• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.331-335
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• 2017

We present project updates of the next-generation infrared space mission SPICA (Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics) as of November 2015. SPICA is optimized for mid- and far-infrared astronomy with unprecedented sensitivity, which will be achieved with a cryogenically cooled (below 8 K), large (2.5 m) telescope. SPICA is expected to address a number of key questions in various fields of astrophysics, ranging from studies of the star-formation history in the universe to the formation and evolution of planetary systems. The international collaboration framework of SPICA has been revisited. SPICA under the new framework passed the Mission Definition Review by JAXA in 2015. A proposal under the new framework to ESA is being prepared. The target launch year in the new framework is 2027/28.

• Asian review of World Histories
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.133-163
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• 2016

This essay critically analyses the legacy of Eisenstadt's The Political Systems of Empires for the comparative political history of pre-industrial empires. It argues that Eisenstadt has given us a rich toolkit to conceptualize the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of empires by theorizing the structural relationships between social groups in large-scale polities and among such polities, and by analysing global patterns of development in the distribution of the sources of social power. The Political Systems of Empires provides an inventory of key questions and dynamics that a comparative history of power relationships in empires cannot ignore. This essay, furthermore, discusses three methodological problems in Eisenstadt's work which have had a significant impact on comparative empire studies between the 1980s and the 2000s. The essay argues that certain shared features of comparative studies of pre-industrial empires help perpetuate Eurocentric analyses: the foregrounding of select empires and periods as ideal types (typicality), the focus on macro-historical structures and dynamics without the integration of social relationships and actions in historical conjunctures (the lack of scalability), and the search for convergence and divergence. These features need to be overcome to make Eisenstadt's legacy viable for comparative political history.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.6 no.7
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• pp.1735-1755
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• 2012

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are becoming increasingly attractive for a variety of applications and have become a hot research area. Routing is a key technology in WSNs and can be coarsely divided into two categories: flat routing and hierarchical routing. In a flat topology, all nodes perform the same task and have the same functionality in the network. In contrast, nodes in a hierarchical topology perform different tasks in WSNs and are typically organized into lots of clusters according to specific requirements or metrics. Owing to a variety of advantages, clustering routing protocols are becoming an active branch of routing technology in WSNs. In this paper, we present an overview on clustering routing algorithms for WSNs with focus on differentiating them according to diverse cluster shapes. We outline the main advantages of clustering and discuss the classification of clustering routing protocols in WSNs. In particular, we systematically analyze the typical clustering routing protocols in WSNs and compare the different approaches based on various metrics. Finally, we conclude the paper with some open questions.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to show that using a Web-Based Instruction system is a better method to help counteract deficient teaching, learning conditions and facilities thus improving the students' interest, understanding, participation and skill development in Physical Education. The key findings of this study are as follows; The first advantage of using this system is that the theory of Softball is explained with the use of pictures rather than text, thus improving the students' understanding. The second is the method in which practical skills are explained and demonstrated. Action image sequences are used as opposed to the old method of using stationary pictures. This means that the learners can clearly see and understand why and, more importantly, how to use these skills. The third advantage is the technique used to teach the application of these skills. Using active rather than passive learning and thus engaging the student encourages improved participation and learning. The fourth advantage comes in evaluation: both subjective and objective questions are asked in theoretical evaluation, and the teachers can evaluate the students' understanding and skill development by filming their actual Softball games. The final advantage is the use of Self-Directed Learning to aid learners' development of understanding of the lesson content as interactions between teachers and learners are constructe

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.161-188
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• 2004

The objective of this research is to evaluate the Creative Research Initiative Program (CRI), a national R＆D program funded by the Ministry of Science ＆ Technology in Korea. The evaluation of CRI covers the following research questions; 1) Have it set a unique position and characteristic distinguished from other government-funded R＆D programs\ulcorner 2) Are the achievements of the program relevant to its goal\ulcorner 3) What is its performances and how much is it achieved its goal\ulcorner The results are the followings; 1) CRI is perceived as a pure basic research, distinguished from other national basic research programs, such as the Coal Oriented Basic Research Program and the SRC and ERC. 2) CRI is a well-adapted R＆D program in confront of the environmental changes and R＆D needs, as well as follows the planned R＆D areas. 3) CRI have performed well in the raising-up world-class research leaders and the nation-wide diffusion of creative R＆D culture, while it got few performances in the overcoming the limitation of the existing technologies and the independent development of original key technologies for future industries. However, the duration of the program, 5 year, is too short to expect concrete outcome, such as creating original technologies. Many of the outcomes of CRI gets a lot of attention from top class scientists in the world, it is expected to generate various R＆D performances in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.296-320
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• 2013

The primary purpose of this study is to understand academic library service as a brand and a set of brand offerings. Based on previous studies, the study has built a classification of three distinctive perceptual aspects of library services; perceptual aspect of the service, experiential aspect of the service, and functional aspect of service. Eleven measurement items and 45 questions that are subject to the items are studied and employed from previous studies, each of the items were allocated through Item Response Theory (IRT) test and cluster analysis to filter in items of substantial contribution to the constructs as well as filtering out less contributable ones. The study shows there are 27 effective items to understand and measure library service as a brand.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.65-68
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• 2007

Objective : A new point of view on the chronic back pain proposed which is, named neuropathic back pain[NBP]. Some proposed a certain pain scale as an useful diagnostic tool. Before scientific verification, some doctors prescribed a new anticonvulsant for the NBP. We investigated diagnostic tools for NBP by a review of the literature. Methods : A comprehensive computer search of the English literature concerning neuropathic low back pain was performed using the key words such as neuropathic back pain and diagnosis in the PubMed. Results : In 1998, the term NBP was first used in a patient with lung cancer. In the English literature, there were two diagnostic methods for the NBP, Neuropathic pain scale[NPS] and a pharmacological test. NPS is a pain questionnaire, which depends on the patients' subjective reports on the given questions, such as 'how hot is your pain feel'. By the pharmacological test, NBP was defined as 50% or more decrease of pain on intravenous lidocaine and on local anesthetic epidurally. It also depends on the patients' subjective response to the therapy. Conclusion : There were still no reliable objective diagnostic criteria for the NBP. It seems to be better to reserve the new anticonvulsants for the NBP till scientific approval.

• Advances in robotics research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.155-169
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• 2014

Study results in the last decades show that amount and quality of physical exercises, then the active participation, and now the cognitive involvement of patient in rehabilitation training are known of crux to enhance recovery outcome of motor dysfunction patients after stroke. Rehabilitation robots mainly have been developing along this direction to satisfy requirements of recovery therapy, or focusing on one or more of the above three points. Therefore, neuro-machine interaction based active rehabilitation robot has been proposed for assisting paralyzed limb performing designed tasks, which utilizes motor related EEG, UCSDI (Ultrasound Current Source Density Imaging), EMG for rehabilitation robot control and feeds back the multi-sensory interaction information such as visual, auditory, force, haptic sensation to the patient simultaneously. This neuro-controlled and perceptual rehabilitation robot will bring great benefits to post-stroke patients. In order to develop such kind of robot, some key technologies such as noninvasive precise detection of neural signal and realistic sensation feedback need to be solved. There are still some grand challenges in solving the fundamental questions to develop and optimize such kind of neuro-machine interaction based active rehabilitation robot.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.31-37
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• 2013

Purpose - The present research has been undertaken to examine the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategies adopted by public and private sector banks in India. The initial part of research helps to identify the factors of overall satisfaction of customers. The study also tries to identify the key determinants of CRM of Indian banking. Research design, data, methodology - The present research uses a self-structured questionnaire having a reliability score of 0.817 to elicit responses from customers in New Delhi and surrounding areas in India to examine the CRM used by public and private sector banks for enhancing customer satisfaction. The scale had 32 questions covering customer perceptions related to overall satisfaction and factors contributing to CRM. Results - The results highlight that overall satisfaction comprises of two factors namely personalised Services; and reliability and dependability. The determinants of CRM as identified through survey are: Speed, safety and security; Employee CRM; on time services; customer targeting; and friendly and helpful staff. The results also highlight that safety and security was preferred to other factors by the respondents. Conclusions - The findings of this study show that in terms of performance private sector banks fared better in providing CRM services than public sector banks.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.217-228
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• 2020

The selection factors of service companies have changed in accordance with intensifying competition in the marine transportation service market and environment changes of transportation services. To explore the important factors of customer choice to marine transportation service, this study empirically examines the influence of these selection factors; service provision area, price competitiveness, corporate image, service expertise, and sales support, on transaction continuity through customers' perceived service value and satisfaction. Based on an online survey with those in the Korean marine transportation industry, this study conducted statistical analyses using structural equation modeling. Based on relevant previous studies, the current study constructed a total of 55 survey questions. Finally, 213 questionnaires were collected. Among the five selection factors, corporate image did not affect perceived service value, and price competitiveness was still the most important factor. However, service expertise and sales support were found to be more important factors than regional factors. In order to maintain transaction continuity, shipping companies should also strive to improve their service quality to their customers. In particular, service quality strategies focused on time and regional factors should develop to strategies with the key factors for the changed business environment.