An Exploratory study of the benefits and inhibitors of digital libraries in Iraq

This research study explores the potential of digital libraries (DLS) in Iraq and identifies inhibitors to adoption. Iraq is an ancient civilisation, with a recorded history of more than 5000 years. The Mesopotamian civilisation and the Babylonian Civilisation (both in Iraq) are amongst the most ancient in the world, and have existed from the times of the ancient Egyptian, Indus Valley, Persian civilisations. Iraq has a rich cultural history, with many rare historical manuscripts, antiques etc., on which many treatises have written and still continues to be a popular subject of research. In its recent history, Iraq has had much turmoil as a result of war, sanctions and internal conflict. In recent years many libraries such as the Iraq National Library and Archive (Dar al-Makhtutat, Dar al-Kutub wa-al-Watha\u27iq), Bayt al- Hikma, Maktabat al-Awqaf and the Iraqi Academy of Sciences have been looted and burnt. It has been proposed by the government to implement digital libraries to broaden accessibility and preserve documents. Today the advancement of civilisation and speed of innovation are highly dependent on the availability of information. With increased access to information, even the most underprivileged sections of society will have improved economies. There are numerous investments in infrastructure and improvements in the standardisation of protocols, such as http, that have enabled the sharing of information. One of the predominant tools for storing and allowing access to information is a digital library. Digital library technology has been widely adopted worldwide by governments, universities and private institutions. However, implementation of this technology is seen to be a challenge for developing countries, and particularly those nations affected by conflict. This research study examines the issues related to the implementation of digital libraries in the developing country of Iraq. Digital libraries are an effective system of collecting, storing, organising and distributing documents. They also provide privacy and security. Digital libraries have been seen to have transformed the delivery of education in Western countries. Some African nations, Arab states, India, Thailand and many others have also benefitted from digital libraries. However, it has been identified in the literature that the implementation and adoption of digital libraries has many challenges in poorer nations. A review of the extant literature provided the foundation of the conceptual framework for the study. Much of the literature concerning Iraq and developing nations predicted an exploratory study. The ontological and epistemological stance of the researcher and the nature of the phenomenon led to a method of inductive qualitative case study. A semistructured interview guide was used to obtain data from eight libraries in Iraq. The data were analysed using the constructs developed during the literature review. The researcher’s analysis also led to the identification of new constructs that were integrated into the research. Common aspects and issues with regards to implementation of digital libraries were identified. The results revealed that library staff in Iraq are aware of digital libraries and convinced of their benefits. However, they see many challenges to implementation. Their main concerns are that digital libraries require library staff to have improved knowledge of information and communication technology and English literacy. The researcher found that the capital cost of digital equipment and regulatory issues, such as protection of intellectual property and privacy laws, precluded adoption. The researcher also uncovered broader issues, including the dearth of internet access, poor infrastructure, lack of computers in the population and even the frequent interruption of electricity as major inhibitors to adoption. The researcher found that the benefits of digital libraries are predicted to be extensive; essentially the DLs are seen to be able to provide free, unhindered 24/7 access from anywhere and that this will contribute positively to the socio-economic development of Iraq. DLs will also empower women who will be able to access information from the privacy of their homes, without facing restrictions imposed by Arab culture. Moreover, the cross-referencing of DLs would save time and help research students. Multimedia used in DLs would also enhance students’ learning experience. Furthermore, DLs would showcase the rich cultural heritage of Iraq to foreign nations by linking Iraqi DLs with others in the world. For digital libraries to be implemented in Iraq the following barriers to effective implementation of DLs need to be addressed: poor literacy, poor English language and lack of ICT skills, funds for digital equipment (servers, software, etc.), and for accessing the DL (client computer, Smartphone, iPad, etc.), lack of infrastructure (including electricity supply and internet capability), and cultural issues. This will require that DLs are endorsed at the highest level of government and planned with the recognition of the unique environmental conditions. Investment in electricity plant and supply, as well as Internet connectivity is anecessity. Funding by government and foreign donor agencies would be crucial to cover the initial capital expenditure and ongoing running costs of DL. Training needs to be provided to library staff. Finally, it would be necessary to obtain arrangements with other digital libraries around the world and to implement laws of copyright protection. The study is significant because it reveals many benefits of DLs to Iraq and provides insights about the inhibitors to adoption. The study supports further research into DLs in Iraq by providing constructs, inhibitors and some of the potential of DLs. It also provides a priori for explorative research about DLs in other developing nations

Macroarthropod Diversity, Distribution, and Community Structure in Cikarae Cave of the Klapanunggal Karst, West Java

Arthropods are the most dominant fauna in cave realms. Ecological studies of cave-dwelling arthropods are essential for cave ecosystem conservation. This study was conducted to determine the ecological aspects of macroarthropods in Cikarae Cave, West Java, focusing on their diversity, distribution, and community structure. The cave passage was divided into three zones based on environmental disparities. Data collection was carried out through direct search and counting methods. Data were analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and several ecological indices (diversity, evenness, and dominance). Nineteen macroarthropod morphospecies were recorded and distributed among 5 classes, 11 orders, and 18 families. Most of these morphospecies were troglophiles. A new troglobitic species (Isopoda: Philosciidae) with a high degree of troglomorphy and exclusive microhabitat was registered. Most morphospecies were collected in Zone 1 (17), followed by Zone 3 (9) and Zone 2 (8). Collected macroarthropods preferred cave walls over floors and ceilings. Overall, Cikarae showed a low diversity index (0.782) and evenness (0.265), while dominance was relatively high (0.692). Trachyjulus tjampeanus, Rhaphidophora sp., and Theridiosomatidae sp. were the most dominant taxa

Oral HPV infection and MHC class II deficiency (A study of two cases with atypical outcome)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Major histocompatibility complex class II deficiency, also referred to as bare lymphocyte syndrome is a rare primary Immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a profondly deficient human leukocyte antigen class II expression and a lack of cellular and humoral immune responses to foreign antigens. Clinical manifestations include extreme susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. The infections begin in the first year of life and involve usually the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract. Severe malabsorption with failure to thrive ensues, often leading to death in early childhood. Bone marrow transplantation is the curative treatment.</p> <p>Case reports</p> <p>Here we report two cases with a late outcome MHC class II deficiency. They had a long term history of recurrent bronchopulmonary and gastrointestinal infections. Bone marrow transplantation could not be performed because no compatible donor had been identified. At the age of 12 years, they developed oral papillomatous lesions related to HPV (human papillomavirus). The diagnosis of HPV infection was done by histological examination. HPV typing performed on the tissue obtained at biopsy showed HPV type 6. The lesions were partially removed after two months of laser treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Viral infections are common in patients with MHC class II and remain the main cause of death. Besides warts caused by HPV infection do not exhibit a propensity for malignant transformation; they can cause great psychosocial morbidity.</p

U–Pb Zircon geochronology of the Cambro-Ordovician metagranites and metavolcanic rocks of central and NW Iberia

New U–Pb zircon data from metagranites and metavolcanic rocks of the Schist-Graywacke Complex Domain and the Schistose Domain of Galicia Tras-os-Montes Zone from central and NW Iberia contribute to constrain the timing of the Cambro-Ordovician magmatism from Central Iberian and Galicia Tras-os-Montes Zones which occurred between 498 and 462 Ma. The crystallization ages of the metagranites and metavolcanic rocks from the northern Schist-Graywacke Complex Domain are as follows: (a) in west Salamanca, 489 ± 5 Ma for Vitigudino, 486 ± 6 Ma for Fermoselle and 471 ± 7 Ma for Ledesma; (b) in northern Gredos, 498 ± 4 Ma for Castellanos, 492 ± 4 Ma for San Pelayo and 488 ± 3 Ma for Bercimuelle; (c) in Guadarrama, 490 ± 5 Ma for La Estacion I, 489 ± 9 Ma for La Canada, 484 ± 6 Ma for Vegas de Matute (leucocratic), 483 ± 6 Ma for El Cardoso, 482 ± 8 Ma for La Morcuera, 481 ± 9 Ma for Buitrago de Lozoya, 478 ± 7 Ma for La Hoya, 476 ± 5 Ma for Vegas de Matute (melanocratic), 475 ± 5 Ma for Riaza, 473 ± 8 Ma for La Estacion II and 462 ± 11 Ma for La Berzosa; and (d) in Toledo, 489 ± 7 Ma for Mohares and 480 ± 8 Ma for Polan. The crystallization ages of the metagranites from the Schistose Domain of Galicia Tras-os-Montes Zone are 497 ± 6 Ma for Laxe, 486 ± 8 Ma for San Mamede, 482 ± 7 Ma for Bangueses, 481 ± 5 Ma for Noia, 480 ± 10 for Rial de Sabucedo, 476 ± 9 Ma for Vilanova, 475 ± 6 Ma for Pontevedra, 470 ± 6 Ma for Cherpa and 462 ± 8 Ma for Bande.This magmatism is characterized by an average isotopic composition of (87Sr/86Sr)485Ma ≈ 0.712, (eNd)485Ma ≈ -4.1 and (TDM) ≈ 1.62 Ga, and a high zircon inheritance, composed of Ediacaran–Early Cambrian (65 %) and, to a lesser extent, Cryogenian, Tonian, Mesoproterozoic, Orosirian and Archean pre-magmatic cores. Combining our geochronological and isotopic data with others of similar rocks from the European Variscan Belt, it may be deduced that Cambro-Ordovician magmas from this belt were mainly generated by partial melting of Ediacaran–Early Cambrian igneous rocks

Short-term effect of ultrasound therapy on stiffness elbow joint

Elbow stiffness is hard to treat and commonly resulted from trauma or degenerative arthritis. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of using ultrasound therapy in management of stiff elbow joint resulted from several etiological factors. A total number of 42 patients (35 male and 7 female) allocated randomly from the Department of Physiotherapy at Al-yarmouk Teaching Hospital during 2013. Each patient examined physically by physiotherapist taking in consideration the measurement of the joint movement angle using goniometer in flexion and the extension, and the pain score using visual analogue scale (VAS). Ultrasound therapy initiated thrice weekly for two weeks. At the time of entry, the means degree of flexion and extension movements were 148.45 and 113.33º. Ultrasound therapy significantly reduced the pain from of 1.238±0.932 to 0.38± 0.538score. Significant improvement observed in patients aged more than 20 years and the improvement in flexion elbow significantly correlated with the frequency of ultrasound. In Conclusions ultrasound therapy is safe, effective and provided pain relieve as well as wide range of movement in post-traumatic elbow stiffness

Optimasi metode ekstraksi DNA pada Kornet Babi untuk autentikasi Halal

INDONESIA : Indonesia sebagai negara tertinggi dalam konsumsi produk halal diharapkan dapat memberikan perlindungan konsumen halal terutama umat muslim. Isu autentikasi halal menjadi kekawatiran umat muslim mengingat maraknya pemalsuan makanan dan beredarnya kontaminasi produk non-halal di pasaran. Dibutuhkan suatu analisis dalam pengujian produk pangan halal yaitu dengan analisis molekuler yaitu PCR. Ekstraksi DNA merupakan prosedur yang dilakukan sebelum analisis molekular dan menjadi tahapan krusial karena berpengaruh terhadap hasil analisis. Salah satu metode ekstraksi yang menghasilkan hasil yang baik dalam analisis molekuler yaitu fenol kloroforom. Optimasi metode ekstraksi terutama pada ektraksi DNA konvensional seperti fenol kloroform penting dilakukan untuk mendapatkan metode terbaik dalam ekstraksi sebagai bentuk efisiensi biaya, reagen serta waktu pengerjaan. Oleh karena itu penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan mengetahui metode optimum untuk ekstraksi DNA fenol kloroform pada sampel kornet babi sebagai autentikasi halal. Penelitian diawali dengan ekstraksi fenol kloroform dengan variasi suhu inkubasi yaitu 50℃, 55℃, 60℃, 65℃, 70℃, dan 75℃. Setelah itu hasil ekstraksi dianalisis secara kuantitatif dengan spektrofotometer NanoDrop untuk mengetahui sampel dengan konsentrasi dan purifikasi terbaik untuk diamplifikasi. Selanjutnya hasil ekstraksi diamplifikasi secara real-time PCR dan hasil PCR dianalisis nilai Ct. Hasil penelitian ini yaitu metode ekstraksi fenol kloroform dengan variasi suhu inkubasi 70℃ merupakan suhu dengan nilai konsentrasi (179,9) dan purifikasi (2,00) terbaik dari analisis spektrofotometer. Nilai yang sama ditunjukkan pada analisis real-time PCR yaitu suhu inkubasi 70℃ menujukkan nilai Ct terbaik yaitu 27,09. Secara keseluruhan, semua sampel variasi suhu inkubasi dapat digunakan dalam real-time PCR. ENGLISH : Indonesia as the country with the highest consumption of halal products is expected to provide protection for halal consumers, especially Muslims. The rise of food counterfeiting and the circulation of contamination of non-halal products on market products is a concern for Muslims. An analysis is needed in testing halal food products, namely by molecular analysis. DNA extraction is a procedure performed prior to molecular analysis and is a crucial step because it affects the results of the analysis. One of the extraction methods that produces good results in molecular analysis is phenol chloroform. Optimization of extraction methods, especially in conventional DNA extraction such as phenol chloroform, is important to obtain the best method of extraction as a form of cost efficiency, reagents and processing time. Therefore it is necessary to carry out this research with the aim of knowing the optimum method for extracting chloroform phenol DNA from corned pork samples as halal authentication. The research began with phenol chloroform extraction with various incubation temperatures, namely 50 ℃, 55 ℃, 60 ℃, 65 ℃, 70 ℃ and 75 ℃. After that the extraction results were analyzed quantitatively with a NanoDrop spectrophotometer to determine the sample with the best concentration and purification for amplification. Then the extraction results were amplified by real-time PCR and the PCR results were analyzed for Ct. The results of this study are that the phenol chloroform extraction method with variations in incubation temperature of 70℃ is the temperature with the best concentration (179.9) and purification (2.00) values from spectrophotometer analysis. The same value was shown in the real-time PCR analysis, namely the incubation temperature of 70 ℃ showed the best Ct value of 27.09. Keywords: Ct value, corned, DNA concentration, DNA purification, phenol chloroform

Preparation of Phosphate Coating Solution to Increase the Corrosion Resistance of Carbon Steel in Ambient Conditions

In this work, different zinc phosphating solutions were prepared using sodium phosphate (Na3PO4), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), and nickel carbonate (NiCO3) as accelerators. NaNO3 concentration was ranged from 20 to 80 g/L. While the NiCO3 concentration ranged from 1 to 15 g/L. To identify the interactions between the NaNO3and NiCO3, mixed accelerators were also investigated. Corrosion inspection of the metal surface was tested using potentiostatic experiments. Portable camera microscope was used to capture the surface images of coated samples.  The experimental investigations revealed that the immersion time of 10 min significantly enhanced the corrosion tendency of all accelerators. It was noticed that the corrosion resistance was enhanced with more concentration of NaNO3in the phosphate solution and reached their maximum protection at 80 g/L. While 1 g/L of NiCO3 in solution (which represents the lower value), exhibited higher protection against corrosion. Mixed accelerators resulted in smaller grain size with lower corrosion current (1.83 mA) at 80 g/L and 5 g/L of NaNO3 and NiCO3, respectively. It was also found that chromic acid concentration significantly affected the corrosion resistance

The Temaguessine Fe-cordierite orbicular granite (Central Hoggar, Algeria): U–Pb SHRIMP age, petrology, origin and geodynamical consequences for the late Pan-African magmatism of the Tuareg shield

IF=1.219info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Syn-kinematic emplacement of granitic batholith and leucogranite along the extensional detachment shear zone system of the Tin Begane area, Laouni terrane (LATEA metacraton, Central Hoggar, Algeria)

International audienc

Serological and molecular detection of Toscana and other Phleboviruses in patients and sandflies in Tunisia.

Background: Our aim is to detect the infection by Toscana virus (TOSV) and other Phleboviruses in the sera and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis in Tunisia. We examined various species of phlebotomus present in Tunisia to determine whether or not a direct relationship exists between cases of meningitis and the viruses circulating in the insect vectors. Methods: Patients with the meningeal syndrome were tested for anti-TOSV IgM and IgG using an indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses using a RT-PCR test. An entomological study was carried out using CDC light traps to trap sandflies in different bioclimatic zones of Tunisia. Collected sandflies were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses and subsequently by viral isolation on Vero cells. Results: Of 263 patients were tested using ELISA of which 12.16% (n = 32/263) were IgM positive for anti TOSV. Of these 32 patients, 78% (n = 25/32) were IgG positive. 12.86% (n = 18/140) of the CSF samples tested by RT-PCR were positive for the Toscana virus. One CSF sample tested by RT-PCR revealed the presence of Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV). The Punique virus was identified in one sandfly pool. Conclusions: This study confirms, for the first time, that TOSV is involved in a neurological disorder in North Africa. The incidence of this involvement in Tunisia conforms with observations made in other Mediterranean countries. Moreover, for the first time, a molecular approach was used to detect SFSV in a Tunisian patient displaying neurological symptoms. Keywords: Toscana virus, ELISA, Nested RT-PCR, Viral isolation, Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus, Punique virus, Phlebovirus, Sandflies, Phlebotomus, Tunisi