The study of two laboratory equipment distribution firms in terms of various aspects and presenting proposals and strategic approaches to improve their performance

The business environment of Iran is changing dramatically. Traditionally, the competition in largest markets was always the domain of large companies, while the range of smaller companies was remained local or regional. Todays, small companies and large enterprises with increased access gained through technology, have found their position on the market and play an important role in the economic growth of country. The present study attempted to examine two small economic enterprises and provide new solutions to help them become more successful. However, due to the current economic conditions of Iran, some strategies were proposed which may not be recommended under normal conditions. The present study examined the two economic enterprises including the Aria distribution of laboratory equipment (the company’s name was authorized to mentioned) and the Rapid-Mehr distribution of laboratory equipment (the company’s name was authorized to be mentioned). The present study intended to compare the reasons of failures and successes of both enterprises. Accordingly, this study proposed some suggestions for more success of the enterprises. For this reason, a questionnaire was developed to study the enterprises in ten aspects.  The questionnaire contained 100 questions which filled by managers and employees of both enterprises and for greater understanding, some statistical tables and graphs such as pillar and Pie were used. At the end of each part, the two enterprises were compared and suggestions were given them  and at the end, the general conclusions and recommendations were presented for the success of both enterprises. The Aria Company had always a better performance and considering the current situation, preferably it should follow the stability strategy and maintain this position. However, if this condition is prolonged, the Aria also will have an unpleasant situation. However, Rapid-Mehr should find a solution quickly to be out of the question mark that is either the dog or the stars.  In total, it can be said that the Aria placed in the maturity stage and Rapid-Mehr is in the introduction stage

Analysis of Factors Affecting Canola Plantation Development in Tabriz and Marand Counties, Iran

This study identifies and analyzes factors influencing canola plantation development in Tabriz and Marand Counties. The Censored Model was used to analyze cross-sectional data collected from 372 farmers using a questionnaire. Due to the weakness of the Tobit model in separating factors affecting the adoption decision of farmers and factors affecting the rate of adoption, the Heckman Model was employed to separate the contributions made by these factors. The results of estimated Probit model in the first stage of the Heckman Approach showed that machinery ownership had an important effect on canola adoption, as a 1% increase in machinery ownership had led to 0.158% increase in canola adoption probability. Contact with extension agents, farm income proportion, education, and farmers’ experience influenced canola plantation probability positively, and the age and number of fragmentations had a negative impact on it. The significance of inverse Mill’s ratio indicates that the factors affecting the decision to start planting and the amount of canola plantation are not the same. The Heckman’s second step estimation results indicated that the loan amount, canola relative benefit, and family labor had a positive effect, and that machinery cost and farm distance from the road had a negative effect on canola acreage. Relative benefit was the most effective element, as 1% increase in relative benefit results in a 0.342% increase in canola plantation

Analysis of Factors Affecting Canola Plantation Development in Tabriz and Marand Counties, Iran

This study identifies and analyzes factors influencing canola plantation development in Tabriz and Marand Counties. The Censored Model was used to analyze cross-sectional data collected from 372 farmers using a questionnaire. Due to the weakness of the Tobit model in separating factors affecting the adoption decision of farmers and factors affecting the rate of adoption, the Heckman Model was employed to separate the contributions made by these factors. The results of estimated Probit model in the first stage of the Heckman Approach showed that machinery ownership had an important effect on canola adoption, as a 1% increase in machinery ownership had led to 0.158% increase in canola adoption probability. Contact with extension agents, farm income proportion, education, and farmers’ experience influenced canola plantation probability positively, and the age and number of fragmentations had a negative impact on it. The significance of inverse Mill’s ratio indicates that the factors affecting the decision to start planting and the amount of canola plantation are not the same. The Heckman’s second step estimation results indicated that the loan amount, canola relative benefit, and family labor had a positive effect, and that machinery cost and farm distance from the road had a negative effect on canola acreage. Relative benefit was the most effective element, as 1% increase in relative benefit results in a 0.342% increase in canola plantation

Seed Vigor and Field Performance of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars

The effect of seed vigor on field performance of two oilseed rape cultivars (Licord and Okapi) was investigated in 2008 at the Research Farm of the University Tabriz, Iran. The experiment was arranged as factorial based on RCB design with three replications. A sub-sample of seeds of each cultivar was kept as control. The other two sub-samples of each cultivar with about 15% moisture content were artificially deteriorated at 40C for 9 and 12 days (Licord) and 7 and 10 days (Okapi). Consequently, three seed lots for each cultivar with different levels of vigor were provided. The results showed that the mean emergence time increased with decreasing seed vigor. However, the highest percentage of seedling emergence was obtained for the high quality seed lot and decreased with decreasing seed lot vigor. Decreasing seed vigor led to significant reduction in ground cover of both cultivars; mainly due to poor stand establishment. Ground cover of Licord was higher than that of Okapi. Plants from high vigor seed lots of both cultivars had higher leaf chlorophyll content index at early stages of growth, compared with those from low quality seed lots. Grains per plant, 1000 grain weight and grain yield per plant for plants from deteriorated seed lots were higher than those from high-vigor seed lot. However, these advantages in individual plant performance were not sufficient to compensate for low stand establishment. Consequently, grain yield per unit area significantly improved with increasing seed vigor of oilseed rape cultivars, even within the range of acceptable germination.</div

Developing an international standard set of patient-reported outcome measures for psychotic disorders

Objective: The objective of this project was to develop a set of patient-reported outcome measures for adolescents and adults who meet criteria for a psychotic disorder. Methods: A research team and an international consensus working group, including service users, clinicians, and researchers, worked together in an iterative process by using a modified Delphi consensus technique that included videoconferencing calls, online surveys, and focus groups. The research team conducted systematic literature searches to identify outcomes, outcome measures, and risk adjustment factors. After identifying outcomes important to service users, the consensus working group selected outcome measures, risk adjustment factors, and the final set of outcome measures. International stakeholder groups consisting of >100 professionals and service users reviewed and commented on the final set. Results: The consensus working group identified four outcome domains: symptoms, recovery, functioning, and treatment. The domains encompassed 14 outcomes of importance to service users. The research team identified 131 measures from the literature. The consensus working group selected nine measures in an outcome set that takes approximately 35 minutes to complete. Conclusions: A set of patient-reported outcome measures for use in routine clinical practice was identified. The set is free to service users, is available in at least two languages, and reflects outcomes important to users. Clinicians can use the set to improve clinical decision making, and administrators and researchers can use it to learn from comparing program outcomes