EFFECT OF BRAND ENGAGEMENT AND LOYALTY PROGRAMMES ON JAPANESE FASHION COMPANIES’ FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Miao Miao,I Go,Linyuan Cui,Kayo Ikeda,Hideho Numata 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2023 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2023 No.07

The economic recession and changes in purchasing habits of young adults (aged 18–25) has led to a decline in the sales of Japanese fashion apparel. This younger generation’s choice of fashion items is primarily based on price. They are not devoted to a favourite brand with a frequent purchase history. Thus, developing customer loyalty and strengthening brand value are essential for the fashion industry. This study explores the improvement in fashion companies’ financial performance (FP) through young generation’s behavioural brand loyalty (BBL) from two aspects: social media brand engagement (BE) and loyalty programmes (LPs). This study listed 14 popular Japanese fashion brands which belonged to 14 publicly traded companies in Japan. Further, we surveyed 183 consumers about their brand related behaviours. The findings reveal the positive and negative effects of the same variable (BE and LPs) on the outcome (short- and long-term FP), indicating that not all activities related to BE and LPs boost FP. FP is influenced by various combinations of these causal factors and complex situations, such as consumers’ demographics and shopping characteristics. The results deepen our understanding of brand loyalty formation and the linkage among BE, LPs, and FP in a realistic marketplace, and offer multiple practical solutions to achieve high levels of short- and long-term FP by targeting the right consumers based on their specific characteristics.

Rhizospheric fungi of Panax notoginseng: diversity and antagonism to host phytopathogens

Miao, Cui-Ping,Mi, Qi-Li,Qiao, Xin-Guo,Zheng, You-Kun,Chen, You-Wei,Xu, Li-Hua,Guan, Hui-Lin,Zhao, Li-Xing The Korean Society of Ginseng 2016 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.40 No.2

Background: Rhizospheric fungi play an essential role in the plantesoil ecosystem, affecting plant growth and health. In this study, we evaluated the fungal diversity in the rhizosphere soil of 2-yr-old healthy Panax notoginseng cultivated in Wenshan, China. Methods: Culture-independent Illumina MiSeq and culture-dependent techniques, combining molecular and morphological characteristics, were used to analyze the rhizospheric fungal diversity. A diffusion test was used to challenge the phytopathogens of P. notoginseng. Results: A total of 16,130 paired-end reads of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 were generated and clustered into 860 operational taxonomic units at 97% sequence similarity. All the operational taxonomic units were assigned to five phyla and 79 genera. Zygomycota (46.2%) and Ascomycota (37.8%) were the dominant taxa; Mortierella and unclassified Mortierellales accounted for a large proportion (44.9%) at genus level. The relative abundance of Fusarium and Phoma sequenceswas high, accounting for 12.9% and 5.5%, respectively. In total,113 fungal isolates were isolated from rhizosphere soil. They were assigned to five classes, eight orders (except for an Incertae sedis), 26 genera, and 43 species based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer. Fusarium was the most isolated genus with six species (24 isolates, 21.2%). The abundance of Phoma was also relatively high (8.0%). Thirteen isolates displayed antimicrobial activity against at least one test fungus. Conclusion: Our results suggest that diverse fungi including potential pathogenic ones exist in the rhizosphere soil of 2-yr-old P. notoginseng and that antagonistic isolates may be useful for biological control of pathogens.

AlGaN/GaN Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor (MIS)-HFETs Based DC-DC Boost Converters with Integrated Gate Drivers

Miao Cui,Qinglei Bu,Yutao Cai,Ruize Sun,Wen Liu,Huiqing Wen,Sang Lam,Yung. C. Liang,Ivona Z. Mitrovic,Stephen Taylor,Paul R. Chalker,Cezhou Zhao 전력전자학회 2019 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2019 No.5

This study proposed a 100 kHz, 5V/11V boost converter with an integrated gate driver for a power switching device using recessed E-mode MIS-HFETs. The integrated gate driver consisting of multi-stages DCFL (Direct-Coupled FET Logic) inverters and a buffer stage, has large input swing (up to 10 V) and wide noise margin with gate dielectric, which benefits applications requiring large gate swing without any additional drivers or level shifters. The impact of transistor size on rise times and fall times have been studied. Either buffer stage or larger width of DCFL inverter can reduce rise times from 2.4 μs to less than 0.5 μs at 100 kHz, so the output voltage of boost converter is increased by 10 % at a duty cycle of 0.7. However, large buffer width can result in high gate overshoot and oscillation, indicating careful design to balance switching speed and oscillation.

Rhizospheric fungi of Panax notoginseng: diversity and antagonism to host phytopathogens

Cui-Ping Miao,Qi-Li Mi,Xin-Guo Qiao,You-Kun Zheng,You-Wei Chen,Li-Hua Xu,Hui-Lin Guan,Li-Xing Zhao 고려인삼학회 2016 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.40 No.2

Background: Rhizospheric fungi play an essential role in the plantesoil ecosystem, affecting plant growth and health. In this study, we evaluated the fungal diversity in the rhizosphere soil of 2-yr-old healthy Panax notoginseng cultivated in Wenshan, China. Methods: Culture-independent Illumina MiSeq and culture-dependent techniques, combining molecular and morphological characteristics, were used to analyze the rhizospheric fungal diversity. A diffusion test was used to challenge the phytopathogens of P. notoginseng. Results: A total of 16,130 paired-end reads of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 were generated and clustered into 860 operational taxonomic units at 97% sequence similarity. All the operational taxonomic units were assigned to five phyla and 79 genera. Zygomycota (46.2%) and Ascomycota (37.8%) were the dominant taxa; Mortierella and unclassified Mortierellales accounted for a large proportion (44.9%) at genus level. The relative abundance of Fusarium and Phoma sequenceswas high, accounting for 12.9% and 5.5%, respectively. In total,113 fungal isolates were isolated from rhizosphere soil. They were assigned to five classes, eight orders (except for an Incertae sedis), 26 genera, and 43 species based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer. Fusarium was the most isolated genus with six species (24 isolates, 21.2%). The abundance of Phoma was also relatively high (8.0%). Thirteen isolates displayed antimicrobial activity against at least one test fungus. Conclusion: Our results suggest that diverse fungi including potential pathogenic ones exist in the rhizosphere soil of 2-yr-old P. notoginseng and that antagonistic isolates may be useful for biological control of pathogens.

Link Prediction Algorithm for Signed Social Networks Based on Local and Global Tightness

( Miao-miao Liu ),( Qing-cui Hu ),( Jing-feng Guo ),( Jing Chen ) 한국정보처리학회 2021 Journal of information processing systems Vol.17 No.2

Given that most of the link prediction algorithms for signed social networks can only complete sign prediction, a novel algorithm is proposed aiming to achieve both link prediction and sign prediction in signed networks. Based on the structural balance theory, the local link tightness and global link tightness are defined respectively by using the structural information of paths with the step size of 2 and 3 between the two nodes. Then the total similarity of the node pair can be obtained by combining them. Its absolute value measures the possibility of the two nodes to establish a link, and its sign is the sign prediction result of the predicted link. The effectiveness and correctness of the proposed algorithm are verified on six typical datasets. Comparison and analysis are also carried out with the classical prediction algorithms in signed networks such as CN-Predict, ICN-Predict, and PSNBS (prediction in signed networks based on balance and similarity) using the evaluation indexes like area under the curve (AUC), Precision, improved AUC′, improved Accuracy′, and so on. Results show that the proposed algorithm achieves good performance in both link prediction and sign prediction, and its accuracy is higher than other algorithms. Moreover, it can achieve a good balance between prediction accuracy and computational complexity.

Radiosensitivity Enhancement by Arsenic Trioxide in Conjunction with Hyperthermia in the EC-1 Esophageal Carcinoma Cell Line

Cui, Yan-Hui,Liang, Hai-Jun,Zhang, Qing-Qin,Li, Si-Qing,Li, Xiao-Rui,Huo, Xiao-Qing,Yang, Qing-Hui,Li, Wei-Wei,Gu, Jian-Fa,Hua, Qin-Liang,Lu, Ping,Miao, Zhan-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Objective: To explore the effect on radiosensitivity of arsenic trioxide ($As_20_3$) in conjunction with hyperthermia on the esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cell line. Method: Inhibition of EC-1 cell proliferation at different concentrations of $As_20_3$ was assessed using the methyl thiazolyl blue colorimetric method (MTT method), with calculation of $IC_{50}$ value and choice of 20% of the $IC_{50}$ as the experimental drug concentration. Blank control, $As_20_3$, hyperthermia, radiotherapy group, $As_20_3$ + hyperthermia, $As_20_3$ + radiotherapy, hyperthermia + radiotherapy and $As_20_3$ + hyperthermia + radiotherapy groups were established, and the cell survival fraction (SF) was calculated from flat panel colony forming analysis, and fitted by the 'multitarget click mathematical model'. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis and the cell cycle. Results: $As_20_3$ exerted inhibitory effects on proliferation of esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cells, with an $IC_{50}$ of 18.7 ${\mu}mol/L$. After joint therapy of $As_20_3$ + hyperthermia + radiotherapy, the results of FCM showed that cells could be arrested in the $G_2$/M phase, and as the ratio of cells in $G_0/G_1$ and S phases decreased, cell death became more pronounced. Conclusion: $As_20_3$ and hyperthermia exert radiosensitivity effects on esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cells, with synergy in combination. Mechanistically, $As_20_3$ and hyperthermia mainly influence the cell cycle distribution of EC-1 esophageal carcinoma cells, decreasing the repair of sublethal damage and inducing apoptosis, thereby enhancing the killing effects of radioactive rays.

A Rapid Preconcentration Method Using Modified GP-MSE for Sensitive Determination of Trace Semivolatile Organic Pollutants in the Gas Phase of Ambient Air

Miao He,Qingjuan Xu,Cui Yang,Xiangfan Piao,Narayanan Kannan,Donghao Li 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.10

A sensitive concentration method utilising modified gas-purge microsyringe extraction (GP-MSE) was developed. Concentration (reduction in volume) to a microlitre volume was achieved. PAHs were utilised as semivolatile analytes to optimise the various parameters that affect the concentration efficiency. The injection rate and temperature were the key factors that affected the concentration efficiency. An efficient concentration (75.0−96.1%) of PAHs was obtained under the optimised conditions. The method exhibited good reproducibility (RSD values that ranged from 1.5 to 9.0%). The GP-MSE concentration method enhances the volume reduction (concentration factor), leading to a low method detection limit (0.5−15 ng L–1). Furthermore, this method offers the advantage of small-volume sampling, enabling even the detection of diurnal hourly changes in the concentration of PAHs in ambient air. Utilising this method in combination with GC−MS, the diurnal hourly flux of PAHs from the gas phase of ambient air was measured. Indeed, the proposed technique is a simple, fast, low-cost and environmentally friendly.

Study on the Measurement Technique of the Alignment Variation of Medical Infrared Thermal Imaging System

Miao Cao,Wenjie Cui 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.10 No.1

The change cause of the thermal imager alignment and its detection principle are analyzed in this paper. On this basis, an infrared thermal imaging is designed for the shortcomings of the traditional detection method, that alignment change detection system is based on CCD imaging technology. The cross pinhole target is used to establish the measurement space coordinate system for the digital image interpretation program in this system. The interpretation software is called about aiming at the baseline variation in the data processing system. According to the position relationship of the 5 pin hole in the field of the infrared thermal imager, the alignment change can be measured. The experimental results show that the system can effectively test the change in the baseline of the thermal imager, and the uncertainty of the test is better than 0.05mil.

Research on NETD Test System of Medical Infrared Thermal Imager Based on CCD Imaging Technology

Miao Cao,Wenjie Cui 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Vol.11 No.3

Under the conditions that the target and background are bold and the transmission loss in atmosphere between systems is neglected, the SNR of the thermal imaging system, the radiation flux of the target and the NETD expression are derived. On this basis, the NETD test system of the modern infrared thermal imager is studied. The system is constructed by a Newton type reflecting parallel light tube, and the off-axis parabolic reflector is as the main body, which provides infinity infrared observation target for infrared thermal imager being tested. The target is composed of the infrared reticle located at the focus of off-axis parabolic reflector and the high precision temperature blackbody at the back of the reticle. The image of infinity infrared target is displayed on its own screen by the infrared thermal imager. CCD shoots the screen of infrared thermal imager, and NETD value is obtained by processing the camera's video signal. The experimental results show that the accuracy of NETD synthesis can reach 0.03℃ in this paper.

Behavior Logic of Burmese Army Taking over Power in 2021——Based on Cost-Benefit Analysis

Cui Lei,Wang Miao 아시아사회과학학회 2022 Jornal of Asia Social Science Vol.7 No.3

Since Myanmar started the process of transforming its political system, the country has progressively developed a political structure of dual power centers (Diarchy), with the NLD and the military taking turns holding the reins of power. Both sides are engaged in what might be described as a a military-political game, and fight without breaking. However, on February 1, 2021, when the new federal parliament of Myanmar conducted its first meeting, the Myanmar military decided to take over the rule, and the country entered a one-year state of emergency, known as the "February 1" Incident. As a result of this action by Myanmar’s military, a political environment that was stable has been disrupted. The causes are discussed in academic circles. There are objective reasons that the development and changes of political environment at home and abroad have greatly reduced the political space of the Burmese army, and there are subjective reasons that Min Onlai’s personal political ambition or his fear of war crimes trial after retirement should not be underestimated. This instance of political power seizure has been researched by scholars. there is no dearth of explanatory power, yet there are still some flaws. Therefore, this paper based on a cost-benefit analysis conducted from the viewpoint of the Burmese military, that the cost of taking over the regime is less than its benefit. Therefore, when the net income is positive, there is a high probability of taking over the regime.