bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Efficiency of (Alhagi graecorum) Plant in Accumulating some Heavy Metals
Authors: Al-Mashhadi Mortada Jabr Hussein , Alabadi Luma Abdalalah Sagban
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of the alhagi plant in adsorbing and accumulating heavy metals in the plant that grows naturally on both sides of the highway extending between the cities of Diwaniyah and Baghdad, passing through the city of Hilla. Plants grow 50 meters away on the sides of the main highway. The results showed that the lead concentration in the shoot and root system was higher than the permissible limit. The highest lead concentration was in Baghdad’s soil, and the lowest was in Diwaniyah. It is attributed to the momentum and traffic density of the city of Baghdad. The cadmium concentration in the shoots was less than the permissible limit, while it was higher in the root shoots, and the highest concentration appeared in the soil of Baghdad city. The cadmium concentration was less concentrated than the rest of the studied elements, lead, zinc, and nickel. The results showed that nickel was less than the permissible limit in the vegetative and root system. The zinc concentration in shoots was higher than the permissible limit, except in the soils of Hilla and Diwaniya at the right and left sides, respectively, it was less than the permissible limit. As for its concentration in the root system, it was higher than the permissible limit, except for the soil of Al-Diwaniyah city on the right side. The concentrations of the studied elements in the root system were higher than in the shoot system. The results of the plant pollution standards showed that the values of the bio concentration factor and the bioaccumulation factor for all studied elements are less than the value of one, which means that the alhagi plant is not considered one of the plants that accumulate heavy elements. Therefore, it is of limited benefit for the vegetative reclamation of soils contaminated with the studied heavy elements, except for the zinc element, as its values were between 0.1-10, which indicates that the sedum plant is a moderate accumulation of the zinc element. The results also present that the values of the local transmission coefficient for all the studied elements are more significant than the value of one. It indicates the movement and transfer of all elements from the root to the vegetative system.
Effect of Vermicompost Production on some Soil Properties and Nutrients in Plants
Authors: Al-Maamori Haider A. , Salman Ahmad D. , Al-Budeiri Muntadher , Al-Shami Yahya Ajib Oudah , Al-shaabani Ehab M.
Published: July 2023

The study aimed to produce vermicompost and study its effect on some soil properties and nutrients in plants. The study included a laboratory experiment and a field experiment. In the laboratory experiment, vermicompost was produced using local earthworms and imported earthworms. The concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, C/N, pH, and EC in the vermicompost produced from imported earthworms reached 2.30%, 1.50%, 1.08%, 2.00%, 0.70%, 10.95, 7.43, and 0.50 dSm-1, respectively, while these characteristics in vermicompost produced from local earthworms gave 1.94%, 1.20%, 1.23%, 1.70%, 0.50%, 11.40, 7.81 and 2.99 dSm-1, respectively. In the field experiment, vermicompost was added in interaction with mineral fertilizer to study its effect on pH, O.M, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration in the leaves of the potato plant. The treatment of vermicompost produced from imported earthworms superior in pH, O.M, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which amounted 7.05, 1.92%, 3.09%, 3.44% and 4.08%, respectively. The interaction treatment between vermicompost produced from imported earthworms without adding mineral fertilizers gave the best pH 6.95, while the treatment of vermicompost produced from imported earthworms with 50% of the fertilizer application excelled in the rest of the studied characteristics, as the values reached 1.96%, 3.54%, 0.40% and 4.54%, respectively.
Mycosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles by Aspergillus spp. Isolated from the Tomato Rhizosphere and Evaluating their Inhibition Efficacy on the Pathogenic Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Al-Qaissi Abier Raouf Mahmoud , Fouzi Shahbaa Hatiem , Al-Baytay Ayyub Juma
Published: July 2023

Five Aspergillus isolates were isolated from the tomato rhizosphere were tested for their activity for mycosynthesis of copper nanoparticles. Aspergillus spp. in addition of the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum were identified based on morphological and molecular methods by ITS sequences. Fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger isolate Abier-4, Aspergillus oryzae isolate Abier-5, Aspergillus fumigatus isolate Abier-2, Aspergillus nidulans isolate Abier-3 and Aspergillus carbonarius isolate Abier-1, as well as the plant pathogenic fungus F. oxysporum isolate Abier-6, these fungi were registered in the Global Gene Bank at the NCBI site with the accession numbers ON624353.1, ON624352.1, ON624350.1, ON624351.1, ON624347.1, and ON624357.1, respectively. The mycosynthesis of copper nanoparticles was comfort by heterochromia which turn from blue to brown and a light yellowish brown color. In spectroscopy the highest peaks of absorbance were at the wavelength 250-350 nm. The dimensions of these particles, which were in the range of 14.318 - 93.408 nm using scanning electron microscope. The results of the inhibition effects of F. oxysporum growth by the copper nanoparticles showed the inhibition effects for all treatments of copper nanoparticles synthesized by all studied Aspergillus species, the highest inhibition of the synthesized copper nanoparticles was obtained from the copper oxide solution treated with the hot and cold biomass extract of the fungus A. carbonarius, as the inhibition zones reached 3 and 2.9 cm, respectively.
Evaluation of Competitive Indices Between Caraway and Garlic as Affected by Intercropping System and Potassium Fertilization Level
Authors: Khashaba Norhan M. E. M. , Nawar Dahlia A. S. , Abdelkader M. A. I.
Published: July 2023

During the winters of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, an experiment was done on a private farm in Taha El-Marg Village, Diarb Negm District, Al Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. The purpose of these studies was to examine the impact of intercropping systems using caraway and garlic at varying row ratios (single crop of each as control, 1:2, 2:1, and 2: 2, respectively) and potassium rates (0.0, 25, 50, and 75 kg K2O/feddan) on competitive indices between the two crops. Plots consisted in the intercropping systems and the subplots were constituted by the potassium fertilization rates. Alternating two rows of caraway with one row of garlic significantly increased land equivalent ratio (LER), area× time equivalent ratio (ATER) and land utilization efficiency (LUE%) compared to the other intercropping systems. Under the highest potassium fertilization level, the highest values of LER (1.17 and 1.10), ATER (1.09 and 1.04) and LUE% (112.82 and 107.00%) were achieved. In general applied intercropping systems (1:2 or 2: 2 systems) were more efficient than sole cropping and other one under study when combined with potassium fertilization rate at 75 kg K2O/feddan, in most cases. Both competitive ratio (CR) and Aggressivity (A) estimation showed that caraway was dominant while garlic was dominated.
Study the Effect of Some Medicinal Herbs on the Level of Cholesterol in the Blood
Authors: Shetti Saad H. , Al-Shawk Ethar Hasan
Published: July 2023

Several plants have been used to treat and prevent various chronic conditions, including triglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Rosemary is one of these herbs, and it contains biological antioxidant mechanisms. Rosemary is a thorny shrub that grows throughout Europe and Southeast Asia. It has medicinal effects and is used in traditional medicine. The goal of this study was to see how rosemary leaves powder affected lipid profiles in experimental animals. The results showed that the total level of triglycerides and total level of cholesterol of the treated groups were lower. The group administered with herb powder (10 g) had considerably lower LDL-C levels, while the group given (10 g/day) had statistically significant increases in HDL-C levels. Finally, rosemary herb appears to improve dyslipidemia and its effects on liver enzymes in a method that relies on the addition of powder and lowers lipid levels by raising antioxidant levels, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease in chronic condition.
The Effect of Grape Seed Extract on Lipid Profile in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Muhaisen Ahmed Hasan , Saddam Ahmed Chaloob
Published: July 2023

The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of Grape Seed extracts (GSE) from three grape cultivars (Ahmer, Halawani, and Kamali) grown in Iraq as well as pomace on lipid profile in diabetic mice. Fifty adult female mice were divided into five groups. Negative control (untreatment), positive control (treated) diabetic, and diabetic mice treated with GSE. After six weeks; serum and liver tissue homogenate parameters were evaluated. HPLC results showed that Ahmer (red grape seeds) has highest concentration of proanthocyanidins polymers catechine, procyanidin, and epicatechine (796, 170, and 244) μg/g, respectively For that it was chosen for mice dosage, while the lowest amounts were in pomace 489, 99, and 143 μg/g, respectively. Oral dose of grape seed natural extract (600 mg/kg/day) reduced the level of lipid profile: TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL, (106.83±2.13, 84.66±4.27,13.83±1.16 and 21.33±1.21) respectively, except HDL which respectively was increased to 76.33±1.03. GSE were normalized the elevated levels of kidneys and liver functions. Similarly, Liver histological analysis shows that GSE groups exhibited morphology near to that of the control group.
Manufacturing Functional Biscuits for Children and Studying Chemical Analysis, Sensory Characteristics and Storage Period
Authors: Mustafa Entisar Dawood , Yaseen Sabraa Saad , Khalaf Anwar Ahmed , Al-Hadidy Yasmeen I.
Published: July 2023

The study was conducted in the laboratories of the College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, where functional biscuits were produced that treat some pathological conditions in children from malnutrition and intestinal diseases, which were prepared with different mixtures to find out which of these mixtures is better. Among the studied treatments, the standard treatment amounted to 4, while the treatments began to decrease until it recorded 3.19 in treatment D, and the results of the chemical analysis observed an increase in moisture and ash in treatment D to reach (4.33, 2.66)%, respectively, while fat and protein recorded the highest percentage in treatment B, which amounted to (9.97, 16.71)%, but carbohydrates had the highest percentage in the standard treatment, which amounted to 76.12%. Through the sensory evaluation of the samples and through the sensory evaluation, the results showed that the characteristic of color was high in treatments B and C, which amounted to 19 compared to other treatments, while the characteristic of taste and flavor increased in treatment C, which scored 29, while the characteristic of texture was high in the two treatments A, C which amounted to 19. When the treatments were stored in polyethylene bags for a period of 28 days at room temperature and the hardness was measured, the highest value was for treatment A, which ranged from (4.32-7). This indicates that the addition of materials high in the percentage of protein increases the hardness of biscuits with an increase in the storage period.
Relationship of FASN Gene Polymorphism in Growth Performance and Wool Traits of Awassi Sheep
Authors: Almaamory Yasseen A. , Al-Anbari N. N.
Published: July 2023

The study was conducted in the sheep farm of the Al-Fayhaa station in the Jableh sub-district / Al-Musaib project (55 km south of Baghdad), as well as the Biotechnology Laboratory in the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad for the period from 5/1/2022 to 30/10/2022. With the aim of detecting, the polymorphism in the FASN gene and its relationship to growth and wool production, as well as the Polymorphism distribution and allele frequency in 52 Awassi sheep and its lambs, three polymorphism appeared in this variant (G>A SNP), which are GG, GA, and AA, and their percentage were 63.46, 32.69 and 3.85%, and the differences between them were highly significant (P≤0.01) with a frequency of 0.70 and 0.30 for alleles G and A, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the body weight of lambs at birth was significantly (P≤0.05) affected by the difference in the FASN gene polymorphism (G>A SNP), and reached a maximum for lambs produced from mothers with a heterozygous genotype GA (4.22 kg) and then the mutant genotype AA (4.21 kg), The rate of weight gain between birth and weaning was also significantly affected by this variant of the FASN gene for wild-type GG (14.68 kg). It appeared that there was a significant variation (P≤0.05) in the fiber diameter of wool according to the FASN gene polymorphism (G>A SNP). We can conclude by studying the genetic features in the FASN gene that they can be adopted in developing strategies for genetic improvement of sheep, and the application of the study to a larger sample and several sites and extracting the interaction between two SNPs would give more accurate results and determine the best method for managing and improving sheep flocks.
Isolation, Purification and Characterization of the Active Compounds from Ganoderma spp. and Evaluation of its Activities in Inhibiting the Growth of the Pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria tenuissima
Authors: Saadi Mahmoud Adel , Hassan Abdullah Abdulkareem
Published: July 2023

The main objectives of the present study include purification of the active Compounds from the medecinal mushroom, Ganoderma spp. for inhibiting the growth of the pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria tenuissima. The antifungal activity of the protein content separated by gel filtration chromatography for four strains of Ganoderma mushroom; G. resinaceum strain Has.AA-8(ON834527.1), G. applanatum strain Has.AA-6 (ON834523.1), G. resinaceum strain 1049 (MN448375) and G. lucidum strain Has.AA-7 (ON834541.1)was studied. The results showed presence of 6,8,8 and 9 inhibitory protein peaks against the phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria tenuissima related to these mushroom strains, respectively. Among these protein fractions, three inhibitory enzymes namely, chitinase, β-glucanase and protease were identified. The results showed the highest chitinase activity and the inhibitory effect were recorded in the fractions 14 and 16 of the protein contents of G. lucidum Has.AA-7 and G. resinaceum 1049, in which, chitinase activity reached 3.11 and 3.06 units / ml, respectively, while the inhibition zones were 1.4 cm for both pathogenic fungi and 0.9 and 1 cm for F. oxysporum and A. tenuissima, respectively, while the highest β-glucanase activities were 1.62 unit/ml in the protein contents of G. lucidum Has.AA-7 which record the inhibition zone of 1.3 cm for both pathogenic fungi, compared to the β-glucanase of G. applanatum Has.AA-6 and G. resinaceum 1049 which recorded the highest inhibition zone (1.4 cm) for F. oxysporum. The results also showed the highest protease activities were 28.04 and 27.75 unit/ml from the fractions 32 and 46 of the protein content of G. resinaceum 1049 and G. resinaceum Has.AA-8, with the highest inhibition zones (1.7 and 1.4 cm) for F. oxysporum and (1.2 and 1.1 cm) for A. tenuissima, respectively. Its clearly from this results, Ganoderma spp. produces a wide range of protein substances that inhibit phytopathogenic fungi, F. oxysporum and A. tenuissima.
Analysis of Hotspots and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) of Polluted Habitats using ArcGIS Pro.: A Case Study in the Sea of Najaf and Surrounding Terrestrial Area
Authors: Jasim Ali Kareem , Walli Hazim Abed
Published: July 2023

The Sea of Najaf, which is a natural groundwater. 60 samples were studied to locate the amount of 4 heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Co, and Cd) in each sample. With the analysis of three different types of pollution indicators (pollution factor, geographic accumulation index, and enrichment factor), the first heavy metal for which a significant difference can be seen is chromium. The high level of chromium was (101) μg/g, and the low was (50. 9) μg/g. This indicates that the soil was contaminated. Manganese is the second heavy metal with low to moderate contamination. It can be found in soil samples with a maximum concentration of (1022) μg/g and a minimum concentration of (254) μg/g. For cobalt and cadmium levels, the measured amounts do not differ much from the normal limit. This means that the water is not contaminated with them. Contamination indicators are placed in different areas to see what minerals could be in the sediments and where they came from. The results of the study showed that mineral levels were often higher near the edge of the lake than they were further afield. You can find the source of the mineral contamination in the sediments, some of the pollution markers were above the maximum on the beaches but were just below the maximum on the lake. The inverse distance weighted (IDW) in ArcGIS Pro approach is one of the most frequently employed interpolation techniques. It is used to estimate the value of a site that has not yet been assessed by comparing it to the values of nearby sites, the hot spot in ArcGIS Pro This program uses data queries to figure out which parameters for hot spot analysis give the best performance statistics may generate a map with event points or weighted features that show statistically significant hot and cold areas, the results show the distribution of minerals as a map Chromium and manganese are found in nearby farms in high concentrations, A pH test revealed between (7.9) to (10.5), The EC measurement showed between (2.3-4.3) ds/m for water, while the soil ranged between (6.3 – 10.1) ds/m, This indicates that the water and soil are salty. The turbidity ranged between( 13.1 - 8.5) NTU.
Assessment of Environmental Contamination by Toxic Heavy Metals in Settled Dust in Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq
Authors: Al-Jbury Mohammed Mana Shayyal , Al-Kasser Mohammed Khadom
Published: July 2023

Settled dust is considered one of the environmental pollutants that are dangerous to human health and other living organisms, especially in our country, Iraq, which is characterized by the frequent occurrence of dust storms and the paucity of rainfall. Therefore, this study came in order to calculate the amounts of settled dust on some areas of the Iraqi city of Diwaniyah and in various directions during summer seasons 2022, as well as to measure the concentrations of some toxic heavy metals present in this dust and to know the extent of pollution of the city’s environment through the use of some approved pollution indicators in different parts of the world. The results of the study showed that the area located near the Department of nationality in Al-Diwaniyah recorded the highest amount of settled dust, amounting to (139.419 g/m2/month) during the month of June, and that the industrial area recorded the highest rate of settled dust during the study period, with average (116.172 g/m2/month), and the general dust precipitation rate amounted to (105,12 g/m2/month), The average concentrations of heavy metals ranged between(1.113-2.695, 14.689-53.010, 16.103-42.353, 33.769-64.162) for the metals Cd, Pb, Cu, and Cr respectively. While the studied pollution indicators showed that the dust of the city of Diwaniyah was mostly containing high concentrations of these metals, which calls for taking measures that would reduce pollution rates, especially with regard to the cadmium element, whose concentrations were observed to be higher than the permissible global limits.
The Intensity of the Biological Effect and Stress of Extracts of the Aerial Parts of Artemisia herba-alba-on Algae (Klisinema persicum)
Authors: Al-Khazali Zahra K. M.
Published: July 2023

Inhibitory impact of Artemisia herba-alba extract on Klisinema persicum growth was investigated. This study looked at the effects of different concentrations of A. herba-alba extracts on the growth and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and Catalase) activity of K. persicum in order to determine the optimal dose range for the good anti-algal action. Concentrations were used (2.5,5, 10, 20, 40,80 and 160) mg. L-1 as well as control. Results showed that both crude extracted, alcoholic extract, and aqueous extract of A. herba-alba had an obvious inhibitory effect on K. persicum growth, as such the obtained results demonstrated A. herba-alba crude extracted inhibited algal growth more efficiently than alcoholic extract and aqueous extract of A. herba-alba. This investigation found that a dose of 10 mg. L-1 with above 50% of IR of extracted crude, alcoholic extractand aqueous of A. herba-alba was best, based on changes in algal cell density and inhibitory ratio (IR). Additionally, after 4 days, the extracted A. herba-alba group saw a significant decline in Chlorophyll-a concentration and antioxidant enzymes activity, falling below the detection threshold. Our findings may pave the way for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying inhibitory effects on dangerous algae, which in turn could lead to the creation of novel anti-algal materials.
Methane and Hydrocarbon Emission Rates from Oil and Gas Production in the Province of Basra, South of Iraq
Authors: Alsabbagh Maha R. , Al-Muhyi Abdul Haleem , Azeez Nayyef M.
Published: July 2023

Petroleum deposits typically contain a gaseous component known as “associated gas”. If associated gas is not collected or used on-site, it may be flared or vented as a byproduct of oil production. Flaring is preferential to venting in terms of global warming. Flaring oxidizes carbon and produces CO2, but by destroying methane and other hydrocarbons, it decreases the overall risk of global warming emissions. On a 100-year time scale, fossil methane is 36 times more potent than CO2. The measurements were taken at six oil fields (AlTuba, Allhais, Artawi, North Rumaila, Nahran Omar, and Majnoon) and two power plants (Alnajebia power plant and Shatt Al-Basra). To measure the concentrations of hydrocarbons, a direct measurement was taken for six months. ANOVA test was used to analyze the results at p ≤ 0.05 and a correlation between hydrocarbon concentrations, wind speed, and temperature was done. The result showed that the hydrocarbons were found in all stations, in all measurements with different concentrations except in Alnajebia and Shatt Al-Basra power plant at first measurements, the device did not detect hydrocarbons concentration. The highest average of hydrocarbon concentrations was at Allhais which was recorded as 995, 598.15, 418.7, 358.89 and 279.13 ppm for methane, ethane, propane, butane and pentane respectively. The lowest average was found at the majnoon oil field for methane, ethane, propane, butane and pentane 395, 238.8, 167.16, 142.2 and 111.4 ppm respectively. The relationship between the average hydrocarbon concentrations with the average monthly wind speed and with average monthly temperature was positive.
Production of Environmental Sensitivity Maps for Desertification in Southern Marshes of Iraq
Authors: Al-Yasiry Ahmed F. , Al-Lami Alaa M. , Al-Maliki Ali
Published: July 2023

The arid and semi-arid regions have faced critical desertification problems in the last decades. This phenomenon is caused either by human actions or natural circumstances. The study aims to identify the sensitive areas of desertification in the marshlands of southern Iraq using the Environmental Sensitivity Areas Index (ESAI) for desertification. The study area is located between longitudes (46.1° to 48.1° E) and latitude (29.55° to 32.55° N), which includes parts of the governorates of Al-Amarah, Al-Basara and Al-Nasiriyah in southern Iraq with an area of about 27,989 km2. Satellite image processing for the Landsat OLI sensor of 2021 was adopted to characterize the general appearance of the interest area. Arc Gis ver.10.7 programs were used to analyze different data and produce the Desertification Sensitivity Index (DSI) and maps for the parameters for evaluating southern marshes’ desertification. Nine parameters are grouped into three orderly indices concerning the behaviour of desertification, and weighting factors are assigned in each index. This study found that the study area highly sensitive to desertification represents (10781.14 km2 of the total area) about 38.52% of the study area. The area sensitive to desertification covers about 38.42%, about 10752.92 km2 of the total area. Areas of low sensitivity to desertification appear throughout the marshes, representing 23.06%, about 6454.67 km2 of the total area. The result shows that the area is suffering from reduced water supplies and the human destruction of natural grazing areas for urban expansion or cultivation of seasonal crops.
Improving the Mechanical Properties of Dunes Soils in Southern Iraq by Adding Carboxymethyl cellulose
Authors: Yahia Mohammed Mahdi M. , Muttashar Wisam R. , Shbaar Hella A. , Haddad Athir M.
Published: July 2023

Due to climate change, resultant dunes zones have increasingly been a severe issue for the environment and people. Its impacts turn out on land degradation and reduction of surface moisture. This research aims to experimentally analyse the mechanical behaviour of desert Dunes soils by adding Polymer type Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) resin. The collected soil samples were from a site adjacent to Nasiriya–Baghdad highway in Thi-Qar province. The experimental design was set up into two groups with different percentages of the polymer material (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) and different weight percentages of water added to the natural soil (dunes soil). Compaction, classification, and shear strength tests are the essential measurements of the samples in this study. The analysis shows that the natural dunes soil is low plasticity sandy silt with a friction angle of about 31.40. Both groups, PNS and POM, reveal nearly the same changes in PHI angles. They increase at the first Polymer addition (5%) and decrease at the third addition (15%) and return to increase at the fourth addition (20%). This means that the best polymer addition is at 5%, and the worst addition is at 15% even though the change in PHI angle adequately is not high.
A Statistical Analysis of the Effects of Afforestation on the Environment in Iraq (Northern Iraq)
Authors: Ghayyib Manar Naji , Al-Rubaie Amir Ibrahim Fuleih , Adnan Farah Alaa
Published: July 2023

The significance of the research conducted in northern Iraq comes despite the expansion of afforestation projects; yet, the suffering of the forests has increased due to their lack of scientific study, unpredictability of the climate, and adverse effects on the spread and growth of plant species Therefore, the goal of the study is to understand the effects of afforestation through a statistical analysis of plant diversity in northern Iraq and its distinctivenessThe analysis revealed that natural groupings had improved qualitatively more than other groups, particularly some dwindling species that are able to compete and occupy new areas. drought-prone vegetation, vegetation, and climate change. Restoring natural land vegetation is beneficial for sustaining and enhancing biodiversity, and it is important at environmentally endangered sites of degradation or erosion
The Effect of Immersing the Bud Cuttings with a Combination of NAA and BA Growth Regulators and the Addition of Optimus Plus Nanofertilizer in Improving some Vegetative Qualities of Ber Seedlings Apple Variety
Authors: Al-Saadi Mohammed Qassem Karim , Al-Tamimi Harith Mahmoud Aziz
Published: July 2023

The study was carried out during the growing season 2022 in one of the orchards located in Al-Sajla area / Al-Khairat district / Holy Karbala governorate On seed Sidr varieties two years old. To find out the effect of immersing bait pens, an apple cultivar was treated with a combination of growth regulators in three concentrations (0, 40 + 20, 40 + 80 mg.L-1) and symbol (A0, A1, A2) in sequence, and the addition of Optimus Pius nano fertilizer in three concentrations (0, 20, 40 m. L-1) and its symbol (B0, B1, B2) sequentially and the overlap between them in the vegetative traits of Sidr seedlings, apple cultivar. The experiment was carried out according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) as a factorial experiment with three replications. The results showed that immersing the grafting pen with a combination of growth regulators at A1 concentration had a significant effect on vegetative traits (percentage of vaccination success, main stem length, main stem diameter, number of lateral branches, number of leaves and leaf area) amounted to (88.900%, 142.567 cm, 40.047 mm 17.447 branch. Sapling, 827 leaf. Sapling, 22.567 cm2. sapling-1) sequentially compared to the comparison treatment, Ground fertilization with nano-fertilizer at a concentration of B2 also led to a significant increase in (percentage of vaccination success, main stem length, main stem diameter, number of lateral branches, number of leaves and leaf area) amounting to (88.900%, 144.900 cm, 40.150 mm, 17.667 branch. Sapling, 828 leaves. Seedling-1, 22.967 cm2. sapling-1) sequentially compared with the comparison treatment. The bilateral interaction between the two study factors also led to a significant effect on all vegetative characteristics of Sidr seedlings of an apple variety, especially when treated (A1 B2) compared to the comparison treatment of the overlap.
Interaction Between Typha domingensis and Bacteria Bacillus sp. to Treatment of Wastewater Polluted by Kerosene
Authors: Qays Hawra , Almansoory Asia Fadhile , Al-Baldawi Israa Abdulwahab
Published: July 2023

Water pollution with Kerosene is considered as a serious environmental problem in Basrah. Typha domingensis was used to treat kerosene-contaminated water in the construction wetland system. The Isolated bacteria was the most efficient in degradation Kerosene. Bacteria isolated from contaminated water by hydrocarbons of four stations in Basrah, these isolates were tested to show efficiency in degrading hydrocarbons to be used in phytoremediation of water contamination with hydrocarbons. Twelve bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus sp. The Isolated bacteria (B11) was the most efficient in degradation oil hydrocarbons based on these used in the phytotoxicity test. The phytotoxicity experiment was conducted for 72 days in two glass basins containing water contaminated with 5% kerosene concentration with T. domingensis. The Isolate bacterial were added to two glass basins to test the interaction of the bacterial degradation with the plant and two contaminated ponds without plant and two with pollutant and bacteria without plant with control basin free from pollutant, the temperature between (20.6-36.2)°C, dissolved oxygen between (2.5-7.4) mg / L. The rate of kerosene removal from the water contaminated in the ponds of the plant without bacteria and plant with bacteria, bacteria only and control (76.5%), (81.9)%, (74.1%), (57.4) respectively.
Assessing the Microbial Safety of Drinking Water in Basrah Province: A study of Three Water Treatment Plants
Authors: Al-Jaberi Zahraa A. , Al-Abbawy Dunya A. H.
Published: July 2023

Investigation of the bacterial factors affecting the three main drinking water purification stations (Al-Qurna, Al-Abbas, and Al-Buradieiah) located in various regions of Basrah Governorate was done. Water samples were taken monthly from September 2019 to August 2020. Water samples from the three stations, before and after purification (raw and treated water) were all subjected to microbial investigations that included estimation of the total viable microbial counts, total coliform, total fecal Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella bacteria, and other dangerous bacteria that might be present. The current findings show that all of the stations under study had ineffective purification processes, resulting in pathogen levels in drinkable water that was higher than the limit set by Iraqi criteria and WHO’s desirable limits for drinking water. In the evaluation of all WTPs’ efficacy in terms of microbial elimination, the results show an efficiency rate ranging from 92.09 to 99.72.
Effect of Spanish Black Radish Extract Against Benzyne Induced Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Jabbar Baneen Hayder , Al-Ali Ibtisam A. , Hussein Khalid Ali
Published: July 2023

Benzene is one of the main products of the petrochemical industry worldwide, which causes aplastic anemia and leukemia in both people and animals. This study was designed to examine the modulatory effects of black radish on Benzene-induced toxicity in male rats. Thirty-five rats were divided into 7 groups (5 rats in each group), G1 negative control group; G2 positive control group (benzene treated group); G3 and G4 were treated after development of leukemia with Black radish aqueous extract (100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively), while G5 and G6 were treated with Black radish ethanolic extract (100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg and G7 was treated with cyclophosphamide. Significant pathological variations in the liver, kidney and spleen tissues were detected in all experimental groups except for the control group. Our results indicate that benzyne induces irreversible adverse effects on the livers, kidneys, and spleen of rats.
Antibacterial Activity and Extraction of Triterpenoid to lantana camara L. in Iraq
Authors: Hamed Tamara Abbas , Falih Hayder Yousif , Abed Suhad Y
Published: July 2023

Lantana camara belongs to the family Verbenaceae. This family consists of more than 100 genera and contains nearly 2600 species. Many of these species are of tropical or subtropical region. L. camara is cultivated as decorative plant or for making a boundary in a garden or field. Whole Lantana camara extracts are used to treat asthma, measles, and various types of cancer. The study aims to extract the triterpenoid within the plant lantana considering the environment in Iraq. Various separation methods based on temperature graduate were employed. Several solvents, including ethanol and hexane, were employed. The activity of triterpenoid as an antibacterial agent against a number of pathogenic species (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsilla aeroganas). The disc diffusion method was used and the inhibition zones of different concentration were calculated. A triterpenoid extract was found very active against all type bacteria. Against Gram-positive Streptococcus pyogens, triterpenoid extract showed significant inhibition and weak inhibition against Gram-negative Escherichia coli.
Detection of Auxotroph’s Methionine Proteus Mirabilis from Different Clinical Sources
Authors: Hezam Abbas Mayar , Yousif Maitham Ghaly , Mohammed Ghaidaa Jihadi
Published: July 2023

Twenty (25%) isolates of Proteus Mirabilis were isolated from a total of 80 samples of patients suffering from otitis media and urinary tract infections. The samples were collected from various hospitals in Al-Diwaniyah city between December 2021 and March 2022. Proteus Mirabilis was isolated and identified using cultural and biochemical tests. The diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate the 16s rRNA gene, and by DNA sequencing to register these sequences in Gene Bank-NCBI for obtaining accession numbers. Auxotroph’s methionine Proteus Mirabilis was revealed by culturing on glucose-minimal salt agar. The results showed that 3/20 (15%) of isolates were auxotroph’s methionine. The polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the metF and metE genes in Proteus Mirabilis. The results reveal that 3/20 (15%) of isolates were auxotroph’s methionine (do not have metF and metE gene). DNA sequencing of metF and metE genes was performed in auxotroph’s Proteus Mirabilis, and the results of the forward and reverse primers revealed substitution mutations in the DNA of metF and metE genes. In conclusion, the prevalence of auxotroph’s methionine Proteus Mirabilis isolates in otitis media and urinary tract infection was demonstrated in this study.
Bacteriological Investigation of Pathogenic Bacteria Causing Urinary Tract Infections: A cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mhana Shahrabanawah Mahdi Yasin , Aljanaby Ahmed Abduljabbar Jaloob
Published: July 2023

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health problem. They are caused by bacteria from the environment getting into the urinary tract. A total of 118 urine samples were collected from 102 patients (Men and Women) with UTIs admitted to a general hospital in AL-Najaf City, Iraq, between October to 2022 and February 2023. Standard laboratory methods were used to culture urine and to diagnose all bacterial isolates that were grown on laboratory media. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to test antibiotic susceptibility. Out of a total of 118 urine samples there were 106 urine samples with positive bacterial growth and 12 urine samples without bacterial growth. E. coli was the most predominant bacteria with 50 isolates, K. pneumoniae 18, P. mirabilis 13, S. saprophyticus 10, S. aureus 9, E. faecalis 6. Gram-negative bacterial isolates were good resistance to amoxicillin 25 μg and Amoxicillin+clavulanic acid 25/10μg. Gram-positive bacterial isolates were good resistance to penicillin 6 μg and ampicillin 10 μg. The most effective antibiotic was imipenem 10μg, which inhibited all bacterial growth.
Judicial indifference in criminal sentencing: Explaining inequality of the Thai Fines
Authors: Tantikul Thanyanuch
Published: July 2023

Courts in many jurisdictions remain indifferent to criticisms for their overly harsh or unequal treatments. There has been a debate whether this is attributed to judges’ individual dispositions or rather their environments. This article contributes to this debate by offering evidence from Thai courts about their indifference to inequality generated by the wealth-insensitive fine and fine-default custody. It argues that judges are situationally driven to adopt rigid framing about justice when performing duties, as a result of which judges develop indifference to the ‘side-effects’ of their frame-influenced decisions. The findings imply the possibility that the same mechanisms may exist in other jurisdictions and underline the need to address indifference to prevent failure in reforming for a more egalitarian system.
Climate-Change Impacts on Cephalopods: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Borges Francisco O , Sampaio Eduardo , Santos Catarina P , Rosa Rui
Published: July 2023

Synopsis

Aside from being one of the most fascinating groups of marine organisms, cephalopods play a major role in marine food webs, both as predators and as prey, while representing key living economic assets, namely for artisanal and subsistence fisheries worldwide. Recent research suggests that cephalopods are benefitting from ongoing environmental changes and the overfishing of certain fish stocks (i.e., of their predators and/or competitors), putting forward the hypothesis that this group may be one of the few “winners” of climate change. While many meta-analyses have demonstrated negative and overwhelming consequences of ocean warming (OW), acidification (OA), and their combination for a variety of marine taxa, such a comprehensive analysis is lacking for cephalopod molluscs. In this context, the existing literature was surveyed for peer-reviewed articles featuring the sustained (≥24 h) and controlled exposure of cephalopod species (Cephalopoda class) to these factors, applying a comparative framework of mixed-model meta-analyses (784 control-treatment comparisons, from 47 suitable articles). Impacts on a wide set of biological categories at the individual level (e.g., survival, metabolism, behavior, cell stress, growth) were evaluated and contrasted across different ecological attributes (i.e., taxonomic lineages, climates, and ontogenetic stages). Contrary to what is commonly assumed, OW arises as a clear threat to cephalopods, while OA exhibited more restricted impacts. In fact, OW impacts were ubiquitous across different stages of ontogeny, taxonomical lineages (i.e., octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish). These results challenge the assumption that cephalopods benefit from novel ocean conditions, revealing an overarching negative impact of OW in this group. Importantly, we also identify lingering literature gaps, showing that most studies to date focus on OW and early life stages of mainly temperate species. Our results raise the need to consolidate experimental efforts in a wider variety of taxa, climate regions, life stages, and other key environmental stressors, such as deoxygenation and hypoxia, to better understand how cephalopods will cope with future climate change.
Comparative analyses of the effects of sublethal doses of emamectin benzoate and tetrachlorantraniliprole on the gut microbiota ofSpodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Chang Hong , Guo Jianglong , Qi Guojun , Gao Yan , Wang Siwei , Wang Xiaonan , Liu Yanping
Published: July 2023

Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) is an important invasive pest that poses a serious threat to global crop production. Both emamectin benzoate (EB) and diamide insecticides are effective insecticides used to protect against S. frugiperda. Here, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to characterize the gut microbiota in S. frugiperda larvae exposed to EB or tetrachlorantraniliprole (TE). Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were found to be the dominant bacterial phyla present in the intestines of S. frugiperda. Following insecticide treatment, larvae were enriched for species involved in the process of insecticide degradation. High-level alpha and beta diversity indices suggested that exposure to TE and EB significantly altered the composition and diversity of the gastrointestinal microbiota in S. frugiperda. At 24 h post-EB treatment, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia abundance was significantly increased relative to the control group, with significant increases in Stenotrophobacter, Nitrospira, Blastocatella, Sulfurifustis, and Flavobacterium also being evident in these larvae. These microbes may play a role in the degradation or detoxification of EB and TE, although further work will be needed to explore the mechanisms underlying such activity. Overall, these findings will serve as a theoretical foundation for subsequent studies of the relationship between the gut microbiota and insecticide resistance in S. frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Microglia subtypes in acute, subacute, and chronic multiple sclerosis
Authors: Prineas John W , Lee Sandra
Published: July 2023

The study was designed to examine microglia morphology in early and late forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Archival paraffin embedded tissue samples from 25 cases were examined immunohistochemically. Pío del Río Hortega reported that phagocytes in acute focal destructive CNS lesions develop from microglia with no early contribution from infiltrating monocytes. In this study, we were unable to identify the changes cited by del Río Hortega in support of his theory. Instead, myelin phagocytes in MS appear to originate chiefly from infiltrating monocytes. In 4 cases, walls composed of MHC class II antigen-positive “wall microglia” were observed at plaque margins separating demyelinated and bordering myelinated tissue. Wall microglia in 2 plaques were accompanied by AQP4-positive fiber-forming astrocytes. In chronic but not early disease MS cases, microglia were seen to interact with infiltrating monocytes to form microglial nodules of several types. Also, MHC II-positive “activated” microglia in bordering intact tissue were exceptionally prominent where there was little evidence of ongoing myelin loss. It is concluded that myelin phagocytes in MS derive entirely from infiltrating MRP14-positive monocytes and not from resident microglia and that Río Hortega’s microglia play an anti-inflammatory role in MS and not the destructive role favored by the current literature.
Two antibodies show broad, synergistic neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants by inducing conformational change within the RBD
Authors: Sun Hui , Deng Tingting , Zhang Yali , Lin Yanling , Jiang Yanan , Jiang Yichao , Huang Yang , Song Shuo , Cui Lingyan , Li Tingting , Xiong Hualong , Lan Miaolin , Liu Liqin , Li Yu , Fang Qianjiao , Yu Kunyu , Jiang Wenling , Zhou Lizhi , Que Yuqiong , Zhang Tianying , Yuan Quan , Cheng Tong , Zhang Zheng , Yu Hai , Zhang Jun , Luo Wenxin , Li Shaowei , Zheng Qingbing , Gu Ying , Xia Ningshao
Published: July 2023

Continual evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) virus has allowed for its gradual evasion of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) produced in response to natural infection or vaccination. The rapid nature of these changes has incited a need for the development of superior broad nAbs (bnAbs) and/or the rational design of an antibody cocktail that can protect against the mutated virus strain. Here, we report two angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 competing nAbs—8H12 and 3E2—with synergistic neutralization but evaded by some Omicron subvariants. Cryo-electron microscopy reveals the two nAbs synergistic neutralizing virus through a rigorous pairing permitted by rearrangement of the 472–489 loop in the receptor-binding domain to avoid steric clashing. Bispecific antibodies based on these two nAbs tremendously extend the neutralizing breadth and restore neutralization against recent variants including currently dominant XBB.1.5. Together, these findings expand our understanding of the potential strategies for the neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants toward the design of broad-acting antibody therapeutics and vaccines.
Methods for measuring social and conceptual dimensions of convergence science
Authors: Petersen Alexander Michael , Arroyave Felber , Pavlidis Ioannis
Published: July 2023

Convergence science is an intrepid form of interdisciplinarity defined by the US National Research Council as ‘the coming together of insights and approaches from originally distinct fields’ to strategically address grand challenges. Despite its increasing relevance to science policy and institutional design, there is still no practical framework for measuring convergence. We address this gap by developing a measure of disciplinary distance based upon disciplinary boundaries delineated by hierarchical ontologies. We apply this approach using two widely used ontologies—the Classification of Instructional Programs and the Medical Subject Headings—each comprised of thousands of entities that facilitate classifying two distinct research dimensions, respectively. The social dimension codifies the disciplinary pedigree of individual scholars, connoting core expertise associated with traditional modes of mono-disciplinary graduate education. The conceptual dimension codifies the knowledge, methods, and equipment fundamental to a given target problem, which together may exceed the researchers’ core expertise. Considered in tandem, this decomposition facilitates measuring social-conceptual alignment and optimizing team assembly around domain-spanning problems—a key aspect that eludes other approaches. We demonstrate the utility of this framework in a case study of the human brain science (HBS) ecosystem, a relevant convergence nexus that highlights several practical considerations for designing, evaluating, institutionalizing, and accelerating convergence. Econometric analysis of 655,386 publications derived from 9,121 distinct HBS scholars reveals a 11.4% article-level citation premium attributable to research featuring full topical convergence, and an additional 2.7% citation premium if the social (disciplinary) configuration of scholars is maximally aligned with the conceptual (topical) configuration of the research.