• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2023

Purposes: There exist many non-covered services that the National Health Insurance does not cover, and thus, their prices are set by individual health care providers. However, little study has been done to investigate how hospitals set prices for those services. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between ownership, profitability, and prices of those services for a sample of general hospitals. Methodology/Approach: Data regarding the prices of major non-covered services (e.g., upper-level hospital room fees, MRI, Da 7inci robot surgery, and LASIK) were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and the financial information, as well as other characteristics, were derived from the financial reports from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables. Findings: Hospitals owned by private universities appeared to have higher prices for non-covered services while regional public hospitals tend to have lower prices. Profitability, measured by operating margin, was not significantly related to the prices. Hospitals that charge higher prices were more likely to be located in the capital area (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi), and to employ larger number of personnel. Practical Implications: Public hospitals tend to charge lower prices for non-covered services. Relative market power appears to be related to pricing. Further research is needed to investigate whether such a relationship varies over time and its effects on the quality and access.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study is to evaluate the clinical acceptability of the marginal discrepancies and internal spacing of multi-layered zirconia prothesis by speed sintering. Methods: The two specimen types come from the same manufacturer but differ in the ingredients in layered zirconia and indication, that is anterior and posterior. The designs of both specimens were full contour crowns, and a total of 20 pieces were repeatedly fabricated, 10 for each group. The specimens were divided into two subgroups (n=10) and sintered with various total times (4 hours, 8 hours) at the maximum temperature (1,530℃). The gap between the two groups of multi-layered zirconia prostheses was measured using a silicone replica technique of 2D analysis method. The independent sample t-test was then used to compare and analyze the data obtained from the two groups (α=0.05). Results: The marginal and internal gap was superior in the 8-hour compared to the 4-hour group, and the results exhibited significant differences (p<0.05). All specimens showed that using the speed sintering schedule does not exceed the clinically permitted value of 120 ㎛, meaning zirconia prothesis using the speed sintering was adequate. Conclusion: The sintering condition is shown to affect the marginal and internal gaps of multi-layered zirconia restoration.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.62-65
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• 2023

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether the glucose loading method (GLM) is useful in the differentiation of cerebral gliomas by comparing it with fasting images. Materials and Methods The patients were 70 people diagnosed with cerebral gliomas, and the equipment was Discovery 710 (GE Healthcare, MI, USA). All patients fasted for more than 6 hours, and fasting images and GLM were performed under the same imaging conditions, and the examination interval was 1 to 14 days. GLM administered 250 ㎖ of 10% glucose solution prior to radiopharmaceutical injection. SUVmax of cerebral glioma and SUVmean of cerebral cortex were measured and then compared and analyzed by tumor-to-normal brain cortex ratio (TNR). Statistical analysis confirmed the difference between the two images with an independent-sample t-test. Results The averages of GLM and fasting TNR were 1.26 and 1.09, respectively, which were 15.6% higher in GLM. In low-grade, the difference in TNR was insignificant at 4%, but in high-grade, 23%, GLM was high. There was a statistically significant difference between the two images (P=0.008), but there was no statistically significant difference in TNR in the low grade (P=0.473), and there was a very significant difference in the high grade (P=0.005). Conclusion GLM increased TNR for cerebral gliomas. In particular, it was found that the TNR increased more in the high grade. Therefore, GLM is considered to be useful for the differentiation of high-grade gliomas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study investigated the immediate effects of gluteus medius strengthening training and relaxation therapy on the static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception. METHODS: In this research, 38 healthy adults were assigned randomly to strengthening groups (SG) and relaxation groups (RG). The static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception were measured as a pre-measurement. The same measurements were performed after the intervention and follow-up. An independent sample t-test was used to compare each group, and one-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare the changes within the group. RESULTS: In the static balance, the comparison between groups SG was more significant than RG, and only SG showed significant differences in the intra-group comparisons. There was no significant difference in muscle strength asymmetry between SG and RG. On the other hand, the comparison within the group revealed only SG to be significant. In proprioception, SG produced more significant results than RG, and only SG had significant values in the within-group comparison. CONCLUSION: Strengthening training affects the changes in static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to measure the pizza purchasing behavioral characteristics of respondents and importances of factors affecting pizza purchase, to estimate the effects of attributes on pizza restaurant choice, and to predict probability of selecting a particular pizza restaurant. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: The paired experimental profiles, purchasing behavior and importances of factors affecting pizza purchase. This study generated profiles of 16 hypothetical pizza restaurant based on the seven attributes. The profiles comprised 16 discrete sets of variables, each of which had two levels. For this study, researcher randomly selected 150 students of university as respondents. Twenty students did not complete the survey instrument, resulting in a final sample size of 129. All estimations were carried out using frequencies, $X^2$, independent samples t-test, phreg procedure of SAS package. The results are as follows. Some purchasing behavioral characteristics and importances of factors affecting pizza purchase were significantly different by gender. Based on the estimated models developed for male student group and female student group, the Chi-square statistics were significant at p<0.001. The parameter estimate for late delivery time with male student group was highest, and the parameter estimate for price with female student group was highest. The pizza restaurant that charged \20,000, offered 100% discount on eleventh pizza, promised to deliver pizza in 40 mins, usually delivered the pizza as promised time, offered only 1 type of pizza crust, delivered warm pizza, offered the money-back guarantee was favored by each of male student group and female student group. The results from this study suggested that there was an opportunity to increase market share and profit by improving operations so that customers receive discount and money-back guarantee simultaneously, and by reducing price, delivery time.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.435-444
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that demographic factors, radiation knowledge level, and radiation awareness could be affecting the benefits of radiation. From July 2022 to July 2023, after receiving consent to participate by using the link of Naver through Social Network Service (SNS) for the general public, 312 people were surveyed by self-registration method without collecting personal information. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 25 questions following demographic factors (5 questions including age group by life cycle, sex, monthly household income, residence), radiation knowledge level (8 questions including basic physical, biological effects, radiation protection technology), radiation awareness (12 questions including risk, management, benefit). Independent sample T-test and ANOVA tests were performed for significant differences in the average radiation awareness between variables, and hierarchical regression was performed to identify influencing factors on radiation benefits. As a result, the benefit of radiation was significantly high among the radiation awareness, but the awareness of the danger of radiation was insufficient to the level of recognizing it as safe. Men had significantly higher awareness of radiation management and benefits than women, and the awareness of radiation management was significantly higher in the middle class with a monthly household income of 4.31 million won or more. The higher the knowledge level of radiation, the higher the awareness of the benefits of radiation. The factors that had a positive effect on radiation benefits were the high level of radiation knowledge and awareness of radiation management.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.294-303
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• 2023

This study was to find out the differences in self-esteem, body composition, and muscle strength of middle-aged women, and nine physical labor groups were selected as beautification workers at D University in Cheonan, and a total of 17 were selected as non-physical labor groups were 8 full-time housewives living in Cheonan. After selecting the subjects, the subjects arrived 30 minutes before the start of the experiment and completed the self-esteem questionnaire. After taking the stability, the measurement was carried out in the order of body composition, grip strength, and isokinetic muscle function, and the independent sample t-test was conducted. First, middle-aged women's self-esteem according to the type of physical labor was high in the physical labor group in relation to others among the sub-factors. Second, there was no significant difference in body composition according to the physical labor patterns of middle-aged women. Third, there was no significant difference in lower limb isokinetic muscular strength according to the types of physical labor of middle-aged women. Third, there was no significant difference in lower limb isokinetic muscular strength according to the types of physical labor of middle-aged women. The self-esteem according to physical labor is caused by the sense of belonging in the workplace, and the difference between body composition and muscular strength is insignificant. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce a physical activity program to promote self-esteem due to aging and prevent physical deterioration regardless of occupation.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.441-449
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the positive psychological capital, growth mindset, and self-leadership of dental hygienists in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions with regard to their retention intention. The findings would serve as basic data for improving the retention intention. Methods: The methods espoused for analysis comprised independent sample t-test and ANOVA for group comparisons, Pearson's correlation analysis for examining the correlation between variables, and multiple regression analysis for identifying factors affecting retention intention. Results: Positive psychological capital was higher among those under the age of 27 and employed in dental clinics. Growth mindset was higher among those with less than three years of work experience and those working in clinics. Self-leadership was higher among those aged 28-31, and retention intention was higher among those under the age of 27 and with less than three years of work experience (p<0.05). A correlation was observed between positive psychological capital and self-leadership (r=0.760), self-leadership and retention intention (r=0.514), positive psychological capital and retention intention (r=0.505), positive psychological capital and growth mindset (r=0.337), and growth mindset and self-leadership (r=0.245) (p<0.001). Factors influencing the intention to stay at work were self-leadership (β=0.309) and positive psychological capital (β=0.242) (p<0.05). Conclusions: In order to improve dental hygienists' retention intention, it is necessary to devise strategies for improving positive psychological capital and self-leadership.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.50-61
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• 2022

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) accounts for most daily energy expenditure. The low carbohydrate diet (LCD) attenuates decreases in RMR. This study aims to investigate the relationship between an LCD and RMR status among overweight and obese women. We enrolled 291 overweight and obese women in this cross-sectional study. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass, fat-free mass, visceral fat, and insulin level were assessed. RMR was measured using indirect calorimetry. LCD score (LCDS) was measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of variance, independent sample t-test, and Multinomial logistic regression tests were used. Results showed no relationship between LCDS and deviation of normal RMR (DNR) even after adjust for confounders (increased [Inc.] RMR: odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-1.01; p = 0.20; decreased [Dec.] RMR: OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-1.00; p = 0.14). Some components of LCDS had no significant association with DNR, such as carbohydrate and Dec. RMR in adjusted model (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.98-1.37; p = 0.08) and monounsaturated fatty acids and Dec. RMR in adjusted model (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.21-1.10, p = 0.08). However, refined grains had a significant association with Inc. RMR in crude model (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.99, p = 0.04). There is no association between LCDS and RMR status.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.75-85
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• 2024

Purpose: The goals of this study were to identify the relationships among learning agility, grit, positive psychological capital, and nursing performance and to determine the impact of these factors on clinical nursing performance. Methods: Between November and December 2021, a descriptive survey design was conducted with a convenience sample of 260 clinical nurse participants from two regional hospitals. Data were collected using the Learning Agility Scale, Grit Scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and the Nursing Performance Scale. Data from 248 nurses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS 27.0. Results: Results revealed significant positive correlations between nursing performance and learning agility, grit, and positive psychological capital. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified positive psychological capital as the strongest predictor of nursing performance, followed by work experience, learning agility, grit, and educational level. These variables accounted for 51% of the variance in nursing performance. Conclusion: This study underscored the importance of positive psychological capital, learning agility, and grit in improving nursing performance. Healthcare organizations should prioritize the development of these attributes among nurses. Implementing strategies to enhance these factors in nursing practice and education could improve nursing performance, potentially resulting in better patient outcomes and increased job satisfaction. Future research should explore specific interventions to cultivate these qualities and assess their long-term impact on nursing practice.