Factors Affecting Consumers' Dairy Products Preferences

Choice models represent a valid approach for the analysis of consumers' preferences as these models offer an opportunity to investigate many aspects that influence consumer behaviour. This study with the purpose of investigating consumers' preferences and their affecting factors were conducted by using the nested logit model in Sari, Iran in 2018. The results revealed that yoghurt, milk and cheese had the most preferences among the dairy products and consumers had more tendencies towards using low fat than full-fat dairy products. The results of factors affecting dairy products choice indicated that price and family cost decreased the probability of products being chosen, and age, education and attention to exercise variables increased this probability. Marketing mixed variables (4p) also had a significant effect on the choice of dairy products

Suggesting the Best Bundle for Dairy Products Based on Consumers' Purchase Behavior

Product bundling can be attractive for consumers and also be profitable as a marketing strategy. Based on the importance of this promotion strategy, this study estimated the effect of features on consumers\u2019 purchase preferences among 16 dairy products available in the assortment of a popular brand by using a d-level nested logit model. Data about consumer preferences were collected from a sample of dairy products consumers in Sari City, Iran in 2018. By using the results of preferences, this study ran an optimisation algorithm according to a maximum profit criterion and suggested the best bundle for dairy products. Based on the algorithm results, the bundle including 4 out of the 16 available products had the maximum expected profit. This paper found that the profit of selling this product bundle is higher than the profit that could be obtained by selling these products separately

Growth Opportunities, Earning Permanence and the Valuation of Free Cash Flow

Equity Valuation Theory prescribes that free cash flow should not be associated with stock returns because it does not add value. However, free cash flow could become a value-relevant construct in certain contexts. This study considers growth opportunities and transitory earnings as two such contexts and examines the valuation of free cash flows. So, the purpose of this study is the investigation of the effect of growth opportunities and earnings permanence on market valuation of free cash flow. An accounting-based valuation framework is developed where stock returns are regressed on free cash flow interacted with growth and earnings quality proxies, after controlling for book values, dividends, and earnings per share. The data of 64 companies for the period of 2013-2015 in Tehran stock exchange were used. Findings reveal that firms with a positive free cash flow and attractive growth opportunities command a valuation premium from the market. Furthermore, probably 90% free cash flow is found to be positively associated with stock returns when earnings are transitory

Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Public Policy

The method of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) was first introduced by Ragin and then applied in the various disciplines of social sciences by many scholars to explain their interested outcomes. This methodology is important because it has adopted characteristics from both quantitative and qualitative approaches; in fact, it is simultaneously variable-oriented and case-oriented, so the researcher can do causal research as well as gather some in-depth historical information on each case. In this article, at first, the mentioned method and its different types is reviewed. Then, the public policy researches conducted by Qualitative Comparative Analysis are classified into public policy fields, policy and politics, policy process, policy analysis and evaluation, and policy implementation. In fact, the purpose of this article is to introduce a method for an outcome explanation to policy scholars and policy makers, in order to apply it as well as other common methods. Certainly, scholars could find other applications of Qualitative Comparative Analysis in addition to the reviewed ones

Influence of levothyroxine treatment on serum levels of soluble Fas (CD95) and Fas Ligand (CD95L) in chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism

Abstract Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis results in the destruction of thyrocytes in chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism (CAIH). In this study, we examined the serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble sFas ligand (sFasL) in euthyroid patients with chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism, who were taking levothyroxine (euthyroid, LT4- CAIH), to investigate the possible role of thyroid hormone therapy in down-regulation of apoptotic factors. Fifty euthyroid patients with CAIH on levothyroxine (median of duration 36 months, range 6–228 months) were compared with 75 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Serum levels of soluble Fas and soluble Fas Ligand, autoantibodies to thyroid peroxide and thyroglobulin were measured using ELISA. Serum levels of sFas were significantly higher in the euthyroid, LT4-CAIH group [median 9.12 ng/ ml, interquartile range (7.86–10.72 ng/ml)] than in the controls [6.11 ng/ml (5.60–6.81 ng/ml)] (P\0.0001). Compared with controls [80.33 pg/ml (68.22–103.70 pg/ ml)], the euthyroid, LT4-CAIH group [125.71 pg/ml (106.11–149.48 pg/ml)] had significantly higher levels of sFasL (P\0.0001). In a chronological study, there was no significant correlation between sFas, sFasL, and the duration of levothyroxine therapy. In conclusion, normalization of serum sFas and sFasL levels cannot be achieved during levothyroxine treatment in patients with CAIH. It appear

A study on the pattern of drug abuse and demographic characteristics of addicts referred to addiction treatment centers of Kermanshah City, Iran, in 2016

BACKGROUND: The problems of drugs and addiction and the consequences of drug into abuse are considered as a phenomenon that affects different aspects of human life and is one of the main problems of modern age. The main goal of performing this investigation was identifying general demographic factors which affect the process of addiction in order to make available the facility of diagnosis and practice of therapeutic programs.METHODS: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, a number of 500 addicts in Kermanshah, Iran, were selected using sampling method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage frequency, cumulative frequency, and average).RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects in this study was 36.6 + 8.80 years. Most addicts were in the age category of 31 to 40 years old. 62.8% of them began drug use for the first time in the age range of 10 to 20 years. 47% had primary education and 68.4% were unemployed and had no specific source of income. The top cause of drug use was reported as entertainment and enjoyment (47.6%) and the other cause was curiosity (26.4%). The most common cause of drug cessation was being tired of drug use.CONCLUSION: With regard to the fact that most addicts are unemployed with no source of income, thus it seems that the authorities have to assess effective treatments and find ways to create youth employment and also healthy entertainment activities and source of income on which one can rely

Relationships among serum receptor of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand, osteoprotegerin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: osteoimmunity versus osteoinflammatory.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations among circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG), the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: In a population-based study, highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to evaluate the sera of 382 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women (mean age +/- SD, 58.7 +/- 7.5 y) for RANKL, OPG, hsCRP, degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, and osteocalcin. BMD was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Circulating levels of OPG (r = 0.30, P < 0.001) and the RANKL/OPG ratio (r = -0.17, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with age. The geometric mean of hsCRP was 1.89 mg/L (SE, 1.05) in the population studied. There was a significant correlation between log(hsCRP) levels and body mass index (BMI; r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Multivariate linear analyses revealed that age (beta = -0.295, P < 0.001), BMI (beta = 0.464, P < 0.001), RANKL (beta = -0.105, P = 0.014), and OPG (beta = 0.098, P = 0.029) were the independent determinants for lumbar BMD (R(2) = 0.35). Age (beta = -0.250, P < 0.001), BMI (beta = 0.486, P < 0.001), and RANKL (beta = -0.110, P = 0.009) were independently correlated with femoral neck BMD (R(2) = 0.36). Age- and BMI-adjusted analysis by quartiles of log-transformed hsCRP did not reveal an association with BMD, serum levels of biochemical markers of bone turnover, RANKL, or OPG

Wound Healing Activity of a New Formulation from Platelet Lysate

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an attractive preparation in regenerative medicine due to its potential role on the healing process in different experimental models. This study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity of a new formulation of PRP. Different gel-based formulations of PRP were prepared. Open excision wounds were made on the back of male Sprague-Dawley rats, and PRP gel was administered topically once daily until the wounds healed completely (12 days). The results revealed that the tested PRP formulation significantly accelerated the wound healing process by increasing the wound contracting, tissue granulization, vascularization, and collagen regeneration. Interestingly, we found that there were no significant differences between PRP formulation and its gel base in all above mentioned parameters. Although this investigation showed that PRP formulation had significant wound healing effects, but the PRP gel base also had significant wound healing properties. This might indicate the wound healing properties of the PRP gel ingredients in the current investigation.</p

Relationships among serum receptor of nuclear factor-JB ligand, osteoprotegerin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: osteoimmunity versus osteoinflammatory

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations among circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG), the receptor activator of nuclear factor-JB ligand (RANKL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: In a population-based study, highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to evaluate the sera of 382 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women (mean age T SD, 58.7 T 7.5 y) for RANKL, OPG, hsCRP, degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, and osteocalcin. BMD was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results: Circulating levels of OPG (r = 0.30, P G 0.001) and the RANKL/OPG ratio (r = j0.17, P G 0.001) were significantly associated with age. The geometric mean of hsCRP was 1.89 mg/L (SE, 1.05) in the population studied. There was a significant correlation between log(hsCRP) levels and body mass index (BMI; r = 0.36, P G 0.001). Multivariate linear analyses revealed that age (A = j0.295, P G 0.001), BMI (A = 0.464, P G 0.001), RANKL (A = j0.105, P = 0.014), and OPG (A = 0.098, P = 0.029) were the independent determinants for lumbar BMD (R2 = 0.35). Age (A = j0.250, P G 0.001), BMI (A = 0.486, P G 0.001), and RANKL (A = j0.110, P = 0.009) were independently correlated with femoral neck BMD (R2 = 0.36). Age- and BMI-adjusted analysis by quartiles of log-transformed hsCRP did not reveal an association with BMD, serum levels of biochemical markers of bone turnover, RANKL, or OPG. Conclusions: The circulating levels of the RANKL/OPG osteoimmunity system have an association with BMD, but subclinical systemic inflammation may not be involved in bone mass in healthy postmenopausal women

Low-cost carbon fibre derived from sustainable coal tar pitch and polyacrylonitrile: Fabrication and characterisation

Preparation of high-value pitch-based carbon fibres (CFs) from mesophase pitch precursor is of great importance towards low-cost CFs. Herein, we developed a method to reduce the cost of CFs precursor through incorporating high loading of coal tar pitch (CTP) into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer solution. The CTP with a loading of 25% and 50% was blended with PAN and their spinnability was examined by electrospinning process. The effect of CTP on thermal stabilization and carbonisation of PAN fibres was investigated by thermal analyses methods. Moreover, electrospun PAN/CTP fibres were carbonised at two different temperatures i.e., 850 °C and 1200 °C and their crystallographic structures of resulting such low-cost PAN/CTP CFs were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analyses. Compared to pure PAN CFs, the electrical resistivity of PAN/25% CTP CFs significantly decreased by 92%, reaching 1.6 kΩ/sq. The overall results showed that PAN precursor containing 25% CTP resulted in balanced properties in terms of spinnability, thermal and structural properties. It is believed that CTP has a great potential to be used as an additive for PAN precursor and will pave the way for cost-reduced and high-performance CFs