• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.39-62
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• 2022

Purpose - Along with the growing awareness of environmental sustainability, international green entrepreneurship is expected to realize international sustainable development (ISD) by introducing ecological innovation results, using fewer resources consumption, and reducing negative environmental impacts. Building upon contingency theory and social network theory, this paper attempts to explore the role of home country-based networks (technology ties and business ties) as contingent factors that might impact the effectiveness of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in promoting ISD among green ventures. Design/methodology - Original data were collected from 127 green ventures in China based on the random sampling technique. These green ventures mainly focus on the lower use of energy or materials, lower CO2 emissions, and higher ecological benefits located in the Fujian province, which highlights green economic growth and economic cooperation with international markets. Moderated hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to test our hypotheses concerning the main relationship between EO (innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking) and ISD as well as the moderating effects of home country-based networks (technology ties and business ties) on the main relationship. Findings - Empirical results indicate that: first, both innovativeness and proactiveness positively affect ISD; second, both technology ties and business ties at home might significantly strengthen the positive relationship between innovativeness (or proactiveness) and ISD. However, this study did not find significant moderating effects of technology ties or business ties at home on the relationship between risk-taking and ISD. Originality/value - Since previous literature often gives more focus on the host country context of social networks, this study shifts to a home country-based network context. Therefore, our research might enrich the international green entrepreneurship literature by empirically investigating the contingent value of home country-based networks in the relationship between EO and ISD in the context of an emerging economy such as China.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1209-1220
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• 2023

Objective: The use of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in animal feed has received considerable attention in recent decades. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have remarkable functional properties promoting host health and are major microorganisms for probiotic purposes. The aim of this study was to characterize LAB strains of the chicken digestive tract and to determine their functional properties for further use as potential probiotics in poultry. Methods: A total of 2,000 colonies were isolated from the ileum and cecal contents of the chickens based on their phenotypic profiles and followed by a preliminary detection for acid and bile tolerance. The selected 200 LAB isolates with exhibited well-tolerance in acid and bile conditions were then identified by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene, followed by acid and bile tolerance, antimicrobial activity, adhesion to epithelial cells and additional characteristics on the removal of cholesterol. Then, the two probiotic strains (L. ingluviei and L. salivarious) which showed the greatest advantage in vitro testing were selected to assess their efficacy in broiler chickens. Results: It was found that 200 LAB isolates that complied with all measurement criteria belonged to five strains, including L. acidophilus (63 colonies), L. ingluviei (2 colonies), L. reuteri (58 colonies), L. salivarius (72 colonies), and L. saerimneri (5 colonies). We found that the L. ingluviei and L. salivarius can increase the population of LAB and Bifidobacterium spp. while reducing Enterobacteria spp. and Escherichia coli in the cecal content of chickens. Additionally, increased concentrations of valeric acid and short chain fatty acids were also observed. Conclusion: This study indicates that all five Lactobacillus strains isolated from gut contents of chickens are safe and possess probiotic properties, especially L. ingluviei and L. salivarius. Future studies should evaluate the potential for growth improvement in broilers.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.93-110
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• 2018

Due to its speciality, Johannesburg has drawn wide attention from the international academia, which the existing urban theory cannot easily explain. This paper focuses on the spatial pattern of Johannesburg, and finds that it is highly fragmented: first North-South Division due to apartheid and gold mining, secondly, the continuous sprawl due to population densification, and thirdly formation of city-region due to the fill-in spatial policy. The fragmented spatial pattern undermines the social integration and weakens the potential economic sustainability, which make the balanced multi-core spatial pattern inevitable under the influence of the international planning thought. The Johannesburg's spatial transformation comes not only from social integration, but also from the development vison of world-class status of an African city. In reality, since the collapse of apartheid, the municipal government has released series of strategic planning in different executive phase. These different plannings unanimously focus on the world class status although since 2008, the social inclusiveness is more emphasized. Thus, Johannesburg implements some spatial policies, as promoting the corridor of freedom, identifying the key nodes in the city then developing with high density, implementing the in-filling policy, managing the urban growth boundary, effectively preserving the natural system. However, the industrial structure in Johannesburg is already quite high-ended which cannot produce many jobs and also require much investment in advanced infrastructure. Thus, the strategic goals of world-class status of an African city and social inclusiveness which really need widely shared public services to some extent are in tension. After evaluation, we can see that spatial transformation is quite limited. Obviously spatial transformation largely depends on the social-economy. The population is still in flow. In this sense Johannesburg must energetically support the employment-based industry, effectively control the spatial sprawl and carry out institutional innovation which further incentive investment, gradually build an integrated regional governance. In general, how Johannesburg combines globalization and its own condition is still worth thinking in both theory and practice.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1604-1611
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of wheat phytase as a structural decomposer of inflammatory nucleotides, extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and uridine diphosphate (UDP) on HT-29 cells. Methods: Phosphatase activities of wheat phytase against ATP and UDP was investigated in the presence or absence of inhibitors such as L-phenylalanine and L-homoarginine using a Pi Color Lock gold phosphate detection kit. Viability of HT-29 cells exposed to intact- or dephosphorylated-nucleotides was analyzed with an EZ-CYTOX kit. Secretion levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in HT-29 cells exposed to substrate treated with or without wheat phytase were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Activation of caspase-3 in HT-29 cells treated with intact ATP or dephosphorylated-ATP was investigated using a colorimetric assay kit. Results: Wheat phytase dephosphorylated both nucleotides, ATP and UDP, in a dose-dependent manner. Regardless of the presence or absence of enzyme inhibitors (L-phenylalanine and L-homoarginine), wheat phytase dephosphorylated UDP. Only L-phenylalanine inhibited the dephosphorylation of ATP by wheat phytase. However, the level of inhibition was less than 10%. Wheat phytase significantly enhanced the viability of HT-29 cells against ATP- and UDP-induced cytotoxicity. Interleukin (IL)-8 released from HT-29 cells with nucleotides dephosphorylated by wheat phytase was higher than that released from HT-29 cells with intact nucleotides. Moreover, the release of IL-6 was strongly induced from HT-29 cells with UDP dephosphorylated by wheat phytase. HT-29 cells with ATP degraded by wheat phytase showed significantly (13%) lower activity of caspase-3 than HT-29 cells with intact ATP. Conclusion: Wheat phytase can be a candidate for veterinary medicine to prevent cell death in animals. In this context, wheat phytase beyond its nutritional aspects might be a novel and promising tool for promoting growth and function of intestinal epithelial cells under luminal ATP and UDP surge in the gut.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

In recent years, solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLBs) have attracted significant attention as the next-generation batteries with high energy and power densities. However, uncontrolled dendrite growth and the resulting pulverization of Li during repeated plating/stripping processes must be addressed for practical applications. Herein, we report a plastic-crystal-based polymer/ceramic composite solid electrolyte (PCCE) to resolve these issues. To fabricate the one-side ceramic-incorporated PCCE (CI-PCCE) film, a mixed precursor solution comprising plastic-crystal-based polymer (succinonitrile, SN) with garnet-structured ceramic (Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂, LLZO) particles was infused into a thin cellulose membrane, which was used as a mechanical framework, and subsequently solidified by using UV-irradiation. The CI-PCCE exhibited good flexibility and a high room-temperature ionic conductivity of over 10^-3 S cm^-1. The Li symmetric cell assembled with CI-PCCE provided enhanced durability against Li dendrite penetration through the solid electrolyte (SE) layer than those with LLZO-free PCCEs and exhibited long-term cycling stability (over 200 h) for Li plating/stripping. The enhanced Li⁺ transference number and lower interfacial resistance of CI-PCCE indicate that the ceramic-polymer composite layer in contact with the Li anode enabled the uniform distribution of Li⁺ flux at the interface between the Li metal and CI-PCCE, thereby promoting uniform Li plating/stripping. Consequently, the Li//LiFePO₄ (LFP) full cell constructed with CI-PCCE demonstrated superior rate capability (~120 mAh g^-1 at 2 C) and stable cycle performance (80% after 100 cycles) than those with ceramic-free PCCE.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.450-468
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to conduct a qualitative synthesis of workplace bullying experiences among nurses in Republic of Korea. Methods: Following the PRISMA guideline, a literature search was conducted using seven domestic and three international databases. Studies published in Korean or English from inception to December 31, 2022 were included. A meta-aggregation approach suggested by the Joanna Briggs Institute was used to synthesize the research findings. Results: Fourteen studies were included in this review. As a result of a data analysis of the selected studies, 199 subthemes and supporting illustrations were identified and grouped into 36 related categories. Based on the subthemes and categories, five synthesized findings were developed: (1) the individual and organizational causes of workplace bullying; (2) the various types of physical violence and psychological harassment; (3) the negative impact of workplace bullying and its effect on self-growth; (4) active and passive coping efforts in dealing with bullying; and (5) strategies for preventing bullying incidents. Conclusion: Based on the synthesized findings, four recommendations were made: (1) improving the challenging working conditions for nurses; (2) enhancing educational programs for new nursing graduates; and (3) promoting proactive responses from nursing managers in conjunction with an expansion of resilience training for nursing students. Finally, to address the issue of workplace bullying, (4) multi-center and multi-level research involving nursing organizations needs to be conducted.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.23-23
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• 2022

Recently, soybean production and market price are unstable, even if demand of soybean is maintained. Diverse conditions such as climate change, a decrease in rural population, and consuming affect food industry. In this situation, food security is soaring as important key-word again, and MAFRA is promoting policies for improving soybean self-sufficiency with the goal of 40% until 2030. The point of policy is to extend a production and stabilize a demand for soybean with supporting large-scale soybean paddy-field complex. According to the background, soybean breeding and production research in NICS are proceeded with three parts. First, production improvement with soybean cultivation land enlargement and high-yield cultivar development. Various growth period soybean cultivars for double cropping, irrigation management technologies in paddy field, and hyper-yield and specific-region adaptable cultivar development. Second, reduction of production expense with mechanized cultivation and digital-based field management technologies. Third, consumer-friendly and high quality soybeans with high protein cultivar for alternative protein usage and high food process-ability for soy milk, tofu, soybean sprouts, and grain usage. Each part need to be combined and advanced to improve soybean industry and soybean self-sufficiency.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1757-1768
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• 2023

Objective: The number of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) is closely associated with the quantity of milk production in dairy cows; however, the optimal levels and the combined effects of hormones and essential amino acids (EAAs) on cell proliferation are not completely understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the optimal combination of individual hormones and EAAs for cell proliferation and related signaling pathways in BMECs. Methods: Immortalized BMECs (MAC-T) were treated with six hormones (insulin, cortisol, progesterone, estrone, 17β-estradiol, and epidermal growth factor) and ten EAAs (arginine, histidine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, tryptophan, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, and valine) for 24 h. Results: Cells were cultured in a medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) as FBS supplemented at a concentration of 10% to 50% showed a comparable increase in cell proliferation rate. The optimized combination of four hormones (insulin, cortisol, progesterone, and 17β-estradiol) and 20% of a mixture of ten EAAs led to the highest cell proliferation rate, which led to a significant increase in cell cycle progression at the S and G2/M phases, in the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin B1, cell nucleus staining, and in cell numbers. Conclusion: The optimal combination of hormones and EAAs increased BMEC proliferation by enhancing cell cycle progression in the S and G/2M phases. Our findings indicate that optimizing hormone and amino acid levels has the potential to enhance milk production, both in cell culture settings by promoting increased cell numbers, and in dairy cows by regulating feed intake.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.209-226
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• 2023

Cross-border e-commerce has emerged as a crucial force in stabilizing China's foreign trade, driving the transformation and upgrade of China's foreign trade, and contributing to global economic development and stability. As a result, promoting the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce has become a common challenge within the Chinese industry. However, with the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce, it faces new phenomena and challenges, such as a mix of quality, fierce competition, and price competition. Brands serve as distinguishing markers for identifying entities, and brand building is a prudent choice for achieving high-quality development in cross-border e-commerce. This article utilizes brand theory, employing a combined qualitative and quantitative approach, with a specific focus on key elements within the operations of cross-border e-commerce enterprises. Through an analysis of the key elements influencing the formation and development of brands within the internal operations of Chinese cross-border e-commerce enterprises, it investigates their internal formation mechanisms and assesses the significance of these critical factors in influencing brand formation. The research process is based on data from overseas consumers, conducting empirical analysis, ultimately providing certain guidance for brand development in cross-border e-commerce enterprises.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.209-220
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• 2023

This study used general qualitative research and G-PhotoVoice methods to study the experience of psychiatric patients participating in vocational rehabilitation programs in daytime hospitals. The researcher in this study conducted interviews more than two times with five patients who took part in the program and data was also collected from additional conversations while patients were admitted or on outpatient visit after being discharged from the day hospital. In addition, semi-structured group interview with photos was also conducted. As a result of the study, the participants' experience of participating in the day hospital vocational rehabilitation program was found to be "experiencing difficulties in vocational activities," "joying working together," "getting a sense of stability," and "feeling that they have grown."Based on these findings, this study discussed the implications of activating vocational rehabilitation in daytime hospitals and promoting the growth of psychiatric patients.