• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.245-276
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• 2008

Brand equity is one of the most important concepts in business practice as well as in academic research. Successful brands can allow marketers to gain competitive advantage (Lassar et al.,1995), including the opportunity for successful extensions, resilience against competitors' promotional pressures, and the ability to create barriers to competitive entry (Farquhar, 1989). Branding plays a special role in service firms because strong brands increase trust in intangible products (Berry, 2000), enabling customers to better visualize and understand them. They reduce customers' perceived monetary, social, and safety risks in buying services, which are obstacles to evaluating a service correctly before purchase. Also, a high level of brand equity increases consumer satisfaction, repurchasing intent, and degree of loyalty. Brand equity can be considered as a mixture that includes both financial assets and relationships. Actually, brand equity can be viewed as the value added to the product (Keller, 1993), or the perceived value of the product in consumers' minds. Mahajan et al. (1990) claim that customer-based brand equity can be measured by the level of consumers' perceptions. Several researchers discuss brand equity based on two dimensions: consumer perception and consumer behavior. Aaker (1991) suggests measuring brand equity through price premium, loyalty, perceived quality, and brand associations. Viewing brand equity as the consumer's behavior toward a brand, Keller (1993) proposes similar dimensions: brand awareness and brand knowledge. Thus, past studies tend to identify brand equity as a multidimensional construct consisted of brand loyalty, brand awareness, brand knowledge, customer satisfaction, perceived equity, brand associations, and other proprietary assets (Aaker, 1991, 1996; Blackston, 1995; Cobb-Walgren et al., 1995; Na, 1995). Other studies tend to regard brand equity and other brand assets, such as brand knowledge, brand awareness, brand image, brand loyalty, perceived quality, and so on, as independent but related constructs (Keller, 1993; Kirmani and Zeithaml, 1993). Walters(1978) defined information search as, "A psychological or physical action a consumer takes in order to acquire information about a product or store." But, each consumer has different methods for informationsearch. There are two methods of information search, internal and external search. Internal search is, "Search of information already saved in the memory of the individual consumer"(Engel, Blackwell, 1982) which is, "memory of a previous purchase experience or information from a previous search."(Beales, Mazis, Salop, and Staelin, 1981). External search is "A completely voluntary decision made in order to obtain new information"(Engel & Blackwell, 1982) which is, "Actions of a consumer to acquire necessary information by such methods as intentionally exposing oneself to advertisements, taking to friends or family or visiting a store."(Beales, Mazis, Salop, and Staelin, 1981). There are many sources for consumers' information search including advertisement sources such as the internet, radio, television, newspapers and magazines, information supplied by businesses such as sales people, packaging and in-store information, consumer sources such as family, friends and colleagues, and mass media sources such as consumer protection agencies, government agencies and mass media sources. Understanding consumers' purchasing behavior is a key factor of a firm to attract and retain customers and improving the firm's prospects for survival and growth, and enhancing shareholder's value. Therefore, marketers should understand consumer as individual and market segment. One theory of consumer behavior supports the belief that individuals are rational. Individuals think and move through stages when making a purchase decision. This means that rational thinkers have led to the identification of a consumer buying decision process. This decision process with its different levels of involvement and influencing factors has been widely accepted and is fundamental to the understanding purchase intention represent to what consumers think they will buy. Brand equity is not only companies but also very important asset more than product itself. This paper studies brand equity model and influencing factors including information process such as information searching and information resources in the fashion market in Asia and Europe. Information searching and information resources are influencing brand knowledge that influences consumers purchase decision. Nine research hypotheses are drawn to test the relationships among antecedents of brand equity and purchase intention and relationships among brand knowledge, brand value, brand attitude, and brand loyalty. H1. Information searching influences brand knowledge positively. H2. Information sources influence brand knowledge positively. H3. Brand knowledge influences brand attitude. H4. Brand knowledge influences brand value. H5. Brand attitude influences brand loyalty. H6. Brand attitude influences brand value. H7. Brand loyalty influences purchase intention. H8. Brand value influence purchase intention. H9. There will be the same research model in Asia and Europe. We performed structural equation model analysis in order to test hypotheses suggested in this study. The model fitting index of the research model in Asia was $X^2$=195.19(p=0.0), NFI=0.90, NNFI=0.87, CFI=0.90, GFI=0.90, RMR=0.083, AGFI=0.85, which means the model fitting of the model is good enough. In Europe, it was $X^2$=133.25(p=0.0), NFI=0.81, NNFI=0.85, CFI=0.89, GFI=0.90, RMR=0.073, AGFI=0.85, which means the model fitting of the model is good enough. From the test results, hypotheses were accepted. All of these hypotheses except one are supported. In Europe, information search is not an antecedent of brand knowledge. This means that sales of global fashion brands like jeans in Europe are not expanding as rapidly as in Asian markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea. Young consumers in European countries are not more brand and fashion conscious than their counter partners in Asia. The results have theoretical, practical meaning and contributions. In the fashion jeans industry, relatively few studies examining the viability of cross-national brand equity has been studied. This study provides insight on building global brand equity and suggests information process elements like information search and information resources are working differently in Asia and Europe for fashion jean market.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2004

Background: The aims of this study are to verify the result of the surgical treatment of ALCAPA and to identify the postoperative changes of left ventricular dimensions and mitral regurgitation (MR), Material and Method: Fifteen patients operated on since 1985 were included in the study. The patients operated on before 1998 (n=9) showed heterogeneous properties with various surgical strategies and cardiopulmonary bypass techniques. However, six patients were operated on with the established surgical strategy since 1998; 1) Dual perfusion and dual cardioplegic solution delivery through ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery, 2) Coronary transfer by rolled-conduit made of pulmonary artery wall flap, and 3) Additional mitral valvular procedure was not peformed. Result: Median age of the study group was 6 months (1 month to 34 years). The operative methods were left subclavian artery to left coronary artery anastomosis in 1, simple ligation in 2, Takeuchi operation in 2, and coronary reimplantation in 10 patients. The mean follow up period was 5.5<5.8 years (2 months 14 years), There were one early death (6.7%) and one late death. Overall 5-year survival rate was 85.6$\pm$9.6%. The Z-value of left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were 6.4$\pm$3.0 and 5.1 $\pm$3.6 preoperatively, and decreased to 1.7$\pm$ 1.9 and 0.8$\pm$ 1.6 in 3 months (p<0.05). Significant preoperative MR was identified in 6 patients (40%) and all the patients showed immediate improvement of MR within f month postoperatively. There were 3 cases of reoperation due to coronary anastomosis site stenosis and recurrence of MR. However, there was no mortality nor late reoperation in the patients operated on after 1998. Conclusion: The surgical treatment of ALCAPA showed favorable survival and early recovery of ventricular dimensions and mitral valvular function. Although long-term reintervention was required in some cases of earlier period, all the cases after 1998 showed excellent surgical outcome without long-term problem.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2008

Purpose: Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were found to reduce the incidence of acute and late rectal toxicity compared with conventional radiation therapy (RT), although acute and late urinary toxicities were not reduced significantly. Acute urinary toxicity, even at a low-grade, not only has an impact on a patient's quality of life, but also can be used as a predictor for chronic urinary toxicity. With bladder filling, part of the bladder moves away from the radiation field, resulting in a small irradiated bladder volume; hence, urinary toxicity can be decreased. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of bladder volume on acute urinary toxicity during RT in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Forty two patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were treated by 3DCRT and of these, 21 patients made up a control group treated without any instruction to control the bladder volume. The remaining 21 patients in the experimental group were treated with a full bladder after drinking 450 mL of water an hour before treatment. We measured the bladder volume by CT and ultrasound at simulation to validate the accuracy of ultrasound. During the treatment period, we measured bladder volume weekly by ultrasound, for the experimental group, to evaluate the variation of the bladder volume. Results: A significant correlation between the bladder volume measured by CT and ultrasound was observed. The bladder volume in the experimental group varied with each patient despite drinking the same amount of water. Although weekly variations of the bladder volume were very high, larger initial CT volumes were associated with larger mean weekly bladder volumes. The mean bladder volume was $299{\pm}155\;mL$ in the experimental group, as opposed to $187{\pm}155\;mL$ in the control group. Patients in experimental group experienced less acute urinary toxicities than in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. A trend of reduced toxicity was observed with the increase of CT bladder volume. In patients with bladder volumes greater than 150 mL at simulation, toxicity rates of all grades were significantly lower than in patients with bladder volume less than 150 mL. Also, patients with a mean bladder volume larger than 100 mL during treatment showed a slightly reduced Grade 1 urinary toxicity rate compared to patients with a mean bladder volume smaller than 100 mL. Conclusion: Despite the large variability in bladder volume during the treatment period, treating patients with a full bladder reduced acute urinary toxicities in patients with prostate cancer. We recommend that patients with prostate cancer undergo treatment with a full bladder.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.535-542
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• 2010

This study was carried out to examine anthropometric parameters and related habits in female college students. Mean age, height, and body weight of the subjects in total (n=212) were 20.7 yrs, 161.8 cm, and 53.5 kg, respectively. Anthropometric parameters were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Mean degree of obesity, body mass index (BMI), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were 98.4%, $20.6\;kg/m^2$, and 0.80 respectively. Surprisingly, 63.7% of the subjects showed unbalanced weak upper bodies compared to their lower bodies. Therefore, they were divided into two groups: unbalanced weak upper body group (UU, n=135) and balanced upper body groups (BU, n=77). Bodyweight, degree of obesity, BMI, and WHR in the UU group were significantly lower than those in the BU group. Amounts of body protein, body fat, and body mineral in the UU group were also significantly lower than those of the BU group. Mid-arm muscle circumference of the UU group ($18.5{\pm}0.8\;cm$) was significantly lower than those of BU group ($20.4{\pm}1.2\;cm$), although mid-arm circumference of the UU group was not significantly different compared to those of the BU group. On a questionnaire on exercise habits, 1.5% of the UU group and 7.8% of the BU group answered that they exercised regularly, and 55.5% of the UU group and 31.2% of the BU group reported that they never exercised (p<0.01). Even in the subjects who exercised, the duration of the exercise was not sufficient because 38.4% of the UU group and 35.8% of the BU group answered that they exercised for less than 30 min. In conclusion, interventions in exercise habits may be needed for female college students who have unbalanced weak upper bodies.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.490-497
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• 2011

Objectives: This study examined the effect of the uncured dentin adhesives on the bond interface between the resin inlay and dentin. Materials and Methods: Dentin surface was exposed in 24 extracted human molars and the teeth were assigned to indirect and direct resin restoration group. For indirect resin groups, exposed dentin surfaces were temporized with provisional resin. The provisional restoration was removed after 1 wk and the teeth were divided further into 4 groups which used dentin adhesives (OptiBond FL, Kerr; One-Step, Bisco) with or without light-curing, respectively (Group OB-C, OB-NC, OS-C and OS-NC). Pre-fabricated resin blocks were cemented on the entire surfaces with resin cement. For the direct resin restoration groups, the dentin surfaces were treated with dentin adhesives (Group OB-D and OS-D), followed by restoring composite resin. After 24 hr, the teeth were assigned to microtensile bond strength (${\mu}TBS$) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), respectively. Results: The indirect resin restoration groups showed a lower ${\mu}TBS$ than the direct resin restoration groups. The ${\mu}TBS$ values of the light cured dentin adhesive groups were higher than those of the uncured dentin adhesive groups (p < 0.05). CLSM analysis of the light cured dentin adhesive groups revealed definite and homogenous hybrid layers. However, the uncured dentin adhesive groups showed uncertain or even no hybrid layer. Conclusions: Light-curing of the dentin adhesive prior to the application of the cementing material in luting a resin inlay to dentin resulted in definite, homogenous hybrid layer formation, which may improve the bond strength.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2013

Susceptibility of each developmental stage of Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) were investigated using 16 insecticides which are available in the market in Korea. For the eggs and pupae, only spinosad showed a 71.1% inhibition rate for egg hatchability and a 66.7% inhibition rate for emergence. For the 3rd instar larvae, the feeding toxicities were over 90% for fenitrothion ($LC_{50}$ 336.6 ppm), esfenvalerate ($LC_{50}$ 8.6 ppm), ethofenprox ($LC_{50}$ 35.7 ppm), and emamectin benzoate ($LC_{50}$ 0.05 ppm). Furthermore, the contact toxicities were over 90% for esfenvalerate ($LC_{50}$ 0.87 ppm), ethofenprox ($LC_{50}$ 16.5 ppm), emamectin benzoate ($LC_{50}$ 0.53 ppm), and spinosad ($LC_{50}$ 2.48 ppm) at the recommended concentrations. Deltamethrin and spinosad yielded 100% mortality for adult P. operculella 48 h after treatment. The adult female fecundity was inhibited by deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, emamectin benzoate, spinosad and dinotefuran, which were significantly different from the control. The adult longevities (7.3-8.3 days) were reduced by approximately 1-2 days compared with the control (9.3 day). The emamectin benzoate maintained 100% insecticidal activity 14 days after treatment and ethofenprox maintained over 90% activity 7 days after treatment.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the teaching-learning process plan of senior cohousing to improve understanding of active and independent living in later life through Home Economics subject. The plan consisting of 5 lessons has been developed and implemented according to the ADDIE model. Various activity materials (28 individual activity sheets, 2 working sheets, and 26 teacher's reading texts) and visual materials (4 sets of pictures & photos and 10 moving pictures) as well as questionnaire were developed for the 5-session lessons. The plans were implemented to 6 classes 150 freshmen of P high school in Jeju-do during August 17th to 3rd of September, 2015. Students were highly satisfied regardless of gender with the whole 5-lessons in the aspects such as the level of participation in the lesson, understanding of the contents, adequacy of materials and activities, and usage in their future life. Students also reported that they highly accomplished the goal of each lesson to reinforce the understanding on necessity of preparing later life, senior cohousing, and senior friendly business. It can be concluded that the teaching learning process plan for senior cohousing would improve understanding and practical competency of active and independent living in later life with senior neighbors through the home economics subject.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.750-756
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• 2010

This study was performed to examine the shelf life and qualities of wet noodle with Morus alba L. root and Curcuma aromatica extracts (MCE) during storage at $4^{\circ}C$. Lightness and redness of wet noodle were decreased with increasing amounts of MCE added in noodle while yellowness was increased. The viable cell and molds count of wet noodle with MCE was reduced about 1~2 log cycle as compared with control during storage time. Also the TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) value of wet noodle with MCE was lower than that of control. Hence the wet noodle with MCE has shown remarkable antioxidation effect. In sensory evaluation, the wet noodle containing the ratio of 2.5:0.02 of M. alba : C. aromatica was preferred than the control. From these results, the addition of 2.5% of M. alba and 0.02% of C. aromatica extracts in wet noodle had a good effect on improvement of preservation and development of quality.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.665-676
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• 2003

To investigate the chemical characteristics of PM$\_$2.5/ in Seoul, Korea, atmospheric particulate matters were collected using a PM$\_$10/ dichotomous sampler including PM$\_$10/ and PM$\_$2.5/ inlet during the period of October 2000 to September 2001. The Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectromety (ICP-MS), ion Chromatography (IC) methods were used to determine the concentration of both metal and ionic species. A statistical analysis was performed for the heavy metals data set using a principal component analysis (PCA) to derived important factors inherent in the interactions among the variables. The mean concentrations of ambient PM$\_$2.5/ and PM/sub10/ were 24.47 and 45.27 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. PM$\_$2.5/ masses also showed temporal variations both yearly and seasonally. The ratios of PM$\_$2.5/PM$\_$10/ was 0.54, which similar to the value of 0.60 in North America. Soil-related chemical components (such as Al, Ca, Fe, Si, and Mn) were abundant in PM$\_$10/, while anthropogenic components (such as As, Cd, Cr, V, Zn and Pb) were abundant in PM2s. Total water soluble ions constituted 30∼50 % of PM$\_$2.5/ mass, and sulfate, nitrate and ammonium were main components in water soluble ions. Reactive farms of NH$_4$$\^$+/were considered as NH$_4$NO$_3$ and (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$ during the sampling periods. In the results of PCA for PM$\_$2.5/, we identified three principal components. Major contribution to PM$\_$2.5/ seemed to be soil, oil combustion, unidentified source. Further study, the detailed interpretation of these data will need efforts in order to identify emission sources.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.847-885
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop a web-based internet program for nutritional assessment and diet Prescription by renal diseases. Renal diseases were classified by nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The system consisted of five parts according to their functions and contents. The first part is to assess the general health status such as body weight, obesity index, basal metabolic rate and total energy requirement by the input of age, sex, height, weight and degree of activity. The second part was designed to investigate dietary history of patient, that is, to find out his inappropriate dietary habit and give him some suggestions for appropriate dietary behavior by investigating his dietary history. This part also offers the diet and nutrition management by personal status with renal disease, and the information for food selection, snacks, convenience foods, dine-out, behavioral modification, cooking methods, food exchange lists and terms. The third part is evaluating their energy and nutrients intake by comparing with recommended dietary allowance for Koreans or standardized data for patient with renal disease. In this part, it is also analyzing energy and nutrients of food consumed by food group and meals, and evaluating the status of nutrient intake. The fort]1 one, a major part of the system, is implementing the diet and menu planning by using food exchange lists. This Part Provides the patient with menus lists and I day menu suitable to his weight, activity and the status of renal disease. The fifth part is providing information on energy and nutrients of foods and drinks, and top 20 foods classified by nutrients. These results are finally displayed as tabular forms and graphical forms on the computer screen.