• International Journal of Quality Innovation
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.116-130
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• 2003

The gap-based SERVQUAL model is a popular service quality determinant due to its superior diagnostic capacity over alternative explanatory frameworks. However, some researchers criticize the performance of the SERVQUAL model and propose alternative service Quality measurement constructs. Nevertheless, it is argued that the superior diagnostic capacity of SERVQUAL is its key strength; and that any criticism made of it when making comparison with alternative models does not reflect the differing nature of scales of statistical analysis. Arguably, the only limitation of a gap-based model is misinterpretation of customers' evaluation and perception of a service. In this research, the gap score is transformed into a ratio score. Also, empirical tests and implications are presented to support this alternative contribution to the body of knowledge.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.537-550
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• 2017

Structural sizing is a rewarding task due to its non-convex constrained nature in the design space. In order to provide both global exploration and proper search refinement, a hybrid method is developed here based on outstanding features of Evolutionary Computing and Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization. The new method introduces an observer phase for memory exploitation in addition to vector-sum movements in the original teacher and learner phases. Proper integer coding is suited and applied for structural size optimization together with a fly-to-boundary technique and an elitism strategy. Performance of the proposed method is further evaluated treating a number of truss examples compared with teaching-learning-based optimization. The results show enhanced capability of the method in efficient and stable convergence toward the optimum and effective capturing of high quality solutions in discrete structural sizing problems.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.75.1-75.1
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• 2010

The first near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic survey of SDSS-selected blue early-type galaxies (BEGs) has been conducted using the AKARI/IRC. The NIR spectra of 36 BEGs are successfully secured, which are well balanced in their SF/Seyfert/LINER type composition. For high signal-to-noise ratio, we stack the BEG spectra all and in bins of several properties: color, specific star formation rate and optically-determined spectral type. We estimate the NIR continuum slope and the 3.3 micron PAH emission equivalent width in the stacked BEG spectra, and compare them with those of SSP model galaxies and known ULIRGs. We first report the NIR spectral features of BEGs and discuss the nature of BEGs based on the comparison with other objects.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.215-234
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• 2000

This study analyzed the aims, contents, and methods of early education in Sohak(小學) a textbook for childhood education in the choson Dynasty. The analysis was based on the 6th Korean National Kindergarten Curriculum(in process) and the theories of education in Sohak. Sohak consists of Establishing the Education Process(入敎), Clarifying the Cardinal Human Relationships(明倫), Reverencing for the Self(敬身), Examining Antiquity(稽古), Admirable Sayings(嘉言), and Exemplary Deeds(善行). The aim of education in Sohak was to preserve Sheng(性), i.e. human nature inherited from heaven. The contents of education in Sohak was divided into 6 groups: distinction by age and sex, health, basic life habits, private life, family life, and group life. Methods of education in Sohak was the consolidation of knowledge and conduct, education of self control, learning of exploration, learning of constructive models, learning of keep the stages and telling stories of the sayings of the saints.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2425-2427
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• 2012

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first enzyme in the polyamine biosynthesis, plays an important role in tumor progression, cell proliferation and differentiation. In recent years, ODC has been the subject of intense study among researchers, as a target for anti-cancer therapy and specific inhibitory agents, have the potential to suppress carcinogenesis and find applications in clinical therapy. In particular, it is suggested that ODC is a promising candidate target for natural products in cancer chemoprevention. Future exploration of ornithine decarboxyalse inhitors present in nature may offer great hope for finding new cancer chemporeventive agents.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.175-194
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• 2016

Nature has provided inspiration for most of the man-made technologies. Scientists believe that dolphins are the second to humans in smartness and intelligence. Echolocation is the biological sonar used by dolphins for navigation and hunting in various environments. This ability of dolphins is mimicked in this paper to develop a new optimization method. Dolphin Echolocation Optimization (DEO) is an optimization method based on dolphin's approach for hunting food and exploration of environment. DEO has already been developed for discrete optimization search space and here it is extended to continuous search space. DEO has simple rules and is adjustable for predetermined computational cost. DEO provides the optimum results and leads to alternative optimality curves suitable for the problem. This algorithm has a few parameters and it is applicable to a wide range of problems like other metaheuristic algorithms. In the present work, the efficiency of this approach is demonstrated using standard benchmark problems.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2005

For the calculation of internal stability, the hypothesis in conventional design is on the basis of two distinct zones, which are 'active zone' and 'passive zone'. This means that there is an abrupt discontinuous transition from active to passive states across a potential failure line. The existence of a discontinuity of this nature appears physically unreasonable, especially from kinematic considerations. A series of pull-out model tests was undertaken from a wall being rotated about the toe to find the strain istribution mobilized from near the wall face into the deep, stable zone through the centre plane. With this finding of transition zone, the objective of study is aiming at identifying the likely effect of this zone in designing method by comparing with the prevailing design method.