Archives-December 2011

The aim of present research is to determine and prioritize criteria and scales of evaluating cohesive training systems. Present paper attempts to provide a paradigm for better devising of universities' cohesive training systems by identifying such scales. In terms of its aim, this research is an applied one and in terms of data collection method, it is descriptive and survey one. Its population includes elite training experts in the colleges and institutes affiliated to University of Tehran. It attempts to study domestic and foreign papers and to identify criteria and scales for evaluating cohesive training systems. Library method is used to gather information on theoretical basics, literature and to identify aspects and scales. Identified aspects include: content, flexibility, organizational structure, usage convenience, usage services and apparent form. To prioritize identified aspects and scales, the opinions of elite training experts in University of Tehran are used. Data gathering tool was questionnaire. Data were analyzed by AHP method and Expert Choice software. According to research findings, the relative supremacy of content was 0.362; flexibility, 0.225; organizational structure, 0.155; usage convenience, 0.115, usage service, 0.087; and apparent form, 0.056. So, one can say that the importance of identified aspects to evaluate cohesive training systems in terms of priority is content, flexibility, organizational structure, usage convenience, usage services and apparent form.

Antimicrobial control programs are widely used to decrease antibiotic utilization, but effects on antimicrobial resistance and outcomes for patients remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of rotation of antibiotic classes used as empirical surgical prophylaxis on the emergence of bacterial resistance organisms and antibiotics drug use when compared with non-rotation period. Three core, broad spectrum agents (Cephalosporins, beta-lactam-inhibitors, and fluoroquinolones) were selected for inclusion in the quaternary rotation for 21 months, based on prior 8 months baseline data from GIT and urology surgical wards in Ibn Sina hospital. Intensive surveillance done for patients admitted to the selected settings. 1681 surveillance samples obtained from 2359 eligible inpatients admitted to hospital from Jan 2008 to May 2010. A significant reduction in the percentage of positive growth had been observed with antibiotic rotation for both wards from 65% and 49% in baseline to 59% and 33% in rotation (1) and 25% and 33% in rotation (2) in GIT and urology ward respectively (p? 0.0001). As general there was a divergent effect of the antimicrobial rotation on the prevalence of resistance among G+ve and G-ve bacteria. We concluded that antimicrobial drug use in surgical departments could be optimized after implementation of antimicrobial cycling policy, and associated in reduction in the incidence of infectious mortality and morbidity but stabilize antibiotic resistance, without significant reduction.

Benzilic Acid is an organic material with interesting nonlinear optical properties, in particular Second Harmonic Generation (SHG).It was synthesized and single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method. Unit cell parameters were evaluated by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The formation of the material was confirmed qualitatively by FT-IR analysis and its optical transmittance was studied. The Thermal and mechanical properties were analised. The SHG efficiency was also measured.

In this paper, we study the Q-homomorphism in Q-fuzzy subgroup and prove some results on these.

The major (K, Mg, Cl, Ca and Na) and minor (Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Cu and Br) elemental concentrations in different parts of Graviola (Annona Muricata) fruit including the fruit fibres, fruit cover, seed, fruit juice and seed cover were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Their concentrations were found to vary in the various fruit parts. The elements Br, Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn and Na were recorded in all the various fruit parts. The highest concentrations recorded were K in the fruit cover (1.43±0.03%), fruit fibre (1.46±0.09%), fruit juice (2.28±0.15%) and seed (0.55±0.06%). In the seed cover however, Ca recorded the highest concentration of 0.25±0.02%. Chromium was below the detection limits of INAA in the fruit cover, fruit fibre and fruit juice. Copper and Fe were below detection limits in the fruit juice and seed cover respectively. The presence of Ca, Mg, Na, K, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Br, Cl and Mn reflects the function of the Graviola fruit as a source of essential nutrient elements. Therefore, the Graviola fruit becomes important in view of the fact that their regular consumption might help the body to attain the required levels of these essential nutrient elements.

Graviola, Annona Muricata, leaves is known for its efficacy in the treatment and management of complex disorders in man. Most research work available however targets on their organic contents, viz. essential oils, glycosides, vitamins, alkaloids and other active components. This research work aimed at investigating their elemental composition which is most often overlooked, though they play important roles in the fight against diseases. In order to determine the presence of these elements, even at trace levels, and to minimize chemical contamination during sample preparation, the sensitive analytical technique (which is free from the use of chemicals), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used. Potassium, Ca, Cl, Mg, Fe, Na, Br, Mn, Cu, Cr and Co were present in the leaves at detectable concentrations. The concentrations of the elements Cu, Fe and Mn were found to be below their tolerable upper intake levels. The presence of these elements in the leaves of Annona Muricata indicates its potential for use in medicinal preparations for the management and treatment of certain diseases.

Calotropis procera R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is a well-known medicinal plant with leaves, roots, and bark being exploited by popular medicine to fight many human and animal diseases. This work deals with the fractionation of the crude latex produced by the green parts of the plant and aims to evaluate its toxic effects upon egg hatching and larval development of Aedes aegypti. The whole latex was shown to cause 100% mortality of 3rd instars within 5 min. It was fractionated into water-soluble dialyzable (DF) and non-dialyzable (NDF) rubber-free materials. Both fractions were partially effective to prevent egg hatching and most of individuals growing under experimental conditions died before reaching 2nd instars or stayed in 1st instars. Besides, the fractions were very toxic to 3rd instars causing 100% mortality within 24 h. When both fractions were submitted to heat-treatment the toxic effects were diminished considerably suggesting low thermostability of the toxic compounds. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of both fractions and their newly fractionated peaks obtained through ion exchange chromatography or desalting attested the presence of proteins in both materials. When submitted to protease digestion prior to larvicidal assays NDF lost most of its toxicity but DF was still strongly active. It may be possible that the highly toxic effects of the whole latex from C. procera upon egg hatching and larvae development should be at least in part due to its protein content found in NDF.

Field trial was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2009 and 2010 to study the effects of nitrogen and intra row spacing on the growth and yield of sesame. The experiment consisted of three levels of nitrogen in the form of urea (0, 50, and 100 kg N ha-1) and three intra row spacing (7.5, 15 and 22.5cm). The nine treatment combinations were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plant height, leaf area index, number of branches per plant, total dry matter per plant and days to 50% flowering were optimized at 100 kg N ha-1 and 22.5cm intra row spacing. Numbers of capsules per plant, capsule weight per plant, grain yield per plant and grain yield per hectare were optimized at 50 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. Maximum number capsules per plant, capsule weight per plant, grain yield per plant were recorded at 22.5cm intra row spacing while, maximum grain yield per hectare was recorded at 15cm intra row spacing. Application of 50 kg N ha-1 and planting at 15cm intra row spacing is therefore recommended for higher sesame yield in this area.

Single crystals of methyl para hydroxyl benzoate a nonlinear optical (NLO) material were grown by slow solvent evaporation technique at room temperature. Acetone was used as solvent. The MPHB crystals obtained by the above technique were subjected to different characterization analysis. Unit cell parameters were evaluated by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The lattice dimensions were determined from the powder x-ray diffraction analysis. The functional groups and optical behaviour of the crystals were identified from FTIR and UV-vis analysis. Micro hardness, thermal and etching studies were also carried out on the sample respectively. The SHG efficiency of the grown crystal was measured through NLO studies.

Looking to the pharmacological importance of 8-hydroxyquinolines,in the present study, a novel bi-dentate ligand N - (3 - (bis (2 - ((8 – hydroxyquinolin – 5 – yl) methoxy) ethyl) amino) – 4 - methoxyphenyl) acetamide (BHQMA) was synthesized by the reaction of N - (3 - (bis (2 - hydroxyethyl) amino) – 4 -methoxyphenyl) acetamide with 5-chloromethyl- 8-hydroxyquinoline hydrochloride. Its co-ordination polymers were also prepared with Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) salts. All the above compounds were investigated by physicochemical analyses, thermogravimetric analysis and spectroscopic techniques. In vitro antimicrobial activity of all synthesized compounds and standard drugs have been evaluated against four strains of bacteria which include two Gram +ve bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and two Gram-ve bacteria such as Es cherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and one fungi Aspergillus niger.