• Title/Summary/Keyword: risk strategy

Search Result 1,189, Processing Time 0.029 seconds

Achieving a Nitrogen Balance for Japanese Domestic Livestock Waste: Testing the Scenario of Planting Feed Grain in Land Left Fallow

  • Kaku, K.;Ikeguchi, A.;Ogino, A.;Osada, T.;Hojito, M.;Shimada, K.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.17 no.7
    • /
    • pp.1026-1032
    • /
    • 2004
  • In this study, we assess the recent changes in the amount of excretion by the livestock industry, and discuss the effects of increasing the ratio of cultivated land on the reduction of surplus nitrogen from a cost-performance perspective. Nitrogen has contributed to acidification of ecosystems and nitrate concentrations in groundwater, especially in Europe. Therefore, we assessed the level of nitrogen waste from the domestic Japanese livestock industry, including cattle, swine and poultry during the period 1987-2001. This assessment assumed that 40% of the nitrogen from the domestic livestock industry was emitted as gas into the air and that 60% of the nitrogen was contained in manure used on domestic cultivated land. Nitrogen excreted from livestock, excluding gas emission, decreased by 11% from 0.504 million tons to 0.447 million tons during 1993-2001. Thus, the peak period of nitrogen excretion from livestock is already past in Japan. However, the area of cultivated land under management also decreased during 1990-2000. In addition, the area of paddy and upland fields left unplanted for a year increased during 1990-2000. Therefore, if all manure from the domestic livestock industry had been utilized on the fields as organic fertilizer, but not on arable land left uncultivated for the past year, the nitrogen per net area of cultivated land would have increased by 5%, from 125 to 131 N kg/ha, during 1990-2000. To reduce the nitrogen ratio on cultivated land through the planting of feed grain to utilize the nitrogen, a comparison of the cost performance of feed grains indicated that barley would be more suitable than wheat, rice or soybean. Had barley been planted in 100% of the land left fallow for the past year in 2000, 4% (20,000 tons) of the nitrogen from livestock waste would have been used in the harvest, and the nitrogen per land unit would have not increased but decreased from 125 to 121 N kg/ha during the same decade. Furthermore, when converted into Total Digestible Nutrients, 7% of imported feed corn could have been replaced with the harvested barley in 2000. Planting barley on this fallow land had three benefits; reducing the risk of manure overload on the land, slowing down the decrease in cultivated land, and raising the feed self-sufficiency ratio. Thus, it would be beneficial to plant feed grain such as barley in land left fallow for the past year through utilization of manure.

Prevalence of Abnormal Cervical Cytology in HIV-Negative Women Participating in a Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Calmette Hospital, Cambodia

  • Hav, Monirath;Eav, Sokha;Heang, Nicole;Pich, Pintuna;Lim, Davy;Leang, Vitou;Korn, Aun;Lay, Sanine;Pluot, Michel;Kruy, Leangsim
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.17 no.7
    • /
    • pp.3101-3103
    • /
    • 2016
  • Background: According to the most recent estimation of GLOBOCAN, Cambodia has the highest incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Southeast Asia. A screen-and-treat strategy using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA test) and cryotherapy has been implemented in Cambodia's national cervical cancer screening program since 2013. However, where resources are available, cervical cytology with or without high-risk HPV DNA testing is the preferred screening method used in this country. Aim: This study aims to calculate the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology and explain the possible factors contributing to a reduced quality of cervical cytology among women participating in a hospital-based cervical cancer screening program in Cambodia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using information from the cytology and pathology database in the Department of Pathology of Calmette Hospital between January 2012 and December 2015. Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology, based on the Bethesda 2001 classification, was calculated. Data on the adequacy of cytological specimens were analyzed in order to explain the factors contributing to a reduced quality of cervical cytology interpretation. Results: Among 6,207 women who participated in the cervical cancer screening program at Calmette Hospital during 2012 and 2015, 388 (6.25%) had abnormal cytology, which could be classified into Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (92 cases; 1.48%), Atypical Squamous Cells - Cannot Exclude High-Grade Intraepithelial Lesion (13 cases; 0.21%), Atypical Glandular Cells (11 cases; 0.18%), Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (221 cases; 3.56%), High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (26 cases; 0.42%), and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (25 cases; 0.40%). Unsatisfactory smears made up 12.2% of the total cases. The most frequently identified factor leading to unsatisfactory smears was the absence of cells from the transformation zone. Conclusions: The present study showed an overall prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology of 6.25%, which is comparable to that in many large population-based studies in the Asia Pacific region. Nevertheless, the remarkably high rate of unsatisfactory smears in this study justifies further improvement in specimen sampling among Cambodian gynecologists.

Lumbar Interbody Fusion Outcomes in Degenerative Lumbar Disease : Comparison of Results between Patients Over and Under 65 Years of Age

  • Jo, Dae-Jean;Jun, Jae-Kyun;Kim, Ki-Tack;Kim, Sung-Min
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
    • /
    • v.48 no.5
    • /
    • pp.412-418
    • /
    • 2010
  • Objective : To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of lumbar interbody fusion and its correlation with various factors (e.g., age, comorbidities, fusion level, bone quality) in patients over and under 65 years of age who underwent lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative lumbar disease. Methods : One-hundred-thirty-three patients with lumbar degenerative disease underwent lumbar fusion surgery between June 2006 and June 2007 and were followed for more than one year. Forty-eight (361%) were older than 65 years of age (group A) and 85 (63.9%) were under 65 years of age (group B). Diagnosis, comorbidities, length of hospital stay, and perioperative complications were recorded. The analysis of clinical outcomes was based on the visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiological results were evaluated using plain radiographs. Clinical outcomes, radiological outcomes, length of hospital stay, and complication rates were analyzed in relation to lumbar fusion level, the number of comorbidities, bone mineral density (BMD), and age. Results : The mean age of the patients was 61.2 years (range, 33-86 years) and the mean BMD was -2.2 (range, -4.8 to -2.8). The mean length of hospital stay was 15.0 days (range, 5-60 days) and the mean follow-up was 23.0 months (range, 18-30 months). Eighty-five (64.0%) patients had more than one preoperative comorbidities. Perioperative complications occurred in 27 of 133 patients (20.3%). The incidence of overall complication was 22.9% in group A, and 18.8% in group B but there was no statistical difference between the two groups. The mean VAS scores for the back and leg were significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.05), and bony fusion was achieved in 125 of 133 patients (94.0%). There was no significant difference in bony union rates between groups A and B (91.7% in group A vs. 95.3% in group B, p = 0.398). In group A. perioperative complications were more common with the increase in fusion level (p = 0.027). Perioperative complications in both groups A (p = 0.035) and B (p = 0.044) increased with an increasing number of comorbidities. Conclusion : Elderly patients with comorbidities are at a high risk for complications and adverse outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. In our study, clinical outcomes, fusion rates, and perioperative complication rates in older patients were comparable with those in younger populations. The number of comorbidities and the extent of fusion level were significant factors in predicting the occurrence of postoperative complications. However, proper perioperative general supportive care with a thorough fusion strategy during the operation could improve the overall postoperative outcomes in lumbar fusion surgery for elderly patients.

A Study on the Management of Micropollutants in Water System Considering Climate Change and other Potential Effects (기후변화 등 잠재적 영향을 고려한 수중 미량오염물질의 관리방향 연구)

  • Kim, Hojeong;Hong, Yongsuk;Ahn, Jong Ho
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
    • /
    • v.51 no.6
    • /
    • pp.645-654
    • /
    • 2013
  • In this study, the management polices of micropollutants (MPs) were reviewed and the future management strategy was discussed considering climate change and etc. In Korea, the investigation of drinking water has been actively carried out for the priority contaminants as well as MPs. Recently river and lake waters have been also examined for MPs. However, the coverage and depth of the investigation is limited. Moreover, climate change is likely to increase air & water temperature and it will affect the hydrological cycle. Such changes may increase the residual concentrations of MPs in water system. As water reuse increases, the residual MPs of the recycled water may create public concerns. Thus, in a viewpoint of the precautionary principle, more stringent management of MPs is recommended for the drinking water and the body-contact water use. For the surface water, more studies are necessary to understand the ecological risk by MPs.

Information in the Implied Volatility Curve of Option Prices and Implications for Financial Distribution Industry (옵션 내재 변동성곡선의 정보효과와 금융 유통산업에의 시사점)

  • Kim, Sang-Su;Liu, Won-Suk;Son, Sam-Ho
    • Journal of Distribution Science
    • /
    • v.13 no.5
    • /
    • pp.53-60
    • /
    • 2015
  • Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the importance of the slope and curvature of the volatility curve implied in option prices in the KOSPI 200 options index. A number of studies examine the implied volatility curve, however, these usually focus on cross-sectional characteristics such as the volatility smile. Contrary to previous studies, we focus on time-series characteristics; we investigate correlation dynamics among slope, curvature, and level of the implied volatility curve to capture market information embodied therein. Our study may provide useful implications for investors to utilize current market expectations in managing portfolios dynamically and efficiently. Research design, data, and methodology - For our empirical purpose, we gathered daily KOSPI200 index option prices executed at 2:50 pm in the Korean Exchange distribution market during the period of January 2, 2004 and January 31, 2012. In order to measure slope and curvature of the volatility curve, we use approximated delta distance; the slope is defined as the difference of implied volatilities between 15 delta call options and 15 delta put options; the curvature is defined as the difference between out-of-the-money (OTM) options and at-the-money (ATM) options. We use generalized method of moments (GMM) and the seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) method to verify correlations among level, slope, and curvature of the implied volatility curve with statistical support. Results - We find that slope as well as curvature is positively correlated with volatility level, implying that put option prices increase in a downward market. Further, we find that curvature and slope are positively correlated; however, the relation is weakened at deep moneyness. The results lead us to examine whether slope decreases monotonically as the delta increases, and it is verified with statistical significance that the deeper the moneyness, the lower the slope. It enables us to infer that when volatility surges above a certain level due to any tail risk, investors would rather take long positions in OTM call options, expecting market recovery in the near future. Conclusions - Our results are the evidence of the investor's increasing hedging demand for put options when downside market risks are expected. Adding to this, the slope and curvature of the volatility curve may provide important information regarding the timing of market recovery from a nosedive. For financial product distributors, using the dynamic relation among the three key indicators of the implied volatility curve might be helpful in enhancing profit and gaining trust and loyalty. However, it should be noted that our implications are limited since we do not provide rigorous evidence for the predictability power of volatility curves. Meaning, we need to verify whether the slope and curvature of the volatility curve have statistical significance in predicting the market trough. As one of the verifications, for instance, the performance of trading strategy based on information of slope and curvature could be tested. We reserve this for the future research.

Prototype Development of Marine Information based Supporting System for Oil Spill Response (해양정보기반 방제지원시스템 프로토타입 구축에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Hye-Jin;Lee, Moonjin
    • Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
    • /
    • v.11 no.4
    • /
    • pp.182-192
    • /
    • 2008
  • In oder to develop a decision supporting system for oil spill response, the prototype of pollution response support system which has integrated oil spill prediction system and pollution risk prediction system has developed for Incheon-Daesan area. Spill prediction system calculates oil spill aspects based on real-time wind data and real-time water flow and the residual volume of spilt oil and spread pattern are calculated considering the characteristic of spilt oil. In this study, real-time data is created from results of real-time meteorological forecasting model(National Institute of Environmental Research) using ftp, real-time tidal currents datasets are built using CHARRY(Current by Harmonic Response to the Reference Yardstick) model and real-time wind-driven currents are calculated applying the correlation function between wind and wind-driven currents. In order to model the feature which is spilt oil spreading according to real-time water flow is weathered, the decrease ratio by oil kinds was used. These real-time data and real-time prediction information have been integrated with ESI(Environmental Sensitivity Index) and response resources and then these are provided using GIS as a whole system to make the response strategy.

  • PDF

The aspect and meaning of the digital world view in the anime based on myth (신화를 소재로 한 애니메이션 <고스트 메신저>에 나타난 디지털 세계관의 양상과 의미)

  • Kim, Jin-Chul
    • Cartoon and Animation Studies
    • /
    • s.49
    • /
    • pp.299-323
    • /
    • 2017
  • Interests to cultural prototype as a material of cultural contents are getting more increasing nowadays. One of them is myth. The important thing when you are dealing with the myth as the material that how to convert prototype narratives. Today, digital culture is becoming one of the essential elements of mankind, that is a new sociocultural phenomenon and distinguishing differentiation from the past analogue era. In this regard, the combination of mythology and digital culture is effective strategies for transforming storytelling that can resonate with people who are not familiar with myths. puts the view both of this world and underworld, mythical characters, and various elements of the Grim Reaper into the story. And combines them with digital elements. sets the world that the transcendental soul exists as physically transferred data form. and reinterprets the traditional mythology world into the digitally operated world. Soul-Phone from this anime reflects the digital culture such as storage and transmission, and helps enjoying audiences accept the unfamiliar world of myth. And also It symbolically shows dystopian viewpoints through side effects can caused by digital technology development, such as the instrumentalization of human being, the risk of communication through digital media, and ego-loss caused by duplication, etc. In conclusion, forms a consensus with the audience through the transformation strategy of storytelling that converts the world of myth into the digital world. And it reflects the dystopian view and shows a differentiated world view from the narrative of myth.

Impact of High-Dose Statin Pretreatment in Patients with Stable Angina during Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass

  • Youn, Young-Nam;Park, Seong-Yong;Hwang, Yoo-Hwa;Joo, Huyn-Chul;Yoo, Kyung-Jong
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
    • /
    • v.44 no.3
    • /
    • pp.208-214
    • /
    • 2011
  • Background: Periprocedural treatment with high-dose statins is known to have cardioprotective and pleiotropic effects, such as anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory actions. We aimed to assess the efficacy of high-dose rosuvastatin loading in patients with stable angina undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Materials and Methods: A total of 142 patients with stable angina who were scheduled to undergo surgical myocardial revascularization were randomized to receive either pre-treatment with 60-mg rosuvastatin (rosuvastatin group, n=71) or no pre-treatment (control group, n=71) before OPCAB. The primary endpoint was the 30-day incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). The secondary endpoint was the change in the degree of myocardial ischemia as evaluated with creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and troponin T (TnT). Results: There were no significant intergroup differences in preoperative risk factors or operative strategy. MACEs within 30 days after OPCAB occurred in one patient (1.4%) in the rosuvastatin group and four patients (5.6%) in the control group, respectively (p=0.37). Preoperative CK-MB and TnT were not different between the groups. After OPCAB, the mean maximum CK-MB was significantly higher in the control group (rosuvastatin group $10.7{\pm}9.75$ ng/mL, control group $14.6{\pm}12.9$ ng/mL, p=0.04). Furthermore, the mean levels of maximum TnT were significantly higher in the control group (rosuvastatin group $0.18{\pm}0.16$ ng/mL, control group $0.39{\pm}0.70$ ng/mL, p=0.02). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that high-dose rosuvastatin loading before OPCAB surgery did not result in a significant reduction of 30-day MACEs. However, high-dose rosuvastatin reduced myocardial ischemia after OPCAB.

Fashion Behavior and Optimum Stimulation Level of Male and Female University Students (남녀대학생(男女大學生)의 패션행동(行動)과 최적자극수준(最適刺戟水準))

  • Kim, Jin-A;Yoo, Tai-Soon
    • Journal of Fashion Business
    • /
    • v.1 no.2
    • /
    • pp.55-64
    • /
    • 1997
  • This study adapted OSL (Optimum Stimulation Level) to induce the customer's behavior, especially customer's fashion behavior. The purpose of the fashion advertisement was to accelerate the purchasing desire for the clothes by catching the customer's attention. OSL is one of the methods. OSL can satisfy customers' desires using the new stimulation that reveals a customer's individual characters. In general, women are more concern about fashion and sensitive to the clothes of new fashion than men. But nowadays, many of the men are also concern about their appearance and fashion. The differences between men and women in fashion behavior and in each factor, of OSL, especially a relationship between OSL factor and fashion behavior are researched in this study. Such differences analyzed to find the sources that can satisfy their various desires. This study was expected to provide good information to plan advertising strategy in unpredictable market situation. The subjects for this study were 308 male and female university students. Mehrabian and Russell (1974),s ASTS(Arousal Seeking Tendency Scale) was adapted to measure the OSL, and twenty questions regarding fashion leadership and clothing importance released by Kwon, Shin, Lee, are adapted to measure the fashion behavior. An ANOVA was used as statistical analyzing method to find out the difference between men and women in fashion behavior. The relationship between fashion behavior and difference between men and women in OSL factors were measured by MANOVA. Conclusions were as follows; 1. In consciousness degree of fashion leadership and clothing importance in the fashion behavior, women were higher than men. 2. There was a difference between men and women in OSL's each factors in "unusual stimuli" and "sensuality", but there is no significant statistical difference in factors of "change", "risk", "new environment". Therefore women are higher than men in the stimulation level of "unusual stimuli" and" sensuality". 3. Low element of OSL relating to fashion behavior is from "change" and "unusual stimuli". 4. For the relationship between OSL and fashion behavior, fashion leadership and clothing importance were recognized better in the group of higher level of "change" and "unusual stimuli" irrespective of sex. In the case of "change" which is one of OSL factors, High OSL groups were higher than low OSL groups in the consciousness level of the fashion leadership and clothing importance. In men's case, High OSL-Change groups were higher than Low OSL-Change groups in the fashion leadership, but there was no difference between two groups in the consciousness of the clothing importance. In the case of "Unusual Stimuli", High OSL groups were superior to Low OSL groups in the fashion leadership, but there was no significant difference between two groups in the clothing importance. In women's case, High OSL-Change groups were superior to Low OSL-Change groups. In the case of "Unusual Stimuli", High OSL groups were superior to Low OSL groups in the fashion leadership, but there was no difference between two groups in the clothing importance.

  • PDF

2009 Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Infections in the Pediatric Cancer Patients and Comparative Analysis with Seasonal Influenza (소아암 환자에서 2009 대유행 인플루엔자 A(H1N1) 감염의 임상적 고찰 및 계절 인플루엔자와의 비교 분석)

  • Choi, Soo Han;Yoo, Keon Hee;Ahn, Kangmo;Sung, Ki Woong;Koo, Hong Hoe;Kim, Yae Jean
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
    • /
    • v.19 no.2
    • /
    • pp.61-70
    • /
    • 2012
  • Purpose: This study was performed to compare the clinical characteristics of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) [A(H1N1) pdm09] and seasonal influenza A infection in the pediatric cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective review was performed in the pediatric cancer patients who had confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 infection at Samsung Medical Center from August 2009 to February 2010. For the comparison, the medical records of pediatric cancer patients with seasonal influenza A from January 2000 to May 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Eighty-two A(H1N1)pdm09 infections were confirmed in the pediatric cancer patients. Ten patients (12.2%) developed complicated clinical course by lower respiratory infections or extrapulmonary infections; 4 pneumonia, 1 bronchitis, 1 pericarditis with pneumonia, 1 encephalitis with pneumonia, 2 meningitis and 1 pericarditis. Three patients received mechanical ventilator and ICU care. Three pediatric cancer patients (3.7%) died. The risk factors related to complicated A(H1N1)pdm09 infections were date of infection (44-45th week 2009) and nosocomial infection. When comparing with previous seasonal influenza A infections, more prompt and aggressive antiviral therapy was given in A(H1N1)pdm09 infections. Conclusion: The A(H1N1)pdm09 infections caused a various clinical manifestations including fatal cases in pediatric cancer patient during pandemic season. There was no significant difference in clinical course between influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza A infections except the antiviral treatment strategy.

  • PDF