The Effect of Social Responsibility and Corporate image on Enhancing the Brand Equity

Customers are one of the pillars of success in organizations and have been studied from different aspects. The aim of this study is scrutinizing the factors influencing brand equity in the tobacco industry in Tehran. Therefore, by referring to previous studies, dimensions and components of associated with variables have been identified and a standard questionnaire based on these variables has been used. The validity of the questionnaire has been approved by the elites of management and the reliability of them has been calculated through the software. The statistical population of research consisted of all customers of the tobacco industry in Tehran. In order to determining the sample size the Cochran formula, to the extent of 384 individuals, has been used. In order to test the research hypotheses Structural equation modeling through Lisrel software has been used. The results showed that different variables have significant impact on brand equity and customer loyalty is an important mediating factor in influencing on brand equity

Effects of enriched daphnia with microscopic algae on some growth indices and survival rate of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae

Microalgae as a source of valuable compounds such as fatty acids are isolated from the natural environments and their mass production with high nutritional value is one the necessities of many hatcheries. The present study aimed to determine the effects of enriched daphnia with microscopic algae on some growth indices and survival rate of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae. Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus were purified and cultured. Then, Daphnia longispina was fed microalgae including Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus enriched with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The microalgae density to enrich daphnia was estimated at 5× 107 cells mL-1. Three treatments with three replicates and a control group were considered in this study. A total of 30 Acipenser persicus larvae were allocated to each sixty liters tank. Experimental fish were fed daphnia enriched with Chlorella vulgaris (treatment 1), daphnia enriched with Scenedesmus dimorphus (treatment 2) and daphnia enriched with Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus (at the rates of 50%) (treatment 3). Persian sturgeon larvae in the control group were fed like VNIRO stage from daphnia caught in pond. Larvae were fed 30% of body weight per day for four times. During the experimental period, water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and pH ranged between 18-24°C, 5.8-7.2 mg l-1 and 5.6-8.2, respectively. The minimum (219 ± 98.4 mg) and maximum (315.16 ± 140.8 mg) mean (±SD) weights were observed in the control group and treatment 3, respectively. The results obtained from the body weight increase (BWI %) revealed that there were significant differences between treatment 3 and other treatments. Highest (4.6±1.13% day-1) and lowest (5.5±1.24% day-1) mean (±SD) specific growth rates (SGR) were recorded in fish fed the control group and treatment 3, respectively. Lowest (68%) and highest (85%) survival rates were recorded in the control group and treatment 3, respectively

Detection of qacEΔ1, qacG, qacE, qacF resistance genes in Escherichia coli producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases to benzalkonium chloride

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The resistance genes of quaternary ammonium compounds(qac) play an important role in the resistance of gram-negative bacteria producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases to disinfectants. The aim of this study was detection of qacEΔ1, qacG, qacE, qacF resistance genes in Escherichia coli producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases to benzalkonium chloride. METHODS: This study cross sectional-descriptive was conducted on 150 clinical samples of selected hospitals in Arak. ESBL strains were identified by using phenotypic methods of disc diffusion and combinatory disc method and evaluating the SHV, TEM, CTXM1 genes by genotyping method. The PCR was performed to determine the resistance genes qacEΔ1, qacG, qacE and qacF.The electrophoresis of PCR products and the MIC of benzalkonium chloride were relative to E. coli producing ESBL. Antibiotic pattern of Escherichia coli (ESBL), quadruple ammonium resistance genes and benzalkonium chloride MIC were also investigated. FINDINGS: This study showed that 60% of Escherichia coli were ESBL producer. The qacEΔ1 genes were observed in all of them and qacE, qacF, qacG genes were not found in any of the strains. The strains had MIC range from 32 to 64 mg/l for benzalkonium chloride. Resistance to carbapenems (33.33%) was observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed that qacEΔ1 resistance gene and resistance to disinfectant benzalkonium chloride increased. Also increased resistance to the antibiotics studied were observed in E. coli ESBL strains

Mechanistic insights into bacterial metabolic reprogramming from omics-integrated genome-scale models.

Understanding the adaptive responses of individual bacterial strains is crucial for microbiome engineering approaches that introduce new functionalities into complex microbiomes, such as xenobiotic compound metabolism for soil bioremediation. Adaptation requires metabolic reprogramming of the cell, which can be captured by multi-omics, but this data remains formidably challenging to interpret and predict. Here we present a new approach that combines genome-scale metabolic modeling with transcriptomics and exometabolomics, both of which are common tools for studying dynamic population behavior. As a realistic demonstration, we developed a genome-scale model of Pseudomonas veronii 1YdBTEX2, a candidate bioaugmentation agent for accelerated metabolism of mono-aromatic compounds in soil microbiomes, while simultaneously collecting experimental data of P. veronii metabolism during growth phase transitions. Predictions of the P. veronii growth rates and specific metabolic processes from the integrated model closely matched experimental observations. We conclude that integrative and network-based analysis can help build predictive models that accurately capture bacterial adaptation responses. Further development and testing of such models may considerably improve the successful establishment of bacterial inoculants in more complex systems

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were found to be associated with infection-induced asthma [p = 0.0009, OR (95% CI) = 0.5 (0.4-0.8)]. The rs487202-rs574913 CA haplotype was more frequent among patients with infection-induced asthma [p = 0.0006, OR (95% CI) = 1.9 (1.3-2.6)]. None of the SNPs contributed directly to the risk of asthma. Conclusions: Our results suggest that genetic variation in the HRH4 gene might influence the pathogenesis of infection-induced asthma

Effects of different lower-limb sensory stimulation strategies on postural regulation – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic reviews of balance control have tended to only focus on the effects of single lower-limb stimulation strategies, and a current limitation is the lack of comparison between different relevant stimulation strategies. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine evidence of effects of different lower-limb sensory stimulation strategies on postural regulation and stability. Moderate- to high- pooled effect sizes (Unbiased (Hedges’ g) standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.31 – 0.66) were observed with the addition of noise in a Stochastic Resonance Stimulation Strategy (SRSS), in three populations (i.e., healthy young adults, older adults, and individuals with lower-limb injuries), and under different task constraints (i.e., unipedal, bipedal, and eyes open). A Textured Material Stimulation Strategy (TMSS) enhanced postural control in the most challenging condition – eyes-closed on a stable surface (SMD = 0.61), and in older adults (SMD = 0.30). The Wearable Garments Stimulation Strategy (WGSS) showed no or adverse effects (SMD = -0.68 – 0.05) under all task constraints and in all populations, except in individuals with lower-limb injuries (SMD = 0.20). Results of our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that future research could consider combining two or more stimulation strategies in intervention treatments for postural regulation and balance problems, depending on individual need

Evaluation of a Partial Genome Screening of Two Asthma Susceptibility Regions Using Bayesian Network Based Bayesian Multilevel Analysis of Relevance

Genetic studies indicate high number of potential factors related to asthma. Based on earlier linkage analyses we selected the 11q13 and 14q22 asthma susceptibility regions, for which we designed a partial genome screening study using 145 SNPs in 1201 individuals (436 asthmatic children and 765 controls). The results were evaluated with traditional frequentist methods and we applied a new statistical method, called Bayesian network based Bayesian multilevel analysis of relevance (BN-BMLA). This method uses Bayesian network representation to provide detailed characterization of the relevance of factors, such as joint significance, the type of dependency, and multi-target aspects. We estimated posteriors for these relations within the Bayesian statistical framework, in order to estimate the posteriors whether a variable is directly relevant or its association is only mediated. With frequentist methods one SNP (rs3751464 in the FRMD6 gene) provided evidence for an association with asthma (OR = 1.43(1.2–1.8); p = 3×10−4). The possible role of the FRMD6 gene in asthma was also confirmed in an animal model and human asthmatics. In the BN-BMLA analysis altogether 5 SNPs in 4 genes were found relevant in connection with asthma phenotype: PRPF19 on chromosome 11, and FRMD6, PTGER2 and PTGDR on chromosome 14. In a subsequent step a partial dataset containing rhinitis and further clinical parameters was used, which allowed the analysis of relevance of SNPs for asthma and multiple targets. These analyses suggested that SNPs in the AHNAK and MS4A2 genes were indirectly associated with asthma. This paper indicates that BN-BMLA explores the relevant factors more comprehensively than traditional statistical methods and extends the scope of strong relevance based methods to include partial relevance, global characterization of relevance and multi-target relevance

Tumour brain: pre‐treatment cognitive and affective disorders caused by peripheral cancers

People that develop extracranial cancers often display co-morbid neurological disorders, such as anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment, even before commencement of chemotherapy. This suggests bidirectional crosstalk between non-CNS tumours and the brain, which can regulate peripheral tumour growth. However, the reciprocal neurological effects of tumour progression on brain homeostasis are not well understood. Here, we review brain regions involved in regulating peripheral tumour development and how they, in turn, are adversely affected by advancing tumour burden. Tumour-induced activation of the immune system, blood–brain barrier breakdown and chronic neuroinflammation can lead to circadian rhythm dysfunction, sleep disturbances, aberrant glucocorticoid production, decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and dysregulation of neural network activity, resulting in depression and memory impairments. Given that cancer-related cognitive impairment diminishes patient quality of life, reduces adherence to chemotherapy and worsens cancer prognosis, it is essential that more research is focused at understanding how peripheral tumours affect brain homeostasis

Replicon Typing of O2, O6, and O157 Serotypes of Escherichia Coli Using PCR Method Based on Plasmid Incompatibility Groups

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Today, the PCR-based replicon typing of major plasmid incompatibility groups is used in epidemiological studies to describe the distribution of traits such as antibiotic resistance in the bacteria of enterobacteriaceae family. Despite the crucial role of plasmids in transmitting pathogens, little studies have been conducted on the type of plasmid transmitted by bacterial serotypes of E. coli. The main objective of this study was to classify plasmid O2, O6 and O157 serotypes of E. coli bacteria based on major plasmid incompatibility groups using multiplex-PCR method. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed on 40 isolates of E. coli related to O6, O2 and O157 serotypes to identify 8 plasmid replicons (IncN, IncFIB, FreP, IncB/O, Inc FIIA, IncFIC, IncFIA, IncI1) by multiplex-PCR method. RESULTS: The results showed that the amplicon of Fre (88%), and replicons of IncFIB (78%), IncFIA (60%), IncB/O (53%), IncI1 (50%), IncN (25%) were observed in 40 studied isolates. IncFIC and IncFIIA replicons were not observed in any of the isolates. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated a high diversity of plasmid incompatibility groups among the studied isolates

The emission factor adjustments of the passenger cars in multi-story car parks under drive modes

The drive mode is an important factor that affects the adjustment requirements for emission factors of the conventional simulation methods in multi-story car parks. In order to propose comprehensive emission factor adjustments for passenger cars based on the drive modes, the present study is aimed to investigate the effects of different drive modes on emission factors for multi-story car parks. Thus, to achieve this aim, the tailpipe emissions based on the on-board measurement and international vehicle emission (IVE) model are obtained. The results indicate that the drive modes significantly affect the emissions. Accordingly, the change in drive mode from minimum to maximum leads to an increase in the vehicle-specific power (VSP) by 106%. Furthermore, the results of emission factors show the discrepancy between on-board measurement and IVE model with the maximum and minimum adjustment factors by 3.28 and 1.28 for carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO ), respectively. [Abstract copyright: © 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.