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Clinical Usefulness of Chest Wall Ultrasonography for Detecting Fractures of Costal Cartilage due to Minor Blunt Chest Trauma (경미한 둔상에 의하여 야기되는 늑연골 골절 진단에 있어서 흉벽 초음파 검사의 임상적 유용성)

  • Lee, Woo-Surng;Kim, Yo-Han;Chee, Hyun-Keun;Hwang, Jae-Joon;Lee, Song-Am;Jung, Ho-Sung;Shin, Hyun-Joon;Choi, Young-Chill
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.502-508
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    • 2009
  • Background: Rib fractures are the most common injuries that are caused by blunt chest trauma. However, fractures of the costal cartilage generally go unnoticed on chest X-rays unless they involve a calcified cartilage. For this reason, the sensitivity of conventional radiography for detecting rib fractures is low, and especially those involving the cartilaginous part of the rib. Thus, we have evaluated the usefulness of ultrasonography for detecting fractures of the costal cartilage that were overlooked on the conventional radiographs of patients who suffered minor blunt chest traumas. Material and Method: A total of 45 patients who suffered minor blunt chest trauma and who had no evidence of rib fractures or other major fractures on conventional radiographs were admitted for ultrasonography between April 2008 and March 2009. There were 24 women and 21 men, and the mean age of the patients was 50.4$\pm$15.91 years (range: 17$\sim$76 years). They were examined for the detection of fractures of the costal cartilage by performing ultrasonography with a 7.5-MHz linear transducer. Result: A total of 30 patients (67%) had fractures of the costal cartilage, whereas 15 patients (33%) had no evidence of chondral rib fractures. The mean number of fracture sites of the fractured costal cartilage was 1.6$\pm$0.81 (range: 1$\sim$4 sites) in 30 patients. Periosteal hematoma was the most common finding associated with fractures of the costal cartilage (n=7, 17%), followed by sternum fracture (n=5, 12%). However, periosteal hematoma was noticed in 1 patient (2%) who was without fracture of the costal cartilage, and sternum fracture was noticed in 1 patient (2%) who was without fractures of the costal cartilage. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that ultrasonography may be a useful imaging modality for detecting fractures of the costal cartilage that are overlooked on the conventional radiographs of patients who suffer minor blunt chest trauma.

A Survey on Epilepsy Patients from Public Health Aspects (간질환자(癎疾患者)에 대(對)한 보건학적(保健學的) 조사연구(調査硏究))

  • Kim, Myung-Ho;Kyung, Yung-Hoo;Park, Jong-Koo;Suh, Shin-Yung
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.41-61
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    • 1979
  • Two interview surveys (1976 for 800 patients, 1978 for 200 patients) and an inventory survey through medical records(1978) for epileptic patients who have registered with the Korean Epilepsy Association (Rose Club) since 1971 were carried out by trained health workers in advance of survey. The data obtained from the analysis showed as follows: 1) 35.2% of patients were born in Seoul and 70. 6% of patients born elsewhere have lived in Seoul. 2) 50-60% of patients were 15-30 years cid. 3) 33.4%, 24,6 and 24.6 of all pupils and students went to elementary, junior and senior high schools respectively. 4) 21.2% of all pupils and students had dropped out of school and 51.4% of them were away from school because of epilepsy. 5) 3.1% of all patients had no job at all and students comprised 20.9% of patients followed by clerical work, commercial business and farming with about 6% in each group.6) Reasons given for unemployment such as dismissal (4.3%), quit (27.7%), hesitation to employ (42.5%)and discontinuance of job (25.5%) were basically due to epilepsy. 7) About half(46.2%) of all patients have become Christian since the Rose Club was a voluntary agency which has been sponsored by Christians. 8) 82. 6% of patients were diagnosed as having grand mal as the most. 9) 29.4% of patients explained aura with psychomotor disturbances and 13.8% with sensory disorders. 10) 46.3% of patients were attacked with seizures when they were tired and others(11.6% and 4.9%) after excessive eating and hunger. 11) Patients suffered more seizures in spring and summer rather than in autumn and winter and most patients had attacks 1-5 times a month. 12) For etiologic reasons of epilepsy, 35.5% of patients considered it was caused by psychological stress and 11.5% by trauma. Only 1.1% of patients considered it as having hereditary components. 13) 51% of patients were slow in caring for their own illnesses. They started to reat epilepsy after spending 5 years of time from the initial seizure. Only 5.4% of patients had received the modern anti-epileptic therapy right after the nitial seizure. 14) 62.1% of patients had no therapy or irregular or incomplete treatment before registration at the Rose Club Clinic. 15) Before registration at the Rose Club, 42.4% of patients received medical care. On the other hand, 25.6% went to herb doctors and 12.5% used to go to the drugstore in order to get anti-epileptic drugs. 16) 41. 6% of patients who took anti-epileptic drugs had more or less side-effects. Indigestion was the most common. 17) For continuation of treatment, 30.3% have received treatment for more than 5 years and the evident showed that epilepsy took a longer time to be cured. 18) Regarding the medical care received 44.2% of patients were very satisfied with effective care and 26.5% felt as good. 19) For attitudes toward epilepsy. 27.0% of patients and 68.2% of patients family were pessimistic. 20) 65.9% of patients had optimistic attitudes toward effectiveness of medical care of epilepsy. 21) 64.8% of wives and husbands had better understanding and cooperative for their spouses who had epilepsy. 22) 33.3% of patients were under-treated at the place of work. 23) 70.2% of patients wished to marry when they reach childbearing age and 63% wished to have children. Through the above results it is recommended for nation-wide epilepsy control that the sound and correct health education not only from health aspect but also from welfare aspect should be planned and implemented as soon as possible.

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Association between Socioeconomic Status and Altered Appearance Distress, Body Image, and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

  • Chang, Oliver;Choi, Eun-Kyung;Kim, Im-Ryung;Nam, Seok-Jin;Lee, Jeong Eon;Lee, Se Kyung;Im, Young-Hyuck;Park, Yeon Hee;Cho, Juhee
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.20
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    • pp.8607-8612
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    • 2014
  • Background: Breast cancer patients experience a variety of altered appearance - such as loss or disfigurement of breasts, discolored skin, and hair loss - which result in psychological distress that affect their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status on the altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life among Korean breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at advocacy events held at 16 different hospitals in Korea. Subjects were eligible to participate if they were 18 years of age or older, had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer, had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, and had no psychological problems at the time of the survey. Employment status, marital status, education, and income were assessed for patient socioeconomic status. Altered appearance distress was measured using the NCI's cancer treatment side effects scale; body image and quality of life were measured by the EORTC QLC-C30 and BR23. Means and standard deviations of each outcome were compared by socioeconomic status and multivariate linear regression models for evaluating the association between socioeconomic status and altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life. Results: A total of 126 breast cancer patients participated in the study; the mean age of participants was 47.7 (SD=8.4). Of the total, 83.2% were married, 85.6% received more than high school education, 35.2% were employed, and 41% had more than $3000 in monthly household income. About 46% had mastectomy, and over 30% were receiving either chemotherapy or radiation therapy at the time of the survey. With fully adjusted models, the employed patients had significantly higher altered appearance distress (1.80 vs 1.48; p<0.05) and poorer body image (36.63 vs 51.69; p<0.05) compared to the patients who were unemployed. Higher education (10.58, standard error (SE)=7.63) and family income (12.88, SE=5.08) was positively associated with better body image after adjusting for age, disease stage at diagnosis, current treatment status, and breast surgery type. Similarly, patients who were married and who had higher education had better quality of life were statistically significant in the multivariate models. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status is significantly associated with altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life in Korean women with breast cancer. Patients who suffer from altered appearance distress or lower body image are much more likely to experience psychosocial, physical, and functional problems than women who do not, therefore health care providers should be aware of the changes and distresses that these breast cancer patients go through and provide specific information and psychosocial support to socioeconomically more vulnerable patients.

Physicochemical Properties and Tenderness of Hanwoo Loin and Round as affected by Raising Period and Marbling Score (사육기간과 등심의 근내지방도가 거세한우 등심 및 우둔의 이화학적 성상 및 연도에 미치는 영향)

  • Chin, Koo Bok;Go, Mi Young;Lee, Hong Chul;Chung, Seul Kee;Baik, Kyung Hoon;Choi, Chang Bon
    • Food Science of Animal Resources
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    • v.32 no.6
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    • pp.842-848
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    • 2012
  • This study was performed to investigate the physicochemical properties and tenderness of Hanwoo loin and round cuts, as affected by various raising periods and marbling scores. Five loin and round cuts with various marbling scores (5-9) from Hanwoo at various raising periods (27, 33, 30 mon) were collected. pH, Hunter color values (L, a, b), chemical composition, cooking loss, vacuum purge, and Warner-Bratzler shear values were evaluated according to two-way analysis of variance. No differences in pH values of Hanwoo loin were observed by raising period and marbling scores (p>0.05), but those of Hanwoo round at 27 mon was the lowest. Increased Hunter color values were observed with the increased marbling score and those at 27 and 30 mon were lower than 33 mon. Redness (a) and yellowness (b) of Hanwoo round cuts with the raising period of 27 mon were higher than those at 30 and 33 mon. The raising period of 27 mon showed higher water holding capacity than those of 30 and 33 mon, regardless of Hanwoo cut. Increased shear values (kgf) of Hanwoo round cuts were observed with increasing raising period (p<0.05). Increased marbling score decreased shear values in loin cuts, but no differences were observed in the round cuts. Based on these results, the parameters measured varied with meat cut, and raising period affected round pH, color, chemical composition, vacuum purge, and shear values. Marbling score affected color, chemical composition, water binding capacity, and shear values in loin cuts (p<0.05), but didn't affect any parameters in round cuts (p>0.05).

The Comparison Evaluation of SUV Using Different CT Devices in PET/CT Scans (PET 검사에서 CT 장비의 차이에 따른 PET/CT의 SUV 비교 평가)

  • Kim, Woo Hyun;Go, Hyeon Soo;Lee, Jeong Eun;Kim, Ho Sung;Ryu, Jae Kwang;Jung, Woo Young
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.10-18
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: Among different PET/CT devices which are composed of same PET model but different CT models, SUV, usually used for quantitative evaluation, was measured to assess the accuracy of follow up scans in different PET/CT and confirm that interequipment compatibility is useful in arranging the PET/CT exam appointment. Materials and Methods: Using ACR PET Phantom, PET NEMA IEC Body Phantom, SNM Chest Phantom and Ge-68 cylinder Phantom, $SUV_{mean}$ and $SUV_{max}$ was measured by 3 different models of PET/CT (Discovery 690, Discovery 690Elite and Discovery 710, GE) made in same company. ANOVA was used to evaluate the significant difference in the result. Results: In the result, the average of $SUV_{max}$ was D690 (25 mm-1.82, 16 mm-1.75, 12 mm-1.73, 8 mm-1.44), D690E (25 mm-1.76, 16 mm-1.92, 12 mm-1.78, 8 mm-1.55) and D710 (25 mm-1.84, 16 mm-1.89, 12 mm-1.77, 8 mm-1.61) in ACR Phantom, D690 (25 mm-2.26, 16 mm-2.25, 12 mm-1.92, 8 mm-1.85), D690E (25 mm-2.45, 16 mm-2.25, 12 mm-2.05 8 mm-1.91) and D710(25 mm-2.49, 16 mm-2.20, 1 2mm-2.30, 8 mm-2.05) in PET NEMA IEC Body Phantom, D690-1.04, D690E-1.10 and D710-1.09 in SNM Chest Phantom and D690-0.81, D690E-0.81, D710-0.84 in Ge-68 cylinder Phantom. The differences between average SUV of 4 phantoms were $SUV_{mean}$-1.87%, $SUV_{max}$-2.15%. And also as a result of ANOVA analysis, there was no significant difference statistically. Conclusion: If different models of PET/CT have same specification of PET system, there was no significant difference in $SUV_{mean}$ and $SUV_{max}$ even though they have different CT system. And also differences of $SUV_{mean}$ and $SUV_{max}$ in phantom images were under 5% which many manufacturers recommend. Therefore, follow up scan will be possible using different PET/CT if it has same specification of PET system with the previous PET/CT. This information will enable the accurate comparative analysis when conducting follow up scans and be helpful to schedule PET/CT exam more effectively.

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Isolated Leukopenia During Antituberculosis Treatment (1차 항결핵약제 치료 중 발생한 백혈구감소증의 추이)

  • Song, Heon-Ho;Lim, Chae-Man;Lee, Sang-Do;Go, Youn-Suck;Kim, Woo-Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong;Shim, Tae-Sun
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.48 no.4
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    • pp.420-427
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    • 2000
  • Background : Isolated leukopenia is rare, but it has important clinical implications during antituberculosis treatment. Inadvertent discontinuation of short-course regimen drugs for fear of leukopenia inevitably will extend the duration of treatment, and the completion of treatment will be delayed. However no guidelines concerning proper management for leukopenia during antituberculosis treatment have been presented. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the possibility of continuing the same short-course regimen if a mild-to-moderate degree of isolated leukopenia was to develop during antituberculosis treatment. Method : Thirty-six patients who had been prescribed a short-course antituberculosis regimen between January 1997 and August 1999, had newly developed, mild-to-moderate degree, isolated leukopenia during medication, and had continued the same drug regimen despite leukopenia were enrolled. One patient was not available for the follow-up, so the remaining thirty-five (twenty-five prospectively and ten retrospectively) patients were analyzed. Patients who had other known causes of leukopenia were excluded. A mild-to-moderate degree of isolated leukopenia was arbitrarily defined as having a peripheral blood leukocyte count between 2,000 and $3,499/mm^3$ and no evidence of coexisting hematologic abnormalities. Results : 1) All thirty-five patients were able to complete short-course anti-tuberculosis treatment without complication or further decrease of leukocytes count to less than $2,000/mm^3$ despite continuous treatment with the same regimen. 2) The mean duration from start of antitituberculosis medication to detection of leukopenia was $64{\pm}65$ days. 3) The mean leukocyte count was $5,035{\pm}1,583/mm^3$ before treatment, and the its lowest count was $2,908{\pm}390/mm^3$ during treatment. Leukopenia recovered after completion of treatment ($4,283{\pm}1,269/mm^3$). 4) The main component of leukopenia was the decrease in neutrophil count ($3,361{\pm}1,732$ vs. $1,512{\pm}423/mm^3$, p<0.05). Conclusion : For mild-to-moderate degree of isolated leukopenia ($2,000/mm^3{\leq}$ WBC < $3,500/mm^3$), developing during short-course antituberculosis treatment, the short-course antituberculosis regimen may be continued without complications.

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Polymerization of dual cured composites by different thickness (두께에 따른 이중 중합형 복합레진의 중합)

  • Kim, Yun-Ju;Jin, Myoung-Uk;Kim, Sung-Kyo;Kwon, Tae-Yub;Kim, Young-Kyung
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.169-176
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    • 2008
  • The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of thickness, filling methods and curing methods on the polymerization of dual cured core materials by means of microhardness test. Two dual cured core materials, MultiCore Flow (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and Bis-Core (Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) were used in this study. 2 mm (bulky filled), 4 mm (bulky filled), 6 mm (bulky and incrementally filled) and 8 mm (bulky and incrementally filled)-thickness specimens were prepared with light cure or self cure mode. After storage at $37{\circ}C$ for 24 hours, the Knoop hardness values (KHN) of top and bottom surfaces were measured and the microhardness ratio of top and bottom surfaces was calculated. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Scheffe multiple comparison test, with ${\alpha}$= 0.05. The effect of thickness on the polymerization of dual cured composites showed material specific results. In 2, 4 and 6 mm groups, the KHN of two materials were not affected by thickness. However, in 8 mm group of MultiCore Flow, the KHN of the bottom surface was lower than those of other groups (p < 0.05). The effect of filling methods on the polymerization of dual cured composites was different by their thickness or materials. In 6 mm thickness, there was no significant difference between bulk and incremental filling groups. In 8 mm thickness, Bis-Core showed no significant difference between groups. However, in MultiCore Flow, the microhardness ratio of bulk filling group was lower than that of incremental filling group (p < 0.05). The effect of curing methods on the polymerization of dual cured composites showed material specific results. In Bis-Core, the KHN of dual cured group were higher than those of self cured group at both surfaces (p < 0.05). However, in MultiCore Flow, the results were not similar at both surfaces. At the top surface, dual cured group showed higher KHN than that of self cured group (p < 0.05). However, in the bottom surface, dual cured group showed lower value than that of self cured group (p < 0.05).

Clinical Long-term Assessment of Bioactive Glass Graft (Bioactive glass의 장기 임상적 평가)

  • Lee, Hang-Bin;Baek, Jeong-Won;Kim, Chang-Sung;Choi, Seong-Ho;Cho, Kyoo-Sung;Kim, Chong-Kwan;Chai, Choong-Kyoo
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.187-198
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    • 2002
  • The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is the regeneration of periodontal tissue which has been lost due to destructive periodontal disease. To achieve periodontal regeneration, various kinds of methods have been investigated and developed, including guided tissue regeneration and bone graft. Bone graft can be catagorized into autografts, allografts, xenografts, bone substitutes. And materials of all types have different biological activity and the capacity for periodontal regeneration, but ideal graft material has not been developed that fits all the requirement of ideal bone graft material. Recently, bioactive glass that has been utilized in plastic surgery is being investigated for application in dental practice. But, there has not been any long-term assessment of bioactive glass when used in periodontal intrabony defects. The present study evaluates the long-term effects of bioactive glass on the periodontal regeneration in intrabony defects of human and the effect of plaqu control on long term treatment results after dividing patients into those who underwent 3-month regular check-up and those who didn't under go regular check-up The clinical effect on 74sites from 17 infrabony pockets of 11 patients were analyzed 36months after treatment. 51 sites which underwent regular check up were classified as the Follow-up group(F/U group), and 23 sites which did not undergo regular check up were classified as Non Follow-up group(Non F/U group). After comparing the probing depth, attachment loss, bone probing depth before and 36months after treatment, the following results could be concluded. 1. The changes of probing pocket depth showed a statistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36 months after treatment in F/U group(1.79${\pm}$0.68mm) and did no show astatistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36months after treatment in Non F/U group(0.61${\pm}$0.54mm) (P<0.05). 2. The changes of loss of attachment showed a statistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36 months after treatment in F/U group(1.44${\pm}$0.74mm) and did no show astatistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36months after treatment in Non F/U group(1.18${\pm}$1.54) (P<0.05). 3. The changes of bone probing depth showed a statistically significant decrease between after baseline and 36 months after treatment in both F/U(1.35${\pm}$0.28) and Non F/U group(0.78${\pm}$0.55mm) (P<0.05). The results suggest that treatment of infrabony defects with bioactive glass resulted in significan reduction of attachment loss and bone probing depth 36months after the treatment. The use of bioactive glass in infrabony defects, combined with regular check-up and proper plaque control generally shows favorable clinical results. This measn that bioactive glass could be a useful bone substitute.

Understanding of the Workers in the North Area of Ulsan on the Oral Health and Hygienic Status (울산시 일부 생산직 근로자의 구강보건 인식에 대한 조사연구)

  • Lee, Ga-Ryeong
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.117-126
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    • 2004
  • For a month of September, 2004, a questionnaire regarding dental hygiene was distributed to 165 workers of Ulsan area. A total of 125 questionnaire were analyzed: 102 collected of the distributed 165 pieces, and 23 questionnaires reported by patients of a dental clinic in Dong-gu, Woolsan. The result is as follows; (1) Labor workers of Ulsan have thought that they are in good dental health, 44.1% of respondents, following by those who they believe they are in moderate health and those who they think are in poor condition. 89.0% of total workers have experienced dental treatment. (2) Regarding the location of dental treatment, 85.0% of respondents have pointed out dental hospitals and clinics, while 3.9% have indicated that they had treatment from unlicensed dentists. Specifically, workers in their 40s over have ever experienced dental treatment by unlicensed dentists. Those who think they are in poor dental condition have tended to have more dental treatment by unlicensed dentists. (3) Regarding the reason that they put off the treatment, 59.1% of respondents have indicated that they have no time to have the treatment, following by economic burden and the lack of confidence in dentists. When they have tooth aches or the gum ache, 60% of respondents have suggested that they endure the ache or take a medicine to alleviate the pain, showing a lower understanding of early dental treatment. (4) Regarding the reason why they are unwilling to go to dentists, respondents have revealed the anxiety against pain, 50.4%, following by the difficulty of scheduling and unsatisfied services. (5) 47.2% of respondents have brushed their teeth 3 times everyday, following by those who have done it 2 times a day and those one a day. Regarding how to brush the teeth, most of respondents have brushed their teeth in the upper, lower, and the both side, 61.4%. The younger respondents and those who think they are in good dental health have tended to brush their teeth up and down. (6) Regarding the cause of the gum disease, 67.7% of respondents have thought that it is caused by poor dental hygiene, following by natural occurrence due to age, hereditary nature, and physical predisposition. (7) 67.7% of respondents have experienced dental scaling, while 32.3% of them have had no experience in it. 53.5% of workers have thought that scaling may not be recommended since they have the teeth scaled periodically once they had dental scaling, a higher rate than 46.5% who think scaling is good for the gum health.

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Flexible Specialization: A New Paradigm for Modern Industrial Society ? (柔軟的 專門化(Flexible Specialization) : 현대 産業社會의 새로운 패러다임 ?)

  • Lee, Deog-An
    • Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.148-162
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    • 1993
  • There is much speculation that modern capi-talist society is undergoing fundamental and qualitative chnge towards flexible specialization. The purpose of this study is to examine this hypothesis. This paper focusses on: the idea of flexible specialization; the significance of this transition; industrial district; and the implicati-ons of this new production system for Korean industrial space. Main arguments of this study are as follows: First, as all different groups of researchers apply the idea of flexible specialization according to their own specifications, the current debate on this topic is not much fruitful. Not surpri-singly, the concept of flexible specialization has overlapped with subocontracting. This intergration of subcontracting into flexible specialization systems, however, is inappropriate because the two concepts have different historical contexts. The other cause of this controversy is its inherent weekness, conceptual ambiguity. Thus, today's flexibility becomes tomorrow's rigidity. Secondly, transition towards flexible speciali-zation has only been partially achieved even in advanced capitalist countries. The application of dualistic explanatory framework, such as rigidity versus flexibiity, mass production versus small-lot multi-product production, and de-skilling versus re-skilling, has resulted in great exaggeration of the transformation, from Fordism to post-Fordism. There is no intermediary part between two places. Considering that the workers allocated to the Fordist mass production assembly line are not as large as one might imagine, the shift from mass to flexible production has only limited implications for the transformation of capitalist economy. Thirdly, 'industrial district' contorversy has contributed to highlighting the importance of small firms and areas as production space. The agglomeration of small firms in specific areas is common in Korea, but it is quite different from the industrial district based on flexible specialization. The Korean phenomenon stems from close interactions with its major parent firm rather than interactions between flexible, specialized, autonomous and technology-intensive smll firms. Most Korean subcontractors are still low-skilled, labour-intensive, and heavily dependent on their mojor parent firms. Thus, the assertion that the Seoul Metropolitan Area adopts flexible specialization has no base. Fourthly, the main concern of flexible speciali zation is small firms. However, the corporate organization that needs product diversification and technological specialization is oligopolistic large corporations typified by multinational corporations. It is because of this that most of these organizations are adoptiong Fordist mass production methods. The problem of product diversification will be resolved naturally if economic internationalization progresses further. What is more important for business success is the quality and price competitiveness of firms rather than product diversification. Lastly, in order to dispel further misunderst-anding on this issue, it is imparative that the conceptual ambiguity is resolved most urgently. This study recommends adoption of more speci-fied and direct terminology (such as, factory automation, computer design, out-sourcing, the exploitation of part-time labor, job redesign) rather than that of ideological ones (such as, Taylorism, Fordism, neo-Taylorism, neo-Fordism, post-fordism, flexible specialization, peripheral post-Fordism). As the debates on this topic just started, we still have long way to go until consensus is reached.

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