Effect of consumer rights on improvement of the buyer-sellers relationships in developing countries firms

The aim of the article. The purpose of this research is evaluating of the relationship between the consumer rights and buyers-seller communications. The results of the analysis. The results of research indicated that the most important rights of consumers are: manufacturing regulations (pre-purchasing stage), confidence (in-purchasing stage) and packaging (post-purchasing stage). Also, the research findings showed that the mentioned rights affect the relational marketing. Also to respect the consumer rights increase their commitment to the company and to reduces the conflict between seller and them. According to research’ findings, the effects' results of pre-, In - and post-purchase dimensions on the companies' performance show that the dimensions relevant to pre-purchase factor has maximum effectiveness on the performance. Also the higher effectiveness rate are related to pre- and while-purchase elements respectively. In the model, it can clearly be seen that in each of the studied factors, productive regulations, confidence and packaging have devoted extreme effectiveness to themselves. Conclusions and directions of further researches. Regarding to the consumers' expectations level in life affairs, in order to attract satisfaction and protection of consumers' rights and enhance purchasing process facilitation, the managers of companies must investigate the new way of consumer rights. In the competitive environment, customer satisfaction is main factor of successfulness in many of the companies and in the various researches. It has mentioned to relationship of customer satisfaction with face-to-face interaction, loyalty, repeat of purchasing and enhancing of companies profitability

Effect of Customers’ Emotions on Perceived Damage of the Probability of Fraud in Online Shopping

The increasing use of internet leads to the expansion of electronic exchange. Customers are trying to take advantage of this situation in different ways. One of their main concerns is the lack of sufficient trust toward the other side. In other words, they are afraid of the probable damage of these kinds of online bargains. For example their potential fears of fraud. Maybe the perceived fraud is their greatest anxiety that hinders the continuance of their shopping. So the way the customers feel before entering the virtual world has a very important role in conveying the sense of probable existence of deception or vice versa. In this paper, we try to study the impact of customers’ emotions on the perceived damages in online shopping in which the clients are the probable victims. Our statistical population in this research includes university and higher education members in the west of Iran (provinces of Kurdistan). The examined sample according to relative classification method consists of 148 persons. In order to study the relationship between variables, descriptive research methods & structural equation modeling were used. According to results, customers’ sentiments have a considerable effect on the kind of perceived fraud. In this model negative feelings such as fear, shame, and stress have an important role in the intensity of technological deception. The most common non-technological frauds perceived by customers are online robbery; swindle & being exposed to compromise & willingness have the greatest role in decreasing the fear of victimization & increasing the tendency for online shopping

Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: An elevated preoperative white blood cell count has been associated with a worse outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Leukocyte subtypes, and particularly the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, may however, convey superior prognostic information. We hypothesized that the N/L ratio would predict the outcome of patients undergoing surgical revascularization. Methods: Baseline clinical details were obtained prospectively in 1938 patients undergoing CABG. The differential leukocyte was measured before surgery, and patients were followed-up 3.6 years later. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Results: The preoperative N/L ratio was a powerful univariable predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13 per unit, P 3.36). Conclusion: An elevated N/L ratio is associated with a poorer survival after CABG. This prognostic utility is independent of other recognized risk factors.Peer reviewedAuthor versio

Electronic and Optical Properties of Eu²⁺-Activated Narrow-Band Phosphors for Phosphor-Converted Light-Emitting Diode Applications: Insights from a Theoretical Spectroscopy Perspective

In this work, we present a computational protocol that is able to predict the experimental absorption and emission spectral shapes of Eu2+-doped phosphors. The protocol is based on time-dependent density functional theory and operates in conjunction with an excited-state dynamics approach. It is demonstrated that across the study set consisting of representative examples of nitride, oxo-nitride, and oxide Eu2+-doped phosphors, the energy distribution and the band shape of the emission spectrum are related to the nature of the 4f–5d transitions that are probed in the absorption process. Since the 4f orbitals are very nearly nonbonding, the decisive quantity is the covalency of the 5d acceptor orbitals that become populated in the electronically excited state that leads to emission. The stronger the (anti) bonding interaction between the lanthanide and the ligands is in the excited state, the larger will be the excited state distortion. Consequently, the corresponding emission will get broader due to the vibronic progression that is induced by the structural distortion. In addition, the energy separation of the absorption bands that are dominated by states with valence 4f–5d and a metal to ligand charge transfer character defines a measure for the thermal quenching of the studied Eu2+-doped phosphors. Based on this analysis, simple descriptors are identified that show a strong correlation with the energy position and bandwidth of the experimental emission bands without the need for elaborate calculations. Overall, we believe that this study serves as an important reference for designing new Eu2+-doped phosphors with desired photoluminescence properties

Variable clinical phenotype in TBK1 mutations: case report of a novel mutation causing primary progressive aphasia and review of the literature

TBK1 mutations are a recently discovered cause of disorders in the frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum. We describe a novel L683* mutation, predicted to cause a truncated protein and therefore be pathogenic, in a patient presenting with nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia (PPA) at the age of 65. Her disease progressed over the following years, leading to her being mute and wheelchair bound seven years into her illness. Brain imaging showed asymmetrical left-sided predominant atrophy affecting the frontal, insular and temporal cortices as well as the striatum in particular. Review of the literature found 60 different nonsense, frameshift, deletion or splice site mutations, including the newly described mutation, with data on clinical diagnosis available in 110 people: 58% of the cases presented with an ALS syndrome, 16% with an FTD-ALS overlap, 19% with a cognitive presentation (including behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD) and PPA) and 4% with atypical parkinsonism. Age at onset (AAO) data was available in 75 people: mean (standard deviation) AAO was 57.5 (10.3) in those with ALS, which was significantly younger than those with a cognitive presentation (AAO = 65.1 (10.5), p = 0.008), or atypical parkinsonism (AAO = 68.3 (8.7), p = 0.021), with a trend compared with the FTD-ALS group (AAO = 61.9 (7.0), p=0.065); there was no significant difference in AAO between the other groups. In conclusion, clinical syndromes across the whole FTD-ALS-atypical parkinsonism spectrum have been reported in conjunction with mutations in TBK1. It is therefore important to include TBK1 on future gene panels for each of these disorders, and to suspect such mutations particularly when there are multiple different phenotypes in the same family

A Study in the Effect of Individual and Environmental Factors and Readiness for E-Business in Developing Countries’ Universities

Faculty members of the universities and higher education institutions are considered as the most influential social classes in the development of public culture. This important feature do achieves more importance in development of social competencies. One of the important social competencies in contemporary society is the use of electronic resources that are directly related to the level of preparedness of the people. This study examines the level of readiness for e-business activities among the Universities' faculty members in Iran and the related influential factors. The research method is of descriptive-survey type. The statistical population of this study included all faculty members of Iranian University among which 122 units were selected for data collection through stratified random sampling based on Cochran formula. According to the results of this study, the readiness for e-business among the faculty members at initial application stage was obtained. Direct influence of individual factors (risk, perceived benefits, trust, knowledge, experience, function perception) and environmental factors (E's infrastructure of the country and socio-cultural factors) over readiness for e-business activities amongst the faculty members were confirmed and the related impact for each of the factors was obtained as 0.524% and 0.323% respectively

Combining Multi-Fidelity Modelling and Asynchronous Batch Bayesian Optimization

Bayesian Optimization is a useful tool for experiment design. Unfortunately, the classical, sequential setting of Bayesian Optimization does not translate well into laboratory experiments, for instance battery design, where measurements may come from different sources and their evaluations may require significant waiting times. Multi-fidelity Bayesian Optimization addresses the setting with measurements from different sources. Asynchronous batch Bayesian Optimization provides a framework to select new experiments before the results of the prior experiments are revealed. This paper proposes an algorithm combining multi-fidelity and asynchronous batch methods. We empirically study the algorithm behavior, and show it can outperform single-fidelity batch methods and multi-fidelity sequential methods. As an application, we consider designing electrode materials for optimal performance in pouch cells using experiments with coin cells to approximate battery performance

Two pathologically confirmed cases of novel mutations in the MAPT gene causing frontotemporal dementia

MAPT mutations were the first discovered genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 1998. Since that time, over 60 MAPT mutations have been identified, usually causing behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD) and/or parkinsonism clinically. We describe two novel MAPT mutations, D252V and G389_I392del, each presenting in a patient with bvFTD and associated language and cognitive deficits. Neuroimaging revealed asymmetrical left greater than right temporal lobe atrophy in the first case, and bifrontal atrophy in the second case. Disease duration was 8 years and 5 years respectively. Post mortem examination in both patients revealed a 3-repeat predominant tauopathy, similar in appearance to Pick's disease. These two mutations add to the literature on genetic FTD, both presenting with similar clinical and imaging features to previously described cases, and pathologically showing a primary tauopathy similar to a number of other MAPT mutations

Construction 4.0 Technologies and Decision-Making: A Systematic Review and Gap Analysis

Construction 4.0 involves implementing advanced technologies in construction projects to achieve higher productivity, safety, and sustainability. However, architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals are reluctant to adopt Construction 4.0 technologies. Lack of information on Construction 4.0 technologies and poor decision-making lead to the issue being unresolved. As a result, the following research question emerged: What are the current trends and research gaps in the existing research on Construction 4.0 technologies and decision-making? This study aims to review the publication trends in Construction 4.0 technologies and decision-making and pinpoint the gaps in prior research. To achieve the aim, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted on published articles using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method. A total of 22 articles were carefully selected and reviewed. The findings disclosed four research trends: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Also, the findings suggested that existing research still concentrates on adopting and implementing Construction 4.0 technologies. As a result, the existing research has low exploration in integrating Construction 4.0 technologies and decision-making processes. The study findings could guide researchers and AEC professionals to establish effective decisions in achieving Construction 4.0

CYP1B1 and myocilin gene mutations in Egyptian patients with primary congenital glaucoma

Purpose: Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) accounts for 26–29% of childhood blindness in Egypt. The identification of disease causing mutations has not been extensively investigated. We aimed to examine the frequency of CYP1B1 and MYOC mutations in PCG Egyptian patients, and study a possible genotype/phenotype correlation.Methods: Ninety-eight patients with PCG diagnosed at the Ophthalmology department ofAlexandria Main University Hospital were enrolled. Demographic and phenotypic characteristics were recorded. Patients and 100 healthy subjects (control group) were screened for two mutations in CYP1B1 gene (G61E, R368H) and one mutation in MYOC gene (Gln48His) using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP). Phenotypic characteristics pertaining to disease severity were compared.Results: Nineteen patients (19%) with PCG were found positive for one or more of the mutations screened for. Seven patients (7%) were homozygous for the G61E mutation. Ten patients (10%) were heterozygous; 6 for the G61E mutation, 2 for the R368H mutation and 2 for the Gln48His mutation. Two patients (2%) were double heterozygotes harboring a R368H as well as a Gln48His mutation. The most common mutation observed was the G61E in 13 patients; 7 homozygotes and 6 heterozygotes for the mutation. The control group were negative for all mutations screened for. No significant correlations between the mutations and phenotype severity were detected. A statistically significant positive correlation however was found between the different mutations andeach of the IOP and the cup/disk ratio.Conclusion: The current study further endorses the role of CYP1B1 mutations in the etiology of PCG among Egyptian patients and is the first study to report MYOC gene mutation in Egyptian patients with PCG