• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.302-311
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• 2024

Background: Unexpected conversion to thoracotomy during planned video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can lead to poor outcomes and comparatively high morbidity. This study was conducted to assess preoperative risk factors associated with unexpected thoracotomy conversion and to develop a risk scoring model for preoperative use, aimed at identifying patients with an elevated risk of conversion. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,506 patients who underwent surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer. To evaluate the risk factors, univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed. A risk scoring model was established to predict unexpected thoracotomy conversion during VATS of the lung, based on preoperative factors. To validate the model, an additional cohort of 878 patients was analyzed. Results: Among the potentially significant clinical variables, male sex, previous ipsilateral lung surgery, preoperative detection of calcified lymph nodes, and clinical T stage were identified as independent risk factors for unplanned conversion to thoracotomy. A 6-point risk scoring model was developed to predict conversion based on the assessed risk, with patients categorized into 4 groups. The results indicated an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.747, with a sensitivity of 80.5%, specificity of 56.4%, positive predictive value of 1.8%, and negative predictive value of 91.0%. When applied to the validation cohort, the model exhibited good predictive accuracy. Conclusion: We successfully developed and validated a risk scoring model for preoperative use that can predict the likelihood of unplanned conversion to thoracotomy during VATS of the lung.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1707-1718
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• 2009

This study examines the effects of perceived risks on purchase decision behavior among Internet fashion consumers. The study survey used a self-administered questionnaire and a total data of 244 responses were used for analysis. The results of this study are as follows: First, the perceived risks consist of 6 factors, quality risk, counterfeit product risk, credit dealing risk, social/psychological risk, size and appearance risk, and delivery risk. The purchase decision behavior consist of 3 factors, delay of purchase decision, website switching, and offline conversion behavior. Second, purchase time positively affected the quality risk and credit dealing risk. Purchase frequency negatively affected the quality risk and credit dealing risk. Third, the quality risk, size and appearance risk, counterfeit product risk, and credit dealing risk positively affected the delay of purchase decisions. Quality risk and counterfeit product risk positively affected website switching. In addition, quality risk, social/psychological risk, and credit dealing risk positively affected the offline conversion behavior. Fourth, credit dealing risk negatively affected a short term purchase intention and the delivery risk negatively affected a long term purchase intention. The social/psychological risk and credit dealing risk negatively affected the repurchase intention.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) procedures can avoid the complications of an on-pump bypass. However, some cases unexpectedly require conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass during OPCABG. The risk factors associated with a sudden need for cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed. Methods: This retrospective study included 283 subjects scheduled for OPCABG from 2001 to 2010. These were divided into an OPCABG group and an on-pump conversion group. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Of the 283 patients scheduled for OPCABG, 47 (16%) were switched to on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The mortality of the both the OPCABG and on-pump conversion groups was not significantly different. The major risk factors for conversion to on-pump CABG were congestive heart failure (CHF) (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; p=0.029), ejection fraction (EF) <35% (OR, 4.4; p=0.012), and preoperative beta-blocker (BB) administration (OR, 0.3; p=0.007). The use of intraoperative (p=0.007) and postoperative (p=0.021) inotropics was significantly higher in the conversion group. The amount of postoperative drainage (p<0.001) and transfusion (p<0.001) also was significantly higher in the conversion group. There were no significant differences in stroke or cardiovascular complications between the groups over the course of short-term and long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Patients who undergo OPCABG and have CHF or a lower EF (<35%) are more likely to undergo on-pump conversion, while preoperative BB administration could help prevent conversions from OPCABG to on-pump CABG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2017

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) is performed worldwide, but significant risks are associated with conversion to on-pump surgery. Therefore, we evaluated the composite outcomes between an OPCAB group and a conversion group. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2012, 100 consecutive patients underwent OPCAB at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, of whom 84 underwent OPCAB without adverse events (OPCAB group), and 16 were converted to on-pump surgery (conversion group). Early morbidity, early and long-term mortality, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were the primary and long-term composite endpoints. Results: The mean follow-up period was $55{\pm}26months$, with 93% of the patients completing follow-up. The composite outcomes in the OPCAB and conversion groups were as follows: early morbidity, 2.3% versus 12.5%; early mortality, 4.7% versus 0%; long-term mortality, 14.3% versus 25.0%; and MACCEs, 14.3% versus 18.8%, respectively. No composite endpoints showed statistically significant differences. Preoperative acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was identified as an independent risk factor for conversion (p=0.025). Conclusion: The conversion group showed no statistically significant differences in early mortality and morbidity, MACCEs, or long-term mortality compared with the OPCAB group. The preoperative diagnosis of AMI was associated with an increased number of conversions to on-pump surgery.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2007

It is hypothesized that changing from conventional to organic production is an investment because specific capital items are necessary for such a step. It is further hypothesized that in view of the limited experience and the very restricted availability of extension materials such investment is particularly prone to risk. The conversion to organic farming has proven to be an economically interesting alternative for a large portion of the converted farms in the past. This contribution will consider the question of which factors influence the success of organic farming. A discussion of the most important consequences for politics and agricultural practice conclude this paper, drawn on the important factors identified in the study.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.187-193
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• 2020

This study analyzed how risk factors in management affect the management of working capital in general hospitals in Korea. The data used accounting information for three years (2016~2017 and 2018) of 271 general hospitals using the medical institution accounting information disclosure system. The independent variables were the working capital level and the cash conversion cycle, The dependent variables were operational risk and market risk, Control variables were selected as components of working capital(cash, accounts receivable, inventory assets, accounts payable). According to the study, the lower the operational risk, the higher the level of working capital hospitals in Korea. Working capital decisions were confirmed to be attributable to operating risks, cash, inventory assets and accounts payable. And the lower the market risk (Operating Margin), the higher the cash conversion cycle. Therefore, it is necessary to review appropriate management measures of operational risks, cash, inventory assets and accounts payable identified as operating capital determinants so that medical institutions can also have economic response capabilities in consideration of the specificity of their operations.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.470-478
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• 2020

In this paper, a theoretical model that separates one single conversion factor into two conversion factors for both outpatients and inpatients is introduced. By using hypothetical numbers, two conversion factors and an adjustment factor were calculated. The major implications are as follows. Firstly, by introducing two conversion factors, a minimum incentive mechanism for admitting outpatients to a clinic and high risk inpatients to a hospital was installed. Secondly, the introduction of two conversion factors decreased the drive to admit outpatients to a hospital by reducing the economic benefits for the hospital. Thirdly, it is possible to make explicit contracts for several factors rather than a single conversion factor, so that it can be used as an appropriate management tool for rapidly increasing medical expenses. Finally, this research can be used to set up policy tools to establish a proper healthcare delivery system in Korea by inducing behavioral changes in healthcare institutions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2015

Although researches have highlighted the important role of enhanced farm biosecurity to reduce the severity and prevalence of diseases in livestock, to date there has been little study in Korea on farmers' adoption of biosecurity measures to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. To mitigate the risk of PRRSV infection in pigs, the risk factors by which PRRSV is introduced in pig farms must be determined. The primary aim of this study was to investigate pig producers' perceptions about on-farm biosecurity practices. We also analyzed data obtained from a cross-sectional study on 196 farrow-to-finish farms conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 to identify risk factors for PRRSV infection at farm level. Standardized questionnaires with information about basic demographical data and management practices were collected in each farm by on-site visit of trained veterinarians. Farms were classified as negative or positive through the use of infection profiles that combined data on PCR positive pigs and serological testing including antibody titer, sero-conversion pattern at each age category, and vaccination status. Data on biosecurity practices, farm management and environmental characteristics were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Generally, the biosecurity level in the pig farms included in this study were insufficient to reduce/prevent the risk of PRRSV infection given the high pig density areas and the considerable extent of vehicle movement. Factors associated with PRRSV infection were those where owners used on-farm vaccination programs had a lower risk of infection (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.61). The results from the analysis may guide to tailor biosecurity measures in the reduction or prevention of PRRS to the specific circumstances of pig farms in different localities of the world. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to report information on the biosecurity practices currently implemented on Korean pig farms.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.71-96
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• 2022

This research will study the conversion intention of the users in China from fuel vehicle to new energy vehicles through the empirical methods. To this end, a questionnaire survey was conducted with car users as the object, combined with the theory of user migration and the PPM model to analyze the impact of fuel vehicle users' conversion intention to new-energy vehicles factor. The results showed that purchase experience contains the moderating effect, in which perceived risk and switching costs had a greater impact on the groups without purchase experience, whereas social identity, perceived value, personal attitude, and willingness to switch had a greater impact on groups with the purchase experience. Among all five factors, perceived risk had no discernible impact on the switching intention, but social identity, perceived value, attitude toward switching, and switching costs all had discernible impact on the switching intention. This study expects to come out with sustainable advises for the future growth of new energy vehicles from the study of car users' switching intention and the collective difference test of purchasing experience.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.25-40
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• 2019

Many companies are executing big data analysis and utilization projects to legitimize the development of new business areas or conversion of management or technical strategies. In Korea and abroad, however, such projects are failing because they are not completed within specified deadlines, which is not unrelated to the current situation in which the knowledge base for big data project risk management from an engineering perspective is grossly lacking. As such, the current study analyzes the risk factors of big data implementation and utilization projects, in addition to finding risk factors that are highly important. To achieve this end, the study extracts project risk factors via literature review, after which they are grouped using affinity methodology and sifted through expert surveys. The deduced risk factors are structuralize using factor analysis to develop a table that categorizes various types of big data project risk factors. The current study is significant that in it provides a basis for developing basic control indicators related to risk identification, risk assessment, and risk analysis. The findings from the study contribute greatly to the success of big data projects, by providing theoretical basis regarding efficient big data project risk management.