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The present study mainly aims to demonstrate the weaknesses and strengths of using marketing principles in academic libraries and finally presenting some important suggestions in order to improve their marketing. This study proceeds through expressing the current marketing situation of studied academic libraries from the view point of 4P model. In this regard, the current situation is analyzed using a researcher-made questionnaire, and then the problems and shortcomings are highlighted in the field of marketing in the view point of 4P model which in turn enables us to introduce suggestions to overcome them. This research indicates that marketing principles in the studied libraries are not in a good state. The situation of product dimension is a bit farther up middle state (3.23). Also, the Place dimension with total average of 2.97, Promotion dimension with total average of 2.63 and finally the Price dimension with total average of 1.59 are below the middle state. Therefore, trying to make a good plan in marketing in the four mentioned dimensions is essential for studied academic libraries. Improving academic libraries' statement needs identifying their current situation in the view point of marketing. Consequently, this research studied the current situation of Isfahan governmental academic libraries in order to identify their weaknesses and suggest sufficient suggestions to cover them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The antifungal activity of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) prepared by Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported previously for different fungi. In the present study, freshly prepared Se NPs produced by K. pneumoniae were purified and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and its post antifungal effects for two fungi were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Se NPs, determined by serial dilution were 250 µg/ml for Aspergillus niger and 2,000 µg/ml for Candida albicans. The effect of exposure of A. niger and C. albicans to o Se NPs on later growth was evaluated by incubating the fungi for 1 hour at 25 C in media containing 0, 1, 2 and 4 x MIC of Se NPs and diluting the cultures 100 times with Se free medium. The kinetics of growth of the fungi in control cultures and in non-toxic Se NPs concentration of, 0.01 x MIC, 0.02 x MIC or 0.04xMIC were measured. Results: The exposure of A. niger and C. albicans to 2 and 4 x MIC of Se NPs stimulated the growth of both fungi in the absence of toxic concentrations of Se. The strongest stimulation was observed for A. niger. Conclusions: It is concluded that exposure to high concentration of the Se NPs did not have any post-inhibitory effect on A. niger and C. albicans and that trace amounts of this element promoted growth of both fungi in a dose- dependent-manner. The role of nanoparticles serving as needed trace elements and development of microorganism tolerance to nanoparticles should not be dismissed while considering therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, Fe3O4magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared by the alkalinization of an aqueous medium containing ferrous sulfate and ferric chloride. In the next step, a Fe3O4–AgCl magnetic nanocomposite was fabricated by the drop-by-drop addition of silver nitrate solution into a NaCl solution containing Fe3O4MNPs. All prepared nanoparticles were characterized by transition electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Both particle types varied in size from 2.5 to 20 nm, with an average size of 7.5 nm for Fe3O4MNPs and 12.5 nm for Fe3O4–AgCl nanocomposites. The antibacterial effect of the Fe3O4MNPs and fabricated Fe3O4–AgCl nanocomposites againstEscherichia coli(ATCC 35218) were investigated by conventional serial agar dilution method using the Müller–Hinton Agar medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 4 mg mL−1for Fe3O4MNPs and 2 mg mL−1for the Fe3O4–AgCl magnetic nanocomposites. Time-kill course assays showed that the Fe3O4–AgCl magnetic nanocomposites successfully killed all inoculated bacterial cells during an exposure time of 60 min. The antibacterial activity of recycled Fe3O4–AgCl magnetic nanocomposites over four 60 min cycles of antibacterial treatment was further tested againstE. coliby the colony-forming unit (CFU) method. The antibacterial efficiency of the nanocomposites was constant over two cycles of antibacterial testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nowadays, efficient studying is considered as an important element in social development and progress through which the public and especially university students gain a lot. Therefore, studying methods and skills should be considered in all educational levels ,especially higher education.The purpose of this research is to determine the level of students familiarity with studying methods in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) in 2010. Methods: This is an applied survey research in which the data were collected by a researcher made questionnaire. Its validity and reliability were confirmed by library and information sciences specialists and cronbach's alpha (r=0.813) respectively. Statistical population consisted of all students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (5999 cases) and the samples were 357. Sampling method was random stratified sampling.Data were analyzed by descriptive (frequency distribution, mean ) and inferential (T-test, ANOVA) statistics through SPSS software. Results:The findings showed that the mean level score of students familiarity in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with survey reading and speed reading were 15.78 and 15.7 respectively ( higher than average ,mean average = 15). Familiarity level of students with phrase reading with mean 13.29 was higher than average (mean average = 12). Familiarity level of students with close reading was 29.6 that was higher than average (mean average = 27). Familiarity level of students with inquiry reading was 15.52 , higher than average (mean average = 15). Also, familiarity level of students with critical reading and reading for aesthetic appraisal were 20.94 and 21.68 respectively, higher than average (mean average = 18). Comparison between students gender and the rate of familiarity with studying methods showed no significant difference. Also, familiarity level of students with studying methods was not the same in different colleges. Conclusion: The results showed that students familiarity levels with studying methods (survey reading , speed reading, phrase reading ,close reading, inquiry reading,critical reading ,reading for aesthetic appraisal) were higher than average in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Students were also more familiar with method of reading for aesthetic appraisal and less with speed reading. Generally, all students and education practitioners should pay special attention to various studying methods and their various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to urge the new culture of assessment of the quality of library services among Iran academic libraries and to assess the overall services quality of libraries from the users' perspectives based on the LibQUAL model. Design/methodology/approach - In this survey researchers used the LibQUAL model to assess service quality in the central libraries in engineering and technical governmental universities in Tehran city. For gathering data of libraries users, researchers used the LibQUAL questionnaire in a non-electronic format and translated into Farsi. Findings - It was found that library users were dissatisfied with their library building. But these libraries performed very well in the information control dimension. Furthermore, the examination of users' expectations showed that the proposition "Employees who are consistently courteous" was most important, and "Employees who instill confidence in users" had less importance. Originality/value - Using the LibQUAL Survey has helped the university libraries in Iran to better serve their main user groups, and for the first time researchers used the non-electronic format of LibQUAL questionnaire in the survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Necessity to establish a coherent and targeted research context in order to development of any country is increasingly important. But the basic step in creating an effective research context would be enrichment motivation of researchers especially students and resolve barriers of research. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine barriers of research activities from the perspective of students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences., Methods: This is research. Data was collected with author made questionnaire. The study sample consisted of students from Isfahan medical university and sample size based on Krejcie and Morgan table was 357. Sampling was Stratified Random. The validity of questionnaire confirmed by Library and information professionals and reliability based on Cronbach's Alpha was 0.933, respectively. The type of descriptive statistics was (percentage, frequency and mean) and inferential statistics (T-test, ANOVA, one-Sample Statistics) and SPSS software was used., Findings: Results showed that the mean of barriers to research activities among students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences was 3.89 ± 0. 483. The highest mean was related to density of students' curriculum (4.22± 0.968) and lowest mean related to lack of access to appropriate library resources. Also, the mean of research activities 's barriers, according to aspects showed that the mean in individual barriers level (4.06±0.635) was more than other aspects: social and cultural aspects (4.01± 0.661), economical aspect (4.04± 0.787) and organizational barriers (3.78±0.503). The lowest mean was related to organizational barriers. Also there is no difference between mean of research activities' barriers of student of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with regarded of gender, level of education and college., Conclusion: According to results of this research, although, the main barriers between students was individual barriers such as: lack of sufficient familiarity with research methods, insufficient experience in research and lack of familiarity with the terms of the articles in publication, but other aspects like economic, cultural, social and organizational was in bad condition too. Therefore it is suggested that workshops related to research methodologies is executed, like proposal writing, writing articles in university especially for students and administrators support student's research activities, effectively.

Introduction: Research self-efficacy if the people's judgment of their abilities in order to organize and conduct meaningful research in different formats. The aim of this study is to determinate the rate of research self-efficacy among students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences based on Research Self-efficacy Scale., Materials and Methods: The method of this study is an applied survey method. Statistical population is all students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and the sample size was calculated to be 361 samples based on Krejcie and Morgan table. Random sampling method was used with equal number of samples from every department. Data collection tool is Salehi et al. questionnaire (with 7 dimensions) with Likert scale (5 grades). Its validity and reliability were confirmed by Psychology and Research Method experts and Cronbach's alpha (r = 0.84) respectively. Data gathering method was direct visit to each department. The data was then analyzed using t-test and one-tailed ANOVA using SPSS 16 software., Results: The finding showed that among research self-efficiency dimensions research ethics dimension had the highest and quality research dimension had the lowest means. Furthermore comparing the research self-efficacy scores with demographic characteristics suggests that there is no significant difference between total score of research self-efficacy of different departments, genders or educational degrees (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Since the score of most of the research self-efficacy dimensions were, lower than average, holding periodical workshops, inclusion of necessary courses in the educational plan, forcing student to perform research activity such as writing articles in lower educational levels and improvement of research culture for students with the help of experienced professors are some of practical solutions, which can lead to increasing the motivation of the students for conducting efficient research.

Introduction: One of the most common anxieties in higher education is research anxiety. The purpose of this study was to determine the research anxiety level among the faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS)., Methods: this was survey- analytical study. The stratified random sampling method was used and a sample of 212 people was selected. For data collection was used a questionnaire. Data were analyzed with descriptive and analytical (T Test, ANOVA and LSD) statistics., Findings: The average anxiety research in IUMS was about 3.27 ±0.536. Among factors, highest scores in descending order are related to lack of timely payment of fees (3.97±0.961), the long approval process of proposals and research project reporting (3.86.±0.99) and lack of research efficiency on the part of faculty (3.70±1.00). The lowest scores were related to having insufficient funds to conduct research (2.67±1.08), another's understanding of inability for researching (2.84±1.192), and unfriendly behavior from journals and research center staffs (2.89±0.802)., Conclusion: The mean level of research anxiety among faculty members of IUMS was found higher than average. So it's essential that authorities pay greater attention to the factors that cause research anxiety.

Introduction: Media and Information literacy (MIL) enables people to interpret and make informed judgments as users of information and media, as well as to become skillful creators and producers of information and media messages in their own right. The purpose of this research was to determine the amount of Media and Information Literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences' students using Iranian Media and Information Literacy Questionnaire (IMILQ)., Methods: This is an applied analytical survey research in which the data were collected by a researcher made questionnaire, provided based on specialists' viewpoints and valid scientific works. Its validity and reliability were confirmed by Library and Information Sciences specialists and Cronbach's alpha (r=0.89) respectively. Statistical population consisted of all students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (6000 cases) and the samples were 361. Sampling method was random stratified sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics., Results: The findings showed that the mean level of Media and Information Literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences' students was 3.34±0.444 (higher than average). The highest mean was promotion of scientific degree with 3.84±0.975 and the lowest mean was difficulties in starting research with 2.50±1.08. There was significant difference between educational degree, college type and family's income and amount of Media and Information Literacy., Conclusion: The results showed that the students didn't have enough skills in starting the research, defining the research subject as well as confining the research subject. In general, all students and education practitioners should pay special attention to factors affecting in improving Media and Information Literacy as a main capability in using printed and electronic media.

Introduction: Media literacy is a 21(st) century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a variety of forms - from print to video to the Internet. Also, it builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy. The purpose of this research was to determine the rate of media literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences' students using Iranian Media Literacy Questionnaire (IMLQ)., Materials and Methods: This is a survey research in which the data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire. Its validity and reliability were confirmed by Library and Information Sciences specialists and Chronbach's alpha (r = 0.89), respectively. Statistical population consisted of all students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (7000 cases) and the samples were 364. Sampling method was random stratified sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive (frequency distribution, mean) and inferential (T-test, ANOVA, and one-sample t-test) statistics through SPSS16 software., Results: The findings showed that the mean level of media literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences' students was 3.20 ± 0.558 (higher than average). The highest mean was skill in avoiding confusion and focus on activates such as watching television, listening to radio, reading newspaper, and using internet; and the lowest mean was skill in membership and subscription in useful society networks. The mean of evaluation of media messages dimension was more than others. The lowest mean of dimensions was for selective and purposeful use of media with 2.99 ± 0.761. Comparison between gender, married status, educational degree, and college type and the rate of media literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences' students showed no significant difference., Conclusion: The results showed that the rate of media literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences' students was higher than average. But students didn't have enough skill in membership and subscription in useful society networks and Skill in tracking news about your favorite artists and musicians. Generally, all students and education practitioners should pay special attention to factors affecting in improving media literacy as a basic capability in using media.

In the present research study, ciprofloxacin-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared using a precipitation method. The nature of interactions between zinc oxide nanoparticles and ciprofloxacin (CAS 85721-33-1) was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the carbonyl group in ciprofloxacin is actively involved in forming chemical--rather than physical--bonds with zinc oxide nanoparticles. Also the antibacterial activity of free zinc oxide nanoparticles and ciprofloxacin-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles have been evaluated against different clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The free zinc oxide nanoparticles did not show potent antibacterial activity against all test strains. In contrast, only the low concentrations of ciprofloxacin-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (equivalent to the sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of pure ciprofloxacin) considerably enhanced the antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (4 to 32 fold increase). The result is of particular value, since it demonstrates that, by using biocompatible zinc oxide nanoparticles in combination therapy, lower amounts of antibiotics may be needed.