VALUE CHAIN OF LUXURY INDUSTRY - BRAND AS AN INTERDEPENDENT VALUE CREATION STEP

Pierre Xiao Lu,Wenwen Zhao,Yongjiang Shi 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2015 Global Fashion Management Conference Vol.2015 No.06

Increasing attention has been paid to marketing and consumer behavior of luxury industry but research into value creation network and operational mechanisms is very limited. This study focuses on two aspects of the luxury industry: luxury brand and value chain, to inform a comprehensive understanding of the value creation process for high value added brands. In luxury industry, the key elements that create and deliver value are brand, design and research, production, distribution, and retail. A clear brand identity is found as the first step of this value chain, which influences the choices of all other activities. Luxury goods companies will align all the activities in line with brand identity to deliver consistent tangible and intangible values to end users. Furthermore, a luxury value chain is a holistic network with strong coordination among its elements. A combined approach of case study and secondary data collection is pursued. A sample of 9 luxury companies within 6 selected industries is investigated. Data is qualitatively collected via semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observations as a triangulation approach for the purpose of ensuring the reliability of the research data. Multiple interviews of the general manager, industrial manager, brand/communication manager, creative director, and store manager are conducted in each company to achieve a broader perspective and also make data triangulation procedures possible. This research contributes to the luxury brands management as well as value chain concept. It discusses the value creation network and operational mechanism from a less explored corporate perspective. It unveils a secretive existence of brand in value generation process and further establishes a model to amplify the relationship between each activity in the value chain. Also, it expands the research of value chain into luxury industry. It argues that a supply leading value chain can also command a premium rather than the customer-centric value chain discussed by most researchers recently. It also provides valuable insights for companies who want to have a high-end market position. It shows that the widely adopted luxury strategy invented mainly by French and Italian companies employs fundamentally different rules from those of fast-moving consumer goods in mass market. In short, a luxury strategy is different in nature, not in level.

Investigation on large turbo-generator stator end winding dynamic characteristics based on response surface method

Zhao, Yang,Xiao, Yang,Lu, Sheng,Sun, Hao,Huo, Wenhao,Liao, Yong The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2021 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.21 No.10

The natural frequencies corresponding to the particular mode shapes of a large turbo-generator must not be in the resonance region before delivery. Different parameters may clearly affect these dynamic characteristics. Different from other studies, this paper introduces a method for obtaining the inherent characteristics of end winding in a short period of time under multiple simultaneously changing parameters. The proposed process is based on the response surface method (RSM). In this method, the main concerned natural frequencies were taken as the critical index to describe the dynamic behaviors of the end winding, with which the mathematical relationship between the dynamic characteristics and design variables was analyzed. First, the stiffness of the rings, stiffness of the radial braces and number of pins bonded to the radial braces were used as samples for orthogonal experimental design. Then, the natural modes and frequencies of 25 different samples were acquired by conducting modal analysis with ABAQUS software. Utilizing these dynamic results, a second-order polynomial response surface model was established to describe the relationships between natural frequencies and these three different parameters. Then, the quality of this model was verified by calculating the valuating indexes for comparison with support vector regression (SVR). With the response surface model, the variation regularities of the natural frequencies and modes due to the above parameters were discussed. The method proposed in this paper can enable natural frequencies in the whole design space to be quickly determined without finite-element analysis, greatly improving the development efficiency and laying a foundation for dynamic response prediction during normal operation with different parameters and additional large turbo-generator stator end winding optimization.

Structural and Optical Properties of RF Magnetron Reactively Sputtered Ag2O Film

Xiao-Yong Gao,Jiao-Min Ma,Chao Chen,Meng-Ke Zhao,Jin-Hua Gu,Jing-Xiao Lu 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.60 No.5

A series of <111> oriented Ag2O films was deposited onto glass substrates by using RF magnetron reactive sputtering at different flow ratios (FRs) of oxygen to argon. The Ag2O film deposited at FR = 0.667 was the best <111> oriented film due to dual contributions from both lattice strain and film stress. The films’ transmissivity of over 70% in the near-infrared region indicated that Ag2O films are not suitable for applications as transparent conductive films in the visible region. Ag2O films deposited at FRs from 0.467 to 0.800 had optical band gaps ranging from 3.266 eV to 3.107 eV. The redshift in the films’ absorption edge may be attributed to the decrease in the lattice strain with increasing in FR. A series of <111> oriented Ag2O films was deposited onto glass substrates by using RF magnetron reactive sputtering at different flow ratios (FRs) of oxygen to argon. The Ag2O film deposited at FR = 0.667 was the best <111> oriented film due to dual contributions from both lattice strain and film stress. The films’ transmissivity of over 70% in the near-infrared region indicated that Ag2O films are not suitable for applications as transparent conductive films in the visible region. Ag2O films deposited at FRs from 0.467 to 0.800 had optical band gaps ranging from 3.266 eV to 3.107 eV. The redshift in the films’ absorption edge may be attributed to the decrease in the lattice strain with increasing in FR.

A new algorithm of abstracting numeric image outline

Xiao-Feng Shang,Xue-Heng Tao,Xin Zhao,Jin-Shi Lu 한국멀티미디어학회 2006 한국멀티미디어학회 국제학술대회 Vol.2006 No.-

A new algorithm based on iterative-dynamic algorithm and edge detection algorithm has been formulated in this paper. In the experiment, the binary image was first introduced by iterative-dynamic threshold algorithm, which had a good performance in restraining noise. Gauss filter was then applied to the binary image in order to eliminate some false edge pixels; statistic and differential coefficient methods were used for calculating the grads-in-image of scope and direction. The object edge was hereby detected and abstracted by using double threshold. Compared with traditional edge abstraction algorithm, the algorithm is advanced in solving the main problem that traditional edge abstraction was in the face of. By reason of using iterative-dynamic algorithm in the first step, it has perfect quality in restraining variety of disturbing factor, like random noise, optic distortion, light intensity and so on. Due to the application of statistic and differential coefficient, the perfect outcome was realized. The results of experiments have indicated that the edge of complex image can be precisely abstracted and the drawbacks of traditional edge detection algorithm can be thoroughly overcome by means of this method.

Effect of Zhongyi paste on inflammatory pain in mice by regulation of the extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2-cyclooxygenase-2-prostaglandin E₂ pathway

Xiao, Ailan,Wu, Chuncao,Kuang, Lei,Lu, Weizhong,Zhao, Xin,Kuang, Zhiping,Hao, Na The Korean Pain Society 2020 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.33 No.4

Background: Zhongyi paste is a traditional Chinese medicine herbal paste that is externally applied to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Methods: An acute foot swelling inflammation model in C57BL/6J mice was established by carrageenan-induced pathogenesis. Zhongyi paste raised the pain threshold and also reduced the degree of swelling in mice with carrageenan-induced foot swelling. Results: Analysis indicated that serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) cytokine levels and PGE₂ levels in the paw tissue of the mice were decreased by Zhongyi paste treatment. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot results showed that Zhongyi paste downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and also downregulated the mRNA expression of PGE₂. At the same time, the Zhongyi paste exerted a stronger effect as an external drug than that of indomethacin, which is an oral drug, and voltaren, which is an externally applied drug. Conclusions: Our results indicated that Zhongyi paste is a very effective drug to reduce inflammatory swelling of the foot, and its mechanism of action is related to regulation of the ERK1/2-COX-2-PGE₂ pathway.

Predictors for Better Blood-Flow Restoration of Long-Segmental Below-the-Knee Chronic Total Occlusions after Endovascular Therapy in Diabetic Patients

Xiao-Li Song,Yue-Qi Zhu,Hai-Tao Lu,Fang Liu,Li-Ming Wei,강형근,Jun-Gong Zhao 대한영상의학회 2016 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.17 No.6

Objective: To prospectively investigate predictors for good restoration of blood flow of below-the-knee (BTK) chronic total occlusions (CTOs) after endovascular therapy in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 long-segmental (≥ 5 cm) BTK, CTOs in 81 patients who underwent recanalization were included in this study. After angioplasty, blood-flow restoration was assessed using modified thrombolysis in myocardial ischemia grades and classified as good flow (grade 3) and poor flow (grade 1/2). One hundred and six CTOs with successful recanalization were divided into a good flow group (GFG; n = 68) and poor flow group (PFG; n = 38). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were undertaken to determine independent predictors of blood-flow restoration. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the best cutoff value. The prevalence of target-lesion restenosis during follow-up was compared between two groups. Results: Univariate analyses suggested that CTOs in GFG were characterized by lighter limb ischemia (p = 0.03), shorter course of ischemic symptoms (p < 0.01) and lesion length (p = 0.04), more frequent use of intraluminal angioplasty (p = 0.03), and higher runoff score (p < 0.01) than those in PFG. Multivariate regression analyses suggested that distal runoffs (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 10.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.082–26.071) and lesion length (p < 0.001; OR, 1.26; 95% CI: 1.091–1.449) were independent predictors for good flow restoration. Kaplan-Meier analyses at 12 months showed a higher prevalence of non-restenosis in GFG (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Distal runoffs and lesion length are independent predictors for good flow restoration for long-segmental BTK, CTOs in DM patients who receive endovascular therapy.

The Efficacy of Aspirin in Preventing the Recurrence of Colorectal Adenoma: a Renewed Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Zhao, Tai-Yun,Tu, Jing,Wang, Yin,Cheng, Da-Wei,Gao, Xian-Kui,Luo, Hao,Yan, Bi-Chun,Xu, Xiao-Li,Zhang, Hong-Ling,Lu, Xing-Jun,Wang, Yao-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.5

Background: Through search the possible randomized control trials, we make a renewed meta-analysis in order to assess the impact of aspirin in preventing the recurrence of colorectal adenoma. Materials and Methods: The Medicine/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese biomedical literature service system (SinoMed) databases were searched for the related randomized controlled trials until to the April 2016. Three different authors respectively evaluated the quality of studies and extracted data, and we used the STATA software to analyze, investigate heterogeneity between the data, using the fixed-effects model to calculate and merge data. Results: 7 papers were included the renewed meta-analysis, among these studies, two pairs were identified as representing the same study population, with the only difference being the duration of follow-up. Thus there were only five papers included our meta-analysis, and one Chinese paper were also included the work. Results were categorized by the length of follow-up, different kinds of people, varied dose of oral aspirin. The relative of adenoma in patients taking aspirin vs placebo were 0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.98, P=0.039) with 1 year follow up; 0.84 (95% CI 0.72-0.98, P=0.484) with greater than 1 year follow up; for the advanced adenoma, the RR 0.68 (95% CI 0.49-0.94, P=0.582),for one year; RR=0.75 (95% CI 0.52-1.07, P=0.552) for greater one year. Furthermore the white population could divided into two subgroups according to the different length of follow-up time. When the length of follow-up time less than 3-year, The RR of two subgroups respective were RR=0.86 (95% CI 0.76-0.98, P=0.332), $I^2=0%$, RR=0.68 (95% CI 0.47-0.98, P=0.552), $I^2=64.6%$, But with the extension of follow-up time greater than 2-year, with the white, oral aspirin without considering dose had no efficacy on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, the RR was 0.86 (95% CI 0.71-1.05, P=0.302), $I^2=16.4%$. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that oral aspirin is associated with a remarkable decrease in the recurrence of any adenoma and advanced adenomas in patients follow-up for 1 year without concerning the dose of aspirin, but with the extension of follow-up time for greater than 1 year, oral aspirin can be effective on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, but for the advanced adenoma, the result indicated that oral aspirin had no efficacy, According to the inclusion of ethnic groups, we also divided relevant papers into two subgroups as the yellow and white group. Then the follow-up time was less than 3 years, oral aspirin without considering the dose, had an significant efficacy on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma. But with the follow-up greater than 2 years, oral aspirin had no effect in the white.

RNAi suppression of nuclear receptor genes results in increased susceptibility to sulfoxaflor in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Lu Xu,Chun-Qing Zhao,De-Jin Xu,Guang-Chun Xu,Xiao-Long Xu,Zhao-Jun Han,Ya-Nan Zhang,Zhong-Yan Gu 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.2

Nuclear receptors (NRs), which belong to a superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors, play essential roles in gene regulation to affect numerous physiological pathways. Twenty NR genes were identified in Nilaparvata lugens by using genomic, transcriptomic and GenBank databases, and categorized into NR0-NR6 subfamilies according to standard nomenclature. Among them, three NR geneswere classed into NR0, four into NR1, eight into NR2, one into NR3, one into NR4, two into NR5, and one into NR6, respectively. A phylogenetic tree of NRs from N. lugens and other representative species was constructed, which provided evolutionary insight into genetic distance. In order to investigate the NRs,whichwere induced by sulfoxaflor, time- and tissue-specific expression profiles of NR genes in fourth-instar nymphs were determined following LD50 sulfoxaflor treatment (0.28 ng/insect) and compared with control samples. NlUSP, NlE78, NlTLL, NlHR51, NlHR83, NlPNR and NlFTZ-F1 were highly expressed following 12–48 h of sulfoxaflor treatment. NlHR39 and NlDSF transcripts were detected in the head and the thorax, respectively. High-level and constitutive expression of NlHR3, NlTLL, NlHR83, NlFTZF1 and NlHR4 were found in the abdomen. Feeding of dsRNAs reduced the expression of NlHR3, NlUSP, NlTLL, NlHR83, NlPNR, NlFTZ-F1 and NlHR4 (35.48–49.77%) and caused significant nymph mortality (69.21–81.45%). These NRs, considered as insecticide targets, may play important function in sulfoxaflor detoxification.

Effect of the Oxygen Flux Ratio on the Structural and the Optical Properties of Silver-oxide Films Deposited by Using the Direct-current Reactive Magnetron Sputtering Method

Xiao-Yong Gao,Hong-Liang Feng,Zeng-Yuan Zhang,Jiao-Min Ma,Meng-Ke Zhao,Chao Chen,Jin-Hua Gu,Shi-E Yang,Yong-Sheng Chen,Jing-Xiao Lu 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.58 No.2

Using values of the oxygen flux ratio (OFR = [O2]/[Ar]) ranging from 0 to 0.5, authors deposited a series of silver-oxide (Ag_xO) films on glass substrates by direct-current reactive magnetron sputtering (DC sputtering) at a substrate temperature of 150 ℃. The effect of the OFR on the film’s structural and optical properties was systematically investigated by using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotometry. The Ag_xO films deposited clearly show an evolution of the film’s phase structure from the biphased (Ag + Ag_2O) structure to the biphased (AgO + Ag_2O) structure and then to the single-phased (Ag_2O) structure as value of the OFR increases. Accordingly, the film’s surface morphology, related to the film’s crystalline structure, clearly changes from a loose and porous surface structure to a compact surface structure and then to a pyramid-like surface structure with increasing value of the OFR. The novel porous structure may be attributed to the interruption of the silver’s growth course by the AgO on the film’s surface. Notably, a single-phased Ag_2O film is deposited by DC-sputtering at OFR = 0.5 due to the dual effects of thermal decomposition of the AgO phase and a combination reaction of AgO and Ag to Ag_2O. The oscillations both in the film’s reflectivity and transmissivity spectra are strengthened with increasing OFR, indicating an evolution from the metallic behavior of the biphased (Ag + Ag_2O) film to the dielectric behavior of the biphased (Ag_2O + AgO) film and the single-phased Ag2O film. The fitted optical absorption edges of the Ag_2O and the Ag_xO films deposited at values of the OFR of 0.5 and 0.33 are approximately 2.43 eV and 2.34 eV, respectively. The absorption edges are closely related to the direct interband transitions.

Polymorphisms in the Perilipin Gene May Affect Carcass Traits of Chinese Meat-type Chickens

Lu Zhang,Qing Zhu,Yiping Liu,Elizabeth R. Gilbert,Diyan Li,Huadong Yin,Yan Wang,Zhiqin Yang,Zhen Wang,Yuncong Yuan,Xiao-Ling Zhao 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.6

Improved meat quality and greater muscle yield are highly sought after in high-quality chicken breeding programs. Past studies indicated that polymorphisms of the Perilipin gene (PLIN1) are highly associated with adiposity in mammals and are potential molecular markers for improving meat quality and carcass traits in chickens. In the present study, we screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in all exons of the PLIN1 gene with a direct sequencing method in six populations with different genetic backgrounds (total 240 individuals). We evaluated the association between the polymorphisms and carcass and meat quality traits. We identified three SNPs, located on the 5′ flanking region and exon 1 of PLIN1 on chromosome 10 (rs315831750, rs313726543, and rs80724063, respectively). Eight main haplotypes were constructed based on these SNPs. We calculated the allelic and genotypic frequencies, and genetic diversity parameters of the three SNPs. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.2768 to 0.3750, which reflected an intermediate genetic diversity for all chickens. The CC, CT, and TT genotypes influenced the percentage of breast muscle (PBM), percentage of leg muscle (PLM) and percentage of abdominal fat at rs315831750 (p<0.05). Diplotypes (haplotype pairs) affected the percentage of eviscerated weight (PEW) and PBM (p<0.05). Compared with chickens carrying other diplotypes, H3H7 had the greatest PEW and H2H2 had the greatest PBM, and those with diplotype H7H7 had the smallest PEW and PBM. We conclude that PLIN1 gene polymorphisms may affect broiler carcass and breast muscle yields, and diplotypes H3H7 and H2H2 could be positive molecular markers to enhance PEW and PBM in chickens.