Prevalence and ectoparasites fauna of sheep and goats flocks in Urmia suburb, Iran

An investigation into ectoparasites of sheep and goats was carried out in the northwest region of Iran. One thousand two hundred goats and 1200 sheep in 14 flocks which were less than eight years old were subjected to examination in three sub-divided areas from April 2003 to March 2004. Ectoparasites (ticks, mites, lice, and fleas) were collected from 77 sheep (6.4%) and 119 goats (9.9%), with an overall prevalence of 8.2%. Ticks were the most frequent ectoparasites. Adult ticks (849) were collected and identified: the highest number belonged to the Rhipicephalus bursa (90.7% of sheep and 88.8% of goats), followed by R. sanguineus (6.9%), Boophilus annulatus (2.4%), plus Ornithodoros lahorensis (2.6%). All goats were infested with two species, including R. bursa (88.8%) and R. sanguineus (11.4%). Ixodid tick distributions per animal were 2.5 for sheep and 4.3 for goats. Fifty-two sheep (67.5%) and 85 goats (71.4%) were infested with three species of lice. These were Damalina ovis (58.8%) and D. caprae (71.4%), Haematopinus species (on sheep 76.6%, and on goats 62.2%), Linognathus stenopsis (36.1%), L. ovillus (29.4%). The seasons of highest infestation were fall and winter (50%), the least being spring and summer. Of these, two sheep (2.6%) were infested by Sarcoptes scabiei, maximum infestation occurring in winter. Ctenocephalides felis felis comprised of all the fleas collected (16.8% of goats, and 13% of sheep). Flea infestation was more widespread in fall and winter (10.2%) than in spring and summer (6.1%)

Modeling and Solving Project Portfolio and Contractor Selection Problem Based on Project Scheduling under Uncertainty

AbstractIn this paper a new formulation of the project portfolio selection problem based on the project schedules in uncertain circumstances have been proposed. The project portfolio selection models usually disregard the project scheduling, whereas is an element of the project selection process. We investigate a project portfolio selection problem based on the schedule of the projects, so that the minimum expected profit would be met in the shortest possible time period. Also due to uncertain nature of durations of the activities, this duration considered as the semi-trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Finally, a fuzzy linear programming model is developed for the problem, where the results indicated the validity of the presented model

Isolation and Identification of a New Bacillus cereus Strain and Characterization of its Neopullulanase

Identification and use of more efficient enzymes in the food and pharmaceutical industries is the focus of many researchers. The aim of this study was to search for a new bacterial strain capable of producing high levels of pullulanase applicable to biotechnology, the starch bioprocessing and food industries. A new pullulan hydrolyzing Bacillus strain was isolated and designated SDK2. Morphological and biochemical tests identified the strain as a putative Bacillus cereus strain, which was further characterized and confirmed through 16s rRNA sequencing, and was submitted to GeneBank, under the accession number FR6864500. Quantitative analysis of the strain’s pullulanase activity was carried out by the Dintrosalicyclic (DNS) acid-based assay. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the culture supernatant, identified the extracellular pullulanase as neopullulanase. Effects of temperature and pH on pullulanase activity were also studied. The optimum conditions for enzyme activity, as represented by 60°C and a pH of 7, resulted in an activity of 13.43 U/ml, which is much higher than some of the previously reported activities. However, growth of B. cereus SDK2 was also observed at a pH range of 5 to 10, and temperatures of 30°C to 50°C. The effect of metal ions and reagents, such as Mg+2, Ca+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, Fe+2, Ni+2 on enzyme activity showed that Ca+2 ions increased pullulan activity, whereas the other ions and reagents inhibited pullulanase activity. The ability of B. cereus SDK2 to produce high levels of neopullulanase stable at 60°C that can generate panose from pullulan, make this newly isolated strain a valuable source of debranching enzyme for biotechnology, the starch bioprocess and medical industries

Enhancement of alkaline protease production by Bacillus clausii using Taguchi experimental design

The effect of culture conditions on protease production and bacterial growth of Bacillus clausii was investigated using Taguchi design of experiment. Five factors viz., carbon source, organic andinorganic nitrogen sources, agitation and metal ion, each at four levels were selected and an orthogonal array layout of L16 (45) were performed. The proposed medium for alkaline protease productionconsisted of (g/l): sucrose, 10; yeast extract, 10; KNO3, 5; trace element without Mn2+. Under these optimal conditions, 4 fold enhancement in protease production (from 250 to 1000 U/ml) was obtained. At the optimum culture for bacterial growth, which contained (g/l): starch, 10; yeast extract, 10; ammonium ions, 5; trace element without Zn2+, 1.88 fold increase in growth production (from OD600 nm of about 8.5 in basal medium to OD600 nm of 16 in optimized medium) were observed. The inorganic nitrogen source was the most significant factor on protease production with 57.75% contribution. The organic nitrogen and carbon sources by 35.28 and 34.93% contributions were prominent factors in bacterial growth

Os efeitos do ensino do modelo de pensamento reflexivo sobre a autoeficácia acadêmica, motivação de realização, certeza de intenção e pensamento reflexivo dos estudantes da Universidade Farhangyan em Ahvaz. Ahvaz, Irã

The effects of teaching reflective thinking model on academic self-efficacy, achievement motivation, intention certainty and reflective thinking of the of Farhangyan University students in Ahvaz. Ahvaz, Iran. This study aims to determine the effects of teaching reflective thinking model on academic self-efficacy, achievement motivation, intention certainty and reflective thinking of the of Farhangyan University students in Ahvaz. The research methodology is experimental field study therein pre-test and post-test design with one experimental group and two control groups was implemented. In the present study, two sample groups were selected based on the Stratified sampling and simple random sampling. First sample group was selected for validation of questionnaires and second sample group was selected for intervention. In this study, the confirmatory factor analysis method was used to determine the reliability and validity of the questions of each questionnaire. And analysis of mancova and one-way covariance were used to test the hypotheses. Before and after intervention, pre-test and post-test were performed. The results of one-way covariance analysis showed that the scores of academic self-efficacy, achievement motivation, intention certainty and reflective thinking (P = 0.001) were significant. By controlling the effect of pre-tests, there is a significant difference between the post-tests of the experimental group with the first and the second control groups in all variables. The training of reflective thinking model significantly increased the academic self-efficacy, achievement motivation, intention certainty and reflective thinking of experimental group students compared to the first and second control groups. As the reflective teaching model as a modern teaching pattern derived from constructivism theory is currently applied in education departments in most parts of the world, so it is recommended, this method to be utilized as a reliable teaching model for all faculties of universities in our country more confidently.Los efectos de enseñar el modelo de pensamiento reflexivo sobre la autoeficacia académica, la motivación de logro, la seguridad de la intención y el pensamiento reflexivo de los estudiantes de la Universidad de Farhangyan en Ahvaz. Ahvaz, Irán. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar los efectos de la enseñanza del modelo de pensamiento reflexivo sobre la autoeficacia académica, la motivación de logro, la seguridad de la intención y el pensamiento reflexivo de los estudiantes de la Universidad de Farhangyan en Ahvaz. La metodología de investigación es el estudio de campo experimental en el diseño pretest y post prueba con un grupo experimental y se implementaron dos grupos de control. En el presente estudio, se seleccionaron dos grupos de muestra basados en el muestreo estratificado y el muestreo aleatorio simple. Se seleccionó el primer grupo de muestra para la validación de los cuestionarios y se seleccionó el segundo grupo de muestra para la intervención. En este estudio, se utilizó el método de análisis factorial confirmatorio para determinar la confiabilidad y validez de las preguntas de cada cuestionario. Y el análisis de la mancova y la covarianza de una vía se usaron para probar las hipótesis. Antes y después de la intervención, se realizaron pruebas previas y posteriores. Los resultados del análisis de covarianza unidireccional mostraron que los puntajes de autoeficacia académica, motivación de logro, certeza de intención y pensamiento reflexivo (P = 0.001) fueron significativos. Al controlar el efecto de las pruebas previas, hay una diferencia significativa entre las pruebas posteriores del grupo experimental con el primero y el segundo grupo de control en todas las variables. La capacitación del modelo de pensamiento reflexivo aumentó significativamente la autoeficacia académica, la motivación de logro, la certeza de intención y el pensamiento reflexivo de los estudiantes del grupo experimental en comparación con el primero y el segundo grupos de control. Como el modelo de enseñanza reflexivo como un patrón de enseñanza moderno derivado de la teoría del constructivismo se aplica actualmente en los departamentos de educación en la mayor parte del mundo, por lo que se recomienda utilizar este método como un modelo de enseñanza confiable para todas las facultades de las universidades de nuestro país más con confianza.Os efeitos do ensino do modelo de pensamento reflexivo sobre a autoeficácia acadêmica, motivação de realização, certeza de intenção e pensamento reflexivo dos estudantes da Universidade Farhangyan em Ahvaz. Ahvaz, Irã. Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar os efeitos do ensino do modelo de pensamento reflexivo sobre a autoeficácia acadêmica, motivação de realização, certeza de intenção e pensamento reflexivo dos estudantes da Universidade Farhangyan em Ahvaz. A metodologia de pesquisa é o estudo de campo experimental no projeto de pré e pós-teste com um grupo experimental e dois grupos de controle foram implementados. No presente estudo, dois grupos amostrais foram selecionados com base na amostragem estratificada e amostragem aleatória simples. O primeiro grupo de amostra foi selecionado para validação dos questionários e o segundo grupo de amostra foi selecionado para intervenção. Neste estudo, o método de análise fatorial confirmatória foi utilizado para determinar a confiabilidade e validade das questões de cada questionário. E análise de mancova e covariância unidirecional foram usadas para testar as hipóteses. Antes e após a intervenção, pré-teste e pós-teste foram realizados. Os resultados da análise de covariância unidirecional mostraram que os escores de autoeficácia acadêmica, motivação de realização, certeza de intenção e pensamento reflexivo (P = 0,001) foram significativos. Controlando o efeito dos pré-testes, existe uma diferença significativa entre os pós-testes do grupo experimental com o primeiro e o segundo grupo controle em todas as variáveis. A formação do modelo de pensamento reflexivo aumentou significativamente a autoeficácia acadêmica, motivação de realização, certeza de intenção e pensamento reflexivo de estudantes do grupo experimental em comparação com o primeiro e segundo grupos de controle. Como o modelo de ensino reflexivo como um moderno padrão de ensino derivado da teoria do construtivismo é atualmente aplicado em departamentos de educação na maior parte do mundo, recomenda-se que este método seja utilizado como um modelo de ensino confiável para todas as faculdades de universidades em nosso país. com mais confiança

Invazija parazitima roda Eimeria (Coccidia: Eimeriidae) u ovaca različitih dobnih skupina u gradu Sanandaj u Iranu.

The prevalence of ovine Eimeria parasitism was monitored in 240 sheep in the western part of Iran, in the period from 2003-2004. The overall prevalence of coccidiosis in sheep was found to be 19.2%. The identified species included three pathogenic species, i.e. E. ahsata (10%), E. ovinoidalis (31%) and E. ovina (10%) and three non-pathogenic species, i.e. E. faurei (29%), E. parva (10%) and E. intricata (10%). Of 240 sheep, single infection was not observed and all 19.2% of infected sheep had mixed infections with at least three species. Consistency and intensity had a significant correlation with age. The sex and age of the sheep had a significant effect on prevalence, as well. The results of this study showed that Eimeria infection was prevalent in sheep in the western part of Iran.Promatrana je prevalencija invazije parazitima roda Eimeria u 240 ovaca u zapadnom dijelu Irana u razdoblju od 2003. do 2004. Prevalencija kokcidioze iznosila je 19,2%. Ustanovljene su tri patogene vrste, E. ahsata (10%), E. ovinoidalis (31%) and E. ovina (10%), i tri nepatogene vrste E. faurei (29%), E. Parva (10%) and E. intricata (10%). U svih 19,2% pozitivnih ovaca ustanovljena je mješovita invazija s najmanje tri vrste. Učestalost i jačina invazije bila je u korelaciji s dobi ovaca. Spol je također imao značajan učinak na prevalenciju. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da je invazija vrstama roda Eimeria česta u ovaca u zapadnom dijelu Irana

High folate production by naturally occurring Lactobacillus sp. with probiotics potential isolated from dairy products in Ilam and Lorestan provinces of Iran

Rapidly proliferating cells require large amounts of folate to support efficient DNA replication, repair and methylation indicating the importance of folate in human metabolism. Milk products are good sources of such vitamins which are produced by probiotics. In order to find suitable strains capable of high folate production, isolation and identification of Lactobacilli in traditional fermented milk from two different provinces located in the west of Iran were carried out. Lactobacillus  bacteria were isolated according to the ISO 7889 standard procedure. The isolated bacteria were characterized phenotypically and were screened for their ability to produce folate during fermentation of skim milk. Folate production by the selected strains was between 2.8 to 66.6 μg/l. Two strains with the highest folate production were then selected. The 16SrRNA genes from these two strains were amplified and sequenced and a phylogenetic tree constructed. The sequencing results in combination with phenotypic and biochemical properties showed that both strains were similar to Lactobacillus crustorum. Therefore, two new strains with an ability of high folate production were isolated and identified. These could be used as probiotics in the dairy industry. Hence, exploiting natural food-grade microorganisms for the production of nutritive dairy products is possible.Keywords: Folate, Lactobacillus, probiotic, traditional dairy products, IranAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5383-5391, 16 August, 201