• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-35
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• 2017

The method of weighted sum of evaluation using AHP is widely used in feasibility analysis and alternative selection. Final scores are given in forms of weighted sums and the alternative with largest score is selected. With two alternatives, as in feasibility analysis, the final score greater than 0.5 gives the selection but there remains a question that how large is large enough. KDI suggested a concept of 'grey area' where scores are between 0.45 and 0.55 in which decisions are to be made with caution, but it lacks theoretical background. Statistical testing was introduced to answer the question in some studies. It was assumed some kinds of probability distribution, but did not give the validity on them. We examine the various cases of weighted sum of evaluation score and show why the statistical testing has to be introduced. We suggest a non-parametric testing procedure which does not assume a specific distribution. A case study is conducted to analyze the validity of our suggested testing procedure. We conclude our study with remarks on the implication of analysis and the future way of research development.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2004

Purpose: There have been some controversies over the therapeutic principles of advanced gastric cancer, and the results of treatment have been variable, especially for stage III disease. This study was conducted to define the prognostic factors of stage III gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was based on the medical records of 179 patients with stage III disease who received a gastrectomy from January 1990 to December 1994. The 5-year survival rate was analyzed according to the age, sex, tumor location, tumor size, Borrmann's type, depth of invasion, lymph-node metastasis, ratio of metastatic lymph nodes, type of surgical resection, extent of lymphnode dissection, curability of resection, postoperative chemotherapy, and pathological stage. The statistical analysis was done by using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was $61.6\%$ the 5-year survival rates according to subgroup were $69.7\%$ for stage IIIa ($100\%$ for $T_{2}N_{2}$, $70.0\%$ for $T_{3}N_{1}$, $68.6\%$ for $T_{4}N_{0}$), and $54.1\%$ for stage IIIb ($T_{3}N_{2}$) (P<0.05). Among various clinicopathologic factors of stage III gastric cancer, the age of the patient, the tumor location, the gross type of tumor, the type of gastric resection, the extent of lymph-node dissection, the curability of resection, and the subgroups of stage III were statistically significant in the univariate survival analysis. The multivariate analysis defined the curability of resection, the extent of lymph-node dissection, the type of operation, the stage of disease, and the age of the patient as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: A curative surgical resection and an extended lymph-node dissection are thought to be most important for improving the survival rate in stage III gastric cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6715-6719
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• 2013

Objective: To explore the incidence, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment strategies, prognosis of patients with malignancy-associated hypercalcemia (MAH). Methods: The data of 115 patients with MAH who were treated at the Medical Oncology Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan., 2001 to Dec., 2010 was retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model with statistic software SPSS 18.0. Results: The patients had blood calcium levels ranging from 2.77 to 4.87 mmol/L. Except for 9 cases who died or were discharged within 5 days after admission, all other patients recovered to normal blood calcium level after treatment with bisphosphonates or intravenous hydration and diuretics; their survival after occurrence of MAH was from 1 day to 4,051 days, and the median survival time was only 50 days. In the log-rank test, the male, renal metastasis, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia occurring over 140 days after cancer diagnosis were predictors of poor survival (P=0.002, P=0.046, P=0.000, P=0.009). In the COX analysis, being male, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia lasting over 140 days after cancer diagnosis were independent prognostic factors for survival time (RR=2.131, P=0.027; RR=3.054, P=0.002; RR=2.403, P=0.001). According to these factors, a score system was established to predict the patient prognosis and adjust the treatment. Conclusion: Cancer patients with MAH have an extremely poor median survival. Some independent factors indicate poor prognosis, including male gender, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia lasting over 140 days after cancer diagnosis. The prognostic score can serve as a reference for MAH prognosis and treatment, worthy of further investigation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3513-3518
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• 2014

The 14-3-3 protein has been shown to be involved in the cancer process. However, there is no understanding of the relationship between 14-3-$3{\gamma}$ (14-3-3 gamma) expression and prognosis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. In this study, we therefore investigated the association between protein levels by immunohistochemistry and clinicopathological features of advanced NSCLC patients. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and tested by log-rank. Multivariate analysis was conducted with the Cox's regression model to determine independence of factors. p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. A total 153 patients were studied, with 54.3% being stage III and 45.8% stage IV. Fifty-one cases (33.3%) were squamous cell carcinomas, and 98 cases (64.1%) were adenocarcinomas. High 14-3-$3{\gamma}$ expression was seen in 59.5% and significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.010) and distant metastasis (p=0.017). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, high 14-3-$3{\gamma}$ expression was associated with poorer survival with a marginal trend toward significance (p=0.055). On multivariate analysis, age, treatment, and 14-3-$3{\gamma}$ expression proved to be independent prognostic parameters. In vitro experiments indicated that 14-3-$3{\gamma}$ overexpression also played a potential role in cancer invasion. In conclusion, our data suggest that 14-3-$3{\gamma}$ overexpression is associated with invasion and a poor prognosis. Therefore, 14-3-$3{\gamma}$ may be a potential prognostic marker of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5331-5336
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• 2014

Background: Early onset breast cancer is associated with poor outcomes but variable results have been reported. It is a significant problem in Pakistani women but remains under reported. Breast conservation plays an important role in surgical management of this younger patient group. The objective of this study was to determine the outcome of breast conservative therapy in patients with early onset breast cancer in our population and compare it with their older counterparts. Materials and Methods: A review of patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent breast conservation surgery at Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital from 1997 to 2009 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups i.e. Group I age ${\leq}40$ and Group II >40 years. A total of 401 patients with breast cancer were identified in Group I and 405 patients in Group II. Demographics, histopathological findings and receptor status of the two groups were compared. The Chi square test was used for categorical variables. Outcome was assessed on basis of 10 year locoregional recurrence free survival (LRRFS), disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). For survival analysis Kaplan Meier curves were used and significance was determined using the Log rank test. Cox regression was applied for multivariate analysis. Results: Median follow up was 4.31 (0.1-15.5) years. Median age at presentation was 34.6 years (17-40) and 51.9 years (41-82) for the two groups. Groups were significantly different from each other with respect to grade, receptor status, tumor stage and use of neoadjuvant therapy. No significant difference was present between the two groups for estimated 10 year LRRFS (86% vs 95%) (p=0.1), DFS (70% vs 70%) (p=0.5) and OS (75% vs 63%) (p=0.1). On multivariate analysis, tumor stage was an independent predictor of LRRFS, DFS and OS. Conclusions: Early onset breast cancer is associated with a distinct biology but does not lead to poorer outcomes in our population.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.853-869
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• 2012

Nowadays, in the context of growing environmental consciousness and tourism industry, 'eco-tourism' has been expanding rapidly worldwide, and it is viewed as the strategy of regional development. Ecotourism is also perceived potential as an effective tool for sustainable development. However, when poorly planned and implemented an ecotourism project, it can quickly turn economic gains into social and environmental disasters. The purpose of this study is to develop standard sets of indicators to measure sustainable ecotourism, and to evaluate ecotourism sustainability practically. This study applies the indicators sets to the ecotourism through the case studies of 10 Korean ecotourism sites. Using the indicators sets, the levels and characteristics of the sustainability of 10 eco-tour sites were measured and evaluated, which makes it possible to monitor sustainable ecotourism in the future. After setting weights among domains differently, the results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the rank changes of the eco-tourism sustainability was very small, implying that the problem of weights setting among each domain will not be critical. Base on the empirical analysis, this study suggests the application of sustainability indicator sets of eco-tourism in the normative, analytic, practical aspects.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.17-36
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• 2020

This study aims to compare the differences between the socially underprivileged and the population as a whole in terms of the quality of life gap between the Seoul metropolitan and non-capital regions based on the capabilities approach. To this end, we selected indicators that can measure nine dimensions of capabilities, such as income, housing, health, and social relations, calculated indicator values for the socially underprivileged and the whole population, and standardized them. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the SUR model were used for comparative analysis. The results show that there are significant differences in the disparities between the Seoul metropolitan and non-capital regions between the socially underprivileged and the entire population, and the differences are generally consistent in the most unfavorable direction for the socially underprivileged in the non-capital regions. In addition, the gap between the Seoul metropolitan and non-capital regions is not large from the point of view of the total population average, but the inter-regional gap is still significant from the viewpoint of the socially underprivileged. These results show the limitations of 'average' regional policies based on an analysis of the average of the total population, and the study is significant to illustrate the ecological errors that may arise in regional problem analysis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 2005

Purpose: Submandibular gland tumor is rare, less than 6% of head and neck tumor. The purpose of this article is to analysis the clinical experience and treatment outcomes of malignant submandibular gland tumor, suggesting a guideline of management. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 26 patients who underwent operation for malignant submandibular gland tumor at Severence hospital between 1986 and 2004. Statistical analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, log rank test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test using SPSS v12.0 for Windows. Results: They consisted of 18 males and 8 females whose median age was 47 years(range: 20-71). 10 cases of adenocystic carcinoma, 8 cases of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, 4 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 1 case each for acinic cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, adeno carcinoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Sialoadenectomy only was performed in 10 cases(36.5%) and sialoadenectomy with neck node dissection was performed in 16 cases(63.5%). Adjuvant radiotherapy was done in 22 cases(84.6%). 10 year disease free survival rate for malignant submandibular gland tumor was 63.1 % and 10 year overall survival rate for malignant submandibular gland tumor was 70.1%. In univariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting recurrence of malignant submandibular gland tumor was initially papable lateral neck node in physical examination and metastasis of lateral neck node in pathologic confirmation. The prognostic factors affecting survival of malignant submandibular gland tumor was tumor size, TNM stage, recurrence and type of recurrence. Conclusion: In this study, prognostic factors affecting recurrence of malignant submandibular gland tumor was initially papable lateral neck node in physical examination and metastasis of lateral neck node in pathologic confirmation. The prognostic factors affecting survival of malignant submandibular gland tumor was tumor size, TNM stage, recurrence and type of recurrence. To prevent recurrence and to improve survival, early diagnosis and aggressive surgery must be considered.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to analyse the regional variation of tenancy system in later Yi-Dynasty in Korea. Materials for the analysis are acquired through materials(韓國土地農産調査報告), published in 1905 and agricultural census published in 1912. For the identification of difference of tenancy system between agricultural region, regionalization are conducted through by crop combination. Crop combination structure, using rank of LQ index, was clustered into five generic lesions through cluster analysis. In these contexts, this study has come to following conclusions. There are three types of tenancy system in materials; (1) Doji(賭地) system of which landrent was 1/3 agricultural products. Tenant healed the land tax and seeds. (2) Byoengjak(竝作) system of which landrent was 1/2 agricultural products. Landlords healed the land tax and seeds (3) Jeongaek(定額法) system of which landrent was fixed without relation to annual products. But through the analysis of relationship between agricultural region and tenancy system, a new tenancy system could be identified : Byeongjak(竝作) II system. In this system, landrent was 1/2 of agricultural products, but landlord and tenant shared the landtax and seed in common. In the distribution of these systems, relationship between tenancy system and agricultural regions could be identified. Doji system was distributed in the regions where rice and double cropping was specialized. But Byoeongjak(竝作) system was distributed in the regions where upland crops are specialized and ratio of Paddy field is comparatively low. Especially new types were emenged where ratio of paddy field was very low. These show that increase of productivity of land didn't induce the development of the right of ownership in land. The development of ownership was emerged only on the rice paddy fields. Barley cultivated through double-cropping passed into tenant's possessions. So nominal landrent in paddy field seemed to be raised, but actual landrent was maintained about 1/3 of Products through double cropping. On the contrary, rights of cultivation is developed through double cropping. As double cropping is developed, competition on paddy field between tenants was intensified. Consequently nominal land rent of Paddy fields should be raised.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2012

Purpose: Most terminally ill cancer patients die from cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome. This study evaluated a prognostic role of plasma leptin levels in terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: This study enrolled 69 terminally ill cancer patients who were aged above 20 years old from July 2009 to July 2010. For univariate analysis, an association between leptin levels and patient's characteristics or other variables was examined using Spearman's correlation analysis, Wilcoxon's rank-sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriately. For multivariable analysis, Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate a clinical significance of plasma leptin levels as a prognostic factor and to determine factors which affect the risk of death in terminally ill cancer patients. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation between plasma leptin levels and survival time was found. Univariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analyses also showed a moderately significant association between plasma leptin levels and survival time. However, after adjusting variables for sex, white blood cell counts, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, albumin and CRP levels, plasma leptin levels were not significantly associated with survival time. Conclusion: No significant association was found between plasma leptin levels and survival time in terminally ill cancer patients. However, this study suggested a prognostic value of plasma leptin levels in gastrointestinal cancer patients.