Exploring the effect of AR filter on perceived brand image: The mediating role of realistic experience

Following its extensive application in study on consumers\u27 retail experience, AR (augmented reality) technology has been increasingly applied in social media, notably the AR filter service, which has been embraced by quite a few brands as a novel marketing tool, taking advantage of its entertaining value and dissemination effect to boost brands\u27 perceived image among consumers. However, there have been fewer studies that examine the effectiveness of brand-developed AR filter services in enhancing consumer perceptions of brand image in the context of social media. To bridge the research gap, the study, based on the S-O-R model, looked into the effect of consumers\u27 cognition of AR-filter features on the realism of their experience and thus their perceived brand image. The study was carried out via a questionnaire survey of users of AR filters developed by brand-developed in social media, with its findings having both academic and practical implications for this field

KINEMATICS ANALYSIS OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY DURING THE TWOHANDED BACKHAND DRIVE VOLLEY FOR FEMALE TENNIS PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to discuss the motion characteristics of the arms in the two-handed backhand drive volley. Five elite female tennis players participated in this study, their two-handed backhand drive volley strokes were analysed, and all participants are right handed. Motion Analysis System with 10 Eagle Digital inferred high speed cameras at 200Hz were used for this study. The results show a similar elbow and wrist speed strategy in x-axis between two-handed ground stroke and drive volley, our study also found that the rear arm dominates the stroke and mainly provide the topspin that is required for the skill of the drive volley. In order to create better stroke efficiency, the right elbow reached peak velocity first, followed by the right wrist before racket impact with the ball

Synergistic effect of imp/ostA and msbA in hydrophobic drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Contamination of endoscopy equipment by <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>(<it>H. pylori</it>) frequently occurs after endoscopic examination of <it>H. pylori</it>-infected patients. In the hospital, manual pre-cleaning and soaking in glutaraldehyde is an important process to disinfect endoscopes. However, this might not be sufficient to remove <it>H. pylori </it>completely, and some glutaraldehyde-resistant bacteria might survive and be passed to the next patient undergoing endoscopic examination through unidentified mechanisms. We identified an Imp/OstA protein associated with glutaraldehyde resistance in a clinical strain, NTUH-C1, from our previous study. To better understand and manage the problem of glutaraldehyde resistance, we further investigated its mechanism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of glutaraldehyde andexpression of <it>imp/ostA </it>RNA in 11 clinical isolates from the National Taiwan University Hospital were determined. After glutaraldehyde treatment, RNA expression in the strains with the MICs of 4–10 μg/ml was higher than that in strains with the MICs of 1–3 μg/ml. We examined the full-genome expression of strain NTUH-S1 after glutaraldehyde treatment using a microarray and found that 40 genes were upregulated and 31 genes were downregulated. Among the upregulated genes, <it>imp/ostA </it>and <it>msbA</it>, two putative lipopolysaccharide biogenesis genes, were selected for further characterization. The sensitivity to glutaraldehyde or hydrophobic drugs increased in both of <it>imp/ostA </it>and <it>msbA </it>single mutants. The <it>imp/ostA </it>and <it>msbA </it>double mutant was also hypersensitive to these chemicals. The lipopolysaccharide contents decreased in individual <it>imp/ostA </it>and <it>msbA </it>mutants and dramatically reduced in the <it>imp/ostA </it>and <it>msbA </it>double mutant. Outer membrane permeability assay demonstrated that the <it>imp/ostA </it>and <it>msbA </it>double mutation resulted in the increase of outer membrane permeability. Ethidium bromide accumulation assay demonstrated that MsbA was involved in efflux of hydrophobic drugs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The expression levels of <it>imp/ostA </it>and <it>msbA </it>were correlated with glutaraldehyde resistance in clinical isolates after glutaraldehyde treatment. Imp/OstA and MsbA play a synergistic role in hydrophobic drugs resistance and lipopolysaccharide biogenesis in <it>H. pylori</it>.</p

The incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism following hip fractures with or without surgery in Taiwan

AbstractBackgroundInformation on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following hip fractures in Asia is rare. This study will investigate the epidemiology of symptomatic VTE in Taiwanese patients experiencing hip fractures.Methods and resultsWe used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to retrospectively identify patients (≧45years) who experienced hip fractures from 1998 to 2007 and were followed up for 3months after the discharge. Logistic regression analysis determined the independent risk factors of symptomatic VTE after the fractures. We identified 134,034 patients (mean age: 76.2±9.7years; female: 57.8%) who experienced hip fractures, 83.2% of whom underwent hip surgery. The overall pharmacological thromboprophylaxis rate was 2.7%. The mean length of stay was 11.3±7.9days. The 3-month cumulative incidence of symptomatic VTE was 77 events per 10,000 persons. Multivariate analysis showed that previous DVT, previous PE, varicose veins, cancer, heart failure, renal insufficiency, and older age were independent risk factors of developing VTE.ConclusionsThe incidence of symptomatic VTE after hip fractures is low in Taiwan. Patients rarely received pharmacological thromboprophylaxis following hip fractures. Universal thromboprophylaxis for patients experiencing hip fractures was not necessary in Taiwan, but it should be considered in high-risk populations

3-D neurohistology of transparent tongue in health and injury with optical clearing

Tongue receives extensive innervation to perform taste, sensory, and motor functions. Details of the tongue neuroanatomy and its plasticity in response to injury offer insights to investigate tongue neurophysiology and pathophysiology. However, due to the dispersed nature of the neural network, standard histology cannot provide a global view of the innervation. We prepared transparent mouse tongue by optical clearing to reveal the spatial features of the tongue innervation and its remodeling in injury. Immunostaining of neuronal markers, including PGP9.5 (pan-neuronal marker), calcitonin gene-related peptide (sensory nerves), tyrosine hydroxylase (sympathetic nerves), and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (cholinergic parasympathetic nerves and neuromuscular junctions), was combined with vessel painting and nuclear staining to label the tissue network and architecture. The tongue specimens were immersed in the optical-clearing solution to facilitate photon penetration for 3-dimensiontal (3-D) confocal microscopy. Taking advantage of the transparent tissue, we simultaneously revealed the tongue microstructure and innervation with subcellular-level resolution. 3-D projection of the papillary neurovascular complex and taste bud innervation was used to demonstrate the spatial features of tongue mucosa and the panoramic imaging approach. In the tongue injury induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide administration in the drinking water, we observed neural tissue remodeling in response to the changes of mucosal and muscular structures. Neural networks and the neuromuscular junctions were both found rearranged at the peri-lesional region, suggesting the nerve-lesion interactions in response to injury. Overall, this new tongue histological approach provides a useful tool for 3-D imaging of neural tissues to better characterize their roles with the mucosal and muscular components in health and disease

Changes in Immunological and Hematological Parameters of Female Residents Exposed to Volatile Organic Compounds in the City of Kaohsiung, Taiwan

The objective of this study was to assess the effects, if any, of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air of Kaohsiuug, Taiwan, on certain hematological and immunological parameters of 153 female study participants. The major source of VOCs was vehicle emissions. The participants were selected from three areas, each area at a different distance from a freeway. Results indicated that total concentrations of VOCs and a subgroup of 25 VOCs (VOC25.) ranged from 250 to 335 ppb and 89 to 113 ppb, respectively. The distribution of VOC concentrations did not correlate with distance from the freeway. The participants living in the area with higher VOC concentrations had significantly higher abnormalities of white blood cells (WBC) and hemoglobin (Hb). In addition, IgG and IgA counts were significantly lower for the participants in the area with higher VOCs than for participants in the area with lower VOCs. This finding indicates that VOCs in ambient air may suppress immunological variables

Enhancing momentum profits in the Taiwan Stock Market: The role of extreme absolute strength

Abstract(#br)We show that stocks with extreme absolute strength are highly volatile and thus attenuate the profitability of momentum in Taiwan, a market that has been widely documented as an exception of the momentum phenomenon. An enhanced momentum strategy that removes these stocks from the winner and loser portfolios generates significant profitability in the intermediate term. A major advantage of the enhanced momentum strategy is its robust profitability over time. More importantly, it is free from the momentum crashes. We provide further evidence to show that return dispersion and information uncertainty are closely related to momentum profitability in the cross-section when stocks with extreme absolute strength are removed

The integration of storm water flooding and thermal stress potential in Tainan (Taiwan) and Groningen (Netherlands)

Stormwater flooding and thermal stresses of citizens are two important phenomena for most of the dense urban area. Due to the climate change, these two phenomena will occur more frequently and cause serious problems. Therefore, the sectors for public health and disaster management should be able to assess the vulnerability to stormwater flooding and thermal stress. To achieve this goal, two cities in different climate regions and with different urban context have been selected as the pilot areas, i.eY., Tainan, Taiwan and Groningen, Netherlands. Stormwater flooding and thermal stress maps will be produced for both cities for further comparison. The flooding map indicates vulnerable low lying areas, where the thermal stress map indicates high Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) values (thermal comfort) in open areas without shading. The combined map indicates the problem areas of flooding and thermal stress and can be used by urban planners and other stakeholders to improve the living environment