Identification and Prioritization of Marketing Mix Elements Affecting the Export of Saffron from the Perspective of Experts

The importance of saffron in the growth of non-oil exports makes it necessary to explain proper marketing systems based on expert priorities. The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize marketing mix elements influencing the increase in export of this product. In this regard, based on McCarthy's 4P model, different criteria for export marketing of this product were determined and prioritized using Analytical Hierarchy Process and interviews with 63 experts in the export of saffron. Based on the findings, product criteria with important sub criteria such as brands, the standard sign and packaging weighting 0.485, have the highest priority in saffron marketing. Promotion criteria (weight 0.281) are the next important in determining the marketing mix. Among the indicators of this criterion, advertisements (0.408), overseas sales (0.23) and specialized exhibitions (0.138) were the determining factors in maintaining Iran`s share of this market.  Finally, the criteria of price (weight 0.183) and distribution (0.068) have third and fourth priority in saffron marketing mix. Accordingly, identifying distribution channels in target markets, funding the establishment of an international distribution network for Iranian brands, supporting mechanized production process of saffron, and encouraging and requiring manufacturers to food-grade and health license are required and recommended

The Comparison of Different Levels of Religious Attitude on Sense of Meaning, Loneliness and Happiness in Life of Elderly Persons Under Cover of Social Wlfare Organisation of Urmia City

Objectives: The aim of this study was the comparison of different levels of religious attitude on the sense of meaning, loneliness and happiness in the life of elderly persons under cover of social wlfare organisation of urmia city. Methods & Materials: The study was a descriptive analytical research and sample size of 221 persons (81 women and 140 men) aged over 60 years using a random cluster sampling were selected. The Khodayari`s religious attitude questionnaire, Russell`s loneliness questionnaire, Salehi`s questionnaire for sense of meaning and oxford&rsquo;s happiness questionnaire were used as instruments in this study. Results: The results of multivariate analysis of variance and scheffe method of follow-up showed that stronger levels of religious attitudes is associated with happiness and meaning of life in elderly persons (P<0.05). Also, the elderly who have strong religious attitude in comparison of the others feel less alone. Conclusion: Religious attitude is a preventive factor to reduce the problems of the elderly and on this basis the relevant authorities could strengthen religious beliefs of elderly persons by proper planning and providing their participation in religious activities

A Comparison of Coping Styles of Mothers of Exceptional Children with Mothers of Normal Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare coping styles of mothers of exceptional children with each other and with mothers of normal children. Materials & Methods: The study was a Causal-Comparative research. Sample size of 120 mothers in four groups of mental retardation, low vision, hearing impairment and normal children randomly clustered chosen in the city of Karaj. In this study coping styles questionnaire (Lazarus and Folkman, 1998) was used. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance and pos hoc Tukey test. Results: The results showed that there is significant difference (P<0.05) in applying coping styles of "distancing, accepting responsibility, escape-avoidance and positive reappraisal", between mothers of exceptional children and mothers of normal children. Also, this study showed that there are differences among mothers of exceptional children that these differences are more for mothers of hearing impairment children. Conclusion: Since mothers of exceptional children differ from each other and mothers of normal children in applying coping styles, recommended to liable and professionals are active in this area to educate proper solutions to parents of exceptional children especially mothers to cope with stress. With more education and support, mothers can cope with life stresses more suitable and family will be benefited from higher mental calmness

The effect of positive parenting program on parenting stress of mothers with impaired hearing children

Background and Aim: Research indicates that impaired hearing is one of the most stressful disabilities. The parenting stress involved could lead to family malfunction and improper parenting. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of positive parenting programs on the parenting stress of mothers with impaired hearing children.Methods: The statistical population comprised mothers of all 7-12-year-old impaired hearing children in Tehran city. Thereafter, using the random sampling method, 24 individuals were shortlisted as research participants and were randomly assigned to two groups: control and experimental. The experimental group was trained with a positive parenting program based on the Sanders program (1993) over eight sessions. The measurement instrument was the Abidin parenting stress questionnaire.Results: The mean score for grades in the experimental groups’ parent and child domains at the pre- and post-test stages had reduced more than that in the control group. In addition, the results of a multivariate covariance analysis indicated that positive parenting training was effective in the reduction of parenting stress scores, reinforcement, and child mood components in the child domain, and in the feelings of competence, relationships with the spouse, and role limitation components (p<0.05) in the parent domain.Conclusion : Considering the benefits of training parents for the reduction of parenting stress of mothers with impaired hearing children, this method is recommended in all learning centers for the deaf

Stress in Mothers of Hearing Impaired Children Compared to Mothers of Normal and Other Disabled Children

Background and Aim: Stress is associated with life satisfaction and also development of some physical diseases. Birth of a disabled child with mental or physical disability (especially deaf or blind children), impose an enormous load of stress on their parents especially the mothers. This study compared stress levels of mothers with hearing impaired children and mothers of normal children or with other disabilities.Methods: In this study, cluster random sampling was performed in Karaj city. 120 mothers in four groups of having a child with mental retardation, low vision, hearing impairment and with normal children were included. Family inventory of life events (FILE) of Mc Cubbin et al. was used to determine stress level in four groups of mothers.Results: The results of this research indicated a significant difference (p<0.05) between stress levels of mothers with hearing impaired children and mothers of other disabled and normal children in subscales of intra-family stress, finance and business strains, stress of job transitions, stress of illness and family care and family members "in and out''. There was no difference between compared groups in other subscales.Conclusion: Since deafness is a hidden inability, the child with hearing impairment has a set of social and educational problems causing great stress for parents, especially to mother. In order to decrease mother’s stress, it is suggested to provide more family consultation, adequate social support and to run educational classes for parents to practice stress coping strategies

Thermostability and functionality evaluation of laccases from Pleurotus ostreatus and Pycnoporus cinnabarinus: An In-silico assay: Biochemical properties of laccases from fungi in silico method

Laccase enzymes are widely used in industrials and therefore achievement to the resources of this enzyme with high thermostability is obligatory. Accordingly, a deeper investigation for understanding the structure and function of PoxA1b from Pleurotus ostreatus, as a fungal enzyme with the possible desired conditions, was accomplished by using in-silico methods. Our study led to modeling a tertiary structure of the enzyme with 72% identity to the laccase from Trametes sp. AH28-2, with high quality. Moreover, structural stability of modeled enzyme compared to laccase from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus (LPC), were proved during 20 ns at 300 and 333K. Interestingly, this data showed that the modeled enzyme is more stable than LPC at 333 K. On the other hand, interaction assay of PoxA1b and LPC with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), as a Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), revealed suitable affinity for both of them with -9.1 and -8.8 of binding energy, respectively. Taken together, these data show that both laccase from Pleurotus ostreatus and Pycnoporus cinnabarinus are stable until 60 °C with suitable affinity to substrate. Bearing in mind, PoxA1b is a favorable candidate for industrial and environmental applications, especially in PAH detoxification