The Relationship between Behavioral & Psychological Aspects of Design Factors and Social Interaction in Public Squares

AbstractThe main purpose of this study is investigated on relationship between behavioral & psychological aspect of design factors in Public Square and social interaction among users. The specific survey method used in this study is cross-sectional survey design, the questionnaire survey in which questionnaires are used for data collection. This study addressed construct validity, the sampling method was non-probability (convenience) and data collected from 208 users of Sabze Meydan Square in Qazvin (Iran). The questionnaire includes a total of three constructs, psychological aspect, social activity type, social environment perception of public square users. In this study, for assessing the reliability of the questionnaire applied the coefficient of Cronbach alpha. The structural equation modeling (SEM) used to test of hypothesis and the finding of the research has the potential to enrich the body of knowledge among academicians as well as practitioners. The result revealed that the there is a positive relationship among behavioral & psychological aspects of design factors and social interaction in public square via users’ perception

Design's factors influencing social interaction in public squares

This study provides a clear picture of effective use of public squares by taking into account the perceptions of users in Sabze Meydan of Qazvin (Iran). The study adopts a quantitative line of inquiry. The specific survey method used is cross-sectional survey design and a questionnaire survey. In the present study, the sampling method is non-probability (convenience) sampling with a sample size of 208 participants. The questionnaire includes a total of three constructs measuring design factors, social activity type and perception of users (about social environment of public square). Items in all scales used 5-point agreed-disagreed statements. In assessing the reliability of the questionnaire, the coefficient of Cronbach alpha was applied. The validity of the questionnaire, was tested using the content and construct validity. The structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis and the finding of the research, which has the potential to enrich the body of knowledge among academicians as well as practitioners. In this study, new and un-established relationships have been hypothesized based on theory. The result revealed that the function of the public square has changed and there is a positive relationship between design factors, social activity and users' perception

Design's factors influencing social interaction in public squares

This study provides a clear picture of effective use of public squares by taking into account the perceptions of users in Sabze Meydan of Qazvin (Iran). The study adopts a quantitative line of inquiry. The specific survey method used is cross-sectional survey design and a questionnaire survey. In the present study, the sampling method is non-probability (convenience) sampling with a sample size of 208 participants. The questionnaire includes a total of three constructs measuring design factors, social activity type and perception of users (about social environment of public square). Items in all scales used 5-point agreed-disagreed statements. In assessing the reliability of the questionnaire, the coefficient of Cronbach alpha was applied. The validity of the questionnaire, was tested using the content and construct validity. The structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis and the finding of the research, which has the potential to enrich the body of knowledge among academicians as well as practitioners. In this study, new and un-established relationships have been hypothesized based on theory. The result revealed that the function of the public square has changed and there is a positive relationship between design factors, social activity and users' perception

Electrochemical detection of kynurenic acid in the presence of tryptophan with the carbon paste electrode modified with the flower-like nanostructures of zinc oxide doped with terbium

With the help of a hydrothermal approach in this study, we could provide flower-like nanostructures (NSs) of zinc oxide (ZnO) doped with Tb (FL-NS Tb3+/ZnO). Then, FL-NS Tb3+/ZnO morphology was investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and map analysis. The results revealed higher activity centers and porosity of this nanocomposite, which were followed by acceptable electrochemical function. Hence, it can be utilized for fabricating an electrochemical sensor with an appropriate response for the simultaneous determination of kynurenic acid (KYN) and tryptophan (TRP). However, as compared with the modified carbon paste electrode (FL-NS Tb3+/ZnO/CPE), the bare carbon paste electrode (BCPE) exhibited a weak response toward KYN and TRP but the modified electrode was followed by a high current response for KYN and TRP at a potential 0.35 and 0.809 V. Therefore, cyclic voltammetry (CV) was applied in optimal experimental conditions to study the electrochemical behaviors of KYN and TRP over the surface of the proposed modified electrode. Moreover, we used differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) for quantitative measurements. It was found that this new modified electrode linearly ranged from 0.001 to 700.0 μM, with detection limits of 0.34 nM and 0.22 nM for KYN and TRP, respectively. In addition, KYN and TRP in real samples can be analyzed by this sensor, with a recovery of 97.75%−103.6% for the spiked KYN and TRP in real samples

Genetic Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii by Serological and Molecular Analyzes in Different Sheep and Goat Tissues in Northeastern Iran

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by compilation protozoan agent  Toxoplasma gondii, leading to significant financial and quality-adjusted life-year losses. Overcooked or raw meat consumption has been a considerable transmission route. The present study was conducted to determine the seropositivity rate of T. gondii in sheep and goats by serological and molecular tests and genotyping of obtained isolates in northeast Iran. Methods: Blood and tissue samples (diaphragm, heart) of 296 animals (including 168 sheep and 128 goats) were collected from the slaughterhouse in Quchan Country from august 2016 to April 2017. Modified agglutination test (MAT) and the PCR method performed to detect parasite DNA on tissues.PCR-RFLP method of GRA6 gene was used to determine the genotype of T. gondii. In addition, sequencing analysis was performed to evaluate the Toxoplasma type strains. Results: Serum positive for MAT results were found in 27.4% of sheep and 23.4% of goats. Positive PCR of B1 gene results in diaphragm and heart tissues of sheep and goats was 47.8% and 26.1%, 40% and 23.3%, respectively. PCR of GRA6 gene results were positive in 10 samples that RFLP technique results using MseІ enzyme revealed genotype І. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed DNA of all samples was closely related to Toxoplasma type І. Conclusion: Concerning the high seropositivity rate of toxoplasmosis, undertaking an appropriate preventive program for reducing the prevalence of T. gondii infection by raw or undercooked meat consumption of livestock is recommended. Our study supports the notion that these animals' consumption of raw and undercooked meat can be a probable source of human toxoplasmosis

Survey of the association between polymorphisms of CTLA-4 exon 1 49 A/G genes with rheumatoid arthritis in Iran

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), which suppresses T cell proliferation, is a promising candidate for the susceptibility genes to rheumatic arthritis diseases (RA). This study aims to examine the association between the polymorphisms of the CTLA-4 exon 1(+ 49) genes with RA in the Qazvin city of Iran population. The polymerase chain reaction of genomic DNArestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was applied to genotype the CTLA-4 exon 1(+ 49) polymorphisms in 105 RA patients and 90 control subjects. Laboratory diagnostic tests were also measured for RA and control groups. Our results did not demonstrate a significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies of the CTLA-4 exon 1(+ 49) between RA patients and the control group (p < .0001). There was no significant difference in age at onset, CRP, RF value in patients with RA according to the CTLA-4 polymorphisms; just anti-CCP showed a significant difference. Our data declared that polymorphisms of CTLA-4 exon 1(+ 49) genes are not correlated with RA susceptibility and its clinical and paraclinical manifestations

Assessment of gastric caused by Helicobacter pylori and pathologic elements correlation with -511 IL1-β and -308 TNF-α polymorphisms in gastritis patients

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is the main reason for gastric disorders including gastric lymphoma, ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma (GC), and chronic atrophic gastritis. H.pylori has two more significant virulence factors named cagA and vacA. Some host cytokines polymorphisms (Interleukin (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)) may contribute to H. pylori-related diseases. In the present study, we investigated the association of H. pylori gastritis and its pathogenic genes as well as the association of IL-1β and TNF-α polymorphisms in patients with gastritis. We collected gastric biopsy samples from patients with gastritis. After extracting DNA from biopsy specimens infected with H. pylori, cagA + and vacA + were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To genotyping TNF-α polymorphism at position − 308 and IL-1β polymorphism at position − 511, PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed. Our study indicated that IL-1β-511 polymorphism, unlike TNF-α-308 polymorphism (P = 0.030), did not show a significant relationship between patients infected with H. pylori (p = 0.219). Also, our results indicated that alleles C and T of polymorphism of IL-1β-511 and alleles G of TNFα-308 were not significantly correlated with cagA status among patients infected with H. pylori (p = 0.793, p = 0.674, p = 0.179, respectively) unlike allele A of TNFα − 308 (p = 0.016

Three essays on algorithmic approaches for operations management

Operations management is an area of business concerned with producing goods and services. It manages the conversion of inputs (such as materials, labor, and energy) into outputs (in goods and services). It ensures that business operations are efficient in using as few resources as required and effective in meeting consumer needs. Operations management is responsible for a wide range of decisions, such as planning capacity for manufacturing plants, designing the structure of supply chain networks, and developing and operating service systems. Decision-making in operations management is often reinforced by analytical and algorithmic tools which are based on logic and consider all available data and possible alternatives. This dissertation focuses on designing different algorithmic approaches supporting decision-making in operations management. It consists of three articles that design, implement, and analyze one or several algorithms for distinct practical problems in operations management. The papers are coauthored by Professor Dr. Schneider, Professor Dr. Emde, Professor Dr. Boysen, and Professor Dr. Stolletz. Each article describes the potential motivation of the research, positioning in the literature, and a detailed problem/model description. In addition, numerical results of each, generate insights into problems described in every chapter