Bovine mammalian gland has biopotential in therapeutic protein production and could be used as a model in further lactation researches. In this study, we have isolated bovine mammary gland-derived epithelial cells (BMECs) from Korean Holstein dairy cattle and themselves show differential dynamic ability in in-vitro culture. BMECs enables to form lobulo-alveolar structure, express milk production related gene. Functional studies indicated that BMECs secret exogeneous antibacterial fragment-Bovine Lactoferricin B (bLfcin-B), which is inserted in PiggyBac system, and this bioactive fragment inhibits the growths of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These data demonstrated that BMECs open new scope in either bioactive fragment, heading to prevent the spread of mastitis or post-mastitis damage in dairy graze and could be an ideal bioreactor for antibacterial proteins.

This study extends research into whether disclosure of corporate and financial information is associated with firms’ costs of equity capital. This study sets out to examine empirically the determinants of corporate disclosure in the annual reports of 37 largest and most liquid firms listed on Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) in Kazakhstan. It also reports the results of the association between company-specific characteristics and disclosure of the sample companies. Based on the analysis of existing empirical research, the disclosure index has been constructed and regression analysis of the influence of the disclosure index on the cost of equity capital has been conducted. The obtained results show that the received findings correlate with foreign empirical studies, and the disclosure index in this sample has a negative impact on the cost of equity capital. Using cost of equity capital estimates derived from capital asset pricing model, we find that firms with higher levels of financial transparency are associated with significantly lower costs of equity capital. Economic theory assumes that by increasing the level of corporate reporting, firms not only increase their stock market liquidity, but also decrease the investors’ estimation risk, arising from uncertainty about future returns and payout distributions. The results show that firms on the Kazakhstan market can reduce their cost of equity capital by increasing the level of their voluntary corporate disclosures.

Lettuce is an important annual leafy vegetable and bitterness is its potent flavor character. Lettuce germplasm differ their phenotypic characters and sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) contents which are important for consumer’s acceptance. This study was carried out to evaluate the phenotypic characters and SLs contents in one hundred lettuce germplasm in Jeonju, Korea. Twenty-three agro-morphological (16 qualitative and 7 quantitative) traits and two SLs (lactucin and lactucopicrin) contents were studied in these germplasm. Germplasm exhibited the variation in qualitative and quantitative characters. Average plant weight was 423.9 g with a range from 116.0 to 905.0 g. Lactucin content was varied from 19.7 (IT 294226) to 194.4 ㎍/g (IT 294298) with an average concentration of 84.7 ㎍/g. Lactucopicrin ranged from 82.5 (IT 300134) to 2228.6 ㎍/g (IT 294210) with an average concentration of 586.3 ㎍/g. Total SLs content was ranged from 120.1 (IT 300134) to 2286.6 (IT 294210) ㎍/g with the average concentration of 671.0 ㎍/g. Significant (p≤0.05) differences were found between crisp head and butter head germplasm for lactucin, lactucopicrin and total SLs content. Crisp head germplasm revealed the highest average lactucin (112.9 ㎍/g), lactucopicrin (734.8 ㎍/g) and total SLs content (847.7 ㎍/g). Crisp head and leafy type germplasm exhibited more total SLs content (847.7 and 744.7 ㎍/g, respectively) than cos (524.9 ㎍/g) and butter head type (519.4 ㎍/g). Principal component analyses of the quantitative traits indicated that the first principal component axis accounted more than 91% of the total variation. This study revealed the ample genetic variation in the agro-morphological traits and SLs contents to support the selection for improved lettuce varieties.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review, analyze and identify the suitability of Kazakh gender policy for the changes taken place in the society with suggesting necessary changes. Research design, data, and methodology – After meticulous reviews of germane literature, the researchers applied an analytical approach which focuses on analyzing the Kazakh’s gender policy and its issuance guidelines based on the present requirement in the society. Even though the policy has introduced with astonishing prudence, present-day living trends in society require imperatively some notable modifications which protect the rights of women and minority sections of the society. Results – Through this gender policy, government has proffered required legal, financial and preferential support country’s women to participate in the management and legislation of the country. Kazakh gender policy requires upgradations which flawlessly support women in the lifestyles of the feminine community. Conclusions – In achieving gender equality in the economy as a priority area, Kazakh government monitoring persistently and closely the changing trends of women and their requirements which introduce necessary modifications to the existing gender policy of the country with the cooperation of international organization.

Two mini neutron monitors are installed at Concordia research station (Dome C, Central Antarctica, 75°06'S, 123°23'E, 3,233 m.a.s.l.). The site has unique properties ideal for cosmic ray measurements, especially for the detection of solar energetic particles: very low cutoff rigidity < 0.01 GV, high elevation and poleward asymptotic acceptance cones pointing to geographical latitudes > 75°S. The instruments consist of a standard neutron monitor and a "bare" (lead-free) neutron monitor. The instrument operation started in mid-January 2015. The barometric correction coefficients were computed for the period from 1 February to 31 July 2015. Several interesting events, including two notable Forbush decreases on 17 March 2015 and 22 June 2015, and a solar particle event of 29 October 2015 were registered. The data sets are available at cosmicrays.oulu.fi and nmdb.eu.

Purpose - This paper’s aim is to analyze the technological information in patent databanks as a strategy in prospecting for new technologies. Research design, data, and methodology - We detail the major free electronic database sources for patent information, the patent documents, the patent document structures, INID codes (Internationally Agreed Numbers for the Identification of Data), indexation, references, and classification notions. Additionally, we review and analyze information on the activities of the Center of Dissemination Documentation and Technological Information (CEDIN) from the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) of Brazil for the period 2000 to 2011. Results - The research shows that the technological information contained in the patents could provide a wide range of functionality within companies and universities. Conclusions - In recent years, (CEDIN), a specialist in intellectual property, has been serving internal and external users by providing guidance on the basis of patents and other literature, but the number of users served is still small. In order to familiarize more potential users of such technological information, task forces should be created among INPI, universities, and companies.

Purpose This research primarily assesses – interactive quality in the service encounters of Ethiopian Telecom from the customer and contact personnel perspectives. Research design, data, and methodology – After reviewing the literature on service encounters and interactive quality, two separate questionnaires and structured personal interviews were conducted to collect the opinions of 400 customers and 100 employees of Ethiopian Telecom. The researchers used convenience sampling; the responses, measured on a five-point Likert-type scale, were analyzed through chi-square tests conducted on SPSS 17.0. Results – Regarding the outcome expected by customers, encounter effectiveness is very low. Regarding accessibility and materiality, the corporation’s personnel are freely accessible, relatively well-dressed, and have access to sophisticated office equipment and physical facilities. Finally, with regard to agent satisfaction, the telecom’s contact employees are shown to gain little professional satisfaction from service encounters. Conclusion – The study clearly presents the areas in which interactive quality strongly affects both telecom customers and employees; this will help the corporation take corrective action. This is of utmost contemporary importance for both practitioners and researchers.

Purpose This – paper examines Kazakh women’s spending patterns and buying behavior. Research design, data, and methodology – After thoroughly reviewing the related literature on consumer behavior in general, and female consumer behavior in particular, both questionnaires and in-depth personal interviews were used to collect data from 400 Kazakh women consumers equally chosen from the age groups 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, and above 50. Results – A stratified and convenient sample was employed, and the selected five hypotheses were proved using the Karl Pearson Coefficient of Correlation. Related to spending patterns, 40 and 35 percent of the 20-30 and 30-40 age groups, respectively, of Kazakh women spend their incomes on personal items, as against 30 percent from both the 40-50 and 50 and above age groups. Twenty-five and 35 percent of the 40-50 and 50 and above age group, respectively, take decisions based on product quality, whereas this percentage is at its mite in the below 40 age group. Conclusions – The buying behavior of Kazakh women consumers is revealed; the results proffer useful background information to formulate marketing strategies.

This study is carried out in order to bridge the gap to understand the relationships between South Asian and East Asian monsoon systems by comparing the summer (June-September) precipitation of Nepal and South Korea. Summer monsoon precipitation data from Nepal and South Korea during 30 years (1981-2010) are used in this research to investigate the association. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data are also used to see the nature of large scale phenomena. Statistical applications are used to analyze these data. The analyzed results show that summer monsoon precipitation is higher over Nepal (1513.98 ± 159.29 mm y-1) than that of South Korea (907.80 ± 204.71 mm y-1) and the wettest period in both the countries is July. However, the coefficient of variation shows that amplitude of interannual variation of summer monsoon over South Korea (22.55%) is larger in comparison to that of Nepal (10.52%). Summer monsoon precipitation of Nepal is found to be significantly correlated to that of South Korea with a correlation coefficient of 0.52 (99% confidence level). Large-scale circulations are studied to further investigate the relationship between the two countries. wind and specific humidity at 850 hPa show a strong westerly from Arabian Sea to BOB and from BOB, wind moves towards Nepal in a northwestward direction during the positive rainfall years. In case of East Asia, strong northward displacement of wind can be observed from Pacific to South Korea and strong anticyclone over the northwestern Pacific Ocean. However, during the negative rainfall years, in the South Asian region we can find weak westerly from the Arabian Sea to BOB, wind is blowing in a southerly direction from Nepal and Bangladesh to BOB.

Purpose - This study aims to identify the reasons behind the conspicuous consumption of Veblen products, viz. fashion designer wear, diamond and gold jewellery, and high-end cars, to examine how conspicuous consumption varies between Aryan and Dravidian cultures. Research design, data, and methodology - The researchers meticulously review the relevant literature, administered a well-structured questionnaire, and conducted personal interviews on various influential factors relating to the consumption of Veblen products. The convenience sampling technique was used to gather data, with a total sample of 200, equally selected from eight cities of both North and South India the collected data was analyzed through ANOVA and Z-Proportion tests. Results - Indian consumers’ conspicuous consumption significantly varies among the Veblen products selected for the study, between the Aryan and Dravidian cultures. Regarding conspicuous consumption of branded accessories, 65 percent of Aryan culture Indians responded positively as against only 45 percent of the Dravidian culture Indians. Conclusions - This ingenious study proffers valuable insights about the conspicuous buying behavior of affluent class consumers in India, which are lucrative for both the corporate sector and academia.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered to be attractive approaching in gene or drug delivery for cancer therapeutic strategies. In this study, the ability and feasibility of human bone marrow derived MSCs expressing the cytosine deaminase (CD)/5-Fluorocytosin (5-FC) prodrug was evaluated to target human osteosarcoma cell line Cal-72. At first, the fibroblast-like cells were successfully obtained from human bone marrow and demonstrated that they contained full of stem characteristics by the ability of differentiation into adipocyte/osteocyte and expression of typical mesenchymal markers CD90, CD44, while negative for CD34 and CD133 markers. We established the stable CD-expressing MSCs cell line (CD-MSCs) by transfection of pEGFP-C3 containing cytosine deaminase::uracil phos-phoribosyltransferase (CD::UPRT) gene into MSCs, and confirmed that the manipulated MSCs still remained full characteristics of multipotent cells and shown migration toward human osteosarcoma cancer cells Cal-72 as high as origin MSCs. Based on bystander effect, the therapeutic CD-MSCs significantly augmented the cytotoxicity on cancer cell Cal72 in either direct co-culture or conditioned medium in the presence of 5-FC. Moreover, in osteosarcoma cancer- bearing mice, the therapeutic CD/5-FC MSCs showed the inhibition of tumor growth compared with control mice which was s.c injected with only Cal72. Our findings suggest that these therapeutic CD-MSCs may be suitable and viable cellular vehicles for targeting human osteosarcoma cancer.

The objective of the research was to study the determinants affecting the decision to study nautical science program within a Thai maritime institute in preparation for working post-graduation as a ship officer on a merchant ship. The samples are classified by institute, academic year, cumulative score level, domicile, and parent's monthly income. The total sample of study was 386 Thai merchant marine students. The data collection method was a one to five rating scale questionnaire. The statistical methods applied in analyzing the data were percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, one way analysis of variance and a Sheffe's test. The study shows seven factors that influenced the decision in descending order; expectations, tuition and scholarships, selection system, quality of the institute, background and private capability, generality of the institute and external influences on the decision. The decision to select an institute was classified by institute and revealed that different institutes had distinct determinants that led to the decision. The students were from The Merchant Marine Training Center and from The International Maritime College, Kasetsart University were differences. There were no dissimilarity between academic year, cumulative score level, domicile, and parent's monthly income.

Soluble sugar content in soybean seed is an important quality attribute for soyfood and feed. Usually, soluble sugars comprise 6 to 17% of total dry wt. in mature soybean seeds. In this study, 414 soybean mutant lines induced by gamma-ray were screened by colormetric assay, FACE (Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis), and GC-MS to identify the change of soluble sugar contents. Among 414 soybean mutant lines, 12 mutant lines derived from three different soybean cultivars (Hwanggum, Paldal, and Bangsa) showed higher level of soluble sugar content compared to their original cultivars. However, 5 mutant lines derived from soybean landrace KAS 636-15 showed lower level in the colormetric assay. In FACE, 17 soybean mutant lines selected by colormetric assay also showed different band intensity compared with their original cultivars. However, there were no different soluble sugar patterns between soybean original cultivars and mutant lines. Finally, the variations of soluble sugar content in 17 soybean mutant lines were confirmed by using GC-MS. These mutant lines will be used for genetic study to find mutations of genes related soluble sugar biosynthesis.

It is extremely important to predict the logistics requirements in a scientific and rational way. However, in recent years, the improvement effect on the prediction method is not very significant and the traditional statistical prediction method has the defects of low precision and poor interpretation of the prediction model, which cannot only guarantee the generalization ability of the prediction model theoretically, but also cannot explain the models effectively. Therefore, in combination with the theories of the spatial economics, industrial economics, and neo-classical economics, taking city of Erdos as the research object, the study identifies the leading industry that can produce a large number of cargoes, and further predicts the static logistics generation of the Erdos and hinterlands. By integrating various factors that can affect the regional logistics requirements, this study established a logistics requirements potential model from the aspect of spatial economic principles, and expanded the way of logistics requirements prediction from the single statistical principles to an new area of special and regional economics.

The protein in soybean seeds accounts for approximately 40% of the dry seed weight. Two major storage proteins, 7S and 11S, constitute 70-80% of the total storage proteins in the seeds. In this study, the variation of total soluble protein extracts from 1152 soybean landraces that have been collected from South Korea were studied using high-throughput screening method with HT Protein Express Labchip (Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.). Seven distinct protein band patterns - four protein sub-units of 11S and three sub-units of 7S, were taken into account and their presence or absence were analyzed. Among the 1152 landraces, 525 genotypes were identified as lacking lipoxygenase, 255 lacking α1 subunit, 680 lacking α subunit, 169 lacking β subunit, 140 lacking acidic, 114 lacking Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor (KTi) and 199 lacking basic protein patterns. The high-throughput protein analysis is helpful in screening a large number of populations with less time and minimum labor. The selected genotypes with low amounts or lacking of anti-nutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitor, lipoxygenase and α subunit would be used for future breeding purpose of quality improvement in soybean protein.

The objective of this study was to compare the attitude of merchant marine student of Thailand in 3 aspects; cognitive, affective and behavioral classified by institutes, domiciles, parent's occupation, parent's income per month, motivation and information receiving concerning mariner profession. The sample used in this study consisted of 867students in maritime institutes of Thailand. The instrument implemented in collecting data was a set of 30 five rating scale questionnaires. The statistical methods applied in analyzing the data were mean, standard deviation, t-test and one way analysis of variance and fisher's LSD. The results of this research shows that the attitude in vocational education of Thai merchant marine student was of the high in every aspect. Attitude for mariner profession of Thai merchant marine student in terms of different institutes had different in all aspects. In terms of different domiciles, it shows different attitude in affection and similar attitude in cognition and behavior. In terms of parent's occupation, it shows similar in all aspects. In terms of parent's income per month, it shows different attitude in cognition and affection and similar attitude in behavior. In terms of motivation, it shows similar in all aspects. In terms of information receiving concerning mariner profession, it shows different attitude in all aspects.

As the competition among the container terminals in Korea has become increasingly fierce, every terminal is striving to increase its investments constantly and lower its operational costs in order to maintain the competitive edge and provide satisfactory services to terminal users. The unreasoning behavior, however, has induced that substantial waste and inefficiency exists in container terminal production. Therefore, it is of great importance for the terminal to know whether it has fully used its existing infrastructures and that output has been maximized given the input. From this perspective, data envelopment analysis (DEA) provides a more appropriate benchmark. This study applies three models of DEA to acquire a variety of analytical results about the operational efficiency to the Korean container terminals. According to efficiency value analysis, this study first finds the reason of inefficiency. It is followed by identification of the potential areas of improvement for inefficient terminals by applying slack variable method and giving the projection results. Finally, return to scale approach is used to assess whether each terminal is in a state of increasing, decreasing, or constant return to scale. The results of this study can provide terminal managers with insight into resource allocation and optimization of the operating performance.

The container port industry has been variously studied by many researchers, because the contemporary container transportation and container port industries play a pivotal role in globalization of the world economy. For container terminals, the productivity, affected by many factors, is an important target in measuring container terminal performance. Under this background, finding the critical factors affecting the productivity is necessary. Regression analysis can be used to identify which independent variables are related to the dependent variable, and explore the relationships of them. The aim of paper is to evaluate the factors affecting the productivity of Chinese major terminals by using a regression statistical analysis modeling approach, which is to establish the variable preprocessing model (VPM) and regression analysis model (RAM), by means of collecting the major Chinese container terminals data in the year of 2008.