Direct detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex using gold nanoparticles

Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to WHO, TB causes 2 million deaths and more than 9 million new cases annually; the overwhelming majority of TB cases occur in developing countries where accurate diagnosis of TB remains a challenge. This work aims to develop a rapid nano-gold assay for specific detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). In the first version of the assay, DNA was extracted from clinical isolates grown on LJ media. 16s rDNA regions were amplified by PCR then the genus and species of MTB were confirmed by semi-nested PCR. Spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs; 13 nm) were synthesized by citrate reduction method of HAuCl4 and characterized by spectrophotometry and SEM. In the first assay, the 16srDNA amplicons were denatured (95 oC, 30 s) then allowed to anneal (48 oC, 30 s) with genus- and species-specific oligotargeters in a hybridization buffer contaning NaCl (40 nM). This was followed by the addition of unmodified AuNPs (14 nM). In case of a positive specimen, the AuNPs aggregated and the solution color changed from red to blue. The solution retained red color in case of negative specimen. This assay was further optimized to specificially differentiate MTBC from other mycobacterial strains. In the second version of the assay, MTBC was directly detected in the extracted genomic DNA. Species-specific oligotargeter was added to genomic DNA and denatured for 3 min at 95 oC followed by annealing at 48 oC for 1 min. AuNPs were added and solution color changed from red to blue in case of MTBC-positive specimens. The assay detection limit was 1 ng for PCR product and 40 ng for genomic DNA. The assay showed 100% sensitivity and specificity (n = 27) as compared with automated liquid culture system (MGIT) and semi-nested PCR. Following DNA extraction according to standard procedures, the assay turnaround time is about 1 hour. In conclusion, we have developed a nano-gold assay prototype for direct detection of MTBC as a low cost alternative to current amplification-based detection platforms. The developed assay is simple, sensitive, rapid, and shows a great potential in the clinical diagnosis of TB especially in developing countries with low resource settings

Foodies in the UK: A Sense of Self, Connection and Belonging Beyond the Passion?

The global rise of the Foodie movement has attracted some research attention as well as critique in the food industry trend followers, but little research attention in marketing research. The present study looks at the ‘Foodie’ phenomenon in the UK and aims to extend how the notion has been coined in literature through a qualitative investigation of a sample of self-professed Foodies. The objective is to provide an in-depth understanding of what it means to be a Foodie at the individual and group levels, probing attitudes, motivations and self-awareness. Results indicate that the term Foodie cannot be used as an implicit definition of someone ‘simply interested in food’; the capacity of the Foodie may be dependent on individual involvement and the level of importance along the five emerging themes; these being: Learning and discovery; Pleasure and enjoyment; Inspirational influences; Quality; and Experiencing food as an individual and in connection with others. Findings imply that there might be different levels of Foodies, leading to a start on developing a Foodie Typology. The study poses implications for food marketers and researchers that can assist in more effective segmentation, efficient targeting and tailored positioning, as well as opportunities for future research

Receptivity to Self-Service Technology (SST): A Research Overview and the Way Forward

In a digital era characterised by the need for efficiency and value, self-service technology rises as a delivery interface offered by public and private sector service providers. With the assumption of a win-win situation for both the provider and customers who can ‘do it themselves’ online/offsite and offline/onsite, stereotypes arise concerning antecedents for positive receptivity and impediments in adopting SSTs. The present paper offers a literature-based discussion of some of the existing and emerging perspectives in this domain; it delivers a contextual review of studies conducted, highlights controversial viewpoints that need to be reconsidered, and suggests future research themes that can make use of the emergent digital sources in data collection and analysis. The purpose is to spark future research on the extent to which SST is a champion for different service types, and to systematically study the customer profile to be targeted for its optimal use in value co-creation

Homogeneity in Luxury Fashion Consumption: an Exploration of Arab Women

Consumer perceptions and consumer motivations are complex and whilst it is acknowledged within literature that heterogeneity exists, homogenous models dominate consumer behaviour research. The primary purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which Arab women are a homogeneous group of consumers in regard to perceptions and motivations to consume luxury fashion goods. In particular, the paper seeks to present a critical review of luxury consumption frameworks. As part of the research design, Vigneron and Johnson’s (1999) prestige seeking behaviour framework was selected as a means for empirical investigation. The study’s findings suggest that distinct value perceptions of luxury fashion among Arab females are evident, that is, this group of consumers are homogeneous in terms of prestige seeking behaviour. Homogeneity can be explained by the existence of interpersonal motives for luxury consumption. The findings of the study highlight that Arab women, many of whom wear the abaya ‘cloak’ when in public, seek to pursue mutual socially conforming consumption behaviours through luxury fashion. The study has both academic and practitioner implications. Firstly, the study contributes to fulfilling a gap in consumer behaviour literature, that being, an understanding of female consumption behaviour regarding luxury goods in the Arab world. Secondly, in terms of practitioner implications, the findings support retail marketing decisions in regard to profiling distinct consumer groups of Arab females, which luxury marketers can target with discrete marketing communications

Post-Purchase Consumer Behaviour, Sustainability and its Influence on Fashion Identity

The paper aims to explore how sustainability may be used as a form of self-expression, and whether it can endow individuals with an identity associated with ethical consumption at the post purchase consumption stage. Exploratory research was undertaken to investigate sustaining decisions and sustainability practices. It draws upon Jacoby et al.’s disposition model to explore factors extrinsic and intrinsic to the product in relation to fashion clothing sustainability and identity formation. Mixed qualitative methods were employed. The study’s findings indicate that clothing and fashion post-purchase sustainability relates to high level of involvement with the clothing and fashion item together with product attributes, benefits and situational factors relating to the product. A conclusion of the study is that an expressed ethical identity does not mean that individuals will behave in an ethical manner. Rather other identities emerged relevant to the individuals self concept and image

Particulate matter emissions from Sydney railway system : concentration, heavy metal content and implications for public health

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.Studies have shown that commuters can be exposed to substantial amounts of particulate matter (PM) during commuting time using the railway networks with major implications to public health. According to the Bureau of Transport statistics, Sydney Trains run about 1 million customer journeys per weekday in Sydney commuting people to different destinations. This thesis focuses on the PM assessment in the Sydney railway system at different railway microenvironments including measurements from the train carriages and the platforms at underground and ground levels. First the thesis focuses on PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ measurements taken from four different microenvironments and two fixed air quality stations during seven weeks of sampling (September to November 2015). Results indicate that average underground PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ concentrations from inside the trains were 2.8 and 2.5 times greater than the ground level measurements. Similarly, PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ concentrations on the underground platforms were 2.7 and 2.5 times greater than at ground level platforms. Average underground PM levels have exceeded the national limits during the sampling period. Correlation analysis showed a strong to moderate association between ambient background and ground level PM (r², 0.952 - 0.50) and weak association with the underground concentrations with a maximum r² of 0.264. It was also found that Sydney railway can be considered as one of the cleanest systems in comparison with different railway systems globally. Then the thesis focuses on the metal content in the railway-derived PM. Another sampling campaign was conducted to collect the dust samples needed for the metal analysis. Samples were collected from five railway microenvironments (underground platforms) and also from an urban park for comparison purposes. The USEPA 3050B method was employed to extract the dust samples and to prepare them for metal analysis. Using the Microwave Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES), the concentrations of twelve metals were detected. Based on the pollution index (PI), integrated pollution index (IPI) and enrichment factor (EF) analyses, the metals content in the railway PM indicated high levels of pollution from anthropogenic sources mainly attributed to local railway sources. Fe was the most enriched element with an EF value of 61.3, and PI and IPI values of more than 9. After Fe, the EF values for the other metals followed the order of Ni, Cr, Mn, Ba, Zn, Cu. Consistent with previous studies, the current results indicate that high metal content in the railway PM is mainly attributed to local railway sources such as the wear and abrasion processes. The last part focuses on the potential health risks based on the metal content. Three probabilistic risk assessments approaches have been applied in this chapter: average daily dose method for non-carcinogenic effect, dose effect method for the carcinogenic effect and qualitative risk assessment. Results indicate that no potential risks to cause non-carcinogenic effects from any metal can occur at the measured concentrations except a very low indication from Cr levels. A carcinogenic effect was only performed for Ni and Cr indicating no potential cancer risks based on the measured concentrations. Finally, a qualitative risk assessment was employed to overcome the problem of the scarce information needed for estimating the potential cancer risk for the rest of elements using the ISO31000 method. The results also indicate low to moderate potential carcinogenic risks from Zn, Fe, Mn, Ba and Cu. Finally, the limitations of this study have been stated with some recommendations for future studies and applications which might help in reducing the PM levels at the railway networks

Optimization of Renewable Energy-Based Smart Micro-Grid System

Optimization of renewable energy-based micro-grids is presently attracting significant consideration. Hence the main objective of this chapter is to evaluate the technical and economic performance of a micro-grid (MG) comparing between two operation modes; stand-alone (off-grid), and grid connected (on-grid). The micro-grid system (MGS) suggested components are; PV panels, wind turbine(s) inverter, and control unit in case of grid connected. In the stand alone mode diesel generator and short term storage are added to the renewable generators. To investigate the performance of the MGS; technically, detailed models for each component will be presented then the complete MGS model is developed. Another objective of this study is the economical evaluation of MGS by comparing the system net present cost (NPC) and cost of generated electricity for the two modes of operation; off-grid and on-grid

Choosing the Right Promotional Tool in the Hotel Industry: The Case of the Chinese Consumer.

The rapid growth of the Chinese tourism has stimulated competition within tourism-related industries, such as the hospitality industry. The purpose of this study is to examine the Chinese consumer reaction to different promotional tools used by hotels in China and, thus, to provide a deeper understanding for marketers of how to use sales promotion effectively to generate appropriate consumer responses. An experimental survey was administered yielding a total sample of 319 Chinese customers, who were probed using different types of sales promotion tools. Data analysis indicates that bonus packs (e.g. a 3-night stay at a hotel for the price of 2) induced the highest consumer perceived value, brand switching, and purchase acceleration intention, whereas price discounts resulted in the highest intention to spend more. Although this study has its limitations given its reliance on a convenience sample, it offers insightful practical implications for hotel business owners in Asia regarding targeting the right customers with the right promotional tools, where it is proposed that bonus packs successfully attract new Chinese customers and price discounts support in generating more sales

Exploring the Attitude of ESP Learners towards Using Mind Mapping in Learning Vocabulary

The current study aims at exploring the attitude of ESP students towards using mind mapping in learning vocabulary. The research design is quasi-experimental. The sample of the study consisted of 29 students from the college of engineering at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt. A questionnaire was used to investigate the attitude of students towards using mind maps in learning ESP vocabulary. The results of the study revealed that students were interested in using the mind mapping strategy in learning ESP vocabulary and the significant features of mind map; namely: colours, branches and pictures. Based on the findings, it is recommended that researchers delve deep into studying the mind mapping strategy and its relation to students’ learning preferences and that teachers apply them when teaching vocabulary items. The researcher also recommends a model to evaluate vocabulary learning techniques that can be used in future studies

Incorporating Research into Teaching: How & Why

It is a widely held view that lecturers should use their research to inform the content of their teaching. However, a number of factors impede this desired state becoming a reality. There are endless numbers of thick textbooks with a vast amount of content, many ready-made case studies for use in class are available, and film resources are increasingly accessible. Such factors mean that incorporating one’s own research in teaching becomes increasingly optional. Moreover, with the widening of access to HE, such research may need to be put into a more digestible form than the ‘read my paper on XYZ and we will discuss it at next week’s tutorial’ approach. Accordingly lecturers need to possess knowledge and skills in how to shape research into suitable teaching formats. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how a lecturer’s own research can be used as a resource in teaching, and to encourage debate and discussion on the strategic role of research-based teaching