In this work, silicon nitride (Si3N4) thin films were deposited on metallic substrates (aluminium and titanium sheets) by the DC reactive sputtering technique using two different silicon targets (n-type and p-type Si wafers) as well as two Ar:N2 gas mixing ratios (50:50 and 70:30). The electrical conductivity of the metallic (aluminium and titanium) substrates was measured before and after the deposition of silicon nitride thin films on both surfaces of the substrates. The results obtained from this work showed that the deposited films, in general, reduced the electrical conductivity of the substrates, and the thin films prepared from n-type silicon targets using a 50:50 mixing ratio and deposited on both surfaces of a titanium substrate reduced the electrical conductivity of this substrate by 30%. This reduction in the release of ions from the coated metal substrate is attributed to the dielectric properties of the deposited silicon nitride thin films. This result is very important and applicable. This work represents the first attempt in Iraq to study such effects and may represent a good starting point for advanced studies in biomedical engineering.
ew sports technologies have highlighted the importance of perceptual – cognitive training in order to optimize performance in sports e.g., dynamic team sport such as basketball. Augmented motor reality AMR is a new training model based on realistic movement combined with interactive virtual cues that may be useful to enhance spatial orientation and decision making. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an AMR-based training program on spatial awareness and skill-based decision making in youth basketball players. Twenty-four male young basketball players aged 15.2±0.8 years were randomized to the experimental group n=12, receiving AMR training, and control group n=12, performing conventional practice. The interventio
... Show MoreThis study provides a systematic and bibliometric review of ASTM F75 cobalt–chromium alloys, focusing on microstructure and the shift from conventional to laser-based manufacturing. Using combined analytical methods, it evaluates microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and biocompatibility. Results show that laser-based techniques such as LPBF and DMLS produce finer grain sizes (1–10 µm vs. 50–200 µm), leading to improved hardness (20–40%) and tensile strength (15–30%). Despite challenges like residual stress and process optimization, these methods show strong potential for high-performance and sustainable applications.
The Iraqi pharmaceutical sector faces significant challenges arising from the prevalence of substandard and falsified (S/F) medications, which pose a direct threat to public health safety. To strengthen regulatory oversight, health authorities have implemented national medicine track-and-trace system. However, the ultimate efficacy of these regulatory tools is heavily dependent on public awareness and the level of societal acceptance.
This study ai
Lowering specific energy consumption (SEC) in reverse osmosis (RO) plants is one of the most important criteria in water treatment industry. The present work focused on best suggested RO pilot plant configurations for minimizing specific energy consumption, finding the best configurations experimentally to recover the water with minimizing salts in permeate side in RO module, study the factors affecting the performance of single and two stage systems, TFC membrane is used in spiral wound module. Brackish water is used as feed solution with different concentrations (2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm). The operating parameters studied were permeate flux, rejection and SEC. The experimental results showed the permeate concentration increased and w
... Show MoreThis study explored the feasibility of removing nickel (Ni) and Pb (II) from water solutions using the adsorption technique by cellulose recovered from office paper waste. Metal removal is required to reduce the direct or indirect exposure of industrial waste to the environment, due to its potential for harm to human health and ecosystems. The release criterion is maintained to keep the efficient wastewater treatment of the metals of concern, which are toxic to both humans and other organisms. The cellulose was first prepared from office paper waste. The removal values can be rationalized as follows: Lead removal efficiencies of were obtained upto %95.0632, while the removals of nickel were obtained as 54.3866%. The adsorption proce
... Show MoreThis study compared the effects of citric acid (CA) derived from microbial fermentation using Aspergillus niger (400 mg kg-1) and natural extraction from Citrus limon (400 mg kg1) in albino mice. Parameters assessed included cytogenetic damage via the micronucleus (MN) assay, immunological response through immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, IgM) titers, and hepatoprotective activity based on liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT, ALP) and histopathological inves tigation. Mice were divided into six groups (n=10/group) as follows: (1) negative control, (2) carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ 0.02%), (3) lemon CA, (4) A. niger, (5) CCl₄ + lemon CA, and (6) CCl₄ + A. niger CA. The CCl4 group exhibited a significantly higher MN frequency (0.06 ± 0.008) compa
... Show MoreNew sports technologies have highlighted the importance of perceptual – cognitive training in order to optimize performance in sports e.g., dynamic team sport such as basketball. Augmented motor reality AMR is a new training model based on realistic movement combined with interactive virtual cues that may be useful to enhance spatial orientation and decision making. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an AMR-based training program on spatial awareness and skill-based decision making in youth basketball players. Twenty-four male young basketball players aged 15.2±0.8 years were randomized to the experimental group n=12, receiving AMR training, and control group n=12, performing conventional practice. The interventi
... Show MoreThis case–control study aimed to investigate the relationship between the hypoxia‐related biomarker hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)–associated markers E‐cadherin (E‐CAD) and N‐cadherin (N‐CAD) in saliva among smokers and nonsmokers with and without periodontitis and to assess their association with clinical periodontal parameters.
A case–control study was conducted, including 88 participants equally a