• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.99-116
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• 2016

We herein performed animal safety assessment in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations with the aim of developing sialic acid from glycomacropeptide (hereafter referred to as "GMP") as an index ingredient and functional component in functional foods. GMP is a type of whey protein derived from milk and a safe food, with multiple functions, such as antiviral activity. A test substance was produced containing 7% (w/w) sialic acid and mostly-hydrolyzed whey protein (hereafter referred to as "7%-GNANA") by enzymatic treatment of substrate GMP. The maximum intake test dose level was selected based on 5,000 mg/kg/day dose set for male NOEL (no-observed-effect-level) and female NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect-level) determined by a dose-range finding (DRF) test (GLP Center of Catholic University of Daegu, Report No. 15-NREO-001) that was previously conducted with the same test substance. To evaluate the toxicity of a repeated oral dose of the test substance in connection with the previous DRF study, 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg of the substance were administered by a probe into the stomachs of 6-week-old SPF Sprague-Dawley male and female rats for 90 d. Each test group consisted of 10 male and 10 female rats. To determine the toxicity index, all parameters, such as observation of common signs; measurements of body weight and food consumption; ophthalmic examination; urinalysis, electrolyte, hematological, and serum biochemical examination; measurement of organ weights during autopsy; and visual and histopathological examinations were conducted according to GLP standards. After evaluating the results based on the test toxicity assessment criteria, it was determined that NOAEL of the test substance, 7%-GNANA, was 5,000 mg/kg/day, for both male and female rats. No animal death was noted in any of the test groups, including the control group, during the study period, and there was no significant difference associated with test substance, as compared with the control group, with respect to general symptoms, body weight changes, food consumption, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis, hematological and serum biochemical examination, and electrolyte and blood coagulation tests during the administration period (P<0.05). As assessed by the effects of the test substance on organ weights, food consumption, autopsy, and histopathological safety, change in kidney weight as an indicator of male NOAEL revealed up to 20% kidney weight increase in the high-dose group (5,000 mg/kg/day) compared with the change in the control group. However, it was concluded that this effect of the test substance was minor. In the case of female rats, reduction of food consumption, increase of kidney weight, and decrease of thymus weight were observed in the high-dose group. The kidney weight increased by 10.2% (left) and 8.9% (right) in the high-dose group, with a slight dose-dependency compared with that of the control group. It was observed that the thymus weight decreased by 25.3% in the high-dose group, but it was a minor test substance-associated effect. During the autopsy, botryoid tumor was detected on the ribs of one subject in the high-dose group, but we concluded that the tumor has been caused by a naturally occurring (non-test) substance. Histopathological examination revealed lesions on the kidney, liver, spleen, and other organs in the low-dose test group. Since these lesions were considered a separate phenomenon, or naturally occurring and associated with aging, it was checked whether any target organ showed clear symptoms caused by the test substance. In conclusion, different concentrations of the test substance were fed to rats and, consequently, it was verified that only a minor effect was associated with the test substance in the high-dose (5,000 mg/kg/day) group of both male and female rats, without any other significant effects associated with the test substance. Therefore, it was concluded that NOAEL of 7%-GNANA (product name: Helicobactrol) with male and female rats as test animals was 5,000 mg/kg/day, and it thus was determined that the substance is safe for the ultimate use as an ingredient of health functional foods.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.357-373
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• 1975

This study was conducted to evaluate the winter active polycross progenies of 10 genotypes selected at the hot and dry climate of the Southern Oregon in their performance in the progeny test comparing with a high yielding variety, 'Fawn', and a winter active variety, 'TFM', as the control varieties at Daejon, Korea. Various plant and leaf characteristics, especially which related to photosynthesis, and forage production during the first summer after their establishment, were examined. The important conclusions of this study are summarized as follows: 1. The winter active genotypes and variety had less leaf fresh weight and dry weight per leaf than variety 'Fawn'. Variations among polycross progenies of genotypes for these characteristics were great. 2. The winter active genotypes and variety had less leaf area per leaf than variety 'Fawn'. Leaf area among polycross progenies of genotypes deviated greatly and poly cross progenies of 'genotype-16' had the same average leaf area as 'Fawn'. 3. Differences of specific leaf weight (S. L. W.) in the winter active genotypes and variety were not significant. Probably the genetic diversity for S. L. W were not big and were narrowed down already in this genetic population. It was suggested that the photosynthate production within the population might not be different and there might be differences in the photosynthate production-translocation balance. Further study for the diurnal change in S. L. W. within the population might be useful. 4. The winter active variety and genotypes had less leaf width than 'Fawn' does. Leaf width among polycross progenies of genotypes deviated significantly. 5. Differences among controls and polycross progeny group in the initial plant height were significant and variety 'Fawn' was taller than the winter active genotypes and variety. But the differences were not significant in the regrowth of plant height after the first forage harvest. On the contrary. the differences among polycross progenies of genotypes were not significant in the initial plant but the differences in their polycross progeny performance became obvious and great in the regrowth ability which is an improtent agronomic characteristics for forage crops produced in the pasture and for hay and silage. 6. Plant width of the winter active genotypes and variety was lesser than 'Fawn' variety. 7. Differences of tiller number became evident and variety 'Fawn' had higher tiller number than the winter active genotypes and variety after the first forage cutting. There, deviations among polycross progenies of genotypes were great for this characteristic. It was obvious that the genetic differences became more evident in the second measurement after the first cutting of forage probably because this characteristic were stimulated by defoliation in the cartain genotypes and variety. 8. The winter active genotypes and variety on the initial growth. the regrowth ability andtotal yield had lesser forage yield than variety 'Fawn'. Deviation of forage yield among polycross progenies of genotypes were great and gave basis for selection according to their polycross progeny performance improving the forage yield of these winter active tall fescue population during summer. 9. It was concluded that the winter active variety and genotypes in this study was poorer than variety 'Fawn' for the most of leaf and plant characteristics including forage yield. For these measurements, the variations among polycross progenies of genotypes were great. and plant breeding might able to improve further this winter active tall fescue through the polycross progeny testing method for the higher forage production during summer in Korea. 10. The result of the associations among various characteristics under study were quite agreeable with the results of the analysis of variance and woul be useful in the selection of desirable genotypes for the development of a new variety.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.115-118
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• 2012

Purpose: The Levey-Jennings chart controlled measurement values that deviated from the tolerance value (mean ${\pm}2SD$ or ${\pm}3SD$). On the other hand, the upgraded Westgard Multi-Rules are actively recommended as a more efficient, specialized form of hospital certification in relation to Internal Quality Control. To apply Westgard Multi-Rules in quality control, credible quality control substance and target value are required. However, as physical examinations commonly use quality control substances provided within the test kit, there are many difficulties presented in the calculation of target value in relation to frequent changes in concentration value and insufficient credibility of quality control substance. This study attempts to improve the professionalism and credibility of quality control by applying Westgard Multi-Rules and calculating credible target value by using a commercialized quality control substance. Materials and Methods : This study used Immunoassay Plus Control Level 1, 2, 3 of Company B as the quality control substance of Total T3, which is the thyroid test implemented at the relevant hospital. Target value was established as the mean value of 295 cases collected for 1 month, excluding values that deviated from ${\pm}2SD$. The hospital quality control calculation program was used to enter target value. 12s, 22s, 13s, 2 of 32s, R4s, 41s, $10\bar{x}$, 7T of Westgard Multi-Rules were applied in the Total T3 experiment, which was conducted 194 times for 20 days in August. Based on the applied rules, this study classified data into random error and systemic error for analysis. Results: Quality control substances 1, 2, and 3 were each established as 84.2 ng/$dl$, 156.7 ng/$dl$, 242.4 ng/$dl$ for target values of Total T3, with the standard deviation established as 11.22 ng/$dl$, 14.52 ng/$dl$, 14.52 ng/$dl$ respectively. According to error type analysis achieved after applying Westgard Multi-Rules based on established target values, the following results were obtained for Random error, 12s was analyzed 48 times, 13s was analyzed 13 times, R4s was analyzed 6 times, for Systemic error, 22s was analyzed 10 times, 41s was analyzed 11 times, 2 of 32s was analyzed 17 times, $10\bar{x}$ was analyzed 10 times, and 7T was not applied. For uncontrollable Random error types, the entire experimental process was rechecked and greater emphasis was placed on re-testing. For controllable Systemic error types, this study searched the cause of error, recorded the relevant cause in the action form and reported the information to the Internal Quality Control committee if necessary. Conclusions : This study applied Westgard Multi-Rules by using commercialized substance as quality control substance and establishing target values. In result, precise analysis of Random error and Systemic error was achieved through the analysis of 12s, 22s, 13s, 2 of 32s, R4s, 41s, $10\bar{x}$, 7T rules. Furthermore, ideal quality control was achieved through analysis conducted on all data presented within the range of ${\pm}3SD$. In this regard, it can be said that the quality control method formed based on the systematic application of Westgard Multi-Rules is more effective than the Levey-Jennings chart and can maximize error detection.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2004

Purpose: NEMA NU2-2001 was proposed as a new standard for performance evaluation of whole body PET scanners. in this study, system performance of Siemens CTI ECAT EXACT 47 PET scanner including spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction, and count rate performance in 2D and 3D mode was evaluated using this new standard method. Methods: ECAT EXACT 47 is a BGO crystal based PET scanner and covers an axial field of view (FOV) of 16.2 cm. Retractable septa allow 2D and 3D data acquisition. All the PET data were acquired according to the NEMA NU2-2001 protocols (coincidence window: 12 ns, energy window: $250{\sim}650$ keV). For the spatial resolution measurement, F-18 point source was placed at the center of the axial FOV((a) x=0, and y=1, (b)x=0, and y=10, (c)x=70, and y=0cm) and a position one fourth of the axial FOV from the center ((a) x=0, and y=1, (b)x=0, and y=10, (c)x=10, and y=0cm). In this case, x and y are transaxial horizontal and vertical, and z is the scanner's axial direction. Images were reconstructed using FBP with ramp filter without any post processing. To measure the system sensitivity, NEMA sensitivity phantom filled with F-18 solution and surrounded by $1{\sim}5$ aluminum sleeves were scanned at the center of transaxial FOV and 10 cm offset from the center. Attenuation free values of sensitivity wire estimated by extrapolating data to the zero wall thickness. NEMA scatter phantom with length of 70 cm was filled with F-18 or C-11solution (2D: 2,900 MBq, 3D: 407 MBq), and coincidence count rates wire measured for 7 half-lives to obtain noise equivalent count rate (MECR) and scatter fraction. We confirmed that dead time loss of the last flame were below 1%. Scatter fraction was estimated by averaging the true to background (staffer+random) ratios of last 3 frames in which the fractions of random rate art negligibly small. Results: Axial and transverse resolutions at 1cm offset from the center were 0.62 and 0.66 cm (FBP in 2D and 3D), and 0.67 and 0.69 cm (FBP in 2D and 3D). Axial, transverse radial, and transverse tangential resolutions at 10cm offset from the center were 0.72 and 0.68 cm (FBP in 2D and 3D), 0.63 and 0.66 cm (FBP in 2D and 3D), and 0.72 and 0.66 cm (FBP in 2D and 3D). Sensitivity values were 708.6 (2D), 2931.3 (3D) counts/sec/MBq at the center and 728.7 (2D, 3398.2 (3D) counts/sec/MBq at 10 cm offset from the center. Scatter fractions were 0.19 (2D) and 0.49 (3D). Peak true count rate and NECR were 64.0 kcps at 40.1 kBq/mL and 49.6 kcps at 40.1 kBq/mL in 2D and 53.7 kcps at 4.76 kBq/mL and 26.4 kcps at 4.47 kBq/mL in 3D. Conclusion: Information about the performance of CTI ECAT EXACT 47 PET scanner reported in this study will be useful for the quantitative analysis of data and determination of optimal image acquisition protocols using this widely used scanner for clinical and research purposes.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.163-176
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• 2014

Social media is becoming the platform for users to communicate their activities, status, emotions, and experiences to other people. In recent years, microblogs, such as Twitter, have gained in popularity because of its ease of use, speed, and reach. Compared to a conventional web blog, a microblog lowers users' efforts and investment for content generation by recommending shorter posts. There has been a lot research into capturing the social phenomena and analyzing the chatter of microblogs. However, measuring television ratings has been given little attention so far. Currently, the most common method to measure TV ratings uses an electronic metering device installed in a small number of sampled households. Microblogs allow users to post short messages, share daily updates, and conveniently keep in touch. In a similar way, microblog users are interacting with each other while watching television or movies, or visiting a new place. In order to measure TV ratings, some features are significant during certain hours of the day, or days of the week, whereas these same features are meaningless during other time periods. Thus, the importance of features can change during the day, and a model capturing the time sensitive relevance is required to estimate TV ratings. Therefore, modeling time-related characteristics of features should be a key when measuring the TV ratings through microblogs. We show that capturing time-dependency of features in measuring TV ratings is vitally necessary for improving their accuracy. To explore the relationship between the content of microblogs and TV ratings, we collected Twitter data using the Get Search component of the Twitter REST API from January 2013 to October 2013. There are about 300 thousand posts in our data set for the experiment. After excluding data such as adverting or promoted tweets, we selected 149 thousand tweets for analysis. The number of tweets reaches its maximum level on the broadcasting day and increases rapidly around the broadcasting time. This result is stems from the characteristics of the public channel, which broadcasts the program at the predetermined time. From our analysis, we find that count-based features such as the number of tweets or retweets have a low correlation with TV ratings. This result implies that a simple tweet rate does not reflect the satisfaction or response to the TV programs. Content-based features extracted from the content of tweets have a relatively high correlation with TV ratings. Further, some emoticons or newly coined words that are not tagged in the morpheme extraction process have a strong relationship with TV ratings. We find that there is a time-dependency in the correlation of features between the before and after broadcasting time. Since the TV program is broadcast at the predetermined time regularly, users post tweets expressing their expectation for the program or disappointment over not being able to watch the program. The highly correlated features before the broadcast are different from the features after broadcasting. This result explains that the relevance of words with TV programs can change according to the time of the tweets. Among the 336 words that fulfill the minimum requirements for candidate features, 145 words have the highest correlation before the broadcasting time, whereas 68 words reach the highest correlation after broadcasting. Interestingly, some words that express the impossibility of watching the program show a high relevance, despite containing a negative meaning. Understanding the time-dependency of features can be helpful in improving the accuracy of TV ratings measurement. This research contributes a basis to estimate the response to or satisfaction with the broadcasted programs using the time dependency of words in Twitter chatter. More research is needed to refine the methodology for predicting or measuring TV ratings.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.21-25
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• 2010

Purpose: For better PET imaging with accuracy the transmission scanning is inevitably required for attenuation correction. The attenuation is affected by condition of acquisition and patient position, consequently quantitative accuracy may be decreased in emission scan imaging. In this paper, the present study aims at providing the measurement for attenuation varying with the positions of the patient's arm in whole body PET/CT, further performing the comparative analysis over its SUV changes. Materials and Methods: NEMA 1994 PET phantom was filled with $^{18}F$-FDG and the concentration ratio of insert cylinder and background water fit to 4:1. Phantom images were acquired through emission scanning for 4min after conducting transmission scanning by using CT. In an attempt to acquire image at the state that the arm of the patient was positioned at the lower of ahead, image was acquired in away that two pieces of Teflon inserts were used additionally by fixing phantoms at both sides of phantom. The acquired imaged at a were reconstructed by applying the iterative reconstruction method (iteration: 2, subset: 28) as well as attenuation correction using the CT, and then VOI was drawn on each image plane so as to measure CT number and SUV and comparatively analyze axial uniformity (A.U=Standard deviation/Average SUV) of PET images. Results: It was found from the above phantom test that, when comparing two cases of whether Teflon insert was fixed or removed, the CT number of cylinder increased from -5.76 HU to 0 HU, while SUV decreased from 24.64 to 24.29 and A.U from 0.064 to 0.052. And the CT number of background water was identified to increase from -6.14 HU to -0.43 HU, whereas SUV decreased from 6.3 to 5.6 and A.U also decreased from 0.12 to 0.10. In addition, as for the patient image, CT number was verified to increase from 53.09 HU to 58.31 HU and SUV decreased from 24.96 to 21.81 when the patient's arm was positioned over the head rather than when it was lowered. Conclusion: When arms up protocol was applied, the SUV of phantom and patient image was decreased by 1.4% and 9.2% respectively. With the present study it was concluded that in case of PET/CT scanning against the whole body of a patient the position of patient's arm was not so much significant. Especially, the scanning under the condition that the arm is raised over to the head gives rise to more probability that the patient is likely to move due to long scanning time that causes the increase of uptake of $^{18}F$-FDG of brown fat at the shoulder part together with increased pain imposing to the shoulder and discomfort to a patient. As regarding consideration all of such factors, it could be rationally drawn that PET/CT scanning could be made with the arm of the subject lowered.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.80-85
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• 2012

Purpose: The whole body bone scan is an examination that visualizing physiological change of bones and using bone-congenial radiopharmaceutical. The patients are intravenous injected radiopharmaceutical which labeled with radioactive isotope ($^{99m}Tc$) emitting 140 keV gammarays and scanned after injection. The 3 principles of radiation protection from external exposureare time, distance and shielding. On the 3 principles of radiation protection basis, radiopharmaceutical might just as well be injected rapidly for reducing radiation because it might be the unopened radiation source. However the radiopharmaceuticals are injected into patient directly and there is a limitation of distance control. This study confirmed the change of radiation exposure as change of distance from radiopharmaceutical and observed the change of radiation exposure afte rsetting a shelter for help to control radio-technician's exposure. Materials & methods: For calculate the average of injection time, the trained injector measured the injection time for 50 times and calculated the average (2 minutes). We made a source as filled the 99mTc-HDP 925 MBq 0.2 mL in a 1 mL syringe and measured the radiation exposure from 50 cm,100 cm,150 cm and 200 cm by using Geiger-Mueller counter (FH-40, Thermo Scientific, USA). Then we settled a lead shielding (lead equivalent 6 mm) from the source 25 cm distance and measured the radiation exposure from 50 cm distance. For verify the reproducibility, the measurement was done among 20 times. The correlation between before and after shielding was verified by using SPSS (ver. 18) as paired t-test. Results: The radiation doses according to distance during 2 minutes from the source without shielding were $1.986{\pm}0.052{\mu}$ Sv in 50 cm, $0.515{\pm}0.022{\mu}$ Sv in 100 cm, $0.251{\pm}0.012{\mu}$ Sv in 150 cm, $0.148{\pm}0.006{\mu}$ Sv in 200 cm. After setting the shielding, the radiation dose was $0.035{\pm}0.003{\mu}$ Sv. Therefore, there was a statistical significant difference between the radiation doses with shielding and without shielding ($p$<0.001). Conclusion: Because the great importance of whole body bone scan in the nuclear medicine, we should make an effort to reduce radiation exposure during radiopharmaceutical injections by referring the principles of radiation protection from external exposure. However there is a limitation of distance for direct injection and time for patients having attenuated tubules. We confirmed the reduction of radiation exposure by increasing distance. In case of setting shield from source 25 cm away, we confirmed reducing of radiation exposure. Therefore it would be better for reducing of radiation exposure to using shield during radiopharmaceutical injection.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.110-114
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• 2014

Purpose: The advancement in PET/CT test devices has decreased the test time and popularized the test, and PET/CT tests have continuously increased. However, this increases the exposure dose of radiation workers, too. This study aims to measure the radiation shielding rate of $^{18}F-FDG$ with a strong energy and the shielding effect when worker wore an apron during the PET/CT test. Also, this study compared the shielding rate with $^{99m}TC$ to minimize the exposure dose of radiation workers. Materials and Methods: This study targeted 10 patients who visited in this hospital for the PET/CT test for 8 days from May 2nd to 10th 2013, and the $^{18}F-FDG$ distribution room, patient relaxing room (stand by room after $^{18}F-FDG$ injection) and PET/CT test room were chosen as measuring spots. Then, the changes in the dose rate were measured before and after the application of the APRON. For an accurate measurement, the distance from patients or sources was fixed at 1M. Also, the same method applied to $^{99m}TC's$ Source in order to compare the reduction in the dose by the Apron. Results: 1) When there was only L-block in the $^{18}F-FDG$ distribution room, the average dose rate was $0.32{\mu}Sv$, and in the case of L-blockK+ apron, it was $0.23{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between the two cases were respectively, $0.09{\mu}Sv$ and 26%. 2) When there was no apron in the relaxing room, the average dose rate was $33.1{\mu}Sv$, and when there was an apron, it was $22.3{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between them were respectively, $10.8{\mu}Sv$ and 33%. 3) When there was no APRON in the PET/CT room, the average dose rate was $6.9{\mu}Sv$, and there was an APRON, it was $5.5{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between them were respectively, $1.4{\mu}Sv$ and 25%. 4) When there was no apron, the average dose rate of $^{99m}TC$ was $23.7{\mu}Sv$, and when there was an apron, it was $5.5{\mu}Sv$. The differences in the dose and dose rate between them were respectively, $18.2{\mu}Sv$ and 77%. Conclusion: According to the result of the experiment, $^{99m}TC$ injected into patients showed an average shielding rate of 77%, and $^{18F}FDG$ showed a relatively low shielding rate of 27%. When comparing the sources only, $^{18F}FDG$ showed a shielding rate of 17%, and $^{99m}TC$'s was 77%. Though it had a lower shielding effect than $^{99m}TC$, $^{18}F-FDG$ also had a shielding effect on the apron. Therefore, it is considered that wearing an apron appropriate for high energy like $^{18}F-FDG$ would minimize the exposure dose of radiation workers.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-63
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• 2012

In franchise business, exclusive sales territory (sometimes EST in table) protection is a very important issue from an economic, social and political point of view. It affects the growth and survival of both franchisor and franchisee and often raises issues of social and political conflicts. When franchisee is not familiar with related laws and regulations, franchisor has high chance to utilize it. Exclusive sales territory protection by the manufacturer and distributors (wholesalers or retailers) means sales area restriction by which only certain distributors have right to sell products or services. The distributor, who has been granted exclusive sales territories, can protect its own territory, whereas he may be prohibited from entering in other regions. Even though exclusive sales territory is a quite critical problem in franchise business, there is not much rigorous research about the reason, results, evaluation, and future direction based on empirical data. This paper tries to address this problem not only from logical and nomological validity, but from empirical validation. While we purse an empirical analysis, we take into account the difficulties of real data collection and statistical analysis techniques. We use a set of disclosure document data collected by Korea Fair Trade Commission, instead of conventional survey method which is usually criticized for its measurement error. Existing theories about exclusive sales territory can be summarized into two groups as shown in the table below. The first one is about the effectiveness of exclusive sales territory from both franchisor and franchisee point of view. In fact, output of exclusive sales territory can be positive for franchisors but negative for franchisees. Also, it can be positive in terms of sales but negative in terms of profit. Therefore, variables and viewpoints should be set properly. The other one is about the motive or reason why exclusive sales territory is protected. The reasons can be classified into four groups - industry characteristics, franchise systems characteristics, capability to maintain exclusive sales territory, and strategic decision. Within four groups of reasons, there are more specific variables and theories as below. Based on these theories, we develop nine hypotheses which are briefly shown in the last table below with the results. In order to validate the hypothesis, data is collected from government (FTC) homepage which is open source. The sample consists of 1,896 franchisors and it contains about three year operation data, from 2006 to 2008. Within the samples, 627 have exclusive sales territory protection policy and the one with exclusive sales territory policy is not evenly distributed over 19 representative industries. Additional data are also collected from another government agency homepage, like Statistics Korea. Also, we combine data from various secondary sources to create meaningful variables as shown in the table below. All variables are dichotomized by mean or median split if they are not inherently dichotomized by its definition, since each hypothesis is composed by multiple variables and there is no solid statistical technique to incorporate all these conditions to test the hypotheses. This paper uses a simple chi-square test because hypotheses and theories are built upon quite specific conditions such as industry type, economic condition, company history and various strategic purposes. It is almost impossible to find all those samples to satisfy them and it can't be manipulated in experimental settings. However, more advanced statistical techniques are very good on clean data without exogenous variables, but not good with real complex data. The chi-square test is applied in a way that samples are grouped into four with two criteria, whether they use exclusive sales territory protection or not, and whether they satisfy conditions of each hypothesis. So the proportion of sample franchisors which satisfy conditions and protect exclusive sales territory, does significantly exceed the proportion of samples that satisfy condition and do not protect. In fact, chi-square test is equivalent with the Poisson regression which allows more flexible application. As results, only three hypotheses are accepted. When attitude toward the risk is high so loyalty fee is determined according to sales performance, EST protection makes poor results as expected. And when franchisor protects EST in order to recruit franchisee easily, EST protection makes better results. Also, when EST protection is to improve the efficiency of franchise system as a whole, it shows better performances. High efficiency is achieved as EST prohibits the free riding of franchisee who exploits other's marketing efforts, and it encourages proper investments and distributes franchisee into multiple regions evenly. Other hypotheses are not supported in the results of significance testing. Exclusive sales territory should be protected from proper motives and administered for mutual benefits. Legal restrictions driven by the government agency like FTC could be misused and cause mis-understandings. So there need more careful monitoring on real practices and more rigorous studies by both academicians and practitioners.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine relationship between vaginal cytology and reproductive hormones during the estrous cycle and to provide basic data to estimate for ovulation time and optimal mating time in 6 beagle dogs The duration of proestrus, estrus and diestrus were $8.5{\pm}1.4,\;10.0{\pm}1.4\;and\;54.0{\pm}2.8$ days at pregnant respectively, and $7.9{\pm}2.1,\;9.5{\pm}0.7\;and\;62.0{\pm}11.3$ days at non-pregnant respectively. The duration of interestrous intervals were $246.2{\pm}24.5$ days at pregnancy, and $175.3{\pm}34.5$ days at non-pregnancy. The duration of interestrous intervals at pregnancy was longer than that of non-pregnancy. A characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportion of superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus and estrus, parabasal cell, small intermediate cell and leukocyte in diestrus, and parabasal cell and small intermediate cell in anestrus, respectively. Cornification index (CI) in proestrus and estrus were significantly higher than that of CI in diestrus and anestrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was below 1.0 ng/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding at pregnancy and non-pregnancy, and then it was above 2.0 ng/ml at Day -2 in all bitches. When plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml, it was the second day after the first day of male acceptance. Plasma progesterone concentration showed above 40 ng/ml on Day $20{\sim}22$ in all bitches, and then it was gradually decreased until Day 35. Plasma progesterone concentration at pregnancy was higher than that of non-pregnancy from Day 35 to Day 63. Plasma estradiol-$17\;{\beta}$ concentration was above 9.0 pg/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding, and it showed 26.4 pg/ml on Day -2. When it was timed from the first day of male acceptance (Day 0), plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration showed a peak on Day 0 and plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on Day 2 which was the third day after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ peak. CI was first increased above 80 and 90% on Day -1 and Day 1, respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day -1 to Day 8 (10 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day 0 to Day 8 (9 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. Plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90%. In conclusion, beagle bitches ovulated on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90% and on the day which plasma progesterone concentration was first increased 4.0 ng/ml, and it was estimated that the optimal mating time was the day which the second day after CI was first increased above 90% and plasma concentration was between $2{\sim}25ng/ml$. The measurement of plasma progesterone was used to determine of and accurate ovulation time and the optimal mating time, but vaginal cytology is low-priced and simple method to estimate estrous cycle, optimal mating time and ovulation time.