• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1210-1218
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• 2000

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature and humidity on biochemical indices of Arbor Acres broilers at different weeks of age. The alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactic dehydrogenase (LD), creatine kinase (CK), plasma glucose (Glu), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), urea nitrogen (UN), uric acid (UA), plasma thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and insulin levels were determined in all the four experiments. In experiment 1, the plasma Glu, LD and CK levels were increased by heat exposure ($35{^{\circ}C}$ and 35, 60, or 85% RH, 2 h) and this effect was aggravated by longer exposure (24 h). No significant changes (p>0.05) were found in Ca concentration, activity of AKP and ACP. In experiment 2, temperature (10, 20, 30, $33{^{\circ}C}$) had significant effect on the levels of K, Cl, UN, UA levels and the activity of LD (p<0.01), but had no significant influence on the activity of CK (p>0.05). The UN, UK and LD levels were elevated by low temperature $(10{^{\circ}C})$ (p<0.01), Cl content was increased by high temperature ($(33{^{\circ}C})$ (p<0.01), and K level was decreased by high ($(33{^{\circ}C})$ or low $(10{^{\circ}C})$ temperature and increased by medium temperature $(30{^{\circ}C})$ (p<0.01). The humidity (35, 85% RH) only had significant effect on Cl concentration which was decreased by high humidity (p<0.01). In experiment 3, the result showed that only the LD and CK activity were significantly increased (p<0.01) by high temperature (7, 24, 28, $32{^{\circ}C}$) or high humidity (35, 85% RH). Temperature and humidity had no significant effect on K, Cl, UA, UN and Glu levels (p>0.05). In experiment 4 (24, 27, 30, $33{^{\circ}C}$; 30, 45, 60, 75, 90% RH), plasma T3 level was declined by high temperature $(33{^{\circ}C})$, and this phenomena disappeared in birds under high temperature and high humidity environment. T4 concentration in plasma was not affected by temperature (p>0.05), but was increased by high or low humidity (p<0.01). Neither temperature nor humidity had significant effect on plasma insulin concentration (p>0.05). The results of the four experiments suggested that broilers at different growth periods might have different thermal requirements and would response differently to heat exposure. The plasma biochemical indices themselves had big variation; the reaction of the indices to thermal exposure treatment differed with the age of broilers. The big variation of biochemical indices themselves might cover the response of indices to temperature and humidity treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4983-4988
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• 2013

Objectives: To establish a taxol-resistant cell line of human ovarian carcinoma (A2780/Taxol) and investigate its biological features. Methods: The drug-resistant cell line (A2780/Taxol) was established by continuous stepwise selection with increasing concentrations of Taxol. Cell morphology was assessed by microscopy and growth curves were generated with in vitro and in vivo tumor xenograft models. With rhodamine123 (Rh123) assays, cell cycle distribution and the apoptotic rate were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Drug resistance-related and signal associated proteins, including P-gp, MRPs, caveolin-1, PKC-${\alpha}$, Akt, ERK1/2, were detected by Western blotting. Results: A2780/Taxol cells were established with stable resistance to taxol. The drug resistance index (RI) was 430.7. Cross-resistance to other drugs was also shown, but there was no significant change to radioresistance. Compared with parental cells, A2780/Taxol cells were significantly heteromorphous, with a significant delay in population doubling time and reduced uptake of Rh123 (p<0.01). In vivo, tumor take by A2780 cells was 80%, and tumor volume increased gradually. In contrast, with A2780/Taxol cells in xenograft models there was no tumor development. FCM analysis revealed that A2780/Taxol cells had a higher percentage of G0/G1 and lower S phase, but no changes of G2 phase and the apoptosis rate. Expression of P-gp, MRP1, MRP2, BCRP, LRP, caveolin-1, PKC-${\alpha}$, Phospho-ERK1/2 and Phospho-JNK protein was significantly up-regulated, while Akt and p38 MARK protein expression was not changed in A2780/Taxol cells. Conclusion: The A2780/Taxol cell line is an ideal model to investigate the mechanism of muti-drug resistance related to overexpression of drug-resistance associated proteins and activation of the PKC-${\alpha}/ERK$ (JNK) signaling pathway.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 1987

Five soybean varieties of two early maturing Karikei73 and SS 79168, and three late maturing Tohoku76, Baegunkong and Jangbaegkong were used and evaluated in the study. Of the varieties examined, Karikei73 was characterized by the delayed leaf senescence. The varieties were planted in the pots of 1/3500 a filled with volcanic ash soil at the experimental fields of the National Institute of Agrobiological Resources in Japan. Major agronomic characteristics including the activity of nitrogen fixation for root nodules during the grain filling period were measured. Measurements during the stages were followed by the stage of development descriptions for soybeans made by Fehr and Carviness (1977). The acetylene reducing activity (ARA) per dry weight of root nodule measured using acetylene reduction assays was the highest at R4-R4.5 with decreasing trends thereafter for the early matruing varieties, while it continuously increased up to R6 but decreased rapidly thereafter for the late maturing varieties. The dry weights of root nodules and all parts of the host plant at each stage checked were greater in the late maturing varieties being the same in ARA per pot.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.119-130
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• 2014

Purpose - Franchise industries are significant both socially and economically. However, with increasing interest, there are manifold problems. It is necessary to seek measures for mature operation constantly despite unprepared franchisors, negative perceptions of the media and society toward franchise, and rapid changes in business start-up trends and propensity to consume that make business start-ups difficult. The paper aims to explain the effects of relational commitment and performance on the franchisor's management characteristics and justice in the food service franchise system. Research design, data, and methodology - This is an exploratory survey examining franchising in Korea. Based on a literature synthesis, we extract five constructs: managerial characteristics, support, fairness, trust, and satisfaction. We hypothesize that these factors influence the trust, satisfaction, and performance of franchisees. To examine these hypotheses empirically, we conducted a survey on the database of the Franchising Council of Korea. The study employs data from May to September 2014. In total, 135 completed questionnaires were received, of which 128 were usable. The data was analyzed with SPSS/PC 22.0. First, to test unidimensionality and nomological validity of the measures of each construct, we employed a scale refinement procedure. The result of a reliability test with Cronbach's α and factor analysis warranted unidimensionality of the measures for each construct. In addition, nomological validity of the measures was warranted from the result of the correlation and regression analysis. By analyzing the data, we can confirm most hypotheses. Results - Frist, franchisor characteristics have a positive effect on trust and satisfaction. Second, franchisor fairness has an effect on trust and satisfaction. Third, franchisor support has an effect on satisfaction. Further, the franchisee trust has an effect on satisfaction. Fourth, the satisfaction of a franchisee with a franchisor affects the performance of a franchisee. Finally, there is a possibility that not only franchisee performance but also increasing the credibility and improving the image of the franchisor through communication between franchisor and franchisee can improve franchisees' performance and satisfaction by motivating the franchisee for sustainable growth. Franchisers should endeavor for franchisees to obtain stable revenue with continuous and practical support. They should recognize that they can expand their business by supporting their franchisees. Franchisors should not only instantly respond to franchisees' troubles with interactive communications but also raise the ability of supervisors for better support. Franchisors should share their visions and goals with their franchisees and provide systematic and continuous support based on trust and clear company management. Franchisees should understand franchisors' position as well as participate in establishing the basic franchise system. Contributions - The paper contributes to understanding franchising in Korea. It offers insights and assistance to franchisors hoping to start franchises. This paper explores measurement issues related to franchisee performance by estimating its determinant factors (managerial characteristics, support, fairness, trust, and satisfaction). This study provides franchisors and practitioners planning to extend their franchising business with some practical knowledge.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.58-76
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• 2003

Background : Aim of this study is focused on the analysis of the needed abilities of medical representatives resulting in building up the market and increasing sales. It is to propose methods to increase this ability ensuring continuous growth in market share and profit. Methods : A survey was conducted between January 6 and May 31, 2003. Using SPSS(Version 10.0), the collected data was analyzed by Hotelling T2, factor analysis. Some hypotheses were selected to include the conclusion. Some questionnaires for physicians working in hospitals or clinics and the medical representatives working in a pharmaceutical company were created and asked to them to either prove or reject those hypotheses. The results were analyzed to find the primary factors that effect the interactions between physician and the medical representatives. These factors were also studied along with the theoretical research based on published references. Results : The results were as follows. The main reasons for the physician to meet with a medical representatives were collection of product informations needed for patient treatment and collection of informations on current medical issue and as well as personal interests. The main parameters by which physicians evaluate the medical representatives are human relationship including sincerity and manners and supply of accurate and unbiased information on products. Overall, the medical representatives' perception on the importance of medical knowledge and ability to deliver it are lower than that expected by physicians. Conclusion : Medical and pharmaceutical companies' environment are changed rapidly. And those changes forced medical representatives to set new roles and competency. In order to drive away from the past 'rule of thumb' and 'adaptation to circumstance', optimal method and systemic development to train and support the medical representatives should be quipped. They will help medical representatives to be specialists in medical knowledge and to understand the exact need of health care professions. Product competitiveness will be increased and eventually successful business can be achieved through it.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-22
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• 2016

In response to changes in the global market environment, companies in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry have begun to pursue cooperation and competition on a business ecosystem level. In particular, to become a leader in the new growth engine industry of Internet of Things (IoT), companies around the globe aim to consolidate vertically up the value chain through a solid establishment of their platforms. This paper looks at Samsung and Xiaomi, whose strategies for creating an ecosystem based on their own platforms differ in accordance to the ecosystem in which they compete. An analysis of these two companies indicate that Samsung pursues a strategy to become the market standard by openly sharing its platform with complementary companies, whereas Xiaomi pursues a strategy that achieves value as a channel owner through the restriction on which companies may become partners. This paper concludes that as Samsung and Xiaomi strive to become IoT industry leaders, each company pursues a variant of a platform-based value chain integration strategy based on the specific nature of the ecosystems in which they compete, thereby creating value through a symbiotic relationship with their partner companies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.884-890
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• 2008

Genistein, an isoflavone in soybean products, is a potential chemopreventive agent against various types of cancer. There are several studies documenting molecular alterations leading to cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and induction of apoptosis; however, its mechanism of action and its molecular targets on the prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production and telomere length regulation in human cancer remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of genistein on the levels of cyclooxygenases (COXs) and telomere regulatory components of several human cancer cell lines (T24, human bladder carcinoma cells; U937, human leukemic cells; AGS, human stomach adenocarcinoma cells and SK-MEL-2, human skin melanoma cells). Genistein treatment resulted in the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. It was found that genistein treatment markedly decreased the levels of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression without significant changes in the expression of COX-1, which was correlated with a decrease in $PGE_2$ synthesis. Genistein treatment also partly inhibited the levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) as well as human telomerase RNA (hTR) and telomerase-associated protein (TEP)-1, and the activity of telomerase. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of genistein.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.26-38
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• 1997

The quality changes of hams and sausages in refrigerated storage were investigated. Seven types of hams and six types of sausages produced in Korea were collected from markets and stored at 1$0^{\circ}C$ according to the Food Code of Korea, and then chemical, microbiological, textural and sensory characteristics were evaluated at 30, 40 and 50 days. The proximal analysis showed considerable variation in fat with less variation in moisture and protein. The pH values of hams and sausages slightly changed with no consistent difference. Water activity values of all samples except one type of sausage were consistent over time in refrigerated storage. No purge losses of hams were observed except two types of samples in the intial stage. Several types of sausages showed purge losses with no consistency and one type of sausage showed consistent purge losses (0.44~11.29%) during the storage. The volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) content of hams and sausages was still within 20 mg% (Standard and Specification of Korea) on the 50th day, although the VBN of all samples significantly increased over time (p<0.05). The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of hams and sausages were well below 1.0 during the storage, although the TBA values of all samples significantly increased (p<0.05). However it was noticed that one type of ham and two types of sausages showed TBA values of 0.945, 0.928 and 0.978, respectively. All the standard plate counts (SPCs) of hams during the storage period showed a level below 30 CFU/g except one type of sample with 103 CFU/g at 50 days. All the SPCs of sausages showed a level below 50 CFU/g except one type of sample with 102 CFU/g and two types of samples with 104 CFU/g on the 50th day. Coliform groups were not counted in all samples during the storage. Instrumental texture analysis showed that springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, gumminess and adhesiveness slightly changed with no consistent difference. The hardness of the hams showed a decreasing tendency, and the hardness of the sausages an increasing tendency with no significant difference. Sensory evaluation for color, flavor, taste, texture and overall acceptability showed decreasing tendencies over time (p<0.05). The scores of the five sensory characteristics maintained the medium level of quality at the termination of the experiment. Although the results indicated that the ham and sausage samples were acceptable after the 50 days' storage at 1$0^{\circ}C$, the shelf-life of the samples should be determined considering the rapid growth of bacteria and the high TBA values at 50 days.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.390-394
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal storage condition of pre-packed Hanwoo beef without freezing. Hanwoo loin was purchased from a local distributor at 48 h after slaughter, then sliced in $1.5{\pm}0.5$ cm thickness, and packed in a polyethylene (PE) tray covered with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film. The studied factors to set the optimal storage condition were chamber temperature (5, 2.5 and $-1^{\circ}C$ for 14 d), cooling method (direct and indirect cooling system), and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation for beef surface sterilization (0, 30, 60, and 120 min). The changes of pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and number of aerobic bacteria were measured during storage. Beef samples stored in $-1^{\circ}C$ showed the minimal increasing rate in TBARS and microbial growth. After 15 d of storage, there was no significant difference in pH and TBARS values. However, the microbial population of beef stored in direct type cooling chamber ($4.25{\pm}0.66$ Log CFU/g) was significantly lower than that of beef stored in indirect type chamber ($6.47{\pm}0.08$ Log CFU/g) (p<0.05). After 4 d of storage, 60 or 120 min UV light irradiated beef samples showed significantly lower microbial population, and at 14 d of storage, 60 min UV irradiated beef sample showed significantly lower microbial population ($3.14{\pm}0.43$ Log CFU/g) than control ($4.46{\pm}0.13$ Log CFU/g) (p<0.05). However, TBARS values of 60 or 120 min UV light irradiated beef samples were significantly higher than non-irradiated beef sample after 4 d of storage (p<0.05).

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2000

A numerical model of three-dimensional soil water distribution for drip irrigation management under cropped conditions was developed using Richards equation in Cartesian coordinates. The model accounts for both seasonal and diurnal changes in evaporation and transpiration, and the growth of plant root and the shape of root zone. Solutions were numerically approximated using the Crank-Nicolson implicit finite difference technique on the block-centered grid system and the Gauss-Seidel elimination in tandem. The model was tested under several conditions to allow the flow rates and configurations of drip emitters vary. In general, simulation results agreed well with experimental results and were as follows. The velocity of soil-water flow decreased drastically with distance from the drip source, and the rate of expansion of the wetted zone decreased rapidly during irrigation. The wetting front of wetted zone from a surface drip emitter traveled farther in vertical direction than in horizontal direction. Under this experimental weather condition, water use efficiency of a drip-irrigated apple field was greatest for 4-drip-emitter system buried at 25 cm, resulting from 10% increase in transpiration but 20% reduction in soil evaporation compared to those for surface 1-drip emitter system. Soil moisture retention curve obtained using disk tension infiltrometer showed significant difference from the curve obtained with pressure plate extractor.