bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glass interposer for heterogeneous integration of flip-chipped photonic and electronic integrated circuits
Authors: Boucaud Jean-Marc , Durand Cédric , Gianesello Frédéric , Bucci Davide , Broquin Jean-Emmanuel , Dubois Emmanuel
Published: July 2024

In this Letter, we propose an approach to improve the packaging of electro-optical transceivers based on silicon photonics through the development of a glass interposer. This assembly platform integrates polymer optical waveguides and an integrated turning mirror that vertically redirect the optical signal in the plane of the interposer to the grating coupler of a flip-chipped photonic integrated circuit (PIC). A distinctive feature of the proposed packaging scheme is to use a conventional flip-chip technique without active alignment. Functionalities are completed with a copper redistribution layer that supports the routing of DC to millimeter wave (mmW) signals to drive the PIC. The measured loss in polymer waveguides is 1.92 dB/cm at 1310 nm, and the coupling losses associated with light propagation through the turning mirror and the PIC grating coupler are 18.7 dB. Coplanar mmW waveguides are structured on the glass interposer by cold laser ablation, yielding an attenuation of 0.3 dB/mm at 58 GHz. The most important outcome of this work is that the coupling of the optical signal from the interposer to the PIC is experimentally established. We also assessed the mmW performance of coplanar waveguides through the validation of the interposer to PIC and PIC to the interposer transition.
Patient-delivered partner therapy for chlamydia: health practitioner views on updated guidance in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Warda Chloe , Bittleston Helen , Coombe Jacqueline , O’Donnell Heather , Hocking Jane S. , Goller Jane L.
Published: July 2024

Background Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) involves providing a prescription or medication to a patient diagnosed with chlamydia to pass to their sexual partner/s. Barriers to PDPT include uncertainty about its integration into clinical practice and permissibility. In Victoria, Australia, the Department of Health provides clinical guidance for PDPT (updated in 2022). We explored health practitioner views on the usefulness of the updated guidance for providing PDPT. Methods We conducted an online survey (12 December 2022 to 2 May 2023) of health practitioners who primarily work in Victoria and can prescribe to treat chlamydia. The survey displayed excerpts from the guidance, and asked closed and free-text questions about its ability to address barriers to PDPT. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed, complemented by conventional content analysis of qualitative data. Results Of a total of 49 respondents (66.7% general practitioners), 74.5% were aware of PDPT, and 66.7% had previously offered PDPT. After viewing excerpts of the guidance, >80% agreed it could support them to identify patients eligible/ineligible for PDPT, and 66.7% indicated they would be comfortable to offer PDPT. The guidance was viewed as helpful to address some barriers, including complicated documentation (87.7%) and medico-legal concerns (66.7%). Qualitative data highlighted medico-legal concerns by a minority of respondents. Some raised concerns that the guidance recommended prescribing azithromycin, despite doxycycline being first-line chlamydia treatment. Conclusions The guidance was largely viewed as supportive for PDPT decision-making. There is scope for further refinements and clarifications, and wider dissemination of the guidance.
Climate change and California’s terrestrial biodiversity
Authors: Harrison Susan , Franklin Janet , Hernandez Rebecca R. , Ikegami Makihiko , Safford Hugh D. , Thorne James H.
Published: July 2024

In this review and synthesis, we argue that California is an important test case for the nation and world because terrestrial biodiversity is very high, present and anticipated threats to biodiversity from climate change and other interacting stressors are severe, and innovative approaches to protecting biodiversity in the context of climate change are being developed and tested. We first review salient dimensions of California’s terrestrial physical, biological, and human diversity. Next, we examine four facets of the threat to their sustainability of these dimensions posed by climate change: direct impacts, illustrated by a new analysis of shifting diversity hotspots for plants; interactive effects involving invasive species, land-use change, and other stressors; the impacts of changing fire regimes; and the impacts of land-based renewable energy development. We examine recent policy responses in each of these areas, representing attempts to better protect biodiversity while advancing climate adaptation and mitigation. We conclude that California’s ambitious 30 × 30 Initiative and its efforts to harmonize biodiversity conservation with renewable energy development are important areas of progress. Adapting traditional suppression-oriented fire policies to the reality of new fire regimes is an area in which much progress remains to be made.
An arginine-rich nuclear localization signal (ArgiNLS) strategy for streamlined image segmentation of single cells
Authors: Szelenyi Eric R. , Navarrete Jovana S. , Murry Alexandria D. , Zhang Yizhe , Girven Kasey S. , Kuo Lauren , Cline Marcella M. , Bernstein Mollie X. , Burdyniuk Mariia , Bowler Bryce , Goodwin Nastacia L. , Juarez Barbara , Zweifel Larry S. , Golden Sam A.
Published: July 2024

High-throughput volumetric fluorescent microscopy pipelines can spatially integrate whole-brain structure and function at the foundational level of single cells. However, conventional fluorescent protein (FP) modifications used to discriminate single cells possess limited efficacy or are detrimental to cellular health. Here, we introduce a synthetic and nondeleterious nuclear localization signal (NLS) tag strategy, called “Arginine-rich NLS” (ArgiNLS), that optimizes genetic labeling and downstream image segmentation of single cells by restricting FP localization near-exclusively in the nucleus through a poly-arginine mechanism. A single N-terminal ArgiNLS tag provides modular nuclear restriction consistently across spectrally separate FP variants. ArgiNLS performance in vivo displays functional conservation across major cortical cell classes and in response to both local and systemic brain-wide AAV administration. Crucially, the high signal-to-noise ratio afforded by ArgiNLS enhances machine learning-automated segmentation of single cells due to rapid classifier training and enrichment of labeled cell detection within 2D brain sections or 3D volumetric whole-brain image datasets, derived from both staining-amplified and native signal. This genetic strategy provides a simple and flexible basis for precise image segmentation of genetically labeled single cells at scale and paired with behavioral procedures.
The RPD3L deacetylation complex is required for facultative heterochromatin repression inNeurospora crassa
Authors: Mumford Colleen C. , Tanizawa Hideki , Wiles Elizabeth T. , McNaught Kevin J. , Jamieson Kirsty , Tsukamoto Kenta , Selker Eric U.
Published: July 2024

Repression of facultative heterochromatin is essential for developmental processes in numerous organisms. Methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) by Polycomb repressive complex 2 is a prominent feature of facultative heterochromatin in both fungi and higher eukaryotes. Although this methylation is frequently associated with silencing, the detailed mechanism of repression remains incompletely understood. We utilized a forward genetics approach to identify genes required to maintain silencing at facultative heterochromatin genes inNeurospora crassaand identified three previously uncharacterized genes that are important for silencing:sds3(NCU01599),rlp1(RPD3L protein 1;NCU09007), andrlp2(RPD3L protein 2;NCU02898). We found that SDS3, RLP1, and RLP2 associate withN. crassahomologs of theSaccharomyces cerevisiaeRpd3L complex and are required for repression of a subset of H3K27-methylated genes. Deletion of these genes does not lead to loss of H3K27 methylation but increases acetylation of histone H3 lysine 14 at up-regulated genes, suggesting that RPD3L-driven deacetylation is a factor required for silencing of facultative heterochromatin inN. crassa, and perhaps in other organisms.
Fragment correlation mass spectrometry: Determining the structures of biopolymers in a complex mixture without isolating individual components
Authors: Li Yangjie , Cavet Guy , Zare Richard N. , Driver Taran
Published: July 2024

Fragment correlation mass spectrometry correlates ion pairs generated from the same fragmentation pathway, achieved by covariance mapping of tandem mass spectra generated with an unmodified linear ion trap without preseparation. We enable the identification of different precursors at different charge states in a complex mixture from a large isolation window, empowering an analytical approach for data-independent acquisition. The method resolves and matches isobaric fragments, internal ions, and disulfide bond fragments. We suggest that this method represents a major advance for analyzing structures of biopolymers in mixtures.
Patch ModernTCN-Mixer: a dual-task temporal convolutional network framework for hybrid implementation of first prediction time detection and remaining useful life prognosis
Authors: Yao Dechen , Tang Bo , Yang Jianwei , Yue Wenbo , Li Qiang , Guo Shudong
Published: July 2024

Over the past few years, notable advancements have been achieved in predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of rotating equipment through deep learning methodologies. However, existing RUL prediction models tend to implement the determination of the first prediction time (FPT) for stage division separately from the RUL prediction, ignoring their potential correlation in the degradation process. In response to this issue, this paper proposed a dual-task prediction network framework based on Patch ModernTCN-Mixer (PMTCN-Mixer), which adaptively and jointly achieved FPT detection and RUL prediction. Firstly, the network designed a hard sharing parameter feature extractor module, Patch ModernTCN, which is used to learn the temporal dependence and spatial correlation of degradation features. Secondly, to eliminate redundant information and noise during the feature extraction phase while enhancing the precision of detection and prognosis, a dynamic semi-soft thresholding (DST) module was constructed. Lastly, the dual-task learning network PMTCN-Mixer was constructed by combining Patch ModernTCN with DST, utilizing GradNorm to balance the gradients between FPT detection and RUL prediction tasks to achieve fusion prediction. The performance of the PMTCN-Mixer framework was validated on the XJTU-SY Bearing Datasets and IEEE PHM 2012 Challenge Datasets, compared with the state-of-the-art network’s optimal results, the RUL prediction metrics root mean square error, mean absolute error, Score and

R

2

were improved by 17.31%, 23.59%, 10.66%, and 4.76%, respectively. The findings confirm that the dual-task prediction model PMTCN-Mixer effectively captures both spatial and temporal semantic information from deterioration data, precisely accomplishes the integration of FPT detection and RUL prediction, and possess good generalization ability and superiority.
Preparation of high purity phase (Bi, Pb)-2223 superconducting films by sol–gel method
Authors: Shen Minghu , Lei Li , Ju Jian , Zong Hua , Zhao Gaoyang , Ren Pengrong
Published: July 2024

In this work, a (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+δ
((Bi, Pb)-2223) solution with good film-forming capability and chemical stability was synthesized through using metal acetates as raw materials, acrylic acid as an additive, and anhydrous methanol as a solvent to adjust the sol formula. Subsequently, (Bi, Pb)-2223 thin films were fabricated on LaAlO3 (LAO) single-crystal substrates via dip-coating technology at different heat treatment temperatures, and the structures and properties of (Bi, Pb)-2223 films were characterized. It was found that when the sol stoichiometric ratio of Bi: Pb: Sr: Ca: Cu was controlled at 1.9: 0.35: 2: 2: 3 and the gel film was heat-treated at 860 °C and dwelled for 120 min in an mixed atmosphere of N2: O2 = 96: 4, the prepared thin film with a pure (Bi, Pb)-2223 superconducting phase exhibited excellent biaxial texture, a dense surface structure, and had a T
c of 106 K and a ΔT
c of 6 K. The microstructure analysis revealed a layered epitaxial growth of the film along the LAO substrate with a regular arrangement of atoms and a consistent interlayer spacing.
First results on monolithic CMOS detector with internal gain
Authors: Follo U. , Gioachin G. , Ferrero C. , Mandurrino M. , Bregant M. , Bufalino S. , Carnesecchi F. , Cavazza D. , Colocci M. , Corradino T. , Da Rocha Rolo M. , Di Nicolantonio G. , Durando S. , Margutti G. , Mignone M. , Nania R. , Pancheri L. , Rivetti A. , Sabiu B. , de Souza G.G.A. , Strazzi S. , Wheadon R.
Published: July 2024

In this paper we report on a set of characterisations
carried out on the first monolithic LGAD prototype integrated in a
customised 110 nm CMOS process having a depleted active volume
thickness of 48 μm. This prototype is formed by a pixel
array where each pixel has a total size of
100 μm× 250 μm and includes a high-speed
front-end amplifier. After describing the sensor and the
electronics architecture, both laboratory and in-beam measurements
are reported and described. Optical characterisations performed
with an IR pulsed laser setup have shown a sensor internal gain of
about 2.5. With the same experimental setup, the electronic jitter
was found to be between 50 ps and 150 ps, depending on the signal
amplitude. Moreover, the analysis of a test beam performed at the
Proton Synchrotron (PS) T10 facility of CERN with 10 GeV/c protons
and pions indicated that the overall detector time resolution is in
the range of 234 ps to 244 ps. Further TCAD investigations, based
on the doping profile extracted from C(V) measurements, confirmed
the multiplication gain measured on the test devices. Finally, TCAD
simulations were used to tune the future doping concentration of the
gain layer implant, targeting sensors with a higher avalanche
gain. This adjustment is expected to enhance the timing performance
of the sensors of the future productions, in order to cope with the
high event rate expected in most of the near future high-energy and
high-luminosity physics experiments, where the time resolution will
be essential to disentangle overlapping events and it will also be
crucial for Particle IDentification (PID).
A comprehensive review of lessons learned from quantum dots in cancer therapy
Authors: Mohammadi Javad , Hheidari Ali , Sardari Sohrab , Nouri Moein , Ebrahimi Sina , Rahdar Abbas , Pishbin Esmail
Published: July 2024

Quantum dots (QDs) are with exceptional physicochemical and biological properties, making them highly versatile for a wide range of applications in cancer therapy. One of the key features of QDs is their unique electronic structure, which gives them functional attributes. Notably, their photoluminescence can be strong and adjustable, allowing them to be effectively used in fluorescence based diagnosis such as biosensing and bioimaging. In addition, QDs demonstrate an impressive capacity for loading cargo, making them ideal for drug delivery applications. Moreover, their ability to absorb incident radiation positions QDs as promising candidates for cancer-killing techniques like photodynamic therapy. The objective of this comprehensive review is to present a current and comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in utilizing QDs as multifunctional and innovative biomaterials. This review focuses on elucidating the biological, electronic, and physicochemical properties of QDs, along with discussing the technical advancements in QD synthesis. Furthermore, it thoroughly explores the progress made in utilizing QDs for diagnosis based on biosensing, bioimaging, and therapy applications including drug delivery and necrosis, highlighting their significant potential in the field of cancer treatment. Furthermore, the review addresses the current limitations associated with QDs in cancer therapy and provides valuable insights into future directions, thereby facilitating further advancements in this field. By presenting a comprehensive and well-structured overview, this review serves as an authoritative and informative resource that can guide future research endeavors and foster continued progress in the field of QDs for cancer therapy.
Optimal Resource Combinations that Maximize the Profits of Date Farmers in Al-Husseiniya District in the Holy Karbala Governorate for the Productive Season (2021)
Authors: Awad Al-Shammari Saadoon Turki , Zanzal Al-Samurai Hassan Thamir
Published: July 2024

The research aimed to find the optimal resource combinations that would maximize the profits of date producers in Al-Husseiniyah District in the Holy Karbala Governorate for the production season (2021). The study included six cooperative societies out of twelve in the district, the number of whose members was (2929) farmers, and a random sample of (292) was taken from them. Farmers constituted (10%) of the research community. A polynomial production function was used, consisting of seven independent variables, namely (the number of palm trees, nitrogen fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizer, number of irrigations, organic fertilizer, chemical pesticides, and number of workers). One of the most important results reached by the research is that the optimal quantities of the previously mentioned productive resources reached (44, 62.7, 38, 19, 1436, 7.4, 9) per dunum, respectively, while the actual quantities of the same resources were (37, 79, 49, 27, 893, 3.5, 14) per dunum, respectively. The maximum production volume of profits amounted to (3694) kg dunums, with profits amounting to (1,469,050) dinars/dunum, compared to the actual production of (2,991) kg dunums, and profits amounting to (1,049,400) dinars/dunum. The research recommended the need to encourage farmers to use optimal amounts of profit-maximizing resources in order to increase their profits.
The Role of Harmel Seed Extract and Mannitol in Inducing Genetic Variations and Drought Tolerance of Barley Varieties in Vitro
Authors: Shanishil Baday Saja Jawad , Hamza Ibrahim Abdullah
Published: July 2024

An experiment was conducted in the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad during the years 2022-2023 using Plant Tissue Culture Technique, to induce genetic variations and drought tolerance in vitro for three varieties of barley: Ebaa265, Ebaa99, and Bouhoth244. The experiment included the use of an extract Harmel seeds at concentrations of (0, 3, 6, and 9) % and for a soaking period of (0, 4, 8, and 12) hours, and Mannitol at concentrations of (0, 2, 4, and 6) g.L−1 using MS (Murashige and Skoog) media. Measurements were taken of the average dry weight of callus before and after treatment with Harmel seed extract and a Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (PCR-RAPD) test was conducted. The results showed that there were significant differences in the average dry weight of callus before and after treatment with Harmel seed extract at a concentration of 9% for a soaking period of 12 hours and with Mannitol 6 g.L−1 and the comparison treatment resulting from soaking with Harmel seed extract. The dry weight of callus before treatment with the extract reached 40.42 mg in the variety Ebaa265, is significant different of the average dry weight of callus after treatment with the extract reached 98.10 mg in the variety Bouhoth244. The PCR-RAPD with five primers (OP-A06, OP-A07, OP-A08, OP-B01 and OP-B02) examination revealed differences in the number of resulting bands and their molecular weights in the Harmel seed extract treatments and the comparison treatment, in light of the results. It can be concluded that the extract of Harmel seeds has the ability to cause genetic variations and increase the tolerance of vegetative growth to drought stress resulting from treatment with the compound Mannitol in barley.
Study of the Effectiveness of Nano Pumpkin Peel Extract as an Antioxidant
Authors: Mohsen Zahraa Ali , Abas Wedad Fadhil
Published: July 2024

The current study aimed to prepare a nano-extract from pumpkin peels and study its antioxidant effectiveness. The methanolic extract of pumpkin peels loaded with nanoparticles was prepared using the ionic gel method, and was characterized using techniques represented by an ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), in addition to To X-ray scattering (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The results of the diagnosis of nanoparticles by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the nanoparticles are spherical in shape and are of a nanometer size. The size of the particles of the Cu/Cs-NPs nanocomposite ranges in diameter from (53.04-78.05) nanometers and has a relatively homogeneous morphology. Five of the compounds were also identified. Phenolics (Galic acid, Apigenin, kaempferol, Quercetin, Rutin) by matching them with the detention time of standard compounds. The methanolic extract of pumpkin peels gave the highest value of total phenolic content, reaching 84.16 mg/g at a concentration of 50 mg/ml, while the content of total phenols in the Cu/Cs-NPs nanocomposite decreased, compared to the methanolic extract, where the highest value of total phenolics reached 12.21. mg/g at a concentration of 30 mg/ml. In addition, the results of the antioxidant activity in removing free radicals showed that the Cu/Cs-NPs nanocomposite was excelled by average of 59.34% at a concentration of 3 mg/ml over the methanolic extract by average of 92.68% at a concentration of 50 mg/ml.
Study of the Factors Affecting the Import Demand for Table Eggs in Iraq for the Period (2003-2022)
Authors: Muhammad Nagham Rahman , Ibrahim Firas Arhim , Jbara Osamah Kadhim
Published: July 2024

The research aimed to conduct an economic and econometric analysis of table egg imports by analyzing some of the variables that affect the imported quantities of table eggs during the research period, where the import of table eggs constituted a large proportion after the year 2003. The research concluded that the demand for imports of table eggs was affected. Positively, the gross domestic product has increased, which has increased significantly in recent years as a result of the rise in global oil prices and because of the lack of controls that limit imports or regulate their work. The results also showed that the increase in relative prices was offset by a relative decrease in the demand for imports of table eggs in the long term, which indicates the flexibility of demand for the imported commodity, where the change in the relative prices of table eggs led to a decrease in imports by a greater percentage due to the presence of local alternatives to table eggs, such as cheese. Milk, etc. Also, the significance of the effect of foreign exchange reserves was not proven and it was negative as it reflected the inverse relationship with imports of table eggs.
Predicting the Food Gap and the Amount of Self-Sufficiency for the Barley Crop in Iraq for the Period (2024-2035)
Authors: Nouri Hani Hatem , Gasim O. A.
Published: July 2024

In this research, the food gap and the self-sufficiency rates of the barley crop were studied. The ARIMA grain model and the self-sufficiency rate of the barley crop were used during the period 1990-2022, and the best model was chosen based on the results obtained by this method. This period is divided into two periods, and it can be noted that the first period (1991-2003) was a period in which the economic blockade had a major impact, represented by the war that had an impact on the agricultural sector. As for the second period (2003-2022), which is considered one of the most difficult stages that the country went through due to the security conditions, the opening of imports, the lack of protection for farms, etc., the Box Jenkins time series method and ARIMA models were used to predict the variables of the food gap and self-sufficiency in the barley crop during the years (2024-2035), extracts the autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation results for the time series, determines the ARIMA model ranking, and chooses the best model. The study showed that the best model for the self-sufficiency variable is ARIMA (5,0,1) and the best model for the food gap variable is ARIMA (8,0,8). The research concluded that Iraq suffers from a deficit, and in order to reduce the deficit, achieve self-sufficiency, and narrow the productivity gap, the study recommended following appropriate agricultural policies, increasing the area for barley cultivation, using high-yield seeds, and importing modern irrigation equipment (supplementary irrigation) in the central and southern regions. To address the lack of rain and receding water in the summer season, use highly efficient (triple) fertilizers to meet the needs and requirements of production factors. Emphasis on modern agriculture through agricultural programs will lead to a significant increase in yields, helping to increase self-sufficiency and reduce the food gap.
Obstacles to Extension Communication from the Point of View of Agricultural Employees in Salah Al-Din Governorate / 1
Authors: Younis Latifa Saad , Jassim Mahmoud Hadis
Published: July 2024

The research aimed to identify the size of the obstacles to extension communication from the point of view of agricultural employees in Salah al-Din Governorate, as well as to identify the variation in the respondents’ point of view in determining the size of the obstacles to extension communication according to personal factors, which are (job service, participation in extension activities, orientation towards extension work). A questionnaire form was prepared consisting of two sections. The first section included some independent factors related to employees, while the second section included (54) statements, each of which represents a communication obstacle in the field of extension work. The research community included all agricultural employees in the Salah al-Din Governorate Agriculture Directorate and its affiliated agricultural divisions. A simple random sample of (50%) was selected from the agricultural divisions, bringing the number of divisions included in the final research procedures to (13) agricultural divisions that include (230) employees. A percentage (50%) of the employees of each division was selected, so that the number of respondents became (103) after excluding the employees of the Tomato Agriculture Division, who numbered (31) as a survey sample. The results showed that the size of the obstacles to guidance communication from the point of view of employees in Salah al-Din Governorate is average and tends to rise. It also showed that there is a discrepancy in the views of the respondents regarding the size of the obstacles to guidance communication according to some of the personal factors of the respondents. The researchers concluded that there are major communication obstacles facing agricultural employees when assigned to implement extension activities in the research area. The researchers recommend working to provide the necessary capabilities for the work of employees by the Salah al-Din Governorate Agriculture Directorate, providing the necessary capabilities to carry out their extension activities, and involving new employees with employees who have experience in implementing extension activities in order to give them experience when assigned to extension duties.
Economics of Marketing the Yellow Corn Crop in Kirkuk Governorate for the 2022 Production Season
Authors: Talha Reham Salah , Rahim Firas Ibrahim
Published: July 2024

The yellow corn crop is considered important from a nutritional and health standpoint for humans due to its high nutritional value because it occupies an important position in the national economy. It is necessary to study this crop from a marketing standpoint and to study the most important marketing routes for the crop. The aim of the research is to determine marketing costs and marketing margin, measure marketing efficiency, and study the factors. The impact of this crop was chosen, and a random sample of (75) farmers who produced yellow corn in Kirkuk Governorate was selected, and information was collected using a questionnaire form for farmers. The production costs for the crop amounted to (155,027) dinars/ton, while the marketing costs for the yellow corn crop were about (28,000) dinars/ton, and the profit per ton for the crop was about (101,973) dinars/ton, which is an encouraging percentage for the farmer to continue the process of producing the crop using modern methods and methods in agriculture. The researcher recommended adopting a number of agricultural policies that support yellow corn farmers instead From a single policy to help farmers achieve a standard of living suitable for them and to protect them from changes in production, prices and climate conditions, which encourages farmers to expand the production of yellow maize.
Standard Economic Study for Analyzing the Production Costs of Wheat and Yellow Corn Crops in Iraq for the Period (2017-2021)
Authors: Frahan Alaa K. , Bandar Sarah A. , Abdi El-Kareem Nahed T.
Published: July 2024

Studying production costs is significant for any productive facility. Costs represent the total payments that are paid as prices of production factors services during a certain period. They are of the determining factors that influence any productive process for they affect the donum productivity, alternative uses of production elements, and net profit. The research problem is the increase production costs of main grain crops in Iraq, notably wheat and yellow corn, which in turn decreases their rate of return. The cause of this increase is the inefficiency of using agricultural resources. This study uses descriptive and quantitive statistical analysis methods including averages, percentages, and standard figures in order to evaluate the impact of each of cost factors individually. The research aims at studying the development of area, production, Donum productivity, and changes in production costs of wheat and yellow corn in Iraq between 2017-2021. It also aims at studying the relation between productive resources costs and the increase in the Donum production costs for each crop individually in order to find out the influence of each cost item on this increase. The statistical analysis of the period from 2017 to 2021 reveals that the Donum productivity costs generally went upward with an increase of approximately 140,000 and 268,000 Iraqi dinars for wheat and yellow corn respectively. This increase represents 46 % and 54% of the total production costs in the base year (2017). This increase mainly resulted from the increase of labor wages, seeds and fertilizers prices, and irrigation costs for wheat and from the increase of labor wages, seeds prices, and petty cash for yellow corn.
Studying the Relationship Between some Spectral Evidence and the Nutritional Elements of Citrus Orchards in Baqubah
Authors: Khaled Khalil Saadon , Bahjat Khalaf Ahmed , Rahem Bader Basem
Published: July 2024

This study was conducted in three citrus or chord sites (Buhirz, Al-Huwaider, Khan al-Lawalwa) in Baqubah, Diyala, Iraq. The aim of this study to find out the type of relationship between each of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI)with nutritional elements. Two sites (Al-Huwaider, Khan al-Lawalwa) were merged to be one site because of the adjacent borders of them Satellite imagery from the (Landsat 8) satellite was captured on 3/7/2022, including the study sites. The study sites were then extracted from the satellite imagery using the ARCgis pro software, and the sample locations were determined, maps were drawn, and spectral evidence values (NDVI, SAVI) were extracted for the purpose of completing the study. Laboratory analyses were conducted on citrus plant leaves taken from the study sites, and the major elements (NPK) were measured. The results show that the determination coefficient (R2) was hash between each of NDVI and SAVI, and nutrients concentration roles, using graphical points in Excel. It was concluded that the determination coefficient for the relationship between the spectral indices and nutrient concentrations is also high, indicating a correlation between the indices and nutrient levels in citrus tree leaves. From these results, it is possible to predict any point in the study sites where there is a deficiency of these nutrients.
Calculating the Environmental Drought Index using the De Martonne Equation for the Rainy Months in Iraq
Authors: Maan Haidar , Al-Taai Osama T. , Halos Saadiyah H.
Published: July 2024

drought is considered one of the most important problems that still facing humanity despite the great scientific progress, arid and semi-arid form about a third of the land area, and no serious effort has been recorded to change this percentage. This study aims to calculate the drought index by using the De Martonne equation and determine the nature of the climate for the rainy months in ten selected meteorological stations in Iraq (Dohuk, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Mosul, Baghdad, Rutba, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, Basra) by using the data of (Temperature, Precipitation) for the period (1980-2022) also, this study aims to show the relationship between the drought index and the amount of precipitation fall and the temperature by calculating the correlation coefficient and to get simple linear regression equations by using sigma plot program. The results showed that the climate change between (extremely-humid, very-humid) during (January, February, and March) and (Mediterranean, semi-arid, very-humid) in (April) And it varies between (arid, semi-arid) in (May, and October) in the northern stations (Dohuk, Mosul, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah), and the climate varies just between (arid, semi-arid) in all rainy months in (Baghdad, Rutba, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, Basra) stations. The result also showed there was a strong linear correlation between drought index and precipitation Where the correlation coefficient values were recorded between (0.934-0.974), While the correlation coefficient relationship was strong inverse linear correlation where the correlation coefficient values were recorded between ((-0.940) - (-0.996)) in study stations.
Biological Treatment of Agricultural Waste Water Using a Lemna minor L. and Ceratophyllum demersum L. Plant in Dujail City
Authors: Abdel Wahab Farouk Fouad , Khalil Rana Ibrahim
Published: July 2024

The study’s objective was to treat and repurpose some physical and chemical water contaminants for use in agriculture. It also included the analysis and assessment of certain pollutants compatible with heavy metals. The implementation of the phytoremediation method to treat agricultural waste water was the subject of the study. The purpose of this research is to find out whether Ceratophyllum demersum and Lemna minor.L can be used to remediate water that has been used for farming. For irrigation or other purposes, the research took place in the months of September, October, and November 2023 AD. We looked at and tested a few pollutants, including pH. The study found a noticeable divergence in the measured values of many heavy metals, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrates (NO3), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). Research into the feasibility of using C. demersum and L. minor plants to purify agricultural effluent is the primary objective of this project. For irrigation or other purposes, the research took place in the months of September, October, and November 2023 AD. We looked at and tested a few pollutants, including pH. It was shown from the results that the pH values tended to be basic despite the treatment, as they ranged between 7.7-7.8. In terms of treatment techniques, the plant treatment produced the greatest reductions in biological oxygen requirement (BOD5) values. Following treatment, its concentration dropped from 10.4 mg/L to 1.28 and 2.72 mg/L, with removal rates for the solids of both plants being 87.69% and 73.85%, respectively. When compared to the agricultural waste water, total dissolved substances (TDS) clearly indicated a considerable difference. as their concentrations decreased from 1522 mg/L to 844 and 1064 mg/L, with removal rates reaching 44.55% and 30.09%, respectively, for both plants after treatment. Plant nutrients represented by nitrates (NO3) were also recorded. A significant decrease using plant treatment, where the nitrate values after treatment reached 0.65 and 0.37 mg/L, with removal rates of 82.89% and 90.26%, respectively, for both plants. Regarding heavy metals, plant treatment had a high role in removing lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) with high rates of removal efficiency, as lead recorded a value of 0.98 mg/L in the agricultural waste water before treatment, and it became 0 and 0.04 mg/L with removal efficiency. 100% and 95.92%, respectively, for both plants. As for cadmium metal, the plant treatment recorded complete removal of it, reaching 0 and 0 mg/L, with a removal efficiency of 100% and 100%, respectively, for both plants, after its percentage in the agricultural waste water was 0.073 mg/L before treatment.
Anti-Microbial Activity of Aspergillus terreus Bioactive Compounds Extract
Authors: Abbood Zinah Ameer , Abdul Sada Saja Adel , Al-Shammari Rana Hadi H.
Published: July 2024

Microorganisms that possess antimicrobial properties opened up new possibilities in the fight against microbes, A very effective microorganism in combating pathogenic microbes is the Aspergillus terreus. All species of Aspergillus do not have appropriate and similar antimicrobial effects, and it is important to identify and isolate species with antimicrobial effects. In this research, moldy citrus fruits were sampled and Aspergillus was isolated and identified from them. 3 species of Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger isolate 1 and Aspergillus niger isolate 2 were isolated. After that, the crude metabolites of these molds were prepared in the liquid culture medium of Sabro dextrose broth in the shaker incubator. Finally, the effect of these metabolites on Staph. saprophyta, Staph. aureus, Strep. Pyrogen, E. coli, and Candida sp. were done on this bacterium through well diffusion by determining the diameter of the growth inhibition halo of each of these metabolites, and then MIC and MBC were calculated. Findings: The average MIC of Aspergillus terreus metabolite on Staphylococcus
aureus was calculated to be 208.33 μl/ml and its average MBC on this bacterium was 416.66 μl/ml. The average MIC of Aspergillus niger metabolite on Staphylococcus
aureus was calculated to be 166.66 μl/ml and its average MBC was determined to be 333.33 μl/ml. with 150, 165, and 180 microliters of Aspergillus niger metabolite, the average diameter of growth inhibition halo was 8, 8, and 8.33 mm, respectively. Aspergillus produces different effects in preventing the growth of microorganisms. Also used was GC-mass analysis to detect some of the bioactive compounds in ethanol excerpts and primary statements that used four excerpts of A. terreus. The most important active composites were detected in 20 different compounds with antimicrobial and antifungal conditioning. Bioactive composites such as Hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, Heptadecanoic acid, (E) Octadec-9-enoic acid ethyl, Tetradecanoic acid, Pentadecanoic acid, and Ethyl 9- hexadecenoic.
The Level of Environmental Conservation from the Point of View of Agricultural Employees in the Upper Euphrates Region - Anbar Governorate / Iraq
Authors: Hamed Ammar Abdullah , Abdullah Ahmed Saker
Published: July 2024

The study sought to assess the degree of environmental conservation as perceived by agricultural workers in the Upper Euphrates region - Anbar Governorate, and to establish any relationship between the level of environmental preservation as perceived by these workers and their personal and communication characteristics. The study sample consisted of agricultural workers in the Upper Euphrates Basin region, specifically in the Anbar Governorate. A representative sample was chosen using a proportional method, resulting in a total of 97 employees who participated in the research procedures. The findings indicated that the overall knowledge level of agricultural employees was moderate and inclined towards being low. Furthermore, a noteworthy correlation was observed between the knowledge level of agricultural employees and several independent factors, including age, academic attainment, participation in training courses, specialization, years of service, sources of information acquisition, and inclination towards environmental preservation. The researchers suggested that the Agricultural Extension Service should carry out extension activities, specifically training courses, focused on environmental pollution prevention. This is aimed at enhancing the employees’ knowledge in this area.
Enhance Tight Oil Reservoir Recovery Based on Co2-Water Flooding as Environmentally Friendly Method: Case Study
Authors: Al-Rubaye Ameer H. , Jassam Safiyya A. , Abed Adnan Ajam , Al-Muntaser Ameen A. , Jasim Dheyaa J. , Mohammed Adamu Usman
Published: July 2024

In most cases, a tight oil reservoir is characterized by a high capillary pressure, a complex interaction between oil and water, and the absence of a consistent Oil-Water Contact (OWC) or pressure distribution. It is possible that the incorporation of carbon dioxide would be significant due to the fact that it has the capability of reducing the viscosity of crude oil following the injection of CO2 and increasing the sweep efficiency in porous media. Waterflood recovery, on the other hand, has emerged as the preeminent form of oil recovery due to a number of technological and economic factors. This approach is responsible for the vast majority of the oil that is produced around the world. Some of the potential challenges that may be ascribed to water injection include fluid incompatibility, reservoir heterogeneity, early breakthrough through thief zones, permeability deterioration caused by particles in suspension, and clay swelling. These are only some of the potential hurdles. The development of the Sa’di reservoir in the Halfaya oilfield was investigated in this study. The assumption that the reservoir is comprised of four wells provided the basis for the investigation. The Sa’di-B reservoir research has as its major purpose the prediction of future reservoir performance depending on a variety of production scenarios, as well as the selection of the reservoir development strategy that is both the most efficient and the most environmentally friendly. As a consequence of the findings, oil production starts to gradually decrease after five years of production, which is accompanied by an increase in water cut. This is because the reservoir is a type of tight reservoir, and the OWC starts to climb over its normal level. In order to solve this issue, it is recommended that the perforation locations be moved away from OWC. As a result, it is possible to reach the conclusion that the method of increasing crude oil production through the use of carbon dioxide flooding and water re-injection is among the most environmentally benign approaches.
Estimating the Concentration of Heavy Metal Pollution in Agricultural Soil in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate/Iraq
Authors: Ghazi Abdullah Muhammad , Marhoon Khitam Abbas
Published: July 2024

Many studies have focused their attention on the origin of heavy metals, their accumulation, and dispersion in soil samples in order to monitor soil pollution in agricultural settings. The purpose of this research is to use atomic absorption spectrometry technology to analyse soil samples taken from various agricultural regions in the districts and districts of Al-Diwaniyah Governorate in order to assess the content of heavy metals (cu, zn, Hg, cd, and pb). The findings indicated that lead and copper contamination predominated at all research locations, with lower concentrations of the other elements than the World Health Organization’s natural limit.
Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery Using Heavy Naphtha During Steam-Based Injection: Environmental-Economic Method
Authors: Al-Rubaye Ameer H. , Al-Muntaser Ameen A. , Varfolomeev Mikhail A. , Jasim Dheyaa J. , Suwaid Muneer A.
Published: July 2024

This study investigated the enhancement of in-situ heavy crude in the presence of heavy naphtha as a multicomponent hydrogen-donor solvent oil during steam stimulation as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique. The focus was on the influence of temperature and a hydrogen-donor on the upgrading performance of heavy crude oil. Experiments were conducted at 250 and 300 °C in a 300 ml high temperature/pressure reactor, under a nitrogen environment over a 24-hour period. The experimental factors’ efficacy has been evaluated by comparing the enhanced oils’ before- and after-upgrading conditions with respect to important characteristics like viscosity, elemental composition, and SARA fractions. Results indicated that employing heavy naphtha as a hydrogen-donor under steam injection conditions led to a viscosity reduction, attributed to an increase in saturated hydrocarbons and aromatics, and a decrease in resins and asphalts. The study concluded that a hydrogen-donor, specifically heavy naphtha, is a promising additive for enhancing in-situ heavy oil upgrading, effectively converting heavy oil to lighter forms. Furthermore, the advancement of enhanced oil recovery techniques and the environmental-economic sustainability of heavy oil reservoirs can be achieved through further exploration and field-scale deployment of this strategy.
Evaluation of Malathion and Glyphosate Residues in Phragmites Communis Plants in Saqlawiyah, Iraq
Authors: Khalaf Safa Jassam , Sharqi Mohammed Musleh , Almehemdi Ali Fadaam
Published: July 2024

The study investigated the time it takes for the Exterminator “malathion” and “glyphosate” to decompose phragmites. Farmers in the city of Saqlawiya in central Anbar, Iraq, use pesticides indiscriminately to control dangerous insects and maintain forests. However, there are indirect effects of the accumulation of pesticides. The results showed that the pesticide malathion takes three Jungles to decompose and its concentration gradually decreases, as it is the highest level of flea mites was reached one hour after using the pesticide. (221.4), followed by a steady decline, reaching a minimum concentration of 0.05 after three weeks, where it was practically non-existent. In contrast, the herbicide glyphosate degraded more slowly, reaching (0.05) after three weeks and (30145.88) after one hour of application.