We studied a cluster family in the northern part of the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) a group of clusters near NGC 3324 (Tr 15, NGC 3293, Loden 165, Loden 153 and IC 2581). We used data from UCAC4 to determine the cluster's membership and the near infrared CMDs of each cluster. We analyzed the spatial density and elongation as a function of radius for each cluster and found a possible interaction between NGC 3293 and Loden153. However, the shape distortion of NGC 3324 cannot be evaluated because of the inhomogenity in the coverage of UCAC4 in the east part of NGC 3324.
Experiments for catch and cluster analysis on the catch by gillnet for the Pacific herring were conducted using traditional nylon net (PA) and developing biodegradable net (PBS) with different monofilaments of #2 (=0.23 mm) and #3 (=0.28 mm) in diameter between 2011 and 2012, and of #2, #2.5 and #3 in 2013 in the eastern coastal waters of Samcheok, Korea. The total catch during the experiments was 3,337kg in weight and 16,757 individuals in number. Though the catch ratio of the Pacific herring in 2011 and 2012 was 97.4% and 98.7%, respectively, that of the Pacific herring in 2013 was 73.6% as the biggest and followed by goldeye rockfish (8.6%), black edged sculpin (8.4%), atka mackerel (7.2%) and Alaska cod (1.0%). The ANOVA analysis on the total catch in relation to net material showed that there was not statistically significant difference at the 5% level between nylon net (PA) and biodegradable net (PBS) (p=0.91). With the cluster analysis on the catch in relation to net material (PA, PBS) and twine thick (#2, #3), it showed the influence of net material on the catch was greater than that of twine diameter in this experiment. From the test of homogeneity on the catch by the gillnet with PA and PBS in which several species were caught in 2013, there was not statistically significant homogeneity in relation to net material (p<0.005). That meant the traditional gillnet of nylon (PA) was more efficient than the biodegradable (PBS) gillnet to catch several kinds of fish, however the PBS gillnet was better than the PA gillnet to catch the target Pacific herring.
Suppliers of luxury fashion fabrics in France have historically been working in fierce competitive ways. Usually family-owned businesses, they are working for the same clients, be it in fast fashion, premium fashion or luxury (including Haute-Couture). Calais lace-makers are no exception. However, what could have been described as same emulation in the past turns out to be a weakness in the XXIst century, with booming foreign competition from developing countries. Up to now, they’ve been unable to join their forces to collaborate on projects such as big orders from fashion brands.
Created in 1952, the Dentelle de Calais® label can be used by the lace manufacturers using Leavers machines, and active members to the French Federation of Lace and Embroidment (which is the IP owner of the label). This encompasses the places of Calais (traditionally manufacturing lace for undergarments) and of Caudry (more focused on clothes). Caudresian lace has become famous as a proud supplier for the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress or for the awarded costumes in The Great Gatsby. However, it appears that the label is currently dying, being unequally used by the various lace-makers and retailers / brand owners of clothes or undergarments.
In January 2014, a repositioning of the label has been initiated. We’ve been asked to do it and decided to use action research to complete this task. The ultimate objective was to give a new identity to the label and DNA to the brand, which could be used by any lace-maker using Leavers machines in a way enhancing his own brand equity. In short, we aim at crafting an ingredient branding strategy.
The present action research, on top of solving the client’s issues, aimed at enhancing knowledge on several key topics. First, we wanted to understand better information processes in a cluster that is bi-located, and with internal “fights”. Then, another objective was to grasp the various points that are at stake when clustering happens in-between non-aligned partners. More specifically, we wanted to uncover how decisions happened, and stimulate new ways for decision-making optimization. A last objective was to reflect upon ingredient collective-branding strategic developments, as most literature on branding concerns individual brands and not collective ones. As these become a major trend in these days, we believe academic research has a great role to play. Our research is a first step in this direction.
To do this, various data collection and analysis methods have been used:
• Interviews with all types stakeholders (fashion designers, purchasers, marketers, journalists, students in fashion or business schools, etc.), to understand their present vision of lace fabric in general and whether they would or would not use it (including in their sales argument). Then similar discussion on Calais lace is conducted. Open-coding and axial coding are then done to identify the values associated with lace and Calais lace, for each stakeholder-category.
• Semiotic analysis of the label, to understand the Ethics and Aesthetics of this collective brand. This includes content and discourse analyses, visual (iconic and plastic) analysis of the communication tools including the logo, etc. The current label positioning is presented thanks to the greimasian semiotic square .
• Non-participant observation and non-directed interviews with all lace-makers to get each one’s perspective on the label. Open coding and axial coding (Strauss & Corbin) are used to identify the relevant categories and sub-categories underlying the dicsourses.
• Lexical analysis of all verbatims will help identify the proper jargon to reconcile stakeholders and manufacturers.
• Market analysis on the various relevant markets: Middle East, Europe and Asia.
• Structural semiotics are used to wrap-up findings and craft a new brand identity (Greimas’ semiotic square and narrative scheme).
More than a simple action, this ingredient-branding collective action will help foster a collective conscience around the preservation of an endangered manufacturing sector of activity, paving the way for a future industrial cluster.
Besides the managerial outcomes, this project aimed at (1) Understanding better information processes in a cluster that is bi-located, and with internal “fights”; (2) Grasping the various points that are at stake when clustering happens in-between non-aligned partners, esp. in terms of decision-making processes; and (3) Reflecting upon ingredient collective-branding strategic developments.
Our paper presents all these points, providing practical and theoretical insights for the luxury community in general.
Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g.358A>T) of cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. Also, CD9 gene was expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm-egg fusion, and was therefore selected as candidate gene for boar semen. This study was conducted to evaluate the pig SNP (g.358A>T) of CD9 gene as a positional controlling for semen parameters of post-thawed boar semen. To results, the g.358A>T SNP of the CD9 gene was significantly associated with the traits such as MOT, curve linear velocity, straight line velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Particularly, the g.358A>T SNP significantly has the highest association with MOT and animals with AA genotype (p<0.001). Therefore, we suggest that the g.358A>T in the intron 6 region of the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar Post-thawed semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet.
The dredge gear is dragged along the bottom of the sea to catch targeted edible bottom dwelling species. Species composition and ecological index of the catches of dredge were estimated around Gangneung coastal fishing ground by dredge with different mesh size and tooth space from July to December 2013. Eight different types of dredge including four different tooth space (24.7 mm, 29.9 mm, 34.9 mm, 40.1 mm) and four different mesh size(15.5 mm, 32.7 mm, 51.1 mm, 060.0 mm) were used in the experiment. During the experiment, total catches were collected 31 species as sipunculida 1 species, mollusca 13 species, annelida 3 species, arthropoda 8 species, echinodermata 4 species and others 2 species. The dominant genus were mollusca and echinodermata while the dominant species were Megangulus venulosus, Pseudocardium sachalinensis, Schaphechinus brevis. The richness index was ranged 1.29-1.72, evenness index was 0.6-0.65 and diversity index was 1.65-1.83 according to the tooth space and mesh size of dredge. Richness index, diversity index were high at tooth space 34.9 mm dredge and ecological index showed decreasing tendency with the increasing of mesh size of dredge. Cluster and MDS analysis, based on a Bray-Curtis and similarity matrix of fourth root transformed data of number of species and wet weight, showed division into four different groups as four different tooth space (Group A), four different mesh size Group B (51.1 mm, 60.0 mm), Group C (32.7 mm) and Group D (15.5 mm).
Seasonal variations in species composition of catches were explored using seasonal samples caught by shrimp beam trawl in the Geum river estuary in 2011. During the study period, total catches were collected 91 species as fish 47 species, crustacean 28 species, mollusca 4 species, gastropoda 5 species, shellfish 3 species and others 4 species. The dominant species were Exopalaemon carinicauda, Eriocheir leptognathus, Palaemon gravieri, Mugil cephalus, Acanthogobius hasta, Cynoglossus joyneri, Pennahia argentata and Coilia nasus. The amount of species in spring and summer was higher than in autumn. The diversity index (H') was 0.43~0.96, evenness index (EI) was 0.14~0.25, and richness index (RI) was 1.54~4.25. Using cluster analysis 91 species were divided into 4 groups. Group I appeared mainly in spring and summer. Group II appeared only in summer. Group III appeared in winter and spring, and Group IV in spring and autumn.