Technology-mediated communication is established as a key channel for firms to interact with consumers, who can choose between a rapidly expanding variety of devices types and interaction modes such as live-chats, video calls, voice-controlled virtual assistants, or online avatars. However, frustrated consumers report publicly about their negative experience and attribute their discontent to a lack of authenticity of the technology-mediated encounter. In technology-mediated contexts consumers often cannot relate to tangible products and observable behavior of a service employee to judge the authenticity of the encounter. Thus, it is unknown how consumers form their authenticity evaluation. We address this gap by exploring the concept of authenticity in technology-mediated consumer-firm interactions. Based on 41 qualitative in-depth interviews we provide a framework of consequences and antecedents of authenticity perception. Most importantly, we identify three different categories of cues from which consumers infer to judge the authenticity of an encounter: the interaction counterpart, the communication quality and the brand experience

This study addresses the influence of corruption on firm innovation in Chinese market. Using both the logit model and a fuzzy-set analytical approaches based on a new official sample of 2700 privately-owned and 148 state-owned firms over the period of 2011 to 2013, the study add further evidence to growing methodological consideration regarding complexity theory. The results show a significant negative effect of corruption on firm innovation, additional, firm sale and education and market have a positive bearing on innovation activity. However, the government ownership firms have a negative and significant effect on innovation. The findings have important implication for theory, practitioners and policy-making and shed light on a new perspective to focus on the long run effect of corruption.

We integrate institutional theory and the resource-based view of capability to examine the interplay of institutional environments and firm-specific capabilities on value-creating synergy by emerging market firms (EMFs). We argue that EMFs expand into countries with better-developed institutions as a means to overcome poor institutions at home. EMFs that develop strong absorptive capacity and knowledge transfer capability are better able to benefit from a portfolio of complementary sources of knowledge across multiple markets. We analyze data on a sample of manufacturing firms’ international expansion to demonstrate that expansion into a host country with a better-developed institutional environment promotes innovation success. This effect was found to be stronger for firms with strong absorptive capacity and well-developed knowledge transfer capability.

Luxun, whose works are well-received in Japan, is regarded as a ‘national author’. In 1909, Japanese print media for the first time reported such a ‘thought warrior’ and ‘literature master’. Since then, scholars studying Luxun has made their effort to advertise Luxun. Even up to now, it is fair enough to say as an ‘advocate’ of Chinese national culture, Luxun is still boasting of his radiance, because his works are as mellow as wine, leading readers to meaningful afterthoughts. It is found both in China and Japan that language textbooks of primary and secondary school are seen as a medium to learn about Luxun. Interpreting and teaching Luxun’s works can not only render people more capable of using language, but spread literature knowledge and enrich spiritual wold. Separated by the East China Sea, Japan published the first translated work written by Luxun in 1920s and his articles in Japanese language textbooks were also translated by famous indigenous writers or translators. There are two benefits when we take a look at how many articles written by Luxun are collected into Japanese language textbooks, explore the collecting background, interpret textbooks and analyze exercises about his articles. One is that we can have a clear understanding of the popularity and acceptance of ‘Luxun Spirit’ in Japanese basic education. The other is that we can draw some important lessons for our teaching about Luxun in middle school, and the teaching and study of ‘ China-Japan comparative literature’ for Japanese major students.

The aim of this study was conducted to investigate the proximate and nutritional compositions including mineral, vitamin, amino acids and fatty acids in Korean yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.). Carbohydrate (68.1%) possessed the large single constituent of yam. Small amounts of crude protein (16.9%), crude ash (5.8%) and crude fat (2.0%) contents were found. Yam was found to be good sources of essential minerals such as K (1295.5 mg/100 g), Mg (115.3 mg/100 g), Na (99.0 mg/100 g) and Ca (56.5 mg/100 g) but Zn (0.3 mg/100 g) content was low. Relatively abundant vitamin B1 (11.5 mg/100g) could be observed while vitamin A, B3 and B6 were not found. The amino acid analysis revealed that the yam was superior with respect to glutamic acid (1770.6 mg%), lysine (1210.6 mg%) and urea (550.9 mg%). Essential amino acids were calculated to be 2954.5 mg%. The amino acid profiles showed that yam to be limiting in valine and leusine. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid were the most predominant fatty acids with the value of 31.5% and 41.5%, respectively. And the polyunsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid and linolenic acid were present in a large quantities in yam. And it also contained higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids compared saturated fatty acids.

As a solemn and serious uniform, military uniform can be differentiated easily from any other clothing in the aspects of color, material and style. Inspired by military uniform, fashion designers have been applying military uniform elements into modern fashion design in recent years, which helps to bring military uniform from the trench onto international fashion runway. The primary method of this research is theory analysis method and exampling study method. Based on the collected materials of modern military uniform, this paper takes the fashion and cultural study theory of the famous American scholar Susan B. Kaiser as the leading theory to analyze four subject positions embodied in military uniform, including nation, rank, gender and time and space. By analyzing the subject positions embodied in military uniform, it shows the rich cultural connotation of military uniform and the function of various small details. Meanwhile, by giving specific examples, this paper explores the influences of military uniform on modern fashion design in respect to color, style, material, pattern and accessory. Through the conduct of this research, it comes to the conclusion that military uniform also has the characteristics and properties described in the fashion and cultural theory of Susan B. Kaiser, in addition, designers can be inspired by every specific object around them, which shows the talents of designers.

The bioactive compound and antioxidant property of Korean yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) were studied using in vitro methods. Yam available in Korea was analyzed for lycopene, chlorophyll a, b, tannin, phytic acid and total saponin contents. 70% Methanol, 70% ethanol and chloroform–methanol mixture (CM, 2:1, v/v) were used to extract yam. Then the antioxidant activity evaluated through ferrous ion chelating activity, β-carotene bleaching method, lipid peroxidation inhibition and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity. 70% Methanol extract showed the highest ferrous ion chelating activity and NO radical scavenging activity. And CM extract was the most effective in inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation evaluated by β-carotene bleaching assay and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay. Based on the results obtained, yam is a potential active ingredient that could be applied in antioxidation as well as bio-health functional food to take a good part in prevention of human diseases and aging.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Korean yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) by different extraction solvents including 70% methanol, 70% ethanol and chloroform–methanol mixture (CM, 2:1, v/v). Raw yam was analyzed for its color property, total phenol content and antioxidant activity. Yam possessed high L* value and H° value, which were 81.64±2.59 and 83.36±0.15, respectively. Raw yam was found to have great antioxidant activity evaluated through ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Total phenol contents of various extracts from raw yam increased in the following order: 70% methanol extract (37.62±0.88 mg CAE/g), 70% ethanol extract (43.38±0.66 mg CAE/g) and CM extract (67.17±0.12 mg CAE/g), respectively. The same trend was also could be found in the ABTS radical scavenging activity, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. These results implied that Korean yam might play an important role in antioxidation and serve as the bio-health functional food to take a good part in prevention of human diseases and aging.

This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activities, total phenol, and flavonoid contents of 70% methanol, 70% ethanol, and chloroform-methanol (CM, 2:1, v/v) extracts from garlic (Allium sativum L.) peels. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical and ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, β-carotene bleaching assay, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Total phenol and flavonoid were in a range of 32.59-63.05 mg CAE/g, 5.26-9.22 mg QE/g, respectively. Total phenol and flavonoid were predominant with the values of 63.05±0.20 mg CAE/g and 9.22±0.17 mg QE/g in 70% ethanol extract. Additionally, 70% ethanol extract also displayed the strongest antioxidant activity followed by 70% methanol extract and CM extract in all assays. These results showed that garlic peel can be used as natural antioxidant in nutraceutical preparations to prevent human diseases.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been conducted to be effective in the prevention of chronic diseases. In this study, 70% methanol, 70% ethanol and chloroform-methanol mixture (CM, 2:1, v/v) were used as solvents in the extraction of apple peels. The total phenol content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of various extracts were investigated using in vitro assays. The extract obtained by 70% methanol showed the highest total phenol content (20.87±0.17 mg CAE/g), ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power. However, 70% ethanol extract possessed the strongest antioxidant activity assayed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching method. And CM extract was found to show the highest total flavonoid content with the value of 9.26±0.06 mg QE/g. These results indicated that apple peels can be used in dietary applications with a potential to reduce oxidative stress.

국제 수로기구(IHO)에서는 해양분야에 범용으로 사용 가능한 국제 GIS 표준으로 S-100 표준규격을 채택하였다. 이에 따라 GIS 표준기술 기반의 차세대 항행정보 지원시스템에 대한 기술이 개발되고 있으며, 현재 CCTV 영상에 항행정보를 덧입혀 항행에 지원할 수 있는 증강현실 기반의 항행정보시스템이 개발되고 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 이 시스템을 효과적으로 지원할 수 있는 방안으로 투명 디스플레이에서의 적용을 고려하였다. 투명 디스플레이 적용 시 시계확보를 위한 광각 렌즈사용으로 인한 영상왜곡, 사용자 위치에서의 CCTV 영상과 투명 디스플레이 투영 이미지의 불일치로 인하여 사용자가 실제 바라보는데 이질감이 발생하므로, 이를 해결하기 위한 시계정합 및 영상보정 방법에 대한 연구를 진행하였으며, 이를 프로토타입으로 개발하여 기술적용의 가능성을 입증하였다.

In Korea, yam with thermal treatment is widely used to produce tea and beverage, which appeals to all age groups. To better understand the antioxidative activity of thermal treatment yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.), n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts were evaluated with different antioxidant testing system. Their antioxidant activities, including ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power as well as total phenol contents were assessed in vitro. Results showed ethyl acetate extract (51.63±2.51 mg CAE/g) possessed similar total phenol content compared with n-butanol extract (53.93±1.00 mg CAE/g). Ethyl acetate extract also exhibited similarly stronger antioxidant activity compared with n-butanol extract apart from ABTS radical scavenging activity assay.

This study aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of raw yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) extracted by n-butanol and ethyl acetate. The antioxidant activities, including ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power as well as total phenol contents were studied in vitro. Results showed ethyl acetate extract (111.88±0.66 mg CAE/g) possessed higher total phenol content than n-butanol extract (78.68±0.58 mg CAE/g). Ethyl acetate extract exhibited stronger antioxidant activity compared with n-butanol extract apart from reducing power assay.

The aim of the present study was to investigate sex- and age-associated clinico-metabolic characteristics of urinary stone patients. A retrospective review was performed on data from 2,009 consecutive patients presenting with their first urinary stone episode between 2005 and 2013. Of the 2,009 patients, 1,426 (71.0%) satisfied the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Patients were grouped by age (<60, ≥60 years old) and sex. The medical history and 24 hr urinary chemistry results of each patient were obtained. The mean age of the 165 (11.6%) patients aged 60 or over was 65.5 ± 4.2 years. Body mass index was greater in elderly females than in younger females (p=0.031). After stratification by sex and age, lower urinary excretion of calcium and uric acid was a protective factor for both sexes among the elderly (p<0.05, each, respectively). Low urine pH was a common risk factor for both sexes among the elderly (p=0.013 in males, p=0.047 in females, respectively), whereas lower citrate excretion was a risk factor for only the elderly female group (p=0.004). With regard to urinary metabolic abnormalities, elderly females showed higher incidence of hypocitraturia compared to younger females (p=0.049). In conclusion, this study demonstrated the sex- and age-associated clinico-metabolic characteristics of urinary stone patients. Thus, it is important to tailor metabolic evaluation and medical prevention therapies for patient according to sex and gender characteristics.

DNA methylation is the most common and well-characterized epigenetic change in human cancer. Recently, the association between GATA-binding protein 5 (GATA5) methylation and carcinogenesis of various types of tumors was investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GATA5 methylation status on clinicopathological features and prognosis in primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients with a long-term follow-up period. The GATA5 methylation status was determined for 171 human bladder specimens (eight normal controls [NCs] and 163 primary NMIBC patients) using quantitative pyrosequencing analysis. The primary NMIBC tissues were obtained from patients who underwent transurethral resection (TUR) for histologically diagnosed transitional cell carcinomas between 1995 and 2012 at Chungbuk National University Hospital. GATA5 methylation was significantly higher in NMIBC patients than in NCs and was significantly associated with higher grade and more advanced stage of cancer. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed significant differences in tumor recurrence and progression according to GATA5 methylation status (each p<0.05). Our results show that increased methylation of GATA5 was significantly associated with not only aggressive characteristics but also poor prognosis in primary NMIBC patients. Alteration of GATA5 methylation might be used as a biomarker for prognosis of NMIBC patients. However, prospective and functional investigations are necessary to clarify the role of GATA5 methylation in future clinical management of patients with NMIBC.