• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.105-114
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the nation's institutional environment on start-up intention of employees and the mediating role of risk-taking propensity in the relationship between these variables. This study classified the institutional environment into institutional profile regulation, institutional profile norms, and institutional profile recognition. The research data were collected through questionnaires for office workers belonging to domestic companies, and 322 copies of questionnaire data were used for hypothesis verification, except for questionnaires that were omitted or unfaithful. The results of this study are as follows. First, institutional profile regulations and norms were positively related to start-up intention of office workers, while institutional profile cognition had no significant effect on the start-up intention. Second, institutional profile regulations and norms were positively related to risk taking, while institutional profile cognition had no significant effect on risk taking. Finally, risk taking was found to partially mediate the relationship between institutional profile regulation and start-up intention, and completely mediate the relationship between institutional profile norms and start-up intention. The theoretical implications of this study are as follows. First, this study makes a theoretical contribution in that it revealed that the country institutional profile regulation and norms are important prerequisites for start-up intention and risk taking. Next, unlike previous studies, this study makes a theoretical contribution by presenting a start-up intention model of office workers consisting of perception of the institutional environment and risk taking, which is the individual characteristic of entrepreneurs. The practical implications of this study are as follows. First, the government and local governments should strengthen regulations on institutional profiles so that start-ups can be activated. Second, the government and local governments should strengthen the norms for institutional profiles so that start-ups can be activated. Finally, the government, local governments, and educational institutions should devise measures to strengthen the risk taking of start-ups.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1-16
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• 2023

Due to imbalances in supply and demand within the labor market, start-ups have emerged as crucial players in the generation of high-quality employment opportunities, particularly in stagnant job markets. In response to this trend, governments are allocating substantial financial and human resources to initiatives that support start-up development. This has led to an increasing rate of engagement in start-up ventures across diverse age groups, not limited to younger individuals. Start-ups are enterprises focused on the commercialization of innovative ideas with the aim of achieving profitability in the marketplace. Research concerning the successful market integration of new products and the attainment of sustainable growth is pivotal. Such research is instrumental not only for the success of start-ups but also for realizing the broader social functions and contributions that these enterprises can offer. Previous research has often examined new product market-entry strategies, often referred to as new product marketing, particularly for large companies and SMEs. However, there is a gap in studies focusing on prototype marketing strategies specific to start-ups. Thus, this study aims to examine the impact of Pre-announcing marketing strategies on the market attention garnered by start-ups with low recognition and limited infrastructure, and how such attention contributes to their sustainable growth. Specifically, the study aims to uncover the causal relationship between information attributes like relevance, vividness, and novelty in building customer relationships, and their impact on purchase intentions influenced by performance expectations and hedonic motivations. In terms of Pre-announcing information attributes, relevance, vividness, and novelty positively influence performance expectations and hedonic motivations as outlined in the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). These factors, in turn, positively impact the purchase intention for pre-announced new products from start-ups. These findings are expected to provide both theory and practical insights into the factors influencing market entry through the use of Pre-announcing marketing strategies for start-up new products.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.49-65
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• 2022

This study conducted an exploratory study based on in-depth interviews to understand the characteristics and capabilities of female entrepreneurs to promote women entrepreneurship. Therefore, in this study, through in-depth interviews with eight female entrepreneurs, the main contents of entrepreneurial attitudes (need for independence, development desire, favorable conditions), start-up entry rate, start-up motivation, start-up activities and constraints were analyzed. As a result, first, it was found that the entrepreneurial attitude of female entrepreneurs has a strong motivation for successful management based on a feeling of self-satisfaction, has characteristics that prioritize independence and self-actualization, and favorable conditions for starting a business are important. Second, it was found that women's individual differences from men and social structural factors had no significant effect on the entry rate of women. Third, it was found that the most important entrepreneurship motivation for women is the spirit of challenge, self-satisfaction, and the desire to balance work and family. Fourth, female entrepreneurs showed little difference in perception between male and female entrepreneurs in terms of resource access, but there was some discrimination in the network. Fifth, the main industries of female entrepreneurs are small businesses, and there is a tendency to be concentrated in industries with low profit margins and low growth and sales. Finally, it was found that barriers to women's entrepreneurship still exist. Based on the results of this study, the following implications are suggested. First, this study is differentiated in that it mainly identified the characteristics of women's experiences and social environments while starting a business and running a business. Second, in the case of female entrepreneurs, there is a need to spread a positive awareness of women entrepreneurship by arguing that the barriers to entrepreneurship unique to women are not high and can be sufficiently overcome. Lastly, although opportunistic start-ups based on women's social experience or management ability in work life are important for women's entrepreneurship, government support policies are needed to promote professional technology start-ups.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.89-101
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• 2022

This study investigated the effects of individual characteristics (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) and environmental characteristics (social support, government support policy) on entrepreneurial intention for college students in Korea and China. In particular, the moderating effect of differences between countries (Korea and China) was demonstrated in the relationship between individual and environmental characteristics and entrepreneurial intention. The results of the empirical analysis of 626 Korean and Chinese university students are as follows. First, all of the entrepreneurial self-efficacy, social support, and government support policies perceived by Korean college students had a positive effect on entrepreneurial intention. In particular, Korean college students' entrepreneurial intentions were influenced in the order of social support, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and government support policies. Second, all of the entrepreneurial self-efficacy, social support, and government support policies perceived by Chinese college students had a positive effect on start-up intention. In particular, entrepreneurial intention of Chinese college students was influenced in the order of government support policy, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and social support. Third, the relationship between environmental characteristics (social support, government support policy) and entrepreneurial intention was adjusted by differences between countries. First, the positive relationship between social support and entrepreneurial intention was generally higher for Chinese college students than for Korean college students. In addition, the positive relationship between government support policy and entrepreneurial intention was higher for Chinese college students than for Korean college students as the level of awareness of government support policy increased. Finally, theoretical and practical implications for the intention of Korean and Chinese college students to start a business were presented, and the limitations of the study and future research directions were presented based on this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2024

Recently, Metaverse technology has emerged as an important topic in various fields. Metaverse refers to a three-dimensional virtual space in which social and economic activities similar to the real world are possible. Among the 235 third-year students who applied the Metaversity app in the radiology department of this university from September to December 2023, 200 participated in a survey to determine the difference in student response and satisfaction when applying the Metaversity app. analyzed. First, the most satisfactory VOD viewing method was viewing through the Metaversity app, followed by viewing through the LMS. Second, 'I think online videos are appropriate for holiday reinforcement.' showed the highest score at 4.35±0.60, 'I want face-to-face classes and online classes to be held simultaneously.' was 4.25±0.87, and 'I think meta. 'I watched it well through the Metaversity app' was the lowest at 4.10±0.30, and 'VOD viewing through the Metaversity app was used appropriately in class' was the lowest at 3.99±0.75. Also, there was no significant difference in the response to the teaching method (p>0.05). Third, in terms of satisfaction with VOD viewing using the Metaversity app, 'Applying the Metaversity app was interesting and fun' ranked the highest at 4.24±0.88. The score was high, with 'Better improvement is needed to actively utilize the metaversity app' at 4.00±0.45, and 'I hope the metaversity app is implemented in other remote classes' at 3.77±0.88. appear. 'VOD classes through the Metaversity app are better than the existing LMS method.' was found to be 3.44±0.66. Additionally, there was no significant difference in satisfaction with classes according to age and gender (p>0.05). The correlation between response and satisfaction with the metaversity app is 0.601, which can be considered very significant (p>0.001). As a limitation of this study, although we surveyed students' satisfaction with using the Metaversity app, we were unable to investigate the satisfaction of instructors who interact with students. In the future, we did not consider the instructor's satisfaction in classes using the Metaversity app. Research must be conducted, and universities must have institutional support and continued interest until metaversity apps are selected and used to prepare for distance learning.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2024

For plasma cosmetics, it is important to ensure the long-term stability of plasma in the formulation. This study examined the suitability of containers for efficient plasma cosmetics development. By varying the surface area covered by the plasma, 4 cm², 25 cm², 75 cm², and 175 cm² containers were injected with cosmetic plasma, and the amount of nitric oxide (NO), the main active species of nitrogen plasma, was analyzed. As a result, the surface area and stability exposed to plasma tended to be inversely proportional, and it was most effective in a 4 cm² container. Furthermore, 25 mm, 40 mm, and 50 mm vials were treated with plasma, which resulted in relative long-term stability of NO at 25 mm, a smaller surface area of the container exposed to air. Water mist and stratified mist were selected as cosmetic formulations, and NO plasma was injected into the water layer to observe the changes in formulation properties and the state of the injected NO plasma. In both formulations, the amount of NO plasma injected was about 1.5 times higher in the water phase mist than in the stratified mist, and the stratified mist gradually decreased with time and was found to disappear after 3 weeks. The stability of the nitrogen plasma was studied at low temperature (4 ℃), room temperature (25 ℃), and high temperature (37 ℃, 50 ℃). As a result, it was found that the water mist did not affect the stability, but the stratified mist observed a color change in the oil phase layer. Overall, this study demonstrates the container suitability of nitrogen plasma and suggests the importance of ensuring the stability of injected nitrogen plasma in cosmetic formulations.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Most wetlands worldwide have suffered from extensive human exploitation. Unfortunately they have been less explored compared to river and lake ecosystems despite their ecological importance and economic values. This is the same case in Korea. This study was aimed to estimate the assemblage attributes and distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates for fifty wetlands distributed throughout subtropical Jeju Island in 2021. A total of 133 taxa were identified during survey periods belonging to 53 families, 19 orders, 5 classes and 3 phyla. Taxa richness ranged from 4 to 31 taxa per wetland with an average of 17.5 taxa. Taxa richness and abundance of predatory insect groups such as Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera respectively accounted for 67.7% and 68.2% of the total. Among them Coleoptera were the most diverse and abundant. Taxa richness and abundance did not significantly differ from each wetland type classified in accordance with the National Wetland Classification System. There were three endangered species (Clithon retropictum, Lethocerus deyrolli and Cybister (Cybister) chinensis) and several restrictively distributed species only in Jeju Island. Cluster analysis based on the similarity in the benthic macroinvertebrate composition largely classified 50 wetlands into two major clusters: small wetlands located in lowland areas and medium-sized wetlands in middle mountainous regions. All cluster groups displayed significant differences in wetland area, long axis, percentage of fine particles and macrophyte composition ratio. Indicator Species Analysis selected 19 important indicators with the highest indicator value of Ceriagrion melanurum at 63%, followed by Noterus japonicus (59%) and Polypylis hemisphaerula (58%). Our results are expected to provide fundamental information on the biodiversity and habitat environments for benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland ecosystems, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for small wetlands relatively vulnerable to human disturbance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.339-355
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• 2024

The pulmonary system is a highly complex system that can only be understood by integrating its functional and structural aspects. Hence, in vivo animal models are generally used for pathological studies of pulmonary diseases and the evaluation of inhalation toxicity. However, to reduce the number of animals used in experimentation and with the consideration of animal welfare, alternative methods have been extensively developed. Notably, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have agreed to prohibit animal testing after 2030. Therefore, the latest advances in biotechnology are revolutionizing the approach to developing in vitro inhalation models. For example, lung organ-on-a-chip (OoC) and organoid models have been intensively studied alongside advancements in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting and microfluidic systems. These modeling systems can more precisely imitate the complex biological environment compared to traditional in vivo animal experiments. This review paper addresses multiple aspects of the recent in vitro modeling systems of lung OoC and organoids. It includes discussions on the use of endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts composed of lung alveoli generated from pluripotent stem cells or cancer cells. Moreover, it covers lung air-liquid interface (ALI) systems, transwell membrane materials, and in silico models using artificial intelligence (AI) for the establishment and evaluation of in vitro pulmonary systems.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2008

Eight comprehensive oceanographic cruises on a squared $30{\times}30\;km$ area have been made to investigate the short and long-term impacts on the water qualities due to the sand mining operations at Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the central Yellow Sea from 2004 to 2007. The area was categorized to 'Sand Mining Zone', 'Potentially Affected Zone', and 'Reference Zone'. The investigation covered suspended solids, nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate), and chlorophyll-a in seawater and several parameters such as water temperature, salinity, pH, and ORP. Additionally, several intensive water collections were made to trace the suspended solids and other parameters along the turbid water by sand mining activities. The comprehensive investigation showed that suspended solids, nitrate, chlorophyll-a and ORP be sensitively responding parameters of seawater by sand mining operations. The intensive collection of seawater near the sand mining operation revealed that each parameter show different distribution pattern: suspended solids showed an oval-shaped distribution of the north-south direction of 8 km wide and the east-west direction of 5 km wide at the surface and bottom layers. On the other hand, phosphate showed so narrow distribution not to traceable. Also ammonium showed a limited distribution, but its boundary was connected to the high nitrate and chlorophyll-a concentrations with high N/P ratios. From the last 4 years of the comprehensive and intensive investigations, we found that suspended solids, ammonium, nitrate, chlorophyll-a, and ORP revealed the sensitive parameters of water quality for tracing the sand mining operations in seawater. Especially suspended solids and ORP would be useful tracers for monitoring the water qualities of remote area like EEZ in Yellow Sea.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1-23
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• 2012

The conflict between major corporations and small and medium-sized businesses is being aggravated, the trickle down effect is not working properly, and, as the controversy surrounding the effectiveness of the business limiting system continues to swirl, the plan proposed to protect the business domain of small and medium-sized businesses, resolve polarization between these businesses and large corporations, and protect small family run stores is the suitable business type designation system for small and medium-sized businesses. The current status of carrying out this system of selecting suitable business types among small and medium-sized businesses involves receiving applications for 234 items among the suitable business types and items from small and medium-sized businesses in manufacturing, and then selecting the items of the consultative group by analyzing and investigating the actual conditions. Suitable business type designation in the service industry will involve designation with priority on business types that are experiencing social conflict. Three major classifications of the service industry, related to the livelihood of small and medium-sized businesses, will be first designated, and subsequently this will be expanded sequentially. However, there is the concern that when designated as a suitable business type or item, this will hinder the growth motive for small to medium-sized businesses, and designation all cause decrease in consumer welfare. Also it is highly likely that it will operate as a prior regulation, cause side-effects by limiting competition systematically, and also be in violation against the main regulations of the FTA system. Moreover, it is pointed out that the system does not sufficiently reflect reverse discrimination factor against large corporations. Because conflict between small to medium sized businesses and large corporations results from the expansion of corporations to the service industry, which is unrelated to their key industry, it is necessary to introduce an advanced contract method like a master franchise or local franchise system and to develop local small to medium sized businesses through a franchise system to protect these businesses and dealers. However, this method may have an effect that contributes to stronger competitiveness of small to medium sized franchise businesses by advancing their competitiveness and operational methods a step further, but also has many negative aspects. First, as revealed by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the franchise industry is contributing to the strengthening of competitiveness through the economy of scale by organizing existing individual proprietors and increasing the success rate of new businesses. It is also revealed to be a response measure by the government to stabilize the economy of ordinary people and is emphasized as a 'useful way' to revitalize the service industry and improve the competitiveness of individual proprietors, and has been involved in contributions to creating jobs and expanding the domestic market by providing various services to consumers. From this viewpoint, franchises fit the purpose of the suitable business type system and is not something that is against it. Second, designation as a suitable business type may decrease investment for overseas expansion, R&D, and food safety, as well negatively affect the expansion of overseas corporations that have entered the domestic market, due to the contraction and low morale of large domestic franchise corporations that have competitiveness internationally. Also because domestic franchise businesses are hard pressed to secure competitiveness with multinational overseas franchise corporations that are operating in Korea, the system may cause difficulty for domestic franchise businesses in securing international competitiveness and also may result in reverse discrimination against these overseas franchise corporations. Third, the designation of suitable business type and item can limit the opportunity of selection for consumers who have up to now used those products and can cause a negative effect that reduces consumer welfare. Also, because there is the possibility that the range of consumer selection may be reduced when a few small to medium size businesses monopolize the market, by causing reverse discrimination between these businesses, the role of determining the utility of products must be left ot the consumer not the government. Lastly, it is desirable that this is carried out with the supplementation of deficient parts in the future, because fair trade is already secured with the enforcement of the franchise trade law and the best trade standard of the Fair Trade Commission. Overlapping regulations by the suitable business type designation is an excessive restriction in the franchise industry. Now, it is necessary to establish in the domestic franchise industry an environment where a global franchise corporation, which spreads Korean culture around the world, is capable of growing, and the active support by the government is needed. Therefore, systems that do not consider the process or background of the growth of franchise businesses and harm these businesses for the sole reason of them being large corporations must be removed. The inhibition of growth to franchise enterprises may decrease the sales of franchise stores, in some cases even bankrupt them, as well as cause other problems. Therefore the suitable business type system should not hinder large corporations, and as both small dealers and small to medium size businesses both aim at improving competitiveness and combined growth, large corporations, small dealers and small to medium sized businesses, based on their mutual cooperation, should not include franchise corporations that continue business relations with them in this system.