• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.181-205
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• 2024

Purpose - This study aims to examine the direct impact of corporate social responsibility initiatives on firm technological innovation and the moderating effect on the relationship between firm technological innovation and corporate value. Design/methodology/approach - This study collected 13,298 firm-year data by selecting A-share companies listed on the China Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchange from 2010-2017. This study runs the multivariate regression using random effect generalized least squares (GLS) regression model. Findings - The research results of this study are as follows. First, corporate social responsibility initiatives do not increase the firm technological innovation, but rather reduce it. Second, firm technological innovation generally improves corporate value, whether it is book value or market value. Third, corporate social responsibility initiatives reduce the positive influence of firm technological innovation on corporate value. Research implications or Originality - There may be discussions on whether Chinese patent application data is a good indicator of the innovation of Chinese companies, but previous studies prove that the number of patent applications has a significant correlation with R&D expenditures or financial performance. However, there is a clear limitation in that it is not possible to confirm the result of registration after a patent application, but it is expected that such limitations can be overcome by using patent registration information or detailed citation documents in the future.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.3498-3511
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• 2016

We investigate the channel state information (CSI) in multi-input multi-output (MIMO) cooperative networks that employ the amplify-and-forward transmission scheme. Least squares and expectation conditional maximization have been proposed in the system. However, neither of these two approaches takes advantage of channel sparsity, and they cause estimation performance loss. Unlike linear channel estimation methods, several compressed channel estimation methods are proposed in this study to exploit the sparsity of the MIMO cooperative channels based on the theory of compressed sensing. First, the channel estimation problem is formulated as a compressed sensing problem by using sparse decomposition theory. Second, the lower bound is derived for the estimation, and the MIMO relay channel is reconstructed via compressive sampling matching pursuit algorithms. Finally, based on this model, we propose a novel algorithm so called sparsity adaptive expectation maximization (SAEM) by using Kalman filter and expectation maximization algorithm so that it can exploit channel sparsity alternatively and also track the true support set of time-varying channel. Kalman filter is used to provide soft information of transmitted signals to the EM-based algorithm. Various numerical simulation results indicate that the proposed sparse channel estimation technique outperforms the previous estimation schemes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.447-462
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• 2020

The paper aims to investigate the mechanical mechanism and seismic effect of stiffeners in blind bolt endplate connection to CFST column. A precise 3D finite element model with considering the cyclic properties of concrete and steel materials was established, and the efficiency was validated through monotonic and cyclic test data. The deforming pattern and the seismic performance of the unstiffened and stiffened blind bolt endplate connections were investigated. Then a parametric analysis was conducted to analyze the contribution of stiffeners and the joint working behaviors with endplate under cyclic load. The joint stiffness classifications were compared and a supplement stiffness classification method was proposed, and the energy dissipation ability of different class connections were compared and discussed. Results indicated that the main deformation pattern of unstiffened blind bolt endplate connections was the local bending of end plate. The vertical stiffeners can effectively alleviate the local bending deformation of end plate. And influence of stiffeners in thin endplate and thick endplate was different. Based on the stiffness of external diaphragm welded connection, a more detailed rigidity classification was proposed which included the pin, semi-rigid, quasi-rigid and rigid connection. Beam was the main energy dissipation source for rigid connection. For the semi-rigid and quasi-rigid connection, the extended endplate, stiffeners and steel beam would all participate in the energy dissipation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2005

A strain of Bacillus thuringiensis that showed signifi­cantly high toxicity to Plutella xylostella was isolated from a dust sample collected from Chinese tobacco warehouse and characterized. The isolate named B. thuringiensis LY-99 was determined to belong to subsp. alesti (H3a3c) by an H antisera agglutination test and produced bipyramidal inclusions. Plasmid and crystal protein patterns of the LY-99 were different from those of the reference strain, subsp. alesti. PCR analysis with specific primers revealed that this isolate contained abundant cry genes including crylAa, crylAc, crylB, crylD, crylE, crylF and cry2 genes, which was absolutely different from cry gene profile of the subsp. alesti. In addition, insecticidal activity of the LY-99 against P. xylostella larvae was about 44 times higher than that of the subsp. alesti.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.417-428
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• 2017

Diseases caused by foodborne or waterborne pathogens are emerging. Many pathogens can enter into the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, which is a survival strategy when exposed to harsh environmental stresses. Pathogens in the VBNC state have the ability to evade conventional microbiological detection methods, posing a significant and potential health risk. Therefore, controlling VBNC bacteria in food processing and the environment is of great importance. As the typical one of the gram-negatives, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a widespread foodborne and waterborne pathogenic bacterium and is able to enter into a VBNC state in extreme conditions (similar to the other gram-negative bacteria), including inducing factors and resuscitation stimulus. VBNC E. coli has the ability to recover both culturability and pathogenicity, which may bring potential health risk. This review describes the concrete factors (nonthermal treatment, chemical agents, and environmental factors) that induce E. coli into the VBNC state, the condition or stimulus required for resuscitation of VBNC E. coli, and the methods for detecting VBNC E. coli. Furthermore, the mechanism of genes and proteins involved in the VBNC E. coli is also discussed in this review.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.341-349
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• 2016

To improve the utilization rate of construction waste as mine backfilling materials, this paper investigated the feasibility of using recycled powder as mine paste backfilling cementitious material, and studied the pozzolanic activity of recycled construction waste powder. In this study, alkali-calcium-sulfur served as the activation principle and an orthogonal test plan was performed to analyze the impact of the early strength agent, quick lime, and gypsum on the pozzolanic activity of the recycled powder. Our results indicated that in descending order, early strength agent > quick lime > gypsum affected the strength of the backfilling paste with recycled powder as a cementitious material during early phases. The strength during late phases was affected by, in descending order, quick lime > gypsum > early strength agent. Using setting time and early compressive strength as an analysis index as well as an extreme difference analysis, it was found that the optimal ratio of recycled powder cementitious material for mine paste backfilling was recycled powder:quick lime:gypsum:early strength agent at 78%:10%:8%:4%. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscope were used to show that the hydration products of recycled powder cementitious material at the initial stages were mainly CH and ettringite. As hydration time increased, more and more recycled powder was activated. It mainly became calcium silicate hydrate, calcium aluminate hydrate, etc. In summary, recycled powder exhibited potential pozzolanic activities. When activated, it could replace cementitious materials to be used in mine backfill.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1397-1401
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• 2014

Aim: To investigate the mechanisms of induction of apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells by esophageal cancer-related gene 2 (ECRG2) in combination with cisplatin (DDP). Methods: Hoechest staining was performed to analyze the effects of single ECRG2 and ECRG2 in combination with DDP on apoptosis of EC9706 cells. The expression levels of p53 and bcl-2 mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results: The number of apoptotic cells after the treatment with ECRG2 in combination with DDP for 24 hours was more than that after the treatment with single ECRG2. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression levels of bcl-2 mRNA and protein were both down-regulated, while p53 mRNA and protein were both up-regulated in the cells treated with ECRG2 in combination with DDP compared with those given ECRG2 alone. Conclusion: ECRG2 in combination with DDP can enhance the apoptosis of EC9706 cells, possibly by down-regulating bcl-2 expression and up-regulating p53.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7335-7338
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• 2013

There is increasing evidence that natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in antitumor immunity following dendritic cell (DC) vaccination. Little is known, however, about the optimal stimulation of DCs by epitopes and NK interactions for cytotoxicity in tumors. In this study, DC cells activated by the HPV16E7.49-57 epitope and LPS were co-cultured with NK cells in vitro, and then used ot immunize mice to study CTL activity of TC-1, which constitutively expresses HPV16E6E7, with an LDH release assay. Cytotoxicity in mice immunized with DC loaded with epitope HPVE7.49-57 vaccine co-cultured with NK was enhanced significantly (p<0.01). In conclusion, talk-across between DC and NK cells enhances their functions, also improving cytotoxicity againsttumor cells, suggesting that activated DC-NK by epitopes has potential application for cancer-specific immuno-cellular therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2116-2124
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• 2015

To understand the effects of physicochemical factors on nitrite transformation by microalgae, a lipid-rich Chlorella with high nitrite tolerance was cultured with 8 mmol/l sodium nitrite as sole nitrogen source under different conditions. The results showed that nitrite transformation was mainly dependent on the metabolic activities of algal cells rather than oxidation of nitrite by dissolved oxygen. Light intensity, temperature, pH, NaHCO₃ concentrations, and initial cell densities had significant effects on the rate of nitrite transformation. Single-factor experiments revealed that the optimum conditions for nitrite transformation were light intensity: 300 μmol/m²/s; temperature: 30℃ pH: 7-8; NaHCO₃ concentration: 2.0 g/l; and initial cell density: 0.15 g/l; and the highest nitrite transformation rate of 1.36 mmol/l/d was achieved. There was a positive correlation between nitrite transformation rate and the growth of Chlorella. The relationship between nitrite transformation rate (mg/l/d) and biomass productivity (g/l/d) could be described by the regression equation y = 61.3x (R² = 0.9665), meaning that 61.3 mg N element was assimilated by 1.0 g dry biomass on average, which indicated that the nitrite transformation is a process of consuming nitrite as nitrogen source by Chlorella. The results demonstrated that the Chlorella suspension was able to assimilate nitrite efficiently, which implied the feasibility of using flue gas for mass production of Chlorella without preliminary removal of NO_X.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2016

Urban planning is the task to explore measures for bringing order to the change in urban space of future predicted in relation to the size and purpose of the land and a variety of facilities in cities in order to present the environment that can promote the qualitative improvement of activities of residents, ensure orderly urban space of future, and create appropriate urban environment which meets the desire of citizens by anticipating the urban development on the basis of overall activities such as politics, economics, culture, etc, so that the improvement in urban life can be accomplished ultimately. Therefore, this study attempted to examine current conditions information necessary for establishing policies pursuant to the national land development plan and regional development, as well as respond to the needs of urban residents who need the improvement of settlement environment including various amenities for the convenience of life, by shifting away form the macroscopic and one-size-fits top-down approach of development so far and aiming a balanced development of national land in quest for welfare society and by utilizing the urban index as the basic prior task necessary for seeking the shift ind the direction of policies and setting the direction for policies on the basis of the top-down development approach which suits the anticipation and hope of local residents as the subject of development, considering the growing interest in the shift in the policies for regional development in this era of localization. Techniques for urban planning need to be applied, such as the prior planning and the following development, along with the support at the policy level for achieving the improvement in the related sector, in order to induce continuos urban deelopment based on the establishment of healthy and sound settlement environment, and furthermore, the efforts must be drven forward to improve the urban settlement environment while the urban planning and policies are established.