Growth of Penicillium expansum, an ubiquitous mould found in stored fruit globallyt, was significantly restricted by exposure to 48 h cell-free supernatant of two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum (p < 0.001). In addition, the biotransformation of patulin, a toxic secondary metabolite formed by P. expansum, on exposure to L. plantarum cells and cell-free supernatant highlights the potential of this GRAS microbe as a biocontrol agent. Up to 80% of patulin was biotransformed following a 4 h incubation with 1010 cells ml−1 (37 °C) forming E- and Z-ascladiol. The formation of these products was more pronounced at elevated pH and cell density. Exposure to cell free supernatant or sonicated cells resulted in complete patulin biotransformation

This study investigates the treatment of used lubricating oils from AL-Mussaib Gas Power Station Company-Iraq, which was treated with different extractive solvents (heptane and 2-propanol). The performance activity of these solvents in the extraction process was examined and evaluated experimentally. Operating parameters were solvent to oil ratios of (1:2, 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8), mixing time (20, 35, 50, and 65 min), temperatures (30, 40, 50, and 60 ºC), and mixing speed (500 rpm). These parameters were studied and analyzed. The quality is determined by the measuring and assessment of important characteristics specially viscosity, viscosity index, specific gravity, pour point, flash point, and ash content. The results confirm that the

Desulfurization of a simulated diesel fuel by different adsorbents was studied in a fixed-bed adsorption process operated at ambient temperature and pressure.  Three different adsorption beds were used, commercial activated carbon, Cu-Y zeolite, and layered bed of 15wt% activated carbon followed by Cu-Y zeolite.Initially Y-zeolite was prepared from Iraqi rice husk and then impregnated with copper. In general, the adsorbents tested for total sulfur adsorption capacity at break through followed the order Ac/Cu-Y zeolite>Cu-Y zeolite>Ac. The best adsorbent, Ac/Cu-Y zeolite is capable of producing more than 30 cm3 of simulated diesel fuel per gram of adsorbent with a weighted average content of 5 ppm-S, while Cu-Y zeolite producing of

This paper presents the Taguchi approach for optimization of hardness for  shape memory alloy (Cu-Al-Ni) . The influence of  powder metallurgy parameters on hardness has been investigated. Taguchi technique and ANOVA were used for analysis. Nine experimental runs based on Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array were performed (OA),for two parameters was study (Pressure and sintering temperature) for three different levels (300 ,500 and 700) MPa ,(700 ,800 and  900)^oC respectively . Main effect, signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio was study, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) using  to investigate the micro-hardness characteristics of the shape memory alloy .after application the result of study shown the hei

Liquid – liquid interface reaction is the method for
preparation nanoparticles (NP'S) which depend on the super
saturation of ions that provide by using the system that consist from
toluene and water, the first one is above the second to obtain
nanoparticles (NP's) CdS at the interface separated between these
two immiscible liquid. The structure properties were characterized by
XRD-diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.
The crystalline size estimate from X-ray diffraction pattern
using Scherer equation to be about 7nm,and by TEM analysis give us
that ananosize is about 5 nm which give a strong comparable with
Bohr radius. Photoluminescence analysis give two emission peak,
the first one around

The importance of the study stems from the fact that Iraq’s economy is facing a housing crisis, especially in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, great demographic pressure due to pronounced population growth over the past two decades. The Central Bank of Iraq undertakes several initiatives represented in granting real estate loans, mainly through the Real Estate Bank at very low interest, and in the last two years, the interest has become zero. The purpose of the study is to analyze the fiscal implications of the Iraqi central bank’s real estate initiatives, as well as its real impact on the spatial dimension of the Iraqi governorates through new housing in those governorates. Using data mainly from the Central Bank of Iraq’s bulleti

Objective: To determine the functional and radiological outcomes of lower third tibia closed fractures fixed by nail or plate osteosynthesis. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial included 20 patients presenting with closed fracture lower third tibia in Al-Kindy teaching hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. The patients were divided as every other one into two equal groups; group I had fractures fixed by 3.5 mm locked plate and group II by intramedullary locking nail. We followed all patients for 24 weeks to assess surgical complications, fracture union, alignment and functional outcome based on Knee society score (KSS). Results: The mean union time in both groups was 10.2 ± 1.48 and 9.3 ± 1.77 weeks, respectively (p = 0.003). Mean KSS in bot

The present research aims to study the effect of friction stir welding (FSW) parameters on temperature distribution and tensile strength of aluminum 6061-T6. Rotational and traverse speeds used were (500,1000,1400 rpm) and (14,40,112 mm/min) respectively. Results of mechanical tests showed that using 500rpm and 14mm/min speed give the best strength. A three- dimensional fully coupled thermal-stress finite element model via ANSYS software has been developed. The Rate dependent Johnson-Cook relation was utilized for elasto-plastic work deformations. Heat-transfer is formulated using a moving heat source, and later used the transient temperature outputs from the thermal analysis to determine equivalent stresses in the welde