• Title/Summary/Keyword: alternative

Search Result 18,912, Processing Time 0.049 seconds

An Empirical Study of Social Network Service (SNS) Continuance: Incorporating the Customer Value-Satisfaction-Loyalty Model into the IS Continuance Model (소셜 네트워크 서비스(SNS)의 지속이용의도에 관한 연구: IS 지속이용모델과 고객 가치-만족-충성도 모델의 통합적 접근)

  • Choi, Sujeong
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
    • /
    • v.23 no.4
    • /
    • pp.1-28
    • /
    • 2013
  • Given that smartphone-based social network services (SNS), such as KakaoStory is now being widely used as a way for people to connect and communicate with each other, this study examines key factors leading to the continued use of SNS. People have been using PC-based SNS, such as Cyworld, for years are now using smartphone-based SNS, such as KakaoStory. KakaoStory developed by KakaoTalk has rapidly grown up as the largest smartphone-based SNS in Korea as smartphone penetration increases. It is more difficult for firms to maintain their current users over time in that alternative SNSs satisfying people's new needs are constantly emerging and evolving. In this sense, one of the most challenging issues for SNS firms is how to retain their current users in the long run. However, there are few empirical studies on this issue. Applying the IS continuance model proposed by Bhattacherjee [2001], this study explores key determinants of users' smartphone-based SNS continuance intention. The model suggests that perceived usefulness and user satisfaction are the key determinants of IS continuance intention. However, the model includes only the utilitarian value that users can obtain through the use of smartphone-based SNS, by considering perceived usefulness. Therefore, the study attempts to extend the IS continuance model by considering hedonic and social values simultaneously. More specifically, we consider subjective norms as social value that are proposed by the theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned behavior. We also consider perceived enjoyment as hedonic value that is emphasized as a key factor influencing users' behavior intention and actual behavior, particularly in the context of hedonic IS use. By considering the three values in our model simultaneously, we could offer a deeper understanding of smartphone-based SNS continuance. That is, this study could offer an explanation of how each value is associated with user satisfaction and SNS continuance intention. The customer value-satisfaction-loyalty model can strengthen the assertion that smartphone-based SNS continuance intention is determined by various different types of customer values, such as utilitarian, hedonic, and social ones. Moreover, the model provides a theoretical basis for the assertion that customer values lead to increased loyalty via customer satisfaction. In this regard, we theorize that SNS continuance intention is influenced by users' various values, namely perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and subjective norms, via user satisfaction. To test the proposed research model and hypotheses, we conducted a partial least squares analysis using a total of 253 data collected on the users of smartphone-based SNS (i.e., KakaoStory). The key findings are as follows: First, it has been found that SNS continuance intention considerably depends on user satisfaction. Second, user satisfaction is determined by confirmation, perceived usefulness, and perceived enjoyment. Third, concerning the effects of the three values on SNS continuance intention, only perceived enjoyment regarded as hedonic value was statistically significant. That is, perceived usefulness considered as utilitarian value and subjective norms considered as social value had no effect on SNS continuance intention. Finally, our results indicate that confirmation increases perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and user satisfaction. The results reconfirm the effectiveness of IS continuance model in predicting smartphone-based SNS continuance intention. Moreover, the results demonstrate that perceived enjoyment reflecting hedonic value is the most important predictor of SNS continuance intention. Therefore, it is imperative for firms to meet SNS users' hedonic value to retain them in the long run. Meanwhile, we could not find any empirical evidence to support the assertion that subjective norms are associated with user satisfaction and SNS continuance intention. The results lead us to conclude that when users have enough direct experience in SNS use, subjective norms have no effect on SNS continuance intention. Discussions and implications of the results are provided.

The Usefulness of Diagnostic Scan Using Technetium-99m Pertechnetate Scintigraphy prior to the First Ablative Radioiodine Treatment in Patients with Well Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Comparative Study with Iodine-131 (분화된 갑상선암 수술 후 초치료에 있어서 Tc-99m Pertechnetate을 이용한 진단 스캔의 유용성: Iodine-131 스캔과의 비교)

  • Yoon, Seok-Nam;Park, Chan-H.;Hwang, Kyung-Hoon;Kim, Su-Zy;Soh, Eui-Young;Kim, Kyung-Rae
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
    • /
    • v.34 no.4
    • /
    • pp.285-293
    • /
    • 2000
  • Purpose: A prospective comparison was made between imaging with Tc-99m pertechnetate (Tc-99m) and Ioine-131 (I-131) for the detection of residual and metastatic tissue after total thyroidectomy in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Initially our patients had imaging with Tc-99m, followed by I-131 within 3 days. The study included 21 patients who had ablation with high dose of I-131 ranging from 100 mCi to 150 mCi. Planar and pinhole images were acquired for both Tc-99m and I-131. Diagnostic images of Tc-99m and I-131 were compared with post-therapy images. Degree of uptake on Tc-99m and I-131 images was scored by four point scale and compared. Results: The results of the Tc-99m study were: 16 of 19 studies (84%) were positive on simple planar images, but 19 of 20 studies (95%) were positive on pinhole images. Conventional I-131 diagnostic imaging on the other hand showed that all studies (100%) were positive on both planar and pinhole images. There was a significant difference in degree of uptake between Tc-99m and I-131 planar images (p<0.05). Only one case of Tc-99m scintigraphy was negative on both planar and pinhole studies (false negative). There was no distant metastasis on the therapeutic I-131 images. Conclusion: Tc-99m scan using pinhole in certain clinical situations is an alternative to the I-131 scan in detecting thyroid or lymph node metastasis prior to the first ablative treatment after thyroidectomy for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

  • PDF

Feasibility Study of Wetland-pond Systems for Water Quality Improvement and Agricultural Reuse (습지-연못 연계시스템에 의한 수질개선과 농업적 재이용 타당성 분석)

  • Jang, Jae-Ho;Jung, Kwang-Wook;Ham, Jong-Hwa;Yoon, Chun-Gyeong
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.37 no.3 s.108
    • /
    • pp.344-354
    • /
    • 2004
  • A pilot study was performed from September 2000 to April 2004 to examine the feasibility of the wetland-pond system for the agricultural reuse of reclaimed water. The wetland system was a subsurface flow type, with a hydraulic residence time of 3.5 days, and the subsequent pond was 8 $m^3$ in volume (2 m ${\times}$ 2 m ${\times}$ 2 m) and operated with intermittent-discharge and continuous flow types. The wetland system was effective in treating the sewage; median removal efficiencies of $BOD_5$ and TSS were above 70.0%, with mean effluent concentrations of 27.1 and 16.8 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, for these constituents. However, they did often exceed the effluent water quality standards of 20 mg $L^{-1}$. Removal of T-N and T-P was relatively less effective and mean effluent concentrations were approximately 103.2 and 7.2 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. The wetland system demonstrated high removal rate (92 ${\sim}$ 90%) of microorganisms, but effluent concentrations were in the range of 300 ${\sim}$ 16,000 MPN 100 $mL^{-1}$ which is still high for agricultural reuse. The subsequent pond system provided further treatment of the wetland effluent, and especially additional microorganisms removal in addition to wetland-pond system could reduce the mean concentration to 1,000 MPN 100 $mL^{-1}$ from about $10^5$ MPN 100 $mL^{-1}$ of wetland influent. Other parameters in the pond system showed seasonal variation, and the upper layer of the pond water column became remarkably clear immediately after ice melt. Overall, the wetland system was found to be adequate for treating sewage with stable removal efficiency, and the subsequent pond was effective for further polishing. This study concerned agricultural reuse of reclaimed water using natural systems. Considering stable performance and effective removal of bacterial indicators as well as other water quality parameters, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness, wetland- pond system was thought to be an effective and feasible alternative for agricultural reuse of reclaimed water in rural area.

Wintering Population Change of the Cranes according to the Climatic Factors in Cheorwon, Korea: Effect of the Snow Cover Range and Period by Using MODIS Satellite Data (기후요인에 의한 철원지역 두루미류 월동개체수 변화 - MODIS 위성영상을 이용한 눈 덮임 범위와 지속기간의 영향 -)

  • Yoo, Seung-Hwa;Lee, Ki-Sup;Jung, Hwa-Young;Kim, Hwa-Jung;Hur, Wee-Haeng;Kim, Jin-Han;Park, Chong-Hwa
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.48 no.3
    • /
    • pp.176-187
    • /
    • 2015
  • In this study, we hypothesized that the size of wintering crane population would change due to the climate factors. We assumed that wintering population size would differ by climate values in January, which is the coldest period in year. Especially, White-naped cranes were able to choose wintering site between Cheorwon and other alternative place where snow coverage had low influence, differing from Red crowned cranes. For this reason, we predicted the population size of White-naped cranes would fluctuate according to the extent of snow coverage in Cheorwon. Therefore we used snow coverage data based on MODIS and climate data from KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration) that are generally used. We analyzed the crane's population size in Cheorwon in January from 2002 to 2014. The temperature in the Cheorwon increased from 2002 to wintering period in 2007~ 2008 and went down, showing the lowest temperature in 2011~ 2012. With this phenomenon, warmth index showed the similar pattern with temperature. Amount of newly accumulated snow (the amount of snow that fallen from 0:01 am to 11:29 pm in a day) was low after 2002, but rapidly increased in 2010~ 2011 and 2011~ 2012. The area of snow coverage rapidly declined from 2002 to 2005~ 2006 but suddenly expanded in wintering period in 2009~ 2010 and 2010~ 2011. Wintering population size of the White-naped cranes decreased as snow coverage area increased in January and the highest correlation was found between them, compared to the other climatic factors. However, the number of individuals of Red crowned cranes had little relationship with general climate factors including snow cover range. Therefore it seems that population size of the Red crowned crane varied by factors related with habitat selection such as secure roosting site and area of foraging place, not by climatic factors. In multiple regression analysis, wintering population of White-naped cranes showed significant relationship with logarithmic value of snow cover range and its period. Therefore, it suggests that the population size of the White-naped crane was affected by snow cover range n wintering period and this was because it was hard for them to find out rice grains which are their main food items, buried in snow cover. The population size variation in White-naped cranes was caused by some individuals which left Cheorwon for Izumi where snow cover had little influence on them. The wintering population in Izumi and Cheorwon had negative correlation, implying they were mutually related.

Comparison of Weekly and Batch Management System for Sows (모돈의 주간관리와 그룹관리 비교)

  • Jang, Young-Dal;Ju, Won-Seok;Long, Hong-Feng;Piao, Long-Guo;Jang, Sung-Kwon;Chung, Chung-Soo;Kim, Yoo-Yong
    • Journal of Animal Environmental Science
    • /
    • v.15 no.2
    • /
    • pp.171-182
    • /
    • 2009
  • Conventionally, many pig producers have utilized a continual sow managements system that the matings, farrowings and weanings are done weekly basis. But this transitional method is not able to cut the cycle of diseases and fully apply all-in/all-out system because of the continuous flow of sows and pigs. Conventional weekly management system is currently limiting in small farm to work efficiently both for workers and pigs. Therefore, pig producers have found novel management methods for applying all-in/all-out system, improving pig health, leading to better growth, lowering mortality and reducing medication costs nowadays. Moreover, all-in/all-out pig management system has known as a strategy for improving productivity in swine farm. The batch system is one of the best management methods to adopt all-in/all-out pig management system that prevent spreading diseases in pig and remove cycle of diseases. Batch farrowing system is a concept for providing a group of sows that delivery within a specific farrowing interval and inducing a large enough scale of piglets to fill the weaner facilities. There are different types of batch farrowing system with batch size and interval of farrowing when several factors at the swine farm are considered such as total number of sows, available facilities in the farm, and the efficiency of workforce. Sow managements such as farrowing, weaning and breeding, every 3 weeks rather than weekly, 2 or 5-week interval have advantages for workers and reproductive cycle of sows as well as pig flow. Because there are several pros and cons both in weekly and batch management system, various factors should be considered to apply the most suitable management system in each individual farm. To improve poor swine productivity in Korea compared to ED, batch system for sows will be an alternative choice which is able to prevent high incidence of diseases in swine farm such as PMWS, PRRS, PRDC and PED because all-in/all-out pig management can be also applied automatically by using this management system.

  • PDF

Possibility Estimating of Unaccessible Area on 1/5,000 Digital Topographic Mapping Using PLEIADES Images (PLEIADES 영상을 활용한 비접근지역의 1/5,000 수치지형도 제작 가능성 평가)

  • Shin, Jin Kyu;Lee, Young Jin;Choi, Hae Jin;Lee, Jun Hyuk
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
    • /
    • v.32 no.4_1
    • /
    • pp.299-309
    • /
    • 2014
  • This paper evaluated the possibility for 1/5,000 digital topographic mapping by using PLEIADES images of 0.5m GSD(Ground Sampling Distance) resolution that has recently launched. Those results of check points by applying the initial RPC(Rational Polynomial Coefficient) of PLEIADES images came out as; RMSE of those were $X={\pm}1.806m$, $Y={\pm}2.132m$, $Z={\pm}1.973m$. Also, if we corrected geometric correction using 16 GCP(Ground Control Point)s, the results of RMSE became $X={\pm}0.104m$, $Y={\pm}0.171m$, $Z={\pm}0.036m$, and t he RMSE of check points were $X={\pm}0.357m$, $Y={\pm}0.239m$, $Z={\pm}0.188m$; which of those results indicated the accuracy of standard adjustment complied in error tolerances of the 1/5,000 scale. Additionally, we converted coordinates of points, obtained by TerraSAR. for comparing with measurements from GPS(Global Positioning System) surveying. The RMSE of comparing converted and GPS points were $X={\pm}0.818m$, $Y={\pm}0.200m$, $Z={\pm}0.265m$, which confirmed the possibility for 1/5,000 digital topographic mapping with PLEIADES images and GCPs. As method of obtaining GCPs in unaccessible area, however, the outcome evaluation of GCPs extracted from TerraSAR images was not acceptable for 1/5,000 digital topographic mapping. Therefore, we considered that further researches are needed on applicability of GCPs extracted from TerraSAR images for future alternative method.

Effects of Environmental Temperature and Antibiotic Substitute on Quality of Chicken Breast Meat (환경온도와 항생제 대체물질이 닭 가슴살의 품질에 미치는 영향)

  • Kang, Geun-Ho;Kim, Sang-Ho;Kim, Ji-Hyuk;Kang, Hwan-Ku;Kim, Dong-Wook;Cho, Soo-Hyun;Seong, Pil-Nam;Park, Beom-Young;Kim, Dong-Hun
    • Food Science of Animal Resources
    • /
    • v.30 no.2
    • /
    • pp.261-268
    • /
    • 2010
  • This study was conducted to investigate the effects of environmental temperature (ET; $21^{\circ}C$ and $32^{\circ}C$) and antibiotic substitute conditions on meat quality of chicken breast during cold storage. Seven treatments were as follows; T1, ET $21^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (+); T2, ET $21^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (-); T3, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (+); T4, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + antibiotics (-); T5, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + 0.1% Lactobacillus; T6, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + 0.1% medicinal plant extract; T7, ET $32^{\circ}C$ + 0.1% essential oil. T7 had a higher (p<0.05) pH at 72 h post-slaughter value when compared to the other treatments. The CIE $b^*$ value of treatments at ET $32^{\circ}C$ showed significantly (p<0.05) higher when compared to the treatments at $21^{\circ}C$. T7 also had significantly (p<0.05) lower TBARS values than the other treatments as the storage time increased. T6 contained significantly (p<0.05) higher extractability of salt-soluble protein contents than the other treatments. The results from SDS-PAGE showed that the actin protein decreased for ET treatments at $32^{\circ}C$. The concentration of actin protein was not significantly different among T1, T2 and T7. Therefore, these result suggested that the antibiotic alternative with essential oil was effective under the high environmental temperature ($32^{\circ}C$) for chicken meat production.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Posterolateral Placement of A Single Cylindrical Threaded Cage and Two Regular Cages : A Biomechanical Study (단일 나사형 Cage를 이용한 후방 요추체간 융합술과 두개의 나사형 Cage를 이용한 PLIF의 생체 역학적 비교)

  • Park, Choon Keun;Hwang, Jang Hoe;Ji, Chul;Kwun, Sung Oh;Sung, Jae Hoon;Choi, Seung Jin;Lee, Sang Won;Kim, Moon Kyu;Park, Sung Chan;Cho, Kyeung Suok;Park, Chun Kun;Yuan, Hansen;Kang, Joon Ki
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
    • /
    • v.30 no.7
    • /
    • pp.883-890
    • /
    • 2001
  • Objectives : An in vitro biomechanical study of posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF) with threaded cage using two different approaches was performed on eighteen functional spinal units of bovine lumbar spines. The purpose of this study was to compare the segmental stiffnesses among PLIF with one long posterolateral cage, PLIF with one long posterolateral cage and simultaneous facet joint fixation, and PLIF with two posterior cages. Methods : Eighteen bovine lumbar functional spinal units were divided into three groups. All specimens were tested intact and with cage insertion. Group 1(n=12) had a long threaded cage($15{\times}36mm$) inserted posterolaterally and oriented counter anterolaterally on the left side by posterior approach with left unilateral facetectomy. Group 2(n=6) had two regular length cages($15{\times}24mm$) inserted posteriorly with bilateral facetectomy. Six specimens from group 1 were then retested after unilateral facet joint screw fixation in neutral(group 3). Likewise, the other six specimens from group 1 were retested after fixation with a facet joint screw in an extended position(group 4). Nondestructive tests were performed in pure compression, flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torsion. Results : PLIF with a single cage, group 1, had a significantly higher stiffnesses than PLIF with two cages, group 2, in left and right torsion(p<0.05). Group 1 showed higher stiffness values than group 2 in pure compression, flexion, left and right bending but were not significantly different. Group 3 showed a significant increase in stiffness in comparison to group 1 for pure compression, extension, left bending and right torsion(p<0.05). For group 4, the stiffness significantly increased in comparison to group 1 for extension, flexion and right torsion(p<0.05). Although there was no significant difference between groups 3 and 4, group 4 had increased stiffness in extension, flexion, right bending and torsion. Conclusion : Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with a single long threaded cage inserted posterolaterally with unilateral facetectomy enables sufficient decompression while maintaining a majority of the posterior elements. In combination with a facet joint screw fixation, adequate postoperative stability can be achieved. We suggest that posterolateral insertion of a long threaded cage is biomechanically an ideal alternative to PLIF.

  • PDF

Development of a simplified malnutrition screening tool for hospitalized patients and evaluation of its inter-methods reliability (입원환자의 초기영양평가를 위한 단순영양검색도구 개발 및 도구 간 신뢰도 검증)

  • Yun, Oak Hee;Lee, Gyuhwi;Park, Yoon Jung
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
    • /
    • v.47 no.2
    • /
    • pp.124-133
    • /
    • 2014
  • Purpose: The current study was designed for development of a simplified malnutrition screening tool (SMST) for hospitalized patients using readily available laboratory and patient information and for evaluation of its reliability compared to well-established tools, such as PGSGA and NRS-2002. Methods: Anthropometric and biochemical measurements, as well as a few subjective assessments, of 903 patients who were preclassified by their nutritional status according to PGSGA were analyzed. Among them, a combination of factors, including age, BMI, albumin, cholesterol, total protein, hematocrit, and changes in body weight and food intake, were statistically selected as variables for SMST. Results: According to SMST, 620 patients (68.7%) were classified as the normal group and 283 patients (31.3%) were classified as the malnutrition group. Significant differences in age, albumin, TLC, BMI, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, cholesterol, and length of stay were observed between the two groups. For inter-methods reliability, the screening results by SMST were compared with those by PGSGA and NRS-2002. The comparison with PGSGA and NRS-2002 showed 'Substantial agreement' (sensitivity 94.4%, specificity 88.4%, ${\kappa}$ = 0.747) and 'Moderate agreement' (sensitivity 96.1%, specificity 79.5%, ${\kappa}$ = 0.505), respectively, indicating that SMST held high inter-methods reliability. Conclusion: In conclusion, SMST, based on readily available laboratory and patient information and simple subjective assessments on changes in food intake and body weight, may be a useful alternative tool with a simple but reliable risk index, especially in resource-limited domestic hospitals.

A study on the emission characteristics of greenhouse gases according to the vehicle technology, fuel oil type and test mode (차량기술, 연료 유종 및 시험모드 특성에 따른 온실가스의 배출특성 연구)

  • Lee, Jung-Cheon;Lee, Min-Ho;Kim, Ki-Ho;Park, An-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.34 no.4
    • /
    • pp.962-973
    • /
    • 2017
  • Concerns about an air pollution are gradually increasing at home and abroad. The automotive and fuel researchers are trying to reduce emissions and greenhouse gases of vehicles through a research on new engine designs and innovative after-treatment systems using clean fuels (eco-alternative fuel) and fuel quality improvements. In this paper, we stduy the emission characteristics of greenhouse gases on seven vehicles using gasoline, diesel, and LPG by legal test mode in domestic and abroad.(Urban mode, Highway mode, rapidly acceleration and deceleration, using air conditioner, low temperature condition) Regardless of fuels, most of the greenhouse gases tend to show the worst results in cold FTP-75 mode. In the case of A vehicles (2.0 MPI) and B vehicles (2.4 GDI) using a gasoline fuel, the factors that increase greenhouse gases are in order of a rapidly acceleration and deceleration, using air conditioner, low temperature condition. But G vehicles(LPLi) have different emission characteristics from another vehicles. In the case of A vehicles (2.0 w/o DPF) and B vehicles (2.2 with DPF) using a diesel fuel, the factors that increase greenhouse gases are in order of a rapidly acceleration and deceleration, using air conditioner, low temperature condition. However, the factor of F vehicles are in order of low temperature condition, using air conditioner, rapidly acceleration and deceleration. In conclusion, it will be an effective method to apply different technologies of emission reduction for each fuel.