• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1667-1670
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• 2014

Background: Calprotectin in feces seems to be a more sensitive marker for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers than fecal occult blood, but its specificity may be too low for screening average risk populations. This study aims at evaluating the diagnostic value of fecal calprotectin as a screening biomarker for GI malignancies. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, 100 patients with GI malignancies (50 patients with colorectal cancer and 50 patients with gastric cancer) and 50 controls were recruited in Tabriz Imam Reza and Sina hospitals during a 24-month period. One to two weeks after the last endoscopy/colonoscopy, fecal specimens were collected by the patients and examined by ELISA method for quantitative measurement of calprotectin content. The results were compared between the three groups. Results: The mean fecal calprotectin level was $109.1{\pm}105.3$ (2.3-454.3, median:74), $241.1{\pm}205.2$ (3.4-610.0, median:19.3) and $45.9{\pm}55.1{\mu}g/g$ (1.3-257.1, median:19.3) in gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and control group, respectively, the differences being significant (p<0.001) and remaining after adjustment for age. The optimal cut-off point for fecal calprotectin was ${\geq}75.8{\mu}g/g$ for distinguishing colorectal cancer from normal cases (sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 84%, respectively). This value was ${\geq}41.9{\mu}g/g$ for distinguishing gastric cancer from normal cases (sensitivity and specificity of 62%). Conclusions: Our results revealed that fecal calprotectin might be a useful and non-invasive biomarker for distinguishing colorectal cancer from non-malignant GI conditions. However, due to low sensitivity and specificity, this biomarker may not help physicians distinguishing gastric cancer cases from healthy subjects.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.305-312
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• 2015

We extend a generalized partially linear single-index model and newly define a generalized partially double-index model (GPDIM). The philosophy of sufficient dimension reduction is adopted in GPDIM to estimate unknown coefficient vectors in the model. Subsequently, various combinations of popular sufficient dimension reduction methods are constructed with the best combination among many candidates determined through a bootstrapping procedure that measures distances between subspaces. Distinguishing values are newly defined to match the estimates to the corresponding population coefficient vectors. One of the strengths of the proposed model is that it can investigate the appropriateness of GPDIM over a single-index model. Various numerical studies confirm the proposed approach, and real data application are presented for illustration purposes.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.147-167
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• 2012

In this paper, we attempted to theorize the multi-faceted impacts of smart work on economic activities. In this vein, we adopted socio-economic perspective which includes individual, firm, and social support aspects, and explored the variables related to the quality of life among them. First, smart work patterns are categorized as telework, mobile office, teleconferencing, and social collaboration. And relevant variables are extracted with reference to industrial cases and relevant literatures which investigated economic impacts of digital convergence. Next, with the data collected from experts, following delphi method, validation of variables and explorations of significant factors affecting quality of life were conducted by adopting stepwise regression method. The distinguishing traits of this research are two-folds. The one is the investigation of social support and quality of life aspects of smart work, which has been relatively limited in the digital convergence research field. The other is the comparative analysis of smart work advantages by distinguishing individual and firm aspects separately. The result offers useful insights for socio-economic perspective researches on digital convergence application area.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 1996

The diagnostic accuracy of routine cytological preparations from effusions ranges from 60% to 70%. Immunohistochemical markers, especially tumor-associated antigens, have been successfully employed to increase diagnostic sensitivity in effusion cytology. However, more than two different antibodies in diagnosis of effusions are needed. In the view of prevalence of abnormalities of p53 gene in human malignancies we investigated the diagnostic usefulness of demonstration of p53 protein immunoreactivity in distinguishing benign changes versus malignant processes in effusions. p53 protein expression was studied immunohistochemically in 76 effusions(28 malignant and 48 benign) using anti-human p53 antibody p53 immunoreactivity was identified in 19 of 28(67.9%) malignant effusions. In contrast, no p53 immunoreactivity was observed in all benign effusions. A specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 67.9% were observed. These results suggest that immunohistochemical detection of p53 protein seems to be helpful in distinguishing benign changes versus malignant processes in effusions, although its principal limitation is its relatively low sensitivity.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.299-319
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• 2016

This study first introduces platform services and their business models. On the basis of the concepts of business ecosystem, we present a framework for distinguishing types of the platform service business models. Two key characteristics of business ecosystems-ecosystem configuration and value production process-are employed as fundamental dimensions for constructing typology. In particular, we also present the notion of value ecosystem, where not a single platform provider but a federation of platforms constitutes a virtual platform and completes a service system. The value ecosystem represents two distinct types of platform service business models : meta-platform ecosystem and platform coalition ecosystem. They show different governance structure in the platform federation and service flows across the ecosystem. We present detailed analyses of these two value ecosystems focusing on relevant cases of e-payment FinTech : Apple Pay as an example of meta-platform and Kakao Pay for platform coalition. Our conceptual typology contributes to platforms' proper strategy formulation and presents policy implications to, for example, platform neutrality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6469-6475
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• 2015

Background: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) makes it possible to detect malignant tumors based on the diffusion of water molecules. It is uncertain whether DWI is more useful than positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. Materials and Methods: Sixteen malignant mediastinal tumors (thymomas 7, thymic cancers 3, malignant lymphomas 3, malignant germ cell tumors 2, and thymic carcinoid 1) and 12 benign mediastinal tumors or mass lesions were assessed in this study. DWI and PET-CT were performed before biopsy or surgery. Results: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value ($1.51{\pm}0.46{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/sec$) of malignant mediastinal tumors was significantly lower than that ($2.96{\pm}0.86{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/sec$) of benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions (P<0.0001). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ($11.30{\pm}11.22$) of malignant mediastinal tumors was significantly higher than that ($2.53{\pm}3.92$) of benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions (P=0.0159). Using the optimal cutoff value (OCV) $2.21{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/sec$ for ADC and 2.93 for SUVmax, the sensitivity (100%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (93.8%) by PET-CT for malignant mediastinal tumors. The specificity (83.3%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (66.7%) for benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. The accuracy (92.9%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (82.1%) by PET-CT for mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. Conclusions: There was no significant difference between diagnostic capability of DWI and that of PET-CT for distinguishing mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. DWI is useful in distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal tumors and mass lesions.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-24
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• 2017

This article empirically examines the relationship between values, consumer innovativeness, online opinion leadership, and new product adoption behavior utilizing wearable technology as the overall unit of analysis. The authors analyze data collected from SNS users who possess one or more wearable devices using a structural equation modeling approach to examine the direct effects. Moreover, a bootstrapping approach is adopted to explore the indirect effects between the constructs. The results indicate that consumers who value stimulation and hedonism are more inclined to possess stronger consumer innovativeness. Consumer innovativeness also positively influences online opinion leadership, ultimately leading to the faster adoption of new products. The mediating effect of consumer innovativeness between the value stimulation and online opinion leadership is also confirmed. In addition, although consumer innovativeness has no direct effect on new product adoption behavior, it does have an indirect, mediating effect through online opinion leadership.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.141-149
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• 2015

Objectives Recently the fuzzy logic is widely used in the decision making, identification, pattern recognition, optimization in various fields. In this study, we propose the fuzzy logic as the objective method of distinguishing hot and cold, the basis of diagnosis in Korean medicine. Methods We developed fuzzy inference system to distinguish whether the subjects had hot or cold. The cold and hot questionnaire of Korean traditional university textbook, the pulse rate and the DITI value of face used in the system. These three kinds of information were defined as 'fuzzy sets,' and 54 fuzzy rules were established on the basis of clinical practitioners' knowledge. The fuzzy inference was performed by using the Mamdani's method. To evaluate the usefulness of the fuzzy inference system, 200 cases of data measured in the Woosuk university hospital of oriental medicine were used to compare the determining hot, normal, cold results obtained from the experts and from the proposed system. Results As a result, 100 cases of "cold", 54 cases of "normal", and 34 cases of "hot" were matched between the experts and the proposed system. This fuzzy system showed the conformity degree of 94%(${\kappa}=0.853$). Conclusions In this study, we could express the process of distinguishing hot-cold using the fuzzy logic for objectification and quantification of hot-cold identification. This is the first study that introduce a fuzzy logic for distinguish pattern identification. The degree of the heat characteristic of the patients inferred by this system could provide a more objective basis for diagnosing the hot-cold of patients.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.219-225
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• 2016

In this study, for assessment of degenerative knee joint cartilage disease we acquired images by fat suppressed 3D spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR) and fat suppressed 3D $T2^*$ weighted imaging techniques. To do a quantitative evaluation, the knee joint cartilage was divided into medial femoral cartilage (MFC), medial tibial cartilage (MTC), lateral femoral cartilage (LFC), lateral femoral cartilage (LFC) and patella cartilage (Pat) to measure their respective signal intensity values, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio. As for the measured values, statistical significance between two techniques was verified by using Mann-Whitney U-Test. To do a qualitative evaluation, two radiologists have examined images by techniques after which image artifact, cartilage surface, tissue contrast, and depiction of lesion distinguishing were evaluated based on 4-point scaling (1: bad, 2: appropriate, 3: good, 4: excellent), and based on the result, statistical significance was verified by using Kappa-value Test. 3.0T MR system and HD T/R 8ch knee array coil were used to acquire images. As a result of a quantitative analysis, based on SNR values measured by using two imaging techniques, MFC, LFC, LTC, and Pat showed statistical significance (p < 0.05), but MTC did not (p > 0.05). As a result of verifying statistical significance for measured CNR value, MFC, LFC, and Pat showed statistical significance (p < 0.05), while MTC and LTC did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). As a result of a qualitative analysis, by comparing mean values for evaluated image items, 3D $T2^*$ weighted Image has indicated a slightly higher value. As for conformance verification between the two observers by using Kappa-value test, all evaluated items have indicated statistically significant results (p < 0.05). 3D $T2^*$ weighted technique holds a clinical value equal to or superior to 3D SPGR technique with respect to evaluating images, such as distinguishing knee joint cartilages, comparing nearby tissues contrast, and distinguishing lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.211-225
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• 2010

This research investigated the purchasing behaviors of fur clothing consumers to verify fur clothing consumption and to establish marketing strategies for the fur clothing market. Since fur clothing has clear characteristics distinguishing it from other clothes, there are many differences in customers' interest. Therefore, it is needed to identify some differences in the customers' interest by their own buying habits. A survey was conducted with a questionnaire and revised by using a theoretical background. Questionnaires were given to 322 ladies in their over 20s. SPSS 12.0 was used to analyse the result with analysis of frequency, a primary factor, crossing, cluster and ANOVA. There were several results as follows. First, purchase behaviors of fur clothing were significantly different between groups divided by demographic variables such as marital status, age, and income level of household. Second, factor analysis on sought clothing benefits resulted in 4 dimensions such as symbolic value, brand value, economical value and practical value. Cluster analysis on the 4 factors of clothing benefits being sought resulted in 3 groups such as one group pursuing symbolism, one group pursuing practicism/economism and a group pursuing brand. Third, purchase behaviors of fur clothing and demographic variables were significantly different between the groups divided by clothing benefits being sought.