bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thymol and Piperine-Loaded Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)
Nanoparticles Modulate Inflammatory Mediators and Apoptosis in Murine
Macrophages
Authors: Dzoyem Jean Paul , Boulens Nathalie , Allémann Eric , Delie Florence
Published: September 2021

This study aimed at preparing and characterizing thymol, eugenol, and
piperine-loaded poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles and
evaluating the effect on inflammatory mediators secretion and apoptosis in Raw
264.7 macrophage cells. Nanoparticles were produced by the solvent evaporation
technique. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy were used
to study the physicochemical characteristics. Raw 264.7 macrophage cells were
used as a model for in vitro assays. The
2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay
was used to determine the cytotoxicity of the formulated nanoparticles. An
annexin V apoptosis detection kit was used to assess apoptosis. Nitric oxide
production was determined using the Griess reagent, and the inflammatory
mediators level was evaluated with Th1/Th2 cytokine and fluorometric
cyclooxygenase kits. The loaded nanoparticles showed a particle size around
190 nm with a low polydispersity between 0.069 and 0.104 and a zeta
potential between–1.2 and–9.5 mV. Reduced cytotoxicity
of nanoparticles compared to free molecules against Raw 264.7 macrophage cells
was observed and seemed to occur through a mechanism associated with apoptosis.
A decrease in cyclooxygenase enzyme activity with an increasing concentration
was observed. Both free molecules and nanoparticles showed their capacity to
modulate the inflammatory process mostly by inhibiting the investigated
inflammatory cytokines. The data presented in this study indicate that thymol
and piperine-loaded poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles could
serve as a novel anti-inflammatory colloidal drug delivery system with reduced
toxicity. However, further study should be considered to optimize the
formulation’s loading capacity and thereby probably enhance their
bioactivity in treating inflammatory diseases.
Gesundheitskompetenz in Deutschland vor und während der
Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Schaeffer Doris , Klinger Julia , Berens Eva-Maria , Gille Svea , Griese Lennert , Vogt Dominique , Hurrelmann Klaus
Published: September 2021

Ziel Im Mittelpunkt des Artikels stehen neue Befunde zur
Gesundheitskompetenz (GK), die einen Vergleich der GK der Bevölkerung in
Deutschland vor dem Ausbruch der Corona-Pandemie und während ihres
Anhaltens ermöglichen. Verglichen werden die allgemeine und die digitale
GK. Daneben werden Veränderungen der GK in unterschiedlichen
Bevölkerungsgruppen untersucht.

Methodik Die Analysen basieren auf
bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Querschnittsdaten, die
2019/2020 vor und 2020 während der Pandemie erhoben wurden.
Dabei kam ein international weiterentwickelter und abgestimmter Fragebogen
(HLS19) zur Messung der GK zum Einsatz, in dem erstmals in diesem
Kontext auch die digitale GK in Deutschland erhoben wurde.
Verände-rungen in den Gruppen wurden bivariat analysiert.

Ergebnisse Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich die GK der Bevölkerung
in Deutschland während der Pandemie gegenüber der Zeit davor
tendenziell verbessert hat. Dieser Effekt ist besonders bei der Beurteilung von
Gesundheitsinformationen und der digitalen GK zu sehen. Er ist bei Frauen,
Menschen mit niedriger und mittlerer Bildung, jüngeren
Bevölkerungsgruppen und Personen mit eigener Migrationserfahrung
besonders stark ausgeprägt. Bei älteren Personen ist keine
Veränderung zu verzeichnen und bei Personen mit mehreren chronischen
Erkrankungen weisen die Ergebnisse sogar auf eine Verschlechterung hin.

Schlussfolgerung Die systematische Auseinandersetzung mit den klar
strukturierten, häufig wiederholten Gesundheitsinformationen
während der Corona-Pandemie hat in Deutschland offenbar dazu
geführt, dass sich die Gesundheitskompetenz verbessert hat und der
Umgang mit gesundheitsbezogenen Informationen subjektiv als weniger schwierig
eingeschätzt wird. Vor allem die Kompetenz zum Umgang mit digitalen
Informationen ist gestiegen. Dabei gibt es teils große Unterschiede
zwischen den einzelnen Bevölkerungsgruppen.
3D MRI in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Oei Edwin H.G. , van Zadelhoff Tijmen A. , Eijgenraam Susanne M. , Klein Stefan , Hirvasniemi Jukka , van der Heijden Rianne A.
Published: September 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is among the top 10 burdensome diseases, with the knee the most affected joint. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows whole-knee assessment, making it ideally suited for imaging OA, considered a multitissue disease. Three-dimensional (3D) MRI enables the comprehensive assessment of OA, including quantitative morphometry of various joint tissues. Manual tissue segmentation on 3D MRI is challenging but may be overcome by advanced automated image analysis methods including artificial intelligence (AI). This review presents examples of the utility of 3D MRI for knee OA, focusing on the articular cartilage, bone, meniscus, synovium, and infrapatellar fat pad, and it highlights several applications of AI that facilitate segmentation, lesion detection, and disease classification.
Expectant Versus Interventionist Care in the Management of Severe Preeclampsia Remote from Term: A Systematic Review
Authors: Quintero-Ortíz María Andrea , Grillo-Ardila Carlos Fernando , Amaya-Guio Jairo
Published: September 2021

Objective To compare the effects of expectant versus interventionist care in the management of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia remote from term.

Data sources An electronic search was conducted in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS, for its Spanish acronym), World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP), and OpenGrey databases. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO, for its French acronym), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Colombian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (CJOG) websites were searched for conference proceedings, without language restrictions, up to March 25, 2020.

Selection of studies Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and non-randomized controlled studies (NRSs) were included. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the quality of the evidence.

Data collection Studies were independently assessed for inclusion criteria, data extraction, and risk of bias. Disagreements were resolved by consensus.

Data synthesis Four RCTs and six NRS were included. Low-quality evidence from the RCTs showed that expectant care may result in a lower incidence of appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration (Apgar) scores < 7 at 5 minutes (risk ratio [RR]: 0.48; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.23%to 0.99) and a higher average birth weight (mean difference [MD]: 254.7 g; 95%CI: 98.5 g to 410.9 g). Very low quality evidence from the NRSs suggested that expectant care might decrease the rates of neonatal death (RR: 0.42; 95%CI 0.22 to 0.80), hyaline membrane disease (RR: 0.59; 95%CI: 0.40 to 0.87), and admission to neonatal care (RR: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.54 to 0.99). No maternal or fetal differences were found for other perinatal outcomes.

Conclusion Compared with interventionist management, expectant care may improve neonatal outcomes without increasing maternal morbidity and mortality.
Effect of Bidirectional Insertion of External Skeletal Fixation Pins on Axial Pullout Strength in Canine Cadaveric Bone
Authors: Park Jane , Dugat Danielle , Rochat Mark , Griffin Hall , Payton Mark E.
Published: September 2021

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bidirectional insertion on axial pullout strength of tapered run out (TRO), traditional negative profile (TNP) and positive profile (PP) pins.

Study Design Cadaveric adult canine tibiae were harvested. Tapered run out pins (Group 1) were inserted unidirectionally to the desired position; bidirectionally past the desired position, then withdrawn to the desired position (Group 2); and bidirectionally as described for Group 2, repeated twice (Group 3). Traditional negative profile pins (Group 4–6) and PP pins (Group 9–11) were placed in the same manner. Tapered run out (Group 7), TNP (Group 8) and PP pins (Group 12) were driven unidirectionally such that the shaft of the pin violated the cis-cortex. A servohydraulic testing machine extracted the pins and measured axial peak pullout strength.

Results Positive profile pins had significantly greater pullout strength than TRO and TNP pins placed unidirectionally to the desired position. Method of insertion had no effect on peak pullout strength of TNP pins. TRO and PP pins inserted unidirectionally to the desired position had significantly greater peak pullout strengths than insertion bidirectionally or if the shaft of the pin violated the cis-cortex.

Conclusion The authors recommend that pins used for external skeletal fixation should be placed unidirectionally to the desired position with fluoroscopic guidance, intra-operative depth gauge measurements or measurements from preoperative radiographs. Repositioning pins results in loss of peak pullout strength with TRO and PP pins.
Ki-67/MIB-1 and Recurrence in Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Tadokoro Kent , Wolf Colten , Toth Joseph , Joyce Cara , Singh Meharvan , Germanwala Anand , Patel Chirag
Published: September 2021

Objectives Ki-67/MIB-1 is a marker of cellular proliferation used as a pathological parameter in the clinical assessment of pituitary adenomas, where its expression has shown utility in predicting the invasiveness of these tumors. However, studies have shown variable results when using Ki-67/MIB-1 association with recurrence. The purpose of this study is to determine if a high Ki-67/MIB-1 labeling index (LI) is predictive of recurrence in pituitary adenomas.

Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing pituitary adenoma resection with at least 1 year of follow-up. Additionally, systematic data searches were performed and included studies that correlated recurrence rate to Ki-67/MIB-1 LI. Our institutional data were included in a synthesis with previously published data.

Results Our institutional review included 79 patients with a recurrence rate of 26.6%. We found that 8.8% of our patients had a high Ki-67/MIB-1 LI (>3%); however, high Ki-67/MIB-1 was not associated with recurrence. The systematic review identified 244 articles and 49 full-text articles that were assessed for eligibility. Quantitative analysis was performed on 30 articles including our institutional data and 18 studies reported recurrence by level of Ki-67/MIB-1 LI. Among studies that compared Ki-67/MIB-1 ≥3 vs. <3%, 10 studies reported odds ratios (OR) greater than 1 of which 6 were statistically significant. A high Ki-67/MIB-1 had higher odds of recurrence via the pooled odds ratio (OR = 4.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.31–7.42).

Conclusion This systematic review suggests that a high Ki-67/MIB-1 should prompt an increased duration of follow-up due to the higher odds of recurrence of pituitary adenoma.
Probing the surface potential of SiO2/4H-SiC(0001) by terahertz emission spectroscopy
Authors: Nakanishi Hidetoshi , Nishimura Tatsuhiko , Kawayama Iwao , Tonouchi Masayoshi , Hosoi Takuji , Shimura Takayoshi , Watanabe Heiji
Published: September 2021

Terahertz (THz) emission spectroscopy (TES) was used to evaluate the properties of interfaces between thermally grown oxides and 4H-SiC(0001) substrates. Metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) structures with transparent electrodes were irradiated with a femtosecond laser pulse and the emitted THz signal was measured by changing the applied gate voltage. The amplitude of the THz pulse signal is dependent on the electric field, namely, band bending near the SiO2/SiC interfaces, and thus contains information on the change in the surface potential of the SiC MOS structures. We compared the peak THz amplitude (ETHz) and gate voltage (Vg) curves taken from SiC MOS structures with different interface qualities and observed a steep ETHz–Vg curve for a high-quality SiO2/SiC interface as compared with the curve for a structure with a higher interface state density. We also compared the ETHz–Vg and capacitance–voltage characteristics of SiC MOS capacitors and investigated the mechanism of THz emission from the SiC MOS structures to validate the ability of the TES technique for characterizing SiO2/SiC interfaces.
Energy balance of rapidly deforming foam filled cylindrical shells in a high pressure fluid environment
Authors: Javier Carlos , Kishore Shyamal , Senol Koray , Shukla Arun
Published: September 2021

The pressure differential between an air-filled structure and the surrounding fluid for underwater applications can potentially lead to instabilities and collapse of the structure. When air-filled structures collapse underwater, large pressure pulses are emitted into the surrounding water, which can damage nearby living organisms and structures. The present study aims to mitigate the high-pressure spikes generated in underwater implosions. Experiments were performed underwater in a pressure vessel. Thin-walled aluminum 6061 cylindrical shells were placed in the water filled pressure vessel, and the hydrostatic pressure was increased until the tubes reached instability and subsequently collapsed. To mitigate the pressure pulses radiated into the fluid by the implosion of the tubes, closed cell polyvinyl chloride foam rods of varying densities were placed inside of the aluminum tubes and assembled concentrically. The densities of the solid foam rods were 45 and 100 kg/m3, which were selected to investigate the effect of foam density on the mitigation capabilities of the foam rods. Three-dimensional digital image correlation was coupled with high-speed photography to obtain the full-field displacements and velocities of the aluminum tubes during implosion. Moreover, the pressure fields created during the structural collapse of the tubes were recorded with tourmaline pressure transducers. The 45 kg/m3 foam reduced the peak pressure pulse generated during the implosion event by 30%, whereas the 100 kg/m3 foam rods reduced the peak pressure pulse by 50%. Furthermore, the 45 kg/m3 foam decreased the energy imparted onto the fluid by the implosion of the tubes by 16%, whereas the 100 kg/m3 foam decreased the energy imparted onto the fluid by the implosion by 43%. Full field displacement data showed that both foam densities reduced the radial velocity of the tube during implosion, as well as reducing the peak centerpoint decelerations of the tube prior to wall contact by 45% and 62% for the 45 kg/m3 and the 100 kg/m3 foam, respectively. Fully coupled fluid–structure interaction finite element models were created using the Abaqus software to obtain the structural deformation energy in the aluminum tubes after implosion, as well as the energy absorbed by the foam rods. The models were in good agreement with the experiments in terms of radial displacements during implosion, as well as the final foam rod volume.
Complex viscosity of graphene suspensions
Authors: El Haddad K. , Aumnate C. , Saengow C. , Kanso M. A. , Coombs S. J. , Giacomin A. J.
Published: September 2021

Atomically thin flat sheets of carbon, called graphene, afford interesting opportunities to study the role of orientation in suspensions. In this work, we use general rigid bead-rod theory to arrive at general expressions from first principles for the complex viscosity of graphene suspensions. General rigid bead-rod theory relies entirely on suspension orientation to explain the elasticity of the liquid. We obtain analytical expressions for the complex viscosity of triangular and hexagonal graphene sheets of arbitrary size. We find good agreement with new complex viscosity measurements.
Effect of an axial electric field on the breakup of a leaky-dielectric liquid filament
Authors: Rubio M. , Ponce-Torres A. , Herrada M. A. , Gañán-Calvo A. M. , Montanero J. M.
Published: September 2021

We study experimentally and numerically the thinning of Newtonian leaky-dielectric filaments subjected to an axial electric field. We consider moderately viscous liquids with high electrical permittivity. We analyze the influence of the electric field on the formation of satellite droplets from the breakup of the filaments in the experiments. The electric force delays the free surface pinching. Two electrified filaments with the same minimum radius are thin at the same speed regardless of when the voltage is applied. The numerical simulations show that the polarization stress is responsible for the pinching delay observed in the experiments. Asymptotically close to the pinching point, the filament pinching is dominated by the diverging hydrodynamic forces. The polarization stress becomes subdominant even if this stress also diverges at this finite-time singularity.
Fluctuations of thermodynamic variables in compressible isotropic turbulence laden with inertial particles
Authors: Dai Qi , Luo Kun , Fan Jianren , Guo Zeqing , Chen Zhihua
Published: September 2021

The modifications of thermodynamic fluctuations by inertial particles are investigated in decaying compressible isotropic turbulence with an initial turbulent Mach number of 1.2 through direct numerical simulations. The particles interact with turbulence through two-way coupling under the Eulerian–Lagrangian point-source framework. Five simulations with different particle diameters (Stokes numbers) are conducted and compared with the particle-free simulation. The underlying modulation mechanisms are revealed through analyzing the transport equations of thermodynamic variables. The fluctuation features are similar for density, pressure, and temperature in compressible isotropic turbulence. The addition of particles enhances the mean pressure and temperature, and the enhancement becomes more significant with the increment of the Stokes numbers. Nevertheless, the thermodynamic fluctuations are attenuated, and the attenuation is greater for larger particles. Additionally, the thermodynamic fluctuations deviate from isentropic behavior in compressible turbulence, and the deviations are further augmented by the inertial particles. As the particle inertia increases, the departures from isentropic fluctuations gradually increase at small scales, but decrease at large scales. The decay of thermodynamic fluctuations is dominated by the correlation between thermodynamic variables and dilatation. Because of the high inertia, the particles retain their kinetic energy longer than the surrounding fluid and continuously perform positive work on the internal energy of fluid. The mean pressure and pressure-dilatation correlation are thus augmented, resulting in the attenuation of the fluctuations of pressure and other thermodynamic variables.
Transposition and duplication of MADS-domain transcription factor genes in annual and perennial
Arabis
species modulates flowering
Authors: Madrid Eva , Severing Edouard , de Ansorena Elisa , Kiefer Christiane , Brand Luise , Martinez-Gallegos Rafael , Woetzel Stefan , Kemi Ulla , Jiao Wen-Biao , Schneeberger Korbinian , Coupland George
Published: September 2021

Significance

Annual and perennial species differ in their timing and intensity of flowering, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We hybridized closely related annual and perennial plants and used genetics, transgenesis, and genomics to characterize differences in the activity and function of their flowering-time genes. We identify a gene encoding a transcription factor that moved between chromosomes and is retained in the annual but absent from the perennial. This gene strongly delays flowering, and we propose that it has been retained in the annual to compensate for reduced activity of closely related genes. This study highlights the value of using direct hybridization between closely related plant species to characterize functional differences in fast-evolving reproductive traits.
Reviewing the history and development of aspiration in Eastern Balochi
Authors: Birahimani Ali H.
Published: September 2021

This paper examines the history of aspiration in Eastern Balochi and aims to posit the course of its development and the extent to which it can be said to be contrastive. It uses primary data obtained by the author directly from various locales and compares sets of these data with the secondary data available on Balochi from 19th and early 20th century material. I maintain that, historically, voiceless aspiration arose word-initially in Eastern Balochi, in the sounds /p t č k/, and spread from there to other positions. In the discussion of aspiration, literature on Balochi has seen the question of influence from the neighbouring Indo-Aryan languages as an important problem. In this paper it is argued that equally relevant to the issue are two other important historical phenomena: post-vocalic lenition of stops and affricates, and gemination, a widely found but less well explored feature of Balochi. Also observed in Eastern Balochi, but less frequently remarked upon, is the breathiness found in voiced stops and affricate, a feature hitherto understood to be restricted to a small lexicon borrowed from Indo-Aryan. Focusing on a large number of Eastern Balochi varieties rather than seeing it as a unified whole, I attempt to show that contrastive status of aspiration appears to be gradually developing in these varieties. Many processes are leading in this direction, such as degemination and fortition of fricatives; among these one important diagnostic for the ultimate status of aspiration, I propose, is thetransposition of glottal fricative.
Carrier and magnetism engineering for monolayer SnS2 by high throughput first-principles calculations*
Authors: Zhan Qing , Luo Xiaoguang , Zhang Hao , Zhang Zhenxiao , Liu Dongdong , Cheng Yingchun
Published: September 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting tin disulfide (SnS2) has been widely used for optoelectronic applications. To functionalize SnS2 for extending its application, we investigate the stability, electronic and magnetic properties of substitutional doping by high throughput first-principles calculations. There are a lot of elements that can be doped in monolayer SnS2. Nonmetal in group A can introduce p-type and n-type carriers, while most metals in group A can only lead to p-type doping. Not only 3d, but also 4d and 5d transition metals in groups VB to VIIIB9 can introduce magnetism in SnS2, which is potentially applicable for spintronics. This study provides a comprehensive view of functionalization of SnS2 by substitutional doping, which will guide further experimental realization.
Removal of Bismarck Brown G dye over composites of metalized copper oxide nanoparticles with nitrogen and activated carbons
Authors: Jabbar Reyam Kareem. , Atiyah Abbas Jasim
Published: September 2021

The present work describes preparation of composites of iron metalized copper oxide nanoparticles (Fe/CuONPs) using co-precipitation method. Then new composites were prepared by combination of Fe/CuONPs with each of nitrogen and activated carbons(ACs). Activated carbons was both natural (AC1) and physically activated AC (AC2). This yielding tertiary systems N/Fe/CuONPs, AC1/Fe/CuONPs, and AC2/Fe/CuONPs. These prepared materials were investigated using different techniques and analytical methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X- rays diffraction (XRD) technique, BET specific surface area, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and CHN microelemental analysis. The adsorption ability of these materials was investigated via following removal of Bismarck Brown G dye (BBG) from simulated industrial wastewaters over a suspension of these prepared materials. Different adsorption parameters and conditions were investigated such as effect of weight of adsorbent, effect of adsorption temperatures, and effect of pH of the dye solution. Besides that, adsorption isotherms were undertaken involving applying each of Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms was undertaken. From the obtained results it was found that, the optimum removal efficiency for this dye was noted when using AC2/Fe/CuONPs as adsorbent under these conditions. Also from adsorption isotherms, it was found that, the results were more fitted with Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
Preparation of a novel cartridge column for solid phase extraction, used for separation of some heavy metal
Authors: Hasan Rawaa Ch. , Karam Faiq F.
Published: September 2021

This study included the removal of heavy metal ions by developing the solid-phase extraction method and preparing separation columns in order to isolate unwanted water pollutants. Single-use separator columns contain a modified extraction block consisting of (organic azo reagent 6-MBTAMP with chitosan) low the cost and this mass are saturated with the aforementioned organic reagent for the purpose of increasing the extraction surface area by increasing the effective aggregates. The modified extraction mass was characterization by means of the X-ray diffraction technique and several sharp crystal peaks appeared for us, and the highest of these peaks were equal to 38.81.
New Mannich Base (2R)-4-methyl-2-((S)(phenylamino)(p-tolyl)methyl)cyclohexan-1-one; Synthesis and Spectral Characterisation
Authors: Hussein Samraa Ali , Yousif Enaam Ismail
Published: September 2021

The study includes preparation and characterisation of a new Mannich -β-amino carbonyl namely: (2R)-4-methyl-2-((S)(phenylamino)(p-tolyl)methyl)cyclohexan-1-one. was achieved from the reaction of 4-methylcyclohexan-1-one and aniline with 4-methylbenzaldehyde in a 1:1:1 mole ratio, respectively. Calcium chloride was used as catalyst and ethanol as reaction medium. A range of physico-chemical tools were used to charcteris the isolated compound. These include; FT-IR, 1H-, 13C-NMR, mass spectra, elemental analysis and melting point.
Isolation and identification of some chromium resistant bacteria from some contaminated sites
Authors: Hussain Athmar Ahmad Abdul , Al-Saadi Aamal Ghazi Mahdi
Published: September 2021

Heavy metals have fundamentally effect on the biological system and they are straightforwardly harmful to living creatures, particularly human. Expulsion of these pollutants requires advanced and exorbitant technologies. Along these lines, bioremediation with hefty metal-resistant microorganisms could fillin as a less expensive solution. The aims of this study were to select some chromium resistant bacteria in contaminated sites and to determine the inhibitory concentration values for each species. Selection of the chromium resistant isolates was done using nutrient agar plates containing 100mg/l of (K2Cr2O7), and the values of the inhibitory concentrations were determined by agar diffusion method. Strains that resisted the highest concentrations were diagnosed based on the morphological and molecular methods. Molecular diagnosis was performed based on the analysis of the sequence of nitrogenous bases of 16sr RNA gene as well as the genetic tree relationship. Cr(VI) resistant isolates were chosen from a sum of 40 separates and analyzed as follows: Brevibacillus agri, staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Exigobacterium sp., and Atlantibacter sp. The MIC values were 2500mg/l for Brevibacillus agri and staphylococcus sp. and 1500mg/l for the remaining species. In this paper, various bacteria strains, resistant to high chromium concentration, were isolated and identified, and these native microorganisms can be utilized for bioremediation of chromium.
Detection of E.coli O157 in water and food using nanosensor
Authors: Al-Atafy’ Qsay kamil Hadi , Al-Janabi’ Jihad Deiyb Mahal , Al-Mayahi’ Basim Abd Al-Hassan
Published: September 2021

The bacterial pathogens within the water and meat can be recognized utilizing progressed, expensive and time-consuming apparatuses. In addition to these gadgets, nanostructure-based gadgets can be utilized as both are cheap bacterial sensors. This investigation illustrates the creation of a sensor utilizing ZnO-rGO nano composite to distinguish bacterial pathogens. Escherichia Coli O157;h7, a Gram-negative bacterium are displayed in water and nourishment. The sensor was made of an ostensible composition of ZnO-rGO nano composite. Lean film was arranged by a sol - gel strategy utilizing the turn coating onto glass substrates and tests were carried out at room temperature. At that point the sensor was tried with some known concentration of microscopic organisms blended within the water and meat extricate. When a sample of bacteria mixed with water and meat extricate was dropped onto the sensor, the electrical resistance of the sensor varied proportionally with the concentration of bacteria. They proved as reliable and sensitive sensors for detecting bacteria in water.
Assessment of groundwater quality using CCME water quality index in Caracosh distract, northeastern of Mosul city, Iraq.
Authors: Al-Hamdani A S A , Kaplan A Y H , Al-Saffawi A Y T
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to determine the Caracosh (Al-Hamdannia district) groundwater water quality index (CCME WQI). This was calculated by taking groundwater samples and putting them into a thorough physicochemical examination. For calculating the WQI, the following 9 parameters have been considered: pH, TDS, T. Alkalinity, T. hardness, Ca, Mg, Chloride, Sulphate and Nitrate. The WQI for these samples ranges from 25.19 to 93.58. The low values of WQI has been found to be mainly from the higher values of TDS, Total hardness, T. Alkalinity and Sulphate in the groundwater. The analysis reveals that % 40 of groundwater samples of the area needs degree of treatment before consumption, and it also needs to be protected from the perils of contamination.
Study the effect of cement dust exposure on the hematological variables in the workers of new badoosh cement factory in mosul city, Iraq
Authors: Al-Shamery Hassan A. , Jankeer Muna H.
Published: September 2021

The present study was carried in the New Badoosh Cement factory in Mosul city belonged to Ministry of Industry and Minerals/Iraq. The continuous exposure to cement dustleads to many respiratory and health problems. So the current study aimed to determine the negative effects of this dust and the continuous exposure to them in hematological variables in the blood of 150 workers of non-smoking males working, by 25 blood samples for each of the units and productive stages as following: The administrative unit (indirect exposure group), and the groups of the productive stages (direct exposure), which included stage of mechanical workshop, material milling, ovens, cement milling and packing. Their ages ranged between (23-59)years, exposure periods were divided according to the working years into (5-10), (11-20) and ( >20 ) years, then comparison with 30 healthy, non-smoking males of the same age as workers residents in the Rabea sub-district (Al-Owainat village) outside the city and were used as a control group. The results showed a significant decrease in the hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV%)andred blood cells count (RBCs). Also the results showed a significant increase in count of white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes and granules in the blood of workers inadministrators (indirect exposure group) and indifferent productive stages (direct exposure group) during the three exposure periods, as these results showed that different exposure periods and special ( >20 ) years had a clear effect on these studied blood components. It is concluded from this study that exposure of workers in different productive stages and administrative unit to cement dusthas caused clear negative effects on the blood components with an increase in the exposure period and a disrupted in metabolic and physiological processes.
Evaluation of the resistance of CuO-coated contact lenses to bacterial contamination
Authors: Hammo Ahmed Husham , Mahmood Al-Rawi Amera
Published: September 2021

The main aim of this research was to prepare an antibacterial coating on the surface of Contact Lenses (CL) by using copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) and assessment the activity of these nanoparticles to reduce the attachment of bacteria on the lenses. For coating we used an immersion method with three different solutions Ethyl alcohol 99%, Oil and lenses solution and dispersed CuO nanoparticles at different concentrations (100ppm, 200ppm and 300ppm). Two immersion methods were used to prepare coating 1-immersion for 5 minutes in ethanol and contact lens solution. 2-double dipping method for 5 seconds for each turn used with oil solution. The coated lenses was examined by scanning electron microscope and also was incubated with two different bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 24hrs, 72hrs and 30 days at 37 0 C. In this study another aim was preceded by testing the ability of the two bacterial types to form biofilm by tube and Congo red agar methods.
Numerical Study of Combustion Characteristics, Performance and Emissions of SI Engine Fueled with Different Hydrocarbons Fuels
Authors: khudhayer obayes Oras , Aldhaidhawi Mohanad , Najee Muneer
Published: September 2021

A numerical approach has been designed and modified with Advanced Simulation Technologies Boost to examine the impact of the piston face temperature on the performance of the spark ignition engine, combustion characteristics and emissions when using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and petrol fuels at an engine speed of 2500 rpm with a constant throttle position. In this work, a four-cylinder four-stroke spark ignition engine was used. The results show that when the piston face temperature increased, the brake power and the effective torque were reduced. No alteration in the specific brake fuel consumption for both fuels selected at higher piston face temperature has been observed. The peak fire pressure decreases while the peak fire temperature grows slightly when moving from lower to higher temperatures on the piston face. Liquid petroleum gas produced lower effective power and an effective torque compared to the gasoline fuel at all the selected piston face temperature. For both fuels, carbon monoxide and NOx emissions increased, while unburned hydrocarbon emissions decreased dramatically when the temperature of the piston face increased. The LPG emitted lower exhaust gas emissions than the gasoline hydrocarbon fuel at all piston temperatures.
Dielectric constant and conductivity anisotropy measurements of Schiff base liquid crystal
Authors: Badran Hussain A. , Hasan Harith A.
Published: September 2021

The liquid crystal (LC) compound with the central linkage group Schiff-base was studied. The molecular structure was characterized with FTIR. Mesomorphic properties were characterized using differential scanning calamity (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). The dielectric constant (ε) with conductivity (σ) and dielectric anisotropy (Δε) have been measured in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 100 MHz from room temperature to l00 °C. Dielectric constants parallel and perpendicular to helical axes (εII
and ε
⊥ ), the dielectric anisotropy (Δε = εII –ε
⊥) and conductivity (Δσ) have been determined in different mesophases. Activation energy ( Eac
) of the a.c. conduction process and threshold voltage (V
th ) of the sample sandwiched in the liquid crystal cell have been determined in different mesophases. The electro-optic effect was also studied at liquid crystal phase temperatures. The Schiff-base liquid crystal sample exhibiting a nematic phase.
Study, analysis and detection of pollutants in rain water for selected areas over Baghdad city for the 2018-2019 rainy season
Authors: Azeez Hasan M.
Published: September 2021

Some clouds result in rain, such as cumulus clouds and cumulmbus clouds, as rain water is one of the important factors in purifying the air from plankton and impurities in air, Which also helps to soften and moisten the atmosphere, and because of the pollution that many countries of the world suffer from, and since the industrial revolutions that resulted in the rise of pollutants in the atmosphere, and the reason for this is the activity of factories that led to the rise of smoke and toxic gases, As well as car exhaust, generators, and environmental activities caused by dust storms, so the city of Baghdad was chosen to study and detect pollutants in rainwater, as samples of rainwater were collected from different areas including the center and outskirts of Baghdad for the 2018-2019 rainy season, and samples were analyzed by (xrf) technology., After examining the samples, it was found that there are different percentages of pollutants over each of these areas (the study area), as the results showed that the highest percentage of acidity (Ph) was in the Kemaliya area (7.5ppm) and the highest percentage of dissolved salts (46.1ppm) in the Shuala area, and the highest. The percentage of turbidity in the Abu Dashir area was (76ppm).
A Sky Brightness Contrast Measurement before Sunrise and after Sunset over a Baghdad Region, Iraq
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed Kamil
Published: September 2021

In this work, an analytical study had been made of sky brightness variations using a photometer of Sky Quality Meter (SQM-LU). The sky brightness measurements were performed in Baghdad city of Iraq (Latitude: 33°20’N, Longitude: 44°23’E, and Altitude: 34m above sea-level). The values of sky brightness level were collected on 27 December 2019 as well as 10 January 2020 at sunrise and sunset. The aim of this research is to study on sky illumination contrast by taking moonlight (moonless/full moon) as a reference source. Additionally is to localize the direction of the sun during both sunrise and sunset. The results indicated that, in case of sunrise and moonless, the sky brightness level was obtained averagely at 13.60 ± 0.26 magnitude/arcsecond2 with sun’s altitude angle at -9.79° ± 0.12°. While, in case of sunrise and full moon, the sky brightness level was obtained averagely at 12.75 ± 0.25 magnitude/arcsecond2 with sun’s altitude angle at -8.87° ± 0.11°. Findings also showed that, in case of sunset and moonless, the sky brightness level was obtained averagely at 17.44 ± 0.26 magnitude/arcsecond2 with sun’s altitude angle at -10.66° ± 0.12°. While, in case of sunset and full moon, the sky brightness level was obtained averagely at 15.69 ± 0.25 magnitude/arcsecond2 with sun’s altitude angle at -10.25° ± 0.11°. In conclusion, the study shows a correlation between the sky brightness magnitude against sun’s altitude angle, moon’s phase, and weather conditions as well.
Measuring of Radon Gas Concentrations in serum samples of Lung cancer patients in Babylon governorate, Iraq
Authors: Naji Tabarek F. , Hassoon Samah O.
Published: September 2021

The current study aims to assess the radon concentration in blood serum of lung cancer patients in Babylon governorate and compared the measured values to the values of healthy people. Radon (222Rn) is one of typical alpha-particle emitters. Cancer cases, especially lung cancer, have been increased in a notable way in Babylon Governorate particularly after gulf wars in 1991 and 2003. So, measuring the concentration of Radon gas in serum of lung cancer patients is important to find out the relations between these cases and the war effect. This has been done in this work using a CR-39 detector to measure the alpha particles emitted from radon. Thirty samples of patients and healthy people (15 from each group) were collected. Some of these samples are collected from Babylon oncology center and some from the oncology center in Imam Al-sadiq hospital. At the end of the exposure time (70 days), track density was calculated by using TASLIMAGE system. The results showed that the mean concentrations of radon for lung cancer patients were 19.2234 ± 2.15907 Bq/m3. Further, the concertation of radon in people with lung cancer is considerably larger than that in healthy group. Interestingly, the results, also, showed that all the measured values of radon concentration (whether of patients or healthy people) are within the acceptable limit (200 Bq/m3) which is designated by both International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Optimal Power of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet with a Simple DBD Configuration for Biological Application
Authors: Al Qaseer Shatha M. , Khalaf Mohammed K. , Salih Serwa I.
Published: September 2021

The new strategy, non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (N-APP), as a ’physical’ method, could offer a simple, fast, effective, and economic way of disinfection of equipment, surfaces, a method that is unlikely to cause micro-organisms resistance, or allergic, and toxic reactions. Recently, cold physical plasma had been extensively studied by researchers as a possible therapy in dentistry and oncology, as well as the application of non-thermal plasma in biomedical researches such as wound healing. In clinical dermatology, cold plasmas are mainly used for the treatment of chronic wounds and pathogen-based skin diseases, in which stimulation of tissue repair and decontamination. In this research, the characterization of home-made Helium Non-Equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jet (He -NAPPJ), that had been generated using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) configuration for exceptional standardization protocol of this plasma source that meets medical requirements. The device equipped with two powered electrodes as well as a grounded electrode, driven by an (8 kVp-p) voltage, the frequency (12 kHz), and the distance between the nozzle of the plasma jet and the target were used as constant data. As a working gas, the Helium gas (He) was used in different flow rates (2, 4, 6, and 8) slm. The optical emission spectroscopy was used to measure the plasma parameters, of which the electronic excitation temperature and density of electrons were determined by the Boltzmann’s plot method and Stark broadening effect equation respectively. The result of the emission line spectrum showed the presence of nitrogen and oxygen between lines 300 nm until 700 nm. Nitrogen and oxygen are involved in the oxidation process which is known as Reactive Nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species. These species are the main key in bacteria inactivation and the wound healing process. Furthermore, the results had revealed, the optimal condition using the flow rate (6 slm) with 32 °C He gas temperature that had been stabilized for 20 min, plume length 40 mm, The distance is 15 mm from the distal end of the Pyrex tube (DBD) and the wound surface, the power density 44 mWatt/cm2, and plasma radiation energy dose: 76 J/cm2. These results were considered in this study as a safe operating condition for biomedical applications.
Impact of Solvent type on the Structural, Surface morphology and Optical energy gap of Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films deposited by solvothermal method
Authors: Muhamaad Saad Kadhomd , Alkhayatt Adel H. Omran
Published: September 2021

In present work kesterite quaternary Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) semiconductor thin films were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by solvothermal method using different solvent types Ethylene glycol (EG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and Ethylenediamine (ED). Crystal structure, surface morphology and optical characteristics of the prepared thin film were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopies. X-ray diffraction results reveal that the deposited films have polycrystalline nature and in a kesterite phase (tetragonal structure). the crystallite size is in the rang (20-27) nm and the largest one is for the prepared by using PEG solvent. The films surface morphology shows smooth and uniform surface with well distributed spherical particles with largest particles for the films deposited by EG solvent. The EDS spectra confirmed the the existence of the elements Cu, Zn, Sn and S of the films composition. The direct optical energy gap shows different values caused by using different solvent type, where the lower band gap is about 1.56 eV and the largest is about 1.9 eV for the films using ED and EG respectively.
Synthesis and Study of Calcination Effect of Zinc Ferrite on the Structure and Morphology of Nanoparticles
Authors: Sami We’am , Sabeeh Sadeq Zainab
Published: September 2021

Three samples of spinel powdered zinc ferrites were successfully fabricated via microwave-assisted combustion method followed by calcination at temperature of 500oC for three hours. Phase purity and surface morphology that estimated via XRD pattern and field emission-scanning electron microscopy images (FE-SEM) showed that the samples have cubic spinel - structure with average crystallite size is increase from 15.8 nm to 26.53 nm and from (23.03nm to 28.16 nm when glycine–to-nitrate ratio is decreased before and after calcination at 500 oC for three hours. However the calcination results is increase in average crystallite size and average lattice constant. FE-SEM image indicated that the particles Zinc ferrite possesses shape symmetry and uniformity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were us to study vibration mode in synthesized spinel ferrite. As calcination the absorption band of a specific bonds are shifted to a lower wavenumber.
Study of Effect of the Chrome Additive on the Structural, Morphology and Optical Properties of Nanostructured Titanium dioxide Thin Film
Authors: Saleh Adnan M , Ridha Fatima Waly , Khadayeir Abdulhussain A , Dawood Mohammed O , Habubi Nadir F , Chiad Sami S
Published: September 2021

Undoped Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and Cr-doped TiO2films were prepared by Spray Pyrolysis Technique (SPT). XRD styles showed that TiO2films were grown along dominant orientation of (111). Crystallite size increases from 8.95 nm to 9.70 nm as vanadium concentration increase, whereas the strain(%) parameter increased from 3.87 to 3.57. the AFM imaging shows that the Undoped TiO2and TiO2: Cr thin films was discontinuous surface with spherically grains decreased from (65.95-44.23 nm) with increase doping from 0% to 3%, and root-mean square (rms) roughness of surface is about (9.70-2.41) nm. Spectrometric analysis of deposited films showed high transmittance in spectral range from 300 to 900 nm, whereas the corresponding value of bandgaps was ranged from 3.48 to- 3.38 eV by Cr doping. Results show that doping of TiO2with Cr enhances the optical properties. the absorption coefficient (α), extinction coefficient (k) and refractive index (n) are increased when Cr additive is increasing.
Activity Concentration of Natural Radionuclides in Sediment of Tigris River in the City of Mosul, Iraq
Authors: Wais Taha Yaseen , Najam Laith A.
Published: September 2021

Ten samples were studied from sediments collected from the Tigris River in the city of Mosul, and gamma ray spectroscopy NaI(TI) was used in order to detect and calculate the content of natural radionuclides for all samples collected. The results of the samples analyzed for the specific activity of 226Ra ranged from 6.30±0.319 Bq/kg to 13.73±0.411 Bq/kg with mean of 9.86±0.385 Bq/kg, and for 232Th from 13.39±0.626 Bq/kg to 29.84±0.923 Bq/kg and with mean of 23.05±0.838 Bq/kg, while for 40K, it ranged from 166.83±6.456 Bq/kg to 275.96±7.601 Bq/kg and at mean of 232.91±6.456 Bq/kg. the results of the study were within the range of the recommended global values. Therefore, it can be said that the study area is safe and does not pose a threat to the residents near it. Statistical data such as skewness and kurtosis were calculated, and box plot, were applied in order to assess the distribution of radiological parameters