• Title/Summary/Keyword: status of facilities

Search Result 1,736, Processing Time 0.03 seconds

A Study on Vascular Plants, Distribution Status and Management Plans of the Cactus Habitat (No. 429 Natural Monument) in Wolryung-ri, Jeju Island (제주 월령리 선인장군락지(천연기념물 제429호)의 관속식물상, 분포실태, 관리방안에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Cheol-Ho;Jang, Gye-Hyun;Ryu, Tae-Bok;Choi, Byoung-Ki
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
    • /
    • v.36 no.1
    • /
    • pp.55-66
    • /
    • 2018
  • The cactus habitat in Jeju Island has a phytogeographically specific distribution in the East Asian region, and forms a unique landscape as the only native cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) habitat in Korea. However, there has been no detailed investigation on the distribution of cacti in the habitat and no investigation on the diversity of the mixed composition of plants in the habitats and their correlation with the distribution of cactus populations. This study attempted to investigate the diversity of vascular plants in the Wollyeong-ri cactus habitat and record the actual distribution and trends of cactus distribution. In addition to the distribution characteristics of cacti, we also discuss the characteristics of species reflecting the characteristics of the habitat among the mixed population of plant species, as well as the biological and environmental factors that threaten the maintenance of cactus populations or require management for preservation of cacti. Considering the phenological character, we conducted the field surveys for flora identification six times between June 2015 and September 2017. The Engler classification system was used for the arrangement sequence and names of plants, and the Korean Plant Names Index was adopted for the Korean name of the species. The study results showed that the Wolryung-ri cactus habitat in Jeju Island has the characteristic physiognomy of an area dominated by cactus. For the vascular plants, a total of 125 taxa were identified, including 53 families, 104 genera, 109 species, 15 varieties and 1 forma. Endangered plants specified by the Ministry of Environment were not found. Two species, Cyrtomium falcatum and Asplenium incisum, were identified as the ferns, and no gymnosperms were found. In addition, 123 taxa of angiosperms, 91 taxa of dicotyledones and 32 taxa of monocotyledons were identified. The distributions of cacti were confirmed in 289 meshes corresponding to 59.3% of the total 487 meshes in the cactus protected area, which showed various coverage distributions ranging from 5% to 95%. Most of the meshes where no cacti were found are coastal areas with exposed basalt rocks where the soil depth has not developed or extremely restricted due to repeated waves, or areas where artificial facilities, grasslands, and observation paths have been constructed. On the other hand, there were 71 lattice points in 14.5% of the total area where the cactus showed 70% or higher dominance. Cacti are randomly distributed in these areas. They have adapted to the microhabitat environment and are found to be opportunistically distributed along the growable locations. Considering that the reproduction of cacti in the habitat is mostly dependent on parthenogenesis, the present distribution seems to reflect the potentially distributable regions of cacti in the habitat. Based on the results of field surveys, a management plan for conservation and protection of the protected areas has been proposed.

Needs Accessment of Safety Education of High School Students in Seoul (서울시 고등학생의 안전교육 실태 및 요구도 조사)

  • 김민아;이명선
    • Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
    • /
    • v.18 no.3
    • /
    • pp.133-162
    • /
    • 2001
  • Unexpected accidents in school has been gradually increased every year, and student's mistaken was the first reason of the accident. To preventing the students from Unexpected accidents in school, safety education is more important than having strong facilities to have much more strong protecting forces for the accidents. Therefore, systematic education of safety is needed most of all, and especially, strengthening safety education in school is needed. Hereby, this study is aimed at investigating and analysing the actual condition and demand of safety education. It also conducted a survey with the target of 1,255 students in the second grade of high school in Seoul from April 20 to May 19, and the result of this study is as follows. 1. In the general features of the subject of the survey, boy students and girl students occupied 50.8% and 49.2% each, and boys' high school (34.3%), girls' high school(32.2%) and co-ed(33.5%) participated in balance. In the location, north from Han river occupied 54.6%, south were 45.2%. 2. According to the status of experiencing an accident, boys were more experienced then girls(p〈0.05). From the section, home accident(56.8%) occupied most followed by school accident, traffic accident, sports accident and poisoning. The accident happening most often in detailed category is sports accident such as basket ball, foot ball and dodge ball. The actual condition of the subject's using a school health facility shows that boys students use it more often than girl students(p〈0.01) 3. In attitude toward safety, the subject showed lower interest in safety issues than other social issues. But attitude in seriality of safety problems were high. Also, they responded ‘individual citizen’(63.1%) as the one who should make efforts for safety. Regarding knowledge of preventing safety accidents in attitude toward individual safety, 42.2% answered ‘they know a little’ and 32.6% of respondents say ‘they do not know’. To a question of the degree of the subject's following safety rules, 36.4% were answered ‘keeping’ and the group using a school health facility shows more ‘keeping’ the others(p〈0.05). 4. To a question of asking if they have experienced safety education, 51.2% answered ‘yes’. Teachers who mainly take care of safety education are answered as training teacher(48.7%). As for education time, training class(51.3%) is said to have safety education most followed by health-related event and PE(Physical Education). Frequency of education shows once or twice a session (62.8%) most often, but in case of co-ed school, 5-7times a session or more(20.1%) are being practiced. Looking at education time, 1-2 hour(s)(22.1%) or for a short time(22.1%) during class are being practiced. As an education method, instruction(43.8%) and video education(32.5%) are being practiced, and when it comes to education evaluation method, ‘not practiced’(70.0%) answered. To the question if they are satisfied with school safety education, they answered more ‘no(43.1%)’ than ‘yes(6.7%)’, and the reason is that safety education class is just for formality's sake, and the fact they already know is being repeated. The contents of safety education is composed of school safety, home safety, and first aid. 5. It is turned out that 56.5% of the total boy students and 61.1% of the total girl students recognize the necessity of safety education. To the question if safety education is needed in an elementary and middle education course, 46.4% of the subject answer answered' it's necessary'. The most reason for their answers are ‘safety education is directly related to life’. 6. Regarding the requested time of safety education is ‘one hour a week’ by 55.9%. For safety education, safety education teachers(38.7%) are answered to be the most proper. As a request for safety education, video education is answered to be the most appropriate(30.6%), followed by practical skills, lecture and discussion(p〈0.05). Demand of educational evaluation, practical skills, interview and observation are answered to be needed. To the question if they want to participate in the way of demanded safety education, 41.9% of respondents answer ‘have a mind to participate in’ (41.9%). To benefits followed by completing safety education, 72.0% of respondents answer ‘agree’, and 24.7% ‘do not agree’, which means lout 4 disagrees with completing safety education. 7. Looking at demand of safety education according to the features of the subject, ‘our position for the person who has handicapped’ was answer to the most.

  • PDF

Recent Progress in Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Research : A Review of Papers Published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering in 2012 (설비공학 분야의 최근 연구 동향 : 2012년 학회지 논문에 대한 종합적 고찰)

  • Han, Hwataik;Lee, Dae-Young;Kim, Sa Ryang;Kim, Hyun-Jung;Choi, Jong Min;Park, Jun-Seok;Kim, Sumin
    • Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
    • /
    • v.25 no.6
    • /
    • pp.346-361
    • /
    • 2013
  • This article reviews the papers published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering during 2012. It is intended to understand the status of current research in the areas of heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation, and indoor environments of buildings and plant facilities. The conclusions are as follows : (1) The research works on thermal and fluid engineering have been reviewed as groups of fluid machinery, pipes and valves, fuel cells and power plants, ground-coupled heat pumps, and general heat and mass transfer systems. Research issues are mainly focused on new and renewable energy systems, such as fuel cells, ocean thermal energy conversion power plants, and ground-coupled heat pump systems. (2) Research works on the heat transfer area have been reviewed in the categories of heat transfer characteristics, pool boiling and condensing heat transfer, and industrial heat exchangers. Researches on heat transfer characteristics included the results for natural convection in a square enclosure with two hot circular cylinders, non-uniform grooved tube considering tube expansion, single-tube annular baffle system, broadcasting LED light with ion wind generator, mechanical property and microstructure of SA213 P92 boiler pipe steel, and flat plate using multiple tripping wires. In the area of pool boiling and condensing heat transfer, researches on the design of a micro-channel heat exchanger for a heat pump, numerical simulation of a heat pump evaporator considering the pressure drop in the distributor and capillary tubes, critical heat flux on a thermoexcel-E enhanced surface, and the performance of a fin-and-tube condenser with non-uniform air distribution and different tube types were actively carried out. In the area of industrial heat exchangers, researches on a plate heat exchanger type dehumidifier, fin-tube heat exchanger, an electric circuit transient analogy model in a vertical closed loop ground heat exchanger, heat transfer characteristics of a double skin window for plant factory, a regenerative heat exchanger depending on its porous structure, and various types of plate heat exchangers were performed. (3) In the field of refrigeration, various studies were executed to improve refrigeration system performance, and to evaluate the applicability of alternative refrigerants and new components. Various topics were presented in the area of refrigeration cycle. Research issues mainly focused on the enhancement of the system performance. In the alternative refrigerant area, studies on CO2, R32/R152a mixture, and R1234yf were performed. Studies on the design and performance analysis of various compressors and evaporator were executed. (4) In building mechanical system research fields, twenty-nine studies were conducted to achieve effective design of mechanical systems, and also to maximize the energy efficiency of buildings. The topics of the studies included heating and cooling, HVAC system, ventilation, renewable energy systems, and lighting systems in buildings. New designs and performance tests using numerical methods and experiments provide useful information and key data, which can improve the energy efficiency of buildings. (5) In the fields of the architectural environment, studies for various purposes, such as indoor environment, building energy, and renewable energy were performed. In particular, building energy-related researches and renewable energy systems have been mainly studied, reflecting interests in global climate change, and efforts to reduce building energy consumption by government and architectural specialists. In addition, many researches have been conducted regarding indoor environments.

Effects of Usual Source of Care by Patients with Diabetes on Use of Medical Service and Medical Expenses (당뇨병 환자의 상용치료원 보유가 의료이용 및 의료비에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, So Dam;Shin, Euichul;Lim, Jae-Young;Lee, Sang Gyu;Kim, Ji Man
    • Korea Journal of Hospital Management
    • /
    • v.22 no.3
    • /
    • pp.1-17
    • /
    • 2017
  • Purposes: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that requires continuous care in order to prevent complications, as it can impose a critical burden on families and society due to various complications, including terminal renal failure, non-traumatic lower extremity amputation, and adult blindness. The usual sources of care are "specified private clinics, public health centers, or other facilities to visit when ill or when health-related advice is needed". These usual sources of care offer preventative services, have a high overall satisfaction rate in terms of public health care, and decrease the inpatient rates and medical costs of medical aid recipients. This study analyzed the current status of diabetic patients over 20 years of age based on their possession of a usual source of care, and the effects of this possession on the frequency of their medical service usage and its costs. Methodology: Based on data from the 7th Korea Health Panel, a Tobit analysis was used to analyze the different factors that can affect the frequency of medical service usage and its costs for diabetic patients with and without a usual source of care. Findings: The medical costs of diabetic patients with a usual source of care decreased in terms of inpatient, and the outpatient visits and inpatient costs of the group with a usual source of care in the form of a mainly-visiting doctor decreased more than those of the group with a mainly-visiting medical institution only. Practical Implications: Having a usual source of care can increase the treatment continuity, leading to reduced inpatient, and having a mainly-visiting doctor as the usual source of care further increases the treatment continuity. Based on these results, a new policy is needed to increase and strengthen diabetic patients? possession of a usual source of care.

The Transmission Direction and Tasks of Ssireum as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (씨름의 국가무형문화재 전승방향 및 과제)

  • Kwak, Nak-hyun
    • (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
    • /
    • no.67
    • /
    • pp.203-236
    • /
    • 2017
  • The objective of this study is to suggest the transmission direction and tasks of Ssireum, and the conclusions are like below. First, Ssireum has been designated as a national intangible cultural heritage(No.131) in December 2016. Second, in the current status of preservation and spread of Ssireum, there is no system related to the transmission of Ssireum such as cultivation of professional manpower, and facilities, programs, and administration/finance for transmitting Ssireum. Third, based on the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation & Promotion Act", the transmission direction of Ssireum was suggested. (1)The designation of a college to transmit Ssireum would be needed. (2)The Ssireum curriculum should be established. (3) It would be necessary to secure trainees for transmitting Ssireum. (4)The production of teaching materials for transmitting Ssireum would be needed. (5)It would be needed to secure training institutes designated in each region and also teaching personnels for transmitting Ssireum. (6)The research direction for the correct transmission of Ssireum should be set up. Fourth, based on the "Ssireum Promotion Act", the transmission direction of Ssireum was suggested. (1)It is urgent to complement provisions for transmitting Ssireum. (2)For the transmission of Ssireum, instead of the transmission direction of Ssireum as a national intangible cultural heritage in the standardized perspective, it would be necessary to seek for the joint transmission direction between South & North Korea for research & documentation of Ssireum that could be systematized/shared between South & North Korea, development/spread of contents for discovering the original form of Ssireum, and the establishment of a base of transmission system for the preservation/promotion of Ssireum through the academic/institutional exchanges regarding Ssireum between South and North Korea. Moreover, the overall and fundamental transmission measures for the education, transmission, research, record, and informatization of Ssireum, and the cultivation of professional manpower should be established. Fifth, the contents of institutional tasks for Ssireum are like following. (1)The institutional complementation of the "Ssireum Promotion Act" should be done for the domestic/foreign promotion of Ssireum. (2)For the integration of Ssireum organizations, the administrative system should be unified. (3)The standard technical system manual for Ssireum should be produced. (4)The 'Ssireum Transmission Center' should be built for the preservation and systematic transmission of Ssireum. (5)The selection of a college for transmitting Ssireum and the establishment of a system to cultivate Ssireum successors should be done. (6)It would be necessary to establish database(DB) for the use of Ssireum techniques essential for the transmission of Ssireum.

Recent Progress in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Research : A Review of Papers Published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering in 2007 (설비공학 분야의 최근 연구 동향 : 2007년 학회지 논문에 대한 종합적 고찰)

  • Han, Hwa-Taik;Shin, Dong-Sin;Choi, Chang-Ho;Lee, Dae-Young;Kim, Seo-Young;Kwon, Yong-Il
    • Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
    • /
    • v.20 no.12
    • /
    • pp.844-861
    • /
    • 2008
  • The papers published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering during the year of 2007 have been reviewed. Focus has been put on current status of research in the aspect of heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation and building environments. The conclusions are as follows. (1) The research trends of fluid engineering have been surveyed as groups of general fluid flow, fluid machinery and piping, etc. New research topics include micro nano fluid, micropump and fuel cell. Traditional CFD was still popular and widely used in research and development. Studies about fans and pumps were performed in the field of fluid machinery. Characteristics of flow and fin shape optimization are studied in the field of piping system. (2) The research works on heat transfer have been reviewed in the field of heat transfer characteristics, heat exchangers, and desiccant cooling systems. The research on heat transfer characteristics includes thermal transport in pulse tubes, high temperature superconductors, ground heat exchangers, fuel cell stacks and ice slurry systems. For the heat 'exchangers, the research on pin-tube heat exchanger, plate heat exchanger, condensers and gas coolers has been cordially implemented. The research works on heat transfer augmenting tubes have been also reported. For the desiccant cooling systems, the studies on the design and operating conditions for desiccant rotors as well as performance index are noticeable. (3) In the field of refrigeration, many papers were presented on the air conditioning system using CO2 as a refrigerant. The issues on the two-stage compression, the oil selection, and the appropriate oil charge were treated. The subjects of alternative refrigerants were also studied steadily. Hydrocarbons, DME and their mixtures were considered and various heat transfer correlations were proposed. (4) Research papers have been reviewed in the field of building facilities by grouping into the researches on heat and cold sources, air conditioning and air cleaning, ventilation and fire research including tunnel ventilation, flow control of piping system, and sound research with drain system. Main focuses have been addressed to the promotion of efficient or effective use of energy, which helps to save energy and results in reduced environmental pollution and operating cost. (5) Studies were mostly focused on analyzing the indoor environment in various spaces like cars, old tombs, machine rooms, and etc. in an architectural environmental field. Moreover, subjects of various fields such as the evaluation of noise, thermal environment, indoor air quality and development of energy analysis program were researched by various methods of survey, simulation, and field experiment.

A Study of Community Awareness in Local Residents after the Restoration of Seongnaecheon (성내천 복원 후 지역주민의 커뮤니티 의식에 대한 연구)

  • Kim, Nam-Su;Lee, In-Hwan;Kim, Yong-Geun
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
    • /
    • v.39 no.4
    • /
    • pp.74-82
    • /
    • 2011
  • During the industrialization and urbanization of the country, urban rivers have been covered over and developed without forethought and thus became estranged from spaces utilized by area residents in everyday life. Recently, an influx of people and uses have increased largely because accessibility improved through restoration projects which have transformed these river areas into pleasant environments. It thus appears that these projects have an impact on community consciousness for area residents who live near the restored rivers to some extent. The purpose of this study was to determine via questionnaire the effects and influences of urban river restoration on area residents targeting visitors to Seongnaecheon(stream), Songpa-gu, Seoul, which has been restored recently. Factors in the questionnaire analysis included such items as the use status of Seongnaecheon, community consciousness(feeling of belonging, solidarity, feeling settled), and a before and after comparison of the restoration(change of consciousness, regional effects), etc. According to the results of analysis, visitors who have utilized the stream more than 1~2 times per week after the restoration project accounted for the greatest portion. The main purposes of these visits were to 'rest' and 'exercise' while the ratio of using it as a 'meeting space with neighbors and strangers' was low. Community consciousness of area residents using Seongnaecheon was generally high. As a result of an analysis of consciousness differences between groups after dividing visitors into 3 groups according to the frequency of visits, there were significant differences in the consciousness level between groups with high community consciousness levels in visitors who visited frequently. In consideration of these results, the provision of programs along with proper facilities that can be used is deemed important for area residents so as to inspire community consciousness of the area by means of activating both community activities and the progressive use of the restored river.

A Study on Health Behaviors and Problems of Female Retail Workers (유통업 여성 근로자의 건강 문제와 건강 행위에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Souk-Young;Yun, Soon-Nyung
    • Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
    • /
    • v.11 no.1
    • /
    • pp.127-145
    • /
    • 2000
  • The objectives of this study are to identify health behaviors and health problems. and the relations between health behaviors and health problems of female workers in the retail business. The number of subjects were 200 female workers of 6 department stores in Seoul and Kyonggi area, whose jobs last more than 6 months as retail employees. The data was collected during 2 months from July 1 to August 30, 1998. The Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire(CMI) was used to measure their health problems, while health behaViorn were investigated in terms of 'smoking', 'alcohol', exercise', 'diet', and 'sleeping'. The data were analyzed with frequency. percentage, t-test, ANOVA test, and $X^2-test$ by SPSS PC+ program. The results of this study are as follows: 1. Out of health problems. Digestive symptoms occupied the highest percent number. nervous ones the second and cardiovascular ones the third among physical health problems of retail female workers. The most frequent mental health problem was 'adequacy' and the next, 'tension' and 'anger', 2, Health problems according to general characteristics of subjects were shown that the younger or the unmarried complained more than the older or the married, especially in the items of 'eye and ear', 'respiratory system', 'cardiovascular system', 'digestive tract', 'nervous system', 'adequacy', and 'depression'. The longer working duration they have had, the more they complained of 'respiratory system' and 'adequacy'. The lower academic careers complained of 'nervous' than the higher ones with statistical significance. 3. The analysis of daily health clinic notes showed that respiratory complaints were the highest percent, successively followed by digestive tract, nervous one, external injury, musculoskeletal system, urinary-reproductive system and others. 4. The level of their health practice was generally low in smoking, diet habit and alcohol intake, exercise, sleeping, very low especially in smoking, diet, alcohol intake, and exercise among them all. 5. Present smokers and ones with past experience complained of physical and mental health problems of 'respiratory system', 'digestive tract', 'skin', 'nervous', 'urinary-reproductive system', 'fatigability', adequacy', 'depression', 'anxiety', 'anger' and 'tension', than non smokers, with statistical difference. Workers without having breakfast and with irregular diet had more complaints on 'digestive tract', 'adequacy' and 'tension', than those who had regular dietary habit. The less the subjects slept, the more they complained of eye and ear, cardiovascular system. The subjects who drank alcohol complained more digestive problem. However, whether they exercise or not did not affect physical and mental health problems in a significant manner. 6. The subjects' age and marital status were statistically significant relating to health behaviors, as the younger or unmarried recorded a low level of health practice in smoking, drinking, dietary habit. Based on the results, the suggestions are made as follows: 1. Health education program on smoking, alcohol intake, diet habit is needed to improve health problems and health behavior of female retail workers. 2. The unmarried workers of late teen and twenties, who are transitional period from teenagers to adulthood are important targets for health promotion program especially for maternal health. 3. Better working environment with sufficient time and facilities for workers to relax is required to promote female sales workers' health. 4. Further research is required to identify the relation between workers' visual fatigue and intense lights for the display of goods.

  • PDF

The study of the status of teaching and learning and needs assessment for 'The basis of the Invention Patent' subjects ('발명.특허 기초' 과목의 교수.학습 방법 실태 및 요구 조사 연구)

  • Lee, Chan Joo;Lee, Byung Wook;Kang, Kyoung Kyoon;Im, Yoo Hwa
    • 대한공업교육학회지
    • /
    • v.38 no.1
    • /
    • pp.105-124
    • /
    • 2013
  • This study aims to analyze the teaching and learning methods realities and needs in the subjects 'The basis of the Invention Patent'. To this end, research and analysis of the subjects 'The basis of the Invention Patent' the teacher and take advantage of their current teaching and learning methods, 'The basis of the Invention Patent' subject teachers to recognize the most desirable teaching and learning methods, subjects 'The basis of the Invention Patent' of teaching and learning and the operating requirements of the difficult matters. Survey of 48 schools across the country in high school teachers to teach the subjects 'The basis of the Invention Patent' was conducted, the results of this study are as follows. First, a high percentage of theoretical learning activities, teaching methods, such as 'lectures' and take advantage of the higher percentage. Module was to conduct classes such as 'project', 'lab experiments', 'discussion', 'investigation' by taking advantage of the high proportion of practice learning activities. Second, Higher requirements for the experience and practice of student-centered 'lab experiments', 'project', 'Case Studies', 'field trips' and theory-driven rather than 'lectures'. Third, 'The basis of the Invention Patent' subjects 'Teaching and learning important when operating requirements for the degree' as a whole was highly recognized. in particular, operating requirements for teaching and learning in accordance with the former college of education of education than non-group differences were higher overall response. Fourth, 'The basis of the Invention Patent' subjects 'Teaching and learning difficult when operating your degree' as a whole was highly recognized. In particular, was recognized by difficult questions, such as lack of preparation classes due to excessive work, educational facilities and equipment shortage, lack of prior knowledge about the subject, individual differences of the students considering the difficulties, student's

Current Status and Future Perspective of PET (PET 이용 현황 및 전망)

  • Lee, Myung-Chul
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
    • /
    • v.36 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-7
    • /
    • 2002
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging modality that consists of systemic administration to a subject of a radiopharmaceutical labeled with a positron-emitting radionuclide. Following administration, its distribution in the organ or structure under study can be assessed as a function of time and space by (1) defecting the annihilation radiation resulting from the interaction of the positrons with matter, and (2) reconstructing the distribution of the radioactivity from a series of that used in computed tomography (CT). The nuclides most generally exhibit chemical properties that render them particularly desirable in physiological studies. The radionuclides most widely used in PET are F-18, C-11, O-15 and N-13. Regarding to the number of the current PET Centers worldwide (based on ICP data), more than 300 PET Centers were in operation in 2000. The use of PET technology grew rapidly compared to that in 1992 and 1996, particularly in the USA, which demonstrates a three-fold rise in PET installations. In 2001, 194 PET Centers were operating in the USA. In 1994, two clinical and research-oriented PET Centers at Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center, was established as the first dedicated PET and Cyclotron machines in Korea, followed by two more PET facilities at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Ajou Medical Center, Yonsei University Medical Center, National Cancer Center and established their PET Center. Catholic Medical School and Pusan National University Hospital have finalized a plan to install PET machine in 2002, which results in total of nine PET Centers in Korea. Considering annual trends of PET application in four major PET centers in Korea in Asan Medical Center recent six years (from 1995 to 2000), a total of 11,564 patients have been studied every year and the number of PET studies has shown steep growth year upon year. We had 1,020 PET patients in 1995. This number increased to 1,196, 1,756, 2,379, 3,015 and 4,414 in 1996,1997,1998,1999 and 2000, respectively. The application in cardiac disorders is minimal, and among various neuropsychiatric diseases, patients with epilepsy or dementia can benefit from PET studios. Recently, we investigated brain mapping and neuroreceptor works. PET is not a key application for evaluation of the cardiac patients in Korea because of the relatively low incidence of cardiac disease and less costly procedures such as SPECT can now be performed. The changes in the application of PET studios indicate that, initially, brain PET occupied almost 60% in 1995, followed by a gradual decrease in brain application. However, overall PET use in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer was up to 63% in 2000. The current medicare coverage policy in the USA is very important because reimbursement policy is critical for the promotion of PET. In May 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) began covering the PET perfusion study using Rubidium-82, evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule and pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer. As of July 1999, Medicare's coverage policy expanded to include additional indications: evaluation of recurrent colorectal cancer with a rising CEA level, staging of lymphoma and detection of recurrent or metastatic melanoma. In December of 2001, National Coverage decided to expand Medicare reimbursement for broad use in 6 cancers: lung, colorecctal, lymphoma, melanoma, head and neck, and esophageal cancers; for determining revascularization in heart diseases; and for identifying epilepsy patients. In addition, PET coverage is expected to further expand to diseases affecting women, such as breast, ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancers as well as diseases like prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease.