• Title/Summary/Keyword: the 2000s

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Effect of Photosynthetic Bacterial Addition to Chlorella or ${\omega}-Yeast$ on Growth of Rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, and its Dietary Value for Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, Larvae (Rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, 성장을 위한 광합성세균의 첨가 효과와 넙치, Paralichthys oliraceus, 자어에 대한 먹이효율)

  • KIM Man Soo;KIM Hae Young;HUR Sung Bum
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.164-170
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    • 2000
  • This study was carried out to investigate the effect of photosynthetic bacteria to chlorella or ${\omega}-yeast$ on Browth of the rotifer and its dietary value for flounder, Paralicbthys oliraceus. The rotifer fed the chlorella (200,000 cells/ind./day) with the addition of 20 times the photosynthetic bacteria of the chlorella concentration showed the highest growth. But the specific growth rate of 100,000 chlorella/ind./day with the addition of 30 times the photosynthetic bacteria was the most economical feeding regime for mass culture of the rotifer. The rotifer frd ${\omega}-yeast$ with 200,000 cells/ind./days with the addition of 20 times the photosynthetic bacteria of the chlorella conecentration showed the highest growth. Growth and survial rate of the larvae of Paralichithys oiivaceus fed the rotifer reared on both chlorella and ${\omega}-yeast$ with the addition of photosynthetic bacteria were higher than those without the bacteria, and the chlorella had better dietary value than the ${\omega}-yeast$ for the larvae. The larvae fed the rotifer which was cultured with the chlorella of 200,000 cells/ind./day and the photosynthetic bacteria of $4{\times}10^6$ cells/ind./day showed the highest survial rate and growth. The larvae reared with the addition of the photosynthetic bacteris had higher total lipid and the total content of EPA and DHA than those reared without the bacteria. The larvae fed the enriched artemia nauplius with the photosynthetic bacteria also showed higher suurval rate and growth than those fed the nauplius without the enrichment. The optimum enrichment concentration of the photosynthetic bacteria for artemia nauplius was $2{\times}1^7\;cells/ml$. The addition of the photosynthetic bacteria to the chlorella and the ${\omega}-yeast$ was effective to growth of the rotifer and dietary value for the flounder larvae. However, an excessive addition of the bacteria decreased both the growth of the rotifer and the dietary of the larvae.

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An Exploratory Study on the Project Performance by PMO Capability (PMO 역량에 따른 프로젝트 성과에 관한 연구)

  • Bae, Jae-Kwon;Kim, Jin-Hwa;Kim, Sang-Yeoul
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.53-77
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    • 2008
  • In recent years, although numbers of corporations are bringing in PMO, they seem to be indifferent to PMO performance measurement. This demonstrates that there are also other reasons beside performance measurement of information systems (IS) project being ambiguous by introducing PMO; the lack of acknowledging the concrete function of PMO, and the scarcity of empirical study about the effect of PMO on the project members and project performance. In this sense, this study is aimed at proposing a new research model in which project success factors (i.e., standardization, management advocacy, and staff expertise) affect PMO capability (i.e., knowledge management, resources management, and problem solving competency) positively, leading to project performance (i.e., task outcomes, psychological outcomes, and organizational outcomes) eventually. To empirically test the research model, data are surveyed from PMO department and IS department. To prove the validity of the proposed research model, PLS analysis is applied with valid 132 questionnaires. By employing PLS technique, the measurement reliability and validity of research variables are tested and the path analysis is conducted to do the hypothesis testing. The path analysis results can be organized into 7 ways in large scale. First, standardization of project success factors has a positive association with knowledge management, resources management, and problem solving competency of PMO capabilities. The findings of this result indicate that the multiple or single project management should satisfy standardization in order to operate an effective PMO. Second, management advocacy of project success factors has a positive association with knowledge management, resources management, and problem solving competency. Management advocacy refers to the willingness of management to provide the required resources and authority for project success. There is agreement among researchers regarding the importance of management advocacy for favorable PMO capability. Third, staff expertise of project success factors has a positive association with knowledge management, resources management, and problem solving competency. The findings of this result indicate that the formation of an exceptional consultant or members with a proficient knowledge for staff expertise of project member is the key factor to elevate the PMO capability. Past research suggests that experience and knowledge and the resultant familiarity with the problem faced can be an important determinant of PMO capability. A capable project with appropriate staff expertise means that it enjoys a diversity of abilities and experiences. Fourth, knowledge management competency of PMO capabilities has a positive impact on psychological outcomes but has no direct effect on task outcomes and organizational outcomes. In domestic case of S. Korea, PMO was finally introduced to many other corporations in 2005 though it started bringing in 2000. Therefore, it had neither a significant impact on the task outcomes nor organizational outcomes by lacking the contents and the infrastructure of the knowledge management because the knowledge consolidation and management period of PMO is comparatively shorter by terms than other foreign nations. Fifth, resources management competency of PMO capabilities has a positive association with task outcomes, psychological outcomes, and organizational outcomes. In addition, problem solving competency of PMO capabilities has a positive association with task outcomes, psychological outcomes, and organizational outcomes. Therefore, the findings of this results stress that PMO capabilities has a positive impact on project performance. Sixth, according to the path analysis of the hypothesis, which suggested in this research, problem solving competency is the PMO capability which is the key success factor for task, psychological, and organizational outcomes as an integrated performance model. Further, the analysis reveals that problem solving competency is an important factor for integrated performance model. The finding is in line with past IS research, which affirms that the work of IS projects is essentially a problem solving endeavor. Seventh, in the path analysis of the hypothesis in this research, the path of the management advocacy $\rightarrow$ problem solving competency $\rightarrow$ organizational outcomes appears to be the most important and strongest path. In brief, the finding of this study suggests that project success factors influence PMO capability positively, and project performance as well. From the results, it can be concluded that PMO helped great improve the project success rate and project performance. This study advances research on PMO capability in three important aspects. First, the findings of our study have implications for IS theory and future research. Our study contributes to IS theory by synthesizing concepts from PMO research and project management research with those in IS research. We proposed and tested PMO capability of IS projects and the findings of our investigation provided some preliminary answers to some of the questions raised. Secondly, this thesis does not only help depicting the concept of IT governance but also approaches empirically. It makes a gradual approach to the main content, step by step, in contrary of simple standard, scholastic way of thinking. Finally, we argued that this task-oriented(technical) view is not sufficient to adequately conceptualize IS project performance. Hence, we applied that the research on organization teams, which provides a flip viewpoint to that of project management research in that it gives more weight for psychological outcomes of organizational work groups, can be very helpful in reconceptualizing the IS project performance construct. The limitations of this study are also discussed to provide research directions for future research.

A Study on Forecasting Accuracy Improvement of Case Based Reasoning Approach Using Fuzzy Relation (퍼지 관계를 활용한 사례기반추론 예측 정확성 향상에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, In-Ho;Shin, Kyung-Shik
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.67-84
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    • 2010
  • In terms of business, forecasting is a work of what is expected to happen in the future to make managerial decisions and plans. Therefore, the accurate forecasting is very important for major managerial decision making and is the basis for making various strategies of business. But it is very difficult to make an unbiased and consistent estimate because of uncertainty and complexity in the future business environment. That is why we should use scientific forecasting model to support business decision making, and make an effort to minimize the model's forecasting error which is difference between observation and estimator. Nevertheless, minimizing the error is not an easy task. Case-based reasoning is a problem solving method that utilizes the past similar case to solve the current problem. To build the successful case-based reasoning models, retrieving the case not only the most similar case but also the most relevant case is very important. To retrieve the similar and relevant case from past cases, the measurement of similarities between cases is an important key factor. Especially, if the cases contain symbolic data, it is more difficult to measure the distances. The purpose of this study is to improve the forecasting accuracy of case-based reasoning approach using fuzzy relation and composition. Especially, two methods are adopted to measure the similarity between cases containing symbolic data. One is to deduct the similarity matrix following binary logic(the judgment of sameness between two symbolic data), the other is to deduct the similarity matrix following fuzzy relation and composition. This study is conducted in the following order; data gathering and preprocessing, model building and analysis, validation analysis, conclusion. First, in the progress of data gathering and preprocessing we collect data set including categorical dependent variables. Also, the data set gathered is cross-section data and independent variables of the data set include several qualitative variables expressed symbolic data. The research data consists of many financial ratios and the corresponding bond ratings of Korean companies. The ratings we employ in this study cover all bonds rated by one of the bond rating agencies in Korea. Our total sample includes 1,816 companies whose commercial papers have been rated in the period 1997~2000. Credit grades are defined as outputs and classified into 5 rating categories(A1, A2, A3, B, C) according to credit levels. Second, in the progress of model building and analysis we deduct the similarity matrix following binary logic and fuzzy composition to measure the similarity between cases containing symbolic data. In this process, the used types of fuzzy composition are max-min, max-product, max-average. And then, the analysis is carried out by case-based reasoning approach with the deducted similarity matrix. Third, in the progress of validation analysis we verify the validation of model through McNemar test based on hit ratio. Finally, we draw a conclusion from the study. As a result, the similarity measuring method using fuzzy relation and composition shows good forecasting performance compared to the similarity measuring method using binary logic for similarity measurement between two symbolic data. But the results of the analysis are not statistically significant in forecasting performance among the types of fuzzy composition. The contributions of this study are as follows. We propose another methodology that fuzzy relation and fuzzy composition could be applied for the similarity measurement between two symbolic data. That is the most important factor to build case-based reasoning model.

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
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.90-101
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    • 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.

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Study for the Deficiency and Excessiveness Diagnosis in the Front Point by Elastic State (모혈(募穴)의 탄력(彈力) 상태(狀態) 측정(測定)에 의한 허실(虛實) 진단(診斷) 연구(硏究))

  • Na, Chang-Su;Yoon, Yeo-Choong;Park, Hyun-Cheal;Lee, Dong-Kyu;Choi, Chan-Hern;Jang, Kyung-Sun;So, Cheal-Ho
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.27-41
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    • 2000
  • The meridian system is the most essential and basic connecting structure that maintains the vital activities of viscera and bowels by connecting them with each part of body's surface. Doctors can understand the healthy condition, and the region and deficiency-excessiveness of disease by observing the condition of Qi flowing. Deficiency and excessiveness could be differentiated by various symptoms expressed in meridian system. Especially there could be several clues like pain, heat-cold, protuberance-depression, change of color and shine in the line of channel leads to the judgment of deficiency-excessiveness The diagnosis of deficiency and excessiveness can be generalized by quantification of elastic status in skin surface along the meridian system. By comparing data from measurement of elastic condition with those from traditional deficiency and excessiveness, it could be utilized for the development of oriental medicine. All biological activities in the human body are based on meridian system according to the oriental medicine. Also the meridian system is viewed as basic and essential structure connecting internal viscera and each part of body. The areas of expressed channel phenomena are muscle to bone, muscle to muscle and bone to bone. These areas are called depression where meridian system is present and any changing state on those points can be measured. It could be difficult in diagnosing the reaction of meridian system because doctor can depend on his own judgment. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify and indexate channel reactions. To quantify the channel reactions, specially manufactured instrument was used to quantify the protuberance and depression to differentiate the deficiency and excessiveness. The results follow as below; 1. The elastic index measurement by the equipment proved a pattern of agreement showing the values that ranged within standard deviation 0.05kgf/cm throughout the experiment except few cases' measurement in CV-17. 2. To evaluate the state of deficiency & excessiveness of elastic index measurements in frontal point, elastic index measurements in the front paint were compared to the elastic index measured surrounding the point within 2.5 cm. Such result of indexing procedure was closely matched to the concept of palpitation. 3. If the elastic index values in the surrounding front point closely located to the elastic index values in the front point, the judgement on the state of deficiency and excessiveness was delayed. Otherwise, it was judged as deficiency or excessiveness. 4. Out of total 12 cases of comparing the elastic index values to the elastic index values in the surrounding front point, Three to nine front points were judged as either in the state of deficiency or excessiveness. 5. Among the nine front points judged as either in the state of deficiency or excessiveness, Four cases were matched to the electric index measured by EAV that evaluating the internal organs by five different phases. If more clinical cases are accumulated, it is expected to systematically theorize and improve the concept of deficiency and excessiveness in the internal organs using the front point.

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Applications of Fuzzy Theory on The Location Decision of Logistics Facilities (퍼지이론을 이용한 물류단지 입지 및 규모결정에 관한 연구)

  • 이승재;정창무;이헌주
    • Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.75-85
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    • 2000
  • In existing models in optimization, the crisp data improve has been used in the objective or constraints to derive the optimal solution, Besides, the subjective environments are eliminated because the complex and uncertain circumstances were regarded as Probable ambiguity, In other words those optimal solutions in the existing models could be the complete satisfactory solutions to the objective functions in the Process of application for industrial engineering methods to minimize risks of decision-making. As a result of those, decision-makers in location Problems couldn't face appropriately with the variation of demand as well as other variables and couldn't Provide the chance of wide selection because of the insufficient information. So under the circumstance. it has been to develop the model for the location and size decision problems of logistics facility in the use of the fuzzy theory in the intention of making the most reasonable decision in the Point of subjective view under ambiguous circumstances, in the foundation of the existing decision-making problems which must satisfy the constraints to optimize the objective function in strictly given conditions in this study. Introducing the Process used in this study after the establishment of a general mixed integer Programming(MIP) model based upon the result of existing studies to decide the location and size simultaneously, a fuzzy mixed integer Programming(FMIP) model has been developed in the use of fuzzy theory. And the general linear Programming software, LINDO 6.01 has been used to simulate, to evaluate the developed model with the examples and to judge of the appropriateness and adaptability of the model(FMIP) in the real world.

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Characteristics and Distribution Pattern of Carbonate Rock Resources in Kangwon Area: The Middle Carboniferous Yobong Formation in the Northern Part of Yeongwoleup, Kangwon, Korea (강원 지역에 분포하는 석회석 자원의 특성과 부존환경: 영월읍 북부 지역의 중기 석탄기 요봉층을 중심으로)

  • Park, Soo-In;Lee, Hee-Kwon;Lee, Sang-Hun
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.21 no.5
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    • pp.583-594
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    • 2000
  • The Middle Carboniferous Yobong Formation with North-South trending is distributed in the Yeongheungri and Samokri of Yeongwoleup, Kangwon Province, Korea. A light gray thick and massive pure limestone is developed in the middle part of the Yobong Formation and it has been exploited for a long time. This study was carried out to investigate the lithological characteristics and geochemical compositions of the limestones and to figure out how geologic structures control the disribution of the limestones of the formation. The limestones of the Yobong formation are characterized by the fine and dense textures and the light gray to light brown in color. The limestones are composed of crinoid fragments, small foraminifers, fusulinids, gastropods, ostracods, etc. Based on the amount of grains and matrix, the Yobong Limestone can be classified as fine packstones and wackestones. The chemical analysis of limestones of the Yobong Formation was carried out to measure the contents of CaO, MgO, Al$_2$O$_3$, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and SiO$_2$. The content of CaO ranges from 48.12 to 59.31% and its average is about 54.52%. The average content of MgO is about 0.32% and the coutents of Al$_2$O$_3$, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and SiO$_2$ are relatively low. The amounts of Al$_2$O$_3$, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and SiO$_2$ of the limestones vary according to the kinds of limestone and their stratigraphical horizons in the formation. Generally, the CaO content of the limestones of the Yobong Formation decreases towards the top of the formation. Using geometric and structural analysis, we determined five progressively overprinted phases of deformation recorded in the study area. The anticline and syncline formed during the first and fourth deformation had controlled the distribution pattern of the Yobong Limestone of the Yobong Formation. The structures of deformation D$_1$ consist of F$_1$ isoclinal folds and foliations. The D$_2$ deformation had formed the isoclinal interstratal F$_2$ folds and axial plane cleavages which are locally developed within mudstones. The structural elements of deformation D$_3$ are axial plane cleavages associated with recumbent F$_3$ folds. These structures are overprinted by meso-scale and regional F$_4$ folds which are regionally dominant. Finally, the structures of D$_5$ consist of the thrust faults and folds associated with the thrust faults.

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Biological Functions of N- and O-linked Oligosaccharides of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin and Lutropin/Chorionicgonadotropin Receptor

  • Min, K. S.
    • Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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    • 2000.10a
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    • pp.10-12
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    • 2000
  • Members of the glycoprotein family, which includes CG, LH, FSH and TSH, comprise two noncovalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits. Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), known as PMSG, has a number of interesting and unique characteristics since it appears to be a single molecule that possesses both LH- and FSH-like activities in other species than the horse. This dual activity of eCG in heterologous species is of fundamental interest to the study of the structure-function relationships of gonadotropins and their receptors. CG and LH $\beta$ genes are different in primates. In horse, however, a single gene encodes both eCG and eLH $\beta$-subunits. The subunit mRNA levels seem to be independently regulated and their imbalance may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$ - and $\beta$ -subunits in the placenta and pituitary. The dual activities of eCG could be separated by removal of the N-linked oligosaccharide on the $\alpha$-subunit Asn 56 or CTP-associated O-linked oligosaccharides. The tethered-eCG was. efficiently secreted and showed similar LH-like activity to the dimeric eCG. Interestingly, the FSH-like activity of the tethered-eCG was increased markedly in comparison with the native and wild type eCG. These results also suggest that this molecular can implay particular models of FSH-like activity not LH-like activity in the eCG/indicate that the constructs of tethered molecule will be useful in the study of mutants that affect subunit association and/or secretion. A single-chain analog can also be constructed to include additional hormone-specific bioactive generating potentially efficacious compounds that have only FSH-like activity. The LH/CG receptor (LH/CGR), a membrane glycoprotein that is present on testicular Leydig cells and ovarian theca, granulosa, luteal, and interstitial cells, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gonadal development and function in males as well as in nonpregnant and pregnant females. The LH/CGR is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors and its structure is predicted to consist of a large extracellular domain connected to a bundle of seven membrane-spanning a-helices. The LH/CGR phosphorylation can be induced with a phorbol ester, but not with a calcium ionophore. The truncated form of LHR also was down-regulated normally in response to hCG stimulation. In contrast, the cell lines expressing LHR-t63I or LHR-628, the two phosphorylation-negative receptor mutant, showed a delay in the early phase of hCG-induced desensitization, a complete loss of PMA-induced desensitization, and an increase in the rate of hCG-induced receptor down-regulation. These results clearly show that residues 632-653 in the C-terminal tail of the LHR are involved in PMA-induced desensitization, hCG-induced desensitization, and hCG-induced down-regulation. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty. Cells expressing LHR-D556Y bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agonist-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17-fold, respectively. We conclude that the state of activation of the LHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing LHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. This statement is supported by the finding that hCG responsiveness is restored when the cells are lysed and signal transduction is measured in a subcellular fraction (membranes) that cannot internalize the bound hormone.

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Biological Functions of N- and O-linked Oligosaccharides of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin and Lutropin/Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor

  • Min, K.S.
    • Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.357-364
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    • 2000
  • Members of the glycoprotein family, which includes CG, LH, FSH and TSH, comprise two noncovalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits. Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), known as PMSG, has a number of interesting and unique characteristics since it appears to be a single molecule that possesses both LH- and FSH-like activities in other species than the horse. This dual activity of eCG in heterologous species is of fundamental interest to the study of the structure-function relationships of gonadotropins and their receptors. CG and LH $\beta$ genes are different in primates. In horse, however, a single gene encodes both eCG and eLH $\beta$ -subunits. The subunit mRNA levels seem to be independently regulated and their imbalance may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$ - and $\beta$-subunits in the placenta and pituitary. The dual activities of eCG could be separated by removal of the N-linked oligosaccharide on the $\alpha$-subunit Asn 56 or CTP-associated O-linked oligosaccharides. The tethered-eCG was efficiently secreted and showed similar LH-like activity to the dimeric eCG. Interestingly, the FSH-like activity of the tethered-eCG was increased markedly in comparison with the native and wild type eCG. These results also suggest that this molecular can implay particular models of FSH-like activity not LH-like activity in the eCG/indicate that the constructs of tethered molecule will be useful in the study of mutants that affect subunit association and/or secretion. A single-chain analog can also be constructed to include additional hormone-specific bioactive generating potentially efficacious compounds that have only FSH-like activity. The LH/CG receptor (LH/CGR), a membrane glycoprotein that is present on testicular Leydig cells and ovarian theca, granulosa, luteal, and interstitial cells, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gonadal development and function in males as well as in nonpregnant and pregnant females. The LH/CGR is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors and its structure is predicted to of a large extracellular domain connected to a bundle of seven membrane-spanning a-helices. The LH/CGR phosphorylation can be induced with a phorbol ester, but not with a calcium ionophore. The truncated form of LHR also was down-regulated normally in response to hCG stimulation. In contrast, the cell lines expressing LHR-t631 or LHR-628, the two phosphorylation-negative receptor mutant, showed a delay in the early phase of hCG-induced desensitization, a complete loss of PMA-induced desensitization, and an increase in the rate of hCG-induced receptor down-regulation. These results clearly show that residues 632~653 in the C-terminal tail of the LHR are involved in PMA-induced desensitization, hCG-induced desensitization, and hCG-induced down-regulation. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty. Cells expressing LHR-D556Y bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agoinst-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17- fold, respectively. We conclude that the state of activation of the LHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing LHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. This statement is supported by the finding that hCG responsiveness is restored when the cells are lysed and signal transduction is measured in a subcellular fraction (membranes) that cannot internalize the bound hormone.

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Is corporate rebranding a double-edged sword? Consumers' ambivalence towards corporate rebranding of familiar brands

  • Phang, Grace Ing
    • Asia Marketing Journal
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    • v.15 no.4
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    • pp.131-159
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    • 2014
  • Corporate rebranding has been evident in the qualitative corporate rebranding studies as an imposed organizational change that induces mixed reactions and ambivalent attitudes among consumers. Corporate rebranding for the established and familiar corporate brands leads to more ambivalent attitudes as these companies represent larger targets for disparaging information. Consumers are found to hold both positive and negative reactions toward companies and brands that they are familiar with. Nevertheless, the imposed change assumption and ambivalent attitude, in particular corporate rebranding, have never been widely explored in the quantitative corporate rebranding studies. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive empirical examination of the ambivalence towards rebrandingrebranded brand attitude-purchase intention relationships. The author proposes that corporate rebranding for familiar corporate brands is a double-edged sword that not only raises the expectation for better performance, but also induces conflicted and ambivalent attitudes among consumers. These consumers' ambivalent attitudes are influenced by both the parent brands-related and general attitude factors which further affect their rebranded brand attitude and purchase intention. A total of 156 useable questionnaires were collected from Malaysian working adults; and two established Malaysian airfreight operators were utilized as the focal parent brands. The study found a significant impact of prior parent brand attitudes on ambivalence towards rebranding (ATR). The parent brand attitudes served as anchors in influencing how new information was processed (Mazaheri et al., 2011; Sherif & Hovland, 1961) and closely related to behavioral intention (Prislin & Quellete, 1996). The ambivalent attitudes experienced were higher when individuals held both positive and negative reactions toward the parent brands. Consumers also held higher ambivalent attitudes when they preferred one of the parent brands; while disliked the other brand. The study also found significant relationships between the lead brand and the rebranded brand attitude; and between the partner brands and ATR. The familiar but controversial partner brand contributed significantly to the ambivalent attitudes experienced; while the more established lead brand had significant impact on the rebranded brand attitude. The lead and partner brands, though both familiar, represented different meanings to consumers. The author attributed these results to the prior parent brand attitudes, the skepticism and their general ambivalence toward the corporate rebranding. Both general attitude factors (i.e. skepticism and general ambivalence towards rebranding) were found to have significant positive impacts on ATR. Skeptical individuals questioned the possibility of a successful rebranding (Chang, 2011) and were more careful with their evaluations toward 'too god to be true' or 'made in heaven' pair of companies. The embedded general ambivalent attitudes that people held toward rebranding could be triggered from the associative network by the ambiguous situation (Prislin & Quellete, 1996). In addition, the ambivalent rebranded brand attitude was found to lower down purchase intention, supporting Hanze (2001), Lavine (2001) and van Harreveld et al. (2009)'s studies. Ambivalent individuals were found to prefer delay decision making by choosing around the mid-ranged points in 'willingness to buy' scale. The study provides several marketing implications. Ambivalence management is proven to be important to corporate rebranding to minimize the ambivalent attitudes experienced. This could be done by carefully controlling the parent brands-related and general attitude factors. The high ambivalent individuals are less confident with their own conflicted attitudes and are motivated to get rid of the psychological discomfort caused by these conflicted attitudes (Bell & Esses, 2002; Lau-Gesk, 2005; van Harreveld et al., 2009). They tend to process information more deeply (Jonas et al., 1997; Maio et al., 2000; Wood et al., 1985) and pay more attention to message that provides convincible arguments. Providing strong, favorable and convincible message is hence effective in alleviating consumers' ambivalent attitudes. In addition, brand name heuristic could be utilized because the rebranding strategy sends important signal to consumers about the changes that happen or going to happen. The ambivalent individuals will pay attention to both brand name heuristic and rebranding message in their effort to alleviate the psychological discomfort caused by ambivalent attitudes. The findings also provide insights to Malaysian and airline operators for a better planning and implementation of corporate rebranding exercise.

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