Natural bitumen (NB) is a highly precious material and has drawn increasing attention due to its unique properties, especially since it is available in large quantities and has been used in limited fields. In this research, the exploitation of NB from sulfur springs as an alternative energy resource in the production of asphalt pavement is evaluated. It can be concluded from the experimental results that the chemical composition and surface morphology of NB samples are different from those of base asphalt. Besides, the rheological properties of virgin NB are not sufficient for paving work. To overcome this obstacle, NB from five different springs is modified with limestone filler (LSF) to enhance its properties. LSF is a natural material and is available locally at a low price, usually used as filler material in control asphalt mixtures. The study outcomes reveal that LSF is an effective material and plays a fundamental role in improving the properties of NB since it enhances the resistance against temperature susceptibility and improves the ability of NB to disperse in asphalt mixture. Furthermore, treated NB with LSF boosts the mechanical characteristics, increases the stiffness, and strengthens the resistance against water damage for NB mixtures. Particularly, this research clarified that high Marshall stability is achieved with a treated Al-Mamora sulfur spring-NB mixture, which is 30.4% higher than that of the control mixture. At the same time, the treated Al-Askaree sulfur spring-NB mixture has a stiffness index and tensile strength ratio more than the control mixture by 45% and 3.36%, respectively. In conclusion, adding LSF to NB that is extracted from sulfur springs can produce a new type of asphalt binder more suitable for use in road pavement.
Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Genetic research has been employed to find many of the missing connections between genetic risk variations and causal genetic components. Objective: The goal of this study is to look at the genetic variations of TNF-α and interleukins in Iraqi RA patients and see how they relate to disease severity or response to biological therapy. Method: Using specific keywords, the authors conducted a systematic and comprehensive search to identify relevant Iraqi studies examining the genetic variations of TNF-α and interleukins in Iraqi RA patients and how they relate to disease severity or response to biolo
... Show MoreRehabilitation robots are widely recognized as vital for restoring motor function in patients with lower-limb impairments. A Modified Fractional-Order Proportional-Integral-Derivative (MFOPID) controller is proposed to improve trajectory tracking of a 2-DoF Lower Limb Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robot (LLRER). The classical FOPID is augmented with a modified control formulation by which steady-state error is reduced and the transient response is sharpened. Controller gains and fractional orders were tuned offline using a hybrid metaheuristic Improved Elk Herd Optimization hybridized with Grey Wolf and Multi-Verse Optimization algorithms (IElk-GM) so that exploration and exploitation are balanced. Superiority over the classical FOPID
... Show MoreChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a public health problem and many studies support the link between kidney dysfunction and cardiovascular events. Aldosterone has been shown for decades that a plasma aldosterone concentration is elevated in CKD. Whilst, Osteoprotegerin (OPG), after its capacity to protect bone, also osteoprotegerin is elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), where it could predict the deterioration of kidney function, cardiovascular, vascular events and all-cause mortality. On the other hand, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), in patients with CKD, its levels seem to increase progressively as kidney function worsens. The aim of the present study is to assess the correlations between serum osteoprotegerin
... Show MoreThis work focuses on the preparation of pure nanocrystalline SnO2 and SnO2:Cu thin films on cleaned glass substrates utilizing a sol-gel spin coating and chemical bath deposition (CBD) procedures. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the possible use of these thin films in the context of gas sensor applications. The films underwent annealing in an air environment at a temperature of 500 ◦C for duration of 60 minutes. The thickness of the film that was deposited may be estimated to be around 300 nm. The investigation included an examination of the structural, optical, electrical, and sensing characteristics, which were explored across various preparation circumstances, specifically focusing on varied
... Show MoreComparison is the most common and effective technique for human thinking: the human mind always judges something new based on its comparison with similar things that are already known. Therefore, literary comparisons are always clear and convincing. In our daily lives, we are constantly forced to compare different things in terms of quantity, quality, or other aspects. It is known that comparisons are used in literature in order for speech to be clear and effective, but when these comparisons are used in everyday speech, it is in order to convey the meaning directly and quickly, because many of these expressions used daily are comparisons. In our research, we discussed this comparison as a means of metaphor and expression in Russia
... Show MoreThe present research aimed to study the polymorphisms of the chicken insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) in two commercial broiler breeds (Cobb 500 and Hubbard F-15). In total, 300 avian blood samples were obtained. The genomic DNA was isolated using a fast salt-extraction technique. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify 1146 bp fragments of the gene. The amplified fragments were subjected to restriction enzyme digestion using the HinfI endonuclease enzyme, and the digested products were separated on a 2% agarose gel. The findings indicated that there were two alleles, T and C, for the target locus, with frequencies of 73.3% and 26.7%, respectively. Three distinct genotype variations, TT, TC, and CC, were found, with
... Show MoreThis study was for searching for Cholera Bacteria serotype which causes epidemiology Cholera in the 2007 in a fast method which contains (Rapid Visual Test) (Crystal V.C.) which was used for the first time in Iraq to diagnosis of Cholera Bacteria & compared with the traditional bacteriology method. The Cholera disease is one of the most dangerous epidemiological diseases which lead to death with a percentage of (50 – 70) % in the severe cases for untreated patients . For this purpose, 100 samples of stool from the patients from a (13) hospitals in Baghdad Governorate in the period from August to the end of December. The Cholera was diagnosis in two methods, 1st method was the fast method using the nitrocellulose which is coated with anti-
... Show MoreArts acts to reduce and exclude everything that is not necessary in the delivery of meaning, especially representative performance, which is based on the intensification of the physical and vocal actions, and in drawing the dimensions of the character. And because that, the artistic staff, among others in the ministry of education, are considered the cornerstone, in the development of theatrical activities in schools, this research came to find out the extent to which teachers in primary schools, in secondary schools and artistic supervisors rely on shorthand mechanisms in the representative performance.
The current research relied on the descriptive approach, in analyzing his sample, which was deliberately chosen, Among the most imp