Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Converter Slag Aggregate for Blended Mortar Based on CT Scanning.

This study investigated the air aging converter (Basic Oxygen Furnace, BOF) slag aggregate mortar with pulverized fly ash (PFA) and ferronickel slag (FNS). The chemical composition and mineralogical constituents of BOF incorporated mortar were analyzed. Setting time, flowability, compressive strength, and length change were measured to evaluate the fundamental properties of BOF mortar. The X-ray CT analysis was employed to observe the effect of converter slag in the cement matrix visually. The results showed that the hydration of BOF generated a pore at the vicinity of the aggregate, which decreased the compressive strength and increased the length change of mortar. However, the PFA or FNS incorporation of PFA or FNS can decrease the alkalinity of pore solution and subsequently reduce the reactivity of BOF aggregate. Thus, the incorporation of PFA and FNS can be a way to eliminate the disadvantage of BOF, such as volume expansion.

Study on the Pore Structure Characteristics of Ferronickel-Slag-Mixed Ternary-Blended Cement.

Pore structure development in Portland cement, fly ash, or/and ferronickel slag (FNS) was investigated using mercury intrusion porosimetry and X-ray CT tomography. The progress of hydration was observed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and compressive strength while durability of concrete was monitored by chloride penetration resistance and chloride profiles. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) results suggested that the blended cement had a higher porosity while lower critical pore size. The major reason to this increased porosity was the formation of meso and micro pores compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In terms of chloride transport, replaced cement, especially ternary-blended cement had higher resistance to chloride transport and exhibited slightly lower development of compressive strength. X-ray CT tomography shows that the influence of pore structure of ternary-blended cement on the ionic transport was strongly related to the pore connectivity of cement matrix.

[Development of a questionnaire to measure family stress among married working women].

PURPOSE: Even though a number of studies have suggested that appropriate measuring instruments of family stress for working women have to be developed, the validity and reliability of the instruments used have not been consistently examined. The purpose of the present study was to develop a sensitive instrument to measure family stress for married working women, and to test the validity and reliability of the instrument. METHOD: The items generated for this instrument were drawn from a comprehensive literature review. Twenty four items were developed through evaluation by 10 experts and twenty one items were finally confirmed through item analysis. Psychometric testing was preformed and confirmed with a convenient sample of 240 women employed in the industrial sector. RESULT: Four factors evolved by factor analysis, which explained 50.5% of the total variance. The first factor 'Cooperation' explained 28.1%, 2nd factor 'Satisfaction with relationships' 10.6%, 3rd factor 'Democratic and comfortable environment' 6.3%, and 4th factor 'Disturbance of own living' 5.5%. Cronbach's coefficient of this instrument was 0.86. CONCLUSION: The study supports the validity and reliability of the instrument.

The relationship of work stress and family stress to the self-rated health of women employed in the industrial sector in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship of work stress and family stress to the health of women in Korea. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE: Three hundred and thirty-one married women working in 14 manufacturing companies in Korea. METHODS: Subjects responded to a questionnaire that included items on work stress, family stress, social support, and general characteristics. Perceived health status (PHS) was assessed with the Short Form-36. RESULTS: There was a significant positive relationship between social support and PHS, but significant negative relationships were found between PHS and work stress as well as family stress. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis explained the health status of married working women by four categories: personal, work related, family related, and social support, and accounted for 45.4% of the variance. When family-related factors were added to the model, the power of explanation was increased by 17.9% compared with the explained variance. Family stress was a major variable not only for explaining the variance but also for correlating with health status. CONCLUSIONS: Both work stress and family stress should be considered together when addressing the health of working women in the industrial sector in Korea.

Community health service needs assessment in Korea using OMAHA Classification System.

This study examined the appropriateness of OMAHA Classification System in identifying health service needs and relevant strategies for intervention by public health nurses working in community health centers in Seoul. The face-to-face interview using a questionnaire was used to assess individual and family health needs in the targeted district. Respondents were 4024 persons from 1449 households in one municipal district in Seoul, Korea. Based on OCS, 16 problems were identified including insufficient income and inadequate living space, ineffective communication with community resources, pain, and substance use. Health teaching, guidance and counseling, case management, treatment, and surveillance were identified as interventions for these problems. These results suggest that OCS is appropriate to implement in Korea to plan and organize better nursing interventions for community residents by public health nurses working in health centers.

Examining health problems and intensity of need for care in family-focused community and public health nursing.

The purpose of this study was to advance evidence-based family-focused community and public health nursing (C/PHN) practice by examining 2 important indicators of health need, family health problem labels, and intensity of need for care, and their relationship to each other. The Omaha System (OS; Martin & Scheet, 1992) was the framework used to classify the most common family health problems. Intensity of need for care was determined using the Community Health Intensity Rating Scale (CHIRS; Hays, Sather, & Peters, 1998). Secondary analysis of C/PHN clinical data was done using a descriptive correlational design (n = 205). An investigator scored the CHIRS and assigned OS family problems based on clinical record data. The mean number of family health problems per person was 4.40 (+/- 2.06). The mean CHIRS total score was 33.9 (+/- 6.34). The total number of OS problems was significantly correlated with CHIRS total scores (r = .586, p < .001). Family problem labels and intensity of need for care both provide essential information for health need determination in C/PHN practice.