Sediment samples were collected from main water processing and supply plants in Baghdad, and tested for radioactivity from both natural and artificial sources. These stations are: East Dijla (Tigris), Al-Kadisia, Al-Karama, Al-Rasheed, Al-Sader, Al-Wathba, and Al-Wihda supply stations. Qualitative measurements were made, and the results showed that most sediments exhibited natural radioactive level and sometimes less than the international regular standards. Specially, K-40 and Ra-226 results were much less than the standards for radioactive concentrations. Ac-228 concentration was found rather than Th-232 (in Al-Sader and Al-Wihda samples) but with low concentrations of about 10-15 Bg/kg and detection confidence ~45% , and Ce-141 and Be-7 both with concentration less than 5 Bq/kg but with confidence ~90%. Cs-137 was detected in 6 of these samples with concentrations varied from 0.84 to 10.42 Bq/kg. All samples measurements were within standard limits providing acceptable radioactivity levels.
In this study, a new adsorbent derived from sunflower husk powder and coated in CuO nanoparticles (CSFH) was investigated to evaluate the simultaneous adsorption of Levofloxacin (LEV), Meropenem (MER), and Tetracycline (TEC) from an aqueous solution. Significant improvements in the adsorption capacity of the sunflower husk were identified after the powder particles had been coated in CuO nanoparticles. Kinetic data were correlated using a pseudo-second-order model, and was successful for the three antibiotics. Moreover, high compatibility was identified between the LEV, MER, and TEC, isotherm data, and the Langmuir model, which produced a better fit to suit the isotherm curves. In addition, the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsor
... Show MoreThe co-occurrence of metabolic syndrome with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) will potentiate the morbidity and mortality that may be associated with each case. Fasting triglycerides-glucose index (TyG index) has been recommended as a useful marker to predict metabolic syndrome. Our study aimed to introduce gender-specific cut-off values of triglycerides- glucose index for diagnosing metabolic syndrome associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The data were collected from Baghdad hospitals between May - December 2019. The number of eligible participants was 424. National cholesterol education program, Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used to define metabolic syndrome. Measurement of fasting blood glucose, lipid pro
... Show MoreLarge quantities of petroleum-contaminated soil are generated with increased global energy consumption and crude oil production. This theoretical study evaluates the treatment of 1 ton of petroleum-contaminated soil using seven methods: incineration, physical washing, chemical washing, thermal pyrolysis, Fenton-oxidation-pyrolysis, the biological treatment, and asphaltenes. Data were based on experimental results from the Nahran Bin Omar oil lake in Basra Governorate, Iraq, (2019–2021). The methods were compared by waste generation, treatment cost, and duration. Results indicate that using petroleum-contaminated soil as a raw material for asphalt manufacturing is most beneficial since it is sold as a raw material. Incineration is faster a
... Show MorePhase change materials are extensively studied for use in low-, mid-, and high-temperature applications due to their melting and solidification temperatures, latent heat, and thermophysical properties. This work aims to explore the energy stored, or released and their duration for the energy storage unit formed of a phase change material surrounding a tube within which a hot or cold, single or Two-Phase fluid flows, serving as a heat source or sink. The 3D axial transient thermal analysis of the energy storage unit is performed using the finite element method via a MATLAB-developed computer program. The effects of single- or Two-Phase fluid flow on temperature distribution, solidification, melting duration, and energy stored within phase ch
... Show MoreAbstract: The power and the size of the final spot of the laser beam reaching the target are very important requirements in most of the laser applications and fields such as medical, military, and scientific, so studying laser propagation in the atmosphere is a very important topic. The propagation of the laser beam through the atmosphere is subject to several attenuation processes that deplete the power and expand the beam. Through the simulation results of the free electron laser within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum (400-700nm), it was found that the attenuation increases with decreasing wavelength. Laser propagation in the presence of rain and snow leads to a very large loss of power compared to propagation i
... Show MoreOlfactory impairment and abnormal frontal EEG oscillations are recognized as early markers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using a publicly available olfactory EEG dataset of 35 subjects spanning normal cognition, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and AD, each with MMSE scores and demographics, stimulus-locked epochs from four electrodes (Fp1, Fz, Cz, Pz) were processed with wavelet-based time–frequency analysis. Band-limited power ratios (delta, theta, alpha, beta) were computed as log-transformed post-odor/baseline values and aggregated to subject-level features. Statistical analyses revealed graded attenuation of odor-evoked frontal (Fp1) band-power ratios across groups, with significant differences in several band–od
... Show MoreABSTRACT This study presents an efficient approach for the separation and preconcentration of norepinephrine (NOR) from pharmaceutical formulations, environmental water, and human urine samples using a dispersive micro – solid phase extraction (DμSPE) technique employing magnetic nanoadsorbents. Two adsorbents, Fe3O4@TTAB and Fe3 O4@SiO2@TTAB, were prepared by functionalising iron oxide and silicacoated iron oxide nanoparticles with the cationic surfactant tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB). NOR was first converted into a sensitive diazonium dye via reaction with diazotised sulphamethazine and then extracted using mixed ademicelle – hemimicelle magnetic solid-phase extraction, followed by spectrophotometric quantification. Key
... Show MoreTriticale is being evaluated as a substitute for corn in animal feed and as a forage crop for Florida. Storage of triticale seed is difficult in Florida's hot and humid climate, and more information about the relationships between equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) at constant temperature (sorption isotherms) of triticale is needed to develop improved storage methods. Therefore, the primary research objective was to measure the EMC for triticale seed at different ERH values at three different constant temperatures (5°C, 23°C, and 35°C) using six desiccation jars containing different saturated salt concentrations. The secondary objective was to determine the best fit equation describing these relati
... Show MorePhotonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) based on the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) effect has been proposed to detect polluted water samples. The sensing characteristics are illustrated using the finite element method. The right hole of the right side of PCF core has been coated with chemically stable gold material to achieve the practical sensing approach. The performance parameter of the proposed sensor is investigated in terms of wavelength sensitivity, amplitude sensitivity, sensor resolution, and linearity of the resonant wavelength with the variation of refractive index of analyte. In the sensing range of 1.33 to 1.3624, maximum sensitivities of 1360.2 nm ∕ RIU and 184 RIU−1 are achieved with the high sensor resolutions of 7
... Show MoreThis paper reports an evaluation of the properties of medium-quality concrete incorporating recycled coarse aggregate (RCA). Concrete specimens were prepared with various percentages of the RCA (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). The workability, mechanical properties, and durability in terms of abrasion of cured concrete were examined at different ages. The results reveal insignificant differences between the recycled concrete (RC) and reference concrete in terms of the mechanical and durability-related measurements. Meanwhile, the workability of the RC reduced vastly since the replacement of the RCA reached 75% and 100%. The ultrasound pulse velocity (UPV) results greatly depend on the porosity of concrete and the RC exhibited higher poros
... Show More