• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.7
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• pp.1-13
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• 2020

This study analyzes the key drivers (commitment, integration of big data, green supply chain management, and green human resource practices) of sustainable capabilities and the influence to which these sustainable capabilities impact the banks' environmental and financial performance. Additionally, this study analyzes the impact of green management practices on the integration of big data technology with operations. The theory of dynamic capability was deployed to propose and empirically test the conceptual model. Data was collected through a self-administrated survey questionnaire from 319 participants employed at 35 banks located in six ASEAN countries. The findings indicate that big data analytics strategies have an impact on internal processes and banks' sustainable and financial performance. This study indicates that banks committed towards proper data monitoring of its clients achieve operational efficiency and sustainability goals. Moreover, our results confirm that banks practising green innovation strategies experience better environmental and economic performance as the employees of these banks have received advance green human resource training. Finally, our study found that internal and external green supply chain management practices have a positive impact on banks' environmental and financial performance, which confirms that ASEAN banks contributing in reduction of environmental impact through its operations will ultimately experience increased financial performance.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.479-487
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• 2020

Current assumptions are used in the formulation of pseudo-first (PFO) and second-order (PSO) models to describe the kinetic data of filtration based on ideal operating conditions. This paper presents a new model developed with pseudo n^th order and based on real assumption. A comparison was performed between PFO, PSO and the new model to highlight their performance and the optimisation of the pseudo-order equation, using MATLAB software. Adsorption characteristic of bovine serum albumin adsorption on the track-etched membrane are used as a medium based on protein filtration data were extracted from the literature for different concentrations to demonstrate the comparison between PFO/PSO and the new model. The pseudo first and second-order kinetic models were applied to test the experimental data and they did not provide reasonable values. The results show that the predicted values are consistent with experimental values giving a good correlation coefficient R² = 0.997 and a minimum root mean squared error RMSE = 0.0171. Indeed, the experimental results follow the new model and the optimal pseudo equation order n = 1.115, the most suitable curves for the new model. As a result, we used different experimental adsorption data from the literature to examine and check the applicability and validity of the model.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.346-355
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed in order to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Acer tegmentosum Maxim. on r at hepatic stellate cell line T6. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate Cells (T6) were treated with various concentrations of distilled water Acer teg mentosum Maxim. extract for 24, 48, 72 hours. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels, mRNA of AS MA, MMP-2, collagen type 1a2 and IL-6 production were measured using MTT assay, BrdU assay, RT-PCR, procollagen typ e 1 C-peptide EIA kit and murine IL-6 ELISA development kit. Results : Cell viability of HSC-T6 decreased significantly in both 24 hours and 48 hours groups in a dose-dependant man ner. Proliferation of HSC also decreased in the same way. In the RT-PCR, mRNA expression of collagen type 1a2 and ASMA decreased in the groups which were treated with Acer tegmentosum Maxim. for 24 hours. The production of procollagen tended to decrease in a dose-dependant manner in the 24 hours treated group. IL-6 production increased under Acer tegmentosum trea tment in a dose-dependant manner in both 24 and 48 hours groups. Conclusion : These results show the possibility that Acer tegmentosum Maxim. can be an effective remedy for liver fibrosi s and liver cirrhosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.177-188
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba on cultured rat hepatic stellate cells. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate cells(HSC-T6) were treated with various concentrations of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba extract for 24 hours. The extraction was done either with distilled water or 50% EtOH. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and the mRNA of the collagen type 1a2 and ASMA were measured by using MTT assay, BrdU assay, RT-PCR, and Procollagen Type I C-peptide EIA Kit. Results : The viability and proliferation of the hepatic stellate cells were decreased as the concentration increased. The mRNA expression decreased consistently with the volume of the secreted procollagen with the extraction made with distilled water, which indicates the herb has inhibitory effect on fibrogenesis of the liver by regulating one of the fibrosis associated genes in transcription. However, it increased in 50% EtOH extraction, which shows that a more stable reaction is expected of the extraction made with distilled water than the extraction made with 50% EtOH. The production of procollagen was decreased by a low-concentration treatment with Artemisiae Capillaris Herba, but increased by a high concentration. It seemed that the cells were responding to Artemisiae Capillaris Herba in low- concentrations, thus producing small amounts of collagen. When the drug was administered at high enough concentration to give direct toxicity to cells, the ability of cells to produce collagen was activated, and the overproduction of collagen was observed as an undesirable results. Conclusion : These results suggest that Artemisiae Capillaris Herba is beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for the patients with chronic hepatitis when extracted with water in the proper concentrations.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2017

Background: There are many mechanisms in which stress can lead to weight gain thus high a BMI. The endocrine and inflammatory pathway can directly increase abdominal adiposity. Another way in which stress leads to weight gain is through changes in health behaviors. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among healthy students of Ahlia University, and to determine the relationship between the development of MSDs and academic stressors and body mass index. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 94 students aged 18-26 years who were enrolled at various Ahlia University colleges and met other inclusion criteria. The students responded to the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and the modified College Student Stress Inventory regarding musculoskeletal symptoms and academic stressors. Height and weight measurements were also obtained to determine body mass index. Results: A total of 77.66% reported MSDs in one or more body part, with the prevalence being higher among women than among men. The 7-day prevalence of MSDs severe enough to interfere with activities of daily living was 60.64%, and 44.68% by female and male students, respectively. There was a significant relationship between academic stress and MSDs in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips, while the relationship between MSDs, and body mass index, academic stress, and grade point average was not significant. Conclusions: The prevalence of MSDs among Ahlia University students was found to be high. Apart from the positive correlation between academic stress and MSDs in certain body parts, other correlations were not significant.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.117-120
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• 1998

In this study, $Al_2O_3/MgO$ bilayer was prepared with Electron-beam evaporation and the properties of the film was investigated in order to improve the property of MgO film, which is used for the protection layer in PDP(P1asma Display Panel). The thickness of $Al_2O_3/MgO$ bilayer was optimized by the Matrix Theory for the fabrication of antireflection structure for 5350A wavelength. The secondary electron emission yields of as-deposited film and annealed film were measured and compared, the bilayer was considered for the applicability as PDP. XRD showed the strong (200) primary peak of MgO. The intensity of (200) peak in the film annealed at 300C was decreased. As the result of SEM analysis for MgO films and Alz03 films, it is considered that the morphology of the films were improved of roughness and it were condensed by annealing.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.312-320
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• 2020

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) involves multiple organ systems and has the highest mortality among connective tissue diseases. Interstitial lung disease is the most common cause of death among SSc patients and requires closer studies and follow-ups. This study aimed to identify lung function changes and predictors of progressive disease in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Methods: A retrospective study extracted SSc patients from an electronic database January 2002-July 2019. Eligible cases were SSc patients >age 15 diagnosed with SSc-ILD. Factors associated with progressive disease were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Seventy-eight SSc-ILD cases were enrolled. Sixty-five patients (83.3%) were female, with mean age of 44.7±14.4, and 50 (64.1%) were diffuse type SSc-ILD. Most SSc-ILD patients had crackles (75.6%) and dyspnea on exertion (71.8%), and 19.2% of the SSc-ILD patients had no abnormal respiratory symptoms but had abnormal chest radiographic findings. The most common diagnosis of SSc-ILD patients was non-specific interstitial pneumonia (43.6%). The lung function values of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and DLCO per unit alveolar volume declined in progressive SSc-ILD during a 12-month follow-up. Male and no previous aspirin treatment were the two significant predictive factors of progressive SSc-ILD with adjusted odds ratios of 5.72 and 4.99, respectively. Conclusion: This present study showed that short-term lung function had declined during the 12-month follow-up in progressive SSc-ILD. The predictive factors in progressive SSc-ILD were male sex and no previous aspirin treatment. Close follow-up of the pulmonary function tests is necessary for early detection of progressive disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Injinchunggan-tang on cultured rat hepatic stellate cells. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate cells(HSC-T6) were treated with various concentrations of Injinchunggan-tang extract for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The extraction was done with distilled water. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and the mRNA of the TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and ASMA were measured by using MTT assay. BrdU assay, procollagen type I C-peptide EIA kit and RT-PCR. Results : The proliferation, mRNA expression and synthesis of collagen of the hepatic stellate cells were inhibited by Injinchunggan-tang treatment in a dose-dependent manner. This indicates the prescription has inhibitory effect on fibrogenesis of the liver by regulating the fibrogenesis associated genes in transcription. Cell viability was inhibited in time- and dose-dependent manners. It seemed that the drug should be used with sufficient dose to acquire treatment effect. Conclusion : These results suggest that Injinchunggan-tang is beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for the patients with chronic hepatitis.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.10
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• 2021

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed at elevated levels by most cancer cells, which can stimulate vascular endothelial cell growth, survival, proliferation as well as trigger angiogenesis modulated by VEGF and VEGFR (a tyrosine kinase receptor) signaling. The angiogenic effects of the VEGF family are thought to be primarily mediated through the interaction of VEGF with VEGFR-2. Targeting this signaling molecule and its receptor is a novel approach for blocking angiogenesis. In recent years virtual high throughput screening has emerged as a widely accepted powerful technique in the identification of novel and diverse leads. The high resolution X-ray structure of VEGF has paved the way to introduce new small molecular inhibitors by structure-based virtual screening. In this study using different alkaloid molecules as potential novel inhibitors of VEGF, we proposed three alkaloid candidates for inhibiting VEGF and VEGFR mediated angiogenesis. As these three alkaloid compounds exhibited high scoring functions, which also highlights their high binding ability, it is evident that these alkaloids can be taken to further drug development pipelines for use as novel lead compounds to design new and effective drugs against cancer.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.283-297
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• 2021

Investigation of genetic diversity and molecular characterization in high yielding rice varieties is important for their identification. The experiment was conducted during 2016 - 2017 to analyse the genetic diversity of fifteen high yielding rice varieties in Bangladesh by using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Polymorphism was revealed in 12 RAPD primers out of 30, whereas no other reaction was detected on the remaining 18 primers. The 40 out of 45 bands (88.89%) polymorphics were produced by the primers and ranged from 50 to 100%. The maximum number of polymorphic bands was produced by the primer OPB-18 whereas the lowest number of polymorphic bands belonged to OPC-12. The genetic similarity coefficients were determined with the RAPD data, which ranged from 0.47 to 0.94. The unweighted paired group of arithmetic means (UPGMA) dendrogram presented the studied rice varieties into two major clusters. Moreover, the value of Nei's genetic diversity is 0.26 and the Shanon information index is 0.41. The study produced distinct positions, suggesting that the genotypes were different from each other. The results indicated that these markers could be efficient for comparing the genetic relationships, patterns of variation, and measurement of genetic distance among rice varieties. Considering all of these results, RAPD analysis is found to be an effective tool for estimating the genetic diversity of different rice varieties. The outcomes of this research may contribute to the germplasm data of rice accessions and a future breeding program of rice genotypes.