• Title/Summary/Keyword: order of growth

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Effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics and metabolite formation of sulfamethazine in the rabbit (토끼의 성차가 sulfamethazine의 약동학 및 대사산물 생성에 미치는 영향)

  • Yun, Hyo-in;Park, Il-hyun
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.35-39
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    • 1992
  • SMZ is one of the most widely used antibacterial agents in veterinary medicine. It is also used as a growth promotant in many species of domestic animals There are marked species differences in its metabolism and pharmacokinetics. However, its pharmacokinetic and metabolism in rabbits. which are ragarded not only as good laboratorty animals hut also as good economical animals in its own, are lacking. Sex-differences in drug metabolism are well recognized in wide range of animal species including rats. Males are known to he more active than females. It is also know that there are Significant differences in the direction of metabolic pathways. But recently, female goats are reported to be more active in the metabolie capacity of SMZ than the other sex by Dutch researchers at Utrecht. Therefore, it is not easy to make general conclusicn of having higher SMZ metal-die capacity in the male compared to the opposite sex in every animal species. In this regard, the study on metabolic pattern of SMZ in rabbits, which are regarded as hervivorous, is of interest because the dietary habbits of rabbit are comparable to thai of goal, NEW Zealand White rabbits of each sex were given SMZ(35mg/kg) as a bolus injection into the marginalean, vein in order to study its pharmacokinetic profiles(using plasma) anc metabolic pattem(24h urine) as specified in the methods anc materials. 1. In the rabbit, the major metabolic pathway of SMZ was the acetylation(the formation of $N_4AcSMZ$). There were hydroxylation pathways(50HSMZ, $6CH_2OHSMZ$) as well, in the metabolism of SMZ in the rabbit, but minor pathways. 2. No sex differences in the metabolic direction of SMZ and its metabolites formation were found from the urinary excreted metabolites of SMZ out of 24h collected urine. 3. The concentration-time curves of SMZ(35mg/kg, iv) in the plasma compartment were fitted to a one-compartment open model when using a computer program(NONLIN). There was also no difference in the pharmacokinetic pattem of SMZ between two sexes. 4. The emergence of $N_4AcSMZ$ metabolized from SMZ was very fast in the plasma of the rabbit The elimination of $N_4AcSMZ$ was prolonged as compared to that of the parent drug Vie found no sex difference in the elimination pattern of $N_4AcSMZ$ in the rabbit.

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The Analysis of Productivity of Oak Stand following to Site Quality and Crown Class (I) (입지(立地)와 수형급(樹型級)에 따른 참나무임분(林分)의 생산력(生産力) 분석(分析) (I))

  • Kim, Chi Moon;Kwon, Ki Won;Song, Ho Kyong;Moon, Heung Kyu;Park, Hong Joon
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.9-21
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    • 1983
  • The structures of oak stands were studied in relation to their productivity. Three plots classified by the site quality following to altitude, were selected on the oak stand located at Naryongri Eunsanmyun Buyeogun. The site qualities of the stand studied were generally estimated to be moderate in respect to some soil physical and chemical properties. Quercus variabilis was dominant species in the vegetation composition of the stand studied. The crown densities of the stand were varied from 65.4% in plot I to 78.2% in plot III and the parts, occupied with oak trees, ranged from 44.4% in plot I to 65.9% in plot III in the density. In the contrast to crown density, the growing stocks of oak trees ranged from $3.937m^3$ in plot I (73.4% of plot total) to $2.075m^3$ in plot III (84.3% of plot total). The occupied ratios, measured by crown class, exhibited dissimilarity between crown projection area and volume, and also the ratios brought into different patterns by plot. Highly significant correlations were proved between crown projection areas and volumes of individual oak trees by plot, but not proved in the relations by crown class. The cumulative growth, current annual increment and mean annual increment displayed various patterns by plot and by crown class in the heights, D. B. H. s and volumes of oak trees. The maximum values of current annual increment of height were generally recorded in 10 to 20 years, earlier than those of D. B. H. The mean annual increment of height, D. B. H. and volume maintained similar levels after about 10 years and fluctuated irregularly. The crown projection area and volume following to thinning decreased in the order of the thinning methods of grade A < grade B < crown thinning$90m^3/ha$ in about 40 years in the productivity of volume of the oak stand studied.

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Studies on the Early Development of the Mouse Embryo Transplanted in the Anterior Chamber of the Eye (眼前房내에 이식한 생쥐배의 초기발생에 관한 연구)

  • Cho, Wan Kyoo;Kim, Moon Kyoo
    • The Korean Journal of Zoology
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.25-33
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    • 1972
  • Two-Cell mouse embryos were incubated in the anterior chamber of the rat eye, which has been known as the best place among other animals' for the mouse ovum maturation, in order to observe the capability of their early development. Within 120 hours after incubation, 71.0% of two-cell embryos have developed to the blastocysts in the male rat eye, while only 38.5% in the eye of the same mouse as donated two-cell embryos. Thus, the rat eye chamber provides more favourable environment to the embryos than the mouse itself. The results are consistent with those of the previous studies comparing the maturation of the mouse follicular oocytes in the mouse and the rat eye chamber. Although the aqueous humor which is filled in the anterior chamber of the eye is characterized by its specific properties, being of higher osmolarity, higher concentrations of ascorbic acid, pyruvate and lactate, but lower of proteins and lower temperature than those in blood or lymph serum, The embryos are able to under-take their cleavage as normal as in vivo or in vitro. Concerning with a number of studies in vitro on the development of the mouse embryos which are requiring a very limited condition, the fact that they are able to manage their further development under very different enviroment from our knowledges would provide us a moment to understand their behavior during the early development. The difference of the proportion of the developed blastocysts between in the mouse eye chamber and in the rat can possibly be resulted from the species specific difference in the physicochemical properties between their eye chambers. This assumption is based upon the findings by many investigators who chmpared the nature of the eye chamber of various animals. As a consequence, the rat eye chamber might consist of better properties for the embryonal growth than the mouse eye chamber. The mouse embryos cleaved with a delayed period. In normal development they complete almost the cleavage within 94 hours after fertilization. However, in the present studies, 81.1% of two-cell embryos developed to the blastocysts and the morula in 120 hours in the eye chamber, assumed to be about 154 hours after fertilization. Such delay in development would be caused mainly by the low temperature of the eye chamber. At present we can make two assumptions to explain the capability of the emtryonal development in the eye chambers. One is that the embryos would possess an ability to adapt themselves to the environment which provides unfavourable conditions. The other is that the embryos might remain for a certain duration in the eye chamber, which is filled with a new body fluid produced immediately after the loss of the aqueous humor and the fluid of which becomes similar to blood serum in component. The first assumption is highly reliable since the embryonal cells are mostly at the undifferentiated state and so they probably engage a simple metabolism during their early period. The second assumption is induced by the fact that the rabbit eye chamber produces a plasmoid humor which has mostly similar components to blood serum after loss of aqueous humor through cornea by puncturing. However, the plasmoid humor is substituted by the initial aqueous humor in eight hours. Even though this finding, production of the new fluid, could be applied to the rat eye, it is hardly reliabel that the plasmoid humor remains for such a long period as 120 hours. Consequently, the development of the embryos is more likely due to their adaptability to the new environment during their early developmental stages.

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Effects of n-Hexane Fraction of Angelica acutiloba on Antioxidative System and Lipid peroxidation in Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity of rats (일당귀 n-hexane분획이 에탄올을 투여한 흰쥐의 항산화계 및 지질과산화에 미치는 영향)

  • Choo Myung-Hi;Choi Hyun-Suk;Seo Young-Nam;Lee Myung-Yul
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.364-372
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    • 2004
  • To investigate antioxidative effects of n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba on the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of rats, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100 $\pm$ 20 g were divided into 5 groups; normal group(NOR), ethanol(10 mL/kg, 35$\%$) treated group(CON), n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba 70 mg/kg treated group(Al), n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba 70 mg/kg and ethanol treated group(A2) and n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba 140 mg/kg and ethanol treated group(A3), respectively. The antioxidative activities of ethanol extract of Angelica acutiloba in vitro were decreased in order of n-hexane > ethylacetate > chlorofonn > n-butanol (>) water fraction. The growth rate and feed efficiency rate decreased by ethanol were gradually increased to the adjacent level of the normal group by administering n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba. It was also observed that the activities of SOD of liver, ALT and AST of serum increased by ethanol were markedly decreased in n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba administered group, and not in activites of XO, catalase, as compared with the control group. The depleted content of GSH by ethanol was increased adjacent to normal level by administering n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba. as a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that n-hexane fraction of Angelica acutiloba has a possible protective effect on the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of rats.

Establishment of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-like Cells from In Vitro Fertilized Embryos (체외수정 생쥐 배아에서의 배아 줄기세포 확립)

  • Shin, Yong-Moon;Park, Yong-Bin;Kim, Hee-Sun;Oh, Sun-Kyung;Chun, Dae-Woo;Suh, Chang-Suk;Choe, Young-Min;Kim, Jung-Gu;Lee, Jin-Yong;Kim, Seok-Hyun
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.1-12
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    • 2002
  • Objective: In order to acquire the technique for the establishment of human embryonic stem cells (ESe) derived from the human frozen-thawed embryos produced in IVF-ET program, this study was performed to establish mouse ESC derived from the in vitro fertilized embryos. Materials and Methods: After Fl hybrid (C57BL female $\times$ CBA mael) female mice were superovulated with PMSG and hCG treatment, their oocytes were retrieved and inseminated, and the fertilized embryos were cultured for 96-120 hours until the expected stages of blastocysts were obtained. To isolate the inner cell mass (ICM), either the blastocysts were treated with immunosurgery, or the whole embryos were cultured for 4 days. Isolated ICMs were then cultured onto STO feeder cell layer, and the resultant ICM colonies were subcultured with trypsin-EDTA treatment. During the subculture process, ESC-like cell colonies were observed with phase contrast microscopy. To identify ESC in the subcultured ESC-like cell colonies, alkaline phosphatase activity and Oct-4 (octamer-binding transcription factor-4) expression were examined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. To examine the spontaneous differentiation, ESC-like cell colonies were cultured without STO feeder cell layer and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Results: Seven ESC-like cell lines were established from ICMs isolated from the in vitro fertilized embryos. According to the developmental stage, the growth of ICMs isolated from the expanded blastocysts was significantly better than that of ICMs isolated from the hatched blastocysts (80.3% vs. 58.7%, p<0.05). ESC-like cell colonies were only obtained from ICMs of expanded blastocysts. However, the ICMs isolated from the embryos treated with immunosurgery were poorly grown and frequently differentiated during the culture process. The established ESC-like cell colonies were positively stained with alkaline phosphatase and expressed Oct-4, and their morphology resembled that observed in the previously reported mouse ESC. In addition, following the extended in vitro culture process, they maintained their expression of cell surface markers characteristic of the pluripotent stem cells such as alkaline phosphatase and Oct-4. When cultured without STO feeder cell layer and LIF, they were spontaneously differentiated into the various types of cells. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the establishment of mouse ESC can be successfully derived from the in vitro fertilized embryos. The established ESC-like cells expressed the cell surface markers characteristic of the pluripotent stem cells and spontaneously differentiated into the various types of cells.

An Examination of Knowledge Sourcing Strategies Effects on Corporate Performance in Small Enterprises (소규모 기업에 있어서 지식소싱 전략이 기업성과에 미치는 영향 고찰)

  • Choi, Byoung-Gu
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.18 no.4
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    • pp.57-81
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    • 2008
  • Knowledge is an essential strategic weapon for sustaining competitive advantage and is the key determinant for organizational growth. When knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout the organization, it increases an organization's value by providing the ability to respond to new and unusual situations. The growing importance of knowledge as a critical resource has forced executives to pay attention to their organizational knowledge. Organizations are increasingly undertaking knowledge management initiatives and making significant investments. Knowledge sourcing is considered as the first important step in effective knowledge management. Most firms continue to make an effort to realize the benefits of knowledge management by using various knowledge sources effectively. Appropriate knowledge sourcing strategies enable organizations to create, acquire, and access knowledge in a timely manner by reducing search and transfer costs, which result in better firm performance. In response, the knowledge management literature has devoted substantial attention to the analysis of knowledge sourcing strategies. Many studies have categorized knowledge sourcing strategies into intemal- and external-oriented. Internal-oriented sourcing strategy attempts to increase firm performance by integrating knowledge within the boundary of the firm. On the contrary, external-oriented strategy attempts to bring knowledge in from outside sources via either acquisition or imitation, and then to transfer that knowledge across to the organization. However, the extant literature on knowledge sourcing strategies focuses primarily on large organizations. Although many studies have clearly highlighted major differences between large and small firms and the need to adopt different strategies for different firm sizes, scant attention has been given to analyzing how knowledge sourcing strategies affect firm performance in small firms and what are the differences between small and large firms in the patterns of knowledge sourcing strategies adoption. This study attempts to advance the current literature by examining the impact of knowledge sourcing strategies on small firm performance from a holistic perspective. By drawing on knowledge based theory from organization science and complementarity theory from the economics literature, this paper is motivated by the following questions: (1) what are the adoption patterns of different knowledge sourcing strategies in small firms (i,e., what sourcing strategies should be adopted and which sourcing strategies work well together in small firms)?; and (2) what are the performance implications of these adoption patterns? In order to answer the questions, this study developed three hypotheses. First hypothesis based on knowledge based theory is that internal-oriented knowledge sourcing is positively associated with small firm performance. Second hypothesis developed on the basis of knowledge based theory is that external-oriented knowledge sourcing is positively associated with small firm performance. The third one based on complementarity theory is that pursuing both internal- and external-oriented knowledge sourcing simultaneously is negatively or less positively associated with small firm performance. As a sampling frame, 700 firms were identified from the Annual Corporation Report in Korea. Survey questionnaires were mailed to owners or executives who were most erudite about the firm s knowledge sourcing strategies and performance. A total of 188 companies replied, yielding a response rate of 26.8%. Due to incomplete data, 12 responses were eliminated, leaving 176 responses for the final analysis. Since all independent variables were measured using continuous variables, supermodularity function was used to test the hypotheses based on the cross partial derivative of payoff function. The results indicated no significant impact of internal-oriented sourcing strategies while positive impact of external-oriented sourcing strategy on small firm performance. This intriguing result could be explained on the basis of various resource and capital constraints of small firms. Small firms typically have restricted financial and human resources. They do not have enough assets to always develop knowledge internally. Another possible explanation is competency traps or core rigidities. Building up a knowledge base based on internal knowledge creates core competences, but at the same time, excessive internal focused knowledge exploration leads to behaviors blind to other knowledge. Interestingly, this study found that Internal- and external-oriented knowledge sourcing strategies had a substitutive relationship, which was inconsistent with previous studies that suggested complementary relationship between them. This result might be explained using organizational identification theory. Internal organizational members may perceive external knowledge as a threat, and tend to ignore knowledge from external sources because they prefer to maintain their own knowledge, legitimacy, and homogeneous attitudes. Therefore, integrating knowledge from internal and external sources might not be effective, resulting in failure of improvements of firm performance. Another possible explanation is small firms resource and capital constraints and lack of management expertise and absorptive capacity. Although the integration of different knowledge sources is critical, high levels of knowledge sourcing in many areas are quite expensive and so are often unrealistic for small enterprises. This study provides several implications for research as well as practice. First this study extends the existing knowledge by examining the substitutability (and complementarity) of knowledge sourcing strategies. Most prior studies have tended to investigate the independent effects of these strategies on performance without considering their combined impacts. Furthermore, this study tests complementarity based on the productivity approach that has been considered as a definitive test method for complementarity. Second, this study sheds new light on knowledge management research by identifying the relationship between knowledge sourcing strategies and small firm performance. Most current literature has insisted complementary relationship between knowledge sourcing strategies on the basis of data from large firms. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, this study identifies substitutive relationship between knowledge sourcing strategies using data from small firms. Third, implications for practice highlight that managers of small firms should focus on knowledge sourcing from external-oriented strategies. Moreover, adoption of both sourcing strategies simultaneousiy impedes small firm performance.

The Comparison of Basic Science Research Capacity of OECD Countries

  • Lim, Yang-Taek;Song, Choong-Han
    • Journal of Technology Innovation
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.147-176
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    • 2003
  • This Paper Presents a new measurement technique to derive the level of BSRC (Basic Science and Research Capacity) index by use of the factor analysis which is extended with the assumption of the standard normal probability distribution of the selected explanatory variables. The new measurement method is used to forecast the gap of Korea's BSRC level compared with those of major OECD countries in terms of time lag and to make their international comparison during the time period of 1981∼1999, based on the assumption that the BSRC progress function of each country takes the form of the logistic curve. The US BSRC index is estimated to be 0.9878 in 1981, 0.9996 in 1990 and 0.99991 in 1999, taking the 1st place. The US BSRC level has been consistently the top among the 16 selected variables, followed by Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, in order. Korea's BSRC is estimated to be 0.2293 in 1981, taking the lowest place among the 16 OECD countries. However, Korea's BSRC indices are estimated to have been increased to 0.3216 (in 1990) and 0.44652 (in 1999) respectively, taking 10th place. Meanwhile, Korea's BSRC level in 1999 (0.44652) is estimated to reach those of the US and Japan in 2233 and 2101, respectively. This means that Korea falls 234 years behind USA and 102 years behind Japan, respectively. Korea is also estimated to lag 34 years behind Germany, 16 years behind France and the UK, 15 years behind Sweden, 11 years behind Canada, 7 years behind Finland, and 5 years behind the Netherlands. For the period of 1981∼1999, the BSRC development speed of the US is estimated to be 0.29700. Its rank is the top among the selected OECD countries, followed by Japan (0.12800), Korea (0.04443), and Germany (0.04029). the US BSRC development speed (0.2970) is estimated to be 2.3 times higher than that of Japan (0.1280), and 6.7 times higher than that of Korea. German BSRC development speed (0.04029) is estimated to be fastest in Europe, but it is 7.4 times slower than that of the US. The estimated BSRC development speeds of Belgium, Finland, Italy, Denmark and the UK stand between 0.01 and 0.02, which are very slow. Particularly, the BSRC development speed of Spain is estimated to be minus 0.0065, staying at the almost same level of BSRC over time (1981 ∼ 1999). Since Korea shows BSRC development speed much slower than those of the US and Japan but relative]y faster than those of other countries, the gaps in BSRC level between Korea and the other countries may get considerably narrower or even Korea will surpass possibly several countries in BSRC level, as time goes by. Korea's BSRC level had taken 10th place till 1993. However, it is estimated to be 6th place in 2010 by catching up the UK, Sweden, Finland and Holland, and 4th place in 2020 by catching up France and Canada. The empirical results are consistent with OECD (2001a)'s computation that Korea had the highest R&D expenditures growth during 1991∼1999 among all OECD countries ; and the value-added of ICT industries in total business sectors value added is 12% in Korea, but only 8% in Japan. And OECD (2001b) observed that Korea, together with the US, Sweden, and Finland, are already the four most knowledge-based countries. Hence, the rank of the knowledge-based country was measured by investment in knowledge which is defined as public and private spending on higher education, expenditures on R&D and investment in software.

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Contamination of the Mushim-Cheon and its Countermeasures;I. Analysis of the Water Samples in Summer (무심천 수질 오염 실태와 그 방지책;I. 하계절의 수질 오염 분석)

  • Lee, Jea-Koo;Kyung, Kee-Sung;Kim, Hak-Nam;Oh, Kyeong-Seok
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.23-37
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    • 1990
  • In order to disclose the contamination of the Mushim-Cheon by pollutants in August and September of 1989 and to establish countermeasures, the collected water samples were analyzed to obtain the following results : 1. The water temperature of the period ranged from 25.8 to $30.8^{\circ}C$ acceptable for the growth of microorganisms and algae to allow the self-purification of the stream. 2. The pHs at the sites during the same period ranged from 6.5 to 8.5 which fall within the allowed values for the first grade water supplies except for site 14. 3. At site 18 which is the confluence of the sewer of the excretion disposal facilities and the main stream, the DO was observed to fall down to 0.7 ppm in September. 4. The BOD value reached a maximum of 62.1 ppm at site 18, which far exceeded the limit of 40 ppm, the allowed value for the discharges from the disposal facilities. In addition, the SS values were 200 and 520 ppm in August and September, respectively, which were three to seven times as high as the allowed limit of 70 ppm. 5. The high $NH_3-N$ value of 46.2 ppm at site 18 in September suggested that the water was heavily contaminated with excretions. 6. The BOD load of the sewage from site 12, the Sajik-Dong Sewer, in September was estimated to be about 0.306 ton/day. 7. The contamination of the influents, the family wastewater, and the discharges from the disposal facilities was greater than that of the main stream. 8. In the samples collected from site 12, the Sajik-Dong sewer at an interval of every two hours, a close correlation was observed between the pollutant load and the life cycle of the nearby inhabitants. 9. Compared with the results obtained from the water samples in 1979, it was observed that the water was heavily contaminated at site 12 (the Sajik-Dong Sewer, under the Chung Ju Great Bridge) and site 15 (Under the 2nd Uncheon Bridge) over the last 10 years, with little difference at site 9(Young Un-Dong water supply source).

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A Study on the K-REITs of Characteristic Analysis by Investment Type (K-REITs(부동산투자회사)의 투자 유형별 특성 분석)

  • Kim, Sang-Jin;Lee, Myenog-Hun
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.17 no.11
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    • pp.66-79
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    • 2016
  • A discussion has recently emerged over the increase of approvals of K-REITs, which is concluded on the basis of how to raise funds for business activity, fulfill the expected rate of return and maximize the management of managing investment funds. In addition, corporations need to acknowledge the necessity of the capital structure reflected in the current economic environment and decision-making processes. This research analyzed the characteristics by investment types and influence factors about the debt ratio of K-REITs. The data were collected from general management about business state, investment, and finance from 2002 to 2015 in K-REITs (except for the GFC period of 2007~2009). The results of the research demonstrated the high ratios of the largest shareholder characteristics, which are corporation, pension funds, mutual funds, banks, securities, insurance, and, recently, the increasing ratio of the largest shareholder and major stockholder. The investment of K-REITs is increasing the role of institutional investors that take a leading development of K-REITs. The behaviors of simultaneous investment of institutional investors were analyzed to show that they received higher interest rates than other financial institutions and ran in parallel with attraction and compensation. The results of the multiple regressions analysis, utilizing variables about debt ratio were as follows. The debt ratio showed a negative (-) relation that profitability is increasing, which matches the pecking order theory and trade off theory. On the other hand, investment opportunities (growth potential) showed a negative (-) relation and assets scale that indicated a positive (+) relation. The research results are reflected as follows. K-REITs focused on private equity REITs more than public offering REITs, and in the case of financing the capital of others, loan capital is operated under the guarantee of tangible assets (most of real estate) more than financing of the stock market. Further, after the GFC, the capital of others was actively utilized in K-REITs business, and the debt ratio showed that the determinant factors by the ratio and characteristics of the largest shareholder and investment products.

Application of CMP Process to Improving Thickness-Uniformity of Sputtering-deposited CdTe Thin Film for Improvement of Optical Properties (스퍼터링 증확 CdTe 박막의 두께 불균일 현상 개선을 위한 화학적기계적연마 공정 적용 및 광특성 향상)

  • Park, Ju-Sun;Lim, Chae-Hyun;Ryu, Seung-Han;Myung, Kuk-Do;Kim, Nam-Hoon;Lee, Woo-Sun
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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    • 2010.06a
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    • pp.375-375
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    • 2010
  • CdTe as an absorber material is widely used in thin film solar cells with the heterostructure due to its almost ideal band gap energy of 1.45 eV, high photovoltaic conversion efficiency, low cost and stable performance. The deposition methods and preparation conditions for the fabrication of CdTe are very important for the achievement of high solar cell conversion efficiency. There are some rearranged reports about the deposition methods available for the preparation of CdTe thin films such as close spaced sublimation (CSS), physical vapor deposition (PVD), vacuum evaporation, vapor transport deposition (VTD), closed space vapor transport, electrodeposition, screen printing, spray pyrolysis, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and RF sputtering. The RF sputtering method for the preparation of CdTe thin films has important advantages in that the thin films can be prepared at low growth temperatures with large-area deposition suitable for mass-production. The authors reported that the optical and electrical properties of CdTe thin film were closely connected by the thickness-uniformity of the film in the previous study [1], which means that the better optical absorbance and the higher carrier concentration could be obtained in the better condition of thickness-uniformity for CdTe thin film. The thickness-uniformity could be controlled and improved by the some process parameters such as vacuum level and RF power in the sputtering process of CdTe thin films. However, there is a limitation to improve the thickness-uniformity only in the preparation process [1]. So it is necessary to introduce the external or additional method for improving the thickness-uniformity of CdTe thin film because the cell size of thin film solar cell will be enlarged. Therefore, the authors firstly applied the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process to improving the thickness-uniformity of CdTe thin films with a G&P POLI-450 CMP polisher [2]. CMP process is the most important process in semiconductor manufacturing processes in order to planarize the surface of the wafer even over 300 mm and to form the copper interconnects with damascene process. Some important CMP characteristics for CdTe were obtained including removal rate (RR), WIWNU%, RMS roughness, and peak-to-valley roughness [2]. With these important results, the CMP process for CdTe thin films was performed to improve the thickness-uniformity of the sputtering-deposited CdTe thin film which had the worst two thickness-uniformities of them. Some optical properties including optical transmittance and absorbance of the CdTe thin films were measured by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer (Varian Techtron, Cary500scan) in the range of 400 - 800 nm. After CMP process, the thickness-uniformities became better than that of the best condition in the previous sputtering process of CdTe thin films. Consequently, the optical properties were directly affected by the thickness-uniformity of CdTe thin film. The absorbance of CdTe thin films was improved although the thickness of CdTe thin film was not changed.

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