"HOW TO MARKET THE PRESSAC BRAND TO EXISTING AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS"

PRESSAC COMMUNICATIONS LTD, a privately owned UK based company specializing in the design and manufacturing of mechanical and electronic products is suffering from a weak brand image. The purpose of this research is to scan PRESSAC’s internal and external environment in order to develop a better understanding of where PRESSAC stands, and attempt to identify opportunities PRESSAC can benefit from. The second major aspect of this research is to understand the positive role that business-to-business (B2B) branding and B2B relationship marketing can play for PRESSAC. The literature acknowledges the need for B2B organizations to have robust and coherent brands if they are to operate successfully. The role of creating, building, and maintaining relationships with its business partners also possess benefits that are widely recognized. For the purpose of this research, a qualitative research approach has been opted for. Secondary data represents the largest and the most important data source for this research. A few supplementary interviews were conducted with both internal and external contacts in order to gain some additional insight and obtain company specific information. These supplementary interviews have been analyzed and discussed by dividing them into different themes. Finally, the concluding thoughts of this research discuss key findings and limitations, but most importantly, present the recommendations for PRESSAC

Quercetin in semen extender improves frozen-thawed spermatozoa quality and in-vivo fertility in crossbred Kamori goats

This study investigated the antioxidant effect of quercetin-treated semen on frozen–thawed spermatozoa quality and in-vivo fertility in crossbred Kamori goats. In total, 32 ejaculates from four fertile bucks were diluted in Tris-based egg yolk extender with varying levels of quercetin (0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 μM). Qualified semen samples were pooled and frozen in French straws. The results revealed that the addition of quercetin in the semen extender increased (p < 0.05) frozen–thawed sperm total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), rapid velocity (RV), average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and amplitude of lateral head (ALH) displacement in contrast to the control group. Quercetin supplementation had no effect on beat cross frequency (BCF), straightness (STR), and linearity (LIN) (p > 0.05). Quercetin showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) plasma membrane and acrosome integrity and viability (p < 0.05) of spermatozoa in contrast to the control group. Quercetin in the semen extender significantly increased (p < 0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels while reduced (p < 0.05) the contents of total oxidant status (TOS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), which were in contrast to the control group. Ultrasound results revealed that 24 out of 30 (80%) goats were found pregnant when semen was treated with 5 μM quercetin while the control group showed 18 out of 30 (60%) animals were pregnant. Thus, the study concluded that 5 μM quercetin-treated semen was found to be efficient, showed increased antioxidant status, and reduced oxidant production, leading to improved spermatozoa quality and in-vivo fertility in goats

Acute health effects of the Tasman Spirit oil spill on residents of Karachi, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: On July 27 2003, a ship carrying crude oil run aground near Karachi and after two weeks released 37,000 tons of its cargo into the sea. Oil on the coastal areas and fumes in air raised health concerns among people. We assessed the immediate health impact of oil spill from the tanker Tasman Spirit on residents of the affected coastline in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted a study consisting of an exposed group including adults living in houses on the affected shoreline and two control groups (A and B) who lived at the distance of 2 km and 20 km away from the sea, respectively. We selected households through systematic sampling and interviewed an adult male and female in each household about symptoms relating to eyes, respiratory tract, skin and nervous system, smoking, allergies, beliefs about the effect on their health and anxiety about the health effects. We used logistic regression procedures to model each symptom as an outcome and the exposure status as an independent variable while adjusting for confounders. We also used linear regression procedure to assess the relationship exposure status with symptoms score; calculated by summation of all symptoms. RESULTS: Overall 400 subjects were interviewed (exposed, n = 216; group A, n = 83; and group B, n = 101). The exposed group reported a higher occurrence of one or more symptoms compared to either of the control groups (exposed, 96% vs. group A, 70%, group B 85%; P < 0.001). Mean summary symptom scores were higher among the exposed group (14.5) than control group A (4.5) and control group B (3.8, P < 0.001). Logistic regression models indicated that there were statistically significant, moderate-to-strong associations (Prevalence ORs (POR) ranging from 2.3 to 37.0) between the exposed group and the symptoms. There was a trend of decreasing symptom-specific PORs with increase in distance from the spill site. Multiple linear regression model revealed strong relationship of exposure status with the symptoms score (β = 8.24, 95% CI: 6.37 – 10.12). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the occurrence of increased symptoms among the exposed group is more likely to be due to exposure to the crude oil spill

Effect of biochar modified with magnetite nanoparticles and HNO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from contaminated water: A batch and column scale study

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Chromium (Cr) poses serious consequences on human and animal health due to its potential carcinogenicity. The present study aims at preparing a novel biochar derived from Chenopodium quinoa crop residues (QBC), its activation with magnetite nanoparticles (QBC/MNPs) and strong acid HNO3 (QBC/Acid) to evaluate their batch and column scale potential to remove Cr (VI) from polluted water. The QBC, QBC/MNPs and QBC/Acid were characterized with SEM, FTIR, EDX, XRD as well as point of zero charge (PZC) to get an insight into their adsorption mechanism. The impact of different process parameters including dose of the adsorbent (1–4 g/L), contact time (0–180 min), initial concentration of Cr (25–200 mg/L) as well as solution pH (2–8) was evaluated on the Cr (VI) removal from contaminated water. The results revealed that QBC/MNPs proved more effective (73.35–93.62-%) for the Cr (VI) removal with 77.35 mg/g adsorption capacity as compared with QBC/Acid (55.85–79.8%) and QBC (48.85–75.28-%) when Cr concentration was changed from 200 to 25 mg/L. The isothermal experimental results follow the Freundlich adsorption model rather than Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models. While kinetic adsorption results were well demonstrated by pseudo second order kinetic model. Column scale experiments conducted at steady state exhibited excellent retention of Cr (VI) by QBC, QBC/MNPs and QBC/Acid at 50 and 100 mg Cr/L. The results showed that this novel biochar (QBC) and its modified forms (QBC/Acid and QBC/MNPs) are applicable with excellent reusability and stability under acidic conditions for the practical treatment of Cr (VI) contaminated water

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

"HOW TO MARKET THE PRESSAC BRAND TO EXISTING AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS"

PRESSAC COMMUNICATIONS LTD, a privately owned UK based company specializing in the design and manufacturing of mechanical and electronic products is suffering from a weak brand image. The purpose of this research is to scan PRESSAC’s internal and external environment in order to develop a better understanding of where PRESSAC stands, and attempt to identify opportunities PRESSAC can benefit from. The second major aspect of this research is to understand the positive role that business-to-business (B2B) branding and B2B relationship marketing can play for PRESSAC. The literature acknowledges the need for B2B organizations to have robust and coherent brands if they are to operate successfully. The role of creating, building, and maintaining relationships with its business partners also possess benefits that are widely recognized. For the purpose of this research, a qualitative research approach has been opted for. Secondary data represents the largest and the most important data source for this research. A few supplementary interviews were conducted with both internal and external contacts in order to gain some additional insight and obtain company specific information. These supplementary interviews have been analyzed and discussed by dividing them into different themes. Finally, the concluding thoughts of this research discuss key findings and limitations, but most importantly, present the recommendations for PRESSAC

Determination of Heavy Metals in the Different Samples of Table Salt

Table salt is most widely used food additive around the globe. Any contamination to salt may lead to health hazards and ailments. In this study concentration of heavy metals were determined in different table salt sample. Twelve different salt sample were collected from various localities of Pakistan including all the four provinces. The concentration lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and compared it with Codex Alimentarius commission. The level of Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn and Cu were in the range of 0.1-2.96 mg/kg, 0.08-1.18 mg/kg,0.02-2.4 mg/kg, 2.5-16.7 mg/kg, 0.1-5.1 mg/kg, 0.6-3.1 mg/kg respectively. In most of the sample the level of toxic metal are within the permissible limits as prescribed by Codex Alimentarius Commission

Determination of Heavy Metals in the Different Samples of Table Salt

Table salt is most widely used food additive around the globe. Any contamination to salt may lead to health hazards and ailments. In this study concentration of heavy metals were determined in different table salt sample. Twelve different salt sample were collected from various localities of Pakistan including all the four provinces. The concentration lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and compared it with Codex Alimentarius commission. The level of Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn and Cu were in the range of 0.1-2.96 mg/kg, 0.08-1.18 mg/kg,0.02-2.4 mg/kg, 2.5-16.7 mg/kg, 0.1-5.1 mg/kg, 0.6-3.1 mg/kg respectively. In most of the sample the level of toxic metal are within the permissible limits as prescribed by Codex Alimentarius Commission

Instrument fracture in periodontal therapy: Ethical disclosure and clinical management - A case report

Periodontal instrument fractures are rare events in dentistry, with limited literature available on their occurrence and management. This case report highlights an incident involving the fracture of a periodontal sickle scaler blade during manual instrumentation for the removal of calculus. The fracture occurred during instrumentation on the mesial surface of the maxillary right second molar, and the separated blade was subsequently pushed into the sulcus. A radiographic assessment was performed to verify the precise location of the fractured segment. Following confirmation, the broken blade was subsequently retrieved using curved artery forceps. The case report highlights factors contributing to instrument fractures, emphasizing the importance of instrument maintenance, sterilization cycles, and operator technique. Ethical considerations regarding patient disclosure, informed consent, and instrument retrieval methods are well discussed. This case underscores the importance of truthful communication, the proper use of instruments, equipment maintenance in dentistry, and the significance of ongoing professional development to enhance treatment safety, proficiency, and ethical standards in dental care