• Title/Summary/Keyword: assessment of safety

Search Result 5,533, Processing Time 0.04 seconds

ECONOMIC AND SOCIOLOGICAL ISSUES OF THE TRANSITION TO COMPUTER BASED ENGINEERING EDUCATION

  • Bordia Surek
    • Journal of Engineering Education Research
    • /
    • v.5 no.1
    • /
    • pp.68-76
    • /
    • 2002
  • It is proposed to raise the debate on Engineering and Technical Education at the global economic level and to examine some of the issues facing developing and poorer countries in managing and improving the quality of engineering education in their countries, especially in the context of internet and IT culture After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the world is now divided in two realigned blocks: one of developed(rich or advanced) countries which have a social security safety net for their population and another of developing(or poor) countries which have no such luxuries for their population. For the general public in the developing countries, any engineering or technical degree/diploma is a passport to lifelong wellbeing of an individual and his/her extended family. Therefore, the demand for such qualifications is very high and it is almost a rat race amongst school leavers to get into engineering/technical colleges. In view of this booming demand, there are hundreds of privately funded engineering/technical colleges in countries like Philippines, India, Thailand, etc., besides state funded ones. It is extremely difficult to ensure good quality in this mushrooming scenario. There are also many very small poorly resourced developing countries where there is only one engineering school and/or two-three technical colleges. Products of these schools/colleges work only in their own country and education globalization have little or no meaning for them. Besides highlighting the aforementioned general issues, the Paper also presents a few case studies on problems of accreditation and quality assessment in larger developing countries like India and the Philippines. The Paper also discusses the effects of commercialization on the quality of education and social impacts of IT revolution on educational processes.

Temperature-Dependent Hydrolysis Reactions of U(VI) Studied by TRLFS

  • Lee, J.Y.;Yun, J.I.
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology
    • /
    • v.1 no.1
    • /
    • pp.65-73
    • /
    • 2013
  • Temperature-dependent hydrolysis behaviors of aqueous U(VI) species were investigated with time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) in the temperature range from 15 to $75^{\circ}C$. The formation of four different U(VI) hydrolysis species was measured at pHs from 1 to 7. The predominant presence of $UO{_2}^{2+}$, $(UO_2)_2(OH){_2}^{2+}$, $(UO_2)_3(OH){_5}^+$, and $(UO_2)_3(OH){_7}^-$ species were identified based on the spectroscopic properties such as fluorescence wavelengths and fluorescence lifetimes. With an increasing temperature, a remarkable decrement in the fluorescence lifetime for all U(VI) hydrolysis species was observed, representing the dynamic quenching behavior. Furthermore, the increase in the fluorescence intensity of the further hydrolyzed U(VI) species was clearly observed at an elevated temperature, showing stronger hydrolysis reactions with increasing temperatures. The formation constants of the U(VI) hydrolysis species were calculated to be $log\;K{^0}_{2,2}=-4.0{\pm}0.6$ for $(UO_2)_2(OH){_2}^{2+}$, $log\;K{^0}_{3,5}=-15.0{\pm}0.3$ for $(UO_2)_3(OH){_5}^+$, and $log\;K{^0}_{3,7}=-27.7{\pm}0.7$ for $(UO_2)_3(OH){_7}^-$ at $25^{\circ}C$ and I = 0 M. The specific ion interaction theory (SIT) was applied for the extrapolation of the formation constants to infinitely diluted solution. The results of temperature-dependent hydrolysis behavior in terms of the U(VI) fluorescence were compared and validated with those obtained using computational methods (DQUANT and constant enthalpy equation). Both results matched well with each other. The reaction enthalpies and entropies that are vital for the computational methods were determined by a combination of the van't Hoff equation and the Gibbs free energy equation. The temperature-dependent hydrolysis reaction of the U(VI) species indicates the transition of a major U(VI) species by means of geothermal gradient and decay heat from the radioactive isotopes, representing the necessity of deeper consideration in the safety assessment of geologic repository.

Competencies of Dental Hygienists for Oral Care Service for People with Disability

  • Lee, Jae-Young;Kim, Young-Jae;Jin, Bo-Hyoung
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
    • /
    • v.20 no.1
    • /
    • pp.16-24
    • /
    • 2020
  • Background: Dental treatment has shifted to the center of the community, and the public policy of the country has expanded to support the vulnerable classes such as the disabled. The dental profession needs education regarding oral health services for persons with disabilities, and it is necessary to derive the competencies for this. Therefore, we conducted this study to derive the normative ability to understand the role of a dental hygienist in the oral health service for persons with disabilities and improvement plans for education. Methods: We conducted a qualitative analysis for deriving competencies by analyzing the data collected through in-depth interviews with experts in order to obtain abilities through practical experience. Based on the competency criterion, relevant competency in the interview response was derived using the priori method, and it was confirmed whether the derived ability matched the ability determined by the respondent. Results: The professional conduct competencies of dental hygienists, devised by the Korean Association of Dental Hygiene, consists of professional behavior, ethical decision-making, self-assessment skills, lifelong learning, and accumulated evidence. Also, core competencies of the American Dental Education Association competencies for dental hygienist classification such as ethics, responsibility for professional actions, and critical thinking skills were used as the criterion. The dental hygienist's abilities needed for oral health care for people with disabilities, especially in the detailed abilities to fulfill these social needs, were clarified. Conclusion: To activate oral health care for people with disabilities, it is necessary for dental hygienists to fulfill their appropriate roles, and for this purpose, competency-based curriculum restructuring is indispensable. A social safety net for improving the oral health of people with disabilities can be secured by improving the required skills-based education system of dental hygienists and strengthening the related infrastructure.

A Study on the Facility and Equipment of Laboratory Medicine in General Hospital - Focused on more than 550 bed sized hospitals (종합병원 진단검사의학과 검사실의 시설 설비 현황 조사 - 550 병상 이상 종합병원을 중심으로)

  • Kim, Youngaee;Song, Sanghoon
    • Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
    • /
    • v.26 no.1
    • /
    • pp.73-84
    • /
    • 2020
  • Purpose: Though Korean healthcare services have been upgraded, infection and fire had been broken out in general hospitals. And higher concerns about quality assessment made it to clinical laboratory design guideline studies. So, this study investigates the facilities, equipment and personnel of laboratory medicine focusing on more than five hundred fifty bed hospital, and contributes to make guidelines for safety and efficiency in lab. Methods: Questionnaires to supervisor technologist and field surveys to medical laboratories in korean hospitals have been conducted for the data collection. 16 answers have been analysed statistically by MS Excel program. Results: Most of the sample tests such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, transfusion, urinalysis, microbiology and molecular diagnosis are performed by more than 80% in large sized general hospital laboratory. In the test methods, automatic analyzers are used up to 80%, total laboratory automation up to 43% in clinical chemistry and immunology, and manual tests in all sorts of the test. There are placed in single lab or two and three labs above the ground, which are all in semi-open lab. There is some correlation with the number of specimens and the number of lab people depending on the number of hospital beds. Laboratory environment shows that work distance is good, but evacuation path width, visibility, separation of staff area from automatic analyzer, and equipment installations are needed to have more spaces and gears. Most of the infection controls are equipped with mechanical ventilation, air-conditioning, washbasin and wastewater separation, BSC installation and negative pressure lab room. Implications: Although the laboratory space area is calculated considering the number of hospital beds, type of tests and number of staff, hospital's expertise and the samples numbers per year should be taken into account in the planning of the hospital.

An Experimental Study on the FMEA Evaluation of Non-metallic Materials in High-Pressure Hydrogen Facility (고압 수소설비용 비금속부품 소재의 FMEA 평가를 통한 실험적 연구)

  • Ahn, Jeongjin;Kim, Wanjin;Kim, Laehyun
    • Journal of Energy Engineering
    • /
    • v.28 no.3
    • /
    • pp.10-17
    • /
    • 2019
  • According to South Korea's policy of supplying eco-friendly hydrogen vehicles, related industries are actively conducting research on the development of hydrogen cars and hydrogen charging station infrastructure. On the other hand, there is a lack of empirical research and assessment of the risk of non-metallic materials (such as liners, seals, gaskets) for classified materials that directly affect the durability and reliability of hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen charging stations. In this study, the risk factors for liners and seals of non-metallic parts used in high-pressure hydrogen installations were derived using FMEA, and the RPN values were calculated by converting the severity, frequency of occurrence and degree of detection into scores. The maximum value of the RPN 600, minimum value 63, average value 278.5 was calculated and periodic control of the liner and seal was identified as important. In addition, through hydrogen soakage and oxygen aging tests for non-metallic rubber products, physical test values that can be used as basic data were presented.

Towards UAV-based bridge inspection systems: a review and an application perspective

  • Chan, Brodie;Guan, Hong;Jo, Jun;Blumenstein, Michael
    • Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
    • /
    • v.2 no.3
    • /
    • pp.283-300
    • /
    • 2015
  • Visual condition inspections remain paramount to assessing the current deterioration status of a bridge and assigning remediation or maintenance tasks so as to ensure the ongoing serviceability of the structure. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing backlog of maintenance activities. Existing research reveals that this is attributable to the labour-intensive, subjective and disruptive nature of the current bridge inspection method. Current processes ultimately require lane closures, traffic guidance schemes and inspection equipment. This not only increases the whole-of-life costs of the bridge, but also increases the risk to the travelling public as issues affecting the structural integrity may go unaddressed. As a tool for bridge condition inspections, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or, drones, offer considerable potential, allowing a bridge to be visually assessed without the need for inspectors to walk across the deck or utilise under-bridge inspection units. With current inspection processes placing additional strain on the existing bridge maintenance resources, the technology has the potential to significantly reduce the overall inspection costs and disruption caused to the travelling public. In addition to this, the use of automated aerial image capture enables engineers to better understand a situation through the 3D spatial context offered by UAV systems. However, the use of UAV for bridge inspection involves a number of critical issues to be resolved, including stability and accuracy of control, and safety to people. SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) is a technique that could be used by a UAV to build a map of the bridge underneath, while simultaneously determining its location on the constructed map. While there are considerable economic and risk-related benefits created through introducing entirely new ways of inspecting bridges and visualising information, there also remain hindrances to the wider deployment of UAVs. This study is to provide a context for use of UAVs for conducting visual bridge inspections, in addition to addressing the obstacles that are required to be overcome in order for the technology to be integrated into current practice.

IPA Assessment of Hospital Social Responsibility Activities (의료기관 사회적 책임(HSR)활동의 IPA 평가)

  • Cho, Kyoung Won;Sagong, Mi
    • The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
    • /
    • v.12 no.4
    • /
    • pp.1-15
    • /
    • 2018
  • Objectives: We analyzed the importance and performance of hospital social responsibility (HSR) according to the characteristics of hospitals, and presented strategies for HSR activities. Methods: An online HSR questionnaire was sent to hospitals nationwide from October 12 to 26, 2018. The 206 responses received were analyzed in accordance with the IPA to assess the performance and importance of HSR. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the employees and hospitals regarding the importance and performance of HSR activities. In the area of "sustained maintenance", items related to consumer issues such as "compliance with personal information processing policy", "patient confidentiality", "fair information provision", and "system for patient safety and infection prevention" were derived. In the area of "'high priority for improvement", there were three common items between hospitals and general hospitals: "regular donations and support from local communities", "active cooperation with related institutions", and "compliance with process-related laws and regulations". In the area of "low priority", four items were derived: "support for employee participation in community activities", "efforts to hire local residents", "education and cultural programs for local communities", and "transparent support for political activities". In the area of "sublation of excessive efforts", two items of "employee welfare efforts" and "efforts to improve labor relations", were commonly found in hospitals and general hospitals. Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the management efficiency of hospitals by the systematic allocation of manpower and resources through the establishment of four regional strategies based on the results of IPA analysis.

Assessment of Livestock Infectious Diseases Exposure by Analyzing the Livestock Transport Vehicle's Trajectory Using Big Data (빅데이터 기반 가축관련 운송차량 이동경로 분석을 통한 가축전염병 노출수준 평가)

  • Jeong, Heehyeon;Hong, Jungyeol;Park, Dongjoo
    • The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
    • /
    • v.19 no.6
    • /
    • pp.134-143
    • /
    • 2020
  • With the worldwide spread of African swine fever, interest in livestock epidemics is growing. Livestock transport vehicles are the main cause of the spread of livestock epidemics, but no empirical quarantine procedures and standards related to the mobility of livestock transport vehicles in South Korea. This study extracted livestock-related vehicles' trajectory by utilizing the facility visit history data from the Korea Animal Health Integrated System and the DTG (Digital Tachograph) data from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority and presented them as exposure indexes aggregating the link-time occupancy of each vehicle. As a result, a total of 274,519 livestock-related vehicle trajectories were extracted, and exposure values by link and zone were quantitatively derived. Through this study, it is expected that prior monitoring of livestock transport vehicles and the establishment of post-disaster prevention policies would be provided.

Development of a Standardized Clinical Practice Education Program in Occupational Therapy Student (작업치료 대학생의 임상실습 교육 프로그램 개발)

  • Lee, Min-Jae;Lee, Sun-Min
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
    • /
    • v.10 no.1
    • /
    • pp.27-38
    • /
    • 2022
  • Purpose : This study is aimed to develop and validate the clinical practice education program and clinical competence scale of occupational therapy student. Methods : The development of the clinical practice education program used the delphi technique method, which had a total of five steps. Based on the occupational therapist's job analysis, the first stage assessed the importance of 21 experts, and the second stage examined the importance of 19 new specialists to derive constitutive factors. In the third stage, in-depth interviews were conducted with three experts based on the derived factors, and in the fourth stage, the final clinical practice education program was derived. In the final stage, the details of the clinical training program were drawn up based on the themes and were reviewed by two experts. Structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with 43 job experts. Results : The expert survey through the delphi technique was conducted three times, and content analysis and descriptive statistics were conducted to examine the distribution of responses. The final 11 educational program topics and contents were derived. Topics are confirmation of client information, evaluation and intervention, cognitive therapy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, musculoskeletal disorders, pediatric occupational therapy, interventions in activities of daily living, driving rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, occupational therapy assessment tool, safety training and management. Conclusion : The clinical practice education program reduce the difference between school education and clinical education of occupational therapy student. Occupational therapy helps college student understand occupational therapy practices and improve the quality of clinical education. Through more research and supplementation of clinical practice education programs in the future, it is suggested that clinical practice education be successfully operated in various practice institutions and used as basic data for designing and evaluating useful educational models.

Cognitive function improvement effects of gintonin-enriched fraction in subjective memory impairment: An assessor- and participant-blinded placebo-controlled study

  • Rami Lee ;Han Sang Lee ;Won-Woo Kim ;Manho Kim ;Seung-Yeol Nah
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
    • /
    • v.47 no.6
    • /
    • pp.735-742
    • /
    • 2023
  • Background: Gintonin is a new material of ginseng that acts through the ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand. The gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) inhibits amyloid plaque accumulation in the cortex and hippocampus, improves cognitive dysfunction by increasing acetylcholine levels, and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. We evaluated the effect of the GEF on the cognitive performance of subjects with subjective memory impairment (SMI). Methods: In this eight-week, randomized, assessor- and participant-blinded, placebo-controlled study, participants with SMI were assigned to three groups receiving placebo, GEF 300 mg/day or GEF 600 mg/day. The Korean versions of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (K-ADAS), Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), and Stroop color-word test (K-SCWT) were also evaluated along with the safety profiles. Results: One hundred thirty-six participants completed the study. After eight weeks, we analyzed intergroup differences in primary or secondary outcome score changes. When we compared the GEF group with the placebo group, we observed significant improvements in the K-ADAS and K-SCWT scores. The GEF group did not show a significant improvement in K-MMSE and BDI scores compared to the placebo group. No adverse events were observed in the gintonin and placebo groups for eight weeks. Conclusion: The GEF is safe and effective in improving subjective cognitive impairment related to both the K-ADAS and K-SCWT in this study. However, further large-scale and randomized controlled studies are warranted to secure other cognitive function tests besides the K-ADAS and K-SCWT, and to confirm the findings of the current study.