This research examines the affect of destination image factors on revisit intention of domestic tourists at Ba Ria Vung-Tau (BRVT), by questioning directly 510 domestic tourists. The convenient sampling method is used in dividing the crowds into four groups; the four main surveyed areas in BRVT are: Vung Tau, Long Hai-Phuoc Hai, Xuyen Moc and Con Dao. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies were utilized. A focus group of 10 domestic tourists was set up to review and explore the various factors as well as the conceptual model. An in-depth interview with 12 participants was developed to fine-tune measurement items. The questionnaire applied a 5-point Likert scale. Checking the reliability by Cronbach’s Alpha, exploratory factor analyzing and linear multiple regression were used with the SPSS program. The results show that there are eight main destination image factors affecting domestic tourists revisit intention to BRVT using linear regression and arranged by decreasing importance: Infrastructure, Variety Seeking, Accessibility, Local food, Atmosphere, Environment, Price Value, Leisure and Entertainment. From that, the research offers some suggestions and policy recommendations for the tourism business and provincial policy-makers to identify the main issues and develop better customer services to increase domestic tourists’ revisit intention.

Globalization has led to a dramatic increase in intercultural service encounters between services providers and customers from diverse cultural backgrounds. This paper explores the causal relationship between service employees’ cultural intelligence and adaptive sales behavior in intercultural service encounters, and the mediating effect of cognitive and emotional empathy on this relationship. A quantitative survey methodology was utilized to collect data on 341 salespeople at duty-free shops located on Jeju Island, Korea. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 18 and Amos 18. The results show that cultural intelligence has a significant impact on cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, and adaptive sales behavior. Cognitive empathy has a positive impact on adaptive sales behavior, whereas the relationship between emotional empathy and adaptive sales behavior is not significant. Additionally, cognitive empathy mediates the relationship of cultural intelligence and adaptive sales behavior. This study has useful managerial implications for employee selection, training, and development in service firms engaged in intercultural service encounters. This study extends prior research on intercultural service encounters by exploring the direct impact of cultural intelligence on intercultural adaptation and the mediating effect of empathy, suggesting the presence of a cognitive mechanism that plays a key role in the impact of cultural intelligence on adaptive sales behavior.

This paper aims to not only investigate the nature of financial security and its measurement, but also to compare financial security level in 629 listed companies divided into four different industries (materials, industrials, health care, and consumer goods) before building a theoretical framework and regression models to examine the determinants of financial security. By gathering 2,167 financial statements published in Vietnamese Stock Exchange during eight years from 2012 to 2019, with the support of STATA, the research results indicate that six different internal factors, which are liquidity, profitability, firm size, debt management ratios, asset management ratios, and cash flows, explain 77.7% the change of financial security ratio and 3.4% the change in sustainable growth ratio. Specifically, while firm size has a positive impact on sustainable growth ratio but a negative impact on financial security ratio, deb management and profitability have an insignificant influence on the financial security level. Furthermore, an increase in asset management ratios would result positively in both two dependent variables whereas a rise in sustainable growth and a decline in financial security ratio are expected to witness if there is an increase in cash flows.

The research aims to investigate the determinants of the financial performance of 1343 Vietnamese companies categorized into six different industries listed on the Vietnamese Stock Exchange over a four-year period from 2014 to 2017 using STATA software. Those determinants include firm size, liquidity, solvency, financial leverage, and financial adequacy while the financial performance is evaluated by three different ratios: return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and return on sales (ROS). The research results from these companies during the given period indicate that: (1) Firm size has a positive impact on both ROA and ROS, especially ROA but it has the opposite effect on ROE, (2) Adequacy ratio impacts positively on ROA and ROS but negatively on ROE, (3) Financial leverage considerably negative influences on ROE and ROS but positively impacts on ROA, (4) Liquidity has a positive effect on both ROA and ROE but a negative one on ROS and (5) Solvency has a positive impact on ROA and ROS but the negative impact on ROE. Furthermore, agriculture accounted for the highest percentage of profitability at the beginning, which was replaced by service for ROA but manufacture for ROE from 2016 to 2017 as opposed to the least in transportation.

Background : Adenophora triphylla var japonica is a perennial herb that belongs to Campanulaceae. Radix Adenophorae is a dried rhizome of A. triphylla and same genus plant. It has contains chemicals such as cycloartenyl acetate, lupenone, β-sitosterol, taraxerone, octacosanoic acid, and praeruptorin A. Radix Adenophorae considered to be effective regulating humoral and cellular immunity, antimutation, restraining adenocarcinoma cell, strengthening cardiac function, allaying a fever, and easing pain and cough. In this study, we tried to establish a mass production system of A. triphylla which has high economic value as a medicinal herb by plant tissue culture in order to cultivate standard varieties. Methods and Results : In this study, A. triphylla internode was used as a explant and it was surface sterilized by 1% sodium hypochlorite for 5 minutes, consequently several times washed with ddH2O. Further it was placed in to MS medium including with axillary bud. The 1/2MS, B5, SH was used in this research. And the plant growth regulator of 0.1 - 2 ㎎/ℓ auxins (NAA, IBA) and cytokines (BA) were used respectively to achieve multiple shoots. The whole study was carried out in the department of Herbal crop research, Eumseong, RDA. Conclusion : In this study we obtained, 6.2 multi-shoots per an explant, and the shoot growth was also favorable in the presence of 1.0 ㎎/ℓ BA and 1.0 ㎎/ℓ IBA.

Background : Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort is a perennial herb of the Umbelliferae family and an important traditional oriental medicinal plant. The compounds contained in L. chuanxiong can be divided into five kinds, essential oil, alkaloids, phenolic acids, phthalide lactones, and other constituents. These compounds have cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, antioxidants, neuroprotection, anti-fibrinolytic, antidotes, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. In this study, we anticipated to establish the in vitro propagation system of L. chuanxiong, which is a high economic value as medicinal herb, by plant tissue culture to solve the problem of root stocks contamination. Methods and Results : The whole study was carried out in the department of Herbal crop research, Eumseong, RDA. In this study, L. chuanxiong nodes was used as an explant and it was surface sterilized by 2% sodium hypochlorite for 1 minutes, then washed with ddH2O several times. Further the surface sterilized nodes were placed on MS basal media. Multiple shoots were induced on MS, SH, WPM media with 0.1 - 2 ㎎/ℓ auxin (NAA, IBA) and cytokine (BA). In this study we obtained 4.6 multi-shoots per an explant, and growth of the shoot was also favorable in the presence of 1.0 ㎎/ℓ BA. Subsequent transfer of these regenerated shoots on 1/2 MS media resulted in root formation. The rooted plantlets were able to grow in soil after 3 weeks of acclimatization. Conclusion : The optimal conditions for in vitro propagation of L. chuanxiong were established through this experiment.

Background : Astragalus membranaceus belonging to the family of Leguminosae have been utilized as a traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to elucidate the basic information for breeding to superior Astragalus membranaceus cultivar. Methods and Results : Selection lines were developed by the medicinal crop breeding team of National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA). The root of A. membranaceus lines were harvested in late October 2017. Calycosin-7-O-β-d-glucoside and calycosin were anlyzed by HPLC. The root yield of six selection lines were increased 8.9 - 74.8% compared with ‘Aseong’ (check variety). Also, the plant height of seven selection lines were shorter than ‘Aseong’. The calycosin–7-O-β -d-glucoside content was higher in six selection lines than ‘Aseong’. The calycosin content was higher in all selection lines except 1 line (1508 - 03) than that of ‘Aseong’. Conclusion : Three superior lines with short height and high yield were selected. These superior lines will conduct advanced yield trial to make varieties.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. This study was breeding of R. glutinosa cultivar with insect tolerance and high-yielding. Methods and Results : ‘Chunggang’ is developed by the medicinal crop breeding team of National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA), during the period from 2005 to 2017. The reproduction of Rehmannia glutinosa has been accomplished mainly by vegetative propagation with its seedlings. This cultivar was selected from seedling of RG10. The plant type of Chungang is some rising from ground. Regional yield trials conducted at three site from 2016 to 2017. The root yield of ‘Chunggang’ was 22.3 ton per hectare, which was increased 11% compared with ‘Jihwang 1’ (check variety). Also, ‘Chunggang’ has higher insect tolerance compared with ‘Jihwang 1’. Conclusion : ‘Chunggang’ is a insect tolerance and high-yielding Rehmannia glutinosa cultivar.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. This study was conducted to evaluate the appropriateness through seedling cultivation of R. glutinosa. Methods and Results : The root of R. glutinosa cultivar (Jihwang 1) was harvested in the middle of March. Seed rhizomes were seedling after air curing for three days. And seed rhizomes were plug seedlings for 30 days (30D), 45 days (45D) and 60 days (60D) then planted in the test field. Mat formation rate in 30D, 45D and 60D was 81.3, 100 and 100% respectively. Flowering occurred only in 45D and 60D except 30D. Flowering rate of 45D and 60D were 7.3 ± 3.06 and 13.3 ± 1.15%. Agronomic characteristics were evaluated in comparison with ND (directly seeded group). As a results, aerial parts of 30D in plant height, leaf length and leaf width were better than other treatment group but the number of leaf per plant was statistically the same. Also, root shape was similar when comparing ND and seedling groups. Conclusion : Taken together, it is thought that the cultivation of R. glutinosa. seedlings is possible. However, further evaluation of the economic aspect is needed.

Background: The flowering plant Hippophae rhamnoides L. has been used for many studies on fruit or leaf extracts. This study was conducted to investigate the development of a new cosmetic material from H. rhamnoides fruits and leaves that have by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wrinkle improvement activities. Methods and Results: The antioxidant abilities of H. rhamnoides extracts, including of a water-soluble fruit powder (FW), a fatsoluble fruit powder (FF), a supercritical extract of fruit by-product (BS), and a mixture of leaf and fruit (MIX), were investigated in vitro. A DPPH radical assay for antioxidant activity was performed for these fractions alongside assay to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC). As expected, the MIX had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (RC50 = 10.27㎍/㎖), and the TPC and TFC also were highest in MIX (225.7 ㎎·GAE/g, and 25.18 ㎎·QE/g, respectively). Nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells was estimated and the results indicated an over 75% decrease of NO production in FF and MIX. In other assays, the highest elastase inhibitory activity was found in FW. Conclusions: These results revealed that H. rhamnoides extracts have a high potential for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiwrinkle activities. H. rhamnoides products are suggested to be applied as the functional materials of cosmetic ingredients.

Background: Mahonia Nepalensis DC. (Hoang lien o ro), the specie of the family Berberidaceae, is widely distributed in the high mountainous areas at altitudes 1700 – 1900 m of Vietnam. It is found that the stem of Mahonia nepalensis indicated anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antifungal activities and they are used particularly for the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. However, no study on the antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of Mahonia Nepalensis stem has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities of Mahonia Nepalensis stem. Methods and Results: The stem pieces of Mahonia Nepalensis were dried and extracted three times with 100% methanol. After that, the extract was suspended in distilled water and then partitioned with n-hexane, ethyl-acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (water saturated BuOH) fractions were then evaporated using a vacuum rotary evaporator. Evaluation of the anti-oxidative activity of Mahonia Nepalensis was carried out using a DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-producing system. The results revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction of M. nepalensis possessed higher potential DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50, 81.88 ± 1.33㎍/㎖) than other fractions as well as BHT (2,6-Di-tert-Butyl-4-methylphenol) (IC50, 250.49 ± 1.60㎍/㎖). The reducing power assay was also investigated and EtOAc fraction showed higher absorbance values than other fractions. At 1.0 mg/ml concentration, EtOAc fraction showed absorbance of 1.72, be higher than Ascorbic acid. Cell viability was evaluated according to the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyl tetrazolium Bromide) assay. By MTT assay, all fractions showed a significant reduction in cell viability on COLO 205 (Human colon carcinoma cell) at the highest concentration tested (200㎍/ ㎖) with over 70% decrease in cell viability was obtained, and the highest significantly inhibiting effect occurred in butanol fraction with approximately 90% reduction in cell viability. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Mahonia Nepalensis stem extract has highly potential in anti-cancer activity. Further studies are necessary in order to explore the variety of Mahonia Nepalensis stem to be applied as a valuable natural material.

Background : Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) was used as medicinal plant in Tibetan and Mongolian traditional medicines. It has been recognised as a versatile nutraceutical crop with diverse uses for the treatment of diseases, such as gastric ulcers, lung disorders, cardiovascular diseases, mucosal injuries and skin disorders. Physiological research on mixture of sea buckthorn leaf and fruit have not be reported. Therefore, in this study, using sea buckthorn mixture, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were determined. Methods and Results : The experiment was carried out using 11 samples (100% leaf extract - 100% fruit juice powder). The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of sea buckthorn mixture were evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. The leaf extract with fruit juice in the ratio of 60 : 40 (w/w) showed a significant effect (86.43%). The mixture of sea buckthorn leaf and fruit were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity using LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. The results showed that the higher ratio of leaf extract indicated greater anti-inflammatory activity (approximately 10%, NO production ). Conclusion : These result showed that the mixture of sea buckthorn leaf and fruit can be used as a variety of antioxidant and other functional product research and development processes as valuable natural materials.

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as other plants. Incorporating such plant into soil as green manure is effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. In the absence of green manure addition, the NO3 content, electric conductivity (EC), and K content decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. In the presence of green manure addition, P2O5 and NO3 contents reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The “survived root ratio” of 2-year-old ginseng significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3%, in the Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus treatment, respectively. In addition, there was a significant increase in the “survived root ratio” in the Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius treatments. The “survived root ratio” of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with the soil pH and a negative correlation with the NO3 contents, and EC. Conclusions: Cultivation of plant form the Chrysanthemum family as green manure, using mainly the rhizomes was effective for the control of root rot disease of ginseng.

Background : Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Korea, but its yields are often reduced by a variety of root pathogens. The root rot of ginseng is a destructive soil-borne disease caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans (teleomorph: Ilyonectria radicicola). To monitor contamination with C. destructans in ginseng harvested in 2015 were sampled from 57 different growing fields. The spore number of C. destructans was quantified by use of a specific primers and selective media (radicicol) in soils of ginseng fields. Methods and Results : The ginseng samples were surface-sterilized and placed on potato dextrose agar plates for 7 day incubation at 20℃. Emerging fungal colonies were counted primarily based on colony and conidia morphology. Further species level identification was confirmed by ITS rDNA sequencing. For quantification of the soil-borne C. destructans, the genomic DNA was extracted from the soil using a NucleoSpin soil kit (MN, Germany). Density of C. destructans was determined by species specific real time PCR (qPCR). The qPCR was completed by running a melting curve analysis. Conclusion : The C. destructans associated with root rot disease of ginseng were detected in more than 60% in pyeongtaek-1, pochenon-1, jecheon-1, chungju-1 and jinan-4. As results of the study, the correlation between pathogen density and identification clearly clarified in the soil.

Background : Haskap berries commonly refer to fruits of Lonicera caerulea L., recognized by the Japanese aborigines as the “The elixir of life.”. Due to their recent arrival on the North American market, haskap berries have not yet been positioned among other berries and compared in terms of their phytochemical content. And haskap berries have higher ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content than other berries known for their health-promoting benefits, such as blueberries. However, no study has reported on the antioxidant and anti-cancer activity of Lonicera caerulea stem. The purpose of this study is to present the current research on the chemical content, antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of Lonicera caerulea stem. Methods and Results : The stem of Lonicera caerulea L. ware dried in the shade at room temperature and extracted with 100% methanol. The extract was suspended in deionized water and partitioned sequentially with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate and butanol (water saturated BuOH) fractions. Antioxidant activities were measured by determination of antioxidants, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Cell viability was determined by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. All cell lines were purchased from the Korean Cell Line Bank (Seoul, Korea). All results were performed with three replications were processed statistically. By DPPH assay, the Lonicera caerulea L. the highest activity was obtained from the ethyl-acetate fraction (IC50=15.46 ㎍/㎖). By MTT assay, the chloroform fraction showed a significant growth inhibiting effect on MCF-7 (Human breast cancer, IC50=225.91 ㎍/㎖), COLO 205 (Human colon cancer, IC50=179.55 ㎍/㎖), but on AGS (Human stomach cancer) and other fractions it did not show effect. Conclusion : We demonstrated that Lonicera caerulea L. stem extract and fractions has antioxidant and antiproliferation activity in vitro. Further studies should identify the active constituents in Lonicera caerulea L stem to evaluate the potential in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferation activities of the extract.

Background: Crop rotation plays an important role in improving soil chemical properties, minimizing the presence of disease pathogens, and assists in neutralizing autotoxic effects associated with allelochemicals. Methods and Results: Five rotation crops of sudan grass, soybean, peanut, sweet potato, and perilla were cultivated for one year with an aim to reduce yield losses caused by repeated cropping of ginseng. In 2-year-old ginseng grown in the same soil as a previous ginseng crop, stem length and leaf area were reduced by 30%, and root weight per plant was reduced by 56%. Crop rotation resulted in a significant decrease in electrical conductivity, NO3, and P2O5 content of the soil, whereas organic matter, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn content remained-unchanged. Soil K content was increased following crop rotation with sudan grass and peanut only. Rotation with all alternate crops increased subsequent ginseng aerial plant biomass, whereas root weight per plant significantly increased following crop rotation with perilla only. A significant positive correlation was observed between root rot ration and soil K content, and a significant negative correlation was observed between ginseng root yield and the abundance of actinomycetes. Crop rotation affected the soil microbial community by increasing gram negative microbes, the ratio of aerobic microbes, and total microbial biomass whereas decreases were observed in actinomycetes and the ration of saturated fatty acids. Conclusions: In soil exhibiting crop failure following replanting, crop rotation for one year promoted both soil microbial activity and subsequent ginseng aerial plant biomass, but did not ameliorate the occurrence of root rot disease.

Serine-arginine-rich nuclear protein LUC7L plays an important role in the regulation of myogenesis in mice. In the present study, we isolated and characterized the Korean rose bitterling Rhodeus uyekii Luc7l cDNA, designated RuLuc7l. The RuLuc7l cDNA is 1,688 bp long and encodes a 364-amino-acid polypeptide containing serine/arginine-rich region at the C-terminus. The deduced RuLuc7l protein has high amino acid identity (71-97%) with those of other species including human. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RuLUC7L clustered with fish LUC7L proteins. The expression of RuLuc7l mRNA was high in the brain, kidney, and stomach of Korean rose bitterling. Expression of the RuLuc7l mRNA was detected from 1 day post-fertilization (dpf) and moderately increased until 21 dpf during the early development. Further investigations are required to elucidate the functional role of RuLUC7L in myogenesis in R. uyekii.