Objectives: Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative pathogen of many species. The ability of S. marcescens to form biofilms and its potent innate resistance to antimicrobials and cleaning solutions are both essential for its pathogenicity and survival. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on the biofilm of S. marcescens, as an alternative for antibiotic therapy. Methods: Different specimens, including ear swabs, burns, mid-stream urine, wound swabs, and sputum, were collected from patients who were brought to Al-Ramadi Hospital, Iraq. All samples were cultured, and the colonies that were obtained were detected using the VITEK® 2 compact. The ability of biofilms to develop was examined using the microtiter plate technique. The bactericidal effectiveness of GTN was estimated by the broth microdilution technique. The presence of fimA and fimC in S. marcescens isolates was detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess the effect of GTN on fimA and fimC gene expression. Results: The results demonstrated that GTN has no effect on S. marcescens growth; while its biofilm was significantly (p<0.05) influenced. Moreover, all S. marcescens isolates had fimA and fimC, and the presence of GTN reduced the expression of these genes. Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that GTN can act as a promising antibiofilm agent in reference to S. marcescens.
This paper discusses an optimal path planning algorithm based on an Adaptive Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm (AMOPSO) for two case studies. First case, single robot wants to reach a goal in the static environment that contain two obstacles and two danger source. The second one, is improving the ability for five robots to reach the shortest way. The proposed algorithm solves the optimization problems for the first case by finding the minimum distance from initial to goal position and also ensuring that the generated path has a maximum distance from the danger zones. And for the second case, finding the shortest path for every robot and without any collision between them with the shortest time. In ord
... Show MoreEvolutionary algorithms (EAs), as global search methods, are proved to be more robust than their counterpart local heuristics for detecting protein complexes in protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Typically, the source of robustness of these EAs comes from their components and parameters. These components are solution representation, selection, crossover, and mutation. Unfortunately, almost all EA based complex detection methods suggested in the literature were designed with only canonical or traditional components. Further, topological structure of the protein network is the main information that is used in the design of almost all such components. The main contribution of this paper is to formulate a more robust E
... Show MoreResearch aims to develop a novel technique for segmental beam fabrication using plain concrete blocks and externally bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers Laminates (CFRP) as a main flexural reinforcement. Six beams designed an experimentally tested under two-point loadings. Several parameters included in the fabrication of segmental beam studied such as; bonding length of carbon fiber reinforced polymers, the surface-to-surface condition of concrete segments, interface condition of the bonding surface, and thickness of epoxy resin layers. Test results of the segmental beams specimens compared with that gained from testing reinforced concrete beam have similar dimensions for validations. The results show the effectiven
... Show MoreRecently, the internet has made the users able to transmit the digital media in the easiest manner. In spite of this facility of the internet, this may lead to several threats that are concerned with confidentiality of transferred media contents such as media authentication and integrity verification. For these reasons, data hiding methods and cryptography are used to protect the contents of digital media. In this paper, an enhanced method of image steganography combined with visual cryptography has been proposed. A secret logo (binary image) of size (128x128) is encrypted by applying (2 out 2 share) visual cryptography on it to generate two secret share. During the embedding process, a cover red, green, and blue (RGB) image of size (512
... Show MoreThe world is currently facing a medical crisis. The epidemic has affected millions of people around the world since its appearance. This situation needs an urgent solution. Most countries have used different solutions to stop the spread of the epidemic. The World Health Organization has imposed some rules that people should adhere. The rules are such, wearing masks, quarantining infected people and social distancing. Social distancing is one of the most important solutions that have given good results to confront the emerging virus. Several systems have been developed that use artificial intelligence and deep learning to track social distancing. In this study, a system based on deep learning has been proposed. The system includes monitor
... Show MoreSansevieriatrifasciata was studied as a potential biosorbent for chromium, copper and nickel removal in batch process from electroplating and tannery effluents. Different parameters influencing the biosorption process such as pH, contact time, and amount of biosorbent were optimized while using the 80 mm sized particles of the biosorbent. As high as 91.3 % Ni and 92.7 % Cu were removed at pH of 6 and 4.5 respectively, while optimum Cr removal of 91.34 % from electroplating and 94.6 % from tannery effluents was found at pH 6.0 and 4.0 respectively. Pseudo second order model was found to best fit the kinetic data for all the metals as evidenced by their greater R2 values. FTIR characterization of biosorbent revealed the presence of carboxyl a
... Show MoreThe aim of the research is to identify the economic and cultural role of contemporary interactive artworks from the public's point of view, with knowledge of the most important obstacles and proposals to improve the level of design and spread of interactive artworks. The descriptive approach was used, and the researcher used a questionnaire tool that was distributed to the audience for the events of Noor Al Riyadh (2021) and the size of the participating sample was (194) individuals from all spectrums of society. It was found through the results of the existence of public approval of the economic role of contemporary interactive artworks, as they contribute to supporting the national economy. It attracts the public to attend various paid
... Show MoreThe tremendous political transformations that took place in Iraq after 2003 led by the USA and its allies led to a change of its political system under the slogan of liberating Iraq from dictatorship, establishing a democratic system and spreading freedom among members of the society.
However, democracy was a mantle under which the US intended to achieve its expansionist ambitions in the region. It did not come to liberate Iraq as it claimed, but it occupied Iraq and all its materialistic and human resources. Thus, this change resulted in lots of negative events and societal pests that affected the entire social system and values. Youth is an important segment; it is one of the most affected age groups with the happenings and accident