The influence of personal beliefs on country-of-origin image

Country-of-Origin (CO) has been evaluated as a critical factor, which affect consumers\u27 evaluations of foreign products. This study focuses on the influence of personal cognitive structures on various facets of CO. Personal beliefs is mainly handled as a critical factor to predict CO. Assuming that CO influences consumers\u27 attitudes toward foreign products, this study has its research frame with two fundamental concepts: 1) Hierarchy of effects model and 2) Three facets of CO. Based on the hierarchy of effects model, personal beliefs assume a role as a cognitive dimension, which affect affective and behavioral dimensions. Affective and behavioral dimensions are measured as attitudes toward CO and intentions to purchase foreign products. Different CO facets are examined. There are three CO facets which affect consumers\u27 evaluations on foreign products: GCA (General Country Attributes), GPA (General Product Attributes), and SPA (Specific Product Attributes). These three facets influence reciprocally, and the overall CO image is assumed to be integrated with them. This study conceptualized that the two product facets, GPA and SPA, have two separate dimensions: affective and behavioral dimension. South Korea and its nine product categories are dealt with in this study. The two research questions are: 1) Do personal beliefs of consumers affect CO? and 2) How do the three facets of CO interrelate? It examines if the influences of personal beliefs can predict consumers\u27 attitudes toward and the intention to purchase foreign products by multiple and stepwise regression. The correlation method was used to examine the interrelationships among the three CO facets. Finally, the majority of product categories and the products in general showed significant results. The attitude toward Korea, Korean products, and some Korean specific product categories were significantly predicted and explained with personal beliefs. In other words, the more people know about Korea, Koreans, and Korean products, the more positive their attitudes toward and the intention to purchase Korean products. Especially, several technological products like VCRs, TVs, and automobiles were well predicted rather than other kinds of products. The interrelationships among the facets were considerably high, so it can be inferred that images of Korea, Korean products in general, and several specific Korean products are much interrelated with one another

What Is the Web-Based Interactive Advertising (WIA) to Consumers?: Consumer’s Interpretation and Interaction with WIA

Although numerous research has examined Web-based interactive advertising (WIA) in recent years, few studies have approached this topic from the consumers’ own perspectives. Much of the literature employed managerial perspectives to examine the effectiveness of WIA with the aim of improving practitioners’ performance. Studies that did deal with consumers often merely measured their uses of WIA and motives for using it without viewing the phenomenon from the consumers’ point-of-view. Unfortunately, this one-sided research trend provides little insight into how consumers deal with interactive advertising in the World Wide Web environment and cannot answer a basic question - do consumers really care about WIA. This study aimed to examine consumers’ perspectives toward Web-based interactive advertising. Specifically, the study explored what WIA meant to consumers and how they interacted with it through the actual navigation process. One differentiating characteristic of WIA is that it enables consumers to have an active role in the communication process; therefore, it is necessary to investigate their thoughts and behaviors regarding WIA. To pursue the research purposes, the following research questions were posed. 1) What does Web-based interactive advertising (WIA) mean to consumers? 2) How do consumers navigate through and interact with WIA in Web-based environment? Qualitative research was employed to explore the research questions. Two specific methods were used for data collection: participant observation with an articulation procedure and depth interview. Throughout the participant’s navigation process, the researcher observed how participants interacted with Websites, heard how they articulated their specific navigation behaviors, and had sporadic short interviews regarding specific actions they made. Upon completing the navigation process, the participants were interviewed about their behavior and thoughts regarding how they dealt with WIA throughout the navigation process and what they thought about WIA. Analysis was performed as the data collection was processed. Changes in data collection tactics were made based on the findings from analysis. Using scripts of interviews, articulations, and memos from observations, the consumers’ perspectives were captured and analyzed. Thematic analysis was made with open, axial, and selective coding methods. Nine themes representing consumers’ interaction with and thoughts about WIA were found. They are ‘Intrusive,’ ‘Annoying,’ ‘Informative,’ ‘Easy,’ ‘Controllable,’ ‘Relevant,’ ‘Fun,’ ‘Real-Time Communication,’ and ‘Reliable & Honest.’ Each of these themes was interrelated with some of other themes, and most of them either positively or negatively related to consumers’ evaluation of WIA. Various WIA formats emerged in addition to traditionally recognized formats such as banners and pop-ups. Two formats, ‘Customer review’ and ‘News stories about products,’ appeared frequently. The relationship between themes and WIA formats was also examined; in fact, each theme emerged with certain WIA formats. For example, ‘Intrusive’ was mentioned with traditional WIA formats such as banners and pop-ups, while ‘Relevant’ frequently emerged with corporate Websites and customer reviews. This study found that consumers are very active when using the Web. Any forced-exposure or forced-viewing was actively avoided. With the benefit of taking consumers’ perspectives, some valuable insights were also captured. For example, highly informative and interactive Web content about products usually had a positive influence on preference for WIA (this also usually translated to positive attitude toward the site or banners); however, the preferable amount of information and preferable level of interactivity varied by consumers. The study produced some valuable implications for a variety of stakeholders. Researchers can take full advantage of the findings in helping their theory building, and marketing professionals can apply the consumers’ voices to their strategic planning for interactive marketing. College teachers can integrate the findings into their Internet advertising classes as they develop consumer-based modules in these newly popular classes

Characterisation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa related to bovine mastitis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the causative pathogens of bovine mastitis. Most P. aeruginosa strains possess the type III secretion system (TTSS), which may increase somatic cell counts (SCCs) in milk from mastitis-affected cows. Moreover, most of P. aeruginosa cells can form biofilms, thereby reducing antibiotic efficacy. In this study, the presence and effect of TTSS-related genotypes on increase of SCCs among 122 P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from raw milk samples from mastitis-affected cows and their antibiotic susceptibility at planktonic and biofilm status were investigated. Based on the presence of TTSS-related genes a total of 82.7% of the isolates were found to harbour exoU and/or exoS genes, including the invasive (exoU-/exoS+, 69.4%), cytotoxic (exoU+/exoS-, 8.3%) and cytotoxic/invasive strains (exoU+/ exoS+, 5.0%). Milk containing exoS-positive isolates had higher SCCs than those containing exoS-negative isolates. The majority of isolates showed gentamicin, amikacin, meropenem and ciprofloxacin susceptibility at planktonic status. However, the susceptibility was decreased at the biofilm status. Based on minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratios, the range of change in antibiotic susceptibility varied widely depending on the antibiotics (from ≥ 3.1-fold to ≥ 475.0-fold). In conclusion, most P. aeruginosa isolates studied here had a genotype related to increase in SCCs. The efficiency of antibiotic therapy against P. aeruginosa-related bovine mastitis could be improved by analysing both the MBEC and the MIC of isolates

Structure stability evaluation of offshore heave compensator using multi-body dynamics analysis method

Heave compensator attenuate vessel heave motion during drilling operation of drillship. Heave compensator functions as damping form motion of drillship, such as principle spring of suspension system. The load transfers on the parts of heave compensator. Stress and deformation of all parts is evaluated to diagnose the stability of the compensator. This study makes a decision on the safety of structure. Results of analysis confirm the structure stability of heave compensator for simulation. This result can be used as data for structural analysis to determine safety of a structure

Purification and proteomic identification of putative upstream regulators of polo-like kinase-1 from mitotic cell extracts

AbstractPolo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) is phosphorylated on Thr210 for activation during mitosis. Here, we investigated the question of which kinase(s) is the specific upstream kinase of mitotic Plk1. Upstream kinases of Plk1 were purified from mitotic cell extracts through column chromatography procedures, and identified by mass spectrometry. Candidates for Plk1 kinase included p21-activated kinase, aurora A, and mammalian Ste20-like kinases. Immunoprecipitates of these proteins from mitotic cell extracts phosphorylated Plk1 on Thr210. Even if the activity of Aurora A was blocked with a specific inhibitor, Plk1 phosphorylation still occurred, suggesting that function of Plk1 could be controlled by these kinases for proper mitotic progression, as well as by Aurora A in very late G2 phase for the beginning of mitosis.Structured abstractMINT-7996332: PAK1(uniprotkb:Q13153)physically interacts(MI:0915) withPLK1(uniprotkb:P53350) bypull down(MI:0096)MINT-7996345: PAK3(uniprotkb:O75914)physically interacts(MI:0915) withPLK1(uniprotkb:P53350) bypull down(MI:0096

Role of Li-Ion Depletion on Electrode Surface: Underlying Mechanism for Electrodeposition Behavior of Lithium Metal Anode

The application of lithium metal as an anode material for next generation high energy-density batteries has to overcome the major bottleneck that is the seemingly unavoidable growth of Li dendrites caused by non-uniform electrodeposition on the electrode surface. This problem must be addressed by clarifying the detailed mechanism. In this work the mass-transfer of Li-ions is investigated, a key process controlling the electrochemical reaction. By a phase field modeling approach, the Li-ion concentration and the electric fields are visualized to reveal the role of three key experimental parameters, operating temperature, Li-salt concentration in electrolyte, and applied current density, on the microstructure of deposited Li. It is shown that a rapid depletion of Li-ions on electrode surface, induced by, e.g., low operating temperature, diluted electrolyte and a high applied current density, is the underlying driving force for non-uniform electrodeposition of Li. Thus, a viable route to realize a dendrite-free Li plating process would be to mitigate the depletion of Li-ions on the electrode surface. The methodology and results in this work may boost the practical applicability of Li anodes in Li metal batteries and other battery systems using metal anodes

Clinicopathologic Features of Polypoid Lesions of the Gallbladder and Risk Factors of Gallbladder Cancer

It is difficult to differentiate benign and malignancy in polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (PLG) by solely depending on imaging studies. Therefore clinicopathologic features of benign and malignant polyps are compared in an attempt to identify the risk factors of malignant polypoid lesions. The medical records of 291 patients who were confirmed to have PLG through cholecystectomy were reviewed and analyzed for age, sex, symptom, associated gallstone, morphology of PLG, size of PLG, number of PLG, and preoperative tumor markers. Benign PLG was found in 256 patients (88.0%) and malignant PLG in 35 patients (12.0%). Compared with benign group, the malignant group were older (61.1 yr vs. 47.1 yr, P<0.001), more often accompanied with symptoms (62.9% vs. 28.9%, P<0.001). Malignant PLG tended to be sessile (60.0% vs. 10.5%, P<0.001), larger (28.0 mm vs. 8.6 mm, P<0.001) and single lesion (65.7% vs. 44.1%, P<0.016). Age over 60 yr (P=0.021, odds ratio [OR], 8.16), sessile morphology (P<0.001, OR, 7.70), and size over 10 mm (P=0.009, OR, 8.87) were identified as risk factors for malignant PLG. Careful decision making on therapeutic plans should be made with consideration of malignancy for patients over 60 yr, with sessile morphology of PLG, and with PLG size of over 10 mm

Regulation of the Catabolic Cascade in Osteoarthritis by the Zinc-ZIP8-MTF1 Axis

SummaryOsteoarthritis (OA), primarily characterized by cartilage degeneration, is caused by an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic factors. Here, we investigated the role of zinc (Zn2+) homeostasis, Zn2+ transporters, and Zn2+-dependent transcription factors in OA pathogenesis. Among Zn2+ transporters, the Zn2+ importer ZIP8 was specifically upregulated in OA cartilage of humans and mice, resulting in increased levels of intracellular Zn2+ in chondrocytes. ZIP8-mediated Zn2+ influx upregulated the expression of matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP3, MMP9, MMP12, MMP13, and ADAMTS5) in chondrocytes. Ectopic expression of ZIP8 in mouse cartilage tissue caused OA cartilage destruction, whereas Zip8 knockout suppressed surgically induced OA pathogenesis, with concomitant modulation of Zn2+ influx and matrix-degrading enzymes. Furthermore, MTF1 was identified as an essential transcription factor in mediating Zn2+/ZIP8-induced catabolic factor expression, and genetic modulation of Mtf1 in mice altered OA pathogenesis. We propose that the zinc-ZIP8-MTF1 axis is an essential catabolic regulator of OA pathogenesis

Cardioprotective Effect of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 Axis in Ischemic Postconditioning in Isolated Rat Hearts

Background and Objectives: Information about the role of the stromal cell-derived factor1a (SDF-1 alpha)/chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) axis in ischemic postconditioning (IPOC) is currently limited. We hypothesized that the SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4 signaling pathway is directly involved in the cardioprotective effect of IPOC. Methods: Isolated rat hearts were divided into four groups. The control group was subjected to 30-min of regional ischemia and 2-hour of reperfusion (n=12). The IPOC group was induced with 6 cycles of 10-second reperfusion and 10-second global ischemia (n=8) in each cycle. The CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, was applied before reperfusion in the IPOC group (AMD+IPOC group, n=11) and control group (AMD group, n=9). Hemodynamic changes with electrocardiography were monitored and infarct size was measured. The SDF-1 alpha, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations in perfusate were measured. We also analyzed extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt phosphorylation state expression. Results: IPOC significantly reduced infarct size, but AMD3100 attenuated the infarct reducing effect of IPOC. IPOC significantly decreased LDH and CK, but these effects were reversed by AMD3100. ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation increased with IPOC and these effects were blocked by AMD3100. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4 signaling may be involved in IPOC cardioprotection and this signaling pathway couples to the ERK1/2 and Akt pathways.111Ysciescopuskc