• Atmosphere
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.377-390
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• 2020

Not only emissions, but also atmospheric circulation is a key factor that affects local particulate matters (PM) concentrations in Korea through ventilation effects and transboundary transports. As part of the atmospheric circulation, air stagnation especially adversely affects local air quality due to weak ventilation. This study investigates the large-scale circulation related to air stagnation over Korea during winter and projects the climate change impacts on atmospheric patterns, using observed PM data, reanalysis and regional climate projections from HadGEM3-RA with Modified Korea Particulate matter Index. Results show that the stagnation affects the PM concentration, accompanied by pressure ridge at upper troposphere and weaken zonal pressure gradient at lower troposphere. Downscaling using HadGEM3-RA is found to yield Added-Value in the simulated low tropospheric winds. For projection of future stagnation, SSP5-8.5 and SSP1-2.6 (high and low emission) scenarios are used here. It has been found that the stagnation condition occurs more frequently by 11% under SSP5-8.5 and by 5% under SSP1-2.6 than in present-day climate and is most affected by changes in surface wind speed. The increase in the stagnation conditions is related to anticyclonic circulation anomaly at upper troposphere and weaken meridional pressure gradient at lower troposphere. Considering that the present East Asian winter monsoon is mainly affected by change in zonal pressure gradient, it is worth paying attention to this change in the meridional gradient. Our results suggest that future warming condition increase the frequency of air stagnation over Korea during winter with response of atmospheric circulation and its nonlinearity.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.59-87
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of teacher-librarians' autonomy support on the school library users' satisfaction and continuance intention. Based on SDT(self-determination theory), it focuses on the mediating effect of BPN(basic psychological needs) between the autonomy supports and the satisfaction of the school library users. A survey was administered to 331 middle school students and the research model was examined by using regression analysis and Hayes' parallel multiple mediator model. The findings show that the teacher-librarians' support for autonomy directly and indirectly has a positive effect on the students' satisfaction with the school library, and perceived autonomy and competence among the sub-factors of basic psychological needs are found to have a significant mediating effect between the support of the librarian's autonomy and satisfaction with the school library. In addition, students' satisfaction with the school library shows a significant effect on the continuance intention. This study is meaningful in that it presents the role of teacher-librarians as a factor affecting students' motivation to use school libraries and provides implications for revitalizing school libraries.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2021

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Sogyunghwalhyel-tang-gamibang (SGHHTGB) in cell and animal models and also to suggest one of putative mechanisms underlying its anti-arthritic effects. Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to measure the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in culture medium and blood serum and nitric oxide (NO) was assayed by Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed by Western blot method. Results In a cell model using RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the drug, at its non-cytotoxic concentrations, inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In addition, it suppressed the expression of the inflammatory enzyme iNOS and COX-2, and reduced the synthesis of the enzyme product NO (as stable nitrite) and PGE2 in activated macrophages. Meanwhile, in an animal model using rheumatic arthritis (RA) mice induced with injection of type II collagen antibody (CAb) and LPS, the drug improved clinical symptom of arthritis and reduced paw thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration. In blood of RA mice, the drug reduced serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, nitrite, and PGE2, all inflammatory mediators produced by activated macrophages. Conclusions SGHHTGB may ameliorate CAb and LPS-induced RA in mice, presumably by inactivating macrophages that are capable of initiating joint inflammation by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and expressing inflammatory enzymes.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.81-94
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• 2020

Based on innovative technologies and new start-up ideas, startups have been actively researched on the entrepreneurship needed to strengthen the organization's capabilities and generate results in the start-up process. This study studied the entrepreneurial orientation on the performance of startups in the Philippines and the financial and non-financial performance of enterprises. This study carried out not only the entrepreneurial orientation to the performance of Filipino startups but also the role of social capital as parameters in the performance of enterprises. The empirical research was completed for 93 Philippine startups and the suitability of the research model was evaluated with a PLS-based structural equation model. The results of the study first confirmed that the enterprise orientation of Philippine startups has a positive impact on both financial and non-financial performance of the enterprises. Second, the entrepreneurial orientation of Philippine startups has been shown to have a positive effect on both the structural, cognitive and relational dimensions of social capital. Third, it was found that the relevant dimensions of social capital mediated both the corporate orientation and the relationship between the financial and non-financial performance of the entity. Entrepreneurial orientation has been confirmed to be directly or indirectly affecting the performance of startups through social capital. These findings reaffirmed that entrepreneurial orientation is still a valid important factor in developing countries as well as in countries such as Korea and the United States. Based on this study, we have identified the need for research from a more integrated perspective, such as the concept of strategic orientation. Finally, practical implications were presented to reflect the findings analyzed.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.368-378
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• 2021

Purpose: When patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) undergo non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection requiring gastrectomy (NC-ESD-RG), additional medical resources and expenses are required for surgery. To reduce this burden, predictive model for NC-ESD-RG is required. Materials and Methods: Data from 2,997 patients undergoing ESD for 3,127 forceps biopsy-proven differentiated-type EGCs (2,345 and 782 in training and validation sets, respectively) were reviewed. Using the training set, the logistic stepwise regression analysis determined the independent predictors of NC-ESD-RG (NC-ESD other than cases with lateral resection margin involvement or piecemeal resection as the only non-curative factor). Using these predictors, a risk-scoring system for predicting NC-ESD-RG was developed. Performance of the predictive model was examined internally with the validation set. Results: Rate of NC-ESD-RG was 17.3%. Independent pre-ESD predictors for NC-ESD-RG included moderately differentiated or papillary EGC, large tumor size, proximal tumor location, lesion at greater curvature, elevated or depressed morphology, and presence of ulcers. A risk-score was assigned to each predictor of NC-ESD-RG. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting NC-ESD-RG was 0.672 in both training and validation sets. A risk-score of 5 points was the optimal cut-off value for predicting NC-ESD-RG, and the overall accuracy was 72.7%. As the total risk score increased, the predicted risk for NC-ESD-RG increased from 3.8% to 72.6%. Conclusions: We developed and validated a risk-scoring system for predicting NC-ESD-RG based on pre-ESD variables. Our risk-scoring system can facilitate informed consent and decision-making for preoperative treatment selection between ESD and surgery in patients with EGC.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2022

This study investigated the immunostimulatory effect of enzymatic porcine placental hydrolyzate (EPPH) in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated rats. This effect of EPPH prevented Cy-induced decreases in body, spleen, and thymus weights and natural killer (NK) cell activity. The numbers of immune cells, such as white blood cells, granulocytes, and lymphocytes, and mid-range absolute counts were significantly higher compared to the control group. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-12, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were notably reduced by Cy, while EPPH prevented these effects. Histopathological analysis of spleen samples revealed the protective effect of EPPH against Cy-induced immunosuppression. The findings demonstrate that EPPH can alleviate immunosuppression by cell viability, tissue damage, and regulation of the levels of cytokines. EPPH may have value as a component of immunostimulatory agents or an ingredient in functional foods.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.204-213
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• 2021

Purpose: At the end of life, communication is a key factor for good care. However, in clinical practice, it is difficult to adequately discuss end-of-life care. In order to understand and analyze how decision-making related to life-sustaining treatment (LST) is performed, the shared decision-making (SDM) behaviors of physicians were investigated. Methods: A questionnaire was designed after reviewing the literature on attitudes toward SDM or decision-making related to LST. A final item was added after consulting experts. The survey was completed by internal medicine residents and hematologists/medical oncologists who treat terminal cancer patients. Results: In total, 202 respondents completed the questionnaire, and 88.6% said that the decision to continue or end LST is usually a result of SDM since they believed that sufficient explanation is provided to patients and caregivers, patients and caregivers make their own decisions according to their values, and there is sufficient time for patients and caregivers to make a decision. Expected satisfaction with the decision-making process was the highest for caregivers (57.4%), followed by physicians (49.5%) and patients (41.1%). In total, 38.1% of respondents said that SDM was adequately practiced when making decisions related to LST. The most common reason for inadequate SDM was time pressure (89.6%). Conclusion: Although most physicians answered that they practiced SDM when making decisions regarding LST, satisfactory SDM is rarely practiced in the clinical field. A model for the proper implementation of SDM is needed, and additional studies must be conducted to develop an SDM model in collaboration with other academic organizations.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2022

Even though the structural safety is confirmed in the design stage, the structural safety is not guaranteed in the construction stage because the structural system is not completed. In addition, since the construction period is shorter than the period of use of the building after completion, it is excessive to apply the same seismic load to the construction stage as in the design stage. ASCE 37-14 presents the concept of seismic load reduction factor during construction, but does not provide a clear application method. Therefore, in this study, the seismic load reduced according to the return period was applied to the example model of a residential middle-rise RC building. The construction stage of the example model was divided into five-story units, and seismic load with the change of the return period was applied to the construction stage models to analyze the change of seismic load during construction and to check the sectional performances of structural members. By comparing the design strength ratio of the shear wall at the design stage and the construction stage, the range of seismic load magnitudes that can assure the safety during construction of a residential middle-rise RC building was analyzed in terms of the return period.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to explore a significant HPWS(High Performance Work System) model for the entertainment industry. HPWS is one of the most studied themes for managing human resources as well as a set of practices to elicit employees' commitment to an organization. Recently, the entertainment industry is growing rapidly, but it is difficult for entertainment firms to retain a stable profit unlike the manufacturing industry. This is because the performance of entertainment business tends to rely heavily on the capabilities and synergy of human resources. In order to suggest a systematic way to manage these, this research identified an effective HPWS model for entertainment business and provides a competitive advantage to entertainment firms, using ANP(Analytic Network Process). ANP is a multicriteria decision making technique that allows dependences and feedbacks among decision elements in the hierarchical or network structures in a holistic manner. The pairwise comparison data that prioritized the criteria of HPWS was collected from 28 team leaders in entertainment firms. According to our results, the most critical factor for HPWS in entertainment business is "employee involvement in decision-making." The sub-factors such as "open communication," "distributive decision-making," and "performance-driven reward" have a greater effect. These findings could provide implications for entertainment firms to determine which practices should be taken into account to accomplish HPWS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.628-635
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• 2022

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the large intestine disease that results in chronic inflammation and ulcers in the colon. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) is known for its pharmacological activities. Persicaria tinctoria (PT) is also used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the attenuating effects of Rg3-RGE with PT on oxazolone (OXA)-induced UC in mice. Methods: A total of six groups of mice including control group, OXA (as model group, 1.5%) group, sulfasalazine (75 mg/kg) group, Rg3-RGE (20 mg/kg) group, PT (300 mg/kg) group, and Rg3-RGE (10 mg/kg) with PT (150 mg/kg) group. Data on the colon length, body weight, disease activity index (DAI), histological changes, nitric oxide (NO) assay, Real-time PCR of inflammatory factors, ELISA of inflammatory factors, Western blot, and flow cytometry analysis were obtained. Results: Overall, the combination treatment of Rg3-RGE and PT significantly improved the colon length and body weight and decreased the DAI in mice compared with the treatment with OXA. Additionally, the histological injury was also reduced by the combination treatment. Moreover, the NO production level and inflammatory mediators and cytokines were significantly downregulated in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the model group. Also, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-𝛋B) were suppressed in the combination treatment group compared with the OXA group. Furthermore, the number of immune cell subtypes of CD4⁺ T-helper cells, CD19⁺ B-cells, and CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) was improved in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the OXA group. Conclusion: Overall, the mixture of Rg3-RGE and PT is an effective therapeutic treatment for UC.