• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.21-38
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• 2012

Until recently, successful implementation of ERP systems has been a popular topic among ERP researchers, who have attempted to identify its various contributing factors. None of these efforts, however, explicitly recognize the need to identify disparities that can exist between organizational information requirements and ERP systems. Since ERP systems are in fact "packages" -that is, software programs developed by independent software vendors for sale to organizations that use them-they are designed to meet the general needs of numerous organizations, rather than the unique needs of a particular organization, as is the case with custom-developed software. By adopting standard packages, organizations can substantially reduce many of the potential implementation risks commonly associated with custom-developed software. However, it is also true that the nature of the package itself could be a risk factor as the features and functions of the ERP systems may not completely comply with a particular organization's informational requirements. In this study, based on the organizational memory mismatch perspective that was derived from organizational memory theory and cognitive dissonance theory, we define the nature of disparities, which we call "mismatches," and propose that the mismatch between organizational information requirements and ERP systems is one of the primary determinants in the successful implementation of ERP systems. Furthermore, we suggest that customization efforts as a coping strategy for mismatches can play a significant role in increasing the possibilities of success. In order to examine the contention we propose in this study, we employed a survey-based field study of ERP project team members, resulting in a total of 77 responses. The results of this study show that, as anticipated from the organizational memory mismatch perspective, the mismatch between organizational information requirements and ERP systems makes a significantly negative impact on the implementation success of ERP systems. This finding confirms our hypothesis that the more mismatch there is, the more difficult successful ERP implementation is, and thus requires more attention to be drawn to mismatch as a major failure source in ERP implementation. This study also found that as a coping strategy on mismatch, the effects of customization are significant. In other words, utilizing the appropriate customization method could lead to the implementation success of ERP systems. This is somewhat interesting because it runs counter to the argument of some literature and ERP vendors that minimized customization (or even the lack thereof) is required for successful ERP implementation. In many ERP projects, there is a tendency among ERP developers to adopt default ERP functions without any customization, adhering to the slogan of "the introduction of best practices." However, this study asserts that we cannot expect successful implementation if we don't attempt to customize ERP systems when mismatches exist. For a more detailed analysis, we identified three types of mismatches-Non-ERP, Non-Procedure, and Hybrid. Among these, only Non-ERP mismatches (a situation in which ERP systems cannot support the existing information needs that are currently fulfilled) were found to have a direct influence on the implementation of ERP systems. Neither Non-Procedure nor Hybrid mismatches were found to have significant impact in the ERP context. These findings provide meaningful insights since they could serve as the basis for discussing how the ERP implementation process should be defined and what activities should be included in the implementation process. They show that ERP developers may not want to include organizational (or business processes) changes in the implementation process, suggesting that doing so could lead to failed implementation. And in fact, this suggestion eventually turned out to be true when we found that the application of process customization led to higher possibilities of failure. From these discussions, we are convinced that Non-ERP is the only type of mismatch we need to focus on during the implementation process, implying that organizational changes must be made before, rather than during, the implementation process. Finally, this study found that among the various customization approaches, bolt-on development methods in particular seemed to have significantly positive effects. Interestingly again, this finding is not in the same line of thought as that of the vendors in the ERP industry. The vendors' recommendations are to apply as many best practices as possible, thereby resulting in the minimization of customization and utilization of bolt-on development methods. They particularly advise against changing the source code and rather recommend employing, when necessary, the method of programming additional software code using the computer language of the vendor. As previously stated, however, our study found active customization, especially bolt-on development methods, to have positive effects on ERP, and found source code changes in particular to have the most significant effects. Moreover, our study found programming additional software to be ineffective, suggesting there is much difference between ERP developers and vendors in viewpoints and strategies toward ERP customization. In summary, mismatches are inherent in the ERP implementation context and play an important role in determining its success. Considering the significance of mismatches, this study proposes a new model for successful ERP implementation, developed from the organizational memory mismatch perspective, and provides many insights by empirically confirming the model's usefulness.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.619-625
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• 2006

Background: Peripheral arterial disease is frequently accompanied with systemic arteriosclerosis and more than half of the cause of deaths is due to the development of coronary arterial disease. Moreover, it is known that the most frequent cause of death after a bypass surgery of chronic arterial obstruction is heart related complications. Especially in patients with atherosclerotic arterial obstruction in the lower extremities who had no history of heart disease or had no presenting symptoms of ischemic heart disease showed a high rate of postoperative mortality and for this reason we suggest preoperative evaluation in these patients to evaluate whether or not coronary arterial disease is accompanied. Material and Method: Since Feb. 2001 to Oct. 2004, we analyzed 52 patients who were operated on for atherosclerotic arterial obstruction in the lower extremities, with the exception of patients with a past history of heart disease or symptoms of ischemic heart disease. They underwent on the same day a coronary and femoral angiography for evaluation of accompanying coronary arterial disease. Of among these patients, we compared those who received bypass surgery of the arteries of the peripheral extremities alone to those who underwent combined coronary artery bypass surgery. Result: 63% of the reported cases of atherosclerotic arterial obstruction in the lower extremities were accompanied with coronary arterial disease. Old age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and hypercholesterolemia are known risk factors for arteriosclerosis and of these, only old age and hypertension had statistically significance in patients with severe atherosclerotic arterial obstruction in the lower extremities accompanied with coronary arterial disease. Diabetes, smoking, and hypercholesterolemia showed no statistical significance in this group. With the increase in severity of the range and the degree of atherosclerotic arterial obstruction, coronary arterial disease is frequently accompanied and its severity also increased. Patients who received both peripheral artery and coronary artery bypass surgery showed no difference in the period of hospitalization and ICU stay period compared with patients who received bypass surgery of the arteries of the lower extremities alone. Conclusion: Patients with atherosclerotic arterial obstruction in the lower extremities without symptoms of ischem to evaluate coronary arterial disease for active treatment, especially in the patients with old age, hypertension and high AVD scores.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2009

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the standard surgical treatment for coronary artery disease. Although there are many clinical reviews of the long term results after CABG in the Western countries, not many such studies have been done for Korea. Therefore, we reviewed the long term clinical results for the patients who underwent CABG at our hospital. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 342 patients who underwent CABG at our hospital from February 1984 to December 2006, which is when CABG was first performed in our institution. A total of 286 patients (83.6%) were able to be followed-up, and the mean follow-up period was $75.7{\pm}46.1$ months. Result: The early mortality rate was 5.6%, and late mortality rate was 23.1%. The one-year survival rate, the five-year survival rate, the ten-year survival rate and the fifteen-year survival rate were 91.5%, 82.1%, 60.7% and 50.0%, respectively. The survival rate was significantly lower for the patients over the age of 60 (p=0.002) and for those with diabetes mellitus (p=0.000), hypertension (p=0.002), multivessel disease (p=0.006) and left ventricular dysfunction (p=0.015). No significant difference was observed between the genders. Multivariate analysis showed that the statistically significant risk factors were diabetes mellitus (p=0.001), age (p=0.005) and those cases for which the left internal thoracic artery was not used (p=0.037). Conclusion: CABG is the effective method of treatment for coronary artery disease. Therefore, active usage of the internal thoracic artery and appropriate medical treatment after surgery, and especially for diabetes mellitus patients, are mandatory for achieving good long-term survival.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.103-115
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• 1999

Objectives : A large of studies have found an association between premenstrual syndrome and affective disorder, in particular, depression. Some studies have reported that women with depressive disorders may experience menstrual cycle-associated changes in the severity of their symptoms. This study was designed to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes between control group and affective patient group, and to assess possible risk factors for premenstrual changes in patients. Methods : Eighty normal controls and eighty outpatients given maintenance therapy with fixed dose for at least more than four weeks were asked to complete questionnaires on menstrual history, obstetric-gynecological history, and functional impairment. In addition, to compare the characteristics of premenstrual changes, 16 items based on DSM-IV criteria A for premenstrual dysphoric disorder were rated on the following scale : 0(no change), 1(mild), 2(moderate), 3(severe). Moderate or severe change in each item was considered as premenstrual change and the subjects who reported more than one premenstrual change were defined as premenstrual change group. Results : The results were as follows : 1) The percentage of premenstrual change group was 32.6% in patient group and 50% in control group. 2) Frequently reported premenstrual changes were as follows in control group : breast tenderness; anger ; affective liability ; lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; abdominal pain or discomfort. In patients, the mood or behavioral changes were frequently reported. The changes were as follows : lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy ; change in appetite; affective liability ; sense of difficulty in concentrating : hypersomnia or insomnia. 3) In the premenstrual change group, the patients with only mood or behavioral changes were significantly more than those with only physical changes or both changes. 4) The severity of functional impairment was significantly correlated with the frequency of mood or behavioral changes in patients. 5) There were no significant differences in menstrual characteristics between patients with premenstrual changes and patients without them except the severity of dysmenorrhea. And the severity of dysmenorrhea was correlated with the frequency of premenstrual change. Conclusion : The proportion of patients with affective disorder, who reported moderate-to-severe premenstrual changes, experiencing mood or behavioral changes larger than those experiencing physical changes during premenstrual period. It is possible that some patients with affective disorder, who reported premenstrual mood or behavioral changes, suffer from coexisting premenstrual syndrome with affective disorder or premenstrual exacerbation of affective disorder. Since the more premenstrual changes, the severer functional impairment, the patients reporting mood or behavioral disturbance in premenstrual period should be carefully evaluated, and appropriate therapeutic stategies might be considered.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2003

This study is to investigate consequent nutrient intake status, Influences of body mass index (BMI) and serum lipid composition, and fat distribution on the cocoon hydrolysate, green tea leaves and dietary fiber supplementation. During 2 months of this research (April to May, 2002), 47 women aged 20 yr-30 yr (average age 26.2 yr) were selected as subjects. Nutrient intake was investigated by questionnaire and 24-hr recall method. Antropometric assessments of the subjects were investigated by SBIA method (Segmental bioimpedance assay, Inbody 3.0). The results were as follows: mean body weight was 60.7 kg, mean body height 161.7 cm and mean BMI 23.4. Status of energy intakes significantly decreased (p<0.01) and dietary fiber intakes significantly increased (p<0.001) after supplementation. BMI and WHR (waist-hip ratio) significantly decreased (p<0.01) and body fat significantly decreased after supplementation (p<0.001). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased after supplementation (p<0.05). HDL-cholesterol was negatively correlated with BMI and WHR (p<0.01). LDL/HDL ratio was positively correlated with BMI (p<0.01) and WHR (p<0.05). Above results of this study show that low-molecule peptide, green tea leaves and dietary fiber supplementation-added routine diet improves lessening body fat distribution, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol. Especially, decrease of abdominal fat and WHR were notable. That meant decrease of risk factors.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2010

Purpose: In patients with meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, controversy remains as to whether arthroscopic menisectomy is worthwhile or not. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of arthroscopic medial meniscectomy in degenerative arthritis of the knee with meniscal tear. We also intended to identify pertinent indications and risk factors. Materials and Methods: 287 patients underwent arthroscopic medial meniscectomy from 2006 to 2008; 103 patients who had Kellgren-Lawrence grade II, III arthritis of the knee, were over 50 years old, and had minimum 1 year follow-up, were analyzed in this study. Clinical assessment was performed retrospectively using the arthroscopic surgery database, medical records, questionnires and interviews. Assessment included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Lysholm scores. Results: The mean Lysholm score increased from 69 to 85 after surgery. The mean VAS score improved from 7 to 3.1 after surgery. Kellgren-Lawrence grade II group and group with trauma history showed significant improvement of pain and function compared with grade III and group without trauma history. Outerbridge grade I showed significantly more improvement of pain than grade III and IV. Multiple regression analysis showed that trauma history and Outerbridge grade affect the improvement of Lysholm score. Conclusion: In one year follow-up, arthroscopic medial menisectomy can improve pain and function of patients in Kellgren-Lawrence grade II, III degenerative arthritis of the knee. We could expect good results especially in group with low Kellgren-Lawrence grade, trauma history, and mild articular cartilage lesion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.764-772
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• 2002

Purpose : Obesity is closely related to insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia in adults. We identified the effect of obesity measured by BMI and insulin resistance on dyslipidemia in children and adolescents. Methods : The fasting serum insulin, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were measured and insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) was calculated in 35 children with simple obesity(age :$10.6{\pm}2.8$ years; male 20, female 15; BMI : $27.1{\pm}5.4kg/m^2$). Results : The hypertriglyceridemia(37%), hyperinsulinemia(54%) and HDL-hypocholesterolemia(5.7%) were observed. HOMA-IR was well expressed by fasting insulin. As BMI increased, there was a statistically significant increase in insulin resistance and insulin level in both sexes. BMI was not related with lipid profile in both sexes. Triglyceride was correlated with only insulin level and insulin resistance index in boys. In girls, there was no correlation between triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and insulin(insulin resistance). Conclusion : These results suggest that hypertriglyceridemia was dependent on insulin resistance in pre-adult males. Monitoring of insulin resistance and those risk factors known to become a part of insulin resistance syndrome should become part of routine medical care for obese children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.984-990
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• 2009

Purpose : Being small for gestational age (SGA) is a risk factor of short stature in children. Genetic background such as mid-parental height (MPH) is known to influence growth of children born SGA. We studied the relationship between growth of children born SGA and MPH and studied the effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) on postnatal growth in children born SGA according to MPH. Methods : Forty-nine neonates born SGA were included in this study. We defined corrected height standard deviation score (cHtSDS) by modified height SDS (HtSDS) based on their MPH. We categorized subjects into group 1 consisting of children with cHtSDS ${\geq}0$ (n=35) and group 2 consisting of children with cHtSDS <0 (n=14), and compared IGF-I and IGFBP-3 between the two groups. Results : The HtSDSs and cHtSDSs in groups 1 and 2 were $0.06{\pm}1.05$ vs. $-0.95{\pm}0.85$ (P=0.000) and $0.78{\pm}0.93$ vs. $-0.46{\pm}0.67$ (P=0.000), respectively. IGF-I SDS was higher in group 1 than in group 2 ($2.82{\pm}3.69$ vs. $0.23{\pm}2.42$, P=0.012). Total cHtSDS ($0.42{\pm}1.03$) was significantly higher than HtSDS ($-0.22{\pm}1.10$) (P=0.000). Conclusion : Our results show that cHtSDS differs significantly from HtSDS. Growth assessment by standardized growth curve does not uniformly show effects of genetic factors. A more accurate assessment of growth uses a personalized corrected growth curve that considers the genetic factor measured by MPH.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.848-854
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• 2007

Purpose : The present study examined the etiology and risk factors of the early breast-feeding jaundice and the usefulness of auditory brainstem response test as early predictor of kernicterus. Methods : Medical records of neonatal jaundice in newborn admitted to Daegu Fatima Hospital between September 2005 and May 2006 were analyzed prospectively. Infants were grouped according to feeding method : breast feeding group (breast feeding only, n=23), mixed feeding group (breast feeding mainly plus addition of fomula feeding, n=13). Results : There were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, sex, duration of phototherapy, serum bilirubin and hemolytic evidence between the two study groups. First visiting day of life at out patient department was significantly delayed in breast feeding group ($8.7{\pm}3.6day$) compared to mixed feeding group ($6.0{\pm}1.9$) (P=0.009). Weight loss was significantly severe in breast feeding group compared to mixed feeding group (P<0.05). In auditory brainstem response test, loss of Wave V in 3 cases was observed and recoverd after blood exchange transfusion in follow up test.Wave III latency had significant correlation to serum bilirubin in auditory brainstem response test (70 dB) (P=0.002). Conclusion : Our study suggest that further education about breast feeding and follow up within the first postnatal week would be necessary for early detection and prevention of early breast-feeding jaundice. Test of serum bilirubin and auditory brainstem response would be helpful in determination of blood exchange transfusion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1619-1637
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• 2000

A review was undertaken to obtain information on the range of beak-trimming methods available or under development. Beak-trimming of commercial layer replacement pullets is a common yet critical management tool that can affect the performance for the life of the flock. The most obvious advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in cannibalism although the extent of the reduction in cannibalism depends on the strain, season, and type of housing, flock health and other factors. Beak-trimming also improves feed conversion by reducing food wastage. A further advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in the chronic stress associated with dominance interactions in the flock. Beak-trimming of birds at 7-10 days is favoured by Industry but research over last 10 years has shown that beak-trimming at day-old causes the least stress on birds and efforts are needed to encourage Industry to adopt the practice of beak-trimming birds at day-old. Proper beak-trimming can result in greatly improved layer performance but improper beak-trimming can ruin an other wise good flock of hens. Re-trimming is practiced in most flocks, although there are some flocks that only need one trimming. Given the continuing welfare scrutiny of using a hot blade to cut the beak, attempts have been made to develop more welfare friendly methods of beak-trimming. Despite the developments in design of hot blade beak-trimmers the process has remained largely unchanged. That is, a red-hot blade cuts and cauterises the beak. The variables in the process are blade temperature, cauterisation time, operator ability, severity of trimming, age of trimming, strain of bird and beak length. This method of beak-trimming is still overwhelmingly favoured in Industry and there appears to be no other alternative procedures that are more effective. Sharp secateurs have been used trim the upper beak of both layers and turkeys. Bleeding from the upper mandible ceases shortly after the operation, and despite the regrowth of the beak a reduction of cannibalism has been reported. Very few differences have been noted between behaviour and production of the hot blade and cold blade cut chickens. This method has not been used on a large scale in Industry. There are anecdotal reports of cannibalism outbreaks in birds with regrown beaks. A robotic beak-trimming machine was developed in France, which permitted simultaneous, automated beak-trimming and vaccination of day-old chicks of up to 4,500 chickens per hour. Use of the machine was not successful because if the chicks were not loaded correctly they could drop off the line, receive excessive beak-trimming or very light trimming. Robotic beak-trimming was not effective if there was a variation in the weight or size of chickens. Capsaicin can cause degeneration of sensory nerves in mammals and decreases the rate of beak regrowth by its action on the sensory nerves. Capsaicin is a cheap, non-toxic substance that can be readily applied at the time of less severe beak-trimming. It suffers the disadvantage of causing an extreme burning sensation in operators who come in contact with the substance during its application to the bird. Methods of applying the substance to minimise the risk to operators of coming in contact with capsaicin need to be explored. A method was reported which cuts the beaks with a laser beam in day-old chickens. No details were provided on the type of laser used, or the severity of beak-trimming, but by 16 weeks the beaks of laser trimmed birds resembled the untrimmed beaks, but without the bill tip. Feather pecking and cannibalism during the laying period were highest among the laser trimmed hens. Currently laser machines are available that are transportable and research to investigate the effectiveness of beak-trimming using ablasive and coagulative lasers used in human medicine should be explored. Liquid nitrogen was used to declaw emu toes but was not effective. There was regrowth of the claws and the time and cost involved in the procedure limit the potential of using this process to beak-trim birds.