INVESTIGATING SATISFIED BUT DISLOYAL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS

Ming-Chih Tsai,Rico Merkert,Shiau-Chi Lin,Mei-Ting Tsai 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

Satisfaction paradox indicates customer satisfaction does not necessarily translate into customer repurchase. Competitor’s attractiveness and customer demographics are two main moderators for the paradoxical phenomenon. Competitor’s attractiveness exhibits customer switching effect, whereas customer demographics imply customers moored with their current service provider. Still, the cases were few investigated in B2B settings where customers are in general more complex than consumers as involving more intricate organizational network influences. In a business network, transactions may incur buyer/seller relational activities that mitigate paradoxical behavior. Nonetheless, the variable is yet identified and the interacting effects between the moderating variables are not clarified. Thus, this study aims to develop an operational model to classify satisfied customers into loyal, moored and paradoxical segments using three genres of moderators: competitor’s attractiveness, organizational and transactional variables in a B2B setting. In the model, the theoretical bases of switching behaviors are applied for four statistical analysis executed in a logic sequence, including a factor analysis to consolidate quality measurements, a quadrant analysis to locate the effect of competitor’s attractiveness, a clustering analysis to segment satisfied customers into four segments, and finally, nonparametric tests to validate the organizational and transactional segmentation variables. Empirically, we study Taiwanese manufacturers who engaged in global trade and have had experiences in choosing the global air express services that form an oligopolistic market and a strategic group so competitor’s attractiveness can be better calibrated. A total of 180 valid samples are collected and analyzed. The results contribute to the literatures of B2B service marketing.

Hydroxydibenzoylmethane induces apoptosis through repressing ornithine decarboxylase in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

Ming-Fu Wang,Guang-Yaw Liu,Ya-Fan Liao,Ying-Cheng Hung,Chih-Li Lin,Tzyh-Chyuan Hour,Ko-Huang Lue,Hui-Chih Hung 생화학분자생물학회 2011 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.43 No.4

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis and a target for chemoprevention. Hydroxydibenzoylmethane (HDB),a derivative of dibenzoylmethane of licorice, is a promising chemopreventive agent. In this paper, we investigated whether HDB would inhibit the ODC pathway to enhance apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. We found ODC enzyme activity was reduced during HDB treatment. Overexpression of ODC in HL-60 parental cells could reduce HDB-induced apoptosis, which leads to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ m), through lessening intracellular ROS. Furthermore, ODC overexpression protected cytochrome c release and the activation of caspase-3 following HDB treatment. The results demonstrated HDB-induced apoptosis was through a mechanism of down-regulation of ODC and occurred along a ROS-dependent mitochondria-mediated pathway.

IBM Zigbee Positioning Method for Smart Home Applications

Ming-Hui Jin,Chung-Jung Fu,Chih-Hao Yu,Hung-Ren Lai,Ming-Whei Feng 보안공학연구지원센터 2008 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.2 No.2

This paper presents a smart home system prototype which employs an indoor positioning system called the III Beacon Match (I3BM) positioning method to intelligently trigger the appropriately services for the home members. To overcome the ninja problem in the I3BM method, the signal filtering, adjustment and smooth procedures are proposed. The proposed system prototype employs the Zigbee module to implement the prototypes of the components for the I3BM positioning method, and the prototypes had passed the ZigBee Compliant Platform (ZCP) certification test. The proposed system prototype which intelligently controls the air condition and light system for smart home applications is also verifying in our demo room and in the smart house in National Taiwan University.

Precipitation Behavior of σ Phase in Fusion Zone of Dissimilar Stainless Steel Welds during Multi-Pass GTAW Process

( Chih Chun Hsieh ),( Tao Chih Chang ),( Dong Yih Lin ),( Ming Che Chen ),( Wei Te Wu ) 대한금속재료학회 ( 구 대한금속학회 ) 2007 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.13 No.5

The purpose of this study is to investigate the precipitation characteristics of σ phase in the fusion zone of stainless steel welds at various welding passes during a tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. The morphology, quantity, and chemical composition of the δ-ferrite and σ phase were analyzed using optical microscopy (OM), a ferritscope (FS), a X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), and a wavelength dispersive spectrometer (WDS), respectively. Massive δ-ferrite was observed in the fusion zone of the first pass welds during welding of dissimilar stainless steels. The σ phase precipitated at the inner δ-ferrite particles and decreased δ-ferrite content during the third pass welding. The σ and δ phases can be stabilized by Si element, which promoted the phase transformation of δ→σ + γ2 in the fusion zone of the third pass welds. It was found that the σ phase was a Fe-Cr-Si intermetallic compound found in the fusion zone of the third pass welds during multi-pass welding.

Cloning and Gene Expression Analysis of Sponge Gourd Ascorbate Peroxidase Gene and Winter Squash Superoxide Dismutase Gene under Respective Flooding and Chilling Stresses

Chih Ming Chiang,Wen Shuo Kuo,Kuan-Hung Lin 한국원예학회 2014 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.55 No.2

Previously, we reported that increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activitiesprovide sponge gourd (SG) and winter squash (WS) plants with increased waterlogging and chilling stress tolerance,respectively. The objectives of this work were to clone the APX gene from SG and the SOD gene from WS, andmeasure the regulation of APX and SOD gene expressions under flooding and chilling stress, respectively. The fulllengths of APX and SOD cDNA were found to be 761 and 703 bp, respectively. Different tissues from bitter melon(BM) and SG displayed wide variations in their expression profiles, and the highest level of APX transcripts weredetected in roots of SG at 72 hours of flooding treatment. Additionally, the differential SOD expressions of BM andWS were directly associated with chilling stress responses. A phylogenetic analysis of APX and SOD indicated thatplant APXs and SODs diverged into two major clusters.

The Effect of Strangulation and Girdling on Root Growth and Fruit Quality of ‘Haak Yip’ Litchi

Ming-Chih Chen,Tsu-Liang Chang,Iou-Zen Chen 한국원예학회 2008 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C - A Subgroup Analysis from A Nationwide Real-World HCV Registry Program (TACR) in Taiwan

( Ming-Lung Yu ),( Chi-Yi Chen ),( Kuo-Chih Tseng ),( Ching-Chu Lo ),( Pin-Nan Cheng ),( Cheng-Yuan Peng ),( Ming-Jong Bair ),( Chih-Lang Lin ),( Chi-Ming Tai ),( Chi-Chieh Yang ),( Chih-Wen Lin ),( C 대한간학회 2020 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2020 No.1

Aims: TASL HCV Registry (TACR) is a nationwide registry program organized and supervised by Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), which aims to setup the database and biobank of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Taiwan. The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcome of sofosbuvir (SOF)/ledipasvir (LDV) in Taiwanese CHC patients in TACR. Methods: By May 2020, 19 tertiary hospitals, 23 community hospitals and one primary care clinic join the TACR program. The baseline characteristics, prior liver and non-liver related medical history, DAA regimens, laboratory results, treatment course and outcome were recorded. The primary objective was sustained virological response, defined as undetectable HCV RNA 3 months after end-of-treatment (SVR12). Results: A total of 4742 SOF/LDV+ ribavirin treated CHC patients with available SVR12 data from 39 sites were enrolled in the current analysis. The mean age was 61.3 years, and female accounted for 54.8% of the population. The dominant viral genotypes were GT1b (52.6%) and GT2 (35.6%). 1354 (28.6%) patients had liver cirrhosis, including 156 (3.3%) with liver decompensation, 552 (11.6%) had preexisting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before DAAs treatment and 413 (8.7%) had hepatitis B virus dual infections. The overall SVR12 rate was 98.5%, with 98.5%, 98.2%, 99.7% and 98.6% in treatment- naïve non-cirrhotics, treatment-naïve cirrhotics, treatment- experienced non-cirrhotics and treatment-experienced cirrhotics patients, respectively. While patients were stratified by HCV genotype, the SVR12 was 98.5%, 98.4% and 98.5% among those with GT1, GT2 and GT6 infection, respectively. The strongest factor independent associated with treatment failure was DAA adherence < 60% (odds ratio [OR]/95% confidence intervals [CI]: 125.4/25.7-612.4, P<0.0001), followed by active HCC (OR/CI: 6.20/2.57-14.97, P<0.0001), HIV co-infection (OR/CI: 3.01/1.14-7.92, P=0.026), and male gender (OR/ CI: 1.85/1.09-3.13, P=0.023). The eGFR decreased significantly at the end of treatment (EOT) (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡ vs. 93.2 ml/min/1.73㎡, P< 0.001) and remained stable 3 months after EOT (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡). However, the decreased eGFR was observed only in patients whose baseline eGFR > 90 ml/ min/1.73㎡. Instead, patients with chronic kidney diseases whose pretreatment eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73㎡ had improved eGFR after SOF/LDV. Conclusions: SOF/LDV is highly effective in treating CHC patients in real-world setting of Taiwan. The satisfactory result could be explicitly generalized to patients with different viral genotypes and liver disease severities.

Seasonal patterns of stream macroinvertebrate communities in response to anthropogenic stressors in monsoonal Taiwan

Ming-Chih Chiu,Tzu-Yu Chou,Mei-Hwa Kuo 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.1

Freshwater ecosystems are affected by a variety of anthropogenic stressors. Temporal variability of bioticcommunities in these ecosystems makes it difficult to accurately assess the impacts of specific stressors, whichhas seldom been considered in understudied regions of Asia. We studied the seasonal effects of anthropogenicstressors on stream macroinvertebrates based on sampling every three months over two years at five stream sitesin central Taiwan. Several macroinvertebrate metrics (taxon richness, Shannon diversity index, and relativeabundance of Trichoptera) were lower during the wet season than the dry season. The presence of dams causedchanges in the structure of macroinvertebrate communities, decreased the seasonal variability in relativeabundances of Trichoptera, as well as resulted in lower dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations and largersubstrate size. The presence of urban areas had less or no influence on environmental factors and structuralchanges. However, significantly lower total abundance, taxon richness, and relative abundance of Trichopteraoccurred in the presence of either dams and/or urban areas. One key management implication from the presentstudy is that bioassessment utilizing macroinvertebrates should be facilitated by awareness of the potential roleof temporal factors on the effects of anthropogenic stressors, especially in monsoonal Asia.

Tenofovir Alafenamide for Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Advanced Fibrosis and Partial Virologic Responses to Oral Nucleos(T)Ide Analogues- Interim Report

( Ming-lung Yu ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Chi-yi Chen ),( Pin-nan Cheng ),( Ming-jong Bair ),( Jyh-jou Chen ),( Ching-chu Lo ),( Chi-ming Tai ),( Ching-yang Tsai ),( Kuo-chih Tseng ),( Chien-hung Chen ),( C 대한간학회 2020 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2020 No.1

Aims: Insufficient data regarding the treatment strategy for partial response to nucleot(s)ide analogue (NUC) raised the aim of investigating tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) switching for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with advanced fibrosis and partial response to other NUCs. Methods: CHB patients with advanced fibrosis (stage 3 or 4) and under NUC (except TAF) therapy with detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA for >52 weeks are enrolled to TAF 25 mg/day for 96 weeks. The objectives are viral suppression, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and safety. Results: From Feb. 2019, 34 patients, including 21 (61.8%) with entecavir, 10 (29.4%) TDF and 3 (8.8%) lamivudine or adefovir, were enrolled (15 [44.1%] male, median 53 years). The fibroscan demonstrated a mean of 10.5 kPa (7 [20.6%] cirrhotic). Sixteen (47.1%) patients were HBV e antigen positive, seven (20.6%) had YMDD mutation. The median HBV DNA level declined from 68.5 IU/mL at enrollment to 27.0 IU/mL at 4^th week, and undetectable at 12^th, 24^th, 36^th week, respectively, after TAF switching, with undetectable HBV DNA in 14/34 (41.2%), 17/33 (51.5%), 15/25 (60.0%), and 9/15 (60.0%) patients and rate of ALT normalization (≤40 U/L) of 85.3%, 85.3%, 84.8%, 92.0%, and 80.0%, respectively, after TAF switching. (figure 1) Two patients experienced transient virological breakthrough and another one developed at the final time follow up. Serum creatinine and eGFR levels were stable after TAF switching (figure 1). Two patients early terminated including one at 12^th week due to personal reason, and another one accidently died at 20^th week due to acute heart attack. Others suffered only mild degrees of adverse events which were considered unrelated to treatment. Conclusions: The preliminary results demonstrated the TAF switching is effective and safe in viral suppression for CHB patients with advanced fibrosis and partial virologic responses to other NUCs.

Induction of Forkhead Class box O3a and apoptosis by a standardized ginsenoside formulation, KG-135, is potentiated by autophagy blockade in A549 human lung cancer cells

Chih-Jung Yao,Jyh-Ming Chow,Shuang-En Chuang,Chia-Lun Chang,Ming-De Yan,Hsin-Lun Lee,I-Chun Lai,Pei-Chun Lin,Gi-Ming Lai 고려인삼학회 2017 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.41 No.3

Background: KG-135, a standardized formulation enriched with Rk1, Rg3, and Rg5 ginsenosides, has been shown to inhibit various types of cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we explored its effects in A549 human lung cancer cells to investigate the induction of Forkhead Class box O3a (FOXO3a) and autophagy. Methods: Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B staining. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed using flow cytometry. The changes of protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis. Autophagy induction was monitored by the formation of acidic vesicular organelles stained with acridine orange. Results: KG-135 effectively arrested the cells in G1 phase with limited apoptosis. Accordingly, a decrease of cyclin-dependent kinase-4, cyclin-dependent kinase-6, cyclin D1, and phospho-retinoblastoma protein, and an increase of p27 and p18 proteins were observed. Intriguingly, KG-135 increased the tumor suppressor FOXO3a and induced the accumulation of autophagy hallmark LC3-II and acidic vesicular organelles without an increase of the upstream marker Beclin-1. Unconventionally, the autophagy adaptor protein p62 (sequestosome 1) was increased rather than decreased. Blockade of autophagy by hydroxychloroquine dramatically potentiated KG-135-induced FOXO3a and its downstream (FasL) ligand accompanied by the cleavage of caspase-8. Meanwhile, the decrease of Bcl-2 and survivin, as well as the cleavage of caspase-9, were also drastically enhanced, resulting in massive apoptosis. Conclusion: Besides arresting the cells in G1 phase, KG-135 increased FOXO3a and induced an unconventional autophagy in A549 cells. Both the KG-135-activated extrinsic FOXO3a/FasL/caspase-8 and intrinsic caspase-9 apoptotic pathways were potentiated by blockade of autophagy. Combination of KG- 135 and autophagy inhibitor may be a novel strategy as an integrative treatment for cancers.