Ming Chuan University

About: Ming Chuan University is a education organization based out in Taoyuan District, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Tourism & Service quality. The organization has 2206 authors who have published 3205 publications receiving 52602 citations. The organization is also known as: MCU.

Flower‐scent mimicry masks a deadly trap in the carnivorous plant Nepenthes rafflesiana

Abstract: 1. Nepenthes rafflesiana is a carnivorous vine from Borneo characterized by an ontogenetic pitcher dimorphism with aerial (upper) and ground (lower) pitchers of different morphologies. Previous studies have shown that fragrant upper pitchers of climbing parts of the plant are more effective in trapping flying insects than non-fragrant lower pitchers, which are essentially restricted to an ant diet. We tested the hypotheses that odours are effective cues for prey attraction in this carnivorous plant and that upper pitchers biochemically mimic flowers in their olfactory cues. 2. The visitor diversity and the scent composition of each pitcher type were determined for different sites and periods during field studies in Borneo. Olfactometer bioassays were conducted using fruit flies and ants as models for flying flower-visitors and non-flying visitors, respectively. 3. Fifty-four volatile compounds were identified and the analysis of their relative quantities in the blends showed significant differences between pitcher types. The blends of lower pitchers contained some aliphatics and terpenoids but were poor in benzenoids. Upper pitchers differed from lower ones in that they attracted a greater quantity and diversity of insects, including a guild of flower-visitors absent from the visitor spectrum of lower pitchers. Upper pitchers also emitted a greater quantity of odours and a larger spectrum of volatiles, including some terpenoids and benzenoids that often characterize the sweet scents classically found in flower blends. Choice bioassays showed that, in absence of any visual cue, the scents of the nectariferous pitcher rim (peristome) were particularly attractive to ants and flies, and those of upper pitchers were more attractive to flies than those of lower pitchers. 4. Synthesis. This study demonstrates the use of scent by Nepenthes carnivorous plants to mediate prey attraction. The climbing part of the plant produces pitcher-modified leaves that mimic flower olfactory cues and suggest an evolutionary convergent strategy with that of generalist pollination systems.

General Constructions for Threshold Multiple-Secret Visual Cryptographic Schemes

Abstract: A conventional threshold (k out of n) visual secret sharing scheme encodes one secret image P into n transparencies (called shares) such that any group of k transparencies reveals P when they are superimposed, while that of less than k ones cannot. We define and develop general constructions for threshold multiple-secret visual cryptographic schemes (MVCSs) that are capable of encoding s secret images P1,P2,...,Ps into n shares such that any group of less than k shares obtains none of the secrets, while 1) each group of k, k+1,..., n shares reveals P1, P2, ..., Ps, respectively, when superimposed, referred to as (k, n, s)-MVCS where s=n-k+1; or 2) each group of u shares reveals P(ru) where ru ∈ {0,1,2,...,s} (ru=0 indicates no secret can be seen), k ≤ u ≤ n and 2 ≤ s ≤ n-k+1, referred to as (k, n, s, R)-MVCS in which R=(rk, rk+1, ..., rn) is called the revealing list. We adopt the skills of linear programming to model (k, n, s) - and (k, n, s, R) -MVCSs as integer linear programs which minimize the pixel expansions under all necessary constraints. The pixel expansions of different problem scales are explored, which have never been reported in the literature. Our constructions are novel and flexible. They can be easily customized to cope with various kinds of MVCSs.

The effect of service convenience on post‐purchasing behaviours

Abstract: Purpose – This paper attempts to investigate the casual relationships among service convenience, perceived service value, perceived service guarantee strength, customer satisfaction, and loyalty. Although previous studies have addressed the importance of these variables, the understanding of the mediating effect of customer‐perceived service value and the moderating effect of customer‐perceived service guarantee strength on customer post‐purchasing behaviours still remain key issues.Design/methodology/approach – A statistical analysis of the collected questionnaires was computed based on the 498 usable responses from the four branches of the selected Chinese chain restaurant. Structural equation modelling is the essential analysis methodology used to examine the hypothesised relationships among the variables.Findings – Analysis confirms that customer satisfaction is positively influenced by service convenience, whereas customer loyalty is positively influenced by customer satisfaction. Furthermore, custom...