• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2016

Background: This study examined patient and hospital factors related to long-stay admissions in long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) among older people in Korea. Methods: We analyzed health insurance claims data, entitlement data, and institutional administrative data from the National Health Insurance Service databases between 2010 and 2012. At the patient level, we compared characteristics of patients staying in LTCHs for over 180 days (the long-stay group) with those staying in LTCHs for less than 90 days during a calendar year. At the hospital level, we examined the general characteristics and staffing levels of the top 10% of hospitals with the highest proportion of patients whose length of stay (LOS) was 180+ days (the hospitals with long-stay patients) and compared them with the top 10% of hospitals with the highest proportions of patients whose LOS was less than 90 days (hospitals with shorter-stay patients). Results: The long-stay group accounted for about 40% of all LTCH patients. People in the group were more likely to be women, aged 80+, living alone, and experiencing more than two health conditions. Compared to the hospitals with shorter-stay patients, those with long-stay patients were more likely to be occupied by patients with behavior problems and/or impaired cognition, owned by corporate or local governments, have more beds and a longer period of operation, and deliver services with lower staffing levels. Conclusion: This study found long-stay older people in LTCHs and those in LTCHs with high proportions of long-stay older patients had several distinct characteristics compared to their counterparts designated in this study. Patient and hospital characteristics need to be considered in policies aiming to resolve long-stay admissions problems in LTCHs.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.44-53
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• 1993

In this paper, we discuss on the control algorithm to make the wheeled inverse pendulum type mobile robot move in two dimensional plane. The robot considered in this paper has two independently driven wheels in same axel which suport and move it-self, and is assumed to have the fyro type sensor to know the inclination algle of the body and rotary encoders to know wheel's rotation angular velocity. The control algorithm is divided into three parts. The first part is for the posture and velocity control for forward-backward direction, the second is the steering control, and the last part is for the control of total system to track the given trajectory. We handle the running velocity control of the robot as part of the posture control to keep the balance because the posture relates deeply with the velocity and can be controlled by the velocities of the wheels. The control problem is analyzed as the tracking control, and the controller is realized with the state feedback and feed-forward of the reference velocity. Constructing the control system which contained one intergrator in forward path, we also realized the control system without observer for the estimation of the accumulated errors in the inclination angle of the body. To prevent the robot from being unstable state by sudden variation of the reference velocity when it starts and stops, or changes velocity, the reference velocity of which acceleration is slowly changing, is ordered to the robot. To control its steering, we give the different reference velocities for both wheels which are calculated from the desired angular velocity of the body. Finally, we presents the experimental results of the experimental robot Yamabico Kurara in which the proposed control algorithm had been implemented.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.490-497
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• 2010

Radial variations in the lengths of wood fibers and vessel elements in the stem of chestnut (Castanea crenata) grown in Korea were investigated to get some fundamental information for efficient use of wood. Seven chestnut cultivars (Tanzawa, Ibuki, Arima, Ginyose, Tsukuba, Riheiguri, and Mansung) were examined in this study. The lengths of wood fibers and vessel elements were measured and analyzed by an optical microscope and an imaging analysis system. In all chestnut cultivars, the wood fiber length of latewood was longer than that of earlywood, and increased with the increase of growth ring number. Similarly, vessel element length of latewood was longer than that of earlywood, and showed increasing tendency with the increase of growth ring number. Consequently, it was considered that the lengths of wood fibers and vessel elements could be used for separating juvenile wood from adult wood in the chestnut stem.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.237-241
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• 2001

Three STR loci (STRX1[AGAT]$_{n}$, HPRTB[AGAT]$_{n}$ and ARA[AGC]$_{n}$) on X chromosome and three other STR loci (DYS390[CTG(A)T]$_{n}$, DYS392[ATT]$_{n}$ and DYS39［GATA]$_{n}$) on Y chromosome were analyzed in 154 unrelated healthy Korean subjects. Four loci (STRX1, HPRTB, DYS390 and DYS393) were amplified by quadruplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using fluorescent labeled primers (FLP). ARA and DYS392 were amplified separately using single PCR, similarly by using FLP. They were then run in an automated DNA sequencer and were analyzed with Genescan software. We found 7 alleles (308-332 bp) in STRX1, 7 alleles (275-299 bp) in HPRTB, 16 alleles (252-315 bp) in ARA, 6 alleles (203-223 bp) in DYS390, 7 alleles (245-263bp) in DYS392 and 5 alleles (116-132 bp) in DYS393. The ＊13(34%), ＊13(5l%), ＊23 (l8%), ＊23(50%), ＊14(39%) and ＊13(40%) alleles were observed to be the highest frequencies of STRX1, HPRTB, ARA, DYS390, DYS392 and DYS393, respectively. The detection of STR loci on sex chromosomes by quadruplex PCR allows simple determination of sex and identification of an individual. individual.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.628-636
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• 2012

Raw-starch-digesting enzyme (RSDA) was immobilized on Amberlite beads by conjugation of glutaraldehyde/polyglutaraldehyde (PG)-activated beads or by crosslinking. The effect of immobilization on enzyme stability and catalytic efficiency was evaluated. Immobilization conditions greatly influenced the immobilization efficiency. Optimum pH values shifted from pH 5 to 6 for spontaneous crosslinking and sequential crosslinking, to pH 6-8 for RSDA covalently attached on polyglutaraldehyde-activated Amberlite beads, and to pH 7 for RSDA on glutaraldehyde-activated Amberlite. RSDA on glutaraldehyde-activated Amberlite beads had no loss of activity after 2 h storage at pH 9; enzyme on PG-activated beads lost 9%, whereas soluble enzyme lost 65% of its initial activity. Soluble enzyme lost 50% initial activity after 3 h incubation at $60^{\circ}C$, whereas glutaraldehyde-activated derivative lost only 7.7% initial activity. RSDA derivatives retained over 90% activity after 10 batch reuse at $40^{\circ}C$. The apparent $K_m$ of the enzyme reduced from 0.35 mg/ml to 0.32 mg/ml for RSDA on glutaraldehyde-activated RSDA but increased to 0.42 mg/ml for the PG-activated RSDA derivative. Covalent immobilization on glutaraldehyde Amberlite beads was most stable and promises to address the instability and contamination issues that impede the industrial use of RSDAs. Moreover, the cheap, porous, and non-toxic nature of Amberlite, ease of immobilization, and high yield make it more interesting for the immobilization of this enzyme.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.155-163
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• 2003

In order to analyze the succession process from a pine forest to an oak forest, the tree growth of Pinus densiflora and Quercus mongolica ssp. crispula was monitored in a permanent quadrat for 23 years. The measurements were carried out for the stem diameter (DBH) of Pinus densiflora between 1977 and 1999 and for the height of Quercus mongolica ssp. crispula saplings between 1998 and 2000. The floristic composition and the locations of the individual P. densiflora and Q. mongolica ssp. crispula trees and saplings in the quadrat were recorded. P densiflora and Q. mongolica ssp. crispula individuals were randomly distributed within the quadrat. The relative growth rates (RGR) of DBH in P. densiflora were 0.085 $yr^{-1}$ for large trees and 0.056 $yr^{-1}$ for small trees in 1977. The RGR of height for Q. mongolica ssp. crispula was 0.122 $yr^{-1}$. The growth curve for DBH of P. densiflora was approximated by the logistic equation: $$DBH(t) = 30 {[1+1.16exp(-0.13 t)]}^{-1}$$ where DBH (t) the DBH (cm) in year t and t is the number of years since 1977. The growth in height of P. densiflora and Q. mongolica ssp. crispula was described by following equations: $$H (t) = 20.2 {[1+0.407exp(-0.137 t)]}^{-1} (P. densiflora)$$ $$H (t) = 30 {[1+20.7exp(-0.122 t)}^{-1} (Q. mongolica ssp. crispula)$$ Where H (t) is the tree height (m) in year t and t is the number of years since 1977 in P. densiflora and 1998 in Q. mongolica ssp. crispula. With these equations we predicted that the height of Q. mongolica ssp. crispula increases from 2 m in 1999 to 20 m in 2029. Therefore, Q. mongolica ssp. crispula and P. densiflora will be approximately the same height in 2029. The years required for succession from a pine forest to an oak forest are expected 33 with the range between 23 and 44 years.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.152-171
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• 2012

In April 2001, many Japanese national institutes were reorganized as Independent Administrative Institutions (IAI) based on the General Act for Independent Administrative Institutions and the act for each institution. Under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) was established by the merger of the National Research Institute for Metals (NRIM) and the National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (NIRIM). One of the biggest changes was the expansion of autonomous administration. The nanotechnology and material R&D field was prioritized in the 2nd (2001-2005) and the 3rd (2006-2010) Science and Technology Basic Plans; subsequently, NIMS was assigned to take the initiative in nanotechnology as well as materials science. NIMS has proactively expanded research fields through the introduction of researchers from polymers, electronics, and biotechnology as well as member institutes of the World Materials Research Institute Forum (WMRIF). Globalization has been promoted through programs that include the International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) and the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA). The 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan (2011-2015) emphasizes outcomes-recovery and rebirth from the disaster, green innovation, and life innovation. The Midterm Plan for NIMS also follows it. R&D collaboration by multi-partners (that include industry, university, and GRI) should be strategically promoted where GRI are especially required to play a hub function for innovative R&D and open innovation. NIMS highlights are Tsukuba Innovation Arena (TIA) and the Nanotechnology Platform Project. On January 20, 2012, a new organization was decided on by the Japanese Government where several IAI from different science and technology areas will be merged to realize more effective R&D as well as administrative cost reductions. NIMS is also supposed to be merged with 4 other R&D IAI under MEXT by the end of 2013.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.18-18
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• 2012

In Japan, about 67% of the land is covered by forests and about 41% of them consist of plantations. About 35% of the plantations consist of old-aged plantations of older than 50 yearsand the percentage is projected to 67% in ten years' time. Although the trees of these plantations are supposed to be cut for timber production, most of them remain unmanaged and thus overcrowded mainly due to declining domestic forest industry. Since the forests are mostly located in headwater watershed, there are growing concerns about the degradation of water resources by these unmanaged plantations. To understand the ecohydrological processes in these plantations and examine the effect of intensive 50-60 % thinning to increase infiltration rate and reduce overland flow and soil erosion by recovering understory vegetation, the JST-CREST project "Development of Innovative Technologies for Increasing in Watershed Runoff and Improving River Environment by the Management Practice of Devastated Forest Plantation (Representative: Yuichi Onda)" has been launched since 2009. The ultimate objective of this project is to provide potential scenario to enhance low flow discharge in drought period and reduce turbid material in high flow period. We have been conductingintensive field observation campaign in five research sites across Japan. In Fukuoka site, integrated ecohydrological observations have been conductedin two contrastive watersheds since 2010. Intensive 50% thinning was conducted from January to April 2012 and comparative studies of ecohydrological processes before and after thinning have been started. The interim results from all the sites of this project will be presented in the 3rd International Congress for Forest and Water in a Changing Environment held in Fukuoka during 18-20 September, 2012 (http://www.forest.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~ecohydrol/3ForestWater/index.html).

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.2366-2395
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• 2018

Multi-view super-resolution (MVSR) refers to the process of reconstructing a high-resolution (HR) image from a set of low-resolution (LR) images captured from different viewpoints typically by different cameras. These multi-view images are usually obtained by a camera array. In our previous work [1], we super-resolved multi-view LR images via image fusion (IF) and blind deblurring (BD). In this paper, we present a new MVSR method that jointly realizes IF and BD based on an integrated energy function optimization. First, we reformulate the MVSR problem into a multi-channel blind deblurring (MCBD) problem which is easier to be solved than the former. Then the depth map of the desired HR image is calculated. Finally, we solve the MCBD problem, in which the optimization problems with respect to the desired HR image and with respect to the unknown blur are efficiently addressed by the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Experiments on the Multi-view Image Database of the University of Tsukuba and images captured by our own camera array system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
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• 2006.06b
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• pp.295-303
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• 2006

The pulp yield was improved by about 4.5-5% when polysulfide (PS) and anthraquinone (AQ) were added to the kraft cooking liquor (white liquor). The exchange of the black liquor with fresh white liquor further increased the yield. The highest pulp yield was obtained when the PS cooking liquor containing 70% of total active alkali (AA) and 100% of AQ was used from the beginning of the reaction and the black liquor was exchanged with fresh white liquor containing the residual 30% of AA just after temperature reached $135^{\circ}C$. There was a good correlation between kraft pulp yields of a hardwood species and the ratios of the amount of xylose to glucose (X/G ratio), liberated by an acid hydrolysis of the pulps. However, the correlation was dependent on raw material wood species. Therefore, it is required in advance to establish a correlation between the yields and X/G ratios for raw material wood species of a target pulp in order to estimate pulp yield using X/G ratio. The X/G ratios of relatively high yield pulps showed higher values than those expected from the correlation. In a mill trial, the superiority of the PS-AQ isothermal cooking (ITC) process over the kraft ITC process was confirmed by examining X/G ratio of pulps obtained. The pulp yield in the PS-AQ ITC process was estimated at about 57.0%. This yield is very high, which indicates that reaction conditions of the PS-AQ ITC process are optimal.