THE APPLICABILITY OF WIDELY EMPLOYED FRAMEWORKS IN CROSS-CULTURAL MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

This article aims to analyze and assess the applicability of widely employed frameworks in cross-cultural management research. First, some criteria are conceptualized and then, eight cultural frameworks are examined and their relevance with respect to defined criteria is determined. At the end, all cultural frameworks are compared, their overall applicability is assessed, and suggestions for empirical research are presented. Results and discussion might be useful not only in applying cultural typologies, but also in improving existing frameworks.Culture, Cross Cultural Management, Cultural Dimension, Cultural Frameworks

A Typology of the Perceived External Barriers Hindering Export of Agricultural Products in Iran

This study attempts to explore, understand, and classify the external barriers to the export of agricultural products as perceived by the small businesses operating in Iran. The data analysis reveals the most important external barriers as Trade Embargo/Political Friction, Inflation, Slow Collection of Payments from Abroad, and Currency Exchange Rate. Further examination leads to three important thematic categories namely Unfavorable Domestic Conditions, Governmental Barriers, and Procedural Barriers. In view of the Iranian socio-economic environment, the underlying factors are discussed and implications are pointed out

A Critical Review of Epistemological and Methodological Issues in Cross-Cultural Research

Cross-cultural management research suffers from many shortcomings. While some of these shortcomings are related to methodology, others can be identified as epistemological problems. By recognizing that epistemological positions determine methodological approaches, this paper attempts to discuss both epistemological and methodological issues in cross-cultural research. Based on extant literature, major drawbacks are discussed and some suggestions for future research are presented

Molecular Electronic Structure Calculation via a Quantum Computer

Quantum computers can be used to calculate the electronic structure and estimate the ground state energy of many-electron molecular systems. In the present study, we implement the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) algorithm, as a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm to calculate the ground state energy of the molecules such as H3+, OH-, HF and BH3 in which the number of qubits has an increasing trend. We use the parity transformation for Fermion to qubit encoding and the Unitary Coupled Cluster for Single and Double excitations (UCCSD) to construct an ansatz. We compare our quantum simulation results with the computational chemistry approaches including Full Configuration Interaction (FCI), as benchmark energy and Unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF), as a common computational method. Our results show that there is a good agreement between molecular ground state energy obtained from VQE and FCI. Moreover, the accuracy of the ground state energies obtained from VQE in our work is higher than the previously reported values

SIRT1 and Klotho expression in the heart and kidneys of rats with acute and chronic renovascular hypertension

Aim To evaluate Klotho and SIRT1 expression in the heart and kidneys of rats with acute and chronic renovascular hypertension. Methods Four and sixteen weeks after the induction of renovascular hypertension by clipping the left renal artery, systemic blood pressure, serum angiotensin II level, and the expression of Klotho and SIRT1 proteins and oxidative stress indices in the heart and kidneys were assessed. Results SIRT1 level was significantly reduced in the ischemic (left) kidney in acute and chronic phases of hypertension. In the heart, it decreased in the acute phase, but increased in the chronic phase. Klotho levels in the heart and kidneys did not change significantly in either hypertension phase. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the heart significantly decreased, and SOD, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde in the ischemic kidney significantly increased during the development of hypertension. Serum angiotensin II level significantly increased in the acute phase of hypertension. Conclusion Development of renovascular hypertension was associated with a reduction of SIRT1 expression in the heart and ischemic kidney. As angiotensin II and SIRT1 counteract each other’s expression, a SIRT1 reduction in the heart and kidney, along with the influence of systemic/ local angiotensin II, seems to be partly responsible for hypertension development. A combination of SIRT1 agonists and angiotensin II antagonists may be considered for use in the treatment of renovascular hypertension

Prevention of Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication with high morbidity, mortality, and substantial cost. The reported incidence is probably underestimated due to the problems of proper diagnosis. PJI has haunted the orthopedic community for several years and despite all the advances in this field, it is still a demanding issue with a huge impact on patients, surgeons, and healthcare. Numerous elements can predispose patients to PJI. In this chapter, we tried to summarize the effective prevention strategies along with the recommendations of a recent International Consensus Meeting on Surgical Site and Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Novel water-soluble polyurethane nanomicelles for cancer chemotherapy: physicochemical characterization and cellular activities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Efficient delivery of anticancer chemotherapies such as paclitaxel (PTX) can improve treatment strategy in a variety of tumors such as breast and ovarian cancers. Accordingly, researches on polymeric nanomicelles continue to find suitable delivery systems. However, due to biocompatibility concerns, a few micellar nanoformulations have exquisitely been translated into clinical uses. Here, we report the synthesis of novel water-soluble nanomicelles using bioactive polyurethane (PU) polymer and efficient delivery of PTX in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The amphiphilic polyurethane was prepared through formation of urethane bounds between hydroxyl groups in poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) and dimethylol propionic acid with isocyanate groups in toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The free isocyanate groups were blocked with phenol, while the free carboxyl groups of dimethylol propionic acid were reacted with triethylamine to attain ionic centers in the polymer backbone. These hydrophobic PTMEG blocks displayed self-assembly forming polymeric nanomicelles in water. The PTX loaded PU nanomicelles showed suitable physical stability, negative zeta potential charge (-43) and high loading efficiency (80%) with low level of critical micelle concentration (CMC). In vitro drug release profile showed a faster rate of drug liberation at pH 5.4 as compared to that of pH 7.4, implying involvement of a pH-sensitive mechanism for drug release from the nanomicelles. The kinetic of release exquisitely obeyed the Higuchi model, confirming involvement of diffusion and somewhat erosion at pH 5.4. These nanomicelles significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, leading them to apoptosis. The real time RT-PCR analysis confirmed the activation of apoptosis as result of liberation of cytochrome c in the cells treated with the PTX loaded PU nanomicelles. The comet assay analysis showed somewhat DNA fragmentation in the treated cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based upon these findings, we propose that the bioactive waterborne polyurethane nanomicelles can be used as an effective nanocarrier for delivery of anticancer chemotherapies such as paclitaxel.</p

A Model for Financial Flexibility of Accepted Companies in Tehran Stock Exchange

Financial flexibility serves as a bridge between theory and practice of determining the financial structure (the most important determinant factor) of corporates. It provides financing to respond appropriately to events and unanticipated cases to maximize corporate value. The main objective of the research is to provide a model for financial flexibility of the companies accepted in Tehran Stock Exchange (according to the environmental conditions of the companies). According to the research purpose, a research questionnaire based on exploratory studies and exploratory research was developed in the specialized texts. After the questionnaire was written, the views of financial experts (academic and corporate scholars) on the issue of financial flexibility through the Delphi method were taken into consideration, and the theoretical framework and components of financial flexibility of the corporate were reviewed and evaluated. In this research, the proposed financial flexibility model with the consensus of the respondents and using statistical variables Suitable presentation the model has a two-dimensional "internal financial flexibility" and "external financial flexibility" and is a key component of debt capacity, cash holdings, and capital market size. Several determinants can be calculated and measured. From experts' point of view, a total of 16 indexes and 15 key determinants for measuring components can be used

The Prevalence of Clubfoot in the Neonates who were Referred to the Emergency Department of Mofid Children Hospital

ObjectiveClub-foot is one of the most prevalent congenital anomalies of the lowerextremities. Since there is no epidemiologic study on the prevalence of thisdisease in Iran, we decided to assess it in a sample population in Tehran.Materials and MethodsWe assessed all neonates who were referred to the emergency department ofmofid children hospital between October 2007 and November 2008, due to apaediatric emergency problem. None of the patients had chief complaints oflower extremity deformity.ResultsDuring this time period (13 months), we could examine 682 neonates. Noneof the parents of these neonates had complaints regarding anomaly of lowerextremities of their neonates at the time of the emergency referral. Of them, 371(54%) were female and 311 (46%) were male. The age of the mother at the timeof pregnancy was 35 yr in 86 (13%) neonates. There was a previous historyof clubfoot in the siblings of one of the neonates who was under orthopaedictreatment.Among all these neonates, we found two cases of clubfoot (0.3%), with bilateralinvolvement. In one of these cases, the older sibling also had clubfoot.ConclusionThe incidence of clubfoot has been reported between 0.39 and 6 cases in 1000live birth in the literature. In the present study, we found a prevalence of 0.3 forclubfoot in every 1000 neonates.Keywords: Clubfoot; prevalence; congenital; talipesequinovarus.