Determination of Radon Gas Concentrations and Radon Exhalation Rate in Soil Sample in Selected Regions in Anbar Governorate

In the present work, we have measured the radon gas concentrations in soil samples from depth (5 cm) of selected regions in Anbar governorate by using alpha particles-emitters registrations which are emitted form radon gas in (CR-39) nuclear track detector. The results show that, the average radon gas concentration ranged from 44.2±5.0 Bq/m3 in Hit (Zuea District) region to 228.2±11.2 Bq/m3 in AL-Ratba region, with an average value of 106.62±46.5 Bq/m3, while the radon exhalation rate in terms of area ranged from 120.53 µBq/m2h - 622.30 µBq/m2h ,with an average value of 290.74±126 µBq/m2h. Finally, the radon exhalation rate in terms of mass ranged from 4.24 µBq/kg h - 21.90 µBq/kg h, with an average value of  10.22±4.4 µBq/kg h. The present results show that the radon gas concentration in soil samples from depth 5 cm is below the allowed limit from (ICRP, 1993) agency, apart from regions [AL-Ramadi (AL-Warar District), AL-Ratba and Al-Qaim (AL-Abedi District)] which were higher than the allowed limit given by (ICRP, 1993). Keywords: Radon concentration, Soil , Radon exhalation rate, CR-39 nuclear track detector

Synthesis of New Zirconium Magnetic Nanocomposite as a Bioactive Agent and Green Catalyst in the Four-Component Synthesis of a Novel Multi-Ring Compound Containing Pyrazole Derivatives

New nanocomposites containing zirconium were synthesized using microwave irradiation. Their structure was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) curves, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. After the structure confirmation of the zirconium magnetic nanocomposite, the catalytic properties in the synthesis of pyrazole derivatives were investigated. Next, the biological activities of the zirconium magnetic nanocomposite, such as the antibacterial and antifungal activities, were investigated. The research results showed that the zirconium magnetic nanocomposite has high catalytic properties and can be used as a magnetic nanocatalyst for synthesizing heterocyclic compounds such as pyrazole derivatives in addition to having high biological properties. The unique properties of the nanoparticles can be attributed to their synthesis method and microwave radiation

Bonding Properties of AA1050 Strips Fabricated Via Electrically Assisted Roll Bonding (EARB) Process

In this study, aluminium alloy 1050 strips were bonded together using the electrically assisted roll bonding process (EARB) at electric current levels from 0 A up to 300 A. The effect of electric current level and plastic strain as the two main EARB parameters have been investigated on bonding strength by using the peel test. Results showed that by increasing the electric current level and reduction in thickness, stronger bonding strength can be obtained. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to characterize the peeled surfaces of samples versus different thickness reduction ratios and electric current levels. Decreasing the forming strength of strips and increasing the bond strength of bonded strips about three times due to Joule heating effect in the EARB process was achieved. Moreover, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the peeled surfaces of samples after the peel test have been studied to investigate the bonding quality

Intolerance of uncertainty scale-12:psychometric properties of this construct among Iranian undergraduate students

BACKGROUND: Uncertainty intolerance (IU), the tendency to think or react negatively toward uncertain events may have implication on individuals’ mental health and psychological wellbeing. The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IU-12) is commonly used across the globe to measure IU, however, its’ psychometric properties are yet to be evaluated in Iran with a Persian-speaking population. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to translate and validate the IU-12 among Iranian undergraduate students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The multi-stage cluster random sampling was employed to recruit 410 Iranian undergraduate students (260 females) from the Azad University to complete the IU-12, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-2, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire in a cross-sectional design. In this study, face validity, content validity, construct validity, and concurrent validity were measured and Construct Reliability (CR) and Cronbach’s alpha were used to measure reliability. RESULTS: The impact score of the translated IU-12 indicated acceptable face validity (value of impact score was greater than 1.5). The value of Content Validity Index (CVI) and the value of Content Validity Ratio (CVR) were above 0.7 and 0.78, respectively. The values of CVI and CVR indicated the items had acceptable content validity and were deemed essential to the measure. The measurement model analysis showed the measure with two subscales had good fit indices (CMIN/df = 2.75, p < 0.01, RMSEA = 0.07, TLI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95, GFI = 0.94). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated the scale was composed of the two subscales found in the English-version of the scale (prospective anxiety and inhibitory anxiety), and no items were removed from the scale. The values of CR (0.86) and Cronbach’s alphas (0.89) showed the measure had appropriate internal consistency. CONCLUSION: The findings support the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the IU-12. This scale could be used to reliably and accurately measure uncertainty intolerance among undergraduate students in Iran