The clinical spectrum of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), an intracellular parasitic pathogen, ranges from a single sore healing to chronic crusty lesions with a manifestation of treatment resistance. ...The complicated interaction between Leishmania bodies and the early immune response, including innate and adaptive mechanisms, determines the evolution of nodules. This study examined the levels of the chemoattractant interleukin 8 (IL-8), pro-inflammatory nitric oxide (NO), and immunoregulatory macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) in the serum of subjects recently diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis, in parallel with patients being monitored during consecutive sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) treatment. A total of 161 serum samples of newly diagnosed individuals and patients undergoing pentostam injections were collected form an endemic area of Diyala, east central of Iraq. Sandwich ELISA was used to measure the level of IL-8, NO and MIF in the studied groups. Results of circulatory markers levels showed a considerable difference in all groups, with IL-8 being exceptionally higher in the first two groups of pretreated and dose-1 (191.5, 273.64) pg/ml respectively, while NO was found to be lower than in control subjects, particularly in the pretreated group (12.08 µmol/L) and MIF level was significantly higher in the pretreated group, which was (7.18 pg/ml). These findings can provide insights for distinction of disease phase and monitoring treatment efficacy along consecutive dosages, particularly in populations where CL is endemic.
Video calling is one of the most energy-intensive features in apps requiring the simultaneous operation of the mobile camera, display screen, audio speaker, and internet services. This feature ...impacts a smartphone battery's runtime and lifetime. This paper is the first of its kind experimental study, which quantifies the operating profile (discharge current, temperature, and terminal voltage) of video call feature in multiple widely used social media apps, which include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Skype, WeChat, Google Hangouts, Imo and Viber. One smartphone each of Vivo and Motorola has been evaluated as the manufacturer-provided application programming interface (API) allowed real-time measurement of the operating profile. Results indicate that the video calling feature for Facebook Messenger and Imo is the most energy efficient. In contrast, Google Hangouts is up to 35% more energy-intensive for video calling than other apps. Measurements also show that Vivo's in-service battery temperature is lower than Motorola due to its efficient chipset. For instance, during active Google Hangouts operation for 1 h, Vivo temperature is limited to 46 °C, whereas Motorola temperature rises to 52 °C. Finally, the influence of app algorithms and codecs on energy efficiency is also discussed with regard to operating performance.
The present study provides the first record species of the genus Lithobius Leach, 1814, L. ferganensis (Trotzina, 1894) which was collected from the middle of Iraq. A detailed explanation of the ...morphology and the diagnostic characters of specimens of both sexes is provided.
Precipitation data for long period with short time scales extending from limited minute to daily time steps is the principal requirement in water resources engineering for planning, design, and ...operation of water resources projects. However, the availability of measurements of these data faced several obstacles in various places in the world. In this study, the Intensity Duration Frequency (IDF) relationships of precipitation amount at Najaf city region in Iraq are generated based on a stochastic technique for disaggregation of daily time scale precipitation into fine-scale durations, i.e. the modified Bartlett-Lewis rectangular pulses of the seven parameters (BLRP) model (λ, κ, φ, α, υ, μ
χ
, and σ
χ
). The model applied for daily precipitation over a period of 35 years by employing the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) grid station data after implementing bias correction with respect to the monthly available data at Najaf city meteorological station. Eight sub-daily precipitation data sets with storm durations of 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 360, and 720 min were generated by using Hyetos-Minute R-package. Three statistical continuous distributions used to fit the estimation of extreme values data sets which included the Generalised Extreme Value (GEV), Gumbel (EV-1), and Log-Pearson type III (LP-3). Finally, the IDF curves were generated based on GEV and LP-3 for six return periods (2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years) using Sherman equation for each return period. The goodness of fit between the theoretical and developed distributions was tested by applying the Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Anderson–Darling and chi-squared test at 5% significance level. Results showed affirmative agreements between the both datasets from the three distributions at 5% significance level. Furtherly, the probabilistic model selection by two numerical criteria AIC and BIC nominated that GEV and LP-3 as appropriate models for simulation extreme precipitation values at Najaf city for different return periods.
This study pays special attention to practical solutions for declining the harmful impacts of thermal shock loading applied on the nanocomposite rectangular plate. The governing equations are ...obtained in the content of three-dimensional elasticity theory to establish an appropriate approach to achieving reliable results. Due to the time-dependent nature of the applied shock, it is essential to analyze the system's transient response. Accordingly, the Laplace transform is used to set out the state-space form of the governing equations from time to the Laplace domain. The reliability of the results is verified by comparing them with those recorded in the literature.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Due to their ability to boost transmission rate and reach by compensating for Kerr nonlinearity-induced distortions, optical compensation techniques are interesting for broadband wavelength division ...multiplexing. This is due to the fact that these techniques have been shown to increase transmission rate. Yet, in the majority of instances, they call for more devices to be integrated into the network. This can be challenging for systems that are already in place, and it can be even more challenging for transmissions that are not repeated. The linear and nonlinear compensation system for the Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) transmission system has been created and researched in this work. Along the optical link, a new method known as optical phase conjugation (OPC) is used as part of the process of improving the performance of communication systems. This method is used to improve the performance of 896 Gb/s sixteen channels dual polarization signalling of 50 GHz channel spacing over 800 km with three scenarios that use mid and multiple OPC. The results of the simulation indicate that multiple OPC with backward Raman amplifier method on the received signal is effective for nonlinearity compensation when compared with the mid OPC module in terms of enhanced Q-factor improvement, BER performance, EVM, and maximum transmission link length.
NiO-MWCNT was synthesized using the hydrothermal method and used as a low-cost, platinum-free counter electrode for Dye-sensitized solar cells DSSCs. The DSSC based on NiO-MWCNT as a counter ...electrode achieves a high-power conversion efficiency of 8.53% under a simulated solar illumination of 100 mW cm-2 (AM 1.5). This efficiency is comparable to 7.9% for a DSSC equipped with a Pt counter electrode. Good charge conduction characteristics of the NiO-MWCNT electrode decreases charge loss and boosts the effectiveness of converting light into electrical current. The NiO-MWCNT electrode also increases light absorption and increases the efficiency of converting light energy into electrical energy by enhancing light dispersion within the solar cell. Other advantages of NiO-MWCNT electrodes are low cost and great sustainability. Comparing it to platinum, rare and expensive material, the use of NiO-MWCNT reduces the cost of the solar cell and contributes to environmental sustainability. In addition, the NiO-MWCNT electrode has a high chemical stability, making it more resistant to corrosion and damage in dye solar cell environments. This enhances the lifespan of the cell and ensures its long-term sustainability.
This study investigates the use of TiO2/G and ZrO2/G transport layers in perovskite solar cells. The hydrothermal technique was used to synthesize the transport layers. According to the results, ...using TiO2/G as an electron transport layer enhances the transfer of negative charges from perovskites, which increases the efficiency of the solar cell. This is thanks to improved electrical conductivity and less loss of negative charges in the transport layer. The positive gap transition from the perovskite layer to the gap transport layer was enhanced using ZrO2/G. The chemical and physical properties of ZrO2/G help to build a strong interface with perovskite, which promotes gap crossing and reduces the loss of positive charges. Regarding the photonic layer, the efficiency of the solar cell increased significantly when CsPbBr3 quantum dots were used as the active element due to their strong abilities to absorb light from the visible light spectrum according to absorption spectrometry measurements. The efficiency of converting light into electrical charges increases because they can absorb more sunlight, including low-level solar energy. Quantum dots have efficient charge transfer paths, which reduces charge loss and improves conversion efficiency. CsPbBr3 quantum dots are chemically and crystallineally stable. These factors work together to increase the efficiency of the perovskite solar cell when using CsPbBr3 quantum dots from 10.004% to 10.425%.
Abstract
Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly is the main vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Iraq. The aim of this study was to assess and predict the effects of climate change on the ...distribution of the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases and the main vector presently and in the future. Data of the CL cases were collected for the period (2000-2018) in addition to sand fly (SF) abundance. Geographic information system, R studio and MaxEnt (Maximum entropy niche model) software were used for analysis and predict effect of (elevation, population, Bio1-19, and Bio28-35) on CL cases distribution and SF occurrence. HadGEM2-ES model with two climate change scenarios, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 were used for future projections 2050. The results showed that the CL case trend was increased over the period (2000-2018) with highest peak observed in 2017. Incidence rate for same period was varied and increased. Near perfect crimination (SF as vector) led to high predictive performance of the model in 2050. The study concluded that the climate conditions are the major determinants of ZCL distribution and SF occurrence. Habitats suitability for the ZCL and SF will be stay in the future comparing with the current conditions. Evaluation of the effect of environmental conditions and bioclimatic factors on ZCL distribution and SF occurrence may provide a guide for CL prevention and control programmers.
PDF