Purpose – This paper aims to examine several time series models to predict sales of department stores and discount store markets in South Korea, while other previous trial has performed sales of convenience stores and supermarkets. In addition, optimal predicted values on the underlying model can be got and be applied to distribution industry. Research design, data, and methodology - Two retailing types, under investigation, are homogeneous and comparable in size based on 86 realizations sampled from January 2010 to February in 2017. To accomplish the purpose of this research, both ARIMA model and exponential smoothing methods are, simultaneously, utilized. Furthermore, model-fit measures may be exploited as important tools of the optimal model-building. Results - By applying Holt-Winters’ additive seasonality method to sales of two large-scale retailing types, persisting increasing trend and fluctuation around the constant level with seasonal pattern, respectively, will be predicted from May in 2017 to February in 2018. Conclusions - Considering 2017-2018 forecasts for sales of two large-scale retailing types, it is important to predict future sales magnitude and to produce the useful information for reforming financial conditions and related policies, so that the impacts of any marketing or management scheme can be compared against the do-nothing scenario.

In the offshore crane system, the requirements on the operating safety are extremely high due to many external factors. Rope extension is one of the factors producing vertical vibration of load. In this study, the load is carried by the motor-winch actuator control and the rope is modeled as a mass-damper-spring system. To control the load position and suppress the vertical vibration of the load, a control system based on input-output linearization method is proposed. By the simulation and experiment results with pilot crane model, the effectiveness of proposed control method is evaluated and verified.

Purpose – In this work, we examined the causal relationship between credit loans from households (CLH), loan collateralized with housing (LCH) and an interest of certificate of deposit (ICD) among others in South Korea. Furthermore, the optimal forecasts on the underlying model will be obtained and have the potential for applications in the economic field. Research design, data, and methodology – A total of 31 realizations sampled from the 4th quarter in 2008 to the 4th quarter in 2016 was chosen for this research. To achieve the purpose of this study, a regression model with correlated errors was exploited. Furthermore, goodness-of-fit measures was used as tools of optimal model-construction. Results – We found that by applying the regression model with errors component ARMA(1,5) to CLH, the steep and lasting rise can be expected over the next year, with moderate increase of LCH and ICD. Conclusions – Based on 2017-2018 forecasts for CLH, the precipitous and lasting increase can be expected over the next two years, with gradual rise of two major explanatory variables. By affording the assumption that the feedback among variables can exist, we can, in the future, consider more generalized models such as vector autoregressive model and structural equation model, to name a few.

Nonylphenol (NP) is known to be an endocrine disruptor with estrogen-like activity. In this study, we tested low dose of NP and its alternative candidate Octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (OG) on F1 female mice (n=10) from parents (P) generation to postnatal days(PND) 56. Animals [Control (tap water), NP-50 (50ug/L, drinking water), OG-50(50ug/L, drinking water)] were fed with normal chow and drinking water. ad libitum. Body weights and tissue weights were measured after sacrifice, and sera were measured using creatinine assay (n=8) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) ELISA kit (n=8). Histopathology of kidney was used Hematoxylin & Eosin staining method and Periodic Acid-Schiff(PAS) staining method. NP treatment significantly increased body weight and kidney weight of F1 female(p<0.05). The serum levels of creatinine in NP-50 and OG-50 significantly decreased(p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) compared to the control group. In histopathological study, renal tubules spaces were increased and severe glomerular anomalies were found in NP-50 and OG-50. In NP-50, the thickened basal membrane was observed. The present study demonstrated that NP and OG has renal toxicity, and this toxicity due to long-term low dose treatment seems to be occurred in the next generation and female-specific.

Banks play a crucial role in bringing stability and economic development through their expected contribution in proper financial resource mobilisation across the economy. Despite the importance, there is little focus in recent literature which provided the empirical evidence how the global financial crisis affect the bank efficiency in Bangladesh. Thus, this paper aims to examine the effect of the global financial crisis and other factors on the efficiency of Bangladesh commercial banks. By employing the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method, we computed the technical efficiency of individual banks operating in the Bangladesh banking sector during 2000 to 2013. The empirical findings indicate that the Bangladesh banking sector has exhibited the highest efficiency level during 2001, while efficiency seems to be at the lowest level during 2010. The study finds that crisis along with bank size, capital adequacy ratio, return on average equity and real interest rate have a significant effect on bank efficiency in Bangladesh. In order to keep the sound financial development of Bangladesh, banks operating in the Bangladesh banking sector have to consider all the potential technologies which could improve their profit efficiency levels, since the main motive of banks is to maximise shareholders’ value or wealth through profit maximisation.

This study extends research into whether disclosure of corporate and financial information is associated with firms’ costs of equity capital. This study sets out to examine empirically the determinants of corporate disclosure in the annual reports of 37 largest and most liquid firms listed on Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) in Kazakhstan. It also reports the results of the association between company-specific characteristics and disclosure of the sample companies. Based on the analysis of existing empirical research, the disclosure index has been constructed and regression analysis of the influence of the disclosure index on the cost of equity capital has been conducted. The obtained results show that the received findings correlate with foreign empirical studies, and the disclosure index in this sample has a negative impact on the cost of equity capital. Using cost of equity capital estimates derived from capital asset pricing model, we find that firms with higher levels of financial transparency are associated with significantly lower costs of equity capital. Economic theory assumes that by increasing the level of corporate reporting, firms not only increase their stock market liquidity, but also decrease the investors’ estimation risk, arising from uncertainty about future returns and payout distributions. The results show that firms on the Kazakhstan market can reduce their cost of equity capital by increasing the level of their voluntary corporate disclosures.

The purpose of current study is to investigate the beneficial effect of enzyme (Alcalase) hydrolysates of silk protein in rat. Alcalase-treated silk protein hydrolysate (ATSH) itself did not show any cytotoxicity on the hepatic tissues and blood biochemistry, similar to the normal condition. ATSH played a protective role in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced hepatotoxicity and liver damage. The values of AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), which are the indicators of the liver function, were effectively alleviated with the ATSH treatment in a dose dependent manner. The level of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA), which were increased with t-BHP treatment, were significantly reduced by ATSH. High dose of ATSH (2 g/kg) reduced the t-BHP-induced LDH release by 48%. Antioxidant and antioxidant enzymes in liver cells were significantly increased by ATSH treatment in their level and activities. ATSH (2 g/kg) increased glutathione (GSH), an intracelluar antioxidant, by 2.5-fold compared with the t-BHP treated group. The activities of glutathione-s-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase were also elevated by 38%, 60%, and 45%, respectively, with ATSH (2 g/kg) treatment. The antioxidative effect of ATSH was recapitulated to the protection from t-BHP induced liver damages in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Thus, ATSH might be used as a hepatoprotective agent.

Morphological variation between cultivated and weedy types of Perilla frutescens var. frutescens and P. frutescens var. crispa were studied in 327 germplasm by examining 17 morphological characters. The germplasm between the two varieties were varied for their qualitative and quantitative characters. The seed coat color of cultivated P. frutescens var. frutescens is commonly light brown and brown while deep brown color was observed in the weedy type P. frutescens var. frutescens and P. frutescens var. crispa. The leaf size, cluster length, plant height, flower number per cluster and seed weight in cultivated P. frutescens var. frutescens were significantly (P<0.05) different from weedy type P. frutescens var. frutescens and P. frutescens var. crispa. The cultivated P. frutescens var. frutescens exhibited significantly higher plant height (158.6 ㎝) compared to the weedy P. frutescens var. crispa (133.8 ㎝). Likewise, seed weight was significantly higher in cultivated (1.9 g) than in the weedy type of P. frutescens var. frutescens (1.6 g) and P. frutescens var. crispa (1.4 g). Principal component analysis (PCA) result showed that the first and second principal component cumulatively explained 86.6% of the total variation. The cultivated type P. frutescens var. frutescens and its weedy accessions were not clearly separated with P. frutescens var. crispa by PCA. Hence it requires the use of molecular markers for better understanding of their genetic diversity.

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is widely used as sweetener, and its overconsumption is become a major health problem. In the present study, we used adult female rats and applied a 28 days HFCS feeding model to monitor the estrous cycle and changes in tissue weights and histology. Adult female rats were divided into three groups. Animals were fed with ad libitum normal chow and (1) 24 hours tap water (Control group), (2) 12 hours HFCS access during dark period and 12 hours tap water (12H group), and (3) 24 hours HFCS only access (24H group). Total exposure period was 28 days. There is no significant change in body weight between control and HFCS-fed animals. Both absolute and relative weights of ovary in 24H animals were significantly heavier than those in control or 12H animals. The absolute and relative weights of the kidney and liver in 24H groups were significantly heavier than those in control or 12H animals. The estrous cycles of the 24H animals were significantly longer. Histological analyses revealed that 24H ovaries were relatively bigger and possessed more corpus lutea than control ovaries. Uterine sections of 12H and 24H animals showed a well-developed stratum vasculare between inner and outer myometrial layers. The number of endometrial glands were decreased in 12H uteri, and recovered in 24H uteri compared to control. Numbers of convoluted tubule in distal region increased in 12H and 24H kidney samples. Liver specimens of 12H and 24H showed the increased number of fat containing vacuoles. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that HFCS treatment for 28 days could induce (1) changes in length of estrous cycle with extended estrous and diestrous stages, (2) altered ovarian and uterine histology, and (3) liver and renal lipid accumulation. These findings reveal the adverse effects of HFCS drinking on the reproductive function and lipid metabolism of female rats.

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that have an impact on public policy, green products and technology in Kuala Lumpur, given government initiatives to boost the environment awareness. The data used in this study was collected by distribution questionnaires randomly in six areas of Kuala Lumpur and 400 respondents were interviewed. Based on a literature review, three hypotheses were stated and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). SEM is a statistical analysis method that involved two or more variables in analyzing structural relationships among the variables. The SEM model shows that green products and government policies have a direct influence on environmental awareness. However, green technology does not have a direct influence on environmental awareness. Since, knowledge on green technology does not have a significant impact on raising environmental awareness among the public, a much more pragmatic awareness campaign needs to be put in place to use green technology as a part of modern living. The study suggests that the urban population needs to be more aware of the environmental issue as cities tend to have better infrastructure to raise public awareness on green issues. Moreover, the government should increase the environmental awareness among younger generation through workshops, seminars, campaigns, and pamphlets.

Subsidies are an instrumental policy making tool for many governments, but their importance depends on the market situation of the national economy. Efficient subsidy implementation would allow the government to correct market failure thereby aligning social and private costs and benefit. The general objective of this study is to justify the need to rationalise subsidies for food items such as flour. This study assessed the structure and conducts of the general purpose flour market in Malaysia; and analysed the impact of subsidies on market performance to recommend policies to increase market efficiency under the subsidy rationalisation program. To accomplish these objectives, the study adopted a microeconomics market analysis as well as the standard structure and performance analysis method. These two approaches showed the characteristics of an industry’s consumer behaviour, competition, as well as the efficiency associated with government regulatory policies on the flour industry. One of the biggest influences on the domestic market is related to the food consumption behaviour of the general population. Food consumption behaviour reflects global trends. As income rises, food trends tend to be consumed in processed form or in such a way that adds value in another manner such as the preparation of food products.

It is undisputable that crude oil and its price fluctuations are major components that affect most of the countries’ economies. Recent studies have demonstrated that beside the impact that crude oil price fluctuations have on common macroeconomic indicators like gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rates, exchange rates, unemployment rate, etc., it also has a strong influence on stock markets and their performance. This relationship has been examined in a number of settings, but it is yet to be unraveled in the Omani context. Accordingly, the main purpose of this study is to examine the possible effect of the oil price fluctuations on stock price movements. The study applies Toda and Yamamoto’s (1995) Granger non-causality test on the daily Oman stock index (Muscat Securities Market Index) and oil prices between the period of 2 January 2003 and 13 March 2016. The results indicated that the oil price fluctuations have a significant impact on stock index movements. However, the stock price movements do not have a significant impact on oil prices. These findings have significant implications not only for the Omani economy but also for the economy of similar countries, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The latter should carefully consider their policies and strategies regarding crude oil production and the generated income allocation as it might potentially affect the financial markets performance in these countries.

Background : Recently, hair loss, which has been regarded as a mere means of middle-aged men due to stress and environmental pollution. The market for hair loss in Korea is about four trillion won and it is growing continuously. It is mainly made by mixing natural extracts such as medicinal plant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. whole plant and Calendula officinalis L. flower extracts on the growth of fibroblasts, dermal papilla cells and lipid precursors, I want to try to make a materialization. Methods and Results : The cytotoxicity of each sample extracts treated with 50%, 100%, and 500 μg to fibroblasts, cell-viability were 107.3%, 109.6%, and 128.2%, respectively. The cytotoxicity of each sample to the dermal papilla cells was not observed. And the lipid differentiation of the lipogenic precursor cells which regulates the hairegeneration by secretion of the platelet derived growth factor. The 70% ethanol extracts of H. cordata whole plant and C. officinalis flower were showed promotes the hair growth activity. The lipolysis rate was significantly increased with increasing treatment concentration Conclusion : As a result of this study, in-vitro hair growth activity of herbal medicines for hair treatment material development was not shown to be toxic to each cell. And 70% ethanol extract of H. cordata whole plant stimulated lipid precursor cells inducing differentiation. As a result, the 70% ethanol extracts of H. cordata whole plant and C. officinalis flower have potential to developing hair-related product.

Background : Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Polygonaceae family. And is an herbal medicine which can be used as a raw material for food, which is excellent in immunity enhancement, vocalization and blood transfusion. The purpose of this study was to expand the utility of the P. multiflorum. Also, we fermented P. multiflorum by mushroom mycelial, and analyzed for general components and amino acids before and after fermentation Methods and Results : The moisture content of P. multiflorum and fermented P. multiflorum by mushroom mycelial (FPM) were 7.35% and 59%, respectively. The crude protein content did not show a significant difference between the two samples, crude fat, ash and crude fiber content of FPM were lower than P. multiflorum. The content of soluble nitrogen free extract of P. multiflorum (79.78%) was significantly higher than FPM (31.05%). Sixteen kinds of amino acids were detected in P. multiflorum, and the major amino acid was determined the arginine. The content of arginine and glutamic acid were 586.67 ㎎%, and 283.78 ㎎%, respectively. Sixteen kinds of amino acids were detected in FPM, and the major amino acids were determined the arginine (654.68 ㎎%) and threonine (591.18 ㎎%). The total amino acid contents of P. multiflorum and FPM were 3,469.03 ㎎%, and 3,630 ㎎%, respectively. Conclusion : The content of crude fat, ash, crude fiber, and soluble nitrogen free extract of FPM were lower than the P. multiflorum, and the major amino acids were different in two samples. Total amino acid content of FPM was higher than the P. multiflorum. As the mushroom fermentation progresses, it is confirmed that the amino acid content is increased, and it is expected to develop the product using the P. multiflorum fermented with mushroom mycelial.

Background : Pachyrhizus erosus (Leguminosae), locally called as “Yam bean” is a traditional medical plant that grows in the tropical and subtropical region. The root of P. erosus is used by the local people to treat insomania, treatment of osteoporosis and extracts of this plant have shown antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory activity, tyrosinase inhibitionby, antitumour properties and cardiovascular benefit. Methods and Results : Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) as standard antioxidants. The radical scavenging activity was measured using the stable radical 1,1-diphenyl–2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ABTS assay. Total phenolic content was determined by following Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method and Total flavonoids were determined using aluminium chloride calorimetric methods. Phenolic compound concentration and compositions were determined by HPLC-MS/MS system. Seedlings grown under the flourescent light (Fl) exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity when compared to the plants treated with light emitting diodes (LEDs) and light emitting plasma (LEP). LED-Blue showed the higher DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS concentration of PE compared to other LEDs. The accumulation of phenolic compounds increased under different white-LEDs conditions as compared to LEP and FL light conditions. Conclusion : In this study, antioxidant activity and phenolic compound composition of P. erosus was improved by the application of LED and LEP.

Background : The effects of heat treatments on the phycochemical charateristics and antioxidant activities of ginkgo nuts were investigated by roasting at various temperatures (150, 180, and 210℃) for 60 min. Methods and Results : For each roasting temperatures, pH, total acidity, chromaticity, total cyanide content, reducing power, total polyphenol content, 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were compared and analyzed. As the roasting temperature and time increased, the pH and total cyanide content decreased from 7.32 to 6.31 and from 697 to 282 ㎍/㎎, respectively, while total acidity increased from 0.40 to 0.84%. There was an 11 or more color difference (ΔE) between the non-heated ginkgo nut and heated ginkgo nuts, indicating a remarkable color difference. The antioxidant activities, including reducing power, total polyphenol content, and DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased rapidly at 210℃ according to increasing in roasting temperature and time. Conclusion : These results suggest that the ginkgo nut with heat treatment could be used in food materials and medicines for decreasing cyanide content as well as for increasing antioxidant compound content.

Background : F. fomentarius extracts have been recently reported to process immune-stimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we evaluated the anti-mutagenic effect of F. fomentarius ethanol extracts and the effective chemical components from the extract were analyzed by LC-Q-TOF. Methods and Results : F. fomentarius was extracted with 70% ethanol yielding a crude extract 6.8%. The crude extract was fractionated sequentially to diethyl ether, chloroform, dichloromethane, butanol and water with a yield of 43.9%, 2.958%, 6.8%, 21.6% and 25.5.%, respectively. The anti-mutagenic effect of F. fomentarius extract and its fractions was tested in Ames test by two type of Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 and TA100). Among the five fractions, diethyl ether has shown the highest and significant anti-mutagenic effect (98.3%, at 3,000 ㎍/plate concentration). Moreover, we investigated the chemical constituents of the extract using UPLC-Q-TOF. A total of 10 compounds such as flavonoids (velutin, 3, 4′,5-Trihydroxy-3′,7-dimethoxyflavanone) and fatty acids (γ-linoleic acid, stearic acid) and deterpenoid (kirenol) were tentatively identified with an accurate mass within 10 ppm mass error. Also, flavonoids and fatty acids were detected with higher rate than other compounds based on obtained chromatograms. Conclusion : We demonstrated that F. fomentarius extract and fractions have anti-mutagenic activity through Ames test. Furthermore, we will carry out isolation of each components from its fraction and use them to conduct additional anti-mutagenic test.

This study describes development of high performance environmental barrier coating for steel in oxidizing and humidity environments at elevated temperature. Parameters like pre-treatment of the steel substrates, filler systems, particle size of the fillers or coating thickness were varied to optimize the coatings. The resulting coating investigated by TGA, SEM/EDS, and XRD to clarify the possible protective mechanism. Oxidation tests, adhesion tests, thermal shock resistance tests and humidity resistance tests were performed to evaluation the high performance of developed coatings.

Seed storage proteins are used as carbon and nitrogen sources for the nutritional improvement of seeds. Since the composition of proteins from the Korean cultivars of proso millet is unknown, this study was conducted to obtain a reference map of millet seed proteins and identify the functional characteristics of the identified proteins. Proteins extracted from proso millet seeds of various cultivars were investigated using proteomic techniques such as 2-D electrophoresis coupled with mass fingerprinting; 1152 (differentially expressed) protein spots were detected on the 2-D gels. Among them, 26 reproducible protein spots were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Out of the 26 proteins, 2 proteins were upregulated in all the millet cultivars, while 13 proteins were upregulated and 11 proteins were downregulated in 2 cultivars. Abundance of most of the identified protein species associated with polysaccharide and starch metabolism, transcription, and pathogenesis was significantly enhanced, while that of other protein species involved in glycolysis, stress response, and transduction was severely reduced. Taken together, the results suggest that the differential expression of the proteins from the four millet cultivars may be cultivar-specific. By conducting a proteomic investigation of millet seeds from different cultivars, we sought to better understand the functional categorization of individual proteins on the basis of their molecular functions. We believe that the identified proteins may help in investigating genetic variations in millet cultivars.

Purpose – Market orientation is a key factor for business performance in today’s fluctuating conditions. This study investigates whether the employment of innovation can improve the innovative capability and increase the performance by gaining competitive advantages or not. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of market orientation on the performance of small and medium size distributer enterprises (SMDEs) in Iran. Research design, data, and methodology – Customer orientation, Competitor orientation, and Inter-functional coordination have been regarded as market orientation indices to determine the effects of these indices on marketing innovation, gaining competitive advantages, and companies’ performance as well. Data were collected from managers and experts in SMDEs in Iran. The structural equations modeling are used for analysis. Results – The results indicated that marketing innovation has been improved in competitive companies that enjoyed a high level of Inter-functional coordination among the various units. Besides, marketing innovation resulted in gaining competitive advantages regarding cost management, concentration, and differentiation in these companies. In addition, it was observed that SMDEs that obtain competitive advantages are equipped to reap superior performance. Conclusions – With cost management, differentiation and concentration are more likely to enhance the enterprise efficiency and effectiveness than other companies. Additionally, competitiveness, inter-functional coordination, and marketing innovation in SMDEs have a positive impact on marketing innovation.