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.

2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Official Website Information Service Evaluation Study Based on Impact-range Performance Analysis and Asymmetry Analysis

Zhao Yijing,Shang Wenwen,Chen Nan,Jeong, GangHoan 한국문화산업학회 2016 문화산업연구 Vol.16 No.3

The rapid growth in international tourism has motivated many countries to promote their cities as tourist destinations. The host country or region of Olympic Games, World cup and EXPO got attention from the world by fastest speed and usually be chosen as the popular tourism destination. Since Pyeongchang was declared the host region for 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Korea has been preparing in many ways to improve Pyeongchang as a global city. This study research 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic official website information service from the perspective of destination marketing system(DMS). Then the study uses impact-range performance analysis and asymmetry analysis, which are improved versions of importance-performance analysis, to examine how visitors evaluate the offcial website information service. Results of a questionnaire survey on Chinese respondents reveal the performance of different website information service, their different levels of impact on visitors satisfaction, and the probability that they will generate satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. The rapid growth in international tourism has motivated many countries to promote their cities as tourist destinations. The host country or region of Olympic Games, World cup and EXPO got attention from the world by fastest speed and usually be chosen as the popular tourism destination. Since Pyeongchang was declared the host region for 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Korea has been preparing in many ways to improve Pyeongchang as a global city. This study research 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic official website information service from the perspective of destination marketing system(DMS). Then the study uses impact-range performance analysis and asymmetry analysis, which are improved versions of importance-performance analysis, to examine how visitors evaluate the offcial website information service. Results of a questionnaire survey on Chinese respondents reveal the performance of different website information service, their different levels of impact on visitors satisfaction, and the probability that they will generate satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits TNF-α-induced LOX-1 expression by suppressing reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in endothelial cells

Xiaoli Ran,Wenwen Zhao,Wenping Li,Jingshan Shi,Xiuping Chen 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.20 No.4

Cryptotanshinone (CPT) is a natural compound isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In the present study, the regulatory effect and potential mechanisms of CPT on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induced lectin-like receptor for oxidized low density lipoprotein (LOX-1) were investigated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and the effect of TNF-α on LOX-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively. The formation of intracellular ROS was determined with fluorescence probe CM-DCFH2-DA. The endothelial ox-LDL uptake was evaluated with DiI-ox-LDL. The effect of CPT on LOX-1 expression was also evaluated with SD rats. TNF-α induced LOX-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner in endothelial cells. TNF-α induced ROS formation, phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and ERK, and LOX-1 expression, which were suppressed by rotenone, DPI, NAC, and CPT. NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 and ERK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited TNF-α-induced LOX-1 expression. CPT and NAC suppressed TNF-α-induced LOX-1 expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and ERK in rat aorta. These data suggested that TNF-α induced LOX-1 expression via ROS activated NF-κB/ERK pathway, which could be inhibited by CPT. This study provides new insights for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of CPT.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits TNF-α-induced LOX-1 expression by suppressing reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in endothelial cells

Ran, Xiaoli,Zhao, Wenwen,Li, Wenping,Shi, Jingshan,Chen, Xiuping The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2016 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.20 No.4

Cryptotanshinone (CPT) is a natural compound isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In the present study, the regulatory effect and potential mechanisms of CPT on tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) induced lectin-like receptor for oxidized low density lipoprotein (LOX-1) were investigated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and the effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ on LOX-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively. The formation of intracellular ROS was determined with fluorescence probe $CM-DCFH_2-DA$. The endothelial ox-LDL uptake was evaluated with DiI-ox-LDL. The effect of CPT on LOX-1 expression was also evaluated with SD rats. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner in endothelial cells. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced ROS formation, phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK, and LOX-1 expression, which were suppressed by rotenone, DPI, NAC, and CPT. $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor BAY11-7082 and ERK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression. CPT and NAC suppressed $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression and phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK in rat aorta. These data suggested that $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression via ROS activated $NF-{\kappa}B/ERK$ pathway, which could be inhibited by CPT. This study provides new insights for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of CPT.

High-density single nucleotide polymorphism chip-based conservation genetic analysis of indigenous pig breeds from Shandong Province, China

Wang, Yanping,Zhao, Xueyan,Wang, Cheng,Wang, Wenwen,Zhang, Qin,Wu, Ying,Wang, Jiying Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.7

Objective: Shandong indigenous pig breeds are important Chinese pig resources. Their progressive population decline in recent decades has attracted attention towards their conservation. Conservation genetics of these indigenous breeds are essential for developing a conservation and utilization scheme. Methods: A high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (HD-SNP) chip-based comparative analysis of genetic characteristics was performed for seven Shandong indigenous pig breeds in the context of five Western commercial breeds. Results: The results showed that Shandong indigenous pig breeds varied greatly in genetic diversity, effective population size, inbreeding level, and genetic distance with the Western commercial breeds. Specifically, Laiwu and Dapulian displayed low genetic diversity, and had a genetically distant relationship with the Western commercial breeds (average F statistics [F_ST] value of 0.3226 and 0.2666, respectively). Contrastingly, the other five breeds (Yantai, Licha, Yimeng, Wulain, and Heigai) displayed high genetic diversity within breed and had some extent of mixture pattern with the Western commercial breeds, especially Duroc and Landrace (F_ST values from 0.1043 to 0.2536). Furthermore, intensive gene flow was discovered among the seven Shandong indigenous breeds, particularly Wulian, Licha, and Heigai, as indicated by the large cluster formed in the principal component analysis scatterplot and small population differentiation (average of 0.1253) among them. Conclusion: Our study advances the understanding of genetic characteristics of Shandong indigenous breeds and provides essential information for developing an appropriate conservation and utilization scheme for these breeds.

Ethanol enhances cucurbitacin B-induced apoptosis by inhibiting cucurbitacin B-induced autophagy in LO2 hepatocytes

Qian Ding,Jiaolin Bao,Wenwen Zhao,Jinjian Lu,Hong Zhu,Xiuping Chen,Xiuping Chen 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2016 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.12 No.1

Ethanol is a common risk factor for liver injury. Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a natural product with potent cytotoxic activities mediated by inducing apoptosis. This study investigated the effect of ethanol on CuB-induced cytotoxicity in LO2 hepatocytes. Low concentration of ethanol alone showed no significant cytotoxic effect on LO2 cells. CuB dose-dependently decreased cell viability. However, ethanol co-treatment significantly enhanced CuB-induced cytotoxicity. CuB-induced mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨ) depolarization was further decreased by ethanol. Furthermore, CuB-induced apoptosis was augmented by ethanol, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, Annexin V staining, and apoptotic protein expression. Ethanol inhibited CuB-induced autophagy, as determined by MDC staining, autophagic protein expression, and transmission electron microscopy. Therefore, the present data suggested that ethanol enhanced CuB cytotoxicity in LO2 hepatocytes, which was mediated by inhibiting autophagy and augmenting apoptosis.

Isocryptotanshinone Induced Apoptosis and Activated MAPK Signaling in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

Xuenong Zhang,Weiwei Luo,Wenwen Zhao,Jinjian Lu,Xiuping Chen 한국유방암학회 2015 Journal of breast cancer Vol.18 No.2

Purpose: Isocryptotanshinone (ICTS) is a natural bioactive product that is isolated from the roots of the widely used medical herb Salvia miltiorrhiza. However, few reports exist on the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of ICTS. Here, we report that ICTS has anticancer activity and describe the mechanism underlying this effect. Methods: The antiproliferative effect of ICTS was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5- diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and clonogenic assays. The effect of ICTS on the cell cycle was measured using flow cytometry. Apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining, DNA fragmentation assays, and Western blotting for apoptotic proteins. Finally, the effect of ICTS on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was determined by Western blotting. Results: ICTS significantly inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, HepG2 human liver cancer cells, and A549 human lung cancer cells in vitro. Among the tested cell lines, MCF-7 cells showed the highest sensitivity to ICTS. ICTS significantly inhibited colony formation by MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, exposure of MCF-7 cells to ICTS induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Hoechst 33342 staining and Western blot analysis for apoptotic proteins suggested that ICTS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. In addition, ICTS activated MAPK signaling in MCF-7 cells by inducing time- and concentration-dependent phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ICTS inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and activating MAPK signaling pathways.

Circular RNA pyridoxal kinase (circPDXK) involves in the progression of ovarian cancer and glycolysis via regulating miR‑654‑3p and hexokinase II

Hou Lijuan,Wang Wenwen,Zhai Jianjun,Zhao Huafang 한국응용생명화학회 2022 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.65 No.6

Background: Circular RNA pyridoxal kinase (circPDXK; hsa_circ_0061893) is newly identified to be aberrantly expressed in ovarian cancer (OVCA); however, its functional role in OVCA cells remains to be expounded. Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry quantified RNA and protein expression levels. MiRNA binding site prediction tools predicted direct interaction between two RNAs, and dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays further confirmed that prediction. Cellcounting kit-8, colony formation, and 5-ethynyl-2ʹ-deoxyuridine assays measured cell growth; nude mice xenograft tumor experiment detected tumor growth. Transwell and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining assays evaluated cell motility and apoptosis. Glycolysis process was determined by glucose uptake, lactate, and ATP assay kits. Results: CircPDXK is highly expressed in OVCA patients’ tumor tissues and cells, concomitant with microRNA (miR)- 654-3p downregulation and hexokinase II (HK2) upregulation. RNA interference of circPDXK could restrain cell viability, colony formation, DNA synthesis, migration, invasion, and glycolysis of OVCA cells, but also retard xenograft tumor growth. Allied with those are higher apoptosis rate, elevated Bax and E-cadherin levels, and depressed ki67 and HK2 levels. Compared to circPDXK inhibition, restoration of miR-654-3p functions analogical effects in OVCA cells in vitro. Mechanistically, there are direct interactions between miR-654-3p and circPDXK or HK2; moreover, miR-654-3p inhibition could weaken the functional roles of circPDXK interference in OVCA cells, and either HK2 ectopic expression abrogates the effects of miR-654-3p overexpression. Conclusion: CircPDXK/miR-654-3p/HK2 axis could be a novel molecular mechanism of OVCA progression and glycolysis, and targeting circPDXK might overcome OVCA.

Improved Received Signal Strength Ratio Based High Accuracy Indoor Visible Light Positioning Scheme

Zhijie Luo,JinHua Wang,WenWen Zhao,JianKun Luo,WeiNan Zhang,GuoFu Zhou 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.10 No.12

With the increasingly development of Light-emitting Diode (LED) lighting, in this paper, we proposed an Indoor Visible Light Positioning (VLP) Scheme by using visible LED lights for accurate localization. The basic idea of the position scheme is to improve received signal strength ratio algorithm. Received signal strength ratio (RSSR) is the relative ratio of optical powers detected between each LED and optical receiver. In this paper, we introduce concept of multiple LEDs selection to improve RSSR positioning algorithm. By three LEDs are reasonably selected from the multiple LEDs deployed in the room, the positioning accuracy of RSSR is improved. The system can be employed easily because it does not require additional sensors and occlusion problem in visible light would be alleviated. In addition, we performed the simulation experiments, and confirmed the feasibility of our proposed method.

Design of Dynamic Calf Weighing System Based on Moving-IIR Filter Algorithm

Meng Hewei,Luo Jinjun,Li Shenglin,Qi Jiangtao,Wenwen Zhao,Li Yaping 대한전기학회 2021 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.16 No.2

In order to solve the problems of high intensity, low collecting effi ciency, poor information real-time performance and low precision in the calf weighing process, a kind of dynamic calf weighing system was designed. It was based on moving-IIR by establishing a test platform to verify fi lter algorithm. The software MATLAB was applied to design the moving average fi lter algorithm, IIR fi lter algorithm and moving-IIR fi lter algorithm, respectively, to process and analyze the dynamic data collected in slow, violent and slow-violent states of calves. Test results showed that, the error rates of moving-IIR fi lter algorithm in slow, violent and slow-violent states of calves were within 1.12%, 0.32% and 2.82%, which were lower than that of moving-average fi lter algorithm and IIR fi lter algorithm. In slow state of calves, the moving-IIR fi lter was not very smooth. In violent and slow-violent states of calves, the standard deviations were within 1.1126 and 1.1520, showing signifi cant smoothness. The study showed that, information collection system based on moving-IIR fi lter algorithm has fully taken the stability of moving fi lter and dynamic nature of IIR fi lter into consideration and had advantages of low error rate and high stability. Therefore, it can realize real time precise collection, display, storage and historical data query of weight information.