• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-73
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• 2024

Unicorn companies are attracting attention around the world as they are recognized for their high corporate value in a short period of time as an innovative business models. Their growth process presents good lessons for the startup ecosystem and have a positive impact on national economic development and job creation. However, previous studies related to unicorn companies are focused on 'event studies' and 'case studies' such as characteristics of founders, environmental factors, business models and success/failure cases of companies already recognized as unicorns rather than a multifaceted approach. The occurrence of unicorn companies and Macroscopic analysis of related factors is lacking. Against this background, this study are considering the characteristics of unicorns examined through previous research and the current status unicorns with a high proportion of technology companies, the purpose was to analyze the impact of the country's technological competitiveness, such as 'technology human resource index', 'R&D index', and 'technology infrastructure index', on the increase in unicorn companies. For statistical analysis, data published by various international organizations, the Bank of Korea, and Statistics Korea from 2017 to 2020 and unicorn company data compiled by CB Insights were used as panel data for 44 countries to be tested by multiple regression analysis. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that the number of science majors had a positive (+) effect on the increase of unicorn companies in the case of technology human resource index, and in the case of R&D index, the total amount of R&D investment had a positive (+) effect on the increase of unicorn companies, while the number of Triad Patents Families and the number of scientific and technological papers published had a negative (-) effect on the increase of unicorn companies. Finally, in the case of technology infrastructure index, it was confirmed that the number of the world's 500th-ranked universities had a positive (+) effect on the increase of unicorn companies. This study is the first to reveal the causal relationship between national technological competitiveness and unicorn company growth based on country-specific and time-series empirical data, which were insufficiently covered in previous studies. and compared to the UN's ranking of the global industrial competitiveness index and the OECD's total R&D investment by country, Korea is considered to have technological and growth potential, while the number of unicorn companies driving growth as leaders of the innovative economy is relatively small, so the research results can be used when establishing policies to discover and foster unicorn companies in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.29-39
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• 2023

In this study, an analysis of medical waste generation characteristics was conducted, differentiating between ordinary situation and the outbreaks of massive infectious diseases. During ordinary situation, prediction models for medical waste quantities by type, general medical waste(G-MW), hazardous medical waste(H-MW), infectious medical waste(I-MW), were established through regression analysis, with all significance values (p) being <0.0001, indicating statistical significance. The determination coefficient(R2) values for prediction models of each category were analyzed as follows : I-MW(R2=0.9943) > G-MW(R2=0.9817) > H-MW(R2=0.9310). Additionally, factors such as GDP(G-MW), the number of medical institutions (H-MW), and the elderly population ratio(I-MW), utilized as influencing factors and consistent with previous literature, showed high correlations. The total MW generation, evaluated by combining each model, had an MAE of 2,615 and RMSE of 3,353. This indicated accuracy levels similar to the medical waste models of H-MW(2,491, 2,890) and I-MW(2,291, 3,267). Due to limitations in accurately estimating the quantity of medical waste during the rapid and outbreaks of massive infectious diseases, the generation unit of I-MW was derived to analyze its characteristics. During the early unstable stage of infectious disease outbreaks, the generation unit was 8.74 kg/capita·day, 2.69 kg/capita·day during the stable stage, and an average of 0.08 kg/capita·day during the reduction stage. Correlation analysis between generation unit of I-MW and lethality rates showed +0.99 in the unstable stage, +0.52 in the stable stage, and +0.96 in the reduction period, demonstrating a very high positive correlation of +0.95 or higher throughout the entire outbreaks of massive infectious diseases. The results derived from this study are expected to play a useful role in establishing an effective medical waste management system in the field of health care.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2015

In 2014, on 31 August and 1 September, the emissions of $CH_4$, $CO_2$, and $O_2$ gases were measured six times using the closed chamber method from exposed tidal flat sediments in the same position relative to the low point of the tidal cycle in the Eoeun-ri, Taean-gun, on the Mid-western Coast of Korea. The concentrations of $CH_4$ in the air sample collected in the chamber were measured using gas chromatography with an EG analyzer, model GS-23, within 6 hours of collection, and the other gases were measured in real time using a multi-gas monitor. The gas emission fluxes (source (+), and sink (-)) were calculated from a simple linear regression analysis of the changes in the concentrations over time. In order to see the surrounding parameters (water content, temperature, total organic carbon, average mean size of sediments, and the temperature of the inner chamber) were measured at the study site. On the first day, across three measurements during 5 hours 20 minutes, the observed $CO_2$ flux absorption was -137.00 to $-81.73mg/m^2/hr$, and the $O_2$ absorption, measured simultaneously, was -0.03 to $0.00mg/m^2/hr$. On the second day using an identical number of measurements, the $CO_2$ absorption was -20.43 to $-2.11mg/m^2/hr$, and the $O_2$ absorption -0.18 to $-0.14mg/m^2/hr$. The $CH_4$ absorption before low tide was $-0.02mg/m^2/hr$ (first day, Pearson correlation coefficient using the SPSS statistical analysis is -0.555(n=5, p=0.332, pronounced negative linear relationship)), and $-0.15mg/m^2/hr$ (second day, -0.915(n=5, p=0.030, strong negative linear relationship)) on both measurement days. The emitted flux after low tide on both measurement days reached a minimum of $+0.00mg/m^2/hr$ (+0.713(n=5, p=0.176, linear relationship which can be almost ignored)), and a maximum of $+0.03mg/m^2/hr$ (+0.194(n=5, p=0.754, weak positive linear relationship)) after low tide. However, the absolute values of the $CH_4$ fluxes were analyzed at different times. These results suggest that rate for $CH_4$ fluxes, even the same time and area, were influenced by changes in the tidal cycle characteristics of surface sediments for understanding their correlation with these gas emissions, and surrounding parameters such as physiochemical sediments conditions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.320-328
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• 2008

Background: Numerous surgical devices for mitral repair have been used in the past with good results. In this study we describe a simple annuloplasty technique with using a new device ($Mitracon^{(R)}$). The aim of this study was to assess its efficacy and surgical results with using $Mitracon^{(R)}$. Material and Method: From May 2003 to October 2005, 46 patients (21 women and 25 men (mean age of $51.4{\pm}17.8$ years) with mitral regurgitation from various causes were treated with either the $Mitracon^{(R)}$ (the $Mitracon^{(R)}$ group) or the Capentier Edward rigid ring (the CE group). The median follow-up duration was 18.9 months. Result: The mean grade of mitral regurgitation before and immediately after surgery in the $Mitracon^{(R)}$ group and the CE group decreased from $3.2{\pm}0.8$ to $0.6{\pm}0.7$ and $3.4{\pm}0.7$ to $0.3{\pm}0.5$, respectively. There were no significant changes in the ejection fraction either between the two groups or before and immediately after surgery. No deaths were seen in either group. Early postoperative echocardiography of all 46 patients showed only trivial mitral regurgitation or none at all. Echocardiography at a median of 18.9 months also showed no progression in mitral regurgitation. The mean grade of mitral regurgitation in the $Mitracon^{(R)}$ group at this time point decreased from $3.2{\pm}0.8$ to $0.8{\pm}0.7$ (p<0.05). The CE group also showed a similar degree of decrease from $3.4{\pm}0.7$ to $0.3{\pm}0.6$ (p<0.05). The mitral valve area in the $Mitracon^{(R)}$ group at 1 year follow-up was $3.3{\pm}0.9cm^2$. The mitral valve area in the CE group was $2.7{\pm}0.6cm^2$. The mean mitral pressure gradient in the $Mitracon^{(R)}$ group at 1 year follow-up was $3.1{\pm}1.3$ mmHg. The mean pressure gradient in the CE group was $4.5{\pm}2.1$ mmHg, although any statistical significant difference for this between the groups was not reached. Conclusion: The present study showed the described technique to be safe and effective in the intermediate term. Because long term results are unavailable, a more extensive prospective randomized multicenter trial may be warranted to determine whether this procedure should be generally applied for repair of mitral valve disease.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.192-198
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• 2012

Experiments were conducted to investigate the optimum concentration of nutrient solution in hydroponics for strawberry 'Ssanta' bred at Gyongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services. Nutrient solutions for strawberry, which made by Yamazaki, were supplied EC (Electrical Conductivity) 0.6, 0.8, 1.2, and $1.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ after planting on cocopeat medium during experiment period. Growth of shoot of strawberries did not show statistical differences among treatments. Fruit length showed the longest in EC $0.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in all clusters. In the second flower cluster, fruit length showed longer in EC 0.8 and $1.2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ than EC 0.6 and $1.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. In the third flower cluster, it showed the longest in EC 0.8 and $1.2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, followed by 0.6 and $1.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The longest was in EC $0.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the shortest in EC $1.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in the fourth flower cluster. Fruit diameter did not show significant differences among treatments, but longest in EC 0.8 and $1.2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in all clusters. The heaviest mean fruit weight appeared in EC $0.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in all flower clusters. And heavier in EC $1.2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in the second and third clusters. Also the weight was significantly light in plants grown in EC 0.6 and $1.8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in the second and third cluster. Soluble solids of fruit was the highest in EC $0.6dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in all clusters. As the results, we came to the conclusion that the optimum EC for strawberry 'Ssanta' was EC $0.8{\sim}1.2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in this experiment.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2013

Purpose: Changes of refractive correction value in different age group were investigated. Regarding the inhibitive effects against myopia progression after wearing reverse geometry contact lenses and myopia control lenses (MC lenses), the effects after wearing single vision lenses were compared. Methods: We organized children between the ages of six and fifteen into three groups by age, and distributed fifty-seven reverse geometry contact lenses, fifty-six MC lenses and seventy-eight single vision lenses among them to be worn. Group 1 consisted of children aged ten and under, Group 2 consisted of children between the ages of eleven and fifteen, and Group 3 represents all of the study participants. The aim of this study was to learn the inhibitive effects against myopia progression attained by changes of refractive correction value and to verify their statistical significance at twelve months and under, thirteen to twenty-four months and twenty-five to thirty-six months. Results: Changes of refractive correction value by each length of use in Group 3 were as follows. For the age group of under twelve months, participants using the reverse geometric contact lens showed no change, while those using the MC or single vision lens had significant changes (P<0.05) of $-0.36{\pm}0.10$ D and $-0.67{\pm}0.52$ D, respectively. Users of all three lens types displayed significant change (P<0.05), in the age group of between thirteen and twenty-four months, of $0.18{\pm}0.49$ D, $0.60{\pm}0.42$ D and $1.37{\pm}0.72$ D for users of the reverse geometry contact lens, the MC lens and the single vision lens, respectively. There were significant changes (P<0.05) of $0.29{\pm}0.61$ D, $0.93{\pm}0.57$ D and $1.72{\pm}0.78$ in the same respective order as the above in the age group of twenty-five to thirty-six months. Refractive correction value showed changes with different age group. Group 1 displayed significant changes (P<0.05) of $0.29{\pm}0.73$ D, $1.07{\pm}0.59$ D and $1.75{\pm}0.74$ D for users of the reverse geometry contact lens, MC lens and single vision lens, respectively, up to thirty-six months of lens wearing; Group 2, also up to thirty-six months, displayed significant changes (P<0.05) of $0.28{\pm}0.42$ D, $0.75{\pm}0.49$ D and $1.70{\pm}0.84$ D in the same respective order, and changes in refractive correction for the age group under ten years was significantly greater (P<0.05) for the age group of eleven and older. Conclusions: The results found in this study demonstrate that there were no changes of refractive correction value for the case of wearing reversing geometry contact lens up to twelve month or less. MC lens showed less changes in variations of visual acuity for all users which might be resulted in inhibiting progression of myoptia. When both reverse geometry contact lens and the MC lens are wearing for the period from 13 to 36 month, both lens showed less changes in variation of visual acuity for all users. The results suggested that the less changes in variation of visual acuity of both lens had an effect on inhibiting progression of myopia.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1986

This experiment was carried out to obtain genetic information for future corn breeding. The materials used for the study were obtained from the nationwide collection of Korean local corn lines. A total of 262 lines were used for the study of morphological characters and for the classification of lines. Results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The days to flowering of lines ranged from 57 days to 87 days. Most lines had an average of 67 days of flowering days. 2. The number of tillers of lines showed a lot of variation among lines with 49.2% of coefficient of variation. 3. The coefficients of variation computed based on the phenotypic observation or measurement of each line were 36.1%, 27.2%, 20.0%, 16.4% and 16.3% for kernel weight per ear, 100 kernel weight, ear height, plant height and ear length, respectively. 4. Ear height, ear length, ear diameter, tiller number and days to flowering were highly and positively correlation with the plant height. Kernel size, ear size, and plant height were highly correlated with 100 kernel weight and kernel weight per ear. 5. The 262 corn lines were possibly classified into four major groups by the Euclidean distance. Group I comprised 110 lines, group II 74 lines, group III 66 lines and group IV 12 lines, respectively. Group I was characterized as having early maturity, medium plant height large kernel size and large ear size. Group II had medium maturity, short plant height, medium kernel size and small ear size. Group III had medium maturity, medium plant height, large kernel size and medium ear size. Group IV had late maturity, long plant height, small kernel size, small ear size and many tillering. 6. The plant height showed significant difference between group I and II, II and III, and II and IV group. No statistical differences were observed between group III and IV. The ear size of group I was significantly different from those of group II, III and IV. Also difference of ear size between group II and III was significant. The kernel size, 100 kernel weight and kernel weight per ear were all significantly different among all groups classified. The row number was different between group I and II. The row number of lines in group IV was significantly different with group I, II, III respectively. The number of tillers and flowering days of lines in group IV were greatly different from those of group I, II and III. 7. The corn lines collected from northwest plain regions and middle hilly regions in Korea had medium maturity, medium plant height, large ear and large kernels. The corn lines from middle eastern hilly regions had medium size of ear kernels. The corn lines from middle southern hilly regions had late maturity, small kernel size and many tillers. The corn lines from southwest plain areas had late maturity, long plant height and many tillers.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.139-152
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• 2002

Objectives：This study was conducted to compare the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics by DSM-IV subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) patients who did not have comorbid psychiatric disorders. Methods：5-15 year old children with ADHD were recruited at psychiatric outpatient clinic of Yeungnam University hospital and the patients with comorbidity or neurological abnormalities were excluded. Finally, total 404 children with ADHD were selected for this study. There were 234 subjects of ADHD-C(57.9%), 156 subjects of ADHD-I(38.6%) and 14 subjects of ADHD-HI(3.5%), who fulfilled the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. The mean age of the total subjects was 9.63±2.49 years old. The psychopathology, IQ, behavioral problems, neuropsychological executive function were evaluated before pharmacological treatment. The measures were Korean Personality Inventory of Child(K-PIC) for psychopathology, 4 behavioral check lists(ADDES-HV, ACTeRS, CAP, SNAP) for behavioral symptoms of ADHD, K-ABC and KEDI-WISC for IQ and Conner's CPT, WCST, SST for neuropsychological executive functions. Results：1) The prevalence of subtypes was ADHD-C, ADHD-I, ADHD-HI in decreasing order. There was no sex difference of prevalence among three subtypes. The mean age of ADHD-I was older than other subtypes. 2) There was significant differences of psychopathology among subtypes, the ADHD-C and ADHD-HI had higher than the ADHD-I in the scores of delinquent, hyperactivity and psychosis；the ADHD-C had higher than the ADHD-I in the scores of family relation and autism, the scores of ego resilience were lower than the ADHD-I. However, there was no difference in anxiety, depression and somatization scores among them. 3) The results of behavioral symptom check lists, the ADHD-C had higher the score of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity than the ADHD-I. Meanwhile the results of ACTeRs, which rated by the teachers, were different. 4) There were significant differences of sequential processing scale and arithmetics among subtypes in IQ using K-ABC, but there was no significant difference between the ADHD-C and the ADHD-I after excluding the ADHD-HI due to small numbers. 5) There was numerical difference among subtypes but did not reach statistical significance in three neuropsychological executive function tests. Conclusion：In conclusion, our results revealed that there was significant difference in clinical features among three subtypes but, no significant difference in executive functions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.429-440
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine sodium-related nutrition knowledge, eating attitudes, eating behaviors, and self-efficacy by stages of behavioral change in reducing sodium intake among childcare center foodservice employees. Methods: Subjects (n = 333) were categorized according to two groups based on the stages of change; Pre-action stage (PA group: precontemplation/contemplation/preparation stage), Action stage (A group: action/maintenance stage). Results: A major source of sodium-related nutrition information was TV/radio (56.6%) and only 166 people (49.8%) have experienced nutrition education specific to sodium. Although the A group showed slightly higher scores for nutrition knowledge than the PA group, the difference was not significant. The percentages of correct answers for 'daily goal of sodium intake for adults (27.0%)', 'calculation of sodium content in nutrition labeling (30.3%)' were low for both groups. The A group (total score: 40.3) had more desirable eating attitudes regarding reducing sodium intake than the PA group (36.6, p < 0.001). The total score for eating behaviors was slightly higher in the A group (49.6) than in the PA group (48.5), but without statistical significance. The A group (total score: 58.2) also received higher scores for self-efficacy regarding reducing sodium intake than the PA group (52.5, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that nutrition education for childcare center foodservice employees should be expanded and customized education should be implemented according to the stages in reducing sodium intake. It is also suggested that food companies make efforts to develop low-sodium products.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2001

Purpose : This study is a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy and complication of anti-emetic drugs for prevention of nausea and vomiting after radiotherapy which has moderate emetogenic potential. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the anti-emetic efficacy of ondansetron $(Zofran^{\circledR})$ 8 mg bid dose (Group O) is better than the efficacy of metoclopramide 5 mg lid dose (Group M) in patients undergoing fractionated radiotherapy to the abdominal region. Materials and Methods : Study entry was restricted to those patients who met the following eligibility criteria: histologically confirmed malignant disease; no distant metastasis; performance status of not more than ECOG grade 2; no previous chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Between March 1997 and February 1998, 60 patients enrolled in this study. All patients signed a written statement of informed consent prior to enrollment. Blinding was maintained by dosing identical number of tablets including one dose of matching placebo for Group O. The extent of nausea, appetite loss, and the number of emetic episodes were recorded everyday using diary card. The mean score of nausea, appetite loss and the mean number of emetic episodes were obtained in a weekly interval. Results : Prescription error occurred in one patient. And diary cards have not returned in 3 patients due to premature refusal of treatment. Card from one patient was excluded from the analysis because she had a history of treatment for neurosis. As a result, the analysis consisted of 55 patients. Patient characteristics and radiotherapy characteristics were similar except mean age was $52.9{\pm}11.2$ in group M, $46.5{\pm}9.5$ in group O. The difference of age was statistically significant. The mean score of nausea, appetite loss and emetic episodes in a weekly interval was higher in group M than O. In group M, the symptoms were most significant at 5th week. In a panel data analysis using mixed procedure, treatment group was only significant factor detecting the difference of weekly score for all three symptoms. Ondansetron $(Zofran^{\circledR})$ 8 mg bid dose and metoclopramide 5 mg lid dose were well tolerated without significant side effects. There were no clinically important changes In vital signs or clinical laboratory parameters with either drug. Conclusion : Concerning the fact that patients with younger age have higher emetogenic potential, there are possibilities that age difference between two treatment groups lowered the statistical power of analysis. There were significant difference favoring ondansetron group with respect to the severity of nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. We concluded that ondansetron is more effective anti-emetic agents in the control of radiotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite without significant toxicity, compared with commonly used drug, i.e., metoclopramide. However, there were patients suffering emesis despite the administration of ondansetron. The possible strategies to improve the prevention and the treatment of radiotherapy-induced emesis must be further studied.