• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.439-451
• /
• 2023

Purpose - Market structure is crucial to identify as it defines the market states for new and existing container ports to perform within a given region. the study aims to compare the major ports in the Bay of Bengal in the context of Chittagong Port. Design/methodology/approach - For this study, the past 9 years of container volume data have been collected and analyzed through the HHI index, BCG matrix and shift effect analysis. Based on the analysis, this study has found that the Chittagong Port is in an oligopoly competitive market structure. Findings - The findings have shown that port in low market share and low growth in very recent years with the moderately concentrated ports HHI index. The shift effect analysis shows that the container volumes shifted from one port to another in the 2019 and 2020 periods. This study is the pioneer study in the Bay of Bengal region to identify the market structure, analyze market share and growth, and analyze the market concentration. Research implications or Originality - Future recommendations for the port authority is to take advantage of geolocation; attract international; tax exemption, faster clearance process, reduced waiting charges; increasing storage and technological machinery; promoting maritime logistics education; promoting Chittagong tourism; collaboration with other countries. Also, this study can be used as basic data for the establishment of a new supply chain between Korea and Southwest Asia for the Korean government and companies.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) exhibits chronic intestinal inflammatory conditions with cycles of relapse and remission. The incidence is rapidly growing in Asian countries including South Korea possibly due to changes in lifestyles. Although the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease is inconclusive, gut microbiota composition is considered a critical factor involved in the pathogenesis of UC. The overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria evokes hyper-immune responses in gut epithelium causing tissue inflammation and damage. Also, failure to regulate gut epithelium integrity due to chronic inflammation and mucus depletion accelerates bacterial translocation aggravating immune dysregulation. Gut microbiota composition responds to the diet in a very rapid manner. Epidemiological studies have indicated that the risk of UC is associated with low plant foods/high animal foods consumption. Several bacterial strains consistently found depleted in UC patients use plant food-originated dietary fiber producing short chain fatty acids to maintain epithelial integrity. These bacteria also use mucus layer mucin to keep gut microbiota diversity. These studies partly explain the association between dietary modification of gut microbiota in UC development. Further human intervention trials are required to allow the use of specific bacterial strains in the management of UC.

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.44-55
• /
• 2024

High-utility itemset mining (HUIM) is a dominant technology that enables enterprises to make real-time decisions, including supply chain management, customer segmentation, and business analytics. However, classical support value-driven Apriori solutions are confined and unable to meet real-time enterprise demands, especially for large amounts of input data. This study introduces a groundbreaking model for top-N high utility itemset mining in real-time enterprise applications. Unlike traditional Apriori-based solutions, the proposed convolutional sequential embedding metrics-driven cosine-similarity-based multilayer perception learning model leverages global and contextual features, including semantic attributes, for enhanced top-N recommendations over sequential transactions. The MATLAB-based simulations of the model on diverse datasets, demonstrated an impressive precision (0.5632), mean absolute error (MAE) (0.7610), hit rate (HR)@K (0.5720), and normalized discounted cumulative gain (NDCG)@K (0.4268). The average MAE across different datasets and latent dimensions was 0.608. Additionally, the model achieved remarkable cumulative accuracy and precision of 97.94% and 97.04% in performance, respectively, surpassing existing state-of-the-art models. This affirms the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed model in real-time enterprise scenarios.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.1340-1347
• /
• 2024

Ehretia asperula is a medicinal plant of the Ehretiaceae family used to treat inflammatory disorders, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The anti-inflammatory potential was determined based on enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition, which showed that the 95% ethanol extract (95ECH) was most effective with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 34.09 ㎍/mL. The effects of 95ECH on phagocytosis, NO production, gene, and protein expression of the cyclooxygenase 2/prostaglandin E2 (COX-2/PGE2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase/ nitric oxide (iNOS/NO) pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells were examined using the neutral red uptake and Griess assays, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results showed that 95ECH suppressed phagocytosis and the NO production in activated macrophage cells (p < 0.01). Conversely, 95ECH regulated the expression levels of mRNAs for cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) as well as the corresponding proteins. In addition, PGE2 production was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by 95ECH, and the expression of iNOS and COX-2 mRNAs was decreased in activated macrophage cells, as expected. Therefore, 95ECH from E. asperula leaves contains potentially valuable compounds for use in inflammation management.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.24-27
• /
• 2009

Backgrounds and Objectives : Most patients with neck schwannomas are asymptomatic. Surgical management of neck schwannomas could cause various complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the necessity of surgical management in all of the neck schwannoma patients. Material and Methods : Thirty-four patients diagnosed and undergone surgical management as neck schwannomas and 30 patients diagnosed and observed closely by OPD base from 1996 to 2005 were included. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : In surgical management group, mean age was 39.3 years and mean size of tumors was 4.4cm. Twenty-five patients had their tumors at parapharyngeal space, 2 at anterior neck and 7 at lateral neck. Nerves of origin were vagus nerve in 12 patients, cervical sympathetic chain in 11. Presenting symptoms were neck mass in 22 patients and no symptom in 9. On the other hand, in close observation group, mean age was 47.1 years and mean size of tumor was 3.7cm. Seventeen patients had their tumors at parapharyngeal space, 5 at anterior neck and 8 at lateral neck. Presenting symptoms were neck mass in 13 patients and no symptom in 13. There were no patients with neurologic complications. Mean follow-up duration was 38.2 months and there were only 2 patients whose size of tumors was increased and no patients who had newly emerged symptoms. Conclusion : Neck schwannomas grows slowly, has little chance of malignant transformation, but can complicate serious problems after surgical management. Therefore close observation could be considered in many asymptomatic patients.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.8.1-8.8
• /
• 2015

Background: The demand for healthy, lean and consistent meat products containing low saturated fatty acid content and high quality polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially long-chain (${\geq}C_{20}$) omega-3 PUFA, has increased in recent times. Fat deposition is altered by both the genetic background and dietary supplements, and this study aimed to assess the effect of dietary Spirulina supplementation levels on the mRNA expression patterns of genes controlling lipid metabolism in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and Longissimus dorsi (ld) muscle of Australian crossbred sheep. Methods: Twenty-four weaned lambs belonging to four breeds under the same management conditions were maintained on ryegrass pasture and fed three levels of Spirulina supplement (control, low and high). In terms of nutrient composition, Spirulina is a nutrient-rich supplement that contains all essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It also is a rich source of carotenoids and fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that infer health benefits. After slaughter, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and ld samples were subjected to mRNA extraction and reverse transcription using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to assess the mRNA expression levels of the Aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), Adrenergic beta-3 receptor (ADRB3), B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) and Fatty acid synthase (FASN) genes, which are associated with lipid metabolism. Results: Both low and high Spirulina supplementation levels strongly up-regulated the transcription of all the selected genes in both SAT and ld tissues (mostly in the subcutaneous adipose), but sheep breed and sex did not influence the gene expression patterns in these tissues. Conclusions: The evidence indicates that high Spirulina supplementation level resulted in a decrease in intramuscular fat content in Australian purebred and crossbred sheep due to the enhanced production of melatonin in sheep muscle tissues and strong up-regulation of mRNA expression of BTG2 in SAT which negatively affected fat deposition. In contrast, low Spirulina supplementation level strongly up-regulated the ADRB3 and FASN genes responsible for fat production. These findings are consistent with the observed phenotypic data suggesting that low Spirulina supplementation level can increase lamb production, with higher long-chain PUFA content.

• New & Renewable Energy
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 2012

Why solar companies preferred vertical integration of whole value chain? Major solar companies have built internally strong vertical integration of entire PV value chain. We raise a question whether such integration increases the corporate value and whether market situation affects the result. To test these questions, we conducted multi-variant analysis where characteristic factors mainly affect the corporate value measured in terms of Tobin'Q, based on the financial and non-financial data of PV companies listed in US stock market between 2005 and 2010. We hypothesize that since integration increases the overall efficiency but decreases the flexibility to adjust to various market situation, the combined effect of the efficiency gain and the flexibility loss ultimately determines the sign of integration effect on the corporate vale. We infer that the combined effect will be influenced heavily by business cycle, as in boom market (Seller's market) the efficiency gain may be larger than the flexibility loss and vice versa in bust market. We test whether the sign of combined effect changes after the year of 2009 and which factors influence most the sign. Year of 2009 is known as the year when market shifted from Seller's to Buyer's market. We show that 1) integration increases corporate value in general but after 2009 integration significantly decreases the value, 2) the ratios such as Production/Total Cost, Cash turnover period chosen for reversal of the flexibility measure are negatively affect Tobin's Q and especially stronger after 2009. This shows the flexibility improves corporate value and stronger in the recess period (Buyer's market). These results imply that solar company should set up integration strategy considering the tradeoff between efficiency and flexibility and the impact of the business cycle on both factors. Strategy only based on the price competitiveness determined in boom time can bring undesirable outcomes to the company. In addition, Strategic alliances in some value chains as a flexible bondage should be taken in account as complementary choice to the rigid integration.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.47-65
• /
• 2023

As stakeholder demands and sustainable finance grow, ESG management and ESG evaluation are becoming important. SMEs should also prepare for the trends of ESG rating practices that affects supply chain management and financial transactions. However, SMEs have no choice but to focus on survival first, so there are restrictions on putting into ESG management. In addition, there is a lack of research on the legitimacy of ESG management by SMEs, and volatility in ESG evaluation systems and rating grades is also increasing. Accordingly, it is necessary to review ESG evaluation trends and practical guidelines along with the review of previous studies. As a result of the exploratory study, SMEs need to implement ESG management and make efforts to specialize in ESG related new businesses under conditions in which their survival base is guaranteed in terms of implementation strategies. In addition, it is necessary to focus on the strategic use of various evaluation results along with accumulating information favorable for ESG evaluation through organizational learning and software management. The implications of this study are that various studies such as the classification criteria for SMEs and the relationship between ESG evaluation grades and long-term survival rates are needed in ESG evaluation of SMEs. At the government policy level, it is time to consider the ESG evaluation system exclusively for SMEs so that ESG management can be implemented and ESG evaluation at different levels by industry and size.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.8-16
• /
• 2018

Purpose: In this study, the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted for viral croup were analyzed to evaluate disease severity based on the organism that caused the infection. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 302 patients who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at the Wonju Severance Hospital between May 2013 and December 2016 for viral croup. Patients who showed positive results on multiplex polymerase chain reaction were subsequently diagnosed with respiratory virus infection. The Westley scoring system was used to evaluate the severity of viral croup. Results: Of the 302 patients, 149 were admitted due to severe viral croup, including 88 boys and 61 girls, with a boy-to-girl ratio of 1.44:1. About 110 cases of parainfluenza virus infection have been reported, which accounted for almost half of the total cases. The other identified viruses included influenza virus, human rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Analysis of the association between severe viral croup and causative pathogen revealed that only parainfluenza type 2 virus showed a significantly high risk. Parainfluenza type 2 virus did not show an age-based difference in frequency but showed relatively a higher frequency of infections during the summer and fall. Conclusions: In this study, parainfluenza virus type 2 was the only virus associated with severe viral croup. To facilitate proper preventive management, treatment, and prognosis evaluation of viral croup, prospective and multicenter studies should assess the additional variables and the severity of the virus. Additionally, further studies should be conducted to assess age-dependent influences, as well as the regional and seasonal incidence of viral infection.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
• /
• v.18 no.6A
• /
• pp.63-73
• /
• 2008

RFID(Radio Frequency IDentification) system is an automated identification system that basically consists of tags and readers and Back-End-Databases. Tags and Readers communicate with each other by RF signal. As a reader can identify many tags in contactless manner using RF signal, RFID system is expected to do a new technology to replace a bar-code system in supply-chain management and payment system and access control and medical record and so on. However, RFID system creates new threats to the security of systems and privacy of individuals, Because tags and readers communicate with each other in insecure channel using RF signal. So many people are trying to study various manners to solve these problems against attacks, But they are difficult to apply to RFID system based on EPCglobal UHF Class-1 Generation-2 tags. Recently, Chien and Chen proposed a mutual Authentication protocol for RFID conforming to EPCglobal UHF Class-1 Generation-2 tags. we discover vulnerabilities of security and inefficiency about their protocol. Therefore, We analyze vulnerabilities of their protocol and propose an efficient mutual authentication protocol that improves security and efficiency.