A simple all optical fiber sensor based on multimode interference (MMI) for chemical liquids sensing was designed and fabricated. A segment of coreless fiber (CF) was spliced between two single mode fibers to buildup single mode-coreless-single mode (SCS) structure. Broadband source and optical signal analyzer were connected to the ends of SCS structure. De-ionized water, acetone, and n-hexane were used to test the performance of the sensor. Two influence factors on the sensitivity namely the length and the diameter of the CF were investigated. The obtained maximum sensitivity was at n-hexane at 340.89 nm/RIU (at a wavelength resolution of the optical spectrum analyzer of 0.02 nm) when the diameter of the CF reduced from 125 μm to 60 μ

Polyaniline films were successfully synthesized in this study using an oxidative polymerization method at temperatures ranging from 0 to 4 ° C. Polyaniline films were deposited using a single step of chemical oxidative polymerization rather than electrochemical polymerization. The polyaniline was examined using FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, and Four Point Probe. This result demonstrates that polyaniline synthesized using this method has a uniform morphology, small size (17 to 40) nm, high crystallinity, and high conductivity (9.42 s/cm).

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative aging disease, with idiopathic PD being most common. Gastrointestinal tract disorders (GITD) and microbiota changes may trigger idiopathic PD. Neurotoxins from microbiota can travel from the gut to the brain via the brain-gut axis (BGA), leading to α-syn protein misfolding and dopaminergic neuron death. Methods: The aim of the current study was to investigate the link between PD and GITD by measuring several biochemical and immunological markers in 142 patients. The biochemical markers measured were vitamins B6, B12, and D, calcium, serotonin, ghrelin, dopamine, and α-syn protein. The immunological markers included transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tu

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by severe synovial inflammation, cartilage erosion, bone loss, and generalized vasculopathy. Although the immunologic mechanism of RA is still unclear, it is now thought to be a primarily Th17-driven disease. Along with other factors, IL-23 stimulates the expansion of Th17 cells from naive CD4+ T cells.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the circulating levels of interleukin (IL)-23 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and determine the correlation between plasma/serum IL-23 levels and disease activity. So, we performed a systematic review with meta-analysis comparing

The present article discusses the synthesis of tetradentate Schiff base complexes formed by the condensation reaction of 2-hydroxy benzaldehyde and phthalohydrazide. The ligand (LH2) was detected using FT-IR spectra, 1H, 13C-NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, elemental microanalysis CHN, and mass spectrometry. The obtained solid complexes have been assessed using physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques, including UV-Vis, FT-IR, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR), mass spectrometry, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and atomic absorption, in addition to complex conductivity and magnetic moment measurements. The infrared results demonstrated that ligands functioning as tetradentate ligands are chelated to metal ions via the ph

Background: Eucalyptus extracts and derivatives are natural substances with potent antimicrobial properties. This study investigated the in- vitro effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on the antifungal activity of alcoholic and aqueous Eucalyptus extracts against Candida albicans, a common oral pathogen. Materials and Method: Ten isolates of Candida albicans were isolated from dental students’ salivary samples. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts were prepared from fresh Eucalyptus leaves using maceration. The sensitivity of Candida albicans isolates to various concentrations of Eucalyptus extracts ranging from 50 to 250 (mg/mL) was evaluated via agar well diffusion method, while the agar streaking method  was used to assess the minimum

Background: Enterococcus faecalis is emerging as an important endodontic pathogen, which can persist in the environment for extended periods after treatment and may cause endodontic failure. It is known to produce biofilms, a community of bacteria enclosed within a protective polymeric matrix. This study aimed to establish whether the biofilm formation by Enterococcus faecalis can be inhibited with steralium, co+steralium, and 5% sodium hypochlorite in the root surface environment. Materials and Methods: Extracted human teeth were biomechanically prepared, vertically sectioned, placed in the tissue culture wells exposing the root canal surface to E. faecalis to form a biofilm. At the end of the 3rd and 6th weeks, all groups were treated fo

In its theoretical framework, this study dealt with the subjects of high commitment management and organizational excellence, as the study came in response to the growing developments and changes in the fields of management. It includes an analysis of correlation and effect between high commitment management, which has been attracting a lot of attention recently due to the intensifying rivalry between organizations because of certain external factors like globalization and world markets liberation, and its effect in achieving organizational excellence.

The practical framework, on the other hand, dealt with the analysis of correlation and effect between the study's variables. The problem

    The monogeneans Gyrodactylus dzhalilovi Ergens & Ashurova, 1984, G. magnus Konovalov, 1967 and G. matovi Ergens & Kakachava-Avramova, 1966 were recorded in this study for the first time in Iraq from gills of the common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 collected from Tigris River in Baghdad city. The description, measurements and illustrations of these parasites were given.