• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.112-129
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• 1996

Background : A small number of high cost patients usually spend a larger proportion of scarce health resources. Aged, long-term care and readmitted patients usually belong to these high cost patient group. Among others, long length of stay and readmission can be reduced by checking its cause, and these are the areas needed most of quality improvement activity. Characteristics of high cost medical users between health insurance program and medical assistance program were reviewed. Methods : The inpatient claims of health insurance and medical assistance program were analyzed. Patients were divided by 6 groups; long-term, mid-term, short-term, readmitted, cancer and aged. We defined high cost patients as those who had spent one and half million won and over per 6 months. Characteristics of high cost patients for each group were reviewed. Results : medical assistance patients used much more resources than the insured members in the average hospital cost per case but less in daily hospital cost. The former had a longer length of stay and had much heavier diseases. Major diseases of both group were cancer, diseases of circulatory system and chronic degenerative diseases. Gallstone and schizophrenia were more in the insured program. However, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma were more common among the medical assistance patients. Early readmission before 2 weeks were 28-30% of the total readmission. Readmission rate in the malignat neoplasm and renal failure were 80% and more. Q.A program should be installed to prevent unnecessary readmissions. Conclusion : Almost 30% of early readmissions and admissions due to complications and long length of stay should be reviewed carefully to keep cost down and to enhance the quality of hospital care.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.271-276
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• 2004

The risk assessment model is an important subsystem for effective establishment and operation of EMS (environment management system). In case of poor risk assessment long-term and large-scale failure expense might be brought. Managing policy, target and other indices based on risk assessment can guarantee successful EMS. In this paper, we aim at comparative analysis of various risk methods and propose an alternative risk assessment model for EMS.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Advanced Composite Structures
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 2014

Since the collapse of historical masonry structures in Europe in the late 1990's, the interests in understanding the long-term effect of masonry under sustained compressive stresses have increased. That requires combining the significance of time-dependent effects of creep with the effect of damage due to overstress to realize the evolution of cracks and then failure in masonry. Meanwhile, composite analysis of masonry columns was proven effective for realizing ultimate strength capacity of masonry column. In this study, a simplified mechanical model with step-by-step in time analysis was proposed to incorporate the interaction of damage and creep to estimate the maximum stress occurred in masonry. It was examined that the interaction of creep and damage in masonry can accelerate the failure of masonry.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the stress distribution and deformation in implant abutments made from titanium (Ti-6Al-4V), zirconia, and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), including their screws and fixtures, under various loading conditions using finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: Three-dimensional models of the mandible with implant abutments were created using Siemens NX software (NX10.0.0.24, Siemens). FEA was conducted using Abaqus to simulate occlusal loads and assess stress distribution and deformation. Material properties such as Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio were assigned to each component based on literature and experimental data. Results: The FEA results revealed distinct stress distribution patterns among the materials. Titanium alloy abutments exhibited the highest stress resistance and the most uniform stress distribution, making them highly suitable for long-term stability. Zirconia abutments showed strong mechanical properties with higher stress concentration, indicating potential vulnerability to fracture despite their aesthetic advantages. PEEK abutments demonstrated the least stress resistance and higher deformation compared to other abutment materials, but offered superior shock absorption, though they posed a higher risk of mechanical failure under high load conditions. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate materials for dental implants. Titanium offers durability and uniform stress distribution, making it highly suitable for long-term stability. Zirconia provides aesthetic benefits but has a higher risk of fracture compared to titanium. PEEK excels in shock absorption but has a higher risk of mechanical failure compared to both titanium and zirconia. These insights can guide improved implant designs and material choices for various clinical needs.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.97-109
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the risk indicators contributing to implant failure, and analyze the relationship between risk indicators and marginal bone loss (MBL) through long-term follow-up over 3 years. Materials and Methods: From 2003 to 2017, patients' medical charts with a history of dental implant surgery at Chonnam National University Dental Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The patient's demographic variables, and clinical variables were recorded. Periapical radiographs were used to evaluated the changes in MBL around implants. And we analyzed implant survival rates. Multiple regression analysis with backward elimination was conducted to correlate the patient's clinical variables and implant failure and Pearson correlation analysis was performed to the correlated between implant long-term survival rates and MBL and initial stability. Results: In multiple regression analysis, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between abutment connection type (β = -.189, P < .05), with or without SPT (β = -.163, P < .05), diabetes (β = -.164, P < .05), osteoporosis (β = -.211, P < .05) and MBL. Anticoagulant medication influenced the long-term success rate of implants. PTV values at the second implant surgery showed a statistically significant negative correlation with long-term implant survival (P < .05). Conclusion: For the long-term success of the implant, the appropriate abutment connection type must be selected and the periodic SPT is recommended. Systemic diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis and anticoagulant medication should be considered. Furthermore, since high PTV at the second implant surgery correlated with the long-term survival rates of the implant, initial stability should be carefully considered before undergoing the prosthetic procedure.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.182-202
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• 2022

PURPOSE. The aim of this study is to summarize various biomechanical aspects in evaluating the long-term stability of dental implants based on finite element method (FEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS. A comprehensive search was performed among published studies over the last 20 years in three databases; PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The studies are arranged in a comparative table based on their publication date. Also, the variety of modeling is shown in the form of graphs and tables. Various aspects of the studies conducted were discussed here. RESULTS. By reviewing the titles and abstracts, 9 main categories were extracted and discussed as follows: implant materials, the focus of the study on bone or implant as well as the interface area, type of loading, element shape, parts of the model, boundary conditions, failure criteria, statistical analysis, and experimental tests performed to validate the results. It was found that most of the studied articles contain a model of the jaw bone (cortical and cancellous bone). The material properties were generally derived from the literature. Approximately 43% of the studies attempted to examine the implant and surrounding bone simultaneously. Almost 42% of the studies performed experimental tests to validate the modeling. CONCLUSION. Based on the results of the studies reviewed, there is no "optimal" design guideline, but more reliable design of implant is possible. This review study can be a starting point for more detailed investigations of dental implant longevity.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.180-191
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop the accelerated life test method for Constant Electrical Potential Electrolysis gas sensor (CEPE gas sensor). Methods: The parts and modules of CEPE gas sensor were analyzed by using Reliability Block Diagram (RBD). Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methods were performed for each part to determine the most affecting stress factor in its life cycle. The long term testing was conducted at three different dry heat levels and the acceleration factor was developed by using Arrhenius relationship. Conclusion: The acceleration factor for CEPE gas sensor was developed by using FMEA, QFD, and statistical analysis for its failure data. Also qualification tests were designed to meet the target life.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.7 no.2 s.19
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• pp.1-6
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• 2003

In this work, procedure evaluating failure modes such as pipe rupture, large scale leak, and small scale leak was suggested using equations to assess remaining strength by corrosion failure. Additionally, the method to predict probability of failure was suggested according to the aforementioned failure modes, and by combining data on corrosion rate, probability of long-term failure can be induced. This work will be very useful in predicting lifetime or exchanging period of pipeline.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2024

Background: In the treatment of esophageal cancer, a gastric conduit is typically the first choice. However, when the stomach is not a viable option, the usual alternative is a colon conduit. This study compared the long-term surgical outcomes of gastric and colon conduits over the same interval and aimed to identify factors influencing the prognosis. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent esophagectomy followed by reconstruction for primary esophageal cancer between January 2006 and December 2020. Results: The study included 1,545 patients, with a gastric conduit used for 1,429 (92.5%) and a colon conduit for 116 (7.5%). Using propensity-matched analysis, 116 patients were selected from each group for comparison. No significant difference was observed in longterm survival between the gastric and colon conduit groups, irrespective of anastomosis level and pathological stage. A higher proportion of patients in the colon conduit group experienced postoperative complications compared to the gastric conduit group (57.8% vs. 25%, p<0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that age over 65 years, body mass index below 22.0 kg/m², neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative anastomotic leakage, and renal failure were risk factors for overall survival in patients with a colon conduit. Regarding conduit-related complications, cervical nastomosis was the only significant risk factor among those with a colon conduit. Conclusion: Despite the association of colon conduits with high morbidity rates relative to gastric conduits, the long-term outcomes of colon conduits were acceptable. More consideration should be given perioperatively to the use of a colon conduit, particularly in cases involving cervical anastomosis.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior and long-term safety of high performance polymer PEKK as an intraradicular dental post-core material through comparative finite element analysis (FEA) with other conventional post-core materials. A 3D FEA model of a maxillary central incisor was constructed. A cyclic loading force of 50 N was applied at an angle of $45^{\circ}$ to the longitudinal axis of the tooth at the palatal surface of the crown. For comparison with traditionally used post-core materials, three materials (gold, fiberglass, and PEKK) were simulated to determine their post-core properties. PEKK, with a lower elastic modulus than root dentin, showed comparably high failure resistance and a more favorable stress distribution than conventional post-core material. However, the PEKK post-core system showed a higher probability of debonding and crown failure under long-term cyclic loading than the metal or fiberglass post-core systems.