• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.87-93
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• 2024

Background: In recent years, studies have shown conflicting results regarding the benefits of dietary supplements in reducing healthcare expenditures. This study aimed to address this inconsistency by examining the association between supplement consumption and health expenditures using nationally representative data from the Korea Health Panel Survey (2019-2020). Methods: A 1:1 matched case-control dataset was established using propensity score matching technique based on supplement consumption. Then, total annual healthcare expenditures were compared between the two groups. In addition, a multivariate regression analysis (Proc Surveyreg) was performed to determine the association between the supplement consumption and medical costs. Results: The supplement user group spent about 1.72 million Korean won, while the non-user group spent about 1.43 million Korean won on medical services (p=0.0186). The results of multivariate regression showed that the costs were approximately 26.15% higher in the user group than in the non-user group (p=0.0004). Conclusion: Contrary to the previous studies that have shown the benefits of supplement use in reducing healthcare costs, this study showed that those who consistently consumed supplements spent more on medical services. This can be interpreted in the same context as previous studies suggesting that dietary supplement intake is a healthy behavior for managing one's health. However, we caution against drawing firm conclusions due to data limitations. Further analysis using patient-level epidemiologic data is needed.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2019

This study investigates the stress singularity that occurs at the contact edge of three bodies in a frictional complete contact. We use the asymptotic analysis method, wherein we constitute an eigenvalue problem and observe the eigenvalue behavior, which we use to obtain the order of the stress singularity. For the present geometry of three bodies in contact, a contact between a cracked indenter and half plane is considered. This is a typical geometry of the PCMI problem of a nuclear fuel rod. Thus, this paper, specifically presents the characteristics of the PCMI problem from the perspective of stress singularity. Consequently, it is noted that the behavior of the stress singularity varies with the difference in the crack angle, coefficient of friction, and material dissimilarity, as is observed in a frictional complete contact of two bodies. In addition, we find that the stress singularity changes essentially linearly with respect to the coefficient of friction, regardless of the variation in the crack angle and material dissimilarity. Concurrently, we find the order of singularity to be 0.5 at a certain coefficient of friction, irrespective of the crack angle, which we also observe in the crack problem of a homogeneous and isotropic body. The order of singularity can also exceed 0.5 in the frictional complete contact problem of three bodies. This implies that the propensity for failure when three bodies are in frictional complete contact can be even worse than that in case of a failure induced by a crack.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.53-64
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• 2017

Purpose - This study focuses on use intention of mobile travel Apps by Chinese tourists visiting Korea based on UTAUT model, ISS model and ITM model. And the corresponding market promotion schemes are proposed for operators of mobile travel Apps by the research results. Research design, data, and methodology - After collecting 326 respondents in China with cross-sectional questionnaires, this study begins the empirical research with users of mobile travel Apps, and analyzes data with IBM SPSS 23.0 and IBM AMOS 23.0. Results - The results of this study include the following aspects: firstly, the System quality and Information quality are accepted for hypotheses of Satisfaction and Performance expectancy. Secondly, the Personal Propensity to Trust and Firm Reputation are accepted for Initial Trust hypothesis, and the hypotheses of Firm Reputation and Initial Trust are accepted for Use Intention. Thirdly, the Performance expectancy, Effort expectancy, Social influence are accepted for Use Intention hypothesis. Conclusions - With the increase of tourists visiting Korea, it can be predicted that the needs visiting Korea will be increased persistently for Chinese - this trend brings about the increase of the Chinese travel. First, information quality greatly influences satisfaction and performance expectancy. The research result shows that, the higher the mobile traveling App's information quality is, the higher the satisfaction and performance expectancy will be. Therefore, operators of mobile traveling App should have in-depth investigations towards users, to know the latter's real demand to the information quality and then provide corresponding services. Second, performance expectancy and effort expectancy greatly influence users' intention. Therefore, mobile traveling App operators should improve Apps' convenience and efficiency and, in doing so, find an effective method for market expansion. Third, social influence greatly affects users' intention. The result shows that mobile traveling App operators should pay attention to the influence of mass media and friends' recommendation on users, thereby it is necessary to improve advertisement activities. Fourth, initial trust also influences users' intention. The result shows that initial trust is a key element inducing users to generate use intention. Therefore, mobile traveling Apps operators should make efforts to catch elements that influence users' initial trust.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.65-80
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• 2008

Objectives: To identify the relationship between the internet addition of elementary school students, and their health behavior and VDT syndrome, and thereby to detect the impact of internet addiction on the health behavior of elementary school students, to get the basic information necessary to develop a prevention program for internet addiction and to plan for VDT syndrome prevention program. Methods: We conducted this study during the period from jun 27, 2007 through July 8, 2007. The subjects of this study were 416 children whose grades were in 4th through 6th grades of elementary schools located in the city A in Kyung Pook Providence. Data were obtained from self-rating questionnaires. The questionnaires were composed of Korean Internet Addiction Self-examination on Internet Use Patterns (K-scale), Health Behavior Profile, VDT Syndrome, and general characteristics. We used t-test, AVOVA with Ducan method for Post-hoc comparison in means comparison between groups, $X^2$-test for frequency analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient. We used SPSS/PC(12.0 ver) program and the LISREL 8.53 Win program for covariance structural analysis. Results: Major results were as follows. 1. The internet addiction propensity distribution based on the distribution of scores were investigated according to the self diagnosis scale on internet addiction. 6.5% of them were high risk user group, 14.4% were potential risk users and 79.1% of them were common user groups. 2. Internet addictions by sex, internet use duration, frequency (days/week), time(hours/day), purpose, position, brightness of internet, attitude of parents and frequency of conversation of family members were statistically significant(p<0.01). 3. There was a statistically significant difference in VDT syndrome according to internet addiction groups(p<0.001) besides ocular symptoms, dry mouth and GI troubles. 4. The health behavior score was the lowest in high risk user group(p<0.001). There were significant differences between internet addiction groups in personal hygiene and habits of daily living(p<.002), the prevention of accidents(p<.002), the practice concerned with the prevention of infectious disease(p=.002), and mental health(p<.001). 5. There was also a significant negative correlation between internal addiction and health profile(r=-0.365, p<0.01) and a significant positive correlation between internal addiction and VDT syndrome(r=0.331, p<0.01). 6. As the result of structural model analysis, internet use time(/day), days of internet use(/1week), conversation frequency among family members, degree of brightness of internet use had significant direct effects on internet addiction. Conclusions: The results will help the development of an effective intervention program for the prevention and treatment of internal addiction by clarifying the effect of the internal addiction upon elementary school students' VDT syndrome and health behavior.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2022

Background: While the use of bioprosthetic valves for mitral valve replacement (MVR) is increasing, very few studies have compared bovine pericardial and porcine valves in the mitral position to help guide bioprosthetic selection. Methods: In the present study, patients who underwent MVR using bovine pericardial valves were compared with those who underwent MVR with porcine bioprostheses between January 1996 and July 2018. Those with prior MVR, infective endocarditis, congenital mitral valve disease, or ischemic mitral regurgitation were excluded. The primary outcomes were structural valve deterioration (SVD) and mitral valve reoperation from any cause, and death was regarded as a competing risk. Competing risk analysis and propensity score-matching were used for comparisons. Results: Among the 388 patients enrolled, pericardial and porcine bioprostheses were implanted in 217 (55.9%) and 171 (44.1%), respectively. Propensity score-matching yielded 122 pairs of patients that were well-balanced for all baseline covariates. No significant differences were observed between the groups in unadjusted (p=0.09) and adjusted overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-1.76; p=0.60). Competing risk analysis revealed no significant differences in the risks of mitral reoperation (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.50-2.27; p=0.86) and development of SVD (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.56-4.36; p=0.39) between the groups. Matched population analysis confirmed similar results regarding reoperation (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.40-3.22; p=0.98) and SVD (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.41-4.73; p=0.60). Conclusion: No significant differences in survival or valve durability were observed between bovine pericardial and porcine bioprosthetic MVR. These findings require further validation through studies with larger sample sizes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.3
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• pp.296-303
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• 2017

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is related to high mortality and morbidity. There are no proven therapeutic measures however, to improve the clinical course of ARDS, except using low tidal volume ventilation. Metformin is known to have pleiotropic effects including anti-inflammatory activity. We hypothesized that pre-admission metformin might alter the progress of ARDS among intensive care unit (ICU) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2005, to April 30, 2005 of patients who were admitted to the medical ICU at Seoul National University Hospital because of ARDS, and reviewed ARDS patients with DM. Metformin use was defined as prescribed within 3-month pre-admission. Results: Of 558 patients diagnosed with ARDS, 128 (23.3%) patients had diabetes and 33 patients were treated with metformin monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic medications. Demographic characteristics, cause of ARDS, and comorbid conditions (except chronic kidney disease) were not different between metformin users and nonusers. Several severity indexes of ARDS were similar in both groups. The 30-day mortality was 42.42% in metformin users and 55.32% in metformin nonusers. On multivariable regression analysis, use of metformin was not significantly related to a reduced 30-day mortality (adjusted ${\beta}-coefficient$, -0.19; 95% confidence interval, -1.76 to 1.39; p=0.816). Propensity score-matched analyses showed similar results. Conclusion: Pre-admission metformin use was not associated with reduced 30-day mortality among ARDS patients with DM in our medical ICU.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.85-100
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• 2017

The Delivery Companies are Facing the Difficulty in their Delivery Services due to the Continuously Increasing Delivery Demand and Insufficient Supply of Delivery Persons to Satisfy the Demand. In Such Circumstances, the Delivery Companies have been Implementing the CSV Service by Introducing the Senior Parcel Delivery Service Creating Jobs for Senior Citizens. This Paper Investigated the Impact of the Quality of Senior Parcel Delivery Service, CSV Activities, and Individual Characteristic Factors of Consumers on the Customers' Confidence and Intention to Use the Delivery Service of Delivery Companies. For the Empirical Analysis, the Online/Offline Questionnaire Survey was Executed with the Individuals who used the Delivery Service and 216 Samples were Finally Selected for Empirical Analysis. In Accordance with the Analysis Results, the Speed, the Quality of Senior Parcel Delivery Service, had Significant Impact on the Customers' Confidence, but Safety had no Significant Impact on it. Next, the Sincerity of CSV Activity by Senior Parcel Delivery Service Companies Showed the Significant Impact on the Customers' Confidence. However, the Adequacy of CSV Activity had No Significant Impact on the Customers' Confidence. Furthermore, the Consumption Value and Ethical Consumption Propensity, the Individual Features of Consumers, Demonstrated the Significant Impact on the Customers' Confidence and also on the Customers' Confidence on and their Intention to use Senior Parcel Delivery Service Companies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup2
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• pp.228-234
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• 2001

Objective : The goal of this study was to identify variables that were predictive of recurrence in primary intracranial ependymomas. Methods : We analyzed variables affecting recurrence in 30 patients with primary intracranial ependymomas. Age, location, CSF cytology, seeding on neuroimaging study, tumor grade, extent of surgery, use of chemotherapy, chemotherapy regimen, use of radiotherapy, and radiotherapy field were entered to test their impacts on recurrence. Results : Follow-up ranged from 2 to 110 months. Tumors were recurred at the primary tumor site only in 13 patients (43.3%). The overall average recurrence free period was 55 months, with overall recurrence free rates at 3 and 6 years of 61.0% and 20.9%, respectively. Extent of surgery was the strongest variable affecting recurrence. The median recurrence free period and 3-year recurrence free rate were 72 months and 78.4% for patients having complete excision and 33 months and 0% for those having incomplete excision(p=0.05). Other prognostic variables like age, location, tumor grade, use of chemotherapy, and use of radiotherapy did not affect recurrence(p=0.2848, 0.7899, 0.1714, 0.2157, 0.7076, respectively). Conclusions : Intracranial ependymomas have a propensity to recur after treatment, and recurrence at the primary site is still the main obstacle to cure. Among various variables, only extent of resection had the strongest impact on recurrence. Additional studies may still be needed to precisely define the prognostic variables on recurrence in intracranial ependymomas.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.51-62
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• 2020

Purpose - This study examined the relationship between individual creativity and its related variables to observe how individual creativity contributes to organizational performance. In addition, this study strived to explore how to maximize the utilization of individual creativity and innovate the structure of the organization itself so that teams and organizations can respond more effectively to new rising trends. this study aimed to examine whether the value congruence between individuals and organizations (propensity congruence, goal congruence has a significant impact on knowledge sharing and innovation behavior as dependent variables by exerting individual creativity and synergy as independent variables. Research design, data and methodology - SPSS 24.0 program were used to analyze the data. Descriptive Statistics and correlation analysis were performed, and the reliability factor (Cronbach's α) was calculated. Afterwards, we analyzed the moderating effects of structural equation model analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. The number of samples used in the study were 309 copies. Results - First, Individual creativity had a positive effect on knowledge sharing and innovative behavior. In other words, it was confirmed that decision-making processes fused with individual creativity could create an atmosphere of knowledge sharing and transform the organization. Second, value congruence adjusted the influence of individual creativity on knowledge sharing and innovation behavior. Conclusions - First, it is important for managers to recognize the value and secure the pool of creative talents who will be a potential future basic source of organizational success and competitive advantage. Second, managers should be able to identify those with creative talents and expertise, and use them to increase their knowledge sharing performance, while also developing emotional and motivational creativity. Third, in order improve knowledge sharing performance, managers should pay attention to the emotional aspect of creativity. Fourth, managers should strive to create an environment that is beneficial for the reinforcement of individual self-management capabilities. Fifth, managers should be able to develop decision-making processes to develop potential creativity and encourage creative thinking, opinions, or solutions. Sixth, managers should promote the dissemination and integration of new knowledge based on the creative views and attitudes of team members.

• Survey Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-29
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• 2003

Telephone surveys miss, among other people, those who live in homes without telephones, people who are away from home at the time of interview and people who refuse to be interviewed. Recently, mobile phone survey has emerged as “A replacement technology” to the old telephone survey method. Mobile survey enables us to do many things we could not do or could not afford to do before, and reatly enhance the efficiency if the opinion surveys. Very specifically, the mobile survey enables us to control respondent's accessability, interviewer bias and to do incredibly fast and at a affordable costs. The authors analyze the results of mobile-phone local election polls and ELSI bio-technology attitude survey. The authors describe their results, the methods they used, including the use of demographic and propensity weighting to correct for substantial biases in the raw, unweighted data. The results show that mobile survey can predict the election outcomes with approximately equal accuracy to that of the telephone poll after weighting. This paper also cautions readers not to assume that mobile survey can be used with equal success in other elections and emphasizes the need for continuing research to improve mobile survey methods in the future.