Global proteomics analysis of the response to starvation in <i>C. elegans</i>

Periodic starvation of animals induces large shifts in metabolism but may also influence many other cellular systems and can lead to adaption to prolonged starvation conditions. To date, there is limited understanding of how starvation affects gene expression, particularly at the protein level. Here, we have used mass-spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics to identify global changes in the Caenorhabditis elegans proteome due to acute starvation of young adult animals. Measuring changes in the abundance of over 5,000 proteins, we show that acute starvation rapidly alters the levels of hundreds of proteins, many involved in central metabolic pathways, highlighting key regulatory responses. Surprisingly, we also detect changes in the abundance of chromatin-associated proteins, including specific linker histones, histone variants, and histone posttranslational modifications associated with the epigenetic control of gene expression. To maximize community access to these data, they are presented in an online searchable database, the Encyclopedia of Proteome Dynamics (http://www.peptracker.com/epd/)

Three Essays in Industrial Organization with a Focus on Innovation, Advertising, Welfare, and Firm Performance

This thesis is comprised of three essays on the economic impacts of market structure, R&D and advertising activities. The first studies the impact of cooperative R&D on innovation, welfare, and profitability in vertically related industries where products are differentiated. The model incorporates two vertically related industries, with horizontal spillovers within each industry and vertical spillovers between the two industries. Upstream firms produce a homogeneous intermediate good. Downstream firms provide differentiated products. Three types of R&D cooperation are studied: no cooperation, horizontal cooperation, and vertical cooperation.The second area of focus is the impact of cooperative R&D and advertising on innovation and welfare in a duopolistic industry. The model incorporates two symmetric firms which produce differentiated products. Firms participate in R&D and advertising activities in the presence of R&D spillovers and advertising spillovers. Advertising spillovers may be positive or negative. Four types of cooperative structures are studied: no cooperation, R&D cooperation, advertising cooperation, R&D and advertising cooperation.Lastly, the effectiveness of R&D and advertising on market share is examined. Advertising and innovation are two major functions to beat the competition and boost profitability. Surprisingly, however, the importance of the qualitative characteristics of the industry and its strategic initiatives has not yet been adequately addressed in the literature. This chapter empirically examines the critical role of innovation and advertising in the marketing strategy of advanced technological companies. The analysis considers a key marketing metric (market share). The focus of the empirical setting is Network and Internet industry in the U.S. including 150 U.S. manufacturing and nonmanufacturing companies over a 10-year time period

Role of Transformational Leadership in Creating a Healthy Work Environment in Business Setting

The main objective of the existing study was to extend the work environmental research to the domain of transformational leadership style from a sweeping review of relevant literature. In this line, creating a healthy work environment is crucial to make optimal contribution of satisfied employees, positive outcomes for individuals and organizations, improve lifestyle and employees wellbeing and create a great place to work. According to the path goal theory leader's style or behavior should be compatible with the work environment, to the successfully goals achievement. Although the literature on the healthy work environment is growing, the existence of research, particularly in relation to the appropriate leadership style has not been established. In doing this and to clarify the role of the prominent leadership style, we aim to demonstrate the important role of transformational leadership in creating the healthy work environment and its influences on quality of employees work conditions in business setting. Implementation of transformational leadership can affect not only the employees but also the organizations, business and society as a whole. The result of this literature review sheds light on the psychological processes by which showed whether and how transformational leadership is related to the healthy work places, from the perspective of the interaction between leaders and employees work environment. Since few guidelines are available for creating and sustaining the critical elements of a healthy work environment by leaders, we contribute to the literature by elaborating on the implications of our research findings for the development of leadership and its attributes in shaping the healthy work environment. Keywords: Healthy Work Environment, Transformational Leadership, Business setting

Comparison of Mechanical and Column Flotation Performances on Recovery of Phosphate Slimes in Presence of Nano-microbubbles

Fine particle flotation has been one of the main problems in many mineral processing plants. The bubble-particle collision rate is very low for fine particles, which reduces flotation efficiency. Also, the existence of slimes is, generally, detrimental to the flotation process, affecting the selectivity and the quality of the concentrates. Besides, it causes an increase in reagents consumption. Hence, in most of processing plants, some of these particles are transmitted to the tailing ponds to reduce the effects of these problems and increase the selectivity of the process. Esfordi phosphate plant in Iran loses more than 30% of its capacity as particles with d80 finer than 30 µm. These fine particles with 15.9% P2O5 content are transferred to tailing dam. Processing of fine particles is very important for phosphate industry from economic and environmental aspects. This study addressed the processing of fine tailings (slimes) from a phosphate ore concentrator via flotation, despite the traditional view that ultrafine particles do not float. Phosphate flotation performances in the presence and absence of nanobubbles (NBs) in both mechanical and column cells were compared according to the metallurgical results of the process. NBs (generated by hydrodynamic cavitation) have interesting and exclusive properties such as high stability, durability and high surface area per volume, leading to increase of their utilization in mining-metallurgy and environmental areas. The results of this study revealed that, in the absence of NBs, a concentrate containing 26.9% P2O5 with a recovery of 29.13% was obtained using mechanical cells in comparison to 31.6% P2O5 with a recovery of 32.74% obtained using column flotation. In the presence of NBs, the recoveries of the concentrate of the mechanical and column flotation increased to 40.49% and 41.26% with 28.47% and 30.43% P2O5 contents, respectively. Comparative study showed that the column flotation was almost more efficient for processing the phosphate ore in the presence of the NBs and had thicker froth layer compared to the mechanical flotation

Designing an Educational Effectiveness Model for the Employees of the Selected Organization with a System Dynamics Approach

The purpose of this research is to design an educational effectiveness model for the employees of the selected organization with a system dynamics approach in Iran. In order to achieve the research goal, a sequential mixed method has been used, which includes two qualitative and quantitative parts. In the qualitative part of the research, interview has been used. Necessary information and data were collected from experts and senior managers of the selected organization and then the design of the educational effectiveness model for the employees of the selected organization with a dynamic system approach has been validated. The research results showed that the educational effectiveness model for the employees of selected organization with a system dynamics approach has two parts: the main factors and their indicators. This model has been composed of indicators that are the core and heart of this model and are the basis for evaluating the educational effectiveness, which are called effective factors. The educational effectiveness model for the employees of the selected organization with a system dynamics approach has 7 main factors: learner's readiness, training need assessment, training targeting, training program design, resources and equipment allocation, course monitoring and evaluation and training course management, which includes 56 indicators composing it.