This study aimed to assess the possible association of oxytocin (OXT) gene with reproductive traits in two groups of Awassi ewes that differ in their reproductive potentials. Sheep were genotyped using PCR—single-stranded conformation polymorphism approach. Three genotypes were detected in exon 2, CC, CA, and AA, and a novel SNP was identified with a missense effect on oxytocin (c.188C > A → p.Arg55Leu). A significant (p < 0.01) association of p.Arg55Leu with the twinning rate was found as ewes with AA and CA genotypes exhibited, respectively a lower twinning ratio than those with the wild-type CC genotype. The deleterious impact of p.Arg55Leu was demonstrated by all in silico tools that were utilized to assess the effect of this varian

To evaluate the toxicity of benzalkonium chloride in aquaculture, the hemato-serological indices of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus are used as biomarkers. Following exposure to three concentrations of benzalkonium chloride BAC 0.1, 0.25, 0.50, and 1 mg/l (BAC1,2,3 and 4) in aquaria for two durations 21 and 42 days, the microbiological assay in fish aquaria, in addition to blood parameters were assessed. Except for the mean difference between BAC2 and BAC3 (P > 0.05) at 42 days, the mean values of the bacterial counts revealed a significant difference between all compared groups (0.05 ≥ P ≤ 0.01). Following exposure to the lower concentrations of BAC (1, 2 and 3), the main blood parameters of Oreochromis niloticus namely red bl

This study was carried out at University of Baghdad - College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - research station B during the fall season of 2019-2020, in order to evaluate the effect of Ozone enrichment and the foliar application of organic nutrient  on nutrient and water use efficiency and fertilizer productivity of broccoli plant using the modified NFT film technology. A factorial experiment (2*5) was carried out within Nested Design with three replicates. The ozone treatment was distributed into the main plots which consisted of oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3). The foliar application of organic nutrients were distributed randomly within each replicate including five treatments, which were the control treatment (T0), Coconut wat

This study was carried out at University of Baghdad - College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - Research Station B during the autumn season 2019-2020, in order to evaluate the effect of Ozone and the foliar application of coconut water and moringa extract on the growth of broccoli plant grown in modified NFT film technology. A factorial experiment (2*5) was carried out within Nested Design with three replicates. The ozone treatment was distributed into the main plots which consisted of oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3). The foliar application of organic nutrients were distributed randomly within each replicate including five treatments, which were the control treatment (T0), Coconut water with two concentrations of 50 (T1) and 100 ml.

The preparation and characterization of innovative nanocomposites based on zinc oxide nanorods (ZNR) encapsulated by graphene (Gr) nanosheets and decorated with silver (Ag), and cupper (Cu) nanoparticles (NP) were studied. The prepared nanocomposites (ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag) were examined by different techniques including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the ZNR has been good cover by five layers of graphene and decorated with Ag and Cu NPs with particles size of about 10-15 nm. The ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag nanocomposites exhibit high absorption behavior in ultraviolet (UV) region of sp

The closeness of residential neighborhoods to oil refineries and petrochemical plants in these areas has heightened the community’s exposure to dangerous air pollutants. This study aimed to investigate the impact of health literacy upon lung cancer screening beliefs among residents of neighborhood adjacent to a refinery oil.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) finds use in various industries due to its versatility but is not thermostable, serving as a barrier to causing degradation and release of hydrochloric acid (HCl) under heat stress conditions. Lead and organotin compounds have traditionally been used for stabilizer purpose to discourage such degradation but pose serious ecological as well as health risks. As a counter measure, bio-based stabilizers from plant oils have become popular as a green and sustainable alternative. This review looks back at recent developments in plant oil-based stabilizers for PVC, focusing on the mechanisms of stabilization, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. We review plant oils such as tung oil, castor oil, and soybean oil,

The physicochemical behaviour of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) in water and ethanol-water mixture in the presence and absence of ZnSO₄ were studied by measuring the conductivity at 298.15 K. The pre-micellar (S₁) and post-micellar slopes (S₂) were obtained and calculated the degree of dissociation (α) and the critical micelle concentration (cmc). With an increase in ethanol content, the cmc and α of DTAB increased whereas, in the presence of ZnSO₄, the cmc and α decreased. By using cmc and α, thermodynamic properties as the standard free energy of micellization ( ) were evaluated. With an increase in ethanol content, the negative values of  are decreased indicating less spont

 This research sheds light on the use of metal in the manufacture of jewelry, which is represented by ornamental tools in the period between the third and second millennium BC, in addition to the most important molds used in their manufacture. Man has been interested in metals since early ages, and was able to make tools that he uses in his daily life, especially jewelry. And the Syrian people got acquainted with the types of minerals, their characteristics, and how to deal with them. Minerals played an effective and prominent role in the economy of ancient Syria. Trade with those countries and secure their roads.