An Empirical Study on the Utilization and Performance of the Korea-China FTA in Korean SMEs

Zhifeng Shen,Tae-In Kim,Lifu Chen 한국무역학회 2019 Journal of Korea trade Vol.23 No.4

Purpose - Based on the Korea-China FTA as the starting point, this paper makes an empirical analysis of the main influencing factors of the FTA utilization and performance of SMEs. Design/methodology - Taking into account the relationship between the internal and external environmental factors on FTA activities and performance of Korea’s SMEs, with PLS-SEM and data obtained by the questionnaire, Smart PLS was applied for the analysis. Findings - The recognition of FTA in SMEs has a significant positive effect on FTA utilization and performance, the international marketing orientation factor only has a significant positive effect on the performance, while the inadequate improvement of non-tariff barriers has a significant negative impact on FTA utilization. In addition, FTA activity has a significant mediation effect on two paths. Originality/value - This paper is of great practical relevance as a tool to enable SMEs to make effective utilization of Korea-China FTA and improve their imports and exports. The paper helps grasp the main factors affecting the utilization and performance of FTA for SMEs, also to establish FTA Business Model and FTA utilization plans for specific industries in the future regarding tariff and non-tariffs compatibility.

Research on the Logical Evolution of Internationalization Strategy of Chinese Construction Enterprises Based on the Concept of Project Sharing

Shen Zhifeng,Li Meng,Li Yutao 인하대학교 국제관계연구소 2022 Pacific Focus Vol.37 No.2

Under the initiative of “One Belt, One Road,” Chinese construction enterprises are facing problems such as project failures, budget overruns, and inadequate strategic positioning in the process of promoting their internationalization strategies in view of the increasingly tense situation of “Thucydides's Trap,” “America First,” and “Kindleberger Trap.” Chinese construction enterprises should adjust their international strategic logic to reconstruct the relationship between the internationalization strategy of the construction enterprises and the project sharing concept. This article analyzes the relationship between project sharing and the success of internationalization strategy of construction enterprises by elaborating on the connotation and concept of internationalization strategy and project sharing of construction enterprises. Based on the analysis of the project sharing concept, this article puts forward the evolutionary logic of internationalization strategy of Chinese construction enterprises in four stages, and analyzes the strategic logic of “winning” internationalization of construction enterprises based on the concept of project sharing. The research results provide new ideas and methods for Chinese construction enterprises to carry out international project cooperation and formulate international strategy, which has important theoretical and practical value.

A Game Analysis of the Evolution of China–US Trade Friction Based on “Differential Pattern” and “Group Pattern”

Shen Zhifeng,Xia Yifan,Wang Wei,Li Zhihui,하헌구 인하대학교 국제관계연구소 2023 Pacific Focus Vol.38 No.1

In the context of Russia's special military operation against Ukraine, the purpose, scope, and final outcome of the China–US trade frictions are highly dynamic, complex, and uncertain. Combining the 4-year trend of US–China trade frictions reveals that the China and United States are in a continuous process of exploring their own dominant decisions, so the evolutionary game is an ideal way to analyze the trend of China–US trade frictions. In the China–US trade frictions game, it is difficult for the other country to make a dominant decision without the participation of other countries or “standing on one's side.” At present, while China and the United States are negotiating, one's absolute energy is to spare no effort to persuade or coerce a third party to “stand on one's side” or not to “stand on one's side.” Therefore, the evolutionary game method, combined with the differential pattern and the group pattern theory, may be a feasible research design for a comprehensive analysis of the purpose of China–US trade frictions, the scope and duration of China–US trade frictions. This research is not only innovative from a theoretical perspective, but the results are also highly predictive and practical.

한 · 중 FTA 활용전략에 관한 실증연구

션즈펑(SHEN ZHIFENG),김태인(Tae-In Kim) 한국관세학회 2016 한국관세학회 학술대회 Vol.2016 No.11

Quantitative analysis using intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound in adult-type diffuse gliomas with isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations: association between hemodynamics and molecular features

Xiandi Zhang,Zhifeng Shi,Yuanxin Xie,Yong Wang,Chao Shen,Zengxin Qi,Liqiong Zhang,Bojie Yang,Jinhua Yu,Hong Ding 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.4

Purpose: The relationship between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) hemodynamics and the molecular biomarkers of adult-type diffuse gliomas, particularly isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), remains unclear. This study was conducted to provide a comprehensive description of the vascularization of adult-type diffuse gliomas using quantitative indicators. Additionally, it was designed to identify any variables with the potential to intraoperatively predict IDH mutation status. Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients with adult-type diffuse gliomas between November 2021 and September 2022. Intraoperative CEUS was performed, and CEUS videos were recorded for 90-second periods. Hemodynamic parameters, including the peak enhancement (PE) difference, were calculated based on the time-intensity curve of the region of interest. A differential analysis was performed on the CEUS parameters with respect to molecular biomarkers and grades. Receiver operating characteristic curves for various parameters were analyzed to evaluate the ability of those parameters to predict IDH mutation status. Results: Sixty patients with adult-type diffuse gliomas were evaluated. All hemodynamic parameters, apart from rising time, demonstrated significant differences between IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype adult-type diffuse gliomas. The PE difference emerged as the optimal indicator for differentiating between IDH-wildtype and IDH-mutant gliomas, with an area under the curve of 0.958 (95% confidence interval, 0.406 to 0.785). Additionally, the hemodynamic parameters revealed significant differences across both grades and types of adult-type diffuse gliomas. Conclusion: Hemodynamic parameters can be used intraoperatively to effectively distinguish between IDHwildtype and IDH-mutant adult-type diffuse gliomas. Additionally, quantitative CEUS equips neurosurgeons with dynamic perfusion information for various types and grades of adult-type diffuse gliomas.

Isomangiferin, a Novel Potent Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Kinase Inhibitor, Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth, Metastasis and Angiogenesis

Banghua Wang,Jia Shen,Zexia Wang,Jian-Xia Liu,Zhifeng Ning,Meichun Hu 한국유방암학회 2018 Journal of breast cancer Vol.21 No.1

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signal transduction mainly depends on its binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). VEGF downstream signaling proteins mediate several of its effects in cancer progression, including those on tumor growth, metastasis, and blood vessel formation. The activation of VEGFR-2 signaling is a hallmark of and is considered a therapeutic target for breast cancer. Here, we report a study of the regulation of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway by a small molecule, isomangiferin. Methods: A human breast cancer xenograft mouse model was used to investigate the efficacy of isomangiferin in vivo. The inhibitory effect of isomangiferin on breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanism were examined in vitro. Results: Isomangiferin suppressed tumor growth in xenografts. In vitro, isomangiferin treatment inhibited cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion. The effect of isomangiferin on breast cancer growth was well coordinated with its suppression of angiogenesis. A rat aortic ring assay revealed that isomangiferin significantly inhibited blood vessel formation during VEGF-induced microvessel sprouting. Furthermore, isomangiferin treatment inhibited VEGF-induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the formation of capillary-like structures. Mechanistically, isomangiferin induced caspase-dependent apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, VEGFinduced activation of the VEGFR-2 kinase pathway was downregulated by isomangiferin. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that isomangiferin exerts anti-breast cancer effects via the functional inhibition of VEGFR-2. Pharmaceutically targeting VEGFR-2 by isomangiferin could be an effective therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

In-Situ Precipitated Needle Like Nanocrystalline β-Ti Reinforced Porous Titanium Alloy via Molten Salt Electrolysis

Hao Wang,Jiahao Zhao,Honglin Li,Zhifeng Huang,Yangwei Wang,Qiang Shen,Fei Chen 대한금속·재료학회 2024 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.30 No.1

Fabricating porous active metals through chemical dealloying poses challenges due to their reactivity and vulnerability tooxidation in aqueous solutions. The objective of this study was to create micron-sized porous Ti alloy by utilizing the Ti–Mo system as a precursor alloy for chemical dealloying. The impact of phase composition and initial microstructure of theprecursor alloys (Tix at% Mo100 − x at%, x = 60 ~ 70) on the morphology of the resulting porous Ti alloy was systematicallyinvestigated. To improve the mechanical strength and minimize oxidized phases during the dealloying process, a molten saltelectrolysis (MSE) method was employed. The strengthening mechanism of MSE on porous Ti alloys encompassed three keyaspects. Firstly, it effectively reduced the presence of oxidized phases, thereby eliminating surface defects. Secondly, MSEfacilitated grain growth and eliminated voids and cracks at the grain boundaries, leading to enhanced mechanical properties. Thirdly, the involvement of a secondary phase contributed to the overall strengthening mechanism. Following MSE treatment,the oxygen content in the porous Ti alloy decreased from over 13 to 5 at%, and needle-like nanocrystalline β-Ti precipitatesformed within the ligament structure. The accumulation and aggregation of compression-induced dislocations at the grainboundaries of the precipitated phase further improved the mechanical properties. In summary, this work presents an innovativeapproach to fabricating porous Ti alloy with low oxygen content, high strength, and adjustable microstructure. It elucidatesthe strength enhancement mechanism by MSE, providing insights for future materials development and applications.