Placental calcification is an aging process that is increasingly linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes when it occurs prematurely. Vitamin D has immunomodulatory properties and may play a role in placental calcification. This study explored the association between maternal vitamin D, inflammatory cytokines, and placental calcification. A total of 46 pregnant women aged 16–40 years were included in this study. They were divided into four groups: Group 1 (control group; n = 10, without placental calcification), Group 2 (n = 12, Grade 1 placental calcification), Group 3 (n = 12, Grade 2 placental calcification), and Group 4 (n = 12, Grade 3 placental calcification). Serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) and cytokine (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10) levels were measured by ELISA, while serum calcium levels were measured by colorimetric analysis. Vitamin D levels declined gradually with increasing placental calcification (
This paper was aimed to evaluate the polyurethane (PU) and polyurethane/polyvinyl chloride (90 wt. % / 10 wt. %) as organic coating of carbon steel substrate against marine environment (3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution) as a severe corrosion environment . The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and fitting impedance data by ZsimpWin 3.22 software were used to estimate the physical barrier of the samples for different exposure times. Different equivalent electrical circuits were proposed for the physical barrier at different immersion times to get appropriate fitting .Both PU and PU/PVC coatings showed excellent corrosion protection ability for steel .The PU/PVC coating showed better protection and stability than PU coating against
... Show MoreThe effect of gamma rays on males and females ofCallasobruchus maculatus and Trogoderma granarium which were irradiated as 1-3 days old adults was investigated. The results revealed that the percent egg hatch for both pests was zero ,and average number of egg (34.2,21.5) for both pests respectively where their males where irradiated with 0.18 kGy and mated with unirradiated females. While the percent of egg hatch and the average number of egg (zero,21,3) respectively when the females where irradiated with 0.18 and 0.15 kGy and mated to unirradiated males for C. maculatus and T. granarium respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the percent of eggs hatch and average number of egg was ( zero,22.7) for C. maculatus when both sexes i
... Show MoreThe porosity of materials is important in many applications, products and processes, such as electrochemical devices (electrodes, separator, active components in batteries), porous thin film, ceramics, soils, construction materials, ..etc. This can be characterized in many different methods, and the most important methods for industrial purposes are the N2 gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry. In the present paper, both of these techniques have been used to characterize some of Iraqi natural raw materials deposits. These are Glass Sand, Standard Sand, Flint Clay and Bentonite. Data from both analyses on the different types of natural raw materials deposits are critically examined and discussed. The results of specific surface are
... Show MoreThe current study suggested a thermal treatment as a necessary proactive step in improving the adsorption capacity of bio-waste for contaminants removal in wastewater. This approach was based on the experimental and histological investigation of biowaste pods shell. This investigation showed that these shells compose of parenchyma cells that store secondary metabolites compounds produced from cells were exhibited in present study. The results also reported that these compounds are extracted directly from the cells as soon as they are exposed to an aqueous solution, hampering their use as an adsorbent material. The increase in the weight of bio-waste adsorbent at unit liquid volume increases the production of secondary metabolites compounds
... Show MoreThis research represents a practical attempt applied to calibrate and verify a hydraulic model for the Blue Nile River. The calibration procedures are performed using the observed data for a previous period and comparing them with the calibration results while verification requirements are achieved with the application of the observed data for another future period and comparing them with the verification results. The study objective covered a relationship of the river terrain with the distance between the assumed points of the dam failures along the river length. The computed model values and the observed data should conform to the theoretical analysis and the overall verification performance of the model by comparing i
... Show MoreIn this study we try to make a first step for making a new list for fauna and flora of Kurdistan in particular and Iraq in general. This is very important study of biodiversity of Iraq. We recognize 52 migratory and resident birds including Alectoris chukar asoica which is recently described. Also, 20 amphibians and reptiles including two snakes recently recorded Zamenis hohenackeri and Platyceps ladacesis, a new form of Asaccus sp. and sub- species of Varanuns griseus caspeius for the first time in Iraq, with many rare specimens. Thirteen different species of mammals were recognized, with comme
... Show MoreIn this research, the influence of the orientation and distance factors on the lowest usable frequency (LUF) parameter has been studied theoretically. The calculations of the (LUF) parameter have been made using the (VOACAP) international communication model for the connection links between the capital Baghdad and many other locations that distributed on different distances and directions over the Middle East region. The results shown in this study indicate there is a slight affection of the link direction (orientation) on the LUF parameter, while the influence of the distance factor is more significant on the values of the LUF parameter. The day/night effect appears for the long distance HF links (i.e. more than a 500 Km)