• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2018

The family Thapariellidae has been reported in only 3 countries since 1990. The objective of this study was to identify Thapariella anastomusa metacercariae in snails in Thailand based on morphological traits using a light (LM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A total of 94 Filopaludina snails were collected and identified as 50 F. martensi martensi and 44 F. doliaris. Metacercariae of T. anastomusa were recovered from the snails by the crushing method. The overall prevalence was 22.3% (21/94), and the mean intensity was 17.0 per snail. The prevalence in F. martensi martensi was 24.0% (12/50) and F. doliaris 20.5% (9/44) with the mean intensity of 18.8 and 14.8 per snail, respectively. SEM revealed traits such as a concave ventral body and well-developed oral and ventral suckers. This study represents the first report of T. anastomusa in South East Asia. While LM and SEM observations provide novel insights into T. anastomusa metacercarial morphology and life history, the trematode's life cycle remains unclear. To date, there has been no report of T. anastomusa causing infections in humans. However, the snails F. martensi martensi and F. doliaris carrying the infective stages of T. anastomosa are frequently consumed by Thai people. This consumption, particularly uncooked snails, may present a risk of Thapariella infections in humans.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2017

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that have an impact on public policy, green products and technology in Kuala Lumpur, given government initiatives to boost the environment awareness. The data used in this study was collected by distribution questionnaires randomly in six areas of Kuala Lumpur and 400 respondents were interviewed. Based on a literature review, three hypotheses were stated and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). SEM is a statistical analysis method that involved two or more variables in analyzing structural relationships among the variables. The SEM model shows that green products and government policies have a direct influence on environmental awareness. However, green technology does not have a direct influence on environmental awareness. Since, knowledge on green technology does not have a significant impact on raising environmental awareness among the public, a much more pragmatic awareness campaign needs to be put in place to use green technology as a part of modern living. The study suggests that the urban population needs to be more aware of the environmental issue as cities tend to have better infrastructure to raise public awareness on green issues. Moreover, the government should increase the environmental awareness among younger generation through workshops, seminars, campaigns, and pamphlets.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.117-124
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• 2015

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to verify traffic accident injury severity factors for elderly drivers and the relative relationship of these factors. METHODS : To verify the complicated relationship among traffic accident injury severity factors, this study employed a structural equation model (SEM). To develop the SEM structure, only the severity of human injuries was considered; moreover, the observed variables were selected through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The number of fatalities, serious injuries, moderate injuries, and minor injuries were selected for observed variables of severity. For latent variables, the accident situation, environment, and vehicle and driver factors were respectively defined. Seven observed variables were selected among the latent variables. RESULTS : This study showed that the vehicle and driver factor was the most influential factor for accident severity among the latent factors. For the observed variable, the type of vehicle, type of accident, and status of day or night for each latent variable were the most relative observed variables for the accident severity factor. To verify the validity of the SEM, several model fitting methods, including ${\chi}^2/df$, GFI, AGFI, CFI, and others, were applied, and the model produced meaningful results. CONCLUSIONS : Based on an analysis of results of traffic accident injury severity for elderly drivers, the vehicle and driver factor was the most influential one for injury severity. Therefore, education tailored to elderly drivers is needed to improve driving behavior of elderly driver.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.142-155
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• 2011

By developing attitude transfer model, this study examined the co-marketing alliance effect between fashion and other industries (i.e., service and product brands) based upon the information integration theory. In addition, it examined the product tangibility/intangibility effects of partner brands by controlling stimuli: two alliance cases of fashion and service brands and two alliance cases of fashion and product brands. A total of 1,037 Korean women aged 20 to 39 were surveyed to compare the prior- and post- attitudes toward fashion/partner brands under four fictitious co-marketing alliance cases. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multi-group CFA, structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, and multi-group SEM analysis were conducted to test the hypotheses. The results demonstrated that the prior-attitude toward fashion brand partially affected the alliance attitude, and the co-marketing alliance was affected by prior-attitudes partner brands. The result of multi-group SEM analysis supported the significant differences between service and product brands as alliance partners, which might refer to the effect of product tangibility, existing in brand alliance contexts. The alliance evaluation affected the subsequent evaluations on each participating brands. This study empirically provides the conceptual structure of how consumer attitudes toward the participating brands interact with the attitudes toward alliance and offer practical insights. Specifically, upon employing the manipulated co-marketing alliances cases, this study demonstrates the partnering effect according to product tangibility of partner brands.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.23 no.6_2
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• pp.927-934
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• 2020

Magnesium powder has been widely used in various industries because it is light weight and extremely high mechanical strength including aeronautics and chemicals. However, magnesium, as a combustible metal, poses serious safety issues such as fires and explosions if it is not managed properly. Especially, magnesium's max adiabatic flame temperature is 3,340℃ and it is impossible to extinguish it by using water, CO2 and Halonagents. The aim of this study is to identify the combustion characteristics of magnesium powder. We carried out a combustion experiment, using 1 kg of magnesium (purity > 99 %, particle < 150 ㎛). The features of the magnesium burning process were scrutinized using infrared thermal image analysis. Also, a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) were used employed to analyze particulate composites and properties. It concludes the significant tendency of magnesium fire and light, combustion carbide's particle characteristics. This study contributes to make better prevention and response manners to magnesium fires, as well as fire investigation measures.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.161-170
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• 2021

The study aims to investigate the mediating effect of strategic planning on the relationship between managerial skills and the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Punjab, Pakistan. Stratified proportionate probability sample method was used to select the 265 SMEs. The study applied a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the proposed research hypotheses by using PLS-SEM. This research examines the direct and indirect effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMEs using the SEM test. The results indicate the positive effect of managerial skills on SMEs' performance and also suggested that strategic planning mediates the relationship between managerial skills and SMEs' performance. In addition, the role of managerial skills on the usage of the company's resources is highly influential through strategic planning. Strategic planning has been found to impact significantly and positively on the relationship between managerial skills and performance of SMEs in Punjab, Pakistan. The findings suggested that, in devising appropriate strategies for SMEs, the effect of managerial skills on the utilization of the firm's resources can be more effective to the firm's performance. In short, the utilization of a firm's resources through a proper planning is more essential for the sustainability of SMEs.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

This study is to establish the coating technique for synthetic mica and to prepare synthetic mica with the non-aqueous property. The surface coating of synthetic mica is prepared with stearic acid using the high speed stirrer. The characterizations for mica powders coated the stearic acid are carried out by the deposition test, XRD and SEM. The results of research could be coated the stearic acid on the mica by 1600 rpm/min at $70^{\circ}C$ for 10 min. From the observation of SEM was found that the non-aqueous property mica could obtained by mixture ratios for stearic acid and mica, the inner temperature and rotation speed of the stirrer but treated time be unrelated.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2007

KTX (Korea Train eXpress) is launched as the $5^{th}$ develop a ride-comfort model for high-speed rail pasengers using structural equation model (SEM). Both qualitative and quantitative factors affecting ride-comfort were investigated, and employed to construct a comprehensive ride-comfort model. The SEM model was built with twenty measurement variables and seven latent variables for the evaluation of ride-comfort of high-speed train passenger. A total of six hundreds thirty two subjects participated in the evaluation using face-to-face survey method. As a result, the proposed SEM model model fitnes (GFI=0.93). According to the results, overall ride-comfort was significantly affected by the seat-, fatigue-, interior-related, and customer satisfaction variables such as fare. Among the engineering design variables of high-speed train, seat-related variables were identified as critical factors of the ride-comfort. It is expected that the result of this study could be useful for the enhancement of ride comfort in next generation KTX.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.21-29
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• 2017

Background: The measurement of the strength of the shoulder muscles is an important element of the overall assessment of patients with various shoulder disorders. However, the clinical utilization of this measurement is dependent on its reproducibility. Objects: To explore the reproducibility of the measurements derived from testing of the isokinetic strength of shoulder muscles in patients with tendinitis of the rotator cuff. Methods: A total of 20 patients with tendinitis of the rotator cuff participated in this study and were assessed twice in 1 week. Isokinetic testing was performed concentrically for shoulder flexors, abductors, and external rotators and eccentrically for the shoulder extensors, adductors, and internal rotators. The relative and absolute reproducibility of the peak torque (PT) and ratios were assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal clinically important difference (MCID), respectively. Results: Overall, high to excellent ICC, clinically acceptable SEM and MCID values were obtained for the PT (ICC: .83-.95, SEM: 1.2%-9%, MCID: 3.4%-25%) and ratios (ICC: .85-.93, SEM: 5.1%-10%, MCID: 14.2%-27.6%). Conclusion: These findings suggest that isokinetic tests may be effectively utilized for the determination of shoulder strength profiles and appropriate position are recommended to perform test without pain in patients with tendinitis of the rotator cuff.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.284-289
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• 2017

In this study, natural clay as a filler was systematically integrated into polysulfone nanofibers to prepare polysulfone/clay composite membranes with mechanical properties. The composite nanofibers were formed by electrospinning of a mixed precursor of polysulfone and clay. The pore size of the composite membranes was adjusted by simply controlling the number of layers of nanofibers. The overall membrane properties were examined by SEM, contact angle, pore characteristics, tensile strength and water flux. In particular, the presence of clay within the nanofibers was confirmed with SEM images and the mechanical property of the composite nanofiber membranes was examined by tensile strength measurements. Thus, the prepared composite membranes were expected to be utilized for water treatment system.