• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mixed Methods Research

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The Effect of Extended Warranties on Economic Outcome in a Supply Chain (공급사슬상에서 연장보증의 경제적 효과)

  • Sunghee Lee;Jinsoo Park
    • Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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    • v.51 no.1
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    • pp.1-18
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    • 2023
  • Purpose: In Part 1, the purpose of this study is to examine how a used product provider optimizes a company's profits by comparing an extended warranty to a used product only when selling a product and what it provides later. In addition, in Part 2, an empirical study can confirm the structure in which extended guarantees can work effectively by grasping consumers' purchase intention according to the time of sale of extended guarantees, which is the basic premise of the analysis model of Part 1. Methods: This study aims to conduct not only analytical studies but also empirical studies applying various statistical analysis methods using questionnaires targeting customers and potential consumers who have subscribed to extended warranty services. Results: The study showed that the profits of companies providing extended warranty services were proportional to the coefficient of the extended guarantee service value, so it is necessary to create an environment in which the effect of extended guarantee services can be well realized. In the empirical model, the higher the emotional and economic benefits are perceived, the higher the purchase intention according to the future purchase of extended guarantees. Conclusion: Through this study, various problems that may be caused by the structural diversity of the supply chain providing extended warranties in the future can be viewed and contribute to the theoretical foundation for strategic understanding.

Quality Evaluation of e-Government Services: A Systematic Literature Sudan as a Case Study

  • Elmouez Samir Abd Elhameed Mohamed;Amgad Atta Abedelmageed Mohammed
    • International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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    • v.23 no.5
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    • pp.95-108
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    • 2023
  • The technological revolution, also referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it embraced by government should transform the way governments serve their citizens. The growth of broadband in Africa is leapfrogging its technological development. And thus, many African governments will soon be able to offer quality e-Government services to their citizens. These technologically driven governments will be able to provide decision-makers with timeous information to make judgments that could influence policies. Proponents of e-Government believe that in the digital age, governments can use this information to reduce corruption and increase, accountability, transparency, efficiency, and public participation. e-Government service quality should ensure customer satisfaction. Although many studies have examined the role of e-Government and the quality of its services, few studies have examined the quality of e-Government services in terms of both supply and demand. This paper examines and reviews the academic-state-of-the-art on the factors that affect the quality of e-Government services from both perspectives. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods for data gathering and analysis, a mixed methods research methodology was used.

A Study on Characteristics of HI Decomposition Using Pt Catalysts on ZrO2-SiO2 Mixed Oxide (ZrO2-SiO2 복합산화물에 담지된 백금 촉매의 요오드화수소 분해 특성 연구)

  • Ko, Yunki;Park, Eunjung;Bae, Kikwang;Park, Chusik;Kang, Kyoungsoo;Cho, Wonchul;Jeong, Seonguk;Kim, Changhee;Kim, Young Ho
    • Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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    • v.24 no.5
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    • pp.359-366
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    • 2013
  • This work is investigated for the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen iodide (HI). Platinum was used as active material by loading on $ZrO_2-SiO_2$ mixed oxide in HI decomposition reaction. To obtain high and stable conversion of hydrogen iodide in severe condition, it was required to improve catalytic activity. For this reason, a method increasing dispersion of platinum was proposed in this study. In order to get high dispersion of platinum, zirconia was incorporated in silica by sol-gel synthesis. Incorporating zirconia influence increasing platinum dispersion and BET surface area as well as decreasing deactivation of catalysts. It should be able to stably product hydrogen for a long time because of inhibitive deactivation. HI decomposition reaction was carried out under the condition of $450^{\circ}C$ and 1 atm in a fixed bed reactor. Catalysts analysis methods such as $N_2$ adsorption/desorption analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, ICP-AES and CO gas chemisorption were used to measurement of their physico-chemical properties.

Clinicopathological characteristics of extrahepatic biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms in the gallbladder, extrahepatic biliary tract, and ampulla of Vater: A single-center cross-sectional study

  • Young Mok Park;Hyung Il Seo;Byeong Gwan Noh;Suk Kim;Seung Baek Hong;Nam Kyung Lee;Dong Uk Kim;Sung Yong Han
    • Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.380-387
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    • 2023
  • Backgrounds/Aims: In 2019, the grading and staging system for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) was significantly changed. In this study, we report the clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with extrahepatic biliary NENs who underwent curative resection with or without adjuvant treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a database of 16 patients who developed NENs, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and mixed endocrine non-endocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) after curative resection. Among them, eight patients had ampulla of Vater (AoV) tumors, and eight patients had non-AoV tumors. Results: G1 and G2 were more frequently observed in the AoV group than in the non-AoV group (12.5% and 62.5%, respectively). In contrast, NEC and MiNEN were more common in the non-AoV group (50.0%). High Ki-67 index (> 20%) and perineural invasion (PNI) were more frequently observed in the non-AoV group. Advanced age (> 65 years), mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm2, and Ki-67 index > 20% were strongly correlated with patient survival (p = 0.018, 0.009, and 0.044, respectively). Advanced age (> 65 years) and mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm2 were significantly correlated with disease recurrence (p = 0.033 and 0.010, respectively). Conclusions: AoV and non-AoV tumors had significant differences in the histologic grade, Ki67, and PNI. Patients with non-AoV tumors had an increased risk for survival and recurrence than those in the AoV group. For extrahepatic biliary NENs, early detection of tumors, adequate surgery, and aggressive adjuvant treatment for high-risk patients are important to achieve long-term survival and prevent disease recurrence.

Validity for Classifying the Stages of Change among the Dietary Assessment Methods on Eating Fruits and Vegetables for American College Students

  • Chung, Sang-Jin;Sharon L. Hoerr;Ralph Levine;Won O. Song;Gayle Coleman
    • Journal of Community Nutrition
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.143-150
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    • 2002
  • The objective of this study is to establish outcome validity for three instruments that assess whether subjects met recommendations for daily servings of fruits and vegetables for“Stage of Change”research. A convenience sample of 294 college students was recruited from introductory nutrition classes at Michigan State University in the United States. To measure servings of fruits and vegetables, separately, three types of methods (self-rated intake, 24-hour recall and food frequency) were used in comparison to the servings from a three-day food record, the criterion used. The outcome validity was assessed based on whether or not at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables were reported. Validity was assessed by sensitivity, to measure the ability to detect low intakes, and by specificity, to measure ability to detect adequate intakes. Cohen's kappa was used as well to examine the agreement between the three methods and a three-day food record. The results showed, for fruits, the 24-hour recall had the best agreement (recall 0.54, self-rated : 0.31, food frequency : 0.29) with a three-day food record for servings consumed by people in pre-action or post-action stages. Sensitivity for fruit was also best using a recall (0.81). For vegetables, however, all three methods had low agreement (food frequency : 0.27, recall : 0.21, self-rated : 0.17) with the results of the three-day food record. Self-rated intakes for vegetables had the best sensitivity (0.66) and the food frequency had the best specificity (0.73). Therefore, researcher can use the 24-hour recall method to identify people who consume inadequate servings of fruit. To detect adequate vegetable intake, the food frequency was best of the three methods. Accuracy may be improved by probing for vegetables in mixed dishes and on sandwiches. (J Community Nutrition 4(3): 143∼150, 2002)

A Study of Clinical Feature of Premature of Cerebral Palsied Children at Kyoung-Nam${\cdot}$Pusan (부산${\cdot}$경남 일부 뇌성마비아들의 임상특성 연구)

  • Cho, Hee-Sun;Kim, Chung-Sun
    • The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.99-108
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study was to research the clinical of cerebral palsy taking physical therapy at the department of physical therapy of various clinics at Kyungnam${\cdot}$Pusan. Among the subjects that was born from January, 1985 to June, 2000, 226 parents was answered to questionary of this study. The results of the study were as follows: 1) During the embryonic period, the cerebral palsied children above 37weeks were 114 subjects(50.9%) and there was 51 subjects(22.8%) between 28weeks to 31weeks and 32weeks to 36weeks. The children below 28weeks were 8 subjects(3.6%) and showed the lowest rate. As compared to the delievery methods, the normal delievery, cesserian section delievery, and forceps delievery was 124 subjects(55.1%), 81(36.0%), 16(7.1%), nad 4(1.8%). Among them the mormal delievery indicated the highest percentage. 2) Compared to the weight during birth time, the above 2500g of 121 subjects(55.3%) showed the highest rate and the 28 subjects(12.8%) had the birth weight of 1000to 1499g. There was 4 subjects(1.8%) below the 1000g. 3) Compared to the birth weight of the pregnancy period, the weight of the cerebral palsied children below 28weeks were 1000g to 1499g and showed the highest rate of 4 subjects(50%). The children between 28weeks to 31weeks and 32weeks to 36weeks were 1500 to 2499g, each 23(47.9%), and 28(54.9%) subject. The weight of the children of the above 37weeks were above 2500g and 94 subjects(87.4%). Therefore, if the period of pregnancy is short, the weight birth would indicate the lower weight than the weight of the other times(p<0.05). 4) The spastic type of the pregnant period had the highest rate and the period was the below 28weeks to 31weeks. The cerebral palsied children of athetoid and mixed type were 6 subjects(13.3%) and 5 subjects(31.9%) between 28 and 31weeks. The mixed type of them was each 15 (31.9%) and 33 (30.6%) subjects between 32 to 36 weeks and the above 37weeks. The mixed type showed a slightly high rate (p<0.05). 5) The spastic type indicated the highest rate in the weight of birth time and especially showed the high rate in the case of 1000 to 1499g. The mixed type indicated a slightly high rate of 17 subjects (25.8%) and 32 subjects (29.1%) in case of 1500 to 2499g and the above 2500g (p<0.05).

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Effect of Coverage Expansion Policy for an Ultrasonography in the Upper Abdomen on Its Utilization: A Difference-in-Difference Mixed-Effects Model Analysis (상복부초음파검사 급여확대에 따른 의료이용의 변화: 이중차이 혼합효과모형 추정방법을 이용하여)

  • Son, Yena;Lee, Yongjae;Nam, Chung-Mo;Kim, Gyu Ri;Chung, Woojin
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.326-334
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    • 2020
  • Background: Korea has gradually expanded the coverage of medical care services in its national health insurance system. On April 1, 2018, it implemented a policy that expanded the coverage for an ultrasonography in the upper abdomen. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the policy on the utilization of the ultrasonography in the upper abdomen in tertiary care hospitals. Methods: Using the dataset of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we explored changes in the utilization of the ultrasonography in the upper abdomen in tertiary care hospitals from July 1, 2017 to November 30, 2018 through the difference-in-difference (DID) mixed-effects-model method. Facility factor, equipment factor and personnel factors, type of hospital, the total amount of medical care expenses, and geographic region were considered as control variables. Results: On average, the utilization of the ultrasonography in the upper abdomen increased by 228% after the coverage expansion policy. However, the results of DID mixed-effects-model method analysis showed that the utilization increased by 73%. As for the number of beds, the utilization was higher with a group of 844-930, 931-1,217, and 1,218 or greater compared with a group of 843 or fewer, while the utilization of the number of ultrasonic devices was lower with a group of 45-49 compared with a group of 44 or fewer. The utilization decreased with the number of interns and the number of nurse assistants. Besides, relative to Seoul, the utilization was lower in the other metro-cities and provinces. Conclusion: The coverage expansion policy in the national health insurance system increased service utilization among people. Future research needs to investigate the degree to which such coverage expansion policy reduces the unmet medical care needs among the deprived in Korea.

FLUORESCENT LABELLING OF MC3T3 CELL LINE BY 5-(AND-6)-CARBOXY-2', 7'-DICHLOROFLUORESCEIN DIACETATE, SUCCINIMIDYL ESTER MIXED (MC3T3 preosteoblast cell line의 5-(and-6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester mixed에 의한 fluorescent labelling)

  • Kook, Min-Suk
    • Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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    • v.31 no.6
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    • pp.461-467
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    • 2005
  • Background. 5-(and-6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester mixed (CFSE) is the fluorescent labelling agent of living cells and used to trace the cells in vivo after transplatnation of various cells. The CFSE labelled cells can maintain fluorescence for up to 7 days after labelling. The MC3T3-E1 cell line (MC3T3) has been used for many studies about osteoblast, which is well known as a mouse preosteoblast. So the CFSE would be used to trace the transplanted MC3T3. However there are few reports about CFSE labelling of MC3T3. This study is aimed to know about adequate concenturation and incubation time of CFSE to MC3T3. Materials and methods. The MC3T3 was incubated in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air with 5% $CO_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ using ${\alpha}$-minimal essential medium (${alpha}$-MEM) containing10% FBS and gentamycin. Ten mM CFSE solution in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO: 1%) was diluted with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and final concentration of culture medium was, respectively, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 ${{\mu}M$. Then the MC3T3 was incubated with CFSE in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air with 5% $CO_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 minutes in each concentration. The fluorescence of CFSE labelled cells was analysed with a inverted fluorescence microscope. The duration of cell labelling was also studied. Trypan blue dye exclusion test was done for cell viability. Results. For concentration between 5 and 10 ${\mu}M$, CFSE did not significantly label the MC3T3 in vitro. The destruction of MC3T3 was observed at the concentration of 20 ${\mu}M$. In the concentration of 15 ${\mu}M$, the best labelling was obtained at an incubation period between 15 and 30 minutes. The MC3T3 labelled with an incubation period of 15 minutes at 15 ${\mu}M$ was still fluorescent 7 days after CFSE labelling. The mean cell viability was 95.93%. Conclusion. These results suggests an incubation period of 15 minutes at 15 ${\mu}M$ of CFSE provides best labelling of MC3T3 in vitro.

Addition of 2 mg dexamethasone to improve the anesthetic efficacy of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine administered for inferior alveolar nerve block to patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in the mandibular molars: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

  • Aggarwal, Vivek;Ahmad, Tanveer;Singla, Mamta;Gupta, Alpa;Saatchi, Masoud;Hasija, Mukesh;Meena, Babita;Kumar, Umesh
    • Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.305-314
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    • 2022
  • Introduction: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the anesthetic effect of the addition of 2 mg (4 mg/ml) of dexamethasone to 2% lidocaine (plain or with 1:80,000 epinephrine). The solutions were injected for a primary inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) to provide mandibular anesthesia for the endodontic treatment of mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Methods: In a double-blinded setup, 124 patients randomly received either of the following injections: 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine, 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine mixed with 2 mg dexamethasone, or plain 2% lidocaine mixed with 2 mg dexamethasone, which were injected as a primary IANB. Ten minutes after injection, patients with profound lip numbness underwent electric and thermal pulp sensibility tests. Patients who responded positively to the tests were categorized as "failed" anesthesia and received supplemental anesthesia. The remaining patients underwent endodontic treatment using a rubber dam. Anesthetic success was defined as "no pain or faint/weak/mild pain" during endodontic access preparation and instrumentation (HP visual analog scale score < 55 mm). The effect of the anesthetic solutions on the maximum change in heart rate was also evaluated. The Pearson chi-square test at 5% and 1% significance was used to analyze anesthetic success rates. Results: The 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine, 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine mixed with 2 mg dexamethasone, and plain 2% lidocaine mixed with 2 mg dexamethasone groups had anesthetic success rates of 34%, 59%, and 29%, respectively. The addition of dexamethasone resulted in significantly better results (P < 0.001, 𝛘2 = 9.07, df = 2). Conclusions: The addition of dexamethasone to 2% lidocaine with epinephrine, administered as an IANB, can improve the anesthetic success rates during the endodontic management of symptomatic mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis.

Taxonomical Classification and Genesis of Yongheung Series in Jeju Island (제주도 토양인 용흥통의 분류 및 생성)

  • Song, Kwan-Cheol;Hyun, Byung-Geun;Moon, Kyung-Hwan;Jeon, Seung-Jong;Lim, Han-Cheol
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.42 no.6
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    • pp.478-485
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    • 2009
  • This study was conducted to reclassify Yongheung series based on the second edition of Soil Taxonomy and to discuss the formation of Yongheung series in Jeju Island. Morphological properties of typifying pedon of Yongheung series were investigated and physico-chemical properties were analyzed according to Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual. The typifying pedon contains 3.2~3.4% oxalate extractable (Al + 1/2 Fe), less than 85% phosphate retention, and higher bulk density than $0.90Mg\;m^{-3}$. That can not be classified as Andisol. But it has an argillic horizon from a depth of 15 to 150 cm and a base saturation (sum of cations) of less than 35% at 125 cm below the upper boundary of the argillic horizon. That can be classified as Ultisol, not as Andisol or Alfisol. The typifying pedon has 0.9 % or more organic carbon in the upper 15 cm of the argillic horizon and accordingly, can be classified as Humult. It has a clay distribution in which the percentage of clay does not decrese from its maximum amount by 20% or more within a depth of 150 cm from the mineral soil surface, and keys out as Palehumult. Also that meets the requirements of Typic Palehumult. That has 35 % or more clay at the particle-size control section and has mesic soil temperature regime. Yongheung series can be classified as fine, mixed, thermic family of Typic Palehumults, not as fine, mixed, thermic family of Typic Hapludalfs. Most soils distributed in the southern coastal areas in Jeju island which have a humid climate are developed as Andisols. But Yongheung series distributed in this areas and derived from mainly trachyte, trachytic andesite, and volcanic ash are developed as Ultisols.