• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.551-568
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• 2018

Purpose: This study addressed the relationship between technological innovation activity and management efficiency of Korean automobile firms. We tested the hypothesis of non-liner relationship of innovation activity in relation to management efficiency. Methods: We discussed prior literature in the firm innovation strategy and management efficiency studies to provide better understanding of relationships between technological innovation activity and management efficiency. As a result, we developed develop and tested a model (Inverted-U shaped) capturing the non-linear impact of technological innovation activity. While we used R&D expenditure and patent registration data for measuring firms' innovation activity, management efficiency was evaluated by using DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis). Results: Main findings of our empirical analysis indicated that the relationships between technological innovation activity and management efficiency was inverted U shaped. This implied that the relationship between technological innovation and management efficiency is inverted U-shaped non-linear, with management efficiency increasing up to a point, beyond which higher levels of R&D and patent registration activities led to a decrease in management efficiency. Conclusion: This study empirically assessed the inconclusive findings of previous research in the area of effects of innovation activities in relation to firm performance. The paper also provided theoretical and practical implications for firms who explore efficient strategy to promote the management performance through technological innovation activities. Future research directions with the limitation of the study was discussed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.500-509
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• 2011

Purpose: Time-driven activity-based costing was applied to analyze the nursing activity cost and efficiency of a medical unit. Methods: Data were collected at a medical unit of a general hospital. Nursing activities were measured using a nursing activities inventory and classified as 6 domains using Easley-Storfjell Instrument. Descriptive statistics were used to identify general characteristics of the unit, nursing activities and activity time, and stochastic frontier model was adopted to estimate true activity time. Results: The average efficiency of the medical unit using theoretical resource capacity was 77%, however the efficiency using practical resource capacity was 96%. According to these results, the portion of non-added value time was estimated 23% and 4% each. The sums of total nursing activity costs were estimated 109,860,977 won in traditional activity-based costing and 84,427,126 won in time-driven activity-based costing. The difference in the two cost calculating methods was 25,433,851 won. Conclusion: These results indicate that the time-driven activity-based costing provides useful and more realistic information about the efficiency of unit operation compared to traditional activity-based costing. So time-driven activity-based costing is recommended as a performance evaluation framework for nursing departments based on cost management.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2014

This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between threonine (Thr) efficiency and Thr dehydrogenase (TDG) activity as an indicator of Thr oxidation on chicks fed with levels of diets (CP [17.5% and 21.5%] and Thr [3.8 and 4.7 g/100 g CP]; glycine [Gly][0.64% and 0.98%] and true digestible Thr [dThr] [0.45% and 0.60%]). Calculation of the Thr efficiency was based on N-balance data and an exponential N-utilization model, and TDG activity was determined as accumulation of aminoacetone and Gly during incubation of hepatic mitochondria. This study found that in the liver of chicks who received a diet containing up to 0.79% Thr (4.7 g Thr/100 g of CP) in the 17.5% CP diet, no significant (p>0.05) effect on TDG activity was observed. However, significantly (p = 0.014) increased TDG activity was observed with a diet containing 21.5% CP (4.7 g Thr/100 g of CP) and the efficiency of Thr utilization showed a significant (p = 0.001) decrease, indicating the end of the Thr limiting range. No significant (p>0.05) effect on the total TDG activity and accumulation of Gly was observed with addition of Gly to a diet containing 0.45% dThr. In addition, addition of Gly to a diet containing 0.60% dThr also did not result in a change in accumulation of Gly. Due to an increase in accumulation of aminoacetone, an elevated effect on total TDG activity was also observed. No significant (p>0.05) reduction in the efficiency of Thr utilization was observed after addition of Gly at the level of 0.45% dThr. However, significantly (p<0.001) reduced efficiency of Thr utilization was observed after addition of Gly at the level of 0.60% dThr. Collectively, we found that TDG was stimulated not only by addition of Thr and protein to the diet, but also by addition of Gly, and efficiency of Thr utilization was favorably affected by addition of Gly at the level near to the optimal Thr concentration. In addition, no metabolic requirement of Gly through the TDG pathway was observed with almost the same accumulation of Gly and a slight increase in TDG activity by addition of Gly. Thus, our findings suggest that determination of TDG activity and parameter of efficiency of Thr utilization may be useful for evaluation of dietary Thr level.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.11-19
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of instrumental-activity of daily living program on a patient with subacute stroke in the view of self-efficiency, motivation for rehabilitation, social support. Methods : Eight stroke patients who attended instrumental-activity of daily living program at P hospital in Busan Metropolitan City from march 2018 to January 2019 were recruited. Instrumental-activity of daily living program was offered to 8 stroke patients 1 session (at least 1 hours) a day, 5 times a week, for 4~5 weeks. The instrumental-activity of daily living program was based on occupational therapy practice framework (OTPF) and international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). We evaluated self-efficacy, rehabilitation motivation, social support before and after intervention. Self-efficacy was evaluated using the general self-efficacy scale. The collected data was processed using SPSS 20.0 and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results : There were statistically significant differences in self-efficiency, rehabilitation motivation, social support between before and after instrumental-activity of daily living program (p<.05). Examining the correlation between the self-efficiency, rehabilitation motivation and social support of the stroke patient, there was a correlation between the self-efficiency and social support (p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed that the instrumental-activity of daily living program have positive effects on self-efficacy, rehabilitation motivation, social support. When considering the instrumental-activity of daily living program with improved self-efficacy, rehabilitation motivation, social support of the participants, we suggest that further studies will be needed to examine more extensive instrumental-activity of daily living and rehabilitation to the society with a larger sample size.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1417-1424
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• 2011

This study was conducted to assess the relation between threonine (Thr) oxidation rate and threonine efficiency on rat and chicken fed with graded levels of protein and threonine. The increase in threonine content from 0.28 to 0.72% in a diet containing 12.0% crude protein (CP) caused a gradual increase in threonine dehydrogenase (TDG) activity in rat liver. Similar, but more pronounced results were observed after 18.0% CP in the diet. Both protein levels in combination with the highest level of threonine supplementation increased liver TDG activity significantly, indicating enhanced threonine catabolism. Parameters of efficiency of threonine utilization calculated from parallel nitrogen balance studies decreased significantly and indicated threonine oversupply after a maximum of threonine supplementation. At the lower levels of threonine addition the efficiency of threonine utilization was not significantly changed. In the chicken liver up to 0.60% true digestible threonine (dThr) in the 18.5% CP diet produced no effect on the TDG activity. However, TDG activity in the liver was elevated by the diet containing 22.5% CP (0.60% dThr) and the efficiency of threonine utilization decreased, indicating the end of threonine limiting range. In conclusion, the in vitro TDG activity in the liver of rat and growing chicken has an indicator function for the dietary supply of threonine.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.431-437
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• 2011

A polymeric coating solution based on poly(acryloyl diphosphoric acid)(poly(ADP)) was prepared via a radical polymerization of acryloyl diphosphoric acid using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator in water at 70 $^{\circ}C$. The prepared polymeric coating solution exhibited significant antibacterial activity against salmonella typhimurium, pseudomonas aeruginosa, escherichia coli, and staphylococcus aureus. It also exhibited good antifungal activity against Asperigillus niger and good antiviral activity against the influenza (H1N1) virus. Additionally, it exhibited good flame retardant efficiency after applying it as a coating to a cotton fabric.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.44-65
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• 2023

Purposes: As super-aging population and low fertility rates are threatening the sustainability of the National Health Insurance funds, enhancing the efficiency of hospital management is paramount. In the past, studies analyzing the efficiencies of hospitals primarily made inter-hospital comparisons, but it is important to assess hospitals' internal efficiency and develop improvement measures in order to attain practical improvements in hospital efficiencies. The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficiencies of specialists by medical specialty in a hospital in order to provide foundational data for efficient hospital management. Methodology/Approach: We used the activity-based costing (ABC) data and hospital statistical data from one tertiary hospital in Seoul to analyze the efficiency of specialists by medical specialty. Efficiency was analyzed and compared among specialists using the data envelopment analysis developed by Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (DEA-CCR) model and the slacks-based measure (SBM) models. The input variables were labor cost, material cost, and operational expenses, and the output variables were the number of outpatients, number of inpatients, outpatient revenue, and inpatient revenue. Findings: First, there was a marked deviation in efficiency across specialists. Second, there was a marked deviation in efficiency across medical specialties. Third, there was little difference in efficiency according to the specialist's sex, age, and job position. Fourth, the SBM model produced more conservative results and better explained efficiency parameters than the CCR model. Practical Implications: The efficiency of a specialist was more influenced by their medical specialty than their personal characteristics, namely sex, age, and job position. Therefore, Further research is needed to analyze the efficiencies of each subspecialty and identify factors that contribute to the variations in efficiencies across medical specialties, such as clinical practices and fee structures.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 2011

The effects of coagulants on the microorganisms when they are injected directly into the biological treatment facility for T-P removal have been easily observed from the results of past experiments. As such this study is set out to derive the effective plans for the coagulant dosage by analyzing the effects of the injected coagulant on the microbial activity during the chemical treatment for T-P removal. The research methods entailed the assessment of removal efficiency of T-P according to the coagulant dosage while changing the molar ration between Alum and influent phosphorus. At the same time Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) according to the coagulant dosage was measured. SOUR was used as a method for indirect assessment of the microbial activity according to the coagulant dosage. The results from the study showed that with the increase in the alum dosage, the removal efficiency T-P tended to increase. On the other hand, the increase in coagulant dosage resulted in the decrease in SOUR, which indicates the decrease in the microbial activity. Such reduction in the activity could be explained by the increase in the concentration of removal efficiency of $TBOD_5$. Based on experiment results from the study, it is determined that coagulant dosage affects the microbial activity. Moreover, the indirect assessment on the microbial activity using SOUR is considered possible.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.155-170
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• 1991

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of demographic-socialogical variables.(ie. educational level, duration of marriage, mate selection type, monthly income, number of children and the frequencies of family's jonit-leisure-activity) and efficiency of the interspous communication on marital satisfaction over the family life cycle. The subject were 278 husbands and wives living in Seoul area who had the eldest child attending at elementary school, middle school , high school and university , respectively. The families were categorized to Duvall's family life cycle. Before the main study was conducted from SEP. 27 to OCT. 8. 1990. a pre-test was conducted on 52 subjects form SEP. 20 to SEP.23.1990. The values of Chronbach's α were obtained on the efficiency of the interspouse communication (α =0.885) and marital satisfaction (α=0.939). Data analysis was by Chronbach's α, ANOVA. Pearson's Product Moment Correlation. Path Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results were as follows; 1) Marital Satisfaction was positively related (1) to demographic-socialogical variables; educational level , monthly income, the frequencies of family's joint-leisure-activity (2) the efficiency of the interspouse communication. 2) Efficiency of the interspouse communication was positively related to the frequencies o family's joint-leisure-activity. 3) The relative importance of independent variables on marital satisfaction over the family life cycle was found to be varied in each stage of life cycle. (1) As for the group who had elementary-school-aged children; efficiency of the interspouse communication (β=0.717.p<.001), joint-leisure-activity frequency (β =0.303.p<.001), monthly income(β=0.202.p<.001), mate selection type(β=0.180.p<.05), (2) As for the group who had middle-school-aged children; efficiency of the interspouse communication (β=0.702.p<.001), (3)As for the group who had high school-aged children; efficiency of the interspouse communication (β=0.488.p<.001), joint-leisure-activity frequency (β=0.368.p<.001), (4)the group who had university-aged children; efficiency of the interspouse communication.(β=0.729.p<.001), monthly income (β=0.164.p<.01). The regression model showed that 55 percent of the marital satisfaction could be account for by demographic-socialogical variables and efficiency of the interspouse communication (R2=0.551)

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.751-760
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Bone tissue engineering based on pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a new approach to deal with bone defects. Protocols have been developed to generate osteoblasts from PSCs. However, the low efficiency of this process is still an important issue that needs to be resolved. Many studies have aimed to improve efficiency, but developing accurate methods to determine efficacy is also critical. Studies using pluripotency to estimate efficacy are rare. Telomerase is highly associated with pluripotency. METHODS: We have described a quantitative method to measure telomerase activity, telomeric repeat elongation assay based on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). To investigate whether this method could be used to determine the efficiency of in vitro osteogenic differentiation based on pluripotency, we measured the pluripotency pattern of cultures through stemness gene expression, proliferation ability and telomerase activity, measured by QCM. RESULTS: We showed that the pluripotency pattern determined by QCM was similar to the patterns of proliferation ability and gene expression, which showed a slight upregulation at the late stages, within the context of the general downregulation tendency during differentiation. Additionally, a comprehensive gene expression pattern covering nearly every stage of differentiation was identified. CONCLUSION: Therefore, this assay may be powerful tools for determining the efficiency of differentiation systems based on pluripotency. In this study, we not only introduce a new method for determining efficiency based on pluripotency, but also provide more information about the characteristics of osteogenic differentiation which help facilitate future development of more efficient protocols.