Creating Antibacterial Properties in Flowable Dental Composites by Incorporation of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial, mechanical, physical properties and water sorption of flowable dental composites containing 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones. Material and Methods: 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones was synthesized and the antibacterial activity of flowable dental composites containing 0–5 wt% 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and also of their mechanical and physical properties on flowable dental composites were investigated. Flexural strength was measured by a three-point bending test. Compressive strength (CS), Water sorption (WS) and depth of cure (DOC) were investigated. The data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA test. The level of significance was determined as p<0.01. Results: The direct contact test demonstrates that by increasing the 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones content, the bacterial growth is significantly diminished (p<0.001). The average flexural strength results show that with increasing 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones until 3% in the composite, no significant difference was observed in flexural strength (p>0.001) and the mean of compressive strength results show no significant difference between 0-4% groups (p>0.001). The mean of water sorption and depth of cure results shows no significant difference between groups (p>0.001). Conclusion: Incorporation of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones into flowable resin composites in 3% wt can reduce the activity of Streptococcus mutans

Forage source (alfalfa hay vs wheat straw) and rumen undegradable to degradable protein ratio: Effects on growth performance, microbial protein yield, digestibility, blood metabolites, and behavior of Holstein dairy calves

Aim of the study: The effects of forage source (alfalfa hay; AH vs. wheat straw; WS) with rumen undegradable to degradable protein ratio [low ratio (LR) = 28:72; high ratio (HR) = 36:64] were evaluated in young dairy calves.Area of study: Arak, Iran.Material and methods: Forty-eight 3-d old female Holstein dairy calves (44.5 kg of BW) were allocated in four treatments: (1) AH with low dietary RUP:RDP ratio (AH-LR); (2) AH with high dietary RUP:RDP ratio (AH-HR); (3) WS with low dietary RUP:RDP ratio (WS-LR); and (4) WS with high dietary RUP:RDP ratio (WS-HR), being RDP and RUP rumen degradable and undegradable proteins, respectively. The calves weaned on d 53 of the experiment and remained in the study until d 73 of age.Main results: The average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved in dairy calves receiving HR diets compared to LR diets during the post-weaning period (p<0.05). The fecal score (p=0.03) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (p=0.04) were improved when calves fed WS diets compared to AH diets. Feeding HR diets increased allantoin (p=0.04) and microbial protein yield, and reduced blood urea nitrogen concentration (p=0.03) compared to LR diets. Assessing the interaction effects of the experimental factors resulted that the greatest BW, wither height, and blood beta-hydroxybutyrate, and the lowest urinary N concentration were observed in the WS-HR treatment (p<0.05).Research highlights: Feeding WS with high RUP:RDP ratio is recommendable in dairy calves due to the improvement in gain and N efficiency

The Investigation of the Relationship between Financial Leverage and Return on Supply Chain Management

Abstract—The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between financial leverage and return on supply chain management and assest of the rural cooperatives. In this study, five ratios have been selected as financial leverage including total debt to total assets, total debt to total shareholders' equity, total long-term debt to total assets, total short-term debt to total assets and total debt to total capital. The return on asset is also calculated from the total debt to annual profit ratio. According to the objective of the research, this work is an applied research and according to the data collection method, it is a descriptive correlational study. The population included all rural cooperatives in the eastern part of the country in which 153 cooperatives were selected using the elimination method. Data analysis and the hypothesis testing were performed by simple linear regression test and using SPSS software. The results showed that three financial leverages have significantly affected the return on assets of the cooperatives which are the total debt to total assets, total long-term debt to total assets, and total short-term debt to total assets ratios. Of these three ratios, the total debt to total assets (-0.304) has the greatest effect on the return in assets of the cooperatives. The two other financial leverage ratios, i.e., the total debt to total shareholders' equity and the total debt to total capital did not have a significant effect on the return on assets of the rural cooperatives in the eastern part of the country. Thus, it is recommended to the cooperatives' Chief Executive Officer to focus more on three ratios of total debt to assets, total long-term debt to total assets, and total short-term debt to total assets in order to increase the return on equity of the cooperative and plan on the financial focus of the cooperative to reduce these ratios based on the efficient supply chain system

Presenting a fuzzy model for fuzzy portfolio optimization with the mean absolute deviation risk function

The main purpose of this paper is portfolio optimization with the use of fuzzy method based on the mean absolute deviation risk function in firms listed in Tehran Stock Market. In the present research, for the purpose of fuzzy portfolio optimization the stock portfolio Value at Risk criterion and for calculation of this value the parametric method and for fuzzy optimization also the Hybrid intelligent algorithms (genetic algorithms and neural networks) have been used. For selecting the portfolio with 15 during the research time span (2005-2011) fuzzy optimization based on the following six criteria were used including Asymmetric Value at Risk, Symmetric Value at Risk , Interval Value at Risk (interval of 5%-95%), Interval Value at Risk (interval of 10%-90%), and Normal Value at Risk. Since the calculated probability ratio statistic Kupiec based on fuzzy optimization for the 6 above mentioned models is larger than the obtained critical value from chi-square distribution at the confidence level of 95%, the research hypothesis stating that the application of fuzzy optimization method improves the efficiency of portfolio in the actual world problems with lack of certainty was confirmed. Also, the results of the Kupiec probability ratio statistic indicate that the model of value at risk based on the mean absolute deviation risk function (MVAR) is more successful and have less failure comparing to other models, hence; the research hypothesis stating that fuzzy variables have a higher ability in modeling asymmetric uncertainties in financial domains is also confirmed

Presenting a fuzzy model for fuzzy portfolio optimization with the mean absolute deviation risk function

The main purpose of this paper is portfolio optimization with the use of fuzzy method based on the mean absolute deviation risk function in firms listed in Tehran Stock Market. In the present research, for the purpose of fuzzy portfolio optimization the stock portfolio Value at Risk criterion and for calculation of this value the parametric method and for fuzzy optimization also the Hybrid intelligent algorithms (genetic algorithms and neural networks) have been used. For selecting the portfolio with 15 during the research time span (2005-2011) fuzzy optimization based on the following six criteria were used including Asymmetric Value at Risk, Symmetric Value at Risk , Interval Value at Risk (interval of 5%-95%), Interval Value at Risk (interval of 10%-90%), and Normal Value at Risk. Since the calculated probability ratio statistic Kupiec based on fuzzy optimization for the 6 above mentioned models is larger than the obtained critical value from chi-square distribution at the confidence level of 95%, the research hypothesis stating that the application of fuzzy optimization method improves the efficiency of portfolio in the actual world problems with lack of certainty was confirmed. Also, the results of the Kupiec probability ratio statistic indicate that the model of value at risk based on the mean absolute deviation risk function (MVAR) is more successful and have less failure comparing to other models, hence; the research hypothesis stating that fuzzy variables have a higher ability in modeling asymmetric uncertainties in financial domains is also confirmed

Presenting a fuzzy model for fuzzy portfolio optimization with the mean absolute deviation risk function

The main purpose of this paper is portfolio optimization with the use of fuzzy method based on the mean absolute deviation risk function in firms listed in Tehran Stock Market. In the present research, for the purpose of fuzzy portfolio optimization the stock portfolio Value at Risk criterion and for calculation of this value the parametric method and for fuzzy optimization also the Hybrid intelligent algorithms (genetic algorithms and neural networks) have been used. For selecting the portfolio with 15 during the research time span (2005-2011) fuzzy optimization based on the following six criteria were used including Asymmetric Value at Risk, Symmetric Value at Risk , Interval Value at Risk (interval of 5%-95%), Interval Value at Risk (interval of 10%-90%), and Normal Value at Risk. Since the calculated probability ratio statistic Kupiec based on fuzzy optimization for the 6 above mentioned models is larger than the obtained critical value from chi-square distribution at the confidence level of 95%, the research hypothesis stating that the application of fuzzy optimization method improves the efficiency of portfolio in the actual world problems with lack of certainty was confirmed. Also, the results of the Kupiec probability ratio statistic indicate that the model of value at risk based on the mean absolute deviation risk function (MVAR) is more successful and have less failure comparing to other models, hence; the research hypothesis stating that fuzzy variables have a higher ability in modeling asymmetric uncertainties in financial domains is also confirmed

Impact of Inward Internationalization on Outward Internationalization in Enhancing Organizational Capabilities in Iranian Pharmaceutical Companies

Background: The objective of this study was to propose a model for examining the impact of inward internationalization on outward internationalization in Iranian pharmaceutical companies by focusing on organizational capabilities. Methods: Qualitative research was employed, and the grounded theory approach was utilized for data analysis. The study involved conducting interviews with 16 individuals who possessed experience in international activities within the pharmaceutical sector and expertise, using the snowball sampling method. The data gathered from the interviews underwent open, axial, and selective coding analyses, resulting in the development of a paradigm model of internationalization within the pharmaceutical industry. The paradigm model is composed of causal conditions, background conditions, intervening conditions, central phenomena, strategies, and consequences. Results: The research findings indicated that causal factors of internationalization encompass learning from other countries, updating medical and technical knowledge, expanding activities beyond domestic markets, facilitating production quality improvement, and promoting growth within the pharmaceutical industry. Strategies for internationalization include adopting an international perspective, implementing effective macro-level policies, utilizing long-term strategies, enhancing workforce professional capabilities through training, improving standards and documentation, devising strategies for rational budget utilization, planning for optimal capacity utilization, and strengthening international communication and political relationships. Conclusion: Ultimately, the consequences of inward internationalization and the enhancement of organizational capabilities lead to outward internationalization and a favorable position within the global pharmaceutical industry, improvements in organizational capabilities and international relations, development of cross-border business, economic prosperity within the pharmaceutical industry, and heightened commitment to foreign markets

Thermodynamic geometry of a system with unified quantum statistics

We examine the thermodynamic characteristics of unified quantum statistics as a novel framework that undergoes a crossover between Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics by varying a generalization parameter $\delta$. We find an attractive intrinsic statistical interaction when $\delta\le0.5$ where the thermodynamic curvature remains positive throughout the entire physical range. For $0.5 < \delta < 1$ the system exhibits predominantly Fermi-like behavior at high temperatures, while at low temperatures, the thermodynamic curvature is positive and the system behaves like bosons. As the temperature decreases further, the system undergoes a transition into the condensate phase. We also report on a critical fugacity ($z = Z^*$) defined as the point at which the thermodynamic curvature changes sign, i.e. for $z Z^*$), the statistical behavior resembles that of fermions (bosons). Also, we extract the variation of statistical behaviour of the system for different values of generalization parameter with respect to the temperature. We evaluate the critical fugacity and critical $\delta$ dependent condensation temperature of the system. Finally, we investigate the specific heat as a function of temperature and condensation phase transition temperature of the system for different values of generalization parameter in different dimensions.Comment: 10 pages, 17 figure

The Role of The A2A Receptor in Cell Apoptosis Caused by MDMA

OBJECTIVE: Ecstasy, also known as 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is a psychoactive recreational hallucinogenic substance and a major worldwide recreational drug. There are neurotoxic effects observed in laboratory animals and humans following MDMA use. MDMA causes apoptosis in neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). Withdrawal signs are attenuated by treatment with the adenosine receptor (A2A receptor). This study reports the effects of glutamyl cysteine synthetase (GCS), as an A2A receptor agonist, and succinylcholine (SCH), as an A2A receptor antagonist, on Sprague Dawley rats, both in the presence and absence of MDMA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, we used seven groups of Sprague Dawley rats (200-250 g each). Each group was treated with daily intraperitoneal (IP) injections for a period of one week, as follows: i. MDMA (10 mg/kg); ii. GCS (0.3 mg/kg); iii. SCH (0.3 mg/kg); iv. GCS + SCH (0.3 mg/kg each); v. MDMA (10 mg/kg) + GCS (0.3 mg/kg); vi. MDMA (10 mg/kg) + SCH (0.3 mg/kg); and vi. normal saline (1 cc/kg) as the sham group. Bax (apoptotic protein) and Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) expressions were evaluated by striatum using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in Bax protein expression in the MDMA+SCH group and a significant decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression in the MDMA+SCH group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A2A receptors have a role in the apoptotic effects of MDMA via the Bax and Bcl-2 pathways. An agonist of this receptor (GCS) decreases the cytotoxcity of MDMA, while the antagonist of this receptor (SCH) increases its cytotoxcity