Marketers often attribute the premium charged on a luxury brand over a value brand to innovation in product form (Von Hippel 1986). One way of conveying this innovation is through the use of perceptual cues which use visual depiction of a product (Gregan-Paxton, Hoeffler, and Zhao 2005). Consequently, what we think of as high fashion or innovation in product form is essentially novelty in the perceptual cues of a product (Cox and Cox 2002) and it is known that moderate levels of novelty can increase complexity (or incongruity) of product design and is in general, favored by consumers (Cox and Cox 2002). However, despite the fact that novelty in form offered in high fashion or complex products is expected to bring value, we predict that novel designs are perceived as more favorable depending on their positioning as luxury (value) brands. In detail, we expect that value brands more than luxury brands benefit from novelty of form and that peripheral cues in product design informs a sense of brand authenticity which drives preferences. Past research showed that a product’s positioning in advertising moderates the effect of schema incongruence on product evaluation (Noseworthy and Trudel 2011). When products with a moderately incongruent design are positioned based on their functionality, they are evaluated more favorably. Conversely, when products are positioned based on experiential dimensions, this effect is reversed, and moderately incongruent designs are evaluated less favorably. We believe that these relationships can be explained using the perception of hedonic or utilitarian benefits offered by the product. In general, consumers are motivated by utilitarian concerns until they think that they have earned the right to indulge in hedonistic consumption (Kivetz and Simonson 2002). With congruent products, consumers may infer functionality from memory, and they are therefore liberated to indulge in hedonic pleasure. With incongruent products, however, consumers must work out the functionality of the product for themselves. Thus, we expect that brand positioning will influence the way novel designs are evaluated on functionality, such that novel designs are perceived as more functional in the value (vs. luxury) brand positioning (H1). Also, we predict that consumers of luxury brands will prefer prototypical designs to novel ones (H2). Recently, Stanton, Townsend, and Kang (2015) analyzed automobile market and showed that consumers prefer novel designs if their consideration set includes allpossible automobiles, but changed to prototypical designs, when the consideration set was entry-level automobiles. In addition, Hagtvedt and Patrick (2014) revealed that altering the form of a product has a more positive impact on product evolutions in a utilitarian context rather than a hedonic one. This is because luxury brands have a greater capacity to be extended into other product categories due to their hedonic potential, namely their ability to provide emotional benefits (Hagtvedt and Patrick 2009). Based on these findings, we postulate that brand positioning will moderate the influence of product design on functional evaluations and perceived comfort, such that only under the value (vs. luxury) brand positioning, individuals will prefer novelty over typicality. Lastly, given the consumers’ motivation of luxury brands for conspicuous consumption and desire for authenticity (Beverland and Farrelly 2010), we predict that consumers will avoid novel designs in a luxury brand. We believe this to be true because in order to convey the status which such consumers seek, the brand must be instantly and easily recognizable to others. In this case, a novel design can be a threat to this transmission of status, and may bring about less favorable evaluations of the brand. As a result, a novel design, even a moderately incongruent one, will be seen as a violation of the brand’s authenticity and the diminished authenticity will therefore explain the less favorable evaluations. Thus, we expect that for value (vs. luxury) brand positioning, brand authenticity will mediate the effect of product design on evaluations (H3). To test our hypotheses, a pilot study was conducted in advance to identify whether luxury positioning would influence the perceptions of functionality when evaluating the same novel design. Participants (N = 102; 63.7% female; Mage = 35.78) were recruited in an online panel and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions of brand positioning: a value brand positioning or a luxury brand positioning. The experiment was a between-subjects factorial design and from the pretest, Serafini brand was chosen as a luxury brand and New Balance brand was chosen as a value brand. Then, Participant saw an advertisement that featured the novel shoe design and indicated their perceived functional efficacy, the concept (value-luxury) of a presented product, and perceived status conferred by purchasing the product. As expected, participants saw Serafini as more of a luxury brand (M = 4.76) than New Balance (M = 3.92) and indicated that purchasing the same product by Serafini conferred more status to someone (M = 4.83) in comparison to purchasing the same product by New Balance (M = 4.22; t(100) = 2.18, p < .05). Importantly, participants viewed the novel design featured in the luxury brand advertisement of (Serafini) as less functional (M = 4.95) in comparison to the novel design featured in the value brand advertisement (New Balance; M = 5.50; t(100) = 2.19, p < .05) although the design of the two products were the same (H1 supported). Next, in Study 1, we intended to identify whether brand positioning would influence typical designs of a product in the same way that it would novel designs. Participants (N = 263; 59.7% female; Mage = 38.03) were recruited in an online panel and were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 (brand positioning: value vs. luxury) × 2 (product design: typical vs. novel) between-subjects factorial design. In this study, however, we used a fictitious watch brand (Dali) to manipulate the brand positioning. Manipulations were adopted from Hagtvedt and Patrick (2009). Like pilot test, pretestconfirmed that the manipulations worked as intended (Mvalue = 4.85; Mluxury = 5.67; t(39) = 2.19, p < .05) and participants rated Dali as having different abilities to confer status (α = .81; Mvalue = 4.43; Mluxury = 5.26; t(39) = 2.68, p < .05). After, each participant saw an advertisement that featured the new product and that corresponded to the randomized condition that they were assigned and responded to the questionnaires asking their perceived functional efficacy, overall attitudes toward the product, perceived comfort as well as the measures for the manipulation checks. As expected, result showed that in the absence of luxury brand positioning, the novel design was evaluated more favorably (M = 5.00) than the typical product design (M = 3.90; F(1, 259) = 18.74, p < .001). This effect was consistent with past studies that demonstrate the moderate incongruity effect (Noseworthy and Trudel 2011; Meyers-Levy and Tybout 1989; Mandler 1982). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.46 vs. Mtypical= 4.25; p = .41). Also, an analysis of functionality indicated that in the value brand condition, the novel design was perceived to be higher in functionality (M = 4.88) than the typical product design (M = 4.39; F(1, 259) = 4.25, p < .05). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.57 vs. Mtypical= 4.79; p = .35). Finally, analysis of comfort indicated that in the value brand condition, the novel design was perceived to have more comfort (M = 4.45) than the typical product design (M = 3.82; F(1, 259) = 6.97, p < .01). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.14 vs. Mtypical= 4.33; p = .44). Thus, the results supported H1 and H2. To replicate the observed effects and to identify the underlying mechanism, Study 2 was followed. Same recruitment method and experimental design in Study 1 was used with a fictitious camera brand OLEG. Pretest confirmed that the manipulations worked as intended. Experimental procedures were similar to Study 1. However, this time, brand authenticity was measured (Morhart et al. 2015) in addition to the measures used in Study 1. Again, result indicated that in the absence of luxury brand positioning, the novel design was evaluated more favorably (M = 4.85) than the typical product design (M = 3.92; F(1, 209) = 10.30, p < .005) and in the presence of luxury branding, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.50 vs. Mtypical= 4.57; p = .80). Also, result showed that in the value brand condition, the novel design was perceived to be higher in functionality (M = 4.79) than the typical product design (M= 3.89; F (1, 209) = 11.75, p < .001) and in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.44 vs. Mtypical= 4.51; p = .79). Regarding comfort, in the value brand condition, using the camera with the novel design was perceived to be more comfortable (M = 4.49) than the typical product design (M= 3.82; F(1, 209) = 6.34, p < .01). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.06 vs. Mtypical= 4.25; p = .46). Lastly, mediated moderation analysis (Hayes 2012; Model 8; bootstrapped with 10,000 draws) found that only when design presented was typical, was there mediation through authenticity (95% confidence interval [CI]: .07, .86), but not when presented with the novel design (95% CI: -.60, .24) and thus, provided support to H3.Overall, three studies showed that while product evaluations and functional inferences with novel designs are higher for value brands, they are not for luxury brands. Also, we provided perceived authenticity as an underlying mechanism. From our findings, we provide four theoretical contributions. First, by showing that only value, not luxury brands benefit from novel product design, we demonstrated that brand positioning is another moderator to the effect of schema incongruity that consumers prefer a moderately incongruent product design over a congruent design or an extremely incongruent design (Noseworthy and Trudel 2011; Meyers-Levy and Tybout 1989; Mandler 1982). Second, although the research in product design and innovation has shown that the novelty in perceptual cues may signal innovativeness to consumers and thus engender favorable product evaluations (Gregan-Paxton, Hoeffler, and Zhao 2005; Cox and Cox 2002), we found that such novelty in perceptual cues in product design may not work in certain circumstances – when the product is positioned as luxury. Third, this research contributes to the understanding of luxury branding by offering evidence that prototypical designs benefit luxury brands because they increase perceived authenticity. Fourth, we broaden the research on authenticity in the aspect that merely having a novel or fashion forward design may impair authenticity and cause unexpected results. Managerially, we provide guidelines in that although brands benefit from novel designs in general, the manager of a luxury brand should be cautious when changing the design of a luxury good, especially ones in which functionality and comfort are important attributes. In other words, a luxury brand manager should adopt fashion and design in a way that is beneficial to the consumer. Some luxury brands, such as Porsche, are well-respected for their innovation, while other luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton create value through promotion of a particular lifestyle (Reddy and Terblanche 2005). For brands that are particularly sought for their functional benefits, like Porsche, the importance of the impact of novel designs on perceptions of authenticity is particularly important. In addition, managers must be aware that novelty is not always perceived the same way. Consumer inferences on functionality and comfort can be elicited for fashion forward designs for value brands, where the novelty of design is used as a strategic tool. Nevertheless, when it comes to the luxury products, this effect might not appear and impairs brand authenticity. To extend our research, potential future research may examine the effect of novel designs on inconspicuous luxury goods. When conspicuous consumption is decoupled from the luxury brand, it is doubtful that prototypical designs would still be favored among consumers of luxury brands. Also, future research could examine the effect of other kinds of innovation. In our research, we mainly examined the product form and design as a method of innovation. However, it is possible that other kinds of innovation method can be used (i.e., change in product concept) and thus, can be potential future research topics. Finally, we believe that how other kinds of positioning might influence the relationship that we revealed could be studied further. For example, there are instances where value brands try to create a luxury line. In such instances, the effect of authenticity may differ from what we observed.

Introduction Since most companies are constantly confronted with incremental technology obsolescence and the risk of disruptive innovations, they have been struggling to pursue both incremental and radical new product developments (NPD). Due to these practical concerns, scholars have conducted research to reveal which factors promote “ambidexterity (O’Reilly & Tushman, 2008)” of both explorative activities, including radical NPD, and exploitative activities, including incremental NPD, mainly focusing on organizational structures and systems. For example, previous studies have suggested organizational structures (Gibson & Birkinshaw, 2004), cross-functional integration (Brettel, Heinemann, Engelen and Neubauer, 2011), and management systems (Benner & Tushman, 2003) are the factors to promote ambidexterity. Furthermore, recent studies have emerged suggesting the importance of cognition in pursuing both radical and incremental NPD (Smith & Tushman, 2005; Eling, Griffin, & Langerak, 2014). Although the importance of cognitive processes in NPD has been suggested in some studies, the research exploring these roles is scarce. Therefore, this study attempts to fill in the gaps by revealing the roles of cognitive processes (analytical processing, intuitive processing, and associative processing) on radical and incremental NPD performance empirically. Theoretical Background and Literature Review The purpose of this section is to attempt to reveal the points not addressed adequately in extant literature. In order to do so, firstly, this section tries to classify the cognitive processing in previous studies, according to some criteria. Secondly, the section reviews the empirical research regarding the effects of cognitive processing on decision-making. Lastly, it goes on to compare the reviewed empirical studies with the classification of cognitive processing that are indicated and attempts to review the gaps in previous research. The research on cognitive processing Referring to the rule-based processing and the associative processing, proposed in Smith & Decoster (2000), as well as the logico-deductive manner of rational choice and the associative thinking, proposed in Gavetti (2005, 2012), this study proposes three types of cognitive processing: analytical, intuitive, and associative processing.Analytical processing involves a comprehensive consideration of various factors, such as market environments, competitors’ behaviors and strategic alternatives, to make a judgement. One example of analytical processing is that we use a 3C framework to make a judgement regarding a new product concept. Intuitive processing involves making a judgement based on intuition, or judging without deliberation. One example of intuitive processing is adopting the product design that arouses feeling of rightness of choice (Dijksterhuis & Nordgren, 2006) or excitement (Agor, 1986) without clear bases. Associative processing involves consciously searching for a past experience or knowledge which is similar to a current situation, and making a judgement based on it. One example of this is when we intentionally recall a past experience in NPD, or a case in another industry that is similar to the current NPD situation, and determine the strategy by following it. The empirical research on the effect of cognitive processing There is an accumulation of empirical research on the effect of cognitive processing on decision making performance, management, and marketing literature. Dean and Sharfman (1996) empirically considered the relationship between the procedural rationality, defined as “the extent to which the decision process involves the collection of information relevant to the decision and the reliance upon analysis of this information in making the choice” (p. 373) and strategic decision effectiveness. Menon, Bharadwaj, Adidam and Edison (1999) empirically examines the relationship between situation analysis, referring to “rational and systematic consideration of the organizational SWOTs in a marketing strategy domains” (p. 21), and market performance, strategy creativity, and organizational learning. Yamashita, Fukudome, Uehara, and Sasaki (2012) studies the relationship between marketing strategy, referring to the extent that the marketer uses STP framework in the phase of decision making, and business unit’s performance. The constructs, such as procedural rationality, situational analysis, and marketing strategy, seem to approximately correspond to the analytical processing indicated in the previous section. Although previous research reviewed so far only focuses on analytical processing, there is research considering other cognitive processing. De Visser et al. (2014) examines the effects of NPD team’s intuitive information processing and analytical information processing on incremental and radical NPD’s overall performance. This study suggests that analytical processing affects overall NPD performance positively while intuitive processing affects only radical NPD performance in a positive manner. Table 1 indicates the arrangement of the reviewed empirical studies. The gaps in the literature From the previous research review, this study indicates three points not addressed adequately in the literature. First, as shown in Table 1, there is little research focusing on cognitive processing aside from analytical processing (especially on associative processing). Second, the research considering the relationship between cognitive processing and radical/ incremental NPD performance is scarce (except for de Visser etal (2014)). Third, little research has considered the effects of the cognitive processing of a new product development (NPD) leader, on the NPD performance. Given these points, this study focuses on the cognitive process of a NPD leader and considers the effects of analytical processing, intuitive processing, and associative processing, on incremental/ radical NPD project performance. Table 1 Research Hypotheses Generally, the uncertainty of incremental NPD projects is low. In such situations, it is relatively easy for NPD leaders to collect and analyze various data for judgements (analytical processing), enabling them to estimate and predict the surrounding situation more accurately. Thus, analytical processing affects the incremental NPD project positively. Using intuitive processing, a NPD leader makes judgements, automatically referring to past repeated experiences (cf. Smith & DeCoster, 2000). These judgements are correct in most cases, but judgement errors are sometimes brought about, due to inaccurate application of repeated experiences to a judgement. Furthermore, due to its automatic and preconscious nature, the bases of the judgement guided by intuitive processing cannot be explained clearly (Smith & DeCoster, 2000; Eling et al., 2014), which seems to increase the frequency of conflicts. Taking these effects in consideration, this study predicts that intuitive processing does not affect incremental NPD project performance. Using associative processing, a NPD leader replaces an uncertain situation with a past experience or knowledge that is more familiar to them, in order to make a judgement. However, such replacement is not effective in incremental NPD projects because, in general, they tend to be less uncertain. Thus, it is predicted that associative processing does not affect incremental NPD project performance. H1a: As a NPD leader uses the analytical processing more frequently in an incremental NPD project, the NPD project performance will be higher. H1b: The frequency of using intuitive processing by a NPD leader does not affect the incremental NPD project performance. H1c: The frequency of using associative processing by a NPD leader does not affect the incremental NPD project performance. Generally, as the needs of radical NPD deviates from organizations’ existing routines (Smith & Tushman, 2005), its uncertainty increases. In these situations, analytical processing is not appropriate for judgements due to the factors such as a lack of information and defined criteria (March, 2006). Part of the previous research suggests the positive effect of intuitive processing on radical NPD performance due to its tendency to generate creative ideas (de Visser et al., 2014). Given this, it is predicted that intuitive processing by a NPD leader positively affects the radical NPD performance. In contrast, it is also said that intuitive processing is likely tocause error of judgement in novel situations or strategies (cf. Miller & Ireland, 2005), and conflicts. Considering these, this study does not posit that any directional relationship between intuitive processing and radical NPD project performance. Associative processing can cope with uncertain situations by relating and drawing similarities from a previous familiar experience to the current uncertain situation (Gavetti, 2012). In addition, since associative processing is a conscious mental activity, its risk of error of judgement is lower than that of intuitive processing (cf. Stanovich & West, 2000). Considering this, it is predicted that there will be a positive effect of associative processing on radical NPD project performance. H2a: The frequency of using analytical processing by a NPD leader does not affect the radical NPD project performance. H2b: The frequency of using intuitive processing by a NPD leader affects the radical NPD project performance. H2c: As a NPD leader uses the associative processing more frequently in a radical NPD project; the NPD project performance will be higher. The depth of NPD leader’s experience refers to the extent that he has engaged in many NPD projects in one product category. The width of the NPD leader’s experience means the extent that he has engaged in NPD projects in various product categories. For want of space, the detailed explanation of H3 is skipped in this abstract. H3: The depth and width of the NPD leader’s experience moderate the relationship between cognitive processing and NPD project performance. Figure 1 METHODOLOGY This study uses the data collected from Japanese high-tech manufacturing companies, through survey research. The collected data will be used to empirically test the hypotheses. At the empirical test, the samples will be divided into two groups according to the NPD radicalness, and each group will be applied hierarchical multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship among the constructs. This study incorporates three independent variables, one dependent variable, three moderator variables and three control variables, into the model. The independent variables are analytical, intuitive, and associative processing. The dependent variable is overall NPD project performance. The moderator variables are NPD radicalness, depth and width of NPD leader’s experience. The control variables are firm size, devoted resource and the development period of a new product. The main variables of this model will be measured as follows. The scales of analytical processing and intuitive processing are developed, referring to those of Epstein et al. (1996) and de Visser et al. (2014). The scale of associative processing is developed for this study by drawing on the extant literature such as Gavetti(2005; 2012). Overall NPD project performance is measured by adopting the scale of Hoegl, Weinkauf, and Gemuenden (2004). The results of the analysis will be reported at the presentation in 2016 Global Marketing Conference in Hong Kong.

This study examined psychological attitudes towards Japan’s food safety image when subjects were evaluated on their reactions to potential radioactive contamination of foods. Using a self-reporting questionnaire and functional MRI experiment we were able to verify that people demonstrated increased anxiety in the insular cortex of the brain.

Extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMPs) are rare soft tissue malignant neoplasms composed of plasma cells. They are sometimes found in soft tissues. The majority of primary EMPs occur in the head and neck region, especially in the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity. We present a case of a 52-year-old female with an EMP. The patient’s initial chief complaint was swelling of the soft palate. An excisional biopsy was performed under general anesthesia. Final pathologic diagnosis was EMP of the soft palate with partial involvement of the resection margin. In order to exclude the possibility of multiple myeloma, a bone marrow exam with chromosomal study was completed. The patient was also referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology for postoperative radiation therapy (PORT); however, the patient refused to undergo PORT. The patient is currently under close observation for signs and symptoms of recurrence or metastases through regular follow-up visits and imaging studies.

Recent enactments of the Nagoya Protocol and UPOV convention precipitated international competition to secure biological resources. To address these challenges in the case of mushroom industry, collecting and preserving the genetic resources are urgently needed. Mushroom Research Division, National Institute of Horticltural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, has operated mushroom resource management facilities which consist of eight separate rooms with automatic temperature and humidity controllers for the safe preservation of mycelial cultures or voucher herbarium specimens. During the past three years the liquid-nitrogen (LN) cryogenic system for the permanent/semi-permanent preservation of the strains commercially or scientifically important are successfully installed, and the computerized resource management system using QR code are adopted. Up to now, 1,586 strains of 261 species in 79 genus of edible and medicinal mushrooms were preserved.

To obtain information on the sanitary of indoor environment in greenhouses used for shiitake cultivation, bacteria associated with larvae and imagoes of Sciaridae flies, pest to shiitake mushroom, were isolated and identified. A total of 1,048 bacterial colonies were isolated from the flies’ larvae and 984 bacterial colonies were isolated from the flies’ imagoes. Based on molecular analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence, Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Tetrathiobacter kashmirensis of β-proteobacteria, Enterobacter asburiae and Raoultella ornithinolytica of γ -proteobacteria, Curtobacterium sp. and Microbacterium thalassium of Actinobacteria, and Penibacillus taichungensis of Firmicutes were identified from the colonies of the flies’ larvae. While, Bacillus megaterium, B. thuringiensis, Lysinbacillus sphaericus and L. fusifomis of Firmicutes, Microbacterium thalassium and Citricoccus parietis of Actinobacteria, and Enterobacter asburiae of γ-proteobacteria were identified from the flies’ imagoes. Some of the isolated bacterial species were known be human pathogens. Overall, the results of this study suggested that mushroom fly carrying human pathogenic bacteria is one of sources impact on the sanitary of indoor environment of greenhouses used for shiitake cultivation.

Since the first Korean button mushroom ‘Sae-Ah’ developed in 2010, most farmers had wanted to cultivate a new variety. A new variety, ‘SaeJeong’, was developed in 2011, but this variety was difficult to cultivate in mushroom farm. To solve the variety problem, a new variety ‘Sae-do’ was developed in 2012. The variety, ‘Sad-do’, was made by crossing hetrokaryon A175 and homokaryon ASI1346-15 selected by genetic analysis. The heterokaryon A175 is crossed line between ASI1038-211 and ASI1346-20. The mycelium of ‘Saedo’ on CDA (compost dextrose agar) grew well at 25°C. The optimum pin-heading temperature of it was 13-15°C and optimum growing temperature was 13-20°C. Earliness (days required from casing to first harvesting) was 2 days shorter than control ‘Saejeong’. Even though the diameter of mature cap and the length of stipe were shorter than a control, the individual weight of fruiting body was heavier because of thick pileus and stipe. Therefore, the yield was increased by 1.89 times than control and the hardness of pileus was stronger. The field experiment of ‘Saedo’ variety has been started since 2013. Most farmers evaluated that the variety has good compost colonization and cap shape, and high yield in harvesting. For that reason, ‘Saedo’ has occupied half of the of distribution rate of Korean varieties. Also distribution rate of Korean varieties was increased from 26.1% in 2014 to 37% in 2015.

Oyster mushroom is one of mushrooms that are cultivated and consumed a lot in Korea. P. ostreatus 'ASI 2504(Suhan)' is a preferable cultivar to mushroom farmers because it has a dark pileus and a thick stipe. But it is very sensitive to environmental conditions, so farmers demand an alternative cultivar of ‘Suhan’ continuously. To develop a new cultivar, parental strains ‘ASI 2504(Suhan)’ and ‘ASI 0665(Heuktari)’ were selected from P. ostreatus’s various collected strains according to morphological characteristics. P. ostreatus ‘Soltari’ was developed by the method of Di-Mono crossing between dikaryotic strain ‘Suhan’ and monokaryotic strain derived from ‘Heuktari’. Analysis of the mitochondrial genetic characteristics was performed for primary selection in 100 crossed strains. The mitochondrial DNA profile of ‘Soltari’ was same as that of ‘Heuktari’, when mitochondrial DNA primer MtPo1 was used. And a nuclear DNA profile of ‘Soltari’ was similar as those of the parental strains, ‘Suhan’ and ‘Heuktari’, when RAPD(Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) primer URP 1, 3 were used. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth was 30°C for ‘Soltari’. ‘Soltari’ was appropriate for middle high temperature to grow, especially 13~18°C. Fruiting body production per bottle (1,100mL) was about 158.6g. When compared to the control strain ‘Suhan’, the stipe’s length and thickness of ‘Soltari’ were similar to those of ’Suhan’. But the pileus diameter of ‘Soltari’ was a little shorter than that of ‘Suhan’, the former was 42.72mm, while the latter was 51.33mm. And the pileus thickness of ‘Soltari’ and ‘Suhan’ were 18.18mm and 25.46mm, respectively. ‘Soltari’ was more resistant at high CO2 concentration than ‘Suhan’ and the color of pileus of ‘Soltari’ was kept dark gray at high temperature. Therefore, it is suggested that this new cultivar ‘Soltari’ be an alternative of ‘Suhan’ and contribute to energy saving effect in oyster mushroom farms.

This study was conducted to evaluate a visual surveillance system. The advancement of recording technology and network service make it easy to record and transfer the videos. Moreover, progressed recognition technology help to make a distinction each other. Cows show distinguishing behaviors during their estrus period. The mounting is one of the behaviors. The result was different depending on the breed of the cows and the size of the farm. In the case of Korean native cattle, the estrus detection rate was 71.15%, however, dairy cows, the estrus detection rate was 39.38%. At the farms having below 6 modules, the estrus detection rate was 87.41%. On the other hand, at the farms having over 6 modules, the estrus detection rate was 77.78%. With the proper progress, the visual surveillance system can be used to detect heat detection.

Although piglets have been delivered by embryo transfer (ET) with in vitro produced (IVP) embryos and blastocysts, a success rate has still remained lower level. Unlike mouse, human, and bovine, it is difficult to a production of piglets by in vitro fertilization (IVF) because of an inappropriate in vitro culture (IVC) system in pig. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate whether minimized exposure time in IVC can improve the pregnancy and delivery rates of piglets. Immediately after IVM, the oocytes were denuded and co-incubated with freshly ejaculated boar semen for 3.5 to 4 hours at 38.5 ˚C under 5% CO2 in air. To avoid long-term exposure to in vitro state, we emitted IVC step after IVF. After that the presumptive zygotes were transferred into both oviducts of the surrogate on the same day or 1 day after the onset of estrus. Pregnancy was diagnosed on day 28 after ET and then was checked regularly every month by ultrasound examination. The 3 out of 4 surrogates were determined as pregnant (75%) and a total of 5 piglets (2 females and 3 males) were delivered at 118.3 ± 2.5 days of pregnancy period. In conclusion, a short-term exposure time may be an important factor in the production of IVP-derived piglets. It can be apply to the in vitro production system of transgenic pig by IVF, cloning, and pronuclear microinjection methods.

[Fe II] emission lines are prominent in the infrared (IR) and important as diagnostic tools for radiative atomic shocks. We investigate the emission characteristics of [Fe II] lines using a shock code developed by Raymond (1979) with updated atomic parameters. We rst review general characteristics of the IR [Fe II] emission lines from shocked gas, and derive their uxes as a function of shock speed and ambient density. We have compiled available IR [Fe II] line observations of interstellar shocks and compare them to the ratios predicted from our model. The sample includes both young and old supernova remnants in the Galaxy and the Large Magellanic Cloud and several Herbig-Haro objects. We nd that the observed ratios of the IR [Fe II] lines generally fall on our grid of shock models, but the ratios of some mid- IR lines, e.g., [Fe II] 35.35 m=[Fe II] 25.99 m, [Fe II] 5.340 m=[Fe II] 25.99 m, and [Fe II] 5.340 m=[Fe II] 17.94 m, are signicantly oset from our model grid. We discuss possible explanations and conclude that while uncertainties in the shock modeling and the observations certainly exist, the uncertainty in atomic rates appears to be the major source of discrepancy.

The genetic algorithm (GA), one of the artificial intelligence (AI), is developed based on Darwin's theory of evolution, i.e., the mating of randomly selected objects. If more optimal solution is generated, then it is better to repeat the process of setting the optimum value. In this paper, the method of background music using the genetic algorithm is exploited when the computer game is executed each time. As a result, it has created several music that can be used in the actual game, and it could be confirmed that the other music that is created is different music when performed each time.

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments was adopted by IMO (International Maritime Organization) on 13 February 2004. Fifty-seven ballast water management systems were granted basic approval of active substance by IMO, among which thirty-seven systems were granted final approval. This paper studies the maximum allowable dosage of active substances produced by ballast water management system using electrolysis which is an approved management system by IMO. The allowable dosage of active substances by electrolysis system is proposed by TRO (Total Residual Oxidant). Maximum allowable dosage of TRO is a very important factor in the ballast water management system when using the electrolysis methods, because ballast water management system is controlled with the TRO value, and the IMO approvals are given on the basis of the maximum allowable dosage of TRO for the treatment and discharge of ballast water. However, between various management systems approved TRO concentration of maximum allowable dosage showed large differences, ranging from 1 to 15 ppm, depending on the management systems. The discrepancies of maximum allowable dosage among the management systems may depend on whether a filter is used or not, the difference in the specifications of the electrolysis module, the kind of the tested organisms, the number of individual organisms, and the difference in the water quality, etc. Ship owners are responsible for satisfying the performance standard of the IMO convention in the ports of each country therefore need to carefully review whether the ballast water management system can satisfy the performance standard of the IMO convention or not.

Microalgae are of significant importance for future biotechnological applications. Many microalgae banks or laboratories attempt to maintain various microalgae for further research purposes. Cryopreservation has been preferred to reduce a labor-intensive and costly routine sub-culturing. Cryopreservation can also diminish the genetic drift risk. However, cryopreservation as a long term storage of microalgae method are still in developing progress because it cannot be generalized for all microalgae. Microalgae types, cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) types, freezing and thawing methods are the most important factors that should be considered for cryopreservation. In this short review the basic principles and the current advanced of microalgae cryopreservation methods are discussed with a suggested starting parameters for microalgae cryopreservation.

Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) have potential to differentiate to various cell types including osteoblasts, adipocytes and neurons. SKPs are a candidate for cell-based therapy since they are easily accessible and have multipotency. Most mammalian cells are exposed to a low oxygen environment with 1 to 5% O2 concentration in vivo, while 21% O2 concentration is common in in vitro culture. The difference between in vitro and in vivo O2 concentration may affect to the behavior of cultured cells. In this report, we investigated the effect of hypoxic condition on stemness and proliferation of SKPs. The results indicated that SKPs exposed to hypoxic condition for 5 days showed no change in proliferation. In terms of mRNA expression, hypoxia maintained expression of stemness markers; whereas, oncogenes, such as Klf4 and c-Myc, were downregulated, and the expression of Nestin, related to cancer migration, was also downregulated. Thus, SKPs cultured in hypoxia may reduce the risk of cancer in SKP cell-based therapy.

The contributions of teachers in building foundation of social processes, promoting learners’ agency and engagements have been constantly highlighted. This study explores language socialization of English Language Learners (ELLs) in an elementary school in U.S., focusing on the role of an ESL teacher. It examines how the ESL teacher provides linguistic and cultural scaffolding, and creates a learning environment conducive to ELLs’ socialization into American school academic discourse (Gee, 1999). A prevalent approach for linguistic scaffolding was through using questions. Questions were used for assessment, identifying prior knowledge, current understanding level, and potential level for future development, and to train ELLs to think critically and analytically. Cultural scaffolding was made through classroom scripts, such as whole group and small group activities, individual work with teacher assistance, and working locations in the classrooms. The classroom script projected American values of power functioning, respect for individuals, and freedom of choice. The findings imply that ESL learners need more than linguistic scaffolding and having the knowledge of cultural learning dynamics could be crucial in multicultural students’ socialization into the mainstream American school discourse.

The maritime sector in Malaysia is best known globally due to the Straits of Malacca and being a nation surrounded by sea. Malaysia also has a substantial maritime industry consisting of numerous shipyards, ports and terminal faculties, ship services and a plethora of other companies and institutions with maritime oriented activities and become essential components of the Malaysia’s maritime clusters. Issues such as underutilised intermodal terminals, uneven proportions in the freight transport infrastructure and road and seaport congestions prevent Malaysian seaports from achieving their full potential in serving their respective hinterlands. The key factors to improve Malaysian dry port or intermodal terminals are transport network; container planning; competition; location and, externalities. The paper does not only present the critical challenges faced by Malaysian intermodal terminals especially dry ports and the implications for seaport competency but it also provides strategies to utilise the Malaysian freight multimodal system to amplify seaports’ performance in serving their hinterlands. As such, this may warrant policy makers to devise a comprehensive national master plan for the maritime sector in order for Malaysia to further develop her maritime industry and economies.