• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-31
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• 2009

This paper empirically examines factors that potentially influence the success of a Web-based semantic search engine. A research model has been proposed that shows the impact of quality-related factors upon the effectiveness of a semantic search engine, based on DeLone and McLean's(2003) information systems success model. An empirical study has been conducted to test hypotheses formulated around the research model, and statistical methods were applied to analyze gathered data and draw conclusions. Implications for academics and practitioners are offered based on the findings of the study. The proposed model includes three quality dimensions of a Web-based semantic search engine-namely, information quality, system quality and service quality. These three dimensions each have measures designed to collectively assess the respective dimension. The model is intended to examine the relationship between measures of these quality dimensions and measures of two dependent constructs, including individuals' net benefit and user satisfaction. Individuals' net benefit was measured by the extent to which the user's information needs were adequately met, whereas user satisfaction was measured by a combination of the perceived satisfaction with search results and the perceived satisfaction with the overall system. A total of 23 hypotheses have been formulated around the model, and a questionnaire survey has been conducted using a functional semantic search website created by KT and Hakia, so as to collect data to validate the model. Copies of a questionnaire form were handed out in person to 160 research associates and employees working in the area of designing and developing semantic search engines. Those who received the form, 148 respondents returned valid responses. The survey form asked respondents to use the given website to answer questions concerning the system. The results of the empirical study have indicated that, of the three quality dimensions, information quality was found to have the strongest association with the effectiveness of a Web-based semantic search engine. This finding is consistent with the observation in the literature that the aspects of the information quality should serve as a basis for evaluating the search outcomes from a semantic search engine. Measures under the information quality dimension that have a positive effect on informational gratification and user satisfaction were found to be recall and currency. Under the system quality dimension, response time and interactivity, were positively related to informational gratification. On the other hand, only one measure under the service quality dimension, reliability was found to have a positive relationship with user satisfaction. The results were based on the seven hypotheses that have been accepted. One may wonder why 15 out of the 23 hypotheses have been rejected and question the theoretical soundness of the model. However, the correlations between independent variables and dependent variables came out to be fairly high. This suggests that the structural equation model yielded results inconsistent with those of coefficient analysis, because the structural equation model intends to examine the relationship among independent variables as well as the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. The findings offer some useful implications for owners of a semantic search engine, as far as the design and maintenance of the website is concerned. First, the system should be designed to respond to the user's query as fast as possible. Also it should be designed to support the search process by recommending, revising, and choosing a search query, so as to maximize users' interactions with the system. Second, the system should present search results with maximum recall and currency to effectively meet the users' expectations. Third, it should be capable of providing online services in a reliable and trustworthy manner. Finally, effective increase in user satisfaction requires the improvement of quality factors associated with a semantic search engine, which would in turn help increase the informational gratification for users. The proposed model can serve as a useful framework for measuring the success of a Web-based semantic search engine. Applying the search engine success framework to the measurement of search engine effectiveness has the potential to provide an outline of what areas of a semantic search engine needs improvement, in order to better meet information needs of users. Further research will be needed to make this idea a reality.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 2015

Impacts of Argo temperature assimilation on the analysis fields in the East Sea is investigated by using DAESROM, the East Sea Regional Ocean Model with a 3-dimensional variational assimilation module (Kim et al., 2009). Namely, we produced analysis fields in 2009, in which temperature profiles, sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height (SSH) anomaly were assimilated (Exp. AllDa) and carried out additional experiment by withdrawing Argo temperature data (Exp. NoArgo). When comparing both experimental results using assimilated temperature profiles, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the Exp. AllDa is generally lower than the Exp. NoArgo. In particular, the Argo impacts are large in the subsurface layer, showing the RMSE difference of about $0.5^{\circ}C$. Based on the observations of 14 surface drifters, Argo impacts on the current and temperature fields in the surface layer are investigated. In general, surface currents along the drifter positions are improved in the Exp. AllDa, and large RMSE differences (about 2.0~6.0 cm/s) between both experiments are found in drifters which observed longer period in the southern region where Argo density was high. On the other hand, Argo impacts on the SST fields are negligible, and it is considered that SST assimilation with 1-day interval has dominant effects. Similar to the difference of surface current fields between both experiments, SSH fields also reveal significant difference in the southern East Sea, for example the southwestern Yamato Basin where anticyclonic circulation develops. The comparison of SSH fields implies that SSH assimilation does not correct the SSH difference caused by withdrawing Argo data. Thus Argo assimilation has an important role to reproduce meso-scale circulation features in the East Sea.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.286-294
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• 2003

This study was attempted to understand seasonal dynamics of phyto- and zooplankton communities in shallow, eutrophic Lake llgam and to compare them with the PEG (Plankton Ecology Group) model. Seasonal succession pattern of phytoplankton community was similar to PEG model as Chlorophyceae and Baciliphyceae increase during spring and autumn fellowed by increase of Cyanophyceae. However, based on the cell density and biomass, a dominant phytoplankton community differed with PEG model: Cyanophyceae had been a dominant community throughout a year, except for ice-cover period during which Chlorophyceae was a dominant group. In spring, when ice melted and dissolved nutrients in water column increased, the increase of Chlorophyceae occurred: when nutrients (DIN and DIP) rapidly decreased, Cyanophyceae increase occurred. Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, Merismopedia were maior dominant species of Cyanophyceae and their cell density and/or biomass was the highest in October 2000 (12.9${\pm}$5.8${\times}10^5$ cells/ml, 3.5${\pm}$0.9${\times}10^3{\mu}gC/l$). Cyanophyceae biomass showed positive relationship with chlorophyll a ($r^2$ = 0.71,P< 0.001) and TP concentration ($r^2$ = 0.62, P< 0.001). Small-sized rotifers such as Keratella cochlearis, increased between March and May when Chlorophyceae increased. Both high standing crop of copepods and cladocerans, such as Diaphanosoma brachyrum and Bosmina longirostris occurred between June and September accompanied with the increase of Dinophyceae and Bacillariophyceae. There was no evidence that clear-water phase was caused by zooplankton grazing. The diversity and evenness index of phyto- and/or zooplankton increased with chlorophyll a concentration. These results suggest zooplankton grazing and limiting nutrient deficiency could lead to change of phytoplankton biomass, but not the phytoplankton community in Lake llgam.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.215-224
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• 2013

We clarified the background for establishment of vegetation by comparing the spatial distribution maps of vegetation and substrate on a gravel bar in the Bangtae stream located on Inje-gun of Gangwon-do, the central eastern Korea. The total vegetation coverage was higher in the interior and lower in the marginal parts of the gravel bar. Spatial distribution of vegetation on the longitudinal section of the gravel bar tended to be arranged in the order of shrub, subtree, and tree dominated vegetation types from the front (upstream) toward the rear (downstream) parts. Coverage of the herbaceous plants was higher in the central and rear parts and lower in the front and right parts of the gravel bar. Vegetation height was higher in the rear part and became lowered as move toward the front part. Substrate was distributed in the order of boulder, gravel, sand, and boulder from the front toward the rear parts. Ordination of stands based on vegetation data was arranged in the order of annual plant, perennial herb, shrub, and tree dominated vegetation as move from the right to the left parts on the axis I. Species richness was higher in the order of Pinus densiflora community, Phragmites japonica community, Salix gracilistyla community, Fraxinus rhynchophylla community, annual plant dominated vegetation, and Prunus padus for. padus community based on the species rank-abundance curve. The order based on the Shannon's index was some different; diversity of Phragmites japonica community and Salix gracilistyla community, which showed higher dominance degree, were low differently from species richness. In conclusion, it was evaluated that the gravel bar newly established toward the upstream and vegetation dynamics of the gravel bar seemed to follow ecosystem mechanisms of succession. As were shown in the above results, the Bangtae stream corresponded to the upstream and thereby particle size of substrate was big. Therefore, they move by rolling and are accumulated for the upstream. Vegetation types were arranged in the order of woodland, shrub-land and grassland from the rear toward the front parts of the gravel bar and thereby reflected the formation process of the bar. However, the gravel bar is disturbed frequently by not only the running water but also the suspended sand as the dynamic space. Such disturbances cause habitat diversity and consequently led to high biodiversity.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2002

This study was conducted to develope the new solid separating system which can be efficiently and economically removed the solid parts in high pollutants concentration of pig slurry. The pollutants concentration, BOD$_{5}$ , COD and SS of the slurry used in this study was 15,990($\pm$2,389)mg/l, 20,004($\pm$5,512)mg/l and 26,486($\pm$5,935)mg/l, respectively. After removal of solid part in slurry, the pollutants concentration, BOD$_{5}$, COD and SS was change into 5,617($\pm$690)mg/l, 5,553($\pm$633)mg/land 1,456($\pm$341)mg/l, respectively in the Fixed biological membrane tank. The reduction of the pollutants concentration of suspend liquid through membrane will be allowed to greatly improve the water purification by an Activated sludge method. This separating system consisted of a temporary storage, a circulating tank and a Fixed Biological membrane tank. A temporary storage which has a draining system of screw type and an aeration device played a tremendous role in draining the solid by filled an aeration of 0.3 l/min. A Fixed Biological membrane tank of which a styrofoam filled in a 2/3 volume as a Biological media was fixed by a stainless steel net (pore size : 0.5mm) to separate the liquid layer of influx in them. The separating system efficiency factors were the speed of screw motor, cycle number of slurries in a circulating tank and moisture contents of solid effluent through the screw path. Although the pollutants concentration was very variable in temporary storage, the final concentration of $BOD_5$ and SS, except COD of the suspended liquid in a Fixed biological membrane were not different regardless of cycle number of a circulating tank. Moisture contents of effluent from temporary storage was 73% under the speed 1 ppm of screw motor and 62% under the 1/4rpm of it.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2003

In this study, current status of domestic deer farms and its feeding were surveyed. The information of supply and demand of feed f3r deers including its industry were also examined and then analyzed to make fundamental data for deer farms and government policy. The results are as follows. 1. Over 40 years old farmers were about 63％ of total deer farms while 20­30 years olds were less than 1％ indicating that young people still evade agriculture. Moreover, considering education, over 52％ of the farmers have bachelor degree showing much higher rates compared to the other agricultural fields. The reason can be assumed that the labor burden is not serious in deer farming while it is not dirty job compared to the other livestock management. Those high­educated people can be easily trained as experts of deer farming to improve its international competition. 2. Most of investigated farms raise Korean spotted deers and Elk showing that the percentage of Elk has greatly increased(However, many farmers have complained about purchasing methods and they insisted that the sales organization should be controlled by government). 3. 57％ of total cost of production is for feed while most of feeds are imported from abroad. It indicated that it is urgent to make counterplan for saving feed cost. 4. It is necessary to develop feeds for deers in the near future while most of the examined farmers currently use normal assorted feed. Typical roughage sources feeds are rice straw, alfalfa hay, browses feed, and so on. Most of them are currently imported except the rice straw indicating urgently needed to develop domestic bulky feed. 5. The present questions are development of processed goods of velvet antler, establishment of reasonable management system, difficulty of velvet antler selling, feed supply, and so on. It is necessary for government and academic world to develop reasonable policy and scientific research program.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Ammonia gas is one of the malodorous gases from swine production facilities, such as manure storage tank, manure fermentation facilities, and livestock houses, etc. Ammonia gas from swine house is being emitted at relatively low concentrations throughout the year. Therefore, livestock facilities were continuously ventilated to supply fresh air for respiration of the animals internal the livestock facilities. The swine facilities need very high ventilation rate to control the inside environmental conditions. The deodorization system of the livestock facilities must be developed considering the ventilation rates. The odor abatement system was installed in order to improve the internal environment of the naturally ventilated growing-finishing pig house. The system which distributes the deodorized air into inner space of the swine house by using plastic duct was installed. Since the internal environment, effected by the operation of the odor abatement system, is monitored by closing the winch curtain installed on the side wall of the pig house, the experiment was practiced at the season when the internal environment becomes aggravated, winter. The effects on the improvement in the internal environment of swine house by operating the odor abatement system are as follows ; 1. By re-distributing the air which was deodorized by the odor abatement system installed in the pig house, the result showed that the concentration of ammonia gas is decreased approximately 33.3% compared with that before operating odor abatement system. 2. The effect on the pig house's ammonia gas reduction was found that the ventilation rate was less than $0.5m^3$/min head. The effect of the operation of the odor abatement system showed to be scarce when the ventilation rate increases because of the influx of external fresh air makes the quantity of diluted air more than those of the odor abatement system. 3. The perishment rate of the pigs which were brooded until slaughtering decreased about 3.8% by operating the odor abatement system in the growing-finishing pig house. Also, after operating the odor abatement system, the stinging of the eyes, suspension dust, etc were decreased when going into swine house for management.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.634-641
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• 2012

It was reported that the novel compounds (LP9M80-H) of $Liriope$ $platyphylla$ regulate glucose transporter (Glut) biosynthesis by activating the insulin-signaling pathway in the liver and brain of ICR mice. To investigate the therapeutic effects of LP9M80-H on the pathology of diabetes and obesity, alterations of key factors related to symptoms were analyzed in the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats treated with LP9M80-H for 2 weeks. The abdominal fat masses in the LP9M80-H-treated group were lower than the vehicle-treated group, although there was no difference in body weight between the two groups. Additionally, when compared to the vehicle-treated group, LP9M80-H treatment induced a significant decrease in glucose levels and an increase in the insulin concentration in the blood of OLETF rats. A high level of insulin protein was also detected in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells of LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. A significant reduction in the concentration of lipids and adiponectin was detected only in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. Furthermore, the expression of insulin receptor ${\beta}$ and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) was dramatically decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats compared to the vehicle-treated group. Of the glucose transporters located downstream of the insulin-signaling pathway, glucose transporters (Glut) -2 and -3 were significantly decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats, while the level of Glut-4 was maintained under all conditions. Therefore, these results suggest that LP9M80-H may contribute to relieving symptoms of diabetes and obesity through glucose homeostasis and regulation of lipid concentration.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.387-395
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of starch concentrations and heating conditions on the gel characteristics of arrowroot starch. Arrowroot starch gels with various pHs, and starch concentrations, were prepared using different temperatures and heating times, and then stored for 24 hrs at $4^{\circ}C$. The hardness of sample gels made at pH 2.0 and 4.0 increased as the starch concentration increased from 7% to 10%, with the maximum value of 94 N being obtained when the gel was prepared at pH 4.0 with a starch concentration of 10%. The maximum hardness of samples prepared with concentrations of starch ranging from 7~9% appeared at $80^{\circ}C$, regardless of the heating temperature and time. Furthermore, the hardness of samples prepared at greater than $100^{\circ}C$ was relatively lower than that of samples prepared at other temperatures. When a starch concentration of 8% was used, the degree of gelatinization(DR) increased as the heating temperature increased, with the maximum value of DR being about 76% at $120^{\circ}C$, regardless of heating time. After storage for 24 hrs, the hardness of samples prepared at $70^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$ appeared to decrease, while that of samples prepared at $100^{\circ}C$, $110^{\circ}C$ and $120^{\circ}C$ increased. The correlation between hardness and the degree of gelatinization or retrogradation was very high when samples were prepared at $80^{\circ}C$ with a starch concentration of 9%, as indicated by a correlation coefficient of greater than 0.95. Overall, the microstructures of freeze-dried arrowroot starch gel were composed of a continuous network of amylose and amylopectin with fragmented ghost structures in an excluded phase, but these ghost structures were more evident after storage and with increased heating temperature.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6273-6276
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• 2012

Background/Aim: Six prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility loci were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in populations of European decent. However, the associations of these 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PCa has remained tobe clarified in men in Northern China. This study aimed to explore the loci associated with PCa risk in a Northern Chinese population. Methods: Blood samples and clinical information of 289 PCa patients and 288 controls from Beijing and Tianjin were collected. All risk SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-high resolution melting curve technology and gene sequencing. Associations between PCa and clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen [PSA], Gleason score, tumor stage, and level of aggressiveness) and frequencies of alleles and genotypes of these SNPs were analyzed using genetic statistics. Results: Among the candidate SNPs, 11p15 (rs7127900, A) was associated with PCa risk (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.46). Genotypes showed differences between cases and controls on 11p15 (rs7127900, A), 11q13 (rs7931342, T), and HNF1B (rs4430796, A) (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). The genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) was positively associated with an increased Gleason score (P = 0.04, OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.02-4.55). Patients carrying TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) were negatively associated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21-0.92) while those with AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) were more likely to have PSA increase (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Our study suggests that 11p15 (rs7127900, A) could be a susceptibility locus associated with PCa in Northern Chinese. Genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) could be related to an increased Gleason score, AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) could be associated with PSA increase, and TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) could be negatively associated with an increased BMI in Chinese men with PCa.