• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2007

Purpose : Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is effective screening test for inherited metabolic diseases. In this study, we estimate potential costs and benefits of using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to screen new borns for inherited metabolic diseases (phenylketonuria, BH4 deficiency, citrullinemia, maple syrup urine disease, propionic aciduria, isovaleric aciduria, glutaric aciduria type 1, LCHAD deficiency) in Korea. Methods : From April 2001 to March 2004, 79,179 new borns were screened for amino acid disorders, organic acid disorders, and fatty acid oxidative disorders. Twenty-eight new borns were diagnosed with one of the metabolic disorder and the collective estimated prevalence amounted to 1 in 2,800 with a sensitivity of 97.67%, a specificity of 99.28%, a recall rate of 0.05%, and a positive preditive value of 6.38%. We calculated and compared the total costs in case when neonatal screening on pheny lketonuria, BH4 deficiency, citrullinemia, maple syrup urine disease, propionic aciduria, isovaleric aciduria, glutaric aciduria type 1, LCHAD deficiency is implemented, and when not. Results : If the neonatal screening on pheny lketonuria, BH4 deficiency, citrullinemia, maple syrup urine disease, propionic aciduria, isovaleric aciduria, glutaric aciduria type 1, LCHAD deficiency is implemented, total benefits far exceed costs at a ratio of 1.40:1. Conclusion : Although, this study only concerns the monetary aspects of the neonatal screening, tandem mass spcetrometry for neonatal screening is cost-effective compared with not screening. The study appears to support the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry into a Korea neonatal screening programme for inherited metabolic diseases.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.113-133
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• 2024

Variable renewable energy (VRE) such as solar and wind power is the main sources of achieving carbon net zero, but it undermines the stability of power supply due to high variability and uncertainty. Energy storage system (ESS) can not only reduce the curtailment of VRE by load shifting but also contribute to stable power system operation by providing ancillary services. This study analyzes how the allocation of ESS resources between load shifting and ancillary service can contribute to maximizing the efficiency of power supply in a situation where the problems caused by VRE are becoming more and more serious. A stochastic power system optimization model that can realistically simulate the variability and uncertainty of VRE was applied. The analysis time point was set to 2023 and 2036, and the optimal resource allocation strategy and benefits of ESS by varying VRE penetration levels were analyzed. The analysis results can be largely summarized into the following three. First, ESS provides excellent functions for both load shifting and ancillary service, and it was confirmed that the higher the reserve price, the more limited the load shifting and focused on providing reserve. Second, the curtailment of VRE can be a effective substitute for the required reserve, and the higher the reserve price level, the higher the curtailment of VRE and the lower the required amount of reserve. Third, if a reasonable reserve offer price reflecting the opportunity cost is applied, ESS can secure economic feasibility in the near future, and the higher the proportion of VRE, the greater the economic feasibility of ESS. This study suggests that cost-effective low-carbon transition in the power system is possible when the price signal is correctly designed so that power supply resources can be efficiently utilized.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.80-105
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• 1995

Assuming that we introduced integration of medical insurance society for self-employed, this study was conducted to examine effects and results after the integration and to research more effective method for integration. To assess effects and results of the finacial status of 266 insurance societies after intergration, the data were obtained from "The Medical Insurance Program for Self-Employeds Statistical Yearbook in 1992". The major finding are as follows : 1. Three alternative integration proposals were made. First alternative proposal was consisted of 232 medical insurance societies, second was 187, and third was 115. 2. As the results of average number of the insured per insurance societies of medical insurance program for self-employed every alternative proposal, first was 88, 119 persons, second was 108, 576, and third was 178, 967 from 76, 576 persons of present socienties. 3. It was true that the more average size of societies increased, the more average administration expenditure per 1, 000 insured reduced. 4. The average size of societies grew bigger, the rate of general expenditure to general revenue more improved. Also, the rate of benefits to contributions was changed for better. But if not to have had correct analysis and precise preparation for integration, effects and results of integration were always not optiized. 5. According to results of simple regression formulas, it was proved that the more the average size of societies was increased, the more result was advantaged. 6. The law of majority and the economy of scale were applied in this study, and it was necessary to analyze and assess effectiveness and efficiency of integration. Therefore, when the integration of medical insurance societies for self-employeds will be performed, it must be taken into consideration. Among three alternative proposals, third was showed more effective alternative than anothe, second was presented more ineffective result than present system. To achieve more effective and efficient integration of regional medical insurance societies throughout the result of the regression formula on present cost curve, it is necessary to operate well-integrated societies and to know appropriative countermeasures of present situation of each societies. Also, for integrating regional medical insurance societies, it is necessary to continue more deep research through practical model activity and to investigate the effective size and managed method of the societies.societies.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.46-60
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• 2004

Background : Recently, we have experienced various changes in the healthcare environment. Healthcare organizations are facing a financial crisis due to more competitive relationships among themselves as well with low health insurance fees. The purposes of the current study were: (1) to develop a data warehouse-based system for evaluating and monitoring the case management activities, and (2) to measure and analyze its effects. Methods : In order to collect the data for the study, the database on discharged patients was utilized at a university hospital located in Seoul from June 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. Initially, a data warehouse was built for the case management system. The case management activities were analyzed using structured methodology to establish the case management system. Results : The findings of this study were as follows: (1) A case management system was developed to make it possible to monitor of healthcare quality and resource utilization. The Case management System included monitoring functions regarding utilization reviews, critical pathways, and clinical indicators. (2) Utilizing the case management system, unplanned readmissions were documented among total discharged patients during two months from November 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. The unplanned readmission rate was 2.3%(276 patients) in total of 11,960 discharged patients. Among them 81 patients(0.7% of total discharges, 29.3% of unplanned readmission) were readmitted to the same physician in charge under the same diagnosis. No significant differences were found in the demographic variables such as gender and age among the patients. (3) After implementing the case management system, 2.9% of average length of stay reduced. Applying cost-benefit analysis, the 2.9% reduction of length of stay represents net profit of ${\backslash}$ 279,592,000 in the year of 2004. In addition, applying value acceleration analysis, cumulative net benefit of ${\backslash}$ 1,481,000,000 was expected by the year of 2007. Also we were able to expect ${\backslash}$ 247,800,000 of cumulative benefit for the prospective 5 years in value linkage analysis. It represents average ${\backslash}$ 787,700,000 of pure net benefit a year. Conclusion : The value of present study would be not only implementing the knowledge management system into the existing case management activities, but also evaluating its effects and estimating its financial benefits. This study suggested that the case management system would be a supportive tool for monitoring and improving the quality of healthcare, and a cost-effective tool for increment of healthcare organization's financial benefit.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.1261-1262
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• 2008

Laser-based crystallization techniques are ideally-suited for forming high-quality crystalline Si films on active-matrix display backplanes, because the highly-localized energy deposition allows for transformation of the as-deposited a-Si without damaging high-temperature-intolerant glass and plastic substrates. However, certain significant and non-trivial attributes must be satisfied for a particular method and implementation to be considered manufacturing-worthy. The crystallization process step must yield a Si microstructure that permits fabrication of thin-film transistors with sufficient uniformity and performance for the intended application and, the realization and implementation of the method must meet specific requirements of viability, robustness and economy in order to be accepted in mass production environments. In recent years, Low Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon (LTPS) has demonstrated its advantages through successful implementation in the application spaces that include highly-integrated active-matrix liquid-crystal displays (AMLCDs), cost competitive AMLCDs, and most recently, active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays (AMOLEDs). In the mobile display market segment, LTPS continues to gain market share, as consumers demand mobile devices with higher display performance, longer battery life and reduced form factor. LTPS-based mobile displays have clearly demonstrated significant advantages in this regard. While the benefits of LTPS for mobile phones are well recognized, other mobile electronic applications such as portable multimedia players, tablet computers, ultra-mobile personal computers and notebook computers also stand to benefit from the performance and potential cost advantages offered by LTPS. Recently, significant efforts have been made to enable robust and cost-effective LTPS backplane manufacturing for AMOLED displays. The majority of the technical focus has been placed on ensuring the formation of extremely uniform poly-Si films. Although current commercially available AMOLED displays are aimed primarily at mobile applications, it is expected that continued development of the technology will soon lead to larger display sizes. Since LTPS backplanes are essentially required for AMOLED displays, LTPS manufacturing technology must be ready to scale the high degree of uniformity beyond the small and medium displays sizes. It is imperative for the manufacturers of LTPS crystallization equipment to ensure that the widespread adoption of the technology is not hindered by limitations of performance, uniformity or display size. In our presentation, we plan to present the state of the art in light sources and beam delivery systems used in high-volume manufacturing laser crystallization equipment. We will show that excimer-laser-based crystallization technologies are currently meeting the stringent requirements of AMOLED display fabrication, and are well positioned to meet the future demands for manufacturing these displays as well.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.155-182
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• 1998

There exists a remarkable differences in use of MRI scanning among income classes. The poor can hardly utilize it. This is because, among high cost technnologies, MRI is the only equipment not covered under health insurance benefits in Korea. This study was designed 1) to reveal the status of nation-wide MRI installation, customary charges and per unit annual scanning performance, and 2) to analyse factors influencing the above variables. The data for this study came from "MRI Prevalence Survey" conducted by the National Federation of Medcial Insurance(NFMI) in 1997, and were analyzed through SAS packages for T-test, analysis of variance and stepwise multiple regression. Data were collected from 188 hospitals equipped with MRI scanners. Major findings are summarized as follows : The number of MRI scanners has increased from 69 in 994 to 158 in 1996(2.3 times) while per unit annual scanning performance has risen by 11.2% from 2,173 cases in 1994 to 2,417 cases in 1996. Such a rapid increase was made possible mainly due to the inclusion of CT scanning under the health insurance benefit package. The customary charges for MRI scanning with or without contrast media, on average, amounted to 484,000 Won and 402,000 Won, respectively, with the percentile increase of 17.8% and 8.1% each during the same time. Korea ranks the third worldwidely in terms of number of MRI installations, 4.8 scanners per one million persons, only next to Japan and United States. Geographical variation of MRI, however, was rather high, 7.91 unit, in Cheju area compared to 1.82 in Kyongnam area. Variations of customary charges of MRI scanning can be explained as much as by 44.8% by both the total amount of claims to NFMI and geographical variable. The charges were more likely to be higher in metropolitan areas like Seoul and in hospitals with a bigger amount of claims. While those of per unit annual scanning performance can be explained as much as by 30.7% by both MRI installation cost and level of MRI-installed organizations. Per capital scannig performance was higher in tertiary hospitals and hospitals equipped with more expensive scanners than hospitals with less expensive scanners. Two measures are called for the remedying the existing excessive abundance in MRI units in korea : One is to set a ceiling of MRI units in an area like a province or a metropolitan district. The other is to establish a committee on introduction of high cost technologies for reviewing its effective use.ctive use.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.153-163
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• 2008

Domestic construction industry accounts about 15% of Gross Domestic Product(GDP) and Korean government spends approximately 50 trillion won per year for public infrastructure projects. Effective management of public construction projects would result in cost saving and enhance financial stability of the government. In doing so, the government promoted a new budgeting system, Continual Budget Method(CBM) as a part of public project performance enhancement program published in 1999. This research mainly attempted to investigate and analyze the impact of new budgeting in term of cost and schedule performance. Based on the analysis result of n2 projects. The new budgeting system could save project cost by 9.83y. Due to the saving of indirect costs from reduction. Although limited government budget cannot allow all the projects to be excuted with the new budgeting system, the new budgeting system should be more-widely utilized in the public sector because of its proven benefits from this research.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.658-662
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• 2007

The simple and easy treatment with cast or splint has been applied to stabilize long bone fractures in farm animals. Applying cast or splint is relatively easier than surgical fixation and may temporarily stabilize fracture site. However, the internal fixation provides strong stabilization and early recovery of limb function. In this report, we describe six cases of limb fractures in calves repaired by internal fixation. Fracture sites are various and affected ages are between 1 day and several months old. In some cases, patients were treated with cast or splint before admitting to Veterinary Medical Center. In these patients, regardless of initial treatment fractures were not immobilized. Consequently we decided to treat these patients with open reduction and internal fixation. The fracture repair with implants(bone plate, screw, cerclage wire, and intramedullary pin) were effective and satisfactory in calves which had been failed by application of cast. Although the cost of orthopedic treatment in farm animal is one of the most important considerations from the practical point of view, internal fixation has many benefits in newborn and young calves. And simplicity of postoperative management is also practically significant benefit expected from infernal fixation In conclusion, we suggest that internal fixation will produce better result than external coaptation in calve.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.83-97
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• 2008

Cervical and thoracic radiculopathies are among the most common causes of neck pain. The most common causes are cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis in patients with cervical radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus and thoracic disc herniation in thoracic radiculopathy. A thorough history, physical examination, and testing that includes electrodiagnostic examination and imaging studies may distinguish radiculopathy from other pain sources. Although various electrodiagnostic examinations may help evaluate radiculopathy, needle electromyography is the most important, sensitive, and specific method. Outcome studies of conservative treatments have shown varying results and have not been well controlled or systematic. When legitimate incapacitating symptoms continue despite conservative treatment attempts, more invasive spinal procedures and intradiscal treatment may be appropriate. Surgery has been shown to have excellent clinical outcomes in patients with disc extrusion and neurological deficits. However, patients with minimal disc herniation have fair or poor surgical outcomes. In addition, conventional open disc surgery entails various inadvertent surgical related risks. Although there has not yet been a non-surgical interventional procedure developed with the therapeutic efficacy of open surgery, conservative procedures can offer substantial benefits, are less invasive, and avoid surgical complications. While more invasive procedures may be appropriate when conservative treatment fails, prospective studies evaluating cervical and thoracic radiculopathies treatment options would help guide practitioners toward optimally cost-effective patient evaluation and care.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.47-56
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• 2017

Background: Given the potential benefits of wellness programs promoting physical activity of the community-dwelling frail elderly, it is recommended that comprehensive wellness programs combined with the component of physical activity. This may improve overall health and potentially lower the health care cost of the frail elderly. In general, the frail elderly residing in community or those after being discharged from hospitals are often committed to enhancing the status of participation in physical activity. Objects: The purposes of this study were to identify specific shortcomings of current wellness programs as part of continuum of community rehabilitation services and to propose alternatives for the care of the community-dwelling frail elderly. Through this study, geriatric health care professionals may be able to implement assessments and programs to successfully promote an effective continuum of care for the frail elderly. Methods: Article reviews were summarized and evaluated. Results: A model elaborating the relationship between components of successful wellness program and participation in physical activities for the community-dwelling frail elderly are recommended. First, periodic monitoring the levels of physical activity by the use of online measurement system should be considered. Second, individualized adaptive technologies for selecting optimal physical activities for the elderly may be better fit to individuals' current status of physical activity. Conclusion: The current status of physical activity in community-dwelling frail elderly can be monitored by online assessment systems. Through the innovative measurement system, elderly may assess his/her physical activity status overtime, select optimal physical activities matching the status, and create the elderly's own adaptive wellness programs that match to the status while residing in his/her community.