• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.75-97
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• 2013

While good return policies are suggested as one of the critical services for e-commerce, ambivalence between the burden of the cost and shoppers' satisfaction may prevent e-tailers from increasing their level of leniency. Based on the S-O-R model, this study has attempted to develop a grounded theory to explain how lenient return policies shape online shoppers' perceptions and responses, with a focus on cultural influences in the relationship. In order to check the cultural effects of the lenient return policy, thirty two female and eleven male undergraduate students in South Korean shoppers, who are accustomed to strict return policies, participated in the semi-structured interview. A series of open-ended questions were designed to explore consumers' reactions toward four different levels of the lenient return policy: from the strict type in South Korea to the lenient type in the U.S. Using qualitative research methods, this research has defined three types of dimensions of lenient return policy: return possible period, complexity of progress, and other restrictions. While previous researchers did not pay much attention, the last dimension, other restrictions, is shown to be the most significant in influencing online shoppers' perceptions, especially in South Korea. Also, the impacts on online shoppers' perceptions from the three types of sub-dimensions of return policy were somewhat different. Whereas a longer return possible period was considered more favorable, a medium level of complexity and restrictions were considered more desirable. In summary, this result showed that shoppers in Eastern cultures, i.e. South Korean online shoppers, seem favorable to a medium level of lenient return policies, while allowing for taking precautions against possible fraudulent behaviors and setting other restrictions. Therefore, most of retailers in South Korea recommended that e-tailers who adopt the most lenient return policies raise the bar to guard ethical shoppers from fraudulent users. Next, lenient return policies can enhance ease of use, usefulness, affect, and trust while relieving perceived risk, which is connected to intention to purchase, satisfaction, and loyalty. Interestingly, lenient return policies are more likely to change the behavioral responses of online shoppers, such as return and purchase, rather than change their attitudes or beliefs such as image, satisfaction, and loyalty. This tendency can be seen more clearly in the direct influences of return policy on responses. The reaction to lenient return policy is mostly the intention to return or to purchase. This suggests that return policy serves the e-tailers as a powerful tool in increasing online shoppers' purchase intention at the moment of purchase. Therefore, e-tailers who plan to expand their market to eastern countries, including South Korea, have to build a shield of restrictions around their lenient return policy, rather than immediately applying their original liberalized return policy. Also, e-tailers in South Korea need to review their strict and undifferentiated return policies to deal with the unsatisfied reactions of online shoppers toward their normal return policies. Although the present study was confined to the return policies currently being practiced by popular e-tailers, it would be worthwhile to develop effective return policies separately for each country, especially South Korea, keeping the culture of the relevant country in mind.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.78-95
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the results of the 2022 Gyeonggi-do Oriental Medicine Fertility Treatment Support Project, review the outcomes and satisfaction of Oriental Medicine fertility support initiatives, and propose progressive fertility treatment support strategies by comparing them with the results of the past three years. Methods: Total of 242 women and 205 spouses participated in the Korean Medicine fertility treatment support project, which encompassed herbal medicine, acupuncture, and counseling treatments over a 3-month period, followed by a 3-month post-treatment follow-up. Data pertaining to patients' general, demographic, and fertility-related characteristics were collected before treatment initiation. During treatment, information regarding the treatments administered by Korean medical doctors was recorded, along with post-treatment outcomes and satisfaction levels. Safety assessments included pre- and post-treatment blood tests and monitoring for adverse events. Results: Among the 242 female subjects, 209 successfully completed the treatment program. Of these, 35 (16.7%) achieved pregnancy, with 30 (15%) attaining pregnancy through herbal monotherapy. Out of the 35 pregnancies, 17 were maintained, while 10 resulted in miscarriage. Notably, 83.8% of patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment outcomes. An analysis spanning three years revealed a continuous increase in the average age of patients, surpassing 38 years in 2022, a critical point in fertility decline age. Additionally, there was a notable rise in the prevalence of patients with a history of gynecological issues, advanced spouse age, and semen abnormalities, which is assumed to have contributed to the decrease in the pregnancy success rate. Conclusions: This study compares the clinical results of the 2022 Gyeonggi-do Korean Medicine Fertility Treatment Support Project with those of the past three years. Based on these findings, recommendations are made to enhance the project, including stricter age criteria for patient selection, enhanced specialized treatment tools for medical doctors, and combining Korean Medicine treatment and medical assisted reproductive technologies, all aimed at increasing pregnancy success rates. These results provide a foundation for the development of fertility support projects and related policies.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.336-340
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• 2023

A dog (2-year old, female, Shih-Tzu) presented with hyperthermia and right-sided facial paralysis characterized by the inability to close the right eye and drooling from the right side of the mouth after H3N2 influenza vaccination [A/Canine/Korea/01/07(H3N2) strain; Caniflu-Max, Bionote, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, ROK]. To determine the cause of the fever and neurological symptoms, physical examination, ophthalmic examination, thoracic and abdominal radiography, abdominal ultrasonography, complete blood counts, serum chemistry values, and electrolyte levels were determined. In addition, Cerebrospinal fluid analysis, antinuclear antibody test, fever of unknown origin polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel, tick-borne pathogen PCR panel were performed. As a result, hyperthermia, leukocytosis, and elevated C-reactive protein were confirmed. In addition, neurological examination revealed decreased right eyelid reflexes, corneal reflexes, threat response, and facial sensation, it was possible to suspect problems with the trigeminal and facial nerves of the cranial nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion suggestive of myositis in the right muscular lesion at atlanto-occipital junction level on site of vaccine injection. Therefore, right-sided facial paralysis was tentatively determined to be a secondary cause of nerve damage caused by myositis. The patient was treated with immunosuppressants such as prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. After 3 months of immunosuppressant therapy, the patient's symptoms improved.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.93-98
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• 2023

In paddy rice farming, water management is a critical task. To suppress weed emergence during the early stages of growth, fields are deeply flooded, and after transplantation, the water level is reduced to promote rooting and stimulate stem generation. Later, water is drained to prevent the production of sterile tillers. The adequacy of water supply is influenced by various factors such as field location, irrigation channels, soil conditions, and weather, requiring farmers to frequently check water levels and control the ingress and egress of water. This effort increases if the fields are scattered in remote locations. Automated irrigation systems have been considered to reduce labor and improve productivity. However, the net income from rice production in 2022 was about KRW 320,000/10a on average, making it financially unfeasible to implement high-cost devices or construct new infrastructure. This study focused on developing an IoT-Based irrigation valve that can be easily integrated into existing agricultural infrastructure without additional construction. The research was carried out in three main areas: Firstly, an irrigation valve was designed for quick and easy installation on existing agricultural pipes. Secondly, a power circuit was developed to connect a low-power Cat M1 communication modem with an Arduino Nano board for remote operation. Thirdly, a cloud-based platform was used to set up a server and database environment and create a web interface that users can easily access.

• Journal of Venture Innovation
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.185-202
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed major changes in our work environment, underscoring the critical role of workplace flexibility. While a wealth of research exists on specific flexible work strategies and schedules, a broader understanding of workplace flexibility has been somewhat overlooked. This study aimed to bridge this gap by examining the correlation between workplace flexibility and organizational commitment. Our sample consisted of 300 employees from foreign businesses in the ICT(information and communications technology) service sector and the manufacturing industry, along with those from the top 50 leading Korean enterprises. We bifurcated workplace flexibility into two distinct categories for this study: quantitative and qualitative. Our results revealed that within the quantitative category, the flexibility of continuity of work and flexible place significantly enhanced organizational commitment. Interestingly, the flexibility of work schedules didn't have a marked impact on commitment levels. On the qualitative side, job autonomy and teamwork emerged as significant drivers of organizational commitment. It's worth noting that qualitative aspects of workplace flexibility had a more pronounced effect on organizational commitment than the quantitative elements. These findings highlight the necessity of approaching workplace flexibility from a comprehensive perspective, embracing both its quantitative and qualitative dimensions. For businesses aiming to maximize the benefits of flexibility, it's essential to cultivate a culture of open communication, champion collaboration, and prioritize job autonomy and teamwork. Establishing a work environment that actively supports feedback-oriented communication stands as a key component in this endeavor.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.469-482
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• 2023

Purpose: Obesity has emerged as a critical global public health concern as it is associated with and increases susceptibility to various diseases. This condition is characterized by the excessive enlargement of adipose tissue, primarily stemming from an inequity between energy intake and expenditure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder in mitigating obesity and metabolic disorders in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice and to compare the effects of raw sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP01) and heat-treated sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP02). Methods: Leptin-deficient obese mice were fed a diet containing 10% HNSP01 and another containing 10% HNSP02 for 6 weeks. Results: The supplementation of ob/ob mice with HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in decreased body weight gain, reduced adipose tissue weight, and a smaller size of lipid droplets in the adipose tissue and liver. Furthermore, the ob/ob-HNSP01 and ob/ob-HNSP02 supplemented groups exhibited lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin, as well as a reduced atherogenic index in comparison with the control group. Molecular analysis also demonstrated that the intake of HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in a diminished activation of factors associated with fatty acid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, while concurrently enhancing factors associated with lipolysis, including adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings collectively demonstrate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder as a functional food ingredient with therapeutic properties against obesity and its associated metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.609-621
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• 2024

Objective: Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) differentiation is a critical physiological progress in skin hair follicle (HF) formation. Goat HFSCs differentiation is one of the essential processes of superior-quality brush hair (SQBH) synthesis. However, knowledge regarding the functions and roles of miR-133a-3p and miR-145-5p in differentiated goat HFSCs is limited. Methods: To examine the significance of chi-miR-133a-3p and chi-miR-145-5p in differentiated HFSCs, overexpression and knockdown experiments of miR-133a-3p and miR-145-5p (Mimics and Inhibitors) separately or combined were performed. NANOG, SOX9, and stem cell differentiated markers (β-catenin, C-myc, Keratin 6 [KRT6]) expression levels were detected and analyzed by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays in differentiated goat HFSCs. Results: miR-133a-3p and miR-145-5p inhibit NANOG (a gene recognized in keeping and maintaining the totipotency of embryonic stem cells) expression and promote SOX9 (an important stem cell transcription factor) expression in differentiated stem cells. Functional studies showed that miR-133a-3p and miR-145-5p individually or together overexpression can facilitate goat HFSCs differentiation, whereas suppressing miR-133a-3p and miR-145-5p or both inhibiting can inhibit goat HFSCs differentiation. Conclusion: These findings could more completely explain the modulatory function of miR-133a-3p and miR-145-5p in goat HFSCs growth, which also provide more understandings for further investigating goat hair follicle development.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2024

Among the electrode manufacturing processes for lithium-ion batteries, the drying process is crucial for production speed and process cost. Particularly, as the loading level of the electrode increases to enhance the energy density of the battery, optimizing process conditions for electrode drying becomes more critical. In this study, we compared the drying time and electrochemical performance of the positive electrode prepared at different drying temperatures. LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ (NCM622) was used as the active material and manufactured under various drying temperature conditions ranging from 120 ℃ to 210 ℃ at loading levels of 2.5 and 4.5 mAh cm^-2. The physical and electrochemical properties of the electrodes were compared. As the loading level of the electrode increases, the drying time of the electrode also increases, but this time can be reduced by increasing the drying temperature. The drying temperature used in manufacturing the NCM622 positive electrode does not significantly affect the electrochemical performance but drying above 210 ℃ resulted in an increase in the volume resistivity of the electrode and a decrease in electrochemical performance. Accordingly, in the manufacture of high-loading electrodes, the drying temperature was increased to 190 ℃ to shorten the electrode manufacturing time without a loss of performance.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.145-156
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• 2024

In an era where construction projects are becoming increasingly large and complex, the Korean construction industry faces the challenge of implementing systematic and cohesive schedule management practices. This study initially delineates the concept of schedule management capabilities, systematically categorizing them into five distinct domains: law and regulations, requirements of project owners, capabilities of professionals and organizations, task capability, and the adoption of smart construction technologies for schedule management. Through a survey targeting industry professionals, this research assesses the perceived importance and the actual proficiency level in schedule management across these categories, employing an Importance Performance Analysis(IPA) to scrutinize these capabilities. The findings underscore the acknowledged significance of diverse aspects of schedule management, yet reveal discrepancies between the current proficiency levels and their perceived importance, pinpointing areas necessitating enhancement. Critical improvement needs identified encompass the planning of budgets for schedule management, development of regulations for assessing construction periods, deployment of specialized on-site staff for schedule management, and investment in advanced schedule management software solutions. Consequently, this study offers a nuanced analysis and strategic insights for enhancing schedule management practices, aiming to facilitate their effective implementation in the field.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.303-320
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• 2024

This study presents the development and performance evaluation of a custom GPT-based chatbot tailored to provide solutions following Polya's problem-solving stages. A beta version of the chatbot was initially deployed to assess its mathematical capabilities, followed by iterative error identification and correction, leading to the final version. The completed chatbot demonstrated an accuracy rate of approximately 89.0%, correctly solving an average of 57.8 out of 65 image-based problems from a 6th-grade elementary mathematics textbook, reflecting a 4 percentage point improvement over the beta version. For a subset of 50 problems, where images were not critical for problem resolution, the chatbot achieved an accuracy rate of approximately 91.0%, solving an average of 45.5 problems correctly. Predominant errors included problem recognition issues, particularly with complex or poorly recognizable images, along with concept confusion and comprehension errors. The custom chatbot exhibited superior mathematical performance compared to the general-purpose ChatGPT. Additionally, its solution process can be adapted to various grade levels, facilitating personalized student instruction. The ease of chatbot creation and customization underscores its potential for diverse applications in mathematics education, such as individualized teacher support and personalized student guidance.