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Building technological capabilities is influenced by different factors, notably policies. This paper explains the co-evolution of policies, i.e. policy tools, on the technological capabilities in Iran's biopharmaceutical sector from 1995 to 2022. By adopting a qualitative research method, we gathered primary data through thirty-nine semi-structured as well as secondary data from reports and statistics. This paper explains technological capabilities enhancement from operational capabilities to innovative capabilities based on our proposed framework, which includes six levels. While the lack of an efficient policy tools, until the mid-2000s, was decisive in the inertia of biopharmaceutical sector capabilities, a proactive policy tools in recent years led to considerable promising results in terms of manufacturing and exporting advanced biosimilar products. Our findings shed light on the role of government support in the acceleration and directionality of technological capabilities building. Achieving advanced levels of technological capabilities requires learning, international collaboration, and export-oriented policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disease of the bones. Osteoporosis reduces bone density, predisposes a person to fractures, and imposes high costs on societies. Osteoporosis develops from a variety of causes, one of the most significant is vitamin D deficiency. This study investigates the impact of vitamin D on osteoporosis.

This article presents a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the topic of data assimilation for agent-based models, with a specific emphasis on pedestrians and passengers within the context of transportation systems. This work highlights a plethora of advanced techniques that may have not been previously employed for online pedestrian simulation, and may therefore offer significant value to readers in this domain. Notably, these methods often necessitate a sophisticated understanding of mathematical principles such as linear algebra, probability theory, singular value decomposition, optimization, machine learning, and compressed sensing. Despite this complexity, this article strives to provide a nuanced explanation of these mathematical underpinnings. It is important to acknowledge that the subject matter under study is still in its nascent stages, and as such, it is highly probable that new techniques will emerge in the coming years. One potential avenue for future exploration involves the integration of machine learning with Agent-based Data Assimilation (ABDA, i.e., data assimilation methods used for agent-based models) methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza A virus (IAV) populations harbor large subpopulations of defective-interfering particles characterized by internally deleted viral genomes. These internally deleted genomes have demonstrated the ability to suppress infectivity and boost innate immunity, rendering them promising for therapeutic and immunogenic applications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the diversity and complexity of the internally deleted IAV genomes within a panel of plaque-purified avian influenza viruses selected for their enhanced interferon-inducing phenotypes. Our findings unveiled that the abundance and diversity of internally deleted viral genomes were contingent upon the viral subculture and plaque purification processes. We observed a heightened occurrence of internally deleted genomes with distinct junctions in viral clones exhibiting enhanced interferon-inducing phenotypes, accompanied by additional truncation in the nonstructural 1 protein linker region (NS1Δ76-86). Computational analyses suggest the internally deleted IAV genomes can encode a broad range of carboxy-terminally truncated and intrinsically disordered proteins with variable lengths and amino acid composition. Further research is imperative to unravel the underlying mechanisms driving the increased diversity of internal deletions within the genomes of viral clones exhibiting enhanced interferon-inducing capacities and to explore their potential for modulating cellular processes and immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traveling to space and walking on other planets has always been a great dream for many tourists. Given that space tourism is not available to everyone, adventurers have always been looking for special and strange places that evoke the feeling of traveling to other planets, especially Mars. One of these places which is very similar to Mars is the Lut Desert World Heritage Site. The present study aims to introduce the Martian sites of the Lut Desert and offers a special type of trip to this beautiful desert that can further preserve it with a sustainable development approach. The statistical sample of the research is based on the qualitative analysis method, consisting of 18 participants, which consists of experts, desert tour guides, and tourists who have visited the studied sites. After the data collection process, the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Maxqda 2020 software. The results of the research indicate that the four sites identified in the research, according to the participants, are similar to the images and videos published of Mars. Moreover, this new branch of desert ecotourism can develop sustainable ecotourism in the Lut Desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cloud Ocean phenomenon in the Hyrcanian Forests, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most stunning yet lesser-known ecotourism destinations that has recently attracted the attention of adventure tours. However, the increasing number of ecotourists visiting these sites is expected to threaten the sensitive ecosystem of the Cloud Ocean sites. Therefore, this study aims to conceptualize sustainable behaviors for off-road forest tours in the Cloud Ocean sites of the Hyrcanian Forests. A combined qualitative-quantitative approach was adopted to achieve this aim, using the meta-synthesis method to cover the qualitative part and Smart PLS software for the quantitative data analysis. The qualitative assessment involved 19 participants, while the quantitative study included 240 experts who helped monitor and evaluate the indicators as components of the model. Previous literature has given little attention to the Cloud Ocean sites. Therefore, the conceptualization of sustainable behavior for forest adventure tours in these sites is considered the most significant contribution of this study. Paying attention to the dimensions of the proposed model can significantly reduce damage to these sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the tourism and hospitality industry. This study aims to reconceptualize the concept of customer perceived value (CPV) in Isfahan's five-star hotels during the pandemic using the grounded theory (GT) approach in the context of qualitative research. The objective of this study is to explore the key dimensions of CPV and identify the main strategies that enhance the value perceived by hotel customers. Data were collected with interviews with 30 experts in the hotel and hospitality industry, and MAXQDA software was used to analyze the data. The dominant themes that emerged from the content analysis included health-oriented self-gratification value, financial value, quality value, emotional value, social value, epistemic value, information value, and health security value. Additionally, the subthemes identified were trust, satisfaction, and information access. All these themes could potentially be employed by hotel sectors as solutions to enhance customer satisfaction during the pandemic. From a practical standpoint, this study provides insights to hotel managers or practitioners to implement updated strategies that contribute to knowledge development about customer perceived value in the hotel sector, which can lead to enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty. The article makes theoretical contributions to the literature on CPV by identifying new dimensions that are relevant to the pandemic. This extension of the literature provides a more comprehensive understanding of CPV in crisis situations and can inform future research on the topic. The article also discusses future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research has investigated the impact of immigrants' sense of place (SOP) attitudes on their quality of life (QOL) outcomes, especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to fill this gap by examining the effect of SOP attitudes and health-related QOL (HQOL) on 120 Iranian citizens residing in Budapest, Hungary, during the pandemic. Using social media platforms, an online survey was conducted between March and July 2020. The findings of this study revealed that SOP elements, such as connection to sites, location identification, and location reliance, are susceptible to change and rely on QOL during the pandemic. The study also highlighted that Budapest has the potential to become a desirable destination for future immigrants. Overall, this study contributes to the literature on the relationship between SOP attitudes and QOL outcomes among immigrants during a crisis. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners to improve the SOP and QOL of immigrants living in cities affected by pandemics or other crises. This study provides insights into the influence of a sense of place on the quality of life of Iranian immigrants by presenting a model and highlighting significant results in a selected community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Persian Qanats, ancient underground aqueduct systems that have provided irrigation water to arid regions in Iran for over 3000 years, are recognized as a vital element of the country's cultural heritage. Eleven of these impressive structures have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, underlining their cultural, social, political, and physical significance. As these underground heritage sites offer a unique opportunity for fostering territorial collaboration and social capital between tourists and the local community, it is important to develop a comprehensive model to influence the behavior of tourists, officials, and natives in their treatment of these invaluable sites. This study aimed to design a sustainable behavior model for underground heritage tourism management in Persian Qanats that have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage properties. The research employed a theme analysis approach, utilizing a statistical sample of 22 base managers and Qanat tourism experts. The study used content and thematic analysis to develop a research model that guarantees the sustainable protection of these valuable underground heritage sites by shaping the behavior of tourists, officials, and natives. The proposed model serves as a guideline for effective behavior management, leading to the preservation of these significant underground heritage sites for future generations. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the sustainable management of Persian Qanats and the promotion of a strong sense of territorial collaboration and social capital between tourists and the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the essential role of innate immunity in defining the outcome of viral infections, the roles played by different components of the avian innate immune system are poorly delineated. Here, we investigated the potential implication of avian toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 (TLR3) and melanoma differentiation-associated (MDA) gene 5 (MDA5) receptors of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in induction of the interferon pathway and avian orthoavulavirus 1 (AOAV-1) replication in chicken-origin DF-1 fibroblast cells. TLR3 and MDA5 knockout (KO) DF-1 cells were generated using our avian-specific CRISPR/Cas9 system and stimulated with a synthetic dsRNA ligand polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] or infected with AOAV-1 (previously known as Newcastle disease virus). Poly(I:C) treatment in cell culture media resulted in significant upregulation of interferon (IFN)α, IFNβ, and Mx1 gene expression in wild type (WT) DF-1 cells but not in TLR3-MDA5 double KO cells. Interestingly, poly(I:C) treatment induced rapid cell degeneration in WT and MDA5 KO cells, but not in TLR3 knockout or TRL3-MDA5 double knockout (DKO) cells, directly linking poly(I:C)-induced cell degeneration to TLR3-mediated host response. The double knockout cells supported significantly higher replication of AOAV-1 virus than did the WT cells. However, no correlation between the level of virus replication and type I IFN response was observed. Our study suggests that innate immune response is host- and pathogen specific, and further investigation is needed to understand the relevance of dsRNA receptor-mediated immune responses in viral replication and pathogenesis in avian species. Nota de investigación- En bloqueo de los genes TLR3 y MDA5 en las células DF-1 mejoran la replicación de Ortoavulavirus aviar 1. A pesar del papel esencial de la inmunidad innata en la definición del resultado de las infecciones virales, las funciones que desempeñan los diferentes componentes del sistema inmunitario innato aviar no están completamente definidas. En este estudio se investigó el posible papel del receptor aviar tipo toll (TLR) número 3 (TLR3) y los receptores de ARN de doble cadena (dsRNA del gene asociado a la diferenciación de melanoma (MDA) número 5 (MDA5) en la inducción de la vía del interferón y en la replicación del Ortoavulavirus 1 (AOAV-1) en células de fibroblastos DF-1 de origen en pollo. Las células DF-1 con los genes TLR3 y MDA5 bloqueado (KO) se generaron utilizando nuestro sistema CRISPR/Cas9 específico para aves y se estimularon con un ligando de dsRNA sintético poliinosínico: ácido policitidílico [poli(I:C)] o se infectaron con AOAV-1 (anteriormente conocido como el virus de la enfermedad de Newcastle). El tratamiento con poli(I:C) en medios de cultivo celular resultó en una regulación positiva significativa de la expresión génica de interferón (IFN)α, IFNβ y Mx1 en células DF-1 de tipo silvestre (WT) pero no en células con doble bloqueo TLR3-MDA5 (DKO). Curiosamente, el tratamiento con poli(I:C) indujo una rápida degeneración celular en las células silvestres (WT) y las células con el gene MDA5 bloqueado, pero no en las células con bloqueo del gene TLR3 o con las células con doble bloqueo de TRL3-MDA5, lo que vincula directamente la degeneración celular inducida por poli(I:C) con la respuesta de la huésped mediada por TLR3. Las células con doble bloqueo soportaron una replicación significativamente mayor del Ortoavulavirus 1 que las células silvestres. Sin embargo, no se observó correlación entre el nivel de replicación del virus y la respuesta de IFN tipo I. Este estudio sugiere que la respuesta inmune innata es específica del huésped y del patógeno, y se necesita más investigación para comprender la relevancia de las respuestas inmunes mediadas por el receptor dsRNA en la replicación viral y en la patogénesis en las especies aviares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past three years and with the spread of the pandemic, smartphones were the most important communication bridge between tourists and organizations; now more than ever, they are intertwined with the lives of tourists and destination management organizations. Although much research has been conducted in this field, the investigation of the effects of the pandemic on the technology and functionality of smartphones is one of the topics that has been less discussed. Therefore, the current research was conducted to determine the role of smartphones in tourism management dynamics during the pandemic. The research method was qualitative (content analysis, theme analysis), and 32 people participated in the interview process as a statistical sample. Then, the oral interviews were transcribed, and a thematic analysis was performed. For the analysis of the interviews, MAXQDA 2020 software was used. The results of the research indicate that smartphones were one of the most important platforms for tourism management dynamics during the pandemic, and in the event of a pandemic in the future, they can help contain the destruction to a great extent in their current position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]