• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.245-256
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• 2021

Poor logistical infrastructure and agri-food supply chain management leads to significant food waste in logistic system. The concept of the sustainable value added agri-food chains requires defined approach to the analysis of the existing situation, possible improving strategies and also assessment of these changes impact on further development. The purpose of research is to provide scientific substantiation of theoretical and methodological principles and develop practical recommendations for the improvement of the agri-food logistics distribution system. A case study methodology is used in this article. The research framework is based on 4 steps: Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Gap and Process Analysis, Validation and Improvement Areas Definition and Imitation Modelling. This paper presents the appropriateness of LEAN logistics tools using, in particular, Value Stream Mapping (VSM) for minimizing logistic losses and Simulation Modeling of possible logistics distribution system improvement results. The algorithm of VSM analysis of the agri-food supply chain, which involves its optimization by implementing the principles of sustainable development at each stage, is proposed. The methodical approach to the analysis of possible ways for optimizing the operation of the logistics system of the agri-food distribution is developed. It involves the application of Value Stream Mapping, i.e. designing of stream maps of the creation of the added value in the agri-food supply chain for the current and future state based on the minimization of logistic losses. Simulation modeling of the investment project on time optimization in the agri-food supply chain and economic effect of proposed improvements in logistics product distribution system functioning at the level of the investigated agricultural enterprise has been determined. Improvement of logistics planning and coordination of operations in the supply chain and the innovative pre-cooling system proposed to be introduced have a 3-year payback period and almost 75-80% probability. Based on the conducted VSM analysis of losses in the agri-food supply chain, there have been determined the main points, where it is advisable to conduct optimization changes for the achievement of positive results and the significant economic effect from the proposed measures has been confirmed. In further studies, it is recommended to focus on identifying the synergistic effect of the agri-food supply chain optimization on the basis of sustainable development.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.173-202
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• 2021

Purpose This study explored overall phenomena in context such as YouTube channel operation, strategy, and profit generation through interviews with two research participants who started their own businesses and are recognized as influencer on YouTube and analysis of viewer responses to uploaded contents. With the explosive growth of YouTube content provision and use, previous studies on YouTube are only being conducted individually on YouTube's content, influence, and content providers, so it is need to explore YouTube channel operations and the effect of revenue generation in context from an integrated perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to present an integrated model that provides a specific process by contextually linking the factors and results influencing YouTube channel operation and revenue generation phenomena to individuals and companies who are trying to operate YouTube channels for the first time. Design/methodology/approach This study systematized and structured the overall phenomena in context such as YouTube channel operation, communication strategy, effect on revenue generation, and YouTube channel operation results by selecting interview subjects and collecting data through interviews, and analyzing viewer reactions (likes, comments, etc.). Due to the lack of previous studies exploring integrated phenomena, research analysis used Strauss & Corbin (1998)'s grounded theory approach, which presented inductive research methods to discover new theories by structuring concepts and categories based on detailed observations and information provided by interviewees. Findings The academic implication of this study is that while previous studies are conducted as individual studies on YouTube's content, influence, and content providers in the current situation where YouTube content provision and use are exploding, it integrally explores and presents an integrated model throughout the process. In addition, taking into account the lack of previous studies, it can be found in the aspect of using the grounded theory approach, an inductive theory approach that establishes a new theory. The practical implications can be found in that it presented practical directions to beginners who want to start operating YouTube channels by identifying operational preparations, communication strategies with viewers, and response management strategies.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.135-156
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• 2017

An intelligent personal assistant (IPA) is a software agent that assists people to perform basic tasks or services for an individual by commonly providing information via natural language. In spite of the versatile capabilities of the IPA to answer a user's simple information-based queries, such as the weather and driving directions, the actual usage rates for IPA services are limited to date. In this research, to evaluate the factors affecting the intention to use IPA, we develop an empirical model based on technology acceptance model, innovation diffusion theory, and IS success model. Afterward, we collect 203 questionnaires from actual users of IPAs. Finally, the structural equation model validates the causal relationship between the constructs of the model. Consequently, the innovation characteristics of IPA drawn from innovation diffusion theory, namely, relative advantage, compatibility, observability, all exerted a positive influence on perceived usefulness. Furthermore, information quality, a quality characteristic of IPA obtained from DeLone and McLean's IS success model, presented a positive effect on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Finally, the perceived intelligence of IPA displayed a positive influence on perceived usefulness and ease of use. This characteristic was also a major factor that can increase the intention to use the IPA. Given these research findings, this study is significant for identifying factors that may influence the intention to use the IPA by providing strategic guidelines to relevant business operators and establishing an integrated model.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-30
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• 1994

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systematic disease with unpredictable course of exacerbation and remission, characterized by pain, joint deformity and reduced activity by joint limitation. The growing public awareness of the need for health management of chronic illnesses, provides impetus for nursing to demonstrate social effectiveness by active nursing intervention in this vast area in general, and with rheumatoid condition in particular. However, nursing interventions to date have not demonstrated its active participation in the management of chronic conditions. Nursing intervention for the patients having rheumatoid arthritis is one such area that needs to be studied intensively and to demonstrate their effectiveness empirically. The purposes of this study were two fold : first, to develop a comprehensive program that was intensified with therapeutic joint exercises in water, self-help group activities and utilization of self-efficacy promoting strategies : and secondly, to determine the effect of aquatic exercise program on pain, physiological changes and quality of life in the rheumatoid arthritis patients. Thirty five female subjects participating in this study were selected from outpatients in the Rheumatism Center, Hanyang University hospital. The period of data collection was from December, 1992 to March, 1993 in seoul and Taejeon. Subjects in Taejeon were assigned to the experimental group. The comprehensive aquatic exercise program for the experimental group was carried out three times a week for 6 weeks in regular swimming pool. Subjects in Seoul did not participated in the program, and treated as the control group. Data were analyzed with repeated measure MANCOVA, t-test, ANCOVA, percentage of change, Kruskal-Wallis 1-Way ANOVA using SPSS $PC^+$ program. Results were obtained as follows : 1) Scores on Korean pain scale, Numeric pain score, and RAI score of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (t=2.11, p=0.022 ; F=4.40, p=0.044 : t=3.10, p=0.002). 2) There was significant improvement in the physiological parameters (higher joint movement parameters, F=15.64, p=0.024 ; higher lean body mass, percentage of change=+12.2, lower body weight, t=1.01, p=0.026 : lower ESR, t=1.69, p=0.001) in the experimental group compaired with subjects In the control group. 3) There was significant improvement in the specific self-efficacy score through the comprehensive aquatic exercise program(t=2.73, p=0.011), but not in the general self- efficacy score(t=0.62, p=0.113). 4) The quality of life failed to show significant improvement in the experimental group as compaired with the control group (F=3.69, p=0.064). 5) In the experimental group, findings from additional analysis showed no significant difference in the specific self-efficacy between those who continued to aquatic exercise after completing 6 week program and those who stopped (X2=0.086, p=0.690). Therefore, adherence to aquatic exercise program for 6 weeks seem to be affected mainly by self-help group activities. An indepth study to delve into articulation of mechanisms affecting the effect of aquatic exercise program be recommended. A further study is necessary to determine the difference in the effect of group and individual aquatic exercise program, to assess factors affecting adherence to exercise for an extended length of time.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.149-167
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the performance of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure(VDI) adoption. VDI performance was measured by IS manager (system quality, security, and managerial operation) and business user (usability, access, and user satisfaction). The survey questionnaires were developed for measuring VDI performance. 84 data samples were collected from the companies that had adopted cloud-based VDI. This research model was verified by Smart-PLS and SPSS. The research findings were as follows: First, the companies using VDI experienced actual performance, but they did not attain their expectation. Second, as results of comparing between IS managers and business users, IS administrators had considerably higher performance than business users, which indicates that there were big differences in performance perception among users. Compared with prior research such as technical trend, system construction, and performance improvement, this study has the following implications. First, by comparing the expected performance with the actual performance of the companies that have implemented and operating VDI, it was suggested how a company that wants to adopt VDI can manage the expectation level of VDI and achieve higher actual performance. Second, because the perception of VDI performance differs between business users and system managers, it is meaningful that a fair evaluation of VDI performance requires a balanced consideration of business users and system managers.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.63-76
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• 2014

Objectives : This study investigated the improvement effects of Pakistani (DF-a) and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan (DF-b) on obesity in a high fat diet-fed obese mouse model. Methods : Eight-week-old C57BL/6N mice were divided into four groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a high fat diet, and DF-a and DF-b groups given a high fat diet with DF-a (80 mg/kg), and DF-b (80 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood lipid markers, fat weight and histology were examined. Results : 1. Body weight gain and fat mass were significantly decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF-a group. 2. Feeding efficiency ratio and circulating leptin concentration were significantly decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control, whereas circulating adiponectin concentration was increased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. 3. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain and fat mass, circulating concentrations of triglyceride, glucose and insulin were decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. 4. The size of adipocytes were decreased by DF-a and DF-b compared with control, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased by them, suggesting that DF-a and DF-b decreased the number of large adipocytes. 5. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, liver fibrosis was reduced in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that DF-a and DF-b not only decrease feeding efficiency ratio, plasma leptin concentration, and blood anti-obesity biomarkers, but also reduce fat mass, contributing to the improvement of obesity. DF-a and DF-b also inhibit liver fibrosis. In addition, these effects were similar between Pakistani Ephedra herba and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.105-120
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was investigated the improvement effects of Gangjihwan (DF) and combination of Gangjihwan and Gamisochehwan (GSH) on obesity in a high fat diet-fed obese mouse model. Methods : Eight-week-old C57BL/6N mice were divided into four groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a high fat diet, and DF and DF+GSH groups given a high fat diet with DF (40 mg/kg), and DF+GSH (80 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood lipid markers, fat weight and histology were examined. Results : 1. Body weight gain and fat mass were significantly decreased in DF and DF+GSH groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF+GSH group. 2. Feeding efficiency ratio and circulating concentration of leptin were decreased in DF and DF+GSH groups compared with control. These decreases were significant in DF+GSH group. 3. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain and fat mass, circulating concentrations of triglyceride, glucose and insulin were decreased in DF and DF+GSH groups compared with control. 4. The size of adipocytes was decreased by DF and DF+GSH compared with control, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased by them, suggesting that DF and DF+GSH decreased the number of large adipocytes. 5. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, liver fibrosis was also improved in DF and DF+GSH groups compared with control. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that DF and DF+GSH groups decrease feeding efficiency ratio, plasma leptin concentration, blood anti-obesity biomarkers and fat mass, improves body weight gain contributing to the inhibition of liver fibrosis. In addition, these effects were more effective in DF+GSH combination group than in DF-only group.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-31
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• 2009

This paper empirically examines factors that potentially influence the success of a Web-based semantic search engine. A research model has been proposed that shows the impact of quality-related factors upon the effectiveness of a semantic search engine, based on DeLone and McLean's(2003) information systems success model. An empirical study has been conducted to test hypotheses formulated around the research model, and statistical methods were applied to analyze gathered data and draw conclusions. Implications for academics and practitioners are offered based on the findings of the study. The proposed model includes three quality dimensions of a Web-based semantic search engine-namely, information quality, system quality and service quality. These three dimensions each have measures designed to collectively assess the respective dimension. The model is intended to examine the relationship between measures of these quality dimensions and measures of two dependent constructs, including individuals' net benefit and user satisfaction. Individuals' net benefit was measured by the extent to which the user's information needs were adequately met, whereas user satisfaction was measured by a combination of the perceived satisfaction with search results and the perceived satisfaction with the overall system. A total of 23 hypotheses have been formulated around the model, and a questionnaire survey has been conducted using a functional semantic search website created by KT and Hakia, so as to collect data to validate the model. Copies of a questionnaire form were handed out in person to 160 research associates and employees working in the area of designing and developing semantic search engines. Those who received the form, 148 respondents returned valid responses. The survey form asked respondents to use the given website to answer questions concerning the system. The results of the empirical study have indicated that, of the three quality dimensions, information quality was found to have the strongest association with the effectiveness of a Web-based semantic search engine. This finding is consistent with the observation in the literature that the aspects of the information quality should serve as a basis for evaluating the search outcomes from a semantic search engine. Measures under the information quality dimension that have a positive effect on informational gratification and user satisfaction were found to be recall and currency. Under the system quality dimension, response time and interactivity, were positively related to informational gratification. On the other hand, only one measure under the service quality dimension, reliability was found to have a positive relationship with user satisfaction. The results were based on the seven hypotheses that have been accepted. One may wonder why 15 out of the 23 hypotheses have been rejected and question the theoretical soundness of the model. However, the correlations between independent variables and dependent variables came out to be fairly high. This suggests that the structural equation model yielded results inconsistent with those of coefficient analysis, because the structural equation model intends to examine the relationship among independent variables as well as the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. The findings offer some useful implications for owners of a semantic search engine, as far as the design and maintenance of the website is concerned. First, the system should be designed to respond to the user's query as fast as possible. Also it should be designed to support the search process by recommending, revising, and choosing a search query, so as to maximize users' interactions with the system. Second, the system should present search results with maximum recall and currency to effectively meet the users' expectations. Third, it should be capable of providing online services in a reliable and trustworthy manner. Finally, effective increase in user satisfaction requires the improvement of quality factors associated with a semantic search engine, which would in turn help increase the informational gratification for users. The proposed model can serve as a useful framework for measuring the success of a Web-based semantic search engine. Applying the search engine success framework to the measurement of search engine effectiveness has the potential to provide an outline of what areas of a semantic search engine needs improvement, in order to better meet information needs of users. Further research will be needed to make this idea a reality.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12 week weight control program, which included nutrition education and regular physical fitness, on body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and lowering of blood lipids in 16 obese male elementary school students. Changes in waist and hip circumferences and their ratios were measured at the conclusion of the 12 week program conducted from September 9 to November 25, 2005. Body weight after 12 weeks on the program slightly reduced from 55.4${\pm}$10.9 kg to 54.4${\pm}$9.7 kg. Degree of obesity and BMI decreased from 121.3${\pm}$8.1%, and 25.9${\pm}$3.3 to 120.0${\pm}$8.2% and, 25.6${\pm}$2.7, respectively. Body fat percentage decreased slightly from 38.3${\pm}$4.7% to 37.9${\pm}$5.2%. Waist to hip ratio did not change after 12 weeks. There were slight changes in weight of body fat and lean body mass from 22.12${\pm}$6.53 kg and 34.56${\pm}$4.75 kg to 21.68${\pm}$6.05 kg and 34.70${\pm}$4.54 kg, respectively. Also, after 12 weeks on the weight control program, body, waist, and hip circumferences decreased. However, there were no significant differences among the blood lipid components, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. Finally, body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and body fat showed more significant correlations to waist, hip circumference and their ratio than to blood lipid levels.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.2
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• pp.222-238
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• 2024

Coniferous species in subalpine ecosystems are known to be highly sensitive to climate change. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor community and population dynamics. This study monitored 37 plots within the distribution area of Abies koreana on Mt. Jirisan for a period of eight years. We analyzed the importance value, density of living stems, mortality rate, recruitment rate, basal area, DBH (diameter of breast height) class distribution, and tree health status. Our results showed changes in the importance value based on the tree stratum, with A. koreana decreasing by 3.6% and Tripterygium regelii increasing by 2.5% in the tree layer. Between 2015 and 2023, there were 149 dead trees/ha (17.99% mortality rate) and 12 living trees/ha (1.02% recruitment rate) of A. koreana. The decrease in basal area was attributed to a decrease in the number of living trees. Tree mortality occurred in all DBH classes, with a particularly high decline in the <10 cm class (65 trees/ha reduced). In terms of changes in tree health status, the population of alive standing (AS) type trees, initially consisting of 539 trees/ha, has been transformed into alive standing (AS), alive lean (AL), and death standing (DS), accounting for 69.7%, 0.5%, and 13.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, DS-type trees have transitioned into dead broken (DB) and dead fallen (DF) types. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by strong winds in the subalpine region that pull up the rootlets from the soil. Further research on this finding is recommended.