Production quality and pricing strategy for substitutable products under comparison effects

Comparison effects have been studied extensively in many fields.In particular,existing operations management articles have discussed the impact of comparison effects on enterprises'production and pricing decisions.Research has also shown that consumers'purchasing decisions are primarily determined by three factors:product quality,selling price,and comparison effects.The current study introduces the concepts of social and temporal comparison effects to examine how comparison effects influence a monopolist's production quality and pricing strategy for substitutable products.Results reveal the following:(1)Setting different prices for even two types of substitutable products with negligible quality differences can divide customers into three groups under the influence of social comparison effects in a single-stage model.(2)The monopolist should avoid using a price discrimination strategy in which products with a short market life cycle have the same quality but different prices.(3)When the market life cycle of products is sufficiently long in the single-product market and the market with two substitutable products,the monopolist's optimal choice in the second stage is to keep production quality constant and increase the selling price.Consequently,the number of buyers does not decrease because of temporal comparison effects.Therefore,the firm increases its revenue.(4)For the market with two substitutable products with quality differences,one approximate optimal strategy for the enterprise in the second stage is to keep the selling price constant with the assumption that product quality cannot be adjusted after the first period.At this point,the consumption situation in the market is the same as that in the first stage.Therefore,when no external constraints exist,the monopolist firm can obtain more benefits in the second stage than in the first stage by exploiting the temporal comparison effects of consumers in the second stage.(5)When consumer identity information can be confirmed in the market,social comparison effects,similar to temporal comparison effects,could help the enterprise increase its price and profit while maintaining product quality.These social and temporal comparison effects constrain consumers.Thus,the number of people who continueto buyproducts does not decrease.

Effects of Milling Methods on Rice Flour Properties and Rice Product Quality:A Review

High-quality rice flour is the foundation for the production of various rice-based products.Milling is an essential step in obtaining rice flour,during which significant changes occur in the physicochemical and quality characteristics of the flour.Although rice flour obtained through mainstream wet milling methods exhibits superior quality,low production efficiency and wastewater discharge limit the development of the industry.Dry milling,on the other hand,conserves water resources,but adversely affects flour performance due to excessive heat generation.As an emerging powder-making technique,semi-dry milling offers a promising solution by enhancing flour quality and reducing environmental impact.This is achieved by minimizing soaking time through hot air treatment while reducing mechanical energy consumption to reach saturated water absorption levels.However,continuous production remains a challenge.This comprehensive review summarizes the effects of various milling technologies on rice flour properties and product qualities.It also discusses key control indicators and technical considerations for rice flour processing equipment and processes.

Product quality prediction based on RBF optimized by firefly algorithm

With the development of information technology,a large number of product quality data in the entire manufacturing process is accumulated,but it is not explored and used effectively.The traditional product quality prediction models have many disadvantages,such as high complexity and low accuracy.To overcome the above problems,we propose an optimized data equalization method to pre-process dataset and design a simple but effective product quality prediction model:radial basis function model optimized by the firefly algorithm with Levy flight mechanism(RBFFALM).First,the new data equalization method is introduced to pre-process the dataset,which reduces the dimension of the data,removes redundant features,and improves the data distribution.Then the RBFFALFM is used to predict product quality.Comprehensive expe riments conducted on real-world product quality datasets validate that the new model RBFFALFM combining with the new data pre-processing method outperforms other previous me thods on predicting product quality.

Effects of Cottonseed Meal on Production Performance and Egg Quality of Hisex Laying Hens

[Objective]In order to research on effect of different content of cottonseed meals on production performance and egg quality of Hisex laying hens. [Methods]120 Hisex laying hens of 37 weeks old are chosen,randomly divided into four groups and three repetitions are set in each group,there are 10 hens in each repetition. Group I is the control group,II,III and IV are experimental groups. Cottonseed meal contents are respectively 5%,10% and 15%,with test cycle of 10 weeks,effects of different cottonseed meal dosages on Hisex laying hens production performance and egg quality are observed. [Results]When the diet is added with 5% to 15% of cottonseed meal,the average laying rate,average egg weight and feed-gain ratio all show downward trends when compared with that of the control group,but with no significant difference（ P 〉 0. 05）; eggshell strength,eggshell thickness,Haugh unit,egg shape index all show no significant difference（ P 〉0. 05）,with the increasement of cottonseed meal,the color of egg yolk got brighter,egg yolk color of 15% added group increased by 12%,show a significant difference with that of control group（ P 〈0. 05）. [Conclusion]When the feed was added with 15% cottonseed meals,it has an unconspicuous effect on laying performance and egg quality of Hisex laying hens,but whether it had an effect on animal health and food safety or not,a further systematic research is needed.

Intellectual Property Protection and High-quality Development of Cotton Industry in Xinjiang

This paper firstly introduces the general situation of cotton planting areas in China and cotton industry in Xinjiang,and the current situation of intellectual property protection of Xinjiang's cotton industry.Then,it analyzes the main problems in its intellectual property protection and high-quality development.On this basis,it comes up with the recommendations for high-quality development of cotton industry in Xinjiang under the strategy of strengthening the country with intellectual property.The recommendations include improving the level of creation of creative intellectual property rights,building an intellectual property rule system in the entire cotton industry chain in Xinjiang,building protected zones for production of major high quality agricultural product cotton,establishing a demonstration zone to undertake the transfer of the domestic cotton textile and garment industry,undertaking education on the sense of community for the Chinese nation in response to the Xinjiang cotton incident,and developing the"Belt and Road"blue market for Xinjiang cotton and its products.

Fuzzy Design Method of Product Quality Robustness

In order to express information on the quality grade of product designed, the target value of product quality design was described with a fuzzy number in this paper. The rule of robust design with a fuzzy target was analyzed with fuzzy probability theory, then the principle and modeling method of fuzzy robust design for a high quality product were put forward. With this new method used, the high quality ratio of the product designed could be increased, and the ability to resist the influence of various disturbing factors and noise factors could be enhanced.

The Correlation between Polydactyly Phenotype and Product Quality of Beijing Fatty Chickens

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate differences in product quality among Beijing fatty chickens with different polydactyly phenotypes. Based on the comparative analysis of production performance, egg quality and muscle quality characteristics, the correlation between polydactyly phenotype and product quali- ty of Beijing fatty chickens was analyzed, aiming at providing the reference for development and utilization of product quality and breeding of Beijing fatty chickens. [ Method] Egg laying/meat dual-purpose type Beijing fatty chickens were selected and divided into three groups （bilateral four-toed, unilateral five-toed and bilat- eral five-toed） with four replications, 60 chickens per replications, 240 chickens per group. The production performance （weight, laying rate and egg weight）, egg quality （Haugh unit） and muscle quality （pH, water-holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler shear force, TPA, nucleotide metabolites） characteristics of Beijing fatty chickens were determined. [ Result] The weight of 120-d-old and 240-d-old bilateral five-toed Beijing fatty chickens was slightly higher than that of bilateral fourtoed and unilateral five-toed Beijing fatty chickens, with no significant difference （P 〉0.05） ; egg weight of 160-d-old bilateral five-toed Beijing fatty chickens was significantly higher than that of bilateral four-toed and unilateral five-toed individuals （ P 〈 0.05 ）. Water-holding capacity of leg muscles of bilateral five-toed Bei- jing fatty chickens was significantly superior to that of unilateral five-toed and bilateral four-toed individuals （P 〈0.05 ）. The hardness, gumminess and chewiness of leg muscles of bilateral five-toed Beijing fatty chickens were significantly lower than that of unilateral five-toed and bilateral four-toed individuals （ P 〈 0.05 ）, but the coherence and elasticity were remarkably higher compared with unilateral five-toed and bilateral four-toed individuals （ P 〈 0.05 ）. Warner-Bratzler shear force of leg muscles of bilateral five-toed Beijing fatty chickens was significantly higher than that of other individuals （ P 〈 0.05 ）. There was no significant difference in flavor substances among Beijing fatty chickens with different polydactyly phenotypes （P 〉0.05）. [ Conclusion] At early stage, the weight and egg weight of fivetoed Beijing fatty chickens were slightly superior to that of four-toed individuals. In addition, Beijing fatty chickens with different polydactyly phenotypes displayed excellent muscle quality. Overall, leg muscle quality of Beijing fatty chickens exhibited a greater correlation with polydactyly phenotype than chest muscle quality.

Assessing the Awareness and Usage of Quality Control Tools with Emphasis to Statistical Process Control (SPC) in Ethiopian Manufacturing Industries

Introduction: The present work was devoted to assess the awareness and usage of quality control tools with the emphasis on statistical process control in Ethiopian manufacturing industries. Semi structured questionnaire has been employed to executive and technical managers of manufacturing industries of various size and specialism across the country. Stratified random sample method by region was used to select sample industries for the study. The samples used for this study are industries mainly from Oromiya, Addis Ababa, Tigray, Amara, SNNP and Diredawa regions proportional to their size of the available industries. Methods: Exploratory method and descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. Available documents and reports related to quality control policy of the selected companies were investigated. Results and Discussions: The number of manufacturing industries involved in this study was 44. Of the sampled manufacturing industries about 60% are from Oromiya and Addis Ababa regions. It has been reported that 100% of the respondents said that the importance of quality control tools is very important to their organizations’ productivity and quality improvement (Figure 3). Quality control professionals were also asked the extent to which quality control system is working in their industry and majority of the respondents (45%) have indicated that quality control system is working to some extent in their respective industries (Figure 18). Conclusions and Recommendations: Most of the quality department of the industries did not fully recognize the importance of statistical process control as quality control tools. This is mainly due to lack of awareness and motivation of the top managements, shortage of man power in the area, and others together would make it difficult to apply quality control tools in their organization. In general, the industries in Ethiopia are deficient in vigor and found to be stagnant hence less exposed to a highly competitive market and don’t adopt the latest quality control techniques in order to gain knowledge about systems to improve quality and operational performance. We conclude that quality management system has to be established as an independent entity with a real power and hence the quality control department which is responsible for quality can make an irreversible decision with respect to quality of any given product. Moreover, the concerned bodies (government and ministry of industries) should give attention and work together with universities to ensure how these statistical process control techniques could be incorporated in a curriculum of the universities at higher levels in degree and masters programs. Furthermore, different trainings which could improve quality and efficiency of their respective management system should be given as short and long term to the employees including top and middle managers found in various industries relevant to their process.

Effect of Fruit-flavored Agent and Green Pigment on Production Performance of Simmental Cows

[Objective] The paper was to increase utilization rate of roughage to solve current shortage of forage and improve production performance of Simmental cow.[Method] Fruit-flavored agent and green pigment were added in roughage of Simmental cow respectively,and their effects on feed intake,milk production and milk quality of Simmental cow were studied.[Result] After adding fruit-flavored agent and green pigment,the feed intakes of Simmental cow were increased by 30.69% and 12.27%,while the milk productions were increased by 1.74 and 2.25 kg,respectively,and the differences were all significant（P 〈 0.05）.[Conclusion]Adding 0.3% and 0.1% fruit-flavored agent and green pigment in roughage of Simmental cow could significantly improve feed intake and milk production,which can also delay the decline of milk production during late lactation stage and improve milk quality.

Strategies for Information Dissemination of Quality and Safety Crisis of Tropical Agricultural Products

The quality and safety crisis of agricultural products on the one hand is the crisis of harm of agricultural products,and on the other hand is the crisis of information dissemination. This paper analyzed the characteristics of content of the quality and safety crisis information of tropical agricultural products. On the basis of these characteristics,it came up with strategies and recommendations for solving the problems of quality and safety of tropical agricultural products,including establishing the emergency response system for quality and safety crisis of tropical agricultural products,bringing into play the social responsibilities of scientific research institutions,and bringing into play authoritative effect of scientific experts.

Let “Made in China” Truly Be the Sign of High Quality Products

On September 11th, 2007, a meeting of China's domestically and internationally famous brands was held in Beijing in the Great Hall of the People.……

Office of the Leading Team of Product Quality and Food Safety Holds Third Meeting

The Office of the Leading Team of Product Quality and Food Safety of the State Council held its third meeting on September 10. Li Changjiang, Minister of AQSIQ, presided over the meeting, and Pu Changcheng, Deputy Director of AQSIQ, also attended.……

A Robust Design Method in Product Quality Applications

In order to express information on the quality grade of product designed, thetarget value of product quality design was described with a fuzzy number in this paper. Analternative to Taguchi's, the robustness application design method has been recently presented.However, neither Taguchi's method nor the alternative method is capable of dealing satisfactorilywith the frequently encountered situations in which all the noise variables cannot be studiedsimultaneously. Based on the ideas from response surface modeling, linear models theory, and randomeffects models, we provide a method for estimation in the robustness application design method inproduct quality applications. With this new method used, the high-quality ratio of the productdesigned could be increased, and the ability to resist the influence of various disturbing factorsand noise factors could be enhanced.

Food Safety Detection Methods Applied to National Special Rectification of Product Quality and Food Safety

Afour-month period of national special rectification for product quality and food safety officially started on August 25, and was focused on eight fields, including those of agricultural products and processed foods.……

基于Android的农产品质量安全移动监管执法系统开发与应用

为了提高农产品质量安全监管工作效率,根据泰州市农产品质量安全监管机构的实际需求,以泰州市农产品质量安全监管平台为系统支撑,通过功能分析和关键技术研究,设计和开发了基于Android的移动智能终端软件。终端软件作为监管平台向移动客户端的延伸,监管人员可以使用该软件查看辖区内生产基地信息和农产品质量检测信息、实时登记监管巡查情况、蓝牙打印执法文书等。

Identification of Behavior of Voluntary Traceability and Analysis of Its Determinants: A Case Study of Hog Slaughtering and Processing Firms in Zhejiang Province,China

In recent years, the Chinese government has highlighted the importance of adopting hog safety/quality traceability, and a growing amount of research continues to entice firms to adopt traceability systems. In this study, a survey was conducted on a sample of pig slaughtering and processing firms in Zhejiang, China through personal interviews and emails. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of firm behavior on the implementation of voluntary traceability systems with more stringent standards and controls than those of the mandatory system in China. The results revealed that motivation based on product quality improvement, capital ability and role perception （business type） had significantly positive relationships with a firm＇s voluntary traceability. Other incentives, such as operation improvement, recall risk reduction, reduced occurrence of safety issues, and technical strength were not found to be supportive in our study. This study provides an opportunity to better understand the determinants of firm behavior on voluntary traceability, particularly in light of the fact that some Chinese firms are facing the threat of criminal action for the use of illegal additives and the abuse of Clenbuterol. Policy recommendations on encouraging the implementation of pork safety voluntary traceability by hog slaughtering and processing firms are also discussed.

C_4 Plants as Biofuel Feedstocks: Optimising Biomass Production and Feedstock Quality from a Lignocellulosic Perspective

The main feedstocks for bioethanol are sugarcane （Saccharum offic- inarum） and maize （Zea mays）, both of which are C4 grasses, highly efficient at converting solar energy into chemical energy, and both are food crops. As the systems for lignocellulosic bioethanol production become more efficient and cost effective, plant biomass from any source may be used as a feedstock for bioethanol production. Thus, a move away from using food plants to make fuel is possible, and sources of biomass such as wood from forestry and plant waste from cropping may be used. However, the bioethanol industry will need a continuous and reliable supply of biomass that can be produced at a low cost and with minimal use of water, fertilizer and arable land. As many C4 plants have high light, water and nitrogen use efficiency, as compared with C3 species, they are ideal as feedstock crops. We consider the productivity and resource use of a number of candidate plant species, and discuss biomass ＇quality＇, that is, the composition of the plant cell wall.

Novel metabolic and physiological functions of branched chain amino acids: a review

It is widely known that branched chain amino acids（BCAA） are not only elementary components for building muscle tissue but also participate in increasing protein synthesis in animals and humans. BCAA（isoleucine, leucine and valine） regulate many key signaling pathways, the most classic of which is the activation of the m TOR signaling pathway. This signaling pathway connects many diverse physiological and metabolic roles. Recent years have witnessed many striking developments in determining the novel functions of BCAA including：（1） Insufficient or excessive levels of BCAA in the diet enhances lipolysis.（2） BCAA, especially isoleucine, play a major role in enhancing glucose consumption and utilization by up-regulating intestinal and muscular glucose transporters.（3）Supplementation of leucine in the diet enhances meat quality in finishing pigs.（4） BCAA are beneficial for mammary health, milk quality and embryo growth.（5） BCAA enhance intestinal development, intestinal amino acid transportation and mucin production.（6） BCAA participate in up-regulating innate and adaptive immune responses.In addition, abnormally elevated BCAA levels in the blood（decreased BCAA catabolism） are a good biomarker for the early detection of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. This review will provide some insights into these novel metabolic and physiological functions of BCAA.