Relationship between Brand Perceptions and Satisfaction: Empirical Study on Skin Products in Malaysia

In the highly competitive marketplace, marketers for the skin care product are facing challenges with identifying the consumer’s brand perception and brand satisfaction. Brand satisfaction is perceived as an important issue on skin care industry. Obviously, customers are the important stakeholders in organizations and their satisfaction is a priority to the company. This study aims to investigate the relationship between brand perceptions and brand satisfaction on skin care products with four independent variables (quality, promotion, image and preference). This study employed the statistic software of SPSS version 19.0 to evaluate 200 sets of questionnaires which collected from students, undergraduates, working adults and other respondents. The findings in this study shows that the brand perceptions on quality, image and preference have positive and significant relationship with brand satisfaction on skin care products. However, the relationship between brand perception on promotion and brand satisfaction is being rejected. Thus, the marketers can focus on perception on quality, image and preference to increase customers’ brand satisfaction to capture and retain them

OneNet: Enhancing Time Series Forecasting Models under Concept Drift by Online Ensembling

Online updating of time series forecasting models aims to address the concept drifting problem by efficiently updating forecasting models based on streaming data. Many algorithms are designed for online time series forecasting, with some exploiting cross-variable dependency while others assume independence among variables. Given every data assumption has its own pros and cons in online time series modeling, we propose \textbf{On}line \textbf{e}nsembling \textbf{Net}work (OneNet). It dynamically updates and combines two models, with one focusing on modeling the dependency across the time dimension and the other on cross-variate dependency. Our method incorporates a reinforcement learning-based approach into the traditional online convex programming framework, allowing for the linear combination of the two models with dynamically adjusted weights. OneNet addresses the main shortcoming of classical online learning methods that tend to be slow in adapting to the concept drift. Empirical results show that OneNet reduces online forecasting error by more than $\mathbf{50\%}$ compared to the State-Of-The-Art (SOTA) method. The code is available at \url{https://github.com/yfzhang114/OneNet}.Comment: 32 pages, 11 figures, 37th Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS 2023

Gene Expression Profiles Deciphering Rice Phenotypic Variation between Nipponbare (Japonica) and 93-11 (Indica) during Oxidative Stress

Rice is a very important food staple that feeds more than half the world's population. Two major Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) subspecies, japonica and indica, show significant phenotypic variation in their stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotypic variation are still largely unknown. A common link among different stresses is that they produce an oxidative burst and result in an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, methyl viologen (MV) as a ROS agent was applied to investigate the rice oxidative stress response. We observed that 93-11 (indica) seedlings exhibited leaf senescence with severe lesions under MV treatment compared to Nipponbare (japonica). Whole-genome microarray experiments were conducted, and 1,062 probe sets were identified with gene expression level polymorphisms between the two rice cultivars in addition to differential expression under MV treatment, which were assigned as Core Intersectional Probesets (CIPs). These CIPs were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and highlighted with enrichment GO terms related to toxin and oxidative stress responses as well as other responses. These GO term-enriched genes of the CIPs include glutathine S-transferases (GSTs), P450, plant defense genes, and secondary metabolism related genes such as chalcone synthase (CHS). Further insertion/deletion (InDel) and regulatory element analyses for these identified CIPs suggested that there may be some eQTL hotspots related to oxidative stress in the rice genome, such as GST genes encoded on chromosome 10. In addition, we identified a group of marker genes individuating the japonica and indica subspecies. In summary, we developed a new strategy combining biological experiments and data mining to study the possible molecular mechanism of phenotypic variation during oxidative stress between Nipponbare and 93-11. This study will aid in the analysis of the molecular basis of quantitative traits

Acupuncture decreases pain and MIF salivary levels in men and women

Acupuncture is used worldwide to treat many diseases, including painful conditions. Acupuncture-induced effects on pain were studied in men and women to understand the various factors involved in this positive procedure able to cure patients without side effects. Vital parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature) were measured and questionnaires about quality of life (SF-36), mood state (POMS) and pain condition (QUID) were administered to men and women requesting acupuncture treatment for pain. Macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) was determined in the saliva. All parameters were determined before the first and tenth acupuncture sessions. Pain scores (questionnaire and scales) significantly decreased from the first to the last acupuncture session in both sexes. Vital parameters were not affected, while the other questionnaires indicated a general improvement in the quality of life. MIF salivary levels were higher in males than in females and were significantly decreased by acupuncture in both sexes

Postharvest quality of chilling injured ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe cv. Bentong) as affected by maturity stages, storage temperatures, and durations

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been identified as one of the market potential herbs which have been used as a spice and traditional medicine throughout the world. It contains phenolics, terpenes, flavonoids, which harnesses an incredible healing power proven for a host of ailments. Storage life and usage of ginger are limited as it is susceptible to chilling injury (CI). Maturity stages, varieties, storage durations and temperatures, and environment influence occurrence of CI in ginger rhizomes. Storage of rhizomes at ambient temperature leads to high moisture loss, shrivelling and sprouting, while storage below 12 ºC causes CI and browning. Improper maturity stages at harvest caused reduction of ginger quality, decrease storage life and increase fiber and sprouting of rhizomes. The objective of this study was to characterize CI of ginger rhizomes as affected by maturity stages (7, 9 and 11-months after planting), storage temperatures (5, 15 and 25 ºC) and storage durations (0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 days). Weight loss due to loss of moisture content was significantly higher in the gingers stored at ambient temperature (25 ºC) than at 5 and 15 ºC storage temperatures. Browning index at 5 ºC storage increased as storage durations increased in all maturity stages of ginger, highest at 11-months, followed by 9 and 7-months, with browning indices of 0.98, 0.95 and 0.86, respectively. As browning increased, ginger pulp colour changed from yellow to light brown with a reduction in rhizomes firmness. Ginger under 5 ºC storage showed the highest reduction in pulp firmness by 68%, 66% and 64% in 7, 9 and 11-months ginger, respectively, and rhizome turned soft and watery. As a conclusion, the 9-months ginger under 15 ºC storage was selected as optimum maturity stage and storage temperature since these ginger exhibited minimum CI and postharvest quality was maintained after 32 days of storage

An Epidemiological Study of Concomitant Use of Chinese Medicine and Antipsychotics in Schizophrenic Patients: Implication for Herb-Drug Interaction

Background: Herb-drug interactions are an important issue in drug safety and clinical practice. The aim of this epidemiological study was to characterize associations of clinical outcomes with concomitant herbal and antipsychotic use in patients with schizophrenia. Methods and Findings: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 1795 patients with schizophrenia who were randomly selected from 17 psychiatric hospitals in China were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. Association analyses were conducted to examine correlates between Chinese medicine (CM) use and demographic, clinical variables, antipsychotic medication mode, and clinical outcomes. The prevalence of concomitant CM and antipsychotic treatment was 36.4% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 34.2%-38.6%]. Patients using concomitant CM had a significantly greater chance of improved outcomes than non-CM use (61.1% vs. 34.3%, OR = 3.44, 95% CI 2.80-4.24). However, a small but significant number of patients treated concomitantly with CM had a greater risk of developing worse outcomes (7.2% vs. 4.4%, OR = 2.06, 95% CI 2.06-4.83). Significant predictors for concomitant CM treatment-associated outcomes were residence in urban areas, paranoid psychosis, and exceeding 3 months of CM use. Herbal medicine regimens containing Radix Bupleuri, Fructus Gardenia, Fructus Schisandrae, Radix Rehmanniae, Akebia Caulis, and Semen Plantaginis in concomitant use with quetiapine, clozapine, and olanzepine were associated with nearly 60% of the risk of adverse outcomes. Conclusions: Concomitant herbal and antipsychotic treatment could produce either beneficial or adverse clinical effects in schizophrenic population. Potential herb-drug pharmacokinetic interactions need to be further evaluated. © 2011 Zhang et al.published_or_final_versio

Postharvest quality indices of different durian clones at ripening stage and their volatile organic compounds

The aim of the present work was to characterize the quality of durians at consumptions stage. Seven clones of durian namely “Musang King”, “D24″, “D88″, “IOI”, “XO”, “Red Prawn” and “Black Thorn” were characterized based on their physiochemical properties. The organic acid contents, sugar compositions and β-carotene of durian clones were measured by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC), while the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC MS). There were significant differences on all the postharvest parameters in the selected durian clones. “Black Thorn” having orange pulp yieled the highest β-carotene content (4.55 × 10−5 kg/kg FW). The dominant sugars in the pulp of all durian clones were dominated by sucrose followed by glucose and fructose. Sulfur- and ester-containing compounds were the predominant VOCs found. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed for the grouping of different durian clones based on VOCs

Y chromosome evidence of earliest modern human settlement in East Asia and multiple origins of Tibetan and Japanese populations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The phylogeography of the Y chromosome in Asia previously suggested that modern humans of African origin initially settled in mainland southern East Asia, and about 25,000–30,000 years ago, migrated northward, spreading throughout East Asia. However, the fragmented distribution of one East Asian specific Y chromosome lineage (D-M174), which is found at high frequencies only in Tibet, Japan and the Andaman Islands, is inconsistent with this scenario.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we collected more than 5,000 male samples from 73 East Asian populations and reconstructed the phylogeography of the D-M174 lineage. Our results suggest that D-M174 represents an extremely ancient lineage of modern humans in East Asia, and a deep divergence was observed between northern and southern populations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We proposed that D-M174 has a southern origin and its northward expansion occurred about 60,000 years ago, predating the northward migration of other major East Asian lineages. The Neolithic expansion of Han culture and the last glacial maximum are likely the key factors leading to the current relic distribution of D-M174 in East Asia. The Tibetan and Japanese populations are the admixture of two ancient populations represented by two major East Asian specific Y chromosome lineages, the O and D haplogroups.</p

Superconductivity and Charge-density-wave-like Transition in Th2Cu4As5

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of a novel ternary compound, Th$_2$Cu$_4$As$_5$. The material crystallizes in a tetragonal structure with lattice parameters $a=4.0716(1)$ {\AA} and $c=24.8131(4)$ {\AA}. Its structure can be described as an alternating stacking of fluorite-type Th$_2$As$_2$ layers with antifluorite-type double-layered Cu$_4$As$_3$ slabs. The measurement of electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat reveals that Th$_2$Cu$_4$As$_5$ undergoes bulk superconducting transition at 4.2 K. Moreover, all these physical quantities exhibit anomalies at 48 K, where the Hall coefficient change the sign. These findings suggest a charge-density-wave-like (CDW) transition, making Th$_2$Cu$_4$As$_5$ a rare example for studying the interplay between CDW and superconductivity.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, and 1 tabl

Prophylactic Topical Tranexamic Acid Versus Placebo in Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: Perioperative bleeding remains a major concern to all clinicians caring for perioperative patients. Due to the theoretical risk of thromboembolic events associated with tranexamic acid (TXA) when administered intravenously, topical route of TXA has been extensively studied, but its safety and efficacy profile remain unclear in the literature. The primary aim of this review was to assess the effect of topical TXA on incidence of blood transfusion and mortality in adults undergoing surgery. Data sources: EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and ISI Web of Science were systematically searched from their inception until May 31, 2019. Review methods: Parallel-arm randomized controlled trials were included. Results: Seventy-one trials (7539 participants: orthopedics 5450 vs nonorthopedics 1909) were included for quantitative meta-analysis. In comparison to placebo, topical TXA significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss [mean difference (MD) -36.83 mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) -54.77 to -18.88, P < 0.001], total blood loss (MD -319.55 mL, 95% CI -387.42 to -251.69, P < 0.001), and incidence of blood transfusion [odds ratio (OR) 0.30, 95% CI 0.26-0.34, P < 0.001]. Patients who received topical TXA were associated with a shorter length of hospital stay (MD -0.28 days, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.08, P = 0.006). No adverse events associated with the use of topical TXA were observed, namely mortality (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.45-1.36, P = 0.39), pulmonary embolism (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.27-1.93, P = 0.52), deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.65-1.77, P = 0.79), myocardial infarction (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.21-2.99, P = 0.73), and stroke (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.28-2.57, P = 0.77). Of all included studies, the risk of bias assessment was "low" for 20 studies, "unclear" for 26 studies and "high" for 25 studies. Conclusions: In the meta-analysis of 71 trials (7539 patients), topical TXA reduced the incidence of blood transfusion without any notable adverse events associated with TXA in adults undergoing surgery