Antidiarrheal action of Zataria multiflora hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts in mice

Introduction: Zataria multiflora Boiss. is an indigenous herbal plant found in many parts of Iran. This herb is traditionally used as a remedy for treating gastrointestinal disorders including diarrhea. Despite the existence of few pharmacological evidences which support the antispasmodic action of Z. multiflora in vitro, there is no scientific report about therapeutic efficacy of Z. multiflora in animal models. The objective of this research was to investigate the antispasmodic activity of hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts of Z. multiflora on intestinal peristaltic movement as well as assessment of its antidiarrheal action in mice. Methods: Dried leafy branches of Z. multiflora were coarsely powdered and subjected to extraction by ethanol or hexane in a percolator apparatus. Antispasmodic activity of Z. multiflora in vivo was assessed by investigating effect of the extracts on intestinal charcoal meal transit. The antidiarrheal activity of Z. multiflora extracts was evaluated by castor oil and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. The inhibitory effects of the extracts were compared with the standard drug loperamide. Results: The antispasmodic activity of Z. multiflora (20 & 40 mg/kg) hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts was confirmed by a reduction in the distance traveled by charcoal meal alongside the small intestine. Z. multiflora extracts (20 & 40 mg/kg) also significantly attenuated the castor oil and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. Loperamide was more efficacious in reducing number of total stools in both models of diarrhea. Conclusion: The obtained results have established a pharmacological evidence for the folkloric use of the Z. multiflora as an antidiarrhoeal and spasmodic agent

Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) on Factors Affecting Agility of Iranian Auditing Organizations

Many auditors are now encountering agile management methodologies for the first time. In some cases, this can cause problems for the audit process because the methodology is very different from traditional approaches. Aside from the difficulties faced by the auditor, an ineffective audit can have a negative effect on an agile project by giving a false impression of its progress. Much has been written on agility issues in organizations of various sizes. However, there have been very few studies that attempt to delineate critical issues that drive importance-performance analyzing (IPA) among an organization. This paper aims to propose an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) on Factors Affecting Agility of Iranian Auditing Organizations

Analyzing Open Innovation Dimensions Based on Information Technology Development in Knowledge-Based Firms: Integration of BSC, FANP and DEMATEL

The main purpose of this paper was to analyze open innovation dimensions based on IT development in knowledge-based firms using a combination of BSC, FANP and DEMATEL. Beginning with an overview of the related literature, criteria of open innovation were identified for knowledge-based firms, then, with the benefit of 15 experts, we considered 14 of those criteria. All selected criteria classified according to the four perspectives of the balanced scorecard (BSC) aspects framework. In the next step, criteria weights calculated using fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) technique. Finally, a super matrix developed to measure criteria interrelationships using DEMATEL technique. The results showed that customer criterion with a weight of 0.3, was the most important one influencing the open innovation in knowledge-based firms for the development of information technology. Learning criterion with 0.29, internal process criterion with 0.24 and financial criterion with a total weight of 0.17 were the next priorities

Measuring Relationship between Factors Affecting Risk of Mellat Bank IT Projects in Bushehr Province Using Fuzzy DEMATEL

Ignoring the delicacy of risk management in IT projects, not only is a cause that goals are not achieved, but may lead to project failure. Meanwhile identifying the most important factors affecting risks of IT projects and assessing their relationships play an essential role in management decisions. The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the relations between factors affecting risk of Mellat Bank IT Projects in Bushehr province using fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory )DEMATEL( techniques. For the same reason we studied the most available literature on the issue and identified 23 major factors and found the importance of each one from the viewpoint of experts. By this, 8 factors which are most influential were identified and then the second questionnaire was developed for applying fuzzy DEMATEL method and was issued to a group of 15 chosen experts to find the causal relation among these eight factors and to find the most important factors affect on implementing Mellat Bank IT Projects in Bushehr province. The results show that unskillful employees and lack of knowledge in human resources, resource monopoly, lack of reliability in data storage, and absence of a control system in implementing an IT project are the most factors affecting risk of Mellat Bank IT Projects in Bushehr province

Competitive positioning for LARG Supply Chain in Cement Industry and its Strategic Requirements Importance-Performance Analysis

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is considered as a key factor to achieve goals such as creating competitive advantage, product quality improvement and increasing profitability in the cement industry. The main purpose of this research is to determine competitive positioning for LARG supply chain in the iranian cement industry and to do Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) for its related strategic requirements (Strenghts, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). A survey-descriptive research method was applied and an available sample includes 11 Iranian cement companies were selected. First, with reviewing related literature and using the Delphi Method (DM), the strategic requirements of LARG supply chain in the cement industry identified. In the next step, the importance of each strategic requirement determined using SWARA technique. Then the results of applying Internal/External Factors Evaluation (IFE/EFE) matrix showed that to achieve the suitable position in the LARG supply chain for the Iranian cement industry an aggressive strategy should be taken. In the final step, applying Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) matrix showed all requirements for aggressive strategy except exporting opportunities and cooperation culture in the supply chain that were in quadrant one, evaluated in quadrant II (keep up the good work). Finally, some suggestions presented toward improving LARG supply chain performance in the Iranian cement industry

Evaluation and analysis of intelligent supply chain management under Internet of Things technology with fuzzy cognitive map approach

Smart technologies have brought changes in the supply chain. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of the Internet of Things on the intelligent management of the supply chain, which evaluates the relationships between variables and their impact and effectiveness with the fuzzy cognitive mapping method. The statistical population is academic experts and active experts in the drug distribution company in Bushehr province. After identifying the components from the background of the research, an interview was conducted. Then the questionnaire was presented to 10 experts and experts and it was analyzed in several stages, and finally, the main factors of the use of Internet of Things in the supply chain were determined in 9 categories of criteria and 41 sub-criteria. The criteria include: intelligent management of inventory and warehousing, intelligent management of operations, intelligent management of information, intelligent management of products, intelligent management of costs, intelligent management of corporate productivity, intelligent management of customers and drug suppliers, intelligent management of sales and marketing, and intelligent management of the environment.The results showed that intelligent information management was obtained as the most important indicator; Because it affects all indicators. intelligent management of customers, intelligent management of sales and marketing, and intelligent management of operations are the second most influential. Therefore, managers of the drug distribution industry should use Internet of Things technology to intelligently manage information in their organization, improve relationships with customers, improve operations and focus on the sales process, and optimize supply chain processes and profitability

Identification and Measurement of Relationships between Factors Affecting Corporate Entrepreneurship using DEMATEL Technique in Bushehr Cooperative Companies

The main purpose of this paper was to measure relationships between factorsaffecting corporate entrepreneurship in Bushehr cooperative companies usingDEMATEL technique. A descriptive survey research was applied. Population includedall 60 experts familiar with the corporate entrepreneurship in Bushehr cooperativecompanies and a 45 experts sample were selected by the use of simple randomsampling. Data gathering tool was a paired questionnaire which has been completedbased on expert's judgments. Excel software was used to analyze the research data. Tenaffectivecriteria on corporate entrepreneurship in Bushehr cooperative companies wereidentified through reviewed literature. These criteria modified using a structured Likertquestionnaire due to the expert opinions. In the next step relationships between factorswere measured and their impacts were identified and calculated applying DEMATELtechnique. Results showed that the most important factors affecting corporateentrepreneurship in Bushehr cooperative companies included: organizational culture,entrepreneurship moral, organization strategy, management support, marketing skill,opportunity orientation, communications system, profitability, risk acceptance andauthority