Twentieth century Iranian carpets: investigation of red dye molecules and study of traditional madder dyeing techniques

Red is undoubtedly one of the principal colors in Iranian carpets. During the twentieth century, a golden era for Iranian carpet production and export industry, madder was still one of the primary constituents of the red dyestuff, used according to various dyeing methods which is specific for Iran. Compared to the earlier periods, the said period witnessed a clear increase in the hues of the color red and in the alternation of physical and visual properties. We, therefore, aim to get a better insight into the chemical and physical properties of the component which made it all possible\u2014dyes. To this effect, eighteen red wool samples with various hues were collected from seven Iranian carpets belonging to the aforementioned period (from Ali Mirzaei\u2019s private collection) and analyzed using three techniques: reversed-phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC-DAD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM\u2013EDX) and colorimetry. We also studied traditional dying recipes to underpin the scientific process involved. We focused on recipes based on madder, which are mordanted with organic additives such as qarehqurut (a kind of Iranian dairy product; also known as Gharehghorut). These substances, additionally, helped control the acidity of the dyebath; a common technique from the period. The effect of these substances on the hue, the associated red dye chemistry, various visual and physical properties, including color fastness, are reported. Our study revealed, among other facts, that the additive qarehqurut is highly efficient at improving color absorption and at increasing lightfastness. Another salient finding was that, besides madder, various synthetic dye sources were used by the twentieth century \u201ctraditional\u201d Iranian red dyeing industry

Relationship between job design, performance and job satisfaction among Bank employees

Introduction: Job design approach is one of the significant concepts in ergonomics Experts believe that integration of macro ergonomics and job design can lead to improved productivity in the organizations. Therefore, this study examined the relationships between job design, performance and job satisfaction. .Methods and Materials: This cross - sectional study was done in 11 branches of one of the bank in Hamadan. Job Design Questionnaire, Job Satisfaction Questionnaires and Bank Performance Indicator were used in order to collect data. spearman correlation coefficient was used for determining the correlation between each two variables. .Results: This study showed that the motivational approach was the minimum approach (3.8%), and the mechanical approach, was the dominant approach (74.7%) in the study branches and the majority of branches had an average level of job satisfaction. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between job design (motivational and cognitive approaches) and job satisfaction. In addition, the results showed that between job design (Motivational approach) and satisfaction were significantly correlated with performance, (p = 0.05). .Conclusion: Regarding the role of job design in job satisfaction and employees, performance, it can be stated that job redesign towards a motivational approach and considering the principles of ergonomics in the workplace, can play an important role in efficiency and productivity of an organization

Investigating the relationship between psychosocial work stressors, organizational structure and job satisfaction among bank tellers

Introduction: Studies have shown that bank clerks experience high levels of stress. Stress is known as the main cause of reduction of job satisfaction and staff commitment and overall organization performance. This study aimed to investigate the association between psychosocial stressors, organizational structure, and job satisfaction.   Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was performed in 11 branches of a bank in Hamadan. In order to collect data, General Nordic Questionnaire (QPS Nordic 34+), Organizational Structure and Job Satisfaction Questionnaires were used. For determining the relationship between the two variables spearman correlation coefficient was used. Moreover, chi-square test was used to investigate the association between qualitative variables.   Results: Job stress (57%) and job satisfaction (39%) of the subjects were in the average level, and structure of the majority of the branches was somewhat inflexible (69%). What is more, there was a significant positive correlation between job stress and dimensions of organizational structure (centralization, formalization). Results manifested a significant correlation between organizational structure and job satisfaction (P-value= 0.05).   Conclusion: Considering the effect of organizational structure and work-related psychosocial stressors on job satisfaction, it can be stated that organizational restructuring to achieve organic structures and paying more attention to psychosocial stressors in the workplace, can play an effective role in the efficiency and productivity of the organization

Combined effect of retinoic acid and calcium on the in vitro differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells to adipocytes

Context: It has been shown that adipogenesis can be modulated by factors such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and calcium. Objective: To determine, the combined effect of ATRA and calcium on the differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the adipocytes by 0.5 and 1 µM of ATRA and 5 and 10 mM calcium separately or in combination. After MTS assay the differentiation of MSCs to adipocyte was evaluated, Oil Red O staining, GLUT4 concentration and gene expression of PPARG2, adiponectin, and GLUT4 were measured by Real-Time PCR. Results: Except 10 mM calcium treated group, other groups and more significantly combination treatments could reduce all adipocyte markers compared to the control. Conclusion: These results suggest that ATRA and calcium together have significant inhibitory effect on adipogenesis that can be helpful for finding new mechanisms to prevent or control the adipogenesis. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

The effect of calcitriol and all-trans retinoic acid on T-bet, IFN-γ, GATA3 and IL-4 genes expression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease which affects the central nervous system (CNS). In the present study, the in vivo effects of ATRA, calcitriol, and their combinations on the expression of murine CD4+ T cell cytokines and their specific transcription factors in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced mice were explored. Thirty-two EAE induced inbred C57BL/6 female mice with an age ranged from 8 to 10 weeks were divided into four categories in a random manner. The first, second, and third groups received ATRA, calcitriol, ATRA+ calcitriol, respectively, and the fourth group received vehicle. The treatment started on the day prior to immunization and through the IP injections every other days for 21 days. The dosages of administration for calcitriol, ATRA, and calcitriol+ ATRA were 100 ng, 250 μg, and 50ng + 125 μg, respectively per mouse. An equal volume of excipient was administered for the vehicle group. T-bet, IFN-γ, GATA-3, and IL-4 genes expression were assessed in the splenocytes of EAE -induced mice. The expression of T-bet and IFN-γ genes in the splenocytes of ATRA, calcitriol and combination- treated mice were significantly reduced compared to vehicle group (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in T-bet expression was observed in the combination-treated group compared to the ATRA-treated group (p < 0.05). The expression of GATA3 and IL-4 genes was significantly increased in the ATRA-, calcitriol-, and combination-treated mice when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the effect of calcitriol alone and in combination with ATRA was more considerable than that of ATRA alone. The nutraceutical approaches may be promising in the prevention and/or treatment of MS. © 2020 APMIS. Published by John Wiley & Sons Lt