• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.71-87
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• 2012

This paper extends a single equation, semi-analytical approach for three-span bridges to multi-span ones for the rapid and precise determination of natural frequencies and natural mode shapes of an orthotropic, multi-span plate. This method can be used to study the dynamic interaction between bridges and vehicles. It is based on the modal superposition method taking into account intermodal coupling to determine natural frequencies and mode shapes of a bridge deck. In this paper, a four- and a five-span orthotropic roadway bridge deck are compared in the first 10 modes with a finite element method analysis using ANSYS software. This simplified implementation matches numerical modeling within 2% in all cases. This paper verifies that applicability of a single formula approach as a simpler alternative to finite element modeling.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.575-582
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• 2000

This investigation was designed to determine whether heat-pressing and/or simulated heat treatments affected the flexure strength and the microstructure of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic in the IPS Empress 2 system. Four groups of the specimens were prepared as follows: group 1 - as-received material, group 2 - heat-pressed material; group 3 - heat-pressed and simulated initial heat-treated material; group 4 - heat-pressed and the simulated heat-treated material with full firings for a final restoration. The three-point bending test and the scanning elec-tron microscope (SEM) analysis was conducted for the purpose of this study. The flexure strength of group 2 was significantly higher than that of group 1. However, there were no significant differences in strength among group 2, 3, and 4, and between group 1 and 4. The SEM micrographs of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic showed the closely packed, multi-directionally interlocking microstructure of numerous lithium disilicate crystals protruding from the glass matrix. The crystals of the heat-pressed materials (group 2, 3, and 4) were a little denser and about two times bigger than those of the as-received material (group 1). This change of microstructure is more obviously exhibited particularly between group 1 and 2. However, there was no a marked difference among group 2, 3, and 4 after the heat-pressing procedure. Although there were significant increase of the strength and some changes of the microstructure after the heat-pressing operation, the combination of the heat-pressing and the simulated subsequent heat treatments did not produce the increase of strength of IPS Empress 2 glass-ceramic.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.253-258
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to measure the difference of corporate social responsibility(hereinafter referred to as "CSR") effects on SME's depending on the level of business risk perception. For this aim, we divided the analysis target SEM's into two groups according to the level of business risk perception and examine whether there is any difference in CSR effects through t-test and the test of the structural model invariance across the groups. As a results, the difference of CSR activities between the two groups occurred in the communication and strategy. In terms of CSR effects, there was a gap in the financial performance.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.153-171
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• 2022

To measure economic performance, customer satisfaction indices are constructed. This study proposes an index for banking and telecom, a significant evaluative system for comparing and enhancing customer satisfaction across the industries. The study suggests and examines amendments and improvements to the prior indices and incorporates ignored indicators to propose a punier index for Pakistan. The study is a pioneer in integrating online and offline indices into a single comprehensive model. The study is enriched by the Theory of Reasoned Action and Technological Acceptance Model. A sample of 320 respondents was used. The sample was divided based on gender and marital status. To authenticate the theoretical model, PLS-SEM was applied. We discovered nine latent variables that define customer satisfaction and conclude that a single model can be utilized for e-commerce enterprises as well. The index scores are comparable to the American index for banking and the Turkish index for telecom. Multi-group analysis (MGA) was used to comprehend the differences among the groups. This reveals that customization, design, reliability, and responsiveness induce satisfaction in telecom male and married customers. For the banking industry, the difference exists in complaint handling, customization, corporate image, perceived price, reliability, responsiveness, sentiments, convenience, and security to satisfaction links, image and complaint handling to loyalty links.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.39-58
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the mediating effects of parenting efficacy on the relationship between parenting alliance and parenting stress, and to investigate whether the relationships between these indicators were the same for mothers and fathers. Methods: A sample of 228 parents (114 mothers and 114 fathers) of 6 month old infants in Gyeonggi Province completed measures of Perceived Parenting Competence, Parenting Alliance Inventory, and Parenting Stress Inventory-Short Form. Results: The results indicated that parenting alliance produced its effect directly and indirectly through parenting efficacy on parenting stress. Using multiple group SEM analyses, it revealed that fathers parenting efficacy was mediated by parenting alliance and that the strength of the pathways was stronger for fathers than for mothers. Conclusion/Implications: These findings suggest that parenting alliance can improve father's parenting efficacy. The differential predictors of mother and father efficacy as well as their implications for future research are discussed.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.5-19
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• 2019

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors contributing to sustainable competitive advantage for multi-level marketing (MLM) firms in Malaysia. The selected variables in this study are company image, product innovation, leadership, distributor rewards system and distributor training system. Research design, data, and methodology - Quantitative research method is employed with collected sample size of 398 respondents using judgmental sampling technique. Normality and reliability test were performed in the first stage utilizing SPSS 22 and Confirmatory Factory Analysis (CFA) and variance analysis were obtained in the subsequent stage, following up with the overall fit of the measurement model, Structural Equation Model (SEM) using AMOS 22 with maximum likelihood estimation to assess the internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. Results - The research findings show that company image, leadership, distributor rewards system and distributor training system were supported and are factors affecting the sustainable competitive advantage of MLM companies in Malaysia. However, in this study, product innovation was not supported but this result does not depict that it is trivial and inconsequential in maintain sustainable advantage. Conclusion - Companies can build sustainable competitive advantage by focusing on these contributing factors. Several other comments and implications were brought to light and discussed in the paper.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-208
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of education service quality (quality of professor service, quality of curriculum service) on career decision-making, self-efficacy, career decision level, and career preparation behavior. Appropriate measures were developed and tested on 426 respondents of Gyeongnam province in South Korea with a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. To ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, frequency analysis, reliability analysis, and validity analysis were conducted. To ensure the reliability and validity of the measurement model, the CFA(confirmatory factor anlaysis) were conducted. The SEM(structural equation modeling) analysis was undertaken to perform the path analysis among the variables and to assess the suitability of the model. MCFA(multi group CFA) and MSEM(multi group SEM) were performed to confirm the moderation effect. Results of the study are summarized as follows: Firstly, education service quality has positive effects on career decision-making self-efficacy. Second, career decision-making self-efficacy has positive effects on career decision level and career reparation behavior. Third, career decision level has positive effects on career reparation behavior. Finally, it was found there exists a moderating effect of freshman/registered student between education service quality, career decision-making self-efficacy, career decision level, career preparation behavior. As a result of this study, it is suggested that investigation of extraneous variables which help to improve career preparation behavior and career decision level as for career of university student will contribute to university education.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.197-203
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• 2020

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple firings on the bond strength between yttriatetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP) and 2 types of resin cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sixty 3Y-TZP specimens (LAVA Frame Multi) were divided into 3 groups depending on the following firing procedures: (1) 2-firing cycles, (2) 5-firing cycles, (3) 10-firing cycles. Two samples from each group were investigated by using SEM to determine the morphological changes. All specimens were treated with 125 ㎛ airborne-particle abrasion and the surface roughness of each specimen was measured. The specimens from each firing group were then further divided into 2 subgroups (n = 9) to apply 2 types of resin cement (MDP-free resin cement: RelyX Unicem-RU, and MDP containing resin cement: Panavia F 2.0-PA). The shear bond strength (SBS) test was performed and failure types of all the debonded specimens were classified by using a stereomicroscope as adhesive, cohesive, and mixed. The statistical analysis of surface roughness and SBS data were performed by using 1-way ANOVA and 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-HSD tests (α=.05). Failure modes were calculated as a percentage for each group. RESULTS. The bond strength of RU and PA to the specimens obtained with 2 firings were not statistically different from each other (P=.1). However, the SBS values of PA were found to be significantly higher than RU for the specimens obtained with 5 and 10 firing cycles (P=.001 and P=.02, respectively). Surface roughness analysis revealed no statistical difference between groups (P=.2). The SEM analysis of samples fired 5- and 10- times showed irregularities and boundary loss in zirconia grains, and empty spaces between zirconia grains. CONCLUSION. The bond strength of PA cement was higher than that of RU to the zirconia subjected to repeated firings (5 and 10 firing cycles). When zirconia is subjected to multiple firings, using MDP-containing resin cement can be recommended.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.369-379
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• 2015

Objectives: The lack of reliable information on environmental pollution and health impacts related to asbestos contamination from abandoned mines has drawn attention to the need for a community health study. This study was performed to evaluate asbestos-related health symptoms among residents near abandoned asbestos mines located in the Chungcheong Provinces. In addition, exposure assessment for asbestos is needed although the exposure to asbestos was in the past. Methods: Past exposure to asbestos among inhabitants near abandoned asbestos mines was estimated by using surface sampling of deposited dust in indoor and outdoor residences. A total of 54 participants were divided into two groups with (34 cases) and without (20 controls) diseases related to asbestos. Surface sampling of deposited dust was carried out in indoor and outdoor residences by collecting 105 samples. Deposited dust for sampling was analyzed by polarization microscope (PLM) and scanning electron microscope?energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX) to detect asbestos. Subsequently, the elements of the deposited dust with asbestos were analyzed by SEM-EDX to assess the contribution of sources such as abandoned mines, slate and soil. Results: Among the 105 samples, asbestos was detected by PLM in 29 (27.6%) sampling points, and detected by SEM in 56 (48.6%) sampling points. Asbestos in indoor residences was detected by PLM in four sampling points, and by SEM in 12 sampling points. Asbestos detection in indoor residences may be due to ventilation between indoors and outdoors, and indicates long-term exposure. The asbestos detection rate for outdoor residences in the case group was higher than that in the control group. This can be explained as the case group having had higher exposure to asbestos, and there has been continuous exposure to asbestos in the control group as well as the case group. Conclusion: Past residential asbestos exposure may be associated with asbestosis among local residents near abandoned asbestos mines. Odds ratios were calculated for asbestos detection in outdoor residence by logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio between asbestos detection and asbestosis pulmonum was 3.36 (95% CI 0.90-12.53) (p=0.072), adjusting for age, sex, smoking status and work history with multi-variable logistic regression by PLM analysis method.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.145-159
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• 2021

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to identify the preceding factors that form pro-social tourism behavior intent in a pendemic situation and to present theoretical and practical implications for the role of individuals for a safe tourism environment. Design/methodology/approach - This study conducted an analysis by collecting 420 valid questionnaires targeting citizens who have lived in Korea continuously for more than one year. For the analysis, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a structural equation model (SEM) were used, and a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA) and a multi-group structural equation model (MSEM) were used to verify the difference by age group. Findings - First, cognitive and affective risk perception for Covid-19 had a significant (+) effect on the ascription of responsibility to tourists, and affective risk perception and ascription of responsibility had a significant (+) effect on personal norms. Second, personal norms have been shown to have a significant (+) influence on prosocial tourism behavior intention, and prosocial tourism behavior intention has a significant (+) influence on WTP on safety tourism. Research implications or Originality - Tourism behavior in a pendemic situation can affect the spread of infection. In this respect, this study attempted to confirm how moral norms affect pro-social tourism behavior from a personal point of view. In addition, we tried to present practical implications by identifying the impact of personal norms on willing to pay for a safe tourism environment.