• Advances in materials Research
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.97-111
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• 2015

Polypropylene short fiber (PP)-clay particulate-epoxy ternary composites were prepared by reinforcing PP short fiber and clay particles in the range of 0.1 phr to 0.7 phr into epoxy resin. Prepared hybrid composites were characterized for their mechanical, thermal and flame retardant properties. The obtained results indicated an increase in impact resistance, tensile strength, flexural strength and Young's modulus to an extent (up to 0.5 phr clay and 0.5 phr PP short fiber) and then decreases as the reinforcing phases are further increased. The thermal stability of these materials are found to increase up to 0.2 phr clay and 0.2 phr PP addition, beyond which it is decreased. Addition of clay is found to have the negative effect on epoxy-PP short fiber composites, which is evident from the comparison of mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy-0.5 phr PP short fiber composite and epoxy-0.5 phr PP short fiber-0.5 phr clay composite hybrid. UL-94 tests conducted on the composite hybrids have showed a reduction in the burning rate. Morphological observations indicated a greater fiber pull with the addition of clay. The performed tests in the present study indicated that materials under investigation have promising applications in construction, agriculture and decorative purposes.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권5호
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• pp.795-806
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• 2021

This study analyzes and assesses the effect of good governance consisting of accountability, transparency, and participation on the financial performance of Pare-Pare City local government moderated by the basic values of Siri culture in the form of Lempu (honesty), Amaccangeng (intelligence), and Awaraningeng (courage). The population of this research is 200 local government employees (respondents). The results of data analysis showed that accountability and participation variables had no significant effect on the financial performance of the Pare-Pare City local government. However, the transparency variable has an influence on local government financial performance. It is hoped that all these 3 variables (accountability, transparency, and participation) will have a significant effect on local government financial performance. To achieve this, it is necessary to apply cultural values that exist in society so that cultural values can provide greater guidance in the management of regional finances. The results provide a better understanding of the importance of Siri's cultural value in the implementation of public services to the community. With Siri's cultural values in the form of Lempu, Amaccangeng, and Awaraningeng embedded in their behavior, government employees can improve performance and avoid deviant behavior or corruption. The novelty of this research is a form of analysis by using local cultural values (the basic values of Siri culture) as the moderating variable.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.667-673
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• 2021

This causal quantitative research aims to investigate the influence of factors that determine the performance of employees in Indonesian universities. The factors are crucial for organizations in the achievement of their goals. Based on theoretical studies, three independent variables, namely, training, personality, and work motivation were tested for their influence on employee performance, which was the dependent variable. Primary data were obtained from 94 respondents of a total population of 122 individuals at the Education Quality Assurance Institute (LPMP) in Banten Province, Indonesia. They were tested by the normality test using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov approach to ensure their normally distributed population and the linearity test to measure the significant linear relationship between the two variables. There are five hypotheses in this study. Each hypothesis tested by the F-test to determine the significant effect of all independent variables on the dependent variable, and t-test to analyze the effect. The results of this study answered all hypotheses of the research model. There is a positive direct effect of training and personality on work motivation. Both training and personality also affect positively employee performance. Another finding of this study is that employee performance is positively and directly affected by work motivation.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.19-27
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of key factors such as service quality, perceived benefit and brand familiarity on a consumer's intention to order online food delivery (OFD). In addition, mediating effect of electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) between relationships among selected key variables and OFD purchase intention is also assessed. Research design, data and methodology: This explanatory, quantitative study employed convenience sampling and collected data through online structured questionnaire from 304 respondents who are users of OFD apps based in greater Klang valley region of Malaysia. The data was then subjected to normality and reliability assessment followed by confirmatory factor analysis, validity assessment and structural equation modelling using IBM SPSS AMOS 24.0. Results: Findings revealed that service quality, perceived benefits and brand familiarity affects purchase intention positively and significantly. Perceived benefits demonstrated highest impact on purchase intention followed by brand familiarity and service quality. Findings also suggest that e-WOM fully mediates relationship between brand familiarity and purchase intention, however, the same was not observed for remaining two variables. Conclusions: The study has enriched OFD literature by investigating impact of selected key factors on purchase intention in the context of OFD. Implications, limitations and future research avenues are then discussed.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.273-281
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• 2022

The purpose of this research is to look into the effects of organizational culture and training and development on work discipline and performance. The data for this study was directly obtained from employees of a municipal water corporation in Medan, Indonesia, with a total of 204 participants. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied for data analysis. The results showed that organizational culture and training and development positively and significantly affect performance. However, organizational culture and training & development positively affect employees' work discipline, albeit insignificantly. The findings of this study suggest that organizational culture and training and development play a critical role in shaping work discipline and performance in organizations in Indonesian settings. Therefore, the finding of this research engage all leaders in the organization to conduct training and development more intensively. Although it seems to have costly, this will have a good impact on the organization in the long run. Furthermore, the authors also suggest the creation of a solid organizational culture for every organization to foster excellent performance. However, each organization should choose its own acceptable organizational culture because it is possible that the organizational culture that works in one context does not work in another.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.19-26
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• 2024

This study examines a systematic and effective approach to career guidance in medical education, with a particular focus on the 6-year integrated career guidance education framework implemented at the College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea. Based on the "New SLICE" educational development principles, this framework comprehensively addresses the needs of medical students in career planning and development. It is structured into three phases: understanding yourself, exploring options, and choosing a specialty. The first phase, understanding yourself, helps students to recognize their strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes, and potentials, thereby setting the direction for future career choices. This phase includes various psychological tests and Self-Development and Portfolio courses. The second phase, exploring options, enables students to engage in related activities such as research and practical training, providing direct and indirect experiences across various fields. This phase offers courses including Medical Field Experience, Career Guidance through the Learning Community & Advisory Professors, and Student Participation in Professor Research Projects. The final phase, choosing a specialty, involves students making decisions based on in-depth self-assessment and exploration of majors, with a capstone project being a significant component. Maximizing the efficiency of career decision-making requires integration between the basic medical curriculum and postgraduate education. Including the period up to residency entrance in the framework is necessary for effective career guidance education.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.146-157
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• 2024

Purpose: Celiac disease (CD) is one of the most prevalent food-related illnesses in children, with a global prevalence of approximately 1.4%. CD can create an emotional burden, particularly on mothers, who are mainly responsible for managing challenges related to adherence to a gluten-free diet, high food costs, and food problems in schools and social areas. There is a gap in the literature, and parental experiences of raising children with CD should be explicitly examined. This qualitative study sought to provide insights into the experiences of parents raising a child with CD in the Turkish context. Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative research methodology and conducted individual semi-structured video-based dyadic interviews with 19 parents. Results: Participants experienced both challenges and motivators through management of their children's CD. Analyses of the interview transcripts through the data uncovered three main themes focusing primarily on parental concerns: (1) parental challenges in child's disease management, (2) supportive care needs, and (3) parental expectations. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary team should approach the child and family immediately after diagnosis, and facilities should support parents with continuing education and psychological, financial, and social assistance.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.321-328
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• 2008

The research was conducted to identify the antimicrobial effect, anti-oxidative effect and tyrosinase inhibitory effect of MeOH 80% extract and n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water fractions from the extract of six kinds of compositae plants, which are naturally grown across the nation. In the antimicrobial effect, the extract and chloroform fraction of Arctium lappa and hexane/ethyl acetate fractions of Taraxacum platycarpum exhibited significant inhibition. In case of antioxidant effect, the extract of Artemisia capillaries showed the highest effect and ethyl acetate/butanol fractions of all plants showed about 90%, which fractions were more polar than the fractions that showed antimicrobial effect. In case of tyrosinase activity, only the MeOH 80% of Arctium lappa among the extracts showed a potent inhibition, and butanol fraction of Chrysanthemum indicum, as well as ethyl acetate/water fractions of Artemisia capillaries showed 48, 38, and 37% respectively, which were higher than control group (arbutin). These active fractions in tyrosinase inhibition also were higher polarity than those that showed antimicrobial effect. In MeOH 80% extracts, only Arctium lappa was found to have antimicrobial, anti-oxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity, however there was no fraction to show effects commonly in the three assay system.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.750-760
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• 2009

In this study, the various effects of Salicornia herbacea, including antioxidative function, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory effect, and the effect of sebiparous reduction due to intervention of the DHT hormone were investigated using. The result of this study Based on this analysis, the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and WBC were found to be significantly decreased and SOD, Ca, K, and Zn were shown to be significantly increased significantly in the group that received the SH pill group after trial fora 12 week trials. Testosterone and DHT were increased in the SH pill group, but it was not statistically significant. In the case of the skin condition measurements, the number of blackhead pores, skin oiliness, keratin and, MIC were significantly decreased, and the pH was decreased to normal pH in the SH pill group. Therefore, it was confirmed that overall skin condition was improved due to Salicornia herbacea diet. The results of this research result can contribute so demonstrate the potential of actively using that the Salicornia herbacea can be actively developed as a health supplement, and a medication.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권14호
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• pp.5889-5897
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• 2015

Background: The performance of combined testing visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cervical cytology tests might differ from one setting to another. The average estimate of the testing accuracy across studies is informative, but no meta-analysis has been carried out to assess this combined method. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the average sensitivity and specificity of the combined VIA and cervical cytology tests for the detection of cervical precancerous lesions. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis, according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. We considered two cases. In the either-positive result case, a positive result implies positivity in at least one of the tests. A negative result implies negativity in both tests. In the both-positive case, a positive result implies having both tests positive. Eligible studies were identified using Pubmed, Embase, Website of Science, CINHAL and COCRANE databases. True positive, false positive, false negative and true negative values were extracted. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative likelihood (LR) and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were pooled using a hierarchical random effect model. Hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) were generated and heterogeneity was verified through covariates potentially influencing the diagnostic odds ratio. Findings: Nine studies fulfilled inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Pooled estimates of the sensitivities of the combined tests in either-positive and both-positive cases were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.83-0.90) and 0.38 (95% CI: 0.29-0.48), respectively. Corresponding specificities were 0.79 (95% CI: 0.63-0.89) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99) respectively. The DORs of the combined tests in either-positive or both-positive result cases were 27.7 (95% CI: 12.5-61.5) and 52 (95% CI: 22.1-122.2), respectively. When including only articles without partial verification bias and also a high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia as a threshold of the disease, DOR of combined test in both-positive result cases remained the highest. However, DORs decreased to 12.1 (95% CI: 6.05-24.1) and 13.8 (95% CI: 7.92-23.9) in studies without partial verification bias for the combined tests in the either-positive and both-positive result cases, respectively. The screener, the place of study and the size of the population significantly influenced the DOR of combined tests in the both-positive result case in restriction analyses that considered only articles with CIN2+ as disease threshold. Conclusions: The combined test in the either-positive result case has a high sensitivity, but a low specificity. These results suggest that the combined test should be considered in developing countries as a primary screening test if facilities exist to confirm, through colposcopy and biopsy, a positive result.