• Title/Summary/Keyword: Risk Probability

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Shopping Value, Shopping Goal and WOM - Focused on Electronic-goods Buyers (쇼핑 가치 추구 성향에 따른 쇼핑 목표와 공유 의도 차이에 관한 연구 - 전자제품 구매고객을 중심으로)

  • Park, Kyoung-Won;Park, Ju-Young
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.19 no.2
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    • pp.68-79
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    • 2009
  • The interplay between hedonic and utilitarian attributes has assumed special significance in recent years; it has been proposed that consumption offerings should be viewed as experiences that stimulate both cognitions and feelings rather than as mere products or services. This research builds on previous work on hedonic versus utilitarian benefits, regulatory focus theory, customer satisfaction to address two question: (1) Is the shopping goal at the point of purchase different from the shopping value? and (2) Is the customer loyalty after the use different from the shopping value and shopping goal? We surveyed 345 peoples those who have bought the electronic-goods within 6 months. This research dealt with the shopping value which is consisted of 2 types, hedonic and utilitarian. Those who pursue the hedonic shopping value may prefer the pleasure of purchasing experience to the product itself. They tend to prefer atmosphere, arousal of the shopping experience. Consistent with previous research, we use the term "hedonic" to refer to their aesthetic, experiential and enjoyment-related value. On the contrary, Those who pursue the utilitarian shopping value may prefer the reasonable buying. It may be more functional. Consistent with previous research, we use the term "utilitarian" to refer to the functional, instrumental, and practical value of consumption offerings. Holbrook(1999) notes that consumer value is an experience that results from the consumption of such benefits. In the context of cell phones for example, the phone's battery life and sound volume are utilitarian benefits, whereas aesthetic appeal from its shape and color are hedonic benefits. Likewise, in the case of a car, fuel economics and safety are utilitarian benefits whereas the sunroof and the luxurious interior are hedonic benefits. The shopping goals are consisted of the promotion focus goal and the prevention focus goal, based on the self-regulatory focus theory. The promotion focus is characterized into focusing ideal self because they are oriented to wishes and vision. The promotion focused individuals are tend to be more risk taking. They are more sensitive to hope and achievement. On the contrary, the prevention focused individuals are characterized into focusing the responsibilities because they are oriented to safety. The prevention focused individuals are tend to be more risk avoiding. We wanted to test the relation among the shopping value, shopping goal and customer loyalty. Customers show the positive or negative feelings comparing with the expectation level which customers have at the point of the purchase. If the result were bigger than the expectation, customers may feel positive feeling such as delight or satisfaction and they would want to share their feelings with other people. And they want to buy those products again in the future time. There is converging evidence that the types of goals consumers expect to be fulfilled by the utilitarian dimension of a product are different from those they seek from the hedonic dimension (Chernev 2004). Specifically, whereas consumers expect the fulfillment of product prevention goals on the utilitarian dimension, they expect the fulfillment of promotion goals on the hedonic dimension (Chernev 2004; Chitturi, Raghunathan, and Majahan 2007; Higgins 1997, 2001) According to the regulatory focus theory, prevention goals are those that ought to be met. Fulfillment of prevention goals in the context of product consumption eliminates or significantly reduces the probability of a painful experience, thus making consumers experience emotions that result from fulfillment of prevention goals such as confidence and securities. On the contrary, fulfillment of promotion goals are those that a person aspires to meet, such as "looking cool" or "being sophisticated." Fulfillment of promotion goals in the context of product consumption significantly increases the probability of a pleasurable experience, thus enabling consumers to experience emotions that result from the fulfillment of promotion goals. The proposed conceptual framework captures that the relationships among hedonic versus utilitarian shopping values and promotion versus prevention shopping goals respectively. An analysis of the consequence of the fulfillment and frustration of utilitarian and hedonic value is theoretically worthwhile. It is also substantively relevant because it helps predict post-consumption behavior such as the promotion versus prevention shopping goals orientation. Because our primary goal is to understand how the post consumption feelings influence the variable customer loyalty: word of mouth (Jacoby and Chestnut 1978). This research result is that the utilitarian shopping value gives the positive influence to both of the promotion and prevention goal. However the influence to the prevention goal is stronger. On the contrary, hedonic shopping value gives influence to the promotion focus goal only. Additionally, both of the promotion and prevention goal show the positive relation with customer loyalty. However, the positive relation with promotion goal and customer loyalty is much stronger. The promotion focus goal gives the influence to the customer loyalty. On the contrary, the prevention focus goal relates at the low level of relation with customer loyalty than that of the promotion goal. It could be explained that it is apt to get framed the compliment of people into 'gain-non gain' situation. As the result, for those who have the promotion focus are motivated to deliver their own feeling to other people eagerly. Conversely the prevention focused individual are more sensitive to the 'loss-non loss' situation. The research result is consistent with pre-existent researches. There is a conceptual parallel between necessities-needs-utilitarian benefits and luxuries-wants-hedonic benefits (Chernev 2004; Chitturi, Raghunathan and Majaha 2007; Higginns 1997; Kivetz and Simonson 2002b). In addition, Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the precedence principle contends luxuries-wants-hedonic benefits higher than necessities-needs-utilitarian benefits. Chitturi, Raghunathan and Majaha (2007) show that consumers are focused more on the utilitarian benefits than on the hedonic benefits of a product until their minimum expectation of fulfilling prevention goals are met. Furthermore, a utilitarian benefit is a promise of a certain level of functionality by the manufacturer or the retailer. When the promise is not fulfilled, customers blame the retailer and/or the manufacturer. When negative feelings are attributable to an entity, customers feel angry. However in the case of hedonic benefit, the customer, not the manufacturer, determines at the time of purchase whether the product is stylish and attractive. Under such circumstances, customers are more likely to blame themselves than the manufacturer if their friends do not find the product stylish and attractive. Therefore, not meeting minimum utilitarian expectations of functionality generates a much more intense negative feelings, such as anger than a less intense feeling such as disappointment or dissatisfactions. The additional multi group analysis of this research shows the same result. Those who are unsatisfactory customers who have the prevention focused goal shows higher relation with WOM, comparing with satisfactory customers. The research findings in this article could have significant implication for the personal selling fields to increase the effectiveness and the efficiency of the sales such that they can develop the sales presentation strategy for the customers. For those who are the hedonic customers may be apt to show more interest to the promotion goal. Therefore it may work to strengthen the design, style or new technology of the products to the hedonic customers. On the contrary for the utilitarian customers, it may work to strengthen the price competitiveness. On the basis of the result from our studies, we demonstrated a correspondence among hedonic versus utilitarian and promotion versus prevention goal, WOM. Similarly, we also found evidence of the moderator effects of satisfaction after use, between the prevention goal and WOM. Even though the prevention goal has the low level of relation to WOM, those who are not satisfied show higher relation to WOM. The relation between the prevention goal and WOM is significantly different according to the satisfaction versus unsatisfaction. In addition, improving the promotion emotions of cheerfulness and excitement and the prevention emotion of confidence and security will further improve customer loyalty. A related potential further research could be to examine whether hedonic versus utilitarian, promotion versus prevention goals improve customer loyalty for services as well. Under the budget and time constraints, designers and managers are often compelling to choose among various attributes. If there is no budget or time constraints, perhaps the best solution is to maximize both hedonic and utilitarian dimension of benefits. However, they have to make trad-off process between various attributes. For the designers and managers have to keep in mind that without hedonic benefit satisfaction of the product it may hard to lead the customers to the customer loyalty.

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Clinical Experience of Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (비소세포성 폐암에서 3차원 입체조형 방사선 치료 성적)

  • Choi Eun Kyung;Lee Byong Yong;Kang One Chul;Nho Young Ju;Chung Weon Kuu;Ahn Seung Do;Kim Jong Hoon;Chang Hyesook
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.16 no.3
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    • pp.265-274
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    • 1998
  • Purpose : This prospective study has been conducted to assess the value of three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for lung cancer and to determine its potential advantage over current treatment approaches. Specific aims of this study were to 1) find the most ideal 3DCRT technique 2) establish the maximum tolerance dose that can be delivered with 3DCRT and 3) identify patients at risk for development of radiation pneumonitis. Materials and Methods : Beginning in Nov. 1994, 95 patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (stage I; 4, stage II; 1, stage IIIa; 14, stage IIIb; 76) were entered onto this 3D conformal trial Areas of known disease and elective nodal areas were initially treated to 45 Gy and then using 3DCRT technique 65 to 70 Gy of total dose were delivered to the gross disease. Sixty nine patients received 65 Gy of total dose and 26 received 70 Gy Seventy eight patients (82.1$\%$) also received concurrent MVP chemotherapy. 3DCRT plans were compared with 2D plans to assess the adequacy of dose delivery to target volume, dose volume histograms for normal tissue, and normal tissue complication Probabilities (NTCP). Results : Most of plans (78/95) were composed of non-coplanar multiple (4-8) fields. Coplanar segmented conformal therapy was used in 17 pateints, choosing the proper gantry angle which minimize normal lung exposure in each segment. 3DCRT gave the full dose to nearly 100$\%$ of the gross disease target volume in all patients. The mean NTCP for ipsilateral lung with 3DCRT (range; 0.17-0.43) was 68$\%$ of the mean NTCP with 2D treatment planning (range; 0.27-0.66). DVH analysis for heart showed that irradiated volume of heart could be significantly reduced by non-coplanar 3D approach especially in the case of left lower lobe lesion. Of 95 patients evaluable for response, 75 (79$\%$), showed major response including 25 (26$\%$) with complete responses and 50 (53$\%$) with partial responses. One and two rear overall survivals of stage III patients were 62.6$\%$ and 35.2$\%$ respectively. Twenty percent (19/95) of patients had pneumonitis; Eight patients had grade 1 pneumonitis and 11 other patients had grade 2. Comparison of the average of NTCP for lung showed a significant difference between patients with and without radiation pneumonitis. Average NTCP for Patients without complication was 62$\%$ of those with complications. Conclusions : This study showed that non-coplanar multiple fields (4-8) may be one of the ideal plans for 3DCRT for lung cancer. It also suggested that 3DCRT may provide superior delivery of high dose radiation with reduced risk to normal tissue and that NTCP can be used as a guideline for the dose escalation.

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Development of Korean Healthy Eating Index for adults using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (국민건강영양조사 자료를 이용한 한국 성인의 식생활평가지수 개발)

  • Yook, Sung-Min;Park, Sohee;Moon, Hyun-Kyung;Kim, Kirang;Shim, Jae Eun;Hwang, Ji-Yun
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.48 no.5
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    • pp.419-428
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: The current study was conducted in order to develop the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) for assessing adherence to national dietary guidelines and comprehensive diet quality of healthy Korean adults using the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. Methods: The candidate components of KHEI were selected based on literature reviews, dietary guidelines for Korean adults, 2010 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (2010 KDRI), and objectives of HP 2020. The associations between candidate components and risk of obesity, abdominal obesity, and metabolic syndrome were assessed using the 5th KNHANES data. The expert review process was also performed. Results: Diets that meet the food group recommendations per each energy level receive maximum scores for the 9 adequacy components of the index. Scores for amounts between zero and the standard are prorated linearly. For the three moderation components among the total of five, population probability densities were examined when setting the standards for minimum and maximum scores. Maximum scores for the total of 14 components are 100 points and each component has maximum scores of 5 (fruit intakes excluding juice, fruit intake including juice, vegetable intakes excluding Kimchi and pickles, vegetable intake including Kimchi or pickles, ratio of white meat to read meat, whole grains intake, refined grains intake, and percentages of energy intake from carbohydrate) or 10 points (protein foods intake, milk and dairy food intake, having breakfast, sodium intake, percentages of energy intake from empty calorie foods, and percentages of energy intake from fat). The KHEI is a measure of diet quality as specified by the key diet recommendations of the dietary guidelines and 2010 KDRIs. Conclusion: The KHEI will be used as a tool for monitoring diet quality of the Korean population and subpopulations, evaluation of nutrition interventions and research.

Proving Causation With Epidemiological Evidence in Tobacco Lawsuits (담배소송에서 역학적 증거에 의한 인과관계의 증명에 관한 소고)

  • Lee, Sun Goo
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.49 no.2
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    • pp.80-96
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    • 2016
  • Recently, a series of lawsuits were filed in Korea claiming tort liability against tobacco companies. The Supreme Court has already issued decisions in some cases, while others are still pending. The primary issue in these cases is whether the epidemiological evidence submitted by the plaintiffs clearly proves the causal relationship between smoking and disease as required by civil law. Proving causation is difficult in tobacco lawsuits because factors other than smoking are involved in the development of a disease, and also because of the lapse of time between smoking and the manifestation of the disease. The Supreme Court (Supreme Court Decision, 2011Da22092, April 10, 2014) has imposed some limitations on using epidemiological evidence to prove causation in tobacco lawsuits filed by smokers and their family members, but these limitations should be reconsidered. First, the Court stated that a disease can be categorized as specific or non-specific, and for each disease type, causation can be proven by different types of evidence. However, the concept of specific diseases is not compatible with multifactor theory, which is generally accepted in the field of public health. Second, when the epidemiological association between the disease and the risk factor is proven to be significant, imposing additional burdens of proof on the plaintiff may considerably limit the plaintiff's right to recovery, but the Court required the plaintiffs to provide additional information such as health condition and lifestyle. Third, the Supreme Court is not giving greater weight to the evidential value of epidemiological study results because the Court focuses on the fact that these studies were group-level, not individual-level. However, group-level studies could still offer valuable information about individual members of the group, e.g., probability of causation.

A Comparative Study of Health Behaviors by Chronic Diseases of the Low-income Middle-aged People in Seoul's Apartment Residents (서울시 임대아파트에 거주하는 일부 저소득 중장년의 만성질병별 건강행태 비교연구)

  • Yang, Junmo;Park, Haemo;Lee, Sundong
    • Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.11-30
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    • 2014
  • Objective : To compare the differences in health behaviors by chronic diseases of middle-aged living in Seoul's low-income housing Method : Of the 1469 residents aged 35 to 60 living in low-income housing in Seoul's District A, 318 were equal probability of selection method selected. t-test, ANOVA, $x^2$, OR(95% CI, P-value) were selected to analyze the data, and the confidence interval was 5%. Results : There were no significant differences in all health behaviors by vascular and metabolic, But there was a statistically significant difference for gastrointestinal diseases caused by sleep hours(p=0.001), liver diseases caused by smoking, drinking and sleep hours(p=0.004, p=0.001, and p=0.033, respectively), musculoskeletal diseases caused by sleep hours and health exam(p=0.0000 and p=0.002, respectively). Also, statistically significant differences were found for tumors caused by sleep hours(p=0.004), depression by the sleep hours and health exam(p=0.001 and p=0.013, respectively), allergies by in sleep hours(p=0.004), thyroid diseases by smoking and health exam(p=0.013 and p=0.007, respectively). After adjusting for the confounding factors for diseases, OR was obtained for each health behavior. There were no statistically significant differences in all health behaviors for vascular, metabolic, and tumors. However, the OR for gastrointestinal diseases 4.10(1.63-10.36, 0.0028) and 2.96(1.05-8.41, 0.0041) at 5-7 and 7-9 sleep hours. The OR for liver diseases was 3.13(1.03-9.48, 0.0437) at 7-9 sleep hours, the OR values for musculoskeletal diseases were 2.91(1.23-6.88, 0.00149), and 4.46(1.68-11.86, 0.0027) at 5-7 and 7-9 sleep hours. OR for depression were 4.82(1.70-13.66, 0.0031) and 4.13(1.19-14.31, 0.0026) at 5-7 and 7-9 sleep hours. OR for allergy were 2.78(1.22-6.32, 0.0015) and 3.93(1.49-10.39, 0.0058) at 5-7 and 7-9 sleep hours. There were statistical significances for liver diseases for 1-2 times of health exam at 0.35(0.14-0.90, 0.00301), for liver diseases for 1-2 times of health exam at 0.35(0.14-0.90, 0.00301), for musculoskeletal diseases for 3-4 times of health exam at 0.26(0.09-0.79, 0.0175), for depression for 3-4 times of health exam at 0.17(0.04-0.66, 0.0106), for allergies for 1-2 times of health exam at 0.30(0.13-0.70, 0.0055), and for thyroid diseases for 1-2 times and annually of health exam at 0.07(0.01-0.60, 0.00154), 0.09(0.01-0.96, 0.0461). We known significant difference the health behaviors by the diseases. especially in sleep hours and health exam times Conclusion : Only sleep hours and health exam caused statistically significant differences in chronic diseases. but the sleep hours was postitively correlated with the risk of disease, while health exam were inversely related.

An Intelligent Intrusion Detection Model Based on Support Vector Machines and the Classification Threshold Optimization for Considering the Asymmetric Error Cost (비대칭 오류비용을 고려한 분류기준값 최적화와 SVM에 기반한 지능형 침입탐지모형)

  • Lee, Hyeon-Uk;Ahn, Hyun-Chul
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.157-173
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    • 2011
  • As the Internet use explodes recently, the malicious attacks and hacking for a system connected to network occur frequently. This means the fatal damage can be caused by these intrusions in the government agency, public office, and company operating various systems. For such reasons, there are growing interests and demand about the intrusion detection systems (IDS)-the security systems for detecting, identifying and responding to unauthorized or abnormal activities appropriately. The intrusion detection models that have been applied in conventional IDS are generally designed by modeling the experts' implicit knowledge on the network intrusions or the hackers' abnormal behaviors. These kinds of intrusion detection models perform well under the normal situations. However, they show poor performance when they meet a new or unknown pattern of the network attacks. For this reason, several recent studies try to adopt various artificial intelligence techniques, which can proactively respond to the unknown threats. Especially, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have popularly been applied in the prior studies because of its superior prediction accuracy. However, ANNs have some intrinsic limitations such as the risk of overfitting, the requirement of the large sample size, and the lack of understanding the prediction process (i.e. black box theory). As a result, the most recent studies on IDS have started to adopt support vector machine (SVM), the classification technique that is more stable and powerful compared to ANNs. SVM is known as a relatively high predictive power and generalization capability. Under this background, this study proposes a novel intelligent intrusion detection model that uses SVM as the classification model in order to improve the predictive ability of IDS. Also, our model is designed to consider the asymmetric error cost by optimizing the classification threshold. Generally, there are two common forms of errors in intrusion detection. The first error type is the False-Positive Error (FPE). In the case of FPE, the wrong judgment on it may result in the unnecessary fixation. The second error type is the False-Negative Error (FNE) that mainly misjudges the malware of the program as normal. Compared to FPE, FNE is more fatal. Thus, when considering total cost of misclassification in IDS, it is more reasonable to assign heavier weights on FNE rather than FPE. Therefore, we designed our proposed intrusion detection model to optimize the classification threshold in order to minimize the total misclassification cost. In this case, conventional SVM cannot be applied because it is designed to generate discrete output (i.e. a class). To resolve this problem, we used the revised SVM technique proposed by Platt(2000), which is able to generate the probability estimate. To validate the practical applicability of our model, we applied it to the real-world dataset for network intrusion detection. The experimental dataset was collected from the IDS sensor of an official institution in Korea from January to June 2010. We collected 15,000 log data in total, and selected 1,000 samples from them by using random sampling method. In addition, the SVM model was compared with the logistic regression (LOGIT), decision trees (DT), and ANN to confirm the superiority of the proposed model. LOGIT and DT was experimented using PASW Statistics v18.0, and ANN was experimented using Neuroshell 4.0. For SVM, LIBSVM v2.90-a freeware for training SVM classifier-was used. Empirical results showed that our proposed model based on SVM outperformed all the other comparative models in detecting network intrusions from the accuracy perspective. They also showed that our model reduced the total misclassification cost compared to the ANN-based intrusion detection model. As a result, it is expected that the intrusion detection model proposed in this paper would not only enhance the performance of IDS, but also lead to better management of FNE.

A Study on Women's Casino Security Employees (여성 카지노 시큐리티 종사원에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Hyeong-seok
    • Korean Security Journal
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    • no.62
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    • pp.135-158
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    • 2020
  • In casinos, security personnel who manage the safety of customers and employees play a very important role. In particular, there is a high percentage of female employees in casinos, and because the ratio of female and male employees is similar, the probability of female customers or female employees experiencing accidents may be similar to or higher than that of males. Women's security agents who handle women's case accidents can provide female customers and employees with a security service that only women can do. However, most of the agents doing security work at casinos are male, and the proportion of women is very low. Therefore, this research is about employees who are currently working as women in casinos and conducted qualitative research to find out about various experiences they experienced while working in the casino. A total of five study participants were interviewed three times to analyze and categorize the data collected. The first question is the professor's recommendation, his personal information search and his acquaintance's recommendation. The second question, the factors behind the necessary skills at work, are various athletic skills, good physical conditions and foreign language skills. In the third question, the satisfaction factors of the task are the scarcity value of the work, the satisfaction of the pay, the suitability of the individual and the expectation of the future, and the unsatisfactory factors of the work are the risk of the work, the stress on the customer, the discrimination against the sex, the gaze around, the tiredness of the shift work. In the fourth question, factors on the need for female casino security agents are providing differentiated services to female customers, protecting female employees and providing opportunities for women in related majors. The results of this study were interviewed by an expert of more than 20 years in the casino security business, and female casino security agents said that since it is a necessary requirement, they should seek a direction for development through institutional and cognitive improvement.

A Study on Business Diversification and Business Performance of Korean Mass Media Enterprises (국내 매스미디어 기업의 사업다각화와 경영성과에 관한 연구)

  • Chang, Yun-Hi
    • Korean journal of communication and information
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    • v.43
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    • pp.173-208
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    • 2008
  • This study analyses the business performance according to the business diversification of Korean mass media enterprises from year 2003 to 2006. The conclusions drawn which could be divided into five main parts are the followings: First, newspaper companies pursue unrelated diversification in various industrial areas, in order to gain maximum profit while broadcasting companies exert themselves to provide better service by diversifying the major contents. Second, overall the interviewed companies display a constant decline in profit gained from their major business area thus establishing strategies to broaden their focus on diversification of any sort. Third, the researcher completed group analysis in regard of diversification measure resulting in division of three groups. The group which had the most immense diversification range gained the highest ROE, the lowest ROE volatility, and lesser probability of risk taking. The analysis adresses the companies broadening their business areas by researching and focusing on diversification are relatively stable in terms of the profit they gain. Fourth, the middle level group in terms of sales scale, debts, enterprise history, major share rate and high ROE group carry out diversification progressively. The sales scale affects positively to diversification, while the major share rate affects negatively to diversification. Fifth, in accordance to the research, diversification overall contributes to obtainance of successful outcome. Since there was not an immense amount of studies to be referred in the media area, the researcher interviewed and did panel discussion with numerous strategists and managers who are in charge of diversification of media companies. However, collection of only 4 years of data limits the research to be considered to be a generalized study, and does not reflect time gap between business diversification and business performance. Development is required in future studies to be established regarding the media companies' specificity different to other industries, classified the media companies into media types, and consider the time gap in the diversification activities and business performance.

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Significance of Serum Ferritin in Multiple Trauma Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (다발성 외상 환자에서 발생되는 급성 호흡 곤란 증후군의 예측 인자로서 혈청 페리틴의 의의)

  • Ji, Yae-Sub;Kim, Nak-Hee;Jung, Ho-Geun;Ha, Dong-Yeup;Jung, Ki-Hoon
    • Journal of Trauma and Injury
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.57-64
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    • 2007
  • Purpose: Clinically, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs within 72 hours after acute exposure of risk factors. Because of its high fatality rate once ARDS progresses, early detection and management are essential to reduce the mortality rate. Accordingly, studies on early changes of ARDS were started, and serum ferritin, as well the as injury severity score (ISS), which has been addressed in previous studies, thought to be an early predictive indicator for ARDSMethods: From March 2003 to March 2005, we investigated 50 trauma patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit in Dongguk University Medical Center, Gyeongju. The patients were characterized according to age, sex, ISS, onset of ARDS, time onset of ARDS, serum ferritin level (posttraumatic $1^{st}\;&\;2^{nd}$ day), amount of transfused blood, and death. Abdominal computed topography was performed as an early diagnostic tool to evaluate the onset of ARDS according to its diagnostic criteria. The serum ferritin was measured by using a $VIDAS^{(R)}$ Ferritin (bioMeriux, Marcy-1' Etoile, France) kit with an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay method. For statistical analysis, Windows SPSS 13.0 and MedCalc were used to confirm the probability of obtaining a predictive measure from the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results: The ISS varied from 14 to 66 (mean: 33.8) whereas the onset of ARDS could be predicted with the score above 30 (sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 60.0%, p<0.05). On the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ day, the serum ferritin levels were measured to be from 31 mg/dL to 1,200 mg/dL (mean: 456 mg/dL), and the onset of ARDS could be predicted when the value was over 340 mg/dL (sensitivity: 80.0%, specificity: 65.0%, p<0.05). On the posttraumatic $2^{nd}$ day, the serum ferritin levels were measured to be from 73 mg/dL to 1,200 mg/dL (mean: 404 mg/dL), and the onset of ARDS could be predicted when the value was over 627 mg/dL (sensitivity: 60.0%, specificity: 92.5%, p<0.05). The serum ferritin levels and the ISS were significantly higher on the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ day in the ARDS group, suggesting that they are suitable indices predicting the onset of ARDS, however relationship between the serum ferritin levels and the ISS was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study, we discovered increasing serum ferritin levels in multiple- trauma patients on the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ & $2^{nd}$ day and concluded that both the serum ferritin level and the ISS were good predictors of ARDS. Although they do not show statistically significant relationship to each other, they can be used as independent predictive measures for ARDS. Since ARDS causes high mortality, further studies, including the types of surgery and the methods of anesthesia on a large number of patients are essential to predict the chance of ARDS earlier and to reduce the incidence of death.

Comparison of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Uniform Scanning Proton Therapy (USPT), and Intensity-modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) for Prostate Cancer: A Treatment Planning Study (전립선 암 환자의 IMRT, USPT, 및 IMPT 기법에 따른 치료효과 비교)

  • Son, Kihong;Cho, Seungryong;Kim, Jin Sung;Han, Youngyih;Ju, Sang Gyu;Ahn, Sung Hwan;Shin, Eunhyuk;Shin, Jung Suk;Park, Won;Pyo, Hongryul;Choi, Doo Ho
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.154-161
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    • 2013
  • This study assessed compared photon and proton treatment techniques, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), uniform scanning proton therapy (USPT), and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), for a total of 10 prostate cancers. All treatment plans delivered 70 Gy to 95% of the planned target volume in 28 fractions. IMRT plans had 7 fields for the step and shoot technique, while USPT and IMPT plans employed two equally weighted, parallel-opposed lateral fields to deliver the prescribed dose to the planned target. Inverse planning was then incorporated to optimize IMPT. The homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) for the target and the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for organ at risk (OAR) were calculated. Although the mean HI and CI for target were not significantly different for each treatment techniques, the NTCP of the rectum was 2.233, 3.326, and 1.707 for IMRT, USPT, and IMPT, respectively. The NTCP of the bladder was 0.008, 0.003, and 0.002 respectively. The NTCP values at the rectum and bladder were significantly lower using IMPT. Our study shows that using proton therapy, particularly IMPT, to treat prostate cancer could be beneficial compared to 7-field IMRT with similar target coverage. Given these results, radiotherapy using protons, particularly optimized IMPT, is a worthwhile treatment option for prostate cancer.