• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: In masking level difference (MLD), the masked detection threshold for a signal is determined as a function of the relative interaural differences between the signal and the masker. Study 1 analyzed the results of school-aged children with good school performance in the MLD test, and study 2 compared their results with those of a group of children with poor academic performance. Subjects and Methods: Study 1 was conducted with 47 school-aged children with good academic performance (GI) and study 2 was carried out with 32 school-aged children with poor academic performance (GII). The inclusion criteria adopted for both studies were hearing thresholds within normal limits in basic audiological evaluation. Study 1 also considered normal performance in the central auditory processing test battery and absence of auditory complaints and/or of attention, language or speech issues. The MLD test was administered with a pure pulsatile tone of 500 Hz, in a binaural mode and intensity of 50 dBSL, using a CD player and audiometer. Results: In study 1, no significant correlation was observed, considering the influence of the variables age and sex in relation to the results obtained in homophase (SoNo), antiphase (SπNo) and MLD threshold conditions. The final mean MLD threshold was 13.66 dB. In study 2, the variables did not influence the test performance either. There was a significant difference between test results in SπNo conditions of the two groups, while no differences were found both in SoNo conditions and the final result of MLD. Conclusions: In study 1, the cut-off criterion of school-aged children in the MLD test was 9.3 dB. The variables (sex and age) did not interfere with the MLD results. In study 2, school performance did not differ in the MLD results. GII group showed inferior results than GI group, only in SπNo condition.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: In masking level difference (MLD), the masked detection threshold for a signal is determined as a function of the relative interaural differences between the signal and the masker. Study 1 analyzed the results of school-aged children with good school performance in the MLD test, and study 2 compared their results with those of a group of children with poor academic performance. Subjects and Methods: Study 1 was conducted with 47 school-aged children with good academic performance (GI) and study 2 was carried out with 32 school-aged children with poor academic performance (GII). The inclusion criteria adopted for both studies were hearing thresholds within normal limits in basic audiological evaluation. Study 1 also considered normal performance in the central auditory processing test battery and absence of auditory complaints and/or of attention, language or speech issues. The MLD test was administered with a pure pulsatile tone of 500 Hz, in a binaural mode and intensity of 50 dBSL, using a CD player and audiometer. Results: In study 1, no significant correlation was observed, considering the influence of the variables age and sex in relation to the results obtained in homophase (SoNo), antiphase (SπNo) and MLD threshold conditions. The final mean MLD threshold was 13.66 dB. In study 2, the variables did not influence the test performance either. There was a significant difference between test results in SπNo conditions of the two groups, while no differences were found both in SoNo conditions and the final result of MLD. Conclusions: In study 1, the cut-off criterion of school-aged children in the MLD test was 9.3 dB. The variables (sex and age) did not interfere with the MLD results. In study 2, school performance did not differ in the MLD results. GII group showed inferior results than GI group, only in SπNo condition.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.24-37
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of nutrition education via a free learning semester program (NE). The understanding of the program, the potential difficulties, and future initiatives for NE improvement were also investigated. Methods: A total number of 161 nutrition teachers from Gwangju and Jeonnam filled in a questionnaire and participated in this survey, which was performed from July to August 2019. Results: Our results showed that 8.1% of the nutrition teachers had taught nutrition education in free learning semester programs. The most frequently implemented model was subject selection, followed by club activities. Most of the nutrition teachers comprehended the purpose of NE. The attitude of nutrition teachers to NE differed by the understanding of its purpose. Positive attitude was evident due to a better understanding of the purpose by nutrition teachers. Nutrition teachers reported the most common difficulties of NE were the lack of preparation due to the heavy workload and the lack of a standard running program. The most effective method of NE was the activity classes. The experience of practicing NE influenced the choice of contents for each operating model. Nutrition teachers that were experienced in NE conducted via free learning semester programs preferred the selected topics model, but those without experience chose the career search model. Conclusions: Although some obstacles exist, nutrition teachers had a positive attitude and perceived well the importance of NE. Therefore, the awareness for the significance of NE of nutrition teachers needs to be improved. For better NE practice, it is necessary to reduce/ manage the workload of general food service. Furthermore, the development of standard running and promotion programs, and teacher training programs should be ensured.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.149-173
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• 2023

This study examines email records management patterns of undergraduate students and their perceptions of university email policy. The research collected data from 317 undergraduate students using a survey based on the five essential elements of email records management: common elements, email creation, email management, email preservation, and perception. Also, an in-depth interview was conducted with 6 undergraduate students, according to the method of university email service: Google, Microsoft, and in-house webmail. As a result, undergraduate students used email as an address book, cloud storage, file storage, and collaboration tool, and they had difficulties in systematically managing the email records according to the records lifecycle. Also, there was a tendency to prefer using an external email platform that can use additional functions to in-house webmail that has limitations in mobile service and preservation of attachments. Thus, this study suggests ways to help undergraduate students manage their email records, including maintaining graduates' email accounts, providing sufficient email storage, and providing email records management training and guidelines for undergraduate students.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2020.06a
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• pp.125-125
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• 2020

European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 has an improved spatial and temporal resolution, as compared to previous satellite data such as Envisat Advanced SAR (ASAR) or Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT). Thus, the assumption used for low-resolution retrieval algorithms used by ENVISAT ASAR or ASCAT is not applicable to Sentinel-1, because a higher degree of land surface heterogeneity should be considered for retrieval. The assumption of homogeneity over land surface is not valid any more. In this study, considering that soil roughness is one of the key parameters sensitive to soil moisture retrievals, various approaches are discussed. First, soil roughness is spatially inverted from Sentinel-1 backscattering over Yanco sites in Australia. Based upon this, Artificial Neural Networks data (feedforward multiplayer perception, MLP, Levenberg-Marquadt algorithm) are compared with Fractal approach (brownian fractal, Hurst exponent of 0.5). When using ANNs, training data are achieved from theoretical forward scattering models, Integral Equation Model (IEM). and Sentinel-1 measurements. The network is trained by 20 neurons and one hidden layer, and one input layer. On the other hand, fractal surface roughness is generated by fitting 1D power spectrum model with roughness spectra. Fractal roughness profile is produced by a stochastic process describing probability between two points, and Hurst exponent, as well as rms heights (a standard deviation of surface height). Main interest of this study is to estimate a spatial variability of roughness without the need of local measurements. This non-local approach is significant, because we operationally have to be independent from local stations, due to its few spatial coverage at the global level. More fundamentally, SAR roughness is much different from local measurements, Remote sensing data are influenced by incidence angle, large scale topography, or a mixing regime of sensors, although probe deployed in the field indicate point data. Finally, demerit and merit of these approaches will be discussed.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.640-647
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• 2013

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become the new international benchmark for efficiency in design, construction and maintenance of buildings. It is the platform that brings about collaboration between project stakeholders and improvement of project outcomes. With all its potentials, not much of the impact of BIM technologies has been felt in the Nigerian construction industry. This research aimed at assessing the readiness of the Nigerian building design firms to adopt BIM technologies. The research was exploratory in nature. A field survey was conducted with the use of structured questionnaire, self administered to a sample of building design consultancy firms (architectural, structural, M&E, quantity surveying, and multi-disciplinary design firms) within Abuja and Kaduna. The questionnaire sought the perception of the responding firms on the factors affecting BIM adoption in the Nigerian construction industry, and their level of readiness to adopt BIM technologies in their practices based on the four categories of readiness-management, people, process and technology. 42.26% response rate was achieved and used for analysis. ANOVA and DUNCAN post-hoc tests were used to establish the differences between the responses of the groups of firms, while means and standard deviations were obtained to establish the important factors affecting BIM adoption in Nigeria. The survey revealed that all the groups of Nigerian design firms are appreciably ready for the adoption of BIM technologies in their practice, with slight variations in their respective levels of readiness. 'Lack of awareness of BIM technology among professionals' and clients and 'lack of knowledgeable and experienced partners' were identified as the most important barriers of BIM adoption in Nigeria; while the most significant drivers are 'availability of well trained professionals' and 'cooperation and commitment of professional bodies to the adoption'. Education and training of building design professionals and cooperation of all stakeholders in the design and construction supply chain were recommended as part of measures to ensure successful adoption of BIM in the Nigerian construction industry.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.57-64
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• 2023

This study analyzed the perceptions of elementary and secondary school teachers regarding the importance of SW/AI education in fostering students' fundamental knowledge and the necessity of integrating SW/AI into education. A total of 830 elementary and secondary school teachers were selected as study subjects using the judgment sampling method. The analysis of survey data revealed that elementary and secondary teachers exhibited a strong awareness of the importance and necessity of SW/AI education, irrespective of school characteristics, region, educational experience, or prior involvement in SW and AI education. Nevertheless, the primary reasons for not implementing SW/AI education were identified as excessive workload and a lack of pedagogical expertise. An analysis of opinions on the essential conditions for implementing SW/AI education revealed that workload reduction, budget support, teacher training to enhance teacher competency, content distribution, expansion of subject-linked courses, and dedicated instructional time allocation were the major influencing factors. These findings indicate a significant demand for comprehensive instructional support and teacher capacity-building programs.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.37-43
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• 2023

The hospital situation, timing, and patient restrictions have become obstacles to an optimum therapy session. The crowdedness of the hospital might lead to a tight schedule and a shorter period of therapy. This condition might strike a post-stroke patient in a dilemma where they need regular treatment to recover their nervous system. In this work, we propose an in-house and uncomplex serious game system that can be used for physical therapy. The Kinect camera is used to capture the depth image stream of a human skeleton. Afterwards, the user might use their hand gesture to control the game. Voice recognition is deployed to ease them with play. Users must complete the given challenge to obtain a more significant outcome from this therapy system. Subjects will use their upper limb and hands to capture the 3D objects with different speeds and positions. The more substantial challenge, speed, and location will be increased and random. Each delegated entity will raise the scores. Afterwards, the scores will be further evaluated to correlate with therapy progress. Users are delighted with the system and eager to use it as their daily exercise. The experimental studies show a comparison between score and difficulty that represent characteristics of user and game. Users tend to quickly adapt to easy and medium levels, while high level requires better focus and proper synchronization between hand and eye to capture the 3D objects. The statistical analysis with a confidence rate(α:0.05) of the usability test shows that the proposed gaming is accessible, even without specialized training. It is not only for therapy but also for fitness because it can be used for body exercise. The result of the experiment is very satisfying. Most users enjoy and familiarize themselves quickly. The evaluation study demonstrates user satisfaction and perception during testing. Future work of the proposed serious game might involve haptic devices to stimulate their physical sensation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.44-58
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to apply a health partnership program using commercially available mobile health apps to improve cardiovascular risk factors in male employees and verify its effectiveness. Methods: Using a randomized control group pretest-posttest design, male employees with cardiovascular risk factors from five small and medium-sized workplaces were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 31). The experimental group was encouraged to use three mobile health apps for 12 weeks to acquire the necessary cardiovascular disease-related information and practice strengthening training, walking, and diet management appropriate to their level. They also received feedback on their weekly activities and motivational text messages from health partners. Hypotheses were tested using the SPSS WIN 22.0. Results: The experimental group showed a significant difference compared to the control group in terms of their perception of mobile health app (p < .05), self-efficacy for exercise and diet, self-management partnership, and cardiovascular disease prevention health behavior (p < .001). In particular, there were significant decreases in the body mass index, ratio, serum fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglyceride in the experimental group (p < .001); however, there was no significant difference in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Conclusion: Intervention using mobile apps based on partnership with health managers is effective in improving the objective cardiovascular risk index in male employees; therefore, such intervention should be continuously used as a useful lifestyle modification strategy in the workplace.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2024

Background: This study aims to analyze radiation safety management and regulatory perceptions, focusing on companies that must report radiation sources. The intent is to reduce the gap between regulation measures and addressing real concerns while improving practical safety management measures and regulations for all stakeholders. Materials and Methods: Radiation safety officers at a total of 244 reporting companies using radiation generators (79.8%) and sealed radioisotopes (15.1%) were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results and Discussion: The perception that regulation is stronger than the actual risk of the radiation source used was 3.47 points (out of 5 points), indicating a score above average. The most important factors and considerations were education and training (48%) as a human factor, safety devices of the radiation source (71.3%) as a hazardous material factor, the use of radiation (50.8%) as an organizational environment, and the radiation effect of nearby facilities (67.2%) as a physical environment. Radiation safety management educational experience (F= 5.030, p< 0.01), the group with high subjective knowledge (t= 6.017, p< 0.001), and the group with high objective knowledge (t= 1.989, p< 0.05) was found to be better at radiation safety management. Conclusion: It is necessary to standardize the educational experience regarding radiation safety management because each staff member has individual differences in educational experience. It is necessary to provide more information on how to solve radiation accidents via educational content. Applying radiation safety regulations based on the factors that significantly affect radiation safety management shown in this survey will help improve safety.