• Title/Summary/Keyword: alpha-case

Search Result 1,005, Processing Time 0.031 seconds

Effect of n-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency on Fatty Acid Composition in Brain, Retina and Liver Using a Novel Artificial Rearing System (인공 사육 동물 모델 시스템을 이용한 n-3 지방산 결핍이 쥐의 뇌, 망막, 간의 지방산 조성에 미치는 영향)

  • Lim, Sun-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.34 no.4
    • /
    • pp.466-475
    • /
    • 2005
  • Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) is highly enriched in membrane of brain and retina, and plays an important role in maintaining an optimal function of the central nervous system. We investigated the effect of n-3 fatty acid deficiency on rat brain, retina and liver fatty acyl composition at two different ages (3 wks and 15 wks) under DHA deficient condition. Rat pups born to dams fed a diet with $3.1\%$ of total fatty acids as $\alpha-linolenic$ acid (LNA) were fed using an artificial rearing system either an n-3 deficient (n-3 Def) or n-3 adequate (n-3 Adq) diet. Both diets contained $17.1\%$ linoleic acid (LA) but the n-3 Adq diet also contained $3.1\%$ LNA. Rats consuming the n-3 Def diet showed a lower brain $(50\%\;in\;13\;wks\;and\;70\%\;in\;15\;wks,\;p<0.05)$ and retinal $(50\%\;in\;13\;wks\;and\;63\%\;in\;15\;wks,\;p<0.05)$ DHA than those on the n-3 Adq diet, which was largely compensated for by an increase in docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6, DPAn-6). In the liver of the n-3 Def group, the percentage of DHA decreased by $97\%$ at 3 wks of age with an apparent increase in DPAn-6 relative to the n-3 Adq group (p<0.05), while there was a $65\%$ lower liver DHA in n-3 Def group at 15 wks of age than the n-3 Adq group (p<0.05). Liver arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, AA) was increased at 3 wks of age but decreased at 15 wks of age in the n-3 Def group compared with n-3 Adq group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the replacement of DHA by DPAn-6 in brain and retina fatty acid composition may be related to the suboptimal function in spatial learning, memory and visual acuity. This artificial rearing method presents a first generation model for n-3 deficiency that is similar to the case of human nutrition that commonly employed two generation model.

Characterization of a Mucolipidosis Type II Mouse Model and Therapeutic Implication of Lysosomal Enzyme Enriched Fraction Derived from Placenta (뮤코지방증 2형 마우스 모델의 특징과 태반에서 추출한 리소좀 효소 투여의 결과)

  • Cho, Sung Yoon;Kim, Ki-Yong;Kim, Su Jin;Sohn, Young Bae;Maeng, Se Hyun;Kim, Chi Hwa;Ko, Ah-Ra;Song, Junghan;Yeau, Sung-Hee;Kim, Kyung-Hyo;Jin, Dong-Kyu
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
    • /
    • v.12 no.1
    • /
    • pp.5-13
    • /
    • 2012
  • I-cell disease (mucolipidosis type II; MIM 252500) and pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy (mucolipidosis type III; MIM 252600) are disorders caused by abnormal lysosomal transport in cells. The presence of numerous inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts, a lack of mucopolysacchariduria, increased lysosomal enzyme activity in serum, and decreased GlcNAc-phosphotransferase activity are hallmark. Here, we attempted to investigate phenotypical and biochemical characteristics of the knockoutmouse of GlcNAc-phosphotransferase ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ subunits; in addition, we also attempted to determine whether the lysosome enriched fraction derived from placenta can be beneficial to phenotype and biochemistry of the knockout mouse.We found that the knockout mouse failed to thrive and had low bone density, as is the case in human. In addition, skin fibroblasts from the animal had the same biochemical characteristics, including increased lysosomal enzyme activity in the culture media, in contrast to the relatively low enzyme activity within the cells. Intravenous injection of the lysosome rich fraction derived from placenta into the tail vein of the animal resulted in a gain of weight, while saline injected animals didn't.In conclusion, our study demonstrated the phenotypical and biochemical similarities of the knockout mouse to a mucolipidosis type II patient and showed the therapeutic potential of the lysosome enriched fraction. We admit that a larger scale animal study will be needed; however, the disease model and the therapeutic potential of the lysosome enriched fraction will highlight the hope for a novel treatment approach to mucopolipidosis type II, for which no therapeutic modality is available.

  • PDF

Detection and Differentiation of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2, and Varicella-Zoster Virus in Vesicle Fluid, Joint Fluid and Serum using PCR Method (중합효소 연쇄반응에 의한 수포액, 혈액과 관절액에서 단순포진 바이러스 1, 2와 대상포진 바이러스의 검출과 감별)

  • Park, Hae-Kyung;Woo, So-Youn;Kim, Hyun-Jin;Lee, Chung-Hwa
    • The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
    • /
    • v.35 no.2
    • /
    • pp.191-201
    • /
    • 2000
  • The viruses of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) and Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) which belong to the alpha herpes subfamily are important human pathogens. When eruptions were not fully developed from these viral infections, clinical diagnosis was not always easy and required virological confirmation test. The above viruses were reactivated in individuals who were compromised in immune competence for one reason or another. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enables rapid and sensitive detection of HSV and VZV DNAs. Its sensitivity was largely influenced by choice of primers. Authors conducted a study to detect of those three viruses in human specimens including vesicle fluid and joint fluid and serum using PCR methods. Primers used for this study were the general primer pair GPHV-RU which was known to amplify within the genes enjoying the highest degree of homology between UL15 of HSV and UL42 of VZV. PCR with primers hybridized pair GPHV-RU amplifies a 396 bp with THP-1 and HSV-2 standard strain DNA and 405 bp with VZV standard strain DNA. Restriction enzyme cleavage with HpaII and DdeI were used to detect and distinguish DNAs of THP-1 and HSV-2 and VZV. The purpose of this study was a rapid and easy detection of VZV and THP-1 or HSV-2 from various clinical specimens (vesicle fluid, serum and joint fluid) by PCR method. Used methods were: HSV PCR with primer 1, 2 and HpaII RE digestion; VZV nested PCR; HSV PCR with primer A, Band BssHII RE digestion. 1) In 33 cases (33/42, 78.6%) VZV was detected single or mixed infection from 42 clinical specimens which included vesicle fluid (5), serum form respiratory infected children (10), serum from immune suppressed adult cancer patients (7) and joint fluid from arthritis patients (20). 2) In 20 cases (20/42, 47.6%) HSV was detected singly or mixed infection and 19 of those cases were HSV-2 and 1 case was THP-1. 3) In 19 cases (19/42, 45.2%) VZV was singly detected which included serum from respiratory infected children (6 cases), joint fluid from arthritis patients (9 cases), vesicle fluid (2 cases) and serum form immunosuppressed cancer patients (2 cases). 4) HSV was singly detected in 6 cases (6/42, 14.3%) which included joint fluid from arthritis patients (5 cases) and serum form respiratory infected children (1 cases). 5) 14 cases of VZV and HSV mixed infection (14/42, 33.3%) were detected. They included vesicle fluid (3 cases), serum form immunosuppressed cancer patients (4 cases), serum from respiratory infected children (2 cases) and joint fluid from arthritis patients (5 cases). 6) HSV-1 and HSV-2 detection and typing by HSV PCR with primer A, Band BssHII RE digestion method was more sensitive and the results were easier to detect than on other method.

  • PDF

Surface roughness and $Candida$ $albicans$ adhesion to flexible denture base according to various polishing methods (연마방법에 따른 탄성의치의 표면거칠기와 $Candida$ $albicans$의 부착율 변화)

  • Oh, Ju-Won;Seo, Jae-Min;Ahn, Seung-Keun;Park, Ju-Mi;Kang, Cheol-Kyun;Song, Kwang-Yeob
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
    • /
    • v.50 no.2
    • /
    • pp.106-111
    • /
    • 2012
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of 3 chairside polishing methods and laboratory polishing methods on surface roughness and $C.$ $albicans$ adhesion of polyamide denture base. Materials and methods: Using contact profilometer, the surface of polyamide specimens ($25{\times}15{\times}2mm$) was studied after conventional polishing without finishing and after chiarside polishing with 2 chiarside polishing kits and chairside-pumice polishing following finishing with tungsten carbide bur. To evaluate the adhesion of $C.$ $albicans$, $C.$ $albicans$ suspension was overlayed on the test specimen. And the specimens were incubated for 2 hours. Imprint culture method was achieved and counted the colony on the agar plate. Polished polyamide were evaluated using a scanning electron microscope. The statistics were conducted using one-way ANOVA and in case of difference, Scheffe test and Tamhane's T2 test were used. Results: Surface roughness (Ra) of surfaces polished with 2 chairside polishing kits had higher than conventional polishing and pumice polishing. The highest roughness value was $0.32{\pm}0.10{\mu}m$, and the lowest was $0.02{\pm}0.00{\mu}m$. The adhesion of $C.$ $albicans$ on the specimens polished with chairside polishing group and pumice polishing group were increased than conventional polishing group ($P$<.01). Conclusion: Conventional laboratory polishing was found to produce the smoothest surface and the lowest adhesion of $C.$ $albicans$. Two groups polished with Chairside polishing kits were similar with respect to surface roughness. Surface of the specimen polished with pumice is significantly smoother than 2 chairside polishing groups, but the result of $C.$ $albicans$ adhesion is that group polished with pumice was similar with 2 chairside polishing groups ($P$>.01).

A Statistical Analysis of the Fereign Bodies in the Food and air Passages (식도 및 기도이물의 임상통계학적 고찰)

  • 정해영;권평중;박성준;민양기;김중환
    • Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
    • /
    • 1978.06a
    • /
    • pp.4.1-4
    • /
    • 1978
  • The foreign bodies in the food and air passages are frequently observed in the field of otolaryngology, and the foreign bodies in the air passages have much significance in clinical practice because they may cause sudden death. A statistical study was done on 95 cases of foreign bodies in the food and air passages who had visited department of otolaryngology, Chung-Ang university from June, 1968 to April, 1978. The results were as follows; 1. The total cases of foreign bodies in the food and air passages was 95; 89 cases (93.7%) were in the food passage and the remaining (6.3%) were in the air passage. The ratio between the food passage and air passage was about 14. 8 to 1.0. 2. In distribution by sex, 64 cases (67.4%) were in male patients and the remaining 31 cases (32.6%) were in female patients. The ratio between male and female was 2.1 to 1.0. 3. The kinds of foreign bodies in the food in the order of their frequency, were coin, gogame stone and pebble. In the air passages, the peanut and bean were most frequently found. 4. In distribution by age, 64 cases (67.4%) of all foreign bodies were found in children under 5 year old, and coin was the most common kind of foreign body. Except for meat, almost all of foreign bodies were found in children under 10 year old. 5. There was chronologically no significant tendency in incidence; the incidence, however, had decreased during recent 2 years. 6. In the location of foreign bodies in the food passage, 70 cases (78.7%) were found at the first esophageal narrowing. Meat was more frequently found at second esophageal narrowing associated with cicatrical stenosis. Almost all of foreign bodies in the air passage was found in bronchi; 3 cases were in the right side of bronchi, and 2 cases were in the left side of bronchi and 1 case was in glottic region. 7. In duration of lodgement, 50 cases (52.6%) visited our hospital within 24 hours, and 3 cases after 30 days. 8. Under topical anesthesia, 83 cases (93.3%) of the foreign bodies in the food passage were removed by esophagoscopy, by 6 cases (6.7%) failed to be removed. All of the foreign bodies of the air passages (6 cases) were removed by bronchoscopy. Among them, 5 cases under 5 years old were removed by inferior bronchoscopy through tracheostomy site.

  • PDF

A Need Assessment on Establishment of Oriental Health Promotion Center (한방건강증진센터 설립에 대한 인식 및 요구조사)

  • Lee, Hyang-Yeon;Kim, Kwuy-Bun;Cho, Kyoul-Ja;Shin, Hye-Sook;Kim, Kwang-Joo;Moon, Heui-Ja;Park, Shin-Ae;Kim, Yoon-Hee;Kang, Hyun-Sook
    • Journal of East-West Nursing Research
    • /
    • v.5 no.1
    • /
    • pp.90-101
    • /
    • 2000
  • The study attempts to examine the degree of cognition and demand on health promotion center of oriental nursing. It puts unique nursing intervention using traditional health promotion connected with oriental medicine to practical use for residents' health promotion and prevention of disease. With the study design of cross-sectional descriptive study, 516 residents who live in 26 Dongs, Dongdaemoon-gu were selected. The tool of study consists of 30 questions which the study team made for the degree of cognition and demand on health promotion center of oriental nursing. Cronbach's $\alpha$ in the degree of cognition was .8028. Collection of research data had been done from October 1 to October 30, 1999 with help of Dongdaemoon-gu office after pretest from 20 residents. Collected data were analyzed into the number and percentage in the characteristic of a subject and connected with demand on the establishment of center, the mean and the standard deviation in the degree of cognition and F-tests in the difference of the degree of cognition by characteristics. The results were as follow; 1) The characteristic of subject of this study was male 50.6%, and average age was 38.5 years old and 30-39 years old occupied the highest percentage with 31.6%. The married were 71.8%, over high school graduates was 85.6%, monthly income from 500 thousand won to 2 million won was 86.1%. 50.8% was the type living with parents, children and sibling. 2) When they were sick, the institution which residents used at first was a pharmacy(69.2%) and hospital(27.5%), but oriental medicine hospital was just 1.4%. As for subjective health condition, 82.5% answered over average, and 28.7% answered that they had chronic illness such as arthritis, chronic digestion problem, hypertension and so on. As for information collection on health, mass communication(34.9%) and medically concerned people(28.1%) occupied relatively high rate. Free health diagnosis system(36.8%) and establishment of health promotion center(31.5%) among welfare programs that residents want to enjoy were high ranked. The rate using a special institution for health was 17.8%, and among these institutions, the rate using aerobic exercises, health center(7.0%) and steamed room(5.4%) was high. Besides, other institutions such as breathing at the abdomen, finger-pressure therapy, meridian massage, foot massage, and so on were being used. 3) As the average of the degree of cognition on health promotion center of oriental medicine was 2.92, the degree of cognition was medium. The description, "health promotion center of oriental medicine is necessary for health keeping of healthy people, including people who have a problem in health" showed the highest degree of cognition(3.04, ${\pm}0.64$). 4) As for the intention on using health promotion center of oriental nursing, 61.4% said "yes", "no" was just 1.4%. The services that people relatively high wanted to be served from the center were measures reducing stress(68.0%) (relaxation therapy, meditation, breathing at the abdomen and so on), acupuncture(66.5%), finger-pressure(61.6%), moxibustion(57.6%), meridian massage(44.2%), postpartum care(40.3%) and so on. 5) As for the degree of cognition on the establishment of health promotion center of oriental nursing by characteristics of subject, there was significant difference(F=4.03, p=.046) between male(3.01) and female(2.91). But there was no significant difference by age, marital status, level of educational achievement and monthly income. As the above result, cognition on the establishment of health promotion center of oriental nursing was relatively low because people were not familiar with about the health promotion center of oriental nursing yet. However once the center will be established, the degree of demand on the center will be relatively high. So positive advertisement will be necessary, and the management of useful programs will be also required in order to make people recognize the advantage when they actually will use the center. On the other hand, as the subject of the study consists of many young people of below 30, the health problem came to be low. And in the case of sampling, the study using random sampling that can represent population will be required.

  • PDF

Radiation-Induced Chromosome Aberration in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes In Vitro : RBE Study with Neutrons and $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}-rays$. (KCCH cyclotron neutron 및 $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}-ray$에 의한 인체 말초혈액 임파구의 염색체 이상측정)

  • Kim, Sung-Ho;Kim, Tae-Hwan;Chung, In-Yong;Cho, Chul-Koo;Koh, Kyoung-Hwan;Yoo, Seong-Yul
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
    • /
    • v.17 no.1
    • /
    • pp.21-30
    • /
    • 1992
  • The frequencies of KCCH cyclotron neutron (30 cGy/min) or $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}-rays$ (210 cGy/min)-induced asymmetrical interchanges (dicentrics and centric rings) and acentric fragments (deletion) at several doses were measured in the normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes Chromosome aberrations were scored at the first nitosis after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. The neutron and y-ray data were analysed on linear, power-law, quadratic and linear-quadratic model . When the dicentrics and centric rings of ${\gamma}-rays$ datas were pooled and fitted to these model, good fits were obtained to power-law $[Y=(5.81{\pm}1.96){\times}10^6D^{1.93+0.06},\; P=0.931]$, quadratic $[Y=(3.91{\pm}0.09){\times}10^{-6}D^2,\;P=0.972]$ an linear-Quadrati model $[Y=(6.55{\pm}6.83){\times}10^{-5}D+(3.72{\pm}0.22){\times}10^{-6}D^2\; P=0.922]$, except for linear model (P=0.067) As in the case of neutron data, the best fit was obtained to the linear model $(Y=(6.12{\pm}0.17){\times}10^{-3}\;D-0.22,\;P=0.987]$ and good fits were obtained to power-law$[Y=(5.36{\pm}3.02) {\times}10^{-4}D^{1.42+0.11},\; P=0.601]$ and linear-quadratic model$[Y=(2.43{\pm}0.70){\times}10^{-3}D+(1.21{\pm}0.39){\times}10^{-7}D^2$, \;P=0.415], except for quadratic model (P<0.005). The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neutron compared with y-ray was estimated by best fitting model. In the asymmetrical interchanges range between 0.1 and 1.5 per cell, the RBE was found to be $2.714{\pm}0.408$.

  • PDF

Genotype $\times$ Environment Interaction of Rice Yield in Multi-location Trials (벼 재배 품종과 환경의 상호작용)

  • 양창인;양세준;정영평;최해춘;신영범
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
    • /
    • v.46 no.6
    • /
    • pp.453-458
    • /
    • 2001
  • The Rural Development Administration (RDA) of Korea now operates a system called Rice Variety Selection Tests (RVST), which are now being implemented in eight Agricultural Research and Extension Services located in eight province RVST's objective is to provide accurate yield estimates and to select well-adapted varieties to each province. Systematic evaluation of entries included in RVST is a highly important task to select the best-adapted varieties to specific location and to observe the performance of entries across a wide range of test sites within a region. The rice yield data in RVST for ordinary transplanting in Kangwon province during 1997-2000 were analyzed. The experiments were carried out in three replications of a random complete block design with eleven entries across five locations. Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model was employed to examine the interaction between genotype and environment (G$\times$E) in the biplot form. It was found that genotype variability was as high as 66%, followed by G$\times$E interaction variability, 21%, and variability by environment, 13%. G$\times$E interaction was partitioned into two significant (P<0.05) principal components. Pattern analysis was used for interpretation on G$\times$E interaction and adaptibility. Major determinants among the meteorological factors on G$\times$E matrix were canopy minimum temperature, minimum relative humidity, sunshine hours, precipitation and mean cloud amount. Odaebyeo, Obongbyeo and Jinbubyeo were relatively stable varieties in all the regions. Furthermore, the most adapted varieties in each region, in terms of productivity, were evaluated.

  • PDF

Antimutagenicity and Immuno Activity of Extracts from Epimedium koreanum Nakai Containing Different Icariin Quantity (Icariin 함량에 따른 삼지구엽초 추출물의 항돌연변이 및 면역활성)

  • Park, Myoung-Su;Kim, Seo-Jin;Forghani, Fereidoun;Rahman, S.M.E.;Eo, Ji-Hyun;Eun, Jong-Bang;Oh, Deog-Hwan
    • Food Science and Preservation
    • /
    • v.18 no.6
    • /
    • pp.938-945
    • /
    • 2011
  • Epimedium koreanum Nakai is a wild herb commonly consumed in South Korea due to its beneficial health effects. In the present study, the antimutagenic and immunoactivities of extracts from E. koreanum Nakai containing different icariin quantities were investigated for food use. In the Ames test, both the water and ethanol extracts were found not to have a mutagenic effect on Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100, respectively. The E. koreanum Nakai extracts showed over 80 and 90% antimutagenic effects on benzo(${\alpha}$)pyrene (B(a)P) in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100, respectively. Moreover, all the extracts showed over 70% antimutagenicity on S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 against 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO). The E. koreanum Nakai extract with ethanol showed strong antimutagenic activity, higher than that of the water extract and the sequenced KE9412, KE9408, and KE9405. In the immunomodulating activity test, the effect of E. koreanum Nakai on the B (Rhamos) and T (Jukat) cells were investigated. The immunoactivity results showed that the growth and viability of the B and T cells increased and were activated more in KE9405 (1.8 times), KE9408 (1.6 times), and KE9412 (1.32 times) in the water extracts, and least in KE9412 (1.74 times), KE9408 (1.52 times), and KE9405 (1.4 times) in the ethanol extracts. In the case of both the water and ethanol extracts ($500{\mu}g/mL$) from E. koreanum Nakai, the highest cell number of the human B (Rhamos) and T (Jukat) cells was observed on day 4 in KE9405 and KE9412, and on day 5 in KE9408. Based on the obtained results, the development of E. koreanum Nakai as a food material is recommended.

State of Mind in the Flow 4-Channel Model and Play (플로우 4경로모형의 마음상태와 플레이(play))

  • Sohn, Jun-Sang
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
    • /
    • v.17 no.2
    • /
    • pp.1-29
    • /
    • 2007
  • The flow theory becomes one of the most important frameworks in the internet research arena. Hoffman and Novak proposed a hierarchical flow model showing the antecedents and outcomes of flow and the relationship among these variables in the hyper-media computer circumstances (Hoffman and Novak 1996). This model was further tested after their initial research (Novak, Hoffman, and Yung 2000). At their paper, Hoffman and Novak explained that the balance of challenge and skill leads to flow which means the positive optimal state of mind (Hoffman and Novak 1996). An imbalance between challenge and skill, leads to negative states of mind like anxiety, boredom, apathy (Csikszentmihalyi and Csikszentmihalyi 1988). Almost all research on the flow 4-channel model have been focusingon flow, the positive state of mind (Ellis, Voelkl, and Morris 1994 Mathwick and Rigdon 2004). However, it also needs to examine the formation of the negative states of minds and their outcomes. Flow researchers explain play or playfulness as antecedents or the early state of flow. However, play has been regarded as a distinct concept from flow in the flow literatures (Hoffman and Novak 1996; Novak, Hoffman, and Yung 2000). Mathwick and Rigdon discovered the influences of challenge and skill on play; they also observed the influence of play on web-loyalty and brand loyalty (Mathwick and Rigdon 2004). Unfortunately, they did not go so far as to test the influences of play on state of mind. This study focuses on the relationships between state of mind in the flow 4-channel model and play. Early research has attempted to hypothetically explain state of mind in flow theory, but has not been tested except flow until now. Also the importance of play has been emphasized in the flow theory, but has not been tested in the flow 4-channel model context. This researcher attempts to analyze the relationships among state of mind, skill of play, challenge, state of mind and web loyalty. For this objective, I developed a measure for state of mind and defined the concept of play as a trait. Then, the influences of challenge and skill on the state of mind and play under on-line shopping conditions were tested. Also the influences of play on state of mind were tested and those of flow and play on web loyalty were highlighted. 294 undergraduate students participated in this research survey. They were asked to respond about their perceptions of challenge, skill, state of mind, play, and web-loyalty to on-line shopping mall. Respondents were restricted to students who bought products on-line in a month. In case of buying products at two or more on-line shopping malls, they asked to respond about the shopping mall where they bought the most important one. Construct validity, discriminant validity, and convergent validity were used to check the measurement validations. Also, Cronbach's alpha was used to check scale reliability. A series of exploratory factor analyses was conducted. This researcher conducted confirmatory factor analyses to assess the validity of measurements. All items loaded significantly on their respective constructs. Also, all reliabilities were greater than.70. Chi-square difference tests and goodness of fit tests supported discriminant and convergent validity. The results of clustering and ANOVA showed that high challenge and high skill leaded to flow, low challenge and high skill leaded to boredom, and low challenge and low skill leaded to apathy. But, it was different from my expectation that high challenge and low skill didnot lead to anxiety but leaded to apathy. The results also showed that high challenge and high skill, and high challenge and low skill leaded to the highest play. Low challenge leaded to low play. 4 Structural Equation Models were built by flow, anxiety, boredom, apathy for analyzing not only the impact of play on state of mind and web-loyalty, but also that of state of mind on web-loyalty. According the analyses results of these models, play impacted flow and web-loyalty positively, but impacted anxiety, boredom, and apathy negatively. Results also showed that flow impacted web-loyalty positively, but anxiety, boredom, and apathy impacted web-loyalty negatively. The interpretations and implications of the test results of the hypotheses are as follows. First, respondents belonging to different clusters based on challenge and skill level experienced different states of mind such as flow, anxiety, boredom, apathy. The low challenge and low skill group felt the highest anxiety and apathy. It could be interpreted that this group feeling high anxiety or fear, then avoided attempts to shop on-line. Second, it was found that higher challenge leads to higher levels of play. Test results show that the play level of the high challenge and low skill group (anxiety group) was higher than that of the high challenge and high skill group (flow group). However, this was not significant. Third, play positively impacted flow and negatively impacted boredom. The negative impacts on anxiety and apathy were not significant. This means that the combination of challenge and skill creates different results. Forth, play and flow positively impacted web-loyalty, but anxiety, boredom, apathy had negative impacts. The effect of play on web-loyalty was stronger in case of anxiety, boredom, apathy group than fl ow group. These results show that challenge and skill influences state of mind and play. Results also demonstrate how play and flow influence web-loyalty. It implies that state of mind and play should be the core marketing variables in internet marketing. The flow theory has been focusing on flow and on the positive outcomes of flow experiences. But, this research shows that lots of consumers experience the negative state of mind rather than flow state in the internet shopping circumstance. Results show that the negative state of mind leads to low or negative web-loyalty. Play can have an important role with the web-loyalty when consumers have the negative state of mind. Results of structural equation model analyses show that play influences web-loyalty positively, even though consumers may be in the negative state of mind. This research found the impacts of challenge and skill on state of mind in the flow 4-channel model, not only flow but also anxiety, boredom, apathy. Also, it highlighted the role of play in the flow 4-channel model context and impacts on web-loyalty. However, tests show a few different results from hypothetical expectations such as the highest anxiety level of apathy group and insignificant impacts of play on anxiety and apathy. Further research needs to replicate this research and/or to compare 3-channel model with 4-channel model.

  • PDF