Numerical Taxonomic Techniques Research Articles

The Application of Numerical Taxonomy Technique in the Iron Ore Flotation to Determine Appropriate pH and Particle Size Distribution

The numerical taxonomic technique is one of the multivariate decision-making techniques for assessment and ranking. It is widely used for planning and development studies. In this research, flotation experiments were conducted for Band Narges mine iron ore using different pH and particle size ranges. Numerical taxonomy technique, as one of the most important multi-attribute decision-making techniques, was used to determine the best range of particle sizes for the input feed of the flotation cell as well as the pH of the pulp. For this purpose, two different particle size ranges were selected for six different pH values as options. Criteria for evaluating particle size ranges and pHs were determined. Subsequently, effective criteria were determined by performing various tests. Finally, the ranking of the tests was determined using numerical taxonomy. Based on the Fi value (a parameter indicating the appropriate status or developmental rate of the option), the particle sizes <74 µm and pH = 9 were proposed as the optimum conditions to float Band Narges Iron Ore.

Identification of optimal initiatives for motivation enhancement of human assets

The concept of motivation is typically the beginning point of cognitive process behind any behaviour. The aim of this study is to rank organisational motivational plans in terms of importance by collecting empirical data in three satellite campuses of a large university. In this regard, a field survey is conducted and organisational experts in each campus are provided a questionnaire. The collected data was analysed by using technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), simple additive weighting (SAW) and numerical taxonomy techniques. Then, a hybrid approach was used as it compensates the points of the weaknesses of the aforementioned techniques. The findings show that participative management style, job promotion and optimisation of compensatory system in the three campuses are the most important motivational action plans. Findings of this research contribute to both scholars and practitioners in enhancing the understanding of motivational plans in terms of importance, as well as the improved decision making on design and implementation of these plans.

Identification of optimal initiatives for motivation enhancement of human assets

The concept of motivation is typically the beginning point of cognitive process behind any behaviour. The aim of this study is to rank organisational motivational plans in terms of importance by collecting empirical data in three satellite campuses of a large university. In this regard, a field survey is conducted and organisational experts in each campus are provided a questionnaire. The collected data was analysed by using technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), simple additive weighting (SAW) and numerical taxonomy techniques. Then, a hybrid approach was used as it compensates the points of the weaknesses of the aforementioned techniques. The findings show that participative management style, job promotion and optimisation of compensatory system in the three campuses are the most important motivational action plans. Findings of this research contribute to both scholars and practitioners in enhancing the understanding of motivational plans in terms of importance, as well as the improved decision making on design and implementation of these plans.

Phenotypic divergence in vegetable amaranth for total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant profile, dietary fiber, nutritional and agronomic traits

ABSTRACTA lot of variations in vegetable amaranth germplasm have been observed in Bangladesh. It has been used as a cheap source of antioxidants, nutrients, protein, and dietary fiber. But no efforts had not been taken to know the status of antioxidant content, polyphenol, flavonoid, antioxidant vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, nutritional and agronomic traits. In this study, Forty-three vegetable amaranth genotypes were evaluated to determine the status of total antioxidant content, polyphenol, flavonoid, antioxidant vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, nutritional and agronomic traits and the magnitude of genetic diversity based on the contribution of those traits for meaningful grouping and proper utilization in future breeding program. The experiment was carried out in an open experimental field at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Multivariate (Principal component and cluster) analysis was done using numerical taxonomic techniques of Sneath, & Sokal. Four principal components contributed 98.61% of the variation. Biological yield and total antioxidant content was strongly associated with their related all agronomic traits. Total flavonoid content had a higher contribution to total antioxidant capacity compared to vitamin and mineral antioxidants. Contribution of antioxidant profile and agronomic traits was the highest in diversity of vegetable amaranth. Both high and low yielding genotypes had a high antioxidant profile. Therefore, high yielding genotypes (From cluster VI) could be used directly as high antioxidant profile varieties and low yielding genotypes as a source of donor parents in hybridization program. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into six clusters. The diverse genotypes in different clusters were identified. Genotypes with desirable genes of one cluster hybridized with promising genotypes of other diverge clusters could facilitate the accumulation of favorable genes in hybrids.Abbreviations: PCA: principal component analysis; PC: principal component; dw: dry weight; TFC: total flavonoid content; TAC: total antioxidant capacity; TPC: total polyphenol content; K: potassium; Ca: calcium; Mg: magnesium; Fe: iron; Mn: manganese; Cu: copper; Zn: zinc

Access to healthcare resources in the cities of west of Iran

Background : The healthcare sector is one of the most important sectors in the development of each country, and the disparities in the distribution of health resources will reduce the level of development. The aim of this study was to examine the physical accessibility and degree of development in healthcare resources in the cities of five western provinces, including Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Ilam, Lorestan and Hamadan by numerical taxonomy method in 2012. Methods: The study sample of this cross-sectional study included 51 cities of five Western provinces of Iran. The physical accessibility and degree of development of healthcare resources were evaluated by numerical taxonomy technique using 23 indicators of health resources. Data were obtained from the statistical yearbooks of provinces in 2012. The data analysis was done by Excel and Arc GIS software. Results: The cities of Kermanshah and Salas-e-Babajani had the highest (F=0.59) and lowest (F=1.07) degree of development in terms of access to healthcare resources, respectively. Also, 50% of Kermanshah cities, 40% of Kurdistan cities, 37.5% of Ilam cities, 40% of Lorestan cities and about 88.8% of Hamadan cities were found to have good and very good status in access to healthcare services.. Conclusion: This study showed a large gap between the cities of one province and among the western provinces in access to healthcare resources.

Access to healthcare facilities: case study of Kermanshah province

Background: Access to health care facilities and healthcare services is one of the most influential factors in the maintenance and promotion of health in society .The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the cities of Kermanshah province in terms of access to healthcare facilities. Methods: The present study was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was performed using 16 indices of health care facilities in 2011. Numerical taxonomy technique and TPSIS method were used to determine the level of development in access to health care facilities. Also, Shannon entropy technique was used to determine the weights of healthcare indices. Results: according to the results of numerical taxonomic technique, the Qasr-e Shirin and Salas-e Babajani towns had the highest and lowest access to health care facilities, respectively. Shannon's entropy technique introduced the number of beds per 10000 people as the most important index. According to the findings of TOPSIS technique, Qasr-e Shirin and Salas-e Babajani towns obtained the highest and lowest ranks in terms of access to health care facilities. Conclusion: There was a gap in access to the health facilities between the towns of Kermanshah and health tesoiurces were not evenly distributed. Therefore, health resources should be distributed according to the level of development and the allocation priorities should be determined based on scientific evidence.

Systematic significance of cytology in Cyananthus (Campanulaceae) endemic to the Sino‐Himalayan region

AbstractChromosome numbers and the morphology of members of 24 populations representing 15 species of the Sino‐Himalayan endemic genus Cyananthus (Campanulaceae) were studied using karyological and numerical taxonomic techniques. The chromosome numbers of these taxa are 2n = 10, 12, 14, 24, 28, and the basic chromosome numbers for the genus are x = 5, 6, 7. All species except C. inflatus Hook. f. &amp; Thoms. and C. microphyllus Edgew. were examined for the first time and a new ploidy level (tetraploidy) is reported in the genus. Chromosome measurement data were analyzed using cluster analysis. The relationships between three sections within Cyananthus and evolutionary trends within the genus are discussed in the light of karyological data. The cytological data suggest that Cyananthus is a relatively primitive genus in Campanulaceae and there is significant division within the genus, and polyploidization may have played an important role in the chromosome evolution and speciation of Cyananthus in the Himalayan–Hengduan Mountains.

Cytotaxonomic studies on someViciaL. species growing in the eastern Mediterranean and southern Aegean regions II.

In this study, some natural Vicia L. species growing naturally in eastern Mediterranean and southern Aegean Regions have been investigated morphological and cytotaxonomic point of view. Morphology, chromosome number and morphometries of the 9 taxa belonging to the Vicia L. genus including Vicia peregrina, V. lutea var. hirta, V. anatolica, V. hybrida, V. grandiflora var. grandiflora, V. grandiflora var. dissecta, V. cuspidata, V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. sativa subsp. nigra var. segatalis have been studied by using karyological and numerical taxonomic techniques. Data obtained chromosome measurements were analysed by using cluster analysis. The chromosome number of studied Vicia species have been found as 2n = 10, 12 and 14. The member of Vicia section, related taxa were compared with respect to their chromosomal and morphological characteristics. Some karyological relationships among the studied Vicia taxa were discussed with help of taxonomic history and evolutionary data.

Application of numerical taxonomy techniques to the choice of optimum mobile phase in high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)

A total of eight solvent systems used for the separation of 1,4-benzodiazepine mixtures were investigated. The classification of solvent systems was carried out by the numerical taxonomy technique. The selection of optimum solvent system was accomplished on the basis of information quantity and objective function. The method was found to be a rapid and efficient tool in the choice of optimum system solvent.

A numerical taxonomic study of the Pseudomonas flora isolated from poultry meat.

Pseudomonas strains were isolated from both fresh and cold-stored broiler skin. Phenotypically-based numerical taxonomic techniques were used to characterize the isolates and 36 reference strains. For this purpose, Biolog GN Microplates, API 20NE and a number of other biochemical tests were used. Jaccard clustering revealed the predominance of four major Pseudomonas groups: Ps. fragi, Ps. lundensis, strains belonging to Ps. fluorescens biovars and an unidentified group of strains displaying a high degree of similarity to Ps. fluorescens biovars. Within Ps. fluorescens, biovar A was best represented. The marked proteolytic character of members of Ps. fluorescens biovars A, B and C, as well as of members of the unidentified cluster, supports their possible role in the origin of organoleptic defects. In the Ps. lundensis cluster, a distinct group of Ps. lundensis-like species was found. Further genotypic studies should be carried out to clarify the taxonomic status of the Ps. lundensis-like strains and that of the unidentified group resembling Ps. fluorescens biovars A and B.

Numerical taxonomy of heavy metal-tolerant nonhalophilic bacteria isolated from hypersaline environments.

A total of 232 metal-tolerant bacterial strains were isolated from water and sediment samples collected in different hypersaline environments located in Cádiz, Huelva and Morón de la Frontera (Spain). They were isolated on a medium containing mercury, chromium, cadmium, copper or zinc. These halotolerant isolates were analyzed by numerical taxonomy techniques by using the simple matching (SSM) and Jaccard (SJ) coefficients; clustering was achieved using the unweighted pair group method with averages (UPGMA) algorithm. At the 81% and 83% similarity level, different numbers of phenons were obtained for Gram-negative and Gram-positive halotolerant microorganisms. Most of the 48 Gram-negative metal-tolerant strains studied were grouped into nine phenons, representing the genera Pseudoalteromonas, Alteromonas, Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes and Enterobacteria. The 72 Gram-positive metal-tolerant strains grouped into eight phenons, with only 15 strains left unassigned. Most of the isolates were assigned to the genus Bacillus (seven phenons), and one phenon comprised microorganisms with phenotypic characteristics similar to those of the genus Celullomonas.

Phenotypic variation and the relationships among mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm from Pakistan

An investigation was conducted to determine the extent of diversity and relationships among the Brassica juncea germplasm from Pakistan using morphological characters. A total of 52 accessions, including the collected germplasm as well as commercial cultivars/improved lines, were studied under field conditions at Tsukuba, Japan during 1995 and 1996. All the accessions were characterized for 35 agro-morphological characters from seedling emergence to crop maturity. Morphological data were analyzed by numerical taxonomic techniques using two complementary procedures: cluster and principal component analyses. Phenograms based on Euclidean distance placed the accessions into six groups during both years. Landrace groups were primarily associated with morphological differences among the accessions and secondarily with the breeding objectives and horticultural uses. The mustard germplasm collected from Pakistan showed a comparatively low level of phenotypic variation amongst themselves and were genetically similar to the oilseed cultivars. However, the oilseed forms and vegetable cultivars were genetically distinct. This study revealed that the evaluated germplasm appears to have a narrow genetic base which undergoes a high level of genetic erosion. This is perhaps due to the use of the same ancestors in the selection of new lines for similar horticultural traits, replacement by major crops and changes in agricultural land uses.

Investment implications of the korean financial market reform

This paper investigates if the Korean equity market has any structural relationship with other stock markets in Asia and the industrialized world. Unlike earlier studies, this one places emphasis on the Korean equity market relative to other markets in the sample. The numerical taxonomy technique is applied to investigate if the Korean index exhibits a short-run comovement with the other indexes in the sample. The results indicate some comovement between the Korean and the Japanese indexes. The comovement with the U.K. and U.S. indexes is slight with no consistent pattern. On the long-run, the pairwise cointegration test indicates that there is no consistent structural relationship between the Korean stock market and any of the sampled indexes.

Numerial Taxonomy and DNA-DNA Hybridizations of Aeromonas strains Isolated from Human diarrhoeal Stool, Fish and Environment

Summary A numerical taxonomic study and DNA-DNA hybridizations were performed on seventy-one isolates of Aeromonas collected from children diarrhoeal stool, dead and alive fish Rutilus rutilus, and environment. These isolates were compared with the fifteen type and reference strains of the presently recognized Aeromonas genomic species. Results of the phenotypic tests were analysed by numerical taxonomic techniques, using the simple matching coefficient (SSM) and Jaccard coefficient (SJ), and the unweighted average linkage clustering (UPGMA). At SSM > 85% and SJ > 75% these analyses resolved 6 groups and 9 single strains. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed seven genomic groups among the examined Aeromonas isolates. Clusters were identified as A. hydrophila/A. bestiarum (two groups), A. veronii biotype sobria (two groups), A. caviae/A. medial A. eucrenophila, and A. media. The results obtained with the numerical taxonomy were not in perfect agreement with the DNA-DNA hybridization results and showed genetic heterogeneity of some phena. In some cases strains of one genomic species were found in different clusters or one cluster contained more than one hybridization group (HG). Among isolates of HG 8/10 biovariants were found. Strains of HG 1–3 and of HG 4–6 showed high phenotypic homogeneity. The results of this study emphasise the need to use of molecular methods in addition to phenotypic characteristics for identification of Aeromonas isolates with the genomic species.

A hybrid legal decision‐support system using both rule‐based and case‐based reasoning

Abstract A hybrid legal knowledge‐based system, Advisory Support for Home Settlement in Divorce (ASHSD), is discussed. Legal knowledge for ASHSD is represented in two forms, as rules and cases. Besides distinguishing the two different forms of knowledge representation, the paper outlines the actual use of these forms in a computational architecture that is designed to generate a suitable solution for a given new case. Methods of measuring similarity between items (e.g. rules that are triggered and rules where not all preconditions are true in a given situation; past cases and the statement of a current problem) by techniques of numerical taxonomy are exploited for this purpose. The same methods give a convenient means of assessing whether a new problem is better tackled by calling on rules that express the usual legal knowledge in the area or by referring to a past case that has overridden the rules.

Seasonal changes of subantarctic benthic bacterial communities

From December 1982 to February 1985 systematic observations of heterotrophic bacterial populations were recorded for a nearshore marine sediment of Kerguelen Archipelago. A weekly survey included physicochemical (temperature, mineral and organic C and N) measurements. Total (A.O.D C.) and saprophytic (M.P.N. on Zobell medium) counts were used for quantitative bacterial investigations. Heterotrophic microbial activities were estimated by14C glucose and14C glutamic acid uptake measurements. The bacterial community structure was investigated by carrying out 57 morphological and biochemical tests on 1742 isolated strains. Quantitative data were treated by principal component analysis. Qualitative data were analysed by a numerical taxonomy technique using similarity coefficients with WPGM algorithm. The % abundance of the various taxonomic groups varied greatly with season. Although non fermentative Gram-negative rods were generally dominant, the existence of a succession of populations during bacterial growth resulting from periodical organic enrichements is clearly demonstrated. The nutrient supply rather than the temperature seems to be the major factor determining microbial fluctuations in the studied subantarctic coastal marine environments.

Density, activity, and diversity of bacteria indigenous to a karstic aquifer

The microbial ecology of karstic ground water is largely unknown. The density, activity, and diversity of bacteria indigenous to subsurface karstic material in Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky were studied using minimally disruptive, on-site procedures. Two sites, located 100 m below the surface and consisting of saturated fine to coarse sand in pooled water, were examined. Samples were taken aseptically using modified, sterile 60-cc syringes. Total cell and total respiring cell densities were determined using an acridine orange/p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet (AO/INT) staining procedure. Cells in selected cores were stained with INT and incubated in the cave for 4 h prior to fixing with glutaraldehyde and subsequent transport to the laboratory. Cells were stained with AO in the laboratory. Low- and high-nutrient media were used to determine viable cell counts. Plates were incubated in the cave for 1 day at ambient temperature prior to transportation to the laboratory in an insulated cooler. Viable cell counts ranged from 1.0 × 106 to 8.1 × 106 cells wet g(-1) of sediment. Total direct counts were 3.9 × 106 and 1.4 × 107 cells wet g(-1) for the Olivia's Dome and the Catherine's Dome sites, respectively. Viable cell counts were highly similar to respiring cell counts at both sites. At the Olivia's Dome site, viable cell counts represented 26-31% of the direct cell counts, while 58% of the total cell count were actively respiring. At the Catherine's Dome site, viable cell counts represented 11-58% of the direct counts, while 53% of the cells were actively respiring. A total of 237 strains recovered from low- and high-nutrient media at both Olivia's and Catherine's Domes, and 10 reference strains were examined for 117 morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics. Results were coded in a binary fashion and analyzed using numerical taxonomic techniques. Similarity values were calculated using a simple matching coefficient. Fifty-two clusters, ranging in size from 2 to 13 members, were defined at the 80-85% similarity level with the weighted pair-group mathematical average algorithm (WPGMA). The matrix was examined using the Jaccard coefficient and WPGMA clustering to control for distortion due to negative matches and varying group size. Presumptively identified genera include, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Bacillus, Cornyebacterium, Actinomyces, Aureobacterium, Chromobacterium, and Mycobacterium. Pseudomonas spp. were not recovered. Fifty percent of the clustered operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were not identified. Thirty percent of the clustered OTUs were irregular, asporogenous, Gram-positive rods. The bacterial communities varied between sites, and isolation medium had a strong influence on the strains recovered. The bacterial community in the karstic sediments sampled exhibits a high degree of diversity having no dominant strain or strains.

Numerical taxonomic studies on cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Trinidad

Morphological and biochemical characterization of cacao germplasm has been undertaken in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG, T) to provide useful information for breeders and other users of the crop and in order to facilitate assessment of the genetic diversity of the collection. Use of the full list of standardized morphological descriptors recommended by the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) prolongs the process of data collation. The work reported in this paper describes an attempt to develop a much shorter list, which contains the most discriminative or taxonomically useful descriptors. Twelve taxonomically useful quantitative descriptors have been identified, using numerical taxonomic techniques.

Numerical classification and identification ofAcinetobactergenomic species

A total of 211 Acinetobacter strains (representing all currently recognized genomic species) were tested for 329 biochemical characters. Overall similarities of all strains were determined for 145 characters by numerical taxonomic techniques, the UPGMA algorithm and the S(SM)) and the S(J) coefficients as measures of similarity. Seven clusters (two or more strains) and three unclustered strains were recovered at a similarity level of 80.0% (S(SM). At this level a complete correspondence between phenotypic cluster and genomic species was found only for genomic species 12 (Ac. radioresistens). At higher similarity levels (84.0% to 84.6% (S(SM)), however, several subclusters were found, each representing a single genomic species. An exception were the strains belonging to the genetically closely related species of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex. These were recovered scattered in several subclusters. The degree of genomic relatedness between some DNA groups correlated with phenotypic similarities, especially for DNA group 8 (Ac. Iwoffii) and 15 of Tjernberg and Ursing, and for DNA group 4 (Ac. haemolyticus) and 6. For the majority of genomic species, two identification matrices were constructed consisting of 22 and 10 diagnostic characters, respectively. The correct identification rates for the matrices were 98.0% (22 tests) and 90.8% (10 tests) taking a Willcox probability > 0.9. For unambiguous identification of some genomic species, however, additional methods (preferably DNA-DNA hybridization or ribotyping) should be used.

Morphological and isozyme characterisation of Arachis pintoi Krap. et Greg. nom. nud. germplasm

Arachis pintoi, a wild perennial relative of the peanut, originated in Brazil, is of increasing importance to pasture improvement in the tropics. Its available genetic base, however, is very narrow, and intensive collection is being carried out. This study aimed to characterise the existing eight accessions in the CIAT germplasm collection in order to describe the existing variation, identify plant types, and discover possible duplicates. Morphological characterisation, based on 60 morphological descriptors, demonstrated that variation exists. Numerical taxonomic techniques were used to rank the importance of these descriptors. Cluster analysis, conducted on those pre-selected morphological characters, grouped the accessions into two major plant types: one homogenous, and the other falling into four distinct subgroups. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was applied to root-tip tissue. Isozyme characterisation by PAGE showed polymorphisms in the isozymes α-EST, ACP, GOT, and DIA. When analysed together, the four isozymes could uniquely distinguish every accession of A. pintoi held in the CIAT germplasm collection. Correspondence and cluster analyses of these isozyme patterns showed the morphologically homogenous plant type to be heterogenous, and the heterogenous morphotype to have similar banding patterns. The lack of continuous patterns of variation in both morphology and isozymes manifests the need for further germplasm collection of A. pintoi.