• Stress
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2017

Loving-kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) is known to be effective in improving mental health and interpersonal relationships. An exploratory pilot study was conducted with the aim of examining the feasibility of LKCM which known to be effective in improving mental health and interpersonal relationships for pregnant women. Measures of stress, depression, maternal fetal attachment, mindfulness and self-compassion of subjects (n=8) were obtained at baseline, and after a 4-weeks LKCM program to identify effectiveness and supplements. Based on a focus group interview, phenomenological analysis was also conducted. The results showed that improvement potential of psychological comfort, positive relationship with fetus as well as complementary points for session contents and home training. We hope that this study will broaden understanding for the development of LKCM for pregnant women and promote further research.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.763-774
• /
• 2023

The water availability in a river is related to the return flow of residential water. However it is still difficult to determine the exact return flow. In this study, the residential water-cycle system is defined as a process consisting of water inflow, water transfer and water outflow. The study area is Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, and is set as a single inflow to a single outflow through the water-cycle system after classification of complete and incomplete measurement points. The time-series prediction models(ARIMA model and TFM) are established with daily inflow and outflow data for 6 years. Inflow and outflow are predicted by dividing into training and test periods. As a result, both models show the feasibility of short-term prediction by deriving stable residuals and securing statistical significance, implementing the preliminary form of the water-cycle system. As a further study, it is suggested to predict the actual return flow of the target basin and efficient water operation by adding input factors and selecting the optimal model.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.130-138
• /
• 2023

Background and Purpose: Growing evidence has shown that cognitive interventions can mitigate cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, most previous cognitive interventions have been group-based programs. Due to their intrinsic limitations, group-based programs are not widely used in clinical practice. Therefore, we have developed a tablet-based cognitive intervention program. This preliminary study investigated the feasibility and effects of a 12-week structured tablet-based program on cognitive function in patients with MCI. Methods: We performed a single-arm study on 24 patients with MCI. The participants underwent a tablet-based cognitive intervention program 5 times a week over a 12-week period. The primary outcome was changes in cognitive function, measured using the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet (CERAD-K). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, within two weeks of the last program (post-intervention), and at the six-month follow-up session. Results: The completion rate of the tablet-based program was 83.3% in patients with MCI. The program improved cognitive function based on the CERAD-K total score (p=0.026), which was maintained for at least three months (p=0.004). There was also an improvement in the depression scale score (p=0.002), which persisted for three months (p=0.027). Conclusions: Our 12-week structured tablet-based program is feasible for patients with MCI. Furthermore, although further studies with a double-arm design are required, the program appears to be an effective strategy to prevent cognitive decline in patients with MCI.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.467-474
• /
• 2014

Preliminary design in chemical process furnishes economic feasibility through calculation of both mass balance and energy balance and makes it possible to produce a desired product under the given conditions. Through this design stage, the process possesses unchangeable characteristics, since the materials, reactions, unit configuration, and operating conditions were determined. Unique characteristics could be very economic, but it also implies various potential risk factors as well. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to design process considering both economics and safety by integrating process simulation and quantitative risk analysis during preliminary design stage. The target of this study is LNG liquefaction process. By the simulation using Aspen HYSYS and quantitative risk analysis, the design variables of the process were determined in the way to minimize the inherent explosion risks and operating cost. Instead of the optimization tool of Aspen HYSYS, the optimization was performed by using stochastic optimization algorithm (Covariance Matrix Adaptation-Evolution Strategy, CMA-ES) which was implemented through automation between Aspen HYSYS and Matlab. The research obtained that the important variable to enhance inherent safety was the operation pressure of mixed refrigerant. The inherent risk was able to be reduced about 4~18% by increasing the operating cost about 0.5~10%. As the operating cost increases, the absolute value of risk was decreased as expected, but cost-effectiveness of risk reduction had decreased. Integration of process simulation and quantitative risk analysis made it possible to design inherently safe process, and it is expected to be useful in designing the less risky process since risk factors in the process can be numerically monitored during preliminary process design stage.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.183-188
• /
• 2008

Aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of 2D ion chamber array as a substitute of the water phantom system in a periodic Linac QA. For the feasibility study, a commercial ion chamber matrix was used as a substitute of the water phantom in the measurement for a routine QA beam properties. The device used in this study was the I'm RT MatriXX (Wellhofer Dosimetrie, Germany). The MatriXX consists of a 1,020 vented ion chamber array, arranged in $24{\times}24\;cm^2$ matrix. Each ion chamber has a volume of $0.08\;cm^3$, spacing of 0.762 cm. We investigated dosimetric parameters such as dose symmetry, energy ($TPR_{20,10}$), and absolute dose for comparing with the water phantom data with a Farmer-type ionization chamber (FC65G, Wellhofer Dosimetrie, Germany). For the MatriXX measurements, we used the white polystyrene phantom (${\rho}:\;1.18\;g/cm^3$) and also considered the intrinsic layer (${\rho}:\;1.06\;g/cm^3$, t: 0.36 cm) of MatriXX to be equivalent to water depth. In the preliminary study of geometrical QA using MatriXX, the rotation axis of collimator and half beam junction test were included and compared with film measurements. Regarding the dosimetrical QA, the MatriXX has shown good agreements within ${\pm}1%$ compared to the water phantom measurements. In the geometrical test, the data from MatriXX were comparable with those from the films. In conclusion, the MatriXX is a good substitute for water phantom system and film measurements. In addition, the results indicate that the MatriXX as a cost-effective novel QA tool to reduce time and personnel power.

• The Journal of the Korean Institute of Forest Recreation
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.11-22
• /
• 2018

This study analyzes the economic feasibility on the transition of production structure to increase income for a local forest village in Laos PDR. The study area was the Nongboua village in Sangthong district where the primary product is rice from rice paddy. Possible strategies were considered to increase the villagers' revenue, and Noni (Morinda citrifolia) was production in the short-term. We assumed that the project period was for 20 years for the analysis, and a total of 1,100 Noni tree was planted in 1 ha by $3m{\times}3m$ spacing. This study classified basic scenario one, scenario two, scenario three by the survival rate and purchase pirce of Noni. Generally Noni grows well. However, the seedlings' average survival rate (= production volume) was set up conservatively in this study to consider potential risks such as no production experience of Noni and tree disease. The scenario one assumed that the survival rate of Noni seedlings was 50% for 0-1 years, 60% for 0-2 years, and 70% for 3-20 years; the scenario two, 10% less, i.e., 40%, 50%, and 60%; and the scenario three, 10% less, i.e., 40%, 50%, 60% and purchase price 10% less, i.e., $0.29 to $0.26, respectively. Our analysis showed that all 3 scenarios resulted in economically-feasible IRR (internal rate of return) of 24.81%, 19.02%, and 16.30% of with a discounting rate of 10%. The B/C (benefit/cost) ratio for a unit area (1ha) was also analyzed for the three scenarios with a discounting rate of 10%, resutling in the B/C ratio of 1.71, 1.47, and 1.31. The study results showed that the Nongboua village would have a good opportunity to improve its low-income structure through planting and managing alternative crops such as Noni. Also the results can be used as useful decision-making information at a preliminary analysis level for planning other government and public investment projects for the Nonboua village.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.36 no.11
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2020

At present, there are no clearly stated criteria or theories in calculating additional vertical dynamic loads that occur at the machine foundation due to vibration and reflecting them in the design at home and abroad. According to the domestic standard, although it is not a serious vibration condition, the additional dynamic load due to vibration is considered up to 100% of the static load. This is an extremely conservative design. The purpose of this study is to propose a model test method for evaluating the quantitative magnitude of additional dynamic loads that are generated at certain static loads due to vertical mechanical vibrations. As preliminary basic tests for the model tests, the test for evaluating the effects of reflective wave that may occur within a limited size soil box and the test for estimating the natural frequency of the devised model soil-foundation system were carried out. From the analysis of results for basic tests, a method to minimize the influence of the reflected wave was prepared, and the effect of the resonance of the model system was minimized during the model tests. After the basic tests, the main model tests were conducted. Through the proposed main test, the quantitative magnitude of additional dynamic loads caused by machine vibration on a shallow foundation for machine on medium dense sand foundations were evaluated. From the results of the model test, the feasibility of design applied at home and abroad was reviewed.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.235-242
• /
• 2015

A commercially available copper mesh was investigated as an iodine off-gas capturing medium for pyroprocessing, with an aim to replace costly silver based adsorbents. Theoretical calculation results suggested that the reaction between metallic copper and gaseous iodine will occur spontaneously to produce copper iodide in the temperature range of 100 ~ 500℃. The effect of the reaction temperature on iodine capturing efficiency was investigated by experimentation, and it was found that 5 and 6 wt% of iodine (initial mass 2.0 g) was captured by a single copper mesh (0.26 g) at 300 and 400℃, respectively. The repeated experimental results also suggested that copper utilization can be increased with the help of the spontaneous detachment of the reaction product (CuI) from a copper mesh. The formation of the CuI phase was confirmed using the X-ray diffraction technique, and the surface morphology of the reaction product was observed using scanning electron microscopy.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.24-30
• /
• 2018

In the case of arctic area long-distance natural gas transmission pipeline, it is necessary to construct capable facilities to maintain the gas pressure because the gas pressure is reduced according to the pipeline characteristics and route conditions. In order to maintain the proper NG pressure, it is necessary to secure economy considering the cost of main equipments of the compressor station, construction and operation cost when the compression ratio is shortened or increased by constructing the distance of the compressor station. Therefore, In this study, preliminary study on construction of arctic area long-distance transmission pipeline was reviewed and conduct conceptual design by constructing main equipments process that can reduce the construction cost of the compressor station in arctic area. In particular, in order to evaluate economic feasibility of the long-distance transmission pipeline in arctic area, the virtual area for Yakutsk~Aldan region(Russia) was supposed. The total pipeline length of the virtual is 533km, The scenarios for the location of the compressor station presented. The capacity estimated about the main equipments of the compressor station. As a result, the economic evaluation method reviewed which can minimize the construction cost of the compressor station.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To optimize the saturation time and maximizing the pH-weighted difference between the normal and ischemic brain regions, on 3-tesla amide proton transfer (APT) imaging using an in vivo rat model. Materials and Methods: Three male Wistar rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion, and were examined in a 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. APT imaging acquisition was performed with 3-dimensional turbo spin-echo imaging, using a 32-channel head coil and 2-channel parallel radiofrequency transmission. An off-resonance radiofrequency pulse was applied with a Sinc-Gauss pulse at a $B_{1,rms}$ amplitude of $1.2{\mu}T$ using a 2-channel parallel transmission. Saturation times of 3, 4, or 5 s were tested. The APT effect was quantified using the magnetization-transfer-ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm with respect to the water resonance (APT-weighted signal), and compared with the normal and ischemic regions. The result was then applied to an acute stroke patient to evaluate feasibility. Results: Visual detection of ischemic regions was achieved with the 3-, 4-, and 5-s protocols. Among the different saturation times at $1.2{\mu}T$ power, 4 s showed the maximum difference between the ischemic and normal regions (-0.95%, P = 0.029). The APTw signal difference for 3 and 5 s was -0.9% and -0.7%, respectively. The 4-s saturation time protocol also successfully depicted the pH-weighted differences in an acute stroke patient. Conclusion: For 3-tesla turbo spin-echo APT imaging, the maximal pH-weighted difference achieved when using the $1.2{\mu}T$ power, was with the 4 s saturation time. This protocol will be helpful to depict pH-weighted difference in stroke patients in clinical settings.