• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.347-353
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• 2018

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the marginal discrepancy of heat-pressed ceramic veneers manufactured using a CAD/CAM system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The ceramic veneers for the abutment of a maxillary left central incisor were designed using a CAD/CAM software program. Ten veneers using a microstereolithography apparatus (AM group), ten veneers using a five-axis milling machine (SM group), and ten veneers using a traditional free-hand wax technique (TW group) were prepared according to the respective manufacturing method. The ceramic veneers were also fabricated using a heat-press technique, and a silicone replica was used to measure their marginal discrepancy. The marginal discrepancies were measured using a digital microscope (${\times}160$ magnification). The data were analyzed using a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H test. Finally, post-hoc comparisons were conducted using Bonferroni-corrected Mann-Whitney U tests (${\alpha}=.05$). RESULTS. The $mean{\pm}SD$ of the total marginal discrepancy was $99.68{\pm}28.01{\mu}m$ for the AM group, $76.60{\pm}28.76{\mu}m$ for the SM group, and $83.08{\pm}39.74{\mu}m$ for the TW group. There were significant differences in the total marginal discrepancies of the ceramic veneers (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The SM group showed a better fit than the AM and TW groups. However, all values were within the clinical tolerance. Therefore, CAD/CAM manufacturing methods can replace the traditional free-hand wax technique.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2004

The primary goal of six sigma is to improve patient satisfaction, and thereby profitability, by reducing and eliminating defects. Defects may be related to any aspect of customer satisfaction: high product quality, schedule adherence, cost minimization, process capability indices, defects per unit, and yield. Many six sigma metrics can be mathematically related to the others. Literally, six means six standard deviations from the mean or median value. As applied to quality metrics, the term indicates that failures are at least six standard deviations from the mean or norm. This would mean about 3.4 failures per million opportunities for failure. The objective of six sigma quality is to reduce process output variation so that on a long term basis, which is the customer's aggregate experience with our process over time, this will result in no more than 3.4 defect Parts Per Million(PPM) opportunities (or 3.4 Defects Per Million Opportunities. For a process with only one specification limit (upper or lower), this results in six process standard deviations between the mean of the process and the customer's specification limit (hence, 6 Sigma). The results of applicative six sigma experiment studied on 18 items TP, ALB, T.B, ALP, AST, ALT, CL, CK, LD, K, Na, CRE, BUN, T.C, GLU, AML, CA tests in clinical chemistry were follows. Assessment of process performance fits within six sigma tolerance limits were TP, ALB, T.B, ALP, AST, ALT, CL, CK, LD, K, Na, CRE, BUN, T.C, GLU, AML, CA with 72.2%, items that fit within five sigma limits were total bilirubin, chloride and sodium were 3 sigma. We were sure that the goal of six sigma would reduce test variation in the process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.142-151
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• 2013

This study develops an automation system for metallic mold design that is applicable in forging non-axial symmetric parts. The metallic mold design program is used to design the metallic mold using two-dimensional axial symmetric metallic molds and to predict the stress concentration using finite element analyses. Then, the program redesigns the metallic mold using variables such as the optimal split diameter, maximum allowable inner pressure, fit tolerance, and stress distribution, which are calculated using the metallic mold design program. When the involute spur gear is forged, stress concentration occurs on the tooth root bounded at the symmetric surface. The SCM4 material is suitable for metallic molds because the stress is less than the yield strength of the insert and it acts on the tooth root regardless of the inner pressure. The metallic mold for forging non-axial symmetric parts can be designed through adjusting the magnitude of the contact pressure. The program developed in this study can be applied to metallic mold designs in involute spur gears of forging, which is an ordinary non-axial symmetric part.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.488-495
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• 2018

Background: Skeletal muscle plays a major role in glucose metabolism. We investigated the association between thigh muscle mass, insulin resistance, and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. In addition, we examined the role of body mass index (BMI) as a potential effect modifier in this association. Methods: This prospective study included 399 Japanese Americans without diabetes (mean age 51.6 years) who at baseline had an estimation of thigh muscle mass by computed tomography and at baseline and after 10 years of follow-up a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and determination of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We fit regression models to examine the association between thigh muscle area and incidence of T2DM and change in HOMA-IR, both measured over 10 years. Results: Thigh muscle area was inversely associated with future HOMA-IR after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, HOMA-IR, fasting plasma glucose, total abdominal fat area, and thigh subcutaneous fat area at baseline (P=0.033). The 10-year cumulative incidence of T2DM was 22.1%. A statistically significant interaction between thigh muscle area and BMI was observed, i.e., greater thigh muscle area was associated with lower risk of incident T2DM for subjects at lower levels of BMI, but this association diminished at higher BMI levels. Conclusion: Thigh muscle mass area was inversely associated with future insulin resistance. Greater thigh muscle area predicts a lower risk of incident T2DM for leaner Japanese Americans.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2023

PURPOSE. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks produced using different digital protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 80 frameworks for RPDs were produced using CAD-CAM technology and divided into four groups of twenty (n = 20): Group 1, Titanium frameworks manufactured by digital metal laser sintering (DMLS); Group 2, Co-Cr frameworks manufactured by DMLS; Group 3, Polyamide PA12 castable resin manufactured by multi-jet fusion (MJF); and Group 4, Metal (Co-Cr) casting by using lost-wax technique. After the digital acquisition, eight specific areas were selected in order to measure the Δ-error value at the intaglio surface of RPD. The minimum value required for point sampling density (0.4 mm) was derived from the sensitivity analysis. The obtained Δ-error mean value was used for comparisons: 1. between different manufacturing processes; 2. between different manufacturing techniques in the same area of interest (AOI); and 3. between different AOI of the same group. RESULTS. The Δ-error mean value of each group ranged between -0.002 (Ti) and 0.041 (Co-Cr) mm. The Pearson's Chi-squared test revealed significant differences considering all groups paired two by two, except for group 3 and 4. The multiple comparison test documented a significant difference for each AOI among group 1, 3, and 4. The multiple comparison test showed significant differences among almost all different AOIs of each group. CONCLUSION. All Δ-mean error values of all digital protocols for manufacturing RPD frameworks optimally fit within the clinical tolerance limit of trueness and precision.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.233-248
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• 2019

This study shows that the Argovian Cantonal School in Aarau, Switzerland, which Albert Einstein attended from 1895 to 1896, had been closely related to the ideological education controversy in German Gymnasium throughout the 19th century. Due to this controversy, Einstein hardly received a formal science education in Bavaria. Despite the lack of formal education in Germany, he had a habit of self-studying from an early age and continued with this practice all through his life. He had a hard time at the authoritarian school in Munich, but at the democratic school in Aarau, where freedom and autonomy were secured, he was able to achieve emotional stability. For a long time, the city Aarau prevailed as a location of tolerance and multi-culturalism, without religious, regional, and national discrimination. This was possible due to the influence of external and unrestricted social mobility, as well as the Enlightenment from France. As a result, this small public school was able to acquire a mass of qualified human resources from outside of Switzerland. As a consequence of the controversy regarding the educational ideology, the Cantonal School adopted practical thoughts and the Enlightenment that fit the spirit of the times. The school consisted of two independent educational organizations: the Gymnasium, where the 'neuhumanistsch' education for the elite training was conducted, and the 'Gewerbeschule', where a more realistic education system was set up to suit the citizen life. In particular, after 1835, the Gymnasium changed gradually from the pure humanistic education to the 'utraquistisch' ways by introducing practical subjects such as natural history. Thereafter, the Cantonal School became an institution that was able to achieve a genuine humanity, academic, and civic life education. Einstein, who attended the 'technische Abteilung' of the 'Gewerbeschule,' considered this school as a role model of an institution that realized true democracy, and that left an unforgettable impression on him.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.344-357
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• 2019

Operational failures may occur even though there had been no signs of defect during the manufacturing process, which may be caused due to exposure to environmental stress which had not been addressed properly during the design process. It is thus necessary to perform environmental testing to determine the cause of the failures. Environmental testing is also used to determine whether a materiel has enough tolerance to the environmental stress during its operation. In this study, the method and level for each environmental testing are properly tailored and applied to a fight aircraft intended to operate in ROK (Republic of Korea), based on the MIL-STD-810G Change 1. Since each part of a fighter aircraft may be exposed to each different environment, LRUs (Line Replaceable Units) exposed to similar environment should be tested similarly. In addition, the decision whether to apply specific test and the tailoring technique in test level were derived for natural and induced environments, respectively. As a fight aircraft is assumed to operate in ROK, the tailoring of test methods and test level to fit to the environment in Korean peninsula is necessary. Further research is needed in determining a specific procedure and a specific level in a test method, and also in determining the test sequence, when conducting more than one is needed, because it can alter test results and it hence becomes an essential element in test design.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2010

Previous studies have shown that the most important factor affecting customer loyalty in the service industry is service quality. However, on the subject of whether service quality has a direct or indirect effect on customer loyalty, scholars' views apparently vary. Some studies suggest that service quality has a direct and fundamental influence on customer loyalty (Bai and Liu, 2002). However, others have shown that service quality not only directly affects customer loyalty, it also has an indirect impact on customer loyalty by influencing customer satisfaction and perceived value (Cronin, Brady, and Hult, 2000). Currently, there are few domestic articles that specifically address the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty in the mobile communication industry. Moreover, research has studied customer loyalty as a whole variable, rather than breaking it down further into multiple dimensions. Based on this analysis, this paper summarizes previous study results, establishes an effect mechanism model among service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty in the mobile communication industry, and presents a statistical test on model assumptions by using customer investigation data from Heilongjiang Mobile Company. It provides theoretical guidance for mobile service management based on the discussion of the hypothesis test results. For data collection, the sample comprised mobile users in Harbin city, and the survey was taken by random sampling. Out of a total of 300 questionnaires, 276 (92.9%) were recovered. After excluding invalid questionnaires, 249 remained, for an effective rate of 82.6 percent for the study. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ coefficient was adapted to assess the scale reliability, and validity testing was conducted on the questionnaire from three aspects: content validity, construct validity. and convergent validity. The study tested for goodness of fit mainly from the absolute and relative fit indexes. From the hypothesis testing results, overall, four assumptions have not been supported. The ultimate affective relationship of service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty is demonstrated in Figure 2. On the whole, the service quality of the communication industry not only has a direct positive significant effect on customer loyalty, it also has an indirect positive significant effect on customer loyalty through service quality; the affective mechanism and extent of customer loyalty are different, and are influenced by each dimension of service quality. This study used the questionnaires of existing literature from home and abroad and tested them in empirical research, with all questions adapted to seven-point Likert scales. With the SERVQUAL scale of Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry (1988), or PZB, as a reference point, service quality was divided into five dimensions-tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy-and the questions were simplified down to nineteen. The measurement of customer satisfaction was based mainly on Fornell (1992) and Wang and Han (2003), ending up with four questions. Based on the study’s three indicators of price tolerance, first choice, and complaint reaction were used to measure attitudinal loyalty, while repurchase intention, recommendation, and reputation measured behavioral loyalty. The collection and collation of literature data produced a model of the relationship among service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty in mobile communications, and China Mobile in the city of Harbin in Heilongjiang province was used for conducting an empirical test of the model and obtaining some useful conclusions. First, service quality in mobile communication is formed by the five factors mentioned earlier: tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. On the basis of PZB SERVQUAL, the study designed a measurement scale of service quality for the mobile communications industry, and obtained these five factors through exploratory factor analysis. The factors fit basically with the five elements, indicating the concept of five elements of service quality for the mobile communications industry. Second, service quality in mobile communications has both direct and indirect positive effects on attitudinal loyalty, with the indirect effect being produced through the intermediary variable, customer satisfaction. There are also both direct and indirect positive effects on behavioral loyalty, with the indirect effect produced through two intermediary variables: customer satisfaction and attitudinal loyalty. This shows that better service quality and higher customer satisfaction will activate the attitudinal to service providers more active and show loyalty to service providers much easier. In addition, the effect mechanism of all dimensions of service quality on all dimensions of customer loyalty is different. Third, customer satisfaction plays a significant intermediary role among service quality and attitudinal and behavioral loyalty, indicating that improving service quality can boost customer satisfaction and make it easier for satisfied customers to become loyal customers. Moreover, attitudinal loyalty plays a significant intermediary role between service quality and behavioral loyalty, indicating that only attitudinally and behaviorally loyal customers are truly loyal customers. The research conclusions have some indications for Chinese telecom operators and others to upgrade their service quality. Two limitations to the study are also mentioned. First, all data were collected in the Heilongjiang area, so there might be a common method bias that skews the results. Second, the discussion addresses the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty, setting customer satisfaction as mediator, but does not consider other factors, like customer value and consumer features, This research will be continued in the future.