• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2006

Due to the exhaustion of resources and increasing concerns about the environment, reverse logistics has become a critical issue in recent years. We discuss the conventional logistics operations and the reverse logistics operations in the automotive industry. The traditional supply chain (TSC) and the reverse supply chain (RSC) models are developed to compare performance between two systems. In addition, results of the simulation models are discussed in respect to total costs, inventory levels and stock-outs to analyze the effects of introducing of reverse logistics system.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.121-135
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• 2007

Constraint directed scheduling techniques, representing problem constraints explicitly and constructing schedules by constrained heuristic search, have been successfully applied to real world scheduling problems that require satisfying a wide variety of constraints. However, there has been little basic research on the representation and optimization of the objective value of a schedule in the constraint directed scheduling literature. In particular, the cost objective is very crucial for enterprise decision making to analyze the effects of alternative business plans not only from operational shop floor scheduling but also through strategic resource planning. This paper aims to explicitly represent and optimize the total cost of a schedule including the tardiness and inventory costs while satisfying non-relaxable constraints such as resource capacity and temporal constraints. Within the cost based scheduling framework, a cost propagation algorithm is presented to update cost information throughout temporal constraints within the same job.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2022

Blood products (BPs) can only be obtained through blood donation and hence represent a finite resource. BPs should therefore be used conservatively. However, BPs are being used indiscriminately without evidence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reasons for the use of BPs and their appropriateness. The investigation was carried out based on hemoglobin levels. Data were obtained from Nov 1, 2020, to Oct 31, 2021, from a hospital's OCS/EMR systems. The BPs were dispensed in 21,303 cases, and the number of hemoglobin levels >7.0 g/dL or higher among red blood cell drugs used by each treatment department was 1,173 (>7.0 g/dL). The misuse of blood transfusions is increasing social costs, with the adequacy of transfusion becoming increasingly important. Hence, each medical institution should review the transfusion guideline evaluation index, check the status of the release of BPs, and institute educational programs covering transfusion guidelines and continually evaluate their adequacy.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4_spc
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• pp.786-793
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• 2024

Latin America is a culturally, geographically, politically, and economically diverse region. Agriculture in Latin America is marked by a remarkable diversity of production systems, reflecting various agroecological zones, farm sizes, and technological levels. In the last decade, the swine industry increased by 30.6%, emerging as a great contributor to food security and economic development in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico dominate the pig production landscape, together accounting for 70% of sow inventory in the region. The swine industry in Latin America is predominantly comprised of small and medium-sized farms, however, in the past 30 years, the number of pig producers in Brazil dropped by 78%, whereas pork production increased by 326%. Similar to the global pork industry, the growing demand for pork, driven by population growth and changing dietary habits, presents an opportunity for the industry with an expected growth of 16% over the next decade. The export prospects are promising, however subject to potential disruptions from global market conditions and shifts in trade policies. Among the challenges faced by the swine industry, disease outbreaks, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF), present significant threats, necessitating enhanced biosecurity and surveillance systems. In 2023, ASF was reported to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela, and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) in Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additionally, feed costs, supply chain disruptions, and energy expenses have affected mainly the smaller and less efficient producers. The swine industry is also transitioning towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, including efficient feed usage, and precision farming. Ensuring long-term success in the swine industry in Latin America requires a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainability, animal welfare, and consumer preferences, ultimately positioning the industry to thrive in the evolving global market.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2024

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a frequently performed procedure; the objective is restoration of native hip biomechanics and achieving functional range of motion (ROM) through precise positioning of the prosthetic components. Advanced three-dimensional (3D) imaging and computed tomography (CT)-based navigation are valuable tools in both the preoperative planning and intraoperative execution. The aim of this study is to provide a thorough overview on the applications of CT scans in both the preoperative and intraoperative settings of primary THA. Preoperative planning using CT-based 3D imaging enables greater accuracy in prediction of implant sizes, leading to enhancement of surgical workflow with optimization of implant inventory. Surgeons can perform a more thorough assessment of posterior and anterior acetabular wall coverage, acetabular osteophytes, anatomical landmarks, and thus achieve more functional implant positioning. Intraoperative CT-based navigation can facilitate precise execution of the preoperative plan, to attain optimal positioning of the prosthetic components to avoid impingement. Medial reaming can be minimized preserving native bone stock, which can enable restoration of femoral, acetabular, and combined offsets. In addition, it is associated with greater accuracy in leg length adjustment, a critical factor in patients' postoperative satisfaction. Despite the higher costs and radiation exposure, which currently limits its widespread adoption, it offers many benefits, and the increasing interest in robotic surgery has facilitated its integration into routine practice. Conducting additional research on ultra-low-dose CT scans and examining the potential for translation of 3D imaging into improved clinical outcomes will be necessary to warrant its expanded application.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.33 no.6_2
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• pp.1139-1149
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• 2017

Measuring tree's volume is very important input data of various environmental analysis modeling However, It's difficult to use economical and equipment to measure a fragmented small green space in the city. In addition, Trees are sensitive to seasons, so we need new and easier equipment and quantification methods for measuring trees than lidar for high frequency monitoring. In particular, the tree's size in a city affect management costs, ecosystem services, safety, and so need to be managed and informed on the individual tree-based. In this study, we aim to acquire image data with UAV(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which can be operated at low cost and frequently, and quickly and easily quantify a single tree using SfM-MVS(Structure from Motion-Multi View Stereo), and we evaluate the impact of reducing number of images on the point density of point clouds generated from SfM-MVS and the quantification of single trees. Also, We used the Watertight model to estimate the volume of a single tree and to shape it into a 3D structure and compare it with the quantification results of 3 different type of 3D models. The results of the analysis show that UAV, SfM-MVS and solid model can quantify and shape a single tree with low cost and high time resolution easily. This study is only for a single tree, Therefore, in order to apply it to a larger scale, it is necessary to follow up research to develop it, such as convergence with various spatial information data, improvement of quantification technique and flight plan for enlarging green space.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-114
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• 2017

Purpose - Recently, domestic pharmaceutical market is growing steadily, but top-tier companies are concentrating on sales growth. In this market, SMEs, which account for more than 80% of the entire market, suffer from the problem of lower margins and increasing inventory costs. According to the government's policy changes related to pharmaceuticals, it is pointed out that the management of existing customers and the control of salespeople are important issues for pharmaceutical companies. This study investigates the effect of the control system on the salesperson in domestic pharmaceutical distribution channel on customer-oriented selling behaviors and sales performance. Research design, data, and methodology - To verify the proposed research model and test hypotheses, the authors selected 244 MR(medical representatives)'s responses which have currently relationship with doctors or pharmacists. This study carefully investigated the reliability, content validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the proposed model. Results - The authors find out the following results: capacity control, activity control, and self control have positive effects on customer-oriented selling behaviors and customer-oriented selling behaviors have a positive effect on sales performance. In addition, we present alternative model to check the direct effect between the control systems and the sales performance, but control system factors except self control have no direct influence. Conclusions - First of all, competency control and activity control increases the customer-oriented selling behavior of the salesperson. This means that the salesperson's sales skill, negotiation skill, customer access skill, presentation ability, monitoring, direction and evaluation are important and it is also important to control activities to check the number of visits to customers, report preparation, and customer service etiquette. Second, the fact that self-control of salesperson affects the customer-oriented selling behavior suggests that self-control is not controlled by external factors but rather establishes short/long-term goals. Therefore, it is important for sales organization to create an environment in which members can induce persistent incentives for self-control. Finally, output control did not affect customer-oriented sales behavior, which is less likely to form confidence or motivation to MRs when output control is perceived as a means of monitoring, supervising, or controlling rather than providing information to salespeople.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.129-141
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• 2009

Intermodal freight transportation is defined as the movement of freight from origins to destinations by two or more transportation modes. When implemented in hub networks, it could enhance the efficiency of the networks because consolidated flows are transported by more suitable modes and technologies. In spite of this advantage, the intermodal hub network design problem has received limited attention in the literature partly because of the complex nature of the problem. This paper aims to develop an optimization model for designing intermodal hub networks with sin91e allocation strategy. The model takes into account various cost components of intermodal hub networks including transportation, stationary inventory, and service delay costs. Moreover, using transport frequency variables, it is capable of endogenously determining the transportation economies of scale achieved by consolidation of flows. As such, the model is able to realistically represent the characteristics of intermodal hub networks in practice. Since the model Is a complicated nonlinear integer programming problem, we perform model simplification based on the analytical study of the model, which could facilitate the development of solution algorithms in the future. We expect that this study contributes to the design of intermodal hub networks as well as to the assessment of existing logistics systems.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.137-156
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• 2016

This study analyzes the optimal service levels of exclusive container terminals in terms of the optimal berth occupancy rate and the ships' waiting ratios, based on the number of berths. We develop a simulation model using berth throughput data from pier P, Busan New Port, a representative port in Korea, and apply the simulation results to different numbers of berths. In addition to the above results, we analyze the financial data and costs of delayed ships and delayed cargoes for the past three years from the viewpoints of the terminal operation company (TOC), shipping companies, and shippers to identify the optimal service level for berth occupancy rates that generate the highest net profit. The results show that the optimal levels in the container terminal are a 63.4% berth occupancy rate and 10.6% ship waiting ratio in berth 4,66.0% and 9.6% in berth 5, and 69.0% and 8.5% in berth 6. However, the results of the 2013 study by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries showed significantly different optimal service levels: a 57.1% berth occupancy rate and 7.4% ship waiting ratio in berth 4; 63.4% and 6.6% in berth 5; and 66.6% and 5.6% in berth 6. This suggests that optimal service level could change depending on when the analysis is performed. In other words, factors affecting the optimal service levels include exchange rates, revenue, cost per TEU, inventory cost per TEU, and the oil price. Thus, optimal service levels can never be fixed. Therefore, the optimal service levels for container terminals need to be able to change relatively quickly, depending on factors such as fluctuations in the economy, the oil price, and exchange rates.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.12 s.159
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• pp.1697-1707
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• 2006

Relentless advances in information technology are constantly transforming market dynamics of the retail industry. RFID is an emerging innovative technology that can reduce labor costs, improve inventory control and increase sales by effective business processes. Apparel retailers need to recognize the benefits of RFID and identify critical success factors. By focusing on apparel retailers, this study attempts (1) to identify the reality of RFID associated with benefits; and (2) to prospect the implementation of RFID in apparel retailing. We conducted a focus group interview with selected six panels who were experts of retail industry in the United States to obtain data regarding RFID attributes. Content analysis was used to generate related excerpts and classify 31 attributes of RFID benefits from the meaningful 173 responses. For experience of RFID, retailers were familiar with RFID technology and expressed the belief that RFID basically would support an existing retail system for speed to markets. However, retailers addressed the level of experience with RFID technology that they were still in the early adoption stage among few innovative companies. The content analysis identified five dimensions of RFID benefits for apparel retailing: Visibility and Velocity, Revenue Enhancement, Customer Service, Security, and Employee Productivity. This result lends support to the belief that RFID has a significant potential to streamline supply chain management, store operation and customer service for apparel retailing. This study provides intellectual and managerial implications far practitioners and researchers by postulating the effective use of RFID in the apparel retail industry.