Melamine disrupts spatial reversal learning and learning strategy via inhibiting hippocampal BDNF-mediated neural activity

Although several studies showed adverse neurotoxic effects of melamine on hippocampus (HPC)-dependent learning and reversal learning, the evidence for this mechanism is still unknown. We recently demonstrated that intra-hippocampal melamine injection affected the induction of long-term depression, which is associated with novelty acquisition and memory consolidation. Here, we infused melamine into the HPC of rats, and employed behavioral tests, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry and electrophysiological methods to sought evidence for its effects on cognitive flexibility. Rats with intra-hippocampal infusion of melamine displayed dose-dependent increase in trials to the criterion in reversal learning, with no locomotion or motivation defect. Compared with controls, melamine-treated rats avoided HPC-dependent place strategy. Meanwhile, the learning-induced BDNF level in the HPC neurons was significantly reduced. Importantly, bilateral intra-hippocampal BDNF infusion could effectively mitigate the suppressive effects of melamine on neural correlate with reversal performance, and rescue the strategy bias and reversal learning deficits. Our findings provide first evidence for the effect of melamine on cognitive flexibility and suggest that the reversal learning deficit is due to the inability to use place strategy. Furthermore, the suppressive effects of melamine on BDNF-mediated neural activity could be the mechanism, thus advancing the understanding of compulsive behavior in melamine-induced and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

The Implementation of Marketing Mix to Increase Room Sales

This research aims to determine the effect of the implementation of the marketing mix consisting of product strategy are, price strategy promotion strategy, place strategy, process strategy, person strategy, and physical evidence strategy for increasing the room sales at a 4-star hotel in Kuta, Badung. To answer the existing problems needed supporting statistics obtained through observation, interviews, and documentation. Based on the result of the implementation of marketing mix strategies, it was obtained significantly an increase in the room sales. The marketing mix factors are; product strategy, by the product strategy hotel management able to increase the room sales in accordance with occurring the guest needed; Price strategy, it’s about strategy to establish the right prices in market segmentation; Promotion strategy, this strategy is consolidating the technical of marketing through promotion by social media, electronics promotions, and any publics publishing; Place strategy consist with classify the distribution channels. People’s strategy, this strategy advise some strategies for developing training that can improve work performance; physical evidence strategy, advise the strategy of revamping the hotel facilities and infrastructure of the hotel.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADING PLACE STRATEGY TO IMPROVE THE STUDENTS’ ABILITY IN READING COMPREHENSION OF REPORT TEXT AT EIGHT GRADE OF MTS S. AL-HUSNA MARINDAL MEDAN ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/2019

The objective of this research is to find out the improvement of the students’ ability in reading the report text by using the trading place strategy. The research was conducted by using Classroom Action Research (Arikunto, 2006). The subject of this study was the nineth grade students in MTs S. AL-Husna, Medan, in academic year 2016/2017. The class consisted of 30 students. The data were taken from the students’ score, observation sheet, diary notes and documentation. Based on the reading tests, the students’ score kept improvement in every test: from pre-test to post test of cycle I and post test of cycle II. The improvement can also be proved by the result of observation sheet and diary notes. Therefore, It was found that teaching reading the report text by implementing the trading place strategy could improve the students’ ability in reading comprehension of the report text.

Marketing Strategies of Herbal Cosmetic Products: Thai and Imported Products

This research investigated the factors that influence the marketing strategies of herbal cosmetic products in Thailand by comparison between Thai and imported product where the imported products are manufactured from Australia and U.S.A. This study is both quantitative and qualitative research. The facial herbal cosmetics products in this study were moisturizer, whitening lotion, cream, power, toner, make up cleansing mask, cleansing oil, soap bar, and anti-aging lotions. Finding from the study found that the marketing strategy of Thai herbal cosmetic products have the 4Ps;Product strategy by improving the quality of products, research and development for launching the new products to the market, creating beauty packaging and new product launch attracts the market’s attention. Price strategy using cash discount to increase consumer’s purchase motive. Place strategy using department stores as the main distribution channels, distribution channels are direct sales with catalogs, counter sales in department store and beauty showrooms. Promotion strategy using integrated marketing communication for maintaining brand image, television advertisement, radio advertisement, cabal advertisement, booth exhibition, beauty school, website, face to face marketing and male beauty instructor to attract the women customers. Marketing strategy of imported products; Products strategies are concerned with the odor, color, physical appearance of products and the penetration characteristic of products. The strategies promote the imported products by introducing the product e.g. the product is a blend of herbs, the most effective skin care for healthy, revitalized skin and natural extract that contains active ingredients with high technology to manufacture the cosmetic product that performs a specific action to penetrate deep into the skin. The smooth odor and color of the imported products are the important purchasing decision factor. Physical appearance of products; non greasy, non oily helps absorbs quickly into skin and help smooth the skin surface texture and packaging design, color, size and shape, play a role in purchasing decisions. Packaging has to possess the strength to make eye-catching packaging that helps make the most window of opportunity in pristine conditions, brand, logo/slogan as a way to facilitate their purchasing decision; the image of the brand has all the criteria value, quality reliability trust, intangible and delivers benefits to the consumers. Price strategy is heavily differentiated due to the branding then imported herbal cosmetic products offering lower priced luxury products. The lower prices could also boost sales e.g. smaller sizes of some products, such as 50 ml and 30 ml bottles of products, which is normally sold in 100 ml bottles then smaller bottles are selling better than regular size ones, Place strategy; purchasing convenience from the Internet to virtual presence e.g. Website, direct mail, social media enhancing the brand’s image. The site also uses Face book page by constantly updating content photos, videos, information about events, YouTube, twitter as platforms to keep customers up to date on new episodes and development. Promotion strategies using advertisement, television advertisement