2007

Growth in the outsourcing market signals that firms of all sizes believe outsourcing will ultimately deliver many benefits and conveniences. But there are not many firms satisfied with the results of outsourcing. What is more, previous researches were fragmentary analyses focused on specific variables of outsourcing such as sourcing decisions, partnership rather than comprehensive analysis. Thus, they could not propose general systematic methodologies applicable to the real situation. To solve these problems, we developed an integrated theoretical framework that considered both contract with the hard side and trust with the soft side from a contingency viewpoint and tested this model using 143 data of Korean companies executing outsourcing. In addition, we examined how situational factors(outsourcing task complexity and outsourcing management competence) affects each path in the research model. The results of this study are as follows. First, it was proved the theory that trust is not a substitute for contract but its complement. Previous empirical studies on outsourcing success factors were focused on the establishment of successful partnership on the assumption that trust can replace contract in many situations. According to the results of our empirical analysis, however, contract and trust were in a mutually complementary relation with each other and their emphasis was different. Furthermore, different from previous researches, it was found effective to use trust as a supplementary tool and contract as a main means in outsourcing management strategy. Second, this study provided an integrated view that sees both contract and trust from a contingency viewpoint in theoretically reestablishing the relationship between contract and trust. Previous researches leaned to specific variables or theory-centered fragmentary analysis, but this study proposed a more practical and integrated research model and tested its effectiveness. Based on the results, with the model, decision makers are expected to scrutinize outsourcing situation more closely and to have a practical insight to the situation. Third, it was found that contract mechanism and trust building do not have a direct effect on outsourcing performance but relationship management intensity mediates the effect of contract mechanism and trust building. This is considered significantly meaningful to outsourcing partners who have believed that outsourcing would be successful if a contract is made properly or trust is built. Lastly, the path from trust building to relationship management intensity was moderated by informed buying, as the path coefficients from trust building to relationship management intensity varied by the degree of informed buying competence.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.26-32
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• 2017

VOD (Video-On Demand) Services are considered to be one of the most successful data broadcasting services, along with Electronic Program Guides (EPGs). In particular, VOD services provide supplementary revenue for broadcasting companies in addition to the existing subscription fees and advertisement-based revenue. Therefore, each broadcasting company has developed its own VOD service and constantly seeks to improve it. This leads to the development of new VOD services, so developers are considering ways to effectively handle the frequent development needs. In this background, we conducted underlying research to apply the feature-oriented analysis model to the development of VOD services. The feature-oriented analysis model used in this study is the Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA) one developed by SEI of Carnegie Mellon University. FODA provides a tool for specifying the feature model of a software domain, based on which the developers can determine the configuration of the software with the customers. This study developed a feature model of the VOD service domain and devised the functionalities and test cases in an integrated manner with the feature model. Additionally, we proposed a VOD service development process utilizing the feature model, function specification, and test cases.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.149-158
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• 2014

The rapidly changing 21st-century knowledge and information society is emphasizing converged education that crosses various academic fields. In particular, the society expected the cultivation of the talent who balance scientific creativity and artistic sensitivity by adding arts to the existing converged education revolving around science and technology. However, at present, most STEAM education has been actively conducted with a focus on science and technology, whereas the subject of arts has been regarded or utilized as a supplementary means. Its problem is that the educational characteristics and values of art education have not been effectively utilized in educational terms and this could lead to superficial integrated education. In this respect, this study had the knowledge of various fields, such as science, technology, and mathematics, utilized usefully during the process of experiencing and creating arts. Accordingly, this study designed an education programs as with the case of Nam-Jun Baek who expanded the dominion of arts by creatively utilizing his own time's scientific technologies. In this educational process, the target program was developed in a manner that enables EPL to be utilized essentially as the study's knowledge-based tool and medium. The results of applying this educational program in 5th-grade elementary school students showed that the program has positive effects on the creative attributes of the students.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.237-246
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• 2020

The background of the research is the following: As a result of ultra-light flying device industry development, the utilization of drones and their efficiency have been increasing. However, problems regarding flight permission·approval procedure have not been improved, resulting in increased number of civil complaints. Thus, the purpose of this research is to minimize such civil petition according to the required standards of the two government organizations through enhancing the procedure for managing and employing the system. The research methods entail pinpointing the problems by analysing ultra-light flying device related literature review and by holding focus-interviews with field experts, thereby verifying and providing improved solutions. Under (MLIT) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport supervision and in accordance with aviation security law, the research provides various updated functions such as improved civil petition processing system's employment and management system, flight approval, integration of names, process, format regarding aviation photographing approval, tool buttons such as the 'Main' button in the system's homepage. This research has the following expected effects : Firstly in the law and regulations section, the clear distinction in the missions and roles of each organization enhances cooperations in tackling civil petition. Secondly the integration of civil petition process reduces time and improves efficiency. And lastly, the improvement of supplementary tools for the public is expected to minimize civil petitions. Future research needs to be conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense(MND). Factors such as systematic infrastructure for flight photography approval, related unit's reorganization following the defense reform 2.0, and guaranteed conditions for field security action units need to be ameliorated.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the needs for developing a curriculum for strengthening the long-term care service expertise and job competency. Specifically, the researchers analyzed previous studies on national long-term care services and national policy data, and conducted focus group interviews with 14 experts from related agencies. Activity theory was applied as a framework for analysis and a questionnaire about the importance and difficulty of subjects from 25 long-term service employees was administered for validating the results of the qualitative data analysis. The upper part of the subject-goal-tool of the activity system was considered the main area of action, and the following rule-community-division was divided into contextual parts for action, and the implications for demand analysis and future operation of the online curriculum are summarized. In total, six courses were required for development. These courses could be applied to as a learner-centered flip learning for long-term care service workers and various educational methods of collective education and supplementary education have been proposed. Based on the study results, implications in the educational field for effective management of courses were suggested at the end of the study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : The aim of this study is to introduce Korea version of pediatric VHI and to compare pVHI-K scores between children with dysphonia and children without voice problems before pVHI-K is developed as a preliminary study. Additionally, the relationship between pVHI and acoustic measures were investigated. Materials and Methods : pVHI-K scores in normal group were obtained from 15 parents who have children with no present or past history of a voice disorder, hearing loss, or related disability that can affect the their voice or speech. Dysphonia group consisted of 15 parents who have children with bilateral vocal fold nodule's at Department of Otolaryngology, the Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). pVHI-K and acoustic parameters were measured in two group. Results : The mean pVHI scores (total, functional, physical, emotional) in normal group were 2.33 (T), 0.80 (F) 1.33 (P) and 0.27 (E), respectively whereas those of pVHI in children group with dysphonia were 23.13 (T), 11.07 (F), 5.73 (P) and 6.13 (E), respectively and significant differences were revealed in total pVHI score as well as in all of the sub-pVHI scores. Moreover, significant correlation between pVHI-K parameters (T, F, P) and acoustic measures [Shimmer(%)] were shown in children in dysphonia group. Conclusion : Reported by parents can be useful as a supplementary clinical tool for diagnosing and measuring treatment effectiveness in young children with dysphonia.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 1999

One of the major roles of concrete lining is the supplementary support of ground load. Therefore, if there are cracks or deformation found in the lining, the causes should be carefully examined. Tunnel Soundness Evaluation System (DW-TSES) was developed to meet such requirements. Main facility of the system was intended to find the probable causes on the basis of the apparent changes in lining and the environmental conditions. It also includes facilities for evaluating the soundness of a tunnel and indicating the method for repair or reinforcement. The characteristic feature of damages is used for reasoning in case of deterioration and leakage, and artificial neural network is used in external pressure. This process depends on the results of the case analyses and FDM, which have a collection of the typical features of different types of damages as well as the unusual changes caused by the external pressure. The comparison of the outputs of this system with those of expert's diagnoses draws the following conclusions. 1) Artificial neural network was a suitable tool to find to causes of damages by external pressure. 2) The environmental conditions improved the accuracy in reasoning. 3) The result of finding causes and evaluating soundness was helpful to suggest effective methods concerning tunnel maintenance.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the iron nutritional status by investigating dietary intake and analyzing the hematological iron status indices including serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) in 8 to 28 month old infants md young children taking supplementary foods. The nutrient intake of 60 healthy infants and young children from 8 to 24 months of age was investigated by means of a 24-hour recall method, and the subjects were divided into 2 groups (8- 12 months and 13-28 months) according to age. Venous blood samples from these groups were collected and measured for the following : hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct) , mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and sTfR. Anemia is defined as hemoglobin < 11g /dl , serum ferritin level < 10ng1m1 for iron deficiency , serum transferring receptor(sTfR) > 4.5mg / 1 for iron deficient erythropoiesis. Total daily calorie intake was 934.6 ${\pm}$ 284.5kcal (98.32% of RDA) on average. Average daily iron intake in infants aged 8 to 12 months was 8.92 ${\pm}$ 3.32mg. The mean daily iron intake in infants aged 13 to 28 months was 7.15 ${\pm}$ 3.35mg (90% of Recommended Dietary Allowance, RDA). Mean values for Hb, Hct sew ferritin and sTfR were 12.10 ${\pm}$ 0.77g141,36.02 ${\pm}$ 2.31%,20.91 ${\pm}$ 11.58ng/m1 and 3.78 ${\pm}$ 1.47mg /1, respectively. In the young children from 13 to 28 months of age, the prevalence of anemia was 5.6%. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 9.5% in those from 8 to 12 months of age, and 27.8% in those from 13 to 28 months of age. The prevalence of iron deficient erythropoiesis was 16.7% in infants aged 8 to 12 months and 44.4% in those aged 13 to 28 months. The prevalence of both serum ferritin level < 10ng/m1 sTfR > 4.5mg/1 was 22% in the young children aged 13 to 28 months. The measureand ment of sTfR may be a promising new tool in diagnosis of iron deficiency in early childhood when the iron deficiency is prevalent. It seems appropriate to emphasize nutritional education and evaluation to promote the iron nutritional status of infants and young children.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.71-105
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• 2013

Now that fiscal soundness is increasingly important influenced by the euro area fiscal crisis, early budget execution has been under the spotlight as a tool for economy control, other than typical expansionary method, such as supplementary budget. Basically, early budget execution is a fiscal policy instrument that reponses to economic fluctuations through modifying the inter-temporal allocation of fiscal expenditure within budget, without affecting fiscal soundness. This study empirically examines how effective the intert-temporal reallocation of fiscal expenditure is in economy control. Using Korea's Consolidated Fiscal data, the size of inter-temporal reallocation of fiscal expenditure is defined as changes of fiscal expenditure for one year excluding seasonal factors and used to explain real economic growth rate, a dependent variable. The result shows that the macroeconomic effect of the inter-temporal reallocation turns out meaningful in general, though some policy time lag exists. Meanwhile, a simulation using macroeconomic model finds that overall effect on economic growth is not large because increase in fiscal expenditure allocation at a certain point of time is canceled by the opposite direction within the same fiscal year. However, the inter-temporal reallocation is found to reduce volatility of key macroeconomic variables so as to contribute to partially stabilizing macroeconomy. In particular, such effect of economic stabilization seems to be highly apparent at the time of financial crisis, but not very noticeable in normal economic cycle.