• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.15 no.4 s.48
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• pp.209-228
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• 2006

The learning effect is one of the theoretical frameworks that examine the mechanisms of the deployment of energy technologies. The objective of this paper is to provide a theoretical overview and a critical analysis of the literature on the experience curve for energy technology. For these objectives, we review a couple of theoretical aspects and applications and investigate the sources of learning and cost reductions to grasp the mechanisms of teaming effect. Finally we conclude some insights from our theoretical reviews.

• IE interfaces
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2010

The learning curve model is a mathematical form which represents the relationship between the manufacturing experience and its effectiveness. The semiconductor manufacturing is widely known as an appropriate example for the learning effect due to its complicated manufacturing processes. In this paper, I propose a new compound learning curve model for semiconductor products in which the general learning curve model and the growth curve are composed. The dependent variable and the effective independent variables of the model were abstracted from the existing learning curve models and selected according to multiple regression processes. The simulation results using the historical DRAM data show that the proposed compound learning curve model is one of adequate models for describing learning effect of semiconductor products.

• Knee surgery & related research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether surgical experience could improve surgical competency in medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive cases of MOWHTO were performed with preoperative planning using the Miniaci method. Surgical errors were defined as under- or overcorrection, excessive posterior slope change, or the presence of a lateral hinge fracture. Each of these treatment failures was separately evaluated using the cumulative summation test for learning curve (LC-CUSUM). Results: The LC-CUSUM showed competency in prevention of undercorrection, excessive posterior slope change, and lateral hinge fracture after 27, 47, and 42 procedures, respectively. However, the LC-CUSUM did not signal achievement of competency in prevention of overcorrection after 100 procedures. Furthermore, the failure rate for overcorrection showed an increasing tendency as surgical experience increased. Conclusions: Surgical experience may improve the surgeon's competency in prevention of undercorrection, excessive posterior slope change, and lateral hinge fracture. However, it may not help reduce the incidence of overcorrection even after performance of 100 cases of MOWHTO over a period of 6 years.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.148-158
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• 2013

Generally, building construction projects have a complex decision-making process because of the participation of various agents. In this situation, a final decision is arrived at by relying on subjective judgments based on the experience of project participants. For this reason, a method of assessing the objectivity of opinions is needed. In previous studies, the multi-criteria decision making method was applied to arrive at a final decision objectively, but this method has a limitation, in that the experience of each decision maker is not considered differently in the decision making process. Therefore, this study proposed a theoretical model using the S-shaped growth curve and regression analysis by building construction project type to quantitatively estimate decision-making reliability according to the experience of individual project participant`s. The developed model could be added to the Multi-criteria decision making method, and secure the objectivity and reliability of project participants' final opinion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.447-459
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• 2021

Objective : Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is becoming the preferred treatment for degenerative lumbar diseases. As beginners, we performed 143 surgeries over 19 months. In these consecutive cases, we analyzed the learning curve and reviewed the complications in our experience. Methods : This was a retrospective study; however, complications that were well known in the previous literature were strictly recorded prospectively. We followed up the changes in estimated blood loss (EBL), operation time, and transient psoas paresis according to case accumulation to analyze the learning curve. Results : Complication-free patients accounted for 43.6% (12.9%, early stage 70 patients and 74.3%, late stage 70 patients). The most common complication was transient psoas paresis (n=52). Most of these complications occurred in the early stages of learning. C-reactive protein normalization was delayed in seven patients (4.89%). The operation time showed a decreasing trend with the cases; however, EBL did not show any significant change. Notable operation-induced complications were cage malposition, vertebral body fracture, injury to the ureter, and injury to the lumbar vein. Conclusion : According to the learning curve, the operation time and psoas paresis decreased. It is important to select an appropriately sized cage along with clear dissection of the anterior border of the psoas muscle to prevent OLIF-specific complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.166-170
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• 2012

(VATS) lobectomy to junior surgeons, and to review the first year experience of a new surgeon performing VATS lobectomies who had not performed a VATS lobectomy unassisted during his training period. Materials and Methods: A young surgeon opened a division of general thoracic surgery at a medical institution. The surgeon had performed about 100 lobectomies via conventional thoracotomy during his training period, but had never performed a VATS lobectomy unassisted while under the supervision of an expert. After opening the division of general thoracic surgery, the surgeon performed a total of 38 pulmonary lobectomies for various pulmonary diseases from March 2009 to February 2010. All data were collected retrospectively. Results: There were 14 lobectomies via thoracotomy, 14 VATS lobectomies, and 10 cases of attempted VATS lobectomies that were converted to open thoracotomies. The number of VATS lobectomies increased from the second quarter (n=0) to the third quarter (n=5). The lobectomies that were converted from VATS into thoracotomies decreased from the second quarter (n=5) to the third quarter (n=1) (p=0.002). Conclusion: It can take 6 months for young surgeons without experience in VATS lobectomy in their training period to be able to reliably perform a VATS lobectomy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1996.05c
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• pp.290-295
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to establish the pressure/temperature curves of Reactor Coolant System for brittle fracture prevention. The pressure/temperature curve is the basis to select RC Pump and limits to operate the plant. Based on the plant operation experience, this curve should be re-generated periodically in order to ensure the structural integrity using data from the test of reactor vessel surveilance materials to compensate for the irradiation effects. This study provides the procedure of pressure/temperature curve generation in term of brittle fracture prevention of reactor vessel. Using the UCN 3&4 data, the sample pressure/temperature curve was generated, and it was compared with those of YGN 3&4 based on the stress and $RT_{NDT}$value.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.69-78
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• 1982

Traditional CVP (Cost-Volume-Profit) analysis employs linear cost and revenue functions within some specified time period and range of operations. Therefore CVP analysis is assumption of constant labor productivity. The use of linear cost functions implicity assumes, among other things, that firm's labor force is either a homogenous group or a collection homogenous subgroups in a constant mix, and that total production changes in a linear fashion through appropriate increase or decrease of seemingly interchangeable labor unit. But productivity rates in many firms are known to change with additional manufacturing experience in employee skill. Learning curve is intended to subsume the effects of all these resources of productivity. This learning phenomenon is quantifiable in the form of a learning curve, or manufacturing progress function. The purpose d this study is to show how alternative assumptions regarding a firm's labor force may be utilize by integrating conventional CVP analysis with learning curve theory, Explicit consideration of the effect of learning should substantially enrich CVP analysis and improve its use as a tool for planning and control of industry.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2013

Purpose: The aims are to: (i) display the multidimensional learning curve of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, and (ii) verify the feasibility of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy after learning curve completion by comparing it with laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to June 2012, 247 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (n=136) and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (n=111) for early gastric cancer were enrolled. Their clinicopathological characteristics and early surgical outcomes were analyzed. Analysis of the totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy learning curve was conducted using the moving average method and the cumulative sum method on 180 patients who underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Results: Our study indicated that experience with 40 and 20 totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy cases, is required in order to achieve optimum proficiency by two surgeons. There were no remarkable differences in the clinicopathological characteristics between laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy groups. The two groups were comparable in terms of open conversion, combined resection, morbidities, reoperation rate, hospital stay and time to first flatus (P>0.05). However, totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy had a significantly shorter mean operation time than laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (P<0.01). We also found that intra-abdominal abscess and overall complication rates were significantly higher before the learning curve than after the learning curve (P<0.05). Conclusions: Experience with 20~40 cases of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is required to complete the learning curve. The use of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy after learning curve completion is a feasible and timesaving method compared to laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.205-211
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• 2011

The papaer reviews four theoretical acceptance sampling plans as OC(Operating Characteristics) curve based inspection, rectifying inspection, switching inspection, and continuous inspection. In addition, the study presents practical limitations of theoretical acceptance sampling by attribute and by variable. Finally, following research also recommends the sampling inspection based on production technology. However, the inspection method requires quality expertise with various experience and implicit knowledge of the field.