• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.525-535
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• 2023

Objective : We performed an expanded multi-ethnic meta-analysis to identify associations between inflammation-related loci with intracranial aneurysm (IA) susceptibility. This meta-analysis possesses increased statistical power as it is based on the most data ever evaluated. Methods : We searched and reviewed relevant literature through electronic search engines up to August 2022. Overall estimates were calculated under the fixed- or random-effect models using pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed according to ethnicity. Results : Our meta-analysis enrolled 15 studies and involved 3070 patients and 5528 controls including European, Asian, Hispanic, and mixed ethnic populations. Of 17 inflammation-related variants, the rs1800796 locus (interleukin [IL]-6) showed the most significant genome-wide association with IA in East-Asian populations, including 1276 IA patients and 1322 controls (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56-0.75; p=3.24#x00D7;10^-9) under a fixed-effect model. However, this association was not observed in the European population (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.80-1.47; p=0.5929). Three other variants, rs16944 (IL-1β), rs2195940 (IL-12B), and rs1800629 (tumor necrosis factor-α) showed a statistically nominal association with IA in both the overall, as well as East-Asian populations (0.01<p<0.05). Conclusion : Our updated meta-analysis with increased statistical power highlights that rs1800796 which maps on the IL-6 gene is associated with IA, and in particular confers a protective effect against occurrence of IA in the East-Asian population.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.15-31
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• 2017

This study analyzes 45 Korea IT service companies from 2012 to 2016 using DEA analysis. Large enterprises, medium enterprises and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). CCR model and BCC model were used for efficiency analysis. Among the various analytical objects, the decision objects which yield the maximum output with minimum input are compared with other analysis objects. The relative inefficiency was measured through this, and Technical Efficiency (TE), Pure Technology Efficiency (PTE), Scale Efficiency (SE), scale profit, reference frequency were analyzed. Also, we analyzed the Technology Gap Ratio (TGR), which is the distance between production function and Meta-Frontier for each firm, using Meta-Frontier analysis. Finally, the Tobit model is used to analyze the sources of efficiency and inefficiency. The inputs are assets, capital, and employees, and the output factor is sales. The analysis shows that large firms are achieving technological achievements more efficiently than small and medium enterprises. As a result, medium-sized enterprises and SMEs can improve efficiency overall through efficient operation of workforce and appropriate combination of inputs such as assets and capital. Also, as a result of the influence factor analysis, it was found that the ratio of the managed asset ratio and the management cost ratio were significant factors influencing the efficiency of the IT service companies. This study suggests the efficiency analysis using DEA for many Korea IT service companies. Inefficient parts of each company are classified according to size and technology. Also, we identify the most efficient companies and analyze the causes of those companies whose profits are lower than their size.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.27-42
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• 2016

This study is to investigate seaport clustering by using meta-frontier and cross-efficiency models. Data covers the 13 Asian ports during 2009, 2010 and 2013 with 3 inputs(depth, total area, and number of cranes) and 1 output(TEU). Correlations coefficient from cross-efficiency matrix are used for measuring clustering dendrogram. After that, meta-frontier analysis for investigating whether the clustering using cross-efficiency method increases the meta-efficiency. Empirical main results are as follows: First, group efficiencies of Busan, Incheon, and Gwangyang ports are increased. Second, meta and group efficiencies of China ports are greater than those of Korean ports. Third, distortion of technology gap of Gwangyang is lower than that of Busan and Incheon. Fourth, Gwangyang, clustering with Ningbo, Chingtao, Tokyo and Caosung ports in 2009 and with Dubai port in 2013 can increase the efficiency. Fifth, to enhance the efficiency, Busan port should be clustered to group 2 in 2010 and group 1 in 2013, and Incheon port clustered to group 2 in 2010 and 2013. Fifth, it is empirically investigated that Busan, Incheon and Gwangyang ports can increase the efficiency by using Cross-efficiency and Meta-frontier models. Port policy planner should promote the clustering policy for Busan with Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore, Incheon and Gwangyang with Chingtao, Nagoya, Ningbo, Tokyo, and Kaoshung ports.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.471-501
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• 2021

We measure Environmental Efficiency (EE) based on CO₂ in four income groups from 1998 to 2018, using the Meta Stochastic Frontier Analysis method by Input Distance Function. Our results showed that economic growth and energy consumption would increase carbon dioxide emissions, and increasing labor and capital input will reduce it. Moreover, we compared Group Environmental Efficiency (GEE), Meta Environmental Efficiency (MEE), and Environmental Gap Ratio (EGR). The results showed that GEEs were be overestimated. Furthermore, the MEE showed a downward trend during this period. The lower-middle-income group had the highest EGR performance. High-income and upper-middle-income groups showed less efficiency in MEE and EGR. To improve environmental efficiency, we must reduce fossil fuels and find more scientific and technological ways to solve existing environmental problems as soon as possible.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.151-172
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• 2021

The government's implementation of customer-friendly financial policies, such as lowering commission fees for credit card merchants and lowering the maximum interest rate, put the specialized credit finance companies in a crisis of lowering profitability. In this unfavorable situation, the efficiency study of specialized credit finance companies is meaningful. Accordingly, this study measured the efficiency of 34 specialized credit finance companies through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and meta-frontier analysis. For meta-frontier analysis, specialized credit finance companies were divided into two groups (card companies and non-card companies) by industry or three groups (AA0 and above, AA-, and A+ or below) by credit rating. The results of the analysis will provide general insight into the efficiency of specialized credit finance companies. The results of this study are as follows. First, the average meta-efficiency of card companies was analyzed higher than that of non-card companies. Second, 80% of non-card's decision-making units (DMUs) were inefficient by pure technology rather than by scale. Third, decision-making units (DMUs), which account for 62.5% of the credit card company group and 80% of the 'AA-' credit rating group, are in non-economic areas of scale. Fourth, there was no statistically significant difference in meta-efficiency values (TE and PTE) by industry (card companies, non-card companies) and credit rating (AA0 or higher, AA-, A+ or lower). The contribution of this study will provide strategic initiatives for establishing management strategies to improve inefficiency by measuring the efficiency level of companies under an unfriendly business environment for specialized credit finance companies.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.1033-1039
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• 2020

Vietnam is conducting an export-led growth model and labour-intensive industries contributing majorly to the total export value. In the context of Industry 4.0, the labour-based industries are significantly affected; hence, enhancing productivity is the key measure to maintain these industries. The garment industry contributes significantly to the total export value of Vietnam. Based on meta-frontier framework, the approach of data envelopment analysis is used to measure technical efficiency of Vietnamese garment firms and the global Malmquist TFP index is utilised to identify productivity change and its components including efficiency, technology and technical gaps between different groups of firms. The data of Vietnamese garment firms from 2013 to 2018 collected from the Vietnam General Statistic Office is used in this study. The results show that: (i) The total factor productivity of Vietnamese garment firms growth, technical progress is the main contributor; (ii) The private garment sector is the leading group; (iii) There is a large technological gap among Vietnamese garment sectors. The private and FDI garment firms have experienced a growth in all components of total factor productivity change. Meanwhile, technological progress change is the main reason to constrain the productivity growth of state-owned garment firms.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-22
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• 2023

Existing studies on mixed ratings that combine ESG ratings and credit ratings have been rare. Through meta-frontier analysis, this study examines the relationship between the prime and non-prime groups in ESG ratings, credit ratings, and mixed ratings that consider ESG ratings and credit ratings at the same time. Efficiency was compared. Meta-frontier analysis was used to compare the efficiency of 143 listed manufacturing companies in Korea between the prime and non-prime groups based on the ESG ratings assigned to them by KCGS and the credit ratings assigned by Korea's three major credit rating agencies. As a result of this study, first, the meta-efficiency of the prime mixed-grade group was statistically more efficient than the non-prime mixed-grade group under the variable return scale (VRS) assumption. Second, the prime ESG rating group had a relatively higher proportion of scale inefficiency than the non-prime ESG rating group. Third, in terms of economies of scale, the prime credit rating group had a higher proportion of diminishing returns to scale (DRS) than the non-prime credit rating group. This study will help companies interested in sustainability management to do ESG management.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.53-82
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to show the clustering trend and compare empirical results, as well as to choose the clustering ports for 3 Korean ports (Busan, Incheon, and Gwangyang) by using meta-frontier DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) and integer models on 38 Asian container ports over the period 2005-2014. The models consider 4 input variables (birth length, depth, total area, and number of cranes) and 1 output variable (container TEU). The main empirical results of the study are as follows. First, the meta-frontier DEA for Chinese seaports identifies as most efficient ports (in decreasing order) Shanghai, Hongkong, Ningbo, Qingdao, and Guangzhou, while efficient Korean seaports are Busan, Incheon, and Gwangyang. Second, the clustering results of the integer model show that the Busan port should cluster with Dubai, Hongkong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Singapore, and Kaosiung, while Incheon and Gwangyang should cluster with Shahid Rajaee, Haifa, Khor Fakkan, Tanjung Perak, Osaka, Keelong, and Bangkok ports. Third, clustering through the integer model sharply increases the group efficiency of Incheon (401.84%) and Gwangyang (354.25%), but not that of the Busan port. Fourth, the efficiency ranking comparison between the two models before and after the clustering using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test is matched with the average level of group efficiency (57.88 %) and the technology gap ratio (80.93%). The policy implication of this study is that Korean port policy planners should employ meta-frontier DEA, as well as integer models when clustering is needed among Asian container ports for enhancing the efficiency. In addition Korean seaport managers and port authorities should introduce port development and management plans accounting for the reference and clustered seaports after careful analysis.

• Journal of computational fluids engineering
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.31-40
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• 2009

Although optimization by sequentially refining metamodels is known to be computationally very efficient, the metamodel that can be used for this purpose is limited to Kriging method due to the difficulties related with sample points selections. The present study suggests a novel method for sequentially refining metamodels using Pareto Frontiers, which can be used independent of the type of metamodels. It is shown from the examples that the present method yields more accurate metamodels compared with full-factorial optimization and also guarantees global optimum irrespective of the initial conditions. Finally, in order to prove the generality of the present method, it is applied to a 2D transonic airfoil optimization problem, and the successful design results are obtained.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.77.1-77.1
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• 2015

The Center for Advanced Meta-Materials (CAMM) was launched in 2014 as a center for Global Frontier Projects supported by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. The center is geared towards developing core technologies in controlling wave energies by incorporating creative artificial structures of sub-wavelength sizes. Furthermore, the center not only investigates novel meta-materials and devices but also builds new design, fabrication and application platforms in order to realize these technologies. The center will create new markets in various industries such as national defense, housing and medical care. In order to accomplish its goals, CAMM is composed of three major divisions: the fabrication/characterization technologies and application division, the advanced metamaterials for electromagnetic wave division and the advanced metamaterials for mechanical wave division. The center will concentrate its efforts in bringing innovations to conventional technologies in sectors such as machinery, ICT, energy and biomedical technology by adopting the use of advanced metamaterial systems. In this talk, we will introduce principles of advanced wave control and describe some advanced metamaterials which can provide new solutions for various social problems in future.