The Moderating Effect of Management Entrenchment on the Relationship between Dividend and Debt Policy with Investor Sentiment

Investor Sentiment often stem from held-up beliefs or information unrelated to stock value and can lead to extreme reactions or low reactions to good or bad news in stock valuation. In this study, the effect of two important policies of Earning sharing and debt policy in the company that can be investigated on the behavior and inclinations of investors and then the Moderating effect of management Entrenchment on the relationship. To achieve the purpose of the research, four hypotheses were developed and data collected from 163 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2011 to 2021 were tested through regression models. The findings of this study showed that dividend policy increases investors' Sentiment but debt policy decreases investors' Sentiment. Management Entrenchment strengthens the positive relationship between dividend policy and investor sentiment. Therefore, during the dividend policy, the managers are of the shareholders' goals and want a higher dividend payment ratio. Management Entrenchment also reinforces the negative relationship between debt policy and investor sentiment. Therefore, risk-averse managers tend to use less debt, which is also a favorite of investors; because they invest in companies that have the least debt and their capital structure shows the importance of equity

Investigation of In Vitro Apocarotenoid Expression in Perianth of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Under Different Soil EC

Crocus sativus is a triploid sterile plant with red stigmas belonging to the family of Iridaceae, and sub-family Crocoideae. Crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal are three major carotenoid derivatives that are responsible for the color, taste, and specific aroma of Crocus. Saffron flowers are harvested manually and used as spice, dye, or medicinal applications. The natural propagation rate of most geophytes including saffron is relatively low. An in vitro multiplication technique like micropropagation has been used for the propagation of saffron. To understand the efficiency of this alternative and study the molecular basis of apocarotenoid biosynthesis/accumulation, the RT-PCR method was performed on perianth explants that were cultured on MS medium to observe the level of expression of zeaxanthin cleavage dioxygenase (CsZCD) gene during stigma development, and also the impact of soil EC on its expression. The present study was conducted at Plant molecular and physiology Lab, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran during 2011-2013. Stigma-like structures (SLSs) on calli were collected from immature perianth explants from floral buds of corms that were collected from Ghaen city, and compared to (Torbat-e Haidariye, Mardabad, and Shahroud cities) for investigating the impact of different soil EC on CsZCD expression. The results indicated that the CsZCD gene was highly expressed in fully developed red SLSs in perianth of cultured samples of Shahroud with the highest salinity. In this research, a close relationship between soil EC and second metabolites regulation is studied. Overall, these results will pave the way for understanding the molecular basis of apocarotenoid biosynthesis and other aspects of stigma development in C. sativus

Investigation of Carbapenem-Resistant AcinetobacterBaumannii Resistance Rate in Clinical Specimens of Newborns at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii (CRAB) hospital infection poses a serious threat to the health of the newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and resistance of hospital infections in the NICU ward at Imam Khomeini hospital in Tehran.Materials and Methods: The blaOXA-51 like gene was investigated with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, sensitivity of isolates to different antibiotics was assessed using disc diffusion method and broth micro dilutions to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for typing of randomly collected CRAB infection at different wards of this hospital. Results: A total of 10 CRAB infections were isolatedduringthe6-month study period, and it was found that 100% of them were positive forblaOXA-51-like gene in PCR assay.  All  isolates were resistant to all tested antibiotics, except colistin, polymyxin B, and tigecycline. CRAB isolates had a high MIC values for imipenem, cefotaxim, and amikacin, showing multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype. According to PFGE analysis,3palsotypes including clone A (7%), clone B (2%), and clone D (1%) were seen in the 10 CRAB isolates. Clone A was a dominant clone and spread in different wards of the hospital, especially in other ICUs and the emergency ward. Moreover, the similarity between the palsotypes showed the ability of transferring CRAB infection from different wards of the hospital to the NICU.Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, CRAB infection, with a high resistance rate, has the ability to enter into important wards such as NICU, and thus it is highly important to control the presence of these isolates in different parts of the hospital

Investigation of Particles Statistics in large Eddy Simulated Turbulent Channel Flow using Generalized lattice Boltzmann Method

The interaction of spherical solid particles with turbulent eddies in a 3-D turbulent channel flow with friction Reynolds number was studied. A generalized lattice Boltzmann equation (GLBE) was used for computation of instantaneous turbulent flow field for which large eddy simulation (LES) was employed. The sub-grid-scale (SGS) turbulence effects were simulated through a shear-improved Smagorinsky model (SISM), which can predict turbulent near wall region without any wall function. Statistical properties of particles behavior such as root mean square (RMS) velocities were studied as a function of dimensionless particle relaxation time ( ) by using a Lagrangian approach. Combination of SISM in GLBE with particle tracking analysis in turbulent channel flow is novelty of the present work. Both GLBE and SISM solve the flow field equations locally. This is an advantage of this method and makes it easy implementing. Comparison of the present results with previous available data indicated that SISM in GLBE is a reliable method for simulation of turbulent flows which is a key point to predict particles behavior correctly

Neuroprotective Effect of Cerebrolysin on Diabetic Neuropathy: A Study on Male Rats

Objective: Diabetes mellitus with 10% prevalence in human population leads to disorders of peripheral nervous system in many affected patients. It causes various polyneuropathies in which nerve conductionvelocity decreases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cerebrolysinon the treatment of neural injuries resulted from hyperglycemia. Method: Diabetes was induced in male rats weighing 250 ± 25 gr by intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozocin (STZ). Six weeks after STZ injection and appearance of neuropathy in diabetic rats, animals were divided into four groups: experimental, vehicle, diabetic and control. The experimental and vehicle groups received respectively single dose of 5 mg/kg day-1 cerebrolysinand saline intraperitoneally for two weeks. At the end, in order to find the efficacy of cerebrolysin, all groups underwent behavioral and electrophysiological tests as well as histological investigation. Results: Metabolic parameters in different groups showed inefficacy of cerebrolysin in the treatment of metabolic disorders of diabetes. However, electrophysiological investigations showed efficacy of cerebrolysin in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy in rats. Moreover, investigation on morphologic structure of sciatic nerve was evident of the return of axon degenerative changes and myelin splitting in nerve fibers in cerebrolysin-received group. The results of behavioral studies showed increase in recovery in cerebrolysin group. Conclusion: According to the results, treatment of diabetic neuropathy with daily injection of 5 mg/kg cerebrolysin for two weeks improves rats’ condition

Lecturers' and Students' Perception of Using a Study Guide

Background & Objective: Today, using new educational strategies and methods is of great importance. Using a study guide is one of these new methods of teaching and learning. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the perception of lecturers and students of the School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, toward the use of a study guide. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 25 students of the School of Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences who had chosen the community dentistry course were randomly selected. A study guide was given to students before their briefing session and 2 sessions in the school. A questionnaire was designed in order to collect data on the perception of students toward the study guide and was used after the completion of the course. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were verified. The questionnaire was also filled out by a professor of the Department of Oral Health. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The survey of the students' and lecturers' perception of the study guide showed that 76.5% and 86%, respectively, chose agree and completely agree with the use of the study guide options. Conclusion: Using the study guide was rated as a suitable method; thus, it can be used to help students in the efficient use of training time. Keywords Study guide Dental students Community dentistr

Date Fruit Extract Is a Neuroprotective Agent in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Multimodal Analysis

Background. To study the effects of an aqueous extract of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae) diet on diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. Methods. The effects of a date fruit extract (DFE) diet on diabetic neuropathy in STZ-induced diabetic rats were evaluated and compared with a nondiabetic control group, diabetic control group (sham), and vehicle group with respect to the following parameters: open field behavioral test, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), and morphological observations. Results. In the model of STZ-induced of diabetic neuropathy, chronic treatment for 6 weeks with DFE counteracted the impairment of the explorative activity of the rats in an open field behavioral test and of the conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve (MNCV). In addition, pretreatment with DFE significantly reversed each nerve diameter reduction in diabetic rats. Conclusion. DFE treatment shows efficacy for preventing diabetic deterioration and for improving pathological parameters of diabetic neuropathy in rats, as compared with control groups

High prevalence of OXA-type carbapenemases among Acinetobacter baumannii strains in a teaching hospital of Tehran

Nosocomial infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has created a public health concern all around the world. In this study, 100 isolates of CRAB from hospitalized patients during 2015–2016 at Imam Khomeini Hospital were investigated to determine the rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains using Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of six antibiotics were determined by broth microdilution method. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect blaOXA-51 like and blaOXA-58 like, blaOXA-23 like, and blaOXA-24 like that are encoding resistance to carbapenems. All CRAB isolates were MDR and XDR and 2% of them were pandrug-resistant (PDR), whereas colistin, polymyxin B, and tigecycline were the most effective agents. All isolates were positive for blaOXA-51 like by PCR. The frequency of blaOXA-23 like and blaOXA-24 like was 81% and 22%, respectively. Findings of this study showed that very few therapeutic options remained for the treatment of CRAB infections and blaOXA-23 like is a dominant resistance gene in CRAB at this hospital

Validation of an individualized home-made superficial brachytherapy mold applied for deep nonmelanoma skin cancer

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of brachytherapy (BT) customized mold [Condensation silicone elastomer (ProtesilTM)] and its thickness on the dose distribution pattern of deep nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Materials and methods: Four blocks of mold material were constructed in 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm thickness and 100 × 100 mm2 area by a plastic cast. The high dose rate (HDR) plus treatment planning system (TPS) (Version 3, Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG Gmbh, Berlin, Germany) with a 60Co source (model: Co0.A86, EZAG BEBIG, Berlin, Germany) as an high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) source was used. Solid phantom and MOSFETTM and GAFCHROMICTM EBT3 film dosimeters were used for experimental dosimetry of the different thicknesses (up to 20 mm) of BT customized mold. Skin dose and dose to different depths were evaluated. Result: The TPS overestimated the calculated dose to the surface. Skin dose can be reduced from 250% to 150% of the prescription dose by increasing mold thickness from 5 mm to 20 mm. There was a 7.7% difference in the calculated dose by TPS and the measured dose by MOSFET. There was a good agreement between film dosimetry, MOSFET detector, and TPS’ results in depths less than 5 mm. Conclusion: Each BT department should validate any individualized material chosen to construct the customized surface BT mold. Increasing the mold thickness can treat lesions without overexposing the skin surface. Superficial BT can be recommended as an appropriate treatment option for some deep NMSC lesions (up to 20 mm) with pre-planning considerations employing thicker molds