The aim of this study was the discrimination of Salmonella isolated from chicken and their feed and drinking water for the epidemiological control of salmonellosis. Totally, 289 samples, including 217 chicken cloaca swabs, 46 water, and 26 feed samples were collected from five different farms in Karbala governorate, Iraq. Conventional bacteriology tests, API 20E, Vitek 2, and serology were used for bacterial identification. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to analyze the genetic relationships among Salmonella isolates. The isolation rate of Salmonella spp. was 21.1% (61/289). While the water samples constituted the highest rate (30.4%), a rate of 21.7% was reported for the cloaca swabs, with no isolate at all from chicken feed. Vitek 2 was able to identify some isolates to the serotype level, such as S. Enteritidis, S. Paratyphi B, and S. Paratyphi C. However, the isolates were diagnosed as S. enterica by API 20E, and as S. enterica subsp. arizonae through serology. Analyzing the samples by the RAPD-PCR assay showed the presence of genetically different Salmonella spp. Dendrograms created by the GelJ software successfully delineated the genetic relationships. Therefore, RAPD-PCR can be used as a surrogate tool for the fast, reliable, and accurate detection of Salmonella in epidemiological surveys when compared with other biochemical-based identification methods.
The impact of undergraduate research experiences on students' academic development and retention in STEM fields is significant. Students' success in STEM fields is based on developing strong research and critical thinking skills that make it essential for students to engage in research activities throughout their academic programs. This work evaluates the effectiveness of undergraduate research experiences with respect to its influence on student retention and academic development. The cases presented are based on years of experience implementing undergraduate research programs in various STEM fields at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) funded by HSI STEM Grants. The study seeks to establish a correlation between students' reten
... Show MoreBackground: This study aimed to use the combined mesio-distal crowns widths of maxillary incisors and first molars as predictors to the combined mesio-distal crowns widths of maxillary and mandibular canines and premolars. Materials and methods: The sample included 110 Iraqi Arab subjects with an age ranged between 17-25 years and class I skeletal and dental relations. The crown widths of maxillary teeth and mandibular canines and premolars were measured at the largest mesio-distal dimension on the study casts using digital electronic caliper with 0.01 mm sensitivity. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relation between the combined mesio-distal crowns widths of maxillary incisors and first molars and the combined
... Show MoreThe research aims: to build a measure of the cognitive competence of coaches from the point of view of players of Iraqi Premier League volleyball clubs and extract scores and standard levels for it. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the descriptive method was used using the survey method. As for the research sample, it was chosen intentionally, and was represented by volleyball players for the Premier League 2024-2025. The sample was divided into exploratory, constructive, and standardizing, and starting the construction procedures, which included finding the scientific foundations for the scale, in addition to extracting the modified standard score and levels for the sample of the main experiment for standardization. Amou
... Show MoreBackground: Large amounts of oily wastewater and its derivatives are discharged annually from several industries to the environment. Objective: The present study aims to investigate the ability to remove oil content and turbidity from real oily wastewater discharged from the wet oil's unit (West Qurna 1-Crude Oil Location/ Basra-Iraq) by using an innovated electrocoagulation reactor containing concentric aluminum tubes in a monopolar mode. Methods: The influences of the operational variables (current density (1.77-7.07 mA/cm2) and electrolysis time (10-40 min)) were studied using response surface methodology (RSM) and Minitab-17 statistical program. The agitation speed was taken as 200 rpm. Energy and electrodes consumption had been studi
... Show More