• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2012

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) requires prompt and appropriate treatment. Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent pathogen in VAP, rapid identification of it, is pivotal. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a useful method for etiologic diagnoses of MRSA pneumonia. Methods: We performed qPCR for mecA, S. aureus-specific femA-SA, and S. epidermidis-specific femA-SE genes from bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washing samples obtained from clinically-suspected VAP. Molecular identification of MRSA was based on the presence of the mecA and femA-SA gene, with the absence of the femA-SE gene. To compensate for the experimental and clinical conditions, we spiked an internal control in the course of DNA extraction. We estimated number of colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) of MRSA samples through a standard curve of a serially-diluted reference MRSA strain. We compared the threshold cycle (Ct) value with the microbiologic results of MRSA. Results: We obtained the mecA gene standard curve, which showed the detection limit of the mecA gene to be 100 fg, which corresponds to a copy number of 30. We chose cut-off Ct values of 27.94 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^4$ CFU/mL) and 21.78 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^5$ CFU/mL). The sensitivity and specificity of our assay were 88.9% and 88.9% respectively, when compared with quantitative cultures. Conclusion: Our results were valuable for diagnosing and identifying pathogens involved in VAP. We believe our modified qPCR is an appropriate tool for the rapid diagnosis of clinical pathogens regarding patients in the intensive care unit.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.155-187
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• 1992

The Korean economy has sustained high growth rate for almost three decades, that have been associated with the rapid expansion of manufacturing industries. In the beginning stage of development, the high growth of the Korean economy has been based on improvements in productivity obtained by the economies of scale. In that period, the improvements in productivity could be secured by the economies of scale in the export-oriented industries which are the labor- and material-intensive industries. In the latter half of the 1980s, the Korean economy went through rapid transition. Now Korea is at another juncture in its development process, where economic restructuring is critical to sustain high growth. However, economic restructuring in the 1990s call for much more concerted effort than before, since changes in internal and external conditions have profoundly altered the environment for economic development. If Korea is to sustain high growth in the 1990s, it has to promote balanced economic and social development in coordination with the smooth facilitation of industrial restructuring. There are no inherent conflicts among the issues involved, so they can be resolved by restructuring the economy to facilitate, in a global context, the development of knowledge- and technology-intensive activities and to ensure that the benefts of growth are reflected of qualitative improvements in national living standards. In this paper, we examined a scenario of structural changes using a mid- and long-term multisector model, in order to understand the conditions needed for realizing the growth potential. This examination explains the important features of the development course and policy directions that will help sustain high growth in the 1990s.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.718-723
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• 2008

Background: The advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia management, perfusion methodology and postoperative intensive care have markedly decreased the mortality and cardiac morbidity of patients who undergo heart surgery over the past 2 decades. Nevertheless, it is well recognized that cardiac surgery carries a substantial risk for central nervous system complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical cerebrovascular lesions in the head and neck by performing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and we investigated the clinical course of patients who had abnormal lesion seen on head and neck MRA. Material and Method: The subjects were 107 patients (71 men and 36 women ranging in age from 21 to 83 years) who were scheduled for cardiac surgery under nonemergency conditions between October 2005 and June 2008. Informed consent was obtained before the MRA. The carotid arteries, intracranial arteries and brain parenchyme were examined for subclinical cerebrovascular lesions by performing MRA. We reviewed the patients' medical records and MR findings to evaluate the prevalence of neurologically high risk patients and their clinical course. Result: The overall prevalence of neurologically high risk patients was 15.7% (17 patients). Among these patients, 11 patients had ischemic heart disease and 6 patients had valvular heart disease. Only 2 patients had a history of cerebrovascular disease. The clinical courses of 14 patients (13.1%) were changed according to their MRI findings. Conclusion: The prevalence of subclinical cerebrovascular disease in patients who were scheduled for cardiac surgery was higher than was expected. MR angiography was of value to identify these patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.2 s.53
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• pp.347-357
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• 1996

Although occupational low back pain accounts for $20\sim40%$ of all occupational illness and injury, there are limited numbers of studies regarding the effectiveness of back school program. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic benefit of back school program for early return to work of occupational low back pain patients in the current occupational injury compensation and management system. The cost-benefit analysis in this study was conducted to evaluate the relative magnitude of benefit to cost. The total cost was estimated by calculating the value of components in back school program according to governmental budget protocol. The back school program was consisted of three major approaches, pain center, work-hardening program and funcional restoration program and each of components had various facilities and experts. The total amount of cost was estimated as 250,866,220 won per year. The most promising type of back school program were quite intensive (a 3 to 5-week stay in a specialized center), therefore, if we adopted the 5-week stay course, 10 courses could be held in a year. Following to the medical act, 20 patients per doctor could participate in a each course, ie, total 200 patients in a year. As a result, we could estimate the cost of 1,254,331 won a patient. We estimated the benefit by using data of a few local labor offices about average medical treatment beneficiary and off-duty beneficiary of 46 occupational low back pain patients in 1994. Ullman and Larsson (1977) mentioned that the group of chronic low back pain patients who participated in back school program needed less time to recover by 48.4% of beneficiary duration. And in the trying to estimate the benefit, we asked 10 rehabilitation board certificate doctors about reduction proportion of treatment cost by introducing back school program. The answered reduction proportions were in the range of $30\sim45%$, average 39%. As a final result, we could see that the introduction of back school program in treatment of chronic occupational low back pain patients could produce the benefit to cost ratio as 3.90 and 6.28. And we could conclude that the introduction of back school program was beneficial to current occupational injury compensation and management system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.23-38
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• 2015

The study was initiated with Kentucky bluegrass (KB, Poa pratensis L.) to investigate germination and early establishment characteristics of new cultivars for a practical application to turfgrass establishment such as parks, athletic field and golf course etc. Fifteen cultivars were evaluated in different experiments. An alternative condition for a KB germination test required by International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was applied in Experiment I, consisting of 8-hr light at $25^{\circ}C$ and 16-hr dark at $15^{\circ}C$ (ISTA conditions). Experiment II was conducted under a room temperature condition of 5 to $25^{\circ}C$ (natural conditions). Seed germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time were measured in both experiments. Significant differences were observed in seed germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time. Seed germinating vigor was variable with different environments and cultivars. It was 75.25 to 89.50% under ISTA conditions and 75.75 to 90.25% under natural conditions. There were considerable variations in early germination characteristics among KB cultivars according to different environments. Early germination characteristics showed that all cultivars were 3 to 5 days faster in germination under ISTA conditions, when compared with natural conditions. The germination speed, measured as days to seed germination of 50% to 80%, was much faster with 'Midnight II', 'Excursion' and 'Midnight' under ISTA conditions. But it was faster with 'Midnight II', 'Excursion' and 'Odyssey' under natural conditions. Differences was also observed in germination peak time with cultivars and growing conditions. It ranged 5.94 to 14.88 days under ISTA conditions and 4.71 to 13.06 days under natural conditions. Regardless of the environment conditions, the shortest cultivars were 'Odyssey' and 'Midnight II'. The longest ones were 'Nuglade' under ISTA condition and 'Moonlight' under natural conditions. Considering germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time, 'Midnight II', 'Excursion', 'Midnight', and 'Odyssey' were regarded as excellent cultivars under ISTA conditions in terms of early establishment characteristics, while 'Midnight II', 'Excursion', 'Odyssey', and 'Courtyard' under natural conditions. These results suggest that an intensive germination test be needed prior to planting, for investigating the early germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time. Also, a proper cultivar selection and comprehensive site analysis for the growing environmental conditions should be done before turfgrass establishment such as golf course construction.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.22-34
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• 2012

This study was aimed to discuss how to improve the professionalism enhancement program for teachers in charge of energy and climate change education based on STEAM perspectives. It analyzed the program according to the specialties of the teachers in charge of training, and identified the degree of professionalism enhancement of the participating teachers through the pre- and post-survey. Also, researchers described the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this program that were found through the interviews with trainees by participating in the program in person. The results were as follows; First, teacher's training course in charge of energy and climate change education should be approached from the perspective of STEAM education. Second, teachers should have time to discuss their activities after they complete experience learning related with STEAM education. Third, it should be a 60-hour intensive course, but the burden for the teachers should be reduced by using online programs. Fourth, the training program should be planned based on the focus on improving the professionalism. Also, there should be enough time to prepare for the training program. Fifth, energy and climate change teacher training program should be practice-oriented, using hands-on experiences and experiments, in fusion education. Sixth, it would be better to run energy and climate change teacher training programs according to the level of schools. However, several courses could be mixed between different levels of schools.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.295-300
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• 2012

Background: With growing attention to the aortopathy associated with aortic valve diseases, the number of candidates for accompanying ascending aorta and/or root replacement is increasing among the patients who require aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, such procedures have been considered more risky than AVR alone. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcome of isolated AVR and AVR combined with aortic procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 patients who underwent elective AVR between 2004 and June 2010 were divided into two groups: complex AVR (n=50, AVR with ascending aorta replacement in 24 and the Bentall procedure in 26) and simple AVR (n=36). Preoperative characteristics, surgical data, intra- and postoperative allogenic blood transfusion requirement, the postoperative clinical course, and major complications were retrospectively reviewed and compared. Results: The preoperative mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (%) did not differ between the groups: $11.0{\pm}7.8%$ in the complex AVR group and $12.3{\pm}8.0%$ in the simple AVR group. Although complex AVR required longer cardiopulmonary bypass ($152.4{\pm}52.6$ minutes vs. $109.7{\pm}22.7$ minutes, p=0.001), the quantity of allogenic blood products did not differ ($13.4{\pm}14.7$ units vs. $13.9{\pm}11.2$ units). There was no mortality, mechanical circulatory support, stroke, or renal failure requiring hemodialysis/filtration. No difference was found in the incidence of bleeding (40% vs. 33.3%) which was defined as red blood cell transfusion ${\geq}5$ units, reoperation, or intentional delayed closure. The incidence of mediastinitis (2.0% vs. 0%), ventilator ${\geq}24$ hours (4.0% vs. 2.8%), atrial fibrillation (18.0% vs. 25.0%), mean intensive care unit stay (34.5 hours vs. 38.8 hours), and median hospital stay (8 days vs. 7 days) did not differ, either. Conclusion: AVR combined with additional aortic or root replacement showed an excellent outcome and recovery course equivalent to that after isolated AVR.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.645-657
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• 2021

Project-based learning (PBL) encourages self-autonomy and connects learning and real-life skills in the learning process. The purpose of the current study is to investigate students' life skills and self-regulated learning strategies in a PBL curriculum in order to examine how the proposed benefits of PBL are manifested in students' self-awareness of their learning process. Twenty-three students in a university in Korea participated in a 3-credit, 4-week, intensive PBL course for English majors. During the PBL course, students were asked to self-assess their life skills related to time management, cooperation, standard of work, and participation three times. In addition to the self-assessment, students kept reflection journals to keep track of their use of self-regulated learning strategies and progress which were also submitted three times. Based on the analysis of self-assessment and self-reflection, the results showed that students' perception of cooperation improved significantly during PBL. Furthermore, it was found that students also progressed through the three phases of self-regulated learning. Implications on suggesting on the use of PBL to encourage the development of life skills and self-regulated learning strategies are provided.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2014

This study has analyzed the meaning of observation time in the course of acquiring the information of subjects who observed the space of hall in subway stations to figure out the process of spatial information excluded and the features of intensive searching. The followings are the results from the analysis of searching process with the interpretation of the process for information acquirement through the interpretation of observation area and time. First, based on the general definition of observation time, the reason for analyzing the features of acquiring spatial information according to the subjects' observation time has been established. The feature of decreased analysis data reflected that of observation time in the process of perceiving and recognizing spatial information, which showed that the observation was focused on the enter of the space during the time spent in the process of observing the space and the spent time with considerable exclusion of bottom end (in particular, right bottom end). Second, while the subjects were observing the space of hall in subway stations, they focused on the top of the left center and the signs on the right exit the most, which was followed by the focus on the both side horizontally and the clock on the top. Third, the analysis of consecutive observation frequency enabled the comparison of the changes to the observation concentration by area. The difference of time by area produced the data with which the change to the contents of spatial searching in the process of searching space could be known. Fourth, as the observation frequency in the area of I changed [three times -> six times -> 9 times], the observation time included in the area increased, which showed the process for the change from perception to recognition of information with the concentration of attention through visual information. It makes it possible to understand that more time was spent on the information to be acquired with the exclusion of the unnecessary information around.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2002

This study has been focused on understandings for the problems of dietitian who perform nutrition service in the field of industry foodservice and then focused on using of its findings as basic material for smooth nutrition service performance through analyzing job satisfaction, job characteristic and its importance of dietitians' task in industry foodservice. A questionnaire survey of 120 nutritionists who have engaged themselves in industry foodservice―60 are under direct management and 60, held in trust―has been performed, and 95 responses (79%) have been collected and categorized, except some unfinished responses. The examined data have been classified statistically by using of SPSS, and then analyzed into frequency, percentage, mean value, standard deviation, and correlation among factors, according to questionnaires. The findings of the research can be summarized as following: The details of the surveyed dietitians were: 20-25 years old on an average; working less than two years; college graduates; mere employees; receiving monthly pay of 70～100 won on an average; working more than 52 hours weekly; and providing with four meals a day in a single menu. For job satisfaction and job characteristic, the service itself and the understanding of the service appear as main features. For the relative importance of the service, the findings show that the menu making, sanitation and cost control occupy an important position, while nutrition counseling, nutrition education and dietary control by ailments make up very low portion. For the cause of not enacting the nutrition service, the lack of counseling ability and the overburden of food service are at the top. The findings of this research, therefore, present the needs of the service capacity education and the reduction of excessive foodservice hours of dietitians in order to secure the efficient nutrition service in industry foodservice. To achieve this goal, first of all, there should be an intensive education course in school by using of practice hours. for enhancing practical service adaptability, and then the computerization of foodservice should be executed perfectly to reduce the excessive foodservice hours.