Market potential for a line of retail trade within a geographic market has been defined as the difference between (i) actual sales of the line of trade in the geographic market and (ii) potential sales based on the marketing environment, current retailers’ marketing efforts, and competition from related lines of trade and nearby geographic markets (Ingene and Takahashi 2012). In this current research we examine the rate of change of retail market potential in Japan over a sixteen year span (1991-2007).We theoretically address, and empirically estimate, key factors that affect the rate of change of retail sales per household in four major lines of retail trade: frequently purchased consumables (food and drink), less frequently bought non-durables (apparel, shoes and dry goods), and infrequently acquired durable goods that range from moderately costly (furniture) to truly expensive (autos). Information on these lines is drawn from the Japanese Retail Trade Censuses of 1991 and 2007 at the Industrial Classification (IC) level. We examine Dry Goods, Apparel and Accessory stores (largely clothing, shoe, linen and accessories (IC 56; Share of retail trade in 2007: 8%)); Food and Beverage stores (primarily grocery, liquor, and specialty food stores (IC 57; Share of retail trade: 30%)); Furniture, Household Utensils, and Appliances (IC 59; Share of retail trade: 9%); and Motor Vehicles and Bicycle stores (IC 58; Share of retail trade: 12%). Note that because our measure is sales, autos dominate in the IC 58 category. These four lines of trade collectively comprise about 60% (1991: 62%, 2007: 58%) of all retail sales. We previously explored determinants of the absolute value of retail sales per household in these lines of retail trade (Ingene and Takahashi 2013). However, this research deals with the rate of change of retail sales per household. Thus, we explain differences in change of retail market potential among 528 Japanese cities, in all 47 prefectures, that are home to over 75% of Japan’s people. According to our previous study (Ingene and Takahashi 2013), retail sales are determined by three fundamental factors: the Market Environment (which is beyond the control of retail managers), Intertype Competition (which is influenced, but not controlled, by managers in the line of trade), and the Marketing Mix in each line of trade (which is set by managers). The essence of our argument is that the Market Environment determines a base level of rate of change in sales per household. Intertype Competition takes sales away from the focal lines of trade. Finally, the Marketing Mix in each line of trade augments sales (a) by appealing to customers and (b) by countering the negative impact of Intertype Competition.Turning to our empirical model (Figure 1), we include seven variables in the Market Environment that are measured by their rate of change between 1991 and 2007: per capita income, home size in square meters (a proxy for household wealth), population growth, daytime population relative to residential population, auto ownership per capita (a proxy for mobility), distance to the prefecture’s capital city (a proxy for out-shopping), and newspapers per capita. We expect each of these independent variables to increase our dependent variable: retail sales per household.For the Marketing Mix we measure three variables in terms of their rate of change in the same time period: average square meters of selling space per store (a proxy for assortment), employees per square meter of selling space (a proxy for service), and number of stores per 1000 people (a proxy for locational convenience); each of them should increase retail sales per household in its line of trade, but not in other lines (e.g., the marketing mix for Food stores should only affect food sales per household).For Intertype Competition we use General Merchandise Stores (largely department stores and supercenters (IC55; Share of retail trade in 2007: 12%)) that, in Japan, directly compete with Clothing, Furniture and Food stores. We focus on the same three variables (assortment, service, and access); they are expected to be inversely related to the rate of change in sales per household in the lines with which they compete. There is no intertype competition in our Motor Vehicle regressions. In the first stage of our analysis we use the change of the Market Environment to explain the variation in the rate of change in retail sales per household and four lines of trade (i.e., four regressions). The Market Environment generates adjusted R2’s of 2% (Clothing) to 25% (Autos).In our second-stage analysis our dependent variable is the residuals from the first-stage regressions. Here we include the Marketing Mix and Intertype Competition variables as explanatory; they account for 2% (Autos) to 43% (Clothing) of the variation in the first-stage residuals. Taking the two stages together, we are able to explain26% (Autos) to 54% (Food) of the variation in retail sales per capita across the four lines of trade. We make four contributions with our empirical research. First, we investigate data from two censuses that span a sixteen year period; few previous studies have examined changes in retail structure over time (e.g., Hall, et al. 1961). Second, we demonstrate the time-variant stability of the Marketing Mix variables. Third, we show the importance of intertype competition – although in our data it appears that only the Food and Beverage category experiences significant intertype competition. Fourth, we examine retailing in Japan; the world’s third largest economy has rarely been the focus of retail trade studies.

This research is to investigate the performance analysis of fuel cell for flow channel with four different types of the channel (Serpentine I, II, Inter-digitated, Parallel) in the fuel cell stack. Velocity, pressure. and temperature distributions of fluid over the flow domain of the flow channel are numerically calculated for the optimum design of flow channel with unifrom inlet velocity. According to the calculations of low pressure drop between inlet and outlet in the flow channel, Serpentine I type is of highest performance of the flow channel shapes in the present fuel cell model.

The Axiom propeller is a unique 3 bladed propeller and it enables to generate the same amount of thrust going ahead as it does going astern because of its ‘s’ type skew-symmetric blade section. A earlier variant of the design (Axiom I propeller) performed a low propeller efficiency, maximum 35 % efficiency, and further blade outline design was carried out to achieve a higher efficiency. The optimized new blade outline (Axiom II propeller) has more conventional Kaplan geometry shape than Axiom I propeller. Model tests of open water performance and propeller cavitation for both propellers were conducted at Emerson Cavitation Tunnel in order to compare their performances. Experiment results revealed that Axiom II propeller provides a maximum 53 % efficiency and provides better efficiency and cavitation performance over the Axiom I propeller under similar conditions.

Seasonal characteristics of water and sediment qualities and potential effects of the freshwater discharge from a small tide embankment interior in a coastal area in Goheung county were investigated from May to September in 2012. Chemical oxygen demand values (COD) were mostly higher than 2 mg/L in summer ebb tide, which exceed the standard value of water quality criteria II of acceptable level for aquaculture activities. Nitrogen and phosphorus were found as the limiting nutrients for algae growth in summer and fall and in spring, respectively. Nitrogen was the limiting nutrient for diatom growth in the whole studied period. The sudden high values of COD, ammonia, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) were found in water sample collected from station 5 which located in front of the tide embankment sluice gate during spring ebb tide. The freshwater discharge form the tide embankment interior maybe affected the survey areas during a short time interval. Mean values of eutrophication index of the surveyed coastal region in spring, summer and fall were all bigger than 1. Water quality was mostly considered at level II which acceptable for aquaculture activities. Sediment quality in this study was generally in the range of standard for fisheries environment.

본 연구는 포화지방산과 불포화 지방산 첨가가 반추위 발효성상과 효소활력에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 Piromyces communis 곰팡이를 이용하여 in vitro 발효 시험을 실시하였다. 시험 Ⅰ과 Ⅱ의 대조구에는 지방산을 첨가하지 않았고, 처리구는 시험Ⅰ에서 palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid를 첨가하였고, 실험 Ⅱ에서는 linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid를 첨가하였다. 두 실험 모두 39℃에서 7일간 (2, 3, 4, 6 및 7일) 실시되었다. 시험 Ⅰ의 가스발생량은 불포화 지방산인 oleic acid에서 가장 많이 생성되었고 H2가스의 비율은 가장 낮았다. 시험 Ⅱ의 linoleic acid 첨가구에서 2일에서 6일까지의 가스 발생량은 대조구에 비해 높았지만 이후에는 낮았다. 수소가스 생성비율은 linoleic acid 첨가구에서 가장 많았고 linolenic acid 첨가구에서 가장 낮았다. 또한 시험 Ⅰ의 pH는 6.63에서 5.85로, 시험 Ⅱ에서는 6.59에서 5.40으로 낮아졌다. Carboxymethylcellulase 활력은 발효시간(day) 경과에 따라 증가하는 경향이었고, 특히 arachidonic acid 첨가구의 증가폭이 컸다. 본 실험의 결과는 반추동물의 사료에 불포화지방산을 첨가하면 반추위곰팡이가 생성하는 수소를 불포화 지방산이 이용하여 메탄생성 억제에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

The present study was designed to observe the oestrus responses in the indigenous ewe induced by cloprostenol sodium manufactured by two different companies (Ovuprost®, BOMAC, Newzealandand Prostenol®, Techno, Bangladesh). Twelve local ewes were divided into 3 groups (n= 8). The ewes in Group I and II were induced by intramuscular injection of 100 μg (0.4 ml) of cloprostenol sodium (Ovuprost® and Prostenol®), respectively. The 2nd injection in each group was given at 9 days apart. The ewes in Group III were kept as control for observing natural oestrus characteristics and comparing the responses with induced oestrus. Hundred and 75% ewes showed oestrus following 2nd injection of Ovuprost® and Prostenol®, respectively. The average time of onset of oestrus following 1st and 2nd injection of Ovuprost® and Prostenol® were 50.5 ± 3.5 vs 48.0 ± 0.0 h and 49.9 ± 1.9 vs 49.5 ± 1.7 h, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two types of cloprostenol sodium group on the onset of oestrus. The average duration of oestrus was 27.5 ± 0.7 vs 27.5 ± 0.0 h and 25.9 ± 3.3 vs 24.2 ± 0.3 h in Ovuprost® and Prostenol® treated ewes, respectively. For natural oestrus, the duration of oestrus was 25.2 ± 3.3 h. There was no significant difference among the cloprostenol sodium produced by two different companies and natural oestrous ewes on the duration of oestrus. The higher percentages of cornified cells were present in induced oestrus (90 and 85%) compared with natural oestrus (80%), although there was no significant difference among them. The pregnancy rates were 75, 66.7 and 100% in Ovuprost®, Prostenol® and natural oestrous ewes, respectively. The above results indicate the suitability of using cloprostenol sodium for synchronization of oestrus in indigenous ewes in Bangladesh.

감자 가공용 신품종‘새봉’의 무병주 대량생산을 위하여 microponic system에서 배양액의 농도변화가 감자 소식물체 생육에 미치는 영향을 구명하고자 수행 하였다. 조절한 감자 배양액의 농도는 EC 0.2, 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, 14.0dS·m−1수준 이었으며 감자 조직배양묘는 생장점과 잎을 2개 포함한 1.5cm길이로 잘라 50mL 유리병(glass vial) 에 1개씩 치상하여 18일, 또는 21일간 2회에 걸쳐 하였다. 배양액량은 용기 당 2mL씩 넣고 10일 후 1 mL를 첨가 하였으며, 환경조건은 일장 16시간, 온도 23 ± 1oC, 40mmol−2·s−1의 백색 LED에서 실험 I의 배양액농도는 EC 0.2, 1.0, 14dS·m−1였으며, 실험 II의 배양액농도는 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8dS·m−1로 조정하였다. 치상 7일 후 소식물체의 생존율은 0.2dS·m−1에서 90%, 0.6dS·m−1에서 100%, 1.0dS·m−1에서 100%, 1.4dS·m−1에서 0%, 1.8dS·m−1에서 0%, 14.0dS·m−1에서 0% 이었다. 배양액의 전기전도도를 1.0dS·m−1으로 조절한 처리에서 이식 2일 후 뿌리가 발육 되어 소식물체 생육이 왕성하게 생장하여 18일 만에 7개 의 엽, 길이 5cm, 생중 0.5g이상의 식물체로 생육하였다. 배양액의 농도를 0.6dS·m−1으로 조절한 처리에서는 이식 4일 후부터 뿌리가 발육되어 21일 후 5개의 엽, 길이 4cm, 생중 0.2g을 가진 식물체로 생육하였다. 따라서 microponic system에서 무병 감자 묘 대량생산을 위해서는 감자배양액의 전기전도도를 0.6~1.0dS·m−1 조절하여 관리하는 것이 효과적임을 알 수 있었다.

Taste is an important sense in survival and growth of animals. The growth and maintenance of taste buds, the receptor organs of taste sense, are under the regulation of various neurotrophic factors. But the distribution aspect of neurotrophic factors and their receptors in distinct taste cell types are not clearly known. The present research was designed to characterize mRNA expression pattern of neurotrophic factors and their receptors in distinct type of taste cells. In male 45-60 day-old Sprague-Dawley rats, epithelial tissues with and without circumvallate and folliate papillaes were dissected and homogenized, and mRNA expressions for neurotrophic factors and their receptors were determined by RT-PCR. The mRNA expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3), receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), exclusion of nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-4/5 (NT4/5), receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA), receptor tyrosine kinase C (TrkC), and p75NGFR were observed in some population of taste cell. In support of this result and to characterize which types of taste cells express NT3, BDNF, or TrkB, we examined mRNA expressions of NT3, BDNF, or TrkB in the PLCβ2 (a marker of Type II cell)- and/or SNAP25 (a marker of Type III cell)-positive taste cells by a single taste cell RT-PCR and found that the ratio of positively stained cell numbers were 17.4, 6.5, 84.1, 70.3, and 1.4 % for PLCβ2, SNAP25, NT3, BDNF, and TrkB, respectively. In addition, all of PLCβ2- and SNAP25-positive taste cells expressed NT3 mRNA, except for one taste bud cell. The ratios of NT3 mRNA expressions were 100% and 91.7% in the SNAP25- and PLCβ2-positive taste cells, respectively. However, two TrkB-positive taste cells co-expressed neither PLCβ2 nor SNAP 25. The results suggest that the most of type II or type III cells express BDNF and NT3 mRNA, but the expression is shown to be less in type I taste cells.

The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effect of propofol on human keratinocytes that have undergone hypoxia reoxygenation (H/R) injury and to investigate whether autophagy is associated with the protective mechanism. Thus, we evaluated how propofol influences the intracellular autophagy and apoptosis during the H/R process in the HaCaT cells. The cultured human keratinocyte cells were exposed to 24 h of hypoxia (5% CO2, 1% O2, 94% N2) followed by 12 h of reoxygenation (5% CO2, 21% O2, 74% N2). The experiment was divided into 4 groups: (1) Control=Normoxia ; (2) H/R=Hypoxia Reoxygenation ; (3) PPC+H/R=Propofol Preconditioning+Hypoxia Reoxygenation; (4) 3-MA+PPC+ H/R=3-MA-Methyladenine+Propofol Preconditioning+ Hypoxia Reoxygenation. In addition, Western blot analysis was performed to identify the expression of apoptotic pathway parameters, including Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 involved in mitochondrial-dependent pathway. Autophagy was determined by fluorescence microscopy, MDC staining, AO staining, and western blot. The H/R produced dramatic injuries in keratinocyte cells. In our study, the viability of Propofol in H/R induced HaCaT cells was first studied by MTT assay. The treatment with 25, 50, and 100 μM Propofol in H/R induced HaCaT cells enhanced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and 100 μM was the most effective dose. The Atg5, Becline-1, LC3-II, and p62 were elevated in PPC group cells, but H/R-induced group showed significant reduction in HaCaT cells. The Atg5 were increased when autophagy was induced by Propofol, and they were decreased when autophagy was suppressed by 3-MA. These data provided evidence that propofol preconditioning induced autophagy and reduced apoptotic cell death in an H/R model of HaCaT cells, which was in agreement with autophagy playing a very important role in cell protection.

Commercial Larva Zophobus atratus is sed as pet food, sold in pet stores under the name‘giant mealworms’. Zophobus atratus is also considered for the human alterative food in the future. In this study, we are aimed to compare the effects of the supplements including agricultural by-product for commercial Larva Zophobas atratus. One hundred Zophobas atratus larvae were divided into group I (wheat bran 100%, N=20), group II (wheat bran 70 % and rice bran 30%), group III (wheat bran 70 % and soybean meal 30%), group IV (wheat bran 70 % and red ginseng meal 30%), group V (wheat bran 70 % and red perilla meal 30%). The body weights of commercial Larva Zophobas atratus were significantly improved in the agricultural by-products supplemented groups. From these results, it is considered that the agricultural by-products were effective for larval growth in Zophobus atratus rearing with alternative diet.

Agricultural and rural extension has played diverse roles for rural development according to different ages and situations. In Africa, the roles of extension are strongly requires to eradicate poverty. In this regard, the study aims at proposing some measures to strengthen the roles of extension for the Africa’s rural development. It seems that there need such policies as successful implementation of agricultural and rural development projects, formation of community’s change adoption environments, community empowerment and capacity building, in order to facilitate agricultural and rural development. For strengthening the linkage of extension to agricultural and rural development policies, the following measures will have to be adopted: i) strengthening of the linkage of extension services to agricultural and rural development projects; ii) formation of community’s change adoption climates by integrating consciousness transformation and infrastructure improvement; iii) recovery and expansion of public-side rural extension’s roles for facilitating community change by empowering the extension workers; iv) acceleration of innovation expansion through facilitation method or technique.

해수유통 중인 화성호에서 수문학적 변동이 식물플랑크톤 군집과 적응전략에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위하여 2012년 5월부터 10월까지 7회에 걸쳐 식물플랑크톤 종조성, 생물량, 환경변수를 조사하였다. 수문학적 이벤트 (해수유통, 강수량)는 화성호의 급격한 염분변동 (2.9~29.1 psu)과 함께 영양염, 투명도를 조절하였다. 식물플랑크톤 종조성은 매 조사마다 강 (class) 수준에서 급격히 변하였고, 클로로필-a는 9.7~104.1 μg L-1의 범위로 6월에 낮고 9월에 높았다. 다변량 분석결과, 식물플랑크톤 천이는 4개의 시기로 구분되었다. Phase I (5~6월)은 해수유통이 빈번한 고염-중온 시기로, 작은 크기의 Gymnodinium sp., Heterosigma akashiwo이 우점하였다. Phase II (7월, 9월)에는 집중호우와 바람의 영향으로 Cylindrotheca closterium가 우점하였고, Phase III (8월)에는 저염-고온 시기로 Oscillatoria spp.가 우점하였으며, Phase IV (10월)는 해수유통이 다시 증가하고 수온이 급감하면서 작은 편모조류인 unid. cryptomonad가 우점하였다. 화성호 식물플랑크톤 군집은 형태적, 생리적 특성에 따라 구분되는 세가지 적응전략, 즉 C (colonistinvasives), S (stress-tolerants), R (ruderals)전략에 따라 구분되었다. Phase I와 IV의 우점종은 CR-전략종으로써, 약한 성층조건을 선호하는 작은 크기의 기회종이였고, Phase II와 III의 우점종은 R-전략종으로써, 유입하천수의 교란에 적응된 중간 크기의 종이다. 이 결과는 향후 해수유통차단에 의한 성층강화가 현재의 식물플랑크톤군집을 더 작은 편모조류의 극우점으로 변화시킬 수 있음을 보여주었다. 결론적으로 화성호의 수문학적 이벤트(해수유통, 강수량)는 염분, 영양염, 성층환경 교란을 조절함으로써 식물플랑크톤의 천이와 대발생을 이끄는 중요한 요인임을 제시한다.

Chios Gum Mastic (CGM) is a natural resin extracted from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus, a plant endemic to the Greek island of Chios. It has been used by traditional healers, and it has antibacterial, antifungal properties, and therapeutic benefits for the skin. The CGM reduces the formation of dental plaque and bacterial growth in oral saliva, and recent studies have demonstrated the role of antioxidant activity of CGM. Although CGM has been widely investigated, its protective effect against oxidative-damage to keratinocytes, as well as the relationship between CGM and autophagy, has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of CGM against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and to evaluate the autophagic features induced by CGM in human keratinocytes. The pretreatment with CGM significantly reduced apoptosis in H2O2-exposed HaCaT cells. It promoted the degradation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9; and it induced the formation of the processed PARP. The treatment with CGM caused an increase in vesicle formation compared to control group. The level of p62 was reduced and the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II was increased in CGM treated HaCaT cells. Also, the treatment with CGM increased cleavage of ATG5-ATG12 complex. In summary, CGM helps the cells to survive under stressful conditions by preventing apoptosis and enhancing autophagy. Besides, the present investigation provides evidence to support the antioxidant potential of CGM in vitro and opens up a new horizon for future experiments.

The aim this study is to establish the floristic composition of vascular plants of Mt. Gwangdeok. The survey was performed 12 times from May to November in 2007 and April to November in 2011. Vascular plants observed were 539 taxa containing 100 families, 317 genera, 467 species, 6 subspecies, 60 varieties and 6 formae. Among the investigated plants, 17 taxa (3.1%) were Korean endemic. The rare plants designated by the Korea Forestry Service in this region were 20 taxa. The floristically and geographically important plants were 90 taxa: grade I, II, III, IV, and V species were 29, 25, 21, 11, and 4 taxa, respectively. 32 taxa (9.9%) were found in this region and it is relevant to 5.9% of the total taxa number of this region.

본 연구는 식물구계학적 특정식물종 II급에 해당하는 난쟁이바위솔의 종자 번식법 개발을 위해 수행되었다. 종자의 형태적 특성은 크기가 1.10×0.21mm, 1,000립 중이 496.0±0.21mg인 갈색의 미립종자였다. 종자의 함수율은 24시간 만에 8.8%에서 39.8%로 급속히 증가하여최대함수율을 보였다. 온도 및 광조건에 따른 발아율은20οC, 명조건에서 가장 높았으며, GA3와 KNO3용액에 24시간 처리함으로써 발아율과 발아세가 매우 향상되었다.특히 GA3 처리구는 10~100mg•L−1의 농도에서 발아율이99.0% 이상으로 매우 우수였으며, KNO3는 5mM 처리구에서 발아율이 81.3%로 가장 높았다.

The Syrian conflict consists of political and legal components that can be managed under the UN Charter by both political and legal measures. As a result of Russian and Chinese vetoes, the UN Security Council has failed to resolve the conflict by forcible measures, although the Council was able to convene the Geneva II peace talks between the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition on January 24, 2014. The legal aspect of this conflict has been referred to in numerous reports from UN bodies that have emphasized that war crimes have been committed by the Syrian government. Thus, we believe that the UNSC has an obligation to submit this case to a court with appropriate international jurisdiction for its legal resolution. This legal solution should be part of a compromise that satisfies Russia and China pursuant to a Security Council resolution under Chapter VII of the Charter that accompanies the peace talks.

‘Chinese threat’ is highly controversial in international academia. This article attempts to expose the China threat and provide a comprehensive analysis as to the extent of the so - called threat. The essence of the ‘Chinese threat’ is based on misunderstandings concerning Chinese culture, on ill - reasoned historical experiences of rising powers and conflict, on the great gap between Christian and Chinese culture, and on the inherent nature of expansiveness of the former. In contrast, the Bush Doctrine (including the preemptive strike theory) poses an actual threat to China, as does the US protection of Japan unconditioned on Japanese admission and repentance for heinous war crimes committed during World War II. Treating China as an equal is the best policy that could be employed by the West. China’s unification and domestic stability would greatly contribute to world peace, while supporting the China threat ideology would have the opposite effect.