• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5219-5223
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• 2013

The number of axillary lymph nodes involved and retrieved are important prognostic factors in breast cancer. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is a better prognostic factor in predicting disease-free survival (DFS) for breast cancer patients as compared with pN staging. The analysis was based on 804 breast cancer patients who had underwent axillary lymph node dissection between 1999 and 2008 in Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. Optimal cutoff points of LNR were calculated using X-tile software and validated by bootstrapping. Patients were then divided into three groups (low-, intermediate-, and high-risk) according to the cutoff points. Predicting risk factors for relapse were performed according to Cox proportional hazards analysis. DFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. The 5-year DFS rate decreased significantly with increasing LNRs and pN. Univariate analysis found that the pT, pN, LNR, molecule type, HER2, pTNM stage and radiotherapy well classified patients with significantly different prognosis. By multivariate analysis, only LNR classification was retained as an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, there was a significant prognostic difference among different LNR categories for pN2 category, but no apparent prognostic difference was seen between different pN categories in any LNR category. Therefore, LNR rather than pN staging is preferable in predicting DFS in node positive breast cancer patients, and routine clinical decision-making should take the LNR into consideration.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2014

Objective : This study was conducted to clarify the association factors and clinical significance of the CT angiography (CTA) spot sign and hematoma growth in Korean patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods : We retrospectively collected the data of 287 consecutive patients presenting with acute ICH who arrived within 12 hours of ictus. Baseline clinical and radiological characteristics as well as the mortality rate within one month were assessed. A binary logistic regression was conducted to obtain association factors for the CTA spot sign and hematoma growth. Results : We identified a CTA spot sign in 40 patients (13.9%) and hematoma growth in 78 patients (27.2%). An elapsed time to CT scan of less than 3 hours (OR, 5.14; 95% CI, 1.76-15.02; p=0.003) was associated with the spot sign. A CTA spot sign (OR, 5.70; 95% CI, 2.70-12.01; p<0.001), elevated alanine transaminase (GPT) level >40 IU (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.01-4.01; p=0.047), and an international normalized ratio ${\geq}1.8$ or warfarin medication (OR, 5.64; 95% CI, 1.29-24.57; p=0.021) were independent predictors for hematoma growth. Antiplatelet agent medication (OR, 4.92; 95% CI, 1.31-18.50; p= 0.019) was significantly associated with hematoma growth within 6 hours of ictus. Conclusion : As previous other populations, CTA spot sign was a strong predictor for hematoma growth especially in hyper-acute stage of ICH in Korea. Antithrombotics medication might also be associated with hyper-acute hematoma growth. In our population, elevated GPT was newly identified as a predictor for hematoma growth and its effect for hematoma growth is necessary to be confirmed through a further research.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2020

The main cause of DMSMS is the rapid replacement cycle and short life cycle of parts, according to the development of science, compared to the long life cycle of weapons systems. In particular, the problem of the supply and demand of such parts becomes even more acute during the operation maintenance phase after the mass production and power generation stage. To eliminate DMSMS problems that arise continuously from development to the operation of weapon systems and select the most cost-effective countermeasures to obsolescence, this paper suggests a standard to determine the appropriate time for quantitative performance improvement by conducting total life cycle cost analysis. For such purpose, this study examined the domestic and overseas cost analysis methods and applied it to single domestic weapon system to verify the research. This study responds to the issue of discontinuing components and helps reduce the total life cycle cost of military products.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.74-85
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• 2007

Objective : In this study we wanted to confirm if proper stimulation and de-Qi of traditional Korean medical acupuncture could increase hot flash relief efficacy. Design : A randomized controlled, single blind study. We used two modalities of acupuncture, one with optimal stimulation [Study group; Korean medical acupuncture (TKMA)] and one with minimal stimulation [Control group; Minimal acupuncture (MA)]. Same acupoints [PC6(內關), HT8(少府), HT7(神門), LI4(合谷), ST36(足三里), SP6(三陰交), Ren4(關元)] were used in both groups. Fifty-two patients were treated twice a week for 8 weeks, and follow up was done after 4 weeks from the last treatment. Patients were checked hot flash VAS (visual analog scale), frequency and duration every time they visited. Results : Hot flash relief efficacy by 100mm hot flash VAS was obvious in both groups. Hot flash VAS scores of study group were smaller than the scores of control group at the early stage (3rd, $4^{th}$ and $8^{th}$ visit), but there wasn't a remarkable difference between study and control group at the end of the trial. Besides, diminution of hot flash VAS was faster and more even in the study group than control group by visualization using 'Box plot'. We compared frequency and duration of hot flash, 100mm sweating, palpitation, sleep disturbance VAS, and Kupperman Index, MENQOL, Patient's global assessment score. Both groups showed definite decrease from the baseline, but the difference was not statistically significant. There wasn't any adverse event. Hot flash relief efficacy was kept in most patients after 4 weeks' follow-up. Conclusion : Acupoint combination by Traditional Korean medical theory is effective on hot flashes and hot flash relief efficacy was faster and more even in optimal stimulation than minimal stimulation.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.65-72
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• 2015

Purpose - A rapidly changing business environment places great demands on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs need to find strategic alternatives for continued growth and, ultimately, survival. Thus, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are deemed an acceptable solution. Research to date has dealt with M&A in major organizations and focused on post merger integration (PMI). Our study focuses on SMEs, as they are relatively new and unknown to the public. Therefore, this study highlights successful M&A and decision making for SMEs through a case study analysis. Research design, data, and methodology - For this study, we examined an M&A case between company S, which produces cell phone parts, and company P, which produces SSD cases. We reviewed theories and previous studies in M&A literature. We comprehensively examined the decision-making procedure at each M&A stage, describing the situation of the buying company and the selling company from the period of the M&A announcement through deal completion. In addition, we conducted interviews with both companies. The data regarding this case study were collected through interviews with managers of both companies who actively participated in the M&A process. When necessary, we asked them about additional relevant information during the interviews. Results - The result of the M&A between company S and company P was deemed acceptable with the exception of the long negotiation period. However, company S was not able to prepare for PMI after the acquisition due to a controversy over acquisition values. Moreover, the employees of the newly formed company, especially those who came from company P, complained about the M&A and attempted to leave. Thus, implications for successful M&As of SMEs are as follows: First, the procedural compliance of the M&A is needed. Second, support is needed from the CEO for the working group, rather than excessive intervention during due diligence. Third, the right, talented members of the organization should be part of the process of the M&A. Fourth, the use of various types of outside expert or business consultants is needed. Fifth, the strategic intervention by Human Resource managers is required. Last, sharing M&A information among employees is important as information dissemination will help employees be more receptive to such a change. However, this study has several limitations as a single case study; more varied SME M&A case studies are needed in order to generalize the results of the study. Conclusions - Most of the research dealing with M&As has focused on major companies and PMI and neglected SMEs. Thus, our study focuses on SMEs and the decision-making procedures for M&A. This study has significantly contributed to the literature in this area and has provided practical information around the implications of sound decision-making during M&As. Specifically, the results of the study contribute to the need for research on M&A among SMEs, which to date has often been neglected as a topic of choice.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.529-541
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• 1996

The Korean economy has recently changed from industry-based economy toward information-based one, empha-sizing on information utiliation and technological development. It is important to examine the background for the incoming information society and spatial aspect of infromation, because informati-zation process itself contains spatial features like spatial concentrtion and dispersion. This paper generally focuses on the socio-cultural aspects of the informati-zation aspects. The main questions are as follows: 1) what are the ain questions of the exsisting Korean case studies on the informatization; 2) how can we find the charateristics of spatial concentration of informatization by informatization indices; 3) is there any relationship between the degree of informatiztion and regional development? The results of this study can be found in the following facts: (1) The exsisting studies cannot be generallized as spatial analysis on the informatization In general, they focus only a single aspect of information industry or information job. Futhermore, their spatial unit of analysis is limited to provincial level, rather thn city-level micro study. (2) There are big differences between the Capital region, especially Seoul, and others with regard to the socio-cultural aspects of informatiation. Such informatization is concentrated in Seoul. Inchon and Kyeonggi-do, which are the better positions in information intensive activities. (3) The regional differences for the level of informatization are much bigger than those for the level of welfare, suggesting that the informatization tends to concentrate in specified large cities like Seoul. It is clear the Korea is now entering the initial stage of information society.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 1999

Hydrothermal gold deposits of the Trabong district in Vietnam occur as single-stage quartz $\pm$ calcite veins (0.3-1.2 m thick) which fill fault fractures in graphite-bearing gneiss and schist of the Chulai Complex and Kham Duc Formation of the Proterozoic age. Ore grades are 1.3 to 92.4 g/ton Au. Ore mineralogy is very simple, consisting mainly of pyrite with minor amounts of base-metal sulfides and electrum. Gold grains occur in two assemblages as follows: (1) early, Fe-rich (7.2-10.4 mole % FeS) sphalerite + electrum (50.4-64.3 atom % Au) assemblage occurring as inclusions in pyrite; (2) late, Fe-poor «4.7 mole % FeS) sphalerite + galena + electrum (47.6-81.7 atom % Au) assemblage occurring along fractures of pyrites. Based on fluid inclusion data and thermochemical considerations of ore mineral assemblages, ore minerals were formed at high temperatures (about $230^{\circ}C$ to $420^{\circ}C$) from $H_{2}O-CO_{2}(-CH_{4})$-NaCI fluids with the sulfur fugacity of about $10^{-6}$ to $10^{-10}$ atm. Fluid inclusion data also indicate that ore mineralization occurred mainly as a result of fluid unmixing accompanying $CO_2$ effervescence. Calculated oxygen and measured hydrogen isotope compositions of mineralizing waters (${\delta}^{18}O_{V-SMOW}$ values = 5.3 to 8.6$\textperthousand$, ${\delta}D_{V-SMOW}$ values = - 60 to - 52$\textperthousand$), along with the sulfur isotope compositions of vein sulfides (${\delta}^{34}S_{CDR}$ values = - 1.2 to 2.8$\textperthousand$) and carbon isotope compositions of inclusion $CO_2$ (${\delta}^{13}C_{PDB}$ values = - 4.7 to - 2.0$\textperthousand$) indicate that the high temperature (mesohypothermal) gold mineralization formed from a magmatic fluid.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.175-181
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate an effective recipient oocyte and culture system for producing of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Hanwoo ear skin fibroblasts were used as donor cells. In vitro matured Hanwoo or Holstein oocytes were enucleated, and single donor cells were transferred into the perivitelline space of the enucleated oocytes. The couplets were subsequently fused and activated. The reconstructed embryos were cultured in a conventional or sequential culture system. In the former, embryos were cultured in CR2aa medium for eight days; in the latter, embryos were cultured in modified CR2aa-A (mCR2-A) for three days and then further cultured in modified CR2aa-B (mCR2-B) for five days. In the experiment with the recipient oocyte, the rate of embryo development to the blastocyst stage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Hanwoo recipient oocytes than in Holstein ones (48.8% vs 38.9%). BIastocysts derived from Hanwoo recipient oocytes contained significantly (p<0.05) higher numbers of total cells than those derived from Holstein recipient oocytes ($156.0{\pm}68.2$ vs $134.7{\pm}54.8$). There was no difference in the mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocysts between the sources of recipient oocytes. In the experiment with the embryo culture system, the blastocyst rate was somewhat higher in sequential system than in conventional system (50.0% vs 43.5%), though there was no significant difference. The numbers of total ($160.0{\pm}69.0$ vs $156.7{\pm}68.4$) and apoptotic cells ($14.0{\pm}10.4$ vs $11.8{\pm}6.4$) were not different between the culture systems. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Hanwoo recipient oocytes and the sequential culture system were more effective in supporting the production of Hanwoo SCNT embryos.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.136-147
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• 2005

Leachate from landfill sites contains high organics, chloride and ammonium nitrogen in concentration which might be potentially major pollutants to surface and groundwater environment. Most of landfill leachate treatment plants in Korea consist of biological processes to remove BOD and nitrogen. However, the efficiencies of refractory organics removal, nitrification and denitrification have not met frequently the national effluent regulation of wastewater treatment facility, especially in winter season. Simultaneous removal of organics and nitrogen from leachate is strongly necessitated to meet the national regulation on effluents from leachate treatment facilities. The intermittently aerated biological activated carbon fluidized bed(IABACFB) process was applied to treat real landfill leachates containing refractory organics and high concentration of ammonium nitrogen. The IABACFB reactor consisted of a single bed in which BAC fluidizing and an aerating column. The fluidized bed is intermittently aerated through the blower located at the aerating column. Experiments were performed to evaluate the applicability of Intermittently Aerated BACFB for simultaneous removal of refractory organic carbon and ammonium nitrogen of leachate. Organics and ammonia nitrogen($NH{_4}{^+}-N$)are oxidized during the aerobic stage, and nitrite-nitrate nitrogen($NO{_x}{^-}-N$) are removed to nitrogen gas through denitrification reaction during anoxic state. The IABACFB reactor condition reached a steady state within 40 days since the reactors had been operated. The blowing mode of 60 min.-On/60 min.-OFF is more compatible to remove TOC and ($NH{_4}{^+}-N$) operated. The blowing mode of 60 min.-On/60 min.-OFF is more compatible to remove TOC and ($NH{_4}{^+}-N$) simultaneously than the mode of 30 min.-On/90 min.-OFF. The average removal efficiencies of TOC, the refractory organic carbon, and the average efficiencies of nitrification and denitrification were 90%, 75%, 80%, 95%, respectively.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2004

The different social reflections about the benefits and the potential risks of genetically modified (GM) crops have evolved with .different reactions in different countries. Many countries including Korea are working toward setting down new guidelines. Korea requires companies to label all food that contains more than 3% GM ingredients. One of the rapid and convenient detection methods of GM ingredients is amplification of the introduced DNAs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Many PCR kits for this purpose are commercially available. The objective of this study was to evaluate performance of commercialized GM crop detection kits. The results showed that 6 out of 15 kits tested did not meet the requirements even purposed by the manufacturers themselves in terms of stability, reproducibility, and detection limits, suggesting a potential quality control problem in their design stage or production line. The evaluation also suggests that, although the duplex and triplex detection kits allowed unambiguous detection in a single PCR reaction, the monoplex detection kits were the most sensitive to the detection of GM ingredients. The detection limits also differ between soybean and corn. Results from this study will be useful in the development of sound qualitative tracking systems of GM ingredients for monitoring throughout the cultivation of GM crops, their trans-boundary movement, and food production using GM grains as well as for complying with government guidelines associated with GM crops.