• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.182-185
• /
• 2008

Objective : The purpose of the present study is to assess the long-term results of microsurgical dorsal root entry zonotomy (MDT) for the treatment of medically intractable upper-extremity spasticity. Methods : The records of nine adult patients who underwent MDT by one operating neurosurgeon from March 1999 to June 2004 were retrospectively reviewed by another investigator who had no role in the management of these patients. In all patients, MDT was performed on all roots of the upper limb (from C5 to T1) for spasticity of the upper extremity. The degree of spasticity was measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (grade 0-4). Severity of the pain level was determined using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, score 0-10). Also, patient satisfaction of the post-operative outcome was assessed. Results : Comparing the preoperative and postoperative spasticity using the Modified Ashworth Scale, we observed improvement in all patients, particularly in five of the nine patients (55.6%) who improved by three grades over an average of 66.4 months (range, 40-96). Regarding patient satisfaction, seven patients (77.8%) had affirmative results. None of the patients experienced severe, life-threatening, postoperative complications. We observed a decrease in the intensity of painful spasms to less than three scores as measured by NRS in all four patients with associated pain. Conclusion : This study shows that MDT provides significant, long-term reduction of harmful spasticity and associated pain in the upper limbs.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.10
• /
• pp.998-1008
• /
• 2022

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the relationship between incidental abnormalities on thoracic computed tomography (CT) and mortality in a general screening population using a long-term follow-up analysis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the medical records and CT images of 840 participants (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 58.5 ± 6.7 years; 564 male) who underwent thoracic CT at a single health promotion center between 2007 and 2010. Two thoracic radiologists independently reviewed all CT images and evaluated any incidental abnormalities (interstitial lung abnormality [ILA], emphysema, coronary artery calcification [CAC], aortic valve [AV] calcification, and pulmonary nodules). Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank and z-tests was performed to assess the relationship between incidental CT abnormalities and all-cause mortality in the subsequent follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to further identify risk factors of all-cause mortality among the incidental CT abnormalities and clinical factors. Results: Among the 840 participants, 55 (6%), 171 (20%), 288 (34%), 396 (47%), and 97 (11%) had findings of ILA, emphysema, CAC, pulmonary nodule, and AV calcification, respectively, on initial CT. The participants were followed up for a mean period ± SD of 10.9 ± 1.4 years. All incidental CT abnormalities were associated with all-cause mortality in univariable analysis (p < 0.05). However, multivariable analysis further revealed fibrotic ILA as an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 2.52 [95% confidence interval, 1.02-6.22], p = 0.046). ILA were also identified as an independent risk factor for lung cancer or respiratory disease-related deaths. Conclusion: Incidental abnormalities on screening thoracic CT were associated with increased mortality during the long-term follow-up. Among incidental CT abnormalities, fibrotic ILA were independently associated with increased mortality. Appropriate management and surveillance may be required for patients with fibrotic ILA on thoracic CT obtained for general screening purposes.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.287-296
• /
• 2008

The objective of the present paper is to analyze the problems found in the operation of startup companies and to seek after their solutions. It is thus aimed at offering reasonable grounds for the government to work out long- and short-term strategies in an attempt to help and vitalize startup companies. In this context, following analysis was conducted to meet the objective of this study: First, it was analyzed here to determine if there was any difference in the application of management characters that were deemed to be important factors exercising drastic influence on competitiveness of startup companies directly as well as indirectly; and Second, it was empirically proved how management characters of startup companies affected their competitiveness. From the analysis, it was discovered as follows: First, characters of founders such as age, education and experience in management were found to differ depending on the extent that factors of managerial characters in startup companies were practically applied; and Second, the four factors of managerial characters that were classified by factor analysis turned out to have influence on variables of financial and non-financial competitiveness that were connected with competitiveness of a company.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.35-49
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The major objective of this study is to develop a model for the impact of franchisors' Gapjil (verbal·nonverbal Gapjil, abusing bargaining position, refusing transaction, false or exaggerated information, restrictive practices, unfair damage compensation) on franchisee's recontract intention. We also examine the mediating role of economic satisfaction and social satisfaction in the relationship between franchisors' Gapjil and franchisee's contract intention. Research design, data, and methodology: Data were collected from franchisee owners located nationwide in Korea. Out of 256 questionaires distributed, a total of 256 questionnaires were returned. After excluding 10 invalid respondent questionnaires, we coded and analyzed 246 valid questionnaires (effective response rate of 96.09%) using frequency, confirmatory factor analysis, correlations analysis, and structural equation modeling with SPSS 22.O and SmartPLS 3.0. Results: The findings of this study are summarized as follows: First, among the Gapjil of the franchisors, restrictive practices and unfair damage compensation had negative effects on economic and social satisfaction, but verbal and nonverbal Gapjil for economic and social satisfaction was not significant. Second, abusing bargaining positions and false or exaggerated information had negative effects on social satisfaction, but for economic satisfaction, found to be insignificant. Third, economic and social satisfaction had positive effects on the franchisee's recontract intention to the franchisor. Conclusion: The following implications of this study are as follows. First, the construct of Gapjil that occurs between the franchisors and the franchisees was first presented, and the franchisors' Gapjil is divided into interpersonal Gapjil and structural Gapjil. Second, the Gapjil of the franchisors can be an important predictor variable in maintaining and developing a long-term relationship between the franchisors and the franchisees. Third, solving conflict due to the Gapjil problem between franchisors and franchisees can be an important factor for franchisors and franchisees to co-survive and thrive in Korean franchise system. Fourth, this study suggest that managing the Gapjil of the franchisors was a important antecedent factor in maintaining long-term relationship between the franchisors and the franchisees. Therefore, this study will help franchisors formulate effective symbiotic marketing strategies to satisfy relationships with franchisees and consequently enhance long-term orientation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.65 no.3
• /
• pp.415-421
• /
• 2022

Objective : Seizure recurrence after the first-ever seizure in patients with a supratentorial cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is almost certain, so the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is justified. The optimal method of management of these patients is still a matter of debate. The aim of our study was to identify factors associated with postoperative seizure control and assess the surgical morbidity rate. Methods : We retrospectively analysed 45 consecutive patients with a supratentorial CCM and symptomatic epilepsy in a single centre. Pre- and postoperative epidemiological data, seizure-related patient histories, neuroimaging results, surgery details and outcomes were obtained from hospital medical records. Seizure outcomes were assessed at least 12 months after surgery. Results : Thirty-five patients (77.8%) were seizure free at the long-term follow-up (Engel class I); six (13,3%) had rare, nocturnal seizures (Engel class II); and four (8.9%) showed meaningful improvement (Engel class III). In 15 patients (33%) in the Engel I group; it was possible to discontinue antiepileptic medication. Although there was not statistical significance, our results suggest that patients can benefit from early surgery. No deaths occurred in our study, and mild postoperative neurologic deficits were observed in two patients (4%) at the long-term follow-up. Conclusion : Surgical resection of CCMs should be considered in all patients with a supratentorial malformation and epilepsy due to the favourable surgical results in terms of the epileptic seizure control rate and low postoperative morbidity risk, despite the use of different predictors for the seizure outcome.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
• /
• 2009.05a
• /
• pp.1404-1409
• /
• 2009

These days, the extension and complication of construction project has attached greater significance to IT system for effective project management. Construction companies inside the country have established IT system, but the fact is that they are not up to the expectations of investment provision, and the absense of objective and strategy about project management information system makes its efficiency doubtful. The research, from the point view of construction company, makes an estimate of indefinite future, and presents the process of making out IT system roadmap as a long-term strategy in building IT system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.312-323
• /
• 2010

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of relationships between food service companies and their client companies by surveying employees working at cafeterias among a food service companies' client companies. For this purpose, previous research was reviewed, and confirmatory research was conducted using a questionnaire. In the questionnaire survey, the subjects were sampled through convenience sampling from the client companies of A Food Service Company, and 182 valid questionnaires were used in the analysis. The results of this study are summarized as follows. First, the characteristics of the relationship between the food service company and its client companies, which were reputation, communication, operation skill, and contact-point employees' service quality, had a significant effect on trust, and the effect was high in the order of contact-point employees' service quality, communication, operation skill, and reputation. Satisfaction was significantly affected by reputation, operation skill, and contact-point employee' service quality, but not by communication. The effect was high in the order of contact-point employees' service quality, reputation, and operation skill. In addition, reputation, communication, operation skill, and contact-point employees' service quality had a significant effect on long-term orientation, and the effects were high in the order of reputation, contact-point employees' service quality, communication, and operation skill. Second, with regard to the quality of relationships between a food service company and its client companies, trust had a significant effect on satisfaction. Third, among the factors related to the quality of relationships between the food service company and its client companies, trust and satisfaction had a significant effect on long-term orientation, and the effect of satisfaction was higher than that of trust. This study has scientific significance as one of only a few studies on factors affecting the long-term relationship between food service companies and their client companies, along with managerial implications that contact-point employees' capabilities are most important in service businesses, and thus efforts should be made at employing and educating them properly.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.7-15
• /
• 2010

This study proposes a rad o resource management scheme to maximize the performance of the LTE(Long Term Evolution) uplink, using SC-FDMA(Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiple Access). Rather than the single-cell SC-FDMA system the existing studies are mainly concerning, this study focuses on multi-cell system which needs considering the interaction among cells. Radio resource management is divided into two phases, planning and operation phases. The former is for the master eNB(e-NodeB) to allocate RBs(radio bearer) to eNB, the latter for eNB to assign RBs to the mobiles in the cell. For each phase, an optimization model and greedy algorithm are proposed. Optimization models aim to maximize the system performance while satisfying the constraints for both QoS and RB continuity. The greedy algorithms, like generic ones, move from a solution to a neighboring one having the best objective value among neighboring ones. From the numerous numerical experiments, the performance and characteristics of the algorithms are analyzed. This study is expected to play a volunteering role in radio resource management for the multi-cell SC-FDMA system.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.147-160
• /
• 2000

An objective of the 100PPM Quality Renovation, which is settled as the Korea quality renovation activity as well as the form of customer-oriented management renovation climate, is strengthening an enterprise competitiveness by worldwide quality insurance. In long-term, the 21 century's quality problem would not be effective without synthetic approach from the view point of management strategy. Another method to obtain the quality ascendancy could be an strategic application of, manufacturing function. In this research, the progressive direction for an effective approach to the 100PPM Quality Renovation is examined through the interpretation of process capability index. Finally, the deployment direction of quality renovation activity is searched.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.109-118
• /
• 2002

Such effects would be paid off in the right way only when management of the firms perform marketing activities focusing on long term effectiveness, which would drive company profits up and keep them for long. Demands of customers are being changed and varied. In this result with the advantage of mass marketing and database marketing have been drawing attentions from company. To fulfill these demands of customer, they need a concept of eCRM(Web based Customer Relationship Management), and go from selling products and services, or gathering customer requests, up to the phase of solving customer's problem by real time or previous action. With the help of internet, the frequency and speed of the problem solving has improved greatly. For these purposes, we try to determine the most important and most urgent factors in eCRM: utilization by using SN Ratio Decision making, one of the Multi-criteria decision-making methods SN Ratio Decision making is widely used for determining relative magnitude per evaluation item, i. e. priority on problems and is expected to make more systematic and objective evaluations than conventional methods do. Even in the present situation where any general criterion on eCRM dose not exist, utilization of eCRM is expected to be actively continued, which will cause many problems. In this regard, evaluating eCRM counts.