• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.33-68
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• 2023

The present article investigates empirically whether non-reciprocal trade preferences (NRTPs) offered by QUAD countries (Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United States) to developing countries have helped to promote economic growth in the beneficiary countries. Two main blocks of NRTPs are considered here: Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programs and other trade preferences programs. The analysis used a set of 90 beneficiary countries of NRTPs that are concurrently recipients of development aid over the period of 2002-2018. Using the two-step system generalized method of moments, the analysis indicated that while a higher degree of utilization of each of these two blocks of NRTPs has been associated with a high economic growth rate, development aid enhances this positive effect. This highlights the need for donors to support a development strategy based on the provision of both development aid and NRTPs if they are to help beneficiary countries to promote economic growth. Finally, when the positive economic growth effect of the utilization of NRTPs is higher, the result is a greater country's share of exports (under preferential tariffs) to QUAD countries out of their total merchandise exports.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.111-111
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• 2019

Glycyrrhizae radix is one of the most frequently prescribed ingredients in Oriental medicine, and G. radix extract has been shown to exert anti-cancer effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis by G. radix are poorly defined. In the present study, it was examined the biochemical mechanisms of apoptosis by water extract of G. radix (WEGR) in human bladder T24 cancer cells. It was found that WEGR could inhibit the cell growth of T24 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of annexin-V positive cells. The induction of apoptotic cell death by WEGR was connected with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins, and inhibition of apoptosis family proteins (XIAP, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2). In addition, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of WEGR induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. WEGR also induced apoptosis via a death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the down-regulation of total Bid and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that WEGR may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.24-33
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• 2024

Recently, as smart construction has become more active, construction companys are evaluating their smart construction capabilities in order to transform into smart construction companies. However, the revitalization of smart construction doesn't only apply to construction companies, the level of utilization of all participants, including owners, designers, construction project managers, and construction company, must be improved. Therefore, this study aims to present a model that evaluate the building information modeling (BIM) utilization level for measuring the BIM utilization level of construction management companies in executing construction project management. In this study, an AHP questionnaire survey targeting BIM practitioners to calculate the weight of each BIM utilization item and score it to construct evaluation model and evaluate it by applying it to construction management companies are conducted. As a result of the evaluation using model, there were differences between companies in the number of BIM users, and in the qualitative evaluation, it is mainly used for interference review, constructability review, and design change management. Therefore, in order to revitalize BIM, it is believed that it is necessary to strengthen BIM utilization ability through separate training for construction manager (CMr) and to present clear utilization standards and scope of work for BIM utilization in performing construction management tasks. Consequently, evaluating more construction management companies using the model presented in this study will result in the transition of CM companies to smart construction and revitalization of BIM adoption.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.57-66
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• 2018

In Japan, apartment housing occupies a great proportion of residence due to high population density like Korea. Although Korea and Japan are similar in big proportions of apartment housing, and apartment housing management systems and utilization behaviors, there are considerable differences. This paper examined Japanese public facilities and the status of public facility management and utilization, which differ from those in Korea. In order to analyze the status of public facilities from a perspective of management companies, a preliminary survey was conducted targeting apartment management companies in the top 100 and a field study on public facilities was conducted targeting chief directors and managers of individual housing facilities to look into public facility utilization methods, problems with public facility management, demands of residents, and utilization situations. Also, the present state of facility utilization and utilization promotion plans were investigated, based on the drawings of facilities collected. As the result, results were found in three respects; 'elements, related to building plans', 'elements, related to utilization promotion', and 'elements, related to facility remodeling, including changes of uses'. In relation to the use of public facilities in the future, a more active communication between managers and users would be needed for planning. Also, there would be a need to provide public facilities for visitors when there are events for both occupants and visitors in order to promote the use of facilities and management companies would have to share information of excellent facility models.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.99-111
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• 2009

There have been continuous studies about urban parks since 1971 until now. However, there was neither deep analysis of park space nor research about green areas and lawn space. Below is the summary of the main results obtained based on the analysis of the problems with the spatial structure and park facilities of 8 examinatory parks. The analysis of use pattern revealed that lawns in green areas are becoming almost unusable spaces. Therefore plans for more active utilization of lawn space is necessary. There were high correlations among unnecessary and necessary factors of park, use of green areas and the reasons for not using it; thus the analysis suggested that other plans be considered for utilization of lawn space in oder to obtain stronger efficacy. The objective of the present research was to suggest an opinion concerning the improvement of spatial structure of urban parks, by making unusable spaces of parks usable through appropriate park structuring, so that users can utilize more parks. Especially with regard to green areas, the present research has a meaning in that it suggested a method of improving spatial structure by means of green areas desired by users and facilities they can use.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of implementing a systematic Drug Utilization Review (DUR) system on contraindicated drug use and pharmaceutical expenditures in Korea. Methods: A literature search was conducted using search engines such as PubMed, EMBASE, NDSL, and RISS for relevant systematic studies. The database search was performed and updated in April 2018. Two independent reviewers evaluated the abstracts to find potentially eligible articles. Results: In total, 1433 potentially eligible studies were selected, and 11 articles were eventually shortlisted for inclusion in the present review system. The outcome showed that contraindicated drug use decreased after implementation of the DUR system in Korea. The analysis also showed that the DUR system contributed to a reduction in pharmaceutical expenditures. Conclusions: Our study showed that implementing the DUR system reduced both contraindicated drug use and pharmaceutical expenditures in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.201-211
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• 2001

The most general treatment method of municipal solid waste is a landfill. The LFG (landfill gas) migration is a serious problem in environmental aspect. The object of this study is to present the possibility of LFG utilization as a replacement or supplementary fuel for local energy -demand. We have developed the EXCEL program for the economic analysis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.511-517
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• 1992

Ethanol was utilized by mixed rumen microbes, but addition of pentachlorophenol (25 mg/l), a methanogen inhibitor, suppressed the utilization of ethanol. Carbon monoxide (50% of the gas phase), a hydrogenase inhibitor, more strongly suppressed the utilization of ethanol, propanol, and butanol. These results suggest that the major ethanol utilizers are $H_2$ producers. Ethanol utilization was depressed at low pH (below 6.0). Since methanogens were shown to be relatively resistant to low pH, it appears that ethanol utilizers are particularly sensitive to low pH. Ruminococcus albus and R. flavefaciens in mono-culture produced ethanol from carbohydrate (glucose and cellobiose), even when a high level (170 mM) of ethanol was present. Ethanol was not utilized even in the absence of carbohydrate, but the co-culture of these bacteria with methanogens resulted in the utilization of ethanol, i.e., when $H_2$ was rapidly converted to $CH_4$, R. albus and R. flavefaciens utilized ethanol. These results suggest that ethanol is utilized when the electrons liberated by the oxidation of ethanol are rapidly removed, and ready electron disposal in ethanol-utilizing, $H_2$-producing bacteria is accomplished by the interspecies transfer of $H_2$.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.291-301
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• 2014

Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS) has been conducted to provide nationally representative estimates of health care use and expenditures for non-institutionalized population in Korea since 2008. The aim of this study was to present estimates from KHPS on dental utilization and expenditures from 2008 to 2011. While weighted estimates were presented for each year from 2008 to 2011, the focus of this study was on the 2011 estimates and changes in dental utilization and expenditures between 2008 and 2011. Weighted estimates were obtained using population weights and statistical significances were analysed by independent t-test or ANOVA test using SPSS version 20 for Windows. In 2011, 21.1% of Korean population obtained outpatient dental services from dentists. From 2008 to 2011, the percent of people with a dental visit in each year increased slightly. In 2011, the mean number of dental visits was 4.46. While the mean number of dental visits remained stable by 2010, it increased slightly in 2011. The total annual dental expense in 2011 for people with a visit was about 460,000 Korean Won and 10% higher in 2008. In summary, this study results highlight low rates of dental utilization and high dental expenses in Korean population.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.59-82
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• 2015

According to the survey on the state of practical usage and present situation of FTAs, conducted among trade companies operating in Shandong province in 2014, more than 90% of companies are believed to be small and medium sized enterprises. Therefore this study tries to test what impact the awareness and utilization of an FTA have on its outcome among trade companies operating in Shandong province as well as partner countries and other trade companies. The research results are as follows. First, we found a positive correlation between 1) a company's global orientation (as measured in export density as a percentage of profit) and 2) its competitiveness (as measured in annual sales), and a company's degree of utilization of FTA provisions. Second, One of the findings is that the more aware of the (exporting) HS code, conventional tariffs and the process of issuing C/O the companies from Shandong province are the more they actually use (utilize) an FTA inpractice. Another interesting finding is that the more aware of the (exporting) HS code and conventional tariffs the enterprises are the higher is their practical usage level of an FTA. Third, however, at the time of this study's completion, FTA utilization was not yet positively correlated with statistically significant performance results. Therefore, to increase the utilization and performance of FTA, the China government have to make a efficient business models for each industry and support the small and mid-size businesses including Shandong province's SMEs.