In this study, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was synthesized from graphene oxide (GO) via an ascorbic acid-assisted reduction process. GO was synthesized from graphite powder using a modified Hummers technique. The surface morphology, structure, functional groups, and elemental compositions of the produced materials were studied using various methods, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/EDX, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and UV-Vis. The removal of oxygen-containing functional groups in rGO through reduction resulted in poor sample quality. In addition, FTIR investigations revealed that GO contained more oxygen-containing functional groups than rGO. Typical peaks at 2

Objectives Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) is an inherited autosomal recessive disease caused by pathogenic variants in the sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-1 (SMPD1) gene, which encodes acid sphingomyelinase (ASM). ASMD has 3 broad phenotypes (type A, type A/B, and type B) characterized by the age of onset, symptomatology, and the rapidity of disease progression. The diagnosis of ASMD can be delayed or missed because of the wide spectrum of severity and its variable manifestations. Analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations can help to determine ASMD disease type and inform management. Here, we describe the clinical presentation of 47 patients with ASMD referred to a single center in Iraq since 2007, whose diagnosis was confirmed b

Modern societies tend to live in an electronic way. Indeed, many citizens and business owners are currently working in an electronic way because the use of information technology systems reduces the number of steps in the routine required to carry out work, and converts manual jobs to automatic, and helps improve the way of serving citizens by providing access to information in a service manner. The e-government can also automate responses to requests for licenses or information, in order to save time and energy for employees in order to provide better services to those reviewers who call directly or attend by themselves to accomplish some exceptional work. Therefore, to raise awareness its services, it is necessary to use various public re

Dr Oluwole Ojewale, a scholar and Sahel expert based in Dakar, explores the implications of the recent Benin coup attempt for the region, the history of intervention by the Economic Community of West African States and its complicated relationship with the recently formed Alliance of Sahel States. Cooperation, even now military-led states in the Sahel, is key to stopping the descent of coups in West Africa he argues. “The region must revitalize security cooperation, even with the AES states. Isolation breeds insecurity. Niger’s withdrawal from counterterrorism coordination has created openings exploited by criminal networks and extremist groups, especially along porous borders with Nigeria and Benin,” Ojewale writes. “Without renewe

Magnesium Phthalocyanine (MgPc) was deposited on a glass substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using Q-Switching Nd:YAG laser with wavelength 1064 nm, repetition rate 6 Hz, at room temperature (300K) and different annealing temperatures (373, 473, and 573)K under vacuum condition of 10-3 torr. All films were annealed for one hour to attain crystallinity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of MgPc powder indicated that MgPc crystallizes in polycrystalline with a monoclinic structure. While comparing the MgPc films, it was observed that the intensity of the characteristic peak increases with temperature, and the crystallization exhibited a monoclinic structure typical of the β-form. The Miller indices, hkl, values for each diffraction peak

Gundelia, a genus of flowering plants native to the Mediterranean region, particularly in Iraq, holds promise as a sustainable adsorbent for the treatment of dye-polluted water. This study explores the potential of Gundelia seeds (GS) waste as a biobased adsorbent for removing methylene blue dye from synthesized wastewater. Utilizing various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), we assessed GS as an active adsorbent with performance comparable to fabricated and expensive composites. Key parameters such as pH (3-11), pH at the point of zero charge, temperature (298-328 K), dose (0.02-0.1 g), dye concentration (10-50 ppm), and

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to be a global concern with new variants. Our research focused on the relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution, and we included findings from recently published research. In summary, there is a direct relationship between air pollution and COVID-19 infection and fatality rates. This relationship was evident after many parts of the world declared lockdowns. Research to understand the relationship between infection rates and air pollutants identified indirect factors that contributed to the spread of infection. In this article, we explore studies on air pollutants, the use of face masks, weather conditions, short-

This paper reports the synthesis and use of a novel metal-organic framework (MOF), named Zr-BADS, within the thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for reverse osmosis (RO) applications. Two types of zirconium-based MOFs, Zr-BADS-1 and Zr-BADS-2, were synthesized via a solvothermal method using bicinchoninic acid disodium salt as a linker and either dimethylformamide or ethanol as solvent, respectively. TFN membranes were prepared by embedding these MOFs within the polyamide thin film supported by a polysulfone support sheet. The specific surface area of Zr-BADS-1 and Zr-BADS-2 was determined to be 396.1 and 278.6 m2/g, respectively, indicating significant surface area conducive to water permeation. Scanning electron microscopic analysis r

This study proposes a pioneering Ethical Artificial Intelligence (EAI) framework for advancing sustainable development in Iraq by integrating eight multidimensional sustainability indicators—administrative, technological, economic, environmental, social, legal, security, and governance. Utilizing data from 60 completed development projects, the framework combines SPSS statistical analysis, the SMART-AI model, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to identify key determinants of project success and failure. Results reveal a 37% project failure rate, with administrative and technological deficiencies emerging as the most influential predictors. The SMART-AI model achieved an accuracy of 91.3% using stratified k-fold cross-validation. A bilin

Ultrasound was used as a green technology to preserve food and food products. So, an experiment was conducted to compare three periods of ultrasound treatment of table eggs, 1, 2, and 3 minutes, using a conventional ultrasound device, in terms of quality characteristics, which included yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk index, white height, yolk weight, percentage and egg components percentage during 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of refrigerated storage. A total of 240 fresh table eggs (red-shell eggs) were collected randomly from a flock of 20,000 Lohmann laying hens at Al-Amir Commercial Project Farm in Al-Musayyab city, Iraq. The eggs were divided into 4 treatments (60 eggs/treatment); T1: control, T2: ultrasound for 1 min. T3: ultrasound for 2

Ultrasound has used as a green technology to preserving food and food products, it destroys pathogenic microorganisms without side effect and preserving the organoleptic properties. So, an experiment was conducted to compare three periods of ultrasound treatment of table eggs, 1, 2, and 3 minutes, using a conventional ultrasound device, in terms of bacterial count during 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of refrigerated storage. A total of 240 fresh table eggs (red-shell eggs) were collected randomly from a flock of 20,000 Lohmann laying hens at Al-Amir Commercial Project Farm in Al-Musayyab city, Iraq. The eggs were divided into 4 treatments (60 eggs/treatment); T1: control, T2: ultrasound for 1 min. T3: ultrasound for 2 min. and T4: ultrasound for

Chromium (Cr), a first-series transition metal with a standard atomic mass of approximately 52 g/mol, plays a sophisticated role as an essential trace element in human and animal physiology. Characterized by its diverse oxidation states most notably the highly stable Cr3+ this micronutrient functions primarily as a biochemical potentiator of insulin action. Through the activation of the low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance, chromodulin, chromium amplifies insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, thereby facilitating efficient glucose uptake and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Beyond glycemic control, chromium serves as a critical modulator of lipid profiles, stimulating lipase activity to reduce very low-

After 2003, Iraq underwent a profound political and economic transformation, accompanied by various challenges, including the burden of accumulated external debt. The post-regime government restructured Iraq’s debt within the framework of the ‘Paris Club’ and through bilateral negotiations with creditor countries. The debt rescheduling aimed to alleviate the financial burden and reintegrate Iraq into the global financial system, but this process was conditional upon implementing economic and political reforms. External political factors played a crucial role in debt rescheduling. Decisions regarding rescheduling were influenced by the political motives of major powers seeking to achieve strategic gains in Iraq. Additionally, t

The Combined Economic Emission Dispatch (CEED) problem is crucial for optimizing power system operation by minimizing costs and emissions while ensuring grid stability and meeting demand. This paper addresses the complex, nonlinear, and nonconvex nature of CEED, arising from factors like valve-point effects and transmission losses, which necessitates efficient metaheuristic algorithms. We introduce an Improved Zebra Optimization Algorithm (IMZOA), an enhanced bio-inspired technique integrating advanced adaptive foraging and dynamic defense mechanisms, along with a cubic function for CEED modeling, to improve search efficiency and convergence. IMZOA demonstrates significant numerical improvements, achieving up to a 0.80 % cost reduction for

Moisture-induced damage is one of the primary causes of premature distress in asphalt pavements, leading to reduced service life and increased maintenance costs. Although nanomaterials have shown potential in enhancing asphalt performance, the underlying composite interaction mechanisms among nanomaterials, asphalt binder, and aggregate phases under moisture exposure are still not fully understood. In addition, comparative evaluations under consistent experimental conditions remain limited. This study investigates the influence of five nanomaterials: nano-silica (NS), nano-alumina (NA), nano-titanium dioxide (NT), nano-zinc oxide (NZ), and carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt binders and mixtur

Background: The materials and techniques of orthodontic bonding systems remain a pivotal concern in orthodontic research. This issue is further complicated by orthodontists' preferences. To assess the effect of knowledge and practice on the attitudes of orthodontists towards bonding materials and techniques. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted using Google Forms. The questionnaire comprised 17 multiple-choice questions that targeted orthodontists' awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards bonding materials. It was distributed via email or social networking platforms to specialist Iraqi orthodontists. Results: A total of 176 participants responded with nearly equal representation between the sexes. Th

This study examines the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and motivation for sports achieve-ment among youth badminton players. The research aims to identify how personality traits influence athletes’ drive for success and tendency to avoid failure, ultimately shaping their competitive performance. The hypothe-sis envisioned using a descriptive-correlational design to collect data from 51 players based on the use of vali-dated psychological scales such as Big Five Personality Traits Scale and Sports Achievement Motivation Scale. Personality traits were assessed on their effect on achievement motivation using statistical analyses such as Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and ANOVA. The relation between extraversi

Baghdad, one of Iraq’s most crowded cities, faces severe air pollution caused by rapid population growth, dense traffic, and limited green spaces. Monitoring at five sites in Al-Rusafa during 2024–2025 showed that pollutant levels, especially PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, and TSP, exceed national and global limits. The most polluted areas lacked vegetation and had heavy traffic, while greener zones showed lower concentrations. Seasonal variations were evident: winter had the highest pollution, summer the lowest but with greater plant stress. Ascorbic acid and the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) proved reliable indicators of plant resistance. Overall, the study confirms plants’ role as effective bio monitors and stresses the need f

Purpose: To synthesize and characterize novel Schiff base-chitosan composites and determine their antimicrobial activity. Methods: Novel Schiff-base chitosan composites were synthesized by grafting polyvinylpyrrolidone and then replacing it with different aldehydes. The resulting composites were characterized using advanced analytical techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Results: The FT-IR results revealed that the Schiff-base chitosan was successfully produced during mixing and the crystallinity change of the samples was explained by the XRD patterns. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of compounds A1, A3 and A4 showed weight loss

هدف البحث إلى التعرف على مدى امتلاك معلمي المهارات الحياتية لكفايات التعليم الإلكتروني من وجهة نظرهم بمدارس محافظة ظفار خلال العام الدراسي (2023-2024م). ولتحقيق أهداف البحث، تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي، حيث تكون مجتمع البحث من (88) معلماً ومعلمة، بينما بلغت عينة البحث (29) معلماً ومعلمة.وتمثلت أداة البحث في استبانة تم إعدادها وتطويرها في ضوء الأدبيات التربوية والدراسات السابقة ذات الصلة، وقد تكونت الأداة في صورتها ا

تهدف الدراسة الحالية إلى استكشاف أثر استرجاع الخبرات الصدمية في التفكير بالتمني لدى عينة من طلبة جامعة الأنبار المصابين باضطراب ما بعد الصدمة (PTSD). من أجل تحقيق أهداف البحث، اعتمد الباحثان المنهج شبه التجريبي مع استخدام أداتين لقياس اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة (PCL-5) ومقياس للتفكير بالتمني تم بناؤه من قبل الباحثين وتم التحقق من صدقه وثباته. تم اختيار عينة قوامها (301) طالبٍ وطالبة كانوا قد تعرضوا الى أحداث صدمية تمثلت

هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى بيان درجة امتلاك مهارات فهم المقروء لدى تلاميذ الصف الرابع الأساسي من وجهة نظر معلمات مجال أول بمحافظة ظفار، ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي على عينة من معلمات مجال أول في محافظة ظفار بلغت (50) معلمة من مختلف ولايات المحافظة، واستخدمت الدراسة أداة الاستبانة الإلكترونية التي تم بناؤها لتتكون من 4 مهارات من الفهم المقروء، فتكونت مهارة الفهم الحرفي من (7) عبارات، ومهارة ال