Several adipokines are produced and secreted from adipose tissue, such as retinol binding protein-4, which triggers metabolic syndromes and insulin resistance. Retinol binding protein-4 transfers vitamin A or retinol in the blood. Higher levels of retinol binding protein-4 are interrelated with progress of metabolic disease, comprising obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study investigates the role of retinol-binding protein-4 levels in type 2 diabetic Iraqi patients with metabolic syndrome. Sixty type 2 diabetic patients aged 40–53 years were examined. Of these 30 patients has metabolic syndrome and 30 without metabolic syndrome. The patients sampled were from the National Diabetes Center/ Mustansiriyah

In this paper, a new 5G Passive Optical Network (5G-PON) employing all-optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (AO-OFDM) is proposed in hybrid bidirectional standard single mode fiber (SSMF)/free space optical (FSO). Additionally, an optical frequency generator (OFG) source is utilized. The proposed model is simulated using VPI photonics software. Analytical modeling and simulations have been conducted for a new approach to generate OFG by cascaded two-frequency modulators and one electro-absorption modulator. A sinusoidal RF signal source is utilized to drive all these modulators. The results reveal that 64 optical multiplexed carriers with a frequency spacing of 30 GHz are generated. These optical carriers have power variations

In composite steel-concrete structures, shear connectors in the form of headed steel studs are commonly utilized to transfer longitudinal shear force developed at the interface between the two materials. To overcome the shortcomings of design codes, which frequently understate shear capacity and fail to take advantage of sophisticated computational methods, this paper presents an optimization attempt to estimate the shear strength of headed steel studs utilizing the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) technique using MATLAB software. Data from 234 experimental tests are employed to identify and highlight key input parameters influencing the shear strength of headed steel studs. These key parameters include concrete compressive strength (f’c

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers (HCPs) at personal and professional levels.

      Cloud computing is an interesting technology that allows customers to have convenient, on-demand network connectivity based on their needs with minimal maintenance and contact between cloud providers. The issue of security has arisen as a serious concern, particularly in the case of cloud computing, where data is stored and accessible via the Internet from a third-party storage system. It is critical to ensure that data is only accessible to the appropriate individuals and that it is not stored in third-party locations. Because third-party services frequently make backup copies of uploaded data for security reasons, removing the data the owner submits does not guarantee the removal of the data from the cloud. Cloud data storag

Material obtained from the demolition of concrete structures and milling of flexible pavements has the highest potential for recyclability. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of hot mix asphalt with the concurrent use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). Contents of RAP and RCA were varied from 0% to 50% by fixing the total recycling materials percentage to 50%. Penetration grade 40/50 virgin binder and waste engine oil (WEO) as rejuvenator were used in the present study. A series of tests, such as Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength test, IDEAL CT, uniaxial compression test, and resilient modulus test, were carried out to assess the performance of

Background. Temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome (TMD) is a common disease among dental patients. It occurs as a consequence of malfunction of the tempromandibular and/or surrounding facial muscles. LED red light therapy is not been well established, and it is important to find out the role of this technique in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Aim of the Study. To evaluate the efficacy of the LED red light in the treatment of the tempromandibular dysfunction syndrome. Material and Methods. Fifty students of the College of Dentistry/University of Baghdad with myofacial pain associated with Tempromandibular Disorder volunteered to participa

Background. Temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome (TMD) is a common disease among dental patients. It occurs as a consequence of malfunction of the tempromandibular and/or surrounding facial muscles. LED red light therapy is not been well established, and it is important to find out the role of this technique in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Aim of the Study. To evaluate the efficacy of the LED red light in the treatment of the tempromandibular dysfunction syndrome. Material and Methods. Fifty students of the College of Dentistry/University of Baghdad with myofacial pain associated with Tempromandibular Disorder volunteered to participa

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bone density value in Hounsfield unit derived from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and implant dimensions in relation to implant stability parameters namely the resonance frequency analysis and the insertion torque (IT) value. It included 24 patients who received 42 dental implants (DI). The bone density of the planned implant site was preoperatively measured using cone beam computed tomography. The implant stability was measured using Osstell implant stability quotient (ISQ). The ISQ values were recorded immediately postoperatively and after 16 weeks. The IT value was categorized as 35 N/cm or > 35 N/cm. The mean (standard deviation) primary stability was 79.58 (5.27) ISQ,

Groundwater modelling is particularly challenging in arid regions where limited water recharge is available. A fault zone will add a significant challenge to the modelling process. The Western Desert in Iraq has been chosen to implement the modelling concept and calculate the model sensitivity to the changes in aquifer hydraulic properties and calibration by researching 102 observations and irrigation wells. MODFLOW-NWT, which is a Newtonian formulation for MODFLOW-2005 approaches, have been used in this study. Further, the simulation run has been implemented using the Upstream-Weighting package (UPW) to treat the dry cells. The results show sensitivity to the change of the Kx value for the major groundwater discharge flow. Only abo

 في البحث الحالي تم تحضير ودراسة النشاط الحيوي لسلسلة من البوليمرات الجديدة المحورة  من الكيتوسان مع مركبات تحتوي على مجموعة الآزو. في البداية تم تحضير ملح الديازونيوم من  تفاعل  3,3'-dimethyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine مع حامض الهيدروكلوريك المركز ونتريت الصوديوم .ثم تفاعل  الازدواج بين ملح  الديازونيوم مع الديهايدات اروماتية معوضة  لإنتاج مشتقات الازو (1-6). ازو شف بيس كيتوسان((12-7 والتي حضرت من تفاعل الكيتوسان مع مشتقات

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are the two most important types of anemia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Functional iron deficiency in ACD can be attributed to overexpression of the main iron regulatory hormone hepcidin leading to diversion of iron from the circulation into storage sites resulting in iron-restricted erythropoiesis. The aim is to investigate the role of circulating hepcidin and to uncover the frequency of IDA in RA. The study included 51 patients with RA. Complete blood counts, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, and hepcidin- 25 were assessed. ACD was found in 37.3% of patients, IDA in 11.8%, and combined (ACD/IDA) in 17.6%. Serum hepcidin was higher in ACD than in con

In engineering, the ground in seismically active places may be subjected to static and seismic stresses. To avoid bearing capacity collapse, increasing the system's dynamic rigidity, and/or reducing dynamic fluctuations, it may be required to employ deep foundations instead of shallow ones. The axial aptitude and pipe pile distribution of load under static conditions have been well reported, but more study is needed to understand the dynamic axial response. Therefore, this research discusses the outputs of the 3D finite element models on the soil-pile behavior under different acceleration intensities and soil states by using MIDAS GTS NX. The pipe pile was represented as a simple elastic, and a modified Mohr-Coulomb mode

Manganese dioxide rotating cylinder electrode prepared by anodic deposition on a graphite substrate using MnSO4 solution in the presence of 0.918 M of H2SO4. The influence of different operational parameters (MnSO4 concentration, current density, time, and rotation speed) on the structure, and morphology of MnO2 deposit film was examined widely. The structure and crystal size determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the morphology examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The γ-MnO2 obtained as the main product of the deposition process. It found that the four parameters have a significant influence on the structure, morphology, and roughness of the prepared MnO2 deposit. The crystal size in

In this study tungsten oxide and graphene oxide (GO-WO2.89) were successfully combined using the ultra-sonication method and embedded with polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) to prepare novel low-fouling membranes for ultrafiltration applications. The properties of the modified membranes and performance were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle (CA), water permeation flux, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection. It was found that the modified PPSU membrane fabricated from 0.1 wt.% of GO-WO2.89 possessed the best characteristics, with a 40.82° contact angle and 92.94% porosity. The permeation flux of the best membrane was the highest. The pure water permeation f

In this article four samples of HgBa₂Ca₂Cu_2.4Ag_0.6O_8+δ were prepared and irradiated with different doses of gamma radiation 6, 8 and 10 Mrad. The effects of gamma irradiation on structure of HgBa₂Ca₂Cu_2.4Ag_0.6O_8+δ samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction. It was concluded that there effect on structure by gamma irradiation. Scherrer, crystallization, and Williamson equations were applied based on the X-ray diffraction diagram and for all gamma doses, to calculate crystal size, strain, and degree of crystallinity. I

Mineral fillers are a fundamental component of asphalt mastic and play a critical role in governing the mechanical performance and durability of flexible pavements. Variations in filler type and dosage can substantially alter mastic stiffness, deformation resistance, fatigue behavior, and adhesion. The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the influence of mineral filler type and filler-to-asphalt (F/A) ratio on the rheological, fatigue, and adhesive performance of asphalt mastics. Three commonly used fillers; limestone dust, Portland cement, and hydrated lime were investigated at four F/A ratios (0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2). A comprehensive experimental program was conducted, including conventional binder characterization, Mult

Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a deadly fungal pathogen whose intracellular lifestyle is important for virulence. Host mechanisms controlling fungal phagocytosis and replication remain obscure. Here, we perform a global phosphoproteomic analysis of the host response to Cryptococcus infection. Our analysis reveals numerous and diverse host proteins that are differentially phosphorylated following fungal ingestion by macrophages, thereby indicating global reprogramming of host kinase signaling. Notably, phagocytosis of the pathogen activates the host autophagy initiation complex (AIC) and the upstream regulatory components LKB1 and AMPKα, which regulate autophagy induction through their kinase activities. Deletion of Prkaa1, the gene encodi

We describe curved-mirror Fabry-Perot cavities with embedded silicon nitride membranes, fabricated using a monolithic surface-micromachining process. The presence of the suspended membranes was confirmed by confocal microscopy, and their properties were verified through optical studies and thermomechanical calibration of mechanical/vibrational noise spectra measured at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The cavities exhibit reflectance-limited finesse (F ∼ 10³) and wavelength-scale mode volumes (V_M ∼ 10·λ³). The short cavity length (L ∼ 2·