Brand Experience and Brand Commitment: Chartering New Directions

The marketplace is gradually becoming more competitive and dynamic nowadays. In this scenario, the ultimate goal for brand managers is to achieve brand commitment. Considering the significance of brand commitment, this study explores the impact of brand experience on brand commitment via mediating influence of brand passion in light of the Stimulus-Organism Response Model. Moreover, this study evaluates the impact of brand image on brand experience and brand passion. The theoretical framework has been analyzed via structural equation modeling using AMOSS 22.0 by using data from 390 smartphone users. For the data collection, a structured questionnaire was used. The result indicates that brand passion mediates the relationship between brand experience and brand commitment. The existence of this mediation validates the application of the S-O-R model. Moreover, this research proves that brand image has a positive linkage with brand passion. Lastly, this research depicts that brand image plays the role of the antecedent of brand experience

Salinity and Fertility Status of Irrigated soils in District Nankana Sahib, Punjab Pakistan

The soil is the basic medium for growth of plant as it supplies essential nutrients and water required for plant processes. The productivity of crop is highly dependent upon fertility and salinity of soil. Current study was carried out to explore and analyze the soils of Tehsil Nankana Sahib (Nankana, Shahkot, Sangilla) for its salinity, sodicity and fertility status at union council level from 2018-2021. A total 2030 soil samples were collected from three Tehsils of District Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan. The results indicated that the soil salinity status about 33.9% (690 samples) soils were non-saline, 23.6% (480 samples) saline sodic, 28.5% (580 samples) sodic and only 13.8% (280 samples) were saline. Maximum problematic soil was found in tehsil Nankana Sahib while minimum in Sangilla. As for the soil fertility status of District Nankana Sahib is concerned, 60.1% soils were poor in organic matter (OM) that was observed in 1220 samples, and 39.1% medium range organic matter was observed from the 794 samples while 7.8% from the only 160 samples that were approaching the adequate range. The available phosphorus in soils was found poor among 26.1% (530 samples), 56.1% medium (1140 samples) and the adequate range of available phosphorus was 17.7% (360 samples).    Full Tex

Salinity and Fertility Status of Irrigated soils in District Nankana Sahib, Punjab Pakistan

The soil is the basic medium for growth of plant as it supplies essential nutrients and water required for plant processes. The productivity of crop is highly dependent upon fertility and salinity of soil. Current study was carried out to explore and analyze the soils of Tehsil Nankana Sahib (Nankana, Shahkot, Sangilla) for its salinity, sodicity and fertility status at union council level from 2018-2021. A total 2030 soil samples were collected from three Tehsils of District Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan. The results indicated that the soil salinity status about 33.9% (690 samples) soils were non-saline, 23.6% (480 samples) saline sodic, 28.5% (580 samples) sodic and only 13.8% (280 samples) were saline. Maximum problematic soil was found in tehsil Nankana Sahib while minimum in Sangilla. As for the soil fertility status of District Nankana Sahib is concerned, 60.1% soils were poor in organic matter (OM) that was observed in 1220 samples, and 39.1% medium range organic matter was observed from the 794 samples while 7.8% from the only 160 samples that were approaching the adequate range. The available phosphorus in soils was found poor among 26.1% (530 samples), 56.1% medium (1140 samples) and the adequate range of available phosphorus was 17.7% (360 samples).    Full Tex

Correction: Deletion at the GCNT2 Locus Causes Autosomal Recessive Congenital Cataracts.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167562.]

Mutation in LIM2 Is Responsible for Autosomal Recessive Congenital Cataracts.

To identify the molecular basis of non-syndromic autosomal recessive congenital cataracts (arCC) in a consanguineous family.All family members participating in the study received a comprehensive ophthalmic examination to determine their ocular phenotype and contributed a blood sample, from which genomic DNA was extracted. Available medical records and interviews with the family were used to compile the medical history of the family. The symptomatic history of the individuals exhibiting cataracts was confirmed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. A genome-wide linkage analysis was performed to localize the disease interval. The candidate gene, LIM2 (lens intrinsic membrane protein 2), was sequenced bi-directionally to identify the disease-causing mutation. The physical changes caused by the mutation were analyzed in silico through homology modeling, mutation and bioinformatic algorithms, and evolutionary conservation databases. The physiological importance of LIM2 to ocular development was assessed in vivo by real-time expression analysis of Lim2 in a mouse model.Ophthalmic examination confirmed the diagnosis of nuclear cataracts in the affected members of the family; the inheritance pattern and cataract development in early infancy indicated arCC. Genome-wide linkage analysis localized the critical interval to chromosome 19q with a two-point logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 3.25. Bidirectional sequencing identified a novel missense mutation, c.233G>A (p.G78D) in LIM2. This mutation segregated with the disease phenotype and was absent in 192 ethnically matched control chromosomes. In silico analysis predicted lower hydropathicity and hydrophobicity but higher polarity of the mutant LIM2-encoded protein (MP19) compared to the wild-type. Moreover, these analyses predicted that the mutation would disrupt the secondary structure of a transmembrane domain of MP19. The expression of Lim2, which was detected in the mouse lens as early as embryonic day 15 (E15) increased after birth to a level that was sustained through the postnatal time points.A novel missense mutation in LIM2 is responsible for autosomal recessive congenital cataracts

Deletion at the GCNT2 Locus Causes Autosomal Recessive Congenital Cataracts.

The aim of this study is to identify the molecular basis of autosomal recessive congenital cataracts (arCC) in a large consanguineous pedigree.All participating individuals underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. Each patient's medical history, particularly of cataracts and other ocular abnormalities, was compiled from available medical records and interviews with family elders. Blood samples were donated by all participating family members and used to extract genomic DNA. Genetic analysis was performed to rule out linkage to known arCC loci and genes. Whole-exome sequencing libraries were prepared and paired-end sequenced. A large deletion was found that segregated with arCC in the family, and chromosome walking was conducted to estimate the proximal and distal boundaries of the deletion mutation.Exclusion and linkage analysis suggested linkage to a region of chromosome 6p24 harboring GCNT2 (glucosaminyl (N-acetyl) transferase 2) with a two-point logarithm of odds score of 5.78. PCR amplifications of the coding exons of GCNT2 failed in individuals with arCC, and whole-exome data analysis revealed a large deletion on chromosome 6p in the region harboring GCNT2. Chromosomal walking using multiple primer pairs delineated the extent of the deletion to approximately 190 kb. Interestingly, a failure to amplify a junctional fragment of the deletion break strongly suggests an insertion in addition to the large deletion.Here, we report a novel insertion/deletion mutation at the GCNT2 locus that is responsible for congenital cataracts in a large consanguineous family

Characterization of the <i>GCNT2</i> deletion responsible for congenital cataracts in PKCC215.

<p><b>A</b>) Model of chromosome 6 indicating the placement of the primer pairs in the PCR amplification of the <i>GCNT2</i> region. Visualization (on a 1.5% agarose gel) of the amplification products from each primer pair with the DNA of <b>B</b>) an unaffected and <b>C</b>) affected member of PKCC215. Amplification of the genomic DNA of the affected individual was successful (produced specific PCR products) with the primer pairs indicated in green. Amplification of the affected individual’s DNA failed (non-specific or no PCR products) with the primer pairs indicated in red. Note: Asterisk indicates non-specific PCR products.</p