Rapid detection of methicillin-resistant staphylococci by multiplex PCR

A rapid and sensitive method for excluding the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in clinical samples was developed. The combination of MRSA detection by mecA coaA PCR with prior enrichment in selective broth was tested for 300 swabs. PCR identified 26 MRSApositive samples, in  concordance with conventional methods.Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, swabs, mecA coaA

Genetic variation in a population of Bipolaris oryzae based on RAPD-PCR in north of Iran

Isolates of Bipolaris oryzae were analysed by RAPD techniques to determine the amount of intraspecific genetic variability. In order to do RAPD-PCR, seven primers were applied. At first, DNA of all isolates was isolated, and then DNA was amplified in thermocycler by using seven primers at a thermal program. As the result, segments of DNA by the size of 200 - 300 bp were produced. Cluster analysis using UPGMA method gave three groups. Levels of polymorphism were observed between DNA of different isolates. The pattern of RAPD bands could not show the direct correlation between polymorphism and climates or geographical areas.Keywords: Bipolaris oryzae, rice, genetic variation, RAPDAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5800-5804, 6 September, 201

Enhancement of 2,3-Butanediol Production by Klebsiella oxytoca PTCC 1402

Optimal operating parameters of 2,3-Butanediol production using Klebsiella oxytoca under submerged culture conditions are determined by using Taguchi method. The effect of different factors including medium composition, pH, temperature, mixing intensity, and inoculum size on 2,3-butanediol production was analyzed using the Taguchi method in three levels. Based on these analyses the optimum concentrations of glucose, acetic acid, and succinic acid were found to be 6, 0.5, and 1.0 (% w/v), respectively. Furthermore, optimum values for temperature, inoculum size, pH, and the shaking speed were determined as 37°C, 8 (g/L), 6.1, and 150 rpm, respectively. The optimal combinations of factors obtained from the proposed DOE methodology was further validated by conducting fermentation experiments and the obtained results revealed an enhanced 2,3-Butanediol yield of 44%

Integration of Graph Theory and Matrix Approach with Fuzzy AHP for Equipment Selection

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is applying a new integrated method to equipment selection. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, we proposed the new integrated approach. Proposed approach is based on fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and GTMA (graph theory and matrix approach) methods. FAHP method is used in determining the weights of the criteria by decision makers and then rankings of equipments are determined by GTMA method. Proposed approach is applied to a problem of selecting CNC machines to be purchased in a company. Findings and Originality/value: The outcome of this research is ranking and selecting equipment using of Fuzzy AHP and GTMA techniques. Originality/value: This paper offers a new integrated method for equipment selection.Peer Reviewe

Accuracy Verification of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology for Lower-Limb Prosthetic Research: Utilising Animal Soft Tissue Specimen and Common Socket Casting Materials

Lower limb prosthetic socket shape and volume consistency can be quantified using MRI technology. Additionally, MRI images of the residual limb could be used as an input data for CAD-CAM technology and finite element studies. However, the accuracy of MRI when socket casting materials are used has to be defined. A number of six, 46 mm thick, cross-sections of an animal leg were used. Three specimens were wrapped with Plaster of Paris (POP) and the other three with commercially available silicone interface liner. Data was obtained by utilising MRI technology and then the segmented images compared to corresponding calliper measurement, photographic imaging, and water suspension techniques. The MRI measurement results were strongly correlated with actual diameter, surface area, and volume measurements. The results show that the selected scanning parameters and the semiautomatic segmentation method are adequate enough, considering the limit of clinical meaningful shape and volume fluctuation, for residual limb volume and the cross-sectional surface area measurements

Isolation and characterization of some important fungi from Echinochloa spp. the potential agents to control rice weeds

Abstract Barnyard grass (Echinochloa spp.) is the most important weeds in rice fields. Some fungal pathogens can potentially be used as biological agents for the control and management of these weeds. For this reason, two pathogenic fungal species were isolated and characterized from naturally infected Echinochloa species. Morphological characters of isolates were studied in order to identify the taxonomy. According to the results, isolates were belonged to Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler, and Fusarium equiseti (Corda) Saccardo. Pathogenicity test of isolates was done in desiccators, and revealed the pathogenicity level of the species and their ability to cause leaf blight on Echinochloa spp. The results indicated that not only the symptoms but also the virulence of these two fungi are significantly different

the Feasibility of Developing the Application of rural- Agricultural waste Management in Masal township, Iran

The waste of agricultural products is considered as one of the major problems in Iranian agricultural sector. The present study is a descriptive-survey that focused on exploring correlations and comparison. Data were collected through a research made questionnaires and were analyzed by SPSS. The relationships between dependent and independent variables were analyzed by obtaining the Pearson's correlation coefficient. The statistical population of the study comprised the participants of vermicompost training courses in 2011-12, farmers of Estalkh Zir Village where the vermicompost project was implemented, and facilitators and promoters of the agricultural sector. The results showed that there was a relationship between the dependent (familiarity, the skills and interest rate) and independent variables (agricultural waste management) and that it was confirmed p<0.05) that the impact of the four independent variables was significant on the dependent variable at 0.05 level. As a result, all factors as independent variables are believed to have contributed to waste management. Duncan’s test also indicated that there was a significant difference in terms of waste management among the existing factors, namely interest rate, levels of familiarity and awareness, skills, and support from authorities

Job Crafting and the Role of Self-efficacy and Engagement in the Academic Jobs

Introduction: Job crafting is the process of making proactive changes in the boundariescomposing a job, which are known as mental fences that individuals adopt to define their job’sphysical, emotional, or cognitive limitations. Job crafting considers the change in the natureof jobs, whether realistically in the form of task crafting and relational crafting, or as cognitiveperceptions. In this study, the role of self-efficacy as the antecedent and work engagement asthe consequence of job crafting was studied.Methods: The jobs were academic and the sample was selected from faculty members ofShiraz University of Medical Sciences. The research questionnaires were distributed amongfaculty members of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. A PLS model is analyzed andinterpreted in two stages: the assessment of the reliability and validity of the measurementmodel, and the assessment of the structural model.Results: The results showed that self-efficacy was positively related to all dimensions ofjob crafting. Moreover, the triple dimensions of job crafting had a significant positiveeffect on work engagement. The moderating role of gender and academic level in therelationship between self-efficacy and work engagement was confirmed. However, theresults showed that gender did not moderate the relationship between self-efficacy andtask crafting.Conclusion: The main novelty of this research is the study of job crafting, self-efficacy andengagement variables considering the moderating role of gender and academic level