• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-61
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• 2022

Despite of the consensus on the critical role of CEO and slack resources for strategic decision making, how they affect in the selection of strategic alliance type is limited. This study investigated the effect of CEO's experiential attributes and the venture firms' slack resource on the selection of strategic alliance type. To this end, this study used multi-variate logistic regression analysis with 1,813 Korean venture firms. The findings indicated that higher education level and large firm experience of CEO positively contributed to form an explorative alliance. And these two experiential attributes has negative effects on the probability of exploitative alliance formation. On the other hand, the entrepreneurial experience has no effect on the selection of strategic alliance type. This study also investigated the effect of slack resource - available slack, recoverable slack, and potential slack-. The more venture firms have available and potential slack, the higher probability of pursuing an explorative alliance. In addition, recoverable slack of venture firms has negative effect only on the selection of explorative alliance. The results of this study are expected to contribute the literatures of strategic management and venture firms by illustrating which CEO and firm-level factors affect the selection of strategic alliance type. This study also extends recent effort to better understand the selection of strategic alliance type with upper echelons theory and slack resource. And this study suggests implications that can increase the probability of successful decision making by venture firms in selection of strategic alliance type.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.425-437
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• 2023

Obesity, which continues to increase worldwide, was shown to irreversibly impair the differentiation potential and angiogenic properties of adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (ADSCs). Because these cells are intended for regenerative medicine, especially for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, and the effects of obesity on the immunomodulatory properties of ADSCs are not yet clear, here we investigated how ADSCs isolated from former obese subjects (Ex-Ob) would influence macrophage differentiation and polarization, since these cells are the main instructors of inflammatory responses. Analysis of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of overweight (OW) and Ex-Ob subjects showed the maintenance of approximately twice as many macrophages in Ex-Ob SAT, contained within the CD68⁺/FXIII-A^- inflammatory pool. Despite it, in vitro, coculture experiments revealed that Ex-Ob ADSCs instructed monocyte differentiation into a M2-like profile, and under inflammatory conditions induced by LPS treatment, inhibited HLA-DR upregulation by resting M0 macrophages, originated a similar percentage of TNF-α⁺ cells, and inhibited IL-10 secretion, similar to OW-ADSCs and BMSCs, which were used for comparison, as these are the main alternative cell types available for therapeutic purposes. Our results showed that Ex-Ob ADSCs mirrored OW-ADSCs in macrophage education, favoring the M2 immunophenotype and a mixed (M1/M2) secretory response. These results have translational potential, since they provide evidence that ADSCs from both Ex-Ob and OW subjects can be used in regenerative medicine in eligible therapies. Further in vivo studies will be fundamental to validate these observations.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of chronic hyperglycaemia affecting normal kidney functioning. The ayurvedic medicine curcumin (CUR) is pharmaceutically accepted for its vast biological effects. Objectives: The Curcuma-derived diferuloylmethane compound CUR, loaded on Poly (lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles was utilized to combat DN-induced renal apoptosis by selectively targeting and modulating Bcl2. Methods: Upon in silico molecular docking and screening study CUR was selected as the core phytocompound for nanoparticle formulation. PLGA-nano-encapsulated-curcumin (NCUR) were synthesized following standard solvent displacement method. The NCUR were characterized for shape, size and other physico-chemical properties by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy studies. For in vivo validation of nephro-protective effects, Mus musculus were pre-treated with CUR at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. and NCUR at a dose of 25 mg/kg b.w. (dose 1), 12.5 mg/kg b.w (dose 2) followed by alloxan administration (100 mg/kg b.w) and serum glucose levels, histopathology and immunofluorescence study were conducted. Results: The in silico study revealed a strong affinity of CUR towards Bcl2 (dock score -10.94 Kcal/mol). The synthesized NCUR were of even shape, devoid of cracks and holes with mean size of ~80 nm having -7.53 mV zeta potential. Dose 1 efficiently improved serum glucose levels, tissue-specific expression of Bcl2 and reduced glomerular space and glomerular sclerosis in comparison to hyperglycaemic group. Conclusion: This study essentially validates the potential of NCUR to inhibit DN by reducing blood glucose level and mitigating glomerular apoptosis by selectively promoting Bcl2 protein expression in kidney tissue.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 2024

In this study, expressions for the magnetic field and magnetic gradient tensor due to an elliptical disk were derived. Igneous intrusions and kimberlite structures often have elliptical cylinders with axial symmetry and elliptical cross sections. An elliptical cylinder with varying cross-sectional areas was approximated using stacks of elliptical disks. The magnetic fields of elliptical disks were derived using the Poisson relation, which includes the direction of magnetization in the gravity gradient tensor, as described in a previous study (Rim, 2024). The magnetic gradient tensor due to an elliptical disk is derived by differentiating the magnetic fields, which is equivalent to obtaining ten triple-derivative functions acquired by differentiating the gravitational potential of the elliptical disk three times in each axis direction. Because it is possible to exchange the order of differentiation, the magnetic gradient tensor is derived by differentiating the gravitational potential of the elliptical disk three times, which is then converted into a complex line integral along the closed boundary curve of the elliptical disk in the complex plane. The expressions for the magnetic field and magnetic gradient tensor derived from a complex line integral in complex plane are perfectly consistent with those of the circular disk derived from the Lipschitz-Hankel integral.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.223-225
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• 2024

It has been 7 months since medical students boycotted classes and resident doctors left hospitals in protest against the government's policy to increase the number of doctors. As education was suspended and services at university hospitals reduced, medical gaps in medical care have emerged. As a result, concerns are growing about a potential crisis in the healthcare system. The reason for the doctors' strong opposition to the policy lies in several issues that need improvement in the government's decision-making process. By reviewing these issues, we look forward to drawing lessons for making better policy decisions in the future. First, because the evidence supporting policy decisions has various characteristics and scopes, it is important to thoroughly discuss these grounds with stakeholders. Second, the discussion structure for reviewing evidence and making decisions should consist of members capable of fully negotiating diverse perspectives and should be operated through a fair and transparent process. If these steps are not properly implemented, conflicts surrounding the evidence could escalate, thereby lowering trust in the government. When stakeholders lose trust in the government, the social costs of implementing policies may rise, and policy efficiency may decline. Therefore, it is time to restructure the decision-making system in the direction of reducing potential conflicts that may arise during the future policy implementation process and increasing trust in the government.

• Journal of forensic and investigative science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.50-66
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• 2007

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a well-trained emergency responder to provide emergency medical services to the critically ill and injured patient. In various situations, EMT may destroy potential physical evidences associated with the crime scene or determination of real cause of death. This study was aimed to evaluate the educational need of forensic medicine in Korean EMT. Questionnaires were administered to 592 EMTs during March 2007. The response rate was 60.3%(357 EMTs). In questionnaires there were 13 questions regarding the general characteristics, 16 questions about roles of EMTs related with forensic circumstances, 9 questions about the education related to forensic medicine. Questionnaires rated on a 4-point Likert scale or 5-point Likert scale. Most of 119 rescue EMTs had experienced with situations related to crime or unexpected sudden death. EMTs had arrived to the scenes earlier than police and complained of some difficulties related with deficit of forensic knowledge. EMTs wanted to receive continuous educations about forensic medicine. In order to reduce dissatisfaction with EMTs roles and to improve crime scene preservations, Emergency Medical Services policies should provide regular educational curriculum by forensic pathologists and promote legal responsibilities for 119 rescue EMTs.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.157-167
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to research, such as the following. And to the empirical results that affect the potential growth factors in the organization and development of human resources through staff training for enterprises to grow into a competitive enterprise. Through the analysis we propose a systematic training of the human resource development needs of the company. The results are as follows. First, the number of courses, the degree completion has had a positive effect on job satisfaction. Second, the number of courses can have a partial mediating effect on financial job satisfaction. Third, corporate education funding ratio has a negative effect and Business support form has a positive effect on turnover intentions. Fourth, the control variables of marital status has a positive effect on psychological job satisfaction and company size had a negative impact on turnover intention. The implications of this study are as follows. Organizational commitment to act as a mediating effect can be maximized through realistic training plan and quality training. There is also a need to be made a high quality education content development through the advancement of learning styles.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.4 no.3_4
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• pp.59-67
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• 1981

Stomatal resistances of the leaves in Heteromeres arbutifolia and of the stems in Ferocactus acanthodes were studied to estimate active and passive behaviors of the guard cells on a theoretical basis. Active and passive stomatal responses to light and water deficit were observed. When the change rate of existent water due to variation of osmotic potential in the guard cells and the loss rate of transpirational water from the guard cells are $\Delta$wi-$\Delta$wt and leaded to active behaviors for opening and closing stomata. However, when stems of F. acanthodes with stomata closecd under the solar irradiation were covered with black cloth and then taken off, behaviors of the guard cells occurred in the condition of $\Delta$wi<$\Delta$wt and were passive. Under the conditiion of $\Delta$wi<$\Delta$wt due to cutout from stems, passive behaviors of the guard cells in H. arbutifolia and F. acanthodes always occurred in spite of the solar irradiation and darkness, respectively. The transpirational resistance coefficients of the guard cells in stems of F. acanthodes (0.380) and Opuntia bigelovii (0.135) wer emuch higher than in leaves of H. arbutifolia (0.034). Moreover, stomatal opening in stems of F. acanthodes during the daytime could be induced by watering. Those results are interpreted as that since the guard cells in desert Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants always exist in the state of stomatal opening, nocturnal stomatal opening and daytime stomatal closing are exhibited by passive behaviors of the guard cells in the alternant conditioins of $\Delta$wi>$\Delta$wt and $\Delta$wi<$\Delta$wt, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.130-139
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• 2006

Natural history museums used to be called an "informal learning institute". It is based on the assumption that their exhibition and exhibits are supposed to reflect school science curriculum and support school science programs. This study is to explore how this assumption is verified in terms of content-wise connections between school science and museum exhibits. In this study, 461 Earth Science related exhibits were selected from the Smithonian Museums and the American Museum of Natural History in the U.S. and analyzed with several instruments. The instrument targeting on Earth Science curriculum was framed based on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (1993) and the National Science Curriculum Standards (1996). Other than content-wise connections, this study investigated exhibition characteristics related to better learning of science: these characteristics were types of activities, exhibition media, exhibition technology, and presentation methods. The nature of science shown in exhibits were examined as well. Natural history museums were reconsidered for their relevance and potential as informal educational venues from this study.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.235-252
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• 2008

Many cartographers have for many years searched for a way to construct cartograms in which the sizes of geographic areas such as states, counties or census tracts are reseated in proportion to their population or some other socio-economic properties. While many techniques and algorithms for creating cartograms have been proposed, some of them are still extremely complex to generate in a proper manner, and many of them suffer either from this lack of readability or from seamless integration with GIS software. This paper, therefore, presents a simple population cartogam technique based on the Circular Cartogram Algorithm(CCA) by Dorling(1996) to tackle these drawbacks by drawing the areas as simple circles for use as a base map and linking the construction with GIS mapping processes. For an automated approach in the cartogram generation, this paper proposes a close coupling method of ArcView GIS 3.3. package in order for users to access to the cartopam algorithm. Then, they will be available through an interface that the ArcView GIS system allows user-written routines to be accessed easily. The CCA and its coupling architecture ensure to improve the potential applicability of the use of cartograms to census mapping at practical levels. As the cartogram examples, cartograms of population and property types in 2005 Korea census data sets are illustrated in the end, by which viewers can easily identify the residential concentration and their relative ratio in Seoul metropolitan area.