Does China Love Hollywood? An Empirical Study on the Determinants of the Box-Office Performance of the Foreign Films in China

곽주영,Liyue Zhang,Hyunjoo Min 한국외국어대학교 국제지역연구센터 2011 International Area Studies Review Vol.14 No.2

Although the sales of the motion-picture industry in China have grown incomparably to any other country during the past decade, most research related to it has focused on discourse of the political or social contexts. Using the resource-based view, our study empirically examines the determinants that encourage the audience to pay for a movie at China’s box offices. The resource-based view posits that a firm or product’s competitiveness arises from valuable resources that appeal to consumers. In line with this, we have hypothesized that box-office performance is affected by marketing-related resources and by a certain set of the strategic variables embedded in individual films. We have constructed our dataset based on the foreign films imported to and released in China from 2007 to 2009, and have conducted a regression analysis. The statistical results have suggested that actor reputation, China-related contents, and Chinese crew participation in the movie production, and release timing are significantly related to the box-office performance of foreign firms in China. We have presented an interpretation of our statistical results, linking to the characteristics of the current Chinese audience as a consumer for foreign films.

Identification of loci affecting teat number by genome-wide association studies on three pig populations

Tang, Jianhong,Zhang, Zhiyan,Yang, Bin,Guo, Yuanmei,Ai, Huashui,Long, Yi,Su, Ying,Cui, Leilei,Zhou, Liyu,Wang, Xiaopeng,Zhang, Hui,Wang, Chengbin,Ren, Jun,Huang, Lusheng,Ding, Nengshui Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.1

Objective: Three genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and a meta-analysis of GWAS were conducted to explore the genetic mechanisms underlying variation in pig teat number. Methods: We performed three GWAS and a meta-analysis for teat number on three pig populations, including a White Duroc${\times}$Erhualian $F_2$ resource population (n = 1,743), a Chinese Erhualian pig population (n = 320) and a Chinese Sutai pig population (n = 383). Results: We detected 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that surpassed the genome-wide significant level on Sus Scrofa chromosomes (SSC) 1, 7, and 12 in the $F_2$ resource population, corresponding to four loci for pig teat number. We highlighted vertnin (VRTN) and lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B) as two interesting candidate genes at the loci on SSC7 and SSC12. No significant associated SNPs were identified in the meta-analysis of GWAS. Conclusion: The results verified the complex genetic architecture of pig teat number. The causative variants for teat number may be different in the three populations

Saponins from Panax japonicus ameliorate age-related renal fibrosis by inhibition of inflammation mediated by NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad signaling and suppression of oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2-ARE signaling

Yan Gao,Ding Yuan,Liyue Gai,Xuelian Wu,Yue Shi,Yumin He,Chaoqi Liu,Changcheng Zhang,Gang Zhou,Chengfu Yuan 고려인삼학회 2021 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.45 No.3

Background: The decreased renal function is known to be associated with biological aging, of which the main pathological features are chronic inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis. In previous studies, we reported that total saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJs) can availably protect acute myocardial ischemia. We proposed that SPJs might have similar protective effects for aging-associated renal interstitial fibrosis. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the overall effect of SPJs on renal fibrosis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) aging rats were given SPJs by gavage beginning from 18 months old, at 10 ㎎/㎏/d and 60 ㎎/㎏/d, up to 24 months old. After the experiment, changes in morphology, function and fibrosis of their kidneys were detected. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and cystatin C (Cys C) were assayed with ELISA kits. The levels of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), inflammatory factors and changes of oxidative stress parameters were examined. Results: After SPJs treatment, SD rats showed significantly histopathological changes in kidneys accompanied by decreased renal fibrosis and increased renal function; As compared with those in 3-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in 24-month group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the 24-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in the SPJ-H group were significantly decreased. While ECM was reduced and the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased, the levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling were decreased; the expression level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was down-regulated with reduced inflammatory factors; meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling was aggrandized. Conclusion: These results suggest that SPJs treatment can improve age-associated renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad, NFκB signaling pathways and activating Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways and that SPJs can be a potentially valuable anti-renal fibrosis drug.

Structural damage identification with output-only measurements using modified Jaya algorithm and Tikhonov regularization method

Chunfeng Wan,Guangcai Zhang,Liyu Xie,Songtao Xue 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.31 No.3

The absence of excitation measurements may pose a big challenge in the application of structural damage identification owing to the fact that substantial effort is needed to reconstruct or identify unknown input force. To address this issue, in this paper, an iterative strategy, a synergy of Tikhonov regularization method for force identification and modified Jaya algorithm (M-Jaya) for stiffness parameter identification, is developed for damage identification with partial output-only responses. On the one hand, the probabilistic clustering learning technique and nonlinear updating equation are introduced to improve the performance of standard Jaya algorithm. On the other hand, to deal with the difficulty of selection the appropriate regularization parameters in traditional Tikhonov regularization, an improved L-curve method based on B-spline interpolation function is presented. The applicability and effectiveness of the iterative strategy for simultaneous identification of structural damages and unknown input excitation is validated by numerical simulation on a 21-bar truss structure subjected to ambient excitation under noise free and contaminated measurements cases, as well as a series of experimental tests on a five-floor steel frame structure excited by sinusoidal force. The results from these numerical and experimental studies demonstrate that the proposed identification strategy can accurately and effectively identify damage locations and extents without the requirement of force measurements. The proposed M-Jaya algorithm provides more satisfactory performance than genetic algorithm, Gaussian bare-bones artificial bee colony and Jaya algorithm.

Comparative Metabolite Profiling and Hormone Analysis of Perennial and Annual Rice

Xiuqin Zhao,Ting Zhang,Liyu Huang,Huimin Wu,Fengyi Hu,Fan Zhang,Linghua Zhu,Binying Fu 한국식물학회 2012 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.55 No.1

Perenniality is one of the important topics in rice breeding which is generally accompanied by complex physiobiochemical processes. To understand the metabolic characteristics of perennial rice, in the present study, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to profile the distribution patterns of 33 primary metabolites and hormones [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and zeatin riboside (ZR)] of annual (RD23) and perennial (Oryza longistaminata and the line AA with RD23 genetic background) rice genotypes. Results showed that both metabolites and hormones have distinct genotype and organ distribution patterns, and considerable variations were observed between the metabolites in stem bases of perennial and annual rice. Most of the metabolites,including sugars, organic acids, and amino acids, significantly accumulated in the stem bases of perennial rice by decreasing the level in roots and leaves. Fifteen metabolites consistently accumulated significantly in the stem bases of both perennial genotypes. Additionally, the organ-level IAA content and IAA/ZR ratio in the two perennials were considerably higher than those in RD23. The present study indicated that the significant accumulation of the metabolites at stem base and the higher IAA/ZR ratio are involved

Construction of Bacillus subtilis strain engineered for expression of porcine β-defensin-2/cecropin P1 fusion antimicrobial peptides and its growth-promoting effect and antimicrobial activity

Jian Xu,Fei Zhong,Yonghong Zhang,Jianlou Zhang,Shanshan Huo,Hongyu Lin,Liyue Wang,Dan Cui,Xiujin Li 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.4

Objective: To generate recombinant Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) engineered for expression of porcine β-defensin-2 (pBD-2) and cecropin P1 (CP1) fusion antimicrobial peptide and investigate their anti-bacterial activity in vitro and their growth-promoting and disease resisting activity in vivo. Methods: The pBD-2 and CP1 fused gene was synthesized using the main codons of B. subtilis and inserted into plasmid pMK4 vector to construct their expression vector. The fusion peptide-expressing B. subtilis was constructed by transformation with the vector. The expressed fusion peptide was detected with Western blot. The antimicrobial activity of the expressed fusion peptide and the recovered pBD-2 and CP1 by enterokinase digestion in vitro was analyzed by the bacterial growth-inhibitory activity assay. To analyze the engineered B. subtilis on growth promotion and disease resistance, the weaned piglets were fed with basic diet supplemented with the recombinant B. subtilis. Then the piglets were challenged by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). The weight gain and diarrhea incidence of piglets were measured after challenge. Results: The recombinant B. subtilis engineered for expression of pBD-2/CP1 fusion peptide was successfully constructed using the main codons of the B. subtilis. Both expressed pBD-2/CP1 fusion peptide and their individual peptides recovered from parental fusion peptide by enterokinase digestion possessed the antimicrobial activities to a variety of the bacteria, including gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Haemophilus parasuis) and gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Supplementing the engineered B. subtilis to the pig feed could significantly promote the piglet growth and reduced diarrhea incidence of the piglets. Conclusion: The generated B. subtilis strain can efficiently express pBD-2/CP1 fusion antimicrobial peptide, the recovered pBD-2 and CP1 peptides possess potent antimicrobial activities to a variety of bacterial species in vitro. Supplementation of the engineered B. subtilis in pig feed obviously promote piglet growth and resistance to the colibacillosis.

Bio-based Epoxy Thermoset Containing Stilbene Structure with Ultrahigh T<SUB>g</SUB> and Excellent Flame Retardancy

Guangming Lu,Xuezhen Wang,Na Teng,Jingyuan Hu,Liyue Zhang,Jinyue Dai,Yongjia Xu,Sakil Mahmud,Xiaoqing Liu 한국고분자학회 2021 폴리머 Vol.45 No.4

Bio-based epoxy resins with an ultrahigh glass transition temperature (Tg) and excellent flame retardancy are critical for developing sustainable polymers. Herein, a novel trifunctional epoxy monomer triglycidyl ether of resveratrol (TGER) was synthesized from renewable resveratrol. The chemical structure of TGER was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H, and <SUP>13</SUP>C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy which was then reacted with 4,4’-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) to form resin. The obtained resin was evaluated in terms of flame retardance and thermal properties. The resultant TGER-DDM 240 resin shows excellent flame-retardant properties, presenting a residual char of 42.5% at 800 ℃, limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 31.2%, and flammability rating of V-0 in UL94 test. Moreover, the resin possesses an ultrahigh Tg at 294 ℃. This work provides a facile method for preparing high-performance flame-retardant epoxy resin from a renewable resource.