• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.116-133
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• 2002

Background : It is very common in Korea to take care of non-acute patients in an acute setting, due to the lack of long-term facilities. Long term hospitalization increase medical expenses and decreases the bed utilization, which can affect the urgent and emergent admissions, and eventually jeopardize the hospital financially. In this study, strategies for effective transfers to the lower levels of care, and to decrease the length of stay were presented by surveying and analyzing the patient's knowledge of the transfer needs, and the willingness to transfer those whose hospital length of stay was more than 30days. Method : The survey is subject to a group of 251 patients who have been hospitalized over 30 days in a general hospital in Seoul. Excluding those that were in the Intensive Care Unit and psychiatric ward, 214 in-patients were used as participants. They were surveyed from April 9, 2002 to April 17, 2002. One hundred and thirty seven out of 214 were responded which made the response rate 64%. Data were analyzed by SAS and SPSS. Result : Multi-variable Logistic Regression Analysis showed a significant effect in medical expenses, knowledge of referral system and the information of the receiving hospital. The financial burden in medical expenses made the patient 10.7 times more willing to be transferred, knowledge of the referral system made them 5 times more willing to be transferred, and the information of receiving hospital makes 6.5 times more willing to be transferred. Reasons for willing to be transferred to a lower level of care were the phase of physical therapy, the distance from home, the attending physician's advice and being unable to be treated as an out patient. Reasons for refusing to be transferred were the following. The attending physician's competency, not being ready to be discharged, not trusting the receiving hospital's competency due to the lack of information, or never hearing about the referring system by the attending physician. Conclusion : Based on this, strategies for the effective transfer to the lower levels of care were suggested. It is desirable for the attending physician to be actively involved by making an effort to explain the transfer need, and referring to the Healthcare Coordinating Center, which can help the patient make the right decision. Nationwide networking for the referral system is the another key factor that may need to be suggested as an alternative to decrease the medical expenses. Collaborating with the Home Health Agency for the early discharge planning and the Social Service Department for financial aid are also needed. It is recommended that the hospital should expedite the transfer process by prioritizing the cost and the information as medical expenses, knowledge of referring system and the information of the receiving hospital, are the most important factors to the willingness to transfer to a lower level of care.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.425-438
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• 2018

Existing studies that analyze the causes and effects of water circulation use mostly rainfall - runoff models, which requires much effort in model development, calibration and verification. In this study, hydrological sensitivity analysis which can separate quantitatively the impacts by natural factors and anthropogenic factor was applied to the Hwacheon dam upper basin from 1967 to 2017. As a result of using various variable change point detection methods, 1999 was detected as a statistically significant change point. Especially, based on the hydrological sensitivity analysis using 5 Budyko based functions, it was estimated that the average inflow reduction amount by Imnam dam construction was $1.890\;billion\;m^3/year$. This results in this study was slightly larger than the those by existing researchers due to increase of rainfall and decrease of Hwacheon dam inflow. In future, it was suggested that effective water management measures were needed to resolve theses problems. Especially, it can be suggested that the monthly or seasonal analysis should be performed and also the prediction of discharge for future climate change should be considered to establish resonable measures.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.230-238
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• 2014

In this paper, we propose the possible way of accurate analysis and examination of ITO sensor to discriminate whether mutual capacitance ITO sensor is defective by using mutual capacitance of data in each node which consists of electrodes inside of ITO sensor. We have analyzed the structure characteristic of mutual capacitance ITO sensor which is used as an input device for not only small size electronics like mobile phone and tablets but also big size electronics and designed the circuit to inspect ITO sensor using touch screen panel IC. Set a variable related with mutual capacitance of charge and discharge and Implement to find and analyze accurate position when defect is made through the data from each node of ITO sensor. First, we can set a yield effective range through the first experiment data of mutual capacitance ITO sensor and by using the data of each node of ITO sensor which is the result from the second experiment, we can verify accuracy and effectiveness of effective range from the first experiment as a sample which is used in this experiment.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.83-107
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• 2010

Urbanized environments are constructed to estimate peak flow and cost savings in response to possible BMP allocation at a watershed scale. The main goal is to explore the proper allocation of sub-watershed level BMPs for peak flow attenuation at a watershed scale. Since several individual site scale BMPs work as a form of aggregated BMPs at a sub-watershed scale, it is a question as to how to properly allocate the sub-watershed level BMPs at a watershed scale. The Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) is set up for a hypothetically urbanized watershed. A peak flow is determined to be the primary variable of interest and targeted to characterize the spatial distribution of aggregated BMPs. Construction cost of a regional pond forms the basis of the economic valuation. The results indicate that when total size of BMPs is constant in the entire watershed, (1) it is most effective to have aggregated BMPs in some upper sub-watersheds while the BMPs in either the mainstem sub-watershed or a single sub-watershed are the least effective choices for peak flow attenuation at a watershed scale; (2) savings exist between allocation differences and reduced peak flow increases cost savings. The largest saving is found in the strategy of aggregated BMPs in some upper sub-watersheds. These findings, however, call for follow-up site specific case studies revisiting the watershed scale impacts of BMP allocation. Then, it will be argued that location and extent of decentralization are considerable policy variables for an alternative stormwater management policy at a watershed scale.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2011

The objective of this study is to develop a continuous rainfall-runoff model for flood prediction on a large-scale basin. For this study, the hourly surface runoff estimation method based on the variable retention parameter and runoff curve number is developed. This model is composed that the soil moisture to continuous rainfall can be simulated with applying the hydrologic components to the continuous equation for soil moisture. The runoff can be simulated by linking the hydrologic components with the storage function model continuously. The runoff simulation to large basins can be performed by using channel storage function model. Nakdong river basin is selected as the study area. The model accuracy is evaluated at the 8 measurement sites during flood season in 2006 (calibration period) and 2007~2008 (verification period). The calibrated model simulations are well fitted to the observations. Nash and Sutcliffe model efficiencies in the calibration and verification periods exist in the range of 0.81 to 0.95 and 0.70 to 0.94, respectively. The behavior of soil moisture depending on the rainfall and the annual loadings of simulated hydrologic components are rational. From this results, continuous rainfall-runoff model developed in this study can be used to predict the discharge on large basins.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.103-109
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• 2018

The performance of drip irrigation devices depends on flow uniformity related to the function of pressure compensation. The flow uniformity can be secured when the internal fluid pressures at the positions of the flow holes are maintained uniformly. The pressure compensation effect of the drip irrigation devices can be optimized with the combination of soft silicon and labyrinth structures. However, for a drip irrigation devices composed of only hard labyrinth structures, the flow rate is changed largely with the length and the internal geometry of the labyrinth structure. Although a drip irrigation devices with only hard labyrinth structures can be fabricated simply, the changes of flow rates with internal fluid pressures are much larger than those of the drip irrigation devices with soft silicon. Because the drip irrigation devices with only labyrinth structures can be utilized widely through the optimization of the fluid pressure, the length of the structures, and the cross-sectional area of them, the study on the optimization can play an important role for enhancing the performance of the drip irrigation devices. In this study, experimental and numerical studies for investigating the performance of the drip irrigation devices had been conducted. In the experiments and numerical calculations(CFD), the variable parameters were the lengths of the labyrinth structures(#1~#8) and the fluid pressures(0.5~3.0 bar).

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.190-199
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• 2005

Purpose: Objectives of this study was to investigate the level of anxiety and depression according to the stages of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It would be provide the basis for effective psycho-emotional nursing intervention. Methods: We report on 52 patients, including 19 with autologous HSCT, and 33 with allogeneic HSCT from August 2002 to August 2003, at a university hospital. Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Jung's Depression Inventory were used to measure levels of anxiety and depression, respectively, at admission time, the day before HSCT, and discharge time. Data was analyzed using SAS program that included Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, repeated measures ANOVA and Stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: In all stages of HSCT, the level of anxiety of patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT was significantly higher than that of autologous HSCT (P=0.047). The depression at the day before HSCT was significantly higher than that at admission. The major variable affecting anxiety in autologous HSCT was depression. Specially depression and gender were significant predictors to explain anxiety in allogeneic HSCT at admission time (61%). Experience of relapse and gender were significant predictors to explain anxiety in allogeneic HSCT at discharge time (36%). Conclusion: We recommend that the anxiety and depression be researched during the stages of allogeneic HSCT, specifically in the day before HSCT. It is necessary to develop an effective psycho-emotional nursing intervention according to the stages of HSCT.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.325-345
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• 2020

Determination of Best available technology (BAT) was suggested to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a petrochemical industrial complex, by conducting human health risk, environmental, and economic assessment based on multimedia fugacity model. Fate and distribution of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) was predicted by the multimedia fugacity model, which represent VOCs emitted from the industrial complex in U-city. Media-integrated human health risk assessment and sensitivity analysis were conducted to predict the human health risk of BTEX and identify the critical variable which has adverse effects on human health. Besides, the environmental and economic assessment was conducted to determine the BAT for VOCs reduction. It is concluded that BTEX highly remained in soil media (60%, 61%, 64% and 63%), and xylene has remained as the highest proportion of BTEX in each environment media. From the candidates of BAT, the absorption was excluded due to its high human health risk. Moreover, it is identified that the half-life and exposure coefficient of each exposure route are highly correlated with human health risk by sensitivity analysis. In last, considering environmental and economic assessment, the regenerative thermal oxidation, the regenerative catalytic oxidation, the bio-filtration, the UV oxidation, and the activated carbon adsorption were determined as BAT for reducing VOCs in the petrochemical industrial complex. The suggested BAT determination methodology based on the media-integrated approach can contribute to the application of BAT into the workplace to efficiently manage the discharge facilities and operate an integrated environmental management system.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.112-134
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to analyze the consumer's expectation before the health care service and the consumer's satisfaction after it. The participants of the study are inpatients in a general hospital located in Seoul. The resources were collected from the self-administration questionnaire survey run parallel with face to face interview. In order to measure the degree of the consumer's expectation, 349 samples were collected from the first questionnaire survey on the date of admission to the hospital. The second questionnaire survey was carried out on the date of discharge to the hospital with the participants responding to the first questionnaire survey. There are 154 samples collected from this survey. The results from the analysis of these resources are as follow. First, the survey shows that one of the highest consumers' expectations was about the generosity, kindliness and sincerity from the staff at the hospital, specially from doctors. Second, according to the analysis of the factors affecting the expectations of the consumers, with regard to path of admission to a hospital relating to patient's features, outpatient who gets into a hospital expected good medical care much more than the other patients. In regard of doctor's features, patients usually and highly expect good medical care from doctors who have good carrier and much experience. Third, according to the second questionnaire survey, what patients are satisfied most with is about the generosity and sincerity from staff at a hospital, especially from doctors and their gem attitudes. The results from survey show that the differences among the degree of consumers' satisfaction are very variable, depending on surrounding environments and facilities. The only fact that expectation didn't meet with satisfaction appeared to the case about technology and skill of medical care and the case about updated medical skills and equipments. Fourth, comparing the degree of expectation with the degree of satisfaction of consumers, correlative analysis was concerned significantly and specifically about the part of overall cleanliness relating to facilities and surrounding environments, the items about medical examination and test plan procedure relating to skill of medical care, professional specialties and convenience for procedure, and the items about satisfying explanations and concern about patients from doctors relating to staff's generosity and sincerity. Fifth, the analysis of the factors affecting the degree of how much patients are satisfied with shows that relating to sociodemographical features, patients are not satisfied with the case when the time and process of medical treatment are getting longer. It is surveyed that consumer were satisfied with the motivation to visit a hospital and the insurance type in patient's feature and so were the medical department and the factor of the degree of the expectation in disease's feature. Sixth, according to analysis based on the survey, patients would join again a hospital when they get satisfaction from the medical care and also they want to come again regarding to doctor's capability. For example, when doctors are old, have a good carrier and much experience, patients would come again. As seen from the above, consumers are usually satisfied with the medical treatment more than that they expected before. They would intend to use again when they get satisfaction from the medical care provided at a hospital. Patients and consumers highly expect good attitude as well as capacity from medical doctors and they are also generally satisfied with those things. Therefore, in order to increase the degree of consumer's satisfaction and their intention to come again, the hospital staff would have to commit themselves to achieve high quality service continuously and would have to make an effort to offer the finest quality service.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.488-498
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• 2013

A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was applied to the Lake Euiam. The lake has three inflows, of which Gongji Stream has the smallest flow rate and poorest water. The dam-storage volume, watershed area, lake shape and discharge type of the Chuncheon Dam and the Soyang Dam are different. Therefore, it is difficult to analyze the water plume and mixing pattern due to the difference of the two dams regarding the amount of outflow and water temperature. In this study, we analyzed the effects of different characteristics on temperature and conductivity using the model appropriate for the Lake Euiam. We selected an integrated system supporting 3-D time varying modeling (GEMSS) to represent large temporal and spatial variations in hydrodynamics and transport of the Lake Euiam. The model represents the water temperature and hydrodynamics in the lake reasonably well. We examined residence time and spreading patterns of the incoming flows in the lake based on the results of the validated model. The results of the water temperature and conductivity distribution indicated that characteristics of upstream dams greatly influence Lake Euiam. In this study, the three-dimensional time variable water quality model successfully simulated the temporal and spatial variations of the hydrodynamics in the Lake Euiam. The model may be used for efficient water quality management.