Comparing traditional estimators and the estimators of (PSO) algorithm for some growth models of gross domestic product in Iraq

Growth models are considered to be one of the most important statistical means that is widely used in the study of the behaviors of different phenomena throughout time, and the estimation of the parameters of these models is considered to be the key element that plays a major role in the inference about these models. In this paper, this problem will be discussed briefly. The aim of the paper is to compare the estimators of some traditional methods and the estimators of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm for estimating the parameters of some growth models as well as building the best growth model for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Iraq. The growth models that are used in this paper will include three linear models which are Polynomials of order (1, 3, and 5) as well as three nonlinear models which are (The Logistic Model, The Gompertz Model, and The Richards Model). It was concluded that the (PSO) algorithm was better than the traditional methods in estimating the parameters of the growth models, also the fifth degree polynomial was the best model to describe the (GDP) data in Iraq

EFFECT OF ADDITION OF NANO SILICON DIOXIDE TO CEMENT BRICKS: PREPARATION AND CHARACTERICTICS

The aim of the research is to design and produce a durable, and high load, bearing build constructing bricks based on cement, sand, and aggregates with the addition of Nano silica, studying the effect of the added materials to get a background about the impact of the Nano silica on the ability of using such a product. The cement used is 52.5 grade which represent the strength of the cement, sand with particle size 300-600 micrometer, aggregates with diameter lays between 0.5-1 cm better to use smaller size, water, and finally Nano-silica with particle size 17 nm with purity higher than 99.9%. the final size of the produced brick is a cubic shape with 4*4*4 cm in dimension. The research results have been achieved and stated that as the percentage of the Nano silica increase the strength increase and the bricks withstood for more loads and nominated the 10% Nano-silica of the total weight or of the cement weight as the best percentage among the prepared samples percentages and gives a strength of 6.4 MPa

The Comparative Toxicity, Biochemical and Physiological Impacts of Chlorantraniliprole and Indoxacarb on Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Background: The cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae, is a polyphagous pest that attacks several crops. Here, the sublethal and lethal effects of chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb were investigated on the developmental stages, detoxification enzymes, reproductive activity, calling behavior, peripheral physiology, and pheromone titer of M. brasssicae. Methods: To assess pesticide effects, the second instar larvae were maintained for 24 h on a semi-artificial diet containing insecticides at their LC10, LC30, and LC50 concentrations. Results: M. brassicae was more susceptible to chlorantraniliprole (LC50 = 0.35 mg/L) than indoxacarb (LC50 = 1.71 mg/L). A significantly increased developmental time was observed with both insecticides at all tested concentrations but decreases in pupation rate, pupal weight, and emergence were limited to the LC50 concentration. Reductions in both the total number of eggs laid per female and the egg viability were observed with both insecticides at their LC30 and LC50 concentrations. Both female calling activity and the sex pheromone (Z11-hexadecenyl acetate and hexadecenyl acetate) titer were significantly reduced by chlorantraniliprole in LC50 concentration. Antennal responses of female antennae to benzaldehyde and 3-octanone were significantly weaker than controls after exposure to the indoxocarb LC50 concentration. Significant reductions in the enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferases, mixed-function oxidases, and carboxylesterases were observed in response to both insecticides

An approach based on Landsat images for shoreline monitoring to support integrated coastal management - a case study, Ezbet Elborg, Nile Delta, Egypt

Monitoring the dynamic behavior of shorelines is an essential factor for integrated coastal management (ICM). In this study, satellite-derived shorelines and corresponding eroded and accreted areas of coastal zones have been calculated and assessed for 15 km along the coasts of Ezbet Elborg, Nile Delta, Egypt. A developed approach is designed based on Landsat satellite images combined with GIS to estimate an accurate shoreline changes and study the effect of seawalls on it. Landsat images for the period from 1985 to 2018 are rectified and classified using Supported Vector Machines (SVMs) and then processed using ArcGIS to estimate the effectiveness of the seawall that was constructed in year 2000. Accuracy assessment results show that the SVMs improve images accuracy up to 92.62% and the detected shoreline by the proposed method is highly correlated (0.87) with RTK-GPS measurements. In addition, the shoreline change analysis presents that a dramatic erosion of 2.1 km2 east of Ezbet Elborg seawall has occurred. Also, the total accretion areas are equal to 4.40 km2 and 10.50 km2 in between 1985-and-2000 and 2000-and-2018, respectively, along the southeast side of the study area

Impact of Different Sucrose Concentrations on Shoot Multiplication of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Cultured in vitro

Papaya is a heterozygous plant commonly cultivated by seed but, unfortunately, they are not true to type. Moreover, the hybrid seed varieties like the Red Lady are very highly expensive. Hence, tissue culture techniques offer an alternative method to produce a million clones within a short period and a reasonable price. Thus, the current study aimed to optimize the shoot multiplication rate of papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Red Lady) in vitro. Five concentrations of sucrose (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g.L-1) were applied for the papaya shoot proliferation. Results demonstrated that the 30 g.L-1 sucrose was significantly superior in the rate of shoot numbers (4.1 shoots. explant-1), shoot length (0.90 cm), (2.7 leaves. shoot-1), leaf area (1.40 cm2) and fresh weight (0.192 g) in compared with other sucrose treatments. Whereas, the 40 g.L-1 sucrose treatment was significantly superior in dry weight of shoot compared to the other treatments, which recorded 0.058 g. While the treatment of 10 g.L-1 sucrose recorded the lowest values in shoot numbers, length, and dry weight. Current study conclude that the 30 g.L-1 sucrose is the best concentration treatment that must be used in papaya micropropagation, where it gives  the maximum rate  of shoot numbers and other morphological traits

Investigation of AL/CU Bimetallic Tube Cladding Process by Severe Plastic Deformation

In this paper, a new cladding process is proposed and implemented on a bimetallic tube of copper and aluminum. Obtaining a good mechanical bond between the tube’s layers using simple setup components with low required process force and without using heating are the most distinguishing feature of this study. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of using three different spherical tipped punch diameters (21 mm, 21.6 mm, and 22 mm) on the cladding process. A spherical punch with a slightly enlarged spherical tip was pressed into the clad tube. To study the dynamical analysis of the developed process, an FE model was developed using ANSYS workbench®. The bonding of an AL6082T6 Aluminum tube (as the clad tube) to a pure copper tube (as the base tube) was studied. FE analysis results showed that increasing ball tipped punch diameter leads to an increase in the required process force, the deformation magnitude, the equivalent plastic strain, the maximum principal stress, and the maximum principal elastic strain values. The required process force was measured experimentally and by FE simulation for the three different ball tipped punch diameters. The average values of the FE process forces were found to be 21 KN, 39 KN and 48 KN respectively for the mentioned diameters, while experimentally the average forces values were found to be 13.3 KN, 33 KN and 39 KN for the mentioned diameters, respectively. A 10 KN force was required to dismantle the bimetallic tube layers using shear punch test

Impact of Different Sucrose Concentrations on Shoot Multiplication of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Cultured in vitro

Papaya is a heterozygous plant commonly cultivated by seed but, unfortunately, they are not true to type. Moreover, the hybrid seed varieties like the Red Lady are very highly expensive. Hence, tissue culture techniques offer an alternative method to produce a million clones within a short period and a reasonable price. Thus, the current study aimed to optimize the shoot multiplication rate of papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Red Lady) in vitro. Five concentrations of sucrose (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g.L-1) were applied for the papaya shoot proliferation. Results demonstrated that the 30 g.L-1 sucrose was significantly superior in the rate of shoot numbers (4.1 shoots. explant-1), shoot length (0.90 cm), (2.7 leaves. shoot-1), leaf area (1.40 cm2) and fresh weight (0.192 g) in compared with other sucrose treatments. Whereas, the 40 g.L-1 sucrose treatment was significantly superior in dry weight of shoot compared to the other treatments, which recorded 0.058 g. While the treatment of 10 g.L-1 sucrose recorded the lowest values in shoot numbers, length, and dry weight. Current study conclude that the 30 g.L-1 sucrose is the best concentration treatment that must be used in papaya micropropagation, where it gives  the maximum rate  of shoot numbers and other morphological traits