This study examines the performance of a penalized neural network and the replication of a customer engagement survey scale with text information in the hotel industry. Although the empirical analysis shows highly accurate model performance only in the training sample, the results also clarify the issues of the engagement scale.

This study reviews the SERVQUAL model theoretically and statistically in relation to the nonlinearity of the perceived service quality. Perceived service quality measurement based on the SERVQUAL model assumes that consumers evaluate service quality by comparing their perceptions with their expectations. However, previous studies adopt linear factor analysis to discuss the SERVQUAL model. The present study assumes that consumers evaluate the service quality with a standard to admit the difference between their expectations and perceptions, and that their perceived service quality follows a nonlinear response. A nonlinear SERVQUAL model based on a nonlinear factor analysis model is proposed to understand the characteristics. The proposed model employs a threshold specification that represents the space in which consumers admit their discrepancy. The study extends a nonlinear factor analysis model to a nonparametric model in order to examine the functional aspects that from the perceived service quality. A nonparametric SERVQUAL model is adopted without any assumptions of the functional form. The empirical studies on the retail sector shows that the nonlinear model performs better than the linear model, and that the nonparametric model estimates the nonlinear function for perceived service quality. The results from the proposed model in our study provide insights in a consumer’s perceived service quality recognized as nonlinear and asymmetric. We conclude that the functional form for perceived service quality should be considered when specifying the measurement model for SERVQUAL. In addition, we discuss future work for a nonlinear measurement model and a nonparametric factor analysis.

The objectives of the present study were to examine the antioxidant activity of fractions with different isoelectric points from salmon enzymatic hydrolysates and obtain peptide fractions of sufficient amounts with higher antioxidant peptide fraction, which could be applied to the food and animal model systems. The salmon enzymatic hydrolysates were fractionated on the basis of the amphoteric nature of sample peptides by preparative isoelectric focusing without toxic solvents and reagents, which is termed autofocusing. Acidic and basic fractions showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than the other fractions. The basic fractions showed higher hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging activity. The weak acidic and weak basic fractions showed higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values than the acidic and basic fractions. The acidic fraction showed higher metal chelating activity than other fractions. The acidic fraction suppressed lipid oxidation in the cooked patties to a greater extent than other fractions. These results suggest that peptides fractions from salmon enzymatic hydrolysate are effective antioxidant, and that autofocusing could be useful to increase antioxidant activity for application to food and animal model systems.

This article focuses on the Korean claim for repatriation of cultural property currently located in Japan. Through an analysis of the relevant rules of international law, it demonstrates the established norm that the predecessor state is not obliged to repatriate the cultural property acquired in and exported from the annexed territory. It further shows that, even if Japan had not annexed the Empire of Korea and just occupied it, the repatriationists’ claim would not hold water, as the question has been conclusively settled by a bilateral agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea. Considering that the parties to a settlement should refrain from subsequently relitigating the matter, the author concludes that cultural property, which can be a powerful ambassador for promoting mutual understanding, should be dealt with in the framework of forward-looking cooperation, including mutual loans and possibly the creation of a multinational museum.

Some bioactive peptides have been identified by activity-guided fractionation. However, it is difficult to prepare or synthesize enough amounts of active peptides for food ingredients and for animal or human trials. The objective of the present study was to prepare peptide fractions of sufficient amounts with high antioxidant activity which could be applied to the food and animal model. Oyster hydrolysate was fractionated the basis of the amphoteric nature of sample peptides by preparative isoelectric focusing (autofocusing). To monitor the fractionation of peptides by autofocusing, amino acid analysis of the autofocusing fractions was performed. Each autofocusing fraction was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging activities, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and Fe 2+ chelatingassays. More than 40% of the peptides were distributed between Fr. 4 and 7 (pH<5.0). Approximately 16% of the peptides were recovered in basic fractions (pH>10.0; Fr. 9-10). 11 % of peptides were recovered in the neutral fraction (6.0<pH<7.0; Fr. 8). The peptides in the acidic and basic fractions are characterized by a higher content of acidic and basic amino acids, respectively. Acidic fraction showed higher ORAC values than crude oyster hydrolysate. Also, the acidic fraction showed high DPPH and OH radical scavenging activity. On the other hand, basic fraction showed higher chelating ability than crude oyster hydrolysate. In the present study, oyster peptide fractions of large-scale with high antioxidant activity were successfully fractionated by autofocusing for food additives and animal trials.

Japanese immigration law has been amended several times since 2000. These revisions aimed at coping with globalization and regionalization in East Asia. Since mobility is a critical issue for establishing a transnational labor market and ultimately a regional community, this article examines the interaction between Japanese immigration law, especially that of the Industrial Training and Technical Internship Program, and the struggle to build an East Asian Community. This article proposes enhancing the mutual recognition of certifications of skill as a means to promote the movement of people in the region.

We reported a P/M soft magnetic material with core loss value of , which is lower than that of 0.35mm-thick laminated material, by using high purity gas-atomized iron powder. Lack of mechanical strength and high cost of powder production are significant issues for industrial use. In order to achieve both low core loss and high strength by using inexpencive powder, the improvement of powder shape and surface morphology and binder strength was conducted. As the result, the material based on water-atomized powder with 80 MPa of TRS and 108 W/kg of core loss (W10/1k) was achieved.

In order to develop the SUS304L housing by powder metallurgy for an optical device useful for the FTTH communication system, the optimum compacting pressure and sintering temperature were investigated using granulated powder as the material to satisfy high air-tightness and high laser-weldability. Then the laser-welding test of specimen made under the optimum condition was carried out to observe welding sputters.

We have carried out a precise Doppler survey of G-type giants aiming to unveil the properties of planetary systems in intermediate-mass stars (1.5-5M⊙). G-type giants are promising targets for Doppler planet searches around massive stars, because they are slow-rotators and have many sharp absorption lines in their spectra and their surface activities are relatively low in contrast to their younger counterparts on the main-sequence (B-A stars). We are now monitoring radial velocities of about 300 late G-type (including early K-type) giants using HIgh Dispersion Echelle Spectrograph (HIDES) at Okayama Astrophysical Observatory. We have achieved a Doppler precision of about 6-7 m/s over a time span of 3 years using an iodine absorption cell. We found that most of the targets have radial velocity scatters of σ ~ 10-20 ms-1 over 1-3 years, with the most stable reaching levels of 6-8 m s-1. Up to now, we have succeeded in discovering the first extrasolar planet around a G-type giant star HD 104985, and also found several candidates showing significant radial velocity variations, suggesting the existence of stellar and substellar companions. Observations have continued to establish their variability.

The situations and locations of the Asian astronomical observatories are overviewed. I propose to construct a medium size Infrared Telescope at a good site in the Asian district.