Effect of Non-Technical Dimensions of Service Quality on “Satisfaction”, “Loyalty”, and “Willingness to Pay More” of the Customers: the Case of Georgian Internet Service Providing Companies

The aim of this paper is to measure the effects of non-technical dimensions (Empathy, Responsiveness, Assurance, Reliability, and Tangibles) on “satisfaction”, “loyalty”, and “willingness to pay more” of the internet service consuming customers. In this concept, a survey questionnaire was conducted on the population that utilizes the internet service of any provider. The results were evaluated by regression analysis IBM SPSS 20. It has been observed that Empathy, Responsiveness, and Assurance have significant effect on the satisfaction of the internet service consuming customers and satisfaction has significant effect on the loyalty of the internet service consumers. Finally, customers had willingness to pay more when they are satisfied and loyal, respectively.&nbsp

DESIGNING A FORECAST MODEL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH OF JAPAN USING COMPETITIVE (HYBRID ANN VS MULTIPLE REGRESSION) MODELS

Artificial neural network models have been already used on many different fields successfully. However, many researches show that ANN models provide better optimum results than other competitive models in most of the researches. But does it provide optimum solutions in case ANN is proposed as hybrid model? The answer of this question is given in this research by using these models on modelling a forecast for GDP growth of Japan. Multiple regression models utilized as competitive models versus hybrid ANN (ANN + multiple regression models). Results have shown that hybrid model gives better responds than multiple regression models. However, variables, which were significantly affecting GDP growth, were determined and some of the variables, which were assumed to be affecting GDP growth of Japan, were eliminated statistically

Effects of lonidamine-loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles on cardiac fibrosis ınduced by high-dose testosterone propionate ın adult and neutered male rats

Son yıllarda, insanlarda ekzojen testosteron kullanımı üç katına çıkmıştır. Mekanizma henüz tam olarak aydınlatılmamış olmasına rağmen kalp yetmezliği riskini arttırdığına dair bir korelasyon vardır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, erkek sıçanlarda testosteron propiyonat kullanımının kalp yetmezliğinin temel bulgusu olan fibrozise yol açtığını ve bir anti-hiperplastik ajan olan Lonidaminin bunu geriletici etkisini göstermekti. Çalışmada, toplam 72 adet kastre edilmiş, yetişkin Wistar albino erkek sıçan kullanıldı ve hayvanlar 4 ana gruba ayrıldı (her bir grupta için n= 18). Bu ana gruplar 3 alt gruba ayrılarak (n=6 her bir grup için) hayvanlara, 2., 4. ve 12. haftalara kadar testosteron propiyonat uygulandı. Group I ve II için, Lonidamin hidroklorür, saf çözelti içinde ve bunun lipit-polimer hibrit nanopartikül formülasyonu halinde prostatlara enjekte edildi. Grup III için sadece lipit-polimer hibrit nanopartikül formülasyonu uygulandı. Kontrol grubu olarak grup IV’de sadece testesteron uygulandı. Çalışmanın sonunda kalpler toplandı. Histopatolojik olarak fibrosis grup I ve II’de grup III ve IV’dekiyle karşılaştırıldığında daha düşüktü. İmmünohistokimyasal olarak bFGF, siklin D1 ve p16 protein ekspresyonları değerlendirildi. Son iki grupta, artan fibrozise karşılık gelen bFGF ve siklinD1 ifadeleri, deney sırasında daha yüksek bulundu. Ancak, p16 ifadeleri Lonidamin uygulanan grup I ve grup II’de daha düşüktü. Sonuç olarak, bu sonuçlar testosteron propiyonatın kardiyak fibrozisi etkileyebileceğini desteklemektedir ve fibrozisin önlenmesinde Lonidamin hidroklorür kullanılabilir.In recent years, the usage of exogenous testosterone has tripled in humans. Although, mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated, there is a correlation between the increased risk of heart failure and testosterone usage. The aim of this study was to demonstrate cardiac fibrosis, which a main finding of hearth failure, in testosterone propionate-applied male rats and to show its regression by Lonidamine as an anti-hyperplastic agent. A total of 72 adult Wistar albino and neutralized male rats were divided into 4 groups (n=18 in each groups). Animals in all groups were received to testosterone propionate until 2nd, 4th, and 12th weeks (n=6 in each groups). Subsequently, group I and II also received the pure solution of Lonidamine hydrochloride and its lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticulate formulation via intraprostatic injection. Group III, blank lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle formulation were solely administrated via same way. The control group or group IV were received only testosterone. At the end of the experiment period, hearts were collected and fibrocytic changes were confirmed by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Histopathologically, fibrosis were lower in group I and II when comprared to that of group III and IV. Imunohistochemically, bFGF, cyclin D1 and p16 protein expressions were evaluated. bFGF and cyclinD1 epxressions correspondingly to increasing fibrosis were found higher in last two groups during the experiment. But, p16 expressions were lower in Lonidamine treated-group I and II. In conclusion, results of this study supported that testosterone propionate may promote cardiac fibrosis. Lonidamine hydrochloride may be used in its prevention of fibrosis

Radioprotective Effect of Amifostine (WR 2721) and Vitamin E on Whole-Body-Irradiated Rat Liver

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether amifostine with/or without vitamin E could protect the normal liver from the effects of ionizing radiation. Material and Methods: Six groups were included in the study, each consisting ten, healthy, male, Wistar rats. The first group (control group) did not receive any radiation, amifostine (WR 2721) or vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate). The second group received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine (WR 2721) and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate). The third group received only 8 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The fourth group received irradiation and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine, administered half an hour prior to the irradiation. The fifth group received irradiation and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (proportional to tocopherol acetate), administered one hour prior to the irradiation. The last (sixth) group received irradiation and amifostine and vitamin E infusion under the same conditions. We measured thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and MDA levels in liver tissue. Results: Plasma MDA levels were not different in the control and the irradiated groups. Plasma thiol level was lowest in the third [irradiation alone (R)] group, and it was significantly different from the first (C) group (p Objective:&nbsp;The aim of this study was to assess whether amifostine with/or without vitamin E could protect the normal liver from the effects of ionizing radiation.&nbsp;Material and Methods:&nbsp;Six groups were included in the study, each consisting ten, healthy, male, Wistar rats. The first group (control group) did not receive any radiation, amifostine (WR 2721), or vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate). The second group received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine (WR 2721) and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate). The third group received only 8 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). The fourth group received irradiation and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion of 200 mg/kg amifostine, administered half an hour prior to the irradiation. The fifth group received irradiation and subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of 100 IU/kg vitamin E (&prop; tocopherol acetate), administered one hour prior to the irradiation. The last (sixth) group received irradiation and amifostine and vitamin E infusion under the same conditions. We measured thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and MDA levels in liver tissue.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;Plasma MDA levels were not different in the control and the irradiated groups. Plasma thiol level was lowest in the third [irradiation alone (R)] group, and it was significantly different from the first (C) group (p&lt; 0.001). Plasma thiol level of the fifth (irradiation plus vitamin E [R + V - E]) group was lower than the level in the first (C) group and the difference was significant (p= 0.019). The comparison of the plasma thiol level of the third (R) group with the fourth (R + A) and the sixth (R + A + V - E) groups revealed much higher levels in the fourth (R + A) and the sixth (R + A + V - E) groups than in the third (R) group; this difference was significant (p&lt; 0.001). The highest liver MDA level was in the third (R) group and the difference compared with the first (C) group was significant (p&lt; 0.001). In the third (R) group, the level of liver MDA was significantly higher than in the fourth (R + A) and sixth (R + A + V - E) (p= 0.001 and p= 0.003 respectively) groups.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;Amifostine and vitamin E are effective in protecting the liver against the damage induced by irradiation.</p

Does a microfluidic chip for sperm sorting have a positive add-on effect on laboratory and clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles? A sibling oocyte study

The most recent technologies for sperm sorting involve microfluidics. However, the most important question whether their use is of any advantage in terms of laboratory and clinical IVF/ICSI outcomes still remains controversy. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a microfluidic sperm sorting device (Fertile Plus (R)) has a positive add-on effect on laboratory and clinical outcomes. Sibling oocytes of 81 patients were assigned to two sperm sorting groups including swim up and Fertile Plus (R). All embryos were cultured until day 5/6. Fertilisation, embryo quality and blastocyst development were assessed as primary outcomes among 81 patients; clinical pregnancy, implantation and live birth rates were analysed as secondary outcomes as a subgroup analysis due to transfer cancellations. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of all outcomes analysed in laboratory and clinical terms (p > .05 for all). The results of this study suggest that sorting spermatozoa through Fertile chip does not improve laboratory outcomes significantly and does not seem to have a positive contribution to clinical outcomes