• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.59-81
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• 2004

Store loyalty is increasingly being recognized as a path to long-term business profitability. Customer contact employees deliver a service firm's promises and create an important image for the firm. A major purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of customer service and product value on store loyalty. In order to test research hypotheses, data were collected through surveys administered to 300 apparel store customers. Two hundred thirty nine usable data were used for the analysis. The findings of this research are as follows: First, a employee's voluntary service(EVS) has a positive impact on interpersonal r elationship, which then affects switching barrier and store loyalty. Second, a employee's regular service(ERS) has an influence on store satisfaction, which in turn affect store loyalty. Third, product value is shown to be a significant antecedent to store satisfaction, which have a direct effect on store loyalty. The study concludes with implications, contributions, and limitations of the research and the empirical findings of this research should be beneficial to marketing practitioners and retailing businessmen in developing effective marketing strategies.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.53-53
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• 2022

Modem agricultural production needs to provide sustainable management practices that are eco-friendly and low cost. Plant extracts are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic plant growth regulators. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the effects of various plant extracts produced using different extraction methods on the vegetative growth of rice under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. For this study, seventeen plant extracts were made from plant species such as leaves of M. arvense, C. asiatica, M. oleifera, V. radiata, V. unguiculate, P. guajava, A. vera, and A. tuberosum, aboveground plant parts of C. rotundus, M. sativa, and P. frutescens, roots of R. undulatum, tubers of A. sativum, leaves and stems of G. max (cv. Taegwang) as well as rice straw and hulls (cv. Hopyeong). As a test crop, we applied these extracts to rice plants. For the purpose of making our extracts, some plant materials and species were collected in fields and others were purchased from Chonnam Hanyaknonghyup Cooperation (South Korea). Leaves, roots, and aboveground plant parts of plant species were dried, ground, extracted (water, boiling water and ethanol) and fermented. Rice growth promotion effects were determined using plant extracts at 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1% concentrations under petri dish conditions. Seven selected plant extracts were applied to rice seeds with soil drench application or seedling at 3-4 leaf stages with soil and foliar applications under greenhouse conditions. For comparison with extracts, we used urea at 0.6%. Of the 17 water extracts used in this study, 10 extracts reduced rice growth, but the other 7 extracts (P. guajava, A. vera, A. tuberosum, M. sativa, A. sativum, and G. max) increased growth by 40-60% on compared to the control in Petri dish bioassay. Thus, these 7 extracts were selected for further study. Under greenhouse conditions, rice growth also increased by 20-40% when the same 7 extracts were applied to rice seeds using soil drench application. Furthermore, at the 3-4 leaf stage rice growth also increased 30-80% or 30-60% when the same 7 extracts were applied using soil and foliar applications. Overall, the 7 extracts produced higher rates of growth promotion when soil drench application was used than when foliar application was used. In the case of boiling water and ethanol extracts, rice growth increased only 20% in response to both soil drench and foliar application of the same 7 extracts. Rice growth promotion was greater when extracts were produced using water extraction method than boiling water and ethanol extraction methods. Most notably, the 7 water extracts used in this study produced higher rates of growth promotion than urea at 0.6% which is typically used for crop growth promotion. Overall, the 7 water extracts when applied using soil drenching method can be used as effective growth promotors of rice in organic agriculture.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.92-92
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• 2022

In preparation for the ever-changing climate and unification of North Korea and South Korea, it is necessary to increase the grain self-sufficiency rate by selecting crops with good utilization in high-altitude regions. The principle is to sow pastures at the end of August. However, sowing occurs in spring because the sowing period is missed when the weather is bad or when the workforce is insufficient. Sometimes when the grassland is completely devastated, it is frequently sowed in spring. In addition, North Korea consists of a high-altitude regions, and has been devastated in a general mountainous region. As a result, the landscape is not good and it is vulnerable to natural disasters such as landslides. Therefore, to prevent this, pasture must be sowed in the high-altitude regions. The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare yield and feed value of pasture species and varieties by spring sowing in high-latitude regions. The study was conducted in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, which is 700m height above sea level. The pasture species and varieties was sown on April 24, 2022. Each treatment was carried out by sowing 30 kg/ha, the experiment field size was 1 m²(1m×1m), and randomized block design with tri-repeat. The total of 14 varieties was used in the study, 6 varieties of Orchardgrass (OG), 6 varieties of Tall fescue (TF) and 2 varieties of Perennial ryegrass (PRG). The grassland composition fertilization using (N:P₂O₅:K₂O at 80:200:70 kg/ha) was conducted and management fertilizer was N:P₂O₅:K₂O at 210:150:180 kg/ha. The first harvest was June 26,2022 and the second harvest was on August 16, 2022. For statistical analysis of the data, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed using the R3.6.3 software program, and all data was subjected to analysis using Duncan's multiple range test. Significance was set at the 5% level. The dry matter yield at the first harvest was the highest in PRG, and second harvest was the highest in TF (p < 0.05). Overall, PRG showed a trend of gradually decreasing growth, OG and TF showed a trend of gradually improving growth. This showed that PRG was considerably weaker to summer depression than other pasture species. Comparing the total dry matter yield, TF was the highest (4,565.45 kg/ha), but there was no significance difference with PRG (4,487.24 kg/ha) (p < 0.05). In addition, comparing the total TDN (total digestible nutrient) yield, TF was the highest (3147.33 kg/ha), second in PRG (2975.67 kg/ha) and third in OG (2052.33 kg/ha). Since this result is the data of the second harvests, if the result is derived by the end of next year, it will be provided as basic data for selection of pasture species and varieties suitable for spring seeding in high-altitude regions.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.251-261
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• 2023

Photobacterium sp. YW2207 was isolated from rainbow trout raised in a fish farm located in Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon Province, South Korea. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis, it was confirmed that Photobacterium sp. YW2207 showed 100% similarity with Photobacterium piscicola and Photobacterium phosphoreum, and 94.6% similarity with P. damselae subsp. damselae. Biochemical analysis revealed that Photobacterium sp. YW2207 is a Gram-negative, motile bacterium with a cell size of 1.5~3×3~5 ㎛. The bacteria were cultured on nutrient agar, brain heart infusion agar, Muller-Hinton agar, tryptic soy agar, and thiosulfate citrate bile sucrose agar with NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 2.5%. The API50CHE and API20E tests indicated lower utilization capabilities compared to the P. damselae strains provided in the API database. Furthermore, unlike most Photobacterium species, Photobacterium sp. YW2207 presented negative for catalase test. Results from the flow cytometric measurement indicated that Photobacterium sp. YW2207 exhibited a more diverse distribution of cell sizes and had larger cell sizes compared with P. damselae subsp. damselae. Minimum inhibitory concentration tests showed that Photobacterium sp. YW2207 had low susceptibility to β-Lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics, while having high susceptibility to tetracycline, doxycycline, and quinolone antibiotics. Pathogenicity on rainbow trout revealed that an immersion of 1×10⁵ CFU/ml did not cause mortality or clinical symptoms.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.497-507
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• 2024

In squat reinforced concrete walls, the displacement capacity for lateral deformation is low and the ability to resist the axial load can quickly be lost, generating collapse. This work consists of testing two squat reinforced concrete walls. One of the specimens is built with conventional detailing of reinforced concrete walls, while the second specimen is built applying an alternative design, including stirrups along the diagonal of the wall to improve its ductility. This solution differs from the detailing of beams or coupling elements that suggest building elements equivalent to columns located diagonally in the element. The dimensions of both specimens correspond to a wall with a low aspect ratio (1:1), where the height and length of the specimen are 1.4 m, with a thickness of 120 mm. The alternative wall included stirrups placed diagonally covering approximately 25% of the diagonal strut of the wall with alternative detailing. The walls were tested under a constant axial load of 0.1f'cAg and a cyclic lateral displacement was applied in the upper part of the wall. The results indicate that the lateral strength is almost identical between both specimens. On the other hand, the lateral displacement capacity increased by 25% with the alternative detailing, but it was also able to maintain the 3 complete hysteretic cycles up to a drift of 2.5%, reaching longitudinal reinforcement fracture, while the base specimen only reached the first cycle of 2% with rapid degradation due to failure of the diagonal compression strut. The alternative design also allows 46% more energy dissipation than the conventional design. A model was used to capture the global response, correctly representing the observed behavior. A parametric study with the model, varying the reinforcement amount and aspect ratio, was performed, indicating that the effectiveness of the alternative detailing can double de drift capacity for the case with a low aspect ratio (1.1) and a large longitudinal steel amount (1% in the web, 5% in the boundary), which decreases with lower amounts of longitudinal reinforcement and with the increment of aspect ratio, indicating that the alternative detailing approach is reasonable for walls with an aspect ratio up to 2, especially if the amount of longitudinal reinforcement is high.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.288-297
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• 2024

Objectives: This study explored the prevalence and predictors of alcohol and cannabis co-use among 9263 Filipino adolescents, using data from the 2019 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the GSHS, targeting adolescents aged 13-17 years and excluding cases with incomplete data on alcohol and cannabis use. Our analysis employed the bivariate chi-square test of independence and multivariable logistic regression using Stata version 18 to identify significant predictors of co-use, with a p-value threshold set at 0.05. Results: The weighted prevalence of co-users was 4.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4 to 5.3). Significant predictors included male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.50; 95% CI, 3.31 to 6.10; p<0.001) and being in a lower academic year, specifically grade 7 (aOR, 4.08; 95% CI, 2.39 to 6.99; p<0.001) and grade 8 (aOR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.30 to 3.72; p=0.003). Poor sleep quality was also a significant predictor (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.29 to 2.44; p<0.001), as was a history of attempted suicide (aOR, 5.31; 95% CI, 4.00 to 7.06; p<0.001). Physical inactivity was associated with lower odds of co-use (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.62; p<0.001). Additionally, non-attendance of physical education classes (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.05; p=0.021), infrequent unapproved parental checks (aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.80; p=0.024), and lower parental awareness of free-time activities (aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.87; p=0.005) were associated with higher odds of co-use. Factors not significantly linked to co-use included age group, being in grade 9, always feeling lonely, having no close friends, being bullied outside school, and whether a parent or guardian understood the adolescent's worries. Conclusions: The findings highlight the critical need for comprehensive interventions in the Philippines, addressing not only physical inactivity and parental monitoring but also focusing on sex, academic grade, participation in physical education classes, sleep quality, and suicide attempt history, to effectively reduce alcohol and cannabis co-use among adolescents.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.79-96
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• 2018

This study started by focusing on the internalization of the technology appraisal model into the credit rating model to increase the discriminative power of the credit rating model not only for SMEs but also for all companies, reflecting the items related to the financial stability of the enterprises among the technology appraisal items. Therefore, it is aimed to verify whether the technology appraisal model can be applied to identify high-stability SMEs in advance. We classified companies into industries (manufacturing vs. non-manufacturing) and the age of company (initial vs. non-initial), and defined as a high-stability company that has achieved an average debt ratio less than 1/2 of the group for three years. The C5.0 was applied to verify the discriminant power of the model. As a result of the analysis, there is a difference in importance according to the type of industry and the age of company at the sub-item level, but in the mid-item level the R&D capability was a key variable for discriminating high-stability SMEs. In the early stage of establishment, the funding capacity (diversification of funding methods, capital structure and capital cost which taking into account profitability) is an important variable in financial stability. However, we concluded that technology development infrastructure, which enables continuous performance as the age of company increase, becomes an important variable affecting financial stability. The classification accuracy of the model according to the age of company and industry is 71~91%, and it is confirmed that it is possible to identify high-stability SMEs by using technology appraisal items.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.258-263
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Hemangiomas are the most common benign liver lesions; however, they are usually asymptomatic and seldom require surgery. Enucleation and resection are the most commonly performed surgical procedures for symptomatic lesions. This study aims to compare the outcomes of these two surgical techniques. Methods: A retrospective analysis of symptomatic hepatic hemangiomas (HH) operated upon between 2000 and 2021. Patients were categorized into the enucleation and resection groups. Demographic profile, intraoperative bleeding, and morbidity (Clavien-Dindo Grade) were compared. Independent t-test and chi-square tests were used for continuous and categorical variables respectively. p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sixteen symptomatic HH patients aged 30 to 66 years underwent surgery (enucleation = 8, resection = 8) and majority were females (n = 10 [62.5%]). Fifteen patients presented with abdominal pain, and one patient had an interval increase in the size of the lesion from 9 to 12 cm. The size of hemangiomas varied from 6 to 23 cm. The median blood loss (enucleation: 350 vs. resection: 600 mL), operative time (enucleation: 5.8 vs. resection: 7.5 hours), and postoperative hospital stay (enucleation: 6.5 vs. resection: 11 days) were greater in the resection group (statistically insignificant). In the resection group, morbidity was significantly higher (62.6% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.05), including one mortality. All patients remained asymptomatic during the follow-up. Conclusions: Enucleation was simpler with less morbidity as compared to resection in our series. However, considering the small number of patients, further studies are needed with comparable groups to confirm the superiority of enucleation over resection.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.764-772
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• 2020

Objective: Laser ablation is a therapeutic modality used to reduce the volume of large benign thyroid nodules. Unsatisfactory reduction and regrowth are observed in some treated nodules. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of laser treatment for solid nodules during a 5-year follow-up period, the regrowth rate, and the predictive risk factors of nodule regrowth. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with benign, solid, cold thyroid nodules who underwent laser ablation and were followed-up for 5 years. According to the selection criteria, 104 patients were included (median baseline nodule volume, 12.5 mL [25.0-75.0%, 8-18 mL]; median energy delivered, 481.5 J/mL [25.0-75.0%, 370-620 J/mL]). Nodule volume, thyroid function test results, and ultrasound were evaluated at baseline and then annually after the procedure. Results: Of 104 patients, 31 patients (29.8%) had a 12-month volume reduction ratio (VRR) < 50.0% and 39 (37.5%) experienced nodule regrowth. Of these 39 patients, 17 (43.6%) underwent surgery and 14 (35.9%) underwent a second laser treatment. The rate of nodule regrowth was inversely related to the 12-month VRR, i.e., the lower the 12-month VRR, the higher the risk of regrowth (p < 0.001). The mean time for nodule regrowth was 33.5 ± 16.6 months. The 12-month VRR was directly related to time to regrowth, i.e., the lower the 12-month VRR, the shorter the time to regrowth (p < 0.001; R² = 0.3516). Non-spongiform composition increased the risk of regrowth with an odds ratio of 4.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-10.2; p < 0.001); 12-month VRR < 50.0% increased the risk of regrowth with an odds ratio of 11.7 (95% CI 4.2-32.2; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The VRR of thyroid nodules subjected to similar amounts of laser energy varies widely and depends on the nodule composition; non-spongiform nodules are reduced to a lesser extent and regrow more frequently than spongiform nodules. A 12-month VRR < 50.0% is a predictive risk factor for regrowth and correlates with the time to regrowth.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.308-322
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• 1996

Background : Neutrophils are considered to play critical roles in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Histamine, which is distributed abundantly in lung tissue, increases the rolling of neutrophills via increase of P-selectin expression on the surface of endothelial cells and is known to have some interrelationships with IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-$\alpha$. We studied to investigate the effect of the histamine on the acute lung injury of the rats induced by intratracheal insufflation of TNF-$\alpha$ which has less potency to cause lung injury compared to IL-1 in rats. Methods : We intratracheally instilled saline or TNF(R&D, 500ng), IL-1(R&D, 50ng)or histamine of varius dose(1.1, 11 and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$) with and without TNF separately in Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270-370 grams. We also intratracheally treated IL-1(50ng) along with histamine($55\;{\mu}g/kg$). In cases, there were synergistic effects induced by histamine on the parameters of TNF-induced acute lung injury, antihistamines(Sigma, mepyramine as a $H_1$ receptor blockade and ranitidine as a $H_2$ receptor blockade, 10 mg/kg in each)were co-administered intravenously to the rats treated TNF along with histamine($1.1\;{\mu}g/kg$) intratraeheally. Then after 5 h we measured lung lavage neutrophil numbers, lavage cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractants(CINC), lung myeloperoxidase activity(MPO) and lung leak. We also intratracheally insufflated TNF with/without histamine($11\;{\mu}g/kg$), then after 24 h measured lung leak in rats. Statistical analyses were done by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVA test with Dunn's multiple comparison test or by Mann-Whitney U test. Results : We found that rats given TNF, histamine alone(11 and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$), and TNF with histamine(l.1, 11, and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$) intratracheally had increased (p<0.05) lung MPO activity compared with saline-treated control rats. TNF with histamine $11\;{\mu}g/kg$ had increased MPO activity (P=0.0251) compared with TNF-treated rats. TNF and TNF with histamine(1.1, 11, and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$) intratracheally had all increased (p<0.05) lung leak, lavage neutophil numbers and lavage CINC activities compared with saline. TNF with histamine $1.1\;{\mu}g/kg$ had increased (p=0.0367) lavage neutrophil numbers compared with TNF treated rats. But there were no additive effect of histamine with TNF compared with TNF alone in acute lung leak on 5 h and 24 h in rats. Treatment of rats with the $H_1$ and $H_2$ antagonists resulted in inhibitions of lavage neutrophil accumulations and lavage CINC activity elevations elicited by co-treated histamine in TNF-induced acute lung injury intratracheally in rats. We also found that rats given IL-1 along with histamine intratracheally did not have increase in lung leak compared with IL-1 treated rats. Conclusion : Histamine administered intratracheally did not have synergistic effects on TNF-induced acute lung leak inspite of additive effects on increase in MPO activity and lavage neutrophil numbers in rats. These observations suggest that instilling histamine intratracheally would not play synergistic roles in neutrophil-mediated acute lung injury in rats.